Huron Expositor, 2007-12-05, Page 9The Huron Expositor • December 5, 2007 Page 9
News
Christine Behnke wins town Humanitarian award
S u s a n H u n d e r t m a r k
Christine Behnke blames her "big
mouth" getting her involved with
the fundraising projects that have
earned her this _ year's
Humanitarian award through the
Seaforth Citizenship Awards.
"I come up with hare -brained
schemes and they (her staff, the
community and other Main Street
merchants) never say no," she says.
"I'm just grateful I'm well enough to
be able to do it."
Behnke, who's owned and operat-
ed the Seaforth Bakery for close to
three years and lived in Seaforth for
10 years, has been spearheading
fundraising dinners and other
events on Main Street during that
period.
She held a benefit dinner for John
Ryan after he was badly hurt in a
motorcycle accident, she came up
with the idea of the Cash for Splash
fundraiser for the Lions Pool last
summer and she was one of the
chief organizers for the "Out of the
Wood" benefit for Ralph and Dianne
Wood this fall.
And, while she is "humbled" by
the award, Behnke is quick to point
out all of the others involved in each
of the fundraisers she's helped orga-
nize.
"There's a lot of people who do a
lot more than I do," she says.
"Tony (Arts) and Tuck (Doug Frye)
are my brothers on Main Street -
we're the three Musketeers. Tony's
so smart and Tuck's so much fun.
We usually start chatting," she says
of the origins of some of her
fundraisers.
Behnke says she's always drawn
to hold fundraisers for those who've
Christine Behnke
suffered a tragedy because they
need so much help to get through
the challenge.
"People say there's always the
insurance money but there's a lot
that insurance
doesn't cover,"
she says, point-
ing out that fam-
ily members
travelling to
London on a
daily basis to
visit loved ones
in the hospital is
one of those
uncovered
expenses that
add up.
And, she's
always thrilled
at the response
of the community
HAYTER &
ASSOCIATES INC.
invites you to a seminar on:
Tax Implications of donating
publ/dy traded stocks 10 challtles
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, 7:15 to 83+0 p.m.
at the Betty Carr hlo Memorial Centre,
317 Huron St Clinton
Seating is limited.
Cali 519-482-5840 ext 2
to reserve a space
before Dec 10/07.
..---J t •1•.1..4.1..1M-\41...►.. 7111 rftseteN-••b1%.--♦. Ga
when she holds a fundraiser.
"Main Street's backed me 100 per
cent and the community's always
been there. The generosity in this
town is phenomenal," she says.
When she held the fundraiser for
John Ryan, there were people wash-
ing dishes in her kitchen she didn't
know and others paying $100 for
the meal.
When she helped organize the
Cash for Splash event for the Lions
Pool, she was struck by the fact that
many of the families who use the
pool would want to donate but
couldn't afford the $1,000 donations.
She wanted to give people a chance
to make the $5 donations they
might not have felt comfortable
donating otherwise.
"Five dollars to some is more than
$5,000 for others," she says. "Cash
for Splash was fun and it let a lot of
people donate to the pool."
Behnke 'says the "Out of the
Wood" fundraiser was bigger than
she ever dreamed it would be and
attributes that to the huge involve -
with Bill Sherk, the Old Car Detective/,."••.,\
T6ROOU 6YUGHT HEARTLAND
U Y
CREDIT UNION
A 1923 MODEL T COUPE FOR $io
By Bill Sherk "The Old Car Detective"
Gord Hazlett, now 88, is a retired auto mechanic, having worked in
Toronto for 5o years. He has fond memories of his first car:
"In the spring of 1936 I bought a 1923 Model T coupe with every cent
I had, $10 spot cash, so I could be a member of the motoring public. The
car came from Ivan's Trailers on Eastern Ave. in the east end of Toronto.
"It was a one -owner, doctor's coupe. Ivan bought the car only for the
nearly new set of tires on it he could use for his luggage trailers, which
he manufactured on site.
"When I bought the car, it was sitting up on four stands made from a
tree trunk. There were; of course, no tires or rims, the battery was gone,
and the license expired. Still, $10 was a bargain. License plates were only
two bucks at that time and the ownership changed N/C withpurchase of
plates, a used battery was around $5.00 for a good one, and a set of good
used tires, tubes, and rims from my good pal Mitch Forbes at Greenwood
Auto Wreckers were about $2o a set, payable when you had the cash.
"At this time 1 was working for a back alley garage owned and oper-
ated by Joe Elliott, the best all-around auto mechanic I ever met. I was
his one and only apprentice and he called me Friday, just like in
Robinson Crusoe. We had a slack day and he said, 'OK, Friday, let's go
get your car.'
"I threw the tow rope into the trunk of our service car, a 1926 Dodge
coupe. This car towed cars and trucks four times her size and it never
fizzed on het, so the T would be a snap. Boy, was I excited. My first car!
"We drove down to Ivan's and there in all its glory was my car. We
didn't waste time jacking her up and removing the stands. Just tied on
the tow rope and one pop of the Dodge clutch and we were on our way.
When we got to Queen Street, my wheels got stuck in the streetcar
tracks. Before long, six streetcars were lined up behind us.
"Finally an inspector came along with a track bar and told me to
drive ahead to Coxwell, where he would switch me north. Then I hit a
rut, the wheels popped out, and we got her home.
"I drove that T for two years, then sold it for $11.00."
Gord has written three books about his 50 years of adventures in
repairing old cars. A great Christmas gift. Only $20 each. To order, call
him at home at 416-421-2014.
We want to say thank you to our readers who send in their stories.
Starting this month, we are giving a copy of Bill Sherk's book 6o Years
Behind the Wheel: The Cars We Drove in Canada 1900-1960 to each
reader whose story is published in CarStory. To share your stories or
photos e-mail bill@carstory.com or write Bill Sherk, 33 Oak St. E., P.O.
Box 10012, Leamington, ON N8H 2C3.
ment Ralph and Dianne Wood
already had in the community.
"People wanted to help because
the Woods are'so well known - there
was no lack of people wanting to
volunteer," she says.
Behnke got very sick herself with
shingles during the Out of the Wood
planning and wasn't able to attend
the event.
And, while she was in hospital
See BES, Page 11
Join Huron County's
Premier Golf Course
2008 Membership Sale
We pay the tax plus give you a
FREE
driving range membership.
A $100 vane
2007 prices for 2008
We held our prices!
7 -day single -- $798.00
7 -day couple -- $1359.75
5 -day single (Mon -Fri) - $661.50
5 -day couple (Mon -Fri) - $1128.75
- New Age Group -
Intermediate age (19-25) - $395.00
Junior under 18 years old - $262.50
Ckris#mas Special Offer
valid only to Dec. 22nd
10 & 20 play ca's
18 holes with power cart
for as little as $30 per round
• 20 play 18 & cart $600
• 10 play 18 & cart $350
• 20 play 9 & cart $400
• 10 play 9 & cart $250
10, 20 & 40 plays walking
as low as $18.75 per round
• 40 play 18 walking $750
• 20 play 18 walking $440
• 10 play 18 walking $240
• 20 play 9 walking $290
• 10 play 9 walking $170
Remember - Yon Pay NO TAXES
on Play Cards to Dec. 22/07
Cards good any day of the 2008
season, can be punched up to 4x per
day; great foursome or business idea
Gift Certificates Available
for Christmas!
519-482-7144
PRO SHOP HOURS
Nov.9 am - 5 pm
Dec. 10 am - 4 pm
ON fOHWAY 8
BETWEEN GODE>ltICH AND CLINTON
3 km. west of Mata / i
lits$iii/iatiUsili►L11JJAli43INIIAP 1.14i14.04J sea/ StiSet Isuoksomiva.titsisassiALIwals,4l