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.