Huron Expositor, 2007-08-01, Page 5Opinion
The Huron Expositor • Aug. 1, 2007 Page 5
Blyth Festival urges greater coverage
of Canadian arts in local newspapers
Dear Editor,
When I joined the Blyth Festival
in 1995 as an actor, I was pleased
to learn that no fewer than eleven
newspapers covered this extraordi-
nary theatre company. These
papers ranged from small town
weeklies to the national dailies in
Toronto.
Although the Blyth Festival con-
tinues to develop and produce
grassroots Canadian theatre, this
season's productions have been
reviewed in only four area newspa-
pers: The North Huron Citizen, the
Clinton News -Record, the
Kincardine Independent, and the
Waterloo Record.
The arts are a vital component in
our quality of life. Some would say
that without art, there is no life.
As technology continues to
advance at a startling pace, the
arts, too, are evolving to satisfy our
distinctly human need to commu-
nicate and empathize.
Simply put, the arts define who
we are as a species. On a less pas-
sionate, but equally compelling
note, the arts provide considerable
economic benefit to our communi-
ties.
Live theatre, for example, cre
ates an economic spin-off of rough-
ly seven dollars for every single
dollar spent on tickets. In the case
of the Blyth Festival, this accounts
for approximately three million
dollars spent in the local economy.
If my local newspaper discontin-
ued coverage of sports, professional
or local, I would be the first to
howl at the loss.
Like the arts, sports are an
essential part of our cultural iden-
tity. As humans, we have the
unique ability to thrive on the
beauty and excitement of a game.
And this is exactly the same
dynamic created by art, whether
it's visual art, music, dance, opera
or theatre.
It triggers ideas and emotions
that separate us from all other liv-
ing creatures — it makes us
human.
On behalf of the Blyth Festival
and artists everywhere, I urge
your publication to provide greater
coverage of Canadian arts.
Sincerely,
Eric Coates
Artistic Director
Blyth Festival
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Write a letter to the editor!
Swarms of corn sap beetles have Seaforth
residents pulling out hair in 1982
July 28, 1882
Plans are being made by Walter
Thompson of Seaforth to reopen
the oatmeal mill. He expects to
have the machinery and the mill
operational by.the time the new
crop comes in.
William Murray, the veteran
thresher, returned from Stratford
with a new Separator Threshing
machine and horse power, manu-
factured by the firm of McDonald,
McPherson & Co. Engaged in the
business for 32 years, he is one of
the oldest threshers in the country.
The new machine which will be
worked by horse power, he has pro-
cured a new, improved and power-
ful steam engine with which to run
his steam thresher.
John D. Sills has accepted a posi-
tion as bookkeeper and shipping
clerk with a large furniture and
manufacturing firm in Toronto. He
intends removing his family to that
city shortly.
The thermometer registered 92 in
the shade on Tuesday afternoon
and 90 the following day. Residents
of 1882 said the weather was just
hot enough for comfort.
August 2, 1907
The lawn party held under the
auspices of the Foresters of
Seaforth on the commodious
grounds of Mr. P. Walsh was a most
successful affair. Over 10 gallons of
ice cream were consumed by the
guests.
The general impression now is
that oats in this vicinity will not be
much over half a crop. Fall wheat
and barley are good and peas
promise well. Hay has been well
saved and is of splendid quality.
Isaac McGavin of McKillop town-
ship, near Leadbury, has just com-
pleted the erection of a new bank
barn, 40' x 100', 22 foot posts on a
nine foot cement wall. Adjoining
the barn, he has erected a 50 foot
steel tower windmill to supply
water to the barn. When complet-
ed, the $2,000 barn will feature the
latest and most up-to-date appli-
ances.
A consignment of Muncey town
Indians arrived in Seaforth to pull
Flax.
July 22, 1932
Mrs. Agar, Hensall's oldest resi-
dent, will celebrate her 101st birth-
day with relatives near Clinton. In
the best of health and in possession
of all her faculties, she has been
living with her son-in-law Dr.
Fletcher at Thames Road.
The Goderich Star in a column of
notes on the glorious Twelfth
Celebration said: "Among the, old-
timers noticed was Tom 'Dad'
Stevens of Seaforth who for many
years conducted the Queen's Hotel.
Now in his nineties, is still hale
and hearty. In his hey -day, he was
widely known as a man of almost
superhuman strength."
A bargain - For sale, five acres,
one mile from Seaforth, modern
house with furnace, bath and toi-
let; small barn, good orchard.
Splendid chance to start chicken
farm, bees, etc. Taxes $15. Apply to
R.S. Hays, Seaforth.
August 16, 1957
Officials estimated $20,000 dam-
age resulted when a fire broke out
in a Hensall grain elevator owned
by E.L. Mickle and Son. Prompt
action by the Hensall, Exeter,
Zurich and Seaforth fire depart-
ments, controlled the blaze, saving
the elevator and nearby buildings.
Anne Morris, Staffa, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morris was
informed by the Toronto
Conservatory of Music that she
would obtain a silver medal for
obtaining 100 marks in her theory
music exam.
Catherine Campbell and Larry
Wheatley, both of RR1, Dublin
were each awarded the United
Nations Junior Farmer Bus Tour,
which is the top annual award for
Huron County Junior. Farmer and
Junior Institute members.
Modern in every respect, the new
Seaforth Sunoco Service, which
officially opened, is located at
Goderich Street at the corner of
East William Street. Under the
management of Jack Dallas, the
station occupies the former location
of a lumber yard and a planing
mill.
August 4, 1982
The invasion has come to
Seaforth and residents don't know
what to do. They are pulling their
hair out for fear of stepping out-
doors. In fact, some are to the point
where chants of "they're coming to
take me away, Ha, Ha," are heard.
What is this invasionary force? It is
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus, bet-
ter known as the common raspber-
ry and tomato or corn sap beetles.
The raspberry season has seen
swarms of insects cause panic at
family picnics, barbecues and
social gatherings.
Tuckersmith Township council is
concerned that the Huron Land
Severance Committee has given
different decisions on two similar
requests recently for land sever-
ances.
Siding and roofing is expected go
up this week on the new $1.4 mil-
lion Seaforth and District
Community Centres building,
north of the old arena. Ask arena
building committee chairman Ken
Campbell if there is any innovation
he and his co-workers are especial-
ly proud of and he says "we're espe-
cially proud of the whole building."