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The Huron Expositor, 1989-11-01, Page 3Gtft giv a rare pro'b l for The Christmas season is fast ap- will either purchase one -of -a -kind gifts at Seaforth has had Christmas gift giving preaching, whether we like it or not, rand these exhibitions, or resort to the dreaded under control for years. You name it, she craft shows and bazaars are cropping up last minute supermall alternative on makes it. all over the county. And while many of us December 23, Ruth Beuttenmiller of The apartment of Ruth and Gordon Beut- i #* tenmiller is a veritable showcase for the handicrafts that Ruth has taken up, Folk art, all the rage recently in craft circles, hangs on the walls and perches on kitchen shelves. Beautifully decorated wreaths adorn the doors, and end tables are com- plemented with delicate dried floral ar- rangements. And then there are the numerous throw pillows in quaint designs, and the huge, hand-knit afghan draped over the back of the couch. Your hands get tired just thinking about the hours of painstaking work that went into each and every item. "I just don't have enough time to do everything I'd like to," Mrs. Beuttenmiller admits, mentioning a selection of han- dicrafts that she has yet to try her hand at. She has kept her hands busy crafting one thing or another since she was a girl of eight. As soon as she learned to skate, she began to knit her own hats, mitts and scarves to sport out on the ice. There was no looking back after that. She took up quilting along with her three sisters, and after she was married, did all of the knit- ting for her children. Mrs. Beuttenmiller recalls the classes put on by the Department of Food and Agriculture and taught by the Alfred sisters of Egmondville in years gone by. Each winter, a different handicraft would be introduced. "The times we had!", she laughs. "The same bunch of us would go for years and take all of the classes. It was a real social affair," she adds, noting that they would often stretch a one-night per week class in- to two nights because they were enjoying themselves so much. This past September, Mr -s. Beuttenmiller entered 36 items into the Seaforth Fall Fair and captured first prize in 17 classes. She regularly donates handcrafted articles to the Hospital Auxiliary and the numerous craft bazaars in the area, and has also taught classes at the Hospital Auxiliary. In addition, she recently sold a pair of appli- qued towels at the Ciderfest craft show and sale. However, she has to think very hard to recall the last time that she actual- ly put any other item up for sale. 'That tells you bow little of it I have sold," she points out. She winces good - r aturedllr as she remarks on the amount of money that she has put into craft materials for as long as she can remember. "I make so many things, and then give them away." Lucky indeed are the recipients of Mrs. Beuttenmiller's generosity. Her latest pro- ject is a craft called Pretty Punch, a method of decorating shirts, towels and anything else imaginable with a raised, hooked design. She picked pp this craft in FRUITS OF HER LABOURS - Mrs. Ruth Beuttenmiller of Seaforth sits surroumd- ed by examples of her fine handicrafts, including a needlepoint pelican sweatshirt, a floral wreath and arrangement and a Pretty Punch jersey. Elliott photo. Pork rucers vote BY DAVID EMSI.IF LONDESBORO - The Huron County Pork Producers' Association (HCPPA) will lodge a formal complaint against the Ontario Pork Producers' Marketing Board (OPPMB) regarding their recent decision to implement a $2 per hog levy on all hogs sold in Ontario. The levy situation arose in early September when the United States put a permanent duty of 3.6 cents per pound of pork sold from Canada into the USA. However, when this rate is reviewed, in 12 to 18 months, it is expected an addi- tional seven cents could be added to the duty. In a letter to the pork producers, the chairman of the ,OPPMB, Dave McDonald, stated, "The packers are very aware that they might have to pay an extra duty in 18 months and that it could amount to a great deal of money. On an annual basis, we expect that about 400 million pounds of pork could be sold in- to the States. At seven cents per pound, this comes to $28 million. Those Canadian packers that are selling pork into the USA assure us that it just is not•possible for them to set that much money aside in reserve for a future duty payment; the pork business is not that profitable. "Canadian packers will have to stop selling pork into the States if they have to come up with the extra seven cents a pound duty. They will simply unload the extra pork in Canada at whatever price It takes to get rid of it. The result will be a severe price drop, not only on the amount that was sold into the States, but on all pork sold in Canada. Naturally, the hog price would drop as well!" Word of this extra duty, which would lie collected retroactively, was received just prior to the semi-annual meeting of the OPPMB. At that meeting, it was sug- gested that each hog producer would be: charged a fee of. $2, per hog. This money mould go into a special fund, ad - :ministered by the Canadian Pork Council, to help pay the duties on pork. In his let- ter to the producers, Mr. McDonald sug- gested, "This will encourage the export companies to continue to sell pork to their U.S. export customers as they have in the past. Since they will still have to pay some of the duty, they will be en- couraged to seek new markets where THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 1, 1989 -- 3A iotas craftswoman a weekly class at the Florida trailer park where she and her husband spend their winters. In fact, she was so enthralled with the idea that she bought two kits right off the bat. I'd had no intentions of even bothering with it," she recalls with a wry smile. Mrs. Beuttensnlller finds that working on her handicrafts, which have also included leatherworking and ceramics, is an ex- cellent way to relax. "I don't make a habit of working on things during the day," she notes. "It's a recreational thing for me." Although, she admits, she would at times get so caught up in her recreation that she would toil away at an item until two or three in the morning. When asked if she had the majority off her Christmas gifts underway, Mrs. Beut- tenmiller remarked that all of her gifts were already finished and distributed. Since the couple strikes out for Florida late in the fall, Christmas has already been celebrated after a fashion in their family. "In fact, I almost picked up something to start working on for next Christmas," she adds. Now there's inspiration for you! New craft shop opens Dorothy Fryer is quietly fulfilling a longtime ambition on an Egmondville sidestreet. After months of preparation and four years of dreaming, she will be opening her craft store, DEM Crafts, in the front of her home on Mill and Bayfield streets. Along with her own handicrafts and knitting, her shop will contain work done by a number of local craftspeople. Cliff Apple of Brussels will be providing woodwork and lawn ornaments, and Diane Murrell will be selling knit goods through the shop. Also featured is the woodburning work and clocks crafted by her husband, Ralph Fryer. The Fryers moved to Egmondville from Stratford this past March, after three years of searching in the area for a place to settle. "I love the village life," Mrs. Fryer remarks. "The people are so friend- ly!" A craft enthusiast for a number of years, Mrs. Fryer regularly sold her wares at the Tuesday market in Aylmer. After the Fryers relocated in Egmondville, they in- quired as to the feasibility of opening a small shop in their home. "Everything moved so quickly after that," recalls Mrs. Fryer. Zoning approval was granted, and the next thing they knew they were converting their front room in- to a craft showcase and preparing to open their doors to the public. As for choosing her stock, Mrs. Fryer said that she "started out with what peo- ple seemed to like, and if people want more, or different things, we can probably get it for them." If things go well, the Fryers might like to see their cosy shop expand into a homey little stopover where neighbors can drop by, browse and shop, and enjoy coffee, sandwiches and pastries. For the time be- ing, however, Mrs. Fryer is inviting one and all to come to her grand opening on doors A FINE SELECTION of crafts and sup- plies lies behind the doors of DEM Crafts, a new Egmondville shop holding its grand opening today. Shop owner Mrs. Dorothy Fryer shows off one of her shelf displays. Elliott photo. November 1 to enjoy a cuppa and enter a draw to be made on November 11 for two gifts. It is the culmination of a lot of hope and hard work. "I'm not looking to be rich," she smiles. "I just like the village, and I'm looking forward to meeting most of the people here." to lodge formal compaint to marketing board there is no duty at all. The result should OPPMB, arid represents Ontario on the is a considerable lessening or a disconti- or six years and say, the money's gone, be that the severe price drop that is Canadian Pork Council. nuing of exports, then the net result on and the market's gone, but the board threatening will be prevented. We Admitting this is a most difficult time pork itself will be that there will 18 to 20 followed the producers' wishes. "I give sincerely believe that this action must be for pork producers, Mr. Smith explained, per cent more pork available on the them full marks; they could have made taken at this time..." "The answers aren't clear...all I can tell Canadian market.' "The domestic market the easy decision," he said. The producers, however, voted against you for certain is, with the countervail, would be greatly overburdened...it is dif- Two directors of the OPPMB voted the motion to pay the $2 fee at the semi- we in Canada were dealt a dirty deal." fictilt to expect it would absorb the extra against paying the levy, and both were annual meeting, and were therefore upset With word from the Americans that 20 per cent." on hands to discuss their decisions and to when the fee was put in place by the there is that retroactive threat in the Furthermore, he stated, if most of the seek further input. marketing board. future, Mr. Smith said the marketing provinces agree to cover the costs of ex- One was Ross Small from Wellington In an effort to discover how the pro- board had the choice of lying down and tra duty, "Ontario clearly has to decide County, the Zone Director from the North ducers would like the Huron County dying, or finding a way to fight the if they are part of a national solution, or Zone. Prior to giving some statistics to directors to proceed on this issue, a higher cost. Whatever their choice, he a national problem." the producers, Mr. Small also admitted meeting of the HCPPA was held at said, they couldn't let the increased costs Another problem Mr. McDonald sees that this was the toughest decision facing Hullett Central School on October 19. Ap- ruin Canadian pork producers. for Ontario packers if, for example, the board since he became a part of it. proximately 250 people attended the Again relaying the information that the Quebec agreed to pay the whole cost, Ontario, he stated, produces approx- meeting, with 171 voting on the issue. The packers could not cover the cost if would be a huge run on live hogs from imately one-third or 30 per cent of the vote revealed that 73 per cent of the pro- retroactive payments were called for, and Ontario to meet the demand. This would nation's hogs, as does Quebec at 31 per ducers from Huron County were against therefore the producers have to lend a have an enormous impact on the packers, cent. However, this province accounts tor paying the $2 fee. hand, Mr. Smith explained the producers he said, while it would be good in the only 19 per cent of hogs exported to the Chris Hills, vice-president of the Huron couldn't continue without the packers. short-term for the producers. U.S., compared to 44 per cent in Quebec. County association, stated that the vote, However, he did note that if appeals to It would be an easy decision for the "It seems to me that paying $2 per hog, "...gave us a fairly strong indication of stop the extra duty were successful, then marketing board, politically speaking, to when we're only exporting 19 per cent, where we should go." He added he was the producers would be getting much of say no to the levy, Mr. McDonald stated, seems like a good deal for Quebec," he very pleased with the vote, as he wasn't their money back. With the money going and they could come back in six months said. ure exactly which way it would go. With into a contingency fund, Mr. Smith urg- TirAto page s .=the results of the vote, the HCPPA will ed the producers not to think of the $2 as now lodge a formal complaint with the a payment to the packers, but more of OPPMB, and at the same time notify the an investment for the future, as those in Farm Products Appeal Tribunal of their other provinces are doing. complaint. If the OPPMB cannot satisfy "It's not an easy issue...it's time to pull the Huron County association in dealing together, to work together," he said. with the complaint, it will then go before Mr. McDonald also addressed the pro - the tribunal. ducers with the goal of convincing them Presentations to support the $2 levy. He explained that Prior to making their votes, the much thought went into their decision to gathered producers heard informational set up the contingency fund, at meetings presentations from those on both side of with both industry and government the issue. First to take the stand was Mr. representatives. As •well, he 'stated, the Hills, marketing board discussed it for 16 He took the producers back to the time hours, and it was later looked at for 12 of the semi-annual meeting, where the to 14 hours at the national level. producers voted against the fee, and He stressed that no one, including those noted, "We felt that $2 a hog was critical people on the marketing board, were in to a lot of us." Noting that there are favor of paying the $2 levy, but the other exports of hogs from other pro- OPPMB has to maintain a market for vinces, he added, "We felt $2 for an On- hogs. tario hog was unfair." Contacted in Toronto, by phone, follow - Worst of all, he stated, the Canadians ing the meeting, Mr. McDonald again are admitting to the U.S., even before a pointed out that this fee is an insurance decision is reached, that a fund to cover program. With three appeals currently in their increase is available. "I feel we're the works, he said the producers will be already adniitting guilt," he said. asked to pay the $2 for the next six Concluding his comments, Mr. Hill ask- months, and in those six months it will ed for the support ,of the producers to be important to keep the market as vote against the $2 fee. stable as.possible. Next up was Tom Smith, who is on the If by doing nothing, he said, the result Wed. Nov. 1 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. — Parents and Tote skating 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. — Senior Shuffleboard 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. — Jr. and Belle Ringette practice 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Pee Wee I practice 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. — Minor Broomball 8:00 - 10:30 p.m. — Ladles Broomball 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. — Recreational Volleyball 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Fitness Is Fun at SDCC "Strengthening Stepfamilies" A discussion group for stepparents meets for 5 weeks beginning November 7. If interested, call Huron Centre for Children and Youth 482-3931. Give to For the second year running the Parade of Light, Seaforth's Santa Claus Parade, will feature a food collection for the Huron County Family and Children Services. Anyone attending the parade who would like to .donate food or non-perishable Items for the needy, are asked to ,place them ;in a ,bag ,of Sorts, ,and ,take them to the - needl., the :parade, where they will be collected. Identified persons ous the parade will eal- lect the ;goods :attd deposit them .n trailers bepud Vincent Faun natdm nt)ingp;pulled by tractor oe and Ananned by representatives of :Staf- OPs MVP :Care. Gale ,collected $11000 aworth SA stuff last year;" ,cpirlmellte41lave'Stteffens, " And we thought that was a great response for the first year. We're hoping we get another' good response this year," For those people who would rather not tote their donations to the parade, drop off boxes are already situated around town, and will • remain in place until a few days after the parade. In addition to non-perishable food items, Family and Children's Services stress a need for in- fant supplies - food, clothing or whatever. Drop off boxes .are located at Mac's Convenience Store, Bob's Barber Shop, Lyons Food Market, FEMA :and the Seaforth ..Meat 'Market. Seaforth'.s;:Sal* Claus 'Parade is schgduled for Friday, December 1. 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. — Story hour at the library 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. — Public Skating 4:00 - 5:00 p:rn. — Novice practice 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. — Harriston vs Atoms 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. — Pee Wee practice 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. — Clinton vs. Queen's Oldtimers Sun. Nov. 5 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. — Novice Ringette 1:00 p.m. -,- Exeter vs Centenalres 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. — Clinton vs Novice 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. — Petite Ringette 6:00 - 7:00 p,m. — Tween Ringette 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. — Belie Ringette 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. I.H.L. Thurs. Nov. 2 Mon. Nov. 6 2:00 - 6:30 p.m. — Huron County Genealogical :Society Pot Luck Dinner & Meeting. Goderich Township Community Centre .Holmesville. 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. — Fitness Is Fun at SDCC 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. — Figure Skating 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Atom practice 6:30 - 8:00 pm. — Minor Broomball 8:00 - 11:00 p,m. — Men's,Bropmball 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. — Adult Basketball 12 noon — Book Club meeting: at the library Friday, Nov. 3 4:15 5:15 p.m. — Petite and Tween Ringette 5:15 6:15 p.m. — Junior houseleague practice 8:16 - 7:16 p.m. — Senior houseleague Practice 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. —,Junior ringette practice 9:15 p,m. - Drayton vs Seahawke Sat. 'Nov. 0:30 9:30 Nplih stets .vs QIlere 9:30 10.10 em—rCantuflan9 a Minpa 10;30 11.30;8 m—pppauhas•vs Whalers 11:30 1230p m—,Leafs ,vs Flames 1210 - 1;3A;p.m• -sMlt a 1;30-2:30•p.m..-- Novic&r&'S,unnyiRingette ,PI' L4tipo 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Figure Skating 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. — Stratford vs Beavers 10:00 - 11:00 p.m. — Midget practice 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Wood Refinishing at SDHS 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. — Competitive Volleyball at SDHS Tues. Nov. 7 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. — Fitness Is Fun at SDCC 10:00 - 12 noon — Parents & Tots skating 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Pee Wee 11 practice 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. — Goderich vs Bantams 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. — Goderich vs Midgets Wed. Nov. 8 1:00 - 3:00 p,m. — Parents & Tots skating 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. — Senior Shuffleboard 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Junior & Bell e,ringette practice • 0:30,- 0:30 p.m. — Atom practice 48:15,p.m.-Seeforth Horticultural Society potluck supper and annual meeting, Seaforth Public 'School. 6:30.9:00 p.m. — Minor Broomball 8:00-9S:00p.m. — Fitness Is Fun 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. — Volleyball at OOHS 8:00 - 1110 p.m. — Men's Broomball .,f 4 i