HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-02-03, Page 7CBC hit TV show coming to Vanastra
Shaun Gregory
Postmedia Network
A historical piece of
Canada's Armed Forces is
considerably a quieted
contrast from what it once
was, the base known for
top-secret military infor-
mation is following suit.
However, this is not for
confidentiality, simply
just a community strug-
gling to stay afloat.
The Village of Vanastra,
home of the Royal Cana-
dian Air Force (RCAF
Clinton) once saluted
thousands of soldiers with
the primary purpose of
training them in radar
technology. Back in the
1940s and 1950s, this spe-
cific course was consid-
ered by many to be the
best of its kind in North
America, welcoming for-
eign soldiers from across
the world including the
U.S. and UK.
Compared to the thou-
sands who previously
lived in Vanastra, which is
now part of the Munici-
pality of Huron East,
merely a small fraction of
the population of approxi-
mately 650 residents share
the land. Besides some
abandoned buildings and
a large golf ball looking
radar dome with the faded
company name Smith &
Caven plastered across the
front, not much is left of
the RCAF Clinton base.
On the contrary, losing
such a prime source of
income akin to the mili-
tary establishment, the
rural community of Tuck-
ersmith Township main-
tains to stagnantly hold its
place in its dwindling sur-
roundings. Perhaps that is
why CBC's hit TV show
Still Standing embraced
the village's efforts by fea-
turing Vanastra in their
second season.
"It's huge, national cov-
erage," said Jan Hawley,
Huron East's economic
development officer.
Jonny Harris, typically
known for his role on the
television series Murdoch
Mysteries is the host of
Still Standing, where
crews of researchers scalp
the country in search of
beleaguered small towns.
As soon as the destination
is chosen, Harris then
dedicates himself in the
adventure by partaking in
a day in the life of specific
residents in the area.
Born and raised in the
small town known as
Pouch Cove, N.L., Harris
is rather familiar with the
show's story line. For
every community elected,
Harris extracts enough
material to perform a
stand-up comedy routine
for the locals. In the
course of action, he sub-
sequently roasts the town.
A roast occurs when a per-
son uses even-tempered
jokes intended to amuse
the audience by making
fun of them in a humour-
ous manner.
When the team of
researchers came in con-
tact with Hawley, after
months of further investi-
gations, the lead
researcher pitched the
findings to the producers
of CBC.
"It's home of the radar
and that was a kept secret
for 50 years after the war
was won," stated Hawley.
Hawley added the crite-
rion used when towns are
selected by Standing Still
showcases everything
about the location, not only
what's pleasant to the eye.
"It's not all about the
pretty. It's the good, bad
and the ugly," said
Hawley.
Hawley revealed to the
Expositor the story pro-
ducer had been in the area
for a few days to meet up
with a 94 -year-old who
helped build the base back
in the 1940s. Hawley who is
starting a second Win This
Space business proposal in
Vanastra said she was so
excited about the show
making an appearance she
cancelled her holiday
retreat.
"I had a vacation booked
with a flight," stated Haw-
ley, who also added she
had to cancel her prior
arrangements because of
how influential this was to
the Village of Vanastra.
"There's been a stigma
attached to the community
for a number of years and
we're breaking down those
barriers."
Tuckersmith Councillor
Ray Chartrand, said if Still
Standing eventually invites
him to be part of the live
audience, he "absolutely"
will attend.
"Hopefully this CBC
show will help enforce and
encourage them to strive
harder to revitalize the
area," Chartrand said.
The 13 -man crew will
start the filming from Feb-
ruary 1-4, followed by a live
show February 5. As it
stands there is no official
place of where this will be
held, but Hawley alleged
the Vanastra Recreational
Centre is a possibility.
Usborne & Hibbert
Mutual Fire Insurance Company
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The 140th Annual Meeting of the Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company
will be held at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre at 2 p.m. on Monday, March
21, 2016 for the presentation of the Annual Report, to elect Directors and to transact
any business that may rightly come before the meeting.
Nominations will be received for the election of two Directors for a three year term. The
Directors whose term of office expires are Joe Chaffe and Morris Willows. Joe Chaffe
will stand for reelection. Morris Willows is retiring from the Board after serving for
21 years as a Director.
Article 22: Any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director must
file his/her intention to stand for election in writing with the President & CEO of the
Corporation in person at least thirty days in advance of the Annual Meeting or Special
General Meeting called for the purpose of electing Directors.
The 2015 Financial Statements for Usborne & Hibbert Mutual will be posted to the
company's website. Copies will be available at the company office, 507 Main Street
South, Exeter, Ontario.
Jack Hodgert Shelagh Cleary BA, FCIP
Chair President & CEO
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 • News Record 7
Photo from the Twitter of Jonny Harris
CBC's television show Still Standing, hosted by Jonny Harris will
be making its way to Vanastra in February.
Offer valid until February 29, 2018