The Rural Voice, 1980-09, Page 7out in the community and away from
home. There must be a reason.
"I think probably because we like
people and enjoy meeting people," says
Jean. "It certainly isn't for the money.
Being involved in organizations, you
can help so many people."
One of Gerry's interests is sports, and
participation in them makes up a large
part of his past. Because of his other
activities though, they have often been
sacrificed.
"I curled for 15 years," said Gerry.
"We organized a farmers' league, and
it's still running, but 1 haven't played
for five years."
"I might start again this year, if I can
find the time." He might be advised not
to rush out to buy a new broom just yet.
THE McNEILS
"We play games and we go on hikes.
We went out to the woods once and
stayed all night and roasted marsh-
mallows. There's lots of trees there and
you can get lost easily."
That's eight-year-old Shannon
McNeil talking about the group
she belongs to, The Explorers. Her
parents, Bob and Mary Lou, are very
active in agricultural, church and other
social groups in their area near
Dungannon. Both Shannon, and her
brother Craig, 10, have already caught
the involvement bug from their parents.
Bob McNeil's interest in off the farm
activity, though related to farming,
began when he joined the local 4-H club
when he was 12.
He completed nine 4-H projects and
stayed with the program until he was
21. When he was out of 4-H as a
member he became a leader of the
Dungannon Calf Club, and he continues
in that role today, 15 years later.
In 1973 he was president of the Huron
County 4-H Leaders group.
"Since 1974 we've been involved with
the 4-H exchange," he added. "We've
had a person from northern Ireland
visit, and we still hear from him."
"In 1974, we chaperoned an
exchange to Indiana and hosted a
delegation from Indiana. It's a chance to
see how other people live."
Bob is now the president of the Huron
County Holstein Club, and before
assuming that post he was a director of
the organization for four years. It's
associated with Holstein clubs in
Western Ontario, and he is one of two
representatives from Huron County on
their council.
"We try to get closer to the
breeders," said Bob, adding he is more
The McNells: "You always have to have something to do."
interested in agriculture itself rather
than farm politics.
"It doesn't matter which way you
turn, though, politics gets involved, but
that certainly isn't the route I like to
take," he noted.
His role as president of the Holstein
club demands certain additional
responsibilities that often go unnoticed.
"You attend a lot of functions in other
counties," said the club president. "It's
a good gesture for our county club to go
to these."
"In the past couple of years it's taken
up a few evenings. When you're in it
it's something you're expected to do.
Sometimes things get sliding at home,
but that's part of life. You get out of it
what you put into it. You need pride and
ambition to reach a goal, and it's
important to set goals."
Both Bob and Mary Lou are involved
in the Dungannon Agricultural Society,
which in turn is the central force behind
the Dungannon Fair. Bob is a past
president of the society.
This is the 121st anniversary of the
fair, which Bob says is growing,
although several years ago interest in
the event had begun to sag.
NEW IDEAS, NEW BLOOD
"Everything runs out if you don't
get new ideas and new blood," he said.
"A lot of new faces hit the scene."
"When you're a member of a
community, well, the community is just
as good as the people in it. I always was
a strong believer in community
activity."
"With smaller fairs you get kids and
parents involved. If it's a large one you
leave a lot of people at lame."
The entire McNeil family, though are
a busy lot. It begins with Mary Lou, who
went back to work at the Benmiller Inn
in May after 10 years out of the labour
force. Then she had been a hospital
employee.
The family runs a highly rated dairy
operation. Of their 23 milking cows, 11
are judged very good and the remainder
are A -plus. They are registered
Holsteins raised on a 90 acre farm the
McNeils bought in 1968.
"For several years," said Mary Lou,
"the provincial park (nearby Point
Farms) has been bringing up tours to
view the milking. We have school kids
in sometimes as well from Goderich."
SKATE, SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BALL
"Oh yes, the kids both go to
Sunday school and they both play ball,"
added Mary Lou.
"And we both skate," chirped in
Shannon.
"Yes, and the kids have shown a calf
„* the fair," added Bob.
The operators of professional sporting
leagues complain about the problems
they have with the scheduling. They
should be thankful they aren't confront-
ed with planning the McNeil's weekly
agenda.
First, there's Shannon's Explorers
group, and Craig is also a member of a
boy's church group, the Tyros. Then
Craig has baseball on Monday and
Tuesday, Mary Lou roller skates on
Tuesdays, Shannon plays ball on
Wednesdays and Bob plays ball on
Wednesdays or Thursdays.
"Then you have to run a couple of
meetings a week into it," added Bob.
It's not enough for them. The kids are
starting swimming lessons soon that
will run for three weeks, and in the
meantime, they are all busily preparing
the foundation for a new home they are
having built.
"You always have to have something
to do," said Bob. That must be the
family code.
THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1980 PG. 5