Essex Free Press - February 20, 2020 by Essex Free Press

www.essexfreepress.com

The Friendliest Pharmacy in Essex County! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Hours: Monday 9am-8pm, Tuesday - Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-1pm

Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Located inside Essex Medical Centre

186 Talbot St. S., Essex

519-961-9610 @bradysdrugstore A LOOK INSIDE Family Day activities hosted in Essex, Kingsville, Tecumseh, and Lakeshore PAGE 2 _______________ OSSTF Provincial President visits EDHS during province-wide walkout PAGE 3 _______________ Kids Curing Cancer event continues to honour siblings’ grandpa PAGE 10 _______________ 73’s and Sharks tied in nail-biting playoff battle PAGE 18 _______________ True Festival brings the heat to Amherstburg PAGE 20 _______________

Looking For A Good Home

“CHANCE” See Page 5 for adoption info.

Vol. 140

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Issue No. 07

Essex Area Food Bank settling into new facility

by Sylene Argent Leading up to and during the holiday season, volunteers with the Essex Area Food Bank were busy moving its food items and equipment from its previous home at the former Sun Parlour Junior Public School facility, to its new location, in the basement of Essex United Church. The need for the move was because the Essex Area Food Bank’s lease was to expire with the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) at the end of 2019. The move to the new location ended an around 25-year partnership between the local food bank and the GECDSB. In that time, the Essex Area Food Bank has operated in and around Essex District High School. Essex Area Food Bank volunteers stand inside a portion of their new distribution facility, now located in the “It was an emergency basement of Essex United Church. situation to try and get there [at Essex United Church], but items twice a week instead of once to ensure around the holiday season.“We were very it is up and running,” Food Bank Board of food items are still available for its clients. proud,” Jones said of the donations the Food Directors member, Gerry Belanger said. He Down the road, the Food Bank may need to Bank collected. added all of the Food Bank’s volunteers are keep an eye out for a larger space on ground The Essex Area Food Bank is open on grateful to Essex United Church for giving level, but, in the present, the Food Bank is Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 am until up a large portion of its basement so the food currently quite happy with its new partnership 1 pm. Volunteers typically serve around 50 distribution service could continue to serve its with Essex United Church. clients per day of operation, with each client many clients. “The Church as been wonderful to us,” representing an average of three individuals “The structure of the new setup is working Fellow Essex Area Food Bank Board of served when considering family members. well,” Belanger said. “But, the space is smaller Directors member, Lonnie Jones, said. “It is a Last year, Belanger added, the Essex Area than we had before. We are grateful to Essex very suitable, wonderful facility.” Food Bank was able to serve 11,382 meals. It United Church for allowing us in here.” Jones added the Food Bank’s freezers and is expected the same amount of meals will be He noted that the Food Bank is short a few shelves are currently full as a few distribution served this year, too. fridges and freezers because of the smaller dates were missed during the move. During that Jones and Belanger are grateful to all the space available, but the volunteers are grateful time, clients were directed to other services. schools that host fundraisers for the Food for the new partnership and have have special And, because there were many generous food Bank, which helps keep the shelves stocked arrangements with suppliers to pick up food and financial donations that were forwarded for area families in need.

2 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

Family Day activities hosted in Essex, Kingsville, Tecumseh, and Lakeshore

by Sylene Argent There were plenty of opportunities for area families to spend some time together on Monday, which was recognized as Family Day across the Country. In celebration of the day designated for families to spend time together, special programming was hosted in Essex, Kingsville, Tecumseh, and Lakeshore. In Essex, families had the opportunity to

lace up their skates and take advantage of ice time at the Essex Centre Sports Complex and at the Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre. They also had the option to throw on their swimsuits and goggles to enjoy some time in the pool at the Essex Recreation Complex. Family Day swimming and skating sessions are traditional activities offered through the Town of Essex, but in Continued on Page 5

PRICES IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 TO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Fresh

Fresh, Local Pork from Weston Abattoir, Maidstone

% 4 3 Side Ribs

OFF

Red • Green Yellow • Orange

Peppers

Regular Price $3.49 lb NOW ONLY $1.99 lb

TBQ Style

Ribs

43%

$ 69

OFF

Reg. $6.99 lb

lb.

NOW ONLY $3.99 lb

Schinkels’ Legacy

Chicken or Turkey

Smoked

Chunky $ Meat Pies

$ 99

Chorizo Sausage Dinner Made Easy!

Frozen • Oven Ready • 1300 g • Made In Store

Mild or Hot

Regular $18.99

Available from 11am - 6pm or While Supplies Last Ava

Roast Beef

Dinner $ 99

Schinkels’ Legacy • Old Fashion

Ham Kielbasa

Sticks

Made In Store Microwaveable

Reg. $11.99

Chicken A La King

$ 99

Reg. $7.99 lb.

$ 99

Oven Ready • Made In Store

Chicken Cream Cheese Dreams

Boneless chicken breast stuﬀed with seasoned cream cheese then wrapped in bacon.

$ 99

Reg. $9.99 lb.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

News I 3

Essex Free Press

OSSTF Provincial President visits EDHS during province-wide walkout - Calls e-learning discriminatory -

by Sylene Argent On Thursday, February 13, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Provincial President, Harvey Bischof, toured the Windsor-Essex County Region as the local District 9 chapter took part in the provincewide, one-day strike. OSSTF is holding the strikes to raise awareness regarding a number of concerns, including the province’s want to increase class sizes and introduce mandatory online classes. In addition, the province has offered a one-percent max increase per year. The union was looking to have that increased to around twopercent to keep in line with the cost of living increases. Bischof visited the Employment Assessment Centre in Windsor and Essex District High School to speak to picketers, while they stood in solidarity, through snowy weather

conditions, sending a simple message to the provincial government, cuts hurt kids. Additional OSSTF District 9 picket locations included at Kennedy Collegiate Institution and Westview Freedom Academy in Windsor, along with General Amherst High School and Kingsville District High School in the County. In Essex, Bischof spoke to the OSSTF high school teachers and educational assistants, who work at both the primary and secondary levels. As Bischof stood on the bed of a pickup truck in front of Essex District High School to address the educators, several passing car horns were honked in support of education. One of the big reasons Bischof wanted to visit the Windsor area is because almost the whole spectrum of education workers in the

system are represented. “I am absolutely sick to death of an Education Minister [Stephen Lecce], who deliberately ignores the work of our education workers because he does not understand what they do, he does not know who you are,” Bischof said. “Anybody who works in education, knows that our schools don’t work without our education workers in them, and they know that out students do not succeed without the support the education workers bring. “I am absolutely sick to death of a Minister of Education, who votes for a 20percent increase for his housing allowance, but thinks our education workers, who average about $38,000 a year, don’t deserve to keep up with inflation,” he added. He claimed Lecce has never educated or raised a child, and “Doesn’t know the first thing about collective bargaining or education, and he thinks he is going to tell you how it is done. It’s appalling,” Bischof said. He said it is not easy for teachers and educational assistants to give up pay, it is not easy being away from the students they support and work with every day. “I want to remind people…we didn’t start this. We didn’t go to the bargaining table and say to the government ‘look, we got a bunch of

outrageous demands, and if you don’t meet these demands, we are going out on strike.’ That is not what happened at all,” Bischof said, who said that on March 15, “not at a bargaining table, the [then] Minister of Education, [Lisa Thompson], got to a podium and said she was going to cut one out of four high school teachers out of the system, she was going to cut thousands of education workers out of the system. She is going to enforce mandatory e-learning, like they do in…Alabama. “And we said, collectively, “That’s not on. We’re not going to have that,” Bischof said. “We have Ontarians on side supporting our position,” Bischof added. He claimed the OSSTF polling overwhelmingly showed that parents and the general public do not like what the government has put on the bargaining table. “They like our position. They like the idea of maintaining a high-quality education system on behalf of our students and on behalf of the province’s future.” In the long run, Bischof said it is hard to predict how this situation will end, but noted, “In the 100-year history of the OSSTF, this is one of the historical fights we have ever been in. This is a fight that 10 and 20 and 30-years from now, future OSSTF members and future students are going to look back at what you’ve done, your willing to sacrifice, and thank you for standing up for publicly funded education.” Bischof later explained to reporters that in more recent disputes, OSSTF has disagreed with the government, but he has not felt in the past 15-years a government was being dealt with that “was fundamentally opposed to delivering a quality education in Ontario.” Bischof noted OSSTF and the province have not Continued on Page 6

4 I Opinion Essex Free Press

Editorial &Opinion

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• The continuum of learning and teaching

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 OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy / Andrew Beaudoin - Office Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Social Media / Production Lana Warwick - Graphic Design Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales Manager Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter Shelley Beaudoin - Graphic Design / Production

CIRCULATION The Essex Free Press is an audited publication with controlled circulation of 10,000.

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.

One of those quotes that has always stuck with me is one from the Dalai Lama, which goes, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” If we stop listening, we stop learning. I have been thinking of this quote quite often as local teachers’ unions continue to strike for a variety of reasons. Striking can be a tough sell in this area. Some people support any workers headed to the picket line, and other just can’t stand the reaction. Personally, I strongly support our rights as Canadians for our Freedom of Expression, so I never get annoyed by any employees headed to the picket line, even if I disagree with their stance. If we tear those down who are standing up for what they believe in or what they think they should be entitled to, eventually, we may lose the right to do so, by own our hand; and that is something our veterans sacrificed their lives for. This strike has been one that could easily divide people. There are those out there who just do not like any unions to begin with and get annoyed as soon as they hear about anything union-related. There are parents who have become frustrated with keeping up with strike dates and

finding alternative care for their little ones. There are those out there who think teachers make too much as it is. And, of course, there are those who support the teachers and educational assistants, whether they have kids or not. So, we can see how these opinions can divide the people on the issue. And, I have always said that any powers that be enjoy it when we divide ourselves into groups and fight each other rather than fight the powers that be. What I have seen from this strike, really, is that some people have concerns on teachers wanting a 2 percent raise to keep up with inflation. Keep in mind, that is also for educational assistants, who do not make as much as teachers. That really can be a hard one to sell because I can see that there are many people out there who would love that two-percent yearly wage increase for themselves, but will likely never get it, whether they have union support or not. So, we get this, “If I don’t get it, why should anyone else” mentality. The other hard sell is that Ontarian taxpayers have to pay that increase, which, I am sure, is made up of many who will not get that inflation increase themselves. There are a couple of important things to keep in mind, though. One:

that is only one of the bargaining issues; two: I have always said, we need to get rid of that mentality of “if I can’t have it, why should anyone else?” With not supporting things for others, we don’t support a higher standard for employment that could eventually be applied to different industries, with a big enough push. The thing I worry about when it comes to education is that students really need to be guided and challenged in an academic sense. If you think about it, we are setting them up to care for us when we become too old to care for ourselves. I have tried online learning at the post-secondary level, and I disliked it. It really made the subject matter extremely boring and difficult to retain. My fear is that when it comes to online learning for high school students, is that they too will become disinterested in the subject material. I also worry that those students who do not have access to internet, or proper computer equipment, will be at a disadvantage, and I think every student should start and finish their elementary and high school careers with the same advantages. What you do with that education after that point is up to the individual.

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 Fax: 519.776.4014

email: contact@essexfreepress.com

www.essexfreepress.com

Commentary - OFA

OFA opposes residential severances on prime ag land by Larry Davis, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Land use planning and the policies governing it are of keen interest to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and our farming members – primarily from the perspective of preserving productive agricultural land for its broadest uses. Municipal land use in Ontario is guided by the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), first adopted in 1996/1997 and most recently updated in 2019. Municipalities use the PPS as the minimum standard on land use policies, including lot creation policies. Municipalities cannot establish local land use planning policies that are less restrictive than in the PPS or one of the ‘space-based’ land use plans. Land use policies in some areas of the province are also guided by ‘spacebased’ land use plans, including the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Niagara Escarpment Plan, and the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. Rural severances were once common practice in municipalities across rural Ontario when lots were

severed for residential use, farm retirement lots, or to create a surplus residence for a farm operation. Today, after several changes to the PPS, with the exception of residence surplus to a farming operation, the creation of new non-farm residential lots in prime agricultural areas is not permitted. OFA supports this land use policy and opposes residential lot creation in prime agricultural areas. OFA developed a Consolidated Agricultural Land Use Policy Statement in 2001, combining provincial land use planning-related policies, statements and submissions. In this statement, OFA clearly opposed non-farm lot creation in prime agricultural areas – a position we continue to hold today. OFA’s position is based on solid rationale and not just the loss of productive agricultural land. A variety of studies – including OFA’s Cost of Community Services case study – found that scattered rural residential development actually cost more for municipalities to provide services for than the property tax revenue

Continues on Page 5

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Opinion / Community I 5

Essex Free Press

Family Day activities hosted...

Commentary - OFA Continued from Page 4

received. There are also Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) consequences when non-farming developments occur in agricultural areas. For example, a one-acre, non-farming lot in a prime agricultural area effectively sterilizes the surrounding 250 acres from hosting a new livestock barn or manure storage facility. It may also limit the expansion of an existing livestock or poultry farm within that 250-acre area. Data from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in the 1990s indicated that farm retirement lots only stayed in the hands of the retired farmer for approximately two to three years before they were sold, often to non-farmers. Conflict can then arise when residents who are unfamiliar with the realities of farming and farm practices move to rural areas. While the Farming and Food Production Protection Act helps farmers manage nuisance complaints about odours, dusts, noises, etc., farmers must still manage complaints from neighbours and defend their farm practices. Severing agricultural land for non-farm residential or commercial building lots removes farmland from production forever. The ongoing loss of prime agricultural land in Ontario can’t be ignored. Census data from 1996 to 2016 shows a steady decline in farmland area – from 13.8 million acres to 12.3 million acres over this 20-year period. Today, Ontario’s farmland represents less than 5% of the province’s overall land area. Living in Ontario’s rural countryside is a privilege. As farmers, we appreciate the open spaces, fresh air, and stunning landscapes that rural living offers. The reality is, if we are to preserve these agricultural lands for future farms and food production, and responsibly manage population growth and urban expansion, we can’t permit rural lot severances in Ontario. It’s in everyone’s best interest to preserve our land.

an attempt to attract even more families to Townoperated facilities, a Kids Zone was also hosted inside the gymnasium at the Recreation Complex/ Essex District High School. “The whole family is out celebrating and playing,” Cynthia Cakebread, Essex’s Manager of Recreation and Culture, said of the new Family Day Fun Zone. “We have a whole bunch of games, inflatables, challenges, and a colouring contest.” Cakebread said she was impressed with the turnout at the new event,

which far surpassed their expectations. Around 100 individuals enjoyed the activities offered through the new Family Day Fun Zone. “This was the first time we offered the Family Day Fun Zone, which provided more fun and more activities, so families could spend more time together,” Cakebread said. “By doing something unique, we captured more people, who may not have come for the regular program options. We definitely want to do this again.” Cakebread said staff members at the Essex

Recreation Complex were fortunate to be able to offer the Family Day programming because of support from the Town of Essex and two key partners, Windsor-Essex Communities in Motion and Pathway 2 Potential, which provided funding for some of the activities. In addition to the activities hosted in Essex for Family Day, events were also hosted in neighbouring municipalities. In Lakeshore, at the Atlas Tube Centre, families were able to enjoy badminton, leisure swims,

Continued from Page 2

skating, and basketball. At the Kingsville Arena, those who were eight-years-old and over, were able to take a CPR class. Families also enjoyed a free public skating session, thanks to Kingsville Parks and Recreation, and a free skating and snack session, thanks to the Local Home Team and the Kingsville Community Policing Committee. In addition, at the Tecumseh Arena, Windsor-Essex Communities in Motion sponsored a free public skate session.

Voice Of Inspiration “It’s up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind.” ~ Steve Maraboli ****************************

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ~ John Green

Pet Of The Week: Chance

Chance is hoping you will take a chance on him. He is an older dog, but has so much love in his heart to share with you. Chance love cuddles. It is his favourite thing, along with going for walks. He is not the biggest fan of toys, because he would much prefer to get attention from you and other pets. Maybe you and Chance can become good friends for life. This pet comes with 6 weeks of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information, visit www.ospcainsurance.ca or call 1-866-600-2445. Visit the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter to visit at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751. The adoption center is open everyday at 11am.

390 Talbot St. N. Essex, Ontario, N8M 2W4

SALES & LEASING PHONE: 519-776-6447 www.kenknappford.com

224 Talbot St. N., Essex 458 TALBOT RD. N., ESSEX, ON 5197765287 www.countrysidechrysler.com

519-776-4222 www.countychevroletessex.com

6 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

OSSTF Provincial President visits EDHS during province-wide walkout... sat at the bargaining table since December 16, 2019. Both parties met for a half a day, and Bischof said the Mediator said both sides were too far apart to be productive. Since then, he said the government has not moved off its position, which he claimed is to “erode the quality of education.” He added that as soon as OSSTF is invited back to the table, it will be there “in a heartbeat.” With the rotating strikes, Bischof said he knows they disrupt the students and their families. He said OSSTF

has tried to maintain and measured approach. “We also know we have to oppose this government’s destructive course. We have been trying to balance that out and so far, that’s a principle we are not going to abandon.” At the bargaining table, Bischof said, “What my members are absolutely not prepared to do is allow for the erosion of quality of education. That comes up in some specific things, like maintaining reasonable class sizes, maintaining supports for students through educational workers who

do that in all sorts of ways, [and] maintaining course options for students. As teachers get cut, the number of classes that are available get limited as well, so students can’t pick the pathways to pursue the future that they want.” The mandatory e-learning program, Bischof said, “Is an absolute disaster.” He added that in his opinion, this stream of education is “Flat out discriminatory; whether that is because you are a student living in a rural area that does not have access to high speed

internet, whether you are a student that does not have the financial means to own the hardware that makes it reasonable to takes these kinds of programs; it discriminates against those kids, it cuts them out of the system, and limits their futures.” As other educationalrelated unions are also currently striking, Bischof said, “We’ve got this government that tries to create these divisions; divisions between parents and educators, between union members and their leadership. What we see now, is in fact is that the whole education sector is united against this government’s approach.” Also last week, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) took part in a province-wide walk-out on Tuesday and a rotating strike in the GECDSB area on Wednesday. On February 12, according to Ontario Newsroom, Minister Lecce issued a statement in response to strike escalation by the four teachers’ unions, OSSTF, ETFO, OECTA, AEFO. “Our focus is on

keeping students in class, as they deserve better. That is why I am calling on the teachers’ union leaders to accept private mediation today and end this needless escalation. “Parents are losing patience with the disruption in their lives, the inconsistency in their children’s education, and the financial impact of scrambling for child care. That is why we have offered financial assistance through the Support for Parents initiative, which has seen an immense uptake of more than 575,000 applications. “While union leaders are organizing further disruption, our government remains

Continued from Page 3

focused on getting deals at the bargaining table through private mediation. We’ve made very significant moves on our position, but union leadership hasn’t moved on substantial items - like their already generous benefits packages and maintaining hiring based on seniority rather than on merit. Parents and students deserve no less.” According to https:// www.wecdsb.on.ca/, as a result of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), all Windsor Essex Catholic District School Boards schools will be closed to students on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Community I 7

Essex Free Press

Lowe’s Heroes Project raises over $7,000 for the Essex Youth Centre - most of the funds will be put towards painting and updating the facility by Sylene Argent Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse was able to raise over $7,000 for the Essex Youth Centre through its 2019 installment of the Lowe’s Heroes Project. Through the Lowe’s Heroes Project, employees are able to choose a local, non-profit organization that could benefit from a specific project that needs completing. Bryanna Currie and Tauner Martin, Program Coordinators at the Essex Youth Centre, were ecstatic to receive word of the large donation recently. Currie

Come From Away – Toronto ONLY 20 SEATS LEFT!

Incl. lunch. April 18 ................. $264

St. Jacob’s Market

Niagara Fall Elvis Festival

Apr. 23-25 ....................... $659 Dbl

Little River Casino

Apr. 26-27 ......................... $199 Dbl Lunch inc. May 23 .................. $114 Nashville Tennessee Stratford Series .................. $169 Opryland Resort May 29-June 1 ................. $929 Dbl May 13 - Richard III June 5 – Chicago June 19 – Spamalot

Chicago Weekend

Grand Bend Series With Lunch Fiddler on the Loose/Jun 24 .... $163 42nd Street / July 15 $163 A Closer Walk With Thee/Aug. 25 $169 Kitchener Theatre With Lunch ABBA Story/Jun 18 .................. $159

Shipshewanna – The Duttons

June 19-21 ........................ $599 Dbl Live from Branson! June 26-27 ....................... $345 Dbl

Soaring Eagle Overnight

Includes a $95 Incentive July 15-16 ....................... $259 Dbl

explained that Lowe’s employees were able to raise most of the funds during a donation drive at its checkouts last fall. In addition, Lowe’s matches up to $2000 of those funds. The funds raised through the annual Lowe’s Heroes Project are then put towards completing a project. In the Essex Youth Centre’s case, the funding will allow for a total refresh of the Essex Youth Centre space, which is located in the basement of the Essex Recreation Complex. The refresh will include painting of the interior of the facility, the entrance, and the staircase. It will also provide for a new dishwasher and complete some work in the kitchen. Currie said she also hopes to be able to get some storage equipment, so the Youth Centre visitors can easily access board games, books, and other activities. Jill Burchiel, Administrative Support Associate for Lowe’s, said the plan is to complete the project during the first week of March. Lowe’s opinion is that it likes to give back to the communities it serves, she said. This motto is why the Lowe’s Heroes Project is held every year. She said ideas of who the beneficiary should be are collected from all the employees. She submitted the Essex Youth Centre, as an Essex resident. “It was in the back in my mind and so I threw their name in the hat.” It is hoped the new

refresh, once completed, will attract even more youth to the centre to take advantage of its programs. According to lowescanada.ca, during the month of September, each Lowe’s, RONA, and Reno-Depot corporate store in Canada supports a non-profit organization or public school through the Lowe’s Heroes campaign. In 2019, over 245 organizations and public schools across the country benefitted from the fundraising campaign and corporate donation. A grand re-opening is planned for after the improvements have been made. Currie is looking forward to the refresh, and hopes it will help attract more youths, aged 13 and over, to the facility to take advantage of its programming.

Continued on Page 10

8 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

Canadian Government commits $600,000 to future Heritage Centre

During an oﬃcial announcement on Friday afternoon, representatives of various local agencies, including Councillors for the Town of Essex, celebrated after hearing the Government of Canada will commit $600,000 to the building of the John R. Park Homestead’s future Heritage Centre.

by Sylene Argent On Friday, representatives of various agencies overfilled the John R. Park Homestead’s visitor centre to learn the government of Canada will provide a $600,000 grant to build a new Heritage Centre for the Homestead through the Canadian Experiences Fund. This funding will cover around half the cost to build the facility. Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk made the announcement.

He said he was proud to relay the message to the peers he used to work with when he was still a Councillor for the City of Windsor, who served on the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s (ERCA) Board of Directors. He explained the Canadian Experiences Fund helps communities tap into their potential and create jobs while doing so. “One of the main goals is to grow Canada’s tourism,” he said. ERCA, which is responsible for the

John R. Park Homestead, is a regional role model when it comes to collaboration, he said. Its Board of Directors and staff members also understand that conservation, recreation, and tourism go hand-in-hand. The John R. Park Homestead, built in 1842, is the only living museum west of London. It attracts around 18,000 visitors each year, Kusmierczyk said, adding he believes people are travelling more now than ever. “ERCA knows the positive impact tourism has on the economy,” he said. The new Heritage Centre, to be built on the John R. Park Homestead property, Kusmierczyk said, will provide for a better experience, enhanced exhibit space, and offer a larger gift shop area. It will also be a tourism hub and provide enhanced services. The new Heritage Centre, once built, will also feature an adequate, climatecontrolled creative commons for students of all ages, an outdoor classroom space, and accessible washroom facilities. “The new Heritage Centre will allow us to better interpret the region for experiential learning,” he commented. Of the $1.2 million budgeted for the new Heritage Centre, $840,000 has been raised with various contributions. In addition to the $600,000 commitment from the Government of Canada, Susan Stockwell Andrews, President of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation, said the Foundation has committed to

match the funds granted by the Canadian Experiences Fund. “We’re off to a great start,” Stockwell Andrews said, adding “The Heritage Centre is a dream for us. It is a once in a generation opportunity.” Already, she said, the Barry and Stephanie Zekelman Foundation has donated $100,000 towards the project to create a beautiful artisan gift shop. In recognition of the donation, the Welcome Centre will be named in their Foundation’s honour. Stockwell Andrews added that the late Alvira Wigle was a supporter of the John R. Park Homestead. She forwarded $100,000 from her estate to the Homestead, which will be put towards the Heritage Centre. In addition, the Friends of the John R. Park Homestead has committed $40,000 to date. Preserving the area’s heritage is key to ERCA, Stockwell Andrews said. Essex Councillors Sherry Bondy and Kim Verbeek were onsite at the announcement. They said they were excited for the project. They will remind the rest of Council about the request ERCA made at the December 16, 2019 regular meeting to the Town of Essex in hopes that the host municipality could contribute $100,000 to the Heritage Centre. Construction on the Heritage Centre is hoped to be started this spring, with the grand-opening aimed to be held this holiday season.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Essex Free Press

Ad Feature I 9

10 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

Kids Curing Cancer event continues to honour siblings’ grandpa

Organizers Lauren, Ty, and Kierstyn Baillargeon prepare to host the annual Kids Curing Cancer for Grandpa event on February 16.

by Julianna Bonnett On Saturday evening, the annual Kids Curing Cancer (KCC) for Grandpa event was hosted

at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery to raise more donations for local charities around WindsorEssex County.

The annual dinner has become KCC’s biggest fundraiser, and on Saturday, more than 200 people showed up to the fun-filled evening that featured dinner, music, auction prizes, door prizes, and so much more. One of the event organizers, Jodi Baillargeon, said around this time every year, her heart gets more full. “It’s just amazing to see that this started as something so small and became something bigger and bigger, just because of the effort of my family and my daughter, Lauren,” Baillargeon said. “It’s amazing that we have so many wonderful representatives and people coming out tonight like

the Fight Like Mason Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House.” Lauren Baillargeon, a high school student at General Amherst, founded KCC over sixyears ago, after finding out her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. Two-years later, her grandfather passed away, so she decided to collect

donations in support of organizations focused on cancer and childhood cancer. “I can’t say thank-you enough to the ongoing support from family, friends, and locals that have given so much to what we are doing,” Lauren said. “I feel very overwhelmed with the support from everyone, but

I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my family, especially my mother and grandmother, they have done so much to make this event everything I want.” Since 2014, KCC has raised close to $54,000 in support of local organizations in WindsorEssex to help with cancer and childhood cancer.

Lowe’s Heroes Project raises funds for the Youth Centre... Continued from Page 7 Burchiel also hopes the Lowe’s refresh for the Essex Youth Centre would also get other community members engaged and pitch in. In addition to the Lowe’s donation, the Essex Youth Centre, Currie said, is looking to the community for some donations of board games, Wii games, books, and a TV, to provide for activities for youth to enjoy. The Essex Youth Centre would also greatly appreciate it if anyone was able to donate a ping pong table, as the facility’s former unit is no longer usable. The Essex Youth Centre, she added, could also use a couch, one made of leather or pleather would be preferable for easy cleanup, and a vacuum cleaner. Any donations the community can make would be greatly appreciated and would enhance the re-grand opening celebration

when it takes place. The whole purpose of the Essex Youth Centre is to provide area youths with a safe place to have fun and get assistance in their academic endeavours. Typically, the Essex Youth Centre is open Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 4-8 pm, for tutoring. Students can get help in a variety of subjects, including maths, sciences, data management, and English. On Friday evenings, from 4 to 10 pm, the Essex Youth Centre is open for its activity nights, which includes activities like, crafting, cooking, board games, trivia, knitting, and cookie decorating. Log onto its Facebook page to check on the Essex Youth Centre’s schedule and to learn more about its tutoring and activity programs.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Community I 11

Essex Free Press

Kingsville finalizes Council Connect: Highlights of the 2020 Budget meetings of Tecumseh Council submitted to EFP The Town of Kingsville recently underwent budget deliberations and approved the 2020 budget. Council met on January 16 and January 29. “Overall, I am very pleased with the budget,” said Kingsville’s Director of Financial Services, Ryan McLeod. “This budget delivers on the Town’s strategic goals to increase funding for infrastructure renewal, enhances parks and recreational opportunities, while at the same time providing our residents with stable, predictable tax rates.” A municipal tax rate increase of 1.4% was approved. When combined with the county and education rates, the overall tax rate increase is 0.5%. Some of the approved 2020 capital projects include: replacement of Fire Engine 216, reconstruction of Jasperson Drive, reconstruction of Main Street West, a new playground at Millbrook Park, an E-send Project that will allow residents to receive their tax and water bills by email, the addition of Water Bottle Refill Stations at several Town facilities and parks, Floating Docks at the Cedar Island Boat Launch, and more. “There was considerable thought and review that went into this year’s budget and it showed,” stated Kingsville Mayor, Nelson Santos. “There are some monumental capital works set for this year that will serve as key infrastructure investments that will strengthen our communities across the municipality.” Over the past six years, the Town has steadily increased its investment in infrastructure and other capital spending, and in 2020 it will invest $5M from current year taxation into capital projects that directly contribute to the long-term health of the Town and enhance the quality of life of its residents. The full municipal budget is available on the Town’s website at www.kingsville.ca.

submitted to EFP Here are the highlights from the Meetings of Council on February 11, 2020 evening: Zoning Application: Lesperance Road and County Road 42: Council held a public meeting to hear from the owners of a property located on the Northeast corner of the County Road 42 and Lesperance Road intersection. The owners are seeking to have the property designation changed from “Neighbourhood Commercial” to “Medium Density Residential” to allow for the construction of four, six-unit, three-storey, multi-unit dwellings. This was the second Public Meeting on the project and Council was provided with a revised proposal and summary of how issues from the first meeting were addressed. Council directed Administration to prepare draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment documents for consideration for adoption at a future Regular Meeting of Council. Mandated Paperless Billings: Council heard from Essex Powerlines on their mandated paperless billing initiative and supported the program. This project was the result of Council’s climate emergency declaration and their direction to Administration to identify priority action items that reduce carbon emissions. Essex Powerlines Corporation invited Tecumseh to join their Digital Transportation Strategy and Water Billing Savings Initiative that seeks to reduce paper use by moving to digital billing. 22% of Essex Powerlines Corporation customer base is currently paperless and the company hopes to raise that figure to 75% by January 1, 2021. Essex Powerlines estimates that its current paper bill printing produces more than 14,000 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Residents can sign up for paperless billing via the online account at www. myaccount.essexpowerlines.ca. 2020 Citizen Satisfaction Survey: Council heard from Probe Research Inc. and received the full report on the 2020 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. This is the fourth time the survey has been conducted following Council’s commitment to conduct the survey every two years. The

last survey was completed prior to the 2018 Municipal Election. The Town continues to have a high satisfaction rating with 97% of the survey respondents noting they were somewhat to very satisfied with the Town’s services. 2020 Essex Power in Youth in Community Fund: Council received the report on the 2020 Essex Power in Youth Community Fund. The fund was created by Essex Powerlines Corporation to distribute funding equally among its four shareholders (Amherstburg, LaSalle, Leamington, Tecumseh), to support community activities geared toward youth. In the past, the fund has sponsored activities like Breakfast with Santa, Outdoor Movie Nights, Earth Day, free skates and swims, and various youth sports groups. Tecumseh will receive $10,000 this year and the Parks and Recreation Services

Continued on Page 13

12 I Classifieds Essex Free Press

Classifieds _____________________

_____________________

EVENTS _____________________ BUYING ALL JEWELRY GOLD, SILVER, + ALL COINS + FREE ESTIMATES FREE ADVICE ď&#x161;ş Thurs., Feb. 27 Essex Retireesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Centre, 32 Russell St. Essex 9am-3pm, Sat., Feb. 29 & Sun., March 1 at Essex Public School, 72 Obrien Ave., Essex 10am-3pm. Any Gold (broken Jewelry + any Gold even teeth). All COINS Premiums Paid for collector Coins All Mint sets All COINS - Windup watches, Military items - 52 Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Experience. 519-818-1805 06-3t

EVENTS _____________________ EKBOFMA PRESENT LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD IN CONCERT Sat., March 14, 7pm, at McGregor Columbia Club, 9560 Walker Rd. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 door. Call David 519-9752792, email: dblakney@mnsi.net. Visit Canada South Bluegrass on Facebook. Online at Eventbrite. 07-4t _____________________ FARMING _____________________ WANTED Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop Call JeďŹ&#x20AC; Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501. 1-t

CLASSIFIED RATES

PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD: Classified ads can be submitted in person, by phone or fax or email from Mon. to Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All classified and personal ads require payment, prior to print. We accept Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS TUESDAY BY 10:00 AM

Phone 519.776.4268

Fax: 519.776.4014

Word Ads - 25 words or less ........................ $6.00 + HST Extra words .................................................... 20Â˘/word Display Classifieds ....................................... Call for rates

www.essexfreepress.com

Email: contact@essexfreepress.com

_____________________

STORAGE

SERVICES _____________________

SERVICES _____________________ INCOME TAX â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ConďŹ dential preparation of Personal, Farm, and Senior Returns. Free pick-up and delivery in Essex County. E-ďŹ le or regular ďŹ ling. Over 35 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience. Call Tim Mousseau 519-975-2414 or toll free 1-855-9752414. 04-12t _____________________ INCOME TAX PREPARATION: Good rates on personal, rental, and business returns. E-ďŹ le or paper ďŹ le. Call Jeannette Grass (519) 776-7090. 5-12*

_____________________ STORAGE FOR LEASE - in Essex. Approx. 1 acre outdoor, fenced-in storage. Call: 02-1t 519-776-4875 for details.

MARTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS ď&#x161;ş Tune-ups, repairs, & service on snowblowers, riding lawn mowers, chainsaws, & more! 519-733-0986, (c) 519-965-5918. 4-tfn

_______________________________________________

HELP WANTED

_______________________________________________

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

_____________________

HELP WANTED

_____________________ HELP WANTED: Aphria 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 $14.00/hour. Full time hours Monday through Friday. Please apply at careers@aphria.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4. 9-t _____________________ HIRING! GENERAL LABOURERS WANTED ď&#x161;ş Please fax your resume to 519-723-2336. 1-tf _____________________

REAL ESTATE

_______________________________________________

AUCTION SALE

CLASSIFIEDS WORK!

_______________________________________________

Advertise here!

_____________________ 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. 22-tt Continued on Page 13

_______________________________________________

REAL ESTATE

_______________________________________________

EXTEND YOUR REACH - ADVERTISE PROVINCIALLY OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY! For more information visit www.ocna.org/network-advertising-program

BUSINESS SERVICES Have you been denied Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits? The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help. Call 1-877-793-3222 visit our website www.dcac.ca or email dcac@sasktel.net

VACATION/TRAVEL

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Consultation

$$ MONEY $$

4 - 7 night calm water cruises on a replica steamboat Meals, attractions, and entertainment included Departures: Kingston, Ottawa, Quebec City Ask about our special Spring Savings rates

We Can Help! Even in extreme situations of bad credit. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY NOW BY PHONE OR ONLINE:

1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES Debt Consolidation Renovations, Tax Arrears Mortgage Arrears, Debt problems

Your Classified Ad or Display Ad would appear in weekly newspapers each week across Ontario in urban, suburban and rural areas.

CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW!!! CUT MONTHLY PAYMENTS UP TO 75%

For more information Call Today 647-350-2558. ATTN: ONTARIO INVENTORS!!

1-888-307-7799

HEALTH GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. Do you or someone you know Have any of these Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds V;$ >

' + X < *J ; < tions Qualify. Have a child under 18 +=* =J: $ Z V;$ V; :>

ONTARIO BENEFITS 1-(800)-2113550 or Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to (647)560-4274 for your FREE benefits package.

!! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!

CALL 1-800-267-7868

253 Ontario St., Kingston, ON (TICO #2168740)

DECLINED BY YOUR BANK? WE CAN HELP!

REACH MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS IN ONTARIO WITH ONE EASY CALL!

www.ontario-widefinancial.com ONTARIO-WIDE FINANCIAL 1801347inc "

WANTED WA N T E D : O L D T U B E A U D I O EQUIPMENT. 40 years or older. Amplifiers, Stereo, Recording and Theatre Sound Equipment. Hammond $'* +/ * : ; < = ; >

;JJ $ 1-800-947-0393 / 519-853-2157.

MORTGAGES

BUSINESS OPPS.

Need Inventing Help?

Request our complimentary brochure

www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com

STEEL BUILDINGS STEEL BUILDING SALE >>> [

\ ] TER DISCOUNT ON NOW!" _ ` / j j > ` " / j z > z { ` | / j j > { { { ` j / j j > { {{ ` / > < ]*JJ J}< ed. Pioneer Steel 1-855-212-7036 www.pioneersteel.ca

FREE 1ST, 2ND & 3RD MORTGAGES FOR ANY PURPOSE

UP TO 75%

Celebrate the Beauty and History of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rivers

ADVERTISING

Call Davison!! Ideas Wanted!

No Income, Bad Credit Bankruptcy, Proposal Power of Sale Stopped!!! FREE APPRAISALS

CALL DAVISON TODAY:

CALL US FIRST FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

1-800-256-0429

1-800-282-1169

OR VISIT US AT:

www.mortgageontario.com

Inventing.Davison.com/Ontario

_j"jÂ&#x20AC;

FREE Inventor's Guide!!

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Classifieds...

Continued from Page 12

_____________________

REAL ESTATE

_____________________ FARM FOR SALE - 6780 HOLDEN ROAD, OLDCASTLE, ONTARIO. 116.71 acres (12.75 acres of bush), 103.96 workable black loam/clay tiled land). 1586 sf brick ranch home with two car garage; 4800sf of outbuildings and 2200 bushel grain bin. Part West ½ Lots 2-3, Concession 6, Sandwich East as in R378203, Save and except Part 1, Plan 12R7600, S/T SS9167, Town of Tecumseh, County of Essex, Province of Ontario. Contacts: Vince – 519-737-1183; Sue – 51903-5t 784-8041 _____________________

WANTED

_____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 46-t _____________________ 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

Classifieds / News I 13

Essex Free Press

_____________________

WANTED

_____________________ LOCAL COLLECTOR LOOKING TO BUY Vintage or Antique toys. Fair and free oﬀer given for large or small collections of Tin Battery or Wind-up toys, also interested in Dinky Toys, Corgi, Hot wheels, lots more. Please call: 519-9821-tfn 8590, ask for Todd. _____________________

PERSONAL

_____________________

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be gloriﬁed, loved, and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the helpless, pray for us. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. With Grateful thanks J.B.

Sell It! Find it! Rent It! Buy It! In The Classifieds 519-776-4268 _______________________________________________

HELP WANTED

_______________________________________________

Highlights of the meetings of Tecumseh Council...

Continued from Page 11

Department will continue to oversee and manage the fund. Radar Speed Surveys: Council received a report on radar speed surveys conducted in 2019. Public Works and Environmental Services deployed radar speed trailers to 13 locations in Town and found four streets where motorists were traveling 10 kilometres over the speed limit. This information along with details about time of day and direction of traffic were immediately provided to the OPP for enforcement purposes. Public Works is also reviewing the data to determine if additional traffic calming measures may be necessary. Radar speed surveys will continue in response to complaints as they arise. Tecumseh Transit: Council received the annual report on Tecumseh Transit. 2019 ridership increased to pre-2016 levels at over 28,000. Several route revisions were made in mid-2018 and 2019 was the first full year of their use. 2019 revenue also increased by 4.1% to almost $25,000. Also noted in the report was the ongoing discussions Administration continues to have with their counterparts in Windsor. Transit Windsor recently completed a comprehensive review of their services and identified significant opportunities for enhanced transit in the Oldcastle Hamlet. Transit Windsor is considering introducing a pilot program to extend transit service to Oldcastle Hamlet to cover a greater area through a hybrid of

conventional fixed route service and on-demand service. Discussions on this service will continue in 2020 with further detailed reports provided to Council as discussions progress. CIP Grants: Council approved $3,000 for the preparation of drawings for façade and parking lot improvements to 1222 Lesperance Road. The building was formerly home to Billiards Plus and is now occupied by Halliwill Seguin LLP Law Firm. The owners hope to complete façade improvements, repairs to the stucco and windows, and install new signage. Financial Policy: Council approved the Financial Management Policy, a new policy that covers eight elements of financial management and which will provide decision making guidance for financial sustainability over the long-term. The Financial Management

Policy outlines the Town’s philosophy on financial matters and it aligns with the Town’s strategic plan. St. Mark’s Pumping Station: Council approved adding the St. Mark’s Pumping Station—Pump Repair capital project to the 2020-2024 Public Works and Environmental Services Five Year Capital Works Plan with the approximate cost of $36,000 funded out of the Storm Sewer Lifecycle Reserve. The project is the result of a study completed by Dillon Consulting in fall 2019 in response to high lake water levels in Lake St. Clair. The St. Mark’s Pumping Station is planned for decommissioning, however, in the short-term, if a pump failure occurs, it would require significant funding to maintain storm water pumping in an emergency scenario. In 2019, the existing standby pump and duty pump were assessed by Lekter

Industrial Services and the manufacturer to determine scope and cost of repairs to reduce the risk of pump failure before the station is decommissioned. Lekter will be retained to undertake the rehabilitation of the second pump at St. Mark’s Pump Station as a result of the assessment. Council By-laws: approved the by-laws discussed at the January 28 meeting of the Policies and Priorities Committee including the by-law on the Pilot Program for the licensing of Urban Hens. Residents interested in applying for a license under this program will be able to apply by the end of the month. Full details on the licenses will be shared publicly on www. tecumseh.ca. Information on this, and all Town of Tecumseh news, and events is available at: tecumseh.ca.

14 I Personals

FromThe Heart

_______________________________________________

ANNIVERSARY

_______________________________________________

Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

To place a personal notice, 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

_______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES

_________________________________________________________

COLLARD, Blanche (nee Howson) - passed

_______________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

_______________________________________________

CARD OF THANKS

away unexpectedly at home on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 87 years of age. Beloved wife of the last Basil (2014). Loving mother of Clifford, Carol McCoy (Jack), Lila Sturdevant, Kevin (Kim). Adored Grandma of Jeanine Sturdevant (Al), Erik McCoy, Matthew McCoy (Meghan), Jeff Sturdevant (Rachel), Jessica McCoy, Brandon Collard, Austin Collard and four great-grandchildren, Myla McCoy, Millie McCoy, William Sturdevant, and her little angel in heaven, Max McCoy. Dearest sister of Lillian Mills and Jack Howson (Geraldine) and predeceased by two sisters and four brothers. Dear sister-in-law of Verna Macrow (Dave). Blanche will also be remembered by her many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, Essex. A Funeral Service to celebrate Blanche’s life was held from the funeral home on February 14, with Rev. Brent Horner officiating. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Family and friends are invited to share their memories or make a donation online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.

_______________________________________________

Voice Of Inspiration “There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well.” ~ Nicholas Sparks _______________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

_______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES

_________________________________________________________

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER!

QUEEN’S AUTO SUPPLY

37 Main St East, Kingsville • 519-733-6554 ORDER ONLINE AT… queensauto.ca

377 Talbot St North, Essex • 519-776-9885 ORDER ONLINE AT… autobarn.ca

SIDDALL, Ricky Joseph - Born on January 2, 1957 and passed away on February 11, 2020 at the age of 63. Dear son of the late Roy “Bob” Siddall (1961) and Amelia Lounsbury (nee Collard) (late Al) (2013). Father of Cassandra (Dave) and grandfather of Cadence. Dear brother of Gary (2019), Allan (2018), Margaret (Frank), Carl (late Dilly) (2018) and Darl (Carolyn). Rick lived in Essex for many years, but truly lived for the time he spent with all his friends in Mexico. He loved the sun, the ocean, and his long walks. He will be dearly missed. Cremation will take place. Arrangements under the care of the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519776-7378) 128 Talbot St. N, Essex). You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com.

What’s Going On... NOV. 16  FEB. 28  AMHERSTBURG RIVER LIGHTS WINTER FESTIVAL a variety of events in downtown Amherstburg. For all information: visitamherstburg.ca. FEB. 2020 -The Essex & Community Historical Research Society - display of photos of the Explosion of Valentines’ Day 1980. 18 Gordon Ave. Tues. 12-5,Thurs. 12-7, Sat. 9-5. FEB. 22  ALLYOUCANEAT SPAGHETTI DINNER at Cottam United. from 4:307:00pm. Donations to support Missions & Projects of the Sunday School. FEB. 22  ONTARIO PURPLE MARTIN ASSOCIATION MEETING at 9am at Colasanti’s The Willow Room -1550 Rd 3 E. Ruthven. All welcome. More info, call: 519-738-3476. FEB. 23  FOR THE LOVE OF PANCAKES breakfast at Essex Baptist Church at 9:45am. All are welcome at no cost. For information, call: 226-346-2746 or Essexbaptist.com. FEB. 25  SOUP TASTING CONTEST at Essex Retirees’ at 12:00 noon. FEB. 25 PANCAKE SUPPER at Trinity Anglican church (the little white church in the cemetery in Cottam) from 4:30 - 6:30pm. Free will offering. FEB. 26  THE ESSEX & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING at Essex Retirees Centre at 7:30pm. Speaker Rick Bradt - AMA Plastics Pots & more & silent auction. MARCH 8  WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT - At 1:00pm at Essex United Church. For information, call the church office at: 519-776-5121. MARCH 14  EKBOFMA PRESENT LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD IN CONCERT - At 7pm, at McGregor Columbia Club, 9560 Walker Rd. For info: 519-975-2792. MARCH 14  KINGSVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SEEDY SATURDAY - 10am 3pm at the UNICO Centre, Kingsville. KidsZone, vendors, seed exchange, & more. 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.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Community Hub I 15

Essex Free Press

sponsorship by:

Fresh food. Friendly neighbours 191 Talbot St. S., Essex

519-776-4255 Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett

The Salvation Army Food Bank has moved to the basement of the church at 26 Talbot St. New hours are Wed. 12-3 and Fri. 9 -12. Call Vicki: 519-776-4628 for appointments. Join us for Family Worship Sundays at 10:30a.m. with Major Jim Hannon Feb. 23rd. Stay for refreshments after the service. At SA Connections Tuesday, Feb. 25th, our program will be about Beatles/Beetles. Drop in between 10a.m. - 1p.m. Bible Study follows at 1p.m. with Major Jim. The Lenten Series put on by the Essex Ministerial Association begins Wednesday, Feb. 26th at 12noon, with an Ash Wednesday Service at the Christian Reformed Church. Don’t forget Messy Church on Thursday, Feb. 27th at 6p.m.This month’s program is “The Woman at the Well.”

Bethel-Maidstone United Please join us Sunday mornings at 10 am for worship, and coﬀee hour to follow. The Annual Meeting is on Sunday, February 23. A light lunch will be served, followed by the annual meeting. Preschool Playtime has resumed on Thursdays from 9:30am - 12noon. Caregivers and kids 0-4 are invited to drop in. Rev. Paul is hosting a movie night in the hall on Friday,

February 21. The movie will be “The Pursuit of Happiness.” Doors at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7pm. We will host a Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Sausage Supper from 4:30 6:30pm. Free will oﬀering. Our Spring Roast Beef Dinner is on Sat., March 7, at 5:30pm. Contact Lynn (519) 733-3321. Advance tickets only. Remember the sick and the shut-ins. If you would like a name added to the Prayer List, please add it to the list. You can ﬁnd us on the web at www. bethelmaidstone.com. Our email address is bmuc@xplornet.ca

Woodslee United Church submitted by Sue Holman

Come join us for Sunday Service and Sunday School at 11:15 am. Please pray for our friends on our Prayer List. For the month of February, we are still collecting can goods for the Essex Food Bank, which is located at Essex United Church. The World Day of Prayer Service will be held Friday, March 6 at 11am at St. Andrew’s United Church in Comber. Coﬀee and Conversations: Thursday at 10am. Come in and have a cup of coﬀee or tea and join in the conversation. Brooker News submitted by Ruth Newman

Our doors are open to all for Family Worship on Sunday, February 23, at 10am. Rob Cornies will bring the message. All are welcome. The Melo Annual Dinner meeting is on February 29 at 5pm at the Apostolic Christian Church, 5245 Howard Ave. The ﬁrst Lenten service is at Christian Reformed Church on Wednesday, February 26 at 12noon with Rev. Kim Matalka bringing the message. This will include the imposition of ashes. A free-will lunch will follow. All are welcome. Our dearest sympathies go out to the families of Blanche Collard and Fran Orton on the loss of their loved ones. Our anniversary Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 21. Please remember in prayer the many shut-ins, and those in

nursing homes.

Holy Name of Jesus Church Youth Groups fundraiser at A-1 Restaurant is on Monday, February 24. Buﬀet a 4:30 p.m. Cash only and take out available. Ash Wednesday Mass at 7 p.m., February 26. The K of C Perch dinner that day from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door. Choir members are needed for funeral Masses. No experience necessary. Please contact Lauretta at 519-776-6236. Please remember to drop oﬀ your Foodland grocery tapes, cancelled stamps and leftover eye glasses at the Info table.

Paquette News submitted by Amy Hartley

Big THANKS to everyone who attended Redeemers’ Soup for the Soul Sunday. On Tuesday, February 25 - Pancake Supper at St. Stephen’s at 4:30-6:30. On Saturday, April 4 - Redeemer Pasta Dinner from 4:007:00pm. St. Stephen has meat pies still available. Contact Marion at

519-257-1945. Redeemer’s Sweetie Pies -frozen fruit pies are available Contact Amy: 519-919-0094.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Communion Service at Iler Lodge is on Thurs., Feb. 20 at 10:30 am ,at Country Village on Tues., Feb. 25 at 10:30 am. On Tues., Feb. 25th a Pancake Supper is at Trinity Anglican Church Cottam, 4:30-6:30 pm. Free will oﬀering. Wed., Feb. 26: Ash Wednesday - Holy Communion Service with the Imposition of Ashes, 7 pm at St. Paul’s. Essex Ministerial Lenten Worship Series 2020: Feb. 26 at Essex Christian Reformed Church with Rev’d Kim Metalka. (service to include the imposition of ashes) Mar. 4 at Church of the Redeemer with Major Jim Hann presiding. Friday March 6th is the date of our next pasta dinner, mark your calendars and join us for a delicious dinner! Visit us online at: www.stpaulstrinity.org or our Facebook page. Phone: 519-776-7711. Email: oﬃce@stpaulstrinity.org. Located at 92 St. Paul Street, in Essex.

Continnued on Page 17 2021 Division Road North Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9 Phone: (519) 733-2305 kingsvilleworks@kingsville.ca www.kingsville.ca

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO FEES AND CHARGES BY-LAW BUILDING SERVICES FEES BY-LAW WATER AND SEWAGE RATE BY-LAW TAKE NOTICE that The Council of The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville will consider amendments to the following By-laws: • Fees and Charges By-law 28-2019 • Building Services Fees By-law 29-2019 • Water and Sewage Rate By-law 34-2019 at its Regular Meeting to be held on: Monday, March 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Kingsville Council Chambers, 2021 Division Road North, Kingsville A Summary of the Proposed Amendments will be available online at www. kingsville.ca/fees or for pick-up at the Municipal Oﬃce Reception Counter on Friday, February 28th. Any written comments must be received by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Comments which are made at the meeting become part of the public record which is available for anyone to view on the Town of Kingsville website. DATED at Kingsville, this 13th day of February, 2020. Ryan McLeod, Director of Financial Services The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville

2021 Division Road North Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9 Phone: (519) 733-2305 kingsvilleworks@kingsville.ca www.kingsville.ca

TAX NOTICES

2020 Interim Property Tax Bills were mailed January 31, 2020 If you own property in the Town of Kingsville you should have received your 2020 interim tax bill. The tax due dates are as follows: February 28, 2020 May 29, 2020 Please refer to the brochure included with your tax notice for a listing of the payment options available. Avoid long lines by paying your taxes early or online through your bank. Failure to receive a tax notice does not relieve you from payment of taxes or penalties. Penalties are assessed the day following the due date at 1.25% and each month thereafter until paid. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure the Town has the correct mailing address. If you have not received your tax notice please call 519-733-2305 or visit the Municipal Oﬃce at 2021 Division Road North.

16 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

REAL ESTATE

PLUMBING • GAS FITTING

FINANCIAL

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

LOCKSMITHS

REAL ESTATE

COMMERCIAL PRINTING

PLUMBING • HVAC

SERVING YOU SINCE 1974

Plumbing • Heating • HVAC Services • 238 Talbot St. W. Leamington

519-326-9018

www.grossiplumbing.ca grossi@grossiplumbing.ca

PLUMBING

FOUNDATION REPAIRS

HEARING AIDS

Don’t you deserve the best price, service and quality? Water Proofing Slabjacking Wall Reinforcing Foundation Repairs

Free Estimates, Guaranteed Work

723-2300

www.soullieresolutions.com

HEATING & COOLING

FOUNDATION REPAIR

PLUMBING/HEATING Wayne Warkentin

WE RAISE SUNKEN CONCRETE AND FIX LEAKY BASEMENTS RVICE WE NOW SEES & ALL MAK HOME F MODELS ONCES APPLIA

20 YEARS E EXPERIENC ATES FREE ESTIM ED TE N A GUAR WORK

Slab Jacking, Buckled Foundation, Cracked Foundation, Epoxy Injection, New Concrete & Removal of old, Porch & Chimney Repair, Grade Entrance Installation, Driveways & more...

1-877-JOJACKS

(565-2257)

www.jojacks.com

Chris Warkentin

PLUMBING • HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING

GEOTHERMAL • REFRIGERATION

PLUMBING SHOWROOM • Residential • Commercial • Installations

FREE ESTIMATES 54 Mill St. E., Kingsville warkentinplumbing.ca

519-733-5832

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Community Hub / Business Directory I 17

Essex Free Press

Stop by the club on Tuesday, February 25, from 12noon - 1:30pm for our annual Soup Tasting Contest. Enjoy delicious homemade soups and cast your vote.

Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Continued from Page 15

Harrow United Church submitted by Larry Anderson

We warmly welcome you to Harrow United Church! Please join us this Sunday at 10:30 am for our Worship Service, which also includes Sunday School for our youth along with a well supervised Nursery. “Coﬀee and Conversation” follow each service in the Lower Hall. Our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, along with our HUC faith community, sincerely welcome you to join us! Please ﬁnd information about Harrow United Church on our website at www.harrowunited.org

Join us on Sunday morning for our worship service, beginning at 10am with Pastor Beth Fellinger from St. Thomas, ON. Nursery supervision and Sunday school are provided. Make plans to stay for a cup of tea or coﬀee in our Fellowship hall. Come enjoy an evening out with family and friends at our Free Movie Night event on Friday, February 28. We will feature “Wonder Park.” Doors open at 6pm and movie begins at 6:30pm. All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult (18+). A canned good donation is welcomed! Snacks are provided! GEMS and Cadets will meet on Monday at 6:30 - 8:00pm. All girls and boys from Grade 1 - 8 are invited to attend. Come for fun and fellowship as we get to know each other and the Lord through Bible studies and games. Visit us online for service times and directions or just to listen to a sermon or two. www.essexcrc.ca.

Maidstone Cross

Essex United Church

On Sunday, February 23, at 10:30 am, we will host our annual Scouting Sunday to honour the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell and our Scouting and Guiding programs here at Essex United. Everyone is welcome! For the month of February, food donations are for the Salvation Army Food Bank. The Windsor Symphony Orchestra Concert is on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 1p.m. at Essex United Church. For information, call the church oﬃce at: 519-776-5121.

Woodslee Friendship Club Card player winners for the week of February 10th to 14th - Monday Euchre: Mike Renaud, Bernice Price, Roger Monchamp, Janece McLaughlin, Mary Lou Chibi, and Edna Chevalier. Wednesday Pepper: Joanne McMurren, Wayne Rawson, Colleen Chevalier, Edna Chevalier, Aggie Rivait, and Mary Lou Chibi. Friday night Euchre: George Diesbourg, Fran McKim, Elmer Quinlan, Jean Matalik, Dave McMurren, Mary Lou Chibi, and Aggie Rivait. For Club information, call Claire at: 519-723-4694.

Golden Year’s Golf Report

Antioch Christian Ministries

submitted by Wendy Cunningham

submitted by Linda Knight

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26. 7pm Mass is at St. Mary’s. Fr. Mike Ryan will celebrate Monday morning Masses at 8:30 a.m. during Lent. Ministry sign up for Ash Wednesday is at the back of the church. Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper on Tues., Feb. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s hall. If you are celebrating a special milestone wedding anniversary this year, please let us know by signing the form at the back of the church. A breakfast will be held in your honour in the hall after Mass on Sunday, March 1st. Please keep in your prayers and all the people who are sick, shut in, and in Hospice.

Last Thursday, 92 aces were carded by 41 golfers including a ‘hat trick,’ (3 consecutive aces on the same hole) by Team 10 (Brian Johnson, Marta Johnson, Nancy Springthorpe). Leading the ace parade, with six, was Tom Hyatt. Over 9 holes of play, Tom Hyatt and Randy Nash had the best score of 16 each. Hyatt went on to have the best score, of 34, over 18 holes, and a score of 69 over 18 holes. Team Aces (Erle Nash, Walter Balsam, Jamie Arquette) and Team Queens (Lyle Rumble, Pete Daudlin, Ron Fick) tied for ﬁrst place, with scores of 237. Second place went to Team 14 (Barb Fick, Mary Anne Sherman, Phantom) and tied for third were Team 02 (Dorothy Cascadden, Bob Springthorpe, Lloyd H) and Team 04 (Shirley Morel, John Unrau, Bill Ward).

CUSTOM KITCHEN CABINETS

INCOME TAX

ELECTRICIAN

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

INSURANCE

SPEECH THERAPY

ACCOUNTING

Pastor Jay spoke on love and how the Bible has a lot to say about love. 1 Corinthians 13 was written for the body of Christ. Sunday morning service begins at 10am. Come and join us! The Awaken Conference is from March 19th-21st. Online registration is now open. For more information, visit our website at antiochcanada.ca. Be Blessed!

Trinity Church We hold in our prayers all those on our prayer list. The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of Peter Kistulinec Sr., given by Sharon Kistulinec & family. We had a great “pick a hymn” Sunday. It was nice to hear a lot of the old hymns. Bring your palms in from last year by Feb. 23, so they can be burned for our Ash Wednesday service. The Trinity Pancake Supper is on Tuesday February 25, from 4:30 - 6:30pm. The Ash Wednesday service will be held at St. Paul’s Church on February 26 at 7pm. Join us Sundays at 9:15 in “The Little White Church” in the cemetery in Cottam. All are welcome! Essex Retirees’ Social Club For the second week of February, Kevin Edwards had high score at Monday Night Pepper. Elaine Pickel had the most Peppers and Betty Fields was low. Georgette Nadeau had high score at Tuesday Afternoon Pepper. Floyd Cascadden had the most Peppers and Marguerite Van Daele was low. George Diesbourg had high score at Wednesday Night Pepper that week. Jim Pickel had the most Peppers and Betty Deblois was low.

BAKER TILLY TRILLIUM LLP 203 TALBOT ST. W., LEAMINGTON, ON N8H 1N8

PAT OUELLETTE, CPA, CA T 519.326.2666 C 519.816.9899 E pouellette@bakertilly.ca W www.bakertilly.ca

ACCOUNTING

HICKS, MACPHERSON, IATONNA & DRIEDGER LLP. Chartered Professional Accountants Tyler Hicks Heather MacPherson Lindsay Iatonna Tim Driedger Ashley Meyer P.O. Box 189, 49 Erie St. N., Leamington, Ontario N8H 3W2 Phone 519-326-2681 • Fax 519-326-8044 • www.hmid.ca

LAWYER

PARTNER

F 519.326.7008

ACCOUNTING

18 I Opinion / Sports Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

73’s and Sharks tied in nail-biting playoff battle 1949 Dodge Roadster now on “the Rock”

1949 Dodge Roadster with 89-year-old senior at the wheel.

The phone rang. Paul Wilson was calling from Port Blandsford, NL, with another great old car story. Paul lived in Kitchener, Ontario, until he moved to Newfoundland in 2014. A neighbour in Kitchener was Larry Crabtree, who often walked his dog past Paul’s place. Larry owned a rare 1949 Dodge Wayfarer Roadster, one of only 5420 built. He belonged to the Historical Automobile Society of Canada (HASC) and sold his Model A roadster to buy the Dodge. It has only one bench seat under the manually operated convertible top, and a huge trunk. This Dodge body style was built only in ‘49 and ’50. In 2011, Larry died and his Dodge sat in the family garage for several years. Then this summer, Larry’s daughter phoned Paul to say her mother was in a retirement home and her house had to be sold. Could Paul help her find a buyer for the Dodge? Wayne Churchill of Innisfil, Ontario, owned a ’62 Rambler and ’71 Charger, and sold both to move to NL, where he has been helping Paul construct his ’37 Willys street rod. When Paul told Wayne about the ’49 Dodge for sale, Wayne bought it two days later. He rented a U-Haul Trailer and several of Paul’s car buddies from Kitchener helped load the Dodge onto the trailer for its trip to “the Rock.” The car had not been driven since before 2011. Wayne drained the tank, added fresh gas and a new battery, poured some gas into the carb, and it fired right up. A local garage certified it and with its new NL plates, it’s on the road again. This Dodge has its original 230 cubic inch flathead six with 103 hp. It also has an oil-bath air cleaner, 3-on-the-tree standard shift, a 2-speed heater, and radio. The car is maroon with tan interior and tan convertible top. The windows roll up and down, unlike older roadsters with side curtains. The paperwork that came with the car goes back to 1977, leaving its first 28 years still a history. Was this car sold new in Canada? We hope someone who reads this story will be able to shed light on this car’s earlier mystery. Stay tuned!

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

by Garrett Fodor After concluding the regular season on February 9, the Essex 73’s was set for its firstround matchup against the Wheatley Sharks, which took place on February 11. Entering the contest, Essex was the 4th place seed in the regular season, finishing a slot ahead of the Sharks. In the regular season schedule, however, the Sharks had the 73’s number. In the five meetings this season, the Sharks had won all five matchups, with Essex picking up a lone point. For many Essex skaters, the game would serve as their first junior playoff game with the team’s average age being 18.75, and the older Sharks team used this to their advantage. The Sharks set the tempo early, not only scoring on Essex’s Goalie, Connor

Meyerink, in the opening period, but also by setting the pace of play and dictating the offense and style of the game. After 20-minutes of play, the Sharks had a 1-0 lead, while doubling up the 73’s in shots, 12-6. In the second period, however, the 73’s would get on the board. After winning an offensive zone draw, Josh PopeFerguson was quick to snap a wrist shot just below the bar and into Kyle Metson’s water bottle to deadlock the game at one. The 73’s

would battle back, and after a sluggish start, got their feet under them. After 40 minutes, the game was tied 1-1, with the Sharks holding a 2215 edge in shots. Despite the pace and tempo, the area was silent and a Pindrop could be heard amongst the nervous chatter during the third period, then the first overtime period, and later into the second. As the teams exchanged changes and sudden bursts of offense

Continued on Page 19

Thursday, February 20, 2020 I

Sports I 19

Essex Free Press

73’s and Sharks tied in nail-biting playoff battle... and speed, the respective crowds would get behind them. And halfway through the second overtime period, the arena erupted, when Drew Denomey skated from one end to the other, with a head of speed, received a pass at the blueline. The officials deemed him to be onside and he continued on his path toward the net before slipping the puck by Meyerink. He ended the sequence on top of him in the blue paint. The goal would stand, despite heated arguments. And, the Sharks took Game 1 with a score of 2-1. The shots in the game were 42-35 for Wheatley. Twenty-four hours after dropping the first game in the best-of-seven series, the Essex 73’s was back in action in Wheatley. After the marathon game on February 11, Essex decided to give its starting goalie a rest, as the 73’s started Jax D’Hondt and elected to keep Kyle Metson between the pipes. Unlike the night prior, the 73’s opened the scoring and had the lead for the first time of the series. With two-minutes remaining in the first period, Alex Demers drove the net and was rewarded. As Demers was driving towards the net, the puck was deflected off his shin and went into the net. The scoreboard read 1-0 after 20-minutes in an otherwise non-offensive period as the teams were tied in shots at five. In period two, the offence arrived. The Sharks responded seven-minutes into the period, as Braedon Caetano scored the first of his two during the period, beating D’Hondt off some pretty passing and an oddman rush with Alixe Saliba. Essex would also score in the period, as Preston Corp scored with the man-advantage with 10-minutes to play. And closing out the frame, Caetano notched his second of the period to tie the game at two, going into the second intermission. Shots in the period were 18-14 in favour of Essex. The Sharks came out of the intermission with an unseen gear and pace of play, hemming the 73’s in their own end early and generating several scoring chances. Wheatley would add three goals in the first 14-minutes of the period, to stun the 73’s and their fans in attendance. Essex’s Liam Hall would score with four-minutes remaining in the period, but the 73’s were unable to find the twine behind Ford as the Sharks took Game 2, 5-3. After losing the previous contests against the Wheatley Sharks, the Essex 73’s was looking to end

the streak and win game three of the best of seven series on February 15. The game started with the Sharks throwing body weight around early, making several big hits on the 73’s forwards. But the 73’s got up and were quick to try to break the puck out and generate scoring chances. After 20-minutes, the shots were even at eight. And the scoreboard also read 0-0, as Kyle Metson and Connor Meyerink both were unbeaten. In the middle frame, the offense for both teams attempted to breakthrough the defensive walls. Both teams were quick to make quick breaks out of their defensive zones and get shots off in an effort to find twine. The first goal of the game came just over 12-minutes in. Karson Beuglet picked a Sharks pocket in the neutral zone and found Liam Hall, who tucked the shot around a sprawled Metson. This gave the 73’s the lead. The Sharks would close the period with a bevy of offensive chances and, as a result, lead the shots 20-16 after 40-minutes. In the final 20-minutes, the Sharks and 73’s both continued to use their speed and puck moving to try to increase the lead or draw even. But Meyerink and the 73’s defense weathered the storm. The Sharks fired 10 shots in the final period to the 73’s two. Meyerink was unbeaten on the night, turning aside 30 total shots to earn the shutout. The 73’s held on to beat the Sharks for the first time this season, 1-0. Twenty-four hours after picking up their first win of the year against the Sharks, the Essex 73’s hit the road to face Wheatley for game four of the best-of-seven series. Unlike the night prior in Essex, the 73’s were going to come from behind if they wanted to win. Just five minutes in, Drew Denomey capitalized on a Darcy Haupt turnover in the neutral zone and snapped a shot over Connor Meyerink to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead. The lead would stand heading into the intermission, as the Sharks also outshot the 73’s, 16-9. Essex was not going to back down. Instead, the 73’s increased the physicality and were throwing their weight around. Something the Sharks did not like. The Sharks took two penalties in the final seven minutes. And Riley Meyerink would make them pay. The Captain blasted a point-shot high over Kyle Metson’s

Continued from Page 18

blocker to tie the game at one. And closing out the frame, Jack Sanko made a shifty drop pass to Preston Corp, who tucked the puck around Metson to give the 73’s their first lead of the game. In the third and final frame, Curtis Jackson would bang home a rebound and Quinn Fazekas would make the Sharks pay with the man-advantage, as the 73’s would hold on to prevail, 4-1. The shots in the game were 32-31 in favour of Essex.

20 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 20, 2020

True Festival brings the heat to Amherstburg

Bad Axe Throwing owners, Rebecca and Jarrett Jokiel, prepare for a fun night at the True Festival on Saturday, February 15 in Amherstburg.

DJ from Soundplus Windsor starts the party off early at the True Festival.

by Julianna Bonnett “Being true to yourself” was the theme of Amherstburg’s new winter festival, which took placeon Saturday evening. TRUE Festival, an evening to help locals be inclusive and celebrate themselves, was all the talk this Family Day weekend. This free, one-day event included a .5k cupid dash, many local vendors, axe

throwing, and ‘70s music, which helped attendees get their boogie on in the streets. The Town of Amherstburg’s Tourism and Culture Manager, Anne Rota, said the idea for the new event came about from the desire to see Amherstburg come alive again during the winter months, since during the summer, it is so busy. “We wanted to create a fun and safe environment, where locals could come out and be who they are,” Rota said. “One of the many reasons for the event was to attract LGBTQ2 locals and visitors to the event, so they could celebrate who they are and what they mean to the community.” The funding for the festival allocation was around $31,000, which was drawn from the $250,000 from The Canadian Experiences grant that the Town received from the Federal Economic Agency. “It’s a nice open event we wanted to have for the winter time because we

Sweet Maple Syrup workers prepare for a fun night at the True Festival.

have never done anything this special before,” Mayor of Amherstburg, Aldo DiCarlo, said. “We have been in talks about doing something special after Christmas, but we had the worry that not many people would come out due to the weather, but seeing as it’s going, I can see it being a

big turn out.” With all the dancing, vendors, and live entertainment, some festival visitors also participated in a .5k dash called the ‘Cupid Dash,’ which was organized in cooperation with the Essex Region Conservation Authority.