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PLUMBING • HEATING • HVAC SERVICES •
Vol. 12, Issue 44
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Are you in
pain? Sciatica Sore Neck • Golfers Elbow • Back Pain • Plantar fasciitis & More • •
Book your appointment at
www.magnalifetherapy.com
Be sure to check out OUR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE in this issue Y HOLIDA IDE 2021
DRIVE-THRU PARADE A SUCCESS
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There’s no place like home for the Featherstones By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — For Helen and Gary Featherstone, the 97 days since the August 26 Wheatley explosion have been stressful and worrisome, but the long-time residents are grateful they have a roof over their heads. On the afternoon of August 26, 2021, Gary was in the kitchen and Helen was sitting on the living room couch inside their home at the corner of Talbot Street and Victoria. Gary says the boom knocked Helen off the couch and staggered him as he stood in the kitchen. “I hope I never hear a noise like that again in my life,” he said. “It felt like it lifted the house up and dropped it back down.” Helen — recently retired from the real estate business — was startled, but the couple composed themselves and then heard a knock on the door. It was a police officer advising them that they had to evacuate. “He said it may only be a few hours, but to grab whatever we needed and go to the arena,” said Helen. That evening, they arrived at the arena and were told that they had a choice of going to stay at hotels in Windsor or Chatham. Gary, 89, was partial to remaining in the area, so the two slept in their car in the arena parking lot that night. “We didn’t get much sleep,” said Helen. “I was out doing exercises in the parking lot the next morning.” The pair then drove to Leamington, hoping to find a place to stay for what they thought would be just a few days. They managed to get a room at the Best Western on the Bevel Line and eventually got Chatham-Kent to agree to pay for it. However, that happiness was short-lived when Gary fell entering their room and broke some ribs. They remained at Best Western for nine days, and then Gary ended up going to the hospital to get his ribs checked out. Meanwhile, their granddaughter was working behind the scenes to find them something more permanent and since she was once an employee at Chartwell Leamington, managed to get them in there. They’ve been at Chartwell since Labour Day weekend and have nothing but great things to say about their accommodation. “The food is terrific,” said Gary. “They’ve been very good to us here, but there’s no place like home.” NO PLACE LIKE HOME — Page 2
“I hope I never hear a noise like that again in my life.” — Gary Featherstone
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LEAMINGTON — The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce annual Santa Claus Parade delivered smiles, giggles, lights and even some snow as the drive-thru event went off without a hitch on Saturday, November 27. The parade — held inside Point Pelee National Park — attracted over 800 vehicles full of families who got an up-close look at the 28 entries and got to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus at the end of the route. More photos of the event are on page 9. SUN photo
Winter is almost here.
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