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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-08-31, Page 88A — THE HURON EXPOSITOR. AUGUST 31, 1988 * NO INTEREST * NO PAYMENTS Until March 1, 1989 Walton Hall once Methodist Church SEAFORTH 527.0120 V1NCf' FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED runilf Be sure to attend a Pioneer Super Expo: Wednesday, Sept. 7 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. East of Kippen on County Rd. 12 (Corner Farm) CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PIONEER SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS '\BRAND• PRODUCTS All sales era sublact to the terms of labelling and sale documents. clieglstered trademark licensed to Pioneer HI -Bred Limited. PIONEER %sI Walton Correspondent MRS. BETTY McCALL 887-8077 The Walton Hall On August .19, 1988 a concert and dance was held at the Walton Community Hall in conjunction with a barbecue by the Walton Area Sports Club at the Ball Park to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of having the hall in this location. Jeanne Kirkby, curator of the Walton Women's Institute had a display in the base- ment of the hall with pictures of Institute special meeting, a soccer team that was formed for Walton and Orange lodge members and what they wore to meetings. Changes made to the hall through the years were listed and photos of the hall where it formerly sat were also on display. Jeanne did a lot of research for the book she had on the History of the Walton Hall. Here is some of the information, as gathered by Betty McCall. USED AS A METHODIST CHURCH In the early 1870s The New Connexion Methodists were holding their church ser- vices in the Leadbury School SS 7 with a cir- cuit minister from Seaforth. In 1873 they joined with the Brussels circuit and led by their pastor Rev. Robt. Davey, erected their own church in Walton. It was located at the corner of Huron County Road 12 North Gravel Road, 14th Concession McKillop Township on property then owned by An- drew Morris. The building was constructed by Mr. Leatherland from Seaforth at the total cost of $2000. In 1874 Walton became the head of the Methodist circuit. Names of that early con- gregation included the following, Dundas, Grigg, Neal, Campbell, Fulton, Crawford, Bennett, Marshall, Williamson, Dennison, Thompson, Pollard, Forbes, Leeming, Hackwell, Barrows, McGavin, Roe, Watson, Johnston, Berry, Swallows, Reinhart, Mor- rison, Porter, Dennis, Ingram, Bray. do 1884 the church trustees purchased a half acre of land from the Hewitt farm in Walton (S.E. corner lot 1, Con. 18 Grey). In- tending to relocate the building more cen- trally during Rev. R.S. Baker's ministry in 1903, this task was undertaken. Wm. Riley from Londesboro headed up the project. The 32' by 48' building was loaded unto a wagon to be pulled by Joe Carters team and cap- tain. George Barcliff, a Brussels contractor popred a cement wall to serve as a base and with the assistance of Jim Gibson, Bill Anderson and Wm. Bennett the hall was reconstructed on what today is Howard Hackwell's lot. The house still on that pro- perty was then used as the parsonage. Through 52 years of service as a Methodist Church a great number of pastors served the Walton Methodist Congregation. A Jubilee was held in the church to celebrate 50 years of Methodism in Walton anti area in 1923. In 1925 the union of Con- gregational Presbyterian and Methodist Churehet.mo'ed, to the much newer Duff's United Churchin Walton. The unity building was their soldtte the Orange Lodge. '/ / USED AS AN ORANGE LODGE The Orange Lodge was established in the Walton. Area in 1869. The new hall was used regularly until 1938. Except for shingling the roof in 1931 improvements were not made to the building during this Period. It was pur- chased by the Walton Community Club. Before 1938 community dances and events had been held upstairs of the hall. When Doug Ennis purchased this building from the order of the lodge in 1938, which was closed to the public, then converted to living quarters. A committee was formed and in- formed the lodge needed a place to meet in the community, so was used. Wm. J. Hum - phries a prominent Walton business man made the motion that the old church building be moved, down into the village and remodelled. On December 2,.1937 they met in Bennett's store to organize the printing and issues of shares and to get estimates for the more. Harry Hart contractor from Seaforth. Then Silas Johnston and Gilbert McCallum were assigned the task of securing a deed for the hall and the hall site. Names of the original shareholders of the Walton Community Hall were registered in the book many of those deceased now. The building had a few problems, divi- sions were poured to create a kitchen area and a ladies waiting room. Costs were mounting, 122 shares had been `sold to 87 community shareholders. Chairs were pur- chased, work was finally completed with in- sulation and painting the interior, ceiling lowered and a new floor for dancing. A special concert and dance was held on the opening night of the community hall, danc- ing went from 9 until 2 with the Huron Corn Huskers. Some of the orchestras that played in the hall were: Huron Corn Huskers, Kirkby, Watt and George Love Sr., Arthur's, The Hill Billies, Pryce's Orchestra, The Melody Mixers, Ian Wilbee, Ken Wilbee, Ross Pierce, Brown's, Ferrier's, Henderson's, PURCHASED HALL The Walton Women's Institute purchased the hall in May, 1975. The Brussels Hor- ticultural Society offered to supply flowers for the bed in front of the hall, it has since been landscaped. In the early 1960s most of the orchestras in the area began to become' unionized and therefore too expensive to be hired for the weekly dance, consequently the hall was us- ed for more in community events such as showers, receptions and card parties. When under the hall board, a whirl of ac- tivities such as bazaars, regular weekly dances, farm machinery shows, film nights, euchre and lost heir parties, stag parties, concerts and plays gave the community hall a busy and prosperous rate. Even the Women's Institute which allowed free rent for their meetings from 1957 to 1963 because of the many improvements they added to the building then a monthly fee was charged. In 1966 the W.I. received their water from Torrance Dundas a nearby neighbor. In 1967 the ladies installed cupboards in the kit- chen, an oil burner was installed in 1970. • The Institute started improvements to their hall in 1978; insulating above ceiling, behind stage and windows, lowered the ceil- ing in 1979, along with repairing the base- ment joists, facing around windows, stage panelled; carpet laid and dumb waiter removed. In 1981 there was electrical work done and furnace extension. 1982 saw the basement ceiling painted and renovations completed. In 1983, light and lumber supplies were pur- chased. The holding tank, material and in- stallation was done in 1984, along with roof- ing and siding. In 1985 there was electric, plumbing supplies done with chairs pur- chased and kitchen renovation. The sidewall and handrail was put was put up in'U also landscaping and the refinishing of flooring. In 1987, a serving counter was added to the kitchen, the dusk to dawn light was installed outside and Dashwood windows were put on that fall. There was much volunteer labour which brought down the expenses and the Women's Institute appreciate the communi- tspirit. We are proud of our Community Hall. The copy of the original agreement bet- ween the Orange Lodge and the Walton Community Club and the deed for the hall were on display in the basement of the hall the night of the celebration, along with pic- tures iatures of special events August 19 when the 50th Anniversary of having the hall on this location was held. The display was headed by the Walton Women's Institute curator, Jeanne Kirkby assisted by Margaret Craig and Dorothy Sholdice. By all reports the barbecue put on by the W : 'ton Area Sports Club was well attended and enjoyed. The program was certainly enjoyed to a full house and a dance to Tiffin's Orchestra brought a most important event of this com- munity to a close, anniversary cake was served during the dance. ABOUT PEOPLE Mr. and Mrs. Ray Huether have 'returned from a tour of the Yukon and Alaska. They also visited with Ray and Leona Nelson in Vancouver and celebrated with the Webster families in Big Valley, Alberta, the 89th bir- thday of Jack Webster of Edmonton, Alta. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Craig and Mr. and Mrs. Graeme Craig attended the funeral of Harvey's brother, Edwin Craig in Ottawa last Tuesday. A number of relatives and friends from this surrounding area attended the funeral on Saturday in Glencoe of Raymond Lair formerly of Blyth, survived by his wife Bet- ty (Young) Lair, son Paul of Langley, B.C. and James at home. Visiting Sunday with Ruth Thamer were Voeker and Shirley Hertlein and Crystal, London, John and Kim Thamer, London, Clint and Judy Emmrich, Jamie and Katie Walton and Ruthie Thamer, Kitchener. CHURCH RESUMES This coming Sunday church at Duff's United resumes at 10 a.m. September 4 following the minister's holidays. The U.C.W. executive is to meet next week, check the day on the bulletin this Sun- day. The joint meeting to be on September 14 when a guest will show slides. Cranbrook families picnic in Jeschke Park Cranbrook Correspondent MRS. MAC ENGEL 887-6645 Gus Duggan of Scarborough visited recently with Mr. and Mrs. John Saxon. He is Mrs. Saxon's brother. Mrs. Patrick Adams and children of Manotick, spent several days with her father Clare Veitch. Mr. and Mrs. Don Cotton attended the funeral on August 26 at Shelburne of a life long friend Delmar Stewart. Quite a number from the community at- tended the Heagle-Bragg wedding August 20 in Trinity United Church, Listowel. The ball players and their families numbering over 60 had their annual picnic in Jeschke Park on Sunday afternoon August 21. Several ball games were enjoyed followed by plenty of hot dogs, cupcakes and beverage, bringing to a close a real pleasant afternoon. The paving job on 12th con. west of Cran- brook was completed Wednesday and Thursday. Bean fest pay •off for Seaforth man Wayne Jeffrey, RR 2, Zurich was the win- ner of a $1000 draw at the annual Zurich Bean Festival on Saturday, August 27. The $200 draw went to Bob Patrick, Seaforth and the $100 draw went to George McCormick, London. The annual draw is sponsored by the My Fair Lady ANNIVERSARY SALE! Thurs. - Fri. - Sat., Sept. 1 - 2 - 3 Selected Group of Fall & Winter MERCHANDISE • SKIRTS .SLACKS • SWEATERS Father Stephen Eckert Council, 5289, of the Knights of Columbus of Seaforth and District. The proceeds of the draw go to local charities that are undertaken by the Knights of Columbus within their district. Grand Knight, Frank Crowley, and commit- tee were in charge of the draw. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS If you do business in Seaforth, Clinton, Dublin, Hensall, Brucefield, Walton areas contact Ed or Terri at THE HURON EXPOSITOR to place a display ad in this book -- The Blue Phone Book with large easy to read print. Call 527-0240 ® Plus --- kJ All -- All other FALL CLOTHING 0 ot vt • II ®. Is your Phone Number not Listed? We are going to publish a telephone listing for Seaforth, Dublin, Hensall, Clinton, exchanges and NEW this year Brussels, Mitchell and Auburn. To have your number correctly listed or new number listed Call THE HURON EXPOSITOR BEFORE WED., SEPT. 7 Watch for it in September "The. Blue Phone Book" 43ALBERT STREET, CLINTON Huron 0 4xpositor -� 527m0240 A 1,