Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-06-08, Page 1-,i++MCV"!'F'V1%GYP • incorporating 'Brssels Post 50c per copy Y fxpositor 1W. EDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1983 — 20 PAGES IT'S OPEN!—With the help of Marlen Vincent, fund raising chairman, right, and building committee chairman Ken Campbell, out of the photo, Clare Westcott cuts the yellow ribbon Saturday. The Seaforth native, executive director of the Predt1er of Ontario's office, officially opened the Seaforth and pleitrIct Community Centres. (Wassink photo) Fun, fanfare opens arena About 2309 people, young and old, from Seaforth and townships around packed the new Seaforth and District Community Cen- ttes Saturday, for the official opening. They applauded as the leaders of eget' municipality, members of parliament and chief organizers of the new arena campaign, Marlen Vincent and Ken Campbell, de- scribed the hard work that paid off in a new $1.4 million complex. They enjoyed enter- tainment by the Harmony Kings. the Huron Centennial ukulele group and the Seaforth- Dashwood Community Band. They laughed at honored guest Clare Westcott's Seaforth memories and they gave a standing ovation to the Seaforth District High School Girls' Trumpet Band, who struck up as soon as Mr. Westcott cut the ribbon. The highlight for opening day chairman, Ken Coleman, was "the combination of all ages....they worked well together....thcy played well together. They were ail there." And the interest of the tiniest, spectators, who'll no doubt tell their grandchildren about the arena opening in1983, was evident all day and long into the night, as many of them stayed on for the dances with their parents. Older people, meanwhile, caught up on old times with old friends, and enjoyed a barbecued beef dinner then the music of Free Spirit on the ice surface area or the Ian Wilbee Orchestra in the large hall. 1,600 dinners were served in all and 747 people paid a separate admission for the evening, Mr. Coleman says. Immediately after the opening ceremonies, the first group of 900 people were served their meal in just 35 minutes. The massive serving, clean-up, registra- tion and other chores for the opening were handled by 400 or 500 volunteers. Every group that uses the arena provided people to help, Mr. Coleman says. While many people came and went to the various events that started at 2 p.m., lots of others were at the new complex for 12 hours straight and more. The fact that he started to skate in the old Palace Rink in 1933 "had something to do with making me one of your committee's believers," Mr. Westcott said in his short pre -ribbon cutting speech. lan McTavish and Ed Daly were the "local hotshot" skaters then, and Mabel Turnbull and Jack McKen- zie would be twirling in centre ice. "You couldn't do this in Toronto," the executive director of the premier's office noted. "You couldn't get this community spirit across 1700 homes," A letter writing campaign by Mr. Westcott raised over $12,000 for the new arena, and he joked, "I haven't thrown my list away. if you need an addition, we might do it again.' "I'm proud of you, but you should he'rituch SDHS tutors make a d BY RON WASSINK The fourth year of peer tutoring at Seaforth public school has ended. Students and their tutors exchanged emotional • goodbyes with promises to keep in touch. Certificates were presented to the 35 gra «1>3 attrily Studies students of SDHS by Pauls arroll, principal. A constant supporter of the program, he said, "we have seen educational miracles occur due to tutoring. "You have done something really important. The spillover will be evident for years to come, Tutors spent their last day with their students last week. Peer tutoring has benefitted students and tutors. "It has been excellent. Every year it seems to improve," says Karen Byers, SDHS family studies teacher. Tutoring is part of their curriculum and her students will be marked on their progress. A first in the county, the program was first introduced four years ago. It has taken off better than we had expected. We're tickled to death." The tutors have not taken the course lightly. Interest was so positive, that two highschooLstudents who dropped the famillt– studies course, continued on with' the tutoring program. They will not receive marks for their efforts. , Public school students who receive help are the ones who need help, over and above classroom studies, says Mrs. Byers. "Their teachers have been super. We now have a waiting list of students who want the benefits of the program." • Not only a learning experience, the social gains are tremendous. A bond forms between the younger and the 'older student. "It's a definite asset to have a one -on -'one relationship. Some students' do not receive encouragement in their home to improve Seaforth's fairy godfather, Clare 'puts things together BY SUSAN WHITE Seaforth's fairy godfather, the man with a long history of providing help for local projects and local people says there isn't much to making connections that smooth the way for an arena or an appointment. "1 don't really do anything.,,) get in the middle and put things together," says Clare Westcott, 59, Seaforth native and executive director of Premier Bill Davis's office. A series of letters to his friends in high places, typed in her own time by his longtime secretary. Linda Crockatt, raised more than $L0.000 for the new community centre. He's given advice and opened doors for countless other Seaforth projects since the ex•PUC linesman ("really 1 was down in the ditches") left here in 1949. Why? Working at Queen's Park. sans Clare, "would bore you to desth....plus you work your butt off. 1 get fun. pleasure. out of other things. Doing something for some- body is like money in the bank." WOULD YOU LIKE 53,000? And he gives the example of the friend who was asked for $25 for Seaforth's new arena. "Would :you like $3,000?" he replied. There's personal satisfaction too. Like the kid fresh out of jail, about to get married to a pregnant girlfriend. for whom he got a job as a parking lot attendant. "It only took me one phone call...." Ten years later as Clare and his wife Virginia drove into a city parking lot a well-dressed man stopped him. It was that kid, now a supervisor for all the company's Minor variance gets approval prouder. Because you're the ones who did Rev. James Vanslyke, representing the Seaforth Ministerial Association gave the dedication prayer. As well as Mr. Campbell and Mr. Vincent, other speakers were Mayor Alf Ross, Seaforth; Reeves, Marie Hicknell. McKillop; Ivan . Norris, Hibbert; 'l om Cunningham, Hullett and councillor Bob Broadfoot, repre- senting reeve Bob Bell of Tuckersmith. Bill Irwin of XDG Limited, the contractors, Burns Ross of B.M. Ross and Associates; the engineers; Melanie McLaughlin of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation; Murray Cardiff, MP for Huron -Bruce; Jack Riddell, MPP Huron -Middlesex and Murray Elston, MPP Huron Bruce also congratulated orga- nizers and the community. A.Y. McLean was master of ceremonies. ference their acedemic skills. . This is what my students give them. A lot of parents do not realize the importance of the program." ENJOYS IT Joyce Sloan has been tutoring Rick Scott, grade six student, since February. "At first, I .didn.'kdcnow what I was,gettngQ,; �pto, 1UhaVe enjoyed it. It's nice to be able tb"ht'lp othe4s. I'm planning to be a teacher. The experregce will help." Reading was Rick's main problem. The Property owner Leo Medd's application for a minor variance to Seaforth s zoning bylaws has been approved by the town's committee of adjustment. The controversial request, to which several neighbours objected at two separate meet- ings, is for a side yard of 15 feet instead of the required 25 feet. and for permission to leave the existing house at the corner of Ann and James St. standing for three months after completion of the new residence. Residents in the area who object to the committee's decision have 21 days to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. The decision, signed by committee mem- bers Brenda Reid; Jim Gould: Piet Loomans and chairman, Ken Oldacre. says approval was given for the following reasons: -the smaller,sid' "-" Mvr+c Mr. Medd a additional help has made his reading more fluent. His knowledge and comprehension have improved. Grade six student, Debbie Baillie never liked reading. After tutoring from Sandra Finlayson, her skills have improved, "Her reading wasn't that -bad, if only she would take her time," says Sandra. ''Debbie's main problem was her pronunciation. She has done very well. Out of a score -of 10, Please turn to page 3 "private backyard when viewed from James St." increases separation from his neighbour to the east and permits retention of a tree "which will enhance the 23 -foot back yard"; -corner visibility is -assured; -the official plan doesn't envisage a widening of Ann St. in the foreseeable future, and ;other residences in the neighbourhood have non -conforming front yards and Mr. Medd's will be the only residence in a short block with a main entrance facing west. The existing house, an unusual frame Victorian structure which was on the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario's 1976 4, Heritage House Tour in Seaforth is called a "decaying older -style residence" in the decision. Rain s a dirty word • Rain is a dirty, four letter word for area farmers. Twice the amount of rain has been recorded for the month of May compared to 1982 and three times as much as 1981. Planting is three weeks behind schedule. Unfortunately, nothing can be done, on the land or to stop the rain. To plant corn or not to plant is a gamble many farmers must decide. If the rain persists, then other crop alternatives will have to be made. White bean production may be high this season. The delay in planting corn has cost Ontario farmers about $30 million in lost harvest revenues. Ken Patterson, chairman of the Ontario Grain Corn Council, estimates corn production will drop 25 million bushels because of the weather. Farmers overheard at the grand opening of the community centres on the weekend wondered if the corn they had planted would amount to much. "1 wish the seed was still in the bag." was a common statement. Others were hoping the yellowish corn plants, poking through water puddles, will survive. There has been a rise in stress levels, but farmers still maintain a sense of humor. A large cashcropper joked that rice would be the crop of 1983! The planting of soybeans has been halted. Normally. 30 per cent of the crop is planted by the end of May. This year, only 15 to 20 per cent is in. Production will not suffer as long as the crop is planted before mid-June. says Otis McGregor, manager of the Soybean Market- ing Board. 1'8 -year-old. dies in crash Seaforth area teenager, William W. Kinsman, 18, of RR 2, Kippen was killed early Sunday morning in a single vehicle accident on Perth County Road 17, near St. Pauls. Officer Tom MacArthur of the Sebringville OPP reported the accident occured at approximately 3:30 a.m. He arrived on the scene at 7:42 a.m. Travelling east, the automobile left the roadway, struck the northwest wall of a bridge, was airborne for 20 metres, then struck the northeast wall near the top, before 'falling four 'Metres to the riverbank below. The driver was thrown from the vehicle which received 58,000 damage. The late Mr. Kinsman is a son of Robert and Frances (Hern). Kinsman of RR 2 Ki pen. He is survived by three brothers John and Lyle of RR 2, Kippen and Dwight of RR 2, Staffa and by grandparents Ross and Florence Hern, Ailsa Craig and Earl Kinsman of Hensall. He is survived by a niece, several nephews, aunts and uncles. Visitation was held at the Hensall Chapel of Michael P. O'Connor Funeral Homes until Wednesday when funeral services will be held at the Kippen United Church, Sat, 2 p.m. with_ Don Moffatt and,wRev; Stan, McDonald oinetatiiitt: l7tie"enfeit, i 'i Viei- Taggart's Cemetery. Donations to the Kippen, United Church would be appreciated in his memory. Toronto parking lots. Other connections include Clare Westcott's personal crusade to send old reconditioned Ontario ambu- lances to Jamaica. "The feds" send them down when they have space on other trips. His interest in the Carribcan goes away hack to school consolidation in Ontario. Desks from the old one room schools were being dumped and burned. A waste thought Clare so he borrowed warehouse space to gather them up in Toronto. arranged to get them to Florida on fruit trucks returning empty and then sent by boat to the Bahamas oul•islands. At no cost h thc recipients or the taxpayers of Ontario How did the man, a Protestant who's gotten a medal from thc Pope, who arranged a papal audience for former premier John Robarts when nobody else Please turn to page Recognition In a rare move. Seaforth council has decided to change its meeting date, because it conflicts with an event honoring a long- time community group. On Tuesday, June 14, the Auxiliary to Seaforth Community Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary with a dinner and reception at the community centre. "In recognition of the group's importance to the town,' mayor Alf Ross suggested shifting the regular meeting of council to June 15. "So that all councillors can attend," he added. Ono6d* '&12, W*91z A SUPER SHOW—The crowd at the arena opening gave a standing ovation to the SDHS girls band. The band performed right after the ribbon cutting with a precision routine and some of their award winning music. The flags on the back wall were donated by the Seaforth Agricultural Society. (Photo by Wassink) Play ball /411 Ringette fashion show packs the arena /A8 Hope for the bereaved in Huron /415 National calibre canoeists in Brucefield /410 Dairy herd third in Canada /A14 Births /A6 Brussels news /Al2, 13 Classified' /A18, 17 Dublin news /A5 Entertainment /,47 Family /46, A15 Farm /A14 Hensel! news /48 Kids /A19 Obituaries /A6 People /A3 Smiley /A2 Something to Say /A2 Sports /A10, 11 Londesboro /A15 Walton /A13 7