The Chatham Voice, Nov. 17, 2022

Lest we forget

Road rage

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Chatham-Kent’s future plan to reroute traffic away from Lake Erie by cutting through farmland and building a new 30-ki lometre stretch of road is being met with stiff oppo sition.

A citizen’s group com prised of affected prop

erty owners and farmers has collected close to 600 signatures on a petition protesting the proposal.

“Save Our Farms, Save Our Shoreline, Save Our Forests and Wildlife, and Save Talbot Trail” is the motto of the grassroots group that came together after proposed changes were endorsed by council in July.

Continued on page 3

Peter Zubyk/The Chatham Voice

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 642 colour guard lead the procession down King Street on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, under sombre grey skies.

‘Adopt’ a senior for Christmas

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Christmas Eve will shine brighter this year for local se niors thanks to a new Free HelpCK program.

Titled “No Senior Without a Christmas,” the initiative is asking local residents to reach

out and adopt a senior this year for Christmas 2022. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be delivered to those that are adopted on Christmas Eve. A package, in cluding a cozy throw blanket, slippers, tea, candy, a word search or a crossword book and a special Christmas tea towel will also be gifted.

It isn’t the first time FreeHelp CK has played Santa to seniors during the holidays, but orga nizers are hoping this year will be the biggest yet.

According to FreeHelpCK founder Geri Hughson, 300 seniors are already registered, however the group is hoping to add to that number.

“We have our seniors that we already bring meals to twice a week,” Hugh son said. “But we want

to add 200 more.

“This can be really special to a senior, especially if they have no family members or if their family is out of town,” Hugh son explained. “We want to make Christmas Eve special for those who don’t get out a lot.”

FreeHelpCK has already re ceived support for the program from Enbridge, and the group is actively seeking donations.

People can adopt a senior for

$25 by contacting freehelpck.ca online or by calling Hughson at 519-990-5178.

Donors are invited to send a card with a personal message to connect with a senior if they wish. People are welcome to submit the names of seniors they think may benefit from the program.

FreeHelpCK works in tandem with other organizations such as Family Service Kent, filling in service gaps as needed.

Ward 2 tops in turnout

Based on voter percent age turnout, it looks like residents in South Kent are the most civic-mind ed.

Harman Kardon Cinematic Soundbar (HWQ60T)

Voters in Ward 2 led the way on Oct. 24, with 4,599 ballots cast out of 12,735 equalling a turnout of 36.11 per cent.

East Kent was second runner up with a 34.49

per cent voter turnout. Out of 8,680 eligible voters, 2,994 turned up to cast their ballots.

Chatham voters in Ward 6 were third in terms of voter turnout. Only 10,510 people voted out of 32,520 citizens who were eligible, adding up to 32.32 per cent turnout.

North Kent had 30.40 per cent vot er turnout with 2,987 ballots cast out of 9,827 eligible voters, while West Kent was next with 2,156 votes cast out of 8,832 registered voters.

Wallaceburg was dead last at 16.8 per cent voter turnout, which was no surprise as councillors Carmen McGregor and Aaron Hall were ac claimed.

Power cut Nov. 19

The Chatham Voice

Entegrus requires a four-hour town-wide planned power outage that will affect the Bothwell later this month.

The target date is Nov. 19, a Satur day, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The shutdown is to allow crews to replace aging equipment and install upgrades at the Bothwell distribu tion station, according to Entegrus officials.

If the weather does not co-oper ate, the work will be rescheduled to Nov. 26, also from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:15am - 3:30pm Deadlines for booking ads: Friday prior to publication date 12:00pm

The Chatham Voice

Proposed

Talbot Trail changes irk landowners

Continued from page 1

According to co-organiz er John Mann, members of the group have knocked on the doors of every resident in the area and their efforts are gathering steam. At a meeting the group held in late Septem ber at the Merlin Legion, some 170 concerned citi zens packed the building to capacity.

Mann, a retired Chrys ler engineer, is one of the landowners on Talbot Trail that would be affect ed. If it’s ever built, the proposed road will slice through his 100-acre farm near Dealtown and he’s not happy about it.

In addition to cash crops, Mann and his wife Maria, have a mature woodlot he said is part of a wildlife corridor.

“The road will go right through this,” he said, as he pointed out an animal pathway in the woods.

Mann said a lot of land owners believe Cha tham-Kent has not fully explored the issue and en dorsed recommendations from an environment as sessment study that didn’t include full consultation with landowners.

The committee is calling the municipality’s pub lic engagement process into question. Mann said community consultation on the matter undertaken during the pandemic –was online only, as were two public information sessions.

An online community cafe was held in Febru ary 2020, followed by two virtual public information centre meetings on Nov. 30, 2021 and on April 22, 2022.

Mann said most resi dents had no idea the ses sions were taking place.

“What farmer or person out here even has the In ternet capacity to be able to attend those meetings?”

Mann asked during an in terview with The Voice. “I certainly don’t have that much Internet capacity.”

In 2019, Chatham-Kent council decided to close a portion of Talbot Trail near Coatsworth Road, as the highway’s integ rity was threatened by erosion. Following the closure, Chatham-Kent hired BT Engineering to conduct an environmental assessment study to scope out the problem and come

up with solutions.

A recommendation to build a $1-billion ar moured stone wall along the shoreline got a thumbs down from administra tion. Instead, the munici pality has recommended permanently diverting Talbot Trail around the closed portion near Coats worth, which while there are no dates, would be undertaken in the near future. Council also en dorsed the second phase of the project to be com pleted as needed, when erosion worsens and funding becomes avail able.

According to the study, that could be anywhere from 20 to 100 years.

Chatham-Kent council endorsed the two-phase plan in July 2022 in re sponse to current and future erosion along the Lake Erie shore. The mo tion allowed for a 60-day public consultation period that ended in September.

Mann said an important piece has been left out of the decision-making pro cess and that’s the expe rience of those who live along the lake.

“If you do something, the lake doesn’t erode,” Mann stated, noting peo ple have mitigated ero sion for years, typically by building groynes and adding concrete or stones.

“We need to tap into the experience of people

whose families have lived here for 100 years,” he stressed.

Other erosion control methods include grading the slope, putting in bar riers, adding vertical cul verts (for wave impact) and revetment walls, Mann explained.

He acknowledges that some of the measures are expensive but noted that expropriating land to build a highway is also costly, adding folks with lakefront property could get special tax breaks and other incentives for ero sion control.

“It’s a no brainer,” Mann said. “There are all kinds of other places in the world that have this prob

lem, we are not alone.

“We should not be try ing to solve this problem by using solutions that we’ve used in the past. We should be using glob al solutions looking for best practices across the world.”

According to Mann, there are four spots along Talbot Trail that need immediate attention but beyond that, the road remains safe. He said that opinion was reached after consulting with property owers.

The citizen group also does not support perma nently closing Talbot Trail at Coatsworth and said it should be fixed and re opened. Continued on page 4

Glad to show our support for the tireless Volunteers and Health Care Workers whom show compassion and care to those in need.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Retired engineer John Mann shows where a new road to replace Talbot Trail would cut through his 100-acre property on an angle.

Road ‘just fine where it is’

Continued from page 3 “You don’t even need to move the highway,” said Mann. “The high way is just fine where it is.” Mann said the recommendations of the environmental assessment are based on a study by engineer ing firm Zuzek Inc. hired to probe the erosion issue and find solutions.

Phase One of the project has two parts. The first would see Talbot Trail rerouted north along Coats worth Road to the Concession Line 2 before heading east to Stevenson Road and south to Talbot Trail.

The second part would extend the detour by moving Talbot Trail north, from Ellerbeck Road near Wheatley to Stevenson Road. Phase Two would move Talbot Trail north through farms and forests from Ste

venson Road all the way to Craford Road near Cedar Springs.

Formerly a provincial highway, the responsibility for Talbot Trail was downloaded onto Chatham-Kent in the 1990s. In 2010, Chatham-Kent had to build a $200,000 bypass in the Coatsworth area after bank erosion caused a major crack in the roadway.

It’s unclear as to how the munic ipality will proceed on the Talbot Trail matter, however administra tion was scheduled to meet about the issue earlier this week.

The Talbot Trail erosion issue will be one of the first agenda items the new council has to deal with. Mann said the group plans to attend council and present the petition in person.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Cracks in the pavement where Talbot Trail is closed at Coatsworth Road in west Chatham-Kent.

New life for C-K safety village?

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Thanks to a new partner ship, the Chatham-Kent Children’s Safety Village will again host safety training programs for local young sters.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the Municipality of Cha tham-Kent are working to gether to bring educational

programs back to the train ing facility hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

LTVCA conservation lands and services manager Ran dall Van Wagner said it’s still early in the process, but discussions are underway on how to go forward in 2023 at the 1.2-acre site located at the C.M. Wilson Conservation Area.

The idea is to expand the authority’s outdoor educa tion program next year, in

addition to offering chil dren’s safety programs.

“This will be complemen tary to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Author ity’s mandate,” Van Wagner said, as well as providing educational opportunities for learners of all ages, while being a valuable resource for teachers and the community.

Van Wagner said the initia tive will be reaching out to sponsors and supporters of the 20-year-old safety village

that includes a main building with classroom and office space. The land where the safety village sits was donated by the LTVCA.

In the past, the village, which has close to 20 buildings, has spe cialized in providing interactive hands-on learning regarding safety and injury prevention for elementa ry-age children.

Many big names have contrib uted to the project over the years

with both donations and training, including Hydro One and Pride Seeds, as well as Chatham-Kent emergency and fire services.

Van Wagner said the new commit tee will be reaching out to support ers and sponsors to kickstart the effort.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the volunteer board that ran the vil lage was unable to bring students in and lost its non-profit status.

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

The Chatham-Kent Children’s Safety Village is on track to once again host safety training programs for elementary school students. It’s been dormant since the beginning of the pandemic.

Opinion

Poor info flow

This week’s story on the pro posed changes to the routing of Talbot Trail and how area landowners are up in arms over the matter raises a number of issues.

The first of which is how the munici pality conducted public consultations. During the pandemic, they shifted everything to online-only discussions. Heck, if you wanted to bring a deputa tion to council, all you could do as our elected officials hid out in their base ments was to e-mail your concerns and a municipal staffer would read out your issues in an online Zoom meeting.

Very often, a deputation addressing a matter is from a ratepayer opposed to a recommendation from municipal administration. Yet who is reading the deputation? Someone from adminis tration.

Lost in the information transfer is the emotion, the chance for questions from councillors to be fielded by the person who submitted the deputation.

To give you an example, that would be akin to a journalist submitting prepared questions via e-mail for an important story, and not having the ability to ask follow-up questions based on the subject’s answers. It sti fles proper information flow.

As for the public learning of an online meeting, then having the ability, espe cially in underserviced rural areas, to log into such a live streaming event, is often laughable. We’re not there yet

Letters policy

The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@ chathamvoice.com (use “Letter” in the subject line). You can also drop them off or mail them to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4. All letters need to be signed.

technologically.

That limited those who knew about it the opportunity to comment directly.

Need we even mention how many municipal departments seem to believe that lobbing items up on letstalkchatham-kent.ca is the only way to distribute information to the public?

The case of moving Talbot Trail is a huge undertaking. Not moving it, according to municipal administration would be a huge expense.

Discussing the matter should have been a huge undertaking. Instead, it was cached online.

Decisions of this nature should have been delayed. Look at what has happened since. Water levels have declined and the shoreline is not under constant threat in the exposed areas.

Prior to the shoreline issues that developed in the latter years of the last decade, Talbot Trail was a wonderful secondary route where people could enjoy the view and proceed at a lei surely pace. Looking at the proposed changes, what will come out of this is a horrific zigzag of a detour that turns the road into a series of sharp turns taking the road away from Lake Erie.

It’s even proposed to cut through woodlots – you know, those precious parcels of land we are trying to pre serve in our municipality.

Is that ultimately the best scenario? Perhaps. Could this have been han dled better? Absolutely.

Advertising policy

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.

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:

Our story, your legacy

Editor: I served as a Lieutenant with the Queen’s Own Rifles regi ment in the Second World War. In 1945, in the Rhine Valley in Germany, I was injured by an anti-personnel mine explosion, resulting in the loss of my left leg below the knee. When I returned home from the war, I joined The War Amps and have been a member ever since. This Association was started by First World War

amputee veterans to help each other adapt to their new reality as amputees.

In 1975, The War Amps established the Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides young amputees with financial assistance for artificial limbs and peer support from fellow amputees. The veteran members wanted to ensure that

young amputees have the vital support they need, and it makes me very happy to see it’s still going strong today!

I also take great comfort in knowing that Champs will continue to move the organization forward and keep spreading the message of remembrance, even after I no longer can.

Helping or hindering?

Editor: A bunch of self-righteous people running around con demning aviaries and zoos should not be listened to or given any funds from anybody. These people are doing more damage and harm to animals than they think. In the wild, animal numbers are dropping all over the world due to people and wars.

It may be time to have a good look at these anti-zoo and animal zealots before they do any more damage to these animals and have them step out of the way so real deci sions can be made, not by knee-jerk reaction ists in panic mode with holier-than-thou outfits ready to please these

zealots.

Remember, un less you’re will ing to help these animals directly, do not give any cash ever to any group that says they are helping animals. Ask to see their cage cleaning shovels and feed bags first.

Wayne Robertson Chatham

New event for New Year’s

to opportunities, a VIP lounge and more.

Taking a page out of New York’s annual festiv ities, Chatham will play host to Chatham-Kent’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve this year.

Glassford Productions and Chatham Honda have teamed up to ring in the New Year at the Kiwanis Theatre with a red-carpet event that will feature four local rock bands, paparazzi, pho

“This is not only the New Year’s Eve event everyone should enjoy, but also the experience of a top-tier event that is affordable and accessible to everyone in the com munity,” Chris Glassford of Glassford Productions noted in a media release.

“Whether you choose the VIP experience or the general admission, you’re

Program helps kids

Continued from page 6

Through The War Amps Operation Legacy pro gram, Champs have taken up the torch of remem brance to commemorate the sacrifices of those who served and continue to serve.

I can say with pride that the legacy and sacrifices my comrades and I have left behind will be remem bered long into the future.

Charlie Jefferson, 98 Member of The War Amps Ottawa

Congratulations Owen aarssen

sure to enjoy the red car pet feel.”

Bands include Trifeckta, Red Sky Cartel, the re turn of Letterbomb, and Courtney Wells Band. The night will also fea ture highlights from “YourTV” capturing the

greatest moments we’ve shared throughout 2022.

Organizers are working with local charity groups to hold a silent auction. Both general admission and VIP options will be available for purchase at www.CKTickets.com.

Owen was the winner of a $50 Giant Tiger Gift Card from our Halloween Colouring Contest

Congratulations to Gayle Shantz and Victoria Noodman!

They were are winners of the Canadian Celtic Choir show tickets! Hope you enjoyed the show!!

The Chatham Voice

It’s a buyer’s market

Home sales in Cha tham-Kent continue to cool this fall.

The Chatham-Kent As sociation of Realtors (CKAR) recently released its October numbers, with sales and home prices dipping compared to the same month a year ago.

This past October, 105 homes changed hands, down nearly 40 per cent from a year ago and near ly 22 per cent off the five year average.

The 105 units sold was

even more than 12 per cent below the 10-year average.

It’s a continuing trend from late summer, as to date this year, sales are down about 24 per cent compared to the same period last year.

“Looking through the monthly seasonal trends, home sales appear to have stabilized at low er levels since bottom ing out in June earlier this year. Year-over-year gains will continue to be outsized as we compare current subdued activi ty to record-high levels

from 2021,” Amber Pin sonneault, president of CKAR, said in a news release.

The average price of homes sold in October 2022 was $389,318, falling 12.1 per cent from Octo ber 2021.

However, the slowdown has padded the number of homes on the market, good news for buyers.

“New listings are trend ing at some of the highest levels in history. Com bined with lower de mand, this is providing some much-needed re lief to formerly depleted

inventories, which are now back up to levels not seen since the autumn of 2016,” Pinsonneault said.

The number of new list ings saw an increase of 24.4 per cent from Oc tober 2021. There were 219 new residential list ings in October. This was the largest number of new listings added in the month of October in more than a decade.

New listings were 26.7 per cent above the fiveyear average and 26.5 per cent above the 10-year average for the month of October.

Contributed graphic

Market to light up the Dresden night

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

The fifth annual Dresden Christmas Night Market

is almost here and the ex citement is building. Morena McDonald, who co-organizes the event with Tyler Ouellette, said the team is currently firm

ing up the details for what will likely be the biggest Christmas Night Market yet.

Now that COVID-19 reg ulations are relaxed, ex pansion is in order for the Nov. 26 event.

“This year with no re strictions we are able to do the things we’ve wanted to do,” McDonald said, adding, “There will be a little more space this year,” allowing for more vendors and food trucks.

And there may be more glitz and glam. The night market has partnered with Dresden Shines to purchase a new giant Christmas Tree. Volun

teers were expected to be out in full force on the weekend jazzing up the town with lights and dec orations.

According to McDon ald, two new opportuni ties have been added to this year’s event. A 50-50 draw will be held, with the proceeds to be split be tween four youth groups, including Dresden Side streets Youth Centre, Blenheim Youth Centre. Tilbury Solid Rock Cafe and Big Brothers, Big Sis ters Chatham-Kent.

“We are non-profit and wanted to focus on giving back to youth in the com munity,” she added.

People wishing to pur chase 50-50 tickets can do so at the market or on line at http://www.big 5050foryouth.ca. There are early bird prizes avail able.

Photos with Santa is an other new fundraiser. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation will have different photo set tings available, and par ticipants – whether it’s a family or a child – will be able to get a digital photo e-mailed to them in ex change for a small dona tion.

Live music and enter tainment will be back at the pop-up bar, fea

turing beer from three craft breweries and wine from the Dresden Legion. Participating business es include Sons of Kent, Natterjack Brewing Com pany from West Lorne and Black Gold Brewery from Petrolia.

Those planning to have a beverage are encouraged to reuse the cups that were handed out at the summer pop-up bar.

“We want to instill envi ronmental sustainability,” McDonald noted. “We re ally want people to bring back their cups and use them again.”

The market is open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

3 new docs for CKHA

region in a community medicine practice.

Three new physicians have been added to the Chatham-Kent Health Al liance roster.

The trio, including Dr. Anthony Piazza, Dr. An drew Su and Dr. Wael Hasan, bring a wide range of skills to the orga nization.

Piazza, a Windsor native, has joined the Emergency Medicine Department. He completed medical school at Western University be fore going on to residency training with McMas ter University. He then worked in the Halton

Su, who is joining the CKHA hospitalist pro gram, received his Doctor of Medicine with West ern University Schulich School of Medicine at the Windsor Campus. He completed his fam ily medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2021, before electing to complete an addition al fellowship in hospital medicine at the Universi ty of Toronto.

Hasan graduated from the Royal College of Sur geons in Ireland, where he did his residency train

ing in otolaryn gology (head and neck surgery.) He carries a Master of Surgery degree from the Univer sity of Dublin and the National University of Ire land. After work ing in Ireland, he moved to To ronto to continue his training as a clinical head and neck surgical On cology Fellow at the University of Toronto.

All three doc tors say they are impressed by the welcoming atmo sphere at CKHA, and Chief of Staff Dr. Pervez Faruqi said their skills and knowledge are a great addi tion to the hospi tal.

Hasan is cur rently welcoming referrals to his office located at 103-111 Heritage Rd. in Chatham and can be reached at 519-397-1865.

Dr. Anthony Piazza

Dr. Andrew Su

Dr. Wael Hasan

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

Penny Wilton** 519-360-0315

Lisa Zimmer* 519-365-7325

Photo submitted by Sarah Ytsma

Photo submitted by James Pollock

Photo submitted by Lori Dutot

Photo submitted by Gavin Stuart

Photo submitted by Colin Milne

Photo submitted by Sue Shaw

Of aches and pains and getting older

I haven’t written much here lately, as I’ve been laid up with a bad back. Work, home, work, home...lather, rinse, repeat. That’s been my life essentially since early October.

On my birthday, my back started feeling...off. Something went out of whack. It really was only a matter of time, as I’m in need of a new hip and have been walking with a limp and then a cane, hav ing adjusted my gait to compensate for the pain. Finally, my back balked. The problem was mostly

Bruce Corcoran

muscular in nature; that is until it wasn’t. I have had back problems in the past, but I had never had sciatica. Until mid-October. Pain ran down from my lower back down the back of both legs and into my calves. Each step hurt,

and pain meds didn’t do much to alleviate the pain.

I finally broke down and reached out to Dr. Mat thew McCabe at Peach Physiotherapy. My body’s response has been up and down, but mostly up. I am generally feeling better, receiving weekly treatments and doing stretching exercises at home.

However, where I used to only need my cane when walking around outside the house, I’m now using it around the house and at work. And

my sleep is interrupted with pain to the point I have to do pelvic stretches in the middle of the night to alleviate matters. Some times it seems like I wake up every hour to deal with the discomfort. I do feel more mobile and in less pain thanks to McCabe’s efforts. It’s pro gressing. As I type this, let’s just say the sciatica is a pain in the butt.

Meanwhile, I finally got a date with Dr. John Turn bull, one of the excellent orthopedic surgeons here. I had no idea how long I’d be in his office. I was

quite surprised to be back at The Voice about 30 minutes after my sched uled appointment time. He’s efficient, for sure. One look at my X-rays and a check on the mo bility of my left hip joint had me out of there, with an operation date booked. Instead of flowers and candy for Valentine’s Day, the good doc is giving me a new hip.

I cannot wait. Then again, I stupidly waited too long to begin the hip-replacement process. As some readers know, my right hip is metal. Se

vere arthrosis and slightly deformed bones are to blame there. The arthritis has since progressed in my left hip to the point the joint has disintegrat ed. What’s left is bone on bone, essentially.

I let it progress to this point due to my stub bornness and COVID-19. I didn’t want to go into the hospital during the pandemic for multiple reasons,

I let the pandemic paint me into a corner. What’s worse, I’m the one who bought the paint and paintbrush.

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Toys on display

Collection features antique war toys

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Tipperary Tommy circa 1915 is Marie Smale’s favourite. With his jaunty pillbox hat, blue eyes and rosebud lips, the toy soldier holding a Union Jack is emblematic of The War to End All Wars.

Smale, a well-known toy and doll collector, put togeth er a display in honour of Re membrance Day to showcase wartime toys of yesteryear.

According to Smale, shar ing Tipperary Tommy and other military toys is a way to show gratitude for those who served in Canada’s mil itary.

“We appreciate the people brave enough to go to war,” she said. “They had to give up a lot of things to give us what we still have today. I think it’s very important.”

Smale also thinks the war toys offer a window into the minds of children impacted by war.

“The children were there,” said Smale. “We don’t know how they felt or even if they talked about the war. The toys were part of that.”

The former elementary school teacher, who shared a passion of collecting with her deceased husband Bruce, has a vast collection. She current ly rents a room at the former Sprucedale school in Cha tham to showcase a small part of her collection.

However, she has hun dreds, if not thousands, of other items tucked away.

“I’ve always been interested in older things,” Smale said, noting she and her husband had no children and they didn’t drink or smoke.

“We spent our money on collecting,” she said.

Tipperary Tommy was pur chased by Smale at an antique shop in Leamington and he’s in tip top shape for be ing 107 years old. The name comes from a marching song made famous during the First World War, called “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”

“It’s amazing to have one of these dolls in this condition,” Smale said.

Other items of note include toys that originated in Til bury. Smale has both a wood en ambulance and tank built by the Ellwood family after the Second World War.

Smale, who is part of the Historical Toy and Doll Soci ety of Southwestern Ontario, is hoping to share her col lection with others. Private tours can be arranged by call ing 519-359-6171.

“It makes me happy to do it and it makes everyone else happy,” Smale said.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Avid doll and toy collector Marie Smale shows off a few war-themed toys including 107-year-old Tipperary Tommy.

Living with a life-threatening illness, or providing care for a loved one as they near end of life, can be very difficult. At Chatham-Kent Hospice we are here to help. We provide residential hospice palliative care that focuses on comfort, quality of life, and support ing the precious moments families share with their loved one during their final days together.

Our Mission - We provide end-of-life care and grief support that nurtures relationships for all.

Our Vision

Together, we create a community where the best possible end-of-life care and grief support are available.

The hospice includes ten fully furnished suites, with state of the art medical equipment and room for family members to stay overnight if they wish.

Additional spaces in the hospice include family gathering and meal spaces, a bereavement support area, courtyard, resource library and meeting rooms.

The overall design allows us the flexibility to grow new outreach programs and play a role in developing a centre of learning for healthcare providers and the families of Chatham-Kent.

Chatham-Kent Hospice also offers grief & bereavement support to anyone in the community that has experienced a loss.

Niece’s imagination sparks books

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Local author Raquel Sa credits her nieces as being a big inspi ration in her completing two

books.

It helps that her nieces are kids and Sa is writing children’s books.

The imagination is the limit in her writing, as the first book in

volved a gazelle going to space, and her most recent offering is of a moustache with a life of its own.

Marvin the Marvellous Mous tache just released on Amazon last month.

Sa, 23, a former co-op student with The Chatham Voice, is a graduate of Wilfred Laurier University in Communications. Her day job sees her working in marketing and customer service with Enviroshake.

While at school in Waterloo, she spent two years living with her brother Claudio and his wife Caylyn. Their children Violet and Clara had an impact on Sa. “I finished university in April of last year. And in May, while finding a job and such, I thought it would be a perfect time for me to try writ ing and publishing my own book,” she said. “It was kind of inspired by one of my nieces. She came up with the main character.”

That would be Spa ghetti Gazelle, who uses her imagination to go to space with her friend Ziti Zebra.

Sa found an illustrator, who was a friend of a friend, and they collab orated to complete the book. It was published this February.

Her niece Violet also got Sa’s juices going for her second book.

“My nieces are a pretty big inspiration. The oldest is sev en. She comes up with funny characters,” she said. “She had drawn pictures of people with funny moustaches on them. I thought it would be humorous to come up with a story about a moustache that had a life of its own.”

Enter Marvin the Marvellous. This time around, the creative process went much more quick ly. She began working on it in March and it was complete and available for purchase by Octo ber.

Although she’s a communica tions graduate and working in marketing, Sa said the creative

writing bug continues to nibble at her. She’s happy to have the outlet.

Her goal is now 10 books in 10 years.

“For now, I definitely want to stick to children’s books. They’re just so fun, even mar keting them,” Sa says.

Then again, with her little rela tives as influencers, perhaps her writing will age as they do.

The Chatham-Kent Library has copies of Spaghetti Gazelle on file, and Sa said they will soon have Marvin on hand too.

Sa will be holding a meet-theauthor event at Charlie’s Cafe Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. She plans on having moustache colouring pages for kids.

To purchase a copy of her book, visit amazon.ca.

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Chatham-Kent’s Raquel Sa shows off the second children’s book she’s written and had published.

Community Events

Thursday, November 17, 2022:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitch en is open to serve lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Senior Euchre starts 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 every third Thursday of the month. 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.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitch en is open to serve lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00–6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are ham & scallops or fish & chips. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun darts start at 7:00 p.m. Every one Welcome.

• Bring a lawn chair to King Street West in preparation for Santa Parade. At 6:30pm two singing/ talking trees named Spruce Spring steen 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.

Saturday, November 19, 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.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Col borne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00pm–5:30pm. Entertain ment by the Good Old Boys from 4:30-9:30. Everyone Welcome.

• Craft & Art Market Event - Free Admission, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm - Several local art and craft vendors including Big Brother Big Sister Ticket Sales at Sati Hall, 530 Victoria Ave, Chatham, Studio Q. Find that unique one-of-a-kind gift for that someone special on your Christmas List.

• Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale at First Reformed Church, 632 Lacroix St. 9am-1pm. Something for every one, lunch available .

Sunday, November 20, 2022:

• Classic Country Dinner & Show at the Active Lifestyle Centre. 3:00pm. Live music, delicious food, dancing, auction. All proceeds help Salvation Army CK. Musical guests: Terry Barker, Christine Storey, Nichole Shaw, Dale Rivard, Stuart Wicks, Chris St. Pierre. Tickets $25. Call 519-354-8353 or email nicole. shaw@salvationarmy.ca.

Monday, November 21, 2022:

• ANNUAL PENNY SALE: St. Joseph’s C.W.L. Penny Sale will be held at 7:00pm in the Spirit and Life Centre, 184 Wellington Street West, Chatham. Penny Prizes, 50/50 draw, Baked Goods and a Craft Table. Doors open at 6:00.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitch en is open to serve lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti with meat sauce. Come play Euchre at 1:00 or spend the evening playing Euchre or Shuffleboard starting at 7:00pm. Everyone 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 23, 2022:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Col borne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have fun darts at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• Sprucedale United Church Beef Dinner – 4:30-6:30 pm – drive-thru only – 493 Victoria Ave., Chatham. Includes all the fixings. Purchase your tickets in advance. Adults $20.00 – Children Under 12 $10.00. Tickets must be purchased and picked up prior to the event. Please email sprprov@gmail.com with your information or call the Church office at 519-354-0060.

• Join Sally Joyce on Wednesdays from 11am-1pm for a Human Healing Circle at Sati Hall, Studio Q, 530 Victoria Ave. Free drop-in. Donations welcome. Come and be in circle with other compassionate souls in a setting of strength and sacred healing vibrations, drum ming, mediation, and mentors. Contact Sally at wildmagickwoman@gmail.com for more info.

Thursday, November 24, 2022:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Col borne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:30am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Chatham-Kent Metal Detecting Club. Meetings held the last Thurs day of each month at Erickson Arena, side door. 7:00pm. All Welcome.

• Downtown Chatham’s Home 4 The Holidays - Christmas Open House. Participating businesses will be open from 10am until 8pm and offer their own activities and specials.

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

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

The Sale Continues . . . It’s going to look a lot like Christmas. We have many wonderful Christmas items just in time for your decorating fun and holiday celebrations!

St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. 80 King St. East. Chatham. Monday to Saturday. Open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 519-354-0410.

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

CLUES ACROSS

Fun Stuff

Beloved hound

Equal to 100 grams

S-shaped moldings

Everyone has one

Subatomic particle

Ghost

Adult female bird

Greek temple pillars

Emits coherent radiation

Measures the width of printed matter

Musical interval

Tantalizes

Places of worship

An unskilled actor who overacts

One who volunteers to help

Precaution

Beverage holder

Very long period of time

in a boxing match

it’s

Downtown decor

Downsizing, de-cluttering

CK Boomers on the Move (CKBoM) has joined the National Asso ciation of Senior & Spe cialty Move Managers (NASMM). But the end goal re mains – to help seniors sort through a lifetime of accumulated items as they seek to downsize to retain their independence and/or remove clutter. “Moving may not be the best decision for an old er adult or aging family member right now,” of ficials with CKBoM said in a media release. “The could be due to person al choice, financial con siderations, etc. but they may still desire a change. Later in life, our homes

can often become clut tered with our ‘stuff’ and it’s natural to be over whelmed by the daunting prospect of downsizing, de-cluttering, organiza tion and discarding.”

Through NASMM@ HOME, CKBoM helps older adults and their families with numerous downsizing and simpli fying tasks in a current home.

The group also offers the same organizing tech niques to those who are seeking to move.

By teaming up with

NASMM, the local or ganization is bound by a pledge of integrity, NASMM executive di rection Mary Kay Buysse said in a media release. CKBoM was born out of need. Business partner and local realtor Cynthia Hiatt said the munici pality is growing, and more than 26 per cent of those living here are over the age of 55. For many, the time has come to ei ther move or purge their home of excess items. It can be overwhelming and time consuming to undertake such a task.

CKBoM can help take the load off. The group can set up appointments for movers, waste bins, auc tioneers and more.

Celebration of Life Congratulations of Life

Michael Richard Matak, IRONMAN

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Kailua-Kona, Hawaii October 8, 2022

Swim 2.4 miles Bike 112 miles Run 26.2 miles 83 countries represented Age Wave: 45 - 49 Placed 179 of 566 Overall 995 of 2395

Time 10:26:12

Mom Myrna, Stewart Dolson and sister Michelle Matak-Muscat accompanied Michael.

Wanted Coins

Celebration

Robert “Knobby” Cole Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

Please join us in celebrating a life well lived at Maple Leaf Cemetery at 11:30 for burial of ashes. Bring your stories, laughs & happiness to lunch at the Imperial Club, Payne St., Chatham from 12:00pm-3:00pm

RSVP 519-401-1901

Miller Christmas Trees! Now located on Hwy#2 at Travellers Motel (7715 Queens Line). 500’ West of

Christmas Trees

The Chatham Voice

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Myrtle Flower Market proprietor Liz Nauta measures one of the new planters installed beside the newly paved municipal parking lot between Gold Coast Fashions and Spanky’s on King Street in Chatham. The planters are part of a beautification project undertaken by the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA as the agency has been looking after the space for years. Glass House Nursery pitched in to put the 1,800 lb. cement containers in place recently, and Nauta has agreed to plant and maintain the greenery.

Obituary

Mrs. Arlene Allen

At the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday November 1st, 2022, Mrs. Arlene Allen of Chatham passed away in her 86th year. Cherished daughter of the late William and Annie Mifflin. Beloved wife of Richard. Loving mother of Lee of Wallaceburg, Steven of Ottawa and Gary of Windsor. Special grandmother of Jeremy and Cassandra and great grandmother of Ian and Melody. Dear sister of Kay Charlton and sister-in-law Kathrine Mifflin. She is survived by ten nieces and nephews who she loved so much. Predeceased by her sister June Wilson, brother Ivan Mifflin, brothers-in-law Fred Wilson and Pete Charlton. Arlene touched thousands of people in her over 50 plus year career as a seamstress and tailor. She had an art of making or fixing curtains, jackets, dresses, suits and pants, always done perfectly for the many graduations, proms, weddings and other special events. Arlene, along with her husband Richard owned Hillman’s Men’s Wear and later Allen’s Alterations. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service to be held at Shanks Cemetery, 3900 Talbot Trail, Port Alma, Ontario, on Saturday November 19th, 2022 at 10:30 am with Pastor Greg Simpson of St. Andrew’s Church officiating. Arrangements entrusted to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington West, Chatham, 519-352-2710. Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Goodwill. On-line condolences may be left at www.alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca

Barbara G. Taylor, 91 years old, passed away peacefully at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Saturday November 5th, 2022.

Beloved wife of 64 years of John Ford Taylor, and daughter of the late Ellen (Forsyth) and Percy West. Loving mother of the late Shaune (1991), Karrie (Rick) Labreche and Myra Taylor-Joyes. Dear grandmother of Andy (Crystal) Ellis, Jason Ellis, Ashtyn Labreche (Chris), Shane Labreche, Brandon Joyes (Randi) and Colin Joyes. She will be sadly missed by her 6 great grandchildren, her nieces, nephews and Brian Joyes. Predeceased by her sister Dawna (Duane) Palmer. Barbara’s passion for cooking and trying out new recipes were enjoyed and will be missed by friends and family. A “Celebration of Life” was held at Chatham Retirement Resort, on Saturday Novem ber 12th from 2-5pm for close friends and family. Donations may be made to Chatham Outreach for Hunger, PAWR (Chatham), or St. Joseph’s Church (Building Fund or Spirit & Life Centre). Special thanks to the staff at Chatham Retirement Resort and CKHA (ER & Stroke Unit). Online condolences welcomed at www. peseski.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120)

Classifieds

Obituary Obituaries Obituaries

It is with great sadness that the family of Giovanna Lombardi announces her passing at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on November 2, 2022.

Giovanna was born in the beautiful Italian village of Castelvetere Sul Calore in 1940 to Rosa (Nazzaro) and Gerardo Bimonte. Along with her sister Maria and brother Salvatore, she experienced the highs and lows of life in post-war Italy. She developed many strong, life-long relationships in the tight-knit village during this time. In Castelvetere, she met her partner in life and husband, Domenico. They were married in 1965, and afterward came the birth of their first daughter, Vanna (Jim). Soon after came the birth of their second daughter, Rosa (Greg). Times were tough in Italy at that time, and Giovanna and Domenico knew they wanted a better life for their children, so they made the courageous decision to move to Canada in 1967. They settled in Chatham, Ontario, and became members of St. Joseph’s Church. The family grew with the addition of their son Robert (Rosa) and daughter Laura. Giovanna and Domenico took advantage of their opportunity and started and built successful businesses, including Chatham Cleaners and Sorrento’s Pizza. All the while, she was creating a warm and inviting home centered around her incredible cooking. Nobody ever went hungry in the Lombardi home, and all who entered were treated like family. When the grandchildren arrived, this gave Giovanna the chance to shower her attention and affection on them. She would do anything for them, and Julia, Clara, Grace, Liliana, and Myra had the joy of experiencing her love. Later in life, Giovanna and Domenico would escape the harsh winter and bask in the Florida sun. They developed even more relationships and enjoyed life in their community to the south. A Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church on Wednesday November 9, 2022 at 10am, followed by a reception at St. Joseph’s Hall. Cremation will take place and burial of ashes will be held in Italy at a later date. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at the Chatham-Kent Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chatham-Kent Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society. The Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120) is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences welcomed at www.peseski.com Sempre nei nostri cuori.

Seeking Companion Help Wanted Help Wanted

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.

Wanted: Handyman to remove bathroom floor and install new one. Call Linda 519401-0495.

Wanted: Yard Clean Up for raking leaves, etc. Phone 519-401-0495.

Ministry

Healing Love Ministry is an all night prayer line with counsellors available from 12:00am-7:00am. Also, a male support group for those struggling with sexual addiction. A home based ministry, private and confidential. 519-354-3532.

Bill Davidson 82, Wednesday, November 9, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Orville Tetrault 90, Thursday, November 3, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Karen Schlosser 74, Friday, November 4, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Joanne Veldboom 89, Monday, November 7, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Betty Lou Cunningham Monday, November 7, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Leo Cartier Wednesday, November 9, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Frank Vlasschaert 89, Friday, November 4, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home

Arlene Allen 86, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Brad Russell 81, Saturday, November 5, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Penny Bonner 61, Monday, November 7, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Louise Amelia 94, Saturday, September 10, 2022 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Harry Buchanan 62, Tuesday, November 1 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home

Craig Rich 56, Saturday, November 5, 2022 Kendrick Funeral Home

Larry Stroobandt 66, Thursday, November 3, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Barbara Taylor 91, Saturday, November 5, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Jean-Guy Gervais 71, Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Life Transitions

Cayden Little (Dillon) Wednesday, November 9 2022 Life Transitions

Bernard Girard Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Life Transitions

St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141

Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451 www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

Barbara Taylor