The Citizen, 2016-06-23, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016.
Armstrong brings history to life for Grey anniversary
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Keeper of history
Those looking for the history of Grey Township need look no further than Leona Armstrong
who has compiled an extensive collection of photos, newspaper clippings and historical
documents about the municipality. Armstrong will be bringing her collection to the 160th
anniversary of the township this weekend. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
At this weekend's Grey 160th
anniversary, those looking for
history need to look no further than
Leona Armstrong — long-time Grey
resident and historian of all things
relating to the township, now a ward
within Huron East.
Ten years ago, Armstrong was co-
chair when Grey Township held its
150th celebration, serving alongside
Alvin McLellan, who has been a
Huron East councillor since
amalgamation and with Grey
Township before that.
Despite her leadership and
community recognition, one of the
things Armstrong brought to the
festivities was dozens of boards
featuring newspaper clippings,
photographs and historical artifacts
spanning back decades.
Whether it's marriages,
anniversaries, graduations, council
activities, school programs or news
items pertaining to the Grey Fire
Department or local sports,
Armstrong has a comprehensive
collection of tidbits that any Grey
resident will be sure to find
interesting.
Armstrong says she still has every
issue of The Citizen that's ever been
published and even further back
with a large collection of The
Brussels Post, one of The Citizen's
precursors.
Funny enough, much of the
historical content involves
Armstrong, but not because she's
seeking the spotlight, simply
because Armstrong has been such an
important part of Grey history for so
many years.
Armstrong was first elected to
Grey Township Council in 1975.
Her father had been a Morris
Township councillor and reeve, as
well as a Huron County Warden, and
she was approached by a fellow
community member who thought
she'd be good for the job.
Armstrong said she considered the
idea and consulted with her husband
Jim, who was teaching in Mitchell at
the time. He agreed that his wife
would make an excellent councillor,
but he told her that she'd have to
work to be elected.
Armstrong took that advice to
heart and canvassed and spoke to
residents and garnered enough
support to sit in one of the council
chairs in 1975.
She would remain on council for
over 20 years. She served two two-
year terms as a councillor before
climbing the ladder to the position
of deputy -reeve between 1979 and
1981. She then served as Grey's
reeve from 1982 to 1997.
In 1986, Armstrong was the first
woman to become Huron County
Warden and she wouldn't have a
peer for nearly 15 years until future
MPP Carol Mitchell would sit in the
position two years in a row.
When Armstrong was brought in
as the chair of Grey's 150th
anniversary, she said that she and
Continued on page 15
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