COOKSTOWN NEWS
by Susan Stein

Lesley McInally at her Cookstown shop, 'Drift'. photo by Susan Stein

Wing Ding 2007

Trivia Questions: When was the first Wing Ding held? Who were instrumental in founding this event?

Not giving anything away, I can say, that it was many years ago, when it was held in the Village of Cookstown. Since its early beginning, as a huge Garage Sale involving Cookstown residents, shopkeepers, churches, a few vendors, South Simcoe Theatre's Strawberry shortcakes, Lions and Scouts flipping burgers and hotdog's behind the Royal Bank, it has grown in territory and in attracting hundreds of people from near and far.

For 2007 it will "Wing" it's way to new horizons, thanks to the effort of Cookstown & District Chamber of Commerce Wing Ding Committee.

The annual Cookstown Wing Ding will be held in the Village of Cookstown on June 2 & June 3d. The hours are 8 am - 6pm on Saturday and 9 am - 5 pm. on Sunday. All residents are urged to hold a garage sale on their lawns. There will be a craft area on Dufferin St. which is closed to vehicular traffic and also held behind the Royal Bank.

New this year will be "Artisan's Alley" behind the Gallery on Queen (10 Queen St..)

Also new this year will be a Beer Garden, housed in the Cookstown Curling Club, where you will be entertained with live music. On Saturday from 2 - 5 pm and on Sunday Elvis (Terry Chisholm) will be on stage from 2 pm - 6pm.

Love to dance? Come up on Saturday June 2, when sponsored by the Geranium Corporation a free dance will be held with headliners Green River Revival (CCR tribute band) and a Chuck Berry tribute.

Innisfil Events Corp will be providing the bar and proceeds will go to the MURF and the Cookstown Chamber for beautification.

The Cookstown Outlet Mall will be running a free shuttle bus from the mall to the village during the Wing Ding. Park at the Outlet Mall and shuttle over to Cookstown for all the action, fun and bargains.

Chay FM will be live at the Wing Ding on June 3rd. Don't miss this event.

Before heading out on your rounds on Saturday, stop at the Cookstown United church for delicious, fresh bacon on a bun, fresh percolated coffee and drinks.

Here the Trivia answers: The first year 1984, the originator - Melanie Indrilianus and Lorraine Brolley, who gave Wing Ding this whimsical name. They had the help of Joan McLean and yours truly in making it happen.

So come, have a merry, funfilled and bags full of treasurers day!

Jim and Marion's Trip

Jim and Marion Houghton's trip started with a flight from Toronto to London's Gatwick airport and from there for a two week journey to Devon, Cornwall and Channel Islands.

From Manchester they drove to Skipton, a village at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, visiting friends for a couple of days. They were lucky, as right then there was a "Narrow Boat" festival, with each owner decorating their boats, everyone having fun.

Next came one of the highlights of their trip - visiting the Gollings, former long time residents of Cookstown and Houghton's friends. After being picked up by Brian at the Covent Station, they drove to Brinklow in Warwickshire, where the Gollings have settled after leaving Cookstown. They were very glad to see their old friends, taking them around town, introducing them to neighbours. John took them for a walk along the canal, where narrow boats cruised by. John is very busy; he has a greenhouse full of plants ready to be planted in their garden. He has joined the Bell Ringers at the local church. They are a group of six and it is a real art, which has developed and passed down from generation to generation for over 300 years. Brian is gradually getting his workshop set up and has already completed several projects. Many Cookstown and area residents have in their possessions the beautiful walking canes he made for them. And Lillian is kept busy in charge with flowers for the church.

Crossing the English Channel by ferry, they landed on the Isle of Sark. No cars allowed. The method of transportation: horse, tractor, bicycle. The only doctor on the island does his rounds by tractor with a bucket on the back, a chair in it, in case someone has to be taken to the docks for transportation to the mainland's hospital.Sark is the smallest of the islands,only 5km long and 2km wide. The Houghtons toured the island in a horse drawn buggy, marvelling on the rugged, yet beautiful coastline.

From here to Guernsey, touring by motorcoach seeing herds of Guernsy cattle, along sandy beaches and noting, that many streets have French names, although it is an English island. During the war the island was occupied by the Germans and it still has dozens of concrete bunkers,watch towers and anti aircraft placements.

By ferry to Jersey Island, only 13 miles from the French coast. The most memorable sight was the Jerssey War Tunnel, a permanent reminder of the German occupation for almost five years during WWII. Taking the Germans nearly 3 years to build, it was designed as an armaments workshop and bombproof barracks. it was excavated by slave labourers from all over Europe, many of whom died from the horrible hardships they had to endure. In 1943, the Tunnel converted to accomodate war casualties and an hospital for emergency surgery. Also of interest was to see the Honesty boxes, placed by small farmers, selling their produce by the roadside, with customers putting the money into the boxes.

Next on Jim and Marion's itinerary, was cruising down the Dart River to Dartmouth, famous for the Royal Navy College. Then driving through the Dartmoore National Park, a desolate, huge territory. A few farmers make a living, working the rugged land with a very short growing season. Many ponies (not wild), roam over the moors and rounded up once a year to be sold at auctions. At Princeton, at the west side of the Dartmoore, is the prison where England imprisoned the most notorious criminals.

Before flying home, the Houghtons visited the Eden Project, dubbed the Eights Wonder of the World with its two Biomes (huge greenhouses), housing rainforest flora.

Death

Sympathy is extended to the family of Muriel Florence Hunter,who died suddenly in her 94th year, at Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie. She was the beloved wife of the late Jim Hunter, mother of the late Stuart Hunter (Diane) of Barrie, Debbie Walker (Gilbert) of Barrie. Loving grandmother of Scott Hunter (Eva), Nicholas Phillips (Jennifer), and Matthew Walker (Jennifer). Great grandma of Kaila Hunter, and Christopher and William Phillips. Dear sister of Audrey Martin (Jack) and the late Ian Stuart Finlayson. Aunt to Martin (Sandra), Gail Jones( Steve) and david Matin (Angela).

Visitation took place at Paul F. Kent Funeral Home, Cookstown on Wed. May 23rd, at 12:00 pm, until Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. Interment followed at St. John's Anglican Cemetery.

Many years ago, the Hunters were farming on the Broken Front, east of Cookstown, raising horses., then moving to Selby Street in the village, before settling in Barrie.

Please Note!

That the Cookstown Youth Group had donated hamperfull of items for the Food Bank. Many thanks to the gorup and their leaders.