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mp" Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, January 16, 1996-- 15 - Walter Wright sells fence repair business by Heather McCrae For the first time in 40 years Walter and Audrey Wright will be taking a summer holiday this year. As of the first of this month Walter sold the electric fencer service business he's started in 1955. Initially starting part- -time in 1956 the After repairing electric fence controllers for th e past 40 years, Walter Wright of Blackstock, sold his business on January 1. See story. grew to a full- time undertaking in 1985. "It's a seasonal business" Walter told the Citizen recently, spanning from the first of April to the end of October, mostly when cattle are out on pasture. Because of the nature of his work he and Audrey weren't able to take a summer vacation but that's going to change this year. Walter was born and raised in Cartwright on a farm West of where they live now, in the area then known as Egypt. In his early twenties he had trained as a commercial radio operator with the Merchant Marings and served three years sailing on the Eastern Mediterranian, Indian Ocean and along the east coast of Africa. Later he signed up with Project addresses issue of rural domestic abuse by Barbara Weese, P.H. Ec., Rural Community Advisor, O, "RA The issue oFfdomestic abuse is not limited to urban or particular population groups. Rural communities also feel the effects of abuse. However, current solutions, programs, services, or prevention are at times not consistent with the unique geographical characteristics, or farm and rural values. Without minimizing the severity of the problem or the shattered lives involved, opportunities for a community responsetto this social problem exists within the positive networks of the rural community. The Ontario} Farm Women's Network (OFWN) is addressing this issue with just such a concept in mind. The OFWN is developing an approach for promoting a community-based response to the problem of domestic abuse in rural communities, A pilot project funded by the Trillium F individuals = for the facilitator role in the ten regions. Many agencies and individuals have Pidesied interest. nyone interested in more details of the project or becoming involved in the project can contact: The Runal Abuse Project, Box 61, Belmont Ontario, NOL 1BO phone 519-644-0316 or Donna Lunn, Project Co- ordinator, RR#1 Belmont Ontario, NOL 1BO phone/fax 519-644-0136. Course dates Many farmers have received a renewal notice for their Grower Pesticide Safety Certificate. You are among almost 18,000 other farms in the province who i register for a Course this fall and winter. The Certificate became mandatory on April 1, 1991, and while other farmers have been renewing over the last 5 years, the majority of farmers will be renewing this year. In addition, there will be farmers wishing to obtain a certificate for the first time. The Grower Certificate is required for farmers to purchase and use Schedules 2 and 5 pesticides on their farm. There are pesticides in Schedule 3 that are used by farmers that do not require a Certificate, however in many cases farmers will be using at least one of the products requiring a Certificate. Vendors request a valid Grower Pesticide Safety Certificate from farmers buying Schedules 2 and 5 pesticides. Please pre-register as soon as possible for the date you wish to attend. These dates are available by calling the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs office in Port Perry at 905-985- 2008 or 1-800-263-8023. will train facilitators in ten regions across Ontario who, in turn, will trgin individuals from within local communities. It is these local people who will become facilitators of community workshops, ¢ coalition creation and strategy building. The OFWN is currently at the stage of contacting FROM CUSTOM SPRAYING TO BUILDING, HOME & FARM SUPPLIES! Ken Carson - Feed & Crop Sales Allan Howell - Lumber Manager : KAWARTHA CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE INC. Horws, Farm, Gardin & Bailing Smpplic ® FARM @ SEED ® FERTILIZER ® CHEMICALS 4141 Kent & + Sutton 905.722.5151 7. Undsay 705-324-7761 the Federal Department of Transportation, working in the remote North of several provinces. Back in the forties the airways were marked out by a series of ¢ stations known as radio ranges. Walter's job was to keep these stations operating correctly, providing enroute communications with aircraft. Also noting weather observations, he delivered this - information to distant forecast offices. After resigning fram the ministry in 1955 Walter returned to Cartwright to take over the family farm, raising hogs and dairy cattle. Electric fencing was used to keep the animals in the field and when a fence controller broke down Walter soon discovered no one nearby fixed them. So, all the experience he'd gained working with radios in the Merchant Marines and the ministry were ' put to use and he began repairing the metal boxes. Soon word spread about a, farmer in Cartwright who could repair electric fence controllers. The business grew by 'word of mouth' Walter told the Citizen. He never "started to advertise until he went * into the business full time in 1983. People from all over Ontario brought their faulty controllers to him; he rarely went to the farms. During the interview with the Citizen Audrey showed me a map of Ontario where she'd marked all the towns and cities Walter's customers came from. His. clientele stretched across the entire province, including a dozen or so customers from Quebec and a few from the US, too. "Electric Fencer Service Fast Reliable Repairs" is how his ad read and he was true to his word. "Farmers are always in need of having something fixed and want it done today or sooner" he grinned. What he liked best about the business was meeting the people and achieying satisfaction by being able to help out. h Audrey said they lived with fencers in the kitchen for 38 years. "But that wasn't a problem, you just walked around, ' them" she smiled. Walter showed me an invoice for two transformers, dated July 6th, 1957. They were sold to him at $3.25 each and because he paid cash 25% was deducted. "That same transformer. today sells for $25. and then there's COD charges and postage on top of that too" he said. Having just sold the business to Dale VanCamp, Walter is about to retire but doesn't plan on staying idle. "When you retire, you have to have something to maintain your interest otherwise you're not going to be here long" he smiled. "I've seen too many (people) literally retire and six months later we're burying them. I'm not. anxious for that to happen to me" he mused, Now 176, he plans to continue his hobby of woodworking and the couple will be planning a four d Ss, vacation tag. HUSQVARNA'S CHAINSAW MASSACRE HUSQVARNA 61 Reg. $669.95 SAVE $170. Now Only: $499.95 HUSQVARNA 40 Robust and easy starting. Very smooth idle. Combination start setting and choke control. LowVib chain. Slim-line body. Low noise ' levels and low fuel consumption. Reg. $429.95 SAVE $70. A power, well-proven saw. Versatile, will accept bars from 15° to 20°. Extra large alr intake cools engine for reduced noise levels and fuel consumption. w See us for your SAFETY EQUIPMENT HW CUTTER BOOTS Bm GLOVES HM SAFETY HELMETS B® CHAPS ® SUSPENDERS SHARPENING KITS Sees UTICA Sige Farm Equipment Limited 2 Miles West of Manchester on Durham 21 985-9701