1964

Howard J. Hallock was appointed auditor at the Annual Meeting held Dec.21st, 1963, when Leslie B. Curry retired. Leroy Scott was appointed treasurer. The bank balance was $289.41, up from $48.24 the previous year. Complaints were received regarding the $700 grant request from County Council. Re-elected were President Ed Eddy; first Vice-Pres. Art Dale and 2nd Vice-Pres. Robert Ewen. Mr. Ed Eddy stated we must concentrate on bringing in more junior plowmen. The entire Eddy family got involved and was instrumental in bringing new life to the association. Elizabeth Eddy, the youngest member, became the first Oxford Queen of the Furrow (in 1976). Bill Eddy, the eldest son, was coached by Bob Ewen (as well as his father, grandfather). Bob Ewen's farm was on the south side of the Governor's Road (#2 Hwy) between the 10th and 11th line where the horse barns are now. Don Taylor was secretary. Four new directors, Bob Buchanan, Stan Griffin, Les Pullen, Merle Coleman, were added to Ron Hutcheson, Doug Start, Ed Hansuld, E.V. Kennedy, Lorne Richardson, W.O. Grenzebach, Alex Henderson, Tom Pellow, Gordon Dyer, Wilfred Corp, and John Hargreaves, bringing the total to 15 (as required by OPA rules). Ron Hutcheson, in his role as weed inspector, was curious to know what a group of farmers were doing out in the middle of a field (staking out). So he went to look and got hired as a director. More hands make light work. Gordon Pittock, the new M.L.A. was named honorary president instead of Gordon Innes. The construction of a dam on the Thames River, north of Woodstock, and naming it the Pittock Dam was ridiculed by ruralites (naming it Pittock's puddle). The government had gone dam crazy.

President Ed Eddy and Ed Hansuld were delegates to the Annual Meeting of OPA in Toronto in Feb. of 1964. Ed Eddy, Wilfred Corp, Alex Henderson, and John Hargreaves selected the 1964 match site at Wray Leach farm, 4 miles east of Hickson on 97 Hwy., held Oct.24th. A new class for 4 furrow semi-mounted plows was introduced. A special class for reeves was held;- they had to plow one furrow each. Implement dealers were invited to demonstrate machinery. Coaching day was Saturday Oct.10. A hydro trailer was submitted. Mrs. Lorne Peat and the Ratho Ladies catered and made lunches.

The dates and headings of the newspaper coverage during 1964 are as follows:

Sentinel Review, Oct.13, pg.3                       Oxford Man Wins Ontario Match Title
Sentinel Review Oct.19, pg.5                        Thamesford Pair Win 4-H Test
Sentinel Review, Oct. 21, pg.10                    Don Taylor Is Institute Speaker
(Mrs. Floyd Ward commented on the motto "Life is a garden: What are you planting?")
Sentinel Review Oct. 21, pg.3                       Annual Match For Plattsville
(tomorrow) farm of John Hostetter
Sentinel Review Oct. 23, pg.3                       Cecil Wells Wins Best Team Awards;
 BLENHEIM PLOUGHING MATCH
Sentinel Review Oct.23, pg.9                        Norman Watson Guest Speaker
(at Oxford Centre Jr. Farmers)
Sentinel Review Oct. 23, pg.9                       21st Annual County Match For Ploughmen
(farm of Wray Leach, 97 Hwy)
Sentinel Review Oct.26, pg.3                        Cecil Wells Awarded 7th County Title; 1964 Oxford (text only)

At the Annual Meeting held on Dec.11th, 1964, it was moved by Ed Eddy and Lorne Richardson that, subject to the approval of W.O. Grenzebach, the East Zorra Trophy be presented to Cecil Wells. He had won it each year between and including 1960-64.
Art Dale became President, Alex Henderson, 1st Vice Pres., Ronald Hutcheson, 2nd Vice Pres. Ed Eddy, Provincial Director. Leroy Scott remained treasurer, with H.J. Hallock, auditor. The bank balance was $441.65.