Southpoint Sun - November 30, 2022

MacDonald elected as new Essex County Warden

By Ron Giofu with files from Mark Ribble

Essex County Council has elected its warden for the 2022-26 council term and made history in the process.

The 14 members of County Council selected Leamington Mayor Hil da MacDonald as their new leader, as she won a two-person race for the county’s top political job, a job that has been in existence for almost 170 years. She becomes the first woman to become the County Warden.

MacDonald ran against Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara for the job, with McNamara seeking re-election to the position he held from 2018-22.

“Wow, this is huge,” said MacDonald, as she assumed the chair during last Wednesday night’s inaugural meeting. “It’s a momentous occasion for me personally, but when you think of all of the people who have come before us, it’s really mov ing.”

MacDonald added “the

time is right” for such a historic occasion.

“Look at the diversity around this table,” she said. “The population of this region has shown that they are ready for diversity. They are ready to have themselves rep resented at this table. It’s no longer just one de mographic. Skin colour, gender, age, all of those things are represented at this table. I’m proud to be elected by you, my fellow colleagues.”

MacDonald pointed out she didn’t write a speech beforehand, as she

READY FOR THE PARADE

“didn’t want to jinx it.”

Both she and Mc Namara declared their intention to seek the po sition of warden at the Nov. 4 Warden’s Banquet. MacDonald thanked Mc Namara for his support since MacDonald joined Essex County council eight years ago.

The new warden shared her vision of how she wants to lead the county for the next four years.

“Going forward, as we are such a diverse group, I’m looking to lead with the idea we get to know each other better,” said

MacDonald. “We get to know each other’s com munities better, that we engage more so than we have in the past. That we work together to make this county a better place based on our own expe riences and knowledge of our own communities. We need to talk about what we’re doing in our own communities, share that, and use that as guid ance going forward in the county.”

“Let’s get the job going and enjoy the next four years,” said MacDonald. “Let’s be productive, let’s

work as a team. Let’s be engaged like never be fore.”

“I think it bodes well for Leamington that a member of our council is sitting in the warden’s chair,” she added. “We have an opportunity to change the level of en gagement.”

Tecumseh Deputy May or Joe Bachetti was elect ed as Deputy Warden, as he ran against LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche for the position.

“I am very humbled to be elected as the Dep uty Warden for the next

term,” Bachetti said, as he thanked his family and Tecumseh Council col leagues. He also thanked McNamara for his work on County Council.

The striking commit tee that will help deter mine County Commit tee assignments include MacDonald, Bachetti, Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers, LaSalle Depu ty Mayor Mike Akpata and Leamington Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke.

County Council mem bers were officially sworn in by the Honourable Mr. Justice George King.

The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Pa rade was held on Saturday, November 26 and these float participants were ready and able to bring joy to all the onlookers lining Erie Street in Leaming ton. From left, Brooklyn Rocha, Isabella Belanger, Sebastian Belanger and

James Cubelo were aboard the Mucci Farms Land of Flavour float. More photos of the parade appear on pages 13 and 14 of this issue.

SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand

HILDA MacDONALD

Class action lawsuit filed, totalling $100 million

By Mark Ribble

A Windsor law firm has filed a class action suit against the Munici pality of Chatham-Kent and HSE Integrated Ltd. on behalf of the residents and businesses impact ed by the August 2021 Wheatley explosion.

Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP filed the statement of claim in Chatham Su

perior Court of Justice on Friday, November 18. The suit cannot proceed without certification by a judge and allegations must be proven in a court of law.

The firm represents six residents and business owners and also includes anyone within the evac uation zone affected by the explosion that rocked

downtown Wheatley on August 26, 2021.

Resident Steve Ingram is one of those residents affected. He and his wife finally got back into their home this past April after being displaced for eight long months.

“I feel strongly that the people of Wheatley should be compensated for the pain, suffering

and general disruption to their lives,” he said. “Our beautiful little town has been devastated, and 15 months later, you would find it hard to under stand what has actually been done to remediate this situation.”

Ingram feels for those who are still not back home.

“As I have previous

ly stated, we have been one of the lucky ones, but many of our friends and neighbours still struggle to get their lives back to normal, and for some, they may never have that option,” he added.

According to the fil ing, the damages being sought include $60 mil lion in general damag es, $20 million in special

damages, $10 million in aggravated damages and $10 million in punitive damages.

HSE Integrated is an ex pert in on-site health and safety and was among the firms brought in to deal with the gas leaks prior to the explosion.

Community Living launches Giving Tuesday campaign

Community Living Essex County officially launched the 2022 Giving Tuesday campaign on Tuesday, November 29.

WINS HOSPITAL 50-50 DRAW

All donations made online and contributions made to Community Liv ing Essex County from Tuesday, November 29 to Saturday, December 31 will be matched — dol lar for dollar — up to a maximum of $6,000, by matching corporate part ner Libro Credit Union.

The 2022 campaign goal is to raise $12,000

with funds earmarked toward virtual supports that may include the pur chase of smart support technology devices, such as smart phones and tab lets.

The following business partners will be sup porting the Giving Tues day fundraising efforts, including Vern’s Tap and Grill in Kingsville, Carmen’s Catering in Leamington and several Domino’s Pizza locations throughout Windsor and Essex County.

Carmen’s Catering in Leamington will be do nating $1 from every one of their 4 o’clock meal specials from November 29 to December 31 .

From December 6 to December 31, partici pating Domino Pizza locations in Belle River, Tecumseh, Essex, LaSalle and Windsor will be do nating $1.00 from every large one topping pizza, in store pick up only.

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The first ever Erie Shores HealthCare Auxiliary 50-50 lottery was recently held and Joe Dicker of Essex was the lucky first winner. Joe attended Erie Shores HealthCare on Tuesday, November 29 to pick up his cheque for $8,902 The same amount will go to the hospital to purchase new and upgraded equipment and technology. The next 50-50 launched on Mon day, November 28. Tickets can be purchased at www.erieshores5050.ca. Photo submitted

UMEI unveils expanded Robotics Technology Zone

By Paul Forman

Students and staff alike at the UMEI Christian High School were excited as local politicians, major donors and the general public were able to see the amazing work being done through the school’s enriched robotics pro gram at their November 22nd Open House.

UMEI Director of En rolment & Communi ty Engagement, Chani Weins, along with Prin cipal Sonya Bedal, warm ly welcomed guests to the robotics tour. A rib bon cutting ceremony followed to reveal the school’s revitalized space

that began with humble beginnings in 2007.

Retired teacher and now Director of Enriched Robotics, John Fittler, led visitors through a tour of the many workspaces incorporating robotic de sign. Fittler indicated that “the robotics program is all about problem solving and keeping students in the area with good hightech jobs.”

“Now is the time to collaborate with local in dustries, especially as it relates to emerging tech nology in the greenhouse sector,” added Fittler.

A number of students were on hand demon

strating how they design and test their robotic cre ations. Grade 11 student Ben Recker said, “The program is a lot of fun and is helping me look at a number of careers.”

Student Isabel Neufeld reinforced sentiments provided by Fittler as she stated, “I like how we can be independent and can do some problem solving on our own.”

Robotics team member

Aiden Brown eagerly in dicated that the school posts daily updates about their progress with the ro bots and can be accessed through Instagram by searching @thethunder birds_19530.

The school com peted in this year’s first robotics compe tition on November 26 in Scarborough, followed by another competition on De cember 4 in Wind sor. Students have a chance to really step it up in the new year as they take part in the First Robotics Canada competition involving a mystery challenge they have yet to tackle.

Students Ben Recker, Aiden Brown and Isabel Neufeld demonstrated the stacking abilities of their robots.

Director of Enriched Robotics John Fittler poses with the school’s entry from a recent First Robotics Canada competi tion.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

Badfinger: a sad ending to a great band FLASHBACK RADIO with

While the future band Badfinger began its career in 1961, it wasn’t until 1968 that the final group was in place, still known as the Iveys, which in cluded Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland and Mike Gibbons. Apple Re cords A&R person Peter Asher (formerly of Peter & Gordon) and Beatles as sistant Mal Evans saw the band play in London, and gave copies of their demo tapes to all four Beatles who approved to record them.

They were the first non-Beatle act, other than Mary Hopkins, to record on the Beatles’ new Apple label. Their first single, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, was released world-wide in mid-November of 1968 and failed to chart in Great Britain, but reached the Top 10 throughout Europe and Japan and stalled at #67 in North America.

However, their biggest break came when Paul McCartney gave them a

song called ‘Come and Get It’ which he com pletely wrote and record ed in an hour, handling all the vocals and guitars and drum work himself. He directed them to re cord it “note for note” so that it sounded exactly the way he made it. It was to be used in the movie ‘The Magic Christian’ as its main theme.

At the same time, Ap ple Corps’ Neil Aspinall and the band agreed that the group’s name, The Iveys, was too trite so they changed it to Bad finger. A great idea as that second single, ‘Come and Get It’, spent six weeks on Billboard’s top 10, peak ing at #7 in the spring of 1970 where it was a per fectly themed song for the movie showing that people will do absolutely anything for money – if they get enough of it.

Badfinger’s next sin gle, ‘No Matter What’, released in the fall of 1970 and sounding a lot like the Beatles, was produced by

Mal Evans and remixed by Beatles’ engineer Geoff Emerick. Reaching #8 in North America, it was followed in 1972 by ‘Day After Day’, written and sung by Pete Ham and produced by George Harrison. This was their biggest hit, peaking at #4 on the charts in February and, again, many people first hearing thought it was Paul McCartney or the Beatles.

Ironically, right after that, a song Pete Ham and Tom Evans had writ ten in 1970 called ‘With out You’ went on to be come the biggest song they ever wrote but not as a single by Badfinger. Although it was on their ‘No Dice’ album in 1970, it was recorded and re leased by Harry Nilsson in 1972 and was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks, from mid-February to mid-March, making it the biggest hit he ever had. In fact, when Nilsson first heard it, he assumed it

was a Beatles song that they never released.

Badfinger’s next hit single, called ‘Baby Blue’, released in the spring of 1972, reached #14 on Bill board in May. A couple of my high school class mates, Steve Cook and Brian Simpson, and I saw them play at the O’Keefe Centre in Toronto on June 25 where they put on a tremendous show.

Less than two years later, on March 29, 1974, I saw Badfinger play at the old Victory Bur lesque Theatre on Spadi na Avenue in Toronto. It was a wilder crowd, but the band appeared to be totally uninterested in performing that night. Something was definitely wrong.

However, what no one knew outside of their in ner circle was that their manager, Stan Polley, had stolen most of their hardearned money. As a result of this, in 1975, Pete Ham died by suicide. Appar ently, he was greatly de

Chuck Reynolds

pressed about his cheat ing manager holding back most of the funds and payments owed to him and Badfinger.

Tom Evans also died by suicide in 1983 because of issues he had with royalties with that same song, ‘Without You’, as his fellow bandmate Joey

Molland was also trying to get a percentage of it. Warner Brothers publish ing division apparent ly filed lawsuits against Polley because they, too, couldn’t find those miss ing funds that basically crippled Badfinger. What a sad, sad ending to a great band.

Leamington council goes hybrid

As of Tuesday, November 29, the Municipality of Leamington expanded its current hybrid model for Council meetings to provide the option for members of the public to attend Council meetings in person at the Leamington Municipal Building located at 111 Erie Street North.

In July of 2022, the Municipality transitioned its vir tual Council meetings to a hybrid model that includ ed Council members and senior municipal adminis tration attending Council meetings in-person, and all other participants including the public, presenters and additional employees participating in the meeting vir tually.

Members of the public can continue to access a live stream of Council meetings by visiting www.leaming ton.ca/live

In keeping with the recommendation of the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, employees and visi tors are encouraged to wear a mask inside Leamington municipal facilities, especially where physical distanc ing cannot be maintained. The mask recommendation is a result of pressures on the health care system with the ongoing circulation of COVID-19, the rise in respi ratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as influenza.

More information regarding public participation at hybrid Council meetings can be found at www.leam ington.ca/delegation

Hike Metal unveils seventh Coast Guard ship

By Paul Forman

In the shipbuilding business since 1958, Hike Metal in Wheatley pre sented to the public their seventh build in a series of 10 Bay Class Coast

Guard search and rescue ships.

The $7.3-million ship, Gabarus Bay, was set to launch on November 27th for an 11-day journey to Canada’s east coast in

Newfoundland. Chatham-Kent-Leam ington Member of Parlia ment Dave Epp was on hand to take a tour of the Bay Class vessel, accom panied by Hike Metal’s

president Steve Ingram. Epp commented that Hike Metal “is a source of pride for our community. This company is such an important part of Wheat ley’s harbour economy.”

President of Hike Metal Steve Ingram gives a tour of the new Canadian Coast Guard ship, Gabarus Bay, to Cha tham-Kent-Leamington Member of Parliament Dave Epp.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

Gabarus Bay is set to journey out to Newfoundland.

opinion ~ expression ~ and other musings

, Well December is upon us and we all know how quickly that goes.

The Decembers of my youth seemed to drag on but the old adage applies now and the De cembers of recent years have flown by.

As a kid, December was filled with the joy of the holi day season.

The sooner I could get my parents to put up the tree, the better.

I remember having a real tree for most of my childhood, so that smell has stayed with me through the years.

We had lots of the old large multi-coloured lights and my mom always bought that messy silver tinsel, I think they called it icicles.

Those little silver strands were everywhere including oc casionally hanging out the rear

end of the cat.

We didn’t do the family ex cursions to the Christmas tree farm, since we were surround ed by thousands of evergreens in the Point Pelee bush.

The Christmas tree would suddenly be in its stand in the corner of the living room when I arrived home from school.

I remember wanting to try to decorate the tree with pop corn one year, since we’d been learning about that at school.

My mom popped the pop corn and gave me a bowl of it along with a needle and thread.

That tedious task cured me of ever wanting to hang pop corn on the tree again.

I remember helping to cut one Christmas tree when I was a kid. I was probably about 10 years old. My brother said he’d get the family tree for us al though I think he was already

married at that point. He and I struck out on foot late one night and he found the perfect tree about 10 yards deep, just off the roadway.

I held the flashlight and watched for cars while he took the saw to the trunk of the tree.

Then we dragged the prize possession all the way home through the yards of our neigh bours.

That’s the only time I re member actually participating in the cutting of the family tree. Christmas concerts at school were always a great memory for me. My interest in music was augmented by those an nual Christmas concerts.

Songs like Susie Snowflake, Little Drummer Boy, O Christ mas Tree and All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth were staples of the con certs in those days.

I’ve attended a few of my grand kids concerts pri or to COVID, and while they are cute and enjoyable, the new songs don’t hold a candle to the old ones.

RIB’S RAMBLINGS

Occasionally, they burst into Up On The Housetop or some thing like that, but anything that has the word Christ or Christmas in its lyrics appears to be off the board.

Life has certainly changed. Weather-wise, we’re experi encing one of the warmest No vembers in recent memory and I recall the Novembers of the ‘60s as being cold and snowfilled, especially as we got clos er to Christmas.

I’m no longer a fan of snow but I know my grandkids are so it’s nice for them to get out and play in it when it comes.

Model T Ford with same owner 65 years!

THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE

Bill Sherk

On October 4 of this year, Paul Dodington of Port Carling celebrated a very special anniversa ry. He still owns the 1914 Model T Ford he bought 65 years ago on October 4, 1957.

He was 18 and living at home in Toronto when he dragged home what was left of the car. A nine-year restoration followed for this brass-rad Model T built in Ford, Ontario, in

corporated as a village in 1913 surround ed by the rapidly expand ing Ford plant and work force and annexed by Windsor in 1929. Paul’s Model T rolled off Henry Ford’s new assembly line on January 26, 1914.

Several years after Paul bought it, he met Gord Duncan, who drove a 1914 Model T Ford to high school in Toronto in the early 1950s. Could Gord Duncan’s Model T be the same one Paul

bought in 1957?

Gord told Paul that he took the serial plate off his Model T and saved it in one of his socks as a souvenir when he sold the car in 1954. That se rial plate had the same number as the serial number on the engine.

When Gord asked Paul for the serial number on his engine, Paul said, “C13329.” Gord replied, “Your serial plate is in the mail.”

Always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca.

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The familiar smells of the turkey, the tree and the brisk rural air can’t be too far off now.

After all, December 1 is here and as we get older there is just no way to slow it down.

Used to be that you knew the Christmas retail season had be gun when the Norelco electric shaver commercial with Santa riding on the shaver across the snow popped up on TV. That was usually around the first of December.

Seems the holiday commer cials of today start a couple weeks earlier.

That’s okay, let the season begin!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

• Please sign your letters and provide a phone number for verification or questions if we need to reach out to you.

• Anonymous letters are not printed as we cannot verify their origin.

• Send letters to sun@southpointsun.ca or mail to Southpoint Sun – Editor – 194 Talbot Street East, Unit 2, Leamington, ON N8H 1M2

• One letter per person, per calendar year.

Mark Ribble

Paul Dodington behind the wheel with friends in 2014 when his car turned 100.

Leamington Bridge Club scores

The following are the scores of recent bridge games at the Leamington Half Century Centre.

Nov. 18: 1st Henry Hil debrandt and Bob Lee, 2nd Pauline Mikolash and Roger Cote, 3rd Moira Es cott and Margaret Foster, 4th Marie Ellwood and Marilyn Robbins, 5th Dale Smith and Frank Duransky, 6th Case Mulder and Remi Fournier, 7th Rowe Deans and Shirley Morel, 8th Al

Morrison and Buddy Ell wood, 9th Cathie Ribble and Sue Duransky.

Nov. 21: 1st Henry Hil debrandt and George Hil debrandt, 2nd JC Leeson and Bob Lee, 3rd Marie Ell wood and Case Mulder, 4th Moira Escott and Margaret Foster, 5th Al Morrison and Frank Duransky, 6th Pau line Mikolash and Roger Cote, 7th Sally Bell and Bob Bell, 8th Rowe Deans and Ross Macintosh, 9th Dale

Smith and Remi Fournier. Nov. 25: North/South - 1st Roger Cote and Pau line Mikolash, 2nd Hen ry Hildebrandt and Bob Lee, 3rd Marie Ellwood and Marilyn Robbins, 4th Kate Comiskey and Frank Duransky. East/West - 1st Rowe Deans and Shirley Morel, 2nd Dale Smith and Dave Derbyshire, 3rd Al Morrison and Buddy Ell wood, 4th Remi Fournier and Case Mulder.

Kettle drive utilizes tap feature now

The Salvation Army in Ontario has launched its annual iconic Christmas Kettle Campaign with a goal to raise $13.5 million across the province.

The Christmas Ket tle Campaign brings in much needed funds to help individuals and families with the necessi ties of life, such as food, clothing and shelter. The on-going economic un certainty, inflation and impact from the pandem ic has drastically affected the most vulnerable who are already struggling across the province.

The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic in crease in families with

children who need assis tance, and the need will continue to grow into the New Year.

The iconic Christmas kettles are now equipped with TipTap in most loca tions throughout Ontario to make it more accessible to donate by using a deb it or credit card. Every donation, no matter how small, makes all the dif

ference to those in need.

Donations to a Christ mas kettle stay local and support programs and services in the communi ty.

In 2022, The Salvation Army helped 1.2 million individuals and families in Ontario with the chal lenges of food insecurity, homelessness, unemploy ment and addiction.

Help support Little Hands toy drive

The 9th Annual Little Hands Kids for a Cause Holiday Toy Drive is up and running. This year’s drive is in honour of Maisyn Spencer, who lost his battle with cancer in November 2014 at the age of eight.

The event assists families through out the area whose children have been diagnosed with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and helps to ensure every child and family in hospital over the holidays has a magical Christmas.

All toys will be donated to the Child life Programs, Paediatric Units and Ronald McDonald Houses at Windsor Regional Hospital and London Health Sciences Centre, providing Christmas cheer for Little Hands Hero families.

The campaign runs until December

8. There are several locations where do nated items can be dropped off:

• Wheatley: Porch drop-offs at 244 Hillside Ave. And 608 Middleton Line.

• Leamington: Leamington District Secondary School, 80 Oak St. W; Speed print, 45 Industrial Rd.

• Kingsville: Ian’s Wrap Shack & Na chos, 44 Main St. E.; Home Hardware, 226 Main St. W.; His & Hers Hairstyles, 59 Main St. E.; The Local Maker, 11 Main St. E.; Zehrs, 300 Main St. E.; Kingsville Legion, 146 Division St. S.; and a porch drop-off at 7103 County Rd. 36.

For more information visit Little Hands Kids For a Cause on Facebook or email littlehandskidsforacause@ gmail.com

On Monday, December 19 the Leamington Car olers will be performing Christmas carols. At 7 p.m. they will be caroling in front of the Great Cana dian Superstore, and then 7:30-8:30 the group will perform uptown start ing from the library and through the Mill Street area. There is no cost to enjoy the songs of the sea son.

Maestro Robert Franz will lead the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in a program of highlights from Handel’s Messi ah on Friday, December 7 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Leamington Menno nite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Tickets are $15-$35 at windsorsymphony.com or 519-973-1238 ext. 2.

The Soli Deo Gloria will present its choral con cert ‘Moving Forward in Hope’ on Sunday, De cember 11 at 3 p.m. at Leamington Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Sug gested donation is $15 at the door. Everyone is wel come.

Mars is now very visible in the night sky

By Gary Boyle The Backyard Astronomer

Some three billion years ago, Mars was believed to have been a water world just like earth. It pos sessed great oceans and was most likely on its way to forming life in one form or another. Water is made up of hydrogen, the most common ele ment in the universe and oxygen, the third most common element. Water is extremely important to the development and sus taining of life as we know it.

Because Mars is half the size of the earth, the planet lost its heat fast er as its internal core stopped rotating. Simi lar to earth’s core which produces a magnetic field around our planet, Mar’s core ceased producing its protective magnetic field, thus allowing the solar winds to eat away at its atmosphere and the red planet lost its water.

Ever since the early tele scopic observations made by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli in 1877 when Mars was in opposition, residing 56-million-kilometres away, he is said to have seen “canali” or channels on Mars. Seeing these fea tures gave the impression of a possible civilization. Since then the red plan

et has been the focus of searching for ancient life and is also the base of sci ence fiction writers and movie makers.

By the 2030s or 2040s, humans are expected to land on this fascinating world, looking for the possibility of life that might have once existed, even at the microbial lev el. After all, life is life. But Mars is now in the news for other reasons, it is now a very visible object in the night sky.

Appearing as a bright-orange object ris ing in the northeast sky about 45 minutes after the sun sets in the west, Mars is nicely placed amongst the bright winter constel lations of Orion the Hunt er, Taurus the Bull, etc. If you are still not sure where to look, any smart phone astronomy app will guide you.

So why is it so bright? Earth orbits the Sun in 365 days, whereas Mars does so in 687 days. Just like the inner lap on a race track, Earth catches up and overtakes slower Mars every 26 months. This upcoming opposi tion will occur on Decem ber 8 at a separation of only 82 million kilome tres.

Be sure to look at Mars the night before on De cember 7 as the Full Cold Moon will cover Mars

for a little less than one hour. All of Canada, as well as much of the US except for Alaska and the Southeastern states, will see this amazing sight.

Throughout its 29.5-day

orbit around the earth, the moon moves its width ev ery hour. Throughout the month, it covers stars as seen through a telescope and in rare events, bright planets. This should be a

fantastic photo opportu nity as the disappearance and later reappearance should be quite evident.

Over the weeks after opposition, our distance increases and Mars will

slowly fade. Every sev enth opposition is super close such as back in 2003 and 2020. The next oppo sition occurs on January 15, 2025.

Local bodybuilder medals at competition

By Ron Preston

Months of hard work paid off recently for a 24-year-old Leamington man at a bodybuilding contest in Michigan.

Scott Wigfield grabbed three medals (one sec ond-place and two thirdplace) at the National

Physique Committee com petition held in Grand Rapids on the weekend of November 19.

Wigfield spent almost a year training under coach Joey Cavaliere, trans forming himself into a legitimate bodybuilder from what he admits was

a less-than stellar phy sique. “I went from obese to a beast,” he said with a laugh.

Wigfield graduated four years ago as an oc cupational therapist/ physiotherapist assistant, then added a Canfitpro Personal Training Spe cialist certificate to his resume. In addition to his full-time therapist job, he works part-time as a weightroom supervisor at the Nature Fresh Recre ation Centre.

Competing as a light-heavyweight at 187

pounds, Wigfield has de cided to take the next 14 months off from competi tion to add more muscle and weight to this 5’8” frame. “I hope to weigh 230, 240 pounds at 10 to 12 per cent body fat,” he said, by continuing his workout and diet regi men.

His long-term goal is to become a profession al bodybuilding and ex pand his own gym, The Iron Graveyard Training Academy, to help other budding bodybuilders.

Christmas Gift Campaign starting to wrap up

LEGION NEWS BRANCH

324

Jan Watson

Gerry Soulliere ran the Meat Draws on November 19. Chris Resendes and Virginia Rymal each won twice. Single winners were Julie Reid, Debbie Tremblay, Car ol Balestriari, Jim McClellan, and yours truly.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

DECEMBER 9, 10, 11

BOOGIE DOWN TO BETHLEHEM

The Bank Theatre & Faith Mennonite Church Proudly Present Boogie Down To Bethlehem - an Intergenerational Christmas Musical! Directed by Linda Collard. Music Director Janice Founk. Performances Friday December 9 & Saturday December 10Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show 7:00 p.m. Sunday December 11Doors open 1:30 p.m. Show 2:00 p.m. Must RSVP for tickets - Pass the Hat during show. Tickets available at BANKTHEATRE.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

IMPROV NITE @ THE BANK THEATRE

Come laugh with some of the best local and not-so-local comedians. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 +HST. Tickets available at BANKTHEATRE.COM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19

MONARCH CAFE SERIES

Songs & Stories in the Round - Similar to the Nashville Bluebird Cafe series. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 +HST. Tickets available at BANKTHEATRE.COM STAY IN THE KNOW! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Email banktheatre@gmail.com Visit BankTheatre.com

ACUPUNCTURE...

Kylie Dawson won a fishery gift certificate and the 50/50 draw. Joyce Epplett also won a fishery gift cer tificate.

This Saturday will be the last day of the Christmas Gift Campaign. Bring in unwrapped gifts for children and teens and receive 5 free strips of meat draw tickets. There will be no Meat Draws on December 10, 24 and 31. The draws will begin again on January 7, 2023.

Nineteen players shot Fun Darts in Kingsville on November 18. Terri Marentette, Jim McClellan and An dre Gouin led with six wins.

Sherry Chambers and Larry Evoy won 5 games fol lowed by two teams with 4 wins —Julie Reid and John Balkwill — Amy Kendall and Richard Howe. Three teams had 3 wins —Jean Teylouni, Ben Baltzer and Neil Handspiker — Michelle K. And Doug Stevenson — Lynn Scott and Cookie Klooster.

Lana Kappi, Bonnie Evoy, and Gord Crook were beaten by that pesky skunk. Ladies who doubled out were Terri, Jean and Lynn.

SCOTT WIGFIELD

Legacy Auctions celebrates their move Business Profile

After over 11 years in business, Legacy Auctions is on the move.

The popular auction house will vacate their spot at the Leamington Fairgrounds and open up shop at 219 Talbot Street West in Leamington effective Thursday, December 1.

Proprietors Liz and Dave McCormick have leased a building immediately behind the Strong Clinic and they couldn’t be happier with their new location.

“Bigger, brighter, better,” said Liz when interviewed on Tuesday, November 15.

Legacy Auctions was a traditional auction house until COVID hit and they were not allowed to have indoor gatherings.

“We had to pivot for COVID and in the process, found out we could still meet the needs of the community,” says Liz. “That included setting the business up in a retail platform.”

The McCormicks made sure they moved all of their estate, farm, tools and other items inside to offer regular retail hours.

Now, they’re displaying their items in an organized fashion, allowing shoppers to browse from room-toroom.

They’ve also brought a couple other local businesses under their umbrella.

Former Kingsville retailers Windblown and Weathered and Attic Treasures will be operating out of Legacy’s new location, offering unique arts,

painted furniture, locally made clothing, jewellery, accessories and other fair trade items.

“We’ll be having a pop-up Christmas event,” said Susan Dupont Baptista, owner of Windblown and Weathered.

For the McCormicks, the new location allows them to continue to offer a great selection of retail items from antiques, to electronics, tools and household items. They also have an extensive collection of coins and currency for sale.

Live estate auctions will return but will be held off-site and the regular monthly coin auctions will still take place within the new building.

New online auctions are also up and running.

Legacy Auctions — along with their partner businesses — will be open seven days a week, with hours from 10-5 Monday through Thursday, 10-7 Friday, 10-6 Saturday and 10-3 Sunday.

Visit them all at their new location at 219 Talbot Street West in Leamington, just in front of the Portuguese Community Club. Visit legacyauctions.net for more information.

Bigger, brighter, better

‘‘ ‘‘

Liz and Dave McCormick at their new location.

Standing from left are Andreas Baptista, Susan Dupont Baptista and Dave McCormick. Sitting are Noele Baptista and Liz McCormick.

HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY LIZ CAMPBELL

~ December 2nd, 1952 ~

By Bonnie Dawson

Bingo was held at the Wheatley & District Friendship Club at 171 Erie St. N. Wheatley on Wednesday, November 16. New member Helen Clark joined in the fun.

Bingo winners were Dianne Lenarduzzi, Pat Churchill, Pat Matier, Barb Siddall, Dorothy Bailey, Bonnie Dawson, Rose Hatt, Helen Clark and Robert Lapsa.

Thanks to Linda Wig field for calling the num bers and to Pauline Sam ple for handing out the

prizes.

The next Bingo will be on Wednesday, December 7 at 1:30. Cost is $1 to play.

The winners of the 50/50 draws were Robert Lapsa and Mary Siddall.

There will be collec tions on Monday, Decem ber 5 at 10 a.m.

Euchre is played every Tuesday from 1:30-4:00. Cost is $2.

The quilting room is open Mondays and Thursdays.

The Treasures Room is open to members, as is the library.

Thank

You

The Poppy Committee of the Lt. Col. F.K.Jasperson Branch 188 of the Royal Canadian Legion wishes to thank all those who participated in the 2022 Poppy Campaign.

The support of the community and its residents as well as that of Legion members helped to make this year’s Remembrance Day a great success in honouring our Veterans.

A special thanks goes out to our Army Cadets for their participation in making the day special.

We Will Remember Them.

In Loving Memory of Kevin “Michael” ascott

September 26, 1985 - November 28, 2014

If roses grow in Heaven Lord, please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my Son’s arms and tell him they’re from me. Tell him that I love and miss him and when he turns to smile, Place a kiss upon his cheek and hold him for a while. Because remembering him is easy, I do it every day, But there is an ache within my heart that will never go away.

Smile down on us SONSHINE, smile down Lovingly remembered All our love Mom, Darcy, Jesse & Alex

A.

The exercise room is open to members at $1 per visit.

Members are asked to bring their own refresh ments to meetings. Also, if members 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.

Foot care is avail

able to Friendship Club members. Call Jessica Rodzik-Couto at 519-9907308 to make an appoint ment.

There was a good turnout for the Fall Ba zaar held on November 12. Kathy Epp won the Christmas decoration that was raffled off. Thanks to all who helped. Until next time…

Kingsville Horticultural Society holds elections

The Kingsville Horti cultural Society (KHS) re cently held their Annual General Meeting. At this meeting, the members in attendance elected the Ex ecutive and Board for the years 2023 and 2024. The results are as follows:

Executive Positions for 2023

President: Alan Batke.

Vice-President: Dick Goens.

Treasurer: Sandra Bas sette.

Secretary: Katie Thorpe. Past President: Heather Crewe.

Board Directors for 2023 Chris Childs, Jan Fisher, Karen Shipp, Beth Smith. Board Directors until 2024

Annette Diemer, Valerie Dobson, Miklos Galata, Anne Rudy.

Financial Reviewers for 2023 Maureen Myers, Mela nie Rodney.

Wheatley drop boxes return to library

Wheatley residents are advised that the customer service drop box located outside of the Wheatley Are na has been removed and the original drop box that is located at the Wheatley Library at 35 Talbot St. W. has been reinstated for patrons to utilize.

Residents are advised that the secured drop boxes are specifically for non-cash payments and applica tions for municipal services and/or documents, ex cluding job applications.

Love, Your Family

Loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa & Great-Grandpa

OPP kicks off Festive RIDE program

Festive RIDE kicked off November 16 for the Essex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Don’t be surprised to see officers out conducting RIDE checks throughout Essex County.

While the Festive RIDE program runs until Janu ary 2, 2023, officers con duct RIDE checks yearround looking for drivers under the influence of al

cohol or drugs.

Motorists are remind ed that officers regularly conduct Mandatory Alco hol Screening (MAS) with drivers who are lawfully pulled over and they will be ramping up this inves tigative measure, includ ing RIDE stops, through out the campaign.

So, what does this mean? Heading into its fifth year, under the MAS

Lynn Girardin

Lynn Girardin of Leamington died suddenly at home on Friday, November 25, 2022.

She was predeceased by her parents Mary (1985) and Everett (1983), and siblings Harry, Winnie, Carol, Peggy, Chuck and Jim.

Survived by her sisters Valerie (Ron) Sellon and Charlene (Ed) Bonyai, and sisters-in-law Sue and Lana. She will be missed by her fur babies Gracie and Cricket. Much loved and adored by Aaron, Erin, Ryan, Laura, Harper, Tyler, Lucy and Poppy. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Lupus Foundation of Ontario by contacting the Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631).

Share words of comfort at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Robert “Bob” Gould

Bob and Diana are “dancing in heaven”

Robert “Bob” Gould passed away Monday, November 21, 2022.

Joining the love of his life Diana (2021) and their fur babies Keisha and Lacey.

He was born March 23, 1931 to Ruby and Claude Gould in Glenwood. Predeceased by siblings Russ, Dorothy and Dorine.

Bob will be truly missed by his five children, Randy (Sue), Andy (Earlene), David, Laurie (Ben) and Paul (Karen). He will be greatly missed by his 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and many grand-dogs.

Bob wore many hats, from a milk man, bread man, a Heinz employee and even in retirement he managed apartment buildings and could be found chopping wood and mowing lawns when they had their trailer in Goderich. Bob spent his days as a devoted husband, dad (pops) and poppa. His hands were made of hard-working steel but his heart of gold, and he always wore his emotions on his sleeve, or as he said, his bladder was too close to his eyes. After Diana passed, a part of his heart was empty and he pined, hoping to be with her… so as much as our heart aches missing him, we know he is stepping in time, dancing in heaven with his lady Di.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make his journey so much easier. Hospice is truly a gift and we are so grateful that he spent his last days there surrounded by love. Rest in peace Pops.

As per Robert’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private service will be held at Stewart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations by cheque may be made out to the Erie Shores Hospice or the Windsor-Essex Humane Society.

Arrangements entrusted to Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631).

Cherished memories and online condolences may be left at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

law, an officer with an approved alcohol screen ing device can demand a breath sample from any driver without having a reasonable suspicion that they have alcohol in their body.

Under impaired driv ing laws, the OPP can also demand that a driver submit to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) and a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation. SFST-trained officers and DREs have the expertise to detect impairment by alcohol, drugs, or both in a driver.

Last year, Essex County OPP concluded its annu al Festive RIDE, charging 17 drivers with impaired driving. A total of 655 drivers were charged for driving while impaired.

SCOUT TROOP BRAVES COLD AT WINTER CAMP

Proof of obituary to run

Officers also issued 10 Warn Range suspensions to drivers in Essex Coun ty.

November 30, 2022 Southpoint Sun $200 plus $26 HST = $226

With howling artic winds gusting to 80 km per hour and unseasonably frigid temperatures struggling to breach -3, there were 22 brave Windsor Scouts and Cubs and three leaders who set up camp at Two Creeks Conservation Area over the Nov. 18-20 weekend. It was only the second camp outing in three years for the troop. They were resilient and enjoyed the many trails and outdoor adventures the woodland has to offer. The campers were a mix of boys and girls ranging in age from 8 to 14. Six of them were first-timers in a tent camp set-up. The plan was to stay through Sunday, but discussions were held later that day about maybe vacating and returning at a later and warmer time. Pictured, with tents rigorously flapping in the background, Scouters Scott, Malak and Ed kept the campfires stoked while the young Scout and Cub troops tried to stay out of the cold wind deep in the bush area at Two Creeks. Despite the cold weather, the leaders were very appreciative of the ability to visit such a unique outdoor setting close to home.

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca Thanks.

Louise Hildegard Mulcaster

Proof of obituary to run

November 30, 2022 Southpoint Sun $200 plus $26 HST = $226

Louise Hildegard Mulcaster (nee Dreidger) passed away peacefully at the Leamington Mennonite Home on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the age of 85.

Jamale Najm

Jamale Najm, 78 years, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, November 27, 2022.

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca Thanks.

Survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Bernard Mulcaster, her children Edward Mulcaster of Leamington, Rebecca and Mike Wong of Etobicoke, and James and Laurie (nee Lavergne) of Lakeshore, and her grandchildren Matthew and David Wong and Morgen and Darien Mulcaster. Dear sister of Helga Dueck (late Henry), Marianne Irvin (Grant) and the late Art Dreidger (Irene). Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Louise was a teacher for many years. She loved to share her gift of music as a director of many choirs: Radio, Children’s, Bell, Ladies; and an accompanist for many groups. She also played the organ for various churches. Frequently, Louise volunteered her music abilities, including playing keyboard at the Leamington Mennonite Home around mealtime.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Leamington Mennonite Home for their care of Louise over the years.

Cremation has taken place, as per Louise’s wishes.

An open house memorial to celebrate Louise’s life will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. at the Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association, 31 Pickwick Drive, Leamington. There will be a small concert held in her memory at 2 pm. Should anyone wish to participate in the concert, please contact Rebecca at rebecca@sensiblehealth. com.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson Canada or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation First (Essex) 519398-9188.

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

Proof of obituary to run

November 30, 2022

Southpoint Sun $200 plus $26 HST = $226

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca Thanks.

Beloved wife of the late Najm Najm (2017). Loving mother of Hanna Najm, Tony Najm (Chimene), Anna Joseph (Mike), Rosie Salive (Todd), Jeanie Augustyn, and Michael Najm (Sonya). Cherished Sittu of 18 grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Daughter of the late Sarkis and Anna Issa. Dear sister of the late Antonios (Teresa), the late Wahiba Antonios (late Shayban), the late Sr. Margaret, the late Boula (late Anna), the late Sr. Clautilde, the late Afif (Sonya), Teresa Saad (Oscar), Hasna Ibrahim. Sister-in-law of the late Michael Najim (late Saade), the late Shamma Sleiman (late Michael), the late Doumeet Najim (late Emily), late Tom Najim (late Mariam) (Denise), the late Joe Najim (late Mariam), and the late Theresa Shalito (late Michael). She will be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Family was very important. She loved spending time with all of the family. Jamale loved to cook Sunday dinners for her family. She enjoyed long walks and yoga. Jamale worked for many farmers in Essex County picking 300 bushels of tomatoes every day. After a long day’s work on the farm, she got up early to make the most amazing Lebanese bread for her family. She ended her career at Franklin Gardens.

Visitation was at the Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 1, 2022 at St. Michael’s Church, 29 Elliott Street, Leamington at 11:00 a.m. Interment Erie Memorial Gardens.

Share words of comfort at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

SUN photo by Greg Coulter

By Deanna Bertrand

The streets of Leaming ton were once again lined with residents and eager children waiting to see jolly old Saint Nick Satur

day night, November 26. It was the first uptown Leamington evening pa rade in two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Parade organizers had

partnered with Point Pelee National Park and created a stationary drive-thru parade during the pandemic.

This year’s parade —

Candyland — included 52 entries and about 70 floats according to Wen dy Parsons, general man ager of the Leamington District Chamber of Com

merce. She said it took about 40 volunteers to or ganize the parade, which started at Sherk Street and Georgia Avenue, then made its way up Erie St.

to the town hall where Santa lit the trees and fire works were set off to cap the evening events. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON PAGE A14

Our Thanks & Holiday Best!

The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce and the Community Christmas Parade Committee would like to thank everyone who took part in the 2022 Community Christmas Parade.

This year the parade was presented by the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce and the Municipality of Leamington.

Main parade sponsor Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.

Super Santa Sponsors – Amico, Fehr’s Car Wash & Leamington BIA, Reindeer Sponsors – DRW Home Services, Leamington Sanitation, Neufeld Construction, M & M Food Market, Thrift on Mill.

Elf Sponsors include Biz X, Home Instead, Lake Erie Concrete, Mannley Transport Inc., The International Hotel, Toys for Tots, Southpoint Sun and S. K. Cornerstone.

Many in kind sponsors stepped up to help get the parade off the ground. Thank you to DeGoey Nursery, Highbury Canco, Leamington Agriculture Society, Jem Limousine Services/Jem Enterprises, Southern Logistics, Sun Parlour Amateur Radio Club, The Graphic Gourmet, & Unifab.

Thank you also Mike Ciacelli from Public Safety Services for donating the radios for the use of communication for the parade. Also a special thank you to the OPP.

Thank you to our judges this evening…Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke, Councilor Heather Latam and Councilor Anthony Abraham.

Thank you very much to the Municipality of Leamington for bringing Santa and Mrs. Claus in on this spectacular float.

Thank you to ALL the volunteers, public works, and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the 2022 a successful Community Christmas Parade. We couldn’t have done it without you!

And finally thank you to all the participants – all your hard work on the floats is spectacular!

A Christmas Parade is always a great way to bring the community together.

Save the date November 25th for the 2023 parade.

2022 Winners... Best

Thank you to all the participants - all your hard work on the floats was over the top spectacular.

To the volunteers - your community spirit shone and helped put smiles on so many faces.

Monica Guenther and Avery Schmidt are ready to ride the Taylor Fish Float.

Tanner Coppola, 5, and brother Andrew, 9, await the parade on Erie Street.

Jaxson Cull, Christen Abraham with Maiella and Josa iah Abraham are ready to board the Abraham Orthadon ics float Saturday evening just prior to the start of the annual Christmas parade.

A Windsor Symphony Orchestra annual holiday tradition

timeless classic!

ANNUAL PARADE LIGHTS UP LEAMINGTON

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet kids of all ages along Erie Street. The Leamington District Secondary School band joined in the fun.

The Migrant Workers Community Program float fea tured the Migrant Workers Band. It was all smiles and relaxation on the Lavender Spa float.

One of several bagpipers who participated in the pa rade.

Kathy Friesen, Bonnie Hamilton and Tina Brown add some finishing touches to a float. Taylyn Delaurier, left, and Sandra Wolf with the Discovery float.

Parade youngsters filling their Santa hats with treats.

Members of the Jr. B Leamington Flyers also participated in the parade.

Dec. 10 from 9:00 am - 12 noon at Leamington United Church, 9 John St. Lots to choose from – come and check it out!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

SOLI DEO GLORIA SINGERS CHORAL CONCERT “Moving Forward in Hope”, 3:00 p.m. at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Suggested donation $15 at the door. Everyone welcome.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19

THE LEAMINGTON CAROLERS WILL BE PERFORMING CHRISTMAS CAROLS on Monday, December 19. Performances are at 7:00 p.m. in front of Great Canadian Superstore and 7:30-8:30 p.m. from the Library through the Mill St. area. No cost.

ONGOING

GRIEF SHARE CLASSES will meet every Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. There is no charge for these classes. Call 519-326-2521 to register or call Cliff at 519-816-5449.

SUNDAY MEALS EVERY SUNDAY from noon to 1:30 pm at Princess Centre parking lot, 33 Princess St., Leamington. Info: shelterhelpersleamington@gmail.com or 226-784-1609.

THE VILLAGE RESOURCE at 108 Talbot St. E. In Wheatley is hosting free one-on-one Tech Support sessions each Monday from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Bring your phones, tablets, iPads and questions!

ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS

MEETING in person at 6:00 pm every other Wednesday at the LEAMINGTON LIBRARY, 1 John St., Leamington. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Next meetings: December 7 & 21. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores. toastmastersclubs.org.

CENTRE CAFE - Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am to noon. Have a coffee & a snack on us! Use computer to work on resume, print documents, surf web. Free Wifi available. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville.

MILK BAG CREATIONS - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Tuesdays 10:00 am to noon. Help turn cleaned milk bags into woven mats and more to be used by those in need. We have a spare crochet hook and the time to teach you how to use it. Join us!

YARN SOCIAL TIME - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Tuesdays, 10:00 am to noon. Bring your project and enjoy time with others! Get tips and tricks, show off your work, share patterns and more.

TAI CHI - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Gentle physical exercises and stretches. Each posture flows into the next. Tuesday geared to beginners. No registration required.

RUMMIKUB CLUB - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Thursdays, 10:00 am. Come learn and play this fun game for 2-4 players that combines rummy and mahjong. No registration required.

GUITAR WELLNESS - Kingsville Community Centre, 1860 Division Rd. N. Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Guitar lessons to enhance physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Group session. No registration required.

PLAY THE UKULELE WITH LIONEL KNIGHTS - Every Thursday from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm at St. John’s Anglican Church in Leamington. Bring a music stand and your own uke if you can. There will be limited ukes available for use. Cost is $5 per session, which goes to the St. John’s kitchen to help with their programs. Call Lionel at 519-398-9645 for more info.

COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Food is available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish 226-340-7233, Salvation Army Food Bank 9:15 - 11:45 a.m. The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome.

T.O.P.S. - Take Off Pounds SensiblyMeetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. Weigh-in from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. First meeting is free. For more inforamtoin call Joan at 519-

326-2388. Everyone welcome.

COMMUNITY ANGEL CLOTHING CUPBOARD OPEN WEDNESDAYSappointments preferred, walk-ins are welcome 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call 519-326-3111 to book your appointment. All are welcome! Free! St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Donated gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-7907739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com

JOIN THE KINGSVILLE FRIENDLY CLUB TO PLAY CARDS every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, 12:45 p.m., at the Unico Community Centre, 33 Beech St., Kingsville. Tuesday is euchre, bridge, cribbage. Friday is euchre, bridge, pepper. Must be 50+ years of age to join. If interested, drop in any Tuesday or Friday.

IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519999-1234.

MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519-326-0612. Business calls 519326-3821. www.pregnancycentre.net.

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.

MUSICIANS AND SINGERS WANTED at the Leamington Half Century Club to join in the weekly singalong every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Drop in if interested (160 Talbot St. E.). Call 519-326-2521.

RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519-682-2580. PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMESTuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in ChathamKent viewing areas. Support

Real Estate

Real Estate

Memories of...

Kingsville, Leamington and Whea ey

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

Dusting off the memories

Looking back ...

From the Leamington Post December 3, 1986

High winds and higher water levels have caused heavy damage to Point Pelee National Park. Works Manag er Bruce Horan confirmed Monday that about 300 feet of road had been washed out inside the park. The high east winds were expected to last into Tuesday.

Proceeds from the 1986 Ruthven Ap ple Festival were officially announced last Friday morning. Despite the poor weather conditions on the day of the festival, the Apple Festival Committee was able to raise $5,500, according to chair John Upcott.

Leamington’s Past

Clippings from the Wheatley Journal, May 1989

The Roma Club once again proved they love a parade when they decked out their float with a live nativity scene. They won second prize for their efforts in the BIA Santa Claus Parade on Sat urday.

The Leamington A&P store will again be charged for opening for business on a Sunday, Leamington’s Police Chief said on Monday. Chief Bruce Cowan said the Zellers store in Leamington was charged last week for violating the same law. Zellers was closed to the pub lic, but shoppers with invitations were allowed to make purchases. Stores are only allowed to open Sundays if they are closed on Saturday and have less than eight workers in the store.

Duck hunting is growing in popular ity at Point Pelee National Park. Unfor tunately the problems associated with the sport are also growing. Park super intendent Jim Barlow said there have been 736 licenses sold this year, com pared to 589 last year. Barlow said 1,531 ducks have been bagged, compared to last year’s 863. He also said there’s a problem with hunters removing mark er stakes from the marsh, which are used to identify the duck blinds, and a person has been charged with shooting a bird that was not a duck.

On Friday, the Kinsmen Peewees travelled to Riverside to play an ex hibition game. Playing a few bodies short, they rallied and held on for the 4-3 win. Jeff Gates and Greg Legood each scored twice for Kingsville with singles to Kevin Pucovsky and Robbie Lauzon.

Mrs. Tom (Debbie) Wallace was the lucky winner of a television set at the annual Christmas party of the Zehr’s staff held last Saturday evening.

Another successful Christmas Ba zaar and Tea was held at the Anglican Church, sponsored by the ladies of the Evening Guild. Mrs. Beth Sanford received the guests at the door and thanked everyone for coming.

From the Wheatley Journal December 3, 1986

The people of Branch 324 Royal Ca nadian Legion in Wheatley were hon oured recently for the great number of community activities they are involved in. Mr. Remo Mancini, MPP for Essex South, presented a plaque to Branch President Nelson Rutt on behalf of the provincial government.

The Boy Scouts canvassed door-todoor recently for canned goods to fill the Community Chest Christmas Bas kets. The response was great and over 15 bushel baskets of canned goods were picked up.

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!

A goal in the opening minute of over time lifted the Leamington Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Petrolia Jets in Petrolia on Sunday. The Jets and Flyers are the co-leaders in the Great Lakes Junior C loop. The Flyers spotted Petrolia a 2-0 lead and then roared back to tie it. Der ek Munroe scored the two regulation goals for Leamington, setting up the dramatic overtime goal, scored by Jeff Hrynewich from Jerry Ribble and Mike Daniels.

From the Kingsville Reporter December 3, 1986

A special meeting of Gosfield South Township was called last week in re sponse to receiving a resignation no tice from the current Animal Control Officer, Bert Van de Bovenkamp, stat ing that he would not be renewing his contract next year. Council has decided to advertise the position in the local pa pers.

When Keith Herring volunteered to be the target in a bean bag tossing game, he knew it was for a good cause. The bean bag caper was just one of several organized by the students and staff at Romney Central School to raise money to be donated to the Rick Han sen Man in Motion campaign.

The Legion Atoms fought back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the River side squad on Saturday by a 3-2 mar gin. After a scoreless first period, River side broke loose, scoring two goals late in the second. The stage was set for the dramatic comeback as Jason Dibbley scored with just over a minute left in the second. Seconds later, Kevin Cook scored to tie it with an assist from Keith Herring. Darrick Lamb then scored the winner in the third period.

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.

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

This photo is from the summer of 1970, shortly after renovations were done at the corner of Erie Street South and Mill Street. Van’s Luggage on the left with the newly opened Creative Crafts and Supplies, owned by June (Stewart) Wilson. The building today houses Milana’s Men’s Wear and a Latin grocery. Photo courtesy of Lynn Horton

Photograph of Kingsville District High School Junior Girls’ Basketball Team in 1968. Back row, left to right: Marjorie Garant, Linda Martin, Lynn Sebele, Marilyn Wigle, Karen Noble, Cheryl Collins. Front row, left to right: Janice Will, Karen Kubis, Patty DeSantis, Vickie Cox, Kathleen Crumb, Mary Maureen Snook, Heather McKee, Miss Leitch (coach). Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives

November 2002 - SUNSHINE AWARDS - Primary students at W.A.P.S. displaying their awards are front row, left to right - Tina Thiessen, Jonathan Cabral, Rebekka, Guenther, Dakota Dawdy. Second row - Lauryn Cincurak, Kerra Gradwell, Darren Taylor, Joe Grieve, Jasmin Miscoui. Back row - Bradley Shanks, Kaily Zack, Ashley McLean, McKenna Pearce, Garrett Hancock, Alycia Gradwell.

SERVICES

GROOMING BY DANIELLE

- CPPS Certified Groomer in Leamington. 13 years experience. For all your pet grooming needs, please call or text 519-564-9620 or message me on Facebook. COVID-19 certified & compliant. no9-30

ELECTROLUX SALES

SERVICE: Complete line of vacuums and shampooers/ floor polishers. Will provide free estimate on Central Vac installations. Contact Dan Bailey. 519-825-7698. tf

IRWIN PLUMBING - New homes, renovations, repairs. Same or next day service. Since 1999. Call Tim 519825-7245. ja6-tf

LEAMINGTON LAKEFRONT APARTMENTS

& Kevin for leasing information 519-326-8819 or visit www.ska-apartmentrentals.com

PINNACLE ACRES REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $15.50/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. Please apply via email: careers@pinnacle-acres.com No experience or education required.

We are seeking GREENHOUSE ASSOCIATE

• Compensation is $15.00/hour

• Monday through Friday (Occasional Saturdays)

• No education or experience required.

• Duties include hand-trimming, taking cuttings, hand harvesting, watering and cleaning of greenhouse. Please apply at: careers@tilray.com or mail a resume to: P.O. Box 2000 269 Erie St. S., Leamington, ON N8H 3C4

Employees will be required to carry out all job tasks as specified by the operation manager. Specific duties include: Pruning, clipping, harvesting and cleaning work area. Repetitive task, standing for extended periods, hot humid conditions, comfortable working on scissor lifts, handling weights of up to 23 kg or 50 lbs, report signs of insect or disease damage. Permanent full time weekdays including weekends. $15.50 per hour. Will train the right candidate. Must be able to work within a group or on their own. Reliable and dependable. Must have own transportation. No educational requirements needed. Apply:

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

This week no one can help you but yourself, Aries. You have to figure out a way to get to the bottom of a problem on your own. But then the reward will be twice as sweet.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

There are a few obstacles in your path this week, Taurus. But nothing you can’t get around. If you have a few people help you out, your work will be even easier to manage.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, when a current plan of attack isn’t working out quite right, you may have to approach it from a different direction. A new angle can bring with it a new perspective.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You may need to push yourself a little further this week to make up for lost time, Cancer. Hunker down and get things done. There’s rest to have on the other side of the effort.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Turning a blind eye to a certain situation will not make it go away, Leo. It will only postpone the inevitable, which is getting it handled. Don’t procrastinate any longer.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Others may not want to hear the truth, but you’re still going to offer it up, Virgo. Forge ahead even if you may lose some friends in the process.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Think twice before you act this week, Libra. It’s easy to take the path ahead right now, but there may be some other way to go that could prove more rewarding in the long run.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you are looking for a change but you don’t know what that should be just yet. You may have to try on a few different shoes before you find the right fit.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius birthday season is in full swing right now, so you are in a festive mood. That will continue right into the holidays, when you may be the life of the party.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you can change if you want to. It just requires a little effort right now to figure out the path you want to take. Brainstorm a few ideas and you can find a goal.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Keeping secrets will only work for so long. Aquarius. Sooner or later the truth will be revealed and you will need to come clean. Take the high road from the start.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

After a few bumps, you find your groove, Pisces. Supervisors will recognize your efforts and perhaps give you the notice you deserve.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER 27 - Bill Nye, Scientist (67)

NOVEMBER 28 Karen Gillan, Actress (35)

NOVEMBER 29 Russell Wilson, Athlete (34)

NOVEMBER 30 - Ben Stiller, Actor (57)

DECEMBER 1 - Robert Irwin, Reality Star (19)

DECEMBER 2 - Britney Spears, Singer (41)

DECEMBER 3 - Ozzy Osbourne, Singer (74)

WORD SCRAMBLE

Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to adaption.

Sharks add two big wins

By Greg Coulter

The Wheatley Omstead Sharks, posting two com manding victories last week, look to move up the standings and are poised to challenge for second place.

Wednesday (Nov. 23) at home, Ethan Handley continued his stellar net minding, backstopping his team to a 5-1 victory over Amherstburg. The Sharks fired 49 shots at the opposing netminder. Blake McNally and Matt Carvalho each post ed a goal and an assist, with Devin St. Pierre, Jaydon Ferguson (his first) and Denel Aguilar hitting the twine. Jaqwan Simmonds (2), newly acquired Josh Chauvin,

Shannon Olson, Jack Lewis and Ethan Chittle contributed helpers.

Sunday night, Nov. 27 at Walpole Island, Jaxon Drysdale posted his first victory in net with a sol id 29-save performance as the Sharks romped to a dominating 8-1 victo ry. They blasted a sea son-high 60 shots in the win.

Sylvan Lessard contin ued added to his points total with two goals and an assist, while rookie Sa jan Brouwer also added two goals. In a balanced attack, Braeden Gray, Jak Thiessen, Aidan Hill (1 goal, 1 assist) and Kyle Greene (one goal, one assist) also hit the score sheet. Six additional play

ers contributed assists in a winning cause.

“It was great to see Jaxon Drysdale reward ed with his first victory,” commented head coach Josh Carnevale. “It’s nice to see some pucks go ing in the net ahead of a big home and home this week with Blenheim, a team just ahead of us in the standings.”

Wednesday’s puck drop is 7:30 p.m. in Wheatley, and on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Blenheim.

Remember that Sharks’ merchandise makes great Christmas gifts for young and old hockey enthusi asts and greatly assist the team’s fundraising.

Golden Years mini golf results

Forty-two Golden Years golfers hit the links on November 24 at the mini golf course at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens for some golfing exercise, friendly com petition and socializing.

Leading the pack in holes-in-one were Ray Foster, Bill Taylor and Mavis Rutter with 5 aces each. Sinking 3 each were Theresa Decaluwe, Ron Fick, Debbie Clinton, Dave Labonte, and Mike Bind er. Following with 2 each were Mary Binder, Carol Hylton, Tony Hudvagner, Walter Balsam, Armand Decaluwe and Bill Ward. Carol Gagnon, Gail Turk, Mary Ann Sherman, Andy Orsini, Mari lyn Ribble, John Murphy, Laurie Hylton, Lloyd Honey, Barry Sweet, Donna Bileti, Tom Hyatt, Shran Collins and Colleen Pearse all scored a single hole-in-one.

Best 18-hole scores were recorded by Bill Ward with 34. Mavis Rutter, Debbie Clinton and Ray Foster had 35 and The

resa Decaluwe and Walter Balsam had 37.

Top scores over 36 holes were Bill Ward with 72, Mavis Rutter, Theresa De caluwe and Ray Foster with 76, and Tom Hyatt and Walter Balsam with 77.

First place was awarded to Tteam Aces – Shran Collins, Mavis Rutter and Bill Ward with a score of 238. Team 7 –Laurie Hylton, Lloyd Honey and Debbie Clinton – won second place with 244. They were closely followed by Team Jacks – Bill Mayville, Theresa Decaluwe and Barb Fick with a score of 245.

Play continues on Thursday, Decem ber 1 which is Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, so break out that sweater – maybe it will bring you some good luck on the course! Members are also reminded De cember 1 is the last day to sign up for the Christmas breakfast which happens on December 15.

Sharks netminder Ethan Handley prepares for an opposition scoring attempt last week against Amherstburg. The 19-year-old Kingsville native has been fantastic in net his entire career with the Sharks, allowing them to be a solid league contender.

SUN photo by Greg Coulter

Flying Fathers score for new Homelessness Hub

By Paul Forman

The Flying Fathers brought in their hockey roadshow on November 24, delighting attendees with their wacky antics at Leamington’s Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre. The team is made up of priests from all over Canada as they ‘pray and play’ to support charities in need.

The Fathers began their journey in 1963, an idea brought together by Fa ther Brian McKee and for mer Maple Leaf turned Father, Les Costello.

The Fathers event for Leamington began with a conversation between two local priests. Father Patrick Beneteau, a Flying Father himself, contacted Father Tom Ferrera of the Erie Shores South Catho lic Family of Parishes and asked him if there was interest in bringing the Flying Fathers to town in support of a local charity.

Father Tom then con tacted Cardinal Car ter Catholic Secondary School campus minister Jerry Leroux and asked if the school would set up a charity event involv ing the Flying Fathers. Leroux approached Mrs. Fox’s Grade 11 Leader ship class to see if they would take the reins for organizing the event and the real work began.

The Leadership class was divided into com mittees, including Master of Ceremonies/Music, Sponsorship Acquisition, Social Media/Adver tising and Tickets/Pro grams. Players from Car

dinal Carter’s Hockey Academy were recruited to act as an opponent for the Flying Fathers.

Mrs. Fox was excited to involve her class, say ing, “This is the first year since Covid to have an opportunity to bridge the gap between school, par ish and community.”

Students had many positive things to say about their experience in setting up this charity event.

Sierra Remigio enjoyed “listening to everyone’s ideas and to be able to branch out into our town.”

Jackson Raffoul “had a blast working in a group to create a script” for his Master of Ceremonies role.

Sam Jones was happy about “this event shed ding light on the church.”

Father Tom gave care ful consideration to the funds raised by the game and the local Homeless ness Hub was chosen. “There is a tremendous need in the community, it’s new and such an im portant cause, so worthy of receiving our help,” he said.

Having sponsors was crucial for making this endeavour such a suc cess and the community quickly stepped up to the plate. Reid Funeral Home, Lakeview Molded Plastics and Oak Farms Flower Outlet were all generous corporate spon sors, while Gina Milano and two anonymous do nors with St. Michael’s Parish chipped in with

significant contributions.

Coordinator Nicole Mastronardi of Essex County Homelessness Hub said, “We are very appreciative to have been

chosen to receive the pro ceeds from the charity hockey game between the Flying Fathers and Cardinal Carter students. The monies raised will go

directly to help individ uals experiencing home lessness or in precarious housing, receive some necessary supports and other items they need, as

well as help to provide supplies to the Essex County Homelessness Hub. It is so fantastic to have so much community support!”

Camaraderie was evident as the two teams took a postgame photo.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

The Flying Nun took over the Flying Fathers net.

Grade 11 student Malia Afonso doubled up on her du ties as she helped to organize the event and sang the national anthem.

Leamington-born midfielder draws coach’s praise on world stage

Stephen Eustaquio — Canada’s number 7 — has been mentioned numer ous times during telecasts of Canada’s World Cup soccer games and even took praise from coach John Herdman, who said he’d not met anyone with

such attention to detail.

Eustaquio’s journey to the World Cup stage is an unlikely one, but he’s making the best of his time in Qatar, earning the attention of soccer fans around the world.

Born in Leamington, he

grew up in the Plumbrook area and attended St. Lou is School early on, before his family pulled up their roots and moved to Por tugal when he was seven.

But he’s never forgot ten his roots here and had a choice to play for Can

Flyers nip LaSalle 4-3

By C. Scott Holland

It was another battle of Essex County for the Leamington Flyers as they headed to LaSalle last Wednesday, Nov. 23 to play the Vipers. The contest featured plenty of back-and-forth action although it was the Flyers who controlled the major ity of the play.

The two teams traded first period goals before the Flyers jumped out to a 4-2 lead after weather ing a five-on-three penal ty-kill situation early in the second.

As they headed into the final frame, Leamington clung to that 4-2 lead and nursed it until LaSalle ap

plied immense pressure during a late powerplay and inched closer. But the Flyers’ defense did not allow the Vipers to knot the game with an extra attacker in the final min utes and preserved a 4-3 victory.

Connor McPherson led the Flyers attack with two goals, including the even tual winner. Jack Cotter and Trevor LaRue had the others.

The Flyers lost Cotter to a gross misconduct early in the third, but the team kept LaSalle from posing any serious threats and missed quite a few chanc es to increase their lead.

A slashing penalty handed to Hayden Reid

with just under three minutes remaining in the game allowed the Vipers to go on a powerplay. LaSalle notched an ex tra-man marker which narrowed the score to 4-3 with 32 seconds left.

The Flyers defense kept the Vipers at bay for those remaining seconds and got the 4-3 victory.

On Thursday, Dec. 1 the Flyers are asking all fans to please bring a canned good to help support the community food bank. Items needed are canned meats, peanut butter, ce reals, dry pasta, canned vegetables and soup.

Next game: Thurs. Dec. 1 versus St. Thomas Stars at 7:10 pm.

ada or Portugal when the time came to make that decision. He chose Cana da.

Local fans will have a final look at Eustaquio and his teammates on Thursday, December 1, when Canada plays their

final round-robin game against Morocco at 10 am Eastern.

Canada lost 1-0 to Bel gium and 4-1 to Croatia to effectively end any chance of advancing.

STEPHEN EUSTAQUIO

Senior men reach midway point of season

By C. Scott Holland

As the Leamington Senior Men’s Hockey League reaches the sea son’s midway point, play remains competitive.

CHRYSLER 7 GILLETT 0

Leamington Chrysler clung to a slim lead for two periods then put four unanswered goals into the net for a 7-0 win.

Gillett just couldn’t get the puck to bounce their way despite having some good opportunities.

Leamington Chrys ler got all the goals they would need in the first as Steve O’Neil notched a pair. Brian Santos netted two goals while Mitch Prudence, Steve Peters and Andy Anthony fired one apiece.

GUALTIERI 9 REID 7

It was a close game be fore Gualtieri staged a

late comeback to grab a lead and stay there.

Reid’s Jordan Hooker netted two including a stunning opening shot 9 seconds into the contest. Dylan Montague drilled two goals, with Cale Phibbs, Dustyn Woelk and Dawson Isles adding one each.

The GF marksmen were led by Brett Bowman and Dylan Impens who both triggered hattricks. Ma son Gow, PJ Sonoski and Pat Sonoski netted one apiece.

CHRYSLER 2 REID 2

Leamington Chrysler clung to a slim lead for one period before Chrys ler regained the lead and then surrendered the ty ing goal to Reid Funeral Home. The five-minute OT frame was very excit ing.

Reid’s Cale Phibbs knotted the contest at 1-1

and Kalan Ricci tabbed the game-tying goal.

Leamington Chrysler’s Steve O’Neil netted the game’s first goal before Kevin Sawatzky gunned what was a short-lived go-ahead tally.

GABRIELE 7 GUALTIERI 4

Gabriele surged ahead thanks to a four-goal out burst in the second en route to a 7-4 victory.

Gualtieri was led by Brett Bowman who drilled two goals. Mar shall Fritsch and Dylan Impens cranked one each.

The Gabriele squad rode a hattrick perfor mance by Scott Florence who not only had the goal hattrick but a hattrick in helpers as well. Ian Fau bert planted two while Craig Davidson and Brian Whaley ripped one each.

To help this senior boy find his new home, his adoption fee is waived

STUBS

Stubs is an anti-social golden oldie who is searching for his new loving family. He prefers a quiet space and values his alone time. You can often find him hiding behind my bedding trying to get some peace and quiet. Stubs would like to let you know that he’s not very comfortable in a shelter environment so he’s hoping he can find my home soon. He wants to stress that he needs a calm home with no other animals or kids.

Stubs is a “Diamonds in the Rough.” Due to various circumstances Stubs may not show his true personality in the shelter but with time and patience in a home he is likely to blossom into gentle and loving companion. Can you be the human he needs to break out and shine like, well you know, a diamond?

Right now, adoption fees are waived for adult cats like stubs. To see her and other adoptable felines, visit https://windsorhumane.org/cats-kittens

Look for the qualifying adult cats, who have their fees waived, by spotting the boarder like Stub’s, around their picture. If you do not see Stub’s picture any longer, she has been adopted. Please consider one of her friends who are still looking for their loving, forever homes.

Kingsville Friendly Club

Bridge games were en joyed last week at the Kingsville Friendly Club. The following are the lat est scores.

Nov. 22 - Bridge: Bert Patrick 4670, Roy Trowell 4230, Jean Kuipers 4160. Euchre: Jim Hickmott 96, Erma Hickmott 90, Wil ly Fittler 87, Most lone hands: Carrie Schultz with 5. Pepper: Mandy Hric 278, Cliff Trombley 252, Kathy Hedge 247. Most peppers: Carolyn Brown, Mandy Hric and Darlene Trombley tied with 7 each.

Nov. 25: Bridge: Roy Trowell 3920, Jean Kui pers 3640, Alta VanVliet 3130. Euchre: Jane Ann Callow 95, Willy Fittler 94, Moe Hansen 90. Most lone hands: Dave Patter son and Willy Fittler tied with 5 each. Pepper: Ken Salter 257, Cliff Tromb ley 222, Sue Girardin 186. Most peppers: Ken Salter with 8.

ESP U13 wins three

The Essex-Southpoint (ESP) U13 hockey team played three games this past week and came away with three wins.

On Wednesday night, Nov. 23 the squad hosted the Belle River Canadiens and eas ily skated away with an 11-0 victory. Aus tin Goudie and Nash Feurth both scored hat tricks to lead their team. Ben Liebrock, Lucas O’Neil, Tyler Thomas, Brayden Fos ter and Derek Dunn added singles in this contest. Trent Chevalier earned the shut out in net for his team.

On Friday night the U13s traveled to Chatham to face off with the Kent Cobras. Although this game was sloppy at times, ESP was able to score enough for a 8-4 win.

Nash Feurth potted a pair, while Brayden Foster, Ben Liebrock, Owen Derksen, AJ Youssef, Lucas O’Neil and Kayden Cook chipped in a goal apiece to secure the win. Parker Pingle between the pipes earned the W for his squad.

On Saturday afternoon ESP hit the road for a tilt with the Windsor Jr Spitfires. The final was 9-0, the third win in as many tries for the U13 team. Austin Goudie and Ben Liebrock each recorded hat tricks to pace their team to victory, while Brayden Foster, Kayden Cook and Nathan Mariuz each scored once in the winning cause. Kevin Ondic stopped everything shot his way in earning the shutout in the win.

KDHS hosts volleyball tournament

By Leah Reid

On November 23 and 24, Kingsville District High School hosted the annual Girls and Boys Future Stars Elementary Volleyball Tournament. Being the first tournament since the onset of COVID, it was a great opportunity for the young athletes of our community, and the Leadership class alike.

On day one, tough com petition was put up by all teams, but in the end the Jack Miner girls won eight out of nine sets, leading to their victory. The Essex girls were not far behind in second, the Kingsville Public School girls placed third and Harrow Public School was forth.

During the dinner break, two students from

each team competed in a serving competition. Avy and Grace of Essex Public School were the winners.

On the second day, the boys teams showed some amazing skill. Jack Miner won all their sets, which earned them the cham pionship banner. St. John finished in second, fol lowed by Kingsville Pub lic in third and Harrow Public in fourth.

The final set of the day between Jack Miner and Harrow was particularly competitive going to a 2725 finish in favour of Jack Miner.

During the boys tour nament, the serving com petition was won by Jett and Will from Jack Miner. They each received a Cav alier t-shirt.

Erika St. Pierre, of the Leadership class, noted, “It was great to see every one out there with smiles on their faces. I remem ber participating in this tournament when I was in grade school, so it was nice to see students being able to have this opportu nity once more.”

Fellow student Lucis Forest summed it up with, “All teams put in a great effort and gained some valuable experience for their future as athletes.”

This tournament served as another ceremonious come-back from the pan demic for all teams includ ed, as well as for members of the KDHS Leadership class who ran the event.

Cavs reach top 8 at OFSAA in two sports

By Hayden Nurse

This past week, the Kingsville Cavaliers se nior girls basketball team and senior boys volleyball team took to the road for OFSAA participation. Af ter winning WECSSAA and SWOSSAA, both teams claimed their spot in this year’s AA OFSAA tournaments. The senior girls AA basketball tour nament was held in Strat ford. The senior boys AA volleyball tournament was hosted by Huntsville in the Muskoka area.

The senior girls opened their OFSAA debut day by dressing up for OFSAA’s annual team banquet. Their first day of OFSAA gameplay kicked off last Thursday. The girls went point for point with the opposition and stuck with them through three quar ters. Unfortunately, their opponents pulled away in the fourth quarter and handed the Cavs a tough, heartbreaking loss.

The following day, the girls played a higher seed ed team in the morning and ended up pulling off a win which advanced them to play in the quar terfinals.

Later that day, the Cavs winning ways came to an end as they faced a very tough team who sent them home before moving on to become the OFSAA silver medalists.

Head coach Mr. Driedg er was asked about his team and their OFSAA ex perience and he replied by saying, “The Lady Cavs epitomized grit, sacrifice and toughness this sea son.”

The senior boys drove up to Huntsville on Wednesday and kicked

off their OFSAA debut the following morning.

The boys finished their first day 2-0 by winning four sets of four and put ting them into a good spot in their round robin group.

Friday morning, they played LaSalle Secondary School, from Sudbury, OF SAA’s number one seeded team in Ontario. The Cav aliers gave LaSalle a run for their money but unfor tunately could not pull off an upset, losing their sets 19-25 and 22-25.

The boys were victori ous in their final game in the round robin, bringing their record to a solid 3-1.

The boys needed to be in the top two out of five teams to advance to the championship quarterfi nals and, with only one loss in pool play, they claimed Pool A’s second spot and were set to play Pool B’s number one team.

The boys were already at a disadvantage as they dropped the first set, but

they came storming back in the second set to tie the game.

In OFSAA playoffs it was now first to three sets and the Cavs lost the third set and won again in the fourth set 26-24 which sent this game to a fifth and final deciding set to 15. Their opponents took an early lead and didn’t let up, sending the Kings ville Cavs home.

The two teams in the gold medal match were the only two the Cavs had lost to.

It is a tremendous ac complishment just to get to OFSAA. Finishing in the top eight in Ontario is even more impressive, and that is exactly what the senior boys and se nior girls did last week. Congrats to both teams on their awesome seasons!

Next week the winter court seasons begin with girls volleyball and boys basketball taking to the courts.

Prep Time: ½ - 1 Hour | Cooking Time: 4 Minutes Serves: 32 Pieces

16 mini

1 tsp (5 mL) ⅛ tsp, each (1 mL)

8 oz (227 g)

½ cup (120 mL) 3 tbsp (45 mL) 1 zest

Ontario Greenhouse Coloured Peppers, halved and seeds removed olive oil salt & black pepper

herb and garlic cream cheese, softened creamy caesar salad dressing chopped fresh herbs: dill, parsley, chives or basil small lemon

1. Preheat broiler. 2. Place pepper halves, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Toss evenly to coat. Set aside 3. Whisk together the filling ingredients until well combined. 4. Transfer the filling to a pastry bag or small Ziploc® bag and set aside in refrigerator until ready to use. 5. Broil peppers, until slightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. 6. Transfer to a small platter and let cool slightly. 7. Snip the tip of the pastry/Ziploc® bag and carefully fill each pepper half with the cream cheese mixture.

OGVG proudly represents greenhouse vegetable growers in our community and across the province

HOLIDAY

2022

Toy Trends of 2022

While many holiday shopping lists include toys, it can be tough to know what to get as the popularity of certain toys can often change from year to year as well as the wishes of the children you are buying for.

For anyone struggling to figure out what to get the toy lover on their list, here are some of the top toy trends for 2022 according to The Toy Association:

All About the Experience

After two years of living through a pandemic, today’s consumers are more driven by the experiences they have than ever. While today’s kids are growing up as digital natives, their parents care about the memories their children are making in the real world. This holiday, look for screen-free toys that allow kids to customize their play experiences, playthings that bring digital worlds to life, and ones that super-size and innovate classic play for the whole family. This trend also encourages hands-on play and skillbuilding.

Entertainment Everywhere

Kids continue to take a cross-platform approach to media consumption and 66 percent of parents now report that social media and digital content influence the types of toys their kids want. For toymakers, this means new licensing opportunities and a springboard for emerging trends in play (as seen with fidget and sensory play videos on TikTok). From Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube, to the growing mainstream popularity of gaming, there are seemingly endless new channels of opportunity for toymakers to tap into.

Play for All

Play is for everyone — and the numbers prove it. Children won’t be the only ones making out toy wish lists this year, as toy-spending trends indicate adults (kidults) enjoy playtime just as much as kids. Parents who reported purchasing toys for themselves rank board games (52 percent) and collectibles/fan items (48 percent) among their most sought-out categories. Additionally, 67 percent of grandparents report looking for toys they can enjoy with their grandkids when gift shopping. Playthings with cross-generational appeal will continue to resonate with toy lovers of all ages this holiday.

Easy ways to personalize gift cards

Gift cards provide a convenient way to ensure people of all ages ultimately get something special. While some consider gift cards an impersonal gift, explore these ways to add a personal touch:

· Make your own gift card. Some companies enable gift-givers to personalize cards with their own photos. Or choose from predesigned options to present a card that reflects the personality of the person who will be receiving it.

· Wrap it in a unique way. Don’t just give the gift card in an envelope; find a unique way to wrap it. After all, that will make the gift card a gift within a gift. Find a small gift box and wrap the gift card as you would any other gift. Or make it even more exciting by designing a scavenger hunt with clues on where to find the hidden gift card.

· Assemble a gift basket. Add a few extra treats to a basket with the gift card that ties into a theme. If the gift card is for a boating or fishing retailer, place tackle, a floating key ring or a dry storage bag in the gift basket.

· Add a sweet message. Attach a greeting card and share a few sentiments about why the gift card was chosen. This will help make the gift more personal and show that time was taken to select the item.

Popular Toys By Decade

Experiential gifts for active seniors

Holiday shoppers know that, seemingly every year, there’s one person on their shopping list who’s hard to shop for. Seniors may fit that bill, as many have already accumulated a lifetime’s worth of goods and gadgets. That’s why experiential gifts can be such a good fit for seniors come the holiday season.

This holiday season, shoppers can consider these experiences as they look for something new and unique for the seniors on their shopping lists:

Biplane flight

Few experiences are as exhilarating as a flight in an open cockpit biplane. Biplane flights are unique to each company that offers them, but some planes can accommodate two passengers (in addition to the pilot), making this an ideal gift for senior couples who aren’t afraid of a bird’s eye view. The length of a flight depends on shoppers’ budgets, but no matter how long seniors are in the air, they’re sure to return to the ground having enjoyed a truly unique experience.

Cycling tour

Modern seniors are among the most physically active demographics. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that, within months of the pandemic being declared, adults age 65 and older averaged 100 more minutes of physical activity than the next closest cohort. A cycling tour can make for a perfect gift for active seniors. Tours may be designed to visit local places of historical significance, idyllic natural settings or local eateries. Wherever the tours ultimately end up, they’re sure to put a smile on active seniors’ faces.

Hot air balloon ride

If riding shotgun with a pilot in a tiny plane is more adventure than your favourite senior may be seeking, a hot air balloon ride may be more suitable. Hot air balloon rides provide a truly stunning way to experience idyllic settings and a calm way to take to the skies on a beautiful day. Rides tend to last around an hour, but companies typically offer various packages and may even let shoppers customize rides for their loved ones.

Theatre tickets

Many seniors strictly adhered to social distancing guidelines prior to getting vaccinated. Now that seniors are eligible to be fully vaccinated and even receive multiple rounds of booster shots, a trip to the theatre can reignite their passion for live entertainment and make for a memorable night out.

What to give new homeowners this holiday season

Furniture gift card: There’s a good chance new homeowners will need to furnish new rooms in a home, particularly if they’re coming from an apartment or a smaller place. Many people also like to update furnishings when they move into new places. A gift card to a popular furniture store in the area will provide the head-start new homeowners need to secure sofas, dining sets, lamps, rugs and more.

Video/smart doorbell: Although the smart doorbell market began with only a handful of options, there’s now a bevy of manufacturers who make video and smart home doorbells. These doorbells serve the dual purpose of alerting homeowners to someone at the door, while providing surveillance of the comings and goings outside of the home, giving many new homeowners peace of mind.

Individuals who were lucky enough to find a new home this year may discover they now have little money to outfit those homes. Shoppers with new homeowners on their holiday shopping lists may want to help those loved ones outfit their homes this season. The following are some home-related gift ideas to get shoppers started.

Customized doormat: Give that new home additional curb appeal with a doormat customized with a special message or the new homeowners’ names, such as Welcome to the Smith Home. Other customizable products include cutting boards and wall plaques.

Household tool kit: What better way to prepare new homeowners for the do-it-yourself projects and household repairs than with a tool kit? Home improvement retailers often package common tools needed in carrying cases or sets, but shoppers can grab separate items they think will be used and group them together into one gift. Pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, a level, a drill and measuring tape are good starter tools.

Programmable thermostat: A programmable or learning thermostat will help new homeowners save on their energy bills. Many thermostats now pair with smart home systems and phones, and automatically adjust the temperature as needed to reduce energy consumption.

Four gifts for busy professionals

Busy professionals may not have time to shop for products that can make their lives a little easier, but these four gifts can make it easier for busy professionals to handle long days at the office.

Portable phone charger

Portable phone chargers are lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for onthe-go professionals who need to keep their phones charged all day long. Professionals who spend lots of time in their vehicles may love a solar-powered portable charger, which ensures their phone batteries stay charged even when they forget USB cables at home.

Wireless headphones

Though some models can cost hundreds of dollars, a reliable set of wireless headphones can be found for as little as $50. These headphones can be especially useful for professionals who work from home, as many are designed to cancel out ambient noise, making it easier to participate in Zoom calls or other meetings even if the kids are being rowdy right outside a home office door.

Cleaning service

Few chores are less appealing after a long day at the office than cleaning house. Many cleaning services offer weekly or monthly packages, and professionals would undoubtedly appreciate someone taking this time-consuming task off their to-do list.

Slow cooker

Slow cookers allow users to put everything in a pot in the morning and then arrive at night to a ready-to-eat, homecooked meal. These can be especially valuable to professionals who work long hours and don't have the time to prepare a meal from scratch at the end of a workday.

Gifts that will thrill auto lovers

Since they first became widely available in the early 20th century, cars have inspired no small number of passionate devotees. Some people simply can’t resist the thrills of the open road, while others love driving because of the sense of independence it provides.

Regardless of what inspires their passions, come the holiday season, auto enthusiasts undoubtedly would be excited to unwrap these auto-related gifts.

Car wash kit

It’s one thing to drive, and another thing entirely to drive a car that looks like it’s fresh off the dealership lot. Car wash kits come in various sizes, so they’re ideal for holiday shoppers working with various budgets. Kits may include wet wax, wheel gel, glass cleaner, a short handle brush and microfiber towels, among other supplies. Each accessory within the kit can make cars or trucks shine and look as good as new.

Mechanic’s tool kit

Many car lovers enjoy working on their vehicles almost as much as they love driving them. That makes a mechanic’s tool kit a must-have for auto enthusiasts. Like car wash kits, mechanic’s kits are ideal gifts because they can suit shoppers working with various budgets. Extensive kits include all the tools car lovers need, from ratchets to extension bars to sockets and more, to spend a fun day working in the garage.

Tire inflator

All those kilometres on the open road are bound to catch up with tires over time, and a portable tire inflator can ensure tires are always properly inflated. Cordless varieties are popular, but so are options that can be plugged into vehicle outlets. Either way, this is a must-have item for anyone who puts a lot of miles on their vehicle.

What to get the family beach bum

If the weather outside is frightful, these beach-themed gifts can be just what beach lovers want to see under the tree this holiday season:

• Beach shade/tent: Beach shades and tents can make a day at the shore that much more enjoyable by providing protection from the sun.

· Sand-free towel: Sand-free towels are typically made with microfiber that prevents sand from accumulating on them. That helps beachgoers ensure sand on their towels doesn’t make it to their cars and homes.

· Foldable blanket: A foldable blanket can fold up and zip shut into the size of a small pillow, making them highly popular among beach lovers who are accustomed to serving as sun-soaked sherpas each time they visit the beach.

· Beach wagon: Beach wagons make getting from the car to the sand with your gear in tow that much easier. Collapsible wagons can fold up and fit easily into vehicle trunks when not in use. Depending on the size of the wagon, it may be able to carry more than 100 pounds of cargo, including beach chairs, coolers, towels and more.

Tuesday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Wednesday 11:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Saturday 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Sunday 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm Take-Out & Delivery

Great gifts for fitness lovers

Though it’s not always so easy finding the right gift, identifying a passion of each person on your holiday shopping list can make finding the perfect present that much easier.

Many families have at least one person who qualifies as a physical fitness buff and a passion for fitness can serve as a great starting point when shopping for a loved one who can’t wait to exercise each day. This holiday season, shoppers can stoke that passion for exercise with some gifts designed to help people reach their fitness goals.

Insulated water bottle

On the surface, a new water bottle might not seem like the most impressive gift. However, fitness buffs know just how much water bottles have changed in recent years and how invaluable it can be to have a good one at the ready. A highquality insulated water bottle can keep water cold for hours, ensuring endurance athletes accustomed to long runs or cycling sessions won’t need to hydrate with warm drinks no matter how long it’s been since they started their workouts.

Fitness trackers

Fitness trackers run the gamut from low-cost options with useful yet limited capabilities to more expensive items that can seemingly give athletes all the information they need about variables such as their heart rate and performance metrics. If the fitness buff on your list has his or her heart set on an expensive device, speak to other family members about pooling your resources.

Fitness app subscription/gift card

The popularity of various exercise apps spiked dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic because they made it easy to get professional fitness instruction at home. A subscription to a service like ClassPass (classpass.com) provides access to classes at thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons and spas across the globe. This can help fitness buffs find new exercises if their existing routines have grown stale or simply stay in shape even if they don’t always have time to get to the gym.

Home exercise equipment

Though the darkest days of the pandemic might be in the rearview mirror, the world has grown accustomed to periodic spikes that could compromise workout routines. That needn’t be the case for fitness buffs who keep some simple exercise equipment at home. A set of dumbbells, a new weight bench or even a new yoga mat can ensure fitness buffs won’t miss a workout even if they can’t get out of the house.

Security tips for online shopping

Online shopping may be especially convenient during a pandemic, but online shoppers should take extra steps to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

· Don’t just use any Wi-Fi. Unsecured Wi-Fi connections make it easy for cyber criminals to see everything users are doing online. When using Wi-Fi to shop, make sure the connection requires a password and never purchase items from a site that does not.

· Use a credit card instead of your debit card. Credit cards typically provide more protection to consumers than debit cards. Though conditions apply, credit card users are not liable if fraudulent purchases are made with their cards, while debit card users could face an uphill battle to avoid being on the hook for fraudulent purchases.

· Shop via mobile apps instead of websites. Cyber criminals are less likely to target mobile apps in an effort to access consumer data because apps require hackers to create specific attacks for each app. Websites are vulnerable to general browser attacks, which means hackers don’t have to work as hard to access sensitive data as they would if they were to target retail apps.

Gifts to get kids off screens and the couch

Parents know that getting kids to put down their devices is no small task. However, the holiday season can be the perfect time to find fun gifts that encourage kids to be more physically active and have nothing to do with screens.

Lessons: Parents and loved ones of children can look for lessons that inspire youngsters to pursue a new passion (music, art, cooking, etc.) that promotes healthy habits and encourages kids to get up and go.

Kites: Kites can be perfect for kids who don’t take to sports or those who simply need a break from competition. Kites can help young children develop their gross motor skills and instill in them a love of the great outdoors that lasts a lifetime.

Trampoline: Family members should definitely clear this one with mom and dad before purchasing it. However, no kid, including tweens and teenagers, can resist a good trampoline. Modern trampolines are safer than they used to be, especially the ones with enclosures that prevent kids from falling off the trampoline and onto the hard ground below.

Sports equipment: Organized sports instill lessons about sportsmanship, hard work, overcoming adversity and the value of working as a team, all the while promoting physical activity. Young children who haven’t yet participated in organized sports may be compelled to do so if a new baseball mitt or basketball hoop is waiting under the tree this holiday season.

How to find bargains this holiday shopping season

The pinch of inflation has been felt throughout the last year, and that squeeze could feel even tighter as the holiday season draws closer.

Holiday celebrants must contend with the costs associated with hosting holiday gatherings, travel and spending nights out celebrating with loved ones. But the biggest added expense many people must confront during the holiday season is the cost of buying gifts for family and friends. Though inflation might be beyond consumers’ control, there are still ways to find bargains when holiday shopping this year.

Start comparison shopping early

In addition to the rising cost of living, modern consumers also must contend with supply shortages and shipping delays. Shopping early is a great way to get around those lingering effects of the pandemic, and it also affords shoppers more time to find great deals. Comparison shopping sites make it easy to comparison shop by breaking items down into categories and producing a list of vendors and prices for an assortment of products. Utilizing these sites and shopping early is a great way to find bargains.

Attend local holiday bazaars and markets

One of the great things about holiday bazaars and markets is that many of the businesses that set up shop at these events are local. They also tend to sell an array of items, including small items that can easily fit into shoppers’ holiday budgets. Take pride in knowing that you not only found a great gift but that you supported a local, small business in the process.

Pool your resources

Another way to get around rising costs this holiday season is to pool your shopping resources with other friends or family members. The cost of more pricey gifts can be easier to bear if it’s split amongst a few people.

Join shopping groups on social media

There are a number of groups on social media outlets like Facebook where consumers share deals and tips with other members of the group. If you are looking for something specific, you can post and ask others if they have seen any good deals on that item. Or you can scroll through the deals others have shared to see if there are ideal items for those on your holiday shopping list.

How to navigate potential supply shortages this holiday season

Consumers across the globe have been forced to contend with supply shortages since the early days of the pandemic, and that same issue could cause problems this holiday season. Holiday shoppers can consider these tips as they try to navigate their way through another holiday season that could be affected by global supply chain issues.

Shop local

Many big box retailers rely on imports to fill their shelves, and that could make it hard for such sellers to deliver items in time for the holiday season. Shopping local and buying items directly off the shelf can ensure no one is given an IOU this holiday season.

Ship directly to recipients

It might not offer the same heartwarming charm as handing a loved one a gift in person, but shipping gifts directly to their recipients increases the likelihood that the person will receive the gift by Hanukkah or Christmas morning. Many online retailers now offer wrapping at additional cost, and shoppers can splurge and have directly shipped gifts wrapped to add a more traditional feel to gift-giving.

Give gift cards

If shipping estimates make it unlikely that gifts will arrive on time for the holiday season, pivot to gift cards. Put the amount of money you would have spent on the item on the card instead. For example, if an e-reader costs $150, give a $150 gift card in its place.

Give homemade gifts

Homemade gifts, whether it’s baked goods or crafts, don’t need to be shipped, so there’s no way such items will spend the holiday season sitting on a ship in a congested port. If you choose to make crafts, decide early what you want to create so you can secure all of the necessary supplies in plenty of time to deliver the items during Hanukkah or on Christmas morning.

What to do about returns after shopping early

If holiday shopping early increases the chances of finding the perfect gift, it also can make returns a little more difficult as many stores have airtight and time-sensitive return policies. Despite that, holiday shoppers who like to shop early can employ various strategies that could make it easier for loved ones to return gifts.

Shop at retailers who offer extended return policies. Many retailers recognize the popularity of shopping early for the holidays and tweak their standard return policies during this time of year. Prior to purchasing any gifts, shoppers can shop around for retailers who offer extended holiday returns. Pandemic-related supply shortages and shipping issues may compel more retailers to offer such policies as a greater number of people shop early to ensure they get what they want and that their purchases arrive on time. But it’s still wise for shoppers to confirm if an extended return policy is in place prior to purchasing anything.

Ask recipients to avoid opening packages if they might return items. The excitement of receiving a great gift may compel recipients, especially children, to immediately open the box. But early shoppers can request that packages remain intact until recipients confirm that they want to keep the gift. Some retailers may offer full returns or store credits on unopened items even if the return window has closed.

Keep tags and receipts. Recipients are more likely to get full refunds or store credit if tags are still attached and gift givers have saved their receipts. This applies even to items that were purchased months before they’re being returned.

Urge recipients to return items during off-peak hours. If recipients want to return an item in person, urge them to do so at a time when the store isn’t likely to be busy. Staff might be more willing to work with people returning gifts at times when they aren’t as busy.

Make Toy Safety A Priority

The holiday season is an exciting time for children eager to play with new toys and games. Ensuring those gifts are safe can make for a healthy giving season. Follow these guidelines when gifting young kids:

· Always read labels to see if the toy is right for a child's age. Don't buy a toy that is too mature for a child even if you think it would be a big hit.

· Recognize choking hazards in toys, which may include marbles, small balls and uninflated balloons. Button batteries, which come in many electronics, can be a choking hazard and cause damage to intestines if swallowed.

· Inspect all toys for sharp edges or points. Even stuffed animals with internal wires can stab, cut or shock.

· Avoid toys that have parts that fly off, as they can injure the eyes or other parts of the body.

· Look for nontoxic labels on toys, including crayons, markers and other art supplies.

· Consider a gift recipient’s temperament and behavior before purchasing a toy. While one child may be mature enough to handle a toy, another of the same age may not be ready for it.

Gifts for school-aged children

School-aged children may not be so simple to shop for, as their interests are always evolving and they tend to outgrow toys as quickly as their growing bodies outgrow their clothes.

No two kids are the same, but these gift ideas can appeal to school-aged youngsters at a time in their lives when their curiosity is always piqued.

STEM gifts: “STEM” is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These academic disciplines have gained heightened importance over the last couple of decades, and many toy manufacturers now make products that reinforce STEM lessons kids learn in the classroom in a fun way. STEM-based toys are available for kids of all ages, including children who are still in diapers.

Nature-based gifts: From age-appropriate binoculars that encourage kids to explore natural settings to birdhouses and fairy gardens kids can build and paint in their favorite colours, shoppers can choose from a host of nature-based gifts that encourage kids to get away from their screens and enjoy the great outdoors.

Cookbooks: Cookbooks are another great gift for school-aged youngsters, who can learn a lot from pitching in at dinnertime. Children who cook with their parents can learn valuable lessons about nutrition and measuring ingredients can reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. Shoppers can choose from any number of cookbooks designed for kids, and even children as young as two can pitch in when baking cookies or preparing family meals.

Last minute gift ideas

Even thoose who start their shopping well in advance can find themselves scrambling for a last minute gift. Here are a few suggestions for last minute purchases:

Books

Board games: Board games remain a wonderful way for kids to learn and have fun doing it. Board games are made for kids of all ages, and they’re not just fun but also beneficial to early childhood development. For example, board games requiring strategy help the frontal lobes of the brain develop. Those lobes are responsible for planning, organizing and decision-making. Board games also provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together free from distractions.

Reasons to support small businesses

Here are several great reasons to shop at small businesses this holiday season and all year round:

• Not only will the small business appreciate your support but you will also feel good knowing you’ve helped a member of your community.

• Shopping at small businesses keeps those establishments afloat, and it also keeps their employees afloat. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals.

• National retailers and other businesses follow global business models that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve.

• Shopping at small businesses keeps more money in the community. It is estimated that $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

• Small businesses also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

Books are often overlooked, especially now that so many readers use e-readers. But books can be an ideal gift and especially convenient for last-minute shoppers, who can even gift e-books.

Experiences

Experience gifts open up a host of possibilities for last-minute shoppers stuck on what to give those loved ones who seemingly have it all. Tickets to sporting events and concerts can be easily purchased online, avoiding a mad dash to the store at the eleventh hour.

Food/beverage

When gifting the family foodie, last-minute shoppers may not need to look further than the latest hotspot restaurant or specialty grocery store for the perfect gift. The craft beer boom has created a host of devoted and knowledgeable beer drinkers, so a gift card or growler from a local craft brewery is sure to please people who love hoisting frosty pints.

Gift Cards

When all else fails, gift cards are a good choice because you can buy them at most retail locations, especially those that are open on Christmas Eve. And even if retails stores are closed, you can typically get gift cards at convenience stores and gas stations that are open late on Christmas Eve or even on Christmas Day.