Loading...
Clinton News Record, 1981-05-21, Page 1• rv• • iI I �lkom in Clinton 1(1 C 1 M �--- May 22, 23 in Clinton KLOMPEN FEEST There has been a last minute rush of work as the streets and stores were decorated for the first annual Klompen Feest celebrations being held this Friday and Saturday. Here Bruce Schoenhals, left, and 'Hoot' Gibbings put up the last of the 22 handmade lamp post windmill decorations. All that's needed now is good weather. (James Fitzgerald photo) Commercial development sparks lively talk at town plan meeting by Steve Crossman The future commercial development of Clinton, together with parks and open ,space, were the major topics of discussion last Wednesday night at the Community Centre as the Clinton Planning Board con- tinued with its series of workshops that precedes the preparation of Clinton's Of- ficial Plan. The liveliest discussion of the 30 present centered on the commercial side of things as numerous courses of action were met with strong agreement and equally strong objection. For example, despite a general con- sensus of the importance of Clinton's downtown core area, _possible protection 'measures that could be implemented to reinforce the desire for a strong core area, were heatedly debated. Some people, in- cluding representatives of the Business Development Area, felt that core area businesses should be protected by the Plan's zoning policies from the develop- ment of a peripheral shopping centre. Others, however, felt that such restric- tive zoning measures would lead to • a monopolization of Clinton's business by certain individuals, thereby resulting in a lack of business competition and unduly high land prices in the exclusive core area. Another result of this exclusionary zoning would be the location elsewhere 01 businesses that wished to locate in Clinton. A call for an abolition of parking metres due to a perceived detrimental effect on the core's business was met with opposi- tion by one resident, who felt that free parking privileges intended for customer use would be abused by peke associated with the businesses. Most people, in- cluding the BIA wish to see more parking facilities, especially of the off-street varie- ty, as many are opposed to parking along the main streets of the core area. Several people felt that at least one other lot, to complement the one behind the library is needed in the core. Parking tots behind core area businesses were felt by most to be the best solution for current parking problems, as they offer shoppers greater accessibility to stores and their un- sightliness is not visible to people travell- ing along the main streets. In an effort to improve the condition of Clinton's core, the BIA has completed loan arrangements with the Ontario govern- ment to improve the Town Hall Park Square. the BIA is also involved in in - provements to the parking lot behind the liprary, a{ fggball Ki=dressing and a iedevelopiiiitrtf 6f the Kfim an d e Street corner at Highway 8. A spokesman for the association also mentioned their desire to see the demolition or reconstruction of some deteriorated buildings and houses in the core area. During discussion of parks and open space, it was made known by a represen- tative of the Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority, which own 350 acres of land on the south side of town that these • areas will remain passive recreation areas. Some people feel that there are enough recreational facilities and parks in Clinton and that enough money has been . Spent in this sector. Others, however, feel that certain facilities, • especially for field sports, are few in number, and what facilities are available are poorly maintained and ill- equipped. One resident feels that Clinton should adopt a regional approach to recreation by making the town the centre for recreational facilities for the surroun- ding areas, if not the county. Certain individuals were quick to point Turn to Rage 3 • ew, finally Klompen Feest is here, and apart from all the pictures and stories we have yet to write about it, the bulk of the work is over for the staff here at the News -Record. Our special souvenir edition is finally off the press and is including in your paper this week a real bonus. We're very proud of this edition, as it's the finest thing we've put out since the Clinton and Bayfield Centennial editions of five years ago. There was an enormous amount of research involved in it, and many long hours of burning the midnight oil to put the information together. Most of the credit for the booklet goes to news editor Shelley McPhee and advertising reprsentatives Heather Brander and Gary Haist. They excelled themselves. Like many of the people connected with Klompen Feest; we're not of Dutch extraction, but of English, Irish, Scottish, and Germanic heritage, but very proud to honor the Dutch, who have done much to make our country great. Because the Canadians were also instrumental in the liberation of Holland in 1945, Canadians are still revered in The Netherlands, and it gives us all the more reason to remember our past, and celebrate our future. We all hope that as many citizens as possible get out to the celebrations and hopefully, we can make this an annual event, unique to the area, something to put Clinton on the map, so to speak. +++ Now, we just have one thing left to do, and that's to ask for good weather this weekend, so the Feest can be a success. After all the lousy weather of the past couple of weeks, the odds of good weather should at least be in our favor. Which caused the Main Street Wit to remark that "putting something away for a rainy day requires a much longer stretch of dry weather than it used to." +++ Boy, time really flys when you're having fun. Why it just seems like only yesterday that we were sitting around, impatiently waiting for our third bundle of joy at the Fitzgerald home, and now that little bundle of joy, Fraser, is a year old. Already, he is walking, eating sand in the sandbok, putting rolls of toilet paper into the toilet to see if they'll sink, and falling out of the high chair. No matter how many babies one has, it never ceases to amaze me how much they progress and learn in just 12 months. From a totally helpless, tiny, nearly blind, infant at birth to a in- telligent, thinking human being in 12 months is truly a miracle. If we con- tinued to develop at that rate, we'd all be Einsteins by the time we were five. But Lois says it's the last, three's enough, so I guess I'd better enjoy him. + + + Says the Wit: "Babies are such a nice way to start people." But obviously the Wit never had children, as he remarked the other day that "shouting' at your children to make them behave is like using your horn to start your car." mpen Feest" 116th year—No. 20 Thursday, May 21, 1981 Shoe festival waits only for crowds By Jr Fitzgerald: ..._ ._. . The many months of planning and background labor will finally cuhninate this weekend when Clinton's first annual Klompen Feest or wooden shoe festival, _pets underway Friday and, continues all day Saturday. All the ingredients are in place for the celebration which marks the Dutch heritage of the area, except one - the Special edition included A special Klompen Feest 48 -page, souvenir edition is included free in this week's Clinton News -Record for all regular subscribers of the paper. Produced and printed by the News - Record staff, in co-operation with the Klompen Feest committee, the special edition involved the co-operation of hundreds of people, and especially those of Dutch extraction who supplied background information and pictures. Editorial co-ordinator of the edition, news editor Shelley McPhee, spend hundreds of hours researching, writing and assembling the booklet, along with Gary Haist and Heather Brander of the advertising staff. "We're really proud of it here at the News -Record," Ms. McPhee said, "The support we had from everybody was just tremendous." As well as being inserted in the News - Record, the booklet has been included in the Blyth, Seaforth, Exeter and Goderich papers, and has been on sale in a dozen outlets in town since last week. Total press run for the edition, printed on special paper, was 23,000. All proceeds from the sale of the book go the the Klompen Feest committee, who intend to turn over all the profits to the Hospital building fund. Thanks to members of the Clinton Horticultural Society, like Margaret Stoman, the main street tree planters will have flowers in them afterall, as the tulips planted in them failed to emerged after they were attacked by root worms. The members put in perennials from their own gardens to make the boxes pretty for Klompen Feest. (James Fitzgerald photo) Tuckersmith approves lots By Wilma Oke Tuckersmith Township council gave final approval Tuesday to the sub - development agreement with Albert Price of Egmondville. It involved seven lots in the hamlet. In his report to council, road superin- tendent Alan Nicholson expressed concern about ratepayers dumping stones on township road allowances without his permission. The problem is serious he said because so many farmers are doing it and in such large quantities - even tractor bucket -loads full - picked from their fields. Three tile drainage loan applications were approved for a total of $56,100. Council approved renewal of the ap- plication by William Brown of Egmond- ville for his salvage licence for another year - June 1, 1981 to June 1, 1982. Council endorsed the resolution from the Township of Georgian Bay requesting an environmental assessment for the proposed generating stations to be built within their municipalities by the Orillia Water, Light and Power Corporation. Council agreed to a request from the Country Singles asking for cost sharing for a food cover to be installed over a table when buffet styled -food is served at the Vanastra Recreation Centre. Council decided to pay half the cost of the Plexi- glass cover. The cost of which is unknown at this time. The group holds regular dances at the centre. Council turned down a request from the Kinburn Foresters for a donation towards the construction of a community hall to replace the one destroyed by fire on March 17. Council was informed by Seaforth Community Hospital that 217 patients from the township were admitted to the hospital during 1980. Robert Marshall, recreational co- ordinator at the Vanastra Recreation Centre for the past six months, submitted his resignation effective May 29. Councillor James Papple, who is also the township's drainage inspector, will attend the drainage course at the University of Toronto from June 15 to 18. The regular meeting ended at 11:30 pm, when council went into closed session. Weather 1981 1980 HI LO HI LO MAX 12 7 4 13 13 0 14 12 -1 15 10 6 16 16 5 17 11 3 18 13 -3 Rain 6.2 mm 16 7 13 6.5 12 3 14 4 17 -1 19 9 17 7 Rain 78 mm weather. After a couple of weeks of cold wet weather, committee members are hoping the odds are in their favor to have warm dry weather for the two-day event. Feest chairman Bob Campbell said there were still many last minute details to clean-up before the celebrations begin, but the committee was working overtime to ensure there were no hitchs. Already, the decorations have been put up along main street by the PUC, and many merchants have decorated their windows, as well as wearing traditional Dutch costumes. Special souvenir programs, produced and published by the News -Record, have been on sale since last week at a dozen outlets in town, with the entire proceeds of their sale to go to the Hospital building fund. Celebrations begin Friday evening at 7 pm with strolling musicians and Murray Draper's band, followed by a full evening of entertainment on Rattenbury .Street, which will be closed to traffic. Featured will be the Hullett Central School choir, the Chistian Schopol choir, the Seaforth area New Canadian Klompen Feest dancers, the CHSS Choir, John Greidanus and the Clinton Klompen Feest Festival singers, to be capped by a street dant- with musical entertainment by the Tyroler Brass from Kitchener. As well the special concession booths featuring Dutch foods and crafts will be open from 4 pm to 1 am and on Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm. All these events are free to those wearing Klompen Feest buttons, which are the only means of raising money for the committee. The opening of the concession booths Saturday anoroingWHIM& off tbeagearisl . _. day celebrations, followed by children's kite flying in the morning at the comm- munity park. At 1 ,pm, a giant two-hour parade featuring six bands and dozens of floats gets underway at the south end of town and winds its way up to the community park. Featured attraction will be the 110 - member Dutch Boy Cadet Band from Kitchener -Waterloo. This will be followed by a special Dutch Tea from 2 pm to 5 pm at Mrs. C. Van Damme's Holiday Home on Ontario Street. At the same time, an ambitious program gets underway uptown at 2:30 pm with the Holland Canada Folk singers from Ayr and The Netherlands Folklore Group from Toronto. Then at •, about 3:15, Dr. H. Heeneman, Vice Consul of The Netherlands,, will officiallly open the celebrations. The afternoon program continues at 3:45 pm with the Brantford Windmill Dancers from Paris, two previous ° mentioned groups, and concluding with , the 50 member Dykehopper group from London Ontario. Beginning at 5 pm, a giant chicken barbecue will begin to satiate hungry appetites at the comunity park, with three ', sittings at 5, G -arid 7 phi.. • Al 6:30 pm in front of the grandstand, • Sunfield Equestrianettes will put on a show, followed by several groups of , klompen dancers. • • For those who still have the dancing spirit, a modern dance sponsored by the , Clinton Junior 'C' Club and the minor ball association will be held in the arena beginning at 9 pm, and featuring Roger Quick and his Rainbows. Tree nlantin • erway H'y Shelley McPhee In the last few years, several hundred dead and and damaged trees have been cut down in Clinton. Replacing these trees has been an issue in council and a concern of Clinton residents, and Mayor Chester Archibald, in his inaugural adress last fall, promised that new trees would be planted. The Mayor and council have carried through with this commitment and at their May 19 meeting, Councillor George Rumball reported that 100 Norway Maple trees have been planted throughout town. Costing. $1,025, including the planting fee, the young trees were purchased from Ebert's Nursery in Thamesford. ra Councillor Rumball noted that the plantings only covered a portion of town and more trees would have to be pur- chased in the future. In other business, council learned that Des Cassidy has hired a construction firm to clean-up the fire remains at the former Clinton Hotel site on Victoria Street. Council had earlier sent Mr. Cassidy a letter, giving him seven days to clear the Turn to page 3 • 1$ Clinton has a new doctor, who will be starting up his practice on September 1st. He's Dr. T. Arthur Steed, 36, currently practicing at Etobicoke General Hospital with a private practice in Mississauga. A 1969 graduate of the University of Toronto medical school, Dr. Steed is a gynecologist and will move to town with his wife Janie. Interested in the out- doors, he is a physical fitness buff and laves sailing, fishing, and cross country skiing. ( photo by Steve Cooke )