HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-08-02, Page 3r
Close-up
Original like `Old Home Week'
BY GREGOR CAMPBELL
Expositor Staff
AUGUST 1-5, 1914
Times they were a' changing
in 1914 in Huron County,
according to a story in The
Huron Expositor the week
before Seaforth's first Old
Boys' Reunion.
In retrospect, that first
August reunion was one big-
time small-town celebration of
innocence, in a lull before a far
bigger storm.
The Huron County Rural.
Surxey had just been released,
put together by the Pres-
byterian minister of Exeter
Rev. S. F. Sharp and "the first
of the kind ever cond ted in
Canada", according the
Expositor report of ly, . 31,
1914.
Population patterns were
changing. Rural Ontario was
seriously shrinking, with all
manner of implications for
Seaforth and area. The survey
revealed the dramatic extent of
accelerating change. _
"In 1876, almost 40 years
ago, the total population of
Huron county was 74,286. In
1913 it was 50,590, a decline
of 32 per cent," the report said.
"But this does not tell the
whole story. The towns have
made a slight increase; from
9,257 to 11,560. Hence the
country population has
decreased from 64,930 to
39,030, or 40 per cent.
"This loss of population has
resulted in a serious
educational problem. Schools
that were once full are now
empty. In many cases atten-
dance is not sufficient to justify
paying a teacher a living wage.
In 1881, over 30 years ago, the
school population. of Huron
county was 21,245. In 1913 it
was 10,656, a loss of 48 and a
half per cent.
The early demographic sur
vey indicated all was far from
roses with the rural church in
1914 as,well.
"The survey showed that 49
per cent, or almost half of the
lural churches in Huron county
are stationary. Theyhave'
neither lost nor gained 10.
members during the last 10
years; 26 and a half per cent,
or over one-quarter of them,
are actually decreasing, and not
a few have closed altogether.
Only 24 and a half per cent, or
Tess than one-quarter, have
increased their membership...
"The maintenance of -its
church and its minister is
becoming an ever-increasing
problem in the rural -districts,
the report concluded.
• So Seaforth's big bash came
and went, that first Old Boys
Reunion an overwhelming
success according to the fol-
low-up reports in the next
week's paper.
By then some more 'rural
innocence had evaporated too.
The headline of the editorial in
the next week's Expositor, the
Friday, August 7, 1914 edition,
cast an ominous darkshadow
on the local fun and games:
"War Declared".
It was the start of the World
War I. And that of world was
never to be quite the same ever
again.
"Success assured"
It will be the most
remarkable week in the history
of Seaforth, "the equal of
which has never been given in
this part of the country"
claimed The Huron Expositor
in its editorial immediately
preceding the first Fireman's
Tournament and the Old Boys'
Reunion in the week before
World War I.
"Success is now assured," the
editor continued. "The only
thing that can dampen
proceedings is the weather and
all will have to take a
chance....
"A programme will be
provided which will furnish
amusement and interest for
all...
"The citizens have responded
withe liberality and
enter wise always characteristic
of Seaforth people. Among the
most interesting features of the
celebration will be the parade
of 23 fire brigades and 18
Bands, the illumination of
Main street with its thousands
of coloured lights...
"On the whole, we can con-
fidently promise that those who
visit Seaforth on any or all of
the days of the celebration will
not be disappointed. It is an
occasion the like of which may
not occur again in the life of
many."
• f !
It was "just like Old Home
Week".
Because that's exactly it was.
Seaforth's first big event the
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, August 2, 12$5-3
Super Summer Sale
Continues
Lots of instore specials
Our own green &
yellow beans
and sweet corn
This post card photo, courtesy Ruth Cluff, shows an earlier 'Old Boys' Reunion' held in
Seaforth.
start of August in 1914.
Organizers, including "u-
ntiring secretary Mr. A.D.
Sutherland...were favoured with
the most delightful weather
throughout and no accident or
untoward or unpleasant event
occurred to mar the harmony
or pleasure of the occasion",
according to the front-page
report in The Huron Expositor.
"Cooney" was Quick
Ralph" "Cooney" Weiland, the
Egmondville "River Rat" who
July 31, 1914 edition of the Huron Expositor
To the Seaforth Old Boys and Girls
(Written at request of the Committee)
Come an an a'the gither
An' let's be glad an'gay,
The bloom is on the clover
An' lichtsome lies the w.ay.
We reek not wind or weather
On .this auspicious day
It's maybe many years freens
Since ye hae left the toon
An'time's brocht muckle changes -
Wi' mony an up an' doon
There's nae place like ape's birthplace
Though far- ye wander roun.
The swallow loves the hame stretcti,
Sae tae the dear auld nest "
Ye come wi'eager footsteps
Frae North, South, East, and West,
Tae greet some weel-kenned faces,
For hame is aye the best.
We welcome,ye richt,gladly,_
Wi' kindly cordial grace
Yer presence like the sunshine
Irradiates the place,
An sweet in the Re -union
though for a little space
New freens are blithe an'bonnie
They bring us joy untold,
But memory casts a halo
Aroun' the days of old;
Each simple scene is sacred "
Aboot the dear hame folsi.
The burn whaur we has paddled
The places whaur we'd, play
The schule whaur we were lickit'
An' led in wisdom's way;
The -faithful hands that fashioned
Us for the future fray.
Rich blessings rest upon ye,
God's blessing from on high,
When this re -union ended -
We meet to say good bye.
We part, but not forever
A trysting time draws nigh.
H. Isabel Graham
JUST RELAXING
In -order that The Huron Expositor Staff
may enjoy. the long weekend
The Huron Expositor will be
CLOSED
MON. AUG. 7
Please Note:
DEADLINE FRIDAY
AUGUST 4-4:30 p.m.
Please enjoy a safe holiday weekend. •
would go on to star in the
National Hockey League long
before being selected to its
Hall of Fame, won the foot
race for those eight -years old
and under, and the hoop race
for those 10 and under on the -
Monday of the week, officially
designated School Children's
Rally Day.
Evidently he wasn't the only
member of that family fleet of .
foot. Willie Weiland won the
foot race for those • 14 and
under, and for girls eight and
under Maggie Weiland won the
first -place ribbon:
see SEAFORTH page 11.
TE -EM FARM
A ardtirge is Pardee
N 9 to 8 Mon. to Fri.,
9 to 6 Sot. & Sun.
IGO
Trod and voter W odea
(519) 482-3020
Egmondville
United Church
OPEN
HOUSE
Sunday, August 6th
Following the.
Worship Service -at
Seaforth and District
Community Centre
until 4:00 p.m.
ALL WELCOME!
CANADIAN TIRE
Seaforth
DECKER.
Congratulate!
LiAURENE REGELI
R.R. #1 Dublin
1f
Winner of the
Win a Workshop " draw
Thanks to everyone
who entered!!
Canadian Tire
126 Main St. 527-1350
st,A.FpRrb,
•-. .
HOMECOMING
OPEN
HOUSE`
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1995 -12 - 5 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1995 -12 - 5 PM
AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
Come and Join us to
Celebrate Homecoming &
The 150th Anniversary of the
Seaforth Agricultural Society
- Memorabilia Displays -
-150th Anniversary Souvenirs available •
- Collector PFates of Roundhouse,
Hasty Notes and Mugs
DRAW FOR A PLUG-
IN COOLER PLUS
A FREEtAN OF
PEPSI WITH
EVERY FILL -UP
25 Litres or more
This Homecoming
Weekend
Au•. 3,4,5&6
REE
Suckers
FREE
alloons
REE
Fridge
Magnet -
• Ethanol Gasolines • Tire Sales & Repair •
•Exhaust Systems
• Oil Changes • Batteries • Wash and Waxing
• Ice Blocks & Cubes • Hunting and Fishing Licenses
519-527-0881 .
!1