Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 15
Remembering the soap box derby By C. Scott Holland While sifting through some photo archives, memories came flooding back as pictures of Soap Box Derby winners emerged. The Soap Box Derby - usually held on Sherk St. - (after it was paved) was actually a main part of the Leamington fair in the 1940s and 1950s when a ramp was used to propel a set of homemade soap box cars down the track towards a finish line. But the natural slope of the Sherk St. hill became the predominant site for a few of the soap box races in the mid1980s when the Tomato Festival was
revived. Youngsters who entered were put into junior or senior categories and they ran the races - often with a sponsor like Erie Shores Ramblers Motorcycle Club or Dixie Autoland in charge. The races have faded along with the memories and the Tomato Fest, but in 1985 two youngsters had their moments of fame as they captured the two divisions - Evan Quick was the fastest down the hill to claim the junior honours while Brad Taylor of Corunna took the senior division.
Brad Taylor of Corunna.
Evan Quick of Leamington.
A look at one of Leamington’s popular rodeos which were held at the Leamington Fair. The year is unknown, but judging by the grandstand, this could be a rodeo from between 1940 to 1951. It is interesting to note the crowd size and a few people perched upon the grandstand’s roof. Photo from Scott Holland collection
Rodeos were popular at the annual Leamington Fair By C. Scott Holland Throughout the course of its long history, the annual Leamington Fair would bring in a rodeo as one of its main attractions. They were extremely popular until the late 1960s. One of the most popular rodeos took place in 1941. At that time, the annual fair was held in late September or early October. The 1941 edition ran from Sept. 29th to Oct. 4th and starting in February of that year, the fair’s directors drew massive attention to the fact that the George V. Adams Rodeo Company would be that year’s top event.
The advertising blitz that followed in the months leading up to the fair was as great as any ad today. The rodeo was touted as the world’s largest of its kind and held competitions wherever they went, as opposed to a set act. By today’s standards, it is hard to believe that Josephine Clark, who hailed from Texas, was considered an equal to the cowboys and was noted as one of the rodeo’s top headliners. She was one of the very few cowgirls who would compete on equal footing with the men in the calf roping segment.
Another star was 11year-old Shirley Adams, who competed against the men and women in the trick riding and roping events. George V. Adams, the owner-operator and producer of the event, was born in North Dakota, and announced that the show would bring over 150 head of ‘outlaw’ horses and wild steer. The crowd that attended was considered one of its best since the 1920s, although no exact figures were given, but the same rodeo appeared again the following year and again in 1951 at the fairgrounds.
Letter to Editor
Following emergency orders infringes upon our rights
Dear Editor: I have been reading this newspaper, especially anything in it about COVID-19, with keen interest. I noticed that most of the ‘Letters to the Editor’ seem to agree with the restrictions placed on us due to the “pandemic”. Therefore, I have decided to let people know what I think about the restrictions and mandatory masking. Never before have I seen so many of our rights, freedoms, and privileges taken away as now in the COVID-19 “pandemic”. Our Charter Rights -- the right to liberty and equality -- have been stamped upon. They have infringed on our private lives and family norm. Social circles of only ten people. Stay 2 meters apart, or else. And I am expected to stand by passively as they take it all away. Don’t take me wrong. I feel deeply
for those families who have lost a loved one during this difficult time, especially those that have lost someone because of depression and loneliness. That’s why this is an injustice. I do believe in protecting the elderly and those with compromised immune systems from diseases, viruses, etc. But perfectly healthy people “emergency-ordered” to wear a mask in the grocery stores? If they can “emergency-order” us to wear masks and not go to the park, what else will they order us around with? Take away our freedom of speech under some other pretext? This is supposed to be a free country, so if you want to wear a mask, go ahead, it’s your right; but shouldn’t those of us who don’t want to wear one have the right to do as we please? Sincerely, Helena Thiessen
photos from the Scott Holland collection
THANK YOU from Leamington District seconDary schooL
GRADUATION 2020 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS BURSARIES Centennial Alumni, COPPS for Charity, Edge Imaging, Erie Shores Health Care Auxiliary, Highbury Canco, Knights of Columbus Council 4501, Leamington Dental Health Center, Leamington Kinsmen Club, Leamington Rotary Club, Municipality of Leamington, OPP West Region Youth Foundation, Peachland Rebekah’s Lodge, Rhine Danube Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 84 - Leamington, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 324 - Wheatley, Wheatley Lioness Club and Wheatley Lions Club
FAMILY, ESTATE AND MEMORIAL BURSARIES DJS & Family, Don & Jean Newland, Dorothy O’Heron, Dr. A. D. Froese, Edith Skidmore, Edna Stuart Ross McWilliam, Eileen & Trenholme Williams, Elizabeth J. Fullerton, Harvey & Dorothy Newman, J.N. Hume, James Wigfield, Joe Galos Senior, Keitha A. Welk, Kelly Davidson, Lee Family, Lewis Wigle, Lowell Gallagher, Morgan Brown, Nathan Wolters, Nelles & Dora Derbyshire, Rick Dumais, Sarah Mouland, Stella & Martin Eagen and Teresa Catherine Huy
