HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-07-23, Page 32PAGE 12. HOMECOMING '97, WEDNESDAY, JULY23,1997
Memories of yesteryears
1939 letter talks of problems with education
From the March 22, 1939 issue of
The Brussels Post.
MR. EDITOR,
Some time ago, the parents of the
pupils of Brussels School were
invited to the school to view some
of the work being done by the
pupils. I had the privilege to view
this exhibit before the evening had
got under way.
Two things especially were very
noticeable. One was the fact that, at
last, our Ontario Dept, of Education
has come to realize, that education
is not a mere matter of cramming
book knowledge into youthful
heads so that they may pass an
examination. To be able to hang
out a sign, Bill Jones, MD; or John
Brown, Barrister, is not the only
end of education. Have we not seen
men who do hang out these signs
who would have been better
farmers or machinists?
Education, to my way of
thinking, is a process we go
through all our lives. It should fit
us to enjoy our lives in our way and
to live in peace and harmony with
other people. The other thing I
noticed was the total lack of any
indication that these young people
realize that Canada is perhaps the
best country to live in, that we
know of today. I do not mean this
is in the geographical sense but the
political and social sense. Do they
realize the value of living under
democratic institutions, the
traditions of which, go back for
centuries? Are they taught the
value of freedom of speech,
freedom of worship, freedom of the
choice of occupation?
All these things are so familiar to
us that we forget that our Anglo-
Saxon ancestors had to fight for
them, and sometimes fight to the
death for them. Who knows but
that in the near future we may have
to fight grimly to keep these same
advantages?
I believe that these advantages of
the democratic form of government
should be drilled into the students
of our schools. Perhaps this method
smacks of the totalitarian way of
doing things. But, unless the
democracies wake up they are
going to find themselves side
tracked in the swift rush of events
in this modem world. The British
High Commissioner to Canada
said in a recent speech "Democracy
must come down from her smug,
self-satisfied perch, and let her
virtues be known."
Our newspapers are full of
propaganda of all sorts. Propaganda
is being noised abroad by
commentators on the radio
programs. It is spread by teachers
of foreign languages in our
universities and by public officials
of some of our large cities. Our
freedom of speech amounts
sometimes almost to license. Last
fall a professor in one of our
universities went about Western
Ontario giving lectures. His
contention was that Great Britain
was solely to blame for the present
state of Europe. How long would a
dictatorship allow this man to go
his way unmolested? Just so long
as it would take a squad of black or
brown-shirted police to chuck him
into a concentration camp or would
his fate be worse.
Then, I say, let our youth fully
realize these things. So that when
they graduate from school they will
not easily fall under the spell of
Boys' Grain Club organized
From the March 29,1939 issue of
The Brussels Post.
Initial steps for organization of a
Boys' Grain Club for Brussels
district were taken at a meeting of
the Brussels Agricultural Society
directors held Monday afternoon in
the basement of the Brussels Public
Library. James Burgess, president
of the Agricultural Society
occupied the chair and D. M.
McTavish recorded the
proceedings.
The group was addressed by J. C.
Shearer, Huron agricultural
representative of Clinton who
spoke on the subject of "The Value
of Junior Clubs," and it was
decided to organize a Brussels
Boys' Grain Club for farmers' sons
of ages 12 to 20 inclusive.
The objectives as outlined by Mr.
Shearer are: First, to improve the
someone who preaches
Communism, Fascism, or any of
these queer creeds.
This is not meant as a criticism of
our teachers who are all capable
and I think conscientious. The fine
exhibit of work shows this plainly.
The Dept, of Education has started
new courses. It should go further.
Every day the events in Europe
indicate that they should do at least
a little to point out these things to
our students. Someone has said,
"Remember that the mighty oak
quality of seed sown in Brussels
district; second, to focus attention
on production costs per bushel of
yield and, thirdly, to demonstrate to
the young men the value of good
seed, good cultural methods and
disease control. The club rules:
each member shall purchase 1 1/2
bushels of registered No. 1 nobarb
barley, shall keep a record of the
cost of production and shall exhibit
two bushels at the Brussels Fall
Fair on September 30. A
membership drive committee was
appointed. They are: Wilbur
Turnbull, chairman; T. C. Wilson,
deputy reeve, Grey; Charles
Anderson and Edward Bryans.
A meeting of the committee and
club members will be held on April
15 at Brussels for definite
organization and appointment of
officers.
from the tiny acorn grows."
I thank you Mr. Editor if you
publish this letter.
A Citizen.
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Best Wishes
Brussels
on your
125th Birthday
To celebrate we're
having a sale
25% off
Handmade
Scatter Mats
We have a variety of
colours and lengths to
choose from. Our
washable mats are made
from recycled denim,
corduroy or crimpoline
? ;.-u uu_n ®■ 1®
Congratulations on your 125th Anniversary!
We’re proud to have served Brussels and area for over 61 years
The name McGavin has been part of Huron County
history for five generations.
With hard times in his homeland, William McGavin left
County Fermanagh, near Donegal, Ireland, for the new
world in 1837. Eight months later he arrived in New York,
alone and penniless. He spent the first winter in New Jersey,
then moved on to Port Huron, Michigan where he stayed for
four months. Walking barefoot he departed for Bayfield.
William made money digging wells, until he had saved
enough to buy a farm on shares. His crops were abundant
and he prospered. He married Elizabeth Graham of Bayfield,
with whom he had four sons, William, John, Isaac and
Albert, and two daughters, Annie and Sophia.
After living for a time in the Vama area the McGavins
moved to McKillop Township. They acquired more land so
there was a farm for each son when he married. It was
Elizabeth’s wish that her family be near her, and as a result,
all four sons had their homes within a mile and a quarter of
each other.
John James McGavin, their second son, married Estella
Jane Berry, also of McKillop Township. Their married life
began at their home on Cone. 13. They had two children,
Jennie Elizabeth (Mrs. Wilbur Turnbull) and William John
Gordon, whom everyone knew as Gordon.
Gordon married Florence Elizabeth Stewart from Brussels
and took over the farm. They had three children, John
Stewart, Gordon Neil and Elizabeth Anne.
Gordon, who had always been interested in all forms of
mechanics, started a small business in farm equipment at the
farm in 1936 when he renovated a small shed and began
selling machinery at the McKillop Township farm where he
had grown up.
Machinery repairs were done on the ground floor and parts
bins were built in the upstairs. A small office complemented
the building.
The McGavin farm was a beehive of activity as farmers
came to buy, to have machinery repaired and to chat about
local affairs.
By 1950, the business had outgrown the farm, so Gordon
moved the operation to an old building at the comer of
Huron County Rds. 25 and 12, the main comer of Walton.
Customer service became the key to Gordon’s success.
This meant long hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., six days a week.
As business thrived, a series of events in 1963 led to a move
for the place of business.
In 1962, the Walton community decided to build a new
school. Gordon purchased the property on which the school
was to be built, then traded the school board for the old
building and overnight the school qualified to proceed.
In 1966 expansion continued at McGavins with a large
repair shop added. The parts department was moved
downstairs, leavingroom for new offices and a large indoor
display area.
Gordon stayed active in the business, until 1973 when he
suffered from ill health. He and Florence retired to Seaforth,
where he lived until his death three years later.
Gordon’s son Neil married Ruth Marie Johnston of
Bluevale, and became the next generation to live on the
family homestead. Neil carried on the equipment business
having played an important part in it as a partner with his
father.
In 1978, the family bought a building that had been used
for the county display at the International Plowing Match on
the farm of Jim Armstrong near Wingham and moved it to
the back of the old school to become the service centre.
Neil and Marie’s family, Brian, Cathy, Jeffrey and Heather
grew up enjoying the pleasures and responsibilities the farm
offered with interest in 4-H work, learning to raise calves,
pigs and rabbits. Brian was chosen top 4-H member for
Huron County in 1982.
The McGavins’ sons have joined the family business.
Brian followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating in 1984
from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural
College. The third generation to work at McGavins he was
named president of the new McGavin Farm Supply division,
set up to handle a Ford-New Holland dealership.
Brian and his wife, the former Shelley Finlayson, whom
he married in 1988, have two children, Brandon and Abby.
They live just west of the home farm, where Neil and Marie
still reside.
Jeff, who was employed at district Co-operatives
following his graduation from the University of Guelph with
a Bachelor of Science degree Agricultural Business in 1991,
came on board at McGavins in 1993. The following year he
married Shannon Rice. They have a son, Jacob and daughter
MacKenzie and live just south of Brussels.
The need of customers changed and by 1996, it was time
for another expansion with a new service centre required to
meet those needs. The new facility offers a 100 by 100 foot
workshop and 40 by 40 wash bay.
The family works hard to maintain the loyalty of
customers. Recently they were rewarded for his dedication
by New Holland with the customer satisfaction award.
For 61 years the name McGavin has been synonymous
with the business and evolution of farming and farm
machinery. They live by their slogan - “We sell the best and
can get the rest".
GORDON MCGAVIN —1905-1976
was inducted into the
Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame
in the Spring of 1997
