The Rural Voice, 2001-07, Page 31"The Americans were getting fed
up with Canadians taking their jobs,"
says Smith, so Reid bought the Varna
building.
John Aldington took over the
operation in 1942, updating the
facility with modern
equipment, allowing for better
processing of the grains.
J.A.H. Broeze of Whalens
Corners was the next owner,
running the mill for 27 years.
Frank Roth ran the mill from
1977 to 1991 with Kevin and
Arlene Bridge taking over until
1997. In that year, the Co-op
bought the business and, soon
after, shut it down.
Smith began his career at the
mill in 1950, immediately after
finishing high school. However,
this was certainly not his first
experience with the machinery at the
mill. He recalls a time when
Aldington was the owner and the
hired man was left to run the
operation while deliveries were being
made. When the equipment stopped
and could not be restarted, help was
sought from young Smith.
"The (employee) would walk
down to the school, which wasn't far
from the mill, and get me to come
and start the engine."
Smith's affinity for that old 1930
engine remains today. With the
engine having moved through the
hands of others since its removal
from the mill, Smith recently
received a call from current owner
Gary Tweedle of Denfield to help get
it running so that it can be displayed
at shows around the region.
When Tweedle first purchased the
engine, there were also concerns
because all the original manuals and
parts books were not available.
However, Smith once again came to
the rescue. He simply wrote the
British company which had
manufactured the engine, asking for
copies of all the pertinent
information. He has other books
supplied by the company and had no
difficulty locating the manuals.
Of his time working at the mill,
Smith says there were some
interesting times. Once, a live mouse
came down the chute onto the screens
he was watching. At other times,
there were eggs and even coins.
After 28 years at the mill, Smith
says the thing he misses the most is
the interaction with the people.
"There were always people
coming with work to be done. I
learned a lot at the mill. You had to
really know how to get along with
occupied the space.
"It is cool hearing the stories about
how the mill was part of their lives,"
says Aylsworth. "It really adds to the
history of the building."
Black Sheep Studio has something
for everyone, the couple says.
While some visitors come for
the artwork, others come to
look and remember.
Aylsworth truly enjoys
talking with his guests.
listening to the tales
recounted by seniors as they
recall visiting the mill in its
heyday as well as helping all
visitors learn about the
paintings and selecting a
piece which will be just right
for them.
Over his almost three years
in the old mill. Aylsworth
says he feels right about what he and
Abel are doing with the building. "By
preserving it, we are not letting the
building down."
Black Sheep Studio welcomes
visitors until Thanksgiving, open on
weekends only in June and
September then Tuesday through
Sunday. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. July and
August.0
"It looks different, but much
better. They have cleaned it up,
put on new lumber and painted
it. It looks good inside too."
people or they wouldn't come back."
Though he says it is quieter at the
building today than in its heyday as a
chopping mill, Smith is pleased with
the new life it has been given.
"It looks different, but much
better. They (Aylsworth and Abel)
have cleaned it up, put on new
lumber and painted it. It looks good
in the inside, too."
Though Aylsworth had originally
thought of using the mill just as a
studio, it soon became home to the
couple as well.
Work to rejuvenate the building
began in earnest in the spring of
1999. The first six months were spent
cleaning the entire structure. starting
on the top floor and working his way
down.
When he studied the space at the
front of the building which would be
a gallery, Aylsworth saw a labyrinth
of augers, chutes and bins. Though
many of these were removed to
provide display space, some
equipment remains, enhancing the
character and sense of history in the
gallery.
With the business open on a full-
time basis this summer, Aylsworth
says he looks forward to hearing
more stories about the old building.
Even in the first season last year. a lot
of people came just to see what had
been done with the old structure.
They brought with them stories of
childhood stops with parents, picking
up a few supplies and buying grains
and animal feed when the mill
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JULY 2001 27