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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 Holland Shoes 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) SALE CONTINUES! Large selection of gasoline or electric lawn mowers at sale prices! Et 206 CGE ELECTRIC MOWER. Smooth. singleblade cutting action with 5 -position height adjustment, 6" sure -tread tires, Recessed safety controls, dual safety footguords and low -angle discharge for extra operator protection. 99.99 We have the full line of CCM BICYCLES Were the authorized issuer of Province of Ontario Ministry of Natured Resources "SUMMER SMALL GAME LICENSES *SMELT & FISHING LICENSE 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. . We take the mystery out of decoratinga beautiful.horne or office... at aprice- you can afford Some room interiors are so exciting, the whole craft. ofdecorating hovers in an aura of. mystery. It's thought that good designers create only with inspiration or impulse, and never with layouts, colors, sket- ches, even budgets and fees. 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