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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-06-03, Page 8Museum -like collection sold at auction Staffa area man's collection includes 30, wheeled vehicles BY LEE ANN WATERMAN Advocate Staff' A small farm located south of Mitchell and east of Staffa is a piece of history. First, the farm, which was settled 150 years ago, has always belonged to one family, the Colquhouns. Gordon Colquhoun; the current owner, is the fifth generation on the farm. Second, the farm was home to an impressive collection of carriages, sleighs, cutters and other farm equipment, some dating back 70 years or more. "It's in my blood," says Colquhoun, who inherited some of the items from his Gordon Colquhoun sells historical collection of sleighs, carriages and father and grandfather and purchased others privately and at auctions. "I just like collecting horse-drawn vehicles, and anything horse -related. Colquhoun and his wife Elaine held an auction this past Saturday, May 30 to sell the collection. The experience must have been bittersweet; while the Colquhouns say it was "a great day and a great sale," Gordon would have liked to keep and continue his collection. "None of it would have been sold, if it hadn't been for health reasons," he says. Hundreds of people attended the auction; 600 cutters. WATERMAN PHOTO were registered and others came just to view the collection and watch the auction. One man flew a small plane in from Sauble Beach, arranging to land it in a farmer's field, to attend. A woman from Sarnia arrived at 7 a.m., while the Colquhouns were still doing Part of difficulty has been breaking from past, but Carroll doesn't have any plans to leave Huron FROM Pagel past," he said. "I believe the board retirement will be effective as of June will be well served by my departure." 26, did acknowledge that the last year However, Carroll said he is still of his career has been mixed with a lot proud of his career and the work he of change and controversy. has done for the education system. "The last year has been very Carroll, who became AMDSB's first difficult," he said. "The start up of the education director when the (AMDSB) has been stormy." amalgamated board officially took Carroll added that no matter who over responsibilities for public school you are or how hard you try, anyone education in Huron and Perth coming into an amalgamated Counties last January, has spent 30 organization like the new board is years in education. bound to carry baggage with them. In September 1967, he entered the "Part of the difficulty has been to education field as a teacher at Victoria find a way tobreak away from the Public School in Goderich. Carroll Broomball hall-of- famer Janet Buchanan was inducted into the Ontario Broomball Hall of Fame in Orangeville after about 25 years of involvement with broomball in Huron County. Janet remains a member of the provincial executive but is contemplating retirement. She is shown here with Henry Kolkman at the award ceremony on May 23. became vice-principal of Seaforth Public School in 1973 and was appointed principal there in 1977. In January 1984. he became superintendent of education for the Huron County Board of Education. Before his appointment as director of education for the board in 1993, his superintendent portfolio included special education and business and operations. The director, who noted he will play no part in the search for his replacement, said he and his wife plan do plan to stay in Huron County. Students rub shoulders with potential employers BY JANE POWELL Expositor Co-op Student SDHS students had a chance to rub shoulders with potential employers of Huron and Perth counties at the first Human Resources Fair at the Stratford Coliseum, Thesday, May 26, with mixed results. Approximately. 700 graduating Huron and Perth students participated in the networking session with 70 employers. In a non - intimidating forum, students learned the qualifications for entry-level positions of employment opportunities available in Huron and Perth counties. From SDHS, 27 students attended the fair. The Seaforth Manor and Vincent Farm Equipment Ltd., represented Seaforth at the fair. The majority of business and industry came from Stratford. Seaforth Manor representative, Cindy DeGroof said there was an excellent turnout of kids. She thought the organization on the part of the Avon Maitland District School Board and Rotary International was good. Co-chair of the organizing committee, Ron Ritchie, said the Avon Maitland District School Board arranged for Co-operative Education teachers to invite Huron and Perth employers to the fair. He said the lack of Seaforth and Huron employers present may "be attributed to distance." Grade 12 student at SDHS, Jason Moir said he "thought it would be bigger," indicating there was lots of information but he expected more employers to be present at the fair. However, he said there were more employers from Seaforth than other Huron County towns. He says he is happy with the results of this, the first Human Resources Fair. Each exhibitor was given an evaluation form to make suggestions for next year's fair. Ritchie said the consideration to move further west will likely top the list. Preparation was the sticking point of the event for some students. Craig Somerville, a Grade 11 student, as well as Lisa Beaver, a Grade 10 student indicated that an information package was given to the participants before boarding the bus, which didn't give them as much time as they would have liked to prepare for meeting with area employers. That package complemented with much discussion promoting the event served as the .preparation for the morning, said Don Renshaw, SDHS Co-operative Education Teacher at SDHS. Renshaw said "students may have been too shy" in their handling of the opportunities made available to them at the Connections '98 Fair. Renshaw said students feel they have "life by the tail." He said major employers such as F.A.G., which produces bearings, were present and eager to answer questions regarding employment qualifications and opportunities, while students were ready to leave the fair after only a short visit in the networking opportunity. Apart from the mixed feelings of the sufficiency of preparation prior to the event, students were fully immersed in information at the Coliseum. It was a learning experience for some with business and industries representing employment opportunities from McDonald's to the Canadian Armed Forces. Students interested in the Armed Forces were awakened by the news that five years dedication to the corps would have to follow four years of funded college study. Beaver identified this news as a learning experience at the fair. MALCOLM GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy St. Columban Soccer HOME GAME W.O.S.L. MEN'S FIRST DIVISION CUP GAME St. Columban vs. Bosnia Friday, June 3rd - 6:30 PM - St. Columban Soccer Field Ad Sponsored By: TONY G. ARTS CFP,CLU, CH.F.C. Chartered Financial Consultant Seaforth -527-0794 • chores. Others came from as far away as Quebec to bid on the farm equipment, carriages and horses. Viewing the collection during the week before the auction, one man remarked that Colquhoun had a bigger collection than some museums.It included 30 w heeled vehicles—carriages, wagons, etc.—nine sleighs, six cutters and a variety of other farm equipment. Colquhoun used most of the equipment at least once or twice. He used the hay loader which his father purchased in 1930 until 1963. He drove .the carriages in parades. His most cherished piece was a Cruickshank wagon, which he acquired in mint condition. When asked whether the auction meant he was giving up collecting for good, Colquhoun smiles and admits he may be tempted to make another purchase if his health is okay and the right piece came along. McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth. 527-1140 •Service *Selection *Savings 'Satisfaction 'Leasing 'Complete BODY SHOP Service *0P�H Aq��` c.t 'N's CEt4 # SWIMMING LESSONS July 6 - 17, 1998 Aug. 10 - 21, 1998 All levels of the aquaquest program are available. 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