HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-09-03, Page 40PAGE A-8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,1997.
Reunion has changed over its 36 - year history
With the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
and Hobby Association marking its 36th
anniversary, it is interesting to note some
changes which have taken place through the
years.
When the concept was first developed
almost 40 years ago, the aim of the reunion
was to reunite a gang of men who had
travelled the countryside performing the task
of threshing farmers’ fields. That original
group consisted of the Hallahan brothers of
East Wawanosh, Dennis, Willie Joe, Danny,
John, Simon and Raymond as well as Alec
Manning, Jack White, Hugh Chisholm and
many other local men.
Notices were sent to other threshers in the
community, informing them of the planned
gathering. Machinists who had worked with
the steam threshers and owners of machines
were invited to show off their equipment and
discuss old times.
The first reunion, held at the old Orange
Hall in Blyth, apparently caused somewhat
of a commotion. Upon arriving at the hall,
the Orange Master refused the threshers
entrance. Assuming some liquor had been
consumed, the Orange Master would not
allow them into the building.
Since indoor activities had been curtailed,
the men carried on their party in front of the
hall. Several had brought fiddles and other
musical instruments so they began playing in
the street. As the group carried on, the street
began to fill with spectators and soon
overflowed.
The Orange Master, having decided the
threshers weren’t such a bad group after all,
let them into the hall.
For the next four years the group of men
got together at an old horse bam. They had
five steam engines on display and
entertained spectators with their homegrown
style of music.
The contribution of the threshers’ wives to
their reunion was never overlooked. The
women provided an excellent meal in the old
thresher way, cooking good hot dinners with
plenty of homebaking too. The selection
included pies, cakes and home preserves.
By the fifth year, with the popularity of
the reunion changing it into a community
activity rather than a private social
gathering, the original members decided to
set up committees to provide more
entertainment, fiddle and stepdance contests
and to bring in more threshing machines.
As the years passed, the event continued to
grow in its ability to pull in spectators and
exhibitors. After managing the show for 23
years, the threshers decided it was time to
incorporate. This was the biggest change for
the reunion. Instead of all the members
participating in the planning, 15 directors
were chosen.
As the enthusiasm for the show grows, so
does the investment of time required by the
committee members and all involved. It has
far surpassed its original aim. It has
developed into an event which fascinates
young and old alike, drawing thousands to
the village of Blyth each September.
Rounding them up
Jim Clark of Blenheim, and his border collies, put on quite a show of sheep
and duck herding as they perform at the reunion for the second year.
Fiddler comes back again and again
By Janice Becker
As the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
and Hobby Show rolls into Blyth for its 36th
year, there are several attractions which
spring to mind, not the least of which is the
music.
From the beginning, music, particularly
fiddle music, has been an integral part of the
three day event.
The inclusion of music at a thresher
reunion sprang from the tradition of
entertainment for the wives as they fixed the
noon and supper meals for the farmers.
Today, that music is nearly as important to
the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion as are
the antique thresher and steam engines
themselves.
Jack Falls, a fiddler at heart, had been
attending the reunion for almost 15 years
and says “it is the music which brings him
back.”
Falls, who has been fiddling since the
early 1970s is not a participant in the
competitions which are held as part of the
reunion, but is an avid player when it comes
to the evening jam sessions.
“I was looking for a hobby when I
retired,” he says, “and I have learned a lot
from the workshop” (which is run in
conjunction with the week’s activities).
“It is like old home week. I look forward
to seeing old friends and getting together for
the jam sessions. I tell everyone it is the best
place for a jam session. Everyone is friendly
and they invite you to play. It is like old
times.”
Through his years of attending the
reunion, Falls has seen many changes while
enjoying the people and attractions of the
CONTINUED ON A-9
A warm welcome, to everyone attending the
36th Annual ‘Pioneer Thresher Reunion
Box 10, BLYTH. NOM 1H0
ph: 519-523-9300
fax: 519-523-9804
email: blyth .festival @ odyssey.on .ca
web: http://stage-door.org/blyth.html
FESTIVAL
the hit of '96
remounted in '97
Don't miss it!
Sept. 3—10 @ 8 p.m.
Sept. 4, 5, & 10 @ 2 p.m.
a collective, directed by
Paul Thompson
Fall and Winter Events
Joe Sealey Quartet presents Africville Suite
an evening of jazz, blues and gospel
Saturday, September 27, 1997 — 8 p.m. — $20
Charlotte's Web
Music! Actors! Puppets! Laughter!
Joseph Robinette's theatrical adaptation of E.B. White’s classic story.
October 20 - 25 + 28 - 31, 1997
Student Performances 10:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Public Performances - Saturday, October 25-1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Printing i
We can do it all!
• Colour Printing
• Posters
• '.etter heads
• Envelopes
• Business Cards
Blyth
our business
• Business forms
• Brochures
• Flyers
• Carbonless Forms
• Labels
PRINTING
523-9211
3x3
Unique miniature art auction
Saturday, October 25,1997 - $97 includes one piece of art
$100/couple
Gail & Brad's Marvellous Wedding Adventure
a matrimonial mystery dinner/theatre
Friday, Saturday, November 28th & 29th, 1997 - $25
show only - $15
all events are in Blyth Memorial Community Hall
Call today! 519-523-9300