The Chatham Voice, July 27, 2023

Chatham

pokes his cute face out of a tree at a home on Selton Line in East Kent. The three-month-old tabby keeps his family on its toes.

Barnstormers hire their new manager

to have Norman.

Bird box draws interest

The Montreal Expos connection continues for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers baseball team.

The expansion Intercounty Baseball League squad, set to start playing in 2024, announced recently it hired former Expos outfielder Dan Norman to manage the team. This comes on the heels of naming Bill Atkinson, former Montreal Expos pitcher, as the Barnstormers’ team ambassador.

General manager Harry Muir said the team is happy

“We’re so excited to have Dan with the team. He is a values-based leader, on and off the field, bringing a high level of experience, an impressive work ethic, and a dedication to the fans and community,” Muir said in a media release.

Norman spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and the Expos during his major league career.

Following his playing career, Norman became a coach and was involved with several Major League organizations. Norman spent time

with the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers as a minor league manager, with the Cleveland Indians as a minor league hitting coach, as well as the Florida Marlins.

He was also the manager of the now defunct, Trois-Rivieres Saints, in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL).

Norman looks forward to his new role.

“Our team will be comprised of future and former professional players, and I’m excited to bring championship calibre baseball to the region for this new team,” he said.

The Chatham Voice

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Nick Fryer pauses to have a look at a crow-themed purple-and-black electrical box just outside the Downtown Chatham Centre. Local residents can look forward to seeing similar art installations pop up around the municipality as part of an initiative to promote art beautifying Chatham-Kent.

Program shares culture, experience

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Miah Parenteau’s first night shift with the Ontario Provincial Police was about as tough as it gets.

The third-year social work student, who is doing a summer Police Ethnic and Cultural Exchange (P.E.A.C.E) placement, found herself at the scene of a traffic fatality.

“Seeing the crash the first night was traumatic,” Parenteau said, acknowledging the job of policing is multi-faceted.

Parenteau, a member of the Eelunaapeewi Lahkeewiit Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, is learning the ropes of what it means to be a police officer while sharing Indigenous and youth perspectives.

“It’s super busy...there’s a lot going on for sure,” Parenteau said in a recent interview. “It’s a good experience to be able to learn the day-to-day role of being an officer and to share my knowledge of being an Indigenous person.”

Parenteau said her main goal is to share the Indigenous viewpoint, especially in light of poor relationships Indigenous people have had with police.

“I like to think my outlook on life is very Indigenous,” Parenteau explained. “I have an Indigenous perspective and that’s how I see the world.”

Parenteau, 19, is teamed up with mentor officer Const. Nicole Mailloux and will ride with the veteran officer full time for eight weeks on a paid placement. Indigenous students chosen for the program,

aged 18 to 20, are exposed to the full gamut of policing.

Advocating for Indigenous people is in her family’s blood.

The young woman is the granddaughter of Lana Parenteau, a woman well-known in Chatham-Kent as an activist for human rights and those of First Nation people.

“She’s the one who encouraged me to do the P.E.A.C.E. placement,” the younger Parenteau explained. “She thought it would be a good experience for me.”

With two more years left to complete her degree at Trent University, Parenteau said the OPP experience will help her in her future goal of becoming a social worker specializing in outreach and harm reduction with Indigenous populations, as well as helping un-housed Indigenous people in urban settings.

“I think this program will help me better understand how the police work, because as a social worker, you might work handin-hand with them,” she said.

Although they form only 4.1 per cent of Canada’s population, Indigenous people comprise about 30 per cent of those incarcerated in the nation’s prisons, according to Statistics Canada.

Creating more positive relationships between the Indigenous population and police is “critical,” Parenteau said.

“It’s important to understand that Indigenous people represent a small portion of the population, but they are represented in high numbers in incarceration rates, homelessness and poverty,” she said.

The OPP have been running

the P.E.A.C.E. program in various Ontario jurisdictions for the past 10 years, but it was shelved temporarily because of the pandemic before resuming this year.

Const. Shawn Eagen, who is assisting with the P.E.A.C.E. program, said the initiative is a two-way street.

“It’s a cultural exchange,” Eagen said.

“We’re hoping to learn some culture from Miah, while she is going to learn the job roles of a police officer.”

A total of 33 officers work out of the Chatham-Kent detachment covering Highway 40 and Highway 401, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and both Wheatley and Rondeau Provincial Parks. The detachment also provides backup to the Delaware Nation Police.

Along with riding with Mallioux, Parenteau will take part in marine patrol and assisting officers on her home territory.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Chatham-Kent OPP Const. Nicole Mailloux, left, is serving as a mentor to Moraviantown’s Miah Parenteau as part of the Police Ethnic and Cultural Exchange (P.E.A.C.E.) placement this summer. Parenteau, who is in school to become a social worker, wants to learn more of what it means to be a police officer.

A changing of the guard

Mike and Paula Grail step back from treatment centre boards

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

After close to two decades each volunteering in different capacities with the Children’s Treatment Centre, the Grails are taking a step back.

Paula and Mike Grail are “just going to take a breath,” Mike told The Voice recently.

They’ve earned it. Paula started on the board of directors for the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCCK) 19 years ago, while Mike initiated and chaired the CTCCK’s Foundation board about 18 years ago.

Their commitment originated in large part due to one special child – their son.

Carson was born with multiple challenges and benefitted from the services of CTCCK over the years.

However, the Grails, prior to having Carson, had no idea the centre existed.

“We didn’t know about the

place before we had our son,” Mike recalled. “But understanding the challenges we had with our son, and getting him to the centre – we found the centre offered some amazing services and the people were also amazing.”

Paula’s interest in becoming part of the board began shortly thereafter.

“For me, I was a parent and I was spending a lot of time at the centre just sitting in the lobby. I thought perhaps I could help contribute on the board and bring forward a little bit of my knowledge and experience,” Paula said. She and Mike own a number of Tim Hortons outlets in Chatham-Kent.

Paula served nine years on the board, took a one-year hiatus, and served another nine.

As for Mike, he said the need for additional funding for the centre was obvious.

“I started looking into creating the foundation. That was about 18 years ago,” he said. “We saw

Counting

what they could do for children. We thought if they had some added funding and more leadership, we could possibly help more kids.”

For Paula, leading the CTCCK board as chair was one thing, but for six years, she also chaired the Ontario board that oversaw all 21 children’s treatment centres in the province.

“She literally helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the children’s treatment centres to continue services and get kids off their waiting lists,” Mike said.

“That was quite the honour to be able to do that,” Paula added. “It gave me a provincial perspective, showing the different needs. For instance, at the centre in Timmins, therapists have to take a flight to go see clients. It sure opened my eyes.”

Donna Litwin-Makey, executive director of the CTCCK, has worked closely with both Grails over the years. She said they will be missed.

“Paula has a quiet resolve, but she’s very passionate and really cares about our kids,” she said. “Her work ethic...what a role model. She’s worked so hard on

behalf of all families.”

Litwin-Makey said when Mike Grail approached her about starting the foundation, she was impressed with the vision.

“I was so awesomely surprised. We problem solved and were so fortunate to have an independent foundation,” she said. “Mike’s always had a vision and puts a lot of skin and sweat into the game.”

Mike Genge, the president of the Foundation of the CTCCK, said he thinks Mike and Paula have been top-shelf chairs over the years for both boards.

“They had the foresight to say our kids are important,” he said. “What really inspired Mike and Paula to do this was their son. They had a son that had a situation. They knew the Children’s Treatment Centre was there to help them, but they looked around and thought, ‘There’s got to be more, and we need to make it more.’”

Over the years, and with all the volunteer hours put into both boards, the Grails say they have no regrets.

“The only regret is saying goodbye. But it’s the end of a pretty significant chapter in our lives,” Paula said. “You know it’s the right thing to do. You need to have a new outlook on things, and new thoughts. The younger generations think differently than the older genera-

tions.”

Mike said he has stepped away from the foundation knowing it’s in good hands.

“This was the one thing I was hoping for when I created the foundation was that there would be sustainability and there would be an action plan after me,” he said. “The worst leadership is being that leader who (thinks they) know everything, and everyone else just sits in the wings waiting to be told what to do.”

Kevin Owen has succeeded Mike as head of the foundation board.

Mike added the Foundation’s executive team – Mike Genge, Lisa Caron and Erin Genge –are “a phenomenal group that runs the foundation.

“I’ve never worked with anyone better who can do events and fundraise and how people who are donating the reasons why and to feel good about donating,” he said. “They have been the secret to the Foundation’s growth and success.”

The Grails step aside knowing the new 55,000-square-foot building is within sight. It’s in the hands of the provincial government at this point.

“It all comes down to how we are helping our kids in Chatham-Kent. That’s what Paula and I are going to remember the most,” Mike said.

Craig Pailey of Chatham is seen with Luce Cools picking up his brand new Jeep Cherokee Limited. This marks number 11 of new cars that Craig has purchased from Luce. Thank you for returning time and time again to place your trust in local business and service.

Contributed image Mike and Paula Grail, shown here with their son Carson, have stepped down after 18 and 19 years involved with the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent and its foundation.

When will it end?

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Crews are hard at it working on infrastructure improvements in Chatham’s Tecumseh Park neighbourhood, including digging deep on William Street.

Program can help keep peace

The P.E.A.C.E. program can promote peace and understanding. For everyone involved. Talk about a wonderful initiative. P.E.A.C.E. – Police Ethnic and Cultural Exchange – partners young Indigenous individuals with police officers for the summer.

Locally, we have Moraviantown’s Miah Parenteau involved through the OPP. For the summer, Parenteau is partnered with Const. Nicole Mailloux, and will get a glimpse into what it’s like for police officers in their jobs. She had her eyes opened her very first shift, attending a fatal car crash. But more importantly, Parenteau, who is in her third year of university studying to be a social worker, will see how the police interact with the public, in good times and in bad.

She is also sharing her Indigenous and youth perspective with the OPP.

Let’s face it, the OPP has long had difficult interactions with the province’s Indigenous people. Individuals such as Parenteau, in P.E.A.C.E. and afterwards, can help foster change... as long as there are open ears in law enforcement at higher levels.

We are impressed by Parenteau’s

outlook and goals. She hopes to specialize in outreach and harm reduction with Indigenous populations, as well as helping un-housed Indigenous people in urban settings.

Lofty goals. But she is the granddaughter of Lana Parenteau, who has for years been an activist for human rights, especially for those of First Nations people.

The younger Parenteau smartly hopes to pay close attention to how officers operate in a host of situations, and use that information later in life. She knows that as a social worker, she will very likely at times be working in close association with the police. On the other side of the proverbial coin, the police can always benefit from seeing the other perspectives. They regularly deal with people in high-stress situations for a host of reasons. Getting an insight into culture and mindset can’t help but aid police in their work in de-escalating interactions, or helping to calm and support families in time of tragedy.

Const. Shawn Egan of the OPP correctly called the P.E.A.C.E. program a two-way street.

Our 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 The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4. The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity.

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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.

member

Our mayor cares for the residents at RG

Editor: In two news releases from the Ontario government (April 8, 2022 and May 19, 2023) the Ford government promised “menus that provide a variety of foods every day, including fresh produce and local foods in season. More flexibility for each home to increase menu choices for residents and reduce food waste; and meals and snacks chosen with support from the home’s residents’ council and its administrator.”

It continued, “We believe long-term homes should be homes, not institutions, and a good meal is essential to good living,” (Paul Calandra, Minister of LTC). “That’s why for the second year in a row, we’re providing a major increase to improve the quality and variety of food for residents in longterm care.”

The new regulations under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, that came into effect on July 11, 2022, ensure residents are provided with more individualized food choices, more fresh produce and local foods in season, and additional menu flexibility. Over the last two years, the government has increased funding for food and nutrition quality by more than 26 per cent.

We at Riverview Gardens have not seen much change in the menus for a very long time nor have we had local seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables added as promised by the Ontario government, until recently.

Thanks to Mayor Canniff. We residents were fed up with asking our dietary department many times for improvements,

so I reached out to Mayor Canniff. He stepped up personally on our behalf and contacted the dietary department at Riverview Gardens with our concerns.

Things have changed somewhat, but there is room for improvement. This is our “home” now and we simply ask for meals that are less institutional, more home cooked with variety and fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables that we enjoyed at our “previous home.”

We are extremely grateful to Mayor Canniff for personally taking the initiative to make our culinary experience here at Riverview Gardens more enjoyable. Thank you.

Eleanor Blain Chatham

Civic Centre damage avoidable: reader

Editor: More often than not our office disagrees with administration and council to varying degrees on many pertinent matters involving the use of tax dollars. Our disagreement is founded on a great deal of work (fact finding as best we can). Our experiences with C-K describes that they are seldom, if ever, generous in disclosing taxpayer-owned information, even when legislatively compelled to do so.

C-K, like most or all levels of government, enshrines itself in secrecy, we suspect, given what we’ve uncovered, to avoid embarrassment to how they actually spend tax dollars.

We find C-K continually fails to provide financial transparency, especially with their annual budget information. The more information taxpayers have, the more the taxpayers can responsibly scrutinize their elected officials and administration.

Although the province has complete jurisdiction over municipalities, the province is giving municipal governments more power without matching transparency.

Now, the Civic Centre water damage is an occasion where we agree with administration. Administration advised council in 2016 and in 2020 of associated risks with the current building. Council offered no direction. Be mindful that council voted to spend $2M to determine if renovating the Sears building at a cost of $50M to $70M is a good investment.

Since the water damage is an emergency repair, the price tag could be higher due to overtime and a lack of competitive bidding. Administration provided two reports to council, one in 2017 and one in 2020 for municipal hall upgrading. Report No. 1 was $11.6M, which included the required investment in the Park Avenue Business Centre less the revenue received from the sale of the Economic Development building of about $750,000. This would have upgraded the Civic Centre to building code. Council rejected this. Administration Report No. 2 to

bring the civic complex up to code, increase employee and public parking and access, locate council chambers to ground level (which I believe is imperative), allowing council chambers to be utilized as a multi-use gathering space available for meetings and community events. Additionally, this option not only would have improved municipal hall appearance and public traffic through the building but would have tripled the allowable building occupancy, which could support enhanced public service and efficiency. Further, this option would allow all current office staff at the Park Avenue Business Centre to transfer to a newly renovated Civic Centre, all the while freeing the PABC by offsetting expenses by renting or leasing the PABC.

A third option was given to council to build a new Civic Centre at an estimated cost of $51M.

Chatham-Kent administration recommended renovating the existing Civic Centre at a net cost of about $13M. No action supported by council was taken; instead council passed the downtown study for private investment and now we’re stuck with emergency repairs of our Civic Centre plus energy savings loss through the years with our old building. Loss of potential leasing income from the PABC, saving of the $2M donation to private enterprise, numerous smaller municipal income investments, coupled with the economic development building sale or other could have seen a beautiful bargain-priced, long-lasting Civic Centre materialize that we could have all lived with, minimizing costs to citizens with a building that would be citizen friendly I gotta give this one to administration.

John Cryderman Chatham

The journey to recovery

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

A new residential home aimed at helping men recover from trauma and addiction is taking shape in Chatham.

Located in an expansive Victorian home at 20 Joseph St., Journeys Recovery hopes to house 10 to 12 men when it officially gets rolling.

Intake co-ordinator Zoe Mendler said the home will take both a faithbased and 12-step recovery approach in its programming.

“We want to provide a supportive family-type living environment,”

Mendler told The Voice recently. “We want to have meals together and for the men to connect that are living here.”

Mendler, a certified mental health and addictions worker and recovering addict herself, said Journeys Recovery clients need to

be sober before signing on for the three-month program. They must attend detox before coming to the facility and drug test prior to admittance.

Random drug tests are carried out throughout each resident’s stay, Mendler noted, and there is a “zero-tolerance policy” for anyone who is drinking or using. Clients are confined to the property for the first two weeks of their stay, and trips offsite thereafter must be conducted in pairs using the buddy system. Residents are drug tested upon their return.

Those coming to Journeys Recovery must also sign a strict contract that spells out the rules before being admitted.

“Accountability is super important to us,” Mendler said. “We want to build bonds and protect the people living here... help the men become less reactive and help them get to the root of the prob-

lem. Addiction is always a symptom of a deeper issue.”

According to Mendler, Journeys Recovery will also welcome males who are clean and sober who are on wait lists to get into residential treatment programs elsewhere.

“We want to bridge that gap,” Mendler said. “We want people to stay here who are waiting...we don’t want people on the streets.”

When it comes to the substances users are abusing locally, Mendler said opioids are king, with fentanyl topping the list.

“It’s constant,” she added. “Fentanyl is taking so many lives. Everyone on our board of directors has lost someone to addiction. We want to stop the cycle.”

A group with an eight-member board of directors bought the large grey Queen Annestyle residence in March and began renovations in

May. The house provides several large, comfortable shared living spaces, shared eating and cooking areas, and upper floor bedrooms where clients sleep in assigned bunkbeds.

Mendler said Journeys

Recovery receives no public money and will rely on donors and fundraising to operate. Clients will be charged $600 per month for room and board.

Journeys Recovery still needs a zoning change from the Municipality of

Chatham-Kent before it can begin operations. A petition supporting the home has been started and can be found at change.org. Those interested in learning more can find Journeys Recovery online.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

A new home for men recovering from substance abuse is on its way to opening on Joseph Street in Chatham. Intake co-ordinator Zoe Mendler stands on the front porch of the 120-year Queen Anne Victorian home that will house 10 to 12 residents once zoning is approved.

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Rain delays, but auto show still a hit

C-K plow match set for Aug. 12

The earth is set to turn at the 86th edition of the Chatham-Kent Plowing Match.

This year’s event will take place Aug. 12 at the farm of Jim and Stacie DeBrouwer at 11451 Ed’s Line near Blenheim.

According to a media release from the Chatham-Kent Plowmen’s Association, cash prizes will be awarded to aspiring plowmen and plowwomen in various classes, with the event also featuring the annual Princess of the Furrow competition.

Women only, antique tractors, two, three and four furrow plows, firsttime plowers, plowing

with horses, and a media class are among the plowing categories in the challenge.

According to CKPA secretary Stephanie Richardson, young women competing for the Chatham-Kent Princess of the Furrow title must be interviewed by a panel, give a speech on agriculture and demonstrate their plowing skills.

The outgoing princess is Meg Avery of Dresden. C-K Queen of the Furrow Rebekah Ball is serving a two-year term that ends in 2024.

This year’s plow judge is Bert Beyens.

For more information, call 519-365-5952 or access ckplowing@outlook.com.

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

A little rain could delay, but not stop, the Mitchell’s Bay Car Show. The show, slated for July 15, was held back a day due to the weather. Organizers say they still had 144 vehicles registered and a strong spectator presence.

The Chatham Voice

Pool closure in Wallaceburg

work.

Wallaceburg’s indoor Sydenham Pool is closing this summer for renovations.

According to a municipal media release, the community’s only public pool will shut down July 31, and is expected to reopen on Sept. 8. The work will put the pool out of commission for the month of August.

Upgrades to the men and women’s change rooms will be completed, and the front desk area will also be renovated.

During the closure, all pool memberships will be put on hold to ensure members aren’t charged for the duration of the

However, residents can still access any of the municipality’s seven outdoor pools and one indoor pool in Blenheim with free recreational swims all summer long.

Chatham-Kent manager of recreation services and community engagement Amy Wadsworth said the municipality is thrilled the pool is getting the much-needed upgrades.

“The renovations to the change rooms and front desk area will enhance the overall experience for our community members and we look forward to welcoming them back once the work is complete,” Wadsworth said in the release.

The Chatham Voice

Contributed image

Wallaceburg’s indoor Sydenham Pool will shut down for August as the municipality will perform renovations. This will leave ’Burg residents without a public pool during the heat of summer.

Grit hopeful visits Chatham

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Federal MP Nate Erskine-Smith believes he’s the one who can lead the Ontario Liberal Party back from the political wilderness.

Thrice elected to the House of Commons to represent the Toronto riding of Beaches-East York, the former lawyer is looking to head up the province’s red team.

Currently there are five hopefuls in the race that culminates in a leadership convention this November. The Ontario Liberals hold only seven of 124 seats at Queen’s Park.

As part of getting to know Ontarians

around the province, Erskine-Smith paid a visit to Turn’s and Tales in downtown Chatham July 15, to shake a few hands and discuss the current state of the province under Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives.

“The Ford government puts short-term electoral gain ahead of the public interest,” Erskine-Smith told The Voice. “It’s the opposite of what we need. Instead, the government should be looking at long-term investment in infrastructure.”

The 39-year-old said the Ontario leadership race comes down to whoever can “engage the largest number of people to join the party and grow the party.”

COLOUR ME CANADIAN!

Winner

Erskine-Smith said there’s an opportunity to learn the lessons of the federal Liberal’s reboot eight years ago, to rebuild active relationships and to “listen.”

Growing up in Toronto, Erskine-Smith cut his political teeth during Ontario’s Mike Harris years that were marked by cutbacks and labour unrest. As a youngster he stood on the picket lines with both his parents, who were teachers.

Unlike some of the other candidates, Erskine-Smith has ties to rural Ontario.

His wife Amy Symington, a Toronto chef who is currently doing a PhD in nutritional science, hails from the farming community of Wyoming

in Lambton County. The couple have two children.

Erskine-Smith said he repeatedly hears the same problems in his travels

around the province. Housing affordability, mental health and addiction issues, and a lack of access to health care are

the number one concerns he hears, noting there are 2.1 million Ontarians who do not have access to a health team.

Friendly citations in Ridgetown

By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative The Ridgetown Independent

The promotion that earned Ridgetown the distinction as the “Friendliest Town In Ontario” is making a comeback.

station, the arrested parties would be escorted to a predetermined location where they were greeted by a welcoming committee and showered with gifts from several businesses in the “Friendliest Town In Ontario.”

walking down Main Street looking for candidates to be the Tourist of the Week.

We would like to thank all those who entered our Canada Day Colouring contest sponsored by Giant Tiger in Chatham. The lucky winner of the $50 Giant Tiger Gift Card is Carson Herreweyers, 3, of Chatham

CongratulationsCarson!!!!

The Ridgetown Business Improvement Association (BIA) is resurrecting the Tourist of the Week program, which drew national and international attention in its heyday, including Reader’s Digest magazine.

The Tourist of the Week started in 1968 when OPP officers from the Ridgetown detachment would “pull over and arrest” random drivers going through town with outof-town identification stickers or out-of-province and American license plates. But instead of being hauled into the police

A number of obstacles forced the Ridgetown Chamber of Commerce and town officials to suspend the promotion around 12 years ago. However, the Ridgetown BIA is bringing the Tourist of the Week out of hiatus.

At some point in the near future, a random vehicle or family visiting from out of town will discover they are indeed in the Friendliest Town in Ontario.

Instead of police stopping a vehicle, East Kent Coun. John Wright and BIA members will be

“It could be someone stopping in at Pinnell’s for a coffee or someone driving through town,” said Jim Brown, BIA board member. “We’ll give them a ‘citizen’s citation’ that they’ve entered the Friendliest Town in Ontario.”

“We’re going to give them a gift basket and take their picture to be put in an album,” Brown stated.

The promotion only takes place every other week this summer, intending to return to a weekly format next summer.

The late Doug Smith, the community’s recreation director, was instrumental in getting the Tourist of the Week program started

in 1968, and later with the assistance and co-operation of Elsie Reynolds, the town’s event co-ordinator and Ridge House Museum curator, the Chamber of Commerce and the Ridgetown OPP.

The Tucker family, from London, were the inaugural Tourist of the Week arrested visitors after OPP officer Tim Larkin pulled their vehicle over at the Main-Erie intersection. They received a police escort to OPP headquarters, where they were met by A.J. Sales, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Smith and other town officials. The Tuckers were presented with gifts and certificates from town merchants and received a summons which read: With a renewed interest sparked by the BIA, the “Tourist of the Week” is back.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Nate Erskine-Smith is seen here at the crokinole board with Terry Johnson and Robert Whittington at Turns and Tales in Chatham. The Beaches-East York MP is vying to become leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and made a stop in Chatham-Kent July 15.

Death is not a topic many people prefer to discuss. However, discussing funeral planning and making arrangements can be a smart financial move and one that limits large decisions at a time of heightened emotions. Every year millions of people in North America make the decision to pre-plan a funeral. The process is also known as pre-need planning. Individuals can even take out insurance policies that direct

benefits to funeral expenses.

The main purpose of pre-need planning is to alleviate the financial burden and decision-making during times of grief and stress. Well-executed plans can make the funeral process run like a well-oiled machine. It’s never too early to begin pre-planning a funeral. Making a list of information that will go to a trusted family member, executor of one’s estate or a funeral director is one way to start. Here are some items to include:

• Name, date and place of birth

• Social insurance number

• Location of will • Military service

• Place of disposition, whether a cemetery or crematorium

• Organ donation preferences

• Funeral and/or wake preferences

• Name of funeral home and director

• Copies of receipts and contracts for any services purchased

• Any other important information, such as location of safety deposit box information, attorney names, etc.

There are very good reasons for pre-need planning. All arrangements can be thoroughly considered and spelled out so they meet a person’s desires. If he or she has a preference in cemetery or prefers to be interred at a mausoleum, these requests can be expressed and not assumed by family members. Pre-planning also enables a person to shop around for the most affordable services, caskets and funeral homes. Because the average cost of a funeral is between $10,000 to $15,000, it is important to spend money wisely. Pre-planning also helps avoid inflation of costs later on, enabling a person to lock in the cost of services now. Stress and grief can make family members unable to cope with decisions during the time of death. As a result, one of the most important reasons for pre-need planning is to make the process one in which close friends and family members can come to grips with the death, rather than having to run around for a few days and make arrangements in haste. This way loved ones can simply remember a person how he or she was, instead of choosing clothing, disposition places, service wording, and the like. A funeral director can walk a person through the process of pre-planning a funeral. He or she is often licensed to sell cemetery plots and can take much of the work out of the process. A community or family-owned business may have a rapport in the area and offer the best deals or the desired level of personalized service.

Tips for writing an obituary

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy. Even those comforted by the acknowledgment that a recently deceased friend or family member lived a full life may still struggle with the sense of loss that comes with the passing of a loved one.

Upon the passing of a loved one, an individual is often tasked with writing an obituary. Some people may find writing an obituary is cathartic, providing an opportunity to tell a loved one’s life story and indicate how unique the deceased was. Because writing an obituary is not something people are asked to do every day, it’s understandable if many men and women don’t know where to begin. Obituaries do not necessarily have to follow a formula, but the following tips can help people compose an obituary that conveys who their deceased loved one was and how much this person meant to friends and family.

• Contact your local newspaper. Some newspapers may have obituary guidelines that govern things like writing style and obituary length. Before writing an obituary, contact your local newspaper to determine if they have any such rules in place.

• Do not feel obliged to include cause of death. While acquaintances who first learn of a person’s death via an obituary may be curious about cause of death, loved ones of the deceased do not have to include such information if they are uncomfortable doing so. Many obituaries never include such information, so readers likely won’t expect it. Those who are comfortable including such information in the obituary may find it helps them avoid having to answer numerous inquiries about the loved one’s demise at the ensuing visitation and funeral services.

• Include some biographical information. Obituaries are typically

more than simple announcements of death. Some simple biological information can shed light on who the deceased was and his or her personal and professional accomplishments. Avoid getting too detailed, as newspapers may not accept obituaries that are lengthy. But biographical information like full name, place of birth, family (i.e., spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.), Military service, place of employment, charity work, and hobbies, can give readers an accurate idea of the life your loved one lived.

• Include donation information. Well-wishers who read the obituary may want to send flowers or make donations to express their condolences. Include the family preference regarding flowers or donations in the obituary. When requesting donations be made to the deceased’s favorite charity,

include the charity’s full name and contact information or a website in the obituary.

• Include visitation and funeral information. Be sure to include the day, location, visitation hours for viewings.

• Have the obituary ready one to two days before the services are scheduled.

Publishing the obituary a couple of days in advance of visitation hours gives loved ones of the deceased time to arrange to visit and pay their respects.

Creating wills Financing Funerals

Drafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one. Putting wishes down on paper helps avoid unnecessary work and sometimes heartache upon the death of a loved one. Wills allow heirs to act with the decedent’s wishes in mind, and can ensure that assets and possessions will end up in the right hands.

Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. Attorneys who specialize in estate planning will no doubt discuss the following topics with their clients.

• Assets owned: Make a list of known assets and figure out which assets are covered by the will and which will have to be passed on according to other estate laws, such as through joint tenancy on a deed or a living trust. For example, life insurance policies or retirement plan proceeds will be distributed to your named beneficiaries. A will also can cover other assets, such as photographs,

clothing, cars, and jewelry.

• Guardianship: Parents’ wills should include a declaration of who they want to become guardians their underage children or dependents.

• Pets: Some people prefer to use their will to also dictate guardianship for their pets and to leave money or property to help care for those pets. However, pets do not have the legal capacity to own property, so one shouldn’t gift money directly to pets in a will.

• Funeral instructions: Settling probate will not happen until after the funeral. Therefore, funeral wishes in a will often go unnoticed, states the legal advisement resource Find Law.

• Executor: An executor is a trusted person who will carry out the terms of the will. This person should be willing to serve and be capable of executing the will. People who die without a valid will become intestate. This means the estate will be settled based on the laws of where that person lived, and a court-appointed administrator will serve in the capacity to transfer property. This administrator will be bound by laws and may make decisions that go against the decedent’s wishes. To avoid this out come, a will and other estate planning documents are crucial.

It can be easy to overlook planning for such a large expense, and many people may think their funeral costs will be covered by their life insurance policies. However, that isn’t always the case and certain complications can arise. The funeral planning information guide Funeral Basics states that sometimes insurance policies become invalid if payments have not been made. Policies may have liens on them, or some named beneficiaries may no longer be alive. This can stall the process as issues are worked through. In addition, it can sometimes take between six and eight weeks for beneficiaries to receive life insurance policy payouts. Since many funerals take place within a week of a person’s death, it’s unlikely that surviving family members will be able to finance funerals with life insurance payouts.

In addition, some policies may not be assignable, which means the benefits cannot be assigned to go to a third party who will file the claim for you (i.e., the funeral home or an assignment company with which the funeral home partners). It’s important to determine if an existing policy is assignable and to take appropriate measures if it is not. Individuals may want to consider burial insurance or preneed funeral insurance. Another option is to use preplanning services, which allow people to prepay for funeral expenses and make planning decisions regarding the services and burial so that family members will not be tasked with financing and/or planning a funeral during a difficult time in their lives.

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Many groups benefit from CKCF support

The Chatham Voice

More than 40 community groups are benefitting from a cash infusion from The Chatham-Kent Community Foundation as well as from the South Kent Wind Community Fund, a donor-advised fund of the CKCF.

The cheques – totalling more than $350,000 – were presented at the agency’s recent annual general meeting.

CKCF executive director

Chris Pegg said the foundation is pleased to have granted over $574,000 in the last year, with $350,000 going to 40-plus charities as part of the Spring Grant application process.

Pegg said the foundation invests money received from donors and then distributes five per cent of the annual earnings to community groups and causes.

According to Pegg, the CKCF fund, now worth $12 million, has been helping the community for the past 33 years.

Wheatley’s Village Resource Centre was the top recipient in the Spring Round, receiving $30,500 to purchase equipment and supplies, to pay

Come

Hot to trot to play pickleball

honorariums for instructors, and to fund life skill courses. (This includes a contribution from South Kent Wind.)

The Canadian Red Cross Society has received $20,000 to run the Let’s Go Home with the Homeward Bound program.

A total of $21,900 has been allocated to the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of C-K to set up three locations in Chatham-Kent that will allow children and adults access to amphibious wheelchairs, including the purchase of Mobi mats.

A $20,000 grant has been made to the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario to make improvements to automatic pool equipment.

The municipality is getting $15,000 to establish a public art grant for $5,000 over three years. Funds will be matched by the municipality.

The Tilbury Solid Rock Cafe Youth Centre has received $15,600; Squash Ontario is getting $15,000; Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent is receiving $14,000; Four Counties Health Services Foundation is getting $12,000;

Rotary Club of Dresden Service Fund, $10,560; Blenheim Youth Centre, $10,500; Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, $10,000; and First Presbyterian Church received $10,000. Other groups benefiting from funding include

FreeHelpCK, Kiwanis Club, and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.

The CKCF will accept applications for the Fall Grant round between Aug. 15 and Sept. 20 at ChathamKentCommunityFoundation.ca.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Owen Wolting, left, and Quinton Roberts partnered up during the recent Rally Pickleball Tournament held at the Ken Houston Memorial Agriculture Centre in Dresden. More than 70 kids took part in what has been billed as Canada’s largest youth pickleball tournament. The annual event is organized by NHL defenseman T.J. Brodie and his wife, Amber, and is part of the Lighthouse Foundation charity fundraising efforts.

Community Events

Thursday, July 27, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen is open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Jam Session at the Merlin Legion Br. 465, 2 Stanley Street, Merlin. 519-689-4884. 1-4:30pm. A fun filled afternoon playing, singing, clapping or just listening. Kitchen opens at 4 pm. Panzerotti + kitchen Menu 4 to 7 pm .

• Get your game on at Chatham Branch of Chatham Kent Public Library! From 6:00-8:00pm teens can stop by the meeting room to play Nintendo Switch, cards, and board games. Bring a friend or make some new ones. Snacks provided, while supplies last. No registration required. Program open for teens 12 to 18 years old.

Friday, July 28, 2023:

• Adult Colouring at the CKPL Chatham Branch Community Living Café. Every Friday. 2:00pm until 4:00pm. Are you looking for a creative outlet? Need some time to escape the everyday? Come and connect with people of all ages and skill levels while colouring away the stress of the day. Come alone or bring a friend. No registration required, come and go as you please.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch from 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Liver & Onions or Fish & Chips. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-3515639. Fun Darts start at 7:00 p.m. Everyone Welcome.

• 1/2 Rack Rib Dinner - baked or fries, baked beans or garden salad at the Merlin Legion Br. 465, 2 Stanley Street, Merlin. 519-6894884.

• Bus Trip from Wallaceburg to Windsor. A four hour live action bus tour where costumed characters tell the story of prohibition in Windsor and Detroit during the roaring twenties. Enjoy a hot buffet lunch at a re-enacted speakeasy while you are entertained with live music, singing and comedy routines. Call the Wallaceburg Museum for more details 519-627-8962.

• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St is a ham and scallop potatoes dinner with vegetables, salad and a bun. Dine ins $12 and pickup $13. Please call daily from 1-4pm to order at 519-352-8291. Everyone welcome.

• Live music with Buck & the Boys at Chatham Retirement Resort. 2:00pm. Friends and family welcome!

Saturday, July 29, 2023:

• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-10:30am. Take out only.

• Community Creative Expression Antibullying Murals with Shannon Rose Artist & Photography at Wheatley Provincial Park, 21116 Klondyke Rd. 11am-2pm.

• 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 3:00pm.5:30pm. Entertainment by the Good Old Boys from 4:30-9:30. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.

• Kitchen Menu + Merlickin Chicken 2pc OR 3pc at the Merlin Legion Br. 465, 2 Stanley Street, Merlin. 519-689-4884.

• Art and Heirloom Shoppe is having an art demonstration with Ruth Reeb from 11am-2pm.

• The Ridgetown & District Horticultural Society – Summer Plant Sales from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Follow the signs to 37 Oak Street & 11 Myrtle Street, Ridgetown. Memberships and Seed Harvesting Bags also available. Proceeds support the Horticultural Society programs. Hope to see you there.

Sunday, July 30, 2023:

• Creekside Church - 10:00 a.m

Sunday’s at the Active Lifestyle Centre, Merritt Ave. Haven’t been to church in a while? Come find community with us. creeksidechurch.ca.

• Evangel Chatham Worship Team will perform for the Dresden Christian Concerts on the property of Total Grain Systems (1233 North St. in Dresden). Rain location is Dresden Christian Reformed Church. Starts at 6:30pm. Listen from your vehicle or bring your lawn chairs. The concert is free but an offering will be taken.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023:

• Chess Club at Chatham Branch of CKPL. 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Drop in program. Great opportunity to learn new strategies by playing with different players. All ages and all skill levels are welcome.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open for lunch from 11:00am-1:30pm. Today’s special

is spaghetti with meat sauce. Come play Euchre at 1:00 or spend the evening playing Shuffleboard starting at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023:

• The Ridgetown Branch, Chatham-Kent Public Library, is hosting a FREE Summer Carnival from 12:30pm-2:30pm. Families are invited to Watson Grove Park, 21 York Street, for carnival games, Freezies, and tons of fun! Reptilia Zoo will also be at the Carnival !

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch from 11:00am1:30pm. Our daily special is Meat Loaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, August 3, 2023:

• Master Your Health Diabetes, Thursdays, August 3—Sept 7, 2023, 1:30pm—4:00pm. 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. Free registration by using link: https://myhdiab_aug3. eventbrite.ca.

• Sombra Museum Trivia Night. Starting at 6:30pm. 3 rounds of trivia with questions geared towards all ages. Contestants will be provided popcorn and refreshments to fuel them during this roughly 2-hour event. $5.00 per person. 3470 St. Clair Pkwy. RSVP by August 2 by calling the Sombra Museum at 519-892-3982 or by messaging on Facebook or Instagram @sombramuseum or emailing us sombramuseum@ stclairtownship.ca. Individuals and groups welcome (recommended group of 5-6 people).

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham openfrom 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am–1:30pm. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. The Ladies Auxiliary will be holding their monthly bingo. Sale of cards starting at 6:00pm. and Bingo at 7:00. Everyone is welcome.

Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Callleave message - 519-350-3462

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

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

Fun Stuff

64. Organization help service members

65. Type of cockatoo

67. Humorous criticisms

69. Went through and organized

70. Wakes up

CLUES DOWN

1. Settle in tents

2. Big

3. Books

4. Masses of eggs in fish

5. Language

6. Not standing

7. Chinese philosophy

8. Computer giant

9. A device to catch

CLUES ACROSS

1. Bonus materials

7. Formal names

13. Free from restraints

14. One who scrapes away

16. Type of device

17. Skin cancers

19. The Show Me State

20. Plate glasses

22. Red-brown sea bream

23. Small (Fr.)

25. Flightless Australian birds

26. High IQ group

28. Stiff structures

29. Revolutions per minute

30. Where a bachelor lives

31. Licensed for Wall Street

33. A place to park

34. Energy, style and enthusiasm

36. An important creed in Catholic Church

38. 18-year astronomical period

40. Furies

41. Removes from the record

43. Noted child psychiatrist

44. Feline

45. High schoolers’ test

47. Not happy

48. They __

51. On top

53. Precious stones unit of weight

55. Moved quickly

56. Seagulls

58. A seed with hooks or teeth

59. Partner to “oohed”

60. Exclamation of surprise

61. Most unpleasant

10. Emits coherent radiation

11. Actor O’Neill

12. Smallest interval in western music

13. Not lower

15. Revolves

18. Leavened bread

21. Number above the line in a fraction

24. Cable

26. Adult male

27. Airborne (abbr.

30. Bullfighting maneuvers

32. Broadcast

35. __ Angeles

37. Vehicle

38. Not religious

39. North American peoples

42. A baglike structure

43. Body art (slang)

46. Picked for a role

47. Actress Tomei

49. Former hoopster “Big Country”

50. Icelandic poems

52. More pleasant

54. It can add flavor to meat

55. Self-immolation by fire rituals

57. Expression of annoyance

59. __ Spumante (Italian wine)

62. Consumed

63. Body part

66. Thus

68. In reply (abbr.)

This Weeks Puzzle answers.

Wanted

Wanted to rent or buy 1 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred. 519-352-5414 or 226-6275414.

Wanted: scrap air conditioners and electric motors. Phone 226-229-2614.

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.

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

Classifieds

Obituary Obituaries Obituaries

Marilyn Doyle

passed away on July 15, 2023 at Copper Terrace Nursing Home, Chatham. Marilyn was one of three children born to Harold (1967) Snobelen and Elizabeth (2011) Snobelen of Blenheim. Predeceased by her younger brothers Wayne Snobelen 2001 (Jeanette) and Laird Snobelen 2020 (Peggy). Marilyn had a tremendous love of the arts and as a piano teacher she encouraged others to discover their musical talent. Those who knew Marilyn knew she loved decorating, fashion and gardening. While living in Dashwood, Ontario in her earlier years, Marilyn shared many fond memories of her role as the Office Manager at the Oakwood Inn in Grand Bend. Returning to Chatham several years later, she was able to share her creative talent as a floral designer at Pizazz Florals and Balloons. Marilyn instilled a strong work ethic in her children and when she was retired, she was frequently known to say, “I can’t talk now. I have work to get done.” She was the most organized person that many people knew, which was useful as she enjoyed most of her retirement years researching family ancestry and their history of immigration to Canada. Predeceased by her husband Vince (2000). She will be missed by her three children: Lee Anne Doyle (William Frank) of Kingsville, Mark Doyle of Grand Bend, and Kelley Robertson (Derek) of Chatham. Survived by four grandchildren Jayson Ilisevic (Meaghan), Brady Doyle (Kristen), Brooke Schrijver (Eric ), Grace Robertson, and one great-grandchild Waylon Doyle. Cremation has taken place and a private celebration of Marilyn’s life will occur at a later date. Thank you to the staff at Copper Terrace as well as Dr. Mark Tomen and Nurse Practitioner Delynn Teetzel who provided exemplary care to Marilyn during her final weeks of life. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

For Rent Yard Sale

Bungalow for Rent. 111 Van Allen. 2 small bedrooms, 3pc bath, laundry, kitchen stove, fridge, kitchen island with 4 bar stools, driveway for cars. Contact 647.639.4528.

For Sale

OBITUARIES

Anne Karpiak 96, Tuesday, July 18, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Leonard Douglas Lucier

78, Thursday, June 29, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Larry Allan Beck

73, Friday, July 14, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Anita Denise Richmond

59, Thursday, July 13, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Marilyn Doyle

Saturday, July 15, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Alcidas Bourdages

90,Sunday, July 16, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Gérard Francis Marentette

91,Sunday, July 9, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Ann Parry Scarfone

93, Monday, July 17, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Julie Omega Parker

Justina Peters

80, Sunday, July 16, 2023

Kendrick Funeral Home

Franz Froese

65, Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Kendrick Funeral Home

Ryan Renversez

41, Monday, July 17, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Murray Isaak Dierx

94, Thursday, April 27, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Christine Edwards

Friday, July 14, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Arley “Tex” Haskell

75, Sunday, July 16 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Héléne Marier

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Robert Stepniak

57, Thursday, July 13, 2023

Life Transitions

Whether you are looking to purchase a home, refinance your mortgage, or consolidate debt, it’s important that you are making an educated decision and receiving professional unbiased advice.

100 Eugenie St. Yard Sale, July 29th. 8am12pm. housewares, jewellery, clothes, yard decor, purses, tools. Something for everyone. Rain date 30th.

Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $40.

50, Saturday, July 15, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Solange Ouellette

80, Friday, July 14, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Shirley Ann Harwood

82, Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Wayne “Rocky” Jeffrey

91, Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Edna Bushey

93, Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Life Transitions

Katherine Whittington

92, Saturday July 15, 2023

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Dear Barb, I am so glad that I got to know you, but yet very sad that I lost you. Looking across the street, knowing we are not going to meet really breaks my heart. We will never forget the good memories that we had together. You will never be forgotten.

Lucie & Ken