Lawyer questions sale agreement over Sears building
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
A prominent local lawyer says he’s perused the purchase agreement for the former Sears building and believes there are serious holes in it that could potentially cost the municipality millions.
Municipal officials disagree.
The agreement, between the developers who own the Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC) and the municipality, placed
the building in municipal hands for a purchase price of $2.95 million in January. The municipality has until the middle of next year to opt to go ahead with the project –which would see the Civic Centre, museum and Chatham branch of the library land under one roof – or sell it back to the developers for the same $2.95-million price.
Investors Rob and Jessica Myers, Don Tetrault and Ron Nydam oversee 100 King, the organiza-
tion that is selling the Sears building.
It’s what could happen should the municipality move forward with the project that Steven Pickard, a local lawyer and former municipal councillor, said he’s concerned with. But it would only be a problem should operations at the Sears building, dubbed the Community Hub, change, or should the property go up for sale.
“The terms of 100 King’s right to buy back the property is this: In the future, no matter how many years, no matter how much investment by C-K, if C-K ever wishes to ‘change the proposed use of, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose’ of the property, then 100 King can force C-K to sell it back to them at $2,950,000,” he said.
Dave Taylor, head of the municipality’s legal department, said that’s not the case, adding there is a five-year, right-of-firstrefusal period.
“If we were to divest –the time period for them to have the right to buy back from us is only five years. It’s their right to match the third-party offer received,” he said. Pickard disagreed.
Continued on page 3
“If we continue to own it and run it as a community hub, they won’t be buying it back from us,” he said. “But if we say we’re going to sell it to somebody, they have an option to buy.” Taylor said that the option would be at market price, but only within a five-year window.
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Chatham lawyer Steven Pickard said he’s reviewed the sale agreement for the former Sears building and has reservations.
Municipality defends purchase contract
Continued from page 2
“This term is a ticking time bomb that, someday, will result in C-K losing the entire building for the return of the purchase price, uninflated at that,” he said.
Taylor said the agreement states any repurchase would be completed with the original purchase price “plus any direct costs incurred by the municipality for any improvements to the Option Property.”
“The direct costs are estimated at $53 million. As a result, if 100 King sought to re-purchase it, it would have to agree to do so within 15 days and would have to pay an amount that compensates the municipality for any costs it has incurred to renovate or improve the property,” Taylor said in a media release.
Pickard said what defines direct costs is lacking in the agreement.
“There is no definition of what constitutes the ‘direct costs.’ This would likely be left up to the courts to de-
termine what it means and if it even means anything,” he said. “The interpretation given here is not in the contract.”
Rob Myers, interviewed by The Voice prior to Pickard’s announcement, said he and his partner developers just want to ensure that if the municipality goes ahead with the project, as it appears it will, the use of the facility is for what is agreed upon, and work is completed in a timely manner.
“When we made the deal with the city for them to buy Sears, we said if you don’t get going on this thing at some point, we’re not going to sit there and have an empty Sears building forever as we’re developing the rest of the centre,” Myers said. The 100 King group has plans to revamp the rest of the DCC, creating a blend of shopping, dining, living and entertainment options.
The 220,000 square-foot space is being redesigned to host 10 apartments as part of
the project, which is estimated to take 18-24 months to complete.
Myers said if the municipality proceeds with the project, he does not see the property changing hands in the future.
“If the municipality is going to spend $30 or $40 or $50 million on that property to make a museum, to make a city hall, to make a library –why would they want to divest themselves from it?” he said. “Can people have some common sense?”
Pickard said his questioning of the agreement is done without malice and is intended to produce greater transparency.
“I hope that this public discourse helps not only fix what seems to be acknowledged as a deficient contract, but it also demonstrates that the public is not the enemy,” he said. “Transparency is an integral part of the governance of our municipality. I look forward to the steps taken by C-K and 100 King to clarify the wording of the
Nominate local ‘excellent’ women for YMCA awards
Nominations are now open for the 2025 YMCA Women of Excellence Awards.
The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is holding the award on May 15, 2025.
According to YMCA officials, “This event continues to be a unique and inspir-
ing celebration hosted every two years by YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.”
Award categories include arts, culture, education and training; breaking barriers; business and professions; entrepreneurs; health, science and technology; social justice; sport, fitness and recreation; and young wom-
an of excellence.
Nominations will close Dec. 11.
Honourees will be announced Feb. 11.
The event will honour eight women for their achievements and contributions making lasting impacts on the vitality of southwestern Ontario.
contract to reflect the stated inten- tions.”
The Chatham Voice
Soldier portrait finds its heir
By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com
Emotions come quickly to David Alfred Hebblethwaite. It’s the words that sometimes take a little longer.
The 79-year-old Chatham resident shuffled into the office of The Chatham Voice during a busy production day recently, carrying a plastic bag with papers and a photo inside. He pulled out a 1940’s era framed photo of a soldier and, with watery eyes, looked up and said, “I had to know.”
David was carrying a duplicate of a photo of an “unknown soldier” The Voice had published the week
prior. Voice reader Dan Kelly found the photo in his family home on Murray Street where it had sat in the attic for decades.
Dan was trying to return it to the subject’s family but had no luck with the Gathering Our Heroes project or the Royal Canadian Legion in identifying the soldier and so turned to the newspaper for help.
David, an avid reader of The Voice, said he came across the photo while reading the paper.
“I had to double look and take that picture over to my stand where I have my uncle’s picture. I did it three times,” he said.
Continued on page 5
8th
Come help Santa and the Chatham Goodfellows fill Christmas Baskets at the
Memoirs endure more than 80 years later
Continued from page 4
“I couldn’t believe it; somebody found a duplicate of my uncle. I couldn’t wait, I just had to come to the office and find out.”
The image was of David’s namesake, David Alfred Hebblethwaite, a Chathamite who was killed in action April 4, 1945. Two years later, David was born and grew up knowing he was named after his late uncle.
Shown the photo Dan had given the paper, David looked back and forth at the two, sat down, and began to speak, his voice cracking with emotion.
“I got this picture presented to me by my aunt Irene who lived in Kitchener and passed away at 102,” he said.
“She gave it to me way back in the 1960s and no matter where I’ve lived it’s been my number one picture outside
of my parents. It’s right next to my TV.”
“On the (November) 11th I don’t go to the cenotaph. I used to watch on TV at the Bradley Centre. On Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. I always stand in front of his picture and I bless him.”
David’s father and his uncles all enlisted. His father was given medical discharge while the uncles served overseas. One was wounded twice in Europe.
David’s namesake uncle is buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Plot 22, Row D, Grave Seven in the Netherlands with more than 2,000 of his fellow Canadians. David has a photo of the headstone and cemetery taken by a friend who visited Europe.
David’s uncle enlisted in Chatham in 1940 and had been overseas for four years before his death. He wrote home regularly, once sending his grandparents a Nazi flag he had captured near the German border.
In a letter sent home in the spring of 1945, David’s uncle wrote that he had been granted leave but wanted to stay on the front lines with his buddies. Five days after the letter was sent, David was killed in action at age 27.
One month and four days later, the war in Europe was over.
As for the photo, David said he has an idea how and why the duplicate was made.
“My aunt Elsie was a curator of the old museum at
the corner of Murray and William Street. They may have had a copy made for some display of soldiers
who died in the war, but I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure,” he said.
Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice
David Hebblethwaite holds a photo of his late uncle and namesake who was killed in action in the waning days of the Second World War.
Opinion
Our unknown solider is known, and it does our hearts good to know we were able to get a photograph of a local Second World War soldier back into the hands of his family.
Chatham Voice reader Dan Kelly popped into our office (yes, we have an office and welcome visits from the public) earlier this month to show us the photo of an unknown soldier. The print was colourized and in a rather unique frame.
than a month remaining in the Second World War. He’s buried in a military cemetery in the Netherlands.
The younger Hebbelthwaite was not alive at the time of his uncle’s death; they never met.
But that didn’t mean he wasn’t moved to tears to learn someone wanted so badly to make sure his uncle’s photo was returned to his family.
Kelly said the photo had sat in the attic of his parents’ home for decades. He found it and wanted to return the image to the man’s family.
Except, he could not get anywhere.
After taking the image to the Royal Canadian Legion and reaching out to the Gathering Our Heroes project, Kelly turned to The Voice. We printed the image in our Nov. 14 paper. We initially received calls offering some advice, but had no definitive answer.
That is, until avid reader David Hebblethwaite walked through our door … with a mirror image photo; an exact duplicate right down to the frame.
Unknown no more Council must make serious budget cuts
Hebblethwaite said the image was of his uncle, who died with little more
Stories such as this are a reason why we at The Chatham Voice do what we do. It’s sharing information with others, linking chains in family history, bringing smiles to faces and even closure to families.
Of course, there are other important stories to tell, but ones such as that of David Alfred Hebblethwaite are priceless in our minds.
Some people think newspapers are in decline and are an obsolete form of news sharing. Naturally, we vehemently disagree.
So do our dedicated readers who remind us every week of how valuable they consider our paper as part of their lives.
And that is also why we do what we do, and deliver more than 20,000 copies of The Voice every week. We are busier than ever.
Our letters to the editor policy
The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@ chathamvoice.com (use “Letter” in the subject line).
You can also drop them off or mail
them to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4.
The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity. All letters need to be signed.
Chatham Voice 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. Claims of errors must be made prior to the next publication date.
Editor: After watching C-K council deliberate at their first budget meeting on Nov. 13, I was curious as to why there were no obvious cuts to the budget.
CFO, Gord Quinton’s recommendations to council and the individual councilors’ recommendations can be found on the Chatham-Kent sebsite under Budget Committee Meeting - November 13, 2024. Make sure you read all the attachments related to item 7.
When the administration put together their budget recommendations, they compared Chatham-Kent to other cities paying similar property taxes, stating that we are paying taxes relative to these others. But what makes these others different is that
they have industry and many more commercial businesses to help carry the tax load, whereas C-K has to rely on residential taxpayers.
Some businesses in C-K are not paying their fair share of taxes because they’ve been given special rates due to “downtown revitalization” or a break in taxes to lure the businesses to C-K. That’s fair, but it’s at the expense of the rest of us. How long will their special privileges last?
And what are admin and council doing to entice industry to come to Chatham-Kent to help offload residential taxpayers? We could use the jobs, and the tax dollars. Another difference between these other cities is the number of councilors. Windsor has 10 (population 230K), Sudbury 12 (pop.166K), London 14 (pop. 422K) and Chatham-Kent 17 (pop.104K). Perhaps that’s a starting point to our fiscal cuts? Another place to cut, and only a couple councilors mentioned it in their list, is by department. Every department within C-K, including police, fire, etc. should reduce their expenses by 10 per cent (including staffing). The municipality as a whole should have a hiring freeze on and freeze wages for the next two years. If they can’t find anywhere to make cuts, find someone unbiased to do so. Perhaps it’s time to bring in an outsider to help find efficiencies?
Continued on page 7
Support for Voice, Community Hub
Editor: I want to start by thanking you. Thank you for your journalism in a time where so much fake news is floating around.
I’m a (relatively) young mom with two young children and while most of my friends are getting their news off social media, I make sure to get my news the proper way. I appreciate what you do.
Thank you for also making your newspaper free to us in Chatham-Kent. I look forward to receiving it at our doorstep each week and I read it religiously, top to bottom.
With that being said, I thought it was about time I finally spoke up about the proposed move of the municipal services to the old
Sears building. I am a huge supporter of this move. In fact, many of us citizens from all over C-K are! The problem is we’ve been too quiet. I’m looking to change that. The reason we’ve been quiet is because council is doing an excellent job of listening to the facts and voting the way we hope they will.
Kristen Ceccacci Chatham
Hard decisions lie ahead over municipal budget
Continued from page 6
They need to make the hard calls in these hard times, or they are going to have to increase their budget for the homeless situation as it will continue to rise.
From the budget increases in the CFO’s report, increases in taxes of 27.7 per cent over the years 2024-2027 will find many more of us homeless, sad to say.
Karen Pynenbrouck Chatham-Kent
Editor’s note: The Nov. 13 meeting was a delivery of the starting point of the budget to council. There are typically only questions on
the first night. Addressing the budget in earnest was to begin Nov. 26. The tax comparison in the opening night report showed the average residential property taxes compared to other municipalities with
a population in excess of 100,000. The numbers, provided by BMA consultants, indicated that taxes on an average bungalow in C-K are lower than any of the other municipalities included in that comparison.
Staff at the municipality are unionized and therefore are under contracts obtained through the collective bargaining process. A wage freeze could not simply be implemented by administration arbitrarily.
Council could pony up to lure doctors
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent council is looking to help remedy the dire need for family doctors.
At the Nov. 18 council meeting, a lengthy motion came before council that would see more tax dollars funneled toward recruiting and retaining physicians in C-K.
Crafted by South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci and West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan, the six-point motion includes committing $85,000 in annual base budget funding to the Chatham-Kent Physician Recruitment
and Retention Task Force. The motion came in conjunction with a Support of Primary Health Care Access Points information report indicating there are currently 32,421 unrostered local residents living without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. According to the report, the municipality needs to bring in 45 family physicians to fill existing vacancies and bridge the gaps left by local doctors heading into retirement. The motion recommends that money be drawn from strategic reserves to fund a primary care family physician incentive reserve of $120,000. The money would be used
to create a new reserve to be used as needed, to help fund up to $25,000 in startup costs for new-to C-K doctors.
Four in-person and 11 email deputations – including one from Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) physician co-chair Dr. Briana Yee-Providence –were presented to council in support of the motion. Harrigan said that she knows that incentives are needed, based on her work as head of the CKOHT, having the privilege of having a family doctor while experiencing her own cancer journey, and watching the “frantic” challenges family and
Competion for new physicians is intense across the province and much of the country. Municipal council is considering adding monetary incentives in hopes of luring new doctors to Chatham-Kent.
friends face when they lose their family doctor.
The councillor said that while people might think a $20,000 or $25,000 incentive “is a lot of money,” other communities, such as the Niagara Region, are offering larger amounts for physician incentives.
“When we took a look at
competition in other communities, having nothing is certainly not an option,” Harrigan said. “We need to have something to start with. This municipal reserve would allow for that. Residents in Chatham-Kent would look at this motion and look at our investments and they
would see value in what it is the municipality is doing.”
Harrigan pointed out that Chatham-Kent is but one of the three partners in the physician recruitment effort, with the others being the province and the community. Continue on page 11
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Megan Canniff* 226-626-7133
Stephen Carroll* 519-355-9774
Terry Chauvin* 519-437-8498.
Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155
Austin
Scott Poulin* 519-350-5320
Anna-Marie Clark* 519-354-7890
Ron Collins* 519-401-8464
Michael Gibbons* 519-365-5634
Jeff Godreau* 519-365-4852
Matthew Giffin* 647-222-3472
Adam Deseure* 519-350-5787 Lisa Everaert* 519-330-8548 Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865
Darren Hart* 226-627-8580
Michelle Hetherington 519-401-2635*
Janet Ellen Mader* 226-881-0098
Krista Mall* 519-365-7462
June McDougall* 519-358-5199
Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189
Ghassan Najjar** 519-355-8668
Heather Najjar** 519-355-8666
Cass Opiela* 519-355-7804
Meg Palin* 226-627-2078
Chris Papple* 519-350-1402
Brian Peifer** 519-436-2669
Elizabeth Peifer* 519-436-8959
Patrick Pinsonneault** 519-360-0141
Chris Polley* 905-903-0505
Katherine Rankin** 226-542-2964
Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470
David Smith* 519-350-1615
Chris Spafford*
BARB PHILLIPS
Night Market returns Nov. 30
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The holiday spirit invades downtown Dresden Nov. 30, as the Dresden Christmas Night Market pops up for five hours of fun.
Vendors, surprise entertainers, food trucks, a pop-up bar, and downtown merchants highlight the night.
Event organizer Morena McDonald said the event continues to grow in size and popularity. Recognized as one of the top 100 festivals and events in the province, the night market draws people from well beyond Chatham-Kent’s borders.
“We hear that a lot of people are coming from Windsor, Sarnia and London, and now we are hearing a lot about people coming from as far away as Toronto, Detroit, and Port Huron,” McDonald said. “Some people are starting to plan their holiday visits around the night market. That’s great to see.”
From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., the market dominates Dresden’s downtown.
“We take over almost the entire downtown. It’s an experience,” McDonald said. “It showcases local vendors. With the surprise performers too, and the lights, people want to return year after year.
The night markets have been a part of Dresden since 2017. For one night each July and November, downtown Dresden is transformed into a unique outdoor shopping experience that the whole family can enjoy. It initially began when a small group of friends were looking for ways to bring the community together that would be different from anything that had ever happened in Chatham-Kent before.
“It’s the best holiday vibe and it’s in Dresden,” McDonald said. There is no charge to come and take in the sights and sounds of the Christmas Night Market.
News
Gift volunteers hit the streets Nov. 30
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Get ready for an army of volunteers to seek your gifts.
The Gift takes place throughout Chatham-Kent (except Dresden) on Saturday around noon. People are being asked to put out items on their front porch for pick-
up in boxes or bags.
Sherry Carter of ComeTogetherCK said the need is great.
What is being encouraged in terms of donations are non-perishable food items; unwrapped toys; puzzles and games; craft and art supplies; winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves; gift cards; backpacks; clothing; hy-
giene and self-care products; blankets; sleeping bags; and tents.
Carter said of particular interest are items that could be of help to Chatham-Kent’s homeless.
“Winter hats, gloves, coats and sleeping bags for some of our homeless population,” she said, adding it’s not limited to those items. “Anything
anyone thinks would be a gift they’d like for themselves.”
Interest in support from The Gift is strong again this year.
“We have tons of families already inquiring how to register to get assistance,” she said.
However, it takes time to sort through the collected items. Carter anticipates
that could take about seven days.
“We are telling people to keep an eye on The Gift Facebook page for dates and phone numbers,” she said. “Typically it takes us about a week to sort everything. It all depends on how many volunteers and how many donations we receive.”
Carter said donations
will be sorted at two different locations this year, the addresses of which will be announced at a later date.
Dresden, due to the Christmas Night Market Saturday afternoon and evening, will not see pickup Saturday, but rather on Sunday.
The Gift evolved out of The Miracle.
Recruitment matter deferred to Dec. 9 meeting
Continued from page 8
With the exception of the $85,000 to be spent on a recruiter – this item will be referred to budget deliberations – the remaining items in the motion were deferred to the Dec. 9 regular council meeting.
Council voted 10-6 to defer the motion to allow councillors time to exam-
ine the implications of drawing on reserves.
A recently launched re-
cruitment campaign in Wallaceburg has raised $70,000.
Sponsor a meal or volunteer
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The local Meals on Wheels team is appealing to local residents for additional support.
Wanted are more volun-
teers, as well as people willing to sponsor meals for Chatham-Kent citizens in need.
Barbara Noorenberghe, volunteer and community services co-ordinator at St. Andrew’s Residence,
out of which Meals on Wheels operates, said the quest is on for additional funds to help sprinkle a little extra Christmas joy.
Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritional meals to about 300 clients on
Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and they’re looking to augment that over the holiday season.
Noorenberghe said the holiday support will fuel more than just meals. Every dollar donated di-
rectly supports essential needs that help keep the program running. Those include the meals, as well as reliable transportation of the delivery trucks, and the acquisition of daily supplies beyond the meal ingredients, such as packaging.
Noorenberghe said there are many options people can choose from for supporting the program, starting with just $10 to sponsor one meal. There are options for $30, $50 and $100 donations as well. Donations are based on an individual’s comfort level of support.
For more information, reach out to Meals on Wheels at 519-351-6325. They are located at 99 Park St. at St. Andrew’s Residence.
“Your generous act doesn’t just fill their bellies; it nourishes their spirits, offering comfort, independence, and a dash of hope,” Meals on Wheels officials said.
By receiving sponsorships of meals, Noorenberghe said Meals on Wheels can send food and support to more people in need over the holidays.
“We can send them out at Christmas time for somebody that may not have a lot of family in this area. It’s also just to know that we are thinking of them and we are there for them,” she said.
Noorenberghe said vol-
unteers deliver more than just food.
“They deliver the meals to our seniors,” she said.
“We offer a variety of healthy options, but as well, we do a check in to see how our folks are doing. Our volunteers will say hello and sometimes it’s the only person that senior would see that day or that week, for a variety of reasons.”
In terms of volunteers, Noorenberghe said more are needed. Help could be for all three delivery days, or even just one. Routes typically take about an hour to complete.
“It’s not a whole-day commitment. We’re usually done by noon,” she said.
Anyone interested can contact Noorenberghe at 519-351-6325 or via email at bnoorenberghe@standrewsresidence.com.
Noorenberghe screens potential volunteers and takes them on a bit of a test drive
“I reach out to the volunteers and see if they’d be a good fit, and then I like to do some hands-on. We’ll do a route together to walk them through what’s involved with being a Meals on Wheels volunteer,” she said.
Meals on Wheels has operated out of St. Andrew’s Residence for more than 15 years, and has been operating in C-K for more than half a century.
New roof needed for cultural centre
The Chatham Voice
A new roof will soon be installed at the Chatham Cultural Centre.
Council approved the $353,000 project (including HST), awarding the contract to Grandvalley Roofing of Cambridge.
The work is being undertaken to remedy the heritage building’s leaky roof. A total of $120,000 has been allocated from the 2024 budget to replace the roof, while close to $200,000 will be drawn from the Buildings Lifecycle Reserve.
Porchlight Campain
1,600
1,300+
Chatham Goodfellows ensure there is
“No Child Without a Christmas”
Through generous community donations and volunteer efforts, Chatham Goodfellows brighten many Christmas mornings with toys for children and food for holiday meals. Please visit chathamgoodfellows.ca
VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME!
PORCHLIGHT NIGHT - Volunteers visit homes in Chatham to collect toys, food and monetary donations on December 2nd.
STREET SALES - Friday Dec. 13th & Saturday Dec. 14th will be the Chatham Goodfellows Street Sales Campaign. Volunteers canvass at the entrances of local businesses where you will sell the annual Goodfellows paper and collect monetary donations.
TOY PACKING - The Goodfellows Toy Committee will be holding their Annual Toy Packing from December 9th-12th!
FOOD PACKING - Set for Dec. 19th starting at 8am. Between 1,500-1,600 food boxes are packed every year, if you wish to help on this day the Goodfellows can’t wait to see you there!
DELIVERIES - Toy Hamper deliveries will take place on December 17th and Food Hamper deliveries will take place on December 18th starting at 12:00pm until finished!
MORTGAGES
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT NO CHILD WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS
to: donate@ chathamgoodfellows.ca. Mail cheques to: Chatham Goodfellows. PO Box 114, Chatham, ON N7M 5K1. Tax Receipts issued for donations over $20
Contribute through Street Sales Buy a newspaper Friday, Dec. 13th & Saturday, Dec. 14th.
Organize a workplace or family good and toy drive - Local businesses, families and individuals who organize food and toy drives are very important to the No Child Without a Christmas success. If you would like to organize a special event please email: info@chathamgoodfellows.ca.
Enbridge team donates $245K to United Way
The Chatham Voice
Engbridge Gas heated up the United Way of Southwestern Ontario’s coffers recently.
The company, its employees and retirees joined forces to raise $244,843.
United Way personnel said this contribution will help fund critical programs aimed at ad-
dressing the needs of vulnerable populations across Chatham-Kent and beyond.
“We are deeply grateful to Enbridge Gas for its continued partnership and generosity,” said Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way, in a media release. “This transformative donation will have a profound impact on the lives of individ-
uals and families across Chatham-Kent and will enable us to deepen our efforts and reach even more people in need. Together, we will create stronger, more resilient communities and drive meaningful change where it is needed most.”
Enbridge Gas has supported the United Way back into the late 1940s.
Enbridge Gas and United Way officials celebrate the donation of $244,843 from
its employees and retirees to the charitable organization.
Contributed image
the company,
Lark development awaits rezoning
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham’s Birdland residents are being afforded more time to address concerns regarding a proposed development at the site of the former Monsignor Uyen school.
Council voted recently to defer a decision on zoning changes required for a new 160-unit row house complex on Lark Street to the Dec. 16 meet
ing to further explore im
pacts on the quiet neigh
bourhood.
The developer, comprised of four numbered Ontario companies, is
currently seeking an amendment to rezone the 4.5-acre property to residential medium density from its current designation as institutional.
Several deputations on the matter were presented to council with the main issues being density, height, what an increase of traffic will do, as well as opening up access to Partridge Crescent.
Jerry Corso, a resident of Partridge Crescent, submitted a petition to council on behalf of 49 homeowners on the street.
“We support the new development, but strongly oppose granting access to Partridge Crescent,” Cor-
so said, noting one access point is standard and that building a new access will create a shortcut for traffic and create enforcement concerns.
Chatham-Kent planning director Ryan Jacques, who outlined details of the development, said the complex consists of eight stacked row house buildings. It’s a new type of development for C-K, he added, noting
“I’m cognizant that we’re in a pretty significant housing crisis in Ontario and we don’t want to be putting up unnecessary roadblocks to getting good infill development.”
- Coun. Brock McGregor
SHOPLocal
the four-storey structure will be partially built in the ground, making it look like a three-storey building. Sidewalks and an asphalt path to existing park pathways will also be constructed. In response to queries from Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew about whether access to Partridge is necessary for safety, Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Chief Chris Case said the “best-case scenario” is to
have two means of access and egress routes.
“So, we would always seek to have two ways in and out,” Case told council. “We’ve seen this come up a number of times over the years with building developments where we’ve tried to get two ways of getting in and out for the safety of the community.”
Other councillors worried that deferring the matter might hold up the project.
“I’m cognizant that we’re in a pretty significant housing crisis in Ontario and we don’t want to be putting up unnecessary roadblocks to getting
good infill development,” said Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor. “But we do have to make sure we’re responsive to community needs as well.”
On behalf of the developer, Storey Samways planner David French said the new owner “did their homework” when purchasing the property, noting the site is appropriate for infill development.
The municipality’s official plan must also be amended to accommodate the build.
Pending approval, the former school will be razed to make way for the development.
C-K’s tourism industry continues to bounce back
By Pam Wright
Chatham-Kent’s tourism industry is on the post-pandemic rebound; however, operators are having problems filling jobs within the sector.
That’s according to C-K tourism development supervisor Shannon Paiva.
Social media continues to be integral to the industry, she added, with specialty videos, webpages and reels garnering thousands of likes, views and followers.
A video on C-K’s Bakery Trail leads the way with close to 70,000 views.
At a recent meeting, Paiva made a presentation to council about the industry that brings an estimated $64-million to Chatham-Kent each year.
Environics analytics provided by the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, show that in 2023 Canadians logged 610,930 trips to Chatham-Kent with an average stay of 2.3 nights per trip.
According to a staff report, 92 per cent of those trips were made by Ontarians, yet that’s still down 13.6 per cent from 2022.
During the same time, Americans logged 112,748 trips to Chatham-Kent with an average of 3.2 nights per trip.
However, Paiva said the good news is the municipality is on track to see a 1.4 per cent increase in 2024.
According to Paiva, the keys to success in Chatham-Kent’s tourism playbook are in assisting, attracting and educating both visitors and tourism operators alike.
Paiva said the department markets to both internal residents within Chatham-Kent, as tourism is considered to be anyone travelling 40 kilometres or more to a location, as well as the external market.
“More than 75 per cent of our travellers are using digital assets,” Paiva explained, when it comes to trip inspiration and booking.
Keeping the photo images local is also key, Paiva said.
“This ensures we can use local photos 100 per cent of the time,” Paiva told council. “It really is our biggest asset. It gives us a chance to show off our vibrant community.”
Some 1,500 professional photos were added to the portfolio this year, she said.
Between October 2023 and October of this year, tourism staff connected with 250 local tourism operators face to face, Paiva noted, and helped them with a variety of educational options including grant writing.
Another aspect of success in the local tourism industry includes nominating local operators for awards, she said, adding there has been high-level recognition in C-K in the past year.
Buxton National Historic & Museum’s 100th Homecoming event received a Lieutenant Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Conservation; the Dresden Night Market was a finalist for a sustainability and innovation award in provincial tourism and Brewfest CK was also nominated as a finalist by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario for an excellence award for culinary event of the year.
News
Drinking and driving a deadly combo
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
When it comes to curbing impaired driving, education and public awareness are key.
That’s the message the Chatham-Kent Police Service is stressing as it kicked off its annual Festive RIDE program on the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Nov. 20.
According to Lisa Rodger, the CKPS traffic management officer
co-ordinating the RIDE initiative, people need to be reminded that driving when impaired is a choice – one that can have a devastating outcome.
“We want to remind every individual that the choices they make behind the wheel can change lives in an instant,” Rodgers said at the RIDE launch. “A decision to drive impaired may seem harmless or justifiable in the moment, but the consequences can be far-reaching.”
CKPS statistics from
2023 bear witness to the problem, as 10 people died on local roads due to driver impairment. In total, police responded to 22 major collisions last year, of which eight involved driver impairment.
In 2024, Chatham-Kent police have investigated 18 major collisions, of which seven were fatal.
Four of the 18 collisions and three deaths involved impaired drivers
“From crashes that cause injury or death, to the long-term effects on families and communities, no
one wins when impaired driving takes place,” the officer said. “So, let’s take action. Let’s pledge to always plan ahead. If you drink, designate a driver, call a taxi, use a rideshare service, or arrange alternative transportation.”
Rodgers said 39 RIDE program checks were conducted in 2023 and 6,581 vehicles were stopped. To date, 39 RIDE checks have been held in 2024.
The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, held each November, is a day for
reflection, compassion and unity that calls on everyone to reflect upon the importance of road safety and the value of human life.
“Behind every statistic is a family member, a friend, a colleague, a person whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void,” Rodgers said. “In remembering these victims, we not only honour their memories, but we also renew our commitment to preventing further tragedies. Whether it’s driving under the
influence, speeding, distracted driving, or failing to obey traffic laws, these are choices.”
Rodgers pointed out that every life lost in a road crash – regardless if it is alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs the ability to drive – the issue “touches us all.”
Extra vigilance is required she stressed, as police are seeing more preventable tragedies relating to recreational and prescription drugs, and appropriate caution must be taken.
Community Events
Thursday, November 28, 2024:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30 pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm.
• Join the VON at the Active Lifestyle Centre for a Fall Prevention Workshop! 10am11:30am! Call or visit to sign up. 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham 519-352-5633
Friday, November 29, 2024:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30 pm. Supper served 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are liver & onions or fish & chips, $13.00. Take out available, call 519-351-8733 or 519-3515639. Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Friday inside entertainment by Back 2 Back 7pm-10pm. Everyone is welcome.
• Cabbage roll dinner with all the fixings at the Merlin Legion. $12.50 – take out also available or if you would like to order cabbage roll by the dozen they will be $20 for 12. Call early as they will go fast!! 519689-4884.
• Check out our Friday morning Zumba at the Active Lifestyle Centre! 9am-10am! $3 for members, $6 for non-members. No experience necessary, no sign up required! 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham 519-352-5633.
• Friday night supper at the Chatham moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St: Lasagna dinner w/ caesar salad and garlic toast. Dine in $13. pickup $14. All meals served at 6pm. Call 519-352-8291 to reserve.
Saturday, November 30, 2024:
• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:00am, serving indoors, no take out. Wheelchair accessible.
• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. 11am-3pm. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or chat about life or what we’ve been working on. Get some clothes from our Out of the Closet program, use the Community cupboard & more! No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome.
• Learn to Curl Storytime! Fun-filled storytime and go on-ice with SCCC instructors to learn the basics of curling! Two programs are available, #1- 1:00-2:00 and #2 - 2:30-3:30, max registration of 30 participants/session. Only those going on-ice need to register. All on-ice participants must have a signed SCCC waiver and wear clean shoes and a helmet in order to participate. Call Wallaceburg (519.627.5292) or Dresden (519.683.4322) branches to register.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30 pm. Line Dancing lessons 10:00am-12 noon. Meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 3:00pm–5:30pm. Come out and check out our menu. Entertainment by Big City 4:30-9:30. Everyone is welcome.
• CK Animal Rescue Christmas Yard Sale from 9am to 2pm at 270 Inshes Ave. Join us for a holiday-themed yard sale! All proceeds will be donated to CK Animal Rescue. Donations for yard sale items will be thankfully accepted on November 29th from 1pm to 4pm at 270 Inshes Avenue. See you there!
• The Annual CWL Taste of Home Bazaar 11:00am-2:00pm. St. Michael’s Parish Hall is on the corner of Maple St. and David St. in Ridgetown. Enjoy the bake sale table, frozen home baking, frozen home cooked meals & soups and this year’s feature … frozen family-sized Apple Crisp ready for the oven. Shop early for the best selection and stay for a Hot Lunch.
• Autumn Vendor Show, 9am-1pm at the Moose Lodge (850 Richmond St., Chatham). Entry by donation to Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. For more info please contact Kim Fishleigh at kkfish@teksavvy.com.
• ALC Christmas Vendor Market 9am-2pm with a visit from Santa from 10am-1pm. Food, Prizes, & 40+ Vendors! 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham 519-352-5633.
• Holiday High Tea Luncheon at the Wallaceburg & District Museum. 12:00pm. $20/ person. Space is limited. RSVP 519-627-8962 or email museumpr@kent.net to reserve your spot. Payment is due upon reservation.
• The Gift is an annual community toy & food drive. At noon today, everyone in Chatham-Kent is invited to put a gift on their doorstep. Volunteers will pick up the gifts and ensure they make an intentional positive impact this holiday season.
Sunday, December 1, 2024:
• Firefighter Dog Wash from 11-3 at Pet Valu Chatham (647 Grand Ave West). Come get your dog a bath from the volunteers at CK Animal Rescue for only $15, with a feature from the CK Professional Firefighters! Please call ahead at 519.351.2432 to schedule a time with the firefighters. We can’t wait to see you and your fur baby there!
• The CK Singers present “Singing for Santa” a collection of heartwarming songs of the season at First Presbyterian Church in Chatham at 2:30pm. Familiar tunes with new variations, traditional favourites for a singalong and some special guests will make for an entertaining and memorable afternoon to get you in the Christmas spirit. Freewill donation will go to a local charity. We’ve been practicing since September so we would love to see you there!
• Listening Circles at St. Ursula Parish Hall, 1:30-3:30pm. Brent Stonefish – Delaware Nation at Morviantown will provide an overview of his community’s history, and how the community came to be established at Moraviantow. He will also speak to the Residential School experience from his community’s perspective. 205 Tweedsmuir Ave W, Chatham.
• Breakfast at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 9 AM to Noon. All meals are cooked to order. Jamboree from 1-5pm, $5. Come listen and dance to the sounds of Hired Hand. Everyone welcome.
Monday, December 2, 2024:
• Enjoy a friendly game of Euchre, 1pm. St. Clair Estates, 15 Dunkirk Chatham. $3.00 per person. Everyone Welcome.
• Chiropractor Information Session with Joel from pt Health! Learn more about your lower back pain, seasonal aches and pains, shoveling tips/tricks, and more! FREE samples included! Open to the public, everyone is welcome! Sign up required! 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham 519-352-5633
Tuesday, December 3, 2024:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30 pm. Today’s special is Spaghetti with meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00, evening Shuffleboard or Euchre at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30 pm. Daily special is meat loaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday, December 5, 2024:
• Afternoon Jamboree at the Merlin Legion from 1-4pm, Bring your singing voice/instruments and join us for a great afternoon. Donation welcome.
• Blue Christmas service at 7:00pm at St. Paul’s Congregational Church on Park Ave. West. If you are missing that special person this Christmas, we invite you to join us. The service will consist of familiar Christmas music, scriptures, and a short message, and will be followed by refreshments. For more information, call the church at 519-436-0255.
• Noon Hour of Seasonal Music with Hedy Rempel and Brian Sweetman. 12:15-1:00pm at Holy Trinity St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 81 Selkirk St. (at Victoria), Chatham. Come and relax from the bustle of the season and listen to seasonal music with local Chatham Musicians. Bring. your lunch, listen, come and go as you wish. Free admission.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30 pm. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. The Popular L.A. Bingo at 7pm. Everyone is welcome.
Fun Stuff
68. Gradually disappeared
69. Able to think clearly
CLUES DOWN
1. Brushed 2. Water sprite
3. Ones to look up to
4. Monetary units
5. We all have one
6. Marine invertebrate
7. One who institutes a legal proceeding
8. Outer 9. Parallelograms 10. Uncomfortable feelings
CLUES ACROSS
1. Separate with an instrument
5. State clearly
11. One-time MLB speedster Gordon
14. Broad in scope 15. Lacking social polish
16. Amount of time 17. Frame 19. Automobile 20. Caps 21. High school dances 22. Utilize 23. Checked 25. One-sided 27. Having an extreme greed for wealth
31. Potted plants 34. We all have one
35. Lake north of the Kalahari
38. Unidentified flying object
39. Aging persons
41. Small amount
42. Mother of Perseus
44. Ornamental waist box
45. Officials
46. Uncertain
49. A cotton fabric with a satiny finish
51. Extensive, treeless plains
55. Your consciousness of your own identity
56. Consumer advocate Ralph
60. Notable Spanish sports club
61. Body part
62. One’s responsiveness
64. Woman (French)
65. Ready and willing to be taught
66. Muslim ruler title
67. Unhappy
11. Cross to form an X
12. Remove
13. Some pages are dog-__
18. Capital of Ukraine
24. A citizen of Denmark
26. Eighth month (abbr.)
28. Hindu queens
29. Acids structurally related to amino acids
30. Rider of Rohan in Tolkien
31. Wet dirt
32. Russian city
33. Observed
36. Irate
37. Travelers need them
39. Musical composition
40. Auction
43. Form of “to be”
45. Women
47. Inspire with love
48. Think Japanese ankle sock
49. Appears
50. Old World lizard
52. The lead dancer: __ ballerina
53. Protein involved in motion
54. Rosalind Franklin biographer
57. Popular 1920s style art __
58. __ Blyton, children’s author
59. Abnormal breathing
63. A place to rest
Housing project a go for Ridgetown
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent council has paved the way for a new 131unit residential development in Ridgetown.
At its recent planning meeting, council approved rezoning 23 acres of vacant farmland to support the Highland Subdivision expansion.
Bordered by Warwick and Cecil streets on Ridgetown’s east side, the Clarke Developments Corp. project will include both single and semi-detached units, a public park space and storm-
water management infrastructure.
Council heard several deputations on the matter from residents living near the proposed development. Some asked that a seven-foot privacy fence be built to shield neighbours from construction, while others expressed concerns that the developer wanted to lower the lot frontage size to squeeze more houses in.
However, council heard from C-K planning services director Ryan Jacques who stressed that the lots must have 45 feet of frontage, with the exception of a handful of corner lots that are
only required to have 43 feet of frontage.
Jacques pointed out the developer has undertaken several studies as part of the application, including a traffic study, an environmental impact assessment and an archeological assessment, noting a public information meeting about the subdivision was held in October. Local roads with connections to Cecil Street South and Elizabeth Street are part of the proposal as well.
Council also heard from planner David French of Storey Samways Plan-
Paw Paw planting volunteers needed
The Sydenham Field Naturalists (SFN) are looking for volunteers to assist with the next phase of the Paw Paw Woods Ecological Restoration Project.
Following the successful removal of invasive species in September and October, efforts now focus on reintroducing more than 350 native plants to restore habitat and biodiversity. Volunteers are needed Nov.
Protect their future
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30 and Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the project site just outside Wallaceburg.
For more information, contact project co-ordinator Ismay Earl at ismay@sydenhamfieldnaturalists.ca.
Trail repairs start next year.
Are you a woman of good character?
Are you related to a Shriner, Master Mason, or Daughter of the Nile?
Are you a former patient of the Shriners Hospital in Canada or the USA?
COME JOIN US!
Working Together We Can Achieve More Kindness, Generosity, Giving Back, Support. Daughters of the Nile… It’s Worth Your While!
Local Contact Judy Woodrow, 519-365-1939
ning, representing Clarke Developments, who stressed the zoning change puts “strict limitations on the developer’s ability to subdivide the parcels any further.”
If the developer wanted to create smaller lots in the future, French said the request would have to come back before council.
Following questions from East
Elizabeth Anne McKee
Kent Coun. Morena McDonald, French assured council the developer wants to be a good neighbour and will maintain an “open-door” policy to hear concerns.
Councillors learned Highland Subdivision will be built according to market demand and could take up to 15 years. Final site approval will come before council Dec. 16.
OBITUARIES
87, Monday, November 18, 2024
Blenheim Community Funeral Home
William “Bill” Warwick 90, Saturday, November 16, 2024 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
John Stasse
74, Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Badder Funeral Home
Eldine Bedell
90, Saturday, November 16, 2024
Badder Funeral Home
Georgina Violette Rivest
71, Sunday, November 17, 2024
Badder Funeral Home
Murray Wayne Melton 61, Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Badder Funeral Home
Agnes Gambeta
89, Monday, November 18, 2024
McKinlay Funeral Home
Betty Daymond
88, Tuesday, November 19, 2024
McKinlay Funeral Home
Terrence Holcombe
72, Friday, September 20, 2024
McKinlay Funeral Home
Julien Savoie
61, Friday, November 15, 2024
Life Transitions
Joe Wiersma Monday, November 18, 2024 Life Transitions
Earnest Druer 92, Monday, November 18, 2024 Life Transitions
George McDougall Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Life Transitions
Eva Perry 97, Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Life Transitions
kendrickfuneralhome.com
The Chatham Voice
Obituary
Coming Events
Happy BIrhtday
CASH CASH CASH
Will pay cash for Elvis DVDs. Phone 519-917-339
For Sale
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
Wishing you were here today for even just a
so we could say happy
Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.
Lessons
and see your loving smile. We’ll gaze upon your pictures, we’ll think of you with love, and hope you’re doing fine in Heaven up above. May angels hold you closely and sing you a happy song, and we’ll be sending wishes today and all year long.
Richard (Dick) Joseph Prout, a good and gentle Christian man died peacefully on November 20, 2024 at Fairfield Park, Wallaceburg, Ontario. Richard had a strong,unwavering belief in his faith and his love of the Lord. Born in Forest, Ontario on August 6, 1934, the eldest son of the late Ellwood and Gladys (O’Donnell) Prout. Richard is survived by his sister Shirley and his 8 children; Debra, Deanna, Matthew Richard, Karen, Frances, Christina, Joseph and Michael. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Predeceased by his grandson Kristofer Richard (1998). Cremation has taken place. Interment was in Beechwood Cemetery, Forest, Ontario. A celebration of Richard’s life followed in the Forest Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations to Right to Life Kent would be appreciated or just say a prayer for someone today.
Announcement
CHATHAM HAS A NEW CHURCH!
We all miss you so much Dillon, every day.
Wanted Wanted Looking For
Wanted to rent or buy 1 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred. 519-352-5414 or 226-627-5414.
Guitar Lessons. 519-917-2339
Chatham Baptist Chapel. Sunday Services 11am & 7pm. 330 Richmond St., Unit 105. Uses KJV - All are welcome. www.chathambaptistchapel.com.
Christmas Craft Sale All weekends beginning Nov. 2nd until Dec. 8th. Saturday / Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. 6599 Talbot Trail (Hwy#3) (5m west of Bloomfield Rd.) Christmas decor for inside & out, crafts, gift ideas, fresh evergreen planters & wreaths, home canning & much more. Great Prices!
Each weekend in Wallaceburg at the Old Train Station building, 105 Arnold St., Wallaceburg. Friday - Sunday, November 1, 2, 3 until December 6,7,8. 9:00am-4:00pm.
For Sale
Wood Glider Rocker. Very clean, very nice, good quality. Deep blue comfy cushions. $125. Purchased at Coulters/ Windsor. Chatham. 519-351-0825.
Christmas trees
Miller Christmas Trees! New Location: corner of Richmond and West St., Chatham. 11:00am-6:00pm. Call 519-437-1008 for more info. Christmas pots also available.
Welder - wire feed 100, 115 volts, used 3 times. Only $125. Aluminum Door - storm door, 80 x 45 1/2, open to the right, heavy duty (full glass). Very good condition. $150 or best offer. 12ft Aluminum step ladder. (extends to 24 ft.) in very very good condition. $125 or best offer. Call 519-784-6120.
4 Wooden matching chairs. 2 tone $25 each or $80 for all four. CHATHAM 519 351- 0825.
Place your ad in the classifieds! Starting at only $6! Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Call 519-397-2020 or email michelle@chathamvoice.com
Christmas Trees
Week of December 1 - 7, 2024
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, your energy is impressive and contagious this week. You can put it to use tackling tasks that you have been putting off. A surprise message could brighten your weekend.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, review your budget and consider a new investment opportunity. This week brings a chance to reconnect with someone special. Don’t avoid vulnerability, as it could enhance things.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
You might find yourself in discussions that lead to exciting new projects, Gemini. Be open to collaboration and work on improving your communication skills. Time for fun comes later.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
This week is all about self-care, Cancer. Take some time to focus on your emotional well-being and nurture it as much as you can. A midweek work opportunity could arise.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, dive into artistic pursuits or share ideas with others this week, as your creativity will be shining brightly. A social engagement may bring new connections that lead to exciting prospects.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Get down to business and organize your workspace or tackle a project that has been pushed aside, Virgo. If you feel overwhelmed, be sure to ask for some help from those you trust.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, it’s all about balance this week, something you know a lot about as the scales sign. Make time for both work and play so you can make the most of every opportunity.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Intensity and passion might define your week, Scorpio. Delve into a project that excites you. By the middle of the week, news reaches your ears and it could be very exciting.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
This is the week for exploring new ideas or planning a trip, Sagittarius. It’s only a matter of time before you realize that adventure awaits. Get started on what awaits.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, try focusing on your long-term goals this week. Strategic planning will pay off in the long run. If you need help, seek a mentor who can offer advice.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
A surprise opportunity might arise for you midweek, Aquarius. Don’t hesitate to snatch it up quickly, as others also might be interested. Leave weekend plans open for now.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, if you feel your emotions are running high this week, try to channel your feelings into a creative project that will use them in
way. A friend may call asking for advice.
MPP Trevor Jones Colouring Contest!
Calling all young artists in Chatham-Kent!
Show off your creativity in our Christmas-themed colouring contest for kids 4 to 12!
Christmas!!
Contest open to children ages 4-12. Colour the drawing provided. Be sure to include your full name and age when submitting your artwork. Submit your completed artwork to trevor.jones@pc.ola.org or drop off in our mailbox at our local office: 111 Heritrage Drive, Unit #100. 519.351.0510. All entries must be received by Monday, December 11, 2024. 3 winners will be selected, who will each receive a special prize basket! Winners will be notified via phone call or email on December 13, 2024. Christmas
Contest Entry Form
Child’s Name:
Child’s Age: _________
Parent’s Contact Phone:
Parent’s Email:
Trevor Jones