The Mural
ATHENS • MALLORYTOWN RR#3 & RR#4 BROCKVILLE ROCKPORT • LANSDOWNE CHARLESTON LAKE • ELGIN DELTA • LYNDHURST • LYN ADDISON • FRANKVILLE • TOLEDO SEELEY’S BAY • JASPER
VOL. 21 NO. 7 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016 • DELIVERED TO OVER 9,200 HOMES • 75¢ INCL. HST
‘97
CORNFEST 2016 SCHEDULE
MALLORYTOWN VILLAGE FAIR
See Pages 7-9
See Page 11
Steamy Farmersville BY SALLY SMID The Athens Lions Club’s 37th annual Farmersville Exhibition was unlike most others in that the temperatures were much less “steamy” which could have been part of the reason why gate numbers were up on Saturday, July 16. That evening it rained a bit which brought on the special attraction of a full rainbow over the fairgrounds. Allis Chalmers was the featured tractor this year, but there were also the usual vintage tractors, trucks, cars, motorcycles and much more. To really appreciate the “steam fair” it is important to
visit with the owners and operators of this amazing antique equipment. Rupe Green has become a bit of a legend, being part of the original exhibition planning. In those days he recalled that in order to proceed it was necessary to have inspections done to make sure that the machinery was safe to operate. Now 94, Rupe is no longer able to be as active as he was with his saw mill or cooking corn with his steam tractor at Athens Cornfest, but his love for the old equipment is still evident. His daughter, Lisa, is currently working to be licensed to operate such equipment. Continued on page 6 Atop his red tractor at the Antique Tractor Pull at Delta Fair on Sunday, July 24, Willy van Grunsven of Odessa aims to place 1st in his next pull (75), having placed 3rd (55) and 2nd (65) in his last two pulls of the day, and not wanting to get beat out (again) by his little brother. Shhh! It didn’t happen: Andy van Grunsven of Odessa placed 1st in three pulls: 4701-5700 lb, 5701-6700 lb, 6701-7700 lb. “It’s a great Pull and a great bunch of people!” declared Willy, who has been coming to the Fair for over 20 years. Photo: Susan Janus
Hot days: Delta Fair takes the heat BY SUSAN JANUS
Tom Quinnell, of Huntingdon, Quebec, stands behind Rupe Green of Athens, along with Tom’s Case Model 45 portable steam engine at the Farmersville Steam Fair. Photo: Sally Smid
Attention advertisers Help your business grow! Plan to be part of our Small Business Profile feature planned for the October issue. Deadline : Wednesday September 28
“It’s like giving your business card to over 15,000 people”
It was extremely hot and sunny weather for the 186th annual Delta Fair, “The People’s Holiday”, dedicated to the memory of Linda Barker, which ran from Thursday, July 21 through to Sunday, July 24. Around 7,000 folks attended. Entertainment included the well-known Canadian hard rock band—Honeymoon Suite—of Niagara Falls, Ontario, who performed Saturday evening at the Grandstand, to an eager crowd of a few hundred; and up-and-coming local rock & country band, Rocky High & the Northern Lights, happily scheduled to play Friday at 9:00 p.m. Offering over 40 rides, games and concessions, the midway, with Delta Fair since 1979, is ever-popular, and as appealing as always with its stunning, rotating
In the September issue...
The Lyndhurst
Turkey Fair
night lights. Rides popular on Saturday with Elgin’s Angie Carson & hubby’s young family clan, Adrianna of Brockville, Mya of Elgin and Olivia & Thomas of Prescott were Wacky Worm and Pirate Ship; however they noted disappointment that Fire Ball was not at the Fair.
that his dad, Steve McDonald of Chelsey, rider of a 1983 Yamaha, was enticed to join. Said Steve, the club is full of “good people, raising money for all good causes”. More information on the club can be found online at www.oldbastards.ca.
Old Bastards motorcycle show
“People love butter tarts!” exclaimed Fair Coffee Break Shop Committee contact, Board Director and butter tart baker, Anne Nichols, who added that eight dozen were sold at the Fair’s fundraising stand, which was located in the Main Exhibition Hall. Homemade pies had been purchased from Delta United Church, and also sold well, with the next concession stand, Dane Sonstenes of Elgin Bowling Lanes, providing ice cream for pie à la mode. Continued on page 13
Sunday afternoon on the grounds included a Motorcycle Show and Shine by Old Bastards Vintage Motorcycle Club. VicePresident, Lincoln Pearce of Lyn, informed that the club, having originated in was committed to Delta. The nonprofit organization boasts it is family-friendly, and proved it: Darby McDonald of Gatineau, whose father gave him a 1970 Triumph for his 30th birthday, was having so much fun as a club member,
“The Cafe”
The Next Issue September 7 Copy Deadline August 31