Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-08-22, Page 12,Page 12—The Wingham 4dvanee-Times, Aug. 22, .1904 SPOTLIGIIT GORDON ,GIBSON is Wroxeter's "grand old man". Although he recently celebrated his 90th birthday, Mr. Gibson still runs his own household. His other interests are reading, current affairs and he loves getting visits from his two daughters and two sons, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchll- dren Wroxeter's Gordon Gibson built bridges for 60 years By Margaret Arbuckle Gordon Gibson, 90, is a familiar figure to the citizens of Wroxeter and area and has been for over 60 years. Hia quick gait:and-appearaace bely,his..age and,he attributes his good health to keeping all things in moderation. The name "Gibson" is a common one in the Wroxeter-Gorrie-Fordwieh area, but Mr. Gibson is not related to most of the local Gibsons who are of Scottish descent. Like most Irishmen, Mr. Gibson is very quick to clear the record on that. He was born on the fifth concession of Howick Township in the summer of 1894. His natural mother died when he was two years old. But his father soon • remarried and added four more children to the four he had with his first wife. Young Gordon attended school in Fordwich and said he clearly remembers being shooed out of the post office there after school by his uncle, the postmaster. When it came time for him to try his entrance exams (Grade 8), Mr. Gibson decided he was through with school and went to work on the family farm, a decision he said he regrets today. But he was needed at home then because his father's health was failing, so he stayed home until he was 21 when he set off for Harriston to enter the bridge -building trade with his brother-in-law. The year 1920 marked two milestones in Mr. Gibson's life. It was the year that he started out on his own in bridge building and the year he married his late wife Lulla, a union that lasted over,60 years. The name Gibson became famous in bridge - building circles. Those were good years for the industry and Mr. Gibson said he can remember only one year when he didn't have a bridge contract. Mr. Gibson said he is amazed today at how much it costs to build bridges: In his day, he said, a con- tractor could build a bridge for $10,000 or $12,000. Today even . the most basic structure probably would cost at least $500,000. The Gibsons spent all their married life in Wroxeter, which was a different spot then too than it is today. At one time, Wroxeter was a thriving little centre with every store on the main street filled. But today the larger centres have drawn away the merchants and the ,population, to the point that Wroxeter has become like many small towns with boarded -up storefronts and a decreasing t • population. Mr. Gibson said he has fond memories of the old days, like the winters when he used to curl on the river and ran the rink in the village. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge, which he joined in 1919. When Mr. Gibson's two sons, Crawford and Gary, were grown up they took over the family business, giving their father more time to travel. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson drove to California 35 years ago with their two daughters, Bonnie and Lulla, and they also traveled to the West and to Florida. Today Mr. Gibson's days are filled with looking after his household and garden. He cooks all his own meals, but doe go to community suppers whenever he gets the chance. His family visits him frequently and he enjoys reading and watching television. Each day he goes down the street to get his mail and visit a little with friends. But he said it's not like the old days when it was easy to find somebody to talk to in just about every store. Mr. Gibsoi3 eaijoys his independence and said he feels very well for someone his age, although he does not hear as well as he used to and his legs give him some trouble. However his philosophy is to live one day at time and just do the best you can. iSU1TSY°' applaud with WANT ADS Beat the fall rush - oil now. August customers ® chance on • Lucky -Draws. 1 st Prize - Cruise Control (not installed) 2nd Prize - 2 Amp. Battery Charger 3rd Prize - Car Blanket 4th Prize - Car Cushion 5th Prize - Steering.Wheel Cover To be drawn Aug. 31st at Closing. All for $34.95 396-9115 190 Queen St. South - Across from Cemetery (Back -North West Corner) KINCARDINE THE MOST SPECTACULAR of the tall ships to visit the Goderich harbor last week was the British ship, the and masts and even to have a look onboard in a guided Ciudad -de -Inca. The majestic square-rigger drew a tour. Four other ships sailed into Goderich last Wednes- large crowd of spectators to inspect its intricate rigging day as part of the bicentennial flotilla and left last Friday. Whitechurch Personals Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gibb and Amber of • Wawanesa, Manitoba; have been visiting for the past 10 days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Gibb,his brother, John Gibb, Mrs. Gibb, Ryan and Stephen, and other relatives in the area. On Monday evening last, Whitechurch and Kinloss teams ` played , at the Whitechurch park, with Whitechurch winning. The pitcher was Mrs. Fisher and catcher Mrs. Steve Irwin. Wednesday visitors with village residents were Mrs.. Alex. Craig, Ryan, Jarretand Lana of Listowel. Bruce County WI officers were invited to the Grey County rally held at Holstein on Tuesday. Mrs. Russell McGuire, Bruce secretary - treasurer, had planned to be in attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Emerson, Darlene and Brenda of St. Catharines, spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Victor Emerson. Daughter Sharon could not accompany them because the ball team of which she is a member was playing in a ball tournament on the weekend. Mrs. Viola Irwin, Mr. and r MRS. ALLAN GRIFFITH Wroxeter Gordon Gibson had his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Refell of London, visiting over the weekend. Jim and Frances Shaw, Barry and Francine of Bluevale, and Mrs. Agnes Caskanette arrived home Thursday from Calgary, Banff and other interesting points. While in Alberta they also visited with Wilfred and Sandra Caskanette. Mr. And Mrs, Way:re Woods and Shelley returned to their home in Pembroke on Saturday after enjoying holidays at the homes of their mothers, Mrs. Mary Woods and Mrs. Margaret Moffat, Wingham, and other relatives in this area. Mrs. Orland Irwin, Faye and Mike, returned home on Saturday after holidaying in a trailer at Pine Echo Camp, Belmore, for two weeks. Tony Falconer spent a few days -last week with his friend, Mike Irwin, at Pine. Echo, Belmore. Chalmer Women's Mis- sionary Society met on Wed- nesday, August 15, at the home of Mrs. John Gaunt with an attendance of seven. Mrs. Bill Purdon was in charge of the meeting. The scripture was read respon- sively and the Thankoffering was discussed. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. Bill Rintoul. Teachers' assembly Last week over 200 mem- bers of the Ontario Public School Teachers' Associa- tion met at the Constellation Hotel in Toronto for their an- nual general assembly. Rep- resentatives from the Huron district were Wayne Nichols, Blair Fraser,,Jirn Chapman, Arnold Mathers and Dave Kemp. Mary Hill of the Carleton district was acclaimed the association's first woman president. In another unprecedented move, bylaws were passed to permit occasional 'or supply teachers to become OPSTF members. Presently, oc- casional teachers have no representative organization. Delegates also expressed concern about school bus safety. They asked that the Ontario Teachers' Federa- tion request the .Ministry of Education to "study and strengthen current legisla- tion for maintenance, licens- ing, safety, operation and construction of school buses." Also adopted was a lenghty policy statement that will involve teachers in the in- troduction of computers and other micro -electronic equipment into the school program. The statement declares that "the educational process must enable students to function fully as members of a technological society." Miss Karen Beecroft spent Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ross, a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Debbie and Diane of East Archie Hertel of Kitchener. Wawanosh, attended a corn Mr. and Mrs.. Robert roast on Saturday evening at Sinnamon and Bradley of the home of his sister, Mrs. Brodhagen spent Sunday Caroline Greenaway, of with his sister, Mrs., E. W. Bluevale. Beecroft, and Mr. Beecroft. Mr. and Mrs. Brad Speiran Ken Sinnamon of Wingham and Sara of Brussels visited was also present. Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Relison Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Rin - Falconer, Brian .Falconer toul. and friends of Sarnia, Mr. Attending the wedding and Mrs. Paul Falconer, reception at Lucknow for Aaron and Sarah of Brights Mr. and Mrs. .Bill Grove, attended the Stacey MacDonald were Mr. and family picnic held at Mrs. Orland Irwin, Faye, Wingham and on the return Donald and Mike, and Mr. called on Mrs. Robert and Mrs. Eldon Emerson of Mowbray. St. Catharines. Miss Kim Laidlaw On Wednesday evening returned home on Saturday after spending several days Whitechurch and Kinloss with the Irwins at Pine Echo, ball teams played at Belmore. Lucknow diamond with the Mr. and Mrs. John deBoer Kinloss team winning. Each and Eddie and Mr. and Mrs. team had won one game. On Jim deBoer, Michael, Monday evening they played Matthew and Alicia visited the' deciding game with Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Kinloss winning. Ron Nicholson, Erin and Mr. and Mrs. George Ryan, atStrathroy. Lubbers, Karen, Brian,, Visitors on the weekend Dennis and Richard, spent with Mr. and Mrs. Walter three days last week at Elliott, and Karen were Mr. Family Paradise Camp. and Mrs. Paul Elliott, Michelle and Jason, Mr. and Mrs. David Elliott, all of London, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Elliott, Kyle and Ryan. Achievement Night for the 4-H class will be held in the Ripley Township Hall on Thursday. Weekend visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Laidlaw were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Vannus of London, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ducharme of Goderich and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Laidlaw, Michelle and Jason of London. All at- tended the Gillespie picnic at Goderich on Sunday when about 35 gathered from Kinlough, Whitechurch, Port Elgin, Toronto, London, Sarnia, Ilderton and Wingham. On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cameron of Lucknow, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reid of Goderich and Mrs. Gorddn Rantoul of Whitechurch came to the home of.Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rintoul to celebrate brother Bill's birthday with treats they brought. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Campbell and Heather left on Thursday to go home to Ancaster after holidaying in their trailer and visiting relatives. Just Arrived Our Last Shipment Of 1984 Hondas We Have: Civic Station Wagon . CRX 2 Prelude Sport Models Accord Sedan, 5 speed Accord Sedan, auto. and fully equipped EX there on hand and ready for a test drive today. OM/did SALES & SERVICE 1 153 7th Ave. Hanover 364-1010 "Your Cornplete Honda Dealer" IMPRIAMMINFIREPPIO wofa APPEARING 001' THIS WEEKEND The WHOligans IN CONCERT —This Wednesday Aug. 22— DAVID WILCOX —Tuesday, August 28— TORONTO —Wednesday, September 5— KIM MITCHELL BAND (formerly of Max Webster) —Wednesday, September 19— MACLEAN & MACLEAN (Backup by THE DANCE BAND) TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR ABOVE CONCERTS N 9 Open For Season September 8 Registration for the Full Y.B.C. Program Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. $2.50 Men's leagues, ladies' leagues, mixed leagues now being formed. Open Bowling.. Friday & Saturday Evenings WINGHAM BOWL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 357-1940.