The Chatham Voice, Feb. 4, 2016

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Putting the ‘fun’ in fundraising

By Mary Beth Corcoran mary@chathamvoice.com

Once Upon a Snowball fundraiser at the Links of Kent on Saturday featured lots of princess gowns, glitter and tiaras, as a fun way to raise money for a new playground at St. Ursula’s School in Chatham.

Thanks to generous donations of services from local businesses and volunteer hours from staff and their families, the second annual event was a roaring success.

According to St. Ursula principal Kelly Van Boxtel, Grade 3 teacher Tricia Vandenenden dreamed up the event as a fun way to raise money and bring a bit of Disney magic to kids locally.

Guests were treated to a sit-down lunch fit for a princess; several stations to make cookies, get hair, makeup and nails done; a photo booth; and photos with characters, including Chatham-Kent’s Brooklyn Roebuck.

Prettie As a Princess Birthday Parties, Crock a Doodle, and Mammarazzi Photography photo booth helped keep the crowd entertained as well.

“It’s a chance for kids to enjoy a special day with parents or grandparents, dress up and have fun,” Vandenenden said. “It brings a little of that magic from Florida and California here.”

Last year, the event raised $2,000, and with greater ticket sales this year and

Mary Beth Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Chatham’s Brooklyn Roebuck, centre, takes a moment with student volunteer Paige Lachine, 11, and princess for a day Sophia Murphy, a Kindergarten student at St. Ursula’s School, at the second annual Once Upon a Snowball fundraiser at Links of Kent on Saturday.

the addition of a VIP ticket, Van Boxtel said she an-

ticipates this year will be even better.

Besides Once Upon a Snowball, the school also

has other fundraisers in the works to raise the esti-

mated $20,000 needed for the new playground.

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PAGE 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

News

Gimme shelter Wal-Mart/Superstore plaza needs a bus shelter, transit users say

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

As a cold winter wind whips across the Smart Centre parking lots, Mark Thomas hopes that someday owners of Chatham’s biggest commercial centre decide to provide their customers who take buses with a taste of consideration.

That someday may be sooner rather than later, according to Adam Sullo, Chatham-Kent’s director of engineering and transportation.

Sullo said the municipality is in the process of negotiating a bus stop at the front of the Great Canadi-

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an Superstore.

“We could have things wrapped up in the next couple of months or so,” he said. “The property owner is much more amenable than in the past.”

Sullo said the stop won’t include a shelter due to legal issues but it will still be an improvement since it will be somewhat protected by the elements and closer to the store.

“A shelter on private property entails legal issues, including snow removal, damage if it’s struck and possible relocation,” he said.

For Thomas, the move, if it happens, is long over-

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due.

“You would think someone would do something,” the south side resident said. “I shop here a lot and this lot can get really cold in winter and really hot in summer.”

The current Chatham-Kent Transit stop leaves passengers just inside the shopping centre parking lot, with the closest stores some several hundred feet away. The Real Canadian Superstore is almost a half kilometer round trip to the current stop.

A handful of carts are usually found at the stop, as shoppers can’t carry their purchases that far.

Active Lifestyle Centre

Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

Mark Thomas waits at the Chatham-Kent Transit bus stop at the North Maple Centre on St. Clair Street. Transit users have to wait in the elements for the buses that run every 30 minutes. Former Chatham-Kent councillor Anne Gilbert said the matter should have been resolved years ago.

“If people don’t have too much to carry they go over there,” Thomas said, motioning to the back of the Bouclair store. “It keeps you out of the wind if it’s coming from that direction.”

Former C-K councillor Anne Gilbert pushed for a number of years for some shelter at the location.

Gilbert recently contacted council and administration to push for the problem to be rectified.

“I’m being told there are negotiations going on but we’ve had this problem for years,” she said.

“I don’t believe

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it’s a very high priority at city hall. People have been waiting in the rain for buses there for 20 years.”

“Why have a ‘retention and attraction’ department when (the municipality) does not provide the basic necessities to its citizens particularly those who rely on bus transit,” she said.

She said other areas, such as that near the No Frills store on Queen Street need shelters.

“I have seen seniors and mothers with children standing in the rain or snow waiting for the bus with their groceries.”

Gilbert said for all of its “strategic plans” the municipality falls woefully short of simple services, calling it “embarrassing!”

Sullo, who’s been in his current position for six

months, said there are challenges his department will be undertaking.

“We have a number of issues we’re going to council with, including ways to increase ridership and develop more effective and efficient routes.

“For example, we had considered a second stop at Walmart but it would add more time to the route,” he said. “It’s a balancing issue of serving everyone’s needs but making sure we’re on time.”

As he turned to do some shopping, Thomas noted the numerous cart shelters dotting the parking lots.

“I wonder if they could just move one to the bus stop,” he said. “Nobody parks out this far and they could use part of it for the carts people leave.”

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Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

There are shelters for shopping carts at the Smart Centre on St. Clair Street, but nothing for local transit users

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Is C-K budget process flawed?

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Kent) Coun. Bryon Fluker who said we should fund the arena out of reserves, remove it from the base budget and give residents a year to see what can be done to make it viable. It was voted down. We had a plan that would have forced us to work toward a solution, but we wouldn’t take the step.”

Robertson said the Bradley Centre loses hundreds of thousands annually, but council pores over every dollar instead of dealing with the real issue of whether it should be municipally owned at all.

“We own over 150 buildings, probably more than any other municipality of comparable size. Our assets are becoming our liabilities.”

He said council needs to take to heart (Chatham) Coun. Brock McGregor’s opinion that, “It isn’t the building that makes the activities, it’s the activities that make the building.”

Robertson said he fears council will use reserves to put off decisions that need to be made now.

“The issues that face us economically and socially aren’t going away,” he said. “If we don’t face them, we’re just shirking our responsibilities.”

Robertson isn’t alone in his estimation of the process.

Former South Kent Coun. Art Stirling, who spent four years as budget chair, said he faced many of the same challenges.

“You could see it last year when they raided reserves to come in with a zero budget,” he said.

“I’d bet dollars to doughnuts the same thing happens this year.”

Heading into the second week of municipal budget sessions, budget chairman Derek Roberson said the process really hadn’t begun.

“We haven’t even started yet, and it’s no fault of anyone but council,” he said. “I sat through the pain of developing a budget direction with administration and we’ve asked them to do something we have no intention of following.”

On Jan. 12, administration presented a 1.96 per cent base budget tax increase, as well as increases for infrastructure, bringing the total to 3.29 per cent. An estimated $900,000 in service cuts were recommended to get to a two per cent increase.

After the first three days, the budget increase swelled to 3.44 per cent. No details of this week’s efforts were available by press time.

Robertson said the budget process “highlights more than ever before” that council at 17 members, is “way too large.”

“This is in no way an efficient form of governance,” he said. “It’s not even like herding cats – it’s like trying to walk a dolphin.”

Robertson said the council is “afraid to cut anything” that relates to a specific part of the community.

He said the recent examples of East Kent demonstrate that. Robertson was the only council member who voted to close the Bothwell Arena but even he said he didn’t want to see it happen.

“We have to wake up to the idea that these things are possible and if no one in the public believes how serious it is, we won’t get the public input needed.”

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The WISH Centre in Chatham hosted Chatham Cubs, Scouts and racing Saturday. The Kub Kars took to the track in the morning, with awards for speed, design and originality. The Scout Trucks, Rails and Dragsters lined up in the afternoon.

Pictured, the Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and parents look on as Richard Greene and his racing team prepared the track for timed trials. The participants raced for awards for top speed, design, originality and finish. The events were at no cost thanks to Charron Transport.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

News

Cyber Pack kids take on the world

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Wally the robot is losing his mind, but it’s for a good cause.

The symbol of the Chatham-Kent Cyber Pack’s trip to the F.I.R.S.T. (Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) world championship last year, Wally’s brain will be part of this year’s effort to earn a world title in robotics.

This year’s Cyber Pack is 43-members strong with secondary school students from across Chatham-Kent joining forces to develop a robot capable of competing in games against teams from around the world.

Lead mentor Matt Daudlin said the group has a Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice formidable task in its secMembers of the Chatham-Kent Cyber Pack are busy preparing this year’s entry in the I.R.S.T. ond year. “Last year we (Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition. won the FRC Rookie AllStar Award at the Wind- grown to embrace near- of three teams each whose them a challenge like sor-Essex Great Lakes ly 3,000 teams and 75,000 purpose is to overcome they’ve never had before Regional competition and students from 19 coun- the opposing team’s de- and molds them into both fences, surround and scale a team and a competitor. it earned us a trip to the tries.

Daudlin said last year’s its tower and score.

The robots are almost inworld championship in championships “It really is the super cidental.”

St. Louis. We have some world The Cyber Pack team has of the team members back were even more than he bowl for nerds,” he said.

Even though robots are only six weeks to design but we have a lot of chal- anticipated. “The event was held at the St. Lou- the centerpiece of the and build the robot within lenges ahead of us.”

F.I.R.S.T. was founded in is arena (Edwards Jones event, they aren’t what specific size and cost lim1989 by inventor and en- Dome) and there were FIRST is about, Daudlin its.

Scott St. Amaud, one of trepreneur Dean Kamen, 6,800 competitors,” he said.

“It’s not about the robot,” nine adult mentors, said as a way to introduce more said. “The atmosphere he said. “This is an experi- the team received game teens, particularly woman was amazing.”

This year’s game is ence that takes some of the details Jan. 9 and has unand minorities, to science Stronghold, a game best and brightest young til Feb. 23 at midnight to and technology careers.

The movement has played by two alliances people we have, gives complete the robot.

“Midnight means midnight,” he said. “Last year we completed the robot two hours ahead of deadline. At the deadline, adults tag and bag the robot.”

While one team of students is engaged in the design and building of the robot, another group is marketing Cyber Pack and fundraising to build it.

“Students need to learn that things cost money in the real world,” Daudlin said. “Last year’s group raised $35,000 and managed to keep $5,000 for this year’s entry fee.”

While the group has some corporate backing from Union Gas and St. Clair College, students will be canvassing the community, said mentor Roger Faubert.

“They have to learn how to get past the gatekeepers, how to tell their story to people who are potential donors and to do that they have to be persistent.”

James Thompson, last year’s fundraising leader, is now in college and can’t compete, however, he is lending his expertise.

“I had no experience in what I was doing,” he told this year’s team at a meeting last week. “I just kept on working, I celebrated each success and gave it as much effort as I could.

There were times I was discouraged but I didn’t

quit. You can do this too.”

Returning team member Aaron Van Den Enden of the Pines, said he enjoys the challenges set forth by the F.I.R.S.T. program.

“I enjoy being able to take ideas and then design and build based on what you think you know,” he said.

“It’s rare that something works exactly the way you thought so you have to be adaptable.”

Daudlin said one of the toughest parts of the effort is “watching the kids fail. You can’t do it for them. They have to learn and when you see them fall and get up, it’s a great feeling.”

He said seeing the effort and enthusiasm put forth by students keeps him motivated.

“I drank the Kool-Aid,” he said. “I’ve seen how kids grow in confidence through overcoming the adversity. They say this is the hardest fun you’ll ever have and I believe it.”

He said the movement has grown in prestige to the point where major international firms and universities are taking note.

“Firms are tracking these kids and wanting to hire them because of the ability they’ve shown,” he said.

“Universities are giving extra credit to students applying for admission if they’ve done the F.I.R.S.T. program.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

PAGE 5

News

’Burg water issue returns Feb. 18

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Wallaceburg residents will learn Feb. 18 what options remain on the table for the supply of water for the North Kent community.

That day the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission will reveal preferred options developed from a report of a sub-committee tabled at yesterday’s PUC committee.

Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley, one of the eight members on the committee, said the PUC accepted the report and agreed to release the findings to the public on the same day as it reviews them.

“There will be a regular PUC meeting (in Chatham) followed by a public input meeting in Wallaceburg later that day,” he said. “We’ll know the preferred solution that day.”

The sub-committee came about after a public meeting last year in Wallaceburg raised questions about the methodology and conclusions reached

by Stantec Consulting.

The Stantec report recommended decommissioning the W.P. Moynihan Water Treatment Plant in Wallaceburg and building a pipeline extension to link the former town with Lake Erie water.

Opponents questioned the quality of Lake Erie water compared to that from the Wallaceburg system that has its intake on the Snye River, a direct outflow from Lake Huron.

A group, Say No to Lake Erie Water, collected names on petitions and formed a Facebook group opposing the pipeline option.

Opponents questioned the financial implications of the pipeline extension that they said would cost more than the upgrading.

The committee included Wesley and fellow Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, Wallaceburg area resident and environmental consultant Kris Lee, and Wallaceburg Business Improvement Association representative Mike McCarron, as

well as two PUC employees and two employees of Stantec, the consulting firm which developed the options.

“I thought the sub-committee worked very well,” Wesley said. “Everyone on the committee was fair and open minded.”

McGregor, who played a key role in developing the matrix by which the options were rated, said the issue was examined in a “fair an comprehensive manner.

“We looked at the four areas of environmental, financial, technical and social impact and then went into detail in each area,” she said.

Although she wouldn’t comment in depth on the ratings, for various op-

Contributed image

Residents of Wallaceburg will hear on Feb. 18 what options remain possible for where they get their drinking water in the future.

tions, she said any reasonable ideas are still on the table.

“Stantec will be taking the report and coming back to the PUC so it’s premature to draw conclusions on the sub-committee report alone,” she said.

The Feb. 18 meeting will be followed by a March 2 public meeting in Wallaceburg, at which time the decision will be finalized.

Wesley said he believes the concerns of Wallaceburg residents are receiving fair consideration.

“The addition of another

public input meeting in Wallaceburg speaks volumes about the way the PUC is now approaching the issue,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with (PUC General Manager) Tim Sunderland and his understanding of the matter.”

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PAGE 6

It’s the little things Sometimes in the rush to be the biggest, best, shiniest and most important, we get lost in the fact that the details make the difference.

For years, many Chatham residents have driven past a group of people standing in the snow, rain, howling winds or unbearable heat and not given them a second thought.

The people we’re speaking of stand in a desolate parking lot at our biggest shopping centre, waiting at a bus stop that doesn’t even officially exist.

For whatever reason, from financial to medical to philosophical, they choose to take public transit.

When we started making phone calls last week about the decades-old problem, it became obvious that we weren’t the only ones with blinders on.

The owners of the property, as one bus rider pointed out, seemed to care more about their shopping carts than their customers.

Municipal staff, who now seem to be very much on board, probably weren’t back then.

Putting in a bus stop or a bus shelter isn’t that complicated if you have the will or direction. It should not take years.

You can bet if it were an issue that would have attracted foreign investors, it would have been done a lot sooner.

It’s not to say that any of these people are evil or cruel.

They just need to look at things differently.

We want to have a model community. Our leaders travel far and wide, gaining accolades and such.

We must be doing a good job, since the consultants we hire to tell us so certainly seem to believe in us.

There’s a point where ambition and reality meet, however, and we need to visit that spot more often.

We were told once by a visionary newspaper owner (back when those types of people really existed) that well done is much better than well said.

It’s true, and we’re not immune to that, either.

We drove by those same people for years without realizing what we saw.

A bus stop (a bus shelter would be better) is not the community’s greatest need.

But for those people impacted, it seems as if, for a brief moment, that they are as important to Chatham-Kent as those in suits.

It’s good to finally get it right.

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.

You can also send letters by fax, 519-397-1177, or drop them off or mail them to us at The Chatham Voice, 84 Dover St., Unit 2, Chatham, Ont, N7L 1T1.

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

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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.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Opinion

No comparing our two colleges Sir: Regarding the editorial that appeared in The Chatham Voice Jan. 14 entitled, “What have we learned?”

It seems that what we haven’t learned is the difference between the University of Guelph – Ridgetown and St. Clair College. In particular, the comment, “The landscape of Chatham-Kent is littered with the wreckage of college programs that didn’t quite pan out.”

You point out the James A. Burgess Skills Centre (Wallaceburg), the

St. Clair College Golf School, the St. Clair College Bakery and downtown campus, and of course the St. Clair College Capital Theatre.

I know the University of Guelph’s place in the greater Chatham-Kent is viewed as that “Cow College,” even by some councillors of the great C-K. It, however, is an institute of higher learning in an area that is dominated by agriculture.

I don’t see any of the

“wreckage” pointed out in this editorial having anything to do with the University of Guelph. What is wrong in many minds is that it is not in the neighbourhood of Chatham.

When the university was expanding a few years ago, needing more residence space, it ended up doing it themselves, even though a company from Chatham had a vision of a better space, albeit not finished on time and lacking many things that

student residences need, like parking.

The University of Guelph appears to know how to run their business, much better than St. Clair and our councillors do.

Based on the opinion expressed in this editorial, the Chatham-Kent council and Mayor should turn their backs on anything coming from St. Clair College and not tar the University of Guelph with that brush.

Jerry Hind Chatham-Kent

Another newspaper casualty Sir: I heard recently that a long-time community newspaper, The Guelph Mercury closed after many years of service, throwing dozens of employees out of work. This seems to be a trend that seems to have no end.

The loss of newspapers

that are not online seems to be happening more and more as people switch from the paper version to the Internet services that one can find with the simple click of a mouse and the use of servers on the

World Wide Web of computer sights.

I think this is a shame to see these newspapers disappear, though I suppose environmentalists and the so called tree huggers probably welcome the saving of trees

from the newspaper press rooms!

Newspaper companies can probably operate with fewer paid staff to run the on line services, but there are other casualties not often considered.

Continued on page 7

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

PAGE 7

Opinion

Are municipal public budget sessions worth it?

Sir: With the exception of Chatham, Wallaceburg and Tilbury saw municipal staff outnumber resident attendees by almost two to one.

Chatham had approximately 126 people, standing room only. My head count revealed 102 residents and 24 staff, which included a few councillors. It appeared the majority of residents in attendance were in support of keeping the Bothwell arena open.

I feel the timing, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – when people are still working, going home from work, preparing for supper, etc. – contributes to low taxpayer turnout each year.

In their own right, I believe staff did a professional job in displaying the budget, however, such is generally only understood by them and accounting professionals.

Explaining a $287-million corporation’s budget and operations and having it understood, takes more than a few minutes at an open public session using the hypnotic induction method of swirls, whirls and mesmerizing hues of the colour spectrum.

Municipalities are required to have public budget reviews.

CK has the capability (with their JD Edwards account system, still not implemented) that

would breakdown costs using direct figures, rather than mind-boggling geometry and fancy landscapes of financial scenery, where the former would clearly show exactly how, why and how much related departments, divisions and C-K overall is costing us. This way taxpayers can see almost where, why and how each dollar is being spent.

Responsible application of the Edwards system would allow every resident a true and accurate financial understanding to then be able give informed input that would accelerate our community into prosperity rather

than its current liability – probably meaning no tax hikes from best prioritized spending and proper capital investments, from knowledge based resident input.

Collectively, it’s the taxpayers that know what a municipality requires.

Road-blocking information from residents by using such budget presentations, foreign to most, whether intentional or not, destroys an economy.

Municipalities are “stakeholder owned” non-profit corporations.

Taxpayers are actually the board of directors.

Imagine not having all

Local news, local newspaper Continued from page 6

People who do not have computers, let alone be computer literate suffer from the loss of newspapers. From the advertisers to the newspaper carriers that deliver the newspapers, there is a ripple effect on all who have involvement in the production and delivery of newspapers.

For myself, I find that getting a newspaper is a welcome reading device that does not force one to strain one’s eyes and

stare constantly into a screen that may lead to vision problems for many who depend on the Internet for their work, their news, and even social gossip.

One can also clip out articles one wants to use for future use, anything, from recopies, weddings, birthdays to obituaries.

Other items such as community events will not be as easily provided. These activities and events in personal lives of people may not be as

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easily provided via the computer.

We have been fortunate in Chatham-Kent, to have community newspapers that still report the local news, and not just the regional or international news that is covered mainly in big city newspapers or online news services.

Maybe some may think I’m old fashioned for my love of the old-style newspapers. I suppose some day the newspaper as it has long been

known may go the way of the rotary-dial phone or news written on tablets of stone!

Until that day happens, though, I would hope that many people will continue to support our local newspapers so that they will still be here in some format, for generations to come, for those who prefer getting their information in this manner.

Frank Doyle Chatham

information – clearly, comprehensively and accurately given – for you to make informed decisions so your company stock doesn’t keep falling.

The municipality has unwisely invested and created financial liabilities of about $60 million over a limited time in capital projects only to now suggest we close an arena.

Each of our rural areas

has to maintain growth ingredients: things like arenas, hospitals, recreational and the base perks that assist and sustain community growth.

Notwithstanding, arenas are being used less, they still represent an integral ingredient for community growth.

John Cryderman Chatham

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 8

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

News

Gray and Sons artifact on auction

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

A piece of history from

Chatham’s automotive heritage will be going on the auction block this weekend.

The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Chatham-Kent Board of Directors Volunteer Opportunities VON in Chatham-Kent is seeking applications to join our local Board of Directors. Directors provide strategic leadership to the organization by committing to excellence in advocacy and supporting the organization to achieve its important vision and mission.

This is an opportunity to really make a difference, and we particularly welcome individuals with fundraising, accounting, legal and planned giving expertise.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and recent resume to the attention of the “Committee on Nominations” care of Margaret.moore@von.ca or for more information contact the office at 519-352-4462.

VON Chatham-Kent is a United Way funded agency

Did you know that one Canadian dies every seven minutes from heart disease or stroke? February is Heart Month, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be taking this opportunity to encourage you to take care of your heart. How? By following these tips:

John Benedict of Maple City Auction Services said he’s received instructions to sell a scale manufactured by William Gray and Sons just before the company switched to car manufacturing.

The famed Gray-Dort Motors plant located at the corner of William and Wellington streets, produced some 26,000 vehicles 1915 to 1925. They are highly prized collectibles.

The Chatham-Kent Museum has in its collection a 1919 Gray Dort Model 11 Touring, one of less than 100 cars still in existence from the factory.

“We received the scale from a local collector who’s making a bit of room at his place,” Benedict said.

Even though the piece hasn’t been prepped in any way for sale, Benedict said he believes it will attract interest.

“The scale looks like it came off the shop floor yesterday,” he said.

Although Gray and Sons had it’s headquarters in Chatham, it had branch operations in Manitoba

EAT HEALTHY Dill, paprika, ginger — use herbs or garlic and red peppers to add more flavour to your meals, thus reducing your need for salt. You should also reduce the amount of fat you eat, especially saturated and trans fats, and make sure your menu contains fibre and lots of fruits and vegetables (4 to 10 servings per day).

EXERCISE Physical activity is good for your heart. Do you exercise enough? The Foundation recommends that adults do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) to high-intensity (aerobics, running, hockey) physical activity every week, for at least 10 minutes at a time. Combining exercise and a

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Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

John Benedict of Maple City Auction Services stands next to a scale made by the William Gray plant shortly before it switched to automobile manufacturing in 1915. .

and Moose Jaw, Sask.

The Chatham-Kent museum has a detailed his-

tory of the company on its webpage.

The auction will go live

Sunday. For more information go to maplecityauctionservices.ca.

healthy diet also means you’ll be better able to control your weight; being overweight is a major risk factor for heart disease.

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE Consuming a lot of alcohol may contribute to increased blood pressure and result in the development of heart disease. So women, limit your intake to two glasses a day, and men, three glasses.

Lastly, avoid stressful situations as much as possible or develop good stress relie ving techniques. You should also stop smoking, if applicable.

To learn more about the best ways to take care of your heart, visit www. heartandstroke.com.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Gold medal effort for Wright

PAGE 9

Sports

Local female karate competitor defeats a man to win Karate Canada championship gold

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Patricia Wright was on top of the world, literally and figuratively Monday, flying home from Vancouver as a Canadian champion in her division at the Karate Canada championships.

“I did stuff I’ve never done before, even when I was more able bodied,” she said, speaking from a jet with more than 80 other athletes aboard. “I beat a guy – I’ve never beaten a guy.”

Patricia, 39, has fought a lifelong battle against epilepsy and the effects of a severe car accident six years ago.

She qualified as a member of Team Ontario through the Athletes With a Disability (AWAD) program.

A member of the Zanshin Dojo Karate Club, she had her sights set high, but knew the odds weren’t necessarily in her favour.

“People say when you get to the nationals for the first time, you just feel lucky to

be there. It was my first time and I won. I’m on top of the world.”

Due to her epilepsy, Patricia isn’t cleared for contact so she earned her medal for being the best at executing her Kata, a series of detailed patterns of movements.

Daniel Whittal, the chief instructor at the club, is Patricia’s sensei (karate instructor) and coach.

“Patricia has worked so hard for this. I am very proud as her instructor and her coach to see her succeed at a national level. I hope that her resolve and dedication will inspire more youth in Chatham-Kent to train for competition at provincial and national level, and beyond!”

Patricia said being part of the Ontario team was an incredible experience.

“Having everyone cheering for you was great. We had 80 athletes and we won 40 medals.”

She said she was nervous before the competition. At one point in her career, anx-

Contributed image

Patricia Wright proudly holds the gold medal she won at the Karate Canada championships in British Columbia. The 39-year-old trains at the Zanshin Dojo Karate Club in Chatham.

iety made her abandon plans to become a black belt.

“I got more nervous as it got closer, but when I started, I felt better,” she said. “I saw the marks but it didn’t sink in to me that I won a gold medal until someone told me.”

She said she’s waiting to see if her division will be formally recognized, thus allowing her to compete in the world championships this fall in Austria.

In the meantime, she will keep training and hold on to the medal.

“It’s a bit heavy, but it’s full of memories,” she said.

Local businesses help make Shop With a Cop a success!

On Saturday, December 19, 2015, officers from the Chatham-Kent Police Service and Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police detachment joined forces to make Christmas brighter for 51 deserving youth from across Chatham-Kent.

The youth were treated to a morning of shopping, accompanied by a police officer as their ‘personal shopper.’ Following shopping, the youth were treated to a buffet-style breakfast, after being given a full police escort through Chatham.

Shop With a Cop was a huge success and planning has already begun for next year.

An event like this would not be possible without a tremendous amount of community support. The Chatham-Kent Shop With a Cop Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their generosity in supporting this event:

Thank You!

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 10

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Life

Lenten noon-hour service turns 56 Enjoy non-denominational service, have lunch, and be back to work by 1 pm.

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Continuing on with a tradition that started years before the first Super Bowl, Christ Church Chatham is set to begin the 56th Annual Lenten Noon Hour Interdenominational Services next week.

The weekly sessions will run from Feb. 11 to March 24 this year.

“It started at St. An-

drew’s and came to Christ Church in the 1980s,” Rev. Paul Millward said.

The service is designed to allow busy folks of faith to take part. Each Thursday, the services begin at 12:10 p.m., last for 20 minutes, and are followed by a luncheon.

“The whole premise was to come here for the service and lunch and still be back to work in time for 1 p.m.,” Millward said.

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can, the denomination of Christ Church, you are still very welcome, Millward said, as these are interdenominational services. In fact, guest clergy from a variety of denominations will speak over the seven weeks of the services.

Millward said faith is faith.

“People generally like coming together as people of faith in this community,” he said. “Folks always look forward to coming out.”

Despite the lunch-and work-friendly timeframe, Millward said the majority of people who have attended in recent years are those who are retired.

They number typically between 80 and 100. He’d like to see the numbers rise again, stressing the simplicity of the event each week.

“It’s an opportunity for folks to catch their breath,” he said. “It begins the first Thursday after Ash Wednesday, and ends the last Thursday before Easter.”

Ron Hunter, who along with his wife Mary Jane, co-ordinate the event, said 15-20 volunteers are involved making the lunch that follows the services.

“We make a lot of cof-

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Ron Hunter, left, and Rev. Paul Millward of Christ Church in Chatham will soon host the 56th www.edwa Annual Lenten Noon Hour Interdenominational Services, beginning Feb. 11.

fee,” he said.

In fact, they make a lot of everything.

Last year, they went through 20 loaves of

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bread a week, served a And the cost to attend total of 3,360 desserts, is just awww.edwardjones.com freewill offering. used up 20 jars of pickles, Millward said that monput on 84 pots of Receiving tea and ey, after Are You a costs, is donated poured 560 cups of coffee. to several local charities.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

PAGE 11

Life

Grilling for kids (of all ages) Some folks say it’s Fahrenheit) and put a really hard to get raised cast-iron gridtheir kids to eat good dle on to heat up. food – you know, We applied the the stuff you like glaze to the salmand what’s good for on, plopped the them. three pieces on the Venture out into hot griddle, and I new territory to try a brushed more on the Bruce Corcoran new recipe and you top of the salmon do so at your own risk before relaxing in the of backlash from the kids, right? backyard as the fish cooked. Mary We’re pretty lucky with our was on rice patrol in the kitchen. daughter. She’ll often try someFifteen minutes later, in came the thing new, especially when it’s off fish and off the stove came the rice. the Big Green Egg. And she likes a It was certainly tasty, with an exvariety of veggies too. tra special twist. Normally, I cook It’s pretty sweet when, given salmon either on a cedar plank or the choice between steak, chicken on indirect heat. This time around, and salmon that she’ll choose the with the heat straight on the healthiest choice, salmon. griddle, the bottom of each piece The unfortunate part is that salmof salmon had a slight crust on it. on is not cheap. Unless you find Eating that, with the glaze, was the deals. In the past, we’ve scored like eating candy. some decent deals when they come Of all our plates, I think I found up at various local grocery stores. one grain of rice that was uneaten.

We’ve also ordered individually Nary a speck of salmon remained. packaged frozen salmon from sevThe meal was that good. eral friends as their kids’ hockey We’ve got one more three-pack teams held fundraisers, or from of that salmon. I can’t wait to cook schools as well. it again. I’ll have to keep my eyes But last week’s salmon came from peeled for when Food 4 Less gets Food 4 Less on St. Clair Street. The another shipment. price point was too attractive to Speaking of serving up goodness, resist. our daughter, Brenna, had a couple The portion size in a frozen three- of buddies over Saturday prior to pack was decent. And the taste was them going to the show. I’d pulled awesome. out pork tenderloin and three big My wife had a big hand in that. butterflied pork chops I’d grabbed She found a glaze recipe online from Schinkels’ a while back. On that was a mix of maple syrup, went a generous helping of rub. soya sauce and crushed garlic. Odd Since they were heading to the combo, right? Nope. show, dinner was nothing fancy – It tasted OK on its own as I meat and some fries. dabbed my fingertip in it prior to I did the tenderloin by cooking cooking. But it turned each forkful it over the coals for five minutes a of salmon into heaven. side at 400 F and then on indirect I heated the Big Green Egg to head for about 15 more minutes – 375 F (I know, I’m Canadian and I until the internal temperature was should do Celsius, but the temabout 140F. Continued on page 12 perature gauge on the Egg is in

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Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Writer Dan Simpson, right, and illustrator Carey Templeman teamed up to produce Blueprints, which is geared towards young children.

Children’s author launches new title The Chatham Voice

Local author Dan Simpson and illustrator Carey Templemen have teamed up on a new children’s book titled, Blueprints, and debuted it at the recent C-K Toy Show.

The book is geared to young children, according to Simp-

son, who writes under the pen name Sheldon McNaughton.

“I’m currently taking orders for the book, and it’s written mainly for five year olds,” Simpson said. “Carey is my illustrator and really did a good job with it.”

Besides the Toy Show book

signing event, Simpson will be at The Veranda in downtown Chatham on Feb. 13 from 1-3 p.m. and will be doing a reading at the Chatham-Kent Public Library Chatham branch on Feb. 20 from 2-3:30 p.m. Copies of the book can be ordered at these events.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 12

News

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Thursday, February 4, 2016 • Open euchre and bingo at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham.

Open euchre at 1:00pm. Bingo doors open at 6:00pm and starts at 7:00pm.

Friday, February 5 2016 • Randy Grey will perform in the West Lounge at Meadow Park Nursing Home, 110 Sandy St., Chatham.

• Meals and fun darts at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham.

Dinner from 5:30pm-7:00pm with choice of meat loaf, roast beef or fish & chips for $9.00. One meat draw. Open darts at 7:30pm.

Saturday, February 6, 2016 • 23rd Annual Curl for Cancer at the Chatham Granite Club, 41 William St. N. Curlers and first timers welcome. Enter as an individual or a team. $20 registration per person. Minimum $100 pledges. Includes hot lunch and two 6-end games. To register call the Canadian Cancer Society at 519-352-3960.

• Saturdays at 7 at St. Andrew’s presents Frances and Friends. St. Andrew’s United Church. Contemporary music, spirituals and operatic selections. Free will offering ($10 per adult suggested). Doors open at 6:30pm. For more info 519-352-0010.

• Meat draws and dance at The Chatham Legion,William & Colborne St., Chatham.

Meat draw from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Dance from 4:30pm to 9:30pm featuring Odessy.

Sunday, February 7, 2016 • Zion Christian Church 13th Soup-R-Bowl Party. Come and enjoy the game in a Christian Atmosphere. 6;00pm. 18ft Large screen projection, bring your own pop and munchies, chili/soup provided, door prizes at half time! 820 Park Ave. West, Chatham.

519-351-2078.

Monday, February 8, 2016 • Senior Euchre at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham at 1:00pm.

• The Blenheim-Harwich Horticultural Society is having their meeting “Weed them and reap”, at 7:30pm at Trinity Anglican Church, 59 Ellen St., basement meeting room.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 • First Presbyterian Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5:00pm-7:00pm.

Adults $9.00, family $18.00, kids under 12 free. 60 5th St., Chatham.

• Shuffleboard, open euchre and 2 person team euchre at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. Shuffleboard starts at 7:00pm and open euchre at 1:00pm and 2 person team euchre registration at 6:30pm, starts at 7:00pm.

• Pancake & Sausage Supper at Holy Trinity Church, Selkirk & Victoria. 5:00pm-7:00pm. $6 adults, children 12 & under $4. Family max $20. Tickets at the door or call church office 519-354-1072.

• Chatham Field Lacrosse registration from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Thames Campus Arena lobby. chathamfieldlacrosse.com • Merlin Legion Shrove Tuesday Pancake and sausage dinner from 5:00pm-7:00pm. $10.

• Calvary Church, 34 Victoria Ave., invites you to our pancake supper with eggs, sausages and dessert. Doors open at 5:00pm.

Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4.00 for ages 4-10, free for children 3 and under. Family max of $20.

Handicap accessible.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016 • Mike and Melody will be singing in the West Lounge at Meadow Park Nursing Home, 110 Sandy St., Chatham.

• Chatham-Kent Lupus Support Group meeting. Lupus and Eye Health, Dry Eyes, Protein Build Up in the eyes by Dr. Anjema of the Eye Institute. 7:00pm-9:00pm at Residence on the Thames, 250 Grand Ave. West., Chatham.

• Pepper and fun darts at The Chatham Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham.

Pepper at 1:00pm and open darts starting at 7:30pm.

CK Metal Detecting Club Meetings - Last Thursday of the Month, 7:00pm in the Kinsman Room, Erikson Arena, 341 Delaware Ave., Chatham. Guests Welcome.

Toastmasters is a place where you develop and grow - both personally and professionally. Meetings are a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Guests are always welcome. Join the Chatham-Kent Toastmasters at Green Field Ethanol, 275 Bloomfield Road on Mondays from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.

Free tea, coffee & fellowship.

Sundays from 2:30pm-4:00pm.

146 Lacroix St., Chatham.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Citizen cop camp returns in March The Chatham Voice

The Chatham-Kent Police Service is once again offering the Citizens Police Academy, beginning March 2.

The Citizens Police Academy is being offered by CKPS to enhance the partnership between the citizens of our community and the police through an interactive educational opportunity.

The academy consists of 12 classes, held every Wednesday from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Seniors are encouraged to attend. Classes will involve presentations and demonstrations from the Chief of Police, Drugs and Street Crime, Major Crime Investigation, Identification & Forensics, Crime Prevention, the Critical Incident Response Team,

and several other units in the Chatham-Kent Police Service.

The subjects taught are intended to make participants familiar with police operations. The course is not intended to train people to become police officers.

Participants must be of good, moral character; be subject of a background investigation; and be 19 years of age or older.

Interested members of the public are asked to complete a Citizen’s Police Academy application form, and provide a copy of photo identification. Forms can be obtained at each municipal Service Centre, or at police headquarters. Applications will be accepted up to Feb. 19.

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Put pork on your fork Continued from page 11

On went the chops at the same temperature, while I sliced up the tenderloin. I can only wonder what it tasted like as the three girls inhaled it.

Diana, who lives just down the street, simply said, “This is really

good, Bruce!” She also had about a quarter of a pork chop to finish off her meal before the young ladies headed to the movies.

And to think I used to not be much of a pork fan. Now I’m hooked on pork loin and tenderloin.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

PAGE 13

The Arts

Volunteers tuning up for Kiwanis music fest those who handle registration are busier later in the year, up to the December deadline.”

This year’s Festival has 750 registrations, a slight increase from last year.

Since musicians can enter in more than one category, there are actually 600 individuals participating.

Scott said the number of volunteers swells by more than 60 during the event that is held at three locations, Holy Trinity Anglican church, St. Andrews United Church and Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre.

The Grand Concert is held April 26 at 7p.m. at the Kiwanis Theatre where a hand picked representation of festival talent performs, and some 75 trophies and $8,000 in awards are presented.

Scott said although the event has a “good core of long-term” committee members, new individuals are always welcome.

“We have a few openings here and there but

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Even though it’s only early-February, volunteers are already busy preparing for the 71st annual Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival April 4-15.

In fact, some members of the committee have been working on the iconic event since May of last year.

Chairman Chuck Scott, who jokingly says he’s been a volunteer “since I can’t remember when”, said organization is a big part of the two-week long event’s success.

The festival has more than 20 committee volunteers who perform different tasks throughout the year.

“The main committee meets three times per year but the sub committees have different functions at different times,” he said.

“For example, the people who plan and update the syllabus are busy in July and August and

we’re structured so that we can ease new people in without throwing a lot of responsibility on their shoulders right away,” he said.

He said one of the highlights of being involved with the festival is to watch the growth of youngsters who begin competing in elementary school age and continue until they’ve completed secondary school.

“When you see them pursue their musical talent and watch them grow in confidence, it really gives you a warm feeling,” he said.

“Many of our entrants are not only strong musically but they’re fine young people as well.”

Although the majority of entries come from Chatham-Kent, others come from communities including Amherstburg, Belle River, Windsor, Woodslee and elsewhere.

Adjudicators for the hundreds of categories come from across Ontario and are provincially

accredited.

“We have adjudicators from as far away as Kingston,” he said. “This is a prestigious event and we attract some of the finest in the field.”

Scott said the goal of adjudicators is not just to mark performances but also to suggest ways for the performer to hone their craft.

“A good adjudicator can be of tremendous help to a student,” he said.

Admission to the Festival is through buying a syllabus listing all events for $10, purchasing a pass for the full event for $5 or paying $2 to attend one performance.

“We have people who like to come in daily and we have people who come in once to see a child or grandchild perform,” he said. “Children are always free.”

Scott said scores of festival participants have gone on to successful careers in music.

“Our goal is to help these young people de-

Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

Chuck Scott is this year’s Chairman of the 71st annual Kiwanis Music Festival to be held April 4-15 at three locations throughout Chatham. More than 600 young people will be performing at the event.

velop their gift. The fact that they can make a career from it is a bonus.”

To get information on volunteering for the fes-

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Organize enough activities to entertain the crowd for a few hours: games, treasure hunt, decorating cupcakes, dancing, and arts and crafts are all good ideas. Choose a theme and invite the children to dress-up for the occasion. Short on ideas? Hire a company that organizes children’s parties or rent a video game console or inflatable games. You could also hire an entertaining clown or magician.

If at home it’s too small, take the gang out to a fun place, such as an amusement park, bowling alley, outdoor activity centre, go-karting track, movie theatre, sports complex, or an arts and crafts or cooking workshop. Many places offer package deals for children’s parties or rent out special rooms for birthday activities.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

PAGE 15

HOW TO PLACE YOUR AD

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Remembering Sandra Price Remembering you is easy, we do it everyday.

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WE’RE ALL EARS Questions?

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Your opinion is something we always want to hear. Call or contact us online.

84 Dover St. Chatham, ON 519-397-2020 www.chathamvoice.com

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

REPORT

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John Cacciavillani*** 519-436-7430

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