Wednesday, April 4, 2007 · Page 14 Gosfield North Communications honoured for 100 years of service BY ANDY COMBER A hundred years of service by Gosfield North ommunications Co-opertive Limited (GNCC) was ecognized at their annual eeting in Cottam March 7. "Alexander Graham Bell ade history when he ttered a few words to his ssistant over the world's irst telephone," wrote anada's Governor General ichaëlle Jean, in a conratulatory letter to GNCC. Now, the Town of ingsville is celebrating 00 years of telephone service in its community." "I congratulate the staff f Gosfield North on this omentous occasion," she rote. Further congratulations ere presented from unicipal, provincial and ederal representatives. "Your ongoing support f local initiatives has elped our community njoy telecommunication xcellence, delivered with a ersonal touch" stated ssex MP Jeff Watson. "I ish you another 100 years of success." "You can be proud of ed greetings. "We have been extremely fortunate to have such a caring and dedicated friend and supporter," wrote Community Living's Executive Director Nancy Wallace-Gero. "The contributions you continue to provide our community are an example of your true community spirit." At the meeting, Gosfield North Communications further demonstrated their partnership with the community by presenting $1,000 to Justin Stevenson, a local Grade 8 student who is preparing to serve in the legislative page program this spring at Queen's Park. The funds will help support Justin during his stay in Toronto. A number of old telephones, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia were on display at the A CENTURY OF SERVICE Gosfield North Communications Co-operative marked their 100th anniversary with a donation of $1000 to Justin Stevenson, a local Grade 8 student who is serving as a page in the Ontario legislature. From left: Wayne Gunning, vice-chair, Ed Gibbs, director, Linda Stevenson, director, Justin Stevenson, Larry Patterson, chair, and Marion Phaneuf, director. your accomplishments and continuous growth over the years," wrote Essex MPP Bruce Crozier. "Best wishes for continued success in the future." In attendance, Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos brought personal greetings and congratulations to mark the 100th anniversary. "They are always giving back to the community," said Santos, "It shows the entrepreneurial spirit we have, not just in Kingsville, but in southwestern Ontario. Small business can thrive here." The community, including Community Living Essex County, also extend- meeting, showing the significant change in communications over the last 100 years. "One of the major challenges is keeping up with technology," said GNCC General Manager Paul Meanwell, speaking of the telephone independent company that provides high-speed data, Internet, cellular and local telephone service for its 1700 members. Meanwell noted the changes in communications, from the time Gosfield North residents would be connected by a local telephone operator to today's high tech fibre optic networks that connect the world. "Today, we can provide high speed Internet to virtually all our members," he said. Origins of family planning focus of historical society meeting BY BILL GAY The annual meeting of the Essex County Historical Society was held last Thursday, March 29, at the Essex Railway Station. The guest speaker was Karis Hurst, a history major from the University of Windsor, who spoke on the topic of family planning in Windsor. Hurst said family planning in Windsor had its origins at the Parents Information Bureau, which began operations during the Depression in Kitchener. Affluent women always had access to contraception information, but most poor families did not, she said. With thousands on relief for years during the Depression era, interest in birth control became not only a social but also an economic choice. Families simply couldn't afford more children. Fatality in childbirth was the third most common cause of death in women. It was only in 1969 that the distribution of contraceptives became legal. This was in concert with the Trudeau government's policy of getting the state out of the bedrooms of the nation. The society's next event will be the Botsford lecture. The date has yet to be announced. ECHS also elected its slate of officers for the new year Past President - Pat Brode; President - Anita Chad van der Muren, B.Sc., R.M.T. REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST 4 Whitewood Avenue, P.O. Box 69, Cottam, ON N0R 1B0 Phone: 519-839-6393 Email:cvandermuren@gosfieldtel.com Karis Hurst is flanked by Dr Larry Kulisek of the University of Windsor History department and Anita Colley, president of the Essex County Historical Society, at their annual general meeting held at the Essex Railway Station. Colley; Vice-President - Dr. Trevor Price; Treasurer Bill Gay; Director and Newsletter Publisher - Don Tupling; Director - Ken Turner. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS Essex Parks & Recreation Presents... AT THE ESSEX RECREATION COMPLEX 242 TALBOT ST. N, ESSEX (NEXT TO EDHS) Join us for an evening of fun where we watch a selection of Hollywood's greatest films on the BIG SCREEN, TICKETS ONLY MONTHS BEFORE HOME VIDEO RELEASE!! $5.00 SHOW TIME STARTS AT 7:00 PM Friday, April 13, 2007 Friday, May 18, 2007 For More Information, Please Contact Us At: 519-776-8992