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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-08-15, Page 11Wingham Ontario SECOND SECTION Tuesday, Aug. 15, 1989 Bluewater Business Supply opens Wingham branch What would you buy to equip a state-of-the-art office? Try a word -processor, a desk -top computer, copier and dictating equipment, automatic telephone answering device and, hottest on the list, a fax machine. "A fax machine is the biggest item in office equipment since they invented photocopiers," says Ann Nesbit, manager of Wingham's newest office suplier, Bluewater Office Equipment. 'Whatever busi- ness they're in, people are finding a fax system invaluable for sending legal documents, ordering, quoting and other correspondence," she says. "It is changing the way people do business," she adds. "No longer do you have to rely on a verbal massage; the written document can be sent to you within minutes, giv- ing you accurate, immediate access to information." Bluewater supplies businesses .41z7,4y .,. with everything from paper clips to computers, and the desks to put them on, Mrs. Nesbit says. You can buy a basic electric typewriter, or a sophisticated word processor that stores information on disc for future reference. The company started as a family enterprise about five years ago with one small store in Goderich owned and run by John, Maureen and Harold Peet. With business grow- ing quickly, the Peets soon moved the business to a larger location. Joining a buying group has recently given them the opportuni- ty to buy larger volumes of mer- chandise at a better price than before, so it seemed natural to branch out into other business cen- tres. "Our sales and service people have been delivering supplies and servicing equipment in Wingham for years," Ann explains. "So Wingham seemed a natural place to start exvanding." The store stocks office and school supplies of all types, from note- books and pencils to ledger books and cash registers. Brand -names include Toshiba, Olivetti, Com- modore, and others. The store also repairs and main- tains all types of office and business machines, and provides custom typing, word-processing and copy- ing services to businesses and indi- viduals. Ann has worked for Bluewater for more than a year. A Blyth area resident, she welcomes the oppor- tunity to manage the Wingham branch. "It's a nice change from driving tb Goderich," she says. Ann is the only full-time person here at the present time. However, sales personnel specializing in sophisticated office equipment and furnishings are available by Blyth appointment. Yo ung Compa 'features eatruessofBoyle MEMORIES OF 1930s—The Blyth Young Company performed "Christmas in Clover" which fea- tures stories of Harry J. Boyle at the Blyth Festival Garage last week. Members of the cast were between the ages of 13 and 15. (Judge Photo) BLUEWATER MEANS BUSINESS—Ann Nesbit, manager of Bluewater Business Equipment's new Wingham branch, says the shop carries all your business needs, from computers and cash registers to paper clips and pencil sharpeners. Five carriage makers in Wingham at one time By Cheryl Reece In its early days, Wingham had as many as five different carriage workshops. These various shops included the Ontario Carriage Works on Victoria Street beside the present arena; the William Baillie Carriage Works on the south side of the present Craw- ford Motors site and McClymount Brothers, on Josephine Street across from where The Home Place stands today. John Ritchie also had a workshop on Scott Street. However, the best -remembered Wingham carriage works is the one started in the 1880s by S. Nickel and William Dore. In 1888, Mr. Nickel sold his part of the company to Mr. Cook. The company then becatne known as Cook and Dore. The business was made up of a blacksmith and carriage shop on Victoria Street and the finishing room and paint shop were on Scott Street. Some of the carriages were shipped as far away as Manitoba. The company manufactured cutters as well as carriages. This firm came to be known for its fine craftsman- ship. In 1890, Mr. Dore took full con- trol of the operation and moved the factory to the southeast corner of Josephine and Victoria Streets. This is now the site of the Bank of Com- merce in Wingham. The original building was a frame structure, but Mr. Dore had the outside bricked. He continued the business until 1925 when he sold the firm. A lady at Eaton Rapids, Mich., has supplied the Wingham and Dis- trict Museum with a photograph of a horse-drawn carriage in excellent working condition. There is a brass plaque on the carriage with the words "William Dore, Wingham, Ont." printed upon it. This photograph and numerous other artifacts from the town's his- tory may be viewed at the museum Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. H1-STORIC nage works,. from Michigan shows a canto the "The older you get, the more real your childhood memories become." The audience enters Blyth's Dis- ney Street Garage in, darkness. A quiet strumming of a guitar in the corner provides a prelude for the performance to come. The young actors giggle and peek through the curtains. The door behind opens, unwel- come light seeps in, the magician enters and the play begins. "Christmas in Clover", based on the stories of Harry J. Boyle, takes place during the Depression. A magician, played by Holly Horton, guides the audience through vignettes highlighting the hard- ships, religion and prejudices in a small, rural community during the '30's. "It's a positive play," says direc- tor, Peter Smith who is also the assistant artistic director of the Blyth Festival. Unlike other plays, "Christmas in Clover" demon- strates "a situation in which a minority becomes accepted." Mr. Smith says the young actors "bring what they have to the play" and what they bring is energy and flexibility. Most members of the company played several roles. Some were shelves, some windows, some clocks and some a Christmas tree. Since the play was a shared effort, it is difficult to point out star performances. Regardless of the role, the young actors and actresses consistently remained in character. Special mention, however, must go to all the girls in the cast who, because there were only four guys in the company, played male roles and to 13- year-old, Adam Mair, who portrayed a convincing 'grandpa'. Absent from the foreground, but nonetheless vital to the play were those who became props: creaky oven doors, lop -sided shelves, dirty windows and a radio. Some memorable moments were "Milly's" solo, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", the dance of the bare feet, and the human Christmas tree. Writer Keith Roulston said the play, which he wrote with adults in mind, would be a difficult play for any cast. Mr. Smith concurred with this statement and' admitted a few changes had to be made to accom- modate the young cast but they managed to "create a story though the narration." For a group of young people, they really bit into the material. The Depression is not part of their realm of. experience." Prior to the performance, the group talked about the Depression, the 'Irish problem' and history in general. "They all brought their experiences about Christmas," says - Mr. Smith, childhood excitement at Christmas never changes." Every morning two members of the company would tell a story. Mr. Smith explained to them the theater is based on stories and myths. Life, along with the theater, according to Mr. Smith, is centered around relationships. The young cast experienced relationships with each other, each character, the direc- tor and the audienee: The young company performed Aug. 10-12. HUMAN CHRISTMAS TREE—Members of the Blyth Festival Young Company formed a human Christmas tree during their pro- duction of "Christmas in Clover" last week. Because there were more actors than characters, many members of the company served as props: windows, a stove and animals. Robert Clinton composed and played songs for the production. (Judge Photo) Fire call invoice questioned by Howick An invoice for a fire call June 18 in Howick Township was the sub- ject of discussion at the August meeting of the Wingham and Area Fire Board. A letter from Tom Miller, Howick clerk -treasurer, was read at last week's fire board meeting. In the letter, Mr. Miller ques- tioned the board's invoice for the June 18 fire call to the Klumpen- hewer property in Howick. He claimed the firefighters spent six hours and 15 minutes on the actual call, but the township was billed for seven hours. the clerk -treasurer •said: this was " unfair and asked that the bill be reduced by one bout -The hourly rate tor ''fire an is $500. Mr. 'Miller alto claimed that the depa went *tuttty Was celled to Ito al Homs 1 t Tarttberry for one iia acid 15 mutes, yet the town- ' ow►n- sd ted *tattle* Fire Chief a*ley not over when they leave the scene of the fire. Often, they must hang fire hose and fill air tanks when they return to the station and that can take as much as another one hour or hour and a half. It has been the practice of the department to charge for the full hour after 15 minutes have elapsed, said the chief, who added that the Turnberry fire in question was one hour and two minutes in duration, not one hour and 15 minutes. A motion was put forward that the Howick, invoice be reduced by 45 minutes. However, Wingham's Bill McGrath said expenses still are incurred for the second hour and if it is not billed, the entire board could end up paying at the end of the year "We're getting back to the same thing,"said John COX of Turnberry. "The further you are from hall, the dearer your firecalis are." Norm Fairies of 1 -Lowick agreed► but said he watt satiated with the explanation about the hill and asicea that a letter be sent back to the township. "We have no quar- rel," he concluded. The proposal to drop the bill by 45 minutes was dropped by the board. Firefighters are looking for tourney prizes This month local firefighters will be calling on area businesses for prise donations to the firemen's annual golf tournament on Sept. 9. These prizes will be awarded at the tournament, which raises money to offset the cost of new equipment for the department. The continued support of the business community would be greatly appreciated.