The Chatham Voice, Nov. 10, 2022

Blue on blue fun

Tenants still worried on Pearl Cres.

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Nine months have passed since Gina Rossig nol’s rental unit on Pearl Crescent changed hands. But the long-time resi dent said the worry con tinues for the five tenants who dug in their heels and decided to stay put on the Chatham cul-de-sac despite threats, claims of deadly black mould and cash-for-keys incentives to move out.

According to Rossignol, the year has been marred by unrelenting stress and harassment brought on by representatives of the new owner after the buildings were sold.

“At the moment it seems like the pressure for us to move is off,” Rossignol told The Voice recently. “But we’re still not sure who is managing us and it’s hard to get anything

fixed.

“It’s pretty confusing.”

The Pearl Crescent saga began in late January when six four-plex units were purchased by real estate giant Core Develop ment Group.

Tenants were in the dark about the sale until a prop erty manager and a para legal representing Core showed up in late January.

One snowy night, a no tice was taped to the doors of all 24 units, saying man agement would be coming the next day to conduct a safety inspection.

Rossignol said residents were taken aback, noting the paperwork looked fake and unprofessional and provided little detail.

While landlord inspec tions are legitimate, Ros signol said tenants were “confused and afraid,” be cause they had no knowl edge of a sale.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Recent warm weather has been perfect for playing outdoors as Rowyn Caryn discovered while climbing at Chatham’s Kingston Park. The agile youngster had no trouble making it to the top of the equipment.

Name changes earn award

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

The new moniker for the site formerly known as Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a winner. So much so, the renam ing of the site as the Josiah Henson Museum of Afri can-Canadian History and the adjacent Freedom Road outside Dresden has garnered a Governor’s Award from the National Trust for Canada.

Site manager Steve Cook said the recognition is “very encouraging.

“It’s inspiring to us,” Cook explained. “This change has forced us to dig deeper into Josiah’s story. It’s a reminder to me how important Josiah Henson is to Canadian history.”

Cook, who has been telling the story of the multi-faceted former slave and Underground Railroad conductor for the past 35 years, said the change will take time.

“It’s still new for many people,” he said of the change, which took place in July. “We understand it’s going to take a couple of years.”

And while the change has been resisted by

some, Cook said every one understands after it’s explained that the term “Uncle Tom” became a racial slur after discrim inatory minstrel shows became popular in the United States.

It didn’t start out that way. The anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, written by Harriet Beech er Stowe, was based in part on Josiah Henson’s life. It became an inter national bestseller and is said to have fuelled the abolitionist movement leading up to the Ameri can Civil War.

Although there have been a few hate motivat ed crimes, including the defacing of Dresden’s new Pride sidewalk in October and the stealing of a Black Lives Matter flag last year, Cook said he remains hopeful.

In the past month, the entire student body of Lambton Kent Compos ite School came to the site to learn about Josiah Henson and his mark on history, which is a win in Cook’s mind.

He and his colleague Jackie Bernard, as well as Samantha Meredith, exec utive director/curator of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, made a presentation to all 246 students.

“We shared past, present and future Black history with the students,” Cook acknowledged. “They were a rapt audience.”

Bust a move and make a donation

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

As it heads into its third year, The Gift has a new twist.

The mega food, toy, gift and fundraising drive taking place Nov. 19 is adding a few moves to its reper toire.

As in past years, par ticipants are being asked to put out a donation or gift at noon for pick up, but this year, people across Cha tham-Kent are also being invited to showcase their dance moves.

what giving can do for all of us when it’s done in its purest form,” Simp son said, adding “there’s no better way to come together, than to move to gether.”

can touch,” Hetherington explained.

“With The Gift, Chatham-Kent has shown what giving can do for all of us when it’s done in its purest form. There’s no better way to come together, than to move together.”

- Ascension’s Greg Simpson

Every community will have its own simple, in clusive dance move. Par ticipants can record anyone, anywhere in their communi ty with the designated move and submit it to compi lations at ascension. ca/thegift. Tutorials are available online and last year’s dances can be viewed as well.

The volunteer-driven campaign reaches every corner of the municipal ity and provides help for all, with a focus on inclu sivity.

A wide range of items can be gifted. Food, toys, games, and personal items are on the list, with organizers emphasizing that heartfelt donations are best.

These are then stored at various donated depots, sorted by volunteers and distributed according to need.

People can choose the role they want to serve in and what gift they want to give. Roles such as community captains are decided democratically.

The idea took off last year and spawned the likes of the ‘The Wheatley Wave,’ The Shrewsbury Snorkel’ and the ‘Blen heim Happy Elf,’ among others.

Greg Simpson, co-own er of Ascension Dance in Chatham, is leading the Gift Dance, and he’ll be posting an edited video compilation of Gift folks busting a move after the Nov. 19 event.

“With The Gift, Cha tham-Kent has shown

That’s not the only change for The Gift, as Madison Hetherington has taken on the role of marketing lead. Hether ington said she’s step ping up her involvement because The Gift is spe cial and it shows “what C-K can do” by coming together to fill a need.

She calls The Gift a “su per simple idea that has a lot of impact.

“It’s all about increasing the impact and increasing the number of lives we

According to co-orga nizer Brent Wilken, who helps head up Come To gether CK and the Com munity Shop, there is “no authority from the orga nizing committee over any area.

“The Gift has no goals as it is what the people in volved make it,” Wilken said. “The Gift belongs to us all. The Gift is inside us all.”

The Gift was patterned after the success of the May 16 Miracle food drive in 2020. It has evolved

into a full-on grassroots initiative, involving thou sands of volunteers and a record number of do nations. The Community Shop, which provides a wide range of activities to all regardless of circum stance, came to be after donations were stored at space donated by the owners of the Downtown Chatham Centre, and vol unteers gathered there. Anyone wanting to be a part of The Gift can regis ter at thegiftck.ca.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Angelenna Lozon shows off her painting announcing that The Gift is scheduled to take place across Chatham-Kent Nov 19 at noon. Dozens of youngsters and teens have been gathering at the Community Shop recently to create signs announcing the event.

Owners change approach, staff

Continued from page 1

Rossignol initially refused to open the door for the inspection. She wasn’t sure who the so-called new owners were, and she doesn’t let just anyone into the home she shares with her autistic grand daughter.

So it began.

According to eye-witness accounts from at least six Pearl Crescent res idents, what transpired over the next few weeks was a masterclass in landlord/tenant bullying and harassment.

During the inspections and in subsequent meetings, two repre sentatives from Avanew – a wholly owned subsidiary of Core Develop ment Group that includes proper ty management – did their utmost best to convince everyone to leave Pearl Crescent.

According to Rossignol, the rep resentatives offered $5,000 to some of the tenants to move out. Some were also told all units needed ex tensive renovations and had to be “stripped down to the studs” to re move mould.

That’s when Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic paralegal Jeff Wilkins started getting calls.

Wilkins, who specializes in land lord-tenant cases, said he was told threats were made against tenants in a number of ways with tenants being pressured to take $5,000 and move out voluntarily.

If not, Wilkins said the renters were informed they would be issued an N-13 eviction notice because of the “extensive renovations” the com pany needed to do in order to deal with the so-called “deadly black mould.”

“These tenants were pressured and bullied,” Wilkins said of the ac tions taken by Core representatives. “Some were very afraid and they moved out.

“They didn’t want to be homeless.”

Repeated attempts to contact Ava new and Core were unanswered as of press time.

The remaining tenants on Pearl Crescent received letters a few months later, saying the two rep resentatives no longer worked for Avanew.

According to Wilkins, if renova

tions are needed, it’s perfectly legal to evict tenants temporarily under Ontario law until the renovations are complete. Tenants are then able to move back into the unit, paying the same amount of rent.

According to national media reports, use of the tactic called “renovictions” has ramped up across Canada as a way to get longterm tenants paying low rent to move on.

When it comes to renovations, Wilkins said that under the law, landlords are expected to complete the work in a timely manner with proper permits from the municipal ity, allowing tenants to return in a reasonable timeframe.

This didn’t happen on Pearl Cres cent. In fact, on March 4, an ad for Unit 11 appeared on a popular rent al website offering a three-bedroom unit on Pearl Crescent for rent that was vacated only two days prior. It was listed by Avanew for $2,499 a month.

But when angry tenants contacted the company about the listing, it was quickly taken down.

According to Wilkins, the new housing model is about profits.

“Do the math,” Wilkins said. “If a company can rent out and double and triple profits for their investors, it’s pretty attractive.”

But bullying and harassing clients to that end isn’t legal, he stressed.

“This is the worst I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot.”

For Rossignol, living at Pearl has turned into a wait-and-see game. She said she eventually got a bro ken toilet fixed after two months this summer, but said that only happened because she called Cha tham-Kent’s building inspector.

Rossignol is still awaiting other long overdue repairs.

And if the company does manage to redo her unit, she plans to con tinue living there while the work is carried out.

As for available units for rent on Pearl Crescent, one of the empty townhouses is currently listed on a popular rental site for $2,499 a month. As well, workers are cur rently onsite revamping some of the empty units and installing new appliances.

Opinion

It’s that simple. Use reason. In the case of the province ver sus educational support staff, neither side can say they were reasonable.

For starters, the salary level for the folks who walked off the job on Friday for their “illegal” strike is at this time...unreasonable. Just as the salaries for our teachers are unreason ably high, the support staff are under paid.

The McGuinty and Wynne govern ments had set the teacher salary bar too high, and didn’t do enough for the 55,000 support staff, who make on average under $40,000 a year.

That’s decent money here in Cha tham-Kent if you are in a two-income household, but in larger urban cen tres with higher costs of living, it’s a pittance.

Enter CUPE, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, who originally sought a pay raise of 11.7 per cent.

That massive hike is also unreason able. So too was their eventual counter of about six per cent. Ability to pay comes down to the taxpayer, and the pressure is on all our wallets these days.

Facing the initial bargaining point of 11.7 per cent, the Ford government, led by Education Minister Stephen Lecce, dug in its collective heels.

Its counter offers were meager at best, two per cent.

And then the Ford government behaved like a bully, invoking that notwithstanding clause at the 11th hour to make the strike illegal.

Yes, our students have been through enough disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but to rip the rights of these workers out from under them in that manner was in poor form.

Let’s all be reasonable here No incentive to vote

Even the prime minister waded into the fray. Justin Trudeau called the Ford government’s legislation an “attack on one of the most basic rights available, that of collective bargaining,” accord ing to a CBC report.

While this matter may already be decided by the time you read this, how we wound up with the massive walkout Friday and disruption of school for our children is the issue in question.

Cooler heads should have prevailed. It was a failure on all sides, but espe cially that of the Ford government.

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Editor: Re: The editorial “Something’s Broken” in the Nov. 3 Chatham Voice. It sure is, and perhaps the reason so few take any interest in local or for that matter provincial or federal elections is we have nothing concrete to stimulate us to get out and vote for or against. I voted, always have, but am truly frustrated look ing at a ballot that asks nothing except for you to put your faith in a person whom you may have never heard of before. Yes the local publications did ask questions, but we all know what is said in a campaign and what in reality happens are two vastly different realities.

We need to have the ability to provide direct voter input on some of the major topics that affect our property taxes. Oh, I know the answer, “That’s not how our system works” – well that’s probably why so few bother to vote.

Council makes decisions on the advice of adminis tration and sometimes the ratepayers provide input through deputations, but for the most part, admin istration wins.

Topics such as new city offices in the Downtown Chatham Centre, the Bradley Centre when it was built, new arenas, shelters for the home

less, public housing expenditures, shoreline erosion control and there are many more. All could or should be a ballot Issue.

All these things will, however, be decided upon via the election process now in place, but the outcome is seldom in keeping with the election platform.

Until our country adopts some form of direct taxpayer input to guide major capital expendi tures, the average family will stay on the sidelines and not vote.

Clare Curtis Chatham

No confidence in government

Editor: I read the editori al “Something’s broken” in the Nov. 3 Chatham Voice. Yes there is. The problem is simple. People have lost all confidence in government.

You can see this in all

elections, be they federal, provincial or municipal. All elections show serious declines.

We moved from Cambridge to Chatham this year. The last mu-

nicipal elections in Cambridge had 28 per cent voter turnout. I talked to the mayor of Cambridge about the turnout.

Heather

Brandice Smith* 226-626-4838

David Smith* 519-350-1615

Ron Smith* 519-360-7729

Michael Smyth* 519-784-5470

Chris Spafford* 519-917-2635

Kate Stenton* 519-436-8377

Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856

Cindy Weaver** 519-360-0628

Ashley Wilton* 519-437-7564

Elliot Wilton* 519-358-8755

Super Party for Wally Nov. 12

The Chatham Voice

The folks at Charlotte’s Free dom Farm want you to come out and celebrate Wally’s first birthday on Nov. 12.

Wally is one of the disabled

animals on the Dresden area farm. He arrived from Mon treal at just 10 weeks of age. His two front legs had not developed properly in the womb, creating a bend that disables him from properly supporting himself on them.

Since moving to the farm he has ac quired two prosthet ic legs that help him to get around and play with all of his friends.

Along with his new

front legs, Wally also acquired a new best friend, WinnieThe-Roo. Together they have become hits on the Internet with almost 100,000 followers on Instagram combined.

Charlotte’s Freedom Farm is celebrating Wally turning one on Nov. 12 by hosting a Super Mario themed party. There will be a life-sized Mario Kart course, cake, and a barbe que with plant-based options available for purchase.

This is a chance for families to support the sanctuary by coming out to meet Wally

and the rest of Winnie’s War riors (the farm’s crew of dog friends) and many of the other animals who live on the farm. Dressing up as your favour ite Mario character is encour aged.

Tickets are $10 each and are available on the farm’s Eventbrite page at www.eventbrite. ca/o/charlottes-free dom-farm-19930384894.

Charlotte’s Freedom Farm is home to nearly 200 rescued animals, from farm animals to dogs and cats.

It’s all about the taxes, reader says

Continued from page 6

His take was that in Cam bridge, 90 per cent of the city budget went to salaries, and very little could be done for the city without provin cial and federal assistance.

Citizens see this and feel it to be useless to vote because it will change nothing.

Furthermore, it seems that no matter what they do, they have governments that can only think about taxes, taxes and more taxes. Just look at the recent taxes such as luxury tax and this utter ly stupid carbon tax. Carbon tax just makes higher pay at the pump and higher pay for everyday goods.

Now the UN agency on climate stated that the

Canadian carbon output has increased substantially since the tax was put in place. Go figure.

It seems to be a tax that achieves the opposite of what is intended. Citizens just get frustrated by being forced to pay for politicians’ pet projects.

Another subject politicians do not want you to know is that about nine years ago, the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) announced that we had the honour of being the highest taxed country in the developed world. Sweden used to be the highest, but after elect ing a more conservative government and taking out all the pet projects typical of social

ist governments, their tax burden got reduced and we took their place.

Talking about taxes, I am getting a very small pension from the Dutch government for the years I worked in the Netherlands as a Dutch citizen before coming to Canada. I am getting an amount of $2,473 per year. The Dutch government takes $232 because it goes abroad. I just got a CRA no tice that they are letting me know that I have to pay an additional $1115.17 on this pension from the Nether lands. Taking the two taxes together, what is left? Might as well let the Netherlands know not to bother, because in addition to the taxes, I also lose other benefits that retired persons can deduct

that amount to approximate ly $1,000.

You think I am thrilled with a government that does not hesitate to take whatever they can from seniors?

I can go on and on, but I’m just wasting my breath. Anyway, what I have seen and have been told is that citizens have lost any confi dence in government at all levels and feel nothing will change. Whatever they want does not matter because governments have become so arrogant that they do not bother to listen, and there fore project a sense they do not care. It has become a situation of them against us.

Ed de Vries Chatham-Kent

Contributed image Charlotte Freedom Farm’s Wally has a new lease on life and wants to celebrate his birthday Nov. 12.

Medical expenses add up at PAWR

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Despite his medical is sues, Fetch is one happy boy.

The six-year-old Akita mix recently had one of his eyes removed due to glaucoma, but he’s on the mend and will soon be ready for his fur-ever home.

“Fetch is doing great,” Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) volunteer Jenni fer Clements said recent ly of the stray. “After he heals, he’ll be ready for adoption.”

Fetch is but one of the many pets currently available for adoption at

the Chatham agency. The facility has had an ex traordinarily busy sum mer and fall and had to stop accepting animals in October because of over load.

Clements said the num ber of animals had to be restricted because PAWR was “just so full.

“It’s an unusual time,” she said, adding the num bers normally slow down as the weather cools. But not this year.

“With the cat population specifically, the amount of spays and neuters has declined,” Clements ex plained, noting both pro cedures are an important component of animal con trol.

Sadly, PAWR has seen an increase in the number of dogs coming in that are lost and abandoned.

PAWR is presently wrap ping up its second Under One Roof fundraiser cam paign and is looking to re plenish its medical emer gency funds for cases such as Fetch. According to Clements, the facility spends about $15,000 a month on veterinary care.

Currently the shelter is caring for around 330 an imals, primarily cats, and overall monthly costs run about $90,000. PAWR has a contract with the munic ipality to provide animal control and bylaw ser vices but the overall costs exceed the budget.

Contributed image Fetch is on the mend and looking for his fur-ever home. PAWR officials say helping animals that fall into their hands can be a pricey affair, and it’s not part of their operating budget.

For those wishing to do nate to Under One Roof, visit pawr.org/funds. PAWR also has a wishlist on its website asking for specific items.

Plow naming contest underway in C-K

Chatham-Kent resi

Talk Chatham-Kent and choose from more than 30 names submitted from the community. Some of those include Austin

Plowers, No More Mr. Ice Guy, and Tony Snowpra no.

One plow will be named in each of Cha

tham-Kent’s six wards. Last year more than 1,000 votes were cast in the contest, which re ceived nationwide atten

tion.

Voting is open until Nov. 30 and the winners will be announced in De cember.

Life

Regniers named top Goodfellows

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

For more than two decades, Rich ard and Bonnie Regnier have been working tirelessly to help brighten Christmas in the community.

In recognition of their efforts, the Blenheim-area couple received the Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow Award for 2022 at the 68th annual general meeting of the Chatham Goodfel lows.

The event, held last week, marks the official kickoff of the ‘No Child Without a Christmas’ campaign.

Past president Tim Haskell praised the pair for undying devotion to the cause.

“I’ve known Bonnie and Richard for many years,” Haskell said. “Bon nie takes care of our kitchen and she is very good at it. Richard is a hard worker. He won’t slow down even if you ask him to.”

The Regniers heard about the Goodfellows years ago and since joining have helped sort food dona tions, gather banana boxes and en sure volunteers for the Porch Light campaign and food packaging and delivery are well fed.

The two have also stepped into leadership roles on the board as well.

Other significant awards were pre sented at the banquet. Terry Vogler

Trucking received with the Presi dent’s Award 2022 for the compa ny’s role in making sure donations get to where they need to be.

The trucking company has been helping the Chatham Goodfellows for the past eight years, becom ing one of the campaign’s “go to” partners, particularly during the pandemic. The business loaned the Goodfellows two reefer trucks to store refrigerated and frozen prod ucts while food boxes were being packed.

The Morlog family was also ac knowledged with the Chatham Goodfellows Lifetime Achievement Award for more than half a century of dedicated service.

Porchlight pickup will take place Nov. 28, with street sales to be held Dec. 9 and 10.

The toy packing committee is holding its toy packing dates and welcome volunteer help. These will take place Dec. 12-15 at Monsignor Uyen Catholic School on Lark Street in Chatham.

Food packing and delivery will be located at the Spirit and Life Centre Dec. 20.

No Child Without a Christmas do nations are welcome can be made by mailing a cheque to P.O. Box 114 Chatham, ON, N7M 5K1 or by e-transfer at donate@chathamgood fellows.ca to receive an automatic receipt.

Concert features wartime music

“In Flander Fields” is the third con cert of the 2022-2023 Saturdays at 7 at St. Andrew’s season.

The program, planned as a Remem brance Day tribute, will take the au dience back to music of the First and Second World Wars and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of John McCrae.

This concert, directed by St. An drew’s music director Devon Han

sen, will be presented in the sanctu ary of St. Andrew’s United Church in Chatham on Nov. 12.

Music during the wars was utilized in various ways. Through the songs, soldiers brought a piece of their her itage from their home countries that signified their culture.

Donations (suggested $15) will be gratefully accepted at the door. All donations support the music pro gram at St. Andrew’s. All are wel come.

On any given day in Canada, more than 3,000 women and 2,500 children are living in an emergency shelter to escape violence.

The violence children witness and hear has devastating effects on them.

YOU CAN END THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Call the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre today! (519) 351-9144 or toll free 1-800-265-0598

The Chatham Voice

Rebuilding support

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Rebuilding.

That’s what many lo cal nonprofits are doing when it comes to re cruiting volunteers after the upheaval caused by COVID-19.

“We’re still trying to recover,” said Family Service Kent’s Marjorie Crew. “We couldn’t do normal things and work with seniors as we usual ly would during the pan demic shutdown.

“We faced one barrier after another and now we

are in position to bring in new people,” she added. “We always need more volunteers as we don’t want our volunteers to burn out.”

Family Service Kent is currently looking for drivers. Volunteers are reimbursed 45 cents per kilometre in mileage and those donating their ride and their time don’t have to increase their insurance coverage either.

FSK was but one of 22 agencies that set up shop Nov. 1, at Hidden Hills Golf & Country Club vol unteer fair designed to showcase the many vol

unteer options presently available.

St. Andrews Resi dence staff member Barb Noorenberghe said the agency’s volunteers play a vital role helping local citizens through the Meals On Wheels program, and they are always on the hunt for more.

“It’s a great cause,” Noorenberghe said. “Growing old isn’t easy.”

The organization man aged to keep its programs rolling throughout the pandemic and in fact saw the need for meals increase exponentially during COVID-19.

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Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Family Service Kent staffer Stacy Massato talks with Deb Pake about volunteer possibilities available within the organization. A total of 22 agencies took part in a volunteer fair at Hidden Hills Golf & Country Club last week as groups attempt to rebuild their volunteer numbers.

On Remembrance Day, we’d like to share our admiration and appreciation for the dedicated men and women in uniform whose service and actions have protected our freedom and our way of life through the generations. To all of the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, our deepest gratitude remains with you and your families on Remembrance Day and always.

Thoughts, Gratitude & Respect on Remembrance Day

Today we honour the selfless service and memories of those in uniform who gave their lives for the greater good of our nation. We salute their patriotism, courage, character, hard work, loyalty and dedication, and we will always remember the sacrifice they made to protect the way of life we cherish.

5 WAYS TO HONOUR VETERANS ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

Treat a veteran Take a soldier out for a meal or pay the restaurant bill anonymously. If a family member or friend is presently in the military or retired from the service, learn his or her interests and plan a special, stress-free day.

Volunteer at a veteran’s association

Find a department of veteran’s affairs and see what you can do to assist veterans. If you have specialized skills, offer your services free of charge to former soldiers.

Share a servicemember’s story Speak with a service person who served in World War II about his or her military service, and chronicle this person’s story into a living history. Encourage children to take part in learning about this person’s history and experiences.

Show your patriotism Fly the flag; participate in the voting process; and teach children about the country’s founding principles, social justice issues, and how the nation continues to evolve. Read up on current events and take an interest in domestic and foreign affairs.

Establish your own traditions

Chatham - 111 Heritage Dr. Suite #100 519-351-0510

Leamington - 115 Erie St. N. Unit B 519-326-3367

Trevor.jones@pc.ola.org

Today we honour those who have served our country and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that Canada and other nations around the world can live in peace.

Create your own way to celebrate Remembrance Day. This may include a day of contemplation, spending time with family, visiting historical sites, or watching documentaries on the life-changing wars that transformed the world.

Trevor Jones MPP Chatham-Kent Leamington

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Thoughts, Gratitude & Respect on Remembrance Day

Poppy

My Fellow Comrades and Residents of Chatham-Kent:

Most Canadians associate the Legion with Remembrance Ceremonies and activities honouring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice or who came home broken.

Traditionally we mark Remembrance Day with two minutes of silence on the day in which we come together to recognize the sacrifices that our Veterans have given so that we may enjoy the freedoms and liberties we have today. We as Canadians must recognize those Veterans and their families who may now continue to need our support and assistance.

The two Remembrance Day Ceremonies / Parades are open to the public this year. The Bradley Center will be on the November 9th, 2022. Public should be seated by 1:45pm. Downtown Cenotaph will be on November 11th, 2022. Public should be there by 10:45am.

Poppy donation boxes will be distributed throughout the city to stores and businesses as in the past. Pinning of the “First Poppy” was on Friday, October 29th and Poppies are available now. Please think of our Veterans as you consider your donation to the Poppy Trust Fund and all the assistance that the donations provide. Help us make this year truly about Remembrance.

This year in lieu of purchasing a wreath, possibly consider making a donation to the Chatham Poppy Trust. As this is a registered charity, receipts for donations of $20.00 or over will be issued for income tax purposes, while still recognizing that no donation is ever too small or too large.

To make a donation by mail, please make your cheque or money order payable to the “Chatham Poppy Trust Fund”. Please DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL.

If you do wish to purchase a wreath, I will be available at the Legion Br. 642 call (519-351-8733) beginning October 12 to November 10 - Tuesday though Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Sandy will again, be available this year for your questions at 519-351-0905 for wreaths only.

Community Events

Thursday, November 10, 2022:

• Unifor Local 127 Retirees Meet ing at 10:00am. 405 Riverview Dr., Chatham.

• Education is the key. Come in and learn about what Naloxone is, how to recognize a drug poisoning, how Naloxone can save someone’s life and where to pick up a free kit in Chatham-Kent. CK Public Health will be holding an information session at the Chatham-Kent Pub lic Library: Chatham Branch, 120 Queen St. at 6:30 pm. All sessions are free to the public, no registra tion required. Free Naloxone kits will be distributed at each session.

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

• Mindful Drum Circle at 7:30pm. No experience necessary, donation based event. Bring your own drum or borrow one from Sati Hall, Stu dio Q, 530 Victoria Ave. Let Shirley know you are planning to attend at catnurse69@hotmail.com.

Saturday, November 12, 2022:

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

• Saturdays at 7 at St. Andrew’s United Church, Chatham presents “In Flanders Fields”. Celebrating the role that wartime music played in history and the 150th anniver sary of the birth of John McCrae, author of In Flanders Fields. St. Andrew’s Chancel Choir, the CKSS Choir and local musicians will perform. Suggested donation $15. All are welcome! For further infor mation call 519-352-0010 or www. standrewschatham.org/music.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open from 11:00am–9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch

from 3:00pm-5:30pm. Entertain ment by the D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.

• Chatham-Kent Animal Rescue Indoor Christmas Yard Sale. 9am to 2pm. 270 Inshes Ave Chatham. Ev erything by donation! All proceeds go to help the animals in our care. chathamkentanimalrescue.com.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022:

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

Kitchen open for lunch from 11:30am-1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti with meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00. Euchre & Shuffle board starting at 7:00pm. Every one is welcome.

• Join Randa Speller for a Medita tion Circle at 7:30pm on Tuesdays. Drop in, beginners welcome. Suggested $10 donation benefits the maintenance and upkeep of Sati Hall. 530 Victoria Ave.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022:

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

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch from 11:30am-1:30pm. Daily special is meat loaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, November 17, 2022:

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

Kitchen open for lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Senior Euchre at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• The Salvation Army CK presents The Biggest Christmas Sing-Along Ever! Come sing with us! 7:00pm.

Bring a canned good or help fill the kettle! Outdoor event. 46 Orangewood Blvd., Chatham. 519-354-8353 or nicole.shaw@ salvationarmy.ca.

• Machine Knitting Club from 1:30pm-3:30pm at Sati Hall, Studio Q, 530 Victoria Ave. Interested to learn, or would like to hone your skills and share your talents? Wel coming the new and experienced. Contact Heather at shawcoun try59@gmail.com for more info.

Friday, November 18, 2022:

• Chatham-Kent Public Library, Tilbury Branch is offering Mother Goose storytime at 10:00am. Join us for songs, rhymes, and stories! Best suited for 0 to 18 months. Participants will receive a free board book donated by Ahcom Shriners.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitch en open for lunch from 11:30am1:30pm. Supper served from 4:00-6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are ham & scallops or fish & chips. Take out is available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun darts starts at 7:00pm. Everyone Welcome.

• Bring a lawn chair to King Street West in preparation for Santa Parade. At 6:30pm two singing/ talking trees named Spruce Springsteen and Forest Stump, above the capitol theater will entertain you with Christmas songs and lights. Santa Parade will leave Sandy Street at that time to reach King Street about 7pm and will make its way to the Wish Center where Santa will go inside to greet the children and hear what they want for Christmas. Bring a toy or canned goods for donations.

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

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

CLUES ACROSS

Fun Stuff

Angelo Tourlas, DD

Cookie donation hits $49.6K

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent residents love cookies, especially when they are connected to fundraising for a cause.

From Sept. 19-25, the Tim Hortons Smile Cook ie Campaign supported charities in communities across the country, in cluding the Children’s Treatment Centre Foun dation of Chatham-Kent (CTCCK)– one of 550 Ca

nadian charities, hospi tals and community pro grams supported through the annual campaign.

During that week, local Tim Hortons owners –the Pritchard family and Mike and Paula Grail –donated local proceeds from every Smile Cookie sale towards the CTCCK Foundation. Recently, they presented the CTC CK with a donation in the amount of $49,600.

Mike Genge, president of

the CTCCK Foundation, said sales jumped by 40 per cent this year. He at tributes the uptick largely due to the ability to place volunteer bakers in three of the Tim Horton’s loca tions to take the burden off Tim’s bakers and keep the cookies flowing.

Tim Hortons invited more than 40 volunteers to assist with baking and dec orating Smile Cookies at Tim Hortons in Chatham, Wallaceburg and Dresden.

“We had a ton of volun teers from the Children’s Treatment Centre, the staff. They were fantas tic,” he said. “We had people from the commu nity too. They wanted to come and help out for a few hours.”

From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., that help produced more than 8,000 cookies, ensur ing supply met with de mand.

“The staff at all (Tim’s) locations were absolute ly incredible. They were able to help out and we

were able to stay out of their way,” Genge said. He added that he’d love to see the volunteer ef fort expand for 2023 to include more of the Tim Hortons locations. Inter est has already begun.

“We’ve already had calls from workplaces where they want to be involved to send out volunteers,” he said. “Next year, guar anteed, we’ll need 150 volunteers. I think we can raise even more, perhaps $75,000.

The program has come

a long way. Genge said when he first got in volved six years ago, the Smile Cookie campaign raised about $15,000, and it is now more than triple that amount.

Chatham-Kent collec tively obviously has quite the sweet tooth when it comes to helping a good cause.

Funds raised from the Smile Cookie Campaign will go towards providing programing and therapy for children that attend the Centre.

Obituary

George Tuinstra

Passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the Perley Rideau and Veteran Health Centre. Predeceased by his wife Dianne MacDonald and parents Ellie and Steve both originally of Holland. Loving father to Steven and George. Proud grandfather of George and Jade. Fondly remembered by his brothers William “Bill” (Ann) and Steve (Carmen) and by his long-time friend Marjo. A Celebration of the life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 033, 59 Bancroft St. in Aylmer, Quebec on a date and time to be confirmed. For those wishing, donations in George’s memory may be made to the Perley and Rideau Veteran Health Centre, the Dementia and Alzheimer Society or your local Royal Canadian Legion.

In Memoriam

Classifieds

In Memoriam

Geri Butler

November 8, 1942 - 2022 80 Years Young

Seeking Companion

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Beautiful Lady

I haven’t missed your day since that one day years ago.

As always, I love you with all my heart! Together forever, Geri & Al

In Memoriam

In Loving Memory of John Labombard

August 21, 1953 - November 12, 2011 ~ 11 Years

Divorced 78 year old non-smoking gentleman seeking local non-smoking lady in 70’s for companionship & friendship for local social activities including walks, card playing, conversation & other fun activities. Please answer to PO Box 513, Chatham, ON N7M 5K6.

For Sale

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

Ministry

Lev Shakhmundes 89, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Duane Reaume 54, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Jane McGeachy Friday, October 28, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Charlotte Jacqueline “Jackie” Myers 89, Friday, October 28, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home

Penny McCullough 79, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Betty Falconer 76, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Ruth McDougall 83, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Donald Reid 80, Friday, October 28, 2022 Kendrick Funeral Home

Giovanna Lombardi Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Marilyn Baverstock (Saunders) 79, Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Life Transitions

Catherine Eva Taylor 68, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Steve Pink

Thursday, October 27, 2022

McKinlay Funeral Home

Bill DeMars 53, Friday, October 28, 2022

McKinlay Funeral Home

Norma Hoffman 92, Wednesday, October 30, 2022

McKinlay Funeral Home

Linda Joanne Rota

Thursday, October 31, 2022

McKinlay Funeral Home

Leona Spicer Wednesday, November 2, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Auwina McDonald 93, Wednesday, October 23, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Larry “Bullseye” Barks 77, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

In Loving Memory of Father SGT REGINALD ERNEST HORNE, S.A.57242, WW2, Algonquin Regiment / Kent Regiment, buried in Adegem, War Memorial Cemetery, Belgium & Grandfather PVT. FREDERICK HORNE, PVT 4319, WW1, 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry, buried in Bailleul War Memorial Cemetery, France.

“Look” they’re marching across the sky

Brave soldiers waving goodbye Never to see “loved ones” anymore To give us the Freedom we have today “Look” they’re marching across the sky

Brave soldiers waving goodbye.

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

Wanted

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

June Horney (Wellington) 82, Thursday, October 27, 2022 Life Transitions

Daniel Clark 67, Saturday, October 29, 2022 Life Transitions

IN PERSON: 71 Sass Rd. #4, Chatham CALL: 519-397-2020 EMAIL: michelle@chathamvoice.com

Classified ads starting at only $6.00 for items for sale for 15 words. Announcement ads starting at $44.00.

Johns among the angels now. He left us much too soon. He glides across a golden field above the harvest moon.

Forever in my heart. Love always, Mom.