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4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 24, 1999 "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" This year organizers of the Blackstock Fair held an essay contest, asking entrants to explain what it is they like most about the event. This is the winning submis- sion in the adult category. aN Fair's a family, community tradition - MR ONG i. By Glenn Larmer Blackstock Fair for me is both family and commu- nity tradition. My life time spans half of the annual Blackstock Fairs, but I've missed only one fair when I was on Vancouver Island. My parents were involved with farming, gardening and agricultural organizations. My father, Ernest Larmer, was president of this fair when I was about five. The arena was built (1937) and for a few years, was the horse barn on fair day. Dad was poultry show director. I remember the row of metal cages on the east side of the armouries. The old Presbyterian Church located where the new paving is, was used for grain and vegetable displays. : My brother Ralph, sisters Lois and Beryl and I were members of "Boys and Girls Clubs" now called 4-H. In various years we showed a calf at the Beef Club Achievement Days. Ralph, Lois and I have watched our children and now our grandchildren in 4-H compe- titions through many years. Blackstock Fair has excel- lent 4-H beef, sheep and swine shows, a real highlight of the day. My great-grandfather Charles Larmer, my father and my brother Ralph were all fair presidents. Ralph and his family exhibited Guernsey cattle for many years. I enjoyed being fair president but most of all enjoyed working as M.C. for the horse show for about 25 years. The inspiration for this was the late Ted Spencely who always made fall fairs exciting events to attend. My early recollections start when Blackstock Fair was held in October and Creighton Devitt was secre- tary. He would come to the public schools and hand out admission tickets for the fair. Later the fair dates were changed to late August in competition with a fair in Toronto. Blackstock Fair continues as an event where former residents come back to visit and catch up with com- munity changes. Community tradition is the strength that helps the fair survive. Volunteers spend hours and days getting ready for the events. The local par- ticipation in the fair parade through many years and new features like kid's world and the pedal pull contest create great interest for children and the folks that bring them. Newcomers to our area are welcomed as volunteers and directors. The names of Vernon Organizers of the Blackstock Fair held a literary con- test recently to gather interest for this weekend's festi- val. Winners in their respective divisions were, from left, Asselstine, Roly Coy, Dave Petrie and John Wolters are some of the "new" area families who have served as fair presidents. Last year I walked in the parade with my six-year- old grandson who was a scarecrow leading a pet lamb. The family tradition continues with our son Craig Larmer as president of the 1999 fair. Craig, like past- presidents Mark Graham and Lawrence Van Camp and vice-president Barry Van Camp have already been involved with the fair board for 20 years. Rachel Beechey (Grades 1-4), Nicole Beechey (Grades 5-8), and Glenn Larmer (high school and adult). The con- test was judged by The Star's Heather McCrae. Why do I like going to Blackstock Fair? Who would- n't want to enjoy free fresh-cooked sweet corn on the cob, a big midway, a keen 4-H show, a Paula Lishman Anniversary Fashion Show, Bill Lishman with Sandhill Crane migration displays and all the visiting, sights and sounds of a rural fair? If attending Blackstock Fair isn't your tradition come this year and bring a friend or come and meet friends. The Blackstock Fair takes place in the hamlet this Saturday, Aug. 28. Taking place in Port Perry, Prince Albert J. PETER HVIDSTEN/PORT PERRY STAR TRUE BLUE: The Loyal True Blue Association held their convention in Port Perry last week. The group was founded in 1870 and during the later part of the 1800s there were three L.T.B. lodges here. Above, are 1999 officers: from left, Mary Wells, Supreme Grand Secretary (Nova Scotia), Marilyn Erwin, Supreme Dept. Grand Mistress (Frankford, Ont.), Ronald Birtch, Supreme Grand Master (Greely, Ont.), Fred Thompson, Supreme Past Grand Master (Port Perry), and Daisy Harris, Supreme Grand Treasurer (Georgetown). \ fl Region starts final phase of water meter replacement The Regional Municipality of Durham is about to start work on the final phase of the water meter replacement program in the Port Perry and Prince Albert areas. The upgrade work, scheduled to begin on Aug. 23 and continue until late October, will include the replace- ment of the existing meter with a new one, and the installation of a small "remote reading device" on the out- side of the premise. A regional employee will perform installation of the upgrades, which are being done at no additional cost to homeowners. The employee, carrying regional identification, will require approxi- mately one hour to perform the neces- sary work. Upgrade work will follow this sim- ple procedure: 0 A wire, similar to a telephone cord, will be neatly run from your water meter to an exterior wall of the home. (The wire will be run to a loca- tion nearby your hydro meter, or to the front side of the house). 0 A 6mm hole, to be sealed upon completion, will be drilled to allow the wire to exit the home. Q Upon completion of the first two steps, a remote reading device (a flat black 7cm x 8cm box) will be connect- ed to the end of the wire where it exits the home. The benefits of the upgrades are numerous, including improvements to the efficiency of the reading and billing process, and enhanced cus- tomer service. "The upgrades offer many benefits to our residents," said Gerry Harness, manager of maintenance operations. "In the past our meter readers required entry into customers' homes once each year. Because of the upgrades, they will now be able to access the necessary information from the remote reading device, located on the outside of the premises." Additional benefits include the ability to detect plumbing problems. A diamond shaped dial located on the face of the new register will identify leaks. This will keep the residents bill to a minimum, said Mr. Harness. To take advantage of this program residents may call the Region of Durham Works Department, Scugog Depot, at (905) 985-7170. RR RRR RRR REET