Hespeler Happenings – Winter 2019

by Oct 21, 2019Hespeler Happenings0 comments

Lewis Lorenzo Kribs 2019 Cambridge Hall of Fame Inductee

Nominated by the Hespeler Heritage Centre, a renown Hespeler citizen was inducted into the Cambridge Hall of Fame on October 10, 2019.

Lewis Lorenzo Kribs was born on Dec. 1, 1829 on a farm in Eramosa Twsp., Wellington Co. He moved to Hespeler as a young man in 1846 and entered the carpentry trade. Engaged by Jacob Hespeler from 1846 to 1848, he worked on Hespeler’s building complexes. From 1853, in partnership with Ephraim Panabaker, the company built many homes in Hespeler.

In 1860, he assisted in the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway bridge spanning the Speed River. He purchased the Joseph Oberholtzer Saw Mill and went into the sawmill business. Damming up Spring Creek to create a head-pond, he moved the mill machinery into what is today Forbes Park. There he produced sawn lumber, shingles and operated a planning mill. Having a ready supply of timber, he took on larger contracts.

In 1862, his company built two bridges over the Speed River; at Avenue Rd. (now Guelph Ave.) and the covered bridge on Black Bridge Rd. The company developed a solid reputation as a skilled builder of public buildings and bridges.

It is said that all major buildings in Hespeler were a product of Lewis Kribs’ master mind as a contractor. He was also the main contractor for the R. Forbes Co. on major expansions to the “big textile mill” on Queen St. West. His company constructed St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church (formerly St. Andrews-Hespeler Presbyterian Church), St. James Lutheran Church in Hespeler, Knox Presbyterian Church & Turnbull Textiles in Galt, the Waterloo County House of Industry & Refuge in Waterloo. During this time, he also operated two large farms, consisting of 450 acres combined.

In 1882, he purchased the Holm Flour Mill, two miles northeast of town, from Peter Holm, son of the mill founder Nels Holm. The business consisted of a saw mill, grist mill & flour mill. He enlarged the building, introduced the new roller system of milling and added steam power, where before there had only been water power.

Lewis Kribs was also active in public life.  He was Hespeler’s first Town Clerk from 1859 to 1866, served as Village Tax Collector from 1859 to 1865, elected a Captain in the 29th Waterloo Battalion of Militia, Reeve of Hespeler from 1881 to 1884, Reeve of Waterloo Township and Warden of Waterloo County.

Lewis Kribs retired in 1899 turning his business interests over to his son the Honorable William A. Kribs, MPP. He passed away on March 11, 1908 and is buried in New Hope Cemetery. Kribs Street is named in their honour.

Downtown Updates

By Lary Turner

As I write this, we are receiving rain mixed with wet snow, a harbinger of things to come. At least our yardwork is nearly complete.

The Hespeler village BIA will be holding its 2019 Annual General Meeting November 13th at Storehouse 408, all members are encouraged to attend …. Kindie Prep & Play has opened at 15 Queen St. East. It offers an environment where you and your children will do all of your wondering, creative thinking, and exploration. A place built upon and driven by relationships. Relationship to materials, friends, and even the community.

For more information call (519) 260-PLAY (7529) or email learn@kindieprepnplay.com

There are a number of upcoming events you won’t want to miss: Hespeler Legion Br. #272 will be hosting the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Hespeler Cenotaph November 11th at 10:30 am.

Hespeler Village Hop & Shop – Thursday November 28th 5 – 9 pm. Join us for the 2nd Annual Holiday Hop & Shop in Hespeler Village! This festive, fun-filled, late-night shopping experience is sure to be an unforgettable evening! Participating shops are open until 9 pm or later and will be featuring festive treats, one-night-only deals, special guests, amazing prize draws and more!

39th Annual Santa Claus Parade goes Saturday December 7th at 12:00 pm. Join us as we welcome Santa to our Village and celebrate the best of the holiday season. Information at: hespelersantaclausparade.ca

Music & Lights in the Village Friday November 29th 5:30 – 9:30pm. The kickoff event of Christmas In Cambridge features a play at the Idea Exchange (Hespeler Library), Christmas Concert at the Hespeler – St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, carolers and a magical Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Hespeler Town Square.

A Hespeler Village Christmas

Hespeler Public School Craft SaleSaturday December 14th 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. In partnership with Century 21 – Village on the River Team, this annual event will feature an assortment of holiday attractions for the whole family! Come visit Santa at the Village Square and have your photo taken for free! Next, take a horse and carriage ride around our quaint village and see the wonderful holiday window displays in our amazing shops! Shop, dine, and explore Hespeler Village this Christmas Season!

Hespeler Legion Br. #272

Your Legion is buzzing as usual with the winter sports leagues in full swing! The first “Catch the Ace” draw was a huge success with the money raised going to Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Lisaard House. Hespeler Legion will be hosting the Zone “C” Euchre Tournament on Saturday November 23rd.

The Ladies Auxiliary “Victorian Tea” is scheduled for Sunday November 24th from 2 to 4pm with tickets are available at the Branch for $15.

The annual “Veterans Dinner” will be held Saturday December 14tg. The popular “Friday Nite Dinners” with November 15th – Pork Chops, November 29th – Fish & Chips. The ladies take a break during December, but resume in January.

Entertainment is on tap some Saturday afternoons from 3 to 7pm; November 16th features Rob Edlefensen and December 7th features Steve Laing.

The annual “New Year’s Eve” party features the popular group “Highway 24” with tickets on sale for $30 each.

The Hespeler Legion executive and membership wishes you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Drop by and say hello!

 

Major Renovation at Temple Baptist Church

The congregation of Temple Baptist Church, 400 Holiday Inn Drive, held a Groundbreaking Party on Sunday, November 3rd for Phase 1 of their major renovation project. It is the first major building project for the congregation in thirty years, and will better enable the church to serve the growing Cambridge community.

Temple Baptist Church is undergoing this renovation because they have a heart for the community. “There was a time when weddings, funerals and Sunday worship provided the main reasons for coming to church,” says Lead Pastor Jonathan Stairs, “But now, people are looking to connect with God and each other in a space that fits around their schedules. We want Temple to become that third space for people in Hespeler and throughout our community.” He says Temple Baptist must upgrade facilities to remain relevant in this new environment.

The renovation features a spacious foyer and accessible family centre for congregation and community meals, gatherings and events. Its design is open and inviting for conversation and welcoming members and visitors. An upgraded kitchen will be located near the family centre with access to the new outdoor patio.  Expanded space for children and adult programs, as well as additional space for middle and high school student activities is part of the plan.

Pastor to Families, Dan Walker, says the new space will provide zore opportunities for members and others in the community to gather and develop meaningful relationships. “We’ll have a welcoming environment where people can sit and have conversations and build relationships with others. We want folks to consider this their home away from home,” he says.

The full project will cost $12.2 million and construction is expected to take about eighteen months. Currently all the project funds have been raised for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 3 will only be completed if the rest of the funds come in as the congregation intends to stay debt free.

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166 Queen Street West

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Hespeler Happenings is published four times a year by The Company of Neighbours. It is available at Zehrs, Food Basics, Hespeler Library, W. G. Johnson Centre, Hespeler Heritage Centre and many local businesses. Deadline for the next issue is Friday November 1, 2019. Submissions are welcome, but articles should not exceed 500 words. Ad rates are available upon request. Please contact editor Lary Turner at 519-658-9290 or email lary_turner@msn.com. Hespeler Happenings is a newsletter devoted to the promotion of information and activities, in and around the former Town of Hespeler, for the greater good of the people of our community.

The Company of Neighbours wishes your and yours a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Visit us at the Hespeler Heritage Centre!

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