Essex Free Press - April 6, 2023

A

PAGE

PAGE 23

Spring

PAGES 24 - 28

by Garrett Fodor

With spring in the air, volunteers with the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum celebrated the warmer weather by inviting area residents to enjoy its annual pussy willow sale, which was coupled with an Easter Bazaar, over the weekend.

With this past weekend featuring snow, rain, and sunshine – everything that could have been asked for when thinking of the possible weather for springtime – volunteers with the Maidstone Bicentennial

Museum hosted its annual sale ahead of gardening season. They also welcomed the Easter Bunny, and hosted an array of festive activities for youths to enjoy, including an Easter egg hunt, to add to their Easter Bazaar event.

“It is nice that we are able to be back in a full capacity again and begin to host events like this again,” Victoria Beaulieu, Curator of the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, said. “We have not been able to have our annual pussy willow sale in

a few years, so we are extremely happy to be back. We decided to also expand upon it by hosting the Easter bunny throughout the weekend and having other related activities for children and families.”

Beaulieu said it was nice to see families visit the local museum, who were able to tour the facilities and learn a little bit about local history, too.

“To have the event span twodays, I think, was really great and offered families a lot of chances to participate,” Beaulieu

commented. “Everybody was ready for spring, especially after the weather we saw early in the day Saturday, so it was nice to see people out enjoying our event.”

In anticipation of the egg hunt, organizers spread out over 300 eggs across the museum grounds for the eager young attendees to find and enjoy. For the more mature crowd, attendees were able to buy baked goods and unique

Right on track: Railway Day & Model Train Expo attracts big crowd

by Sylene Argent

The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) shifted gears from its typical mission of preserving and promoting local automotive history, to celebrating all things locomotive on Sunday, as the Railway Day & Model Train Expo was held.

Members of the Windsor Model Railroad Club teamed up with the Essex County Model Train Club to put on the event at the local Museum. The event kicked-off for the members of the

two model railroad clubs on Saturday evening, as they shared a dinner at the Museum, then welcomed anyone with a passion or interest in model trains to enjoy the sights, sounds, and intricate details of their displays on Sunday.

Ken Hutnik, member of the Windsor Model Railroad Club and organizer of the Model Train Expo, said Sunday’s event offered 20 vendor tables - each selling unique finds and treasurerand many displays set up around the CTMHV facility. Several different model train clubs from Windsor, Essex County,

St. Thomas, London, Chatham, Strathroy, and Milton put up exhibits to enhance the show.

Hutnik said it was decided to host a social between the local model train clubs for the firsttime last year, which was then followed by a show open to anyone with an interest in seeing model train displays or a passion for the hobby. The event was hosted

Continued on Page 7

Monday, April 3, 2023

INSIDE ESSEX COUNCIL NOTES...

• Councillors Garon and McGuire-Blais provide update on FEO Conference •

• Fun Fest Parade will be different in anticipation of the Essex Centre Streetscape work •

• Letter from E.L.K. encourages Council to connect with Entegrus CEO •

by Sylene Argent Colchester Harbour

Wins Best of Windsor Essex Award

The Town of Essex’s Colchester Harbour won a “Best of Windsor Essex Award for Best Anglers Attraction.” The annual award program, presented by Tourism Windsor Essex, showcases the favourite places to eat, things to do, places to go, stores to shop at, etc., in the Region.

The winners are selected through online voting.

Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, presented the plaque to Mayor Sherry Bondy.

“It is always great when one of our local facilities wins such a prestigious award,” Bondy said, thanking the Town’s staff at the Colchester Harbour for their dedication in “making it a place to be.”

Admin to come back with a report after request to change name of Concession Road 7

Rodney Ferriss, a resident of County Road 20, requested the name of Concession Road 7 in the Town of Essex be changed.

He would also like his County Road 20 address be redirected to Concession Road 7, after it is renamed. His nearly triangular-shaped property is surrounded by County Road 20, Concession Road 7, and the 4th Concession Road.

He said mapping apps, in addition to administration for the County and local municipalities, have no idea where his address is.

He and his wife bought the property from his father-in-law in 2015 to keep it in the family.

He asked Council to

give a name to this lost road on the west side of Harrow, so people will know where his address is.

The land on the westside has been owned by the Hutchins family for around a century. He suggested that for the new name.

CAO Doug Sweet noted the Town does have a road naming policy, but Council can amend it if there is a recommendation.

Fire Chief Rick Arnel said Essex Fire & Rescue ensured fire dispatch was aware of the location of this property by providing photos and maps. That does not mean other emergency services will.

Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, explained in Essex’s road records, it is referred to as the Malden/ Colchester Townline Road.

Council directed Administration to investigate the situation and return with a report with a recommendation on how to address the matter.

Councillors Garon and McGuire-Blais provide update on FEO Conference

Councillors Joe Garon and Katie McGuireBlais provided an update regarding their attendance at the recent Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Conference in Niagara Falls.

They attended with member of the Essex Festival Committee, Rich Tapping.

Garon said it was a good conference to attend.

“It was nice to get in the room with other municipalities and other event promoters, and ask the questions and bounce stuff off of each other,”

Garon said.

The Conference theme this year was “Celebrate,” with the key words being passion, progress, and performance.

“They were celebrating the fact that we were actually able to have festivals and events, after the two-years of the pandemic,” Garon said, adding record crowds were also celebrated. The Essex Fun Fest never had a year like it did in 2022 with its crowd-turnout, despite there being supply chain issues, increases in operations, lack of volunteers, and staffing.

One thing he took away from the conference, in talking with other municipalities as to what is working for them, a lot is being done properly in terms of the Essex Fun Fest.

McGuire-Blais added the Town is doing a lot of really good things, in terms of the Fun Fest and the Santa’s Village. The Town’s help and collaboration with the Festival Committee is strong, and that is not necessarily experienced in other municipalities.

She added things that were spoken about at the conference that she would like to bring to the municipality and its festivals includes inclusivity and diversity, such as inviting First Nations to host educational events at local festivals. What to offer teens is often difficult to know, so she is excited to hear suggestions from the new Essex Youth Council reps for suggestions. Fun Fest Parade will be different in anticipation of the Essex Centre Streetscape work Essex Council approved a temporary

noise exemption to accommodate the Essex Fun Fest, which will take place from July 6-9.

It also approved closing Fairview Avenue West, between 360 Fairview Avenue West (Essex Civic Centre) and Hanlan Street, and Hanlan Street from Fairview Avenue West to Victoria Street in Essex Centre, between 10:00am and 11:00am, for the Essex Fun Fest Parade.

The lineup prior to the event will take place at the Essex Civic Centre.

Councillor Joe Garon, who is Co-Chairperson of the Essex Festival Committee, explained the parade route is altered in anticipation of work on the future Essex Centre Streetscape.

He said this was the only route where the Committee believed it could put on the same kind of parade.

Essex invites Minister to address concerns re: More Homes Built Faster Act

Councillor Rodney Hammond put forward a motion, which Council supported, to invite the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, to an Essex Council meeting to address concerns over the financial impact of the changes in the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

Hammond said the Minister’s letter to Essex Council did not answer the questions Council presented to his office on the matter.

Council also moved Mayor Sherry Bondy’s amendment to send Essex Council’s concerns regarding Bill 23 to the

&Editorial Opinion

Serving Essex and the surrounding communities since 1896. Published Thursdays as an independent weekly newspaper, owned and operated by The Essex Voice Limited.

A London Publishing Corporation Publication

LIMITED OFFICE HOURS:

Our office is closed to the public, currently. We are working in-office, so if you do need to come into the office, simply knock on the door. Safety protocols are in place.

OUR STAFF

Desiree Elachkar - Office Administration

Kristin Gereige - Distribution Manager

Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Production

Lana Warwick - Graphic Design

Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales

Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter

Doug Rowe - Operations Manger

CIRCULATION

The Essex Free Press is a publication with controlled circulation of 11,000. Also, it can be read online at: issuu.com/ essexfreepress

DELIVERY

Delivery concerns can be addressed by contacting our office during regular office hours at 519-776-4268

ARCHIVES

The Essex Free Press has been digitized from 1895 to 1968 and is fully searchable at http://ink.ourontario.ca.

OPINION & COMMENT

The opinions expressed on these pages are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher.

LETTER POLICY

The Essex Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to our readers. Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten and present the issues as clearly as possible in 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, and legal considerations. All letters must contain the name, address, and daytime phone number of the writer for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. If you have a legitimate concern and cannot sign your name to a letter, please contact the editor to discuss alternative means of handling the issue.

ADVERTISING

Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check an ad on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions. The Essex Free Press reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards.

Display Advertising Deadline: Friday at 2:00 pm

COPYRIGHT

The entire contents of The Essex Free Press and its website, including but not limited to layout composition, artwork, news copy, editorial copy and photographs, are protected by copyright. No portion there of is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher.

The Essex Free Press Office: 16 Centre St. Essex, Ontario Mail to: P.O. Box 115 Essex, Ontario N8M 2Y1

Phone: 519.776.4268

email: contact@essexfreepress.com

www.essexfreepress.com

Howling at the Moon

••• Comment by Sylene Argent •••

Finding connections

Sometimes it is hard to put how we feel into words.

Using my words, for me, is the most natural thing to do. I often write things out – in somewhat of a mindless daze – and find this is sometimes a way to break down how I feel about certain things.

We all have our ways of expression; and some of us are better at expressing ourselves than others.

As a child filled with opportunity, I was optimistic for the future. I tried to do everything right; to the best of my ability. I was never one of the top students in class, but I never felt not as smart as anyone else. I have a different way of thinking about, or learning about, things.

That different mode of thinking has made me feel isolated at times. As a kid, I felt it easier to speak with adults, as I enjoyed tuning into their wisdom and had more interest in whatever topics they were talking about than whatever the kids I went to school with were going on about.

As an adult, I can appreciate

OFA viewpoint

everyone thinks differently, but I often feel things I want to talk about are things others likely do not, which is fine, because we all have our thing. It can be pretty hard for me to avoid working topics like aliens, sasquatch, ancient civilizations, and other weird tidbits into a conversation. It may sound silly, but I find it fascinating. Not everyone shares my enthusiasm about those things, nor do I have any clue what anyone is talking about when it comes to topics like pop culture.

Perhaps that is why I always felt more easily connected to my animals, and have always surrounded myself with them.

Last week, my cat, Dexter, passed, and I feel like there is another wound in my emotional matrix. We found him when he was just a little fluff in the front bush and he hasn’t left my side in nearly 14-years.

He has been a source of peace for me, when there is chaos around. All he wanted was all the snuggles, and that made him happy. And that,

in turn, made me happy. He was the sweetest, most caring cat and having to let him go – after three-years of medical challenges that required quite a bit of my attention– was so difficult because I am no longer able to protect him.

And for me, that is hard to adjust to.

Life is rarely fair, but it is there to live. It will present its difficulties and challenges, but we need to remember to focus on those good moments when they are happening.

I think we often forget, in the days of social media, how to live in the moment. We can sometimes be focused on taking pics or filming events to share on our platforms, instead of experiencing things while they happen and connect to those around us on a meaningful level.

Introducing Aspiring Farm Leaders to Advocacy

by Sara Wood, Director-at-Large, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) returned to Queen’s Park recently for its first in-person outreach day since the start of the pandemic. Outreach events are when the OFA board directors and executives spend the day meeting with provincial politicians from all parties and their staff to familiarize them with Ontario agriculture and the issues that matter to farmers and rural communities.

I farm in southwestern Ontario, north of the town of Mitchell, where our family raises broiler chickens and grows corn, wheat, soybeans, and cover crops. This year marked my first in-person outreach event since becoming an OFA director in 2021.

I was impressed by how warmly received we were by elected officials and their staff, as well as their genuine interest in wanting to meet with us and learn about what we do as farmers and food producers.

The day also reiterated for me the importance of connecting with politicians from all parties and particularly about getting to know urban MPPs better. We share common goals and values, and I believe that part of building strong relationships is not just about what we are asking of them, but also trying to get a better understanding of how the agriculture sector can help address their needs

and challenges.

Although I’ve only been a director with OFA since 2021, this wasn’t my first time participating in one of the Queen’s Park events. As a younger, newer director with OFA, one of the things I appreciate about the organization is its focus on director development – helping directors learn more about agriculture outside of their own sector or region, giving opportunities to develop new skills, and offering aspiring farm leaders a chance to experience what the organization does in terms of outreach and advocacy.

To that end, the OFA makes a point of inviting local farm leaders to take part in its provincial advocacy days, and I was one of those invitees in 2019 when I had the opportunity to take part in my first Queen’s Park outreach day. It can be a bit intimidating the first time because you don’t know what to expect, but that experience helped me get a better understanding of what OFA does and how advocacy works – and it prepared me to be much more engaged and confident the next time.

This year, the OFA board members and staff were joined at Queen’s Park by six aspiring farm leaders: Daniel

Continued on Page 5

Essex Council Notes for Monday, April 3, 2023...

official opposition.

Letter from E.L.K. encourages Council to connect with Entegrus CEO Essex Council received a letter from E.L.K. Energy Board of Directors Chairperson and Mayor of Essex, Sherry Bondy, advising Entegrus Inc. will provide contracted management services to E.L.K.

The agreement was effective March 13 and is intended to assist E.L.K. in moving forward with increased levels of customer service and asset management, while

providing the E.L.K. Board with time to complete a strategic review.

It encouraged Essex Council to invite Jim Hogan, CEO of Entegrus, to address Council to provide a formal introduction of Entegrus and an update on the deliverables of the management services agreement.

Essex CAO Doug Sweet said representatives of Entegrus want to meet with Council at the April 17 meeting to introduce their team and speak of their objectives.

Representatives from Hydro One are scheduled to attend a special meeting with Essex Council that evening as well.

Town appoints new Director of Legislative Services Council passed a by-law to appoint a new Director of Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk for the Town of Essex.

Joseph Malandruccolo will begin on Tuesday, April 11.

Essex MP, Windsor-Tecumseh MP disagree on proposed 2023 Federal Budget impact

by Sylene Argent

While Liberal MP for Windsor-Tecumseh

Irek Kusmierczyk is promoting the 2023 Federal Budget – titled

“A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future” – as one

OFA viewpoint

that secures auto jobs and sets the table for more investment, provides a dental care program, and assists with higher grocery costs, Conservative Essex MP Chris Lewis said Conservatives cannot support it.

“This Budget will

add an additional $4600 in taxes for Canadian families. Instead of listening to Canadians, Liberals are continuing with their war on work and increasing taxes, which means workers are punished for working and take home even less of their paycheques. I want to see less taxes and more in Canadian’s pockets,’’ Lewis stated.

Continued from Page 4

Vander Hout from Hamilton-Wentworth, Jordyn Domio from Niagara Region, Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow from Lanark County, Carson Wagner from Oxford County, Derek Brekveld from Thunder Bay, and Charlotte Huitema from Haldimand-Norfolk.

Throughout the day, I was impressed by their knowledge and their passion, and it was great to watch them gain confidence as they participated in both formal and informal meetings. Here are a few of their reflections: Jordyn grew up on a fruit farm in Niagara Region and now works as a grower at a floral greenhouse. She’s a director with the Niagara Federation of Agriculture and has a strong interest in agricultural policy.

“As a younger member of the ag industry, I feel that it is important to share our ideas and perspectives, and what we want to see out of the industry that we will be a part of for many more years to come,” she says.

Daniel is a fourth-generation farmer who is part of his family’s greenhouse cucumber business and a board member of the Hamilton-Wentworth Federation of Agriculture. He’s deeply passionate about agriculture policy along with being part of efforts to strengthen Ontario’s agriculture sector.

“I am thankful that OFA invited young farmers. Not only has it increased my understanding of our government and how voices in agriculture can make themselves heard, but it has also heightened my appreciation for the OFA and the work they are performing,” he says.

The 2023 Federal Budget, www.budget. canada.ca states, “is the government’s plan to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more secure Canadian economy—for everyone.”

In Budget 2023, the government is

introducing new, targeted inflation relief supports for Canadians. It claims this new support has been carefully designed to avoid exacerbating inflation.

Through the new Grocery Rebate, Budget 2023 delivers targeted inflation relief for 11 million low- and modestincome Canadians and families who need it most, with up to an extra $467 for eligible couples with two children; an extra $234 for single Canadians without children; and an extra $225 for seniors, on average.

“Justin Trudeau’s inflationary spending has caused the cost of food and

groceries to skyrocket. One in five Canadians are skipping meals, and people are going to food banks asking for help to end their lives, not because they are sick, but because they can’t afford

to eat. Justin Trudeau’s ‘grocery rebate’ will give $234 for a single adult to cover the rising cost of food that his inflationary deficits helped cause.

Pet Of The Week: Luna

Luna is a young female Husky and is so eager to find her new home! She tends to display some typical Husky traits; like crazy goofiness and vocalization (typical Husky talk!). Because of this, she should not live in an apartment. She is very energetic and would do best in a home without small children. She is very food motivated and can’t wait to learn new things with you!

The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751. To start the adoption process online, please go to: windsorhumane.org/adoptable-animals

Essex MP, Windsor-Tecumseh MP disagree on proposed 2023 Federal Budget impact...

The grocery rebate is less than half of what the average family will pay in Carbon Tax this year,” Lewis stated on the matter.

To strengthen Canada’s universal public health care system, Budget 2023 is set to provide $198.3 billion to reduce backlogs, expand access to family health services, and ensure provinces and territories can provide high quality and timely health care.

This includes $46.2 billion in new funding to provinces and territories through new Canada Health Transfer measures,

as well as tailored bilateral agreements to meet the needs of each province and territory, personal support worker wage support, and a Territorial Health Investment Fund, the Budget document notes.

Budget 2023 also proposes to provide $13 billion, over five-years starting in 2023-24, and $4.4 billion ongoing, to Health Canada to implement the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.

The plan will provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with annual family income of

FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2023 AUCTION PROGRAM

Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction or Possible Purchase

CONTACT: SWITZER’S AUCTION

Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609

Email Us @ sales@switzersauction.com

Visit Us @ www.switzersauction.com

less than $90,000, with no co-pays for those with family incomes under $70,000.

Eventually, this will cover up to nine million uninsured Canadians, Deputy Leader/Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, said when presenting the 2023 Budget in Parliament.

Lewis noted the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows the carbon tax will cost the average family between $402 and $847 in 2023, even after the rebates. He said Trudeau’s carbon tax increased to 14 cents per litre on April 1st, making it more expensive for Canadians to heat their homes and get to work.

The budget document claims Canada’s economy is now 103 percent the size it was before the pandemic, marking the fastest recovery of the last four recessions, and the second strongest recovery in the G7.

“Throughout 2022, our economy demonstrated sustained strength, with Canada posting the fastest growth in the G7 over the past year,” it states.

Lewis stated Canada has the lowest number of housing units per 1,000 residents of any G7 country. The number of housing units per 1,000 Canadians has been falling since 2016, owing to the sharp rise in population growth. An extra 100 thousand dwellings would have been required to keep the ratio of housing units to population stable since 2016—leaving Canada still well below the G7

average.

“Justin Trudeau has no plan to get gatekeepers out of the way and get more houses built. Canada must bring homes people can afford by removing gatekeepers, freeing up land and speeding up building permits, and withholding federal funding from cities that refuse to remove gatekeepers. Justin Trudeau will not do that and will not make housing affordable, and he has not included provision for this in the Budget,” Lewis stated.

The Budget addresses inflation. “As the global economy recovered from the pandemic, inflation emerged as a major global economic challenge. Inflation was already rising when Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine drove up commodity prices, pushing consumer price inflation globally to multi-decade highs. In Canada, consumer price inflation reached a peak of 8.1 percent in June 2022, putting pressure on many household budgets.”

It continues that at 5.2 percent in February, Canadian consumer price inflation has fallen since its June 2022 peak and is below the rates seen in many peer economies.

Later in the document, it adds private sector economists expect Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to continue to ease. Inflation is expected to fall below three- percent in the third quarter of 2023 and to reach about two percent, the Bank of Canada’s target, in the second quarter of 2024, little changed from 2022 Fall Economic Statement projections.

“We are building big things here in Canada, from a Volkswagen battery plant in Ontario to the Galaxy Lithium Mine in Quebec, to the transmountain expansion in Alberta to the Atlantic Loop, to the LNG terminal in Kitimat, BC, our plan means good paying

Continued from Page 5

jobs, good careers, for everyone, everywhere,” Freeland said. “From our biggest cities to our smallest towns, From Toronto, Ontario to Peace River, Alberta.”

Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre (Conservative) commented Freeland laid out a “Bonanza of $43B of new inflation, debt, and taxes that will be on the backs of everyday hardworking Canadians.”

He said Conservatives set three conditions that needed to be met in order to support the 2023 Budget: bring home lower prices by eliminating the

inflationary carbon tax and deficits, powerful paycheques with lower taxes that reward hard work, and homes that young people can afford by removing gatekeepers to speed up building.

“None of these three demands have been met. All they have delivered is more debt, more inflation, and more costs on the backs of the hard working and beleaguered people of this country, and that is why Conservatives are proud to announce we will be voting against this inflationary [budget],” he said in House last week.

Voice Of Inspiration

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

~ William W. Purkey

Local musical comedian starts vlog, releases new funny tune, and begins writing youth songs

by Sylene Argent

Photo submitted

Music and comedy have always been a passion for Essex native, Jon Brett.

When he first tried his hand at writing his own music, he found putting together lyrics of a serious nature just didn’t jive with

his personality, but writing comedic songs sure did. The local musician has been busy as of late. Recently, he started a vlog to document his musical journey, released his 26th music video on April Fools’ Day, and just last month launched his first

children’s song.

In addition to continuing to write his comical songs, Brett – as a father – is also now writing fun and educational music for children. He created a separate channel for this venture, and these songs are performed as “JJB

CTMHV: Railway Day & Model Train Expo attracts big crowd...

again this year, but was held for the first-time at the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village. Saturday’s dinner served around 45 members from the two clubs.

He was thrilled with the turnout and interest in the event, as he estimated around 350 individuals stopped by the CTMHV to enjoy all the event had to offer.

“Many people grew up getting a train set for Christmas, and passed that tradition onto their kids and grandkids,” Hutnik said of the interest in Sunday’s event, adding the Model Train Expo was a great way to create awareness for the

Continued from Page 2

local clubs and possibly attract a new member or two.

With the interest in the Model Train Expo strong, Hutnik is feeling positive about hosting another event next year, and will look at ways to improve upon and expand it.

He thanked all the volunteers who put in the time to ensure the event was able to chug-along, full steam ahead, and to all the attendees who took the time to check out all it had to offer.

For more information about the Windsor club, or to learn how to become a member, log onto windsormodelrailroadclub.com.

That’s Me” and can be found at www.youtube. com/@jjbthatsme

His first tune is called, “It’s a Cow” and teaches young listeners about caring for the barn animal.

The first comedic tune he wrote – titled “Uni the Unicorn” was entered into the CBC’s Searchlight competition in 2018.

He began writing the fun parody three-years prior. It is about a unicorn who shows up in town one day, but turns out not to be too friendly. After arriving with a rainbow, he humorously begins to attack people. A large portion of the video was filmed in downtown Essex Centre.

In 2019, Brett earned a top ten position in CBC Comedy’s Next Up competition with his tune “Kill it with Fire,” which was inspired from peculiar news stories that included individuals using an extreme measure to get rid of spiders.

His newest release is a tune called “Man Cold,” which he said is a parody of how overdramatic men can be when they catch a cold. He said he wrote the song before the pandemic, but shelved it to be sensitive to what went on over the past few years.

On the new track, Brett wrote the lyrics, plays all instruments (with the exception of the drums), and provides vocals.

To check out Brett’s music or his vlog, log onto youtube.com/jonbrett.

Highlights from Tecumseh Council meeting, March 28, 2023

Public Meeting of Council

11th Concession Drain Branch: A public meeting was held to hear comments on the Engineer’s Report prepared Dillon Consulting Ltd., for drainage work on the 11th Concession Drain Branch. The Drainage Report, prepared by Mark Hernandez, P.Eng., of Dillon Consulting Ltd., the appointed drainage engineer, covers construction work for the proposed new branch drain along the west side of County Road 43 (11th Concession Road), immediately south of County Road 42. The purpose of the meeting was to hear public comments from any affected landowners.

Special Meeting of Council

Procurement: Council received a presentation regarding the Town of Tecumseh Procurement Policy.

Customer Service: Council received a presentation regarding the Town of Tecumseh Customer Service Policy, service reports and strategy updates.

Regular Meeting of Council

Windsor-Essex Community Foundation Grant Agreement: The Windsor-Essex Community Foundation (WECF) has approved a grant in the amount of $15,000 to support a commemorative sculpture of Tecumseh, Shawnee warrior chief for whom the Town is named, including signage and a healing garden in Lakewood Park North. An artist was engaged to work with Administration and descendants of Tecumseh to design the sculpture, which is in the final stages of approval. Council approved the sculpture and the report.

Fire & Rescue Services Aerial Platform – Tender Award: With development proceeding throughout the Town, including mid-rise residential buildings, a 95-foot or 100-foot aerial platform to replace the existing 70foot platform was requested in order to provide improved response capabilities.

A Request for Proposals was issued and after review, The Fort Garry Fire Trucks Ltd proposal received the highest evaluation score. Council approved the tender in the amount of $2.5M, to be funded from the Fire Apparatus Lifecycle Reserve.

Zoning By-law Amendment

Condition of Consent B-05-23 1650

Shawnee Road Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Council received the report for a zoning by-law amendment that has been filed in order to change the zoning pertaining to a 0.19 hectare (0.46 acre) parcel of land situated on the east side of Shawnee Road, approximately 80 metres north of its intersection with Westlake Drive (1650 Shawnee Road), from neighbourhood commercial to residential. The change in zoning would facilitate the redevelopment of the subject land for residential uses. Council authorized holding a public meeting for the zoning application, which will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at

5p.m.

Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses Paid in 2022: Council received the report outlining an itemized statement on remuneration and expenses paid to them in the previous year. 2022 Professional Development costs of $23,333 exceeded the budget by $12,533. This is primarily due to costs incurred for new council orientation sessions which were not included in the 2022 Budget. Otherwise, costs were in line with the 2022 budget.

Lesperance Road Storm Pump Station – Emergency Repair: On Sunday, March 5, 2023, a single motor vehicle accident occurred at the corner of Riverside Drive and Lesperance Road with a vehicle striking the Lesperance Road Storm Pump Station located at 12280 Riverside Drive causing significant damage. D.C. McCloskey Engineering Ltd. estimated the cost to repair the damaged Lesperance Road Storm Pump Station to be $260,000 inclusive of a contingency allowance. Administration recommended that this amount be funded through the Storm Lifecycle Reserve Fund, so that repairs can be initiated. Administration will work with the Town’s Insurer to recover these costs from the insurance company of the motorist responsible for the accident and the associated damages. Council received the report and authorized the funding.

Town of Tecumseh Heritage Advisory Committee: Administration reported on a review of the role of the Town’s Heritage Advisory Committee and recommended that the Tecumseh Heritage Advisory Committee be dissolved and that requests for heritage listing or designation be administered through the Town of Tecumseh Development Services Department. The recommendation results from recent legislative and regulatory changes (Bill 23) making the role of navigating through the Ontario Heritage Act more technical. Over the last 23 years, the committee has listed 5 sites and designated 1. Heritage designations will continue to require a period of public notice, and passing of a by-law, which would be presented at a regular Council meeting. Members of the Heritage Advisory Committee were thanked for their contributions. Council received the report and approved the dissolution of the Committee, with heritage matters reassigned to the Department of Development Services going forward.

2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey:

The 2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results were presented to Council by Nanos Research who provided an overview of responses, including initial analysis and trends. 404 residents from the Town of Tecumseh participated in telephone surveys between February 22nd-March 19th, 2022. 95% of residents who participated indicated

Continued on Page 10

You’re Invited to the Libro Essex

Renovation Celebration

Thursday, April 20 • Open House 11 am - 2 pm Libro Credit Union, 147 Talbot St. N. Essex

Libro is excited to announce the Essex branch renovations are now complete and it looks amazing! The location has been transformed with a modern and refreshed new look. Libro continues to focus on providing expert financial coaching and banking services to our Owners.

We are thrilled about this investment in the Windsor-Essex region because we believe in this thriving community and local economy.

Enter to Win!

Coloring Easter eggs is a time-honoured tradition dating back more than 2,500 years. There is evidence that people living in the ancient settlement of Trypillia dyed eggs. Ancient Persians also were believed to paint eggs for Nowruz (Persian New Year).

Christians adopted similar traditions to symbolize aspects of the Easter story. Originally Christians dyed eggs red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross, according to Chase Oaks Church. Good Housekeeping reports early Christian missionaries adapted the dying tradition to include more egg colors to represent different aspects of the Easter story. Yellow represented the resurrection, blue represented love and red remained a symbol of Christ’s blood.

Whether families dye eggs to symbolize the Easter miracle or simply for fun, the following are some colouring tips to enhance

the process.

1. Prevent cracked eggs. Most colored eggs are hard-boiled. To prevent cracking during the boiling process, add a teaspoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Additional anti-cracking measures include rubbing half a lemon on each shell before boiling.

2. Boil eggs and cool completely. It takes roughly 10 minutes to hardboil an egg. Fill a pot with enough water to submerge the eggs, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently lower the eggs into the water with a slotted spoon. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the eggs and cool in a bowl of water or run under cold tap water.

3. Don’t forget the vinegar. Whether you use coloured dye tablets or drops of food colouring from the pantry, use a mix of water and vinegar in the colouring solution. According to Education. com, food coloring is an

acid dye and bonds using hydrogen. This chemical process only works in an acidic environment. Vinegar is added to water to make it more acidic and help the dyes adhere more strongly to the eggs and produce brighter colors.

4. Stick to white eggs. Stores sell both brown and white eggs. The species of chicken determines whether the eggs will be white or brown. When colouring eggs, it might be better to purchase white eggs, as the dyes will show

up more vividly on the white shells.

5. Create distinctive designs. By covering portions of the bare eggs before dipping into colour, people can create unique designs. Things like masking tape, rubber bands, wax (or crayons), and even twine can be used. The dye will only take on the uncovered areas, leaving white behind.

Opinion Juggling life’s challeneges

by Jessica Azar

There is currently a lot I am juggling. This is not a complaint, but simply an observation and reality.

Some people are very good at juggling everyday life; work, family life, friendships, hobbies, entertaining etc., and they always seem to do it with such poise and make it look easy. Then you have people like me.

While juggling a lot, I become mentally exhausted. Then it carries into physical exhaustion, then leads me into bad eating habits, a ‘snappy’ attitude, and bad sleeping patterns. I grab an easy take-out dish, eat junk, and go to sleep way too late. Maybe those people who make it look easy are tired too, but just better at hiding it.

I guess I am lucky enough to be self-aware and I know something has to give soon. I know my strengths, but I also aware of my weaknesses. I realize that when things become overwhelming, it is smart to take a moment and re-group, rest, and create a healthier balance. But when I’m in the thick of the mental exhaustion, it’s hard to get myself out of it and not get stuck there.

Being stuck is probably one of my biggest fears in life. The world is forever changing, everyday, and it is

apart this year. Colouring eggs is a popular Easter tradition, and there are many ways to ensure this beloved activity produces beautiful results.

acrylics to decoupage can be used to cover eggs in vivid colours. Egg decorators also can use coloured yarns, fabric or stickers. Search for creative materials to set Easter eggs 10 I Feature / Opinion / News Essex Free Press I Thursday, April 6, 2023 6

Email Brenda: lazeegranch@hotmail.com For more information visit: lazeegranch.ca Visit us on Facebook! (between 10th and 11th Concession) 9039 Baseline Rd., Windsor 519-735-4541 Saturday April 15th 10:00am-1:00pm Saturday April 29th 10:00am-2:00pm Registration forms and payment must be given to secure your spot. CAMP REGISTRATION DATES Horse Camp is lots of fun! Fun Sports Camp for non horsey people!

important to roll with the changes, or we will get stuck. It’s very easy to become stuck and stay there for a long time. Some people never get unstuck. We will always be faced with hardships and changes, so I believe that it is how we deal and cope with them that define us as individuals.

While juggling a busy work/home life, I find myself being too tired to do the things I enjoy the most. I’d love to get back into painting. I daydream about it and sometimes I try to paint, but it almost starts to feel like work, so I stop. I also want to get my garden going. It keeps me busy, both in mind and body. It takes a lot of strategy and when it works out well, the reward is so great!

While thinking about these wonderful things that I love to do, I almost make myself feel guilty for not doing them, because I am too tired. I can’t be the only one who in their own way like this.

So, I ask myself, “What would I tell a friends who feels this way?” - My advice would be, “Get up and keep moving forward, drink lots of water, and start caring for your body first… The rest will follow.”

Highlights from Tecumseh Council meeting,

March 28, 2023...

that their quality of life as a resident of the Town of Tecumseh was good or very good. Nine in ten respondents would recommend the Town of Tecumseh as a place to live to family and friends. Council will utilize this data to develop strategic priorities for the Town and

remain committed to conducting surveys on a biennial basis. The accompanying report received by Council, acknowledges the Town’s continued commitment to customer service and effective service delivery.

Next Regular Meeting: The

Continued from Page 9

next regular meeting of Council is April 11, 2023. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website: www.tecumseh.ca - for news and the latest information.

Library Board requests report on how Open+, reduced staffed hours in Harrow are working

by Sylene Argent

In 2021, the Essex County Library system announced its OPEN+ pilot project would launch at the McGregor Library, which was aimed to expand its hours of operation to include staffless hours.

OPEN+ allows library

card holders, who have signed up in advance, get access to the library during specific staff-less hours.

Two-years later, the newly appointed members of the Essex County Library Board of Directors want to know how that is going, in addition to wanting information about the reduced hours in Harrow.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, who is a former employee of the Essex County Library system and now sits on the Essex County Library Board, noted at its last meeting, the Essex County Library Board asked for a report to review how the OPEN+ system is working at Essex County Library Branches, such as Harrow and McGregor.

Bondy began the motion with wanting

details as to how the busy Harrow Branch is operating with reduced hours, and a friendly amendment extended the scope of the report.

The staffed hours at the Harrow Library have been cut prior to this Term of Council. She said the Harrow Branch operated with 32 staffed hours, prior to the pandemic, and now offers 15.5 hours of staffed hours.

She said there is desire amongst those on the Essex County Library Board to see how many residents are using the available staff-less hours. Bondy also wants to find out why the staffed hours in Harrow have been reduced. She said it is a

small branch, but is wellused.

“We want to know if the OPEN+ is working,” Bondy said, noting investigating the use of staff-less hours at the branches will be helpful in determining what communities want.

“During financially difficult times, libraries are important,” Bondy added. “It is a place anyone can go and do things” like use the internet, get access to computers, and ask staff for help.

“Having access to the library is really important.”

Bondy said this report will be a good step forward.

“This Library Board really cares,” she said.

She noted Essex County Library CAO and Chief Librarian Adam

Craig will put together that report. It should be presented to the Library Board in the coming months.

Google photo of Harrow Library

Submitted to EFP

Lakeshore Detachment

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are seeking the publics assistance to identify a person of interest from incidents that occurred in Centennial Park, Community of Puce, Municipality of Lakeshore.

On April 2, 2023, at

approximately 3:50 p.m., a resident reported that they had been approached and physical contact was made by a male while walking in Centennial Park. A second report was received from another resident reporting a similar incident occurring to them.

The male is described as:

• East Indian

• approximately 70-years-of-age

• 5’8” thin build, 0’s,

• long grey beard,

• traditional East Indian clothing with a

Voice Of Inspiration

winter coat,

• turban,

• was riding a blue/ green bike.

Police would like to speak to this individual, anyone having information regarding this person, contact the Essex County OPP Crime Unit at 1-888-310-1122.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-3101122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www. catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Submitted to EFP

As of March 31, 2023, there were 90 elementary school students suspended due to missing vaccinations or not yet submitting their immunization records to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) - as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O. 1990.

Once their immunization record is up to date with the WECHU, the child’s suspension order is lifted, and they can return to school. Parents/guardians must do one or more of the following to update the child’s immunization record:

• Submit proof at immune.wechu.org.

• Ask their health care provider to fax the child’s updated immunization records to the WECHU @ 519-258-7288.

• Book an appointment with their health care provider for their child to receive missing vaccines or provide a valid exemption.

• Take their child’s immunization record to the WECHU Windsor or Leamington location.

• Attend a WECHU walk-in clinic. For the most current information on these clinics, visit wechu.org/getimmunized.

Children who are ill should stay home and only be immunized when they are well.

Parents/guardians with students who are currently suspended from school due to missing vaccination information, can speak to a public health nurse directly by calling the WECHU at 519-960-0231. Public health nurses help keep our community safe by working with families to get their child’s immunization record up to date.

At this time, most elementary school students have received all their required vaccines and their records with the WECHU are updated. For more information on remaining compliant with the ISPA, visit the Health Unit’s website: www.wechu.org

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”

~ Mark Twain

St. Peter’s students get tour of Town Hall, lesson in local politics

recreation, infrastructure, and roads. They also have a role to play, with the County of Essex, on approving new subdivisions.

The County of Essex also has its own road network to maintain, and also is responsible for overseeing the Essex County Library System, Essex-Windsor EMS, and the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority. Bondy and Verbeek also explained Council meeting procedures and how the local decision-makers can pass by-laws for the betterment of the community.

by Sylene Argent

Students with St. Peter’s ACHS College School for Boys in Harrow took their learning out of the classroom and into the Council Chambers at the Essex Municipal Building on Friday morning.

With the help of Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, the students – in grades four through eight – were able to get an in depth look at local governance, learn what role municipal decision-makers play, and how decisions are ultimately made.

They were also able to ask questions to Councillor Kim Verbeek.

Verbeek explained she spent many years lobbying for change or causes she believed in before deciding to run for Essex Council. She was first elected in 2018 and is now serving her second term

at the local municipal decision-making table.

Mayor Bondy was first elected in 2010 as the Ward Rep for Harrow, and is currently the longest serving member on Essex Council. This is her first term at the helm.

The students learned that Essex has four geographical wards. There are six Councillors – two for Essex Centre, one for McGregor, two for Colchester, and one for Harrow – who are elected by residents within their wards, in addition to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who are elected at large.

Verbeek and Bondy explained the role of Council and the role of the Town of Essex’s staff. Staff is tasked to follow provincial and federal rules and implement any changes to legislation

into local policies. Council members bring matters of concern to the decisionmaking table, and as a group after discussion, direct staff members to draft policies or reports to address those matters.

They explained members of Essex Council make decisions on municipal matters, such as prioritizing spending in the annual budget on parks and

Bondy and Verbeek are both passionate about engaging youth in municipal matters and were pleased to spend Friday morning teaching these youths about local politics and how they can be involved and keep engaged as future leaders.

The students, Bondy said, offered plenty of feedback for Council, including how to make the community better for youths.

items from local artisan vendors.

Along with the egghunt and the photo opportunity with the Easter bunny, the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum also hosted a colouring contest, which attracted numerous entries from across Windsor-Essex County, something Beaulieu notes she was extremely happy to see.

Across some of the various age groups, which were featured, some of the winners included: Marcie Glajch, Alice Glajch, Ben O’Hara, Dax RoyHillier, Bianca Adan, Ethan Vogt, Natalie Vogt, Victoria FernandezHiggins and Charlotte Fernandez-Higgins.

Beaulieu noted she

was grateful for the support received from the community sponsors who helped to make the event possible. She was also grateful

to the community for their support, which was shown by attending the event throughout the course of the weekend.

Beaulieu added she

Kids Curing Cancer presents over $30k to Erie Shores Health Foundation

by Sylene Argent

Photo submitted by the Baillargeon family.

In honour of their grandfather, long-time Gesto resident Dan Gerard, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away several years ago, the Baillargeon kids have been fundraising for the past decade to help the fight against cancer and support those who have it.

Oldest sibling, Lauren, initiated the original fundraiser ten-years ago, wanting to show support to the healthcare providers who worked hard to support her grandfather in his time of need.

Ten-years later, Kids Curing Cancer has raised $116,599.

This past year’s proceeds of $30,039.88 was presented to support Erie Shores Health Foundation, which raises funds for Erie Shores HealthCare and Erie Shores Hospice, last Tuesday evening.

This was the second year Kids Curing Cancer forwarded its fundraising proceeds to Hospice Erie Shores Campus in Leamington. Last year, the Baillargeon kids presented $8,234. They wanted to show support to Hospice again this year, as last year’s fundraising efforts were met with challenges,

due to the pandemic.

Lauren, now 18-yearsold, and her family members, including her 13-year-old twin siblings, Ty and Kierstyn, began hosting an annual fundraising pasta dinner in 2014. At these events, her family members would showcase their musical talents.

This year ’s dinner event was held at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery in February, which donated the hall for the event. Its staff also volunteered their time to serve and its chef donated his time and food, mom, Jodi Baillargeon, said. In addition, many local businesses offer prizes for the live auction, and musicians offer to play

for free.

In addition to the dinner event, the Baillargeon kids approached the South County Predators girls’ hockey league Board of Directors to organize a fundraiser that urged its players to collect donations for their cause as part of this year’s fundraising efforts. Prizes were offered to the top three earners, in addition to a pizza party for the top earning team. The Windsor Spitfires also offered Kids Curing Cancer a couple of game nights to help with its fundraising efforts.

Jodi said her family tries to present the fundraising proceeds this time of year, in honour of her Dad’s birthday, March 8.

Jodi noted Kids Curing Cancer would not be able to raise the funds without its longlist of supporters and partners. People are always reaching out to see how they can help, she said.

As a mom, Jodi said her children have learned a lot from hosting the fundraisers. They are also supporting a cause, without expecting anything in return for themselves.

In its first years of fundraising, Kids Curing Cancer forwarded its proceeds to the Patient Assistance Fund through the Windsor Cancer Centre, totalling $16,960. It also donated $15,326 to the Ronald McDonald House of Windsor, $35,638 to the Fight Like Mason Foundation, and $10,371 to the radiation department for needed equipment. Information from the Hospice Erie Shores Campus in Leamington notes it is a 10 bed facility that receives partial government funding and relies heavily on the support of the community to provide services of compassionate end-oflife care at no cost to the families.

-After ten-years of fundraising, over $116k has been raised to fight cancer, support patients-

FARMING

WANTED

Farm Land to Rent

Cash or Share Crop

Call Jeff Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501. 1-tfn

SERVICES

KENNETH YARDWORKS - Spring Clean-

Up. leaves, Trees, bushes, trimmed or removed. Sod, mulch, eavestrough cleaning and repairs, power washing. Loads to the dump. Fully licensed & insured. Free estimates. Call Kenneth: 519-982-0362. 1-tfn

MARTY’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS - Tune-ups, repairs, & service on snowblowers, riding lawn mowers, chainsaws, & more! 519-733-0986, (c) 519-965-5918. 1-tf

JOHN’S WOODWORKING - Repairs and refinishing of wood furniture. We are located in Essex serving Windsor/Essex area. Call/text 519-818-4480 or jjarps@ hotmail.com 49-tfn

SERVICES

INCOME TAX PREPARATION: Good rates on personal, rental, and business returns. E-file or paper file. Call Jeannette Grass (519) 890-9111. 8-10t*

HELP WANTED

HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour. Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336 or email to quinlaninc@ kelcom.igs.net 1-1tff

HELP WANTED: Greenhouse and Packing line Labour. General greenhouse labour, duties include pruning, picking, planting and cleaning of greenhouse. Packing line labour, duties include inspecting, weighing and packing produce on assembly line. Lifting, bending and standing is required. Must be able to work all shifts. Rural area. No public transportation available. No specific education required. Experience is an asset. Rate of pay- $15.50. To apply please email: Lindsay@policellafarms. com Or Mail to Domric International, PO Box 218, Ruthven ON N0P 2G0. 1-tfn

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME WEBSITE & VIDEO EDITING

- Assistant to the Artist- Work in house 2 days per week in Essex. Monday & Tuesday preferred. Must have basic experience with Word press, video editing, & Microsoft Word. Call Ron 519.776.5767 from 10am-5pm. 10-1tf

HELP WANTED - Full-time labour & student worker. Chainsaw experience is helpful. Outdoor work. Driver’s Licence required. Countrywide Tree Service. Call: 519-733-2537. 12-1t

WANTED

CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 1-tfn

SELLING YOUR GOLD SILVER JEWELRY ALL COINS? ** Locally Owned* 55Years of “SATISIFIED CUSTOMERS”. FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION Thursday, April 13 at the Unico Centre, 37 Beech St., Kingsville. Saturday, April 15, Roma Club, 19 Seacliff Dr. E, Leamington Private Appointments FREE ESTIMATES Buying + Selling - ALL Gold + Silver JEWELRY Even some Costume Any Gold(even teeth) ** OLD COINS, Canada USA, World War, Costume Jewelry, War Medals, Windup Watches, Mintsets House Locally Owned* 55 Years of “SATISIFIED CUSTOMERS” Call: Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed. 519-818-1805. 13-1t

WANTED

CASH PAID for antiques, costume jewellery, furniture, gold, sterling, coins, tools, complete estates. We take it all! Free appraisals. Call 519-727-8894. 1-tfn

PERSONAL

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honours and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He brings visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here) - and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favour granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen - J.B.

YARD SALE

BARN/YARD SALE - April 7 & 8, Friday & Saturday from 9am - 3pm. 2809 Cty Rd. 12, Gesto Rd., Essex. Antiques, Vintage, Collectables. 1-tfn

REAL ESTATE

Buying or selling a farm? Do you know the right questions and answers? Farm

Experienced Realtor Carl Idzinski, Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty - Brokerage. 519-817-8891. 1-tt*

Please be advised that the Council of the Town of Essex is seeking interested citizens to serve on an Animal Control Appeal Committee for a limited term.

Selected applicants will receive training on the Animal Care and Control By-Law and, with respect to any Appeals to be heard, will be asked to declare that they will serve on an impartial basis and that they have no interest in the matter(s) to be adjudicated.

Persons interested in serving on the Animal Control Appeal Committee should submit their names in writing, along with a brief outline of their qualifications to the undersigned no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.

Shelley Brown, Acting Clerk

extension 1129

create

profile, if necessary, and complete the registration. As we are a volunteer organization, we welcome all willing to help. Please consider volunteering. You can volunteer

ESP U11 OMHA Champions 2023

Submitted to EFP

After going 21-0 in Bluewater League play and 4-0 in the round robin playoff series. the Essex-Southpoint U11 A Hockey Club (ESP) advanced to the OMHA Championship Tournament in Whitby March 31-April 2, 2023.

In the U11 ‘A’ division there were twelve teams from across southern Ontario divided into four pools. In pool play ESP defeated New Hamburg 6-0 and lost 3-4 to Orillia. This left us second in our pool. This prepared and conditioned team was even more determined to succeed. In the play-in round, ESP defeated Whitby 12-0 and in the quarter-finals the team defeated Haldimand 6-2.

In the semi-finals, ESP defeated Milton 5-0. In the Championship game, ESP dominated Owen Sound 8-3 to earn the

prestigious Red Hats.

In six games, the tandem of Keegan Pope and Owen Tavares recorded three shoutouts and allowed nine goals. The strong defence of Brody Church, Russell Colenutt, Ashton Drozdz, Brady George, and Ada McKeen kept the opposition to the outside and allowed few shots on net. The forwards dominated the opposition with constant pressure, good passes, and rocket shots, scoring a total of 40 goals in 6 games.

All team members were in on the scoring: Conner Blain (8 goals, 5 assists), Brody Church (7 goals, 5 assists), Christian Rutgers (6 goals, 7 assists), Drake Pernal (4 goals, 4 assists), Eddie Zieba (4 goals, 4 assists), Asher Grossi (3 goals, 3 assists), Russell Colenutt (2 goals, 5 assists), Alex Antonios (2 goals, 4 assists), Carter Demant (2 goals, 1 assist), Ben MacQuarrie (1 goal,

2 assists), Zander Cook (1 goal, 1 assist), Ada McKeen (3 assists), Lyle Fleming (1 assist), Ashton Drozdz (1 assist), Brady George (1 assist).

This team has had an outstanding year earning trophies and banners. In every game they played as a team. The team scored a total of 501 goals with a record of

70 wins, 2 ties and 5 losses. This hockey family will have lasting memories, thanks to the coaching staff of Donnie Church, Ryan Rutgers, Kevin Cook, Kevin Gale, goalie coach Jim Quick, manager Dave Demant, owner Lucas George, and videographer Chloe Blain.

FromThe Heart

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT

Jerry Eyraud

APRIL 10, 1953

A truly wonderful Husband, Father, and Papa.

A likeable lad loved by everyone!!!!

IN LOVING MEMORY IN LOVING MEMORY

Voice Of Inspiration

“Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough.”

~ T.S. Eliot

How to maximize weekend getaways

Extended summer vacations may get all of the glory, but individuals and families needn’t feel pressured to go away on week-long trips to get the rest and relaxation they deserve. There is plenty to be said for weekend getaways as well.

Working oneself ragged is no way to enjoy life. In fact, a person could be doing harm to his or her health by working too much, which may lead to lost productivity and burnout in the long run. Experts agree that getting

What’s Going On...

APRIL 8 - ESSEX GOSPEL’S 20TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY EGG HUNT - at Essex Sports Complex Soccer Fields. For infants to children in Gr. 6. At 11am. Free admission!

APRIL 12 - ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB MEETING - at 7:30pm at Ojibway Center, 5200 Matchette Rd.3. Speakers: Carole Donaldson & Howard Williams.

APRIL 12 - ESSEX BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - Essex Centre Sports Complex - 160 Fairview Ave W., Essex. Visit online at: blood.ca or call: 1-888-236-6283.

APRIL 15 - SPRINGFEST VENDORS MARKET - Hosted by North Star High School, 330 Simcoe St. Amherstburg. Over 100 vendors. Pumpkinfest preshow.

APRIL 29 - WETRA’S BLUE JEAN BASH - at WETRA: 3323 North Malden Rd., Essex. 5pm - Midnight - Dinner, dancing, entertainment, etc. For all info: www.wetra.ca

MAY 6 - DETROIT RIVER WALLEYE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT - from the LaSalle Firefighters Assoc. For all info & to register, visit: www.detroitwalleyeclassic.com

HIATUS HOUSE: offers counselling services in Essex County. Women’s Fresh Start group therapy is once a week. For info or to schedule an intake appointment, call the 24-hour Hiatus House helpline at 519-252-7781.

Voice Of Inspiration

“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.”

away could be good for mental health. According to psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, who is the author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days,” a weekend trip can boost mental and emotional health. Alpert says smaller vacations even “pack a bigger punch” than longer ones. Neuroscientists have found that getaways can evoke feelings of calm, banish stress, and enable the mind to heal. Furthermore, according to a Gallup study, those who make time for regular trips score higher on the GallupWell-Being Index. Weekend getaways simply may be easier to schedule than longer vacations.

The following are some ways to make the most of weekend getaways and why these getaways are so beneficial.

• Plan ahead. Weekend getaways generally do not need extensive planning. The logistics are much easier when there are only one or two nights involved in an overnight stay. Sometimes weekend getaways are only day trips, which makes them even easier to set up.

• Bring pets along. Short stays may mean it is easier to bring pets. Quite often hotel chains and even homestay accommodations allow pets with the inclusion of a pet cleaning fee. This saves on having to find a pet sitter or a boarder to watch pets while you are away.

• Book a different locale a few times a month. Weekend getaways are more affordable than lengthier trips, which means you can see various sights without a big investment. Unlike longer vacations that tie travelers to a specific destination for the duration of the trip, weekend jaunts are short stops at different spots. Try various cities and towns on for size.

• Avoid boredom. Anyone who has booked an extended trip away has at times had some boredom set in when the initial wow factor of the resort or trip wears off. In some instances, it may seem as if you’ve exhausted the list of things to do. Weekend getaways are anything but boring because you’re packing so many things to do into a short amount of time.

• Keep a to-go bag packed. When the mood hits you, you can dart off to a weekend escape. Keep a packed bag with some essentials at the ready, so there’s no overthinking the vacation process.

• Become a loyalty member. Investigate the loyalty programs of various hotel chains. This way if you find a chain you like and book stays regularly, you can earn rewards points. These points may be redeemed for upgrades or even free rooms over time.

Weekend getaways are great ways to rest and recharge without the commitment of time and planning required of longer excursions.

mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com

~ Oscar Wilde

Salvation Army Essex Church

submitted by Carolyn Barnett

At 10:30a.m. on April 7th, Good Friday, we invite you to worship with us as Major Jim Hann leads a Tenebrae Service.

Celebrate Easter Sunday (April 9th) with us at 10:30a.m.

Major Hann’s sermon is titled “The Music of a Name.”

SA Connections on Tuesday, April11th will feature guest speaker Bernie Drouillard, who will speak on “Streetcars.” Bernie has visited with us before and his presentations are excellent. We invite you to attend this free community community program which runs from 10 -1 and includes a delicious lunch.

Please note, there will be no Bible Study on April 11th or 18th.

We sincerely appreciate your donations of nonperishable goods to our Food Bank. For Information, please call the office at 519-776-4628.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

submitted by Sandra Lypps

Join us for Sunday service each week at 11am. All are welcome to join us!

Please see our website or social media for our upcoming Holy Week Services.

Our annual yard sale will take place on Saturday April 22 from 9am - 2pm in the Parish Hall.

Our vendors market will return on May 13th. Stay tuned for a list of vendors!

If you are cleaning out closets, please keep our Clothes Cupboard in mind. We are always accepting gently used clothing to give to those in need.

For more information about what is happening at St Paul’s, please see our website (www.stpaulsessex.ca) and social media. Messages are checked regularly at the church office, you can reach us there at 519-776-7711 .

Trinity Anglican Church

Holy Week services are as follows: Thursday, April 6, 6pm. Good Friday, April 7, 3pm, Stations of the Cross at 3pm at Trinity Church, Cottam, Saturday, April 8, 7pmEaster Vigil at St. Stephens, Oldcastle.

All are invited to join our scent free services. Visit our little library by the gazebo. Take a book, leave a book.

The smorgasbord is back - this will be eat in or take out supper on Saturday, April 29 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

All are invited to attend our services at 9:45 m with Rev.’d Hilton Gomes.

Bethel-Maidstone United

Our service begins at 10 am Sunday mornings, and all are invited to hear Rev. Paul Rodey’s message. Please join us as we enter the Lenten Season. We enjoy coffee hour in the hall after the service. All are welcome.

Please join us Friday, April 7 at 10am for our Good Friday Service, and Sunday, April 9 at 10am for our Easter Sunday Service. All are welcome.

The next UCW meeting will be at 1pm on Monday, April 17th. All ladies of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend. We are pleased to welcome Lady Laforet, executive director from the Welcome Shelter for Women & Families. She will speak about their new facility and the programs they offer.

The secretary can be reached on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm at: (519) 723-2284 and our email is bethelmaidstone@gmail.com. We are located at 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone, near the corner of Manning Road and Talbot. www.bethelmaidstone.com

Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes

Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee

Happy Easter!

Holy week schedule is: Thursday at St. John the Evangelist at 7pm, Good Friday at St. Clement’s at 11am, St. John the Evangelist at 11am, St. Mary’s at 3pm, and Holy Name of Jesus at 3pm. Easter Saturday Vigil at 8pm at Holy Name of Jesus. Easter Sunday at 8:30am at St. Mary’s, 9am at St. John the Evangelist, 10am at St. Clement’s, and 11am at Holy Name of Jesus. Everyone is welcome!

St. Mary’s final Lenten Euchre card party results are 1st Joyce Gyori , 2nd Isabelle Webster, 3rd Richard Gagnier, 4th Judy Dufour, Consolation John M. Lone Hands Joyce Gyori and Bob McGuire. The series winners were 1st Diana Denis, 2nd George Diesbourg, 3rd Jodi Popov, and 4th Dave McMurren. A beautiful afghan was won by Nancy Alston .

Thank you to all who volunteered and participated in our card parties this Lenten season.

For up to date news, please visit our website: centralessexcatholic.dol or social media.

Woodslee United Church

Join us for Sunday Service and Sunday School at 10:45am. Rev. Carl will lead the Service. Video of the service and bulletins are on our website: woodsleepastoralcharge.ca

Join us for coffee and conversation every Thursday at 10am. Enjoy Playing Cards? Join us every Monday at 1pm for Euchre, and every Wednesday at 1pm for Pepper.

St. Stephen’s and Church of the Redeemer

The most important weekend of the Christian year is here!

Remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet at Church of the Redeemer on Thursday, April 6th at 6p.m.

Follow Jesus’ steps to His crucifixion and grave with the Stations of the Cross at Trinity, Cottam on Friday, April 7th at 3p.m.

Begin the celebration of Jesus’ glorious resurrection with the Easter Vigil at St. Stephen’s on April 8th at 7p.m. Continue to celebrate on Sunday, April 9th at Redeemer at 8:30a.m., Trinity at 9:45a.m. or St. Stephen’s at 11:15a.m.

Mark your calendars for the Pasta Dinner at Church of the Redeemer on Saturday, April 22nd from 4 to 7p.m.

Essex Retirees’ Club Report

This week at our Pepper games, our winners were Mavis L, Lorraine S, and Shirley. Second place goes to George D, Wayne R., Cecile M, and Gary came in third place. Katie S & Gordon T had the most peppers.

Come in for a tour and see all the fun things that we do at the Essex Reitree’s Social Club. We have something for everyone.

Essex Christian Reformed Church

submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

You are invited to attend our Good Friday worship service on Friday, April 7 at 10am. This is a combined service with Ambassador CRC from Windsor and Essex CRC and will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Join us again on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 10am as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

You may prefer to join us online each Sunday morning beginning at 10:00 am. Visit us at www.essexcrc.ca for a link to our social media page.

All are welcome to a special Prayer Path for Lent at the church in the front yard. Simply go through the prayer guide at each bench and reflect, take your time with the questions, and look forward to Jesus who went to the cross.

Come be part of the community, our Take-a-book Leave-a-book library is now in front of Essex CRC church. GEMS and Cadets meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00pm. This is a great club for girls and boys from Grade 1-8, where we participate in bible studies, crafts and games. All are welcome to attend.

Essex United Church

This coming Good Friday, April 7th, our Salvation Army friends will join us for breakfast at 9:30am and then we will head over to the their church for our Good Friday service.

This coming Easter Sunday, April 9th, we welcome Rev. Lexie Chamberlain to lead our worship service. All are welcome to join us on this happy morning!

On Sunday, April 16th, the worship committee will lead our Earth Day and Holy Humour service. Please wear your comfortable and crazy clothes! Lunch will follow.

Please check out our website, essexunitedchurch. ca, to listen to our Sunday message. Hit the “Youtube” button.

The Essex Food Bank is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Their phone number is 519-776-4070.

TAX PREPARATION

Over35years experience.

Leamington Flyers nearing championship

By Garrett Fodor

The Leamington Flyers is just one win away from earning its first Western Conference Championship since 2015.

The Flyers took a resounding 3-0 lead in the third round of the playoff series over the St. Marys Lincolns on Sunday night at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, with a 3-1 catch up victory.

got them on the board on the powerplay, just over a minute into the 3rd period.

William Van Sumeren potted the eventual game winner at 13:12 and, for good measure, Trevor LaRue scored on an empty net at the 18:10 mark to seal the victory.

gave up the first goal of the game, but came back to win.

The Flyers hop on the bus Tuesday with game four scheduled for 7:30pm in St Marys. If necessary, game five of this series will be back in Leamington on Thursday, April 6 at 7:10pm.

MacPherson

Leamington was stymied by the Lincolns for most of the night, but Western Conference MVP Connor

The Flyers held St. Marys to only 16 shots on goal in the contest, with goaltender, Bryce Walcarius, making 15 saves to move to 10-0 in the playoffs this year.

It was the second time in this series Leamington

Joe Knight’s purple 1953 Meteor

Essex Southpoint U13 awarded OMHA Champions

Submitted to EFP

The Essex Southpoint U13 Hockey Team travelled to Whitby this past weekend to try and repeat as Champions in the OMHA ‘A‘ Provincial Championship tournament.

ESP came out flying on Friday and handily defeated the Burlington Eagles 13-0, then the Markham Waxers 9-2 setting up a quarterfinal win over the Milton Winterhawks by a score of 3-1.

On Sunday morning, ESP was up against the Barrie Colts in the semi-final game. Again, Essex dominated play and had two goals disallowed, but it took until 2-minutes left to play in the opening period, before Tyler Thomas sent the puck back to Kayden Cook at the line, and he ripped his shot on net. Lucas O’Neil found

the rebound and put it in, to open the scoring. With 5:58 to play in the second, Nash Fuerth carried the puck around the net and slid a pass out front, where Owen Derksen ripped his wrist shot, top shelf, to increase the lead to 2. With 12:23 left to play, Derksen fired his shot on net, where AJ Youssef tipped the puck to Austin Goudie, who then slipped it five-hole to go up by three. Barrie scored on a powerplay, two-minutes later, but that was as close as they would come in an ESP 3-1 victory. Trent Chevalier, between the pipes got the win.

The matchup in the final was against a strong team; the Centre Wellington Fusion. In a back-and-forth game and hitting three posts, ESP found themselves

Continued on Page 23

Essex Thunder Girls Hockey U13 win Gold

If you stood at the Four Corners in uptown Leamington in the late 1950s, you’d see a purple 1953 Meteor go by. The driver was 19-year-old Joe Knight wearing a green and white Leamington Road Runners jacket with checkered flags on the left sleeve.

The radio would be blaring Sheb Wooley’s hot new hit, “The Purple People Eater” on Leamington’s new radio station, CJSP, and the title of that song was painted on Joe’s rear fenders.

Joe’s first car was a light blue 1941 Ford purchased in 1955 for $100. It burned oil so he replaced it in 1957 with a cream and brown 1953 Meteor sedan from Leon Groombridge at Murray Myles Motors on Talbot Street East.

Tom and Norris Sudds created Joe’s custom colour in purple so deep it looked black at night. Someone else painted “The Purple People Eater” on the rear fenders. The car was also nosed and decked with a cable release for the trunk near the floor in the back seat.

Two years later, Joe traded in his purple ’53 Meteor at Noble Duff’s dealership in Windsor for a new 1959 Meteor Montcalm Rideau 500 two-door hardtop. He never saw “The Purple People Eater” again.

I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca

contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress

www.essexfreepress.com

Submitted to EFP

During the past weekend, the EssexKent Girls Hockey League wrapped up the season with its tier finals in Leamington. Essex Thunder had two teams participating. The U11 teams came up just short. The team managed to tie the game with one-minute left in the third, but lost in overtime play.

The U13 team played for the Tier 1 Division Gold and won in a nail-biter

of a game. They really had to fight for the win. Both teams demonstrated skill, teamwork, and heart. Congratulations to the U13 team on bringing home the Gold!

A big thank you to all the coaching staff and our sponsors for helping create a great season for the entire Essex Thunder League. Congratulations to all Essex Thunder teams and we hope to see everyone back next year!

This car might still be around. Stay tuned!

73’s forfeit win to Moortown over ineligible player, still advance to Finals with Lakeshore

alive and get another game in Mooretown.

The 73’s got on the scoreboard first in the dying minutes of the first period. They doubled the lead in the second period, when Austin Guevremont beat John Chartrand. In the third period, the Flags put one up on the board, but were unable to find the net again. Essex, however, was able to add an empty netter and prevail, 3-1.

Until they lost 5-0.

But since he played, the league determined he was an illegal player, meaning Essex was to forfeit the game 5-0, while Liam Hall and General Manager Mike Pailey earned suspensions.

by Garrett Fodor

It was a roller coaster of a week for the Essex 73’s, mirrored in controversy, but eventually the club was able to punch its ticket to the Stobbs Division Finals.

The 73’s began the week on

Tuesday, playing host to the Mooretown Flags for game five.

Entering the contest, the 73’s were looking to end the series after picking up three consecutive wins, while the Flags were looking to stay

Following the game and the handshakes, Mooretown protested the game and won its case with the league. It was determined Essex’s Liam Hall was ineligible to play in the game, picking up his third goaltender interference penalty.

With the forfeiture, the clubs traveled to Mooretown for game six on Friday night. Through five games, there was no love lost between the two clubs. Physicality was on display and there was a lack of discipline early.

The teams remained deadlocked throughout the first and second periods. Midway through the third period, rookie Austin Guevremont scored his ninth goal of the playoffs, giving

Essex Southpoint U13 awarded OMHA Champions...

trailing after giving up a power-play goal, just two-minutes in the first. Early in the second, Essex was down by a pair as the Fusion had scored again. But ESP’s intensity and determination showed from this point, on.

With 7:52 left in the middle frame,

O’Neil found the puck in a scramble and snapped his shot low blocker to score. Only 12-seconds later, Fuerth made a bee-line for the net, ripping his shot, and Goudie slammed in the rebound to even the score. A minute later, JoJo McLeod sent a stretch pass to Ben Liebrock and his hard

shot hit the post, but Derek Dunn found it and beat the goalie short side to take the lead. Then with 3.5-seconds remaining in the second, Jonathan Recker stopped the puck at the line, skated in wide, and zipped a pass, cross crease, to Liebrock, who tipped it home. With seven-minutes left to play in the third, Liebrock passed to Derksen at the line and his snap shot was tipped by Youssef, past the goalie.

Essex the lead. In the final minutes, the 73’s continued to hum offensively, scoring a pair of goals. Essex held on to prevail 3-0, and took the series 4-2.

The series win now puts Essex against its rival and defending champions in the Lakeshore Canadiens.

The teams begin action in Essex Tuesday, before shifting to Lakeshore on Thursday and then a home and home over the weekend, beginning in Essex Saturday night.

Continued from Page 22

Finally with 2:21 remaining, Liebrock finished off the scoring with a onetimer, to seal the hard fought 6-2 victory and make Essex Southpoint OMHA Champions for the second-straight year. Kevin Ondic earned the win for his squad. ESP now enters the OHF Championships in Leamington as the reigning OMHA Champions.

Signs a home exterior needs updating

• Curling shingles: The roof may not be the first thing people think of when pondering curb appeal, but a damaged roof can contribute to problems that ultimately affect the exterior and interior of the home. Multiple curling shingles indicate it’s time to replace the roof. The sight of curling shingles is not pretty, but the larger issue in such instances is the potential for costly water damage when water gets in through the affected shingles.

Renovations are a great way for homeowners to reshape their homes. Some may aspire to renovate so their home is more reflective of their personal taste, while others may do so in an effort to make their homes better align with modern styles

renovate, the need to do so is often evident to the naked eye, especially when the time comes to update home exteriors.

Curb appeal is often discussed in regard to the effects it can have when selling a home. But curb appeal is equally

the market. A well-maintained, aesthetically appealing home is a source of pride, while a home with fading curb appeal can make homeowners feel a little sheepish. Homeowners who want their homes to maintain their curb appeal can look for

• Dated entry door: Many home improvement experts insist they can determine when a home was built or most recently renovated simply by looking at the front door. Steel and glass doors are popular in modern homes, so homeowners with front doors with ornate designs and oval glass inserts can likely benefit from an upgrade to their entryway. A modern front door can make a statement and real estate experts note how popular updated front doors are among buyers.

• Unsightly landscaping: It’s not only the physical

components of the home that may suggest an update is necessary. Homeowners without a green thumb may have exterior landscaping that has seen better days. If a spring or summer day spent tending to your landscaping is not your ideal weekend pastime, then consider replacing unsightly landscaping with low-maintenance plants or hardscaping. These alternatives to more needy plants can create curb appeal without requiring any extra work for homeowners.

• Cracked driveways/ walkways: If the driveway looks like a busy road at the end of snow plowing season, chances are that›s adversely affecting the impression people have of your home. In addition, cracked walkways indicate a need for renovations, as these areas are front and centre when welcoming guests.

Updating a home’s exterior can restore curb appeal and help homeowners feel better about their properties.

metrocreativeconnection.com

In-Home Colour Consultation

With so many paint colours and finishes to choose from, it makes sense to hire someone who can take the guesswork out of the equation and create the colour palette that is right for your space and

(NC) Anyone who’s ever renovated all or part of their house knows that a lot of planning goes into a successful project.

If you’re intending to renovate an older home, one pre-reno step you should take is to inspect for the presence of these potentially dangerous

substances.

Lead

Older homes and neighbourhoods might have lead pipes, either in the municipal supply line coming into the house or in plumbing within the home. The lead in these pipes can leech into your water supply, and lead

start a

is known to cause many harmful health effects, including on the brain and nervous system. This is particularly dangerous for pregnant people and young children.

If you have reason to be concerned, many municipalities provide free water testing kits to check for lead contamination. It’s also helpful to run the tap until the water is cold. This can help reduce your exposure to lead.

Lead paint may also be on walls of homes built before 1991, sometimes even hidden under layers of newer paint. Have the paint in your home tested if you think it may contain lead.

s a musty smell in your home, particularly in the basement, that could indicate the presence of mould. You may also see it, in the form of stains and discolouration on walls,

carpets, windowpanes or other household surfaces.

For small areas, you can kill and remove the mould with soap and water. For larger areas, you should seek professional remediation. You should also determine the source of the moisture that caused the mould to form and eliminate that. It could be from water damage or too much moisture in the air. Be sure to clean up immediately after any flood.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring, odourless

radioactive gas found in soil across the country. Outside, it safely dissipates into the air. But indoors, it can build up to dangerous levels. In fact, long-term radon exposure is the main cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Luckily, it’s easy to test for. And, if excess radon is detected, professional remediation measures can help reduce radon levels by more than 80 per cent.

Asbestos

Many building materials found in older homes could contain asbestos, including plaster walls, floor tiles

and insulation. It may be behind the walls or wrapped around water lines and ductwork.

If you have materials in your home that might contain asbestos, contact a professional to test before you begin any demolition. If it’s found, hire a qualified asbestos removal specialist to get rid of it before starting work.

Learn more about planning renovations and DIY projects at canada. ca/healthy-home.

Tips for future-proofing your reno

(NC) There are many reasons to renovate your home, including needing more space for a growing family and wanting to reduce your carbon footprint. Whatever your scope or motivation, you should plan for your reno to stand the test of time.

Plan for senior-friendly design

If you plan on staying in the home long-term, factor in some features

that can make it easier to live there well into your golden years without illuminates a room if eyesight diminishes. When getting quotes, ask your contractor for suggestions.

How will you use it in the future?

A playroom may seem like a great idea now, but what will you do when the kids inevitably outgrow it? Can the space be easily converted to an office or spare bedroom down

which a buyer might change anyway. How will it already affecting our lives with more frequent extreme weather events like devastating floods, wildfires and heatwaves. As you consider options for your renovation, think about climate-proofing options. Fireproof materials, durable metal roofing, a more efficient and eco-friendly heating system, and improved insulation and ventilation are just a few ideas. Review your insurance coverage

In planning your updates, account for

hidden costs in the future like product lifespan, upkeep needs and even insurance changes. As Phil Gibson, EVP and managing director of personal insurance at Aviva Canada explains, “Renovations like finishing a basement, removing structural supports or building an addition may impact

insurance coverage as they can change the home’s rebuild value. Your insurance representative can help ensure that your home is covered for its true value, giving you peace of mind should the unexpected happen.”

Find more information at aviva.ca. newscanada.com

Month-by-month spring home maintenance tips

warranty that lasts up to seven years from the date of possession. However, if you neglect to do the regular maintenance your home needs, any resulting damage may not be covered.

To help you kickstart your spring maintenance, here is a handy month-by-month checklist:

MARCH

• Clean the furnace filter, heat recovery ventilator and humidifier.

or blockage.

• Inspect the basement or crawlspaces for leaks.

• Check the roof for loose or cracked shingles.

• Check driveways and walkways for frost damage.

• Check your water heater for leaks.

• Turn on the exterior water supply.

• Plan landscaping in a way that will avoid soil settlement and water collecting near your home’s foundation.

MAY

(NC) After months of wind, snow and ice, spring maintenance should be on your mind to prevent lasting damage to your home.

Your spring upkeep should serve two purposes. The first is to assess and address any damage that occurred over the winter. And the second, of course, is to make sure your home is ready for the warmer weather to come.

If you own a newly built home, seasonal maintenance is especially important because it helps protect your warranty. New homes in Ontario come with a builder’s

• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if necessary.

• Check and reset any ground fault circuit interrupters once a month.

• Check the attic for roof leaks, water damage or insulation issues.

• Check the sump pump (if applicable).

• Remove snow and ice from the roof overhang and vents to prevent ice damming and water damage.

APRIL

• Check eavestroughs and downspouts for damage

• Inspect fences for weather-related or other damage.

• Check caulking for air and water leaks.

• Check exterior finishes for wear that requires attention.

• Check that windows and screens are operating properly.

• Check the septic system if you have one. Find more seasonal maintenance tips and warranty information online at tarion.com. newscanada.com

What to do about moss in your lawn

A lush, green lawn is a point of pride for many homeowners. Eyecatching landscaping anchored by a healthy lawn is one of the key ways to improve the value and curb appeal of a home. In fact, the experts at HGTV say an attractive and wellmaintained landscape can add as much as 10 percent to the value of a home.

Maintaining a thriving lawn takes effort, and that means recognizing when the green in the yard

may not necessarily be coming from soft blades of grass. Invasive greenery, including moss, can infiltrate a lawn and that can be problematic if left unaddressed.

A mossy lawn is a sign that certain conditions are ripe for the moss, but not necessarily the grass, to grow. According to Lowes, moss thrives in certain conditions, which should be addressed if homeowners hope to corral it.

• Moss does well in acidic soil, more so than traditional grasses. A soil test can confirm if the pH needs to be adjusted to make it more hospitable to grass and less friendly to moss.

• Compacted soil and excess thatch can make it easier for moss to take root. These conditions also can make the soil damp and restrict drainage, something that promotes moss growth.

• Moss can grow in shady conditions. If patches of the lawn have been overrun by moss, there could be too much shade in the area. Trimming back trees or shrubbery may help; otherwise, homeowners may need to look into hardscape or plants that thrive in such conditions to remedy shady and damp areas on portions of their landscapes.

Moss typically can be removed the same way one would dethatch a lawn. It involves rigorously raking or agitating the lawn to loosen the moss. This can be done by hand with a rake, or in the case of a lot of moss or a large lawn, with a dethatching blade attachment for a lawn mower.

Aerating the soil will help keep moss that was

removed from returning. In addition, amending the soil so that it has a more dense nutritional profile by adding compost, as well as improving drainage and adjusting the pH, are keys to keeping moss from returning. For pesky moss, The Spruce suggests making a solution

of one box of baking soda to two gallons of water and spraying this solution on the patches of moss. It is a natural alternative to using chemical products. Certain sources indicate a glyphosate herbicide could work on moss, but the World Health Organization considers glyphosate

to be a probable human carcinogen and it is prohibited in certain areas. Moss may be green, but it’s often not the type of green homeowners desire in their lawns. Learning about moss can help when removing it and preventing it in the future. metrocreativeconnection.com

Turn a backyard into your own relaxing respite

more serene. A lowmaintenance water feature can help to create a calming ambiance. A fountain that does not require a collection pond will reduce the chance it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Locating the fountain out of the sun can keep algae growth at a minimum.

Add lights for ambiance

then string lights between the posts. This way the lighting can be moved around as desired.

Lounging spots

Backyards have long been places to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by nature.

Thanks in part to

financial instability brought on by rising inflation and measures to tame it, homeowners may decide to forgo traditional vacations in

Voice Of Inspiration

favor of staying home this season. There’s no better time to invest in a home, particularly outdoor spaces, to make them welcoming respites. The following are some ways to accomplish that goal.

Incorporate a water feature

The sound of trickling or bubbling water can make surroundings

Outdoor lighting options include professionally installed, hardwired lights on the home itself or accent lighting that draws attention to trees or architectural structures on the property. It also may include twinkling lights, which some consider a must-have for any outdoor retreat. Lights come in all types and price points. Hang them on porches, pergolas or cement posts inside decorative planters and

A comfortable outdoor loveseat or chairs may be a focal point of the yard, but build in some additional cozy spots specifically for lounging around. Nestle a hammock in a quiet corner of the yard, or enhance a chaise lounge with throw pillows and a large umbrella for napping poolside.

Add lushness with plants

Plants can transform any space. Use a combination of planted varieties around the yard, then enhance certain areas with potted plants as needed. Plants can make an area more warm and inviting, plus they give butterflies, bees and hummingbirds places to stop by and visit.

Consider the help of a professional landscaper to bring a vision of a lush, plant-filled retreat to life. Blend in the pool or spa With some unique landscape architecture, the pool or hot tub can be built right into the landscape, making it a cohesive part of the design. This can make the yard seem even more like an oasis, especially when the pool is flanked by a waterfall or bubbling fountain.

Add some music

Thanks to wireless speakers that rely on Bluetooth technology, it’s easy to have music piped right into the backyard. Set up a wireless speaker in an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a planter or in the rafters of a gazebo. Turning a backyard into an oasis can provide the respite many people look for on their properties. metrocreativeconnection.com

“Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade.”

~

Rudyard Kipling