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Theodore TOO, a TV celebrity tugboat, will dock in Erieau Sept. 11 and 12 at Erieau Marina. Dave Barnier, owner of the marina, said the boat, very popular among young children, should arrive late Sept. 10 and will leave in the afternoon of Sept. 12, weather permitting. Theodore is shown here docked in Mooretown last week.
At least 20 people were injured in Thursday evening’s explosion in downtown Wheatley, and municipal officials are hopeful the province will help find the problem. The explosion occurred at the site of two previous hydrogen sulphide gas leaks earlier this summer. Chatham-Kent firefighters, EMS, police and other staff remained on scene in downtown Wheatley Friday following Thursday’s explosion. Buildings in a two-block radius were evacuated. According to Chris Case, chief of Chatham-Kent Fire and EMS Services, paramedics treated 20 people on scene Thursday night. Thirteen of those were treated and released, while three went to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and four went with minor to moderate non-life-threatening injuries. One person, a municipal employee, had emergency surgery Thursday night. Case said the person is recovering. As for what happened, Case said they have no idea what triggered the explosion, but do believe the electricity was still on. He
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said Entegrus crews were in the process of cutting power in the area when the explosion occurred. He added all his crews could do Friday was maintain a perimeter and monitor the area for gas detection, which was still coming out of the rubble. “We have two buildings that are completely collapsed; that is a rubble pile,” he said. “The adjoining buildings are in a state of structural disrepair, and buildings around were affected by the blast and flying debris.” The blast levelled the former Pogue Irish Pub building and severely damaged the new Wheatley Hotel, Subway and MJ’s Pizza. Many other businesses and apartment dwellings are also damaged. Houses in the area felt the brunt of the blast as well, with debris landing on homes in the neighbourhood. Windows were shattered all along Erie Street and Talbot Road, including the entire front glass portion of Adamson Guardian Drugs. Local residents were shocked and angry as they talked about the two states of emergency that were declared and subsequently lifted in June and July.
Continued on page 3
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Pooling resources
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
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Lifeguard shortage impacting pool hours By Pam Wright pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Despite a lifeguard shortage and COVID-19 limitations, local residents are again taking the plunge in Chatham-Kent’s indoor pools. The Chatham-Kent YMCA opened its popular pool several weeks ago, meeting the twin challenges posed by a limited number of available staff and safety restrictions. It’s welcome news for a pandemic weary public, considering the demand for lessons, aquatics, the Pool Sharks swim team and lane swimming, says Y manager Amy Wadsworth.
“It’s our number one draw,” Wadsworth said, adding eight of 10 calls she gets are asking about the pool. “It’s huge for us.” Wadsworth said the Chatham facility’s problem isn’t unique, with other YMCAs and municipalities in need of lifeguards. Wadsworth said COVID-19 interrupted the normal flow of training that would produce homegrown lifeguards. Pre-pandemic, there were almost 600 youngsters registered for lessons per week, Wadsworth said, making it a busy place. Like the municipality, which has also opened its indoor pools in Wal-
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Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Pravanaya Pathak makes a splash at the Chatham-Kent YMCA while taking the Bronze Medallion course. The Toronto area resident is staying in the municipality for the summer.
laceburg and Blenheim on a limited basis, the number of swimmers is restricted and pre-registration is required. Wadsworth said lane swimming will be held in available times around current lifeguard training. The number of sessions has been stepped up, she said, in order to fill the gap. Wadsworth the Y maintains a close working relationship
with Chatham-Kent, with both agencies co-ordinating schedules to facilitate lessons and training. According to Ann Robinson, the municipality’s recreation manager, lessons and training are getting back on track. She said the collaboration with the YMCA works well and will continue. “We share lifeguards when we can,” Robinson explained.
With many youth heading off to post-secondary and others who abandoned the job when the pools were closed, the catch-up will continue. Three courses, costing $700, are needed to qualify as a lifeguard; however, Wadsworth said funding supports are available to young people who want to take the necessary courses.
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development on Keil Drive South in Chatham. Currently vacant land, the six-storey complex will include 117 apartments and
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Chatham-Kent council has cleared the way for the construction of a new apartment
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Explosion ravages downtown Wheatley
Continued from page 1
“We’ve all had the feeling that this was inevitable,” said Kimberley Grant of the Wheatley BIA. “People are really upset.” Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff praised local firefighters, EMS personnel and police for their efforts Thursday. “Our first responders, they saved lives (Friday),” he said. “They evacuated people from the area. If you were in the heart of that (the explosion), it would not have been good.” Gas detection alarms first went off about 4:30 p.m. Firefighters and other emergency personnel quickly arrived in Wheatley, assessed the situation and began evacuating nearby buildings. It was when they were expanding their evacuation that the explosion took place. Municipal officials call on the province, specifically the Ministry of Natural Resources and For-
estry, to step up. “It’s unacceptable for the people of Wheatley to live in fear. We continue to ask the Ministry of Natural Resources to take control of the situation and use their resources to correct the situation,” Canniff said. On the weekend, those pleas were answered. Staff from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office were on site in Wheatley, municipal officials said, consulting with technical experts to analyze risks and consider adjustments to the evacuation area and detour routes. Chatham-Kent CEO Don Shropshire said municipal officials met with representatives of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Saturday morning to convey the urgency of finding the source of the hydrogen sulphide leak believed to be the cause of the explosion. “I am certain provincial officials are fully aware
of the issue and the consequences of inaction,” Shropshire said in a media release. “The province is committed to bringing in technical experts to assess how they can enter the evacuated zone with the aim of finding the source of the leak, stopping it and beginning the clean up.” Shropshire said the municipality had been pestering the province since June when hydrogen sulphide was first discovered to be leaking in the area. At that time, the munic-
ipality declared a state of emergency after homes and businesses were evacuated and the source of the leak was not identified. It was believed to be emanating from the site of the former Pogue restaurant on Erie Street. Officials at the time said the hydrogen sulphide could be emanating from the ground naturally, or possibly from an abandoned gas well. The issue recurred in July, with more evacuations and another state of emergency. Shropshire said after the
July event, the gas dissipated and the detectors in the area went quiet until Thursday afternoon. He said the detectors were monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The most likely cause of the gas is from an abandoned gas well, the CAO said. “Our area has hundreds, if not thousands, of abandoned gas wells,” he said. The problem is that while maps identify the general location where these wells are located, nothing is more accurate than to within a couple of
hundred meters, he added. Canniff urges Wheatley and area residents to call 911 and evacuate if they smell rotten eggs, a telltale sign of hydrogen sulphide gas. Shropshire said the area will be closed off indefinitely. Historically, the area saw a similar explosion in the mid-1930s. “We are not aware there have been any other events subsequent to that,” Shropshire said. • With files from Mark Ribble/The Southpoint Sun
Lau decided to remain in Chatham-Kent following his residency training. Dr. Lau’s decision to remain in the community demonstrates the great benefit our local Family Medicine Residency Program has for the citizens
of Chatham-Kent,” Laurie Nash, director of medical recruitment for the health team, said in a media release. Lau grew up in Toronto, and attended McMaster University where he obtained a degree in Clinical
Epidemiology. Following this, he attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He did his residency training with the Schulich School of Medicine, Western University in the Chatham-Kent program,
at the Thamesview Family Health Team with Dr. Zeke Milkovic. “The community has been very welcoming and I enjoyed doing my residency training here in Chatham,” said Lau. Lau is accepting patient
referrals through Health Care Connect. If you do not currently have a family doctor, contact Health Care Connect at 1-800445-1822 or http://www. health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/ healthcareconnect/public/ to register.
Mark Ribble/The Southpoint Sun
Two Erie Street buildings were reduced to rubble Thursday evening and many others badly damaged following an explosion in downtown Wheatley. Hydrogen sulphide gas is the likely cause.
New Chatham physician is accepting patients
The Chatham Voice
The Chatham-Kent Family Health Team said Dr. Benjamin Lau is joining the Chatham office location, and he’s taking new patients. “We are pleased Dr.
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By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
There are ghosts coming to haunt your electronic devices. The Chatham-Kent Museum is releasing a series of ghostly podcasts featuring stories of hauntings and paranormal occurrences in and around Chatham over the years. Local historians Jim and Lisa Gilbert, and area strange happenings expert Sheila Gibbs are part of the podcasts. Lisa Gilbert said the idea for the podcasts came from Chatham-Kent Museum’s Blair Newby. “Last year, they had done some podcasts on general ghostly happenings,” she said. “They were very popular. So they asked if we would consider being part of the podcasts this year and tell local stories.” The folks behind Ghost Walks and other tours couldn’t say no. Gibbs said there will be five podcasts released through the month of September. “They are based upon stories we’ve collected over the last 20 years now,” she said. “There are about five different stories for each one.” The first podcast will reflect on what Gibbs called “old favourites.” She said staff at the museum wanted to see the Cultural Centre, Milner House and the Capitol Theatre highlighted in that podcast. “We added in the Ar-
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 5
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Duart man wins $100,000
The Chatham Voice
Another Chatham-Kent resident has 100,000 reasons to smile.
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Information overload on woodlot issue for council
By Pam Wright pamwrightlji@gmail.com
When it comes to making a decision about woodlot preservation, Chatham-Kent council has a lot to consider. An overwhelming response to a public engagement campaign on the issue, the results of an upcoming aerial analysis of local forest cover, and the examination of incentive programs are among the factors to be examined. After spending more than two hours discussing the issue at its regular meeting Aug. 23, council opted to extend a temporary tree-cutting bylaw to Dec. 14. It also voted to bring the issue of creating a natural heritage committee of council back to council Sept. 27. The contentious issue of a tree-cutting bylaw for Chatham-Kent has garnered unprecedented interest in 2021, with some saying it’s drawn more attention than any other municipal issue to date. The volume of input on the matter appears to bear that out, with both sides weighing in. A total of 22 deputations were presented to council, and a petition against a tree-cutting bylaw – with more than 200 signatures – was also submitted. Support for a bylaw was received from the Chippewas
of the Thames First Nation, the Ontario Woodlot Association and the National Farmer’s Union. Opposition against a bylaw comes from the Kent Federation of Agriculture, the Chatham-Kent Landowner’s Association and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. Although the motion passed, the move to defer the issue to allow for more fact finding didn’t sit well with all councillors. Chatham Coun. Mike Bondy, who supported the motion, called it a delay, saying it “kind of” wasted everybody’s time as constituents are awaiting a decision. As a sitting councillor in 2014 when the tree-cutting issue came to a head the first time around, Bondy said the process was “arduous and painful.” West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan said it was important for council to wait and gather all the facts, in order to not have a “knee-jerk” reaction. “I think we owe this to our community to take the time to do this right,” Harrigan said. South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson said the “vitriol” coming from both sides of the issue have made it hard to find “common ground.” A “made in Chatham-Kent
solution” needs to be found, he added, noting what works elsewhere may not work locally. North Kent Coun. Joe Faas, who is against a bylaw, said legislating tree cutting will alienate the agricultural community, noting most farmers are “excellent stewards of the land. “If we approve the bylaw, it might ruin the relationship,” Faas said. Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall, who brought forth the original motion in April, said passion for the issue is evident, adding he’s happy the municipality will have more time for fact finding. “We have a lot of important work to do and I think it’s a safe way to continue it,” Hall said. The aerial data to be compiled by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority later this fall is critical to the decision, he added. “One of our priorities for this term is environmental sustainability,” he said, noting its council’s job to implement strategies that help everyone become better stewards of the land. Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, who supports a municipal tree-cutting bylaw, said she hopes the current council will resolve the issue instead of passing it on to the next council.
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PAGE 6
Passing the buck About the only good thing you can say about the Wheatley explosion on Aug. 26 is thank God someone was not killed. That is a testament to our emergency services personnel quickly responding and assessing the situation. Last Thursday, less than 90 minutes after gas-detections alarms started going off on Erie Street near the site of two previous hydrogen sulphide emissions this summer – in June and July – the explosion shook Wheatley, all but destroying two buildings and badly damaging others. Twenty people were hurt in the blast. It’s only a matter of time before lawyers line up to file lawsuits in connection to this. After all, the old saying is: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” This was the third event, however. Back in June, municipal officials responded to the smell of rotten eggs and discovered the gas leaking in a building’s basement. They requested the province step in and seek out what was causing the emission. At the time, there were questions over if this was a natural emission or a leak from an abandoned gas well. Considering there are hundreds of abandoned gas wells in southwestern Ontario, including two in the proximity of the site of the explosion, a leaking well is the odds-on favourite as the cause. The problem is the provincial government was slow to respond. Ministries were pointing fingers and passing the buck. A well issue falls under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; a natural emission could lead to more shoulder shrugs and finger pointing. And along came the second hydrogen sulphide emission in July. More buck passing at the provincial level and nothing gets done. The gas stops seeping and everything goes back to normal. Except, can you imagine what “normal” was for Wheatley residents? They were sitting on a ticking bomb, so to speak. Hydrogen sulphide is poisonous, corrosive and flammable. And now one building is gone, another so severely damaged it will have to come down, with several more in various states of heavy damage from the concussion and flying debris. This cannot happen again...anywhere.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Opinion
Drivers must pay attention Editor: I am writing my letter in response to Donna-Jane Pollock (“When did the rules change?”) and her letter in the Aug. 19 paper. I can honestly say that I can swear on a stack of anything you may choose that I know exactly what she is talking about. I am a wheelchair user and every time I have to cross a street using the lights, I am taking my life in my hands. I stay on the sidewalk well back from the curb and wait for the walk
light. I will not cross if the light is just green. I wait for the next walk symbol. There are those drivers who feel they have the right to stop me from crossing by continuing to make a right turn. These are the same drivers fearing to make the right hand turn on the red light, but it is OK to hit me on the green as they turn. Then there are those who see me in the cross walk and try to cut me
off as I cross the street. In reality, I can only go so fast and I cannot stop on a dime. How many drivers do not check their mirrors before backing up? Or do they pay attention to their back up device? There are also the drivers so intent on finding a parking spot, next to the door of a building, that they do not see anyone entering the area from a street. This often happens at Shoppers on Queen
Street. In 2019, I was actually hit by a car on Lacroix Street. It was a miracle, in my opinion, that I am alive to tell the tale. The police officer at the time, when talking to me, reminded me that the rules are for highway safety, not highway sidewalk safety. I have yet to understand this ruling. There has to be a solution to this problem, and it has to be found quickly.
Editor’s note: This letter is addressed to our own Sarah Schofield, the mastermind behind our recent Then & Now special section. Editor: Hello, Sarah, I wanted to write and tell you that you have done an amazing job blending past scenes in Cha-
tham-Kent with present day pictures. I find the initial example of an almost demolished Harrison Hall against the modern day backdrop to be particularly effective. I don’t know whose idea
this was, but it’s brilliant and graphically illustrates the changes that have taken place in well-known buildings and places. I really hope that you will do this again. I have trouble imagining
what things used to look like having moved here in 1979 and you have allowed me to see the transformation in a way that explains what words can’t. Thanks so much! Sheila Gibbs Chatham
Evelyn Corbett Chatham
Then & Now images tell the tale
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PAGE 7
Residential, Commercial and Farm
Mortgages!
5-year fixed rates from 1.89%
519-351-SAVE Our Family Taking Care of Your Family
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Kristen Nead Broker Manager Cell 519-784-7653
Amber Pinsonneault Broker of Record Cell 519-784-5310
Peifer Realty Inc.
@ROYALLEPAGEPEIFER
BROKERAGE - INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Royal LePage Peifer would like to welcome Michael Bondy to our Sales Team! Michael was born and raised in Chatham where he and his wife Joanne have raised 5 children. He was elected to municipal Council in 2010 and for the last three terms has enjoyed the challenge of serving his constituents. Michael also owned and operated Bondy’s Cleaners for over 20 years, but made the decision to close the business to pursue a longtime interest in real estate sales. Michael is now excited to help members of our community and beyond achieve their real estate goals! Please join us in welcoming Michael to the Royal LePage Peifer team! Contact Michael at 519-352-4284 or mbondy@royallepage.ca to chat about your real estate needs today!
Marco Acampora* Dane Appleton* 519-784-4348 519-436-7195
Stephen Carroll* 519-355-9774
Anna-Marie Clark* 519-354-7890
Michael Gibbons* 519-365-5634
Darren Hart* 226-627-8580
CHECK OUT OUR LISTINGS AT
WWW.ROYALLEPAGECHATHAMKENT.COM
Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155
Michael Bondy* 519-352-4284
Ron Collins* 519-401-8464
Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865
Cynthia Hiatt* 519-354-1836
Brian Keenan* 519-365-6090
Gwen Liberty* 519-784-3646
Wayne Liddy* 519-436-4810
Krista Mall* 519-365-7462
George McDougall* 519-360-7334
June McDougall* 519-358-5199
Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189
Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470
Brandice Smith* 226-626-4838
Ghassan Najjar** 519-355-8668
Heather Najjar** 519-355-8666
Andrea Okopny* 519-359-2482
Chris Papple* 519-350-1402
Brian Peifer** 519-436-2669
Elizabeth Peifer* 519-436-8959
Patrick Pinsonneault** 519-360-0141
Katherine Rankin* 226-542-2964
David Smith* 519-350-1615
Ron Smith* 519-360-7729
Michael Smyth* 519-784-5470
CHATHAM OFFICE 34 Raleigh St. 519-354-5470
Jolene Van Dyk* 519-809-1146
Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856
Cindy Weaver** 519-360-0628
*Sales Representative **Broker
Elliot Wilton* 519-358-8755
Penny Wilton** 519-360-0315
Lisa Zimmer* 519-365-7325
BLENHEIM OFFICE 42 Talbot St. W. 519-676-5444
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 8
New forest planting underway
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
News
Memorial tree plantings a hit at CM Wilson; new home found at Skakel By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Even in the middle of the woodlot preservation debate and concerns over Chatham-Kent’s lack of forest coverage, one group has all but run out of places to plant trees. That is, until the Skakel Conservation Area came to be. This summer, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LVTCA) staff met at the Skakel site with Nathan McKinlay from McKinlay Funeral Homes to explore the feasibility of planting trees there on a yearly basis through the LTVC Foundation’s memorial tree
program. McKinlay told The Chatham Voice the new conservation area is perfect for the reforestation project. The area is a 55-acre property southeast of Thamesville with 42 acres of workable farmland that will be leased to a farmer, and 13 acres of land that has been naturalized over the past decade. It features tall grass, prairie, wetlands, and will soon feature the forest. Each year, McKinlay Funeral Homes holds a tree memorial ceremony. Averaging about 350 trees a year donated by families to memorialize a loved
one, the effort has led to thousands of trees being planted in three locations in Chatham-Kent, including at CM Wilson Conservation Area. McKinlay said they are running out of room at CM Wilson. “Because so many lives have lived, a forest grows. The forest there is almost complete,” he said. “And with the amount of trees we do plant, we just needed a new place to go.” McKinlay said the Skakel site is near the farm where his family grew up. As the trees take root at the Skakel Conservation Area, the reforestation there will slowly expand
BARB PHILLIPS, Real Estate Brokerage
WHERE DREAMS COME HOME
519-359-8588
email: phillba@mnsi.net
70 Acres of Black Loam
SYSTEMICALLY TILED. CALL BARB FOR DETAILS
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221 Woods St., Chatham 7544 Lewis Line W
Lovely one level bungalow. This home features an eat-in kitchen, spacious living room, 2 bedrooms, updated 4 piece bath, enclosed back porch/ mudroom. Newer tankless water heater, attached carport and private fenced in back yard with patio COUNTRY LIVING DESCRIBES THIS QUIET AND SERENEroses PROPERTY are, perennial gardens including andSURROUNDED raspBY FARMLAND, FEATURES A ONE FLOOR RANCHER WITH 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS, berries, shed and ample parking. This is a great LARGE UPDATED KITCHEN DINING AREA, ROOM OVERLOOKING home for retirees or firstFAMILY time home buyers asLARGE DECK AND BACK YARD, MUDROOM, ATTACHED GARAGE PLUS A 40 your X 64 FT well as a great investment HEATED property. Schedule SHOP WITH COMPRESSOR AND HOIST 14 FT DOORS, IDEAL FAMILY OR appointment to view this affordable home! RETIREMENT HOME. $229,900
LEASED
Contributed image
From left, Randall VanWagner (LTVCA), Roberta Dickson (sister of the late John Skakel), and Nathan McKinlay (McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd.) plant the first memorial tree recently at the Skakel Conservation Area, in in memory of John Skakel.
onto the adjacent farmland. McKinlay said the hope is to one day put in walking paths through the conservation area, “so people can come out and enjoy it.” McKinlay said the plan for the funeral home’s annual Moment of Remembrance to commemorate the tree planting to memorialize loved ones is to continue to hold the
service at CM Wilson. “With the sheer numbers that come out, it’s a giant site. And there are washrooms,” he said. Of course, during the pandemic, the event has gone virtual. It was held in that manner last year and McKinlay confirmed it will proceed online again Sept. 12. John Skakel was a farmer, genealogist, environmentalist and toy maker.
He passed away in 2015. During his life, Skakel spent hours cataloging grave markers at many local cemeteries and went so far as to build his own website to help families find the markers of their ancestors. McKinlay Funeral Home’s efforts have led to tree plantings at T.R.E.E.S. Park in Ridgetown and the Merlin Conservation Area as well.
The Chatham Voice
afternoon and failed to resurface. About 24 hours later, the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, along with members of C-K OPP and the Elgin County OPP Marine Unit, recovered the body.
The coroner attended the scene and a post mortem examination has been scheduled for Monday in London. The deceased has been identified as 25-year old Yuriy Zhlobitskyy of Barrie.
Body recovered near Rondeau Lake Erie claimed another life on the weekend off the shores of Rondeau Provincial Park. According to Chatham-Kent OPP, a 25 yearold Barrie man fell off an inflatable raft Saturday
barbphillipsrealestatebrokerage.com 360 Grand Ave E., Chatham 69 Taylor Ave., Chatham
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397 McNaughton Ave. W., Chatham 519-351-4444 • lifetransitions.ca
COUNTRY LIVING DESCRIBES THIS QUIET AND SERENE PROPERTY SURROUNDED BY FARMLAND, FEATURES A ONE FLOOR RANCHER WITH 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS, LARGE UPDATED KITCHEN DINING AREA, FAMILY ROOM OVERLOOKING LARGE DECK AND BACK YARD, MUDROOM, ATTACHED GARAGE PLUS A 40 X 64 FT HEATED SHOP WITH COMPRESSOR AND HOIST 14 FT DOORS, IDEAL FAMILY OR RETIREMENT HOME.
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Fun Stuff
Community Events Thursday, September 2, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with daily specials. Everyone Welcome.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Come check out our daily specials. Everyone Welcome.
Friday, September 3, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with daily specials. Supper will be served from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Tonight’s specials are ham & scallops or fish & chips. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Everyone Welcome.
• 75th Anniversary concert featuring the Chatham Concert Band at 6:30pm. Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 445 McNaughton Ave W Chatham. Free outdoor concert, bring a lawn chair.
• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. will be a chicken parmesan dinner with spaghetti, caesers salad and a bun for $12. This is for dine in at 5:30pm and for pickups at 6:00pm. Please call daily from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 519-352-8291 to place your order. Saturday, September 4, 2021: • Saturday Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:00am. This will be a TAKE OUT only. • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. There will be a Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Come dance to the music of Allen James 4:309:30pm. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome. Sunday, September 5, 2021: • The Chapelaires with Rev. Andy Cornell performing at Dresden Christian Concerts, 1233 North St., Dresden. 6:30pm. Drive-in concert featuring 50 minutes of live music and a 10 minute message from a local pastor. The concerts are free but an offering will be taken. Tuesday, September 7, 2021: • Fall Planting with Native Plants: Zoom Presentation, Chatham-Kent Public Library. Start your fall native plant gardening with free seeds from Chatham-Kent Public Library! All branches are offering a variety of native plant seeds for residents to grow. As a bonus, Common Milkweed seeds will be available for those interested in planting for the butterflies. To celebrate the launch of this initiative, the library will be hosting a Zoom presentation on gardening with native plants delivered by Lorraine Johnson. The live Zoom presentation will be offered on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm. Registration and an email address are required.Registration is available through Ask CKPL: By phone: 519-354-2940. By text: 519-401-7174. By email: cklibrary@chatham-kent.ca. By Facebook chat: @ckplibrary.
PAGE 9
Thursday, September 9, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Come check out our daily specials. Everyone Welcome. Friday, September 10, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30a.m.–1:30p.m. Supper will be served from 4:00pm–6:00pm. Tonight’s specials are chicken parmesan or fish & chips. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Everyone Welcome. • Kent Branch Of The Ontario Genealogical Society presents: Blubbin’ Crude: Early Oil in Kent County, at 7:00 PM with Deanna Bullard, Museum Curator, to discuss the early oil industry in Kent County and the impact on the area and the settlers. This an online Zoom presentation which is free and open to all to join. Simply visit our Kent Branch website at www.kent.ogs.on.ca to register. Saturday, September 11, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Entertainment by the D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30pm. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Secret clique 6. Earliest in and out 10. Ancient Egyptian symbol of life 14. Olfactory property 15. Kidnapping 17. Golf prize 19. Helps little firms 20. Cast a spell on 21. Panama is one 22. Dishonorable man 23. Sea eagle 24. Part of the healing process 26. Vin’s last name 29. Wings 31. Made older 32. Political device 34. Looks like a rabbit 35. Gurus 37. Philippine Island 38. Not or
Wednesday, September 15, 2021: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Come check out our daily specials. Come check out our daily specials. Everyone is welcome.
39. Hindu model of ideal man 40. Exam 41. Making less difficult 43. Without 45. Dravidian ethnic group 46. A baglike structure 47. Buenos Aires capital La __ 49. Dab 50. Singers who perform together 53. Pirates’ saying 57. OK to allude to 58. Somaliland diplomat 59. Has to pay back 60. Felix is one 61. Intestinal pouches CLUES DOWN 1. Harsh cries of a crow 2. Type of horse 3. __ fide: authentic 4. Doctors’ group
5. Fugitives are on it 6. Forged 7. Wild goat 8. Influential American president 9. Calls for help 10. Repents 11. Palm tree with creeping roots 12. Black powder used in makeup 13. Happy New Year 16. Stretched out one’s neck 18. Whale ship captain 22. Atomic #20 23. Border 24. River that borders India and Nepal 25. After B 27. Fencing swords 28. Where researchers work 29. Expression of satisfaction 30. Broadway actor Nathan 31. Heavy, heat-retaining stove 33. A way to eliminate 35. Type of tree resin 36. Russian river 37. Children’s TV network 39. Troublemaker 42. Averts or delays 43. Self-immolation by fire ritual 44. It cools your home 46. Satisfy to the fullest 47. Stinks! 48. Popular board game 49. Attack by hurling 50. A vale 51. Type of acid 52. Tasmania’s highest mountain 53. No seats available 54. Licensed for Wall Street 55. Family of genes 56. Constrictor snake
Sudoku 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.
Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call - leave message - 519-350-3462 IMAGINATIONink is collecting new and gently used books and donations. Donations can be made by contacting Patricia at 519-676-8140 or email patriciablonde@teksavvy.com. Pick-up is available.
Puzzle answers found on page 10
Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 10
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
News
Vaccine passports coming? come down from the province, but it’s believed Ontario will soon be adopting
By Pam Wright pamwrightlji@gmail.com
No official word has
From Dents to Dings . . . to everyday fender benders
Affordable Prices! We’re Your LOCAL Full Service Collision Centre • Complete autobody repair & painting • Insurance work help with deductible
Local, Fast Friendly Service! Insurance Work 100% Guaranteed 744 Grand Ave. E, Chatham 519-351-7467
a COVID-19 vaccine passport. Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby told a municipal press conference last week that such a measure is “urgently needed.” It’s a problem that can’t be solved locally or regionally, Colby noted. He said a passport – ideally an electronic version – would not be used to deny people access to essential services, but would allow for privileges such as airline travel or attending indoor events. Adopting vaccine passports appears to be a good tool to encourage vaccinations. In British Columbia where vaccine passports were recently legislated, COVID-19 vaccine uptake rose dramatically. The number of people rolling up their sleeves in Chatham-Kent has stalled, leaving the municipality a full five percentage points behind the provincial average. It’s a disappointing turn of events for officials. C-K was once a national leader.
Hot buses, lots of support
Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
Come Together CK volunteer Vicki Walters braved the heat on Saturday to oversee donations to Fill the Bus in front of Mercato Fresh in Chatham. School buses were set up outside various grocery stores around Chatham, as well as in Tilbury and Blenheim, accepting donations of school supplies and non-perishable food items.
Classifieds
Online Print & s Sale entative Repres ted Wan
WE ARE HIRING
For 8 years The Chatham Voice has served the people of Chatham and area, providing informative news stories, enlightening feature articles, and excellent advertising opportunities for local and regional businesses.
Ontario atham, d in Ch beyond e s d a n b Voice -Kent a join our m m a a th th a a The Ch icing all of Ch individual to g rv outgoin g team! and se ing an in is seek advertis ss busine s & new is position. le a s e Outsid t describes th xisting clients g to e pmen ss develo sell advertisin busine d n p new n and a lo la e e p v ic e d • Serv team to fy and e ti ic n o e V Id • e entire ew ideas with th pn • Work develo
We are now looking for a PRINT & ONLINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE
to help grow our business. If you have a desire to succeed, are trustworthy, motivated, dependable, have strong communication skills and can manage your own time, we would like to hear from you. A valid driver’s licence is required. We offer training, a strong team environment and a base salary with commission plan. Sales experience a plus but willing to train the right person willing to learn the industry.
Puzzles on page 9.
This week’s answers.
If you think you would be a great fit to our Chatham Voice family team, Send your resumé to bruce@chathamvoice.com or drop off to 71 Sass Rd. Unit #4. Accepting applications until Sept. 10, 2021.
Loans
Services Offered
MORTGAGES / LOANS
House Cleaning Available. Monday - Friday. Phone 519-401-0495.
CONSOLIDATE DEBTS, LOWER YOUR PAYMENTS, DIFFICULT SITUATIONS ACCEPTED Borrow $50,000 for $213.90/mth $100,000 for $427.81/mth $150,000 for $641.71/mth $200,000 for $855.61/mth $250,000 for $1069.52/mth For qualified borrowers. First mortgage based on 2.09%/yr fixed rate, 5 yr term, 25 yr amortization. On approved credit, & subject to borrower qualification. Rates & terms subject to change without notice.
We also arrange unsecured lines of credit/loans with INTEREST ONLY payments at 2.45% (P+0%) Sample of payments if you qualify
Borrow $5,000 for $10.21/mth $10,000 for $20.42/mth $25,000 for $51.04/mth Call John at 519-252-6953 - 24 hours or email john@unimorcapital.com
UNIMOR CAPITAL CORPORATION
Asphalt
ROBERT OUELLETTE ASPHALT SEALING INC.
We carry premium • Hot Asphalt oil based sealer! • Pot hole repairs • Catch basin repairs BACKHOE, • Hot rubber crack repairs MINI EXCAVATOR, • New driveways, TRUCKING & BOBCAT parking lots, etc. SWEEPER SERVICE • 24 inch 519-354-9157 Milling Machine
Stump Removal
Brokerage Lic.#10675
Home Cooked Meals Honey . . .What’s 4 Dinner
Just add Heat!
Home Made Soups, Meals and Desserts Ideal for seniors, singles or families. whats4dinnerck.net 6 Lowe St. Chatham 519-351-7905
FREE ESTIMATES 519-678-3844 Highgate
Ralph Ford
HOW TO PLACE YOUR AD
IN PERSON: 71 Sass Rd. #4, Chatham CALL: 519-397-2020
EMAIL: FATIMA@CHATHAMVOICE.COM or MICHELLE@CHATHAMVOICE.COM.
Classified ads starting at only $5.00 for items for sale for 15 words. Garage Sale ads $10 for 20 words. Announcement ads starting at $40.00. All ads include colour!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
In Memoriam
Ruthe Beemer
June 15, 1952 - August 30, 2018
Still always missed, always loved forever, Dan
Ministry Redeemer of Love Healing Ministry is a Christian outreach ministry to those struggling in society. Our all night prayer line is midnight to 7am daily. Call 519354-3532.
For Sale
Lin’s Saddle & Flower Arranging. Custom, made to order. 519-4010495.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
Classifieds Obituary
PARKER: Joseph Arthur “Art”
A resident of Chatham, Art Parker passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus, at Village on the Thames, August 19, 2021 at the age of 93. Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Art was the son of the late Joseph and Lillian (Gurman) Parker. Beloved husband of 64 years to the late Patricia Marie (nee MacNaughton) (2018). Loving and kind father of Lynn Parker-Larsen of Chatham (Ole Larsen 1998), Sam Parker and daughter-in-law, Barbara Ann of Sarnia, Mac Parker and wife, Lorraine of R.R. # 1 Clive, AB and Dan Parker and wife, Nancy of Chatham. Proud Grandpa of Sheena Armstrong (David), Joshua Larsen (Nicole), Jordan Parker (Laurie), Rachel Kilbreath (Travis), Bethany Lounsbury (Ryan), Sarah Marshall (Trevor), David Parker, Philip Parker (Jenessa), Maria Schellenberger (Chris), Faith Griffin (Andrew), Season Hoogstad (Mike), Jasmine Labombard, Sherry Larsen ( Don Stokes), Eddy Larsen (Karen). Great-Grandpa of Abigail, Abel, Brady, Dane, Ariel, Aurora, Elijah, Lila, Jocelyn, Kole, Seth, Nora, Brandt, William, Luciana, Alanna, Braden & Zachariah. Predeceased by his brothers Lionel Parker (1936) and Ron Parker (1986). Dear Brother-in-law to Jean Roth and her late husband Kenneth of Sylmar, California. Missed by his nieces, Robin Roth and Pamela Roth. Predeceased by his nephew Ron Roth. As a young man , Art was a salesman for Agnew Surplus Shoes in Kingston and transferred to Chatham in 1950. Art subsequently became a Financial Manager at Niagara Finance, (IAC Finance), from 1952 until 1970, managing offices in Toronto and Barrie, returning to Chatham in 1967. Art began working for Essex Welding Supply in 1971 until he retired in 1990. Art was a kind, encouraging, witty and fun man. He was loved and enjoyed by his family and friends, and will be dearly missed. Thank you to Mr. Jim McArthur, Essex Welding Supply, for making sure your employees maintained medical coverage for their entire senior years, Carla Rodrigues for your care and love, Dr. Zeke Milkovic for your care for over 30 years and Village on the Thames staff and management. Special thanks to D.O.C., Colleen, for tirelessly advocating and caring for your residents. Nurses IJ, Natalie and Sue, and Bayshore’s, Monica and PSWs, Danielle, Kathy, Gabby, Elizabeth, and Bayshores, Paige and Shannon. All of you are the reason our dad could stay in his familiar surroundings of ‘home‘ to the end. Thank you also to Foot care Nurse, Amanda and hairdresser Catherine, for your care. As Art was an avid golfer, his family will receive friends at the Links of Kent Golf Course, 120 Indian Creek Road West, Chatham on Friday, September 10, 2021 from 11:00am until the Funeral Service at 1:00pm. The Funeral will be live-streamed on the Funeral Home website. Private family interment to follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army at Art’s request. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham 519-351-2040
Thank You
Thank You Lois Murphy
The family of the late Lois Murphy wish to thank family and friends for the many acts of kindness that were shown during our time of sorrow. (visits/calls, flowers, cards, memorial donations in memory of Lois’s selected charities and money.) Thank you to the entire staff at Meadow Park LTC Home. A special thank you to the North Wing Nursing / PSW staff for providing Mom with amazing care. Thank you Bernice for being a wonderful friend and roommate. The thoughtfulness you showed Mom everyday will always be remembered! We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the kind staff at Life Transitions. The calm and professional manner in which they handled her “Celebration of Life” was impressive. Thank you for making this day a memorable one! A big thank you to Pastor Greg Simpson for being apart of her “Celebration of Life” and delivering the most beautiful and ‘loving’ eulogy. It was perfect! God Bless You! Thank you to Tom and his staff at Smitty’s Family Restaurant for a wonderful luncheon! Thank you to the lovely ladies at Syd Kemsley Florist. The floral tribute was exquisite and the Goodie Basket looked so yummy! It was also very special to chat with you about Mom and her love of flowers! Thank you Bonnie Lewsaw for being such a wonderful friend. Thank you to all her good friends at the Evangel Villa and to many other good friends she met throughout her life! With Love, Betty, Mitchell and Madeleine Ongena. John Carson, Brad Carson and their families.
Classified ads starting at only
$5.00 for items for sale for 15 words.
Garage Sale ads $10 for 20 words.
Announcement ads starting at $40.00 All ads include colour!
Call Today! 519-397-2020
Celebration of Life
Wanted
For Sale
Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewelery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All Paid Cash. 519727-8894. SELL YOUR ITEMS ONLY $5!
Roxton table & chairs, 3 rocking chairs (suitable for a rec room), bookcase, small china cabinet with sliding glass door, late model TV & stand. 519-354-4569.
For Sale Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $30. Call 519-3543411.
Electric Bike. foldable, 48volt, 16” wheels, fat tires. 75 miles on odometer. $1500. Phone 226-627-1187. Antique Rocking Chair. Good condition. Material seat. Call 519-4010495.
Cel
ebration of Life
Michel Beauvais Sr.
Please join the family for a celebration of life at the
Kent-Belgian-Dutch-Canadian Club. September 5, 2021 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Light lunch and beverages will be served.
PAGE 11
Celebration of Life
Cathy’s Last Toast!
Celebration of Life for Cathy Meredith “Bouwmeester” who passed away unexpectedly February 26th, 2021 Friends are welcome to join us to celebrate Cathy at 335 Campus Parkway, Chatham. Saturday September 4th, 2021 from 1-4 pm.
OBITUARIES Cornelia “Lea” Ytsma 88, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Kendrick Funeral Home
Auberte Celine Cattoor 83, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 McKinlay Funeral Home
Jon Scott Goodison 54, Thursday, August 26, 2021 Kendrick Funeral Home
Ila Marie Sawyer 92, Thursday, August 26, 2021 McKinlay Funeral Home
Dieter Krause 86, Friday, August 13, 2021 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Roseanne Sarah O’Hearn 78, Friday, August 27, 2021 McKinlay Funeral Home
Sharon Hope 74, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Susan Darlene Maracle-Evers 66, Saturday, August 28, 2021 McKinlay Funeral Home
Beverly Shoemaker 83, Thursday, August 26, 2021 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Gene Gray 65, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Life Transitions
Vera Brown 86, Friday, August 27, 2021 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Maurice Lammens Thursday, August 26, 2021 Life Transitions
Ryan “Gouch” Goulet 48, Saturday, August 28, 2021 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Anna Marcovecchio 88, Saturday, August 28, 2021 Life Transitions
Manuel Carvalho De Castro 79, Friday, August 27, 2021 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Mrs. Dorothy Phillips 90, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Virginia Margaret Campbell 92, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 McKinlay Funeral Home
Mr. John “Jack” Baird 61, Friday, August 20, 2021 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
4 Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390 Serving Kingsville, Wheatley & Chatham
245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710
kendrickfuneralhome.com
alexanderfuneralhome.ca
60 Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com
lifetransitions.ca • 519-351-4444
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
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 12
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