The Huron Expositor, 1997-04-16, Page 44• , "All 4`, 1111117
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DAVE SCOTT • Editor
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5tYseriol and business Oboes • 100 Mein sreeLfwe land
tefepheno 45191547.0240 fox (5191527-2558
Mailing Adams - P.O. lox 69,
Seaforth, Oniorio, NOK IWo
Member of the Canodwn Commumy Newapape'
Aswcrohon, Oniony Community Newspapers Association
and the Ontario Press Council
Views expressed on our opinion page(s) don't
necessarily represent those of The Huron
Expositor or Bowes Publishers. The Huron
Expositor reserves the right to edit letters to the
editor or to refuse publication.
Editorial
Opinion
Giant wingless chicken running downtown?
How could you fit 75,0(X)
people into Seaford) and
what would you do to keel)
them entertained?
To understand this weird
equation, you should proba-
bly mad the editorial on this
page first, which was written
before this column. The fig-
ure of 75,000 is arrived at by
taking the total auendance of
Zurich's Bean -Fest (25,000)
and multiplying it•by three.
because Seaforth and imme-
diate area has about three
times the population of
Zurich. So in some strange
mathematical Way, we should
be able to attract three times
the crowd for a massive event
in our town. - Maybe not the
first year wehold itbut we '
could always work on
increasing the numbers.
(Okay, maybe 75,000 would
be a little difficult to manage
so we'll nettle for a Bean -Fest
population).
How do you come up with
an event? If you can't think
of a good idea, you can
always 'borrow' a -good one
from somebody else.
From what I understand (1
could be mistaken) Hensall
had the original Bean -Fest -
which makes sense since it is
home to the largest in -land
granary (or granaries) in
Canada - with plenty of white
beans. In fact, their village
mascot is a white bean and
their village signs have bean
jokes on them.
--But - they got scooped by
Zurich. Something -happened
and Hensel! missed a year or
two of holding the Bean -Fest
Scotts
Thoughts
by Dave Scott
and Zurich stepped right in to
fill the void and BOOM, the
rest is history.
So take a look around.
What do we produce a lot of
around here?
Corn - Mitchell already has
the Corn -Fest.
Soybeans - Hey, there's
one. But what do you do?
Have a massive tofu barbe-
cue'' I don't know how that
would go over. If you could
somehow work it into a
major Japanese tourist attrac-
tion, it might fly.
Milk - Milk -Fest or Dairy -
Fest'? That's a possibility.
What about combining dairy
and beef and having a Cow -
Fest or Cattle-Fest?.Local
dairy and beef. We have a -
creamery and we're about to
have a Jersey cheese factory
in our community- That could
work. - A massive beef bar-
becue and milk refreshments
with day -long entertainment
and costumed cow mascots
handing out Jersey -Milk
chocolate bars.
(_'clone Fest - This could
be is combination of produces
from broilers and layers and
feature barbecued chicken
and egg dishes of all vari-
eties. Or 11 could be a narrow-
er focus like (my favourite)
Wing -Fest, where hot, spicy
wings would lead to the mak
of many cold beverages.
There could be contests for
best home-made wings and
fastest hot wing eating, etc.
And you can atteady picture
the slogan. "A real Wing -
Ding." And giant chicken
mascots could run around
(maybe giant 'wingless'
chickens) and hand
out...chocolate eggs?''
Fenn -Fest - Or you could
just combine all of the pro-
duce
duce and livestock (including
pork which I didn't mention -
and emu, etc.) in the area into
one big celebration (which I
suppose is what Slice of
Huron does every year - but
this would be more of a capi-
talist venture for just
Seaforth) and offer all sons
of things to eat and invite all
surrounding municipalities to
participate and attend. There
could be live entertainment
during the day for the family
- like at Bean -Fest. 4-H clubs
could participate and raise
money for themselves. You
could have an antique car and
farm equipment show.
(Maybe even bring back the
infamous "Combine Crunch"
- a good idea from Seaforth
that Rockton 'borrowed' and
has taken to greater success.
itemember, Seaforth is home
to the reigning combine
crunching champs). You
could have a skepitch tourna-
ment, swimming events,
snowmobile grass drags, etc:.
And at night, a dance could
be held.
It could be an annual sum-
mer -time celebration of our
biggest economical influence
- farming. (like a one -day
Plowing Match with more
emphasis on food).
There's lots of possibilities.
chews
I'm 'happy to introduce two
new columns in this week's
Expositor, one by Clare
Westcott and the other by
Carolanne Doig. Both are
familiar names to our readers.
Clare Westcort, former
Seaforth resident and
Citizenship Court judge, will
be writing about things of
interest including adventures
from his various postings
over the years and his experi-
ences in Seaforth.
Carolanne Doig. who wrote
"On the Greens" for several
years in the Expositor, will
again write a regular column
entitled "The Tartan
Chameleon?' a name from a
famous book called Cann
lbelKingdom. The name also
reflects Seaforth's Scottish
heritage as well as
Carolanne's heritage and her
interests in a variety of ureas.
These will both be regular
features in the Expositor.
We'll try our best to include
themas often as possible, as
space permits.
Seaforth BIA 6We got our little girl back,' writes mother
- use it or lose it
All for one and one for all. Or in the case of Seaforth's Main
Street businesses - everyone for themselves.
That seemed to be the message sent .te the Seaforth Business
Improvement Association (BIA) March 25 when not even
enough store owners showed up to make quorum at the BIA's
annual meeting. One of the main purposes of that -meeting was
to approve its 1997 budget - a budget which proposes no tax
increase. If it did call for an increase. would that attract mem-
bers? - At least- to complain'' .ls it that business owners don't
feel they ieceive enough in retum from the BIA? Why aren't
people attending'' In -at least one case, a downtown business
didn't receive notice -of the . ant►ual meeting. Should the BIA
be on the phone before the big budget meeting to sec how
many plan to attend? Do the store owners need reminding of
meetings or do people just love to have something to com-
plain about but aren't willing to offer a solution?
What is wrong?
Contrast Seaforth's attitude to its downtown organization to
the Village of Zurich, population 800 or 900, that has a very
active Chamber of Commerce. At their'monthly meetings,
held at a packed downtown restaurant, there is almost always
10() per cent attendance. an atmosphere of fun and coopera-
tion and a different guest speaker every meeting who brings
new ideas and a fresh outlook on doing business in the
nineties.
- There's no reason Seatorth's businesses couldn't have that
sonic level of cooperation. The downtown has to be looked it
as a whole. Increased traffic means increased business for
EVERYBODY. Zurich is- fortunete to have hit on a successful
annual event that makes the tiny village' swell to over 25,000
in one day - The Bean -Fest. And everybody benefits - busi-
nesses profit and community .groups do ,a year's worth of
fundraising through food sales, -etc., in one day.
Who wants to go to a stuffy second floor room at Seaforth
town hall for a monthly meeting? If the BIA could manage to
get all its members out -to a downtown restaurant (not just for
the annual meeting - for every monthly meeting - and we sure
have more restaurants to rotate the meetings through than
Zurich), in a relaxing atmosphere with good food and cheer
and do some brainstorming. 'it could -probably come up with
Seaforth's own Bean -Fest idea. London has Rib -Fest:
Mitchell has Com -Fest, Grand Bend used to have Burger -Fest,
why pot "Wing -Fest" for Seaforth? Whatever works. -lust get
• the people out and remember it's alright to have fun. -DWS
i
setters to the Editor
Snow disappears,
leaves ugly debris
Dear Editor:
It is the time of year now
that all snow disappears .and
leaves the ugliest of debris
left on our lawns. Most of us
rather enjoy the beautiful
spring sun and warm weather
to take time out with our
families to rake and sweep
and collect all debris left
behind. Of many things left
behind throughout the winter
months was the "doings" of
many dogs. And as we have
been out in recent days, this
has been all cleaned up from
my front lawns, but within no
time at all, such dogs have
returned to do their duty once
again.
It is ,a Mown by-law to clean
up after your pet, but I
believe some people still
-t Rid this to be enforced onto
them. Therefore, you pet
owners .whose dog runs loose
and -dirties other places,
Please beware, i will be
watching and it may be your
dog I photograph in the act
and do whatever thc law
allows for you to remain
responsible for your own pet.
S.R. James
Dear Editor:
This -incident took place in
the spring of the year. my
children had been cooped up
all winter and without even
thinking one wandered too..
far. I always praised myself
on having educated my chil-
.dren right and thought that in
a situation .like this they
would go to a block parent's
house for help, boy was 1
wrong. I hope no- other par-
ent will ever have to live the
nightmare 1 lived that day
and thought this may stir at
least one parent to really talk
10 their children. -
.1 slowly raised my hand
and brushed a tear from my
cheek. To think less than four
hours ago -my whole family
sat here happily chattering
over lunch. Now 1 stood
alone quietly watching the
rain through the finger
smudged window. There had
to be something else. I could
do! 1 felt so useless waiting.
Where could Jennifer be? I
wasn't concerned when
Tammy first said that
Jennifer was missing.
Jennifer had a habit of hiding
on Tammy and I thought
that's what she was doing
now. A quick search of our
neighborhood told us differ-
ently.
My hand shook as I called
the police. An -officer
responded immediately.
Sitting there talking to the
officer and giving him a
description of my little
Jennifer was breaking my
heart. 1 almost. broke down
when I had to reach inside
the china cabinet and give
him Jennifer's school picture.
My mind was saying one
sentence over and over again.
Please God! Bring my baby
back!
While I silently waited. the
police and about 30 friends
and neighbors were out look-
ing for my priceless daughter.
The officer had been very
optimistic. He told me to be
strong. think positive and
stay near the phone. just in
case she called.
'I he waiting was the worst,
each minute past like hours.
My husband cradled my
head on his shoulder. his
strength kept me going.
Glimpses of Jennifer as a
baby, her first step..her first
fall, her first day of school.
all lingered in my -head. 1
tried not to think of the
worst, 1 couldn't bear to think
of never sharing any more
firsts with her.
Shortly after five my dear
Jerutifer walked through the
front door. I hugged her with
all my might. I was laughing
and crying at the. same time.
To this day I can't tell you
how relieved 1 was when I
saw my precious daughter. I
could tell Jennifer had been
through a terrible ordeal. Her
tiny fingers dug into my
flesh. Shc looked up at me
through tear stained eyes: she
was wet, cold and shaking.
The officer explained that
Jennifer and her friend Lions
were going to the park and
had gotten lost. We found out
that at one point they were
even sitting in front -el a
block parent's house but were
too. scared to knock on the
door.
I'll always remember the
terrible gnawing fear i felt
that day as my husband and I
helplessly waited for news of
our daughter. We were fortu-
nate. we got our little girl
back. A lot of parents don't!!
Evelyn M. Kiigour
R.R. 1, Walton
Seaforth man at Queen Victoria's coronation
FROM THE PAGES OF
THEHURON.EXPOSITOR
A VETERAN - It is, per-
haps, not generally known
that we have in this town a
respected resident, -who has,
in days gone by, distin-
guished himself in the British
army. Sergeant Joseph
Herbert, who :has resided in
Seaforth for several years, is
in his 78th year„and rejoices
in the same -birthday as
Queen Victoria, ,and is one of
the oldest servants of Her
Majesty in Ontario, having
enlisted in -the 20th regiment
on July 6th, 1837. He -held
all the subordinate positions
in the regiment, and in the
year 1862 he was ,given his
discharge, holding the rank of
Sergeant. He exhibits with
pardonable pride five good
conduct badges, awarded him
at different periods during his
term of service. Sergeant
Herbert was on duty with the
20th regiment at the corona-
tion of Queen Victoria, in
London Tower, in the year
1838.
FAREWELL - On
Wednesday evening, a num-
ber of the members of the
Huron foot ball club and
Beaver lacrosse club and
other friends entertained
Messrs. T. J. Stephens and
Livingstone at a sup-
per at the Queen's hotel. Both
these young men are about to
leave town, and this occasion
was taken advantage of to
have an opportunity of
expressing in a manner the
esteem in which they were
held by these clubs and by
their friends.
APRIL 21,1922
HALF HOLIDAY - At thc
request of the citizens of
Seaforth, Mayor Golding has
proclaimed every Wednesday
afternoon a half holiday dur-
ing the months of May. June.
July. August and September,
excepting only when thc day
immediately preceding or the
day following a Wednesday
is a public holiday.
THE GOLFERS - Golf -has
now commenced, with the
course in excellent condition.
The club house is -how being
built and should -be complet-
ed early in May, when the
question of the furnishing
will be taken op. A number
of ladies from Seaforth,
Clinton and Mitchell have
signified thcir intention of
joining the country club and
it is expected that thc club
'house, with its ten -foot
verandahs, will be constantly
in use. Supplies of golf clubs.
golf balls, etc., have been
obtained for new members at
wholesale prices and will be
on display within a few days
at Mr. Walter Robinson's
shop.
APRIL 25, 1947
• Representation will be
apttde do Scafoah lawn 4040-
1
cif by the Chamber
of
Commerce recommending
the council' take such steps as
may be ne cssary leading to
the establishment of a
garbage collection in
Seaforth, 'the Chamber of
Cotnmoree at its annual
meeting in the Town Hall
Tuesday night decided.
President C.M. Smith .was in
charge of the meeting, which
was representative of the
businessmen of the town.
The -meeting elected Nelson
C. Cardno to succeed Mr.
-Smith as president for the fol-
lowing year.
The garbage collection
question arose out of the
reading of the minutes of the
last annual meeting -by
Secretary ErC. Boswell,
when discussion -had also
been held on the subject. Fear
was expressed that a munici-
pality sponsored scheme
whereby the cost of operation
,would be reflected in taxes,
would be unfair to ratepayers.
who, in many cases, would
be paying for a service not of
value to them but to tenants.
Mayor M.A. Reid pointed out
there were various ways pro-
vision could be made for the
participation of non-taxpay-
sets woo would benefit.
Herman Oestrichcr ccic-
hrated his -90th birthday in
Windsor, when members of
his family tendered him a
turkey dinner. Born in
Stephen. township. he lived
there until he was 78, then
moved to Toronto to reside
with his daughter. He recalls
his boyhood days when land
'was cleared through _slashing
and fires. He helped hew a
farm out of the woods. and
reaped later harvests with
cradle and sickk. He remem-
bers when the oxen on his
father's farm were replaced
with a team of horses and
later these gave way to the
tractor and more modern
methods of farming.
AP *III 7, W7z
Maria McClure . was
crowned Queen of the SDHS
formal on Friday evening
after her selection by stu-
dents. She •roceivcd coggratu-
tail ons from runner up
.Dianne Phillips after being.
crowned by last year's
.Queen; Vicki Miller.
••
When he fall from a dis-
tance of 10 feet from a scaf-
fold on which he was work-
ing while employed at
Douglas Point on Friday.
Frank Case. North Main
Street. Seaforth, suffered
severe injuries.
He was admitted to
Scaforth Community
Hospital with fractures in
WO feet and a fractured -ver-
tebra.
tl