HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-1-2, Page 2Page 24-CLINTONNEWS-RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,1985
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A year of celebration
By Shelley McPhee
Despite George Orwell's literary predic-
tions, 1984 was a year of renewed ac-
'eomplishments, successes and celebrations.
The past 12 months showed that local com-
munities were on the upswing again,
recovering slowly from -the economic strife
of the earlier 1980s.
Locally, communities tackled major
issues and projects, celebrated special occa-
sions and marked historic milestones in
grand fashion. Throughout the News -
Record readership. area there appeared a
new sense of responsibility and support in a
variety of areas.
In Clinton the year was highlighted with a
celebration in October, that will long be
remembered in historic accounts. October
1984 marked the official re -opening of the
renovated town hall -library complex.
For Clinton taxpayers, 1984 began as a
year of concern and disagreement, but the
restoration project ended with celebration
and jubilation,
Fall 1984 marked the culmination of
decades of debate, financing and renova-
tion, when Clintonians joined in a weeklong
festival to celebrate the re -opening of the
municipal complex.
In many other ways 1984 was a year of
celebration for Clinton.
.On . May 18 and 19, the fourth annual
Klompen Feest weekend was staged and
more than 15,000 people met m Clinton to
take in, the Dutch styled festivities. The
celebration was also a profitable venture
and re -confirmed the success,,of/the unique
festival. .
In June, Clinton celebrations continued
with a longtime tradition, the Clinton Spring
Fair: Organizers staged the 130th showing of
the fair and the two day event was again
deemed a success.
The fair was followed by another success,
the Clinton Kinsmen Barbecue. The chicken
barbecue and sock hop attracted 1,000 fans
from the 1950s and '60s era.
Despite a rained out opening day, horse
racing in Clinton enjoyed an exciting
season., A new track record was set on
August 26 when Kevdor, owned by David
Edwards of Windsor, raced in the winning
time of 1.59 in the Ontario Sires Stake race
for three year old colts and geldings.
On September 1, Clintonians joined in a
another special event, the 70th birthday par-
ty for the Clinton School Car on Wheels.
Hundreds of friends and supporters joined
in . the sunny day celebration at Sloman
Memorial Park. The event was highlighted
with the CN Gold Spike Ceremony.
Cela Sloman also brought great honour to
Clinton in 1984 when she was awarded the
prestigious Order of Canada badge. Given
for her devoted work in northern Ontario
with her latehusband Fred Sloman, . the
badge was awarded to Mrs. -Sloman at a
gala cermony held in Ottawa'in October.
1984 was a year of celebration, and
change, at Clinton Public Hospital (CPH).
In March, hospital staff and workers feted
retiring hospital administrator Doug Coven-
try with a dinner and dance.
Shortly after he retired, one of his major
undertakings met success. On June 4, CPH
earned accreditation status for two years
from the Canadian Council on Hospital Ac-
creditation. The acknowledgement
JUNE 1984 - Eleven girls vied to the title of Clinton Spring Fair Queen 1984. Karen Cook
of Clinton was crowned by the the 1983 winner, Sharon East.
JUNE 1984 - Hordes of Clinton youngsters dove into the Clinton Pool on opening day. The
pool program was one of the many activities offered by Clinton Recreation in 1984. In
March of last year Clinton's new recreation director Kevin Duguay was on the job.
Throughout the year he helped to organize many new recreational opportunities for
children and adults alike.
OCTOBER 1984 - Transportation and Communications Minister James Snow'cut the rib-
bon on October 12, 1984 to officially open the largest bridge in Huron. County. Huron
Warden Tom Cunningham and Turnberry Reeve and Roads Committee Chairman Brian
McBurney assisted in the celebration.
recognized the quality service and care at
CPH.
The year also brought approval for a new
obstetric wing at CPH, and the hospital
board of directors lent their support to local
doctors for a new medical centre.
Accomplishment and celebration were the
highlights of many local communities in
1984.
Success came after hard work and
perseverance in Vanastra. Diligent efforts
on the part of concerned parents and
citizens won the small community their
local public school.
Early in 1984 the Huron County Board of
Education announced that Vanastra Public
School could face possible closure, due to a
declining enrolment. A six person comrnit-
tee, made up of, local residents and board
members' spent several months assessing
the problem.
On June 4 the board agreed to accept the
school accommodation studies for Vanastra
Public School and in a 9-4 decision, voted to
keep the school open. Similar reprieves
were also given to J.A.D. McCurdy School at
Centralia and Hensall Public School.
Nearby, in Stanley Township, residents
celebrated the completion of the a new
municipal centre in a weekend festival on
September 1 and 2. '
Township council wasted no time in
building the complex. The building provides
a large meeting hall, features public works
facilitiesm municipal offices and council
chambers. The opening of the impressive
new centre marked the end of service for the
old Varna hall. •
A few miles west, Bayfield celebrated 1984
with a gigantic summer long party, in
honour of Ontario's 200th birthday. Cabarets
and fireworks, parties and musical perfor-
mantes, parades and sporting events were
all part of the tremendous summer season.
. Volunteers.and workers, led by Bicenten-
nial Chairperson Helen Owen, hosted a bir-
thday party that Bayfield will never forget.
In.Hensall, yearlong celebrations marked'
the village's centennial. Events were
highlighted on June 29, 30 and July 1 and 2
when a grand village reunion was held.
It was also a birthday year in Blyth as the
Summer Festival celebrated its 10th season.
The top rated summer theatre marked the
decade with a standing ovation playbill.
The season opened in gala style with
Canada's grand lady of opera, Maureen
Forrester as the special guest. On August,11
and 12, old friends alnd new associates joined
in the 10th anniversary party.
Tears were also shed at the Blyth Festival
in 1984 , when Artistic Director Janet Amos
announced a major career change.
After five years at the Festival, Janet and
her husband Ted Johns decided it was time
to move on. The Festival bid them a fond
farewell and welcomed Katherine Kaszas to
the theatre as the new artistic director.
Down the road, the steam engines rolled,
whistles blew and more than 12,000 people
jammed into the Blyth Community Park on
September 7-9 for the 23rd annual Huron
Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association
Reunion.
Celebration . may have highlighted the
year in many communities, but 19'; also
had its share of tragedies and disappoint-
ments, frustrations and disagreements.
It was a year when social and .moral
issues, like .pornography, family violence
and abortion, were discussed by youth and
adults across the country.. It was a year
when educational questions about immer-
sion studies and .day care, were debated at
government levels and in local com-
munities. It continued to be a year of finan-
cial constraints, unemployment, bankrupt-
cy and poverty for many.
Yet, a glimmer of optimism and signs of
better times also shone on 1984. Locally, the
year brought a new awareness, a greater
appreciation and .support for our heritage,
our future and present times.
1984 will. pe especially remembered in this
area for its accomplishments and celebra-
tions.
APRIL 1984 - Local people rallied to support the Canadian Cancer Society. The Clinton
Beta Sigma Phi Sorority sold more than 15,000 daffodils in the fund raising effort and the
annual Daffodil Tea was held at St. Joseph's Church in Clinton. Ada Tebbutt poured tea
for guest Mrs. Fred Middleton. In September, adults and children again carie to the sup-
port of cancer research when the Terry Fox Run was held in Clinton. it raised $1,750
locally.
APRIL 1984 - The Hallett Wildlife Manlagement Area was officially two decades of development to bring the Wildlife Area to Rill opera -
opened on April 25. Minister of Natural Resources Alan Pope, , tion. One of the most successful manmade wetlands ever crated, it
DuckM.Jnlimited Provincial Manager John Bain and Vice Presi- encompasses recreational, natural and research facilities.
deniof Ducks Unlimited Duncan Sinclair took part. It took -nearly