Times-Advocate, 1987-09-30, Page 10a 10 Times -Advocate. Se
tember 30, 1987
•
Carving out a pastime
Earl Oesch of Zurich can hatch a
fully -grown duck in about 60 hours.
While his may not fly as well as real
ducks, they do last longer. Oesch hat-
ches his ducks, cardinals, geese, and
other bit d; and mammals from
choice pieces of wood that he loving-
ly carves in his workshop.
Oetch has been carving animals
and birds from wood for about $0
years, but not until the past two years
since he took a course in wood carv-
ing at Fanshawe College has he refin-
ed his technique to get the results he
is so proud of today.
The first step in carving one of his
creations after choosing the design is
to select a piece of wood from his
stock of basswood blocks given to him
by a neighbour. Basswood, Oesch ex-
plains, is an ideal wood for carving
because of its softness, yet it also
possesses an extremely fine grain
that does not split easily.
Usually, Oesch has to laminate his
wood together to create a piece large
enough for his project. Quite often,
heads and bills must be separate
pieces in order to take advantage of
the strength of the grain of the wood
to avoid breakage.
The basic shape of the carving is
roughed in on a band saw before
Oesch applies his knife to the wood to
bring to life.
Final grinding and sanding are
achieved on a Foredem tool to refine
the final shape of the creature, but
before any paint is applied to give the
carving lifelike colour, Oesch
painstakingly engraves every line of
every feather with a woodburning
tool.
Oesch mixes the acrylic paints
himself to get the exact colour he
wants, but he concedes that if he is not
satisfied with the result he can easi-
ly change it: "One thing about that is
you can always paint over it."
Glass eyes and metal alloy feet are
purchased from a woodcarving supp-
ly company in Kilbride Ontario, as
are most of Oesch's tools and supplies
for his hobby.
So far Oesch's collection of carved
animals and birds includes ducks,
geese, cardinals, blue jays,
woodpeckers, and loons. He is
especially proud of a bald eagle he
has just completed over the summer,
and he is always willing to show off
a team of horses hitched to a cart. He
had the miniature harnesses for the
horses speciallymade for him by a
BIRDS OF A FEATHER— Earl Oesch of Zurich gives close inspection to the fine detailing on his wood
carvings. He carves a variety of birds and animals in his garage workshop as a hobby.
Lions report profits
. From the Lions Den - Their regular
meeting was held on September 9 at
the Dominion Tavern. Lion Chief,
Isidore LaPorte chaired the meeting
and welcomed everyone.
A thank you letter was read from
Anne Borret for their support in get-
ting the Block Parents organization
started in Zurich. The 50/50 draw was
won by Lion, Richard Erb 49.00 r.
Financial reports were given from
various activities during the past year
and profits were shown from their
ball tournament last June, the dance
and Lions Den at the Zurich Fair, at
the golf tournament and from the
Zurich Bean Festival. - .
Upcoming dates to remember are:
next meeting on October 23 at the
Hotel and on September 26 a P.D.G.
Lion Art Woods appreciation night at
Elmira Community Centre at 6:00
p.m.
Personals
May we offer our sincere sympathy
to the family of the late Mrs. Irene
McClinchey who passed away at the
Rest Home last Wednesday and
especially to her daughter. Donna
Klopp and family.
Congratulations to David and.
Michelle Smith 1 nee Watson 1 on the
arrival of their first baby. little Maf-
thew David was born on September
17.
A busload of seniors from Zurich,
Shipka, Ailsa Craig, Parkhill, Grand
Bend, Dashwood and Exeter all en-
joyed four lovely days from
September 18-21 at Aston Villa, which
is a beautiful place on lake Muskoka.
The entertainment throughout their
stay was really good and the meals
were just delicious.
The tour was arranged by Ellison
Travel with Murphy Bus Lines and
hosted by Mrs. Pearl Miller of
Dashwood.
Beth Sweeney spent the weekend in
Huntsville with friends and attended
a wedding on Saturday.
Ken and Marilyn Fenwick, Paul
and Shirley Bedard, Francis and Cin-
dy Denomme of Zurich and Leo and
Gail DeBus of Stratford all recently
enjoyed getting away together for the
weekend and staying in Port Huron.
While there they also went to see the
Tigers baseball game.
Bob and Linda Hendrick along with
several others recently attended a
Telephone Convention. in Quebec Ci-
ty -for a few days.
Joan Ducharme, Hay Township
Clerk Treasurer, and Maureen
Regier, Village Clerk for Zurich, Hen -
salt Village Clerk Betty Oke and Liz
Bell, Clerk from the Town of Exeter,
all attended a financial conference in
London held at the Holiday Inn from
last Wednesday to Friday.
Frieda' Moore was hostess to a pot
luck birthday party dinner last
Wednesday evening, given by the
card party ladies honouring Margaret
Hess on her 86th birthday. Games of
euchre were enjoyed by all present.
BIRTHDAY - - Mrs. Jessie Brock
of the Blue Water Rest Home is
94 years young. A small birthday
party was held in her honour on
Monday.
Dashwood citizens travel
By BERNICE BOYLE
A week ago Friday a bus load of
men and women from Ailsa Craig,
Parkhill. Shipka. Grand Bend,.
Zurich. Dashwood and Exeter travell-
ed to Aston Villa on Lake Muskoka.
The weekend was filled with different
entertainment each night. They had
horse racing after which they held
community singing. A young girl and
boy acted the play " I do, I do,". "Ritz
of the Blitz" featured one on the Allen
Sisters who used to sing on the Tom-
my Hunter Show and two young Scot-
tish gentlemen sang and played the
piano. Everyone enjoyed the ex-
cellent meals.
The tour was arranged by Ellison
Travel on a Murphy bus and the
hostess was Pearl Miller of
Dashwood.
Some of the people who were on the
bus trip arrived back just in time to
attend the senior citizens meeting
held at the Dashwood Community
Centre. The president, Alma Gent-
tner. welcomed 39 members and four
visitors. During the summerthe card
secretary sent four sympathy, three
get well. two birthday and one think-
ing of you cards. Irma Wein who has
been hospitalised and is now home
-sent a thank you card to the senior
members.
The guest speaker, Mr. Elmer Bell
spoke on wills and family law: the dif-
ferent arrangements that are possi-
ble for the person who has been given
the power of attorney. Mrs. Edith
Baker read "What do you see" and a
"Child's view of retirement in a
mobile park".
• Fall Rally
Fall Rally will be held October 14
at the Goderich Township Communi-
ty Centre, Ilolmesville. Registration
is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Anyone who
plans to attend please contact Shirley
Preszcator, Crediton 234-6704 or Elda
Koehler 237-3691. You are asked to
meet at the Dashwood Community
Centre by 11 a.m.
Before Alice Tieman's committee
served lunch Nola Love read the
"Dieters Prayer".
Give me strength. oh Lord, I pray
help me make it through the day
Deliver me from snacks and sweets
Tempt me not with French cuisines
Bid me flee, soft drink machines
Turn my eyes from ice cream bars
Stay my hand from cookie jars
'Till I'm back in shape again
Hang in there! Lord! With me!
Amen.
O.E.S.
The 72nd Assembly of the Order of
the Easter Star was held at the Con -
gree Centre in Ottawa. Area people
who attended were: Anne Schade who
was a Grand Page for the Grand Sen-
tinel, Clarke Hodgins of Parkhill. The
Worthy Matron and Patron of Exeter
Chapter, Reg and Pauline Finkbe-
inger, Crediton. The Worthy Matron
elect for 1987-88 Donna Webster, Ex-
eter. Dan and Christine Traquair,
Jean Easton, Exeter. Bernice Boyle
who represents Grand Chapter Com-
mittee on Estarl and Carl Mills of Ex-
eter who is a Grand Representative
of Scotland in Ontario and his wife
Jean.
Personals
Visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Everett
Haist were their niece and husband
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Cleaver, Caseville.
Michigan.
Mrs.Jean Walper entertained Mrs.
Michael Payne, Morinville, Alberta.
Mr. Harold Jeffrey, Port Perry, Mr.
and Mrs. Ed Wurm, Exeter.
Joe and Marilyn Zimmer returned
from Palm Springs, California, a
complimentary trip from Hitachi. •
Eben Weigand celebrated his 80th
birthday with his family gathering at
the Pinedale restaurant, Grand Bend
on Sunday. They were surprised by.
Martha's family from Pt. Colborne,
London, Exeter and Dashwood. John
Martene celebrated his birthday also.
Saturday evening Don and Jean
Weigand and ' Eben and Martha
Weigand attended the 40th anniver-
sary of Alphonse and Betty Grenier,
Hensall.
-Mrs. Greta Schatz is a patient at the
University Hospital.
h
A'i( 1 t1'ttii+1i1i.4ti,ir.
100th BIRTHDAY Miss Minnie Hern of the Blue Water Rest Home
is wished a happy 100th birthday by her niece, Jean Hern (right).
Miss Hern has resided of the Blue Water for eight years after leav-
ing Exeter, where she had lived since 1938. Her birthday wishes in-
cluded o letter from the Governor General and o plaque from the
Prime Minister. 'She hasn't changed a bit," said her niece Hazel Hern.
4
A
Zurich Men's Rec
League
Hockey
Registration
Sat., Oct. 3
from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
First come, first served
Fee $ 100.00
Location:
Zurich Arena
JcIen
.r11i2t.1). ) X4
The Residents have had a busy
week, and what beautiful weather for
all their activities.
On Monday evening a number of
Residents attended the Grand Cove
Players 1987 Review "Crest of a
Wave" in Grand Bend. We thank the
Grand Cove Residents for all the fun
they generated and for the com-
plimentary tickets given to the
Residents, and also the bus driver and
those who supplied transportation and
assistance for the Residents.
The September birthday party was
sponsored by the Crediton United
Church Ladies. Community singing
was enjoyed and old-time music was
supplied by Lois Hodgins, pianist ac-
companying Harvey Smith who
played the guitar and Mr. Lewis play-
ing the violin. Following the program,
a delicious lunch was enjoyed and a
social time followed.
Residents having birthdays during
the month were Mrs. Jessie Brock,
Mr. Lorne Fleischauer, Miss Laura
Gascho, Miss Minnie Hern, Dr. Chas.
• Toll and Mr. William Ziler. Gifts,
• courtesy of the Ladies Auxiliary were
presented. •
The sympathy of Residents and
Staff is extended to the family of the
late Mrs. Irene McClinchey.
On Wednesday afternoon, some of
the Residents enjoYed a bus ride to
the Grand Bend and Crediton areas
and made a point of seeing some of
the old land marks in the areas in
which they formerly resided.
We welcome Mrs. Margaret Jones
Mrs. Carmel Sweeney
Phone: 230.4702
limpoei
to the Home and hope we can make
life more pleasant for her.
Thursday was a big milestone in the
life of Miss Minnie Hern when she
celebrated her 100th birthday. A large
number of friends and relatives at-
tended the open house which was held
in the auditorium. The Residents,
under the direction of Mrs. Catherine
Shantz presented an enjoyable pr9-
gram of music and readings. Birth-
day cake and refreshments were
served and a time of reminiscing
followed.
Bingo was played on Friday even-
ing followed by refreshments.
Rev. Larry Stojkovic of Dashwood
Lutheran church conducted the Sun-
day evening chapel service.
friend.
A present project in the works is a
pig about 15 cm long. Oesch has never
carved a pig before but, after a cou-
ple of disappointments, he thinks he
is getting it right.
Although Oesch's creations are for
sale, he admits hd really does not
carve for the money: While the usual
charge for a carving is only $50, he
said that he prefers to give them
away as gifts to people he knows will
appreciate them. Even then, he con-
fesses that he does not like to see them
go.
"Every one that I've made I want
to keep it. I hate to sell them," com-
plains Oesch, but he says that the
sculptures have a tendency to take up
a lot of room in his house and must
often be parted with.
Oesch explains that he has yet to
enter any of his •.arvings in a contest,
but hopes that one day he will have a
carving and find a contest where he
can compare, his work to other
carvers in the area.
Having perfected some of his
wildfowl sculptures, Oesch is always
looking for new subjects to render in
wood. While the pigs are his current
project he would also like to try his
hand at a rooster. There is also a lady
who, after buying one of his life-size
Canada geese, would like him to
carve her a cat.
When asked whether o. ue
would consider a white squiri.. as a
subject, hg laughed and agreed that
it might be a good idea.
"I don't do it for money," insisted
Oesch, "I do it for a•good pastime."
And as he surveyed the room contain-
ing some of the collection of carvings
amassed over the duration of his hob-
by, he summed up his affection for the
fruits of his labour in a single phrase:
"I'm kinda proud of them."
Current Rates
101/4%
2 years
G.I.C.
5 year
G.I.C.
103/4
RON KEYS
VARNA
Representing Trust Companies
across Ontario
262-6273
Dr. Charles -Wallace
Will cease practise at tate Hensall Medical Cen-
tre as of September 30 and will be at Zurich and
Bayfield at the following times.
Zurich Office -236-4314
Monday - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thurs. - 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bayfield Office 565-2922
Monday 9a.m. to 12. noon
Wednesday -3 p.m..6 p.m.
Thurs. 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Friday. - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
I regret any inconvenience this may cause my
patients.
Take'advantage of our 70 years'
experience in accident prevention.
Attend our Film Night and Winners
of Elementary Slogan Contest
Awards Presentation
OCTOBER 21,1987, 6:00 p.m.
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION HALL, SEAFORTH
The film "Bicycle Safety" is presented'by
McDonald's Restaurants •
sponsored by
PERTH -HURON SECTION, WESTERN ONTARIO DIVISION
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION ASSOCIATION
For registration and further information on this and
other events, please contact: Registrar at London
District Office — (519) 686-9698
For further information
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
PREVENTION ASSOCIATION
2 Blom Street West,
3I st Floor.
Toronto. Ontario M4W 3N8
(416)96548888