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Times Advocate, 1997-02-19, Page 9/1/ TY Times -Advocate, February 19, 1997 Page 9 Don't have ambitions beyond your abilities By Ross Haugh T -A Reporter AILSA CRAIG - If you want to live to at least the age of 90 years, ask a fellow that knows. Andy Dixon, a former teacher at Exeter High school and an innovationist in agriculture celebrated his 90th birthday on Monday, February 17 and in\ his in- evitable fashion has several answers to that question of a long life. His first reply was, " I don't feel as if I've lived a long life. To me it's been very short. The years rolled around very quickly and it stands to reason if you live short years, you need a lot of them to make a normal life." He continued, "Recently 1 was told I am a remarkable man. I haven't done anything unusual. I read without glasses, I don't take n,,d- ication and I drive my car. Why am I so healthy? The only thing I did differently than my peers most of whom are in their graves, is, I drank ginseng tea in mod- eration." He explains further in his own way, " In 1927 I worked for the Hodgson brothers who were bee- keepers and they brought home a few ginseng -roots from the Hellyer's. That night we made a brew of ginseng tea. I didn't like the taste so I refused any more, but 1 consider ginseng a mir- acle medicine. It does not cure illness, it prevents it. I'm the case in point." Dixon's final advice on living lots of short lives to make tip a long life is, "Don't have ambitions beyond your abilities. Don't wear yourself out trying to keep up with the times and drink ginseng tea in modera- tion!' His reply to the question of changes taking place over the years was, " about 20 years go, I refused to take part in change. I don't have a credit card, I don't watch television, I last went to a movie theatre in 1972 and to me computer is only a word." Dixon continues, "My daughter Betty is in, the com- puter business and she talks about E-mail, software, faxes. Don't ask me what they are. She tells me she has an automatic teller that she can do banking busi- ness with from home at 10 o'clock at night. If I visited a teller that late at night i wouldn't be thinking of 'crash." He goes on, "I enjoy going to the bank because my teller is not automatic. She greets. me by name, in- quires of my health, gives me money with a smile and wishes' me well. i leave the bank with a pocketful of money and a heart full of cheer." Dixon was born at Lot 5, Concession 9 of McGil- livray Township in the hamlet of Maguire. He at- tended S.S. 5, McGillivray and then on to Lucan High School and four years at the Ontario Agriculture Col- lege in Guelph. He bounced around for three years from one job to another during the depression years and then went back to school to get teaching qual- ifications. His teaching career began at the high school in Ha- gersville in 1932 and he stayed there until 1947 when. the move to Exeter came about. About the move, Dix- on says, "I had bought property in McGillivray in 1936 and planted 300 apple trees. What I wanted to do was teach five days and farm one day each week." His wife Edith who passed away in 1983 also taught in Hagersville and Exeter. To this Andy says, "We were across the hall from each other in Hagersville for four years, so we thought we would make it per- manent." Andy Dixon Dixon is proud of his teaching career at Exeter, saying, " I ran the agriculture department with- out any school money. We built a barn, had a fairly extensive vegetable garden, a small or- chard and kept chickens, bees and an advanced registry sow. Not only did we pay our ex- penses each year, but I gave the students a small dividend." The depression days were one of the best times of Dixon's life. He adds, "I had a good paying job for those days, bought a farm and was also able to invest some money. I was never dis- satisfied with my pay. The very first year of teaching in 1932 my salary was $1,520." About his retirement in 1965, the former teacher says, " I was asked to do too many things oth- er than teach. The first period each morning I would be selling cafeteria tickets." Dixon retired on a Friday and when the Times Ad- vocate reported on Thursday of the close of a teaching . career, John A. Stewart of Alex M. Stewart and Sons of Ailsa Craig read the article and two days later pulled into Dixon's yard to offer him a job to do cross breeding of corn and,start a winter green house. Dixon reports his dream of being a Country Squire were put on hold as he accepted Stewart's offer and during the next I I years spent four winters in Ja- maica, one in Argentina and four more in New Zea- land. The job was to get an earlier maturing corn that could be grown in Grey and Bruce counties and the Ottawa Valley. Stewart gave Dixon four pounds of corn, one pound of each of four inbreds. From there Dixon crossed and the seed multiplied. From four pounds in 1965, the new Stewart corn seed gross sales rose to two million dollars by 1972. At the age of 71, Dixon's second retirement didn't last long as he was able to put his present love into ac- tion. He says,. "I always felt one could make more money from growing walnut timber than with conven- tional agricultural crops. To do This the trees must ma- ture at a much quicker rate and every tree must pro- duce a high quality log and the original investment must be kept low." - He planted 1,200 walnut trees on 12 acres of land. The small trees were planted 40.feet apart. In 1971 Public speakers Precious Blood public speakers recently received their certificates. In the back row from the left are Mike Dietrich, who place third in the intermediate division, Mary Gregus, second in intermediate and Kevin Overholt, first in intermediate. In the front row from left are Anne Gregus, third junior, Jasmine Sereda, second juniorand Mark Dietrich, first place in junior division. The zone competition was held Feb. 14 and the regional finals will be held Feb. 25. Our Lady Of Mount Cannel students from back row left, Brent Darling -grade 7, Bobby Sonthi- rathgrade 8, Jake Romphf-grade 6. Front row, Jesse McCann -grade 6, Cathy Conlin -grade 4 and Mike Breen -grade 7 were successful In their school speaking contest recently and ad- vanced to the Zone competition held at Precious Blood School on Friday. Results of the Zone Speaking Contest between Precious Blood In Exeter and St. Boniface in Zurich for the Junior winners: Natalie Lovie from St. Boniface was first, Jenna McKinnon from St. Boniface was second and Jasmine Sereda from Precious Blood placed third. In the Intermediate division: Kevin Overholt from Precious Blood won first, Candace Becker from St. Bonlface won second and Mary Gregus from Precious Blood placed third. Dixon sold one walnut tree that was planted 71 years earlier for $1,500. It was 30 inches in diameter. With his present trees spaced to grow to that size, Dixon says, "They will be worth 1.8 million dollars by the time they mature. I am quite convinced I have set up a good thing for my heirs." In 1993, he bought another 50 acres to set up dem- onstrations on gully reforestation. In the winter time, VIM Dixon fills his spare time with writing books and sto- ries and playing the violin which he learned to con- quer only two years ago. He has lived in a Craigwiel apartment in Ailsa Craig for the past three years. His nearest family includes son Jim and his wife Mary Lou on the family farm in McGillivray anda daughter Betty Birrell in London. He has twin grand- daughters and three great grandsons. Your Views Letters to the editor From one teacher to another • "You were, and still are, a remarkable teacher". Dear Editor: Andy Dixon is a well known former teacher at SHDHS and 1 have been alerted to•the fact that he is celebrating his 90th birthday on February 17. Apparently there is to be a party at Craigwiel Gardens, Ailsa Craig on February 16. 1 have prepared this short tribute to be read at the party. 1t might be of interest to your readers as well. Dr. R. W. Wein Edmonton, Alberta To my teacher - Andrew Dixon - on the occa- sion of his 90th birthday (February 17, 1997) Step back a few years with me. From a one room public school that never had more than 25 students, this farm boy now sat in your Grade 9 Agriculture class. Most students were scared stiff because there was a rumor that Mr. Dix- on was tough! But I could indentify with you es- pecially the day you came into class trailing straw, with a piglet under the arm of a brand new suit. And another day you asked one of the Exeter boys to cut a string with a jack knife. The lad stammered that he did not have a knife; you emphatically stated that no boy would amount to anything unless he carried a jack knife! Thenext day every boy in the class was fiddling with his own knife. Dad and I, of course, always carried a jack knife. Through High school some teachers challenged me, others tolerated me, some wept for me, most saw few prospects. They sincerely tried! I knew i would farm for a living after Grade 10, but sports kept me in school. After I outdid myself in Grade 11 Physics, you nudged me again - harder. At about that point 1 began to see you as a teacher and also as an innovative farmer. My cousin and I knew every hunting and fishing spot in the district and we often tried our luck on your land and in your streams. We visited you and Mrs. Dixon a number of times to learn about your new house, farm and apple orchards - or was it to say "Hello" to your daughter? You always had plans and ideas! Your ideas challenged! Then I went to the Ontario Agriculture College and you helped to get me there. When I visited you from time to time, I was grilled about what subjects that I enjoyed and you sparkled with ideas about go- ing to the southern hemisphere to grow seed corn. In 1963 you wrote a book entitled "What most people don't see at Grand Bend" and when I dropped in to tell you that I was off to East Africa for a summer, you autographed a copy for me. The book is in my hand. It says "To.... A man to whom I expect to have to bow to in a few years. A. Dixon". There it was again; a blunt challenge - with expectations that I would get on with it! Many years passed with me always working sev- eral thousand miles away. Families were raised. Ca- reers were pursued. I found news of you in the Uni- versity of Guelph Alumni Newsletter and I was always updated on your activities by my family when I returned each Christmas and maybe during the summer. Someone alwayshadisome news about some nut or apple scheme of yours. When I did visit you, it was for discussions as colleagues. Ideas were so much fun! I jump forward to 1994, when you paid me a com- pliment that I will never forget. When you heard that my Dad passed away, you knew that I would be home - and you came to see me. We talked of many things. Now we keep in touch by letter and post cards. Why? It is very simple; I think we have become friends. Andy, I am only one of your students. There are thousands and all probably have some story for you about how you influenced them. You were, and still are, a remarkable teacher. I think that is a valid judgment, since it takes a teacher to know a teacher - and I am still trying to be effective as such. With all best wishes on your 90th birthday, from someone formerly of Crediton, who owes you much. Your student, Dr. Ross W. Wein Professor of Biology and Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta P.S. I would have enjoyed delivering this greeting in person, however, I have long been scheduled to lead a field class on "Northern Environmental Is- sues" into the Northwest Territories for the week of February 15-22. I will send you a postcard! - Musicians to perform in Centralia A' musical ministry will be presented at Centralia Faith Taber- nacle Friday evening. By Mary Peterson Centralia correspondent CENTRALiA - Eleven tables of enthusiastic euchre players visited Crediton recently. Lone Hand win- ners were Helen MacDonald and Harvey Latta, while Olive Essery and Harry Noels were High Hand winners. Low Hand 'winners were Irene Theander and Mary Kinney. Nineteen youth from Centralia Faith Tabernacle enjoyed an after- noon of tubing at River Valley last Saturday. While the young people wcrc returning home from the slopes, the MORE group gathered for an evening of praise, prayer and study. There's a • musical ministry planned for this corning weekend at Centralia Faith Tabernacle. On February 21 at 9 p.rn. everyone is invited to share an evening of mu- sic in praise with local congrega- tions. The Switzer Singers, one of the groups, will also provide their musical ministry at both the 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. worship scrvicc on Sunday, February 23. At Centralia United Church the Stewards and Manse Committees from Centralia and Zion hosted a pancakc supper this past week. Af- ter the supper, everyone gathered in the church sanctuary for the Ash Wednesday scrvicc. Minister Heather Scott organized the wor- Lap top stolen EXETER - OPP reported a lap top computer and modem was sto- len from a parked, unlocked 1996 Ford Truck on Feb. 6 at 125 Main St. The case also contained a pass- port and identification cards. The value of the stolen property is esti- mated at $8,000. ship. Readers were Leona Jaques, Michelle Hern, Marina Jaques, Bob Dougall, Allan Powe and Lois Wil- son. Communion was celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at Central- ia and Zion. The Centralia Sunday School hosted a "Love Your Neighbour Luncheon" following worship. This was a fundraiser for the Mission and Service Fund to recognize the Ten Days for World Development. Lois Wilson and June Essery at- tended the Huron -Perth Presbyteri- al Women annual meeting on Feb- ruary 10 at the Thamesview United Church in Fullarton. The theme for the meeting was "Rejoice, Ccic- hratc, Share Your Faith", with Bev Robinson as guest speaker. The election and installation of officers. for 1997 was also held. Upcoming this week- is a meeting of the Official Board on February 20 at 8 p.m. at Centralia United Church. A reminder to youth in grade 7 and up about the weekend planned by the Huron Perth Youth Council February 28 to March 2. Aerobics, games, worship and lots of fun will take place at Central United Church in Stratford. The cost lir the weekend is $50. To register, contact Jenn Mercer at 235-0342 by February 18. Minister Heather Scott has additional information. The following speakers were successful at the Kirkton- Woodham Optimist Oratorical Contest on February 10. From back row, left, Adam Case,lst in junior boys, Jordan Thomson, runner-up in junior boys, Cindy Gregus, 1st jun- ior girls, Kristen Thomson, runner-up junior girls. Front row, from left,- Mark Ross, 1st senior boys, Jamie Ham- mond, 2nd senior boys, Amber Garrow,' 2nd senior girls and Jaclyn Ford, 1st senior girls. The Optimist Oratorical began in 1928 and is the only international organization which offers scholarships for contestants 15 years -old and younger. The final winner in each district (there are four in Ontario, four boys and four girls) will receive $1,500. The Zone competition will be hosted by the St. Marys club on april 15 and will consist of seven clubs in- cluding Lucan, Bryanston, Thomdale, Exeter featuring the top boy and girl from each club.