July 7, 2022

JULY 7, 2022

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Elmira, Ontario, Canada | observerxtra.com | Volume 27

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Apple Butter and Cheese Festival looks to become an official Wellesley committee Leah Gerber Observer Staff

Flair Airlines CEO Stephen Jones, regional Chair Karen Redman, airport manager Chris Wood and MP Tim Louis cut the ribbon Tuesday Bill Atwood morning to officially open the new departure lounge at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

Airport makes it official with latest terminal expansion Bill Atwood Observer Staff

IN A MOVE TO FURTHER accommodate the increasing number of passengers leaving from the region, a new departure lounge opened at Waterloo Airport on Tuesday.

The lounge is part of the $44-million terminal expansion project at the airport, which is expected to see between 500,000

and 700,000 pass through by the end of the year.

“It’s been an incredible feat when you think that a year ago this departure lounge wasn’t here and now it’s fully operational – brand spanking new and ready to have more passengers use YKF both to leave and to come back to the region,” said regional Chair Karen Redman.

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MP Tim Louis said it is a great day for the region.

It’s going to add stability to our airport; it’s enlarging the airport, making more people fly in and out. There’ll be about half a million people that are going to leave in 2022 alone. And about two-thirds of those people are from our region,” Louis said.

Chris Wood, airport general manager, high-

lighted the increasing job numbers at the airport.

“About six months ago we were at 20 staff, and now we’re at 47. We’ve been able to attract all kinds of people on our team, and our newly built terminal operations team. We are training and gearing up to provide a world-class customer experience, as well, in this facility. We’ve gone to a → AIRPORT 4

THE APPLE BUTTER AND CHEESE Festival committee would become an official offshoot of Wellesley council if organizers had their way.

ABC Fest chair Jamie Reid made just such a pitch in a letter discussed Tuesday night by township councillors, who gave tentative approval to the idea.

The impetus is the rising cost of insurance to cover the annual event, an expense that would be mitigated under the township’s policy.

In a letter read by Mayor Joe Nowak, Reid said the festival is now spending upwards of $6,000 each year for insurance coverage. That’s having an impact on the organization’s ability to raise funds to give back to the community.

If the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival became a committee of council, they could be covered under the township’s umbrella policy, saving thousands of dollars, Reid argued.

“I understand that doing this will affect our freedoms to allocate funds as we see fit, but I’m confi-

dent that with the guidance of council, we will come to an agreement for the best ways to distribute our profits each year,” he said in the letter.

Coun. Shelley Wagner expressed concerns that other groups would follow suit and ask for the same thing.

“There’s nothing stopping other organizations from asking the same question,” said chief administrative officer Rik Louwagie. “I think in this case this is a festival that’s been running for 47 years in the township and it’s one of the things the township is known for. I think each request would have to be looked at on their own merit, but I would say this is certainly a Wellesley Township event.”

Coun. Herb Neher asked whether the funds would be used to benefit the whole township or just the village of Wellesley.

“If it’s going to be part of council, then I would like to see some of that money spread out to some of the other communities,” he said.

Louwagie said that currently all or most of the funds are directed to village organizations and → ABC 7

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Page Three

If it matters to you.

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News tips are always welcome.

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Not business as usual for these teens

Splash pad good to go

From the archives

A feasibility study carried out by the township found a splash pad can be accommodated at Breslau Memorial Park. The budget has been estimated at $300,000, with the community responsible for raising all of the funds. The committee handling the project says it has already received donations and pledges in excess of 50% of the target amount.

Concerns about noise impacts has the developer of a proposed Elmira subdivision going back to the drawing board. The concerns, in fact, formed the basis of last month’s decision by the Ontario Municipal Board to dismiss Hawk Ridge Homes’ action against Woolwich Township over a 44-unit d o p a ed or 3 o t From the July 7, 2012 edition of The Observer

Flowboat looks to instill entrepreneurial skills in their fellow students Leah Gerber

guest speakers. The club also provides access to mentors who can help them transition their idea into reality, funding for prototype parts or other needs, training and support to participate in international pitch competitions and prize money in the club’s in-house pitch competition.

Charlie Martinez of Conestogo is the current president of the club, which was co-founded by his brother Adam in 2017.

Martinez says between 50 to 100 students participate in the program each year. They divide into smaller groups of four to six and work to develop and launch their own companies over the

Observer Staff

GOING THROUGH THE LIST OF activities normally associated with high school students, ‘entrepreneurial pursuits’ doesn’t typically top the list. Or make it at all.

The organizers of Flowboat want to change that.

Flowboat is a student club for innovation; a start-up incubator created and run by high school students in Waterloo Region.

This is how the club works: the club meets on Saturdays from fall to spring. The cost to join is $70. This money goes toward providing lectures about entrepreneurship and paying for

→ FLOWBOAT 5

Seif Atwa, Charlie Martinez, Vishnu Sharma and Simerus Mahesh are all high school students ... and tech start-up co-founders. They are all involved in the Flowboat Student Entrepreneurship club, a region-wide club for high school students to develop and launch start-up Leah Gerber companies. They are trying to spread awareness about their club and involve students from across the region.

Region continues to seek input on planning document Leah Gerber Observer Staff

BACK AT THE DRAWING BOARD and seeking more public input, the Region of Waterloo is sure of one thing: more growth.

What that looks like is the focus of the ersatz planning framework known as the regional official plan (ROP), which is supposed to be a guide for the next three decades as the population increases by half again as much to 923,000 people.

The current draft of the new ROP sees some 1,500

acres of new development land, with a focus on increased density. All told, the region expects to see another 121,000 homes built, from single-family through to high-rise apartment units.

The revised ROP discussed last week by regional councillors took into account the feedback from community members who asked staff to prioritize conserving farmland and reducing urban sprawl.

Originally, staff presented three growth

scenarios which met the population requirements set by the province to the year 2051, options that saw densities range from 50 to 66 jobs and people per hectare across the region. Urban sprawl ranged from 929 to 5,456 acres of new land opened up for development.

Community members came together and presented a fourth option with a density target of 60 jobs and people per hectare and no farmland lost to the municipalities, a fourth option proposed on top of the three orig-

inally rolled out by the region.

Ultimately the region’s recommendation represents, “far less farmland loss than previous proposals that would have seen thousands of hectares of farmland loss in some scenarios,” said environmentalist and option four proponent Kevin Thomason in an email.

Rod Regier, the commissioner of planning, and Daniel De Fields, the director of community planning, led the latest presentation of

the recommendation to council.

“The approach is ambitious, achievable, and responsible – it best positions Waterloo Region to achieve its vision for an equitable, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with a global reach, that will foster opportunities for both current and future generations,” said Regier in an email.

Regier says this official plan recommendation prioritizes 15-minute neighbourhoods. That is,

neighbourhoods where residents’ needs and even employment exist within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride from their homes and reflect the region’s transition into a low-carbon community.

Regier and De Fields went through the region’s intentions for each of the municipalities.

Wellesley Township is expected to grow by about 1,700 people and 1,100 jobs. The goal is for Wellesley to be a complete community, and one main consid→ ROP 4

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4 | COMMUNITY NEWS

ROP: Growth is a given, there’s just the matter of its pace and look → FROM 3

Flair Airlines CEO Stephen Jones, airport manager Chris Wood, MP Tim Louis, regional Chair Karen Redman and regional Coun. Tom Bill Atwood Galloway at the opening of the departure lounge, part of the $44-million terminal expansion project at the airport.

AIRPORT: Region sees increased traffic as rationale for expansion → FROM 1

24/7 operation and we are ready to go,” Wood said.

Wood acknowledged that the expansion is far from over.

“We got the rest of the building to finish. In one year from now everything will be finished. We will have a new baggage system where you dispose of your bag and you don’t see it again until you arrive at your destination, which is a big improvement over what we have today,” he added.

While the airport’s main tenant, Flair Airlines, has only recently made it past

an investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency over whether or not it is controlled by Canadians, the expansion was done to accommodate their needs, Wood said.

“It means that we’re able to provide the facility that Flair needs in order to do what they want to do here. So they want to grow and expand and offer more – more destinations, more frequency.… Until now, we didn’t have the facility to be able to do that, especially simultaneously,” The federal government provided $8.1 million for

the expansion, money that Louis says is a sensible investment.

“We’re working together in partnership with the region and the municipality because they know the best way to spend that money, to invest and where to put it. So by working closely with them, and making the investments they need, these returns on investments become an increase in the economy: more jobs, people are able to fly from here and people actually coming to this region for tourism,” Louis said.

A growing market means expansion plans at the area’s dominant airport, Pearson in Toronto, aren’t an issue for YKF, he added. “[Pearson] is running out of room to expand.

And so what they’re going to be doing is offloading some of those smaller planes and smaller flights leaving from other regions. That puts us in a better position than other airports around regional airports to be a prime reason that people drive the other way on the 401 to go to the airport,” he said.

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eration is the area’s capacity for waste water treatment. Some 42 acres of new development are proposed to be allocated to Wellesley to accommodate this growth.

Woolwich Township is expected to grow by 22,500 people and 15,700 jobs. Employment expansion will focus mainly around the airport in Breslau. Overall, some 128 acres of residential development and 430 acres of employment land are expected.

The plan is to focus on intensification in areas already built up in Breslau, Elmira and St. Jacobs and to focus on building 15-minute neighbourhoods. A long-discussed bypass road to reroute truck traffic in Elmira was acknowledged in the presentation.

The scaled-down plan is a disappointment to many developers and landowners who had hoped their lands to be included within areas designated for development.

Included in the presentation were 87 requests from developers and landholders requesting their holdings be included in settlement boundary areas.

Mark Kindrachuk, president of Intermarket Developments, was one of those pressing councillors for changes. His company holds land next to existing residential areas and new services on

the edge of Cambridge.

He said there’s been no clarity on whether the lands would be included in the urban boundary for 15 years, and that the region and municipalities are inconsistent in their approvals of developments.

“The negative impact to the region if these lands are not developed as residential is significant. Three million dollars in lost taxes, $2.7 million in lost development charges, hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money spent by the region for third-party fees for [legal] hearings. And essentially the region would be fighting against us providing housing during a housing crisis with a recession looming.”

Region staff did not comment on the potential of upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearings over the recommendation.

Throughout the month of July, staff are inviting residents to provide feedback and participate in the official plan update process with many opportunities for virtual or in-person public information sessions, including an in-person meeting July 13 at the Wilmot Recreation Complex (2-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m.) and another at the regional administrative building in Kitchener on July 19 (2-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m.). There are also virtual sessions in the offing.

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

COMMUNITY NEWS | 5

Beekeeping is a passion for Wellesley Fair’s associate ambassador, who’s kept busy Bill Atwood Observer Staff

TO MASON MCCORMICK, THE OPPORTUNITY to be the associate ambassador for the Wellesley Fall Fair was a chance to step outside of his comfort zone.

“I love talking to people but I wasn’t really talking in the public eye or talking in big crowds of people.

So, I just thought that I’m going to give this an opportunity and step out of my comfort zone and try something new,” McCormick said.

A fair ambassador is chosen after a competition that sees candidates prepare an “about me” presentation and give a speech on a topic related to the theme. The 2021 theme was community

unity.

“I picked farming just because I live on a farm and my family has a produce store. My whole life, everything I do is on a farm and so I had a great time doing it,” McCormick said.

Ultimately the ambassador position was given to the only other competitor, Avery Flynn. McCormick was named an associate ambassador to represent the fair. Despite event cancellations and modifications due to the pandemic, McCormick was still able to represent people in the community.

“We went around the town to a few different little shops and small businesses to try to get people to support local. I really vouch for it, supporting local small farms, small

businesses just trying to be a great community and support each other,” he explained.

McCormick also came to realize the behind-thescenes effort it takes to put on the fair.

“It takes a lot of people for the community to help out with a fair. Most people just go to the fair and enjoy the day and that’s about it, but it’s a lot of work. You got the people helping out with the ambassador program. And the judges for the vegetables and all the different categories. I didn’t realize how much of the community has to help and pull all together to have a fair and put stuff on for the community,” he said.

Beyond his time as the associate ambassaMason McCormick with some of the bees he keeps, a passion he hopes to pursue.

→ BEES 7

Submitted

FLOWBOAT: Young entrepreneurs have start-ups of their own, seek to encourage others to do the same → FROM 3

season. They meet at the University of Waterloo.

Now, the club is looking to expand and find more participants from across the region.

“We just want to reach out as far as possible. And we know there’s people who would be interested, who’d love this program.

They just haven’t heard about it since it’s so far only been really in the Waterloo area,” said Martinez.

Martinez himself co-founded two startups as a member of the club. The first is an app that would use AI solutions to help people use NASA data to prepare for wildfires. The second is a piece of hardware, a square cube, which could be placed in a room or building and create a blueprint for it. That would be useful for tasks like calculating amounts of paint needed or estimating space available for furniture.

Simerus Mahesh is going

into Grade 12 this year. He is this year’s chief technology officer of Flowboat. He also co-founded two start-ups through the club: TalkhAPPi – an AI-powered mental health counselling app, and Hush Audiology, a noise cancelling module chip that could be installed in a set of standard headphones to affordably achieve noise cancelling.

Vishnu Sharma is the vice-president. Heading into Grade 11, he co-founded a snack delivery service called Re-fill with the club.

Seif Atwa is also entering Grade 11 in the fall.

Last year was his first year in the club and he helped develop Infoton, the cube that can create blueprints of a room, with Martinez.

Martinez says that Flowboat has three main components: training, finances and access to opportunities.

Training is provided through lectures about how to begin a start-up

Members of Flowboat working on their entrepreneurial plans.

and guest speakers.

Financing is provided in the form of funds to help buy parts for prototypes or other needs to help ease the financial burden of creating a new product from scratch. The funds are provided from the students’ membership fees and from other external sources such as #RisingYouth community service grants. Prize money is also given out in the club’s yearly pitch competition.

Finally, students are provided training and opportunities to participate in international pitching competitions and win funding, as well as access

to mentors in relevant fields to help them develop the best products possible.

Omar Atwa is a second year management engineering student at the University of Waterloo. He was involved in Flowboat throughout his high school years and now participates as a mentor and a guest judge for the pitch competition.

“As a judge, I like to think back to when I was a member and when I was pitching. And so we’re always looking for, obviously, a few criteria.

We have the curriculum that they’ve been taught during Flowboat, and we’re looking for points

Submitted

that each startup hit, whether that be: have they collected enough traction from their prospective market, or have they found a pain point for their market, have they identified competitors?

“That’s marketing, and then what do their finances look like? Do they have a financial plan for their startup or idea over the next five years? If they built a product, let’s see their MVP, their minimal viable product. Have they tested that MVP? And so a lot of these groups actually go into the real world. And they talk to strangers, and they do user interviews, they take surveys, and

they try to collect all this data. As a judge, I want to see that they have a wellrounded product that is viable on the market, and they’ve done the competitor analysis, they’ve done all the financials.”

So far, participants mainly come from WCI and Cameron Heights, as well as EDSS, but the administration team wants to connect with students from all around the region.

“We get to choose our own startup, and own realworld problem to solve, which is a really motivating factor,” said Mahesh.

“You want to solve it, so that just gives you that sense of motivation. And also, it’s just that, when you find something you really want to do, I think there’s just this sort of passion that drives you to do it.

“You don’t really need your mom to tell you, ‘Yo, go work on Flowboat, you haven’t done anything,’ – it just comes from within.”

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6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

They’re old and they’re Olds: REO vehicles set to roll into St. Jacobs next week Bill Atwood Observer Staff

THE REO CLUB OF AMERICA is getting set to host its annual meet in St. Jacobs on Monday to Thursday of next week. The event, which is held in a different location in the United States or Canada each year, celebrates vehicles made by the REO Motor Car Company.

The company, which operated from 1905 to 1975, was founded in Lansing, Michigan by Ransom Olds after he left another company he founded, Oldsmobile.

Olds was a pioneer in the automotive business and a “genius,” said Elmira resident and REO Club member Ron Martin.

“He had hundreds of firsts in the industry. For

example, he had the first automatic transmission.

He designed the first one before Ford or any of those others – a lot of firsts in the industry,” Martin said.

Olds left what was then the Olds Motor Works Company in 1904, but was unable to use his own name for his new company.

Instead he used his initials, R.E.O. The first REO prototypes were built in September 1904. The cars went into full-scale production in January 1905. The company produced nearly 4,000 vehicles in 1907, which at that time put it third in the US automotive industry.

REO stopped producing cars in 1936 to focus specifically on trucks. Through a series of sales and mergers, REOs were produced by multiple companies until the 1990s.

Ron Martin and Frank Kleinknecht remain nostalgic about REO classic cars and trucks.

While Olds made several impactful contributions to the industry, the demise of the REO Motor Car Company led to his name

not being as well known in automotive history, Martin explained.

Martin, who owns several REO vehicles, has links to

Bill Atwood

the company going back several decades.

“My connection to it is through my grandfather who ran this brickyard

right here (where Martin’s current business is) – he had a fleet of these REOs,” he explained.

Frank Kleinknecht, bought a REO for his first car and still owns it to this day.

“It’s a different machine.

It’s not a Chevy or Ford.

It’s a REO. It’s uniquely engineered, designed and built,” he said.

Despite the car being 101 years old, it still holds up, Frank said.

“Somebody asked me, ‘where do you get parts?’

Well, it’s only 101 years old.

So far, all I’ve ever needed was one valve. And there’s a valve in that car from a John Deere tractor,” he explained.

The St. Jacobs gathering of REO enthusiasts runs July 11-14 from the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton.

Class project nets high school student a big return for food bank Bill Atwood Observer Staff

FOR AVERY ROBINSON, THE SCHOOL project went beyond her expectations. As part of her religious studies class at Woodland Christian High School in Breslau, Robinson undertook a food drive for Woolwich Community Services, collecting 354 pounds of food.

“I did not have a specific goal. I honestly wasn’t

expecting the response that I received. So even though I didn’t have a set goal, what I received did surpass my expectations of ‘a little school project,’” she explained.

The project required Robinson to do something within her community and also gave her the opportunity to help those in need.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved with a food bank since I was a kid, so I thought ‘why not now?’”

Robinson did the drive over two Saturdays in April. On the first, she delivered posters explaining her project, and the top five needed items for the food bank, to homes within her community.

She returned the next week to collect the donations. She then logged the items to make it easier on the food bank.

The top five items collected were baking items, 66.3 pounds; juice, 46.5 pounds; canned

fruit, 42.5 pounds; 28.6 pounds of canned vegetables and 25.6 pounds of canned soup. In total she collected 330 items.

While helping others has always been something she liked doing, this project allowed an excuse to do more, Robinson said.

“It pays back in a way.

It’s just nice knowing that you’re helping people around you by doing something small. This was just a school project.

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It wasn’t something huge that I did, it was just to make a poster to spread the word and collect [the donations].”

The food drive also forced Robinson to step outside of her comfort zone.

“I’m a pretty shy person, so going out on the first week was really scary for me. I was like, ‘I’m about to go to like 90 houses of random people I don’t know in my neighborhood.’ And it was defi-

nitely nerve racking, but it was easier the second time around since I knew what to expect. It was definitely a challenge for me,” Robinson said.

“Facing your fears can lead to good,” she added.

Robinson said she learned that people in the community are willing to help out if given a chance to do so.

“Utilize the resources around you. …People are happy to help, you just need to ask.”

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Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

ABC: Township to look into the details of new committee option → FROM 1

causes, but if the ABC committee came under the township’s wing, council would make the final decision about where the money is allocated.

“So if council‘s direction is that the money should be used township-wide, which I’m assuming it will be, then that’s what the terms of reference would reflect. And then as the committee brings their recommendations

to council, council would decide on that,” he said.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival committee becoming a committee of council in principle.

Staff will start work on creating a terms of reference outlining how the committee’s funds will be handled, what the decision-making authorities are and the organization’s budget.

BEES: There be challenges ahead → FROM 5

dor, McCormick is also a beekeeper on his family’s farm, a pursuit he took up about five years ago under a provincial government grant.

“I chose beekeeping because they’re endangered, there’s not so many and they needed help. I thought ‘this will be a cool hobby to take up and start off.’”

After starting with two hives in first year, McCormick has five now. The bees have made an impact on his family’s farm, he said.

“It’s a great pollination source for our farm.

We grow sweet corn, pumpkins and squash and I’ve noticed that we are tremendously more productive just because of the numerous hives I have on our farm,” McCormick said.

It has been a learning experience, he notes.

“Learning how to select hives or, figuring you have to find the queen and making sure she’s laying eggs, there’s larvae and brood in the hive. I enjoy doing it because it helps the environment. It’s a cool thing to do and have.”

Despite the risk of working with bees – McCormick was once stung 27 times in a single day – he has no

fear in the work.

“I’ll wear white gloves and a bee cap, but I don’t really wear the full suit. I just have it over my head, mostly, but I’m so used to it that a bee sting is like a mosquito bite now. I just kind of brush it off,” McCormick added.

It is cool to see how the hives work, he enthuses.

“It’s kind of crazy how an insect can be that smart to harvest honey and make it and then keep that honey for the winter time for them to survive,” he added.

While McCormick would like to turn beekeeping into his career, there are challenges in doing so.

According to the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, commercial beekeepers lost 43.2 per cent of their bees on average last winter, while small-scale beekeepers lost an average of 53.2 per cent.

“I’m going to keep doing it forever, for sure. It’s just hard because of the rough winters we have. I would love for it to take off, but it’s just an expensive hobby. That’s one thing about it, all the hives and tools and everything and just the bees – if your bees died you’ve got to buy new ones – it’s just an expensive thing, but I would love for it to take off and do it full time if I could.”

COMMUNITY NEWS | 7

P O L I C E

R E P O R T

Regional police chief bids adieu as he heads into retirement Bryan Larkin’s farewell message: Dear residents of Waterloo Region, Over the last three decades, it has been a tremendous honour and privilege to serve the Waterloo Region community.

Throughout my tenure, I have had the opportunity to create fond memories and build meaningful relationships with many of you – and these are relationships and memories I will treasure for years to come.

I’ve had the privilege

of leading an incredible service with incredible members who serve this community with the utmost integrity and professionalism. I am forever grateful for their selflessness and their commitment to public safety. I know they will continue to provide the high level of service you have all come to know.

Please take great comfort in knowing our members are just a phone call away.

Over the last eight years as your Chief of Police, I have seen tremendous growth in

7 02 PM | 3 38 AM | Water-

loo Regional Police received a report that three unlocked vehicles were entered in the area of Brenneman Drive in Baden. Personal property were taken from the vehicles before the suspect was confronted by a resident in the area.

The suspect then fled the area on foot. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-5709777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

2 54 PM |Police received

a report of a multi-vehicle collision on Arthur Street South near Sawmill Road in St. Jacobs. A white Audi was stopped in traffic behind a red Acura facing north on Arthur Street when it was rearended by a green GMC truck. The force of the collision pushed the Audi into the Acura. The driver of the truck, a 61-year-old Elmira man, was charged with ‘careless driving. No injuries were reported.

Police responded to a report of a person shot by pellet guns in the area of Woolwich and Fountain streets in Breslau.

The suspects are unknown at this time. The victim sustained minor injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 519-5709777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

1 15 PM | Emergency services responded to reports of a vehicle striking a hydro pole in the area of Sawmill Road and Snyders Flats Road in Bloomingdale. The driver of the vehicle, an 84-yearold Woolwich man, was transported by Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Roads were closed for several hours while police investigated and hydro crews made repairs. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage is encouraged to call police at 519-5709777 ext. 8856.

Waterloo Region. While people and priorities change, the one thing that will not change is the service’s ongoing vision to build a better, stronger, safer, and more equitable Waterloo Region for all.

While it is not easy saying goodbye, I leave knowing that this community is in great hands under the tremendous leadership of your police service.

Please join me in welcoming John Goodman as the new acting Chief of Police. Acting Chief Goodman’s

contributions to law enforcement and his outstanding service to Waterloo Region will ensure a successful transition period until a new Chief of Police is selected in the coming months.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Chief of Police. I am forever grateful for the support you have shown me.

Stay safe, stay well, and take care of one another.

The future of Waterloo Region is bright.

Yours truly, Bryan M. Larkin

2 12 PM | A motorcy-

at 519-570-9777, ext.

8856, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

clist was travelling south on Moser Young Road in Wellesley Township when the vehicle struck a goose, causing the motorcycle to fall onto its side. The driver of the motorcycle suffered minor physical injuries as a result of the collision.

8 33 AM | Emergency services responded to reports of a pickup truck striking a sedan on Benjamin Road near Westmount Road North in Woolwich Township.

The driver of the sedan, a 56-year-old Woolwich Township woman, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Benjamin Road was closed for several hours while members of the Traffic Services Unit investigated. The driver of the pickup truck, a 36-year-old Waterloo man, was charged with ‘careless driving.’

Witnesses or those with dashcam footage of the incident are encouraged to contact police

8 34 AM | Between approximately 2:30

and 3 a.m., unknown suspect(s) smashed the rear driver’s side window of a vehicle parked in a driveway on David Street in Wellesley. The suspect(s) stole personal property from the vehicle, including a credit card.

The stolen credit card was later used to make purchases at two stores in Kitchener and Woolwich Township. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

10 37 AM | Waterloo Regional Police received a report of a collision on private property that resulted in a minor injury.

No charges were laid.

5 47 PM | Police

received a report of a minor collision in a parking lot on Farmers Market Road south of St. Jacobs. No one was injured.

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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 8

Opinion

Verbatim

The Monitor

... it matters where you get your local news.

“This accumulation of wealth in the hands of billionaires… It’s not just that it’s tremendously unfair, which of course it is, it’s that it gives them so much political power that they get to effectively control the world… The wealthy corporate elite now has so much power that it can effectively block any kind of collective action.”

The war in Ukraine is leaving a generation of children scarred, with 1.5 million children in danger of issues including anxiety, depression and social impairment, according to the new No Peace of Mind report that found Ukrainian parents were most worried about the impact on their children’s mental health.

Connect: observerxtra.com/staff

Writer Linda McQuaig on the impact of wealth on democractic systems.

World Vision

When local news matters ...

OBSERVER EDITORIAL

Dry weather always puts a spotlight on water issues

S

ome rain this week notwithstanding, a dry-ish spring rolled into a fairly arid start to the summer.

So much so that the Grand River Conservation Authority is already calling for a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water usage.

The dry spell is nothing like the drought conditions that are reaching new extremes in the US, particularly in the southwest, where temperatures are soaring to all-time highs. The droughts aren’t just unfortunate for residents: the region is the source of much of our produce, and already soaring prices are at risk of climbing higher still given projected shortages.

That’s not good – we’ve seen a fairly steady increase in food prices even before this year’s rampant inflation – but importers will find other sources. And Canadian farmers may be able to benefit by filling in some of the gaps, especially on the export side given the shortages projected due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The bigger picture is more worrisome, however. The droughts are part of a trend in the already-water-starved US Southwest.

The continued lack of precipitation in recent years has seen groundwater levels fall even as more wells are drilled to meet demand.

Given the hydrological cycle, the woes in California and another US flashpoint in the Ogallala Aquifer – a major source of groundwater covering some 225,000 square miles in the Great Plains region including Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska – are also our problem, particularly when it has increasingly- thirsty Americans eyeing the Great Lakes.

While Canada has an abundance of freshwater, some of the major sources, including the Great Lakes, have been seeing fluctuations – lake levels higher recently after years of lowering.

We’ve long taken our water for granted, wasting far more than we can afford to, a longstanding point of concern for exports who argue the way we use water, drawing massive amounts of it, has actually altered the natural water systems, with subsequent impacts on precipitation patterns and the weather itself.

Coupled with the changing climate, our water woes are just beginning.

Globally, there’s plenty of talk of – and preparations for – economic strife, political unrest and even battles over dwindling water resources. Many experts say we could be in for a grim future precipitated by water shortages, leading to the collapse of the food system, mass migration of refugees and, eventually, territorial wars.

Chances are few of us thought of that today as we took showers, flushed toilets and ran washing machines. Water is plentiful: we just turn on the taps, and out it comes.

Of course, given the ever-escalating cost of that water, we are more mindful of it. The higher cost is supposed to encourage us to conserve, the best way to make the most of our dwindling water supply. Dwindling is exactly accurate, as the planet is home to plenty of water, we’re just using it far more quickly than nature can replenish it in the quantities and locations we need.

A glance at photos of the Earth taken from space makes the idea of a water shortage seem absurd. The globe is mostly water.

However, 97 per cent of that is salt water. Of the remaining three per cent that is fresh water – the kind we need to drink and to grow food – more than two-thirds is contained in glaciers and icecaps. About 30 per cent is groundwater – the kind we depend on here in Waterloo Region – and only 0.3 per cent in available as surface water (lakes and rivers, for instance).

While we’re still a long way from the worst-case scenarios, we’ll have to move now to mitigate the impacts, or bear the full and much larger costs later when we’re in an emergency situation.

That means taking steps to combat climate change, and precautions in those places likely to be hardest hit – rising water levels, droughts and floods will wreak havoc where they occur, no matter what that nation’s government does or does not believe about climate change.

ANALYSIS OF CURRENT WORLD EVENTS

Cuban missile crisis redivivus: Russian rockets in Nicaragua

I

t was a piece of news so obscure and implausible that I missed it when it first surfaced last month. The news was that the Russians are going to put hypersonic nuclear missiles into Nicaragua and terrify the Americans into backing down over Ukraine. Or kill them all if they don’t.

“If American missile systems can nearly reach Moscow from Ukrainian territory, it’s time for Russia to roll out something powerful closer to the American ‘city on a hill,’” said Olga Skabeyeva on the news show on ‘Rossiya-1’, the most popular Russian TV channel.

The usual crew of panelists hugged themselves with delight at the idea of American cities being blown away. “Objects like the city of New York, a good city, but it would be gone.

Completely gone with one rocket,” said one.

Then they rambled on about how the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 had brought the Americans to their senses (bet you didn’t know that the US lost), and how Russian missiles in Nicaragua might bring Americans to their senses again. They will give in before they really get hurt.

As a substantial majority of

GWYNNE DYER

Global Outlook on World Affairs

the Russian television audience watches the show, that’s the news ordinary Russians are getting. But if these people really represent the Russian elite’s views of what is possible and necessary, then we’re all in trouble. Nuclear war is at hand.

I don’t really think nuclear war is at hand, but there is a lot of loose talk about it in Russia at the moment. So let’s examine the optimistic assumption in the West that some people in the Russian military and diplomatic hierarchies – hopefully quite senior people – have a better grasp of reality than the television pundits.

Are there really Russian generals and senior foreign ministry officials who think that “American missile systems can nearly reach Moscow from the Ukrainian territory”? If you mean American nuclear missiles, then of course not.

The United States has given non-nuclear battlefield missiles to Ukraine, but it has deliberately restricted the ammunition to types that cannot reach any significant distance into Russia.

There are no American troops in Ukraine, and no nuclear weapons in Ukrainian hands.

The business about moving American nuclear missiles ‘closer’ to Russia is complete tripe: they are just as lethal from where they are now.

Russian generals and diplomats are not stupid: they know that American nuclear weapons systems have been able to reach Russia from the US homeland or any of the world’s oceans since the 1960s.

Well, then, how would putting Russian nuclear missiles in Nicaragua, ‘closer’ to the United States, give Russia any advantage either?

It wouldn’t, although it would probably provoke the US government into a massive over-reaction. Like Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962, you know?

The difference between Cuba in 1962 and Nicaragua today is that ‘close’ still meant something in 1962, when the United States already had intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the old Soviet Union, but Russia had no longrange ballistic missiles that could hit American cities yet.

The Russians sneaked some →DYER 10

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

OPINION | 9

We’re not ready to give up oil just yet, but there’s a high price either way

I

t’s perhaps a case of appearing supportive rather than actually being able to deliver, but Canada has pledged to help Europe move away from its dependence on Russian oil and gas.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, attending a G7 meeting in Germany last week, suggested Canada could provide liquefied natural gas to Europe in a few years time. As there’s no LNG infrastructure and every little development in the oil and gas industry is fraught with both peril and delays, there are plenty of questions about just how realistic he’s being.

While we’re a long way from seeing any movement on that suggestion, there’s already been pushback from environmental groups. That puts the government in something of a quandary: it’s pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but is being squeezed by public response to skyrocketing fuel prices. It’s a case of being unable to both suck and blow at the same time.

Given that there are no short-term alternatives to petroleum, Ottawa may be forced to concentrate on moves that help with pricing in the near term – reduce or eliminate carbon taxes, boost supplies, remove other disincentives – while at least signalling long-term plans to phase out fossil fuels.

If Canada and the world community are going to turn the screws on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, helping Europe find alternatives is the key. For now, alternatives mean other suppliers of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas.

We’re also busy providing energy south of the border, which has much more refining capacity.

Canada is now the largest oil supplier to the US, sending about 3.8 million

STEVE KANNON

Editor's Point of View

barrels per day in 2021 or about 62 per cent of total oil imports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Down the road, alternatives will mean the kind of green technologies that are still not a viable replacement option.

Even with more renewable energy coming online, the EIA projects that U.S. petroleum demand will continue rising in the coming decades, reaching nearly 19 million barrels per day in 2050 compared to 17 million barrels per day in 2021.

That doesn’t mean we don’t keep our eyes on the prize.

Our addiction to carbonbased fuels is, we’re told, the single-largest contributor to greenhouse gas

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politics – see, for example, the Koch brothers.

Oil and other natural resources are at the root of many colonial atrocities in global history, and remain a fundamental part of today’s neocolonial pursuits. Nowhere is that more abundantly clear than in the Middle East, where the colonial and geopolitical issues that shape the region today existed from the very start.

The creation of the region we know today was itself a colonial exercise, part of the spoils of war following the First World War. The region was divided up with little thought to the history and culture of the area, arbitrarily drawn lines put in place to serve colonial aspirations, not the good of the people there.

As oil became increasing important following the Second World War, matters only got worse. The US

emerged as the dominant world power, and it became entrenched in the region to secure the oil, protect corporate interests and, during the Cold War in particular, to maintain its hegemony or, at a minimum, to keep the Russians in check.

Recent military adventurism in Iraq, Iranian tensions and support for totalitarian Gulf states all stem from the geopolitical importance of the area, largely due to oil.

The sordid tale, from the earliest colonial efforts to the unethical and illegal dealings going on this very minute, can – and does – fill volumes.

Ideally, alternatives would involve neither today’s large corporations nor the war hawks intent on fanning the flames, but that’s a tall order. Still, it’s a worthwhile pursuit given the environmental benefits and the prospect

It may not be the Axis powers, but the war on inflation might inspire a few victory gardens of its own this summer.

Founded in 1996.

JOE MERLIHAN

emissions. That’s particularly true of our transportation choices.

Imagine, if you will, a world in which we’ve come up with alternatives for coal, natural gas and gasoline to generate power, heat our homes and get us around. Beyond the environmental improvements – assuming, of course, the alternatives we’ve turned to are benign or much less harmful, at least – there would be perhaps even larger benefits attributed to stripping power away from oil companies and eliminating the wars, violence and international crime associated with keeping the oil flowing.

The cost savings would also be enormous. Oil companies are some of the largest recipients of corporate welfare. They’re also among the most invasive lobbyists, with connections to some of the worst meddling in electoral

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of altering, if not ending the Middle East conflicts ... or at least making them less important on a global stage.

From the Canadian perspective, moving away from Middle East oil during a green transition could be a selling point for this country’s admittedly dirtier tar sands. Using the funds taken from the tar sands to invest in new technologies is the key to making that argument work. Taking money out of fossil fuels is a great idea; putting that money into green options would speed up a large-scale shift away from our dependence on coal, gas and oil.

Those are prime considerations in debating royalties paid for natural resources, not only oil and gas but a host of others, from potash to nickel. If we look at the Norwegian model – the country has been setting aside most of its huge oil revenues into a fund for future generations – then we’re certainly falling down on the job here.

Non-renewable resources are by and large a shortterm windfall for both the companies involved in extracting them and the provincial governments who collect royalties for taking from the public trust. If we’re going to push ahead with oil extraction, there should be a greater good than short-term gains such as corporate profits.

Alternatives aren’t going to come online overnight, so there’s something to be said for taking geopolitical issues into mind given the lack of direct warmongering involved in our industry.

And make no mistake, the wars and very profitable arms sales to states in the Middle East are the primary impetus for the US and other foreign powers involved in the region.

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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022

10 | O P I N I O N

Oh, what a tangled web we weave

A We can’t stop climate change, but we can still avoid the worst-case scenario.

Live Earth was a one-off benefit concert in 2007 including 150 acts in 11 locations around the world to combat climate change. The event in scope eclipsed Live Aid staged in 1985 by Bob Geldoff.

China is working on developing a high-speed train that creates its own energy, is outfitted to grow food, sustain aqua-life and house and sustain up to 3000 humans for up to a decade by circling the globe. ↆ Truth: Boris Yeltsin was the winner after a second run-off where he captured almost 54% of the vote Truth: One is sweet while the other is spicy. Russian dressing is an American creation using mayonnaise, ketchup and some savory ingredients and is the primary condiment for a Reuben sandwich.

Lie: The original recipe actually included caviar, a staple of Russian cuisine which is where the name derived from.

You can play online by reading any online post at www.observerxtra. com. Vote for the lie and be notified if you are correct immediately.

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lot of people think that when Sir Walter Scott wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive,” he was talking about the how a single dishonest statement or act can cause an avalanche of serious complications.

But I’m pretty sure that modern-day politics has dispelled that notion.

I’m no literary expert but I strongly suspect that Sir Walter was just trying his best to warn people about the dangers of fishing in strong winds, like the ones we experienced last weekend.

It makes sense.

After all, fishing is all about deceiving fish with your offerings. Furthermore, anyone who has ever tried to untangle a backlash of line on a bait-casting reel on a really windy day knows what a tangled web is.

Even so, I think Scott’s warning would have been

STEVE GALEA

tance.

How bad can it be?

Well, I once thought I saw several anglers taking part in a group hug. But when I asked about it they told me they had each just decided to have a fly-casting competition in galeforce winds. Another time I watched a fellow cast an ultra-light spinning rig against strong winds. That was when I first realized I was probably witnessing what inspired the invention of the boomerang.

Simply put, strong gusts of wind are not an angler’s friend. Of course, it would be different if all you ever need to do was cast downwind. But that is never the case.

For you could get all the way to the upwind side of a lake, so that the whole lake is downwind of you, yet before you could tie on a lure or fly, your boat would have already been blown to the downwind shore, so the casting

Not-So-Great Outdoorsman

heeded more, if his words were a little less flowery and more to the point.

Like the errant hooks that anglers often feel on windy days.

If you don’t believe me, just walk along any stretch of river or visit any dock when people are fishing on blustery days. You’ll soon see fishing lines and lures attached to trees, hydro lines, telephone poles, passing boats, and more. And, if you have the time and inclination, you might even help untangled some of those unfortunate anglers caught and rendered helpless by their own casts.

Of course, it won’t be easy. After all, a good gust of wind can play havoc with light fishing lines and even entangle you as you try to render assis-

DYER: Crazy may not be off the table → FROM 8

shorter-range nuclear missiles into Cuba to even things up, but the Americans spotted them, imposed a blockade, and threatened to invade Cuba.

Moscow pulled its missiles out, and everybody lived grumpily ever after.

Nowadays, both Russia and the United States have ample weapons that they can fire at each other from their homelands.

‘Closer’ no longer confers any advantages. Besides, Nicaragua has not said it will host Russian nuclear weapons, or indeed Russian weapons of any sort.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega published a decree last month authorizing small numbers of troops from Russia, the United States or other Central American countries to deploy to his country for a limited time ‘for purposes of training, law enforcement or emergency response.’

Ortega was a Marxist in the 1980s. After the Nicaraguan revolution triumphed, he got Soviet help, and US President Ronald Reagan financed a guerrilla/terrorist move-

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ment in an unsuccessful attempt to bring him down, but that was long ago.

Now, Ortega is just another dictator like Putin. He rigs elections, jails the opposition, and treats the state budget as his private income. Nicaragua is broke, so Ortega is happy to take Russian money, but he’s probably not stupid enough to let the Russians bring missiles in.

Russia’s much-hyped hypersonic missiles are irrelevant anyway, since ‘hypersonic’ missiles are only useful if a country has good anti-missile defences. In fact, nobody has good missile defences, so, they make little difference strategically.

Dumb missiles with some terminal guidance work just fine.

The rational conclusion, therefore, is that this is all just propaganda blather by ignorant Russian TV pundits, but a warning.

I predicted that Russia would not invade Ukraine because it would be utterly stupid to do. I am still assuming that Russian leaders are rational, but now I have some doubts.

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To the Editor, Yesterday I walked across the street at Mill Street to the other side of Arthur Street, where I had parked my car. Two nice ladies were looking at a strange black ribbon on the street beside a vehicle parked there. I picked it up, examined it, and dropped it. Dirty!

Then one of the ladies pointed out all the dirt, detritus, and garbage, such as gum wrappers, purchased transaction records, fast-food paper plates and cups. They both agreed that the street cleaner hadn’t been at work in downtown Elmira lately.

Coincidentally, a day before, I noticed the junk in front of my house, halfway down the Arthur Street North hill, where this crap often ends up because of people who either thoughtlessly pitch it, or when the garbage cans have no lids to protect the contents when

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upwind was your only option.

You might think I am exaggerating. But you try threading fishing line through the eye of a tiny hook while trying to hold onto your hat.

Also, the boat control most anglers have in high winds is the kind of thing that could easily land you on Gilligan’s island.

Despite all of this, anglers (myself included) do not hesitate to try to fish on windy days. I’m not sure what the draw is, although I suspect it might be because we like having another plausible excuse for coming home skunked. Or maybe it just has something to do with the fact that we like our fresh air in big doses.

It doesn’t really matter I suppose. What does matter is that eventually the wind ends. And, hopefully, someone realizes you are not in a prolonged group hug.

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the wind zooms along the street. The most frequent disgusting item is cigarette butts.

So I walked from the drugstore to my house and counted 107 unpleasant items. I was surprised!

But not so surprised as I was when I walked up the opposite side of the street, where I counted 430 bits of unwanted junk, and the worst were on the sidewalk, parking lot, and once pretty gardens leading to the parking lot, formerly of Freiburgers’ grocery store that ended at the horses’ area.

Those gardens are now trees surrounded by weeds of many kinds. The most gross eyesore is the row of old, rusty barrels alongside the grocery store building. They have been there for years, increasing the squalor around them. No one has taken responsibility for the mess.

If we are going to doll up the main street in Elmira soon, we should clean it up first. It’s the origin and the backbone of our Mennonite town.

Shannon Purves-Smith ELMIRA

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 11

YOUR FARM YOUR FAMILY YOUR SUCCESS

On Farm Safety

SAFETY is our standard agsafetyweek.ca

Value #FarmSafetyEveryday

Making the business case for farm safety

E

veryone knows that a business plan is good for, well, business. But did you know that safety plans and procedures are also good for business?

In fact, farm safety is an essential aspect of any successful and long-lasting farm operation.

We all know that there are inherent risks with working in agriculture.

According to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR), agriculture ranks as the fourth most hazardous industry in Canada with fatal injury rates. And in terms of absolute numbers of fatalities, there is no more dangerous occupation.

What’s more, agriculture is unique because farms and ranchers aren’t just worksites but also places where people of all ages live and take part in recreational activities.

That means while farmers and farm workers are at risk of serious injuries, so too are farm families.

According to data from CAIR, between 2006 and 2015, 84 children and youth lost their lives to agriculture-related injuries.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. That’s why safety needs to be included with any farm business risk management plan. Looking at safety from an economic perspective can benefit your farm business’ bottom line, but more importantly, it will ensure the well-being of your family, workers, and visitors.

After all, there’s no question that safety risks on the farm have business and financial consequences, along with physical and emotional impacts. That’s why it’s good business practice to prevent safety risks before they happen and assess them just like any other business risk.

Plus, linking safety risks to other risks on the farm is an essential component of managing the overall business risk of an agribusiness.

Consider how safety issues are connected to other matters on the farm, like finances and human resources. Because aside from the obvious benefit of preventing injuries, → SAFETY 12

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Feelings of frequent loneliness are linked to poorer mental health and lower levels of life satisfaction.

Combatting loneliness and social isolation on the farm

D

id you know that humans are the most social creatures on the planet?

It’s true. In fact, we have a biological necessity for social interactions. And that’s one of the core reasons why the pandemic has taken such a toll on people’s mental health over the past two years – feelings of loneliness and isolation have increased because of restrictions.

Even without the restrictions of a pandemic, farming is well-known for often being a very isolating and lonely occupation.

Many farmers spend long hours working alone in geographically isolating locations. Not to mention poor rural broadband and transportation connections that can worsen the sense of isolation.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has exacerbated feelings

of isolation and loneliness by eliminating many of the already limited opportunities farmers have for connecting with others. And while some enjoy and even thrive working alone, frequent isolation from social connections can have serious health consequences.

According to the 2021 Canadian Social Survey on Loneliness in Canada, of the one in 10 Canadians

who reported frequent loneliness, 49% also reported poorer mental health and lower levels of overall life satisfaction.

The potential health risks are why it’s crucial to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of isolation and loneliness, which include: poor coping skills, sense of emptiness, questioning values, loss of purpose/ meaning, disconnected, → LONELINESS 12

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12 | R U R A L C O N N E C T I O N S

LONELINESS: Focus on creating meaningful connections → FROM 11

not sharing with others, and isolating from friends and family.

It’s important to note that isolation and loneliness aren’t mutually exclusive, and everyone has different tolerance levels for isolation and loneliness. For example, some people can be isolated and not feel lonely, while others can be surrounded by people and feel lonely.

While it may not seem relevant at first, what we say to ourselves plays a significant role in feeling lonely as it affects our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. So we need to first have a good relationship with ourselves in order to have meaningful connections with others.

A few ways to feel more comfortable with yourself include: Take care of yourself. Find out what gives you peace and helps you to feel comfortable.

Stop negative thoughts.

Be patient.

Reflect on what else is going on. How you are feeling in other parts of your life may impact feelings of loneliness.

Keep track of your

feelings and ask for help when you need it.

There is a lot of unpredictability in farming.

Many stressors – like weather, commodity prices, and machinery breakdown – are not in a farmer’s control.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has further heightened unpredictability in the farming industry. There are several aspects of the pandemic that aren’t easily “fixable,” and the best practice for dealing with these issues is connecting with other people experiencing similar challenges.

How can you focus on creating meaningful social connections? A few tips include: Make time to connect. Think about the types of connections you want to make.

Increase connections with close friends and family members. Schedule time to connect.

Stay grounded.

We can learn a lot from those around us. Be respectful to others, open to dialogue, and listen to those around you.

Find people who share a common

SAFETY: Treat the farm like a workplace, not an exception

interest. Start by making a list of things you are interested in or would like to explore more.

Know your boundaries. While it’s important to build social connections, it’s okay to set boundaries and communicate them. If feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to step away and take a pause.

Be careful with expectations. Don’t have a specific goal or objective in mind; focus on being present in the experience of connecting.

One of the keys to moving away from loneliness and isolation is to start small. Keep in mind that starting with small actions can lead to other connections. So take your time and remember, it’s not a race. ↆ For more than a decade, CASA has been raising awareness about the importance of safety on Canadian farms through Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW), which takes place every year during the third week of March. CASW is presented by Farm Credit Canada. In 2022, CASW sponsors include long-time corporate sponsor Farm Credit Canada, as well as CN, Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, and Fertilizer Canada.

→ FROM 11

farm safety plans and procedures also reduce costs resulting from damages to property or machinery, downtime, or even loss of business.

Think of it this way: farm safety risk management is like the business principle of “a dollar saved is worth more than a dollar earned.”

That’s because a loss prevented is worth more than increased production. Start by reviewing the potential direct and indirect costs of injuries to get a complete picture of the financial implications that safety issues will have on your operation’s success and longevity.

Of course, embracing safety as a business practice also means changing how many people look at farm safety.

Instead of viewing farming as an exception to workplace safety legislation, keep in mind that farming is a career/ business operation and that a farm is a workplace.

Rather than thinking, “Farm safety restricts me and keeps from doing certain things,” consider it from a risk management

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in making farms safer for everyone: 1) Commitment.

First and foremost, there must be a commitment to farm safety and health communicated to everyone who lives on, works at, and visits the farm.

2) Hazard recognition.

Recognize and acknowledge hazards on the farm to understand what can impact progress. Be mindful that hazards can be biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, or lifestyle.

3) Control strategies.

Implement control strategies for the hazards.

These strategies fall into five categories: personal wellness assessments, integrated safety standard operating procedures, emergency response plans, training; or investigations.

4) Communication.

Communicate safety and health measures with everyone at the farm.

Remember that investing in safety means investing in the well-being of your family, your employees, and, of course, your business. ↆ For more than a decade, CASA has been raising awareness about the importance of safety on Canadian farms through Canadian Agricultural Safety Week

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perspective and how it will improve your business and personal life.

The 2020 Canadian Ag Safety Study conducted

by FCC Market Insights found that 72% of producers have had an injury or close call on their operation at some point in their lifetime. And though these producers are more likely to recognize health and safety risks, they are less motivated to improve safety on their farm than producers who have not had an incident.

While there are various reasons for this behaviour, a contributing factor is certainly because many people think creating a safety plan is a long and challenging process.

However, dealing with the aftermath of a serious workplace injury or fatality is a far longer and more complicated process.

The truth is that safety plans and procedures are easy to establish. Not to mention that the longterm benefits of safety measures far outweigh any efforts involved with creating farm safety plans and procedures.

So what’s involved in prioritizing safety as part of a business risk management plan? There are four main steps to take

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Study looks to define farm culture, identify mental health supports for Sask. producers

L

ong days spent alone.

Extreme weather events. Unpredictable markets. Finances. Disease.

The list goes on. There’s no question that farming is a stressful occupation.

There’s also no question that farming is unlike any other occupation. And that raises the question of how to ensure that services and supports reflect the unique stressors and demands of the industry.

That’s exactly what a patient-oriented research project in Saskatchewan is looking into. The Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) initiative, which launched in January 2021 and recently wrapped up its first phase, aims to identify mental health supports that best meet the needs of Saskatchewan producers.

“Farmers and ranchers are experiencing stress all the time and they are burnt out,” explains Michelle Pavloff, research chair for rural health at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the principal investigator for the FARMh initiative.

“We didn’t want to have a study exploring if they are depressed or anxious because good work has already been done in that area. We are taking the next step and saying ‘Okay, so now what do we do.’”

For the FARMh team, a key aspect of taking that next step has involved defining farm culture to determine what resources or interventions would be “farm-friendly” and identify barriers to mental health supports.

“We identified early in the study when we were designing it that

farm culture is not really well defined and that it’s difficult to meet the mental health needs in a way that is farm-culturally sensitive if we don’t really know what farm culture means,” Pavloff explains, adding that preliminary data found farm culture defined by family interactions, individual characteristics, a duty of work, and a sense of community.

Of the 100 producers who participated in the first phase of the study, Pavloff explains that the majority expressed frustration with existing mental health supports that don’t understand or acknowledge the unique demands of farm culture. In fact, she notes that more than 80% of participants said they want other producers trained in mental health to be the ones providing them with peer support.

“One of the barriers to accessing mental health supports that we heard from producers was having support systems available that are specific to farmers and ranchers where the practitioners really understand farm culture,” says Pavloff, noting that producers said they could tell right away if someone ‘gets’ farming.

“For producers, it’s crucial to be understood and heard.”

Shari Laventure is one of the patient-family partners on the interdisciplinary research team, all of whom have a rural or farming background. She echoed Pavloff’s comments about the importance of defining farm culture for mental health supports.

“Talking about mental health is not an easy conversation, especially for the ag community. We know that producers are very stoic, very proud.

They’re the fixers and they believe that they should be able to fix their mental health as well and don’t want to share that they can’t,” says Laventure, a marketing specialist for Cargill who comes from a farming family.

“Agriculture is an entity unto itself; that’s why the farm culture aspect is so important. The needs and supports of producers are going to be different than the rest of the population.”

The issue of improved mental health supports for producers is one that hits close to home for Laventure. In 2015, she lost her brother to suicide.

“My brother was the happiest man in the room, he was always laughing.

But he struggled his whole life with mental illness,” Laventure says. “We have to eliminate the picture that people have in their minds of what mental illness looks like. Sometimes mental illness looks like the happiest person in the room. They’re just good at hiding it.”

For Laventure, being on the research team and helping conduct interviews with farmers and ranchers has been rewarding and a “very gratifying way to make sense of the loss.”

“Participating in this study has enabled me to feel some sort of purpose out of losing my brother.

When you lose somebody there is a natural grieving process that you go through. But when you lose somebody to suicide it is a whole different grief,” she explains. “My goal of being part of this study is that if I save one family from going through what my family went through then it’s been worthwhile.”

Moving into the second phase of the FARMh initiative, the project team has several pilot projects that it hopes to roll out over the next year. The team has already partnered with many organizations to provide interventions. And while the FARMh initiative has a Saskatchewan focus, Pavloff hopes that the study’s findings can ultimately be utilized to support producers elsewhere in Canada. ↆ For more information on the FARMh project visit saskpolytech. ca/farmh.

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Business

Leading the way.

Shining a light on local enterprise, stoking the economic engines.

Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com

Funding for UW research

Joint community fund

The federal government last week announced $2.1 million in funding for the University of Waterloo’s Search and Rescue New Initiative Fund addressing the risks of getting lost among people living with dementia.

The Cambridge & North Dumfries Commut o dat o ( a d t e er ater oo o t o dat o ( have made the long-planned merger official.

The combined organization will be known as the Waterloo Region Community Foundation ( w w d o t e at ra a d long-standing relationships between the two organizations.

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Canadians desperately need help to combat food inflation

I

t wasn’t a good week if you’re a consumer on a tight budget – and that means most of us.

Consumers are under attack.

We’ve just learned that Canada’s food inflation rate was at a record 9.7 per cent in May. Everyone is noticing higher food prices and no section of the grocery store is immune.

What’s hitting Canada is a global phenomenon; food prices aren’t coming down anytime soon. The world will see a shortfall in commodity production this fall, which could push prices even higher worldwide. Supply chain issues, coupled with a new inflationary cycle triggered by the Ukrainian conflict, are impacting the food industry’s ability to fill shelves.

The shift is so incredibly sharp that many vendors can’t agree with grocers on pricing, pushing them to put their business on hold, as we saw with the FritoLay dispute with Loblaws earlier this year. There are many stop-sells out there.

The macroeconomic picture is one thing. But some policies in Canada are just making things worse.

The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC), a Crown corporation, believed a second milk price increase was necessary for dairy farmers. Last week, we learned that milk prices paid to farmers will rise again by 2.5 per cent, after a record increase of 8.4 per cent in February.

Last winter’s increase was so severe that most dairy

alternatives are now priced the same as milk or lower.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada, one of the most powerful lobby groups in the country, requested another mid-year increase due to “exceptional circumstances” without telling us where the data are coming from.

To add insult to injury, the commission’s decision to raise milk prices was made by a federal public body operating for several months without a full complement on its board.

The board only has two members and both are in dairy farming.

Conflicts of interest are rampant at the commission, just as in politics and academia. Many Canadian university scholars aren’t just researchers – they’re essentially advocates for their funding agencies representing the dairy industry. The dairy boards have power and influence beyond belief. If only Canadians realized. The fact that Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Dairy Commission work as one is deeply disturbing.

Canadian consumers need to be heard.

Many Canadians would empathize with dairy farmers – who face higher production costs – if only the commission would share more data.

The lack of disclosure is very much about asking Canadians to support an inefficient dairy sector more than properly compensating farmers.

And by fall, this new → CHARLEBOIS 16

Former world champion boxer Syd Vanderpool recently opened his second gym, SydFit Platinum Elmira. He’s seen at the facility with Leah Gerber his chief operations officer, Eryn Lobsinger, originally from Heidelberg.

Former champion boxer brings his training philosophy to Elmira

Syd Vanderpool launches second facility, SydFit Platinum Elmira, where he’s looking for those who want to be coached Leah Gerber Observer Staff

MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM WORLD champion boxer to coach and business owner is an ongoing journey for Syd Vanderpool. The latest chapter is being written at the new location of SydFit Platinum Elmira.

The Kitchener native was a world-class professional boxer for 13 years.

He was recognized as the number-one super middleweight in the world by the International Boxing Federation in 2004 before retiring in 2005.

“The transition was easy. Being excellent at a new craft was hard,” he said. “Because in boxing, I knew what the goal was,

right? The goal was to compete at the highest level against the best athletes in boxing. When you start a business, what is the goal? Be profitable?

OK. I don’t know, what is the goal?

It’s different.”

As he was wind-

ing down his boxing career, Vanderpool says that he liked helping out around his gym and helping to train the younger boxers. He taught a class, then another, and then hired one of his trainees to teach a third. This was the start of his business.

But it was only when Vanderpool began to take the same approach to running his business that he did to boxing that his path became clear.

“So for me, I had to get a business coach. And I went, and I got a business coach. And we started to really under-

stand the things that make a high-performing business. And so now I have targets in terms of how many clients do you want to service? How many five star reviews do you want to have? How many personal trainers? So there’s targets along the way, which then allows us to have a map. Now we have a map towards our goals, which is more along the lines of what I’m accustomed to.”

He says he feels his time as a championship boxer served him well in the business world. When he looks back on his boxing career, he sees that there were two distinct seasons.

The first he calls his come-up.

“This is the way Lennox → SYDFIT 16

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CHARLEBOIS: Food inflation issues FROM 14

increase will price the dairy section at the grocery store out of the market for many consumers.

Ultimately, we stand to lose many more dairy farms as their sales decline.

The federal government is also coming forward with new labelling rules for saturated fats, sodium and sugar. Health Canada’s front-of-package labelling was long overdue, and it will make our food healthier. But the new policy also aims at a key single-ingredient product that many Canadians enjoy: ground meat.

Ground beef and pork are among the most affordable sources of animal protein we have. Based on the plans we’ve seen, only extra-lean ground meats are exempt from the new labelling. If this goes ahead, grocers will stop carrying more affordable ground meat, making the meat counter even more expensive. It’s just ridiculous.

The federal government is the consumer’s worst enemy right now. It needs to think through some of these ill-timed policies that will make food even more expensive.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s so-called anti-inflation plan presented recently won’t do much for Canadians at the grocery store.

Many of us hoped for tax breaks, anything to ease our fiscal burden, as many countries have done in recent months. But Freeland opted to make a ‘microwave’ announcement, basically reheating programs already in place – it’s like clapping with one hand.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently said the war in Ukraine could last years. However regrettable this may be, this is what the Canadian government needs to focus on for the foreseeable future.

Farmers need help with inputs to prepare for fall, winter and next spring.

The government should also become one of the world’s most influential trade advocates and prevent other countries from hoarding food. More nationalistic protectionism can only make things worse. ↆ Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

SYDFIT: The idea is to provide more than just a place to do a workout FROM 14

Lewis told me. He said to me, ‘Syd, sometimes you’re gonna have to kiss ass before you can kick ass, right?’ So my come-up was just dealing with whoever and however.

“And then after I fought my first world title, and I decided to come back again and go for a second world title shot, it was different. I only dealt with people who I’d want to invite over to my house for dinner. It’s like, if we can’t have a relationship, then I’m not really interested.

And that’s the way I do business.”

He said that he intentionally selects people he feels comfortable around to work with, and this has created his centre’s signature comfortable and supportive atmosphere.

That said, Vanderpool won’t coach just anyone.

“They have to want to get better, and they have to want to be coached, because not everyone that comes into a training environment wants to be coached. Sometimes they believe that they can coach themselves, so they have all the answers because they can go to YouTube, and that’s fine.

But if you have all the

Eryn Lobsinger and Syd Vanderpool bring their approach to Elmira.

answers, then why do you need a coach? You don’t.

You just need a facility to train at. And we don’t do that.”

The Elmira location will be the second physical location for SydFit, called SydFit Platinum Elmira.

Currently Vanderpool is coaching three people he sees are on the Olympic pathway: Scarlett Delgado

of Brampton who recently won the continental American championships for the Canadian national team. Vanderpool says she will participate in her Olympic-qualifying tournaments in 2023.

Jordyn Konrad from British Columbia is also on the national team. She just won a bronze medal at a tournament in the Neth-

Submitted

erlands. And Caitlin Clark from Sarnia who won a Canadian championship in 2019, he says.

“Excellence is excellence,” said Vanderpool.

“So when you’ve been ranked number one in the world, and you have Olympic athletes, you know what success looks like, and you know how to coach people to get there.”

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Arts

Read a local best seller every week.

Local stories that inspire.

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Songwriter series a go

The wearin’ of the tartan

‘Sounds Good to Me’ is a brand-new performing songwriter series. The first show features Joni NehRita and takes place at Waterloo’s tt e eatre o r da at p e series intends to showcase performers o o t or a o er a d er e arra o per or o e t e a d genres in an intimate performance space.

Celebrate Scottish heritage and culture at r ar a rd e o a d e a rd e ott e t a eat re trad t o a ott a e musicians from across North Amera a d da e o pet t o a d a o t o e dor a d attra t o www.cambridgescottishfestival.ca

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Global sounds set to fill the air in St. Jacobs Kultrún World Music Festival makes the move to the village in conjunction with Neruda Arts centre Leah Gerber Observer Staff

Isabel Cisterna is the artistic director of the Kultrun World Music Festival, which is celebrating its tenth year. The festival, typically held in Kitchener’s Victoria Park, is now moved to St. Jacobs. Cisterna says the move was made intentionally to bring international music to more people outside the downtown core. She’s seen here with a fibre art piece by Jocelyne Sobeski, which is part of a fibre art exhibition on Wednesday as part of the festival. Leah Gerber

I bring an Afro-Mexican jazz band, there is a conversation there to be had.”

The festival will feature 13 international musical acts, including Ceili band Irish Real Life; Polky, an Eastern European band; Argentinian electric tango-jazz band Tanghetto; Los Patita de Perro, a Mexican children’s entertainment band; and Funk Lion, a Quebecer with roots in Haiti who plays a mixture of rock, Afro-futurism and voodoo-funk.

Throughout the weekend, many activities for kids and adults are on offer, including the likes

Among the performers lined up is Funk Lion, who plays a mixSubmitted ture of rock, Afro-futurism and voodoo-funk.

of puppet workshops or Brazilian martial arts and dance workshops.

On Thursday at 6 p.m., Feel the Music, a concert especially developed for the hard of hearing with children’s band Los Patita de Perro will take place.

Attendance at all the events is free.

Cisterna said the year before the pandemic, the festival hosted almost 19,000 people – its best attended event yet – in Kitchener’s Victoria Park.

So why move to St. Jacobs?

“A lot of people said, ‘don’t bring it to St. Jacobs, nothing happens

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The point of the festival is to introduce people from many cultures and help them get to know each other on a deeper level.

“Many years ago, one of the things that I was thinking about is that a lot of people are interested and they’re curious about other cultures. But they don’t necessarily see the depth, the intricacies and the diversity of cultures within cultures,” she said. “So for example, people thought of Mexico as mariachis only. They didn’t realize that within Mexico there are so many different cultures and traditions. And so when

Wal ker

A TOURIST ATTRACTION, ST. JACOBS sees visitors from all over the place. This week, it’s music from around the globe making a stop in the village.

For the first time in its 10-year history, the annual Kultrún World Music Festival will be held in St. Jacobs.

The mastermind and head organizer behind the event is Isabel Cisterna, the artistic director and founder of Neruda Arts.

The organization hosting the festival just this year relocated to St. Jacobs from Kitchener-Waterloo.

The music kicks off today (Thursday) 6 p.m. at the Neruda Arts studio at 8 Spring St. From there the music will continue on Friday at 5:45 p.m. at the St. Jacobs baseball diamond at 3 Water St. and will continue Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening.

Kultrún is a word from the Mapuche people whose traditional territory is partly in Chile and partly in Argentina. It is a word used to describe a drum, but also a heartbeat.

“This comes from part of my heritage,” said Cisterna. “But also the fact that when looking at a name for a festival that was about bringing people from all over the world here and bringing people from other parts of the world to come here, it was very suitable to talk about our heartbeat and also the drum because both unite us all.”

there, there are no music festivals there.’ And my thought was, ‘precisely.’

For that reason, we’re going to bring it there.

And I’m very happy about the change. I hope that people will embrace it too.”

Cisterna says she moved Neruda Arts and the Kultrún World Music Festival to St. Jacobs because of insights gained during the COVID-19 crisis. “(The pandemic) made us assess and reassess some of our priorities. And part of the new vision is to decentralize some of the work that we do in bringing art to many people. So this festival moving to St. Jacobs is part of our new way of doing things.”

Neruda Arts moved to their new location at the timber barn building on Spring Street in 2019, and opened up the first performing studio in April, Cisterna said.

Cisterna founded the not-for-profit organization in 2001.

“This is new for St. Jacobs, and we hope that it will turn into a great tradition for families to make this weekend their weekend to experience culture from around the world,” said Cisterna.

“I think a lot of people haven’t been able to travel for a couple years and I think this will be a great refresher – we can’t go somewhere else, but we will bring the world to them. And I think that may be good for our spirits right now.”

For a full schedule of events, visit www. nerudaarts.ca.

James St

Wy

ELM I R A a tt

St

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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 18

Classifieds

Seven days.

One paper.

A bestseller every week.

Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 104 Email: ads@woolwichobserver.com Job Listings: jobs.observerxtra.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

For Sale

MINI -VAN DRIVER CLOTHES DRYER, LIKE NEEDED-PART/TIME N E W, U S E D 6 suitable for retired months. Paid $1103, person. Driving for will sell for $475. Call mennonite communi- 519-743-5706. ties - country drives, Dave-519-574-1489.

PART TIME DRIVER for deliveries 2 days a week. Needs to be reliable, friendly and have knowledge of Elmira, Kitchener/Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph areas.

Advertising

Placing a classified ad

Please call or email for display advertising quotes for Help Wanted, Auctions, Real Estate, Public Notices, Service Pro Directory and Obituaries.

All classified advertising is prepaid. Ads will be accepted in person, email, or phone during regular office hours. Deadline is Wednesdays by 10am. Order and pay online at: observerxtra.com/classifieds.

Family Album Notices: Order and pay for family announcement notices online at: observerxtra.com/order-family-album.

WORD ADS AND HELP WANTED CONTINUES PAGE 19

Residential:

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Commercial:

$15 per 20 words (30¢ per extra word)

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Help Wanted

OWNSHIP OF Requires a G License. Minimum three years’

ESLEY

experience driving a straight truck or larger.

Apply in person at Stemmler Meats in Heidelberg or email terry@stemmlermeats.ca

SR BOOKKEEPER (hiring multiple positions) Join our friendly, collaborative team today! Manage your own schedule and caseload serving clients in Waterloo and Wellington regions, with opportunity for advancement.

If you are a dependable, organized bookkeeper with 2+ years’ experience and an eye for accurate detail, we want to hear from you!

Help Wanted

QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelors degree or equivalent experience (2+ years) Accounting & Inventory Software, Quickbooks, Simply Accounting TOWNSHIP OF

WELLESLEY Recreation Department is hiring for a

FULL TIME RECREATION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Please visit:

www.wellesley.ca for detailed job description requirements Deadline to submit resume: July 24, 2022 5:00pm

HIRING: WELDERS

F/T positions in Hawkesville (nights) & Guelph (days).

• Career development opportunity • Competitive wages with shift premium • Great benefits package • Matched pension contributions after 1 year • Supplied uniforms • $200/yr Safety Boot allowance • Modern shop with state-of-the-art equipment

and written (English) • Client focused team player with good judgement • Ability to handle tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

AMI Attachments is a local manufacturer of world-class attachments for heavy equipment.

Join our friendly, collaborative, growing team!

RESPONSIBILITIES

APPLY TODAY!

• Account reconciliation, trial balances, journal entries, payroll, general ledgers, financial statements & records • Total fixed assets, calculate depreciation, prepare financial/accounting reports • Establish, maintain & balance various accounts manually & using bookkeeping software F/T permanent; $25-28/hr + O/T; Great Benefits Pkg (cost-shared); 40-60hrs/wk; vehicle & valid licence required for local travel (mileage reimbursed).

amiattachments.com/careers to apply online, Or email your resume to: careers@amiattachments.com

Help Wanted

Resume and cover letter to: applicant@taylorgerber.ca or in person at 12 Arthur St South, Elmira.

Help Wanted

921 Katherine Street North West Montrose ON N0B 2V0

JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM AS A TRUCK AND TRAILER TECHNICIAN We will evaluate anyone with a 310 T certification or nearly certified.

Primary responsibility is to conduct routine and preventative maintenance to an over the road fleet of Hi way trucks and trailers. Our specialized fleet provides a variety of work to keep you motivated as well as plenty of opportunities for further training if you are interested.

We provide a clean, safe, and friendly work environment with a competitive wage package.

You provide an energetic interest to use and keep developing your 310 T experience.

Please contact recruiting@grandridge.ca

Help Wanted

Woodworking Craftsman Join a young, dynamic team that keeps growing! Woodland Horizon Ltd designs, manufacturers, finishes and installs high quality custom cabinetry and solid wood stairs. Our shop and showroom are located in the town of Drayton. At Woodland, one of our core values is Respect. Respect for our team members and respect for our customers. Continuous improvement is also a big part of who we are. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make our team members jobs easier and more efficient.

We are looking for a full time, permanent

Kitchen Cabinet Installer to join our team. In this position you would be working with one of our install teams installing high quality custom kitchens and stairs. In this position you would be reporting to our Install manager.

Required skills • Respectful • Ability to read blueprints • Cabinet building experience will be an asset • Cabinet install experience will be an asset • Motivated and enthusiastic • Courteous and friendly • Dependable • No post secondary education required This position is full time, with benefits after probationary period.

If you are interested in joining a vibrant and growing company, please send your resume to laverne@woodlandhorizon.com or call 519.638.5961 to set up an interview.

Only those receiving an interview will be contacted. Thank you.

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

Help Wanted ELMIRA DONUTS AND DELI is looking for kitchen and customer service help. Part-time hours.

519-669-5353 ask for Sarah.

C L A S S I F I E D S | 19

For Sale WORD ADS AND HELP WANTED CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Help Wanted

SEASONAL HELP WANTED Lorentz Farms Ltd. Day and night shift mill operators /general labourer needed.

Some equipment operation required.

Call 519-575-8441 or 519-577-2889

Help Wanted

CARSTAR ELMIRA CARSTAR Elmira is looking to hire a general employee, who can take direction and that works well with others. Hours are Monday-Friday.

Must have valid drivers license.

For more info, please apply in person or email your resume to elmira@carstar.ca

Help Wanted

LAWN FERTILIZER AND LAWN SEED Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

TREES & SHRUBS FOR SALE. SHADE TREES; apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, apricot, nectarines; blueberries, aroniaberry, grapes, rhubarb, raspberries, etc; blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce & lots of nice cedars to make green fence hedges & windbreaks. Range 1-6 feet tall. Now is a good time to plant! Excellent quality plants. Stop in Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Martin's Nursery, c/o Emanuel E.M. Martin, 42661 Orangehill Rd., Wroxeter Ont. N0G 2X0. (1 km north of Wroxeter on Belmore Line).

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.

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

Wanted Is Hiring Automotive technician or apprentice (all levels will be considered) We are a busy family oriented automotive service shop looking to add to our technical team.

In search of an out going individual to fill automotive service technician or apprentice positions.

We offer full training, benefits and pension after a probation period. Wages will reflect experience.

To Apply Apply with resume in person to:

661 Colby Dr. Waterloo or email:

northfieldauto@bellnet.ca 519-884-6160

Woolwich last week officially launched a public river access point along the Grand in conjunction with the West Montrose Family Camp. Township officials on hand included Coun. Patrick Merlihan (third from right) and Coun. Murray Martin (second from right). Bill Atwood

WA N T E D : OLD CLOCKS; OLD RADIOS; Oil and gas signs and cans; Old sealers; Old brewery items signs,trays and bottles. Please call 519-570-6920. Cash paid.

Soft-touch feel cover with quality ivory paper with perfect bound spine.

Observer Custom Journals: 4 Flavours $7.00 ea. or Set of 4 for $20.00

Get a free pen clip with 4pk

Trades & Services C U S T O M L AW N OVERSEEDING AND lawn seeding. Call 519-503-5641.

Personals

All classified advertising is prepaid. Ads will be accepted in person, email, or phone during regular office hours. Deadline is Wednesdays by 10am.

Residential:

$9 per 20 words (20¢ per extra word)

Commercial:

$15 per 20 words (30¢ per extra word)

Order online: observerxtra.com/classifieds.

75 sodoku puzzles from easy to hard.

Sodoku Book

Custom designed stickers.

Stickers $3.00 ea.

$5.00 ea.

Meal planning made easy, tear-away grocery lists, binder-ready for archiving.

Get a 52 Week Family Meal Planner $20.00 ea.

Take the stress out of dinner time, save money, waste less food.

Garage Sales SATURDAY, JULY 9 8:30 TO 1:00, 39 William St Elmira plus wood dining table, 8 chairs and china cabinet

When you buy stuff here you support local journalism.

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.ca

#CHAMPIONTHETRUTH

Sell it in the Observer

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE. MAY THE SACRED heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred heart of Jesus pray for me, St. Jude worker of miracles pray for me, St. Jude help of the hopeless pray for me. Say this prayer nine times a day, by the eighth day your prayers will be answered. Never known to fail. Publication must be promised. A.S.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022

20 | C L A S S I F I E D S

ↆ LO CA L ↆ

P R O F E S S I O N A L

S E RV I C E S

GENERAL SERVICES

CALL TO BOOK! TODAY.

Septic Installations · Tile Repairs Small Footings · Silo Footings

VAN, MINIBUS & WHEELCHAIR LIFT BUS TRANSPORTATION “Specializing in small group charters”

Maynard Martin

519-669-5557 Visit our website! countrymilebl.com Elmira, ON ↆ

Martin’s Nursery

MarCrest Backhoe 2512 Kressler Road RR1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

Hydrangea Shrubs & Trees Shade & Flowering Trees Large selection of fruit trees HONEY FOR SALE (fruit bearing age) BEE Supplies Etc. Hedging & Windbreaks We sell a complete line of Bee Supplies; including Spruce, Pine, Cedars Extracting Equipment, jars, Shrubs, Grasses pails, Varroa mite treatments & much and Bees, Nucs, Queens. more!

ORHBS Select Queens (Weekly) C/O EMANUEL E.M. MARTIN

42661 Orangehill Road, RR#1, Wroxeter, ON

Tel. 519-699-0507

1 Concession North of Wroxeter on Belmore Line Mon. – Sat. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

RK COUNTRY BUS LINES 519-502-8262 Elmira, ON

GENERAL SERVICES

BOOKING FOR 2022

Visit us online to see our entire rental lineup.

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

(ELMIRA)

ↆ

ↆ

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

TIRE

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOTA SIDE LINE.

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

519-669-3232 ↆ

519-669-4964

519-669-0524 www.woolwichrentals.ca 100 Union St, Elmira, Ontario

THOMPSON’S

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

519-669-4400

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

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

30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA

36 Hampton St., Elmira

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

www.marwilconcrete.ca

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016

519-577-0370

darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

HOME IMPROVEMENT COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

INC

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

Randy Weber

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

www.rwelectricltd.com TEL:

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

AMOS R O O F I N G

1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

ↆ

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

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

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

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114 In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

HOME IMPROVEMENT Since 1998

•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

DESIGN CENTRE

• FLOORING • Custom KITCHENS • BATHROOM VANITIES • SICO Paint • Custom WINDOW BLINDS

KITCHEN, BATH & WINDOW FASHIONS

Many In-Stock or Custom Bathroom Vanities, Kitchen Cabinetry, Flooring and Tiles, Blinds, Shades, Fashion Plumbing • Our experienced personell and designer will help you work within your personal taste and budget

Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware Popular Brands Available

BLANCO, MAAX, MIROLAN, STEEL QUEEN www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

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

Evenings By Appointment

1011 Industrial Cres. Unit #2 | TEL: 519.699.5411

22 Church St. W., Elmira Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 8-6, SUN 11-4 Find and follow us on FB and Instagram

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

ↆ R E A L

C L A S S I F I E D S | 21

E SAT E

SELLING? CALL US FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION. Sue From

Alli Bauman

226-750-9332

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

suefrom17@gmail.com

519-669-5426

Emily Minielly SALES REPRESENTATIVE

519-504-6247

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

emilyminiellyrealestate@gmail.com

July 9 10am-12pm OPEN HOUSE Saturday, 6998 Freeborn Street, Millbank th

NEW LISTING

$599,000

$1,220,000

$749,000

DRAYTON - This Executive bungalow welcomes you home with an expansive covered front porch and double car garage. Step through the front door into a beautiful open concept main floor. Large picture windows and vaulted ceilings give the living space a bright and welcoming feel! The dining space has large sliding glass doors to the sizable, raised deck, providing an extension to your living space, perfect for entertaining family and friends. Enjoy the luxury of a main floor mudroom / laundry with garage entrance. The main floor continues to offer three bedrooms and two full bathrooms! This unique floor plan has a separate suite for the primary bedroom complete with walk in closet and 4-piece ensuite including a soaker tub. You will find a separate wing with two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom. Follow the modern open staircase to the finished basement. The spacious rec room features wall to wall built-in cabinetry, perfect for movie nights at one end and a home gym at the other end. You will find plenty of room for games, toys and ping pong in the area in-between. The large glass sliding doors and windows offer almost as much natural light as the main floor. Walkout from the basement to a great interlocking brick patio with a hot tub! Plus, the basement features an additional bedroom, a full 3-piece bathroom, a craft room, and a cold cellar. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own your forever home! The quaint town of Drayton offers everything you need only 20 minutes from Elmira and 40 minutes from the city amenities in Guelph and Waterloo!

MILLBANK - You will love all that this home has to offer in the quaint town of Millbank. You will immediately feel at home when you walk into this charming 1.5 story home with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms and a bonus room at back, which could be a playroom, additional bedroom, office or gym! This property has been lovingly updated over the years with new windows, (2009), convenient eat in kitchen (2010), water heater (2017) and furnace (2020)! Not to mention the insulated detached shop with loft, perfect for all of your hobbies and storage needs. You will not want to miss out all that this 75 x 123 foot property has to offer.

$1,300,000

MILLBANK - Looking to escape the big city for small town living?

This charming recently updated, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom bungalow is exactly that and more. Located in the quaint town of Millbank, only 30 minutes from all the big city amenities that Waterloo or Stratford have to offer. You are welcomed through the front door into a bright living room that flows into the dining and kitchen area.

From the dining area, slip out through the large sliding doors to your back deck, (complete with propane hook-up), relax and enjoy your large .3 acre corner lot with mature trees, ideal for family gatherings and summer BBQ’s. Or head out to the covered front porch, perfect for enjoying morning coffee or an evening beverage.

Upstairs you will find three updated bedrooms and a newly refinished bathroom. The basement with a double door walkout and large windows provides an abundance of natural light, giving a main floor feel. The basement offers just as much as the main floor, rec room, workshop, 2 piece bathroom, laundry room, large cold room, bonus (play) room, loads of space for your family and guests to enjoy. You could easily convert this space into an in-law suite.

Updates include, new LVT flooring , drywall, potlights, bathrooms, most windows, all trim and interior doors all done in 2022 as well as Furnace & A/C (2021), this house is move in ready! With an insulated garage, (new door on order), oversized shed, and ample parking, you will have tons of space to store your “toys” or entertain.

MOOREFIELD - This private 50 acre property is located on a quiet street near Teviotdale. Follow along the winding laneway through a picturesque cedar rail fence surrounded by greenery to acres of open space including a spring fed pond. You will be greeted by a bungalow and a small barn to house any animals you have or may wish to have. This property so much more to offer a with green house/shed and a detached 30 x 40 heated and insulated shop (built in 2009) surrounded by fruit trees. The 1459 square foot bungalow has a retreat like master bedroom (added in 2008) with vaulted ceilings, in suite laundry, a propane fireplace and walk-out to the deck and hot tub! The kitchen is open to the dining room and living room, with a fireplace and loads of natural light with sliding glass doors to the front and back deck. The walk out basement has a 3 piece bathroom, rec room and office space which could be easily transformed into an in-law suite. The deck wraps around the house to the master bedroom and connects the outdoor bar with bar fridge, hot tub (2017) and on ground pool (2019). Be prepared for all of your friends and family longing to hang out here! Hop on your off road vehicle and explore the back 40 acres of your own private bush where you will find wildlife and a mix of trees. This serine setting could be just what you have been dreaming of!

$849,000 ELMIRA - Check out this 5 Bedroom Bungalow in Birdland! This unique opportunity gives you the option of multi-generational living or a single-family dwelling...you choose! The main floor has 3 bedrooms, a fair-sized kitchen, a dining room, a living room with big bright windows overlooking the covered front porch, 4 piece bathroom, and a main floor laundry room. Walk out from the dining room to a shaded deck and relax in the yard with the view of mature trees. The open concept basement has 2 bedrooms, its own kitchen and laundry room, 4-piece bathroom, dinette area, 2 living room spaces, and lots of storage. You will be impressed with the overall open feel of this home. The doublewide, concrete driveway provides parking for 2 and the oversized single garage is perfect for the car enthusiast and is equipped with a hoist. Come and see this nicely finished and well-kept home that is sure to impress!

ↆ PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Solutions for this week's puzzles.

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ACCREDITED SENIORS AGENT

Looking for Listings?

Thinking of Selling?

Broker of Record, MVA Residential

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD. Office: 519-669-2772 Brad Direct: 519-741-6231 | Jenna Direct: 519-760-2265 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira | www.thurrealestate.com

Write a letter to the editor and submit it online today.

10 OFF REPLACEMENT PATIO DOOR SCREEN Must bring coupon in or use code “repair22”

IN-STORE SERVICES • Lawnmower Blade Sharpening • Paint Colour Matching • Interior Design Consultation • Bike Repair 22 Church St. W., Elmira Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 8-6, SUN 11-4 Find and follow us on FB and Instagram

$899,900.00

Call for details: 519-503-2753 Ideal retirement bungalow w/family room addition on a mature lot. Beautiful private yard with stamped concrete patio & hot tub. L.R. w/hardwood, gas F.P. & crown moulding (currently being used as a D.R.). Eat-in kitchen & dining area w/white cabinetry. Gorgeous family rm addition at rear with 9’ ceiling & tons of windows. Large master bdrm w/walk-in closet & hardwood flrs. 2nd main floor bdrm. Updated 4 pc bathroom. Basement has finished rec room, 2 possible bdrms, 3 pc bath, laundry area & utility room. Replacement windows, furnace, A/C & chimney. Extremely well maintained home! MLS 17 Maple St., Drayton

observerxtra.com/letters

S E RV I C E S

Reach local people at the right time every week.

15,000 Observers are delivered to homes in Woolwich, Wellesley and Waterloo.

Call Donna Rudy at 519-669-5790 ext104 to find out how your business can book this space.

$799,900.00 Meticulously maintained 2-storey in a family friendly subdivision. 1838 sq. ft. Original owner has updated the home since new with quartz counter tops, flooring, furnace & air, roof shingles, garage doors, painting & decorating. Eat-in kitchen w/island, formal dining room & great rm with cathedral ceiling. 3 bdrms. Master suite w/walk-in closet & 4 pc. ensuite.

Mn flr 2 pc. Unspoiled basement. Sauna. Concrete driveway. Beautiful park like landscaping! MLS

GENERAL SERVICES

• Window & Screen Repairs • Glass & Plexi Cutting • Key Cutting • Knife & Scissor Sharpening

Sales Representative

HOME EVALUATION

P R O F E S S I O N A L

$

JENNA MARTIN

35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE YOU CAN RELY ON! 8 Bluejay Rd., Elmira

FREE

& & 8 3 2 / , 0 (

, % 5 ( ' 2 8 5 2 * ( 5 / & $ % 7 ( 5 < , 1 & ( & 7 5 2 % 7 , 9 ( $ 3 ( / 1 ( 5 $ 7 $ 7 $ : ( / ( '

BRAD MARTIN

BROKERAGE

22 Meadowlark Rd., Elmira

$899,900.00

All brick bungalow w/4 bdrms on the main flr. Central location to schools & park. 1655 sq. ft. Main flr laundry. Updated bathrooms. Country style eat-in kitchen. Large finished rec rm w/gas F.P. Potential of finishing more bsmt space. 3 pce bathroom downstairs. Replacement windows/furnace & C/Air. Private yard with stamped concrete patio at rear. Garden doors from master bdrm to patio area. MLS

CALL FOR YOUR

FREE MARKET EVALUATION

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022

22 | C L A S S I F I E D S

ↆ FA M I LY

A L B U M

Graduation

Obituary

Mann, Jeffrey

Congratulations DR. Heather Bauman Graduated from Ontario Veterinary College with distinction June 2022.

Dr. Heather will be practicing at Timiskaming Shores Veterinary Services.

Congratulations from her parents & family & friends.

In Memoriam

In Loving Memory

Lewis S. Brindley Sept 11 1940-July 3 2012

Passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, July 1, 2022 at the age of 59, after a long battle with Parkinsons. Beloved husband of Sandy (Masson) Mann of Elmira.

Loving father of Todd (Avery Boertien) of Listowel, and Alissa (Brandon) of Waterloo. Adoring Papa to grandson James Eckensweiler. Brother of Brenda and Cliff Homer of Delhi, Debra and Paul Daniel of Peterborough, and Doug and Wanda Mann of Port Elgin.

Brother-in-law to Cathy and Gary Dagenais of Ariss, Roger (the late Jackie) Masson, and Tom and Janet Masson all of Woodstock. Predeceased by his parents Merv and Jean Mann, father-in-law Bruce Masson, motherin-law Freda Hallman, brother-in-law Rick and sister-in-law Tracey Masson.

Jeff was a longtime resident of Elmira and loved to support his community.

He enjoyed his gardens, his dogs, but most of all his friends and family.

Following Jeff’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please check Jeff’s tribute page on the Dreisinger Funeral Home website for further information. Donations in Jeff ’s memory to Parkinson Society Canada or Diabetes Canada may be made through the funeral home. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Remembered and missed by your family and friends.

100% LOCAL

Write a letter to the editor and submit it online today. observerxtra.com/letters

Obituary

Obituary

Stahlbaum, Kenneth

Martin, Albert

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth “Chicky” Stahlbaum on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the age of 88 years. Chicky was an avid lover of antique classic cars, and thoroughly enjoyed all the great times spent with friends and family, especially at the Port Elgin beach. He worked for many years at Mike’s Auto Body in Elmira and had great talent in rejuvenating damaged vehicles, before finishing his career at Borg Textiles, also in Elmira. Beloved husband for 57 years of the late Patricia Stahlbaum (2015). Father of the late Michael Stahlbaum (2017). Survived by his daughter Judy (Randy) Bird, and his cherished grandchildren Nicole Bird and Dr. Ryan (Dr. Jenna Silverstein Bird). Dear great-grandfather to Isla Sadie Silver Bird. Brother-in-law to Ursula Voisin. Chicky’s strength and drive carried him through and made him a warrior during very challenging medical times with his battle and triumph over cancer. He was loving, kind, compassionate, and a very generous family man. He had an amazing sense of humour and was a master of witty clichés. Chicky will be dearly missed. Our sincere thanks to the staff at Chartwell Retirement for the past five years of great care looking after dad, as well as the health team at St. Mary’s Hospital for his recent and brief stay. In keeping with Chicky’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira, followed by a 3 p.m. graveside service in Elmira Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated and may be made through the funeral home.

Peacefully went to be with his Lord on Monday, July 4, 2022 at Grand River Hospital - Freeport Campus at the age of 90. Beloved husband of Ruby Martin for 64 years. Proud father of five daughters: Dianne and Marvin Gingrich, Carolyn and Jim Schill, Kate Metzger (the late Daryl), Geri and Troy Hale, Lori and Steve Smith. Loving grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Will be missed by brothers Lorne, Angus and Ron (Jill).

Predeceased by his parents Enos and Wilhelmina, grandson Justin Weber, great-grandson Myles Vandenberg, son-in-law Jeff Weber, and brother Eldon. Albert was a man of faith, and a lifelong member of Hawkesville M ennonite Church. He was a dedicated farmer for over forty years and was known in the community as “Apple Albert”. Throughout his life, Albert was an active and passionate member of Farm & Home Safety, the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, and the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario. He was an avid bowler, loved a good Blue Jays game, and never turned down a cup of coffee and friendly conversation. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Florapine Rd., Floradale, with reception to follow. Interment will take place in Hawkesville Cemetery following the reception. Donations to Grand River Regional Cancer Centre or MCC would be appreciated, and may be made through the funeral home. A special thank you to Dr. McCarron and her staff at GRRCC, and the healthcare team at Grand River and Freeport for their compassion during Albert’s end of life care.

❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Avery Robinson collected more than 350 pounds of food as part of a project at Woodland Christian High School. See the full story on page 6.

❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Submitted

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 23

Living Here

It's about all of us.

Leading the way reporting about the people and places of home.

Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com Report it: observerxtra.com/tips

Cut back on water: GRCA

Hospital fundraiser

The GRCA is asking water users throughout the Grand River watershed to cut their consumption by 10% due to the unusually dry weather this year. Low rainfall since April has contributed to reduced stream flows in a number of tributaries throughout the watershed, with the GRCA saying it’s using its large upstream reservoirs to augment river flows.

Grand River Hospital Foundation today announced the launch of the Scotland’s Yard Road Hockey Classic silent auction, in conjunction with an upcoming all-ages street hockey tournament.

Scotland’s Yard Road Hockey Classic is set for July 8 at Catalyst137, 137 Glasgow St., Kitchener, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

www.grandriver.ca

www.syhockey.ca

All shined up and ready to roll Deciding the show must go on, local car enthusiasts launch cruise night Thursdays in Elmira Bill Atwood Observer Staff

A NEW WEEKLY EVENT IN Elmira is attempting to fill the void left by the relocation of a former car show in Elora.

Spanky’s BBQ Cruise Night announced in May that it was relocating to Holstein. Not wanting to make the drive, Mike Balog and a few other Elmira residents decided to start a cruise night of their own.

Now a few weeks in, the gathering that takes place Thursday at the Canadian Tire parking lot at 6:30 p.m. is filling the void.

Response has already been strong, says Balog.

“We had I believe it was close to 100 the first week and just a little over 100 the second week, which kind of surprised me because it was the beginning of the long weekend.

So I think it’s going pretty well.”

While many car shows have a theme, Balog has invited anyone who wishes

Cars of all vintages are on display Thursday nights at the Canadian Tire property in Elmira, where a new cruise night was recently launched.

to participate to do so.

“We don’t have any restrictions – we have our classic cars or hotrod types of cars, but there’s also been some newer cars, Mustangs and Camaros that have joined in. We

encourage them to come out as well,” he said.

Along with Canadian Tire providing the parking space, Balog partnered with Smokin’ Q Bar-B-Q to put on the event.

“I just love seeing that

people are actually out and enjoying the community again, being together and seeing crowds. A lot of people need that for their own mental health, so to be able to just be a part of something like that, bring-

ing community together, is basically one of the main reasons why,” said Smokin’ Q owner Cherylanne Weber.

“Especially with what we’ve just come through COVID. I just think when

Submitted

everyone is doing their own thing, people become more distant, there becomes a lot more issues medically, mentally. So it’s just to me, it’s important that people are doing → CAR SHOW 28

Learning to deal with constipation in children DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My 10 -year- old daughter spends hours in the bathroom daily. Every time I inquire, she tells me she is constipated. We do not eat out a lot, and we incorporate fruits or vegetables at each meal. She also drinks water most of the day. Is constipation normal at this age, and what can I do to help her?

ANSWER: Constipation can cause issues with bowel movements in as many as 30% of children.

▢ Mayo Clinic

Professional Clinical Health Advice

It's a common concern for many parents.

Most often, constipation affects children of preschool-age, but it also can occur in older children. No common cause or medical condition consistently contributes to symptoms that lead to less frequent, hard, large or uncomfortable bowel movements. However,

understanding what's normal depending on your child's age can help you decide if it's time to seek help.

Normal bowel habits by age are: Newborns: Expect four soft bowel movements daily.

First 3 months: Expect three soft bowel movements daily for children who are breastfed and two to three soft bowel movements daily for children

who are formula-fed 6 months to 1 year: Expect two bowel movements daily.

1 to 3 years: Expect one to two bowel movements daily.

4 years and older: Expect one bowel movement daily.

It can be common for a breastfed infant to have as many as one bowel movement after each feeding to as little as one bowel movement every five to seven days.

Parents often ask what a

normal bowel movement should look like. A breastfed infant will have stool that can look more yellow and seedy. A formula-fed infant will have a peanut butter-consistency stool.

As a child ages and solids are introduced, the stool can vary dependent on diet. As a child ages and becomes potty trained, a soft, formed bananashaped stool each day is common.

Concern arises when bowel movements become hard or pelletlike, or

they cause straining and discomfort. Talk with your daughter and ask her to share the specifics of her recent experiences.

Other common signs of constipation include: Abdominal bloating.

Blood in the stool or underwear.

Blood on the toilet paper, which can be due to straining.

Changes in appetite.

Frequent complaints of stomachache or abdominal → MAYO CLINIC 25

Is there anything more frustrating than when your air conditioning stops working on a hot summer day?!?

We often get phone calls asking how much it costs to fix an air conditioning system. We would love it if we were able to give you a quick quote. However, because of the multiple different parts that can fail on an air conditioning system, we will need to have one of our technicians pinpoint the exact cause the failure first. PRINTING ADofSPOT - NON We understand how nice it is to have the air conditioning working on a hot day and realize it can be a hard decision on whether to fix it when it turns out to be an expensive repair. We will always keep you updated through the process and help you make a decision that makes sense for you.

We are always happy to schedule you an appointment or answer any questions you may have!

Inquire Online: https://www.leroysautocare.net/contact-1

20 Oriole Parkway E., Elmira.

Tel: (519) 669-1082

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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022

24 | L I V I N G H E R E

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SATURDAY, JULY 9 ▢ Woolwich Gardeners presents our Annual Garden Tour. This self-guided tour features 8 varied gardens in Elmira and area, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets and information, contact Barb Smith (519)580-7584 or barbs@rogers.com

519.669.5105 A

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Vacuum Sales, Repairs Se Service All Makes & Models

▢ Woolwich Healthy Communities comunity walkthru of the Woolwich Guest House for Ukrainian Refugees from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Located at 16 Isabella St., St. Jacobs. See what the community has been preparing to support Ukrainian families in the former Jakobstettel guest house.

SUNDAY, JULY 10 ▢ Woolwich Healthy Communities comunity walkthru of the Woolwich Guest House for Ukrainian Refugees from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Located at 16 Isabella St., St. Jacobs. See what the community has been preparing to support Ukrainian families in the former Jakobstettel guest house.

9 Church St. E., Elmira

519-669-8362 Email: elmiravacuum@gmail.com

Quality & Service you can trust.

▢ Concert in the Park - Every Sunday from 7-9 p.m. in Gibson Park in Elmira. This week Darin Parise & the Sugar Sweethearts with Al Widmeyer will perform in the park. Bring your lawn chairs.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 ▢ Ontario Forage Expo 2022 - Forage Equipment

Demonstrations and Trade Show starting at 10 a.m. at 161 Hawkesville Rd., St. Jacob’s. New equipment demonstrations and head-to-head field trials. This event will provide the opportunity for farmers to view the latest technology. Ian McDonald, OMAFRA will be in the field, working with the equipment companies to provide information to farmers and answer questions.

Free admission. Lunch will be available on-site at a nominal fee, and no pre-registration is required.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

A

A A

E V E N T S

▢Concert in the Park - Every Sunday from 7-9 p.m. in Gibson Park in Elmira. This week Aaron Muir will perform in the park. Bring your lawn chairs.

SUNDAY, JULY 24 ▢Concert in the Park - Every Sunday from 7- 9 p.m. in Gibson Park in Elmira. This week Lance Russwurm will perform in the park. Bring your lawn chairs.

Bus: 519.744.5433

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 ▢ Waterloo Region Newcomers and Friends Club

Meeting, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free to attend at Lincoln Road Chapel, 145 Lincoln Rd., Waterloo.

Women of all ages, who are new to the area, or have experienced a lifestyle change are invited. Monthly meetings include speakers and social activities. For further info: waterloonewcomersandfriends@gmail. com ↆ The Community Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit local events that are offered free to the public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and similar events do not qualify for free advertising. See complete policy online. All submissions are to be made online at observerxtra.com/event-listing/.

Healthy Communities

The place to get involved.

• Volunteer Opportunities • Projects & News • Sub-Committee updates

ey limes are NOT the same as the limes you see in the supermarket.

Key limes are smaller and have more seeds, a thinner skin, and a tarter taste. They get their name from the Florida Keys, where they were first grown.

Don't worry, you don't

▢ 1 1⁄2 graham crackers, broken into pieces

▢ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

▢ Harmony in Faith Worship Service, 10 a.m. at

Gibson Park Elmira. The Elmira & District Ministerial Association is pleased to announce our plan to re-gather together as a community for Sunday morning worship in the park to praise God in song, scripture readings, a children’s story and sermon preached by Pastor Derek Osborne, Elmira Pentecostal Assembly.

Free-will offerings to be given to Woolwich Community Services either in food or monetary donations. A barbecue will follow the service (a donation basket will be available for people to contribute whatever they can afford towards their meal).

K

▢ America's Test Kitchen Rigorously tested recipes that work.

have to hunt down key limes. Even though these are called "Key Lime Cups," we developed this recipe with regular Persian limes.

Key Lime Cups

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28

NANCY KOEBEL

These mini Key lime pies are cute, custardy, citrusy delights

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519-669-5790 ext. 104

lime zest plus 1⁄3 cup juice, zested and squeezed from 3 limes

▢ 1⁄4 cup (2 ounces)

▢ 2 tablespoons water

cream cheese

▢ 1 large egg yolk

▢ 1 (14-ounce) can

▢ Pinch salt

sweetened condensed milk

1. HEAT: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees.

2. SMASH: Add graham cracker pieces to a large zipper-lock plastic bag. Seal bag, making sure to press out all air. Use a rolling pin to gently pound bag to break crackers into crumbs.

3. MIX: Add graham cracker crumbs and butter to a small bowl.

Heat in microwave until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir with rubber spatula to combine.

4. SOFTEN: In a large bowl, microwave cream cheese for 10 to 15 seconds. Whisk softened cream cheese until very smooth.

5. WHISK: Add condensed milk,

▢ Whipped cream, optional

lime zest and juice, water, egg yolk, and salt to bowl with cream cheese. Whisk until well combined and smooth.

6. FILL: Divide filling evenly among ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.

7. BAKE AND COOL: Bake until filling is set and no longer jiggles when the baking sheet is gently shaken, about 6 minutes. Let key lime cups cool on a cooling rack for 45 minutes.

8. CHILL: Cover ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate until filling is chilled and firm, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. To serve, dollop with whipped cream, if using, and sprinkle with graham cracker topping. cilantro and walnuts.

ↆ For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America's Test Kitchen for rigourously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www. amercastestkitchen.com

ↆ FA I T H

healthywoolwich.org

▢ 1 teaspoon grated

Elmira Mennonite Church

D I R E C TO RY 9:30 am Jonathan Brubacher Preaching

www.elmiramennonite.ca 58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

T

L I V I N G H E R E | 25

Strawberries are for more than just dessert

oday I’m sharing with you not only a favourite summer recipe, but one that was demonstrated at our last lunch cooking class. (Am I using this as a shameless promotion tool for our cooking class program, which is up next on July 27? Absolutely!)

This time of year we love to make all kinds of strawberry desserts, of course, by why not use them in an

CHEF DUFF

Recipes from the chef's table

entrée?

Apples and cranberries have been paired with meat for centuries, so why should they get all the fun when strawberries can get in on the act?

The word “salsa” tech-

nically means “sauce” in Spanish, although we are usually talking about a specific type of sauce when we use the word salsa – and, no, it does not have to have tomatoes in it!

Can you actually get away with putting onions and strawberries in the same bowl at the same time? Yes, I would… and loving it!

Grilled Chicken Breast with Zesty Strawberry Salsa For the chicken: ▢ 2 lb boneless chicken breasts

▢ 1 Serrano pepper ▢ 2 garlic cloves,

minced

▢ Salt & pepper

▢ 2 Tbsp. raspberry

▢ Fennel seed

vinegar

▢ 1/4 cup olive oil

▢ Chili powder

For the salsa: ▢ 1 lb Ontario strawberries, cleaned and sliced ▢ 1 Serrano pepper ▢ 1 Tbsp. raspberry 1. Marinade chicken for at least an hour.

2. Combine salsa ingredients and allow to soak.

vinegar

chopped

▢ 1 Tbsp. honey

▢ ½ a red onion, finely diced

▢ 1 tsp. crushed ginger

▢ Salt & pepper

▢ 1 bunch mint, 3. Drain chicken and sear on a medium-hot grill about three minutes per side or until cooked through (internal temp. of 74C) – rest.

4. Slice chicken and arrange in an attractive manner on plate.

Top with salsa.

ↆ Chef Bruce Duff is the operator of “Chef Duff at RiverSong” Banquet hall, Café and Culinary Centre just outside of St. Jacobs, which hosts private events, banquets, team building and cooking classes and also run breakfast and lunch in the café from Wed. – Sat; info@chefduff.ca.

MAYO CLINIC: Diet is often a big factor in constipation → FROM 23

discomfort.

Painful bowel movements.

Infrequent bowel movements (less than once a day).

Leakage of stool in the underwear.

Urinary leakage or incontinence, especially if not common before.

Weight loss or poor weight gain.

Constipation in children commonly occurs during the transition to a solid diet, such as moving from breast milk or formula to solid foods. It also can occur during toilet training, where withholding can occur when a child isn't ready or painful bowel movements are an issue. In older children, bowel issues often begin when school starts, when they are suddenly in an unfamiliar setting, or if there are privacy issues or concerns of time.

Talk with your daughter to see if she is experiencing any concerns voiding during the day, such as when she is at school.

Is she unable to use the restroom in a timely fashion, or is she being rushed? Is she anxious or having concerns that may

Watch for signs of constipation in children.

be triggering this change in her routine?

You may want to revisit your diet to ensure that your daughter is taking in enough fibre. High-fibre foods include apricots, sweet potatoes, pears, prunes, peaches, plums, beans, peas, broccoli, berries or spinach. You mentioned she drinks mostly water so encourage her to keep that habit.

Typically, three to five cups daily is ideal for children.

Regardless of age, other tips to help with constipation and encourage better bathroom habits include: Providing positive reinforcement and encouragement.

Incorporating a foot support, such as a stool, for proper posi-

tioning and comfort.

Encouraging a routine, especially after a meal, as eating stimulates the bowels.

Allowing enough time -- at least five to 10 minutes -- for a bowel movement before rushing to the next activity While constipation is common in children, many options are available to help. Talk with your pediatrician or health care provider if you are not seeing improvement, or to discuss other strategies that could help.

ↆ Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www. mayoclinic.org.

Mike and Diane Erb from Twas Now performed for more than 600 attendees at the Concert in the Park July 3 at Gibson Park in Elmira. Lance Russwurm

You’re invited to an

OPEN HOUSE

for the Woolwich Guest House

for Ukrainian Refugees

The community is invited to a walk-thru open house of the re-opened 1898 Victorian Jakobstettle Guest House located in the heart of St. Jacobs. The former B&B will serve as a transition home for Ukrainian refugees.

Join us: Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 from 11am-3pm Scan to Donate.

Learn more about this project and our partners at www.healthywoolwich.org

16 Isabella St., St. Jacobs

Playtime Word of the Week

Find-A-Word

CANTANKEROUS

0 3 , 3 ( 0 % 8 1

difficult or irritating to deal with

Mini-Word

ACROSS 1. Emergency room

DOWN 1. Elevate 2. Name translated

medicine 7. Setting of Kubla Khan's palace 8. More chichi 9. Relating to the spleen 10. In a cutting way

Sudoku

to mean "Of the sea" 3. Log 4. Corrupt 5. Archetype 6. Not straight

Sudoku

HARD

6 8 ( ( & / $ , 5

) $ * & & + , 9 (

6 * * 5 2 * 7 , &

21

8 Letters 1 Word

THEME: FOOD

6 5 7 ( $ % , $ ,

; ( , ( / 3 1 1 3

) $ 0 : $ 2 2 ' (

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APPLE

COB

FRYER

LUNCH

POT

TEA

BOIL

CUP

FUDGE

MOP

RECIPE

TIN

BUN

CURDS

GREASE

MUG

ROLL

TOSS

CAN

DOILY

GROG

NOODLES

RUSK

TUB

CHILL

ECLAIR

HAM

PEAS

SAGE

TURN IT UP

CHIVE

EGGS

JUG

PIPE

SCONE

VIAND

COAL

EGG-TIMER

LIME

PORK

SOUR

WOK

SOLUTION:

Figure out the mystery letters to complete this eight-letter word reading clockwise or counterclockwise.

Crossword

EASY

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 26

If your company would like to sponsor this page, please contact The Observer at 519-669-5790 ext.104 Or email donna@woolwichobserver.com

ACROSS 1. Night before 4. Film crew member 8. Part of a healthy diet 13. By means of 14. "Gladiator" setting 15. Smell 16. Colony member 17. Catalogs 18. "Gotcha" 19. Shoe with a long,

thin, high heel

22. Private 23. Bristle 24. Hack 27. Grow like a plant 31. Diner 33. Chapter in history 34. Conclusion 36. Chop finely 37. Certain tense 41. In a sufficient way 43. Foreign dignitary 44. Burgle 47. Extremely earnest 49. Certain parents 52. Clod chopper 53. Detachable

container 55. Place for a pin 56. Anno Domini 60. "Hurray!"

63. Given under oath 64. Tit for ___

65. Arctic ___ 66. Rapids transit 67. Amazement 68. Afresh 69. Airy 70. ___ Zeppelin

7. Rank in the Ottoman

DOWN 1. Slippery 2. Ernest or Julio Gallo 3. Apple consumed raw 4. Pluck 5. Musical mark 6. Captivated by

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20. "Malcolm X" director 21. Female sheep 24. Move toward

a center 25. Parenthesis, essentially 26. "Ciao!"

28. Appear 29. Hit the bottle 30. Swelling 32. Jerk 35. Bone-dry 38. Bar order 39. Haydn's "Surprise," for one 40. To and ___ 41. ___ Wednesday 42. Farm call 45. Cow 46. After the fact 48. Negative conjunction 50. Level 51. Buff 54. Genre of dance music 56. Shade of black 57. Cashless deal 58. Strengthen, with "up" 59. Press 60. Over there 61. Adept 62. Cabinet acronym, once

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Darin Parise & w/ Al Widmeyer The Sugar Sweethearts

Gibson Park, Elmira — Bring your lawn chairs.

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Pass the hat freewill offering to support musicians

Thursday, July 7, 2022 | THE OBSERVER

L I V I N G H E R E | 27

Oh Canada!

Families descend on WMC to celebrate Canada Day July 1

There were plenty of activities for families on tap at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira on July 1 to celebrate Canada Day. Music, magic, antique cars, firetruck rides and more were enjoyed by hundreds of families looking to take in the festivities. DJ Carrol's Theatrix company entertained a large crowd with magic, juggling and more. Danika and Jack peformed cover songs throughout the day.

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CAR SHOW: Plenty of family-friendly activities and other draws beyond the vehicles on display, say organizers → FROM 23

things and supporting each other,” Weber said.

It is also a family friendly event, she added.

“It’s just a fun thing in the evening to do with your kids, especially if they’ve got young boys to see all the hotrods,” she said.

With several other car shows happening in the region, Balog has added extra incentive for residents to attend on weekly basis.

“We’re providing

music. We’re providing raffle prizes. Smokin’ Q is providing really good food. As long as we can get it started then I think it’ll maintain its longevity all by itself.”

However the main focus is on the cars.

“Car guys are a different breed. They come out and they talk to each other. They talk about problems they’re having with their vehicles, other people there will help or offer suggestions on what they might try to fix

whatever their issues are.

Some just like showing off their vehicles and just having a site that’s provided for them by us allowing them to do that,” he said.

Weber sees the event growing as the summer goes on.

I’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, I’ve got an old car.

This is gonna make me want to get it going and bring it out.’ Based on what the car people are telling me, it’ll keep growing,” she said.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, July 7, 2022

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PER SQ FT

REG 2.99

LAMINATE

1

$ 57 FROM

TILE

4MM THICK

$ 55

W W W. S O U R C E F L O O R I N G . C O M

FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

LAMINATE

12MM THICK LAMINATE

RENT SOFT WATER FOR $9.95

SCAN ME

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

HIGH GLOSS LAMINATE

1

$ 97 FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

BACKSPLASH

CULLIGAN.COM 519-744-2248 | 427 GAGE AVE. KITCHENER INFO@CULLIGANWATER.CA

12X24 POLISHED

CARRARA TILE

GLASS & STONE BACKSPLASH

1 1 BIGGEST $ 99 FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

$ 99

FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 6.99

ON THE

HARDWOOD

HARDWOOD

BLOCK! CLICK ENGINEERED

HANDSCRAPED HARDWOOD

Community Care Concepts

$ FROM

of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot

2

99 PER SQ FT

REG 5.99

3/4” THICK

NATURAL HARD MAPLE

$ FROM

RUGS

2

69 PER SQ FT

REG 4.99

Helping Seniors and Adults with Disabilities to Live Independently in Their Own Home Meals on Wheels • Transportation Day Programs • Homemakers • Maintenance Friendly Visitors • Community Meals • Social Programs Transportation from Hospital to Home FREE Community Exercise and Falls Prevention Classes FREE Short Term Home Support

MDF PRIMED WHITE

BASEBOARDS

MORE STYLES AND SIZES TO CHOOSE

FROM

67

¢ $

/LIN FT

For information, services or support contact Community Care Concepts

519-664-1900

|

1-855-664-1900

WWW.

4’ X 6’ AREA RUGS CLEARANCE

FROM

9

99 EACH

REG 59.99

.COM

1362 N. SKITCHENER 9AM-6PM 1 3VICTORIA 6 2 V I C TOST RIA T R E E T N O RT •H MON-SAT K I TC H E N E R | 5SUN 1 9 . 710AM-5PM 42.9188