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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-05-07, Page 1Business [_____Feature_____J Education J Entertainment Former Blyth store owner opens new business See page 7 Special section offers info for home and garden See page 13 New Brussels principal has history at school See page 33 Belgrave woman performs with Calico Road See page 35 CitizenTheNorthHuron G. McGavin gets Hall of Fame spot Wednesday, May 7, 1997 Rough start This tiny trio of raccoons, along with two other siblings and their mother, were left homeless last week when strong winds brought down a portion of a tree in Brussels, in which the young family had found lodging. As the tree, which was blocking the road, was being removed Road Superintendent Hugh Nichol moved the babies to firmer ground where they waited until later that evening when Mother returned to take them to their new home. JI®-SB-V Wkf ■■■ 1 . >■ ■ .•> ' •3^r i '* 1 A businessman who helped build one of the most prosperous farm operations in the region will receive a posthumous honour, June 8. Gordon McGavin, the founder of McGavin Farm Equipment in Wal­ ton, will be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, W.A. Stewart Galley, at the 18th annual ceremony. The occasion at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling the museum. "It is quite an honour," said Neil McGavin, son of Gordon, "when you look back at what he did, he deserved it. He was always think­ ing of ways to make plowing bet­ ter. He lived and breathed plowing." "He counted up the number of days he spent at plowing matches and decided he had spent more than a year of his life there," said Neil. Gordon McGavin had become interested in plowing and won many prizes, including the Canadi­ an Championship in match compe­ tition, in 1926. In 1958, he managed the Canadian team in the World Plowing Match in West Ger­ many. He kept up this interest all his life, being a long-time director and president of the Ontario Plowmen's Hullett PS celebrates 30th Thirty years of history will be recalled May 10 at Hullett Central Public School as the school's anniversary is celebrated. Students past and present will be the guests of the School Advisory Council, for a day filled with activ­ ities. Though the opening ceremonies are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and the official ribbon cutting for the reno­ vations will take place at 3 p.m., the atmosphere of a fair will per­ vade throughout the afternoon. Local dignitaries such as Huron- Bruce MP Paul Steckle will be on hand for the ribbon cutting. The committee hopes to get the entire family involved, says com­ mittee member, Kiltie MacGregor, Ill health struck the McGavins and they retired to Seaforth in 1973. Gordon passed away in March, 1976. He was 70. Association for four years. "He held the record for holding (that position) the longest because it was cancelled from 1943 to 1946," said Neil. "The terms are usually one year." Gordon McGavin married Flo­ rence Elizabeth Stewart from Brus­ sels and took over the farm. McGavin, who had always been interested in all forms of mechan­ ics, started a small business in farm equipment at the farm. The busi­ ness grew rapidly and before long, more space was required so a site in Walton was bought with a small building as office and workspace in 1950. The business grew and when the Walton school was closed, McGavins purchased it in 1962. He was a member of the Seaforth District High School Board for 14 years, a member of the Ontario Plowmen's Association and briefly interested in politics. He was active in the Brussels and Seaforth Lions Clubs, Huron Coun­ ty Soil and Crop Improvement Association and was responsible for the first 4-H Tractor Club in Huron County. and will offer activities such as face painting and races as well as vol­ leyball and baseball games which begin at 1:15 p.m. The ball games will be a contest between the pre­ sent Grade 8 and Grade 7 classes and the first Grade 8s to graduate from Hullett Central. For those wishing to soak a cer­ tain teacher or perhaps, the princi­ pal, a dunk tank will be available for just that purpose. To fill up after expending energy on the games, hotdogs, drinks and baked goods may be purchased. A popcorn machine will offer a free taste treat. A photo display of the past 30 years is sure to bring back some fond memories. OSAID sounds off SS teachers may strike By Janice Becker Citizen staff A strike could be in the future. The Huron County board of edu­ cation was given a warning at the May 5 meeting, that the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Feder­ ation (OSSTF) would be holding a strike vote during the week of May 26. Huron County OSSTF represen­ tative John Clarke told the board he wants to inform the board and not have trustees and staff hear it through a news report. “This strike vote has nothing to do w;th the local board,’’said Clarke. “It is in response to provin­ cial legislation.” Clarke said that OSSTF is pleased with the relationship between themselves and HCBE and with the effort the board has made to preserve jobs and programs. There was no response from the board. Want to make a noise? On Thursday, May 15 at 12:15 p.m. there will be a one minute "Sound-Off, Send Off" noise organized by Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) members. All across Ontario, students are coming together to make noise against impaired driving. OSAID wants to let everyone know that youth across Ontario are leading the fight to stop impaired driving, the number one killer of youth. Huron County OSAID members from all secondary schools will be part of Sound Off, Send Off as well as holding individual school and community activities ranging from a celebrity basketball game to smashed car events. Local police and the OPP will be adding the sound of their sirens to the noise from the students. Over the past several months local OSAID groups have been meeting at Huron County Health Unit to share resources and ideas. Members also include The Ontario Provincial Police, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Huron Continued on page 24