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ol dR il A Jb Th, hd 4 Le Re 12- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October-6, 1992 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Bill Barr roasted By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star After doing things "his way". for the past 17 years, Bill Barr was finally forced to go along with the others. In fact, Mr. Barr had no choice as approximately 100 members and guests of the Scu- gog Chamber of Commerce §ook part in a roast on September 29 to honor their retiring secre- tary/treasurer and" past- president. "One good thing I can say about you," said long-time friend Charlie Bourgeois, "you made a lot of people happy about two weeks ago when you told them you were retiring from the chamber." For close to an hour a number of friends and colleagues took turns to roast at the man who has handled the pursestrings of the chamber for many years. The evening started inno- cently enough with Mr. Barr presenting the financial status of the organization, but the ta- bles were quickly turned when Mayor Howard Hall, who later served as master of ceremonies forthe roast, interrupted. - "For once in your life, sit down and shut up," Mayor Hall told the victim. "For once in his life he's not going to doit his way." Mayor Hall kicked off the roast by stating "I've probably known him longer than any oth- er person in the community and I'm not proud of'it." The mayor explained that when he suggested to the cham- ber that Mr. Barr be honored for his years of service and a vote was taken "it was defeated." Despite that vote, Mayor Hall decided he should find some people to say some complimen- tary things about Mr. Barr, "but there weren't any," he ex- plained. Mr. Bourgeois, a long-time friend and neighbor of the Barrs, was the first speaker to roast Mr. Barr. Mr. Bourgeois recounted many of the humorous adven- tures and business ventures the two had together. And although they had many pleasurable ext, periences together, he says the most pleasing moment was when Mr. Bourgeois's wife told It now can be boasted That Barr has been roasted Both rare & well-done too My thanks to each member For a night to remember In retirement, I'll oft' think of you! Bill Barr Past President % ONTARIO HYDRO WHERE: WHEN: TIME: IS PLEASED TO CUSTOMERS TQ ATTEND A FREE ENERGY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT: REDUCING YOUR HEATING BILLS WINTERIZING YOUR HOME VENTILATION & MOISTURE PRO ENERGY MISER TIPS ONTARIO HYDRO'S 7:00 P.M. - BLACKSTOCK COMMUNITY CENTRE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992 9:00 P.M. BLEMS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Ken Carruthers. him the Barrs had moved to Seagrave. Ted Griffen, who along with Mayor Hall was instrumental in beginning the Scugog Cham- ber of Commerce, also took time to roast Mr. Barr, also known as "Birdhouse Willy." Mr. Griffen praised Mr. Barr for his dedication and hard work he devoted to the chamber over the years. "If there's anything that has to be done, Bill will do it," he said. In closing Mr. Griffen said, "I hope you build birdhouses for- ever, because you're buying the wood from us." Perhaps the lightest moment of the evening came when Stew- art Nicholson, from the Lindsay Pipe Band, recounted the expe- riences of setting up the annual Scottish Tatoo Festival with Mr. Barr. He remembered one year that "arranging the bands was no problem until Bill wanted to be apartofitand weara kilt." ENERGY MISER SEMINAR PRESENTED BY ONTARIO HYDRO INVITE THEIR RESIDENTIAL MISER SEMINAR. Bill Barr was honored for his 17 years of Barr was the subject of roast t participate In the evening were o recogniz (left) Mayor Howard H Rh # a With the help of Mr. Nichol- son's brother Willy, they dem- onstrated the size of the kilt that was needed to cover Mr. Barr's girth, which wrapped two-and-a-half times around Willy's waist. "I almost changed Bill's name from Birdhouse Willy to Hagus McBarr," he said. In preparing for the roast, Mr. Nicholson said he researched the Barr name, to discover that the family's main claim to fame was stealing sheep. "Only two Barrs were ever caught stealing sheep, so you must have done something right," hesaid.. A number of women were also given a chance to take shots at Mr. Barr, including Miriam Price and Mr. Barr's wife Shir- ley. But Debbie Jones, along-time friend of Mr. Barrs, delivered perhaps the most embarassing portrayal of him when she re- counted his involvement as Santa Claus in the annual pa- rade. service with the Scugog Chamber of Commer . Mr. e his retirement as secretary/treasurer. On hand to all, Shirley Barr, and Chamber president at chamber meeting She remembers getting a phone call from Mr. Barr beg:- ging for a ride home from a local watering hole. Upon arriving she found a rather disheaveled Santa Claus standing in the middle of a blinding snowstorm directing traffic. Despite this memory of Mr. Barr, Mrs. Jones claims "He's a fine fellow, he'sonly aging." Following the good natured ribbing of the friends and col- leagues, it was Mr. Barr's turn to speak. And although he could have sought revenge, he took the opportunity to reflect back over the years. "We've had a lot of fun on the board over the years," he said. He also took the opportunity to call for unity and cohesive- ness among all the community members of the chamber, some- thing he has attempted to main- tain over the years. "We are the Scugog Chamber of Commerce," he said. "We are representatives of all the busi- ness communities." In closing chamber president Ken Carruthers summed up in a few simple words the value of Mr. Barr to the organization. "The greatest problem the next board will have is that they're not going to have Bill Barr. There is no way to replace his love of the community and love of the chamber." It was perhaps fitting that the night ended with a taped song, performed by Pete Kneale, ent1- tled "Bill did it his way." HIGH EFICIENCY WOODSTOVES & FIREPLACE INSERTS - Solid Cast Iron * - Large Clean Glass ° - Easy Ash Removal Drawer INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS FREE REGISTER BY CALLING SO REGISTER EARLY. IF YOU ARE INFORMATION SEMINAR, PLEASE (416) 623-2561. 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