Village Squire, 1978-04, Page 9gave local people a chance to see quality processional art from
artists all over the province. Later the gallery was to close
because costs were just too high. Mr. Heim found greater
success for his own work and recently left the area to work • in
Toronto.
That summer saw the magazine announce a contest to
encourage local writers. The prizes were offered for the best
poem, the best essay on local needs and the best short story.
That first summer one of the most popular features was a
column on daytripping, short jaunts around the countryside to
see pretty scenery and interesting places. The column lapsed for
a time because of the lack of new places to visit but was reborn in
the summer of 1977.
September issue saw stories on two Clinton area businesses,
both relatively new success stories. The first was on Stonehouse
Antiques run by the Harrison family. It's still in operation today
east of the town. The second story was on Tim St. Louis who had
opened the tiny shop Raintree Gallery in Clinton earlier in the
year and who started a trend in the town to interesting smaller
shops. He was to be featured nearly five years later in Dec. 1977
%.hen he moved to a new larger location.
That same issue had an article that told the story of the "Great
Hall Debate" that was going on in the village of Blyth. The
argument was on whether or not the Blyth Memorial Hall, the
best theatre facility in the area. should be saved or condemned.
The battle went on for a long period as supporters tried to
convince village councillors the building was worth saving.
October say. the announcement of the writing contest winners.
One N. a name that was to become familiar in the pages of the
magazine in later years: Elaine Townshend.
January of 1974 . as more than the beginning of a new year for
the magazine. For the first time the magazine took on a look of a
little more importance. A new glossy paper was used for printing
the cover and a second colour vas added. Inside, the addition of
ne%. computerized typesetting equipment to the company gave it
a more professional look. It had by now graduated from the
livingroom to a small. though shabby office.
February say: two survey stories done. The first looked at
amateur theatre in the county including the fledgling Blyth Little
I hcatre and the veteran Goderich Little Theatre. The issue also
conducted a survey of weekly newspapers in Huron and Perth
counties. the problems and successes. One of the most
successful %.eekly nes. spapermen. R.G. Shrier of the Signal -Star
chain in Goderich v, as featured in an article. A critical look at the
daily press .as also given showing many of the same
%.eaknesses that were to be dealt with four years later in another
look at the press (Feb. 1978). particularly entertainment
coverage.
1974 sae. the coverage area of the magazine expand to include
parts of Perth county. particularly Listowel and Stratford. The
magazine also had added Bayfield and Seaforth in Huron county
by this time.
Some new names that were to become familiar to the readers
of the magazine began to show up in the pages. The Country
Mouse. a writer born in Huron who now lives in Toronto
contributed articles. A new writer Robert E. Laidlaw of
Wingham had many articles accepted. He had found writing only
in his retirement years but talent ran in the family: he was father
of Canada's most illustrious short story writer Alice Munro.
Unfortunately. his death in 1977 brought his career as a writer to
a too -quick end. Ron Shaw contributed the first of several short
stories he was to write. The former Goderich resident is now
serving with a relief agency in Asia.
The summer of 1974 saw the beginning of one of the most
popular features of the magazine over the next two years: a cover
drawing by Goderich artist Jim Marlatt. The Marlatt drawings
showed simple illustrations of local life. A series of articles by a
local writer under the penname of Glen Scott told of the trials of
the pioneers and was a popular feature of the magazine that
summer.
Early 1975 saw another familiar name introduced to the
magazine. Adrian Vos a farmer turned writer began contributing
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VILLAGE SQUIRE/APRIL 1978. PG. 7.