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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-16, Page 1NI-I NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. I Inside this week Pg. 2 Pg. 8 Pg. 12 Pg. 14 Fair ambassador chosen Angels donate to playground 2 pages of Reunion highlights Home party busineSs good fit for woman Popular performers 2 Pg • come to Blyth e Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 20 No. 36 Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 $1 (93c + 7c GST) So much to see While enjoying the plowing demonstration at the 43rd annual Thresher Reunion in Blyth this past weekend, Noel Laporte takes a second to point out the camera for his daughter Adella Organizers enjoyed another successful weekend with great weather, an excellent turnout and no mishaps. (Elyse DeBruyn photo) Alberta cattleman comes to Brussels Rick Pascal, the leader of the Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade, is going to be speaking at Brussels Livestock, Monday, Sept. 20 a 8 p.m. _ The Alberta -group has initiated a laws-tilt against the American government over the closed border to Canadian beef. Pascal's stop in Brussels is one of a series in Ontario. The other meetings are at Cookstown and Renfrew. According to Ross Procter. of the Brussels area, the purpose is to have Pascal explain the details behind the suit and what if anything Ontario producers can do. Anyone concerned about the BSE crisis is urged to attend. By Elyse DeBruyn Citizen staff Happy faces, full tummies and a weekend of perfect weather made the 43rd annual Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion another great success. If you drove down County Rd. 25 during the weekend, you would see the outstanding number of trailers that lined the Blyth campgrounds. Association president Paul Josling said there were about 1,105 campers registered at the Blyth campgrounds for the duration weekend. "It was a super weekend with an excellent turnout. We're really pleased with the response," said Josling. Marian Hallahan, Association secretary, said although she didn't have exact numbers at press time, attendance on Friday was up from last year, Saturday's attendance was about the same, but numbers were down on Sunday. "Other than that it was a tremendous weekend. It went over really7really well," said Hallahan. She said there were visitors from Florida, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Michigan ,and a few from out west. "I talked to some people from New Brunswick and they thought it (the Threshers) was awesome. They were blown away," she said. She also said the crafters, both inside and outside the arena, did "very well, more than they ever expected." One of the many new attractions was performances by the Twilight Serenaders, which Hallahan said was a big hit. "On Friday it wasn't well attended, but Saturday night it was packed. A lot of people were commenting on it." Another new attraction that turned out to be a big hit was the Skyharbour Modellers. "It was well received too. Next year they are going to try to get an area off the grounds to do a flying demonstration," said Hallahan. Unfortunately, the model planes had spooked the horses and dogs, which prohibited the pilots from doing any demonstrations this year. Hallahan said there were 22 steam engines at the Reunion this year. Other events that she said did very well were the church service on Sunday morning, yard sales throughout Blyth and the dances on both Friday and Saturday nights. Every year a big crowd gathers at the Blyth Fire Hall to devour the delicious breakfast served by the firefighters and this was no different, Josling, who is also fire chief, said the turnout was "really good" as about 1,800 visitors enjoyed sausage, bacon and pancakes covered in sweet maple syrup. "We served about 240 lbs. of pancake batter, 320 lbs. of back bacon, 520 lbs. of sausage and 80 gallons of orange juice,". said Josling. He said they were also serving about 120 cups of coffee every 20 minutes. For the corn roast this year, Hallahan said ,instead of having a steam engine cook the corn, they brought over the steam shovel, which on Saturday night cooked 70 dozen cobs and there were still people who didn't get any. "It was the first time we did it with the antique steam shovel. It was great," she said. She mentioned that the Friday . night fish fry served about 536 fish dinners. "Over all it was a good, good weekend. The weather was great, the music was awesome and there were no mishaps," said Hallahan. Fair opens Tuesday The I 43rd Brussels Fall Fair opens on Tuesday night. Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Family Day is Wednesday, beginning with the parade at 11 a.m. Immediately following the opening ceremonies on Tuesday evening, the Green Acres Mayor's Challenge will take place. Teams of four will participate in four fun- filled events to determine who is the best representative of the fair's theme of Green Acres. Each team will have a unique name to describe itself and bonus points will be given for costumes .depicting the Green Acres theme. At press time there were eight teams registered to enter the competition. This year, for a change of pace, fair directors are holding a silent auction in place of the pie auction, with items contributed by volunteers and supporters. A wide variety of objects is offered and the auction will go on Tuesday evening as well as Wednesday until 2:30 p.m. when the winners will be Some of the items gathered together include a night at a bed and breakfast, a travel set, half a bushel of apples, collectors' plates, stained glass, garden ornaments, framed photography, dinner for four, dinner for six, and maybe a pie or two. Some of the auction items are on display at Sholdice Insurance before the fair. Wednesday's Family Day activities- this year will feature Jimbo the Clown and his helpers who will da face painting, balloon shapes and a music and magic show, beginning at noon. The tractor pull for kids begins at 2 p.m.. and Workman pony rides will also be out at the back of the arena. At the cattle shed, the sheep show begins at noon followed by the Little Folks Calf Show and the 4-H Beef Club competition. Tuesday night and Wednesday there will be a food booth with all the regular fare, and of course, homemade pies contributed by many Brussels bakers. As always, donations of pies will be gratefully accepted. Funland Amusements will provide the midway this year. In the main hall much local talent will be' on display with eye-catching quilts, knitting and crocheting, hobby crafts, art and photography as well as children's work in both the school and junior sections. The baking and canning displays always draw a crowd, and in the arena there is the eye-catching exhibition of flowers, fruits and vegetables, grains and forage crops. This year's fair expenses have been offset by donations from regular contributors to the fair, and in particular, by generous contributions from the Brussels Lions, the Brussels Optimist Club and the CIBC. All donors will be recognized on display boards at the fair. 43rd Reunion deemed a big success