HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 51THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 ,1992 P^GE A19.------------- -
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
History in
the making
BY CHRIS ROULSTON
The long awaited (five years in the
making) East Wawanosh Township history
book, Wilderness to Wawanosh, is finally
reaping its rewards. Only a little more than
a month after its release, the book committee
has already sold over 1000 of the 2000
copies printed, a figure which goes beyond
predicted sales.
Beneath the beautiful cover of this account
of the township's history lies the tale of
many dedicated people's hard work and
efforts to produce Wilderness to Wawanosh.
Five years ago, in January of 1987, East
Wawanosh Township Council approached
Robert Charter about heading up a
committee to write the history of the
Township. This history would be in honour
of the Township's 125th anniversary in
1992. Mr. Charter was asked because he had
been previously involved in work on the
Huron County Historical Atlas.
A group of Township residents gathered
on March 17, 1987 in the township shed,
with Mr. Charter chairing the meeting. He
explained the council's request. He had also
discovered that grants could be obtained if
they formed a New Horizons Group. Health
and Welfare Canada offers funding to senior
citizens' projects under a program called the
New Horizons Program. In order to receive
this funding, the book committee would
have to include 10 members 65 years of age
and over, or 55 years of age and over if
retired. A couple of younger members were
permitted. Officers had to be elected as
well. Mrs. Marie Toll was elected President
with Mrs. Harold Vincent as Vice President
and Marian Hallahan as Secretary.
After the group's organization, it received
a $12,000 grant from the New Horizons
Program and a $2,000 grant from the
Province of Ontario. With the New
Horizon's program, the group is not allowed
to make a profit.
One of the first tasks the committee
performed was to elect line directors: each
concession was given a director whose job
was to hand out information sheets and
gather information and pictures from each
family on the concession. There are
approximately 350 families in East
Wawanosh, so it was a hefty job to gather all
that information.
Marie Toll, who was in charge of
gathering information from Cone. 1, says
that some of the families were "right on the
ball" and they got their information in right
away, but some people had to have their
memories jogged. She thinks a few must
have felt they didn't have anything
interesting to say because they didn't
continued on page A20
Published by North Huron Citizen
Council
The present council of East Wawanosh. From left: Councillor Maurice Hallahan, Councillor Dianna Robinson, Reeve
Ernest Snell, Clerk Winona Thompson, Councillor Fred Meier and Councillor Donald Schultz.
Heritage in action, theme
of anniversary celebration
BY GEORGE CULL
The theme on our East Wawanosh parade
float reads “PULLING TOGETHER.”
Over the past two years, it has become
clear to me why that theme is so appropriate
for East Wawanosh's 125th birthday. It was
with some trepidation that I took on the job
of chairman for our 125th celebrations.
To my delight, I soon found out that I
would not be working alone. Most of the 20
people who turned out for our first meeting
on February 27, 1991 eventually took on
responsibilities as committee chairpersons,
and I had no trouble finding other people to
take on similar positions of responsibility.
From a handful of 20 people, the working
force of this group soon expanded into
various committees whose members number
well over 200 people.
Thanks to our neighbouring communities
for their support, and a special thanks to the
Belgrave Kinsmen for all their assistance
and hard work.
Many people helping in this year's
celebrations have names that go back to the
very early days of our township^ Some, like
me, are relatively newcomers. In East
Wawanosh, it doesn't matter if your family
has been here for generations or you are a
newcomer. Everyone pulls together to make
things happen.
I am sure that the 1992 celebrations are
carrying on a rich tradition, and I know they
will be a lasting reminder of what people are
capable of when they work as a team.
I thank all who have helped in the
preparations, and invite everyone to help
celebrate East Wawanosh's Birthday and
Homecoming on July 2, 3, 4, and 5.
o
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