The Huron Expositor, 1986-05-07, Page 1INDEX
Births /A10
Brussels 1A5
Classified /Al2, 13
Dublin /A14
Entertainment /A15, 16
Family fA10
Farm IA11
{g.
5i
ly
Hensall /A8
Legion /A15
Obituaries IA10
People /A8
Sports /A7, 8
Walton /A8
Weddings /A10
`JB
k�0
tit
Wr�n.,,hst
Five locals honored for excellence. See page A4.
iisi, r i lip
fit 4its at s fl t:
Serving the communities
and areas of Seaforth,
Brussels, Dublin, Hensall
and Walton
uron
sitor
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1986 — 16 PAGES
Council to probe home
Huron County Council has established an
ad hoc committee, to investigate and report
back to the council on the financing and
services of homes for the aged, comparing
municipally run establishments (such as
Huronview) with those owned and operated
privately or by charitable organizations.
This decision was made at the April 29
council meeting, on the recommendation of
the county executive committee where it had
been suggested by Zurich Reeve Robert
Fisher, chairman of social services commit-
tee.
Reeve Fisher presented a long list of
questions on the subject, as a starting point
for the study. The basic premise is that
privately run homes must and do operate
more efficiently, also with less government
funding. Do they offer the same quality and
level of services as Huronview does? Reeve
Fisher and the other members of the
executive committee are confident th'e study
will provide facts where there are usually only
speculative opinions available at present.
The motion passed with some controversy.
Stanley Township Reeve Clarence Rau and
:McKillop Township Reeve Marie Hiclmell
questioned the necessity of such an in-house
study while the majority of members felt it
would be useful. As Turnberry Township
Reeve Brian McBurney said. At least it
would get a lot of questions answered."
The objecting councillors appeared to
regard the comparative investigation and
research as an implied criticism of the
operation and services of Huronview. Such
intentions were denied by Hay Township
Reeve Lionel Wilder, chairman of the
planning anddevelopment committee, who
assured the council no member of the'
executive committee felt there was anything
wrong with Huronview, only that a study
would be a positive way of finding out what
could be done on different levels, with
different methods.
Speaking in favor of the study, Hullett
Township Reeve Thomas Cunningham point-
ed out the study might indeed conclude "that
Huronview is best," adding "it never hurts to
look."
In a recorded vote the recommended
motion was carried by 18 votes in favor and
eight opposed; six council members were
absent from the session.
The members of the newly formed study
committee are: Reeve J.R. Aitchison (West
W awanosh Township), Zurich Reeve Robert
Fisher, Town of Exeter Reeve W ,L Mickle,
and Warden Leona Armstrong (Reeve of
Grey Township). Their report will be
presented to the county council at a later
date.
Facts, figures
Huron County Social Services Administra-
tor, J.A MacKinnon, presented his depart-
ment's 1985 facts and figures to the county
council at the April 29th meeting. He brought
good news.
Last year the department spent
5168.935.21 under its budget. While the total
budget was 51,076,536.00, the expenditures
amounted to S907,600.79.
The county's estimated share of this
budget was 5281,273.00. but as 5237,670.34
of the county money was actually spent, this
resulted in an under -expenditure of
544,2^2.66 in the county cost.
Mr MacKinnon reported requests for
50 cents a copy
good news
various levels of welfare assistance de-
creased in Huron County in 1985 by 5.62 per
cent, the caseload by 7.22 per cent and the
number of beneficiaries by 7.34 percent. It
was the second straight year the demand on
his department's services decreased.
The report offers this explanation: "Our
experience Is 1985 indicates the demand for
seasonal workers was strong, resulting In
persons being employed for longer periods
and qualifying for U.I. C. benefts, thereby
reducing the demand on our services."
The 1986 caseload is expected to remain
fairly constant with the 1985 levels.
TEACHER RETIRES — Edna Bell, who has been Involved In education since 1944, will be
re:Iring this spring, after teaching for the past 18 years at Seaforth Public School. Here, We.
Bell explains a probtern to Grade 5 students, from teff: Steven De Wolfe, Sheily Lansink and
Rattle photo
Nelson Jessome. .. .
SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT — These three models et the Seaforth
and District Ringette Association Fashion Show, complete with
sunglasses and shorts, featured a ready -for -summer look. The event
was held May 1, at the community centres Prom left Dave
Richardson, Patrick Higgins and Steve Rowat.
Raids photo
Teacher retires from EPS
Edna Bell feels that she, and other career
teachers in herage group have had a "unique
privilege" in being involved in teaching
during their particular era.
1 began teaching in the horse and buggy
days and I wes teaching when man first
walked on the moon," says Mrs. Bell, who
started teaching in 1944 and will retire this
spring. after spending the past 18 years
teaching at Seaforth Public School.
A Mount Forest native, Mrs. Bell first
taught in a one -room schoolhouse in
Egermont Township, teaching Grades 1
through 8 simultaneously to a roomful of
children of varying ages. She has seen
tedmology and educational advancement
make sweeping inroads into the classroom
environment.
"1944 was the world of books. This is the
world of video," she said, adding not only
children, but parents and teachers have had
to make adjustments because of the changes.
"We've all had to adapt to video. Today's
children are a very video -conscious group. I
think it's important to help them interpret
what they see and hear in the media," Mrs.
Bell said.
The changes in education during her time
have been significant, "and yet. the children
are basically the same," she said, adding
children are what makes a teacher's efforts
worthwhile.
"lake to see their eyes light up when they
understand something," she said.
frits. Bell's decision to enter teaching was
partially sparked by a shortage of feedlots at
the time.
"My high school principal told us about
this wonderful opportunity to make a
magnificent salary of., 51,000 a year in
teaching," she said, This may seem like
small potatoes compared to today's wages,
but after teaching only four years, never
earning more than $1,500, Mrs. Bell had
saved 51,000 -- enough to take some time off
and attend McMaster University in Hamil-
ton, where she studied English and History.
She moved to Seaforth in 1952, with her
husband Neil Ball, who operated a Shell
garage, on a site that is now the northern part
Seaforth woman reminisces about 90 years of
Elia Nora Hoegy has many fond memories
of her past. And today, the day she celebrates
her 90th birthday, will probably be a day for
reminiscing.
Born in Perth County and educated in
Gadshill, Mrs. Hoegy grew up in a log cabin
on a 100 -acre farm. She was one of eight
children and two of her sisters are still living
today
One of her strongest memories of those
growing up days is of the land clearing.
Because the means of disposing of the brush
was different than it is today, Mrs. Hoegy
said she, and her brothers and sisters, used to
love watching as their father set fire to the
brush each night.
And since cars were still not invented visits
were rare, and therefore an event to be looked
forward to.
"i liked it when my cousins came. W e used
to play all sorts of games. It was 50 much fun,
but the biggest fun carne when mom and pa
went away," she said, indicating the tithes
haven't changed all that much over the years.
"But of course we'd get the house all
scrubbed up before they mane home," she
added. with a rnisthievpus twinkle in her eye.
Mrs. Hoegy married and in 1916 moved to
McKillop Township with her husband Fred-
erick. Together they fanned theft Lot 9,
and raised their four
Concession 8 property,
children, Wilbur, Evelyn, Lavern and Leotta.
"it was a wonderful life," she said.
"Pd go back to the farm if I could."
But life on the farm was hard in those days,
with no electricity and none of the other
modem oonvenienees people todaytake so
muds for granted.
"We had an old Washing machine that
went bump, bump, bump..You had to use
manual labor to dolautndiy. It was easierwith
electricity," she .Said.
Another asdect of the Parti' she recalls
vividly are the days before there was paper I'd have waited forever, " said Mrs.
insecticide.
"We used to have to pick the potato bugs
off the potatoes, put them into a pail, then
pour boiling water over the little buggars,"
she said, almost as though reliving the
experience.
"That was the only way you could kill
them. There was no insecticide then, you
know."
One of the funniest moments on the farm,
as recalled by her children, was the day Mrs.
Hoegy was learning to drive.
"Mom was learning to drive and she hit the
gatepost and bent the fender back," recalled
son Lavern.
"Well, that was funny, but the funniest
part was when dad was trying to straighten it
out and went through the windshield."
"i sure gave it a good bump," said Mrs.
Hoegy, laughing.
Living on the farm made Mrs. Hoegy quite
versatile. Not only did she eventually roaster
the art of driving, but she was also proficient
with the daily chores as well. In addition she
was a skilled seamstress, often sewing
wedding dresses for neighbors; and always
making her children's clothes.
"I used to cut and design my own
patterns," she said.
Daughters Ieotta and Evelyn remember
their mother's sewing skill well.
"W a didn't even know what a bought dress
looked like," said Ieotta, "but outs were
always nicer than everyone else's,"
"And at Easter, reminisced Evelyn,
mother would make us each a new Outfit and
our aunt, who vias a nullrler would make Us
new hats. It was always a special oemaas%n "
Another asset of Mrs oegy's Wa'e her
ability to do anything that needs 16 lie done.
Although herhusband was a; paint trod, paper
person, her hduse she said was papered
entirely by her own efforts,
"If Pd waited on fiW' husband fp h'atig, th'e
r` I told him Td do it myself and for him to go
out and cork for some other old woman. He
did a good job and taught his sons the trade,
but he never had time to do it at home," she
said.
"It was kind of like the shoemaker's
children having to go to the store to buy their
shoes," added son Wilbur.
Rounding out Mrs. Hoegy's talents was
her reputation as a good ctwkc, a reputation
which served her well when she and her
husband eventually retired to Seaforth in
1955. They took up residence in the old
Armstrong home on Huron Street, and at one
time bad as many as eight boarnlels under
their roof.
"I coved to cook, to make hist tits and pies
and bread, and stuff, but I missed the farm. I
liked to get out and pull the rhubarb
whenever I wanted to bake a pie,:' she said.
Mrs. Hoegy's,,husband died in 1958 and
she now resides at the Mitchell Nutting
Home. But her memories of theirlife together
are strong and they are sweet.
"My husband was a very good man. We
got along very well. We always had a good
time with our lads;" she said.
That rapport with her children still
continues. All four harbor fond memories of
their days at home, and goodheartedly call to
mind some of thosememories often poling
fun at each other or themselves during the
reminiscing
Mks.
Hoegy's children all live in different
places now but it is evident they are all dose
despite the distance that separat them.
Wilbur, lives in Brodhagen vera in
MoKillop ; p, Kieber in the
ottaMacK'enzre
Ritz.W .War
n, Michigan. Together theyhave „
m Warren, Michigan.. .
" dd'hildren; 83 at" fid- LlPe WOR- IIVINf� �— El'ia;l-3oegy Is 90 today and has lived ''a wonderful fife. She is full
choded n two ...., r n
children ;and, .two ,g�l�eat`gi+eeit gcattdi3tiidiirai° p'a9t, and looks' fblwAte to the future. Mot Wealth photo
of fond btnemtit'ahoesolrhe
for their mother.
of the SPS soccer field. She began teaching
here in 1968 and currently teaches inglish.
environmental studies, health and art. to
Grade 5 students.
Mr. Bell also recently retired after working
for a number of years in the maintenance
department at the Seaforth Genesco plant
'Now we'll both have to adjust to
retirement together," said Mrs. Bell.
The Bell's immediate plans include a trip to
western Canada, to visit their daughter Carol
(one of four children) and attend the Expo
celebrations.
"We'll also be doing some lawn howling
this summer," she said
A return to some favorite pastimes for
which she hasn't had time, such as knitting
and"reading just for the fun of it," are also
on the agenda. The Bells also plan to "head
out and do some travelling," she said.
Mts. Bell said she has enioved her years of
teaching, especially her time here in town.
"I've been very lucky here in Seaforth to
have had three good principals and good
fellow teachers," she said
livin