November 24, 2022

EDSS senior girls capture first regional basketball title

Atwood Observer Staff

BASKETBALL team captured its first-ever regional AAA championship with a 48-45 win over the St. Benedict Saints at Monday night’s final in Guelph.

The win follows a disappoint ing finish in the WCSSAA final in which they were defeated 42-33 by Waterloo-Oxford after a 10-0 season. It was that loss that helped propel the team to the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Associa tion (CWOSSA) championship, coach Matt Buckley said.

“I think the biggest thing for this outcome was losing that WCSSAA final. The girls had to refocus. They had to realize what they weren’t doing well, and they came out all tourna ment [long]. To go undefeated, with a level of competition CWOSSA offers is an unbeliev able accomplishment for them,” Buckley said

“So to cap off CWOSSA with a win and get to head to OFSAA is very special,” he added of the provincials, the Ontario Feder ation of School Athletic Associ ations.

Senior Delaney Cortes said the team was “down in the dumps” after the Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association finals.

“But we got to practice every day after WCSSAA. We were hungry this weekend coming into it. And we really weren’t too cocky like we were in league play. This weekend we just wanted to play and have fun and push it and get better. And I think that’s exactly what we did,” Cortes said.

The final was the second game in the tournament that the Lancers beat the Saints.

“Benny’s a great team, so we knew we had to play well.… They beat us in tournament play at the start of the season by quite a lot. And then we beat them in our first game of CWOSSA. So I think that definitely gave us a little bit of confidence when playing them today. We knew they are beatable, but they’re an amaz ing team. It was pretty even, it could have gone either way. We just worked really hard today. We had some people who showed up more than theirs,” she said.

EDSS also beat St. John’s College 61-55 in pool play and took a victory over Waterloo Oxford in the semi-final. The Lancers didn’t let any mistakes impact them, said Kaleohana Manalong.

“I really thought that our hard work and our defense throughout this entire tourna

Education workers reach deal with province

A TENTATIVE DEAL

BETWEEN THE province and 55,000 education workers averted more strike action that could have closed schools as was the case earlier this month.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) reached an accord Sunday with the provincial government and the Council of Trustees’ Asso ciations. Ratification votes are now underway.

The union represents support workers, including custodians, educational assistants and early childhood educators, who were off the job for two days –November 4 and 7 – after the province passed the pre-emp tive Bill 28, which used the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to make a strike illegal and tried to impose a new contract on the union.

After Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Stephen Leece promised to rescind the bill, CUPE called off the strike and both sides went back to the bargaining table. However talks appeared on the verge of breaking down again when CUPE once again gave the required five-day strike notice on November 16. That would

Bill

THE EDSS SENIOR GIRLS’

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CWOSAA championship plaque after a 48-45 win over St. Benedict on Monday. The first-ever title gave players plenty of reason to celebrate. Bill Atwood

Bill Atwood Observer Staff

News tips are always welcome.

Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com Online: observerxtra.com/tips

Wellesley council this week approved the rezoning of a Crosshill property to permit dry industrial uses on land previously designated agricultural. The four-acre parcel, which had been designated for such purposes in the official plan, is slated to be used for a trucking business, including parking, garage space and storage units.

A spate of collisions this week reinforced that winter road conditions have arrived and are here to stay. With hundreds of minor collisions reported across Waterloo Region during the past week, regional police and emergency response personnel have been kept busy with incidents ranging from fender benders to major incidents. From the Nov. 23, 2002 edition of The Observer

Hospitals see increase in emergency visits

Bill Atwood Observer Staff

18 years of age

are visiting the emergency department at Grand River Hospital with respiratory illnesses has nearly tripled this year compared to 2021. From April through September of this year

there were 1,242 patients who went to the emergency department, up from 456 over the same period last year.

The number of pediatric patients being admitted to the hospital for respiratory illness has also gone up over the same timeframe, with 28 kids in GRH last year versus 156 this year, a 457 per cent increase. The

No consensus on testing protocol for Canagagigue Creek

THE LONGSTANDING DEBATE OVER THE remediation of the Canagagigue Creek has no resolution in sight.

Everyone agrees there is ongoing contamination coming from the bank eroding on the west side of creek. But there’s no agreement about the Stroh Drain on the east side.

The Stroh Drain is a manmade ditch that was built sometime in the 1980s near the southeast corner of the Lanxess chemical plant property, and begins on the neighbouring property owned by Ron Stroh. It connects a lower-lying piece of land on the east side of the property nicknamed “The Gap,” and moves through the Stroh property, then across the Martin property before emptying into the Canagagigue Creek, which in turn flows into the Grand River.

The debate centers around whether or not The Gap and the Stroh Drain

are currently significantly contributing to ongoing contamination of the Canagagigue Creek.

Much of the Lanxess property was formerly used by previous owners of the chemical factory as a dumping ground for toxic waste, including the east side. Wastes from the creation of herbicides used to make Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals were disposed there.

According to a 2021 report by one of Lanxess’ environmental consultants, five pits were built on the east side of the property beginning in the 1940s, along with other waste management areas. These pits remained more or less active until 1969-1970. Two of them were open until late 1990.

While these pits were active, company staff “relied heavily on evaporation and soil seepage to reduce liquid volumes. Intermittent overflow from the pits was directed into open ditches or furrows.”

increase comes as cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in kids are going up across the province.

“Those numbers tell us that more people are coming into the hospital for care and they are sicker,” said GRH president and CEO Ron Gagnon.

As of Tuesday, there

were seven kids in the emergency department waiting for a bed, with 15 in the in-patient unit. The pediatric ward at GRH is funded for 12 beds, Gagnon said.

The hospital has also cancelled 10 or 12 tonsillectomies scheduled for November and December.

The emergency department at GRH is experi-

encing higher volumes overall. There’s been a 20 per cent increase in unique patient visits and 10 per cent increase overall compared to pre-pandemic levels. It is also seeing more patients who are going through more life-threatening situations.

“We triage patients when they come to the → HOSPITALS 4

emergency room from our triage category one, which is essentially life threatening, to a triage category five, which is much less urgent and could likely be cared for in the community. In our three highest acuity categories, they are up 20 per cent from where they were pre-COVID-19, so that’s a significant

Federal funding for a pair of St. Jacobs sites

Leah Gerber Observer Staff

KITCHENER-CONESTOGA MP TIM LOUIS

WAS busy in St. Jacobs on Saturday. He presided over the grand opening of the Queensway Garden space adjacent to the libary, and made a speech at the Three Sisters’ Cultural Centre.

Both events were due to federal funding

received from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

The St. Jacobs Business Improvement Area received $120,000 from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund for the park space beside the St. Jacobs Library on Queensway Drive, which was completed this year.

The Three Sisters

Cultural Centre received $400,000 from the agency’s Tourism Relief Fund. Jacqueline Rula, one of the founders of the centre, said the funds will go toward offering arts programming to the community.

“Parks are a place for us to gather and make our community stronger,” said Louis at the event. “I look forward to many, many happy days and moments

here.”

The Three Sisters Cultural Centre is a former tire garage, now transformed into an arts space. There are studio spaces available for artists to rent while also allowing interaction with customers at the same time. It is also an event and community space for workshops, community and music events.

If it matters to you. It matters to us.

Crosshill development From the archives

Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis with Adrienne Carter, Jacqueline Rula and Roberta Bielak of Three Sisters Cultural Centre in St. Jacobs during an event Saturday. Leah Gerber

Leah Gerber

Observer Staff

According to the report, the drainage from the seepage of these pits was directed overland in open ditches that drained to former gravel pits at the south end of the property. However it can be noted the swampy area, or the Gap, is relatively close to the pits.

The Woolwich Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is a group of experts who keep tabs on the remediation process and offer advice to township council and others involved in the process. TAG member Sebastian Siebel-Achen bach has long been involved with the remedi ation efforts related to the chemical plant in Elmira.

Siebel-Achenbach argues that before the ponds were lined and capped, it is likely “effluent was deliberately allowed to overflow and channeled through a furrow southwards into a lower lying swampy area [The Gap].”

“Further proof that this became a man-made conduit was the construc tion of the “agricultural ditch” – what we call the

‘Stroh Drain.’ This was constructed sometime in the 1980s as it doesn’t exist in aerial maps prior,” he said.

“The location is the give away. It was laid within ten metres of the property line on the Stroh side right next to the Gap. I surmise that the swamp discharged into the drain which took the toxins downstream into the small Martin Creek, which then discharges into the Canagagigue.”

Sediment testing was done in the drain in 2020 by environmental consultants on behalf of Lanxess, which now owns and operates the chemical factory formerly operated by Uniroyal, Crompton and Chemtura. The drain was sampled at two points near the top and bottom. Four samples were taken, two between zero and ten centimetres in depth, and two between ten and 30 centimetres at each site.

Three of the four sedi ment samples came back with higher dioxin and furan levels than permitted by provincial guidelines. In one case, 28 times higher.

The Ministry of Envi ronment Conservation and Parks also studied the area of the Stroh Drain in 2020. This study included two sites, one closer to where the drain enters the Canagagigue Creek, and one further up the drain. The sediment samples were taken with a shovel and between zero to five centi metres in depth.

The ministry’s study found that the amount of DDT was lower further up the drain. The report’s authors suggest that this is due to “an influence from the creek (e.g. from very high flow events that deposit sediments from the creek into the ditch).” The same was found for dioxin and furan levels in the ditch.

“The ditch itself does not appear to be a source of dioxins/furans to the creek as levels at DITCH 2 were lower than DITCH 1 and overall levels in the ditch were not much higher than those measured in the creek,” read the report.

In a TAG meeting earlier this month, Siebel-Achen bach argued the Stroh Drain

should be further investi gated. He said none of the testing of the drain so far has been thorough enough to determine if it is a signif icant pathway of contami nation, continually leaking contaminants into the creek from The Gap. That’s because sampling only took place up to 30 centimetres in depth. Siebel-Achenbach is advocating for more meticulous testing.

To Siebel-Achenbach, thorough testing means “getting an independent company to do profession al-grade sampling along the entire route, from when the pipe protrudes from the ground to when the liquid discharges into the Cana gagigue Creek. We are not talking only about sedi ment sampling, but also of surrounding soils from surficial levels to depths that go down several metres to determine the potential extent of the contamina tion.

“Yes, this costs money, but to my way of thinking it is potentially well spent if we find contaminants of concern in that pathway. I’d rather know this now rather

than after some of the creek has been remediated only to be re-contaminated because we didn’t factor in this pathway.

“Why not get a definitive answer?” he asked.

Not every TAG member concurs, however.

Referring to the study done by Lanxess, commit tee chair Tiffany Svensson said, “There are greater exceedances in other loca tions along the creek and one needs to consider the background concentrations as well. These are sediment results, which means they can/ likely do move with the water moving in the creek or drain. The fact that the lower concentrations are ‘upstream’ in the drain and that both the shallow and deep samples at this upstream location are about the same magnitude would suggest that there is not a significant source in the catchment area of the drain.”

Svensson’s line of think ing is if the Stroh Drain was a significant contributor of contamination, there would be higher amounts of contamination further up

the drain, closer to The Gap, the possible source, but the highest levels of contami nation are near where the Stroh Drain empties into the creek.

Svensson also argues that although the amounts of contamination in the Stroh Drain exceeded govern ment standards by 28 times, there were other areas in the study area that were far higher. For example, one area studied just south of the Lanxess property showed contamination 182 times higher than regula tion levels.

Michael Mackin, a spokesperson for Lanxess, says The Gap and the Stroh Drain have both been inves tigated and that Lanxess staff have evaluated the data extensively.

“We had confirmed the relative absence of impacts in these areas, providing the workplans and results with TAG and MECP (which concurred with the results). RAC (Remediation Advisory Committee) and TAG previously asked if we planned to further sample the area, however the data

HOSPITALS: ER dealing with more respiratory illnesses among children

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increase,” Gagnon said.

St. Mary’s General Hospital announced last week that due to heavy patient volumes they were limiting the number of people accompanying those who need emer gency care. Gagnon said that could also happen in the GRH emergency department.

In a November 17 statement, St. Mary’s emergency department said it “must temporarily limit the number of people accompanying patients to the department except in exceptional circum stances.”

That includes patients who are critically ill (as identified by the clinical team) or who are near end of life, those experienc ing a mental health crisis and acutely ill patients requiring treatment in the emergency department.

St. Mary’s will also permit partners provid ing care to a patient who would be at risk if the care partner was not available.

According to Gagnon there are a number of factors that have led to the increase of emer gency room visits and bed occupancy in the pedi atric ward. This includes the removal of pandemic restrictions that were in place the last two flu seasons.

“[Those measures] actually keep respiratory illnesses down, not just COVID-19 but also flu, also RSV. Now that we’ve opened things up… the opportunity for illness to spread is [higher] than what it’s been the last few winters and we’re seeing some of that pressure right now,” Gagnon said.

GRH has also seen the number of people it treats who lack primary care increase by one third since before COVID, according to Gagnon. There have also been limited investments in increasing health capac ity over the last 20 years, he added.

“Whether that’s at the community level, the primary care level, in acute care over the last number of decades, investments have been limited…. That means with that capacity you see the system struggling to respond to surges and linked to underinvestment and capacity. Directly linked to that is an under investment in health and human resources.”

The situation is only going to get worse as Waterloo Region’s popu lation ages, Gagnon said. However his call for more investments came on the same day that Mike Harris MPP for Kitchener-Cones toga and Jess Dixon MPP for Kitchener South-Hes

peler announced $5.4 million in funding for hospital upgrades and repairs, with GRH getting $1.5 million and St. Mary’s getting $3.9 million.

GRH has taken a number of steps to combat the chal lenges it is facing including moving them throughout the hospital, Cheryl Evans, manager of communica tions and engagement, said via email.

“When we are over capacity, patients can move throughout the hospital depending on the care they need, and quite often patients start their care in the emergency department while they are waiting for an inpatient bed,” Evans said.

“Like all hospitals across the province, we work daily with regional and provincial partners to manage inpatient beds and staffing to ensure that patients get the care they need,” Evans added.

While GRH has been transferring pediatric patients to other hospitals in the region and province, Gagnon acknowledged the negative impact it can have.

“It has an impact on anyone when they have to move from one commu nity to another to get safe and high quality care and it has an impact on their family for sure. And we don’t jump to that as a first

resort. However, we want to make sure that children who come to us for care are getting safe care in the right environment,” he said.

This is not a new strategy Evans said. “As Ontario hospitals face increased patient volumes and acuity, it is becoming more important.”

The hospital is also encouraging parents to seek other options for their children if they cannot wait for a primary care appointment or if they do not have access to a family doctor. This includes walk-in clinics.

“If you need care from the emergency depart ment, please be prepared to wait. We will provide everyone with care but we will see the sickest patients first,” Evans said.

However, Gagnon said he can empathize with parents who may feel like they don’t have any other option.

“My grandson was sick a couple of weeks ago and my anxiety levels were high. That said, there are a number of really good services and options to the emergency room if your child doesn’t need emergent care. If your child needs emergent care, please do come to the ED and you will get timely quality care when you’re there.”

CREEK: Some environmental watchdog group members have a different take on the next steps in remediation

Waterloo Regional Police warn of distraction thefts

Waterloo Regional Police issued an alert to the public after receiving several reports of distrac tion theft-related inci dents within the region.

Between Nov. 16 and 17, four reports were received from victims who have had their wallets stolen from their purses after being distracted by small talk or questions in a store or shortly after exiting a store.

In one instance, a victim was exiting a store in the area of Ottawa Street South and Fischer-Hall man Road in Kitchener when an unknown suspect engaged them in conversation. After the suspect left, the victim noticed their wallet was

NOVEMBER 18

3:51 PM | WRPS continue to investigate two suspi cious vehicle incidents in Wellesley Township. On Nov. 6 at approximately 5 p.m., a suspicious vehi cle was observed in the area of Lichty Road and Schummer Line. The vehi cle was believed to have been following a female youth that was also in the area. The driver and passenger of the vehicle did not approach or speak to the female and the vehi cle then left the area. The vehicle was described as a smaller black fourdoor car, possibly an older model. On Nov. 15 between 8:40 a.m. and 9 a.m., a suspicious vehi cle was observed in the area of Hutchinson Road and Ayrshire Lane. It was reported that the driver of a black van had parked near a group of children waiting for a school bus. The driver did not speak or approach the children and then left the area once the school bus arrived. Officers are looking to identify and speak to the individuals that were in both of these vehicles. Anyone with information or video of the incident is encouraged to call police

BASKETBALL:

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ment really helped us win today. It was just great competition,” Manalong said.

The Lancers worked hard all season to achieve the CWOSSA victory, Manalong added.

“These girls on Elmira are just amazing people and players, so it’s

missing from their purse. The victim’s stolen debit card was then used to make purchases and cash withdrawals. The victim’s PIN was used during these transactions, indi cating that the victim may have been observed by the suspect while paying for their purchases in the store.

While these fraudsters will take advantage of anyone, it appears that the suspects are targeting elderly females.

Waterloo Regional Police are reminding the public to be cautious and protect themselves by following these tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Shield your PIN

at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.waterloocrimestop pers.com.

NOVEMBER 19

12 : 15 AM | Water loo Regional Police laid charges following a colli sion on Shantz Station Road near Vance Road east of Breslau. The investiga tion determined that the driver of a blue BMW lost control and left the road way. The vehicle entered the ditch and flipped onto its hood. No one was injured, but the driver, a 29-year-old Cambridge man, was arrested and charged with ‘operation while impaired’ and ‘opera tion while impaired - blood alcohol concentration.’

Police believe there were other vehicles also in the ditch at the time of the incident, including a black Honda Civic. Investigators are looking to speak to witnesses that were in the area at the time of the colli sion. Anyone with infor mation or dash camera footage of the incident, is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477.

honestly so rewarding that all the hard work really paid off,” she said.

Cortes said she “literally had shivers” about being a CWOSSA champion.

“Winning CWOSSA in my senior year, I had WCSSAA my junior year, nothing in between so we wanted to get a plaque this year somehow.”

as you make a purchase or cash withdrawal at an ATM

• If someone appears suspicious and randomly tries to engage in a conver sation, pay close attention to your property

• If someone is crowding you in a checkout line, don’t be afraid to ask them to respect your space

• If you are unnec essarily bumped or crowded, be aware that a distrac tion theft might be occurring and check your valu ables

NOVEMBER 20

11:15 AM | Emergency services responded to the area of Nafziger Road and Erbs Road in Wilmot Township for reports of a collision. Police deter mined that the driver of a Ford sedan had lost control and drove into oncoming traffic, colliding with an SUV. The driver of the Ford, a 16-year-old Waterloo girl, was trans ported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger, a 53-year-old Waterloo man, was also trans ported to a local hospital with non-life-threaten ing injuries. The driver of the SUV, a 20-year-old Wilmot woman, reported no physical injuries. Nafziger Road was closed for several hours for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing . Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may have dash camera video footage is asked to call the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Unit at 519-570-9777, ext. 8856.

12 : 21 PM | A collision brought emergency crews to Hawkes ville Road between

• Keep your personal items within your eyesight while shopping, and do not leave any items unattended

• Be cautious if someone offers to help you bag or carry items you have purchased

• Report any suspi cious activity to police

If you have been a victim of a distraction theft and have not yet reported the incident to police, please do so by calling 519-570-9777. If you have any information regarding any fraudulent activity, please report it to police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Three Bridges Road and Northside Drive, St. Jacobs. Police deter mined that a driver of a Honda Odyssey was trav elling east on Hawkes ville Road when they veered off the roadway and struck a hydro pole. The driver, a 47-year-old Woolwich Township man, was uninjured. A 12-yearold passenger was trans ported to an out-of-region hospital with serious but non-life-threatening inju ries. Anyone who may have witnessed the colli sion or may have dash camera video footage is asked to call the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Unit at 519-5709777, ext. 8856.

NOVEMBER 21

4:04 PM | Emergency services responded to the area of Listowel Road and Three Bridges Road in Woolwich Township for reports of a single-vehi cle collision. The driver lost control and went into the ditch. The roads were slippery and icy at the time of the collision. The driver was trans ported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no charges laid.

EDSS is now off to the OFSSA championship in Belle River. The tourna ment will include 13 of the best AAA teams from across the province, with the 10th ranked Lancers opening today (Thursday) against fourth-ranked Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School from London. With the short

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have sent workers back to the picket lines on Monday if a new deal was not reached by 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU) central bargaining committee, negotiating for 55,000 frontline education workers, was able to reach a middle ground with the Ford government and the Council of Trust ees’ Associations (CTA) on wages. Despite that progress, the government refused to invest in the services that students need and parents expect, precipitating this escala tion,” the union said in a statement.

“From the beginning, we’ve been focused on improved jobs for education workers and improved services for students. For us, there is no one without the other,” said Laura Walton, presi dent of CUPE-OSBCU, in the release.

“It’s incredibly disap pointing that the Ford government categorically refused to put money on the table to give students the type of learning envi ronment they need.”

According to CUPE the new deal includes a wage increase of $1 per hour in each year of a four-year collective agreement and will result in an average increase of 3.59 per cent for all union members each year. For the lowest paid workers, it will result in a wage increase of 4.2 per cent each year of the deal.

The workers will also receive pay for the two days they were off the job, however the new deal does not contain any of the investments for students CUPE was call ing for. Walton claimed that the deal is no differ ent than what was offered last week.

This is not a win for governments or educa tion unions, Leece said

“It’s a win for Ontario families who finally have

peace of mind knowing their children will remain in the classroom,” he said in a statement.

“After two and a half years of unprecedented disruptions, nothing matters more than stability in our schools.

We are pleased to have reached a deal today that will make sure kids are in class catching up on their learning.”

However Walton does not share that same opti mism, saying the govern ment was unwilling to move any further.

“As a mom, I don’t like this deal; as a worker I don’t like this deal; as the president of the OSBCU, I understand why this is the deal that is on the table. I think it falls short,” she told reporters on Sunday.

The new deal still has to be ratified by union members. According to CUPE all 67 local chap ter presidents adopted a motion to accept the deal on Tuesday and all members will vote on the deal starting today (November 24) until December 5.

CUPE does not repre sent any education work ers at the public school board, meaning they were not impacted by the two-day strike. However as CUPE Local 2512 represents workers at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, students had two days of remote learning during the strike earlier this month and would have moved back to remote learning if the workers walked out again.

A spokesperson with the school board declined an interview request.

“Other than to say we are grateful the two sides have reached an agree ment and schools can remain open, the agree ment actually still needs to be ratified in a vote by CUPE members, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for the board to speak about it at this time,” said chief managing officer John Shewchuck.

turnaround, Buckley said preparation will focus on repeating the experience of the CWOSSA tourna ment.

“It’s more taking the lessons that we learned through this tournament and trying to apply them at an even higher level,” he said.

Continuing their hard

work will be the key to success. “Whatever the outcome is, I’m just so really proud of this team,” said Manalong.

“I know we can be a good team in OFSAA. We can make it all the way to the end so we just got to work hard and keep our confidence up and keep working,” added Cortes.

EDSS senior girls’ basketball coach Matt Buckley. Bill Atwood

CUPE: Tentative deal is still subject to membership ratification vote

Lancers have to take their recent experience and quickly adapt it for what awaits at provincials

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OBSERVER EDITORIAL

Inquiry needed to check gov't power, not justify convoy

Government overreach, especially invoking special powers that place restrictions on the public, is to be avoided.

From that angle, the Public Order Emergency Commission looking into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act makes sense. If the exercise was just a matter of taking a too-big stick to the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protestors, most Canadians have few concerns.

Those who descended on Ottawa last winter were in theory truck drivers opposed to vaccine mandates. The protest quickly morphed into a wider anti-government affair joined by all kinds of groups unrelated to trucking. Not, of course, that the truckers did themselves any favours with their disruptive tactics: this was no simple protest on Parliament Hill.

More troubling was the presence of extremist groups. The initial antics in Ottawa quickly grew, fuelled by social media and the influx of millions of dollars, typically from US-based far-right groups. This was no grassroots rally, but an astroturfed event.

The “others” there outnumbered truckers, themselves only a small minority of truck drivers. The Canadian Truck Alliance, which disavowed the convoy, said fewer than 10 per cent of drivers were unvaccinated and therefore subject to cross-border restrictions, the ostensible root of the protest.

It’s clear that backlashes against public health measures in the vein of the convoy are rooted in a longstanding movement that combined libertarianism with a mistrust of government and officials in general. Not a populist movement, it was the creation of those with economic goals they saw could be fostered by tampering with politics.

The protest had little, if any merit. The antics on the streets of Ottawa were far too disruptive and had to be ended. Was the Emergencies Act needed? Probably not, but that makes the government’s actions open to scrutiny, not conspiracy theories, the go-to argument of extremists.

The current inquiry is looking at the appropriateness of invoking the act. If the event deemed a “siege” by the chief of police and an “occupation” by the premier was just about rowdy truckers – though rowdy doesn’t seem to cover the actions at the Cenotaph and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, not to mention the presence of Nazi flags – then the Emergencies Act was an overreach. That would have been a local policing issue.

What became more difficult to square were threats against officials, the collection of potentially dangerous materials and the prospect of extremist activities. At one point, organizers were not only making ridiculous requests to “negotiate” with the government, but were calling on the governor general, for instance, to disband the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Given the events of Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, officials could be forgiven for drawing parallels when doing a threat assessment. That Canada has a much less polarized population – and far, far, far fewer guns – than in the US weighed in favour of a civil-society outcome, but the possibilities had to be explored.

Social-media amplification took what should have been a small, largely bogus and irrelevant “protest” from a simple local police matter to something on the radar of national security agencies such as CSIS.

Decades of effort to undermine the status quo – in some cases deservedly, though that was not always the intent – made almost inevitable the politicization of fights we’ve seen about vaccines, mask mandates and other measures put in place to combat the pandemic. Organized extremist groups did take advantage of the climate, that was clear. What remained an unknown was just how out of hand the situation might get.

Maybe there was an overreaction in using the Emergencies Act, though the actual application was muted and had no tangible impact on the vast majority of Canadians. Government power must always be checked, but that doesn’t mean every protest is valid.

After

Some 35% of Canadians expect to spend less on holiday gifts this season, while 31% will spend about the same amount as the prior year. One in ten (9%) say they do not purchase holiday presents, 19% haven’t yet considered how much they will spend, and 7% expect to spend more.

Ipsos poll

COP 2, the glass is half full

As after every climate summit, the air is filled with shouts of rage and despair. What was agreed was unclear and inadequate, and what was left undecided or simply ignored was vast and terrifying. For example, they still haven’t managed to agree that the world needs to stop burning fossil fuels.

What? Isn’t that what this whole travelling circus is about? The climate is getting hotter because we’re burning fossil fuels for energy, soon people will be dying in large numbers, in 20 or 30 years entire countries will become uninhabitable, so stop! Alternative energy sources are available! Act now, or global disaster will happen!

Yes, that’s what it’s about, and every year tens of thousands of politicians, experts, campaigners and lobbyists trek to a different location –Glasgow last year, Sharm-alSheikh this year, the United Arab Emirates next year – to debate and decide how to deal with this literally existential threat.

And in all those 27 years they haven’t even managed to mention the name of the threat? No, they haven’t. Last year, for the first time, they actually inserted the word ‘coal’ into the final report – we will eventually ‘phase it down’ (not

‘out’), they said – but the words ‘gas’ and ‘oil’ are still taboo.

This is what you get when a global institution is ruled by consensus. Everybody has a veto, including the coal-, gasand oil-dependent countries – and the short-term interests of some (money and rapid fossil-fueled economic growth) clash with everybody’s longterm interest in not experiencing a huge population die-back and civilizational collapse.

Oh, well. This is the price you pay for belonging to a species still emerging from a long tribal past that has developed a high-tech, high-energy civilization before it was culturally equipped to manage it. Do the best you can, and hope that it will be enough.

So much for the philosophy. What actually happened at Sharm-al-Sheikh?

After the inevitable all-night negotiations (two all-nighters, in fact), they managed to agree on a new fund that will recompense poor countries that suffer ‘loss and damage’ from extreme climate events. The money will come from the developed countries whose historic and current emissions are the reason for the

damage.

Pakistan’s catastrophic floods made it this year’s poster boy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the conference: “Despite seven times the average of extreme rain in the south, we struggled on as raging torrents ripped out 8,000 km. of [paved] roads, damaged over 3,000 km. of railway track, and washed away standing crops on four million acres.

“We became a victim of something with which we had nothing to do, and of course it was a man-made disaster.... How on Earth can one expect from us that we will undertake this gigantic task on our own?”

“‘Loss and damage’ is not charity; it’s climate justice,” said Pakistan’s climate envoy Nabeel Munir, and this time the message got through. That’s about par for the course: if you bring up the same obvious injustice at the climate summits every year for a decade or so, eventually those who did the harm and should pay the price will admit that you have a case.

It should now take only two or three more years to set up the new ‘loss and damage ‘ agency and agree on the rules for who pays how much into it each year, and exactly what qualifies as climate-related damage

...

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

observerxtra.com/staff

“Watching Elon Musk reveal himself in recent weeks to be the world’s richest buffoon has certainly been entertaining. However, it could lead to the conclusion that billionaires are silly but harmless — which is far from the truth. Yes, they are often silly. But they are rarely harmless. Indeed, they’re among the most dangerous people to walk the earth.”

Author Linda McQuaig makes the case for wealth taxes.

ANALYSIS OF CURRENT WORLD EVENTS

GWYNNE DYER Global Outlook on World Affairs

Even in a time of restraint, politicians and bureaucrats show little

One would think very few bureaucrats and politicians start out looking to work the system. Some are looking for an easy ride, others the road to power. Most might want to make a difference. In the end, they’re simply sucked into the black hole that is the political system, from ineffective school boards through to the federal government and the plethora of international organizations.

Such is the nature of the beast, with seemingly no one working to correct the situation.

In the recent case, for instance, of Waterloo Region councillors voting to give themselves life time benefits at taxpayer expense, the justifica tions all came off as weak and self-serving. The public backlash was quick and voluminous. It will likely prompt a reversal.

If only we had such vigilance on the entire range of municipal spending, as local bureaucracies suffer from numerous cases of self-dealing in the form of bloat and uselessness.

Just new, local munic ipalities are gearing up for the arrival of new councillors, all of whom will almost immediately be forced into the deep end of budget talks. Such “deliberations” will include some long discus sions of minor budget items, leading at times to easy cutting around the edges, but little regard for the bigger items, which are glossed over quickly.

Township councils are not as profligate as the regional body, which in turn is not as wasteful as the provincial and federal governments. Municipal government also has another advantage when it comes to reducing its size: it has no deficits

to contend with, which means its cuts will trans late into immediate tax savings rather than going to pay down the results of past spending deci sions. And rolled-back budgets are essential just now given inflationary pressures on the local citizenry.

There is, however, an inherent resistance to downsizing within bureaucracies. When cuts do come, they typically involve frontline staff, not management and other entrenched bureaucrats. Those affected tend to get lower pay while doing the actual work that is of value to the public. In that light, cuts don’t save as much money as they could, hurt services to the

people paying the freight and maintain manage ment layers that provide little, if any value.

Municipal councils all around the region will soon be busy working on their budgets, as taxpay ers wait to hear how much more they’ll be forced to pay for no more – and probably less – than they got last year.

Any talk of reversing years of above-inflation tax increases – leaving aside poorly rationalized utility fee increases – and rolling back both staff numbers and payroll is met with the utmost resistance. Apologists, both staff and politi cians, quickly resort to saying any changes would result in cuts to frontline services, as if that’s the only recourse ... and a truth in and of itself. It’s not.

Citizens, however,

might have other sugges tions rather than such cuts, starting with roll backs of council pay and extending to layoffs and reductions of salaries. A multi-year freeze, at any rate.

That’s beyond the pale for bureaucrats.

Given that wages make up the largest single oper ating expense for munic ipalities, local councils are predisposed to pass on those costs to taxpay ers without a second thought.

While most of us realize tax increases are inevita ble over the long term due to the increased costs for real, hard goods, not just featherbedding, the key is to make them worth while.

As has been pointed out on numerous occa sions, fees for municipal services such as water and sewers are rising at

rates well above infla tion, as is the case with other utilities. The key to helping residents cope with those increases is to cut other spending so that the net cost is zero. So, if water costs the average resident another $100 a year, property taxes – i.e. other spending – should be cut by a commensurate amount.

The idea is to iden tify the most essential of services offered to residents, then to begin trimming away at every thing else.

As with governments of all stripes, program bloat and internal entitlements become entrenched. In budget deliberations, there is a rationale for every spending request. Taken in isolation, each may make sense, but it’s the role of elected officials to see the big picture, and to nip in the

bud empire-building and incremental growth.

This is not a call for wholesale hacking and slashing. We need services. We have to pay for them. Where needs shift into wants, we’ve got more leeway. Where spending does not directly benefit the bulk of the citizenry, the axe should fall.

Longstanding prac tices of ignoring the public good has led to taxpayer fatigue, adding fuel to those who call for wholesale dismantling of government services.

It’s something new councillors in particular must keep in mind as municipalities work on their budgets. Realis tically, the only way to cover the massive costs for essential, hard infra structure programs while freezing or even cutting taxes is to cut services. That means there are decisions to be made about what to cut and by how much. Of course, there may be places where residents are prepared to pay massive tax increases to keep going as they have in the past, but I’m certainly not willing to bet on it.

Staff immediately tries to change the channel if such things are even hinted at. That’s certainly the case at the region and, more visibly, at the provincial level, though the cash-strapped govern ment appears ready to cater to its unions rather than serving the public, wasting billions of dollars as a matter of course. Meanwhile, the debt continues to grow by the second.

Indefinite tax freezes are not feasible. But now would be a good time for politicians to show our money is being used wisely. Of late, we’re just not seeing that.

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STEVE KANNON Editor's Point of View

Given that new councillors quickly go from inaugural celebrations to budget deliberations, any honeymoon period can be short-lived.

Veganism is a widely popular and the self-righteous air of the diet is widely appealing.

There are variations on people practicing veganism including those who only eat junk-food.

Foods vegans avoid include honey, marshmallows, breakfast cereals, gummy candies, gum, some beer and wine.

ↆ LAST WEEK:

Truth: According to menshealthfoundation.ca small changes to mens lifestyle can add 9 years of life.

Truth: Travis Garone and Luke Slattery sparked the idea over a beer in Melbourne, Austrailia. Their first year in 2003 they enlisted 30 Mo Bros and made $0. In 2021 they had 6,886,128 participants.

Lie: A 1940’s studies surrounding heart disease linked high-fat diets to heart disease which was endorsed by the American Heart Association. Food companies created low-fat processed foods which persists today. Initial studies have yet to be replicated after hundreds of millions spent trying to get to the truth.

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.

eligible for compensa tion.

The biggest remaining question by far is what about China? It is still classed as a developing country and therefore automatically a victim, but actually it is a middle

-income country and the world’s single biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. It’s bigger than all the rest of the developed coun tries together, and almost three times bigger than the United States.

Should it be paying into the ‘loss and damage

To the Editor, Re: Reclaiming the rain bow for its original use –Debra Milan, The Observer – Nov. 10.

Debra Milan does not speak for all Christian churches when she states that members of LGBTQ+ are in opposition to Christian values. Many are people of faith and some are members of the clergy.

She is incorrect in stating that it is a political movement; it is, in fact, the reality of the diversity of human sexual identity throughout the world.

To apply the tenets of the 2,000-year-old Bible as a basis for non-acceptance of present-day scientific evidence is to choose to remain uninformed. It is a known fact that human sexuality is far more complex than just male and female.

All people need to be welcomed in all churches. All people want love and acceptance. All need family and friends. Saying that we will love them in spite of the fact that they

don’t act and believe as we do is mean-spirited and judgemental.

Let’s all enjoy rainbows. Whatever they mean to each of us is OK.

Heather Trakalo WEST MONTROSE

„ Bill 23 takes Ontario in the wrong direction

To the Editor, I am a senior citizen and grandfather to seven grandchildren. I have a responsibility toward them to make sure they will have clean air, clean water, abundant variety in wildlife and pristine natural areas.

The Conservative government of Ontario, under the leadership of Mr. Ford, is deliberately and unnecessarily silenc ing the voices of citizen groups on that responsi bility.

Bill 23 (Build Homes Faster) enshrines the rights of appeal to local municipal development applications for devel opers and utilities while denying the right of appeal for citizen groups and

‘fund, rather than claim ing money from it? And how about India? It’s only third in total emissions now, after the United States, but it will also probably overtake Amer ica in the next ten years.

So the titanic struggle over who pays for the

climate-linked loss and damage inflicted on the poorest countries will continue, but at least the next climate summit can also focus on other things. Just as well, because stopping at the ‘aspirational’ target of no more than a 1.5°C rise in

conservation authorities. Who takes the longer-term view? Isn’t it those people closer to the proposed development? Local folk? People who observe over decades, and know the land and water and how creation collaborates locally?

The recent official plans that resulted from the collaboration of many citizens’ groups and municipalities designed a future around sustainable 15-minute communities.

If Bill 23 passes in its current form, all that work goes into the trash. Bill 23 legislates urban sprawl.

The region’s 2022 official plan minimizes sprawl and shows the way needed for accommodation devel opment into the future. Those who immigrate to Canada are capable of living in more densely designed housing.

Bill 23 weakens our food and water sovereignty. How wise is it to sprawl development into farm lands that produce food and wetlands that keep our ground water purified? Natural areas protect us from flooding, yet these will all be opened to devel opment applications that

citizens and conservation authorities cannot appeal. The Conservative party’s proposals in Bill 23 are not preparing a healthy future for the next seven genera tions. Sprawl is not neces sary. Intensification is. Who will benefit from Bill 23? In my humble opinion, speculators who bought Greenbelt land during the Conserva tive Government’s first four years, knowing the Conservative Party was planning to ignore its promise to protect the Greenbelt from devel opment. So, I can only surmise that it is specula tors and developers and the Conservative party treasury that will benefit from Bill 23.

Bill 23 lacks the wisdom and citizen collaboration shown in several collab orative regional plans recently submitted. Bill 23 must become much wiser or go into the trash so we can celebrate the imple mentation of regional official plans.

Build wiser, Mr. Ford –Bill 23 just doesn’t make sense.

Neil Lackey WELLESLEY

average global tempera ture is probably a lost cause by now.

The ‘never-exceed’ hard target is no more than +2.0°C, because after that we lose control. The heating we have already caused will trigger warm ing ‘feedbacks’ in the

system that we cannot turn off, and away we go into the nightmare future. So it’s good to see them getting a little more reasonable each year at these summits. There’s still a very long way to go, but at least we’re moving in the right direction.

„ Enjoy rainbows for what they mean to you

DYER:

Real progress remains unlikely, but at least these conferences seem headed in a more useful direction

News that hits home. Local people in action.

Sports tips are always welcome.

Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com

Team Scores: observerxtra.com/scores

Kings offence dries up in a pair of losses

HAVING JUMPED UP A COUPLE of places in the Midwestern Conference standings to fourth, the Elmira Sugar Kings found themselves back where they started after a pair of losses last weekend.

On November 18 in Stratford, the team fell 3-1 to the Warriors. Two days later, the offense was quieter still in a 1-0 loss at home to the Ayr Centennials. Fans at the WMC had to wait until game’s end to take part in the hat-and-mitten toss, which usually sees bundles rain down on the ice after the Kings’ first goal – the shutout interrupted that plan.

The lack of scoring was largely due to playing with a short bench, said head coach Scott McMillan, noting the team had just 18 players – 10 forwards – through most of the weekend.

“We had 19 to start on Friday, but we lost a guy about the third shift of the game, so we basically had 10 forwards both nights. It’s just really, really hard to score when you only have that many bodies – guys just get tired. You can kind of effort your way to playing good defense, which we did, so credit to our guys, but it’s really tough to just effort your way to offense,” he said.

Last Friday’s game started well enough, with the Kings on the board first less than four minutes into

the game. Logan Crans’ ninth of the year came on the power play with the help of Jayden Lammel and Brock Reinhart, but that would be it for the scoring from the Elmira side.

The Warriors tied the game before the opening period was done, adding goals in each of the second and third frames to take the 3-1 win.

Shots were 21-18 in favour of the host team, which went 1-3 with the man advantage while the Kings were 1-5. Elmira goaltender Daniel Botelho stopped 18 in the losing cause.

With six power plays, the Kings had their chances on Sunday night at the WMC, but the sticks had gone cold. Both the first and second periods were scoreless, and the 0-0 tie remained in place until just past the three-minute mark of the third, when Ayr scored the game’s lone goal, an even-strength tally though the Centennials too had their power-play chances, going 0-5.

Netminder Hayden Sabourin stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced, but that wasn’t enough given that his counterpart at the other end of the ice, Brayden Gillespie, stopped all 17 to pick up the shutout.

The weekend was something of a learning experience for the young team, said McMillan, noting the large number of rookies.

“We’re proud of their effort, proud of the way

Woolwich Sun Rays in action

Leah Gerber Observer Staff

THIS YEAR HAILY DE CORTE, a player on the Woolwich Sun Rays hockey team, has a goal.

“I want to try and get a goal in the net this year, but I get intimidated sometimes when there’s a lot of people coming towards the net,” she said, adding she’ll have to push herself even further out of her comfort zone to play offensive, even when she is intimidated by her opponents.

De Corte says she hadn’t really thought of playing hockey before, but was introduced to the Sun Rays by her dad. Now, she’s glad she gave it a shot.

“It’s fun. I get to meet

new people and everyone on the team is nice. Our coach is nice. All the parents that come to our games are nice, everyone on the team is pretty friendly,” she said. “They listen to what we have to say, they always ask us how our weekend was or what we have been up to and, yeah, everyone’s really nice.”

This Sunday, although De Corte will be visiting family in the US, her teammates will represent Woolwich as they host the Cambridge Ice Hounds at the WMC in Elmira. The team is inviting everyone to come watch the action, which gets underway at 1 p.m.

Free popcorn and beverages will be provided by Elmira District Commu-

nity Living, which is celebrating its 60th year.

The Woolwich Sun Rays are a member of Special Hockey International. It’s a safe place for people with developmental disabilities to play the game.

“It really came out of noticing sort of a space in the Woolwich community for special needs hockey. And we worked with the then president of Woolwich Minor Hockey, Rob Waters, who was quite amenable and welcoming to the idea and he was supportive of getting something started,” said Julie Jamieson, president of the team.

“My history is that I have had an adult brother, who passed in →

In praise of drag shows

STEVE GALEA Not-So-Great

The other day I overheard Jenn and her sister talk about how much they enjoyed a drag show they had both viewed. I naturally assumed that meant they had watched a hunter haul a deer out of the woods.

It turns out I was wrong. That’s a shame, because as entertaining as they believe their drag shows to be, they have nothing on watching an out-of-shape middle-aged man try to haul a 150-pound buck up a steep hill to the road. You see, your typical drag show is a combination of spectacle, fancy footwork, physical exertion, the splits, unnatural movements, and many moments of raw emotion, insecurity, tears, and high drama. On the other hand, the kind Jenn and her sister watch merely requires make-up, heels, and a fabulous outfit –something many hunters would gladly wear if it got them out of dragging a deer.

Unfortunately, the drag show, as far as deer hunting is concerned, is almost a thing of the past these days. And you can thank the ATV for that.

That’s a shame because the prospect of dragging out a deer any distance at all was once the greatest boon to deer conservation. Back in those days, I knew guys who would not

Milverton-based Kyle Steckly is preparing to travel south to race in the Snowflake 100 at the 55th Annual Snowball Derby on Dec. 3. With 26 starts, 21 top tens, 16 top threes, and 6 wins under his belt this season alone, Steckly makes his American racing debut at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

The KW Titans will today introduce the team’s new owners and launch a community ownership initiative. The new owners are taking the reins from founding owner Leon Martin. The KW Titans basketball club was founded in 2016 by Martin, Ball Construction and Innosoft Canada Inc., and is heading into its sixth season.

Racer is Florida bound Titans change owners

Outdoorsman

The Woolwich Sun Rays are inviting the public to take in a game Sunday at the WMC. File photo

Steve Kannon Observer Staff

WOOLWICH WILDCATS

■ Atom U10 A

Nov/19/2022 vs Orangeville

Flyers

HOME: 2 VISITOR: 2

GOALS: Matteo Abate, Devin Vogel

ASSISTS: Devin Vogel, Mason Roadknight

■ Atom U11A Nov/20/2022 vs Orangeville Flyers

HOME: 10 VISITOR: 0

GOALS: Colton Cooney, Reid Denbok, Jack Frede, Julia Hallman (3), Hayden Hunter (2), Ryker Rozema, Xaiden Weber

ASSISTS: Dom Blake (2), Colton Cooney, Ben Ellis (2), Presley McFadden, Charlie Smith, Xaiden Weber

Shutouts: Will Manchur

■ Atom U10 A

Nov/22/2022 vs Halton Hills

Thunder

HOME: 3 VISITOR: 0

GOALS: Jack Frey (3)

ASSISTS: Daxton Habermehl, Brayden Clemmer

■ Bantam U15BB

Nov/18/2022 vs Milton Winterhawks White

HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2

GOALS: Adam Bloch, Sam Kruschat, Levi Adams ASSISTS: William Krubally, Alex Veitch, Adam Bloch, Josh Wraight

■ Bantam U15BB Nov/20/2022 vs Guelph Gryphons

HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1

GOALS: Adam Bloch, Carter Weir ASSISTS:Josh Wraight (2), Carter Weir, Charlie Basler

WOOLWICH WILD

■ Atom U11A

Nov/17/2022 vs Guelph Jr Gryphons

HOME: 4 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Sophie Hahn, Rowan Gelata, Haylee Zinken, Avery Robinson ASSISTS: McKenna Mackenzie-Taylor, Abbey Versteeg, Maggie McAdam SHUTOUTS: Kenzie Gun

■ Atom U11A Nov/19/2022 vs Stratford Aces

HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Charlie Wilson, Haylee Zinken ASSISTS: Emma Forwell, Samantha Maric SHUTOUTS: Kenzie Gunn ■ PeeWee U13A Nov/18/2022 vs Sault Ste. Marie

HOME:VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Audrey English, Megan Nixon, Taylor Rayfield (2), Elle Schwindt ASSISTS: Elle Schwindt, Ellie Clemmer, Seryna Hessels, Brynn Berfelz, Addison Gunn, Audrey English (2)

■ PeeWee U13A Nov/19/2022 vs Brantford Ice Cats

HOME: 5 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Ellie Clemmer, Addison Gunn, Rachel Heckendorn, Elle Schwindt, Audrey English ASSISTS: Lyla Naughton, Elle Schwindt, Brynn Berfelz, Addison Gunn,

McKenzie Rank

■ PeeWee U13A Nov/19/2022 vs Nepean Wildcats

HOME: 3 VISITOR: 0

GOALS: Audrey English, Taylor Rayfield, Rachel Heckendorn

ASSISTS: Mackenzie Rank, Rachel Heckendorn, Brynn Berfelz, Seryna Hessels, Taylor Rayfield

SHUTOUTS: Elle English

■ PeeWee U13A Nov/20/2022 vs Sault Ste. Marie

HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Taylor Rayfield, Addison Gunn, Audrey English

ASSISTS: Lyla Naughton, Brinley Fitzgerald, Elle Schwindt, Stella Grundy, Elle Schwindt

■ PeeWee U13A Nov/20/2022 vs Barrie Sharks

HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Megan Nixon, Eliie Clemmer (OT)

ASSISTS: Audrey English

GALEA: Dealing with the deer you took can quickly become a real drag

→ FROM 9 shoot any deer that was more than 15 yards from a navigable roadway. Ten, if it was an uphill drag.

Call me crazy, but I still welcome the challenge of dragging a deer through the woods – but only if it is to an ATV less than four yards away. Any further than that and I am generally welcoming death.

I actually did drag my deer about 100 yards uphill to the road this year – at a breakneck speed of about 25 yards an hour. I would have gone faster, if

not for a major disagreement between my lungs and back and the rest of my body. I also would have gone faster if I had an ATV.

The good news is the snow helped make the dragging job easier. Every time I overheated, I rolled in it.

Of course, age has much to do with that. It turns out that the middle-aged body is not meant to do these things. Oh, sure, you can do them, but it won’t like it. And it will tell you that for the next week or so.

Also, topography can present a problem, because while you think dragging a deer uphill is a good idea, gravity believes dragging it downhill is a better one.

None of this mattered when I was younger. Back then, I used to drag deer out all the time with not too much effort either. These days, it seems that the gravitational pull on deer has increased. Presumably, this is yet another climate change-related issue.

The point is dragging

out a deer is a chore, but watching one being dragged out is actually quite educational (you’ll learn colourful language and phrases you never knew existed). It is also enjoyable and entertaining – provided you do it from a well-concealed location. Otherwise, you will be asked to help.

That’s why I stop often when dragging out a deer to look around to see if I can catch anyone hiding. And also, if I am to be honest, to whimper and possibly roll in the snow.

SUN RAYS: Giving everyone a chance to get out on the ice to enjoy hockey

→ FROM 9

2011. He lived with Down syndrome. And he was a passionate sportsman. He never was able to play on a team but he was pretty enthusiastic about any sport: baseball, hockey, wrestling, of course, and so a real keen interest, but there was never really a place for him to belong to a team,” she said.

Jamieson says around 2013, Kitchener hosted a local special hockey tournament.

“So I learned a little more then about the fact that teams really do exist in the area around us. And I thought, ‘well, maybe there’s a way that Woolwich has space for something like that,’ and it turns out we did.”

The Sun Rays are named for her brother, Raymond.

The Woolwich Sun Rays provide a place where the developmentally challenged can achieve their own goals at their own pace, says Jamieson. “When mainstream hockey doesn’t fit, then there’s special hockey.”

The team is open to anyone with developmental disabilities, male and female, ages six and up. Players do not need to have hockey skills. With dedicated and compassionate volunteers and coaches, the players learn skills like how to skate, hold a stick, handle a puck, make a pass, take a shot and make a save. They learn at their own

pace and meet their own goals. Jamieson says that during a game, all players on both teams help and support each other.

This year there are 17 players on the team, and they range in age from 7 to 53, said Amber Carr, the team’s assistant coach.

Volunteers are always needed on or off the ice either helping with tasks like practice, passing out snacks, or helping with off-ice social events.

Carr says she’s been helping with special hockey for the better part of the last 12 years.

“I started in Hanover. I have a special needs sister. My dad started up a team in 2008 in Hanover, and then I started coaching there. And then when

I moved away from home, I moved to Palmerston and then I went over to Elmira,” she said.

“It’s so rewarding to see the players, how much they love getting out. It’s our Canadian sport, right? And they love it and I love watching them get involved in the community and playing hockey. I played hockey my whole life.”

De Corte encourages everyone to take in Sunday’s game.

“People should come and watch the Sun Rays just so they can get to know who we are and get to know us and support us and be there to cheer us on so we have the motivation to push ourselves,” she said.

KINGS: Kings look to bounce back in rematch in Ayr, then host Brantford

→ FROM 9

they battled shorthanded, so a pat on the back for that. They gained, I think, a little bit of understanding about starting the game with a little bit more urgency. Understanding that late in the game, it might be a little bit tougher, so coming out with a little bit more intensity and urgency early and hope to get out to a good start. We had a couple games this year where we were able to win with a short bench, but those were nights where

they’ve had a couple goals in the first and the start of the second, and then we’re playing defense in the third, which allowed us to kind of hang in there.”

McMillan said he expects to have a full lineup this weekend.

The Kings ( 12-11) will have a shot at payback tonight (Thursday) as they’re in Ayr for a rematch with the Centennials 12-10-0-1). On Sunday, they welcome the last-place Brantford Bandits (2-22-1) to the WMC. Game time is 7 p.m.

observerxtra.com/scores

Climate funding for UW Leadership award

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Forgotten, but not gone ... at least for now

Gerber Observer Staff

ALEXANDRA PORTER

OPENS AN OLD photo album and her eyes take in all the old rectangles across the pages. She says she likes to see what people notice when they take their photos.

Porter, a long-time employee, is running

Brian’s Foto Source for Brian McHugh and his family until it closes for good in December.

She places the album back down on the table among the stacks of envelopes in the front corner of the store. The corner contains hundreds of photos organized by name. A whole box is dedicated to the surname

Martin.

Brian’s Foto Source is closing for good December 16, and Porter still has piles and piles of photos that were never picked up. She has photos dated back to 2005.

“Some things don't have a name or only have one name. So I've kind of done the best I can to organize it for people. And then

we have a ton of miscellaneous, just photos that have been left here over the years,” she said.

“I've had a ton of people already find stuff, from their family or friends or people they know. And everybody's really excited to find stuff because it's so long ago. Nobody remembers what they are, right?”

If anyone ever came

into the store to get photos developed, Porter hopes they’ll come in and take a look for themselves, and even for family and friends. And it’s not just photos that are left to be picked up.

“We've got photo orders, photo albums, obviously the frames, CDs, USBs. I found a pair of children's sunglasses that were in an

envelope. Just anything that belongs to customers over the years, we've kept on the off chance that they come back,” said Porter.

Pickup can also be arranged for the week after the 16th, she says, but she’ll need to know ahead of time.

And what will happen to the photos left behind?

New centre is a big step forward for farmers’ wellbeing

Farmers have an appreciably higher degree of mental health challenges than the rest of the population. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.

Ground-breaking, landmark studies reaching back to 2016 by University of Guelph Prof. Andria Jones-Bitton revealed huge problems with Canadian farmers’ wellbeing. A 2020-2021 follow-up study by Rochelle Thompson, Dr. Briana Hagen and Jones-Bitton re-confirmed serious issues, including impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In both studies, farmers reported feeling more stressed, depressed and anxious than other Canadians. More of them than expected were suicidal.

Now, they didn’t talk about it much…and no one asked them, assuming everything was fine.

After all, they were hardy, resilient farm folks who knew how to find their way through crop failures, livestock disease and everything else that builds rural character, right?

Wrong. They were struggling mightily.

Before long, Jones-Bitton’s findings started making headlines. The very people we needed to be among the most stable in our society, to provide us with food, were in trouble. Little was being done, in

part, because the findings were so new.

But in time, expertise started to develop about the dilemma, with grassroots, rural Canada leading the way. Researchers found farmers valued simply talking, getting fear and anxiety out in the open, understanding you’re not alone.

Then last week, the drive towards managing the situation took a big step forward, with the unveiling of the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW).

This virtual centre is a not-for-profit organization designed to support farmers with a research-toaction approach to mental health. It will work with provincial and national

partners to advance farmer mental health research, clinical programming, education and advocacy.

The ag community will be pleased to see the word “action.” It will also be encouraged by what chief operating officer Marnie Wood, a University of Guelph alumnus with mental health management expertise, says are “several incredible projects on the go.”

She can’t talk about them much right now. But she says the first initiative will be updating In the Know, an award-winning, evidenced-based agricultural literacy workshop. It’s been facilitated across the country through several organizations, including the Ontario chapter of the

Canadian Mental Health Association.

“This update will focus on bringing mental health literacy to the postsecondary setting, providing preventative support to the industry,” says Wood.

And that’s a timely effort. At the University of Illinois, Jones-Bitton’s counterpart, Dr. Josie Rudolphi, is immersed in research about farm kids’ mental health. The ripple effect of parents’ mental wellness, or illness, is huge.

The CCAW is staffed for success. Besides Wood, Ontario Veterinary College graduate Hagen, one of the top researchers in the field, is the centre’s chief executive officer and research scientist. Deborah Vanberkel, another

of the few professional counsellors in Canada with expertise in farmers’ mental health, is the chief programming officer.

And a board that includes Jones-Bitton will oversee the operation at a high level.

In March, the centre will co-host the National Symposium on Farmer Mental Health with The Guardian Network, an initiative of Agriculture Wellness Ontario. This symposium has been established to connect a wide swath of mental health groups – researchers, government officials and policy makers, agricultural associations and producer groups, and most importantly farmers, to

Ottawa’s Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada, is allocating $15.8 million to six University of Waterloo research projects to identify solutions to environmental challenges. Funded through the Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF), the research supports building sustainable net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050.

Patricia Ziegler, president of Drayton Entertainment’s volunteer board of directors, has received the Integrity Award from the Universal Womens Network in recognition of her leadership and support of the registered, not-for-profit charitable theatre organization.

Leah

Alexandra Porter, a longtime employee at Brian’s Foto Source, looks through the stacks of hundreds of photos left behind by customers over the years. She is encouraging people to stop by and look to see if they have any photos for themselves or friends and family.

Leah Gerber

As the store closes down, Brian’s Foto Source hoping people come in for unclaimed photos, other items

OWEN ROBERTS Food For Thought

Getting

IF YOU SEE SANTA

CLAUS and his elves

running around in Wellesley this Sunday, they’re not fleeing their usual duties. Instead, it’s the Jingle Run back for its third year.

jingle on for fundraising run in Wellesley

The goal is to have some holiday fun – dressing up as Santa or in Christmas garb, for instance – and raise some money for the township’s new recreation complex.

Participants can cover a three- or five-kilometre route leaving from the Wellesley arena pavilion at

10 a.m. The event is a go, rain or shine ... or something more wintry.

“Last year, we did it in the snow, [and] had quite a large crowd that came out. You just dress in your most festive attire – some people are in Santa suits, others are in elf outfits, and they run through

town to spread the Christmas cheer,” said organizer Carrie Harman.

“It is really fun. We have kids out doing it as well. It’s kind of just a fun family affair.”

Registration is $25, with no charge for kids taking part. Proceeds from the run will go towards the

new Township of Wellesley Recreation Centre.

“We think it’s just a good resource because everyone is going to be using it and everyone’s very excited about the fact that we’re getting anywhere. Everyone’s willing to put funds towards it,” Harman said.

“We hope to have as

many people as we can out. Even if they’re not going to partake, it’s nice to have people along the roads to just watch and cheer and enjoy the festivities. We’ll have some hot apple cider and coffee. It should be a good time.”

To register, email sljohnston85@gmail.com.

Bill Atwood

Observer Staff

Rural Connections

A harvest of local farming innovation.

Connect to the land.

Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 103

Tips: observerxtra.com/tips

OFA re-electes president Kudos for CFB charity

For

Do we have the capacity to feed Eight billion people?

Last week, the world population reached a symbolic number: eight billion people. The planet took about 11 short years to add one billion more humans to its population.

By 2058, it’s estimated that the planetary population will reach 10 billion.

That’s a lot of people.

Whenever humanity is reminded that our population is increasing, we always wonder if we have the capacity to feed ourselves adequately, and for how long.

Amazingly, 90 per cent of the world’s population lives in the Northern Hemisphere, and almost 40 per cent of the surface area of the Northern Hemisphere is land, compared with only about 20 per cent of the surface area of the Southern Hemisphere.

More than half of the world’s population lives in Asia. A single visit to this part of the world will help you realize that the space in Canada is

an overlooked asset. Our abundance of space defines our quality of life, our policies, and the way we eat. Most don’t realize this, but it’s true.

But are we producing enough to feed eight, nine or even 10 billion people on earth? The answer is yes.

The food sectors are adapting and developing new technologies at an astonishing pace. Many underestimate the ability of agri-food stakeholders, from farm to consumer, to adjust. While our planet produces enough food to feed the more than eight billion people who inhabit it, systemic inequalities and economic disparities have led to unbalanced distribution and irregular access to agri-food commodities. Corruption, pandemics, poverty, lack of infrastructure, and, of course, geopolitical conflicts, as we have seen this year with Ukraine and Russia, often undermine our global food security.

Many underestimate the ability of agri-food stakeholders, from farm to consumer, to adjust.

We produce enough to feed the planet, but climate change remains the greatest threat to our agrarian systems. For

centuries, humans have adapted to risk. We are compelled to find solutions to problems that suddenly emerge: floods,

drought, fires, hurricanes, and the list goes on. But with climate change, the risks never go away. Risks will essentially move and

threaten other parts of the food supply chain.

“Band-aid” solutions are just no longer feasible. Greater resilience in the industry requires extreme adaptability, which is what our recent federal task force on supply chains was advocating.

And Canada is making a difference. In fact, the Barton Report, presented five years ago, offered us a road map in this regard. The Barton Report talked about unlocking the potential of key sectors and identified agribusiness as one of them. And fortunately, Canada has delivered the goods, yet we rarely talk about it.

The report mentioned expanding populations around the world, growing demand for protein in Asia, and a need for reliable markets, such as Canada. As the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world, Canada can become a trusted global leader in healthy, nutri-

Farmland produces food. Let’s work together to keep it that way

Ontario needs more homes, built faster – that much is true. The Golden Horseshoe area is poised to see unprecedented growth over the next few decades and it’s important that we work towards a better plan to accommodate folks that want to call this province home in the future.

Ontario also needs a

strong, stable, sustainable supply of farm and food products grown, harvested and processed right here in one of the best food producing regions in Canada. These two complex issues deserve to carry equal weight in the planning processes and decision making for our growth areas, cities, towns, rural

hubs and communities.

Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced it is proposing to rezone thousands of acres of prime farmland in the Greenbelt and other regions to build up to 50,000 new homes as part of its Bill 23 – More Homes Built Faster Act.

That’s a change that’s of serious concern to the

Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

Our members from Windsor to Winchester have told us over and over again that prime agriculture land is irreplaceable and worth fighting for. Farmland losses are already at an incredible 319 acres per day in our province, according to the 2021 Census of Agriculture.

Those 319 acres of farmland represent the yearly production of 75 million carrots, 25 million apples, 510,000 chicken wings, beef for 2.2 million quarter pounders, eggs for 5.4 million omelettes or enough feed for 25,000 Clydesdale horses for a day, to name just a few.

Farmland is farmland no matter what colour its

belt is or what designation it receives. Once it’s lost to development, it is gone forever, and that’s why preserving it is one of the OFA’s top priorities.

Ontario has a limited supply of what we call arable land – land that is suitable for growing crops for human consumption. In fact, it accounts for only

→ FARMLAND 16

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s board of directors this week re-elected Peggy Brekveld, a Thunder Bay area dairy farmer, to a third one-year term as president of the province’s largest farm organization. The vote was part of the group’s AGM held in London.

the fifth year running, Canadian Foodgrains Bank has been named to Charity Intelligence’s 2022 list of Canada’s Top 10 Impact charities. The annual list examines impact per dollar donated to an organization.

POPULATION: Agri-food sector can rise to the challenge

tious, and sustainable food in the 21st century.

The report indicates that Canada has the potential to become the second-largest exporter in the world. Second, no less.

The strengths of our agri-food sector include a reliable food supply, the availability of resources, the position of arable land, and strong research poles. In addition, global opportunities relate to exploding demand from emerging markets as well as growing global supply constraints on land,

water, energy, and carbon emissions.

Our agri-food exports have continued to grow despite challenges in the sector, reaching over $82 billion in 2021 and surpassing the previous goal of increasing agrifood exports to at least $75 billion by 2025. With better resilient logistics networks and supply chains, we can do even better.

The catch is that when people discuss food security and leading countries internationally, Canada rarely gets

mentioned. The Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States are often mentioned, but our reputation is simply not there. Our image as a global agrarian provider lacks a bit of pizzazz.

We have to brag about it and celebrate the incredible contributions of our agri-food sector internationally as often as possible.

ↆ Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

Ontario has a limited supply of what we call arable land – land that is suitable for growing crops for human consumption.

FARMLAND: The best use of arable land remains farming

about five percent of all the land in Ontario.

For me, this issue hits very close to home. I’m raising my children on our family farm just outside the urban boundary of the City of Hamilton, which happens to be in the Greenbelt. These new proposals raise serious concerns for me as a farmer, father, and businessperson on what the future of the protected countryside actually looks like.

How should I plan for our future? How will our business grow? How much certainty does the Greenbelt designation really give us? And where does the local, on-the-ground, real life community input come into play? These proposed changes represent a real and permanent loss of food production that in the long term won’t impact just me and my family’s farm, but every single person in our province.

However, as someone who farms in an urban municipality, I also recognize that our province is in the midst of a housing crisis. OFA understands that rapidly rising costs and a shortage of available housing have created a serious affordability prob-

lem for many Ontarians, and that the government needs to find solutions to this issue.

Some of the proposed changes in Bill 23, like cutting bureaucratic red tape and increasing consumer protection are long overdue policy changes. OFA knows that the balancing act between farmland protection and further urbanization doesn’t come with an easy answer and that the issues facing us today are complex.

That’s why we are proposing the following solutions to meet the needs of the growing urban areas and ensure that we can continue to produce an abundance of farm and food products now and for future generations:

 Focus provincial housing policy first and foremost on opportunities inside existing urban boundaries, like developing brownfield sites and underutilized land, and looking to mixeduse approaches that maximize available land.

 Return to minimum density targets of 80 people and jobs per

hectare and enforce them throughout the growth plan area.

 Make targeted infrastructure investments in rural hubs, small towns and communities that are primed for responsible growth to support farms, agri-businesses and employers across rural Ontario.

 Enact a ‘use it or lose it’ clause on development approvals to get housing built faster.

 Address exclusionary zoning policies within municipalities to allow more density and missing middle housing to be built in residential neighbourhoods. Roughly 70% of Toronto and other surrounding cities are zoned for detached houses only, which restricts even modest forms of density such as triplexes or small apartment buildings. With a responsible land use planning approach, it is possible to build complete communities that can provide for the needs of residents while minimizing sprawl, preventing the loss of farmland, and avoiding additional pressures on urban-rural boundaries.

The OFA understands and supports the government’s stated goal of building more houses for Ontarians, but the proposed changes to the Greenbelt and paving over prime farmland, represent a step in the wrong direction.

The best use of our arable land is agriculture and by working together, we can come up with solutions that will protect farmland loss and address our province’s housing crisis. The key is a collaborative approach to responsible long-term land use planning that balances meeting housing needs and supporting economic growth with protecting agricultural land.

ↆ Drew Spoelstra, vice president, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

More Chicken Soup

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ETC holding auditions

The Elmira Theatre Company is holding auditions Dec. 4 & 5 for next spring’s production of Tuesdays With Morrie. They’re looking to fill two male roles: Morrie Schwarz – 78, witty college prof. dying of ALS – and Mitch Albom – 37 years old, career-driven sports journalist and Morrie’s former student. Auditions will be readings from the script. Call 519-6693230 or email info@elmiratheatre.com.

Sultans of String perform CD release concert

MUSIC THAT REFLECTS

A DIVERSE world – and perhaps a break from some of its troubles – will fill the Registry Theatre Sunday at the release party for the latest CD from the Sultans of String, Sanctuary.

The album is the second in the band’s “Refuge Project,” an international collaboration of artists that looks at the issues of displaced peoples.

The first of the albums, Refuge, looks at the light of international refugees, for instance.

“As Ifrah Mansour, one of our collaborators, says, it’s important for people to hear a message of hope, but also a message of pain. I think that it’s important for people to see the humanity in others, and to see that we are all one race, the human race,” said violinist and bandleader Chris McKhool of the spirit behind the latest albums from the Sultans.

The band has always, of course, been about world music, and is no stranger to working with a bevy of other performers. That’s the case writ large with Refuge and Sanctuary, a collaboration with more than 30 musicians, including the likes of Robi Botos, Béla Fleck, Mansour, Demetrios Petsalakis and Duke Redbird.

It’s a roster of global ambassadors for peace,

many of whom are recent immigrants and refugees to Canada, as well as leading Indigenous voices. On Sanctuary, Sultans of String bring their unique brand of musical synergy to bear on 11 songs that speak to the challenges facing the world’s displaced peoples: their stories, their songs, their persistence and their humanity.

“Everyone deserves a place where they can survive and thrive. There is enough room for all of us, we just have to learn to be open and to share our knowledge and our love and care for one another,” said McKhool on the line from the band’s Toronto base ahead of the next stage of touring.

While the albums tackle some pressing issues, the process has also been about having “a lot of fun,” he added, with a laugh.

“When we get this many interesting people in a room, there’s so much to learn from everybody. There’s so many wonderful perspectives – it’s just like when you’re brainstorming on a topic, the more ideas and perspectives you have, the richer you are. This is a model that we would hope our leaders and politicians would look to and take inspiration from.”

That energy is clearly on display during live performances, McKhool adds.

Joining Sultans of String

on stage at the Registry will be Syrian refugee and vocalist Leen Hamo, Colombian refugee and vocalist Juan Carlos Medrano, Saskia Tomkins performing on the Swedish nyckelharpa, Syrian Canadian clarinetist Majd Sukar, and Tamar Ilana singing in Ladino, Spanish and performing flamenco dance. Joining virtually will be Turkish string group Gundem Yayli Grubu and others performers.

The virtual component is something we’ve all become familiar with through the pandemic, with audiences accustomed to what the technol-

ogy can bring to the mix. That makes it really fun because we could be performing with somebody live on stage and somebody live on the screen. And, you know, we could be crossing countries and time zones, and there’s just all kinds of, it just opens up a world of possibilities of what you can do live in a performance, which is really fun,” said McKhool.

Given that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the always-present issue of global conflict and refugees to more prominence, the stories of peace and journeys to personal freedom

reflected in Sanctuary couldn’t be more timely.

For example, singing siblings Ahmed and Tara Moneka from Iraq revisit and give a new, darker feel to the Sonny Bonopenned Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) made famous through versions by both Cher and Nancy Sinatra. Ahmed himself came under threat for portraying homosexuality in a film that gained popularity after screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). While at TIFF, extremists visited his family in Iraq and warned that they were planning to kill him if he returned home. Ahmed’s

sister Tara soon faced similar threats for playing music that offended those same extremists. Ultimately the siblings both found refuge in Canada.

Another Sanctuary song, Mi Santuario, could be taken as a de facto title track, written by Juan Carlos Medranos (Colombia), capturing the paradox of many displaced people.

“It’s about that feeling of missing home but also the fear of returning to a place where dissidents and the marginalized go missing.”

The Sultans of String and their guests, in-person and virtual, will be playing songs from Refuge and Sanctuary Sunday afternoon.

“We’re really going to take our audiences around the world with global songs and rhythms. Some of them are really fun – clap-along songs. Others are beautiful to watch. We have Tamar Ilana, who’s going to be doing both flamenco and Arabic dance. So a lot of fun in store for audiences and songs that they’ve never seen as performed,” said McKhool, adding with a laugh: “Live songs that we’ve never seen us perform live before.”

The Sanctuary CD release concert hits the stage at the Registry Theatre at 3 p.m. on November 27. Tickets are $37, available online at www.registrytheatre.com.

Elmira author Lori Zenker’s stories have long caught the eye of the publishers of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. The most recent offering – My Wonderful, Wacky Family – features a contribution from Zenker entitled “How to Catch a Tomato Thief.”

WINNER - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD TIFF 2022

“Infused with warmth, and one of the year's most genuinely heartfelt films” - BBC

DIRECTED BY STEVEN SPIELBERG

Steve Kannon

Observer Staff

The Sultans of String, led by violinist Chris McKhool (seated, left), perform Sunday. Submitted

“Sanctuary” is the second of the group’s collaborative albums drawing on the experiences of refugees and newcomers

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CLEANER, HOUSEKEEPER, PROPERTY and facilities helper wanted. Part time or full time. 519-664-2102 ext. 4; email itsyourtime@ artsautocanada.com

CLOCK TOWER WELLNESS CENTRE hiring immediate part-time cleaner 3 hrs per week. Call 519-669-4425 for details.

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For Sale

SNOW TIRES, SET OF 4 ON RIMS. P225 / 70 R16. Fit Dodge Caravan. Very good. $400.00 Cash. 519-669-9699.

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.

Farm Services

FERTILIZER AND SEED GRAIN - AT COMPETItive pricing. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141.

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

Do you excel in customer service, strong attention to detail and ability to work independently in a fast paced environment?

If you answered yes to these questions, we would like to talk to you about a career with us. Apply to accounting@equipmentontario.com or in person at 6805 Line 86, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6 with resume.

OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE. CLIENT services, facilities, property, admin, repairs, renos. Tell us your abilities. Parttime or Fulltime. 519-664-2102 ext. 4; email itsyourtime@ artsautocanada.com

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MISKA LANDSCAPER TRAILER - 16 FEET long, 80" wide, 7,600 lb, double axle, 7 pin electric brakes connection. Four brand new tires. 519-664-2444.

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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.

The Township of Woolwich is hiring

Crossing Guards

for the 2022-2023 School Year.

Crossing Guards make a di erence in our community by determining safe opportunities to cross, assisting children and adults across the intersection, and ensuring tra c remains stopped until all pedestrians have safely crossed the intersection.

Crossing Guards serves the school community for two 30-minute shifts per day. Ideal candidates are at least 18 years old, community-minded, and have reliable transportation or the ability to walk to the school crossing for each shift. They must be able to communicate clearly and e ectively in English using spoken commands and hand signals. They are required to hold the stop paddle (approx. 2 lb.) up with one arm to be seen clearly by motorists for up to 1 minute intermittently over each 30 minute period.

Physical requirements are good vision, hearing, and footing. Must be able to walk and stand for each 30-minute shift and work in all weather conditions including extremes of heat and cold. Must provide a current Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Township if hired. On-the-job training and equipment is provided. This is a paid position.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter by email to hr@woolwich.ca.

All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Township of Woolwich is committed to diversity and inclusion and o ers an accessible workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to meeting the needs of applicants during all phases of the hiring process. This document is available in alternate formats, or with accessible communication supports, upon request.

Board Games//Collec�on of Swords & Knives //Old Singer Sewing Machine//Tiffany Hanging Lamps//4 pc Walnut Bed Rm suite c/w dresser, mirror, mens chest &nite table//mid-century style dine�e set includes 42” round glass top table & 4 chairs//Pine Roll Top Desk//2 An�que ¾ beds// 6 Oak pressed back chairs//Oak wash Stand//Old Cast iron Hand Pumps//wooden Chests//Old Wash Board, Ironing Board, Wash Rack &Galvanized tub //Hickory Highchair//2 wagon wheel coffee tables (42” c/w glass top & 38” no glass)//Bar fridge//3 cu � Woods Chest Freezer//Black Leather Ergonomic Office Chairs//Hammocks//Lots of interes�ng & unique items not men�oned.

TOOLS & Misc.: Kubota Gas Generator(NA2200)// Champion Gas Generator 6500 Kw, Elect Start// Snowflite 8-24 Gas Snow Blower//2 Mastercra� gas snow blowers(8-24 & 8-26)//5HP B&S motor on cart//5.5 HP gas 22” Honda push mower//Simonize P-Washer//Reel Mower//Shop Vacs//HD power snake//Leaf grinder//220 Portable elect heaters//HD pipe threader//Ba�ery chargers//Electric motors// Homelite XL gas chain saw//New precision garden seeder//New Brace & Bit Ice Auger//Rockwell 36” Bench Lathe//Milwaukee 14” cut off saw//Makita chop saw//S�hl 025 chain saw//New 500lb cargo hauler//Roof Top Car Carrier//Variety of camping & Trailer supplies//New Live trap//Selec�on of Cross Country Skis//Lots of Hand tools, tool sets & chains.

*Note: This will be a full sale with good variety. Lots not men�oned.

BOWEN

THERAPY CERTIFICA

TION CLASS . JAN 6-9, 8:30 A.M. to

Oskar Verrinder Naranjo reads to Rainbow at the Elmira library’s read-to-a-dog event on Nov. 9. Bill Atwood

CREEK: Monitoring issues

relevant impacts and therefore no reason to perform additional sampling,” he said.

Mackin said multiple samples, including from Lanxess and the ministry, indicate no further action is necessary in these areas.

“A couple of years ago, members of RAC, TAG and individual community members were invited to visit and tour the sites on two separate occasions. Around that time, the issue of ‘The Gap’ area was discussed at length with these stakeholders, and seem ingly answered questions presented by TAG then,” Mackin said.

“While the MECP has previously stated publicly that there is no justifiable reason to complete any additional testing of the Stroh Drain and/or Gap area, Lanxess will of course work with the ministry and TAG should that change and testing be advised.”

The Ministry of Environment, Conserva tion and Parks is overseeing the remediation of the Canagagigue Creek, though has not issued a control order to the company about the creek. When asked if the ministry would consider requesting more thorough testing of the Stroh Drain, Gary Wheeler, a spokes person responded, “The ministry is actively working with Lanxess, the Township of Woolwich and the local community to oversee the identification and remediation of potential contamination resulting from historic operations at the Lanxess site.

“At the ministry’s request, Lanxess is to include investigation results associated with the agricultural drainage ditch in their Canagagigue Creek human health and ecological risk assessment (HHERA), which is ongoing.

“We will continue consulting with all stakeholders on the Lanxess environmental investigations and remediation measures.”

Campbell, Douglas Keith

At Listowel Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Douglas Campbell of Listowel and formerly of Waterloo, passed away peacefully at the age of 76.

Devoted husband of Lucille (Merkley) Campbell. Loving dad of Sheri & Kevin Ritchie of Wingham and formerly Elmira and Waterloo. Cherished grandfather of Jessica and Nicholas Ritchie. Dear brother-in-law of Sandra Campbell of Cambridge and Francis & Jean Merkley of Goderich. Doug will be lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Stanley & Bernice (Lockridge) Campbell, brother Jim Campbell and parents-in-law Ernest & Reta Merkley. A private funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Final resting place, Wingham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com ❖ www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com

In Memoriam

In Loving Memory of

Bill Walter

Dad Missing you

A dad’s love is special A gift beyond compare You only know the meaning When he is no longer there.

A special time

A special face

A special dad

I can’t replace With an aching heart

I whisper low

I miss you dad

I love you so.

Love, Your Kids

Obituary

It is with great sadness that the family of Shirley Maryann Martin (née Huehn) announce her passing on Sunday, November 20, 2022, peacefully in her home of 70 years at the age of 92. She will be lovingly remembered by her six children, Kenneth (Janelda), Glenda (Doug Dippel), Gary (Marg), Steven, Lori-Ann Martin (Ron Siebert), and Lynann McNulty (Alex Irvine), her 19 grandchildren, and 37 greatgrandchildren, who lovingly called her GG. She was predeceased by her husband, Isaiah B Martin, in 1984. Shirley was a lifelong resident of Heidelberg, where she was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Shirley will be remembered the most for her sense of humour and love for her family. She enjoyed music, especially country, and never passed up the opportunity to dance. She loved camping and growing tomatoes in her garden. In her retirement, she took up bowling, learned to swim, went on bus trips around the province with her sister-in-law Alma Martin, and went up in a hot air balloon for her 80th birthday. Her joy in living is an inspiration to us all, and she will live on in our hearts and memories. Relatives and friends an invited to call at the Graham Giddy Funeral Home 617 King Street N Waterloo on Sunday November 27, 2022 form 1-4 pm. A funeral service will be held at St. Peters Lutheran Church 2925 Lobsinger Line Heidelberg, Ontario on Monday November 28, 2022 at 1 p.m. Rev. Olaf Poulsen officiating. Cremation to follow with interment at Hawksville Cemetery at a later date. To leave and on line condolence to the family or place a donation the K-W Lung Association or the Charity of your choice, please visit www.grahamgiddyfh.com ❖ www.grahamgiddyfh.com

KENNETH ARTHUR BEGGS

July 27th, 1951 – November 17th, 2022

Ken Beggs passed away peacefully at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on November 17th, 2022, with his son at his side. He is survived by his son James (Jay) and aunts and uncles. Ken was predeceased by his father, James (2012), his mother, Lorraine (Reist) (2022) and his ex-wife, Melinda (Cowan).

Ken lived in the Winterbourne, Barry’s Bay and Elmira areas prior to moving to Boulter upon retirement. His long term employment at Northfield Metal Products allowed him to use his inven tive skills such that the company was able to register several Patents. His time with Northfield afforded him the opportunity to travel, particularly to Sweden where Jay worked with him. Inherited mechanical skills gave him the ability to develop, repair, alter, or re-purpose many items that he came into contact with. When tools were not in his hands, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

In accordance with his wishes crema tion has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service.

❖ www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com

Martin, Emmanuel

Passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at the age of 85 years. Loving husband of Esther (Weber) Martin. Father of Emma and Joseph Martin of Holyrood, Cleason and Lucinda of Val Gagne, Onias and Minerva of St. Clements, Lena and Mark Martin of Lindsay. Grandfather to 25 grandchildren and 38 greatgrandchildren. Brother of Clayton, Sidney and Mary, Ada and Joseph Martin, Adeline and Paul Martin, Aaron and Irene. Will be missed by the Brubacher and Weber families.

Predeceased by his first wife Esther Brubacher, parents Sidney and Annie Martin, one grandchild, sisters Ermina (Abner) Martin, Priscilla Martin, MaryAnn (Isaiah) Martin, Emma in childhood, and Annie Martin; and sisters-in-law Elvina (Mrs. Clayton) and Anna (Mrs. Aaron). Visitation took place at the family residence 3240 Boomer Line, RR 1, St. Clements on Monday, November 21, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. and Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 1-5 p.m. A family service took place at the home at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 then to Conestoga Mennonite Meeting House for burial and further services.

❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Death Notice

BOWMAN, ESTHER - Passed away peace fully at her home on Thursday, November 17, 2022, in her 81st year.

SHIELDS, PATRICIA ANNE - Peacefully passed away at her residence on Wednes day, November 16, 2022. Patricia Shields (nee Kloepfer) of Red Bay in her 81st year.

STRAUSS, ANNA MARIE OLIVE - It is with hearts filled with sadness, love and wonderful memories that we announce the death of our mother Anna, who the Lord called home peacefully on Wednes day, November 16, 2022 in her 95th year.

Martin, Shirley Maryann April 15, 1930 - November 20, 2022

Living Here

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MCC earns kudos

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) and Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCCC) were named by Charity Intelligence as two of their Top 100 Charities. For the third year in a row, MCC Canada is also included as one of Charity Intelligence’s top 10 international impact charities. Charity Intelligence monitors and evaluates more than 800 Canadian charities of all sectors.

Baking for Nutrition

Nutrition for Learning presents Good Eats with Maggie Frith of CBC’s Great Canadian Baking Show on Dec. 7. Presented in partnership with Grain Farmers of Ontario, the virtual baking event features a “give and get” registration experience. www.nutritionforlearning.ca/good-eats/

Concert caps a good year for the Grand Harmony Chorus

Atwood Observer Staff

THE GRAND HARMONY

A CAPPELLA choir is capping off a very successful year with their annual Christmas concert this Sunday in St. Agatha.

In May, the 40-member all-women’s chorus took home two awards at this year’s competition of the Sweet Adelines’ Border Lakes Region 2. Grand Harmony was named both the most improved chorus as well as the overall champion of the 20 Region 2 choirs located in Ontario and Michigan.

The choir will compete on the international stage in Kentucky next year.

“We’re 27 years old and we’ve had members with us… over 25 years and they have not been on the international stage, so we’re quite excited,” said Grand Harmony’s Jane Stoltz.

As an a cappella chorus, the group sings without musical accompaniment or books to refer to, Stoltz explained. All the music Grand Harmony performs is memorized.

“It’s in four-part

harmony, so we have at the top your tenors, which are your angelic voices, then our leads, which usually carry the melody, and our basses are the undertones – I guess they are the drum, keeping the rhythm – and our baritones fill in the middle. It’s quite remarkable. The beauty of our human voice and how it can make a cappella music,” she said.

The chorus acts as an important space for women singers in the region, Stoltz added.

“We’re constantly learning new pieces of music. It’s a great stress release. And you build lots of friendships. There’s lots of educational workshops throughout our region. The chorus gives us the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities…and I think it’s more than just to be able to sing in four-part harmony,” she added.

Grand Harmony also features quartets of different singers in the group who perform separately.

“Key of She is one of them. And as well as Rezonation, consisting of four. New this year is Vocal Vitality – we are a group of eight individuals and with eight we can switch our parts around. There’s a lot of flexibility when we have more in a small group,” Stoltz explained.

The chorus performs a wide variety of music, including jazz, contemporary a cappella, pop, and show tunes. They have performed covers of songs by artists such as

Adele, John Lennon, Tom Cochrane, Cyndi Lauper, Bonnie Tyler, Barenaked Ladies and Celine Dion.

Grand Harmony is directed by Andrew Carolan, who joined the chorus last year.

“He has a wealth of barbershop [music] education. We have learned so much from Andrew, and he was the one that helped us achieve our goal of winning to become Region 2 champions,” Stoltz said.

They also strive to be

active in the community and provide performances throughout Waterloo Region, including last week’s tree lighting in St. Jacobs.

The upcoming Christmas show will feature the Grand Harmony’s take on classic Christmas songs.

“It is just an afternoon to listen to some beautiful voices in four-part harmony, a cappella style, singing Christmas classic songs all throughout the afternoon for our guests. It’s going to be a very delightful and entertaining concert. It’s going to be a cappella sounds from the beginning until the end of the show.

The Dear Santa Christmas concert is at 3 p.m. at the St. Agatha Community Centre. It will feature a guest performance by the KW Mixology A Cappella Chorus. There will also be a raffle of several gift baskets including a wine basket, a spa basket, coffee basket, a kid’s hockey basket and golf fitness basket. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting the Grand Harmony Chorus page at www.eventbrite.ca.

Treatment and management of bicuspid aortic valve

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a 29-year-old active military service member without any significant health issues. Yet during my most recent routine physical examination, it was discovered that I have a heart murmur. I was referred for an echocardiogram and evaluation with a cardiologist who said I have a bicuspid aortic valve. What are the short- and long-term consequences of having a bicuspid aortic valve? At

what point should a bicuspid aortic valve be treated, and what is the treatment?

ANSWER: The aortic valve sits at the base of heart, and it separates the heart's main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) and the main artery (the aorta),

which carries the oxygenrich blood to your body. It functions as a one-way valve, opening and closing with each heartbeat, which keeps the blood flowing in the correct direction. It usually consists of three flaps of tissue – what are called valve cusps. This makes the aortic valve a tricuspid valve.

Approximately 1% to 2% of the population are born with an aortic valve that only has two cusps. This

is called a bicuspid aortic valve. This condition is the most common heart valve defect present at birth.

Most people with a bicuspid heart valve do not have any signs and symptoms of valve disease until they are an adult, but it occasionally can cause symptoms in childhood. It most commonly is diagnosed as an incidental heart murmur during physical examination in otherwise healthy adults or

We May Not Offer The Cheapest Tire Prices Around.

However, by including an alignment and visual vehicle inspection with every set of tires; We believe that we are offering you greater value long term. It is unfortunate when new tires are installed and wear prematurely because the vehicle’s alignment is out.

When having your tires installed it is also so important to make sure there are no unsafe suspension and steering parts. At every appointment we will always make you aware of any concerns we see.

discovered while a patient is having medical tests for another health condition.

A new diagnosis of a bicuspid aortic valve usually does not require immediate intervention or have significant health effects in the short- or mid-term. It does require lifelong surveillance because it may cause heart problems in the long term. Over half of patients will need aortic valve repair or replacement within 25

years after bicuspid aortic valve diagnosis.

Most commonly, the bicuspid aortic valve results in early narrowing of the aortic valve, called aortic stenosis. This causes reduced blood flow from the heart, which creates excessive work on the heart. Sometimes the opposite can happen, and the valve does not close tightly enough, allowing backward flow of the blood

It's about all of us.

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

▢ Mayo Clinic Professional Clinical Health Advice

Bill

The Grand Harmony Chorus, under the direction of Andrew Carolan, performs Sunday in St. Agatha. Submitted

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25

▢ Friday Food at the Elmira Legion. Doors open at 4 p.m., serving at 5:45 p.m. Menu: fish burger on a bun, fries, coleslaw, dessert, $10/plate. Join us in the lounge. All welcome. ▢ Waterloo Regional Police Chorus Concert at Gale Presbyterian Church, Elmira at 7 p.m. Repertoire includes Christmas songs from new CD recording. Proceeds to support St. Mary's Hospital to purchase an MRI machine. Please call the church office, 519-669-2852 for tickets. Adults $10. & children 12 and under $5.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

▢ Friday Food at the Elmira Legion. Doors open at 4 p.m., serving at 5:45 p.m. Menu: Octoberfest roller sausage, fries, salad, dessert, $10/plate. Join us in the lounge. All welcome.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

▢ Galaxy of Gifts Craft Show Fundraiser for Kitchener Cat Rescue. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Hall, St. Jacobs. Over 30 vendors. Free admission.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

▢ Elmira Theatre Company Audtions for Tuesdays With Morrie. December 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. Elmira Theatre Company invites you to audition for our spring 2023 production of Tuesdays With Morrie by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom. Cast Requirements: 2 challenging male roles. Morrie Schwarz – 78, college prof. witty, intelligent, lover of life, also dying of ALS. Mitch Albom – 37 years old – careerdriven sports journalist & Morrie’s former student, now taking Morrie’s last “class” on the meaning of life. Visit www.elmiratheatre.com/upcoming-auditions to learn more, or contact Director Sue Garner at suegarner32@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

▢ Senior's Community Dining at Calvary United Church, St. Jacobs. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship. Cost: $12. Must pre-register by December 2 by calling 519-664-1900.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8

▢ Senior's Community Dining at Breslau Community Centre. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship. Cost: $12. Must pre-register by December 2 by calling 519-664-1900.

▢ Woodside Evergreen for Seniors at Woodside Church, Elmira. Starts at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Music and Words - piano and cello concert with Anthony and Sam Domzella, Devotional: Pastor Gary Goodkey, Reading: Cairine Domzella, Carol Sing: Beryl Martin, piano and Fred Gingrich, organ. Suggested donation $8 includes hot lunch. Registration required by Sun Dec 4 at www.woodsidechurch.ca/evergreen or 519-669-1296.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

▢ Friday Food at the Elmira Legion. Doors open at 4 p.m., serving at 5:45 p.m. Menu: Sausage on a bun, Parmesan potatoes, coleslaw, dessert; $10/plate. Join us in the lounge. All welcome.

▢ Journey to Bethlehem at Floradale Mennonite Church, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. View the Bethlehem display in the basement windows and enjoy hot chocolate under the stars. Sign up for a time slot on the Church website floramc.org or email office@floramc.org.

Elmira neighbours get into the holiday spirit

Pauline Martin among those getting involved in festive activity

Gerber Observer Staff

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS PAULINE MARTIN and Anne Jenkins take in the neighbourhood Christmas tree they helped decorate on the trail behind Porchlight Drive in Elmira.

The tree was planted by another neighbour more than a decade ago. Since then, the blue spruce has been growing on the side of the trail and grew into a handsome, healthy and tall specimen.

Last year Jenkins decided to decorate it for fun. Then, two days later she saw a mom and her kids stop to admire it and take pictures.

“I was busy decorating the house, and that’s sort of where it started. After that, I went to MCC and to the dollar store and picked up the biggest decorations I could find – just put a few on, there wasn’t a whole lot.

“And about two nights later, I was standing at the kitchen counter and looked out my sliding glass door and I could see a mom with a wagon and her kids in the wagon and stopping to look at it. I opened the door and started talking to them and they were quite excited. I thought, ‘we have to carry this on.’”

This year, Jenkins invited her neighbours over to decorate the tree together. Martin, who is celebrating her 80th birthday this year, joined in.

“I thought you were old when you’re 80,” she said of her impression of aging prior to becoming an octogenarian herself.

She drove a bus for most of her working life, both a school bus while her kids were in school, and later a coach bus.

Her favourite part of the job?

“Meeting all the people,” she said. “I had 50 people on my bus, most of the time. When you go away for two weeks or to [say] PEI, you’re with them, you get to know them. And we just enjoy life.”

Martin’s advice for long life to others? “Enjoy every day when you can. You know, I drove bus for so many years, and I was gone a lot because I was all over the United States and Canada. I really enjoyed it, but I was gone a lot.”

Martin’s husband, Allen D. Martin, wrote a column for The Observer for many years. Martin said they lived and raised their kids in Floradale for 30 years before moving to Elmira.

Martin will be celebrating with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and friends and family this weekend.

Leah

Anne Jenkins and Pauline Martin decorated a trail-side spruce in their Elmira neighbourhood. Leah Gerber

November is Family Violence Preven tion Month. This is an important month, not only to raise awareness about preventing family violence, but also to let those experiencing it know that they are not alone.

Family violence takes on many forms and ranges in degrees of severity, from neglect to physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse. It can include intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse.

Research shows that

Get help to end family violence

women, children, Indige nous peoples, people with disabilities, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning are at greater risk of experiencing family violence and its impacts.

Every six days in Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner. In 2021, there was a 26 per cent increase in femicides compared to the previous year, and in the first six months of 2022 alone, 88 femicides have been reported.

The mental health impacts of family

Whatever the audience, pea soup has endured

I’m not sure if “nine days old” is necessar ily a great idea, however a soup or sauce always tastes better the next day as the flavours get a chance to all combine.

(Assuming, of course, that it’s been refrigerated overnight).

The nursery rhyme I’m mentioning goes back as far as the 1700s, far longer than nine days.

That being said, the Romans and Greeks were said to be cultivating peas as far back as 500BC. They would be allowed to mature to a more inedible state and then dried out. This was a great proce dure for preservation in a world long before refrig

eration or canning.

The original pea soup was thought of as a peas ant food, which makes sense as you can’t spell “peasant” without “peas.”

Many cultures have had some sort of pea soup in their repertoire.

Eating fresh peas was said to be a luxury for centuries beyond that. It was the French who put together their own soup recipe using fresh peas and other greens that was literally fit for a king, as Louis the XIV was known to enjoy it!

violence are profound –on the individuals and on communities. Individ uals face increased risk of depression, post-trau matic stress disorder, and anxiety. They may have trouble navigating rela tionships and coping at work. Children and youth may experience problems with friendships, sleep ing, and trusting others. They may engage in risky behaviours, and perform poorly in school.

A person facing family violence may go through some experiences that are not as evident as physical harm, such as walking on eggshells around some one, feeling frightened or intimidated by what a family member says or does, feeling controlled or belittled, or making excuses for a family member’s behaviour.

If you or someone you know is facing family violence, there is help available locally in Woolwich and Wellesley Townships.

We know how difficult it can be to reach out for

MAYO CLINIC: Bicuspid aortic valve issues require lifetime care

into the heart and causing leakiness, or aortic regur gitation.

A narrow or leaky valve can lead to heart failure over time, causing symp toms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and difficulty exercising. Some people with bicuspid aortic valve also may develop enlargement of the aorta. The enlargement of the aorta above a certain size can lead to a rupture or tear of the wall of the aorta, which is life-threatening if not recognized or treated in a timely manner. As you can see, a bicuspid aortic valve can affect not just the valve, but also the aorta, with a wide spectrum of disease manifestations.

Most bicuspid aortic valve cases occur by chance, but approximately 10% of the cases tend to occur more often in family members. While screening of first-degree relatives is routine after the initial diagnosis of bicus pid aortic valve, routine genetic testing is not recommended.

The initial test, as in your case, is an echocar diogram. This test uses sound waves to image the heart chambers, its valves, blood flow through the valves and the size of the aorta. It is an excellent initial screening tool.

An echocardiogram can reliably diagnose a leaky or narrow valve or the enlargement of the aorta. Should there be evidence of aortic enlargement, your health care provider may order a CT for more precise measurement.

Treatment of the bicus pid aortic valve depends on the extent of the valve's disease, the patient's symptoms and the size

of the aorta. Open-heart surgery may be needed if the narrowing or leakiness is severe or the patient is experiencing symptoms.

The most commonly performed procedure is aortic valve replacement, with either an artificial mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve. In certain cases of a leaky valve, repair of the aortic valve may be more feasible than replacement, which is more advantageous, espe cially in younger patients.

During open-heart surgery, the surgeon may remove the enlarged section of aorta, if neces sary, and replace it with a synthetic tube, or graft. While there are no medications for bicus pid aortic valve, your health care provider may prescribe medications to treat associated heart problems, like high blood pressure. Patients with bicuspid aortic valve are at increased risk for develop ing infection of the lining of the heart and the valves, so recommendations for proper, regular dental care can lower this risk.

In summary, once the diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve is established, you will require lifelong care and surveillance by a cardiologist using an echo cardiogram to monitor your valve and aorta. Since the bicuspid aortic valve can be passed down in families, your health care provider also will recom mend a screening echocar diogram for your parents, siblings and children your first-degree-relatives.

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

support, but local agen cies are here to support you, when you are ready.

Woolwich Community Services’ Family Violence Prevention Program (519-669-5139), Woolwich Counselling Centre (519669-8651) and Women’s Crisis Services of the Waterloo Region (519742-5894) offer family violence services to those in need.

Without judgment or pressure, we support people of all genders, who have experienced or are experiencing family violence. Support is free and confidential and

comes in many forms – helping you navigate the legal system, secur ing alternative housing, providing counselling to you and your family members, developing a safety plan and much more.

Everyone deserves to be safe and happy – includ ing you and your loved ones.

ↆ This article is brought to you by Woolwich Counselling Centre (www.woolwichcounselling. org), in partnership with Woolwich Community Services’ Family Violence Prevention Program (www. woolwichcommunityservices. org).

This is the easiest side dish to make

Forget the ketchup. Serve roasted pota toes with either of these creamy sauces for a special side dish.

Chive Sour Cream

In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. For extra zing, stir in 1 minced garlic clove.

▢ America's Test Kitchen

Rigorously tested recipes that work.

In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

▢ 2 pounds fingerling or small red potatoes, cut in half lengthwise

▢ 2 tablespoons extra-

1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, oil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to toss potatoes and coat evenly with oil and seasonings.

virgin olive oil ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper

3. Transfer potatoes to the baking sheet. Turn each potato cut side down and spread potatoes into a single layer. Bake until skins are wrinkled and spotty brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

4. Place baking sheet on cooling rack and let cool for 5 minutes. 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

Garam Masala Yogurt

▢ Your Mental Wellbeing

Woolwich Counselling Centre

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“We are deciding whether to just toss them or shred them because it's personal information. But there's nothing else we can really do. We don't have a place to store them, so they will likely be recy cled,” she said.

All the rest of the merchandise and equip ment in the store is going to be either sold off, sent to other stores, or dismantled and recycled.

Porter says the store is going to continue to operate as usual until it closes, though she can no longer provide passport or ID photos.

As for where to develop photos next, the owner of Pond’s Foto Source in Guelph and Kitchener

Foto Source locations will be taking prepaid online orders and then arrang

ing drop off three times each week in Elmira at the Village Pet Food Shoppe.

Other non-digital orders such as film and video transfers, slide transfers, scanning and archiving can be dropped off and prepaid at the Kitchener or Guelph locations, and then the orders will be dropped off in Elmira, said Quinn Hollohan, the owner of the Foto Source stores.

“It's an opportunity for us to keep doing more stuff for [people]. But it's also like Brian had this legacy there, right? So people trust Foto Source, and trust Brian, so I hope that I can do the same thing and be able to supply a service for you guys.”

Porter will also continue to privately offer photo editing, restoration and design services.

Finally, Porter says she will be setting up the store’s final window display in the last week or two. The display will have information that custom ers need about where to go next for their photo needs. Porter wants the commu nity to know the display will be a group effort.

“If people want, if they have photos from the lab, or anybody that used to work here that wants to put a message in the window, they're more than welcome.

“And anybody that wants to send a message to Brian, if it's like a goodbye card, retirement card, a note at all, we are taking all of those and passing them along.”

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address the challenges and opportunities laid before the farmer mentalhealth movement across the country.

Andrea Lear, chief oper ating office of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Associ ation, believes mental well being is integral to safety and health. She says her association and the CCAW will collaborate to approach farm safety, health and wellbeing holistically.

“The sustainability of farms, farmers, farm families, farm workers and farming communities depends on safety, health and wellbeing,” she says.

The bottom line? Something’s being done. It’s time, and it’s vitally important that this centre succeed.

ROBERTS : A place focused on wellbeing