Essex Free Press - March 16, 2023

after sweeping series with Thunderhawks

PAGE 19

From pebbled ice to the big stage, Ruthven native making waves nationally in curling

by Garrett Fodor

When 16-year-old Ruthven native Dylan Stockton first picked-up a flyer for the Curling Club of Kingsville nearly sixyears ago, he never imagined he would be where he is today.

Stockton recalls getting a flyer one day, encouraging youth to try curling. He remembers bringing it home, and asking his parents if he could go try it. Fast forward six-years, the rest is history. The now 16-year-old has since been hooked by the ice sport.

“When I first signed up, I knew it was going to be hard, but I also just remember having a lot of fun,” Stockton recalled, who now curls out of the Sun Parlour Curling Club, following the closure and demolition of the Kingsville Curling Club nearly five-years ago. “After that first time trying it, I went out a few more times and started to get pretty good. I was learning things quickly and then began to play with some of the older boys, and just kept on going and kept getting better.”

Today, Stockton is now a member of two nightly leagues at the Sun Parlour Curling Club, as well as an hour of practice each night, along with competitive tournaments as well. On the ice, Stockton has filled every position of the team, from lead to second, vice and skip. Currently, Stockton plays second on Harrow native

Kyle Stratton’s team. Stockton notes that next year he will be leading his own team, serving as skip.

Since the New Year, Stockton has been traveling to various different tournaments from the under-18 Nationals in Timmins to representing Team Ontario at the Canadian Winter Games, where they took home bronze at the beginning of March to recently traveling to Ottawa for the under-21 provincial

Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Tim Lindsay, Owen Nicholls, Dylan Stockton, Liam Tardif, Kyle Stratton.

Pictured above: Owen Nicholls, Liam Tardif, Dylan Stockton, Wyatt Wright, Kyle Stratton.

Development on-the-go throughout Essex

by Sylene Argent

Last week, Director of Development Services, Lori Chadwick, hosted a meeting with Essex Council to present the Annual Development Update, detailing major residential, commercial, and industrial projects on the go – in addition to those that will get started – in 2023 throughout the municipality.

Essex Centre

There are five residential projects on the go.

For the Essex Town Centre project (on Maidstone Avenue), 154 singles family dwellings, semis, and townhomes are under construction, and the service drawings of another mix of 98 units have been approved, however, construction has not yet commenced.

Phase 3 of Woodview Estates includes 51 single family dwellings. Infrastructure construction has been completed, but electrical is delayed until mid to late spring, due to supply chain issues of transformers. Chadwick is confident the building permits will be issued this year, once hydro is installed.

At 80 Maidstone, 42 semi-detached dwellings as well as townhome units are planned. The Draft Plan of Subdivision Application is currently under review with the County of Essex and the Town of Essex.

There was an opportunity in the past to partner with the Housing Commission at this location for affordable housing, but it did not pan out. Instead, the developer submitted a Plan of Subdivision. Chadwick said that is in a good position to move forward, with studies completed.

An information meeting about the Plan of Subdivision is scheduled on March 20, before the regular Council meeting, where Council could provide approval.

At the Victor Street Apartments, adjacent to Weston Apartments, six apartment units are planned. Building Permit Applications have been submitted and are under review. Zoning is in place.

Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley asked about parking in the area, and if Council has any say over that.

Chadwick noted a building permit would not be issued if it did not meet zoning regulations. The previous Term of Council directed the Planning Department to review parking requirements in the Zoning By-Law for multi-residential. The Report is being completed.

For Gianni Estates, 86 single dwelling and apartment units in a six-storey high complex are planned. This will tie to the Hanlan Street Extension, and the Town needs to ensure infrastructure is in place to help the developer move forward. There has been no recent activity on planning applications. This will include a park and storm water management pond, Chadwick explained.

CAO Doug Sweet added the Town is looking at finalizing two agreements, one with the MTO regarding the Hanlan Street Expansion. The other is an agreement with the developer in association to that road.

In regards to Industrial and Commercial development, Chadwick noted there are four projects on the go, including the Sturgeon Woods RV trailer sales and self-storage lot. It received Site Plan Control approval recently. Phase one includes the self-storage lot, along Highway 3. Construction should start soon.

Phase 2, for the sales portion, is tied to the relocation of the Rush Drain project.

The new Essex Home Hardware site is currently under construction for a commercial retail and lumber yard. Occupancy is anticipated by the summer of 2023.

There is potential for pad sites and a strip mall in future. That is exciting for the municipality, she said.

Essex Weld, on Forest Avenue, she said, is looking to obtain Site Plan Control for construction of a new building for manufacturing and office space. It is under

review with the municipality.

Inspiration Industrial Park, located on the southside of Highway 3, is in the Essex Settlement Area, but located in Ward 2, technically.

There are ongoing discussions with a developer to subdivide vacant industrial land south of Highway 3 into five or six lots. One lot will be retained for stormwater management.

Chadwick said the Consent to Sever application has been deferred until a Storm Water Management Plan is approved in principle. Once approved, it will be brought back to the Committee of Adjustment to determine lot creations. Sanitary Design Drawings are under review.

This will be a future industrial park.

McGregor

For Masaccio Drive, 29 single detached units are planned for the Registered Plan of Subdivision. It is an extension project. The updated Storm Water Management Plan is under review to facilitate construction. It can occur at any time.

For Ducharme Lane, 18 single detached units are planned. Most studies have been approved. It is an extension project. Draft Plan application will soon be circulated, once studies and design projects are approved.

All approvals are in place for the Parnell Street Apartments, to include 116 apartment units in Phase 1 and 26 townhome dwelling units in Phase 2. Building permits are to be submitted, which can be done anytime. ERCA clearance was just obtained on the connection to the trail system and stormwater management, she said.

For the Ingratta Subdivision, 129 single dwelling family units are planned, but are on hold, due to servicing constraints for sanitary. Pre-consultation with Town and regulatory agencies has taken place.

Colchester

For Colchester Bay, 400-500 single family dwelling, semis, town, and apartment units are planned. A preconsultation with the Town and regulatory agencies was held. Class Environmental Assessments are being completed to capture subject lands in the sanitary servicing area. The developer needs to complete various studies prior to submission of the planning application.

At Colchester Heights, 52 single dwelling units are planned. The Draft Plan of Subdivision Application is currently under review with the County of Essex and the Town.

At Lypps Beach, 100 single dwelling units are planned. Pre-consultation with Town and regulatory agencies was held. The Draft Plan application will be submitted, following completion of various studies.

For the Wellesley Drive Subdivision, 42 single family dwellings are planned. A Development Agreement needs to be entered into, following completion of studies. Chadwick is hoping that will be in place this year, so construction can take place.

There are two conceptual projects, including Erie Shores for 96 single family dwellings and semis, and Goodchild Beach/Erie Blue Road for which around 50 or so single detached lots are estimated.

In regards to commercial and industrial development, three projects are underway.

The Bell Road Greenhouse will include construction of a 1.8-acre greenhouse. This is under construction, and is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2023.

The Grove Motor Inn includes a two-storey motel and café, which is under construction. Occupancy is anticipated by spring by 2023.

Carolinian Cider Company includes an expansion of

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Howling at the Moon

••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• This truly is the best community

I say this all the time, and – quite frankly – I never get tired of saying it; Essex has got to be one of the most supportive communities there is.

That atmosphere of support and sense of community were experienced recently as the Hayes family lost their home in a fire, and friends, family, neighbours, representatives from various organizations, and complete strangers stepped up to offer any help they may need moving forward.

I am always so pleased to hear of this supportive nature, and am always happy to highlight those gestures of kindness as I hear of them.

I have been told in the past from organizations in other communities that they notice how Essex residents embrace community initiatives and wish they could get that support in their own backyards.

For whatever reason, this

community is solid. Residents care about their neighbours and others living down the street that they may have never met. Because this community is so small, it is likely two people may not know each other, but odds are they know quite a few people in common.

That small town mentality is special and I wouldn’t trade it for that for big city living.

I just wanted to take a minute in this column this week to acknowledge all of those superheroes who do not wear capes, but simply live next door, for supporting the community they not only live in, but love.

I hope Essex never loses that caring and compassionate mentality it has. I wonder how that will go as we grow, but somehow I think – and I hope – anyone who moves into the area as we continue to expand will be swept into this amazing wave of kindness we have.

There are so many service groups

and clubs in the area, which could not operate without you – the residents –at the helm, offering to donate their time and talents to support others as they can.

And, I am always in awe of our service professionals, like our firefighters, who work so hard to not only support their neighbours but keep the community safe.

That sense of community is contagious, and we can all easily find ourselves offering help as we can, even if we are not a part of a group or organization.

Essex may be a small town, but it is certainly filled with many who have big hearts, lots of compassion, and willingness to stand by their neighbours in their time of need.

OFA viewpoint Farmers urged to keep safety top of mind as planting season approaches

By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Spring is just around the corner and that means farmers will soon be hitting the fields to get this year’s crops into the ground. It’s a busy time of year, which makes it more important than ever to keep safety top of mind.

This week is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, an annual event that those of us in the farm community use to increase awareness of farm safety, share resources, and promote the importance of developing best practices and farm safety plans.

This year’s theme, Safety is Our Promise, is part of the three-year safety campaign called “Your Farm, Your Family, Your Success.” In 2023, organizers from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association are focusing on practical safety advice and inspiring conversations about farm safety while highlighting the reasons safety is essential for the sustainability of farm businesses.

Safety is important in any business but it’s even more critical in agriculture because for us, the farm isn’t just a workplace, it’s also where we live and raise our families.

My husband and I farm in Dundas County in Eastern Ontario, where I’m an active member of our local farm safety organization. We do a lot of work at local events and farm shows – like the Ottawa Valley Farm Show taking place this week – and through advertisements in local media to remind farmers of how important it is to be safe. This is particularly key during a busy time of year like planting where days are long as we rush to get our crops planted as quickly as possible.

These late winter weeks before we can get rolling with planting are a great time to inspect and do maintenance on farm equipment, and make sure everything is working correctly and safely. Once the season gets underway,

stay alert, avoid working when you’re over-tired, wear protective gear, and make sure your employees know how to keep themselves safe, too. And just in case the worst does happen, have a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers handy.

Road safety is also an important aspect of farm safety. Too many accidents involving vehicles and farm equipment happen every year, and both farmers and motorists have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. Our local federation of agriculture was one of many across the province who participated in a slow moving vehicle signage campaign last year to help raise awareness of this important issue.

It’s not just physical safety that matters, though. Emotional and mental health is important, too. Research over the last few years has helped draw attention to the high levels of stress that farmers face, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture was proud to launch the Farmer Wellness Initiative last year in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division and with government funding support.

It includes a confidential Telehealth line that makes mental wellness support available free of charge to all Ontario farmers and farm families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and French. Trained counsellors who understand the realities of agriculture can help with any issue, not just those related to farming.

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you can access support at 1-866-267-6255, with additional resources available on the Farmer Wellness Initiative website.

I know we are busy planning for spring, but it’s important that we make farm safety part of that plan. You’ll find information and resources that can help you do that on the OFA website: ofa.on.ca

E.L.K. brings on Entegrus to provide contracted management services

by Sylene Argent

Last week, E.L.K. Energy Inc., signed an agreement that will bring on Entegrus Inc. to provide contracted management services.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, who sits on the E.L.K. Board of Directors, said the contact will be looked at reevaluated sixmonths at a time.

E.L.K. is owned by the Town of Essex.

said of bringing on Entegrus, which is based in Chatham. “We want to be able to give Entegrus the tools to come in to adequately assess the gaps that are here and make recommendations to the Board.”

determine if E.L.K. is meeting Ontario Energy Board (OEB) deadlines, and if there are gaps in asset management or the organizational chart.

As a new Board, “We felt we needed to act quickly and swiftly with a bold decision that was best for E.L.K., for the E.L.K. customers, and all of our service territories, and to protect our shareholder’s interest,” Bondy said.

“We want to bring some stability,” Bondy

This will give the E.L.K. Board of Directors a chance to take its time to hire a new CEO, as Mike Audet recently retired after 30-plus years of service.

The previous Term of Essex Council changed the composition of championships.

Looking ahead, Stockton hopes he is able to continue to grow within the sport, achieving high levels and finding success, and hopes to parlay it into an opportunity at school.

“I want to study civil engineering, so [if] I can get into a school that has a curling team and I can play for the curling team, it would be great,” Stockton noted. “I just have to keep getting better and working. I know some of my friends have been scouted previously, and they were able to get to schools where they could curl and also get the degrees they wanted. So, I am optimistic it can happen for me, too.”

At the Canada Winter Games, which were held in P.E.I from February 18 to March 5, Stockton was a part of Team Ontario, which won bronze after defeating Alberta. Stockton said the experience was surreal and served as a learning experience individually and as part of a group.

With poor ice conditions, the team communicated, were calm, and able to overcome the issues with the ice throughout the tournament, eventually coming home with a medal.

“It is a huge honour representing a whole province

on a national stage and I am so proud to have been a part of it a few times now,” Stockton said. “There is the pressure to do well and perform, but to me, once you get on the ice, you are in your element now.”

Stockton noted that since he got that flyer to try the sport six-years ago, his parents have also joined the sport, with the family quickly picking it up. He is grateful that his parents let him try curling and for the support they have given him.

Stockton also credits Tim Lindsay, who has coached him for the last four-years. He noted Lindsay has been instrumental in helping further his development as a curler and helped to provide feedback and opportunities to continue to grow.

Stockton encourages anyone interested in the sport to try it by gathering up three other friends and creating a team. He noted the social environment and aspect of the sport is great.

“There are going to be bumps in the road, it is not an easy sport to pick up at first,” Stockton commented. “It is important to just keep trying and having fun out on the ice. The rest will come, find a coach who will help you, do it with friends, but I encourage everyone to give it a try. So many of the clubs have days where you can try it.”

The E.L.K. Board of Directors extend its thanks to E.L.K.’s former CEO. Entegrus will help

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E.L.K. brings on Entegrus to provide contracted management services...

the E.L.K. Board. The new Board is comprised of six members, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Town of Essex, two members at large from the Town of Essex, and two members at large from either Kingsville and/or Lakeshore, who are E.L.K. customers. The previous E.L.K. Board had nine members, five of which were members of Essex Council.

Entegrus was selected for this task as Bondy said its staff matched the needs and were committed to bringing E.L.K. into the 21st century.

“We took our time. We did a good job with this,” Bondy said. “We are interested in what Entegrus has to offer.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entegrus, said his Local Distribution Company has a similar distribution system as E.L.K. Entegrus serves 17 small communities, similar to E.L.K. that serves six, including Belle River, Comber, Cottam, Essex, Harrow, and Kingsville.

“We have helped out other utilities in similar situations like E.L.K. We worked with them, because there is good staff, and helped them deliver the best service we can for their customers,” Hogan said.

Entegrus, he added, has a fair number of resources, such as engineers, accountants, and line staff, who – together with the team at E.L.K. – will be able to deliver a great service to customers.

The initial agreement with the E.L.K. Board, he added, is to work with the staff, see where things are at, and provide informational feedback to the Board. In addition, Entegrus will provide recommendations.

Bondy said it is not the Board’s job to get into E.L.K.’s operations. “Faced with a CEO vacancy, we had to do something. Hiring a CEO does take a long time. In order to ensure we were not dealing with operations, we decided to have somebody do that for us.”

Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong is one of six members on the E.L.K. Board of Management. She has been vocal about E.L.K. in the past. In October of 2021, the previous Term of Kingsville Council voted unanimously to support DeYong’s motion to send a letter to Essex regarding E.L.K., requesting a complete comprehensive review of the electrical supply be conducted.

Last week, DeYong said she wanted to get on the Board so she could help from the inside out to address some of those concerns. “I see this step as a really good start for addressing some of the [concerns].”

As the Kingsville rep on the Board, “I am here to bring that Kingsville voice to the table. Kingsville residents do have concerns about the service level of E.L.K. and also about the quality of the supply. I

Story Book Early Learning Centre

see this as a positive move. I am looking forward to great changes,” DeYong said. The E.L.K. Board, DeYong added,

Continued from Page 5

wants to make the utility, customer experience, and supply better.

Development on-the-go throughout Essex...

the Fruit Wagon’s existing barn into a retail shop and migrant worker housing. Rezoning and Site Plan Control applications need to be submitted.

Harrow

For the Green Leaf Trails Subdivision, 100 plus singles, semis, and townhouse units are planned. Phase 1 is under construction. Draft approval has been granted for Phase 2, and Phase 3 is in the pre-submission stages. Chadwick said there are a lot of opportunities here.

Parkland Woods includes 72 singles and semis. Phase 1 has received its Registered Plan of Subdivision and is under construction. For Phase 2, Draft Plan approval is awaiting final approval.

For Sunset Gardens, 59 single family dwellings are planned. It has received Draft Plan Approval, and further approval at the County-

level is imminent.

A conceptual project includes the King Street Mixed Use Apartments, which could include ground floor retail with multiple floors of residential above.

Regarding commercial and industrial, the Boudreau Development includes a two-phased mixed use commercial plaza, two-storey office building, warehouse, repair garage, and restaurant. Construction has been initiated; however, no further action has been taken at this

Continued from Page 3

time.

The King Street offices project is a two-storey redevelopment of the former antique store into dental and law offices. This project is under construction. Occupancy is anticipated by Summer 2023.

Mayor Sherry Bondy said the annual Development Overview is something she always looks forward to seeing.

“It is very exciting,” she said.

Council received the report.

Our Commitment to our program is so strong we offer a money back guarantee.

available. CAW Plan accepted.

Woodslee resident reflects on seven-years with the Sea Cadets -

The special ceremony recognized Gervais’s accomplishments and the many awards he has earned as a member of the Sea Cadet Corps. In addition, the ceremony included signing the top position over to another Senior Cadet.

The experience offered participation in competitions, communication between boats, certification programs, and opportunities to attend camp.

by Sylene Argent

Photos submitted by Jaxon Gervais

After seven-years of dedication and commitment, a special ceremony was held at the HMCS Hunter in Windsor last week to

recognize Woodslee resident, Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Jaxon Gervais, as he aged-out of the position of Coxswain for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps #48 RCSCC Agamemnon.

Gervais said his dad was a member of the Sea Cadets in his youth, so he grew up hearing stories and wanted to have his own experience with the organization. He also enjoys spending time on the water, which was a major draw to wanting to join.

Being involved with the Sea Cadets, Gervais said, definitely exceeded his expectations. He admits to having felt a little overwhelmed when he first joined, but it ended

up being the place where he had great experiences and made some of the best memories of his life. One of those great experiences included a trip to Virginia when he was in his first year, where he was able to get on a submarine. Being involved allowed

him to gain a lot of experience, and meet a lot of people he never would have met, if he was not in the program, he said. “It was definitely worth the time.”

Due to his dedication and involvement to the program, Gervais earned

the position of Coxswain, the highest position in Command as a regular Cadet.

He earned the position by completing his yearly training. By doing so, Cadets can be promoted,

Continued on Page 8

Woodslee resident reflects on seven-years with the Sea Cadets...

if they take the initiative to get there.

He found getting involved in many different aspects beneficial in moving through the program.

During his time with the Sea Cadet Corps,

Gervais said he attended camp three times, where he participated in the music program at the Royal Military College.

In addition to attending camp, he was in the Military Band for four or five years, before COVID,

where he was the Drum Major leading the band. He also held the position of Lead Snare and played on the bass drum.

As part of the Military Band, he attended many competitions.

“I really got involved with a lot of different aspects of the program, and that made me want to put more effort into bettering myself and helping other people,” he said.

Now 19, Gervais is thinking he may return as an Officer. It depends on how school goes. He plans to study nursing at the post-secondary level, with his sights set on eventually becoming a Cardiovascular Perfusionist.

To any youths thinking about getting involved in a Cadets program, Gervais recommends they give it a try. He said that not only did he become friends with those in his program, he was able to befriend people from all over Ontario from going on trips.

“It is a program that

shows you discipline, it matures you as a person, and it just shows you how to deal with situations,” he said. “It also gives you memories that are just going to last a lifetime.”

Looking into his future, he believes the program helped him grow. “It is something that just really shows you the way you should act in certain situations, who to respect, and how to approach people who are in respected positions,” he said.

Aging out of the program is bittersweet, he noted. He will no longer get to attend those meetings and practices on certain nights of the week as he has done for the past several years. In addition, it is hard to move on from the relationships built with the people there.

“You kind of don’t want that to end, but at the same time, you knew it was going to have to,” he said.

Some of the awards he won with the local Cadet Corps includes Best Bandsmen, Captain’s

JOIN US AT OUR

Award, Sportsmanship Award, and Best Senior Cadet. At camp, he also won a gold fitness medal.

“It definitely served me well,” he said of the experience. “I think that if I didn’t join it, there would have been so many

opportunities I would have missed out on. I think it was one of the most beneficial things I have ever done and I wouldn’t change anything about it.”

provided on future

by Sylene Argent

An in-depth “Together, We Build,” virtual town hall meeting was held last Tuesday evening, providing an update on the status of the future Windsor/Essex acute care hospital planned for the corner of County Road 42 and Concession 9. It demonstrated how thoughts and ideas from the public have been incorporated into the design of the future facility.

“The pace and planning for the new hospital have been increasing steadily over the past year-and-a-half,” Allisson Johnson, Communications Manager for Windsor Regional Hospital, said.

In September, Windsor Regional Hospital selected Stantec Architecture as the team of architects and engineers for the project. Since, Stantec has been working with user-groups to develop a set of block diagrams and a campus plan for the new hospital.

Deanna Brown, Architect and Stantec Team Lead for the hospital project, shared early draft drawings, based on feedback heard from user-group meetings. To date, three meetings have been hosted, with one more planned.

A campus plan is a site plan that details major elements that comprise the master site plan. There is more work to be done before the project is costed and the Ministry of Health is approached for input.

“It is very much a work in progress,” Brown said, adding consideration goes into how to ensure people can find entrances, how to subdivide logistics and staff traffic, and how to lay the hospital out on the site. Consideration is also given to ensure ambulances can get onto the site, to individuals who will come for emergency services, and the helipad.

One of the elements being considered is

whether or not to have a parking structure that could accommodate additional parking, which would save space for the future and consider greenspace and outdoor spaces. A civic plaza is being considered. Also being considered, is a designated cancer patient entrance, a cancer patient transfer entrance, an inpatient visitor entrance, and a staff entrance.

There is a lot of input coming in regarding the planning, Brown said, and the design team is considering the comments received to date.

Brown explained in the design, so far, support services are located at the basement level, including the recessed loading yard, materials management, and food services.

On level one, there is a main entrance, courtyard, ambulance area, Indigenous services and healing garden, outdoor seating related to the cafeteria, bus stops, and cancer centre and drop-off. It will also house the emergency department, ambulatory care service, public washrooms, registration, and first floor of the cancer centre and entrance.

Inpatient units are also included on the first floor, in addition to a food court and an auditorium as an education centre.

In the current design, the cancer centre is two-storeys and continues onto the second floor, allowing for stem cell therapy to have direct access from the inpatient unit to the cancer centre. Also planned are the main hospital pharmacy, cardiorespiratory, main diagnostic imaging, education services, and administrative components.

The third level plan includes sur service, cardiac labs, procedure unit, and hospital lab. It also includes the critical care unit. Brown said patients can be transferred from the emergency department to critical care without passing through a

public pathway.

The fourth floor plan includes maternal/ child services, perinatal service, labour and delivery rooms, neonatal intensive care unit, and an operative birthing suit. Also included is the pediatric inpatient unit, pediatric and maternal outpatient services, and Ronald McDonald House accommodations.

The level five floor plan includes electrical and mechanical services and the satellite dialysis unit. Levels 6-9 are planned for inpatient care.

Brown noted the design plans ahead for future expansion.

Johnson reiterated the drawings shared are still in draft form. The user-groups may make changes before the design is submitted to the Ministry.

She said Stantec is working on strategies to bring as much daylight into the facility as possible.

Inpatient rooms will have the capacity to be private, Johnson said. “This is huge. It is a struggle to take care of everyone in a facility that doesn’t meet modern infection control standards. COVID made that more apparent.”

Diagnostic Imaging, added “In the new hospital, we are going to have much more room in the patient rooms, so it does allow for your support people to be there with you and to spend the night, if needed,” Riddell said.

Johnson noted the hospital will be nearly two-million square-feet.

Dr. Andrew Petrakos, Director of Clinical Services Planning for the new hospital, said the goal of planning is to provide optimal access and the best possible wayfinding for patients and families. He said the areas are strategically planned and patients will park and enter the building in the area they need to go to.

Riddell added that there are 624 acute care beds currently between the two hospital sites. The new facility will not have less than that, and there will be additional space ready or future expansion.

Karen Riddell, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and VP of Cardiology and Critical Care

and

Johnson explained that once plans are completed and approved, the planning team will turn its attention to the tendering process to select a company to complete the design and build the hospital. That is expected to begin in early 2025. It is hoped construction will commence in 2026. For more information, log onto www wrh.on.ca/ProjectUpdateMarch2023 to watch the meeting video.

by Sylene Argent

Photos submitted by the Hayes Family

After experiencing a devastating fire that caused an estimated damage of $650,000 to their Talbot Street South home on Friday, March 3,

Luanne and Kirk Hayes are reflecting on the overwhelming support received from within the community and are grateful to have found their family pet survived.

“We live in the best place on this whole

planet,” Luanne said. “I would not want to live anywhere else but Essex.”

Several organizations, including the Essex Legion, the Essex Salvation Army, Holy Name of Jesus Church, the Essex County Goodfellows, and the Knights of Columbus (3305), have all reached out to provide help where they can.

“When I pulled up, there were not any gawkers there. There were a lot of people, but everybody in the community was helping and supportive and sticking stuff in our pockets. Everyone there was in a caring capacity. It was amazing,” Kirk said.

The beauty of the story, Kirk said, is that they are in such good care, they are not in need of anything as of right now. Last week, the family was displaced in a hotel with little room to store items. In addition, they have been given many gift cards to help

them get through this tough time.

“Due to the size and compassion of our families, we are literally overwhelmed,” Kirk said. Once they have their own space, they may find they have some needs in the future, and will be sure to let those within the community eager to help, know.

A miracle to come out of the situation was to find their pet bunny survived.

“That changed everything,” Luanne said. “It puts it in perspective. The Hayes family

AREA OF CIRCULATION Delivered door to door via our delivery system. Coverage of the Town of Essex (Centre), surrounding areas that include parts of Cottam, South Woodslee, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Maidstone, Oldcastle, McGregor, and Harrow. Plus additional depots throughout Essex County.

Fire & Rescue

adopted their furry bunny friend, Bruno, from the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society years ago and he has very much been a part of the family since they first brought him home.

“We treated him like a dog,” Kirk said of their rabbit, noting Bruno is an inside/outside pet, who has the run of the yard as he pleases. Because of his presence, he is popular around the block. On the day of the fire, his family was devastated to think the worse, but presumed he passed.

Kirk said when workers arrived the next day to fence off the home and the Fire Marshal came for an inspection, they asked for them to keep an eye out for any signs of their rabbit. When the Fire Marshal shone light in the area the family assumed he would be, there was movement.

“The rabbit must have heard my voice and came out from his hiding spot,” Kirk said, noting everyone was ecstatic to learn Bruno survived the fire.

“The rabbit is completely healthy. His whiskers are fine. Everything is fine. Somehow or another, he stayed low to the ground and survived, thanks to the fire department and

Colour: 30% premium charge on cost of ad. Minimum $30.00. Maximum $100.00

police and everybody who gave him a fighting chance.”

He said his daughter works at an animal hospital, and they kept him for a few nights to ensure he was okay.

In addition to reuniting with their beloved bunny, they were able to recover a jumpdrive containing around 15-years of memories, and personal documents and identification, which they were relieved to have.

“The tears were coming down. I was so thankful for every little

picture,” she said.

The yellow house is a landmark in Essex, Luanne said, noting as far as she knows it has been around for over 100-years.

“People are so sad about it,” Luanne said of their landmark home being destroyed. The family is, however, grateful to every person who showed kindness in their time of need, including from the local organizations, firefighters, and local businesses who stepped up in some way.

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Contact our office today to speak with an Advertising Sales Representative. Phone: 519-776-4268 • Fax: 519-776-4014

Office: 16 Centre Street, Essex, Ontario • Mailing: P.O. Box 115, Essex, Ontario N8M 2Y1 Email: essexfreepress@on.aibn.com • www.sxfreepress.com

Photo submitted by Essex

FARMING

WANTED

Farm Land to Rent

Cash or Share Crop

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

SERVICES

KENNETH YARDWORKS - Fall Clean-

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

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

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

SERVICES

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

FOR RENT

FOR RENT - Briarwood Apts, 26 Alice N, Essex. 2 bdrm, $1480/mo+ hydro. (519)995-0341 or (519)776-4016. Available May 1. 09-3t

HELP WANTED

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

107 Erie Street North, Leamington, ON N8H

1B7

Looking for part time, energetic team player for a CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.

Duties include answering phones, helping customers with purchases, scheduling appointments etc. Work for a family-owned business. Drop off, mail, or email your resume to us. firebox@forestgladefireplaces.com

AUCTION SALE

LARGE ESTATE AUCTION FOR THE LATE LOIS & TONY DUNCAN

ST. SIMON & ST. JUDE PARISH HALL

267 MEUNIER STREET, BELLE RIVER

SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH

9 O’CLOCK, PREVIEW 8 O’CLOCK

Pine corner cabinet, oak claw foot curved glass china cabinet, dble door pine cupboard, harvest table, bonnet chest, rod iron dbl bed, queen size poster bed, marble top dresser, drop front desk, cedar chest, bonnet chest, commode, old wicker table, chairs, loveseat, early crocs, lg quantity of royal Doultons, art glass, Shelley cups & saucers, pine potato bin, treadle sewing machine, dining room table & 6 chairs, rugs, old pottery, satin glass, leaded glass lamp, art work paintings, Staffordshire birds, salesman sample, saddle, wicker doll buggy, old maps, lg quantity of collectible dishes & china, old post cards, old games, bubble frames, mantle clocks, Beswick, brand new coca cooler brand new in box, carnival, train set, unusual bookends, old collectible Christmas bulbs, many cameras & binoculars, silverware set, an outstanding auction, lifetime collectors.

GO TO THIS WEB SITE FOR PICTURES AND MORE INFORMATION www.murrayknappauctions.com

TERMS: CASH, OR CHEQUE WITH PROPER I.D.

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS DAY OF SALE

MURRAY

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

FOR SALE

FOR SALE - Aluminum Martin Houses:

1-4 level hexagon, 24 rooms with mast. 3-2 level rectangular, 16 rooms each. Call for prices: 519-990-5134. 08-2t

WANTED

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

WANTED

SELLING YOUR GOLD SILVER JEWELRY ALL COINS? –Please read!! I did not recently send a colored brochure to your home. Before you sell take the time to get a second opinion ( My offer is often double)- ** Locally Owned* 55Years of “SATISIFIED CUSTOMERS” Not Expensive Coloured brochures. FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION. Friday, March 31, K of C Hall 190 Richmond St Amherstburg. Sunday, April 2 Heritage Village 6155 ArnerTownline, Essex. PAYING TOP DOLLAR GOLD SILVER Jewelry + All COINS Canada USA World, FREE ESTIMATES, PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE– All windup pocket and wrist watches Old Paper Money,Stamp Collections House Calls also available Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed. 55 years Exp. 519818-1805. 09-2t

WANTED

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

WANTED - House Cleaner for home in Harrow. Also, house/dog sitting in the summer time. Call: 519-999-3275.

REAL ESTATE

YARD SALE

APARTMENT YARD SALE - 22 Victor, Essex. Electric Guitar, amp, oak table with chairs, craft beads, native collection, jewellery, antique knic knacs, antique toys, too much to list. WednesdaySunday 9am - 4pm. Call to make an appointment to come in 519-961-9614. 9-1t

9-1t

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*

Notice to Residents and Property Owners Regarding Nuisance Weeds and Tall Grass

Under the Nuisance Weed and Tall Grass Control ByLaw (By-Law Number 1440), tall grass and nuisance weeds have been deemed a public nuisance. Property owners and occupants are required to cut and maintain tall grass to a height not exceeding 8 inches (20 centimeters), and destroy and remove all nuisance weeds and weed seeds.

As set out in the Nuisance Weed and Tall Grass Control By-law, this advertisement should be considered formal notice to all property owners and occupants within the Town of Essex of their responsibilities under the by-law. Failure to comply with this notice may result in the Town completing the work and recovering the expenses incurred by adding the cost to the tax roll for the lands. The Town, at its discretion, may also issue a ticket for the violation that will result in a fine under the Provincial Offences Act. This notice shall be deemed to be effective service on land owners and building occupants.

For more information, please contact: By-Law Enforcement Department Town of Essex

2610 County Road 12, Essex, Ontario N8M 2X6 519-776-7336 ext. 1409

FromThe Heart

OBITUARIES

Say I Love You With A Personal

LANGAN, John Francis - With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of John with family by his side on March 11, 2023, at 75 years of age. Beloved husband of 55 years to Dorothy (nee Doan). Son of the late Francis and Annette Langan. Son-in-law of the late Gordon and Jeanette Doan. Treasured father of Johnny Langan and is now reunited in Heaven with his daughter Tammy Sagaert-2016 (Brent). John was an awesome Poppo to Connor (Megan) and Maverick. Dear brother of Mary Ellen Deuville (Gary), Patrick (Dianne), Mike Langan, and Anne Marie Smithson (Mike). Brotherin-law of Mary Jane Dawson, Shirley Ouellette (late Richard), late Joe Doan (Bev), Gloria Doan, Doreen Allison, and Jackie Campeau (Gord). Cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews. John married Dorothy on October 26, 1968, and built a life together, raising two children. He was a “car guy”, a great friend through and through and he loved his friends so much. John owned and operated First Class Leasing for many years, recently selling his 6000th vehicle. He loved his family and enjoyed being an awesome Poppo to Connor and Mav. John left us many memories and he will certainly live on in our hearts and minds forever. The visitation and prayer service was held at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. Donations may be made to the Hospice of Windsor & Essex County. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com

Voice Of Inspiration

“You don’t need a title to be a leader.” ~ Multiple Attributions

Top Call for Service for Essex OPP in January was for property checks - members of the Police Services Board ask for more traffic enforcement -

by Sylene Argent

During the Essex Police Services Board meeting last Thursday, members learned the top Call for Service from Essex in January was for property checks, with 76. This was also a top call in Leamington, Kingsville, and Lakeshore, and the second top Call for Service in Tecumseh.

Essex County OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Angela Ferguson, said that is a result of the OPP being proactive. It includes visits to shops.

Mayor Sherry Bondy and Councillor Kim Verbeek sit on the Essex Police Services Board and asked about getting more traffic enforcement.

“We hear, time-over-time, people want to see more traffic enforcement,” Verbeek said, asking if there is a way traffic enforcement can move higher on the Calls for Service list.

Ferguson said that will continue to be addressed. Property checks were so high because individuals contact the office and ask for them when they are away. Police are also asked to check into areas for crime-

related incidents.

Bondy suggested residents should rely on friends and family, security, and other measures to help with property checks. She said people want to see more traffic enforcement.

Other top calls for service in Essex included 28 motor vehicle collisions, 25 community service instances, 24 traffic enforcement, 17 property-related, and 17 by-law calls. In addition, there were 14 calls for each suspicious persons, false alarms, and well-being checks. There were also 13 incidents to assist other police.

In area OPP policed communities in January, there were 2924 calls for service in total. This was an increase of 9.3 percent, comparing January 2023 to January 2022. Of those calls, 403 were made from Essex, which was higher than the 315 and 319 made in the same month in 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, Essex was middle of the road in January, when compared to calls for service put into the OPP, with Leamington being the highest with 825, Lakeshore had 656, and Kingsville and Tecumseh each

had 396. The Provincial Unit also received 248 calls.

In January, Essex had 10 violent crime calls. In OPP policed communities, there was a clearance rate of 67.2 percent. There was a six percent increase in local OPP policed communities with 71 calls total in January, compared to 67 in January of 2022.

In addition, there were 16 property crime calls, one impaired and exceed offence, and three driver’s licence suspensions, in Essex in January.

There was a 44.8 percent decrease in ADLS suspensions in January 2023 compared to January 2022 in area OPP policed communities.

There were also 33 Criminal Code/YCJA offences in Essex, which was higher than the 29 and 16 recorded in the same month in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Essex was near the middle of the road, as Lakeshore had 16, Tecumseh had 26, Kingsville had 31, the Provincial Unit had 42, and Leamington had 56.

Essex also had two CDSA drug

What’s Going On...

MAR 18 - THE ONTARIO PURPLE MARTIN ASSOCIATION MEETING - at 9 a.m. at the (CTMHV) Arner Townline, Essex. All are welcome. For more info, call Paul at 519738-3476.

MAR 19 - ESSEX COUNTY ORCHID SOCIETY MEETING - RESTREPIA WORKSHOP - St Stephen’s Church Hall, 5280 Howard Ave; Oldcastle. New members always welcome.

MAR. 25 - ROAST BEEF DINNER - Trinity United Church, New California, 1005 Road 2 W., Kingsville, 4-7pm. Take-out only. For info & to order: 519-733-2020. Order by March 21.

MAR. 28 - BELLE RIVER BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - At St Simon & St Jude Parish Hall, 267 Meunier Street. To book an appointment, visit: blood.ca or call: 1-888-236-6283.

APR 1 & 2 - EASTER BAZAAR - at Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, 1093 Puce Road from 10-4. Pussy Willow Sale, Meet the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg hunt, exhibits & more!

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

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

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

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

Julie Thomas

Fresh food. Friendly neighbours

Salvation Army Essex Church

submitted by Carolyn Barnett

‘’Sell Everything... Follow Me!’’ is Major Jim Hann’s sermon topic on Sunday, March 19. We invite you to worship with us at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an inspirational time with our church family.

You will find out everything you wanted to know about ‘’Maple Syrup’’ if you come to SA Connections Tuesday, March 21st between 10am -1pm. This free program is open to all and it’s a great place to make new friends, learn something new, and enjoy lunch!! Bible Study follows at 1p.m. and you will enjoy exploring First John with us.

On Wednesday, March 22nd, Carl Emke will lead the noon Lenten service at Woodslee United Church. Enjoy a light lunch afterwards.

Our Food Bank number is 519-7764628. If you are considering making a donation of non perishable goods, we are always in need of canned chicken, tuna, ham and fruit. We will gratefully accept your donations Tues., Wed., and Fri. between 9 - 2.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

submitted by Sandra Lypps

Join us for Sunday service each week at 11am. All are welcome to join us! Thank you to everyone who came out to our most recent pasta dinner and especially to WECAP for performing!

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

clothing to give to those in need.

For more information about what is happening at St Paul’s, please see our website (www. stpaulsessex.ca)) and social media. Messages are checked regularly at the church office, you can reach us there at 519-7767711 .

Trinity Anglican Church

Thank you to Brenda and Larry and the Srigleys for cleaning up the branches in the yard of the church

Please join us on Sunday, March 19th for a discussion about the importance of wills and P.O.A.s Colleen Sylvester will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions.

Sunday services with Rev.’d Hilton Gomes are celebrated at 9:45 am. All are invited to join our growing family.

Essex Christian Reformed Church

submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

You are invite you to join us each Sunday at 10am in person or online, at www.essexcrc.ca. Or you may join us online each Sunday morning beginning at 10am. Nursery supervision provided.

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

Come be part of the community, our Take-a-book Leave-a-book library is now in front of Essex CRC church.

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

Bethel-Maidstone United

Our ser vice begins at 10am Sunday mornings, and all are invited to hear Rev. Paul Rodey’s message. Please join us as

Top Call for Service for Essex OPP in January was for property checks...

offences, while Kingsville had 10.

In all OPP policed communities in January, there were 504 Provincial Offences, of which the lowest of 12 were in Essex and the highest of 124 were in Lakeshore.

Of the 121 calls put in for the Mental Health Unit, seven were from Essex and 62 were from Leamington. Though mental health calls were down in Essex, compared to January in 2021 and 2022, Ferguson said there was an increase

in other local OPP policed communities.

The Board went over its 2023 Budget of just over $19,000. The majority of the funds –$16,840 – goes to wages (as this is a board for which its members are paid) and attending conferences. Another $1000 was set aside to host the second annual Good Sarmatians Award program, if money is not donated. Last year, the Board reached out to the community, seeking nominations of individuals

we enter the Lenten Season. We enjoy coffee hour in the hall after the service. All are welcome.

Choir practice has begun, and is held at 9 am prior to the service to practice an anthem for Easter. All are welcome.

Rev. Paul will be the guest speaker at the noon-hour Lenten service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Wednesday, March 29. A light lunch will follow all services, free will offering gratefully accepted.

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

Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes

Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee

Thank you to everyone who supported the St. Mary’s Mission Group’s St. Patrick’s Day raffle. The winners were Christine Hayes, Jared Fuerth and Jerry Mooney.

St. Vincent de Paul is having a Lenten food drive at each church. Please donate non perishable can goods.

Please remove all winter decorations from your loved one’s grave at each of our Family of Parishes cemeteries by the end of March.

St. Mary’s Lenten Euchre card party results are: 1st Butch Jobin, 2nd David Sylvester, 3rd Gerry Allen, 4th Judy Jobin, and low score to Lionel Soulliere, most lone hands to Don Sylvester and Diana Denis. Come out Sundays, during Lent, to play cards at 7 pm at St. Mary’s Hall.

Family of Parishes refugee project, Hope for Maryam, is asking for contributions. Donations can be dropped off in the collection basket. Cheques are payable to Sisters of Holy Names and include Hope for Refugees on the memo line.

Congratulations to Bishop Michael Smith of Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland on his 60th Anniversary of his Ordination. May God bless you always!

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

Woodslee United Church

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

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

St. Stephen’s and Church of the Redeemer

Soup for the Soul Sunday at Church of the Redeemer this Sunday, March 19th from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Come and sample several of the fifteen different soups.

Members of St. Stephen’s, Redeemer, and Trinity, Cottam will join together to make palm crosses on Thursday, March 30th at 5:30p.m. at Trinity. The evening will begin with a soup supper and then get down to making the crosses. Everyone, of any age, is welcome. No previous experience of making palm crosses is necessary as instruction will be given about how to make the crosses.

Essex Retirees’ Club Report

This week our winners were Marcel Mailloux, Gary West, Tom Dewhurst, Kevin Edwards, and Betty West. Players with the lowest scores were Shirley Doey and Lou Ann Mailloux. The most peppers went to Gary West, Betty West, and Kevin Edwards. Pepper is played on Mondays at 1pm, Wednesdays at 7pm, and Saturdays at 1pm. Come on out to join us or even if you want to learn how to play, come on out on a Saturday.

Stop in at the Essex Retirees to pick up one of our newsletters and see all of the fun things we are doing.

Continued from Page 14

who have done great things to give back. Several were awarded with a cash prize and trophy. Last year’s funds came through money found and brought into police.

Essex CAO Doug Sweet noted the Essex Police Services Board will host a training session with other area police services boards in the near future with Ron LeClair, who is a Police Advisor for the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.

TAX PREPARATION

Over35years experience.

Kingsville Community Centre Ladies’ Clothing Swap

Road North at the rear of the Kingsville Community Church. This is the second clothing swap the centre has held. Last August, members held their first swap for children’s clothing.

“Our Kids’ Clothing Swap was so successful that it seemed a natural progression to hold a Ladies’ Clothing Swap as a follow-up,” said Kimberly DeYong, the Kingsville Community Centre’s program director. “Kingsville does not have a thrift store, most ladies have clothing they no longer wear and everyone likes to add new items to their wardrobe.”

could take as much as they wanted. Funds collected will go towards the community centre’s free community programs and events. DeYong and a dozen volunteers collected and organized donations of thousands of pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories. Everyone walked away with bags full of items, the leftovers were donated to the new Essex County Homelessness Hub and the Thrift on Mill Thrift Store to further help locals in our community.

“I am not surprised by

the success of this clothing swap. We have a very generous and engaged community,” DeYong said. “We have already been receiving messages asking for when the next one will be held and we are looking forward to hosting even more great events such as our upcoming Seniors’ Expo on April 13th. For more information, contact Kimberly DeYong at kim@KingsvilleCentre. com or 226-773-5830 or visit KingsvilleCentre. com.

Submitted to EFP

A few days prior to International Women’s

Day, over a hundred ladies participated in the Kingsville Community

Centre’s Clothing Swap Saturday, March 4th located at 1860 Division

The Kingsville Community Centre charged a small fee to enter the swap and participants

(L to R) Sue Moore, Kimberly DeYong, Ilona Thibert, Elaine Humphrey, Glenna Hupka, Marilyn Taylor and Tracey Crabtree. These volunteers helped keep the swap organized and tidy!

Public Service Announcement

Canadian Army training on Windsor & Essex County area roads

1929 DeSoto coupe at water’s edge

This photo was taken in 1945 at Cherry Beach in Toronto. Jack Morton is gripping the steering wheel of a friend’s 1929 DeSoto while another friend tries pushing it out of the water.

Every Saturday afternoon they drove through the trees to the beach and kept going with gas pedal to the floor. Sand would fly all over until the car reached the lake. Then they would push it back into the trees and start all over.

The car was built in Windsor as a coupe but the top was hacked off to turn it into a roadster. A bed rail had to be welded between the two windshield posts to keep the body from falling apart.

Later that summer, Jack and his friends brush-painted the black DeSoto a bright red, making the car more conspicuous to everyone, including the police, who pulled them over one night. The hydraulic brakes were defective, plus other things on the car, and the plates were removed on the spot.

The car was sold to Queen City Auto Wreckers on Queen Street. About six months later, Jack walked past and saw the old DeSoto still sitting there. The rain had washed off all the red paint, making the car the original black once more.

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

READ US ONLINE & IN PRINT

contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress

16 CENTRE ST., ESSEX

519.776.4268

www.essexfreepress.com

submitted to EFP

On March 16, 2023, Canadian Army Reserve personnel from The Windsor Regiment (RCAC) will conduct driver training in the Southwest of Essex County, between the Harrow and Kingsville areas. Activities will include practice patrols on planned routes.

All activities will occur throughout the day and night on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Members of the public may see military vehicles on the following major highways: Hwy 401, Hwy 3, and throughout Windsor and surrounding areas, including LaSalle, Harrow, Kingsville, and Essex County south of Hwy 401.

Participating soldiers will not be carrying weapons of any kind. They will remain within the area of their vehicles, except for any required maintenance and resupply.

This important training is being conducted in order to maintain and further develop the skills of Canadian Army Reserve soldiers in Armoured Cavalry operations, and to practice discipline, safety, and effectiveness while operating specific vehicle platforms within the local areas.

31 Canadian Brigade Group is headquartered in

London, Ontario, and has over 2,500 members across Southwestern Ontario. Most of these soldiers are Army Reservists, and many of them are preparing to deploy overseas on international stability operations with Canadian partners and allies in various regions.

All measures are being taken to ensure minimum

inconvenience to those in the area, although certain areas may be inaccessible during the exercise dates. Members of the public are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles, and are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.

Voice Of Inspiration

“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

~ Joseph Fort Newton

Having fun with a ’29 DeSoto.

73’s advance to round two, after sweeping series with Thunderhawks

for game three, with the series shifting to Walpole Island. Opening the scoring mid-way through the first period, Connor McCracken gave the 73’s a 1-0 lead. They took that lead into the intermission, before coming out of the dressing room looking to continue to work. Austin Guevremont went on to score a pair of goals to make it 3-0. Wallaceburg did get on the board, but closing out the frame, Karson Beuglet responded and restored the three goal lead.

simply out chance and out skate the Thunderhawks.

They added three more goals in the first period, carrying a 4-0 lead into the first intermission.

by Garrett Fodor

The Essex 73’s is moving onto bigger and better things as the local hockey team inches closer to its goals of earning the Stobbs Championship and Schmalz Cup Championship.

For the 73’s, the first step towards those goals was to win its first round matchup against the eighth-seeded Wallaceburg Thunderhawks.

The first game of the best-of-seven series took place last Tuesday.

From puck drop, the 73’s quickly showed the stark contrast between the two teams. Essex was quick

to jump on the puck, zip it out, and control the game. Throughout much of the 60-minutes it was all Essex, which jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period. From there, the 73’s scored three goals in the second period and another five goals in the third, including a pair from Luke Sherk, enroute to prevailing 9-0.

Twenty-four hours later, the series shifted to Wallaceburg for game two. Much like the night before, it was the 73’s jumping out to an early lead, then quickly extending to two and then 3-0. The Thunderhawks

did get on the board twice in the period with the 73’s also adding a tally late, as Essex led 4-2 heading into the intermission.

The teams exchanged goals in the second period, before setting up a deciding third period. Coming out of the dressing room, the 73’s quickly restored their three goal lead, just 81-seconds into the period. The Thunderhawks quickly responded, but the 73’s closed the door on any potential comeback, scoring a pair of goals in the final seven-minutes, taking game two, 8-4.

The pair of teams met again on Friday night

In the final frame, the 73’s continued to out skate and out match the Thunderhawks. The visiting 73’s added four more goals, while the Thunderhawks also added one. The 73’s took game three with a score of 8-2.

Closing out the week, the 73’s returned home, hosting game four on Saturday afternoon. Despite the matinee game, the 73’s came to play, opening the scoring just 37-seconds into play. The 73’s continued to just

Essex went on to add a pair of goals in the middle frame, increasing the score to 6-0. During the final frame, the 73’s would again add a pair of goals, increasing it to 8-0 before the Thunderhawks scored late. The 73’s completed the sweep, prevailing 8-1.

Through the four games, the 73’s were led by Austin Guevremont and Luke Sherk, who had nine points each. While their top players had nine points, the 73’s roster was

balanced, contributing up and down the lineup with just four skaters going without a point in the first round.

Adrian McBride collected three three wins, posting a .939 save percentage and a 1.04 goals against average, including one shutout.

Essex now waits for the winner of the Mooretown and Blenheim series, to see who it will take on in round two.

Voice Of Inspiration

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Flyers sweep Legionnaires in first round, matchup with rival Vipers starts Thursday

by Garrett Fodor

Things are about to get more interesting in the GOJHL as playoffs head into the second round of

play, after decision week.

Entering last week, the top seeded Leamington Flyers carried a 3-0 series lead over the Sarnia

Legionnaires into game four on Tuesday night.

The Flyers were looking to punch their ticket into the second round,

Essex Southpoint U13 Hockey Report

Submitted to EFP

After sweeping the Amherstburg Stars 3-0 games, in the first round of the OMHA playdowns, the Essex Southpoint U13 hockey team began play against its rival, Erie North Shore Storm this past week.

Game one in the six point series was played in Essex on Wednesday. Erie scored once in the opening period and twice in the second, before ESP started to realize they were in a playoff series. With nine to go in the final frame, Kayden Cook stopped a clearing attempt at the line and fired his shot on net where Austin Goudie tipped it past the goalie to get on the board. But two minutes later, on an ESP giveaway the Storm scored again. Just over a minute later, Derek Dunn and Brayden Foster got the puck out to Ben Liebrock. He ripped his snap shot, short side, to inch closer. With two minutes to go and an extra attacker on, Owen Derksen moved the puck cross ice to Cook and his wrist shot beat the goalie to get within one. That was as close as it would be, as Erie scored an empty netter to hand ESP a 5-3 loss.

Game two in the series was played the

next night in Kingsville. Essex came out to play. The team controlled much of the play and shot totals and with 17-seconds remaining in the first, they were rewarded. JoJo McLeod kept the puck in at the line and fired on net. After the save the rebound went to Ben Liebrock, who slapped it in. Midway through the second, Maxim Pyne went cross ice to McLeod, and his slap shot was stopped. Nash Fuerth pounced on the rebound to increase the lead to 2. A minute later, Derek Dunn worked the puck from the corner, to Brayden Foster who tipped it to Liebrock, and he buried it in the net. With five minutes left, Foster moved the puck to Dunn, who sent a pass to McLeod at the line, and he ripped his shot past the goaltender to go up 4-0. The Storm added one a few minutes later and then with 40-seconds to go, put in another. While short handed, Austin Goudie chased the puck down and sent it over to Dunn, who fired it into the empty net to seal the 5-2 victory. Kevin Ondic made numerous saves in net to earn the win.

Game 3 is in Leamington on Saturday, March 18.

becoming the first team to advance.

Much like other games in the series, the Flyers were quick to pepper the Legionnaires, controlling the puck and spending a majority of the time in the offensive zone. Kale Couvillon opened the scoring six-minutes in, before the Flyers doubled their lead just oneminute later as Connor MacPherson scored his first of three goals in the period. In total, the Flyers headed into the first

intermission, holding a 5-0 lead.

In the second period, the Flyers continued to work. Connor scored his fourth of the game midway through the second, and then his brother, Ryan, also got in on the scoring. The Legionnaires did get on the board early in the third period. They were, however, unable to come closer, with the Flyers adding another pair of goals, sealing a 9-1 win and completing the 4-0 series sweep.

The win now sets the Flyers up for a second round date with its rival, the LaSalle Vipers. The series begins on Thursday in Leamington at 7:10pm, before shifting to LaSalle on Saturday, and then returning back to Leamington on Sunday at 6:10pm.

Full schedule details can be found on the Flyers website: leamingtonflyers.com