50 years of fundraising – The history behind the Honeywood BBQ

July 23, 2015 · 0 Comments

There are still a few of folks around who remember the very first Honeywood Beef Barbeque 50 years ago this summer. “The event of the year” as it was known began in the 1965 after the Honeywood Arena, now also known as the North Dufferin Community Centre, was lost to fire and the community rallied to raise the funds needed to replace it.
Heather Hayes Deputy Mayor of Mulmur and long time Honeywood BBQ volunteer and organizer shared some of the history of the event to the Free Press including this quote from the Shelburne Free Press and Economist in 1965:
“Honey wood arena burned down around 11 a.m. on January 24, 1965 by unknown origins. According to Arena Manager Ward Rabbitts, the fire began in the northwest corner of the upstairs portion of the rink’s office and dressing room area, where the hydro lines entered the building. “We sent in the alarm, he said, and got busy saving everything possible that could be moved before the flames drove us out.” The arena, which is under the management of Mulmur Township Recreation Commission, will be rebuilt as soon as possible. The commission under the chairmanship of Wayne Snell, had already met Sunday afternoon and Monday morning to consider the matter, and Mr. Snell told the Free Press and Economist that the following announcement was to be made: “Our arena is gone – reduced to ashes by fire. The ashes are still hot, and so are we! We want a new Arena. How about you? Please help us to re-build so that Minor Hockey slogan, “don’t send your children to the rink- take them– can still be realized”
Hayes says, the insurance policy at the time covered approximately $20,000, but the arena Commission felt the building would cost $100,000 to replace. The inaugural Honeywood Beef Barbeque was held the first summer to bolster funds for the replacement structure. “Many community members signed personal loan guarantees to rebuild the arena,” says the Deputy Mayor. “The structure was rebuilt with a construction company and help of the local community members. It is often mentioned that local farmers would finish up their days in the fields and then head to the arena and put in a few hours working on the structure.”
The 1965 barbeque was organized by Mr. Murray Siddall of Harriston and Mr. George Ruhl supplied the beef and was there on the spot to slice it at 2 p.m. A Hereford steer was donated by Brad Ruhl and 1300 tickets were sold on the draw won by Mrs. Lew Coe. The entertainment for the evening included Don Fairbairn as the MC and music by the Pine Ridge Ranch Boys, and Little Miss Anna Marie Redmond who accompanied her father Dr. Carmen Redmond. The event cleared $2,000.
“Over the years,” says Heather Hayes, “families have come together at the BBQ for a great meal, to work together to support the arena and community. A few years ago I heard Jana Black talking about a time when you would get a new outfit to go to the BBQ – it was the community event of the year.”
Hayes notes that although the event has changed to meet the needs of the community, long time attendees with family history in the community still come back to “touch base and enjoy a great meal with friends”. She says, “It will be nice to see new faces start traditions of their own coming to this 50 year old event.”
Every year, over 150 community members pull together to make the barbeque happen – just as they pulled together to replace a treasured community asset in 1965. Hayes says this includes “setting up with help of the Mulmur Melancthon Fire Department.” Janice Aldcorn and Heather Hayes took over organizing the event from long time community supporter and member Lois Tupling.
“She had been a strong supporter even after she handed over the torch and was a staple at the front ticket table,” says Hayes, “She passed away this spring and will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. “
The organizers report that this year, Shelburne Home Hardware has lent the event colourful Adirondack chairs for extra seating and Shirley’s Garden Supply has donated beautiful hanging baskets for raffle throughout the evening. There will be a 50/50 draw at 7 p.m. with all proceeds going to support the Honeywood Arena. The 50th Annual Honeywood Beef Barbeque takes place July 25th from 5–7:30 p.m. at the Honeywood Arena, on County Road 21 in Honeywood. The menu includes: mouth watering Ontario beef cooked over charcoal, new potatoes donated by Tupling farms, coleslaw donated by French’s Farm, buns made by Dundalk Foodland, and homemade pies and desserts donated by community members. Adults $17.50, children 12 and under $7.50, (children 5 and under free.)
Don’t miss “the event of the year.”

By Marni Walsh