SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 44
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
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Township offers support to revitalized chamber By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Township council has agreed to provide about $4,000 in support to a revitalized Mapleton Chamber of Commerce this year and will consider a request for additional support over the next two years. Dale Franklin, a local business operator and a member of the new chamber steering committee provided council with an update on the re-formed organization at the Oct. 26 meeting. “We were thrilled as a group that was pretty keen to revitalize our idea of a Chamber of Commerce recently when we realized that the former Mapleton Chamber of Commerce was actually still very much in operation,� Franklin told council. “So although, it had been dormant for some time, all the paperwork had been filed so that we were able to really, quite honestly, just start fresh somewhat, but with a little bit of the legwork already done.� The chamber is planning to hold its first annual general meeting on Nov. 29 at the Festival Theatre in Drayton
Plowing celebration - This year’s BMO Farm Family Award was presented to Morley and Thelma Trask of Alma at the Wellington County Plowman’s Banquet on Oct. 27 at the Alma Community Centre. The Trasks received a decorative bowl and plaque from Wellington County Queen of the Furrow Kayla Scott. RIGHT: Tate Driscoll, centre, of Mapleton was named 2017/18 Princess of the Furrow at the Wellington County Plowman’s Banquet. Left, outgoing furrow princess Jade Ritter and Heather Darrington present Driscoll with trophy named for Darrington’s parents. Photos by Caroline Sealey
at 7pm and prospective new members are encouraged to attend. Franklin said the group will be offering “a one-time lower membership feeâ€? of $50. “Hopefully it will allow people to recognize that we are working hard at making sure we are putting some steps in place for a revitalized chamber, but recognizing that next year will be a real learning experience for the new chamber ‌ We’re hoping that people will be interested in growing with us.â€? Franklin noted the group has spent about $750 of funds allocated by council to assist the chamber with re-formation in 2017 and asked that the balance of the allocation, around $4,133, be donated to the chamber to assist with startup costs, including “even a very part-time staff person and a place to hang our hat, so to speak.â€? Physical presence Franklin said the organization will need a physical presence in the community where business people can come for information. “Without that it won’t
flourish,� she said. “When trying to operate something as important as a chamber of commerce out of someone’s basement or a kitchen table it’s just something that won’t work,� Franklin added. Franklin said the steering committee is also asking council to consider contributing $2,000 to the chamber in 2018 and in 2019. She said the funding “allows us to create a budget. It will allow us to create a plan moving forward and, in my mind, it’s going to set us on a very sound financial footing.� The committee plans to implement membership fees and revenue-generating events “that will make us sustainable and self-sustaining,� in the longer-term, Franklin said. “We know that we need to be able to stand on our own feet and move forward in a positive manner as a group,� she stated. Council agreed to contribute the remaining funds from the 2017 allocation and consider the funding requests for future years during budget discussions.
Dutch immigrants found Canada welcoming after war By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - Several Dutch immigrants who settled in the Drayton were guest speakers at the Mapleton Historical Society’s October meeting. Each of the four speakers expressed gratitude for what the Canadian soldiers did for Holland during the Second World War. They also commented on the kindnesses shown to the Dutch newcomers by the Canadian people. Martin Duimering A resident of North Holland province near the North Sea, Martin Duimering was one of four children living at his family home in 1942. “The German soldiers would come to our home looking for my father. They wanted him to support the war effort by joining the Germans,� Duimering said. “Dad dug a hole in the kitchen’s wooden floor and hid in the hole until the
Appreciative immigrants - Four Dutch immigrants, from left: Martin Duimering, Jake Visscher, Grace Zoer and John Reinders spoke on their journey from Holland to Canada at the Mapleton Historical Society’s Oct. 2 meeting. Each one thanked Canadians for the liberation of Holland by Canadian troops and noted a warm welcome was received from Canadians in the Drayton area. Photo by Caroline Sealey German soldiers left. Mom always told the Germans that my dad was in the city.� Duimering noted the country celebrated on May 5,
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1945, as the war was declared over. There was dancing in the streets, people were cheering and musical instruments played.
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“The Dutch were so appreciative of the Canadians for the liberation of Holland,� Duimering said. “The country was left in
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“Why do you have to be a non-conformist like everybody else?� - James Thurber
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poor shape after the war and everyone wondered what was going to happen next.� As the country could not support the population and little land was available in Holland, farm workers immigrated to Canada. In order to immigrate, a Dutch citizen had to complete the necessary paperwork, pass medical testing and receive approval from the authorities. In September of 1947, the Duimering family said goodbye to family and friends in Holland and took the next step in the immigration process. “It was an emotional time for those leaving and those left behind. I was five years old, so it was exciting for me,� Duimering said. “Some people suffered from seasickness on the boat. The sleeping cots were three high.� Eight days later the family arrived in Quebec City, then boarded a train destined
for Union Station in Toronto. From Toronto, the family went by car to New Dundee. “In New Dundee we rented a house. The Canadians gave us a warm welcome. Learning a new language was a challenge,â€? Duimering said. In 1951, the family moved to a farm in the Stirton area that had no hydro service and housed 500 laying hens. Duimering’s father and sister found employment in Acton at a leather factory. From April to June, school aged children walked to school in Drayton. As plans for the proposed Conestogo Dam became reality, the family did a land swap in 1956 for a farm located on Sideroad 15, that housed laying hens and pigs. Duimering eventually married and he and his wife, Grace, raised five children. Jake Visscher From 1946 to 1947, Holland still struggling from the SEE IMMIGRANTS Âť 8
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