HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-03-26, Page 20THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26,1997 PAGE 21.
Old treasures found in new Blyth business
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
From the darkest regions of
grandfather's spider-web shrouded
attic to the musty granary in the
bam which hasn't housed animals
for 20 years, people are finding
treasures which can be refurbished
and collected.
It is those treasures one will see
upon entering Steve Gibbons'
Unusual Finds shop at 177 Queen
Street North, in Blyth.
A long-time admirer of antique
and unusual items, Gibbons says he
had found pieces which are 100
years old and still in near-perfect
condition. "It was the craftsman
ship which made them last," he
says.
Gibbons, who also runs a col
lectibles stall at the Bayfield Coun
try Market during the summer, says
he has obtained most of his items
through private sellers, though
some were found at auctions.
From the serrated loop lamp from
1905 to the fine china, carved Bud
dha, chest and dressers, Gibbons
says he has a few favourite items.
Though not what may first come
to mind when thinking of col
lectibles, Gibbons has a selection of
wooden crates and boxes from vari
ous manufacturers over the years.
The oldest box he has had was one
stamped 1908, Berlin (Kitchener).
The boxes have been stripped of
layers of paint, refurbished, stained
and varnished to make an attractive
holder for books, CDs or other col
lectibles.
Another of Gibbons' favourites is
on old handmade chest of drawers
which has that handcrafted look.
Though many would prefer the
factory made pieces which came
later, Gibbons prefers the hand
made ones with the character,
hand- cut dovetail joints and single
board construction on the front of
the drawers, he says. Gibbons esti
mates the age in the mid-to-late
1800s of the chest of drawers he
now has in his shop.
"I like more unique pieces, things
you can't see next door," he says of
his varied collection.
At present, Gibbons' Unusual
Finds is open seven days a weeks,
from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. However,
those hours will be extended with
the season, staying open longer in
the summer and accommodating
evening theatre performances.
Gibbons can be reached at 523-
9105.
Country collectiblesBrussels will be cruisin9 in 997 Steve Gibbons of Walton, opened his Unusual Finds shop
of collectibles and antiques, March 1, on the main street
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
A trip down memory lane is not
complete for many people if they
don't travel at least some of it by
car.
The Brussels 125th Homecoming
Committee is providing the perfect
opportunity for car buffs to wax
nostalgic during its Civic Weekend
anniversary celebration. Don Bray,
who along with Don McNeil is
organizing "Cruisin' Brussels", to
be held Friday, Aug. 1 and Satur
day, Aug. 2, hopes this event will
be one of the biggest of the four-
day reunion. "We would like to see
at least 400 cars, from way back up
to 1988, taking part," he said. Also
showing will be antique firetrucks
and motorcycles.
To attract car enthusiasts, the
committee has been actively pro
moting the show, through the dis
tribution of fliers and contact with
car clubs. Response has already
been coming in, with some pre-reg-
istrations returned within a week,
Bray says. "We hope to have at
least half of the participants pre
registered, though this is the type of
event where people tend to show up
that particular day."
The two-day show promises to be
entertaining. Things begin Friday
night with early arrivals taking part
in a 20 mile cruise in their vintage
autos. McNeil will be leading the
route, which will probably head to
Wingham, Bray says.
Saturday is the show with games
and prizes awarded. There will be
judging in 10 categories and tro
phies presented at 3:30 p.m.. These
have been sponsored by local busi
ness, dealers, service clubs and car
clubs.
Adding to the atmosphere will be
DJ Ken Chaplin, who will be spin
ning rock-and-roll oldies.
The show is being held on the
new ball diamond behind the BMG
Community Centre. Minor Sports
is running the food booth. Pre-reg-
istration is $8 for cars and $10 on
the Saturday. Trucks are $10 flat
rate.
Bray says he has been pleased
with the interest thus far, adding
that the arrival of warm weather
will be further enticement. "When
spring gets here and people can
start getting their cars back out of
storage, things should really pick
up."
Saying that the event promises to
be a good time for everyone, Bray
notes that nostalgia is a popular
thing. "People enjoy things that
remind them of the past. And you
can do so much with classic cars.
You can take a vintage car and
make a street rod out of them.
There will be a lot to see."
"It's a good family outing, with
obvious appeal to the car lover, a
history lesson for the kids and a
walk through the past for older
folks."
Of Blyth._____________
Cunningham stresses
need to move quickly
Continued from page 1
help finance the operation, Cun
ningham worries that the money
may be there now to cover costs,
but, as with the wildlife centre, the
grants will be first frozen, then
eliminated.
"If we don't get guarantees (for
the money), we will not be in good
shape," said Cunningham.
Aside from the concerns of
municipalities with the change to
farmland taxes, Cunningham is also
worried about commercial busi
nesses who will have to help foot
the bill for education (which was
removed from municipalities), as
well as deal with an increase in the
mill rate when municipalities lose
money due to the farm tax change.
"A lot of businesses here are
struggling now. They don't have
the latitude to pass those costs on to
their customers," he said. The gov
ernment doesn't seem to understand
the ability of rural areas and small
businesses to pay taxes.
Cunningham, as well as other
concerned politicians and citizens,
is meeting with Federation of Agri
culture personnel to ensure they all
give the same message to the gov
ernment.
"Some may believe it is too early
to take a stand, but silence says
there is not a concern," said Cun
ningham. "We have to move fast to
indicate a problem."
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