HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-10-04, Page 8R-THI HURON IRP $ITOR, October 4, 11$5
Local
Pioneers in Hibbert were hearty breed
The editor of Ikubert's His-
tory by Ilibbertans, the book
being published in conjunction
with the area township's
Sesquicentennial next year,
says his research has impressed
upon him how hearty pioneers
had to be to survive in this
neck of the woods.
"Woven in among the stories
is much tragedy," says Dean
Robinson of Stratford, who is
editing the publication for the
Hibbert History Commiuee.
"Coming over on the boat
and after, many pioneers lost
two or three children. The
mortality rate for people and
animals was high."
"I'm constantly reminded of
how difficult it must have been
with no roads and no land of
any sizable portion, all of
which had to be cleared."
Robinson says one family
had three sons named Matthew
and he couldn't figure out why
until he found out the first two
died. Similar histories are
common, he says, there were
many what we would today
call 'industrial accidents' in
Hibbert.
"The Scottish Presbyterians
tended to settle to the south in
Hibbert with the Irish Catholics
to the north," he says.
"Medical care was not close at
hand and a lot of people
perished.
"There was a real sense of
community. Settlers tended to
look after one another and this
really showed when things got
tougher."
Robinson is a veteran area
newsman and author with a
Master's degree from the
University of Western Ontario,
now a member of the jour-
nalism faculty at Conestoga
College at Doon. He has writ -
JUNIOR
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OLD CHJSELHURST STORE - Chiselhurst in Hibbert Township is now not much more than
a ghost town, and the name of a broomball team, but it once was a bustling pioneer
community. The General Store in Chiselhurst opened in 1875 but was destroyed by tire in
-.1936 before being rebuilt. This photo was submitted to the Hibbert History Committee by
Jack Britnell of RR 2 Staffa.
ten or edited numerous books
in the last 13 years, including
the popular Seaforth Begin-
nings. He has also written
books on the history of
Mitchell, hockey legend Howie
Morenz, the railway in Strat-
ford, colourful stunt -driver
Lucky Lott, the YM -YWCA in
Stratford, the Stratford Agricul-
tural Society, the histories of
the Stratford Rotary Club and
Stratford General Hospital, a
history of the Doon campus of
Conestoga and a book on On-
tario day trips.
He says he is intrigued by
many sink holes in the Staffa
area his recent research on the
Hibbert book has unearthed.
Sink holes are a relatively rare
type of limestone topography.
Where the water goes when it
drains down these, sink holes
remains a mystery, he says. It
doesn't appear to end up in the
underlying water table.
Robinson says what locals
historically have called "the
mountain" between Staffa and
Cromarty is also interesting. It
is higher than one thinks,
unless you look closely for the
drop by the side of the road
running between the two
communities. Originally settlers
went around rather than over
this mountain, Robinson says.
It has been knocked down
numerous times over the years
and there is "tons of fill" here.
Robinson says the book has
"consumed" his slimmer and
the Hibbert History Committee
has taken an interesting
approach by deciding to
structure the book on the
history of lots in the township,
rather than by family.
Larry Cook of Dublin is the
Chair of that committee.
Only 1,000 • copies of the
book are being printed, with
about 300 ordered already. The
book will cost more to order at
the start of next month. Up
until Nov. 1 it can be reserved
for $50 plus GST at the Hib-
bert office in Dublin. After that
it cost $60 plus GST to
reserve.
"Mingle & Mix in '96" is the
slogan the Hibbert's 150th
anniversary. It officially kicks
off with a New Year's Eve
Bash. Homecoming Weekend
is next August 2, 3 and 4. A
Winterfest February 3 and 4,
Irish Pub Night March 8 Video
Dance April 27 are also part of
the celebrations.
DAVID SCOTT PIIOI'O
FORMER FAIR QUEENS - Former Seaforth Fall Fair Queens were invited to the Fall Fair Ambassador Dance on Saturday
night. Pictured here from left are: Shelley Nigh, 1992; Lynne Godkin, 1982; Marg Henderson, 1973; Sandra Hunt, 1985;
Joanne Tilley, 1979; Kathy O'Reilly, 1977; Nancy Dietz, 1975; Andrea Muir, 1988 and Marcy McCall, 1994.
Sunday October 1st Zone C1
held the Fall Convention in
Seaforth. A parade to the
cenotaph was under the
direction of Zone Sgt. -At -Arms
Jim Brown. Colour Sgt. Mel
Mclanson was in charge of the
Colour Party. The Lucknow
Legion Pipe Band led the
parade. Two wreaths were laid
by the Zone and Branch
President John Lansink and
L.A. 1st Vice President Mary
Doig. Padre Major (Rtd) Frank
Golding led the parade in
prayers at the cenotaph and
gave the benediction at the end
of the meeting.
Among the visiting
dignitaries were District
Officers and Zone Officers
from Zones C2, C3, and C4.
Ladies Auxiliary Officers were
present from Command and
Zones. Zone Commandcr
Gordon De Jong opened the
meeting with the carrying on of
the colours. Paul Steckle,
Huron -Bruce M.P., brought
greetings and Mayor, Irwin
Johnston brought greetings
from the town of Seaforth.
Ladies Auxiliary Zone CI
Commander Eva Brown gave
the report on the activities of
the Ladies Auxiliaries.
Membership Chairman AI
Nicholson was one of the
Chairmen to receive an award
for the branch for membership
for 1994. Zone Commander
Gordon De Jong and Zone
Sports Officer Linda Gr(dzak
received their Zone medals and
bars for service. The Spring
Convention will be held March
Seaforth Legion
` by Barbara Scott
3rd, 1996 at Howick Branch
304.
Last Saturday members of
the Branch and the Ladies
Auxiliary travelled with other
branches from Zone Cl to
Parkwood Hospital for the
annual variety show. During
the show 51 afghans were
presented to the hospital for the
veterans there. Of these, 27
carne from Seaforth donated by
members and the public, some
of them anonymously. These
were presented to Sandra
Jackson, Therapeutic
Recreation Specialist, who
accepted them on behalf of the
veterans. She told us that these
afghans would be very much
appreciated by the veterans as
something made for them
personally and to make their
rooms a little more homelike.
We also took an afghan and
a quilt made by the Auxiliary
mernbers for our adopted
veteran. Unfortunately we
could not give it to him
personally as he was in
hospital but it will be given to
him on his return.
Thank you to everyone who
so generously donated afghans.
It's nice to know that our
veterans are not forgotten.
A Solo Tournament is being
held at Branch 156 on October
14. Registration is at 12:30
p,m. Play will start at 1 p.m.
The Provincial Service
Officer will be at the branch on
October 25 at 9 a.m. Contact
Service Officer Cleave Coombs
for an appointment.
The Monday afternoon
euchres are under way with
Jean Ross in charge. From all
accounts it is a very enjoyable
afternoon.
The Child Identification
program at the schools is now
underway for the 12th year.
Thirteen schools will be done
again. Seaforth schools will be
done October 23 and 24.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning we will
remember them.
Anniversary celebrated
A reception was held on
Saturday evening at the St.
Columban Church Parish Hall
for Dick and Yvonne
Middleton, operators of the
Country Charm Cafe in St.
Columban, to celebrate, their
25th wedding anniversary.
The party was planned by
their children, Ava and Chuck
Lavergne of Savannah,
Georgia, Tracy Middleton and
Corrie Middleton of Clinton.
Dick and Yvonne, wearing her
wedding dress and veil, greeted
the guests.
Friends and relatives
attending from Hanover,
Clinton and the local area
enjoyed the evening dancing
and visiting. A delicious lunch
was served.
Dick and Yvonne were
married on October 10, 1970 at
Hanover. We wish you many
more years of health and
happiness.
St. Columban
I)‘ Cecilia Ryan
345-21128
Helen Nolan hosted a
surprise card party on Friday
evening for her card playing
buddies. There were 3 tables of
6 hand euchre. The winncrs
were Jerome Murray, Jerry
Murray and Helen Nolan. It
was also an ocassion to
celebrate Helen's birthday.
HENSALL
SHUFFLEBOARD
Sept: 26th 6 -game winners
Hazel McEwan, 518; Pearl
McKnight, 514; Dave
Woodward, 511; Lorne Archer,
389; Isabelle Rogerson, 382.
5 -game winners
Ethel McMurtrie, 407; Ina
Williams, 349; Alice Thiel,
342.
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Huron County Community
Cancer Support Program
invites interested persons to become
olunteer support group leaders
Weare seeking cancer patients or their family members
to facilitate supportive small groups dealing with cancer
and related issues, in their home communities. Complete
training will be provided and ongoing support,will be available.
1f you are interested in a leadership role, or if you would be
interested in attending a support group in your community,
please contact
Mindy Gough at (519) 237-3892, collect if necessary.
Or, contact Hospice of Huron at (519) 527-1650.
Closing Date: October 13, 1995
Groups to being early November.
CURLING CLUB
1995-96
Curling Registration
Wednesday, Oct. 11.... 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 12 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
AT THE MITCHELL ARENA —
Draws will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Paid memberships will be numbered as we receive
them. If unable to attend at either of the above dates,
please contact Doug Smith at
348-8965 or 348-8437
18 nights, Tots of fun, exercise & friends.
$10.56 per wk. based on single rate.
$17.78 wk. based on a couple.
SINGLES :
COUPLES:
STUDENTS:
FEES
$75.00 per draw or
$190.00 for the season
$125.00 per draw or
$320.00 for the season
$25.00 per draw or
$65.00 for the season.
TIMES
Wednesdays 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. or9 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
DRAW • Nov 1/2 to Dec. 6/7
• Jan. 3/4 to Feb. 7/8
DATES • Feb. 14/15 to March 21/22
NEW CURLERS
As an added incentive, new curlers will
be given a $15.00 Fee Reduction for
the Season.
You must register Oct. 11 or 12 even if
you do not intend to curl for the 1st
draw.. Full payment due at registration.
Try a new Sport at the rink...
FREE
CURLING CLINIC
Wed., Nov. 1 & 8... 5 to 8:30
Thurs., Nov. 2 & 9 .... 10 to 11:30
No membership required.
Equipment supplied for clinic