Chair Bill Smith welcomed Trish and Vic Palmer to a meeting of the 150th Community Anniversary and 2017 Clifford Homecoming committe on Jan. 14. He expressed appreciation for their offer to organize and promote a trail walk and obstacle course as part of the homecoming attractions.
Plans for the Canada Day celebration are in high gear.
Sponsorship is still being pursued by organizers. Alieda and Lyle Murray presented the committee with a cheque for $200 from the Minto Retiree Activity Committee.
Blair Wightman, Andy Foerster and Brett Uhrig of the Clifford Firefighter’s Association presented a $1,500 donation in support of the celebration. Wightman is working with Jeremy Gibson to develop the site plan and help with the logistics of parking and making room for each activity and display.
Every month each committee is invited to share updates, concerns and compliments. Wightman shared a story of an antique clock that found its way home. He found an added bonus, an envelope containing photos and an original deed dated Feb. 1, 1877 from Francis Brown for a property in downtown Clifford.
During the homecoming event, there will be many stories to accompany each historic find, from Four Aces matchbooks to Irma Eckenswiller’s grandfather’s clock. The community’s rich history will be on display on homecoming weekend.
John Kruspe, a former Canadian Football League player with Clifford roots, is an invaluable member of the historical team of Peter Buhrow, Lynda Schmidt, Bill Raynard, Bill Ste. Marie, Mary Jean Hartwig and Georgie Hutchison.
Kruspe’s reach from Ottawa is felt right here at home. He was the one who discovered, researched, purchased, framed and delivered the Alice Hoey Shaffer display presented at the December homecoming meeting. However the entire team is focused on the goal to capture and identify photos and memorabilia to create a memory book of all things Clifford.
Historian Georgie Taylor compiled a book on Clifford with sections filled with facts, folks and folklore.
The School Reunion committee created a memory book featuring schools and Sports teams. Ray Schaus compiled a book of memories from scraps of information gleaned from Newspaper clippings, archives and firsthand accounts.
The anniversary and homecoming will be celebrated Aug. 4 to 7. For more information visit www.clifford2017.ca or on Facebook.
