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260
Living Here | 21
John Mahood PS greening project up for new award School is nominee in youth category of Suzuki Foundation’s Future Ground Prize Steve Kannon Observer Staff
THE AMBITIOUS GREENING PLAN AT Elmira’s John Mahood Public School has caught the eye of the David Suzuki Foundation, which has the work being done there as one of the nominees for the organization’s new Future Ground Prize. The long-term project to change the face of the schoolyard is one of five finalists in the youth-led category, along with 10 in the main contest. There were 135 submissions for the Future Ground award, which recognizes community initiatives in Ontario actively building a green and just future. At John Mahood, students have fashioned a pollinator garden, a rain garden, planted native food-garden seeds and formed an eco club. The goal is to encourage biodiversity and provide children with a direct connection to nature, says Grade 4/5 teacher Michele Smith, who is spearheading the efforts.
“We’re building a rain garden, which is where it all started from the school yard is pretty swampy, so the students end up on the tarmac for a bulk of the school year, because it’s just too wet – it’s not draining properly. So we’re putting a rain garden in. It’s in the initial stage, but we’re hoping to work that into a larger area that will channel the water into the ground. And we’ll put some native plants in there as well that are pollinator friendly plants, so that we can be increasing our biodiversity at the school at the same time,” she explained of some of the work being done at the school. “As well, we’ve been working with an indigenous organization called White Owl Native Ancestry Association, and they have been helping me to plan an indigenous food garden so that we can focus on some native seeds, and sustainable harvesting and resources.” Beyond the school itself, the students have been working with the → GREENING 4
Paul Weber and his wife Donna have put the Commercial Tavern up for sale, contemplating a new direction.
A genuine piece of history up for sale in Maryhill After 25 years, Paul Weber has done what he long said wasn’t an option in listing it Steve Kannon Observer Staff
WHEN PAUL WEBER BOUGHT THE Commercial Tavern in Maryhill in 1996, it was a homecoming in more than one way: He was putting down roots after two decades on the road, and returning traditional country music to
the same stage he’d played as a young man. Now, 25 years later, he’s looking at perhaps the next chapter, having done what he’d long maintained wasn’t possible by putting the historic property up for sale. Between some health issues and some struggles keeping the place going as
a live-music venue, Weber and his wife Donna were already looking at other options. Then along came the pandemic, and there was plenty of time – and many more reasons – to consider selling the place. A lockdown in March of last year just stretched on and on, with Weber opting not to reopen when the
regulations permitted it. “I just wasn’t comfortable with that responsibility and the liability, in that order,” he said, noting measures such as Plexiglas dividers were both an added expense and change to the character of the venue he wasn’t prepared to take on.
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If it matters to you. It matters to us. News tips are always welcome. Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com Online: observerxtra.com/tips
Youth sentenced to life
From the archives
Having murdered his mother as a 17 year old, an Elmira man, now 21, was sentenced as an adult this week to life in prison with no chance of parole for seven years. He was arrested Dec. 27, 2017, two days after the body of the 57-year-old woman was found at a Falcon Drive address. She had been stabbed more than 60 times, after which the youth attempted to cover up the crime.
Waterloo Region was painted as both villain and environmental saviour this week as a public battle continued over plans to protect lands at the headwaters of Laurel Creek. So overwhelming was the public response to the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) policy that the region postponed a decision. From the May 21, 2005 edition of The Observer
Region still juggling low supplies in rollout of vaccine Damon MacLean
Those health care workers who already have appointments booked for a second shot are being asked to stay on that schedule. “The Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force is committed to balancing the priority of getting first doses in arms
Observer Staff
THE REGION IS LOOKING TO speed up second vaccination shots for highest-risk health care workers, a new priority as officials open up pre-registration for appointments to most residents.
as quickly as possible with the priority to get second doses to those identified by the province as being at highest risk,” said Shirley Hilton, who heads the group, in a weekly briefing May 14. “With more vaccine on the way, we’ll be increasing our capacity at our vaccination clinics
in the weeks ahead.” Given ongoing shortages, the new provincial priority for highest-risk health care workers will require some juggling, said Hilton. “What’s really important here is that appointments will continue to be based on priority. What we are
doing is balancing the current first dose eligibility strategy with the new short second dose eligibility.” Part of getting workers vaccinated is the creation of onsite vaccination spots, she noted. “As we work to vaccinate central workers as quickly
as possible, we are working with employers on vaccination strategies that will include some limited onsite vaccination clinics,” said Hilton, adding the quickest way will remain through the region’s vaccine centres for most workers. →VACCINE ROLLOUT 6
Harris’ private member’s bill gets royal assent New warning lights to be required on older school buses Damon MacLean
and a half ago following a petition brought by fellow MPP Vic Fedeli, the minister of economic development, job creation and trade. “As a minister, you can’t introduce petitions and you can’t introduce bills. So, he and I have known each other for a very, very long time, growing up in in North Bay, and that’s where he’s from as well. He had asked if I would read these petitions into the legislature, and it was around school bus safety,” Harris explained of his getting involved with the issue. The idea came following the formation of the advocacy group ‘Let’s Remember Adam,’ named after Adam Ranger, a fiveyear-old who was struck and killed getting off a bus in Mattawa. Harris said the province was trailing the rest of North America in implementing the warning system. “Ontario being the only province or state in North America that had not
Observer Staff
AN AMBER-RED WARNING SYSTEM FOR school buses, the focus of a private member’s bill introduced by local MPP Mike Harris, was signed into law last week. Known as the Safer School Bus Act 2021, the law calls for older school buses to be retrofitted with a new flashing light system to boost safety. Harris argues a dual (amber-red) system is better, warns drivers that a school bus is slowing to a stop, helping them avoid illegally passing the bus, and making kids safer as they cross. When buses are getting ready to stop for kids boarding or departing, the lights would turn amber – just like a traffic light – to signal drivers that they should begin slowing down. Once the bus stops, the lights then turn red as a clear indication to drivers that they should stop moving. The bill began as a conversation about a year
→BUS BILL 6
Waterloo Region stewardship planner Albert Hovingh with a gypsy moth larva.
Damon MacLean
Gypsy moths an issue again
As with 2020, heavier infestations of the pest are expected in the region this year Damon MacLean Observer Staff
NO STRANGER TO GYPSY MOTH infestations, Waterloo Region saw a fairly major invasion last summer. This one is shaping up to be much the same. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be sort of more widespread, or if we’ll sort of be in the same areas more or less as last year. They
depend on wind to sort of blow them around a little bit, so, if we don’t get a lot of windy weather it may sort of remain in the same areas as they were last year,” said Albert Hovingh, an environmental and stewardship planner with the Region of Waterloo The moths are a threat to trees in the region. In small numbers most years, the damage can be contained, but larger infestations put
more trees at risk. It’s in their caterpillar stage that the insects do damage. Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliate host trees, often killing them. A single gypsy moth in its larvae form will eat an average of one square metre of leaves and in large numbers can be particularly destructive to a tree which needs the leaves to survive. As leaves help create food for a
tree by turning light into food via photosynthesis, a reduction in coverage can result in a loss of food production. The moths tend to feed on leafy trees, usually choosing oak, birch and aspen in northern regions, while focusing on sugar maple, beech, eastern white pine and blue spruce in southern parts of the province. “They eat the young →INFESTATION 6
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4 | COMMUNITY NEWS
GREENING: School has ambitious multi-year plan to foster biodiversity and create a hands-on learning environment →FROM 1
Jane Goodall Institute on a biodiversity project that looks at community mapping to identify the need for future ecological work. “We’re looking to pathways into the school grounds to connect to the forest and through the property, and then have various outdoor learning areas with different types of focuses, so that we can, first of all, put biodiversity back into the ground, but also being able to use it as different outdoor classrooms as well,” said Smith. “We’re really just trying for a community focus in this so that it becomes a kind of a hub of sustain-
ability.” While the pace of the work in the schoolyard has slowed significantly in the past year due to the pandemic, some progress is getting made, she added. The goal is to have a number of projects lined up for the next year when students are expected to return to their classrooms and something closer to a regular schedule. The nomination for the Future Ground Prize is a nice bonus in all of this, said Smith. Jury deliberation and public voting on the 10 grand prize and five youth prize finalists will be open from June 1 to 15. The winners announce-
ment will take place on June 16 at a virtual event with David Suzuki and other special guests. “It’s meant to give a boost to groups doing this work,” said Megan Hooft of the David Suzuki Foundation of the impetus for the new award grants of up to $5,000. The Future Ground Prize is modelled on a similar program introduced in Quebec seven years ago, she said. “This contest is our way of supporting community champions who are making the biggest impact and inspiring others to follow suit in whatever ways they can.” That 135 submissions
John Mahood PS teacher Michele Smith in one of the future polSteve Kannon linator beds in the schoolyard.
were received from all over Ontario indicates there are many grassroots environmental organizations at work, she noted. With so many, it was a big job to pick the 15 finalists. The John Mahood project stood out for its comprehensive nature, said Hooft. “They had a real plan, and the impacts carry on beyond the initial grant money,” she said, noting the school’s projects are both practical and educational. “They checked a lot of boxes.” More information about the Future Ground Prize can be found on the organization’s website, www. davidsuzuki.org. Online voting runs from June 1 - 15.
COMMERCIAL TAVERN: Long-time owner doing what he once thought was unthinkable by listing property for sale →FROM 1
“I remember the night that I walked offstage, March 14, with the guys and my sister, somebody said, ‘well, it’s only 14 days.’ And I looked at them and I said, ‘Do you think that this will be 14 days? You better give your head a shake.’ They were already talking about the money
that was going to go to the business, and I said they wouldn’t be offering that if they were just down for two weeks. It’s still hard to imagine,” said Weber of the first lockdown and the pandemic situation that’s lasted more than 14 months. After that long, the pandemic measures have
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almost become the new normal, he added. It’s similar to the shift in his thinking about selling the property, which had a long history before he bought it, and which he expects will continue if and when he’s out of the picture. The building dates back to 1854 when Louis Frank built the tavern and operated it until his son-in-law Charles Halter took over. The hotel had a saddlery, a dry-goods store, a shoe store, a bank, and a doctor’s office. The adjoining pool room was added in 1894 and hydro wasn’t installed until 1934. The Halters passed down the bar through the family for about 100 years. In the 1960s and early ‘70s, it was owned by Weber’s uncle, Vic Diebold. As a teen, Weber and his family would play music there, up until one night when he was involved in a bar fight that saw him banned from the place. “I was kicked out of the Commercial Tavern for life. And the joke goes that I had to buy the place to get back in, so when I did buy it, there were just good times,” he recalled with a laugh. That purchase came in 1996 after Weber had spent the previous 22 years on the road as a touring musician.
A ‘for sale’ sign went up at the property earlier this month. Steve Kannon
The early years were great, he said, noting the business took a larger hit than some bars when the smoking bylaw came into effect in 2000. From that point, an aging audience for traditional country music meant fewer people making the trek to Maryhill. In the last five or six years, the idea of selling started to creep in. “That’s when I started having to realize that there’s a possibility I could lose it or I’d have to sell it. And the possibility of selling it almost made me physically ill – people won’t believe that, but it is true. And I couldn’t get my head around it. You know, for 15 or 20 years, I told people it’s just not for sale, and people really wanted
to buy this bar for a lot of years. And finally, my brother told me a few years ago, he said, ‘You know what? You’ve got to quit saying it will never be for sale, because you eliminate a lot of possibilities.’” So, now, the property is up for sale, with an asking price of $2.9 million. For that, a buyer gets a 7,700 square foot historic building on almost two acres of prime development land. At that price, Weber said a quick sale is unlikely, and it’s only been on the market for a couple of weeks. Still, the idea of selling takes some getting used to. “I’ve had to find the positives in it, just in case it happens. If we don’t sell, then we stay. I’ve spent the
last probably 10 years with Plan A ‘survive at all costs’ and Plan B being we’ll sell if we have to. And now I realized last week that now Plan A is we’ll see if we can sell it and plan B is if we stay it will be survive at all costs.” Weber said he’s got plenty to be thankful for, despite the hardships of the past couple of years, pointing to the people who made the operation possible all these years, a list that includes his wife Donna, all of the musicians who took to the stage and the audiences who came to watch them. “I wouldn’t have lasted 25 years without all of you,” he said. “It’s been a heck of a ride, but I think it might be time to ‘get outta Dodge.’”
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Police warn of potential Bitcoin scam after resident falls victim Having received a report of a fraud involving a Bitcoin scam, Waterloo Regional Police are warning residents to be vigilant. The victim advised that they received a phone call from someone who stated that they were a police officer and their social insurance number (SIN) had been used in a black market crime. The victim was also told that they would face serious criminal charges if they did not do what they were instructed to. The victim was told that all of the money from their
MAY 12 2:30 AM | A Wellington
County OPP officer was monitoring traffic and conducting radar on Highway 6 north of Wellington Road 17 in Mapleton Township. The officer observed a passenger vehicle travelling northbound at a speed that appeared to be well above the posted 80 km/h speed limit. The vehicle was locked on radar in excess of 155 km/h. As a result, a 30-year-old Grand Valley man was charged with ‘stunt driving-excessive speed.’ The defendant is scheduled to appear in Guelph at the Ontario Court of Justice - Provincial Offences Court on July 28. His vehicle and driver’s licence were seized for a period of seven days as per statute.
MAY 15 12:02 AM | Waterloo
Regional Police responded to an address on Sawmill Road in Woolwich Township for reports of a gathering at a residence. Members of the residence were reminded and educated on the current dtay-at-home order. No charges were laid.
bank accounts was going to be taken because of the black market crime, and to protect their money, they would need to withdraw all of it. The victim was instructed to attend a bank and withdraw their money from their account. Further, the fraudsters told the victim not to speak with anyone, and they would remain on the phone with the victim while they completed the withdrawal. After the victim had completed the transaction, they were instructed to deposit the money into
a Bitcoin ATM, and the victim would receive their money the next day by cheque. The victim later realized that they had fallen victim to a scam. Members of the public are advised to be cautious when it comes to Bitcoin-related requests. Accredited businesses, government and law enforcement agencies will not: • call you and ask for personal information while threatening to arrest you if you do not comply; • negotiate payments
over the phone; or accept Bitcoin as payment. If you have been a victim of a scam and suffered a financial loss, please report the incident online at www. wrps.on.ca/onlinereporting or call our non-emergency number at 519-570-9777. If you received one of these calls/messages but did not experience a financial loss, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
5:00 AM | Wellington
3:43 PM | Waterloo
both of Puslinch Township, were charged with numerous offences.
County OPP responded to a report of an armed robbery at a residence on Sideroad 15 near Wellington Road 19, Centre Wellington Township. Members of the Wellington County Crime Unit, Community Street Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Unit assisted with the investigation. It was reported that three suspects armed with a handgun entered the residence and confronted the occupants. The suspects stole household items including electronics. There were no reported injuries to the victims. With the assistance of Collingwood OPP, the OPP Emergency Response Team, Canine Unit and Tactical and Rescue Unit, four suspects were arrested later the same day in a vehicle near the Town of Stayner. Police executed search warrants resulting in the recovery of stolen property and weapons. A 16-year-old youth from Fergus, a 22-yearold Burlington man,a 40-year-old Barrie man and 27-year-old Mississauga resident face numerous charges.
Regional Police responded to the area of George Street and Church Street East in Elmira for a report of a rear-end collision involving three vehicles. As a result of the collision a 21-year-old male driver from Guelph was charged with ‘suspend drive’ and ‘careless driving.’
MAY 17 4:00 PM | Wellington County OPP reported they’d made an arrest in connection with an April 7 report of a theft from a business located on Wellington Road 8 in Drayton, in which two suspects entered the store and stole some Dewalt product power tools and cordless tool batteries. Later that month, on April 13, Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Sideroad 10 North in Puslinch Township, where they located an unoccupied vehicle that contained a quantity of drugs believed to be methamphetamines and stolen property. As a result of the investigations, a 34-year-old man and 33-year-old woman,
•
5:00 PM | Waterloo
Regional Police received a break and enter report that occurred at a residence on East Tree Drive in Breslau. The complainant advised that sometime between May 3 and 17, an unknown suspect enter their garage and stole property. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477.
MAY 18 4:47 AM | P o l i c e
responded to a location on Queen Street in Wilmot Township regarding an alarm at a business. Upon arrival, police determined that the store had been entered through the front door. Unknown suspects forced entry to the business and stole merchandise. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
6 | COMMUNITY NEWS
VACCINE ROLLOUT: New targets for high-priority groups mean more juggling as supplies remain an issue in region →FROM 3
An increase of the Pfizer supply is anticipated for this week with an even larger shipment expected later in the month and into June. Last week also saw a larger than expected Moderna vaccine shipment. “We were quickly able to shift planning and distribute to clinics originally scheduled to be closed. They were able to open and are able to open and
provide more opportunity for those eligible to bump appointments and further clinic times were opened at Pinebush (Cambridge) and Wellesley clinics as a result.” Use of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine has been paused, but local public health officials continue to assure people they made the a good decision in getting it. “For those that have received AstraZeneca, they made the right
BUS BILL: Safety measures bring Ontario in line with other jurisdictions →FROM 3
adopted this dual amber red lamp system. ... We’ve done so much work on this and so much research and just hasn’t been able to find why it’s never been done. The bill having received royal assent on May 12, thus becoming law, all school buses manufactured after 2005 will be required to have the amber-red system by the 2022-2023 school year. Adapting to the changes is estimated to range between $80-100 for buses depending on what type of system currently exists. Harris estimated the cost of retrofitting all existing buses at about $2 million. Benoit Bourgault, general manager of student transportation services Waterloo Region, greeted the bill’s passing. “We are pleased to see the Ontario government finally moving forward and making the legislative changes necessary
to adopt the eight-lamp system with amber/red colour combo. This change will improve student safety and eliminate a significant cause of confusion for motorists,” he said. A study by Transport Canada shows that across all road conditions – high traffic, multiple lanes, weather, and the like – there was a consistent 11 per cent reduction in speed with dual lamps compared to the all-red system. When there were two lanes of oncoming traffic, the amber-red system reduced the speed of oncoming vehicles by 64 per cent. Drivers can be charged if they pass a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing and/or stop arm activated. Fines for the first offence range from $400 to $2,000, with six demerit points. Each following offence sees fines rise to $1,000-$4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time (up to six months).
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choice. They help protect themselves and their loved ones, they also helped protect our community and drive our rates down. We had very good uptake in the region of AstraZeneca vaccine at a time when we had scarcity of the other vaccines, and at a time when we were having rapidly increasing rates,” said medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang. “These individuals truly took the opportunity to
protect themselves earlier and to help our community overall and drive down case rates as a result of what they did.” Having received the AstraZeneca vaccine for a first shot, residents will likely be able to acquire a different vaccine for the second shot. “I know that people are anxious for that they really want to know, regardless of what it is that we tell them, they
just want to know, right? What am I going to get for my second dose and when? Now, one of the things to be aware about AstraZeneca is that the regular interval is actually 12 weeks. So, it’s not like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines where the manufacturer is interval is shorter – it’s actually 12 weeks, and that’s what gives people the best protection. We will have that information
for people before their second dose is due. But it just means that in the next, little while, we’re just waiting for that information, which I know can produce a bit of anxiety.” The region has now administered 246,000 doses, with about 49 per cent of adults having received at least one dose of vaccine. Just 3.6 per cent of those over the age of 18 have been fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 numbers still fluctuating in region as province extends lockdown Damon MacLean Observer Staff
WATERLOO REGION’S COVID-19 NUMBERS ARE headed in the right direction, but will need to improve before reopening can occur, mirroring the provincial trends that prompted the Ford government to extend the stay-at-home order for another two weeks. “Yesterday, we heard from the premier that the stay-at-home order and all health and workplace safety measures will remain in effect until at least June 2. I am supportive of this extension,” medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said at May 14’s weekly pandemic briefing. “I recognize that it has been very difficult here for many, and that some were hoping for loosened restrictions earlier. We are seeing slow improvements to our indicators, [but] these gains can be quickly reversed if we move too fast to reopen. A cautious approach to reopening gives us the best chance to avoid another shutdown. Stay home, reduce your
mobility and limit your close contacts – a brighter future is ahead of us.” At midweek, there were 502 active cases of COVID-19 in the region, up noticeably from 445 a week earlier, with outbreaks being monitored at 12 locations. The weekly incidence rate is 75 cases per 100,000 population, compared to a provincial average that is now down to 115 per 100,000 per week. “Overall, our indicators are slowly moving in the right direction, but we have seen some stagnation with our overall case rates,” said Wang. Looking at hospitalizations, she warns that numbers remain too high. By the middle of the week, the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 had risen to 43 from 37. Twenty-eight patients were in intensive care. As part of National Nurses Week, the region invited three nurses to speak during the weekly update. The panel included Coty Snider, Marie Belanger and Teri Sousa, who shared their individual experiences of
the pandemic “As COVID-19 came into our lives and changed everything, we’ve continued to do that work. So, infection prevention and control and management work is not new to public health. However, the scale in which we responded, definitely changed,” said Snider. “Initially, I worked a lot with case and contact management, identifying cases and working with community members to ensure isolation and follow up answering questions during a very scary time. When this was a novel coronavirus and we had so little information, things were changing rapidly. Over time, I also worked a lot with the outbreak management with our long-term care and retirement homes. And after all of those experiences, I was given a really unique opportunity to help facilitate vaccine rollout when, when we were able to obtain vaccine in December. So, after everything I had seen in the community, this was the opportunity that I was waiting for, to be able to help bring some
hope.” In Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, there were 264 active case, down from 334 a week earlier. That catchment area’s cumulative total was 7,633, of which 7,258 (95.1 per cent) have been resolved. There have been a total of 111 fatalities since the pandemic began, one more than last week’s report. The province continues to see growth in the total number of cases, though at a slower pace, with the tally now at 513,102, up some 16,000 in the past week. There have been 8,342 deaths attributed to the virus – up 160 in the past week – representing a mortality rate of 1.7 per cent. The ministry reports 479,630 cases (93.5 per cent) have been resolved. The latest numbers from Health Canada show 64,748 active cases nationwide, down about 15,000 from a week earlier. The cumulative total of confirmed cases now stands at 1,338,141, with 25,018 related deaths (up 336 in the past week), a mortality rate of 1.9 per cent.
INFESTATION: Gypsy moths of some concern to maple syrup producers →FROM 3
leaves. Most trees can actually re-grow leaves, but what it means is that the trees have to expend extra energy to grow a new set of leaves. If they get this a couple of years in a row, they really start to deplete their sugar reserves, and that puts stress on the tree so that they can become susceptible to diseases or if you have a drought year that it’s just hard for the trees to produce carbohydrates,” said Hovingh. Homeowners who identify gypsy moths on trees can take steps to eradi-
cate them at this point by adding a burlap strip around the infected area of the tree and then drowning the critters in soapy water. For larger plots of land, spraying with BTK – Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki – is the preventive measure that is commonly used. The Grand River Conservation Authority, for instance, is using on two of its properties, Pinehurst Lake and Brant conservation areas, where higher levels of gypsy moths have been reported. Unlike areas such as Oakville and Burlington, Waterloo Region and its
municipalities do not spray to protect their own assets, with Hovingh suggesting the decision not to spray stems from the rare severity of infestations. The townships usually see more activity from gypsy moths than their urban neighbours within the region, perhaps due to the high number of sugar-maple woodlots. “The townships have generally been affected more. There are property owners out in the townships, like a lot of the maple syrup producers, they’ve actually gotten together and they are
going to have their woodlot sprayed. They’re doing that together, just like we would spray any other crops,” he said. “They’re trying to protect their trees because they’re relying on maple syrup. That being said, there’s also been some maple syrup producers who did not tap their trees this year. Again, just trying to protect the sugar reserves and the trees, they figure is they if they don’t tap the trees, that will just sort of be less stress on the trees, and that will hopefully help the trees recover.”
Thursday, May 20, 2021 | THE OBSERVER
COMMUNITY NEWS | 7
CELEBRATING SENIORS MONTH IN JUNE
Coffee Social Speaker Series on Zoom
Dr. Olive Bryanton
Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 10:30am
Dr. Olive Bryanton, a long-time advocate for older adults and lifelong learner, obtained her Ph.D. in 2019 at the age of 82, from the University of Prince Edward Island. She was the focus of the CBC-TV documentary Never Too Old that followed her through the last year of her studies. Join us to hear about Dr. Bryanton's work that gives voice to older adults, ageing in place. Welcome and Seniors Month Launch
MPP Mike Harris
To register email: contact@woolwichseniors.ca
ↆ E L M IRA
B LO OD
D ONOR
Notice of Intention to Amend Fees and Charges By-Law The Region of Waterloo intends to amend By-law 21-002 (Establish Fees and Charges). The amendment to the Fees and Charges by-law will include changes to Grand River Transit U-pass agreements with full-time students at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The by-laws will be considered at the Regional Council Meeting scheduled for:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Regional Municipality of Waterloo Meeting to be held electronically You can provide your comments by participating in the meeting by phone or video conference. Please provide a written submission to, or register as a delegation, with the Region's Council and Administrative Services Division at regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca by 4:30 p.m. by Monday, June 7, 2021. If you require accessible services or technical assistance, please contact the Council & Administrative Services Division. This notice is in accordance with the “Municipal Act”, 2001. Kris Fletcher, Director, Council and Administrative Services/Regional Clerk All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and agencies regarding this by-law are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision. Under the “Municipal Act”, personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be referred to Council & Administrative Services.
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 8
Opinion
When local news matters ... ... it matters where you get your local news.
Verbatim
The Monitor
“Since 2010, real wages for RNs and healthcare professionals have been cut by five per cent. It's time to repeal Bill 124 and show these brave RNs and health-care professionals that they are valued and respected.”
Canadians have lost trust in the Prime Minister, the majority of Canadian premiers, and the country's large businesses and corporations during the COVID-19 crisis. Some 44% said they have less trust in PM Justin Trudeau, for instance, than at the beginning of the pandemic.
Vicki McKenna, RN, President, Ontario Nurses' Association.
Research from Discover by Navigator
Connect: observerxtra.com/staff OBSERVER EDITORIAL
Road safety week highlights the fact we can do better
W
e’re in the midst of Canada Road Safety Week, a campaign focused on making us more aware of the bad driving habits we need to shake in order to make our roads
safer. Police typically focus on what are called the “fatal four” – impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and not wearing a seatbelt – in such campaigns. Rural areas aren’t exempt from such issues, with speeding being an ever-present concern. The idyllic rural life doesn’t apply to the roadways – statistically, you’re more likely to be injured in an automobile accident on roads in the townships. Part of the problem stems from a false sense of security: we’re driving on lightly travelled roads, so we tend to let our feet get heavier, and our minds wander. The result is that we suffer more injuries and fatalities when collisions occur – there are no fender-benders at 80 km/h. Waterloo Region has been taking note of that lately with plans to put in more all-way stops at particularly risky intersections in the townships. While most traffic accidents happen in busy city areas where the speed limit is 60km/h or less, most of these accidents are not serious enough to cause death (a consideration, too, in the debate about roundabouts). On the other hand, two-thirds of all “deadly accidents” happen on rural roads, in the country, where speed limits are faster and the roads aren't as well-lit as they are inside the city. Drivers are more likely to find poor or unexpected conditions on rural roads, than in the city, and there's always the danger of coming across animals that can appear out of nowhere, reports Transport Canada. (Across the country, an average of five Canadians die in road crashes every day, though that number has been on a downward trend for the past 20 years.) Distractions appear more plentiful on rural roads: on busy urban streets, we have to focus our attention on driving because there is so much going on around us; out in the countryside, police surmise, we’re less attentive – moving at greater speeds, we have less time to react when something happens, and we’re less likely to be aware of a possible problem until it’s too late. Studies have shown that driver behavior greatly influences collision rates on rural roads. Motorists tend to think they are “safer” on rural roads since there is much less traffic, forget they have to share the roads with farm vehicles and animals, and tend to speed since they know that speed enforcement is lax. Alcohol and illegal substance abuse and lack of seatbelt use are often contributing factors in injuries and fatalities. The numbers do explain the commonly expressed feeling that Woolwich and Wellesley have seen an extraordinary amount of tragedy – we have, in fact, had a more-than-average number of incidents. That said, much of the heartache is avoidable: as officials point out, the term “accident” is a misnomer. If a collision is deemed preventable – the result of speeding, inattention, driving inappropriately for road conditions, drinking or drugs, and the like – there’s nothing accidental about the results. The good news is those numbers and the terrible human cost they represent – behind every statistic there are real people dealing with real consequences – can be reduced by individuals making better choices when they get behind the wheel. With the Victoria Day long weekend here, the summer travel season is here, albeit muted just now by the ongoing pandemic, and despite clear skies and ideal road conditions, avoidable collisions do occur at this time of year. With that in mind, now is a good time to tweak our awareness out there on the roads.
ANALYSIS ON CURRENT WORLD EVENTS
‘Mowing the Grass’: Last round for Israel’s strategy
“
We didn’t want this conflict, but now that it’s started it has to end with a sustained period of quiet,” said Mark Regev, spokesman for Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “That can only be achieved by Israel taking out Hamas - their military structure, their command and control.” Or, as the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) would put it, by “mowing the grass.” That sounds a bit coldblooded, but Hamas, the dominant Palestinian organisation in the Gaza Strip, has an equally pragmatic view of its periodic wars with Israel. Both sides are in a conflict that neither side can win conclusively (although Hamas is vastly inferior militarily), and so they engage in occasional bouts of attritional warfare. A “sustained period of quiet” between Israel and Hamas lasts, on average, about seven years. In between come the wars: ‘Operation Cast Lead’ (a three-week invasion of the Gaza Strip) in 2008; ‘Operation Protective Edge’ in 2014; and the as yet unnamed war of 2021. There are many smaller clashes in between – the border is never completely quiet – but
GWYNNE DYER
Global Outlook on World Affairs
the major ones that last more than a week and kill more than a hundred people are quite distinctive. The 2008 war killed almost 1,400 Palestinians, including 333 children; the 2014 one killed 2,104 Palestinians, more than half of whom were civilians. Israeli deaths were a tiny fraction of those numbers – thirteen in 2008, seventy-three in 2014 – and the same pattern is being reproduced this time: 192 Palestinians dead so far, and ten Israelis. But the disparity is only due to the fact that a modern air force and heavy artillery (Israeli) are much more efficient killing machines than primitive unguided rockets (Hamas). These are always wars of choice in the sense that each side constantly produces provocations that the other can use as pretexts for a war if it wants one. And the choices are easy, in the sense that each side knows it cannot be eliminated from the game no matter how badly it loses the military exchange.
Wars are always (in Clausewitz’s famous formulation) ‘the continuation of politics by other means’. For Hamas, that usually means upholding its reputation as the most effective Palestinian resistance movement – even though it knows it cannot actually win the war. For the IDF and the Israeli government, it is generally a matter of “mowing the grass”: repeatedly cutting back Hamas’s military capabilities before it gets strong enough to do Israel any serious harm. Since the Gaza Strip is under permanent and almost complete blockade, that threat is very distant, and Israel usually leaves the choice of timing on the next war to Hamas. If an Israeli government needs a war for domestic political purposes, however, it can also provide the necessary provocation for it, and that may be what happened this time. “Netanyahu is exactly where he wants to be, in the middle of a major crisis, where you don’t want to change the prime minister,” as political analyst Mitchell Barak put it in Jerusalem. Netanyahu was on the way →DYER 10
Thursday, May 20, 2021 | THE OBSERVER
OPINION | 9
Current battle in Gaza just another in a long list of Mideast failures
A
nother day, another mess in the Middle
East. The latest turmoil is another set of attacks by Israel on the beleaguered Palestinians in the occupied territory that is Gaza. Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization, is the ostensible target. Innocents, including children, overwhelmingly make up the victims. The attacks, the worst since 2014, have set off another round of handwringing and tut-tutting. More posturing and postulating from those who think they know better and want to stick their noses in it, from Washington to Moscow. The usual response – the U.S., for instance, says it won’t push for a ceasefire. While the fighting is nothing new, there has been a shift in public sentiment in favour of the Palestinians, the Israeli treatment of the occupied territories being compared to apartheid. Much like pre-Mandela South Africa, Israel continues to violate the rights of Palestinians in the lands it occupies illegally, backed by the U.S. The protest against the latest violence in Gaza even spilled over into the region on the weekend, as a long string of cars paraded through K-W Saturday, though the three hours of incessant horn-honking may not have endeared the protestors to those exposed to the cacophony that found no relief from police, as the disturbance went unquelled. While the decades of intransigence have been met in recent years however, with a growing shift in support for the Palestinians, who have won the battle for international hearts. The politicians and those who profit from arms deals are
STEVE KANNON Editor's Point of View
another matter, however. After years and years of summits and bad-faith bargaining by all sides, little seems to change when it comes to the Arab-Israeli struggle. Stripped of the jingoism, all the adventures there smack of imperialism: control of strategic areas – especially important during the Cold War – and of a strategic resource, oil. For all the fuss, the reality is that what happens there – who lives, who dies, who does what – matters no more to us than what happens in Africa and other Third World countries. In short, we don’t give a damn. That applies to recent imperialistic invasions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the various movements
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noble in anything we’ve done there. As it stands, we’re doing more harm than good. That’s especially true of the Americans, who have advanced the cause of radical Islamists. Experts predict more of the region will fall under the sway of Islamist revolutionaries, who’ve been made stronger by American bungling in the region. Recent actions in Gaza are an example of things to come. Intervention and occupation by the West and its proxy state has made extremists more popular with the native populations, exactly the opposite of what needs to happen for things to get better. The Palestinians are largely ignored by all parties when it comes to Middle East unrest. Even countries such as Iran who express solidarity in opposition to Israel have their own agendas that don’t
really include the formation of a Palestinian state on land taken from the people more than seven decades ago. As noted activist and writer Noam Chomsky notes, even attention paid to the cause during the Trump administration agreements between Israel and the likes of the UAE and Bahrain amount to little more than lip service. “The Palestinians have been completely thrown under the bus. There is nothing in this for them. These agreements are actually raising to the surface tacit interactions and arrangements which already existed and have existed for a long time,” he told +972 Magazine, an independent, online, non-profit magazine owned and run by a group of Israeli and Palestinian journalists. “With Israel-Palestine, we’re [usually] presented with two options. One is the
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that formed what we called the Arab Spring, though those rallies against dictators and their foreign masters did touch us due to the shared human yearning for freedom, which is increasingly an illusion in the West. Need proof of our indifference? How much attention have we been paying to Syria? You remember Syria, right? The Baathist regime that carried out atrocities under the autocratic rule of Bashar al-Assad, just as it did under his father for three decades prior to that? The government, aligned with Russia and Iran, that’s no friend of the West? The hundreds of thousands of people who died in the conflict? For all the military adventurism in the Middle East, only the naive and partisan believe the goal has ever been democracy and freeing people from tyranny. There’s nothing
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longstanding international consensus on a two-state settlement; the other option is one state, in which Israel takes over the West Bank, then maybe there would be an anti-apartheid struggle for the Palestinians. But those are not the two options — the one state is not an option [because] Israel is never going to agree to become a majority-Palestinian state with a Jewish minority. “The second option, apart from two states, is the one we’ve seen developing before our eyes for 50 years: Greater Israel. Israel takes over whatever it wants in the occupied territories, but not the population centers; Israel doesn’t want Nablus or Tulkarem. Divide the other areas into almost two hundred enclaves surrounded by soldiers, checkpoints, various ways to make life miserable. When nobody’s looking, destroy another village — as just happened in the Jordan Valley under the cover of the U.S. elections — step by step, dunam after dunam, so that the goyim don’t notice, or pretend not to notice.” With its history of intervention in other countries, often clandestine, the U.S. has been complicit in a long list of atrocities. It has no moral authority to step into the current struggle in Gaza. Yes, the war is a catastrophe for the people there, but the planet has seen many such unfortunate wars that the U.S. and others in the West were fine ignoring, largely because there were no strategic or economic benefits to doing so. If getting involved in Middle East makes sense, then the same should apply to the Rwandas and East Timors of the world. The history of U.S. hegemony in Latin America, for →KANNON 10
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
10 | O P I N I O N NOT-SO-GREAT OUTDOORSMAN
The downside of not knowing any better
O The Observer is the first publication to be granted “official publisher” status of The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. Cartoonist Scott Arnold leaves the Observer to work on Marvel comic books. The Observer sells it’s first website domain to a large off-shore banking firm. ↆ LAST WEEK: Readers were divided last week in identifying the lie. More online poll readers chose the ex-wife of the Independent owner writing a recipe column for the Observer. That was true. Suppers from Scratch was written by Carol Easton (maiden name.) The lie was that the Sun Came to Millen newspaper serial was picked up by a publishing company. That story from 1996 was re-imagined in audiobook format available at podcast.observerxtra.com 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.
KANNON: There'll be no peace in the Mideast while meddling continues →FROM 9
instance, is clear, with more than a century of military and economic oppression. That same model is at play today in the likes of Iraq and Afghanistan and, perpetually it seems, in Israel and its Middle-East neighbours. As it stands, that policy is doing more harm than good. It will do nothing to ward off another 9/11; quite the opposite, in fact. Intervention and occupation by the West have made Islamic extrem-
ists more popular with the native populations, exactly the opposite of what needs to happen for things to get better. In reality, it doesn’t really matter what happens internally with those countries: the oil will still flow and people in the West won’t notice a thing. Other countries, principally the U.S., need to stop meddling. Go home. And maybe then we’ll stop hearing about the Middle East.
n the weekend, I received a call from a friend of mine who just harvested his first wild turkey. “How did the hunt go?” I asked. “Did it take long for you to call it in? Did it come to your decoys?” “I didn’t call or use decoys,” he replied. “I just walked up to it and shot it.” He then explained that he was hunting on a huge southern Ontario farm when he saw a wild turkey strutting about a kilometre away across the fields. Most people at this point would have closed the distance a little, and then set up and tried to call it in. My friend didn’t know any better, so he decided to simplify things by walking across an open field of knee-high grass, within full view of the turkey, get within gun range, and shoot it. “Interesting,” I said. “How close did you get
STEVE GALEA
Not-So-Great Outdoorsman
before you shot it?” “Ten yards,” he replied. “So, you walked 990 metres across an open field to a turkey that clearly saw you and then, when you got to 10 yards away, shot it?” “Yes,” he said. “That seemed close enough.” Before you get all upset with my friend for walking up to a bird in an open field and shooting it, let me just say two things: first he was certain it wasn’t a decoy because he was the only one with permission on the property and he watched it with his binoculars several times. Second, he didn’t know that turkeys aren’t supposed to let you do this. Ever. For the record, I have now called in seven gobblers to within gun
or bow range this season without once getting a single shot because of terrain or the direction they came in from. The last two came within 10 yards but I was using a recurve bow that time and there was too much brush in the way for a shot. The good news is I did things right. So to recap: my friend who is new to turkey hunting walked up to a turkey until he got to point blank range and then he shot it. Meanwhile, I, an experienced turkey hunter, have called in several birds within gun or bow range, and not yet got a shot. After he showed me the photos of the bird he shot, I was considering giving him advice on how to shoot a bird, but somehow it didn’t seem like the right thing to do. I mean he is new at it and I don’t feel like I should blow his mind with the
advanced tactics that I have used so far this year. He’s just not ready for them. But, by God, if he walks up to his second bird in the same way, I’ll tell him what he is doing wrong. OK, 1,000 metres? Really. A mature and apparently healthy gobbler watched an armed man approach it directly in the open over a 1,000-metre field? He said he wasn’t even trying to be quiet. Frankly, this is the kind of thing that makes a hunter who knows what he’s doing hate turkeys. Regardless, I’m truly happy for my friend and I’m glad he was able to take home a delicious game bird and good memories. But in a way I also feel really sorry for him. I mean, it must really suck not to know anything about turkey hunting.
DYER: Israel has probably run out of time in effort to ignore coexistence →FROM 8
out, but now the coalition talks to replace him have broken down and his most dangerous rival, Naftali Bennett, has crept back to his side. The war will go on until the grass is short enough in the Gaza Strip, and then peace will return for a while. But this is the last time round for this scenario, for technological reasons. Hamas’s current weapons – home-made, inaccurate rockets – mean that it can only target large
areas like cities, so it reaps the blame for targeting civilians. Israel kills many more civilians in practice, but since it uses precision weapons it can plausibly claim that it tries to avoid killing innocent people. (It usually does try, but the weapons are not that precise.) Coming soon, however, are next-generation armed drones that are cheap, highly accurate, and very hard to detect or intercept. We saw early versions of them
at work in last year’s war in the Caucasus, where Azerbaijani drones decimated a conventional tanks-and-artillery Armenian army. When Hamas gets them, probably in only a few years’ time, it will face a choice. It can use them for more effective terror attacks, targeting civilian buses, schools and homes: lots of horror, huge Israeli reprisals, and no political gain. Or, if it’s smart, it can only go after Israeli military targets: tanks, airfields,
barracks, fuel storage areas and the like. It gets the moral high ground, and gives Israel a problem that is not soluble by military means. What political deal might then ensue (if any) is very hard to imagine. However Israel, after 30 years when it could just avoid thinking about a future of peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians, will have to engage with the problem again. That would be a good start.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE Aside from legal consequences of drinking and driving in the form of a ticket or loss of license, impaired driving can result in property damage, injury or even death. With this in mind, we would like to remind you to be smart when drinking. Drink in moderation and monitor the amount of alcohol you have consumed. Designate a sober driver at the beginning of the night and give that person the keys. If no one is capable of driving, have some money ready for a taxi home. It is better to leave your car behind and come back for it than to have it totaled in a collision. If you are drinking at a friend’s home, ask for a place to sleep until you are sober. By staying at that friend’s house, you will limit their liability should you choose to drive and cause a collision. When you go for your next drink, just remember that you are not the only one that may pay the consequences for your decisions.
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 11
Business
Leading the way. Shining a light on local enterprise, stoking the economic engines. Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com New Business: observerxtra.com/enterprise
Funding for CMP
Staying online
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris last week announced $150,000 in new funding for Conestoga Meat Packers in Breslau as part of the provincial and federal governments’ investment of more than $7 million to quickly increase production and efficiency in meat processing plants across the province.
A growing number of Canadians want more digital options for fast, easy access to public services. A new survey commissioned by ServiceNow reveals if given the choice, at least two-thirds of Canadians prefer to access services digitally, across federal (69%), provincial (70%) and municipal (65%) governments.
Making an argument for a green recovery Virtual event by Nith Valley EcoBoosters stresses that green initiatives will help rebuild post-pandemic economy Damon Maclean Observer Staff
EMERGING FROM THE PANDEMIC, WE can’t return to normal in every way, environmental groups argue, instead recommending governments need to go green with new investments in the likes of infrastructure and job creation. That kind of thinking was the focus of Wednesday’s virtual town hall entitled ‘Rural Economic Development Through Green Innovation,’ hosted by the Nith Valley EcoBoosters and 50 by 30 Waterloo Region “What we’re recognizing now is that we can unlock the power of nature to help local economies,” said Michelle Kanter of Carolinian Canada, one of the speakers at the event.
Her organization focuses on preserving the biodiversity in the Carolinian ecological zone that runs from Toronto to Windsor. About half of the world’s economic system relies on nature and healthy waters and soils, she noted. She was joined in the panel discussion by Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis, University of Waterloo Prof. Paul Parker and Mark Reusser, vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Kanter said she hopes that this week’s event helps people realize the little steps they can take to start moving towards big-picture solutions. “Since we have such a complex landscape, we see the opportunity that everybody can get involved in growing the
Mark Reusser of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture and OFA Damon MacLean vice-president was one of the speakers.
local economy in many ways, either by growing native plants, like creating a mini-ecosystem in your backyard or on your farm. More and more farmers are growing native plants in marginal land. Some farmers are actually switching to native plants as a crop. And there’s a growing industry in nature-based solutions,” she said. “Almost every corporation and institution now has a sustainability strategy. And right now, biodiversity isn’t usually part of that. So, we’re suggesting that by unlocking the power of nature as an economic tool, that is win-win: protect nature, we protect people, and we actually grow green profits. They are betting industries that are based on growing life, rather than destroying it.”
One simple step encourages people to take is planting a native species in their gardens. “I think building the green economy is really important. And that starts with buying a native plan. You’re supporting local green business that are really trying to save the planet, as well as develop a green economy.” Stephanie Goertz, a volunteer with the EcoBoosters and an organizer of this week’s town hall, says there are many areas in which the townships should focus their energy to move towards a greener way of life, including better land-use policies, conserving more biodiversity in forests and green spaces, and investing in environmental infrastructure. → GREEN 13
Province offers assistance to hard-hit accommodation sector Ontario Travel and Small Business Support Grant aims to provide financial help to hotels, BnBs in announcing the new program. The news was welcomed by Minto Schneider, CEO of Explore Waterloo, the region’s tourism group. “We’re delighted to see the opportunity come out. This is something that was promised in the provincial budget, so, we knew it was coming. But, of course, we didn’t have the details around it until yesterday with the minister’s announcement.” The funding will help a number of tourism businesses in the region, said Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris.
“This is obviously a great initiative that was put forward through the 2021 budget. This will go kind of above and beyond what has already been done through the more traditional small business support grant,” he said, pointing to the hotels in the St. Jacobs area as an example. “It’s obviously been tough for them. They’ve been able to stay open, but the fact that with a stay-at-home order, and with the market being closed – the market is typically the main draw for people that are staying in St. Jacobs. And, of
course, all of the shops that are in the village and the Drayton Entertainment theatre just right in that market district there – it’s been difficult for them, for sure,” said Harris. “It’s good to see that they’re going to be eligible for this. There are some criteria that obviously you have to fit into, but I would think that most of the hotels that we have in the region and then St. Jacobs will be eligible. And it also covers bed and breakfasts as well, which is great.” For those businesses that do not qualify,
HERE WE GO!
Explore Waterloo has launched a second round of Tourism Adaptation and Recovery Program (TARP) funding, which is available to help offset costs of health and safety protocols or renovations and equipment to help facilitate physical distancing measures for up to $5,000 provided through a pool of funding created by the region, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and the Township of Woolwich. Explore WR has received 38 applications so far ahead of the application deadline on May 31, said Schneider.
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EXPANDING THE LIST OF BUSINESSES eligible for financial assistance, the province has launched the Ontario Travel and Small Business Support Grant, aimed at operations such as hotels, bed and breakfasts and amusement parks. The new program fills in some gaps that may have been missed with the earlier Ontario Small Business Support Grant. It provides for a single grant as a one-time payment of $10,000 to
$20,000 for a qualifying business in the industry. To qualify for the fund, a business must employ less than 100 people and be down at least 20 per cent in revenue between 2019 and 2020. Those businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant are not eligible. “Prior to the pandemic, Ontario’s tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported more than 400,000 jobs across the province,” said Lisa McLeod, minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries,
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
12 | B U S I N E S S
Your turn is coming soon.
Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives. Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated every day. As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages.
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Thursday, May 20, 2021 | THE OBSERVER
B U S I N E S S | 13
GREEN: Environmental groups suggest that we shouldn't be returning to normal without some changes → FROM 11
“I think really having our townships understand that we need to be not only protecting our farmland, not from just mono-cropping, but bringing it back down to smaller farms. And the benefit of smaller microfarms is you actually use more people on those properties that come up with more diverse food for the community, and that stays local. And that you’re actually building up that community feeling and that knowledge in going back to [local] people.” Municipalities can start to change how they do things by reviewing their policies, setting specific goals rather than simply making statements about a better future, said Goertz. “Set a goal of exactly [what you’ll do], not just ‘we want to have a nice future and we’re inclusive,’” she said, stressing that protecting farmland should be a priority. Protecting the farmland itself is the stewardship goal of farmers, notes Reusser.
“I think for most part, farming has always been sustainable. I just think we’re getting better at it, recognizing that when you kill the soil too much, it can have some negative effects on the capacity of the soil to hold water and produce and so on. So we’re killing it less. We’re realizing that rotating crops is good for the soil, we’re realizing that a diverse rotation is better than just a simple rotation,” he said. “We’re learning that leaving as much residue as possible on the surface of the soil is a good idea. And I think we’re learning that keeping something growing on a soil all year around is probably a good idea to so a cover crop of some fields so that we don’t see bare soil – the less bare soil we see the better. Growing a single crop or a monoculture is not the best [option] for farmland.” Goertz encourages people to get involved in the conversation and future green ideas by visiting the EcoBooster’s website at www.nvecoboosters.com.
New effort to stop chronic farmland loss
W
ith BBQ season here, vegetable sprouts starting to pop out of the ground and local food poised to take its annual position of prominence, Ontario’s farm sector is sending out a poignant reminder: while we are busy shopping for homegrown food, five farms’ worth of agricultural land are being lost to urban sprawl here every day. Worse, nothing is slowing down the problem. And if the trend doesn’t stop, the outlook for local food is dim. That message is being issued this week as part of a campaign appropriately called Home Grown, launched Monday by the biggest general farm organization here, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The federation wants consumers to sign a petition to stop willy-nilly farmland rezoning for development. Only about five per cent of the land in Ontario can actually produce food. Data from the latest Census of Agriculture (2016) showed about 175 acres of farmland – equal to around 135 football fields – is being lost every day. That’s
OWEN ROBERTS Food For Thought
where the five-farms-perweek loss comes from. And with a pro-development government like the one we elected a few years ago – one that has clearly showed its stripes with the proposed Highway 413 debacle (referred to in some media as a “$6-billion sprawl generator”) – that percentage has little chance of stabilizing, let alone improving right now. This isn’t just a problem with the current government, though. The federation has drawn attention to the situation before. For example, in 2015, vice-president Don McCabe took every chance available to speak passionately about farmland preservation. The message was similar – stop paving over farms – and people nodded in agreement. And yet, here we are again. But maybe the high visibility of the Highway 413 mess brings new urgency to the matter and helps put farmland
preservation in front of voters. The federation’s banking on wide appeal, noting Home Grown’s goal is to “increase consumer knowledge about the negative impacts of urban development on Ontario agri-food system.” The effort is gaining momentum. By Wednesday, the petition already had nearly 4,300 signatures. And allies such as beef farmers were adding their voices to the effort. Beef farmers are particularly concerned about urban sprawl. Pastureland is being lost faster than other kinds of farmland, and it’s those pastures on which beef producers and consumers depend for grass-fed beef production. The beef farmers’ advocacy group, Beef Farmers of Ontario, say it stands with the federation to prevent more farmland from being lost. “These losses are unsustainable and given the anticipated population growth in Ontario, Canada and the world, further priority and action by government is needed to protect farmland in order to maintain a sufficient supply of locally grown food,” says organization
president Rob Lipsett. Pro-development advocates have said that farmland unsuitable for growing crops should be the first land used for non-agricultural use. But beef farmers don’t buy that contention. Lipsett says so-called marginal land – land that’s on the edge of crop productivity, suited mainly for grass production – is perfect for beef pasture. It doesn’t need to be cultivated and for the most part beef animals fertilize it themselves with their own manure. “Every acre of pastureland that is protected contributes to soil health and provides a home for earthworms, wildlife and birds, not to mention the carbon storage ability of our tame grasslands,” says Lipsett. Maintaining farmland is not all about food production. But the pandemic has drawn attention to the fact that we need to pay more attention than ever to our food sources, no matter what we eat. See the petition at https://bit.ly/3v1qLrc and learn more about the campaign at homegrown.ofa.on.ca.
The Garden Centre is Open Victoria Day 9am-5pm
Elections to the Board of Directors of the
Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation is a non-profit Corporation funded by Regional Council for the purpose of assisting organizations and individuals in the preservation of the heritage and culture of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The By-laws for the Foundation provide for the election of ten members-at-large to its Board of Directors. As of the Annual Meeting, there will be three (3) vacancies to be filled for three year terms.
Elections will be held at the Annual General Meeting Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Meeting to be held Electronically The Board of Directors currently meets electronically at 5:30 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except July, August and December. Board of Director Applications may be obtainedat the website (www.wrhf.org), or email wrhf@regionofwaterloo.ca. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, meetings are currently being held electronically. If you wish to attend the meeting please contact the Foundation Secretary at wrhf@regionofwaterloo.ca by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021. If you require accessible or technical support, please contact the Foundation Secretary at least 5 days in advance of the meeting.
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 14
Arts
Days of Drayton past
Riverfest on hold
Local stories that inspire.
Aiming to provide a reminder about what live theatre is like, Drayton Entertainment is rolling out a few Monday memories, revising its productions of Disney's Newsies, Kings & Queens of Country, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!
Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com
www.draytonentertainment.com
Joining other live entertainment events and festivals, Elora’s Riverfest has put off this year’s outing until next year, citing lingering uncertainties due to the pandemic. Set to take place in Bissell Park, Elora on Aug. 20-22, 2021, Riverfest will now take place the following year on Aug. 19-21, 2022.
Read a local best seller every week.
www.riverfestelora.com
Tips: observerxtra.com/tips
Theatre group goes old school Cambridge Community Players put on audio play of the classic hard-boiled detective tale of The Maltese Falcon Sean Heeger For TheObserver
PUTTING ON A PLAY IN person is still off the table just now, but that is not stopping the Cambridge Community Players from taking another route for their upcoming production of The Maltese Falcon. In this case the theatre group is opting to go back to the days of old, bringing this version of the play to an audio format. Originally set to premiere on May 14, the production was pushed back to May 28 because COVID-19 restrictions upended their plans to record the play at a local radio station earlier in the month. Based on the book by Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon has been adapted into films and plays over the years. This version is directed for the Cambridge Community Players by Martin Smith, who is no stranger to creating audio plays. While he believes this is the first audio play to come from the theatre group, he says he has used this format in many instances over the years, and that this play is perfect to tell through audio because of its successful track record. “I’ve been doing some (audio plays) with Ichthys Theatre in Brantford, they’re doing a series of Sherlock Holmes audio shows. Going further back in my life when I lived out west, I worked for a radio station and we actually did a series of audio productions back then as well. [But] as far as I know in the history
Under the direction of Martin Smith, the Cambridge Community Players have produced an audio play of The Maltese Falcon.
– and no one could tell me otherwise – it doesn’t mean it wasn’t done way, way back, but no one can remember Cambridge Community Players ever doing one [of their own audio plays before],” said Smith. “We can’t use the theatre and we still want to keep actors acting and keep people busy and offer something to the public. It’s being offered free with a GoFundMe donation if people want to [give one] …It helps that this play
has been done like this before.” The group got the green light to move ahead with the audio play format at the end of March, with everything coming together fairly quickly. The original plan was to do what Smith did in his radio days, going into a station to record. The pandemic soon put an end to that idea, forcing the cast and crew to come up with a new plan. “We were going to
record it at a local radio station – which is what I did for the other one with the Brantford theatre company – but because of regulations nobody was allowed to gather. This delayed us for a couple of weeks. Basically, we’re moving the audio equipment from one person to another. So, we’re recording one person, then you gather up the equipment and take it elsewhere and they record. We’re just keeping everyone safe and
Damon MacLean
away from each other,” said Smith. The cast rehearsed for weeks via Zoom to prepare for the production. Once recording is done, the editing process will take place, adding in sound effects and more to make the play ready for the audience. Smith says there are talks to continue working with audio plays over the next little while, however, not revealing what the next play will be, nor
when it will come out. The play is set to air on May 28 at 7 p.m. The cast includes Kristine Fortner (announcer), Valerie Harrison (Spade), Margo Prunean (Brigid), Corina Dunn (Cairo), Gary Draper (Wilmer) and David Terry (Gutman). For more information, and to listen to the play when it comes out, visit the group’s website at www.cambridgecommunityplayers.com/the-maltese-falcon.
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THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 15
Classifieds
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Please call or email for display advertising quote for Help Wanted, Auctions, Real Estate, Public Notices and Obituaries.
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Please talk to our ad dept for pricing and to order a Pro Services Directory.
All classified advertising is prepaid. Ads will be accepted in person, email, or phone during regular office hours. Deadline is Wednesdays by 10am. Order online at: observerxtra.com/classifieds.
Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 104 Email: ads@woolwichobserver.com Job Listings: jobs.observerxtra.com
Family Album Announcements pricing and info can be ordered online at: observerxtra.com/order-family-album.
Help Wanted
HELP WANTED Lorentz Farms Ltd. Mill operators and night shift needed. Mechanically inclined, computer knowledge helpful, some equipment operation required.
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Help Wanted
Help Wanted & Word ads Continue on the Next Page Help Wanted
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Full time metal roofing installer • No experience needed, will train • Starting wage $20+/hour Siding installation, carpentry, and other metal work experience = higher wage $25+/hour
Call or text Abe at 519-500-1611
Help Wanted
Floradale Feed Mill Limited is an independent, family owned and operated feed company serving livestock and poultry producers in Ontario. We currently have an opening for:
Production Worker
This fulltime position will involve shift work week days (Monday to Friday) with an occasional Saturday shift. Responsibilities will include warehouse duties, pelleting/batching and receiving. The successful applicant will have • Strong oral and written communication skills • Ability to develop effective work relationships with co-workers, and • Ability to represent the Company positively with customers. At Floradale Feed Mill Limited we take pride in providing the finest in quality feeds and service to our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Therefore, a background in agriculture is considered an asset. Benefits We offer a competitive wage, pension plan and group insurance benefits. To apply, forward your resume and three references to: Human Resources Floradale Feed Mill Limited 2131 Floradale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 Or e-mail: ffmjobs@ffmltd.com We appreciate all who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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We are looking for a full time, permanent
Stair Programmer team. TheCNC successful applicant will have experience in sales, strong people skills, and and Operator preferably also experience with Cabinet Vision software. If be you enjoy working In this position you will responsible to operatein onea ofstrong our CNCteam routersenvironment that machines primarily solid wood and want the stair parts as to wellgrow as cabinet doors. The other part of opportunity along with the company, yourthen responsibility be to work the CAM to: side of please will submit yourinresumé StairCon software, to create CNC code and shop Data laverne@woodlandhorizon.com or call for production. To be successful in this position, you 519-638-5961 to set upofan interview. will need a strong understanding CNC machining, as
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wellthose as a strong computer and software knowledge and Only receiving an interview will be contacted. the desire to createyou systems to improve the StairCon Thank for your interest. CAM software. Required skills • Respectful • Ability to read blueprints • Attention to Detail • Capable of lifting 50 to 75 pounds • Motivated and enthusiastic • Courteous and friendly • Dependable • CNC Router Experience • CAM Software Experience • No post secondary education required • Previous wood working experience will be an asset • Stair building experience will be an asset Experience • CNC Programing: 2 years (preferred) • Woodworking: 2 years (preferred) • CNC Operator: 2 years (preferred) 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 ext 104 Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.
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Norwell Dairy is a dairy equipment supply and service company dedicated to serving dairy farms in Ontario. Our installers pride themselves in excellence and durability of workmanship and innovation and work as a team installing milking parlors, milking robots and other related products. We are looking for energetic individuals who enjoy variety and are willing to be trained in the various installation roles. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing further details about ourselves and what we do.
Role and Responsibilities
The successful candidates will join our growing installation team and be responsible to assist in installation of a variety of products ranging from milking systems, animal housing and cow comfort. Welding or electrical experience and a dairy background is an asset however we enjoy the opportunity to provide hands on training.
What we offer Competitive wages - Benefits plan Matched pension contributions - Clothing allowance Opportunity for career growth Fulltime year-round work with great variety
Please submit your resume to: careers@norwelldairy.com
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
16 | C L A S S I F I E D S
Help Wanted
Help Wanted Listings Started on page 15 For Sale ARTIST'S PAINTING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE. Easels, brushes, paint boards etc. Call 519-669-3244 Elmira. 34 Ann St. I. Dickau. LAWN FERTILIZER AND LAWN SEED - CALL George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.
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.
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KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.
Please apply with resume in person or email resume to marv@marspan.com
Trades & Services
We would like to thank all applicants, however only those selected for interview will be contacted.
RON'S DRYWALL AND RENOVATIONS. OVER 35 years experience. Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron.spncr@gmail.com
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For more details and to apply online, visit amiattachments.com/careers Or email your resume to: careers@amiattachments.com
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• Window & Screen Repairs • Glass & Plexi Cutting • Key Cutting • Knife & Scissor Sharpening • Lawnmower Blade Sharpening • Paint Colour Matching • Interior Design Consultation • Bike Repair
Septic Installations · Tile Repairs Small Footings · Silo Footings
Maynard Martin 2512 Kressler Road RR1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0
800-232-6396
22 Church St. W., Elmira
519-669-5537
Tel. 519-699-0507
STORE HOURS: MON - SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5
GENERAL SERVICES Thorncreek Farms
Poultry Barn Pest Solutions
Visit us online to see our entire rental lineup.
Poultry Pest Management Pest control with residual built in
Various sizes & rates
CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call
519-669-4964
519-504-2698
Serving KW and surrounding area
100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA
ↆ
WHERE TIRES ARE A
SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.
Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service 35 Howard Ave., Elmira
519-669-3232 ↆ
ↆ
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
TIRE
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
Blinds, shades, drapery & more • Custom cabinetry made in Canada Free In-home consultations • Our experienced designer will help you work within your personal taste and budget
Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware 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
Tel:
22 Church St. W., Elmira 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537
STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
18 | C L A S S I F I E D S
“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”
Community Information Page
P.O. Box 158
24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6
COVID-19 Woolwich Township Update Township Office The Township office is closed to walk-in public traffic. Business will continue and services can be accessed through our website, by email or by telephone. There is a or drop box located at the side After of our building519-575-4400 along Maple Street, Phone: 519-669-1647 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820 Hours Emergency: www.woolwich.ca which offers a contactless option for dropping off payments, building permits or documents. We will be accepting water samples for drop off weekly on Tuesdays: • Tax & Water Bills can now be paid online: www.woolwich.ca/taxes • Building Permits can be applied for and paid online: www.woolwich.ca/buildingpermits • Parking Tickets can now be paid online: www.woolwich.ca/parkingtickets • Report Issues or Service Requests (By-law Enforcement, Potholes, Signs, Streetlights, Trees, Winter Maintenance, etc..) online: www.woolwich.ca/reportit For current information on facilities and services, please visit www.woolwich.ca or call 519-669-1647. For health information, call the Region of Waterloo Public Health 519-575-4400. To stay informed on the township’s response to COVID-19, visit: www.woolwich.ca/COVID19
Council Meetings – Remote For registration, help or alternative participation options, call 519-669-6004.
Recreation Programs and Facilities The Township of Woolwich recreation facilities are closed and all rentals and programs within these facilities are cancelled pending continued monitoring of provincial regulations. Outdoor recreational amenities such as skate parks, baseball diamonds, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball courts and soccer fields are closed. Offleash dog parks, playgrounds, outdoor parks, and recreational areas remain open. Please note that park amenities are not sanitized, and users should have personal hand sanitizer on hand. Residents are encouraged to stay active by getting outside and enjoying the outdoors our by visiting our website at www.woolwich.ca/stayactive for games, virtual fitness and other activities to keep you engaged this spring. Woolwich Seniors Association: Older Adults 55+ are encouraged to stay active and connected from home. Free, virtual programs, are offered. Check the website for updates at www.woolwichseniors.ca or email contact@woolwichseniors.ca.
Local Business Resources
PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE #1 Scheifele Bridge Superstructure Replacement Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design Township of Woolwich
You are invited to provide your input into the planning of the Scheifele Bridge Replacement Study Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) in the Township of Woolwich. The Region of Waterloo is undertaking a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the Scheifele Bridge Replacement on Regional Road 22 (Northfield Drive at Conestogo River, in the Township of Woolwich. The structure replacement will address deteriorating infrastructure needs as well as provide opportunity an opportunity to provide enhanced pedestrian, cycling and buggy facilities. Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, no physical public consultation centre will be held for this project at this present time. This virtual Public Consultation Centre (PCC) is a forum to review, study and learn about the past reports and studies related to Scheifele Bridge, review and provide comment on preliminary alternative bridge cross section and road alignment design concepts and Engage in “virtual dialogue” with Project Team representatives and ask any questions that you may have about the project or study process. The project is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA), which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (amended through 2019). The proposed improvements are considered a Schedule “C” undertaking in accordance with the MCEA document. All interested parties are invited to complete the online questionnaire and add any comments at the Region’s EngageWR project site between the dates below:
https://www.engagewr.ca/scheifele-bridge-superstructure-replacement Open - Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Close - Wednesday June 9, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.
FREE mask rollout: if your business is located within Woolwich and has 50 or fewer employees, order your free supply of masks online at https://forms.woolwich.ca/Small-Business-PPE-Mask-Request
If you would like further information on the project, please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca or contact:
Businesses support: https://reliefwithinreach.ca/waterloo-region/
Ken Brisbois, C. Tech. Region Project Manager Region of Waterloo 150 Frederick Street, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Telephone: (519) 575-4400 Ext. 4606 Fax: (519) 575-4430 Email: kbrisbois@regionofwaterloo.ca
Visit www.shoplocalwoolwich.ca to buy gift cards and to list your business! For more information about government programs and other business supports call Jenna Morris at 519-669-6020 or email: EconomicDevelopment@woolwich.ca
Regional Face Mask By-law Face coverings are required in transit, taxis, ride sharing and enclosed public places. Children under five and people with certain medical conditions or disabilities are exempt. Please be kind to those unable to wear a face covering. To make a complaint, call 519-575-4400.
Public Health Information Pre-registration is now open for anyone 12 years of age and older. Preregistration is the first step to getting a vaccine at a clinic. It may take 4-6 weeks to be contacted for an appointment. Pre-register at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccinePreReg
Garry E. Leveck, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager Stantec Consulting Ltd. 100-300 Hagey Boulevard Waterloo, ON N2L 0A4 Telephone: (519) 585-7316 Fax: (519) 579-6733 Email: garry.leveck@stantec.com
All comments and information provided become part of the consultation process and are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision when considering design alternatives for the superstructure replacement of the Scheifele Bridge. All submissions will become part of the public record files for this matter. Personal information collected is under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990. Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to Ken Brisbois, Project Manager at kbrisbois@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575- 4606.
Thursday, May 20, 2021 | THE OBSERVER
ↆ R E A L
C L A S S I F I E D S | 19
Basic steps for buying your first home
ES TATE
3 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5426
Sue From
Alli Bauman
226-750-9332
519-669-5426
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
suefrom17@gmail.com
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH? CALL US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY HOME EVALUATION.
Julie M. Heckendorn, Broker
DIRECT (519) 588-7562 EMAIL: Julieheckendorn20@gmail.com
1. Make sure you have a steady income. 2. Save enough for a down payment. 3. Assess the local real estate market. 4. Check for available grants and rebates. 5. Figure out the best mortgage rate. 6. Get your mortgage pre-approved. 7. Go house hunting. 8. Make an offer.
Notice of Public Input Meeting Regional Official Plan (ROP) Review A Public Input Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., to be held electronically at 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input from members of the public on the Regional Official Plan (ROP) Review. If you wish to speak as a delegation, please register through the delegation registration form online https://forms.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council-and-Administrative-Services/CAS/Delegation-Registration by Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. The agenda will be available Thursday, June 3, 2021, 4:30 p.m. at https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council .
ↆ F A M I L Y
AL BU M
Anniversary
Happy 60th Anniversary
Linda Thomson-Sutherland
May 20, 2021
Jan.11, 1980 - May 24, 2011
Tom and Ila
$799,900
In Memoriam
Exceptional lot backs to treed Twp property. The Main floor open concept is great for entertaining. Chervin kitchen with Island with a triple garden door to outdoor sitting area. Great room with hardwood flooring, tray ceiling and two-sided fireplace. 2 main floor bedrooms, Master Bedroom with en-suite (large shower), deck to hot tub area. Huge recreation room with gas stove, oversized windows, 2 spacious bedrooms and a 3 pce Bathroom. LOTS of storage. Stairs from lge double garage to bsmt. Lovely outdoor covered sitting area with composite decking ideal for relaxing and entertaining company! MLS
♥ Barbecue cleaner
BROKERAGE
R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD. Office: 519-669-2772 | Cell: 519-741-6231 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira | www.thurrealestate.com
BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential
30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE YOU CAN RELY ON! 41 South Parkwood Blvd, Elmira Spotless 4 bdrm, 2 storey, very well maintained. 4 bdrms on upper level. Main flr w/French doors & maple hdwd. Eat-in kitchen w/maple cabinetry, Island & garden door to covered deck. Family room w/bamboo hdwd& gas FP. 2 pc pwdr room. Finished rec room. 3 pc washroom. Laundry room, utility room & cold room. Meticulously landscaped w/ wooden gazebo & brick patio. Vinyl garden shed. Freshly painted. Updated furnace, C/A and shingles. MLS
SOLD
Family Album Continues on the next page
Love your family and friends
Birthday
Gone to her Heavenly home 10 years ago. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss you. God holds you in His Arms ...We hold you in our hearts Always and Forever... Your loving family.
Turn off the barbecue and allow it to cool a little. Soak newspaper in water, lay the sheets over the warm barbecue grill, close the lid and leave for approximately an hour. Then simply remove the paper and wipe the grill clean.
Birthday
Happy 80th birthday Old Bird
43 Brookmead St., Elmira Enjoy the salt water pool this summer! Backing to trail & greenspace. 3 bdrm, two storey w/upper loft area. Master bdrm walk-in closet & renovated ensuite. Main flr L.R. & eat-in kitchen w/walkout to deck & pool area, 2 pc. bath. Finished rec room w/gas F.P. & dry bar. Appliances incl. MLS
SOLD
CALL FOR YOUR
FREE MARKET EVALUATION
Love to Beth Hutchinson from your family
You’ve come a long way in 50 years.
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HOUSE IS Support the local businesses that keep your community and its newspapers thriving.
Happy halfway to 100 ... from all the Merlihans
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
20 | C L A S S I F I E D S
ↆ FA M I LY
Obituary
What can you advertise in Classifieds? Help Wanted Auctions Upcoming Events Items For Sale Child Care Garage Sales Pets Real Estate Storage Trades & Services Wanted Farm Equipment Horses Produce Hay & Straw Rentals Training/ Lessons Work Wanted
What can you order for the Family Album? Anniversaries Birthdays Engagements Marriage announcements Stag & Does Graduations Thank yous In Memoriams Obituaries Birth Notices
A LB UM
How to Order? Contact Donna Rudy @ 519-669-5790 Ext. 104 drudy@ woolwichobserver.com OR ads@woolwichobserver.com OR go to our website observerxtra.com/ classifieds
Obituary
Brown, Verla Ruth
Clemmer, Mary (Gingrich) Peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus at the age of 96. Beloved wife of the late Vernon Clemmer (2015). Dear mother and mother-in-law of David Clemmer (Robyn), Sharon (Doug) Ghent, Rod (Lena) Uttley, Marie Uttley, and Jane Eaton. Mary will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Lee-Anne (Robert) Ruggle, Shon (Trudy) Clemmer, Amber (Simon Sahi) Ghent, Emily (Bernie McShane) Ghent, Adam (Kristin) Ghent, Eric Ghent, Tamara (Mark) Allan, Cindy (Don) Brubacher, Holly (Adam) Good, Barbara (Roger) Buehler, Steven (Heather) Uttley, Richard (Christa) Uttley, Willard Kraehling, Colleen (Andy) Magarin, Charlene Uttley, Barry (Dee) Uttley, Derek (Nicole) Uttley and 32 greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews as well as her extended family. Stepsister of Mahlon Martin. Predeceased by her parents Henry and Veronica (Bauman) Gingrich, sons Wayne Uttley and Robert Uttley, granddaughter Heather Kraehling, and sister Hannah (Orval) Martin. Visitation was held on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira. A livestreamed funeral service took place on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. and can be viewed on Mary’s tribute page of the funeral home website. Interment followed at Elmira Union Cemetery. A very special thank you for the loving care provided by the staff at Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence. In Mary ’s memory, donations to World Vision Canada or to Galcom International would be appreciated. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com
chris@futher-franklinfuneralhome.com www.futher-franklinfuneralhome.com
Christopher W. Franklin Funeral Director
A Continuing Tradition Of Trust & Reassurance
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It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that our family wishes to announce the passing of Robert Clark on April 2,2021 at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario. He is predeceased by his wife Barbara (Luther), his parents Fred and Addie, and his sisters Margaret and Jean. He is survived by his children David and Kathryn (Smith), grandchildren Sarah, Zachary, and Rachel Clark, and Matthew, and Andrew Smith, and great grandchild Madison Clark. Bob was born in Cornwall, Ontario, the only boy of three children born to Addie May and Fred Clark. Bob grew up during the Second World War and learned lessons that we are fortunate not to have to learn today. He was the Second IC of his regiment, the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders. He graduated the year the war ended. Bob was hired by GE in Peterborough, ironically by the women he would eventually marry, Barbara Luther. He spent several years working in the circuit breaker section at GE, which allowed him an opportunity to work on the CANDU reactor project. Fortunately, despite a couple of close calls he did not end up glowing in the dark. His next move was to accept a job as a machine shop teacher at the Dryden High School. He spent twenty-eight rewarding and successful years as an educator at the Dryden High School which also included being a basketball coach and a driving instructor. During his time as a machine shop teacher, he accepted the Technical Directors position where he remained until his retirement. As a professional educator he was well liked and respected for his fairness and willingness to help students who required that extra attention. Music was a large part of his life. He had a large and powerful deep bass voice, and it was always fun and exhilarating to stand and sing beside him either at home doing dishes, singing in the church choir, or singing with the Dryden Serenades. Christmas was a particularly enjoyable time for music in and around our house. The harmonies and carols have been with and part of all our lives. Bob also knew how to laugh and have fun. When he was living in Peterborough, he and others would make the trip into Toronto on a Saturday night and go dancing. He liked to play games and was a particularly good crib and bridge player. We spent many hours at his sisters in Cornwall playing cards and having a lot of fun. We always loved the way he would call the poker hand at the end of Rummoli.
One of the offshoots of building the house was his interest in woodworking. He loved building one-of-a-kind items. He built things like pump handle lamps, rocking horses, four wheeled horses, benches, shelves, crib boards, and Adirondack chairs, which were shipped in pieces to many members of the family. All were stamped Grandpas’ Workshop. All items were eagerly received and cherished. He spent his free time making beautiful brass candle holders and candy dishes for family and friends. After the fire at the Anglican Church, he was asked to help restore the candle holders that had been damaged. Those that could not be restored he remade.
SOLUT IO NS
Robert Clark
One of Bob’s dreams was to build his own house which he accomplished. He built a beautiful two-story New England style house with field stone on the bottom and a fireplace that sparks many good memories. His grandchildren loved the house and would always ask if they could have a fire in the fireplace to roast marshmallows even in the summer.
1172 Henry Street, Wellesley, Ontario. N0B 2T0 519-656-2880
6 , % 6
Obituary
He was also famous for his green tomato relish which was always used sparingly to make it last. A graveside service has taken place at Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, Ontario. A celebration of life will occur at a later date. A Tribute Wall can be found at the Highland Park Funeral Home Peterborough website. If so desired, donations can be made to your local legion or Cadet program.
Passed away peacefully on Friday, May 14, 2021 at the Freeport Campus of Grand River Hospital at the age of 94. Cherished mother of Gregory Barrie Brown of Elmira, and Larry Robert Brown (Yana) of Mississauga. Loved grandmother of Maksimilians, Matilda, Matthew, and Robert. Fondly remembered by Barrie’s family, many nieces, nephews and their families, and many neighbours and friends. Predeceased by her husband C. Barrie Brown, parents Roy and Edith (Myers) Derbyshire, siblings Rees, Larry, and Ola. Verla taught for over 20 years at John Mahood Public School and was active with the Breithaupt Swim Club. Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service will be held at a later date and will be livestreamed to Verla’s tribute page of the funeral home website. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Grand River Regional Cancer Centre or the Kidney Foundation of Canada would be appreciated. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com
Obituary Wright, ‘Judy’ Judith Elizabeth Passed away at Grand River Hospital on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the age of 69 years. Judy Wright is lovingly remembered by the staff and her housemates at Christian Horizons Misty Street Residence in Kitchener. She is also lovingly remembered by her family Sharon and Mike Straus, Jo-Anne and Paul Straus, Paul Grosz and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Ross and Kay (Schwartz) Wright and her brother and sister-in-law Bill and Bonnie (Rau) Wright. Judy used her hands to see the world. Her communication was through the use of touch, and if you were within reach, you would feel her hands gently exploring to see who you were and what you might be wearing. Judy’s love for music was evident and when she knew the songs she would clap with enthusiasm to the rhythm of the music! Judy was confident and knew how to let others know what she wanted. She self-directed her life before the term was coined. Her big smile, belly laugh and giggles showed her personality and was a gift to those around her. She will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege of being a part of her life. There will be no funeral home visitation or public service. In Judy’s memory, donations may be made to Christian Horizons – Waterloo 6 (62 Misty Street, Kitchener N2C 2N9). Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com
I ♥ my local newspaper.
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 21
Living Here
It's about all of us. Leading the way reporting about the people and places of home. Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com
Cost of stormy weather
Parks Canada a go
A storm that moved across eastern Canada in late March brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing $50 million in insured damage, from flooded basements to tornoff roofs, according to initial estimates. In Ontario, damage was pegged at $19 million.
Parks Canada kicks off its 2021 visitor season over the May long-weekend, with all facilities following the advice and guidance of public health experts. The service says it continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. www.pc.gc.ca
Report it: observerxtra.com/tips
Brewing up something in memory of Willie Bowman Rural Roots makes second batch of fundraising beer after first sells out in a matter of hours Steve Kannon Observer Staff
THE LARGE TRIBUTE PROCESSION THAT flowed through the streets of Elmira and into Union Cemetery following the passing of Willie Bowman in February underscored how many people he’d known in the community. Three months later, a special beer brewed as a fundraiser in his memory sold some 1,200 cans in a matter of hours, reflecting that same regard for the Elmira man. Now, Rural Roots Brewing is releasing a second batch, with all proceeds again going to the Canadian Mental Health Association and Parkinson’s Canada, the charities chosen by Bowman’s wife, Angie Hill. “We knew it would be big. We didn’t know it would be that big. It was the same with the beer,” she said of the response to Bowman’s sudden passing on February 3 at the age of 59, including the impromptu procession and the charitable fundraiser. “They wanted to take part in this to honour him,” said Rural Roots owner Roger Lichti of the rapid sales of the special brew he made in Bowman’s honour, Wobbly Willie's Single Sandal Ale. The name came courtesy of Hill, who said it captures Bowman’s penchant for wearing sandals at all times. “He wore flip-flop sandals everywhere, all the time,” she said, noting that she put one sandal she found into the casket
In the shop of her late husband Willie Bowman, Angie Hill shows the beer created by Rural Roots Brewery as a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association and Steve Kannon Parkinson's Canada. A new batch of Wobbly Willie's Single Sandal Ale is now available from the Elmira brewery.
with him. “I found the other one later, so when I see him again, I can slap him with it,” she said with a laugh, explaining the ‘single sandal’ moniker, with the ‘wobbly pop’ being more self-evident. The label on each can reflects many facets of Bowman’s life, from his roots as a horse-andbuggy Mennonite to his
son Jesse’s love for drag racing. Words of memoriam scripted by Hill are also included. “When I think about my Willie, I have a lot of great memories about a lot of things. I wanted to cover that,” she said. “Legends never die, they just get Wobbly.” The beer itself is a special brew developed by Lichti, who said he
wanted something both easy to drink and complex in flavour – he used six different grains, where some beers might be a mix of three or four. “He was a complex man, but also laid back and easy going,” said Lichti. “I wanted it to be easy-drinking, to reflect a crowd that might not be into craft beer.” Some 400 cans of the
new batch, available as of Wednesday, had already been pre-ordered, leaving some 800 available. Lichti notes there’s already been keen interest. As well as the beer, there are Wobbly Willie's Single Sandal Ale t-shirts, made by Elmira’s PK Sportswear, that are also being sold in support of the two charities. Given that the fundraising was earmarked
for May, Lichti said the current batch is likely to be the last. “We wanted this to be a fundraiser for the month of May, which is mental health awareness month, and Parkinson’s month [was in April]. We’re really happy with the response we got for the causes.” Information can be found online at www.ruralrootsbrewery.ca.
What is a Performance Oil Change? GDI ( Gasoline Direct Injection) engines run much more efficiently and perform better than regular fuel injection engines. However, this extra performance and efficiency comes with a cost. This style of fuel injection causes carbon to build up - NON PRINTING in engines much faster. AD OverSPOT time this excessive carbon causes numerous issues like increased oil consumption, variable valve timing issues and potential premature engine failure. Because of these issues we recommend doing a performance oil change every other oil change on vehicles with GDI engines. Contact us with any questions, we are happy to chat!
Two locations in Elmira to serve you better
20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive
Tel: (519) 669-1082
www.leroysautocare.net
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
22 | L I V I N G H E R E
ↆ C O M M UNI TY
E V E NTS
Bunion treatment and surgery
CAL ENDAR
Glenn Shi, M.D.
▢ Mayo Clinic
Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic
“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”
Kleensweep Carpet Care
Rugs and Upholstery
•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates West Montrose, ON
T. 519.669.2033
COLLEEN
Cell: 519.581.7868
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 ▢ Postual Alighnment: Does it Matter? Learn about
alignment effects on joints, muscles, our balance, strength and freedom to move. Presentation at 1:30 p.m. virtually by Woolwich Community Health Centre's physiotherapist, Bernadette. Email gberihun@wchc.on.ca for your Zoom invitation.
Vacuum Sales, Repairs Se Service All Makes & Models
FRIDAY, MAY 28 ▢ Turkey Stew Dinner at the Elmira Legion. Curbside pick up only from 5 p.m to 6:30 p.m. $10/person. Turkey stew with broccoli salad, a roll and dessert. Tor order call Robin 519-897-1618.
9 Church St. E., Elmira
519-669-8362 Email: elmiravacuum@gmail.com
TUESDAY, JUNE 1
Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management
COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication
MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS
519.669.5105 1540 FLORADALE ROAD P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA
www.mgmill.com
NANCY KOEBEL
Bus: 519.744.5433
Freedom 55 Financial is a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company
Email: nancy.koebel@f55f.com Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,
RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities. 652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS VERMONT Castings
11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS
519.664.2008
Woolwich
▢ Services for Seniors. In this Woolwich Community
Health Centre presentation you will learn about social and recreational services available to seniors, services offered by Community Care Concepts, dental services and more. Join us at 1:30 p.m. virtually using Zoom. Email gberihun@wchc.on.ca for your invitation.
Quality & Service you can trust.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I developed bunions in my teens, and they have grown over the years. Now I cannot wear shoes without some discomfort. Over the past few months, I've noticed throbbing from the bunion on my left foot, although the one on my right foot is fine. My friend who had a bunion surgery said the surgery is invasive and I'm concerned since I am an active person. Is surgery the only treatment option?
Professional Clinical Health Advice
repositioning of some of the bones in the front part of the foot, or the forefoot. When this happens, the big toe gets pulled toward the smaller toes and the forefoot widens. That's when you start to notice the bump. It is estimated that up to 30% of the population will develop bunions. But not all bunions affect walking or ever require treatment. Some bunions do not cause any problems, while others trigger swelling, redness and soreness around the joint.
ANSWER: A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It develops due to a shifting or
→MAYO CLINIC 24
MONDAY, JUNE 21 ▢ Woolwich Gardeners Virtual Speaker Cathy Nesbitt "Simplicity of Sprouts" (Propagating Health and Wellness).Join us at 7 p.m. A Zoom link will be sent to members. Contact us at woolwichgardeners@gmail.com or call Mary Austin (Membership) at 519-669-2617.
21 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com
WOOLWICH RESIDENTS SUPPORT FUND: On April 4, 2020, Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz launched the Woolwich Residents Support Fund (WRSF) on behalf of Woolwich Township Council. The WRSF will initially address the anticipated unprecedented needs that many Woolwich residents will experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the WRSF will continue to address ongoing needs experienced by Woolwich residents long after the pandemic has ended. In general, the fund will provide one-time financial support to an applicant. However, we realize that no two cases are the same. Unique situations may require further support that otherwise would not be accessible for the ongoing needs of the individual. Prior to an applicant drawing from the WRSF, the Fund Review Committee will access other community services and funds that may be able to support and/or provide for the individual. While eligibility practices and an application process are in place, it should be noted that in unique, complex, crisis and acute circumstances funds may be provided at the discretion of the Fund Review Committee, assuming the core criteria of the fund are met. “What a great example of the barn-raising spirit that has always existed in Woolwich,” said Mayor Shantz about the Fund during her video announcement on what would have been the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival day. 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/.
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Your First Step to Better Hearing
519-669-9919
ↆ FAIT H
DIREC TORY
charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira
Join Us Online Each Sunday
WOODSIDE
woodsidechurch.ca/live
SANYO CANADIAN
Elmira What is the Church and Mennonite Why Does it Exist? Church
MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED
Jonathan Brubacher Preaching
www.elmiramennonite.ca 58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123
33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591
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Thursday, May 20, 2021 | THE OBSERVER
L I V I N G H E R E | 23
A bright, fresh-tasting, make-ahead dessert
K
ey limes are smaller, yellower cousins to the bigger, darker green Persian limes you usually see in the grocery store. They're more tart, with fragrant, floral juice and used to be grown widely in the Florida Keys, where cooks invented key lime pie as a way to use the juice. To make these key lime bars, you don't actually
▢ America's Test Kitchen Rigorously tested recipes that work.
need key limes. They can be hard to find and are so small that you'd have to squeeze 20 of them to get ⅓ cup of juice! Regular Persian limes work just fine; but whatever you do, don't use bottled lime juice
in this recipe (fresh juice has much better flavor!). Then there's toasted coconut. It's a great addition to baked goods such as cookies, bars or as a topping for ice cream or oatmeal. It can sometimes burn when you toast it in the oven, so we like to use the microwave, where you can keep a close eye on it as it cooks.
ↆ X-WORD
OPEN 8am - 9pm | 7 DAYS A WEEK
DELIV SER ERY AVAILVICE Call fo ABLE rD
etails
315 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5403 The Observer Crossword looks to challenge you and get your brain firing on all synapes. This crossword is only published in The Observer handcrafted exclusively for our audience. Happy word-smithing!
Key Lime Bars For the crust: ▢ Vegetable oil spray
▢ 5 whole graham
crackers, broken into pieces (or 3⁄4 cup store-bought graham
1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Make an aluminum foil sling for an 8-inch square metal baking pan. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray. 2. Add cracker pieces, flour, sugar and 1⁄8 teaspoon salt to food processor. Pulse until crackers are broken into small pieces, about five 1-second pulses.
cracker crumbs)
▢ 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
▢ 1⁄3 cup (1 2⁄3
▢ 4 tablespoons
ounces) all-purpose flour
unsalted butter, melted
▢ 1⁄4 cup (1 3⁄4 ounces) sugar
3. Process until crackers are finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add melted butter and pulse until butter is combined with crumbs, about 10 1 second pulses. 4. Remove the lid and processor blade. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the crumb mixture into a foil-lined baking pan. 5. Press crumbs into an even layer covering on
the bottom of the baking pan, then use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to press crumbs firmly into the pan until very flat. 6. Place the baking pan in the oven. Bake until the crust begins to brown at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let the crust cool for at least 15 minutes. (Do not turn off oven.)
For the filling: ▢ 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
▢ 1⁄4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, softened
▢ 1 tablespoon 1. Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk condensed milk, softened cream cheese, lime zest and juice, egg yolk and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth. 2. Pour the filling evenly over cooled crust. Spread the filling into an even layer to the corners of the pan and smooth the
grated lime zest plus 1⁄2 cup juice (zested and squeezed from 4 limes)
▢ 1⁄2 cup (1 1⁄2 ounces)
▢ 1 large egg yolk
▢ Whipped cream,
▢ Pinch salt top. Transfer to the oven and bake until the filling is set and no longer jiggles when the pan is shaken gently, 15 to 20 minutes. 3. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan and on the wire rack for 2 hours. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the bars are
sweetened shredded coconut, toasted, optional optional
chilled and firm, at least 2 hours or up to two days. 4. Remove the bars from the refrigerator and remove the plastic. Use foil to lift the bars out of the baking pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares. Top squares with toasted coconut or whipped cream (if using) and serve.
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
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24 | T H E B A C K PA G E
MAYO CLINIC: Various treatments for bunions →FROM 22
When a bunion becomes painful – or if it causes other bothersome symptoms – you should make an appointment to evaluate it. Typically, foot and ankle surgeons are best suited to assess a bunion and help you decide on the appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, more conservative treatment or no treatment may be recommended before any surgical intervention. During your visit, the provider should determine if the underlying cause of your foot pain is associated with your bunion. In some cases, it may be an internal problem, such as degenerative or inflammatory arthritis. In other cases, the pain could be from an external source, such as pressure from tight or ill-fitting shoes. Treatment recommendations may be based in part on what's causing the pain. Nonsurgical treatment options, which usually are the first line of treatment for bunions, often include changing the type of shoes you wear. Roomy, comfortable shoes with plenty of space for your
toes will take pressure off a bunion and may ease pain. Adding padded inserts to your shoes distributes pressure more evenly when you move your foot, and that can reduce pain, too. You also can try bunion pads or braces to take pressure off the bunion. These pads are available without a prescription at most pharmacies and drug stores. However, the pain and deformity cannot be corrected permanently with pads or braces. Non-prescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may be useful, as well. In some cases, your surgeon might recommend a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation in the joint that could be triggering bunion pain. If pain or inability to perform your usual activities continues despite these more conservative measures, surgery may be necessary. This surgery seeks to correct the foot deformity, increase function and hopefully reduce pain. The specific procedure used will depend on your situation. You should see a foot
and ankle surgeon to discuss surgical options. Previously, bunion surgery meant a large incision and a long recovery, including the potential to be in a cast for up to six weeks. Over the past few years, innovations in surgical technique, equipment, technology and philosophy have made a less-invasive procedure possible with possibly faster recovery. Today, many surgeries require an incision of less than one-half inch, and patients can put at least some weight on the foot and walk within a few days. It is important to speak to your surgeon about the planned procedure, and review the expected outcome and healing timeline along with the potential benefits, risks and complications of the surgery. A bunion may occur on just one foot or on both feet, and the severity, symptoms and progression can vary greatly from one foot to the other. Therefore, let your symptoms, and a discussion with your health care provider, guide you as to the best treatment.
THE OBSERVER | Thursday, May 20, 2021
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