The Rural Voice, 1999-05, Page 27Ontario Farm Accounting Book, the
"blue book", he recalls.
"That was in the days when the
ministry staff made farm calls
routinely," Bolton added wryly.
Frank Bouma, retired now and
living in Owen Sound, recalls the
club's education programs played an
important role for the young farmers.
In his native Holland young farmers
usually had formal trailing in
agriculture but not so in Ontario at
that time. The on-going information
obtained through the monthly
programs helped fill the gap.
As the group grew older, it was
often the social rather than
the educational side of the
meetings that was most anticipated.
They still have speakers on topics
like real estate appraisals and
insurance, but they also take trips to
tour museums, businesses and othcr
attractions. Sometimes the world
came to them, with slide or film
presentations from five continents.
They travelled, through the
presentations of speakers, from the
Confederation Bridge in the cast to
cattle ranches in the west.
Social times also ranged from
weiner roasts and pot luck suppers in
the early years to catered meals or
visits to restaurants today.
"They're a great bunch," said
Bouma as he surveyed the room
during the social hour that followed
the anniversary meeting. There are
no boundaries or dividing lines
between one group and another, he
says. Thought they were not native to
the area, he and his wife Tina always
felt accepted.
With so many years of history and
a relatively small membership, many
of the members have taken more than
one turn on the executive. Greig, for
instance, was the founding president
and the president again in this the
40th anniversary year.
Today there are 28 active
members, some from the original
group and a few newer members. As
the group has aged, members have
been lost to illness and death, five in
the last couple of years. Greig says
he doesn't know how much longer
the club can keep going. He doesn't
want to see it reduced to a tiny group.
On the other hand, says Bouma, "I
don't want to be the president the
year we're going to quit."0
In• Electric Openers • Strip Curtains • Dock Bumpers • Vinyl Windows I
SALES AND SERVICE
r• Steel Overhead Doors • Wood Overhead Doors • Polycarbonate Overhead Doors
OVERHEAD DOOR FACTORY OUTLET
Ideal For Driving Sheds And Workshops
1:
FOR FIBERGLASS AND ALUMINUM DOORS
— for all your door needs, see us first for expert
advice and the highest quality materials.
FREE ESTIMATES
CaII: Andy Stinnissen for details
EASY LIFT 515 James St., S. 1-800-667-3845
DOORS LTD ST. MARYS, ONT., FAX 349-2144
Door Weather Stripping • Overhead Door Hardware • Garage Doors (All Types)
E.C.
KING
REDI-MIX
Serving the Farm Community Since 1950 with the
latest up-to-date facilities
Port Elgin Durham Owen Sound
519-832-5706 519-369-2100 519-376-8155
Clarksburg
519-599-3140
CONTRACTING
Collingwood
705-444-2224
For competitive prices,
prompt delivery
and a quality product
— call us.
For those hard to reach places
we have a 125 ft. boom concrete pump
MAY 1999 23