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PLY BS ay LYS Leslie Smith enjoys 60 years of plowing matches by Heather McCrae When Les Smith was 12 years old he started competing at local plowing matches and today, sixty years later, the Sunderland farmer is still tilling the land. Les Smith grew up on a farm south of Aurora. When his two older brothers began doing "reasonably well" at plowing matches he became interested in this type of event too. Before World War II he plowed at three International lowing Matches. During the war these events ceased, however, when the battle ended the IPMs started up again in 1946. In total, he told the Citizen, he's plowed at 17 International plowing competitions. In 1949 Les married Ruth Gohn, from Markham Township and the two lived in a house situated on the Smith's farm. By then Les had his own dohn Deere tractor and was doing custom work for neighbours, including plowing, filling silos and threshing. Nine years later Les and Ruth bought Reg Johnson's farm south of Sunderland and have been farming at Teledale Farms since. Les told the Citizen he plowed at the IPMs until 1970. "The next year he became a qualified plowing), both plowed at the International meet and both walked away with red ribbons! Coached by his dad, Ted continued to plow at many competitions and, while Norma never took an active interest in plowing while growing up, dhe's involved in it now. She and her judge and started judging at husband, Jim, are co- local competitions and at every secretaries of the Durham IPM "and haven't missed a Rama Mara Plowmen's year since" he said. Plowing A iation and their daugh matches usually start around Heather Ferguson, was the end of August and run until late October. "Sometimes I'd be recently crowned the 1994 Queen of the Furrow for away judging for 12 days at a Durham Rama Mara stretch" he told the Citizen. Plowmen"s Association. : Across Canada hes judged at Jim's brother is also a four Canadian' Plowing Matches and, while he's never plowed or judged at a World at World competitions. Competition, he's attended Just to keep on top of things, three of the latter events. i Les is required to attend a In 1963 the International and Jddging school every three or World Plowing Matches were four yearg and next year will be held jointly at Conn Smythe's ov | one farm in Caledon. Les and his County. son, Ted, who was 12 years old The Sunderland farmer and at the time (the same age as Ivan DeGeer were also when his father started Turn to page 29 champion plowman and has represented Canada four times in Simcoe Sunderland farmer Leslie Smith was first bitten by the competitive plowing bug when he was 12 years old. Today, at age 72, he's still plowing and judging. See story. + NESBITT BURNS INVESTMENT SERVICES + with John A. Grove, Senior Investment Advisor Invest your time before you invest your money ... Plan to attend a FREE INVESTMENT SEMINAR! 'HOW TO SURVIVE IN TODAY'S ECONOMY! | RRR, Shirley Road Port Perry. L] L - - L] Ll L] L] - L] - 0 RRSP investments . Ll L] a L] a % WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7t from 7 00 to 8:30 PM At STABLES at GREYSTONE WE WILL DISCUSS : NAME : (905) 985-1559 Q Safe Investments for conservative people Q Safety-proofing your retirement ADDRESS : Q Economic outlook and interest rates Q Investment planning Q Retirement planning PHONE : RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST! Call : Caroline Hooper (416) 586-1035 or Darrin Dorosz (416) 586-3849 (Collect). If you are unable to attend but would like further information, call Caroline or check the appropriate boxes and return to : NESBITT BURNS, 150 King Street West, 20th Floor, Sun Life Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3W2. Attn: John A. Grove. Q Can't make.it to the Seminar but would like to receive FREE Newsletter. EE ER EE AE Es RE EE EN EE EE EE EE "sss ssssssEEEsEEnEnsnnny