The Citizen - Feb. 14, 2025 by North Huron Publishing Company Ltd.

2 • History 4 • Editorials 8 • Sports 12 • Finance

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source Volume 41 No. 7

Friday, February 14, 2025

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Five now registered in riding By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Incoming The 13th annual Doug Perkes Memorial Tournament for U13 teams was held in Seaforth and Hensall over the weekend, bringing teams together from all over southwestern Ontario. While the Mid-Huron Huskies fell to the Parry Sound Shamrocks in the B Final, it was the

Blyth Brussels Crusaders who claimed gold in the C Final, beating the South Huron Sabres in the championship game. Above, those same Huskies took on the Schomberg Red Wings in Saturday morning action which ended in a 5-4 victory for the host team. (John Stephenson photo)

Five candidates have now officially put their names forward in the hopes of becoming the next MPP of Huron-Bruce, including incumbent Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson, after Ontarians go to the polls on Feb. 27. Thompson is now joined by Ian Burbidge of the Ontario Liberal Party, Nick McGregor of the New Democratic Party, Matthew Van Ankum of the Green Party and Zack Weiler of the New Blue Party. Thompson, who has served as the Minister of Education, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and, most recently, the Minister of Rural Affairs, was first elected in 2011, upsetting long-time local representative Carol Mitchell. She has since been re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022. This will be her fifth election. Burbidge, who will represent the riding for the Liberal Party, grew up in Simcoe and Port Dover, but moved to Kincardine in the early 1980s to teach math and music. He now lives near Port Elgin with his wife Sandy and their pets. The Green Party has selected a familiar face, Matthew Van Ankum, as its candidate for this election. A second-generation farmer in Continued on page 19

Crusaders win in Seaforth, host Jamborees By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen It’s an exciting time to be a Blyth Brussels Crusaders fan, with a prestigious tournament win over the weekend for one team and playoffs on the horizon for a handful of others. Just down the road in Seaforth, the U13 LL Crusaders won the 13th annual Doug Perkes Memorial Tournament, defeating the South Huron Sabres in the tournament’s

“C” Championship Final game. Play for the locals began last Friday morning with a 5-2 loss to the Mid-Huron Huskies and an 8-6 win over the Schomberg Red Wings, followed by a 6-2 loss to the Saugeen Valley Steelheads. That led to a semi-final victory over the Arthur Vipers by a score of 6-0 later on Saturday and then a 4-1 win over the South Huron Sabres in the “C” Championship Final on Sunday to win the gold. As for the playoff picture, five

Crusader teams have playoff series in their future, but just one team has played its first playoff game. On Feb. 9, the U11 Rep team played the Kinucks in Kincardine and lost by a score of 3-2. The team now has playoff games scheduled against the Saugeen Shores Storm (Feb. 15 in Brussels), Mitchell Meteors (Feb. 19 in Brussels), Kincardine Kinucks (Feb. 21 in Brussels), Saugeen Shores Storm (Feb. 22 in Southampton), Huron-Bruce

Blizzard (Feb. 25 in Lucknow), Mitchell Meteors (Feb. 26 in Mitchell) and Huron-Bruce Blizzard (Feb. 28 in Brussels). The U13 Rep team has two pairs of playoff games on the schedule, first with the Wingham Ironmen (Feb. 18 in Wingham and Feb. 22 in Blyth) and then with the Mount Forest Rams (Feb. 23 in Mount Forest and March 1 in Blyth). The U15 Rep Crusaders have three pairs of games on the schedule for their playoff run thus

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far. First, the team will play the Listowel Cyclones on the road on Feb. 17 and then at home in Brussels on Feb. 18, followed by games with the Shallow Lake Lakers, first in Blyth on Feb. 22 followed by a game on the road on Feb. 24, and the Huron-Bruce Blizzard on March 1 in Blyth and March 3 in Ripley. The U18 Rep team has six playoff games on the schedule: Feb. 20 against the Ironmen in Wingham, Continued on page 9

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PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

The Singing Irishman Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

Clark Johnston “The Singing Irishman” “Something’s Always sure to Tickle Me I have always got a tickled sort of way about my clothes It doesn't really matter where I be I am tickled in the morning and I'm tickled in the night Something's always sure to tickle me hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah.”

hese lyrics of a novelty song were a signature of a local entertainer, “The Singing Irishman”, also known as Clark Johnston. With his costumes, lively

wit and exaggerated facial gestures, Clark never failed to bring smiles to his audience. Grant Haywood, as a fellow (though younger) performer, said of the “Tickle” song that, “I couldn’t wait to hear him conjure up all those belly laughs! His face would contort and grimace with every whoop of laughter he could muster. Everyone was in stitches. He always brought the house down with that one song and had everyone laughing until it hurt.” William Clark Johnston was born on Nov. 22, 1912 to parents Charlie and Annie Mabel (Geddes) Johnston. He grew up on Lot E ½ 39 Conc. 9 in East Wawanosh Township, just a few miles west of Belgrave. On the Johnston side, Clark inherited Irish genes and, on the Geddes side, Scottish ones. From these roots, and from both of his parents, who were musical entertainers, he learned many of the traditional songs that he later incorporated into his musical routines. His family would often gather to sing in the evenings and, from his two grandmothers, Clark learned the songs of the “ould country”. As a youth, he was frequently called upon to sing at concerts, fall fairs and at other special entertainment events. In addition, he took part in school and church plays. While he was still a teen, attending high school in Wingham, he was approached by “Doc” Cruickshank, the owner of the fledgling radio station originally called BP10 and then CKNX. What Doc was looking for was local talent to entertain over the airwaves. Indeed, it was likely

Doc who bestowed the nickname that stuck with Clark throughout his career. It was at CKNX that Clark became a member of the Ranch Boys with Don and Cora Robertson. In 1928, the Saturday Night Barn Dance began and was broadcast from the third floor of the Brunswick Hotel on Josephine Street. Clark recalled that the location wasn’t very soundproof and conditions were makeshift. Nevertheless, audiences enjoyed the young fellow from the country and his original song styling. Once his high school days were over, Clark helped out his father on the family farm and eventually took it over. He combined busy work days with evenings spent travelling around the countryside entertaining. He was a member of the Bert Jackson Orchestra for several years. In those days, it was common that a musician would earn between $5 and $7 for a whole evening’s entertainment. In addition, the band members had to bring and set up their own equipment and provide their own transportation. Wintertime brought difficult travelling conditions when roads

were snow-drifted and the cars of the days were, to say the least, quite air conditioned. A few of Clark’s nights were spent in the Wingham jail, not because he had done anything wrong, but because the roads were blocked and he needed a place to sleep. From time to time, he also employed skis to cover the distance between home and Wingham. Faithful radio audiences were able to see their favourite country and western singers in 1940 when the Barn Dance went on the road and was broadcast from various Southwestern Ontario locations. Clark was readily recognizable with his tattered green tam, perched rakishly over one eye and his shillelagh. When Robbie Burns Day rolled around, he would don a kilt and bring forth his Scottish repertoire. There were many rewards from visiting various dance halls. It was while playing for a dance at Langside that he met Miss Ardyss Brown. The couple were wed in 1943 and they farmed in East Wawanosh, which is where they raised their two daughters. In addition to farming, Clark was employed by the County of Huron doing bridge construction from 1964 until 1977. Some of the favourite tunes that Clark performed were “An Irishman’s Dream”, “My Old Shillelagh” and “The Laughing Song”, as well as “Something’s

Always Tickling Me”. One woman recalls that, at one time, following the annual Belgrave Fowl Supper, there would be a concert. It wouldn’t matter what mood a person was in, by the time Clark Johnston had sung all the verses of “The Laughing Song”, with its hilarious choruses, everyone would have caught the contagious laughter and the whole audience would be chuckling along with him. CKNX radio in Wingham was joined by a sister television station in 1955. One of the most popular programs was Circle Eight Ranch featuring Don Robertson and The Ranch Boys. Clark took his brand of singing, jokes and step dancing to this new medium and continued to entertain folks. It was said that his facial expressions and physicality added much to his songs. In the 1950s, Clark was the featured act at the Palace Gardens in Formosa on many Sunday afternoons. He also had regular gigs at the Paradise Family Campground near Seaforth in the 1960s and 1970s, along with the Kansas Farmer from the Brussels area. Life goes on and, by his sunset years, Clark only performed occasionally at nursing homes. He passed away in May of 1989, leaving behind memories of a quick wit, a twinkle in the eye and the melodies of Irish and Scottish songs.

Townes out in NH, Fletcher to step in By Scott Stephenson The Citizen At a brief and to-the-point meeting on Feb. 7, North Huron Council appointed Annette Fletcher as the township’s interim treasurer. Fletcher is a CPA who currently holds the position of deputytreasurer for the County of Huron. Fletcher is temporarily stepping into the role following the sudden and unceremonious departure of

Director of Finance Chris Townes on Feb. 5. Following unanimous support from council to appoint Fletcher to the temporary position, Reeve Paul Heffer welcomed her to the team. “I just want to thank the county. Our Clerk/CAO reached out and talked with them, and was able to get Annette to come. We really appreciate that, and look forward to you working with us. It’s going to be a busy time, but I know you’re ready for it.”

Some of the classics On Sunday, the 10th annual Ron Brindley Memorial Snowmobile Show and Swap went ahead at the Dungannon Fairgrounds with a renewed enthusiasm, as snowmobilers have been living high on the hog this year with cold temperatures and plenty of snowfall, making for the best snowmobile season in recent memory. (John Stephenson photo)

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 3.

Boyes presents CH’s departmental budgets By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Central Huron Treasurer Jeff Boyes resumed the municipality’s 2025 budget process with a special meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, presenting several departmental budgets before council sees its first consolidated budget next month. This is the first of two departmental budget meetings, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19. The first departmental budget discussed at the meeting was Central Huron’s environmental expenses, which will see a 0.62 per cent decrease in this year’s proposed budget. Total collection fees through the Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA) are $327,726 and Waste Management’s tipping fees are $83,455 for a total of $421,181. Boyes noted that Central Huron’s recycling costs are reduced significantly as a result of the new producer pay system. He also told council that the estimated surplus in the system is just under $36,000, which is down significantly from the 2024 surplus of $52,427, and reminded them of the pre-approved compost grinding cost of $112,000. The fleet and equipment budget has a miniscule 0.16 per cent increase proposed, which is only due to staff wage increases and inflation. The roads budget is predicted to increase by 4.7 per cent in 2025, which includes an increase for wages and benefits of almost 12 per cent. Furthermore, Boyes told council that more is being budgetted for snow removal due to the heavy, labour-intensive winter the area has seen in the early weeks of the year. In terms of grants within the department, Boyes noted that the municipality’s Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) allotment has increased from $1,167,970 in 2024 to $1,343,166 this year and the gas tax fund has also increased from $245,201 in 2024 to $255,418 this year. The small shed for the roads department line in the budget will see an increase of almost 28 per cent due to insurance and maintenance cost increases this year. In this year’s fire budget, there will be an increase of 5.28 per cent, which includes a two per cent increase to pay for volunteer firefighters, which council has already passed as a bylaw. Boyes noted that recoveries for Central Huron were down by the

end of 2024 due to reaching the conclusion of the shared service agreement with Bluewater. He also made mention of the fact that the shared fire agreement with North Huron will have an increase of $35,993 from 2024 to 2025 and the Goderich fire agreement will increase this year over last by $37,230. Boyes also included some information on the municipality’s emergency measures budget, despite the fact that nothing was spent in 2024. This is a shared service with Huron County connected to its emergency management co-ordinator (CEMC) and, with the departure of the former CEMC, that spending was put on hold for 2024, Boyes said. The water operating budget for Central Huron is predicted to increase by 2.9 per cent in 2025, which includes a 2.5 per cent rate increase to be implemented in July. Total wages and benefits in the department have increased 4.42 per cent over the 2024 budget and he noted that both reservoir cleaning and additional building maintenance for the water plant are planned for this year. In the municipality’s sewer budget for 2025, a 5.8 per cent increase in expenses is anticipated, including a five per cent rate increase, also to be implemented this July. There is a total wage and benefit increase in that department of 13.66 per cent over the 2024 budget and Boyes noted that lagoon maintenance is planned for this year. The budget process will continue with a special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19 with departmental budgets for facilities and recreation; planning, drainage, economic development and community improvement; cemeteries; building department and other protective inspection; general government and council, and street lights. The first presentation of the consolidated budget is planned for next month, with budget meetings planned for Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 19.

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Sweet victory The U13 A Huron Heat , above, went through last weekend’s tournament in Buffalo, New York undefeated, beating the Mooretown Lady Flags, Burlington Barracudas, Potomac Lady Patriots, North Halton Twisters and the Burlington Barracudas once again, only allowing two goals in those five games, to claim the championship. Furthermore, they weren’t even the only Huron Heat team to win in Buffalo last weekend, with the U18 BB Heat winning the final game of the tournament in their division as well. (Photo submitted)

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice • Editor: Shawn Loughlin Reporter: Scott Stephenson • Photographer: John Stephenson Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld

The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.huroncitizen.ca

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Know when to fold ’em Last Sunday, the Super Bowl generated a record $1.39 billion in legal betting, primarily in online forums. This is up from $1.25 billion last year, with more jurisdictions legalizing retail and online gambling. It’s hard to imagine that betting on one game could come with so many zeroes, when, not that long ago, bets were placed in dark corners with bookies. With the increase in online sites, it can be tough to tell which ones are legal and which ones are scams. Authorities were warning gamblers to do their homework ahead of the big game and know about a company before placing a bet with it. Advertising on T.V. and online have normalized gambling, especially for young men, portraying it as a harmless form of entertainment, but for many people online betting sites are a gateway to a dark addiction. Lottery kiosks have begun to spring up locally, allowing you to buy a ticket without ever talking to a person. The anonymity offered by kiosks and websites often allow an addiction to spiral out of control before the gambler has to account for losses to family or friends. Know your limit, play within it has never been a more-needed slogan. Is it really entertainment when every website has a page dedicated to resources to help with gambling addiction? – DS

Bringing it all back home Donald Trump is imposing across-the-board tariffs! No he’s not! Wait, then what about these steel and aluminum tariffs? What? He said there was a 30-day delay on tariffs! Well, read this: tariffs! Maybe? With uncertainty and unpredictability in the air, Ontarians are going to the polls in just under two weeks and they’re telling their would-be leaders what concerns them... and it’s healthcare in this province. The results of a Nanos poll released over the weekend point to healthcare as the predominant issue in this month’s election. Just over 28 per cent of those asked said healthcare reigned supreme, followed closely by the economy at 21.5 per cent. Dealing with the war-mongering orange infant from the south was on the minds of 14.2 per cent of those polled. Sentiments can always change, but this should serve as a reminder to those hoping to lead this province for the next four years that, while there are concerns beyond our borders, there is still an Ontario to be governed with its own issues, full of people with their own concerns. (Premier Doug Ford calling an early election, leaving him hamstrung in his ability to manage the international relations issues of the day, could certainly use that reminder but that ship, as they say, has sailed.) Meanwhile, there are ongoing developments with the election itself, as Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals continue to close the gap (though there is still plenty more gap to be closed) and some prognosticators have forecast historically low voter turnout for this election, continuing the downward trend of the 2022 election - a record-setting low itself. No Ontario government can control decisions made in the U.S., just how it reacts to them. However, there are many pressing issues over which the incoming government, whomever the victor, has absolute control and Ontarians are telling the candidates that those issues are paramount to them. A new government would be wise to listen. – SL

Whole lotta love Love stories are the heartbeat of every community. They unfold in quiet moments and grand gestures, in chance encounters and lifelong commitments. Whether whispered between two people or celebrated in front of family and friends, love has the power to shape lives and bring people together. It is woven into our most-cherished traditions and shared experiences, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories. A community newspaper is more than just headlines; it is a reflection of the lives of those within the community it serves. The engagements, weddings and anniversaries published in these pages over the years are reminders that love is not just a personal journey, but the foundation of a strong and vibrant community. These milestones tell a deeper story; one of resilience, devotion and the ties that bind generations together. Even in an age of instant updates and fleeting digital posts, there is something enduring about seeing a wedding announcement in print. A newspaper clipping tucked into a family album, an anniversary notice displayed with pride - these tangible records become treasured keepsakes, passed down as part of a family’s history. The Citizen is committed to preserving these moments, ensuring that the love stories of this community are celebrated today and remembered for years to come. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms. Whether it’s a recent engagement, a golden anniversary, or a tribute to a love that has stood the test of time, this publication is honoured to share in your joy. Love is what connects us, what strengthens our community and what gives meaning to the stories we tell. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at The Citizen. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your treasured moments. May love continue to shape this community and inspire the stories yet to be told. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years February 18, 1965 A letter sent from Blyth on Dec. 29, 1964, finally arrived at the home of Jack Wheeler of Brussels in the first week of February, following an extended journey. It initially travelled to Brussels, Belgium, reaching there on Jan. 18, before being rerouted back to Canada. A coroner’s jury investigating the Oct. 21 death of Ephraim Parish of Brussels determined on Friday that his passing was caused by slushy road conditions, which led his car to collide with a truck driven by George Melvin Jacklin of Brussels. The collision occurred on Huron County Road 16, seven miles east of Brussels. After hearing testimony from four witnesses, the jury did not make any recommendations. Dr. W. A. Crawford, coroner for Wingham, presided over the inquiry. The jury members were George McCutcheon (foreman), Gordon Stephenson, Ronald Huether, Ivan Campbell and Gordon Exel, all from Brussels. The Women’s Missionary Society held its regular monthly meeting in the church parlour on Friday, Feb. 12. Mrs. Gerald Gibson, serving as convenor, opened the gathering with a call to worship and a message for the New Year. Mrs. Frank Shaw read Psalm 57, followed by a prayer led by Mrs. Clark Matheson. February 13, 1980 Voters in the Huron-Bruce riding were concerned about the state of the economy, future oil and fuel supplies, and the use of obscene language in books. At an all-candidates meeting in Londesborough on Thursday night, federal election candidates Murray

Cardiff (Progressive Conservative), Graeme Craig (Liberal) and Tony McQuail (New Democratic Party) presented their party platforms and answered questions from the audience. These meetings, organized by the Huron Federation of Agriculture during election periods, became a popular opportunity for voters to engage with candidates. Dave Crothers, chief of the Wingham Fire Department, stated that last week’s fire at the home of Harley Christie in Gorrie was ikely caused by either electric heaters or a coal oil lantern in a bedroom. A new business opened in Brussels. Ron Krampien of Jamestown launched Ron’s Second Hand Shop in the former location of Jack Hall’s barbershop, next to Hilt’s Food Market. February 15, 1995 Wingham OPP were investigating the theft of a snowmobile in Blyth on Feb. 11. Scott Rintoul of Lucknow had parked his 1989 Skidoo Safari Scout outside the Blyth Inn at 11 p.m. When he returned at midnight, he discovered it was missing. The Skidoo had a yellow hood, black body, no rear bumper and a St. Helens poker rally sticker on the windshield. Anyone with information was urged to contact Wingham OPP. Wingham and District Fire Chief Harley Gaunt stated that smoke detectors in the home played a crucial role in saving a Morris Township family in the early hours of Feb. 13. At the next meeting of Blyth Village Council, a resolution would be drafted requesting that the province explore alternative

methods for disposing of municipal waste instead of relying on landfill sites. Council members hoped that by raising this issue, more sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions might be considered for managing garbage in the community and beyond. February 18, 2010 Students from Brussels Public School’s Kids Care group dedicated their time at Brussels Foodland to raise funds for Haiti. They operated a booth on Friday after school and returned on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to continue their efforts. By the end of Friday, they had already collected more than $230, with donations still coming in. Following a highly successful initial run, Jim Rutledge’s Men of Huron: A Book of Honour and Remembrance 1939 to 1946 had now entered its second printing. The Blyth Bullets Bantam girls broomball team competed in the Ontario Provincial Broomball Championships in Barrie this past weekend, showcasing their skills and determination on the provincial stage. The team, made up of dedicated young athletes, faced off against some of the top broomball teams in the province, highlighting their hard work and commitment to the sport. The event provided an excellent opportunity for the players to gain valuable experience, improve their game and represent Blyth with pride. Though the competition was fierce, the team’s spirit and sportsmanship stood out, making it a memorable experience for all involved.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Remembering the birth of our flag

t came as something of a surprise the other day when I opened a historical magazine I read and saw that this Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of our Canadian maple leaf flag. I remember going outside that day, 60 years ago, to have the flag raised on our school’s flagpole for the first time. Those of us old enough to remember know that the new flag came at the end of a long debate. Our Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson, led a minority government, but was a Canadian nationalist before it was fashionable. He was Prime Minister when we got our own flag and when Canada hosted its 100th birthday in 1967, and hosted Expo ’67 in Montreal. But it was the flag debate I remember particularly. Pearson was opposed by John Diefenbaker, who was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and had been Prime Minister earlier. Diefenbaker was a traditionalist who felt the old red ensign flag was fine for Canada with its ties to the union jack in one corner. The flag we now wave was not Pearson’s first choice. He originally envisioned a flag with a branch of three maple leaves in the middle with two bands of blue on the edge, representing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The debate fluctuated back and forth for months. Eventually other proposals were considered. Finally, in something of a compromise, the current flag was proposed by historian George Stanley, and the minority government supported it and managed to get enough votes to have it adopted after weeks of heated debate. As a teenager, I remember the pride I felt as the new flag was run up the flagpole that day, Feb. 15, 1965. I’m not sure about other students, but I was a young nationalist. I

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk remember, too, refusing to rise when the principal played “God Save the Queen”, at the time still our national anthem, to start off the school day. It was 1980 under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau that “O Canada” became our national anthem, 100 years after it was first sung in 1880. Despite my joy on the adoption of the new flag, the feeling was far from unanimous. The Royal Canadian Legion was opposed, arguing two generations of young Canadians fought under the red ensign and Union Jack. It took years before the Legion became comfortable with the new flag. That was the one thing, for me, that brought humour to the situation when people who opposed laws that encouraged us to get the vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection flew the maple leaf flag. Vaccine opponents west of Blyth nailed the maple leaf flags to their fence posts, claiming they were the true patriots. I couldn’t help wondering if they realized that people with similar political views had opposed the same flag a half-century earlier. It’s hard for younger Canadians to realize how much the country changed in the late 1960s as Canada marked its centennial with parades in pretty well every community and people organized trips to Expo ’67. Take theatre as an example. Professional

theatre in the 1960s featured Shakespearian plays at Stratford, British plays by George Bernard Shaw at the Shaw Festival in Niagaraon-the-Lake and Broadway shows in summer theatres in places like Muskoka. But in the increasingly patriotic atmosphere, beginning with the Centennial, Canadian theatres began popping up. In the summer of 1972, Paul Thompson and Theatre Passe Muraille, decided to do a play about his background growing up in Atwood when he brought actors to an abandoned farmhouse west of Clinton, then went out and visited neighbouring farmers and created The Farm Show. When The Farm Show was first presented to an audience of the farmers in the old barn on the farm where the actors lived, I too was part of that audience. Also in the audience, but unknown to me, was James Roy, a young York University theatre student from Clinton. In the spring of 1975, 50 years ago next month, James Roy wrote to me about starting a summer theatre in Blyth. There were still few Canadian plays in 1975, so James turned to the novels of West Wawanosh writer (and member of the Canadian Radio and Television Commission) Harry J. Boyle for the first play ever presented at the Blyth Summer Festival: Mostly in Clover. So much has changed since then. The Blyth Festival (we lost the “summer” in the title long ago) has presented more than 150 world premieres of Canadian plays. Canadian theatres have been born, worked for years successfully, and sometimes died. And Canada has become a different place, as seen by the patriotic response when recently U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Canada should become the 51st state of the union.

The cold hard truth about cold and hard

he time has come. We have tolerated this long enough. We have shovelled, scraped, skidded, stumbled and suffered through these months of relentless ice and snow, and we refuse to endure a single second more. Winter, you coward, you brute, you frigid tyrant! Meet us in the street! We are challenging you to a fight! Not a metaphorical fight. Not a battle of wills. A real, physical, bare-knuckle brawl, a noholds-barred slugfest, a winner-takes-all royal rumble between us and you. Do not mistake our civility for weakness. Do not assume our politeness extends to the elemental forces that oppress us. We have reached the limit of our patience. Our mittens are off. If you think we will continue to let you blast us with winds that peel the flesh from our bones, think again. If you believe we will keep trudging through waist-high drifts like obedient little snow-fools, reconsider. If you assume we will just keep salting the driveway while weeping softly, then you have grossly underestimated our capacity for blind, frostbitten rage. First, we are going to punch a snowbank. Then, we are going to slap every icicle we see. We will deliver a series of firm, openpalmed smacks until they break off and crash to the ground in disgrace. Next, we will kick winter where it hurts: right in the gusts. You think you can blind us with wind so sharp it makes our eyes water instantly? Well, guess what? We are coming for you. We will roundhouse every blistering squall, bicycle-kick every howling gale, deliver a flawless spinning back heel to every Arctic blast that dares enter our vicinity. And do not think you can hide behind the sleet. Sleet is nothing to us. We laugh in its stupid little face. Freezing rain? Oh, you

Scott Stephenson The Chaff mean slippery sadness? We will leg-drop it right into a slush puddle. Black ice? That is just a sneak attack, and we will counter it with an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle of a snow-covered Chevrolet Equinox. And yes, we know winter has its defenders. “Oh, but the fresh snow is so pretty,” they say. “Oh, but the crisp air is invigorating.” To those people, we say this: we once thought the same. We once romanticized the delicate crunch of snow underfoot. We once believed in the simple pleasure of watching soft flakes drift lazily to the ground. But winter has betrayed us. It has gone too far. It has outstayed its welcome. We are no longer in awe of its beauty. We are in opposition to its tyranny. So, winter, show yourself. No more hiding behind quaint imagery and festive nostalgia. No more skulking in the shadows of our Seasonal Affective Disorder. Face us. Mano a mano. Frostbite a fist. Let us settle this once and for all. *** Havoc was wrought. Blows were exchanged. Snowbanks were punched, icicles were slapped clean off their perches, and the very concept of wind was drop-kicked into the next dimension. Winter, once a towering adversary, now lies vanquished. The streets run slush-red with its defeat. The great battle is over. And yet.

A strange silence lingers in the air, thick and unsettling. We have won, undeniably, but in our triumph, we find no satisfaction. No thrill. No joy. The cold, once an omnipresent enemy, was at least a companion. And now, in its absence, we feel hollow. Aimless. A gladiator with no arena. A snow-shoveller with no snow. A warrior with nothing left to war against. The first days were euphoric. The sun returned, warm and golden, as if celebrating our conquest. We walked outside in triumph, wearing only light jackets, sneering at the defeated remnants of winter as they melted in disgrace. Puddles formed where ice once lurked, and we stomped through them with reckless, victorious abandon. We inhaled deeply, tasting air that no longer carried the sting of betrayal. But then: nothing. No more dramatic battles against the elements. No more wind howling in fury, forcing us to bow our heads like supplicants. No more waking up to a snowed-in car, shaking our fists at the heavens before embarking on a two-hour excavation with a flimsy plastic shovel. Life, once a gritty struggle against the forces of nature, has become... easy. Too easy. Without winter, who are we? We have been forged in the fires of frostbite and windburn, sculpted by the relentless torment of freezing temperatures. And now, stripped of our struggle, we drift. We wander the warm streets, lost, unmoored. Spring arrives, oblivious to our malaise. The grass returns, cocky and green. The birds sing, untroubled by existential despair. Life resumes, but we feel unfulfilled. We spent so long fighting that we never stopped to ask what would happen if we won.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Decide on empathy

ne day just after Christmas, my daughter’s Kindergarten class had a pajama day. Students had the choice to wear their favourite pajamas to school that day for a bit of fun that included watching a movie together and having some popcorn. Since the lead-up to the holidays, she had been obsessed with the 2018 version of the classic Dr. Seuss tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, simply titled The Grinch, watching it constantly. So, when it came time to pull out a set of pajamas for her, I naturally reached for her beloved Grinch pajamas, sure that those would be the ones she’d want to wear. She quickly scolded me and told me she didn’t want to wear those to school; she wasn’t upset about it or angry, she just matter-offactly told me that she didn’t want to wear them at school and the reason was because one of her classmates, a friend of hers, was scared of ol’ Grinch and she didn’t want to scare him. Of course, Jess and I were both touched by and proud of her empathy in that situation. It has since stuck with me as an early example of how to live in a caring society, something that, it’s sad to say, seems like it’s leaving us. Here is my daughter, making a quiet, personal decision to not cause her classmate any trauma, simply because she wanted to do the right thing for him. Sure, it meant that she wouldn’t wear a set of pajamas that she may have otherwise liked to have worn, but it didn’t compare to her care for another human being. It made me feel like we had been doing something right to lead our daughter to think this way and to make the decision she did. In this time of the culture wars (in addition to tariff wars and real wars), many people, mostly those on the right side of the political spectrum, are fixated on what they’re “not allowed” to do and what they’re “not allowed” to say. “We can’t even say ‘Merry Christmas’ anymore. What kind of a country is this?” That, as we know, is not true, but the whole situation had me thinking how it could have played out if different parties were involved and people tried to care for a student. If, say, a teacher noticed that one of her students had a great fear of something and wanted to protect him, let’s say she talks to the students or writes a letter home to parents, saying, “Hey, Student A is tremendously scared of Character X, so it would be greatly appreciated if his classmates refrained from wearing clothing depicting said character to class. Signed, Mrs. D.” This would never happen, but just stick with me. Some parents would be outraged. “How dare you tell my kid that he can’t wear....” There would be letters, angry posts in Facebook groups, incensed chatter on street corners, in grocery stores and coffee shops. Surely it wouldn’t stop there. That’s right it’s time for a petition. Someone would create an online petition to ensure that not just students at the school in question, but that all students at all schools will be free to wear whatever they want, refusing to bow to the “special interests” of one student. It would garner worldwide, anti-woke support. Right-wing media would surely take notice and perhaps we have a viral tale on our hands. “Canadian school censors students.” “Get in line or get kicked out, school tells kids.” “1984 is back, Canadian school floats mind control.” And that’s what I saw in my daughter in that moment. She chose empathy instead of the fear and indignation that comes with not doing something because it might bother someone else. She put her classmate above herself. If society had more of her and chose against turning inward, we’d be in a much better place.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

At the Branch

Weather affects post-dart drive By Jo-Ann McDonald It has been a normal week at the Branch. It was a good drive to the Thursday night darts, but going home would have been a different story. The snow and winds blew in and it was quite nasty after 8 p.m.,

Wintery fun Over the weekend, the First Brussels Girl Guides got together with Jayne Thompson of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to learn about all things winter: snowshoeing, how animals live in the snow and more. They also took time to play on some of Brussels’ largest snowbanks. (Submitted photos)

BGW explores winter time bend A NOTE FROM BETTY By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 February purports to be our shortest month, but many days I really do wonder. There are some days that just seem to drag, and then, hopefully, the next one or two travel at regular speed. For many in the community, the month flies when the shorts and swimsuits are packed, and warm weather is part of the dream. For others, Huron County winter is a high point of a good day; the first snowperson made, a walk in the snow or a trip with the snow machine ready to roar on the trails. The wonders of winter abound no matter your take on this winter of our lives. Often unseen, the number of people who do not have a home is increasing. Many of us do not even see the issue. The numbers are increasing and, as with most social issues, the answers are not simple and the causes can be very complex. Nipping things in the bud is the easy answer, but we’re way past that now. Watching groups and organizations truly see what needs and can be done is wonderful. A Better Tent City has been on my radar for a few years. Ralph’s brother John and his wife Wendy belong to a church that supports the

people there with food, of course (it’s a church, after all) and friendship. So we’ve heard the good stories. An article in The Toronto Star last week showed how they did it: people seeing the need and finding the right people to act brought together the ideas that “it takes a village” to improve the lives in their midst. A convenience store owner, a city worker, a priest, an educator, a builder and a philanthropist-entrepreneur shared the goal of caring for the community. Spurred by a former homeless person, who by then owned the convenience store, they all worked together to get things done. They did and the words of Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says it. “If you actually take the time to understand the stories.. some of them are connected to community. Something in their life got them down this path…. The journey that got them here could happen to any one of us.” Oh so true, and now, with full cooperation of many groups, a successful community is found. A Better Tent City is more than a place to sleep, “it’s a place to heal, grow and belong.” In our area, the Connection Centre at the Anglican Church in Wingham is trying to make things better before homelessness becomes full-time here. Our life the past week has been full-time healthcare. Ralph is the proud owner of an engineered hip. Visits to Mount Sinai in Toronto showed the very best of our healthcare, with pleasant, competent, efficient staff and volunteers keeping things moving

BRUSSELS MINOR BALL 2025 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Visit www.brusselstigersfastball.ca to register online, or attend in-person registration on

Thursday, February 20 from 6-7:30 pm at the Brussels Morris and Grey Community Centre, 800 Sports Drive, Brussels All registration closes March 31, 2025. Kids born between 2004-2021 Follow Brussels Minor Baseball on Facebook for more details.

right along. World-class medicine is being researched and pioneered in the five hospitals in the University Avenue area of the city and we are blessed to have access to that knowledge. Stories abound of our days in the city but it was all good and recovery is going well. Our Canadian flag is 60 years old. Lester Pearson was the guiding hand to bring a new Canadian flag to life. This was not an easy task and, not the first time, a new flag had been studied. With much opposition, the new flag flew in February of 1965. Now, if our current politicians could get over themselves and work to the future needs of our country, we could be proud, as we are of our flag, which flies our hopes, our values and our dreams. Bye now. Betty GW

well into the night. There were 24 darters out to play. The first-place team was Louise Poirier and Jason Wagatha. Second place was John Stadelmann and Sandra Brown. The high shots of the night were by Jeremy Glousher and Sandra, each hitting 140. Steve Hall hit 134, Randy White hit 133 and Devon Josling scored 132. There was another skunk earned by Rhonda Davis and Roger Ericson. Friday night was the first draw of the new Catch the Ace draw. New chair Ronda Fischer was on hand to watch as everything went on. There are now four teams of three to take turns running the draw. This week was the team of Deb Ross, Kathy Burkholder and Nanci Ducharme. The lucky winner was Nora Stephenson, winning $159. Her chosen envelope was number 31 and the four of hearts was revealed. The estimated jackpot for the next draw is $500. Get your tickets at McDonald Home Hardware, Brussels Pharmacy and Brussels Variety and the Brussels Legion. You can sign up on the VIP list within the first four weeks of the

Branch 218 Brussels, ON

draw to guarantee a ticket each week. Call the Branch for details. This week is the monthly euchre tournament on Friday night. Only 40 teams can play, so it will be a full house. The food available will be turkey dinner on a bun.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Public Speaking Contest

Saturday, February 22 12:30 pm - Doors open for registration 1:30 pm - Speeches begin

Open to all school-aged children Public Welcome Participating schools: North Woods Elementary & Howick Central Questions regarding public speeches call 519-531-1205

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 7.

World Day of Prayer in Wingham set for March 7 at 2 p.m.

Pancaked Auburn Lions members serve up pancakes at their well-attended Valentine’s Day celebration on Sunday, Feb. 9. The community event brought together local residents for a delicious breakfast and festive fun. (John Stephenson photo)

Hakkers calls for increased connection on Valentine’s Day NEWS N EWS F FROM ROM BLYTH B LYTH Deb De b Hakkers Hakker e s ers debhakkers@gmail.com debhakkers@gma de bhakkers@gma ail.com

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s the day to remember those you love in some special way, but it can be a very lonely day for those already feeling alone, so reach out to someone you know and let them know you are thinking of them. This weekend is also Family Day weekend; time to spend with family and reconnect. Some of my favourite memories from when our boys were younger were going tubing at St Marys and snowshoeing at Benmiller. Last year, Fred’s sister Evelyn invited everyone to her house for Family Day and she is hosting it again this year at Fred’s Mom’s former home on Brock Street, because it is more accessible for all. Hopefully the Craig family will manage to get together to celebrate the February birthdays, which now span three generations, weatherpermitting, of course. We will get together at Huronlea on Sunday, Feb. 16. Mom is still progressing slowly toward her goal of walking, but her left leg is still not cooperating with moving. Scouts were at winter camp this past weekend near Whitechurch and it sounds like they had lots of fun. This was always a favourite for our boys. Thanks to all those who make these experiences possible for our local youth This week we wish a happy birthday to Evelyn Popp on Feb. 16, Marilyn Craig on Feb. 18, Christine Hoba and Vaughn Toll on Feb. 19, Bruce Siertsema, Agnes Wharton, Tom Hallahan, Bryce Toll and Scott Armstrong all on Feb. 21,

Sharon Jackson, Robbie Lawrie and Joan Caldwell on Feb. 22, Heidi (Craig) Martin on Feb. 24, Brad Lapp on Feb. 25, and Aimee Townsend and Sharon Bromley on Feb. 25. We hope everyone enjoys their special day. Once again, with the change to every other week, the birthday greetings are for two weeks at a time. The results for the Legion euchre for Feb. 3 are: ladies, first place, Cheryl Trewartha (83); second place, Judy Lackner (68); lone hands, Veronique Harman (four); men’s, first place, Jane Glousher (78); second place, Gord Haggitt (70); lone hands, Linda Campbell (three). Share the wealth was

NEWS FROM BLYTH

shared by Susan Harman, Gord Haggitt, Virginia Caesar and Sharon Thompson. The next euchre is on Feb. 17. The doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the game starts at 1 p.m. The cost is $5 each and it includes a light lunch. To sign up or to cancel, call or text Kathryn Aires at 519-8956764. If there is anything special you would like to see mentioned in this column, please e-mail me at debhakkers@gmail.com or call me at 519-525-8640 (evenings only please). Until Feb. 28, take care of yourselves and each other, especially in all this snow! According to the forecast, it is not done yet! Jon and I have already cleared the gazebo off once!

World Day of Prayer (WDP) is an international, Christian unity movement which enables Christian women all over the world to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world; their hopes, concerns and prayers. Preparation for the day is vast, the service begins with choosing the writing country, which, in 2025, is the Cook Islands. Several years earlier, the theme “I Made You Wonderful” was chosen. Once the words and the stories are written, they go to the WDP International Committee in New York for translation and distribution to the National Committee in each participating country. The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 120 countries. This year, on March 7, as the day begins in the Pacific Ocean Islands, Samoa Region, the prayers will be in native languages. The service travels throughout the world - Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas - before finishing in American Samoa some 38 hours later. It is a worldwide wave of prayer. The women of the Cook Islands will welcome and lead the Day of Prayer 2025. This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific Ocean has a rich and colorful Maori heritage and deep connection to nature. Those in attendance will pray together and reflect on the theme “I Made You Wonderful”. The

scripture base is Psalm 139, v. 1-18. An in-person service will be hosted by the Wingham World Day of Prayer committee. This year the gathering will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 281 Josephine Street. (Accessible entry from Centre Street) on Friday, March 7. The service will begin at 2 p.m. Refreshments and a social time will follow. Everyone is welcome.

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The Citizen Call or email to book your ad today! **Buck & Doe **Anniversary **Wedding **New Baby **Graduation **Birthday

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MAITLAND VALLEY CAMERA CLUB

Photography by Gail Jaycock

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Sports Two Huron Heat teams win gold in Buffalo

She shoots, she scores On Sunday, it was back into playoff mode for the U15 B Huron Heat, who hosted the St. Marys Rock in Clinton for a playoff game. Unfortunately for both teams, neither could find an edge over the other and the game

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Last weekend, two of the three Huron Heat teams that crossed the border for tournament play in Buffalo, New York came back to Canada with gold medals around their necks, besting their American competition. The U13 A Heat team went undefeated in the tournament on their way to victory, first beating the Mooretown Lady Flags on Friday morning by a score of 7-0, followed by a 6-2 win over the Burlington Barracudas. The next morning, bright and early, the team beat the Potomac Lady Patriots by a score of 8-0, followed by a 5-0 shutout victory over the North Halton Twisters later that evening. The Heat’s run culminated on Sunday afternoon with a 4-0 victory over the Burlington Barracudas in the championship game to earn gold for the local young women. The U18 BB Heat also found victory in Buffalo, beginning with a 1-1 tie with Gilmour on Friday afternoon, followed by a 2-1 loss to the Barrie Sharks that night. The next day, the locals lost to the Scarborough Sharks by a score of 2-0, extending their losing streak against Shark-named teams to two, but bounced back with a Saturday night win over the Brampton Canadettes by a score of 4-0. The team then met Gilmour again in the finals and won to bring home the gold, though a score for that final game was unavailable at press time. The third team to travel south was the U15 A Heat, which opened its tournament with a 2-2 tie with the North Bay Junior Lakers on Friday

morning, followed by a 3-1 win over the Mooretown Lady Flags. The next day, the team beat the Oswego Lady Buccaneers by a score of 3-1 in their only game of

ended tied at three. Two other Heat teams - the U13 A and U18 BB Heat - came home from Buffalo with gold medals around their necks, triumphing in tournament action down south. (John Stephenson photo) the day, leading to championship round play on Sunday. That morning, however, the team fell to the Flamborough Falcons by a score of 2-1, ending

the tournament for the Heat. In more localized play on Sunday, Feb. 9, the U15 B Heat tied the St. Marys Rock at three in their playoff game, while the U13 C Heat ended

their game with the St. Thomas Panthers, both in Clinton, in a scoreless tie. In Brussels, the U13 B Heat ended their playdown with the St. Marys Rock tied at one, while the U13 HL Heat beat the Central Perth Predators in their playoff game by a score of 2-1. The U11 C Heat tied their playdown with the South Huron Sabres in Hensall at one and the U15 B Heat lost their playoff game to the Central Perth Predators on the road by a score of 4-1. Also that day, the U9 B Heat hosted the Grand River Mustangs in Clinton, the U9 HL team played the Panthers in St. Thomas, the U9 B Heat played the Lambton Attack on the road and the U11 A Heat played the Lambeth Lancers on the road, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time. In playoff action on Saturday, Feb. 8, the U11 C Heat lost to the Devilettes in London by a score of 3-0, while the U11 HL Heat beat the Lucan Irish by a score of 1-0 on the road, the U13 C Heat beat the Panthers in St. Thomas by a score of 1-0 and the U13 B Heat tied the Rams in Mount Forest at one. In regular season action, the U9 C Heat beat the South Huron Sabres on the road by a score of 8-2. The U7 team played the Devilettes in London and the U11 A Heat played the Bluewater Hawks on the road, but scores were not available for those games at press time, and the Senior team was scheduled to host the Twin Centre Hericanes in Clinton, but that game was cancelled. On Friday, Feb. 7, the U11 HL Continued on page 18

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 9.

Sports Jamborees bring together young teams from region

Finding their footing The Blyth Brussels Crusaders hosted their annual youth Jamboree tournaments over the weekend, with U6 and U7 teams playing in Brussels, below, and the U8 teams competing in Blyth. (John Stephenson photos)

press time. On Sunday, Feb. 9, the U18 LL Crusaders lost to the Huron-Bruce Blizzard Grey team in Brussels by a score of 4-0, the U9 LL team beat the Wingham Ironmen in Blyth by a score of 4-2 and the U15 LL Crusaders lost to the Mitchell Meteors on the road 11-0. On Monday, Feb. 10, the U18 LL Crusaders beat the Kincardine Kinucks in Blyth by a score of 4-2. Meanwhile, back on Feb. 5, the U13 LL Crusaders lost to the Listowel Cyclones by a score of 121 and the U18 LL team lost to the Mid-Huron Huskies by a score of 31, both in Blyth, while the U9 MD team lost by a score of 5-3 to the Mitchell Meteors in Brussels. On Feb. 4, the U18 Rep Crusaders lost to the Saugeen Shores Storm in Brussels by a score of 5-0 and the U15 Rep team also lost to the Kincardine Kinucks in Brussels by a score of 3-1. On Feb. 3, the U7 Burgundy and White teams played a pair of Goderich Sailors teams in Blyth, but scores were not kept for those games, and the U15 LL Crusaders lost to the Mitchell Meteors in Blyth by a

score of 8-2 and the U18 LL team lost to the Goderich Sailors on the road by a score of 3-1. Looking ahead, this Family Day weekend, the U18 Rep team will be in South Huron to play in the annual Exeter U18 Rep Tournament, beginning with games against the Riverside Rangers and Mitchell Meteors on Valentine’s Day followed by a game with the Lucan Irish the next day. In regular season action on Saturday, Feb. 15, the U9 MD team will host the Mid-Huron Huskies in Blyth, while the U8 Burgundy team will play the Wingham Ironmen on the road and the U7 White and Burgundy teams will play a pair of South Bruce Blades teams in Teeswater and the U6 Crusaders will play the Mid-Huron Huskies in Hensall. The only game on the schedule the next day, Feb. 16, is a game between the U9 MD Crusaders and the Kincardine Kinucks in Blyth. Then, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, the U9 LL team will play the MidHuron Huskies in Bayfield and the U9 MD team will play the HuronBruce Blizzard in Lucknow.

HPPH orders HE to silence fire alarm By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Dr. Miriam Klassen, medical officer of health for Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH), has ordered that the streets of Seaforth go silent, instructing Huron East to immediately discontinue the use of its community fire siren, calling it a “health hazard” in the town. Klassen issued the order, dated Jan. 30, 2025, demanding that use of the siren be discontinued and that that action be confirmed by an Continued from page 1 Feb. 21 against the AEMHA Ice Dogs in Chesley, Feb. 24 against the Goderich Sailors in Blyth, Feb. 26 against the Shallow Lake Lakers in Blyth, March 1 against the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Brussels and March 3 against the Capitals in Walkerton. The U21 team is set to host a pair of playoff games in the coming weeks. The Crusaders will play the Saugeen Valley Steelheads on Feb. 21 and the Huron-Bruce Blizzard on March 7, both in Brussels. Also on the tournament front, there were full houses in both Blyth and Brussels for the annual Jamboree tournaments. The U6 and U7 Burgundy and White teams were hosting in Brussels, while the U8 Burgundy and White teams were hosting in Blyth. In regular season action on Friday, Feb. 7, the U11 LL Crusaders lost to the Listowel Cyclones by a score of 8-1 in Brussels and the U11 Rep team lost to the Minto Mad Dogs by a score of 4-3, also in Brussels. The next day, the U9 LL team tied the Howick Hornets at four on the road and the U9 MD team played the Meteors in Mitchell, but a score for that game was unavailable at

e-mail to her by Friday, Jan. 31 at noon. At the Feb. 4 meeting of Huron East Council, Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts confirmed that action had been taken and that use of the siren had been discontinued. This came after council made the decision to openly defy a nonbinding recommendation to discontinue the use of the siren back in November of 2024 after a complaint was filed with HPPH by a resident who lives near the Continued on page 19

NORTH HURON - BIA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS Wingham BIA AGM

Blyth BIA AGM

February 20, 2025 @ 7:00 PM Wingham Columbus Centre Lounge

February 27, 2025 @ 8:00 AM Blyth & District Community Centre

For more info, visit: https://www.northhuron.ca/en/ municipal-government/boards-and-committees.aspx

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice e.ca

Buy local says OFA’s Wallace By Ethan Wallace, VicePresident, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Buying local has always been an important part of our agriculture and food production system. Consumer interest in particular in shopping closer to home for their food products has been on the rise over the last two decades or so; and that interest has been particularly strong in recent years. We are particularly lucky here in Ontario. Our climate and our soils let us grow and raise more than 200 different food and farm products on the nearly 50,000 farms in our province. From fruits, vegetables, honey, plants and flowers to meat, dairy, eggs, fish and grains, and whether fresh, frozen, processed, pickled or canned, we are proud of what we can grow right here at home. My family and I farm just outside of the small town of Seaforth, near Lake Huron. Every local food or farm product Ontarians buy supports farms and families like ours, as well as small businesses and rural communities right across our province. And even though we’re in the midst of winter, there is a wide range of locally-produced food available. Apples, carrots, potatoes and root vegetables, for example, are kept fresh through innovative storage technologies so we can enjoy them all winter long. There is a plethora of Ontario meat and poultry in our grocery stores, butcher shops, farmers’ markets and independent retailers,

as well as a wide variety of eggs, and milk, cheese, cream, butter, yogurt and ice cream made from 100 per cent Canadian milk. Ontario’s indoor produce sector provides produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and strawberries, and vertical farms produce leafy greens, microgreens and baby greens. Many frozen vegetables and fruit are also grown in Ontario, and many wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries use locally-grown ingredients like grapes, hops, grains and apples. So, what’s the best way to buy local? And how can we know whether what we’re buying is an Ontario or a Canadian product? Our food system isn’t always the easiest to navigate in this regard, but here are a few ways you can find local products. Shop at local stores, on-farm markets and farmers’ markets and ask the employees there if you’re not sure. Many Ontario agricultural organizations, like Ontario Sheep Farmers, have product locators on their websites to identify shops, markets, farmers and even home delivery companies that carry local products. Other examples include Farmers’ Markets Ontario’s online market locator and Pick Ontario’s florist finder to help you find locallygrown flowers; a great idea for Valentine’s Day! There are also a variety of logos that you can look out for when you’re shopping that will help identify locally-grown or -made food and farm products.

Fresh produce, dairy, meat and other Ontario foods often carry the iconic green and white Foodland Ontario logo. A blue cow logo certifies 100 per cent Canadian dairy. Look for the VQA medallion to ensure the wine is made entirely from Ontariogrown grapes or a product of Ontario or Canada designation on fruit wines. You’ll find Ontario or Canada Beef logos on locallyproduced beef, or the Ontario CornFed Beef logo at restaurants and Loblaws stores. Ontario-raised pork will often carry an Ontario Pork logo or the logo of Ontario-based meat processors like Conestoga Meats or Sofina. Egg cartons will display a red maple leaf or the Egg Quality Assurance logo, and you’ll find an Ontario Turkey logo on some of those retail products. When it comes to flowers and floral products, look for a Pick Ontario logo or the words “Grown in Canada” on a container or tag. On processed foods, “Product of Canada” means made in Canada with Canadian ingredients, and “Made in Canada” means final processing took place in Canada; sometimes with local ingredients and sometimes with a mix of domestic and imported ingredients. Ontario farmers are strong believers in encouraging everyone to buy local, Ontario products. When you do, you’re not just buying what we produce, you’re also supporting communities, families, and jobs right here at home... and we appreciate it.

A generational impact On Tuesday night at the Huron County 4-H Leaders’ Association’s annual general meeting at the Clinton Legion, long-time volunteer Don Dodds, left, received his 2024 Huron County Citizen of the Year Award from North Huron Publishing. Dodds has committed over 65 years to local 4-H and 70 years to the Huron County Plowing Match. He acknowledged the work of his fellow volunteers along the way and noted that he wouldn’t have been able to have the impact he has without the support of his late wife Maja, who passed away in 2023. Citizen Editor Shawn Loughlin, right, made the presentation. (Reg Vinnicombe photo - thanks Reg!)

LIVESTOCK REPORT

For the week ending February 7, 2025 Total Receipts: 1,250 cattle; 800 lambs, sheep and goats Please note: Prices are recorded as lbs. per cwt Tuesday – Fed cattle sold on a strong active trade at prices $5 - $10 higher. Cows sold strong at prices $5 - $8 higher. Thursday – Beef veal sold strong; Holstein veal sold steady. Lambs, sheep and goats sold on a strong active trade at steady prices. Friday – Calves and yearlings sold on an easier trade. Fed Cattle: There were 125 fed cattle on offer. Choice Fed Cattle: $282 – $299 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $268 – $280 Aged and Medium Fed Cattle: $250 – $270 Holstein Fed Cattle: $190 – $248 Neil Weppler of Ayton, consigned nine head. Five black fed steers averaged 1,621 lbs. and sold for an average price of $285.50. ***$4,627.96 / head*** Jeremy Sippel of Milverton, consigned seven head. Five black fed heifers averaged 1,407 lbs. and sold for an average price of $299. ***$4,206.93 / head***

Cows: There were 260 cows on offer: Beef Cows: $165 – $196 Good Holstein Cows: $165 – $207 Medium Holstein Cows: $154 – $164 Bulls: $177.50 – $228.50 Sluys Holsteins Inc. of Clinton, consigned six head. One holstein cow weighed 1,300 lbs. and sold for a price of $204.50. ***$2,658.50 / head*** Matt Van Ankum of Gorrie, consigned one red bull that weighed 1,920 lbs. and sold for a price of $228.50. ***$4,387.20 / head*** Veal: There were 165 veal and bob calves on offer.

Cranbrook Farms of Brussels, consigned eight head. One holstein bob calf sold for $1,575 per head. ***$1,575.00 / head***

Mike Yeo of Lucan, consigned 22 head. Sixteen kid goats averaged 64 lbs. and sold for an average price of $550. ***$352./ head***

Lambs: Under 50 lbs.: $500 – $525 50-64 lbs.: $475 – $515 65-79 lbs.: $435 – $470 80-94 lbs.: $352.50 – $437.50 95-109 lbs.: $318 – $357.50 110 lbs. and over: $305 – $327.50

Stockers: There were 700 stockers on offer.

Sheep: $180 – $250 Quinton McEwen of Monkton, consigned 14 head. Nine lambs averaged 54 lbs. and sold for an average price of $515. ***$287.10 / head***

Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: Too few to establish a market 400 – 499 lbs.: $495 – $555 500 – 599 lbs.: $465 – $535 600 – 699 lbs.: $435 – $477.50 700 – 799 lbs.: $391 – $437.50 800 – 899 lbs.: $354 – $401 900 – 999 lbs.: $357 – $391 1,000 lbs. and over: $335.50 – $393 Top Quality Heifers:

Beef Veal: $300 – $342 Good Holsteins: $280 – $310 SL Heavy Holsteins: $275 – $290 Heavy Holsteins: $250 – $278 Medium Holsteins: $270 – $279 Plain Holsteins: $260 – $269 Holstein Drop Calves: $400 – $1575 / HEAD Solomon A. Martin of Priceville, consigned six head. One belgian blue cross veal weighed 1,040 lbs. and sold for a price of $331. ***$3,442.40 / head*** Boern View Farms Ltd. of Gads Hill, consigned six head. One holstein veal weighed 695 lbs. and sold for a price of $296. ***$2,057.20 / head***

Kathy Oosterhof of Moorefield, consigned seven head. Three lambs averaged 89 lbs. and sold for an average price of $437.50. ***$389.38 / head*** Goats: Meat Kids: $500 – $560 Dairy Kids: $450 – $510 Mature Bucks: $350 – $450 Mature Does: $125 – $250 Luke Kinsman of Centralia, consigned 15 head. Five kid goats averaged 52 lbs. and sold for an average price of $560. ***$291.20 / head***

Under 400 lbs.: Too few to establish a market 400 – 499 lbs.: $380 – $455 500 – 599 lbs.: $410 – $431 600 – 699 lbs.: $370 – $448 700 – 799 lbs.: $300 – $377 800 – 899 lbs.: $330 – $350 900 lbs. and over: $312 – $350.50 Marvara Farms of Drayton, consigned 76 head. Seventeen simmental steers averaged 627 lbs. and sold for an average price of $465. ***$2,915.55 / head***

Courtesy of Brussels Livestock website

John Henry Peters of Thedford, consigned 16 head. Six black steers averaged 801 lbs. and sold for an average price of $401. ***$3,212.01 / head*** Gary Zehr of Newton, consigned eight head. Four charolais steers averaged 1,004 lbs. and sold for an average price of $393. ***$3,945.72 / head*** Henry H. Martin of Lucknow, consigned 16 head. Nine charolais steers averaged 1,030 lbs. and sold for an average price of $384. ***$3,955.20 / head*** DJ Dalton Farms Ltd. of Walton, consigned 37 head. Sixteen charolais heifers averaged 538 lbs. and sold for an average price of $431. ***2,318.78 / head*** Phares Brubacher of Lucknow, consigned 20 head. Six black heifers averaged 942 lbs. and sold for an average price of $350.50 ***$3,301.71 / head*** Future Hope Farms of Strathroy, consigned 14 head. Eight black heifers averaged 1,021 lbs. and sold for an average price of $338. ***$3,450.98 / head***

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 11.

From the Minister’s Study

Give some up to gain something beyond this world By Jason Hovius, Brussels Community Bible Chapel How tightly do you think you hold to material things? We might not be able to answer that question accurately until we are actually tested in this. A certain percentage of us are willing to risk everything we own in pursuit of a personal goal or an experience. Sometimes, integrity and principles are at stake. They say that everyone has a price, but maybe some people don’t. Those people are the heroes about whom many good movies have been made. The “bad guys”, on the other hand, are usually infatuated with profit and power. There are a good many of God’s prophets in the Bible who sacrificed greatly in order to fulfill God’s calling on their lives. They gave up families and careers and property and freedom all for the sake of their God. For example, Abraham gave up family and homeland to be a nomad in a foreign land when told by God to pack up and move. Moses forsook the pleasures and comforts of a royal Egyptian life in order to identify with God’s enslaved people. Daniel and his three friends stuck out their necks repeatedly in order to honour God. It’s rather convicting, if you think about it. Would I do what they did, if asked? Elisha’s prophetic debut brought these thoughts to my mind once again. Let me set the scene. The prophet Elijah has had some rather difficult years during the reigns of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Now Elijah’s time on earth is almost completed. God tells him to anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah to succeed him as prophet in Israel. Elijah promptly goes there and finds him plowing with 12 pairs of oxen. We are not told of words exchanged, but we do know that Elisha burned his tilling equipment and butchered his animals for food, which he shared with the people there, and then followed Elijah. As usual, I wish I had more details. First, had Elisha ever met Elijah before this encounter? If not, what had Elisha heard about him? Secondly, did Elisha like his work, or was he looking for a career change anyway? He was most certainly a farmer and a fairly serious one at that; there were 24 oxen plowing all at once. I doubt he was just a hired hand, considering how he burned the plow and butchered his oxen. It is a real possibility that he or

his parents owned the land he was plowing. If this was so, he was likely upper middle-class. Was he working in the field himself by choice, or was he still poor enough not to have the option? Regardless, Elisha wasn’t digging in his heels when God called him into His service. He promptly obeyed, making a clean break from his past.

He wasn’t giving himself a backup option in case he changed his mind. He was all in. Elisha’s obedience was not unlike the obedience of Jesus’ 12 disciples when they were called. Peter and Andrew were casting a net into the lake when Jesus called them. “At once” they left their nets and followed him. James and John were

The Anglican Churches of Blyth, Seaforth and Wingham Welcome You to Sunday Service! Trinity: 9:00 a.m. Parish of the Holy Spirit: 9:30 a.m. St. Paul’s-Trinity: 11:00 a.m.

A love for flapjacks On Sunday, the Auburn and District Lions Club hosted a special fundraising breakfast to coincide with Valentine’s Day. Travis Teed, left, and Amber Siertsema were among those Lions Club members volunteering their services that day. (John Stephenson photo)

166 Dinsley St. W, Blyth

21 Jarvis St. Seaforth 519-527-1522

revjoann@hurontel.on.ca

holyspirit@tcc.on.ca

stpauls@hurontel.on.ca

www.holyspiritseaforth.ca

www.regionalministryof hope.com

The Regional Ministry of Hope

The Regional Ministry of

BRUSSELS S

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship

Join us for Worrship Sunday y, February y 16

Come Worship with us Sundays at 10:00 am Co ee Time 11:00 am

11:00 a.m. ALL L ARE WELCOME Contact Alex at ministter.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.co y @g om Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca b P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259 P.

To stay the course, trust the compass of God’s Word. Interim Pastor Elwin Garland 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519-887-6388

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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BRUSSELS

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Mr. J

Sunday, February 16, 2025 9:30 a.m. We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Doug Sargent leads us in worship, prayer and praise to God.

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Sunday Feb. 23 - The Annual General Meeting will be held after the service, with a pot luck lunch to follow. Join us every Friday from 11:30 - 1 p.m. for lunch. This free meal is made possiblee by the Brussels churches and many volunteers working together to serve our community. All are a welcome!

To talk to Pastor Mike please email pastormike@huronchapel.com

119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

Blyth United Church 9:30 am

On-site and online - live.huronchapel.com

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For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512 2

Sunday, February 16

Nursery & Sunday School during worship

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Services e v are live-streamed s d and can be found o by s b searching h ng “Blyth l Christian h ia Reformed e Church”

Sunday, February 16, 10:30 a.m. Pastor Mike Stanley will be preaching on “Living Water for All People” John 4:3-15

23 John St E Wingham 519-357-4883

Service Livestreamed Sundays at 11 a.m. on our facebook page

United Chu ur urch

Soup & More 2 Evangelical Missionary Church

things are necessary, while other burdens are somewhat selfimposed. Either way, the busier we get, the easier it is for us to ignore the inevitable, until we’re lying on our deathbeds in old age, perhaps with minds too far gone to put a coherent thought together. It is a frightening thing to consider and perhaps almost morbid, but I’m trying to honestly portray how risky it is to ignore God’s call while the opportunity is still there. Elisha burned the tools of his trade and said goodbye to his parents. For us, there is a possibility that following God could cost that or more, but what is the cost of not obeying Him? Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). My prayer for myself and for the readers of this message is that we would have the faith to give up what we can afford to lose in order to gain something far greater than whatever this world has to offer.

in the middle of preparing their nets in a boat when Jesus came by. “Immediately” they left their father and their boat and followed him. Levi, also called Matthew, was called straight from his tax collector’s chair. When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he got up and followed him. Just because Jesus is no longer walking this earth in a physical body does not mean that he has stopped calling people. The Bible, God’s word, commands people everywhere to repent and place their faith in God for their eternal good. It is of paramount importance that we heed this call and obey it before the silver cord is severed. Our lives are fragile, and we do not know when we will meet our Maker face-to-face and have to give account for how we responded to Him. There is so much on earth that distracts us from God’s calling on our lives. Life is busy. We fill our days with work, maintaining relationships and a host of other responsibilities. Some of these

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 The outreach project for February is North Huron Connection Center Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

Sunday, February 16 at 10 a.m. Cranbrook Hall, 84335 McNabb Line Childcare and Sunday School provided for children 0 to 8 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

Please note temporary venue change! More details at: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Some tips to avoid devastating credit card debt the United States report going into debt in the previous five years due to medical or dental bills. Roughly one in five respondents indicate they don’t ever anticipate paying off such debts. One way to avoid such a fate is to prioritize building an emergency fund that can be accessed whenever sizable, unforeseen expenses threaten to derail your finances. Resist any temptation to tap into an emergency fund during nonemergencies, and continue to grow the fund with routine contributions each month. • Utilize automatic transfers via your bank. Banks enable account holders to set up automatic transfers, which make it easier than ever to save money and thus avoid debt. Consumers can examine their finances and determine how much from each paycheck they can automatically transfer into a savings or retirement account. Once that number is determined, set up the transfers so you are not tempted to spend the money come payday. • Build and maintain a good credit rating. A strong credit rating is advantageous for many reasons, not the least of which is the cost savings associated with such a

reputation. When borrowing money for big-ticket items like homes and vehicles, individuals with high credit scores generally receive better lending terms, including lower interest rates. Over time, the money saved by earning a lower interest rate on a mortgage can equal tens of thousands of dollars, and those cost savings can help consumers avoid utilizing credit cards to pay for unforeseen expenses like home repairs or medical bills. • Become a disciplined consumer. Online shopping has made it easier than ever to spend beyond one’s means. A new wardrobe and expensive concert tickets are only a few mouse clicks away, and that accessibility can tempt consumers to spend beyond their means and accrue a substantial amount of debt. By resolving to remain a disciplined, savings-first consumer, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of debt. Debt can have both short- and long-term consequences. A few simple strategies can decrease the chances individuals join the debtriddled masses even during a time when cost of living is especially high.

DONALD A ANDREW ACCOUNTING

Accounting & Income Tax Services for FARMS, BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS 296 Ross St., Lucknow

Play it smart Credit card debt can be a major financial burden. Here are some tips to stay ahead of it and not turn it into a mountain you feel as though you’ll never be able to climb. (MS

Ph. 519-528-3019 dandrew@hurontel.on.ca

photo)

MS - Avoiding debt is a key to long-term financial stability. However, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates households throughout the United States began 2024 with a record high of $17.3 trillion of debt. Debt also is a problem in Canada, where a recent survey from NerdWallet found that 55 per cent of Canadians had credit card debt, which marked a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. Perhaps even more telling is that 51 per cent of survey respondents indicated they expect it will take them six months or more to pay off their credit card debt. Debt may seem unavoidable in a time marked by high inflation, when the cost of everything from groceries to entertainment has increased significantly. Thankfully, various strategies can help individuals avoid falling into debt. • Prioritize an emergency fund. Unforeseen expenses, whether it’s major auto repairs or unexpected medical bills, can quickly land consumers in financial hot water. In fact, a recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than half of all adults in

Last Wishes Pre-Planning... Providing accounting, financial reporting and tax planning services for our diverse rural and urban community.

One of the best gifts you can give your family is the gift of a pre-planned funeral. Start today. The primary advantages of pre-arranging your funeral is to relieve the burden on your loved ones in an already emotional time, and to ensure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes. Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family. Pre-payment also protects you and your family from inflation, and the growth is non-taxable. Don't wait! Start Your Pre-Plan Today

125 Ontario Street, Stratford Phone: (519) 271-7581 Fax: (519) 271-2737 E-Mail: office@fammeandco.on.ca 25 Water Street N., P.O. Box 1228, St. Marys Phone: (519) 284-1030 Fax: (519) 284-4393 E-Mail: st.marys@fammeandco.on.ca

401 Albert Street, Box 340,Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 Phone: 519-887-6336

210 Oxford Street, E. London Phone: (519) 432-1663 Fax: (519) 432-7662 E-Mail: london@famme.ca

407 Queen Street, Box 199, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 Phone: 519-523-4577 email: riversidefuneralhome@hotmail.com www.riversidefuneralhome.ca

Fax: 519-887-6438

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 13.

Plan ahead, make the most of your tax return need to do is answer a few questions and the calculator will help you create a realistic savings plan. Set up an emergency fund An emergency fund can help you pay for unexpected expenses, like car repairs or an urgent vet visit, without using credit. Ideally, you want to save up an emergency fund that can cover three to six months of your living expenses. Save for your retirement Consider putting that money towards your retirement, especially if you don’t already have dedicated savings for it. There are many savings and investment options available to help you. Contact a

financial advisor or your bank to find out what options could be a good fit for you.

Find more tips, tools resources online canada.ca/money.

Barry Elliott Mutual Fund Representative

HUB Capital Inc. Getting your due Around tax season, many Canadians enjoy a return from the federal government. How you manage that return and how you choose to either spend it or save it, is up to you. (NC photo) NC - For Canadians struggling to pay bills, income tax return time can provide some relief. Whether you’re getting a big cheque or a smaller one, there are ways to use the money that can be more beneficial than others in the long run. Here are a few tips on how to make your return work harder for you: Pay down your debts The interest you pay on debt, such as credit cards and loans, can really put a dent in

the money you have available for yourself and your family. Pay off your debts with the highest interest rate first to save more. Set some savings goals You may have financial goals to work towards. You might be looking to buy a new home, upgrade your current one, take a vacation or pay for your children’s post-secondary education. To make saving easier, try the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s goal calculator. All you

340 Bruce Road 86 R.R. #1 Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 o: 519-357-1532 c: 519-357-5375

t: 1-877-357-1532 f: 519-357-1532

barry.elliott@hubcapital.ca www.hubcapital.ca

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Classified Advertising Pet owners oppose – RATES –

20 words or less only $9.00 + HST Additional words 25¢ ea. + HST

Coming events Coming events

DEADLINE

By Scott Stephenson

2 p.m. Tuesday Phone 519-523-4792 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

The Citizen

Articles for sale GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 20 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-274-1236, 519441-2085. -----------------------------------------FROZEN HOME-COOKED MEALS at Maitside! Varieties are; Roast Beef, chicken, turkey, meatloaf, ham, lasagna.... Order 5 home-baked fruit pies, get 1 minipie FREE! 23 OrchardLane, Brussels. 519-835-0327 ------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 $5.00, 5x7 - $6.00, 8x10 - $10.00. Phone to order 519-523-4792 or email info@northhuron.on.ca ------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations - Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Variety, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Charlie’s Variety (Clinton), Clinton Convenience, Fogal's YIG (Wingham), Seaforth Foodland, Fincher's (Goderich), Goderich Victoria St Shell, Goderich Petro-Canada Gas Bar, and The Citizen office in Blyth.

Card of thanks WATSON - PAUL To everyone, my neighbours, friends and church family, who supported me following Paul’s sudden passing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation. A special thanks to the Community Care Nursing Unit, the OneCare PSW’s and the Community Paramedicine program which allowed Paul to be at home for the last 2 years. Thanks also to the 2nd floor nursing staff and the emergency dept staff at Wingham Hospital for their compassionate care. Susan

Coming events LONDESBORO & DISTRICT LIONS Club Old Tyme Country Breakfast, Sunday, February 23, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Londesborough Hall, Adults $15, Children under 12 $6. Proceeds to Community Betterment. ------------------------------------------KARATE CLASSES BEGIN FEB. 19. SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS. Self-defense, Self-discipline, Self-confidence. GROUP CLASSES FOR AGES 4 TO ADULT. Taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and 12X World Karate Champion, Location Hutton Heights Community Church - 21 Lloyd Street, Wingham. ONLY $125+HST FOR 9 WEEKS. Uniform extra. Call 519-580-1418 ore-mail becky_schweitzer@hotmail.com www.schweitzersmartialarts.com

‘vicious dog’ label at council meeting

Help wanted STEVE HANEY TRUCKING IS looking for a full-time driver to haul bulk in Ontario. Weekends off, home at night. Three years AZ required and clean driver’s abstract. Based out of Seaforth. Call Steve 519-6152130. stevehaney2@gmail.com

Notices Seaforth Optimist Club Monthly Cash Draw winners EARLY BIRD WINNERS FOR JANUARY 20, 2025 Hank & Martha Van Dieten ....$300 Deb Barry ..................................$200 Marilyn Thomas ........................$100 Carol McLachlan/Lois Scoins ..$100 FEBRUARY 3, 2025 WINNERS Dave & Rosemary Wheeler ..$1,300 Davis Steffler/Troy Leeming ..$100 Ann Cronin..................................$100

Personals Are you pregnant and unsure about your future? Contact Ramoth House. We can help you discover your parenting potential. You can get more information about our services on our website www.ramoth.ca or by phone 519-323-3751 or email: office@ramoth.ca

Wanted Looking for land to rent - KTM Family Farms is a progressivefarm operation using the latest in agricultural technology. We have been in the Wingham area for 25 years and are looking to expand our land base. Interested in rental or share crop agreements. To discuss further give Scott a call or text 519276-7171

Swap shop Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca

• Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster! • The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person. FREE FOR THE TAKING - Upright piano originally came from the Presbyterian Church in Clinton, and was moved to First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth. Call 519-482-5762. 03-7 -------------------------------------------------WANTED - Piano keyboard suitable for a young person. Preferably in the Wingham area. 519-357-2768. 03-7 -------------------------------------------------WANTED - Used table saw with 10” blade. 519-523-4497 or 519-501-3289, leave a message. 03-6 -------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Double, drop in, kitchen sink with Moen tap, 31.5” x 21”, black; $100. 226-222-1395. 03-6 -------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Two 8” hummingbird collector plates in 13.5” wooden hexagon frames, $40; 18” antique wooden rolling pin, $15; 15-piece Boyd’s Bear collection in boxes 1993-2000, $125 complete; Royal Doulton 8” collector hummingbird plate, $10; hummingbird and floral stained glass suncatcher (17.25”x23”), $50. Pick up in Wingham. Call 519-357-8182. 03-6 -------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Complete set of quilting frames and four stands and clamps, $50. Call 519-345-2636. 03-6 -------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Computer cabinet for desktop computer, storage/printer space on roll-out section, $100; two sets Youth S/M dirt bike chest, arm, neck protective gear, $50 each; new, (in box) Moen Magnetix shower heard, $25; Sunbeam humidifier, new filter, $25. 519-357-2768 03-6 -------------------------------------------------WANTED - Large world wall map, preferably in or near Wingham. 519-3572768. 03-6 --------------------------------------------------

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At Morris-Turnberry’s Feb. 4 meeting, council received a delegation formed by Brad Lyons and Hailee Burlack regarding their dog Tucker. The young couple came before council to plead their case for Tucker, who was officially declared to be a “vicious dog” by township staff in the spring of 2024. Lyons and Burlack made the argument that their family dog has been unfairly maligned by a neighbour, and that the designation of “vicious” should be reversed, as they believe Tucker does not meet the requirements laid out in the municipality’s Animal Control Bylaw (ACB). Following the pair’s presentation, council made the decision to request a comprehensive staff report that they hope will get to the bottom of this thorny issue. Lyons began by explaining to council that he and Burlack are relative newcomers to the neighbourhood, having moved into their current home a little over four years ago. “I’m not much of a public speaker,” he admitted. “But we feel it is time to further educate ourselves and exercise our right to speak on matters that are ongoing in our community.” The trouble ostensibly began following a fight between their dog and another local animal. “One of the evenings that we were outside with friends and

family, we had an unfortunate incident that took place at our residence…. There was a neighbour walking by with their dog on the road allowance, and there was an altercation with her dog and our dog.” Both Lyons and Burlack agree that a skirmish between the two dogs did occur, and that their dog had likely crossed over onto the municipal road allowance when the fight occurred. “Did an incident take place at our house? Absolutely. But we have been nothing but cooperative,” Burlack asserted to council. They also acknowledge that the other dog was injured in the fight. Where the couple has taken umbrage is with the way things have been handled from the evening of the altercation onwards, including what they feel is an erroneous application of the “vicious dog” designation. Lyons cited the ACB, saying that “according to the bylaw, a dog is considered vicious if it has, without provocation, attacked, or bitten a person or another animal, or has communicated through its actions or intention a habit or a tendency to do so.” As Lyons tells it, the owners of both dogs were very much aware that the animals had a previous history of animosity. “Neither one gets along,” he said. Burlack claims that it was, in fact, the other, older dog that had first behaved aggressively towards Tucker when he was a puppy. “Our Continued on page 20

Teen Challenge members speak to Wingham United PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

On Sunday, Feb. 9, Rev. Colin Snyder welcomed the congregation to Wingham United Church, including members of the Knox United Church congregation in Belgrave for the service. The service included a presentation from Teen Challenge Canada. After watching a video, the congregation learned more about the organization, which serves nine centres across five Canadian provinces. Then, two members of the program spoke about how it had changed their lives. People of all ages can struggle with addiction and the organization’s mission is to help individuals become free from substance addiction and equip them with the tools to live full and meaningful lives. The annual general meeting for Knox United Church in Belgrave will take place after a potluck lunch

and the weekly service on Sunday, Feb. 16. There was a good crowd at the coffee group at the Belgrave Community Centre on Feb. 11. The centre was decorated for Valentine’s Day and everyone enjoyed the fellowship and food that was on offer that day. Those in attendance sang “Happy Birthday” to Gord Folkard, who will celebrate his birthday on Feb. 19.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 15.

Seaforth hosts Doug Perkes Memorial Tournament

Stick and move Players faced off in Seaforth on Saturday, Feb. 8, for the 13th annual Doug Perkes Memorial Tournament. (John Stephenson photos)

McDonald highlights chocolate opportunity PEOPLE AROUND WALTON By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Happy Valentine’s Day to all! Hope you have an enjoyable Valentine’s Day with your loved one; maybe a dinner out, flowers and chocolates or sharing a bottle of wine and enjoying each other’s company. However you spend your time, Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Finally, a full week of school for

everyone from around here. It is only the second one since the Christmas break. With only five weeks until spring now, maybe we are back to normal, except for scheduled days off, like Family Day on Monday. Lots of folks have been enjoying the snow and snowmobiling. Scott McDonald, Chris Blake, Darryl and Barry Young took a few days and headed north. They started from Scott’s on Wednesday morning and headed for Midland where they stayed the night. The next day they headed for Port Elgin where they stayed the night. Friday, they headed home. Great trails, great friends and time together. They put about 760 kilometres on the machines in the three days. It was a shock for the community

when the Brussels Family Restaurant, known locally as JR’s, closed suddenly last week. Many people have pulled up to get gas or something to eat and been disappointed to find it closed. If you need gas, it will mean a trip out of town to get it. Plan ahead. A shout-out of thanks to all the rural folks who are doing a great job of keeping the snow cleaned out from around their mailbox. If you have to blow the lane, it’s only a few more minutes to clean around the box. If you hire someone to clean your lane, maybe remind them to clear around the box. A path to the box, in front of the box and away from the box. If there is no access to the box, then mail delivery is difficult. Keep up the good work as we head to spring!

Obituaries

RYAN TRUSLER It is with broken hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of our amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Ryan Trusler, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Ryan was the loving husband and best friend of Anita Trusler (nee Vanderhelm) and incredible dad and role model to Jake (Mallory) and Alec (Nikki). He was the beloved son of Chet and Diana Trusler, the cherished brother of Shana Baptista (Seb), cousin and honorary brother of Scott (Helen and Zoë) and nephew of Jackson and Peter Rattee. Ryan was the dear son-in-law of Arnold and Tina Vanderhelm and brother-in-law of Arnold Jr. (Andrea) and the loving uncle of Anika (Bryan),

Annalee, Olivia, and Cathryn. Ryan had a strong connection to Bala, Muskoka which includes many cherished relatives, chosen family, and countless memories on the Moon River. Ryan also cherished his “Jimmyhood” family, with whom he shared backyard projects, laughter, bonfires and poolside pints. Ryan was a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and a CPA, launching his career in Newmarket before moving to Sarnia in 2000. He established strong roots in Sarnia through his involvement with Sarnia Golf and Curling Club, Sarnia Minor Hockey, Lambton AAA, MS Bike, Bluewater International GranFondo and Libro. His career spanned a number of companies including Magna International, Woodbridge Foam Corporation, UBE Automotive, Lanxess, Hiawatha Horse Park, Entropex, and most recently with S&R Group as the CFO, where he found his dream team of colleagues. Ryan’s true passion was working with his hands, rather than spreadsheets, exemplified by his personal remodelling of their family home through skills he learned from his dad. His other passions included golf, hockey, cycling, baseball, skiing, travelling and enjoying the company of friends over music and a good beer or Scotch. Ryan was a legend and leaves a

big hole in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and service commencing at 1 p.m. A livestream will be made available on Ryan’s memorial page at the time of service. Family and friends are then invited to the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club, 500 Errol Road West, Sarnia, following the service for a celebration of Ryan’s life. Donations in memory of Ryan can be made to Bluewater Health Foundation (cheques only at the funeral home please).

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Celebrating birthdays this past week include Matthew Coleman, Annette Lewington, Ken Shortreed, Sydney Warwick, Mike Alexander, Sheila Bauer, Kendra Warwick, Weldon Black, Maleah Taylor, Brady Dalton, Christine Lee, Mary Baan and John McCall MacBain and the Valentine’s babies include Betty Glanville, Krista Fraser, Val Pethick, Gary McNichol and Betty Graber Watson. Happy birthday to all.

NEWS FROM WALTON Remembering your loved one

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The Citizen. This is a free service provided by The Citizen. We encourage you to share the story of your loved one in a special remembrance of their life. Cards of thanks can be placed in our classified section, starting at just $ .00.

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mindbending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Benmiller baseball season is in jeopardy By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

This year, the Benmiller Youth Softball Program is without a volunteer to fill the position of softball convenor, which has put the entire season in jeopardy. At its Feb. 4 meeting, AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Council discussed possible solutions to the problem. In past years, a softball convenor has always stepped forward to volunteer to help co-ordinate the program. The convenor oversees team registrations, and communicates with coaches, players, and families to create a positive, supportive environment that is conducive to a rewarding experience. According to a report prepared by CAO Mark Becker, staff had sent out a letter to all the parents that had enrolled their children in the program last year, requesting a volunteer to fill the recentlyvacated position, but they received no response. The report also points out that most other youth softball programs, like Mildmay, Seaforth and Ethel, are operated by an association with an established structure and its own financial resources.

The report states that, as the arrangement currently stands, ACW works together with the softball convenor to manage registration, store equipment, pay umpires and provide the facilities for games, free of charge. The township currently does not have the internal resources to deliver the softball program without a softball convenor. Deputy-Mayor Bill Vanstone spoke in favour of preserving the program. “Way back when we amalgamated, this ball diamond was supposed to be brought into this and dealt with as a recreation outfit. Granted, it was volunteers for the longest time, which is great, you know, if you can have volunteers. But I don’t want to see it go by the wayside just because we can’t get volunteers. If we need to hire somebody to run the damn thing, I think we should do it… once you lose a year, you lose it. It’s gone. It’s not going to come back.” Councillor Jennifer Miltenberg agreed with Vanstone’s sentiment, but she didn’t agree with the idea that somebody should be paid to fill the position for the 2025 season. Instead, she advocated for the first suggestion put forth in Becker’s staff report. “We make a final appeal to the parents, emphasizing

that it will not run this year without association. “It’s a really big ask; I of a collection of volunteers a softball convenor… in my think we chunk it up and try again, working together as a committee experience, when there’s the threat and use Anita’s suggestion to go rather than having a single youth softball convenor, while of shutting down, that’s when further afield.” Council directed staff to emphasizing that the entire program people step forward.” Councillor Anita Snobelen recirculate a reworked version of will end if no volunteers come wondered if they shouldn’t broaden the letter to include the possibility forward. their search to include more than just parents. “Maybe there’s some players that played in these leagues that is maybe studying at one of the local colleges, in an athletic or a teaching program,” she suggested. Snobelen also pointed out that a stipend of several thousand dollars might be an attractive lure to a young person facing steep tuition costs. Councillor Wayne Forster pointed out that a stipend added for only a Benmiller softball conveyor might inspire other volunteers to ask why they aren’t also being compensated for their volunteer efforts. Miltenberg suggested recirculating the volunteer request, but framing it as a search for a number of On Sunday, the U15 B Huron Heat tied the St. Marys Rock at volunteers to create a three in a playoff game in Clinton. (John Stephenson photo) committee that could potentially form an

Goal-oriented

Webster’s column stimulates memories

I wonder how many Londesborough area folks read Karen Webster’s column in the Jan. 31 edition of The Citizen entitled “What co-operation achieved”. Memories came flooding back to my mind as I read it. In her story, Karen talked about the beef rings that operated in our area. She spoke specifically about the one known as the 13th of Hullett beef ring organized in 1903 by John Tamblyn, Wm. Gray and Edmund Lear. Having been raised in town, I had no idea about this manner of sharing beef. It was a co-operative of 20 or more families who shared in the weekly slaughter of a cattle beast ensuring that, even in the warmer months of the year, everyone had meat without the risk of spoilage. The 13th of Hullett ring included some names that were very familiar to me: John Watt, James Heffron, Weldon Tyndall, Don McNall and Art Colson. These men were the butchers for the ring. Some of the other names would likely be familiar to you. The rings were phased out in the 1940s when people had access to cold storage lockers and eventually a household freezer. Perhaps you remember that Weldon Tyndall’s home and slaughterhouse were on the property where Rob and Traci Radford now reside. A section of Rob’s shop was the slaughterhouse. Later, Weldon was the butcher in the partnership business with Cliff Saundercock that was located at the Londesborough General Store on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Highway 4. Karen spoke about the cold

storage lockers that later existed in many towns and villages that folks rented to store meat and summer preserving. She noted some in her article but missed the one that existed in the early days of my marriage at that Londesborough General Store. Using a locker meant a trip every now and then to the locker to get food for upcoming meals. As I mentioned, I was a “townie”, having spent my growing-up years in Mitchell before our family moved to Clinton. My parents always planted a large garden and I remember my mother spending hours each summer harvesting the vegetables and packing them in saved margarine boxes and bags. Those afternoons meant a trip pulling a loaded wagon to the Mitchell storage lockers. It was in the building, now somewhat changed, on the northwest corner of the intersection of Highways 23 and 8. How much more convenient are our home freezers? These beef rings might be considered a forerunner of the habit folks today have of purchasing meat in bulk from a farmer for their freezers, which means buying local and convenience for families. Perhaps you may still have your copy of Karen’s column. Reading it may bring back memories for you as well. Stories like these, stories of how life was and how people coped, are being lost. They provide insight into the people who lived them. They need to be shared. So, thanks Karen. Perhaps the fact that candidates have less time to jibe each other and we are not bombarded for such a long time by media campaign advertisements are a bonus around this provincial snap election. And I am not missing the multitude of campaign signs that ordinarily spring up on our highways and byways and anywhere else they can find a spot. On a recent trip to London I spotted only, perhaps, a dozen signs propped up in the snow. It would be interesting to hear if the campaign office notices any

changes in the whole process without the signs. But, please share your feelings by going to the polls and casting a ballot! The weather certainly played a role in the number of people who attended Londesborough United Church on Sunday, Feb. 9. Licensed Lay Worship Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship. In the scripture passage Luke 5:111, Jesus goes aboard the fishing boat of Simon Peter and tells him to cast the nets one more time despite a night of no fish being caught. Their nets were full this time. Recognizing Jesus was the Messiah, Simon Peter and three other fishermen left their boats and followed Jesus in His ministry. When one gets discouraged in efforts to stay positive in life, Sue encourages us to try one more time. Perhaps His next mission for us will be to “fish” to find a solution to homelessness, addictions, mental health and more in our society. He

provides the strength to move forward. Londesborough United Church’s annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Plan to attend and have a voice in the future of our congregation. And did you say “yes” when asked to serve on a committee? It’s not too late. No organization has a future without volunteers to help make the decisions that keep it viable. Here is a bit more about February. The month’s birthstone is the amethyst. The symbol of watchfulness, loyalty and faithfulness is the violet. The other flower for February is the primrose. A bouquet of primroses lets someone know you can’t live without them. I found three sayings for this month: much snow in February means a fine summer; fog in February means frost in May (not something farmers want to hear for their tender crops), and, if you

marry in February, the saying suggests you will tread in tune together.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 17.

La Tino’z Pizza opens third location in Blyth By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

La Tino’z trio La Tino’z Pizza made a sizzling debut on Queen Street last week, drawing a crowd eager to sample Blyth’s newest pizzeria. Owner Trupal Patel (centre), alongside Priti Patel (left) and Sandip Patel (right), is no stranger to the pizza business, having already established successful La Tino’z locations in Erin and Dundalk. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Move over Blyth Festival, La Tino’z Pizza is the hot new act on Queen Street! The village’s brand-new pizzeria made its saucy debut last week, pulling in an absolutely epic opening night crowd. Cars and trucks jockeyed for one of the premium parking positions directly in front of the new pizza place, and the sidewalks were all abuzz with pedestrians balancing precarious towers of white square boxes in their arms as they trode through the snow as they headed towards home. Obviously, freshly-minted La Tino’z patrons ordered from all over the reasonably priced menu the chicken shawarma poutine has proved instantly popular, and the lightly-breaded hot wings were practically flying out of the fryer. But the undeniable star of the opening night show was the onetime-only doorcrasher deal - a three-topping, medium pizza for $6.99, no tax, all-in. Such a deal will likely not be seen again in our lifetimes, and the excitement in the air was palpable. In just two days, hundreds of guests came out to La Tino’z to try the new pies in town. It was an undeniably busy start for the burgeoning business, but owner Trupal Patel and his welltrained crew weren’t worried about things getting hectic - after all, this isn’t their first pizza rodeo. This team already has two other La Tino’z under their belt - one in Erin, and one in Dundalk. Both of those establishments have become bona fide hits with their respective local populations, and now Patel is hoping to achieve the same thing in Blyth.

Like so many of the entrepreneurs that have set up shop in Huron County over the years, Patel first discovered Blyth while en route to Goderich for a family vacation. “At that time, we came across this town, and we decided to roam in here, just to have a look at it. We thought that a pizza place would be a really nice option here. And that’s it. We decided to just give it a try.” The La Tino’z pizza philosophy is all about affordable quality. “We are hoping to provide the most competitive prices in the market.” They may have just opened, but Patel has already been receiving some pretty positive feedback. “Our slices and combo deals start at just $4.99 - that’s, like, a really good deal,” he declared. Patel has only been in the pizza business for three years, but he’s long been interested in pursuing a career in the edible arts. “I always wanted to have a business, and food is like, my passion to me.” He emigrated from India in 2021, and it didn’t take long for him to decide on a business plan. “The day I came to Canada, I just saw people. People who just want pizza. As like, their day-to-day goal. They prefer it breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day.” As a vegetarian, Patel’s favourite pizza topping combo is sun-dried tomato, mushroom, and green pepper, but he also has some ideas for potential specials inspired by the slices available in his home state of Gujarat, like butter paneer pizza. Patel may not be quite as obsessed with our nation’s favourite flavour triangle as we are just yet, but he’s getting there. “I do love pizza! Not just making it - eating it too!”

ACW debates alternative voting methods By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

At its Feb. 4 meeting, AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Council discussed the pros and cons of several alternative voting methods for the 2026 municipal election. Whether they choose internet/telephone or mail-in paper ballots, the alternative voting method must be selected and ratified via bylaw no later than May 1, 2025, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. Council received a staff report from Clerk Florence Witherspoon advocating for the method’s convenience to the voter. “They can choose the method they are most comfortable with,” the report reads. “Voting can be done from any computer/smartphone device or telephone, anywhere and anytime during the voting period. Voting by internet and telephone also ensures that all votes are received on time.” The report also points out that the other option for alternative voting, the vote-by-mail system, relies on Canada Post to deliver completed ballots to the municipal office on or before election day. “Historically, many ballots are received in the mail after election day… with internet and telephone voting, election results are instantaneous and accurate,” it states. The report also touts the enhanced accessibility inherent to the internet/telephone method of alternative voting, but Councillor Curtis Blake was quick to point out that not everybody has easy access to the internet and telephone lines.

“In this community, in ACW, we have a large community of Mennonite and Amish people, and that doesn’t really suit their religion. So I really think we should discuss further, and try to come up with some type of idea to include them better,” he urged. Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker pointed out that, when using the internet and telephone as

the alternative voting method, there has always been staff available at ACW’s municipal office to assist voters with provided phones and laptops. Councillor Jennifer Miltenberg agreed with Blake’s sentiment that all potential voters should be accommodated if possible, but she also pointed out that both Amish and Mennonite communities do, at

least on occasion, use phones. “In 2014, people were going around with cell phones, and going around with cell phones in the last election, to get the Amish to vote. And the Amish were voting, with cell phones.” Deputy-Mayor Bill Vanstone weighed in. “I’ve talked to the Amish people, and yeah, they do have phones, but they do not like

voting on the phone, because they don’t understand how to run them, and anybody that did vote last time had to be shown, which isn’t the way to do it… I would really be looking into the paper ballots.” Councillor Evan Hickey was of a mind that, if people want to vote, they will. “If it’s a voting station or if it’s on the phone, or the internet, they will vote.”

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Bring the Heat tourney in Seaforth this weekend 23, the U15 B Heat will head to Brantford to take part in the annual Walter Gretzky Tournament, opening with Friday games with the Hamilton Hawks and host Brantford Ice Cats, while the U9 B Heat will head to Oakville for the annual Survive the Hive tournament that weekend.

road in regular season action, followed by three Feb. 20 playoff games: the U13 B Heat will take on the Central Perth Predators in Blyth, the U13 HL Heat will play the Central Perth Predators on the road and the U15 C Heat will play the Devilettes in London. Then, on the weekend of Feb. 21-

summer so I can give the surplus produce to those that can’t garden as well as to the food bank and any remaining cash from the bribe to the food bank. Bob Fisher, Seaforth. THE EDITOR, Lisa Thompson, I would like to know the total cost of cancelling the LCBO contract in order to put alcohol in the stores, how much Ontario Place cost, and the cost of this election. I feel the election is uncalled for. Mr. Ford had a mandate for another year - calling an election now is just a waste of taxpayers money! We don’t know what a year will bring, all the money spent on the items listed would pay for more nurses, PSWs and doctors like Mr. Ford promised in his last election. My local hospital has been closed evenings and nights for more than two years due to nurse shortages. I had to wait over a year to find a new doctor when my doctor retired. The money would be put to better use than calling an election, putting alcohol in stores and the money that was spent unnecessarily on Ontario Place. I am very disappointed in Mr. Ford’s decisions. To me, he is putting money in his buddies’ pockets and into Toronto. I don’t live in Toronto, but this government seems to think if you don’t live in Toronto, you don’t count. I will not be supporting Mr. Ford in this upcoming election and I hope the people of Ontario stop and think of how wasteful this government has been when they go to the polls. Dale Ann McKichan.

ers t t e L THE TO

TO I D E

Writers express disappointment in Ford, election call

Putting up the wall On Sunday, the U13 C Huron Heat welcomed the St. Thomas Panthers to Clinton for a playoff game. However, both goaltenders proved to be too much for the skaters and the game ended in a scoreless tie. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 8 Heat tied their playoff game with the Lucan Irish in Blyth at one, while the U9 B Heat beat the Lambton Attack in Hensall by a score of 5-2 in regular season action. The Senior C team played Belmore on the road that night as well, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time. Back on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the U11 C Heat won its playdown with the Central Perth Predators in Seaforth by a score of 5-0 while, one day earlier, the U13 C Heat won its playoff game with the Wildcats in Woodstock by a score of 1-0. On Feb. 11, the U13 C Heat hosted a playdown with the St. Marys Rock in Brussels and the U9 B Heat played the Wolverines in Wilmot. The next night, the U13 A Heat was scheduled to play the London Devilettes on the road and the U18 C Heat had a playdown with the Upper Maitland Mustangs

on the schedule, followed by Feb. 13 playoff games between the U18 C Heat and the Lucan Irish in Blyth and the U13 C Heat and the Central Perth Predators on the road, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time. Over the Family Day weekend, the Huron Heat will host its Bring the Heat tournament in Seaforth for U11 teams. The U11 C and U11 HL Heat teams will be taking part, in addition to hosting. On Saturday, Feb. 15, the U13 B Heat will play a playoff game with the Central Perth Predators on the road and the U13 C Heat will host a playdown with the Stratford Aces in Blyth and the playoffs will continue for the U18 C Heat in Lucan with a game with the Irish. In regular season action that day, the U15 A Heat will play the Chatham Crush and the U9 C and U9 HL Heat teams will play a pair of St. Marys Rock teams.

On Sunday, Feb. 16, in local playoff action, the U13 B Heat will play the Kinucks in Kincardine, the U13 HL Heat will play Lucan/Ilderton in Brussels, the U18 C Heat will play the B.A.D. Blazers in Seaforth and the Senior team will play Seaforth on the road. In regular season action, the U15 A heat will host the South Huron Sabres in Clinton, the U9 B Heat will play the Waterloo Ravens in Brussels and the U13 A Heat will play the London Devilettes in Clinton. On Family Day Monday, the U18 BB Heat will play the Aces in Stratford and the U15 B Heat will play the St. Marys Rock on the road, both are playdown games. The next day, the U15 B Heat will host a playdown with the St. Marys Rock and the U13 A Heat will host a playoff game with the South Huron Sabres, both in Seaforth. On Feb. 19, the U13 A Heat will play the South Huron Sabres on the

THE EDITOR, I recently received my $200 bribe from Premier Doug Ford and it has presented a real conundrum for me. Initially, I thought I would take the $200 to the LCBO and I could combine it with the $26 bribe from Doug and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and have $226 to help make up for the more than $1 billion plus that Doug is wasting to put alcohol into grocery and corner stores. But then I thought there are many other projects that I could help. For instance, $47 million to reclaim bike lanes in the City of Toronto, or $3 billion to fix the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway or to help pay for the $1 billion monthly carrying charges on the Ontario provincial debt or $2 billion to help convert the Ontario Place grounds into a spa or $11 million to outsource Service Ontario or to help pay for the $3 billion bribe that we all received. But then, I had an epiphany. I will spend my bribe locally; a lawn sign with “Vote A-B-C” and purchasing extra seeds for my garden this

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. PAGE 19.

Joan Stadelmann celebrates 100th birthday

A century On Sunday, Joan Stadelmann marked a major milestone in her life, celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends. (Photo submitted)

On Sunday, Feb. 9, Joan Stadelmann celebrated her 100th birthday, marking a full century of life in this world. Joan was born to Johanna (Eckenberg) and Hans Battig, had been married in May of 1919, on Feb., 9, 1925 in Luzern, Switzerland. She would go on to study for six years in Primary school, three years in Secondary school and one year in private commercial school. She married Louis Stadelmann on Oct. 31, 1944 in Luzern. They would have four children: Louis Jr., John, Ben and Susan. They had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their grandchildren include: Louis Jr.’s children, Christopher Stadelmann, Stephen Stadelmann and Leah Fleming; John’s children, Christine Heimpel, Rhonda Ryan and Jennifer Lewis; Ben’s children, Ian Stadelmann and Kate Stadelmann, and Susan’s child Gordie Reaume. Their great-grandchildren are Joshua, Kameron Stadelmann; Owen, Nell Stadelmann; Francis, Justice Fleming; Brett, Leigh-Anne Heimpel; MacKinley, Adam, Owen Ryan; Anna, Ashley, Erika Lewis. Their great-great-grandchildren are Caden, Daisy Heimpel; Ruben, Sebastian, Owen, Mason Heimpel. Joan spent her life working as a bookkeeper and housewife, or, as she puts it, a domestic engineer. Her special interests over the years include collecting coins and stamps and crocheting, while she was a member of the Spinners and Weavers, U.C.W. Blyth, Bridge

Club of Goderich and Kincardine and she was a Huron Fringe Naturalist. In fact, Joan has written a memoir of her life from 1946 to 1995, spanning over 325 pages.

Over the course of her life, she’s also enjoyed travelling, making her way to 102 countries and every province and territory in Canada and every U.S. state except for North Dakota.

Election takes shape in Huron-Bruce Continued from page 1 Howick Township, Van Ankum ran for the Green Party in the last election, garnering the support of nearly 2,000 voters, which equates to just over four per cent of the total votes cast in Huron-Bruce. Van Ankum is a member of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority’s Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Avon Maitland District School Board’s Boundary Assessment Committee, in addition to being involved with the local National Farmers’ Union 335. The New Democratic Party of Huron-Bruce named Nick McGregor as its candidate in the upcoming election. A lifelong Huron County resident, dedicated educator and community advocate, McGregor holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Education from Thunder Bay’s Lakehead University. He also serves as a director with Huron County Pride and assisted the local organization in hosting the region’s

first-ever Pride Festival. McGregor currently works as a high school teacher in Goderich and is a member of District 8 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Unfortunately, no information on Weiler was immediately available by deadline for this issue. In the 2022 election, Thompson won handily with 24,369 votes, just under 52 per cent of the votes cast. Shelley Blackmore of the Liberals followed by 18.71 per cent of the vote, followed by Laurie Hazzard of the NDP at 16.38 per cent, Matt Kennedy of the New Blue Party at 7.22 per cent, the aforementioned Van Ankum and the Green Party with 4.1 per cent, Gerrie Huenemoerder of the Ontario Party with 1.01 per cent of the vote, independent Ronald Stephens with just 0.45 per cent of the vote and Bruce Eisen of the Ontario Alliance with 0.16 per cent of the vote. Nominations for candidates for this election were scheduled to close on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

Staff to return with report Continued from page 9 siren. Council discussed the order from the aforementioned Klassen, outlining many points she reiterated in the Jan. 30 order in November, but ultimately decided to retain the status quo and continue to use the siren in the face of the concern from the resident and HPPH. In her order to Huron East on Jan. 30, Klassen designated the siren as a “health hazard”, further noting that decibel readings for the siren have exceeded the World Health Organization’s guideline for a “single noise event” of 110 decibels, adding that such readings are known to cause acute hearing impairment. She also noted that the current operational status of the siren “has or is likely to have an adverse effect on the health of a person or persons exposed to the sound released while in operation,” she said in her order. Klassen then outlined that failure to comply with the order could result in fines of $25,000 per day if the municipality opted not to comply with the order. Councillor Bob Fisher, who was behind the reinstatement of the siren in the first place, said he wanted staff to prepare a report on potential alternatives for the siren, including slightly decreasing its volume in order to comply with the 110 decibel limit. Discussion around the fire siren ignited when, in late 2022, the municipality switched dispatch centres and, as a result of changes within the communication system, antiquated aspects of the system, such as fire sirens in Brussels and Seaforth, were discontinued. However, shortly thereafter, Seaforth Ward Councillor Bob Fisher asked staff to investigate

bringing it back, as he said he was hearing not just from residents, but from firefighters that it is an essential tool to keep everyone safe. When a call is made and firefighters are racing to the station from their homes or workplaces, the siren lets people know that there is a call at a time when not everyone may know or see the green flashing lights on vehicles’ dashboards. In his report to council for the Nov. 5, 2024 meeting, McRoberts said that staff was able to get the siren back online with a timer to ensure it would only sound between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., but, shortly thereafter, the municipality received a complaint. In addition, the complaint was also sent to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH). McRoberts said that, upon receiving the complaint, he advised the complainant that council had provided direction regarding the siren and recommended appearing as a delegation to discuss the matter further with council. McRoberts noted, however, that that was when the correspondence ended. He also noted that, after being contacted by the Ministry about the siren, that council had provided such direction regarding the siren and McRoberts said it appeared as though the Ministry official was satisfied with the response from the municipality.

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HPPH, however, was not and Dr. Klassen issued the aforementioned non-binding recommendation late last year. To Fisher’s point, Mayor Bernie MacLellan said that the municipality had been advised that if the municipality could drop the volume of the siren by, say, five per cent, it should meet requirements set out by the order and that, as it sits now, it wasn’t violating those levels by much. Councillor Larry McGrath said that with people starving, experiencing homelessness and more in the community, he felt it was “utterly ridiculous” that local public health dollars were being spent on such a thing as the volume levels of the fire siren. Having said that, the municipality has been issued an order, he said, and council had no choice but to comply. In response to Fisher’s request, McRoberts said that staff is planning a more fulsome report on the issue and some potential alternatives, which will be presented to council at a future meeting.

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.

Tucker’s owners attempt to clear his name

Continued from page 14 dog has never had an issue with any of the dogs in the neighbourhood, or any of the other people who walk by,” she told council. “But, before the people had a fence finished, that dog circled me and Tucker, when he was four months old… their owner kicked our dog as well. Dogs, unfortunately, don’t forget those things.” Burlack was sure to point out to council that she never felt that the other dog posed an actual threat to either her or Tucker. “It doesn’t have teeth - their dog is 12 years old. But still, to this day….” The pair believe that what they see as the other dog’s history of aggression against Tucker should disqualify him from being named a “vicious dog”. According to the ACB, once a dog has been declared “vicious,” it becomes the onus of the dog’s owner to pay additional annual fees, as well as implement a series of restrictions on the animal for the remainder of its life. These restrictions include confining the animal indoors, or in a locked enclosure, at all times, unless being walked by an adult. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to walk a “vicious dog”. It may not run at large, and the owner is required to obtain and maintain a policy of public liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 for any damage or injury caused by said dog. Should the dog in question violate any of the rules laid out in the ACB, the animal’s owner will be fined. Lyons also feels that there has been a breakdown in communication amongst various government departments. He alleges that the owner of the other dog has changed their account of what occurred several times, telling different versions of the same story to various staff members and officers of the law, which he believes makes it seem as though Tucker has been involved in more than the one incident of aggressive behaviour that occurred in the spring of 2024. At the township council’s Nov. 19 meeting, Property Standards Officer Kirk Livingston explained to council that repeat offenders need to be subjected to repeat fines. “We have the right to charge them, under our Fees and Charges. And I

think that’s also in our Animal Control Bylaw. If we went and charged that one landowner today, and their dog was running at large again tomorrow, and we got a call, we could do it again, as well, right? And we can keep doing that for occurring offenses.” At the time, Councillor Jodi Snell agreed with Livingston, adding that the aggressive enforcement of fines was the best course of action. “As a municipality, what we can do is show that we’re serious about these things, and follow-up with our fines.” At last week’s meeting, however, Snell took the opportunity to ask the couple directly how things had unfolded the night of the incident. According to Burlock, the OPP officer who responded to the accuser’s call offered to help resolve the issue quickly and effectively. “We explained what happened and she was like, ‘OK, I want to be a mediator - we’re going to go get them, and we’re going to deal with this, right now and then.” They say that the woman declined the officer’s attempt at mediation. “She continued to text us, and put it all over Facebook, went to the town vet 24 hours later, reported it to the vet. Since the dog needed surgery, they then decided to charge us,” she recalled. Shortly thereafter, a bylaw enforcement officer came by to fine them, and returned later with a letter declaring Tucker to be “vicious”. Burlock told Snell that they had never been interviewed or had a formal statement taken, either by the OPP or by Morris-Turnberry staff. She believes this has allowed their neighbour free reign to change her story at will. “The complaints you guys have, to the police report, to her statement - they’re all different,” Burlock claimed. At the Nov. 19 meeting, Councillor Sharen Zinn expressed surprise that the dog was just allowed to run at large in Belgrave. “We can’t do anything about it?” she asked. At the Feb. 4 meeting, Zinn asked Lyons directly if their dog is running at large. “He has a wireless shock collar,” Lyons explained. On the night of the incident, the dog was accidentally let out by a friend without the electric collar on. “If he’d had it on, this wouldn’t have happened,” he

this way, but I feel like this might be a fabricated complaint, seeing as there’s been variation in what we’ve heard, and what we’ve read…. From my understanding, there’s been multiple variations to what has been stated.” He believes that the confusion stemming from variations in statements made to the OPP, municipality, and the courts have made one incident seem like many. “It’s unfortunate, because this just further progresses it into this very serious issue, which I don’t believe it needs to be,” Lyons told council. “In the matter of a complaint, there’s supposed to be an investigation in which they may interview parties involved, whether it be employees, or members of the public, which Hailey and I are a part of. Neither one of us have been interviewed - instead we were just straight-out fined. With it being an untruthful complaint, we feel like it’s unnecessary.” Thus far, Tucker and his owners have been fined repeatedly for various infractions brought to the attention of bylaw enforcers by a

posited. He explained to council that Tucker’s “invisible fence” confines him to their yard, and that the complaints about the dog being “at large” generally have to do with him crossing slightly into the space at the edge of their property designated as part of the municipal road allowance. “The dog has been trained not to leave the property,” he added. Lyons expressed frustration that the neighbour is, in his opinion, unwilling to work towards a common-sense solution. He has asked the woman several times if she would be willing to walk her dog on the other side of the street, or take a slightly different route. “I believe that, as a member of the community, that you have a right to walk wherever you want,” he assured council. But Lyons also feels this is a deliberate attempt on the part of his neighbour to provoke his dog and exacerbate the situation. “This has become a lengthy and stressful involvement with you guys as a municipality, and now it’s become legal action as well,” he explained. “I hate to put it

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string of called-in complaints. Both Lyons and Burlock claim these calls are, by and large, a series of nuisance complaints from a disgruntled neighbour abusing the system to settle a petty grudge. In closing, Lyons asked council to reverse the “vicious dog” designation on Tucker. “He’s a well-behaved dog. He’s not aggressive, and he's not dangerous. He’s grown up in a well-socialized, loving home. We’ve taken him to training.” Lyons also pointed out that Tucker has been boarded at kennels in the past without incident. “Some of the council members here have even met him… he has had multiple visits from neighbouring dogs, and some of these neighbours have wrote letters on his behalf. He’s grown up around multiple young children nephews and nieces of ours. We have a four-month-old daughter, and we’ve never had any concerns…. So I’m asking you to take all this into consideration in this case, and I would ask that you please change this.”

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