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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-09-18, Page 3r• CELEBRATING CANADA — The Women's. Division of the SeafOrth Agricultural Society, 'spent part of last week painting and cleaning in__the _roundhouse, befcee h.ftnging...thes.e_. new. _provincial_ flags. - The suggested by Dorothy Hays, was to form a Canada Court, displaying the provincial and territorial flags, In the central area of the hall. The fiagstands were made by Ken Moore, president of the Seaforth Agricultural Society. (Photo by Gibb) Something to say by Susan White will be back next week F of A wants ag minister to quit BY RHEA HAMILTON Huron County Federation of Agriculture members have called for the resignation of Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Lorne Henderson. Federation members passed the resolu- tion at their meeting Thursday after expressing concern about the growing of foreign ownership of farmland in the county. Land sales indicate the foreign ownership problem isn't solved, and members warned the minister isn't concerned enough with the problem to do anything about it. _ John Van Beers presented a motion demanding the resignation of the minister unless he stop the callous and disasterous use of the land. The motion met with little opposition. One Federation member cited eight examples of foreign ownership in McKillop Township alone. Doug Fortune, commenting on the timing of the resolution, said the local membership should accumulate the land Sales figures necessary to support submitting the same resolution at the Ontario Federation of Argiculture board meeting later this fall. Tony McQuail said the foreign ownership problem is accelerating and the federation should act now. John Van Beers offered one final statenient before the overwhelming vote was taken. "We shouldn't destroy what we have built over the last 100 years for the sake of the almighty dollar,” he said. The Huron Federation of Agriculture has been working closely with the Rural Development Outreach project (RDOP) in studying foreign ownership. The RDOP is presently involved in the second phase of the study, looking at the effect of foreign ownership on communities. The first phase was presented to federation members last June when it was disclosed that .95 per cent of the county's land waS owned by people living outside the I:aunty. In other business, regional directors and delegates to the OFA convention Nov. 24 to 27 were elected. The delegates are Jim Isielntosh, director and delegates Harry Swinkels, Jack Tebbutt and Walter McIlwain form West Central; director John Nesbitt and delegates Mery Smith, John Van Beers and Maurice Bean for Fast Central Huron; Andre Durand. director and delegates Albert Erb, Paul Klopp and Andy Wykoski from South Huron; Gerry Fortune, director and delegates Deanne Dickson, Brian Jeffrey and Max Demeray from North East - Huron and Merle Gunby director and delegates Walter Elliott, Jim Hunter and Tony McQuail from Northwest Huron. Foreign Continued from page I make a profit. . "As a member of the federation, we have to look at the resolution. It has to be fair, that's all I'm saying." Mr. Stewart has simile feeling. "If our land was for sate." he sai "I would give our local people an opport nity to buy it first at a fair marke value." "I don't haveany ag nst the people who are selling," said Mr. Robinson. "I think they realize it's not necessarily good for the community, but I know most of us would do it." Mr. Gunby noted another problem vribt foreign ownership which may not be considered. "One of things I think is significant is that the agricultural industry, and farming in particular, is one of the few industries in the country not owned by foreign investors." "It really doesn't matter," he added, it's one, two or 20 per cent of the land. It's a trend, and we'd like somebody to take a look at Eit v'eryone interviewed agreed the interest from foreign buyers began right in the Seaforth area three or four weeks ago, and "there is evidence is hich suggests that it hasn't died. Late yesterday -John Van Beers said (from Toronto) that the Huron County resolution 'Was passed "with a good majority" at the Ontario Federation directors meeting. At a time when the diffOretteea,hetWeen the Canadian provinces are receivieg. tre- mendous Publicity, the Women's Dielsitin of the Seaforth Agricultural Society has etnopleted a project to make us more aware of the unifying forces in our nation. s The ,Projeer svis to create a distinctive Canada Court in, the central area of the roundhouse, to fly the flags Of each province and territory In the county, as well as the Canadian flag. Dorothy Hays of Seaforth originated the idea last year. Since the roundhouse, the octagonal -sided exhibititan building on the fairgrounds, is unique both architecturally and historically, it was thought this building would be a fitting home for the flags. Mrs. Hays sent letters to premiers of each of the provinces and territories. The letter said: "At this time, when there is increasing recognition of the Problems that face. our •country, Canada,- the- Womeres -Division -of the society has determined on a program to encourage an awareness of our nation and to this end, proposes to establish a Canada. Court in the central area of the hall ..." Lois Hodgert, Women's Division presi. ..1 dent, said Tuesday all but three flags 'of the 14 flags requested by the society have arrived. • Mrs. Hoclgert said the group is still hopeful the other flags will arrive in time for the Seaforth Fall Fair's opening night activities on Thursday. This year, the Seaforth Fall Fair has been extended to a threesClay run to give more urban residents a chance to attend the fair. In the past, the fair has opened Thursday night, with the crowning of the fall fair queen, and then continued Friday with an earl's? -afternoon parade, followed by 4-H judging, the pet show and other fair events. LOTS ON SATURDAY This year, while most of the events will be scheduled the same way they were in past years, the pet show has been moved to Saturday afternoon. Other events for Satur- day fair visitors include a baby show at 1 p.m. a display of driving skills -by The Hollywood Auto Daredevils, and tug-of-war and greased pole competitions. The penny sale, another fair tradition, will continue Saturday with the lucky winners announced at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. THE HYRPO,F.xfpoiToRf.._PEPTEMPER:18:i..i.110....7,4: Although commercial exhibitlivill alsobe on display Saturday, fairgoers yvho want to see the perishable flower, fruit and veges table displays in the roundhouse and the new Canada Court flagdisplay, will have to drop by the fairgrounds Friday. , Mreellodgert pointed out that the fairies always been an important aspect of com- munity life. The first Agricultural Society was organized 135 years ago, in 1845. At that time, it was the Harpurhey Agricultural SOciety, and had about 100 members frotn Tuckersmith, Millet and McKillop Town- ships. The first known site for the fair was in Harpurhey in Knox's hall, just east of the cetnetery. Across the road a mud street was used as a half mile race tract MOVED TO SEAFORTH By 1861,the Tuckersmith branch of the Agricultural Society_ held its fall fair on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 15 and 16 in Seaforth. The grounds contained an oval race track, grandstand, crystal palace and ticket office, all enclosed by a high wooden fence. The Agricultural Society made its final move to the northeaSt corner of the town. - where the fairgrounds are now leCated,,at ' the turn.of.the.century. , On this land, bought front Ed Coleman, the society erected an unique two-storey eight -sided crystal palace Lind other bad- r lugs. The first fair was opened on the ,grounds in September, 1902, Admission fees in the earlier days of the, fair were a reflection of lifestyles in -that period. Non-sOciety members were charged: 25 cents at the gate, it was 10 cents for ladies and children and 25 cents for carriages. TnipTerrient -sig6iff were granted "ffee spede for their displays. One popular competition with the public was between local harness makers, Michael Broderick atid James Gillespie, who tried to outdo one another in their brass -mounted harness creations. Today, the fair's attractions have changed, but ken Mdore, Seaforth Agricul- tural Society president, said organizers hope to attract between 4,000 to 5,000 visitors to the three-day event. After 135 years in the business of promoting fairs, the Agricultural Society members should be pretty accurate predict- ors of fair attendance. Katie starts the wheat weaving process with pliable straws which have been soaked In water for 20 Here, Katie starts forming the skirt minutes. of one of her dolls. Katie Is surrounded by the variety The final step. before adding the of ornaments she's created since decorative touches, is braiding the learning the art of wheat weaving picture -style hat for the doll. thls summer. (Phntos by Gibb) — f,' • Y ungAcitie does an old BY ALICE GIBB Katie Kerslake, 14, of R.R. 2 Stella, will ' be exhibiting samples of a craft almost as old as -the upcoming Ciderfest. The craft, which Katie learned this summer, is straw braiding, or in Katie's use, wheat weaving - first done by the ancient Egyptians. During Egypt's golden age, the planting arid harvesting of crops had great religious significance in worship ceremonies for the goddess Isis. Since the corn "spirit" was believed to inhabit the fields, and die when the last sheath was harvested, straw ornaments made from the last grains of the harvest were considered symbols of good luck. These ornaments provided a resting place for the corn spirit and were hung in the home until the next harvest tb ensure good crops. The first "corn dollys" were made in the shape of a maiden, since the corn spirit was a goddess. In a ceremony held during the Egyptian harvest, the corn dolly was carded back from the fields by the prettiest girl in the village. Centuries later, the invention of thresh- ing machines, and a more mechanized harvest, damaged the straw and straw braiding became a lost art. It wasn't revived until 20 years ago, when crafts- people in Britain and Europe re -discovered the traditional craft. This snmmer, Katie Kerslake spent a week with her cou sin's wife, Ann Hunt. in Elmira, learnipg how to create wheat dolls and "mordifords", heart -shaped decora- tive wall -hangings. Mrs. Hunt displays and sees her wheat ornaments two days a week at the St. Jacob's market. FARMEWS MARKET With Ann Hunt as an inspiration, Craft coluinn Katie's first "big step" after learning the art of braiding, was to ;eke a display to the Seaforth Farmer's Market, held io Victoria Park this summer. As a result of this, a pair of Katie's braided bells went to Cleveland, one of her dolls was taken back to Calgary. and the young craftsman received orders for more dolls to decorate tables at a church supper. Freda Kerslake, Katie's mother. said "'once you get started (in the craft), imagination is the limit." Katie now has a wheat weaving craft guide which shows how to make over 30 different decorations and ornaments from straw. The most important step in the craft is harvesting the wheat before it's completely ripe • while sill in the milky stage. Katie is fortunate her father's a cash crop farmer - and the main item needed for braiding is as dose as the field. Katie has also experimented using rye. barley and oats, and Ann Hunt has mastered a number of designs using timothy straw. The wheat is harvested, with the heads on, and left to dry. Before starting the actual braiding process. Katie soaks the wheat stalks for approximately 20 minutes in a paperhanging trough. To make a "d y", which Katie demonstrated during lhe interview. she starts with 30 straws for (he doll's body, and uses 20 more straws for the hat and arms. If she wants to change the color of the straw slightly, she adds Javex to the water used for soaking the straw - and this lightens the wheat stalks. The next step. once the wheat is pliable, is to measure 9 inches from the bottom of the stalk to mark the doll's height and then ties the stalks with a clove hitch knot which won't slip on the straw. The heads of the wheat are folded down later, and form the outer skirt on the dolls, while the bristles inside provided support so the dolls can stand upright. BRAIDING Once the body is shaped. Katie then tackles the doll's arms, which are braided from six straws. Once the strands are braided, you can pull the "rope" in any direction and it won't break. Freda Kerslake said some of the men dropping by the farm have been asked to test their strength with one of the braids -and no one has been able to break the strands yet. After Katie braids the arms, she splits the body of the doll in half, bends the front to form the bust, and then inserts the arms. The braided straw is bent to forrn elbows and hands are tied together at the front with another clove -hitch knot. After the doll is comPleted, Katie will insert a bouquet of tiny dried flowers or sheath of dried grass into the doll's hands to provide a final decorative touch. Once the body is completed. Kated mounts the doll on a con e -shaped stand for the finishing touches. The bristles are trimmed so they're even, and using seven stalks. Katie creates the picture -style hat for the doll. After the hat's completed. she decorates it with a piece of velvet ribbon around the brim. The ribbon is also often used to tic a bo* around the doll's bouquet. When Katie finishes one of her dolls, she adds a "corn dolly" tag, which describes the tradition of "good luck" associated with straw braiding, and the hand -painted signature Katie's Things, the name she's chosen for her business. DECORATIONS In addition to the corn days. Katie also weavea neck or spiral decoration. which is a sheath of wheat braided and tied with a velvet ribbon; distinctive candle decora- tions; Christman stars; decorated brooms made from Mexican Pampas grass and' mordifords. The mordifcrrds, the heart -shaped orna- ments. were once given to -girls by their gentlemen cailert as a stg-n of love. Katie, a Grade 9 student at Mitchell high school, has been busy this week making dolls to enter in the Seaforth Fall Fair -the first time she's competed in the fair's craft division. When the fair is over, when she'll turn her attention to the upcoming Ciderfest. Some of her dolls, including her rye and barley "ctirn dollys", the first dolls she made. will be on display inside the Van Egmond House. Mao, with some as- sistance from family members. Katie will also be selling her crafts in a booth on the Van Egmond House groundr\ If the "good luck" which traditionally accompanies the straw weavers holds, not only will Katie's craft venture be success- ful, but next season her father should have an excellent harvest. After all. those early Egyptians couldn't all be wrong! Town unhappy with idea of sewer survey Members of the s council were upset night at council's meeting by a Old movie series planned for SDHS Love old movies? Are you smitten with Marlon Brando In "On The Waterfront, or do you thrill to the voice of the dashing Errol Flynn? Is comedy your style? Do the antics of the Marx brothers _ _ or the delicate mime of Chaplin's little tramp never fail to amuse you? If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, then perhaps the Classico Film Society is for you. Dick Burgess, SDHS - English teacher, is planning a ten -week program of classic HollyWood movies, starting October 7, which will operate within the frame- werk of the nighf school program offered at the school. The film prOgram, which will include discussions of the great movies, actors and comedians of the past, • will , be offered at the school Tuesday nights. The first session, will feature clips from a number of popular old films - including On The Waterfront and some Marx • brothers movies. Mr. Burgess hopes Seaforth Monday regular recorn- members of the class can then suggest some of their particular favorites they'd like to watch in the remaining nine weeks of the program. Anyone wishing further information on the film society's program can call Mr. Btirgess at the school or at 527-1481 in the evening. mendation from the Ministry of the Environment that they retain a consultant to work on a sanitary survey for Egmondville. The furture aim of the survey is to determine the needs and requirements for providing sewer service Co all or part of the village at the southern part of Seaforth. 9 , thought when this sistem was built it could, take in Egniondville," said Mayor John Sinnamon. "We paid good fees to have things engineered and engineered properly." Councillor Gerald Groothuis was also dis- AP pleased with the recommendation. "If yon get things for your money, 1 don't mind that," he said. "I can tell you I'm not pleased with them. I'm far from satisfied with du whole system." • The recommendation to council was that clerk Jim Crocker be instructed to gather information con- cerning the appointment of a consultant and present his report to the October meeting of the •Tran- sportation and Environment Committee. "I'd like to find out the long range terms of re- ference for this. The pre- liminary infiltration study found we had a lot of infiltration," noted Mr. Crocker. "It occurs to me they didn't do enough study at the time," added the clerk. "Everything was going to be beautiful when we got the sewer system in." commented reeve John Flannery. , Mayor Sinnamon added that retaining of a consultant should be done in con- junction with Tuckersmith township. Farm accident kills 16 year old in Hay A 16 -year old Stratford area resident was killed Thursday when he fell into a corn harvester while working on a Hay Township farm about two kilometres south of Hensel!. Barry Feltz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Feltz, was atoll -a on the machine when Inc accident occurred tibout 7:40 p.m. on the Highway 4 farm Of William Roweliffe. Exeter OPP said the boy was killed Instantly in the accident. ,s• * seas.. 9P, 9 9.