HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 1981-04-30, Page 3You can't buy heritage, LAC
By Helen Owen
Heritage Huron was the theme of the
Seaforth and Goderich Local Architectural
Conservancy Advisory Committees'
(LACAC) seminar held at Van Egmond
House in Seaforth on April 25.
Winn McLean, chairman of Seaforth
LACAC, welcomed representatives, and
Reeve Robert Bell brought greetings from
Tuckersmith Township. An interesting
personal note was the fact that his great-
grandfather had actually stayed in the
house when he first arrived in the area.
Linda Jones, vice-president of the Van
Egmond Foundation, stressed the com-
mon goal of those concerned with the
preservation of heritage buildings. She
said, she hoped that various groups would
use the Van Egmond House as a meeting
place, the more it is used the better!
Nick Hill, known for his heritage and
resoration work in the county, dealt with
the subject of conservation and illustrated
his remarks with a slide presentation of
preservation in Canada and Europe. This
showed the diversity of historical con-
servation_ with particular relationship to
country, climate and tradition. Mr. Hill
explained, it was not only buildings but
environmental factors, landscape and
materials which need to be considered
before any project is undertaken.
He emphasized the main role of a
LACAC group as being strictly of an ad-
visory nature, to assist local bodies,
merchants and councils, a role, which
unfortunately, was sometimes misin-
terpreted. Two other important points he
stressed were, the economics of any
conservation plan, and the natural
progression of buildings in today's society,
both of which required comprehensive
assessment.
In conclusion, Mr. Hill introduced his
audience to the first copies of his new book
Historic Streetscapes. Written and
illustrated by the author, the book
provides a delightful account of the rich
and diverse architectural and planning
heritage found in the streetscapes of
Ontario towns and villages.
Glen Carey, speaking of the
achievements of Goderich LACAC group
over the past six years, explained that the
Heritage Act of 1975 had drawn the at-
tention of the provinces to the needs for
conservation. In Goderich, they are for-
tunate in that LACAC has been accepted in
the community, its mandate_ to advise
being fully appreciated, and a number of
residential buildings have been designated
stuck in
the middle
with the owners' full approval.
His presentation included a
photographic display of some of these
structurally and historically interesting
houses. Another venture had been a
student project initiated in 1977.
Experience had shown that close co-
operation with council, property owners
and merchants was an integral part of
successful local conservation.
Speaking on behalf of Seaforth LACAC,
Walter Armes described the way in which
the mayor had encouraged the formation
of 1rc group in the community, During the
first three years the town hall, band
shelter and round house had become
designated buildings. Since then, with the
interest and support of approving owners,
12 houses around the town had been added
to the list. A summer student project had
proved particularly effective, said Mr.
Armes, and the planning of subsequent
activities, along these lines had become an
annual procedure. Although not always.
clear sailing, one building had been lost
through demolition, setbacks and op-
posruon, were challenges to be met in the
business areas concepts were not enough,
and must be seen to work on an economic
Missing water.....
"And what are your colors dear?"
they -- ask. That -an wedding talk •--you
know, meaning, what shade of
bathroom towels and dust ruffles does
the bride-to-be like.
And in my best bride-to-be, domestic -
like voice I usually answer, "I dunno."
It's not disinterest that leads me to
that reply, it's simply inexperience
when it comes to decorating a home,
and apart from a rose colored chair for
my livingroom, my decorating scheme
follows the every -color -in -the -rainbow
style.
Mish-mash, hand-me-down
decorating has always suited my
meager dwellings in the past, but it
appears that this trend has to end, and
I'm faced with the task of choosing
colors and styles that may have to last
me for the next 25 years. Now that's a
major decision!
I've studied page after page in the
decorating magazines, turning down
comers here and there of all the rooms
I like. But these magazines are all
myth, and their displays are not
practical or realistic for a newlywed
couple. How can I afford to buy a
cherry commode, a brass bed made up
with down -filled comforters in Laura
Ashley prints, a pine harvest table and
a set of Windsor chairs?
Despite my heart's desire I may have
to turn to the used furniture stores and
catalogues to furnish our home.
Somehow that doesn't appeal to me,
and I still longingly stare at the Colonial
Homes magazine pages.
"l oyv about this, do you like it?" I.
• from page 1
Brown said it was reasonable to cut it in
half and saw no reason why the workload
would be heavier this year.
Another increase in the 1981 budget was
dealt with, for travel expenses for staff,
and council asked if it was necessary to fly
staff to a convention as far away as
Thunder Bay where this year's meeting is
being held. Mark Bell explained that
conventions are held in different regions
and managers like to go to this special
events to learn. Reeve Bell agreed that
conventions are good and a person can
learn new things, but thought it was
unreasonable to fly manager Don McLean
all the way to Thunder Bay. He suggested
that Mr. McLean attend conferences in the
southern part of Ontario. Dick Brown
agreed that regional seminars and con-
ferences in the area where very wor-
thwhile learning experiences.
,Following the meeting with ministry
officials, council went into committee -of -
the -whole -W discuss the overall budget,
including the Vanastra water and sewage
budget for 1981.
Shelley
Y mcphee
ask, ,, 'offering the magazine to my
money -conscious fiancee.
I already know the answer, that
livingroom lavishly decorated in 1800's
American southern style will never be
mine. Nor will the colonial kitchen, the
Victorian bedroom, the New England
home, the backyard gazebo and the
swimming pool, the stained glass.
windows, or a Persian cat. (Gary hates
cats.)
Our home may never be a candidate
for a centre -spread in Country Living,
(perhaps Hogman's Quarterly), but
I'm sure it will be just beautiful, if I can
ever decide on a color scheme.
Perhaps if I had the home to begin
with, the chore would be a little easier.
Now I remember my Grade 13 home
economics class with the color wheels
saying that cool colors go insouth
exposure rooms and warm colors to the
north. But how do I know what way any
of my rooms will face, we may end up
living in a home with no windows for all
I know.
In the meantime, I'm simply trying to
find my favorite range of colors - lime
green is definitely out, and dusty rose is
in. Still it's not easy, one day I like a
blue floral colored couch, the next day a
brown striped love seat .
My mum says it takes years of
practice, trial and error to develop a
unique decorating style, so for now
when I'm asked about my colors I'll
simply say, "I like neutrals, but I'd
really like is a dishwasher and an egg
beater."
EXPIRES WED., MAY 6th
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28 ALBERT ST. 482-9692
CLINTON
C seminar hears in E
basis 11 they were to be viable. Main
streets, in particular, while conserving
local history must also provide areas for
successful commercial enterprise.
The afternoon session included speakers
from Huron County historical Society,
Doris Batkin; Bayfield Historical Society,
Helen Owen and the Huron Branch of the
, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario,
Dorothy Wallace.
Mrs. Batkin outlined the origins of the
Huron Historical Society, which had been
prompted by the Women's Institutes. She
displayed the individual crest which had
been designed by Benmiller artist, Jack
MacLaren, an appropriate depiction of
early settlers. Facilities have been made
available in the Canadiana Room of the
Huron County Library for archival work.
Other projects included the sponsoring of
historical interests among young people by
offering means of competitive par-
ticipation. Annual historical notes, which
has now reached Volume 17, have been an .
ongoing activity carried out by volunteers,
as well as appeals for documents of local
relevance and ogand connections with thenew,
iiuronCouGeneal calSocie
i� .._
- _ .___ _
Mrs. Owen gave a .brief history of
Hayfield Historical Society dating back to
1966, which she said, has thrived since its
inception because of the whole -hearted
membership support and the enthusiasm
and dedication of successive executives.
The acquisition of an Archives Room at-
tached to the Bayfield Library has enabled
valuable local material to be assembled.
categorized and stored, and during the
summer months is open to visitors and
staffed by volunteers under the direction
of the Archivist.
Not only does this provide historical
information on the village, its residents
and their occupations, but it also main-
tains details of current events. To date the
formation of a LACAC group has not been
encouraging. However, the newly formed
Business Association is interested,, par-
ticularly in regard to Main Street.
The combination of business and council
interest in conserving the unique aspects
of Bayfield was a responsibility said Mrs.
Owen, which future generations would find
documented in the archives, and it is
hoped, perpetuated in those practical
areas of conservation which posterity will
inherit.
Mrs. Sally Shevchuk, of the Bayfield
Business Association told the audience
that her attendance on their behalf offered
an excellent opportunity to benefit from
their experience. Bayfield Councillor
Underneath all this frill and bust Is Patrick Higgins of Clinton, one of the leaders of the
Clinton Beaver Colony. Patrick was one of the volunteering victims in the wet -sponge -hp'
the face contest at the Beavers Carnival Night last Thursday. (Shelley McPhee photo)
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CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, APRIL 30,19t11—PAGE 3
ondville
Gwen Pemberton noted that although little
has been achieved, apart from a study of
Main Street, it is interesting to note that
the village has been one of the first two
organizations to consider the form ion of
a LACAC group. She hopes the project will
be pursued.
Mrs. Wallace explained that the
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario has
been primarily concerned with the
preservation of worthwhile buildings in the
province., and now there were 12 bran-
ches. She referred to Acorn, the
publication specifically designed to keep
people informed on architectural matters;
as well as the service offered by visits of
representatives to discuss local buildings.
A general invitation was extended to at-
tend the next meeting on May 7 at 8 p.m. in
the municipal building in Bayfield.
The last speaker, Gary Davidson, a
member of the County Planning Board,
dealt with the practical aspects of con-
servation, using The Square in Goderich as
an example of what could happen. He
described the necessity for policies, plaans
and know-how required in order to Im-
plement them Apart from considerations
and retention of local amblee►ce, Mr.
Davidson stressed that functional aspects
played a major role, particularly in
business areas where a return for money is
a fact of life.
Official land wig, he laid, must be
complied with, and therefore •Value la of
prime importance. Experience is being
acquired and shown clearly that intensive
initial planning is imperative. Without
such study and investigation no im-
plementation could be attempted.
Property owners, tenants, council,
planning board and the general public are
all involved, particularly in main street
projects. These must attract in order for
businesses to thrive. The increasing
popularity of shopping malls canbe a
challenge to main streets, who in turn,
must retain a public appeal. This latter
point was well illustrated in a Him which
concluded the meeting.
Iiy-TVs on the way
It now appears as if the Canadian Radio
and Television Commission (CRTC) is
committed to pay-TV.
The CRTC is bending a bit in at least in-
viting applications from companies to
provide a pay television service in Canada.
So perhaps by this time next year Canadians
will be able to view first-rate movies,
several entertainment specials and sport
programming.
Although the CRTC is calling for ap-
plications from companies to provide a
service, there will also likely be a Canadian
content stipulation. That could mean that
pay -television will feature mostly Canadian
movies, which would help that industry, but
may not be attractive to the viewer.
Don Stinson, manager of Bluewater
Cable, Holmesville says the CRTC an-
nouncement hasn't been fully explained or
assessed.
• "They are calling for applications to
provide a pay service but we don't know
exactly what that entails," he said. "The
pay network may not be as good as existing
American offerings but nothing is settled
yet."
Many Canadian viewers have already had
a taste of American pay -television through
cable operators and a concern might be that
a Canadian system would pale by com-
parison. Stinson said that could well be the
case. •
"There is a stipulation of Canadian
content on the channels and I'm scared they
might make Canadians pay for a dumping
ground of Canadian content," he said. "If
the material isn't good quality you can't
market it."
Four channels will be served up on
satellite signals, including channel 11
Hamilton, but Stinson says the signal can't
be used here.
"The satellite signal would improve
reception here but we can't use it We will
still make application and the government
seems sympathetic," he said.
If and when pay -television arrives,
viewers will pay a per -channel fee of around
$10 monthly. That may eventually be refined
to a .pay per program system that exists in
the United States.
While the CRTC bas moved towards pay
television the federal cabinet blocked a
move by the BC to establish a second
national television network, -similar W the
PBS network in the U.S. .
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