Vol. 1 #2 Grand Bend Strip, May 30, 2007

Vol. 1, No. 2

G R A N D B E N D ’S L I F E S T Y L E

AND

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

PRICELESS!

ALMOST FAMOUS Greg Gallello is ready to pursue his Idol dream - p.11

Getting fresh with the locals Grand Bend Farmers’ Market opens with dining partnership - p.6 Mt. Carmel turns  p. - Dad’s war stories p. - Mom’s advice p. - Sudoku p. - Theatre season begins p.

Test drive a used vehicle online at: 640 Main St. S., Exeter (519) 235-0363 info@hmpexeter.com

HMP MPExeter.com Exeter.com Big enough for the selection, small enough to care!

To Do List

2 • Grand Bend Strip

To Do: May 30 to June 12 UNTIL JUNE 23 Huron Country Playhouse CATS! The Fantastic Feline Phenomenon: Tickets $36 (previews $29). http://www.huroncountryplayhouse.com ONGOING EVENTS: Weekends and Tuesdays  p.m. - Forest Kiwanis Kineto Theatre to June  Goderich, Huron County Museum Egypt, Gift of the Nile - Special traveling exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum. http://www.huroncounty.ca/museum

SUNDAY, JUNE 3  a.m. -  p.m. - Strawberry Place  Elginfield Rd., between Sylvan and Thedford Yard Sale  a.m. - Grand Bend Lions Park Pavilion Walk for Guide Dogs. An opportunity to exercise your dog while supporting Canine Vision Canada. Costs to train a guide dog $6,000. Pledges are important to this cause.

Pledge sheets available. (519) 236-7399  a.m. - Port Franks Hall Optimist Childhood Cancer Walk.

Contact (519) 243-3381

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

to you by Huron United Way. 30 teams, compete for $1,500.00 prize! Contact Kim Payne, (519) 524-7900 kpayne@huronunitedway.ca http://www.huron.unitedway.ca : a.m.

Parkhill Area Horticultural Society Mystery Bus Tour contact (519) 294-6904 Ailsa Craig Town Wide Yard Sales Grand Bend Speedway 1/2 scale racing: JCAR Series - JLM, MT, 6.5 & 9 MS

- p.m. - Greenway United Church Strawberry and Ham Supper  p.m. - Grand Bend Speedway Travelin’ Series : p.m. - Lambton Heritage Museum P O S T P O N ED TO FA LL 2 0 0 7 Lakeview Casino Royale in Black & White.

Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron.  p.m. -  a.m. - Oakwood Inn pub Brian Dale

Bikini Bob’s Hensall Ladies Night, Mexican Theme, Dancing 139th Annual Hensall Spring Fair. See Games Prizes, $10 tix goes to Make a Wish  a.m. -  p.m. - Forest Legion June 8th listing for details.

Mexico Legion Breakfast  a.m. -  p.m. - Bayfield Rodeo, Parkhill : a.m. -  p.m. - Alexandra Park, Bayfield Festival of Song. Sponsored by to Sept.  The Joys Strathroy the Aldeburgh Connection. Join five excitGoderich, Huron County Museum Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Heel ‘n ing young singers, including international Cultivating Ontario’s West Coast opera star James Westman with pianists SUNDAY, JUNE 10 Explore and celebrate our farming history Wheel-A-Thon. Contact (519) 294-0703 Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata as they Grand Bend Speedway with this special temporary exhibit. celebrate the art of song and also the 25th TUESDAY, JUNE 5 1/2 scale racing: 440, JLM, MT, 4-Cyl http://www.huroncounty.ca/museum anniversary of the Aldeburgh Connection’s  p.m. - Grand Bend Legion first concert. Sat. $25 and $35, Sun. $35 Bingo : p.m. - Bayfield Mon., Wed., Fri. - Port Franks or three concerts $75. Contact Gail Grant Bayfield Festival of Song. See June 9th Community Centre (519) 565-2435 listing for details.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 Dunes Duplicate Bridge  a.m. -  p.m. - Gill St. Parking Lot, - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Grand Bend TUESDAY, JUNE 12 WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 Live Music with Mark Blayney Grand Bend Farmers’ Market  p.m. - Grand Bend Legion  a.m. -  p.m. - Gill St. Parking Lot, Bingo Grand Bend - p.m.

Forest Legion  a.m. to  p.m.

Exeter, South Huron Grand Bend Farmers’ Market Pickerel Fish Fry Rec. Centre LISTINGS ACCURACY NOT GUARANTEED South Huron Trade & Information Expo.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 Good entertainment, good food, door prizes  a.m. -  p.m. - Forest and information for people of all ages. Free Forest Farmers Market Admission. http://www.town.southhuron.on.ca - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Meat Draw FRIDAY, JUNE 8  a.m. -  p.m. - Forest Grand Bend Motorplex Forest Farmers Market Friday: Fastpixs T&T; Saturday: Thunder Series, Jrs & 7.90, TNT Hot Rod (10.90) Hensall Super Series; Thunder Series, Jrs & 7.90 139th Annual Hensall Spring Fair. Pork carcass competition, pork auction, light Bikini Bob’s horse show, tug of war and much more.

HOWZAT - Classic Rock Contact Luanne Phair (519) 262-2247 SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Grand Bend Main Beach Meat Draw Shore to Shore Relay Beach Party

Bikini Bob’s Sports Bar and Eatery 11 Main Strip Grand Bend 519.238.2235

Grand Bend Speedway 1/2 scale racing: 6.5 & 9 MS, JLM, MT  a.m. -  p.m. - Strawberry Place  Elginfield Rd., between Sylvan and Thedford Yard Sale  a.m. - Benders Foodland, Parkhill Parkhill Area Horticultural Society BBQ - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Live Music with Cactus Jam Rodeo, Parkhill The Mammals

 p.m. -  a.m. - Forest Fairgrounds Relay For Life Grand Bend Motorplex Friday: Fastpixs T&T; Saturday: Windsor Spring Shootout plus Limited entry Big Bucks Box, No Box & Bike races, Junior classes & T&T. (rain date: Sunday, June 10)  p.m. -  a.m. - Oakwood Inn pub Brian Dale SATURDAY, JUNE 9  a.m. - Around Huron County and Grand Bend Huron United Way Amazing Race.

Amazing race in Huron County brought

Great Food, Fun Atmosphere 2 Licenced patios (smoking and non) $3 Thursdays Fridays: All U Can Eat Fish ‘n’ Chips $9.99 Saturdays: Steak ‘n’ Shrimp $9.99 Old School Sundays: Deals on Food and Drink!

June 1 - HOWZAT (classic rock) June 9 - Ladies Night - Mexican theme $10 ticket goes to Make a Wish Mexico

http://www.grandbend.com/

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Strip VIPs

Grand Bend Strip • 3

“It’s a new day for me every day” Teacher’s tenure equals half of Mt. Carmel school’s age Story and Photos by Casey Lessard “To come over the horizon on that highway, it’s just a great feeling. You’d think that would wear off after a while, but it hasn’t.”

Gloria Miotto Wilks is talking about her daily commute from north of London to Mt. Carmel, which she has made for the past 25 years. The senior staff member, Miotto Wilks has been a teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic school for half of the school’s life. “[I feel] very young;” she says, laughing.

“Younger than 50! It definitely makes you think about time and time passing. But I’ve always thought about it very positively and it’s been a super positive experience. I don’t look at it as an aging thing. I look at it as fun and learning.”

Staff and students are preparing for the school’s 50th anniversary this weekend, with a special mass Sunday at the church followed by an open house at the school. It will be a chance for past students and staff to reminisce and talk about their time at the school with other guests. The occasion brings back fond memories of Miotto Wilks’ first trip to the school. Her first class was a 5/6 split, and she came prepared.

“I had come from Toronto and had done my student teaching in a very difficult area,” she recalls. “There were a lot of racial issues in the early 80s, and it left a very bad experience at my last teaching post. I came here thinking I’d better come in here charged. I remember I put my long hair into a bun to look older and sort of strict, and when I walked into the classroom, I had one of the most fantastic classes I’ve ever had and even looking at them now, they’ve done wonderful things. I let my hair down the second day.”

Fast forward 25 years, and Miotto Wilks is still learning every day. Technology funded by the government has helped the process along.

“In the last five years I probably learned as much or more than I did in the previous 20.

The government has given us lots of money and our board has tapped into that for literacy and numeracy. In the last five years, the philosophy of teaching has changed. We always did new things to a certain extent, but philosophically the growth has been more in the past five years.”

After starting out with Commodore computers, “We now have two smart boards, we have a computer lab, and each classroom is outfitted with two computers. If I had to say an area where I’d like to grow, that would be

it. As computers were coming to the fore, I was busy with my kids at home and I’m not a technical person by nature. There definitely is a place for it. The kids type their homework and do a lot of their research on it.”

Even such basics as the 3Rs have changed.

“When you were a little kid, a math book had a lot of numbers on the page and a lot of it was skill building and facts. Now, there are a few numbers, but much more problem solving types of activities. I know for parents it was a big learning curve for them to figure out what the question was asking. I’ve even had that problem as a teacher. We’re making kids more cognizant of the fact that they’re thinking.

Reading is thinking, so I’ll stop in the middle of a lesson and ask, What are you thinking about? What have you asked yourself while you’re reading? Also a lot of sharing of ideas; a lot of group work. It’s not quiet anymore.”

Miotto Wilks has taught Grades 3 to 8 and had a French homeroom for nine years. But unexpected moments have created the fondest memories.

“I remember I met a boy in the mall - I taught music and not that great; I play the guitar. This boy came and stopped me, he’s now 20 and he graduated from Fanshawe and he came and hugged me. He said, ‘Remember teaching us Simon and Garfunkel songs, that was so cool! Whenever I play those songs as a DJ I think of you.’”

And Miotto Wilks will never tire of seeing her students succeed.

“I was teaching Grade 7/8 at the time, a very bright class, and one gal was awesome and two years ago I got an invite from her parents. They had a little graduation party at their family farm and they really wanted me to come. So I did and she was thrilled that I came. She wrote me a beautiful thank you note with a picture of her as a doctor in it.”

So with her own success translating to her students, what will she do for an encore?

Although Miotto Wilks doesn’t keep track of the exact number, she could retire within the next 5-7 years.

“I am not one to sit around and not do much, so the thought of retiring makes me feel sad. I need to be busy, so I might volunteer with the men’s mission. I don’t know if I’ll supply or not. I think once I’m finished I might be finished. Doing nothing is not a choice for me.

“I love coming here every day. People ask me, Are you tired of it? I say, No, it’s a new day for me every day.”

Still smiling after all these years

Gloria Miotto Wilks is the longestserving active teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Mt. Carmel.

The school is celebrating its 50th anniversary - Miotto Wilks has been at the school for half of that time - with a mass and open house Sunday June 3.

Her Grade 3 class is currently studying the work of the impressionists.

Above: Miotto Wilks inspects the work of Rachel Bosley and Pierre Langlois.

50th anniversary Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Mt. Carmel Sunday, June   a.m. - Celebratory mass : p.m. – Open house Contact: Principal Mike Bruneel () - http://mtcarmel.hpcdsb.edu.on.ca/ Mass - Guests from school board speaking and local, provincial and federal governments presenting certificates

Open house: School open for community members, past students and staff to look around and reminisce - Food available - DJ playing music from 50s - Photos from the beginnings to now on display - Silent auction to help offset event costs “There’s a lot of buzz about the event in the community. Most of the response has been from past students who are looking forward to coming back to the school.

We’re looking forward to having the whole community come out and celebrate the past, present and future of the school.”

– Mike Bruneel

Strip Thoughts

4 • Grand Bend Strip

Deep trouble: Cyprus, 1970

Ah, the memories!

Keeping the peace

By Tom Lessard, former UN peacekeeper

Share your prom memories and photos with our readers I’ve been to three proms, and they just keep getting better.

The first time was 15 years ago at South Huron District High School, and it was fun, but nothing like the year after. That year, I got to have dinner with my best friends (see photo at right), get my hair poofed back (okay, it always looked that way), and win Student of the Year honours.

Last year was my third time at a prom, this time taking photos for the Haliburton newspaper. I spent many hours following a group of young adults as they celebrated their year and the future. That night resulted in two newspaper awards, and I helped preserve memories for people in that community.

I would love to hear what your prom memories are. If you are still with your high school sweetheart and have made it work after all these years, send me a photo of your prom (it wil l be returned if it’s on paper - call me if you need me to pick it up in person) and tell me about your memories.

Casey Lessard Publisher/Editor

Matt Jaques and Steph Pearson - a hot item at SHDHS - with the publisher before prom 1993. Jaques is now a restaurant manager and boat captain in Nanaimo, BC while Pearson teaches in Ottawa.

To the Editor:

A message from my aunt Joan Thank you!

Memories of this birthday will never be forgotten. Thank you to all the girls at Curves who participated in my surprise party. I was quite overwhelmed with your kindness and gifts.

Thanks also to the Raeburns for the birthday party and also for the great gifts.

Thanks to my family: Tom & Rita, Bill & Richard; I appreciate all you do for me.

Thanks to Mary Lou Becker and the Wednesday night girls for the cakes.

Joan McCullough Shipka

To the Editor:

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

I have read your paper from front to back and totally enjoyed it. As a mother of a journalist, I am especially pleased to read about how this paper is the fulfillment of a dream and the successful result of hard work. Keep it up!

You might want to switch up the Sudoku puzzles between levels as it really depends on the reader. My husband is a Sudoku junkie and found it easy. The recipes were great. I love “What I’ve learned - advice from mom.” Your pictures are superb; no wonder you won prizes.

How about encouraging the restaurants to offer “locals” special deals, as we tend to avoid the crowds in the summer; they could ask for I.D.?

Best of Luck.

Lily Pinarello Huron Woods

Congratulations on a great start with your paper. Very professional, well written, very informative.

The photos were plentiful and I was impressed with the amount of colour.

A very smart idea was allowing it to be free to all and sent out to everyone with a mailbox in all of the surrounding area.

Very well done Casey. I look forward to future issues.

Harry C. Young Greenway

I was over in Cyprus in 1970 for a six-month tour. I was with the Delta Company, 1 RCR. I came off the outpost – I had been on the night shift – and I had a couple sandwiches and went into the shack, which was a bombed out schoolhouse. And my buddy Freddy is there and he’s down and out. Right out of it. I asked what was wrong and Freddy says, “Well, somebody stole my wallet.”

I said, “What was in it?” and he said 15 pounds. Fifteen pounds was a lot of money in those days, but his ID card and all his other stuff was in it, too, so I said, “Well what are you doing with it?”

He said the red caps are out looking for it – that’s the British military police. I said, “Well, I’ll go out and see what they’re doing.”

I found them and they were at our outhouse – a three-holer.

I said, “Well, did you find the wallet?” and they said, “Yep.” Shone the flashlight down and said, “There it is right there.”

I looked down and said, “Well, are you going down to get it?” They said “No, we’re not getting the d@3^ thing… you want it, you go down and get it yourself.” So I said “All right.”

I went and got four guys, 50’ of rope, I got my respirator, and we took the seat cover off – it’s a corrugated box about 20x20x20 – and two guys got on one side of the wall and two other guys – one on each side of the hole – and we tied a rope around my feet. I had stripped down to my shorts and had just the respirator and a flashlight. They tied my feet and lifted me over the hole. I went down in and as I got past the corrugated steel, I hollered out, “Anybody else down here?”

Well, for Pete’s sake, they started laughing so much they dropped the rope. But I saw the wallet and as I went kerplush, I grabbed the wallet in my hand.

They hauled me out of there and as I got out it must have been 80 or 85 degrees anyway. As soon as they got me out, they just left me and took off. They couldn’t stand the stink and the sight of it.

So I undid the ropes, I called out for Freddy, gave him his wallet, he grabbed it, took his ID card out and threw it right back down in.

I went down to the canteen, which is right at the bottom of the building in the basement. I went in and had a couple of beer and everybody took off. Then I went and had a few showers and that was the end of that.

Six months later our time was up and they do an assessment.

Sgt. Ivy, who was my platoon sergeant, wrote down under Tom Lessard: ”Volunteers to get himself in sh!t.”

Editor’s Note: Most of our feedback centred on raves about my mom’s column and James Eddington’s recipes. Strip wants to feature favourite recipes from local restaurants and readers in each issue, so if you have one you’d like to submit or have a request, send it to us. Also, you’ll now find two Sudoku puzzles in each issue, and we’ll vary the difficulty level. As well, Strip encourages any special offers that further Were you in the military? We’re sure you have at least one story to relationships between readers and businesses. tell about your time that others would love to read.

Write us a letter (Box 218, Grand Bend, N0M 1T0), send us an Correction: The phone number for The Currant General Store in Parkhill was listed incorrectly in last week’s e-mail (mail@grandbendstrip.com), or call us (519-614-3614). advertisement. The correct number is 519-294-1025. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Publisher: Casey Lessard Editor: Casey Lessard Advertising Sales: Casey Lessard Advertising Design: Casey Lessard Chief Photographer: Casey Lessard Grand Bend Strip P.O. Box 218 Grand Bend, Ontario N0M 1T0 CANADA Phone: (519) 614-3614 Fax: 1 (866) 753-2781 mail@grandbendstrip.com http://www.grandbendstrip.com

Contributors: Rita Lessard - my mom Tom Lessard - my dad Jenipher Appleton - nature/birding Cameron Rankin golf pro, Sand Hills, Port Franks Jessica Michielsen - Accentuals spa Distribution: Casey Lessard, Rita Lessard and Joan McCullough

Grand Bend Strip is printed every two weeks in the summer and 4106 copies are delivered free to all homes and businesses in Grand Bend, Zurich, Dashwood and Port Franks using Canada Post. An additional 1900 copies are available to other residents and visitors at local stores and restaurants.

Subscriptions are available.

Contact us for information.

Advertising is accepted on 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 their ads on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions.

The Grand Bend Strip reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards and/or the law.

All material herein, including advertising design, is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form.

© Copyright 2007

Locally owned and operated

Alert Canada Post if you live in one of the towns above and want to receive Grand Bend Strip but are not receiving a copy in the mail.

Strip Thoughts

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 5

What I’ve learned - advice from mom 1/4 tsp eucalyptus or wintergreen essential oil band needs me to do something, instead of 1 cup water seeing it as a stressful situation, I see it as an Add oil to spray bottle filled with water. opportunity to help him.

Make someone laugh – Laughter is the How it all Vegan cookbook Spray your house with a fine mist - the carpet, best stress breaker, absolutely. If I’m laughing I’m not under stress, and it really is good for Brewer’s yeast: 1 tsp or 1 tablet a day. Note: furniture, car, pet’s beds - everywhere. Fleas me and others. I like to make people laugh; it some animals are allergic to brewer’s yeast; hate the aroma and run for cover. Spraying your pet is also a great idea. Spray areas three relieves my stress and it relieves theirs too. watch for itchy patches. Consult your vet.

Garlic: Most animals love garlic when times a week all year round, but especially during summer, the peak flea season. mixed with food.

Calendula ointment or oil: An excellent Intelligence: Spotting a flaw in a boss’ charrepellent that helps with itching. acter.

Vinegar: A ratio of 1 tsp of vinegar to 4 Wisdom: Not mentioning it.

Do your best, then stop – Maybe somecups of water in their drinking water helps - Vernon McLellan, Wacky Wit body else could do better, but don’t worry keep your pets free of fleas and ticks. about that. Realize that sometimes your best You know how people always say the cusis the best you can do. Don’t worry about tomer is always right? Well, after 35 years of what somebody else thinks.

View problems as opportunities – If you’re serving the public, I can hardly wait to be a This spray is a natural way to eliminating fleas that is not harmful to humans, pets or stressed out because of a problem, see it as an customer. Just to be right once.

- Rita Lessard opportunity. For instance, whenever my husthe environment.

Compiled by Rita Lessard

Natural flea busters

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market Simply in Season Dining Partnership May 30 to June 5

Quotes of the week

Huckleberries

Stress busters

Flea Pet Spray

Reader of the week: Grace Bragg

Interests

10 Main St., Grand Bend

features:

Rhubarb Sorrel Crisp - p.73

June 6 to 12

The Village Greek 18 Ontario St. N., Grand Bend

features:

Asparagus Soup - p.39

Can’t beat the Bend

Politics (life-long Liberal), Hollywood I love Grand Bend because we can walk to memorabilia (her late husband got her inter- anything we need. Everything is handy. I walk ested in Marilyn Monroe), reading (“we have to the beach. It’s just so calming. You don’t a tremendous library here”) and being active have to be bored here. It’s a great community.

(Grace does aerobics three times a week, golfs, and walks Ivy Mist). Grace also heats meals Exercise has been a big help I had a mini-stroke four years ago. I’ve had for Lambton Elderly Outreach. jaw, breast and colon cancer. The benefits of exercise have been really good for my health How she met her husband I went to a Liberal convention in the 50s by problems. I feel quite good now. myself and that’s where I met Bill Bragg; he was a reporter for the Toronto Star. Someone introduced me because I didn’t know anyone.

We went to lunches together, then to meetings, then we went swimming together.

A week after I got home to Hamilton, I G R A N D got a letter. It was from Vauxhall Drive in Scarborough. I didn’t open it because I had just bought a Vauxhall and I thought it was an ad.

Then about a week later, I got a call from Bill and he asked whether I got his letter. I said, “Oh!” and then I read it.

We were married September 15, 1959. Bill was originally from St. Mary’s so he knew this area. We started bringing the kids here.

We had a cottage for years and we sold it when I retired at 55. He was 60. That was 20 years ago.

Farmers’ Market is open

Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gill Road Parking Lot

See you there!!!

Huron Country Playhouse

Grand Bend resident and Hamilton native Grace Bragg with her rescued greyhound, who raced under the name Ivy Mist.

Custom Sandals & Foot Orthotics

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All custom work completed on-site

by Reg. Orthotic Technician

Directed by DAVE CAMPBELL Choreographed by GINO BERTI

Must present this coupon to qualify for 25% discount off our regular priced custom sandals & foot orthotics

“Jellicle Cats come out tonight, Jellicle Cats come one, come all!”

Athletic & Orthopedic Bracing • Foot Orthotics • Orthotic Friendly Shoes & Sandals • Shoe Repair • Mobility Aids Home Healthcare Equipment Sales & Rental 38 Ontario Street South • Grand Bend

Join us for the landmark musical sensation that became the longest-running and most successful production in Broadway history.

May 30 to June 23 Box Office: 519-238-6000 • huroncountryplayhouse.com

6 • Grand Bend Strip

Strip: Feature

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Get fresh with the locals Take advantage of home-grown goodness at the market just east of the main strip

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market Gill Road Parking Lot Wednesdays until October  a.m. to  p.m.

Story and Photos by Casey Lessard If you want a little taste of Europe, head to the Grand Bend Farmers’ Market Wednesday morning. Sure, there are no cobble stone streets, but the Gill Road parking lot market can easily compare for the quality of food products available for sale. Plus, you don’t have to fly all the way to Europe for the experience.

“I love it,” says Elaine Ste. Marie, who enjoys being reminded of her visits to farmers’ markets in Europe, where she lived for seven years.

“Last year I must have bought flowers every week.”

Staying home is also good for the environment.

“All of this food product has traveled very little distance,” says Christine Bregman of the Health Nut, who was shopping for flowers.

“There’s more food value in locally grown foods. If I have to choose, I choose local. Local organic is optimum. Local is next. Then organic after that.”

There’s also the direct benefit of buying from the grower.

“It’s a better profit for our farmers and neighbours,” she says, “and the fact is the quality is better.”

Expertise is also the market’s strong suit.

“I can tell people what variety of asparagus they’re buying,” says vendor Melody Arnhold. “Then there’s the advantage of incredible freshness – we picked this morning and are selling it today.”

Market manager Doug Smaill notes there are key economic benefits.

“A study was done by Farmers’ Markets of Ontario and found that for every dollar spent at a farmers’ market, $3 was spent in town on supplemental products. That might be a meal at a local restaurant or whipped cream for berries. Our farmers brought in $100,000 last year so we figure that translated into $300,000 for local businesses.”

The basics This is the second year for the market, but already there are hopes it will become a permanent fixture with a roof over the vendors’ heads.

What is available: Fresh local produce, meats, flowers, That would help keep the food even fresher and prevent the vendors honey, baked goods, organic products and some crafts. and customers from wilting, too. Anywhere from 700 to 1,000 visitors Bring cash: no machines here, but ATMs nearby at TD go through the market each week in the summer.

Canada Trust or Bank of Montreal.

From field to fork: Grand Bend Farmers’ Market launches dining partnership with local restaurants This summer, when you eat at local restaurants you can choose to eat local produce as part of your meal. Each week one restaurant will feature a dish or dishes from the Simply in Season cookbook. The recipe used will feature a fruit or vegetable in season that week in our area, and your serving will contain produce grown locally.

For a list of participating restaurants, visit the farmers’ market Wednesday mornings or contact Doug Smaill at Huckleberries on Main Street in Grand Bend.

Each week’s participating restaurant and featured recipe will also be advertised in the pages of the Grand Bend Strip.

For me? You shouldn’t have!

Flower grower Marie-Luise Eisert is one of the 22 vendors at the Grand Bend Farmers’ Market. Eisert has been farming all her life, including 20 years at the family farm on Babylon Line near Dashwood.

“Supporting the farmer is a good thing,” she says.

“Otherwise you have to get everything from the States or somewhere else.”

When to come: If you like it busy, 10:30 a.m. is the peak time. “The locals come here after getting their mail and going to the bank,” market manager Doug Smaill says. But if you want only the freshest food, get there bright and early. Some of the produce is picked that morning and brought straight to the market.

Strip Fun

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 7

Sudoku As requested - one easy, one hard from www.sudoku.name. Solutions pg. .

Fill the grid so that each column, each row, and each of the 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9.

4 2 1 9 6 2 1 5 9 8 1 2

Hard

9

Easy

7 2 4 3 9 2 8 1 4 9 5 7 3 9 4 3 8 2 7 9 1 9 6 9 7 2 8 7 2 9 4 3 1 9 8 9 2 1 8 6 6 1 3

cashmere

bathroom tissue

pork backribs

2 ply, 30 roll

cryovac sealed

limit 2 per family

97

4

3 8 7 4

3

4.39/kg

general mills

butcher’s choice

source yogurt

sausages

.97

775g

297

nestlé

heinz

confections ice cream

original beans or alphagetti

selected varieties

6x398ml pkg

99

99

199

/lb.

asparagus prod. of canada

selected varieties club pack - 4.39/kg

canada no. 1 325g

199

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Strip Tips

8 • Grand Bend Strip

Are you ready for your tee-time?

Apple-Cinnamon Cornmeal Pancakes Casey makes these for me on Sunday mornings and I LOVE them! - Anjhela Michielsen Adapted from How it All Vegan cookbook 1/2 cup 3/4 cup 3/4 cup 2 tsp 1 tsp 1/4 cup 2 1 1/2 cups

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Golf Tips

By Cameron Rankin Most recreational golfers’ are rushing to the 1st tee from work after a short or long commute and they wonder why their round starts off so badly.

Golf course owners and operators throughout the world would ideally like all players to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their tee-times.

This gives you time to check in for your official tee-time and organize a golf cart rental if required, plus pay for your green fee etc.

Additionally if you could give yourself another 15 to 20 minutes before you teeoff you could hit a small bucket of range balls. Start by doing a few stretching exercises;

In a large bowl, stir together the oat flakes, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until evenly blended. Add the apple sauce, eggs, milk and stir until “just mixed.”

For each pancake, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter onto a hot non-stick pan or a lightly oiled frying pan and cover with a lid. Let sit on medium heat until the centre starts to bubble and become sturdy. Flip pancake and cook other side until golden brown.

Repeat process until all the batter is gone. Top with almond butter, apple butter and real maple syrup. Makes eight pancakes, or enough for two healthy eaters.

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some practice swings then start hitting some balls. Start with some short wedge shots to set your swing tempo for the day, then move to some fuller swings with some mid and long irons and if you have time finish off with some driver shots. Remember to leave time for some chip shots and putts to give you an idea of the pace of the greens for the day.

Give yourself this time and I guarantee you will start off your round with lower scores.

Cameron Rankin is a member of the CPGA and British PGA, and the head pro at Sand Hills Golf Resort (www.sandhillsgolf.ca) between Port Franks and Thedford.

6 When was the last time 7 4 you had a massage?

5 By Jessica Michielsen In our busy culture, stress affects us all. body by improving circulation of lymph and 1 Emotionally, we are stressed and our bodies supports health through improving immune are taxed by the processed foods we eat. The system function. This treatment can relieve 8 toxins and pollutants in our environment also swelling; particularly post mastectomy, and havoc on our bodies, causing many ill- increase energy levels. It will also treat emo2 wreak nesses ranging from the common cold to can- tional stress and depression, frequent colds 9 cer. We all need to be aware of how we treat or flus, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders, insomnia, cellulite and minds and bodies.

3 ourThere is healing power in touch, but in this circulatory problems. The recommended pro-

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day and age, many of us are deprived of the human physical contact we need.

Massage is one great way to take care of our minds and our bodies. It relieves tension, increases circulation and facilitates healing. A regular relaxation massage clears the mind, relieves tension in the body and lifts the spirits.

An even more healing type of massage is manual lymphatic drainage massage. Lymph is a clear fluid that moves through the body and drains intestinal fluid, transports dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins, and stimulates immunity. Stagnation of the lymph occurs because of lack of regular exercise, exposure to environmental toxins, stress and improper functioning of the spleen or thymus. Manual lymphatic drainage massage detoxifies the

gram for lymphatic drainage is to begin with 3 to 5 treatments in the first 10 days for the initial flushing and then maintenance treatments anywhere from bi-weekly to monthly.

Hot stone massage therapy similarly uses some lymphatic drainage techniques and incorporates the use of heated stones laid across the chakras. The therapist also uses the stones as a massage tool. Hot stone massage is the most luxurious and deep penetrating type of massage used in holistic centers today.

The use of the stones, combined with aromatherapy oils, facilitates muscle release and deep relaxation.

Jessica Michielsen, Erica Michielsen and Shannon Ryan offer massage services at Accentual Hair & Spa in Parkhill.

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Strip Outside

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 9

Honeybees and Colony Collapse Disorder – Should We Care?

Our bird expert talks about the bees Living in Balance

Honeybee facts

By Jenipher Appleton

Canadian Honey Council • one colony can produce over 100 pounds of honey • one colony can pollinate an acre of fruit trees • bees can fly at 15 mph with wingbeats of 200 times/second (much faster than the hummingbird) • the queen bee may lay 2000 eggs per day • it takes 556 worker bees to gather a pound of honey • the average life span in working season is six weeks • the value of pollinating fruits, vegetables and legumes is ten times the value of the honey produced (1 billion dollars in Canada) • honey is one of the safest foods (harmful bacteria cannot live in it for any length of time)

An unexplained phenomenon has been affecting some of the North American honeybee population. Colony Collapse Disorder is the term being used by scientists to generally describe the dying off of honeybees. Producers in the Ottawa area lost over 50% of their hives over the past winter. Some think the collapse could be caused by viruses, fungi, or long-term effects of pesticide use.

Others support the theory that the late onset of this winter caused the bees to produce extra broods; they may have been killed when the cold finally hit as they tended their larvae and pupae. One beekeeper in the Embro area reported finding an empty hive this spring.

Finding a hive with dead bees is one thing; a mysterious disappearance is quite another. A University of New Brunswick microbiologist suggests that mites could be a culprit and is researching to develop fungi to fight the tiny mite parasites.

Smoking out an answer

Beekeeper Jim Bender can’t explain why honeybees are disappearing, and neither can scientists. They coined the term Colony Collapse Disorder to describe the phenomenon, which could be caused by weather, infections, pesticide use or something else altogether. photo by Jenipher Appleton

Going to the source Jim Bender has been a beekeeper in the village of Nairn for the past ten years. He was kind enough to give me a tour of his hives and to explain much about the life cycle of bees and the development of the brood.

His wife, aptly named Bea, is the librarian in the school where I teach. When I asked Jim how he had learned the craft of beekeeping, he wisely replied, “I went to the library.” Jim’s hives seem to have survived the winter reasonably well but his friend has reported a decline in population. Jim notes that last fall was extremely wet, which may have caused a decline in available food for the bees to have stored enough away for the winter months. They subsequently may have starved to death.

Whatever the explanation, the importance of honeybees is not to be disputed. Bees are natural pollinators.

We actually depend on them for much of our daily food. Without them billions of dollars worth of crops, especially fruits and vegetables, would not develop on this continent. Some Ontario beekeepers provide pollination services to farmers, trucking their own hives to farms in Quebec and New Brunswick. This can cause stress on the bees, which could contribute to the decline in population of the individual hive.

in the antioxidant levels of participants who regularly consumed honey. It contains as many antioxidants as spinach, apples, oranges and strawberries. The darker the honey, the higher the antioxidant level.

Honey contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphate, along with several B vitamins. It can even be used on cuts and burns as a natural antiseptic and healing booster. It is anti-bacterial and draws body fluids and nutrients to the affected area to assist in cell growth and reduce scarring. According to Bea Bender (remember the beekeeper’s wife?) honey needs no special storage because it virtually never goes bad. “It has even been found in ancient pyramids and was still edible,” says Bea.

The bottom line Bees pollinate 25% of all fruit produced for human consumption and many of the vegetables and legumes we need to survive. Bees create a natural healthy food called honey. Bees are an integral part of nature’s delicate chain. So… should we care about honeybees? The answer is a resounding “Yes!!”

To contact nature writer Jenipher Appleton, send mail to mail@grandbendstrip.com Attn: Jenipher.

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Strip on Stage

10 • Grand Bend Strip

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Cats Huron Country Playhouse

Nunsense The Caddyshack, Grand Cove Estates

Wed. May  to Sat. June  http://huroncountryplayhouse.com () - for tickets

Fri. June  and Sat. June  – : p.m. () - for tickets (.) Story and photo by Casey Lessard

Story and photo by Casey Lessard If director Dave Campbell has nine lives, he has spent four of his bringing Cats to the stage. His fourth go at the musical, based on poems by T.S. Eliot, opens at the Huron Country Playhouse today and Campbell thinks he’s finally got it right.

“I’ve finally found the right mix of people and I’ve finally got the right amount of set,” he says. “I originally did it in Orillia on a budget of nothing. Alex Mustakas came out and saw it and realized the potential. I don’t think it’s the kind of show anybody would have decided to just do. They would have said there’s no way you can do this in regional theatre. Not with the resources you have.”

Taking advantage of the facilities the Playhouse has to offer, Campbell is also leaning on the tremendous talent working to produce the show.

“You can only really do this show with incredible performers,” he says, “which for me is great. I have to have the best people that are available: they have to be able to sing, they have to be able to dance, they have to be able to act.”

Playing a strong supporting role is the set, a role Playhouse audiences always appreciate.

“We’ve been very lucky that we have a set designer, Tim Webb, who is extremely creative. He works with what little we have to create these incredible out of scale things because everything has to appear either 3:1 or 7:1 to make people look small like cats.”

Cats was turned into a musical in the early 80s, and is based on vignettes f rom Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and other poems by Eliot, which were designed for a child audience.

“Back in the 80s, when they stitched this show together from his poems,” Campbell says, “one of the problems is that they realized they did not have an ongoing story. So they dug through all the T.S. Eliot work until finally his wife came up with one piece that he hadn’t finished. It turned out this was the story of an adult cat. As they looked at it they realized it was a sad story. When they asked his widow, she said he never really wanted to finish it because all the other ones were suitable for kids but this one wasn’t because it was the story of an old cat. She was sick and

The scene: you open the freezer to discover the bodies of four nuns, and you don’t call the police. Why? Because you put them in there after burying 48 others. Sound macabre? It’s actually the setting of a musical comedy being performed at Grand Cove Estates June 8 and 9. The bodies are in the freezer because the convent in Hoboken has run out of cash from burying the sisters - and buying a VCR. Priorities, right? Now, the remaining sisters need to raise money to bury the four sitting in the freezer, and that’s where the fun begins.

“We were looking for something special,” says director Jerry Andrews. “We have a lot of talent in ladies. Getting guys to come out on stage is very difficult. So I thought we needed a show that had ladies in a lot of the parts.

I’ve seen Nunsense before, and I thought, what a wonderful chance to do it here.”

“Jerry’s wonderful,” says Claire Castle. “He gets me to do things I would never do. I’ve been everything from a stripper to Mother Superior now. That’s running the gamut.”

Andrews is known for pushing performers, but only in a positive way. He backs up his pressure with 30 years of community theatre.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience,” says musical director Sylvia Rees. “The level of what we are doing, Jerry keeps raising the bar, so there’s a challenge there.”

“I’ve done so many musicals,” Andrews says, “I thought, we need to do a book show (where we have to pay royalties). We’ve done a lot of cabaret style shows. This is our first entry into a book show. This one gave more opportunities for people. Stretching them a little. A lot of dialogue.”

It’s tough work, but the payoff is greater.

“People surprise themselves when they’ve never done this before and they make a success of it,” says Rees. “That’s a thrill to watch happen.”

“This has all been a very big surprise for me,” Castle agrees, “because I’ve never done things like this before. I’ve found out that I’m a ham at heart. I really, really like it. I used to be very shy and I’m doing things I never knew I could and would do. Everybody here is so willing to accept you. They back you 100% all the time.”

With a cast and crew consisting entirely of Grand Cove residents, Andrews says he loves to see the feedback actors, especially less experienced ones, get.

“There’s no duplicate for applause. I can’t get it as a director. It’s the artist on stage that gets the applause. Seeing it happen is what makes it for us.”

she was tired and it was an unfinished poem as well.

“So they took this story of Grizabella and they wove it through all these little vignettes, so what you have is the story of a cat who’s left the tribe, went out and lived the high life, gone to parties, she’s basically had it all while these people stayed at home, raised kids, toed the line.

“Once a year, the cats get together in the junkyard to find out from their leader Old Deuteronomy who is going to move on to the next level called the Heaviside Layer, which you can interpret as anything. There are huge parties and celebrations. And this night is the night Grizabella decides to come back.

They’re not particularly happy that she’s come back and ruined their party.”

The production brings other experienced Cats to the Playhouse.

“I’m really lucky,” he says. “I have quite a few people who did the original production in Toronto. For example, the woman who is playing Grizabella, the old cat, played Sillabub, a kitten in Toronto. So it’s sort of like art imitates life. Mike Jackson who has played several roles in Cats in Germany, as well as being on the national tour of Chicago, is here playing the role of Rum Tum Tugger.”

Backing up the 18 cast members are another 18 or so crewmembers who build and make the show run smoothly.

“We have a crew that is really devoted to doing great work. Even though they have Have you heard the one about the five nuns and a freezer? limited resources, they go as far as they can to The stars of Nunsense at the Grand Cove Estates Caddyshack are, clockwise from top left: Christine Osmond do exactly what you want. You can’t buy that as Sister Mary Leo, Dorothy Campbell as Sister Mary Amnesia, Mary Poirier as Sister Mary Hubert, Claire Castle as Sister Mary Regina, and Laura Cavalier as Sister Mary Robert Anne. passion or excitement.”

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Strip at Night

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 11

Greg Gallello: “I want to put Grand Bend on the map” Local businessman wants to be the next Canadian Idol What is your favourite music Greg Gallello moment?

Oakwood Inn pub

My newest favourite music moment was auditioning for Canadian Idol. Before that, I have a couple that have stayed in my mind and made me want to pursue music more. When I was 16, a friend of mine was in charge of Canada Day long Grand Bend native Greg Gallello owns and weekend. We had around 40,000 to 45,000 people on the operates Little Gino’s, Yogen Früz, and Sam’s beach and I was asked to open up for the fireworks. Another Playing Fields Batting Cages as well as performing one was hearing myself on the radio for the first time, on live music in the area FM96. I was 19 at the time, and going out west after a summer here to pursue a music career. I called FM96 because I was driving out and thought it would be cool to go with someone. So I asked Jeff McArthur if he could do a shout out to anyone listening for anyone to go out West with me. He Really laid back. I grew up on the beach. My whole life has asked why I was doing that, and I told him I was a musician, a been about where the sand meets the water. Everything has piano player, etc. He asked if I had a piano around. I said sure. been laid back, easygoing, good vibe.

He asked me to play Piano Man and I did a three-minute live piece on FM96 and asked if he could play it. I found out six months later that he kept it and was still playing it when I got back the next June every couple weeks.

June  &   p.m. to  a.m.

Personal Style:

Influences:

Musical influences would definitely be more modern. The Fray; they’re just throwing out hit after hit right now. It’s just a good feeling when I listen to their songs or when I play them myself. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Coldplay. Serious influences would even be anything from The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John.

Where do you like to spend your time?

On the beach. Being a businessman and running four businesses here in the summer, I don’t get down there that often, but when I do, that’s where I do a lot of my writing and my brainstorming. All my music comes from the beach. When I want people to come with high expectations. I play to I’m down there, everything just feels right. the crowd, and my repertoire ranges. I have all different age groups that I play to, so from 19 to 60 or 70. I play everything It was fun. I’ve always just had that in me to want to perfrom 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s to more modern. I like to see other form in front of people. It always felt good. Growing up with people having a good time and paying attention. two sisters and a brother, I was the one that always wanted the most attention and found any way I could to get it. It started I’ve already achieved almost everything I want to. out banging pots and pans, and turned into different instruEverything above what I’m doing now is just an added bonus. ments and singing.

Myself. I just love singing. I’m singing all day long. There’s I like to get back what I put out, and I’ve been putting out so no particular one person who makes me want to sing. I sing much with my music that it just feels right how everything is You can track Greg Gallello’s progress on Canadian Idol starting June 5 at 8:30 p.m. on CTV. coming back for me. You can always hope for more, right? because it’s my life.

What people can expect:

When do you think you will achieve what you want?

Why did you start performing?

Band Profile

Cactus Jam Grand Bend Legion – June  - PM Goderich-native Arlene Darndrough (keyboard and vocals) and Seaforthnative Kim Such (guitar and vocals).

Strip spoke with Arlene Darndrough.

Personal Style: We do just about everything.

We just worked our repertoire up so we do almost everything except for current top 40.

Once in a while, Kim will do a couple of those tunes. We do jazz, we do classics, we do country, whatever people ask for.

Influences: Anybody. We like all sorts of music. I can’t really say that there’s any because we take the CD of the song that we like and duplicate it. It’s just been experience in bands and trying to find something that everyone enjoys so we can do any venue we want and keep it affordable.

What people can expect: It’s entertaining and ent people come and go. they can dance if they want. There’s humour.

When did you decide that this was someWho got you started in music? thing you would do all the time?

Arlene: Probably my father. He was a self When it became obvious that people wanttaught singer and piano player. He played in ed to hear music they could dance to and have nightclubs and he played Eddie Duchin style. it still be affordable. These days DJs have Eddie Duchin was a famous piano player and taken over. But I’ve always wanted to be in a he had a specific style. They actually made band. This seems to be what people want and a movie about him, so he was as popular as we’ve kept with it.

Glen Miller.

Why do you think people still want live What do you like about being a musician? music?

I like music or I wouldn’t be doing it. I just It’s not so much the young generation. The like any kind. The challenge is good and the older generation wants live music because end result is satisfying as well. they’re used to it. We’re affordable so we do a lot of backyard parties and special events.

Where did you first perform?

Some people prefer to see live music at work.

It was with a big band and I don’t remember Some bars we go to, the younger generation is the name but it was at the Stork Club in Port receptive to it, but at weddings, you’ll almost Stanley. As Cactus Jam we’ve been together never see a band now. That’s probably because 15 years with different members coming and a bigger band is not affordable. A lot of bands going; I’ve been the only constant but differ- do it for pleasure more than for profit.

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Who makes you want to sing?

12 • Grand Bend Strip

Strip on the Water

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Sail away with me After a wild Sunday, Grand Bend Yacht Club launches season with relatively calm Victoria Day regatta Photos by Casey Lessard

Can you see the marker?

The Victoria Day regatta got off to a slow start with very calm winds, but the second race saw a bit more excitement. Bill Newton’s crew maneuvered their way into the prime starting position just as the flag waved, and two other yachts came close to a collision.

Left: Bill Newton looks for the marker that signifies the end of the race. After a strong start, Newton’s boat fell behind, but still finished well.

Right: Bill Foy of Flint, Michigan tightens a rope during the pre-sail inspection.

The final push Left: Bill Foy stands on the bow to see where the finish line is. A tough sight from a distance, the marker is finally spotted.

Above: Jen Chalmers of London, Bill Newton and Bill Foy start pushing to make the finish line, and it appears they’re the first to spot it.

The crew gains some time before other boats spot it as well.

“That was probably one of the most exciting races I’ve had in a long while,” Newton said. “We had a starboard tack from the start and we had the lead right away. It was a beautiful day for a sail. Good camaraderie. And nobody even yelled at the skipper.”