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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 44 Issue 15
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.10% 3 Year GIC - 2.80% 5 Year GIC - 3.50% Daily Savings 1.50%
Friday, April 15, 2011
30th annual Farm Show a great success Over 2,300 attended two-day event by Chris Daponte DRAYTON - Over 2,300 people flocked to the PMD Arena to attend the 30th annual Drayton Farm Show on April 6 and 7. Chairman Glenn Dobben said that figure is up over past attendance numbers, much to the delight of the Drayton Kinsmen, who annually host the agri-business showcase. “It was fantastic ... both the exhibitors and the patrons liked the new floor plan,” Dobben said. “At this point, we’re very, very happy with the results.” Not the least of which is $2,300 raised through admissions for cystic fibrosis research. The rest of the show proceeds, including the remaining $4,600 from admissions, will be put towards various Kinsmen projects in the community. Dobben said club members received great feedback from exhibitors and customers alike, many of whom have already requested to be included in the 2012 farm show. Mark Junkin, of Mitchell, was among those who lauded show organizers for their
efforts. In a letter sent to the Community News (see page 3), Junkin said he was “blown away by the level of professionalism” of the organizers, which exceeded that on display at many larger, international shows. “The fact that this is a community-run event really demonstrates the quality of your Kinsmen Club and the community at large,” Junkin said. “You should definitely be proud of what your community has to offer.” Dobben said a lot of thanks should be given to the Drayton Rotary Club, which helped run the door, as well as minor hockey representatives, who prepared and served food. He also noted that for the first time, high school students worked at the show to obtain their volunteer hours (anyone wanted to volunteer at future shows should visit www.draytonkinsmen.ca). But Dobben said most credit for the success of the 2011 show should be given to “the whole community of Mapleton for supporting us.” More farm show coverage on page 8.
Zeal for Teal fundraiser set for April 30 at arena DRAYTON - On April 30 at the PMD Arena in Drayton, the 3rd annual Zeal for Teal Ovarian Cancer Canada fundraiser will take place. The “Fabulous 50s” theme should facilitate a rocking good time complete with hula hoops, bubble-gum blowing contests, free mini-manicures, an amazing diner dinner and much more. Funds raised at Zeal for Teal 2011 go to support “The Sunflower Seeds” team’s walk in the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. Claudia Connor, the National Walk Coordinator for Ovarian Cancer Canada in Toronto, will be making the trip to Drayton to join in the fun and to bring greetings and a hope-filled message to all in attendance. Glynis Belec, an ovarian cancer survivor, is happy to share her latest writing contribution and announce the anthology that features her “cancer story” will be released at Zeal for Teal ($5 from the sale of each book goes to Ovarian Cancer Canada and $5 goes to The Word Guild, a Canadian professional writer’s organization).
The response to Zeal for Teal has been tremendous, and Belec credits Amanda Newton, chief organizer and the “brains” behind Zeal for teal, with that success. “We have almost reached our capacity,” said Newton as she contemplated the many activities and plans for the big day. “We have had so many generous donations for our silent auction and the door prizes this year are fabulous.” Louis Latham, of Drayton, has donated the $100 grand prize once again this year (for the third time). An invitation to the event is extended to anyone who wants to come on out and see what all the buzz is about. For $5 visitors can enjoy refreshments, visit the vendor’s alley and check out the silent auction. For $10, visitors can also partake in a lovely lunch prepared by expert cooks Ann Kabbes and Yvonne Timmerman. All profits go directly to the Sunflower Seeds team. Details about Zeal for Teal can be found at zealforteal. blogspot.com. To make a donation to the Walk of Hope team, contact Glynis Belec at gbelec@bell.net. Main St. W. Palmerston
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ABOVE LEFT - Simon Grasman had no problem making himself at home at the Germania Mutual Insurance booth during the 30th annual Drayton Farm Show last week. He simply plunked himself down and munched on popcorn while his dad visited the booth. ABOVE RIGHT - Jonathon Horst and Kalie pose by a Fendt tractor at the farm show on April 7. photos by Wilma Mol, Mike Robinson
Cottagers, GRCA plan May 1 tree planting event Volunteers needed to help replace trees lost during 2005 tornado by Chris Daponte MAPLETON TWP. Almost six years have passed since a tornado ripped through this township, causing extensive damage to local forests, power lines, homes and barns. But the event is still fresh in the memories of many, including those living around Conestogo Lake - one area that was directly hit by one of two tornadoes to strike Wellington County on Aug. 19, 2005. “It was devastating at the time it occurred,” said Melanie Gualtieri, past president of the Conestogo Lake Cottagers’ Association Inc. So on May 1, with the help of a $2,500 grant from Cottage Life magazine and trees supplied by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the cottagers’ association will be planting 1,000 trees to replace those damaged by the 2005 tornado. “We still miss the trees ... we take them so for granted,” said Mary Thompson. Her cottage, which was completely destroyed by the tornado and rebuilt within a year, overlooks the area across the lake where the May 1 tree planting will take place. Thompson, who plans on taking part in the event, said cottagers themselves have tried to plant some trees, but there
is no way they alone could replace the swath of trees lost along the 2.2-hectare area that will be targeted during the May 1 event. “This is hopefully going to help that happen,” Thompson said, noting new trees are sort of a last step to the area’s recovery from the tornado. She credits Gualtieri with the idea and with securing the grant. Last September Gualtieri read about the funding opportunity in an issue of Cottage Life magazine, and with the help of Michael Bradley at the GRCA, submitted an application. A few months later she discovered her application was successful and the cottagers’ association received the $2,500 grant earlier this year. “I was totally excited,” said Gualtieri, who noted she had a good feeling about the application from the beginning. “It was super. I was just ecstatic about it.” She told the Community News many of the 400 cottage owners around Conestogo Lake did plant 500 trees some time after the 2005 tornado, but that “didn’t put a dent in [the need].” Bradley, the GRCA’s director of operations, acknowledged trees have been planted in the area since the tornado,
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Planting event - The Conestogo Lake Cottagers’ Association will be planting trees at the above location on May 1 to help replace those lost in the 2005 tornado. submitted photo but said continued plantings will help restore the destroyed forest to what it once was. “The area was completely de-vegetated, basically,” Bradley said. But it is hoped 1,000 new trees in the 40-year-old forrest hit by the tornado, located along Road 100 (the first road east of the Conestogo Dam), will help prevent soil erosion, provide wildlife habitat and improve local water quality. “Tree species selected will help to stabilize the land, and will also provide a future seed source for additional natural forest growth,” Gualtieri said in the grant application to Cottage Life. The May 1 planting will feature a mixture of the following species: red oak, cottonwood, white pine, white cedar
and gray dogwood. Bradley said the GRCA’s role is to provide the trees and the expertise on how and where to plant them, but, “It’s nice to have a big groups of volunteers to do the work.” Organizers are looking for the help of cottage owners as well as local residents, clubs, schools and councillors. “We want to have a good time that day,” said Thompson. “The more people we have, the more fun it will be.” The planting event is set for May 1 at 9am. Those interested should gather at Lot 137 and bring gloves, work shoes and shovels. There will be a free barbecue after the event. For more information email Melanie Gualtieri at melclca@ rogers.com.