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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-03-30, Page 12Page 12—The Wingham Advance -Times, March 30, 1983 VALETTA EMERSON is the Whitechurch correspondent for the Wingham and Lucknow. newspapers. As a correspondent she must keep up with all community happenings and that often involves doing a lot of phoning around. She and her husband Victor have lived in the Whitechurch-Langside area all their livesnd will be honored at a party in April to cerebrate her 85th birthday and his 90th. Valetta Emerson knows all the Whitechurch news By Margaret Arbuckle Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor dead of night will prevent Whitechurch's "little bird", Valetta Emerson, from gathering the news of her community for two local papers, The Wingham- Advance Times and The Lucknow Sentinel. Someone once said Mrs. Emerson reminded her of a little bird, and for good reason. Small in stature, but very pert and busy, she does look like a little bird bustling around from one task to the next. She started gathering community news for the Lucknow paper over 20 years ago and soon the job developed to take in both papers. As a correspon- dent, she is one of the people who submits area happenings for publication in the newspaper, be it personal notes, church or 4-H meetings, she has the lowdown on local functions. She has a list of the names of people in her vicinity and phones, them once a week, usually Monday, to get the scoop on their activiites of the past week. She also gets the secretaries of the different church and community groups to give her the minutes of their meetings so she may write a report. What's so special about that? Well, Mrs. Emerson is 85 years old and still is involved in a whirlwind of projects with the Women's Institute, the church and other committees. She is so busy that her 90 -year- old husband Victor just shakes his head and laments, "I can't get her to slow down." Born near Langside, just outside Whitechurch, Mrs. Emerson (Tiffin) knows almost everything there is to know about the area and its residents. And she is well-known to them too. Agnes Farrier, another Whitechurch resident, marvels at the number of groups Mrs. Emerson belongs to and is active in. "She's really something for her age," said Mrs. Farrier. Another friend and neighbor of Mrs. Emerson's, Mrs. Ivan Laidlaw, said she is something of a den mother to all area children and is well -liked by all the village youngsters. Her home always is open to them, said Mrs. Laidlaw, and added it is not unusual for children to drop by the Emersons for help with their homework (Mrs. Emerson used to be a teacher) or even for a friendly chat. Mrs. Emerson is a dedicated Institute and church worker too, who has a knack for preparing in- terestingdiscussions and programs, according to Mrs..,. Walter Elliott of Whitechurch. Mrs. Emerson was born on a farm near Langside and received her elementary education at Murray's School and her high schooling in Lucknow. It was during the First World War that she attended teachers' college in Stratford. When she returned to this area, she got teaching positions at Langside and Zion as well as in Maryborough Township. Her starting wage as a teacher was the grand sum of $600 per year. Even today, when her students of 60 years ago come to visit her, she said she still remembers them and usually can call them by name. In 1924, she married her husband and went to live with him on his Langside farm where they stayed for 25 years before moving to Whitechurch in 1946. She was busy during her years on the farm, so after their move to the village, Mrs. Emerson was able to delve into community projects whole- heartedly. In her years with the Women's Institute, she has belonged to that. organization at the area and district levels and is proud to say she is a charter member of the Whitechurch WI, formed in 1928. She is active in several other community groups too, like the cemetery and hall boards. But one of her proudest moments was when the ball diamond in Whitechurch was opened over 20 years ago. She had worked to organize a playing field in the village for years. Today, she said, she loves to watch a good baseball game and is proud of the many good teams and players Whitechurch has ploduced. Mrs. Emerson said she intends to keep up her full slate of activities as long as her health is good, and that includes supplying the two local papers with items of interest from the village. She said she is looking forward to a giant birthday party planned for her and her husband this month in the com- munity hall to celebrate her 85th birthday and his 90th. r MILS. GEORGE BROWN Gorrie Personal Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Mundell, Mrs. Lloyd Jacques and Mrs. M. Weir of Belmore have returned from a circle tour of Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Fairies spent last weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lewis of Mount Albert and other relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stewart and family, Edna Brophy of Wingham and Mandy Miller of .Whitechurch, as well as friend Carol Green . of Teeswater were guests at the wedding of Darlene Groves and Gordon Galbraith, both Multi -prize draw sponsored by Mother's Aux. The Mothers' Auxiliary to Wingham Minor Hockey held a multi -prize draw at the Midget Tournament. Win- ners were Bill Robinson of Wingham, a hockey stick; Margaret Hawrylew, St. Catharines, a radio; Jay Marston of Belmore, a punch bowl; John Henry, Listowel, a radio watch; D. O'Brien, Elora, coffee mugs; Steve Strauss, Mildmay, a toque; Laurie McPherson, Tees• water, a radio; Elaine Dei - chert, Wingham, sweater. A $15 gift certificate was won by Bill Robinson; tea cup, Ed Deichert, Wingham; radio, Mrs. Herb Kenyon, Wingham; record album, 0. Eickmeier, Mildmay ; $15 gift certificate, 0. Eick- meier; $10 gift certificate, Mrs. Kenyon; record album, Debby Hall of Lucan; talcum powder, Ila Cunningham, Auburn; earrings, Doris Gladding, Tavistock; soap, Dana Bannerman, Lucan; hockey stick, Bill McGrath, Wingham. of Goderich, in the Presbyterian Church in Listowel last Saturday. The reception followed in the Legion Hall. Mrs. Alan Whytock of Teeswater visited Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Edgar and Mrs. Glad Edgar recently. Agricultural so: a meets in library BRUSSELS—The officers and directors of the Brussels Agricultural Society's ladies' division met last week in the library. After the minutes were read and adjusted, a discussion followed about what is to be done about moving to the community centre. A motion was made to move to the centre for this year's fair with a decision to be made about the land after the fair. The Family Brown country dance will be held May 28. Lunch and ad- vertising are to be handled the same as last year. The society will sponsor 4-H clubs this year and a junior showmanship com- petition will be held for beef, dairy cows, horses and rabbits. The secretary will give a trophy to the best showman in .either beef or dairy. Belgrave Miss Sheila Anderson re- turned home last Tuesday after visiting with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Roy of Lakefield. She also visited with her sis- ter and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Ball, and Vlatthew of Hanover. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in the 'D' division of the Wingham Midget Hockey Tournament was Kevin Ruttan of the Howick Midgets. Ruttan,_ who played an outstan- ding game in Howick's 7-3 defeat of Lucan for the 'D' championship, received a trophy and equipment bag. The presentation was made by Herb Kenyon. WITH THEIR UMBRELLAS, Cindy and Bonnie Bray were out "Walking in the Rain" at last weekend's Alhopm. Belmore Skating Carnival. otes Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Denny of Listowel, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Denny, Mrs. Gladys Tarr and Mrs. Hilda Zurbrigg, all of Harriston, were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Leppington. Nancy Black of Oban, Scotland, is visiting her cousin Mrs. Isabel Adams enroute home from Australia. Jack Underwood of Galt called on Mrs. Earl Underwood Saturday. Mr. ' and Mrs. Gerald Hyndman, Neil and Nicole, visited Mr. and Mrs. Huntley Dawson of Lucknow Sunday. Mr. and Mrs Lionel Johnston have returned from a two-week vacation, visiting Lakeland, Jensen Beach, Fort Myers and other areas in Florida. Blake Ross of Kitchener spent the holidays with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Cathers. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Stephens of Kitchener visited last Sunday with Mrs. A. L. Stephens. Mrs. Ross Wightman, Pam and Kevin of Fergus, visited over the weekend with Mr. and.Mrs. Robert Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Burchill of Goderich were supper guests Friday at the same home and also visited Mr. and Mrs. Roger Burchill of Harriston. ulcers installed at Kn ,x United BELGRAVE — Preceding his message on Palm Sun- day, Rev. John G. Roberts installed the recently -elected officers to the Session and the Board of Stewards. John Nixon and John R. Taylor were installed as members of the Session; Mrs. Ruth Johnston, John Campbell and Clifford Coul- ter are the new members of the Board of Stewards at Knox United Church, Bel - grave. The minister in his sermon stated that the events of the week preceding Easter and beginning with Jesus and his followers as they journeyed from east of the Jordan River, to Jericho, to Jeru- salem, were not incidental. There were no miracles in- volved. The time and place, as determined by Jesus, were chosen purposefully. He must challenge the masses who were crowded into Jeru- salem for the annual Pass- over celebration with the 'Message of God. "Who am I? What about Me? Make your individual decision, then fol- low the road which I must travel to the cross." Bluevale. Communion service will be observed in Knox Presby- terian Church April 3 at 11:30 a.m. Thursday dances proving p' pular Borden Jenkins reports very good success with The Melodiers' T_ ursday evening dances, w th people coming from iverton, Kincardine, 131 `. Listowel and all surroundin s. There are usually 150-200 in attendance at each dance. The group has many plans for the future. Proceeds from the dances go toward community affairs. HAN1oV1ER HOLIDAY TOURS LIMITED 286A - 10th ST., HANOVER, ONT. COME AND JOIN US ON TOUR Arizona/Nevada/California — 15 Days APR. 11 — Visit Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Im- penal Valley, San Diego, Hollywood and San Francisco. Admissions to Universal Studios, Hearst Castle, Chicken Dinner at Knott's Berry Farm, Barbecue and train tour into California's Redwood Forest. Travel by Air and Motor - coach. Nashville ® 4 Days MAY 20 — Includes 3 nights accommodation city tour of Nashville, ticket for Grand Ole Opry, admission to Opryland. Ottawa ® 3 Days MAY 15, 18, 21 — Join us in our Nation's Capital at Spring Festival Time. Includes guided tour of the city of Ottawa.. and a 1,000 Islands Boat Cruise. Elgin House Resort m 4 Days JUNE 5 — Enjoy 3 nights at the Elgin House Resort. All meals and activities are included while staying at your resort lodge. FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: Wingham Travel Ltd. 199. Josephine Street Wingham- 519-357-1020 ALL TOURS LEAVE FROM WINGHAM Ask About Our'Eastern & Western Canada Tours A FACT. Community newspapers are a hometown institution. The community newspaper emerges from various studies as an important hometown institution with which the public comes into close contact in a variety of ways: 43% 45% 23% 8% have visited the paper'soffice or plant have placed a classified ad have written or phoned the paper to get information have written a letter to the editor Find out about your hometown and its own institution,. The Wingham Advance -Times Josephine Street, Wingham. 357-2320