By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—If you grew up in Haldimand County, it’s likely that you’ve seen Ruth Zadanyi’s artwork. Whether it graced the front page of an old Caledonia Fair program you have tucked away, or you remember her little painted elves adorning the wall at Hewitt’s Dairy Bar, there’s a good chance her designs and paintings have crossed your path over the years.
CALEDONIA — Above, Ruth with daughters Patti Zadanyi, Nancy Rose, and Janice Boyter, and granddaugter Ruth Jr. The family has decades of volunteer experience in Caledonia.
Born under the maiden name Hewitt to parents Ivan and May, Ruth had a passion for all things art from a young age. She spent her early years working at Hewitt’s Dairy Bar, where she washed bottles and delivered milk in the summer, and despite her father’s insistence that it would be hard to make a living at it, Ruth enrolled in art classes at the Hamilton Conservatory of Music in 1950.
In addition to earning scholarships, Ruth moonlit as a commissioned artist, creating numerous paintings – including a portrait of the Queen that still hangs inside Hagersville arena to this day. After school she went on to teach private art lessons at the Old Oneida School House for a period before marrying her husband Alex.
“After I married and moved to Caledonia, I continued giving private art lessons out of my home,” she recalled.
A look at two of the countless posters Ruth has designed for the Caledonia Fair over the years.
“I had many commissions for paintings by many local business people and others. Currently, two of my oil paintings are on permanent display at the Caledonia Town Hall Museum,” said Ruth, whose commissioned works over the years included grand river scenery, local buildings and structures, and the surrounding rural countryside of Haldimand.
In 1965 Ruth was approached by then-superintendent of schools E.A. Smith about setting up an art course and teaching students at local high schools.
“I did this for about three years. During that time, I took a pottery course so I could also teach the students pottery. I continued working in the high schools by supply teaching for about eight years, then, for 14 years I taught drawing and painting at adult night school courses offered through the Haldimand Board of Education.”
Ruth remembers the time fondly, noting that she is always thrilled when a former student recognizes her out and about. But it’s not just Ruth’s wonderful art and years of teaching that makes her stand out as a pillar of her community, it’s her nearly 60 years of volunteer service. Ruth’s passions were focused on one event in particular, the Caledonia Fair, where she had showcased dairy calves with her brother Howard as a teenager, and where her husband Alex generously donated his time over the years demonstrating how to make butter.
A young Ruth shows off artwork at Oneida School House in 1960.
“My history of volunteering at the Caledonia Fair began in 1964. The year before joining the Fair I was a judge for the adult art exhibits. Then, I was asked to join the fair board. After joining, I became an organizer and head of the Art Department,” reminisced Ruth.
From there, she would hold many other titles, and was behind the Secret Garden, a popular fair destination for years that began around 2005 and ran through 2018: “The Secret Garden started with an idea of having a quiet place where very young children could go to chill out.”
A look at one of Ruth’s early pencil sketches, dating back to the 1960s.
Using vacant space in the exhibition hall, Ruth, along with her daughters Patti, Nancy, and Janice worked together developing craft ideas and setting up kits to welcome the over 1,000 children who enjoyed the hideaway every year.
“We tried to make the Secret Garden cater to several ages of children. We had puzzles, little cars, trucks and tractors, bouncy animals to ride on, colouring pages, games, and numerous crafts,” said Ruth, recalling that beaded key rings remained a perennial favourite of attendees.
“Getting involved in your community is very important,” she said. “Many people probably don’t know how many hours and volunteers it takes to put on a four-day fair. Volunteering for the Caledonia Agricultural Society will allow you to meet all kinds of new people and offers you an opportunity to learn something new or share the talents that you have.”
Ruth designed Caledonia Canada Day mascot Scotty, who can still be seen every year when the parade comes to town.
Ruth’s influence has clearly spread to her daughters, calling them members of the Caledonia Fair family ever since 1964, “because that’s when I joined.”
“You could always tell it was fair time because the fridge at home was empty. That meant we were all at the fair, including my husband. As my girls finished school, university, and college and began their adult lives they still came back to the fair and volunteered.”
A badge, designed by Ruth for a local camping program in 1970.
All three daughters are members of the Caledonia Ag Society, with Janice and Patti acting as Directors. Patti also helps with the High School Art Department, set up to showcase local artwork. The family also operates the Riverside Eatery, located at the Riverside Exhibition Centre, along with their seasonal volunteer-run ice cream fundraiser, Riverside Eatery Scoops.
Their fundraising efforts don’t stop there either, with all three daughters and Ruth working together every year on the highly popular Designer Bag Bingo, raising funds for the ongoing operations of the newly opened Centre.
It’s amazing what one person can accomplish across a lifetime with nothing more than an unquenchable desire to pursue creativity, and a giving spirit.
At 90 years young, Ruth Zadanyi has given so much to her community, and her legacy will continue to quietly live on, through the beautiful oil canvasses that hang on the walls of so many Haldimand homes, to the influence she has had through her years of teaching, to the ongoing volunteer efforts of her children, inspired by their mother’s tireless efforts.
The Caledonia Fair returns for its’ 150th year between September 29 and October 2. We hope you have a great time, Ruth!
