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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 28, 1987 -- § Viewpoint by John B. McClelland EN TOBACCO WAS KING Hard to believe that the first of August is fast ap- proaching and August is the downside of another summer. . This time of summer always brings back a few memories for me, some pleasant, some of them pain- ful. August was the month many years ago when I us- ed to join the army of thousands and descend on the tobacco belt of Ontario. The tobacco industry these days has fallen on hard times. The demand for tobacco has declined. Farmers are going under, wondering what to plant in the soft san- dy soil in that belt of Ontario that stretches across the north shore of Lake Erie. Times may be tough in the tobacco belt, now, but back in the 60's tobacco was king in places like Delhi, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Tillsonburg. And August was harvest, a time of tremendous activity in that part of Ontario. The tobacco plant is a peculiar kind of weed. When the large green leaves start to ripen the first week in August, those who grow the stuff begin to get a little frantic. They know they have but a few short weeks to get their entire year's work out of the fields. An early frost is disaster for tobacco plants, likewise a hail storm, even a heavy rainfall can greatly damage the fragile I wasn't very old when I first hit the tobacco fields to work as a primer (picker) and I made it through several harvests. Tobacco played a big part in paying my way through school, but some of the experiences will stick in my memory forever. . My first harvest, the going rate of pay was $14 per day plus room and board. There was a $1 per day bonus if a primer stuck it out to the end of harvest. For someone who has never been in the tobacco fields during harvest, there is just no way to describe the activity, the atmosphere, the way of life. Even though for me it was many years ago, some of the memories are so fresh they might have taken place just last week. I can still see the park inn downtown Simcoe crowd- ed with workers camped there waiting for farmers to come into town to get their gangs of primers, boat drivers and kiln hangers. It was a rough crowd. There were always lots of fights and a few stabbings. Some restaurants in Simcoe had large signs in the front door boldly stating "tobacco workers not welcome inside." Landing a job was easy and eventually most found work. Sticking with it was the hard part. Tobacco ripens from the ground up so the first cluster of leaves to be primed (picked) are right at ground level. A full day priming the sand (ground) leaves stooped over walk- ing up and down the endless rows sent a lot of people looking for easier ways to make summer wages. farm to farm. I was lucky. The farms I worked (with one notable exception) provided good food, clean bunk- houses, hot showers in the greenhouse. The one excep- tion was a dismal place. The "bunk-house" was a cor- ner of an old hog barn, the washroom was anywhere you pleased, there was no hot water and the food was bread and fried bologna three times a day. I walked away after a couple of days, the farmer cursing me to high heaven and wondering why his crews kept quitting on him. Back in the 60's, a successful tobacco farmer with 100 acres made big money. Many of them lived in big, rambling, ranch-style homes and they like big cars -- Buicks and Oldsmobiles -- and new half ton trucks every year. The smart farmers treated their harvest workers decently for they knew it would cost them money if guys were constantly walking out during the harvest. One lost day could spell a big difference when the profits were counted at the end of the year. The really good farms would have the same primers, kiln hangers and table gang return year after year. Most days, work in the fields started at 7:00 a.m. and the length of the work day was entirely dependent on how quickly the priming gang filled their quota. A gang that worked fast and took no breaks at the end of each row could be finished by early afternoon. It was mind-numbing work. The dew on the leaves left you con- stantly soaked in the morning. You sweltered in the hot afternoon sun. Always during harvest, there was an air of urgen- cy. The farmer wanted his tobacco out of the fields and safely in the drying kilns before that early frost of devastating hail storm. The harvest gangs grew to hate the site of tobacco leaves and worked just to see the end, leaves, not to mention blights, moulds and bugs that can leave a tobacco farmer broke. Living conditions for the hired help varied from Yesterday's | Memories 70 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 26, 1917 Mr. Fred Turner's barn in Prince Albert was struck by lightn- ing and totally destroyed by fire. Pte. Wm. Belknap of Prince Albert, who was previously reported sick, is now officially reported missing. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 30, 1942 Messrs. George Emmerson and Gordon Carnegie reported on Monday morning for training in the Dental Corps. Miss Dorothy Tristram, who is doing Land Army work at Niagara, was home for the weekend. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 25, 1957 Peter Lawrence, David Mosienko and Allan Bailey, members of a Port Perry High School trio, took part in an Amateur Musical Contest at Peterborough Fair and won first prize of $25.00. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 27, 1967 Dr. D.J. Price, president of Peel's Poultry Farm Ltd., has an- nounced the appointment of D. Hillier as Sales Manager for the company. Miss Collette Michon, Quebec, who is on the inter-provincial ex- change of 4H club members was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Larmer and family, Blackstock, last week. Joel Aldred, with the help of another driver, are on their way to Wabush, Labrador, with a new truck purchased from Beare Motors. The truck will be used there for delivery of mail and parcel post. This is the third such truck Mr. Aldred has purchased from Beare Motors Ltd. since he established "Dumphy Aldred Limited." Mr. Peter Hvidsten, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Hvidsten, Ux- bridge, publishers of the Uxbridge Times Journal and the Port Perry Star, joined the staff at the Port Perry Star. Peter was previously employed by the Ontario Provincial Savings Bank in Toronto. Tweedsmuir Tea, sponsored by the Honeydale Women's Institute, the first Tweedsmuir Tea to be held in this locality took place July 20, 1967, at the home of Mrs. Roy Cornish, who is the curator of the Tweedsmuir History. Mrs. Oscar Edwards. the first president, poured tea in the afternoon and Mrs. Lawson Honey, the second presi- dent, poured tea in the evening. 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 27, 1977 > Hobbs Beverages, formerly Port Perry Beverages, one of Port Perry's oldest and most familiar businesses, ceased operation throw- ing six employees out of work. Soft drink bottling production was stopped July 8 and by last week the company's assets were up for ae im Heayn of Port Perry was seeking public support to have the provincial Ministry of the Environment bring in aquatic harvesters to get rid of some of the weeds in Lake Scugog. Letters To The Editor: I would very much like to clear up a grievious misunderstanding con- cerning the use of your van. (Scugog-Uxbridge Handi Transit Inc.). This vehicle is for use by all handicapped people, whether or not you are in a wheelchair. This in- cludes canes, walkers, crutches etc. It will also accommodate a compa- nion with the handicapped person. Responsible decision To The Editor 'My compliments to Borelia Co- Op, builders of the new townhouses on Scugog Street in Port Perry. I was thrilled to hear from a new resident that before she could move in to her townhouse, she must have a dog tag for the current year. She was also informed that when her dog is of an age to be spayed or neutered, this must also be done. I wish more builders would be so It will take you to serious appoint- ments (doctors office), but will also take you for fun things. Shopping, bank, beauty salon, name it! You can go too, whether your date is here in town, or Oshawa, all you must do is call Oshawa. Phone 571-1252 and make the ar- rangements in advance. You can always cancel at the last moment if "you need to. thoughtful regarding pets. It not on- ly provides identification for the pet, but prohibits indiscriminate breeding. These rules instill more thought of responsible pet ownership. Thank-You, Ann Barrett, Animal Control Officer, Uxbridge-Scugog Township. Experienced riders To The Editor: Durham Region horseback riding for the Handicapped Association is seeking experienced riders with their own horses to take part in our Ninth Annual Ride-A-Thon (25 Kilometre Trail Ride) on Saturday, Sept. 19, 1987 from Hoskin Stables in Blackstock. Trophies will be awarded to in- dividual riders with the highest ear- nings, to the group or stable with the highest earning, and to the first and 'second place Junior highest earn- ings. Lunch will be provided. For further information, registra- tion and pledge sheets, please con- tact one of the following before Sept. 10, 1987. HOSKIN STABLES BLACKSTOCK 986-5558 TERRY GOULET OSHAWA 571-3122 Funds raised will be used to cover the cost of riding lessons, special equipment and insurance for our disabled riders Handi Transit waiting for call I join with a lot of other people who would hate to see this much needed and worked for service disappear because of NON-USE. S00000, come on all you people -- get up! and get out! Thanks for letting me have my say. Bonnie Windsor ( Driver of the Handi Transit Van) Port Perry High St. drainage problems Scugog's roads superintendent has been given the go-ahead by council to investigate the cost to the town of alleviating water problems in the High St. area of Highway 7A. After considerable debate at Mon- day's council meeting, members of Scugog Council told Ron MacDonald to find out exactly how much it would cost to run a drainage system from the High St./Hwy. 7A area of the town southward to link up with storm sewers on Blossom Court or (Turn fo page 6) ter to the editor. Letters to the Editor. ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. . We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. v