Huron Expositor, 2017-06-28, Page 3Submitted photo
Couple from Seaforth area sets bar
big and goes viral for Canada 150
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
Brian Melady and Vicki
Powers sought to create
something immense for
Canada 150 and they did;
that might be an underesti-
mation of words as their
handcrafted design can be
seen from three blocks
away.
Brian Melady who usually
works as a financial planner
from Monday to Thursday,
just down the road from Sea-
forth's main core, has
recently been spending his
weekends in Kingston Ont.
with his significant other
Powers.
As the days are winding
down before Canada's cen-
tury and a half birthday, in
their recently purchased
house, the two decided to
build something that stood
out not only in appearance,
but would also be capable of
breaking societal barriers as
well.
A massive wooden eight -
foot 150 -painted red sign
should do the trick
"We build these fences
and walls and that becomes
a message to keep out, this is
my property," stated Melady
in a recent phone
conversation.
Since the sign leans
against their back fence,
roughly 20 feet from a rou-
tine path for dog walkers and
such, Melady hoped onlook-
ers would stop in for a quick
conversation.
"This is not a divider, it's to
bring people closer
together," he said June 21.
Already attracting people
with an array of previously
installed signs posted on his
fence with sayings such as
"Happiness is a Choice,"
among numerous others--
Melady said the Canada Day
project has gained momen-
tum from that.
In the initiating days of
creating the sign, Melady
said several people were
afraid to enter the prop-
erty, instead they would
"sneak photos" and scurry
away when he would
approach the visitors to
say hello.
This is when he decided to
install another sign in capital
letters saying, "please stop
and take a Canada photo," to
spark interest, he added
some props as well.
Now, there are red cowboy
hats, Pride flags and Cana-
dian flags available for any-
body interested in a quick
snap shot.
Melady said roughly 200
youngsters have made an
appearance in the last four
days.
The project has gone viral
with the local radio station
posting a blurb on their web-
site along with an interview
that played on -air. As well,
social media is playing a
contributing factor to this
Canada 150 project, Powers
said.
"Some kids post photos
on Instagram, then the next
thing you know their friends
are standing in our back yard
because they saw a picture
somebody else had posted"
stated Powers.
For a photo or a conversa-
tion, Melady ended with say-
ing anybody from Seaforth is
welcome to visit "Limestone
City."
Wednesday, June 28, 2017 • Huron Expositor 3
From a previous prevision related to the construction of
the Town Hall roof in Seaforth, the municipality of Huron
East agreed to remove the ancient fire bell at the top of
the building. It is currently placed in the front of Town Hall
permanently for display.
For display, Town Hall
installs fire bell from 1896
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The more than a cen-
tury -old fire bell is no
longer posted at the
peak of Town Hall,
instead of serving its
original alarming duty,
the piece of history is
now serving the sole
purpose for onlookers
passing by.
Along with previous
renovations to the roof of
the building, which is part
of the Seaforth Heritage
Conservation District, the
CAO of Huron East Brad
Knight said it was added in
the provision to remove
the bell.
Although there were
some concerns with this
idea seeing as it may have
a mountain of deteriora-
tion, the Municipality of
Huron East thought it
would be a suiting fit for
the area.
"If you look (at) what is
printed on the bell, it was
(created) in 1896, back in
those days fire bells were
certainly important,"
Knight said last week,
adding that the fire
department was once
housed in Town Hall. "I
just think it's an interest-
ing thing to add to the
heritage building.
It has recently been
cleaned up and is
mounted in cement in
front of Town Hall.
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