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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-01-18, Page 7GODI.RICH SIGNAL,STAR, THORSDA" , JANUARY 18,.1V7$---PAO$ Hosts and hostesses of the White Carnation"in-Hoimesyille are shown in their sparkling kit- chen. Left to right are Bruce and Dawns Rathwell and Pat and Bob Norman. The night spot features a smorgasbord dinner and dancing every other week with a name. orchestra providing the dancing music. • Lights handmade from old wagon wheels, cedar shingles and velvet wallpaper are a few of the innovations of the dinning area of the White Carnation at Holmesville which is holding its open house tis Sunday: The room combines the rustic with the modern and people who have been'' there have described the place .as "fantastic:" ry What can you do with an old heese and butter -factory? - • That question was highest in e minds of Bruce Rathwell nd Bo*b Norman when the fC r- er Carnation plant . at olmesville went up for sale est „April. A -first thought, they won- lered if maybe it•would.makea good warehouse, but upon- fur - tier th.inkirig, they dreamed •up he idea of turning the former actory and milk depot, into a osh and well heeled nightspot nd .banquet"hall. Starting in July, nearly two onths after buying the old dant, they and dozens of, work en, relatives and friends star- ed to literally gut the interior .f the building and build it gain from scratch. It took nearly two months to ear out the milk coolers and he ice plant and .various walls nd• partitions. One of the ice aking machines -1,M sold to he Harriston Arena and now eps 'that place in ice.. would ' the 'White Car-- , nation." Bruce's brother Bill thought that the front of the old boiler should be. retained and it was subsequently used both as a conversational piece and as serving doors from the kitchen.. • The of the dance original glass brick floor plant was retained as a floor and a country at - mosphere was added to the Walls. and, ceilings with the ad- dition of barn - boards, beams and lights 'handmade from wheels of an old seed drill. The ball, which can seat 30Q for a banquest "and 200- four a licensed banquet, -also has to floor to ceiling fireplace that consumes four foot logs with no trouble, as well as providing a homey atmosphere. The building was originally , bdilt in the 1870',s and was a '-farmers' co-operative with the name of the Holmesville Cheese and Butter Company. In 1935 it was .bought by the late Melville Elliott •who ran it' until 1.946 when Carnation bought it. and converted it, into. , • a milk handling depot. because the Township of Goderich is not licensed, all parties at the White Carnation must be treated as pr.iv;te af- fairs and the only way td gain admittance to the semi-weekly, .dances is by reservation. It took nearly..another three onth.s to build up the inside 'ind most of the ideas used in he interior were garnered.from riends.' and relatives, trues: Bruce and bawn Rathwell - and Bob and Pat Norman ad- mitted that running the. wed- dings and' banquets and,parties is a big „job but they are quick to Point—out that friends and relatives, help out in the preparation of the smorgasbord meals that are , served. at the various •functioys. In fact; a casserole. made. by 'Bob's, mother Charlotte Norman for last week's dance was so good that dozens of people wondered it Itiev conic -get the -recipe: The Ni.rmaris and the Rath - wells hope ° to stage a dance every other -weekend with, a. quality orchestra and even- . tually they hope to have a. liquor vote in. Goderich., The spacious dance floor of the White Carnation is one of the highlights' of, the: hall. It retains the old red glass brick floor of the Carnation Plant and adds the atmosphere of an old barn. The stage at right is used for g from across g g orchestras that are brought in South- western Ontario. Ken Scott of • Brucefield, Bob's father-in-law, thought that the best name for the spot Ever since- its opening by MP Bob, McKinley and Goderich Township Reeve Everett Mcllwain' on Decem- ber 2, 1972, the dance`' tickets have been sold out two days af- ter they went on sale. The $12 per couple includes dancing; smorgasbord) and a1T-iiquor. Tickets"are avail9ble from Nor, man's -Store in Homesville or by railing 482.9228: A The front of theold heating boiler was incorporated into the design of the new, White Carnation. The; boiler front, i not only -adds to .the atmosphere of the hall but serves as` -functionaldoors to the kitchen.lPat Norman demonstrates their use. There will be an open house this_ Sunday when everybody is invited to tour the facilities and enjoy free coffee and donuts. ., The 'dining area of the White Carnation has a seating capacity of 200 for licensed events and features a floor to ceiling fireplace that takes four foot logs. The facility is also ' available for banquets and wedding receptions and has already proved to be a popular spot . for area residents. 5294403 Brick layers" R.R. 6, Goderich . 529-7309 Clinton Meat Market (Jas. Hutchins prop.) 93 565-274. . 529-7981 529-7913 Albert St. Clinton 524-8321 Plumbing, heating & -electrical Contractors 262 Bayfield Rd. Clinton A/ 482-9560 78 King St.