The Citizen, 1998-09-09, Page 29WOMAN'S PLACE
Though hidden in this picture, Christie Houston has been operating this
Waterloo steam- engine for parades at the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
and Hobby Show for many years.
Reunion a family way of life
M.G.M. Townsend Tire
Welcomes you to the 37th
Annual Pioneer Thresher Reunion
We service, sell and
install new or used tires
for antique tractors and
implements.
After Hours:
Londesboro 519-523-4742
522-1629 or 523-9190
THRESHER
SPECIAL!
235-75R15X Load
$85
Installed
AUBURN CO-OPERATIVE
County Rd. #25 Auburn
526-7262
Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 - 5:00
Sat. 8:00 - noon
BELGRAVE CO-OPERATIVE
Hwy. #4 Belgrave
357-2711 or 1-800-267-2667
Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 - 5:00
Sat. 8:30 - noon
to everyone attending the
37th Annual Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion
from the staff and management of the
Huron Bay Co-operative
Clinton Community
Credit Union
Wishes the Huron Pioneer Thresher and
Hobby Association great success on the 37th
Annual Reunion in Blyth.
Ask about our competitive
NISA rates for farmers
48 Ontario St.
Clinton
482-3467
Loan Dept. 482-3468
118 Main St. N.
Exeter
235-0640
TM
Dashwood 237-3777
TIIE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1998. PAGE A-9.
1998 HURON PIONEER THRESHER REUNION & HOBBY SHOW
Lifelong interest sparks
volunteer's commitment
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
As with many second and third
generation Huron Pioneer Thresher
Reunion attendees, it is family
involvement which brings them back year
after year.
For Christie Houston, now of Moose
Factory, the reunion has been part of her
life since she was born.
"The family bought a 1923 Waterloo
steam engine the year before I was born so
I grew up with it," she says.
However, growing up with a steam
engine around did not mean Christie
escaped a common childhood reaction to
the big machines.
"I was terrified of it as a child," she
says. "It was so loud it scared the life out
of me.
Fortunately, the fear dissipated and
Christie eventually became one of the few
women who actually drive the stream
engines during the show.
"I got interested around the time I was
10. Dad (Bob Houston) taught me about
the engines and I enjoyed being one of the
few girls."
Christie has now been running the
engine on her own for 13 years though her
Dad looks after all the maintenance.
Living several hundred kilometres to the
north, where she works in a hospital lab,
Christie books her holidays so that she can
attend both the Milton and Blyth stream
shows.
"I love going to Blyth. It has a great
atmosphere."
Though the Houston engine will not be
at the 37th edition of the Thresher
Reunion, Christie says in the past, it is one
of the engines used to run the sawmill,
belt setting competitions, tractor pull's and
demonstrations.
Her father likes to get the machine
running and involved in activities, she
says.
Houstons
CONTINUED FROM A-8
finishing her three-year term on the board
of directors this year.
While the Houstons have stepped aside
to let others organize the show, their
family still remains an integral part of the
reunion's history.
By Allison Lawlor
Citizen staff
Riding the thresher with his father over
50 years ago is something Lloyd Josling
hasn't forgotten.
Every year Josling's father threshed his
own fields near Londesboro and the crops
on neighbouring farms.
Josling's life-long fascination with old
tractors and threshing machines has
translated into almost 37 years of
volunteer work at the Huron Pioneer
Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show.
Organizers at the show say it would be
hard for the reunion to go on diithout the
hundreds of volunteer hours Josling
donates.
"Every place they need help I help,"
said Josling.
A mechanic and welder, Josling does
machinery repairs at the show, looks after
the grounds, is responsible for the shed
where all the equipment needed for the
show is stored, cuts the grain with work
CONTINUED ON A-11