Let Me Earn Your Business!
From Environment Canada WED., JULY 21 THUR., JULY 22
CHRIS BABKIRK
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390 Talbot St. N. Essex
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519-776-6447
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chrisbabkirk@kenknappford.com
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Southpoint Sun - 17
Vrtel tops 80y+ division in Talbot Trail senior golf play By Bob McLean Fifty-eight Talbot Trail senior golfers participated in their weekly league game on Tuesday, July 13. Despite the warm, overcast, humid day, everyone enjoyed playing the challenging TT layout. In the under 70 division, Nasher and Arky continued their excellent play by firing brilliant 40s. Both Russell Alliett and Shannon Wiper achieved terrific results of 41 and 42 respectively. Superb 44s were fired by Fuzzy and Gerry Van Deven. Other very commendable scores: Gary Hillier 46; Len Snively and Tim Stevenson 49s. In the 80-85 grouping, Joe Vrtel continued his impressive play by shooting an outstanding 40. Other solid results were the following: Gus Brown and Gary Honey 46s; Vic and Walter 48s; Andy Orsini, a nifty 50. Others who achieved praiseworthy results were Ken Womack, Neil Adamson and Conrad Babkirk. The inspiring Super Seniors Silver Division 86y+ played exceptionally well. Tom Hyatt and Bob Freure tied with masterful 46s. Enthusiastic players Ed Woelk and Bill Edwards scored very commendable results of 51 and 56 respectively. In the Super Senior Gold section, Carl Robinson proved he still hasn’t
lost his golfing touch by shooting a spectacular 44. Gerry Becigneul and Erle Nash played very well obtaining nifty 50 results. Bubbly Tarciscio hit his scintillating shot on #9 to within 8 feet to claim the closest to the pin. Oops! No one recorded the LP winner on #2. Masterful scores of 38 were fired by Dutchy and Pearcie in the 70-79 division. Chopper and Richard Humber followed up closely behind with brilliant 40s. Bummy and Paul Harrison scored terrific results of 42 and 43 respectively. Other noteworthy results: Ray and Bobo 44s; Dave Dent and Schmidty 45s; Tarciscio, Paul Carioli and Al Matthews 46s; Eugene 47; Dave Dibbley and Dave Chambers 48s; Cracker and OV 49s. Birdies proved challenging to obtain. There were only four: Pearcie #1 and #2; Richard Humber #1; Chopper #6. You’re golfing too much when… 1) you mark the salt shaker with a dime, 2) you ask the shopper ahead of you if you can play through, 3) you’re vaguely aware of living with a woman, allegedly your wife. In golf, you’re only as good as your last putt. – Doug Sanders Keep swinging! Just have fun!
Standardbred horses leave the gate at Leamington Raceway in 2020.
Harness racing season set to begin Aug. 8 By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — Work is currently underway to prepare Leamington Raceway for the upcoming harness racing season which starts Sunday, August 8. Lakeshore Horse Racing Association members, along with board members from the Leamington Agricultural Society, have had a busy spring and summer so far. “We’ve made upgrades to the grandstand, the paddock and are bringing in a new tote board,” said Lakeshore board member Tom Bain. The tote board itself will be a big change from recent years. The old tote board was torn down several years ago. According to Ag Society President Dan Wiper, the grandstand is getting a major facelift. “It’s been painted up top and underneath and we’re just waiting on new plexiglass for the ends,” he said. Renovations have been
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You can pick up the Southpoint Sun and flyers at our newsstand in front of our office
194 Talbot St. E., Unit #2
made possible through a grant from the provincial government to the tune of about $375,000. “Were also updating our website and the work in the paddock is really something to see,” said Bain. The Leamington paddock — a $300,000 investment a few years ago — now has an office and washroom/shower areas for the drivers. “It also has space for 10 horses,” said Bain. “Dresden only has space for one horse.” All of the paddock improvements will help to draw horse and drivers from all over Ontario and surrounding states, which will be a positive step for the raceway. Last year’s season was affected by no in-person attendance until about Labour Day weekend, and even then, only 100 patrons were allowed on the property due to COVID rules. This year, it’s looking like between 500 and DEL AVAILIVERY ABLE
TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAY MONDAYS BURGER RAY 1/2 Rack of RIBS WINGS 3 PC CHICKEN $ 00 $1200 $ 00 DINNER 8 8 ONLINE ORDERS at raysribhouse.com $ 00 TAKE OUT ONLY 519-322-5940
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17 Robson Rd.
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1,000 people can be onsite, which makes Bain and other horsemen very happy. “The horsemen are very excited to have people there,” he said. “We have a family atmosphere and hope that people bring their kids out.” In addition to the harness racing, Bain says that they have lots of activities planned for the youngsters, such as meeting the horses and getting to ride around the track on a sulky bike. In addition to online betting through HPIBet. com, Bain says this year’s in-person betting will bring things back to normal. “The online betting has been great, but people like to see the horses they’re betting on,” he said. “There’s a certain feeling to being at the
Since 1996
track.” Leamington’s track has long been considered one of the best half-mile tracks in the province. Now, with the paddock upgrades and the grandstand upgrades, Bain is hoping they can bring people out for some good old fashioned family entertainment. Most weeks will feature a 10-race card, with the maximum seven horses in each race. One big change this year is the opening post time for Race 1, which has been moved to 1:00 p.m. from the 1:30 p.m. start time. Race cards will run every Sunday through October 31. It’s only a matter of time before the PA system at Leamington Raceway is blaring, “And they’re off!”
