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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-11-16, Page 3Local Seaforth teacher re-creates history BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor Bill Famell leads a double life. Sometimes he is a grade three teacher at Seaforth Public School...but at other times he is a military surgeon or carrying a mus- ket and taking part in historic battles. Famell is a member of the Kent Military Re-enactment Society. As a member he dresses as 19th cen- tury figures and helps re-create battles of the past. His involvement with the re- enactment group even led to partici- pation in the filming of The Last of the Mohicans. Although he can't actually be seen in the film he enjoyed the experience of taking part in a Hollywood movie. "You worked all night, every night," he said. "You slept during the day." Farnell drove down with about nine other extras to North Carolina in 1991 to take part in the filming. In the movie they were made up and they fired muskets during the scenes. He even got to see (at a distance) motion picture stars Dan- iel Day -Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. The extras also had a chance to work under Michael Mann (director of the critically - acclaimed film Manhunter). Taking shots with the musket during filming was difficult as the extras were running around on a 10-12 acre burned -out simulated baulefield. "We were running around at night, we were all falling down and hurting ourselves," he said. "I was lucky if I fired the musket once a night." His involvement in the film required wearing authentic -looking 100 per cent wool uniforms in 90 - degree (Fahrenheit) heat. The uni- forms were sometimes covered in fake blood made from corn syrup and red food colouring. During one day of filming Farnell picked up his military jacket only to find it covered in ants. The extras sometimes played more than one part. In one of the more amusing situations Farnell and TEACHER OR DOCTOR? - Seaforth Public School teacher Bill Farnell 'performs an operation' as a 19th century doctor. He plays the part as part of his involvement with the Kent Military Re- enactment Society. his friends played British soldiers and French soldiers during the same night of filming. The men portrayed one side of the battle at the beginning of the night and "later in the night we shot back up at ourselves." Taking part in a film was only one of the interesting experiences he has had while a member of the Re-enactment Society. At the beginning of October he participated in the Chatham Heri- tage Days event in which the Kent County Historical Society and the Cbriinlissioners ;ill continued from front page The first Board of Directors of the new co-operative will be com- posed of current commissioners Ross McBeath, Ken Rogerson, Tony Hutchings, Gilbert VanSteelandt and Bob Fotheringham as well as new mem- ber Don Lindsay. The co- operative's first annual meeting will be held in the spring of 1996. One of the recent changes affec- ting small telephone systems was a Supreme Court ruling which placed them under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Radio -television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The Ontario Telephone Services Commission still has some powers but its role in the regulation of phone companies is diminishing. The future of Tuckersmith Tele- phone System will be affected by decisions of the CRTC and whether they will offer some protection to the small phone companies. The CRTC could also affect local phone users if it requests that small phone companies raise local phone rates. Police Board, council review proposal for OPP service costs Seaforth Council held a special meeting in camera with the Police Services Board and Chief of Police Hal Claus on Nov. 3 to review the financial implications of the possible future contracting with the Ontario Provincial Police and to further consider proposed OPP contracting services. The session reviewed the OPP proposal and "discussed the cost implications associated with the contracting proposal compared to the cost of maintaining a local force," Mayor Hazel Hildebrand reported from Committee of the Whole. Adm inistrator-Clerk-Treasurer Jim Crocker "was given direction to amortize capital costs for a local force and one- time expenses over a five-year period. The session also resolved that Seaforth Council will not hold a public meeting or make any decision on the future of policing until it has consulted with the towns of Goderich and Clinton," the Mayor concluded. 1 The CRTC has prepared a study on the small independent telephone companies, said Chuter, but its contents have not yet been released. The decision to appoint the new General Manager was made unani- mously by the phone company's five commissioners. (Former phone commissioner Bob Cooper resigned over differences with the phone company when the former General Manager left). The Tuckersmith Municipal Tele- phone System originated in 1909 . O• o. es • t- • • 111111 .1111. I i!n�l nl`II'• T; III' i 'h 1. 'I' ,;! Ir Kent Military Re-enactment Society took part. During the three-day event Farnell took part in a historic re-enactment of the Battle of the Thames (in which Tecumseh was killed) from the War of 1812. Almost 2,000 public school children attended the re-enactment at the 20 - acre Thamesgrove conservation area. Farnell is a member of the only Canadian unit which portrays American soldiers, portraying a civilian surgeon attached to the U.S. troops in 1812. Bili Famell, in costume wom during filming of Last of the Mohicans. "The Americans went into 't without preparing for any lengthy war," he said. "They hired local civilian doctors or surgeons." In his portrayal the grade three teacher wears white, canvas pants and a double-breasted coat with tails. He also has some original pieces of medical instruments. He does simulated operations such as musket ball removal or amputa- tions. Six or seven years ago Farnell would have called you mad if you suggested he would one day be dressing up in historic outfits and sometimes carrying a musket. The elementary school teacher, who has now been involved with military re- enactments for about five years, became involved at the insistence of a fellow teacher. "I thought he was crazy to be honest," said Farnell. "I'd never held a musket or a gun of any kind." Ironically, the other teacher was a pacifist and Farnell wondered, 'What's he doing carrying 'a mus- ket?' Since that time, however, Farnell has found the re-enactment experi- ence fun and a chance to meet interesting people. He compares the experience to acting. be'1eMkectors when a group of subscribers from the Tuckersmith area joined to finance the system along with a debenture issued by Tuckersmith Township. There are currently 2,700 phone lines served by the phone system, which has assets of more than $3 million. In the spring of 1995 the phone system will be upgrading their switches to prepare for Call Man- agement Service features including call display and automatic recall . • • �• •® • (both of which are expected to be available in the beginning of 1996). Already the Tuckersmith phone system, which is totally digital, has more features such as call for- warding and speed dialing, than some neighbouring areas served by Bell. The phone system is mailing out a package to all phone customers including the bylaw, articles and 'offering statement' concerning the co-operative and also a financial statement for the phone system 'V) • 0 '•ail "II Ip• •• Steclman�s s CHRISTMAS • • ' • • THE HURON EXPOSITOR, November 16, 1.94-3 RUMP, STEAK OR SIRLOIN TIP ROASTS 3.59 lb. T-BONE STEAK 4.791b. Fresh CHICKEN BREASTS 2.89 Ib. SALMON STEAKS 5.991b. Dell Sliced OLD FASHIONED HAM 5.991b. Hayter's - Maple Flavoured TURKEY SAUSAGE Canada Packers HEADCHEESE 3.59 lb. 3.09 1b. To The Taxpayers & Residents of Hibbert Twp. Thank you for your very generous sup- port over the past number of years while I was allowed to represent you on Hibbert Township Council. It was a very satisfying and enlightening experience. I hope that 'in a small fashion I was.. able to contribute to the well being of the Township and its residents. Thank you so much Sincerely, Tom Schoonderwoerd P.S.: Best wishes to the new Council BAKING This Week's Features BAVARIAN RYE BREAD 1 .29 450 g Soft Dinner Rolls 1.29. "Wholesome" BRAN MUFFINS 61.99 "Delicious" PUMPKIN PIE 82.99 "Festive" MINCEMEAT TARTS 6-1.99 TRY OUR Delicious Oatmeal COOKIES DANISH PASTRY AND LOAF CAKES! MARBLE CHEESE HAVARTI CHEESE 3.99 lb. 4.991b TURKISH RAISINS .99L. Now Available - Deluxe, Light or Dark Christmas Cake Above features also available at nNICHTIL FOODMARKE I SEAFORTH TastyNu &slurry CI as Howaa' -TwrtgNto. °Yarn suet 1•!•" It SUM $Y T, sfA110.TN. MINS • I • O;l • • •�• You are invited to our 20th annual... • •� -�a °e SEAFORTH`+�°re SHOPPING flADTV •„ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 190. 6-9 p.m. •( • •,111. 1• • • I• • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 12-5 p.m. Ste s ans OFF ALL PURCHASES EXCLUDING TOBACCO Main St. AND VIDEO RENTALS SEAFORTH CREDIT CARDS WELCOME +Store 527-1950 • • •• O •• • -• . • • • • 0 • • • • • I eb -,- • • •