The Citizen, 2004-12-16, Page 1e Citizen
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Volume 20 No. 49
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 $1 (93c + 7c GST)
Inside this week
Pg. 3
Pg. 6
Pg. 8
Book launch at
Memorial Hall
County selects
committees
Local Atoms play in
Silver Stick
Pg' 9
Big weekend for
Lakers
Jubilee performeis P 1,
g. / at Memorial Hall
Layton
acclaimed
warden All about rhythm
It's always the nicest start to the holiday season. The little Blyth Public School Christmas concert held at Memorial
music makers delighted the audience at this year's annual
Hall Dec 8. (Vicky Bremner photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor Festival posts 127,000 surplus North Huron reeve Doug Layton
was acclaimed Huron County
warden at the inaugural meeting of
county council in Goderich on
Tuesday, Dec. 7. -
He wasThominated by councillor
Ben Van Diepenbeek of Ashfield-
Colborne-Wawanosh.
Layton said he made the decision
to put his name forward for the
position after he had been
approached by some people a
couple of years ago about the
possibility. "I got interested in the
idea. I enjoy politics and think it's
going to be challenging."
Being, warden, said Layton is a
big job that requires a good deal of
time. "There are lots of meeting to
attend and official duties to carry
out. It's time consuming, but I do
have the time. That made my
decision easier."
Layton retired from his Wingham
funeral home business in 1997,
roughly the same time he began to
pursue his interest in local
government.
As for the term ahead, he said he
doesn't see any major challenges
facing him as head of county
council. "Just the daily running of
the county. Everything has been a
big issue lately."
Layton said the county staff is
"excellent", adding that he believes
in "letting them do their job. I don't
believe in any kind of micro-
managing from council."
Of his strengths, Layton said he
enjoys meeting the public. He gives
credit to the past wardens who have
served since he has been on county
council. "If I can do as well as
they've done, I'll be happy."
"I'm not going into this position
with any magic ingredient. I just
hope to get in and do the job the best
I can."
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
The stockings are hung by the
chimney with care, and for holiday
shoppers the search has begun to fill
them.
Most retailers in .the area report
good Christmas sales for this year,
consistent with most other years.
However, many are expecting the
biggest surge in retail in the days to
come.
Karen Youngblut at Luann's
Country Flowers in Blyth said that
they've enjoyed steady business
leading up to the Christmas rush.
"However, most people seem to
really get into the spirit once the
snow arrives."
"We do seem to have more-saying
this year, though, that they're
already done shopping and have the
side, administration costs were
slashed eight per cent.
In her remarks, outgoing president
Carol Oriold praised the work of
artistic director Eric Coates, general
Manager Jane Gardner and the rest of
the permanent. staff. She noted her
four-year term had been a roller
coaster with several crises and staff
changes.
"Despite some nail-biting
moments, my love of Blyth and my
belief in, and commitment to, the
mandate, have not been in the least
daunted."
Coates cited the changing tastes of
young audiences including the
popularity of "reality shows" on
television as a concern as to where
theatre is headed. He noted that The
presents wrapped.
Darlene Oldfield of Oldfield's
True Value Hardware in Brussels
said most of their customers seem to
just be getting started on their
Christmas lists. "We've been busy,
but I haven't noticed any increase in
the number of early shoppers. A lot
have been saying that they've just
begun."
Mike McDonald of McDonald's
Home Hardware said they always
tend to get the last-minute shoppers.
"We have a lot of guys come out and
do their own shopping."
Franklin Snell of Bainton's Ltd.
sees an even different trend. "We see
some shopping a little bit less early;
but-Where we particularly notice a
"change is those waiting until after
Christmas."
Though the retail portion of their
gift sales has been consistent at
Outdoor Donnellys, successfull y
presented three times at the Festival,
seemed to fill some of the needs of
modern audiences dealing with a
familiar story 'but feeling interactive.
"I want to find the new
Donnellys," he said. "But it cannot
be forced. "
Meanwhile the Festival is working
with new,- emerging playwrights on-
scripts , while also working with
playwrights whose work is familiar
and popular with the Blyth audience.
Gardner praised the partnership
with the community and the support
of members, donors and sponsors.
She also noted the financial impact
of the Festival in the community
through things like $25,000 in rents
paid out on behalf of actors and
Blyth. Apothecary, employee Deb
Stevenson said the number of
shoppers did seem to increase once
December arrived. "We do have the
odd few who are early shoppers but
they're the same people every year.
They know when our giftware
arrives and come in to get the best
selection."
Women, she said, are generally
earlier shoppers than men.
All would agree that one area that
has shown notable increase is
decorations. "Decorating has
become a big part of Christmas. We
sell a lot of items, like snowmen and
reindeer," said McDonald.
Oldfield said sales of decorations
were higher this year. One big seller
has been the new LED efficiency
Tights. "This was the first year and it
really surprised me how many we've
sold. I believe that they will soon be
theatre workers and $25,000 going to
local church and community groups
for country suppers.
Deb Sholdice of Clinton was
named new president of the board of
directors. Vice-presidents are Joe
Wooden of Grand Bend and ROI)
Deichert of Stratford. Secretary is Ila
Mathers of Exeter and treasurer,
Keith RoulSton of Blyth. Margaret
Webster of Wingham is member at
large on the executive.
Other board members include:
Eugen Bannerman of Stratford;
Wendy Hoernig, Benmiller; Dave
Scott, Seaforth: Annie Sparling.
Blyth; Paul Thompson, Toronto; Sara
Trainor, Listowel; Susan Wheatley,
Seaforth; and Bruce Whitmore,
Walton.
all you'll be able to get,"
According to the Retail Council of
Canada, there is a sense of optimism
for the industry this year. "Increased
consumer confidence and a steady
growth in the economy account for
this \holiday season's positive
outlook," said Diane J. Brisebois,
president of and CEO in a media
release.
That optimism is one of caution in
rural communities, however.
Franklin Snell of Bainton's Ltd.
stated that retail businesses in small
towns have to work to keep
consumers. "To tell the truth it gets
more and more difficult to drag
people out of the cities."
There does seem to be a sense of
that optimism among the consumers,
however. Stevenson said that those
she has dealt with have been upbeat.
Continued on page 6
y. Blyth Festival wrapped up a
successful season by posting a
$27,000 surplus for the year at its
annual meeting held Dec. 9.
The surplus helps the
Festival recover from a disastrous
2003 season which posted a loss of
$145,000. Though the Festival still
must deal with an accumulated
deficit of $219,000. auditor Ron Burt
of Takalo and Burt was much more
optimistic about the future noting the
Festival has an administrative staff
"has been a 300 per cent turnaround"
and the theatre has greatly improved
it's cashflow situation.
Box office for the year was
up nearly $120,000 to $542,670,
mostly due to the remounting of The
Outdoor Donnellys. On the expense
Retailers expect best yet to come
it