The Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-03-30, Page 7Bruce County History:
Margaret Helen Brown
Autobiography - Part 2
Margaret Brown, a mis-
sionary to China, grew up in
Bruce County.
In January 1939, I trav-
elled by boat to Haiphong,
then by train up through
what is now called Vietnam
(North) crossed the great
mountain range the pass is
over 10, 000 feet ---to Kum-
ing, capital of Yunnan prov-
ince in S.W. China, to open
a depot where our books
could be mailed into far
West China. A few months
later the Japanese took over
Indo-China and this route
was closed—the Chinese for
defense, tore up the railway
on their side of the border.
While on furlough in
1941 and studying for my
PhD in Union Theological
College, New York, the
Pearl Harbor incident
occurred, entirely cutting
off both Shanghai and
Hong Kong from any con-
tact with "Free China" in
the far West. In that vast
area of China there was no
literature or magazines for
children. Urgent calls came
for me to return at the end
of my furlough in 1942. But
how? I left Toronto for
China on eight hours
notice. I took six months
and five days to get to
Chengtu, travelling to New
York, then New Orleans,
where I got on a Chilean
boat which went through
the Panama Canal and
down the west coast of
South America, disembark-
ing at Valparaiso, Chile.
Then I went by train over
the Andes and across
Argentina to Buenos Aires
where a dock strike kept me
for five weeks. I then sailed
on a tiny Argentine freighter
to Capetown and Durban.
There, I managed to get on a
British troop ship ---it had
5,000 troops and only 13
civilians on board. We trav-
elled in a convoy of 31 ships
to Bombay, escorted by two
dreadnaughts and five
destroyers. I then crossed
India by train to Calcutta
and arrived with Dengue
fever. I was five weeks there
during the worst of the
Bengal famine and finally
flew "The Hump" at night—
the Japanese had shot down
two civilian planes two
weeks before. We had to fly
for two -and -a -half hours
over Japanese -occupied
areas of Burma.
From Chungking I flew to
Chengtu where we had a
large mission. The big Amer-
ican air base was near and
we had a number of bomb-
ing attacks at night. I had to
start "Happy Childhood" all
over again but had two of the
most exciting years. Because
there was no other literature
for children, the Govern-
ment Schools took great
interest and sales soared.
Japan's surrender came
upon us almost unawares. I
was lucky to get back to
Shanghai in November to
restart my work because the
RAF gave me a free ride. I
left for furlough in August
1948 and in the following
May, the Communists
established their "People's
Republic" in Peking. I left
Hong Kong for Canada in
1956. Because of my litera-
ture work I was invited to
become a member -at -large
of the Women's Inter -
Church Council of Canada
Submitted
where I served until my
retirement in 1968.
Condensed by Bob John-
ston from an article in the
1971 Yearbook of the Bruce
County Historical Society
nwmo
NUCLEAR WASTE
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIZATION
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • Lucknow Sentinel 7
Roots of Bruce to welcome students from
across region at April 14-15 event
The annual 'Roots of Bruce'
event for Grade 5 & 6 students is
coming up Apt 14-15,2016
The event for Bluewater
and Bruce Grey Catholic Dis-
trict school board students
helps to create awareness of
the importance of our local
agricultural community, food
production, and other indus-
tries connected to agriculture.
It promotes eating locally
grown food as well as
healthy choices and runs
9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. both
days at the Walkerton Agri-
cultural Society buildings.
Students see lots of live ani-
mals and gain valuable insight
into what is involved in pro-
ducing the food they eat as
well as other agricultural
based products. Students
from South Bruce and Grey
counties can come for a half
day or whole day and take in
many interactive learning sta-
tions for only $3 per student.
Many farm commodity
groups will be there as well as
two new ones this year,
including Saugeen Valley
Conservation Authority and
Bruce Botanical Food
Gardens. We encourage all
local schools to participate in
this wonderful learning
opportunity and hope to
build awareness to the gen-
eral public of this great volun-
teer run program.
We hope you will consider
giving coverage to ROOTS OF
BRUCE prior to and during
(9:30-11:30am & 12:15-
2:15pm) and following this
non profit event.
For more information and
pictures of what happens at this
annual event check out www.
rootsofbruce.com
Maple Syrup Festival this weekend at Saugeen Bluffs
The largest outdoor Maple a.m. and will conclude at 4 families, far and wide.
Syrup Festival in Grey and p.m. both days. All proceeds from this
Bruce Counties, the Saugeen Premiering this year and event go directly to local
Bluffs Maple Syrup Festival brought to you by the Sau- conservation efforts, a com-
will be featured on April 2 geen Shores Chamber of mitment of both the Sau-
and 3rd at Saugeen Bluffs Commerce, free busing will geen Valley Conservation
Conservation Area. be offered from both South- Foundation and Saugeen
This year's Festival will fea- ampton and Port Elgin. Catch Conservation in helping to
ture the West Coast Lumber the action at the Coliseum provide a healthy environ -
Jack Show (Saturday only), (10 a.m. and noon) and in ment for ourselves and
Scales Nature Park (cool rep- Port Elgin at The Plex (10:15 future generations.
tiles), R&R Pet Paradise Dog and 12:15) as well as Allan's Admission is $ 8 p e r
Shows (Sunday), the Grey Fireside Grill (10:25 and adult, $3 per child and pre -
Bruce Tree Workers, live enter- 12:25). Buses will also be run- schoolers are free.
tainment, horse-drawn wagon ning regularly from the Pais- For more information,
rides, a full pioneer encamp- ley Arena and Gibby's Grubb. contact 519-367-3040, visit
ment, kids activities, trainrides, Visitors will be escorted www.svca.on.ca or email
maple games, and, of course directly into the heart of the publicinfo@svca.on.ca Visit
lots of hot -off the grill pancakes event and taken back to their us on Facebook as well or
and real maple syrup. cars when they are ready. Twitter #saugeensyrup.
Directed by the Saugeen The Saugeen Bluffs Maple The Saugeen Bluffs Maple
Valley Conservation Founda- Syrup Festival has been Syrup Festival is held at
tion, the annual event attracts reviewed by critics for over 45 Saugeen Bluffs Conserva-
a cast of thousands. years and continues to garner tion Area, so please dress for
The event opens at 10 applause and accolades from the outdoors
SOCIETE DE GESTION
DES DECHETS
NUCLEAIRES
NWMO Learn More Centre
The Township of Huron -Kinloss is one of nine communities
involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased
Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term
management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste
Management Organization is working collaboratively with the
community to advance preliminary assessment studies.
Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer
your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and
Learn More Centre in Ripley.
Everyone is welcome.
NWMO Learn More Centre (Huron -Kinloss).
80 Huron Street, Ripley ON
519.386.6711
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.