The Citizen, 2005-10-13, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2005. PAGE 3.
From Marilyn’s Desk
By Marilyn
Craig
Call
523-9318
Happy anniversary to Kim (Craig)
and Mark Hornyak of Strathroy who
celebrated on Oct. 10.
Happy birthday to Joyce Craig of
Atwood who celebrates her birthday
on Oct. 19.
Come out and help Camp
Menesetung retire the debt of the
sewage system.
The board is holding a dinner
and auction on Saturday,
Oct. 15 at Saltford Community
Centre.
For tickets call Barb Knox (Mrs.
Mel Knox).
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Greeting at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, Oct. 9 were Diana
Campbell and Barb and Terry
Richmond.
Guest pianist was Amanda
Swartzentruber.
Ushers were Lori and Brent
Brooks and Nicole and Paul Kerr.
The church was decorated in a
Thanksgiving theme.
The choir sang an anthem Let
All Things Now Living.
Rev. Robin McGauley called all
the children to the front to learn
a new hymn, You Have Put On
Christ.
After singing the hymn a couple of
times the children were invited
to sit in the front row to watch the
baptism of Chase Jason Harm Dale,
son of Candice (Bearss) and Shane
Dale.
The children sang the new hymn
they had learned, to Chase after his
baptism.
Samantha Kerr held the candle
which was lit from the candles at the
front of the church for them to take
downstairs with them for Sunday
school.
The readings, from Philippians 4:
4-9, Psalm 106 and Matthew 22: 1-
14, were read by Frances and Wyatt
Bearss.
Rev. McGauley’s message to the
adults was Come to the Banquet.
Rev. McGauley reminded all that
last Sunday they came to a table of
bread and wine.
This Sunday they celebrate
Thanksgiving with family and
friends.
The church is for everyone to
come to no matter if they are poor,
good or bad, poorly dressed or well
dressed.
The church is to be an open and
welcoming church where everyone
is the same.
82-year-old designer still in the game FROM BLYTH
Charles Cross of Blyth has returned to a business venture
at the age of 82. His originally-designed, wood crafted
hockey games created a stir many years ago at a show in
Toronto and having recently found the plans, he’s been
building once again. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
“My brothers and I love to play
games. Dick and I actually started
coming up with an idea for a table
hockey design. He’d do one, then
I’d do one.”
By 1967 the brothers’ ideas had
come together and Table Hockey
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
At the age of 82 Charlie Cross
still likes to play games.
Especially his own. The Blyth
resident is the designer and builder
of original hockey tables, that first
came into being almost 40 years
ago.
by Cross was born. “We came out
with one that we took to the
hardware show in Toronto.”
The brothers had also designed
some smaller challenging family
games, like Kroki-golf, “basically
to take up space at the show”.
But it was the hockey table that
generated the most interest. “It got
a really great response so it looked
like we were really on our way.”
The Crosses left the show that day
with orders for 1,000 tables.
At that time, the board that they
used to build the tables came from
Abitibi. The company had painted
them before shipping and they
were all stuck together effectively
ending the business before it really
began, said Cross. He then went
into building pool tables which
sold in Essex and area.
Cross, who came to Blyth six
years ago, kept the set of goals that
were used on the final tables. “I had
the idea that someday I’d make this
table again.”
That day arrived recently when
Cross was looking in his closet at
home and came upon some folders
full of business papers. Inside were
the old plans for the table.
He then started looking around
for a material that would make a
“good table” and discovered 5/8s
MDF. Maisonite was used in the
old version.
“I didn’t have the choices I do
today.”
But what a difference in price.“
Materials in those days were
peanuts,” said Cross, referring to
the $29.95 price tag on the tables in
1967. “That was the wholesale
price at the time. It sure shows the
value of materials then.”
He began building again this
summer. Today’s price is just under
$400.
With his old hobby renewed,
Cross, who would like to see the
tables go into production, is now
looking for a manufacturer to
supply parts and pieces that
would make the table ready for
assembly. For now, he said, he
could build a table in about a week
if he worked at it full-time.
The tables are on a solid wood
base connected to folding legs. In
looking for the materials Cross
wanted something that would allow
the puck (crokinole piece) to move
quickly.
The result is a game quite similar
in speed to air hockey but with
miniature hockey sticks, made by
Cross, requiring even better
reflexes and dexterity.
These days Cross likes to hone
his skill at the game with
neighbourhood kids and family.
Taking on some keen young
hockey players from across the
street, Cross smiles when he
talks about his opponent lifting the
puck to get past him.
Cross is only too happy to
talk about the game and invites
inquiries from anyone who wants
to learn more. They can call hijn at
523-9192.
He’s also always up for a little
hockey action. “Anyone wants to
come up and have a game, please
do so. Bring the kids. I love to see
people play with their children.”
BEST CROP
Top quality new crop
• CORTLAND • HONEY CRISP
• mcintosh • spartan
• GALA & EMPIRE APPLES
• PEARS
•VINE RIPENED
TOMATOES
• FRESH CIDER
at the farm or delivered
Affordable prices
Blythe Brooke
Orchards
One mile west of Blyth
NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS
OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
NORTH HURON
THE ROYAL
CANADIAN
BR. 4
FISH FRY
Friday, November 4
5 - 7 p.m.
Adults $10; Children under 10, $5; Preschoolers free
Fish prepared by Br. 218
Homemade desserts.
Tickets available at the bar or call Thelma at 523-9444
Everyone Welcome!
TOWNSHIP OF
NORTH HURON
BLYTH WARD
NOTICE
ALL NIGHT STREET PARKING
THE ROYAL
CANADIAN LEGION
BR. 420
FALL IS HERE
Meat Draws start
Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.
Mixed Darts at 8:30 p.m.
Come out and join
in the “fun”
Everyone welcome!
Pursuant to Section 47 of The Municipal Act, 2001, the Council of
the Township of North Huron hereby advises that it intends to
change the name of the highways within the municipality.
Name Changes in the Blyth Ward:
OLD NAME
Sunset Crescent
Drummond Street East
Due to the municipal snow removal operations, the parking of
cars on Blyth streets and municipal parking lots during the
winter months (November 1 to May 1) will be strictly prohibited.
NEW NAME
Sunward Drive
Brechen Street
a by-law to adopt these
All vehicles must be removed from Blyth streets and roadways
of the municipality, between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00
a.m.
North Huron Council shall consider
proposed changes at the October 17th Council Meeting. Written
comments and/or oral presentations may be made to the Council
in respect to the foregoing prior to the passage of the by-law.
John Stewart, CMO
Clerk-Administrator
Township of North Huron
Violators will be prosecuted or will be required to bear the cost
of having their vehicle towed away. The owner of any such
parked vehicle will be liable for any damage to the said vehicle
or to snow plow equipment.
John Stewart
Clerk-Administrator