The Huron Expositor, 1986-01-22, Page 3NEVUS AND FEATURES
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JANUARY"22, 1986 — A3
Wintertime holiday a myth, say local farmers
BY PATRICK RAFITS
From the first dry days of spring, until the
cool fall gives way to winter -- no urbanite
would envy the farmer his job. Long hard
hours of continual toil in the fields are the
norm, in addition to the daily routine of
tending livestock.
However, one widely -held notion among
non -farmers sees the landworkers well -re-
warded for their summertime labors with a
lengthy holiday during the winter months.
After all, what is there to do after the morning
chores have been tended to? Blow the snow
out of the lane perhaps -- then it's back to the
ranch for another cup of coffee and a relaxing
afternoon watching daytime television?
The above scenari,, is a highly uglikely one,
most area farmers will hasten to tell you.
A TIME FOR ORGANIZING
Is there a slowdown for farmers once the
snow falls?
"There is somewhat, but not a whole lot,"
says Harry Swinkles, who has been running a
dairy and cash crop operation near Seaforth
for about seven years. However, he says, "If
it storms a lot, sometimes there is more to do
(than in the summer) because you spend a lot
of time blowing snow?"
Also in the winter, "you do more
organizing," says Mr. Swinkles. Planning
what crops to plant in the spring, pricing and
making decisions on which the fate of the
operation rests, are all important wintertime
activities for farmers.
Mr. Swinkles estimates he puts in 12 to 14
hour work days during the summers. This
figure drops to about eight to 10 hours in the
winter.
"You still have to do the chores," he says.
Repair of machinery is another task which
consumes many winter hours. says Mr,
Swinkles. However, he does admit the pace is
not as hectic as it would be during warm
weather.
One consolation for farmers during the
winter, is it is easier to get away for a few days
off, than during the busy summer season.
"It's much easier, because you don't have
to worry about crops. You can take off -- but
not for extended periods if you have any
livestock, unless you've got a real good hired
man," says Mr. Swinkles.
JANUARY SLOWEST MONTH
For Louis Arts, who along with his father
Harry Arts and throe brothers, runs a farrow
to finishysow operation, with about 5,000
animals and 2,500 acres of land, the effects of
the winter slowdown are not really felt until
January.
Mr. Arts' part in the operation is to take
care of the field work while the others tend
the animals. For him, that means working
100 -hour weeks for three or four months in
the summer. However, even when the snow
begins to fly, he doesn't immediately begin
working less,
"I spend a couple of months repairing
machinery," he says, adding by the time
January rolls around, his main activity is
blowing snow.
His brothers meanwhile, work about 10
hours a day year round. Feeding and leaning
the animals and keeping them healthy,as
i
well as moving them around as necessary, s a
full time occupation, says Mr. Arts.
W hen he does get some leisure time, Mr;
Arts, a former goaltender in the American
Hockey League, likes to play some hockey or
go skiing.
"Sometimes I go down to California for a
couple of weeks," he says.
Mr. Arts' brothels also take their vacations
in January or February.
"That's the only time we can really get
away for a while," he says.
LESS PRESSURE
"There isn't the pressure to get something
done in the winter," says Ray Devereaux, of
RR4, Seaforth. Farmers do not operate under
the time limits, caused by the need to bring in
crops when the weather is right, during the
winter months, he adds.
Mr. Devereaux runs a mixed operation and
raises hogs and dairy cattle, along with cash
cropping. Despite the decrease in pressure,
Mr. Devereaux said there are still pressing
matters for farmers to attend to in the winter.
"We probably spend most of the winter
repairing machinery that broke down during
the summer," he says. "Of course with
livestock, you've got a given number of hours
you have to work anyway," he adds. Mr.
PRIVATE TPAs"
PLEASE JOIN: .
CLINTON t DISTRICT
SNOWMOBILE
CLUB (INC)
DRIVE SAFELY
FULL-TIME JOB Farming, especially raising livestock, Is a doing chores. Here, Mike Costello, a hired hand on the farm of Ray
full-time Job year-round as most area farmers will attest to. truer In Devereaux, a Seaforth area farmer, feeds some of Mr.eDs ve photo
aux's
Rft
the slower winter season many farmers spend up to 10 hours a day dairy cattle.
start looking forward to spring again. On a
day like today, (Friday) I would rather be out
doing something," he says.
PREFERS SUMMER
John Oldfield, RR 4, Seaforth, a 45 -year
fanner who runs a dairy operation, says he
actually prefers the busier summer season to
wintertime farming.
"In the winter, I spend most of the time
indoors with the animals. It's nice to be
outside every day, with the fresh air and the
sunshine and see what's going on in the
community," he says.
In the winter, "we don't have any field
Devereaux says his regular daily chores
consume eight working hours.
"We have a hired man and he wouldn't
work as many hours in the winter," Mr.
Devereaux says.
In the winter, "you're able to take a day off
if you have something you want to do. We
usually try to take some holidays (during the
winter)," he says.
Still, the prospect of a reduced work
schedule and some time off, is not enough to
keep Mr. Devereaux hoping for long winters.
"I would say I look forward to the winter
until about the middle of January. Then I
work, except for drawing manure when the
weather allows," he adds.
Mr. Oldfield says his summer workday can
Last anywhere from 12 to 16 hours, while in
the winter, it drops to eight to 10 hours.
In addition, "there's a considerable
amount of book work," that must be done, he
says.
Still, the winter time does allow him to take
the occasional afternoon off to do some
visiting with relatives and friends he says.
However, this luxury does not change Mr.
Oldfield's ideas about his favorite season.
"Summertime is better," he insists.
Commissioners to attend big meeting
Seaforth Public Utilities Commissioners
will be attending an important joint
conference of the Association of Municipal
Electrical Utilities—AMEU, and the Ontario
Municipal Electrical Association—OMEA,
in Toronto this March.
The OMEA, an association for elected
commissioners, and the AMEU, an organi-
zation for management employees from
utilities across the province, will be voting
on a motion to disband the two organizations
and create a new, united association. The
decision for Commissioners, Alf Ross, Jim
Sills and Gordon Pullman, to attend the
annual meeting was made at the January 8
PUC meeting.
Also at the meeting, the commission
received a communication from Frank
Cowan Insurance, informing them they
would be provided with immediate insurance
protection and, will be hearing from the
company in the near future with information
on options and costs.
Approval was received from CN Railways,
for permission to install a fire hydrant on the
north side of the railway tracks crossing
Main street. The hydrant has already been
installed and fills a gap in fire protection
facilities in that part of town.
Seaforth PUC representatives will be
meeting with Clinton PUC officials this
month and will discuss payment rates for a
used equipment resale service, offered by
Ontario Hydro. Seaforth PUC may make use
of this service to dispose of their old
transformers, which are soon to be replaced
by new ones. However, PUC manager Tom
Fhillips said the old transformers may end
up being scrapped, as they are approximate-
ly 40 -years -old.
Mr. Phillips reported PUC employee Brett
Finlayson has completed the AMEU fourth-
year lineman training program and has been
promoted to fourth stage lineman learner.
Mr. Phillips also reported the PUC had
been called upon to repair a watermain,
which burst on January 6. The watermain is
located on Highway 8, near the Seaforth
Community Hospital. Workers isolated the
main- and water service was continued
uninterrupted overnight and the main was
repaired the following morning.
The problem with the main was apparent-
ly caused by frost, said Mr. Philips.
School board taking in-depth look at aims,
But to accommodate her concerns, the Dennis Rau of RR2, Zurich was Vnamed as the
board added one experienced trustee to the experienced trustee.
committee roster besides the new trustees. The goals for the next three years will be
The board's vice chairman John Jewitt, was set in a retreat setting, but no further details
already named as chairman of the committee. have yet been made.
The Huron County beard of education is
going to be taking an in-depth look at itself
with the aim of setting goals for the next three
years of its tem.
At its January 13 meeting, the school
board decided it would go on a retreat this
spring. Prior to that however, a committee
made up mostly of new trustees will review
the board's procedures.
Director of education Robert Allan, who
made the recommendations to the schcol
board, said the purpose of having the new
trustees review the existing procedures
would be to make them familiar with the
material.
However, trustee Joan Vanden Broeck of
Colborne Township said the new trustees
have never dealt with the procedures.
"I don't think it would serve a useful
process." she said.
Farm Safety Day for women
to be held at Vincent equipment
Local farm safety associations, in conjunc training, discussion of farm hazards, safety
lion with Vincent Farm Equipment, Seaforth, with tractors and other farm equipment, and
are sponsoring a farm safety seminar for fire prevention and extinguishing demonstra-
women on Saturday, January 25. tions.
The day long course will be held at Vincent Films and slide presentations will be pati
Farm Equipment, two miles north of Seaforth of the activities and an inspection of venous
on Huron County Road 12 and will run from types of tractors will also be included.
930 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants should pre -register by Janu-
Subjects to be covered include first aid ary 22, by calling Marten Vincent, 527-0120.
Scots to celebrate Burn& Day
MARKING THE TRAILS for the Clinton and District Snowmobile Club Incorporated is
Archle Robertson of Seaforth. Just recently formed, the club offers its members use of
groomed trails three metres in width routed through a unique variety pf hardwood forest,
pine and spruce, marshlands, creeks and a beaver pond. There are over 100 kilometres of
groomed, marked trails, beginning at the end of Seaforth's own Railway Street.
Motlwralth photo
Smoking is restricted
Town council voted last week to restrict
smoking during any council meeting to the
recess period.
The motion, placed by Councillor Bob
Dinsmore, was only narrowly accepted. Mr.
Dinsmore, himself a smoker, voted against
his own motion.
Councillor Harry Hak, Councillor Garry
Osborn and Reeve Bill Bennett also voted
against the motion. Councillors Bill Mc -
Taxi cabs
Laughlin. Carolanne Doig Peg Campbell,
Deputy -Reeve Hazel Hildebrand and Mayor
Alf Ross voted in favor of the motion.
When the motion was accepted Councillor
Hak questioned the possibility of having two
or three recess periods during council, and
Councillor Doig joked about the need for the
town to install spitoons.
"You'll have us all on drugs," joked Reeve
Bennett.
BY GORD W RIGHT
Seaforth Scots and non -Scots alike cele-
brate the birth of poet Robert Burets this year
on January 29, with the traditional Burns
Supper to be held in the Seaforth and District
Community Centres.
Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in an
old clay cottage at Alloway, in the beautiful
Ayrshire countryside. This old cottage which
still stands (now a small museum) was built
by his father from clay, and stones walled
from the fields.
Robert was the eldest of seven children. At
a very early age he started writing rhymes,
and in the last ten years of his life he wrote
over 350 songs and poems. He died at
37 -years -of -age. His songs are sung by all
nations around the world, especially "Auld
Lang Syne."
it is only right that the focus of this
celebration should be oh the man who, more
than any other, helped Scotland retain her
nationhood, her heritage, and her native
tongue.
But Robert Burns no longer belongs to
Scotland alone, he is a citizen of the whole
world. a man who has expresser) the feelings
of all men to remind them of their finest
qualities.
Burns does not need this celebration as his
songs and poems have guaranteed him
immortality. It is we who need the Burns
Supper celebration to remind us of the good
that is encapsulated in his works.
The Haggis, is usually part of the
traditional Burns supper meal: oatmeal
toasted, suet, chopped liver, drooped heart,
chopped lean mutton, ceasoaec}wrth chopped
onion, black pepper and salt, stuffed into a
properly prepared sheep stomach, boiled and
served piping hot (If this frightens you just
think of it as a big sausage).
(Continued from page Al
motorists coming out of Railway Street onto
Main Street.
Council agreed the by-law be amended to
prohibit parking on the west side of Main
Street South starting from the railway tracks
toe distance of 90 feet north of Railway Street
North.
PARTIAL PAYMENT
Counc7 has authorized the payment of
$150 to the Curling Club to partially cover the
cost of replacing some tile.
The curling dub requested financial
assistance for expenses incurred for the
purchase and installation of tile to eliminate
water problems in the downstairs lounge of
the club. The dub said the water problems
resulted from the tile not being connected at
the time of road and sewer construction.
John Forrest, Public Works Superinten-
dent said although the curling club experi-
enced no water problems poor to the
reconstruction of East William Street, it was
not determined whether the tile was not
connecte4 or whether it was crushed in the
street reconstruction process.
Mr. Forrest recommended the Town
should be responsible for the cost of the tile
for the distance of 20 to 25 feet or to the
property line.
FUELSUPPLY
The town has agreed to let tenders for the
town's fuel requirements.
The fuel requirements are to be tendered
as a package deal with supplying of heating
oil for the townohall as well as gas and
commercial diesel supplies for the Public
Works department. The tender must also
supply the tanks and pumps as necessary.
Tenders must be Into the town clerk's
office by p.m. February 11 for the supplying
of fuel for a three-year term.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Council agreed to give authorization to
B.M. Ross and Associates ltd. to prepare and
call tedders on the 1986 road construction
resurfacing pmgr.
q request for repaving of County Road 12
(Main Street) will be forwarded to the County
of Huron for its consideration and inclusion
in the county five year plan.
+Council derided to do so based on a
suggestion from its Public Works depart -
Ment.
Seaforth Council voted against the resolu-
tion asking Workers' Compensation benefits
be extended to cover heart . problems
associated with stress generated by fire calls
and fire response to volunteer furenien as well
as ftii_i time firemen.
Members of council indicated they felt
such incidences were already being investi-
gated sufficiently at present and endorsing
such a resolution would have no positive
effect.
BY-IAWS PASSED
Town coundl has passed a by-law appoint-
ing George Garrick as Chief of the Town of
Seaforth Fire Department.
Mr. Garrick succeeds Harry leak who
officially retired as Chief on December 31,
1985. .
As Fire Chief Mr. Garrick also assumes the
duties of building inspector for the Town Of
Seaforth for as long as he holds office.
Town Council also passed a by-law to
establish Committee of Council to hold
statutory publicnieetings under the Planning
Act.
According to the Municipal Act council is
required by law to hold public Meetings
before undertakinganystatutoryact. Council
may delegate such authority to hold suds
public meetings to a Committee of Council.
This delicate morsel is piped into the
supper room carried by the • chef and
addressed by Burns' poem "To a Haggis".
The supper meal is usually: Cock-A-Leekie
soup (chicken soup with leeks), Chanipit
Tattles (mashed potatoes), Bashed Neeps
(mashed turnip), brussel sprouts and wee
carrots, . roastit beef, The Tipsy Laird
(dessert, Scotch Trifle), oatcakes, cheese,
fruit, tea or coffee. Followed by a Scottish
concert of Burns songs, violin, accordion,
Highland dancing and piping.
This year Tose Van Egmond Foundation is
the sponsor of the Bums Supper.
MN101,41,TY CAL NDAR,
1l you're nrgbnlzlng a non-profit: event of interest 16 other Seaforth area[ resldenur,
Phone the t®creatbii offiee at 527-0882 or the 1`xposltor et 527-0241E or Mall licit
information to Community Calendar, The Huron Expositor; Dox 8 , Seelort:tti,
Ontarlo, HOK IWO well in advance of the s ieduled dale.
Spm for the Corrimunity Calendar Is donated by The 1 -futon fixposfter.
Wednesday, January 22 Saturday cant'd
1-3 Mo and Tats Skating at Arena 12:30-130p.m itingette Practice ,
1 30-4 Seniee Shuffleboard 1.30-2:30 in., Story Resits at elle libi
130-3:200 p,m.. PtIblicSkating
3-4 Mites
4-5 Novice 4s iianovres
5.630 Atom vs Cb iton
6.30-8p.m. Pee Wee Playoff Came
410-'a,:36 ette ee
5:30.8:30mwget Practice:
6.864;30 Minor Brobmbal ;
'l:30-830 Cent nalres practice
8.30 p.m. Ladies,Broombail
Thursday,- January e
4 Ori Sof► Aftetooprt movies at the Sea -
forth Li"braty, ilio s Brothers and
FloundThat Tiiou He'Was A Racoon.
4 25 5:15 i etfe mice
515-6:15 stat mice
6:30;7. 0 Minor Brdomball
1:104246 Mens Broomball
Friday, January 24
4-5 Sr. House League,P'radic'e
,.6 Jr. Rouseteague Fr'' f -e _
64 Pee Wee PraC#oe_
7-8 Atom Practice
Saturday, January 25
7'.30 a.m. Canadians vs North Stars
8:30 it Dr d)ireis vs Brains .
9;30 a:m. Fiaines vsL ,
1030 a•ire Jets vs �s
i130 8.m. Penguins Vs Whalers
Sunday, January 26
1230-S:30 p.nt Championship. and Con -
.solation games in the Atom Hockey
Tournament
7 pin. Hawks vs Flyers
830 Canadians vs Bangers
Monday, January 27
4:30.8:30 r"l w -e Sisatimg
'Tuesday, January 28
520-6;30 NM/lee Practise
s 30 B Bantata5 Game Praelite
8:15-10 Midgets vs Clinton
:Wednesday, 'January 9
7:30-8:30 Boy scout Skate-
fi�