HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Auburn, 2004-07-29, Page 29Congratulations
on your 150th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
AUBURN!
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A piece of the past
The former Jim Medd's tailor store, circa 1983, was
purchased and moved by Mancini Renon. (Photo courtesy of
Maxine Seers)
PAGE 8. AUBURN - 150 YEARS OF HISTORY.
Manchester Riverside Park a focal point for Auburn
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
The Manchester Riverside Park
has become not just a picturesque
focal point for Auburn, but a
pleasant spot for recreation,
picnicking and relaxing.
Such was not always the case.
Longtime resident, Jim Schneider
remembers that the area on Base
Line Road along the Maitland River
was once the Auburn dump and la
scrapyard.
As the area sat beside one of the
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
Members of the Auburn
Horticultural Society spent many
hours preparing the town's gardens"
and flora decorations to make the
homecoming celebration a site for
everyone to see.
The Society, which was formed in
1950, has about 50 members
enrolled this year including
president Maxine Seers, treasurer
Karen Redmond and secretary Joan
Rginhart.
Meetings are held three times a
year beginning with electing officers
in January. The next meeting is
March, when members gather to
discuss plans for the May Plant Sale
then the end-of-the-yeai meeting is
enjoyed over a delicious pot luck
dinner in November.
Seers said the annual May Plant
Sale involves members bringing pots
of extra perennials from their
gardens, which are then auctioned
off to the public. Proceeds of the
auction returned to the Society
which uses the money to plant
more flowers and plants around
Auburn.
Getting ready for the 150th
celebration kept Society members
busy over the last .few months as
they weeded flower beds, cared for
flower boxes on the bridge as well as
the barrels at the east end of town,
heading towards Blyth and one .of
the biggest jobs, watering.
In 1950 A. J. Jackman and Mr.
Roseborough of Owen Sound, were
sent from the Ontario Horticultural
Department in Toronto to form
the first Horticultural Society in
Auburn.
One "of the first projects
undertaken by the Society was in
1952, when members created white
cement letters on a black
background, spelling the word
"Auburn."
The letters were placed at the east
and west ends of the village, but with
the completion of County Rd 25, the
letters at the west end were moved to
their present location, while in 1967,
the letters at the east end were
moved to the corner of Elizabeth
Street and County Rd 25.
Over the years the Society has
planted several trees including the
1953 Coronation maple tree in
honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1961, two low_ junipers and a
spruce were planted near the Auburn
letters at the corner of Maitland
Terrace and County Rd 25. Then in
1966, a Centennial Flowering Crab
was planted on the county lawn at
the corner of Goderich Street and the
Mill road.
The next year a flowering crab
was planted in the Ethelwyn
bed.
In 1958, following the removal of
the Forester's Hall and clearing
away the debris, the lot was levelled
and filled.
entrances to the hamlet, the local
Lions Club, of which Schneider is a
member, began having discussions
regarding a possible " beautification
of the area. Then in 1994 work
began.
"I have to give Doug Chamney his
due. That was the year he was
president. It took it on as a project
and saw it got going."
The first step was the removal of
the weeds and brush from everything
but the riverbanks which the
Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority said must remain as was.
Evergreens, roses and perennial
flowers form the background for the
annual flowers which are planted
each year on three sides of this plot,
which was later named Manchester
Garden as a result of a contest.
Seers also mentioned one man
"We had three or four monstrous
bonfires that year," recalls
_Schneider.
A sign was also placed.
Regular maintenance of the park
continued for the next few years,
then three permanent picnic tables
and three benches were installed.
These are cemented in place.
Schneider built a bridge over the
culvert that goes along the Base Line
Road, allowing people access during
the times that the water runs high.
In 2001, the Lions built two
lookouts which extend over the
whose efforts over the years assisted
the Horticultural Society. Wilfred
Collinson, who passed away in 1999
was "a great man" who cut the grass
and did odd jobs around the village
for free.
Other activities undertaken by the
bank. Schheider who cuts the grass
at the park said it is amazing the
number of people he sees using the
area. "They pull in for a picnic, then
stand out at the railing watching the
river."
The Club next plans a pavilion for
the park.
All the work has been done by
volunteer labour, says Schneider,
"even people who are not members
of the Lions." As well the club has
received numerous donations
towards the project over the
years.
Society have been contest for
decorated Christmas doors, guest
speaking at area schools and posters
as well as the My Garden Scrapbook
and The Tree Leaf events.
This year, the Society created half
barrels full of beautiful blue and
yellow flowers which are
Homecoming theme colours, lining
the parade route.
Members also hand-painted 30
flags and hung them from various
hydro poles around the village.
Welcome
The sign welcoming visitors
and passers-by to Manchester
Park was erected shortly after
work on the site began. The
Lions Club, along with
community volunteers have
continued to beautify the area
and maintain the park.
Horticultural Society 50 members strong
Happy Birthday
Auburn!
. .
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