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CELEBRATING A CENTURY IN COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER
“The rural telephone is no longer an experiment. It has ceased to be a luxury. It is now a household necessity…No farmer can…afford to be without it…”
And so begins the history published to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tuckersmith Communications Co-operative Ltd. (TCC). The statement first appeared in an issue of The Huron Expositor dated Oct. 1, 1909 by an A.E. Forbes, a gentleman eager to promote the new technology.
The history entitled, “Celebrating Our History: Tuckersmith Communications Co-operative Limited and the Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System, 1909-2009” was written and researched by Dianne Smith. It demonstrates and acknowledges the many people who helped the company evolve over the century.
In that same spirit, a celebration was held at the TCC business office in Kippen on July 25 where customers were treated to a barbecue lunch and dessert. Entertainment was provided by fiddler, Devon Martene and guitarist, Harvey Smith, as well as The Carry on Cloggers. Youngsters delighted in a “kid’s table”, candy floss, popcorn and balloons. Those who attended could also enter into a draw for some technology themed prizes, such as a home phone system, and everyone was given a copy of the history book.
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| An anniversary is never complete without cake! MP for Huron-Bruce, Ben Lobb joined TCC General Manager, Sharon Chuter in cutting the cake for the Tuckersmith Communications Cooperative’s 100th anniversary on July 25. (submitted photo) |
Sharon Chuter has been General Manager of the TCC since 1994. In the book’s opening remarks, she recalled, “I remember when the office first purchased a fax machine in 1989. The staff could not believe how quickly and efficiently documents could be sent and received. Little did we realize that this was the beginning of major advancements in technology, and in the communications industry.”
Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System (TMTS) became TCC in November of 1994 when they were officially incorporated. The company provides services to a wide area but a look at how communications have developed in Bayfield may be of particular interest.
TMTS purchased the Bayfield exchange in 1928. Telephone service had been first offered in the village in 1899 and was slowly growing. By 1938, coin boxes were installed to meet some of the increased demand for service during the summer season.
In another decade the need had grown enough that a switchboard was built in Bayfield. By the fall of 1949, there was continuous 24-hour phone service with one operator for each four-hour shift. The era of switchboard operators came to a close in the spring of 1966 when a conversion to dial telephones was made.
By 1987, TMTS moved into the digital age, becoming one of the smallest telephone companies in the country to have such modern equipment – one of only three across the nation.
Then in 2001 high speed internet was brought to the village, a revolutionary step for a telephone service serving a rural area. And finally in just the last couple of years, two new village subdivisions are using the latest in technology as the move from copper to fibre was made. This fibre-to-the-home initiative for the TCC saw the first customer hooked up in June 2008.
“Tuckersmith Communications is thrilled to be celebrating our 100th anniversary,” stated Chuter in a recent press release. “One hundred years ago the company began by providing basic telephone service; today we are a full service communications firm, offering state of the art home phone, internet, security, digital television and cellular services. This growth and development has only been accomplished with the support of our members, customers and the dedication of our staff.”
TRAIL ASSOCIATION
What do Roberta Stemp, Pat McDougall, Arlene Timmins, Shelagh Sully, Barb Scott, Roma Harris, Sondra Buchner and John and Ana Thompson have in common?
They are all Bayfield residents who have made the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain.
On July 25, the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVT) welcomed 25 hikers from across Southwestern Ontario who in addition to the people listed above, have walked, or have an interest in, the Way of St. James or El Camino de Santiago as it is known in Spanish.
And now these people have something else in common; they have all walked the Woodland Trail in Bayfield.
Tom Friesen, of Hike Ontario, arranged the walk on the local trail and all of the hikers met at the home of John and Ana Thompson for a meal of typical Spanish fare.
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| Twenty-five people with common interests hiked the Woodland Trail on July 25 as guests of the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association. (submitted photo) |
The Way of St. James is the pilgrimage to the cathedral, where legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried. St. James’ Way has existed for over 1,000 years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. It is believed that his remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.
There is no single route; the Way can take one of any number of pilgrimage routes to the cathedral including through Portugal, Spain, England, France and Switzerland. The distances vary widely from a couple of hundred kilometers to over a thousand kilometers.
The participants were able to share stories of hiking through the Pyrenees Mountains to walking through French villages and vineyards. Several people had made the trek from several points and had made a number of trips. Hikers are able to set their own pace and cover as much of the way as they can in the time they have available. For accommodation, there are hostels along the way that are organized by each of the particular trails.
During the Middle Ages, the route was highly traveled. However, the Black Plague, the Protestant Reformation and political unrest in 16th-century Europe resulted in its decline. By the 1980s, only a few pilgrims arrived in Santiago annually. However, since then, the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from around the globe. The route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in October 1987; it was also named one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1993.
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| The Makins Bridge on the Woodland Trail is a perfect spot for a photo break. (submitted photo) |
GLAD DAYS AHEAD
During the month of August, Gladioli are sold throughout Canada to heighten the awareness and understanding of Epilepsy.
This year Glad Days will be held in Bayfield on Aug. 6-7.
The flowers are sold in bunches, with five stems in a bunch. One bunch costs $5, while 2 bunches sell for $9.
If you would like to order some Gladioli in advance please contact Kathleen Siertsema at 519 565-2479. The flowers will also be available at the LCBO Plaza and Bayfield Foodland on the dates listed.
Proceeds from the sale go to support Epilepsy Huron Perth.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SERENADE
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| On the afternoon of Aug. 1, (l-r) Lisa, Charleen and Julie Soenen, three sisters from Simcoe, On. serenaded shoppers on Main Street with their musical talents. They were looking forward to attending Celtic College this week in Goderich. (Scott Bradford photo) | |
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FINISH MAKES HEADLINES
Brian Semple multi-tasked his way across the finish line. See more in photo story below... |
BRIDGE CLUB
Looking for an evening of cards?
The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club will meet next on Aug. 5 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building. The club meets on alternate Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join in the fun.
PIONEER PARK
Members of the Pioneer Park Association are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. in Pioneer Park.
On the agenda will be presentations by board and committee chairs on events, programs and maintenance of the park. Members are reminded to bring their own lawn chair.
Later that same day, Pioneer Park will play host to a popular local musical group.
The Pastels, from Goderich, will invite their audience to take a trip down memory lane with their nostalgic musical style.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs.
For more information please contact John Manness at 519 471-2280.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
One of the most popular parts of the Bayfield Fall Fair is the Youth Talent Search held on the Friday night following the opening ceremonies.
This year the date is Aug. 14. This Bayfield Competition is a preliminary for the Ontario Youth and Junior Talent Search. It will be held upstairs in the Bayfield Community Centre starting at 7 p.m.
To make the event a success contestants are needed. There are two divisions: Juniors, aged six to 12 years; and Youth, aged 13 to 21 years. Contestants are vying for the opportunity to advance to the London City Music Theatre Stage at the Western Fair in September where cash awards will be rewarded.
The entry closing date is Aug. 7. A completed entry form is required for each contestant. Participants 16 years and under require a parents signature.
For more information or to register call Susan Armstrong at 519 524-2435 or email her at armsd@tcc.on.ca
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A highlight of Saturday night at the Bayfield Fall Fair is the Beef Barbecue prepared by Jeff Cardiff. The meal will be served in the Bayfield Arena from 4-7 p.m. Advance tickets are selling now for $13 per person. Please call Jean Dunn at 519 565-5316 for tickets.
ANGLICAN
From now until Jan. 3, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto has on exhibit one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century: the Dead Sea Scrolls. Members of Trinity Anglican Church would like to invite the public to visit the exhibit with them.
The church is sponsoring a bus trip to view the exhibit on Sept. 23. The cost for the trip is $89 per person taxes included. The trip will include deluxe motor coach transportation, a meal, admission ticket to the ROM and a tour director on the coach.
The scrolls were discovered from 1947-56. Bedouin goat-herders made the discovery in a series of caves off the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. The scrolls were authored between 200 BCE and 68 CE. Over 900 separate documents were unearthed, pieced together from over 100,000 scroll fragments.
The Dead Sea Scrolls have enabled scholars to understand the textual history of the Bible and have provided new information on theological debates at the dawn of Judaism and Christianity.
To reserve a spot on the bus please call Joyce Lambert at 519 565-5023 as soon as possible.
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Trinity Church will present “Twenty-four years of the Ultimate in Recycling” when they host their annual Bayfield Antiques Show and Sale on Aug. 7-9 at the Bayfield Arena.
Over 30 professional antique dealers from across the province will bring an array of quality antiques and collectibles to the show.
The Gala Evening Opening Celebration is set for Friday from 7-9 p.m. This festive evening includes refreshments and music by Cactus Jam. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the vendors, browse and purchase unique items for their collection. Tickets for this special night are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Gala tickets are available now at The Bayfield General Store on Main Street.
Show times for the weekend are Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission on these days would be $5 per person. On these dates the church members organize a café at which they offer a delectable array of sandwiches and homemade sweets alongside coffee, tea or a summery beverage.
For more information contact Janet Snider at 519 565-5549 or email janetsnider@tcc.on.ca.
PRESBYTERIAN
Rev. Susan Moore, of Knox Presbyterian Church, invites all in the community to join her for a summer book study. The study entitled, Catch Your Breath, will be based on the book of the same name by Don Postema. The sessions will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church every other Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. The next session is set for Aug. 6. Included in the study will be a look at labyrinths and the traditions surrounding them. A meditative walk to the gardens at 13 Clan Gregor Square to experience a labyrinth first hand is also planned.
Visitors and local residents are invited to Knox Church, Bayfield to rest, pray or meditate through the hectic summer months. The doors of the church will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, from now until the end of August.
UNITED
The United Church Women will soon be kept busy baking pies for their upcoming fundraiser at the Bayfield Fall Fair. On the afternoon of Aug. 15, the ladies will run their always popular pie booth in the Bayfield Arena. |