Vol. 1 #3 Grand Bend Strip June 13, 2007

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

Vol. 1, No. 3

AND

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

June 13-26, 2007

PRICELESS!

THE SURVIVORS

Cancer survivor Wendi Schwindt hugs Janine Dougall at the South Huron Relay for Life Friday.

Their team, Lifelines, lost its leader only days earlier to cancer. “We know she’d want us to be here to continue on and work for a cure,” Dougall said. Carol Powe died of breast and bone cancer.

A tale of two sons

Family and friends remember at memorial golf tournament - p. 6

Burgers and bands on the beach Your guide to the Optimist Burgerfest - p. 3, 8, 11 Mom’s advice p. - Dad’s war stories p. - Sudoku p. - Cats Review p. - SHDHS Prom p. 2006 CHEV MONTE CARLO LT

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To Do List

2 • Grand Bend Strip

To Do: June 13 to 26 Listings Accuracy Not Guaranteed WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13  a.m. -  p.m. - Gill St. Parking Lot, Grand Bend Grand Bend Farmers’ Market  p.m. - Kimball Hall, Forest Kiwanis Meat Bingo FRIDAY, JUNE 15  a.m. -  p.m. - Forest Forest Farmers Market - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Meat Draw

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Lion’s Park, Grand Bend Grand Bend Motorplex Skateboard Park and Basketball Court Fastpixs T&T; Saturday: Sarnia/Lambton Grand Opening Shootout - Thunder, Jrs, TD/TS & ERD Big Dog Q8; Sunday: Thunder, Jrs & 7.90, Grand Bend Main Beach TD/TS Grand Bend Optimist Burgerfest - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Grand Bend Speedway Meat Draw 1/2 scale racing: 6.5 & 9 MS, JLM, MT, 4-Cyl SATURDAY, JUNE 23 Tee Off:  p.m. - : p.m.

Pinery Park Widder Station Golf & Country Club Paddle Through The Night: Join park Friends of Pinery Park 3rd Annual Charity naturalists for a sunset paddle along the Golf Tournament: F & B Format: 120 golfOld Ausable Channel. Pre-registration for ers, scramble (best ball). Prize table. Dinner: this program is required. Please call (519) 3 course plated meal - steak or chicken & 243-8574. ribs.

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 Grand Bend Motorplex Grand Bend Main Beach Friday: Fastpixs T&T; Saturday: Thunder Grand Bend Optimist Burgerfest Series & Jrs plus Harley class & Nitro Harley Qualifying; Sunday: ROCKY ’S Bayfield HARLE Y DAVIDSON Fathers Day Sail and Canvas. See Saturday, June 16 Harleys by the Beach includes Nitro Harley racing TUESDAY, JUNE 19 : p.m. - Port Franks SATURDAY, JUNE 16 Port Franks Garden Club presents Geoff - a.m.

Peach on the Beach Grand Bend Youth Centre Summer Day Camp Registration  p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Bingo - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Live Music with Mid Life Crisis WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20  a.m. -  p.m. - Gill St. Parking Lot,  p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Grand Bend Horse Races Grand Bend Farmers’ Market

Grand Bend Speedway 1/2 scale racing: CAN-AM Midgets, 6.5 & 9 MS, 440 (rain date: June 24)

Home Decor & Red Hat Store

Widder Station Golf & Country Club Friends of the Piner y Charity Golf Tournament (see Saturday, June 23) TUESDAY, JUNE 26 UNTIL JULY 14 Huron Country Playhouse Last Resort: Tickets $36 (previews $29).

Contact box office for showtimes and ticket information - (519) 238-6000  p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Bingo Forest Canada Day Committee House Decorating Judging

Port Franks Community Centre Dunes Duplicate Bridge Sectional FRIDAY JUNE 29 Tournament  p.m. -  a.m. - Grand Bend Legion West Coast Lions Sock Hop Sand Hills Golf Resort Tickets:  each Br yan & Mike Memorial Golf Put on your bobby socks and leathTournament. Contact (519) 294-0516. er jacket, and prepare to have some fun.

Proceeds to North Middlesex Community Entertainment by DJ Ken Chaplin. Prizes Medical Centre, Strathroy General Hospital for best twister and best costume. Classic & L.H.S.C. for cancer research. cars in the parking lot. Funds go toward community projects. - p.m. - Grand Bend Legion Tickets available at Huckleberries and the Live music with Joan Spalding Duo Health Nut. Contact: Agnes Voyer - (519) 238-6267

Bayfield  a.m. -  p.m. - Thedford Arena Sail and Canvas. Bayfield’s event of fine Alhambra Annual Fun Day artisans and Maritime pleasures sharing a canvas theme. Mingle with accomplished FRIDAY, JUNE 22 artists; saunter and shop our treasures; enjoy  a.m. -  p.m. - Forest spectacular sunsets and lovely beach.

Forest Farmers Market Contact Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce (519) 565-2499 or 1-866-565 a.m. -  a.m.

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Strip Feature

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 3

Burgerfest aims to restore nostalgia

By Casey Lessard Burgerfest is back after more than 20 years, but it’s not the event you knew back then (if you were around) – at least not yet. The Grand Bend Optimists are reviving the event that was once Grand Bend’s second busiest summer weekend and hope it will grow like the original did.

“The fact is that people have such fond memories of Burgerfest from the past,” says Judy Mason, one of the lead organizers with Sue Davis.

“Burgerfest came back to life because the Grand Bend Optimists wanted to raise money for the club. Burgerfest seemed to be a perfect fit because in years back it was a successful event run by the chamber of commerce (until the mid-80s). It’s time to bring it back and we hope that the community will get behind it.

All the money will go back into the community for youth related events in town.”

The event was traditionally held the Father’s Day weekend, and that tradition continues this year. The goal is to create an annual event that will benefit local businesses and service clubs in the shoulder season.

“It’s going to be a clean fun family event and we’re going to be shut down by midnight,” Mason says. “Plus, it’s run by a service club that puts the money back into the community.”

The first Burgerfests started as a way to

raise money for the chamber of commerce Burgerfest need to know: and, like the reincarnation, it started small.

“It was something new for us and we had Grand Bend Main Beach the town behind us,” says Nick Carter, who was president of the chamber for many of the Saturday June 16 - 2 p.m. to midnight years Burgerfest ran in the late ‘70s and early Sunday June 17 - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

‘80s. “We had all kinds of people coming in to help with food and anything else we needed.

Admission fee: $5 It started out fairly small, but it blossomed.

Cash only accepted Probably around 15,000 at its peak, which back then was a lot.”

Beef, turkey and vegetarian Mason hopes that figure will return – this burgers available year’s beer tent can accommodate 500 people at a time.

This is a licensed event “We will definitely draw a young crowd, but we’ll also draw the baby boomers who like the type of music we’re playing this weekend. On the Sunday, with jazz and blues, it’s not catering just to the younger crowd.

“The bed races were a huge draw,” she says of the original festival, “and the number one Flirting with the future attraction was the buffalo burgers and the beer tent. We were surprised to get the perFormer chamber president Nick Carter offered up mission to put a tent up on the beach, and these clippings from the Lambton Sun and the North we’re hoping to watch it grow. The number Lambton Gazette as memories of Burgerfests past. one concern is getting the bed races back into There is no bikini contest or bed race this year, but the programming.”

Besides helping the Optimists and its pro- time will tell what will be part of future Burgerfests. gramming, Mason says such an event is good for the town and businesses.

“We’re hoping it will benefit the town through accommodations, sales of food downtown, clothing sales.”

Pro skateboarders to open park as youth centre kicks off summer programming Wondering what your kids should be doing this summer? If you want them to have fun, look into the programming offered by the Grand Bend youth centre.

The centre (located between the Bank of Montreal and the Legion) will be opening summer registration Saturday morning before Burgerfest kicks off on the beach. Pro skateboarders will also be on hand as the centre opens its skateboard park; the skaters will offer training for anyone interested in learning how to skateboard.

Youth centre facilitator Stacey Pfaff: “This is a huge deal because it not only gives the kids the ability to see other skateboarders that have taken a love for skate-

boarding and made it into a success in their lives, but they will be giving hands on lessons.

Anyone who wants to come down and learn is welcome. We have protective equipment, we have skateboards. Even if you want to come talk to these guys, they’re here for us.”

In addition to the registration and skate park opening, there will be a bake sale and a chance to wander the facility. The youth centre offers arts and sports programming as well as trips to destinations including Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto Zoo, Stor ybook Gardens and the Blue Water fun park. The centre promises to have something affordable for any family, no matter their means.

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Strip Thoughts

4 • Grand Bend Strip

Have the time of your life right now

How to be a good father advice from mom Compiled by Rita Lessard

Cancer survivor Isaac Jaques

It’s easy to take life for granted - to assume nothing bad is going to happen and that life will go on as it always has. Perhaps that’s how life should be. The people on our front cover and in our centre spread know this is not reality. Whether through the drawn out pain of an illness such as cancer or the sudden shock of an accidental death, the lives of those who survive are changed forever.

How do you cope with the reality or prospect of death? My friend Isaac Jaques (above) survived colon cancer only to get liver cancer a year later. He’s been in remission for three years but he knows not to take his life for granted. He’s getting married this year and appreciates every moment.

“Makes you look at life differently,” he says. “Appreciate the people you have in your life.

Nature. It makes me look differently at my art.”

How would your life be different if you knew the threat of death? What’s stopping you from making that life a reality now?

Casey Lessard Publisher/Editor

To the Editor: It’s apparent the Grand Bend Strip newspaper is really taking flight. The photography is breath-taking and there’s tons of short but eye-catching stories. If I ever get the chance to visit Grand Bend, I will pick up your paper and read it with pleasure on the beach. Congrats on putting out such a great product.

Jessica Young Markham, Ontario

Greg gets his gold ticket Everyone’s talking about Greg Gallello, our cover model from last week’s edition. The local singer has made it into the top 100 of this year’s Canadian Idol competition, so keep watching the program on CTV to follow his progress. For more details, see http:// www.idol.ctv.ca or visit our website, http://www. grandbendstrip.com to read last week’s story and for regular updates.

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

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

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

Tailgaters-Either pass or back off. If I can Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, especially to Tom and my sons Tom, see your eye colour you’re way too close!

- Diane Faubert Glen, Mike and Bill.

Service people who chew gum when they Fathers: Don’t wait until you’re a grandfather to enjoy children. Wake up and smell the are serving you. Food and beverage people are diaper and change it! Make changes in your the worst. For heaven’s sake lose the gum. You look like a cow chewing its cud. Not pretty! life early. You’ll never regret it.

- Rita Lessard Mothers: Don’t ever say, “Wait until your father gets home.” My mother always said that and I grew to fear my father. My father died when I was 13 and I never did get to know the true man.

It was a lovely summer day and my new sister - a five year old from Romania - was helpRespect your child, listen to your child, and ing in the garden. As we worked she practiced discipline your child. Explain to your child her English by heartily singing songs she’s why you want them to do certain things and been learning from children’s TV shows. don’t say, “Because I said so.” “ You sing wonderfully.” I remarked.

“Someday you can sing at my funeral.”

“Sure,” she eagerly replied. “Can I sing, ‘It’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood?’”

- Josh Siemen, Reader’s Digest People who don’t use the left turning lane when they want to turn left. Instead they stay in the driving lane and hold up traffic.

- Deb McNair - Before conditioner, use vinegar and water Pet owners who don’t clean up after their to rinse your hair. dogs.

- Wash your windows with vinegar and - Alice McNair water – it’s cheap and streak-free - You can also keep glassware dishes from People who drive behind you with their streaking by adding 3 tablespoons of vinegar high beams on. Try driving behind a cop car with your detergent. Wash glassware separate doing that and see what happens. I assure you, from dishes. you’ll get pulled over.

- Earl Proulx, Yankee Magazine - Anne LeCourtois

Joke of the Week

Pet Peeves

Uses for Vinegar

Helpful hint

Knuckle crackers, nose pickers, and body grabbers (their own, of course). What’s with these ball players always grabbing their crotch Having a hard time getting a lid off? Try and spitting? rubber gloves or sandpaper. It works for me.

- Joan McCullough

Got something to say? Helpful advice, criticism, or cheers? We’d love to hear from you!

Grand Bend Strip, Box 218, Grand Bend, ON, N0M 1T0 or mail@grandbendstrip.com Grand Bend Strip is printed every two weeks in the summer and 4588 copies are delivered free to all homes and businesses in Grand Bend, Zurich, Dashwood and Port Franks using Canada Post. An additional 1400 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, June 13, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 5

The trip to Egypt: Christmas 1956 Keeping the peace

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market

Tom Lessard, former UN peacekeeper

It’s Christmas Day 1956, and I’m on leave at home in Waterloo. I had to leave at noon, so we had an early Christmas dinner. I hitchhiked to London (my parents didn’t want to drive in the weather). My last ride got me right to the CN station.

Being Christmas day the station was empty and I had a few hours to wait for the train.

While I was sitting there, a gentleman wearing CN overalls came over and asked me where I was going. I said, “I’m going to Egypt.” He sat down and we chatted for a while. He looked down at my kit bag and he said, “Lessard. Do you know Warren Lessard?” I said, “That’s my father.” He said, “I’m George Cooper. I’m your uncle!” He had been with the merchant navy and had been torpedoed, and was living with his family in London. I didn’t know I had an uncle in London.

I get on the train heading for Kingston, where I was going to meet up with RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers) workshop - I was RCOC (Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps). We were forming there in a couple days to take a troop train to Halifax. With a troop train, especially with guys going overseas, there’s always some hanky-panky going on.

We didn’t have too much until we got to St. John, New Brunswick. The CO said “There’s a 45 minute stop in St. John.” We could go out as long as we were back in 45 minutes.

It was a pretty dry town in those days, so we got a taxi and had him take us to somewhere where we could get a drink. He took us to a house where they had wine and other stuff. Of course time slipped away and we had to rush out and get a taxi. By the time we got back to the station, the train had departed. We wired ahead to hold the train. They did and we took the cab and caught the train 25 miles down the road. We got on the train and the MPs were waiting for us. They took us down to the CO. It wasn’t a formal orders parade – it was just a chat. He gave us a choice of either working our way across on the ship or he’d

Simply in Season Dining Partnership June 13 to 19 Isn’t it Magnificent?

Yes, it is the aircraft carrier Magnificent, with Tom Lessard on board in January 1957. One of his jobs was to strap all those vehicles to the deck.

throw the book at us. We all said we’d work our way across.

We got to Halifax and all these troops were there – Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Canadian Regiment. We found out they were not going. Egypt did not want Royal infantry there, but we were non-combatant support personnel.

We got on the ship, the aircraft carrier Magnificent. We sailed out of the harbour New Year’s and we hit a storm for a day or so. That upset a lot of people’s stomachs.

The waves were so high they were on the flight deck. One of my jobs was to inspect the chains holding down the 240 vehicles we had on the deck. That didn’t take too long, so I had quite a bit of spare time. We get out of the storm and two days later – near Bermuda – the CO came along and found me sitting reading a book on my bunk.

He said, “You’re not working Lessard?” I said, “Yes, I’m finished, sir.” He said, “Well, Sargeant Major, we need some more work for him.” So I had to clean the heads.

Every day we were out there and had our grog. We’d go down and meet and they’d pour us our grog in our mugs. A lot of my buddies didn’t drink, so we carried Coke bottles in our back pockets and as they were going by they’d fill them up. We made sure our jackets were covering it and we’d wander off and have ourselves a little party.

We carried on to Egypt, and got to Port Said. British and French warships were in the outer harbour; the Egyptians had scuttled a number of ships in the mouth of the Suez Canal so no one could use it. We anchored off the port. We weren’t allowed off the ship until we had our United Nations armbands

and hats.

In the meantime we started to unload the ship into barges – rations and all the other things. They wanted someone to guard each of the barges overnight – it would be a long shift. He put me in charge of one of the barges (I had volunteered). Unbeknownst to me the barge was full of Black Label, Labatt’s India Pale Ale and Dow beer. He said, “Lessard, drink as much as you want, but you’d better be sober in the morning.” I did my duty – I drank my beer and I was fairly sober in the morning. We got our UN equipment and we were taken down to our new base at Abu Suwer and that was on the sweet water canal that runs between the Suez Canal and the Nile River.

Tell us your military story: write us (Box 218, Grand Bend, N0M 1T0), e-mail (mail@grandbendstrip.com), or call (519-614-3614).

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June 20 to 26

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Strip: Feature

6 • Grand Bend Strip

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

A tale of two sons Bryan and Mike Memorial Golf Tournament

Sand Hills Golf Resort Saturday June  Register by calling: () - Stories by Casey Lessard

Bryan Wiersma “I miss talking to him,” Anne Wiersma says. “I miss seeing him. I miss his hugs.

Everything.”

Anne is talking about her son, Bryan, who died in 2002 after a four-month battle with cancer. Bryan, who had graduated from a landscaping course at Lambton College so he could work on golf courses, thought an allergy to grass was keeping his sinuses stuffed up.

“I said to him, ‘Bryan, maybe you should go see a doctor.’ He said, ‘No, it’s just my allergies.’ And it ended up when he finally did go, that he had a large tumour in his sinuses and it was a very aggressive lymphoma. This was the end of August.”

A new homeowner and only 23 years old, Bryan was helping build Riverbend golf course in Byron at the time. He sold his house and moved back with his parents so they could help take care of him.

“It was very hard,” says Peter Wiersma. “But we were prepared as a family to do whatever we had to do to see that Bryan became well again. I was retired at the time and Anne was going to work. We stayed by his side and tried to make him as comfortable as possible.”

“He had two chemo treatments that didn’t do anything,” Anne explains. “Then he went through a series of radiation treatments, which shrunk the tumour, but by this time the

cancer had spread to the rest of his organs.”

“We could see that things were happening,” Peter says. “The appetite of a young man was no longer there. He would still go golfing with his friends and come home very tired.”

A good friend from high school, Mike Franjkovic, had just finished university and Bryan’s situation hit home; his girlfriend’s brother had died of cancer at 24.

“Bryan spent the last five days in the hospital just controlling the pain,” Anne says.

“He was on so much medication I don’t think he knew we were there. Mike came in every morning and every evening during those days.

Mike was a pallbearer, and a month later Mike was killed in a car accident.”

Bryan died December 5, 2002, three days after his 24 th birthday and less than four months after his diagnosis. Mike died January 3, 2003 at the age of 23.

“That was a total shock,” Peter says. “We just couldn’t believe it; here was his good friend who had just started a new job and was

by Bryan’s side during those last days. We just found it unbelievable that Mike passed away as quickly as it did happen.”

Soon after the second funeral in less than a month, Bryan and Mike’s friends came to their parents with a desire to do something to remember them. That’s when the tournament was conceived.

“Some people never seem to be able to deal with the death of a child,” Anne says. “But this way, we can see that something good happens for the community. I think it helps us deal with it.”

Profits go to a memorial fund at London Health Sciences Centre for cancer research, and to the medical centres in Strathroy and Parkhill. After five years of fundraising tournaments, Bryan’s spirit remains.

“Never at any time did Bryan give up,” Anne says. “Even though at the very end when they said there was nothing more they could do, he refused to believe that he was not going to fight it.”

Bryan Wiersma with his girlfriend, Mary Golding, who was by his side in his last days.

Mike Franjkovic “There were three trucks,” Stan Franjkovic explains. “It was a slushy day; really bad weather. A lot of trucks on the road and one of them went by and splashed him on his windshield and he couldn’t see, lost control and went over into the other side. The other truck was following so close and hit him.

Unfortunately, it’s just one of those freak accidents. If the other truck hadn’t been behind, he would have been calling asking me to come get him out of the ditch. That just didn’t happen.”

Instead, Stan received a call.

“I was here at the house. Mike had left about 10 minutes before I got up to go to work at seven o’clock in the morning. He just got dressed and went to work. I got a call about eight o’clock and it was his company saying ‘He’s not at work, has he left?’ That’s when I started thinking something is wrong.

I tried to call his cell phone several times and couldn’t get through. Then I called the police and said, ‘Is there an accident on the road between here and St. Marys?’ They wouldn’t tell me anything. Then I really started to panic. I was just ready to start driving out to follow the path he took to work and I saw the policeman drive up. I knew something wasn’t right.”

Stan and Mike’s mom Lesley Hailstone had moved to North Middlesex to raise Mike and his twin sisters in a country setting.

“He was surrounded by nature and raised chickens and bunnies. He set up a stall and sold sweet corn.”

“He was always around if someone was in need because of a tragedy,” Stan says. “He had a lot of friends.”

At 23, Mike was set to be engaged later that year, and to get married the year after. His girlfriend’s brother died of Hodgkin’s disease, so he sympathized with the battle his friend Bryan Wiersma was fighting just before the two died one month apart.

“All their friends were spread out and came home twice in one month for sad occasions,”

Top: Mike with his dad, Stan, in Sarajevo in the mid-1980s before the Bosnian war.

Above: Mike in his university years.

Lesley says. “They wanted to do something to remember the boys but in a happier setting.

They decided on this golf tournament. It’s a win-win situation because there’s so much need in the community for fundraising.”

Julie McClinchey and Michelle Cocksworth got the tournament started and it’s now in its fifth year.

“You wonder what might have been,” Lesley says. “He was just getting started. We were really fortunate that he had moved back and was living at home for eight months prior to his death. It was nice to get to know him as a young man.”

Stan wishes something would be done to prevent another family suffering the pain of their loss.

“There’s no need for the trucks to go so fast on these country roads,” he says. “We found out from a reconstruction of the accident that they were traveling at 125 km/h in bad weather in January on a country road. Just recently neighbours of ours were killed, too.”

“You feel for the families and the upheaval that it causes,” Lesley adds. “We think of Mike all the time. Because he’s here. His spirit is here.”

Strip Events

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 7

Celebrate the Summer Solstice Thursday June  –  p.m.  Greenway Road, south of Grand Bend Hosted by Lindsey Ashworth Ducharme and Sharon Cooke All ages – everyone welcome.

Cost: 

A tribute to survivors Cancer survivors walk the track at South Huron District High School Friday to kick off the Relay for Life. About 30 survivors walked the route, and were followed by 350 people who stayed overnight to show their support.

If you love summer, why not celebrate it? Lindsey Ashworth Ducharme will be when she hosts a summer solstice party at her home and retreat centre June 21.

“Our intention is loving intent for the summer,” Ashworth Ducharme says. “Warmth and renewal. We’re bringing something to ignite and something we want to release into the bonfire.”

If you’ve never visited the house, it has a great new energy, built as a labour of love on a well-treed acreage north of Pinery Park, a few properties east of Highway 21.

“I host reiki practice groups and people are welcome to come to them if they have their training,” the reiki master says.

“Reiki is energy work: a balancing of mind, body and soul.

“It’s a way of taking responsibility – making mindful choices. I’m making baby steps right now.”

Right: Leanne Hoffman got her long hair cut off as a tribute. Here, Breanne Baird of Grand Bend cuts the piece she bought as a donation.

Photos by Casey Lessard

Best berry advice Strawberries are in season, but only for a few weeks. If you’re a fan, savour the taste while it lasts. Norm Masfrankc from The Strawberry Place offers us these tips on how to pick a perfect berry.

You can tell a strawberry’s ripe because it doesn’t have a green tip or green shoulders (on the top of the berry). If it’s overripe, it gets too dark in colour.

How to pick:

- Check that it’s ripe.

- Don’t just pull it off – twist as you pull.

- You want to leave the leaves on.

- Preferably you leave a bit of stem on (berry on left in photo Ripe, not overripe, not green You can tell by the redness whether it’s ripe. With Mira – is the way it should look) – that helps it last longer at home. the best mid-season berry we have in this country – when it’s ripe, it’s light red. An Annapolis is bright red, but it’s sweeter. The Strawberry Place is open for the season at 338 Elginfield Road Mira has a longer shelf life than Annapolis. Annapolis is an between Sylvan and Thedford. Contact Norm at (519) 294-0070.

Strawberry Place hours: 8–8 Mon. to Sat., 9–8 Sun. early season berry. A little smaller, but sweeter and darker red.

1 9

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

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Solutions pg. .

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

4

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Strip in the Kitchen

8 • Grand Bend Strip

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

That may be the best Burger…Ever!

By Cara Funk executive chef, Eddington’s of Exeter http://www.eddingtons.ca The truth of the matter is, there just isn’t such a thing as a best ever burger. Perhaps that’s what makes this summer dish so satisfying. There is always room for tweaking, and

there is always another seasoning, herb and spice combination to explore.

Experience shows that having a basic recipe to start from, as well as having a few kitchen staples on hand, will allow the burger preparations to become a snap so you can get to the best part of your burger festivities: chowing down on your best burger ever. For your kitch-

en staples always have fresh herbs around; not only do they have a wonderful bouquet and are lovely to look at, but they can make any meal - not just burger - go from drab to fab.

Herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano can add dimension to you dish. Have breadcrumbs and eggs around; these act as your binding for your patties.

For spices and seasonings: fresh pepper from a peppermill and sea salt are a must have for any kitchen. Keep paprika, garlic powder, curry, cumin, and steak spice in your cupboard. Have fresh garlic, shallots and red onion available and always keep bottles of olive oil, Worcestershire, Tabasco, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard around.

Oven Roasted Tomato and Balsamic Relish

By Cara Funk, executive chef, Eddington’s of Exeter

Basic Beef Burger

2 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1 tbsp

By Cara Funk, executive chef at Eddington’s of Exeter http://www.eddingtons.ca Makes approx four patties 1-1/2 lb 1 1/4-1/2 cup 1tsp 1 lb.

2 1 1 tbsp 5 drops

ground beef egg breadcrumbs Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste ref. ground beef cloves of garlic, minced shallot, finely chopped Dijon mustard Tabasco sauce

Mix ingredients. Cook in 350’F oven for approx 45 minutes.

Grilled and Smoked Red Pepper Aioli 3 3 drops 1 tsp 2 cups

Barbara’s secret: blue cheese

Barbara’s Favourite Burger

By Barbara Gower, Catering by Barbara. Serves 

By Barbara Gower, Catering by Barbara ready when you can hold your hand over the grill for three to four seconds. As your burgers are cooking, do not press them with your spatula or you are going to press all of the natural juices out of them and they’ll end up dry shrunken hunks of beef; that’s never a good thing.

Grill for four minutes per side for rare or up to ten minutes per side for well done.

What am I serving with mine? Thinly sliced Vidalia onion (sweet onion), low-fat mayo and Keen’s hot mustard, dill pickle on the side. Surf ’s up – let’s eat!

Prepare the grill

Barbara Gower operates Catering by Barbara, a custom catering, banquet facility and special events Clean, oil and preheat your grill to medium service at 12 Ontario Street South in Grand Bend.

Barbara can be reached at (519) 238-8489. high. If using a charcoal grill, ashy coals are

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red peppers liquid smoke (or 3 tbsp of smoky barbecue sauce) minced garlic mayo

Blacken red peppers on barbecue. Remove from grill, place in bowl and cover with cling wrap (this allows skin to blister making it easy to peel off ). Once cool, peel skins and remove core and stem. Puree peppers to a liquid state and add liquid smoke (or barbecue sauce), minced garlic and mayo.

Blend all ingredients together. Hand-form patties, barbecue and serve!

With an excess of 500 cookbooks at my fingertips, I perused my shelves in search of the “ultimate hamburger.” Hmmmm… there is virtually no difference from recipe to recipe.

Ground chuck, some sirloin, salt and pepper.

Whew! That’s it. Dressing your burger, now that’s a different story. Every restaurant has their way of doing it; it’s the chef ’s preference.

The standard rule for most restaurants is bun, sliced tomato, sliced onion, and lettuce sided with condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish or pickle. But let’s face it, the options for toppings are endless.

cans of diced tomatoes in juice sugar balsamic Vinegar minced garlic

3 tbsp 1 tbsp 1 tsp 1 1/2 lbs 1 tsp

blue cheese, room temperature unsalted butter, room temperature finely chopped parsley freshly ground pepper to taste ground chuck, cold salt (a bit more if using kosher salt)

Mash the blue cheese and butter together to form a smooth but slightly chunky paste. Add parsley and pepper and mix until combined. Place mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and using the wrap as a guide, form into a short, stocky cylinder. Place in the freezer until firm. (This compound butter can be made up to a month in advance and kept in the freezer.)

Gently mix the ground chuck with salt and freshly ground pepper with a wooden spoon until the seasoning is thoroughly incorporated. Divide the meat into four even portions and form these into flat rounds using your thumb to help form a perfect edge.

Scoop a portion of the meat out of the centre of each burger and place a flat disc of blue butter into the depression. Cover the butter with the scooped out meat and press firmly to ensure that the butter is completely encased.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Strip Outside

Alternatives to the Perfectly Manicured Lawn Living in Balance

By Jenipher Appleton

Meadows Can be Beautiful A meadow is a natural expanse of grassland supporting wildflowers, grasses, shrubbery and fodder (not to be confused with a pasture which is planted by humans). Our property, just north of Ailsa Craig, is a long, narrow, three-acre tract of land. The back acre is essentially a meadow. Three seasons of the year it is teeming with life. Countless species of birds, insects and small mammals inhabit the landscape because it offers them food and habitat.

In winter, the insects may be at rest in their cocoon stage on a weed stalk, or lie beneath the soil waiting to emerge in spring. Birds continue to find sustenance from the seed pods of wildflowers (weeds to some), including goldenrod, chicory, buttercups of various types, daisies, and Queen Anne’s lace. Tree branches heaped into a brush pile are stripped as the deer forage for any available energy source. Coyotes and foxes find small meals like cottontails and field mice. Various hawk species patrol the meadow in hopes of a similar meal.

Between our back acre and the adjacent farmer’s field stands an amazing hedgerow.

This network of rusting wire fencing, moun-

tain ash, dogwood, raspberry canes, grapevine and a potpourri of other shrubbery, provides effective cover for birds and mammals.

Remember Peter Rabbit’s briar patch? He would never have survived without it. I have seen massive flocks of cedar waxwings perched in the hedgerow during migratory stopovers.

Various thrushes and sparrows, warblers and finches find cover there as well.

Last year during an autumn walk on the back acre with Molson the Labrador, I witnessed hundreds of tree sparrows foraging throughout the meadow. They were extracting seeds f rom the wildflowers with the utmost dexterity. Had the area regularly succumbed to the ravages of the lawn tractor, this rich habitat would not have been available to them. All too often, we see large expanses of manicured lawn that could have been left as a natural meadow. With a little encouragement by planting some native wildflowers (black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, bee balm, etc.), nature will do the rest. Better habitat for wildlife and less greenhouse gas erupting from your lawnmower.

The Cottage-Style Garden Try viewing your front or back lawn more like a cottage-style garden with wildflowers and groundcovers, rather than the stark monoculture of the suburban lawn. Our front yard was once the typical expanse of grass

that took the better part of a half hour to mow. Seven years ago we transformed it from lawn to mulched berms, countless perennials, and groundcovers. Periwinkle, English Ivy, Snow-on-the-Mountain and wild violets (which appeared on their own) cover about 60% of the area. The more they spread, the less we have to top up the mulching material.

A single grassy walkway takes less than five minutes to mow. The flowers and groundcovers support many species of birds and butterflies.

Defending the Lowly Dandelion In the back yard, when dandelions are showing their sunny faces, we do not react with chemicals. Instead we cut them off with the mower. Sometimes the small, tender dandelion leaves end up in a tossed salad.

Tolerating a couple of weeks of the flowers going to seed seems merely an inconvenience, when the alternative is chemicals entering the fragile ecosystem. The chemical-free approach still results in a green lawn. The best piece of advice I was ever given is that sometimes we need to adjust our thinking. If more of us applied this concept to how we treat the environment, plants, animals, birds, and humans would undoubtedly be healthier for it.

The Pinery Antique Flea Market has more than 200 vendors and a 7000 sq. ft. building full of antiques.

Come early with your family for a day of entertainment, starting with fresh roasted coffee and breakfast.

While you are here, plan to get your hair cut at Terry’s Vintage Barber Shop.

After 11 a.m., relax with a beer in our 1930s gas station and listen to our acoustic entertainer Brian Dale.

Be sure to check out the old Thedford Fire Truck and our T33 Fighter Jet on static display.

Grand Bend Strip • 9 Elinor Clarke writes: I live on 50 acres (a big building lot!) half way between Grand Bend and Parkhill and we thoroughly enjoy our walk around the farm every morning. We have a good selection of birds including lots of hummingbirds, orioles and even a pair of veeries.

We have an unusual happening; we have what I think I have identified as a juvenile cow bird who has spent more than the last two weeks and almost all day, jumping at our windows. We have tried putting a board at the first favourite window and it just stood on the top of the board and continued jumping. Then we tried pulling all the blinds down but as we have windows with no blinds it just moved there. It seems to want to come in.

One day I was in the bedroom and when I moved to the bathroom it followed me to that window. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Jenipher Appleton: Thank you for your message. What I understand about bird species that insist on pecking at the windows is that they are very likely seeing reflections they view as rivals. It usually happens in the spring when they are nesting and establishing territories. It is generally short-lived, although some birds are stubborn about it. I have seen cardinals and robins behaving this way; a cardinal persisted at a car side-view mirror for several days in our driveway. Glad to hear that you have the veery pair. We do not, but I often hear them on walks near the woods.

Strip on Stage

10 • Grand Bend Strip

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Cats showcases dancing, singing, set Cats, Huron County Playhouse to June  http://www.huroncountryplayhouse.com - () - for tickets Story and portraits by Casey Lessard “It’s worth the drive anywhere. So many people don’t know what we have.”

Not everyone is a cat person, but considering the quality of the actors, dancers and production values on display at the Huron Country Playhouse, it’s easy to see why so many, like Bob Hughes of London, are Cats people.

“I’ve seen it three or four times,” Hughes said. “We saw the Broadway production in Toronto. This is Broadway quality – the choreography was brilliant. The set functions so well. It just moves.”

As Hughes alludes, the play is best considered a showcase for two things: the dance sequences and the set.

“This is what you’d see in Toronto for $150,” says Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas, “but you’re seeing it here for $30. Same performers; same production values. You can’t beat it out here in Huron County.

“It’s a lot of steps for them to learn in two weeks. It’s amazing they can put it together.”

For most in the cast, it hasn’t really been two weeks; out of 18 in the show, only six have never performed in Cats before.

Demonstrating their clear experience are Michael Donald and Neesa Kenemy as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, troublemakers who cartwheel as a single unit across the stage in what is likely the most impressive dance sequence of the entire musical.

“This is our fourth production together as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer,” Kenemy says. “It’s getting easier but I don’t think you could do it with just two weeks. It takes a lot of training and stamina.”

“The hardest thing is being a cat when you’re not actually doing a number,” Donald says. “You’re in positions that are not natural.

It’s easier to do our number than be a cat all the time.”

“It’s very grueling,” says Choreographer Gino Berti, who remounted Gillian Lynne’s original Broadway choreography. “The show is very detailed and very stylized. I was with the cast in Toronto and we had five weeks.

These guys had two weeks and looked like they were hit by a truck every night. We are always in awe of the amount of work this cast put into it.”

One of the rookies is Julia Juhas, cast as the prissy Siamese cat Cassandra.

“It was difficult at first, but the whole team was helpful,” Juhas says. “They weren’t just putting pressure on you to get it right right away. It was a good experience. It’s unbelievable the talent in this cast.”

For her role, Juhas had to find a character inside that director Dave Campbell says was a challenge for the actor – the role of a bitch.

“One tip I got is that it’s okay to be awkward at first,” she says. “It’s a lot in the eyes and the body language. It’s definitely fun.”

Creating a character is something Mike Jackson has had plenty of time to do. The actor has played attention-grabbing Rum Tum Tugger in Germany and another time under Campbell’s direction.

Jackson’s character has an excess of personality, spinning his tail as he swivels his hips and tells off a cat who is trying to steal his spotlight.

“I work alone, kitty,” he says.

Whether it’s a attention-seeker, a fat cat, or a snob, everyone in the audience will be reminded of at least one cat they’ve known.

Grizabella, for example, looks like the cat that begs for scraps outside your favourite restaurant. An aging party girl, she’s been through the ringer but gets your sympathy when she introduces the play’s most recognizable song, Memory, which is reprised later in the play by other characters.

“I remember the time I knew what happiness was,” Grizabella sings.

As the character most likely to go to the Heaviside Layer, which all the cats are vying to do, her appearances and the song string the vignette story lines together. Innocent and cute, 21-year old Ashley Fenster’s kitten Victoria reaches out to the Grizabella when no one else will.

“Just being very playful and loving every moment,” Fenster says of her motivation.

“There are times when the moment is just about me. You know when it’s your chance to shine. But you also don’t want to steal that moment away from anyone else.”

You might be forgiven for thinking Mike Jackson, whose character is sometimes called the Elvis cat, would feel the opposite way.

“It’s totally not like me,” says the actor, who the director says is shy and gentle. “It’s fun to dress up and act up. This is a fun show for dancers because you get to act and use your body. When it’s good, it’s really good.”

Grand Bend’s Best Kept Secret (519) 238-2120

LIVE MUSIC!

Everyone welcome Saturdays 3-6 p.m.

June 16 - Mid Life Crisis June 23 - Joan Spalding Duo

Fun Darts Mondays @ 7 p.m.

Bingo Tuesdays @ 7 p.m.

Meat Draws Fridays @ 5 p.m.

Hall rentals - contact Sharon (519) 238-6865

Purr-fect performances The cast of Cats knows how to sing, act, and - most importantly for this show - dance. Mike Jackson (above) is Rum Tum Tugger, the ‘Elvis’ cat.

Ashley Fenster (left in the above right photo) is the cute kitten, seen with Kirk Hansen as Coricopat.

Stealing the show are Neesa Kenemy and Michael Donald (right) as Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie (the song’s name is reversed).

Dance photo: Drayton Entertainment

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Strip at Burgerfest

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Grand Bend Strip • 11

It’s not just about burgers - check out these bands Saturday, June  -  p.m.

The band is a group of friends from Hamilton Personal Style: Modern country with a rock flavour. Upbeat. A good time kind of band.

Influences: Keith Urban and Brad Paisley.

We’ve all gone to school for music, so a jazz and classical background and playing style.

What people can expect: Expect to have a good time. We’re good at our craft; if you enjoy your music, you’ll get a good reaction

from people who listen to you.

College and we formed the band I have now.

get anywhere if you have crappy players.

Who inspired you to become a musician?

What was your proudest moment?

When did you know you wanted to do this as a career?

I’ve loved music my whole life, but I didn’t have any musical aspirations. I was working in a country bar in Belleville. Bands would come in who did the circuit. We’d chat and after a while you’d get to know the bands. One of the big acts asked me to come up on stage.

That was my first time singing in front of a crowd. I put a band together and next thing I know we’re playing at bars. Some of my buddies from Belleville were my first band. Then I went to school in Hamilton at Mohawk

real break?

Saturday, June  -  p.m.

Green River are John Stone (lead singer/John Fogerty), Jeremy Brett (bass), Brian Jennings (drums), John Lindblad (rhythm guitar). We spoke with manager Joe Brett.

Personal Style: The greatness of Credence Clearwater Revival. They’ll be performing 40 of their songs Saturday.

Influences: CCR. It’s a tribute show so we’ve tried our best to make it as accurate to the original as possible.

What people can expect: We are going to be doing some of the hits of John Fogerty off his Center Field album, including Center Field, which is one of the best songs that people like.

Then we do a retrospective including all the radio hits.

Sunday, June  -  p.m.

Hometown: Kitchener Personal Style: Edgy Blues Influences: Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin What people can expect: A good energy. I’ve been in this business for a long time and I enjoy what I’m doing. I think I’m professional and provide a good show.

Who got you interested in becoming a musician?

In the late 60, I saw Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix and could see they captivated their audiences. I started doing open stages. I was a waitress at a bar in Kitchener. Heart was

One of the first things was getting a booking agent. Otherwise you’ll never get the Why do you think people weekend gigs. Then getting into the bigger connect with your music?

We have fund doing it and people can sense clubs – the A circuit clubs. Then finding good members for your band. You’re not going to that. They can feel it and have fun themselves.

Nazareth in BC at the Crab Festival. We’re doing the opening The band originated in 1986 with lead singer Ken Moores ceremonies for the Toronto Grand Prix. and he retired after being with the show until 2003. He moved to Florida where his wife works for NASA. We’re still When did you know you had a good thing kind of holding the torch there. going?

It started in the 80s, so it’s been pretty steady. We picked What is the typical response you get from a classic band like the Beatles or the Stones; it’s America’s answer to that. audiences?

We get a lot of singing along. They know most of the words to the songs we do. There’s a lot of dancing. A lot of teens Why do people connect with the CCR era? grew up with the music because their parents played it.

The music was a lot simpler back then and the songs have a southern feel to them that people associate with. John Fogarty connected with this Louisiana bayou theme that no other rock Where is your favourite place to play?

Obviously the big festivals are the best. We do the Natal band connected with. It stood out in the 60s because of that Day festival on the Privateers Wharf in Halifax. We’re open- sound because no one else sounded like him.

Visit Green River’s website: http://www.ccrtribute.com ing for Trooper this summer in PEI. In July we’re opening for

Who thought of the idea of covering CCR?

Green River

Cheryl Lescom

Being able to make a living off what we Three or four years ago. When it became love. Love playing music and making money apparent that we could do it. You keep getting doing what we love. better and better. There’s no moment in my mind. When you’re getting a good response from people, that’s when you know it’s what Where did you get your first you want to do.

playing there so I went and spoke to Anne my heating bill. and Nancy Wilson. Anne told me if I had the dream to sing, I should put the tray down and When is your favourite time? stop talking about it. Just go do it.

I’ve got two boys who are becoming men quickly. I enjoy spending time with them, my good friends, and my boyfriend. I’m on What has kept you going?

I love it. I love singing and I love entertain- the road a lot, so I don’t have a lot of time for ing. Right now I’m singing with the Detroit them, so I enjoy the time I have.

Women. It’s never a dull moment; there’s always something to look forward to.

Why do you keep doing it?

There’s no other job where you can get Where did you get your first big 6000 people applauding you. You become addicted. In Canada, the number of musicians break?

I haven’t had it yet. As far as making it big, who make a living at it is about 20. Anyone I’ve had a lot of small breaks and personal who is in it for the art does it for a love of triumphs. I’ve played with Long John Baldry. it and for personal satisfaction. It’s powerI haven’t had my big break. If I had it I’d be a ful when something you do affects another big star. I wouldn’t be worrying about paying human being in a positive way.

LONDON-BASED JAZZ ARTIST DENISE PELLEY WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW. PELLEY WILL APPEAR WITH CHERYL LESCOM STARTING AT 2 P.M. SUNDAY

Summer Solstice

Drums welcome! Bring a small donation of food to share at the end of the ceremony

Tickets: $25 - (519) 243-1713 or ashworth@execulink.com to register More info: http://ashworth.fp.execulink.com

Dinner Tues.-Sun. 5 p.m.

A RESTAURANT 42 Ontario St. S. (Hwy 21) Reservations Recommended

(519) 238-6224

Strawberries are now ready at

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Lunch Tues.-Sat. 12-2 p.m.

The Strawberry Place 338 Elginfield Road Join in an evening of celebration An evening of great energy For a time of igniting change

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Proprietor Erryn Shephard Chef Ben Sandwith

Brad Karel and the Thrillbillies

12 • Grand Bend Strip

Strip at the Prom

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Grads live to Dance Another Day Photos by Casey Lessard

The class of 2-007 South Huron District High School held its prom June 1 at the school, with about 180 attending to Dance Another Day, a tribute to James Bond movies (their graduating year is 007).

Above: Melissa Melik, Mindy Deichert, Laura Noakes and Amy Jennison hit the Grand Bend beach before heading to the prom.

Right: Katelyn Love shows off the flowers in her hair and on her dress at McNaughton Park in Exeter.

Below: Tristan Caldwell and Trent Taylor share a moment on the dance floor. Music was provided by the Much Video Dance Party.

Katelyn Freiter and Brent Johns were voted students of the year by their classmates. “It’s awesome,” Freiter said. “I love these guys!” “Good people, good friends, great teachers,” Johns added. “It’s a great time.”