The Chatham Voice, Jan. 5, 2023

Happy ‘Noon’ Year! Bill’s Place

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Bill Brokenshire had some tough times growing up gay in Chatham-Kent.

That’s why the beloved teacher ¬– who left Chatham for Toronto as a young man – bequeathed a sizable donation to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in his hometown.

Three years in the making, Brokenshire’s vision has come to fruition with the completion of Bill’s Place on Centre Street in Chatham.

Colourful and cozy, Bill’s Place is accented with funky art, a couch and comfy chairs. There’s a piano for future sing songs, a brilliant rainbow-hued mural, plenty of houseplants and an aura of “make yourself at home.”

The site was previously used as former MP Dave Van Kesteren’s office.

Continued on page 2

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Chatham Public Library Friday at the Happy Noon Year’s Eve event, which saw an all

2023. Youngsters Kaylin Wilson and Eric Wilson had fun making

Kathleen Garrett and grandma Dianne Garrett.

A safe space for C-K’s LGBTQ+

Continued from page 1

The building was purchased by the Chatham-Kent Gay Pride Association and extensively renovated in keeping with Brokenshire’s dream.

In addition to the community space on the main floor, two new apartments have been added upstairs to help pay utilities and taxes. All the furnishings were either donated or purchased at low cost.

Marianne Willson, president of CK Pride, said no taxpayer dollars have gone into paying for the bricks and mortar structure as per Brokenshire’s direction.

By design, Bill’s Place has no paid staff and will be operated by volunteers, however, money still needs to be raised to cover operating costs, or to fund special programs or projects.

“Bill’s idea for the centre was

well thought out,” Willson said in a recent interview, adding his goal was to create a permanent self-sustaining haven for those identifying as LGBTQ+.

It’s something Brokenshire himself wished he wouve have had had when he was young, she added.

“Bill had a rough time.”

Back in the 1960s and ’70s, homophobic bullying was commonplace and people even lost their jobs if it was discovered they were gay. To this day, many LGTBQ+ folks are discriminated against and sometimes shunned by their families, with the gay community making up 25 to 40 per cent of those who are homeless locally.

Volunteer and CKGPA vice -president Nathan Dawthorne, who has been lending a helping hand, said Bill’s Place provides a safe space to connect and network.

“If you

don’t have other people who have been through what you’ve been through, there’s a lack of understanding,” Dawthorne said. “I wish there was something like this when I grew up here 20 years ago. I would have felt a lot less alone.”

The Alvinston native moved to London as a young adult but has since returned to live in Bothwell with his partner and son. He said Bill’s Place is already fulfilling its purpose Willson agrees Bill’s Place is critical to the health and well-being of the LGTBQ+ community, especially in light of the isolation brought on by COVID-19.

“We see ourselves as a bridge to services and people and knowledge and education so everybody can grow together,” she said, in the hope that individuals and organizations will develop the JEDI principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Bill’s Place isn’t open to the public yet, but an invite-only

soft opening to thank donors, community sponsors and supporters was held in December. A grand-opening ceremony is scheduled for the spring.

Willson is thankful for the support Bill’s Place has received.

“There are a lot of allies here,” she said. “It’s been a lot of work but well worth it. This building is a labour of love, time and passion. Stay tuned.”

Earlier in 2022, the municipality approved Bill’s Place for a $25,000 core-funding matching grant for programming and operations.

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Peter

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Nathan Dawthorne and Marianne Willson hold a picture of Bill Brokenshire at Bill’s Place in Chatham. Three years in the making, the new safe space for the LTGBQ+ community came to be thanks to money left by Brokenshire in his will. The Kent County native moved to Toronto as a young man and became a beloved elementary school teacher, as well as an ardent supporter of the gay community.

The kindness of strangers

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Hailey Slovik of Detroit said she’s learned a valuable lesson about winter driving.

The hard way.

The 27-year-old was one of dozens – possibly hundreds – of people who found themselves marooned in Chatham-Kent trapped by a fierce winter storm Dec. 23.

The just-in-time-forChristmas blizzard saw Mayor Darrin Canniff declare a state of emergency and the closure of both Highway 401 and Highway 40, as first responders and snow plow operators grappled with drifting snow in whiteout conditions.

The extreme weather event saw local residents and business owners open their doors to the stranded, and many travellers were also welcomed to emergency shelters at schools, churches, arenas and even Chatham’s WalMart.

On her way to Toronto to visit her boyfriend and meet his family for the first time, Slovik set

out in the afternoon. She heard there was a storm coming, but didn’t give it a lot of thought thinking she could “beat it” and go around any problem areas.

“I thought it was like Michigan where they detoured you around the parts of the road that were closed,” Slovik said. “I didn’t realize that wouldn’t happen...I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”

Old Man Winter had different plans. Slovik discovered Hwy. 401 was closed from Tilbury to London, with police redirecting traffic off the highway towards Chatham. Now facing a blinding whiteout, her Buick Lacrosse slipped into a ditch somewhere. However, she managed to get her car out, then crawled along unfamiliar roads.

As night lengthened Slovik said she began to panic. She found herself on Bloomfield Road but got stuck when she attempted to turn the car around.

Other vehicles stopped to see if she was okay. A passerby offered Slovik a blanket

that she pulled around herself to keep warm, as she turned the car’s ignition on and off to charge her phone and create heat.

Eventually she fell asleep.

Enter Good Samaritan Jessie. Slovik awoke to a knock on her car window and an invitation to come in out of the cold.

“He asked if I was OK and if I needed anything and then invited me to come and sleep on the couch,” Slovik said. “I was so happy and I was so grateful.”

The next morning, Jessie and his friend Chantel helped Slovik plot her next move. Because her car was stuck with no scheduled time to be towed out, she decided to catch the train to Toronto and return when the car was pulled out.

However, Slovik’s impromptu hosts weren’t done helping. They helped Slovik purchase a VIA rail ticket to Toronto and gave her a suitcase to carry her Christmas gifts in.

“They bought my ticket and I paid them back,” she said, noting it was her first-ever train ride.

On Boxing Day, Slovik got a ride to Chatham with her boyfriend’s family, retrieved the car and headed back to the U.S. The American traveller said she’s in awe of how events unfolded during the storm and of the kindness of the strangers she met.

“I wasn’t expecting this kind of help,” Slovik explained. “It’s like a Christmas miracle. The chances of me landing in someone’s yard like that...it’s like I met an angel.

“You never know,” Slovik said. “I never thought I would meet such polite people. It definitely made everything easier. It certainly could have turned out differently.”

Henceforth, Slovik said she will be prepared for winter driving and will “definitely” be packing flares, candles, blankets, a shovel and food “just in case” she encounters a storm on the road.

Slovik also had plenty of praise for Chatham-Kent police who oversaw her car tow and the 9-1-1 operators she spoke with throughout the ordeal.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Hailey Slovik of Detroit looks anxiously at her phone while waiting for a train at Chatham’s VIA train station on Christmas Eve.

Opinion

Deserving praise

Thank you.

It really is amazing how this community can come together in the face of adversity. We’ve seen it time and time again.

Whether a cause needs supporting, or people need assistance, the residents of Chatham-Kent drop what they’re doing and go above and beyond to assist.

The latest showcasing of this took place just before Christmas when Mother Nature delivered heavy snow and whiteout conditions, mangling travelling in much of the province, but especially here in Chatham-Kent.

Police were forced to close Highway 401 and 40 for a time due to conditions. Heck, Public Works officials had to pull the plows off the road for a while.

The terrible weather left many a person stranded. A good number of those were just passing through on the way to their Christmas destinations.

Enter the huge numbers of Good Samaritans this municipality has. If you check out the stories in this week’s Chatham Voice, you’ll get a smattering of details on some of the heroics. When Detroit’s Hailey Slovik got stuck on Bloomfield Road, in an unfamiliar city, our people were there.

Residents Jessie and Chantel welcomed Hailey to their home for the night. They even bought her a train ticket the next morning to get her to her boyfriend and his family in Toronto (she paid them back).

When an unfamiliar woman knocked on the door of Denny and Sandy Vervaet’s home in South Kent, the Vervaets and their young children not only provided her shelter for the night, but they opened up their home to three cars’ worth of family members.

As the blowing snow shut down Hwy. 40 just north of Chatham, St. Clair Street from Maryknoll Road to Pioneer Line became a parking lot. Shoppers already out to places such as Walmart had nowhere to go. Judy Lagasse, store manager, and her staff opened the doors to play host to about 50 people.

They pulled out air mattresses and food to accommodate.

These are but three stories. We are sure there are dozens, if not hundreds, of similar efforts of support.

That is how the people of Chatham-Kent react in a time of need.

And that, dear readers, is why this municipality is such an awesome place in which to live.

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A member of:

Free hydro for car charging

at the Civic Centre?

Editor: In the Dec. 15 edition of The Chatham Voice a picture and storyline beneath it (on Pg. 13) shared information about the new EV charging stations at the Civic Centre. It explained how the stations came at a cost of $170,000 to CK taxpayers and in the next sentence stated, “There will be a charge for users at some point, as officials are evaluating what the cost and payment structure will be.” The picture showed a lady plugging in her vehicle, and it leaves a reader no choice but to conclude that she is “juicing” up her vehicle for free.

And that is at the expense of guess who – us taxpayers!

“At some point” they will start charging. When “officials” figure out the cost? Are you kidding me? Can someone from the municipality please call me and assure me that we have responsible, intelligent people managing the affairs of this community, and that there has been some confusion in the way that this story was presented. Surely you did not flip the switch and leave it “ON” – thereby giving away free fuel – while you figured out how to get reimbursed for this big expense …… did you?

Hydro is not free. And you do realize that there

are no local gas stations giving away free gas to the other 98 per cent of us taxpayers still driving gasoline-powered vehicles, don’t you?

It is offensive to see waste like this. It is concerning to learn that the people running our municipal business can’t figure out something as basic as cost recovery or asset management. But then again, maybe this story contained incorrect information and we have nothing to worry about. Please say it’s so; my number is in the phonebook.

Rick Youlton Chatham-Kent

Colby refutes anti-vax claims

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

When it comes to the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. David Colby wants local residents to separate fact from fiction.

According to Chatham-Kent’s acting medical officer of health, some “disturbing allegations” were made to Chatham-Kent council last month stating vaccines are dangerous and can even kill.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Colby told a recent Chatham-Kent Board of Health meeting, noting all vaccines must pass rigorous Health Canada standards.

“To cast doubt on the approval process is just false,” Colby stressed.

The MOH was speaking to a host of deputations made at Chatham-Kent council in support of a policy change put forward by North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville calling on the municipality to suspend of COVID-19 policy regard-

ing new hires.

A number of people spoke in favour of Jubenville’s stance, including former Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls who has become a prominent spokesman against the COVID-19 vaccine. In his deputation, Nicholls quoted from the Druthers Report – a favourite information source for the anti-vax movement –claiming that 80 Canadian doctors have died because of the vaccine.

Other misinformation Colby countered in his presentation were allegations that the vaccine’s ingredients are hidden and unavailable.

“This was alleged in two deputations,” Colby said, adding it isn’t true as “anybody can get these.”

Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, acting vicechair of the board, said it’s important to base decisions on science.

“It’s important at public health that we share accurate, up to date, evidence-based information,” he added.

Colby also debunked another claim that vaccines are ineffective because

people have to get repeated doses and vaccinated people are catching the virus regardless.

Calling that a “complete misunderstanding,” Colby said protection from the vaccine is “brisk, but short lived,” noting the scientific community had no way of knowing how the virus would continue to mutate.

However, Colby said the most important fact about the COVID-19 vaccine is that the “benefits outweigh the risks.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is “highly effective at preventing severe outcomes,” he stressed, noting the esteemed Lancet medical journal says at least 20 million deaths were prevented by the vaccine the first year it was available.

Colby quoted a famous line that states, “In war, the first casualty is truth,” noting that if the news media doesn’t provide a counter opinion by fact checking, misinformation goes unchallenged.

“Some of the allegations are very skimpy on facts,” he explained, with some knowingly “making up facts.”

News

Homes and businesses opened for shelter

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Denny Vervaet of Blenheim has emerged as one of Chatham-Kent’s newest “snow-lebrities.” So too has Walmart Chatham’s Judy Lagasse.

Vervaet, co-owner of Red Barn Brewing Company, is in the national spotlight after he gave a family of 10 shelter from a wild winter storm Dec. 23. The story is making the

rounds, with Vervaet appearing on the CTV Morning show Dec. 29.

In an interview with The Voice, Vervaet said the “random” event began in the afternoon. He had just put on a pot of chili at 3 p.m. when he heard a tapping at the window.

The Middle Line resident opened the door to find a panicked woman, crying and shivering in the fullon blizzard, saying she and her family needed a

place to stay.

“They were travelling from Toronto to Windsor,” Vervaet said, adding there were five people in the car, including a baby.

“When we got them inside, we found out there were two other cars they were caravanning with,” Vervaet said, “so we got

them inside too.”

Thanks to the chili decision, there was plenty of food for the storm weary travellers. Vervaet, his wife Sandy and their three daughters, launched into host mode, setting up cots and air mattresses for the entire family.

According to Vervaet,

the group played games and hung out, getting a good night’s rest before retrieving their snowbound vehicles thanks to his father-in-law’s tractor.

“I’m glad they were able to come to us and stay warm,” Vervaet said, adding his guests are calling their stay a “Christ-

mas miracle.”

Meanwhile, Lagasse, Chatham Walmart store manager and 48 members of her team hosted a holiday slumber party of sorts for about 50 people that were stranded at the store overnight. That story also went viral.

Continued on page 11

Michelle Owchar/The Chatham Voice

Three vehicles sit in the ditch abandoned on Victoria Road near Fysh Line on Christmas Day. Public Works officials said at least 100 vehicles had to be recovered after the storm.

Plow jockeys persevere in horrid conditions

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Betty Whiteout, Flurrie Jenkins and Scoop Dog have faced the ultimate test.

Part of Chatham-Kent’s fleet of around 80 snow plows, the machines and their operators had a workout cleaning up after the wicked winter blizzard that rocked the municipality.

Despite the monumental challenges brought by the storm, Chatham-Kent’s winter maintenance response worked, according to Ryan Brown, director of Public Works for the municipality.

Crediting success to a

“true community effort,” Brown said communication between various departments, including first responders and tow truck operators, went well.

Emergency situations – such as ambulances or firetrucks stuck in the snow – were prioritized throughout the event, Brown explained.

“One of the things we have in C-K is a robust system,” Brown said. “It worked very well.”

The Chatham-Kent response was unique, he said, as farmers and homeowners pitched in to assist, using their equipment to pull vehicles out, as well as providing shelter for those who couldn’t make it home.

He said it helped that volunteer firefighters know their own communities and that knowledge helped keep people safe.

The snow, which started Dec. 23, turned Chatham-Kent into a whiteout and led to a state of emergency being declared by Mayor Darrin Canniff at 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

The ferocity of the storm created zero visibility, which led to Chatham-Kent pulling equipment off the road.

Brown said the municipality was criticized for the move, but putting plows on the road wasn’t safe and one did in fact strike a car.

“We had to pull plows because they couldn’t

see,” he said.

Along with the snow plows, the municipality uses road graders to clear snow, and also operates a fleet of salt trucks. There are about 100 Public Works operators on the job and some of the work

is contracted out as well.

While stories about people spending the night at makeshift shelters have been making the rounds, the same thing happened to members of the winter maintenance crew.

Brown said staff ended

up spending the night at each of the municipality’s 10 public works garages. The employees couldn’t make it home and they needed to start plowing at 7 a.m. to clear the roads.

Michelle Owchar/The Chatham Voice Fysh Line, like many other rural roads in Chatham-Kent, was a mess Dec. 24. The blowing snow ultimately made it impassable until plows could catch up and tow trucks could retrieve abandoned vehicles.

Chicken fingers, samosas at Walmart

Continued from page 9 Lagasse said things started to look really bad around 4 p.m. Three and a half hours later, the store received a request from the municipality for customers to stay put.

“The decision was made for the safety of the people,” Lagasse told The Voice. “Chatham-Kent police told us it was going to be an overnighter, so we decided to make the most of it.”

According to Lagasse, customers were treated to service with a smile.

“We made sure everyone was warm, safe and content,” she said. Staff

served up hot food cooking up chicken fingers and samosas, plus lots of snacks.

Employees also blew up all the air mattresses in the store, free of charge.

“We didn’t ask customers to pay for any of these,” Lagasse said, as workers played the situation by ear.

“There’s no playbook for this kind of thing,” she explained, “but humanity and compassion came through 100 per cent.

“Myself and my staff were very pleased to provide that kind of support to our community and I

Plows pulled from roads

Continued from page 10

“They stayed in the shop,” Brown said, noting it was “quite the experience.”

All told, Brown said there were about 100 cars that had to be towed.

“There are some things we’ve learned along the way that we could have done differently, but overall, it went well,” Brown concluded, adding the extra pressures of the

Christmas holiday and many additional travellers complicated the issue.

Chatham-Kent’s senior management team will meet in the coming days for a debriefing on the storm response, he said.

It remains to be seen how much the blizzard will cost the municipality. Brown said it normally costs about $1 million to clean up after a major storm.

am glad I work for a company that allowed me to do this.”

Lagasse said she and her team have already been recognized by Walmart management and more is on the way.

“Our efforts haven’t

gone unnoticed,” she said. “We are grateful we could do it.”

A 17-year Walmart employee, Lagasse has been running the Chatham store for the past 19 months. She said it’s the first time in her work

history that she’s been involved in sheltering customers at a store.

Lagasse has a T-shirt and book that was signed by everyone involved in the blizzard sleepover and she hopes to display them at the store.

The Vervaets and Lagasse are among the many heroes that answered the call from the municipality to provide shelter during the worst storm to hit Chatham-Kent since 1998.

The blizzard of December 23 to 26 was the worst Chatham-Kent has experienced since 1998.

It also demonstrated the best that Chatham-Kent has to offer.

Our community has a reputation for coming together in times of need, but on this occasion, we outdid ourselves.

At a time usually dedicated to gathering in our homes with friends and family, and giving each other gifts, Chatham-Kent residents left the comfort of their homes to keep their friends, neighbours and those they’ve never met safe. Our gratitude goes out to members of the municipal family who plowed roads, cleared accidents, checked on abandoned cars, kept emergency communication lines open, rendered medical aid, and established shelters for stranded motorists. That extraordinary effort was magnified many times over by residents right across Chatham-Kent who opened their homes, schools and businesses, checked on neighbours, shoveled driveways, pushed and pulled cars out of ditches, prepared meals for one another, and ensured everyone had someone looking out for them. The gifts of love they gave each other number in the thousands and will multiply and live on for generations.

On behalf of myself and council thank you, Mayor Darrin Canniff.

Groups donate $10K to CKHA

The Chatham Voice

High priority needs at the hospital are the focus of two recent donations made to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation.

The Kent Sikh Society committed $5,000, with the Chatham-Kent Asian Cultural Association pitching in another $5,000.

Kudos go out to all who pitched in but special mention goes out to Jarnail and Inder Gahunia, the owners of T’s & Sweats in the Downtown Chatham Centre.

Earlier this year, the couple held a unique promotion by discounting in-store items by 20 to 70 per cent when customers opted to donate 20 per cent of their purchase to the Foundation.

The Kent Sikh Society topped up the donation to the $5,000 mark. After 46 years in business, the Gahunias have decided to close up shop on April

30, 2023. They want to let the public know they will be holding a similar fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society from Feb. 15 to April 15. A great effort from longtime hospital supporters Jarnail and Inder, as well as the members of the Kent Sikh Society and the CK Asian Cultural Association. The cultural association donation was made with the support of Riverview Bingo.

Entegrus donates to local projects

Entegrus recently announced it handed $215,000 to two charity organizations. Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent and Indwell Housing Project will receive

$15,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Indwell is an organization that provides supportive and affordable housing. The funds provided are earmarked to support 35 residents in Chatham.

“Wow! We are deeply humbled by Entegrus’ generosity and their belief that building affordable supported homes for people in Chatham-Kent who need them, will make a big, long-term impact in the community,” said Scott Brush, Launch Manager at Indwell, in a media release.

“I’m also very excited about how this gift, along with the one they gave last year, is helping lay the financial foundation that Indwell needs to move forward at the former St. Agnes school, creating an affordable housing community for those who are seeking health, wellness and belonging.”

Continued on page 15

Contributed image C-K Asian Cultural Association donated $5,000 to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation. From left, Pushpa Pabla, Rafi Veettil, CKHA Foundation president and CEO Mary Lou Crowley, Maru Lakshmanan, Jarnail and Inder Gahunia.

Replacement engineering GM hired

The Chatham Voice

The municipality has found its next head of infrastructure and engineering.

Edward Soldo will join the executive management team later in January, filling the role of general manager of infra-

structure and engineering.

He replaces Thomas Kelly, who left the municipality in mid-March. Kelly was initially selected as C-K’s new CAO in November of 2021, but ultimately, he and the municipality parted ways less than four

months later.

Chris Thibert and Ryan Brown alternated as alternating temporary GMs in the department in the interim.

Chatham-Kent’s CAO Michael Duben said Soldo is a great hire.

“Edward is a professional engineer who

comes to us from the City of Hamilton where he held the position of Chief Roadway Official. With prior leadership and management positions with the City of London, the City of St. Thomas, the County of Haldimand, and the Region of Halton, Edward brings

considerable experience in transportation, operations, asset management, construction, drainage and other public works disciplines,” Duben said in a media release

Soldo’s pedigree includes an engineering degree from McMaster University, a diploma in

public administration from Western, and a master certificate in municipal leadership from York University.

He is also the district director for Canada with the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Soldo will start the new job Jan. 17, Duben said.

Affordable housing projects benefit

Continued fro page 13

The new complex will include a nurse’s station to administer medication and an industrial kitchen so residents can be guaranteed at least one nutritious meal per day. It will also offer the residents a program providing mental health and addiction counselling, as well as psychosocial assistance.

“Housing shortages are something we see more and more each day in our community, and we are very pleased to help support this cause,” stated Jim Hogan, President and CEO of Entegrus. “We believe this project is a wonderful opportunity for Chatham residents and that is why we chose to donate for a second year in a row.”

The Habitat donation will help in the building of homes within Chatham-Kent for families in need.

“Our team is thrilled to support local charities that give back to our community,” Hogan said.. “We are grateful Habitat for Humanity helps individuals in our community achieve their dream of becoming a homeowner.”

“For a number of years Entegrus has been a supporter of our builds – not only contributing financially, but also sending teams that have volunteered time to assist with drywall and painting among

other projects.,” Megan VanderEnde, board chair of Habitat C-K, said.

Entegrus and its employees have donated more than $400,000 throughout 2022 to various organizations within their service area with the majority of the funds to support those in need.

Maizex Seeds returns to in-person agronomy meetings

Maizex Seeds will return to its popular series of in-person agronomy meetings in January and February.

Maizex Agronomy 2023: Learn Live will be a welcome return for Ontario farmers to in-person knowledge sharing on topics that are timely and relevant to each region.

The event series is spearheaded by Maizex Agronomy lead Greg Stewart, and the line-up of speakers will consist of experts in their respective fields.

The meetings will take place on the following dates: Jan. 18, Kemptville; Jan. 19, Cobourg; Feb. 1, Listowel and Feb. 2, London.

Topics will include: Lessons From a Dry Year, Nitrogen Management: Emissions Down, Yields Up, Ending the Soybean Row Width Debate and much more.

Farmers interested in attending one of the events are asked to register by e-mail-

Kent

ing karen.robinet@maizex. com or calling 519-359-3048.

• Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to bruce@ chathamvoice.com.

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Sikh Society recently donated $5,000 to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation. From left, Inder Gahunia, Pushpa Pabla, CKHA Foundation president and CEO Mary Lou Crowley and Jarnail Gahunia.

Community Events

Thursday, January 5, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Senior euchre at 1:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Friday, January 6, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am-1:30pm. Supper served from 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonights specials are meat loaf or fish and chips. Take out is available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, January 7, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm.Kitchen open for lunch from 3:00-5:30pm. Entertainment by D.A.M. Band from 4:309:30pm. Everyone welcome.

Sunday, January 8, 2023:

• Classic Country Jamboree at the Merlin Legion, 3 - 7 pm. Music by the Marquis. Dinner includes ham & scalloped potatoes, baked beans & veggie plus dessert. $20 includes entry to Jamboree. Pick up dinner $13 and Jam only $7.00. Join us for a wonderful afternoon of good food, great music and fabulous company!! Call Lori at 519-4765870 to book a spot!

Tuesday, January 10, 2023:

• Do you live with a Chronic Health Condition or are a Caregiver for someone who does? Join us and learn how to take control of your health! Access virtual programs using any computer, tablet, or smartphone. All workshop materials are provided free of charge. Master Your Health Chronic Pain. Tuesdays - January 10 - February 14, 2023. 9:30am-12:00pm. Register at https://myhcp_jan10.eventbrite.

ca.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm.

Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti and meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00pm or 7:00pm. Shuffleboard 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm.

Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Today’s special is meat loaf dinner. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Thursday, January 12, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm.

Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Senior euchre at 1:00pm. Everyone welcome.

• Retired Workers Chapter Meeting are the perfect opportunity to enjoy coffee and baked goods and visit with friends and former fellow workers. Keep up to date with the community, pensions, benefits and info provided from informed leadership and guest speakers. Spouses are welcome. 10:00am at the Unifor Local 127, 405 Riverview Dr., Chatham.

Friday, January 13, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm.

Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Supper served from 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonights specials are roast beef or fish and chips. Take out is available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, January 14, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm.Kitchen open for lunch from 3:00-5:30pm. Entertainment by Unity Station from 4:309:30pm. Everyone welcome.

• Free Line Dance lessons for beginners starts at 11am at the Chatham Legion on William St. For information call Tom 519355-4575.

• Ernie Miller will perform at the Chatham Retirement Resort at 2:00pm. Call for info and to RSVP 519-351-7777 ext. 526.

Sunday, January 15, 2023:

• The Chatham-Kent 20th Annual Toy Show and Sale will be held at the John D.Bradley Convention Centre, 565 Richmond Street Chatham from 10am to 3pm. Proceeds to CK 4H Farm Toy Club and Chatham Outreach for Hunger.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am-

1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti and meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00pm or 7:00pm. Shuffleboard 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023:

• Kent Coin Club meeting at the Active Lifestyle Center (7pm – 8pm), 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham. New members and guests welcomed. Come to a meeting to see what we’re about. Gain knowledge and trends of the hobby. For more info contact President Paul Robb (probb1@ cogeco.ca) (289-228-2817).

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Today’s special is meat loaf dinner. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Thursday, January 19, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Senior euchre at 1:00pm. Everyone welcome.

• Ron Bolohan will perform at the Chatham Retirement Resort at 2:00pm. Call for info and to RSVP 519351-7777 ext. 526.

Friday, January 20, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:30am1:30pm. Supper served from 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonights specials are chicken leg and thigh or fish and chips. Take out is available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519351-5639. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, January 21, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm.Kitchen open for lunch from 3:00-5:30pm. Entertainment by the Marquis from 4:309:30pm. Everyone welcome.

Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call - leave message519-350-3462

Alcoholics Anonymous, we can help! Information Line 519-360-5246.

Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

Fun Stuff

CLUES ACROSS

Basics

Swiss river

Constrictor snake

Building occupied by monks 10. Discount

Deal a blow to

Relating to the ear

Thyrotropin

Loud, unpleasant noise

Large intestines

Move with a curving trajectory

Witnesses

O’Connor’s

Fire byproduct 9. Hankerings 11. Outer 14. One-time aerospace firm 15. Seafood 18. Commercial 19. Epoxy hardener (abbr.) 20. Samoan monetary unit 22. Type of gland 23. Arrest 24. Check 27. Past participle of be 28. Alias 29. A major division of geological time 31. Kids programming channel (abbr.) 32. Joked 33. Helps little firms 34. Roman numeral 50 35. Impressive in size or scope 36. Domineering leader 37. A person who delivers a speech 38. One after 89 39. Young hawk 40. The scene of any event or action 44. A team’s best pitcher

Integrated data processing

Lace up once more

Life

Deck the Shelves raises $1,000

We at The Chatham Voice know that times are tough for many Chatham-Kent residents, with inflation hitting folks like a sucker punch to the gut. And that is especially true on grocery store shelves. That has more and more people turning to places such as Outreach for Hunger and the Salvation Army food bank in order to feed their families.

With that in mind, we conducted our annual Deck the Shelves with Cans Aplenty effort just before Christmas, managing to raise $1,000 in the process.

The businesses that helped make this donation possible are Caldwell BrandSource, Hinnegan-Piseski Funeral Home, Chatham Chrysler, Sundowner Truck Accessories, Chatham Nissan, Hyundai of Chatham, Mamma Maria’s and Waste Connections Canada.

We thank these businesses for taking part in our Deck the Shelves endeavour.

In the past, we’ve gone shopping for specific

Corcoran

products for each food bank, speaking with each organization to see what was needed most at the time. This year, we donated the cash. We’ve got friends at grocery stores who can stretch dollars, but we’ve learned the organizations have the same friends, plus they are meticulous in watching for deals and are thus able to stretch the money even farther than we could.

It is truly a joy to work with the folks at Salvation Army and Outreach for Hunger, and an equal joy to work with all the supporting businesses.

Merry COVID-mas

As was the case a year ago, the Corcorans awoke Christmas morning to one of us feeling unwell. With two family gatherings slated for that day,

we opted to test the one with the extreme fatigue and cough. Yup, COVID. A day later, Mary Beth and I were ill as well. Ugh. I must say, the sec-

ond time was not as bad as the first for me. I had aches and pains a year ago with COVID. And extreme fatigue. This time around, the energy level

was in the toilet, concentration on anything was a chore and the chest congestion was annoying. But no aches. So, I just felt like crap,

rather than sh*t. Thanks to friends and family for grabbing us necessities and helping us isolate. Continued on page 18

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

The Chatham Voice’s Peter Zubyk, left, hands over half the proceeds from the annual Deck the Shelves effort to Brenda LeClair of Outreach for Hunger.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Peter Zubyk of The Chatham Voice, donates half the proceeds from the newspaper’s Deck the Shelves effort to Capt. Stephen Holland and Nicole Shaw of the Salvation Army.

Bruce

Proudly sponsored by

Comfort

Continued from page 17

As many of you readers know, I’m in line for a second hip replacement. It can’t come soon enough. I’m limping around with a cane these days, getting by.

It’s frustrating in that it has reached the point where I’m basically in a pandemic extension, in that I go from home to work and work to home. It’s too painful – thanks to the addition of lingering sciatica – to head to public events or even a restaurant/watering hole/movie.

I recently came to the conclusion my bed was trying to hurt me. The mattress was at least two decades old and had no support left in it.

Because I can only sleep on my back due to my hip, spending more than four hours a night in bed augmented my back discomfort. Heck, the sciatica pain would pulse, waking me out of a deep sleep. I’d have to pull up my knees and stretch my back, willing

Brian

Lifethe throbbing to stop, and catch another half hour of sleep, only for the process to repeat itself.

So, a wise woman – my wife, Mary Beth – informed me I needed to replace the bed. You would think I would not need to be told twice. But I hummed and hawed and spoke with Janine at Caldwell BrandSource. She echoed my wife’s thoughts and gave me such a great price on an adjustable bed, I could not refuse.

I also should mention the delivery guys are a treat to deal with and are very accommodating.

As I type this, I’m only a few nights into enjoying the new bed, but, wow, what a difference.

I have found that elevating my legs is the key to comfort for me right now. The bed has been a godsend, to say the least. Buy local. Shop local. Support local. You won’t be disappointed.

I was thinking of Elvis when I was 5, I’ve sang every Elvis song since I was 7 years old. I sing Elvis Christmas songs every Christmas season.

Joan Baas

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Graham Miles 75, Friday, December 16, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Deborah Thomas 69, Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Vera Cook 98, Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Edward Russell 81, Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Kirk Dawes 72, Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Jane LaPointe 72, Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Mildred Theresa Atkins 95, Thursday, December 15, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Terry Nicholls 75, Friday, December 16, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Michael Fabian Schopf 85, Sunday, December 18, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Harriet Marchand 101, Sunday, December 18, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Calvin Fox 92, Thursday, December 22, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Chris Starr 46, Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Nicholls Funeral Home

Bob “Turtle” Krouse 73, Thursday, December 15, 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Sally Guay 73, Friday, December 16, 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Jane Verhart 71, Saturday, December 17 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

GeorgeBryant 91, Monday, December 26, 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Evelyn Bond 88, Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Abraham Unger 44, Saturday, December 24, 2022

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Anje “Anne” Groenenberg 96, Thursday, December 22, 2022

Kendrick Funeral Home

Franz Wiebe

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Kendrick Funeral Home

Kyis Evander Smith

Monday, December 19, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Dennis Parker 69, Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Sr. Loretta (Marie-Ann) Ducharme Monday, December 19, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Sr. Irene Schnell Sunday, December 18, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Jean Jamrozinski 97, Monday, December 19, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Albert “Bert” Thievin 78, Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Gayle Campbell 72, Thursday, December 15, 2022

Life Transitions

Janetly Ruth Gagnier (Blondeel) 58, Friday, December 16, 2022

Life Transitions

Elizabeth “Anne” Reddick 73, Sunday, December 18, 2022 Life Transitions

Ingrid Lahey (Boehnke) 73, Sunday, December 18, 2022 Life Transitions

Klass Pilon 74, Monday, December 19, 2022

Life Transitions

Graceland and sang 13 Elvis songs right up Graceland’s sidewalk to his burial grave. At 15 years old I had a pile of his albums over 5ft high that I sang over and over again. I have 12 different DVD’s that I watch every week. Mom said when I was 8 years old I was the first best Elvis impersonator in the world. Mom said I would sing Elvis gospel songs with him to Jesus and his father.

Samuel Frederick 89, Friday, December 23, 2022

Life Transitions

Charles Jackson

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Life Transitions

Jack Nicholson 86, Friday, December 23, 2022

McKinlay Funeral Home

Jim Mlynek 63, Saturday, December 24, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Earl Hall Sunday, December 25, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Richard “Rik” Blair 77, Thursday, December 15, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Morris DeDecker 93, Monday, December 19, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Clara Demars 72, Monday, December 19, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

John Archer 72, Tuesday, December 20, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

EmmaJean Rolls-Simons 91, Friday, December 23, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Daniel James Dillon 80, Sunday, December 25, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Jean Williams 85, Monday, December 26, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Richard Isaacs 72, Monday, December 26, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Brian Papps 74, Tuesday, December 27, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Classifieds

Obituaries Obituaries

Johanna

Lahey

passed away at home on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at the age of 73, after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. Born in Berlin on Dec. 2, 1949, she came to Canada at age 3, and was raised in and near Mississauga by parents Gertrud and the late Arno Boehnke. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 48 years, Dale Edward Lahey, their 2 sons, Cory (Jen) and Scott (Megan), and grand-daughters Lauryn and Kenzie of Mitchell’s Bay and Reese and Isabel of Calgary. Ingrid is survived by her younger sisters, Magrid Clarke (Martin), Gabriele Clark (Rick), and Connie Gomes (Jeremy). Also by her nieces Rebecca Clarke, Jena Gomes, Chelsea Gomes (Justin), Lacey Milmore, and nephews Nevin Gomes, Joey Crandall (Jackie) and by great-nephews Logan, Cooper, Grayson, Weston, Aiden, Logan, Noah, Cole and great-nieces Sophia, Leyna and Amelia. Ingrid was a much loved teacher-coach, coaching major champions in 3 sports, volleyball, basketball, and badminton. She played volleyball for over 30 years and coached it for 45 years. She was female athlete of the year at the U. of Windsor 1970-71. Ingrid was co-founder of the still running Ballhawks Volleyball Club’75 and of the Spring Boys Volleyball League. She was twice inducted into the Wallaceburg Hall of Fame. Ingrid will be remembered privately by her family and have a Celebration of Life in the late spring or early summer. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.

ANTIQUE, COLLECTIBLES & TOOL AUCTION

Saturday, January 7th, 2023

Comber Community Centre 6213 McAllaster St., Comber, ON Preview: 8:00am, Auction Starts: 9:00am NO

DeDecker: Morris Albert

A resident of Chatham, Morris DeDecker passed away at Riverview Gardens on December 19, 2022 at the age of 93. Born in Harwich Township, Morris was the son of the late Medar and Edith (Nead) DeDecker. Reunited with wife Isabelle (nee Van Mieghem). Survived by lifelong Friend, Ron Vandevelde (Yvonne), Nephew, Rudy Vandewynckel. Predeceased by daughter Judy and son in law Earl Laing. Grandfather to Paul Laing (Mindy ) and Carrie Barrette. Great Grandfather to Hunter Laing. Predeceased by brother Joe DeDecker. Morris worked for Navistar for 30 years. He enjoyed his retirement, going to the casino and wheelin and dealin. As per Morris’ wishes cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations made in memory of Morris to the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent or Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlay funeralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham. 519-351-2040

Sam Frederick passed peacefully at home with family by his side on Friday, December 23, 2022. Born in Kent County 89 years ago. Son of the late Charlie and Ethel Frederick. Best friend of Lynda Byrne. Father of the late Randy Frederick, Denise (Frederick) McEllistrum and Dean McEllistrum, Kevin and Loralei Frederick. Survived by daughter in law Annie. Grandfather of Tammy (Frederick) Robblee and Danny Robblee, Tina Martin, Justin Martin, Keaton Frederick and Koltan Frederick. Great grandfather of Adam, Wyatt, Payton and Brodie. Brother of Harold and (Helen) Frederick (deceased), George and (Marg) Frederick (deceased), Jim and (Doris) Frederick (deceased), Mary and (Richard) Gilbeault and Bob and (Pat) Frederick. Sam will be deeply missed by all those that loved him. In accordance with his wishes Sam’s family will be remembering him privately. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.

Coins

Ministry

Healing Love Ministry is an all night prayer line with counsellors available from 12:00am7:00am. Also, a male support group for those struggling with sexual addiction. A home based ministry, private and confidential. 519-354-3532.

Classified deadline is noon Fridays the week before publication. 519-397-2020.

BUYING coin collections and silver coins. Any questions call Paul 289-228-2817.

Obituaries

A resident of Chatham, Emmajean Rolls-Simons went to be with her Lord and Saviour on December 23, 2022 at the age of 91. Born in Chatham Township, Emmajean was the daughter of Garnett Scott and Ila Kersey Milburn. Beloved wife of the late Allison Rolls (1975) and the late Norman Simons (2004). Loving mother of Esther (Robert “Pete”) Wright, Gary (Barb) Rolls and Preston Rolls. Proud grandmother to Nancy Wright, Michele Wright, Nathan Rolls, Steven ( Sandra) Rolls; and great granddaughter to Sedeah. Also missed by her cousin Dale Starks as well as the extended Clinton family. Emmajean was a member and Deaconess of First Baptist Church Chatham and an active member of Nancy Rebekah Missionaries. Emmajean enjoyed crocheting and working in her flower garden. She also volunteered at Meals on Wheels and was a past employee of St. Josephs Hospital. Family and friends were received at First Baptist Church, 135 King St E, Chatham, on Friday, December 30, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the service to celebrate Emmajean’s life at 1:00 p.m. Interment followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Donations made in memory of Emmajean to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham. 519-351-2040.

For Rent: 3br, 4-plex, 1 1/2 baths, finished basement. Available Feb. 1. $1,100 + utilities. Call 519-7846120.

For Sale

Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $35. 519-354-3411

Happy LXXVth Birthday

January 6th

Judy Brearley

With Love, your family and furry members!

Wanted

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-727-8894.

This weeks puzzles on page 16

Dover Duds winner of a pre Christmas $100 Gift card promotion .was Rick Paxton of Chatham.

Dover Duds is now open in their new location at 25442 St.Clair Rd Chatham

Ingrid