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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-11, Page 10Page A10 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 "Never a ship sails out of the bay But carries my heart as a stowaway." Goderich1[Greeter -WELCOME SERVICE- Ifyou are a Newcomer, or know someone who is, call Kim Burgsma 524-5721 ...for Gift Certificates and local information! www.goderichgreeter.ca or email kim@goderichgreeter.ca ATTENTION... VETERANS, EX -SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN, DEPENDENTS OFANYOF THE ABOVE AND MERCHANT MARINERS The Royal Canadian Legion Bureau Service Officer, Mr. Randoph Groundwater will be visiting Goderich Legion Branch 109 on Friday, February 13, 2008 From 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. • Anyone in the above noted categories wishing information, advice or assistance regarding: (a) War Disability Pensions (b) Medical treatment for entided veterans (c) Benevolent funds (d) War Veterans & Widows Allowances or appeals against adverse W.V.A. decisions, etc. is asked to contact the Goderich Branch Service Officer, David Mepham, at Tel: 519-524-9597 to arrange a time for an interview on the noted date with Mr. Groundwater. David. Mepham, Service Officer, Goderich RCL Branch 109.. flO //h1111rf.G:%/.�/iiJ " .✓. ,OZI rNAMON i2, 4Pi; ..?--w:. j . : v £ S Mariners Service honours area ships, sai For three -days in early Novem- ber, 1913, towering waves 30 feet high and relentless winds reaching speeds of 90 mph toppled down on Lake Huron's typically calm, sandy shores. It was to become known as the White Hurricane, or Great Storm that snuffed out the souls of more than 244 young sailors at work on the Great Lakes. Nineteen ships found their watery graves on lake - beds throughout the Great Storm, eight of those still rest in Lake Hu- ron alone. It was an unparalleled disaster in Canadian maritime history. A storm of blinding snow and ferocious wind attacked the Great Lakes re- gion, .but the sheer ferocity reared its head to target the shores of Hu- ron County, the unlucky recipient of a vasy majority of wreckage as ships and bodies washed up in the days following. Young cousins Donald and Mur- doch McDonald of Goderich and James Glen of Clinton were all aboard the Wexford, a 2,100 ton package freighter. The Wexford was lost* following the storm for many years on Lake Huron, but in Au- gust, 2000 the ship was discovered lying 22 nautical miles south west of Goderich in 85 feet of water.Five sailors who washed up on the Goderich beach were never identi- fied and are a f Columbus hall featuring.,. Tom Dean from 104.9 fm The Beach as your master Don't miss liae live Auction Begins at 7 pm with many r!►;'.^ & auction! ors for 95 buried in the Maitland Cemetery. Now in 2009, one of the old- est traditions honouring this area's marine heritage is set to cast off at Knox Presbyterian Church on Sun- day evening, Feb. 22 with the 95th Annual Goderich and District Mari- ners' Service. check out 05th annual Goderich & District Mariners Service 1 Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. 1 Knox Presbyterian, Goderich The service originated in 1903 as the "Sailors' and Fishermen's Ser- vice" following the ancient tradi- tion of asking God's blessing before ships set out in the spring. Howev- er, it was re -named the "Mariners' Service" in 1914 when a memorial for the lives lost in The Great Storm of 1913 was incorporated into the original service. More bf the powerful fury of na- ture and blast to marine culture on Lake Huron can be learned prior to the service at 7 p.m. during a video presentation detailing the Great Storm. The service is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Over the years, the Mariners' Ser- vice has taken on .an ecumenical flavour with people of all denomi- nations and from the entire region taking part. While it is still intended as a ser- vice of recognition for those who years make their living on the waters and a service of thanksgiving for the blessings we receive through the use of ,the lakes for commerce and recreation, it is also a memo- rial service not only for those who lost their lives in 1913 but all those sailors, both .commercial and rec- reational, who have lost their lives on Lake Huron since then. One of Goderich's own is welcomed back as this year's guest minister. The Rev. Robert Royal, youngest son of the late Rev. Lockie and Audrey Royal, was bon? and raised in God- erich and now serves as minister at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Maple, Ont. Robert was ordained at Knox Goderich where his father served as minister for 27 years. Goderich's talented male chorus, the Harbouraires, will perform at the service for the 55th consecu- tive year. Afterwards everyone is invited downstairs to MacMillan Hall for refreshments and a look at the amazing displays and marine artifacts on loan from the Huron County Museum as well as various individuals. This year there will be a special display of five intricate ship models made by the late Jack Fin- egan on loan from Legion Branch 109 with permission of the Finegan family. There will also be a spe- cial presentation of a framed Great Lakes Fleets Colour Identification Guide made to the Botz family in memory of the late Ben Botz who worked in the Great Lakes shipping industry and assisted faithfully for many years with preparations for the annual Mariners' Service. Council gets in on birthday celebration Denny Scott signal -star staff Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Council heard from the Port Albert 175th Birth- day Celebration plan- ning committee again, and agreed to circulate an infor- mative insert in an upcom- ing tax mailer sent out by council. The insert will inform the public of the upcoming cel- ebration, to be held in 2011, and announce a history book that is being written to continue on from a previous one released in 1986. The committee will be asking for residents of the township to submit fam- ily histories, photos, stories and memorabilia to help with the expansion of the current history. *** Ashfield -Colborne Wawanosh Council re- viewed the request of the Amberley General Store to remain open during certain holidays. The store, which has be- come an LCBO Agency store, according to Lal Chouhan, could be opened on Family Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, the Au- gust Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day and Boxing Day. While not all LCBO loca- tions are open on this day, Agency Stores are permit- ted to provided they obtain consent from their local municipal authority. Council agreed to let the store be open for these holi- days, and the store will run their regular hours of Mon day to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. *** Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Council re- ceived correspondence from the Maitland 'Valley Conservation Authority (MCVA) requesting funds for the 2009 operating year. Council reviewed the documentation arid de- cided to give the MCVA a 2 per cent increase from last year's contri- bution instead of the budget that the MCVA outlined. The MCVA uses the money from municipali- ties to assist in environ- mental projects, as well as in helping municipal- ities with flood planning and response, develop- ment policies and de- veloping education pro- grams, for local schools.