Harry Stemp July 16, 2009
Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
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A pleaseant Sunday
?Had a pleasant Sunday being invited to be part of two wonderful celebrations - although they were at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The first was a fly-in memorial service held in the hangar at the Greenbank Airport. During the service attendees remembered several friends of the airport who had died during the previous year. Notable was Micky Jovkovic, owner of the airport, who died suddenly last August in a tragic air crash just a few hundred feet from where we were sitting.
It was a very moving service, especially when Dorothy Jovkovic, widow of Micky, gave a wonderful talk on life with and without Micky and the friends who rallied and helped her through her grief and also to keep the airport operating.
It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. The view from the airport property was magnificent, the talented musicians were appreciated and the fellowship of meeting with old friends was a great way to kick off a Sunday.
We all left with the good feeling that our friend Dorothy was doing okay, and the Greenbank Airport was still an important and vibrant part of our community.
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The second event was more upbeat. Cosmos columnist and treasured Uxbridge resident Ted Barris had reached the age of 60, and as Ted awoke Sunday morning he had absolutely no idea that over a hundred family and friends would gather in the Music Hall to celebrate his birthday.
Neighbor Ronnie Egan lured Ted to the party seeking help for a fictitious Community Care event she needed to attend. Always eager to help, Ted fell hook, line and sinker for her story and when he walked into the Music Hall and the crowd broke into a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, I am sure he was in total shock.
What followed was a fun-filled few hours of reminiscing through stories and memories by family and friends. Not difficult when you realize that, over the years, Ted has enjoyed a very successful career. This has included stints in broadcasting, but more important are the many books he has authored recording Canada’s military history, and covering the lives of numerous veterans and their families. For so many of us, his books have brought to life the men and women, Ronnie Egan included, who left Canada to fight and risk their lives so that we can enjoy life and freedom in the Canada that we know and love today.
For the last 20-some years Uxbridge has been the benefit of Ted's endless enthusiasm and energy for any community project. There is hardly an Uxbridge and area organization that hasn't benefited from having Ted on board, be it as an organizer or the MC of one of their functions. As well Ted is a well-read columnist in the Cosmos.
It was a fun afternoon, and I was so pleased to be invited to attend and share a cold one with Ted, his family and a lot of friends I had not seen in a while.
Happy Birthday, Ted. May you have many, many more.
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Not an expert on women's brassieres, although I have gathered some considerable knowledge over my many years. However, reading an article by Dr. Clifford-Jones I thought I should pass along a serious warning to all my female readers.
The doc issued a warning to all women who wear 'under-wired' bras after two women in England were killed instantly when lightning struck the wire in their bras and 100,000,000 volts ripped through their body.
How bizarre is that? But better be warned than be fried.
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A tip of the hat this week to Canadian Tire owner Pat Higgins, for being named Citizen Of The Year by readers of the Times-Journal.
Can't think of an organization or important community project that does not carry the Canadian Tire logo and receive the personal support of Pat.
Uxbridge is blessed with hundreds of unsung community volunteers who go about their community service work without any thought of recognition or thanks.
Thus it is wonderful to see someone like Pat Higgins being recognized for his good works. Take a bow, Pat. Your award is well deserved.
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If the weather holds the way they are forecasting, Elgin Park will be a busy place this weekend. It's the 2nd Annual Uxbridge Legion Ribfest and it promises to be bigger and better than the one we enjoyed last year, and it starts Friday night and goes right through until Sunday afternoon.
Plenty of those delicious ribs as well as a variety of other foodstuffs, midway, craft show and Uxbridge Avenue featuring many of our local businesses.
Both Saturday and Sunday morning the Lions will be holding their delicious pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. Added this year will be a classic car show running Sunday from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
And plenty of entertainment from Friday night right through Sunday, and a special feature this year is a Youth Talent Show on Sunday afternoon.
Lots of fun. Lots to do. And the best part - free admission. Hope to see you there.
