Essex Free Press - December 8, 2022

Cottam Rotary welcomes Santa to magical evening in the park

by Sylene Argent

While December is a busy time of year for Jolly Old St. Nicholas, the big man in red made sure to visit with local youngsters at Cottam Rotary Park last Thursday evening.He was sure to lend his ear to hear early Christmas wishes.

His visit was part of the Rotary Club of Cottam’s annual Santa at the Park event, which not only provides the opportunity for youngsters to get a picture with the big guy – after walking through a mini maze of Christmas trees currently available as part of

its annual fundraiser – but got them into the holiday spirit.

During the event, Santa, with the help of his elves, provided the youths with a gift bag loaded with goodies that the Rotary Club of Cottam provided for the occasion. Visitors to the park also had the chance to sip hot chocolate and indulge on sweet treats, thanks to support from local businesses, and get an up-close view of the lighting display hosted at Cottam Rotary Park.

This was the first year the Rotary Club of Cottam collected non-perishable food items at the event from anyone who wished to make a donation. The members of the Rotary Club

of Cottam were impressed with the number of items donated, and will be happy to forward the donations to the Essex Area Food Bank to support local individuals and families facing economic hardships.

by Sylene Argent

It is beginning to feel a lot more like Christmas as members of the Rotary Club of Essex made their annual food delivery to the Essex Area Food Bank last Thursday morning.

The large donation will allow volunteers for the Essex Area Food Bank to put together 50 Christmas Baskets for area families and individuals facing economic hardships.

Thanks to the generous donation, each basket will contain either a turkey or ham, vegetables, canned fruit, oranges, turkey sausage, cheese, cake mix and frosting, apple sauce, gravy, stuffing, cans of cranberries, cans of corn, beef pies, potatoes, and a dessert pie; everything needed to create a holiday feast at home.

In addition, each Christmas Basket will

include a $50 gift card for groceries that can be used to purchase fresh produce or other items families may need this holiday season.

Rotarian Neil McBeth said the Rotary Club of Essex has been offering this support to the Essex Area Food Bank for years, and its membership is pleased to demonstrate the giving spirit of the season in

ESSEX COUNCIL NOTES...

by Sylene Argent

•

Residents seek approval to retain curb cut and driveway at back of property

Dale and Natalie Koziana approached Council regarding their driveway curb cut on Queen Street, hoping to retain it and a driveway at the back of the property.

It was explained they believed they had permission to add the curb cut and driveway when they got approval for a Minor Variance to build a garage through the Town’s Committee of Adjustment in 2019.

It was noted during the meeting that the Committee of Adjustment does not deal with driveways. In addition, Council passed the Development Standards Manual last year, which indicates single dwellings can only have one driveway. This has been the standard since 2003.

Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, said when Town Administration noticed the curb cut, the Koziana’s were asked to fill it in, and told them they could approach Council with the request to retain it.

Councillor Joe Garon sympathized with the situation, but worried about setting a precedent if approved.

Councillor Kim Verbeek moved Council receive the delegation and approve the request to retain the driveway curb cut. A majority Council vote approved the motion.

Mayor Bondy said Administration can reiterate what members of the Committee of Adjustment can and cannot approve for clarification purposes moving ahead.

Emergency Response Plan approved Council received the report, “Emergency Response Plan Town of Essex,” and enacted By-Law 2203 102, to enact it.

In addition, it identified the Mayor, CAO, Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Fire Chief, members of Senior Administration, the Manager of Communications, and the Manager of Human Resources

as part of the Town of Essex Municipal Emergency Control Group.

Fire Chief Rick Arnel said the Emergency Response Plan is legislated through the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. It is the primary statute in governing emergencies in Ontario.

Part of the legislative requirements is that the Town must provide the positions in the Municipal Emergency Control Group.

The purpose of an Emergency Plan is to, during an emergency, facilitate the effective coordination of human and physical resources, services, and activities necessary to protect and preserve life and property, protect the environment, minimize or mitigate effects of an emergency on residents, quickly and efficiently enable recovery and restoration, and provide mutual aid to neighbouring municipalities.

The plan also defines the levels of emergencies, and roles and responsibilities of those in the Municipal Emergency Control Group.

Council receives report outlining inflationary costs

Essex Council received the report on inflationary costs that Ann Marie Unis, Manager of Finance and Business Services, submitted.

Unis said the report was meant for informational purposes only, and outlines the financial impact the Town is experiencing because of inflation.

This year, she said, the Town has felt the pressure of increases in the Consumer Price Index, as well as the NonResidential Construction Building Index.

In January 2022, it states in the Report to Council, Statistics Canada reported the 2021 annual average Consumer Price Index increase was 3.4 percent, a jump from the 2020 annual average of 0.7 percent.

&Editorial Opinion

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Howling at the Moon

••• Comment by Sylene Argent •••

Adding up value; numerical versus use

When we think of the denotation of the word “value,” we often jump to that which holds numerical worth. Value can, however, be found in all sorts of ways, such as our own moral compass, the respect we show and hold for others, and that which becomes the directional force that shapes a community and ensures its wellbeing.

During the 2022-2026 Term of Essex Council’s first official Council meeting, the eight local decisionmakers were presented a report that outlined estimated costs to repair the Harrow High School. The figures were attached to the report where Administration was looking for Council to authorize $35,457.10 be utilized for continued expenses at the former Harrow High School, including future assessments.

The former Council for the Town of Essex purchased the facility and property from the GECDSB, approving $845,900 in November of last year.

During the 2022 budget deliberations, $60,000 was approved for assessment costs for the facility to have a better understanding of the

costs required to bring the facility to a usable state for public occupancy.

On Monday, a report highlighted the estimated costs to repair the former Harrow District High School back to its previous use would total an estimated $8,635,000, taking architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical needs into consideration.

If the Town of Essex is looking to change the facility to a community centre, the cost is expected to exceed $10,000,000.

This is certainly no small price tag, and some Council reps voiced their concern with that.

I am really not surprised at the price tag. The building has sat vacant since 2016, which causes things to break down. And, with the cost of everything skyrocketing, it really is not shocking to see those high estimates.

The question ahead of Council, when Administration presents options on how to move forward with the facility at a future meeting, will be to determine what has more value, turning the building into a community centre for Harrow as

previously spoken about by some, demolishing the entire or part of the building, or initiating a different idea.

Just because something will be difficult, does not make it impossible.

Where there is a will, there is often a way. And, I think this one will take a little creative thinking.

There are, however, other factors to consider, including the debt the Town has with the streetscapes and in needing to pursue a new facility for Fire Station # 3, for example.

I would love to see the facility preserved and used in some way.

Perhaps there could be, at the very least, a fiscally responsible way to preserve a small portion of the building – like the entrance – to commemorate the past, while finding a way to build new around it, if the community still wants a recreational hub.

With Council to take a tour of the facility in the spring, there is plenty of time to engage the community and think of options.

OFA viewpoint Modernizing Ontario’s agri-food research system

By Jennifer Doelman, OFA Director

It’s no secret that our world is facing some big challenges. Issues like climate change, environmental sustainability, and food security are complex and far-reaching – and impacts are already being felt to varying degrees around the world.

Farming can be a source of solutions for many of these challenges, but research and innovation are critical to helping make that happen.

In Ontario, we are lucky to have some topnotch agricultural research talent at colleges, universities, and other institutions. We also have terrific agricultural research infrastructure in the form of research stations for crops, livestock, fruits, vegetables, and more.

They are part of a long-standing commitment to agricultural research by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), which dates to 1962 when the province created the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO).

ARIO is a provincial agency whose mandate includes providing strategic advice to Ontario’s minister of agriculture on matters related to agricultural research, working to modernize provincial agri-food research infrastructure, and promoting Ontario agri-food research and innovation.

ARIO also owns 14 agri-food research properties across the province, which are managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

ARIO is governed by the ARIO Act, which was last updated in the 1990s. Many things have changed since then, and to help both farmers and the agri-food research community respond effectively to newly emerging issues and prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead, OMAFRA has

begun a process to modernize the Act.

I’m a grain farmer in Eastern Ontario, and I know firsthand how important research and innovation are on our farm. It’s what gives us new products to protect our crops against pest and diseases, new practices to keep our soil healthy, and new crop varieties to help us grow more and better food.

I am also a member of the ARIO Board of Directors, which gives me a unique understanding of how the research system works in our province.

In my opinion, one of Ontario’s best kept secrets has been ARIO. It’s been there, quietly in the background for decades but something all of us, farmers and non-farmers alike, benefit from. We have a great framework in place that lets us nurture and pursue publicly funded research, but now it’s time to modernize it so we can foster the innovation and collaboration we need to help us tackle these new, big challenges.

This requires long-term thinking, and we must be looking at our research and our farming landscape through a lens of generations, not years. Improving soil health, for example, is a slow, steady process that needs a commitment of decades. This means we need long-term research to help us discover and adapt new best management practices that

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Modernization will also let research focus on new areas where we haven’t seen a lot of investment in the past, like smart farms, robotics, automation or One Health – the approach that plant, animal, and human health are interconnected.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture welcomes a chance to weigh in on the modernization of the ARIO Act and Ontario’s agri-food research system. Research can only truly make a difference for agriculture if outcomes are shared and adopted by farmers and others in the agri-food industry. It’s important that agri-food research meets the needs of the sector and better knowledge sharing to get research results into practice.

It’s essential that ARIO enables innovative research that supports farmers and farm businesses, and that any processes to set research priorities for the agri-food sector include farm organizations and agricultural commodity groups.

We believe that agri-food research is a critical tool for Ontario farmers, providing new technologies and practices that improve agricultural productivity, develop new agricultural products, and sustain Ontario’s soil, air, and water resources. Agriculture is a knowledge-based industry and research is essential to the sector’s future competitiveness by providing tools to generate improved plant and animal genetics, more efficient production systems, and safer, better quality products.

I believe that we are very fortunate in Ontario to have the agri-food research system and infrastructure available to us through ARIO and by modernizing and strengthening that agency, we will have the tools few need to help us tackle the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

submitted to EFP

At its annual meeting last Thursday, the Essex Soil & Crop Improvement Association (ESCIA) announced Quinlan Farms was the recipient of the 2022 Conservation Farm Award.

The award is presented each year to the farming operation which best displays conservationminded farming practices from those nominated. The farms are graded on tillage practices, crop rotation, chemical use and storage, knowledge of fertility programs, best management

practices, and overall farm maintenance.

The winner is determined by a committee of Directors from the Essex Soil & Crop Improvement Association.

Quinlan Farms has established many conservation practices on its fields over the years. Soil health has always been an important part of the farming operation. Notill farming was started in the early ‘90s. They now include cover crops and diverse crop rotation. A large portion of the crops grown on the farm are

planted into a living cover crop. This helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and recycle nutrients.

The farm’s pigs and chickens graze the cover crops, helping to increase soil organic matter and overall soil health. In addition, grazing cover crops with livestock provides fertility for the next cash crop. The goal is to limit the amount of synthetic fertilizers used on their farm and keep soil and nutrients on the land and out of adjacent waterways.

Quinlan Farms has established treed

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The impact of the increase is being absorbed in the 2022 Operating Budget. Senior Management is aware of the increases and made efforts to minimize impact to the Operating Budget, she said.

This year, a new garbage contract resulted in an increase of sixty percent from the last contract in 2015. There were also increases in capital contractor costs, because of the increases in labour and material, as well as limited availability of certain materials, such as steel, concrete, and cement.

One of the largest increases includes the cost of hot mix asphalt, as the Town experienced a year-over-year unit price rise of 91 percent.

It adds in the Report to Council that at September 30, 2022, fuel costs increased by 56 percent from the previous year (mainly the public works department) and natural gas has increased by 10 percent (in facilities).

Town Administration, she added, has taken the high Consumer Price Index into consideration, while working on the 2023 Budget.

To date in 2022, it adds in the Report to Council, Administration requested from Council $358,200 in additional reserve funds to help cover the inflationary increases in capital projects.

Councillor Joe Garon said municipalities nationwide are dealing with these impacts. He said the Report captures where the money is going.

Mayor Sherry Bondy said the Report will be helpful

when heading into 2023 Budget deliberations.

Construction value for October up 153.3% compared to same month in 2022 Council received the Development Overview for October, which highlights the total construction value for October 2022 – including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit – was $21,285,000

This was an increase of 153.3 percent, when compared to the same month of 2021.

The Report to Council also highlights the average sale price of homes has decreased, when comparing October 2022 to October 2021.

In October, the average home sale price in Wards 1 and 2 was $412,222, compared to $559,073 in October 2021. The average home sale price in Wards 3 and 4 in October was $401,000, compared to $614,090 in October 2021.

Ribbon Cutting and Ground-breaking Events Policy adopted Council adopted a Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking Events Policy.

Nelson Silveira, Economic Development Officer, explained the Town has hosted ribbon cutting and ground breaking events for the past several years. This policy formalizes the process.

Next steps will include making the online request form for ribbon cutting and ground-breaking events accessible as of the day following the Council meeting.

The Ribbon Cutting and Ground-breaking Events Policy is intended to provide a fair and equitable distribution of Town resources to celebrate the opening of new businesses, new developments, and Town of Essex projects of a significant scale, the Report to Council notes.

He said the onus is on the developer or business owner to request a ribbon cutting or ground-breaking.

Tree Management By-Law receives two readings

Council gave two readings to By-Law 2205, to regulate tree management in the Town of Essex, for provisional adoption at the December 19, 2022 Council meeting.

The Report to Council notes Council directed Administration to develop a Tree Management By-

Quinlan Farms announced as 2022 Conservation Farm Award...

windbreaks and a tree planting on its farm to protect the soil from wind erosion and increase biodiversity.

Waterways are protected with soil erosion control structures and grassed buffer strips.

Walter and Gail Quinlan started Quinlan Farms in the early ‘80s. Today, they are joined by sons, Donald and Chad, and their wives, Kelly and April.

Quinlan Farms has used funding from the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s Clean Water ~ Green spaces program to implement many of the

Best Management Practices on the farm.

Congratulations to Quinlan Farms and keep up the fine work.

The Essex Conservation Farm Award is sponsored annually by the Essex Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

Nominations for the 2023 Conservation Farm Award are being accepted from now until August 28, 2023. The winner will be announced at the ESCIA Annual Meeting next December.

For more information on how to nominate an individual, contact Michael Dick at 776-5209 ext. 369.

Law to regulate the care and maintenance of trees within the Town of Essex.

The purpose of the By-Law is to ensure clarity on how trees are maintained, as well as the responsibilities when adjacent to private property owners.

The Town currently does not have such a ByLaw.

The proposed Tree Management By-Law will address concerns with trees that are part of, or will become part of, public property.

Key aspects of the By-Law includes defining public and private trees; details what types of trees can be planted, and specifies authority to control plantings, outlines prohibited species, and maintenance/removal if there is a health and safety concern. It also outlines the duties of owners/occupants of private property and other aspects, such as offences and penalties, reforestation, and obstruction, enforcement, conflicts, and severability.

Since only the first two readings took place, Councillor Kim Verbeek

hoped the matter of replacing trees taken down when clearing ditches and creeks can be looked at.

Former Harrow High could cost $10M to repair as community centre

Essex Council received the Report “Harrow High School Condition Report” and moved that the remaining funding for the “Harrow High School Assessment Costs” in the amount of $35,457.10 be utilized for continued expenses at the former Harrow High School, which include future assessments.

During the 2022 budget deliberations, Administration proposed $60,000 for assessment costs for the facility to have a better understanding of the costs required to bring the facility to a state that is a usable facility for public occupancy.

Director of Community Services, Jake Morassut, explained the information he provided at the meeting was for information purposes only. He will come back to Council in the near future with

different options that can be done with the property. That could include demolition of part or the entire building, pricing for additions and features, a potential extension onto the Harrow Arena, etc.

The Town is currently working on creating a Community Services Master Plan, which Morassut said will be a valuable tool with the Harrow High School project, so a needs assessment and community wants can be determined before decisions are made.

The consultant for the Harrow High School Condition Report was Haddad, Morgan and Associates. The consulting team included structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and thermal imaging.

The project was meant to review and evaluate the facility based on the use as a school. Each consultant provided estimates for their specialized areas, based only on a visual

The architectural estimate for roofing, chimney, and brick totaled

$2,750,000.

The structural cost estimate totaled $185,000 for roofing, masonry walls, monorail certification, stair replacement, other repairs, and cracking.

Morassut said those are mostly minor in nature, and the building overall is rated as being in fair to good condition.

The estimated mechanical costs total $3,6000,000 for equipment and systems and plumbing systems.

The estimated electrical costs, for electrical systems, totaled $2,100. 000.

The estimated total cost of all areas totals $8,635.00. If the use of the facility was to change, such as to a community centre, it is anticipated to cost $10M or more. This would take any asbestos removal that may be required into consideration.

It could also be less, if a decision is made to go with a sectioned-off area

of the facility.

Mayor Sherry Bondy wished it was a little better news.

Councillor Joe Garon was flabbergasted at the amount of money required to be put into the former facility.

CAO Doug Sweet said the new Council will be taken on a tour of the facility in the spring.

Decision on scope of Essex Centre Streetscape to take place December 19

Essex Council received the Report, “Essex Centre Streetscape Tender Results” and voted to defer the matter to the December 19 Council meeting for further discussion and consideration.

Councillor Joe Garon suggested the temporary deferral, after a lengthy discussion about potential debt, costs, and scope of the project was brought to the Council table.

The Essex Centre Streetscape project was

initiated by Council in 2013 with a plan that was developed by Stempski Kelly Associates Inc. It includes road paving, watermain replacement, storm sewer improvements, sidewalk reconstruction, street lighting, landscaping, and furnishings. It also includes a flex street design, from Laird Avenue to Victoria Avenue, that will allow for the closing of parking spaces to accommodate street events.

The original scope for the project was Talbot Street, from Maidstone Avenue to Gosfield Townline, in addition to Victoria Avenue.

So far, $9.36 million has been approved for the project, between 2021 and 2022, to complete the Essex Centre Streetscape.

Of this, $830,325.03 was allocated to engineering services for the streetscape and $302,227.20 was

allocated to the Victoria Avenue works for engineering services, the Report notes.

This leaves a budget of $8,227,447.77 for construction expenses.

Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, said when Administration looked at the financials for the project, it was estimated the total cost would be around $14,258,000, or approximately $4.9M in additional debt.

He presented three options to Council, with the recommended action including reducing the streetscaping to Talbot Street, from approximately Cameron Avenue to Arthur Avenue. In addition, it includes the Victoria Avenue works from Talbot Street to South Talbot Road.

This option would require around $425,000 of additional debt.

If this was eventually approved as the path forward, Council would have to have Administration cancel the previous tender for the Town of Essex Downtown Essex Centre Streetscape in accordance with the Town’s Procurement By-Law, and awarded Stantec Consulting Limited additional funds to re-scope the Essex Streetscape project in accordance with the recommended option in the amount of $65,940.48.

The other options included completing the Streetscape

as tendered, including Victoria Avenue, completing the Streetscape as tendered, removing Victoria Avenue. These two options, Director of Corporate Services/ Treasurer, Kate Giurissevich, said would likely put the Town in a high-risk position when it comes to debt.

Other options include cancelling the tender and rescoping the project. Completing the core area Streetscape only – from around Arthur Avenue to Cameron Avenue, or the core area Streetscape including Victoria. Or, cancelling the project, where the Town would lose grant funding and dollars already invested.

Garon explained the previous Term of Council wanted to move with the Streetscapes as nothing had been done to the downcore core in decades. He added the Town has other long-term debt projects that need to be considered, such as the Essex Sports Fields, Fire Station # 3, and possibly the former Harrow High School.

CAO Doug Sweet encouraged Council members to make appointments with Giurissevich and Girard before the December 19 meeting to learn more about the possible financial impacts.

Council approves 12 matters relating to committees

Council approved the 2022-2026 Election of Striking Committee and Procedure, and further directed the Clerk

to call a meeting to convene the Town of Essex Striking Committee on Monday December 12, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. so recommendations can be made for Council on the appointment of 2022-2026 Town of Essex Committee members.

Four Council members needed to be appointed to serve on the 2022-2026 Town of Essex Striking Committee. This included Mayor Sherry Bondy and Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley.

Bondy recommended Councillor Jason Matyi and Councillor Kim Verbeek hold the other two positions, giving the committee two men and two women, and representation from each Ward.

Verbeek and Matyi accepted the nomination.

Councillor Joe Garon likes the idea of having representation from all Wards, but took a little offense gender was put in there, as he does not believe someone’s gender needs to be relied upon to determine if they are capable to serve on a committee. Verbeek was glad to see gender parity.

Council approved this.

The Striking Committee will bring its recommendations on committee appointments to Council’s December 19 regular meeting for Council’s consideration.

Council moved the Communities in Bloom Committee be dissolved for the 2022-2026 Term of Council, pending Council’s discretion to form or create the same or similar committee if required in the future.

Council approved allowing the Striking Committee to provided the County of Essex with a nominee for the Essex County Library Board.

Bondy made that recommendation.

The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor were directed to each indicate the EWSWA Board as their first preference when selecting the County Committees that they each wish to serve on.

Council directed the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign the Shareholder Declaration in order to give legal effect as a Shareholder to resolution R22-10-85310.

Councillor Verbeek was appointed to serve as the County Council alternate in the place and stead of the Mayor and/or the Deputy Mayor in their absence from County of Essex Meetings during the 2022-2026 Term of Council.

Bondy had recommended Garon or Verbeek for the position as the most experienced Councillors. A Council vote ended in a tie between the two candidates. Clerk Robert Augur noted the next step was to pick a name from a hat. Garon withdrew his name as he thought to draw a name from a hat was ludicrous.

The Town of Essex Procedural By-Law was amended to provide for the reading of a Land Acknowledgement at all Committee and Board meetings.

Council also directed Administration to return to Council in the first quarter of 2023 with a further Committees Report that reviews the feasibility and financial viability, and which makes recommendations concerning: committee per diems and/or mileage/ travel reimbursement; hybrid meetings; live streaming of committee meetings; additional committee training requirements; and new Committees of Council.

Salvation Army Week proclaimed Council proclaimed the week of December 18 –December 24, 2022 as The Salvation Army Week in the Town of Essex.

Third reading given to cost of Harrow Streetscaping Council gave first, second, and third and final reading to By-Law 2208 603, to authorize the borrowing upon serial debentures in the principal amount of $2,291,500 towards the cost of the Harrow Streetscaping.

Corporate Services/Treasurer, Kate Giurissevich explained this is just one of the ways the Harrow Streetscape project was funded. There were also grant funding and reserves. This debt will cover costs incurred in 2020 and 2021 the Town internally funded.

support of individuals and families currently in need of some help, ensuring they get to enjoy a holiday meal.

The trailer-load of food provided totaled around $6500, McBeth said. The Rotary Club of Essex was fortunate to get a Rotary Foundation District Community Grant for $2500 US, and had to match it.

The Essex Area Food Bank’s Christmas Basket program offers those utilizing the service everything they need to enjoy a holiday meal at home.

“How can you describe the thank you these guys deserve for what they do for the Food Bank every year,” Gerry Belanger, Coordinator of the Essex Area Food Bank, said, while finishing putting the donated food items away. “Every year, they are there for us. It is unbelievable.”

The annual donation, he added, helps to alleviate a lot of pressure on the Food Bank volunteers in serving its clientele over the holidays.

Business Update: Five Star Medical Image welcomed; ground breaking for new Home Hardware

by Sylene Argent

The downtown Essex Centre business district is always changing, as new businesses are established, existing ones expand, and entrepreneurs look for ways to support their community.

Here are some of the recent highlights: Council welcomes Five Star Image Medical Aesthetics

On Saturday, November 19, members of Essex Council hosted a ribbon cutting to officially welcome Five Star Image Medical Aesthetics

(FSIMA) to Essex Centre. It is now open at 114 Talbot Street North.

It is a medical spa, offering an array of services, such as advanced laser and injection treatments.

Mayor Sherry Bondy thanked Louis Sulek, President, Shelby Troy, General Manager and Laser Technician, and Skye Cottingham, Receptionist, for choosing to set up shop in Essex.

The new team expressed sincere thanks to all who have provided them with a warm

welcome so far, and noted they are excited and proud to be a part of the Essex community.

Ground-breaking ceremony hosted

for new Essex Home Hardware site

On Wednesday, November 30, members of Essex Council and Town Administration gathered at the future site for the Essex Home Hardware Building Centre to host an official ground-breaking ceremony.

Essex Home Hardware purchased 12-acres on Maidstone Avenue,

between Canadian Tire and the Tim Hortons/ McDonald’s plaza, to build a new retail shop and lumber yard. The framing for the new facility has commenced.

The new facility is hoped to be completed in early September, Kimberly Seguin Owner/ Dealer of Essex Home Hardware, said.

The new Essex Home Hardware Building Centre will be slightly larger than the current facility, at 29k square-feet, and will have the lumber warehouse

attached. It will also feature an M&M Food Market Express area and an eye-catching home décor layout.

Mayor Sherry Bondy offered congratulations on the upcoming new facility.

She said part of Council’s mission is to attract new businesses and see existing members of the business community expand.

“It shows we are growing,” Bondy said.

She also gave kudos for the community support Home Hardware provides.

Seguin said the expansion is very exciting for the Essex Home Hardware family. Her Pepe established the first Home Hardware in the area in 1965. The family took over the Essex Home Hardware around a decade ago, and are happy to be a part of the Essex community.

Home Hardware presents over $8100 to WCCF Last Thursday, the staff at the Essex Home Hardware Building Centre

were pleased to forward the proceeds raised at fundraisers hosted at both the Essex and Tecumseh locations for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation (WCCF).

By hosting barbeques, homemade bake sales and auctions, and raffles, the two Home Hardware locations, both owned by the Seguin family, were able to forward a $8175.39 donation to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.

The funds, Brooke

Spitse, Manager of Fundraising for the WCCF, said would go to support the Lockout Cancer and Grow on Windsor campaigns. This will help support dignity robes for those undergoing radiation treatment, waffle robes for women, and the breast reconstruction program in Windsor.

The funding means a lot to the foundation and those it serves, Spitse said.

said her staff does an amazing job raising funds for the community, some spending days baking and preparing for the fundraisers.

Red Apple hosts Fill a Sleigh Day Essex Red Apple hosted its Fill a Sleigh Day on Saturday.

toy drives.

Red Apple in Essex is one of the many local businesses that supports the Santa’s Cause for Kids Program, which – for over two decades – has collected new, unwrapped gifts to ensure local children get to have a bright Christmas.

to pick-up this year’s donations.

the St. Vincent de Paul Chapters in Harrow and McGregor, and the Zeta Kappa Sorority for its Santa’s Sack program.

Kimberly

Seguin Owner/Dealer

of the Essex Home Hardware,

Firefighters from Essex Fire & Rescue, in addition to Jolly Old St. Nick, were at the store to promote the program. On the day, 10 percent of sales will be donated to local charity

Area Firefighters and Police Officers will visit the many drop-off locations in the near future

~

by Garrett Fodor

With the countdown until Christmas officially underway, residents are beginning to decorate their homes, look for deals as they shop, and find lastminute baked goods for family get-togethers.

This past weekend, the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) celebrated the holiday season with its annual Christmas Market, which was held throughout the Museum grounds.

Spanning two-days, the event featured over 70 vendors, offering handmade artisan goods, collectibles, vintage items, and even baked goods.

“Last year, we were fortunate enough to be between lockdowns, so we were able to host a smaller market. But having everyone back and in full force is great,” Donna Shilson, Event Coordinator for CTMHV, said of this year’s edition of the event. “People are happy just to be able to

be out shopping again. The vendors have their regulars, but they also buy off each other. It’s just such a great tradition we have to get into the holiday spirit locally.”

The event spanned through the Museum, with booths spread throughout the banquet area and down the hallways, uniquely using the historic cars and retro highlights as a backdrop.

Shilson said the event could not have been possible without the

help and generosity of the volunteers with 16 individuals helping out leading up to and during the event.

at annual craft show

able to checkout and enjoy the diner once again, as well as reminding them of the great offerings CTMHV has.

Shilson noted she is extremely proud and grateful of the turnout they received throughout the weekend. The support from the community from the event, as well as other initiatives like the current 50/50 raffle, help to cover costs associated with running and maintaining the museum.

Looking ahead, Shilson noted CTMHV will continue to get into the holiday spirit.

Attendees were also able to purchase a buffet breakfast from the diner.

Shilson noted she is excited to have people be

The man in the red suit, Santa Claus, will visit the museum on December 11 for its annual “Breakfast with Santa” event, with details being found at CTMHV.com.

by Sylene Argent

In an effort to earn the Seeonee Award – a top award for a Cub – Candice Heinrichs, a Howler Cub in the 2nd Cottam Scouts, recently hosted four fundraising events to support the Ronald McDonald House in Windsor.

On Saturday, Heinrichs hosted the last of her

fundraisers, by selling hot chocolate and sweet treats under the pavilion at Cottam Rotary Park, while Rotarians hosted their annual Christmas tree sales.

When the young Cub was planning how she was going to host a fundraiser for a charity as part of earning the prestigious Seeonee Award, she hoped to be able to raise at least $500 for Ronald McDonald House, but also wanted to reach even higher and dreamed of raising twice that.

After four successful fundraisers, she surpassed both goals and raised an incredible $1340, which made her proud of not only her efforts, but everyone who went out of their way to support her in her mission.

“We did well,” Heinrichs said, greeting supporters as they bought hot chocolate and treats from her fundraiser on Saturday. She is looking forward to being able to present a cheque to representatives at the Ronald McDonald House later this week.

Her first fundraiser involved engaging fellow students at Gosfield North Public School about the Ronald McDonald House and the important service it provides to families of youngsters needing to stay at the hospital to recover or receive needed treatments. She asked her peers to participate in a loonie drive, and could not believe the support she received.

Later, she also hosted a loonie drive amongst fellow Scout members, and gave thanks to her brother, who helped with the event as she ended up sick and was unable to attend herself.

On Friday, November 27, Heinrichs hosted a homemade baked goods and hot chocolate sale at Once Upon a Time Child Care Centre.

At first, Heinrichs said she was nervous to host the fundraisers as she was not sure if she would get the support she hoped for, but was overwhelmed with enthusiasm her family members, friends, fellow Cubs, and school

peers showed towards her project.

“It was really exciting,” she said. “I learned a lot.”

She is looking forward to utilizing the experience she obtained this year in supporting her brother when he goes through the process of earning the award next year.

In order to earn the Seeonee Award, a Cub has to complete 10 adventure skills, 30 community service hours, and a meaningful community service project.

She chose to support the Ronald McDonald House in Windsor for her meaningful community service project, because she said her aunt needed to stay there when she was a baby. She felt compelled to support the charity, so it can continue to help other families in need.

2nd Cottam Scouts Cub member, Candice Heinrichs (pictured second from left), hosted four fundraisers for the Ronald McDonald House in Windsor recently, including a hot chocolate and treat sale on Saturday at Cottam Rotary Park. She is pictured with her mom and Beaver Leader, Crystal Heinrichs, Cub Leader, Fay Lawn, and friend, Sierra Crisford.

Goodfellows’ Newspaper Campaign, corporate donation collection raises $60K

by Sylene Argent

Members of the Essex Region Goodfellows were able to present $15,000 to each the Essex Area Food Bank, the Essex Salvation Army, and the St. Vincent de Paul Chapters of Harrow and McGregor, following a successful 2022 Newspaper Campaign and collecting generous donations through its corporate appeal.

The proceeds were presented during the Essex Region Goodfellows’ annual meeting on Tuesday, November 29, which was held at Essex Station # 2 on Giving Tuesday. The funding will help the local food banks support area families and individuals in need through their Christmas programs.

On November 18 and 19, area firefighters, volunteers, and members of the Knights of Columbus

clubs for Maidstone and McGregor, joined members of the Essex Region Goodfellows in hosting this year’s Newspaper Campaign.

The volunteers set up collection sites throughout the municipality, including at major intersections in Harrow, Essex Centre, and at Paquette Corners in McGregor, in addition to strategic locations throughout the municipality to garner support from shoppers and residents on foot. They offered this year’s issue of the Essex Region Goodfellows’ newspaper in exchange for a donation.

This was the highest amount the Essex Region Goodfellows has been able to present following the Newspaper Drive to date, with $13,000 provided to each food bank in 2019, and

Members of the Essex Region Goodfellows, volunteers, and area firefighters presented representatives of the Essex Area Food Bank, the Essex Salvation Army, and the St. Vincent de Paul Chapters for Harrow and McGregor each with a 15,000$ donation last Tuesday. The proceeds were raised through the annual Newspaper Campaign and through collecting corporate donations.

$12,000 each in 2018.

The Essex Region Goodfellows cancelled the Newspaper Campaign in 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic, electing to instead host a 50/50 raffle as its means to fundraise.

“People were very generous,” Christine Hayes, Treasurer of the Essex Region Goodfellows, said, while presenting the donations. “The Newspaper Drive was better than we expected.”

In addition, local businesses were very supportive of the Corporate Donation Campaign, Wendy Cunningham-Pulleyblank, a Director of the Essex Region Goodfellows Board of Directors, added.

More donations are expected to trickle in over the coming weeks.

Lonnie Jones, a Director with the Essex Area Food Bank, said his volunteers are blessed to again have the support from the community. He said those who volunteer their time to operate the Essex Area Food Bank are grateful for the annual donation, which goes a long way in supporting its Christmas Basket program.

Major Jim Hann of the Essex Salvation Army was also grateful for the donation. The funds will go towards its Christmas Toy and Hamper campaign, in addition to other programs and services offered through the church or its food bank throughout the year.

He said demand on the Salvation Army has been up somewhat, so it is great to have the community support, especially heading into the holiday season. He has heard from clients that they are spending the same amount on groceries as they would have in previous

years, but due to inflation and climbing prices, are getting less for their money, and depend on the food bank to help fill in the gap.

Between the Christmas Kettle Campaign and the Letter Campaign, the Essex Salvation Army is looking to raise $100,000 this year, Hann said. The funds raised allow the Salvation Army to provide a myriad of services and programs to those in need throughout the year, including stocking the shelves at its food bank, sending youths to summer camp, and supporting its weekly meal program.

Volunteers are still needed to man the Christmas Kettles. Anyone able to volunteer is urged to call the Essex Salvation Army at (519) 776-4628 during regular business hours to secure a time slot.

The Salvation Army is hosting Christmas Kettles at the two local grocery stores, Essex Foodland and Josh’s No Frills, and also at Sanford and Son Supermarket in Harrow on Fridays and Saturdays and the Sobeys in Amherstburg.

The Essex Region Goodfellows is hosting a 50/50 raffle this year, as well. Tickets are available from area firefighters, members of the Goodfellows, and at select local businesses, or through e-transfer via essexregiongoodfellows@ gmail.com, or by attending the 73’s game on December 13, where they will be available for purchase.

A total of 3000 tickets are being sold, which means, if all tickets sell, the winner will take home $15,000. The draw will take place on December 31.

Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett

Join us for Family Worship at 10:30a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent. Major Jim Hanns’ sermon topic is “And Glory Shone Around.”

Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is at 6p.m. We invite you to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas - “Jesus is the Reason For The Season.”

The Advent service is on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at noon at the Christian Reformed Church.

SA Connections and Bible Study have concluded for this year and will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Please take time to connect with those who are sick or shut in. A Christmas card, a call, or a visit.

We need volunteers to man the Christmas Kettles. If you can spare 2-hours, please call the church office at 519-776-4628 to sign up for a shift. Monies collected are directed to our Family Services programs which help those in need in our community. Your help will be appreciated.

We are thankful for the donations to our Food Bank. We are always in need of non perishable goods which can be dropped off on Tues., Wed., or Friday between 9 and 2. For information call the office at 519-776-4628.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church submitted by Sandra Lypps

Sunday services takes place at 11am each week, as always, all are welcome!

A big thank you to everyone who attended or helped with our most recent pasta dinner, we appreciate your support and we will be back in the New Year.

St. Paul’s final Vendors Market of the year will take place on December 17 from 10am - 2pm.

Stay tuned for details of our Christmas Services!

Thanks to the generosity of our community we raised over $1000 on Giving Tuesday to help with upgrades to our Clothes Cupboard, thanks to all who contributed!

For information about what is happening at St Paul’s, visit our website: www.stpaulstrinity.org) or social media.

Messages are checked regularly at the church office, at 519-776-7711 .

Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee

Euchre Essex SVDP is asking for gift cards for Christmas for local needy families.

Christmas Masses are: Christmas Eve at 4pm at Holy Name of Jesus, 5pm at St. Mary’s, 6pm at St. Clement’s, 7pm at St. John the Evangelist, 8pm at Holy Name of Jesus. Christmas Day at Midnight at St. Clement’s, 8 m at St. Mary’s, 9am at St. John the Evangelist, 10am at St. Clement’s and 11am at Holy Name of Jesus.

For up to date news please visit centralessexcatholic. dol or our social media page.

Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

We invite you to join us each Sunday at 10:00 am inperson, or online. Visit us at www.essexcrc.ca for a link to our social media page.

Make plans to attend our Christmas Bake Sale &

Luncheon on Saturday, December 10 from 9:30am1:30pm. Soup and Chili Luncheon – eat in or take out. Come be part of the community, our Take-a-book, Leavea-book library is now in front of Essex CRC church.

Join us on Saturday mornings from 8:45 – 9:30am for a time of prayer for one another, the church, community and the lives of those living around us.

GEMS and Cadets meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00pm. This is a great club for girls and boys, from Grades 1 - 8, where we participate in bible studies, crafts, and games. All are welcome.

Bethel-Maidstone United

We celebrate the season of Advent. Sunday, December 11 will be the Third Sunday of Advent. We hope you can join us on Sunday at 10am to hear Rev. Paul’s message. We have coffee hour after the service in the church hall. Our building is wheelchair accessible. Sunday school is now available during the service.

Our next UCW meeting will be Monday, December 12 at 12:30pm. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall, so please add your name if you will be able to attend.

Upcoming seasonal events: White Gift Sunday is December 18; Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 7pm; Christmas Day service at 10am; New Year’s Day service at 10am on the first.

The prayer tree is in the Narthex, please take a moment to fill out a slip with your prayer request and attach it to the tree.

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

Trinity Anglican Church

The second candle on our Advent wreath was lit as we continue our preparations for celebrating the birth of Jesus.

A tree will be set up at the back of the church where we will collect items for Street Angels. Gloves, hats, scarves, socks, and boots are their most requested items. We are also collecting non-perishable items for the Essex Area Food Bank.

Our thoughts and prayers are offered to John Postons and family on the passing of Cynthia Postons. John was a past minister at St. Paul’s and Trinity Church.

Visit our little outdoor library; take a book and enjoy it during these cold days.

Trinity will hold it’s first Christingle service on Dec. 24th at 7pm. A “christingle represents the “little Christ Child” Children of all ages will enjoy this service. We will have a get-together on Dec. 23 (time to be announced) to create the christingles.

Christmas celebrations continue with a Christmas Day, Dec. 25 service at 9:30am. All are welcome.

Sunday morning services are at 9:30am with the Rev.’d Hilton Gomes.

Essex United Church

This Sunday, December 11th, is the third Sunday in Advent. The candle for “JOY” will be lit and Brian Stocks will lead our service. His messages are always meaningful.

The Advent Service for Wednesday, December 14th at noon, will be held at the Faith Reformed Church and led by Rev. Russell Rogers. Please plan to attend. A light lunch will follow.

Sunday, December 14th is the last Sunday we will collect warm clothes for those in need.

Our church will be open during the Santa Claus parade on Saturday, December 10th, offering hot chocolate and cookies. Please come inside to warm up!

On Sunday, December 18th, Brian Stocks will share his message of “LOVE” as we light the 4th Advent candle. Please join us at 10:30, to hear his inspirational message.

Our Christmas Eve service will be held on Saturday, December 24th at 7pm. Please join us for a Christmas Agape meal.

We are not hosting services on Sunday, December

25th and Sunday, January 1st.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Essex Food Bank is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:45. Their phone number is 519-776-4070.

Essex Baptist Church

Our congregation is open and welcomes you to join us for Sunday worship at 10:30am. Recorded messages are on our website at: www.essexbaptist.com

We contiue to pray for God’s blessing on all of Essex County. Let us know how we can, more specifically, pray for you. (email: pastor@essexbaptist.com). 71 Maidstone Ave East.

Woodslee United Church

submitted by Sue Holman

Join us for Sunday Service and Sunday School at 10:45am. Rev. Carl will lead the Service. You can also see the service and bulletin on our website: www. woodsleepastoralcharge.ca.

Coffee Hour is every Thursdays at 10am.

Antioch Christian Ministries

Submitted by Karen Chaulk

Antioch Church, located at 455 County Rd. 34 W. Essex, invites you to join them for their Sunday Services at 10am - Children’s Ministry Classes are available during service for ages 18 month - Grade 6, beginning at 10:30am.

Youth meet on Fridays at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm).

Young Adults meet every other Saturday at 7:30pm.

For more information about other meetings and service times, please visit: antiochcanada.ca

Paquette News

Join us at the Church of the Redeemer at 9am, or St. Stephen’s at 10:30am, for the Third Sunday of Advent.

Bring your appetites to Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, December 11th for our Soup Lunch, from 10am - 1pm. Admission is a donation.

Harmony Plus, a musical duet, will perform a Christmas concert on Friday, December 16th, at Church of the Redeemer. The music starts at 7pm and admission is a donation. After the concert, stay for some sweets and fellowship.

St. Stephen’s has frozen individual meat pies for sale. Call Marion at: 519-257-1945.

Church of the Redeemer was very excited to donate over $4000 to L.I.F.E. in Essex. The funds were raised at the last soup lunch and bake sale in November. The staff and families of L.I.F.E. were a big support for the event.

Essex Retirees’ Social Club

Monday’s Pepper games had Lorraine Stiers with the high score, Charlie Chevailer with the lowest score, and Evelyn Vivier with the most peppers.

Wednesday night was our Special Pepper games. We had Tom D. with the highest score and Lou Ann with the lowest score.

Come on out and join us for Pepper on Mondays at 1pm and Wednesdays at 7pm.

This week at Euchre, Mary Jean had the highest score. Come on out and join us on Fridays at 1pm.

We will have the VON coming to do a presentation on Fall Prevention on December 14th at 10:30am.

FARMING

WANTED

Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop

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

WANTED - Sharecrop land - Ryan Olson at 519-982-4826. 46 -4t

SERVICES

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

KENNETH YARDWORKS Fall CleanUp. 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

SERVICES

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 47-tfn

FOR SALE

MACHINERY FOR SALE - 13 prong Glenco Soil Saver, Tile Trench Cover Close. Call: 519-995-4450. 46-5t*

FOR SALE - Selling medical equiptment. Dog cages. Safety shoes. All excellent. Call: 519-972-6427. Prayer to the Holy Spirit, St. Jude, and St. Anthony. G.McC. 47-2t*

FOR SALE - CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE - Woodworking tools for sale. 1971 County Rd. 46, Woodslee. 47-1t*

FOR SALE - Hudson Bay Blanket - from the 1950s, best offer. Hardwood Dining Room Furniture with Leaf & 4 chairs. - 1940s - $100.00 firm. Call: 519-9915578. 46-1t*

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*

LOT FOR SALE - Corner of Graham & County Rd 8. 215 x 214. Gas, water, on treed lot. Call: 519-982-4826 or 519995-4450. 46-5t*

2 BEDROOM HOUSE FOR SALE - On large lot. Large Shed on County Road 31 South, County Rd 8 2744. Call: 519-9824826 or 519-995-4450. 46-5t*

FARM FOR SALE

FARM FOR SALE - 85 acres of farmland. South end of County Rd. #15 on east side of the road. Contact: 519-796-4618. 43-4t*

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED: Tilray Inc. is looking for Greenhouse Production Associates to join their team. Duties include daily crop maintenance, harvesting, crop rotation, inventory counts, and cleaning of greenhouse. No public transportation available. Located in Leamington, ON. Compensation starts at $15.50/hour. Full time hours - Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays. Please apply at careers@tilray.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4.

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

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

WANTED

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

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

WANTED

CASH PAID for Men’s Rolex watches, mechanical or automatic. Buying complete estates, gold, silver, vintage jewelry, and watches. Call: 519-7966380. 46-tfn*

WANTED - Will buy any wooden furniture, indoor or outdoor. Call: (519)564-1871. Ask for Ron. 46-3t*

Tractors: CIH Magnum 225 MFWD w/front and rear duals, CV T, 4 remotes (5132hrs); CIH MX120 MFWD w/2 remotes, front weights (10,700hrs); IH 886 2WD w/cab, 2 remotes (6634hrs); Ford 7710 MFWD w/cab, 2 remotes, front weights (8715hrs, one owner); Ford 7710 2WD w/cab, 2 remotes (7583hrs)

Forklift: Clark 5000lb propane forklift

Implements: CIH 2500 5-shank Ecolo-Till; CIH 3900 20ft disc; IH 735 6F w; IH 710 4F semi-mt plow; Kongskilde 30ft culti vator w/double rolling baskets; leveller; Turnco 14ft crowfoot packer; Marchand 3pth PTO ditcher; Tu ine 3pth 3pth potato plow; Willmar tandem fertilizer spreader; 2-275bu gravity wagons augers; 2-Turnco 225 gravity wagons; 12ft 3pth brush rake; 500 and 750 gallon nurse tank trailers; 20ft x 8ft steel at rack wagon; 3-nurse wagons with poly tanks and pumps; horizontal woodsplitter; 12 1/2ft land leveller; 10ft o set mower w/hyd. transport

Tomato Equipment: Pikrite 190 tomato har vester; RJ 6R tomato planter; Pikrite 2R vine trainer on Blackweld chassis w/JD 4-cyl diesel; PDF High Horse corn detassler; several pairs of tomato wagons; Badalini 3R 3pth PTO roto-tiller w/crowfoot packers; 3R tomato bedder; 3pth 2R bed ripper; 3R minibander; various tomato cultivators and parts; various spraying equipment; tandem axle plug tray trailer w/curtain sides

Irrigation: Cadman 3600 XL-B traveller w/gun and approx. 2200ft of pipe, blowout compressor, Honda motor; Cadman 4000SA traveller w/gun and approx. 1200ft of pipe, Honda motor; pipe trailer w/30-30ft x 6in pipes; sand lters on trailers; irrigation guns; 2-Caprari PTO pumps; Novati T250E PTO pump; large quantity of 3 and 4in lay at hose; large quantity of 3 and 4in drip header hose; 4in electric valves; various irrigation ttings

Misc: GMC Topkick w/Cat diesel, 18ft at rack (as is, not roadworthy); Carolina 55 ton hyd. shop press; Carolina 5000 engine hoist; per forated and non-per forated tile; various ag tires; several saddle tanks; large variety of parts related to tomato equipment; Craftsman oor model drill press; wooden picking crates; diamond harrows; 3-Badalini roto-tiller heads; and more

Auctioneers Note: A good o ering as the Dick’s are getting out of tomato production. Preview: Sat. Dec. 3 and Sat. Dec. 10 from 10AM until 3PM. Terms: Cash, E-transfer, Interac, or Cheque with ID 10% buyer premium (capped at $1000.00 per item) and HST in e ect For Catalogue and Bidding: go to jacobauctions.hibid.com For info: Call Greg at 519-796-2548

Homemade sign to bring hometown feel to Essex’s first annual Santa’s Village

by Sylene Argent

For months, Rich Tapping has been busy organizing Essex’s very first “Canada’s Most Southern Santa’s Village” and getting area individuals interested in volunteering for this inaugural event that is sure to embody the spirit of a winter wonderland.

Avenue, in memory of his mother, Nancy, who loved Christmas. She passed away 20-yearsago.

“I wanted something homemade and traditional,” Tapping said. He was pleased Chartier came forward to build the sign with his own two hands.

volunteers, and donors who are coming together to make it happen.

OPP Educates residents on how to fight fraud

Constable Steven Duguay and Auxiliary Constable Robert Bacon of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), presented the “Fight Fraud” seminar, which was focused on current provincial trends related to fraudulent crimes.

fraudulent crimes, along with the changing tactics used by scammers.

“It is estimated that fewer than five percent of all fraudulent activity in Canada gets reported. Fraud is more widespread than what people might realize,” he said.

by Dan Bissonnette

On Saturday, December 3, more than 50 local residents gathered at Essex Gospel Community Church for an afternoon seminar on fraud.

Constable Duguay, who serves as a Media Relations Officer for the Essex County Detachment, opened up the presentation by discussing the increase in

The first type of crime discussed was the Romance Fraud, which usually takes place on social media and dating sites. Predators begin by winning the trust of victims and building relationships with them. Then they ask for help, often asking for small amounts of money and then progressively larger sums.

Some of the telltale

One thing missing, however, was a sign that would resemble one in a Christmas movie that would hang above as community members gathered for a celebration. So, he put a request out to the community, hoping someone would stepup to hand-make such a warm welcome.

Resident Brandon Chartier rose to the challenge.

Chartier said he wanted to make the large sign that will hang above the gateway to the park at Talbot Street and Victoria

When Chartier presented Tapping with a design concept, “It was exactly what I was looking for,” he said, noting Chartier worked hard to put it together with plywood Essex Home Hardware donated, using a stencil he asked Allegra to create.

“My mom was a huge Christmas fan. I made the sign in memory of her,” Chartier explained.

Tapping said the sign, and the event itself, will bring a lot of love for the season back to Essex, because of the sponsors,

The event will take place inside the Heritage Gardens Park on Saturday, December 10, from 3-9pm, before and after the Essex Centre Claus Parade. It will offer 32 vendors, eight different activities – including cookie decorating, making reindeer food, and creating ornaments – a performance from the Essex Community Concert Band and the Essex Vocal Express, a virtual reality trailer, and an ice sculpture artist.

Tapping is hoping the first annual goes off without a hitch and has plans to expand it with more attractions and have it span over a whole weekend in the future.

FromThe Heart

Email your photo and content to contact@ essexfreepress.com or drop by our office at 16 Centre St., Essex. Personal notices must be received by Monday at 12:00 noon to appear in the Thursday edition.

IN LOVING MEMORY

OPP Educates residents on how to fight fraud...

signs are individuals who profess love, but never commit to meeting in person. Scammers typically tell their victims to keep the relationship a secret in order to isolate them from others.

Duguay emphasized that people should never respond to requests for photos or money and that anyone who suspects they are being targeted should contact the host website.

Emergency Fraud occurs when victims receive what appears to be urgent telephone calls from lawyers or police officers, explaining that money is needed to cover legal fees or pay bail for a grandchild or other relative. Also referred to as Grandparents Scam, this crime has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Victims are often pressured to send money quickly or their grandchild will be jailed.

Scammers may even send someone posing as a plainclothes officer to collect cash at the home of the victim. They may also use official-sounding legal terms and arrange payment through gift cards or bitcoin. The speakers emphasized that bail money is not used in Canada and police who arrive at people’s homes only do so in uniform. All legitimate members

of law enforcement officers have a warrant card, which people can request to see.

Bank Investigator Fraud occurs when a victim is contacted by someone claiming to be a bank official who asks for help to investigate possible fraud at their local bank. The victim is asked to make a withdrawal or deliver cash. Scammers may also ask for remote access to their victim’s computers to view their online accounts. They often urge the victim not to discuss the matter with anyone since the investigation is secret.

The speakers emphasized that financial institutions never ask for help with investigations. People should never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or consent to give remote access to their computers.

Spoofing is a deceptive practice associated with caller identification, in which scammers conceal their phone number on a victim’s call display and replace it with another phone number display that is familiar to an individual. Callers may pose as friends, family, or coworkers and ask for money. This is a relatively new scam that has become prevalent with the widespread use of cell phones. As with other scams, people should pay heed to their suspicions, ask questions, and refuse to provide personal or financial information.

In wrapping up the presentation, Duguay urged everyone to call their local police if they have been the target of a scam, as well as their financial institution if their account has been compromised.

He also encouraged the audience to visit the

Continued from Page 17

“If you encounter a possible case of fraud, don’t let others pressure you into doing something; take time to ask questions and assess the situation. If an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is,” he concluded.

What’s Going On...

ON NOW (TO JAN. 4) – KINSVILLE’S FANTASY OF LIGHTS - For info: www. fantasyoflights.ca

DEC. 10 – ESSEX SANTA CLAUS PARADE - at 6:30pm. Visit: www.santaparade.org for all info. Santa Village Market with Vendors. See social media for more info.

DEC. 10 & 11 CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOW - from 10am - 4pm, at the Essex Recreation Complex, 242 Talbot St. N. Gym A. Proceeds benefit Kingsville Essex Associated Band.

DEC. 18 FREE 26TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY TURKEY DINNER - 3-6pm. Hosted by the McGregor Squirettes of Mary. Order ahead. Both ‘drive-up’ & ‘take-out’ dinner, & ‘eat-in’ will be offered. Rose will assist you: 519-919-5318 or 519-776-5710.

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.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre. ca.

OPP Constable Steven Duguay speaks to the audience during the “Fight Fraud” seminar.

submitted to EFP

Hundreds of charges have been laid across Ontario, a snapshot of the work done by investigators and analysts that make up the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet (Provincial Strategy).

The results of the investigations completed in October, named Project MAVERICK, were announced in a video release showcasing members of the Provincial Strategy. During the month, the 27 policing partners conducted 255 investigations, completed 168 search warrants, and seized 1,032 devices.

In total, 428 charges were laid against 107 people, ranging in age from 18 to 86-years-old. During the investigations, 61 victims were identified and referred to appropriate community-based resources for assistance, while an additional 60 children were safeguarded. There are 175 ongoing investigations where additional charges may be laid.

The Provincial Strategy includes two ministries (Attorney General and Solicitor General) and 27 participating police agencies: Barrie, Belleville, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, Durham, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Niagara, North Bay, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Ottawa, Peel, Peterborough, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, Woodstock, and York.

Additional partners that participated in these investigations included OPP Digital Forensics, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security. The BOOST Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, the Children’s Aid Society, and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection provided victims’ support and education.

“These numbers are staggering,” Jordan Whitesell said in a video made for the announcement. “These statistics relate to the abuse and exploitation of children, some who are too young to even speak.”

Every day, appalling actions are taken by predators against the most vulnerable in our society, our children,” OPP Chief Superintendent Kari Dart, OPP Investigation and Support Bureau said in the video. “The harm done to these young victims affects their lives forever.”

Since the Provincial Strategy began in 2006, it has completed 65,564 investigations and laid 24,608 charges against 6,540 people. A total of 3,470 victims have been identified worldwide.

Dart said since the initiative began, there has been a massive increase in cases, arrests, and charges.

The investigations continue and anyone with information on these or any child exploitation investigations are asked to contact their local police. Report any instances of online child abuse to police or cybertip.ca. If a child is being harmed, call 9-1-1.

“These numbers are shocking, but they provide hope by showing the lengths our teams are willing to go to protect children. I would like to express gratitude for the hard work of the Provincial Strategy members, and our partners, in keeping children in this province safe and holding those who want to harm them accountable,” Dart commented.

“The work done by the Provincial Strategy members [takes] us to some of the darkest corners of society and exposes the horrific crimes committed every day against children. This is not a crime that can be combated by our members alone and we ask that everyone out there recognize the importance they play in protecting children. Report these crimes, remain vigilant and educate yourself,” OPP Detective Sergeant Jamie King, Provincial Strategy Lead, added.

“For those out there who are the ones abusing children, we have a message for you…,” Whitesell said in the video. “We are coming for you. We will hold you accountable.”

To learn how to keep children safe, go to Canadian Centre for Child Protection or cybertip.ca.

The Essex Southpoint U13 Hockey Team Report

the scoring. Stratford evened the score late in the middle frame while on the power play and although both teams had chances, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

On Sunday morning ESP faced off against the fourth place team, the Kent Cobras, and right from the opening face off, ESP dominated. Kayden Cook led the attack by firing in four goals and Ben Liebrock added a pair. Nash Feurth, Nathan Mariuz, and Lucas O’Neil rounded out the scoring by chipping in a goal each. Kevin Ondic, who was between the pipes for every game this tournament, stopped every shot thrown his way to earn the shutout and the win.

in the game, on a Warriors turnover, Youssef found Derksen busting in from the point and his hard wrister beat the goaltender blocker side to gain the lead. But, a minute later Stratford again tied the game and this is the way it would end in regulation time, sending it to 3 on 3 overtime. Ten minutes of 3 on 3 overtime, with scoring chances by both sides settled nothing so it was off to double OT.

Both teams were able to generate scoring chances but it wasn’t until 6:42 remaining, Kayden Cook , at the end of his shift, passed to a streaking Austin Goudie. Goudie skated in one-on-one with the defenceman, faking right, then stepped back left ripping his shot low stick side off the post and in, to secure the Championship for ESP.

Kevin Ondic once again stood tall in net while earning the W and helping his team to victory.

Submitted to EFP

The Essex Southpoint (ESP) U13 Hockey Team participated in the Belle River Memorial Rep Hockey Tournament this past weekend and came away AA Champions.

On Friday Essex faced off against the Kent Cobras and although they did not have their best game, they came out on top 4-1. AJ Youssef led his team by scoring a pair and Nash Feurth and Kayden Cook added one each.

Friday night Essex Southpoint easily took care of the Burlington Eagles, beating them with an impressive of 7-1. Derek Dunn, Kayden Cook, and Nathan Mariuz paced the attack scoring two apiece while Ben Liebrock rounded out the scoring by adding a goal to the winning cause.

On Saturday, ESP found itself up against the Waterloo Wolves which it defeated 5-2. Derek Dunn notched a pair while Lucas O’Neil, Austin Goudie, and Ben Liebrock each chipped in a goal to help the cause.

On Saturday night ESP faced off against a familiar foe in the Stratford Warriors. In a very entertaining contest scoring was hard to come by but Maxim Pyne fired in a wrist shot over the blocker of the Warriors goalie to open

ESP Hockey finished its round robin pool play atop the leaderboard with a record of 3 wins and a tie.

This set up a rematch with the Stratford Warriors in the Final as they beat Whitby in the other Semifinal game. This was, as all previous games against the Warriors have been, another battle of two highly skilled teams. Three minutes into the second Cook, on the rush, passed the puck back to Owen Derksen who rifled his shot through traffic out front to open the scoring. Stratford evened the score with two minutes to go in the second.

With 3:49 left to play

In 1975, Jack Wright of Thamesford, Ontario, wanted an old car to restore. He saw an ad for a 1930 Durant sedan and went to look at it. The car was built in Leaside near Toronto and had been used to round up cows on someone’s farm. The seller wanted $1500 and Jack bought it and brought it home. His older brother saw it and said: “Take it to the dump.”

Jack admits “it was in rough shape with bangs and dents and looked like animals had been living in it. The fabric roof was covered with a tin sheet and the wood frame was rotten but it still had most of its parts, and the six cylinder flathead engine turned over with a hand crank.

“Joining the Durant Family Registry in 1981 provided information on finding parts, pictures, and great stories. Now the club is named Durant Motors Automobile Club and I’m still a member.

“Countless hours were spent hammering the dents out and repairing the body where it had rusted away. The wooden spoke wheels had about five coats of paint of various colours on them, which probably saved them.”

Jack painted the car Mulberry Maroon, an original Durant colour, but says a restoration is never finished. His gas gauge doesn’t work!

billtsherk@sympatico.ca

by Garrett Fodor

The Leamington Flyers’ offense was firing in full force during the three games the team had this week, combining for 16 goals.

After defeating rivals, the LaSalle Vipers in a previous contest, the week did not begin on the same foot.

Traveling to LaSalle on Wednesday, the Flyers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring a pair of goals from Gabe Piccolo and Ryan Clark, skating into the second intermission. The Vipers, however, took a bite out of the Flyers, scoring two goals in the opening eight-minutes, before Wylie

Birkett tipped a shot by Bryce Walcarius with just over two-seconds remaining to seal the game at 3-2.

It was a quick turnaround for the Flyers, returning home on Thursday, as they played host to the St. Thomas Stars.

Billy Van Sumeren opened the scoring with two-minutes remaining in the first. Coming out of the intermission, the Stars rattled off a pair of goals just 26-seconds apart. But it would serve as a wake-up call for the Flyers. They went on to score three unanswered goals, closing out the second period as well as

1930 Durant rescued and restored.

reaches 18 consecutive wins

rewarded with seven-minutes remaining in the frame to restore the three-goal lead.

Through 40 minutes, the 73’s held a 29-15 lead in the shots column.

In the third period, Mitchell Demelo once again cut the 73’s lead back to two. That was as close as the Admirals would get, as the 73’s pulled away once again, scoring a pair of unanswered goals throughout the duration of the third period.

This sealed Essex’s 7-3 win. Final shots were 43-29 in favor of Essex.

Essex carrying the 3-0 lead into the first intermission. After 20-minutes of play, Essex had outshot Mooretown 18-8.

by Garrett Fodor

The Essex 73’s is continuing with its impressive form as it remains at the top of the standings.

On Tuesday, the 73’s closed out November by playing host to the Amherstburg Admirals. The Admirals opened the scoring just over threeminutes into the game, when Braeden Armstrong beat Adrian McBride. But the goal would serve as a wake-up for the 73’s team, which seemed to respond by ramping up the speed, pressure, and offensive chances.

Ethan Hamlin then tied the game just over six-minutes later, with Carter Dembinski, Liam Hall, and Jacob Archer all scoring in the frame, propelling the 73’s to a 4-1 lead skating into the intermission.

During the second period, the 73’s continued to utilize their high tempo pace of play to cause havoc on the Admirals. While Stefan Djordjevic did score for the Admirals midway through the frame, the 73’s continued to own the puck, firing everything towards Admirals’ goaltender, Josh Courtney. Everett Parent was

Flyers win 2-of-3, suffer final second buzzer beater...

earning an additional three goals in the third period. This sealed the fate of the Stars, as the Flyers toppled the Stars, 7-2, with Van Sumeren registering a hattrick.

Closing out the week, the Flyers traveled to Strathroy to face-off against the fifth place Rockets. The Rockets opened the scoring just 38-seconds in, but the Flyers responded swiftly, with Griffin Grundner scoring just three-minutes later, for his second goal in

as many games.

Skating out of the intermission, the teams continued to exchange goals, including Grundner scoring his second of the game as well as the MacPherson twins both also scoring in the frame, with the Flyers carrying a 5-3 lead into the final intermission.

Closing out the game, the Flyers added a pair of goals from Trevor LaRue and Bryce Scarlett, sealing a 7-3 win.

The wins continue to

Continued from Page 22

position the Flyers near the top of the standings, battling London and St. Marys for the top spot.

The Flyers strengthened its roster recently, adding 2002 born defenseman, Thomas Grossi, from the OJHL.

The Flyers return home Thursday, hosting Strathroy. It continues to sell online 50/50 tickets with details being found on leamingtonflyers.com

Closing out the week, the 73’s hit the road, traveling to Mooretown to face the Flags. Prior to the contest, the 73’s announced they had signed overage forward, Kolton Couvillon, who had previously spent time with the Admirals as well as the Lakeshore Canadiens organizations.

Couvillon made his debut Saturday, with his presence being felt. He did not shy away from physical contact and putting his body on the line. The quick pace and physical nature in Mooretown’s small arena were quick to give the visiting 73’s a jolt of life early. They would test John Chartrand, but he stood tall early.

Mid-way through the frame, the 73’s eventually broke through. Conor Dembinski opened the scoring, and nearly three-minutes later, Everett Parent scored his second goal in as many games to make it 2-0.

Closing out the frame, Dembinski notched his second of the night, with

In the middle frame, the teams continued to show the physical side to their respective games, with players getting under one-another’s skin. Both teams had their fair share of special teams play in the second period and throughout the contest, combining for 60 penalty minutes in the game. But despite seven power-plays combined in the period, neither team found the back of the net in the period, with Essex holding onto its 3-0 lead heading into the second intermission.

Coming out of the intermission, the Flags got on the board with Ethan Kerby finding the twine behind Cavan McCabe, to make it a 3-1 game. Four-minutes later, the 73’s restored their lead as Conor Dembinski completed his hat-trick to make it a 4-1. Closing out the frame, Jacob Archer added his 12th goal of the season to make it an eventual 5-1 game and later a 5-1 win for the 73’s.

This extended Essex’s winning streak to 18 consecutive games.

The 73’s now carry a seven-point lead over second place Canadiens, with the pair set to meet Friday in Lakeshore.