The Citizen, 2007-05-17, Page 1The Citizen
Volume 23 No. 20 Thursday, May 17, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Inside this week
Pg. 3
Pg. 6
Pg. 8
Pg. 17
Pg. 19
Auxiliary donates
to defibrilator
May International
Doula Month
Soccer season
underway
Cupboard opens in
downtown Blyth
Woman installs art
near Blyth
The Airstream Ontario Canada
Unit is coming to town.
Between May 18-21, some 80
trailers with about 200 Wally Byam
Caravan Club International members
will be staying at the Blyth
campgrounds for their spring rally.
The unit president Donna Partridge
and early arrivals will be in Blyth on
Thursday, May 17. North Huron
councillor Greg McClinchey will
extend greetings from the township
at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Co-chair Barrie Harper said that
while the club did have a
“rendezvous” in Blyth in the past,
this is the first time they will be here
for the spring rally.
“We have five rallies a year and
look for different places in Ontario.
We knew about Blyth from the
earlier visit and it works for us. We
need a campsite that offer full
facilities and is on good, firm
ground.”
With its roots dating back to the
1930s, the Airsteam Club is the
oldest club in North America,
according to Harper.
Airstream’s founder was Wally
Byam. A born traveller, Byam built
his own travel trailer, then sold plans
for $5. He began building improved
versions in the backyard of his Los
Angeles home. By 1930, the trailers
had sold so well that Byam was able
to quit his other jobs and build the
trailers full-time.
He introduced the name Airstream
in 1934. The trailer, which would
sleep four and carried its own water
supply was outfitted with electric
lights. Its body was rivetted
aluminum.
Following the Second World War,
Byam opened Airstream Trailers Inc.
in California. In 1952, demand was
so great he opened a second plant in
Ohio.
Byam soon led caravans of
Airstream trailers around the globe.
Byam passed away in 1962. In 1985
Thor Industries acquired Airstream.
Over 60 per cent of all the
Airstreams ever built, including
some from the $5 plan, are still
rolling down the highways.
Getting active for a cause
Last week, East Wawanosh students took advantage of the budding spring weather and spent
an afternoon outside for Jump Rope for Heart. From left: Braydon Whitfield, Wyatt Schieftel,
Dylan Bromley and Brent Montgomery got active to raise money for heart and stroke research.
(Shawn Loughlin photo)
A new venture in Blyth is about to
give shopping at home a whole new
twist. And those pulling it together
are looking for people interested
in being part of an exciting
opportunity.
Maple & Moose will be a unique
co-op retail store featuring only
Canadian merchandise. A board of
directors is now looking for cottage
industries or existing businesses that
would like another outlet for their
product, or individuals who would
like to try their hand at enterprise
without the headaches of owning the
business.
“We are looking for quality items,”
said Bev Elliott. “What is offered
will be juried by the board of
directors to eliminate overlap and to
guarantee that we are providing
customers with something unique
and of top quality.”
The venture came about as a result
of discussions with the Blyth Idea
Group. “We were talking about what
we’d like to see on main street and
the suggestion of a co-op came up,”
said Elliott.
The board sees Maple & Moose as
a liaison for Canadian products, said
Elliott.
“It’s not simply about
the things you make yourself.
Someone local can go outside to
bring items in. We may get pottery
from B.C.”
“We would like to see all kinds of
Canadian items here and guys and
gals who would like to promote a
product.”
Vendors will have an agreement to
sign, that includes such details as the
rental fee.
The store, which is located at 398
Queen St., is currently being
restored. “It’s a beautiful old
building that will showcase the
merchandise in the best possible
way,” said Elliott.
The anticipated opening is mid-
June.
Anyone interested in getting in on
the ground floor of this truly
‘home’spun venture can contact
Elliott at bev.elliott@ezlink.ca
The Blyth Festival is holding its
annual used book sale on June 1,
from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and June 2
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the 30th
time at the Blyth Memorial
Community Hall.
Hard and soft covers, Harlequins,
videos, CDs, records and even board
games and puzzles are available for
purchase.
Refreshments are available
including Lynda’s famous rhubarb
custard pies for just $7. These can be
ordered by calling the box office at
519-523-9300.
Volunteers, under the guidance of
event chair Margaret Webster, begin
sorting books and setting up the sale
on May 28. Books will be accepted
between May 28 and June 1 from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Magazines and
textbooks cannot be accepted.
Greg McClinchey, the Liberal
candidate for Huron-Bruce, Paul
Steckle, the Member of Parliament
for Huron-Bruce, and the Huron-
Bruce (Federal) Liberal Association,
announced today that the Leader of
the Official Opposition, Stéphane
Dion, and Bob Rae, the Liberal
Candidate for Toronto Centre, are
both planning visits to Huron-Bruce
later this month. Dion will be
attending a breakfast in Blyth on
May 26, and Rae will be attending
an evening “coffee and dessert” open
house in Kincardine on May 25.
McClinchey stated, “…to have
both the Liberal Leader and a
candidate with Mr. Rae’s profile
visiting Huron-Bruce demonstrates
clearly that the Liberal Party is
committed to dealing with rural
issues. The party needs to hear what
rural Canadians have to say, first
hand, and I am very pleased to see
that they have accepted our
invitation to come to both Huron and
Bruce counties.” Steckle added,
“Stéphane Dion is committed to
dealing with everything from the
farm income crisis and rural
healthcare to infrastructure renewal
and seniors issues. The people of
Huron-Bruce know what is needed
and I commend both Mr. Rae and
Mr. Dion for recognizing that
grassroots input is an essential
component on the road to solving
these problems.”
Nick Whyte, the president of the
local Liberal Association concluded
by saying, “…in the past few weeks
alone, we have welcomed the Critic
for Seniors issues and now both Mr.
Rae and Mr. Dion will be stopping in
the area. I think this clearly shows
that the party is connected to Huron-
Bruce; connected in a way that will
help to carry ideas from the
concession roads to the halls of
power in Ottawa.”
Airstream
Club
pulls in
to town
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Book sale nears
Co-op venture brings
Canadiana to area
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
It may not be official, but the
Victoria Day weekend makes one
feel as if summer has begun.
However, while it’s a long
weekend for most, the usual business
hours at the Blyth Citizen will remain
unchanged with the office open on
Monday, May 21. Deadline for
advertising and editorial submission,
however, will be moved up to noon.
The Brussels office will be closed
for the long weekend, but
information can be slipped under the
door for pickup at noon on Monday.
Office open, Monday
Dion
comes for
breakfast
in Blyth