The Huron Expositor, 1987-12-23, Page 35
THE HURON EXPOSITOR•, DECEMBER 23, 1987 -- 3
Area band hppe sto 'iy-ockin'ro'll its way to the top..
This week some local talent is getting a of an audience for the first time. guitar and Greg Scoggs is the drum/nen
shot at a performance that they have been The memb ars of the band all come from The band originated when Greg and
working up to for the last six months. Scep- the Brucefirldarea, and they got to know
tre, a rock band that has been started by •one another through school. Rodney
some local young people, was:at the Queens Freeman is the bass player, Jblm Beattie is
• they wanted them to with another Seaforth • • •
II he thinks the band
Aaron decided things werep't going the way
area 'band, and decided to venture out on.
it was only with John and Rod that they is doing fine..."
found some people who were as . serious .
about music as they were. crowds before at high schools and at parties, gets by.
The band has been practisingserienslyier_hut.forioim.audllatthellrettime John Beattie says he didn't realize he
about six months, with fifemembers putting they have played in front of a big audience. &mid sing aline ciineliftiractice with
in three or four nights a week. The practices Brian Smith seems to think they have what the rest of the band. Members were looking
-run about five hours en the average, with it takes, but the, Queens is the acid test. If for someone to do the vocals, but were just
the band running through about 40 songs per local people are impressed by what the guys , fooling around when they had John in at
night. can play things may start to go their way. their practice. They were as surprised as he
Over the past two weeks bowever, the "We might 'get shipped up north where was when they found out John was what
members pf Sceptre have been putting In a they're desperate for entertainment," said they were looking for. So by accident the
lot more time, and have been corning in Greg. Even that would be full time work. group ended up with a lead singer. John is
every night to make sure everything comes As for the band members „ themselves, hoping to get some voice lessons before the
together in time for their appearance at the Greg Scoggs got his first set of drums when . band gets too busy.
Queens. he was in Grade. 8, seven years age; They John is 22 and is from the Walton area,
And things have been coming together for
the young band, who says they are getting
the sound down. They now have about 30
songs they feel they can play well enough to
perform in front of a Crowd, and they have a
total of about 50 they are working on. They
even have a few originals, and even one they
in Seaforth on Monday night playing in front the lead vocalist, Aaron,Bensette plays lead their own. They played with other guys, but
SCEPTRE - The local rock 'band that is hoping to get into the bar circuit full time has
been putting the final touches on both its music and its act. Members are seen here in
one of their recently made promotion& posters, and in the costumes they will be wear-
ing when they perform.
14'
LOCAL MUSICIANS - A rock band formed by some local.musicians has been doing a
lot of practising lately,for its first live performance at the Queens this week. Rodney
Freeman is the bass player on the left, John Beattie' belts out the group's lead vocals,
Greg Scoggs is the drummer, and Aaron Bensette handles lead guitar. Corbett photo.
were kind of dust collectors for a few years, where he .works with his parents on their
but for the past three years Greg has been cash crop farm,
working them, over pretty seriously. About The band Members are all hoping to make
three years ago, when he started to get in- a career of music, but they say a lot of peo-
terested, he took drum lessons, from Rick ple in the area don't take them .seriously.
Fortune for about 7 months. Since he recent- They are hoping that after a little public ex-
. ly decided to become a drummer for a pro- posure people will start to see they are doing
think is good enough for them to perform in fession Greg took some more lessons in Lon- something productive and doing it well.
front of a crowd. It is called "Ready and don to learn how to read and write drum Some people in the community have been
Rockin" and was written on an all night music. Greg is 20 and comes froth behind them, like the Seaforth and District
gravel run. Aaron got the ball rolling as he • Brucefield. Community Centres who let the band play in
came up with some guitaflicks, ftodWdd Aaron, who grew up with Greg and has theiFbiulding for a very reasonable -price,
some bass to that, John and Greg came tip played in bands with him before, has also the management at the Queens Hotel for
with some lyrics, and then with a lot of prac- owned his instrument for seven years. He giving them a shot; and Brian Smith who is
tise they had something they thought was got his guitar one December 25, has taken willing to help get the band going.
presentable. Aside from 'Ready and lessons and practises every day. Aaron is The band members said they were getting
Rockin" they have four more original songs . able to hold down a part time job in spite of pretty nervous about their first appearance .
that are being worked over and will like
TY all the hours he puts in with the band. He is a at the Queens.' But it was making mistakes
start sounding decent pretty soon. counsellor at the South Huron and District that had them on edge more than appearing
The .kind of music Sceptre is pursuing is Association for the Mentally Handicapped. in front of a big crowd. They knew Mr.
conunercial or glamor rock. Bands like .Aaron is also 20 and from Brucefield. Smith would be listening to them and
Poison, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Rodney Freeman has owned his bass deciding if they are ready to play bars on a
and Van Haien provide them with most of guitar for two years, but only started learn- regular basis.
their music. They tend to stay away from ing how to play it Competently when he - John was a bit worried about the crowd, .
the hard core heavy metal, and go for more started playing with the rest of the members but then he is the most visual of the
of the stuff that's making the charts. of Sceptre six months ago. They all say he • members as he has to be singing and jump- '
"Something a person can sing," is how Rod has come a long way. He originally started ing around in leather pants.
sums up the type of music they play. playing lead about four years ago, but that 'I get to hide behind my drums. I don't
• Sceptre is hoping all the time they have .didn't work out. Rod comes by his talent for have to look at anyone if I don't want to,"
put into practising is going to pay off by get- music honestly. His mother is involved in said Greg.
ting them into the bar circuit hill time. The the music industry as a country western Greg said he thinks the band is doing fine,.
Queens is a good place to start and the band singer and has recorded an album. Rod is especially considering the amount of time
knows they are fortunate to have the 19 -years -old and comes from the Clinton the members have been together. He says
chance. They went to Brian Smith of area. • ' most of the top bands in the circuit have
Seaforth, who works for Active Talent Agen- Rod gave the rest of the band a scare on been together for 4-5 years. He said he also
cy. Mr. Smith does bookings for the Queen, Thursday when he slammed the truck door thinks Sceptre's members have what it
and after he heard the local band play he on his fingers. Without those fingers their takes to stay together long enough to be one
told them some things to work on and got big break at the Queens would' have been of those top bands.
them their first job. - finished. The fingers were black and blue, "There's no trouble between us. We've all
Greg and Aaron have played in front of and a little flatter than usual, but Rod still known each other a long time."
McLiwain adds punch to penalty -killing.
For Seaforth area hockey fahs, and in par-
ticular those who have been following the
NHL career of Seaforth native Dave McLI-
wain, The Expositor has obtained a write up
from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. This
story really shows how Dave is fitting in
with the Penguins organization, and how
well the rookie is progressing in profes-
sional hockey.
The first question to be asked about Dave
MeLlwain, the youngomobtrusive Pengidh -
the checking line centre, the evolving
penalty -killer - is a simple one.
Who goofed?
Maybe we'll never know for certain,
unless someone in the NHL - son- noach,
some general manager - Ames fon I fess
up. But this much is fact. In 1985, his first
year of eligibility for the draft, MeLlwalli
wasn't drafted, even though 252 other
players were. In 1988, with McLlwain still
eligible, the Penguins snapped him up on the
fourth pick of the ninth round, 172nd overall.
Ouch.
"Well what it did was give me a chance to
prove something," he was saying,Iaughing.
"It gives you a chance to say,'Geez I can
play this game.'"
MeLlwain, 20, has played it well enough to
become a functional cog in the Penguins'
drive for their first playoff spot since 1982.
Though coach Pierre Creamer is reluctant
to trust lowly rookies with too much ice
time, McLlwain, from the start, has been
getting uncommon responsibility, Last
week he was promoted to one of the top two
penalty -killing units, alongside 'centre Tuckersmith Township Reeve Robert M.
Mario Lemieux. Bell was acclaimed to the position of
Crearne-r, for his put, adores McLlwain's Warden of Huron Canty for 1988 at the in -
Speed afoot - "NEL speed" he calls it - and aural session of Huron County Cotmeil.
his knack for getting in the way, for fouling Hell's name was the only one 'put for -
up opponents' plays. Those qualities have ward during nominations for the Warden's
kept him in the lineup, even while his of- seat at the meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 8,
tote Snoozes: McLlwaiti has played all 27 at the Huron County Courthouse,
pines this season but has scored just four Goderich. He was nominated by Exeter
. goals and six points. Reeve Bill Miclde.
"We think the other part of his game will l3 ell has served on Tuckersmith
come," Creamer says, "He's only 20, and Township Council for 15 years, the past 11
With a rookie, the most important thing is to as reeve, thus, the township's represen-
build his confidence," • tative to County Council. Bell has served
"At training camp he impressed us, play- as chairman of the County Roads,
ing very weli- he was the surprise of train- Library, Social Services and Agriculture
ing calm. Then he struggled a little because and Property committees and this year
maybe he was thinking too much. He wasn't
using his speed.
Now he's using his speed again. And I'm
not afraid to put him out there with Mario,
killing penalties.
Funny, but offense was never a problem
for McLlwain with North Bay of the Ontario
Hockey League. In 1985-86, after he'd gone
through the draft untouched, he whipped in
37 goals in 64 games. Last year? He went
back to junior, ironed out the wrinkles in his
game; piled up 46 goals and 73 assists for 119
points in 60 gaines, finished second in the
league in scoring, and was named the se-
cond team OHL All-Star,
But McLlwain meandered through 13
games this season before scoring his first
NHL goal, and he admits his lack of offense
haunted him.
"I knew, coining in, that we had some
great offensive centers here, but sometimes
you can get caught up in thinking too much
about your defensive play," he says. "My
role was to help stop a lot of goals, But for a
while there I was creating no opportunities.
"I think my scoring will improve. I'm not
going to be a 50 -goal scorer right off the bat,
but as every game goes on you get more con-
fidence. You get a goalhere and there, You
say, 'Geez, I can do it.' "
"Before, I seemed to be sitting back,
showing no offensive imagination at all. You
can't just play defense. You've got to get the
puck and -go."
Still, it is his work in the defensive end
that made Creamer a McLtwain fan. So last
week against the Islanders, when Captain
Dan Frawley crumpled to the ice with a
knee injury, Creamer inserted McLlwain as
a penalty -killer. That was the now infamous
They-Smashedtlis,In.The-Face game, when
the Islanders rapped, and •Creamer
answered every post -game inquiry with
"They smashed us in the face."
Intriguingly, since that game, the
Penguins have gone 2-0 and choked off 12 of
their opponent's 13 power -play oppor-
tunities. The agressive„play of their two for-
ward units, Lemieux-McLlwain and Dave
Hunter -Dan Quinn - helped them kill all five
Calgary power plays in a 5-2 win Wednesday
night.
"Plaiting with Mario creates openings,"
McLlwain says. "When you're out there
with Mario, you don't just get the puck and
shoot it down the ice. You look for him.
Something might happen.
"As for my own game, I've got a long way
to go, but I think it's improving. Pierre has
really given me a chance this season. That's
all I could ask.
Bell acclaimed warden
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
if you're organizing a non-profit event of interest to'other Seaforlh area residents, phone the
recreation office at 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240, ot mail the information to Communi-
ty Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 69. Seatorth, Ontario, NOK tWO well in advance of the-
scheduted date. Space for the Community Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor.
Tues., Dec. 22
2:00-4:00 p.m. PUBLIC SKATING
5:30-6:30 p.m. Pee Wee Practice
6:30:8:00 p.m. Brussels Vs. Bantams
8:0010:00 p.m. Mitchell vs. Midgets
Wed.,. Dec. 23
1:004:00 p.m. Moms end Tots
4:30 p.m. If:Cohen vs. Tweens Ringette
5:30-6:30 pan. Atom Practice
8301:30 p.m. Centenaire Practice
1:30-9:00 p.m. Minor Broomball
900-11:00 p.M. Ladies' Broomball
Thurs., Dec. 24
10:00 a.m. NOvice Practice
Dec.. 25
"Merry Chrlstmas"
S• at., Dec. 26
"Boxing bey"
Sun., Dec. 27
4:05-5:00 p.m. Atom II Practice
8:00-9;10 p.m. Penguins vs. Bruins
9:30.11:00 p.m. Hawks vs. Flyers"
Mon., Dec. 28
8:00 a.M.-12 Noon Junior Houseleague
Tournament
18;00 Noon -1:00 p.m. Mites Exhibition dame
2:00-4:00 p.m. Public Skating
4:30-8:00 p.m. Figure Skating
Tues., Dec. 29
5:30-6:30 p.m. Pee Wee Practice
6:30-8;00 p.m. Atone II Practice
8:00-10:00 p.m. Blyth vs. Midgets
Wed., Dec. 30
I:00-3:00 p.m, Moms and Tote
4;30 Tween RIngette
5;30-6;30 p.m. 4t�» I Practice
6:30,7;10 p m Centenaire Practice
710-3:00 p.M.-ffirtor greet/Mau
9:0041:00 p.m. Ledlee' BroombII
wasnamed to the Waste Managenient
Cominittee.
Bell and his wife Marlene run a family
farm operation in Tuckersmith Township.
The couple have two children.
In accepting the nomination, Bell said
Huron residents have "a county we can be
proud of", The county, he Said, "is known
for its strong agricultural base, as well as
our many prominent industries."
"Promoting The County of Huron as a
place to locate new industry," will be
among the new warden's priorities for the
corning year, he said. Bell also named the
Huron County Pioneer Musuem Project,
upgrading of the Huronview Home for the
Aged and a study on needs of senior
citizens as matters to be dealt with in 1988.
"We must keep in mind the needs of our
• seniors, as well as the cost factor," Bell
said.
Bell said his style of leadership will be to
"deal, with situations as they arise, listen
to arguements for and against and make a
decision".
Bell praised the work done by 1987
Warden, Turnberry Township Reeve
Brian McBurney, saying "he was faced
with many contentious issues and proved
he had the ability to 'deal with them."
As outgoing warden, McBurney said his
year at the county helm has been an en-
joyable one.
"Hopefully, its been as good a year for
the county as it has been for us (McBurney
and his wife)".
McBurney said one accomplishment
achieved during his tern' was bringing the
county departnients back to full staff,
following the earlier lost of key personnel
such as former Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Harry Cieslar and firmer Librarian
Bill Partridge.
A new librarian (former area resident
Beth Rost takes over Jan. 1), ,has been
hired by the county, as has a new MOH
(Dr. Maarten Bokhout), a new county
engineer (Dennis Merill) and a
nutritidnist,
"All of these people are quite you/1g for
their positions. We're starting mix the ex
-
patience that we have with the enthusiasm
of smite newpeople," said WHIM -thy.
Turn to page 9
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS The Seatorth Community Hospital is gaily decorated
these days with children's perceptions Of Christmas. Students from the area schools
bring a bit of the Christmas spirit to the hospital every year by painting the windows in-
side the facility. This painting of two paoda bears decorating a tree, netted its painters,
Steve Papple and Phuoc Lunog of Huron Centennial School in Brucefietd, first prize in
the,secular competition. Mcllwraith photo.
Celebration 88 sports awards
to be presented in Seaforth
Six Seaforth people worthy of ixtul uncil deLeliuu own:a/ion to the
(recognition are going to be receiving community," write the program
medals from the government of Canada organizers.
for their participation in sports. As a second part tothe program, cer-
To help get Canada into the Spirit. of tificates will be awarded to those who
the 1088 Winter •Olympics the federal have contributed to the quality of life in
government has sponsored awards "To the community in sports and other
recognize those Canadians who have fields.
made outstanding contributions to their The program is a part of the Celebra-
communitie.s." tion 88 program sporiSofed by the
federal government to get communities
The medals will be given in six dif- into the Olympic spirit, and to help
ferent categories: athletes, one male generate a sense of national involve -
and one female; volunteer; coach; of- ment and pride.
ficial and sponsor. People who have •Mayor Alf Ross and Recreation
been an inspiration to others in the corn- Director Marty Bedard have been
munity are to be the tatgetted can- organizing the Seaforth program and
didates. will be looking at the likely candidates
"This program honors Canadian for awards. The awards are planned, to,
citizens who have demonstrated be presented to the recipients at 5 ten
characteristics which are in keeping tatively, scheduled Celebration 88
with the admirable ideals of the Olym- awards night and celebrity dinner early
pie spirit: hard work, detennihation. in February.
Two counties share new director
Huron and Perth Counties should soon be plans are for the two counties to share the
sharing a new director of dentalservices, cost of providing a director of dental set,
Dr. Maarten Bokhout has advised Huron vices and candidates are currently being
County Connell. Bokhout, Hilton's medical interviewed for the position.
Dr. Bokhept
officer of healthonade the announcement
and Perth Susan Tamblyn expeet
county Mina, Ai preSa BOlatOut said,
report to the regular December session nf
during ptesentatioil of the board of health
announce the appointment of A succeLful
candidate early in the new Year. be RAM