HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-04-27, Page 16Page 16
Times -Advocate, April 27, 1994
CQtY�Ivjj,INIT�
A sign pointing the way to the former Exeter Police Station
was one of the more unique items put up on the block Thurs-
day evening at the fifth annual ABCA/Lions Conservation Din-
ner. From left are auctioneer Norm Whiting, Jon Dinney, Scott
Eveland, and George Godbolt.
Fifth Conservation
Dinner survives
blackout, grosses
over $45,000
By Adrian Harte
T -A Editor
EXETER - While the biggest
news of the night might have been
the shock of finding a fundraising
auction plunged into darkness with
a power failure, few would have
forgotten the thousands of dollars
raised to stlpport local conservation
programs.
The $35 -a -plate evening was the
fifth annual Conservation Dinner,
and the fourth operated in conjunc-
tion with the Exeter Lions Club.
Both the Lions and the Conserva-
tion Foundation are committed to
spending the funds raised at the
event on local projects. The Lions
have committed a considerable
share of past year's funds to es-
tabli• til^g a Scenic garden in Fxet-
er's MacNaughton Park.
"I think it went pretty well," said
Peter Raymond, chairman of t i�
year's dinner. but admitted the 40 -
minute power failure between
10:15 and 10:55 p.m. did interrupt
the evening's rhythm.
"We couldn't sec who was hid -
ding." said Raymond, and added
the kidders couldn't sec what was
up on the Klock when the outage ar-
rived with only a few items left on
the agenda.
Undcr emergency lighting and
without microphones, thc auc-
tioneers switched to raffle draws
and silent auction items until the
lights returned.
Emcee for the evening weather-
man Jay Campbell from CFPL tele-
vision handed the proceedings over
to those with the louder voices,
such as former MPP Jack Riddell.
"I'm really impressed with how
we're carrying on," said.Campbell.
"Although I'm used to working in
the dark "
After the emergency lights faded
a half hour into thc blackout an
emergency generator was hooked
up just before the power returned.
"You sure don't figure on the hy-
dro going off, not at this time of
the year," said Raymond.
With the delay in the agenda,
Raymond said the bidding seemed
a little less strong on the last items
put up for sale. Bids ranged from
$150 for a crokinole board up to
$1,200 paid by Huron Tractor for
the evening's premier piece, an
original painting by Tammy Laye.
A hundred year-old barber's chair,
one of the more unusual items on
the block, went for $650 to Anne
Mousseau.
Raymond said it doesn't appear
that the appeal of the dinner auction
featuring wildlife artwork has faded
yet. There may come a time when
the Conservation Foundation and
the Lions Club turn to another type
of fundraising e rent but judging by
the ease with which the 410 tickets
were sold, and the enthusiasm in
the bidding, he said the dinner auc-
tion is still "a good deal" for the or-
ganizations.
Sharon Romphf at the Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Authority
was still tallying up the receipts
from the event as of press time, and
said she had "no idea" as to the
gross or net profits from the event.
"I don't even have an inkling,"
she said.
With a few figures left to still
come in, the gross sales exceed
about $45,000. Some $13,680 of
that came from the live auction,
and another $8,060 from the silent
auction. The special raffles on
items ranging from a complete
camping outfit to a briefcase
packed with $1,000 in cash,
brought in more than $5,000 in
ticket sales. The general raffle on
72 donated items sold another
$3,100 in tickets.
With expenses from the evening
deducted, the Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Foundation and the
Lions Club can expect to net more
than $20,000 in profits.
s
Uons Club member !lm Pinder displays a tiny carving of a
nothem pygmy owl made by Exeter artist Fred Negrljn. The
carving sold for $375 in the live auction at Thursday evening's
nnne.nn,n/leen rlinnee r
French Immersion
moving to Area
By Amy Nellands
Special to the T -A
LUCAN - Grade 1 students want-
ing to take French Immersion will
have to apply for classes that will
start in September at Centennial
Central Public School in Arva.
The deadline to apply is April 29
and applications can be found at
the Middlesex County Board of
Education office or at the school.
French Immersion will eventual-
ly be phased out of the public
schools in Lucan. Lucan Public
School teaches grades 2 and 3 and
Biddulph Public School teaches
grades 4 to 6. There are about 58
French Immersion students all to-
gether.
They are being moved because of
the annexation in London and Arva
is now a more central location.
Seventy to 80 per cent of French
Immersion classes are taught in
French. They are taught math, sci-
ence, social studies and music in
French. Phys. ed. is in English and
they also do some reading in Eng-
lish.
"We want the children to feel
comfortable in both languages
(French and English)", said Becky
Karins, the French Immersion teach-
er at Lucan Public School.
"The kids are not afraid or embar-
rassed to make a mistake," she said.
Making it easier for them to learn.
In Arva the program accepts 17 to
23 students.
"The response has been very
good," said Elaine Marentette,
French consultant for the Middlesex
County Board of Education. "The
class is not full yet though."
DINNEY'S SECOND ANNUAL TAG SALE
d
When it
comes to
furniture,
Dinney's
is the place
for quality,
value and style.
Now,
Dinney's
offers even
more value.
INTRODUCING....
Dinney's Second Annual Green Tag Sale -
going on right now! It's your chance to
enjoy incredible savings on selected sofas,
chairs, leathers, bedroom suites, dining
rooms, lamps, accessories and much more
Just look for the Green Tag
and you'll Save BIG!
Dinneys Geen Tag Sale won't last for long
so be sure you hurry in for best selection.
•
CD,
Fine Furniture,
Flooring and Window ` .Fashions
467 Main St., !Exeter
E-7‘te.
335-0173