Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 23
The final skate at the old arena 1975 Dodge Monaco — still like new By C. Scott Holland In the late spring of 2000, work on Leamington’s new twin-pad arena complex was well underway. The opening of the new complex was slated for September, 2000. For Leamington Minor Hockey, the Leamington Jr. B Flyers, the Leamington Figure Skating Club and several other hockey groups — including the local senior and girls leagues — life at the old arena was quickly coming to an end. When all hockey had been finished, one final day of public ice skating was offered to area citizens as a way of taking one last spin around the “old barn” and reliving the hundreds of memories that the building offered. For two hours on a Saturday afternoon, dozens of people laced their skates up and skated to the music played over the Flyers’ sound
Enjoying a final skate in 2000 at the former Leamington Recreation and Agricultural Centre were John Hammond, Brenda Fischer and Jim MacKenzie. Photo by C. Scott Holland
system. Memories were traded of the fence meshing that protected the ends during its original years. The stories of the South Essex League games, some of which turned in fierce battles. The Flyers triumphant All-Ontario title runs, the original hand-watering
system and the off ice antics as well as the bingos, shows, concerts, and visits by famous people. In general, its atmosphere even on that last day was one that brought smiles and elicited fond memories. It was certainly one of the fondest farewells given.
in-process PSW students who started the program at one of Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges in January 2021. These students will be eligible to receive a $2,000 tuition grant to help them complete their studies, as well as a stipend to complete the clinical placement part of their training. The new accelerated program includes: • No tuition fee and funding for expenses such as textbooks and other supplies plus paid work placement.
THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE Bill Sherk John and Horace, began building cars bearing their family name in November 1914, and these cars quickly earned a reputation for dependability. Those early Dodges had a 3-speed floor-shift transmission with an unusual shift pattern. Reverse was where you would expect to find first gear, and third gear (high) was where you would expect to find second gear. The result: once you got underway in high gear, the shift lever was out of the way. In the 1920s most cars had room for only two people in the front seat and so in that decade, Dodge switched to the more conventional gearshift pattern. During the
1930s, cars got wider and could allow three people in the front, prompting the move to column-shift. The two Dodge brothers died a few months apart in 1920 but the company continued to prosper. Walter Chrysler bought the Dodge Company in 1928, greatly increasing his automotive empire. He also introduced Plymouth and DeSoto in that same year. Both those names are now history but the Dodge nameplate is alive and well 101 years after the Dodge brothers passed away. I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca.
DELIVERY or CURBSIDE
St. Clair College accepting PSW applications REGIONAL — St. Clair College is accepting applications to Ontario’s new accelerated training program for Personal Support Workers starting at their Windsor and Chatham campuses. The program is part of the Ontario government’s $115 million investment to train up to 8200 new PSWs in the province. “Having an accelerated PSW program at St. Clair College in Chatham-Kent is perfect, considering the high demand for PSWs locally”, said Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “COVID-19 has had an impact on PSWs and our healthcare system. Their roll is vital throughout communities, especially when dealing with vulnerable citizens. This new program will help with the increased need for these essential workers.” The province is also offering tuition assistance to
Roddy Sergiades is an old car enthusiast living in Port Hope, Ontario. He has a fleet of eight historic vehicles, one of which has stood the test of time. It still looks brand new! Here is how Roddy describes it: “Our 1975 Dodge Royal Monaco four-door hardtop represents the last year Dodge built a full-sized hardtop. We bought this chesterfield-on-wheels six years ago with only 19,700 original miles, and after nearly forty years she still exuded a powerful new-car smell. “The spare tire has never been moved since the assembly line worker put it in and the purchase of the car came with three of the four original tires. “Naturally, she has an AM/FM 8-track player, a 360 cubic inch V-8 and the most amazing brakes I have ever experienced. If you wanted to stop on a dime at 60 mph, this is the car to do it!” The Dodge brothers,
• A condensed schedule that allows you to graduate with a full PSW credential in six months. • Opportunities early in the program to get hands-on experience. • A paid work placement in the three months of the program. You can start your program on April 5 or June 14. Registration for the program is available through the Ontario College Application Service.
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