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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-09-29, Page 1414 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Quadro marks anniversary with history book By Laura Payton SPECIAL TO THE T -A KIRKTON — Last week's customer appreciation day at Quadro Communications Co-oper- ative was an extra special one, as the Kirkton-based telephone company was celebrating its 80th anniversary. And, in honour of that milestone, Quadro launched a book about its interesting history .. . from its beginnings when a small group of doctors, vets and business owners decided they needed a phone system which Bell wasn't willing to provide to the rural area, to today's cutting edge tech- nology; Quadro offered high speed internet service to its 3,500 rural cus- tomers well in advance of Bell. Perth -Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger was on hand for Quadro's spe- cial day last Thursday, Sept. 16. "I'm pleased to be here, not only as an MP but as a Quadro customer," Schellenberger said. "I've always been a customer of Blanshard Municipal Telephone, and, later, Quadro. "I still remember our number from the old way . . it was `92'," Schellenberger said, not- ing his family had always had "tremendous" phone service from the small rural phone company. "I sit on the Heritage board (in Ottawa) and my recommendation to the CRTC would be to come and look at what's been done with Quadro. It's a great example of what's possible in communica- tion." Quadro's board of direc- tors chairman Bill Denham said, "As a mem- ber of the board of direc- tors, I'm quite happy to bring this history book to fruition on our 80th anniversary." Denham said the book was an opportunity to bring together historical information from the com- pany's archives and from former employees, "much of which, til now, had been passed on verbally. "I think anyone who reads the book will be very impressed with what this telephone company has accomplished," Denham added. Author Stew Slater was on hand at the launch, signing copies of '80 Years of Telephone History'. "Having written the book and done all the research helped me realize how much value there is in a community-based opera- tion; people from the com- munity getting together and giving their time and energy to keep something like this going," Slater said. "When it started it was more so than now, of course, a group of farm- ers, doctors, vets and mer- chants who didn't have phone service, while London, Stratford and St. Marys did, because Bell was providing it. "It was going to be a long time before they got it ... if ever. These people got it together and made it happen," Slater said. Now, 80 years later, unications o -operative Inc. ce e•rate• its : It anniversary ast week.Along with the traditional customer appreciation barbecue at the Kirkton head office, Quadro released a history book about the telecommunications com- pany. Posing for a photo at the event were, from left, history book author Stew Slater, Perth -Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger, Quadro's Board of Directors Chairman Chair Bill Denham, and Tim DeWeerd, General Manager of Quadro. (photo/Laura Payton) there is a good system and some participation, they an excellent staff making have a piece of it." major decisions, but More than 600 of those Quadro customers still feel Quadro customers enjoyed they have some control, dinner on the company at the author noted. the appreciation day in "It's a co-op so they have Kirkton, purchasing close to 250 of the $10 history books. '80 Years of History' is available at the Quadro headquarters in Kirkton, and at the Journal Argus in St. Marys. before & after provides something new By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Christie Nethercott has filled a void with her new Main Street business. Nethercott opened before & after last week and said business has been "really good" so far. "I've had great feedback, especially for the materni- ty clothes," she said. Specializing in lingerie, maternity clothes, chil- dren's wear and gifts, Nethercott said the busi- ness has been six months in the planning. Nethercott said she was inspired to open the store because when she was pregnant she found it diffi- cult to find maternity clothes she liked; she said it's hard to fmd any mater- nity clothes in the area. Some maternity items offered at before & after include business suits, bathing suits and evening dresses. Nethercott has lingerie for all ages and even some men's boxers and paja- mas. She will also carry plus sizes for both the lingerie and maternity clothes. "I've got a broad range of everything," she says. Assault charges laid BLUEWATER — On Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. OPP respond- ed to a woman who asked for assistance at a residence on Driftwood Drive in Bluewater. The officer met a 40 - year -old Mexican woman who said she wanted to obtain property from the residence. During the conversation the officer was told the woman was married to a man living at the residence and that she had been assaulted the night before. She and her daughter wanted to return to Mexico but couldn't because their passports were locked up inside the home. Officers obtained a interpreter and through Victims Services found them a safe place to live while the inves- tigation continued. Later that day a man showed up at the residence. According to police, he was upset, uncooperative and resisted the officers when they arrested him. The 63 - year -old man was taken to the Huron OPP Detachment, held for a period of time and later released. He was charged with domestic assault. He will attend court in Goderich Dec. 6. The investiga- tion continues. House ransacked HENSALL — On Sept. 18 at 11 p.m. the OPP was called to a residential break-in on Richmond Street in Hensall. While the owners were away someone forced open a door to the home, ransacked it and stole a large quanti- ty of jewelry along with CDs of various types of music, a CD walkman, several bottles of alcohol, a DVD player, a Sony Play station and 20 games. Huron OPP is continuing the investigation. If you can help solve this crime contact the Exeter OPP office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). All items in the store are new. In addition to baby clothes and sunglasses, Nethercott has a change table and a rocking chair if moms need to nurse their babies. She's also planning to add a play area. Other items include gift- ware, keepsakes and teddy bears. Nethercott, who is run- ning the business herself, spent much time fixing up and decorating the inside of her location with her husband Tim. "It's been a family affair to get this going," she says, adding, "It's a new adventure." This is the first time Nethercott, an Exeter resi- dent, has run her own business, but she says any nerves she had were calmed when she kept get- ting positive feedback from the community. Exeter and Surrounding Communities If you are: -Moving •Marrying •Having a baby •Retiring •Starting a Business CALL LCOMEI WAGON for your free gifts & information on behalf of Exeter's Community - minded businesses Faye Van Oss 228-7053 Exeter's Christie Nethercott opened before & after last week, featuring maternity clothes, lingerie, baby clothes and gifts. (photo/Scott Nixon) TREASURES FOR TOTS is[ Bi-Annuar was Snfc• ONE WEEKEND ONLY IT j AT THE MASONIC HALL - EXETER (BEHIND THE O.P.P. & KFC) SHOPPING HOURS • SHOPPING HOURS • SHOPPING HOURS October 2, 2004 - 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. October 3, 2004 - 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. (1/2 PRICE DAY) More than 75% Off Retail • Fall & Winter Baby to Kids Size 16 Clothing • Winter Jackets • Boots • Hats • Toys • Games • Videos • Books • Baby furniture • Strollers • Sports Equipment • Halloween Costumes and So Much More.. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 519-238-1096 SHOP EARLY FOR GREAT .*4 DEALS:p A ,t .