HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-38Th Reunion, 1999-09-08, Page 26PAGEA-6 THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, /999.
The voice
of Reunion
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
He has been the voice of the Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby
Show for many years, wandering the
grounds, talking to vendors and visitors
while pointing out highlights and ongoing
events.
Ross Calder of RR3 Cambridge is now
in his 15th year as the man with the mike
at the reunion.
Calder has been attending the annual
show in Blyth for years, many years
before he took over as the talker.
It all began because he was a friend of
Dan Snell's, the man who had been
announcing the afternoon parades for
years. As Snell aged, he asked Calder to
come along and help him with the shows.
Gradually, Calder was doing more of the
talk and soon, Snell just handed him the
microphone permanently.
Calder attributes much of his success as
parade caller to his assistant Cathy
Thomson who ensures that all information
cards are correct and in the proper order.
“She is very knowledgeable and we can
kibitz back and forth (between entries),”
he says.
It wasn’t until a few years after Calder
assumed the parade announcing role that a
suggestion, possibly from Ray Hallahan,
Calder says, for a roving mike evolved.
When asked how he continues to talk so
long and keep his chattering interesting,
Calder says it just comes from years of
doing it.
“I can yap long enough to keep things
going,” he laughs. “(In time), you get to
know the people and what they do.”
Calder says getting to know the vendors,
exhibitors and participants is a big part of
his job.
By knowing what the vendors have to
sell, it is easier to give them promotion
and get the visitors to stop by, he says. “I
talk to them, give them a little publicity
and give the concessions a boost.”
In his role as the roving talker, Calder
has a specific duty which he takes great
pleasure in performing, though not
everyone might agree with the necessity.
With the firemen’s breakfast getting
underway at 7:30 a.m., Saturday and
Sunday, Calder enjoys strolling the
grounds early to wake up the sleeping
campers.
The afternoons are spent keeping tabs
on the special events around the fields,
drawing in both observers and
participants.
Calder’s sense of humour adds to the
special nature of his ongoing public
conversation.
“I like to ad lib a lot, “ he says. “It’s just
off-the-wall and it works better that way.”
And that off-the-wall ability has helped
him in some funny moments. He tells of
the time someone lost their dentures, but
he had to find a way of being delicate
about it on the public speaker. He simply
said that a very personal item had been
found, the owner should not have to
identify it and if it were put in one’s back
pocket, it could be dangerous.
The owner was located.
Though he really enjoys calling the
Huron Pioneer show he says that he too,
will soon be looking for someone younger
to begin learning his job.
Calder closes his days quietly, picking
guitar and singing at various gatherings in
the park.
Weather it’s Hot
Weather it’s Cold
The ladies might have
a little time we are told
to Shop, Shop, Shop!
PAY NO TAX*
Fri., Sat. & Sun.,
Sept. 10, 11 & 12
Unto Savings -
All
(W This Week
* excludes all sale items
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Bulk Food
• Cinnamon buns are our specialty Light Lunches (
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cups or cones desserts baked
Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 12 Open noon - 5 p.m.
■ . daily i—
130 Queen St. Blyth 519-523-9825
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