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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-05-29, Page 2!-TNI HURON EXPOSITOR. Nay 2% ISIS News and Views PHOTO BY DAVID SCOTT VIEWING A.Y. McLEAN COLLECTION - Seaforth photographer Frank Phillips talks about items of A.Y. McLean's collec- tion on display at town hall after a meeting last Tuesday night on preserving town history. From left: Mary McLeod, Marjorie Phillips, Frank Phillips and Lois Churchward. In the background Paul Carroll talks with Paul Nichol of the Huron Business Centre. A core group of interested people will continue to meet on preserving Seaforth memorabilia. Great interest in town's history BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Editor . It looks like there's interest enough in Seaforth to offi- cially preserve the town's history and perhaps find a central location (or locations) to display items of historical significance. - A well -attended meeting hosted by the Town of Seaforth, LACAC and the Huron Business Development Corporation was held in the second -floor council chambers of town hall last Tuesday evening. The fast -paced information session featured five panel 'speakers. Thc- welcome was made by Walter Armes, chair of LACAC, and introductions were.done by - Seaforth Deput-Clerk Cathy Garrick. Frank Sills' Collection A portion of a video tour on Frank Sills'- Collection of Scaforth memorabilia and artifacts, shot by former Expositor editor Tim Cumming, was shown. • Dozens of items were intro- duced by Sills on the video and most had a story to go along with them. There were old papers from both World Wars, photos of the 16I st Battalion from Huron, flags, coffin handles which had been recycled from funeral to funeral and many old photos. Thcrc was a photo of the Seaforth Fire Brigade which won an international compe- tition in 1888. Our home town brigade set a record of 59 seconds for running a 200 -yard course and chang- ing a firehosc. Thc record was set in Sarnia and defend- ed in.Pontiac and Chicago. Thcrc was an old photo of a dozen young men in suits who used to put on high class parties in town. Thcy were known as "thc Social 12." However, said Sills, after they decided to throw a party for themselves, they were known as "the Drunken Dozen." Sills had photos and stories on past town characters like barber Sid Pullman, former baker and mayor John Crich, expressman Mack McKellar, jack-of-all-trades James Vincent Brian, the town's "honey -dipper" - thc man who emptied all the outhous- es in town and even a story about some fellow from Egmondvillc who claimed to have invented electricity before Thomas Edison. LACAC member Cathy Elliott spoke on thc concept of developing a local strate- gic plan for preserving arti- facts and memorabilia. She talked about how before government cuts hit historic designation programs that people applying to have their home or business desig- nated often relied on private collections in town to obtain the necessary historic photos for the application. Value of Collections Elliott said how helpful individuals had been like Cub Betties with his large collec- tion of historic postcards, Ken Cardno with all the memorabilia and documents associated with Cardno's Hall, the A.Y. McLean col- lection - part of.which is pre- served in town hall and Frank Sills with his extensive col- lection of artifacts. . Although LACAC set up the Betty Cardno room on the second floor of town hall a few years ago as a historical information centre, it's limit- ed to the hours the town hall is open and at this point, isn't wheelchair accessible. Elliott mentioned the possi- bility of locating a historical showcase in the newly reno- vated library or one of the local schools. She said she'd "hc sick" if historical infor- mation was lost when knowl- edgeable seniors pass on. Old photos without names and stories to go with them are just old photos. Economic Benefits Community development manager Paul Nichol of the Huron Business Development Corporation in Seaforth talked about the economic benefits and spin - .offs of preserving a commu- nity's history.. "Economic survival these days has less to do whether or not you are located on the 401, than it does with some other less tangible qualities like community spirit, com- munity pride and a communi- ty soul," said Nichol. He talked about residents of the Township of Eramosa, cast of Guelph, who were concerned about losing their identity when ex -city people started moving into the town- ship in the late 1980s. A group of volunteers docu- mented key stories about the arca history. "Thc culmination of this effort was the development of a community play involv- ing over 200 of the town- ship's residents as actors," said Nichol. The play, staged in the sum- mer of 1990, was successful and attracted crowds from all over Ontario. Thc play even- tually went on the road and the township established a company which assists other communities in undertaking similar projects. The Eramosa group helped Blyth stage its community play in 1993. There are other community success stories closer to home. Thc Annual Pioneer Threshers Reunion held every September in Blyth was thc brainchild of a fcw locals who had a passionate interest in preserving the skills and knowledge of the old thresher gangs, said Nichol. The event, which was start - cd over 20 years ago, now attracts over 12,000 people a year and is one of Huron County's major. tourism events. "And what arc those 12,000 people doing while they are exploring our local heritage? Thcy are staying at local bed and breakfasts, eat- ing'in. local restaurants and shopping in local stores," said the community develop- ment manager. He also mentioned the restoration of the Gorrie grist mill which will be the focal point for the second Annual Huron County Farm Hiker tour this fall, expected to attract 1,00( people. The projects Nichol talked about didn't start out as eco- nomic development strate- gics. The primary gdal fdr all groups involved was the con- servation of local heritage. Each of these efforts, had an educational component to them which Nichol says sup- ports a current trend in the industry that the average tourist is "looking for an experience that enhances their knowledge about differ- ent customs, traditions and lifestyles." Thc projects mentioned didn't require a lot of money or rely on government grants. Most of the work was done by dedicated volunteers. Because these residents pre- sent the image of a communi- ty that is alive and well, these areas become more attractive places to invest, said Nichol. "People want to invest in a community with a future. The irony is it takes a knowl- edge of your past in order to create that future." Heritage Brainstorming Seaforth native Jane Muegge, 20 year employee with OMAFRA and Catherine Campbell, Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation Consultant for Grey, Brucc and Huron Counties, led a brainstorming session with the audience on ways of pre- serving our local heritage. There were many good ideas tossed about and recorded in thc informal ses- sion. Seaforth councillor Mike Hak suggested cataloguing all the historical items in town to establish what exists. Recording stories of seniors in town was one idca of pre-. serving local history. Frank Sills thought Main Street businesses could dis- play memorabilia in their storefronts. Someone else suggested that perhaps cmpty buildings on Main St. could he utilized for displays as well. Doing more video-taping, including close-ups of old photos and slides, was sug- gested by Gord Rimmer. Paul Carroll thought notices of future meetings or histori- cal information could be shared on thc community TV cable station. As for a spot to house a his- torical showcase. presently some of A.Y. McLean's memorabilia is on display on the second floor of town hall which may soon be wheel- chair accessible. Many toured the collection room following the meeting last Tuesday night. Paul Carroll, Director of Education for the public school board, said some schools have extra space which could be utilized. As well, the renovated town library now has an accessible second floor. There were many sugges- tions including: older people going around to arca class- rooms to talk to students about local history, establish ing an historical society in Seaforth, forming a partner- ship with the Van Egmond foundation and even having a pub walk to the locations of CONTINUED on page 17 HEALTH ON THE HILL A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL "HELPING YOU LIVE WITH CANCER" Support Group for cancer patients, family and friends information evening. Anyone interested is welcome to attend at the Seaforth Manor on Wednesday, May 29th at 7:30 p.m. "LIFE AFTER BABY" informal sessions. for new parents conducted by the Huron County Health Unit each Thursday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. up to June 13th inclusive, to be held in Conference Room 2. Topics include: Growing and Learning, Adjusting to Parenthood, Safety, Nutrition, Crying -& Comforting, General Baby Concerns. DIABETIC EDUCATION offered by Nurse Educator, Dianne Wood, Reg.N. each Thursday 1 - 3 p.m. by appointment. Self referrals accepted. No fee. Topics include: Diet, Exercise, Insulin, Oral Agents, Monitoring Technique, Travel, Days of Illness, Foot Care, Management. To pre -reg - later, call 527-1650 Ext. 219. JIF.ART TO HEART, Special thanks to Dan Rooyakkers, M.D., Betty .Duwyn,-Physiotherapist, Lorraine Devereaux, Dietitian, Shauikit Mangalji, Pharmacist, and Mary Ann Shaw,Seaforth Psychiatric Services who generously gave of their time and talents to speak at the recent Heart To Heart Information Sessions. PRE -ADMIT OBSTETRICAL CLINIC for all expectant moms 34-414 wks.. Thursday, June 20, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. prior to the start of Seaforth Information Session. AND TO FOLLOW, SEAFORTH PERINATAL INFORMATION SESSIQI'( will he held Thursday, June 20, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. Conference Room 2 for all expectant parents. TOPIC: TOUR OF BIRTIIING ROOM, •Questions/Concerns/Information Sharing. For further information and to register, contact the Nursing Office 527-1650 Ext. 219. �DOGo0D0oCOCGGCO 01 Huron County's Complete o VEHICLE a flo RENTAL flo Headquarters o 0 Small & Mid-sized Cars p 0 Passenger & Cargo 0 Vans, Pickup Trucks p 0 Daily, Weekly, MonthlyE 0 Insurance Rentals & _ 1 More - 1:1 0 Free Delivery 0 Ask about our full D transportation service u D 10 CAR & TRUCK RENTALS 13 Division of Suncoast Ford 10 500 Huron Rd., Goderich CALL COLLECT Ask for Helen O 524-8347 o Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications Are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTORS Larry Gardiner, R R 2 Slafla . 3452678 Morris Willows. RR 2, St Par's' 393-6548 Lorne Feeney. Mitchell 3488853 Jack Hodgert. R R 1 Krrkton 229-6152 Joe Chatte. R R. 5 Mitchell 3489705 Michael OShea. R R. 3 Granton 2252600 AGENTS Wayne Mayer. Exeter John Moore, Dublin Joseph Ur.ac, Mitchel Head Office. Exeter 235-1915 345-2512 348-9012 235-0350 A refund from surplus was declared for alt policy holders who qualify, are on record and In good standing as at December 31, 1995. SEAFORTH'S GIANT COMMUNITY YARD SALE • Indicates i■II j locations of Community Yard Sale Participants Surf the town for Great Bargains 1 mem r Ir yrl r „A. Iii ■11011111 It iii Illi .IIIIin rn111' 1 11� IMP' 11111111 N. 1® 1 r 11 111111 Ilia- ---- 1 u=- 1 • MINI ar= 1- Irate= ZEN UM tarsi in IMMO I LOCATIONS Arena - 122 Duke St. 42 Ann St. North End of Ann St. 77 Centre St, 93 Chalk St. S. 58 Coleman St. .52 Crombie St. 57 Elizabeth St. 41 George St. E. 54 Goderich St. W. 55 Gouinlock Si. 147 Goderich St. W. 18 Helen St. 37 James St. 54 Jarvis St. N. 74 Jarvis St. N. 78 Jarvis St. N. 67 Jarvis St. S. 175 Jarvis St. S. •26 John St. 132 Main St. N. 163 Main St. N. 204 Main St. ti. 69 Main St. S. 77 Main Si. S. 189 Main St. S. 64 Market St. 127 Mill St. 64 North St. 40 Ord St. fl . • ni l 1 1 Ar 1