Village Squire, 1978-11, Page 16Whether you call it scrounging or re -cycling there is probably
no better example of turning old things to new purposes than the
Benmiller Inns development in Benmiller.
In fact, you could say that the whole community of Benmiller
has been recycled from a sleepy almost -forgotten rural village to
a thriving vacation spot. The move has not been without local
controversy. When it became known that London millionaire
Peter J. Ivey and his sister Mrs. E.J. Mazzoleni had purchased
both the old Benmiller woollen mill from Vern Gledhill back in
1970 the rumours began to fly. Some people said it was going to
be a kind of private club for the wealthy friends of the Ivey
family. Others had other opinions. Then when it was announced
the next year that the family has also purchased the old
Pfrimmer flour and grist mill down the road by the Maitland
River the rumours fled even faster. There was some resentment
that this outsider seemed bent on buying up the entire village.
Even though the village had been dying a slow death for years,
even though many of the buildings in question had been unused
in years, many old timers were opposed to the changes. _
When the woollen mill opened as a dining spot in 1974 it was
an instant hit. Though it was the most expensive dining spot .in
the vicinity at the time, curiosity over what had been going on
out there by the falls of Benmiller was so great that people
flocked in. People who'd never been in an elegant, expensive
restaurant before were now lining up for reservations to get in.
The woollen mill had been turned into a fashionable country
inn which was totally dominated by the old theme of the past
history of the building. Mr. Ivey and Mrs. Mazzoleni had made
use of so many of the old tools and machinery of the woolen mill
that it became a sort of giant exhibition of working "found art".
Tables were created from the old drive pulleys that once
transferred the power from the water wheel to the various
weaving machines. Lamps were made out of old wagon wheel
hubs. The whole decor is a tribute to imaginative reuse of
outdated items.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
THIS CHRISTMAS?
STOP AT THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD
The "cupboard" is full of surprises!
DO COME IN AND LOOK AROUND
Use Lasting
pleasure with
a silk flower
arrangement.
SEE US FOR
THAT PARTY
CORSAGE.
THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD
MAIN ST.
BLYTH PHONE 523-9672
14 The Village Squire November 1978
:You'll fee
just as
rim
as you
look
No doubt about it, your
looks have a lot to do
with the way you feel.
And our new vested suit
styling has you looking
trimmer from every
angle. You see it - and
teel it - the instant you
slip into one of these
handsome suits. Master-
fully tailored of a light-
weight polyester & wool
blend. Come try one on
and let your spirits soar!
HANNA'S
Men's & Boys' Wear
Wingham, Ontario 357-1865