The Citizen, 1996-05-29, Page 2VILLAGE OF BRUSSELS
2ND INSTALMENT OF
TAXES DUE
The second Instalment of taxes for the Village of Brussels is
due on Wednesday, June 5, 1996. Interest at 1-1/4% per month
or any part thereof will be charged after this due date. Please
note that people who have acquired properties and have not
received a tax bill should contact the Municipal Office. Failure
to receive a tax bill does not relieve a taxpayer from
responsibility for payment of taxes, nor from penalty for late
payment.
Donna White
Tax Collector
Village of Brussels
HEALTH ON THE HILL
VS peat moss, sheep and cattle
manure, potting soil and more.
Brussels
(519) 887-6224
AND TO FOLLOW,
SEAFORTH PERINATAL INFORMATION SESSION will be held
Thursday, June 20, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. Conference Room 2 for all
expectant parents. TOPIC: TOUR OF BIRTHING ROOM.
Questions/Concerns/Information Sharing. For further information and to
register, contact the Nursing Office 527-1650 Ext. 219.
PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1996
After 50 years Max Oldfield knows the nuts & bolts of business
Wielding a golden hammer
Max Oldfield of Brussels has earned his golden hammers
from suppliers Stanley and Estwing, after more than 50
years in the hardware business.
By Janice Becker
A modest man, who has gone
about his business day after day for
more than 50 years, earned two
awards for his long service to the
hardware industry, but went uncer-
emoniously about his routine for
six months before many outside the
Brussels
People
On Saturday evening Jim
Armstrong was towed up from the
Brussels Aerodrome to 3,500 ft. in
a tandem hang glider. Jim glided
around Brussels with Kevin
Thompson for about 10 minutes
followed by a perfect landing.
Jim recommends anyone any age
family knew of his achievement.
Max Oldfield, owner of Oldfield
Pro Hardware and Radio Shack in
Brussels, was presented with two
Golden Hammer awards, from
hardware manufacturers Stanley
and Estwing, at a hardware show a
few months ago.
to try it sometime. He says, "It was
awesome."
A family gathering was held on
Sunday at the home of Mark and
Bonnie Gropp to celebrate the
occasion of Joshua Gropp's confir-
mation. Joshua, along with four
other young people, was confirmed
at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in
Milverton.
In addition to his parents and two
of his siblings, Ashley and Jason,
special guests were his grandpar-
ents Edgar and Phyllis Ott, I.istow-
el, and Florence Gropp, Milverton
and his godparents, Judy and Neil
Hamilton, Milverton.
"I didn't suspect anything," he
says. "They just grabbed me at the
show and presented me with the
hammers."
This seems to be a trait of Old-
field's, not expecting praise or con-
gratulation for the work he has
done. He just carries on doing what
needs to be done.
"If you get beat out in one direc-
tion, turn and go another," says
Oldfield, when referring to the
numerous changes which have
taken place over the last five
decades in the hardware industry as
well as more recently, the big box
stores which have moved in to
compete.
"Customers want us here for the
10 cent bolt, but go elsewhere for
the $500 item, you can't survive on
that."
But, Oldfield has survived the
changes. Starting as a young man
just out of the air force where he
was a WEM, Wireless Electrical
Mechanic, Oldfield came to Brus-
sels in 1945. He opened a hardware
business in what was once the old
Royal Bank building, across the
street from the present location.
In those first years, Oldfield says
he was kept very busy with televi-
sion sales and repair. He would sell
the televisions during the day then
spend many evenings repairing
them.
Two years later, he bought out
the competition and moved across
the street to the new building.
Soon, he began to expand his store,
acquiring the neighbouring build-
FAMILY FUN DAY
for
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Winthrop Ball Park
June 2, 1996
Ball Games at 3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Smoked Chop Barbecue 5 p.m.
Penny Sale and Children's Centre
Barbecue Tickets - Adults - $8.00
Children under 12 - $5.00
Hot Dogs - $1.00
For more information call 887-6920
ing a few years later and adding on
the third some 15 years ago.
With more floor space, Oldfield
was also able to add Radio Shack
in 1980 as well as expand other
lines.
"When I started, we would have
one refrigerator, one stove and one
washing machine on display, if you
could get it," he says. "It just isn't
like that anymore."
Twenty years after opening his
store, Oldfield joined the Pro Hard-
ware franchise, one of the first to
do so, and served on its board from
1979 to 1982.
In recent years, Oldfield's has
added computer equipment and a
locksmith business, looked after by
son, Jim.
However, when asked about
retirement, Oldfield is unsure. "I
thought about retiring at 50, but I
didn't make it. I can't bring myself
to leave because of the people.
There are so many wonders out
there, it has been a pleasure doing
business with them."
Questioned about a key to his
business longevity, Oldfield gives
the credit to The Almighty. "He
had more to do with it than we
did."
Continued on page 14
BRUSSELS
VARIETY
Photo
Developing
2ND SET
FREE
For 35mm & 110mm
Films, 12's, 24's
& 36's
until June 30th 24 COLOUR
PRINTS
$7.99
WRUSSELS
VARIETY
Open 7 days a week for your convenience.
Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Our OUT T.HE,FdK GREENHOUSE
* Spikes * Vegetable Plants * Perennials,
* Bedding Plants * Geraniums
Hanging baskets, hanging bags, seed potatoes,
Spanish onion sets, and an assortment of bulk
peas, corn, beans and packaged garden seed.
A Review of activities at
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
"HELPING YOU LIVE WITH CANCER" Support Group for cancer
patients, family and friends information evening. Anyone interested is
welcome to attend at the Seaforth Manor on Wednesday, May 29th at
7:30 p.m.
"LIFE AFTER BABY" informal sessions for new parents conducted by
the Huron County Health Unit each Thursday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. up to
June 13th inclusive, to be held in Conference Room 2. Topics include:
Growing and Learning, Adjusting to Parenthood, Safety, Nutrition,
Crying & Comforting, General Baby Concerns.
DIABETIC EDUCATION offered by Nurse Educator, Dianne Wood,
Reg.N. each Thursday 1 - 3 p.m. by appointment. Self referrals accepted.
No fee. Topics include: Diet, Exercise, Insulin, Oral Agents, Monitoring
Technique, Travel Days of Illness, Foot Care, Management. To pre-reg-
ister, call 527-1650 Ext. 219.
HFAIRT TO HEART. Special thanks to Dan Rooyakkers, M.D., Betty
Duwyn, Physiotherapist, Lorraine Devereaux, Dietitian, Shauikit
Mangalji, Pharmacist, and Mary Ann Shaw, Seaforth Psychiatric
Services who generously gave of their time and talents to speak at the
recent Heart To Heart Information Sessions.
PRE-ADMIT OBSTETRICAL CLINIC for all expectant moms 34-48
wks. Thursday, June 20, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. prior to the start of Seaforth
Information Session.