Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1980-08-07, Page 6Page 6 Citizens News August 7, 1980 • ti i+ Three, months building time T,• Penhale builds show wagon Tom Penhale i*nd family held an open house on Sunday, July 27, to display their most recently built custom show wagon, at their RR 2 Bayfield, Springbank Farms. The Penhale family has always been _ interested in horses, as Robert and Harold shipped them out west to places like Rosetown and Feske, Saskatchewan in the early 1920's. Thereby the interest was sparked for Tom who showed his first horse at the Bayfield Fall Fair when he was about sixteen. In 1974 Tom built his first show wagon, just for fun more than anything, not cDomtnioncDining lounge and ¶Tduenft i 7Autn St..$untek. &foto Tkone 236-4371 IH O, ..I ., • 1 r , • .: s;• „ Entertainment this weekend will be THE LESPERANcE TRIO Don't forget our quality dinners at family prices 7 .:��. purchasing a team of horses until 1975, when he began showing his rig at local fairs and parades. Hayfield by Ovid Sturgeon Chime' Psarbsrtoat . ' This 'first wagon was eventually sold to a showman in Markdale. Using cherry wood, milled from logs cut in his own bush, he built another wagon in 1978. While doing his usual week long stint at the plowing match that year, he sold this second show wagon and it was moved to the town of Glen Robertson, near the Ontario -Quebec border. With a little pressure from other interested showmen, Tom was encouraged to continue building these wagons, creating almost a full time hobby for himself. - The designs are drawn up by himself, and son Rick, and every piece is then carefully manufactored with an eye for craftsmenship. The wagon is assembled step by step, with not the slightest detail being overlooked. Tom is a skilled welder, having being in the trade since 1949, and as far as woodworking goes, that is a gradual learning process along the way. The third show wagon constructed, was also of cherry wood, and It is the wagon that Tom and family still have and use at local events. Sponsored by W.G. Thompson, Tom tours the area fairs with his rig, and represents the Highland Seeds at the Plowing Match every year, where his wagon creates a lot of interest from spectators and other showmen. • Another showwagon, made of birch and painted, was later constructed and is now in Listowel. As well as the custom wagons and all the chromed accessories that go with them, they also manufacture hames and neck yokes and probably ju8t about everything else that .goes with a team of horses. ' When asked why, Tom just chuckles and says "I do it for the pleasure, and the nice people you meet at fairs and parades, or that just stop in at the farm on a Sunday to look at the wagons that's half the fun of it." At the open house last Sunday, the grandaddy wagon of them all was un- veiled. A painted wagon, grey in colour, and weighing in excess of three 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t COUNTRY MT. CARMEL PHONE RNERs 237-3456 OPEN MON. - SAT. 10-10 SUN. NOON -6 11111 all tons. Later this wok it will _ Hears and Haw families on be shipped to Memphis Saturday while in the Michigan where it will be village, teamed up with six dapple Two former buckaroos, grey percherons, who will Gary Brandon and Brian provide the horsepower. The Makins, were back in the owner has also had a brand new tandem trailer built in the U.S.A. for moving the wagon and horses around the country to the various fairs and competitions. About '125 personsgypped by to have a look at the huge wagon, for most, just a first and last glimpse of a little Bayfield history about to begin an American odyssey spending a weeks vacation at lasting more than a lifetime. And what about Tom? Well after spending three months building the wagon, he probably has a bit of farming to catch up with, but chances are you'll no doubt see him in another area parade before long, unless he gets building another wagon right away. Finally for all those that had their interest spurred, and are maybe thinking about switching from a gas guzzling automobile to an oat burning buckboard with real horse power, you better sit down. Four horse sna the harness to hitch them up to one of these wagons would probably set you back about 821,000 or more. As for the price of a wagon, you'll have to speak to Tom about that if you're still interested. Bayfield correspondence Round and about Bill and Ruth Latimer, Weston, Ontario are en- joying a few holidays in Bayfield, with baby Amanda as well. They ares staying with Mrs. Ethel Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Heard, Stratford, visited with the village over the past couple weeks to spend their holidays. Greg and Emmily Nielsen, of London, were at their Sunset Lane cottage over the weekend to spend a few restful days. Bernard and Elaine Sturgeon, and kids Jeff and Roland, of Orangeville, are their Louisa Street cottage in the village. Bayfield Lions Fish Fry With many other activities going on locally; the crowd at this year's Lion's Fish Fry was noticably smaller than last year. However, 295 hungry fish eaters showed up to appease their appetities, at the Community Centre on Saturday afternoon. According to event chairman . Don Haw, the function grossed about ;1400 at the door, with actual profit to be calculated later. Due to the relatively small turnout, there is some fish left over, and they are being made available for sale to the general public. These fish are already battered and frozen, and are packed in 10 lb. boxes. Cost is ;28 per box. Please contact John Siert- sema or Don Hawif you are interested in obtaining some of these fish. Those that look forward to a lot of good eating can start preparing for the next event on the Lions Calendar, a pancake , breakfast on Labour Day weekend. Rain fails to halt Friedsburg events The eighth annual Friedsburg Days in Dash- wood over the weekend were a success despite rainy weather Saturday afternoon. Publicity chairman George Tiernan said Mon- day, "Receipts may have been down a little from a year ago, but, it still went over very well. There was a good crowd Saturday night." The two day event was sponsored by the Dashwood volunteer fire department with a huge number of helpers assisting. All proceeds will be used in financing a proposed Medical Centre for Dash- wood. Don Bender was overall chairman. Ruth Anne ' Merner and Tom Hayter were in charge of the parade and pet show. John and Mary Becker, Bill Schade and Ray Webb headed the sports committee,NancyRader was in charge of the talent show ;and co-ordinating the Queen contest were Donna Hoffman and Elaine Keller. Friedsburg Days opened Friday night with the talent show and the crowning of Debbie Taylor of Exeter as Miss Friedsburg. The runnersup were Michele Veri and Donna Prout. Winners in the talent show were the McQuaid family of Seaforth; Angela and Glenn Hardy, Lucan; Karen Miller, Kirkton; Elizabeth Markus, Lucan and Angela Fleming, Mount Carmel. The Queen contest judges were Jim and Sherri Hayter of Goderich and Lawrence Wein and Bob Heywood judged the talent show. Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell was master of ceremonies. Saturday's parade drew a large number of participants and provided a difficult task for the judges. The theme of the parade was "2001". The winning theme float was entered by the Dashwood police village trustees depicting the village more than 20 years in the future. Next came Merner's Meats and V.L. Becker Farm Equipment. The novelty division was won by the Hofbrauhaus float entered by Eric Freiter and family. In the small vehicle class the winners were the Bill Schade family with a Buck Rogers creation and a young ambulance crew from Hoffman's consisting of Jamie and Kelly Hoffman. The Dashwood Beavers were judged best in the service club department and Chris Weigand as a robot was the youngest entry. In the best decorated bicycle competition, Todd Rumball and Mike Boogemans and were tied for first and Steve Pfaff was third. Larry Baynham and Carl Tyler were winners in the horse drawn vehicle division and the best horse and rider prize went to Ken Masse. Providing music for the parade were members of the Dashwood-Seaforth band. Winners in the pet show were Cliff Hughes, Glenda Thurman, Robbie Steward - son and Chris Watson. Tricycle race winners Please turn to page 13