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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-08-29, Page 1 CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, August 29, 2019 Volume 35 No. 34 FUNDRAISER - Pg. 3 Agricultural Society to host Fall Fair dinner WORLD RECORD - Pg. 11 Locals travel to eastern Ontario to set world record ANNIVERSARY - Pg. 2 McDonald Home Hardware to mark 90th anniversary Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0 INSIDE THIS WEEK: Rutabaga Ride incorporated into full G2G ride Locals shine at Huron County Plowing Match Blyth’s first Rutabaga Festival in years may be bringing in far more visitors than anticipated as the Goderich-to-Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail will act as a conduit to Blyth for several cycling groups. G2G Board member Doug Cerson explained that, when Annie Sparling reached out to him regarding the Rutabaga Ride, a cycling event tied to the Festival that is set for Oct. 5 and was planned to see riders head to Auburn and back, the festival dovetailed nicely with other events happening on the trail. “It started off with the Rutabaga Festival proposing a ride locally, but there was also interest from a rider group out of Goderich that does a Fall Colours Ride,” he said. “There was talking about doing that the same day.” The same week he heard from the Rutabaga Festival and the Goderich group, a third group out of Toronto looking to ride the G2G, nearly in its entirety, contacted him about utilizing the trail some time in October. “The group out of Toronto wanted to use the trail for one day, start at Guelph and go to [Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company Ltd.],” Cerson said. “The club proposed 50-70 riders.” Cerson said that all these messages coming in at the same time led to him seeing the events could work together. It won’t just be those groups, however, as a special ride is being scheduled that day designed to bring G2G users to Blyth for any cyclist interested. Notices will be sent to other clubs near the trail, Cerson said. “They could register, ride up and take in the Rutabaga Festival,” he said. “There is a tour of the [Hubbard’s rutabaga factory] and Cowbell tours as well if they choose.” Riders can attend the event from anywhere, Cerson said. They don’t need to start in Goderich or Guelph, but can just get on the trail at any point and make their way to Blyth. The ride will cost $60 to take part in and includes a beverage and lunch at Cowbell as well as a souvenir t- shirt from the G2G and the Rutabaga Festival. Riders not interested in the beverage or lunch can opt out of those options. A sign-up page will be created on the G2G website, g2grailtrail.com, this week, Cerson said. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the maintenance and upgrades for the G2G trail, Cerson said, and riders will be encouraged to get pledges from friends and family to support the ride. Once riders get to Blyth, there will be three check-in points so riders know what’s going on in the community. One check-in will be on the trail, one at Cowbell and another in downtown Blyth as part of the Rutabaga Festival. Cowbell has been a big supporter of the event, Cerson said, offering up the Threshers Hall for riders. Cerson said the event will be a great opportunity for people to see what Blyth has to offer while encouraging exercise. Huron County Plowmen’s Association President Margaret Vincent says she couldn’t have asked for more last week at the annual Huron County Plowing Match. Held in Gorrie this year on the home farm of Ray and Anita Dykstra, the match has been deemed a success, yielding plenty of promising winners and great representation for the next year. Westfield-area teenager Grace Hallahan was crowned the Princess on Thursday afternoon, while it was Maranda Klaver of RR5, Seaforth who was named Queen of the Furrow on Friday night, beating out two other competitors to succeed Loretta Higgins in the prestigious position. On the plowing side, Blyth’s Lucas Townsend again triumphed in the Junior category, while Brussels- area teenager Andrew Fear was handed the Reserve Champion Award. Paul Dodds of the Walton area claimed the Senior Championship, while it was another man from Walton, Brian McGavin, who was the Reserve Champion. Peter Albers claimed victory in the Green category, also claiming the McGavin Award for best crown, which excludes all previous winners, and the Huron County Warden Award. The Val Lea Youngest Plower Award went to James Speer. The Fear family of the Brussels area won the Huron County Plowmen’s Association Farm Family Award. A number of Huron County 4-H Sodbusters Club members were also honoured that night. Darnell Francis was the top 4-H The Brussels Tigers remain atop the Huron County Fastball League with just a few games left in the regular season before the year-end tournament in Mitchell on Sept. 6-8. The Tigers boast a record of 17-3 following a 14-4 win over the Fullarton A’s on Aug. 21, the Tigers’ last game of the regular season. The Wingham Hitmen are in second place with a record of 14-4. The Hitmen lost on Aug. 25 by a Tigers sit atop league Keeping it straight Ray and Anita Dykstra’s Gorrie-area farm was the setting for the Huron County Plowing Match last week that saw a number of locals excel both on and off the fields. Maranda Klaver of RR5, Seaforth, above, did both, earning the Queen of the Furrow crown, as well as the Best Plowgirl Award, no doubt thanks to her attention to detail. (Shawn Loughlin photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3