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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-08-26, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26,1992. PAGE 7. Sisters reunite after 53 years of separation Blyth resident Ruth Pilgrim will never forget August 20, 1992. That was the day that she and her sister Katherine Hartley of Wingham were reunited with their sister, Lois Inglis for the first time in 53 years. "We just spent the day crying and laughing," said Lois, who now resides near Stroud, just south of Barrie. As is often the case personal tragedy was the reason the sisters were separated a half century ago. Lois, the eldest of the three, said that there were 13 children in the Hartley family, which resided in Owen Sound. When their mother passed away, it was during the first World War. Their father was leav­ ing with the navy and the oldest children still living at home were taken to live with the grandparents. Ruth and Katherine at four and three were placed in a foster home. "Together", said Ruth. "He would­ n’t let us be separated." "Thankfully," said Katherine, emotionally. Lois said that though her sisters were never far from her thoughts, as she grew older her life as a wife and mother of two took precedence. Two years ago, however, the passing of time made her take stock and she set out on a mission to find her siblings. A letter found among her father's things led her to the area where the foster parents had lived. She discovered Ruth's mar­ ried name and in a surprisingly short time her search had ended. As the other two sisters were living just 10 miles apart the last piece to the puzzle was easy to fit in. "I had been so worried that one or the other might be gone to the other side of the country or ocean. Here they were living right by each other," she said. Though contact was made it wasn't until this past weekend that the trio actually reunited. One of Lois's two grandchildren, Lorice Begin was competing in the National Motocross Champi­ onships in Walton on the weekend so Lois called her sisters to tell them she was coming to the area. The reunion has proven to be a bigger thrill than anticipated. "We have family that we had no idea we had," said Lois. Though Katherine has no children, Ruth has four chil­ dren and seven grandchildren. On Thursday evening for the first time ever, 12 members of the family sat down to dinner together. Of the other siblings, which were all boys, only one, John, is still alive. Lois noted that her younger sisters had never even met some of their brothers as they had moved away from home by the time the girls were bom. She hopes that in the future the trio may get together with John, who lives in Toronto. . Remarking on the effort spent in finding her sisters, Lois said it was really quite simple and she is thrilled with the way things came together. "Sometimes it seemed like it might be impossible, but you just persevere and it will happen." As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Stratford General Hospital building fund or the charity of one's choice. Happy together It’s been 53 years since these three sisters have been together so their reunion in Blyth this past week was a time for much crying and laughing. Ruth Pilgrim, left, of Blyth and Katherine Hartley, right, were separated from their older sister Lois Inglis when they were very young. Two years ago, Lois, who now resides south of Barrie, embarked on a search to find them, only to find her quest was easier then she had anticipated as Katherine lived just 10 miles from Ruth in Wingham. E.S. CLAIR CAMPBELL Mr. E.S. Clair Campbell of Lon­ don passed away on August 14, 1992. A one-time bank manager in Blyth, Mr. Campbell was a member of the United Church. He was the beloved husband of the former Lila McCallum. Also left to mourn his passing is his daughter Jean and her husband Ray Lassaline of London. He will also be dearly missed by his grandson Justin. Funeral services were held on Aug. 17 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home. Rev. Calvin Lewis was the officiating clergy. Interment was at Fairview Ceme­ tery, Dutton. HELEN RITCHIE Mrs. Helen Margaret Ritchie, 76, of 305 Albert St., Stratford, died Tuesday at the Stratford General Hospital. Born at Stratford, she was a daughter of the late George Young and the former Emma Huether. She had lived in Stratford all her life. Her husband, James Frederick Ritchie, died May 29, 1987. She was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Surviving are a son, Robert, of 305 Albert St.; a daughter, Jane Abra and husband John, of Toronto; grandchildren, Jim, Mark and Mary Abra; brothers Stuart Young and wife Dorothy, of Georgetown, and William Young and wife Joyce, of Thorold; a sister, Muriel Steenson and husband Richard, of Toronto; a sister-in- law, Ethel Young, of St. Catharines; and brother-in-law, Jack Swift and wife Joan, of Barrie. She was predeceased by a brother, Jack Young, and a sister, Jean Swift. Friends were received at the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St., Stratford, on Saturday from 12 noon until time of service at 1:30 p.m. Rev. James Ross Dickey officiated. Cremation and burial will be in Avondale Cemetery. Letters THE EDITOR, The recent editorial that fulminated against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) keeps bothering me. It bothers me because it is not thought through. For one thing, no one knows if the US/Canada Free Trade Agreement (USTA) is the only, or even the major cause of present day unemployment. The whole industrialized world has experienced increased job losses due to competition from high technology, and because the whole world, including Canada, is in the midst of a ‘recession’, which to me is more reminiscent of the great depression of my youth. But that aside, the concerns expressed in the editorial and in any number of government bashing columns and letters to the editor in the daily papers, are that Canadian jobs will flow to a low wage country, like Mexico. This is shortsighted and selfish thinking. It is shortsighted because if jobs go to Mexico the buying power of Mexicans will increase and they will be able to buy Canadian made products. Yes, that will take time, but our children and grandchildren will receive the benefits. Mexico has at present some 80 million people. At its present rate of growth, this increases by 2 million people a year, or 2 million new potential customers. Economists agree that within 15 to 20 years Mexico will catch up to us in income and standard of living. That means that 20 years from now a prosperous market of some 120 million people will have opened for our industries and farmers. Continued on page 19 Letter to the editor Continued from page 6 a great supporter of both the town and the festival, it is thrilling for me to feel the continuing strength and growth of this theatre. I am writing this letter because there has been much concern about an anticipated operating deficit this summer and I would like to try to put this into perspective and to caution against an over-reaction. The Festival since its inception has incurred a deficit twice before. In 1976 the deficit represented about eight per cent of the total budget. This was erased the following season. Again in 1978 there was a deficit representing about 17 per cent of the budget. This was erased in 1979. If there is a deficit this year, it will probably represent nine to 10 per cent of the total budget which, while significant, is certainly not a catastrophe. The really exciting thing to note has been the extremely imaginative response of the staff and the board of directors to the problem. The current budget has been slashed and there has been an immediate emergency fundraising campaign started. The response by our audience has literally brought tears to my eyes. It shows that many, many people love and support the Blyth Festival and what it stands for. This support together with the box-office success of "Midnight" will probably mean that any short­ fall will be very small indeed. Blyth is a high-risk theatre. A good new play is hard to find and hard to produce. No one can predict success until it opens before an audience. The adventure of going to a Blyth season has been to discover which new plays are the best or the worst. Peter Smith has done a great job this season. Where else in Canada can you see a great international success like "Kanashibetso" , a new Ted Johns’ comedy in a garage, a terrific historical drama by Anne Chislett, and an outdoor environ­ mental presentation by a group of local young people? Nowhere! Let's keep the adventure in the Blyth Festival. Janet Amos Toronto. BRUSSELS VILLAGE MARKET SPECIALS AUGUST 24 - AUGUST 29 OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 8A.M. - 6 P.M. FRIDAY NIGHTS 'TIL 9 P.M. Kommunitvt 887-9226 M FIESTA PAPER TOWELS 2 ROLLS .69 HEINZ SQUEEZABLE MUSTARD 375 ML. "1 ,49 KRAFT JET MARSHMALLOWS 250 G. GREEN CARE BATHROOM TISSUE 4 ROLLS bOv MAPLE LEAF FLAKES OF ham 184 G. 1.29 MR. TEDDY POPPED £°RN 99 HEINZ 10OZ.TIN TOMATO SOUP 3/1,0C MAXWELL HOUSE VAC PAC COFFEE 300 G.1 .89 PICNIC LEMONADE 12 OZ. QQ TIN ■ VZv/ PRODUCE MEAT POTATOES 1.69 SCHNEIDERS 450 G. PKG. RED HOTS 1.99 PEPSI, DIET B pepsi, 7 up in & DIET 7 UP 750 ML. M j.59 PLUS DEPOSIT