Times-Advocate, 1987-07-29, Page 18Page 6A
Times -Advocate, July 29, 1987
cones earlyBirch BarkSanta to
linking two jumpers hand-to-hand as
they sailed in the winds before lan-
ding on the lawn.
As the parachutists entered one
door, Santa emerged from another,
and the children followed him to a
shady place to receive their gifts, sup-
plied by the adults. This whole idea
came from Santa himself -- long time
summer camper Jack Freeman.
Beach towels and beach bags were
donated by Labatt's and awarded as
prizes for the best decorated trailer
sites. Courtney confectionery sup-
plied tasty treats for everyone.
After the tractor -drawn hay rides
around the park to see the lights and
decorations, all the families in excess
��ss diners) gatherefor t_ luck
supper. Park owners Joyce and Lloyd
Morden donated three cooked twenty-
five pound turkeys for all to enjoy.
As grace was said by resident Lloyd
Easton, it was plain to s this com-
munity of good friends h a lot to be
thankful for.
Christmas comes twice a year for
the residents of Bird') Bark Trailer
Park near Grand Bend.
Trailers and -camp sites, bedecked
with tinsel, green boughs and col-
oured lights add a festive air to a fun
day at this summer spot, the fifth an-
nual Christmas In July party, -com-
plete with Santa and a turkey dinner.
Still dripping from the park's swim-
ming pool, participants gather along
the front lawn about three o'clock, as
the familiar drone of the Cessna can
be heard in the distance. The first
sighting of the parachute jumpers
with their colorful chutes never fails
to add an air of suspended excitement
to the gathering. For the kids, it
signals the arrival of Santa Claus.
The South Western Ontario
Organization of Parachutists have
been making the jump to help
perpetrate the unique arrival of San-
ta by parachute for five years now.
Jumper Bruce McConkey is a resi-
dent of Birch Ba k Park in the sum-
mers while he instructs newcomers to
the sport at the SWOOP headquarters
at Grand Bend airport.
McConkey and his fellow jumpers
Kevin Killin, Brian Smith, and Les
Scott put on a breath taking show,
demonstrating spirals, stops, and
rand Be
and district news
Connie Keyser - 238-269;
Roberta Walker - 238-2471
Boat explodes, bursts into flames
"Scintilla", the 24 foot • Wilken
sunliner cabin cruiser. belonging to
Ontario Provincial Police Officer -
Dave Upton, on summer duty in
Grand Bend, exploded and burst into
flames Tuesday July 21 at about 12
noon. Arriving on the scene: along the
new docks behind The Thirst Fox
Restaurant at 12:03, OPP constable
Mark Gemus, investigating officer.
claimed the police followed in right
behind the Grand Bend Fire
Department.
Phillipa Harding, an employee at
The Thirsty Fox, living in the first cot-
tage on the river south of the
restaurant, heard an unusual noise
"like a -thud, and then glass breaking"
she explained. "1 ran out and looked
down over the hill and saw a lot of
smoke'. She then ran across the
parking lot and into the back kitchen
of The Fox. yelling to everyone that
there was a boat on fire in the river.
Assistant chef James Willer) using
the emergency self -dialing systein
alerted Grand Bend OPP that "A boat
blew up in the river".
- Willett, along with co-worker Scott
Travis, ran down the stairs to the
docks where the all wood cruiser was
totally engulfed in flames. Fearing
I1.,
1Dewitte
Antiques
Lawn Furniture Sale
Swings, hexagon picnic
tables, round tables, chairs,
lounges, all solid pressure
treated wood.
mile S. of Grand Bend
Hwy. 21, 238-5121
VallIONW
further damage to other boats
moored directly behind and in front,
Travis ran pass and jumped onto the
27' Carver Montego tied directly
behind, to help tow it away from the
flames.
"It took a lot of courage for that
man to jump onto the yacht to move
it" exclaimed boater Leslie
-tleatherley. Mrs.. leatherley, her
husband 'ferry and daughter Jill of
London were in the cabin of the
Cheena r owned by Mrs. Heatherley's
father Kon Earle) at the time of the
-., -1,
incident three boat -lengths away.
Although they were'not on deck to ac-
tually see, they reported to police that
they were quite sure no one was on the
burning boat
They would probably have heard
footsteps if anyone had been on the
docks at the time. Again these
witnesses corroborated that the noise
was like a • loud dull sound as if
something large had fallen - like a big
light or something - and then glass
breaking and falling.
The Heatherleys ran forward to
aim win OW
4
CHARRED WRECK - - The recently acquired all wood cabin cruiser
belonging to OPP officer Dave Upton exploded and burned Tuesday,
in the river, behind the Thirsty Fox, Grand Bend. Investigating of-
ficer is Mark Gemus.
Pamper Yourself
Introductory Footcare Clinic by R.R.N.S.
Quality Care Grand Bend
33 Ontario Street
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Foot soak, nails trimmed, calouses sanded, massage, nails
painted, all included for $10.00
By appointment only
Call Mary Friday July 31st for appointment 238-8980
Next clinic Sept. 8. Book ahead
The sun shop's Annual Summer
LEGION BUSY
Members of the Grand Bend Legion
keep busy during the summer. Win-
ners of the Friday meat raffle on Ju-
ly 17 were Art Chambers, Dust
Miller, Lee Jennison, Gary Eagleson
and Shirley Pole. The mystery prize
winners were Howard Bawcutt, Vicki
Sandow and Don Smith.
Winners for the July 24 meat raffle
were Harold Smith,. Jack Freeman.
Clint Babcock, Gord Martindale and
Jane Hewitt, John Newbery, Jean
Glazier and Trudy MacCrae won the
mystery prizes.
There will he a steak barbecue al
the Legion on Saturday. August 1
from 5 to 7 p.m. with tickets at $8 per
person. A dance follows at 9 p.m. with
Starts 10 a.m. Friday July 31st
Entire inventory of swimwear, beachwear, casual sportswear
and accessories - all reduced
20' ,0 50
VISA
Off Regular prices
ALL SALES FINAL
Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. -
9 p.m.
"sfird
the sun sho
4
83 MAIN STREET GRAND BEND
238-2511
assist with moving and towing the
cruisers moored along that stretch of
dock and then stayed out in the river
on the Cheena while firemen brought
the blaze under control.
It took about 10 to 15 minutes for the
boat to burn and come under control,
claimed Deputy Fire chief Stan Lovie,
who had answered the call. Because
the gasoline was all over the
firefighters had difficulty containing
the flames. Pumping • water onto
gasoline only `spreads the flame. "We
just kept pouring the water into the
back of the boat in an'attempt to sink
it and keep the gas tanks under
waler".claimed Lovie. Although the
cruiser was hooked up to the elec-
trical outlet, firefighters stated
.definitely. gasoline was a major in-
volvement. because of the nature of
the blaze.
Once the fire was out, the brilliant
orange life perservers were the only
xecognizeable items in the charred
ruins and floating black debris. The
lamp' standard along the dock was
blackened but trees along the bank
were unmarred. -The wood dock was
scorched but not burnt through.
Within the hour. Turnbull Plumbing
and Electrical workers were on the
scene to be sure wiring under the
docks was not damaged.
The saga continued two days later
when attempts were made to remove
the burned -out hulk for further in-
vestigation as to the cause of the fire.
The boom on the first crane broke
as the lift began and the crane slid
partially down the enbankment.
:Another heavier crane had to be
brought in to Grand Bend. The cruiser
was then moved to the compound al
Warner Marine on Hwy. 21. The fire
marshal's investigation this week will
announced the official.causeof the
fire.
To add to the week's difficulties.
owner of the burnt boat, constable
Dave Upton was taken to hospital:
suffering heat prostration while on
duty in the extremely hot weather of
Thursday and .Friday.
a big band sound provided by "The
Moonlighters" with tickets at $5
apiece.
The next general meeting will be on
August 4, 8 p.m. sharp at the Legion.
All members please try to attend for
discussions on upstairs renovations at
the Legion.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY Dianna Kinberger, visiting with her grand-
parents the McCanns at their summer place in Birch Bark Trailer Park,
Hwy. 83; near Grand Bend, was delighted with her meeting with the
"Jolly Old Man in the Bright Red Suit".
Stock verticas 75" x 84"
Sofa Beds
Excellent
Flooring
Wallpaper
Paint
Mattresses
Not exactly as illustrated
Selection of
JZLmIL&cI Edw0n
r7Iie o'iginafJ2aGuL v, Casino, Oland BEnd
The Lakeview Casino was built
in 1919, and destroyed by fire
in 1981
framed Print
16- x 20"
7995
Guy Lombardo was the first of
many big bands to play at the
Casino over the years.
Mounted Print
x14"
35.95
Plate
9'/4" Diameter
22 K Gold Trim
32.95
WHITE'S PHARMACY LTD.
22-81 CRESCENT
GRAND BEND, ON. NOM 1TO
2384540