HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Thresher Reunion, 2004-09-09, Page 37PAGE A-4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004.
Thresher Reunion 2004
Firefighters on
scene for Reunion
2004 directors
Back row, from left: Henry Hendriks, Lloyd Josling, Jim Schneider and Judy Sloan. Front: Bill
Seers, Joe Freeman, Wayne Lowe and Tom Penhale. Absent: Bill Vincent. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
Man loves 'beauty' of service
There is always the possible risk
of injury whenever a large number
of people gather in one place, but
thankfully help will be just around
the corner at the 2004 Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion.
Each year the annual show
attracts thousands of people to its
fairgrounds and it's a reassuring
feeling to see the highly-visible
presence of the Blyth firefighters.
As a first response team, members
of the department are prepared to
handle virtually every type of
emergency from fire to heart attack.
Chief Paul Josling said a
minimum of two or three
firefighters is on-site from noon to 6
p.m. One or two rescuers stay at the
emergency vehicle, which is parked
in an open area near the arena, while
the other roams the grounds.
"People know where to find us if
they need assistance. If not we're
pretty visible and people will be
able to spot the truck.-
When our local heroes are not at
the Reunion, they are busy
preparing breakfast on Saturday and
Sunday morning of the event.
They are, however, only a phone
call away. There is a pay phone in
the arena and the registration desk is
also often open so that 'the fire
department can be contacted in an
emergency.
Josling said an ambulance with
attendants will also be on-site.
"There is always assistance
available to deal with various
emergencies."
He said one of the most common
first aid needs is bee stings since
there are many of them every year.
Lost children is another situation
that arises frequently.
Josling said because the van is
easy to spot, they get "little ones
coming over in tears telling us
they're lost."
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
For over 20 years, one man has
travelled over 70 km to enjoy the
"beauty" of the Thresher Reunion's
Sunday church service while
rekindling' some childhood
memories.
Glen Morh, a Stratford man who
recently turned 81, has been driving
to Myth every year to attend the
non-denominational church service
at the Reunion, which he says is just
"amazing."
"There is something. about the
bells ringing and the hundreds of
people from all congregations,
sitting on their lawn chairs and
enjoying the service. It's amazing,"
Morh said.
Every year, Morh leaves his home
at 6 a.m. to begin his trip to Blyth,
stopping for a quick breakfast on the
way before arriving for the 10 a.m.
service.
"I like to drive cross-country by
myself and take in the beauty of the
country. If you drive through the
country, you've already been
blessed before you get there."
Another segment of the church
service that Morh says he enjoys is a
performance made by "ladies."
"They are just wonderful. They
sing some old-fashioned hymns and
when the ladies sing, it's just so
beautiful."
Although he enjoys the service,
Morh said he can't wait to start his
tour of the fairgrounds to see all the
different threshing machines.
"I just love the smell of steam
engines. It's my favourite part at the
show."
He said his father and two brothers
had a steam engine on the family
farm, so at the Thresher show, Morh
heads to the steam engines for the
noon-hour whistle blow because "it
really brings back memories."
Having been raised on a farm,
Morh says that is why he loves
antique tractors and has such a
fascination with steam engines.
He said one year Dave Chittick,
emcee of the church service, gave
out sheaves and Morh was able to
take one home, which he now keeps
in the corner of his living
room.
"Grain sheaves are important to
me; they carry a lot of memories. It
reminds me of my dad and when he
showed me how to (stook)."
With his spiritual enjoyment at the
church service and the chance to
embrace all his wonderful childhood
memories, Morh said the best part of
the Thresher Reunion is "friends."
"It's a day that just flies by. You
visit with friends, enjoy life and
before you know it, the day is over.
It's crazy."
Aside from the Thresher Reunion
in Blyth, Morh said he also attends
the Mitchell and Milton Reunions as
well.
"You can take the farmer off the
farm, but you can't take the farm out
of the farmer," Morh laughed.
A warm welcome._
to friends &
visitors attending
the 434 Annual
Thresher Reunion
LO
AGENCY
Welcome to the
43rd Annual
Thresher Reunion
Scrimgeour's Food Market
Blyth 523-4551
Featuring: Scrimgeour's homemade country sausage,
Scrimgeour's Homemade beef patties, Soup and Sandwich
to go, Tasty Nu bakeshop,
Open 7 days a week.
Thurs. & Fri. 9.
The Beer Store
Approved Retail Partner
y. 4 South of Blyth
www theoldmill.ca
519.523.4595