Southpoint Sun - April 10, 2024

By Mark Ribble and Paul Forman

The world came to a standstill briefly on Monday, April 8, as the highly anticipated total solar eclipse made its way through the Sun Parlour.

With Point Pelee National Park overflowing with visitors from all over North America, other popular spots in the area took on new life as spectators filled up the beaches, roadways and parking lots along the Lake Erie shoreline to get a protected glimpse of one of Mother Nature’s biggest wonders.

Pelee Island had a soldout special sailing of the Pelee Islander II arrive just in time to see the event.

Visitors began arriving at Leamington’s waterfront early in the morning — some as early at 7 am — to get their spot along Seacliff Beach or the Leamington Marina.

By mid-afternoon, both locales were abuzz with activity — some played volleyball, some played tunes and others took to the water in kayaks along the beach.

By dinner time, it was all over and the world went back to its everyday normal activities.

Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre in Kingsville — along with Mettawas Park — provided a unique perspective for a rare celestial phenomenon and drew a large crowd to witness a total solar eclipse.

Karen Loney, Kingsville’s Manager of Recreation Programs and Special Events, did an informal survey of those in attendance and found

that many viewers of the eclipse ventured in from out of town, including visitors from the northern part of the county, Michigan, Sudbury and Miami.

Prior to totality, a free event put on by the Town of Kingsville was held at the Grovedale that included crafts, construction of bird feeders and a

Eclipse dazzles shoreline viewers from Colchester to Erieau

story hour for the youngsters upstairs, along with live music from the Dan Woods trio on the ground floor.

The Mettawas Park hill

was also a hub of activity for a dozen artists that worked their magic in a friendly en plein air competition.

These five ladies from Windsor arrived Monday morning at Seacliff Beach to secure one of the benches along the waterfront boardwalk and settled in for a sunny day along Lake Erie’s shoreline. Standing in back are Lisa Palmeri and Daniela Palmeri. Sitting, from left, are Halle Moore, Chiara Palmeri and Lexi Burdon. SUN photo

Two-year-old Winnie Harner was all ears, as were Shae and Jackson Lowrie, as they listened to a read aloud from Kingsville councillor Sherrie Lowrie at the Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre prior to totality. Paul Forman photo

The Yang family made their way to Kingsville from LaSalle and are pictured just prior to totality. Paul Forman photo

The crowd at Mettawas Park in Kingsville readies for the eclipse. Paul Forman photo

Seacliff Beach was bustling with families and even kayakers who wanted to take advantge of the eclipse and nice weather. SUN photo

Hospitals announce 327,000 affected by cyber attack

By Mark Ribble

About 327,000 people were affected by the cyber attack on five regional hospitals in October of 2023.

The totals were announced on Wednesday, April 3 as the five hospitals held a joint news conference, outlining steps that have been taken to combat the cyber attack and progress that is being made to ensure it will never happen again.

Erie Shores HealthCare

in Leamington had a total of 102,000 individuals affected by the cyber attack.

According to the CEO and President of Erie Shores HealthCare, Kristin Kennedy, patients affected will receive a letter in the mail this week outlining the extent of the information stolen and steps being taken to protect them from further breaches.

“I’m here to extend our deepest apologies to our community,” said Kenne-

dy.

She said that staff had worked tirelessly over the past few months to deal with the attack.

Kennedy indicated that no medical records or financial details were compromised, but included patient names and some addresses, health card numbers, date of birth and generic reasons for their visit.

At the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, President and CEO Lori Mar-

Jack Miner’s birthday marks Wildlife Week

The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation is commemorating Jack’s 158th Birthday and celebrating National Wildlife Week this week.

Some 76 years ago, the federal government declared the week of Jack’s birthday (April 10) to be National Wildlife Week.

Activities for all ages will be ongoing at the sanctuary this week, ranging from a Conservation Speaker Series, family movie night, children’s activities, birds of prey shows and much more.

Admission to all events

is free.

You can see historical exhibits in the Jack Miner Museum and homestead, walk five kilometres of trails in Kennedy Woods, explore interactive children’s activities in the Jack Miner Learning Centre or soak in the rich history of the Sanctuary by walking their new self-guided tour. On Saturday, April 13, Archery Windsor will provide archery training and demos at Ty Cobb Field on the grounds. The Canadian Raptor Conservancy will bring bird of

prey shows at noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. You’ll be able to see eagles, owls and hawks flying overhead.

The Arts Society of Kingsville is also holding art demonstrations, exhibits and sales on Saturday and Sunday.

Outdoor education programs will be presented on Sunday as well. All donations go to the foundation to help continue Jack Miner’s legacy of conservation and education.

More details are available at jackminer.ca

shall said approximately 69,000 individuals were affected by the breach, with general information such as names, addresses and appointment dates being the main target.

She said a small number of social insurance numbers were also compromised but no medical records or financial information.

Sarnia’s Bluewater Health was most greatly affected with about 20,000 patients’ social insurance numbers being

taken out of the 82,000 total that was compromised and some medical records compromised.

President and Chief Executive Officer at Windsor Regional Hospital, David Musyj, says that about 27,800 people were affected by the breach, with no social insurance numbers, medical records or financial information stolen.

“One patient is clearly too many,” he said. “This is something you wouldn’t wish on your

worst enemy.”

Over at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, CEO Bill Marra confirmed about 46,000 people compromised, but stressed that no medical records were breached.

It’s important to note that patients who visited more than one of these hospitals in recent years may receive a letter from each of them, which means there may be some overlap in the above totals.

Awards presented at annual Juried Student Art Show at Leamington Arts Centre

By Paul Forman

For the 26th time, outstanding visual art from students around the county was recognized at an awards reception on Friday, April 5 at the Arts Centre in Leamington.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Leamington and the Kiwanis Club, a total of $2,000 was handed out

in prize money to talented local artists.

Presented by the South Essex Arts Association, the month-long exhibit featured 444 entries by 243 students from 10 different county schools. Students put forth entries in one of eight categories: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, mixed

media, new media, printmaking and film.

Judges Andrea Niven and Scott Livingstone had the unenviable task of choosing the best of the best and based their decisions on the visual impact, creativity and technique present in each piece.

First-place winners included: Hiro Torres from Tecumseh Vista Academy-Secondary for painting, Felicia Vickery from Kingsville District Secondary School for drawing, Jandel Jr. Reyes from Cardinal Carter Catholic High School for sculpture, Carson Bildfel from Essex District High School for photography, Sarah Riddle from Tecumseh Vista Academy-Secondary for mixed media, Grace Prior of Sandwich Secondary School for new media, Shay Ryde of Leamington District Secondary School for printmaking, and Kale Ross of Essex District Secondary School for film.

The Future Artist Award — honouring the late Marg and Don Ross of Leamington — was won by Sienna Pepper of Tecumseh Vista Academy-Secondary, who will be attending the University of Windsor this fall to study visual arts.

The public is invited to the Leamington Arts Centre to cast their People’s Choice vote for their favourite student piece prior to the exhibit closing on April 20.

Award winners in attendance at the juried art show, from front left, Grace Prior, Heidi Heinrich, Daniella Lavoratore, back from left, Jandel Jr. Reyes, Luke Schmidt and Kent Lebert. Paul Forman photos

Heidi Heinrich of Leamington District Secondary School placed third in the printmaking category with the piece she is holding titled ‘Pagoda’. Heidi has a keen interest in architecture and indicated that the inspiration for her piece came from a structure in a book that she had just read.

Pictured beside his first-place sculpture ‘Bakunawa’ is Cardinal Carter’s Jandel Jr. Reyes. Jandel, originally from the Republic of the Philippines, created a piece that paid homage to his home country.

Pictured are retired educators and artists in their own right, exhibit judges Andrea Niven and Scott Livingstone.

COLASANTI’S/OPTIMIST ANNUAL CHESS TOURNAMENT

The youth chess tournament sponsored jointly by Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens and the Kingsville Optimist Club took place on Saturday, April 6 at Colasanti’s in the restaurant area. The area was filled with 250 pre-registered children from Grades 1-8 from schools all over Windsor and Essex County. The tournament has been held for more than 30 years and started out at Ruthven Public School before moving to Colasanti’s. Tournament organizer Linda Lauzon said about 30 volunteers help run the tournament and keep everything in check, with children divided by age and skill levels. Trophies supplied by Colasanti’s went to the top three finishers in each group, with medals to all other players. Among the highlights of the morning was a group of Grade 8 students who made the trip from Chicago. In the photo on the left, a shot of the players getting ready to start. In the middle photo is eight-year-old Victoria LaFrance from École St-Michel after she finished her first match. In the photo right is eight-year-old Robert Hudders of Gore Hill Public School as he makes a move on his opponent’s pawn. Sun photos

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opinion ~ expression ~ and other musings

Much ado about ... something

RIB’S RAMBLINGS

Mark Ribble

Well, Monday’s total solar eclipse was what us boomers call a twice-in-lifetime event, and depending on who you talk to, they’ve witnessed even more than that in their lifetime.

Trying to figure out whether you’ve

actually witnessed a TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE by researching online is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Sure over the years, we’ve witnessed lunar eclipses and even partial solar eclipses, but it’s the first in my memory where this actual area was in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse.

The hype and hoopla surrounding Monday’s celestial phenomenon certainly opened our eyes to just how small this world can be.

As I ducked inside for a washroom

“You push and I’ll steer!

Traditional turn-of-thecentury gender roles are illustrated in this photo taken in 1902 on the outskirts of Toronto and now preserved in the City of Toronto Archives.

The car is a Stephens, built in England between 1898 and 1900 by Mr. R. Stephens, a cycle engineer who built about a dozen of these eight-horsepower twin-cylinder cars with belt and chain drive and independent suspension. The front of the car clearly shows the influence of bicycle technology.

Note the squeeze horn conveniently mounted on the steering tiller, a popular form of steering before the arrival of steering wheels. With only two people able to occupy the only seat, they could take turns steering. The fancy hat on the woman was typical of that era and the long skirt protected her legs from the dust. The man has goggles on his hat, helping him to keep dust out of his eyes while driving

THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE

when nearly all roads were dirt roads.

We don’t know how far this car had to be pushed before getting it running again, and what became of it is unknown, but the Stephens prototype has survived.

Always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca

break, I saw the live feed of the eclipse happening in Dallas Texas, about five minutes before it was supposed to happen here. That’s a long way away.

And while the darkness at totality wasn’t as dark as I expected it would be, it was still neat, to say the least.

My memories of the one in February of 1979 are vague at best. I would have been in grade 12 that year. My contemporaries all say they remember, but I must have been focused on something else.

I do recall what I remember as a solar eclipse in about grade 4 at Gore Hill.

We spent all week preparing our little pinhole shoe boxes and then they kept us inside and closed the curtains.

So where was all the hoopla then?

Social media has to take the bulk of the blame for things like this being blown way out of proportion. And the media — which I am part of — certainly helped build it up

into the spectacle it was for about three minutes.

It did take on a life of its own and good old social media didn’t miss a beat.

Facebook and Instagram have taken over so much of our daily lives that everything that happens –from an irregular bowel movement to a total solar eclipse – has to be instantly documented.

While out taking pictures of the spectacle on Monday, I had a guy tell me that the contrails in the sky on Monday were filled with aluminum that would descend upon us and invade our bodies to help “them” control us.

So many ‘theories’, so little time.

And everyone documented everything.

The fact is, the world has become a very small place because technology has allowed for that to happen.

And the future looks bright in that regard — pardon the pun.

With AI, soon-to-be flying cars and so many other technologies on the hori-

zon, things thought impossible 20 years ago are now possible. The world moves too fast for most of us.

Monday’s hype is part of that, whether you like it or not.

From big parties to barricaded roadways to an overflowing national park, we all witnessed the spectacle in our own way.

Some stayed home, some held parties or attended businesses who had parties, while others were inside working through the whole thing.

In the end, we all have a choice to get on for the ride or breathe in those aluminum contrails, as my misinformed buddy so proudly pointed out.

My grandkids are already looking ahead to 2044. Will most of us be here for that one?

As the great Bonnie Tyler once said, every now and then, I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by.

Turn around, bright eyes. Turn around.

Herb Alpert still going strong

One of the all-time most successful artists in the music industry, Herb Alpert, just celebrated his 89th birthday.

His parents were Jewish immigrants from Radomyshl (present-day Ukraine) and Romania, and Herb, the youngest of three children, was born and raised in the Boyle Heights area of Eastside Los Angeles. While his father was a tailor by trade, he was also a skilled mandolin player. Herb’s mother taught violin and his brother, David, was a talented young drummer. His sister Mimi played the piano and Herb began playing a trumpet when he was eight years old.

Herb attended the University of Southern California in the 1950s and was a member of the USC Trojan Marching Band for two years. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he played in the 6th Army Band.

In 1957, Alpert initially joined up with Rob Weerts as songwriters for Keen Records. Some songs written or co-written by Alpert in the next two years included “Baby Talk” by

Jan and Dean, which reached #10 and “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke that hit #12 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

FLASHBACK RADIO with Chuck

However, in 1962, now with his own group, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass (which really were the LA studio pros known as the Wrecking Crew), he finally reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his hit “The Lonely Bull”. The song remained on the chart for 14 weeks as Alpert had hit upon a winning formula in 1962, playing mostly pop music built around his Spanish sounding trumpet.

More importantly, after six more lesser like entries over the next three years, the instrumental hit “Taste of Honey” finally hit the top of Cash Box’s Hot 100 charts and was #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the Fall of 1965. It also won three Grammys that year including Hall of Fame, Record of the Year and top Pop Instrumental.

Although Alpert was primarily an instrumentalist, in 1968 he picked up a wonderfully written song from noted songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal

Reynolds

David called “This Guy’s in Love with You”, which he would sing on his own to his first wife in a CBS television special titled “Beat of the Brass”. After it aired, the phones at CBS rang off the hook. It would become his biggest hit ever, spending four weeks at #1 and 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

After 11 instrumental songs were released over the next 11 years, Herb had another #1 hit in the fall of 1979 called “Rise”, which remained on the charts for a record 25 weeks. His big hit, “Diamonds”, featuring vocals from Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith, was his last top 10 song reaching #5 in 1987.

Today, Alpert is still working and playing concert gigs throughout the U.S. Last month, he played in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, Texas, while next month he’ll be playing in Richmond, Virginia, and Nashua, New Hampshire. This July, he’ll be even closer to us with his show in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo of a Stephens taken 122 years ago.

Bill Sherk

Skate Wheatley celebrates 50 years in style

Two full capacity shows helped Skate Wheatley celebrate their 50th anniversary in style on Saturday as the friendly con-

fines of Wheatley Area Arena hosted their annual carnival, which was titled ‘50 Orbits Around The Sun.’

All the skaters were decked out in sun-related costumes and performed to sun-and-moon themed music, thrilling parents,

grandparents and friends who were there to cheer them on.

From the youngest little ones performing for

the first time, to the seasoned veterans doing solo skates, the arena was electric with excitement as showtime approached.

The arena lobby was decked out in memorabilia and photos from the 50 years that the club has been operating.

The Senior Feature included Sylvia Ross, Olivia Zieba, Melissa Thorpe and Danika Romanyk performing to Pocket Full of Sunshine. These two Canskate performers enter the ice ready to perform Rainbowland.

Allie Barnewall performs her solo during the evening show. Allie was one of many skaters who dazzled the crowd with their skating skills and performances.

Here Comes the Sun was the theme of this performance by the Canskate group. All Junior, Intermediate and Senior 3-Day skaters perform the opening for the 50th Skate Wheatley Carnival.

Caldwell Gas and Variety celebrates one year anniversary

By Paul Forman

A spectacle of colour and sound graced the

grounds of Caldwell First Nation on Saturday, April 6 as the gas and variety store on site commemorated their first year in business in Leamington.

Wheatley Friendship Club news

By Bonnie Dawson

A good crowd showed up at the Wheatley & District Friendship Club for Bingo on Wednesday, April 3. Thanks to Helen Clark for the delicious cakes, berries and Easter eggs for dessert and to Earlene Gould for helping her set up.

The Bingo winners were Earlene Gould, Mary Hair-

sine, Pat Churchill, Bob McKee, Pat Matier, Doreen Armstrong, Marg Franklin, Donna Moody, Heather McKee. Thanks to Janet Hewett and Pauline Sample for running the Bingo.

The next Bingo will be April 17 at 1 p.m. for $2.

The winners of the 50/50 draws were Karen Deyell and Helen Clark.

See the sign-up sheets

in the hall for upcoming events: Zoom classes, watercolour classes and chair yoga.

Regular activities include: Quilting on Mondays and Thursdays 1:00-3:00 p.m.; Euchre on Tuesdays 1:30-4:00 p.m. for $2; Pepper on Thursdays 1:00-3:30 for $2; exercise room, billiards, darts and cornhole are available for a

cost of $2.

Contact info: email wheatleyfriendship@ gmail.com or call 519-8254870.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please use the suggestion box which is opened at the executive meetings. The executive can’t resolve a problem if they don’t know about it.

In Loving Memory of Peter H. ePP

Memories of the one we loved, still cast their gentle glow, To grace our days and light our paths, wherever we may go. His memory is a keepsake, with which we’ll never part, God has him in his keeping, we have him in our hearts.

Remembered and Loved by Your Family

Thank you!

I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to everyone for your kind words, tributes, cards, visits, baked goods, flowers, love and prayers on the recent passing of my husband Nick Schell. Your care and compassion mean a lot to me and my family.

Thank you to the Sun Parlor Home for the wonderful care he received over the last five years.

A special thank you to Reid Funeral Home, who went above and beyond planning and helping with all funeral arrangements.

Thank you to LakePoint Family Church and Pastor Nathan for a beautiful service and luncheon. God

Sincerely,

Heidi Schell and Family

opening remarks before a large crowd, followed by an honour song performed by Anishinaabe singers and accompanied by dancers from Walpole Island. Food trucks filled bellies, including an offering of First Nations tacos, a bouncy castle kept the little ones entertained and a draw was held to give away big-screen televisions.

Bill Singh, the manager on site, stated that their first year of business was “way beyond what

anyone thought it would be.” He indicated that the business generated three times more commerce than was anticipated.

Singh attributed the success of the business to two factors, both price and a significant presence on social media.

Expansion is planned in the near future with either a large addition to the existing store or construction of a new store altogether.

E. A fundraiser for Ukraine. Admission by donation. Cheques payable to 'Friends of the Mennonite Centre Ukraine' (FOMCU).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

LEAMINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL MEET at 7:00 pm at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Speaker: Russ Jones. Topic: Establishing gardens with Biodiversity. All are welcome for an evening of horticultural fun and fellowship. More info: Jo-Anne Smith 519-322-8809.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB WILL MEET at 7:30 pm at Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Rd., Windsor. Special meeting: Alexander Campbell and Jennifer Dalley of Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation centre, a handson learning experience and presentation. All welcome. Free to the public.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

KINGSVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL MEET from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Unico Hall, 37 Beech St., Kingsville. Speaker: Leo Silvestri. Topic: Monarch butterflies. All are welcome.

FRI., APRIL 19 & SAT. APRIL 20

INDOOR YARD SALE / RUMMAGE SALE - Friday, April 19 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 am to 12 noon at Leamington United Church, 9 John St. Lots of bargains for everyone!

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

The Ontario Purple Martin Association will meet at 9:00 am at Orchard View Golf Course, 1357 County Rd. 34, Ruthven. The beloved Martins are starting to return, and this is a good meeting to get pointers to attract them and to assist them in their breeding season. More info: Paul 519738-3476 for further info. The public is welcome to attend.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

WHEATLEY LIBRARY - MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU - Visit Wheatley Library to experience the force with a Star Wars craft and activities. If you complete your activity pack, you can sign your own Jedi Knight certificate!

ONGOING

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www. alanonwindsoressex.com

WESTOVER - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Pretreatment or after-care program for substance misuse. Do you, a friend or family member struggle with substance misuse? Come learn about the solution process. Drop-in group session. No registration required.

SOUTH ESSEX COMMUNITY COUNCIL - ADULT DAY PROGRAM - Join us at Faith Mennonite for a day service providing social, recreational and personal support to clients and respite. For more information or to register, call SECC

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. East, for those who enjoy morning coffee/tea and conversation, the first Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates: April 3 at 10:00 a.m. in church auditorium. All welcome, no RSVP required.

URSA MAJOR’S LITTLE BEAR CAFE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST every Monday (except holidays), 1860 Division Rd. North, Kingsville. Ursa Major Day Support Program’s community breakfast awaits with free coffee, tea, and simple eats — available while supplies last. Open to the whole community. We welcome everyone to join in the good food and fellowship. For more details, visit www.UMLSC.org or email contact@umlsc.org.

ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS MEETING in person at 6:30 pm every other Wednesday at the Leamington Library, 1 John St., Leamington. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com

Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org.

STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH? Reach out to Hope 4 Me Peer to Peer Support Group. Virtual and in-person meetings available. Contact Tracy, Sue or Nancy at hope4mepeer@ gmail.com for information about the group.

WHEATLEY BAPTIST CHURCH - 47 Talbot St. E. Everyone is welcome to come worship with us. Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Bible study Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Adult fellowship Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. For more info call 519-825-7433.

THE KINGSVILLE FRIENDLY CLUB meets every Tuesday to play Cribbage, Euchre & Bridge at 12:45 in the Unico Community Centre at 37 Beech St. in Kingsville, and every Friday to play Bridge, Euchre & Pepper at 12:45. Come early if you want to play a particular game and have your choice of a seat.

IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS

If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE

Caldwell Chief Mary Duckworth and Mayor Hilda MacDonald made

Anishinaabe dancers from Walpole Island performed a traditional dance at the first-anniversary celebration. SUN photo by Paul Forman

THE GIVING SPOON RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITY

Classic play ready to hit The Bank Theatre stage this weekend

By Paul Forman

Tech week for a production is both anxiety provoking and exhilarating and it’s no different for the actors, director and behind the scenes crew as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prepares to open on April 12 and continue with a run of seven more shows.

“Tech week becomes an air of excitement for everyone involved. The hard work by the costume people and the painters comes to the stage, the sound and lighting people get to mix with the actors,” said the production’s director Corey Robertson.

Regarding opening night, Robertson shared, “I’m most excited to see the work put in by our actors. It’s an emotional

show, the actors are asked to approach the play with a tremendous amount of empathy and to bring dignity to their parts. To realize the fruits of their hard work, I can’t wait to see it.”

Upcoming performance dates include evening shows on April 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and matinee shows on April 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at banktheatre. com, at The Bank Theatre box office on Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. or at the door 30 minutes prior to a show, pending availability. Viewer discretion is advised for this play as it contains coarse language and mature themes.

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The annual Giving Spoon fundraiser at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre was held on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, with attendance in the thousands. In the left photo, The Soup Guru, aka Bill Dunn, stands in front of some of the 18 pots full of various soups ready to be ladled up by volunteers. Dunn’s own creation of Potato Bacon is very popular and emptied quickly Saturday afternoon. He said over 70 volunteers are needed prior to and the weekend of the event. Dunn has been organizing soup fundraisers in the community for 15 years and plans to continue growing the annual event. He added that any leftovers, soups and food, from the event would be donated to the Leamington Community Hope Centre. In the photo on the right, siblings Madelina, 8, Evelyn, 5, and Jacob Enns, 7, are ready to try some soup. The two-day event served over 1,400 people Saturday alone. SUN photos by Deanna Bertrand

In the photo above, Dean Valentino, playing Randle Patrick McMurphy, sits with Logan Quiring, playing a troubled Billy Bibbit during an early scene.

In the photo to the right, Nurse Ratched, played by Melissa Scott, is seen leading one of her condescending therapy sessions with the patients.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

Maeve Omstead Johnston

A strong and loving heart fell silent on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 when Maeve Eleanor Omstead Johnston, aged 88, passed away. With a name that means “Queen of the Fairies”, Maeve lived up to her name completely, finding the magic in every part of life, great and small. Her heartbeat still echoes in the hearts and minds of her family and those who had the good fortune of knowing her.

Maeve passed comfortably, full of great memories and surrounded by her adoring and very proud family. Late of Chartwell Retirement Residence in Leamington, ON, she appreciated being taken care of fondly by the staff there and enjoyed the company and friendship of other residents.

Maeve was born June 16, 1935 in Fort Erie, ON, to Margaret and Bruce Hogg. Childhood camping trips nurtured a lifelong love of nature and sharing time with friends and family. Maeve became a strong swimmer, swimming upstream against the current of the Niagara River. Her confidence in the water blossomed later into kickstarting a backyard swimming program, teaching the kids of Wheatley, ON, how to swim.

Maeve was also gifted at public speaking. She was awarded the Public Speaking Trophy at the 1952 Canadian Girls Championship at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, ON. Copies of the valedictorian address she gave at her 1953 graduation from Fort Erie High School are treasured by her children. Her love of family, friends, storytelling and writing carried on throughout her entire life.

In 1954, Maeve married Gerald (Jake) Omstead and together they built a home in Wheatley where they raised a family of seven children. She was a loving, encouraging and supportive mother and a true family matriarch of a home where, despite having so many mouths to feed and children to care for, friends and relations were always welcome at the table. Stray dogs, cats, wounded or orphaned wildlife and a variety of pets found themselves cared for and sheltered at Maeve and Jake’s place.

After almost losing her life to polio in 1963, Maeve astonished her doctors by rebounding and learning to walk again.

Maeve shared her caregiving, organizing and leadership talents widely and in a variety of ways, such as the Candy Striper program at Leamington District Memorial Hospital, Wheatley’s backyard pool swim and Aquafit programs, and teaching English to new Canadians through South Essex Community Council. She contributed to the vibrancy of Women Making A Difference, LINK and Connections groups and many local book clubs.

In later years, Maeve was remarried to Bob Johnston with whom she shared many new and wonderful life experiences. Together, Maeve and Bob enjoyed hosting guests at her Gathering Place B&B on Pelee Island. She was always so wise, thoughtful and positive. She saw the best in everyone.

As Maeve’s mobility declined, she cherished friendships within her online community. Her daily posts have been an inspiration to others. She has left us a beautiful legacy with her written words through her poetry, children’s books, novels and memoirs.

Predeceased by son Fred, Maeve was loved by and leaves behind six children: Laurie, Leslie, John (Shannon), Tom (Sue), Shannon (Mark) and Stacey (Jamie), 16 grandchildren: Jay (Lyndsay), Colleen (Jeff), Greg, Emily (David), Houston (Stephanie), Brittany, Tara (Shawn), Everett (Adrienne), Andrew, Michaela (Zachary), Cheyne (Alice), Anna, Kaitlyn, Nicholas (Brittany), Rory and Alexa, and nine great-grandchildren: Benson, Raymond, Jake, Theo, Matteo, Aurora, Audrey, Peyton and Mya.

The family expresses gratitude to the staff of Windsor Regional Hospital - Metropolitan Campus who cared for Maeve and kept her comfortable in her final days.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Erie Wildlife Rescue or the Wheatley Horticultural Society through the Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell St, Leamington, ON, N8H 1T8.

Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Leamington Bridge Club scores

Proof of obituary to run

Friday, April 12 at 11:45 a.m., lunch will be served (hamburgers, salad, dessert). Cost is $10. There is a sign-up sheet at Christine’s window. Bridge will start around 1 p.m.

April 10, 2024

ry Centre. Bridge lessons are available. If interested, call 519-738-4939.

Southpoint Sun NO CHARGE

The following are the top-scoring teams in recent Bridge games at the Leamington Half Centu-

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca

Thanks.

April 5: North/South - 1st Henry Hildebrandt and Bob Lee, 2nd Roger Cote and Pauline Mikolash, 3rd Agnes Fraser and Frank Duransky. East/West - 1st Case Mulder and Derek Parry,

2nd Dale Smith and Dave Derbyshire, 3rd Shirley Morel and Norm Henderson.

April 8: 1st Roger Cote and Pauline Mikolash, 2nd Bob Lee and Henry Hildebrandt, 3rd Remi Fournier and Monique Sadler.

Hendrika “Ria” Thomas

It is with saddened hearts we announce the passing of Hendrika “Ria” Thomas (nee deLange), surrounded by three generations of her loving family, on Friday, April 5, 2024, in her 100th year.

Robert Morris Wilson

Saturday, November 18, 1944 – Monday, March 25, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Wilson on Monday, March 25, 2024, with Linda by his side.

Loving husband and life partner of Linda (nee Barone) and adoring pet parent to his Lola. He will be dearly missed by his sisters Susan Gibson and Nancy Mellow, brothersin-law Joe Gibson and Gary Barone, sister-in-law Barb Barone, niece Stephanie Hotchkiss (Cayle), nephews Justin Barone, Jason Gibson, Ian Gibson (Maya) and Jeffrey Mellow (Kimberley), and cousins-in-law and dear friends Donna and Jim Malone. Great-uncle/GUB to ten, he will be missed by Jade, Dylan and Lily Barone, Zahra and Sebastian Gibson, Benjamin, Phoebe and William Hotchkiss, and Kaelyn and Nathaniel Mellow. Bob also felt fortunate to be Uncle Bob to Allison, Katie and Megan Dalton and their children. He is predeceased by his parents Madeline and Harry Wilson, and by his brother William Wilson.

Bob was a kind and gentle man. His love of literature, particularly non-fiction, and his thirst for information shaped his interests. Always an iPad, magazine or book in hand, Bob ensured his mastery of global events, innovations and trivia. He loved to travel and was always at the ready to hop a plane to enjoy a new adventure or to visit those he loved. He was a proud and loving husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, and particularly enjoyed his special times with his niece and nephews and greatnieces and great-nephews. He loved to sing, to write songs and poems for special occasions, and to entertain family and friends with poetic passages, little ditties, or something from his lengthy roster of jokes and humorous stories.

Born in Kingston and raised in Leamington, Bob did his undergraduate degree at Laurentian University and his graduate degree at the University of Ottawa. He returned to Sudbury to work at Laurentian University, enjoying a 39year career as a university Librarian. He took great delight in teaching students, helping them maneuver the stacks, and watching them achieve success.

Special thanks to all the angels we encountered these last few weeks as we maneuvered through the health care system, including Tannys, Jay, Cathy, TT, Debbie, Abby and Taylor. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, PSWs and staff on the 7th and 4th floors, North Tower, Health Sciences North, and to Doctors Pierce, Gopalakrishnas and Jackson.

Memorial visitation was at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch St., Sudbury, on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., with words of remembrance and prayers at 3:30 p.m.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Bay at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Joseph’s Foundation of Sudbury at www.sjsudbury.com would be appreciated.

Reunited with her loving husband Amos Thomas (1996) and her children Alice Fox (2024) and Robert Thomas (1980). Loving mother of Henry (Linda) Thomas, Mary-Ann (Dan) Reive and Darlene Marshall (Tom McCarthy), and mother-in-law of Walter Fox.

Proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren, and 20 greatgrandchildren. She will be sincerely missed by her many nieces and nephews in Holland, her extended family and friends.

Hendrika immigrated to Canada in 1947 and has been a proud Canadian since. She was an avid member of the Catholic Church and the CWL for over 60 years.

In kindness, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society.

Proof of obituary to run

Visitation will be held at Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington ON (519-326-2631) on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

April 10, 2024

Visitation will continue at Reid Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Southpoint Sun

$200 plus $26 HST = $226

Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca

Thanks.

Sylvia Pearce

It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Sylvia Pearce on Thursday, April 4, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, at 86 years of age.

Loving wife of Clair with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.

Much loved mother of Kathy Malott (Mike Dunning) and Karen MacKinnon (Mike).

Cherished Grandma of Conner MacKinnon (Hannah).

Sylvia was born on Pelee Island in 1937. Due to her love for Pelee Island, she and Clair built a cottage in 1995 where many family gatherings and lifelong memories were made.

Sylvia was a dedicated registered nurse at Leamington Hospital for 42 years. She will be remembered for her love of helping rescue animals, especially her barn cats. She will be missed dearly by her cat Molly. In her spare time, she could be found cooking, baking and tending to her gardens.

A special thank you to the staff of 1 West at the Sun Parlor Home for your care and compassion given to Sylvia.

At Sylvia’s request, cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Reid Funeral Home, 519-326-2631.

In memory of Sylvia, memorial donations may be made to TLC Animal Rescue.

Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Minister Cho brings good news to Kingsville Community Centre

By Paul Forman

Before a capacity crowd of seniors at the Kingsville Community Centre, a spry Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho announced that the facility has attained a new status, and with it a steady flow of funding from the provincial government.

Announced at a breakfast gathering at the centre on April 3, Kingsville Community Centre will now be recognized as a Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC), joining 300 others with the same status across the province.

“As we know, enemy number one for seniors

is social isolation. To help with the isolation, we are providing funding for 17 new Seniors Active Living Centres across the province this year,” said Cho.

The SALC program attempts to meet the emerging needs of our fastest-growing demographic — those 55 and over — to stay safe, healthy, active and socially connected in their own communities.

Minister Cho continued with a heartwarming story about a woman who told him about how the Senior Living Centre in her town saved her life. Cho said, “She told me that her husband passed

away and she became depressed. Her friends saw she was in need and helped her become involved in the activities at her living centre and it really helped.”

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi was also in attendance at the announcement and indicated that the new designation will provide up to $50,000 annually for the community centre, with the local municipality being responsible for 20 percent of the funding which it will fulfill by providing in-kind access to town facilities for some of the centre’s programming.

“Staying active and staying connected is very important, especially for seniors,” said Leardi. He added that the new programming will help to “keep our seniors healthy and happy.”

Program Director of the Kingsville Community Centre Kim DeYong was all smiles at the announcement by the province.

“We have been a community centre for six years and this is welcomed as it provides us with consis-

tent funding,” DeYong said. “This is unique in that the town secured the provincial funds while we are contracted to offer the activities for our seniors.”

She added, “We are a community centre beyond our walls, we run activi-

ties down at the Lakeside Pavilion and Unico Hall to name just a few. This new funding will help with the new tai chi program that we will be starting up next week at the Cottam United Church.”

Canada’s premiere pipe band coming to Highland Games

While modern-day Highland Games have changed significantly over the years, there are still three pillar competitions that are consistent throughout the world: Highland Dancing; Scottish Athletic Heavy Events; and Piping, Drumming and Pipe Bands.

Since its return in 2019, the Kingsville-Essex Highland Games has always presented all three of these events and 2024 will be no exception.

The prestigious 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band will be competing in Kingsville on June 22. The 78th Fraser Highlanders are a top-tier pipe band, one of 18 Grade 1 Pipe

Bands in the world, only three of which are in Canada.

Since its inception in 1982, the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band has been an international leader in bagpiping and drumming, boldly presenting innovative music with subtle hints of Celtic tradition.

The band travels to Glasgow, Scotland, every year to compete on the international stage at the most advanced level (Grade 1), in the World Pipe Band Championships.

The 78th holds 14 Canadian Championship titles, 14 North American Championship titles, a ranking

position as one of the top 12 bands in the world 20plus times, as well as a very prestigious and historic title: that of being the first non-Scottish pipe band to win the World Pipe Band Championships in Grade 1 (1987).

The Toronto Police Pipe Band has also registered to return for the Kingsville-Essex Highland Games competition. As ambassadors of both the Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto, the band is dedicated to playing good music well and to helping bring the ancient sounds of the bagpipe and drum to the people.

The Toronto Police Pipe Band is currently a Grade

2 Pipe Band and has competed on the National and World stage for decades.

“We are truly honoured to have these bands choose to compete in Kingsville as they don’t attend all Highland Games,” says founder and chairman Doug Plumb. “This year is shaping up to be a real treat for everyone who comes to the Kingsville-Essex Games on June 22. It’s not every day you have the chance to hear bands of this calibre.”

Check the website regularly for updates on the bands that will be joining these two Canadian icons on June 22, 2024, at kingsvillehighlandgames.com.

Minister Cho met and had conversations with many of the seniors who were in attendance for the funding announcement. SUN photo by Paul Forman

Pictured at the SALC announcement and its accompanying funds are, from left, Program Director of the Kingsville Community Centre Kim DeYong, Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers, Ontario’s Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Essex Member of Provincial Parliament Anthony Leardi and Windsor-Tecumseh Member of Provincial Parliament Andrew Dowie. SUN photo by Paul Forman

Southern Footprints set for April 21

As registration reaches 300 participants, Southern Footprints race organizers are expecting a full slate of about 400 when the sneakers finally hit the trails at Point Pelee National Park on Sunday, April 21.

The popular annual race jump starts the running season for running enthusiasts, families and organizers alike with the unique terrain of Point Pelee providing the perfect backdrop for participants and spectators.

Campbell says that they get more and more participants from the city every years as many Windsorites find their way to Point Pelee to run for the first time.

“The support in the community is just amazing,” said Campbell. “We have some long-time sponsors who’ve been very good to us.”

A feature of the races is the kids 1k dash, which is always popular,

Organizer Dave Campbell says it’s all coming together, thanks to his volunteers, led by Denise Gaffan and Jenn Johns. “Those two deserve a lot of credit for the work they put in,” he said. “They really do all the work.”

and of course the annual mascot race — organized by Crime Stoppers — giving all of the spectators something to cheer about.

Those two races are followed by the 5k, 10k and 15k runs, with competitive racers at the front of the pack to avoid traffic congestion.

The winners are not only the races, but also Crime Stoppers, which received a $10,000 cheque from Southern Footprints last year. Campbell says they were also able to donate $1,000 to the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners last year.

Leamington names new fire chief

The Municipality of Leamington recently announced the appointment of Don Williamson as the Fire Chief of Leamington Fire Services.

Chief Williamson — who has served as the interim Fire Chief since May 2023 — will now lead the department into a future guided by the principles and strategies outlined in the newly adopted Fire Master Plan. With a commendable career starting in 1986, Chief Williamson brings to Leamington a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fire safety and community service. Before his tenure in

Leamington, he dedicated 21 years of service to the Municipality of Lakeshore, having joined Lakeshore in 2003 as the first full-time Deputy Chief and was promoted to Fire Chief in 2005.

“We are absolutely delighted to have Chief Williamson accept the role of Fire Chief,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “His extensive experience, knowledge, and leadership are exactly what Leamington needs as we

“It’s good to give back,” says Campbell. There is still time to

register to participate by visiting raceroster.com and putting Southern Footprints into the Event Search field.

implement the recommendations of our Fire Master Plan. I am confident that under his guidance, Leamington Fire Services will continue to excel in protecting our community.”

Chief Williamson will play a pivotal role in implementing recommendations, as they are approved by Leamington Council.

“I am honoured to continue serving the Leamington community and lead an exceptional team of firefighters and administrative staff,” said Chief Williamson. “Together, we will work to implement the Fire Master Plan, enhancing our services and ensuring the safety of our community.”

Soli Deo Gloria Singers spring concert April 14

The Soli Deo Gloria Singers are busy rehearsing for their spring concert, “Letters From the Past.”

This concert will be somewhat different from concerts in the past, as letters will be read by two readers. In between the reading of these letters, the choir will sing songs pertaining to the letters. Their director, Elaine Penner, has arranged wellknown Mennonite “heart songs” as well as composed original songs for the choir.

The letters were written by Elaine’s great-uncle

Kolya from the Ukraine to her grandmother in Leamington during the Stalin-enforced famine years from 1926–1933.

Joining the choir will be concert master of the WSO, violinist Lillian Scheirich, and soloist Madison Hamm.

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Mennonites coming to Leamington from Ukraine. The Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association is sponsoring this program in honour of this anniversary. It is also a fundraiser for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Admission is by donation toward this cause. Please make donation cheques out to: “Friends of the Mennonite Centre Ukraine” (FOMCU) for a charitable donation receipt.

“Letters From the Past” will be performed on Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E., Leamington. Everyone is welcome.

Last year’s mascot race at Southern Footprints. SUN archive photo

DON WILLIAMSON

St. Louis School addition officially opens

A $7.6 million addition that includes six new classrooms as well as new childcare spaces was officially opened on Friday, April 5 at St. Louis Catholic Elementary School.

“Today marks a milestone in our community’s commitment to education,” said MPP Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent-Leamington, who was on hand for the event at the Talbot Street school. “With the support of our provincial government and the Ministry of Education, we celebrate the completion of this addition at St. Louis. This investment reflects our dedication to providing

quality education for all.”

The WECDSB received $3.4 million in funding from the Ministry of Education’s 2019-20 Capital Priorities Program and $1.6 million in Child Care Capital Funding Program to construct the six classroom addition and childcare spaces, which were designed by Architecttura Inc., and built by Front Construction Industries, Inc. of Windsor.

The project was submitted by the Board as a Capital Priority request for expanding the dual track JK-5 school, which offers both English and French Immersion. Additional funding received from

Kingsville Friendly Club news

President Bob Bell welcomed 35 out to play cards on Tuesday, April 2 at the Unico Centre, welcoming back Kathy and Dave Hedge from the sunny south.

Scores in Bridge: Bert Patrick 3410, Jean Kuipers 3330, Case Mulder 2840. Euchre: Willy Fittler 96, David Snider 95, John Gerhardt 90. Most lone hands: Willy Fittler 5. Cribbage: Marie Geeves 796, Sue Girardin

787, Stuart Wheelton 775. Door prizes were won by Roy Trowell, Nancy Taylor and Margaret Fittler. There were 51 members out to play cards at the Unico Centre on Friday, April 5, welcoming Marg Schura and welcoming back Jim Ingall. It was Birthday Cake Day with a carrot cake from Sweet Memories to celebrate with Rose Foldesi, Doreen Hillier, Dave

the Ministry in November of 2022 brought the total amount to $7.6 million.

The six new classrooms, built on the west side of the school, will accommodate 147 students. The childcare funding allowed for an expansion of two new pre-school rooms and a toddler room – to accommodate more than 60 additional children – which are expected to open in the near future.

WECDSB Area 2 Trustee Mary DiMenna, who represents the Leamington area, said the new addition meets the needs of a growing community.

“Leamington is a rapidly expanding community

Snider, Roy Trowell and Liz Taillieu.

Scores in Bridge: Roy Trowell 3590, Bob Bell 3000, Kim Hamm 2840. Euchre: Kevin Antaya 103, Ken Martinuik and Rene Everaert tied at 94, John Gerhardt 93. Most lone hands: Dave Patterson 8. Pepper: Sue Girardin 301, Bob Cranston 278, Winnie Moore 260. Most peppers: Bob Cranston with 9.

and in order to accommodate the increased growth, we require top quality facilities for those families who choose Catholic education for their children,” she said. “As you can clearly see, this new addition perfectly fits the description for ‘top quality’ and will be a wonderful location for our students to learn and grow for years to come.”

WECDSB Director of Education Emelda Byrne said the architects and contractors did a wonderful job of integrating the expansion into the existing building.

“Originally constructed in 1964, St. Louis has a long tradition of serving the students and families of Leamington, and with this addition, we will build upon that culture of educational excellence,” she said. “Along with our French Immersion program, the school is well known in the community for providing high quality, faith-based education, delivered by caring, supportive staff who will continue that tradition in this beautiful new expansion.”

The new addition to St. Louis represents a great achievement for Leam-

ington according to Hilda MacDonald, Mayor of the Municipality of Leamington and Warden of Essex County. “This considerable investment in the future of our children broadens our educational horizons and provides our community with exceptional English and French Immersion education and childcare services,” she said. “My heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. Here’s to a brighter, more inclusive future for our students and our municipality.”

Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Trevor Jones poses with St. Louis School acting Principal Lisa Varacalli and acting Vice Principal Jessica Meloche. Photo submitted

Miss Valente’s grade 3/4 class at St. Louis Catholic Elementary School took part in an act of almsgiving by collecting over 1,000 non-perishable items from all grades and by conducting a Lids for Lent event that raised $215. The recipient of the school’s generosity this year is Leamington’s St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. In the top photo is Miss Valente’s class with the items that they collected and organized for donation. In the bottom photo are, from left, DJ Boutros, London Zorzit and Rachel Shahid. SUN photo by Paul Forman ST.

Photos from Kingsville-Gosfield Heritage Society 1790-2000 A Stroll Through Time

Dusting off the memories

Looking back ...

From the Leamington Post April 12, 1972

Upwards of 1,500 people turned out Sunday afternoon for the first in a series of harness racing programs to be staged at the Leamington Fairgrounds by the Kinsmen Club. The pari-mutuel betting handle approached the $50,000 mark for the meet — about $10,000 more than any afternoon last year.

Leamington may not be able to afford two major street construction projects undertaken this year. Councillor Tom Naeyaert, Board of Works chairman, said Monday night that curbs and gutters are urgently needed on the south end of Wigle Street and Maxon Avenue in the vicinity of Queen Elizabeth School. The same is needed in the Howard-Whitney Drive area. However, Mr. Naeyaert said that the projects would take a tremendous amount of money and used up over half of the board of works budget.

High winds roared out of the southeast to send Lake Erie waves crashing over stone breakwaters and sandy beaches alike along the East Beach of Mersea Township south of Wheatley on Friday. Summer homes in the Cotterie Park subdivision between Concessions 2 and 3 were surrounded by water spilling across the shoreline.

A triple funeral service was conducted Monday afternoon for three Leamington men who lost their lives April 5 in the crash of a light plane flying them back from a hockey game at Bracebridge. Hundreds of persons gathered at the First Baptist Church to pay their last respects to Joe Cross, 40, of Fox Street, Harold Derbyshire, 20, of Concession 2 East, and Paul Wilkinson, 20, of Concession 5 East. The trio had rented a single-engine aircraft to attend the April 4 OHA Junior C playoff game between the Leamington Flyers and Bracebridge Bears at Bracebridge Arena.

The Leamington Volunteer Fire Department will be celebrating 100 years of fire service in the community in July. To help mark the occasion, firemen will stage a carnival and fish fry at Memorial Park and on the green area of the nearby Mill Street municipal parking lot.

The Leamington Flyers advanced to the finals of the OHA Junior C playoffs Tuesday night with an easy 8-3 victory over the Bracebridge Bears before a packed house at Leamington Arena. Leamington won the best-of-seven series 4-2 and will meet Cobourg in the provincial championship. Cobourg eliminated Gananoque 4-1 in its semi-final series. Two goals by Kris Manery and singles by Ken Cobby, Rick Stickney, Rob Johnston, Gary Hiller, Dave Omstead and Brian Plumb led the Flyers’ attack. The game saw Rod Bowman make his debut on the Flyers defence. He was called up to replace Pat Ribble, who was ill. Chuck Turner played the first two periods in goal for the Flyers. John Moore took over in the third.

From the Kingsville Reporter

April 13, 1972

One of the largest employers in the Kingsville-Gosfield area — MacDonald Leaf Co. Limited — has taken the lead among major contributors to the KGS Recreation Centre Arena Fund. In response to the advance canvass of business, industrial and professional sources in the town and township, MacDonald President Wallace L. Hogan has announced that his company is making two donations of $10,000 each to the fund, which is now in the hands of the fundraising committee. Door-to-door canvassing has begun in the area and organizers are asking if residents would be willing to ask their employers for a payroll deduction for the fundraising.

The Kingsville Legion Bantams lost to Harrow by a 6-3 score on Sunday, but in doing so, helped raise money for the new arena fund. Team members are Randy Knight, Drew Ribble, John York, Paul Farias, Gary Knight, Paul Goyette, Rob Marcinko, Scott Gee, Ron Bailey, Dennis Nolan, Mike Arner, Roger Salter, Chuck Fairbairn, Wade Chauser, Ed Bachmeier, Greg Lanigan, Allan Moore, Dan Fraser, Jeff Lanigan and coach Doug McNab.

Baseball tryouts for Kingsville’s travelling teams will be held this Saturday, weather permitting. Tykes (birthdate of 1961, 1962, 1963), 1 pm at Lions Park; Peewee (birthdate 1959 and 1960) is 10:30 am at Lions Park; any boys unable to attend the Peewee tryouts and are interested in trying out for the 1972 season, please contact Doug Sellars. Bantams (birthdate 1957 and 1958) will practice at 10 am at the high school.

From The Wheatley Journal

June 1919: After June 15th, the price of a hair cut in Wheatley barber shops will be 35¢. - Forest Thompson and Marshall Lounsbury.

April 1919: It is reported that S. Anderson has sold his fishery to E. Omstead and intends moving to Windsor in the near future.

May 1919: Al Lynn and T. Maris have purchased the lot just east of the livery barn from H.S. Derbyshire and will build a garage thereon. We are informed that they intend giving Chevrolet service.

January 22, 1920: Little Ruby Scott underwent an operation for appendicitis at Chatham Hospital on Friday. She came through the operation and at last report was making satisfactory progress towards recovery.

February 3, 1920: Married at the Methodist parsonage, Leamington, on Tuesday, February 3, by Rev. L.W. Hill, Miss Eva Featherstone to Mr. Clarence Liddle, both of Wheatley.

February 5, 1920: The vital statistics for Wheatley for the year 1919 show 10 births, 2 marriages and 7 deaths.

May 1924: The store in the Healey block, just south of T.S. Derbyshire’s hardware, is being enlarged and fitted up for a grocery, which Arthur Poulter expects to open up next week.

Submarine cycling - Ditches rose foot after foot following the Thursday evening rainfall and these young lads wasted no time inventing a new game, “submarine cycling”. If nothing else, it’s a quick way to wash a ten-speed bicycle! goals with coach Cedar Beach Drug Store, owned by Red Morris, offered drugs, toiletries, china and souvenirs for sale as well as providing a luncheon menu. Speed boat rides were available from the Cedar Beach Drug Store for 50 cents a ride for summer visitors renting a cabin or for cottagers not owning a boat.

Clippings from the Wheatley Journal, May 1989

A Look at Leamington’s Past courtesy of C. Scott Holland

The boats could be taken through the placid canal or out into the rougher waters of Lake Erie. This photograph of an unidentified family, standing outside the Cedar Beach Drug Store, was taken in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Clippings from the Wheatley Journal

Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives

Leamington’s Past courtesy of the C. Scott Holland Collection

kingsvillearchives@gmail.com

April 1994 - The Wheatley Area Figure Skating Club recently marked their 20th anniversary with a fantastic ice show. Their efforts did not go unnoticed by the members of Wheatley Legion Br. 324 and a cheque for $3,000 was presented to the club to help the large group continue their endeavours. Skating club president Carolyn Recker received the cheque presented by Legion president Fred Chambers.

Hopewell Hospital - In 1933, Miss Mary Dinning opened Leamington’s first hospital. It relocated the following year when the hospital was moved to the former Russell Hotel on Russell Street. In 1943 it was closed, but with help from both Lions and Rotary clubs was kept open and served the community until Leamington District Memorial Hospital opened in April 1950.

Students, grades 1 through 4, SS #12 Marsh School, April 1943. Left to right: Virginia Oleynyk, Roy Pastorius, Arnold Barnett, Bobby Blair, Ernie Bridgen, Billy Blair, Bruce Alexander.

Updated 2 storey waterfront home. Enjoy endless lake views from the second-floor covered patio. Main floor features a well-lit open space with a nice sunroom and working space. The primary bedroom has a large walkin closet and, is connected to the patio. The bathroom has been recently remodeled. Can be purchased furnished. 519-326-6154

OPEN HOUSE•SUN. APRIL 14•2-4 PM

10 TALBOT E., LEAMINGTON

122 & 124 DIVISION S., KINGSVILLE

Well established turn key business for 25 years, Daisy Mart, very profitable business. Owner retiring. Must sell. Contact Camille Elters 519796-2453.

bedrooms, & 2 full baths, 2 large kitchens, covered Florida room 36 x 10. This House can be a Duplex. Move in condition. Call Camille Elters 519-796-2453.

132 QUEEN STREET S., TILBURY

Great Corner exposure with 1.33 acre. Well established restaurant. 40 parking spots on site. 3 + 1 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, (owner occupied). This property has great zoning. Corner of Queen St. S. and County Rd. 46. Call Camille for more details. 519-796-2453.

V/L CONCESSION 3, HARROW

Over 83 Acres of two separately deed farms. Must be sold together, the land features great sandy loam, water line paid, farm is tiled, and is less than 2 rods, two large solar panels on the said land are included and fully paid with approx. 8 year contract, Averaging around $2500 per year. Farm is rented for 2024 & 2025. Buyer to assume the solar panel contract. Lots of potential. Call Camille 519-796-2453.

11408 COUNTY RD. 46, LAKESHORE

Approx. 2 yrs old, newly built, approx 1100 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, including 3pc. bath in primary bedroom, granite counter top. Land lease $550 per month (will include property taxes & management) Call Camille 519-796-2453 to book your showing today.

3670

Prime opportunity to own this breathtaking one-ofa-kind custom built 3 storey villa situated on 5 acres. This stunning home feature 4-5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 kitchens, high quality oak trim and doors throughout, 3 furnaces and a steel roof. This sale also includes a 2nd residence on property with 4 bedrooms. Call Camille Elters 519-796-2453.

Luxurious 1 & 2 Bedroom Condominiums

Available For Sale & For Lease

For Sale From $469,900 (incl. HST)

For Lease From $1,895 Per Month

With an incredible location offering a small-town feel and a high-quality of life, Kingstown Commons is one of the most walkable communities in the region Located at 190 & 224 Main Street East in Kingsville, Kingstown Commons is within walking distance to numerous amenities such as grocery stores, pharmacies, medical services, banks, boutique shopping and dining experiences.

Weekly Open House Hours

Tuesday & Thursday 1-5pm

Saturday & Sunday 1-4pm

For more information please scan the QR code

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

WORD

SCRAMBLE

Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to Lyme disease.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

There is more to any situation than the money factor, Aries. When a new opportunity comes your way, look beyond the payoff to see what the heart of the offer entails.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Look to your family members if you need inspiration on a new project, Taurus. Use loved ones as a sounding board for all of the ideas that are bouncing around.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

The willpower that you have been relying on lately is still going strong, Gemini. That is excellent and it’s having a profound effect on other areas of your life.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, gossip is not something you usually delve into, but you may get roped into a conversation this week. Try not to give any weight to the rumors swirling around.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, you shouldn’t be boastful about your abilities, but try not to be too modest. Accept the credit you are given. Graciously embrace all of your good press.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

An interesting invitation might come your way, Virgo. It could open the door to a very busy social calendar if you accept and do some key networking.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, an issue that you were worrying about is unlikely to surface. Stay in the present instead of looking ahead to all of the things that might go wrong.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

It may seem as if you are operating on autopilot, Scorpio. Days seem a carbon copy at this point. Do something to alter your routine.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

It’s best if you avoid crowds for the time being, Sagittarius. You will benefit from some quiet time that only comes with being alone or within small groups of close friends.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

You are not normally characterized as “impulsive,” Capricorn. However, this week you may surprise everyone. An opportunity to travel or another venture could drop in your lap.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, if you are not feeling challenged, you have to find activities that will get your brain moving again. Do whatever you can to spark some excitement.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

The choices coming your way are quite varied, Pisces. It can be overwhelming, so do not make any rash decisions until you work through all of your options.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 7 - Russell Crowe, Actor (60)

APRIL 8 - Skai Jackson, Actress (22)

APRIL 9 - Elle Fanning, Actress (26)

APRIL 10 Mandy Moore, Singer (40)

APRIL 11 Ken Carson, Rapper (24)

APRIL 12 - Saoirse Ronan, Actress (30)

APRIL 13 Al Green, Singer (78)

Legacyauctions.net

NOTICE OF THE PASSING OF EDUCATION

TAKE NOTICE that the Greater Essex County District School Board passed Education Development Charges By-law No. 41 on the 2nd day of April, 2024, under Section 257.54 of the Education Act which applies to the residential development of land in the County of Essex and the Township of Pelee.

AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal the By-law to the Ontario Land Tribunal under Section 257.65 of the Act by filing with the Secretary of the Greater Essex County District School Board on or before the 13th day of May, 2024, a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the By-law and the reasons supporting the objection together with the required fee payable to the Ministry of Finance in respect of the appeal.

By-law No. 41 comes into force on April 7, 2024 and has a term of five years.

By-law No. 41 imposes an education development charge of $1,230.00 per dwelling unit.

Subject to limited exemptions, education development charges are imposed on all residential development of lands in the County of Essex and the Township of Pelee. Accordingly, a key map showing the location of the lands subject to the By-law is not provided as part of this notice.

Copies of the complete By-law is available for examination in the offices of the Board located at 451 Park Street West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6K1, during regular office hours or on the Board’s website at www.publicboard.ca.

Notice of a proposed by-law amending the education development charges by-law or the passage of such an amending by-law is not required to be given to any person or organization, other than to certain clerks of municipalities or secretaries of school boards, unless the person or organization gives the secretary of the Board a written request for notice of any amendments to the education development charges by-law and has provided a return address.

Dated at the City of Windsor this 3rd day of April, 2024

Vicki Houston Director of Education and Secretary to the Board

E-mail or call in your classified ad by Friday at 12:00 p.m. 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 2, Leamington ON N8H 1M2 Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@southpointsun.ca We accept E-TRANSFER, DEBIT, VISA & MASTERCARD

The City of Windsor is a progressive and inclusive employer looking to hire:

The City of Windsor is a progressive and inclusive employer looking to hire: CLERK JUNIOR - BACKUP RECEPTIONIST (BILINGUAL) – LEAMINGTON

• CLERK JUNIOR – BILINGUAL – LEAMINGTON

DUTIES:

For information or to apply, visit “Employment Opportunities” on our website or call 519-255-6515. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be acknowledged.

Reporting to a Supervisor, this position will be responsible for responding to number of telephone calls; screens inquiries; provides Social Assistance information and directs calls to appropriate staff or agencies, occasionally in emergency situations; Provide backup for the Intermediate Receptionist during breaks, lunches, vacations and other absences; Responsible for general office duties in a highly computerized environment including accessing information using Social Assistance Management System (SAMS); Sorts and distributes mail for the team; Prepares envelopes to be mailed and prepares interoffice and couriered mail for shipping; Originates, retrieves, sorts and transfers files, and files documents; Prepares files, marks files (i.e. assignment/ overpayment), organizes file room, culls and prepares files to be sent to archive; Processes manual drug cards; Will perform Occupational Health & Safety duties as outlined in the Corporation’s Health and Safety Program. Will perform other related duties as required.

Note: Please be advised that the initial job placement for this posting will be at the Leamington location. However, applicants are reminded that management reserves and retains its rights to transfer employees and change their work assignment location at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma or Ontario Ministry of Education equivalency;

• Must have over three (3) months of experience in a computerized office environment utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite of Products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint;

• Must be fluently bilingual (French and English);

• Must have a minimum accurate typing speed of 40 wpm;

• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills;

HOW TO APPLY:

•An online application is available and must be completed and submitted by no later than the posting period noted. Internet access is available at your local library branch.

•If you require assistance to apply online, please contact recruitment@citywindsor.ca or call (519) 255-6515.

•The City of Windsor strives to protect all personal information submitted via the internet in response to job postings. We will not ask you to provide your social insurance number or banking or other financial information. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. We cannot guarantee that data in our system is immune from unauthorized access. Please have this in mind when you decide to respond to job postings.

NOTE:

•Only those applicants selected for an interview will be acknowledged.

•We offer a smoke-free office environment.

•Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, c. 25 as amended, and will be used to determine eligibility for employment.

•The Corporation of the City of Windsor is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Windsor will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform the City of Windsor Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

Discover Your Home Sweet Home... Real Estate Listings

Every Wednesday in the Southpoint Sun

PINNACLE ACRES REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $16.55/hr 50+ hours, 7 days/wk. Must be available Saturday & Sunday. Work site: 333 County Rd 18, Leamington ON, rural setting, must have own transportation. Crop maintenance and harvesting, other duties as required. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40lbs on a repetitive basis, fast paced environment, strong work ethic, punctual, reliable. No experience or education required. Please apply via email: careers@pinnacle-acres.com

2078 Talbot Road, Kingsville

NOW HIRING TRUCK DRIVERS HELP WANTED

Seasonal Full Time & Seasonal Part Time STARTING END OF APRIL Flexible Hours. Positions for Class D License. Positions for Class AZ License. Retirees welcome.

Apply by phone 519-326-8840 ext. 3 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANT

As a Physiotherapy Assistant, you will work closely with physiotherapists to provide support and assistance to patients in a clinic setting. Your role will involve helping patients with their rehabilitation exercises, providing patient care, and assisting with various administrative tasks.

Please email resumes to admin@renewphysiotherapy.ca or apply in person at 221 Talbot St W, Leamington IS SEEKING A DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE

Scan here to view the entire job posting on Indeed

Blues jump out to 2-0 series lead over Flyers

By C. Scott Holland

Scoring only one goal over the course of seven periods has left the Leamington Flyers at a 2-0 deficit in their best-of-seven series versus the Collingwood Blues.

The Flyers mustered only 22 shots on Collingwood in Friday night’s (April 5) 3-0 opening game loss and played Sunday, April 7 here in front of 1,485 fans, falling 2-1 in overtime.

In both contests they have shown they can play with the Blues but could not manufacture goals when opportunities presented themselves.

The lack of scoring was reflected by head coach Dale Mitchell prior to game two on Sunday. “We have to find a way to score,” he said. “They’re a hard skating team and don’t give you much. We knew this was going to be a tough series, and we need to be ready to play at home in front of our great crowd.”

Friday night in Collingwood, a key factor for the Flyers was the loss of forward Nathan Leek at 1:39 of the opening period. Leek was assessed a check-from-behind and game misconduct and his early exit forced coach

Mitchell to adjust his lineup.

Collingwood notched a single goal midway through the opening frame on a Flyers’ pass that was picked off.

In the second period, a two-on-one breakaway ended with a right-to-left feed that Jack Rimmer slotted.

Sebastian Gatto thwarted Jack Silverman’s penalty shot attempt at 14:46 to keep it at 2-0.

Late in the third, with an extra-attacker replacing Gatto, a two-on-one completed the scoring into the empty net for a 3-0 Blues’ win.

Sunday’s large crowd witnessed a very even contest that saw both teams control portions of the game.

The opening frame was scoreless before the Flyers drew first blood at 5:42 of the second period when Jason Davenport and Anthony Ciaramitaro pressured the Blues around goalie Noah Pak, and Alex Cunningham plucked a rebound and slotted the lone Leamington marker.

But Leamington’s 1-0 lead didn’t last long. At 8:57, the Blues’ Landon Wright got his stick on a waist-high puck and

redirected it past Gatto to even the score. Many people thought Wright’s goal came on a high stick, but the refs and linesman chatted about it and the goal stood.

From that juncture onward, both sides jockeyed for the go-ahead tally.

Several times throughout the game — especially in the third — the Flyers had some golden chances to score, including a three-on-nobody breakaway that ended with no shots on Pak and some chances around the net when players were in position but did not get a shot away.

The game ended at 7:05 of the first overtime after a prolonged series of plays in the Flyers’ end zone when Wright netted his second goal of the game to win it.

Game three was being played in Collingwood on Tuesday.

Upcoming games:

Game 4 Thurs. Apr. 11 vs Collingwood 7:10 pm;

Game 5Apr. 13 at Collingwood 7 pm (if necessary);

Game 6 Mon. Apr. 15 vs Collingwood 7:10 pm (if necessary);

Game 7 Wed. Apr. 17 at Collingwood 7 pm (if necessary).

Collingwood Blues goalie Noah Pak is sprawled on the ice while Flyers Chris O’Flaherty (25) and Matthew Thomas (2) also watch the puck’s trajectory — which did not go into the net — during Sunday’s second game of the West conference finals here. Scott Holland photo

U8 Trail Blazers take inaugural league championship

By Adam Mulcaster

While it was the second year that travel hockey players from the Essex and Southpoint centres have competed together, this year was the first under the newly minted banner of the Talbot Trail Blazers.

The 2023-24 U8 MD Talbot Trail Blazers hold the distinction of being the inaugural cohort who will represent Talbot Trail throughout their entire travel hockey careers. In September 2023, U8 MD tryouts were open to players from Essex, Leamington and Wheatley. Roughly half of the players who would make up the team had played development house league hockey for Southpoint and the other half for Essex.

Hello there! I’m Bruno, your potential new best friend. I didn’t have a great start to life and I’m basically terrified of my own shadow. When you first meet me, I will probably not come up to you but peak at you from behind the few friends that I’ve made here.

But once you get me home and let me settle in I promise I’m young and full of life, always ready for a game of fetch or a good belly rub. I’ve got a playful spirit and a goofy sense of humor that’s sure to keep you smiling. I might be quite shy at

In 2024, while continuing their local play, the Blazers competed in the West London Tournament

first, but once we get to know each other, I promise you’ll see just how cuddly and friendly I can be. I have to admit, I don’t like being alone too much, and I can get very mouthy and jumpy when I’m excited. But, with a bit of patience and training, I know I can be the perfect companion.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to go to an apartment and my new home really needs to have a fully fenced back yard. This is due to me not understanding how to to dog yet so I will need some help with that too.

Hopefully I can find a patient and kind person to take me in so that I can finally have my happy ending.

in January and their home Southpoint Winter Classic in February. An official score is not kept in U8 MD, as teams face off in halfice 4-on-4 games, but the Blazers competed on an even footing with future AAA and AA centres such as Oakville, Hamilton, Kitchener, North Toronto, Woolwich, Woodstock, Whitby, North London and Brantford.

On Easter weekend the Blazers competed in the Tecumseh PowerTech Wrap-Up Tournament against opponents such as Belle River, Windsor,

Riverside, Tecumseh and Sylvania, Ohio.

The Blazers squad was split into two even teams for this tournament and both performed well, advancing to the quarter-finals.

On Saturday, March 30 in the play-in quarter-finals, Blazers Squad 1 scored a late go-ahead goal and cranked out a gutsy 3-2 win over the Tecumseh Eagles, setting up an unlikely semi-final as the two Talbot Trail teams would face each other. Squad 2 prevailed by a 2-1 score in this game,

Concierge Level.

Tasha Slater

with Squad 1 advancing to the third-place game and Squad 2 heading into the championship.

In the third-place game, the Blazers faced a familiar foe in the Tecumseh Eagles. The Blazers scored first but the Eagles found an equalizer midway through the second frame and it would require overtime to find a winner.

As time passed, the numbers were reduced from 4-on-4 with no winner, to 3-on-3 with no winner, and finally to 2-on-2 hockey, before Tecumseh scored for the 2-1 win, relegating Squad 1 to fourth place.

In the championship game, the Blazers Squad 2 faced off against another familiar rival in the Belle River Jr. Canadiens. The team jumped out to an early lead that they would never relinquish and when the final buzzer sounded it was the Talbot Trail Blazers who were champions, by a score of 8-5, with the whole team joining in the celebrations. Combined, the Blazers had the best performance of any centre at the tournament with 10 wins and three losses.

Talbot Trail Blazers U8 MD, front row, left to right: Bodie Chevalier, Caiden Charles, Rory Mills, Easton O’Neil, Owen Schiefer, Beau Campbell, Wyatt McCarthy, Maddux Carnevale, Dougie Howe. Middle row: Carter Meloche, Colton Sauve, Hudson Mastronardi, Jude Mulcaster, Lyndon Geelen, Parker Campeau, Theo Wright, Beau Enns, Brody Ferreira.

Back row: Coaches Steve O’Neil, Josh Charles, Tyler Campbell, Josh Carnevale. Absent from photo: Coach Greg Enns. Photo submitted

Second place finish in OMHA for U14 Blazers

The Talbot Trail Blazers U14 hockey team recently traveled to Whitby to participate in the OMHA championships and came away with a second-place finish.

The tournament opened up with a game against the Milton Winterhawks and the Blazers easily skated away with a 6-1 win.

Ben Liebrock paced his squad potting four goals, while Austin Goudie and Jonathan Recker netted one each. Kevin Ondic earned the victory in net.

Next up for Talbot Trail were the Niagara Falls Flyers. The Blazers fell behind 1-0 but eventually found their game and scored four unanswered goals in the third to begin the tournament 2-0. Austin Goudie, Ben Liebrock and Jonathan Recker with a pair were the scorers in this game, while Trent Chevalier earned the W in net.

Next up, the Blazers faced off against the Whitby Wildcats (White).

The goals came early and often in this game as

the Blazers cruised to an 8-2 win.

Jonathan Recker led the attack firing a hat trick, with Liebrock adding a pair. Goudie, Max Pyne and Nash Fuerth added singles in the win. Kevin Ondic, between the pipes, earned the win for his squad.

By finishing first in round-robin play, the Blazers found themselves facing a familiar foe in the Centre Wellington Fusion in the semi-finals.

With 5:00 left in the first, while shorthanded, Jonathan Recker had the puck in the slot and his shot rang off the post, but Austin Goudie found the rebound and banged it home to take the lead.

Next, with under a minute to play in the middle frame, Recker sped in wide left around the defence and slid a pass into the slot where Lucas O’Neil fired it in glove side.

Finally, with 6:34 left to play, while on the power play, AJ Youssef chipped the puck to Goudie behind

the net and he stepped out and went cross-crease to Liebrock who buried his snapshot. Chevalier stood tall in net earning the 3-0 shutout victory.

The Blazers found themselves in the final, going in undefeated against the hometown Whitby Wildcats and their fans came out in droves, packing their hometown barn.

The Wildcats came out in a frenzy and all the Blazers could do was weather the storm.

Talbot Trail found themselves down 2-0 but slowly started to find their legs and take over the play.

Just 2:38 into the second period, off the draw, the puck squirted back to Nash Fuerth in the high slot and he rifled his slapshot in through a screen.

Next, with 6:00 to go in the second, while on the power play, Owen Derksen moved the puck to the centre to Fuerth and he ripped a low wrister in to tie the score.

Solcz wins league award

After the intermission the Blazers seemed to come out flat, just as they had to start the game. About four minutes into the third, in a goalmouth scramble, Whitby tied the game.

The rest of the period the play was end-to-end with both teams exchanging scoring chances but neither side could find the back of the net.

But finally, with 4:31 remaining, while on the powerplay, Whitby scored to take the lead. Although the Blazers tried desperately to score the equalizer late, their efforts were not rewarded and they finished with a disappointing 4-3 loss.

The Blazers finished their season with a 52-5-4 record, and although they are disappointed with the end result, should still be proud to call themselves OMHA finalists.

Then with 26 seconds left in the middle frame, while on another power play, Liebrock slid a pass across to Fuerth, who stepped in and wired his slapshot in to take the lead.

Spring sports underway at LDSS

By Lisa Driedger and Sara Driedger

A new wave of sports has kicked off Leamington District Secondary School (LDSS), bringing about the spring season. Each team has already begun to show great promise, and LDSS is hoping for success.

Badminton has kicked off at LDSS, and in preparation for county the team has attended multiple tournaments. At one tournament hosted by Pain Court senior men’s doubles pair, Joel Stock-

well and Grayson Vince got third place and junior men’s doubles pair, Drake Wigle and Ryan Krueger also got third. The team is displaying great promise and players are eager to show their skills at county on April 10.

Spring sports have started up including boys’ baseball, girls’ softball, girls’ soccer and for the first time at LDSS, ultimate frisbee. Tryouts for baseball and softball have just started up, with large numbers showing up for

a chance to have a spot on the team. The same can be said for women’s soccer and it’s exciting to see how these teams turn out.

Despite ultimate frisbee being a new addition to the sports offered at LDSS, it has been welcomed with open arms. The new team is being coached by Tony Nurse and the team has just recently been selected, with practices starting last week. Their first game will be on April 15 against Kingsville High School.

Two of Leamington’s se-

nior boys’ basketball players, Abdul Adam-Yahya and Andy Groening, got the opportunity to play in the WECSSAA All-Star game. The boys played for Team Green, which won by a last-second shot. Both made important contributions and show great promise in basketball moving forward.

Each upcoming sport at Leamington is showing opportunities for success, and students and teachers alike hope that it will be realized.

The Ontario Junior Hockey League has announced Justin Solcz as their General Manager of the Year. Solcz has been at the helm of the Flyers since 2018 with some outstanding accolades to his name, including Leamington’s first Sutherland Cup Championship last season.

In their first season in the OJHL, the Flyers (3414-5-3) finished third in the West Conference.

“The award isn’t about me,” Solcz told the OJHL. “The support of my fam-

ily is so important. And the ownership group has given us every opportunity. Everything the players, coaches and staff need, we get. Dale Mitchell has done a phenomenal job in the short time he’s been a head coach. And there’s his assistants, the trainers, our equipment guys. And the players. The four returnees, who aren’t even our 20-year-olds, carried the culture forward. Another big one is the 30plus volunteers we have.”