The Times Advocate, 2004-08-25, Page 5Wednesday,August 25, 2004
Exeter Times—Advocate
5
Opinion Forum News
ROSS
HAUGH
BACK IN TIME
10YEARS AGO
August 24, 1994 - Sam
Aquilina, a resident of Exeter for
the past 43 years has received the
George Cross from the president
and prime minister of his native
Malta. He served on numerous
ships during his service in the
Royal Navy and is now the oldest
member of the Exeter branch of
the Royal Canadian Legion.
Exeter reeve Bill Mickle is now
president of one of the biggest lobby groups in the
province, the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario.
20YEARS AGO
August 23, 1984 - Two Goderich men have pur-
chased the property at 527 Main street from Mr.
Ralph Topp and plan to open Robindale's Fine
Dining Restaurant. Parking will be provided at the
south side of the property for 20 vehicles.
Sherri Wells was named Crediton Summerfest
Queen for 1984.
25 YEARS AGO
August 27, 1979 - The Dashwood Tigers
advanced to the second round of OBA playoffs by
ousting Kendall. The team has three excellent pitch-
ers in Jim Guenther, Jon Bruijns and Perry Stover.
Winners in the Kirkton Horticultural Society's
Festival of Flowers were Mrs. Ellis Strachan, Mrs.
Mahlon Ryckman and Mrs. Tom Hern.
For serving as a Candy Striper at South Huron
Hospital for 500 hours, Donna Stewart has received
a watch from local jeweller Earl Campbell.
35YEARS AGO
August 25, 1969 - Combined pitching efforts from
Claude Tessier and Arnie Meyers moved the Zurich
Lumber kings into first place in the Huron -Perth
intermediate baseball league.
The $1,000 grand prize in the Exeter Legion
bingo was split by Mrs. Maurice Tiedeman of Grand
Bend and Mrs. George Rether of Exeter.
The 20 week-old strike at the Central Hotel in
Lucan has been settled. Eight employees went
immediately back to work.
40YEARS AGO
August 22, 1964 - Robert S. Hetherington QC,
mayor of Wingham for the past three years has
been appointed Huron County Court Judge to suc-
ceed Frank Fingland of Clinton who has resigned
due to ill health.
55 YEARS AGO
September 5, 1949 - The yellow corn pack,
canned for the first time at the Exeter factory was
exceptionally good according to branch manager
E.J. Green. The yellow sweet corn replaces the
white corn which has been grown here for many
years for export.
60YEARS AGO
August 26, 1944 - Messrs. Frank Creech and
Harry Parsons of the Times Advocate staff spent a
few days last week fishing at Silver Lake.
80YEARS AGO
August 16, 1924- Dr. Moir of Hensall is erecting a
new and modern house on his farm near
Rodgerville on London Road.
One of the large brick silos at the Exeter Canning
Factory collapsed early Wednesday morning.
85YEARS AGO
August 24, 1919 - Mr. George Snell landed a
beautiful pike from the river west of Exeter
Wednesday of last week. It was three feet long and
weighed nine pounds. We did not see the fish but
George vouches for the authenticity of the measure
and weight, so we are obliged to accept it as not
being an exaggerated story.
Corporal Milton Pfaff was home for the weekend
from London Convalescent Hospital.
I I OYEARS AGO
Mr. William Elliott of Centralia has purchased a
high bred driver Dolly Wilks from Mr. F.H. Neil.
With a record of 2.16.4 we may expect to see some
fast times made by this fast horse.
Dr. Wickett has opened a drug store in A.
Zwicker's old store in Crediton.
Mr. W.B. Parsons of the Parsons Produce
Company has arrived in Centralia. He is an expert
on apples and is expected to purchase several car-
loads while he is here.
The motto of the Exeter Times and the Huron and
Middlesex Gazette is "Hew the line and let the chips
fall where they may."
Seniors' Perspective
By Jim Bearss
ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Exeter Legion Auxiliary Bingo:
Exeter Legion Auxiliary Bingo: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
September 2,16, & 30. Mark your calendar for these
dates and help support a local charity.
Senior's Monthly Meeting:
Tuesday September 7 at 6:00 p.m. Come for the pot
luck supper, entertainment, and fellowship. New mem-
bers welcome.
2004 Huron County Plowing
Match: Fri., August 27, R.R.#1, Varna, Municipality of
Bluewater. Located 1.5 km west of Varna on Mill Road,
then 1 km south on Babylon Line. Contact: Bill or Joyce
Dowson (519) 233-9854.
Annual WellesleyApple Butter & Cheese
Festival:
September 25 - Come for the Pancake Breakfast,
crafts, meats, cheeses, market, etc. Smorgasbord.
Dinner, Farm Tours, Cider Mill Tours. Apple fritters &
dumplings; Sausage/schnitzel on a bun; chicken BBQ;
Local entertainment. Quilt auction, Horseshoe tourna-
ment, antique cars & tractors.
Huron PioneerThreshers Show: Sept. 11 — 13.
Huron Pioneer Threshers Show to be held at Blyth.
Contact Marian Hallahan (519) 523-9330
Centralia/Huron Park Lions Bingo:
September 12. The Centralia/Huron Park Lions Bingo
will be held at the South Huron Rec. Centre on Sunday,
September 12, 2004. Doors open at 12:00 p.m. and
bingo starts at 1:00 p.m.
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show: Sept. 14 — 16.
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show to be held at
Woodstock, Ontario.
International Plowing Match: Sept. 22 — 26.
International Plowing Match and Rural Expo held at
Meaford, Ontario, in Grey County
FALL COLOURTOUR
Jim and Dorothy Chapman are hosting a 6 days fall
colour tour to Washington and Area Oct. 18-23, 2004
all transportation, accommodation, admission fees, 5
dinners, 5 breakfasts, taxes and gratuities are included
in the cost. The trip, planned by RTO/ERO is for the
young at heart seniors and near seniors and everyone is
welcome. Sign up by Sept. 3rd 2004. Highlights include;
a visit to Coming Glass, Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield,
a day in Colonial Williamsburg, a guided city tour of
Washington with time to visit the Mall, the Smithsonian,
and Arlington National Cemetery. A guide will provide a
glimpse of the lifestyle of George and Martha
Washington at Mount Vernon and there is an evening
ghost tour of historic York Town. We'll visit Monticello,
the 200 year old estate designed by Thomas Jefferson,
and then drive along the scenic Skyline Drive on our
way to visit the beautiful Luray Caverns and there's
more that we haven't listed. Jim is also hosting an 8
days tour to Branson Missouri, America's live entertain-
ment capital on Nov. 16-23. Enjoy SEVEN top shows,
delicious meals, and sight seeing extras. For further
detail and registration forms for either tour call Jim
Chapman at 235-1644
News & Events - Exeter Legion Branch 167
Veterans and wives of veterans, if you have problems
with issues regarding health, pensions, Veteran's ser-
vices etc. please contact: Legion Service Officer Norm
Eveland (519) 234-6426.
Dinner & Dance: October 30, 2004 Come and enjoy a
Chicken Barbecue and dance at the Exeter Legion.
Dinner and dance $20.00 per person. For dance only,
$10.00 per person at the door. Don Harvey's Band will
entertain you for the evening 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Country Music Jamborees: Will be held the 2nd
Sunday of each month for 5 months, starting November
14, 2004. A delicious brunch will be served, starting at
12:00 p.m. and listen to your favourite country music
bands and other activity for the afternoon. Performers
interested in entertaining, please call Jim Bearss at
(519) 235-4243 in the evening or (519) 235-0310 x 239
daytime.
Legion Lunches: Get your gang together and plan to
attend monthly Friday lunches at the Legion.Hours are
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. starting on September 10th,
then October 8th, November 12th and December 10th.
See you at the above listed events.
Legion Hall Rental: Legion Hall available for parties,
dances, wedding receptions, company meetings, farmer
meetings etc. Contact Legion at (519) 235-2962
LestWe Forget: Franklin Charles Zurbrigg
He was born in 1918, in Lucan, Ontario. He attended
Lucan Public School to the end of grade eight, and after
graduating, he continued on to Lucan High School,
where he graduated, after completing his education, to
the end of grade thirteen. He also furthered his educa-
tion by attending Normal School in London, Ontario.
After graduating and receiving his teacher's diploma, he
started teaching school in Denfield, Ontario.
Franklin Charles Zurbrigg was an exemplary young
man, and while not well known in Exeter, Ontario, he
was highly regarded, by his many friends in Lucan,
Ontario, where he was born. He introduced scouting
into Lucan, first as a Lone scout, and afterwards, he was
made a King's scout. He was also active in church, and
other circles as well. One day he decided it was time for
him to join the service, so he traveled to Toronto,
Ontario, in August of 1941, and enlisted into the Royal
Canadian Air Force. It was at this time
that he received his service number of
#81116656. After going through the
selection process to enter into Air Crew,
and his basic training completed, he
was posted to Fingal Air Station located
in Ontario. At this Air Station he was
training to become an Observer, and on
May 9th 1942, he received his wings,
and was given the rank of Sergeant.
After graduating, he was posted over-
seas to England on September 2nd
1942, and after arriving in England, he
had seen considerable action.
Eventually the sad news came to Mr. Charles E.
Zurbrigg an Optometrist and Mrs Selma Marie Zurbrigg,
who recently had moved to Exeter, Ontario, from Lucan,
Ontario, that their eldest son, Sergeant Franklin Charles
Zurbrigg was killed in action on Jan. 13th 1943. He was
25 years of age.
Franklin was an observer with #1 Operational
Training Unit and flying in a Hudson Bomber Aircraft #
T9322, when the pilot overshot the runway upon land-
ing at Silloth aerodome, and crashed the aircraft.
W .0.Belanger, Joseph Leo Gerard, W .0.2 Wireless Air
Gunner R73758, from Ursule Quebec, 21 years of age
was killed. Flight Sergeant, Navigator Bomber, Franklin
Charles Zurbrigg, was killed in action, that day on
January 13th 1943, when the Hudson Bomber he was
flying in, crash-landed at the end of the runway.
He was buried in the Silloth, (Causewayhead)
Cemetery, Holme Low, Cumberland England. Silloth, is a
seaport town on the Solway Firth, it is the port of
Carlisle which lies 22 miles inland. Most of the Airmen
buried here were serving at the Royal Air Force Station
at Silloth, where there is a large Aerodrome.
Flight Sergeant, Navigator Bomber, Franklin Charles
Zurbrigg, was the son of Charles E. and Selma Marie
Zurbrigg, of Exeter Ontario. His father Charles E
Zurbrigg was an Optometrist in Exeter for a number of
years, taking over the business of the late Saxon Fitton.
In December of 1942, the family moved to Exeter,
Ontario, from Lucan, Ontario, and into the residence on
Andrew Street, purchased from Mr. Spencer of Hensall,
Ontario. Besides his parents there was a brother Bert,
and a sister Laurena.
Next Week: Henry Gordon Anderson
3rd Annual aTaste of Huron in Black &White
Big Brothers & Big Sisters, South Huron proudly pre-
sents the 3rd annual Taste of Huron in Black and White
on September 17, 2004. The evening takes place at
Peckerwood Farm, Hensall featuring the finest chefs in
Huron County, sensational live jazz and dancing. The
funds raised directly support the children of the agency
through various programs and events.
A Taste of Huron is a great way to meet up with
friends, try some outstanding cuisine and support Big
Brothers Big Sisters South Huron. Just remember to
wear black and white in any combination -be creative!
For those who enjoy the combination of fabulous food
and live entertainment, tickets can be purchased for
$50.00 at Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron. Your
support is greatly appreciated. For more information on
this years 5 course menu and entertainment, please
contact the office at 519-235-3307 or visit the website at
www.shbbbs.on.ca <http://www.shbbbs.on.ca/>
Two Cowboys & an Indian Chief:
A couple of old cowboys, Jesse and Slim, were sitting
in a bar having a drink (or two or three), doing what
most old cowboys do: complaining about the heat, the
cows and their wives. They weren't exactly the brightest
guys, and neither were their comments. Every day they
said pretty much the same thing. And it always ended
up arguing over who had the worst wife. Today, though,
something was different. There was a wise -looking
elderly Indian Chief sitting at the bar. They decided to
ask him to decide which of them had the worst wife.
Jesse complained that his wife was always arguing with
him. No matter what he said, she always said the oppo-
site. She didn't just say it either; she said it so loudly that
the neighbors complained. The old Chief listened atten-
tively and then said, "If your wife was Indian, we would
name her Fire Water." Jesse asked, "Why would you
call her Fire Water?" The Indian Chief replied, "Every
time she opens her mouth she breathes fire and your
See PERSPECTIVE page 6
Jim Bearss