HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-02-07, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019. PAGE 9.
McGavin’s set to merge with Robert’s Farm Equipment
McGavin’s Farm Equipment of
Walton will soon be merging with
Robert’s Farm Equipment, which
has locations in Chesley, Lucknow
and Mount Forest.
The companies announced the
merger last week, emphasizing the
fact that this was two family-owned
companies coming together
in a partnership, and not an
acquisition.
“It’s a true, 50/50 partnership. The
names will stay the same on the
building and customers will still be
dealing with the same people,” Brian
McGavin, who co-owns the
company with his brother Jeff, said
in an interview with The Citizen.
“Like we said in the commercial: It’s
the same names, same faces and
same great people, just with more
resources to continue to provide
unparalleled customer service and
quality products to all of our
customers.”
Brian said that Robert’s has very
similar values to his family’s
company.
Robert’s is run by two brothers
who feel passionate about their
communities and the service they
provide to customers.
“Family and community will
always be important to us,” Jeff said,
emphasizing the small-town values
the companies represent. “Their
vision and mission are very similar,
and we were both looking to secure
the future of our companies at the
same time.”
Robert’s also has a rich history,
Jeff said, as the company recently
celebrated its 50th anniversary,
while McGavin’s is in its 83rd year
of business.
Brian said that the families had
worked together in the past, which
led to the advertising hashtag that
accompanied the merger:
#bettertogether.
“It really will be better together,”
Brian said. “We believe that for the
future.”
So far, the move has been well
received, Brian said, with many
understanding why this is
happening.
The merger will allow both
companies to establish a larger
geographic service area and provide
the full lines of equipment the two
companies individually provide
across that entire area.
The merger will be effective June
1, 2019. Watch The Citizen for more
information on it closer to that date.
Looking forward
Many years ago, Jeff, left, and Brian McGavin, right, cut the
ribbon to officially open McGavin’s Farm Equipment new
expansion alongside their father Neil, centre. Now in charge
of the company, the brothers are moving forward with
another big move for the company: merging with Robert’s
Farm Equipment. (File photo)
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
NEWS
FROM WALTON
The Heart of Gold fundraiser, set
to be held at the Brussels Four
Winds Barn on Feb. 16, will help
support the Walton Little School’s
ongoing child care services.
Tara Smith, one of the organizers
of the event, explained that through
the school’s focus on hands-on
learning, a lot of classroom toys,
equipment and furnishings need to
be repaired or replaced from time to
time, and the event will raise money
for the school to do just that.
The event will start at 5:30 p.m.
with cocktails, followed by dinner
from High Creek Farm Catering at 7
p.m. A silent auction will be held as
well with local businesses and
families contributing. A dance, with
music provided by a DJ, will follow
and a late lunch will be catered by
JR’s Family Restaurant.
The snow date for the event is Feb.
23, the following Saturday.
Tickets for the event are $40. For
more information contact Smith at
226-791-0610 or her co-organizer
Heidi Elizabeth at 519-588-4418.
Walton Little School
fundraiser set Feb. 16
Cold enjoyed by snowmobilers
What a week we went through last
week. School was cancelled most
days and the one day the bus did run
to Seaforth, it was a very
challenging drive in the afternoon.
We are thankful everyone made it
home safely that night.
It certainly was cold last week and
staying inside was the best option if
you were able. Then, Sunday and
Monday came along with
temperatures above 0°C and the
snow melted with rain on the way.
What a variety of weather we have!
The snowmobilers had some hope
of riding the trails around here, and I
did see a few on the trail, but that
was short-lived. We have seen many
trucks and trailers loaded with sleds
heading north over the past few
weeks, including our son Scott,
Chris and Devin Blake and five other
friends. They spent three days away
and managed to get use of their
machines.
It has been a week of sadness with
the news of the passing of Jim Sills.
He will be missed by his wife Anne
(Achilles) and children Tracey, Tim,
Ted and Don and their families. Jim
was a wonderful man, who everyone
turned to for help in Seaforth. A
pillar of business as a fourth
generation owner of Sills Hardware,
his smile, wit and help could always
be counted on. Our sympathies are
extended to all his family. Daughter
Tracey and husband Jeff McKee and
family live at Walton, and we offer
them our condolences from the
Walton community.
A second source of sadness is
learning of the passing of Jack
Nelemans, a former Walton resident.
He will be missed by his wife
Lorraine and children Christine and
Jerry and their families. The
Nelemanses had been living in
Grand Bend and came back to
Walton/Brussels area for many
special occasion events over the
years.
Jack operated a dairy systems
business in Walton for many years
and was an avid horseman. He had a
broad smile, loved to visit and was a
great community fellow. Our
sympathies are extended to the
family and extended families.
Our sympathies are extended to
the family of Ellwood Seili on his
passing. The dear husband of
Beatrice for 64 years, he will be
missed by children Joe, Jane, Jim
and Jeff and their families. Our
condolences to all.
Congratulations to past and
present Walton/Brussels area
citizens for being recognized by
MPP Lisa Thompson as remarkable
citizens from Huron. We have
always known the magnitude of the
talents of these residents and it is
fantastic they have been honoured
by Thompson. We congratulate
Brian McGavin, Joyce Johnston,
Christopher Pennington and Bob
Rowe as being recognized as
remarkable citizens and being
presented with their awards.
The second of February, or
Groundhog Day, dawned and the
consensus of the groundhogs is an
early spring. After the cold
temperatures we endured during the
last week, that is welcome news. The
groundhogs not seeing their
shadows to predicting an early
spring include our own Wiarton
Willie, Punxsutawney Phil, Alberta’s
Balzac Billy and Manitoba Merv.
Seeing their shadows, so predicting
six more weeks of winter were
Shubenacadie Sam, Quebec’s Fred
la Marmotte and Lucy Lobster (no,
she is not a groundhog) of Nova
Scotia! I guess we will wait and see
what the middle of March will bring
us!
Celebrating birthdays this past
week include Thys deJong, Sarah
Mitchell, Groundhog babies John
Breacker, Brian Williamson, then
John Driscoll, Marilyn McDonald,
Mike Durrell, Amy Whyte, Pamela
Hackwell, Clinton Pryce, Abby
McNichol, Arnold den Dekker,
Katie Dionne, George Kruse and
Catherine Terpstra. Happy birthday
to all.
egirebyegivor carfoAn in-person social netw
oonnection Grer CegivCar
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Providing peer and resource connections for caregivers in Huron and Perth Co
e and/Caregivers provide support, assistanc /oor care, for family members and f
in need. Being a caregiver can be rewarding and fulfilling. However, caregiver
feel alone and overwhelmed in their journey.
If you are a caregiver and would like to connect with other caregivers in Huro
Perth Counties, please join us at an upcoming Caregiver Connection Group.
These groups are hosted by caregivers for caregivers - come as you are for a
snack and conversation!
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Stratford Public Library Group - Starting February 11, 2019
19 St. Andrew St., Stratford
2nd Monday of the month – 10:00 to 11:30am
4th Monday of the month – 1:00 to 2:30pm
Brussels Library Group - Starting February 12, 2019
650 Turnberry St., Brussels
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month – 2:00 to 3:30pm
For more information call Huron Perth Community
Support Services Network at 1-844-482-7800.
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ounties
friends
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on and
a coffee,
up
By Jo-Ann
McDonald
Call
887-6570
PEOPLE AROUND
WALTON