Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-06-23, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1999. C itizenTheNorthHuron Aocna (♦CNA P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Member Ontario Press Council E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of S27.00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A, and $100/year in other foreign coun­ tries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 E ditorial 25 seasons of achievement The 400 people packed into the oven-like Blyth Memorial Hall for the beginning of Blyth Festival’s first season, back on July 9, 1975, could be forgiven if they didn’t know they were in at the beginning of something that would ripple through, not only the village, but the province and the country over the following 25 seasons. As the Festival celebrates its 25th opening night, Friday night, its supporters know that the little theatre in the little village has an influence far wider than might ever have been imagined that night. First and foremost, of course, is the number of plays produced first in Blyth which have gone on to the world’s stages. Heading into this season (which features five new plays) the Festival has premiered 75 plays, nearly half of which have gone on to be performed in other theatres. Some have been huge hits, like I’ll Be Back Before Midnight which has accumulated a box office of $8 million worldwide. Some, like Quiet in the Land have won awards as well as playing in most major theatres in Canada. The Festival has also supported writers through its play development program whose plays have been successful elsewhere, though never performed here: Michael Healey’s The Drawer Boy won best play at Toronto’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards this week. The Festival has become so well known that many of the best writers, actors, directors and technicians in the country want to work here. Playwright David French, the author of many award-winning plays, chose Blyth to premiere his newest work, That Summer. But in a less direct way, the Festival has changed towns and villages across Ontario by showing all things are possible. In the last few years old town halls and theatres in small towns across the province (the latest is Picton this summer) have sprouted professional summer theatres. People from small communities figure if it can happen in Blyth, a village of 1,000 people that isn’t a tourist mecca, it can happen in their community too. All of this should never have happened, of course. If feasibility studies and business plans had been in vogue back then, the Festival would never have gotten off the ground. Still the Festival is proof that energy, enthusiasm, talent and tremendous community commitment can make the impossible, possible. Everyone has played a part from the tireless volunteers to the dedicated artists and professionals but it wouldn’t have happened without an audience eager to take a chance on new plays that told about people like them. Take a bow Blyth and Huron County. You made it happen. — KR Playing monopoly With the $3.6 billion takeover of Canadian forestry giant MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. by U.S. forestry colossus Weyerhaeuser, the game of monopoly continues — and nobody seems to ask any questions about what the results will be. How times have changed. Twenty years ago when a foreign company tried to buy MacMillan Bloedel, the conservative Social Credit British Columbia government of Bill Bennett turned down the deal. This week the left wing NDP government of the province welcomed the deal. The trend is the same across the country. In the first five months of this year U.S. companies spent $20 billion buying up Canadian companies. Our governments, rather than worry, sing a chorus that it’s good for the country. In a day of free trade it doesn’t matter where the head office of the company is, they say. As one expert quoted about the latest deal said: “It’s about economics, not sentiment”. Except, that is, if the company is American. No matter what global trade enthusiasts say, sentiment does come into play in the world’s biggest economic power and domestic policy matters more than the principles of free and fair trade. Take the situation of MacMillan Bloedel. Even though Canada was fairly shipping softwood lumber to the U.S., the American government first slapped tariffs on Canadian imports, then pressured the Canadian government to limit our exports. This hurt profits of companies like MacMillan Bloedel which made them targets for takeovers by American companies. Our governments are playing by different rules than the Americans. Photo by Ashley Gropp Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Blyth Standard, Brussels Post and North Huron Citizen June 27, 1979 Auburn celebrated its 125th anniversary. The committee for the birthday celebration was Donald Haines, Bill Robertson, Leone Robertson, Harry Arthur, Elaine Criag, Bill Sproul, Irene and Barry Millian, Lillian Hallam, Sandy Andrew, Jim Giousher, Jim Schneider, Eleanor Bradnock, Fred Lawrence, Allan Craig. June 28, 1989 A successor to Bill Hanly, clerk­ administrator of Huron County was named. Nigel Bellchamber began as assistant clerk-administrator then became administrator on Hanly’s retirement in December. Klaus and Kristin Henschell, jointly charged with 15 counts involving fraud and theft in con­ nection with the bankruptcy of Brussels Stockyards. Ltd. appeared in Goderich court to set a trial date. Brussels first annual Fun Fest was taking shape for the weekend of July 6, 7, 8, 9 as tickets were selling well to the numerous events. Margaret Whyte was name the Blyth area’s Citizen of the Year. Four teacher left Brussels Public School. They, were Margery Huether and Idella Wilson who retired, while Kim Blake and Margriet Masson transferred to other schools. Rev. John Roberts retired as min­ ister of Knox United Church in Belgrave. His wife, Kay, retired from her job as teacher at Blyth Public School. A piece of Aubum history was destroyed when St. Mark’s Anglican Church was tom down by specific request from the Diocese of the London Anglican Church. James Reaney’s Sticks and Stones -The Donnellys opened at Blyth Festival. The Caravan Stage Company, North America’s only horse-drawn travelling theatre came to Blyth and presented Harvest by award-win­ ning playwright Carol Bolt. June 22, 1994 Police investigated a break-in at The Citizen. Entry was gained through a back door and thieves looked through several drawers and filing cabinets before stealing a small amount of cash. Once again the raccoon popula­ tion was invading homes and bams. One Brussels resident discovered a large family living in the attic space of her one-storey addition. The ani­ mals had tom apart some of the fas­ cia and soffit and had gotten into the insulation. Crops got a warm weather boost. Lifeguards at the BMG Pool were Kim Fritz, Corrinna Stephenson, Nicki Gropp, Jay Hahn, Heather Blake and Sheri Huether. Though Fun Fest no longer exist­ ed, there was still plenty happening in the village that weekend. Brussels merchants planned a side­ walk sale, while the Bulls slo-pitch tournament, and the Lions duck race were still a go. The new Blyth Lions executive was Darren Richmond, Steve Howson, Brent Scrimgeour, Gerald Kerr, Ernie Phillips, Dave Cook, Brian Garnet, Don Stewart, Andy Lubbers, Darryl Chalmers, John Stewart, Alex Blair (president), Dan Taylor and Albert Stryker. Kathy Hunt of Ethel took part in the Brick Biathalon, and came away with a first-place finish, along with her partner Tamara Hermeston. Award winners at the Canadettes banquet were Amy Thomas who received the Joyce Guant Memorial Trophy while the Patti Robertson Founders Award was given to Erin Mitchell and Lori Bridge. Blyth held its fifth annual Rutabaga Festival.