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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-03-25, Page 1Sap's running .. . syrup not so easy The sap's running... but turning it into syrup is more difficult than some realize. Among those who have an understanding of the work involved is Cv Blommaert who turned his backyard into miniature maple syrup production centre on Sun- day. Setting up in the backyard wasn't intended originally.It came about after his wife, Eleanor, feared that the wallpaper would start to come off in the kitchen where the first attempt at making syrup commenced. Undaunted. Blommaert borrowed a small wood - burning stove from Dwayne Tinney and the latter helped set it up for the backyard production. WHAT NEXT? =- Paul O'Shea and Doug Hotson appear to be planning their next move during rehearsal for Sunday's Lu -an figure skating carnival. T -A photo Pedestrian hurt accident in area A pedestrian sustained minor injuries in one of the five accidents investigated by the Exeter OPP this week. That incident occurred on Saturday and the injured pedestrian was Overall, Huron Park. She was involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by Richard Sokolowski, RR 1 Grand Berid, on Canada Ave. west of County Road 21 in Huron Park. Constable Ed Wilcox in- vestigated. Firemen get pair of calls The Exeter fire depart- ment responded to two calls in town, Wednesday, with only minor damage being reported. The first call was to the residence of Mary Moody, 355 Marlborough St. around 8:00 a.m. A furnance fan had malfunctioned and Fire Chief Gary Middleton reported there was no damage. The second call, later the same morning, was to the home of William Sillery, 103 Andrew St. Hot ashes from a pipe had inadvertently been tossed into a garbage con- tainer in the kitchen cup- boards beneath the sink. Middleton reported there was fire damage to a section of the lower cupboards and a couple of holes were burned in the carpet. Some smoke damage also resulted. There were two other in- juries and they were suf- fered in another Saturday collision involving vehicles driven by Barbara Charlton, RR 8 Parkhill, and Howard Kramer. RR 1 Exeter. They collided on concession 2-3 of Stephen north of the Crediton Road. The Parkhill woman and a passenger. Maggie Grady, Huron Park, sustained ,minor injuries. Damage in the collision was set at 81,650 by Cons- table Al Quinn. There were two accidents on Friday. the first involving vehicles driven ' by Julie Parker. Huron Park, and Keith Case, RR 3 Dashwood. They collided onthe Hughes Boats parking lot at Huron Park and damage was es- timated at $600 by Constable Bob Whiteford. The other collision oc- curred on Highway 21 south of 83 and the drivers in- volved were Donald Keyes, Pt. Edward, and David Keller. Dashwood. The Keyes vehicle left the road following the collision and hit a stone pillar and fence. Total damage was set at $1,350 by Constable Wilcox. The other collision oc- curred on Thursday when a vehicle owned by Joyce McCallum. McGilliv„ray Township. was struck by an unknown vehicle while park- ed on the Hughes Boat Works parking lot in Huron Park. Damage to the McCallum vehicle was set at $800 by Constable Whiteford. A HAPPY PAIR — Huron•Mlddlesex MPP Jock Riddell shares the joy of winning in Thursday's provincial election with his mother Dorothy. T -A photo The two went through a lengthy trial and error ses- sion before they got enough heat out of the stove to get the sap boiling. They had every available pot, pan and jar filled with the supply of sap being gathered by their youthful assistants. However, they finally solved the mystery of get- ting enough heat out of the stove and the production was in full gear. Monday morning, Blom- maert delivered a small sampleofsyrupto a skeptical T -A photographer who had watched their attempts the previous day. It was part of the pint of syrup they had produced in their day's work that prompted the Waterloo St. resident to say he could un- derstand why maple syrup costs so much. He reported that another neighborhood family had taken over the syrup opera- tion on Monday, benefitting from his trial and error methods. Cutbacks at Conestoga Federal cutbacks in its budget in support of social and educational programs will cause serious reductions in courses offered at Conestoga College's Clinton campus and could even threaten its life. "The problem is our numbers are at a minimum already so with a reduction of 20 per cent we are getting to the point where the Clin- ton campus might be in jeopary. Ken Dawson, a teaching master at the Clin- ton campus said, Wednes- day. The proposed 20 per cent cutback hits training days which Canada Employment purchases through the colleges. Because the Clin- ton programs rely heavily on the trainee funding, the reduction will result in the loss of between three and 31 teaching positions of the six currently at Clinton. Mr. Dawson is not one of the teachers being released or transferred, but he has been reassigned to teach English as a second language. That, he said, has him worried, however, because the program doesn't exist yet. The Clinton instructor ex- plained Conestoga president Ken Hunter had described the government's decision as "thoughtless" and said he was upset with the short notice he was given of the cutbacks. Mr. Hunter found out about the cutbacks in late February. Mr. Dawson said part of the problem stems from the provincial government being in control of education while the federal government looks after employment. In between lies skills training, like most of the courses offered at Clinton. "I don't understand it myself." he continued. "I understand Canada has a shortage of skilled workers and we have to import skill- ed workers. 1 think our tax dollars should support that training. "There's a lot of distur- bance at the Clinton campus. We're very upset, all of us. I think there's going to be some talk on this. I don't think it makes any sense." "Our program here is highly successful. We are very pleased with our results. We may be small, but we give our students what they need to continue at the larger campuses. We get them prepared here." Mr. Dawson, who is local +.steward .of the community college teachers' union, said that organization can do lit- tle to protect the teachers who will lose their jobs. "The union's hands are really tied." he said. "The cutbacks were made accor- ding to the contract. It's not a fight between the union and management." He added union president Sean O'Flynn intends, however. to put some pressure on the provincial government to pick up some of the slack created by the cutbacks. The construction trades helper course will be eliminated and the clerical - secretary and academic up- grading programs will be reduced as a result of the cutbacks. JAIL TERM In a recent Goderich court session, Judge Seneshen sentenced James Bradley Conlan to one year in jail. Conlan was charged with posseasion of a firearm dangerous to the public, theft under $200 and break, enter and theft. SLOW, BUT IT WORKED — Cy Blommaert gets set to put another chunk of wood on the fire as he assisted at a maple syrup project in his backyard, Sunday. He and Dwayne Tinney, right, supervised the boiling while the youngsters scooted about the neighborhood bringing iii the sap. From the left are Harlon Tinney, Alan Blommaert, Julie Blommaert, Darren Tinney, Grahan Arthur and Dennis Webster. The group managed to get about a pint of syrup for their efforts, prompting Blommaert to say he understands why syrup costs so much. Staff photo SWEET TASTE OF SPRING — The sap's running... and one of those enjoying the taste is Harlen Tinney who took time out from gathering sap for o backyard syrup operation to en- joy some of the delicacy. A drop is just about to fall onto his tongue. Staff photo Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Eighth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 25, 1981 Price per copy 40 Cents iddell gets fourth win Voters in the riding of Huron -Middlesex re-elected Liberal Jack Riddell for the third time in Thursday's provincial election. Riddell defeated Conser- vative candidate Jim Britnell by a majority of 2,- 100 votes in an election in which little enthusiasm was shown. His 1977 majority was 3,871. The incumbent Liberal MPP who was first elected' in a byelection in 1973 picked up a total of 10,785 votes to 8,685 for Britnell and 1,187 for the New Democratic candidate Gwen Pemberton. Close to 2,400 fewer voters showed up Thursday in the local riding than did in 1977. In 1977 Riddell drew 12,749 votes, Anson McKinley for the PC's gained 8,878 votes and and Shirley Weary of the NDP receiived 1,405 votes. The towns btt oderich and Parkhill and township of Stanley were the only municipalities in which Britnell was the winner. He received 1.659 votes in Goderich to 1,404 votes for Riddell. In 1977 Riddell gain- ed. 861 and McKinley picked up 1.467. Commenting on the Britnell win in Goderich, local Liberal riding presi- dent Bernard Benn of Lucan said. "I am not upset by that. He won by only 255 votes in his own town. that's actually a moral victory for us... Benn was elated about the .returns from Lucan saying, "That's the first time we have ever won in Lucan. It was by 312 to 285 votes. In 1977 McKinley won Lucan by 326 to 297." Riddell was the winner in the town of Exeter with a majority of 154. The 't SINGING AUCTIONEER'S SONG — Huron•Middlesex MPP led his family in singing the auctioneer's song at Thursday's vic- tory celebration at the Pineridge Chalet. From the left are Brenda, 'Heather and Woyne Riddell, Donna Overholt, Deb Thompson and Jack Riddell. T -A photo To have further discussion on rec administrator's duties A contract for new ad- ministrator Don Gravett was discussed at the South Huron rec centre board of management meeting, Tues- day. member Carolyn Merner said Gravett knows he has a probationary period until the end of 1981, and suggested the probationary period be conducted first, before any contracts were entered into. Gravett begins his duties April 6. Gary Birmingham asked how the job would be evaluated, after the probationary period. Bir- mingham proposed a more detailed job description with the administrator's duties spelled out. Without a detailed job description, the board could later be sued for unjust dis- missal. Legally, Bir- mingham said, the ad- ministrator couldn't lose. He questioned what, specifical- ly, the administrator was to do. and how he would be evaluated. Bill Mickle said some of those interviewed asked what the administrator's duties would be and while he had a general idea, the board could not fully outline the responsibilities. Mayor Bruce Shaw said the current job description should be broken down into the description and a list of measurable tasks. Board chairman Jerry MacLean. Shaw. and Bir- mingham will meet to further discuss the problem. The board's facilties committee reported on the operation of the concession booth. Vice-chairman John Pym reported the booth had done fairly well with the figure skating and hockey tour- naments at the arena the past few weekends. For the house league tournament, tables were set up in the foyer and helped control the garbage from the booth. Birmingham said the con- cession booth was a business as well as a service. Ile suggested it be kept open Only one accident in town Officers of the Exeter police department were called on to investigate only one motor vehicle accident this week. Vehicles driven by Gary D. Robinson, RR 8, St. Thomas and Clara Devries, 24 George Street, Exeter collided at Main and George Streets at 8:55 a.m., Thur- sday. Constable Kevin Short investigated and set damages at 81,000. regularly and a trained staff be established. The board should approve any othersselling food — the ladies from the nouseleague held a bake sale — to keep track of those selling food and co-operate with local groups. Birmingham said local groups could perhaps provide people to man the booth and money the board would pay for labour. could be paid the organizations helping. Birmingham noted any money raised by groups sell- ing food at the arena comes back when the group buys ice time Board members agreed to study the matter further. Shaw moved the chairmen of 'the management board's committees could spend up to 8250 for necessary repairs. maintenance or emergencies. for the facilities. without •the ap- proval of the full board. Mickle said the board should establish a procedure and a cost limit for these purchases. if there is a ma- jor problem he said, then the board should hold a special meeting. The board adopted the $250 limit. The facility committee also reported new chairs for the hall had been looked at. The old chairs are easily broken and have needed repairs in the past. MacLean suggested the committee look into trading - in the old chairs as part of the cost of purchasing new ones. Pym said sonic of the chairs. which have been in use for about three years. have been repaired three times. The facility com- mittee will select .t chair and investigate a trade-in. before the purchase rs budgeted. The board will also look al the costs of summer roller skating in the arena. Current prices were 81 entry and 50 cent skate rental. with a 810 per hour rental fee. and the same 50 cent skate rental. The Calorie Counter group is waiting for the new fees to be set to establish their 1981 program The board will review the costs at their next meeting. The board also discussed arena rental fees for groups like the Blue Water Kennel Club This group was apparent- ly told by the old ad- ministrator they could rent the arena this year for the sante price they paid last year Last year's rental was $500. and 81 50 for trailer hook-ups The Jul' date the group wants is further complicated by construction at the fair grounds. where the trailers Please turn to page 3 difference in 1977 was 239. At his victory celebration attended by over 400 persons at the Pineridge Chalet. Riddell attributed the reduction in votes he receiv- ed to complacency. He said. "On the local scene it was complacency from day one. People would say to me. "You don't have any problems and you can win without us coming out." That's exactly what -happen- ed as people didn't think I needed their support." 'There was also some con- fusion as to what hour the polls would close. This time it was one hour earlier than some elections and par- ticularly last fall's municipal elections and some people were just too late. added Riddell. Riddell continued. " i feel quite pleased that we were able to have a 2.000 vote Fined twice for drinking Only two convictions were registered in F.xeter court. Tuesday. with\Justice of the Peace Gord Ferris presiding. Richard Mattucci. RR 1 Hay. was fined 878 for hav- ing liquor while under the legal age on ,January 7 and another 878 for the same offence on January 23. Two other charges were dismissed because an OPP officer was absent dueto ness and the crown could offer no evidence majority going against the provincial trend which would indicate that most voters in Huron -Middlesex are satisfied with the job I am doing." "It was the quietest elec- tion I have ever run. Nobody talked election of issues and the turnouts for the debates were low." said the incum- bent MPP. He went on to say. "It cer- tainly was an election you could not predict. During the last week in the other elec- tions. we could pretty well predict the outcome.' About the upcoming Legislature. Riddell said. "Premier Davis made a lot of promises during the cam- paign that he will be challenged on if they are not included in the Throne Speech.. -Now with a majority they will be able to bulldoze any legislation through, but. we will continue to be critical and enunciate our own policies." said Riddell. He said further. "Our labour critic Ron Vanhorne has put together a good policy on labour - management disputes and we would hope some of these statements can be included in amendments." •1 would expect to con- tinue as the Liberal agriculture critic and will have a number of items to thrash out with Minister Lorne Henderson." con- tinued Riddell. Riddell expects a Liberal leadership convention will be called within the next Please turn to page 3 THROUGH THE SNOW TO VOTE . Voters out eo''. 'o cos, ' their ballots on Thursday were forced to trudge th-ough so^le snow. Shown on their way to the trolls nreMok ' ro^d J.hono Spruyette ' A ohc'e 1 '�4