The Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society held its annual general meeting on Nov. 25 at the Drayton agricultural building.
The evening began with a presentation by guest speaker and life coach Helen Murray.
The former Drayton resident is the author of a newly-released book I Just Want to Be Happy. As a mother of four, Murray finds motivation in family.
During her lifetime, Murray experienced heart break with the loss of a brother at a young age, a nephew in a boating accident in June of 2000 and the diagnosis of a grandchild with mental and physical challenges.
After 14 years of employment with the same firm, Murray was made redundant, losing a six figure income in the process.
As she was not a high school graduate and has only completed some college courses, she says she was deemed unemployable.
“I believe that we go through things for a reason and are able to help people who have suffered,” Murray said.
“My faith brought me through these heart breaking events in my life. I knew that there was something more for me and the loss of my job enabled me to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
Murray took time off, relaxed, regrouped and focused on a family wedding.
Upon hiring a life coach, she learned to face her fears and found she was tired of “living but not being alive.”
While working with her life coach she grew to realize that life coaching was the career she would like to pursue. The healing process and growth she experienced in a few short months was encouraging to Murray.
She admitted changing one’s life can be scary but with focus, desire, guidance, practice and consistent effort, lives change.
“I believe the purpose of life is to find happiness. Life happens for us, not to us. So take charge of your life now. Don’t wait until the kids are bigger, the house is paid for or new cars are sitting in the driveway,” Murray said.
“Invest in yourself and make changes now.”
Fair a success
The meeting continued with director’s reports from a number of events held at the Drayton Fair.
Overall, members felt the fair was a success with a good beef cattle show, demolition derby and truck and tractor pulls.
Entries into the pulls exceeded the time available for pulling and decisions will follow regarding changes to these events at the 2017 fair.
The number of exhibitors registered in the dairy and sheep shows increased. Two exhibitors in the sheep show took Supreme Honours at the November Royal Winter Fair held in Toronto.
Although an increase occurred in hay and grain exhibits, organizers would like to see additional entries.
New to the fair was local horse owner Chet Martin and his reining demonstrations.
The heavy horse show committee members declared the 2016 show the best horse show in a number of years.
Classes in horticulture, culinary crafts, pickles and preserves, leisure arts and crafts were all consistent. For the first time in five years there were no empty classes in the pickles and preserves category.
A large increase in exhibitors in the Jean Campbell specials were noted.
President Jim Zantinge’s report stated the society has made updates to the agricultural building with concrete work and painting. An air conditioner was installed in the hall, which resulted in increased rentals for the organization. Renovations will continue to the building as funds allow.
The Millennium Service Award was presented by Zantinge to dedicated volunteer Roy Bowman.
Helen Moffat received the Lady Fair Directors Award for most points in baking, home crafts and pickles and preserves.
The Arlene Martin Memorial Trophy for most points in horticulture by a Mapleton resident was presented to Sharon Beer.
Canada’s 150th birthday will be the focus of the 2017 Drayton Fair.
For more information on the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society and the Drayton Fair, contact Arlie 519-638-3323.
