The Rural Voice, 1993-08, Page 281
1
EST. 1871 at Teeswater,
COMPANY OFFICE Teeswater
For competitive quotations on FARMS
contact the nearest Broker or Agent:
Harold Fair, Kincardine
McDonagh Insurance Broker Ltd.
Lucknow
Teeswater
or
James G. Mair, Teeswater
Eric R. Thacker, R.R. #4, Kincardine
CHAPMAN, GRAHAM & LAWRENCE INS
Walkerton
Hanover
Durham
Ayton
Markdale
HURONVIEW INSURANCE BROKERS L
R.R. #1, Kincardine
CULROSS
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
Ontario
519-392-6260
and HOMES,
Phone 396-7082
Phone 528-3423
Phone 392-6200
1-800-265-3013
Phone 392-6806
Phone 395-5829
.BROKERS
Phone 881-0611
Phone 364-2790
Phone 369-3131
Phone 665-7726
Phone 986-4351
TD.
Phone 395-0539
"120 YEARS OF SERVICE
TO OUR POLICYHOLDERS"
LUCKeNOW
GRAIN
BUGGY
• 3 models — 350, 400
and 600 bu.
• hydraulically operated
from the tractor
• Unloading capacity
400 bu. in 3 minutes
MIXER WAGONS
Stationary, Trailer or Truck Mounted
• All Mixer Wagons use a
4 Auger Design for even mix
• 120 cu. ft. to 375 cu. ft.
• Electronic scales available
• or build to spec.
HELM WELDING LTD.
QUALITY CRAFTMANSHIP BUILT "RIGHT" HERE IN ONTARIO
Lucknow, Ont.
(519) 529-7627
24 THE RURAL VOICE
included contests for the best dressed
cowboy and cowgirl and a hog
calling competition, as well as a
dance. A sellout for the past three
years, the profits are still donated to
the local hospital and a values
awareness program at the school the
older Cahill boys attend.
In reality, however, it is the spinoff
venture of Fred Cahill's boyhood
dream that will likely provide a
future for the ranch. This is the
Western kids' camp, where
"cowhands", aged nine to 13 years
old, can learn some ranching skills of
their own.
Last year, their first year of
operation, the Cahills played host to
24 children per week. This season,
they've expanded that number to 40
kids, and have added a one-week
camp for teenagers, aged 13 to 15
years old. The "young ranchers" will
be taught what Fred Cahill considers
the basis of the cowboy lifestyle —
"riding, roping, recreation and do
unto others ..." Or as Gail puts it,
"the kids learn to be comfortable with
horses."
The campers' days start early — at
7:00 a.m. — with breakfast in
Mommacitta's Cafe, followed by
barn chores. The days end with
songs and snacks around the
campfire, before the campers retire to
their bunks in seven covered wagons.
As well as the Cahills, the camp
employs 17 other staff members, as
counsellors, cooks and barn staff.
The counsellors, or "wranglers" as
they are called, are teenagers who are
hired on the basis of their experience
working with kids. Everybody,
except the kitchen staff, dresses in
Western-style garb of cowboy hats,
boots and jeans.
Running a camp that is based on
life in the Old West hasn't met with
any skepticism from the public. The
only negative response, Cahill notes,
is that "people came out and expected
old droopy horses, but we pride
ourselves on the health of the
animals." Although the horses used
for the camp are presently leased
from a broker or borrowed from
neighbours, the Cahills hope to
gradually build up their own herd.
The couples' other ambition is to
recreate an authentic Western
streetscape for the camp, complete
with buildings like the old general