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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-09-25, Page 88 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, September 25, 2013 last day of International Plowing Match cancelled Mike Beltz QMI Agency MI'I'CHELI. - "Welcome to God's country." Perth County Warden Vince Judge offered that greeting Tues- day at the start of the 100th anni- versary edition of the Interna- tional Plowing Match at the Van Nuland family farm just outside of Mitchell. Under a cloudless blue sky, thousands of people streamed into the sprawling "tented city" for the opening of the five-day event, intended to showcase rural Ontario and the people who call it home. Local pride, and particularly rural pride, were displayed promi- nently 'Tuesday, in the fields, under the tents, at the stage, on the 'l' -shirts and in the minds of organizers, performers and digni- taries who attended the match. "Everyone's eager, and every- one wants to be part of this cele- bration," said 1PM chair Bert Vorstenbosch as crowds gathered for the opening ceremonies. Judge reminded the crowd of Perth County's rich rural heritage, and the enthusiasm of local resi- dents to share it with others. "You are standing on the most fertile piece of land that's in Can- ada," he said proudly. "Retnember, there's Perth County and then there's the rest." Emcee Lloyd Robertson agreed. "You can't get better than this," said the famous broadcaster, who has roots in this area. Despite appearances by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Pro- gressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, it was a few local perform- ers who stole the show at the opening ceremonies Tuesday. Clare French, backed by the Mitchell Legion Band, delivered a stirring rendition of "Perth County Bounty" -- a song he wrote for the match -- that drew a standing ova- tion from the crowd. Cass Vander Velde's take on "This Land is Your Land" was also a hit, and auctioneer David Car- son's not -so -subtle digs at the pol- iticians on stage had the crowd roaring. Those politicians, which in addition to the party leaders also included Perth -Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger, MPP Randy Pettapiece, Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal and Minister of State for FedDev Ontario Gary Goodyear were, in turn, sincere in their praise for the nearly 1,400 HOME PLAN OF THE WEEK Albeck CONSTRUCTION STAMPED DECORATIVE CONCRETE installation • Cement Finishings Patios • Sidewalks • Driveways Pools • ICF Foundations Armour Rock Walls FREE ESTIMATES MOBILE 519.521.3271 Grand Bend Decor & Flooring Centre 48 Ontario St N (Unit B) Grand Bond (519) 238-8603 Fax (519) 238-5097 Gary & Bernice Spradbrow Serving your needs since 1975 • Carpet • Vinyl • Hardwoods • Ceramics • Paint • Sundries • Laminantes Window Fashions VEE KAY CONSTRUCTION DESIGN & BUILDING NEW HOMES, RENOVATIONS, & ADDITIONS. 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"Make no mistake, a $34 -billion industry, which is the agri-food industry, is a critical driver of our economy in this province," she said. I Iorwath also tipped her hat to farmers and farm families. "Not only does your hard work YOUR BUILDING EXPERTS!! DOUBLE HEIGHT GABLED PORCH The 12 -foot ceiling continues into the great room, where the fireplace will provide a cozy focal point in the cooler months French doors open onto a covered patio, ideal for al fresco family meals and summer entertaining The efficient open-plan kitchen features a U-shaped counter configuration as well as a prep island. a recipe for a truly contented cook. A large pantry and a window over the sink complete the design. A third archway marks the corridcx leading to the master suite, where a display niche will provide a showcase for plants and collectibles. Along with a powder room, a linen closet and a second coal cupboard are both handy to the laundry room. The laundry room has access to the garage, which boasts a built-in work bench The master suite, located at the back of the home for privacy, boasts a window seat overlooking the back garden The walk-in closet is roomy enough for even the most committed followers of fashion In the en•sufte, with both a soaker tub and a shower stall, the double basins will ease the morning rush-hour On the opposite side of the house are the second and third bedrooms, separated by a shared bathroom Bedroom No 3 features an extra -wide window sill, and overlooks the front garden. On the exterior, stone, siding and shingles give the hone a distinctive look The front porch is defined by a wrought -iron railing This hone measures 65 feet, six inches wide, by 62 feet deep, for a total of 2002 square feet. Ceilings, except where otherwise noted, are nine feet high. 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ON NOM 1 CUSTOM BUILT HOMES RENOVATIONS • DECKS AND MORE Sricc'hQmes.c�7 /tl 519-238-6436 feed Ontario, but it also drives a huge part of our economy," she said, stlggest- ing that politicians need to find a way to cut red tape, simplify rules of land use and discover bigger markets for locally grown food. "1 think there's no doubt in anyone's mind around here today or across this province that Ontario's future definitely is in farming," said Horwath. Hudak, whose Conservative contin- gent wore blue shirts with Respect for Rural Ontario printed on the front, used a plowing analogy as he described tier( resiliency and determination of rurar residents. "I've always believed that there is no row that is too tough to hoe, if you have the right backbone, and farmers are proof of that," he said. Lower taxes, affordable energy and an end to red tape are keys to "Ignite a comeback for rural Ontario," he said. And Green Party leader Mike Shreiner, who grew up on a farm, sug- gested that farmers are among the orig- inal environmentalists and land stewards. "i think it's time that society recog- nizes that," he said, "and rewards and compensates our farmers for providing the environmental goods and services that we all benefit from." He put in a pitch for a strengthened Local Food Act to support local farmers, and challenged his fellow party leaders to take a "food and water first" pledge to protect prime farmland and source water. "'Ihe bottom line is, We can't eat sub- divisions, we can't eat quarries, we can't eat roads or pipelines," said Schreiner, "but we can eat food that's grown by the fantastic farmers of this province on a fertile farmground that we all share." Jan Van Noland, the mayor of the tented city who's hosting the plowing thatch on his farm, told the crowd that he just wanted the 100th amtiversary event to be "unforgettable." And unforgettable it (probably will he as the IPM was cancelled on its Iii,. day, Saturday, due to safety concerns ,►r the site. In a press release early Saturday morning, the Ontario Plowmen's Asso- ciation (OPA), in conjunction with the Executive Committee for the IPM, announced that they decided to cancel the final day of the event due to rain and inclement weather over the last 36 hours. Torrential rains have resulted in unsafe conditions and have closed the• site down. I ' �t T�h15Nuw5' � Q1�r c;ItiRecyclattlu