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Times-Advocate, 1981-06-10, Page 17Mcllroy Memorial draws large crowd About 350 people gathered in Grand Bend, Saturday to honour the late W. Eric Mcllroy. June 6 was set aside as Eric Mcllroy Memorial Day. Mr. Mcllroy passed away suddenly November 4, 1979. He had been well known in the Grand Bend community, and a committee decided that he should be suitably honoured. Mr. Mcllroy owned and operated the Lakeview Casino from 1937 until 1966. Along with his wife, the former Ella Eccleston, he ran the Snack Shop, Village Shop, Sun Shop and Surf Shop on the Casino corner. Later he opened the Merry Rags boutique. Mr. Mcllroy was also well known in clubs and organizations in Grand Bend. In 1950 he set up the Grand Bend Lions Club. He was on the village council for two terms and was a councillor when Grand Bend was incorporated as a village. He set up the Grand Bend promotion committee which later became the Chamber of Commerce. He was a charter member of the Bluewater Shriners. He was also involved with the setting of South Huron Hospital in Exeter, and the Medical Centre in Grand Bend. He was a charter member of Ontario Harness Horsemen's Association, and a director of that organization. A special ceremony was held Saturday afternoon in Centennial Park at the Corner of highways 21 and 81. Master of Ceremonies was Lionel Thornton, whose Casa Royal Orchestra was very popular at Lakeview Casino in the fifties. Thornton called on United Church minister, the Rev Harley Moore, to dedicate the stone cairn and brass plaque which were erected in Mr. Mcllroy's honour. Rev Moore spoke about Mr. Mcllroy's contributions of the community, before leading the group in prayer. Reeve Robert Sharen brought greetings from the village of Grand Bend, and praised the Mcllroys for the foe''eli0f:He said that many organizations and in- stitutions which Mr. Mcllroy had started were now flourishing. He pointed out that Ella had been a good helpmate to Mr. Mcllroy. Sharen's speech was in- terrupted by applause when he mentioned that June 6 was V -Day, a day we should also remember those who died 37 years ago for freedom, allowing groups to a gather like this. Mr. Mcllroy was called the c John A. Macdonald of Grand h Bend in a speech by the t honourable Lorne Hen- o derson, MPP for Lambton, a and Minister of Agriculture. n Henderson said that he could h recall when Mr. Mcllroy p first approached him about D incorporating Grand Bend as c a village. "Fie had a vision," R Henderson said. A Henderson said that the Mcllroy's were people he w could count on when he wanted information. The MPP brought greetings on behalf of the Premier and the cabinet. The general manager of the Ontario Harness Hor- semen's Association, Joe Burke, said that although he had not known Mr. Mcllroy personally, he was very familiar with his name and his work. He said that Mr. Mcllroy had been involved with the OHHA from 1961 to 1968. Burke said that reading over files and past minutes, one might have thought that there were two Eric Mcllroys, as his name was mentioned so frequently. Burke said that Mr. Mcllroy had been made an honourary director, which only happens on rare oc- casions. The only other honourary director in their association is Earl Rowe, a former lieutenant governor of Ontario. Burke said that horses from Merrywood Farms are known throughout North America, and have been very successful. "But despite this success, Eric Mcllroy always put more back than he took out," Burke added. Burke described Mr. Mcllroy as a "doer", saying that he had accomplished everything he set out to do. He said that Mr. Mcllroy was a convincer, who could make his point of view known without being overbearing. He said that there were very few Eric Mcllroys in the world today. The honourable Pauline McGibbon, former Lieutenant governor of Ontario, said that she represented the dancers, who had enjoyed Lakeview Casino so much. A native of Sarnia, Mrs. McGibbon said that she had spent many summers enjoying dances at the casino. "Saturday nights were synonymous with the casino," Mrs. McGibbon said. She added that her favourite dance was Tiger Rag, and that she had many fond memories of the music at the casino. Mrs. McGibbon said that Mr. Mcllroy was a "superb volunteer" who made this community a better place. The brass plaque, displaying a caricature of Mr. Mcllroy, and reading, 'In tribute to W. Eric Mcllroy, whose Lakeview Casino brought joy and music to thousands, Grand Bend remembers!" was unveiled by Mrs. Mcllroy nd Mrs. McGibbon. Following the dedication eremony, Mrs. Mcllroy osted a reception for more han 350 people at her home n Merrywood Farm. It was time of reunions and ostalgia. Mrs. Mcllroy had ung up old posters, hotographs and post cards. ays were recalled when the asino had such guests as udy Vallee and Louis • rmstrong. Assisting Mrs. Mcllroy as Mr. Mcllroy's niece s11111111111.11111Pia.-• t !11 Babs Mcllroy, who had travelled from Edmonton for the special day. Also helping was Mr. McIlroy's nephew, Jim Wood and his family, from Mississauga. Miss Mcllroy and Wood are cousins. Among the guests were Lambton MPP Lorne Henderson and Mrs. Hen- derson. and former Lambton MPP Zeb Janes and Mrs. Janes. Also present was former Huron MPP Charlie MacNaughton and Mrs. MacNaughton. Also among the guests were many of the band leaders and musicians who had played at the casino. Mart Kenney, a well known band leader, travelled from British Columbia, and Ray O'Neill, formerly of Parkhill, now of Jasper, Alberta, also came. O'Neill played with the Len Hopkins Orchestra. George Langford who played in the Johnnie Downs Orchestra also attended, as did Jack Levie, who was a vocalist at Lakeview Casino. Vina Delamont, wife of the late Gordon Delamont was also present. Delamont was a popular band leader. Unfortunately, Delamont and another band leader Gene Fritzley, passed away recently. Another guest was Cliff Chapman, associate editor of "The Sportsman", a harness horseman's newsmagazine published in Tillsonburg. Chapman recently wrote an article in that publication on Eric Mcllroy. The family of the late George Noseworthy were present. Noseworthy, a photographer with the airforce, stationed at Cen- tralia, once operated a camera shop in Grand Bend in conjunction with Mr. Mcllroy. To wrap up the day's activities, a dance was held at Huron Country Playhouse. Music was provided by the Casa Royal Orchestra under the direction of Graydon Hopkins. Pauline McGibbon and Jack Wettlaufer led the first dance, "Muskrat Ramble". Unfortunately the band was unable to play Mrs. McGibbon's favourite "Tiger Rag." The nostalgia continued when Mart Kenney led the band in playing his theme song, "The west a nest and you." Memorial Day committee chairman Mae Morenz called the event a success. She said that many con- tributions are still coming in. The committee plans to set up a scholarship in Eric Mcllroy's name for promising area music students. Mrs. Morenz added that she was grateful to everyone who helped. Len Veri loaned plants and greenery from the Flower Peddlar to decorate the playhouse, and Conklin Lumber provided the podium for the ceremony. Many others volunteered their assistance, she said. UNVEILING THE PLAQUE — The honourable Pauline McGibbon and Mrs. Mcllroy un- veiled the brass plaque honouring Eric Mcllroy, Below, Lambton MPP and Minister of Agriculture Lorne Henderson speaks to Mrs. McGibbon and Mrs. Mcllroy. Staff photo Serving f..r. Morel, kiwi. %Wanes DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY — The honourable Pauline McGibbon and Jack Country Playhouse for the Eric Mcllroy Memorial, to the song "Muskrat Ramble". Mansfield, while committee chairman Mae Morenz danced a polka with George Downs Orchestra. dvocate Wettlaufer started the dancing at Huron Elio Mcllroy enjoyed o dance with Doug Langford, who played with the Johnnie Staff photos Page 1 A Optimists hold golf tournaMen t Twelve young people took part in a junior golf tour- nament sponsored by the Grand Bend Optimists Club, at Oakwood Sunday. Winner of the senior boys category, (ages 15 to 17) was Greg Core, of Seaforth with a 77 score. Dean Courtney of Grand Bend placed second with an 84. In the junior boys division, (ages 13 and 14) Steve Moore of Kirkton-Woodham took first place with a score of 100. Second place was captured by Jeff Wareham of Stephen with a score of 106. The girls winner was Lisa Moore of Kirkton-Woodham. She had a score of 155. Optimists organizer Jim Turnbull said that these winners will be going to Golf Haven in Bradford for the Ontario Finals on June 22. Turnbull said that the Optimists were very pleased with the tournament results, and wanted to extend their appreciation to Gene Grenier of Oakwood for his assistance. Following the tournament at Oakwood, the Optimists and the young people travelled to Huron Park where the trophies were given out, and refreshments served, at the Stephen Optimists Recreation Hall Annex. JUNE 10, 1981 Price Per Copy 40 Cents 1110. -- ERIC McILROY MEMORIAL SERVICE — Lionel Thornton was master of ceremonies, and platform guests included Mr. McGibbon Joe Burke, Mrs. Burke, Lorne Henderson, Mrs. Henderson, Robert Sharen, Mrs McGibbon and Mrs Mcllroy. Staff photo Mary's musings I used to just hate rainy days. I've hated rainy days as far back as i can remember. Even though my Mom would find colouring books, crayons or even a chalk hoard, i still hated rainy days. 1 remember hating rainy Friday nights, when I was in elementary school. That would mean the roller rink would be closed. i hated rainy Sunday af- ternoons. Especially when that was your only day off, and you had planned to lay in the sun with a stack of magazines, Or you had planned to launch the boat and do some water skiing. But all that has changed. The other day it rained, and f didn't mind a bit. In fact, i was actually happy to see the water from the sky. What has happened to change my entire attitude towards precipitation? i have become a gardener. Now, if you had seen me a few years ago, when t was forced to pick peas under protest, with a very tough mother cracking the whip, you would never have thought I would become a gardener. i hated it, almost as much as I hated rain. i hated the planting, weeding and watering. i hated the picking, washing and BY MARY ALDERSON Let it rain freezing. 1 mean, that was hard work. It was so much easier just to go to the vegetable stand and select what you wanted. Or, you could just reach into the cupboard for a can, or into the freezer for a package, and let the Jolly Green Giant do all the work. But my Mom just didn't see it that way. She had the idea that planting, weeding, watering, picking, washing and freezing was good for you. Not to mention podding, snapping, husking, and all the other things you have to do before the washing and freezing. All 1 got out of the deal was funny coloured stains on my fingers. Sometimes i didn't even like the vegetables. Well, except the corn -on -the -cob -- it was always delicious fresh from the garden. And those little peas always tasted better fresh. And there's nothing like a sun -ripened fresh tomato. And cucum- lxers were always crisper out of your own garden. And even yellow beans were edible when they were fresh from the garden. And you know what ? About the only way • to get these fresh treats is to grow your own. So, I've become a gardener. Victor and I have been able to boast green thumbs when it comes to house plants. Our windows are veritable jungles with house plants, and if the big deif- fenbochia keeps growing we're going to have to cut a hole in the ceiling. So I figured if we can grow an indoor tropical jungle. why can't we take that skill outdoors? So i dug up a small plot in the back yard. i got out the string and sticks and planted the seeds -- and some of the rows aren't straight. But, none -the -less, they're there. There's three rows 01 corn, and two rows of two different kinds of leaf lettuce. There's some radishes, and some tomato plants. And there's Kean nd_ peas. W 've had a few "no- show " --one kind of radish faller to make an ap- pearar e, and 1 haven't vet seen he zucchini and the watermelon, but thaw who (lid show up are doing well. And they've been doing even better since the last rain. Which explains why i no longer hate rainy days. Congratulations to Mae N1orenz, and the committee in charge of Eric Mc•ilroy Memorial Day. it was a beautiful day, and so many people seemed to be enjoying themselves renewing old acquaintances. I FAMILY VISITS ---- Mississauga, 1 Eric Mcllroy's niece Babs Mcllroy, Edmonton and nephew Jim Wood, attended the memorial day festivities with Mrs Mcllroy. cent,• Staff photo Colonials still winning The Grand Bend Colonials soccer team are continuing on their winning streak with two recent wins. On June 3. they trounced Goderich 10 - 2. Dave Nolan led the Colonials scoring with four goals. Tony Mennen scored twice, and John Mennen also ' cored twice. Kevin Simmonds and Bill Vanderbvgaart each scared once. bringing the total to 10 On June 7. they took another easy victory. beating Strathrov 8 - 2 Dave Nolan. Kevin Simmonds. and Pete Backx each scored twice. while singles were added by John Mennen and OPP wins first ball game A new baseball season opened in Grand Bend Sun- day when the OPP team trounced the HI)'s Hotel team 35 to 7. This is the se- cond season for the gams which are held every other Sunday afternoon at Grand Rend Public School. Special mention goes to rookie Ralph Christmas of the OPP team. Christmas, who has never playcci baseball before. caught two flies, and did a fine job at .hal as well. There was one injury in the game. OPP pitcher Pat Lennon suffered severe bruises when she as struck by the hall. The next game will he June 21 at noon at the public school. Bill Vandenhgaart The ('olomais will be meeting Saugecu .lune 20 The Grand Bend Mos- quitoes trounced Loran 14 - 0 Jonathan O Connor led the scaring with five goals. while .loe Kaak had four Scottie Fields had two goals, while Steve Lmgar•d. Darrell Glavin and Danny .Oliver each counted once 'The Mosgintoes play again ,tiny 13 at 400 pm The :toms didn't fare as well. losing to Exeter 4 - 1. i)ave O'('onnor scored the only Grand Fiend goal of the game on a penalty shot. Nor did the Grand Bend girls team succeed. losing to Stratford 3 • 0 The next game will be at Grand Rend. against 1.ucan. ,lune 11 at 7-00 p m.