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Times Advocate, 1995-09-06, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, September 6, 1995 iILTHF NEWS Regional wrap up Firefighters busy with three blazes SEAFORTH - An explosion, possibly the result of a spark from blowing straw set off a fire at the farm of Jim Ryan, Lot 1 Conc. 9, McKillop • Township last Wednesday. The blaze caused an estimated $200,000 damage and resulted in the deaths of more than 100 pigs, reported the Huron Exam- iner. Two other fires broke out in Hibbert Township while fire- fighters batted the McKillop blaze for about seven hours. The Mitchell Fire Department responded to the other fires. The first was at the farm of Jack But- son, Lot 27, Conc. 9. A second fire call involved a burning flat- bed tractor -trailer about one mile west of Staffa. St. Anne's open for Grade 9 students CLINTON - The new separate school in Clinton is ready for students and Principal Ray Con- tois said he hopes to promote a strong sense of school spirit for the 128 Grade 9 students regis- tered, reported the Clinton News -Record. St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School opened on Sept. 5 and Contois has been involved with the project since it was still in the planning stages. The con- struction included a chapel which is the focal point of the school. A stained glass cross that will be lit up a night and visible from the outside of the building is also in the plans. The new facilities include a gym that has the capability of being electronically wired. With this feature, sporting events can be filmed and shown live on a 15 -foot screen in the cafeteria. Councillor wants to harvest fallen trees GODERICH - "Huron County Councillor Tom Cunningham said it is a shame to leave over 40 acres of felled trees in the Moms Tract on the ground to rot," reported the Goderich Sig- nal -Star. The July 13 storm that dam- aged large sections of the Moms Tract knocked down between 500 and 1,000 trees. Huron County Council has been debat- ing whether or not to salvage the tf es since the storm. "There's a lot of revenue to be gained in there," Cunningham told council. Loggers have indicated there is no urgency to remove the trees immediately but Agricul- ture and Public Works Chairman Norm Fairies hopes the matter will be wrapped up as soon as possible. Marijuana plants found in Hibbert HIBBERT TOWNSHIP - For- ty marijuana plants, reaching a much as six feet in height, were discovered in a Hibbert Town- ship Cornfield last Thursday, re- ported the Huron Expositor. Se- bringville OPP said the plants were discovered as a result of a tip from a farmer. The estimat- ed street value of the crop is about $15,000. According to the Expositor, two officers pulled up the plants and destroyed them at the Se- bringyille OPP detachment of- fice. 4. MacNaughton Park opening ceremony ir Continued from front page In October 1993, the Lions Club Park Committee hired landscape de- signer Mario Levesque to draft a park plan proposal subject to given perimeters and guidelines, but with freedom to inject his own ideas for consideration. The Landscape designer and the Lions Park committee decided Mac - Naughton Park would feature: - 10 unique gardens. - several locations for sculpture, stone or artwork. - comfortable benches in resting areas. - interlocking stone walkways. - accent lights to enhance the plantings and key focal points. - adequate electrical outlets to provide for Christmas decorations and other seasonal festivities. - accessibility for the physically challenged. The benefits of the MacNaughton Park Project were identified as: - beautification of this popular community focal point. - a unique setting which would appeal to and attract all age groups from Exeter and surrounding area. - encouragement for citizens and visitors to take pride in and enjoy this community project. - a beautiful setting for wedding and family photos. - an attraction for visitors from other areas which would stimulate economic development. - providing an opportunity for community minded organizations, businesses and individuals to get in- volved. In November 1993, the final plan with an estimated cost of $175,000 was approved (to be funded by con- tributions only - no tax dollars). Fundraising was started in De- cember of 1993. Since this project would enrich the lives of all the cit- izens of Exeter and area, we were confident many would come for- ward to assist us in this venture. It is not too late to become a part of this community project. All do- nors will be permanently displayed on bronze plaques, engraved in the paving stone walkways or inscribed on certificates suitable for framing. All donations over $25. will receive a receipt for income tax purposes. Construction was started in May, 1994. By September 1995, the Mac - Naughton Park Project was com- pleted on schedule and within bud- get and about 95 per cent of the fundraising was completed. The official opening and dedica- tion was held on September 4. A word of thanks from John Ste- phens - Chairman of the Lions Park Committee: As chairman of the Lions Park Committee I want to recognize and thank the people whom I have worked very closely with for the last two years, and who must be given much of the credit for the successful completion of this pro- ject. The idea for developing the Exet- er -Morrison Corridor has been around for many years. In fact, no one really knows when or from whom the idea originated. How- ever, in March of 1984, the Aus- able-Bayfield Conservation. Author- ity presented a master plan to serve as a guideline for the future de- velopment of the corridor. This is the first tangible evidence available to indicate the stimulus which re- sulted in this project. They must be commended for their foresighLin- itial planning, continued coop- eration and encouragement. Our thanks to Jon Dinney, who chaired the Exeter -Morrison Cor- ridor Planning Committee from July 1986 to August 1991, for help - A cowboy competes in the bull riding event during the Thunder by the Beach Rodeo in Grand Bend Sunday. Competitors must hold on to the bucking bull for a full eight seconds. A full grown bull weighs 1,800-2,000 lbs and are extremely short tempered. Welcome Week at SHDHS sir Continued from front page there are many resources avail- able South Huron has a new se- mcstercd timetable which will be an adjustment for all students. This will mean a four day rotation of 1995-96 SHDHS Student Council Adam Jean - President Andrew Hern - Vice-president Anita Wein - 2nd Vice-president Lindsay McKay - Treasurer Krysty Ahre1ts - Secretary Melissa Brock - Social Convener Bryan McAllister - Athletic Chairperson Jeff DeBlock - Trustee four periods. Each day will begin with the period of the same num- ber. The switch will bring benefits to the school system such as reducing ing to keep the idea alive and co- ordinating some initial planning of the Corridor Project. And again for chairing the Lions Park Committee to develop MacNaughton Park from August 1991 to September 1993. MacNaughton Park lies within the boundries of The Town of Ex- eter. Therefore, this project would not have been possible without the full support, cooperation and con- fidence of the Exeter Council. We appreciate having this from the be- ginning and would not have been successful without it. The Exeter Works Department, the Public Utilities Commission and the Exeter and Area Fire De- partment are all to be thanked for their advice, assistance and vol- unteer work. Their contribution was certainly appreciated. The Exeter Lions Club, as on many occasions in the past, stepped forward to spearhead this project and underwrite the expenses until the fundraising got underway. They are to be commended for hav- ing the courage to undertake such a project. We thank them for this and the many hours of volunteer work. Bill Carson, Jon Dinney, Scott Eveland, Jon Gaiser and Ted Jones served with me on the Lions Park Committee. The efforts of these Li- ons and the evidence of their thor- oughness is all through the park. They didn't just develop a park. Due to their efforts, you have one of the most beautiful parks any- where. I want to pay a special thank you to Ted Jones for his untiring effort and availability for consultation during the entire project. Due to the nature of the project, decisions of- ten had to be made on the spot without benefit of a committee meeting. Ted, being retired, as I the current high school drop-out rate. A semestered timetable offers students an opportunity to graduate early or return to school at times other than in September. Draw- backs from a student's perspective include an increased intensity and daily workload. Because the nature of a semestered timetable is im- portant for students to set academic goals for themselves at the be- ginning of the year. "The only thing I'm not going to like is doing home- work every night," said Andrew Hern council vice-president. Many of the sports teams and clubs start during the first week of school. Some of these include, boys and girls volleyball, girls field hockey, cross country and choir. By getting involved with extra- curricular activities, students can meet more people and get more out their high school experience. am, was always available. To anyone who has walked through MacNaughton Park, it must be obvious the committee se- lected the right landscape designer for this project. Mario Levesque from All Pro Lawn and Garden came up with a design that per• fectly fit our needs and would be the envy of any community. Mario, we have enjoyed working with you and thank you for your efforts to ensure a successful completion. We thank the many contractors, businesses and individuals who worked on various segments of the park. We appreciate the quality of your workmanship and your time- liness in doing it. This project would not have been possible without the generous do- nations from the citizens and sup- porters of Exeter and area. Past ex- perience has shown that you will eagerly support a good cause and once again you have lived up to your reputation. We thank you for again making a worthwhile addi- tion to your community. You must feel a great deal of satisfaction in seeing this beautiful park com- pleted. It is the end product of your generosity. You have a debt free park which is second to none in this pan of Ontario. You made it possible. Enjoy your park. You have earned it. I would like to thank my wife Liz whom I'm sure must have felt short changed at times because of my commitment to this project. I'm sure I could not have donated so much time to this projec over the last two years withoi • her cooperation and understandinj. And finally, I would like to thank the citizens and supporters of Exeter and area for the op- portunity to serve my community. This has been a very exciting, challenging and satisfying ex- perience. Pictured above, a large crowd gathered to mark the official opening of MacNaughton Park Scenic Gardens. "Party vessel" docks - in GB sr Continued from front page has brought his boat with him. "It was too big to fit in here until they dredged the harbor. I know a sailboat this big has never been to Grand Bend before." The impressive sail boat is con- structed out of heavy double planked African mahogany wood and boasts 1000 square feet of liv- ing space. Pouliot said it sleeps 13 people, not counting the couches and has all the modern conveniences of home plus a few extras such as a soapstone fireplace, teak wooden cabinets, a mahogany table which seats eight and a crystal chandelier containing 440 crystals. A large galley is equipped with a freezer, a micro wave oven, a piz- za oven and the main washroom is decorated with gold plated fixtures and a marble sink. A laundry wash- er and dryer are also on board. The boat is powered by two 3,208 cubic inch diesel engines housed in a walk-in engine room and Pouliot said it costs ap- proximately $2,000 US to till it with fuel. When the engines arc not in use 1,500 square foot sail harnesses the wind for a "comfort- able" cruising speed of eight knots. The mast stands at 64 feet tall and with most bridges built at a standard 35 feet above water. Pou- liot said he has to make sure its not high tide when he passes under- neath. Before its Hollywood heydays, late US president Franklin Roose- velt decorated the ship with a plaque for its service in World War II patrolling the New York coastline for German U-boats. But Pouliot said the vessel has mainly been used as a "pleasure craft." Since Pouliot retired as an en- gineer for General Motors in De- troit, he has carried the ship's leg- acy up and down the Atlantic coast -line hosting cocktail party's in every port. His arrival in Grand Bend was no exception. "There was a beach party the oth- er night. It was kind of windy so I invited, them all on board. We had quite a party," he said. Pouliot feels the boat is hest re- membered by many as actor John Wayne's boat. He points to a spot that used to hold a large fishing chair custom built for Wayne. "Most people remember Wayne as a cowboy but he actually hated horses. Boating and fishing is what he really loved," he said. He opens the door to one of the state rooms (bedrooms], with mir- rors all over the walls. "I think this is where Marilyne Monroe slept," said Pouliot. While docked in New York one day, Pouliot said an old lady dressed in silk ordered her chauffer to stop the car so she could have closer look. "She asked me if this used to he John Wayne's boat," recalled Pou- liot. "I said yes and she replied 'Well I've drank more champagne on this yacht than you can imagine'. If only this old boat could talk." said Pouliot with a grin. Captain Ron Pouliot docked his reputed Hollywood "party vessel" in Grand Bend harbor over the Labor Day weekend. The 86 ft sailboat weighs 110 tons and has 1,000 square feet of living space. Got a news tip? Call 235-L331 4