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Vol. 142
A LOOK INSIDE Highland Games returns PAGE 3 ______________
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Issue No. 25
Essex celebrates the “Maedel Community Centre”
Council presented with IT Review and Strategic Plan PAGE 7 _______________ Leardi officially sworn in as MPP for Essex PAGE 9 _______________ Essex Public School’s Phoenix soar at graduation PAGE 10 _______________ Holy Name Hawks graduates ready to for high school PAGE 11 _______________ Miracle food drive PAGE 16 ______________ OPP warn residents of “Grandparent Scam” PAGE 26 ______________
Pictured above: Members of Essex Council, Town of Essex staff, and the family members of Edward Charles Maedel celebrated renaming the Essex Community Centre in his honour on Saturday. Pictured left: Doug Maedel holds a photo of his greatgrandfather, Edward Charles Maedel, before many items of memorabilia now on display at the recreation centre, located on Gosfield Townline, now named in his honour.
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by Sylene Argent In April of 2020, Essex Council voted to rename the Essex Community Centre, located on Gosfield Townline, the “Maedel
Community Centre, in honour of Edward Charles Maedel, who was an entrepreneur and personified community spirit. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the name change and unveil the displays honouring Maedel’s local legacy. In 1908, Maedel purchased a struggling soft drink company on Talbot Street in Essex. He renamed it “Maedel Beverages,” where he made soft drinks and sold the product throughout the county. In 1935, he received the first Pepsi Cola franchise in all of Ontario, and the second franchise in all of Canada. He later built a new shop at the corner of Talbot Street and Brien Avenue. In 1989, the Maedel family sold the business to a company from Toronto. In addition to being a local business leader, Maedel helped to establish Boy Scouts in Essex, volunteered with youth sports and activities, provided leadership within the Essex Rotary Club, served as a firefighter, and helped support the construction of a bandshell. The reason for the name change for the facility was to clarify where recreation programs were being held. The Town of Essex has three recreational facilities in Essex Centre, each with similar names, which created Continued on Page 2