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The Huron Expositor, 1994-09-07, Page 22 -TNR HURON EXPOSITOR. Septum .r 7, 1$S4 News and Views Telecom group honours historian BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor A Seaforth-area woman was hon- oured last month when she became the first woman and fust civilian to receive an honourary lifetime mem- bership from the Air Force Telecom Association. "I was totally unprepared for it," said recipient Edith Baker, of RR 4 Clinton. "It came as a complete shock." She received the honour partly for her work preparing a history of the telecom station near Clinton. The award was presented at the reunion of the association held at the site of the former Canadian Forces Base in Vanastra on the August 26-28 weekend. She also worked at the station as senior secretary to the commanding officers for about 17 years, from 1954 to 1971. She worked under Group Captains Harry Ashdown (now deceased), K. C. Cameron (also deceased), J. G. Mathieson (now living in Vancouver), Briga- dier -General Greenaway (retired in Ottawa), Group Captain E. W. 'Pat' Ryan (Ottawa) and Group Captain Kenneth R. Patrick, who—received a citation from U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Group Captain Pat Ryan was the only Commanding Officer in attendance at the reunion. (Mrs. Rita Ryan was also in attendance). The local station historian said she enjoyed meeting people at the recent reunion who she hadn't seen for 25 years and find out news about some of those who served at the base. Those people who worked in radar often had to endure great danger or suffering during the war, she said. The radar and telecom people were sworn to secrecy about their trade anc1 even today keep silent about specifics of their ser- vice. "The general public thinks they Edith Baker rete ves I e membership. She is first civil- ian and woman to receive the AFTA award. had safer jobs and were never shot at," said Baker, who says this isn't true. "It's a story that has to be told...there's a lot of bravery among them, a lot of suffering for their country." Prior to the reunion the local historian received a call from Penny Cocks, who was wife o► the late Group Captain Adrian Cocks. Edith Baker had been trying for some time to get in touch with her. "I am pleased to hear that the Air Force Telecom Association plans ID develop a museum at Station Clinton," she said. Ray Hutchinson, of Egmondville, was one of the people from this area to return to the site of the former base on the last August weekend. He had spent the first five months of 1948 at the Clinton school! and about eight months in Centralia. After leaving the training schools he went up to Whitehorse where he was one of the early people work- ing in telecommunications there, operating equipment such as tele- type machines and wireless. Even today, he is unsure if lie is at lib- erty to discuss his telecom work. He said he was disappointed to see the deterioration of the parade square in Vanastra but compli- mented the reunion activities. "It was very enjoyable, I met a lot of people," he said, noting it was fun to reminisce with some of them about the Whitehorse days. He even met one gentleman from those days who corresponded to some initials on material he had gathered. "We were both in Edmonton at the same' time but I was not aware of him." Another area person to return to the site of CFB Clinton was Don Reynolds, of the Kippen area. He was a radio officer there. in 1949, and returned other times during the . 1950's to instruct courses. He said he was glad to see Edith Baker receive an honourary lifetime membership. "It was nice to see her honoured," he said. "She had a nice talk and thanked the people...she is well- respected." Another of the local people to attend the 60th reunion of the Telecom Association was Seaforth's Frank Sills. Although he trained at the University of Toronto as opposed to the Clinton base he served in radar during World War II. He said the reunion was a chance to meet people with a common interest. "I really enjoyed it," he said. "You meet a lot of fellows who are new but had similar experiences." When Sills fust started correspon- ding with Canadian military histor- ians in 1982 they only had a scant five lines on radar. In 1995, how- ever, radar history will be included in the Canadian government's 1995 air force book. Sills recalls another Seaforth man, Ed Daly, serving in the war in radar at locations in Scotland, England and North Africa. At one point Ed Daly was stuck behind Getman lines. Among radar personnel to Air Force Telecom Association 60th reunion were T. J. B. Robinson, of Pasedena, California. Mr. Robinson is president of ADANAC Co. Wrights hold family reunion The annual Wright Reunion was Esther Wright and the youngest held Sunday, August 14 at Kirkton- Zachary Chambers. Edith and Woodham Community Centre Vernon Wright, St. Catherines came which over fifty auended. In the the farthest. Jim Jordan had the oldest coin. Carol Wright won the Penny contest, and Vernon Wright won the jelly bean contest. The winners of the races were Balloon -stomping - Laura Wright, Jacob May; Frisbc toss, boys - Chip Reid, girls - Hilary Hardeman; Shoe Scramble - Rebecca Wright, Stephen Reid; Ball in basket, up to 7 - Matthew Ross, over 7 - Chip Reid. absence of the president Gordon Wright, Lorne Ross greeted every- one. After a smorgasbord dinner Lome Ross conducted the business. The 1995 reunion will be held the second Sunday in August at the same place and time with Bob Ross as president and Laurabelle Reichert as secretary. The Jeffery family will be the sports committee. The oldest person present was Girl Guidesneed volunteers Adults in the Seaforth area may be able to help with the development of young people by volunteering with the Girl Guides. The Girl Guides are looking for volunteers to be leaders for the youth program, said Susan Halfpenny, spokesperson for the local association of Girl Guides. TIM CUMMING PHOTO NEW DAIRY EDUCATOR NAMED - Last year's Milk Messenger, Shannon McNeil of Goderich, stands beside Kim Baan, new Huron County Dairy Educator. Kim was presented with a medal- lion at the August 31 reception held by the Huron County Milk Committee at the Belgrave W.I. hall. New Huron dairy educator born on farm, loves children BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor A Walton -arca woman realized a lifelong ambition on Wednesday night by becoming a teacher...when she was named Humn County's first official Dairy Educator. "It was like a dream come true," said Kim Baan, of RR 3 Walton. "Because I like kids so much and the dairy industry 1 thought it would be a great opportunity." The 18 -year-old graduate of Scaforth District High School has lived her entire life on a dairy farm. She has worked at the Scaforth Co- operative Children's Centre and is currently enroled in the Early Childhood Education Course at Conestoga College. The Dairy Educator program is a direct descendant of the Huron County Dairy Princess program but has changai in the last two years. Dairy Educators arc now selected through a resume and interview process. The three-person executive of the milk committee selects the Dairy Educator. Last year the Huron County Milk Committee named its first (unoffi- cial) Dairy Educator when Shannon McNeil, of Goderich, was named Huron County Milk Messenger. The program now concentrates more on the education of primary school children about the dairy industry. Last year the Dairy Educator visited 25 of 35 schools in Huron to educate about the dairy industry. Kim Baan was chosen at a special reception at the Women's Institute Hall in Belgrave on August 31. MP - - -fluid -Stxkte-ted-MPP-Paul- both attended the function, whic featured a special medallion being presented to the new Dairy Educa- tor. She presented the Milk Com- mittee with a sample of the pro- She said there is no cost to a volunteer and training will be provided for volunteers. For informatiotl. volunteer- ing as a leade' ct Susan Halfpenny at 5 7- 61 . The Girl Guide movement includes the whole range of groups from Sparks to Brownies right up to Pathfinders. COUNTRY WIDE "CREATIVE REALTY INC.'." 527-0430 96 MAIN ST. S., SEAFORTH CALL LYNDA for your confidential insurance consultation LYNDA VINCENT 527-2204 MCKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE STARTING SEPT: 11 CANADIAN TIRE WILL BE OPEN SUNDAYS 12 pm - 4pm WATCH FOR TRUCK LOAD SALE SIFTO CRYSTAL SAL SEPT. 16 !if Y 527-1350 MAIN ST. SEAFORTH WHITE BEANS gram she will give in the schools. Kim will now promote the dairy industry through school visits, in grocery stores and at local fairs. The Dairy Educator program has two new coordinators this year in sisters Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot, of RR 3 Auburn and Tanya Vcrburg, of RR 1 Auburn, both former Huron County Dairy Princesses. Brenda Bridge, of Tiverton, has resigned as coordinator to try new things after six years of active service to the program. The chairperson of the Huron County Milk Committee said get- ting the message out to as many schools as possible is the number one goal of the program. "It's surprising how many stu- dents don't know where milk comes from," said Barry Elliott, committee' chairperson. The new Dairy Educator hopes to tell children how ' 'milk travels' from the cow to your table. The Dairy Educator's role is a lot like being a teacher, said last year's dairy representative, Shannon McNeil. She praises the program for helping children to know more. "It's definitely a benefit to all the kids," she said. "They learn so much, it makes them want to know more when they start to learn." The Baan family milks between 35 and 40 cows. The family built a new barn in 1985 after a fire. It was a special night on Wednesday for the family as Kim's grandfather, Martin Baan, who served as chairperson of the county's first- ever Milk Committee, saw his granddaughter named Huron's Dairy Educator. W.F. Thompson & Sons Ltd. know that when it comes to delivering beans you want the quickest, friendliest and most efficient service possible. So bring your white beans to Thompson Because when you deliver ... we deliver. The home of Stinger, Welland, Midland, Envoy and Vista white bean seed BEANS SFFOS BRANCHES Blenheim Hensall Mitchell Pontypool Granton Dairy Princess," Martin recalls. The Dairy Princess program ran for more than three decades before the Dairy Educator program was introduced last year. 676-5411 Seaforth 262-2527 Port Albert 348-8433 Rodney 277-2002 Kent Bridge 225-2360 Ailsa Craig 345-2545 529-7901 785-0420 352-6311 293-3223 SATELLITES . 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