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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-30, Page 27Sesquicentennialcrates strong sense of community BY SHARON DIETZ Asurprising aftereffect of the 150th ses- quicentennial celebration in Port Albert this year has been the stronger sense of community it has created for, the hamlet. Everyone used to know eveiybodyelse and their kids, says Port Albert Ses- quicentennial Committee chairman Don Dickson, who grew up at Port Albert and has lived there all his life. But Port Albert has grown so fast in the last few years and people found they had neighbours they didn't know. Working together on_ the sesquicenten- nial preparations and the events already held has brought people out to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, says Don. Community card parties which hadn't been held since the school was torn, down were revived this past winter in the church basement and they were very popular. The sesquicentennial has also brought out some of the residents who are relative newcomers to the community and it's been a chance for them to become involved and get to know people: There are times when Don wonders what he's gotten himself into as chairman of the sesquicentennial committee, but he seem- ed to be the person for the job right from the start. It was Don who got the ball roll- ing when he placed a sign in Petre's Store, suggesting that anyone interested in holding a sesquicentennial celebration to mark Port Albert's 150th anniversary, should ome to a meeting at the church. More than 60 people turned out to discuss plans and arrangements with members of the Dungannon birthday committee who came to talk about their successful experience. Whether or not they would proceed was never really an issue. A committee was formed that night and Don was the logical choice for chairman. He had initiated the meeting even though several others in the community had been talking about doing something to mark the occasion for a number of years as 1986 approached. 'It's been a really good experience," says Don. "Everybody's pitching in. If one person has an interest, say fishing, he becomes the person to arrange the event and others join in to help. "It's been a tremendous amount of work," he says. 'Everybody has done s8 much." But it's been a lot of fun, too and it hasn't been a problem getting people in- volved in the preparations. Don anticipates the weekend will be as successful as the events already held to mark the birthday. So many people have worked so hard to make it successful and that's why the committee decided to hold a dance on the last night of the celebration weekend, to give the people who have organized the big weekend a chance to kick up their heels .and have some fun. Page 3 The Port Albert Sesquicentennial Committee includes from the left front, Don Dickson, Nancy Corkum, Mary Crawford, Patti Maize, Ralph Foster, centre, Pat Williams, Jan Dickson, Randy Maize, Paul Doherty, back, Tom Dickson, Elwyn Petrie and Brian Draper. (photo by Sharon Dietz) � u _.n -- CD Weicome �s to our J ffi rru 'Xo Sesquicentennial rr Come on out, let down your hair, kick up your heels and have a good time! We're glad you're here!