Donald Robert Miller Markham Fair President 2011

  Mr. Miller, referred to as Rob was born June 2nd, 1958, the fifth generation of Millers to reside at Ashlane Farms, since the family acquired the land in 1869. The farm is located just north of the current Fair grounds on the west side of McCowan Rd. During the Depression of the 1930′s, Henry Miller built an incubator and raised baby chicks to support his family. In 1942 the family turned to milking, with some Jersey cattle and Holsteins. To-day, Ashlane Farms is a Holstein operation. Rob is the third of 4 children having two older sisters and a younger brother. The Fair is not unlike a community quilt, containing many different pieces pulled together with a common theme. Many family’s contributions are numerous and their involvement is the very fibre of the cloth. The Millers are such a family, Harry Warriner, the Fair President of 1961 was father Don’s Uncle and Don Miller, Rob’s Dad, was Fair President in 1991. Rob Miller is pleased to bring the Miller name once again to the title of Fair President, in 2011. Rob’s Mother is Dee (Barkey), a lady well acquainted with the operation of the Fair and an active volunteer. As children, Rob and his siblings showed cattle at the old Fair grounds at Markham Road and Hwy. 7. Rob also participated in the calf scramble and the greased pig scramble. He recalls, one year when he won the “chicken scramble” and brought home his somewhat bedraggled prize! Rob became involved in marketing and advertising at the age of fourteen. A neighbour had fashioned from fiberglass, a small, motorized vehicle similar to the Corvette car, which was to be called a Mini-Veep. Rob and a buddy were to be dressed in red racing outfits and gold crash helmets to drive these around the racetrack at the Fairgrounds, during the Fair, to create awareness and interest in this marvellous new machine! Unfortunately the front axle of Rob’s unit snapped in half before the demonstration got off the ground – scuttling the prospects of his first career! Rob’s academic education took place in several local elementary schools and Stouffville High School, where in his senior year Rob was captain of the wrestling team. He also participated in rugby, baseball and cross-country running. It was through his high school friend, who is now Rob’s brother-in-law, that he met Debbie Blizzard, one of six children in the well known, Stouffville Blizzard family. They married in 1980 and welcomed their first daughter Michelle (Santos) in 1982. Michelle was involved with Old MacDonalds barn as soon as she was able and became a Fair Princess in 2000. Their second daughter, Melissa (LaDuca) arrived in 1985 and has been involved with Old MacDonalds Barn and presently the Information booth, alongside her Grandmother Dee Miller and mother Debbie, who has just received her 15 year committee pin. Kristen, born in 1989 is a part of Old MacDonalds Barn and is the 2010-2011 Lead Ambassador of the Fair, accompanying and assisting her parents and grandparents in representing the Fair at a number of events throughout the Province. Old MacDonalds barn is a very major attraction at the Fair and is always under the watchful eye of at least one Miller family member. Rob and Debbie are blessed with two grandsons, Antonio age three and Joseph, now 7 months. No doubt these little men will be the youngest Millers enjoying the live animals along with the senior three generations.

After graduation from high school, Rob worked beside his father on the family farm for three years. In 1977 when the Markham Fair moved just down the road from the family farm Rob worked part-time alongside grounds keeper, Trevor Watson, at the new Fairgrounds assisting with the Livestock barn and Old MacDonalds barn during the fair. He became an apprentice linesman with North York Hydro in 1979, which is now part of Toronto Hydro. He worked his way through the ranks and has been a management line supervisor for the past 17 years. Rob and his young family lived in the second house at Ashlane Farms for ten years and then moved into Stouffville in 1990, where they reside to-day.

Rob is a brother in Richardson Masonic Lodge in Stouffville, he has coached girls baseball, in house leagues as well as a rep team and continues to play on a men’s team locally. Rob & Debbie’s daughters pursued baseball, soccer, dance, figure skating and Tae Kwan Do – a tribute to Rob and Debbie as inspirational, goal setting parents. Rob, as well as his Dad Don, serve, on the Board for Melville United Church and Cemetery. The graveyard is the resting place of the Miller clan and will provide, for current and future members of the family.

Rob was elected to a three year term as a Director in 1999, but has been a member of the Fair for more than 25 years. He has served as co-chair of Old Macdonald’s Barn, worked on grounds, personnel, the pedal pull and utilized his hydro skills where required as well as pitching in wherever the need arose, including setting up for the Banquet.

Rob is a humble, team player whose energy is contagious. He is committed to promoting the implementation of the Strategic Plan, which provides specific parameters for the operation of the Fair. He is also passionate about retaining the agricultural focus of the Fair and investigating and developing ways to interest and excite visitors in a predominantly urban setting. He minimizes his impact, viewing his role as that of a figure head and giving the bulk of the credit to the many, many volunteers and members, who work unselfishly to ensure the Fairs’ continuing success. Rob faces organizational and management challenges which he is embracing with good humour and a positive attitude. His contribution to the “Fair quilt” is greeted with gratitude and admiration.