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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-05-06, Page 33A carved arctic loon Times Advocate, May 6, 1987 Page 17A The world's best bird galls Ailsa Craig its home •y DOUG'McNAIR On a side street in the village of Ansa Craig is a very modest and pro- . ud man that has quietly been working in his basement meticulously carving and painting birds from wood. Walter Silverson, first retiring to Scotland for a few years after work- ing his regular job building a couple of houses plus in his spare time made all kinds of beautiful furniture in his native province Quebec. Walter, moved to Ailsa Craig about 11 years ago and this week his "Arc- tic Loon" put us on the map by being judged "The worlds best bird". In 1985, he took his first carving to Livonia, Michigan and came home with a third prize in North America Wildfowl Carving Championship and was judged (he best miniature toon in the show. With persistence and patience Walter came home took another block of wood and worked day after day on it, read all he could find on the sub- ject, collected knowledge from where ever he could on Arctic Loons. If the tail feathers didn't look right he'd change them, the paint and lacquer went on layer after layer and the neck feathers were burnt and detailed to the finest blend. In 1986 the loon was ready for show- ing, when off they went to the Cana- dian international Wood Carving Ex- hibition at the C.N.E. in Toronto. To a disappointed man the bird just received honourable mention but he knew different, brought it home to wait for The Ward Foundation World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland. Being unable to attend in -person Walter had a good friend going to display it for him among the thousands of exhibits on thousands of feet of display table area which was tiered three times high. The judges take these birds and put them in a water tank for float balance, and as he explained to me when they get down to only two birds they pull the runner up out leaving the champion floating. Reycraft meets new constituents By Doug McNair A coffee party was held Sunday, May 3 at the home of Ray and Verlyn Campbell in honour of Doug Reycraft, M.P.P. This gave Doug a chance to meet some of the people in his new riding of Middlesex that was formerly represented by M.P.P. Jack Riddell. The evening was a great success with many people taking this oppor- tunity to meet their new representative. Personals McGillivray men's slow pitch and Beechwood men have started the baseball season at the Ailsa Craig dia- mond for 1987. Char and Laurie McNair are taking on the duties at the booth which will be open for the next game. The Youth Group is alive and going strong with a car wash coming up behind Jim Walsh's Garage Saturday May 9. Direct all cars to -Ailsa Craig Saturday. ' Saturday May 4 at the Ailsa Craig Legion Hall, -the Ailsa Craig Lioness - held their first spaghetti dinner and dance. It was enjoyed by all. ' Mrs. Myrtle Dixon who was nominated by the Village of Ailsa Craig for a 10 year Volunteer Service Award sponsored by the Ministry of Citizenship•and Culture, received her pin and certificate at an Awards Pro- gram presentation at the London Art. Gallery on Sunday, May 3, 1987. The presentation was made by Joan Smith and Doug Reycraft, M.P.P. on behalf of the Minister Lily Munro. -• Paul Hodgson What's next on his list of places to travel for work'' Paul Hodgson RR 1 Ailsa Craig (formerly of the village) is on the roam again, just after com- pleting a move with his family to the country. Just 10 years ago his challenge was Nigeria in West Africa. For two years his wife Shirley and two diaper clad girls Sherri and Shannon went with him for his employer Ontario Hydro that won a bid to set up a hydro train- ing school. This time is Belize and for people in, my age bracket of the one room public school it was known an British Honduras. Bordered on the north by Mexico, west by Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. It's just small with an area of 8,900 square miles including numerous islands with the greatestlength(N-S) is 174 miles and width 68 miles, while forest occupies some 65 percent of the area with some sandy beaches and with salt and fresh water lagoons while the coastal lands are low and swampy. Paul's not going to get much sum- mer leaving Canada now, our sum- mer isn't here yet, while by the sounds--of--thing--theirs—start in February and end in May; but I don't think he'll freeze as the lowest it gets is around 50 degrees at night. He's gone for six and a half months with two other men from Orangeville area who had to have five needles before going plus three weeks before and after also during their stay have to take two pills each day. It surprises me to hear that the Bank of Nova Scotia and Royal Bank of Canada are in Belize with exchange rate of two Belize dollars equal to one U.S. Also the official language is English, -so when these guys pull into a MacDonalds their Big Macs will be easy to order plus they'll be able to eat more for less cost. By the time this is published Paul will have a couple -of days in Belize so I hope he enjoys his stay. Don't touch any live wires and don't take any wooden nickles. When needles Were mentioned I -was glad it was Paul that had gone and I hope to get a writeup. Staffa girl wins numerous awards attendance o� sixteen. By MRS. J. TEMPLEMAN Congratulations to Joyce Fell, daughter of Lorneand Helen Fell, for her fine performance at the Mitchell Music. Festival. Some of her major awards included the Upper Thames Elementary School trophy for the best vocal soloist in her school, the Cana- dian Imperial. Bank of Commerce award for the highest mark in the senior piano classes, and the Flora Hingst memorial award for the most promising pianist in the Festival. The Staffa Women's Institute are sponsoring a short course on "Short Order Cooking" at the township hall on Thursday evening May 7 at 7:30, with Mrs. Kay Smale and Mrs. Lillian Douglas demonstrating and commen- ting. Everyone is wt'-_ome so please plan to attend and enjoy. Mrs. John Templeman attended a meeting at the Erland Lee Museum Home on Thursdayat Stoney Creek. W.I. Meet Reports at the annual meeting in- dicated that Staffa Women's Institute had enjoyed another successful year. Eleven meetings were held with an average attendance of sixteen. Members participated at branch, district, and area levels, also at the Perth County Rally. 4H members were guests at a meeting and enter- tained the Institute members with a variety of talents. Two 4H members were presented with spoon racks for successfully. completing eighteen clubs and two members presented with Perth Coun- ty plates for successfully completing twelve clubs. Money making projects were cater- ing and making a quilt which tickets were sold on and which the winners' name was drawn at the local fair. A trophy and cash prize were presented at the conclusion of the Mitchell music festival and a display on "A Woman's Work is Never Done" was set up at the fair. Highlights of the meetings were talks and discussions on, youth employment, crimeproofing, the J. Purdue Center, St. Marys, the R. Butler project, conservation, a local girl displayingher painting and sket-`- ches, the upcoming International Plowing Match in Perth County, be- ing a provincial page, a trip to Expo, This time quietly afloating tank was Walter's "Arctic Loon", receiving first in "Geese and Con- fidence Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl Novice Class and first in Species Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl which 'means in short "World's Best Bird". When asked to put a price on his carving he said.he wouldn't take $10.000 for it. You can be sure that this modest wood carver isn't going to settle for just one. He's now planning maybe a wood duck carving and his talent is rubbing off, his granddaughter Deborah has been making up small mini ducks and using them as bookends for starters. Walter says "Patience is the key to a carver". This last week he has worked four days and nights straight on the bird with 35 coats of paint just to get the right effect on the neck and to get it to the (not maybe) but exact measurement of a life size loon. He in the changed the eyes twice and--sa1d- l�irandiatest detail-effee&-w-ill-be-in they'll have todo, because they're the this true Canadian and proud man's best he can buy in the everhedidorw you can be sure that and commentary and pictures my - Russia. A visit to a mushroom farm, was enjoyable and interesting as was a summer picnic. Comments were given on Being a Good Citizen, Peace, Tweedsmuir - Highlights, and the Erland Lee Home. A resolution regarding Agriculture becoming a credit course was presented and sustained then sent on to district level. - What do, he'll every perfec- of luck in the future VIP GRADUATE AT McCURDY — Graduate of the Values Influences Peers course at J.A.D. McCurdy School at Huron Parkare shown here. Bock, left, vice-principal Niall Straw, Richard Haggitt, J.J. Hip- pern, Kevin Gage, Lesley Pfaff. Centre; Tina. Riley, Melissa Conium, Chris Mosurinjohn, Michelle Bower- man, Cathie Wilson, Hank Karkheck and Christie Mosurinjohn. Front, Jimmy Wein, Mark Lindenfield, Jeremy Hern, Tina Gibson, David Green and Tracy Price. T -A •hoto Personals Mrs. Doris Miller visited recently with. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mayer, Exeter. The Staff Community held a miscellaneous show& on Wednesday evening honouring Ruth Feeney on her recent marriage. An interesting program of readings, piano in- strumental and contests were enjoyed after which Freda Kerslake read an address of good wishes. Ruth was assisted in opening her gifts' by her sister Debbie and her mother- Mrs. -- Natalie Natalie Chappel. Ruth expressed her thanks to everyone and a dainty lunch was enjoyed by all. • Happenings at the Exeter Villa Birthday greetings went out last week to Louise Zinger and Solomon Ronin. Sorry to report that Rose Passmore remains in hospital, but we wish her a speedy recovery and return home. We may have lacked a maypole, but certainly not enthusiasm for our weekly singsong. May 1 found everyone enjoying some old favourites and a few new ones. Mrs. Janke's class from SHDIIS honoured us with a visit. We were glad to see them and hope they come again. Our,ladies have. been busy bak- ing cookies. It's difficult to say no to a homemade cookie. They seemed to disappear as soon as they came out of the oven. The kids seemed to enjoy the cookies almost as much as the adults. Thanks very much to the ladies of Thames Road United Church for the evening of entertainment. The ladies provided a delicious cake in honour n of our April birthdays. We were pleased to see the Exeter seniors for bingo again this month. We can never say enough thank yous to the groups and individuals who come to volunteer their time and talents. Your energies mean so much to us. Don't forget that important day on Sunday. It only takes a minute to say "I love you, mom" PRIZE WINNERS Winners in the senior category of a poster contest among Exeter, Zurich and Precious Blood elementaryschools to mark National Nurses Week with their prizes by Joyce McBeath. teasurer of the Ontario Nrses Associaton and hospital administrator Don Currell, one of the judges. Dwano Foreman, Zurich, (lef t) won $20 for first place* Lisa Forrest, EPS, received $10 for second, and Tracy Snell was given $5 for. placing third. VISITORS AT PRECIOUS BLOOD — Many parents, and grandparents visited Precious Blood Separate School during Education Week. From the left are Jason Revington, Debbie Revington, Wayne Cole, Jason Grenier, Joan McCann, Sarah Revington, Darlene Geoffrey and Jaclyn Van Esbroeck. T -A photo ' is New family at Centralia sy Mrs. TOM KOOY Our population expanded again on the weekend in town. Ken and Debbie Tillie and family moved into the home on Main Sl., which they purchased from the estate of the late Mrs. Min- nie Harrison. Debbie is a grand- daughter of Mrs. Harrison. - We welcome them to the village. Terry and Judy Morgan entertain- ed their families Sunday following Mass at Mt. Carmel Church where their daughter Melissa received her first cotnmunion. - Tom and I were guests Friday evening at the home of Helen Mac- Donald, Lucan at a family gathering. We were also recent visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Otto•Darling, Lucan. A good number of senior citizens gathered at Keegans Inn for their regular euchre party April 27. Prize winners were Jessie Lewis, lelene Pullman, Marian Thompson. Margaret Carter and EdArmstrong Special prizes went to Gayle Cronyn, Joe Carter and Tom Kooy. Next par- ty is May 1I Neil School euchre April 27 was well attended. Prizes went to high score - Helen MacDonald. Murray Carter. lone hands - Margaret'Carter, Blan- che Hodgins, low score - Charlotte Barker, Mary Meikle. Special prizes went to Dorothy Bullock and Tom Kooy. This was the last party of the season. • The young people of Faith Taber- nacle enjoyed an evening swimming at Vanastra. Friday evening. flaeae&e'4 In -Store Specials for Mother's Day May 7, 8, 9 (Don't miss out) 383 Main St., Exeter, Ont. a. PRECIOUS BLOOD DONATES The Parent Teacher Association at Precious Blood Separate School recently donated a piano to the school. Above, principal Margaret Medve and PTA president Darlene Geoffrey look on as teacher Gleno Tripp tries out the new piano. NATIONAL NURSES WEEK MAY 10 - 1 () Can You Imagine A Health Care System Without Nunes? Neither Can We. , Nurses make the system work. They care for people on a one-to-one basis assessing vital needs and making crucial decisions 24 hours a day. Nurses help the sick get well and teach the healthy to stay healthy. They share in the joy of new life and ease the pain and sorrow of death. They show the elderly and disabled how to cope with infirmity and see families through the stress of illness and injury. s ONTARIO NURSES' ASSOCIATI 1N All of this takes extensive education and continual upgrading of clinical skills. More than that the profession requires a strong personal commitment. Nursing has never been easy but it is more -io."a^ding today than ever before — in nospuials. public health units, nursing • homes homes for the aged, VON. medical clinics and industry. Ontario nurses give all they have to health care . NURSES CARE! lolled Vines' drsio y NM MB RBi BItBI Bl• BIIII• BIRD■ RI• % 11 .Tasty !Ve' weeks features in effect Bread Thurs., Fri: and Sot. 'While supplies lost) We hove • o: wide variety of Delicious •� Donuts I kiliWpil II e,t 'Fresh ---. — Country Buns 99C'doz. 'Old Fashioned ky. 6 Date Squares • 1.79 For Mothe, s Day we hove heart sh, ,. ' Aces of 7.95 - I 1 (Please op,' .r ahead) Cheese asty u' 1 Old Cheddar 3.89 Ib. Bakery ( cheese Nouse "Havartl Butter" "Traditional quality" since 1919' V Cheese 3.79 lb. Exeter 235.0332 • IN BIBI OM Bl• — — illi — — — lir I MN mu pus