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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 31, 1995-5 PORT PERRY STAR MUNITY Audrey's warm smile will be missed by Brock's customers Worked for three generations of the Brock family By J. Peter Hvidsten Port Perry Star The faces and fixtures have changed over the years at Brock's Department Store in Port Perry, but the one constant face for almost four decades has been Audrey Geer. Mrs. Geer has spent the past 38 years greeting customers at Brock's with her warm smile, but she now intends to spend more time with her family. "lI want to spend more time with my husband (Earl) and we'd like to do some traveling, she told the Port Perry Star in an interview Saturday. First hired by Art Brock in 1958 as a sales clerk, Audrey went on to become "one of the family," according to Marina Brock, a fifth generation Brock who now manages the 114 year old family business. While a student attending Port Perry High School, Marina worked part-time at her grand- father's store and it was here she learned "what Brock's is all about," from Mrs. Geer. Not only did Audrey teach Marina the ropes, but she also taught Bill and Claudette Brock (Marina's parents) the retail business when their father (Art Brock) became too ill to continue operating the store. Audrey was working for Bell Canada when she was first asked if she could help out for a month while the Brocks went south. Her mother (Effie Ploughman) was working at the store at the time and for a number of years they worked together. In fact, Audrey remembers one Christmas when her mother, father and daughter (Brenda) all worked at the store. Audrey can't believe the years have gone by so quickly, and she said she's enjoyed every minute. "I especially enjoyed working with the customers. There are So many nice people," she said. * Over the years, Audrey has . seen many changes at Brock's. When she first started the store sold floor coverings, draperies and wallpaper. Prior to her arri- val, Mr. Brock operated a grocery store where the men's clothing is now located. "Audrey has been a valuable employee and the family has relied on her to run the business many times in their absence," Marina said last week. After spending the best part of 40 years waiting on custom- ers, buying fashions and manag- ing the store, Audrey admits she is going to miss the job. "I'll notice a big change, and a let down for a while," she said, | adding she plans to keep vusy. Her plans include spending more time working for the Rebekah Lodge and U.C.W. of which she is a member, and if there's any extra time she'll vol- unteer in some capacity. "I certainly won't be sitting around with my feet up," she said with a smile. Although she's leaving the store this Friday, she has pro- mised the Brock's she will help out occasionally if needed. "Working for Brock's has been my life.... it's my second family," Audrey said proudly. Marina said friends and customers are invited to drop by the store this Friday, Feb. 3 in the afternoon for refreshments and a chance to wish Audrey well on her retirement. Slated for Wednesday afternoon MPP to host pre-budget discussion in Scugog Scugog residents will have an opportunity to have their say on the shape of the next provincial budget tomorrow Wednesday (Feb 1) from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Brad Ward, minister without portfolio for Finance, will attend a pre-budget consultation meeting to be held in the council chambers at Scugog Township's municipal offices. Mr. Ward, who is being brought to the area by Durham East MPP Gord Mills, has been attending a number of the sessions in com- munities in the area as the NDP government at Queen's Park prepares for its next budget. "These sessions are an opportunity to share ideas and experiences and to debate the GORD MILLS issues in a constructive way," said Mr. Mills in a release announcing the'visit. The session will begin with a short presentation on the eco- nomic and fiscal outlook for the province, followed by the dis- cussion, said Mr. Mills. | "By bringing individuals with varied backgrounds and views to the table, I am hoping that a dialogue will occur among articipants," said Mr. Mills. "If you have a different perspective than that being expressed by me or other participants, | e you to speak up." hose planning to attond the event are asked to call Mr. Mills' office at 1-800-661-2433. \ J. PETER HVIDSTEN / PORT PERRY STAR Retiring after 38 years in retail Audrey Geer has decided to retire, and when she walks out the front door of Brock's Department Store this Friday, it will end 38 years of dependable service to the family owned business. Above, Mrs. Geer is seen with a customer while store manager Marina Brock looks on. "Audrey Is like a member of the family," Marina said. Fair Board holds annual meeting "I love the fair, I love the peo- ple," is the way Janet Vernon reacted as she was presented the Agriculture Service Diploma at the annual meeting of the Port Perry Agriculture Assoc- iation Saturday night. Mrs. Vernon has been a staunch supporter and member of the association since 1977, and was shocked by the suprise presentation made by president Paul Christie. The presentation was the highlight of the Fair Board's annual meeting, at which mem- bers heard the results of the past year and elected directors for the coming year. Re-elected as President was Paul Christie, vice president Frank Fielding, 2nd vice presi- dent Rusty Hick and Chairper- son of the Homecraft Division Linda Atkinson. President Paul Christie thanked the directors for his re- election and reflected on the record breaking fair they had in 1994. "This presents a real chal- lenge this year," he said. Mr. Christie outlined the numerous projects completed in the past year, which included a third baseball diamond, demoli- tion of the old horse barn, upgrading of washrooms, and renovation of the office. "The only thing we were not able to complete was the nego- tiation of a lease," Mr. Christie said. These comments were in ref- 1, V J is oo Cratify edt an Aarinnitural #hervice Higlama ' SU pew Arn gun aed g @ooids ™ Ng poche Pe? Ferry ¥ / _ 9/0 H / sre! & erns " J § av finda iees Prete ty Rar ai Janet Vernon accepts a plaque from Fair Board president Paul Christie during the board's annual general meeting Sat- urday night. Bn a SRS AY Bae Bd fe 62 emp snrouRSs bil duds erence to difficulties the fair board had last year in trying to secure a ten year lease from Scugog Township. Last year council insisted on a termination clause in a new lease, a condition strongly opposed by the fair board. But Mr. Christie said he hoped to get together with Mayor Hall and the new council in the near future to continue negotiations. Mayor Hall spoke briefly, con- gratulating the fair board on a successful year and suggesting they should get the lease nego- tiations settled soon so everyone could get on with their jobs. aA nap 0 ty i BO a | gi | a a a a a a aa