Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-01-11, Page 5Times -Advocate, January 11, 1995 Page 5 Back in Time... By Ross Haugh from the archives of the Exeter Times Advocate 10 YEARS AGO January 9, 1985 - Area resi- dents who have been in the habit of heading to Kirkton on the third Wednesday of July each year for the past 40 years will have to change their plans this summer as of- ficials have decided to shut down the very popular Kirk - tun Garden Party for at least one year. The only charter member of the executive, Lee Paul was quick to point out, " The party is not dead. It could start up again." Union employees at Dash- wood Industries have agreed to wage concessions in a new three-year laSour agreement that calls for an eight percent roll -back that will result in de- creases of 70 cents to $1 per hour for the first year of the new three year contract. 25 YEARS AGO January 15, 1970 - Direc- tors of the Midwestern Onta- rio Rodeo Association have inferred recent rental fees set b,y RAP for use of the local grounds could have a serious effect on future rodeos in Ex- eter. RAP recently set the rate for the grounds at $100 per day for the rodeo, .plus five percent of the gross receipts. RAP chairman Gord Bayn- ham, also a member of the ro- deo committee said the new rental rates could spell an end to the local rodeo. Bob Pooley charged that the new rates had been set too quickly. A Grand Bend recreation group will receive a grant of $600 after Mrs. Art Haist told council that six hockey teams were in regular league play and nearly 30 girls were par- ticipating in the first figure . skating club. Mrs. G.A. Cann, William street is one of those who fol- lows the advice of Dr. William Osler who said no person is really happy or safe without a hobby. Mrs. Cann, trained to be a milliner has always been creative with her needle and over the years has turned out many beautiful quilts. About a year ago she turned to the fas- cinating art of dressing dolls and since that time has made costumes for over 30 dolls. 50 YEARS AGO January 12, 1945 -Mail cou- riers on the three routes out of Granton did not make their rounds for a week owing to blocked roads. There was a bread famine in the community of Shipka last week. Mr. George Love went with a sleigh to meeet the Zu- rich baker at Grand Bend. Pilot Officer Gerald Pass- more, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Passmore of Hensall while flying on his first dive- bombing mission hit a railroad station and an ammunition dump simultaneously. 75 YEARS AGO Mr. Maurice Brenner of Grand Bend has an ice cutting mach' a in operation on the pond there. Mr. A.F. Hess has sold his interest in the Zurich Herald to Chester Smith. This community experienced the heaviest snow storm during Monday night that we have had all winter. Miss Ruth Wildfong was awarded the Bronze Medal for proficiency in pianoforte play- ing. 100 YEARS AGO January 10, 1895 - The fol- lowing prices are being quoted for farm produce at the mar- kets in Hensall. Wheat is 55 cents a bushel; barley goes for 35 cents a bushel; butter is 11 cents a pound and eggs are 15 cents a dozen. Tourism of big business in Huron Special events and attractions drew thousands to the county in 1994 By Fred Groves T -A staff GODERICH - Special events and attractions have always been popular in Huron County. The Zurich Bean Festival, the Huron Country Playhouse and the Thresher's Reunion in Blyth were just a few stops on the way for travellers who visited the county in 1994. Through its Planning Department, Huron County has gone through a dramatic change in its approach to tourism in the last year. They've streamlined their brochure system, established a Tourism Associau n and have come up with a catchy slogan. 'Discover Ontario's West Coast' is the new motto for those who seem to be reaping the benefits of what is be- coming a very popular and profitable business - tourism. "The 1994 tourism year was a very successful one. There were many excitin, attractions and special events that took place. We have some pretty impressive numbers of people who came to the county," said Cindy Fisher. Fisher, of the Huron County Planning Department has been a driving force behind the boost in tourism and she says that the county can now be called a "four season des- tination". "The Huron Tourism -Association is working very hard to promote Huron in the off -traditional season which is con- sidered to be summer," said Fisher. The association, formed just a year ago has over 100 members and an 11 -person executive committee which in- cludes vice-president John McHenry of the Huron Country Playhouse and Joan Cassidy who owns a bed -and -breakfast in St. Josephs. While the association is trying to give the off-season a boost, it was the summer of 1994 which brought thousands of visitors to Huron County. They came for fall fairs and a lot of other attractions that hate a rural flavour to them. "The rural component of the county is an incentive for travellers," said Fisher. Lots to do: Looking back on the year, several events and attractions had increased numbers from the previous year. Fisher said its tough to de- termine if those who vis- ited the events were local or from outside of the county. The Play- house attracted 67,000 this summer, Blyth Festival had 31,000, the Tall Ships weekend in Goderich drew 23,000 and the Zurich Bean Festival had an estimated 20,000. "The nice thing about attractions and special events is that they both sustain and build tourism. We had several large events hut our two main attractions would be the thea- tres." In a detailed report to county council, it was estimated that the $1 million in sales at the Huron Country Playhouse brought in $7 million in food, gas, accommodations and shopping to the Iodal area. Other events like the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ciderfest in Egmondville and the Huron Park Air Show were also favorites. ' There are 47 bed and breakfast establishments and 119 restaurants in the county's Travel Guide and most of them benefited from the high increase in tourism. "It's difficult to get numbers on people who are passing through and not attending special events but the ac- commodation and restaurant sectors indicated they had a great season and numbers were up," said Fisher. Where did all the visitors come from? Those who came to see the Huron County Museum,the Historic Gaol or to play on the sandy beaches came from near and far, many from across the border. "There was an increase number of American visitors at the tourist booth in Goderich that kept records. It's probably because of the strong American dollar. There was also an increase of shoulder season visitors this year - October, No- vember and December," said Fisher. Later this month, Fisher and the others who were in- volved in creating the Huron County Travel Guide will at- tend a special ceremony in Toronto where they will receive an Ontario Marketing Award. They've taken most of the individual brochures and com- pacted them into a colorful and informative guide which is a must to get for not only visitors but locals who want to know more about what is in their own backyard. nvestme� op 1 Yr. - 8.0096 3Yr. -8.4096 5 yr. 8.8096 Segregated Funds 2 YR. - 10.12% 3YR.-7.69% 4 YR. - 11.19961 Gasser-Kneale 235.2420,238.5484 • GIC rates subject to change. Short- term rotes avai . Searemised lived rates reflect actual pmt performance. Flturs returns will vary. Jeff MI ar above, the proprietor of HI -Tech Industrial Machine, demonstrates his work in precisl•n machine and fabrication. The new business serves local industry and ag- ricult e. BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUCTIONEERS ALSO N & ROBSON The d Auction that Guaranto• You More SS Considering A Sale or Need en Appraisal 668-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Supplying you with 38 years Efficient Service • Mobile Office • Immediate Payment 3 Auctioneers 11 is ow pleasure to sena you REPAIRS Slaving Machine Repairs to an makes Free estimates 90 Day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 • Bob Heywood Ucensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laverne 235-1278 HAIR STYLIST 4, »Cuttfrj 10 Wellington St. & Main (Beside Murphy's) 235 -HAIR (4247) Vicki Parsons Kim Scott T har Waxigand esu piercing Seniors discount on Mon., Tues., Wed New shop opening New precision machine shop open for -business on Wellington Street • By Heather Vincent T -A staff EXETER - Hi -Tech Industrial Machine opened for business last week at 110 Wellington Street West in Exeter. Jeff Millar's one man operation specializes in pre- cision machine and fabrication, serving local industry and ag- riculture. Millar graduated from Fanshawe College in London in 1990, placing first in the general machinist trade. He apprenticed with Harry Mathers at Ice King and continued with the company after its move to Komoka. Millar had been interested in starting his own business for some time and when the opportunity pre- sented itself during the summer, he pursued it with enthusiasm. After three days of marketing, Millar was satisfied that industry had a need for his machine work. He is currently working on his own but will hire other employees if the volume warrants more. At the moment he is trying, "secure some viable accounts," before ex- panding any further. At the moment, Millar is working on projects for TNT Stand -By Pow- er Inc., Big "0" and Nabisco Brands Ltd., repairing equipment and making special machinery. Millar found that the local busi- nesses had to go to London or Stratford to get the specialized work they required done. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Larry Gardiner, RR2, Stalfa 345-2678 Uoyd Monison, Mitchell 348-4589 Lome Feeney, Mitchell 348-8853 Jack Hodgert, RR1,.Klrkton 229-6152 Joe Chaffe, RR5 Mitchel ...348-9705 Michael O'Shea RR3 Granton 225-2600 AGENTS Wayne Maurer Exeter John Moore, Dublin Joseph Unlac, Mitchell 235-1915 345-2512 348-9012 Head Office, Exeter 235-0350 A refund from surplus was de- clared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and In good standing as at Decem- ber 31, 1994. c A P T U R E THOSE s P E A T 1 M E 5 WITH IN$TANTOLOLMONES Enlarge family or team photos to 8-1f2x11 or even 11 x 17 instantly with our outstanding results. Ideal for business presentation materjals, even colour transparencies • I00 424 Main St. Exeter 2351331 1