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The Citizen, 1991-07-17, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 17,1991. PAGE 7. > i The way they were If you have any photos or special memories of Blyth Memorial Hall, please contact Joanne Walters at the Festival's Administration Office, 523-4345. Blyth Festival’s search tor historic events that have taken place at Blyth Memorial Hall brought this photograph from Myrtle Vodden of the business community in Blyth when it gathered to honour the retirement of pharmacist Del Philp at the Hall in 1969. Gathered at the celebration are: (front row, left to right) Doug Whitmore, Bill Hicks (deceased), Harold Vodden (d), Del Philp (d), Moe Wineberg (d), John Bailey, Norm Gowing, Bill Knox, Archie Montgomery; (middle) Alvin Snell, Bob McClinchey, Bill King, Grant Sparling, Harvey Snell, Lloyd Walsh, John Manning, Bill Howson, John Elliott, George Hubbard, Frank Bainton, George Hamm (d), Jim Seid, Harve McCallum, John Campbell (d), Peter Reinsma; (back) George Radford (d), Harold Campbell, Stanley Chellew (d), Tom Cronin, Jack Stewart (d), Jim Howson, Fred Howson, Lloyd Tasker, Ray Madill (d), George Hamm Jr., Borden Cook (d), Dr. Richard Street, Gordon Elliott. Search for artifacts for memorial to Evalena Webster continues The Blyth Festival continues to collect photographs and people's memories of Blyth Memorial Hall. This collection will eventually be displayed in the lower level of the hall as a pictorial history in memo­ ry of Evalena Webster, a beloved volunteer who died last year. The response to the request for photos and memories has been slow but steady, with one item leading to another. So far, Festival staff have collected everything from a photo of local businessmen gathered at a retirement party for druggist Del Philp in the Hall in 1969 to a copy of the original pro­ gram from the dedication of the Hall in 1921. Two people who actually attended that dedication ceremony have been kind enough to share their vivid memories with the Festival. Long-time Blyth resident Luella McGowan, 91, not only remembers the dedication ceremony, but also the laying of the cornerstone in 1920. Luella also remembers the many dances held in the Hall with entertainment by local bands like The Robert Watts Orchestra, and the many concerts pul on by churches, schools and other organi­ zations. Her memories are now written down on paper and filed in the Festival office. The history project received a boost last Wednesday, July 10 when R.W. (Pat) Powell dropped by the Festival's administration Hullett council supports Seaforth arena project Hullctt township council support­ ed the proposed 1991 -92 capital conservation projects at the Seaforth and District Community Centres in the amount of Si 10,000 at its July 2 meeting. Council voted to sign the planta­ tion management agreement with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority for the 1992-96 period. A by-law was passed imposing special annual drainage rates upon land, where money is borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act in the amount of $6,800. A Tile Drain Loan Application was approved for Lol 24-25, Con­ office. Pat, 81, has lived in Strat­ ford for 53 years but was bom and raised in the Blylh area. His grand­ father, George Powell, built the building where the Mini Mart is now located and Pat lived upstairs in this building as a boy when his father, R. J. Powell, ran a grocery store downstairs. Pat's family even­ tually moved to a house at the cor­ ner of Dinsley Street and Gypsy Lane, the latter so named for the horse-drawn caravans of gypsies who used to occasionally camp out there. Like Luella, whom Pat later had a chance to reminisce with, he was at both the cornerstone laying and the Hall dedication. He remem­ bers many exciting events taking place in the Hall like Minstrel shows, Cantatas and Chaiaqua shows. "There used to be lots of good plays in the Hall back then so histo­ ry is now repeating itself," Pat says. Pat used to be one of the village firemen when the fire hall was located in the back of Memorial Hall. He recalls that in the "dirty thirties", hoboes were allowed to take refuge in the fire hall, and one Christmas, the firemen fed 12 of them. Pat is a walking history book on the village of Blyth in the days when Memorial Hall was brand new and his memories will be recorded as part of the history pro­ ject. cession 4., subject to the availabili­ ty of funds and township by-laws. The accounts totalling $501,559.08 were approved for payment. Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! Let us help you make the nght one1 GARRY WOODCOCK Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Save You Money Drive A Little - Save A Lot OM E R Y1 LUCKNOW 528-2813 Y)u can lose a lot more than your licence drinking and driving. ©Ministry of the Attorney Ontario General