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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-06, Page 29Wednesday, November 6, 2002 29Exeter Times–Advocate 30,000 tour Becker’s Royal home By Sandra Forster TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF BLUEWATER – Not too many homeowners can say 30,000 people visited their house, but Earl Becker of Bronson Line can. His new Royal Home was an R2000 model home at the International Plowing Match (IPM) in Glencoe in September. When he hosted the IPM in 1999, he was so “very impressed” with the workmanship quality and installation skill on the home on display, he ordered a Norwood 1,800 sq. ft., vinyl-sided, one- storey model. Becker saw the factory homes were well-built to deal with the stress of lift- ing and transporting them to the home site. His new house is custom built to his layout specifi- cations, with an added sunroom, more closet space and wider doors so it is wheelchair accessi- ble. The high traffic volumes at the IPM mean the car- pets will be replaced. Homestead farm The new house is the third on the Becker homestead, established in 1868. The old house built in 1913 was torn down and the bricks salvaged. Becker remembers lanterns and 50 years ago when hydro was first installed in the old house. “It was something to be able to flip a switch and have a light come on.” The new house has updated hydro service and a full-size, high-ceil- ing cement basement. Royal Homes staff con- tracted the foundation excavation, building transportation in two 15’ X 57’ sections and crane set-up. The house was moved north on Hwy. 21 to Hwy. 84 to avoid the sharp left turn in Dashwood. Setting the two pieces on the foundation only took about two hours with three slings on a 120’ crane. The sunroom, garage and 50-year duralock metal roof were attached later. Becker says Royal Homes staff will add a few finishing touches this fall and he and his son Michael hope to finish the basement this winter and the landscaping in the spring. Earl Becker and son Michael relax on the front porch of their new house moved from the International Plowing Match in Glencoe.(photo/Sandra Forster) South Huron Firefighters demonstrated the new high-power light donated by the Exeter Lionness at the Lioness Hall Oct.28.The light,which can light up an accident reconstruction or fire scene as bright as a ball park,is installed on the end of a 55’ ladder atop the pumper truck.With funds from the Spring Fashion Show, the Lionness gave the firefighters $1,300 for the light and $3,000 for four 2-way communication radios.L-R: Front:Firefighter Rob Haines.Middle:Lionness Ann Thompson,Deputy Chief Cam McLeod,Lioness president Linda Marsden,Social director Judy McLeod,Lionness Marie Nethercott,Lionness past-president Laurie Dykstra.Back:Lionness Nancy Rader,Firefighter Peter Hrudka,Lionness Shirley Mousseau,Secretary Tracy Benson,Liz Stephens,Firefighter Shannon Hrudka,Lionness June Hodgins.(photo/Sandra Forster) GGiiaanntt nniigghhttlliigghhtt Norm Tufts awarded Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal By Sandra Forster TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF GRAND BEND – Norm Tufts has another feather in his cap, or rather a medal on his chest. Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Rose-Marie Ur present- ed Tufts with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recog- nition of his 26-year quest to eliminate toxic man- ganese from gasoline. At an awards ceremony in Petrolia, Ur also praised Tufts’ dedication as conductor of the All Star Can-Am Orchestra. He’s been composing music for a big band jazz sound since 1954. A certificate commends Tufts’ hard work, sacrifice and dedication to improving air quality and Canadians’ health. Tufts returned Oct. 31 from a meeting with Prime Minister hopeful Paul Martin in Ottawa pushing for a ban on MMT (Manganese). He has accumulated 7,000 documents detailing the hazards of the heavy metal fuel additive which is banned in the U.S. Tufts says studies have shown MMT to be more toxic than lead and harmful to the environment, health and automobile engines because it plugs up the catalytic convertor and the spark plugs. Medical studies also point to MMT as a factor in Manganese madness, a disease with symptoms like Parkinson’s disease and Manganese pneumonia in automobile and fuel workers. Tufts was successful in his bid to convince the City of London to use only Manganese-free Sunoco Ultra94 fuel in city vehicles and even lawnmowers. He intends to continue petitioning the government to eliminate MMT the same way lead was removed from gasoline. Norm Tufts $20,000 in tools stolen from factory HURON PARK – On Oct. 28 at 7 a.m., Huron OPP offi- cers were called to the SAF-T-CAB business in Huron Park in South Huron over a break, enter and theft. Sometime between Oct. 26 and 28, someone forced open a door to the factory on Canada Ave in the Industrial Park. The thief stole $20,000 worth of power and air tools from the building. Huron OPP would appreciate any help the public can provide in finding the person or persons responsible for the break-in or the location of the tools. Please call Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477(TIPS).