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Home My WebLink AboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-10-27, Page 15She'll be 100 next month Citizens News, October 27, 1977 Page 15 Time hasn't bent her mind or spirit The years have bent Marie Gelinas' shoulders, but neither her mind nor spirit. On November 12 she will be 100 years old. A niece is coming from Saskatchewan for her birthday party. It will be followed by an open house and reception in her honour Sunday, November 13 at Maple Woods Apartments. She was one of 11 children born to Joseph and Margaret Gelinas on a farm near Drysdale. Three died in infancy, one at the age of 21. Most of the others lived into their nineties. Large families and small farms were characteristic of the Blue Water French community. Joseph began with only 30 acres, but later owned 88. Most of it was sown to grain. However, he and Sam Snider, a neighbour, were the first in the Blue Water to grow white beans. Joseph began with only two acres of them; but expanded to 10 or 12 acres. Marie remembers hoeing those beans. It was back- breaking work. Worse still was the harvesting. The beans were pulled by hand. They were threshed with flails on the barn - floor. Life was very different in those days. The children walked to the one -room Centre School, just north of St. Peter's Church at St. Joseph. There was no elec- tricity in the school or in their home. "We had no washing machine or anything like that," she said. "Water was heated in a boiler in the stove" She added, "And we had to walk four rods when we wanted to go to the bathroom." In winter, they were often snowed in for days. They travell- ed by horse-drawn sleigh or in a covered buggy. Her father usual- ly kept between four and six horses. The Gelinas were a musical family. One brother played the violin. A sister, Ida, was a pianist and later a music teacher. They all sang. From girlhood till the age of 74, Marie was in St. Peter's Church choir. Later, when she and another sister, Elizabeth, moved to Forest,, Marie sang morning MARIE GELINAS 100 YEARS OLD NOVEMBER 12 Huron . holsteins top show The three counties of Grey, Bruce and Huron competed in the Tri -County Holstein Show, October 14. Bertram Stewart, Hornby placed 107 head for 48 exhibitors. Judge Stewart chose as Grand Champion Cow the first prize Aged Cow, Banella Linda Avis. This Rosafe Citation R daughter, showing much dairy character and balance, was exhibited by Premier Breeder kand Exhibitor George L. Hayden, Gorrie. George Hayden also topped the two-year-old class with Banella Linda Averlena sired by Banella Linda Valiant and had the first prize Breeder's Herd and the first progeny of Banella Linda Averla. The first prize Seiling Rock - man four-year-old showing good development, height at the withers and a high rear udder was declared Reserve Champion. Myrhill Rockman Valerie was shown by Peter Greenley, Clif- ford. Champion showman Bill Kerr, Dundalk exhibited with Jeffrey Nurse, Georgetown the first prize heifer calf and Jr. Champion. Cannonero Cana Floss exhibited a better frame and sharpness to place over the first prize senior yearling and reserve junior champion, Wellmar Ultimate Meg. This entry was owned by A.J. Van Osch, Lucknow. The first prize junior yearling, Stratdale Tony, was shown by Robert Vodden, and David J. Village of Hensall School Support List In provision' with the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1970 Chapter 284 Section 516 (as amended) the 1977 school support list for 1978 taxes has been posted in the Clerk's office, Hensall on the 24th day of October, 1977. Complaints in the nature of request for additions or correc- tions to or deletions from the list may be made by completing and filing form obtainable at the office of the Clerk. Because the office of the Clerk will be closed on November 11, the last day of filing forms for appeal of school support is extended to November 14, 1977. Elizabeth Oke Clerk of Hensall Dalzell, Clinton. Heading the three-year-old class was Moyerdale Marquis Blossom. This Romandale Reflection Marquis daughter was shown by Moyerdale Farms Ltd., Mildmay. First also went to Moyerdale on their 'Marquis' Dry Cow, Moyerdale Marquis Bridgette. A Quality Ultimate son headed the bull calf class. Jaclin Ultimate Promise was shown by Jaclin Holsteins, Maxwell & Dr. John Capell, Weston. Huron had the top County Herd with Bruce second and Grey third. LUTHERANS MEET The October meeting of Lutheran Church Women was held on Tuesday with 26 members and the Pastor present. "Letters from Sheila" was the topic for the meeting. Mrs. Andrew Black- well, Mrs. Ferd Haberer and Mrs. Percy Willert conducted a discussion with members, on the "Sharing of Faith". Members discussed their own experiences. Mrs. Jack Turkheim presided for the business meeting. Mrs. Annie Finkbeiner gave an ac- count of the WLWA meeting she attended in Waterloo. Next month members were asked to bring a gift/for the Children's Aid. The president thanked the ladies who had volunteered to help clean, paint and general housekeeping that had been done the past week. mass there till over 80 years of age. Joseph was stern.. He didn't allow the girls to attend dances. Marie recalls a male cousin arriving at their door one night when a snowstorm was brewing and trying to persuade them to accompany him. "Mother would have let us go", she said. "But father said, "You just stay here and dance with the broomstick." None of the girls married. Ida taught music. Elizabeth was housekeeper for a priest for 25 or 30 years. Eventually Marie went to Hensall for six months to learn dressmaking. Many along the Blue Water wore clothes sewn by her. She was paid 35 cents and a meal for making a waist or blouse, adorned with painstaking rows of fine tucking. Her father bought a Ford tour- ing car for $500 in 1911 but never drove it. Marie became the fami- ly driver. She remembers crank- ing the old Ford to start it. Later she drove a shining new 1928 Pontiac. Did people make jokes about women drivers? "They didn't say much. They were afraid I'd put them in the ditch, if they did", she said. Later, when her father bought a grocery store at Drysdale, she and sisters Ida and Elizabeth took turns running it. They sold food, boots, shoes, oils and gas- oline. Often she made two trips a day from Drysdale to Kippen to pick up supplies. "The coming of cars killed country stores altogether", she said. The building was sold after her father died in 1943. About seven years later she and Elizabeth moved to Forest to look after Arthur, a brother whose health had become poor. They lived there over 14 years. When Arthur died in 1965, she and Elizabeth bought a house on York Street in London. Marie disliked it and city people. "They're not as sociable. I lived there 11 years and didn't know my neighbours on either side. The eaves of our houses almost touched." This May she moved into Zurich's Blue Water Rest Home. There she maintains her in- dependent attitude, walking as much as possible will: the aid of a cane, and spending the after- noons in the craft room, knitting, quilting and making dolls. She went to a nephew's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary party at the Pineridge Chalet this spring. She was first on the bus for a trip to the African Lion Safari near Rockton this summer. Hallowe'en Masquerade Dance at PINERIDGE CHALET Sat., Oct. 29 Music by MOZART'S MELODY MAKERS Prizes for Costumes For reservations phone: 262-2277 236-4610 236-4213 Safeguard Your Home Our low-cost homeowners in- surance gives you complete coverage .. including theft. Protect your home ... act now! 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