HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-08-29, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019.
On Monday at approximately 6:30
a.m., members of the Ontario
Provincial Police (OPP) Huron
County Detachment responded to
the report of a theft of a tractor
trailer full of beer that had been
stolen earlier that day from Oxford
County.
The owner of the truck contacted
police, advising that the global
positioning satellite (GPS) tracker
on the truck showed the unit in
Huron East, north of Brussels.
OPP members from Perth County,
along with officers from the West
Region Emergency Response Team
(ERT), West Region Canine (K9)
and Aviation Services helicopter
section assisted.
Police recovered the tractor trailer
and cargo, which is worth in excess
of $100,000.
A 40-year-old male of Woodstock
was arrested and charged with:
• Two counts of Theft Over $5,000
of a Motor Vehicle
• Theft Under $5,000 from a
Motor Vehicle
• Two counts of Possession
Property Obtained by Crime Over
$5,000
• Possession of Break-In
Instruments
• Possession of a Schedule I
Substance - Fentanyl
• Fail to Comply with Probation
Order
• Obstruct Police Officer
• Mischief under $5,000.
McDonald Home Hardware in
Brussels is getting ready to celebrate
its 90th year in business this
September, marking nine decades of
changing to fit the community’s
needs according to Manager Jennifer
Hundt (née McDonald)
The business, now welcoming its
fifth generation of family
employees, was originally founded
in the spring of 1929 by Duncan
McDonald and John Crerar and
called Crerar and McDonald
Lumber and Coal. Thirteen years
later, in 1942, Crerar sold his interest
in the business to Duncan. That same
year, J.M. McDonald, also known as
Jack, started working at the business
with his father Duncan.
Jack became a partner in 1944
and, in 1957, purchased the
remaining interests in the company
from his father, incorporating the
business under the name of J.M.
McDonald Lumber Ltd, which
remains to this day.
While the business has always
been located where it is at the north
end of town, it has greatly expanded
over the years. A decade ago, the site
had over 16,000 square feet of
showroom, and since then it has
been added to, with the most recent
addition adding 2,200 square feet of
showroom space and allowing the
company to re-merchandise the
entire space.
In 1964, the company became
shareholders in Allont Limited of
Toronto and in 1983 became part of
Home Hardware Stores Ltd. which
is owned and operated by
independent retail lumber and
building supply dealers.
Manager Jennifer Hundt (nee
McDonald) said the expansion is
part of the ongoing effort to serve the
community, a goal that has been
impressed upon her for years.
In past interviews with The
Citizen, she explained that it feels
good to be part of a company and to
establish a legacy that has always put
a priority on serving the community.
She said that she has heard stories
over the years, painting a full picture
of what the company used to be like.
Part of the current store, for
example, was previously
undeveloped and reserved for
customers’ horses, complete with
food buckets for the horses.
While the store has always been a
family affair, with brothers and
sisters working side by side, in 1998,
John and his wife Merilyn purchased
the remaining interests of the store,
consolidating the ownership. The
couple continue to run the store with
their children Michael and Jennifer.
Jennifer’s son Jackson recently
started working at the store, marking
the fifth generation to be a part of the
company and the first time that three
generations have been working the
store simultaneously.
In earlier interviews with The
Citizen, John likened the business to
a farm, saying he would likely be
involved in some way or another as
long as he could.
He went on to say that through
being a part of the community
through the store, and volunteering
through local community groups and
minor sports, he continues to live by
the same drive to help Brussels be
the best it can be.
To mark the 90th anniversary, a
special celebration is being held
Sept. 7.
Jennifer explained that, from 8
a.m. to 3 p.m., the store will feature
a family fun day, and at 10 a.m., a
formal ribbon cutting will be held
marking the big day.
“We will have Home Hardware’s
mascot Handy the Hound, and
inflatable attractions,” she said.
A charity barbecue benefitting
Brussels Minor Baseball will also be
held, and the Brussels Club Lions
Club will be making cotton candy.
The event will also be marked by a
number of sales, specifically on
flooring and lumber.
For more information, watch
future editions of The Citizen.
Beer truck
recovered
McDonald Home Hardware marks 90th anniversary
A milestone
While there have been five generations of McDonalds working at McDonald Home Hardware
in Brussels, which is marking its 90th anniversary next month, a new milestone was recently
reached where three generations were working at the store simultaneously. From left: Michael
McDonald, Jennifer (née McDonald) and Jackson Hundt and Merilyn and John McDonald.
(Denny Scott photo)
How it was
With the 90th anniversary of McDonald Home Hardware
fast approaching, it only makes sense to look back. Above
is a photo from the 1970s showing how the store used to
look. The modern store has undergone some significant
changes since then, with the addition of thousands of feet
of merchandise space now in use at the store. (Photo submitted)
The Citizen
offices will be closed on
Monday, September 2
for
The deadlines for the September 5 paper
will be
Friday, August 29
2 pm in Brussels and
4 pm in Blyth
405 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
TOWN OF WINGHAM
FALL 2019
HYDRANT FLUSHING NOTICE
Hydrant flushing will be between the dates of
September 2nd to 27th and between the hours
of 6:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
In some circumstances this type of maintenance
can result in temporary discolouration of water. If
you experience changes in water quality, please
run your cold water tap until the water runs clear
before using appliances such as a washing
machine or dishwasher. For more information
contact Veolia Water Canada at (519) 357 - 9942.
STEVEN NIXON
Broker
WILFRED MCINTEE & CO. L IMITED
Bus: 519-357-2222
Cell: 519-531-0252
Fax: 519-357-4482
Email: nixon@execulink.com
Web: www.stevennixon.com
249 Josephine St.,
WINGHAM, ON N0G 2W0
Serving the area
since 1999
284 HAMILTON ST., BLYTH
MLS#30754164 $259,900
Excellent location for this starter or
retirement home, 3 bedroom modular home
on a 1/2 acre lot with beautiful grounds,
large living room, 4pc bath, relax on the
rear deck, gas furnace, c/air, detached
insulated garage, newer roof shingles,
double wide driveway, 2 storage sheds.
Call Steve Nixon 519.357.2222
#23
NEW
P
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I
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By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Drop by our office in
Blyth or Brussels and
check out our wonderful
selection of books. We
have books for all ages.
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
405 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
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