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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-07-20, Page 30Wednesday, July 20, 2011 • Goderich Signal -Star 29 h 3, 1971 - July 3, 2011 oIin Andrew - passed away in Nicaragua, shortly after midnight, 011. Colin was the victim of d shot June 13th. He fought sly through several operations cumbing to his multiple wounds. born in London, ON. He lived in Halifax and Calgary. His first ragua was in 1998 working with am White Iron Productions of do a documentary on the rights . He vowed someday to return to rk amongst the people he grew. and love. Colin then moved to part of his adventurous spirit and position with Garrison Breweries, various roles, including the one ntil his death, Graphic Arts & e loved this company, Brian, and ted with it. As a result of his time made connections that allowed el to Nicaragua. His love for the nd the beautiful countryside nd he returned to that place, he radise onarth, Managua, with and computer in Sept, 2007. As s and brother we too felt that ing as they opened their hearts to us during our three weeks by . A large group 'of friends and clients shared in a memorial celebrate Colin's life in Nicaragua y. July 5, 2011.We were sad that leave the many people who had him and welcomed us into their Dad and Kelly his brother were ide when he passed into God's Colin was cremated and we 'm home to Canada, which he resented during his many travels the flag in his heart. We salute of Nicaragua, though poor, they so many other ways. A funeral held in Goderich on Friday, July ended by many family members. Even those who didn't know uched by the lessons in humility, of the butterfly he exemplifies r and Tess fortunate he helped ily life. Education will be the to resolve the future of youth ntry. Colin was a member of nded families, gave of his time ming involved in working to the . youth of underprivileged computer knowledge. Colin is his parents, Ron and Gall, of On and his brother Kelly Allin and regory and niece Alisa in Grandmother Irene Allin and ny aunts, uncles, cousins and •mily members both here and in Colin was a free spirited soul ed many people on his journey He was much loved and will be all who had the opportunity to July 14 marked an important day in a marriage that has spanned more than 127 years. Indeed, the marriage theme proved to be a prominent one as dozens of Ball's Bridge support- ers, neighbours and community leaders gathered to bear witness to the once threatened site's his- torical plaquing ceremony care of the Ontario Heritage Trust. Former Central Huron Reeve Bert Dykstra acted as Master of Ceremonies for the day as his home municipality, along with Ball's Bridge's other half owner, Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh, joined hands as driving forces in keeping the span around to serve another day. Bali's Bridge was eyeing the prospect of a wrecking ball in 2006, when Huron County administrators said it would be cost prohibitive to repair the wrought -iron structure. While several county councillors shared the roads department's senti- ments, enti-ments, a few of the area's leaders, including Dykstra and Van Diepenbeek, banded together with the quickly created Friencis of Ball's Bridge in order to find another way to keep the bridge. Ultimately, the county acqui- esced and downloaded the bridge to the partner municipali- ties, along with a $250,000 grant for repairs. The 'Friends,' mean- while, went on a fundraising mis- sion to ensure the site could con- tinue to handle light vehicular traffic. Today, Ball's Bridge is up to snuff and features an entrance- way with a low -hanging gate that prevents oversize vehicles from accessing the bridge, which can accommodate loads of up to four tonnes. "I think it's a beautiful piece of history we need to hang onto and tell stories about it," said Dykstra while addressing those on hand. In paying tribute to the site and its supporters, Sam Wesley, plaque program coordinator for the Ontario Heritage Trust, pre- sented a thoughtful speech that included the not well-known fact that the current structure is actu- ally the third incarnation of a bridge on the site. "The story behind the bridge is a romantic one," says Wesley, noting "legend" has it an engi- neer built the first model of the Ball's Bridge, when he saw one of the pioneering family's daugh- ters crossing the river on foot. While a normal custom of the day for a gentleman was to lay Cheryl (From left) Ashfleld Colborne Wawanosh Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek, Derry Ball, Central Huron Reeve James Ginn, Ontario Heritage Trust board member Maria Popalovich, Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb, Huron County Warden Neil Vincent and former Central Huron Reeve Bert Dykstra were among the dozens on hand for the official Ontario Heritage Trust plaquing ceremony for Ball's Bridge on Thursday. The circa 1885 bridge earned the designation five years atter facing the possibility of the wrecking ball. his coat over a puddle for a lady to cross, this engineer proved to go that extra mile. "The aura of romance has lin- gere,: ever since," says Wesley, who also shared details about the engineering of Ball's Bridge, which is a two -span Pratt design through truss, pin -connected wrought -iron bridge. Calling the site an "excellent example" of a bridge for the era, Wesley notes wrought iron replaced wood as it was fire resistant. "The bridge has complex engi- neering and an understated down- to-earth elegance," he says. The end of heavy traffic on the bridge came in 1989, when County Road 15 was created, while the road was closed to traf- fic in 2006. The rest of the story is known. This is a wonderful marriage of past and future," says Wesley. Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb who was on hand with his wife, Andrea Fisher, congratulated the Friends group and area politicians on their dedication to saving the structure. He also notes his in-laws, Bruce and Gloria Fisher, are donating a monu- ment that will recognize all of the bridge's volunteers for their efforts. Iiuron County Warden Neil Vincent, who was joined by many area politicians including Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt, Central Huron Coun. Marg Anderson, and a number\of municipal and county staff rep- resentatives, says the plaquing ceremony proves preservation is possible. "I want to congratulate all of you, especially my friends Ben (Van Diepenbeek) and Bert (Dykstra) and their councils for being supportive and listening," says Vincent. "It is an honour to have a structure like this main- tained and to be enjoyed." Vincent, whose own farm sits alongside the Maitland River fur- ther down the highway, says the site is a tranquil one that draws both locals and tourists alike. ACW's Reeve gave credit to the Friends' group for quickly band- ing together, and getting more than 1,000 people to sign a peti- tion to save the structure. "It sent a strong message to both councils," he says. While Central Huron Reeve James Ginn says it is great to see that what originally started as a commercial bridge has become a recreational one, he says supporting efforts to save the site proved to be an "easy thing for council to do." An emotional Daryl Ball says his family is "humbled and honoured" that the community rallied to save the historic structure. In noting that tourism has increased to the area since the lobbying efforts were launched in 2006, Ball says the bridge will "continue to be a great economic driver for this area." In presenting the heritage plaque to the group, Maria Topal- ovich, of the Ontario Heritage Trust board, says the bridge is a welcome addition to the 1,200 - plus sites in Ontario that have earned the designation for spe- cial sites, people and stories. She notes other blue -and -gold plagued sites in the county include one commemorating the Great Storm of 1913 in Goderich, the recounting of the importance of the Van F.gmond House in Sea - forth, and one outlining the story of William 'Tiger' Dunlop in Goderich. Ball's Bridge, she says, com- memorates a "poignant reflec- tion of a bygone area" and it is a "beloved local landmark" that has withstood the test of time.