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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2002-09-11, Page 1Giving grinding a go Young Cameron Walsh of Georgetown concentrated on the work at hand as he tried out the corn grinding machine on display at the 41st annual Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion in Blyth this past weekend. Beautiful clear skies brought hundreds of people to the event Friday and Saturday, but sweltering temperatures on Sunday made for a quieter day. (Janice Becker photo) Time for Blyth to celebrate Reunion a big success By Janice Becker Citizen staff Under bright blue skies and unseasonably warm September temperatures, the Huron Pioneer Thresher Association organized another tremendously successful weekend. Attendance at the gate was up both Friday and Saturday, said Association Secretary Marian Hallahan. The number of those taking advantage of the camping facilities also grew by approximately 100 trailers. An additional 96 units were parked at the far west side of the fairgrounds, next to the steam engine ploughing site. Doc Century's Medicine Show was again a big hit, with more adults taking part in his exhibition, she said. The Clark-sholme Collies drew a large number of watchers and first- time attendees, the miniature animals of John Siertsema, were a favourite. Another first-time exhibit was the sheep shearing which drew good crowds, she said. There were more than 250 antique tractors on display, one of the largest showings ever for the Reunion. `, There were also several new exhibitors. The tractor pull also realized an increase in participation. The entertainment, always a major component of the show, was a /huge hit. Aside from bands on the main stage and campers' jam ses,sions in the sheds, Randy and Friends' Friday afternoon show was really enjoyed, said Hallahan. The outdoor dance on Saturday attracted a lot of dancers wanting to move to the tunes under the warm summer moon until midnight. Craftspeople in the arena reported a good weekend for sales and souvenirs of the reunion were also hot items. A new feature in the midst of the craft show was the Thresher Reunion quilt to which visitors could add a few stitches. "We had excellent . response," said Hallahan. A woman from Illinois was thrilled to get to help out." Food vendors from Gary Courtney's corn roast, the Shriner's fish fry and the various organizations all did tremendously well, with many selling out, Hallahan said. The firefighters served approximately 1,600 breakfasts between Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was very busy with Sunday's numbers off slightly, said Fire Chief Paul Josling. He was also pleased that the only calls to the fairgrounds were for a few minor incidents. In spite of an overall good weekend at all the venues. Hallahan said Sunday was a slower day. This may have been due in- part to the numerous other acf4vities in the area as well as the excesteve heat. " ; NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC I New features planned for fair By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Inside this week Sparling's gives Pe Pg.J generous donation 1. County votes to V close libraries P A look at the 41st Thresher Reunion Pg10 Blyth youth plays for . P2 12 NM meeting draws c,* -7 full house Junior A team The Citizen Volume 18 No. 35 Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) It's fajl.fair time in Ontario and the Brussels Agricultural Society is gearing up for the Brussels Fall Fair Sept. 17 .and 18. According to fair organizers visitors to this year's fall can expect to see some changes in displays and presentation. Changes in the auditorium will include a display of Brussels memorabilia, which will greet visitors as they enter. New stands and racks will help display the quilts, afghans and needlework that are the result of many hours of work by local residents. The plants and flowers section will have a complete gazebo indoors to provide an interesting backdrop for the work of area green thumbs. The arena itself will contain a display of antique tractors provided by several area enthusiasts. Children's favourites will be there with the pedal car pull,,,wedle in hay stack and pony rides all returning this year. As well the midway will provide rides and the sounds associated with fair day by the child in everyone. Society president and parade organizer David Perrie said he -is hoping for better weather this year so that all those who work so hard on their floats and costumes will get a chance to properly display the products of their labors. He said local children are encouraged to decorate their bikes and participate in the parade. Every child who enters a decorated bike will receive a small prize on fair day so they will have a little extra fort-he. rnidway. Society secretary, Sheana Campbell says that entrants in the various classes appear to be on) the rise this year as the demand for fair books and entry tags has been higher than normal. The hobby crafts Continued on page 6 By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor It's a celebration of Blyth's Heart 8t Soul. • With almost all but the cosmetic work completed on • the improvements to the Blyth and District Community Centre, the Heart & Soul committee is hosting a grand opening and barbecue, Saturday, Sept. 21. Spokesperson Anne Elliott said the event is not just about providing au opportunity for people to see the facility, but a way to acknowledge the tremendous support shown by the community. "Not just by Blyth, but the surrounding district." "That so much has been achieved in this short amount of time is due in large part to the fact that when we called for volunteers they were there," said Elliott. "Also the people who went door-to-door did a tremendous job. We thank them for offering for what can be a difficult job." It was just last • April when volunteers began tear-down of the old. arena. At the time, said Elliott, it was not just the idea of getting the work done by September, but the cost of the project that seemed daunting: "At a meeting the other night it was mentioned how our share, $1.1 million, seemed like such an insane amount of money for this community to raise. We are just amazed at how the money has come in." While donations are obviously still being accepted, the community has contributed over 85 per cent of the funds to date. Noting that the project is on budget and on time, Elliott said that she is impressed by how smoothly the work has gone. She credits volunteer Dwight Chalmers with keeying things on target, as well as project manager Paul Jackson who "did very well to meet the completion dates." • By last Thursday night, the arena floor was being used for the Thresher Reunion craft show while meals were being served in the upstairs banquet hall. "It is quite frankly awesome that this has been completed in this time frame when you consider the magnitude of the project." The arena renovation is the largest public-private partnership to ever be undertaken in Blyth. The improvements have included extensive changes to the arena, plus alterations to the community centre and kitchen. The exterior has also been altered. "This was considered a renovation," said Elliott, "but really it looks like a new facility. It looks very different with much more useable space. " People will have the chance to view the 'new' arena on Sept. 21 beginning with preview tours which start at noon. There will be a roast beef barbecue, done by the Belgrave Kinsmen from 5-7 p.m. with the ribbon cutting at 6:45 p.m. This will be followed by a fundraising live and silent auction at 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the barbecue is encouraged to buy tickets ahead of time, said Elliott. Most importantly, however, is that the community, which has shown such support to this point, attend. "We want to see the entire community there," said Elliott. "It is a community facility not just a venue for sports. It's a centre for all people to use." While the auctioning of such items as autographed sports memorabilia and weekend getaways, is expected to cut even deeper into that $1.1 million, donations are not just being accepted, but still needed, said Elliott. There will be a booth at the auction for anyone interesting in making a contribution. Donations of $1,000 or over, she added, will eventually be recognized Continued on page 6