HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-07-16, Page 29Page 8
Hazlitt's interest in history he1ied her ;as book editor
BY MIKE FERGUSON
An interest in history has propelled
Shirley Hazlitt and her team of volunteers to
completion of the quintessential book on Col-
borne Township's past.
A resident for the last 19 years, Hazlitt, as
editor, says she tried to gather people from
different areas of the Township with varied
interests.
Hazlitt credits the hard work and commit-
ment of six volunteers for the success of the
history book. They include Phyllis Pitblado,
who "knew a lot of people", Jean Prest, an
amateur artist herself, and Shirley Dustow
from the north end offered her help, as did
Madeline Bean.
The ` younger segment involved Gerald
Lamb who's "an avid historianhirnself,"
says Hazlitt, adding he knew where the
work of Reuben Sallows could he located.
Mrs. Ben Homan, a resident for many years
and a historian, was also part of the crew
that produced Colborne Township's history
book.
Initially, the committee agreed that the
format of the book should be built around
the work of Reuben Sallows.
"In this regard we were quite fortunate,"
reveals Hazlitt. "The community just open-
ed their closets and dresser drawers," say-
ing it reallly surprised people "what came
out of the woodwork."
The selection of a printer was "a tough
job." A process of elimination enabled Dan
Brown of Owen Sound to obtain the contract.
Hazlitt says he had done many historical
books before and was "reputable in the
field."
Determining the number of pages the
book should be was another matter the com-
Jean Prest and Phyllis Pithaldo are seen matching names to old school pictures for the
history book, Colborne Connections
mittee had to grapple with. They looked at
other local historical books to compare
them with Colborne Township's needs.
"We were tbld not to go with 100 pages,
because you will always get more pictures
in at the last minute," indicates Hazlitt. In
the planning stages, the book was to be
about 362 pages, but now the final edition
will be 445 pages due to the large number of
pictures.
There are several full pages of photos, as
we "tried to make it attractive and add
variety," suggests Hazlitt.
Hazlitt says the book, 10 chapters in all,
tries to show how very historical Colborne
Township really is. Tiger Dunlop lived here,
and the Colborne Clique forpned here and
became one of the first politically active
groups in the province at that time.
Nationally famous photographer Reuben 41111
Sallows of Colborne was hired by the Cana-
dian government to take pictures of the
area. Many of the photos were sent to
Engtand, t_o entice people to emigrate to the
Township.
Hazlitt ' offers some interesting tidbits
about the progress of the history book. She
was looking over an article by Will Elliott
about Colborne's own 485 -pound Jonathan
Miller and his pony, complete with his
specially -made buggy. A few days later, a
picture came in of Miller in the actual
buggy.
In another Elliott article on Benmiler
that named all the buildings along the river-
bank in 1865, a picture came in of the " exact
buildings" named in the write-up just days
later.
"Often things just fell in line like that,"
says Hazlitt.
The editor wants to acknowledge the ef-
fort the committee and community put for-
ward for the book. She estimates committee
members put in about 10,000 hours for it.
"I think it says a lot about the communi-
ty," says. Hazlitt, adding that all but seven
of the photographs in the history book carne
from the township residents.
A process that began in the Spring of 1985
has culminated in the production of a
history book which will be unveiled on July
18 at the start of celebrations, and is priced
at $30.00. Orders will also be taken before
that date.
Sesquicentennial
Greetings
to
9j
liail!�I
�Illiilifilllkin
Colborne Township
For
150 years and progressing
From
your friends
at
Congratulations
to our many
friends & customers
in Colborne Township
Have a great time
at the upcoming
Sesquicentennial
Celebrations!
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