September 2, 2021

BeautiTone AD SPOT - NON PRINTING

Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Sunday Closed 22 Church St. W., Elmira (519) 669-5537

Fall Sale! * Off regular price. Cannot be combined with any other offer, including the Buy 6 Get 1 Free Loyalty Card. Home Store owners may limit quantities.

Find and follow us on FB and Instagram

Ontario's #1 Weekly Community Newspaper

Scotts Fall Lawn Fertilizers*

Signature Interior & Exterior Paint

SAVE

3.4L-3.7L*

20%

SAVE

25%

Filtrete Furnace Filters*

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

This Weekend Friday

230 Saturday

240 Sunday

Elmira, Ontario, Canada | observerxtra.com | Volume 26 | Issue 35

Arts | 14

230

Many changes for students, but schools to provide a full experience EDSS principal Brad Marsh among those looking forward to the new school year Justine Fraser Observer Staff

THE START OF THE SCHOOL year will look slightly different this year for students and parents as they head back to their classrooms September 7.

It will be a slow, cautious start for students, extracurricular activities will be limited and cafeteria services at secondary schools won’t be in operation for at least another month, with limited capacities for some schools.

Students and staff will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing protocols.

Despite the return, some students will continue to attend virtually.

It will be a staggered start for high schools such as Elmira District Secondary School, where Grades 9 and 10 will start on September 7, with students in Grades 11 and 12 arriving the following day.

“The good thing is for the secondary students is that they’re going to be

seeing their peers back in the school with them this year. So, with the new constraints and parameters that we have from public health, it’s going to allow more of the peer group to be in the school at the same timeframe to bring that social aspect back to the building, which tends to bring energy.

We’re really looking forward to that,” said EDSS principal Brad Marsh.

“As we move through the scenario of bringing everyone back and then loosening of the public health parameters that have been supplied to us, it’ll be a staggered kind of release of students into more normal activity. So, our nutrition break is a little bit shorter.

We’re going to have to work through how we allow students to have their break and their lunch.”

Students and parents will be required to screen online for COVID-19 prior to their children attending school, with Waterloo Region District School → BACK TO SCHOOL 6

Woolwich fire chief Dale Martin’s journey as a firefighter began at the Elmira station in 1978.

Steve Kannon

“It’s been a good ride”

Woolwich fire chief Dale Martin has mixed emotions as he heads off into retirement Steve Kannon Observer Staff

AS OF TUESDAY, DALE MARTIN no longer has to worry about being forced to roll out of bed in the middle of the night. That’s someone else’s job now that he’s retired from his post as chief of the Woolwich Fire Department.

Responding to emergencies is something he’s done for most of the last 43 years since he first joined the Elmira station in 1978. He

was named the township’s deputy chief in 2008, taking on responsibility for enhanced training requirements. He took over the top spot in 2017 following the retirement of his predecessor, Rick Pedersen.

“I’m going to be 65 in October, so I always knew that was going to be the end day. You leave with mixed emotions, but I always knew that I’d know when the time is right, and that’s now,” he said on

August 31, his last day on the job.

“It’s time for somebody new to take over – it’s been a good ride.”

Martin says he won’t miss the pager going off at all hours, nor the sometimes painful parts of responding to emergency situations.

“It’s the people that I’m going to miss,” he said, calling the job a big positive in his life.

“I enjoyed every minute of it. There was days that

were bad because of what happened, but we overcame them, too,” he said.

“I found that the chief’s job could be challenging, because you had to have a good balance between compassion and still doing your job. And sometimes that line was pretty blurry for me – being in a small community, you tend to know most people, so you could get emotionally involved.”

This is Martin’s second →RETIREMENT 4

FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME! - Compost for Lawns, Experience the Difference

100% compost A natural soil enhancement for lawns

AD SPOT - NON PRINTING

y Toda l l a C

!

519-584-4755

webstoneprosoils.ca

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

2 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Region increases vaccine eligibility ahead of return to school next week Justine Fraser Observer Staff

It’s Almost Back to School Be aware that the first day back to school is September 7, 2021.

This is the first time in a long time that students will be returning to in class learning. Everyone needs time to adjust their schedule and get back into a routine. Please be patient with our Crossing Guards and obey their stop sig ns. They are safely escorting students to their destination.

To assist with a safe and smooth return to school, please follow the safety tips below. Stay alert and stay safe.

Back to School Road Safety Tips • Slow down and leave yourself extra time to arrive at your destination • Watch for children. Stay focused; don’t let a child’s mistake cause them harm • Set a good example; obey Crossing Guards and designated drop off and pick up areas • Do not make U-turns or reverse your vehicle • Do not pass vehicles, be patient • Practice road safety with your children and remind them to look both ways, cross at appropriate crossings and obey Crossing Guards

WATERLOO REGION CHILDREN BORN IN 2009 are now eligible to get vaccinated before they head back to school next week.

“Getting ready for back to school, all youth born in 2009 or earlier are eligible to get the vaccine. We encourage all youth and their families to get fully vaccinated. There are still many opportunities between this week and next to get vaccinated,” said medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang during the weekly pandemic briefing August 27.

“Our local trends have remained stable to date although we can expect our case rates may rise and we’ll need to remain vigilant – families with children who are not yet eligible it is important that every other family member is fully vaccinated to reduce the risk. Our case rates continue to sit at approximately 22 cases per 100, 00 per week – we have started to see a higher number of case reports coming in so our numbers may be starting to trend higher.

Delta can spread rapidly as we know and it continues to circulate in our community and across Ontario, we need to continue increasing our vaccination rates and keep practicing our public health precautions,” she said.

“We will continue to work with the schools to do what makes sense, we have had multiple discussions as to what vaccination efforts could look like this fall. I think there is some potential for in school vaccination but it has to make sense for the schools and the families and the children, those details have not been hammered out yet, but I assure you we are working on them,” said Vickie Murray, director of regional vaccine services.

Murray also mentioned they will continue to dispatch the mobile vaccination bus to rural locations in Woolwich and Wellesley township to help people get vaccinated closer to home. The region is open to input from businesses that would like to host the bus for a few hours.

At midweek, 85.7 per cent of Waterloo Region

residents over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of a vaccine, with 78.9 per cent fully immunized.

There were 154 active cases in the region, up 16 from a week earlier.

Officials are monitoring outbreaks in six locations, the same number as this point last week. One person succumbed to the disease in the past week, bringing the total to 289 since the pandemic began.

The numbers are spiking in neighbouring Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, with the midweek total at 105 active cases, up from 55 a week earlier. There have been a total of 126 fatalities since the pandemic began, unchanged over the last six weeks.

The province continues to see growth in the total number of cases, and at a higher rate than in recent weeks, with the tally now at 565,000, up about a 5,000 in the past week.

There have been 9,503 deaths attributed to the virus – up 32 over the week before – representing a mortality rate of 1.7 per cent. The ministry reports 550,000 cases (97.3 per cent) have been resolved.

Master Craftsmen of Fine Homes & Interiors

HELP WANTED FULL TIME FRAMING & TRIM CARPENTERS

required for a growing construction company based in Hawkesville.

Country Lane Builders is a proven leader in the construction industry.

We encourage innovation, and support our staff to be the best they can be through our communication, mutual respect & integrity.

If you are looking for a career opportunity with a competitive wage & benefit package, please email your resume to jeff@clbuilders.ca Experience preferred but not required.

3575 Broadway Street, Hawkesville ON sales@clbuilders.ca

519-699-4388

countrylanebuilders.ca

Community Care Concepts of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot

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

519-664-1900

|

1-855-664-1900

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 3

Page Three

If it matters to you.

It matters to us.

News tips are always welcome.

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

Catholic board trustees

From the archives

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board this week filled two vacancies on its board of trustees, including the one left open when Kevin Dupuis (now the People’s Party candidate for Kitchener-Conestoga) quit over the board’s decision to fly the pride flag earlier this summer. Shannon Nash and Hans Roach will represent Kitchener/Wilmot.

The waiting is over for more than 150 area residents with no family doctor thanks to a new, part-time physician at the Woolwich Community Health Centre in St. Jacobs.

Dr. Gulshan Lodhi will spend the equivalent of two full days seeing patients for WCHC, as well as three hours a week at the Linwood nurse practitioner’s office.

From the Sept. 4, 2004 edition of The Observer

Kings set for new season as league rolls out a schedule Steve Kannon

lockdowns a year and a half ago.

The league last week announced a 625-game schedule that will see all 25 GOJHL clubs complete a 50-game season.

The regular season opens September 24, with the Kings in action two days later, welcoming the Ayr Centennials to

Observer Staff

THE ELMIRA SUGAR KINGS RETURN to the ice September 26 for their opening game of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) schedule. It will be their first real game since the start of the pandemic

the Woolwich Memorial Centre for a 2 p.m. matinee game.

After some 18 months without a meaningful match, the Kings welcomed the resumption of play.

“I can tell you that everyone in the organization is extremely excited to be getting back at it. Our

training camp opened on August 21st and we had a great turnout,” said director of hockey operations Scott McMillan.

“Our board and staff are working hand in hand with our league, the Ontario Hockey Association which governs our league, Woolwich township and through

the township the regional public health team to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep our staff, our players and everyone at the arena safe.

We are committed to doing whatever is asked of us to manage risk so that we can play our season.”

Play resumes as the Kings celebrate 50 years

since their inaugural season in 1971, and comes on the heels of a lost season last year.

“We missed our 50th season last year, so this year we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary and there are a few special events planned for that.

The first anniversary →KINGS 7

In early budget talks, Woolwich eyes 4.85% tax hike Preliminary targets look at same services, large infrastructure needs Steve Kannon

said Coun. Murray Martin.

“That strikes me as pretty harsh,” agreed Coun. Larry Shantz of an increase “just shy” of five per cent.

“I think we have to be a little bit easier on the public,” he added, citing the tough economic climate.

But others such as Mayor Sandy Shantz argued a growing community demands more spending, adding that the township is no longer a small municipality.

In a preliminary report to council, director of finance Richard Petherick said the baseline increase was in line with forecasts for inflation in 2022, with staff proposing a budget that maintains current service levels. There was no discussion of cuts, though some councillors pointed to decisions coming about failing infrastructure versus increasing operating expenses.

Coun. Shantz also returned to needs versus wants.

Observer Staff

DECISIONS ON A FINAL 2022 Woolwich budget is still months away, but at this point residents are looking at an increase of almost five per cent.

Meeting Tuesday night, councillors approved a framework for future budget talks that includes a hike of 4.85 per cent on the township portion of their property taxes: a 2.5 per cent base increase, a 1.5 per cent special levy for infrastructure spending and 0.85 per cent for greening initiatives.

The township is also expecting significant new taxes due to new development, adding another three or four per cent to the coffers.

The proposal floated by staff got mixed reviews, however.

“You’re looking at 4.85 per cent increase coming out of the gate. That’s just a high number, and I think you’re going to have a hard time pushing it through,”

→BUDGET 7

Emily zur Linden with the hardware from the North American Regional Powerlifting Champtionships.

Justine Fraser

Elmira woman brings home the gold Local athlete earns elite lifting status at powerlifting championship in Florida Justine Fraser Observer Staff

RATHER THAN SOME MOUSE EARS, Elmira’s Emily zur Linden returned from Orlando with a large, golden trophy to add to her display case, the result of her win at the 18th annual North American Regional Powerlifting Champion-

ships on August 19.

She won gold for her weight class and brought home a trophy for best overall female lifter at the event, an award she was thrilled to receive.

“This year, the day before the application period closed I put my name in – I was like ‘OK, let’s see if they consider

me good enough to be part of Team Canada to go compete internationally for them.’ So I put my name in, and a couple days later they’re like, ‘Yeah, sure you’re on the team.’ So I head down there and not only do I win my weight class, but I also scored a heavyenough total compared

to my bodyweight that I out-lifted every other female, so I won best lifter of the meet, a huge accomplishment,” she explained.

“Winning your weight class, everyone has an equal chance of doing that, but then to be put up against everyone else in every weight class against → POWERLIFTING 7

Wednesdays is Senior’s Day - Receive 20% Discount* W • O • O • L • W • I • C • H

P

H

A

R

M

A

C

Y

FREE DELIVERY | 10 Church St. W., Elmira 519.669.8282

Always Fast, Friendly & Professional Services • Compression Stockings (Standard & Customized AD SPOT - NON PRINTING • Compounding • Compliance Packaging • Free Blood Pressure Check • Free Blood Glucose Monitor & Teaching Samer Mikhail Pharmacist | Owner • Ostomy & Home Health Care *See store for details.

OPEN: Mon. to Fri. 9am - 7pm; Saturday 9am - 4pm; Closed Sundays

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

4 | COMMUNITY NEWS

RETIREMENT: Woolwich close to selecting new chief →FROM 1

retirement, having retired from his job of 34 years at Reist Industries prior to becoming chief. This time, it will be for real, complete with some fishing.

“The first order of business is I want to become a volunteer at the Grand River Hospital, because in 2013 I had a bout of cancer. When I was in the hospital, I felt volunteers had really made a difference for me. So I thought that’s something I can do when I retire – I owe that to myself,” he said of his retirement plans, noting

COMMON SENSE POLICIES THAT PUT CANADIANS FIRST No more lockdowns No vaccine passports No carbon tax Freedom of speech is essential in a democratic society Ensure that Canadians can exercise their freedom of conscience to its fullest extent Sensible immigration Sensible environmental policies

Dale Martin on his last day of work, Aug. 31.

that the hospital duties will have to wait until after the pandemic when new volunteers will be taken on.

The pandemic has also put on hold any international travel plans, at least for the time being.

The township is currently conducting

interviews for a new fire chief, with chief administrative officer David Brenneman noting the position could be filled within a week or so.

“Dale was an exceptional fire chief because he was always calm under pressure and provided a quiet level of confidence in handling any situation.

Over the years, he always struck a good balance of providing strong leadership when it was needed, as well as compassion and empathy when the situation called for it,” he said of Martin.

ELECT KEVIN DUPUIS

for the People’s Party of Canada Kitchener - Conestoga

Advertise With us!

ADVERTISE AT THE WELLESLEY AND ST CLEMENTS ARENA

SHIP OF

SLEY

Ad Specifications

Annual Pricing per Facility

(Boards Supplied by Advertiser)

(Arena Boards or Wall Space)

96” w x 36” h”

St. Clements Arena $176.02*

Full Colour on to Vinyl to .020” thick Styrene Sheet

Wellesley Arena $250.00*

ARENA SEASON September - April SUBMISSION DEADLINE September 10 *All prices are net per year. Prices subject to change without notice. Taxes extra. Limited spaces available. WE WILL REQUIRE PAYMENT IN FULL, UPON BOOKING — AN INVOICE FOR TOTAL AMOUNTS WILL BE SENT BY THE TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY, PAYABLE IN FULL IN 30 DAYS. For advertisements received after ice is in, advertisers may be subject to an additional charge for install.

TOWNSHIP OF

WELLESLEY

4639 Lobsinger Line St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0 P (519) 699-4611 F (519) 699-4540 www.wellesley.ca

Contact Wendy Huber whuber@wellesley.ca 519-699-3956

GIVE YOUR MARKETING A BOOST WITH ADVERTISING THAT WORKS! GREAT RATES – GREAT SERVICE

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

ↆ P O L I C E

COMMUNITY NEWS | 5

R E POR T

Waterloo Regional Police encourage a safe return to school As the summer winds down and students are preparing to head back to school, Waterloo Regional Police this week issued a reminder to the community to make safety a top priority.

Motorists are reminded to be extra vigilant as students will be adjusting to new schedules, wearing masks and practicing physical distancing while walking to school and at bus stops. Police encourage drivers to give themselves extra time, and to obey signage for

AUGUST 23 3:20 PM | Members of

the OPP Wellington County Detachment responded to a single-vehicle collision on Ariss Valley Road in Guelph-Eramsoa Township. It was reported that a vehicle was travelling eastbound in an erratic manner prior to it leaving the roadway and getting stuck in a rock garden.

Police located the vehicle and while interacting with the driver, determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and they were placed under arrest. As a result, a 46-year-old Harriston man was charged with ‘operation while impaired’ and ‘operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus.’

A 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment were initiated as per statute.

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Guelph on September 10.

AUGUST 24 12:20 AM | Welling-

ton County OPP were conducting R.I.D.E. spot checks at the intersection Wellington Road 21 at Township Road 4 in Inverhaugh. Police investigated the driver of a motor vehicle that entered into the checkpoint. As a result of the investigation, a 45-year-old Waterloo man was charged with ‘operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus.’ contrary to the Criminal Code. His driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle seized for a week. He is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice Guelph on September 3.

9:40 PM | Waterloo

no stopping, no parking and reduced speed limits within school zones.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to promote safety with their children and remind them to stay alert while on the school bus and while walking or biking to school. They are also encouraged to: • Plan a safe route to and from school, and practice the route before the start of school.

• Cross at designated crosswalks with the

walk signal.

• Stop in both directions for a school bus with lights flashing.

• Stop and be mindful of crossing guards assisting children across the road.

• Establish a plan for school pickup with family or friends.

In a release, police said they will be taking part in the annual #WalktheChalk event. During the first week of September, officers will be writing messages along sidewalks to promote

safety. The intent is for students to read these messages as they walk to school on the first day and help encourage safe walking and biking.

Waterloo Regional Police are also again taking part in Project Safe Semester, a campaign that promotes the safety and well-being of university and college students. The campaign will run until September 25 to help ensure the safety and security of all community members.

Regional Police received a report of an election sign on fire in the area of Sawmill Road and Arthur Street South in Woolwich Township. Police located the sign with a burned edge, however, there was no further damage.

The fire was put out by a passerby. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers.

result in further charges against the driver as well as the company that employs the driver. The vehicle was taken off the road until another operator could be found.

complainant advised that he stopped at a restaurant at 9 a.m., and when he returned to the parking lot one hour later his motorcycle was gone. A witness observed the motorcycle travelling southbound from Lucknow on County Road 1 around 11:30 a.m.

The bike is described as a green 2012 Harley Davidson FTK bearing Ontario marker 9M4J6. Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP toll free at 1-888-310-1122 or on line at www.opp.ca/reporting.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw. tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

AUGUST 26 10:59 AM | Emergency

services responded to a report of a collision at Sandhills Road and Gingerich Road in Wilmot Township. Through investigation, it was determined that the driver of a Toyota Yaris collided with a white Hyundai at the intersection, after the driver of the Toyota failed to stop at the stop sign. Both vehicles suffered severe damage as a result of the collision.

The driver of the Toyota, a 27-year-old woman, was charged with ‘careless driving.’

11:30AM | The Welling-

ton County OPP Traffic Management Unit observed a commercial motor vehicle being driven at an excessive speed on Wellington Road7 near Ponsonby. The driver was operating a fully loaded tractor-trailer through a 60km/h school zone. The investigation revealed that the driver had exceeded allowable hours of driving time allotted without rest. The driver faces numerous Highway Traffic Act charges related to exceeding allowable continuous work restrictions and speeding. These charges will impact the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) of the logistics company employing the driver.

The incident is still being investigated and may

AUGUST 27 1:55 PM | A collision

between a vehicle and cyclist brought emergency crews to the intersection of Arthur Street and South Field Drive in Elmira. The driver of the motor vehicle was travelling west on South Field Drive when they attempted a right turn onto Arthur Street South to travel north. The cyclist was travelling southbound when they were struck by the turning vehicle. As a result of the investigation, a 22-year-old man was charged with ‘turn – not in safety.’

4:21 PM | Waterloo Regional Police received a report of a collision on Sawmill Road in Woolwich Township. Two vehicle were travelling south on Sawmill when the driver of one of vehicles attempted a u-turn and struck the other vehicle. As a result of the investigation, a 90-yearold man was charged with ‘turn – not in safety.’

AUGUST 28 7:59 AM | Police received report of a theft from a motor vehicle parked on Wilker Way in Linwood.

An unlocked vehicle as entered and personal property was stolen. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-5709777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

10:10 AM | Wellington

County OPP received a report of a stolen motorcycle from a business on Wellington Road 86 in Mapleton Township. The

10:21 AM | Waterloo

Regional Police received a report of a theft from a vehicle parked on Arthur Road in Heidelberg. The vehicle was not locked, and the suspect stole personal property. The theft is believed to have occurred sometime overnight. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers.

AUGUST 29

dump truck was hauling an insecure load and gravel flew off the truck causing damage to a vehicle. The driver of the dump truck was charged with ‘insecure load.’

9:48 PM | A break-in was

reported by a resident of Nightingale Crescent in Elmira. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

AUGUST 31

11:05 AM | Police

responded to a report of a suspicious black BMW in the area of Joseph Street and Shields Street in Breslau. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle took off from the area at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was not initiated due to concerns for public safety. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-5709777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Family Violence Prevention Program would like to thank the following businesses for supporting the 27th Annual Jeanne Renault Golf Classic.

Hole Sponsors Bridgeland Terminals Ltd. Canadian Tire Elmira C-Max Fire Solutions Contour Directional Drilling Ltd. Elmira Stove Works Frey Building Contractors Good Auto Parts M&G Millwrights Ltd. McDonald's Elmira Royal LePage Wolle St. Clements Heart and Home Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz Ltd. Woolwich Observer For more information about our programs: www.woolwichcommunityservices.org T: 519-669-5139 | E: wcs@execulink.com 5 Memorial Ave. Elmira ON N3B 2P8

75 Arthur St. South, Elmira, ON N3B 2M8

Visit our Pharmacy today!

We offer many services that may benefit you

2:34 PM | Police were

notified of a single-vehicle collision on Boomer Line in Wellesley Township. The driver of the vehicle was travelling east when they swerved to avoid a collision with a dog on the roadway.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled into a ditch. There were no physical injuries reported.

No charges were laid as a result of the investigation.

AUGUST 30 5:51 PM | Waterloo

Regional Police received a report of property damage on Northfield Drive East in Woolwich Township. A

• Medication management • Seasonal flu vaccine (Blister pack) • Over the counter • Free Prescription delivery delivery available (Elmira and local area) (Minimum $50 before tax order required) • Ostomy Supply • Compression Stockings

• Incontinence products

• Travel Vaccine administration service

• Prescription Transfer to our pharmacy just like 1-2-3

Monday - Friday Saturday

9:00am - 6:00pm 10:00am - 3:00pm

Sunday

Tel: (519) 669-5655 Fax: (519) 669-5595 Raj Patel Pharmacist / Owner

Closed

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

BACK TO SCHOOL: Still many unknowns with students’ return imminent →FROM 1

SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR 20 YEARS!

• RETAINING WALLS • DRAINAGE TILES & REPAIRS, CATCH BASIN, ETC.

• SPECIALIZE IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS

DENNIS KUEPFER - MILLBANK - (519) 595-4362

ↆ BACK

TO

S CHOOL

Board superintendent Bill Lemon saying he hopes it will become a habit afterwards but there aren’t any requirements put in place yet past the first two weeks.

“Our facilities [people] have been working on upgrading the ventilation in a number of our sites and making sure that we get the appropriate air exchange and where possible, or where necessary, mechanical ventilation is being installed.

So that’s been an ongoing project over the year,” said Lemon during a Zoom call Monday morning.

“We’ve had some direction around some activities regarding clubs and things like that following similar guidance to our classroom procedures, they could potentially proceed. Where we are waiting on more direction is around inter-

school sports – the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, which we refer to in terms of their safety expertise, they will be releasing a COVID-specific safety document hopefully this week sometime and then we’ll base our procedures on that,” he said.

Lemon also mentioned some schools have seen an increase in students accessing virtual learning this year.

“We were at the low end of students accessing remote learning and we are again towards the bottom of it – we want to have them in the building to get not just the academic aspect, but the social and the fun stuff, the energy that comes from being in a building with your peers, which is a big part of high school.

That is what we want to get back to,” said Marsh.

“We are ready for the 7th, and custodial have done a great job through COVID. And also working through this as they have taken the front line for sure in regards to school and keeping up with the parameters for that, they’ve done a fantastic job. So, they’re working away here to get us ready,” added Marsh.

Secondary students can expect a modified semester approach to their learning this year, different to previous.

“The parameters that came for us looked at bringing more of the student population back into the school and trying to get back to the semester system,” he said.

Lemon said they are currently not mandating vaccines for staff but are following the standards the Ministry of Education decides is best for schools

in Ontario.

Lemon and Marsh said that classrooms will be more full this year, with all classrooms being used, the only limit to the number of students will be when secondary students are split into their group A and group B cohorts.

COVID-19 outbreaks amongst students is expected to happen as they attend classes again, but Lemon said they are prepared and will continue to offer in person learning as cases arise, not wanting the pandemic to consume students’ lives again.

“I think we have a great plan in place. Brad and his colleagues have built up some expertise over the year and implementing that plan – the work that they’ve done has been incredible. I really do feel that we are well prepared to welcome our students back,” added Lemon.

SAFETY

THE KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

The 2021-22 school year is about to begin! All public and private schools will return to full-time inperson learning (5-days a week).

Remote Learning is still an option for students.

The government of Ontario says that students can expect:

· Signs to reinforce mandatory self-screening for symptoms of illness, hand hygiene, physical distancing and one-way foot traffic in hallways and bathrooms

Schools will:

· Ensure students are wearing a mask when required · Train students on appropriate hand hygiene · Schedule breaks for students to wash their hands · Ensure adequate ventilation measures are in place

Stay Safe!

· Hand sanitizer at key locations throughout the school · Rules about how people enter and exit the school

PO BOX 31119 WILLOW WEST, GUELPH, ON N1H8K1 PHONE: (519) 822-8929 FAX: (519) 822-7481 TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-7720

PROFESSIONAL WORK • AFFORDABLE PRICES

DUB-L-E

Bonnie’s Chick Hatchery Ltd. Day-old Egg Layers Day-old Meat Varieties Turkeys - Ducks Ready-to-lay-pullets

18 Arthur St. N. • 519-669-2561

Serving you for over 100 Years 1145 Printery Rd., St. Jacobs | TEL: 519.664.2263

West Montrose

Family Camp Swimming Pools • Canoeing on the Grand • Fishing Children's Play Area • Walk to Covered Bridge Driving distance to MANY more activities & amenities

www.WESTMONTROSECAMP.com 6344 Line 86, RR#1 West Montrose • 519-669-2129

• GAS • DIESEL • PROPANE EXCHANGE • TOUCH-FREE CAR WASH

SANYO CANADIAN MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr. • 519-669-1591

390 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA (Hwy 86 & Road 21)

519-669-2015

CLM

MODULAR BUILDINGS MOVING & LEASING

2170 FLORADALE RD., FLORADALE • 519-669-2183

OPEN 8am to 9pm | 7 DAYS A WEEK DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE Call for Details

315 Arthur St. S., Elmira • 519-669-5403

• Quality Drainage Systems • Backhoe Service A family tradition since 1921

Arthur, ON • 519-848-3113 • 877-669-1440 www.martindrainage.com

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

COMMUNITY NEWS | 7

takeout Lunch & dinners Dinner 3:30pm-7:30pm

Bone in Ham or Roast Beef includes:

Sept 3 & 4

coleslaw, rolls, mashed potatoes, vegetable & dessert

Lunches 11am-4pm

Hot Beef or Tereyaki Chicken includes:

Sept 8-11

coleslaw, rolls, mashed potatoes, vegetable & dessert

Delivery available Thurs, Fri, Sat. Call for details.

CAFÉÉ HOURS: Tues.

Tues.-Thurs.

Thurs. 8-4, Fri.-Sat. 8-7:30

r orde pre-Quired e r

(519) 669-2142 | 2238 Floradale Rd., Floradale | www.bonnielouscafe.com Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris (middle) announced the province is providing $4.3 million for KidsAbility to help the organization build additional service capacity and increase access to preschool speech and language services and community-based and schoolbased rehabilitation services. He was joined Aug. 19 by regional Chair Karen Redman (third from left) and the KidsAbility staff and board Submitted members.

POWERLIFTING: She not only won her class, but emerged victorious overall →FROM 1

each other, I ended up taking home the best lifter award. I am really excited – anything over 100 is considered elite, and I totaled 101.45, so it’s like I won the gold. I was the best lifter, and I am officially an elite power lifter, based on the weight I can lift. We’re just kind of over the moon about this because it’s been a long time, a lot of hours of training,” said zur Linden.

When not lifting multiples of her own weight, zur Linden is a veterinarian at Metzger Veterinary Services in Linwood.

Linden and her husband, Alex, renovated their garage into a home gym right before the pandemic hit, giving them both ample space to work out. Their home gym is a little more professional than most, with the addition of a climbing rope that reaches the ceiling, wooden boards along the wall to prevent weights

Emily zur Linden in the gym at her Elmira home.

from damaging it and a whiteboard that keeps track of their training regiments. The colours of the weights represent their difficulty, red weights are the heaviest, she explained as she lifted several red, blue and green weights with ease as she spoke.

“I only lift three days a week because of my work schedule and I want to

Justine Fraser

have time for family and be on bedtime duty – be a mom and a wife also. I’m down to three days a week for lifting, but they’re about three- to four-hour sessions, and it’s usually after my daughter goes to bed: 8 to 11:30 at night, I’m in the garage, lifting.”

Emily has been powerlifting since 2017, after a long run of competing in other sports such as

gymnastics and CrossFit. “Growing up, I competed in gymnastics for about 20 years, so I have a long athletic background. After deciding I was done with CrossFit –I was kind of burnt out – I just wanted to get stronger and see how that goes,” she said of the decision to “dabble” in powerlifting.

“I’ve never looked back.

It’s been pretty great.”

The experience is something that others should experience, too, she added.

“As soon as I competed my first time, the strength community was just so incredibly supportive and happy to have somebody new. Everybody wants to see you succeed, and it was that supportive environment that really stuck out to me. I want anybody else who’s coming into something like strength sports, like powerlifting or weightlifting, to feel that level of inclusivity and welcome that I did.”

BUDGET: Councillors give mixed reception to proposed large tax increase →FROM 3

“I look at needs being infrastructure and things that are falling apart that have to be repaired – those are needs. And wants are like our recreation stuff that people want to have, but can we afford it?”

The township has been collecting a special infrastructure levy – typically in the 1.5 per cent range, which will raise $1.15 million in 2021 – for years now, but is still

well behind in the race to cover the costs of failing roads, bridges and the like.

Petherick noted existing funding still isn’t enough.

Coun. Patrick Merlihan, noting that Woolwich expects significant growth over the next 15 or 20 years, suggested most of the new assessment revenues should be earmarked for infrastructure projects rather than simply being rolled into the operating budget, as has often been

the case. The latter actually amounts to a tax increase paid by everyone, he argued, as the base budget has increased across the board year over year.

The township has a number of pressing infrastructures, some of them unfunded, he added, pointing to the Peel Street bridge in Winterbourne.

“It costs money to do those kinds of projects, as we’ve already committed to them,” said Merlihan,

pressing for more focus on infrastructure funding.

Likewise, the township needs to do more green infrastructure, using what little money that new special levy provides – $56,000 this year – he said, drawing support from fellow Ward 1 Coun. Scott McMillan.

Council is expected to make a decision on the framework for the 2022 budget at the September 21 meeting.

KINGS: Team will be back to game action for the first time in 18 months →FROM 3

event planned is the 50th anniversary golf tournament on September 20 at the Elmira Golf Club,” said McMillan, noting registration is open until September 6.

On the ice, the Kings will be led by veteran Kurtis Goodwin, now entering his final year of eligibility

having been with the team since the age of 16, and three-year veteran Owen O’Donnell. The latter’s brother, Jack O’Donnell, is a potential part of the roster as the Kings await roster decisions elsewhere.

“He is hoping to make the Guelph Storm, but if he doesn’t he will be a welcome addition to our

club. We might have Liam Eveleigh, another Elmira product, suiting up for his second season. Last year’s missed year would have been his rookie year and he’ll be with us if he doesn’t get signed by the Sarnia Sting. And we signed Centre Wellington goalie Colin Mackenzie who is currently trying

out with the Ottawa 67’s and will share time in the net with returning goalie Marshall Nicholls who is skating with Erie in the OHL,” said McMillan.

Rob Collins returns as head coach, assisted by Joe Amlinger and Corey Prang. Nick Horrigan is the goalie coach. All are former Kings.

Trusted local news for twenty-five years.

Real news. Real reporting.

Stories you won't find anywhere else.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 8

Opinion

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

Verbatim

The Monitor

“Keeping kids in school is essential for development, mental health and well-being. We need to prioritize the safety and wellness of children, especially those who can't be vaccinated yet.”

In the past week, 41% of Canadians say their opinion of Justin Trudeau has deteriorated, while 23% say their opinions of Erin O’Toole and Jagmeet Singh have improved; 39% expect the Liberals to win, down 8 points, 28% say the Conservatives (up 10) and 7% say the NDP (down 1).

Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Katharine Smart urges a safe return to in-person learning.

Leger poll

Connect: observerxtra.com/staff OBSERVER EDITORIAL

It's not just government debt that should have us worried

M

ore than half of Canadians are $200 away from insolvency in any given month, meaning even a relatively small unexpected expense could be a tipping point, a longstanding issue made worse by the pandemic.

The situation has been worsening slightly over time as wages stagnate, costs rise and household debt continues to rise.

Today, some 53 per cent of Canadians say they are $200 or less each month away from financial insolvency, an increase of two points from the last quarter. This includes about 30 per cent who say they have no wiggle room at month-end, as they already don’t make enough to cover their bills and debt payments.

The numbers indicate deteriorating financial stability for many.

Easy credit and low interest rates have fuelled the borrowing, with total consumer debt now surpassing $2.1 trillion. Our debt continues to outstrip our incomes.

Soaring home prices have also increased the average loan amount for new mortgages to more than $355,000, a 22.2 per cent increase from a year ago.

Canadians on average are paying about 15 per cent of household income to service debt.

Low borrowing costs have made it easier for consumers to service their debts. What happens if rates start to rise, however?

Such worries are likely behind the Bank of Canada’s reluctance to raise rates after a series of increases.

It’s our spending habits that have got the better of us: bigger homes, new cars, electronic toys and so on. Our wants are limitless, while ability to pay for them is not.

Worse still, our real incomes and net worth are in decline, meaning we’re borrowing just to maintain the status quo. So, even as household debt climbed relative to our incomes, we had less than we did last year.

A new survey, based on polling done by Ipsos, notes the average Canadian estimates it will take seven years to get out of their non-mortgage debt, with about 15 per cent assuming they’ll never get out of debt. New credit card growth is also picking up pace, doubling the volume seen a year ago when demand was at its lowest. Quarter over quarter new card volume increased by 2.8 per cent, but has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

Caught between falling incomes and growing household debt, we’re using borrowed money to finance day-to-day expenses rather than consumer goodies.

Studies have repeatedly indicated a trend, with more than half of indebted Canadians borrowing just to afford daily living expenses such as food, housing and transportation. This is no accident, as our standard of living has been in decline for decades, propped up by massive amounts of borrowing. Long gone are the days when rising productivity in the economy was shared among pretty much everyone – that was when the “rising tide lifts all boats” arguments still held water – replaced by most of the benefits going to the few.

While it’s true we have much more stuff than was the case in the more-prosperous postwar years, that’s an illusion brought on by there simply being more stuff to have. And readily available credit to buy it, and buy it now, patience no longer being a collective virtue.

Clearly debt is a problem at the individual level, just as it is with governments, who have spent at record levels due to the pandemic, with unknown consequences.

The key to changing the situation rests not only with cuts and austerity – we should, however, be saving for the future – but with seeing actual economic growth that moves us away from a dependence on consumerism as its fuel.

Polls show we’re concerned about debt – paying it down has become an increasingly important priority for those nearing retirement age, for instance – but there’s still far more talk than action. If the bubble goes pop – well, when it does, as there’s a simple reality: housing prices do not always go up – the recriminations will be as abundant as the cases of 20/20 hindsight.

ANALYSIS OF CURRENT WORLD EVENTS

Ethiopia could be following Yugoslavia’s lead

W

e have to deal with anyone who’s still shooting,” said Getachew Reda, spokesman for the Tigrayan forces, early this month. “If it takes marching to Addis to silence the guns, we will.”

In fact, Tigray’s army has already covered about a third of the distance to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, since it took back its own provincial capital, Mekelle, in late June.

The fighting has been bloody, for the Ethiopian army is much larger, but the Tigrayan army is more professional and determined. Not only has it liberated all of Tigray except the far west, but it has also seized around one-third of neighbouring Amhara, the province that is the historic core of the Ethiopian empire.

Seven million Tigrayans defeating the army of a country of 110 million people may seem odd, but Ethiopia is a patchwork quilt of different ethnic groups, languages and religions that was held together in the past by a centralized monarchy or dictatorship backed by ruthless military force. Until quite recently, it was Tigray that provided that force.

The Tigrayans earned that job by being the most effective

GWYNNE DYER

Global Outlook on World Affairs

guerrilla force in the long struggle to overthrow the former communist regime, the Derg.

They parlayed that role into an ethnic dictatorship that lasted from 1991 until just a few years ago. But the other ethnic groups then united to install a new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who started to dismantle that corrupt autocracy.

He did it, but the Tigrayan military elite withdrew to their own homeland and sulked.

It was a well-armed sulk, for almost half the Ethiopian army was based in Tigray, and it consisted largely of ethnic Tigrayans. When it became clear that Abiy’s project to destroy the old ethnic pecking order was not negotiable, they rebelled.

This was all pretty inevitable, but then the Ethiopian prime minister decided to invade Tigray and end the problem for good. That was bound to end badly for Ethiopia, because he was making a direct attack on what is practically an African Sparta.

The Tigrayan army pulled

out of the province’s cities for a while, and by last November Abiy Ahmed declared the war over. But the Tigrayan leaders were just mobilizing their forces, and in June they counter-attacked. The Ethiopian forces broke and ran, and most of Tigray was liberated without a fight.

If it had stopped there, some sort of Ethiopian state would have survived, albeit with a semi-detached Tigray, but Abiy then made the serious mistake of resorting to a blockade to starve the Tigrayans out. By now many people in landlocked Tigray are close to famine, but their leaders have countered with an invasion of Amhara province.

They are now within striking distance of the roads that carry 95 per cent of the Ethiopia’s import and export traffic between Addis Ababa and the port of Djibouti. Their success has also emboldened the Oromo Liberation Army, a rebel army seeking autonomy or even independence for Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, to make an alliance with the Tigrayans.

Suddenly Ethiopia starts to look a lot like former Yugoslavia just before the civil wars of the →DYER 10

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

OPINION | 9

Simple act of planting trees is part of the fight against climate change

W

e’re increasingly aware of the pivotal role trees play in our environment, particularly the urban areas.

The township is in the midst of efforts to increase its tree cover – including the so-called urban canopy – and there are regional, provincial and federal efforts to boost the planting of trees.

Ottawa, in fact, has a “two billion trees” program underway, with the target right in the name. Planting that many trees represents a 40-per-cent increase in the number of trees that would typically be planted over a decade, and will see trees planted in both urban and rural areas across the country. In 10 years, the new trees will cover the equivalent of over 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island.

To reach that goal, the government has committed up to $3.2 billion over 10 years, starting in 2021–22.

The feds say the plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050, and create up to 4,300 green jobs.

Given the increasingly extreme weather we’re experiencing, it’s little wonder that issues of climate change have permeated the public consciousness, especially in the run-up to a federal election. Daily news accounts of wildfires wreaking havoc on forests in this country, the U.S. and elsewhere make us mindful of our forested areas.

In such instances, climate change becomes an issue not only for environmental groups, but industry organizations as well.

The likes of Rob Keen, CEO of Forest Recov-

STEVE KANNON Editor's Point of View

ery Canada and Forests Ontario, argues for tree planting to help cool the planet.

“Our forests and urban trees solve many problems. Record high temperatures have sparked heat warnings in Montreal; trees provide shade, cooling neighbourhoods by 5˚C. When we plant trees, we turn scorched lands into healthy forests. Trees absorb water, helping to prevent floods. Forests filter and purify the water we drink. And of course, forests sequester the carbon that we’ve released into the atmosphere that is dangerously warming our Earth,” he writes in a recent opinion piece.

“The organizations I lead, Forest Recovery

Publisher 519-669-5790 x107

STEVE KANNON

Editor 519-669-5790 x103

JUSTINE FRASER

Reporter 519-669-5790 x101

PATRICK MERLIHAN

Print/Web Manager 519-669-5790 x105

CASSANDRA MERLIHAN

Graphic Designer 519-669-5790 x109

the best seeds of native trees, grow seedlings, then plant the right tree in the right spot, and keep track of new forests’ progress with the precision of an accountant. We work to put the right trees in the ground with First Nations, private landowners, non-profits, volunteers, governments and the corporate sector,” he says.

Each of us, in fact, can help in a small way, from planting a tree on our properties to helping with the community-led initiatives to improve the local green infrastructure.

Our urban areas are losing trees at a time when they are more important than ever. The emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that’s no stranger to this neck of the woods, is killing millions of ash trees in backyards, along streets and in parks across the province. Climate change is resulting in more

extreme weather events – including storms, heat waves and droughts – that can devastate urban trees.

Combined with increasingly difficult growing conditions, such as reduced soil volumes that come with urban densification, these stresses are wreaking havoc on our urban forests.

Now would be a fine time for governments at all levels to take action on the many disparate attempts to bolster the tree count in our urban areas, home to more than 80 per cent of us these days.

That’s especially true given the loss of land, including urban forests, to development. Such projects turn treed areas into various combinations of concrete, asphalt, glass and bricks. It’s doing the same, of course, to farmland, which also lent mightily to the historical deforestation that afflicts

Given the state of things just now, perhaps it's September that's the cruelest month.

Founded in 1996.

JOE MERLIHAN

Canada and Forests Ontario, know how to grow new forests. We have planted nearly as many trees as there are Canadians – more than 36 million trees so far. A recent study

by Natural Resources Canada shows that over 50 years, the trees we have planted will sequester the equivalent of the carbon emitted by a million cars driving from Montreal to Vancouver – and back.”

Keen notes that the main cause of today’s wildfires, noting that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in August leaves no room for debate on why the Earth is warming. Tree-planting programs are a way to help counter the effects.

“Canadians are good at planting trees. Ours is the rare organization that fully integrates all the components of tree planting. We carefully select and gather

DONNA RUDY

Sales Manager 519-669-5790 x104

Find Us: 20-B Arthur St. N., Elmira, Ontario, N3B 1Z9 Contact Us: Phone: 519-669-5790 Toll Free: 1-888-966-5942 Fax: 519-669-5753 Email: info@woolwichobserver.com newsroom@woolwichobserver.com Web: https://observerxtra.com Social Media: Facebook: observerxtra Twitter: woolwichnews Instagram: observerxtra Professional Associations: • Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) • News Media Canada • The Greater KW Chamber of Commerce

About Us: Independent, locally-owned and the only weekly community newspaper serving the residents of Woolwich and Wellesley Townships. Real news, real reporting concentrating on the close-tohome issues in our communities. When it comes to reaching our residents, The Observer is unsurpassed.

Press Oversight: The Observer is a member of the National Newsmedia Council - an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practises and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, contact: 519-669-5790 ext 103 or editor@woolwichobserver.com.

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a complaint, visit mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163 for more information.

even rural areas like Woolwich and Wellesley townships.

Development is ever a threat to existing tree cover. When you throw in sudden losses through the likes of ice storms, invasive species and even wildfires, then we quickly get into more trouble.

Things are changing so quickly, that advocates and government agencies are having a hard time keeping up.

Aside from the aesthetic value, such losses have a real impact on the quality of life in our communities, not to mention a real economic cost.

On the strictly pragmatic front, for instance, trees reduce storm-water runoff, acting as sponges that keep water onsite and recharge the groundwater: a typical urban forest of 10,000 trees will retain 10 million gallons of rainwater per year, says the U.S. Forest Service. In doing so, the trees help reduce the amount of runoff and pollutants into water courses such as rivers and creeks. While manmade drainage systems such as sewers and storm drains accelerate the flow of polluted water through community, trees slow it down and clean the water.

As we know from heightened awareness of climate change, trees play a big role in sequestering carbon dioxide, while also capturing and storing air pollutants of all kinds.

That provides both shortand long-term benefits to air quality.

With the last long weekend of summer rolling in, we’ll be even more aware of the shade provided by trees. Not just a convenient place to relax and read a book, the shading writ large of buildings and pavement reduces the demand for air condition→KANNON 10

Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions to The Observer mailed within Canada/U.S. are available by contacting the office or visiting online: observerxtra.com/subscribe Delivery Concerns: Issues with local delivery can be made online: observerxtra.com/delivery.

Immediate issues can be directed to The Record by calling 519-894-3000.

Letters to the Editor: Letters must be exclusive to this publication on a topic of relevance to the community. It must contain the author's name, address, contact info and be no more than 300 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. The Observer declines announcements, poetry, thank-you and unsigned letters.

Deliver to: editor@woolwichobserver. com or online: observerxtra.com/letters

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

10 | O P I N I O N

Where have all the flowers gone?

T A Wellesley Mayor was depicted as Boss Hogg in The Observer’s View From Here cartoon for his entire threeyear tenure.

Observer columnist Allen D. Martin of the My Side of the Dam fame cut several vinyl records in barbershop quartets. Parkinson’s disease sidelined his column writing.

Alec Baldwin performed as his SNL character Coach Rumi for an Elmira Aqua Duck end of the season awards banquet in 213. The actor was in the area shooting scenes at the West Montrose covered bridge. ↆ LAST WEEK: It was a mixed bag this past week for our online readers choosing the lie. An equal amount of respondents voted for the lie as well the province-wide promotion of St. Jacobs Country as part of the SARS recovery plan, which was true. The lie was the tropical-themed Elmira Santa Claus parade with Santa riding a surf board. The Elmira man who lived in his van for a week in front of a Waterloo Swiss Chalet was Jeff Selby.

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.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 Downtown Elmira bypass is badly needed To the Editor, I share in the frustration of many with regard to noisy and dangerous truck traffic running through our town on a daily basis. I would like to add a couple of things that haven’t been mentioned.

The hazardous materials some of these trucks are carrying pose a huge potential risk to the residents of Elmira. I have noted some of the placard numbers on these trucks that identify the contents. Some of these hazardous loads, if there was a spill, have an evacuation area that could potentially cause the entire town to be evacuated.

Another point is the use

of engine brakes, which are responsible for rattling walls, should definitely be banned for use in the town limits. There is absolutely no need for a tractor trailer driver to engage these brakes in town. Most of these systems won’t even engage at a speed lower than 50 km/h, so unless the truck is travelling faster than that these brakes, in many cases, shouldn’t even function.

There is no way a vehicle that size should be travelling any faster than that in town.

And, yes, add to that the loud, obnoxious motorcycles and it’s just not pleasant.

The town is growing by the day, and a bypass is badly needed.

Kevin Betts ELMIRA

he other day, I heard Jenn scream, “Where have all the flowers gone?”

At first, I thought she was doing a punk-rock rendition of the old Peter, Paul and Mary hippie anthem. But then after my eyes followed her index finger to our front garden, I realized that she was just asking a question.

And the answer was, “They are in some deer’s belly.”

The deer are now eating so frequently at our front flower garden that I’m starting to believe one of them gave it a great Yelp review.

If for no other reason, this has made Jenn a lot more open to the idea of giving deer hunters like me additional tags for defense of home and garden.

Frankly, I do not harbour any resentment towards the deer in question, but I do wish that

STEVE GALEA

Not-So-Great Outdoorsman

there was a type of grass I could plant that they would prefer over her flowers. Then, I’d finally be able to sell the lawn mower and we would all win.

Jenn has tried and tested many concoctions meant to deter them.

Some of these potions smell so evil that they might have gotten her accused of witchcraft in a different time. She has even found one particularly vile and effective homemade spray that works – right up until it rains.

The deer seem to know this too.

I’m at a loss about what to do.

Someone suggested fencing was the best solution, but I’m not sure how fair that would be. Heck,

I’m not even sure a deer could pick up a sabre with its cloven hoofs. Plus, as a rule, I think it’s a bad idea to arm wild animals.

But I digress.

A better solution might be to plant plastic flowers, which I have suggested to Jenn many times. But, apparently, this idea is an abomination to the serious gardener. Plus, Jenn, reminded me of the difficulties we had when she bought wax fruit long ago – and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

In the meantime, the deer remain a problem.

Regardless, I don’t begrudge the deer for eating our expensive flowers. But I do begrudge them for not making it all the way to the restroom.

For the outdoorsman, learning about a deer herd’s love of flowers is critical information. And it is something that you don’t always hear about in magazines and websites

that talk about what deer eat. Oh, sure, we hear about how they hit acorns and apples and clover and alfalfa, but no one ever tells you that they will favour your wife’s most expensive prized roses over all these things.

And they are brazen about it too. Trying to kick a deer out of your wife’s flower garden and you’ll soon see the side of Bambi that the Disney people tried to hide.

I think there is a lesson here for deer hunters.

And that is, instead of food plots and bait piles, if you really want to draw deer into an area, create a beautiful, lovingly tended garden in the middle of your hunting grounds.

And then set up a tree stand within easy range of you prized hostas.

In the meantime, I think I will place the odd plastic flower in her garden. At least it will be a long time passing…

KANNON: Trees will do their part ... if we do our bit to help them → FROM 9

ing and the formation of ozone – 30 per cent of the energy used for air conditioning could be saved by providing more shade.

Trees are certainly good for our well-being.

Urban forests strengthen the urban core by improving public social space and the walking experience, bringing a more natural setting to our increasingly compact development.

They serve to divide various uses and buffer noise, encouraging mixed-use communities that improve

the places we live and boost the economy.

We know instinctively that trees greatly enhance our communities. On the residential front, think about the most desirable neighbourhoods: they tend to be those with a nice canopy of mature trees intertwined over the roadways. (That the homes tend to be much nicer than the cookie-cutter suburbs inflicted on us these days is another factor.)

Still, it’s a losing battle to ensure mature trees are retained when new

subdivisions go in, and even difficult to see urban forests incorporated into new developments.

While places like Woolwich call for tree planting as part of new building projects, the trees are often treated as something of an afterthought. Poor, scarce soil is not an ideal start for the saplings, with neglect not helping them in a hostile environment.

Urban trees exist in an inherently difficult environment. The lack of growing space above and below ground, contam-

inated and compacted soils, de-icing salt, and the physical damage caused by trenching, mowers, snow removal activities and cars, are but a few of the factors that prevent most urban trees from reaching their genetic potential.

Like so many things, however, trees are easy victims of the shortterm thinking that’s the bailiwick of politicians.

Considerable pressure will be needed to convince them to gain some proper perspective.

DYER: Unrest in Ethiopia could lead to Balkanization of the region → FROM 8

1990s split it into six different countries. Yet Abiy is rolling the dice once again, hoping to build a rapidly expanded army that will reconquer Tigray and occupied Amhara. That is unlikely to happen.

Abiy has a few new advantages, like the same sort of armed drones from Turkey that the Azerbaijanis used last year to tear the Armenian army apart in the recent war in the Caucasus. But the Ethi-

opian air force is in poor condition, as most of its experienced commanders and pilots were Tigrayan.

As for the expanded Ethiopian army, trained and seasoned troops like the Tigrayans will usually defeat almost any number of inexperienced and quickly trained volunteers.

So if Abiy doesn’t win, what will happen instead?

If Abiy makes a quick deal with the Tigrayans that ends the blockade and recognizes their indepen-

The fight against fake news starts with where you decide to look for it.

Trust the real news.

dence and borders, he may have enough troops and credibility left to suppress the Oromos and other ethnic insurgents who will soon come out into the open. If not, Ethiopia probably splinters, and it’s Yugoslavia all over again.

And what would the Tigrayans do next? Some of them are confident enough to dream of invading Eritrea and taking down President Isaias Afwerki, who sent troops to help Abiy invade

Tigray. Afwerki has ruled the country of 5.3 million with an iron hand for three decades, and he is so unpopular that one in ten Eritreans has fled abroad.

Some of the Tigrayan elite may even be speculating about uniting the two countries. After all, half the Eritrean population speaks the same Tigrinya language, and joining the two together would give Tigray access to the sea, which sometimes comes in handy.

Eight in ten (82%) of Canadians feel that reliable journalism is an essential part of a democratic society and are concerned about the repercussions of fake news and it being used as a weapon.

Totum Research, Canadians 18+; 2020

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 11

Business

Leading the way.

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

Email: newsroom@woolwichobserver.com New Business: observerxtra.com/enterprise

Biogas plant sold

By the glass as an option

The biogas plant in Elmira has new owners, Guelph-based Skyline Energy. Woolwich Bio-En will continue to operate the facility, however, with no changes in personnel. The plant, which converts waste materials into biogas and then into electricity, becomes part of Skyline’s green investment portfolio.

Woolwich council this week passed a resolution supporting wineries, breweries and distilleries in the township such as Murphy’s Law in applying to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for the new “By the Glass” licence. That allows manufacturers to sell and serve their products to customers at their locations.

Riverside PS daycare facility set to reopen Sept. 7 Jacob Hespeler Child Care Centres is the new operator of Elmira facility following region’s decision to close down Justine Fraser Observer Staff

HAVING TAKEN OCCUPANCY OF THE space on Monday, the new operators of a daycare operation at Elmira’s Riverside Public School are in the midst of a big push to open the doors on September 7.

“There’s a lot that we need to accomplish in that one week – we are being very optimistic in hoping that we’ll be able to have everything complete for the 7th, but that is what we’re aiming for,” said Colleen Lehnen, executive director of Jacob Hespeler Child Care Centres.

The Cambridge-based non-profit organization was chosen to run the facility in the wake of the Region of Waterloo’s decision last year to close all five of the daycare facilities it operates, including the Elmira Children’s

Centre.

Now, Lehnen and her team are busy preparing the space in time for the start of the school year after being selected as the new operator by the Waterloo Region District School Board.

“We met with the families last week; we held a Zoom meeting, and we had 88 families who are registered with our organization on the call and we’ve updated them that that was the date that we’re aiming for, but we did lay out some of the obstacles and the issues that we have to accomplish during that week... so we strongly recommended that they have a backup plan in place should we not be able to meet the target of the 7th,” she said.

“For Elmira there will be 10 infant spaces, there will be 20 toddler spaces and → DAYCARE 13

Roslyn Hilgartner and Colleen Lehnen prepare for the new daycare to open at Riverside Public School in Elmira.

Justine Fraser

Building back means building up those with not enough

M

any signs point towards economic recovery – building back, as some call it. But not for hungry people and food banks.

Even before COVID-19 emerged, Ontario food banks were swamped.

Feed Ontario, the province’s largest collective of hunger relief organizations, said prior to the pandemic food bank use had reached an unprecedented high, with more than half a million people accessing food banks.

Despite the province’s relatively low unemployment rate, food banks saw almost a 45 per cent increase in the number of

adults with employment income accessing their services.

Now, it’s worse. Over the course of the pandemic, the provincial food bank network has experienced a 26 per cent increase in the number of first-time visitors, those being individuals and families who have never accessed a food bank before.

So why isn’t this more of an economic recovery issue?

Probably because hungry people have a muted voice. But Feed Ontario says we need to turn things around if indeed true recovery is going to be realized.

OWEN ROBERTS Food For Thought

In July, Feed Ontario submitted a brief to the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee that needs to be top-drawer reading for politicians at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

It should also be top of mind for the agriculture and food sector, particularly with food costs being one of the public’s biggest concerns.

In its brief, Feed Ontario says changes it proposes would create a stronger

workforce in Ontario, “one with increased opportunities that allow Ontarians to not just survive but actually thrive in their communities and contribute to the health and wellbeing of our province.”

Here’s what the organization proposes.

First, it says, the province should think about supporting job quality, not quantity. Statistics look good to politicians and the investment community. And granted, a low unemployment rate is a good metric for assessing what percentage of the province’s total labour force is unemployed. But as of 2019,

AD SPOT - NON PRINTING

Accreditation Number: 38988

Ontario had the highest proportion of minimum wage workers in Canada.

Some of these workers are the same ones seeking help from food banks.

People need quality jobs, which Feed Ontario says requires better labour laws and worker support programs.

As well, it says, improvements must be made to support those transitioning back into the workforce, by increasing earning exemptions and eliminating clawbacks under Ontario’s social assistance programs.

Another recommendation is to invest in women,

by removing the barriers they face when entering the workforce. Feed Ontario also wants better support for low-income parents by making childcare more affordable.

How many times have we heard that? Still, it’s elusive. Childcare costs are huge stressors for so many people.

And finally, it says, put people at the centre of recovery design by consulting with and including the perspectives of those who are living in poverty and who have experienced significant job loss because of the pandemic. → ROBERTS 13

home&garde THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

12 | B U S I N E S S

FOR ALL OF YOUR

HOME RENOVATION

SUPPLIES

SERVICES Key Cutting Rug Doctor Knife Sharpening Screen Repair Artic Clear Water Mill Shop Custom Sheds Propane Paint Matching

RENTALS Wood Splitter Mini Excavator Skid Steer Air Tools Generator Electric Tools Man-lift FREE ESTIMATES

With help from the pros

MAR-SPAN

Home Hardware Building Centre 7873 Wellington Road 8 (1km east of Drayton) Phone: 519-638-2420 Monday - Friday: 7:00am - 6:00pm

Spruce up your home

Fax: 519-638-5015

Saturday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

519-722-5130 2560 Floradale Rd. Elmira (1 mile north of Floradale)

Friendly Professional Staff - Locally Owned & Operated

Order online at www.rona.ca, pick-up in store, curbside, or have it delivered Store Hours Mon-Fri 7-6 & Sat 8-4

5 FORWELL ROAD, KITCHENER | (519)745-3250

BG 50 Gas Handheld Blower

Mon. – Sat. 9 – 6 Perennials

Ornamental Shrubs

Fall Mums Now Here!

Roses

Bulbs - Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths and more available later in fall

Displacement

27.2 cc

Power Output

0.7 kW

Weight

3.6 kg (7.9 lb)

199 199

$

9 95

MSRP $219.95

SAVE $40

MS 170 GAS CHAIN SAW

$ 249 95

30.1 CC • 1.3 KW • 3.9 KG /8.6 LB

MSRP $289.95 with 16" bar

LIMITED TIME OFFER SAVE $50 WOOD-PRO KIT NOW ONLY $39.95 TM

21 Industrial Dr., Elmira | 519.669.2884 martinselmira.com

WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY ELIGIBLE STIHL CHAIN SAW. Kit includes: Woodsman® Carrying Case • OILOMATIC® Chain • STIHL Hat Dealers may sell for less. Pricing on all chain saws, power tools and accessories will remain in effect until November 26, 2021. Illustrations and descriptions are as accurate as known at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. STIHL Limited is not responsible for a printing error, the local STIHL Dealer has the final authority to set product pricing. Pricing valid at participating dealers only while supplies last.

en

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

B U S I N E S S | 13

Having taken occupancy Aug. 30, they're busy ahead of a planned Sept. 7 opening.

JustineFraser

DAYCARE: New operator has experience in board schools → FROM 11

519-669-3933

lindsayhorst@straightlineflooring.ca

17A Industrial Drive, Elmira, ON

www.straightlineflooring.ca

Family Run Business

Come in and check out our selection!

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Personal shopping appointments available by request outside of those times

Specializing in Spruce, Cedar and Maple Flordale

there will be 32 preschool spaces. So, 62 within the centre, and we have filled them all. We’re down to just a few part-time spaces available here and there.

We have an extensive waitlist for people that are wanting start dates at a later time,” said Lehnen of the response to the new operation.

“In the before- and after-school program which we run as a partner with the school board, we take all children that register for the before and after. So, that program continues to grow as people over the last couple of weeks and will do over the next few weeks, as they’re deciding if they want to send their children back to a licensed program once school starts, or if they are wanting to do something different. I think COVID plays into that – people are a little bit apprehensive still with COVID.” The childcare operators have had to take on extensive new cleaning procedures and screening protocols due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Their new screening process has helped them identify two children with COVID symptoms prior to them attending the daycare, so they couldn’t spread it amongst other children.

Elmira

7223 3rd Line Elmira, ON N3B 2Z3 | 519.669.8583

the renovations.

“We’ve tried to design the spaces with lots of neutral colors, a lot of greenery, wood-tone materials versus primary fluorescent colors and plastic. We try to use a lot of layered materials that have different textures,” said Lehnen “There definitely was a need in this community, and we really liked the hub design of the childcare being connected with the school with also having other organizations having space in the school as well. Currently there is an Early On centre, they are upstairs as well. There’s a meeting space, so it had a real community feel.”

Lehnen noted that there is a shortage of daycare spaces in the region. Many parents choose to sign up for childcare services with the operators as early as pregnancy. She admits this has become a normal practice as spaces fill up fast.

“There is a shortage of childcare centres in our region, which is not just limited to this region – there is a shortage of licensed spaces and so there is a process and it does take time to get in.”

The new Elmira location for Jacob Hespler Child Care Centres is set to start September 7, with many parents from the previously operating facility already signed up.

ROBERTS: A lack of food is more than an ag. problem → FROM 11

10 minutes from Elmira

The childcare facilities have been operating without any outbreaks. Their screening process requires parents and educators to virtually log information into their COVID website to be looked at by their screeners that morning to determine if the children or educators were able to attend.

“Families have been very diligent in following the procedures that are put out and being onboard with following the procedures and the protocols that we have. And if everyone follows them, they do work relatively well,” Lehnen noted.

She has been working with Jacob Hespeler Child Care Centres since 1986, when a college field placement put her with the organization, adding she immediately loved working there.

“We were selected for Elmira for this location; they came to us and said that the lease was ending with the Region of Waterloo, that they had the space available and that they were looking for an organization, [saying] ‘we did the research and thought that it would be a good fit for us.’”

The region closed the Elmira centre on August 20, clearing out the space ahead of the new operator arriving on August 30. The rush is on now to complete

“They’re the experts on the challenges that they have faced and the ones that will be most impacted by the policies and programs developed through this plan,” it says.

“Including the perspectives of people living

in poverty and those with lived experience is essential to ensuring that the workforce recovery strategy meets the needs of those it is intended to assist.”

The report is a reminder that a lack of food is much more than an agricul-

tural problem. The root causes are deep in society.

But many of the causes are identifiable, as Feed Ontario has shown.

And with economic recovery on politicians’ minds, this is a timely opportunity to address them.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 14

Arts

Read a local best seller every week.

Local stories that inspire.

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

Doors Open digitally

Art gallery exhibit

The Region of Waterloo’s 19th annual Doors Open event is offering nine new video episodes starting Sept. 4 with a Waterloo Region Graveyard Driving Tour and a look at Waterloo Pioneers Memorial Tower. Episodes 3 and 4 air on Sept. 11, featuring Kitchener’s Cold War Bunker and North House at rare Charitable Research Reserve. The rest follow Sept. 18.

The K itchener-Waterloo Ar t Gallery launches a new exhibit next month featuring a group of Annie MacDonell’s recent videos, photographs and installation, each of which propose new ways to reimagine or resist contemporary life under capitalism. Curated by Crystal Mowry and Leila Timmins, it runs Oct. 8 to Jan. 28.

www.regionofwaterloo.ca/DoorsOpen

www.kwag.ca

Treading the boards and pursuing his dreams Elmira’s Emeka Agada is heading out this fall to attend a prestigious acting school in England Justine Fraser Observer Staff

STUDYING THEATRE IN THE LAND of Shakespeare is an opportunity just up the alley of Elmira’s Emeka Agada. He’s off to the UK in the fall, in fact, to attend the Guildford School of Acting.

It’s an exciting chance to develop new skills in an elite facility, he says.

“When the pandemic happened, I sat down and evaluated a lot of things like a lot of people did, and that was one of those things on the list of my five-year plan: I wanted to get my masters, and here I am, about to go,” said Agada.

“Guildford is one of the top programs in the UK - I had a chance to speak with a graduate from the program who is currently one of the main actors on the Apple TV show ‘Ted Lasso,’ who had some great information to give that helped during my decision process.

“I had a select few schools that I was really interested in, and Guildford was one of them. They accepted me, so that was a pretty good feeling. It was good because I was originally waitlisted at one of my top choices – I’m excited because the UK has a very strong reputation of having great training for actors,” added Agada.

The Guildford School of Acting in the UK has been turning out musical theatre performers for

more than 85 years, and is a highly recognized school for their training.

Agada notes that it can be a struggle for Canadian actors to get a foothold in the industry, as there are fewer opportunities here than in the U.S. or UK, but he says he is seeing a change in the industry as more companies invest in ‘Hollywood North.’

“Breaking out in Canada as an actor can take some years. I’ve been doing this for close to four years and it is just now that the industry is sort of turning their heads to say ‘hey, this guy is interesting, let’s see what else he’s got,’” said Agada.

“As a

Elmira's Emeka Agada is off to the UK in the fall to study at the Guildford School of Acting.

Justine Fraser/Submitted

young Nigerian-Canadian actor, I’m amped about the work that is to come. But I do recognize for Canadian actors, the industry runs a bit differently than in the U.S. I

think what a lot of us forget is that we are part of show business, emphasis on the business. Actors are self-employed and we are selling a product. To succeed in this business, you’ve got to be up to

speed about what’s going on, understand marketing and, most importantly, embrace who you are.”

Coming off of his recent stage performance for Green Light Art’s ‘We Could Be,’ Agada said he was happy to be able to be in front of an audience again for the first time since the pandemic started. Theatre isn’t Agada’s main goal, but he appreciates the work actors

do to make the stage come alive during a performance.

“Green Light Arts production of We Could Be is my first live production since the pandemic. The director of the theatre, Matt White, had reached out to me about coming on board.

As an actor, film and TV is great, but it is very much the filmmaker’s medium.

There are so many ways they can turn a bad perfor-

mance into a strong one.

However, in theatre it’s completely raw. It’s truly an actor’s medium. As far as artistic expression, you really get to stretch yourself. The entire production has been a fun challenge, which I like. There were about six pieces and I was in five of them.”

Agada has had other TV roles during the pandemic that helped boost his career, noting that the pandemic didn’t slow him down at all, but inspired him to work harder.

“One of the first parts I did during the pandemic was my Nurses episode.

That process is interesting because it was a guest star role and main part of the storyline, which is pretty cool. I had a chance to work with some of these actors who’ve been on shows like Riverdale –that’s something that I don’t think would have happened if the pandemic didn’t happen.

I’ve been able to work on some pretty cool projects.

I have another project coming out later that’s going to be on Amazon,” said Agada, not wanting to give away the name of the show before it’s aired.

“In the past a lot of us were very much in service to the American media, TV and all that. So I think when I was first starting a lot of the projects were kind of just you’re coming in for the day you shoot.

But now, I think Netflix is pretty much investing in Canadian content, which is good. So we’re seeing more projects being created under the Canadian umbrella – it’s a good time to be a Canadian actor.”

Dr. Rebecca nnon Cannon B.A., N.D.

DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Quality Care for All Ages & All Health Conditions INCLUDING:

Hair Analysis Hormone Testing • Allergy Testing www.elmiranaturopath.com 69 Arthur St. S., ELMIRA | 519-669-2405

HOME | AUTO | FARM-|NON LIABILITY | COMMERCIAL AD SPOT PRINTING

OUR POLICY — YOUR PROTECTION SINCE 1927

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.5484

www.elmirainsurance.ca

General Contracting Agricultural Residential New Buildings Commercial Renovations www.stirtonconstruction.ca 8012 8th Line.RR #2 Drayton, ON | 519-638-5462

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 15

Classifieds

Advertising

Placing a classified ad

Seven days.

One paper.

Please call or email for display advertising quote for Help Wanted, Auctions, Real Estate, Public Notices and Obituaries.

A bestseller every week.

Please talk to our ad dept for pricing and to order a Pro Services Directory.

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

Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 104

Family Album Announcements pricing and info can be ordered online at: observerxtra.com/order-family-album.

Email: ads@woolwichobserver.com Job Listings: jobs.observerxtra.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

FLORAPINE TREE SERVICE INC

ARTHUR ON/ POSITION IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE Requirements:

• Minimum ARZ driver’s license.

• Ability to read and understand work orders in English.

• Competence in operating equipment, specifically chainsaw, chipper, and stump grinder. We can train.

• Physically fit for handling wood and brush for hours every day.

• Good team spirit, respectful and clean language.

• Work Monday through Friday when weather is good but must be willing to accept rainy days off, though we do work in rain sometimes.

• Mechanical and problem solving aptitude an asset.

Responsibilities include but not limited to: • Driving chipper truck.

• Operating chipper and stump grinder.

• Cleaning up yards after the other work is done.

• Preparing trucks, equipment, and tools for the day.

If this interests you, please send resume to

thomas.florapine@gmail.com or call Thomas at (519) 502-7509

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Help Wanted

Residential:

$9 per 20 words (20¢ per extra word)

Commercial:

$15 per 20 words (30¢ per extra word)

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

AUGUST TO OCTOBER GRASS, LEAF BLOWing. 10 hours + per week. Must have own transportation and be able to work independently. Preference given if able to operate farm equipment.

Call 519-580-1756 for interview or email: carramy@sympatico.ca

POTTER'S ASSISTANT, PART TIME - SHOP organization, sales, pottery assembly and handling. No pottery experience necessary. Stable opportunity. 519-664-2630 between 10 am - 6 pm.

Help Wanted,Word Ads & Auctions continue on page 16

Help Wanted

Vehicle Cleaning Team Member This position will be part of a Vehicle Cleaning Team for the transit.

It is a part time evening/weekend position in Elmira that requires skill in manoeuvering transit buses (will train). This position involves interior and exterior cleaning of the buses in our large vehicle bay, with an average of 8 to 12 hours a week depending on the season.

Excellent remuneration.

Please forward resume to email or a ddress noted below by September 17, 2021.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Help Wanted

info@k-transit.com KIWANIS TRANSIT 13 Industrial Dr. Unit #C Elmira, ON N3B 2L9

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

We are looking for a full time, permanent

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

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

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

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

Forest Products Distribution Company Hiring a Team-Oriented Individual for

─ HELP WANTED ─

Order Desk/ Purchasing Position IMMEDIATELY at our Drayton ON location.

Craftsmen Hardwoods Inc. is a leading distributer of wood products and accessories to the Ontario market.

Job Description:

• Answer phone calls and take orders in a professional and friendly manner.

• Enter orders for customers.

• Serve walk-in customers.

• Purchase hardware and accessories with well-established suppliers and manufacturers.

• May include other duties.

Qualifications:

• Experience in wood working or related industry preferred.

• Experience with customer service.

• Purchasing experience an asset but not necessary.

• Must be a team player and have a friendly disposition.

• Able to work with computers.

Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors Inc is located in Wellesley, ON. We are a family-owned, agricultural premix manufacturing company.

We have an opening for a PRODUCTION LEAD on our team-focused warehouse crew.

We offer a supportive work environment, competitive wages and benefits package.

Our mission is to glorify God while providing quality wood products and services to the Ontario market.

Please go to https://www.bio-ag.com/blog/jobs-production-lead.htm for a full job description.

Interested individuals may email a resume to Matt Mullen at: mattm@craftsmenhardwoods.com or bring a resume to: 34 Drayton Industrial Dr. Drayton ON Attn: Matt Mullen

Submit resumes to hr@bio-ag.com by Sept. 03/21.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

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

Cont. from page 15

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Auction

LIVE AUCTION SALE

For Sale BUNK/PIT SILO TIRES. TWO DUMP TRAILER loads. Free. Delivery available. 519-574-1905, Elmira.

LAWN FERTILIZER AND LAWN SEED Call George Haffner Tr u c k i n g , 5 19- 5 74 - 4141 o r 519-669-2045.

METAL BED FRAME W I T H CAS T E R S .

Adjustable to 3 sizes. $50.00. 519-664-2794.

O R G A N I C A L LY GROWN GARLIC. Cleaned or uncleaned available. Call for larger quantity prices.

519-804-0441 xt 135.

NOW HIRING

Join a young, dynamic team that keeps growing!

Woodland Horizon Ltd designs, manufacturers, finishes and installs high quality custom cabinetry and solid wood stairs. Our shop and showroom are located in the town of Drayton. At Woodland, one of our core values is Respect. Respect for our team members and respect for our customers. Continuous improvement is also a big part of who we are. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make our team members jobs easier and more efficient. If this sounds like an environment that you would be interested in being a part of, please contact us.

Millbank Enterprises Inc. has a position available for a

Full time Furniture Finisher Experience preferred but willing to train.

Job requires prepping furniture & spraying finishes & lacquers. Must have an eye for detail & some heavy lifting involved.

Drop in resume : Millbank Family Furniture Ltd. 4044 Line 72., Millbank, ON N0K 1L0

Fax: 519-595-7107 Email: mffurn@cyg.net

Only suitable candidates will be interviewed.

Help Wanted

We are looking for a full time, permanent

Edgebander Machine Operator

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

KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 5 19- 5 74 - 4141 o r 519-669-2045.

SEED WHEAT AND FERTILIZER COMPETitive pricing. Rye seed, winter barley.

Hard red wheat Pro 81, Lexington. Soft red wheats Marker, Branson, Cruze, Blaze, and more. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

Firewood

You would be responsible for setting up, running and daily maintenance of our CNC Edgeband machine.

This is a high tech German built machine and is an integral part of the kitchen cabinet manufacturing process. You will work closely with our machining and production managers to ensure that parts are edgbanded as needed by our assembly team.

AZ Truck Driver

Cribit seeds /Wintermar Farms is seeking a candidate to join the truck operations side of the business. Looking to operate a variety of later model and well kept classic Paccar branded trucks and not have to sleep in a truck bunk at nights, this may be your calling. Work consists of pallet deliveries with both van and straight truck with hitchhiker along with bulk grain movements with straight trailer and trains. One needs to be able to adapt to changing plans and be willing to move from vehicle to vehicle depending what the day requires. Most runs are within 2hrs of Winterbourne area. some Saturdays may be required during peak seasons , no Sunday runs required.

Required skills • Respectful and team focused.

• Motivated and enthusiastic.

• Courteous and friendly.

• Dependable.

• Ability to read blueprints.

• Capable of lifting 50 to 75 pounds.

• No post secondary education required.

• Previous wood working experience will be an asset.

• Previous Machine operation experience will be an asset.

Experience: • Machine Operator: 1 year (preferred) • Woodworking: 1 year (preferred)

For a more detailed job description please contact craig@cribit.com or by phone 519-664-3701 ext. 25 by text 519-575-6342

This position is full time, with benefits

SEASONED FIREafter probationary period.

WOOD. BODY AND Storage limb wood available. Coming If you are interested in joining a vibrant and $75/cord. Picked Events growing company, please send your resume to O U T D O O R R V up. Call for larger TRAILER STORAGE KARATE! IN-PERSON & laverne@woodlandhorizon.com quantity pricing.

VIRTUAL CLASSES available. Waterloo 226-868-1092. or call 519.638.5961 ext 104 AVAILABLE SCHWEITZER'S Rod & Gun Club, 1075 MARTIAL ARTS Self-de- BoDe Lane St. Jacobs.

Trades & Only those receiving an interview will be contacted. fense, Self-discipline, Contact Carroll Norris Services S e l f - c o n f i d e n c e 519-590-9032.

C U S TO M A P P L E GROUP CLASSES FOR PRESSING & JUICE AGES 4 TO ADULT ↆ P U ZZL E SOL U TIONS sales by appointment Taught by Renshi only. Cedar Ridge Becky Schweitzer, Solutions for this week's puzzles.

Pressing, Wesley 4th Degree Black Belt $ & 7 $ % / ( $ : 1 Martin, 3175 Northfield and 5X World Karate % 2 ) ) 2

& + , / / ( 5 3 + , Dr. Elmira, On. N3B 2Z1. Champion Location % 2 2 % < 3 2 7 & + 5 , 6 7 0 $ 6 7 , ' ( 519-669-3541.

Heidelberg Commu 7 2 ( + $ 1 + $ 5 7 nity Centre - 2915 RON'S DRYWALL AND Lobsinger Line, Heidel- ( 5 $ 6 ( 5 2 5 , * , 1 $ / / <

RENOVATIONS. OVER berg Our Fall 10 week 6 8 3 ( 5 6 2 1 , & * 2 7 35 years experi- session $120+HST 7 ( 5 1 2 % , 8 / 7 & $ %

ence. Please call Call 519-580-1418 , 1 . / 2 7 3 2 , 5 , 2 519-496-7539 or or e-mail becky_ % , & $ 5 % 2 1 $ 7 ( 2 ) 6 2 ' $

email ron.spncr@ schweitzer@hotmail. , / 2 8 5 1 ' 2 1 < ( 6 gmail.com com % / 7 * , * 2 ' ' $ 6 , $

100% Local

, 6 / ( 7

1 ( ( ' 6

6 ( ( 7 ( 5 ) $ 1 5 $ 2 % $ 7 $ 5 6 2 6 7 < 3

, 7 7 ( 5

( 7 + ( 1 (

7 6 ( 0 + 7 2 5 , 1 $ / 1 (

7 2 1 * 8 (

7 ( 5 6 6 6 ( 6

5 $ 0 6 3 6 ( 7 0 3 7 <

Of Tractor, small equipment, riding mower, household goods, antiques, tools, coins/paper money, & miscellaneous items, to be held at The Milverton Stockyards, 6 Spencer St. Milverton, (Near The Funeral Home) for Lorne and Mary Steckley, on

SAT, SEPT 11TH @ 10:00 A.M.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Ford 9N tractor, new rear rubber, rebuilt by Ideal Supply 300 hours ago, good condition.

Dearborn 2 furrow 3ph plow, good. 7ft.

3ph disc. 53ft. storage trailer (former Erb Transport trailer) c/w aluminum floor, good condition, selling “as is”. Rhino 5ft. 3ph rotary mower. 6ft. 3ph scraper blade. Yardworks 17hp riding lawn mower, 42in, automatic.

Energy Cube SUA 12000E generator, electric start, like new Gas push mower. 2hp engine with hyd. pump. New 3ph motor. 25 gal. lawn sprayer with booms. Pull type lawn roller. Scott’s fertilizer spreader. Wheel barrow. Heavy duty 16 speed bench model drill press. Wood lathe. Marples chisel set.

Trademaster metal band saw. Rockwell Beaver wood band saw. Forney welder. ¾ ton come along. Large propane tank. Belt pulley. 2 wheel garden cart plus a wagonload of related items.

HOUSEHOLD: GE fridge. GE “Deep Fill”

washer, 1 year old, good. Maytag stacking washer & dryer. Chest freezer. Roper stove.

Guelph Stove Co. cook stove. Wooden kitchen table & chair set. Portable air conditioner.

Blue matching loveseat and sofa. 3pc. sofa set. Upholstered chair with ottoman. Pine chest (cedar lined). Oak corner cabinet.

Lamps plus the usual household goods.

ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES: Grandfather

clock (case by Eli Kuepfer, Millbank).

Washstand. Wooden child’s chair. Wooden wheel barrow. Old wooden windows. Pocket watches (JD, Fiori, etc.). MF toy combine.

JD “OP” cast iron toy tractor. Birds painted on board (by S. Martin). Assorted china & glass (some coloured). Kuepfer Gascho collector cups.

VIOLINS: Stainer (German) violin. West German violin.

Student violin.

Czechoslovakian

violin.

MONEY: Paper money (Canadian 1’s, 2’s, 5, 10 & 20, also American 2’s). Coins including 1992 Provincial quarters (14 rolls), “Horse” quarters (2 rolls), etc.

SEE WWW.GERBERAUCTIONS.NET FOR photos.

TERMS – Cash, debit, cheque with I.D.

5% buyer’s premium. Proprietors and auctioneers not responsible for accidents day of auction. Brink your mask. Practice social distancing.

PROPRIETORS – Lorne and Mary Steckley 519-595-7464

AUCTIONEERS:

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451

2827 Hutchison Rd., RR#1 Millbank (Crosshill)

ↆ LOCAL SERVICES ↆ

GENERAL SERVICES

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

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

ↆ LO CA L ↆ

C L A S S I F I E D S | 17

PR O F E SS I ONAL

SERVICES

GENERAL SERVICES

CALL TO BOOK! TODAY.

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

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

IN-STORE SERVICES

MarCrest Backhoe Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today!

519-648-3004

or

• Window & Screen Repairs • Glass & Plexi Cutting • Key Cutting • Knife & Scissor Sharpening • Lawnmower Blade Sharpening • Paint Colour Matching • Interior Design Consultation • Bike Repair

Septic Installations · Tile Repairs Small Footings · Silo Footings

Maynard Martin 2512 Kressler Road RR1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

800-232-6396

Tel. 519-699-0507

GENERAL SERVICES Thorncreek Farms

Poultry Barn Pest Solutions

Visit us online to see our entire rental lineup.

Poultry Pest Management Pest control with residual built in

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

519-669-4964

519-504-2698

Serving KW and surrounding area

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

ↆ

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

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

519-669-3232 ↆ

ↆ

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

TIRE

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

THOMPSON’S

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

519-669-4400

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

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

30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA

36 Hampton St., Elmira

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

www.marwilconcrete.ca

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016

519-577-0370

darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

HOME IMPROVEMENT COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

INC

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

Randy Weber

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

www.rwelectricltd.com TEL:

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

AMOS R O O F I N G

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

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

ↆ

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

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

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

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

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114 In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

HOME IMPROVEMENT Since 1998

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

Murray & Daniel Shantz

ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427

DESIGN CENTRE

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

KITCHEN, BATH & WINDOW FASHIONS

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

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

BLANCO, MAAX, MIROLAN, STEEL QUEEN

www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

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

Evenings By Appointment

1011 Industrial Cres. Unit #2 | TEL: 519.699.5411

Tel:

22 Church St. W., Elmira 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537

STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 8-6, SUN Closed Find and follow us on FB and Instagram

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

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

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page COVID-19 Woolwich Township Update Township Office – Open for select services The Township office is open to walk-in public traffic, with staff working a mix of in office and from home. It is recommended that you use our services offered online or phone to book an appointment before visiting the office to ensure we are available to assist you. The following services can be accessed through our website: • Tax & Water Bills can now be paid online: www.woolwich.ca/taxes • Building Permits can be applied for and paid online: www.woolwich.ca/buildingpermits • Parking Tickets can now be paid online: www.woolwich.ca/parkingtickets • Report Issues or Service Requests (By-law Enforcement, Potholes, Signs, Streetlights, Trees, Winter Maintenance, etc..) online: www.woolwich.ca/reportit For current information on facilities and services, please visit www.woolwich.ca or call 519-669-1647. For health information, call the Region of Waterloo Public Health 519-575-4400.

Council Meetings – Remote For registration, help or alternative participation options, call 519-669-6004.

Recreation Programs and Facilities Township of Woolwich facilities and programs have started to reopen to the public. Please note that park amenities are not sanitized, and users should have personal hand sanitizer on hand.

Woolwich Memorial Centre • The Fitness Centre & Walking track use will be available for drop-in use Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 8 pm and Fridays 9 am – 4 pm.

P.O. Box 158

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

Phone:

519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820

After Hours Emergency:

519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca

• The WMC aquatic facility is open for pre-registered programming. To view the pool schedule and aquatic leadership courses visit www.woolwich.ca/swim • The WMC will be increasing hours and programming opportunities as of Saturday September 18th – check the website for details • Fall Swim Registration begins online September 1, 6:30 am.

For more information on Recreation Programs and Facilities, please check the Township website or call 519-514-7000.

Local Business Resources FREE masks: order your free supply of masks online at: https://forms.woolwich.ca/Small-Business-PPE-Mask-Request.

FREE COVID-19 screening kits: Visit www.chambercheck.ca to learn more and to schedule your pick-up.

COVID-19 Small Business Ambassador Program: Free program for small and medium sized businesses in the Region to minimize COVID-19 risks and boost staff and customer confidence. Get a window decal to show you completed the program.

Sign up at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ambassador Businesses grants: https://reliefwithinreach.ca/waterloo-region/ For more information about government programs and other business supports call Jenna Morris at 519-669-6020 or email: EconomicDevelopment@woolwich.ca

Public Health Information All individuals born in 2009 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. If your child is turning 12 in 2021, they can receive a first dose of Pfizer at a Regional vaccine clinic, mobile vaccination bus, participating pharmacy and more! For more information, visit: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/GetVaccinated

SHOP LOCAL. SAVE LOCAL WE DO SIGNS OF ALL KINDS!

MY COMPANY

my company tag

line

MY NAME

job title address

Phone: 555-555 -5555 Fax: 555-555-5555 my@email.com www.mydomai n.com

2999

$

plus tax

Specializing in Posters, Banners & Trade Show Booths

Our Everyday Low Price!

500 FULL COLOUR BUSINESS CARDS Make a Great First Impression at a Great Price!

• With or without UV gloss (1 side) • Single sided • Full Colour • 12 pt C1S stock • Print ready file

Car Wraps Also Available!

Indoor & Outdoor Signage Huge assortment of materials to print on Laminating, sewing, wind slits, grometting available Hardware included • Installation available

Get Your Message Out And Keep People Informed!

AS LOW AS

$

12995

• We have an In-house Graphics team to help with the perfect design, or supply your own print-ready file

Call today

for more information!

Our consultants are always available to price your project!

• These banners are excellent for trade shows and presentations • They are affordable, lightweight, durable and easy to setup or take down • Includes padded carry bag • Full colour, single sided

Call Today to Get Started!

ARTWORK EXTRA

Have You Written A Book?

Call for a copy of our Idea Guide for a full listing of available products • • • •

NEWSLETTERS

Retractable Banners

Raptor, Magnum, Frontier, Extreme Frontier

We can help you get your book into print!

Lawn Bag Signs

• Family History Books • Cookbooks Inquire about our • Manuals • Catalogues Publishing Packages • Children’s Books and free Author’s Guide

M&T Printing Group is Ready to Serve You

675 DAVENPORT RD., WATERLOO • 519-804-0017 www.mtprint.com

DOOR HANGERS

Catch the attention of your prospects and drive traffic to your business!

Large enough to include plenty of information, but small enough to provide budget friendly pricing and easily distributed.

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

ↆ REA L

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

ES TATE

Sue From

Alli Bauman

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

226-750-9332

519-669-5426

suefrom17@gmail.com

NEW LISTING

SOLD

$1,699,000

$599,900

ST. JACOBS - Luxury, custom-built executive home situated on a pie-shaped lot! Located in the sought-after Village of St. Jacobs, home of unique shopping boutiques, a bounty of dining options, and only 5 minutes to KW. This impressive & immaculate home offers 3159 sq feet of stunning finished living space plus an expansive outdoor entertaining area.

On the upper level, you will find 3 spacious bedrooms each with its own walk-in closets & California shutters, a 4-piece bathroom as well as a convenient laundry room. The master bedroom is like a retreat with his and hers walk-in closets & features a spa-like 5 piece bathroom with a soaker tub for you to relax & unwind. The main floor offers a separate dining room, a main floor office with widows overlooking your covered front porch, a 2-piece powder room, an eat-in kitchen opens to the living room with a built-in gas fireplace plus custom cabinetry and trim throughout. The custom gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream with a large center island, R.O. water filtration, built-in appliances, granite countertops & triple pane windows, which allow for an abundance of natural light. The entertaining potential does not stop here! Step out to the backyard from the french doors off the dinette where you will find an ideal extension of the living space. Endless evenings of enjoyment under your large covered patio featuring a wet bar, bar fridge, built-in gas BBQ, custom glass dining bar (made by St. Jacobs glass), exposed aggregate patio & fire pit area with stamped concrete trim as well as an irrigation system, all on a huge pie-shaped lot! No expense was spared with the exposed aggregate & interlock driveway with enough parking for 4 vehicles as well as a 3-car garage (one tandem) offering ample space for the car enthusiast. You will be impressed with the attention to detail and the exquisite finishes inside and out.

ELMIRA - This raised bungalow on a family-friendly crescent in Elmira is bigger than it looks! Aspen Cres. has its own park in the center of the crescent and is located only 20 minutes to KW and 20 to Guelph. With 3 bedrooms upstairs, and one in the basement as well as 2 full bathrooms, there is lots of room for your family to spread out. The kitchen, redone in 2010, has an island and is open to the dining and living area. Updates include Roof- 2014, Kitchen 2010, some windows - 2011, Furnace and A/C - 2009. The basement has a large rec room plus an office space, an extra bedroom and a utility/laundry room with a walk-up to the back yard. The backyard offers a deck to relax on as well as a good sized yard to run and play. There is also a 14 x 14 shed and a carport for extra storage. With parking for at least 4 vehicles, this property has a lot going for it and won't last long!

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426 SELLING? CALL US FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION.

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

Community Information Page

P.O. Box 158

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

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT NOTICE OF HEARING MONDAY, September 20, 2021 at 4:30 P.M. Pursuant to the Planning Act and Ontario Regulations 197/96 and 200/96 take notice that the Committee of Adjustment for the Township of Woolwich will meet for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in support of or opposition to any of the following applications as described below.

Please note this will be a virtual meeting only and public attendance at the Township offices will not be permitted. Below is information on how you can submit comments, view or participate in the meeting. You may also contact the Committee Secretary by sending an email to planning@woolwich.ca by phone at 519-669-6040 if you have any questions.

Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094orFax: 519-669-1820 After Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

As in-person meetings are not an option at this time, you can view or participate in the meeting as follows: •

view the Committee of Adjustment livestream on the Woolwich Township Youtube channel at the following link : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOnLlF3Srk2gLEBjkq8pIMQ OR

•

participate by registering with the Committee Secretary on or before 12 noon on Thursday September 16th. To register please email planning@woolwich.ca or phone 519-669-6040. When registering you must provide your name, phone number, email and the application number you would like to comment on. Once you are registered the Committee Secretary will forward information on how to connect to the Zoom meeting (i.e. zoom Wi-Fi login or conference call number).

If you are unsure whether or not you would like to speak at the meeting but want to listen and have the option to comment on a particular application, please register with the Committee Secretary (see above information). You will not be required to speak if you do not want to.

WHY REGISTER By registering staff can ensure that you are permitted access to the virtual meeting, we know which application you are commenting on and, can call on you at the appropriate time to comment if you wish to do so. As it is virtual, registering will provide a level of security that is necessary to prevent unwanted guests from disrupting the meeting. Applicants and their consultants will be automatically registered and contacted accordingly by the Committee Secretary ahead of the meeting.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS If you would like to comment on a particular application, staff always recommend that you do so by: •

submitting a letter by mail or delivering it to the Township office at 24 Church Street West, Elmira and placing it in the drop box on the Maple Street side of the building; or

•

submit an email to planning@woolwich.ca

You can also contact the Township Planner at 519-669-6038 to discuss any comments / concerns however, this is not considered a formal comment.

The Committee will consider submissions for or against the applications. All submissions must be made no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 13th (Note that this date is before the meeting). Any submissions received will be included in a comment package and presented at the meeting. This information is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public at the Committee of Adjustment hearing. Please note that while the Committee may redact some personal information such as email addresses and phone numbers, your submissions will otherwise be made public in their entirety.

This notice has been sent to commenting agencies, and to owners of property located within 60 metres (200 feet) of the subject properties.

If you wish to be notified of any last minute changes to the agenda (i.e. withdrawal of an application) you must contact the Committee Secretary at 519-669-6040 or 1-877-969-0094 (Ext. 6040) or by email to planning@woolwich.ca.

APPLICATION

Despite the many lockdowns and obstacles faced this year, students from Schweitzer's Martial Arts Heidelberg didn't allow that to stand in their way, with some grading for new belts. That list includes Dylan and Madison Brooks, who both earned yellow belts with a black stripe, and Jonathan Lehmann Submitted who earned his yellow stripe belt.

ↆ FA M I LY

AL B U M

Anniversary

Happy 50th Anniversary This is the subhead

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 19/2021 – Elverne and Marlene Horst, 1194 Noah Road ZONE / USE: Agricultural (A) with site specific provisions (Section 26.1.124) / detached dwelling, livestock barn, manure storage area, sheds and a metal fabricating shop PROPOSAL: The current 329 square metre metal fabrication shop is located approximately 85 metres from the adjacent dwelling at 1214 Noah Road and the applicant is proposing a 99 square metre shop addition. The applicant is requesting relief from Section 6.22.5 of the On-Farm Diversified Use regulations to reduce the required setback between the adjacent residential use and the metal fabricating shop / area of operation from 150 metres to approximately 74 metres NOTICE OF DECISION: Within 10 days of the meeting, a copy of each decision will be sent to owners, agents, those who submit written comments, and people who register for the meeting. If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Committee of Adjustment in respect to this application, you must submit a written request to the Committee Secretary or register ahead of the meeting. This will also entitle you to be advised of a possible Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

APPEAL OF MINOR VARIANCE AND CONSENT APPLICATIONS: Anyone in opposition to a decision may appeal the decision to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. The Tribunal may dismiss an appeal without holding a hearing if the appellant did not make oral or written submissions to the Committee of Adjustment before a decision was given or does not provide a reasonable explanation for having failed to make a submission to the Committee.

QUESTIONS / FURTHER INFORMATION Please feel free to reach out to Township Staff by phone or email to assist you should you have any questions. Contact the Committee Secretary at 519-669-6040 or 1-877-969-0094 (Ext. 6040) or by email to planning@woolwich.ca

Vince & Carol Sowa September 4th, 1971 Love from your family. Best wishes can be posted at www.Sowa50th.com

CONTINUES ON PAGE 20

Thank you

Thank you Thank you to 2 Good Samaritans in Elmira: On a day last week I was attempting to cross busy Arthur St., in front of the post office, to go sit on a bench in Gore Park. All of a sudden, I sank to the curb and sat there, unable to move. It just happened that a man and woman in a car parked on the other side, noticed me.

The woman came over to me and asked if she could help me stand up.

After I was up, we proceeded across Arthur St. to the park while the man stopped traffic for us. I was very thankful for the prompt attention given by this friendly couple.

Margaret Liota 4 James St., Elmira. ONT

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

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

ↆ FA M I LY

In print. In Depth. Online.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

A LB UM

In Memoriam

Obituary

Obituary

Bill Norris Sr. May the winds of love blow softly, And whisper so that you may hear, We will always love and miss you, And wish that you were here.

In loving memory of a dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, who passed away September 3, 1986.

Loved and Remembered.....

Bill and Ruth Norris and families

Obituary

Judith Ann Chumley Passed away peacefully with family by her side at Hospice of Waterloo on August 30, 2021 at the age of 80.

Beloved wife of Jack Chumley. Loving mother of Rob (Ursula) Chumley, Craig (Leanne) Chumley and Alan (Maria) Chumley. Cherished grandmother of 6 grandchildren. Survived by Alan (Fausta) Bennett. Predeceased by her parents Allen and Isabel Bennett.

She will be remembered for her love of winter sports and was a well-known power-skating instructor for 30 years.

At her request, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tri City Cremation.

Online condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com ❖ www.tricitycremations.com

Brubacher, Aden Passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the Village at University Gates. He leaves behind his beloved wife for 58 years Jan (Bender), and children Boni and Steve Moser, and Duane and Sandra Brubacher. Aden was the exceptionally proud Papa of Sarah and Andrew (Laura Mantler) Moser, and Tyler and Katelyn Brubacher.

Aden is lovingly remembered by siblings Sally and Wayne Martin, Manny and Mary Ellen Brubacher, Amzie and Doris Brubacher, Peg and Rick Bauman, as well as in-laws Joan Brubacher, Marilyn Brubacher, Martha Brubacher and Mary Ann Brubacher.

Predeceased by his parents Menno and Sarah (Martin) Brubacher, and siblings Cleason, Cleon, Abner, Edna Bauman, Sidney and Hank. Aden is also well-loved by the Bender family.

Aden loved golf, baseball, hockey and a game of Solo! He spent countless hours watching his grandchildren at diamonds, arenas, gymnastics and piano recitals. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira.

Interment will take place on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Elmira Mennonite Cemetery followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. in Elmira Mennonite Church. Please call the funeral home at 519-669-2207 to register your attendance for both visitation and service. Masks and social distancing will be required following provincial regulations. A video link to the funeral service may also be accessed on Aden’s tribute page of the funeral home website, as capacity at church is limited. If you wish to make a donation the family would appreciate support to the Elmira Mennonite Church or Research Institute for Aging/Dementia. A special thank you to all the staff in the Hagey neighbourhood at the Village at University Gates for their amazing care of Dad over the last 6 months. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Death Notice

1172 Henry Street, Wellesley, Ontario. N0B 2T0 519-656-2880 chris@futher-franklinfuneralhome.com www.futher-franklinfuneralhome.com

Christopher W. Franklin Funeral Director

A Continuing Tradition Of Trust & Reassurance

SCHNEIDER, JAMES KENNETH "JIM" - OUR BELOVED DAD, JIM, DIED PEACEFULLY AT Barnswallow Place Care Community in Elmira, with "his girls" at his bedside, on Saturday, August 28th, at the age of 80 years.

I ♥ my local newspaper.

FROM PAPER TO PRINT

Observer photographs online or in print are all available for purchasing a reprint. ads.observerxtra.com/reprints

Trapp, E. Jean (nee Seiling) February 25, 1927 – August 26, 2021 Jean, 94 years young, of 1080 Seiling Road Elmira, passed away at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus after a short battle with Multiple Myeloma. Survived by daughters Ellen Claxton and Susan Stewart (Keith); grandchildren Shannon Leduc (Jason); Jeremy Trapp (Kelly); Austin Trapp and Chloe Trapp (Luke); and Kieran Stewart, and great-grandchildren Owen and Jane Leduc; Jay, Hailey and Hayden Trapp. A special second Mom to Cliff Claxton and Linda Marquardt. Predeceased by her husband Carl (2000), sons Jay (2011) and Marty (2021), daughter-in-law Julie (2012), parents Albert and Edna Seiling, brother Donald Seiling, and sisters Betty Musselman, Shirley Braid and Dorothy Seiling in infancy.

As Mom liked to say she was “hatched” at Seiling Farms Hatchery in Elmira in 1927. While Jean was initially a town girl, she and Carl moved to the farm in the country in 1956.

Jean and Carl grew the family business, Gladmere Farms, over many years where in addition to running a commercial beef operation, they also showed purebred Black Angus and Full French Charolais cattle throughout North America. Jean and Carl enjoyed lots of fun at the curling club over the years.

Cards were also a favourite pastime and they were always up for a game of cards any time of the day or night. They were known for their hospitality and their door always being open.

After losing Dad in 2000, Mom had to find her new normal.

Jean quickly became a going concern right up until the pandemic hit; still driving until last November and could more often be found out and about than at home. She enjoyed cards at the seniors centre, bingo, the horse races and the casino.

Special thanks to cousin Nancy Braid, especially over the last couple of months when she was able to take Mom for some regular trips to the races which she really enjoyed; to her good friend Margie Ferenczy for the hospitality and card games; and to Kate Ertel for always making time for Mom to ensure she looked and felt her best.

The medical professionals have been exceptional, with special thanks to Nurse Jane Mitchell, Dr. Bob Stephens, and the caring nursing staff and fantastic doctors at Groves Hospital where Mom has been a frequent visitor over the last few months.

Cremation has taken place and due to covid there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

2021 has been a tough year for the Trapp/Seiling family. We lost Marty in January after a very short battle with gastric cancer, and then Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in March. In addition we lost Uncle Gordie (Trapp) in June, 2020, and cousin Judie (Musselman) in January, 2021. While none of our family members were lost to covid, the care and service we were able to provide was made so much more challenging because of the huge burden that covid has placed on the healthcare system. Marty’s diagnosis was very late coming, both he and Mom spent days in the hospital on their own with no visitors or support system, and the shortage of healthcare workers made looking after them at home difficult as well. As a result, at times we have felt very helpless to support them and provide them with the level of care they deserved. As a family we have experienced first-hand how the pandemic has impacted our healthcare system. We encourage everyone to do their part to help ease this burden and to help others - please be selfless and get vaccinated. ❖ www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

8x10 $15

2nd Print only $7.50

5x7 $11

2nd Print only $5.50

4x6

$9

2nd Print only $4.50

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 21

Living Here

It's about all of us.

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

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

Another MJT win

Blue algae alert

Hot off his win the previous weekend, Wellesley’s Andrew Rouble was back atop the MJT Junior Golf leaderboard, this time tying two others in his category with a score of 112 at the Lakeridge Links Golf Club in Brooklin Aug. 28-29. “I think my tee shots were most responsible for getting me the win as I was able to keep the ball in play,” he said.

Hot August days are great for spending time outdoors, but also create the perfect conditions for algae to grow and bloom in large bodies of water like the Grand River Conservation Authority’s (GRCA) Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, and Woolwich reservoirs. Park visitors, recreational users and cottagers should take precautions when blue-green algae is visible.

Firefighting is a family affair Three generations of the Clemmer family have provided service, with Taylor Clemmer the newest and youngest volunteer Justine Fraser Observer Staff

THREE GENERATIONS OF LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS from the Clemmer family have been protecting the community for more than 50 years.

The family tradition started with Oscar Clemmer joining the Floradale fire station in June 1971.

He went on to serve the community for 45 years, serving as the captain until 2016. He was followed by his son, Tinus Clemmer, who started when he was just 22. Tinus was promoted to a captain position in 2016 for the Floradale station following his father’s retirement. He also volunteers with the Elmira station. Oscar’s nephew, Micah Clemmer, started volunteering for the Wellesley Fire Department in 2016. Micah was hired on the Waterloo Fire Department in 2018, where he still works today.

Oscar, Tinus, Taylor and Micah Clemmer have all volunteered as firefighters, part of a 50-year tradition.

Last August, Oscar’s granddaughter and Tinus’ daughter, Taylor Clemmer, decided to pick up a fire hose as well and join the family tradition. At 21 years of age, Taylor is the youngest and currently the only female firefighter at the Elmira fire station.

“Growing up, I always watched my dad and my grandpa, so it’s always kind

of been like a dream or a goal of mine to get on and do that – I love doing what I do for the community, and the team that I work with at Elmira is amazing,” said Taylor Clemmer.

“I was always intrigued by what they did, my grandpa and my dad I mean. Watching him work a full 50-hour week and being on the road with

his normal job and then coming home and trying to spend time with kids, but run out the door every so often for calls – running out in the middle of Christmas dinner or whatever – it’s exciting and we’d always wait up for him when he gets back because he’s going in the middle of the night. Or mom would drive us out in the car

Alina Kehl

and we go watch grandpa and dad – we’re always just super fascinated by it. It’s always been like a really big thing for us,” she explained.

“The fact that we’ve gone three generations down the line now, and the fact that we’ve all done it and can share that together as a family, I think it’s pretty incredible,” she

added of her family’s firefighting experience.

“I live down the road from the Floradale fire station, and I think it is easy to forget when I hear those sirens and see the trucks roaring past that inside are our neighbours, friends, and family,” said Alina Kehl, a family friend.

“Some of the calls are kind of difficult to go to; you work in a small community – going on to a call sometimes when you know somebody or you know they’re connected to somebody that you may know, working in a small town like that sometimes it can be difficult because it is a very small, enclosed community. It’s hard, but you find your way of dealing with it and getting through with it, and the guys on the department are amazing. You go to difficult calls but at the end of the day you know you’re working with a good → FIREFIGHTERS 24

Molecular breast imaging an important screening tool for women DEAR MAYO CLINIC: After a recent mammogram, I was told that I have dense breast tissue. What does that mean? Should I be concerned? What does that mean for my future screenings?

ANSWER: When health care providers say "breast density" or "dense breasts," they are referring to how the breasts look on a mammogram. Women have different amounts of tissue and different types of tissue in their breasts.

Breasts are composed of fat, connective tissue that

holds the breasts together, and the part of the breast that makes milk when breastfeeding. Those tissues look different on a mammogram. We can see through the fat, which appears black on a mammogram. However, the other types of tissue are white and can be difficult to see through. Dense breast tissue can make it more challenging to see cancer on a mammogram because the dense tissue and the cancer are both white. Dense breasts are common, with about half of women having dense

▢ The Mayo Clinic

Professional Clinical Health Advice

breasts.

In addition to cancers being more difficult to see in dense breast tissue, having dense breast tissue confers a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Because of these issues, Mayo Clinic developed a test called molecular breast imaging, or MBI, which looks at the function of the breast tissue rather than the anatomy.

We have performed several large screening trials and incorporated MBI into Mayo's clinical practice. Molecular breast imaging consistently finds about three to four times more breast cancers in women who have dense breast tissue than screening mammography alone.

Molecular breast imaging and mammography have only been studied where MBI is performed in addition to mammography. There are a couple of reasons for this.

Mammography is really good at detecting

calcifications, which you can think of as tiny stones or grains of sand in the breast. Calcifications sometimes can be the earliest sign of breast cancer. Molecular breast imaging does not perform as well with abnormalities that present as calcifications only. However, MBI is very good at finding those lesions that might be hiding in the dense breast tissue, so they really work in concert together.

Molecular breast imaging uses a radiotracer, which is a radioactive

agent that goes to active parts of the breast and lights up in areas that have more metabolic activity, like cancer. That activity is detected with a special camera. The radiotracer used in MBI has been used for a long time, and it is safe. The radiation doses for mammography and molecular breast imaging are very low -- below the amount of background radiation we get just by walking around outside.

Any risk from radiation at these extraordinarily low doses is purely theoretical. → MAYO CLINIC 23

Not only is it our job to make sure your vehicle is safe and maintained; but also at your convenience without disrupting your schedule.

- NON PRINTING Feel free to ask us aboutAD ourSPOT shuttle service or request a loaner vehicle at your next appointment.

Our goal is to make visiting the shop as stress-free as possible.

Maintaining Your Car And Your Schedule.

- Mackenzie

Two locations in Elmira to serve you better

20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

www.leroysautocare.net

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

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

ↆ C O M M UNI TY

E V E NTS

Peaches and blackberries

CAL ENDAR

all breaded up

A “A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

Kleensweep Carpet Care

Rugs and Upholstery

•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

519.669.5105 1540 FLORADALE ROAD P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA

www.mgmill.com

NANCY KOEBEL

Bus: 519.744.5433

Freedom 55 Financial is a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company

Email: nancy.koebel@f55f.com Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS VERMONT Castings

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

519.664.2008

Woolwich

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 ▢ Breslau Firefighter's Family Fun Day and Charity

Car Wash. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 51 Beacon Point Ct. Breslau - Enter car wash off of fountain street, free parking at XTC Logistics. We ask that you come hungry as both Pizza La Villa and Bres-lolly ice cream will be in attendance donating 50% of proceeds to Food4kids Waterloo Region. All your local hero's will be there as well to interact with the kids and show off their equipment. Waterloo Regional Police, OPP and Waterloo Regional Paramedic Service.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 ▢ Elmira Legion Pork Chop Dinner with all the fixings. $15 per person includes dessert, take out only. To preorder call Donna at 519-669-5894 by Wednesday September 8. Cash or e-transfer.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 ▢ Come Try Ringette. The fastest game on ice! This

free event is open to anyone ages 4 and up. Parents are welcome to be on the ice with their skater. You will need your skates, certified helmet, hockey gloves or winter mitts and a ringette stick (some available to borrow). Albert McCormick Arena, Waterloo at 2 p.m. See you at the rink!

WOOLWICH RESIDENTS SUPPORT FUND: On April 4, 2020, Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz launched the Woolwich Residents Support Fund (WRSF) on behalf of Woolwich Township Council.

The WRSF will initially address the anticipated unprecedented needs that many Woolwich residents will experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the WRSF will continue to address ongoing needs experienced by Woolwich residents long after the pandemic has ended.

In general, the fund will provide one-time financial support to an applicant.

However, we realize that no two cases are the same. Unique situations may require further support that otherwise would not be accessible for the ongoing needs of the individual.

Prior to an applicant drawing from the WRSF, the Fund Review Committee will access other community services and funds that may be able to support and/or provide for the individual.

While eligibility practices and an application process are in place, it should be noted that in unique, complex, crisis and acute circumstances funds may be provided at the discretion of the Fund Review Committee, assuming the core criteria of the fund are met.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

ↆ The Community Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit local events that are offered free to the public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and similar events do not qualify for free advertising. See complete policy online. All submissions are to be made online at observerxtra.com/event-listing/.

Healthy Communities

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

Repairs Se Service All Makes & Models

9 Church St. E., Elmira

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

Quality & Service you can trust.

21 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com

Recipes from the chef's table

being day-old or stale bread that people didn’t want to waste.

The bread would be soaked in milk, eggs and sweetener and then baked in the oven to make a delicious and inexpensive dessert that also had some nutrients.

Dress it up with some nuts or seasonal fruits and you’ve actually got something there!

Sometimes the bread would also be soaked in suet, or animal fats and flavoured in more of a savoury way – gee I wonder what would happen if you were to put something like that inside a turkey? I guess that’s a story for next month…

Peach & Blackberry Bread Pudding ▢ 1 day-old French loaf,

▢ 1⁄3 cup unsalted

▢ 6 peaches, sliced

▢ Cinnamon

▢ 6 eggs

▢ Nutmeg

▢ 1 bag milk

▢ 2 oz. whisky

▢ 1-1⁄2 cups sugar

▢ 1 pint blackberries

sliced

Education and Treatment

Your First Step to Better Hearing

butter, melted

For the Sauce:

▢ 2 cups whipping

519-669-9919 charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira

▢ 2 Tbsp. flour

cream

▢ 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter

▢ 1 cup sugar

▢ 2 oz. whisky

1. Butter/grease an oblong pan.

6. Let stand.

7. Mix cream, sugar and flour together and cook over a double boiler while stirring frequently.

2. Layer with half the bread cut in cubes or slices.

3. Layer with fruit.

SANYO CANADIAN

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

Woolwich Township Ward 1 Councillor

Access to the Fund is available by contacting:  Community Care Concepts of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot  Woolwich Community Services  Woolwich Counseling Centre  Woolwich Community Health Centre

The place to get involved.

Vacuum Sales,

CHEF DUFF

hhh, it’s September already! Although it may still not be a “normal” year, it’s back to school nonetheless.

But, alas, our late-summer harvest brings us such wonderful treats such as peaches and blackberries, which grow wild right here in the Woolwich and Waterloo areas.

So what’s with bread in a dessert anyway?

This has sometimes been referred to as “poor man’s pudding” but is so delicious that you might see it at a fine restaurant in modern times.

Puddings definitely have some roots in Britain, but variations are enjoyed by many cultures as they are so versatile.

As far back as the 11th and 12th centuries, there were actually such a thing as leftovers, one of those

8. Add whisky and blend in cold butter slowly.

4. Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, butter and spices very well, pour over top and let soak.

9. Spoon out pudding into serving dishes, top with sauce and fresh blackberries to garnish.

5. Bake in a 350F for about half an hour or until set.

ↆ S U DOKU

How can I help you?

519.514.6051

pmerlihan@woolwich.ca

www.merlihan.com

healthywoolwich.org

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | THE OBSERVER

L I V I N G H E R E | 23

ↆ X-WO R D

performed 13. Barley bristle 16. Fool 17. Can be water-cooled, air-cooled, etc 18. Fourth-to-last Greek letter 19. Twelve Days of Christmas 21. Put a lid on it 22. Foot part 23. Chinese dynasty 24. Male deer 25. Desk item 29. In the beginning 32. 343.2 m/s 34. Caught 35. Beach bird 36. Kimono sash 37. Final: Abbr.

38. Hack 41. Publicity, slangily 43. Auction offering 45. Islands dish 46. She dances on the sand 47. Baking soda 52. U.N. arm 53. Coffee maker 54. Family head 55. "Amen!"

56. Deli sandwich 57. Band booking 58. Anomalous 60. Atlas section 63. "I told you so!"

64. go-getters

ↆ FA IT H

WOODSIDE

after "Que" 73. Degree in math?

74. Boatload 75. Horoscope king 76. Break open the masonry walls 83. Nigerian language 84. Magazine 85. Election news 86. Medicinal amt.

87. C6H5CH=CH2 88. Drain DOWN 1. "Monty Python" airer 2. Sound of delight 3. In favor of 4. J. Edgar Hoover's org.

5. In the superfamily

Ostreoidea 6. #1 spot 7. When doubled, a dance 8. Jewish Civil Calendar 9. Transeurasian 10. Sparkle 11. Chaired 12. "___ pales in Heaven the morning star": Lowell 13. Dismay 14. A pattern of spirals 15. ___-gritty 20. Bit of statuary 24. Pillbox, e.g.

25. Our normal time 26. Bemoan 27. Brandy flavor

Rigorously tested recipes that work.

layers.

Using frozen berries helps keep the dough's temperature low. It also prevents

the bright berry color from bleeding out of the berries and into the dough.

If you don't like mixed berries, you can use 1 cup (5 ounces) of frozen raspberries, blueberries or blackberries instead of the mixed berries.

▢ 1 cup (5 ounces)

frozen mixed berries

flour, plus extra for counter

sugar

▢ 1 tablespoon

▢ 6 tablespoons

baking powder

confectioners' (powdered) sugar

28. Medicinal plant 29. Part of "the works" 30. Block house?

31. Catch up on

developments

33. Elongated 37. Flips 38. Contradicts 39. Abet 40. Constrictor 42. Renewable energy

company

44. Little bit 47. Chest protector 48. "___ say!"

49. Succinct 50. Baby ___ 51. Keisters 59. Botherer 61. Boiling blood 62. Blockhead 63. Vacation locale,

with "the" 64. Continuous fast repetitive movements 65. C 2H 4 66. It's in your mouth 67. Cay 68. Demands 69. Band 70. Anxious 74. Game piece 76. Undergrad degrees 77. College major 78. Amscrayed 79. Engine speed, for short 80. Cleopatra biter 81. Assembled 82. Dump

▢ 1 1⁄2 teaspoons

unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2 inch pieces and chilled

▢ 1⁄2 teaspoon salt ▢ 1⁄2 cup (4 ounces) whole milk

▢ 2 tablespoons

ounces) all-purpose

67. Inter-religious 71. Bryologists' study 72. Word repeated

▢ America's Test Kitchen

▢ 1 1⁄2 cups (7 1⁄2

ACROSS 1. Fab 6. Capable of being

ne key to flaky, tender scones is the ingredients you use, but another is the temperature of those ingredients. Using chilled butter – and mixing everything together quickly, before it warms up – helps create those perfect flaky

Berry Scones

Buttery, flaky scones studded with berries make breakfast special

O

1. Adjust the oven rack to the upper middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

▢ 1 large egg yolk

2. In a medium bowl, combine berries and confectioners' sugar.

Use a rubber spatula to stir to coat the berries.

Place the bowl in the freezer until needed.

4. Transfer flour mixture to a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to stir in frozen berries until they are well coated. In a second medium bowl, whisk milk and egg yolk until well combined.

Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and use a rubber spatula to stir until just combined into a shaggy dough.

Do not overmix.

3. Place flour, chilled butter, sugar, baking powder and salt in food processor. Pulse until butter forms pea-size pieces, six to eight 1-second pulses.

5. Sprinkle the clean counter lightly with extra flour and coat your hands with flour.

Transfer the dough to the floured counter and gather and press

the mixture until a dough forms and holds together, 5 to 10 seconds. Pat the dough into an 8-inch circle, about 3⁄4-inch thick. Cut the circle into 8 wedges. Transfer scones to the parchment-lined baking sheet.

6. Bake until scones are golden brown on top, about 14 minutes.

Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack and let the scones cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes. Transfer scones directly to the cooling rack. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.

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

MAYO CLINIC: Screening is a key part of early detection → FROM 21

In contrast, it is known that the risk of breast cancer is real for women.

One in 8 women is going to get breast cancer in her lifetime, and the goal is to find those cancers while they are small and most treatable. MBI is one tool that helps do that.

In a molecular breast imaging exam, a woman receives an injection

of the radiotracer. The breasts are placed in mild compression to stabilize them while pictures are taken, but it's less compression than a mammogram and most women report that it is not uncomfortable. Imaging takes about 40 minutes, and patients can watch a show or play a game on their phone while the pictures are taken.

Women should get their yearly screening mammograms, and those women with dense breast tissue should consider supplemental screening.

Molecular breast imaging is an important complementary tool that helps find cancers that might otherwise go undetected for a long period of time because they can't be seen on a mammogram.

Rent soft water starting at

$9.95

mth

*for first three months

D IR ECTOR Y

Join Us Online Each Sunday

woodsidechurch.ca/live

Elmira Mennonite Church

.com

What Colour is your God? Andy Martin, Lay Preacher www.elmiramennonite.ca

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

519.744.2248

427 Gage Ave • Kitchener

24 | T H E B A C K PA G E

FIREFIGHTERS: A family committment for five decades → FROM 21

team,” said Clemmer.

“The cities are so big, but here in a small community, you feel that much more grateful to protect the small community that you have, and the people that are here. It’s sometimes scary – could I be going to my neighbor’s house? Or what if I could be related to this person? I think when you work in the community and you’ve grown up with people in the community and then you’re also serving that community as well in the fire department, it can be very fulfilling.”

Clemmer noted that last month the Elmira fire station received some 25 calls, a busy month for them.

After many years of watching her father and

grandfather running out the door when their pagers went off, she is now running out the door alongside her father.

The father-daughter duo can be seen around the community fighting fires together, or going out to other emergency calls often late into the night.

“My dad and I, we always try to make every call – we’re very eager. Sometimes there’s two or three calls in the middle of the night, and we’re running out the door together.

During the day, he’s gone with work, but after work or in the middle of the night we usually do run a lot of calls together – it’s a very cool thing to be able to do that with my dad for sure,” said Clemmer.

“I’ve watched my

grandpa and my dad stick with it for so long. ... I’ve obviously dreamed of doing it for so long, but I wasn’t so sure that I was capable of doing it – over the last year and a half it’s really challenged me.

I have learned a lot about myself and I’ve learned that I do actually really enjoy doing what I do.

“My grandpa, he’s extremely proud – he’s got his pager he keeps with him all the time, he likes listening to all the calls.

The other day we went to a fire in Floradale and my grandpa lives in Floradale so I saw him wandering around. He showed up to the scene and was taking pictures of me – he’s just so proud,” said Clemmer, equally proud of her Grandpa’s firefighter roots.

THE OBSERVER | Thursday, September 2, 2021

VINYL

VINYL

IN-STORE SHOPPING M-F

IN STOCK!

CLICK VINYL PLANKS

1

SQ FT 1 2 ” X 2 4 ” C LPREEIRC K G 2 .99 VINYL TILES

89

LAMINATE FROM

¢

/SQ FT

REG 4.99

12MM THICK LAMINATE

1 $ 59

$ 57

1

REG 2.99

CARRARA TILE

$ 199

$ 99 6” WIDE

CLICK ENGINEERED

HFA R DWO O D ROM

FROM

3

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

PER SQ FT

REG 6.99

IN STOCK!

Pfizer (age 12+). No appointment needed.

Location: Floradale Public School 35 Florapine Road, Elmira Date: Friday, September 3 Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

HANDSCRAPED HARDWOOD 3 ” X6 ” O R 4 ” X1 2 ”

FROM

COVID-19 is still a serious risk to Waterloo Region.

• Most people who get COVID-19 vaccina

R130312 08/21

R

#

Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-514-1499 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 regionofwaterloo/COVID19vaccine #TeamVaccineWR

99

S U BWAY TILE

PER SQ FT

REG 5.99

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

VINYL & MDF LAMINATE PRIMED WHITE

ted

are not vaccinated.

• Serious illness may result in hospitalization and death.

• The vaccine protects you, your Te am W family and your neighbours.

V a c c in e • Vaccination will stop the spread of COVID-19 in your community.

2 99 1

$

FROM

BASEBOARDS MOULDINGS MORE STYLES AND SIZES TOOF CHOOSE 100’S COLOURS IN STOCK! FROM

67

1

LAMINATE FROM

99 PER SQ FT

REG 2.99

HIGH GLOSS LAMINATE

1 $ 99

$ 97

H I G H - G LO S S F RL OM A M I NPER AT EFT SQ

1

REG 3.99

BACKSPLASH FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 3.99

GLASS & STONE BACKSPLASH

1 5

$ 99

3/4” THICK 6.5” WIDE

W H I T E OA K

E N G I N E E R E D H A R DWO O D FROM PER SQ FT

$ 99 HARDWOOD FROM

REG 6.99

PER SQ FT

REG 5.99

3/4” THICK

NATURAL HARD MAPLE 12”X24”

$

2 99 1

69

P O RC E L A I N TILE

$

FROM

PER SQ FT

REG 4.99

FROM

RUGS

PER SQ FT

REG 2.99

BASEBOARDS

$ FROM

0 79 PER LIN FT

REG 3.29

3/7” WIDE C O LO N I A L

4’ X 6’ $ RUGS 99 AREA CLEARANCE 5.5” WIDE

¢ $

/LIN FT

WWW.

$

L U X U RY

SQ FT C LPREEIRC K G 3 .99 VINYL

IN STOCK!

CLICK ENGINEERED

$

FROM

IN STOCK!

12X24 POLISHED

HARDWOOD

Get

PER SQ FT

IN STOCK!

COVID-19 Vaccination Bus

$ 55 IN STOCK!

IN STOCK!

FROM

1

4MM THICK

PA D AT TAC H E D

FROM

TILE

Don’t miss this opportunity to get vaccinated.

SUN

IN STOCK! SPC CLICK VINYL PLANKS

$ 00

AC 4 C O M M E RC I A L

Mobile Clinic

SAT

9-6 9-6 10-5

12 MM THICK FROM SQ FT L A M I NPER AT E REG 3.99

COVID-19 Vaccine

9

FROM

1

PER LIN FT

REG 3.29

99 2 29

C O N T E M P O RA RY

FROM

$ FROM

PER LIN FT EACH REG 3.99

REG 59.99 6” W IDE

S Q UA R E

.COM

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