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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-08-04, Page 6Robert and Donelda Charter received a plaque from their relatives in thanks for their hosting the McGowan family reunion. Graduation Gary Martin, son of Howard and Alice Martin, graduated from Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana. Gary received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation. Congratulations Gary! Love Dad, Mom & Wendy book and street paving. This project will create 44 person weeks of employment. In Bayfield, $25,000 has been approved for interior renovation to the Old Town Hall. This designated structure will provide a central focus for arts and cultural activities. Drive off with A Bargain in the Classified Section. • Colour Printing • Posters • letterheads • Envelopes • Business Cards WE CAN *Business Forms • Brochures • Flyers • Carbonless Forms • Labels DO IT All! RECEIVE correspondence at The Citizen •,'1\ 44,00 per sheet] Fax. 523-9140 OR 887-9021 PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1993. McGowan Settlement recalled at reunion Paul Klopp announces jobsOntario community action support grants From Oregon to the east coast of Canada descendants of Robert and Mary McGowan travelled to East Wawanosh on Sunday to mark part of the history of the township. Ninety-six McGowan descendants gathered at Woodlea, owned by Robert and Donelda Charter, many seeing each other for the first time. They are the far-flung descendants of the founders of the McGowan settlement, an area of several farms taking up 1000 acres on concessions 2 and 3 of East Wawanosh. Robert and Mary McGowan came from Scotland in the early 1800s to settle the Scotch Block in Halton County and meet cousins never seen before. Eventually they and their five sons Robert C., Walter, George, James and Gregor came to East Wawanosh to take up a whole block of land in the 1850s. Walter took up the land that is today Woodlea Farm. Walter's son Robert C. McGowan married Maggie Jane Murdoch of Lucknow in 1894. They built the current house on the farm. The couple had no sons, however, and so the McGowan name wasn't carried on on that farm. Over the years it was much the same story on the other McGowan Settlement farms as the name so familiar that even the school was named McGowan School, began to disappear. As a result on Sunday few of the 96 people present had the name McGowan. Robert Charter, grandson of Robert C. and Maggie McGowan, is the only McGowan descendent owning land in the original settlement. He now owns three of the original McGowan farms. He and his wife Donelda decided that it was time the McGowan family was reunited and Paul Klopp (MPP for Huron) announced July 20 jobsOntario Community Action funding of $1,099,000 for projects in the region geared to boosting cultural and economic activities as well as improving infrastructure. Klopp made the announcement on behalf of Minister of Economic Development and Trade Frances Lankin. Ontario's support for these projects comes from a special $31 million portion of the jobsOntario Community Action program set aside for capital projects that can start creating jobs and supporting communities this summer. The funding represents up to one half of total costs for capital projects in Bayfield, Clinton, Exeter, Howick and Grand Bend. In Grand Bend, a $574,000 project for renovations to the Huron Country Playhouse was approved. Threatened with closure due to fire safety regulations, the renovations will secure the estimated economic impact of $6 million brought by the over 75,000 visitors to the theatre every year. This project will also maintain the 18 full-time/seasonal positions and provide 22 short-term jobs. In Exeter, there is $169,000 for the construction of a sewer trunk to alleviate potential flooding and create housing opportunities. This project will create 76 person weeks of employment. In Clinton, $231,000 will cover half the costs of an infrastructure upgrading project. The project — trunk storm sewer installation, sanitary sewer and watermain replacement road rehabilitation and sidewalk improvement on Mary Street.— is the last phase of a major project known locally as the Mary Street Drain Project. In Howick, $100,000 has been approved for the rehabilitation of two cemeteries, renovations at the Fordwich and Gorrie librarians, the creation of a Township history organized the event. They traced family lines which included one McGowan daughter who settled in Oregon and started a branch of the family there. They sent out invitations to 125 people and most were able to attend. The McGowan relatives got a chance to trace their history through various photographs and documents on display, heard family members reminisce, had family photos taken and enjoyed a beef barbecue.served by the Belgrave Kinsmen Club. Family elders Only four McGowans were present at the McGowan settlement reunion, the last to carry the name of the family that settled a large part of southern East Wawanosh. Luella, left, (widow of George) (left) chats with (lett to right) Clare McGowan, Finlay McGowan and Ella McGowan Carter, (widow of Orval). "Faxing at The Citizen is just so easy...and inexpensive too! owning my own business means I don't have a lot of time to do everything I should do... ND - One sheet for just $4 dollars and 1.00 per s 0\et if more FREE in ol 523-4792 or 887-9114 C hti Huron itizen .r= ENE Iff 1,61111r