A mix of three associations, each with a mission to promote the wise use of Minto’s historical heritage, met together for an annual meeting on March 23.
The evening commenced with a catered entrée supplemented with potluck salads and desserts.
Jim Connell, chair of the Minto Heritage Association, welcomed guests from the Minto Arts Council and the Harriston Historical Society.
June MacDonald, secretary/treasurer, recounted events from the past year and reported on the association’s financial status. It was noted that there are still copies of Barns of Minto Township, Wellington County, both Volumes 1 and 2, for sale. These make perfect gifts for family, or former residents who continue ties back home in Minto.
Project Inventory is nearing completion. A group of volunteers has been travelling township roads taking pictures of significant farm buildings (houses, barns, sheds). This establishes a base for each rural property in 2014-15 and will provide easy reference of changes in years to come.
Many Palmerston and Harriston homes have also been recorded, but Clifford has not been started.
Connell introduced the guest speaker: well known sheep farmer, humorist and former high school teacher Bob Logan.
The 84-year-old quipped that he should soon retire from the public forum, and that was evident to him when his ancient Gestetner copier gave up the ghost while he was making handouts for the night’s talk. Logan’s topic centered on agriculture and education. He stated that in 1867, 85 per cent of Canada’s population was involved in farming.
When land in this area was settled in the 1850s, schools were the first public buildings to be built, and these often doubled as churches and Orange Halls. The province was divided into sections with schools within walking distance for students.
Describing how Wellington and Perth counties have some of the best agricultural land in Ontario, Logan outlined various changes in education from the little log school houses to continuation schools and finally to high schools. Arriving at the high school section of his presentation, Logan displayed his wit through stories of his beloved Norwell District High School.
In 1945, agriculture and horticulture were taught. In 1950 a barn and greenhouse were added as provincial policies were emphasizing agriculture. Enrolment was 200.
In 1956 Logan was interviewed as a prospective candidate for a science/horticulture/agricultural teacher. Principal Eph Gray traveled to Toronto to meet with Logan and posed the usual set of questions, the final being, “Do you like hockey?” Realizing that his answer would have a bearing on his future, Logan, who only knew there was a funny shaped stick and a black rubber disc involved, quickly assured his future principal that he was an avid hockey fan. Logan started his Norwell teaching career in 1956.
During the 1970s when enrolment was above 900, agriculture was dropped from the provincial curriculum. By 2010 only 2.5% of Canada’s population was involved in farming, and in a decade Canada lost a million hectares of farmland.
Many in attendance were fellow teachers or former students. This paved the way for memories of the respected yet feared principal Eph Gray, antics from agricultural classes and field trips, and in general a great prelude to the upcoming 75th Anniversary Reunion of Norwell District Secondary School in Palmerston.
Submitted by Willa Wick
