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The Times Advocate, 2008-08-27, Page 22 Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Book on Canadian servicemen coming together By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF GODERICH — A phone call in the mid-1980s to a man in Texas com- pelled Goderich resident Jim Rutledge to com- plete a book on Huron County servicemen who didn't come home from the war. Rutledge is nearing completion on the book of remembrance of the 201 servicemen of Huron County. Rutledge said his mother told him that his father's best friend from the war belonged to a church in Hamilton. A series of phone calls eventually traced the friend to Texas. Rutledge said he asked if the man had served in the air force in the Second World War, and had his picture taken in Trafalgar Square. Asked by Rutledge who was with him in the picture, the man replied it was "his best buddy Lorne." "I'm Lorne's son," replied Rutledge. The conversation started a correspon- dence which has contin- ued ever since, says Rutledge. Following the 60th anniversary of D -Day, Rutledge decided the same should be done in Goderich and he helped organize an event that saw 700 veterans from across Canada take part. In August 2005 in Goderich, there was also a celebration of the 60th anniversary of VJ-Day. After a year in Alberta, Rutledge came back and after asking at the Goderich Library and Museum about a book of remembrance for the service of the war, he found out one had never been done. "That was the begin- ning," he said. Since then, he has received thousands of phone calls and e-mails and spoken to many of the friends and family of the servicemen. Rutledge received a funding boost recently with the announcement of a $15,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation that will allow him to travel to Ottawa and Toronto for more research. He will leave Sept. 12 for Ottawa where he will visit the National Archives as well as the War Museum where material has been pre- pared for him. Rutledge said the foundation doesn't approve grants to indi- viduals so he approached the Bayfield REGIONAL WRAP UP Crop looking good SEAFORTH — Local crops look good this year, although there has been damage from rain and hail, says the Seaforth Huron -Expositor. Ministry of Agriculture crop specialist Peter Johnson says the amount of rain and hail has been the most on record. The most dry days in a row was four in July. Another cause for concern, says Johnson, is the western bean cutworm, which, while not expected to cause a lot of damage is present in higher num- bers than anywhere else in Ontario. Johnson added that fusarium hasn't been as big a factor this year on wheat crops as expected. Blyth 100 -mile diet CLINTON — Two new residents of Blyth are working to increase awareness of the 100 -mile diet, says the Clinton News -Record. Kathy Douglas and Gary Clark recently moved from Winnipeg when Clark took up his position as the new minis- ter at the United Church in Blyth. The couple became interested in the idea after reading the book "100 -mile diet: A year of Local Eating" and have started a local group in Blyth. Clark said human impact on the environment is an issue he has been interested in for some time. He also believes the movement is part of return- ing to an earlier way of life that earlier genera- tions lived. Lake conference GODERICH — The fifth annual `It All Ends Up in the Lake' conference took place on Saturday in Goderich, reports the Goderich Signal -Star. The keynote speaker this year was Ontario Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller, who spoke on the state of the Great Lakes. The conference also included other speakers on the Great Lakes as well as over 40 displays from various community groups. Labour of love — Jim Rutledge of Goderich has almost completed a book that will honour the service of Second World War veterans who didn't come home. (photo/Pat Bolen) Historical Society (BHS), which agreed to sponsor his work. On Aug. 15, the BHS received a $15,000 grant in support of the book. Rutledge said he believes he has informa- tion on all the veterans after visiting the ceno- taphs, Legions and churches in the area. He says there are 95 members from the army, five each from the navy and merchant marine and the rest are from the air force. Rutledge says while he wishes he had pictures of all of the veterans, he has around 40 per cent and will have a picture of each gravestone. The book will be around 200 pages and Rutledge says it will be ready by next spring and he will promote it at area festivals and fairs. It will be divided into sections including crests of the army, air force and navy that Huron County men served in, biographies of the fallen and a history of the merchant marine as well as poems and pho- tographs. "The interest is over- whelming," says Rutledge. "I don't know why it hasn't been done before." Most of the men who were killed, says Rutledge, were in Italy or Normandy, with some killed in accidents in England or Canada. Rutledge says the sup- port he has received has been excellent and he thanks Eric Heywood in Exeter, who he says he received a great deal of help from. To contact Rutledge, call 524-1808 or e-mail him at oldfuzzywuzzy@yahoo. ca "It will be done profes- sionally, accurately and in good taste," says Rutledge. "I appreciate what they did. All the things we take for granted are because of them." Hospital CEO "thrilled" with new doctor Continued from front page move to Canada. When that was taking too long, he was able to move here as a skilled worker, but his wife, Yamile Ardila, wasn't able to move to Canada until 2006, meaning the couple was apart for four years. Both said they are pleased with their move to Canada. "I'm very happy," Bueno said, adding everyone at South Huron has been welcoming. "We feel very lucky and happy." "I like the winter," Ardila adds. Bueno says he and his wife like all the seasons here and the couple visited Ottawa's annual Winterlude festival and learned how to skate on the Rideau Canal. Ardila, a graduate of electronic technology in Columbia, says now that she has her permanent resi- dent status in Canada she'll start looking at taking additional courses here and may get into health administration. Hunt adds she can't believe the improvement in Ardila's English in the past year. The couple is living in London now and says the city has a large and supportive Colombian community. Hunt is complimentary of Bueno's work at South Huron. "Dr. Bueno kept our emergency open in the sum- mer," she said, explaining he covered many shifts ensuring 24-hour emergency service at South Huron. She said patients and staff have told her how great he is. "We're thrilled," she said. "He's highly respected already," adding that he is very kind and works well with patients. `Canadians in Uniform' to be celebrated Sept. 11 Continued from front page According to the official website, the RCMP Musical Ride "consists of the execution of a variety of intri- cate figures and cavalry drill chore- ographed to music. Demanding utmost control, timing and co-ordi- nation, these movements are formed by individual horses and riders, in twos, fours and eights at the trot and at the canter." The highlight of the Ride is "the charge, when lances, with their red and white pennons, are lowered and the riders and their mounts launch into the gallop." In addition to appearing in the Musical Ride, the horses appear on Parliament Hill, in parades and special events. The Ride tours throughout Canada and the U.S. Local committee members Bob Gehan and Dave MacLeod say they are trying to get as many local stu- dents involved in the event as pos- sible. MacLeod said he hopes to see 2,000 to 2,500 students attend in the afternoon Sept. 11, along with teachers and parents. South Huron District High School will be involved as will all its feeder schools from the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. Local schools from outside those boards, such as Grand Bend, Biddulph, McGillivray Central and the Clinton Christian School have also been invited. The intent is that the younger stu- dents will have a chance to see and meet the various uniformed profes- sionals, while the older students will see what types of careers are available to them. On Sept. 11, displays will be set up at the Rec Centre for the stu- dents. The stables at the Ag. Building will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for people to meet the Mounties and their horses. Local fire departments will put on demonstrations such as repelling and fire extinguisher use, while the OPP Golden Helmets will perform. The Golden Helmets will complete a variety of complex patterns and maneuvers on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. The RCMP will arrive in Exeter Sept. 10 from Picton. Students will welcome the Mounties upon their arrival and a ribbon cutting will be held for them, after which they'll begin setting up for the next day's shows. Before the afternoon show for students Sept. 11, the South Huron District senior band will kick things off with a performance, while stu- dent Jessica Brock will act as flag bearer. The afternoon performance starts at about 1 p.m. and will fin- ish by 1:45 p.m. MacLeod, Gehan and his wife Deb have been chosen as guests of honour for their com- munity work and will be saluted at the performances. The evening performance to the public starts at 6 p.m., again pre- ceded by the South Huron band and featuring flag bearer Chelsey Jeffrey. Admission for the evening perfor- mance is $10 per person. Tickets are available at the Rec Centre, the Exeter Legion, from any Lions member and at several businesses throughout town. For additional information, call 235-2833. Funds raised will go to youth programs and community betterment. The Legion will also host a roast beef dinner Sept. 11 at the Rec Centre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children six to 12. Tickets are available at the Legion or the Rec Centre or by calling Esther at 235-1167 or John at 235- 4156.