Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-03-18, Page 57Life in a rural community What does it mean to you? by Jayne Brady-Miltenburg Asmall flock of tundra swans flew overhead the other day, heading northward. That is my first signal that spring is on its way. Smoke gently rising from the maple sugar shack that I pass on my way to town, is another indicator that Mother Nature is at work, bringing life to the maple trees and the other growth in the woodlots. Spring also means that I can enjoy the rich abundance of rural life this part of mid -western Ontario offers yet again. After living in this area for seven years, I am still amazed at the strong rural communities that have sur- vived and are thriving. Everywhere I go, whatever I read, there are people, groups, organizations that keep the small towns and their surrounding areas humming. Where else can you still listen to one of the three remaining farm directors left on a radio station with farm news twice a day. "CKNX recognizes the important role that agriculture plays throughout their regional market. CKNX-AM/FM boasts one of the largest farm'audiences in the country and their farm department provides news and statistical information that's of interest and necessity to one of the nation's richest agricultural communities." Just take the recent ice storm in January to show' how much rural communities can pull together, and in a hurry! Living in the snow belt, we know what nasty weather can blow in off the Great ,Lakes. Our generator helped out a family somewhere in Eastern Ontario. We just kept our fingers crossed that we would- n't need it ourselves during the six weeks it was gone. The Lucknow Sentinel, like all the other small community newspapers, is like the hub on a wheel. It informs everyone as to what is hap- pening on a weekly basis. 1 certainly couldn't be without a subscription. Sports activities, township council briefs, hamlet reports, births and deaths, etc. acknowledge the peo- ple and the places that make up the social fabric of these small towns. The con- cessions and sideroads are the spokes of the wheel, pro- viding the weekly news; intertwining the lives and love of rural neighbors. I always look to Coming Events in any newspaper, and there is no shortage of events! You can just about go to anything and do everything. If you can't get to Toronto for the big acts, they'll come to you. But who needs the big acts when the home grown talent rates a 10. Soundsation, out of Teeswater, is just one example that once you've seen their concert, you are committed to seeing them perform every year. Children's choirs, Christmas concerts, summer the- atres, dinner theatres, marching bands, Celtic festivals, Old Boys and Girls reunions, and township sesquicen- tennials are just a brief list of the multitude of activities that happen year in and year -out. And what makes these activities happen? Volunteers! Where would rural.communities be without volun- teers. With government downsizing, more work has been put onto the shoulders of volunteers. Again you can volunteer to the 'nth degree if you have the time and resources available. There are volunteers to run the agricultural fairs, volunteers to lead 4-H, volun- teers to assist at nursing homes, volunteers to coach sports teams, volunteers to help at your children's schools, volunteers to drive seniorcitizens from A to B, volunteers to put out fires and volunteers to bake pies! • see 'Food', page 2A CARLSON WAGONLIT ELLISON TRAVEL -EXETER YOUR TRAVEL SPECIALISTS AR SHOW Britain & Europe July 4 -16th Including ` Royal Agricultural JUNE BALL LAURIE RUSSELL KRISTYN DARUNG BONNIE SITTER SARAH DARUNG JULIE CAMPBELL ANNE DARUNG 235-2000 1-800-265-7022 www.ettravef.com