The Huron Expositor, 1987-10-07, Page 5Retired bus driver misses children
As thesong says, "the wheels on the bus
go 'round and 'round", but aside from
pushing the vehicle, there's only one way, to
make that happen. There has to be a bus
driver, and bus drivers are a very popular
lot around here..
Bus driver John "Serge" Baker retired at
the end of the 1986 school year; ending a
14 -year full time association with students in
the Brucefield, Hensall and Seaforth areas.
He, had also driven the car that took area
'residents to and from the airport. However
a misunderstanding about the extent of Mr.
--Baker-'s-r-etir-ement-resulted-in-his-name-be--
ing left on the Murphy Bus Lines employee
list. Consequently it was not until one year
later that his retirement was officially
recognized. This past summer other bus
drivers in the area, some retired, some not,
hosted a .retirement party for Mr. Baker,
presented him. with a pair of patio chairs
suitable for a retiree, treated him• to a din-
ner andtopped it off with a cake, decorated
by Marlene Holman to look like a bus.
"They were great people to work with,"
..said Mr. Baker of his fellow bus drivers.
"They were like family."
But uthe company has changed hands a few
times in••the 14 -years Mr. -Baker has been -a-
part of it. Originally owned and operated by
Les Habkirk as Habkirk Transit, it was
taken over by United Trails a couple years
ago with Mr. Habkirk still at the helm. More
recently the company was purchased by
Murphy Bus Lines.
Shortly afterwards when Murphy's lost a
franchise in Mitchell, Mr. Baker made the
decision to retire.
"A lot of people lost their jobs when the
franchise in Mitchell, was lost. I decided to
retire then because I didn't really need the
job, I just drove because I liked to drive.
And I liked the kids - they were all so nice;" '
he said.
In retrospect Mr. Baker was unable to
• recall anything negative about the 14 -years
he spent as a bus driver.
"I loved it. I wouldn't have done it if I
hadn't," he said, admitting there were cer-
tain kids that were full of mischief. .
TWE HURON EXPOSITOR,. OCTOBER 7, 1987 -"`5A
MISSING HIS JOB - John "Sarge" Baker retired last year fromhis position of bus
driver with Murphy Bus Lines. This summer he was treated to an official retirement par-
ty by fellow bus drivers. Mr. Baker admits he misses the kids on his routes, but has fond
memories of the 14 years he was a bus driver. He is shown here with'the"Greatest Bus
Driver" trophy given to him by the students on his bus, and reading through the card
.given -to -him at-his_retirement- party. .Mcllwraith--photo. ---- = : ---.. - -.=-- - ---.
"But they weren't bed. or mean or
miserable. They were all. very friendly to
me, and they still are."
Born in' England 73 years ago, Mr. Baker
came to Canada at age 16 -after finding it dif-
ficult to settle down at school.
"I love sports, and I loved gymnastics and
anything active, and as a result I didn't
much like academics," said Mr. Baker.
"I went to private schools and my father
told me to settle down or leave school. So at
16 I left school and came to Canada."
Mr. Baker's first job in Canada was on a
farm north of Belleville. He was there six
months before the farm was sold, moved to
the Rockwood area where he lived. five
years, then lived in the Paris area for
another five years. At that time World War
II broke out and Mr. Baker joined the Cana-
dian Army and went overseas.
When he was discharged' from 'the army
nearly six years later, he began working as
a ROP (Record of Performance) tester for
the Department of Agriculture. That job
took him all over the province, and in 1949
brought him to the District of Huron. That
was when he met his wife Edith.
"I was working across the road from
where she lived. We were married in 1951," •
he said.
Now that he is retired Mr. Baker said he
doesn't really have any big plans for the
future. With both a farm and a house to keep
'up, he finds he has enough to do.
"I miss the kids though, they were great. I
had a really great bunch," he said.
But as much' as Mr. Baker misses the kids
on his bus routes, it's, certain they miss the
man they awarded with a, trophy for being
"The Greatest Bus Driver".
Ducks Unlimited holds first action
The Wingham Committee of Ducks
Unlimited Canada held its first annual auc-
tion and banquet on October 2 at the com-
munity centre in Brussels.
As most people know, the funds raised
from the auction and banquet will go toward
the conservation of a wildlife habitat for
North American waterfowl.
The banquet was the first of what is to be
an annual event, but it was also significant
in that it took place on the 50th anniversary
of Ducks Unlimited.
There was quite a display of items for the
auction and raffles, many of them being
paintings of wildlife scenes, as well as out-
doors gear and household items. The ar-
ticles were donated to Ducks Unlimited by
donors from across Canada and particularly
Mid -Western Ontario.
Some people got what could be called a
bargain on their purchases and others paid
a good price for their Ducks Unlimited
Merchandise.
'Canvasbacks' an original oil painting by
Frank Northgrave was taken home by
Sharon Long of Wingham for around $550. It
was one of the more sought after items up
for auction at the banquet. Another item
that created a lot of interest was a brand
new Ducks Unlimited Beretta limited edi-
tion shotgun. The shotgun was won by Nan-
cy Kennedy of Wingham.
Another important part of the night's pro-
gram was the introduction of the Greenwing
program which is a junior branch of Ducks
Unlimited that is designed to get young peo-
ple of the age 7 to 16 years involved in con-
servation. A draw was held for a special edi-
tion Daisy Air Rifle for those who filled out a
Greenwing application.
The main idea behind the function was to
raise money for the conservation group, and
just how much it did raise is not yet known,
DUCKS UNLIMITED - Sharon Long of Wingham is presented with "Canvasbacks"' an
original oil painting. Presenting the painting are artist Frank Northgrave (middle) and
Blake Evans, chairman of the Wingham Ducks Unlimited Committee. Corbett photo.
but the items seemed to fetch fair prices in
the auction, and the attendance was at a full
200 people which is what the organizers
were shooting _for.
The Wingham Ducks Unlimited Commit-
tee covers Seaforth, Clinton and area as well
and is not exclusively a Wingham organiza-
tion.
One of Duck Unlirnited's biggest contribu-
tions to date in the Huron is the 1.5 million.
dollars that they donated to the Hallett
wildlife area.
Consultants to design new access programs
Three consultants have been engaged by
the Huron County Board of Health to design
models for the development of -the new one-
stop access program, county council learn-
ed at its regular October session.
Couneil gave its approval to the board of
health recommendation authorizing:
Ice Pickering - at a cost of $35 per hour to
a maximum of $2,100 - to develop a model
for transportation for seniors.
Martha Chown to develop a model for
"meals on wheels" or alternatives for
seniors at a cost not to exceed $8.500.
PO OUR NEW NAME
E° 482-7036
Watch Nis paper tot more info:
McKILLOP
I I,® MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
At -thee -beet The
WINNERS
. of the Draw for 2 Toy Tra'ctor's
held et the Seafcrth Fall Fair.
•Mks. MABEL L.AMONT
Godertch
SHARON KELLY
R.R. 5, SeSfoi'th
The University of Guelph - at a cost of
$18,546.50 • to prepare the overall proposal
for one-stop access. When completed, the
proposal will be submitted to the Ontario
Ministry for Senior Citizens' Affairs for its
approval.
Zurich Reeve Bob Fisher wondered if one-
stop access might mean the county would be
taking over Nfeals On Wheels programs
already in place in some municipalities, but
the county'S new Medical officer of health,
Dr. Maarten Bokhout said the county's
' model would be more of a review to deter -
BERG
Sales - Service
installation
Free Estimates
e Barn Cleaner's a Stabling
Bunk Feeders
Donald G. Ives
PLR. 2 Blyth
Brussels- 887-9024
mine whether there is a need over and above
what is being provided already. "There is no
intention of doing away with any services
already in effect," Clerk -Administrator Bill
tianly told Mr. Fisher. Mr. Ranly also
pointed out that the one-stop access pro-
gram is totally funded by the provincial
goverment.
One-stop access is aimed at better serving
the needs of seniors by eliminating at least
some of the jurisdiction confusion which has
developed in the past as services have been
Provided by several provincial ministries.
MARIA'S
PHYSIC EUROPEAN SPIRITUAL READER
CARD & PALM READING
SLAY ADVISE ON ALL PROBLEMS OF LIFE
Love Life - Business - Health
Happiness • Marriage
Do not fail to tee this gifted Lady!
OPEN. 9 a.m. - 8 pari.
148 Wellington Rd., London, Ontario
Phone: 673-1783, Phone for appointment's
GEORGE of BRUSSELS•
wishes to announce the appointment of
Bet'ty Kittc'r
(formerly of Betty's Beauty Centre)
to Hs staff. Betty welcomes her friends
and former clients Tuesdays to Fridays at
EQRG.E of BRUSSEr.$
MAIN STREET, SEAFOR`tH'', 521.0470
r
I QL EWOO _
MANOR_
Seafo rth
Let our 527-1440
r+amms�raror
SERVICES AND FEATURES
heIp you enjoy an• independent retirement lifestyle
• All meals, snacks. • COmpanion'ship,"'security
• Laundry, housekeeping. • Private 4 -piece bath
24 -Hour. Staff on Duty • I of duty
• Long term, ' short term, vacation & convalescent care
•
SIRLOIN or WING
STEAK
PORK BUTT
ROAST
or CHOPS
59
FRESH TURKEYS
SMOKED HAMS
t1RESH PORK ' 99
SPARERIBS •
SWEET PICKLED
COTTAGE
ROLLS
99
LB.
STORE MADE
SAUSAGE
. PLAIN OR
GARLIC
59
• 1.6.
mepo''. TRAYS -AND
HE S.E TRAYS AVAILABLE
Are your steps safe
for this winter?
GORD'S WELDING
offers decorative, sturdy
IRON RAILINGS
Competitively priced! 3 main styles
plus many variations. Precast
scrolls also available
GORD'S WELDING 482-5216
Highway 8 on the West End of Clinton
Behind Durst Farm Centre
FREE AND
FIRM QUOTES
ON ALL .JOBS
JMON. - FRE 8 AM- 5 PM
SATURDAY 8 AM - 12 NOON
BE FIRE
WISE!
There are two lifesaving
steps you can take to avoid
the tragedy of fire. First,
you can learn to prevent
fires by keeping areas
around the home, farm and
business uncluttered. Stor-
ing chemicals carefully.
Keeping matches away
from children. The second
step is to know what to do
in case you're caught in a
fire. Plan fire drills. Install
smoke detectors. Learn es-
cape routes. Because care-
less fires can cost lives,
knowing what to do can.
save lives. It's that simple..
and that smart.
FULL
FARM, AUTO, URBAN &
COMMERCIAL COVERAGE
-AGENTS E.F. "BILL" DURST
BOB McNAUGH'TON
GRAEME CRAIG
BANTER & MacEWAN
INSURANCE BROKER LTD. 524-8376
JOHN WISE INSURANCE
BROKERS LTD. 482-3401
"CALL AN AGENT OR THE OFFICE"
527-1455
527-1571
887-9381
Established 1076
McICILL-OP• MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
91 Main St. S. Seaforth
527-04®0.
Robert Coleman
Sec.-Treas•,, Manager