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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-10, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10,1994. itizene P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM1HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 The North Huron P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell r<io The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 ! G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in I Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); j $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. i Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, ' only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. ; A ivertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. . We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. ' Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mall Registration No. 6968 E ditorial I . '......................... I place. But this is the 20th season. 20 seasons of excellence "Can it really be 20 years?" people kept asking at the 20th season celebration at the Blyth Festival on the weekend. Actually, no. Twenty years ago the Blyth Festival wasn't even in the planning stage. The future of the theatre auditorium in Blyth Memorial Hall was still in doubt as village council wrestled with the high cost of repairs and uncertain use of the building. It wasn't until July 9 1975 that the first play took And as tidbits from 18 productions over those 20 seasons were performed on the stage of Memorial Hall Sunday, it was obvious just how impressive the history of the Festival has been. Shows like Quiet in the Land, I'll Be Back Before Midnight, Bordertown Cafe and Country Hearts that went from their premieres in Blyth to national and international success were included. Shows with special significance to the local audience from The Life that Jack Built to Mostly in Clover to Many Hands showed how the Festival has reflected our local stories to the outside world. Beaux Gesles and Beautiful Deeds and Girls in the Gang recalled the Festival's efforts to acquaint us with other parts of Canada. It was an impressive show, expertly stitched together by director Miles Potter, who wrote a narrative to unite the excerpts. The accomplishments of the Festival were made more dramatic when one realized these shows comprised barely a fifth of the plays presented at the Festival over the years, 61 of them world premieres. And then there were the cast members on stage. Kate Trotter and Seana McKenna, among the country's leading actors were there. Both made their professional debuts on the Blyth stage and were important parts of the company for years. There was Trish Vanstone, one of the leading performers of musical theatre performing with Denny Kennedy, a Teeswater native who began her career in Blyth. There was Ms Vanstone's husband, John Roby, one of the country's best composers of musical theatre, performing in the background. And there was Memorial Hall auditorium itself, a far cry from the endangered, nearly abandoned relic of 1974. As Legion member Clare Vincent read the honour roll if the community's World War I dead, it was easy to think that the far-sighted community leaders, who decided to build a memorial hall after that war, would be proud of the busy, living memorial the hall has become and the vital role it plays in the community. Back in 1975 there were many, both in the local community and in the theatrical community, who thought the idea of professional theatre in Blyth was foolish. It should be an inspiration to those with dreams and ideas and a willingness to work hard, that it can work. It certainly has been an inspiration to other unlikely places like Drayton and Fergus and Orangeville that if Blyth can do it, they can too. It's 20 seasons to be proud of, for the theatre professionals who have performed and written and worked behind the scenes, and for the community members who have worked so hard to make the dream come alive. Take a bow. — KR Will it ever be settled? There was good news for troubled Canadians on the weekend when a new public opinion survey in Quebec showed voters are starting to turn away from the Parti Quebecois and toward the Liberals. What's more, the survey shows that 75 per cent of people are against the proposal by the PQ to start negotiating Quebec's sovereignly as soon as the party wins power, even before an independence referendum is held. But the good news is tempered by a sense of futility about the whole thing. Even if the Liberals win the election, it's only a matter of time before voters will want to throw out the government and the only alternative is the PQ. Even if a sovereignty referendum is defeated, as nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they would do, it's only a matter of time before the parly brings it all up again. After the 1980 referendum Canadians breathed easier, thinking the strain was finally gone. Fourteen years later we're right back al it. Quebec nationalists will keep al it until they find the right moment to hold a vote when people arc disatisfied enough to vote their way (imagine how Lucien Bouchard and Jacques Parizcau would feel if they won a referendum but they had to face a vote every few years to reunite with Canada?). Still, good news is hard enough to find these days without turning our back on this. Would that we could pul this issue behind us’ do as 61 per cent of Quebecers surveyed suggested and pul Lhc constitution aside for a while. — KR Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years Village planned centennial proj. From the files of The Blyth Stan­ dard, The Brussels Post and The North Huron Citizen 30 YEARS AGO AUG. 13,1964 Suggestions were being taken for a suitable Centennial Project for the village of Brussels by Brussels council. The Brussels Horticultural Soci­ ety invited people to come to the basement of the library to see their floral exhibits, have a cup of tea, listen to the music and visit. Bridge Motors in Brussels adver­ tised their best used car buys which included a 1962 Chrysler, four door Hardtop, 1959 Pontiac automatic with radio and a 1960 Ford Galaxie automatic. Brownie's Drive-In in Clinton featured Come Blow Your Horn with Frank Sinatra and Barbara Rush and Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello starred in Muscle Beach Party. 1 YEAR AGO AUG. 11,1993 Marg Caldwell received a plaque as Citizen of the Year for Blyth and area. She was chosen by a commit­ tee of Blyth residents acting on nominations from readers of The Citizen. A meeting to discuss a co-opera­ tive mail-order catalogue that would sell made-in-Huron crafts and cottage industry products was held in Blyth. Brian Hall, a crop specialist with OMAF in Clinton reported that wheat yields were disappointing. "The diseases that attacked the wheat crop shrivelled the kernels," said Mr. Hall. Canadian National has accepted the $14,000 offer from Brussels for sale of the CN Rail right of way through the village. Letters Cemetery concerns writer THE EDITOR, What has happened to Blyth Union Cemetery? Upon visiting Union Cemetery while I was in Blyth in mid-July I became very sad and confused as to the reason the upkeep has become next to nil. The grass was nearly up to my knees and the grave sites of our loved ones arc very neglected. What Has Happened? I receive The Citizen each week but fail to sec any Cemetery Board reports, meetings or details regard­ ing funding. Has the treasury no funds to even pay student labour to do this work? If there is a problem please let us know so we may assist in getting things back on track. If there is a Memorial Fund that can contribute to the upkeep let's have it advertised so as to make people aware of the need to have contributions for the general care of the cemetery grounds. If it's manpower, let's organize a work bee to get the grounds and grave sites cleaned up, then it will be easier for the caretaker to continue. I am looking forward to seeing Blyth Union Cemetery in the good condition 1 remember it to be in years ago - well kept. Sincerely, Betty A. Lair. THE EDITOR, I recently attended a slowpitch tournament at the Blyth arena. This event was enjoyable for those participating as well as spectators. The parking lot on Saturday was full of vehicles. The people were large in number, both children and adults. I must say that I was not impressed by the way some very irresponsible people were driving through the parking lot at the arena. I would say that anyone who slops to chat in the middle of the Continued on page 5