HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-40Th Annual Reunion, 2001-09-05, Page 36Helen Johns, M.P.P.
Huron-Bruce
50 South St., Goderich, Ont. N7A 3L5
(519) 524-2979 or 1-800-668-9320
helen.johns@odyssey.on.ca
It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending
the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show.
Congratulations to the organizers on your 40th year. I know that this
celebration of Huron's Agricultural tradition will once again be very
successful.
Best Wishes,
Helen Johns, MPP Huron-Bruce
Gore's Home Hardware
Blyth 523-9273
Taking her stand
In the 1980s Bea Houston became the
first woman to lead a steam show in
Ontario. During the opening cere-
monies at one of the shows in the latter
part of that decade, she extended a
welcome to visitors to the annual
event.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
The mindset of rural Ontario farmers some
40 years ago was clear. Men led, women fol-
lowed.
The founding days of the Huron Pioneer
Thresher Reunion were no exception and from
a woman's point of view it didn't take long to
see that while the event brought much enjoy-
ment to the menfolk, it held little appeal for
the women.
Bea Houston of Moorefield, who became
involved in the early 1980s discovered this
fact almost immediately. "I soon realized there
was nothing for women. So many women said
to me that they had gone once but wouldn't go
again because there was no reason."
And Houston agreed with them. "If I want to
see a tractor or steam engine I need only go
into my field."
With that in mind, Houston began to pull
together the idea of a holding a craft show in
conjunction with the reunion. "The first thing
we had to do was throw the beer garden out of
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PAGE A-4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 5. 2001
40th Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
Former president tells of change
the arena. People weren't happy in the begin-
ning but it has been the best thing that could
happen."
The craft show has grown in leaps and
bounds, filling the arena and adjacent outdoor
area with exhibitors. "Now the women come
to the Reunion as readily as the men," says
Houston.
Another change Houston felt was important
was to truly make the show a three-day event.
"Friday was always kind of ho-hum. Saturday
was everything, then Sunday was shutdown.
In my era, between 1982-1990 we insisted that
things be up and running on the Friday so peo-
ple would feel they got their money's worth."
As a former teacher, Houston also wondered
about getting students involved and
approached schools to. start them thinking
about how this could work as a field trip.
It was a time of change in the 1980s and the
Thresher Reunion was experiencing some
growing pains, Houston recalls. But the year
her husband found himself at the July meeting
suddenly in the position of president, was the
catalyst she believes for the success of the
shoj today. "Everyone pitched in. Wayne
asked for people to chair committees and no
one said no." Describing the infusion of ener-
gy that came with secretary Marian Hatlahan,
"the backbone of the Association", Houston
says, "we all worked our butts off. Boy did we
learn that year, but we knew from that minute
on we had a success."
A further assault of feminism was launched
when Houston beoame president, the first of a
steam show in Ontario. "That was a real eye
opener for some," she says. "They thought a
woman couldn't do the job, she'd just be
pushed from behind by her husband. Well I
wasn't pushed. I have a mind of my own. I
don't know about engines or cars, but I didn't
have to. What I had to do and I feel I can do it
better than many was organize."
Being a rarity was quite a topic.of discus-
sion, Houston says. But she believes she
earned their respect. Though she had tremen-
dous admiration for the late Tom Leiper, one
of the "old guard" , she describes him as
among her initial opponents. "But at the end
of my first show, he put his arm around me and
said, 'You did a fine job, Missus.'. To the day
he never called me anything but Missus."
Something else Houston saw in that time
was the emergence of a new generation of peo-
ple interested in the show. "I needed them to
do the work. I couldn't do it."
Houston says she and her husband Wayne
have been members of, other steam shows
where new blood is needed. "But you have to
give the young folks a chance or you won't get
them."
Being on the front lines has given Houston
Continued on A-5
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Decal sets for older tractors and gas engines,
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Always open, if home, but please call first
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A warm welcome to friends & visitors attending
the 40th Annuargliresher Reunion