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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-20, Page 5Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Exeter Times -Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME I OYEARS AGO Oct. 19, 1994 - Erin Kraftcheck of the Exeter Venture was presented with the Queens Venturers award. He will be trav- elling to Toronto Oct. 28 to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Bill Taylor, the road superin- tendent for Stanley township for the last 44 years is retiring and was honoured at a dance and presentation Saturday night at the Varna Complex. 20YEARS AGO Oct. 17, 1984 - More than 250 persons attended Saturday's Charter Night of the J.M. Fogarty Exeter and Mount Carmel Knights of Columbus Council. Phil Campbell is Grand Knight. 25YEARS AGO Oct. 17, 1979 - The biggest Chinook salmon caught on the weekend Bayfield fishing derby was a 22 pounder landed by Gordon Hill of Varna. The Lebanon Forest Lodge of Exeter held its final meeting Monday in the old Masonic Hall on Main Street. In November the Lodge will move to its new quarters on William St. N., behind the OPP station. Penny Hodgins was named Queen of the Furrow at Saturday's annual Middlesex plowing match held on the farm of Middlesex warden Jack MacNamara Randy Jones, now a cartoonist in New York City, was home for a few days visiting his parents Ted and Donna Jones on Marlborough street. His work has appeared in the New Yorker, MacLean's, Playboy, New York Times, Washington Star and Quest. He has also illustrated nursery rhyme books for Sesame Street. 35YEARS AGO Oct. 19, 1969 - Exeter mayor Jack Delbridge received a toy tractor from fellow council mem- bers after he won the mayors and reeves compe- tition at the International Plowing Match held near Paris. When Delbridge said, "I was certainly surprised when the judge said I had won," clerk Eric Carscadden replied, "You weren't any more surprised than I was when I saw your plowing." Huron warden Jim Hayter finished second com- peting against 25 other wardens and mayors. 40YEARS AGO Oct. 21, 1964 - New organ chimes were donat- ed to Main Street United Church by Mrs. W.J. Beer in memory of the Beer and Quance families in hon- our of the church's 69th anniversary. Guest speaker for the service was Rev. H.J. Mahoney who was minister at Main Street 15 years ago. School bells at three Usborne township schools sold for more at a Saturday auction than the three one -room school houses did. One of the top prices paid at the Huron County Holstein Club sale at Glanworth was $420 for a bred heifer consigned by Ross Marshall of Kirkton. The first trailer rolled out of Exeter's Custom Trailers plant on Highway 83 at 4:30 p.m. Friday bringing to completion several months of planning and building of Exeter's newest industry. 55YEARS AGO Oct. 18, 1949 - The $5,800 cottage won by Jack Drysdale of Hensall at the CNE arrived in Hensall this week. The men from the firm which donated the cottage arrived to erect the building on the bowling green. Mr. Drysdale donated it to the Hensall Chamber of Commerce as a community hall. 80YEARS AGO Oct. 19, 1924 - Mildred Rowe, Ruth Lamport, Gertie Francis, Mary Horney, Carrie Davis and Mr. E. Christie were the Normal School students home for the holiday. Miss Lila Taylor, a promising artist from Usborne township has had her work recognized by having one of her pictures, "The Homestead" hung in the Canadian Academy in Ottawa. I I OYEARS AGO Oct. 11, 1894 - On Monday night last, a daring thief entered Mr. John Loadman's livery barn and after removing Will Snell's pants from the head of the bed where he was sleeping, stole a purse con- taining four dollars. Mr. John Hunter of town handed us a potato grown on the farm of Art Mitchell in Usborne town- ship. It weighed two pounds, 11 ounces and mea- sured 17 inches by 12 inches. Seniors' Perspective By Jim Bearss ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR Coming events: Solo: Lions Youth Centre, 125 John St. W., every Wednesday starting at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Call Ray or June Hodgson at 235-2194 for more infor- mation. Shuffle Board: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Legion, William Street in Exeter. Legion and non -Legion members are also welcome. For more infor- mation, contact Lee Thomas at 235-3197. Duplicate Bridge: Come and enjoy yourself at the Exeter Legion, William Street. New members and recent players welcome. Contact John Britnell at 235-1639. Rummage Sale: The South Huron Hospital Auxiliary Fall Rummage Sale is coming up, so it's time to clean out those closets. Have your `stuff' ready for a town wide pickup Oct. 20. The sale is at the Rec Centre Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 - 9 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. with the auction at 10:30 a.m. For volunteering or more information, contact Vera Armstrong at 235-0780. Euchreama: Friday, Oct. 22, the Exeter United Senior Citizens are hosting a euchreama at 10 a.m. This event will be held at the (non-smoking) Exeter Legion on William Street. Cost for the day is $5. Lunch is provided. Prizes and Share the Wealth. Euchreama: Oct. 25 at the Betty Cardno Memorial Centre in Clinton, 10 a.m. Lunch is included in the cost. Sponsored by Town and Country Support Services. Call 482-9264 or 235-0258 for more information. Gone Country: Sunday, Oct. 24, at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Wingham Town Hall Heritage Theatre. Real country music and toe tappin' at its best! Followed by Howell's Fish Fry at the complex. Phone the box office at 519-357-4082. Huron County Historical Society Annual Dinner Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5:59 p.m. at the Exeter Legion. Sheila Hodgins will be speaking about the Donnellys. Contact Joe Hogan at 235-2853 for roast beef dinner tickets. Lucan Heritage BusTours and Events: Friday, Nov 12: "Educating Rita" - a painfully, funny, serious fairy tale - is playing at the River Run Centre, Guelph. The reports are very good from those who have seen it. Coach, theatre, and meal are included in the price. Sunday. Nov. 21: A bus tour of eight decorated (four new and four older) homes will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tea, coffee and dessert will be served from 1 - 5 p.m. at the Red Anglican Church, Lucan. Support our Heritage fundraiser: Our 2005 historic colour calendars are now out. Cash draws for $500 will be held Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2005. Draws for $25 will be held every day of the year. The cost is $20 each. Participants have one chance in three to win and will help build our new museum. Bus pickups in Lucan and Exeter: Contact Harry Hardy for more information at Box 249, Lucan, Ont., NOM 2J0, 227 4887 or 227 0444. E-mail harry@cruiseselloffs.com. Coming events in the Grand Bend area: Oct. 19: "Healthy Lifestyle Exercise in Hensall." This program includes low impact aerobics, stretching and strength work. Classes are Tuesday mornings from 10 - 11 a.m. and Thursday nights from 7 - 8 p.m. for eight weeks at the Hensall United Church. Call 262-3140 to register. Sponsored by the Grand Bend and Hensall Health Centres and Take Heart Huron. Mat and running shoes needed. "The Rev's Dilemma!" An original musical comedy in one act at Huron Country Playhouse II. Dessert Theatre. Oct. 22-23 at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets available at Tender Spot and Sobeys in Grand Bend, or call 238-8912 to order. A fundraiser for the Grand Bend United Church produced, directed and acted by local tal- ent. Legion news and views: Commencement 2003/2004: Commencement was held at South Huron District High School Oct. 8. Legion repre- sentative Jim Bearss was honoured to present the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 167 Histories awards to Peter Kikkert and Sean Ellison. As well, the Royal Canadian Legion Scholarship awards were presented by Mr. Bearss to Kaley Jennison and Cory King. Congratulations on behalf of the Legion to all the stu- dents who received awards at the commencement. "Membership:" This is a reminder that your 2005 membership is due. Fees are $38 until Nov. 30 and $43 starting Dec. 1. Legion Auxiliary Bingo: Thursdays at 7 p.m. Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16. As of Dec. 16 Bingo may be cancelled due to lack of attendance. Chicken Barbecue and Harvest Dance: Oct. 30, Exeter at the Legion Branch 167 William St. Barbecue, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Dance to Don Harvey's Band from 8:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. Chicken barbecue and dance tickets $20. Chicken barbecue tickets only $12. Dance $10 at door. For more information contact: 235-2962 or 235-1167. Remembrance Service: We are holding our annual Remembrance Day parade and service this year Nov. 7. The ceremonies are in memory of those who gave their lives in war and whose names are engraved on the Cenotaph, located in the Memorial Square at the South Huron Municipal Offices and Library in Exeter. Organizations/firms/groups are asked to join us in trib- ute. Your participation would be welcome and very much appreciated. The parade will form up at the Legion at 9:45 a.m., and will march off to the Cenotaph at 10 a.m. sharp for the laying of wreaths, then proceed to Trivitt Anglican church for a Remembrance service. The parade will return to the Legion, where all are invited in for snacks and refreshments. The weather can be quite cool at this time of year and because the Cenotaph ceremony can last up to 30 minutes, participants are reminded to dress accordingly. Wreath layers should be at the Legion by 9:15 a.m. and must report to the issuing officer to receive a wreath and confirm their organization is represent- ed. All groups, including wreath layers (if possible), are asked to march with us. Lest We Forget: Alexander Dougall Strang Alexander Dougall Strang was born Jan. 7, 1918, on Concession 3 Lot 29 in Usborne Township, Huron County. He was a twin brother to Charles who clied five days after he was born. Alexander received his public school education at S.S. # 1 Hurondale School, which was a one -room country school located one mile south on the south-west corner where Alexander was born. The school was on Lot 24, Concession 2 in Usborne Township. After training as a wireless radio operator, he acquired a position with the Marconi Company. It was four years to the day after sailing to England as a Radio Officer for the Marconi Company, with the British Merchant Marine, when Mr. and Mrs. Henry Strang received the distressing news on a Saturday evening that their son Alexander Strang was missing. At that time there were no details. The message was sent from Chelmsford dated March 21, 1942. "Deeply regret to inform you that your son Alexander is missing following the loss of the vessel. Please accept our sympathy in your anxiety," wrote the Marconi Company. The mes- sage left a hope there was still a chance that Alexander might be picked up and be safe. However a second cablegram was received on Tuesday evening from the Ropner Company owners of the ship, dated March 24, 1942 which leaves little hope that Alexander might have survived. It read, "Deeply regret to inform you that your son has been missing since March 1 and is now pre- sumed to be drowned." Because of the secrecy of the Navy, Mr. and Mrs. Strang were not aware of the ship Alexander was sailing on or where it was heading for. The last letter received early in February was from Oban, Argyle, Scotland. Alexander stated that he was sailing and they may not hear from him for three or four months. He expected to get a good sun tan while on the trip, which indicated that he might be crossing the equator. During the past year Alexander made two visits to his home. The last visit was early in November. He spent Christmas with friends in Scotland. His last trip was on a different ship that he had been sailing on for the past year. Alexander's many friends throughout the commu- nity believe him to be as fine an officer that ever board- ed a British ship, and was a clean cut exemplary lad in every way. Sympathy of many was extended to the sor- rowing relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Strang already had lost one son, John, who went overseas in 1916 in the First World War and was killed in action at the Battle of Lens in France July 23, 1917. Alexander Dougall Strang, who was 23 years of age when he was killed, is remembered with honour on the Halifax Memorial along with the names of over 3,000 Canadian men and women. Alexander was one of 10 in the family and naming them from the first born are: Alice June 10, 1895; John, June 10, 1896, who was killed in the First World War; William, Dec. 4, 1898; Ella, Jan. 6, 1901; Annie, Oct. 25, 1904; Harry, Aug. 26, 1906; May -Belle, Feb. 6, 1909; Kathleen, April 12, 1914; Alexander, Jan. 7, 1918 and Charles, Jan. 7, 1918, who was a twin of Alexander. Next Week: Donald Stuart Whiting Jim Bearss Living Wills: You may have a will but let's look at another important part of your estate plan...drafting and executing a living will. A living will (also known as Power of Attorney for Personal Care, Health Care Directive or Advance See PERSPECTIVE page 6