The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-07-29, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
If you're willing to attach any credence
to the notion that there's little to do
around this area, then it's safe to assume
you don't get outdoors much.
Over the years, through its various
departments has worked in concert with
service clubs, groups and interested in-
dividuals to organize a myriad of events
and activities. And it's not all gut -
wrenching, physically -demanding sports
oriented acitvity.
There is family stuff too, fair folk.
And I'm just about ready for some
frivilous entertainment after staining
8,394 feet of fence board and shutters on
the weekend The brush had to be
surgically removed from my blistered,
twisted fingers. (please dispense with
much sympathy for the writer )
The children helped too. They stained
each other. They stained the grass and
they put their little paws on stained parts
DAVE SYKFS
to see if they had dried just 30 seconds
after application.
However, they found that the
aluminum door didn't stain too well.
Thank goodness they don't have pets.
Regardless, I'm ready to frolic and
Tiger Dunlop Days may provide the tonic
for semi -insanity or at least, push me
over the edge. From Friday, July 31
through to the band concert in Lions Har-
bour Park and the concluding sunset Sun-
day evening, the second rendition of the
town's Tiger Dunlop Days offers promise
of some good fun, and entertainment.
In fact, the events tend to border on the
zany side and should cater' to the weird,
crazy and lunatic fringe.
Now I don't know about you, but I have
always been on the opinion, and it may
be a narrow-minded one at that, that this
tourist town was in desperate need of top
notch tourist attractions. How often can
you flog clean air, the most unique
Square anywhere, museums, great
.n'nery inrf sunsets, shady parks and
friendly people.
That stuff just doesn't make it anymore
with the discriminating tourist. But Tiger
Dunlop Days will fill that void with such
events as the Dew Worm Races set for
the specially -designed track at the beach
and the Minnow -Wrestling competition,
which will take place in the same area
Saturday afternoon.
Being a sporting man by nature, the
events that unfold this weekend would
surely please an adventurous soul like
Tiger Dunlop, who wandered to this area
from Galt, to meet John Galt, the Canada
Company commissioner.
With promise of plenty of wiggling and
squiggling, the Dew Worm Races ,get
underway at 3:15 p.m: but if you think
you train your own worm at home and
get a decided advantage, you're
mistaken. All thoroughbred racing stock
will be provided at the sight to prevent
entrants from grooming a ringer.
If your sporting interests tend to be
more aquatic oriented, then the minnow
wrestling competition should sate those
desires. Hulk Halibut and Jake the
Splake should rival anything the WWF
could produce.
These events will be followed by the
Glub-A-Dub-Dub competition which
features home-made vessels in a race en-
vironment. Also, at the south pier, the
landing at Gojerich will be re-enacted.
There are a variety of beach events
planned for Sunday afternoon, including
volleyball and a Coast Guard open house,
as well ,as a number of activities for the
children such as a costume parade and
art in the park. And if your family is into
craziness, Family Contest Capers in
Courthouse park features bubble gum
blowing, banana eating and count the
peanuts competitions among other things.
The entire weekend should make for
some fun and laughs. Get involved.
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Heritage celebrations
ITN TOURI f1 .30 BIG
-114E DAYS, MAYBE WE
• SHOULD SPRUCE UP 'OUR
PORTS OF ENTRY.
The second annual Tiger Dunlop Days (July 31 to Aug. 3) begins this Friday with over 45
events, designed with something for every member of the family in mind, taking place over
the holiday weekend.
In the course of all the fun and festivities it's easy to overlook the historical significance of
the event.
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the founding •of the "The Prettiest Town in
Canada," and this weekend is a time for residents and visitors alike to be proud of the rich
heritage of the Town of Goderich.
While Goderich is very much a 20th -century town, with modern recreational, industrial
and municipal facilities, it is also a historical place with many well -cared -for. reminders of
the past, such as the old jail, the lighthouse, the Pioneer Museum and others.
William Dunlop, John Galt and the other settlers of the Huron Tract, would surely be
thrilled if they could see how carefully" this community has,been to maintain a sense of
history while developing in a fast -paced high-tech world. – P.R. -
Needs being met
Statistics based on a 1985 enumeration indicate that in a little over two years, Huron Coun-
ty will have a population of 8,060 residents over the age of 65, or 14.75 per cent of the total
population. Those figures, of course, are in line with statistics for the entire nation.
The ever-increasing percentage of older people in our society is certainly good news for
those who are blessed with longer life – but they also pose new needs for planning by the
younger generation who will be responsible for the care of the people who can no longer pro-
vide for thier own personal needs.
Fortunately, in Huron County many services have already been developed to meet the
changing needs of society. One might imagine that hospital and nursing home services
would be the prime requirements, but that is not so. What is more important is the provision
of those services which will permit older people to remain in their own homes. Not only are
they more likely to be happy among familiar surrounding, but it has been proven that the
physical health of the elderly benefits from the familiar tasks and hobbies which usually can
be enjoyed at home.
We now have housekeeping assistance available on a part-time basis, as well as in-home
nursing services where required. Meals -on -wheels have been a boon to those who are no
longer able to provide fully for their own nutritional needs. The day centre for the home-
bound and transportation for the disabled permit many older people to enjoy contact with
friends and activities which would otherwise be denied them.
As the years goon other and more varied needs will arise, so it is well that the problems of
the aging are being met by so many interested organizations and their members, both paid
and volunteer. Wingham Advance -Times.
I have been to see the Tiger – and I
have lived to tell the tale.
With the upcoming excitement of Tiger
Dunlop Days looming on the local horizon
for the long weekend, things have been
fairly hectic at your favorite community
journal. Of course, things are usually
fairly hectic at said publication, but nor-
mally you can avoid a lot of the really ar-
duous assignments by taking a really
long lunch – say about 72 hours.
This week, however, there was no get-
ting around the fact that we had to put
out a special Tiger Dunlop Days edition,
which you will find inserted in your paper
this week: Included in this insert, is a
,rather mundane -looking photograph of
the tomb of Goderich founder Dr.
William "Tiger" Dunlop.
While the picture's no great shakes, I
feel the team of photographers (Okay;
there were only two of us, but that con-
stitutes a team doesn't it?) assigned to
obtain it should still receive the usual
substantial bonus (A free subscription to
the paper) that Signal -Star employees
routinely receive for performing tasks
above and beyond the call of duty.
Actually, "above and beyond," is ex-
actly where the Tiger's tomb is located.
It's about 100 feet above the bottom of a
treacherous 89 degree slope and beyond
the reach of anyone without regulation
Alpine mountain gear.
Though I have lived in this area for
about four years and have often passed
the road leading to this historic site, I
have never felt compelled to visit it, until
the other day, when the editor compelled
me.
"Do you think he knew it would be like
this?" I asked my associate as we wound
our way through a dense forest of
brambles and thistles along the assort-
ment of paths leading to the goal. I was
leading the way, using one of her aban-
doned high heel shoes as an improvised
machete at the time.
to
Ice breaker Alexander Henry arrives
in Goderich during month of July
25 YEARS AGO
July 26, 1962:
The unique sight of an ice breaker in July
occurred in Goderich Harbor, Monday at
9:00 pm., when the high-powered motor
vessel Alexander Henry made her first visit
to these waters. Based at Parry Sound,
under command of the .Dominion Depart-
ment of Transport, the red and white ice-
breaker came into deliver incidental sup-
plies to light keeper Walter Sheardown.
Deep Run Danny, the good pacer owned
by William McLean, will place a five
straight win streak on the line in Kincardine
on Monday afternoon in the featured Civic -
Holiday free-for-all.
Other Goderich pacers racing at Kincar-
dine include swing Harmony owned by H.O.
Jerry and In The Gold owned by Hugh Hill.
For the 'first time Kincardine will offer
pari -mutual wagering as well as well as dai-
ly double. All will operate under the supervi-
sion of the R.C.M.P.
50 YEARS,AGO
July 30, 1937:
An all-star Goderich soft -ball team, the
cream of the Church ,Softball Leaque,
received a first hand lesson on how the
game should be played when, on Saturday
evening the visiting Detroit Bourgeois team,
captained by Lou (Joe). Murray, former
Goderich boy, tacked up a 17-0 win in an ex-
hibition game.
Several hundred persons saw the game,
the stands being well filled, and long lines of
spectators stretching out in the in field.
The visitors were letter-perfect in their
She never answered me – probably
because it's difficult to talk with saplings
snapping across your face at regular in-
tervals, but I knew what she was thinking
- and it wasn't about the oft -discussed
benevolence of our newsroom
commander.
As we climbed, clawed and cursed, our
way to the top, I imagined the wonderous
vision this tomb must be to require it be
placed in such an unattainable spot to en-
sure peace everlasting for its occupant. I
envisioned marble pillars and ornate car-
vings – certainly the photograph will be
worth the climb.
"What's it look like?" called Lou -Ann
from the base camp she had established
about 20 vertical feet from the top, leav-
ing me to brave the summit
unaccdimpanied.
"Don't know. I can't see anything for
this big stone wall," I replied.
The stone wall turned out to be the bulk
LOOKING BACK
game in the field and were deadly at the bat
against `.`Skip MacDonald, ace pitcher of
the Goderich League. It was a treat for the
crowd to watch the Detroiters field balls and
run bases.
The Bourgeois at first wanted to play
American rules, with a smaller ball, longer
pitchers box and gloves for each man, but
Goderich lads wouldn't consent. The visitors
also wore spikes, a departure unknown in
this district.
Working night and day, Hydro and town
employees and groups from local organiza-
tions and lodges are rapidly erecting
decorations for the welcoming of Old Home
Week visitors.
New Lamp Standards which arrived on
Monday were being erected by Hydro
employees working late last Wight, and the
job will be completed today. Arches have
been erected at the head of each of the eight
streets leading to -the square, and canopies
for evergreen decorations have been built
along the two blocks between Colbourne and
Hamilton Streets. This work has been done
by the Goderich Planning Mill under George
Westbrook.
70 YEARS AGO
July 26, 1917.
Mr. L.H. Zinn while in his store on Thurs-
day afternoon was startled to see a car mad-
ly attempting to nose its way through the
doorway. The light coach was driven by Mrs
from
this
angle
Petrick Raftis
of the Tiger's shrine, surrounding a plain,
concrete grave marker. That was it.
The condition of the site was not
enhanced by the behavior of the previous
visitors. I had heard the Tiger was a man
Sterling McPhail, who had turned in off the
road to park her car in front of Mr. Zinns
place of business. Although she could not
say just hc w the • car happened to shoot
across the sidewalk at break -neck speed and
crash into the door front,, it is presummed
that in attempting to apply the breaks, Mrs
McPhail accidently stepped on the
accelorator.
The screen door on the store was smashed
at the bottom and the door frame was so
badly splintered and pushing out of place
that the door would not close. Forturiatly no
one was passing at the time or a more
serious accident may have resulted. The on-
ly damage to the car was,;l.he buckling up of
the bumper on the front.
Four times were the tables cleared and
changed at the St. George's Church annual
garden party and carnival on Thursday
evening. Weather conditions made it
necessary to serve supper in the Parish
House to the long line of quests and as rain
came down, the outside activities were
abandoned. Some of the games were played
'for an hour or two, but it was finally decided
to hold the carnival part of the program next
Thursday evening. That is tonight.
Whoever is responsible for putting the
sign "Band Tonight" out in front of the
bandstand had better make surethe band is
going to play on the night indicated or he
will have the wrath of citizens upon his
head. For two successive Sunday Nights the
sign has been out and numbers of people
have come up town to sit in the park and
listen to the concert. Eight o'clock has arriv-
ed and nary a light went on, on the bands-
tand, and nary a bandsman showed up for
the concert.
who enjoyed strong drink, but I hardly
see that as fitting reason for those mak-
ing the pilgrimage to bring a case '•if beer
(actually, I can't imagine how they made
the climb with a two-four under their -
arm) to the site. Worse, having raised a
Molsen toast the Tiger, they had then
proceed to smash the bottles all over the
immediate vicinity. -
Recently the Signal -Star received a ,let-
ter from a visitor who was appalled by
the condition of the tomb and the path
leading to it. I am now in full agheernent
with the author.
I£ we are going to hold a'celebi ktion in
honor of the founder of this town, perhaps
one of the priorities for preparation for
future festivities should be to iasttre
visitors can a) reach the Tiger's
memorial (a wooden staircase would be
nice) and b) not be turned off by the eon.
dition of the,site when --they get there.
Now, on with the eelebratioa!