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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-07-27, Page 4Page 4 Citizens News, July 27, 1977 e04 EVMwarni SauflnaL GUNS Thanks, Jim It was the first time in almost 21 years that Jim Britnell didn't read the Huron County road committee's report in a county council session. At Monday's meeting, county administrator Bill Hanly presented the report to county council while Jim Britnell sat in the wings. Part of that report, of course, was the recommendation to hire a new county engineer to replace Britnell who leaves the county's employ next month for another position. The replacement for Britnell, Robert Alexander Dempsey of Stratford is a mere 28 years old, but oddly enough he is exactly the same age as Britnell was when he came to the county more than two decades ago. Perhaps that is a favorable omen, for cer- tainly Jim Britnell has been an asset to Huron County throughout his tenure here. Dempsey was the first to admit that he has big boots to fill, coming after Britnell. In a conversation with Britnell recently, it was evident the man leaves the county job with some degree of reluctance, as perhaps anyone would who has so efficient- ly handled an important position for such a long period of time. It was obvious to anyone who knew Britnell and his associa- tion with Huron County that he did his job well, showing remarkable flair for main- taining excellent relations with the public as well as the people for whom and with whom he worked. As a professional engineer, he was trusted and admired; as an employee he was faithful and devoted; and as a man he was friendly and obliging. Now Jim Britnell is ready for a new challenge, and the County of Huron bids him farewell and the best of luck in whatever he chooses to do. Thanks, Jim, for 21 good years. Goderich Signal -Star A costly battle? While women continue to win more rights and gain equal opportunities with men, there is an indication that it is a battle with some cost. A Cambridge medical professor claims that many women who are making it to the top are ending up with hair on their chest, or bald or singing baritone in the church choir. Seems that career -oriented women are also frigid, or oversexed and the professor says these results of "stress disease" are widespread and increasing. He has urged working women to recognize their limits before it's too late. Some women may take . that advice, while others may see it as an opportunity to encroach even farther into the male do- main - razor blade commercials. FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. eN. Member: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Manager — Betty O'Brien News Editor — Margaret Rodger Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada $14.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 204 s1111I1111111111111111111111111111111t111111111111L111111 aiii11111111111111111111 inntlll mintnininna F. Editor's Desk By MARGARET RODGER Congratulations Fair workers All those concerned in any way with preparations or planning for the 113th Zurich Fair, as well as those who played active roles, should congratulate themselves and each other. It was a walloping success. It's amazing what a variety of talent can be assembled for a show like the one hosted by Big Al Friday night in the arena. The young performers, ranging from seven to 14 years of age, were remarkably poised. Every seat in the hall was taken. Some people stood. What finer tribute could there be to the spirit of a com- munity? People can become so ac- customed to their surroundings that they stop seeing them. Have you ever taken a good look round Stade's hardware? Its walls and high ceilings are beautifully lined with wood. On the south wall there's a bank of drawers with old-time drawings indicating contents. That heavy looped rope on the wall beside the counter at the back sends the elevator up to the second floor. It works on the same principle as a dumb- waiter: hard work raises it, gravity brings it down. There used to be a tinsmith's shop in the smaller room built on at the back. Harold Stade's father owned the business before him. The building, one of the oldest in town, probably has been there close to 100, years. It's been three years now since the public library moved from Goshen Street to the basement of the Municipal Building on Main. I was surprised when Beatrice Rader, the librarian, remarked that she had more juvenile patrons than adult ones. Few villages have quarters half as attractive or well furnished for libraries. It's delightfully cool on a hot day, too. The book stock is a credit to the county system. There's also a good selection of magazines and consumer reports, which can be read on the spot. Anyone wanting a book not on the shelves can ask Mrs. Rader to obtain it through the central office in Goderich. Libraries are meant to be welcoming places. This one certainly is. Alvin Steckle has two oddly shaped rocks on his front porch. The round one was turned up by a walking plough on the family farm, north of Blake, about 1930. It looks a little like a curling stone. He's been told of similar rocks in a certain part of Ohio. His neighbours, Ken and Dorothy Breakey, who are rockhounds, have concluded that it was not man-made. Mr. Steckle filled some holes with patching compound, to prevent deterioration.The rest is nature's work. Dorothy Breakey said that, though the rock looks like a kettle (a special kind formed ,round a nucleus), the formation differs from the ones found at Kettle Point. It's some kind of sedimentary rock, probably shaped by swirling water. The round spots on the ends were likely caused by the movement of water, too. Thousands, or even millions of years ago, Mr. Steckle's rock may have been at the bottom of a lake. It's even possible that Lake Huron may once have extended inland as far as Blake. It's only a few miles away now. 75 YEARS AGO July 1902 The potato crop in this section promises to be very heavy, and specimens are already being dug up as big as an Irishman's fist. Some person recently entered Mr. V. Eisenhofer's cellar at the Babylon line and stole a crock of cream. The theft was -committed in broad day light, showing that the thief was not very bashful. The Zurich Flax Co. are in- stalling a binding machine in their flax mill which is expected to do the work of several men. 50 YEARS AGO July 1927 The new Ruston oil engine, which the William brothers have purchased for their grist mill in Zurich, has arrived and is being installed by a Brussels man. Archie Rowcliffe has purchas- ed the milk business in Hensall, which has been operated by Thomas Sherritt, A pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Horner, on the 14th con- cession, when the ratepayers gathered to spend a farewell evening with their school teacher, Miss Jessie MacDonald. Years Ago... 25 YEARS AGO July 1952 At the June meeting of the Huron Presbytery, permission was granted members of the Hillsgreen church to close, and sell their building for $800. They will now join with the congrega- tion at Kippen. Harold Campbell of Hay Township had a better than average hay crop this year. Besides an outstanding crop of hay, he harvested a wallet con- taining over $200, which he lost last year during the election time. He had looked in vain for the missing wallet, but had not been able to find it until now. 10 YEARS AGO July 1967 Zurich Centennial Band and Lions Majorettes led the monster parade in Hensall on Saturday,which was a highlight i ht of their two-day centennial celebrations. There were 150 en- tries in the parade, which lasted close to an hour and extended over one mile on the village streets. Plans are well under way for this year's edition of the Zurich Fall Fair, which is scheduled for Saturday and Monday, September 23 and 25. A contract for an addition to St. Boniface School, Zurich, has been let to Donald Oke Limited, of Zurich, in the amount of $82,- 641.53. Work is to commence as soon as approval is received Joi�•1a:.r fes:.. -)y: }