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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 1981-06-04, Page 1e you 116th year—No. 22. Thursday, June 4, 1981 IN CLINTON FRIDAY, SATURDAY SUNDAY JUNE - 5,' 6 & 7 Clinton prepares for it. 1i?%Tth fair By Shelley McPhee If the weather participates, Clinton could see another grand weekend of en- tertainment and fun as the Central Huron Agricultural Society plans to stage its 127th annual Spring Fair this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5,6 and 7. Billed as the largest Class B spring fair in Ontario, last year the weekend event attracted over 9,000 people to the midway, the livestock competitions, the ladies exhibits, parade, grandstand show, queen of the fair contest and the .ever -popular baby show. Special attractions lined up for this year include Friday night's exhilerating demolition derby which will be held in front of the grandstand, and in the- arena the queen of the fair contest will take place when 11 local girls will vie for the title. Saturday will feature a 1 pm parade which will wind its way from the Clinton Legion to the fair grounds and after the official opening by the Queen of the Furrow, the baby show .will take place. The impressive heavy teams in harness, the western games and evening horse show will get underway at 7 pm in front of the grandstand A mini -tractor pull' will be held on Sunday afternoon and the judging of the beef cattle classes will wind up the three day celebration. And if that's not enough, the Clinton Kinsmen will be holding a horseshoe pitching tournament on Saturday af- ternoon fternoon and the Optimists will be testing your strength with an arm wrestling contest, also on Saturday afternoon. For the younger generation, and the young at heart the midway will be in full swing and Old McDonald's farm will be attracting its usual crowds. The upstairs portion of the arena will be filled with the finest baking, stitching, drawing arid flower arranging in the area as the ladies division judging takes place and in nearby stables, the best livestock, from pigeons to ponies, will be competing for red ribbons. Downstairs local merchants and ven- dors will be showing their wares and crafts from morning to night over the three days. The judging cf the Ontario Spring Jersey Show and the Huron County Holstein Show both get underway on Friday at noon and all day Saturday the light horses, poultry, sheep, swine and cattle will be studied by judges for the top prize winnings. Whether it be a candy apple or a cherry pie, a ferris wheel ride or a arm wrestling match, a -peek at the babies or a look at the big Belgian horses, the 127th version' of the Clinton Spring Fair promises to offer something for everyone! The fair used to be held on the town's streets The Clinton Fair started as a Fall Fair in September 1854, and was held on the Andrews farm. The Fair was started by Messrs. H. Snell, Mr. Innes, J. McMillan and Mr. Dale. The first Clinton Brass Band played at this fair. According to the Clinton Courier, 1862, there was a showing , of horses, cattle, oxen, sheep, pigs, agricultural ijn- plements, garden vegetables, butter, apples, hand woven cloth, knitting, em- broidery, crocheting, quilts, ornamental needlework, braiding, hand -sewn boots, Paper w on -the assortment of Cooper's Work, pumps, lumber, wagon, ploughs, harrows, straw cutter, and fanning mill. All entries were entered under the family name no ladies names being mentioned. At this time they regretted the shortage of good cattle being shown, but they were pleased at the large number of pigs and sheen on exhibition. In the sheep section the name of H. (Humphrey) Snell appears as a winner, and the name of Snell has been noted ever since as breeders of fine sheep. • By Steve Grossman A concerned group of 20 Clinton residents exercised their last public op- portunity to make recommendations and voice opinions regarding the town's future development at the Clinton Planning Board's summary workshop for the of- ficial plan held last -Wednesday. Much of the meeting involved a sum- mary by George Penfold of the Huron County Planning Department of the major suggestions and contributions that had been made at previous meetings. Two areas of Clinton that were not discussed to any great extent at the three previous workshops included the extreme north end of town and the Griffith's Pond area behind the high school. No comments were made regarding the north end area, which was assumed by the board to mean that those present were happy with its designation as a holding zone without intensive land use. Griffith's Pond, much of which is owned by private citizens, was felt to be better off if left alone. Several in attendance pointed out that it is now serving adequately as part of Clinton's storm sewer system, One resident stated that this area should be made part of the green belt if any future development is desired here. Another resident thought that the cost of draining the pond would be too high and, as a natural drainage basin for run-off, the pond would never be totally eliminated. Several of the people at the workshop were there specifically in regard to a dilapidated property at 45 Mary Street. Turn to page 3 • In 1905 the Fair was reorganized by James Snell, J. Fair, Dr. J.W. Shaw, G. - Hoare, and C.E. Dowding. The date was changed from a Fall Fair to a Spring Fair in the first week of April. The Show was known as the Huron County Sale and Stock Exhibition and was held on the main street in the town. In 1906 the president was James Snell -- who retained this office until 1913. The Honorary President, in '06 was Mayor Hoover, with George Dale as vice- president. The directors . in 1906 were - Thos. McMillan, John McFarlane, R. Graham, John Johnston and James Fair. In 1910 the treasurer James Fair reported a bank balance of $168.82 in the Molson's Bank. It was in this year that the group asked the ministry of Agriculture to increase their grant, as it had previously been $75 and the government promised to see to the expenses of Judges in connection with the Fair. In 1911 the officers were voted $5 each for their work in connection with the Fair. A grant of $10 was made to the secretary in 1912 for his services. In 1913 Mr. A.J. McMurrayewas elected treasurer to fill the vacancy of R. Graham who retired In the next year Mr. McMurray assumed the post of secretary, a position he held for a total of 35 years in all. Mr. A.J. Tyndall served . for a few Turn to page 3 • A big party, no, just a big bust. Over 27 cases offbeer have been collecting -in the,Clmton Police station over the past four months.Slitce:-the g of the y4ar the Clinton • Police have made 51 liquor seizures and on Tuesday Chief Lloyd Westlake ivas preparuig the suds for its final destination - down the drain. (Shelley McPhee photo.) By Shelley McPhee Well Scoop, alias Jim Fitzgerald, is off lazing in the sun for a week while his poor junior staffer is leftin charge. Hi, I'm back again for my yearly round of First Column rumblings, and like past years I'm still stating, "This is the first and last time rn do this!" So much for idle threats. I could put a little "the writer is on vacation" blurb under Fitz's photo here, but I'd be no farther ahead. I'd still end up with a front page hole to fill what do they say, norestforthe wicked +++ Rest what does that word mean? There doesn't seem to be too much of that happening in Clinton and this town once chastised for its persistent apathy has incredthly turned an about-face and there doesn't seem to be any stopping them now. Klompen Feest showed obvious signs of exuberance and local support in this town. Businesses along the downtown streets have really gone to town, painting and polishing up their store fronts. Within the next two weeks the Clinton Business improvement Association (BIA) will begin their grand scheme to enhance the core area of Clinton, and this weekend Clinton's grand daddy of special attractions takes place. The 127th Annual Spring Fair gets underway Friday night with a thrilling demolition derby and con- tinues through until Sunday with lots of food, fun and festivities. As in past years the fair will offer a wide variety of events and attractions to see and take part in. It's great en- tertainment, and a good deal to boot. There aren't many other events you and the family can take in for less than $10. + + + While Fitz is off doing leisurely things, the Main Street Wit is still out in full force and he too is thinking about money, or lack of such, this week. According to the old Wit, "The check you gel after all deductions have been taken out is called `take-home' pay. That's because there is no other place you can afford to go with it." a -4 - Thanks Wit for your profound, and humorous remarks, but let's get on with this column! + + + Well, the first Saturday in the month is coming up and in Clinton and Bayfield that means it's time to get your old newspapers out to the curb. The Londesboro Lions will be in Clinton by 9 am on Saturday to pick up the papers and in the beautiful, lakeside village, the Bayfield lions will looking for your paper donations in the morning as well. + + + Vanastra also deserves mention this week and The Voice there has a new correspondent Rhonda Bjerg. She is replacing Jan Ferguson, and by the looks of things Rhonda is not going to have much trouble filling The Voice page. In fact if she keeps up with all her writing we may have to give Vanastra its own special section. Welcome aboard Rhonda! + + + Now, was there anything else I was supposed to say? I just can't drag Fitz to the telephone again to ask him, so TM "30" (that's journalism talk you know) this column right now. The boss will be back next week - hurrah - and with any luck the junior kid here will get a few days break to get plans for this October marrying un- derway! The Clinton Early Childhood Education Centre got a big roost this week when the Clinton Optimists donated their garage sale proceeds of more than $300 to the centre. Optimist member Jack Armstrong presented a cheque to centre president Jean Bhe chain. The kids, left to right, Cathy Bircham, Brian Watson, Billy Trick, Anjanette Carter, Laura McNichol, Stacey Fleet and Cindy Ann Bircham. students at the centre got in for the picture, but their thoughts were on their bus trip to MacDonald's in Stratford. (Shelley McPhee photo) . Homemaker course is back By Shelley McPhee After two months of persistent op- position and concern, the Huron Town and Country Homemakers training program has been reinstated at Conestoga College's Clinton Campus The three-month education program, sponsored by Canada Manpower across the province, was dropped from com- munity colleges earlier- in the year. However an apparent need for more homemakers, requests from homemaking agencies throughout the province and support from kcal members of parliament has convinced the government to continue the educationalprogram "They had no realization of how im- portant the course was," Huron's Town and Country Homemakers executive director Jean Young explained of the federal Manpower department, the community and social services ministry acid the ministry of health. In Huron, homemakers are specially trained women and men who are working for one the county's largest employers, the Town and Country Homemakers. Started three years ago to provide in-home ser- vices for the ill, handicapped and elderly, the agency now employs some 78 homemakers who provided personal care and domestic help to 1,486 clients in the past year. - The need for homemakers is steadily on the increase, and the service will now be able to continue and expand with the reinstatement of the training course. The homemakers' training program has run at Clinton's Conestoga College campus for the past five years and according to Brian Cook, chairman of the Clinton campus. "the graduates are sought after." Manpower had earlier decided to cut the course after they faced financial cutbacks in their finances from the federal gover- nment. Manpower pays the tuition fees and wages. for students taking the homemakers' course. The Town and Country. Homemakers expect their need for more trained Tarn to page 3 • Youth in critical condition A Clinton youth who was struck by a motorcycle late Tuesday afternoon is in critical condition in London's University Hospital. Clinton police said the boy, Jeremy Black, 7, of James St., was in serious condition according to their information, but the hospital confirmed that his con - clition has worsened to the critical stage. Young Black was struck at 4:10 p -m. when he ran before a 1980 Kawasaki, owned and operated by Conrad Wayne Kuiper, 17, of RR 2, Clinton. The accident occurred in the East and High Streets area. Clinton police said no charges were laid. loses job Kathy Honking, village clerk -treasurer in Bayfield has lost her job, following a Monday night decision by the Bayfield Council. After a closed session meeting, the council decided to fire Miss Hunking and in a press release to the News -Record they stated, "The Bayfield Council was required at their June meeting to review probationary employees of the village. It was decided that in the best interests of the village of Bayfield, Miss Hunking's ser- vices as clerk -treasurer should be ter- minated, and her salary be continued to June 15th." Miss Hunking who was hired in January was working under a six-month probation period and Bayfield Reeve George Fellows Turn topage 3 • Rock concert may be first and last for Clinton By Shelley McPhee Despite rumors of an estimated $6,000 to $7,000 loss, Clinton's first, and perhaps last, rock concert ended up with a net loss of $3,165. Scheduled to raise money for the Clinton Hospital Building Fund, the Friday night show was a completel failure with only 150 tickets sold out of the possible 2,000. Held at the Clinton arena, the concert featured the Lecia Price Band, Telemann and Zonn, in a five-hour show. The original cost of hiring the three Toronto based bands was $6,000, but the final price oat dropped to $4,200. Fund raising committee chairman Stine Cooke admitted. "I don't know whi ;t failed- There are several individual reasons which may be the reason why. •• Mr. Cooke noted that for the five-hour show, complete with three bands. the 110 admission price wasn't high. He also said that it had been rumored around Central Huron Secondary School r CMS) that the concert had been cancelled. Rumors h d also being circulating that 25 RCMPs a d 20 OPP officers would be at the concert "Some said the groups weren't good enough,but we couldn't pay $10.0(10 for a band,- Mr. Cooke explained. "Everyone was disappointed and are still numb from the shock of it." he said. but noted that the committee w i 11 be meeting again on June 10 and will examine ways to recoup the losses. "Donations past or future will not be used to offset this loss." Mr. Cooke pointed nut.