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CEO, COO severances cost CKHA $700K-plus By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

As the rebuilders of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance continue to look for ways to run more efficiently, an item that is slowing such progress is staff severance. The removal of president and CEO Colin Patey, as well as chief operating officer Sarah Padfield last fall cost the alliance 18 months in severance pay for each. Combined, that’s more than $710,000, based on Ontario Public Sector Salary Disclosure numbers from 2016. Rob Devitt, supervisor for CKHA, declined to comment on specific severance packages, but said giving 18 months in pay to management let go without cause is typical. “The key point is we have, as almost all organizations do, is employment contracts for executives. These include provisions for severance, including severance without cause,” he said. “Those are in the contract, and we honour the contract.” Patey’s and Padfield’s

contracts state – and this nomenclature seems consistent across CKHA executive contracts – that if they are to be let go without cause they are to receive up to 18 months in pay. “The Employer may terminate the Agreement prior to the expiry of the term without cause, in its absolute discretion, for any reason by giving the Employee prior notice in writing or the equivalent pay in lieu thereof in equal monthly amounts, or any combination thereof, equal to 12 months, plus one month for each completed year of service after the first year of employment, up to a total maximum of 18 months,” the contracts state. There is also a provision in their contracts that should an employee be entitled to severance under the Employment Standards Act, the notice period would instead be paid out in lieu of notice. Devitt said the 18-month payout is consistent with what other organization pay.

Continued on page 3 Run Date: Mar 28, 2017 Chatham Voice 10.333 x 2.1430

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Hundreds of young people and their parents took advantage of a beautiful Easter Monday off school to visit the first annual Chatham-Kent First Responders Easter ‘Egg’stravaganza, a free community event hosted by Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Chatham-Kent Police Services, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services, Medavie EMS and the United Way. Sinead Herder, 2, and her mom Justine kept busy finding Easter eggs at the event.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

News

Furnace company fined for botched install

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Nearly six months after an installer did a brutal job installing a furnace into an elderly couple’s home on Given Road, the company answered to charges in court. On April 11, Green Planet Home Energy pleaded guilty to two charges related to the Ontario College of Trades (OCT) section: “No person shall employ or otherwise engage an individual to perform work or engage in a practice that constitutes engaging in the practice of a compulsory trade unless the individual holds a certificate of qualification in that trade that is not suspended or unless the individual

is an apprentice in that trade and is working pursuant to a registered training agreement that is not suspended.” On Oct. 16, according to OCT spokesman Tyler Charlebois, the company sent Cong Minh Bui to the Given Road home to install a furnace and air conditioner. “Mr. Bui was directed there by the defendant business to install an air conditioning unit and a furnace, and to perform all the electrical work required for that installation,” he said. “Mr. Bui installed the cooling-heating combination system and installed, altered and drew electrical conductors through conductor enclosures for that system, as engaged

by Green Planet. Mr. Bui received payment for this work from Green

Planet.” One problem. Bui does not hold a valid certifi-

cate of qualification for either electrician or refrigeration and air condi-

tioning system mechanic, according to the OCT. Continued on page 5

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

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PAGE 3

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The cost of rebuilding for CKHA Continued from page 1

“Those numbers are pretty standard across large organizations. They’re calibrated based on what the courts have historically awarded if the organization is taken to court,” he said. “When organizations negotiate employee contracts, it’s all done in the interest of getting something that someone would get if they went to court, but you avoid all the costs of going to court.” When asked if either Padfield

or Patey should have been let go for just cause, Devitt again declined to discuss specifics. “In my experience, the threshold for just cause is pretty significant. And I’m just speaking generally,” he said. “We honoured what was in the employment contract.” Hospital administration estimated it would run a deficit of about $3 million for the fiscal year that ended March 31. Nearly a quarter of that is comprised of the Patey and Pad-

field severance payouts, based on these figures. “It all costs to change the workforce. Whether it’s layoff provisions, severances, whatever. It all comes out of the same wallet,” Devitt said. “Always, when you are making changes, it is a hit to the bottom line in the short term. But you often try to find ways to find offsets through time.” Devitt stressed the alliance has been clear on

its financial position since he became supervisor. “We are working on a recovery plan. You’ll see we’ve been able to improve our fiscal position,” he said. “We’ve done the easy stuff. The hard part comes now. This is one of the challenges we are in the process of fixing.” Changing old mindsets isn’t

easy, he added, as the CKHA had a “long history of running in the red. I could point to any number of things and say, ‘That’s the reason why,’ but when all is said and done, we’ve got to get to a plan to get into the black, and run within our means. That’s just good public policy.”

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

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News

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Fines total $600 for Green Planet Continued from page 2

“Accordingly, by engaging Mr. Bui to perform the work, the defendant committed the offence of engaging an unauthorized individual to perform the work of two compulsory trades, contrary to s. 4 of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act,” Charlebois said. When Bui installed the furnace and air conditioner, homeowner Larry Gadal wasn’t aware of this. But upon seeing the damage done to the exterior of his home, combined with the fact the furnace couldn’t adequately heat the house, he received a rude awakening. Gadal told The Voice previously that Green Planet had been very aggressive in its sales pitch for the heating and air conditioning system, offering a long-term lease of the units, with no cost to install, with monthly payments of $158 a month for 15 years. The installation went badly. “They did a horrible job. They drilled five holes through the wall before they got it where they wanted it,” Gadal said. “If they didn’t hit the right spot, they’d just move over. “When they left, they didn’t even fill the holes. There was about a two-inch gap beside one of the pipes,” he said. “They came back with a caulking gun.” When the cold weather hit, he learned the furnace couldn’t even heat his home to 20C. As a result, he called the company and told them to come and get their furnace. He also called local heating and cooling company Absolute Comfort, who ripped out the Green Planet system and installed a new furnace, for a greatly reduced cost. Dave Cabral of Absolute Comfort in Chatham said an inspection of the Green Planet installation left him stunned. “I’ve never seen anything like it.

This is the worst I’ve ever seen,” he said, referring to the workmanship and installation. “Nothing was installed to the manufacturer’s specifications. And the home was damaged in a couple of spots.” Cabral and Absolute Comfort office manager Cindy Brooke contacted the Ontario College of Trades on behalf of Gadal to complain about the workmanship. By late January, Green Planet and Bui faced charges. While Green Planet has pleaded guilty and received two $300 fines, Bui had his court date pushed back to May 16, Brooke, who attended the April 11 hearing, said. Charlebois said the college has the interest of the consumers at heart. “The Ontario College of Trades takes its mandate to protect the public interest very seriously,” he said. “To ensure the public is protected and trades professionals are held to a high professional standard, College enforcement officers confirm those completing the work of compulsory trades have the proper credentials to do so.” Last year alone, college personnel received more than 1.3 million visits to its Public Register—an online tool that helps consumers verify an individual’s qualifications. The College received approximately 1,662 calls from the public about concerns of potentially uncertified workers. A total of 4,243 individuals were found to be unauthorized workers, and 36 Part III prosecutions (the same category under which Green Planet pleaded guilty) were made. All convictions are posted on the College’s website under the Public Advisories section. As well, 409 Provincial Offences Notices (tickets) were issued and there were 68 prosecutions for violators of Ontario College of Traces Apprenticeship Act.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 5

News

Business owner not worried about highway closure By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Highway 40 is severed until November at the earliest at Hwy. 401, meaning there is one less route between Chatham and Blenheim for traffic flow. But what will that mean to the local economy? Some don’t think there will be much, if any, difference as the province upgrades the interchange between Hwy. 40 and the 401. Don Gilbert, owner of Ford & McIntyre Men’s Wear in Blenheim, isn’t too concerned. “I really don’t think it will have much of an impact on Ford and Mac. Even though we are fashion retailers and the consumer has various options, I think the uniqueness and customer service we deliver in our entire fashion district in Blenheim is far superior to those elsewhere, he said. “Consumers today enjoy small-town shopping and will find a way to get there when presented with a slight detour.” He also doesn’t think it will have much impact

on the rest of Blenheim’s downtown stores. “We have some amazing downtown shops and services and we also have countless loyal customers from Chatham and its rural area,” Gilbert said. “There are additional routes to find their way to Blenheim and yes, it will be inconvenient, but I am confident our customers from the Chatham area will make their way to support their favorite downtown Blenheim businesses.” As for traffic coming off Hwy. 401 and into Chatham-Kent, Gilbert thinks there are plenty of other ways into Blenheim and Chatham. “By all the reports I have read, it appears that the municipality and the Ministry of Transportation are working together to provide alternate routes,” he said. “If they provide adequate signage I think we will be able to cope with the pain. It will be inconvenient but this is a long overdue project and we will all be very pleased when completed.” Stuart McFadden, acting

director of economic development for the municipality, agreed. “Construction is a sign of progress. When this project and the many others planned for Chatham-Kent are over, we will have a better roads system and that’s vital to our economic well-being.” In terms of that economic well-being, Gilbert said the uniqueness of Blenheim’s core is what will continue to draw customers, regardless of road construction. “From a retail perspective Blenheim has one of the most energetic, successful downtown business communities to be seen in any rural Ontario small town,” he said. “Most small communities have suffered from the corporate world or big box retailers, however, Blenheim continues to flourish in the retail industry. I truly believe the biggest reason of our retail success is because of our small-town mentality. We provide friendly, old fashion customer service. Consumers who shop in Blenheim do so because we

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

With Highway 40 now closed at the interchange with Hwy. 401, it is estimated it will have only a limited impact on the Chatham and Blenheim retail industry.

don’t deliver a product; we deliver an experience.” Construction crews were to close the interchange on Tuesday. Hwy. 40 is closed at Creek Road/Pinehurst Line north of the interchange and Communication Road is closed south of the interchange at Horton Line except for local traffic. Municipal services won’t be affected by the closure. Provincial Offences Court and the Harwich Transfer Station, located immediately north of Horton Line, will remain open for service throughout the

interchange reconstruction. Residents are reminded that they can pay fines at any municipal service centre or at the Civic Cen-

tre in Chatham during regular office hours if they want to avoid the detour. As well, all fines can be paid online at www.paytickets.ca.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 6

Small fines, large void Last week brought a bittersweet victory for local homeowner Larry Gadal, as well as for all victims of fraudulent tradespeople. Gadal, who signed a deal with out-of-town Green Planet Home Energy last fall to have a new furnace and air conditioner installed, was stunned at the shoddy workmanship by the company’s installer. With erroneous holes in the wall, mangled siding that featured poorly attempted repairs via the abundant use of caulking, and wires hanging loosely in the wind, the front of Gadal’s house lost a great deal of curb appeal. Furthermore, the furnace couldn’t even do its job, as it couldn’t heat Gadal’s Given Road home up to 20C in the cold of winter. So he called a local company, Absolute Comfort, to look into removing that furnace and installing a proper unit. They did so, but not before asking the Ontario College of Trades (OCT) to take a look at the botched Green Planet installation effort. Enforcement officer Bob Wolsing examined the work in January, and laid charges soon thereafter. Well, last week, Green Planet pleaded guilty to two infractions – sending an installer, Cong Minh Bui, to do work for which he had no certificate of qualification. According to the OCT, he had no certificate as an electrician or as a refrigeration and air conditioning system mechanic. The result? Two $300 fines. The front of Larry Gadal’s home was damaged, the installed furnace didn’t work properly, resulting in the need for expensive electric space heaters, and the company received less than a slap on the wrist. As for Bui, his day in court is pushed back to midMay. How does $600 in fines discourage companies from continuing with questionable installation practices? It doesn’t. We’re told that Green Planet is now on the OCT’s radar. If they reoffend, the fines could leap upwards. Still, that’s small consolation for Gadal. At least, with the help of Absolute Comfort, he has proper heating and cooling for his home now. The moral of the story? Buy local, shop local and do your homework on the company and the person brought in to do the work.

Letters to the editor policy

The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@chathamvoice.com (use “Letter” in the subject line). You can also drop them off or mail them to us at The Chatham Voice, 84 Dover St., Unit 2, Chatham, Ont, N7L 1T1. The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity. All letters need to be signed.

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The publisher of this newspaper, CK Media Inc., reserves the right to clarify or refuse any advertisement based on its sole discretion. The publisher reserves the right to reject, discontinue or omit any advertisement without notice or penalty to either party. Liability for errors or non-insertion is limited to the amount paid for the cost of space occupied by the error. Claims of errors must be made prior to the next publication date.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Opinion

Stay out of investment biz, C-K Sir: Chatham-Kent municipal Corporation continues to make taxpayer funded investments that continue to end in taxpayer liability, when continually given evidence not to. Municipalities should not be in the investment business. They are hired by taxpayers to prudently manage to create dividends, not to mismanage to create liability. The Bradley Centre, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in net annual losses; the Industrial Park, which accumulated a $20 million total to date loss; the Capital Theatre, having a total provincial and municipal gross loss of about many millions, not the skimpy losses generally reported; Kingston Park with a $2 million overrun in costs; taxpayer funded annual municipal wage and pension payout of about $138M, with only about $146 million in general annual revenues. If I understood the recent clouded, scattered and incomplete municipal budget correctly, C-K has nearly $40 million in interest payments on such capital projects. Canada-wide, taxpayers are paying about

$62 billion and $11 billion annually just to service the debt of Canada and Ontario respectively. All of day-to-day cash of government operations come from the private sector, you and I, but yet, governments continue to financially rape their only source of income by introducing about 120 taxes on everything we do, on every nickel we earn, and continue to make irresponsible and fool hardy investments that never comes out of their pocket book, only ours. The Provincial Green Energy Act, paving the way for wind turbines, created a 70-per-cent hike in electricity costs, costs consumers an extra $37 billion, and under the Auditors report will cost us an additional $133 billion by 2032. The auditor’s report confirms for each wind energy job created, three Ontario jobs are lost. The mayor supports wind turbines, and his short sighted thinking makes Chatham-Kent nickels and dimes, while the province is losing billions, whereby billions have to be made up by taxing us more to make

up the losses. Recently, C-K council approved an $8-million investment in wind turbines, cited by the mayor to give us an $11-million profit after 20 years, which will keep taxes down. This thinking is worse than a migraine and mirrors how the province manages tax dollars. More specific to the wind turbine investment. C-K will become “common” shareholders in 15 per cent of a foreign company, meaning if the company dissolves or liquidates or reconstructs itself we as “common” shareholders lose all to preferred stock holders, bond holders, creditors, etc., not to mention if no profits are realized due to provincial or legal intervention. $8 million from reserves invested with compounding interest could give us up to $15M after 20 years without risk. Taking money from reserves means we have to replenish it, either by cashing in bonds, creating higher taxes, reducing infrastructure investment or by other means. We have reserves for good reason. If any dividends were realized from the turbine

investment taxpayers won’t see a dime nor will any reduction in taxes be apparent. C-K will create a separate corporation, under the Business Corporations Act, RSO- 1990 for this manoeuvre, transferring same to Entegrus, which disallows taxpayers, although it’s all your money, to not know what’s going on, unless Entegrus/Corix wishes you to. Additionally, Entegrus is courting to grab up to $30 million more from Chatham-Kent taxpayers for future investments with private companies. Companies like Entegrus are more inclined to use investment income as an indirect way to feed their own wages, pensions, travel, perks and allowances, office upgrades, company vehicles etc., before any benefit is given to the taxpayer. Furthermore, having Chatham-Kent a wind turbine investor, how the hell can council and our municipality speak against the turbine company respecting any legal action, public safety liability or other? John Cryderman Chatham

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 7

Opinion

Thumbs up to World of Choices event When I was in Grade 10, I had no idea what I wanted to be, but with a brother and sister in the medical field and an interest in biology, I was leaning toward being a microbiologist. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to work and then lead a student newspaper in Grade 12 and 13, that I realized journalism was the career I wanted to pursue. It’s tough to make choices about your future at such a young age, but with the help of Junior

oured to represent women in journalism at the half -day seminar, spending 20 minutes each with five groups of young women. In a speed-dating style set up, the students were asked to pick their top five career choices, and were able to spend 20 minutes with mentors from each of those 20 careers. While most of

the young women at my table weren’t sure journalism was an interest they had, I was able to tell

them about my post-secondary experience, job experience and advise them of the many different

directions they could go with a journalism degree or diploma. Continued on page 8

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PAGE 8

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

News

Encourage your girl that the sky’s the limit Continued from page 7

I was also able to advise them, as an employer, what I would be looking for in a recent grad if I were hiring. At times, you heard crickets chirping unless you had a particularly outgoing student at the table, but the organizers wisely had a number of pre-made questions on the table students could

ask. Keynote speaker Charyl Galpin of BMO Nesbitt Burns gave an excellent speech on going from a teller to head of investment business, all without a post-secondary education, but no stranger to hard work and life-long learning. Backed by the Women’s Leadership Council

of the United Way, the event is such a great way to bring a lot of frontline knowledge and experience to young people struggling to make decisions that affect their future. It was important, I think, to let today’s students know that once you make a decision, you are not locked into it

for ever after. Many people can change majors at school, or even careers later in life if they realize the path they chose isn’t for them. I pointed out that my first journalism class went from 95 to 45 by second year, and by third year, under 20 of us chose the print stream to finish out our diploma. There is no shame

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES: CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF WORK

or almost 85 years Goodwill Industries has been changing people’s lives. It is important to know why we do what we do at Goodwill therefore knowing the “why” to donate to our social enterprise. At Goodwill we believe that everyone regardless of any barrier should have an opportunity to develop to his or her fullest usefulness and enjoy his or her maximum abundance and quality of living. One way this can be achieved is by being provided the opportunity to work. By feeling the dignity, respect and commitment of going to work and earning a paycheque. Work provides stability and a feeling of ownership and worth. It also allows those who need a chance to prove they are capable and willing to be part of the working community. We ask that you also provide opportunity to those in the community that perhaps need a chance. Through your donations of gently used clothing and goods we are able to provide programs to

people right here in our community and help empower them to grow and provide more for themselves and their families. Please take a moment to read Kathy’s story and learn more about the great things and dreams that can come true because of your generous donations. Goodwill Success Story: Kathy I always had a dream of owning a brand-new car but never thought it was possible. I’ve worked at Goodwill for approximately five years and during that time, I’ve had at least four cars. I rely on my car to get to and from work as I live outside the city and I’ve been constantly buying “fixer-uppers” that were always in need of some repair or another. I am a single person and responsible for all of the bills myself. When the Financial Literacy program was offered to Goodwill employees, I signed up and learned about budgeting and managing my money. In the course, I learned about impulse buying, which was one of

Happy Birthday

my main problems. While I am not a high income earner, I learned that dreams are possible on any budget with some knowledge, some willpower, and some determination. One Sunday, my son and I decided to take a look at some new cars on a couple of lots. And there it was, my dream car – a white Kia Rio! We went back the next day and I talked to the salesperson and found out that having my own brand new car was possible for me. It’s important not to ever give up on your dreams – with determination and the right choices, they can come true! To find out more about Goodwill Industries EKL and how you can help to change people’s lives, please contact Kevin Smith CEO of Goodwill EKL

to our friends at Chatham Voice www.goodwillekl.com

Goodwill EKL Corporate Office 1121 Wellington Street, Sarnia, ON N7S 6J7 Tel: 519-332-0440 Goodwill Industries - Essex, Kent, Lambton

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CHATHAM-KENT

in taking the time to explore all the opportunities that are out there, and thanks to events like JA World of Choices, the people who can help are right at your fingertips. Universities and colleges are always holding career forums or specific days for different programs. Just last year, I took our daughter Brenna to Western University in London for a GoGirl engineering forum, where we were able to talk to and ask questions of faculty, current students and alumni about the program, and job opportunities once you graduate. It was free of charge and we were fed lunch as well.

The best thing we can do as parents is help our kids look for opportunities to explore their interests. It can lead them to a career they may not have considered or help them rule out a job they thought would be perfect. Kudos to local Junior Achievement President Barb Smith and her team for putting on an excellent event, and all the women who donated their time and expertise to mentor young women. Our daughters need strong, positive role models in all careers to show them the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a career.

Items to avoid when composting

omposting is an eco-friendly activity that can also save homeowners money on fertilizer and pesticides. Organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow, but not everything can be added to compost piles. The following are some items homeowners should not add to their compost piles or bins: Black walnut tree leaves or twigs: Leaves or twigs from black walnut release substances that might prove harmful to plants. Coal or charcoal ash: Coal or ash from charcoal, such as the ash that builds up in the bottom of charcoal grills, may contain substances that are harmful to plants. Dairy products: When added to compost piles, dairy products, including butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt and eggs, can be malodorous and may attract pests, including rodents and flies. Diseased or insect-ridden plants: The diseases and insects that plague plants may survive being transferred to compost piles. When the compost is ultimately distributed, these diseases and insects might then plague other plants. Fats, grease, lard, or oils: Fats, grease, lard or oils also may attract rodents and flies, and that might be due to the unpleasant odors such substances can produce when added to compost piles. Meat or fish bones and scraps: Like fats, grease, lard or oils, scraps from meat and fish and fish bones can smell unpleasant, potentially attracting rodents and flies. Pet waste: Pet waste, including soiled cat litter, may contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses that can be harmful. Grass trimmings treated with chemical pesticides: Trimmings from grass that was treated with chemical pesticides can negate the effects of composting by killing beneficial organisms produced within compost piles or bins.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 9

New anthology for Writers’ Guild Spring release for this collection of poems and short stories By Mary Beth Corcoran mary@chathamvoice.com

The Kent Writers’ Guild is celebrating spring with the release of its latest anthology of poems and short stories. Meeting monthly at the Chatham branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library, the guild has been helping writers find and express their voice since 1983 when it was first started by Chatham’s

Frank Doyle. Still a member, Doyle joins fellow writers as they use innovative ways to help with the creative process. At a recent meeting, current guild president Paul Ritchie gave the writers three words and 20 minutes to incorporate those words into prose. Ritchie said each member is then invited to read what they have written, but can decline if they wish.

“It helps with the creative process and the idea is that it helps break up writer’s block,” Ritchie said. What is interesting is how many different ideas can come from three words, said long-time member Patricia Weaver Blonde. “You look around the table and it is amazing the different ways the same words are used,” she said. “It really gets you used to

the creative flow.” Members of the guild are welcome to come and go as their schedule allows, and meetings are at 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room. Blonde said the anthologies are something the guild does two times a year; once in the spring and once before Christmas, and the books make great Christmas presents or stocking stuffers. The members contribute their work to the anthology, and the spring one is currently available for $5 to the public. Ritchie, who has been president of the Guild since 2006, said

the writing process can be very therapeutic and when you read back over a story, it can surprise you. “Sometimes, I look at a finished piece and think, ‘I had no idea I had that in me,’” he noted. “Our group is about writing and socializing, and meet-

ings help you get good ideas for the next story.” One member, Patrick, said writing is like painting a story in someone else’s mind. To see samples of the guild’s work in the anthology, the books are available by calling Blonde at 519-676-8140.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 10

Life

Pop culture expo hits Chatham on April 29 By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

CK Expo, Chatham-Kent’s celebration of pop culture, returns April 29. Chris Bullard of Game Masters Emporium, one of the event organizers, said this is the fourth Comic Con-like gathering in Chatham, the third large-scale one. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the John D. Bradley

Convention Centre. “The first one was only 150 people. We moved to the Bradley Centre and had more than 1,000 people the next year,” Bullard said. “We hope to get more than 1,500 this year.” He believes the maturation of “geeky kids” has helped make events such as CK Expo so popular. “It’s a bunch of things. It used to be a fringe culture, but as su-

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

CK Expo has evolved from humble beginnings as “Cause” Play in 2014.Tim Stoffyn, left, Kristina Garant and Chris Bullard organized the initial event in 2014, and have watched it grow from about 150 people that year to a hopeful 1,500 for the April 29 event. All proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent.

perhero movies rolled out and more TV series rolled out, and the geeky kids are now in their 40s, it’s more widespread. It’s more authentic,” he said. This year’s CK Expo returns with free video games, pinball and board games for patrons to enjoy. There will also be a lineup of actors on hand.

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Bullard said they include Rochelle Davis, “who was the little girl from The Crow movie;” Olivia Hack, who played Cindy Brady in The Brady Bunch remake in the 1990s and who is a voice actor in a variety of cartoons; Sean Rogerson who has appeared in TV series such as Bitten, Supernatural and Stargate Atlantis; and Corin Nemec, who appeared in series such as Stargate SG-1, Supernatural,

and the Ghost Whisperer. “They might not be household names, but when you see them, you remember what shows you’ve seen them in,” Bullard said. “They’re engaging personalities and they have some cool stories to tell the guests.” Admission to CK Expo is $10. Children aged nine and under are free. All proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 11

NEED MONEY? WE HAVE MORTGAGE $$$ FOR ANY PURPOSE 519-355-1434

Brokerage 12728

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MARKET ANALYSIS CERTIFICATE THIS CERTIFICATE ENTITLES YOU TO A MARKET VALUE ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY BY DENNIS CRAIEVICH, YOUR REALESTATE PROFESSIONAL. CONTACT ME AND I WILL SHOW HOW MUCH YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH IN TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MARKETPLACE.

Mobile Anytime: 519-436-3505 sold@chathamkent.net If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard this offer. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.

Annita Zimmerman*** Cell: 519-358-6117

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Call Richard Strain*** Cell: 519-358-5601 *Broker of Record

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 12

CHATHAM OFFICE

34 Raleigh St.

Peifer Realty Inc. BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519-354-5470 BLENHEIM OFFICE 42 Talbot St. W.

519-676-5444

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

VISIT OUR BLOG! Stay up-to-date on home ownership.

www.royallepagechathamkent.com

Chatham-Kent MLS Sold Ends - First Three Months of 2017. We sell more houses than any other office in Chatham-Kent. Royal LePage Peifer has 40.1% of the Y-T-D market share of the combined top 5 brokerages in Chatham-Kent. Source: MLS Data, Chatham-Kent Real Estate Board, April 3, 2017.

Serving Chatham-Kent Since 1968 Realtor On Duty

Monday-Friday 8:30am-6:00pm Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm

Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856

Patti Vermeersch* 519-355-6800

Cindy Weaver** 519-360-0628

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1-3PM 7150 TALBOT, BLENHEIM • $589,900 AGENT: WAYNE LIDDY 4br, 2 bath executive rancher on a 2.4 ac lot on Lake Erie. Call Wayne 519-436-4810.

Industrial 7627 RIVERVIEW LINE $729,900

Quality custom built home on a beautiful river lot. Call Brian Peifer 519-436-2669.

915 RICHMOND $179,900 2.15 ac site on Richmond. Easy access to Hwy. 401. Zoned M1. Call Bev 519-358-8805.

Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155

Irene Dierckens* 519-437-5711

Penny Wilton** 519-360-0315

Steve Carroll* 519-355-9774

Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865

Broker of Record Cell 519-436-2669

10657 LAKEVIEW, C-K $668,000 Quality, grace & charm in this 4+1br, 2.5 bath 2 storey on Lake Morningstar. Call Pat 519-360-0141.

136 TECUMSEH $449,000 Beautiful custom built 3+1br, 3 bath brick 2 storey home. Call Brian Peifer 519-436-2669.

If you are contemplating moving into an apartment, downsizing your home or entering an assisted living facility, the time to list your home is now! 877 CHARING CROSS $925,000 Everything you could want! 5br, 2 storey with a beautiful yard. Call Brian Peifer 519-436-2669.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1-3PM 18242 ERIE SHORE $234,900 AGENT: DAVID SMITH 2br, 1.5 bath brick rancher overlooking Lake Erie with many recent updates. Call Brian Peifer 519-436-2669.

20400 COUNTY RD 42, TILBURY • $1,400,000

Inventory & equipment incl. 60’x120’ all steel Vertec building on 4.77 acres at Hwy.401. 5 bay doors, 5 ton overhead crane. Call Ron 519-3607729 or Brandice 226-626-4838.

Glitters Fun Eatery 3 SOUTH HAMPTON $628,888 Unique 2+2br, 2.5 bath custom built sprawling brick rancher. Call Eric 519-436-4865.

162 KING W $799,900 Thriving turnkey restaurant operating since 1983. Excellent sales with great profits. Call Deb R 519-401-5470.

1 floor plan, 1br + den, large living room, great area for fishing, hunting & birding. Many updates. Call Steve 519-355-9774 or Brian 519-436-2669.

28 PARKVIEW $559,900 4br, 2.5 bath beautiful custom built 2 storey with i/g pool. Call Eric 519-436-4865.

9565 RIVER LINE $880,000 Five star executive 3br, 5 bath, brick 1.5 storey home on the Thames River. Call Amber 519-784-5310.

4624 TALBOT TR MERLIN - $495,000

Rondeau Bay 17992 RONDEAU PARK $239,900 Beautiful year round 3br, 1.5 bath, extensively updated 1.5 storey. Call Penny 519-360-0315 or Elliot 519-358-8755.

New Listing 15 THORNHILL $194,900 3br, 2 bath custom brick ranch with numerous updates. Call Pat 519-360-0141.

Offer Pending 188 VICTORIA $349,900 5br, 2 bath classic 2.5 storey home with many unique features. Don’t miss this one! Call Jim 519-358-3984.

Offer Pending 23262 PRINCE ALBERT $189,900 3br, 2 bath well maintained 2 storey home in a lovely country setting. Call Deb 519-401-5470

Kristen Nead** 519-784-7653

Andrea Okopny* 519-359-2482

Chris Papple* 519-350-1402

Elizabeth Peifer* 519-436-8959

Amber Pinsonneault* 519-784-5310

Patrick Pinsonneault** 519-360-0141

Brian Preston* 519-355-9868

Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470

Bev Shreve** 519-358-8805

Brandice Smith* 226-626-4838

David Smith* 519-350-1615

Ron Smith* 519-360-7729

Larry Smyth** 519-355-8686

Offer Pending

New Listing 72 RANDOLF $129,900 Affordable 3br family home. Professionally painted & cleaned. Call Deb 519-401-5470.

Heather Najjar** 519-355-8666

This is an impressive 3+1br, 2.5 bath custom built waterfront bungalow. Call Brian K 519-365-6090.

open house

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1-4PM 23567 PRINCE ALBERT $689,000 AGENT: STEVE CARROLL Beautifully landscaped 4br, 3.5 bath executive brick rancher on 3.86 acres with many updates. Call Steve 519355-9774 or Brian 519-436-2669.

Ghassan (Gus) Najjar** 519-355-8668

Call one of our Real Estate Professionals to assist you in making the most important move of your life.

Offer Pending 6575 ANGLER, MITCHELL’S BAY • $169,000

Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189

Chatham-Kent has a shortage of inventory (Listings) so you will get the most for your property if you list it now.

open house Includes High Grossing Business

Elliot Wilton* 519-358-8755

Brian Peifer

Attention: Seniors and Empty Nesters!

open house

Michael Smyth* 519-784-5470

PAGE 13

7136 TALBOT, BLENHEIM $99,900 1.6 ac lot with a perfect location overlooking Lake Erie. Call Wayne 519-436-4810.

445 GRAND W $699,900 Professional office building in excellent condition. Currently zoned institutional. Call Kristen 519-784-7653.

open house Ronald Franko** 519-355-8181

Catie Hawryluk* 519-809-4268

Michael Gibbons* 519-365-5634

Brian Keenan* 519-365-6090

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1-3PM 35 SCHOONER $255,000 AGENT: PAT PINSONNEAULT Brand new 3br, 2.5 bath bungalow backing onto green space. Call Pat 519-360-0141.

92 RANDOLF $149,900 Tastefully updated 3br, 1.5 bath 3 level side split. This home offers great value. Call Eric 519-436-4865.

163 WELLINGTON E $128,900

Nice 3br bungalow completely remodelled. Move-in condition. Call Chris 519-350-1402.

open house Wayne Liddy* 519-436-4810

June McDougall* 519-358-5199

George McDougall* 519-360-7334

Jim McLachlin** 519-358-3984

SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1-3PM 10989 RIVER LINE $959,900 AGENT: WAYNE LIDDY 4br, 3.5 bath, 3500 sq ft executive 2 storey home on 3.10 ac’s on the water. Call Wayne 519-436-4810.

Vacant Lot 29971 OAKDALE $20,000 Large (3/4 acre) lot in Croton. Own a piece of property! Call Bev 519-358-8805.

155 GRAND AVE. W. $199,900 Great business opportunity to take over an existing operation + the land & building. Call Brian Peifer 519-436-2669.

300 QUEEN $154,900 Completely remodelled 3br 2 storey home centrally located. Call Chris 519-350-1402.

186 COLBORNE $139,500 Beautiful 2br brick 2 storey along the creek. Move-in condition with many updates. Call Jim 519-358-3984.

Offer Pending 364 WELLINGTON W $179,000 Great location & well maintained brick triplex. All 1br units. Many improvements. Call Amber 519-784-5310.

D L SO

Offer Pending

11 CHICORY $249,900

177 INSHES $95,900

4br, 2 bath bi-level home with warm & tasteful décor. Call Sylvia 519-355-8189.

399 CATHERINE, BLENHEIM • $29,900 49.39’ X 110.22’ vacant building lot in Blenheim. Call George 519-360-7334.

2br bungalow with many renovations. Cheaper than renting! Call Ron Franko 519-355-8181.

Don’t Miss Out 202 CAMPUS #305 $119,900 Attractive & well maintained 2br condo unit on the 3rd floor. Call David 519-350-1615.

6 DANIEL’S $128,900 Nice 3br, 1.5 storey remodelled home. Call Chris 519-350-1402.

17996 RONDEAU $179,000 Own a 3br waterfront cottage in Rondeau Park with endless sunsets. Call Larry 519-355-8686.

119 HARVEY $89,900 Duplex for sale. 2br unit on the 2nd floor and 1br unit on the main. Call George 519-360-7334.

Broker** Sales Representative *

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

homes Peifer Realty Brokerage Penny Wilton, Broker

Independently Owned & Operated 42 Talbot St. W., Blenheim

519-676-5444

519-360-0315 • penny@pennywilton.com 519-358-8755 • elliot@royallepage.ca

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Cultivating the Best, Shore to Shore

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18366 Erie Shore Dr., Blenheim

14006 Talbot Trail, Chatham-Kent One of a kind stone 2 storey home. This 5BR, 1.5 bath has irreplaceable wood work & wood floors. Mature trees & a distant view of Lake Erie make this 3.3 acre property magnificent. $329,900

Spacious Family Home

475 Queen St., Chatham Beautiful well maintained duplex. Each unit has 2 BR and covered porch. Updated panels and high efficiency gas furnace. $146,900.

37 Hidden Valley, Blenheim Beautiful 3 level, 3+1 BR, 2 bath home. Awesome layout features a large kitchen and a vaulted ceiling. Huge 106 Teal Drive, Blenheim family room in finished Nice sized, serviced building lot in a basement. $224,900. mature sub-division in Blenheim. Priced to sell. Call today! $44,900.

Cell:

Steve Carroll

519-355-9774

Sales Rep.

519-354-5470

Office:

Peifer Realty Inc. BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Wayne Liddy, Sales Rep Cell 519-436-4810 email: wliddy@royallepage.ca

Lake View

17992 Rondeau Rd, Rondeau Park Beautiful waterfront home or cottage. This 3BR, 1.5 bath has been extensively updated & features a large living room, wonderful deck and detached garage. $239,900.

2+1 BR, 2 bath waterfront retreat. Spacious & bright open concept living. Recently renovated. Just move in and enjoy! $369,900.

Lovely updated 3BR, 1 bath ranch. Large eat in kitchen, detached & insulated 2 car garage and large porch with beautiful yard. $214,900.

of Chatham-Kent

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Rondeau Bay Retreat

6 Brock St., Shrewsbury

BEST Reader's Choice

Elliot Wilton, Sales Rep. FIND US ON

Serving the people Chatham-Kent for over 30 years!

Peifer Realty Inc.

BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

First Time Offered

7150 Talbot Trail RR#1 Blenheim• $589,900

Open House • Saturday, April 22 • 1-3pm

This beautiful 4 bedroom/2 Bath waterfront ranch home with attached 2 car garage is set back from the main road. Nested in the trees, offering complete privacy. Gorgeous views of Lake Erie from the home and the spacious deck that spans the rear of the residence. Large fully equipped oak kitchen with eating area. Family room has gas fireplace with garden doors leading to the rear deck. Bedrooms are all a good size with the main 5 P.C bath having double sinks and a tub with large glass shower doors. Back entrance from the garage could be a breakfast nook off the kitchen for morning coffee with gas fireplace, enjoying the waterfront views. Also 3 pc. bath and separate laundry room off the back entrance for convenience. Full lower level for future development.

Open House • Sunday, April 23 • 1-3pm REDUCED!! 10989 River Line • $959,900

Make an offer!

Already purchased our retirement home!

Situated on 3.2 acres on the water. This 3,500 sq.ft. rancher boasts 4br, 4 baths, huge great room, 20ft cathedral ceilings, gourmet kitchen, master 14’x 23’ w/225 sq.ft. en suite. Also guest/granny suite above garage featuring 4pc bath, sitting area, kitchen and bedroom. 40’x48’ heated workshop. Constructed to I. C. S. standards. One of a kind home! Don’t Miss Out!

for a virtual tour visit wayneliddy.com Cell:

Jim McLachlin

519-358-3984

Broker

519-354-5470

Office:

Peifer Realty Inc.

BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

email: jm4homes@ciaccess.com • website:www.chathamontariohomes.com

Starter

On the Avenue

23567 PRINCE ALBERT RD • $689,000

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY APRIL 22 • 1-4pm

If space inside & outside is what you are looking for this may be the one! Situated on 3.86 acres on the edge of Chatham this 3700sq.ft. executive rancher has it all. It features many updates, 3.5 baths, 4 bedrooms on the main floor. 1500sq.ft. is also finished on the lower level. A triple car attached garage, large shop & drive shed add extra value. You must see this one!

6575 Angler Line, Mitchell’s Bay • $169,000 If you like fishing, hunting, birding and direct access to Mitchell’s Bay this home may be ideal for you. It features 1 bedroom and den that could be a second bedroom. Kitchen and living room are very large and has a covered gazebo and attached garage. Just off rear deck is a remodeled bunkie for additional room. Many updates include roof, windows, tankless hot water and gas wall furnace. Municipal water.

188 Victoria Avenue

This new listing has many updates including kitchen, two baths and flooring. 3 or 4 bedrooms and conveniently located. Asking $129,900.

5 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwoods, updated kitchen, 100amp service, updated windows, updated heating system and on a 1/2 acre lot plus a 2 car garage. They don’t make them like this any more. This is a stunning option if you like a period home. Call for your inspection of this home. Asking $349,900.

Great Value

Summer Retreat

61 Park Ave. West

168 Colborne St. A very clean updated 2 or 3 bedroom home with hardwoods, beautiful kitchen, recent shingles, spectacular insulted and heated shop all sitting on a picturesque lot on the creek. Only $139,500.

Gray Line, Port Glasgow

This mobile with 2 bedrooms, with a lovely bright kitchen, living room, family room, and an enclosed porch is located in a 3 season park on the shores of Lake Erie and it is fully furnished. Call for details. Only $40,000.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

homes

Uniforms Unite to give blood

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Forty down and another 140 to go for Doug Cowell. That’s his target in terms of times giving blood. It’s also the number of units of blood used on his daughter Bailey, who received a heart transplant at just nine days old. Sadly, she passed away only weeks later. Doug and his wife Renee, Chatham-Kent police officers, are the driving forces behind the Uniforms Unite to Save Lives blood donor campaign. And April 12 marked the seventh year of the campaign, but it also marked what would have been Bailey’s 16th birthday. “Her birthday is always around this time,” Renee said of the annual Uni-

forms Unite event at the Sprit and Life Centre on Wellington Street. “But it is bittersweet that it actually falls on this day this year.” The Cowells were impressed with the support shown by the personnel of the various emergency services groups in Chatham-Kent. “It’s encouraging to see everybody here rolling up their sleeves helping to save lives,” Renee said. “It’s nice to see the community, our colleagues and coworkers out in such numbers.” The goal for the day was 140 donations, again the equivalent to the number of units of blood and blood products Bailey needed during her stay at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.

PAGE 15

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Beth Cassidy, donor care associate with Canadian Blood Services, keeps an eye on Chatham-Kent police Const. Ian Scoyne’s progress as he gives blood April 12 during the Uniforms Unite to Save Lives event at the Spirit and Life Centre in Chatham. It’s the seventh year of the campaign.

Health survey gave residents a voice

By Mary Beth Corcoran mary@chathamvoice.com

With the results from community surveys last winter by the health coalition committees in Chatham and Wallaceburg-Wapole Island First Nation, people have helped effect change in the services offered by our local health care system. That according to Chatham-Kent Health Coalition cochair Shirley Roebuck. She said the survey results showed that people wanted health services in both Chatham and Walla-

ceburg, and the communities’ response to the survey helped the decision to keep and further upgrade services for the Wallaceburg campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. “Without the public, there would have been a chance that the Wallaceburg hospital would be downsized further,” Roebuck said in an interview. “Our group was part of the campaign to save the Wallaceburg hospital and maintain services in Chatham. Even before we put out the survey, we met with politicians at Queen’s Park and

were able to get our issues on their agenda.” In a recent letter to Roebuck, Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins thanked the coalition committees for conducting the survey and forwarding the results to his ministry and the CKHA. “Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the residents and communities across Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island First Nation. We look forward to your continued collaboration in the transformation of the local health-care system,”

Hoskins said in his April 7 letter to Roebuck. His letter also let Roebuck know about the new website set up by the CKHA (askckha.com) as a forum for public feedback and a place for the public to ask questions about the future direction of the hospital alliance. It also gives updates on what is happening in regards to restructuring and dates for “community engagement sessions” coming up. Roebuck said there is still more work to be done. “We can’t stop now. We need

to ensure that Chatham-Kent has good, strong programs that serve our community and we plan to ask for more services in Wallaceburg, with a goal of servicing the population of Chatham-Kent in a better way.” She said the two coalitions will be taking part in an Ontario Health Coalition campaign to warn the public about the danger of privatizing health care services. With the slogan, “We can’t bear to lose our health care,” a six-foot bear will be travelling the province to highlight the public’s concern.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Special thanks to the Festival of Giving Committee: Chris McLeod, Chair Gord Purchase Patty Purchase Adam Snow Jason King

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PAGE 17

Everyone wins with the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation’s Festival of Giving! Don Turner Jodi Ritzer Mike Wright Alex Hydman

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

The Arts

Double Elvis at Capitol Theatre

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent has an affinity for vintage rock and roll, and that’s what keeps Pete Paquette bringing shows back to the Chatham Capitol Theatre. Paquette, an award-winning Elvis tribute performer, said the folks in C-K are tuned in to what his company offers. “We have a great fan base in Chatham; a great following of Paquette Production names,” he said. “People come to realize the quality of our shows.” The company delivers tribute shows for a host of performers, Elvis includ-

ed. They produce tributes to the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Tom Jones, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline and more. Paquette said he first started bringing shows to Chatham about six years ago. He returns to Chatham April 29, with Chris Connor in tow. Connor is a British Elvis tribute artist, and the two will take the audience through the full gamut of The King’s musical career. The Rockin’ Royals Show Band and the Tonettes will back up Paquette and Connor. Paquette said his appreciation for Elvis Presley

began at an early age. “I was eight years old and I saw Elvis on television. It was a compilation. I got hooked on his style and performance,” he said. Growing up in Vankleek Hill, Ont., just east of Ottawa, Paquette said he performed locally doing Elvis songs shortly thereafter, eventually competing by the age of 16. He has twice won the Collingwood Elvis Festival. As Paquette continued to do Elvis songs, he performed at festivals in the United States as well, eventually becoming an event headliner. Continued on page 19

Contributed image

Pete Paquette, centre, became a huge Elvis Presley fan at the age of eight, so much so he has made a career out of performing as Elvis, and has won the Collingwood Elvis Festival twice. He returns to the Chatham Capitol Theatre April 29.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 19

The Arts

Paquette drawn to Elvis at early age Continued from page 18

Contributed image

At 25, he and his wife Connie started Paquette Productions. Now 31, Paquette produces and performs in shows across the province. He realizes his passion for all things Elvis is rare for someone of his young age. “It’s not typical. I was very confident with that idea. I had a lot of passion, and commitment to the

Chris Conner, a UK Elvis tribute artist, joins Pete Paquette on stage in Chatham April 29.

genre and the man himself,” he said. “Without Elvis, it would have been a different path for me.” Paquette has learned a great deal about The King over the years. He is impressed by the uniqueness that is Elvis Presley. “It’s contradictive for his image – he was combining all these great music genres together. He was a white man singing Black music – that was his sig-

nature. He broke down some barriers. He brought people together,” he said. To Paquette, Elvis had it all. “Everybody wanted to be like Elvis. He was the first triple threat – an actor, singer and he could have been a model. He had everything going for him,” he said. “Others perhaps had two out of three.” Paquette said he no lon-

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Life

This festival keeps on giving Thursday, April 20, 2017 • Pitch In Canada Week at 6:30pm. Meet at the Active Lifestyle Centre for our annual community clean up. • Open euchre at the Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham at 1:00pm. Friday, April 21, 2017 • Kent Branch OGS Road Trip. The C-K Black Historical Society will host us at their facility for a tour of their resources and museum. Meeting at the W.I.S.H. Centre - 177 King St., E., Chatham at 7:00pm. The public is welcome. kent.ogs.on.ca. • Merlin Legion presents an Auction/Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Chatham Hope Haven. Open at 5:30 for meal, auction to follow. Come out and support an important mission in Chatham-Kent! • Windsor Symphony Orchestra presents Fire & Water at St. Andrew’s United Church in Chatham at 7:30pm. $25/advance, $30/door, students $10. Available at the church office, Cultural Centre box office or cktickets.com. Doors open at 7:00pm. • Meal and fun darts at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Dinner from 5:30pm-7:00pm with ham & scalloped potatoes, roast beef or fish and chips for $9.00. One meat draw. Fun darts at 7:30pm. Saturday, April 22, 2017 • Saturday Morning Breakfast at First Presbyterian Church, Chatham (corner of Fifth St and Wellington). A delicious nutritious breakfast served free of charge every Saturday morning from 9:30am-11:00am. Everyone is most welcome! • Blood Donor Clinic at the Polish Canadian Club, Inshes Ave., Chatham. 9:00am12:00pm. New Donors and Walk-ins Welcome. 1-888-2-DONATE. • The Geritol Follies Dinner and Show at the Active Lifestyle Centre. $15.00/person. Call 519352-5633 for tickets. Doors open at 5:00pm. • 2nd Annual Studio Tour. At the Mary Webb Centre tour the galleries and special exhibits, as well as this unique building. Then pick up your map and begin exploring all the other artists studios listed with names and where to find them. Admission is good for both Saturday and Sunday. 87 Main St., Highgate. Adult admission $5.00. 12 and under free. • Purses with a Purpose - tea and raffle. www. zontachathamkent.org. $25 ticket gets you 6 tickets to win one of at least 25 beautiful purses donated by local businesses and supporters of Zonta and the C-K Public Library, plus an array of sweets and savouries. Runs 2:00pm-4:00pm, doors open at 1:30pm for viewing. St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave West. • Indoor Yard Sale at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Selkirk & Victoria, Chatham from 9:00am-11:30am. • The Essex-Kent Bluegrass, Oldtime & Folk Music Association presents Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice in concert at the McGregor K of C (9560 Walker Rd) at 7:00pm. $20/advance, $25/door - 519-776-8716.

• Autism Helping Hands Event Craft and Vendor Sale from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Chatham Banquest Hall (formerly CAW Hall), 280 Merritt Ave., Chatham. Free admission. • Meat draw and dance at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Meat draw from 4:00pm-6:00pm, dance from 4:30pm9:30pm featuring Marquis. Monday, April 24, 2017 • Kent Branch OGS Family History Classes. 3 classes April 24, May 8 & 15. 10:00am-1:00pm. $20/class for $50 for all 3. Kent Branch OGS Family Hisotry Library (2nd floor CK Public Library, 120 Queen St., Chatham) 519-352-4128. First class: Family History & You. Class limited to 10 people.

One thing you might have noticed that was conspicuously missing in the past couple of weeks was this column. Well, there are indeed times when this Bruce piece doesn’t make the paper, especially when there are just too many stories that we had to get in the paper for you. The second reason is I usually don’t write when my wife pens a column. Remember the old E.F. Hutton slogan, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen” used in TV commercials in the 1970s? That’s

the same with Mary Beth. When she writes a column, it is certainly well read. Her recent piece on what it’s like being a dance mom received feedback as far away Corcoran as New Orleans. That came from a dance instructor in the Big Easy. On social media, her column got shared as far away as Australia. Yeah, when Mary Beth writes, people read. As a result, this column has been out of the paper for a couple of weeks now. Time to catch up.

Continued on page 21

• Senior euchre at 1:00pm at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Tuesday, April 25, 2017 • Free after-school tutoring from 6:00pm8:00pm at First Reformed Church, 632 Lacroix St., Chatham. Please call Betty at 519-354-8902 for info. • Gary McGill will perform in the West Lounge of Meadow Park, Sandy St., Chatham at 2:00pm. • Open euchre, open shuffleboard and 2 person euchre at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Open euchre at 1:00pm. Shuffleboard at 7:00pm. 2 person euchre - 6:30 registration and play at 7:00pm. $5.00 per person. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 • Cam Denomy will perform in the West Lounge of Meadow Park, Sandy St., Chatham at 2:00pm. • Broasted Chicken dinner hosted by St. Paul’s United Church at the Wish Centre on King St. E., Chatham from 5:00pm-7:00pm. 3 pieces of chicken, baked potato, corn, baked beans, coleslaw, pickles, a roll, dessert and coffee/ tea for only $18/adult and $6 for youth 6-12. 5 & under free. Call Gail at 519-352-0464 for tickets. Take out available • Pepper and fun darts at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Pepper at 1:00pm and darts at 7:00pm. PAWR at the animal shelter phone number for lost and stray pets and issues at the dog parks: 226-996-9969 daytime. Emergency and after-hours number: 519-784-6146. Animal Cruelty and neglect cases call direct 310-7722 or 310-SPCA. Chatham-Kent Metal Detecting Club - Meets last Thursday of the month. 7:00pm. Kinsman Room. Erickson Arena, new members welcome! Chatham branch of the CKPL is now accepting donations of gently used books for the upcoming Spectacular Spring Used Book sale being held May 31-June 3, 2017. For info call 519354-2940 ex.248 Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

Contributed image

The Festival of Giving entertainment began as soon as patrons walked up to the entrance of the John D. Bradley Convention Centre.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PAGE 21

Life

Festival always draws a crowd, cash Continued from page 20

Congrats to the organizers of the recent Festival of Giving for raising $268,000 this year. They smashed their goal of $250,000. Funds raised go to the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, as well as several local food banks. I had the good fortune of attending this year’s event. As some said on social media, this may have been the best one yet, and that’s saying something. I truly do not know how organizers can keep coming up with success after success. Thumbs up to the collective creative genius of the board, and the incredible effort of a crew of volunteers, great things continue to happen at the festival. This year’s theme was Shipwrecked, and people dressed up as everything from battered cruise vacationers to pirates, to sharks, to the cast of Gilligan’s Island. With more than 1,000 guests and volunteers on hand, it was quite the sight. This is an event where you can’t walk five feet without running into someone you know. And everyone has a good time. Kudos to the Sons of Kent for showcasing four of their soonto-be released brews. I really enjoyed two of them, a British Ale and a blonde. I mean, I REALLY enjoyed them, to the point of being a little foggy the next day at my daughter’s dance competition. The food, as usual, was excellent. And at an event where the beverages are so freely flowing, having a good meal is essential. Just don’t tell my wife, who missed the event, that the roast beef was delicious. It might have been over done – medium – for her tastes, but it was so tender! Congratulations to the $10,000 booty prize winner, Melissa Lachine. Imagine attending one of the best parties of the year and going home $10,000 richer. One change this year was the late evening entertainment. Face4Radio replaced the O’Hara Brothers Band, long a mainstay entertaining the crowd and packing the dance floor at the event. I really like both bands, having seen them both around town on numerous occasions. Face4Radio picked right up where the O’Hara Brothers left off, as they brought their unique rendition of a very wide variety of songs to the stage, which by the way was the deck of a pirate ship (although I don’t know how many such ships had cages for go-go dancers). Paying it backward

I must pass on my thanks to a gentleman in a red van who ac-

cidentally cut me off in a morning drive-thru line recently. When I had pulled in, the line was almost back to the exit lane, so I moved into the parking lot to wait for the line of cars to move up. But as I waited to let a van leave and for a student to slowly walk past toward the coffee shop, the guy in the red van pulled into my spot. I looked over and shrugged my shoulders. He suddenly re-

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 22

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Help Wanted

Mr. Adrian Rombouts 92, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

William Humphrey 70, Monday, April 10, 2017 McKinlay Funeral Home

Hilaire Hebert 81, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

James Ouellette 69, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Diana (Daniel) Kormendy 75, Friday, April 14, 2017 Blenheim Community Funeral Home Robert “Bobby” Charron 45, Sunday, April 9, 2017 McKinlay Funeral Home Kenneth Bishop 71, Monday, April 10, 2017 McKinlay Funeral Home

245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710

alexanderfuneralhome.ca

Hinnegan-Peseski

FUNERAL HOME

156 William St., Chatham 519.352.5120 www.peseski.com

A FAMILY BUSINESS THAT CARES

459 St.Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141 141 Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451

www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

60 Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 24

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Advertorial

McKinlay offers options at a time of grief Special to The Voice

McKinlay Funeral Homes recently expanded its reception centre at its Chatham location on St. Clair Street. Nathan McKinlay said it’s all about adjusting to the wishes of their client families. The expanded McKinlay Reception Centre grew by an additional 1,000 square-feet and can now offer hot meals, having replaced the small kitchenette with a full kitchen. “We are now able to offer both beer and wine at the reception centre and in the funeral home,” Nathan said now that the Chatham business has become fully licensed with the AGCO. “At funeral receptions, our in-house menu allows us to provide everything from sandwiches to hot food options – and having the ability to tailor the menu to families’ wishes and

Rob and Nathan McKinlay and all the staff at McKinlay Funeral Homes are happy to announce the expansion of their Chatham reception centre, as well as the fact it is licensed to serve alcohol.

dietary requirements makes all the difference.” Families are also us-

ing the reception room for dinner between visitations, allowing them to stay together while

taking a break. The reception centre is well appointed with comfortable furniture, tables and two large flat-screen televisions, which can play different video feeds or traditional television, depending on each family’s needs. The soda station combined with a tea and coffee bar is something you don’t often see at funeral home reception areas. But Nathan said people find it refreshing. The station is a perfect fit for dispensing mix as well. Nathan said it is all about giving McKinlay’s client families and their guests a unique, life-honouring experience that they can afford. “We have many families choose traditional funerals; but there are

those that are searching for some alternatives - we believe our centre answers some of those needs.” With seating for 125 persons, the large room offers families many options. “We’ve had people who have had private graveside services for just the family and then they’ve invited more people back to the reception centre for a celebration of life,” Nathan said. The liquor license only expands those options. Many great conversations happen over a glass of wine and some good food. “In fact, we had a gentleman who passed away who loved his Scotch, so we picked out a couple of bottles of Scotch and everyone

had a toast to honour him. Of course, the kids had ginger ale,” Nathan said. The centre can be used for other occasions as well, he added. He said clients have booked a wedding rehearsal dinner for the centre, and several service clubs have booked it for meetings as well. McKinlay Funeral Homes is teaming up with Bayside Brewing Co. and Pelee Island Winery, their local suppliers, for a planned open house April 30. Nathan said the reception centre will be open to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to showcase what it now offers. Both the reception centre and the funeral home are handicap accessible.

Come and see our expanded Reception Centre at our Chatham location, April 30 from 1 pm to 5 pm 459 St.Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141 141 Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451

www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

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