January 10, 2019

Est. 1940

7 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-3349 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 9-6 Thurs. & Fri. 9-8 | Sat. 9-5

01 | 10 | 2019 VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 02

A TREK THAT WAS ABOUT MORE THAN THE MILES LIVING HERE PAGE 21

COMMENT PAGE 6

FORD DEREGULATION GENERATES LARGE PUSHBACK

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Sugar Kings Wellesley opts in to province’s new abrubtly framework for cannabis retail stores Municipalities in the region working on a common front to deal with new legislation fire head coach COUNCIL / WELLESLEY

VERONICA REINER

While Wellesley is unlikely to see any pot dispensaries in the foreseeable future, the township will opt-in to the province’s new plan for retail cannabis shops.

The decision by Wellesley council Tuesday night is part of a regionwide strategy to deal with the legalization of recreational marijuana and the new Cannabis Licence Act. Woolwich is expected to deal with the issue at a council meeting January 15.

Under the provincial guidelines, municipalities have until January 22 to opt-in (permit) or opt-out (prohibit) regarding the inclusion of cannabis stores, with 25 locations across Ontario slated for retail outlets,

Decision comes as a surprise to Trent Brown FAISAL ALI This late into the Junior B season, it’s not usual to see teams make tweaks and revisions to their rosters, in search of the gamewinning combination. But, the Elmira Sugar Kings seemed to signal a much more drastic shakeup this week on the bench with the removal Trent Brown of head coach Trent Brown from the team.

“I was actually fired from the head coach position last night (Monday),” said Brown. With just under 20 games left in the season, the decision came as a surprise to Brown, who had been on the team’s coaching staff since 2013.

“I mean, we’re seven points out of first place, with two games in hand on them and I think we were doing alright. But they wanted to make a change and some guys weren’t happy I guess, so here we are.”

COACH | 4

seven of which are to be allotted for the western part of the province. In what is described as a “cannabis lottery,” the first round of applicants to be given licenses will be picked randomly on Friday.

The province is looking for the first private cannabis retail outlets to open April 1.

In making a decision this week, Wellesley councillors got the advice of Waterloo Regional Police chief Bryan Larkin, who recommended that the township opt-in.

“We’ve always supported regulated control and regulated sales,” said Larkin. “And retails stores, as well as what they bring to a community. Because we also have to move past the morality or the individuality perspective around cannabis – it’s legal. It’s very similar to alcohol, and gambling, etc.

But regulated control and regulated sales ensure that there’s a protection.”

The region has coordinated efforts among the

Information & Active Living Fair This event is hosted by The Township of Woolwich in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) and sponsored by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 9 am - 1:30 pm Calvary United Church

48 Hawkesville Road, St. Jacobs

CANNABIS | 4

Join us for this FREE event!

Speakers, displays on community supports for seniors, door prizes and lunch/snacks included!

REGISTRATION REQUIRED! RSVP BY FEBRUARY 1, 2019

PLEASE CALL 519-664-1900 OR TOLL-FREE 1-855-664-1900

2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

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NEWS | 3

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

A Canadian story of compromise and accommodation Former Elmira teacher records story of the unique ELAWS Mennonite education program at local high school FAISAL ALI The story of Canada as a country has often been one of mutual cooperation and respect between its diverse parts. From old divisions between English, French and Indigenous populations dating back to before Confederation to modern day immigration changing the makeup of the land, Canada has often been forced to at least try to accommodate the needs of a vast country stretching from Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic coasts.

Stories of success and failure abound in Canada, and even locally examples of both varieties can be found, particularly in the township’s cohabitation with its conservative Mennonite communities. Representing an example of the former is the story of the Elmira Work and Life Skills (ELAWS) program, an alternative education program run out of the Elmira District Secondary School.

“ELAWS was most likely ... the first and the only program of its type in the world,” suggested Janice Harper, a former teacher at EDSS who taught in ELAWS and studied the program’s history as part of her master’s thesis.

Launched first in 1996 with some five students, and then again in the early 2000s, the local ELAWS program was created as a collaboration between the public school board and Mennonite church groups.

The program was designed to cater to the distinct religious and social requirements of the conservative communities, while still following provincial requirements to qualify for a diploma program.

The resulting success and growth of the program has enabled hundreds of local residents of the townships to obtain secondary school diplomas, where they would otherwise have been without, and inspired the creation of similar programs across the province.

“There’s two main reasons that it’s unique. The first is that it combines a variety of Mennonite groups,” explained Harper.

Unlike many high school programs created for or by conservative groups, the ELAWS program does not exclusively serve any particular religious denomination, and instead combines multiple faiths, including non-Mennonites, into a single classroom.

The program is also unique in being specifically

Since its creation 20 years ago, the ELAWS program has enabled hundreds of youth in conservative communities to work towards their high school diplomas, including current participants Grace Jantzi, Nancy Braun, Derrick Martin and Eric Bauman. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER] ferences was that children weeks became untenable a public school system, as fell out of the public edufor parents hoping to train opposed to a private or pacation system at a young their youth directly in the rochial institution. age, with little opportunity family trade.

“ELAWS was the very for an alternative. But that The secular system also first program to actually hadn’t always been the case failed to accommodate introduce public schooling though, notes Harper. other elements unique to and secondary schooling to “What most people don’t the conservative Mennonite the conservative culture. realize is even all of the Old Families wanted their chilcommunity,” she said. “In Order Mennonites went dren separate from the soeducation history, that’s to public school,” she excial life of the mainstream huge.” plained. “So they all went student body, including in Historically, conservative to the small rural public organized sports and other Mennonite groups often schools, because they were school activities. Conservaeschewed a high school edon every corner. You still tive Mennonites were also ucation, favouring instead see them everywhere.” opposed to sexual educaa hands-on education, such These elementary tion, wanted limited access as could be gained working schools were typically no to technology for their on the family farm or tralarger than one or twochildren, and were against ditional practice. Usually, classroom buildings with requirements to change for that meant having to drop little in the way of gyms, physical activity classes. out of school by age of 14, libraries or other facilities, The result of these difwhen the five-day school

though they served the Mennonite communities adequately.

A split emerged in the 1960s, however, when the Ministry of Education moved to amalgamate schools across the province.

The smaller, rural institutions were forcibly closed down, and students were expected to bus to larger centralized locations – more in line with today’s thinking.

The move was part of a broader effort in the province to raise the quality of education in rural Ontario, where the sparsely equipped schools were seen as lacking next to those available in the province’s urban centres.

Mennonites staunchly opposed the changes and withdrew their children from the public system en mass, and the province agreed to let them. A compromise was made by the then-minister of education in Ontario, and future premier, William Davis. Under what became known as the Three Bridges Agreement, families were allowed to remove their children from formal schooling at 14 provided they were needed at home to work on the family ELAWS | 4

Groups call on townships to oppose province’s Bill 66 Environmental and community groups see dangers in omnibus bill, especially provisions to roll back oversight STEVE KANNON Fearing that sweeping new provincial legislation would undo efforts to frame planning decisions and protect the environment, a variety of community groups and concerned citizens have quickly mobilized to rally local political support for their opposition.

They found a sympathetic ear at Woolwich and Wellesley councils Tuesday night, arguing the Ford government’s Bill 66 – the omnibus Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act – could sweep away regional initiatives such as the countryside line that protects farmland from sprawl.

As they did earlier in the day in winning support from regional council’s planning committee, representatives of various groups called on township councils to oppose parts of Bill 66 and to pledge not to

use some of the damaging provisions if the legislation does pass. Specifically, section 10 of the bill would effectively allow individual municipalities to exempt development projects from the Clean Water Act and the Places to Growth policy, removing the need for public consultation and oversight to boot.

“We believe that this bill is not only bad for the environment and undemocratic because of the lack of an appeal process, but it also puts municipal councils in a very vulnerable position,” Dorothy Wilson of Nith Valley Eco Boosters told Wellesley councillors January 8.

At Woolwich council, Bob Jonkman was joined by a number of environmental and community group representatives in calling for the township to shun the bill’s open-forbusiness provisions that would override years of efforts to protect citizens.

The bill would allow individual municipalities to give the go-ahead to development that doesn’t follow environmental protections, for instance, “bypassing all of the existing laws that protect the citizens of Ontario.”

While parts of the bill make sense in tackling red tape, said Jonkman, it’s so sweeping in scope and vague in its language as to be dangerous beyond even what’s seen right now.

“An omnibus bill is a tool for scoundrels and scallywags,” he argued.

“It opens up Pandora’s Box,” added Kevin Thomason of Smart Growth Waterloo Region.

“It’s a really disturbing and undemocratic bill that no one can get any information on.”

Though it’s provided little in the way of details, the Ford government has argued Bill 66 is needed to make Ontario more competitive by cutting red tape, promoting

deregulation and signalling the province is open for business.

Such assertions were challenged by Sam Nabi of Hold the Line, a group that promotes the Region of Waterloo’s countryside line that separates the urban and rural areas in the name of reducing sprawl and protecting farmland.

The group holds an annual music festival in support of the cause.

“The problem with Section 10 is that generally we don’t need it. Here in Waterloo Region, unemployment fell since we’ve adopted our growth management strategy in 2003. It is a very well thought out and collaborative document that sets out ‘These are the rural areas that we’re going to protect,’” he told Wellesley council.

“Here in Waterloo Region, we have ample vacant employment land. There is a process already to make sure that we have enough

areas for new companies to locate of all different types and sizes. Bill 66 would create a patchwork, not just of local planning regulations but the environmental protections as well.”

Hold the Line, Smart Growth Waterloo Region and the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture quickly banded together last month in opposition to the newly announced legislation. Despite the holidays, community groups mobilized to rally against Bill 66 and solicit feedback prior to the province’s tight deadlines for input.

“All of the local groups are calling on councils not to use the landuse exemptions of Bill 66,” said Nabi in an interview Monday, adding councillors could send a message to the province by opposing the legislation and supporting their own existing planning guidelines. “We want the townships to reaffirm

their commitment to the processes they have in place.”

The groups’ stance won unanimous support at the region’s planning committee meeting this week. Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz, who sits on that committee, notes provisions in the bill fail to protect drinking water resources, for instance.

Woolwich Coun. Patrick Merlihan agreed there needs to be a coordinated effort in the region to avoid undermining planning and environmental controls, adding he sees a downside to too much deregulation.

“I have just one word: Walkerton. That should put the fear into every politician and staff.

“Elmira knows only too well the threat to drinking water.”

Woolwich councillors expect to make a decision on feedback to the province when they meet again on January 15.

With files from Veronica Reiner.

4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

COACH: Assistant Rob Collins will replace Brown for the remainder of the season FROM | COVER

“It’s always really hard firing a coach, but I think especially for me,” said director of hockey operations Jeff Snyder. “Trent’s a friend of mine and has been a good friend of mine for four years – we’ve been working here in Elmira together. We just felt our team wasn’t progressing in the direction that we needed it to be, and we felt we had no other choice but to make a change to try and get our team playing a little better.”

The decision came after a weekend that saw the Kings fall for the first time to Listowel Cyclones in a 5-1 decision, and fail to break a 3-3 tie with the second-last place Brantford 99ers – another first for the

Elmira team. Picking up just one of the four points on offer, the result saw the Kings fall to fourth place with 42 points, behind the second-place Cyclones, which inched ahead by two points to 47 courtesy of the win.

“We felt all along that we had a pretty good team in Elmira, and a chance to be [contender] for the top of the standings,” said Snyder. “And we’re still not that far off. But just kind of the way – and especially the way we played in the last few games, we didn’t play very well in Listowel Friday night and played even worse on Sunday.

Just kind of saw some signs there that our team wasn’t going in the direction that we wanted it to.”

Brown joined the coach-

ing staff in the 2013-14 season. In 2016-17 he served as assistant coach during the team’s 2016-17 Sutherland Cup winning series, and starting in 2017-18 was promoted to take over as head coach. Under Brown’s new leadership last season, the team struggled initially during the regular season before going on to advance substantially in the playoffs. The team ultimately was forced to relinquish the crown after being knocked out in the series semi-finals against Caledonia.

“Last year was the first year Trent was the head coach, and I think he’d be the first to agree there’s a learning curve there,” said Snyder of Brown’s performance in the job. “But we thought we’d try to help

him with that; we talked a bit over the summer on maybe trying to do things a little different, and I think he tried to do that and learned from that. I think he was improving.”

However, Snyder notes that the team’s performance this season has been spotty, even with addition of new players to the roster this month.

“You see signs as you’re going out through the year on how your team is going.

And we’ve been concerned about some of those signs; we’ve talked about them as a management staff, as coach and managers together,” said Snyder.

Currently, Elmira is just seven points behind the Midestern Conferenceleading Waterloo Siskins.

The team has had a strong

record against most of the teams in the league, including against the Siskins with three wins and a loss, but has consistently struggled against both the thirdplace Stratford Warriors and fifth-place Kitchener Dutchmen.

Taking over the position from Brown for the remainder of the season will be assistant coach Rob Collins.

Snyder wasn’t too concerned the sudden change could adversely affect the team’s performance at this point. He’s positive about the coach’s impact on the team.

Brown, too, was positive about the team’s prospects heading into the final leg of the season, though was disappointed he would not be able to continue along

with them.

“I’m obviously disappointed and frustrated.

The Elmira Sugar Kings were a very big part of my life. I played there and met my wife when I was playing there, and was fortunate enough to be on some good teams. And I took a lot of pride being a part of that organization. Nothing but good things to say about everything in that organization,” he said.

“They’ve done a lot for the players and for the town, I think it’s a great place to play and place to be and I obviously want to be a part of it, and not being able to for the first time in, well, six years I guess, it is tough. It sucks. I wish I could have been a part of the solution, but it’s not in the cards.”

ELAWS: Elmira program has been making adjustments in support of students for two decades FROM | 3

farm.

As time went on, however, and the demands for a formal education grew in the workplace, more conservative Mennonite families saw the benefit of a high school diploma.

Recognizing the need, a first attempt at creating a Mennonite-specific program at EDSS was made in 1996 with just five students attending. It was a start, though the program was a far cry from what its successor ELAWS would become.

The program gave high school-aged children an education, in an actual high school no less. But functionally, the education

resembled more of a basic English-speaking instructions than an alternative secondary school education. “[The students] came when they wanted, there was no expectation that they would ever graduate.

It was really English learning is what it was. It was ESL (English as a second language) learning.”

A second attempt was made in 2000, this time by a recently retired EDSS teacher. Wayne Ziegel served as head of the school’s co-op program, and after his retirement was requested by the school’s then-principal to help create a program that would serve the Mennonite

communities in the township.

Ziegel accepted the task and began to reach out to communities across the region – communities that had been largely left incommunicado by the public education system for half a century. The culmination of those efforts resulted in an unprecedented meeting being held in 2004 at the Countryside Christian School in Hawkesville between Mennonites and public school officials.

“This was really unheard of,” said Harper. “Because since the 1960s, they had disengaged from public schooling. And then, there was never a history of secondary schooling. So when they met, when 100 people showed up at that meet-

ing – all different groups of Mennonites – all met with public secondary school people, this was unprecedented. And then they agreed to come together, to work together.”

The creation of ELAWS proved to be a game changer: it was a segregated system designed by educators and Mennonites alike that upturned some of the rigid demands of public schooling. Gone were the strict requirements of the mandatory five-day school weeks in favour of a more flexible, co-op style system. So too were the requirement for changing in for gym classes and sexual education stricken.

Moreover, classes were designed to match the educational needs of con-

servative groups specifically, offering more classes in practical, as opposed to strictly academic, subjects.

Mennonite groups could also direct the subject materials being taught as well in the classroom, ensuring they could send their children to class with peace of mind.

The program has endured for 20 years now, and with an average student body of 100 students a year has meant that that hundreds, if not thousands, of children living in the region have been able to earn their diplomas and, consequently, better opportunities and prospects over the rest of their lives.

“Through hard work, listening and compromising by the school system and

different groups of conservative Mennonite parents, the ELAWS program was able to accommodate and integrate previously disengaged communities within a public education setting,” said Harper.

The ELAWS program will be hosting an informational session at the Lions Hall (40 South St. W., Elmira) on January 15 for anyone interested in learning more about the program or enrolling. The session starts at 7:30 p.m., and families are encouraged to come by to have their questions answered.

Questions about the information night or the program can also be directed to ELAWS program coordinator Jeff Martin at 519-669-5414, ext. 5480, or

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seven lower-tier municipalities to avoid a patchwork situation where some areas ban the stores while others allow it. Opting in allows the police to focus on other drug-related issues while combating the grey market and illegal dispensaries, said Larkin.

“It also allows the police service to focus on, quite frankly, more important sale and traffic in illicit drugs. I don’t think it’s any secret that we continue to face a significant challenge with opioids across our region. Particularly in the urban centres, but the townships are not immune to the challenges of opioids.”

It is highly unlikely that Wellesley will be one of the locations selected for a

retail store, given its comparably smaller size, but Mayor Joe Nowak was supportive of the movement to opt-in.

“We don’t have these legal dispensaries, but we’ve had a number of grow-ops in our community over the past five to ten years – there are three that I can think of,” said Nowak, noting that opting out would force growers out of the township. “They’re not going to be profitable then.

“I think the likelihood of Township of Wellesley getting a dispensary store in the next 5-10 is pretty slim.”

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will regulate these outlets. While the final decision was met with no contention from council, Kitchener-Conestoga MP

Harold Albrecht is vocal about his opposition on the topic.

“It is my sincere hope that in the interest of the well-being of our youth and the health of our communities in Kitchener Conestoga, that all our municipalities will reject the idea of retail outlets,” said Albrecht in an email to the Observer.

“It is too early to measure the impact on individual communities; however, the long term negative impacts will be realized in terms of public safety on our roads and in our workplaces.”

Road safety is a concern, with no reliable way to test if a driver is impaired from marijuana. To check if a driver is impaired, the police force must use drug recognition experts which

is a sizeable financial implication, he argued.

“I’ve heard from several police officers from our region and throughout Canada that they do not feel they have adequate resources to keep Canadians safe on the roads,” said Albrecht.

The province has allocated a minimum of $40 million to be distributed to municipalities throughout the next two years to aid in the transition of rolling out these retail stores.

In early January, the first payment of $15 million will be distributed by the Ministry of Finance on a per-household basis. The Township of Wellesley is slated to receive $5,000 in the first instalment, while a second payment will be distributed following the January 22 deadline.

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

EA study for new Breslau road Its settlement plan for Breslau including a new road to connect Fountain Street to a new phase of the Thomasfield Homes subdivision, Woolwich this week awarded a contract to carry out an environmental assessment on what it calls the “Breslau east connector road.”

Associated Engineering (Ont.) Ltd. is to carry out the work at a cost of $342,000, councillors decided Tuesday night.

The study area roughly encompasses parts of Breslau between Woolwich Street South to the west, the Metrolinx railway tracks to the north, Wurster Place to the east, and Menno Street to the south.

When built, the road would provide access to a new mixed-use neighbourhood known as the Thomasfield Homes Hopewell Crossing, which includes residential and commercial development, employment lands, parks/open space and a proposed new Breslau GO station.

Theatre group supports Ariss charity Having wrapped up its season, most recently with Peter Pan: The Family Musical Panto at the historical Fergus Grand Theatre, On the Spot Productions is ready to donate the proceeds of its productions.

Each year, the profits are donated to local charities. This year, the recipient is Hopewell Children’s Homes in Ariss, which provides care for children of varying abilities and support for their families. The theatre group will present the charity with a cheque for $10,000 this evening (Thursday).

Ceildh Night to benefit Habitat for Humanity The Wellesley and District Lions Club will be continuing their annual tradition of a Ceilidh Night on January 19. All the proceeds raised from the

event will benefit the Wellesley Project of Habitat for Humanity.

Formation of the event began four years ago when the Lions club was looking for a way to bring the community together in the dead of winter months, when people may not see each other as often.

The local Celtic band, Failte, are headlining the event once again, and have since the very first Ceilidh. In addition, there are Scottish-themed snacks and drinks, as well as a dance floor with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. within the community centre at 1000 Maple Leaf St. Wellesley. The band is scheduled to play 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the bar is open until 11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $5 in person at Pym’s Village Market, off any Lions club member, or on Eventbrite. Kids under 5 can get in the event for free.

Sales down, prices up in 2018 There were 5,823 residential homes

Police wrap up seasonal RIDE blitz Having wrapped up their festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program, that ran between November 23 and January, OPP this week reported there were 502 impairment-related charges laid.

Of the total, some 135 were laid in the West Region, which includes Wellington and Perth counties. During the five-week campaign, OPP officers conducted 1,584 RIDE checks across West

Region.

The charges laid included ‘impaired operation (alcohol),’ ‘over 80 milligrams,’ or ‘refusal’ under the Criminal Code.

In the area, there were 110 drivers who tested in the “warn” range, with a total of 384 in the province; 10 of the 37 drivers charged with ‘impaired operation (drug) or ‘refusal’ were travelling on West Region roads.

Officers performed standardized field sobriety tests on 16 drivers in West

Region, while 14 drivers required a drug recognition expert evaluation during the campaign.

“The new year presents all motorists with the opportunity to play their part in traffic safety. Together, we can reduce those numbers and create safer roadways across our region,” said Superintendent Catherine Yeandle-Slater, director of operations for the OPP’s West Region, in a statement released this week.

JANUARY 2

covered road when it entered the ditch and rolled over. The male driver was ejected and became partially trapped under the vehicle. The 37-year-old Guelph man was transported by ORNGE air ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

horse-drawn buggy and motor vehicle. A car was travelling north on Northfield Drive East and proceeded through the intersection at Highway 86. The buggy was attempting to turn left onto Highway 86 when it collided with the vehicle. Both occupants of the buggy were transported to hospital. One occupant suffered minor injuries and another occupant suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The two occupants in the vehicle were not injured. The horse was not seriously injured.

The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

JANUARY 3

12:00 PM | Wellington County OPP along with Centre Wellington Fire and GuelphWellington Paramedic Services responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Middlebrook Road near Weisenberg Road in Woolwich Township. A mail delivery vehicle was travelling northbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle on the ice-

JANUARY 5

9:30 PM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to a break-and-enter in progress at a business located in Hawkesville.

When police arrived, two males were seen fleeing in a white, newer model Ford Explorer. The vehicle was last seen travelling west on Ament Line. The investigation is on-going. Anyone with information is asked to call 519-570-9777, ext. 2299 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

JANUARY 6

8:30 PM | Emergency crews responded to the intersection of Northfield Drive East and Highway 86 in Woolwich Township for a collision involving a

sales for the month of December.

Total residential sales in 2018 included 3,355 detached (down 16.2 per cent), and 1,553 condominium units (up 6.4 per cent). Sales also included 417 semi-detached homes (down 23.6 per cent) and 431 freehold townhouses (down 7.7 per cent).

The average sale price of all residential properties sold in 2018 increased 3.4 per cent to $483,537

compared to 2017. Detached homes sold for an average price of $575,412, an increase of 4.8 per cent compared to 2017. During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $304,676 for an increase of 12 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $373,307 (up 5.5 per cent) and $396,391 (up 4.7 per cent) respectively.

Public Input Meetings on the 2019 Regional Budget Public Input meetings are scheduled to gather input on the 2019 Regional Budget. The meetings will be held on:

Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 6:00 p.m.

Both Meetings will be held at: Regional Council Chamber, 150 Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Kitchener If you are interested in Regional services you may wish to attend.

POLICE BLOTTER

11:29 AM | A 61-year-old Elmira man was driving a white GMC van west on Listowel Road at the intersection at Arthur Street in Elmira when he was struck by a blue Ford car being driven south on Arthur Street by a 25-year-old Elmira man. The impact caused the white GMC to strike a blue Ford pickup truck waiting to turn left off Listowel Road northbound on Arthur Street. Woolwich firefighters and ambulance attended the scene. Minor injuries were reported. All three vehicles were towed from the scene. The driver of the blue Ford car was charged with ‘careless driving’.

sold through the Multiple Listing System (MLS) of the KitchenerWaterloo Association of Realtors in 2018, a decline of 11.1 per cent compared to 2017, the organization reported this week.

With 263 transactions taking place last month, December’s home sales were down 13.2 per cent from the same time in 2017 and slightly behind the previous 10-year average of 268

JANUARY 7

10:18 PM | A 35-year-old Waterloo man was driving a silver Honda SUV south on Sawmill Road near New Jerusalem Road, west of Conestogo, when, due to icy road conditions he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the centerline and came to rest in the northbound ditch. No injuries were reported and the vehicle had to be towed out of the ditch and away from the scene.

Final approval of the Region’s 2019 Operating Budget and Ten-Year Capital Program is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019, with the meeting starting at 4:30pm.

Notice of these meetings is being given in accordance with the “Municipal Act” as amended and the Region’s Notice Policy.

Please visit our website for more information on the Regional Budget: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/budget-an d-finance-archives.aspx or view the 2019 Preliminary Budget Book and 2019 Budget Issue Paper Package after December 11, 2018 at the Council and Administrative Services Office, 150 Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Kitchener.

To speak to a staff person in Corporate Budgets regarding the budget, please call Cheryl Braan at 519-575-4705 or email CBraan@regionofwaterloo.ca.

You are welcome to attend any of the scheduled budget meetings or Council meetings. For a copy of the budget schedule please visit our website, as above. Members of the public may register as a delegation at the two public meetings on January 16th and February 6th, 2019. Please contact the Regional Clerk’s Office at 519-575-4400 or regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca to register to speak at the public meetings by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 14th (for the January 16th meeting) and Monday, February 4th (for the February 6th meeting).

If you require accessible services to participate in these meetings, please contact the Regional Clerk’s Office by the Friday prior to the meeting.

Unable to attend the Budget Public Input meetings? Join the conversation online at www.engageregionofwaterloo.ca by January 16th to provide your feedback on the Region’s 2019 Budget.

Kris Fletcher Regional Clerk All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and agencies regarding the budget are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision. Under the “Municipal Act”, personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be referred to Cheryl Braan, as above.

6 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 18

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

DONNA RUDY

PATRICK MERLIHAN

SALES MANAGER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

REPORTER

GRAPHIC DESIGN

REPORTER

GRAPHIC DESIGN

FAISAL ALI

VERONICA REINER

NIK HARRON

CASSANDRA MERLIHAN

PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1004840 | ISSN 12039578

OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Be wary of Ford’s attempt to weaken regulations WHEN IT COMES TO water testing, most municipalities are sympathetic to the Ford government’s call to reduce red tape – they’ve seen their costs soar for largely unnecessary testing and redundant, overlapping paperwork. They could certainly support rolling back some of the overzealous regulation.

The prospect of bypassing the protection of water sources afforded by the likes of the Great Lakes Protection Act, the Clean Water Act and the Greenbelt Act is another story, however.

In that regard, Bill 66 – the hyperbolic Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act – is a mixed bag.

The overzealous reaction to the Walkerton water crisis in 2000, which saw an E. coli outbreak claim seven lives and render ill about half the town, reverberate through today, as municipalities – the water customers, actually – pay a huge cost to avoid a repeat of circumstances very unlikely to be repeated. While some of the blame for the outbreak could be attributed to cutbacks and deregulation favoured by the government, much of the responsibility belonged to the contrivances of the Koebel brothers.

More oversight is one thing, but constant testing and mountains of paperwork do nothing but add costs, all of which are passed on to those who use municipal water.

Some scaling back would be a welcome relief.

More problematic, however, are provisions in the bill that would sidestep environmental protections for the sources of drinking water, controls that have taken years and decades to enact, in the name of promoting development. Those aspects have drawn the most criticism, provoking an outpouring of action from concerned groups and citizens, including presentations this week at Wellesley and Woolwich townships.

Prompted by tight timelines for input – already a staple of this new government – opponents want municipalities to challenge the legislation and to pledge to avoid the proposed exemptions to protections such as the Clean Water Act. They’re likely to find some sympathy for that stance.

This region has an interest in protecting drinking water sources – essentially landlocked, we do rely on groundwater and the Grand River system to fill our cups, our baths and our toilets. There have been attempts to curb both sprawl and development that threaten farmland, natural areas and groundwater, particularly on the west-side moraine, albeit with limited effectiveness given legal action by overzealous developers. The region did approve a series of environmentally sensitive landscapes, nonetheless.

Elmira residents, of course, need no reminder about the danger contaminants pose to groundwater – thirty years on, the remediation of the aquifers under the town continues, with no end in sight. Weakening the rules probably won’t help.

Provisions in Ford’s omnibus bill would allow municipalities to request exemptions from environmental laws.

There might be instances where that would be practical, but it opens the door to abuses, and few of us want to see any environmental backsliding. Given the ideology behind Bill 66 – and the government in general – there’s every reason to be skeptical.

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring Ontario has clean drinking water belongs to the province. If it’s ready to abdicate some of that responsibility, municipalities are well advised not to abet that move.

One demographic appears to be taking to heart the normalization of cannabis sales, though perhaps not the one that was expected to embrace the changes.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

Orthodoxy and the new great schism in Russia and Ukraine WORLD AFFAIRS If you live long enough, almost anything is possible. It is now possible, for example, to hear the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, describe a former KGB agent and avowed atheist as a “miracle of God.” The miracle in question, Vladimir Putin, made his career in the Soviet secret police before the collapse of the Soviet Union, which meant he had to be a member of the Communist Party. As a loyal Communist, he had to struggle against the evil influence of religion, the ‘opium of the people’, and as an ambitious careerist he did just that.

But the regime changed in 1991, and Putin had to carve out a new political career in a post-Communist Russia. So he got religion, or at least pretended to, and made an alliance with the Russian Orthodox Church. That’s why he is now warning that there may be bloodshed

if the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is allowed to break away from the Moscow patriarchate.

The president of Russia got the best education the Soviet state could provide, and his private opinion about the Russian Orthodox Church is probably not far from that of Pussy Riot (although they would agree on little else). But the church has always served the interests of the Russian state if it is allowed to, and as the embodiment of the Russian state Putin feels obliged to return the favour.

What has upset Patriarch Kirill and his colleagues is that last weekend Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople granted a ‘tomos of autocephaly’ to Metropolitan Epiphanius of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Which probably needs a bit of translation.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is the head – or rather, the ‘first among equals’ – among the heads of the various national Orthodox Christian churches.

‘Constantinople’, actually now Istanbul, is still the headquarters of Orthodox

Christianity although it has been under Muslim control for over 500 years.

The Ukrainians had asked Patriarch Bartholomew if they could have their own church back, and after due consideration he decided that they should. The tomos of autocephaly (independence) was the document that contained his decision. He was just putting things back the way they were.

Kiev, now the capital of Ukraine, was the first capital of the Russian state, and naturally the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church as well. But Kiev was destroyed in the Mongol invasion of 1240, and for centuries afterwards the new centres of Russian civilization were in the forests far to north.

In 1686, when Muslim slave-raiders from Crimea were still operating regularly in the vicinity of Kiev, the patriarch in Constantinople officially transferred the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church from Kiev to Moscow. All that’s really happening now is that Kiev is getting its own patriarch back.

The people who live in this area now are called Ukrainians, speaking a language somewhat different from Russian. Normal Orthodox rules say that each national group is entitled to its own national church, so what’s the problem?

Politics, of course.

For three centuries after 1686, Ukraine was part of the Russia empire and its successor, the Soviet Union. It was the Russian Orthodox Church that made the religious decisions for everybody, and received the revenues from the 12,000 Orthodox parishes in Ukraine. But since Ukrainian independence in 1991, all that has been in question.

The question became more urgent with Russia’s unilateral annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine since then.

Moscow wanted to keep control of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, since it was a way to influence Ukrainian opinion in Russia’s favour. But for the same reason, it was DYER | 8

COMMENT | 7

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 18

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Who’s your top pick for the fan-vote segment of the NHL All-Star game?

»»Carter Crummer

»»Hudson Habermehl

»»Lucas Moore

»»Andy Johnstone

»»Carter Lahey

“Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens)”

“Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leaf)”

“Matthew too.”

“I don’t know right now.”

“Brendan Gallagher (Montreal Canadiens)”

“Putin and Poroshenko are both using religion for their own purposes, but Bartholomew just did what was right.” Gwynne Dyer| 6 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

Historic bridges are caught in a numbers game that’s been badly played EDITOR'S NOTES The debate about Woolwich’s old steel bridges is a perfect storm of crumbling infrastructure, poor financial management, neglect of our heritage and a losing numbers game.

In short, the bridges are likely doomed.

In the specific case of old bridges, time is the biggest enemy: they’re falling apart, and keeping them standing, let alone operational, costs money. An ever-increasing amount of money if they’re to remain open to traffic of any kind.

Mounting expenses apply to all of the infrastructure in the township, from water pipes to municipal buildings. Every government, in fact, has a growing list of things that need repair or replacement. And every government has been bad for years and decades at setting aside enough money to pay for those necessities. Most can’t even get a handle on today’s op-

erating costs, let alone save enough for tomorrow.

The federal and provincial governments are the worst when it comes to fiscal mismanagement, from outright corruption and incompetence to deficitspending in the name of buying votes. It’s the result of short-term thinking and a longstanding policy to kick problems down the road for future governments to deal with. Eventually, the squirrels come home to roost. And eventually is now.

Woolwich’s historic bridges are a small part of a very long list of infrastructure projects in need of funding. The township doesn’t have the means to tackle the most pressing, in part due to the sheer volume and in part due to past choices – perhapsunneeded projects and bloated operational costs, particularly staffing – that have drained coffers even as tax rates soar.

In a cost-benefit analysis, the relatively low traffic volumes on the bridges make it impractical to keep them open to cars. The minor amount of recreational

HOW TO REACH US

It’s not alone in that regard. Infrastructure deficits are a well-discussed issue at every level of government; past practices and short-term thinking, a mainstay of politicians, caused very little money to be set aside over the years since much of the infrastructure, from sewer lines to hospital buildings, was being built back in the halcyon days of a growing economy and much lower costs.

To its credit, Woolwich has been setting aside more money for a rainy day – i.e. the coming infrastructure storm. It’s been allocating some surplus funds to reserves, and has in place a special infrastructure levy: it’s another tax, but with the money allocated for a real need rather than being flushed away. In that vein, however, the township has done little to rein in its operating budget in order to make a real dent in the deficit rather than taxpayers’ wallets. The extra funds set aside are a good start, but they have not kept up with the growing list of projects.

Even at today’s estimates – real costs are likely to be

much higher, as there’s a history of being well off the mark with forecasts – the township is losing ground.

Again, that’s not unique to Woolwich. Despite plenty of lip service, governments continue to do very little in the way of longterm planning, let alone actual follow through. The township is somewhat ahead of the curve, even if progress is limited.

At the municipal level there’s always been an expectation that senior levels of government would come through with the money to pay for the bulk of infrastructure projects.

Now, with budget woes of their own, much of it self-inflicted due to poor decision-making and management, the province and the federal government have empty coffers.

Cash-strapped municipalities have long called one-off grants and programs inadequate, preferring guaranteed slices of taxes such as the GST. There’s been some successes, such as sharing in fuel tax revenues, but many municipalities have proven unwise in their spending

and mismanage the taxes they already collect; it would be folly to let them reach even deeper into our pockets.

Municipalities should indeed expect a bigger share of the revenues collected by senior governments.

Looking to fix its fiscal situation, Ottawa downloaded costs to the provinces. In Ontario, the province in turn passed down the expense of many programs to the municipalities, with an inadequate share of the money to fund them. Over time, that decision put an increasing amount of strain on municipal budgets, and communities were hard-pressed to deal with immediate costs, let alone stockpile reserves for the replacement of aging infrastructure.

For the foreseeable future, however, municipalities will have to get their own houses in order if they’re going to deal with their infrastructure, some of it at a critical juncture.

In the meantime, much will be sacrificed for years of neglect and still halfhearted efforts to save for the future.

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use – hiking, biking and the like – is unlikely to warrant spending millions of dollars.

When money has to be rationed – a lesson politicians seem to understand when it comes to roads and bridges, but not transitory, unproductive operational spending – deciding on priorities becomes a numbers game. The numbers aren’t in the bridges’ favour.

What the structures do have going for them is their historical value.

Unfortunately, we place a very low value on such things. That’s particularly true in this region, where historical-and-aesthetic have often been torn down in favour of provisionaland-ugly, though that’s an affliction found in North American society in general.

The heritage argument has merit, but it holds little weight, if past experience is any guide to future decisions. Platitudes will be mouthed, but in the end it’s the money that does the talking. Behind everywhere else and facing more pressing concerns, Woolwich is stuck with making choices.

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8 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 18

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

January is the worst month of the year for some 64% of Canadians, who would rather stay single, do chores, be sick or even do their taxes than face the elements during January; 73% of Canadians admitted to cancelling plans with friends to avoid leaving the house; nearly half of Canadians have faked sick to avoid the freezing trek to work, and 85% of Canadians would rather flee the country and escape to a warmer destination for the month.

“[Tommy] Douglas and [Agnes] Macphail were transparent and principled, and they based their critique upon logical arguments, not fabrications and falsehoods. They were also honest people who did not use their position as leaders to enrich themselves. They were populists but certainly not racists like Donald Trump or Viktor Orbán, or demagogues such as Vladimir Putin or Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.”

The man whose name is synonymous with St. Jacobs passed away this week after a lengthy battle with cancer. Milo Shantz was 76. Beginning with the opening of the Stone Crock Restaurant in 1975, he eventually transformed the village into an international tourist destination. In 1981, he launched Mercedes Corp, which focused on property development and promoting tourism. Along with brother Ross Shantz, he amassed extensive holdings in the village, including the farmers’ markets.

»»Maru/Blue poll

»»Canadian writer Dennis Gruending on the shifting definition of populism, noting

»»From the Jan. 10, 2009 edition of The Observer

the current crop simply claim to represent the people in order to manipulate the public

DYER: Even the church

NATIONAL VIEW

is politicized in this struggle

FROM | 6

a priority for Ukrainian nationalists to expel the Russian influence.

Ukraine won, and Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, thanked Patriarch Bartholomew last weekend “for the courage to make this historic decision. ... Finally, God sent us the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.” (Is Poroshenko really a believer? Maybe, but he’s certainly running for re-election in March.)

Putin and Poroshenko are both using religion for their own purposes, but Bartholomew just did what was right. That has a cost: the Russian Orthodox Church accounts for almost half of the 300 million Orthodox Christians in the world, and the

hierarchy in Moscow has now broken off relations with the patriarchate in Constantinople. This is a schism that may take a long time to heal.

But Pussy Riot should have the final word. As they said in their famous ‘punk prayer’ in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow in 2012 (for which two of them did serious jail-time): The Church praises rotten leaders The march of the cross consists of black limousines Patriarch Kirill believes in Putin, Would be better, the bastard, if he believed in God! Virgin birth-Giver of God, drive away Putin!

Drive away Putin, drive away Putin!

Your New Year’s resolution to start the conversation on community issues.

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SPORTS | 9

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

SPORTS CURLING / WELCOMING THE BEST

Woolwich gets ready to host curling championships Canadian Olympic curler Rachel Holman amongst high profile players to appear at the WMC this month FAISAL ALI Hot on the heels of last week’s ringette tournament, the Township of Woolwich will be gearing up to host one of the biggest curling competitions in the province. The CurlON Provincial Men & Women’s Curling Championships will be kicking off January 27 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, bringing in thousands of spectators and some of the top curlers in the province – and indeed, the country – to compete.

Ten men’s teams and eight women’s, including the likes of Canadian Olympic curler Rachel Holman out of Ottawa, and world champions Glen Howard and John Epping, will be amongst those competing at the Elmira arenas for a chance to represent Ontario at the Canadian nationals.

“In the curling world, to have your name out there is very exciting,” said Sue Martin, chairperson of the championship organizing committee, and member of the Elmira District Curling Club who helped put in the township’s bid for the event.

“It’s extremely exciting.

Extremely a lot of work,” added Martin with a laugh.

“We have been working on this for over a year.”

Up to an estimated

10,000 spectators are expected to pack the stands at the WMC at the height of the championships, which will be run in a set of round-robin matches and culminate in the final weekend with the playoffs.

For township residents, the local venue of this year’s championships are a prime opportunity to watch some of the pre-eminent athletes of the sport perform.

“Rachel Holman is a Canadian champion. She was a world champion, she was our Olympic representative last year, and she’s going to be here,” said Martin. “Another high profile on the men’s side is Glen Howard.

He’s been to these provincials 15 times. He’s won them 15 times, and he’s going to be here. Last year’s winner, John Epping, he will be here.

“So we’re really excited to see high profile names like that,” she added. Upand-coming local talent will also be joining at the championships, rubbing elbows with some of the sport’s greats.

The women’s and men’s championships have been merged into a single event at the WMC, and the victors from each will move on to represent Ontario at the provincial games. For the women’s teams, that is the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which will be hosted in Sydney, Nova

NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

Great creek crossings I have known OPEN COUNTRY

The Elmira & District Curling Club led the township’s bid to host the provincial curling championships. While members get in some time on ice at the club’s facility, the event will be hosted at the WMC. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER] Scotia, from February 16 to 24. The men meanwhile will go on to compete at the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier in Brandon, Manitoba from March 2 to 10.

The winners of those respective tournaments will finally go on to represent Canada on the world stage, at LGT World Women’s Curling Championship Denmark and the Pioneer Hi-Bred World Men’s Curling Championship in Alberta.

The Elmira Curling Club led the successful bid to host the games, though the township was fully in support of the move, says Martin.

“I am very excited about the provincials being held here,” said Woolwich Mayor

Sandy Shantz in an email.

“We also just finished hosting university ringette and will also host the National Sledge Hockey tournament in May. When I met with organizers for curling and hockey, they were impressed with our facilities and are looking forward to great events.”

The eight-day tournament is expected to draw in an estimated $1.4 million in tourism to the region, according to estimates provided by CurlOn, and could also help attract more high-profile events to the township.

“This is a really big year for Woolwich and the Elmira area,” said Sherry Doiron, manager of the

sport hosting office for the Waterloo Region. “They’ve just hosted the University Ringette Challenge a week ago and they’re gearing up to host this event. And then in May the National Sledge Hockey Championships will be hosted at Woolwich arena as well. So it’s a fantastic six months for that area to be doing some sport hosting. So I’m very happy to see how active the community is being in the region.”

Tickets for the events, including single day tickets, weekend tickets and full passes are available online at www.curlonchamps.ca, ranging from $12 for the singles to $150 for the full pass.

Although almost any outdoors activity can turn into a highly entertaining spectator sport, there is nothing I like to watch more than a run-of-the-mill creek crossing attempt. Just the thought of a good one makes me smile.

A creek crossing, of course, should not be confused with a river crossing which typically requires a boat, bridge or ford.

In stark contrast, a good creek crossing is actually crossable without these things, but only if you have the balance of a billy goat, legs that span the creek or the engineering skills to make a working catapult.

Creek crossings come in several varieties.

The first is the basic rock path. This, as any inveterate creek crosser knows, is the most insidious. Basically, you look at the creek and see several boulders protruding above the water like a path that seems to span from bank to bank.

The first few steps are always easy. But as you get to the middle of the creek, also known as the point of no return, you soon realize that the a) you are standing on a very small unsteady rock that seems to be coated with something slightly slicker than Teflon, and

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10 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Jacks post a pair of wins and a tie in a busy weekend Strong performance keeps streak going, as Wellesley hasn’t lost a game since mid-December VERONICA REINER Picking up five of six available points made for a good week, but didn’t do much to change the Wellesley Applejacks’ place in the standings.

Still, a pair of wins over the Delhi Travellers and a tie against the Paris Mounties is nothing to sneeze at.

Things started off strong during last Friday’s game in Delhi. Alex Uttley drew first blood in the opening frame, taking advantage of a power play at 15:32. Matt Caskanette and Colton Culbert picked up assists. That would be the period’s only scoring, meaning the Jacks went into the intermission up 1-0.

The next scoring play again came off the stick of Uttley (Daniel McCutcheon, James Ranson) at 7:14, and the score would remain 2-0 through much of the second before Delhi finally got on the board at 17:19. It was only a onegoal game for a couple of minutes, however, as Tyler Schwindt made it 3-1 with a

goal at 19:24, Keegan Saunders and Uttley picking up assists.

Delhi made it close again by potting another goal at 5:11 of the third stanza, but it was all Wellesley after that. Shaun Pickering (Uttley, Kyle Soper) scored at 12:29, followed by Culbert (Zachary Lyons, Pickering) at 13:53 as the Jacks skated to a 5-2 final result.

Saturday’s home game versus Paris proved to be a little more closely matched. The first period started relatively uneventful, with no scoring from either side. There was a bit of roughhousing, with penalties handed out evenly between both teams.

It was Paris that broke the ice in the middle frame, taking advantage of a power play at 2:23. This was followed by another Mounties goal at 6:27 before Wellesley responded, with Pickering (J. Ranson) potting one at 7:31. It gave the Jacks their much-needed momentum, with Soper (Zach Ribeiro) scoring at 15:35 on a power play. The

teams again went to the room on equal footing, this time at 2-2.

Wellesley was the first to get on the board in the final stanza, courtesy of Ribeiro (Soper, J. Ranson) at 16:04, before Paris quickly evened things out on a power play at 17:13. The 3-3 matchup led the game into overtime.

There were a few penalties handed out, but no scoring in OT, resulting in a tie. Wellesley outshot Paris overall in this game 42-30.

For the third game of the weekend, the Jacks had a rematch against Delhi, who lived up to their name by travelling to the Wellesley arena on Sunday. Perhaps they’d have been better off staying at home, the better to avoid a 15-0 pasting.

Warren Gorman kicked things off at 3:33 with an unassisted goal, followed by Culbert (Uttley, Soper) shortly after at 4:45. Uttley potted one more goal for good measure on a power play at 18:48 with Gorman and Pickering picking up assists.

The Jacks took the Travellers by storm in the

Zach Ribeiro goes toe-to-toe with the Paris Mounties at a home game Saturday that ultimately ended in a 3-3 tie.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER] second stanza, completely dominating the frame with eight goals. Kicking off this scoring frenzy was D. Ranson at 3:26, with J. Ranson and Gorman picking up assists. This was followed up at 5:45 by Lyons (Ribeiro, Pickering), and shortly after again by Gorman (Lyons, Ribeiro) at 6:01. Continuing the scoring streak was Pickering (Uttley) at 8:57, and again just 10 seconds later by Uttley (MacInnes, Pickering).

Ribeiro potted two more

consecutive goals throughout the frame, with Lyons and Gorman picking up assists for both. Rounding out the destruction in the period was D. Ranson (J. Ranson, Tyler Schwindt) at 17:03. Delhi seemed to take the hits in stride, with no penalties on either side throughout. This gave Wellesley a substantial 11-0 lead headed into the last frame.

Uttley scored fairly quickly at 4:21, with Pickering and Culbert picking up

assists. This was followed

by Gorman (Pickering, Matt Caskanette) at 8:24, earning himself a hat trick in the process. Another goal was earned courtesy of Schwindt (Uttley, Pickering), and Uttley managed to score the final goal as well as get a hat trick at 12:52. Keegan Saunders and Pickering picked up assists.

Goalie Bryce Dettweiler obtained a shutout, blocking all 25 shots throughout the match.

The Jacks have just six games remaining in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s regular season, though none against the Travellers. With a record of 22-7-2-3, the team currently stands in third place in the South Doherty Division, its 49 points just three behind the New Hamburg Firebirds (52) and eight points behind the Tavistock Braves (57).

This weekend, the Jacks welcome the Ayr Centennials Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. before heading out to Burford Sunday to take on the Bulldogs.

Kings pick up just a single point in pair of games

Defying expectations, Elmira falls to Listowel and ties Brantford, both firsts this season; team dismisses coach FAISAL ALI

There’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to hockey, and it was a lesson the Kings had to learn the hard way this weekend. Facing two teams they’d previously had little trouble with this season, the Listowel Cyclones and Brantford 99ers, the Kings wound up with just one of the four points up for grabs.

The lack of production likely contributed to Mon-

day’s dismissal of head coach Trent Brown, who was abruptly fired after the weekend’s performance.

Taking over the position from Brown is assistant coach Rob Collins.

Battling the Cyclones in Listowel last Friday, Elmira fell for the first time this season to the team currently sitting in second place in the Midwestern Conference, in this case by a particularly unsettling 5-1 score.

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On Sunday, the fourthplace Kings returned for a home match against the visiting seventh-place Brantford 99ers. What should have been another easy two points was cut in half when an additional ten minutes of overtime and an end-of-game penalty shot were not enough to break a 3-3 impasse between the two teams, each picking up a point.

In a conference as tight as this one, with the top five teams within ten points of one another, the missed opportunities saw the Kings fall to fourth place with 42 points, versus Listowel’s 47 in second place. A normal four-point weekend against Listowel and Brantford would have put the Kings in a direct tie with Listowel for second place at 45 points each.

Listowel was always going to be a tough challenger for the Kings, though, no matter how one-sided the record, but Friday’s night’s match proved to be an especially rank affair for the visitors. It didn’t start that way, however, and for much of the game the Kings held a narrow lead over their opponents.

Zack Cameron potted the first goal of the match 19:17

Mason McMahon during Sunday’s match against Brantford. into the first on a power play, with Jonah Burley, Mason McMahon picking up the assist. It would be the only point of the first two frames from either side, with the Kings able to hold their opponents at bay well into the third at a 1-0 difference.

By the final stanza, however, the bottom seemed to drop out for the visitors.

The Cyclones ratcheted up their game severely, lodging three goals in quick succession, including two on the power play, to make it 3-1 for the final few minutes of play. Another two emptynetters were added to end the game at 5-1.

Dropping two points to Listowel, the Kings might have hoped to make up the difference at their Sunday matinee against the visiting Brantford 99ers. The Kings

had beaten the team at all four of their previous meetings – in October by an 8-0 spread – but the 99ers had come prepared.

Brantford got the first goal this time around.

Down two players to the box, the 99ers were nonetheless able to score shorthanded at 11:27 of the first, setting the competitive tone for the rest of the match.

Elmira newcomer Ivan Brewer (Hunter Dubecki) responded minutes later on a power play to make in 1-1 by the first intermission.

The second saw the Kings pull into the lead with a goal from Tyson Hillier (Brewer, Dubecki) seven minutes in. Brantford responded to make even things up at 2-2, but the Kings again found the back of the net to make it 3-2 at 16 minutes. The second tie breaker came from Anthony, with Brewer and Dubecki picking up their second and third assists of the day, respectively.

The Kings were up 3-2 going into the final 20 minutes of play, but Brantford refused to give in. Less than five minutes into the final frame, Brantford once again found the back of the net with their second power play marker to make it a make it 3-3, forcing the two

teams to settle things in overtime. Even then, the stalemate persisted despite a few very close calls.

The make-it-or-break-it moment came at the very end of the game, when a hooking infraction from Brantford earned the Sugar Kings a final penalty shot to decide the game. The player taking the shot would be Cameron, Elmira’s top scorer this season with 13 goals in 32 games.

However, Brantford netminder Frank Boal proved up for the challenge. Cameron chased the puck down for the win, but was singlehandedly shut down by the goalie, denying Elmira the victory and ending the game as a 3-3 tie.

Though taking a severe hit in what ought to have been a four-point weekend, the Kings will have plenty of chances to pull back into the running as they enter the final third of the 50 game regular season – though now under the direction of new head coach Collins.

On Friday, the Kings will be in Stratford for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Warriors. Sunday will see the Kings return home for a 2 p.m. rematch against Listowel.

SPORTS | 11

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

GALEA: It can be very entertaining watching others attempt to navigate a treacherous crossing FROM | 9

b) to step onto the next rock you are going to have to do the kind of splits Olympic gymnasts train years for.

Also, turning back is not an option, since your last step caused the previous rock to roll a few more inches away.

The second variety of crossing, which I truly enjoy,

is the slick log. In my estimation, the slick log has done more for birth control than all other methods currently utilized. That’s because when a man falls off a slick log there is a law of physics that ensures each foot will fall off a different side of it.

I’m no expert on these things by any means, but I will say I can tell you there

is a slick log in the vicinity just by the noise that accompanies an unsuccessful crossing, which many people confuse for a wolf howl or a distant fire truck siren.

The third type of creek crossing is the run-ofthe-mill beaver dam. This should also be called the beaver’s revenge, since each step is a trip hazard.

The thing that makes these crossings so entertaining is that no one ever falls in on the shallow side.

Also, it’s fun to watch someone who is flailing grab sticks that are unattached to the dam in an effort to hold on. I think it is the moment the look of relief is replaced by sheer panic that gets me most.

Hilarious.

All of these things are made even better by ice, by the way.

Winter also provides the last great creek crossing option – one that most people refer to as the thin ice gambit. You see ice span that narrowest part of a creek and you say to yourself, “If I run across that ice, I’ll slide

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But, in my experience, the far bank is always farther than you think.

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12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Lack of snow means this group ain’t mobile

Local members of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs have trails ready, but one thing is missing VERONICA REINER

You may be rejoicing at the warmer winter weather thus far, but snowmobilers in the region are not thrilled.

Milder temperatures have quickly melted away any snow that has fallen, preventing any accumulations – the trails maintained by local members of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trails have not yet to open this season. It’s an increasingly familiar scenario.

“It’s got to be about $2.5 million of equipment sitting at the ready, waiting for the snow to come,” said OFSC District 5 president

Graham Snyder. “Everybody’s done maintenance and they’re all ready to go but ... no snow. Frustrating is a pretty good way to describe it, but depressing is even better.”

“We have to get a base for them to get out there, start getting a base down and grooming the trails,” added District 5 administrator Heather DeGraas.

“We just need snow. We’re ready, though. We’ve got our machines ready to go, and our groomers ready to go so it’s just a matter of getting some snow now.”

The District 5 is a group of volunteers representing 25 clubs that operate 3,139 kilometres of trails

throughout southwestern Ontario. The group’s goal is to establish and maintain snowmobile trails in the area.

Local clubs represented include the St. Clements Snowmobile Club and the Wellesley Sno Sports Snowmobile Club. Members were busy preparing trails earlier in the season, but have yet to enjoy the fruits of that labour.

“It’s really frustrating for the people who set the trail up,” said Snyder. “They did all this work already.

The trails have to be set up for our signage guideline every year. They’ve got to be staked and signed … So that’s something you have

to do way before you even think of snow coming.”

There was just around 12 available days of snowmobiling last year, which is nowhere near what the club aims for. In the immediate vicinity, that number was even lower.

“In the Woolwich area, we were only open about three days,” said Snyder.

“What we open varies – it all depends. They got more snow around Strathroy and that area last year when we were just on the edge of having enough. And we more or less just opened just because we wanted to give everyone a taste of it again anyway.”

A snowmobile cannot

operate properly without a sufficient amount of snow, and there is also the risk of dirt getting in the machine. There should be about four to seven inches of snow on the ground before a snowmobile can be driven.

The here today, gone tomorrow weather makes it difficult to predict precisely when the trails will be opening this year. Snyder said that the next two weeks don’t look promising, so likely after that timeframe.

“When we do get our trails open, everybody really needs to stay on the trails,” said Snyder. “If people don’t honour the

trail system or cut corners to find their own way on the trail, there’s a good chance the trail won’t be there next year. We’ve got quite a few people getting frustrated with … sometimes the neglect of the snowmobilers for not staying on the trail. It’s hard to deal with. If everyone co-operated with that little bit, it would make our job easier.”

He also noted that the snowmobiling trails are particularly good up north and out east, so avid snowmobiling enthusiasts can take a trip in that direction to get their fix.

More details are available at www.ofscdistrict5.com.

Babies of the

YEAR!18 20

Bryce Kendrick Brown

Blake Taylor Asmussen

Maya Boese July 6th, 2018

COLLIN AND CRISTEN BROWN

PARENTS

PARENTS

BIG SISTER OLIVIA LEE GRANDPARENTS: ROBERT AND KATHY BROWN KAREN AND WAYNE HOBBS, PAUL QUIGLEY.

September 1, 2018 ELMIRA

JOHN & DANIELLE BOESE WEST MONTROSE

Lucas Alexander Kron

Indigo Jane Meyer

RACHEL SAUDER AND HAROLD ASMUSSEN

October 2, 2018 PARENTS

DECEMBER 6, 2018 PARENTS

BRIAN AND JEANNETTE KRON

TERRY AND ANNE MEYER (TURPEL)

GRANDPARENTS ARE STEVE AND SANDRA HALIJIPA AND PETE AND KAREN KRON

SIBLINGS: ELIJAH, SCOUT, PIPER, WINTER, NORTH, FOREST, SPARROW, POETRY, JOURNEY AND BRAVERY

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January 28, 2018 PARENTS

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Everleigh Rose Moran February 16, 2018 PARENTS

COLIN & BECCA MORAN ELMIRA

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June 13th, 2018

MATT & ASHTON JOHNSON ELMIRA

Summer Hope Rebecca Scott NOVEMBER 21, 2018 PARENTS

ANDREW AND HOLLY SCOTT (MEYER) SIBLINGS: ISAAC, LANDON, CHLOE, BLAKE, VIENNA

WELLESLEY

October 2, 2018 PARENTS

BIG BROTHER - BRANDON

ELMIRA

Brielle Rita Shantz July 9, 2018 PARENTS

JENNIFER AND CALVIN SHANTZ WEST MONTROSE

SPORTS | 13

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

THE SCORE

Lehtonen Assists: Bryson Rozema (2), Drew Snyder (2), Gavin Sager, Brandon Fishman, Blake Dueck

PeeWee: MAJOR A WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Novice: LL#1 Dec 22 vs AYR LL 1 Home: 6 Visitor: 0 Goals: Edwin Martin (4), Kolton Brubacher (2) Assists: Ronan Doherty (4), Ryan Ramage (2), Ethan Level, Brylee Paterson (2) Shutouts: Owen Dally

Novice: MAJOR A Dec 22 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Owen Porter (2), Cody Paquet, Jackson Gillies, Bryce McFadden Assists: Carter Crane, Arabelle Weiss, Kolten Noot, Jackson Gillies, Bryce McFadden

Novice: MAJOR A Dec 23 vs Dundas Blues Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Goals: Owen Porter (2), Kolten Noot, Cody Paquet, Ethan Straus, Nathan Seller Assists: Carter Crane (2), Hudson Lehtonen (2), Mason Gruhl, Arabelle Weiss, Kolten Noot, Ethan Straus, Bryce McFadden, Sullivan Shantz

Novice: MAJOR A

Assists: Liam Macgregor (2), Hudson Lehtonen (2), Jackson Wolfe, Grayson Schimus, Grayson Kelly Shutouts: Blake Briscoe

Atom: AE Dec 21 vs Flamborough Sabres Home: 2 Visitor: 5 Goals: Luke Forbes, Cam Dawson Assists: William Krubally, Luke Forbes, Josh Thompson

Atom: AE Dec 14 vs Oakville Rangers Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Cam Dawson, William Krubally, Josh Thompson Assists: Sammy Krushchat, Brody Habermehl

Atom: AE Dec 15 vs Orangeville Flyers Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Brody Habermehl

Atom: LL#3 Jan 05 vs Woolwich LL#2 Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Cohen Clemmer (2), Tyler Bauman Assists: Jackson Kellough

Atom: LL#3

Atom: LL#2 Dec 22 vs Plattsville Rage Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Oliver Horn, Grant Rintoul (4), Carter Crummer (2) Assists: Aiden Acheson (2), Oliver Horn (2)

Atom: LL#2 Dec 23 vs Ayr Flames 2 Home: 6 Visitor: 6 Goals: Oliver Horn (3), Grant Rintoul (3) Assists: Grant Rintoul, Aiden Acheson (2), Drew Diebolt, Anand Ghali (2), Dom Lovenuk, Oliver Horn

Atom: LL#2 Dec 29 vs Embro Edge Home: 2 Visitor: 5 Goals: Oliver Horn, Grant Rintoul

Atom: LL#2 Jan 05 vs Atom LL 3 Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Grant Rintoul (2)

Atom: LL#2 Jan 06 vs Hespeler Shamrocks 1 Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Matthew Wilkie, Grant Rintoul, Oliver Horn, Carter Crummer Assists: Matthew Wilkie, Grant Rintoul

Jan 03 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 5 Visitor: 5 Goals: Bryce McFadden (2), Jackson Gillies, Kolten Noot, Nathan Seller Assists: Cody Paquet, Arabelle Weiss, Ethan Straus

Jan 08 vs Plattsville Rage Home: 8 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tyler Bauman (3), Cohen Clemmer (2), Sebastian Abate, Ryder Bauman, Jackson Kellough Assists: Cohen Clemmer (3), Tyler Bauman, Jackson Kellough

Novice: MAJOR A

Atom: LL#1

Jan 05 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Home: 7 Visitor: 0 Goals: Kolten Noot (2), Bryce McFadden, Cody Paquet, Carter Crane, Ethan Straus, Owen Porter Assists: Carter Crane (2), Nathan Sellers, Ethan Straus, Carson Kellough, Bryce McFadden, Jack Wood Shutouts: Mason Gruhl

Dec 22 vs St George Generals Home: 6 Visitor: 3 Goals: Evan Reger, Zion Shadd (4), Jonah Schmidt Assists: Evan Reger

Jan 06 vs Hespeler Shamrocks 1 Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Zac Snider, Myles Hunter Assists: Brody Schaefer, Caelan Haley

Atom: LL#1

PeeWee: LL#2

Novice: LL2 Dec 22 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Goals: Bentley Wideman (2), Dexter Mannhardt, Aiden Basler, Nicholas Shardlow, Madden Habermehl Assists: Nicholas Shardlow (3), Aiden Basler, Braun Draper (2), Madden Habermehl

Novice: LL2 Dec 29 vs New Hamburg Huskies LL2 Home: 3 Visitor: 7 Goals: Braun Draper, Aiden Basler, Bentley Wideman Assists: Bentley Wideman, Nicholas Shardlow, Parker Bigwood

Novice: LL2 Jan 05 vs Embro Home: 5 Visitor: 3 Goals: Bentley Wideman (3), Aiden Basler, Madden Habermehl Assists: Nicholas Shardlow

Novice: AE Dec 22 vs Brampton 45’s Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Liam Macgregor (2), Luca Abate, Boston Esbaugh

Dec 15 vs Woolwich Wildcats LL#2 Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Evan Reger, Jonah Schmidt (2), Caleb Antonello (2) Assists: Jonah Schmidt, Evan Reger, Bryden Schaefer

Atom: MINOR A Dec 22 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Nolan Martin, Rhys Taylor Assists: Colton Sinclair, Josh Wraight

Atom: MINOR A Dec 23 vs Centre Wellington Fusion Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Josh Wraight Assists: Jordan Martin

Atom: LL#2 Dec 15 vs Woolwich Wildcats LL#1 Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Goals: Braden Hardman Assists: Oliver Horn

Atom: LL#2 Dec 16 vs New Hamburg Huskies 2 Home: 1 Visitor: 4 Goals: Grant Rintoul Assists: Matthew Wilkie, Logan McLachlan

Dec 12 vs Brampton 45’s Home: 1 Visitor: 0 Goals: Hudson Haycock Assists: Elijah Weiss, Tyson Moran

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 15 vs Dundas Blues Home: 0 Visitor: 6

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 16 vs Centre Wellington Fusion Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tyson Moran, Hudson Haycock Assists: Evan Woods (2), Seth Shantz, Tyson Moran

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 20 vs Centre Wellington Fusion Home: 2 Visitor: 6 Goals: Owen Weber, Tyson Moran Assists: Evan Woods, Kane Kruschat, Seth Shantz

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 22 vs Dundas Blues Home: 0 Visitor: 5

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 23 vs Dundas Blues Home: 0 Visitor: 5

PeeWee: MINOR A

Jan 05 vs Woolwich Wildcats 1 Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Zac Snider, Caelan Haley, Myles Hunter, Hayden George

Dec 19 vs Halton Hills Thunder Home: 3 Visitor: 4 Goals: Blake Mayer, Josh Carson, Danny Schaefer Assists: Hunter Bender, Thomas Ferguson, Riley Dettweiler, Carter Snider

PeeWee: LL#2

PeeWee: MINOR A

PeeWee: LL#2

Jan 07 vs Twin Center Stars Home: 2 Visitor: 5 Goals: Hayden George, Seth Weber Assists: Brody Schaefer

PeeWee: MINOR AE Dec 16 vs Ancaster Home: 1 Visitor: 4 Goals: Brandon Fishman Assists: Patrick McCarthy, Harrison Hartwick

PeeWee: MINOR AE Dec 21 vs Oakville Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Goals: Brandon Fishman Assists: Graydon Martin

PeeWee: MINOR AE Jan 04 vs Caledon Home: 1 Visitor: 11 Goals: Brandon Fishman Assists: Tyler Gingrich

PeeWee: MINOR AE Jan 05 vs Flamborough Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tyler Gingrich Assists: Austin Roth, Drew Snyder

PeeWee: MINOR AE Jan 06 vs Ancaster Home: 6 Visitor: 2 Goals: Brandon Fishman (2), Gavin Sager, Bryson Rozema, Patrick McCarthy, Brooks

Dec 22 vs Centre Wellington Fusion Home: 1 Visitor: 4 Goals: Blake Mayer Assists: Evan Woods, Karsten Smith

PeeWee: MINOR A Dec 23 vs Milton Winterhawks white Home: 5 Visitor: 3 Goals: Josh Carson (2), Riley Dettweiler, Evan Woods, Carter Snider Assists: Carter Snider, Thomas Ferguson, Karsten Smith (2), Carson Staken, Danny Schaefer, Blake Mayer, Connor Goebel

PeeWee: MINOR A Jan 02 vs Centre Wellington Fusion Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Evan Woods, Blake Mayer Assists: Evan Woods

PeeWee: MINOR A Jan 05 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Hunter Bender, Blake Mayer, Connor Goebel Assists: Josh Carson, Jakob Noot (2), Evan Woods, Riley Dettweiler, Carter Snider

Home: 7 Visitor: 0 Goals: Seb Garrett (2), Lucas Radler (4), Will McDougall Assists: Owen Hackert, Zach McMurray, Adam Pauls, Nate Whittom, Adrian Kocan, James McCormick Shutouts: Colin Bray

Bantam: LL2 Dec 23 vs Ayr Flames Home: 3 Visitor: 4 Goals: Seb Garrett, Will McDougall, Lucas Radler Assists: Adrian Kocan, Nate Whittom, Lucas Radler, Zach McMurray, Tristan Kraemer

Bantam: MINOR A Jan 05 vs Caledon Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Cade Beacom, Teagan Cadaeu, Denver Martin Assists: Drew Birmingham, Keenan Martin, Ethan Bickerton, Will Lavigne, Ethan Martin

Bantam: MINOR AE Jan 03 vs Halton Hills Thunder Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Goals: Evan Lucier Assists: Evan Gruhl

Bantam: MINOR AE Dec 16 vs Ancaster Avalanche Home: 3 Visitor: 4 Goals: Evan Gruhl (2), Mason Spark Assists: Sam Hacock

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 27 vs Caledon Hawks Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Eric Kane, Tyson Roth Assists: Owen Weber (2), Nate Martin, Eric Kane

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 27 vs Meadowvale Hawks Home: 6 Visitor: 2 Goals: Mitch Walker (2), Cale Waechter, Hudson Haycock, Eric Kane, Tyson Moran Assists: Seth Shantz (2), Isaiah Shantz (2), Mitch Walker, Eric Kane, Cale Waechter, Nate Martin, Hudson Haycock, Owen Weber, Kane Kruschat.

PeeWee: MAJOR A Dec 28 vs Whitby Wildcats (White) Home: 0 Visitor: 3

PeeWee: MINOR A Dec 27 vs Owen Sound Attack Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Evan Woods, Josh Carson, Danny Schaefer, Blake Mayer Assists: Danny Schaefer, Blake Mayer, Josh Carson, Evan Woods

PeeWee: MINOR A

Novice: LL#2 Jan 05 vs Twin Centre Hericanes Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tatianna Kocan, Maria Martin (2), Bronwyn Rozema (2), Ava Weber Assists: Bronwyn Rozema, Hailey Frede (2), Tatianna Kocan, Ava Weber, Keira Walsh

Dec 14 vs Saugeen Maitland Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Lexie DeJeu

Dec 27 vs Waterloo Ravens #1 Home: 4 Visitor: 2 Goals: Addison Searth, Cayleigh McQuinn, Emily Bauman, Mia Medeiros Assists: Addison Bettke, Addison Searth, Cayleigh McQuinn

PeeWee: MINOR A

PeeWee: B

Dec 28 vs Vaughn Panthers Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Josh Carson, Karsten Smith, Blake Mayer Assists: Josh Carson

Jan 05 vs Ayr Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Katelynn Gleeson

Bantam: LL1

PeeWee: MINOR A

Jan 06 vs Hespeler Home: 3 Visitor: 0 Goals: Josh Moore, Oscar Fitch, Corbin Schmidt Assists: Sam Goebel, Josh Moore, Jonathan Thiessen Shutouts: Luke Mann

Dec 28 vs Riverside Rangers Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Josh Carson (2), Riley Dettweiler Assists: Thomas Ferguson, Connor Goebel, Riley Dettweiler (2), Carter Snider

Midget: LL#1

PeeWee: MINOR A

Midget: LL#1

Bantam: LL2

Dec 16 vs Hespeler Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Max Nitsche, Braxten Breen Assists: Nathan Taylor (2), Sullivan Keen, Adam Anstett Tournaments

Jan 05 vs Kincardine Kinucks 2 Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Tristan Kraemer (2), Lucas Radler (2), Will McDougall Assists: Lucas Radler, James McCormick (2), Tristan Kramer, Seb Garrett, Shutouts: Colin Bray

PeeWee: MINOR AE Dec 27 vs Orangeville Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Brandon Fishman

Jan 06 vs St George Home: 7 Visitor: 5 Goals: Hudson Haberhehl (7) Assists: Matthew Hutchison (2), Lucas Moore, Brody, Evan Yorke

PeeWee: MINOR AE

Dec 28 vs Milton Home: 0 Visitor: 4 Dec 28 vs Stoney Creek Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Brooks Lehtonen (2) Assists: Brandon Fishman (2), Nate Dyck

PeeWee: MINOR A Dec 29 vs Burlington Eagles Home: 0 Visitor: 7

Bantam: LL2 Jan 05 vs Barrie Broncos 3 Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Will McDougall (2), Lucas Radler Assists: Adrian Kocan, Nate Whittom, James McCormick, Adam Pauls

WOOLWICH WILD

Novice: B Dec 22 vs Stratford Aces

Novice: LL#1

Atom: LL

Dec 29 vs New Hamburg Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Josh Moore, Oscar Fitch Assists: Gabe Hicknell, Ashton Weber

Dec 29 vs Caledon Hawks Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Blake Mayer, Jakob Noot Assists: Danny Schaefer, Evan Woods

Dec 27 vs Waterloo Ravens #1 Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Goals: Maddison Gofton (2), Maria Martin (2), Ava Weber, Taylor Rayfield Assists: Cam Holland

Atom: A

Bantam: LL1

Dec 15 vs Bevely Home: 6 Visitor: 8 Goals: Max Nitsche (2), Adam Anstett, Mack Willms, Sam Nitsche, Nathan Taylor Assists: Adam Anstett, Mack Willms (2), Cody Kroetch (2), Matt Fleischmann, Andrew Weber (2), Connor Bentley (2)

Novice: LL#1

Dec 29 vs Waterloo Ravens #4 Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Dec 16 vs Grand River Mustangs Goals: Bronwyn Rozema Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Novice: LL#1 Goals: Emily Hibbard Dec 29 vs Kitchener Rangers Assists: Evie Klaehn, Sophie Hallman Red Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Atom: A Goals: Kailey Hardman, Cam Jan 06 vs St. Thomas Holland Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Atom: LL Goals: Kylie Rayfield, Emma McCoubrey Dec 27 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons Assists: Brooke Kroetsch, Sophia - White Metzger Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Addison Bettke Shutouts: Riley Nelson

Dec 18 vs Caledon Hawks Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Mason Spark Assists: Nathan Lipp

Bantam: MINOR AE

Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Maggie Sabean, Marlee Fraser Assists: Brooke Rempel Shutouts: Katie Lee Tournaments

Atom: B

PeeWee: BB

PeeWee: LL3

Dec 22 vs Embro Edge 3

Dec 30 vs Stoney Creek Home: 0 Visitor: 7

Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Audrey English, Isla McCoubrey, McKenzie Rank Assists: Sage Balog, Isla McCoubrey

Dec 27 vs Oakville Rangers Blue Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Danny Schaefer, Josh Carson, Carson Staken, Riley Dettweiler Assists: Evan Woods, Carson Staken, Hunter Bender, Josh Carson, Carter Snider

PeeWee: MINOR AE

Bantam: LL2

PeeWee: MINOR AE

Dec 23 vs Kitchener Home: 3 Visitor: 0 Goals: Sara Fowell, Keira Lavellee, Avery Grundy Assists: Kayla Sargent, Reese Talbot Shutouts: Makenna Kroetsch

Bantam: B Dec 17 vs Ayr Rockets Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Maggie Sabean, Madison Meincke Assists: Marlee Fraser, Kaitlyn Hyatt

Atom: LL Dec 29 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons - Black Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Cayleigh McQuinn Assists: Addison Fitzgerald, Michaela Blanchet

WATERLOO WOLVES

Atom: MINOR AA Dec 16 vs Burlington Cougars Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Joel Venerus, Hunter Martin

Atom: MINOR AA

Dec 20 vs Kitchener Rangers Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Dec 18 vs Grand River Mustangs Goals: Rohan Jobanputra (2), Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Joel Venerus, Goals: Olivia Bloemberg, Marlee Assists: Colten Taylor (2), Fraser (2) Preston Murray, Emre Alves, Assists: Taylor Schmitt, Emma Wesley Snipes, Liam Carberry Wiseman, Brooke Rempel, Rachel Christensen Atom: MINOR AA Jan 06 vs Burlington Jr Cougars Bantam: B Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Dec 20 vs Waterloo Ravens Goals: Emre Alves (2), Joel Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Venerus, Hunter Martin, Liam Goals: Taylor Schmitt Carberry Assists: Preston Murray (2), Bantam: B Matthew Pudifin, Nathan Liu Dec 20 vs Twin Centre HeriShutouts: Daio Gaudun-Jones / canes Daniel Llyod-Craig Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Marlee Fraser, Emma WOOLWICH Wiseman, Olivia Bloemberg, THRASHERS Taylor Schmitt, Maggie Sabean Bantam Assists: Olivia Bloemberg, Sophie Beyer (2), Marlee Fraser, Jan 05 vs Windsor Ice Bullets Rachel Christenson, Emma Home: 0 Visitor: 2 Wiseman Shutouts: Gwyneth Martin

Bantam: B

Bantam: B Jan 05 vs Waterloo Ravens Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Kaitlyn Hyatt (2), Maggie Sabean Assists: Marlee Fraser, Rachel Christensen (2)

Bantam: B Jan 06 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers

14 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS LABOUR / GETTING A JUMP ON THE SEASON

The summer employment hunt starts now Canada Summer Jobs program has a January deadline for employers looking for young workers

We’ll be hearing more about farmer’s mental health

VERONICA REINER The weather hasn’t been overly wintry, but it’s certainly not putting many of us in mind of summer.

If you’re an employer planning on some student help, however, you may want to keep that season in mind: the deadline for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is January 25.

Under the program, employers can apply today to receive funding from the federal government to hire youth to work for their company. In this case, the prospective employers must be not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, or private firms with up to 50 employees.

Though the House is still on Christmas break, Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht already has his eye on the season ahead.

“I’m proud to have supported this program over the past 12 years,” said Albrecht. “Investing in our youth is what is best for our communities and will ensure that Canada has a bright future. This program is providing youth gainful experience as well as supporting our local businesses.”

While the program has been running for more than a decade, there are several changes from what was offered in 2018. Up-

FIELD NOTES

tory employment-related costs, while small businesses with up to 50 employees and public-sector employers are eligible for 50 per cent of the provincial minimum hourly wage.

This mutually beneficial program provides youth with an opportunity to

With 2019 less than two weeks old, an unusually large number of major agrifood stories are already jockeying for the spotlight.

They all deserve some degree of attention. After all, food is one of our most fundamental needs.

But the farm story that is most destined to grow throughout the year is producers’ increasingly documented problems with mental health, the efforts being made to bring these problems to light, and the research and strategies needed to address it and promote awareness. Before Christmas, the federal government addressed it.

Then earlier this week, the province threw its support behind it.

Here’s why.

Nothing is more basic to the effective production of healthy food than healthy farmers. Health transcends commodities, income, production approaches and regions.

If farmers are under undo pressure physically or mentally – or financially, for that matter – expect some impact on the food system.

It only makes sense.

JOBS | 15

ROBERTS | 15

The CSJ 2019 allows employers to obtain funding needed to hire youth ages 15-30 throughout the summer months, whether in the traditional sectors or otherwise. dates include expanded eligibility – youth ages 15-30 many now apply, and the program is no longer restricted solely to students. The change was made to complement the government’s renewal of the Youth Employment Strategy, announced in conjunction with last year’s budget.

“Young Canadians are

not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are leaders today,” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu. “That’s why our government is focused on ensuring they get the skills and training they need to succeed, and Canada Summer Jobs is an incredibly important program for helping young

people achieve this. Providing youth with opportunities for paid, meaningful work experience, helps ensure they have a fair shot at success.”

This program can help non-profit organizations substantially. Not-for-profit employers are eligible for up to 100 per cent of the provincial minimum hourly wage and manda-

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VENTURE | 15

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

ROBERTS: Making an effort because a healthy farming sector starts with healthy farmers FROM | 14

caused by nature – weather and weather-related plant and animal diseases, for example. Other stress is inherent in the occupation, such as isolation and the need to find everdwindling labour. And for livestock producers, the inevitability of animal illness and mortality.

Still more pressure is applied by the public and by regulators, with demands that take time and money to implement, but are expected immediately.

I’ve likely missed some.

But you get the picture – this is a huge issue.

Mental health was a focus of the first stop of the year in Guelph for provincial agriculture and agri-food minister Ernie Hardeman.

On Monday, he held a

And there’s no question pressure is there. The problem has been growing for ages. Traditionally, farmers didn’t discuss mental health much, sucking it up and reluctantly accepting it as part of the job.

As a result, it received little attention.

But as generations changed, vulnerability became socially acceptable and research showed the problem was real, more farmers came forward with tales of depression and anxiety.

It turns out that despite the idyllic appearance of the farming lifestyle, it is marked by all kinds of pressure.

Some of that pressure is

closed-doors discussion at the provincial building on Stone Road with farmers, farm leaders and University of Guelph researchers who have led the country in farm-related mental health studies.

It was said to be closed because of the sensitive nature of the discussions – some farmers were telling him about their experiences, and while the industry as a whole has moved towards openness about mental health, it’s still an individual matter.

After the meeting, the minister indicated he was all in. He said his ministry was launching a public awareness campaign to highlight farmers’ mental health challenges and encourage farmers to reach

out when they need help.

“Farming can be a tough business, one that sometimes takes a toll on farmers and their families and yet we all know people who have been reluctant to ask for help,” he said. “We want to address the stigma that still surrounds mental health, and help people find the resources that can make a difference.”

He said this effort was part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy – he called it the biggest commitment to mental health in provincial history.

The agriculture sector has

huge issues on its plate as 2019 unfolds. These include trying to find ways to process last year’s corn crop, which suffered an unusually high level of spoilage from the wet fall, and dealing with a public that is changing

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JOBS: Feds have been increasing the budget for the program FROM | 14

gain work experience to build their résumés and learn valuable skills, while also helping organizations to fill labour gaps throughout the summer months.

“The 2019 CSJ program is very similar to the 2018 program,” said Josh Bueckert, a Service Canada spokesperson. “They ad-

vertise their available positions and youth apply directly to the employer for jobs.”

The jobs created through the program will be listed through www.jobbank. gc.ca, and on the mobile app. The site allows users to create a profile and resume so that the most relevant jobs to their work

experience are readily displayed.

The budget for the program is sizeable: the government has boosted base funding to $107 million to allow the program to create up to 70,000 jobs per year. That’s nearly double the number of jobs created since 2015.

Those wishing to apply

can do so online, in person, or by mail before January 25. The earliest job start date is April 23, while the latest is July 23. The latest job end date is on September 1. For more information or to apply, visit www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/ funding/canada-summerjobs.html.

its food preferences and increasingly worried about food prices.

But ultimately, it all comes down to farmers and their ability to produce food. Their health is priority one.

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VOISIN CHRYSLER LTD.

Need A New Vehicle?

Visit us today!

•RAY FREDERICK •COLIN KROPF •JEFF JOHNSON

$290 84 mths @ 5.99%

2018 DODGE DURANGO RT AWD

$ 170

60 mths @ 5.99%

2014 DODGE JOURNEY RT AWD

$ 179

$ 162

60 mths @ 5.99%

72 mths @ 5.99%

2014 DODGE JOURNEY RT AWD

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE NORTH

Awesome performance with 5.7 liter V8 Hemi engine and all-wheel drive. Well equipped RT model with 7 passenger seating, heated front and second row seats, performance hood, 20 inch wheel package, Navigation, power sunroof and more. Finished in Billet silver metallic.

Has 46,100 kilometers. $42, 995

Nice one owner trade-in.RT model with V6 engine, all-wheel drive, heated leather seats, Navigation, rear back-up camera, remote start and much more.

Finished in white. Has 85,700 kilometers. $18,995.

Low kilometer one owner trade-in. This RT model has All-wheel-drive, leather heated seats, heated steering wheel, Navigation, power driver’s seat, Uconnect with Bluetooth, remote start, backup camera and much more.Finished in white. Has only 44,100 kilometers. $19,995.

Low mileage on this one owner trade-in.North package with V6 engine, 9 speed automatic transmission, heated seats, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, remote start, rear backup camera and more. Finished in Granite. Only 49,800 kilometers. $20,995..

$ 176

$202

$ 132

$ 161

84 mths @ 5.99%

84 mths @ 5.99%

48 mths @ 6.74%

60 mths @ 5.99%

Call one of our sales reps today!

All sale prices exclude H.S.T, and License Fee. Fixed rates, based on bi-weekly payments O.A.C. Finance rates are only good for date of publication.

2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GT

Sporty GT model with heated front and second row leather seats, powerliftgate, power sliding side doors, backup camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, remote start and much more. Finished in Billet silver metallic. Has 51,400 kilometers. $25,995.

2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED 4X4

Well equipped Limited package with heated leather seats, Navigation, dual pane sunroof, V6 engine,power liftgate, backup camera, remote start and more. Finished in black. 34,900 kilometers. $29,995.

2011 DODGE JOURNEY RT AWD

One owner trade-in. RT model with all-wheel-drive,heated leather seats, power driver’s seat, Uconnect with Bluetooth, remote start, power sunroof, fog lights and more. Finished in silver. Has 155,200 kilometers. $11,995.

2013 DODGE JOURNEY RT AWD

All-wheel-drive, Navigation, heated leather seating, power sunroof, rear back-up camera, remote start, Uconnect with Bluetooth, fog lights,alloy wheels and much more. Finished in black. Has only 75,200 kilometers. $17,995.

CALL ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL SALES REPS TODAY: RAY FREDERICK, COLIN KROPF, JEFF JOHNSON. All sale prices exclude H.S.T, and License Fee. Fixed rates, based on bi-weekly payments O.A.C. Finance rates are only good for date of publication.

361 ARTHUR STREET SOUTH, ELMIRA • www.voisinchrysler.com

519-669-2831

16 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:

WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM

AUCTION

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Vehicles - Municipal, Police, Repo, Fleets & Others

TERM & STUDENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE

PUBLIC

AUCTION

PLEASE JOIN US ON EITHER ONE OF THE JOB FAIR DATES

SATURDAY JAN. 19, 2019

9:00am to 11:00am

Floradale Feed Mill Limited is an independent, family owned and operated feed company serving livestock and poultry producers in Ontario.

3:00pm to 6:00pm

to be held at

BRESLAU AIRPORT ROAD AUCTION COMPLEX 5100 FOUNTAIN ST, North, BRESLAU (Kitchener)

Sat Jan 12th 9:30am

AT HOME HARDWARE’S DEALER SUPPORT CENTRE 34 HENRY STREET, ST. JACOBS

We currently have an opening for:

Bag Truck Driver

WEDNESDAY FEB. 6, 2019

4 - 13/16 Taurus AWD’s 2013 Explorer AWD 2012 Honda Odyssey 2012 Chrysler 200 2011 Equinox LTZ AWD 4 - 11/12 Fusion SE’s 2011 Toyota Sienna 2011 Taurus SH0 AWD 3 - 10/11 Charger’s 2011 Crown Victoria 2011 MINI Cooper S 2011 Ford Focus SE 2009 Sebring Conv 2 - 09/10 Gr Caravans 2009 Santa Fe AWD 2007 Tiburon Sport

(ENTER THROUGH RECEPTION)

This fulltime position will involve safe operation of a bag unit week days (Monday to Friday).

The successful applicant will have:

HOME HARDWARE MATERIAL HANDLERS

• A valid G driver’s license needed, with the D designation preferred • Strong oral and written communication skills • Ability to develop effective work relationships with co-workers, and • Ability to represent the company positively with customers.

At Floradale Feed Mill Limited we take pride in providing the finest in quality feeds and service to our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Therefore, a background in agriculture is considered an asset.

We offer a competitive wage, pension plan and group insurance benefits.

To apply, forward your resume to:

JOB FAIRS BRING YOUR RESUME AND REFERENCES! WALK-IN FOR AN INTERVIEW! Unable to attend?

Please send your resume or inquiries to hr@homehardware.ca

We look forward to meeting you!

Each year Home Hardware Stores Limited employs over 150 Terms and Students to work in the St. Jacobs Dealer Support Centre during the summer to cover holiday shifts and help during our busiest time of the year. Material Handlers pick and pack product for our Dealers. Must be able to perform strenuous physical activities, including: walking, standing, bending, lifting and must be willing to be trained on powered lift equipment.

Term Material Handlers – We are hiring for the Afternoon Shift (3pm-11pm) and Night Shift (11pm-7am) from March to October. Rate of pay will start at $18.27, 3 months $19.18, 6 months $20.14, plus 7.5% shift premium for Afternoons and Nights.

Student Material Handlers – We are hiring for the Day Shift (7am-3pm) and the Afternoon Shift (3pm-11pm) from May to August.

Applicants must be 16 years old to be eligible. Students need to be available to work Saturdays and public holidays as required. Rate of pay for students is $16.00.

Check Website for Updates

No Buyer’s Premium or Penalty !!!

VIEWING: Friday Jan 11th, 2019, 1 pm to 5 pm TERMS: $500 Deposit on Each Vehicle, or as announced.

M.R. Jutzi Auctions DIVISION 658347 ONTARIO INC.

WE WILL ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS UNDER THE HUMAN RIGHTS CODE IN ALL PARTS OF THE HIRING PROCESS.

www.mrjutzi.ca

HELP WANTED

Human Resources Floradale Feed Mill Limited 2131 Floradale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 Or e-mail: ffmjobs@ffmltd.com

ELMIRA OBSV_2019 4col-5.063x4.617.indd 1

519-648-2111

AUCTION

2018-12-28 1:03 PM

DAVID CARSON FARMS & AUCTION SERVICES LTD.

We appreciate all who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

BEEF SALE SCHEDULED for Sat January

RENTAL

12th has been rescheduled to Sat January 26th.

Part Time Truck Loader

VACANCY

CAMEO COURT APARTMENTS 30 Church St. W., ELMIRA Rare Premium Downtown Elmira, spacious Two Bedroom open-layout Apartment AVAILABLE in modern (2012) Apartment Building complete with Elevator, Main floor Common Room, individual Central Heating / Air Conditioning in each Apt., as well as 5 appliances (washer/dryer in each Apt.)

Cow & Calf Sale. Offering cows, breeder bulls, and cow/calf pairs. Cull cows at 11A.M. followed by Stocker sale. Consignments Accepted!

AS OF JANUARY 1ST Carsons Dairy Sales

will be switching to 1 dairy sale per month held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

Carson Farms has on hand at all times Fresh, Springing and Bred & Open heifers for Private Sale. We are available at all time for Herd Dispersals. Next Dairy Sale – Wed. Feb 13th.

If you are interested in a rewarding work life with a competitive compensation, please submit your resume via email to recruiting@wfs.ca no later than January 25, 2019

Carson’s Auction Service

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance. Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process.

WORK WANTED

CONTACT: (519) 525-2222 or (226) 989-4627 (After 4PM) OR: evans@hurontel.on.ca

SAT. JANUARY 26TH – 11:00 A.M. – Beef

We are looking for a part time Truck Loader to work with us Fridays 6pm – 12am, and every other Sunday 6pm – 12am. This position loads our feed trucks while maintaining a focus on safety, quality and accuracy. Applicants must be able to safely handle large trucks, be physically capable of repeated lifting and climbing, and be able to work with computers. Attention to detail, good record keeping and strong math skills are important.

R.R.#3 Listowel, ON N4W 3G8

Tel: 519-291-2049 | Fax: 519-291-5065 Website: www.davidcarson.on.ca | Email: info@davidcarson.on.ca

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

HOW TO REACH US

2016 Colorado Crew 4x4 2014 Ford Explorer 2012 Chev 3500 C/Van 2012 Chev Ambulance 2012 Chev Handicap Bus 2011 Expedition AWD 2010 Chev Silverado 2- 09/10 Ford F150 4x4’s 2- 07 /11 Ford EDGE’s 2009 Ford F450 Tarp Stk 2007 Dakota Crew P /U 2001 Dodge Ram P /U MF 4245 Tractor Loader Bobcat 463 Skid Steer 95 IHC 4900 TA Dump Horse Ambulance Trailer

FOR SALE

GOOD, RELIABLE DRYWALL taping and sanding work.

No job is too small. 226622-7648.

1 CROSSWALK TREADMILL exerciser. 1 Free Spirit Elliptical trainer. Excellent condition. Fair Price. Call Jim at 519-669-4596.

FOR SALE 4 X 15” Hankook Snow Tires and GM rims. Used one season, 205/75/R15, $275 o.b.o. Craftsman heavy duty 10” table saw, steel top, 115 volt motor, Powerful 1HP capacitor start $195 o.b.o.

519-648-2985.

FOR SALE MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195.

Delivery available $35. 519635-8737.

CONT. PG. 18

#1

NEWS

SOURCE

IN THE REGION

PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

RESIDENTIAL COST $9.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 20¢ PER WORD

COMMERCIAL COST $15.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 30¢ PER WORD

PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Thursday publication is Wednesday by 10 a.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.

CLASSIFIED | 17

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

THOMPSON’S

Auto Tech Inc. Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence.

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

519-669-4400 30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA www.thompsonsauto.ca

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

TIRE

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service 35 Howard Ave., Elmira

519-669-3232

YOUR BUSINESS RIGHT HERE.

Advertise your business services in our service directory.

Weekly exposure with fantastic results!

Call Donna at 519.669.5790 Ext 104.

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Patios Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Steps Decorative/Stamped and Coloured Concrete www.marwilconcrete.ca

519-577-0370

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

“25 years in Business”

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC. 1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

• Store Fronts • Thermopanes • Mirrors • Screen Repair • Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures • Sash Repair TEL:

519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 • 24 Hour Emergency Service

CONSTRUCTION INC.

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

(519) 569-0772

Randy Weber

• Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

www.rwelectricltd.com 18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AMOS INC

R O O F I N G

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016 darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches

DESIGN CENTRE

KITCHEN, BATH & WINDOW FASHIONS

Blinds, shades, drapery & more • Custom cabinetry made in Canada Free In-home consultations • Our experienced designer will help you work within your personal taste and budget

Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware

A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.

Popular Brands Available

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

BLANCO, MAAX, MIROLAN, STEEL QUEEN

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5

In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

John Schaefer Painting FREE ESTIMATES Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs

519-503-6033 (CELL) 519-669-2251

36 Hampton St., Elmira

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today!

519-648-3004

or

800-232-6396

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs.

Save you

by Elite or Mera

In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

Blinds

The Right Window Treatment Can

1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

E

Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 3:00

Evenings By Appointment

GENERAL SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

HOME COMFOR LMIRA T

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

YOUR BUSINESS RIGHT HERE. OUTDOOR SERVICES Since 1998

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

(519) 669-4600

APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACES AIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS SPRING SPECIAL ON AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP $99, INSTALLED FROM $1999 FURNACES INSTALLED FROM $2499 FRIDGES $499, STOVES $399, WASHERS $399, DRYERS $369, FREEZERS $199 Come visit our show room FREE QUOTES 1 Union Street, Elmira

ehc@hotmail.ca (519)-669-4600

Humidity or Heating Issues in Your Home?

Give us a call or visit us online.

CALL 519-206-0336

BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE

www.koebelhcm.com

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

•Final grading •Lawn repair & complete seeding well equipped for large stoney areas •Spike Aerator/Overseeding •Natural & Interlocking Stone •Retaining Walls, Walks & Patios •Help for Top Water & Drainage issue

Murray & Daniel Shantz

ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427

18 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

REAL ESTATE

$899,900

Sue From

Alli Bauman

226-750-9332

519-577-6248

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

suefrom17@gmail.com

BROKERAGE

allibauman17@gmail.com

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

ipsum Drayton - A rare opportunity to own a custom built bungalow in a picturesque country setting only 30 minutes to KW. This meticulously maintained home has an open concept feel and is finished from top to bottom. With the sprawling island, formal living room, family room and main floor laundry, this home has been well thought out. Entertaining is a breeze in this huge rec room, two bedrooms and an office in the basement. In addition to the single garage, the 24X24 ft detached workshop will impress. Call today to visit this property!

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426

SELLING? CALL US FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION.

Shanna

Office:

519-669-2772

BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com

155 BROOKMEAD ST., ELMIRA This updated bungalow is better than new! Kitchen (w/quartz countertops) new flooring (main level) ensuite bathroom, furnace & CAC all replaced in the last 4 years. Popular open concept is great for entertaining. Huge rec. rm. 2 bdrms. & 4 pc. bath in lower level. Concrete driveway. Very private backyard w/ mature trees & bushes. MLS

BROKER

A portion of each sale commission is donated to The Woolwich Community Services.

Brubacher

$698,700

HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO…

BROKER

BUR OAK, ELMIRA These brand new freehold townhomes offer an oversized garage w/10’ door. Lovely kitchen w/lots of cabinetry, pantry, island & granite. Open concept to great rm. w/gas fireplace , tray ceiling. Oversized window & walkout. M/bed will accom.a king sized bed, has a walkin closet & full ensuite. Everything is on one level!

Prices start @ $499,900

VILLAGE SETTING - COMMERCIAL + RESIDENCE

OPEN HOUSE | SAT, JAN 12TH 13 PM • 12 FIRST ST. E., ELMIRA

$719,000 AND $749,000 TWO properties creating an unique opportunity! 4500 sq ft shop + 2nd floor

From $499,900

office space and large mezzanine ideal for at home operating business zone SC-5. The picturesque setting for this desirable backsplit home offers the privacy of a country property, inground pool, very well maintained. Please call for your private showing and details for MLS 30698994 and MLS 30698998

8 BUNTING PLACE, ELMIRA

PARADIGM ELMIRA HOMES

$409,000 ELMIRA Amazing price for this well maintained detached

Bungalow home. Many updates have been completed. Room to add extra and bathroom if one desires. Spacious lot 60' x 135'.

Broker

Cell: 519.588.7562

LET OUR 60+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

Rozema

Bonnie

JULIE HECKENDORN

ONLY ONE UNIT REMAINING IN THE FIRST PHASE OF TOWN HOMES! Base Price includes finished basement $492,000. 2+1 bedroom, 3 full bathrooms, central air conditioning, gas fireplace, hardwood & ceramic flrs, custom kitchen with island, master ensuite, main floor laundry, walkout + more! EXCLUSIVE

$569,900

WANT TO SELL? CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH!

SOLD

Huge 58x220 lot backing to open space!

Original owners in this custom built backsplit. 3br + den, 2 bath. Country kitch. walk out to two tier deck, family room walk out on grade to fenced inground pool. Formal LR/DR. Unfinished lower level waiting your design. Shows well! MLS

CALL FOR YOUR

FREE MARKET EVALUATION

ELMIRA OFFICE: 519-669-3192 | www.YourFamilyTeam.ca | 90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

Luke Shantz

REAL ESTATE BROKER

luke.shantz@outlook.com

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.5426 | Direct 519.584.4400

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, Jan 12th • 2-4pm 10 Samuel St. Elmira

NEW LISTING

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE

®

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

Contact us by email: mildred@thefreyteam.com

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE

(Direct)

Dale R. Keller

519.747.0231 (Office)

Sales Representative

410 Conestogo Road, Unit 210, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E2

www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com

Drayton | $419,900 Nice open concept bungalow on a good sized lot backing onto schoolgrounds .

3+2 bedrooms and 2 full baths for the growing family. Enjoy the gas fireplace in the finished rec room. Lots of storage. MLS Call Dale direct.

For a free, no obligation, consultation on Buying or Selling, call Dale direct at 519-500-1865.

$424,900

ELMIRA – 3 bed, 2 bath detached bungalow on quiet street in Elmira. Double wide drive, attached garage. Great opportunity to finish this home to your taste. LR has large front window for natural light. Spacious rec room in basement w/ workshop and second bath. MLS

THE PLACE TO SELL YOUR HOME.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 AUCTIONS TOY AUCTION OF Farm tractors, machinery, pedal tractors, local tractor trailers, coin banks, memorabilia, literature and other interesting items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Richard Stein, Woodstock, & additions, on Saturday, January 12th @ 10:00 a.m.

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

AUCTIONS TOY AUCTION OF Farm tractors, machinery, pedal tractors, local tractor trailers, coin banks, memorabilia, literature and other interesting items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Richard Stein, Woodstock, & additions, on Saturday, January 12th @ 10:00 a.m.

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

AUCTIONS FRI. JAN. 18 at 5:00 PM - Farm toy auction of approx. 300 toys including Farmall; precision; literature; Teeswater custom; Cockshutt; and much much more at the St. Jacobs Community Centre 29 Parkside Dr. St. Jacobs for area collectors. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

Mildred Frey Broker Call or text

Cell 519-741-6368 Cell 519-741-6970

www.thefreyteam.com

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519.500.1865

Len Frey

Sales Representative Call or text

AUCTIONS WED. JAN 23 at 9:45 AM - Clearing auction sale of furniture; household effects; tools; antiques; primitives; and miscellaneous items at the St. Jacobs Community Centre 29 Parkside Dr. St. Jacobs. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com CONT. ON PAGE 20

ELMIRA COMMERCIAL FOR LEASE 5& 7 Church St. West Elmira: FOR LEASE: This unit consists of 1,527 sq. ft. @11.00 on the main st just before the bank. And is part of Kitchen Kuttings cheese store. Can be shown with 24 hours notice during working hours.

Great location call to view. MLS 30698515 4-112 Oriole Parkway Elmira: FOR LEASE Unit is 1,821 Sq. ft. @ 10.00 in a very active mall. Other tenants are laundry, pizza, hair salon, and mini-mart. Fantastic location for any business. Wide spread of uses. Require 24 hours notice. Call to view. MLS 30681168 5-112 Oriole Parkway Elmira: FOR LEASE Unit is 1,310 Sq. ft. @ 10.00 in the same mall as above. This unit is vacant and can be shown on short notice during daylight hours.

Evenings might need 24 hours. Has a reception area in the front. Great spot in an active mall. Call to view. MLS 30677552 Call or email today for a FREE, NO Thinking of Buying or Selling? OBLIGATION, OPINONS of VALUE!

WORD ADS WORK Small ads, big results.

Generate big business, in small ways.

Call Donna at 519.669.5790 Ext 104.

CLASSIFIED | 19

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

REAL ESTATE

Regional Municipality of Waterloo Bert Martin Re/max Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., BROKER

Brokerage

Independently Owned and Operated

2019 Citizen Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Advisory Committees & Special Purpose Bodies

DIRECT: 519-572-2669 3 Arthur St. S. Elmira OFFICE: 519-669-5426

www.remaxsolidgold.biz

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

FREE Market Evaluation !

EW G N TIN S LI

$409,900 ELMIRA

Location! Location! Location! Great Starter offers renovated kitchen, formal dining room with walk out to deck and rear yard, cozy living room, family room, three bedrooms, rec room and bathroom.

Detached garage and paved drive. MLS. Call Bert to view.

Interested citizens and incumbent members are invited to apply for appointment to any of the following:

Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC)

$419,900

!

EW G N TIN S LI

ELMIRA Older two and a-half storey with beautiful original wood trim, wide baseboards, stained glass, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, large formal dining rooms with solid pocket doors to large formal living room and detached garage. Backing to green space. MLS. Call Bert to view.

Five persons are required for a term of up to four years ending December 31, 2022.

The Active Transportation Advisory Committee will serve as a forum for the public to raise their viewpoints on particular active transportation issues and to advise Regional Council and staff on cycling and pedestrian issues. Residents from all areas of the Region are encouraged to apply to provide a balanced regional perspective on cycling and pedestrian issues.

Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC)

Serving the community for 27 years!

Your referrals are appreciated!

#1

Each year the Regional Municipality of Waterloo advertises for applications from the public and appoints citizens to various Boards, Commissions, Advisory Committees and other Special Purpose Bodies required for a particular year(s) or Council term of office. These appointments give citizens of this Region, from a variety of backgrounds, an opportunity to volunteer and become actively engaged as a member of a Board, Commission, Advisory Committee or other Special Purpose Body.

Up to Four persons are required for a term of up to four-years ending December 31, 2022. Persons with knowledge, interest, professional and/or technical qualifications in environmental issues related to such disciplines and policy areas as biology, ecology, hydrology, hydrogeology, forestry, agriculture, environmental law/policy, wildlife management and urban/rural planning are encouraged to apply.

Heritage Planning Advisory Committee (HPAC)

NEWS

SOURCE

IN THE REGION PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Four persons are required for a term of up to four-years ending December 31, 2022. The Heritage Planning Advisory Committee advises on Regional heritage issues and policies, in accordance with the Regional Official Plan. The Committee also assists the Region in promoting Regional heritage and in increasing public understanding of heritage issues.

Kissing Bridge Trailway Advisory Board One person is required for a three-year term ending December 31, 20121. Non-farm landowners in proximity to the Kissing Bridge Trailway in any of the communities in which the Trailway is located are encouraged to apply. The Trailway Advisory Board advises the County of Wellington and Regional Council on the development and management of the Trailway.

Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC)

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Specialized Transit Services Advisory Committee (STSAC) Six persons are required for a two-year term ending December 31, 2020. The Specialized Transit Services Advisory Committee will advise and provide assistance relating to the development of Special Transit Services policies and service that best meet the needs of the community. Members of MobilityPLUS are strongly encouraged to apply.

Persons interested in serving as a Committee member must file an application with the Regional Clerk prior to 4:30 p.m. on January, 25, 2019. The application form and the Terms of Reference for the listed Committees are available on the Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website or by contacting the Regional Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. â&#x20AC;˘ Go to www.regionofwaterloo.ca â&#x20AC;˘ Select the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regional Governmentâ&#x20AC;? drop down menu â&#x20AC;˘ Select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agendas/Minutesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advisory Committeesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Scroll down page for â&#x20AC;&#x153;2019 Citizen Appointmentsâ&#x20AC;?

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Four persons are required for a term of up to four-years ending December 31, 2022. The Region of Waterloo Public Art Advisory Committee develops and recommends policies for the selection, acquisition, display, retention, maintenance, storage and de-accessioning of public art which is owned by or on loan to the Region.

To view the application and the Terms of Reference for the various committees on the Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website:

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This information may also be obtained from the Office of the Regional Clerk by contacting Tim Brubacher at 519-575-4493 or by emailing tbrubacher@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Advertised vacancies on a particular Committee may be filled by incumbents whose terms have expired and, therefore, the number of actual vacancies may differ from the number of advertised vacancies. Individuals are not permitted to sit on more than one Advisory Committee unless joint membership is specified in the applicable terms of reference. All applicants will receive written notification about the outcome of their application. It is expected that all appointments will be finalized and approved by Regional Council no later than February 28, 2019.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to determine suitability for appointment.

Questions regarding the collection of personal information should be referred to Tim Brubacher at 519-575-4493, Office of the Regional Clerk.

20 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

FAMILY ALBUM

PUBLIC NOTICE “PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page

P.O. Box 158

24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Woolwich intends to discuss the 2019 Draft Water and Wastewater Budgets and changes to the water and wastewater rates at the Council meeting on January 15, 2019 commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 24 Church Street West, Elmira.

Richard Petherick, CPA, CMA Director of Finance & Treasurer Fax: 519-669-1820 After Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094

The Public Meeting to discuss this matter will be held on: Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the second-floor Council Chambers of the Township Offices at 24 Church Street West, Elmira A staff report will be made available in the Council meeting package which will be published after 2:00 p.m. on January 11, 2019, on the Township’s website at www.woolwich.ca/agendas.

All interested parties or members of the public can provide their comments in-person at the meeting or submit feedback in writing to sgoldrup@woolwich.ca.

Please visit www.woolwich.ca or call 519-669-6004 for more information.

FARM SERVICES BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS Agricultural Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

FERTILIZER AND SEED GRAIN - at competitive pricing. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141.

ICE SALT & ICE MELT - Ice salt comes in 20 & 40kg’s, Ice melt comes in 20kg bags. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

ORGANIC FERTILIZER FOR sale. Sulfur 90 and Sulfate Potash. Call George Haffner Trucking at 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

FIND IT IN THE OBSERVER

RON’S DRYWALL AND Renovations. Over 35 years experience.

Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron.spncr@gmail.com

COMING EVENTS THE SHAREHOLDERS OF the Elmira Farmers’ Shed will hold their Annual Meeting in the Farmer’s Plus Board Room on Fri. Jan. 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.

#1

A world of thanks to YOU: Our cherished family, our dearest friends, our good neighbours and loyal customers. You brought happiness to Romie on his 95th birthday in ways that we could never have imagined. We are so grateful for your good wishes, your attendance at the celebration and for your constant support and kindness.

We are blessed to have you in our lives and we thank God for this and his other many blessings.

With gratitude and our very best wishes for a Happy New Year,

NEWS

SOURCE IN THE REGION

GERBER, MELVIN G. - Peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Innisfree House, Kitchener, Mel of Wellesley in his 75th year.

HEFFORD, BETTY (TERESA Elizabeth) - Passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at Barnswallow Place Care Community, Elmira, at the age of 92 years.

KLEINKNECHT, LORI JEAN - Lori passed away peacefully at Derbecker’s Heritage House in St. Jacobs on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the age of 53.

Who doesn’t love a birthday?

Surprise your loved ones with a notice in The Observer.

CALL TODAY 519-669-5790 EXT 104 or email: drudy@woolwichobserver.com

THE OBSERVER HELPS YOU GET

THE WORD OUT! PRINTING SERVICES

Fischer, Elizabeth “Betty” Passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at St. Mary’s General Hospital at the age of 84. Betty was a resident of the St. Jacobs Meadows Residential Community in St. Jacobs, ON. Beloved wife of Donald. Loving mother of Douglas (Christine), Karen Shoemaker (Darryl), the late Janet Lynn Wallbank (1993), the late Brenda (1960) and the late Mary (1961). Cherished grandmother of Christopher Wallbank (Katie), Douglas Wallbank, Jeffrey Wallbank; Lauren Fischer; Avery Shoemaker, William Shoemaker and Erin Shoemaker. Loving great-grandmother of Violet Wallbank. Special God-mother of Sandra Pollice (Harmer). Predeceased by her parents, Lillie Plant (1978), William Plant (1988), brother John (2002) and his wife Helen (2008) and her brother William (1931). Betty will be fondly remembered by her family and the many friends whose lives she has touched.

Betty’s family received relatives and friends on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON N2B 2A5. Visitation continued on Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m., followed by a funeral service, which was held in the chapel of the funeral home, at 1:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society or the Salvation Army would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

PLACE AN AD IN OUR CLASSIFIED SECTION

AUCTION SALE OF Trucks, car, tractors, combine, machinery and miscellaneous items, to be held at 50 Wilmot Line, Waterloo - I mile west of Waterloo or 2 miles east of St. Agatha (north off Erb’s Rd.), for Hergott Farms Ltd. (Tony Hergott), on Wednesday, January 30th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 519-698-0138

TRADES & SERVICES

Note of Thanks

DEATH NOTICES

Please be advised that on January 15, 2019, the Council of the Township of Woolwich will hold a Public Meeting to hear from members of the public or other interested parties before considering opting-in or opting-out of allowing cannabis retail locations in the Township.

AUCTIONS

OBITUARY

Romie and Mary Voisin

Notice of Public Meeting Cannabis Retail Locations

LISTINGS CONT. FROM PAGE 18

THANK YOU

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Betty’s memorial

Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com

LIVING HERE | 21

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

LIVING HERE CHEF’S TABLE/ DIERRE ACHESON

PERSONAL GOALS / GOING THE DISTANCE

Literally on the trail of a life-changing experience

Making a resolution to make a few healthy changes

Elmira’s John Mathers went off the grid to spend five months hiking the Appalachian Trail FAISAL ALI When John Mathers talks about the months spent hiking along the Appalachian Trail, he recalls the stunning beauty as well as the biting cold. The vast open serene landscapes where the hills touched the sky, the friends made amongst fellow travelers, and the wet in his boots and numbness in his digits.

Last year, the Elmira resident took an extended sojourn from his life for a 152-day walk through the mountainous trails along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. It was a life-changing experience, and Mathers will be sharing his insights, his motivations and some of the day-to-day struggles of his trip with fellow hiking enthusiasts at the Woolwich Trails Group meeting next week.

“I wanted to climb my first mountain. I wanted to be off the grid completely for an extended period of time. So no TV, no newspapers, limited phone screen time because you just don’t get reception along trail,” explains Mather. “I just wanted the simplicity of trail life, which is basically eat, hike, eat, hike, eat, sleep. Do it again the next day. It’s very in the moment, it’s very Zen-like.”

Mathers’ interest in the daunting trail was sparked reading the stories of other hikers through online journals. He’d always had

RECIPE NOTES

John Mathers spent 152 days hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. He kept an online journal during his journey, and will be giving a presentation to the Woolwich Trails Group Jan. 17, recounting the ups and downs of the adventure.

[SUBMITTED] an appreciation for the outdoors, and guided by the maxim that you miss all the chances you don’t take, he decided put buy a ticket to Atlanta, the southern point of the trail.

“I’ve always wanted to spend an entire summer outside, that’s just been kind of a dream. When I was 13, I remember planning a trip with my mum to canoe across Canada. That idea never happened, but the idea of being continu-

ously outside struck me, and it was one that never really left me,” he says.

“The AT (Appalachian Trail) would give me an opportunity to be outside for three full seasons, so I go to walk through winter, spring and summer while on the trail.”

The journey took Mathers over 3,500 km of mountainous terrain, up the eastern seaboard of the U.S. from the northern end of Georgia up through

to Maine at a comparable latitude with Montreal and Quebec City.

“It’d be the equivalent of walking from Elmira to Banff, just to put it in a Canadian perspective.

“The distance is one thing, that’s a big factor.

But the trail goes completely through the Appalachian mountain ranges,” notes Mathers. “You’re climbing 464,500 feet over the course of the trail, so that’s up down up down, all the

We want to start the year off right with you and your vehicle! As a team we are committed to serving you and are always willing to sit down with you to discuss and understand a plan for your vehicle to reach those high-mileage milestones. Ultimately our goal is to keep your car maintained according to your best interest while still making it as convenient as possible.

– Al

way. That’s the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times, so it was kind of brutal.”

That’s a long, tough march through the best and worst conditions and over the course of the journey, Mather’s plodded through sheets of rain and snow and freezing cold temperatures.

“Five months is a long time to be outside, and

It’s a new year right, but is it a new you? Or even a work in progress? I’m still smiling about how 2018 went and hoping the trend continues, but there’s always more to be done. Still, we have been fortunate to be in this ever changing community and working to always get better.

This weekend we are working with a great group of ladies looking to raise money for a good cause but also encourage you to take the time to replenish. What does that mean? The idea is if you aren’t able to take time for you, to satiate your needs, you won’t be able to effectively give to others.

Replenishing is about doing things that make you feel good. A date with a good book, meditation, exercise, a walk on the trail, all good ideas to recharge your batteries, releasing all sorts of feel-good hormones and oxygen into your body.

In that vein, one of the favourite ways to start the day was with a smoothie – so much goodness inside one glass – but as we’re in the second week of 2019 I can’t remember when I had my last breakfast smoothie.

HIKING | 24

CHEF’S TABLE | 23

Two locations in Elmira to serve you better

20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

www.leroysautocare.net

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

22 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Vacuum Sales,

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

Kleensweep Carpet Care

Repairs

Rugs and Upholstery

All Makes & Models

•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates

Everything Vacuum

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance

FEBRUARY 6

HUNGRY MAN’S BREAKFAST AT the Elmira Legion with EDSS Drama Club. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults $6, 6-10 yrs old $3, 5 & under free.

SENIORS’ COMMUNITY DINING AT Linwood Community Centre at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $12. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 21 to sign up.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB. Join us for cards, friends and of course snacks! 1p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Clements Community Centre.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB. Join us for games and cards.

Try Scrabble, Chinese checkers, Balderdash etc.

Maybe learn something new. Refreshments will be served. Bring a new member; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Clements Community Centre.

JANUARY 19 WELLESLEY CEILIDH 7-11 P.M. (doors open 6:30) Wellesley Community Centre. Hosted by Wellesley and District Lions Club. Live Celtic band, dance caller, Scottish snacks. $5/person, kids 5 and under free.

Proceeds to Habitat For Humanity.

M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

JANUARY 21 SENIORS’ LUNCH CLUB AT Woolwich Memorial Centre, Elmira at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 17 to sign up.

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

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JANUARY 25 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF Insect Borne Diseases at Woolwich Community Health Centre, St. Jacobs from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

JANUARY 26 SPAGHETTI DINNER & SALAD Bar at The Elmira Legion.

2 sittings - 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Legion 519-669-2932. Adults $10; Children 5 -10 yrs. $4. Under 5 yrs. $2.

JANUARY 28 COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Woolwich Community Health Centre. Learn tips for clarifying your goals in a dispute & how to generate win-win solutions, especially in situations in which mental health concerns are involved. Daniel Bader Ph. D., Social Worker.

FEBRUARY 2 EARLY VALENTINES DANCE AT the Elmira Legion from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15/person. Limited tickets. Light lunch provided. Live band: Kanyon.

9 Church St. E., Elmira

519-669-8362

JANUARY 23

SENIORS’ LUNCH CLUB AT Wellesley Community Centre at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 14 to sign up.

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FEBRUARY 14 EVERGREEN SENIORS’ FELLOWSHIP. “MUSIC and Drama” with David and Nancy Seiling. Ventriloquists.

“Valentine Memories” Evergreen show and tell. Join us at Woodside Church, Elmira at 10:30 a.m.

Monday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm

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Quality & Service you can trust.

FEBRUARY 19 TUESDAY LUNCHEON AT GALE Presbyterian Church, Elmira from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ham & scalloped potatoes, hot vegetable, salad, bread, cherry cheesecake, beverage. $12 per person.

FEBRUARY 20

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YOUNG AT HEART CLUB make your own lavender scented hand salve with Louisa. Please call 226-7898904 or email s.mar@sympatico.ca to reserve. Space is limited. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Clements Community Centre.

Education and Treatment

MARCH 14 EVERGREEN SENIORS’ FELLOWSHIP AT Woodside Church, Elmira at 10:30 a.m.. “Images and Stories From Nature” with Merri-Lee Metzger, Photographer.

Spiritual encouragement with Pastor Paul Westerholm. Music: Emily Schlueter. $7 donation includes hot lunch.

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Worship: 9:30am

Elmira Mennonite Church

God’s Story, Our Story Fred Lichti preaching

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Jesus Is The True King Discovering God Together

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LIVING HERE | 23

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

STRANGE BUT TRUE / BILL & RICH SONES PH.D.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to be imaginative to map the genome of all species WEIRD NOTES

Q. In 2003, the Human Genome Project (HGP) fully mapped the DNA of our species. What is the new project underway described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most ambitious proposal in the history of biologyâ&#x20AC;??

A. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming to generate a DNA sequence for every species alive today, all 1.5 million complex life forms, says Jonathon Keats in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discoverâ&#x20AC;? magazine. The brainchild of evolution and ecology professor Harris Lewin, the project already has a head start with a collective 500,000 species from

zoos, botanical gardens and places like the Smithsonian, and some 15,000 complete genomes are already published. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lewin thinks perhaps 500,000 more species samples can be scooped up by avid citizen scientists, but gathering the last halfmillion will take serious innovation, such as samplecollecting drones and submersibles.â&#x20AC;?

Though the tasks ahead are seemingly impossible, much the same was said of the HGP, yet demand and financial resources turned out to be great technological accelerators. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The HGP went on to contribute an estimated $1 trillion to the U.S. economy. It helped experts improve medical diagnoses and discover new drugs. EBP

could bring similar gains, particularly to the world of medicine.â&#x20AC;?

Then, consider the immense expansion of knowledge: not only knowing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out there, from the Amazonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s canopy to the ocean floor, but also adding to basic science by determining what genetic material all complex life shares.

Q. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Patterns help us make sense of the world and wordsâ&#x20AC;? but sometimes they lead us astray, says Anu Garg on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;A.Word.A.Dayâ&#x20AC;? website. To â&#x20AC;&#x153;includeâ&#x20AC;? is the opposite of â&#x20AC;&#x153;exclude,â&#x20AC;? but â&#x20AC;&#x153;intendâ&#x20AC;? is not the opposite of â&#x20AC;&#x153;extend,â&#x20AC;? and so it goes. Can you define the following words that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t what they appear to be: â&#x20AC;&#x153;aggrate,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;dogmatic,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;lustrateâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;tourbillionâ&#x20AC;??

A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aggrate, not to be con-

lion,â&#x20AC;? defined as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;whirlwindâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;whirlpool.â&#x20AC;? No big numbers here at all.

Q. Some 3,700 years ago in a city in Jordan called Tall el-Hammam, mud brick walls of nearly all structures suddenly disappeared, leaving only stone foundations. What had happened?

fused with â&#x20AC;&#x153;aggravateâ&#x20AC;? (to annoy) comes from Italian â&#x20AC;&#x153;aggradareâ&#x20AC;? and means â&#x20AC;&#x153;to please or gratify.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dogmatic,â&#x20AC;? from Latin â&#x20AC;&#x153;dogmaâ&#x20AC;? (belief) and from Greek â&#x20AC;&#x153;dogmaâ&#x20AC;? (opinion), is â&#x20AC;&#x153;expressing beliefs or opinions forcefully or positively as if they were true.â&#x20AC;?

Next, â&#x20AC;&#x153;lustrateâ&#x20AC;? means â&#x20AC;&#x153;to purify by means of ritualsâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;to remove undesirable people from an organization, especially in an abrupt or violent manner.â&#x20AC;? Ultimately from the Indo-European â&#x20AC;&#x153;leuk-â&#x20AC;&#x153; (light), it gives us words like â&#x20AC;&#x153;lunar,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;lucid,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;illuminateâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;translucent.â&#x20AC;?

Finally, from French â&#x20AC;&#x153;tourbillonâ&#x20AC;? (whirlwind), from Latin â&#x20AC;&#x153;turboâ&#x20AC;? (spinning top), from Greek â&#x20AC;&#x153;turbeâ&#x20AC;? (turmoil, confusion) comes â&#x20AC;&#x153;tourbil-

A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An exploding meteor instantaneously destroyed civilization on a 25-kilometer-wide plain called Middle Ghor,â&#x20AC;? says Bruce Bower in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Science News,â&#x20AC;? reporting on work by archaeologist Phillip Silvia. The region remained largely unpopulated for the next 600-700 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Up to 65,000 people lived in the area when the cosmic calamity hit.â&#x20AC;?

The evidence for a meteor impact? Outer layers of

many pottery pieces rapidly turned into glass at very high temperatures, and spherical mineral grains which rained down upon the devastated city appear to have been created by high-force winds.

No human deaths due to meteorite impacts have been documented in modern times, though we have had close calls with the Tunguska event in Siberia in 1908 and the one in 2013 near Chelyabinsk, Russia.

But our ancestors were not so lucky. And it is sobering to consider that a meteor likely did in the dinosaurs.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com.

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER ACROSS 1. ___ de deux 4. Dirty water activity 8. Fiddle stick 11. Blue 14. Excuse 15. Biblical birthright seller 16. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ Mariaâ&#x20AC;?

17. Gumbo vegetable 19. No assembly required 22. Get-out-of-jail money 23. Precook by dunking, e.g.ribs 24. Boat blade 25. Neutrinos, by another name 26. Advisories 27. Capital of Vermont 29. Boot, as in elecected official 30. Hobbit bane 31. Three 32. Small big spoon 34. End of week load off 36. Sheepish girl 38. Fifth book 42. Multiple posteriors 44. ABBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tuneful help!

46. Entertainment skating by you 48. UN work standardizer 49. Preacher without eucharist rites, Anglican 52. Lizzy Bordenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem solver 53. British beef cut 55. Astern 56. Courtyards of the heart 58. Widemouth water jug 59. Many creepy clowns 61. Not just â&#x20AC;&#x153;aâ&#x20AC;?

63. Barely detectable difference 64. Altar avowal 66. Little Isaac 68. Hot fiddler 70. Tree sweet 74. 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era videogame props 77. Beelike 78. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ will be doneâ&#x20AC;?

79. Packet of coins 80. Jane in Wales 81. Do not finish manually 83. Done for 84. Before

85. Life lines?

86. Sticky track 87. Extinct terror bird 88. Brings up the rear 89. British stress relievers 90. I, with my little eye DOWN 1. Gun slang (rap) 2. Acoustic 3. 3D movie tech 4. Stupefies with drink 5. Helps 6. Old Chinese money 7. Be busy 8. Equal measure 9. Blatant 10. Married 11. 415 flower types 12. Forest giraffe 13. Correspond 18. Apple spray 20. Short 21. Crude dude 25. Floral garland 27. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s depart abruptly 28. Work, meal, art 32. Hackneyed 33. Not on deck

35. Heretofore 37. Sideways dimension 39. Ben Hur for one 40. Poison 41. Exertion 43. Floating, stinging Muhammad 45. Water lion 47. Well, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the end of an ___ 50. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Byeâ&#x20AC;?

51. Behind 54. Ceylon, historically 57. Faerie glamour 60. To see land 62. High praises 65. Private livingroom 67. Box to the canvas 69. Goes off like a volcano 70. Come together 71. Umbellifer flower 72. 88 key instrument 73. 180, so to speak 75. Consume 76. Fatty 79. Bath garment 81. Monkey see, monkey do 82. Bunk

CHEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TABLE: A smooth(ie) start to the day FROM | 21

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not talking the sweet fast-food kind of smoothie, of course. Rather, go with some real fruit, veggies ice and a liquid such as almond milk, coconut water or kombucha. Juices are great but they spike the blood sugar, which is not

very healthy on a regular basis.

Instead of rushing out the door without breakfast, try this little number, or pop in to the Northfield Racquet Club, where the smoothies are healthy and tasty. Tell them Dierre sent you. Happy New Year.

GoodMorning Smoothie 1 cup frozen strawberries 1/2 frozen banana, chopped 2/3 cup coconut water or

almond milk 1 peeled and seeded orange 1 tsp. chia seeds 1 tsp. flax seeds 1 handful of spinach 1 tsp. local honey

Preparation is easy: simply place all ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour into your favourite eco-friendly cup and enjoy.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. We have got you started with a few numbers already placed in the boxes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Never Enough Thyme Catering Inc. was created with one thought in mind ... to create more thyme!

Enjoy our food shop, specialty cakes and catering. 83A Arthur St. S., Elmira. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

24 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

HIKING: Perseverance was definitely in order FROM | 21

you’re going to get all kinds of weather. Over the course of those 152 days it rained or snowed 25 per cent of the time,” he says.

“There were some pretty uncomfortable camping circumstances early on.

One near-hypothermic experience and a lot of just wet and uncomfortable cold nights and days of walking. When you’re walking the trail and it’s raining, the trail tends to become a river. So you’re walking through like three or four inches of water all day long, and your feet just turn into these massive prune things that don’t even look like [feet],” he says with a laugh.

“There was an instance about seven or eight days in when we were going up and over a mountain. It just started snowing in the valley and it got steadily worse and worse as the day progressed. When we got to the shelter that we were planning to stay at, it was already full of people who were supposed to have moved on, but hadn’t because they were all hypothermic, and they couldn’t really figure out what they were going to do.”

Having started at the trail’s south end, Mathers worked his way north.

So Mathers set out on his own. At this point, it was getting dark outside, and the snow was coming down in steadily . But Mathers made it to a shelter, and was joined by fellow hikers caught out in the stormy weather.

“It was brutal night, but out of that I formed a bond – their trail names are Gravity and Kenya. So I walked the rest of the way with them,” he says of his newly formed trail family.

“I just can’t underscore how big an experience it was. It made me appreciate the here now, and life on simpler terms. I think I’ve

got an enduring appreciation for the many luxuries we have. And a renewed faith in humanity: there’s a huge amount of kindness extended along the trail by trail angels,” he says.

“They provide what we call trail magic. They’ll give you a ride into town, they’ll have cold drinks at the road stops or candy. There’s just a huge amount of kindness that is extended along to through-hikers along the trail, that was a fantastic part of the experience.”

He’s eager to share his stories and inspire others the same way he was when he started out his journey.

When he could, Mathers kept a journal of his travels online, and he will be giving a talk to the Woolwich Trails Group on January 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Woolwich Community Health Centre in St. Jacobs.

“Overall, would I do it again? I think if you asked me that right after I finished, I probably I would have said no because by the end I was really exhausted.

But now, with enough of the memories of that part of the experience fading, leaving just the good stuff, I would definitely say I would do it again.”

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