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Times Advocate, 1989-12-27, Page 5n the Street By Jim Bec:tett Tension -filled search r.7, .$33 million a near tourism threatened The Consitt family of Varna received an early Christmas present Thursday with the knowledge their son Paul will be alright after be- coming lost in a bone -chilling blizzard. Paul headed across the fields in a snowmobile (something he's done many times) when a sudden storm reduced visibility to practi- cally zero. The machine became tangled in a branch leaving him to find his way back on foot. At the same time Paul was desperately trying to get home 1 was safely in my home listening to the Detroit television reporter tell his listeners to definitely not go out into what he described as "killer temperatures" without being properly protected. Also, at the same time Paul was getting well into his ordeal,1 the people that love him were starting to realize something was dread- fully wrong. As soon as they discovered Paul was missing, the Con- sitts had an opportunity to witness first hand the benefits of living in a close-knit rural community. Neighbors arrived within minutes to begin a tension -filled search... not knowing whether they could find Paul alive or frozen. The storm worsened, killing visibility, making the search even more frantic. Snowmobilers lost sight of each other and were in some danger themselves as the hunt continued. Members of the Brucefield Fire Department joined in as the effort to find Paul was becoming a race against time. In all, about 30 peo- ple had only one thing on their minds... find Paul and find him fast. , Some•people will call it fate but Paul's mother, Barb calls it a miracle when he was found by his best friend, his brother Scott. He had travelled a considerable distance desperately searching for home when he'saw the lights of a big 4 -wheel drive Case IH com- ing across the field. I wish I could have been there when the two brothers met. Fortunately, this adventure has a happy ending, although Paul is still getting over severe frost bite. The story will never be completely over for the Consitt family be- cause, as Barb told me Friday morning, she's truly convinced find- ing Paul 'alive was a miracle. I used to tease Barb atout the disadvantages of living in the coun- try and the small community of Varna. She stuck up for Varna be- fore and she's convinced now that she's living in the best connuni= ty in the country. "We'll never forget the people who were there when we needed them", she said Friday as she wiped tears from her eyes. Thank God they were tears of joy. Dream vacation Jeffrey Finkbeiner, age 10, of Crediton returned recently from a five-day vacation to'Disney World in Orlando, Florida with his fam- ily, arranged for by The Sunshine Foundation of Canada. The Grand Bend Lioness Club adopted Jeffrey's dream under The Sunshine Foundation of Canada's Adopt -A -Dream program. A club/. group or.individuals by underwriting S3500 can be a part of fulfill- ing a special child's dream. That is the average cost of sending a family to Disney World for five days. Sunshine arranged all ground and air transportation, accommodation on the Disney World site, ad- . mission to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center and also allow the family a meal allowance. The faimily just had to pack their bags and enjoy their vacation. From all rerts the family of six members had a great time. The Sunshine Foundation of Canada is a charitable organization who fulfills the dreams of seriously -ill, terminally -ill or severely dis- abled children between 'the ages -of 3 and 19 years. - Award winner Mike Burke and Scott Rundle of Exeter were always convinced their company, Beyond the Screen Door Inc. had a great product... and nowthey have proof. Their old-fashioned style screen door walked away with the best new or improved building supply, product at the prestigious Canadian Home Centre show held in November at the International Trade Centre in Toronto. The company is moving to a new 6,600 sq. ft. location in Huron Park where Burke says they will have the needed space to possibly develop some new prcxducts. With Canada's leaders 'With the thousands of flower shops in Canada it might be surpris- ing to know we have one in Exeter listed in the top 100 for volume among members of the American Floral Service. The AFS, the larg- est independent full-service flower by wire service, has announced that Jo Anne Dinney's Country Flowers is in their list of the top 100 senders of flowers in the Country. You can help The Huron County Chapter heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is a volunteer organization committee to raise fundslocally to support medical research to combat Canada's No. 1 killer - heart disease and stroke. They need your help, support and enthusiasm and encourage you to consider a volunteer position. The Campaign Chairman for the town of Exctcr is Lois Armstrong 235-2563, G. Nichol 235-1338. The Campaign Chair for the Townships is Marg Cook. Please call her if you can help out. Phone: 228=6718. They would sincerely appreciate your help. Highlights .of 1989 Continued from page 2 uted $3,650 to a number of youth oriented groups in the community. April 26 Exeter; town police have begun laying charges for infractions at the • newly installed pedestrian crossing at Main and Victoria streets. Very few surprises were con- tained in the long awaited report on county government More than 75 SHDHS students collected 1,644 kilograms of refuse in the second annual Exctcr clean- up in just over onchour. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation initiated a grievance procedure with the Hu- ron Board of Education over the transfer of three secondary school principals. The Grand Bend Lioness fashion show at Oakwood Inn was well at- tended. The Ailsa Craig arca home of Bob and Marilyn Doerr was com- pletely demolished by fire. Joel Siebert of Zurich Public School and Ian Jean of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School were win- ners in the Huron county science fair. May M May 3 For the first time in many years, the town of Exeter has received a PRIDE grant from the province of Ontario. As part of a capital workers pro- , South Huron District High School will get from three to five new classrooms. Exeter councillors applauded -the 1988 town police report as present- ed by chief Larry Hardy. t, Council approved the changing of several street names. The Usborne and Hibbert Mutu- al Fire Insurance Company issued a $1.1 million debenture cheque to the township of Tuckersmith to be used for renovations and upgrad- ing -of the Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System. The area Flowers of Hope cam- paign is sponsored by the South Huron Association for the Mental- ly Handicapped. A committee has been formed to construct an $800,000 recreation centre in Ailsa Craig. ' May 10 Exeter reeve Bill Micklc was named a director to the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Asso- ciation. The audit report for the town of Times -Advocate, December 27, 1989 Page 5 Grand Bend should have fought harder, says tavern owner By Adrian Harte GRAND BEND - Gerry Sanders says no one was listening to him when he warned Grand Bend should fight harder for its beach. He hopes they are listening now. Sanders, who runs Sanders on the Beach and Hotel Mainstreet, secs the loss of the beach case to Archie Gibbs- as a devastating blow to the local economy. He doesn't care who actually owns the property; he just wants to be sure the beach area can be kept as the resort's prime attraction. "Grand Bend can't survive with- out its main asset and that's the beach. We need help, by appeal or whatever the government can do (purchase or expropriation) to save our beach for the use of the public," Sanders said on Friday. A Save the Beach campaign was launched in 1988 to prepare for the worst. He asked businesses and the community to speak out in favour of keeping the beach pub- lic. He said MPs should have been petitioned, and more local people should have attended the Sarnia court hearings. "I tried hard to get the business- people, the Chamber of Com- merce, and property owners of Gibbs Park more interested in the case. Their attitude was that the government will never allow Gibbs to win, or the government will expropriate." Sanders said he even suggested the issue should have been settled out of court, but was advised by the Chamber of Commerce that such action was unnecessary be- cause Gibbs' claim was certain to be rejected. "The Chamber of Commerce stepped in and told everyone there was no way they were going to lose," said . Sanders. Gibbs was laughed at and dismissed by coun- cil and the community as an ec- centric, but Sanders said he under- stood the threat of the trial. Now, observes Sanders, Gibbs is "laugh- ing on the otherside of the fence". Sanders personally attended nearly every day of the Sarnia hearings and was disappointed no one else saw fit to show the same concern for a dispute so critical to the future of Grand Bend. _ "Even the judge remarked on that and said he would use that in his decision," lamented Sanders, but added it is not too late for.a petition to be sent to MPs asking for an ap- peal or other bid to return the beach to the public. Sanders says he doesn't know what Gibbs has in mind for the property, but notes Grand Bcnd is already short of parking and the beach lot is sorely needed. The tav- ern owner is also concerned that word will get out that Grand Bends beach is gone and tourists will mis- takenly head elsewhere. "It scares me. Will Gibbs close the beach this summer?" he asked. Sanders said last summer's tenta- tive proposal to shuttle -bus visitors to and from a parking lot near the airport was enough to make some sun -seekers head for Port Stanley. He dreads the thought of what this beach issue will cause. The court has awarded Gibbs compensation equal to the revenues collected by beach parking since 1979. Sanders can't see where the village will get the funds. The lot collected about $60,000 last year alone. "Well, that's a lot of money," Sanders c argcd. "Is it going to bankrupt Gr Bend?" Sanders said all this heartache could have been avoided if some- one had taken Gibbs seriously when he originally offered to sell the beach for S50,000. "I told them then - buy it," said Sanders. SAVE THE Save the Beach - If Gerry Sanders looked worried in May 1988 when he launched his Save the Beach campaign, he is even more worried now that the village's south beach has been awarded to Ar- chie Gibbs. Many disagreed .with Sanders methods in '88, but he says hindsight indicates more should have listened to him then. (File photo) Collector's item - The Save the Beach campaign was fully organized with the aim of generating'a groundswell of public support in favour of keeping all of Grand Bend's beaches public. Buttons were passed out to supporters, but the crusade quickly died as many called it unnecessary and premature. Exeter for 1988 showed a surplus of S33,088. The Exeter Business Improve- ment Association plans expansion of its present boundaries. The tulip beds in front of the Ex- cter library were trampled by a vandal. Lieutenant -Governor Lincoln Alexander visited SHDHS ' to speak to Huron teachers during -a multiculturalism professional de- velopment day. May 17 The Exeter tax rate for 1989 jumps almost 10 pereent. Councillor Morley Hall asks for immediate action on a town recy- cling program. Mayor Bruce Shaw said "we're close to making a deal to buy prop- erty fora new firc hall." , Sold -out crowds enjoyed a thrcc- night performance of Nightbcat at SHDHS. Despite two days of bad weath- er, the first annual salmon derby at Grand Bcnd was successful. In a recent vote 72 percent of producers who participated said "No" to the establishment of a pro- ducer -controlled marketing com- mission for beef cattle. May 24 Dana Fisher of Zurich and Douglas Wilson of Huron Park were killed in a single motor vchi- cle accident in Hay township. Oakwood subdivision residents ask Stephen township to oppose an- nexation by Grand Bend. Usborne township residents will get blue boxes for recycling. Huron Tractor, the local John Deere dealership has been named the . number one sales leader for combines in. Canada and number two overall iq'Canada. At the 2 st graduation exercises at Centralia College, 88 young men and women received their diplo- mas. Barbara Tiernan of SHDHS was a winner. in a provincial Spanish con- test held at UWO in London. Thousands flock to Grand Bend for the first warm long weekend of the summer. May 31 • Fire caused $10,000 damage to a house in Dashwood. Cathy Cade and son Brandon were able to es- cape. Hcnsall's annual yard sale fills streets with bargain hunters from far and wide. Exeter's Dave Shaw, now with the New York Rangers says the in- flux of Russian players should help the NHL. Zurich Public School principal Don O'Brien retires after 34 years of teaching. June June 7 It's for sure. Exeter council ap- proved the purchase of property from Nabisco Brands to build a ricw fire hall. It's located at William and Church streets. Approval was given to Laidlaw Transport Ltd. to construct a new terminal .and office on William street north, opposite the Exeter Masonic Hall. Taxes in Stanley township will be up by 12 percent. Joel Campbell, 14, of Exeter was a dominant force as he participated in a "Stars of Tomorrow" hockey tournament in Montreal. Reviewing officer Elmer Bell of Exeter was impressed with the marching techniques at the 15th an- nual graduation ceremonies of the Huron -Middlesex Cadet Corps. Bud Durdin of Dashwpod and Okke Douma met for the first time in 45 years when the retired Dutch minister visited Canada. Lisa Ellcrington and Larry Miller were named the top students at SHDHS. June 14 The Exctcr Villa received accred- itation from the Canadian Council of Health Facilities. South Huron Hospital decided to close the obstetrics unit as only six babies were born there in 1988. The Times Advocate wins a Blue Ribbon award from the Canadian Newspaper Association. Dashwood lost one of its most prominent citizens in the death of Valentine Becker. Dennis Hockey has retired after more than 10 years as a Scout lead- er in Exeter. The 121st edition of the Hensall Spring Fair was another success. Crowned 1989 Queen was Lori De Wys. Named athletes of the year at SHDHS were Julia Meurer, Ian Verbcck, Kim Crawford, Larry Miller and Jon O'Connor. June 21 The village of Zurich gives store. owners the option of staying open on Sundays. Moody Fishcrieoof Grand Bend were fined $40,000 for exceeding fishing quotas in 1986 and 1987. Rob Hoffman of Dashwood had his long hair clipped as part of an auction which netted S200 for his Teen Mission trip to Egypt along with Dan Weigand. A London man was arrested after trying to break into the Exctcr home of police chief Larry Hardy. Morc than 700 attended .the •offi- cial opening of the new Mennonite Church in Zurich. Norm Amos won the community service award presented by the Kirkton-Woodham Optimist Club. The annual Dave Scatchard golf tournament at the Oakwood Inn course at Grand Bend met its goal of $25,000 to buy a van for the Scatcherd Children's Centre in Lon- don. The 25th anniversary of Usborne Central School was celebrated. June 28 After a closed door session the • Huron Board of Education , con- firmed that SHDHS principal Bruce Shaw will be transferred to Gode- rich. The 'Tri -County Senior Gaines were held in Exeter with 555 com- petitors from Huron, Perth and Middlesex. The village of Grand Bcnd is plagued by severe parking prob- lems. - The Exctcr Villa celebrated its 'third anniversary. Thc new Huron Board of Educa- tion trustee for Hensall and Tuck- crsmith is Al Carter. He. fills the. vacancy created by the resignation of Sally Rathwcll. The new Lions Parkview Place seniors apartments in Lucan were officially opened. The Exeter Express won a senior baseball tournament in Walkerton. July July 5 Richard Walker of Centralia; his three year-old son Evan and an- other child, Samuel Thiel, RR2 Centralia Were killed in an acci- dent on the Biddulph-Usbome townline, cast of Highway 4. A new record was set at SHDHS when 15 students were named On- tario Scholars. The new super mail boxes have caused money and aggravation to the Exeter PUC. • Harry Smith retires after 33 •years as a rural mail courier on the RR I, Hensall route. July 12 Reeve Norm Steeper of Lucan resigned in a surprise announce- ment. He was immediately re- placed by councillor Larry Hotson. Harry Hoffman of Dashwood was ariong a select few chosen to meet the Queen Mother during' her visit to London. Hoffman was one of 24 Canadians singing at the 1937 Coronation in England. Grand Bend deputy reeve George Kadlecik passed away af- ter a five year fight with cancer. Exeter Legion members Dave Frayne, Murray Greene, Eldon • Heywood, Bait DeVries and Vera Armstrong were part of the 400 - member Legion colour party for the visit of the Queen Mother. The Bluewater Kennel •Club show at- Blyth attracted 836 en- tries. Laurie Mannell of Grand Bcnd received a Canada Day certificate. July 19 An error bf $21,000 found in a tender contract for reconstruction work on Huron street was con- firmed by Exeter council. Arson was the cause of a $60,000 fire at General Manufac- turers Homes in Hcnsall. Grand Bend deputy -clerk Chris- tine Smith resigned citing a heavy workload. A series of explosions caused $200,000 in damage to the, W.G. Thompson grain elevators in Gran- ton. An alert teller at the Bank of Montreal in Zurich spoucd eight counterfeit American $100 bills. Bruce• Woodley has been named Grand Bend deputy reeve to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George Kadlecik. Turtle Days were,a highlight of the annual Gala Days in Ailsa Craig. Please turn to page 20