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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-02-29, Page 2'1'1115 ORICINAI. UOCIIMI'.N'I' IS 1N VERY POOR CONDITION u_ Z • 3 L 1 Incorporating Brussels Post 50c per copy' ur n SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, lL 1984 — 16 PAGES Heritage plan discussed 'Barring no objections, Seaforth should have its Main Street Heritage Conservation District Plan in place by this summer. A public meeting, the third last step towards declaring most buildings on Main Street a heritage district, was held Tuesday evening. About 20 Seaforth citizens attend- ed. Under the plan, "structures within the district are protected as to rules and regulations of what can and what cannot be done in the district," said Michelle Green- wald, Ms.,Greenwald was the spokesperson for the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, "We're talking about the physical aspects of buildings in the plan and it's longterm," she said. "It's important because of the architectural quality of the district and that makes this section of Seaforth stand out from the rest of the town," In his proposals, which are on display at the former location of Larone-Spittal and the town hall, architect Nicholas Hill states, "that' the downtown business section of Seaforth is probably one of the finest and most beautiful late nineteenth century streetscapes in Ontario. The district is an example of superb building craftsmanship as well as streetscape compposition." ALLOWS FLE7aBiLITY "The plan makes people know what the commumty expects of them, even 15 or 20 years down the road," said Ms. Greenwald, "It's not to act as a freeze, but is a plan that allows flexibility. It identifies things and changes that are crucial to the area." "I interviewed many people and I was encouraged by the interest and support to preserve Seaforth's streetscape," said Mr. Hill. "The Main Street is not only an example of fine architectural composition, but a place that the community feels proud of and would like to see preserved." Although there a>se two parts that make up the downtown of a municipality, the proposed district heritagelan deals mainly with preservation of btjding stock. It's not a plan for economic rejuvenation, but once preser- vation guidelines.are in place, an economic factor does enter into the situation, said Mr. H271. The upper facades of the individual structures are the main elements that tie the downtown together. They are mostly still original and that is what should be restored," he said. "Store fronts are mostly up to the owner, who needs to show individual expression." But Main Street building stock has suffered. Through the years, elaborate woodwork has disappeared where modern sign faces now are located between lower and upper facades. "I found most of the woodwork had been removed, but not to the benefit of historic element," said Mr. Hill, "We would like to see the original sign work returned such as the Radio Shack store," he said. LIGHTING ENHANCES Thestreet as a whole can be enhanced with the old-fashioned style, elaborate cast-iron lamp standards which were common in the late 19th century. Main Street towers should also be illuminated. "Lighting is an important part of the streetscape composition," said Mr. Hill, "The plan also discusses landscaping boule- vards because there is very little open space on Main Street, and improved car parking, especially at the rear of buildings." Once the plan is adopted at Seaforth council and Ontario Municipal Board levels, buildings within the district become eligible for government sponspred restoration grants. Two structures on Main Street, SEE PLAN/ PAGE THREE There is no avoiding the infectious flu bug Seaforth doctors haven't been able to pinpoint which bug in particular is re- sponsible but a flu bug has been sending hundreds of people home from work or school and over to the Medical Clinic over the past week. "There's a high incidence of people with a flu bug which isn't easily treated,' says Dr, Ken Rodney. '.'We're finding people go home, take their medication and get better only to have the bug come right back at them when they return to work or school," The bug is widely spread by a droplet infection - moisture that moves in the air by coughing and sneezing. Students are most susceptible to the infection because the bug is easily spread in classrooms. At Seaforth Public School, as many as 100 students have been home from school at one time from the flu in the past week. Included with close to a third of the student population are several teachers who have also been off sick, "1t hasn't been bad enough to double up classes but we've had teachers teaching who weren't really feeling up to par," says vice-principal Dave Kemp. Though there are still approximately 25 students still absent from school, attendance is returning to normal. "That's because there was a professional development day Friday so they had an extra long weekend to recover," he says. At St. James Separate School, an average of 10 to 12 students have been away for about a week with the flu, a sore throat or a cold. "That isn't too bad because it's only 12 per cent of the students. We haven't been hit too badly," says principal Ray Contois, Dr. Rodney says he's not sure if children and adults are getting the same bug since the symptoms - fever, sore throat, cough, aching body - are the same no matter what the bug, A few cases of mononucleosis have been found in Brussels but none in Seafprth. The sudden change in the weather from cold to very mild may have something to do with the high incidence of siekilas since people stopped dressing warmly. says Dr. Rodney. And, no matter what you dd "there doesn't seem to be any way to avoid it, "'he says. HAPPY BIRTHDAY—Tam NaA Irons centre, is three -years -old t iy- (I/Ones- day) Born on February 29, 1072, Tamfpy Is one of a very elite group of §eaforth'area residents who celebrate their birthday every four years. And Tammy Is constant! ; !'semi of nine, she Is shown with her parents reminded that although she is 12, as a lea Glneie and Jim, front; and left to right; year baby, she's only three this year as It Bobtij Marlene, Gary, and Audrey. shown by the three fingers held up bjlf ? (Wasslnk photo) members of her family. The youngest of a Happy birthday leap year kids hulas ,Wcdncsdasl. is a scry special omsasum for at least two arca Scaforth residents 11 their hirthdas Ouse es ers four wars. two-ycarold f amms "rash who lust turned three. sclehr,ues her hirthdas with at least half a doom girlfriends Its ,i spcsial selchrattun for her he, ause she s a leap sear hahs 4 daughter of him and (nnctte Nash of k k s Seaforth three scar old Tamms is a grade six student at St lames Separate S, 6,01 Be, oust she , an Dols celebrate her hirthdas on the dam she was burn on Feb ?mi I don t like it sass Tamms be, :lose a Dols men, four sears But I ustiallm , elehrate ms hirthdas either on eh ?h or Marsh 1 1 sen though she's Dols three, Tammy malls 1101.'sn.1 feel any younger than her 12 scar ohs) s,hool friends "In 1980. I had styes girls i,sir for a sleeposer lammm is the orals Shue of a fannly of nine with ,t unique hath date "II sometimes gets to her and she thous (cel kind of furans onls hasmg a hirthdas coos Lour sears sans Mrs 'Nash But beak to IV'? Mrs Nash didn't realer the signifi, an, r of leap scar until i amens , elehratrd htsr first hirthdas I rcaltzed then that she wouldn't have a birthday fni'four years. But it's just one of those things " This year will be special for Tammy. Her mother and father have planned a family supper to celebrate the occasion. "Last weekend. Tammy had eight girls over, We went to Mother's to cat out, to the YMCA for a swim and thc girls all watched video mosses when we got home." says Mrs Nash • She's quite exerted about celebrating a birthday this year." NOT YOUNGER A formsr Seaforth arca resident. Davtd Britton of Waterloo was one of six leap year hahs boys horn in Chatham hospitals on Feb 2t, 1948 He's now onl,l; nine years old His mother, wife of the late Rev. Clifford Britton of Hensall says David usually , cichrated his birthday by going hunting or fishing We always had a birthday supper. but newer anything extraordinary We always scichratcd his birthday on Feb. 28. especially when he was younger. And he still thinks it's kind of different We always made more of it because it only happened every four years," she says. David Britton, actually is 36, is married and has three children, none of whom were born on Feb. 29. "It didn't dawn on me til after he was born that he was a leap year baby." says Mrs. Britton. "He's one of a kind KNEW RIGHT AWAY Mrs. Richard Downey of R.R.5, Seaforth knew as soon as her son Charles was horn on Feb. 29. 1956. that he was a leap Year baby. "1 asked Dr. Stapleton if he would he horn on Feh. 28. hut he said it would he the next day " "We always used to kid Charles when he was younger. but now I don't think it bothers him You get used to it and accept it.'' she said Her son now operates the family farm and Mr. and Mrs. Downey arc semi retired. "We usually celebrate his birthday on Feb. 28 This year, Charles will he 28 Though he's only seven in leap year terms, "we don't make such a big thing out of it now." says Mrs. Downey "It will just he another birthday party this year " Seaforth Farmers' market is in a catch-22 situation 11' fart ,f rh,- \, ,tt'orih Farmers Markel is n timer, hot , t -sr, rs are the recreation dt parts nft,' it Ihrntlgh on a re,,,r•n,er,l.tn„r that the market he held rs yrs Sauinja, among 1)-1;' month of Ione In the last rhre,• stars rhe marker was ,sols hrl,t ,t'rr r lints a ,far throughout summer months lhoin Io \r if„rrh arra ,ovens ins hiding df Im 'r„ -rt ommittee ort Thufsd,im r k r n. 1 s, uss the future of the F armrrs \1a'ktr 61r rrn i,ommitteet sen disapp,,,nred,m,it' puhlt.and sendor turnout for the margo, sand Roh Dinsmore Vitt r •r, .1 diff, trot w as s of attracting people hu• a mast • w.,rkrd w'e feel sorry for the pr. nl, ,s ti,,. sr, nth time setting up displass We want to know if the market is worthwhile.” he said I was well pleased when 1 was there.” said Thelma Coombs The type of people who come to the Farmers Market are senior citizens... said Kathleen Whitmore "last year. it was kind of flat if the committee came up with something Netter such as one market in the summer that was Nigger and better, the market could he Netter GOOD CROWD y vendnf at both the Clinton and Seaforth market. Anna Dolmage said the Clinton market started at 6 10 in the morning and ran until 12 noon "There was always a good crowd 1 had the same customers every week and by 9.00. the rush was usually ns er If the market is going.tn he held a fourth Year. the recreation committee wants to have more participation "But we never seem to gel rt." Mr Dinsmore said. "We've even approached people and offered them a free booth their first time out. but nobody seems interested." "1 heard one customer say it was the strangest farmers market he had ever seen. said Mrs Coombs "1t was because there was no produce." "In Clinton, I got rid of my stuff in three hours. sometimes two." said leen Vande ban of R R.I. Seaforth "I was at the SEE MARKET/ PAGE THREE Jason wants to be like his dad When yfive-yeas'-ojd.'Jason,,.$ktortreed went to Kindergarten at WaltOtt"Poblic School m his wheelchair for the first time last fall, the other children were full of questions about why he couldn't walk and if he needed help. But. soon he became just one of the kids, working in school and playing outside in the snow, "The kids know he can do thins for himself and the teacher really tees to integrate him with the others. So far, he's adjusted. I don't think he knows his limits," says his mother Valerie. As well as getting around with his wheelchair. Jason also uses his "Chariot". a small vehicle like a tricycle which he can propel with his arms. All the other kids had a ride in thc Chariot when Jason first brought it to school. And, one of Jason's favorite times in school is when he gets to he the leader with his Chariot and leads the rest of the class down the hall to wash their hands. Since the Chariot is fast and low to the ground, Jason can play with trucks or play hockey or baseball with the rest of his classmates. When the class went skating recently in Brussels, Jason used a sleigh on the ice and went "spinning and spinning around Bu I jrave to wear my seat belt if I don't wan th' police to stop me," Jason says Born with spina bifida. Jason's spine was opt- with the exposed nervous tissue cover with a thin sac His hack was closed,with an operation soon after birth but tnerve damage paralysed him from the ower hack down is common with most cases of spina h da. Jason also has hydrocephalus which is an abnormally rapid and excessive enlargement of the head caused by too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Jason is outfitted with a valve or shunt which drains the fluid from his head. BE LiKE DAD Despite his physical handicaps. Jason is a bright child who loves to tell stories. He says he'd like to he a farmer like his dad, Bill Shortreed. "1 want to be like Dad. he fixes things. goes in the barn and takes the pigs away and works in Wingham," he says. With the strides made by the handi- capped with hand controls on cars and other vehicles, Mrs. Shortreed says that she and her husband have discussed the possibility of someday outfitting farm equipment with hand controls so that Jason could operate machinery "It's amazing what the handicapped can do as adults They can work, drive and live independently With revised machinery, lason could help on the farm someday -, Jason Shortreed and his brother Matthew he'd need a CB radio in case he got stuck but it's a future consideration Anything's possible." she says. in the meantime."Jason's content to go to school in Walton until grade four when Mrs. Shortreed plans for him to go to Seaforth Public School and then to Seaforth District High School A ramp in the doorway at the Walton school has made it easier for Jason to gel around But. facilities that haven't been built with the handicapped in mind make the going tough for .lason. HAVE TO PLAN iN ADVANCE He'd like to get around himself but he can't always especially when there arc stairs and in some buildings there are SEE JASON/ PAGE THREE Only three take the dip at Brussels Polar Daize/ A14 SDHS students make close to $1300 for Heart Fund/ A3 Centenaires eliminated from further play/ A9 Incredible skipping techniques performed at St. James/ A7 Births /A6 Brussels /,4 Y 4 Classified /Al2, 13 Community Calendar /A3 Dublin /A5 Entertainment /411 Family /A6 Farm /A10 Hensall /A15 Kids /A7 Legion /A11 Obituaries /A6 Sports /A8, 9 Walton /A13 0