HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-09-11, Page 15 young women step
forward to compete in
Ambassador contest
See page 2
Photo pages highlight
some of the fun at this
year's Thresher Reunion
See page 8, 9
Brussels woman visits
son she hasn't seen
in 25 years
See page 12
1
Wet weather woes ti zen
plague Reunion
By Bonnie ropy By
glorious weather couldn't
hold out which was too bad for the
35th Huron Pioneer Thresher
Reunion and Hobby Show in Blyth
this past weekend. For the first time
in several years, not only did the
sun not shine on this event, but an
almost steady rainfall put a damper
on the fun.
Despite this, the enthusiasm for
the three-day reunion continues to
grow, with more campers arriving
each year. According to Chris
Courtney, who is in charge of camp
registration, this year's total was
825, which was an increase of close
to 200. "They keep arriving earlier
and staying longer, too," Courtney
says.
Attendance as a whole, however,
was down by about half what it has
been in the past, thanks to the
inclement weather. Secretary Mari-
an Hallahan says gate receipts
show 7,000 came to see the sights
and sounds of this special weekend.
"Friday was super, the best
seniors and students day we've had
in a long, long time."
Wet weather forced the cancella-
tion of all outdoor activities on Sat-
urday, while the bag-tieing and log
sawing were able to proceed on the
Sunday afternoon. Other events
were moved indoors at the arena.
There were 15 exhibitors show-
ing small models which was an
increase this year, Hallahan said.
"There would likely have been
even more if the weather had been
co-operative," she said.
There were 15 steam engines at
the reunion, an increase of five
from 1995, and one steam ditching
machine. "That was something
new," said Hallahan.
The flea market was affected
adversely by the bad weather with
only 13 vendors on hand for the
weekend. Crafters, however, had
increased in numbers with 62 dis-
playing their wares inside and eight
outside the arena. This was up by
about eight from the previous
reunion, Hallahan said.
While the Lions noted a decrease
in the number of hamburgers and
hot dogs served this year, they did
have a sell out for their Sunday din-
ner of 150, according to Hallahan.
She added that the Legion ladies
also served a slightly less number
of meals than in other years.
While she did not have the fig-
ures for the Shriners fish fry on Fri-
day night, Hallahan noted that the
line-up was "great".
Another good turnout was at the
firemen's breakfasts on Saturday
and Sunday mornings. It was esti-
mated that 1,200 were served in
total. A total of 325 lbs of bacon,
270 lbs of sausage, 200 lbs of pan-
cake batter, 76 litres of maple syrup
and 137 litres of milk were con-
sumed.
The proceeds of the firemen's
breakfast are going towards the
purchase of a new rescue truck.
Councillors rebel
over hwy. transfers
A pot of grease left heating on
the stove was the cause of a devas-
tating fire Sept. 3, just a few miles
east of Blyth on County Road 25.
Dave George and his two sons,
Alison and John, were home at the
time when George began to cook
the evening meal. Though fire from
the hot grease soon engulfed the
interior of the building, the family
all got out safely.
The fire call came in to the Blyth
Fire Department between 4:30 and
4:45 p.m, Tuesday afternoon and
kept the firefighters on the scene
until approximately 8 p.m.
"The house is pretty much a total
loss," said Blyth Fire Chief Paul
Josling." Even though there was
tremendous heat upstairs, the fami-
ly may get a few things out."
The Georges did have insurance.
The Blyth Lions Club has set up
a trust fund at the Blyth branch of
the Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce for those wishing to
donate to the family.
Supplying clothes for the
Georges is being looked after, but
the family does need accommoda-
tions.
As other needs become known,
the Lions Club will jump in to help
where they can, said Lion Dave
Cook.
Frustrated Huron County coun-
cillors, Thursday, suggested every-
thing from "use at your own risk"
signs to toll booths to get the point
across to the public that the provin-
cial government is dumping high-
ways on the county without proper
finances to pay the increased
expenses.
Councillors were reacting to
news that the province will give a
one-time grant of $4.5 million
when it turns over Highways 83, 84
and 87 next April 1, though the
county's own consultant says it will
take $6 million to bring the roads
up to county standards.
Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter, sug-
gested it will cost the county
$800,000 a year to upgrade and
maintain the 70 krn of new roads.
"1 don't know-where you're going to
get the extra money," he said, sug-
gesting the Agriculture and Public
Works Committee had better look
at the financing of these capital and
maintenance costs. This can't come
from property tax, he said. "The
taxpayers are to the top of their
heads in taxation."
While people seem to accept the
fact the county is going to be stuck
with additional roads with no addi-
tional maintenance grants, Mickle
said, "I don't think we have to
accept these roads." Maybe it
would be cheaper to buy some ply-
wood to say the roads weren't being
maintained because the province
wasn't paying, he said.
Brian McBumey, reeve of Turn-
berry, also called for the county to
fight the issue. "It seems to me
we've been reduced to the role of
second class beggar with our hands
out happy to accept anything," he
said. The province has tried to hand
over these highways before but the
county fought off the attempt,
McBumey said.
Tom Cunningham, reeve of Hul-
lett, said the situation will become
worse if the rumours are true that
the province intends to cut all
grants to municipalities for road
maintenance by the year 2000.
Pat Down, reeve of Usbome, said
all serious methods must be used to
protest the move and perhaps some
non-serious ways of making the
public aware should be explored.
"Maybe we could put toll booths on
roads into Goderich and Exeter to
make the point to the public."
Murray Keys, reeve of Hay and
chair f the Agriculture and Public
Continued on page 10
Attacking from beneath
Members of the Blyth Fire Department had to attack the fire at Dave George's lying down,
enabling them to get beneath the heavy smoke caused by the grease-ignited fire. The Sept.
3 blaze destroyed most of the home's contents as well as leaving the family without
accommodations.
Fire in Hullett
Family escapes as house burns