HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-03-24, Page 1The sap's runnin'
Every year spring is
heralded in this part of the
country by the sap rising in
the sugar maples. Frosty
nights and sunny days trigger
the liquid flow, dissolving the
sugar stored in the trees the
previous summer.
Maple syrup is as Canadian
as the malile leaf. Canada
supplies 70 percent of world
production of this delicacy; 90
percent is produced in Quebec
and the rest in Ontario and
New Brunswick.
The industry now encom-
passes everything from the
faithful old sap bucket to the'
space-age technology of the
reverse osmosis machine..
"I don't remember a time
when I didn't help making
syrup", recalls Oscar Tuckey'
of RR 3 Exeter as he stands
in the, doorway of his sugar
house, dwarfed by the tall
maples on all sides.
The Tuckey family has
missed only one year of
maple • syrup manufacture
since Oscar 'hickey's father
bought the property now own-
ed by Tuckey Farms Ltd. in
1917.
Assisted by son Wayne and
18 -year-old grandson Peter,
the Tuckeys produce about
150 gallons of syrup each year
from 500 taps.
They have a ready market
for their syrup, supplying
their regular customers year
after year.
, The Tuckeys still use the
labour-intensive sap buckets,
which are dumped into
strategically located collector
tanks. The sap is pumped by
gas generator to a storage
tank at the sugar house and
gravity -fed to the evaporator
as needed.
Wayne remarked casually
that the syrup industry has
not escaped the rising costs
afflicting every facet of farm-
ing; the evaporator purchas-
ed in 1973 for 8995 would cost
$3,500 to replaes today.
The Turkeys enjoy the ap-
proximately 12 days of hard
work in their sugar bush each
spring. They do not intend to
switch from buckets to a
pipeline system; syrup mak-
ing, is a pleasant sideline to
the main business of cash
crop farming.
There is time now, before
the pace of the season ac-
celerates, to hear the return-
ing birds, glimpse the first
delicate hepatica, and
breathe in thesweet smell of
boiling sap.
F SPRING - The sop is running, and the steam rising from the
ouse means there will soon be some delicious maple syrup.
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Arrange
for area
The South Huron
Recreation Centre is offering
a "Holiday Happening" for
area youngsters on Thur-
sday, March 25.
The day starts off with
bowling at Exeter Lanes
from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Movies will be shown at the
rec centre from 2-3:30
followed by an hour of ice
skating.
Movies featured are "The
Devil and Daniel Mouse" and
"The Selfish Giant." Cost for
the full day activities is $2
per youngster. Don't miss it!
Area hockey fans will have
one last chance to see
tournament play this season
as the South _ Huron Rec
activities
children
Centre and the Exeter Miser
Hockey Association hast •
bantam house league
tournament this Saturd1W '
and Sunday, March 27 and
28.
The tournament featwros
16 teams and should provide
some exciting. action with
teams entered from as tar
away as Kincardine,
Desboro, Elmira asd
Belmont.
Exeter's first game is ANt
for1 p.m. Saturday when tbs-
lccals lake on the St. Marys
Islanders. Admission to the
tournament is $1.50 for
adults (including high school.
students) and 50 cents for
public school.
•
``1L
1
A FAMILY TRADITION - Oscar Tuckey (left) and his son
Wayne wait to tqke a batch of maple syrup out of the
evaporator. The family has been producing syrup for
the past 65 years.
Local travel a g en t
has anxious time
When Doug Ellison, was
coaching championship
wrestlers and football teams
at South Huron District High
School he emphasized the
need for quick maneuvres
and. this week he had an
opportunity to put his own
coaching; expertise into
action for his own benefit.
. Ellison was among those
surprised to learn on Wed-
nesday morning that It's a
Small. World Travel Ltd.
.agency in London had closed
its doors because of financial
problems.
Some quick maneuvres by
Ellison prevented any
--problems fur customers of
his travel business in Exeter,
which had been operated in
partnership with Jack Small,
owner of It's a Small World
Travel Ltd. in London.
Ellison's. agency was tied
in with the London firm in
name and through licence
and the local firm had to act
quickly in setting up a new
licence with the ministry of
consumer affairs.
There were some hectic
moments for the local firm
as. moves were made . to
adjust bankingandlicencing,
but by Thursday Eilison had'
a new licence under his own
name and the trauma ended.
"There were some hectic
moments as things had to be
settled in a. few hours," he
said this week. .
ironically, Ellison was
already in the process of
terminating his association
with Small and taking
complete control of the focal
branch.
"It just happened faster
High interest
stalls deal
No deal has yet been
finalized for the sale of the
former F rayne 'Chev-Olds
property in downtown
Exeter, although Michael
Morrish, a sales represen-
tative (broker)' for Royal
Trust said this week
negotiations are continuing.
"interest costs aren't
helping," he said in
reference to the difficulty in
completing a transection
that could see the establish-
ment of a grocery store on
the property.
•Morrish has been working
on a deal for several months
and reported this week that
the interest rate has jumped
about two percent since
negotiations commenced. It
is currently at 191/2 percent
for a five-year term "and
(hat works out to a lot of
money when you're. talking
in thearea of $1 million" he
explained.
The London real estate
man told !Ile T -A that high
interest rats are slowing all
development in the London
area. "if we could get it
(interest rate) down to 15'
percent the world would get
going again," he predicted.
Morrish said there ap-
peared to be no zoning
problem relating to the
establishment of a grocery
store at the. site and noted
town officials have been
cooperating as much as they
can in that regard.
than we had planned," the
former SHDHS teacher
slated.
The new firm will be
known as Ellison Travel and
Tours. "That's not very
original," Ellison admitted,
but noted that choosing a
name for his new licence was
among the least of his
worries last week.
Ellison said he ap-
preciated the understanding
of customers who called to
see what was going on with
trip reservations.
It's business as usual at
the town hall agency now,
Ellison stated, explaining
that with his new licence in
place his firm is able to
provide the same services as
in the past.
The large number of area
• residents enjoying spring
break trips this week
arranged through the local
travel firm attests to that.
In fact the only holiday
that has been affected by the
happenings is one that
Ellison and his wife Mary
planned to take next month.
They cancelled holiday
plans for themselves to stay
at home a and handle the
chores associated , with
setting up their own ,
business.
Firm plans
local plant
McCann Redi-Mix Inc. has
received approval from the
Exeter planning board to
locate on Highway 83 East,
but developer Len Veri of
Landrush Inc. will be re-
quired to enter into a site plan
development agreementfor
the area on ttie north side of
the.highway before a building
permit will be insured.
Landrush will be required
to present a detailed layout of
all lots, street layout and ser-
vice layout of the subdivision.
, .The board noted that the in
formation is required by them
so as to provide for planning
of future services.
At last week's council
meeting, Councillor Bill
Mickle said the approval of
the McCann proposal ap-
peared to be contradictory
with the board's recommen-
dation that Veri enter into a
site plan development agree-
ment before any more
development takes place.
However, Deputy -Reeve Al
Epp said the agreement with
Veri had to be made before
the McCann project couldpro-
ceed.
Pat and Bill McCann at-
tended the March meeting of
the planning board to present
an explanation of their redi-
mix operation proposal.
Discussion revolved around
the use, size and type of
opei'at' ` and- the fact t;bjSr_*
this use ik in accordance with
the M2 zone requirements.
Building inspector -Brian
Johnston, who serves as
secretary of planning board,
said the McCann proposal
calls for the establishment of
a a small redi-mix plant to
serve the Exeter market and
markets to the north and
east.
The firm will continue to
operate its existing Muse
plant located in the Mt.
Carmel area.
Johnston said company
officials explained that the
new plant would reduce the
transportation costs in-
volved in serving Exeter and
markets to the east.
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
voca
& North Lambton Since 1873
6 <,
A
ss
One Hundred and Ninth Year
EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 24, 1982
i
Price Per Copy 50 cents
AF opposes hydro selection
for new power line in this area
Transporting of power transmission routes M3 or
from Bruce Nuclear Power M5. Allen * appeared before
Development is accepted by the • Consolidated Hearings
the Ministry of Agriculture Board which Is hearing
and Food, but it does not ap- evidence on Ontario Hyrdo's
prove of Ontario Hydros six route stage study areas
proposed route. - for transmission lines in
Deputy minister of ' Southwe>stern Ontario. Of
agriculture and food Duncan the six propsals, hydro
Allen said at the hydro prefers Ml, which has a
hearings on March 16, a 500,000 -volt transmission
ministry study recommends line from BNPD to the Lon-
don area and another 500,000
volt line from the London .
area to Middleport.
The ministry's preference
for M3 or M5 is based on a
in collisions
study prepared for them by
No iniuries
Three collis ons were in-
vestigated by the Exeter OPP
MS week with no injuries be-
Ingportediken ,•
"v- •Iftvr's iyy,'vetti'eles
operated by John Burdon and
Hugh Connon, both of Exeter,
collided on Highway 4 north of
the Crediton Road. Damage
was listed at $1,300.
A vehicle driven by Donald
Koehler, Hensall, went out of
control on Saturday on soft
gravel on concession 2-3 of
Hay Township, north of
Highway 83. The vehicle
struck a snow bank and
damage was estimated at
8800.
The other collision was on
Sunday when a vehicle driven
by Michael Lee, London,
struck a farm fence and a
ditch on Highway 81 when a
tire blew out. Damage in that
one was set at 8600.
DAMAGED BY FIRE — A h
siderable damage in a fire a
for three hours and have c
blaze.
Three apartments vacant
ouse containing three apartment units sustained con-
t Crediton, Monday. Crediton firemen were at the scene
ailed in fire investigators to determine the cause of the
Staff photo
lire hits Crediton
Damage has been
estimated at around 820,000
in a three -unit apart-
ment building fire at
Crediton early Monday
evening.
Crediton firemen were
called to the scene around
8:30 p.m. and battled the
blaze which caused damage
to all three units in the
building on the main street.
All three apartments were
vacant at the time and all the
units sustained considerable
water and smoke damage
and two were damaged by
flames.
The building is owned by a
London resident, Herb
Henkel.
No cause for the blaze
could be determined by the
firemen and the Ontario Fire
Marshal's office has been
called in to investigate.
' Firemen were at the scene ,
for close to three hours
dousing the stubborn blaze.
the Ontario Institute of
•Pedology, started last fall
and completed in January.
Allen .said the OIP study
reviewed the studies by On-
tario Hydro,. and made its
cbmmenietiAif using
agriculture as a priority.
Allen said of the two
routes preferred by OMAF,
his personal choice is M3.
which,has a 500,000 -volt dou-
ble circuit line from BNPD
to Essa. two 500,000 -volt
single circuit lines from
Nanticoke to the London
area and a 500,000 -volt single
circuit line from Middleport
to Milton.
"The minstry objects to
Ml." said Mr. Allen, adding
MI, and M6 were the worst
possible choices.. •
He made it clgar the
ministry will work with
hydro to make suretheactual
route chosen does the least
damage and has the least
impact on agriculture. Con-
sidering foodland planning
as a high priority: Allen said
he wanted present foodland
planning to be considered
well done in the future.
The other route preferred
by OMAF. M:i. has a 500,000 -
volt single circuit line from
•Bruce to Essa and two
500.000 -volt single circuit
lines from 13ruce to the Lon-
don area
Elbert Van I)onkersoed of '
bhe Christian Farmers
Federation of Ontario, while
stating he is pleased with the
Ministry's involvement in
the hearings. said he had a
problem agreeing with the
statement that certain
things are given. He was
referring to Allen's com-
ments that power has to be
taken out of 13ruce.
Allen said the process of
planning at Bruce has been
going. on for a number of
Years and additional power
has to he moved onto the
grid in Southwn
tario. He card it isnestern't upOto-
the ministry to second guess
the need.
Allem agreed with Tony
McQnail of the Huron Coun-
ty Federation of Agriculture
that energy conservation is
important The deputy
minister said the most ef-
ficient farm operation would
he one where less emphasis
is on additional fertilizers to
increase productivity..
McQuail asked which is
more imp)rtant. a secure
food supply or exporting
electricity it isn't a matter
of choice Alien s,rather
both ar•e heeded.
Pat Daunt of theaidOntario
('at (tem en's Association
asked if Aller( could foresee
a second generator station in
Southwestern Ontario, but
Allen said he is not "privy"
to hydro's future planning.
He said from his novice
point of view. such a plan
would be "marginal
Daunt asked . which is
more important, environ-
ment or agriculture, and
Allen replied environment is
not as pertinent in Southern
Ontario as it is in Northern
Ontario with its timber.
resource. He added he knew
of no unique aquatic species
in any of the proposed routes
that would be affected by
transmission lines.
"Wouldn't you consider a
farmer a unique species?"
asked Daunt.
Allen agreed they are dis-
appearing.
The hearing continued
with evidence persented by a
panel • from the Ontario
Institute of Pedology. This
week. participants have
been presenting their
evidence at the hearings,
starting with the Foodland-
Hydro committee on Mon- •
day.
EXETER PRECISION SKATERS - The newly organized Exeter figure skating club precision team performed at
Sunday's Zurich skating carnival. Back, left, Cheri Wedlake, Catherine Davison, Michele Aunger, Kellie Whiteford,
Debbie Down, Jodi Chanyi and Laurie McLelland. Front, Patty O'Toole, Julia Tiernan. Monique Aunger, Ronalyn
Bell and Tracy Spencer. T -A photo
Still some cause for worry
Area flood threat diminishes
Spring flooding in the
Ausable Bayfield Con-
servation Authority's
watershed does not seem to
be a problem this year.
Frank Beletz, water
resources coordinator for the
authority. noted a flood
advisory had been sent out to
area municipalities warning
of the potential of spring
flooding.
Snow cover hadbeen up to
twice that of previous years
Belitz noted and the
authority was concerned
about melt rates.
Snow cover on the ground
will absorb some of the
water falling as rain Belitz
said, but flooding problems
can occur when the snow
melts quickly and there is
heavy rainfall.
There still could be some
flooding if there is a heavy
rainfall in the area. Up to one
inch of rain would not be a
problem if it fell over the
course of two or three days.
but an inch of rain in half a
day could cause some flood
problems Beletz said.
CHAIRMAN DIES
Jeff Pearson, named as
chairman of the Exeter
planning board earlier this
year; died inVictoria Hospital
in London on Sunday. Ne was
35. •
Pearson, who served on
the board for the past term
as well, had been seriously il1
for the past couple of weeks
with a kidney disorder.
Beletz noted the ground
was saturated now and there
will be a two to three week
critical period during which
flooding will be dependent on
rain patterns.
One area of concern for the
authority is ice build-up in
Port Franks. Beletz said the
community was the only one
which experiences an annual
flood.
Ile noted however that
ice had cleared out well
the
There has been some
ponding on farmland in the
"Klondike area" (north of
Thedford and south of Grand
Bend) Beletz said. . •
The area was once known
as Lake Smith before it was
drained Beletz said. adding
"every year it becomes a
lalce again."
Beletz indicated the
authority is not overly
concerned with ponding on
farmland as there is no
problem with crop loss at
this time of year. He noted
the authority was concerned
about possible erosion
problems from spring
runoff.
Some municipal. drains on
farmlands may still be
packed with snow Beletz said
and this may cause back-ups
and flash flooding. There
have not been any major
problems of this type this
spring either.
SKATING BALL PLAYERS - Appearing in the Take Me Out To. The -Boll Game
routine in Sunday's carnival of the Zurich and area figure skating club were Mot•
thew Anderson: Jamie Baker, Douglas Finlay Derck McGee Com Rader and Jamie
Ramer. • T A photo