THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 32
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.08% 3 Year GIC - 2.30% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, August 12, 2016
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Historic fair - The 160th Drayton Fair was held on the weekend of Aug. 5 to 7. LEFT: The opportunity to walk an alpaca was offered for just 50 cents at one exhibit. Emmie Mensinga of Drayton was among those taking one for a trot. RIGHT: A four-horse hitch from McKeown Farms and West Edge Acres of Fergus takes a turn on the track on Saturday morning. photos by Caroline Sealey More coverage on pages 7 and 8
Crowds fill the fairgrounds as sun shines on 160th annual Drayton Fair by Caroline Sealey DRAYTON Thunderstorms predicted for Friday did not materialize allowing organizers of the Drayton Fair to experience near perfect weather for the annual event. The fine weather from Aug. 5 to 7 brought steady streams of fair goers to the Drayton fairgrounds. “It was a great weekend all around. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The crowds exceeded our expectations. Entries were up in almost every event,” fair president Jim Zantinge said.
The weekend began on Friday night with the local truck and tractor pull on the track. Pulls lasted until the wee hours of the morning due to the high number of entrants. Spectators watched as a few trucks and tractors broke fuel lines and drive shafts. Others successfully navigated the track to earn full pull status. One new event on Friday night was a Fair Euchre inside the agricultural building. Organizers plan to host the event again in 2017 and add a knitters circle and rest station. Mid morning on Saturday
the heavy horses took to the track. A record number of horses were entered in each class. Area resident Chet Martin of Chets Custom Colts, Martin Farm located outside of Arthur explained and demonstrated western reigning. Martin trains horses with behavioural issues and competes in reigning competitions across North America. The popular goat and dairy shows kept judges busy throughout the afternoon. Children enjoyed Air Bounce Inflatables, Drayton Kinettes’ games and more. Plenty of food vendors were on hand
selling everything from Scout Tails (similar to a Beaver Tail) to ice cream. Many vendors commented they sold out of supplies and had to replenish their stock overnight. New to the Saturday afternoon line up was Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo. Children and adults gathered around to experience hands on leopard tortoises, reticulated snakes, lizards and other reptiles. The OTTPA tractor and truck pull brought bigger horse power to the track on Saturday evening. Before the event began a trophy was presented
Plowing enthusiasts gather Aug. 18 for county match by Patrick Raftis PUSLINCH – Local plowing enthusiasts won’t have to wait until fall to take in an impressive display of tilling prowess. While the 2016 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be held in the north end of the county Sept. 20 to 24, Wellington County’s local match is set for Aug. 18 in Puslinch. The 2016 Wellington County Plowmen’s Association (WCPA) Plowing Match will be hosted by Rolf and Jenn Deter on the Don Inglis Farm at 4584 Wellington Road 3, Puslinch. The Wellington match has a long history in the local agricultural community,
ALLISON WITZEL states WCPA president Dave Rogerson in a message inviting visitors. “Each year we are very fortunate to have landowners make land available for match day and this year is no differ-
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ent. We have a great location; all we need is great weather,” he said. “The plowmen’s association members spend a lot of time planning and preparing for one day of activities. Everyone works with great interest and heart to keep this association going for the future.” Even with a full-scale IPM set to take place in the county this fall, Rogerson said the local match remains a significant event well worth attending. “Our local match is a stepping stone for the plowmen competing for the 2016 IPM. Try to free up some time for a day of friendly competition, Queen of the Furrow events,
fellowship, food, and an agricultural experience that has been going on for over 100 years,” he stated. Wellington County’s 2015-16 Queen of the Furrow Allison Witzel will be on hand at the event, as will competitors for the 2016-17 title. New this year is a Princess of the Furrow competition, open to girls aged 12 to 16. The winner will represent Wellington County at the 2017 match for the first ever IPM Princess competition. “I look forward to seeing many new and familiar faces for a day of learning, plowing and fun,” Witzel states. Plowing at the local match begins at 10am, with a wide Continued on page 6
Weekly Wag
reparation p n e h w s t’ a Luck, th nity meet. and opportu eau - Pierre Trud
in recognition of a dedicated volunteer with the Drayton Fair. The trophy in memory of Daryl Cooper fondly known as “The Happy Hooker” was presented to long time fair volunteer John Zantinge. Daryl Cooper had volunteered at the truck and tractor pulls for a number of years hooking and unhooking vehicles to the pull sled, until his sudden passing in July of 2016. Over 90 competitors from across Ontario entertained spectators. A number of competitors complimented fair organizers on the quality of the track and on how well the event
was organized. Sunday morning’s events began with a breakfast hosted by the Drayton Legion at the fairgrounds. For the third year in a row the challenge was put out to anyone who could complete the task assigned in the excavator games. This year’s challenge took participants back to their childhood with the game of placing the round peg in the round space and various other shapes in the correct space. Organizer Brad Schieck said, “We are always looking Continued on page 4
Burn ban lifted in Mapleton MAPLETON - Mapleton completely lifted its open air fire burn on Aug. 3 On July 5, Wellington County Fire Chiefs made the decision to prohibit all open air burning within the county. On July 15, the Township of Mapleton announced small campfires, less than a metre in size, would be permitted under certain conditions. On Aug. 3, the township removed the remaining provisions of the ban. “Based on the amount of rainfall that we have received over the last few days and weeks Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson has declared a lift of the ban,” states a press release from the township. An open air burn is defined as any fire outside of a building. This includes bonfires,
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campfires, burn barrels, outdoor fireplaces/chimineas or any other fires set in open air. The township asked residents to note that any open air fires within the Township of Mapleton that exceed a ground area of 2 metres by 2 metres require a minimum 24 hour prior notification to the township by completing a notification form obtained from the municipal office during normal business hours, or from the website at http://www.mapleton.ca. Forms must be submitted and received at the township office during regular office hours: 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, a minimum of 24 hours prior to the burn date. Notification is only valid once Continued on page 5
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