HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-09-25, Page 1ts;TA 1.1'1(SfiED tag
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It- was a big hug for a new friend. Rachel Miners was all smiles as she travelled the Brussels
Fall Fair with her prize, a big stuffed puppy, that she won at the midway. The annual fair was
blessed with balmy temperatures and sunny skies. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Auction raises $35,000
foriHeart & Soul campaign
NH
NORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC.
Inside this week
Blyth Lions give
Pg. generously
Blyth celebrates Pg. ky Heart & Soul
Pg.-7 Results from the
Brussels Fail Fair
12 More Belgrave fair
Pg. id results
n (. Blyth Festival names
rg. " new artistic director
e Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 18 No. 37
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002
75 Cents (70c + 5c GST)
Sun
shinesi
on fair
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
The Brussels Fall Fair went off
without a hitch under brilliant blue
skies and unseasonably warm
temperatures, attracting hundreds of
exhibitors and spectators to the event
held Sept. 17 and 18.
"This was a really great fair," said
David Perrie, president of the
Brussels Agricultural Society.
"Exhibits were up and the people
really liked the format change to the
fair."
Amongst the changes were
relticatiOn of the stage for _Tuesday
evening's opening ceremonies and
talent show, new displays such as
antique tractors, OPP safety
information. an expanded children's
play area and more display area for
home crafts and school entries.
David Blaney, one of the architects
of the change. said there was concern
that they would run out of space for
increased number of exhibits. "The
photography entries were up four or
fib times and most other categories
at least doubled." he said. • -
It was impossible to gatige the
number of attendees because,. in a
change for this year. there was just
donations at the gate, no charge.
Blaney said it felt like there were
more in attendance, but there is no
way to know.
Perrie noted the very good
attendance from local school
children. "The turnout was
excellent," he said.
He was also very pleased with the
response from those at the fair
regarding the many changes. "The
executive appreciated all the support
they received."
Jenny Schimanski, emcee of the
Tuesday night events, said she also
heard a lot of positive feedback
regarding the changes.
With the talent on stage, including
the McMichael Sisters, live pipe
music for the highland dancers and a
uud pie 'auction. Schimanski said it
was the hest fair she has seen i n the
live years she has been in Brussels.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
The newly-renovated Blyth and
District Conimunity centre was
celebrated this past Sturday and
organizers couldn't be more thrilled
with the result.
Though fundraising efforts will
continue, Heart and Soul committee
vice-chair, .Steven Sparling, sang the
praises •of the community which
supported not just the event, but the
entire project.
"In our small communities we
don't often have opportunities to
undertake significant projects such
as this. The success of this past
weekend confirmed what most of us
have known. There is tremendous
support for this; a broad base of
suppiirt."
Sparling gives credit to special
events chair Doug Walker for his
work in planning the celebration.
which included tours, a barbecue and
auction. "He did a tremendous job."
Committee spokesperson Anne
Elliott, said that people began
arriving for the tours right at noon
and the flow was steady until the
barbecue, done by the Belgrave
Kinsmen, began. There were 550
served and attendance at the auction
was at capacity as well.
Elliott stated that comments
regarding the revitalized facility
were favourable with many noting
that the additions were a big
improvement: The food court also
met approval. - .
"The biggest comment I heard was
how nice and fresh everything was.
that the facility was Wonderful." said
Elliott. "People couldn't believe it
was the same building."
Auctioneer Tony Chaffe did an
excellent job, said Sparling. "He was
energetic and enthusiastic." Rick and
John Elliott and John Watson as
spotters helped keep the bidding
moving, he said, so that over
$35,000 was raised.
"It was just a lot of fun and as the
numbers show, a success," said
Sparling.
"The community support for this
event, for the facility, • is quite
- impressive, actually pretty
incredible," he concluded.
Committee member Fran Cook
was also overwhelmed by the
support shown. "It was a great
community event. And especially
wonderful to see everyone there
because ifs ih,-;‘• building."
Task
force
to hear
from
local Ms.
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen
A task force examining the Ontario
government's educational funding
formula has accepted applications
for oral presentations from the two
publicly-funded school boards in
Huron and Perth Counties, as well as
a parents' group spearheaded by
Shelley Kaastra and Colin Pritchard
from Holmesville Public School.
All three organizations will make
15-minute presentations to the
Education Equality Task Force
during two days of public
consultations this week at the Hilton
Hotel in London. Trustees Ron
Marcy and Bernard Murray will
handle the bulk of the presentation
duties for the Catholic board, at 9:30
a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, while
Avon Maitland Chair Colleen
Schenk will get her chance to speak
on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m.
Kaastra and Pritchard will speak at
6:57 p.m. on Wednesday. Also of
regional interest, the president of
Murphy Bus Lines, which controls
well over a quarter of the bus routes
in the two counties will appear on
behalf of an association of bus route
operators at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.
According to Director of
Education Gaetan Blanchette, much
of the Catholic board's presentation
will be based on a longer written
submission, which will also be sent
to the Task Force.
Avon Maitland officials.
meanwhile, given the advantage of
appearing near-the conclusion of the
London consultations (public
meetings are also being held in five
other cities), may monitor the
submissions of other stakeholders
before making decisions about their
final presentation.
"For the most part, we expect that
a lot of these organizations and
school boards are going to be singing
primarily from the same songbook,"
commented Avon Maitland
communications director Steve
Howe. He added the board may
choose to add further emphasis to
points which have repeatedly 6e-en
raised, or highlight issues which
haven't received much attention.
The task force was formed in May
by the ruling Conservatives, with
former University of Guelph
President Dr. Mordechai Rozanski at
the helm.
According to the task force's
website. Rozanski has been asked
"to make recommendations on-ways
to improve equity. fairness, certainty
and stability for Ontario's students
and schools." based on its
examination of the funding formula.
Recommendations are to be handed
down in November.
According to Howe. task ford
Continued on page 7