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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-09-26, Page 1yr ttp,i6pyq,:i.., T Ft- ctsAto to r e Citizen northern Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001 Volume 17 No. 38 Inside this week Coffee drinkers raise money for U.S. relief Pg. 3 Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Pg. 22 Centre hosts colour tour Join the annual Fall Colour Tour at Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area on Sunday, Sept. 30 from 1 - 4 p.m. This year there will be two teams of horses pulling wagon rides through the Conservation Area (weather permitting). Visitors will see the scenic autumn colours in the meadows and along the forest edge. Take a guided walk along the river trait • with Conservation Authority staff and learn how plants and animals prepare for winter. Visitors are also welcome to pick up a trail map and explore the Conservation Authority staff and learn how plants and animals prepare for winter. Visitors are also welcome to pick up a trail map and explore the Conservation Area on their own. Come face to fin with the fishes during the fishes in the stream demonstration, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the creek. The demonstration will show the different species of fish living in the stream, as well as talk about what the fish found in the stream tell you about the habitat. People will also learn about the kinds of insects living in the creek. The nature centre will be open throughout the Fall Colour Tour so visitors can stop by and explore the displays and hands-on conservation activities. Staff from the Conservation Authority will be on hand to provide information. There will be special activities for the children. Visitors can enjoy a cup of hot apple cider while they explore the nature centre. Admission is free. The apple cider is 25 cents a cup. Donations to the Maitland Conservation Foundation to support conservation education programs will be gratefully accepted. The Wawanosh Conservation Area is located just south of Belgrave and west of County Rd. 4, on Nature Centre Road. Hosted jointly by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and the Maitland Conservation Foundation, this annual family event celebrates the autumn season. For more information about the Fall Colour Tour, contact the MVCA at 335-3557. By David Blaney Citizen staff The weather was better suited for ducks than people at the 2001 Fall Fair in Brussels, but almost all actinides went on as planned. The only real casualty of the rain was the annual fair parade. "Everyone would have been soaked right through," said Jeff Cardiff, agricultural society co- president "We really felt there was no other responsible choice." The children who had dressed in costume, or decorated bicycles were still able to show their creations when a children's parade, led by four pipers from the Brussels Pipe Band was held indoors at the BMG arena. After circling the arena floor the children were judged on their efforts by Kelly McDonald, the 2001 Fair Ambassador and her two attendants, Amber Park and Samantha Thomas. Unfortunately for a number of organizations and individuals the cancellation meant that they were unable to display their hard work and ingenuity. The fair organizers expressed appreciation for their efforts regardless of the cancellation. "I want to thank everyone" said parade organizer, David Perrie, "and ask them to be sure to come back next year." The rain also meant that the attendance was down on the Wednesday. This was partially compensated for by a slight increase at the Tuesday opening according to secretary-treasurer, Sheana Campbell. The peddle car pull and the needle in a haystack scramble were moved indoors and several of the younger children were delighted to find that they could get longer pulls on the arena's slippery floor. Several pull- offs were needed to resolve some of the classes. The midway operates rain or shine and although the crowd was smaller due to the fact that many of the children did not attend because the parade was cancelled, business was steady. Several children expressed appreciation for the short lineups at their favourite rides: The chance to be repeatedly whirled in circles appeared to make up for the discomfort of being wet. There was a display of memorabilia from previous fairs going back to 1949 and in keeping with the 'Down Memory Lane' theme the canning and preserving section was displayed in a replica of a 1930's kitchen. The baking, sewing and children's sections were all well subscribed and the hobbies and crafts section received a significant increase in the number of entries. The section devoted to crops featured a redesigned display which showed well beside an impressive display of flowers. Dorothy Cummings, agricultural society co-president, summed it up saying, " I would like to thank all the volunteers and patrons who braved the weather to make sure their fair was a success despite the rain." 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) Blyth wins Blyth has been awarded five blooms as a winner in the 2001 national edition of Communities in Bloom. The village was competing in the category for communities under 1,000 inhabitants with Ste- Sophie-de-Levrard, PQ; Brigus, Robert's Arm, and Grand Bruit, NF: Big Valley, Mundare and Rycroft, AB; Hamiota, MB; and Maitland, NS. Five members of the local organizing committee were on hand in Saint John, New Brunswick to hear the announcement on Sept. 22. Bev Elliott, Eleanor Babcock, Anne Elliott, Elaine Scrimgeour and Nancy Snell all describe their experience as "tremendous" and "wonderful". Anne Elliott said, "It is hard to explain the sense of pride you feel when you go to the ceremony." Scrimgeour echoed her words, saying, "It makes you proud to come from a town like Blyth." In discussing Communities in Bloom, Babcock pointed out, "The program is about getting everyone working together." Snell felt the same way saying, "It's about civic pride not just flowers." The local committee has worked to fundraise and organize projects and volunteers. Ideas such as the tire hydrant and flower boxes competition for children were specifically mentioned by the judges. The involvement at all levels of the local community impressed them. Bev Elliott summed the award up by saying, "This award is for everyone and I would like to congratulate all the volunteers who worked so hard." The trophy is on display at Olde Village Wicker and Gifts. C. Shaw top (citizen Charlie Shaw has been named as Blyth and Area's Citizen of the Year for 2001. Shaw, who has been an active member of the Blyth Lions Club for the past 40 years was nominated for his community involvement as demonstrated through his work with the Lions. His nominators noted "He served on the fundraising committee to put the first artificial ice in our arena and was on the committee to install the pool and the pavilion at the Lions' Park. He was also involved with the bowling green and the list just keeps going on and on." Several years ago he was involved in starting the first Leo Club for youth in Blyth. His active involvement in the youth exchange program eventually saw him honoured by having a youth camp near Clifford named in his honour. "Charlie has, over the years, added stability and leadership to the Blyth Lions Club and has always been there to offer support and information to fellow Lions both young and old." said his nominators. During his 40 years of service. Shaw has been president of the Blyth club, zone chairman, and district governor with the taws, ZS 1 „litA tgew Rain, what rain? It may not have been a perfect day for the Brussels Fall Fair, but the smiles on these youngsters' faces , would never give that away. Despite constant drizzle and occasional downpours, the midway still got attention from the young at heart and the hardy. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Rain dampens fall fair fun Blyth Storm off to nationals in 2002 Brussels Fall Fair results Huron Rising Stars take part in workshop