The Chatham Voice, Sept. 14, 2023

Mayoral blade is coming home

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Following a somewhat circuitous journey, a unique sword that belonged to Chatham’s first mayor may be on its way home.

Don Wilson is hoping he can help make it happen.

The Windsor resident, executor of the estate of Evelyn McLean –great granddaughter of inaugural Chatham Mayor A.D. McLean –wants to honour his friend’s wishes, return the sword to its rightful

place, and make it available for the public to see.

“It’s a very interesting artifact and we want it maintained in a public venue,” Wilson said in a recent telephone interview. “Evelyn would have wanted it in a public venue.”

Evelyn McLean, a well-respected Windsorite, who was keenly interested in preserving history, was the keeper of the steel and brass weapon for the McLean family. It’s unknown how it happened, but at some point, the heirloom was sold. However, the family managed to

buy it back from an antique dealer and Evelyn kept it safe until her death in 2020. Reportedly used and worn by Mayor Alexander Douglas McLean at Chatham council and official events, the intricately designed steel and brass weapon dates

back to the years between 1822 and 1845, purchased from the famous Montreal retailer Gibb & Company. Wilson can’t confirm it, but he said the sword may have been used by A.D. McLean during the Rebellions of 1837-38, when insurgents

in Upper and Lower Canada led uprisings against the Crown and the status quo. Although only 19 years old at the time, Chatham’s first mayor was ranked as an officer in the army.

Continued on page 5

Deli Counter Deals

’Burg

pool reopens as summer comes to an end

The Chatham Voice

After being closed for August, the Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool has reopened just in time for fall.

The pool, which closed July 31 for renovations, reopened Sept. 11.

The renovations took place at the facility’s entrance and

change rooms. Amy Wadsworth, manager of recreation and Community Engagement with the municipality, said she’s happy to see the pool reopen.

“The Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool is an important community hub for recreation and fitness, and we are thrilled to be able to

offer these renovations to our patrons. We are excited to welcome everyone back to the pool and hope these improvements will enhance their experience,” she said in a media release. CKRecreation’s swimming lessons will resume in Wallaceburg in October. Registration is now open and interested individuals can view all group swimming lesson options and complete registration online at Chatham-Kent. ca/Recreation. All recreational swimming programs are back. The recreational pool schedule is now online with registration opening one week prior to the respective swim time. To view the schedule, please visit Chatham-Kent. ca/RecreationSwimming.

THE RIDGETOWN TREES COMMITTEE

Extends a warm invitation to all to a Service of Dedication in memory of those for whom a Tree lives at

The Trees Memorial Forest

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Gathering 1:30pm • Service 2:00pm

From a small beginning in 1988, The Trees Memorial Forest has grown to an area of 43 acres, encompassing both Howard and Ridgetown. To date, over 2,100 trees have been purchased and planted, each recognizing a life that has been lived. Please consider bringing a senior, neighbour or a friend. Bring a lawn chair. All are invited for refreshments to follow the Dedication Service with support from Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre.

A TREE GROWS IN MEMORY OF:

A Tree Has Been Planted In Memory Of The Following from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023:

Archibald, Thomas

Henry

Arnold, Steven

Bishop, Barry

Booth, Chris

Brink, Jake

Brooks, Gordon

Brown, George Robert

Buckler, Harold

Butler, Robert

Campbell, Una Ann

Charbonneau, Jim

Clark, Wayne

Congo, Donald

Cowell, Stephen

Crossley, Joan

Davidson, Bill

Davies, Mary

Deshaw, Anna

Dilliott, Kevin

Dilliott, Lorraine Emily

Doyle-Emery, Brenda

Dunlop, Ken

Durer, Willi Hans Adolf

Ford, Ron

Gelderland, Ron

Glassford, Wayne

Hall, Earl

Hall, Ken

Hartford, Catherine

Hazzard, Susan

Hogg, Brenda

Jackson, Garnet

Johnson, Gwen

Johnston, Bob

Karpiak, Anne

Keskeny, Les

Keskeny-Tanha, Richard

Stephen Eric

Keskeny-Tanha, Robert

Hoessein Reza

Leatherdale, Hazel

MacLachlan, Ruth

Malott, Rick

Mason, Don

McLaren, Anita

Mills, Rosa

Nicholson, Jack

Noordhoek, Gerry

Oestreicher, Betty

Paine, Norine

Perry, Eiola

Powell, John

Rabideau, Mary

Richmond, Anita Denise

Robertson, Donna

Robinson, Joyce

Robinson, Mary

Scott, Louise

Simpson, Eunice

Slemensky, Frank

Smith, Stuart Ronald

Speed, Mary Lou

Stover, Bill

Taplin, Vera

Taylor, Cathy

Torrance, Marjorie

Trudell, Diane

Ure, Margaret

Verbrugge, Allan

Waite, Dona Mae

Ward, Irene

Welch, Donald

Weston, Charlie

Wickens, Elizabeth

Sword destined for council chambers

Continued from page 2

According to Wilson, the sword was passed onto Evelyn through her lineage. Mayor A.D. McLean had a son, also named Alexander Douglas McLean,

who was an architect in Chatham. His son James, Evelyn’s father, was trained as an engineer and moved to Windsor where Evelyn was born.

Wilson said he has grown

a bit frustrated trying to find a home for the sword.

He first offered to donate it to Fort Malden near Amherstburg, but was turned down. Following that he approached the

Chatham-Kent Museum, but was told they are not accepting any new donations until 2024. But he said it looks like things are finally moving along with Chatham-Kent

planning on accepting the sword to display in council chambers.

When contacted by The Voice about the sword, Mayor Darrin Canniff said he’s all in and he hopes the sword can soon be brought to Chatham.

“That’s the plan,” Canniff said. “It’s a pretty cool piece of Chatham’s history and we’re thrilled we can put it back in council’s chambers.”

The sword’s recently appraised value is between $3,500 to $4,500.

Cathy Wilson/Special to The Chatham Voice

Don Wilson shows off a 200-year-old sword that was owned by A.D. McLean, Chatham’s first mayor. A plan is in the works to return the artefact for display in Chatham-Kent’s council chambers.

An insult to democracy

We’ve seen this at the national level, but it seems to be permeating through Chatham-Kent. Elected officials and civil servants simply not returning phone calls or e-mails from mem bers of the media.

Politicians not answering questions is nothing new. It happens, unfortunately, everywhere. The kings and queens of spin often attempt to deflect the question by replying with an ambiguous answer, blowing verbal smoke and dodging the direct question.

It happens all the time in political debates and during press conferences. They don’t want to give up information, so they dance around the question and hope it goes away.

The worst is when politicians just don’t bother to show up for debates. So much for open and transparent communication.

Too often, journalists let the politician get away with dodging questions, or just don’t have a chance to press the issue as the political handler moves onto a different reporter during a press conference.

Locally, we at The Voice are at times finding growing delays when reach-

ing out to government officials at all levels for information and requests for interviews.

Not all staffers fit into this category. Some are quick to reply, even doing so after hours when their day finally frees up. That effort is greatly appreciated.

Ignoring the media is tantamount to ignoring the public. We are asking questions on their behalf.

We understand our interview subjects are often busy. But sharing information educates the public, a vital element in democracy.

Social media has not helped matters. Politicos can deliver their “message” in exactly the format they desire, avoiding potential landmine questions that could expose flaws in the information they are discussing.

The same is true when a press release is issued, but no one is available to comment. The message is controlled, without a chance for followup.

This is plain unacceptable.

We are a weekly newspaper. If a public official can’t be bothered to reply to requests for additional information in a timely manner, we at The Voice are now going to notify the public of this in our articles.

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).

The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity.

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The publisher of this newspaper, CK Media Inc., reserves the right to clarify or refuse any advertisement based on its sole discretion. The publisher reserves the right to reject, discontinue or omit any advertisement without notice

or penalty to either party. Liability for errors or non-insertion is limited to the amount paid for the cost of space occupied by the error. Claims of errors must be made prior to the next publication date.

The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright. No material from this edition may be reproduced without expressed written consent of CK Media Inc.

A member of:

We need a reboot, boss

Editor’s note: This is a letter to God.

Full disclosure: I am an atheist, yet I feel compelled to reach out and ask you to intervene, not for me, but to ensure my grandchildren and everyone else have a future.

As our landlord, you should be concerned that we, the custodians, are not doing enough to save our future. Mother Nature is sending warning signs as are our smartest scientists as well as some politicians who should not be considered as smart as the previously mentioned. Too many ignore the signs or refuse to believe we must change our ways.

Not to sound “holier than thou” (no offence intended), I have converted to a hybrid vehicle. A baby step, sure, but a start.

Assuming you wish to save our home, the task next is to create a better version of us. Our souls need fixing, even the non-believers. We have

one too. The issue needing the most attention is the hatred, bigotry, racism and lack of respect those different than the major ity endure every day. We should be able to fix this ourselves but the divide seems to grow.

That is not OK in my book, and shouldn’t be in yours either. Protecting our young, old and most vulnerable from predators is an every-second concern. Perhaps an updated version of the guidelines to live by that you sent from a mountaintop years ago could be sent to us via Fed-Ex, as we have no mountains here.

Freewill and speech is nice to have and should never be taken for granted as not all have those given rights. This does not give licence for those who have free speech to be rude, vulgar, disrespectful. Case in point: those anti-Trudeau flags

being flown around the country. I am no fan of the man, but the message on the flag resonates the utter decency we lack. Perhaps the new guidelines I requested will help us find a better way to express ourselves.

Please don’t drop us off the Best Place to Live list just yet. Maybe a few tweaks and fewer tweets will be of value. If you, like Apple, decide to upgrade the current version, maybe removing our middle fingers would be a good start.

A selfish request: Let hell freeze over so the Maple Leafs can win a Stanley Cup. If this ask is too much, how about teaching the drivers in Chatham what a red light means?

A reminder Jimmy Buffet is on the way, a great addition to your choir.

Lorne Meechum Chatham-Kent

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Home prices, sales rise in C-K

Chatham Voice

It’s not much, but local realtors will take it.

Home sales in August were up a modest 3.4 per cent from the same month in 2022, according to the

Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors (CKAR).

That percentage is in reality four additional sales, up to 122, compared to last August.

“Home sales recorded a small year-over-year gain

in August as the monthly recovery has stalled and demand is basically moving sideways at the moment,” Matt Bechard, president of CKAR, said in a media release.

However, prices are

up. The average price of homes sold in August 2023 was $468,100, up nearly 11 per cent from August of 2022.

“Home sales recorded a small year-over-year gain in August as the monthly recovery has stalled and demand is basically moving sideways at the moment.”

recording stronger gains, with average price levels now back up to the highest readings since last July,” Bechard said.

of this year was $433,374, down about 10 per cent from the same period in 2022.

-

“New listings are still coming in at supportive levels but the market has gradually tightened. Prices are also

CKAR’s Matt Bechard

In terms of home sales for August, CKAR numbers show that they were down 11.6 per cent compared to the five-year average.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 839 units over the first eight months of the year. This is down 14.7% from the same period in 2022.

As for the price of homes sold, CKAR figures indicate the average prices for the first eight months

New listings were down in August, to the tune of about 12 per cent, compared to August of 2022. There were 210 new residential listings last month.

Despite the decline, new listings were 4.6 per cent above the five-year average and about 12 per cent above the 10-year average for the month of August. Active residential listings numbered 386 units on the market at the end of August, a small gain of six listings from the end of August 2022. However, active listings haven’t been this high in the month of August in more than five years.

The

Author details settler’s life in Kent County

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

In the Ojibwe language, Anangokaa means “many stars.”

It’s the word author

Cameron Alam chose for the title of her debut novel that tells the coming-ofage story of a 14-year-old Scottish immigrant who comes to the wilderness near Walpole Island in 1804.

Punctuated by devastating loss, love, and the

wonder of discovery, the story is told from the viewpoint of young Flora MacCallum as she navigates her first Canadian winter, while forging a forbidden friendship with the son of a Chippewa chief, all within the confines of the strict social rules of the times.

Alam said the story started “percolating” with her seven years ago as she began researching her family history. Her husband Richard Alam, who is in the Canadian military, was stationed in the

United Kingdom. While there, the family ended up spending a month on the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Hebrides.

“I made so many discoveries there,” Alam said in a recent interview from her home in Prescott near Ottawa, noting the experience nudged her into diving deep into exploring her ancestors on the MacCallum branch of her family tree.

She then discovered the real-life Flora MacCallum, which led her to become

the protagonist of Anangokaa. Melding fact with fiction, Alam details what life was like at the turn of the 19th century for European settlers. The McCallums were among 15

families who settled along the Chenal Ecarte – also known as the Snye River – in the northern portion of Kent County. The settlers had agreed to work on Lord Thomas Douglas

Selkirk’s farm for a time in exchange for free passage and a 50-acre piece of land.

“Flora is a real ancestor of mine,” Alam said. Continued on page 11

Contributed image Author Cameron Alam is shown here with her new book that tells a coming-of age story at the Baldoon Settlement in 1804.

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CELEBRATING THE POWER OF MENTORING

This September, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada will be celebrating Big Brothers Big Sisters Month and all the ways that volunteer mentors support 41,000 youth in Canada. Big Brothers Big Sisters Month recognizes the critical importance of mentoring relationships, especially now, when our commitment to young people and the essential intervention service we provide is being challenged like never before.

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Life for Scottish settlers wasn’t easy

Continued from page 9

“I decided to tell the story through her eyes as she moves through the years.”

It wasn’t easy for the immigrants, Alam said, noting Flora lost both parents and a sibling shortly after reaching the Baldoon settlement, in what was known at the time as Upper Canada. The Baldoon Settlement was part of a plan by Selkirk, who handpicked the Scottish immigrants to settle in the New World.

After a perilous journey across the Atlantic, the settlers encountered stark conditions, malaria and also faced raids relating to the War of 1812.

“They had to be fighters, especially those that were highlanders,” Alam explained.

The creation of Anangokaa led Alam and her husband to undertake countless hours of

painstaking research. The archives offer little information about women beyond birth, death and marriage dates.

“It was pretty interesting for me, discoveries like finding a name on a ship roster,” Alam said. “You sometimes get lucky, but you can also go down rabbit holes.”

In the years prior to Canada’s birth, few historical records exist, so that led Alam to examining Indigenous treaties and writings, dissertations, academic papers and studies of ethnobotany for the book.

“That helped me feel like I could saturate myself in what Flora experienced,” the author said, but added there is a lot of fiction in Anangokaa as so little is known.

However, Flora’s older brother Hugh MacCallum, who became Wallaceburg’s first postmaster and is the

person responsible for naming the town after William Wallace, left behind a treasure trove of written material and letters.

“Hugh was a portal into the story,” Alam said. “I felt like I heard his voice speaking to me all the time.”

Alam said she paid careful heed to the Indigenous piece of the story, acknowledging European settlement in Canada is also about early colonization.

“It’s a tumultuous part of history for us,” Alam said, noting she wanted to showcase the breadth of knowledge carried by Canada’s Indigenous people.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Alam had little knowledge of Canadian history and the role her ancestors played in their new country.

Published in March of this year, Anangokaa is already

receiving great interest.

“I’m kind of blown away,” Alam said, noting last time she checked there were 41 people on the waitlist for Anangokaa at the Toronto Public Library.

The Wallaceburg and District Historical Society will be hosting a meet and greet with Alam during Baldoon Days at the Wallaceburg Museum Sept. 16. Alam will be signing copies of Anangokaa.

Operation Backpack doubles intake

The Chatham Voice

The need is increasing, but the people of Chatham-Kent are there to try to meet it.

Officials from FreeHelpCK said

this summer’s Operation Backpack saw nearly double the donations compared to 2022. A total of 1,361 backpacks were donated – 1,276 through donation points with FreeHelpCK and another 85 to Outreach

for Hunger. In 2022, the public and local businesses donated 679 backpacks.

“With all the financial support and supplies that we received during this year’s campaign, as times continue to get tougher around households financially, we hope to bring help by helping to provide for families in Chatham-Kent,” FreeHelpCK directors said in their media release.

Chatham, Wallaceburg, Dresden, Ridgetown, Blenheim, Tilbury and Wheatley all had backpacks and school supplies dropped off for families in need.

On a sad note, volunteer Deb Franklin passed away recently. The FreeHelpCK board of directors said in the release called the news “a huge blow.

“She helped make sure Operation Backpack ran smoothly and was always a big part of organizing many events, as well as the Prom Dress Giveaway held by our charity,” they said.

Contributed image

Deb Franklin, a longtime volunteer with FreeHelpCK, passed away recently.

ALC seeks to boost membership

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Tamara Bos is working, well, like a boss to drive up membership at the Active Lifestyle Centre (ALC).

The new executive director of the ALC said the Covid pandemic devastated the centre during the months of enforced social isolation.

“Covid pretty much wiped out the membership. We are struggling,” she said.

Her goal is to focus on the younger end of the 50-plus crowd in Chatham-Kent, as seniors may be aware of the centre and the wealth of activities and programs it offers, but the “younger” crowd may not.

“Nobody knows we’re here. It’s unbelievable. I recently met with someone and they had to ask for directions on how to get here. We’ve been here for 50 years,” she said of the location at 20 Merritt Ave in Cha-

tham. A fast-approaching event that should help is the open house the ALC is hosting Sept. 21 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bos said there will be free pizza and parking. An overflow lot near Mercato Fresh on Grand Avenue will have a shuttle bus as well.

“It will show a little bit about health care for older adults and what is available out there,” Bos said of the open house.

Plus, visitors will get a first-hand look at the facility which offers so

many different programs and activities.

The centre is also open in the evenings for the general public. Bos said events after hours continue to expand.

“We are open to the public after 4 p.m. We’re doing a lot of things at night. We’ve got Monday Night Football, Taco Tuesday, we’re looking to have a Latin night, a Caribbean night, and we’re having a seniors’ dance on Nov. 4 – Tropical Wonderland,” she said. “That’s open to the pub-

lic, 50-plus.”

The diversity of activities is intended to attract new people to the ALC, and keep those who are already members.

“There are a lot of things that we are trying to get going, but we need the public’s help,” Bos said. “We need to fill out our memberships again.”

The ALC offers a host of physical and social activities and programs, from foot care to hair and nail salons to wood shop, tai chi, yoga, zumba, chair yoga, chair zumba, cards, line dancing, clogging, tapping, crafts, painting, sewing, knitting, as well as a fully equipped gym.

“There’s quite a bit here, and we’re adding more,” Bos said.

It’s all included in the membership fee, which is $30 for six months. There is a $3 user fee on top of that for the days users attend. Bos encourages people to take advantage of it.

“That gives them free rein of the whole centre for the day. They can go into anything,” she said. “They can spend all day here, plus they can come and socialize in the cafe.”

On top of new members, Bos said the ALC needs new volunteers, the driving force for all activities and services.

“Covid pretty much wiped out the membership. We are struggling.”

- ALC’s Tamara Bos

Tamara Bos

‘Robust’ vaccinations to come: top doc

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

It’s still in the works, but as cold and flu season approaches, local residents can expect a full rollout of vaccines to combat respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

That according to Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Chatham-Kent’s new acting Medical Officer of Health.

The physician’s comments were made during his first Chatham-Kent Board of Health meeting held recently in Chatham.

“We anticipate a robust vaccination program for the fall,” Nesathurai said. “Vaccine policy is formulated at a provincial level; we anticipate that we will receive additional guidance shortly, with additional details.”

The doctor pointed out that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, noting the community has to move towards “normalization,” using a public health strategy to manage it.

Stressing that the pandemic has affected everyone in society and left an “indelible mark,” Nesathurai is calling on the community for a “commitment to civility” when the vaccine rollout gets underway.

As evidenced during the pandemic, Nesathurai said elders are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and they need to be protected in the “twilight of their life.”

At the meeting, Nesathurai also addressed the “staggering” problem of substance use disorder and drug overdose which claimed the lives of 45 Chatham-Kent residents in the past year, with 36 of those tied to opioid poisonings.

Every community is affected, he added, with 2,500 people dying from opioid poisonings in Ontario in 2022 compared to car crashes which take approxi-

mately 600 lives.

According to Nesathurai, substance use disorder needs to be treated like “every other disease” requiring a concerted effort from public health and the medical community.

One of the tools that could be adopted is a safe injection site, he said, but added that’s just one component and something that needs careful contemplation.

But in the now, Nesathurai said everyone can pitch in by carrying a naloxone kit, or keeping one at home, noting “one puff” can save a life.

“People like me or you are dying,” he added, and this happens often alone at home.

“Having a kit is one way we can do something today. There’s no shame in having one.”

In his new role, Nesathurai said he hopes to broaden programs to encourage the well-being of children to help prevent chronic disease down the road

as Chatham-Kent currently has one of the highest rates of chronic disease in Ontario.

Nesathurai, who will serve as acting medical officer of health until the Ministry of Health officially appoints him, replaces Dr. David Colby, who has now retired.

The former medical officer of health for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit from 2018 to 2021, and most recently as the acting Medical Officer of Health for the Windsor-Essex Health Unit, started his new role Sept. 5.

Nesathurai received his Doctor of Medicine from McMaster University, and his Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. In addition to training in public health, Nesathurai is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Contributed image

The provincial government will be rolling out vaccinations for respiratory illnesses as cold and flu season approaches.

Shanker Nesathurai

Community Events Fun Stuff

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023:

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

• Diabetes, Healthy Feet & You. 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://dhfy_sept14. eventbrite.ca.

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

• Live Music and Cash Bar at Chatham Retirement Resort. Buck & the Boys will perform at 2pm. Friends and family welcome! Call today for more information or to RSVP 519-351-7777 ext. 526.

• Fabulous Friday Fare at the Merlin Legion!! 2 Stanley St. Delicious homemade burgers and fries with side and dessert $13.25. Please note – due to another event the usual perch/chicken night was moved until next week.

Friday, September 15, 2023:

• Adult Colouring at the CKPL Chatham Branch Community Living Café. 2:00pm-4:00pm. 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.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00-6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Roast Beef or Fish & Chips, $13.00. Take out is also available by calling 519351-8733 or 519-351- 5639. Fun Darts start at 7:00pm. Everyone Welcome.

• Sip & Swirl Mum Flower Painting at the Chatham Retirement Resort. Come join us at 1:45pm for some delicious wine and creativity. Please RSVP to let us know you will be attending. Friends and family welcome. 519351-7777 ext. 526.

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023:

• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am10:30am. Take out only.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30 pm. Meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 3:00pm–5:30pm. Entertainment by the D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.

• Welcome Week Storytime at 10:00am at Chatham Branch of the CKPL. Storytime includes songs, stories, and rhymes celebrating diversity and inclusiveness and is best suited to children 0 to 6 years old and their family. There is no cost to attend, and all are welcome.

Sunday, Sept. 17, 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.

Monday, Sept. 18, 2023:

• Come celebrate Legion Week at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham by playing open euchre-two person team. Registration at 6:30 play at 7:00. $5.00 per person.

Tuesday, Sept, 19, 2023:

• Chess Club at Chatham Branch of CKPL. 6:00pm-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 to the public 11:00am-2:00pm only today. The kitchen will not be open as we prepare for our Veteran’s Dinner.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023:

• Kent Coin Club meeting at the Active Lifestyle Center (7pm-8pm). 20 Merritt Ave Chatham. New Members and guests welcomed. Come to a meeting and meet others with similar interests. We have members that collect Canadian, USA, and World coins and paper money. Gain knowledge and trends of the hobby. For more info contact President Paul Robb (probb1@cogeco.ca) (289228-2817).

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf Dinner. Our Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a sports evening with Darts and Euchre. Registration at 6:30. Play at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Let CKPL help you give your backpacks and notebooks some personal flair! Drop-in to the library to create, colour and design personalized buttons and stickers. Use our supplies to create your own or choose from preprinted options. Join staff at 6:00pm in the Meeting Room. Program open for teens 12-18 years of age. No registration required. For more information about this program contact staff: By phone – 519-354-2940 By text – 519-401-7174 By email – cklibrary@chatham-kent. ca By Facebook chat – @ ckplibrary.

• Tilbury Open Euchre Tournament, 7:00pm, Tilbury Legion 4 Stewart St. 2 man teams. Everyone Welcome. Great Prizes$$$.

Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023:

• Master Your Health Chronic Pain. Access virtual programs using any computer, tablet, or smartphone. All workshop materials are provided free of charge. Thursdays, Sept 21-Oct 26, 2023. 9:00am11:30am. Register at https:// myhcp_sept21.eventbrite.ca.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00 am-1:30pm. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. This evening we will be hosting a Branch Networking Night with invited service clubs. Come out and enjoy the evening. Everyone is welcome.

• The AVOID PROBATE ROADSHOW is coming to Ridgetown at St. Michaels Parish Hall at 7:00pm, hosted by the Catholic Woman’s League (CWL). The Parish Hall is on Maple Street South in Ridgetown. Jason Laidler will be presenting the Avoid Probate Roadshow and demonstrate how avoiding probate is easier than you think. Learn more at www.avoidprobate. ca. RSVP to save your spot –text or call Barb at 416-8567615. Don’t miss this Free Event as space is limited. A one-hour presentation is followed by Q&A. Doors open at 6:30pm for RSVP Guests and at 6:45pm for Non- RSVP Guests, if space is available.

• The Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild meets at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave E, Chatham at 7:00pm. Our September 21 meeting will be an OPEN HOUSE and everyone is welcome to join us that night, free of charge and enjoy some special events to introduce you to the love of quilting. You are welcome to contact us through our Facebook page or our website at www. ckquiltguild.com for info.

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

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

Craft Vendors: Join our Craft Show Oct 28 9-2 at the WISH Centre Chatham. Call 519437-9748 or email CKLionsEvents@gmail.com to register or inquiries.

Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, Chatham-Kent Branch will meet at 9:30am at Chatham Moose Lodge. Noon meal, $25. Call Lynn Russell 519-676-5900 by Sept. 20. We are now pleased to welcome Retired Women Educators including teachers, EAs, ECEs and Child/Youth workers/counsellors. Guest speaker, Peter Sulman, CK Local Immigration Partnership.

Send your comming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chatamvoice.com.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Type of crayon

7. Fashion accessory

10. Most cerebral

12. Incline from vertical

13. Dependent on

14. Broken in

15. Strongly desires

16. Mounted soldier

17. Ad __: when necessary

18. Cattle

19. Ottoman military commanders

21. __ student, learns healing

22. Composed in poetic meter

27. Promotional material

28. Where people live 33. Sodium 34. Embarrassing 36. Medical man 37. Mother of Hermes 38. One who saves the day 39. Tooth caregiver

40. Not clothed

41. Slope covered with loose stones

44. Used to cook

45. Praises enthusiastically

48. Rooney is a famous one

49. Beekeeper

50. Pigpen

51. Potato chip brand

CLUES DOWN

1. Living quarters

2. Horizontal passage

3. Attacks

4. Vietnamese offensive

5. Midway between east and southeast

6. Confined (abbr.)

7. Book of Esther antagonist

8. Port in Yemen

9. CNN’s founder

10. Type of bulb

11. Prepare

12. Promoted

14. Dinner jackets

17. Partner to cheese

18. Nebraska city

20. Human gene

23. Pays no attention to

24. Lowland South American plain

25. Blood group

26. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano

29. Atomic #37

30. Unit of electrical resistance

31. Jeweled crowns

32. Nastiest

35. Traditional cars need it

36. Bowler hat 38. Robust

40. Not straight 41. Stony waste matter 42. Have an interest in 43. Jacob __, journalist 44. Maintains possession of 45. Swiss river 46. Average cost of market goods

47. Spanish soldier: El __

Puzzle answers can be found on page 19

New surgeon joins CKHA team

The Chatham Voice Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has added a new physician to the organization. Dr. Alisha Fernandes joins the department of general surgery.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Fernandes to our clinical team,” said Dr. Pervez Faruqi, chief of staff in a media release.

“Her contributions to our surgical services will be a great addition to CKHA and help us further our commitment to delivering patient and family cen-

tered care to the community of Chatham-Kent.”

After completing medical school and residency training at McMaster University in Hamilton in 2019, Fernandes practiced as a general surgeon in rural locations and academic centres. She worked as an independent trauma and acute care surgeon in Hamilton and Halifax, and provided services in elective surgery, endoscopy, and minor procedures in Midland and Goderich.

Fernandes recently completed her Clinical Fellowship in Advanced GI

Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Dalhousie University in Halifax. This training has yielded a unique skill set with which to serve the Chatham-Kent community including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), advanced endoscopic management of complex GI pathologies, enteral access, and minimally invasive surgical management of gastrointestinal diseases.

“Born and raised in Ontario, I am very much looking forward to re-

turning to the province and setting down roots in Chatham-Kent. I look forward to becoming a part of this vast and welcoming community,” said Fernandes.

She is not the only CKHA hire in recent weeks, as they also hired a new urologist and hospitalist.

Dr. Christopher Langley is returning to his roots in Southwestern Ontario after completing his urology residency training at the University of Ottawa, as well as a fellowship at McMaster University.

Dr. My Anh Nguyen will

be part of the team that oversees medical care for many of the facility’s

in-patient areas, such as medicine units and complex continuing care.

1 bedroom, 1 bedroom + den, and 2 bedroom units are coming available soon! Did

miss out on the luxury rental building in 2022? Don’t delay and call today for more information!

OBITUARIES

Leslie George Mancell

81, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Perry Snobelen

69, Wednesday,August 30, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Tom Wilkie

27, Monday, September 4, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Steve Rankin

71, Friday, September 1, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Gerard “Jerry” Vanderveen

84, Sunday, September 3, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Barbara Haskell

89, Monday, September 4, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Leonard Douglas LaMarsh

81, Monday, September 4, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Margaret C. Arndt-Jamieson

78, Tuesday, September 5, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Wayne Travis

86, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Mike Moon

69, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Ruth Anne Cox

79, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Nancy Pickering

55, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

James “Jim” Arthur Schaffer

91, Thursday, August 31, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Phil De Kort

83, Friday, September 1, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Edgar Albert

63, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Blanche Madeline Herman

84, Monday, September 4, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Bryan Green

69, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Jack Fenton

88, Sunday, September 3, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Bill Taylor

65, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

John C. Wood

82, Sunday, September 3, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Carol Boylan

77, Thursday, September 7, 2023

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Henny Hoy (Woudenberg)

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Life Transitions

Richard “Dick” Cudmore

82, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Life Transitions

Debbie Franklin

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Life Transitions

Jay Brodie

Monday, September 4, 2023

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Local student earns scholarship

The Chatham Voice

Dover Centre’s Taylor L’Ecuyer received a helping hand for her educational expenses, thanks to Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance.

L’Ecuyer was one of five students in southwestern Ontario to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Kent & Essex this summer.

The five recipients penned essays on how vehicle owners can best protect themselves from auto theft, something that is on the rise.

“In Ontario, a car is stolen every 48 minutes. From 2014 to 2021, there has been a 72-per-cent increase in auto theft within the province. Thieves are becoming more and more creative in targeting and stealing vehicles,” said Kevin Konecny, president and CEO of Kent & Essex, in a media release. “While auto theft is not new, the frequency of these incidents is fast becoming a major and evolving threat to the insurance industry. Tackling these thefts and protecting vehicles requires a collective effort from insurance companies and policyholders. All

of our scholarship recipients have produced great ideas through their essays on the crucial roles the insurance companies and policyholders can play in reducing auto theft risk.”

L’Ecuyer, who also received recommendation from high school administration at

Ecole Secondaire du Pain Court, said she appreciates the financial support. Kent & Essex has been awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors for more than a decade, amounting to more than $50,000 through this program.

Contributed image

Taylor L’Ecuyer is all smiles after earning one of five $1,000 scholarships from Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance.

Classifieds

Obituary Obituary

Barbara Ellen Haskell, November 10,1933

– September 4, 2023

It is a struggle to find the words to describe Barbara Ellen Haskell, who had a medically assisted death on the morning of September 4th, 2023. Barb was surrounded by her family on her final days. She danced, laughed, chatted, drank champagne, ate chocolate cake and french fries, and reminisced about favourite life memories. Barb was quirky, vibrant, strong and courageous. She was especially clever, curious and funny.

She narrated her daily life and experiences with vivid, creative storytelling. She loved adventures, including travel, long road trips, spending winters in Florida, summers in Erieau, and spending time with family. She had many artistic hobbies throughout her lifetime, including stained glass and painting. She passionately loved dogs. She loved walking her dog, and there was always a dog. Her apartment was bursting with dog paintings, dog statues and even a stuffed dog cushion.

Barb was born in Ridgetown to Ellen (Buller) and James Hearns in 1933, predeceased by her sisters Betty, Margaret, Velma and brother Arthur. She lived the majority of her life in Chatham, Ontario, and gave life to daughters Debra (Gallie), Patricia (Franco) (deceased), Dr. Lori Haskell, C.M., (Melanie) and son Todd Haskell (Nurse Geri). She raised her four children while working full time at Public General Hospital in Chatham. She loved her grandchildren Jenna, Tara, Natacha, Lance, Shane, Taylor, and Phil, and her eight great grandchildren, Ellie, Nelson, Alice, Brendan, Hayley, Preslee, Cora and Penelope.

Barbara had many happy years with her partner Douglas Donaldson; they lived in Stratford, Erieau and Florida before returning to Chatham. In her final years Barb moved to Toronto to live with her daughter Lori and partner Melanie (Randall). During her Toronto years she made many friends particularly if they had a dog (Mike and dog Archie, Aniella and dogs Diggie and Walter). West Neighbourhood House provided support and community, she enjoyed the dances in the park and singing with the other seniors. Her final months included loving care by her PSW Maribel. She received outstanding care by Dr. Sabrina Akhtar, Dr. Paula Harvey and her pharmacist Lucia Bertilli. She was loved and adored and will be greatly missed by all of us. Her planned death meant she was able to receive many teary goodbyes and expressions of love. Barb lived and died with courageous determination.

As per Barb’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a family celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Barb prefers donations to support West Neighborhood House (Ossington Street) in Toronto. Arrangements entrusted to McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St, Chatham, where online condolences can be left.

Pickering, Nancy

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nancy Pickering, Saturday September 2, 2023 after losing her battle to cancer at the age of 55. She passed peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Hospice surrounded by loved ones. Daughter of the late Bill and Carol (McIntosh) Pickering. Nancy was a wife, Mother, daughter, sister and grandmother; in which was her greatest role. She leaves behind her husband Fred Meyerink, her son Mitchell Cammaert, her daughter Devin (Steve) Diesbourg, daughter Melissa Cammaert and her sister’s Lisa Pickering and Karen (Scott) Rodrique and sister in-law Angela Cammaert and along with 5 beautiful grandchildren; Keiara, Koree, Kole, Bobby and Liam. Also survived by Fred’s sons Joe Meyerink and Jamie Meyerink and grandchildren Alex & Savanah and Freds brothers Bill (Jean) Meyerink, Tom (Diane) Meyerink, Mike (Terry) Meyerink and Jack Meyerink. Nancy was a force to be reckoned with, her love for her children, grandchildren, family and friends knew no bounds. Visitation will be at 11:00am-12:00pm Friday September 8th, 2023 at Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120). Funeral Service to follow at 12:00 pm at Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Simpson officiating; with a “Celebration of Life” following the service. As per Nancy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. The family asks in lieu of flowers, in memory of Nancy, donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation would be appreciated. Online Condolences welcomed at www.peseski.com

Loans

MORTGAGES / LOANS

CONSOLIDATE DEBTS LOWER YOUR PAYMENTS

Difficult Situations Accepted

Wanted

Wanted “Professional Driver” for 1 way trip to Windsor, from Chatham area on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. State your vehicle, make & year and your rate of pay (gas & time involved). Reply with first name “only” plus telelphone #, so I can reach you & best time to contact you.

Write to: PO Box 534, Stn Main, #120 Wellington St, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K6

For Rent

One bedroom, one bathroom spacious apartment for rent in Thamesville. 3 exits, large yard, fresh paint, new appliances. $1200/month, utilities & wi-fi included. 1st & last, references required. Call 519917-5446.

Asphalt ROBERT OUELLETTE

SWEEPER SERVICE 519-354-9157

WE ALSO ARRANGE UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT/LOANS

Whether

Pick us up every week at any of these locations!

Chatham:

Anne’s Smoke Shop, Downtown Chatham Centre, Legion Branch 628, Maple City Bakery, Active Lifestyle Centre, Wimpys, Royal LePage, Dover Duds

Pharmasave, Schinkels, Lenovers, Betty Brite, Real Canadian Superstore

Wallaceburg:

Shoppers Drug Mart, 99.1CKXS, Taylor’s Variety, Black Goose, No Frills, Hometown Deli

Dresden: MacTavish Pharmacy, Godfathers

Thamesville: Fast & Fresh, Movie Den, Studio 519

Blenheim:

McIntyre I.D.A. Pharmacy, Jim’s Barber Shop, Blenheim Seniors Centre, Blenheim Variety, Blenheim Municipal Service Centre

Erieau: Eau Buoy, Bayside Brew Pub

Pain Court: Pain Court Market, Central Tavern

Mitchell’s Bay: Mitchell’s Bay Variety

Merlin: Merlin General Store

Tilbury: Ashley’s Place

Charing Cross: Post Office/Bert’s Plumbing, Variety Store

Wheatley: Circle K Store, Jack’s Restaurant Delivered each week

to every home in the city of Chatham.

Also online at chathamvoice.com

Have a story idea or question? Want to place an ad?

Give us a call at 519-397-2020

Garage Sale: Something for everyone. kid’s clothes and toys, furniture and more. 6960 Rivard Line, Grande Pointe. September 16 & 17, 8am - ?.

Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-354-3411

Garage Sale For Sale Wanted

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.

Wanted to rent or buy 1 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred. 519-3525414 or 226-6275414.

Home For Sale

111 Van Allen Ave., Chatham. Only $2,000 per month, NO down payment required. Secure VTB mortgage, 30-year, 7% rate will never increase guaranteed. Buyer(s) responsible for their own closing costs such as legal services. Great opportunity for first time home buyers. House has two (2) small bedrooms. New kitchen and laundry appliances. 3pc bathroom with tub. If interested, please Email: xvz7wxn1@ anonaddy.me