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The 29th Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion, 1990-09-05, Page 8PAGE A-8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1990. Joan Houston, head of the craft program at the Thresher Reunion works with her daughter Terri on a quilt put up at last year’s show. Home cooking provided bp local service clubs Arena Craft show has boomed over the years About five years ago when Joan Houston of Owen Sound took over the job of organizing the craft show at the Thresher Reunion, she decided, against the wishes of some, that it was time for a change. Joan, whose husband Bob had a steam engine, began attending the reunion after their marriage and shortly after started helping Anne Mclnnes with the duties of planning the exhibit, which was held in the community centre. According to Joan, there was, at the time, about 15 to 20 crafters involved and their displays were set up in half of the arena while the beer garden was in the other half. “I didn’t agree with this arrangement,” Joan said. “I felt that the crafts were a family show and the two things in the building didn’t mix.” Joan said her suggestion to move the beer garden elsewhere was met by some opposition because of the work done by the group who operate the beer garden, the Lions Club. ‘‘Everyone appreciated what the Lions had done for the Threshermen, but 1 was concerned for the effect it had on children and people opposed to alcohol. Its presence that close to the craft show was blatant,” said Joan. The Lions were quite co-operative in the adjustment, she said, adding that things have worked out well for them now that the beer gardens is outdoors. Since that time the craft show has expanded, due to the extra space afforded by removal of the beer garden and now Joan says, there are about 60 crafters taking part. There are displays in a variety of crafts from maple syrup and woodwork­ ing, to pottery, spinning and quilting. Joan believes the popularity of the craft show is due to the fact that the show offers something for all ages. ‘‘It used to be that the husband came to the Reunion and the wife would come to the craft show. But, now with the addition of the clown show for the children, parents can relax and look at the displays and be reassured that their children are safe. Any parents’ comments that I have received since we started the clown show have been very appreciative.” The clowns, who also are part of the Sunday morning church service, perform two hour-long shows upstairs in the arena at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors to the Thresher Reunion have never had to go too far to enjoy delicious food, as everything from sandwiches to hot dogs to home-cooked meals are being served daily thanks to the efforts of the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Lions Club. On Friday and Saturday at dinner and supper the Auxiliary serves hot meals in the arena auditorium. Definitely geared to the hearty appetite, there are two kinds of meat offered at each sitting. The planned | menu includes turkey, beef, ham and Oktoberfest sausage. Throughout the day, at any time after 11 a.m. those with lighter appetites can pick up sandwiches, pies, coffee and tea at the wicket. On Sunday, the task of “feeding a| threshing” is taken over by the Lions. The luncheon meal is a sit down dinner with Black Forest ham and in the evening there is a roast beef dinner. The Lions club also operates a food booth and a beer garden throughout the weekend. A major undertaking for both groups; last year the Lions fed 400 plus at each meal, the Auxiliary 742 total; a lot of manpower is needed. The Lions Club prepared over 200 pounds of meat last year according to President Steve Howson. They will need about eight to 10 copules to help with the dinner and 30 people will be required to assist at supper. “It’s a big job and we need everyone’s support,” he said. “Everybody has to get involved.” In addition they will have eight members manning the beer garden. The Lions are also busy organizing the food booth and cooking, but help with serving customers is recruited from the figure skating club. In turn the Lions make a donation to the club for' their assistance. Lillian Riehl, who is in charge of catering for the Auxiliary said she has about nine people helping at Friday’s meals and about 12 to 14 people for Saturday’s. Everyone, of course, helps with the preparation. For both groups, the dinners are a huge fundraising event, which in turn benefits the community. The Auxiliary gives a small donation of their profits to the Threshers, but the majority goes back to the group. However, Mrs. Riehl says, anytime they find themselves with cash on hand, they give money anywhere it is needed in the community. Mrs. Riehl said that last year the Auxiliary made a donation of $1500 to the arena. “We turn it back into something for the area.” The Lions Club’s profits have always been turned into community betterment projects and the money raised from the dinners at the Thresher Reunion is no exception. Last year, Mr. Howson said was the best year ever, but everything really depends on the weather. “If the weather is good, we make money. If the weather is good, it’s better for everyone.” Plenty to see at Thresher Reunion Continued from page A-3 beans cooked over an open fire. Saturday evening sees a dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with the Heritage Fiddlers providing the music. Sunday a church service will be held at 10 a.m. 'The pancake breakfast is on at the fire hall from 7:30 to 11. The show gears up after the church service with the sawmill, shingle mill and all the other attractions running throughout the afternoon. Beans are again being served about 12:30 and meals upstairs in the auditorium from 11:30 on. Dave Chittick’s Band entertains at the “van” stage at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. The Dusters entertain at various times between 12 and 4 at the two different stages. ' .At 1 p.m. it’s belt-setting with the big steam engines at the south end of the ground. More log-sawing and bag tying contests will also take place in the same area around the same time. At 3:30 at the Radford diamond there will be another pedal-tractor pull for youngsters. At 2 p.m. the step dancing competition begins at the arena stage. At 3 p.m. there is the threshing demonstration again. Again throughout the day the craft show and the flea market take place. And the day is capped off by the big parade at 4:30. Rawleigh Products and Golden Pride Formulas for Health will be available again at the BLYTH STEAM SHOW. p\u* D. Larry & Maryann M. Ward 212 Hamilton Rd. FORTHEKIDSTOO. Dorchester, Ont. N0L 1G3 See you there [519J256-8081 or [519]268-7790 J'l ALL OF US AT West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Co. in Dungannon wish all of you a great 29th Pioneer Thresher Reunion 529-7922 to) Best Wishes to the Huron Pioneer Thresher Asssociation 29th Annual Steam Show & Reunion .— ‘AIR CONDITIONING‘PLUM BING‘HEATING B & ELECTRICAL & G B & G ELECTRIC BRUSSELS 887-6747 INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL & FARM Our very best wishes to the 29th Annual Thresher Reunion Hwy. 4South, Blyth Alwaysa good selection of fully-reconditioned •USEDCARSANDTRUCKS •GENERALREPAIRS. Class‘A’ Congratulations on the 29th Reunion We are proud to have the Thresher Reunion in Blyth s HAMM’S SALES LTD. 523-4256 BLYTH Sales 523-4342 Service 523-9581