April 18, 2018

Bike lane to park will require ‘property’

By Mike Thibodeau

Leamington Council is continuing to expand its marked bicycle lanes within the town, and at its April 9 meeting agreed to spend another $77,400 on that program. But councillors learned that connecting town bike paths to a very popular destination, Point Pelee National Park, will be a challenge.

The discussion on that route arose as Council approved a “functional design” contract to Dillon Consulting, which has been doing the work on the sewer and road projects on Point Pelee Dr.

That design only covers the bike path from the Sturgeon Creek bridge to Mersea Rd. 12.

Administrator Peter Neufeld told Council that it is anticipated the remaining distance will have to go “off-road” on properties on the north side of the road.

From Road 12 to the park gate the road is too narrow, said Neufeld.

He said the town will “really have something going when it can offer safe passage” for bikers and walkers right up to the park gate.

To build that path, he said the town will have to acquire property alongside the drain that accommodates farm properties to the north.

The Dillon contract was worth $100,000, of which $60,000 will be paid by the town and $40,000 by the County of Essex.

Those paths are not expected to be done until the final paving of the road in 2019.

Design studies were also approved for three other urban road bicycle lanes at a cost of $29,000, the town paying $17,400 and the County of Essex paying the remainder.

The county is involved through its County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), the effort to expand biking and hiking trails throughout the seven municipalities.

That contract went to RC Spencer which has already completed a number bike lanes here. The new lanes will go on: Talbot West from the trail to Albert St.; Talbot St. East from Victoria to County Rd. 33; and along Seacliff Dr. from Erie to Branton Dr.

Broncos tribute on display at LKRC

By Bryan Jessop

A local connection to the Saskatchewan junior hockey team devastated by a highway collision has allowed for a fitting tribute to those affected by the tragedy.

Leamington resident Kevin O’Neil, a former member of the board of directors and assistant trainer for the Humboldt Broncos, has made arrangements to have memorabilia he collected as a representative of the team placed on display in one of the trophy cases along the south wall of the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex main lobby. Items include a team jacket, jersey, pucks and banners O’Neil acquired while he served with the team for about six years from the late 1970s to mid 1980s.

The Friday, Apr. 6 crash involving the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team’s bus and a transport that claimed 16 lives of players and support staff has triggered an outpouring of sorrow across the country, but has had a particularly strong affect on the O’Neils.

“This has been a very sad week for us,” said Kevin. “The community of Humboldt will always be special to me. They welcomed us with open arms. The people there are so warm and friendly.”

O’Neil, originally from Windsor, arrived in Humboldt for his first posting as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in 1978. As an avid sports fanatic, it didn’t take him long to gravitate towards Humboldt’s Elgar Petersen Arena and become a fan of local teams. With his wife Judy quick to take on a job at the local credit union, Kevin soon joined the Broncos as a member of its board of directors.

“The RCMP always liked its officers to become involved in their communities,” he explained.

In the early 1980s, the Broncos brought aboard a new coach whom O’Neil explained set out to build a tough, physical team. To assist with that objective, the born and raised Windsorite — along with his RCMP partner Ian McLean who originally hailed from Alberta — established a dry land training regime for players similar to the program organized for RCMP officers.

“It was an unusual thing to do at the time,” O’Neil explained. “The players had no idea how strong they had become from it, but they saw the benefits — they became a strong team from the start to the end of every game.”

During his tenure with the Broncos, O’Neil also submitted game reports to the Humboldt Journal and recorded statistics for the team’s coaching staff.

“People don’t understand how important junior hockey is to a lot of towns across the country,” he noted. “Here, we have professional hockey, baseball and football teams that aren’t too far away and we take it for granted. In Saskatchewan, we had two TV channels and a lot of people in agriculture with no farming to do in the winter. They spend a lot of time at the local rink. For many, it’s hard to understand how devastating something like this is for the entire community.”

After about six-and-a-half years in Humboldt — where Kevin and Judy’s children Stephen and Kristine were born — Kevin received an RCMP transfer to Broadview, Sask., about 340 km southeast of Humboldt and 120 km west of the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border. He remained stationed there for about three years before his family moved back to Essex County, (Continued on Page 8)

Leamington resident Kevin O’Neil reads through some of the messages left by Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex visitors on a registry provided by Reid Funeral Home. The registry was set up as part of a display in the LKRC’s main lobby featuring memorabilia O’Neil collected while serving on the board of directors and as an assistant trainer with the Humboldt Broncos from the late 1970s to mid 1980s.

(SUN Photo)

Toastmasters arrive in Leamington

By Bryan Jessop

A small group is hoping to become more vocal in becoming the latest talk of the town.

The Erie Shores Toastmasters, in a drive to garner chartered status with Toastmasters International, is hosting an open house at its new site in the Theatre/Chapel room at Seacliff Manor. Located at 30 Seacliff Dr. East, the open house will begin at 6 p.m., April 18 and welcome all residents interested in joining the club, which launched in May of last year.

With branches located in communities across the globe, Toastmasters International was established to foster development and growth in oral communication and leadership abilities among its members. The organization sets out to better prepare and improve each individual’s ability to conduct verbal presentations in a wide assortment of public speaking scenarios from school projects and business meetings to job interviews and sales pitches. In order to achieve chartered status with Toastmasters International, each branch must establish a minimum of 20 members. Currently, the Erie Shores club includes a dozen members hailing from Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley areas. With the nearest branches in Tecumseh and LaSalle, the Erie Shores group could serve the geographical zone including the eastern half of Essex County and the western portion of Chatham-Kent.

“The main reason we’ve put this together is that we saw the need. It would be nice to bring the experience closer to home.”

— Jeff Hagan

The local group was launched in a combined effort from members including current president Jeff Hagan, vice presi-

dent of public relations Diane Malefant, Leamington Rotary Club president Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli, Rose and Ed Roach and Darla Delaire. The club began meeting at Insight Advantage classrooms in Leamington and Chatham before relocating to the Leamington branch of the Essex County Public Library. The open house at Seacliff Manor’s Theatre/ Chapel room will be the first event at its newest location.

The local organization meets every other Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. — at Seacliff Manor since a member was recently approached with the offer by the local retirement living facility — with guests welcomed to attend provided they arrive 15 minutes early. Members must be at least 18 years of age, although younger residents are welcome to attend as guests. Erie Shores Toastmasters is hoping to attract 20 to 30 guests for its open house and from there draw closer to the 20 members required to charter with Toastmasters International.

“We’ve been getting a lot of interest,” said Hagan, who has been a Toastmaster since 2008. “The main reason we’ve put this together is that we saw the need. It would be nice to bring the experience closer to home. I’ve seen the positive effect elsewhere and wanted to bring it to Leamington.”

About 10 years ago, Hagan — a civil engineer — joined a corporate Toastmasters Club in Toronto while living in the provincial capital. He joined the Windsor branch in 2012 after moving to Essex County and becoming a policy analyst with the City of Windsor.

New Toastmaster members pay a $30 entry fee and renewal dues of $70 each six months. At Erie Shores, those fees will cover members until six months after it reaches chartered status. From there, members will be able to run for district office and enter competitions.

Although preparing members for pre-planned public oral presentations at meetings is the primary role of Toastmasters, the development process is customizable for each individual. During meetings, members take turns delivering speeches to their cohorts, after which point pre-assigned evaluators discuss their strengths and suggestions for improvement based on vocabulary, grammar and other elements of their presentations. Toastmaster branches also of-

fer impromptu or ‘off the cuff’ opportunities to speak for one to two minutes on various subjects dubbed ‘table topics.’

“It’s not just about speeches,” noted Hagan. “We can help with job interview skills, sales, interaction with the media or in leadership roles with churches or other volunteer-based clubs.”

For more information on the Erie Shores Toastmasters, visit the organization’s website at www.erieshores.toastmastersclubs.org.

Rose Marie Roach delivers a speech during a recent meeting with the Erie Shores Toastmasters in preparation for a cooking demonstration. The new organization is hosting an Open House at its new location in the theatre/chapel room of Seacliff Manor at 30 Seacliff Drive East on Wednesday, Apr. 18 at 6 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Diane Malenfant)

Migrant Worker Community Program Health and Information Fair this Sunday

The Migrant Worker Community Program will be holding its annual Health and Information Fair at the Roma Club in Leamington on Sunday, April 22 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

This is a free event for the migrant workers and the public, thanks to the sponsorship of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, the Rotary Club, the Municipalities of Leamington and Kingsville, and the Roma Club.

health & INFORMATION FAIR

The goal is to provide migrant workers and the public in general with an increase in health awareness by providing health screening, activities, materials, demonstrations and information to motivate participants to make positive health behaviour changes.

This event will have representation from walk-in clinics, community businesses, tax preparation, legal aid, the Ministry of Labour and the Mexican Consulate.

A nurse practitioner from the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre will be attending the event and will provide primary health care. The Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre will also perform blood pressure and blood glucose tests. An optometrist, a foot care specialist, the Victorian Order of Nurses from Ontario, and representatives from the Windsor Essex Health Unit will also be present.

This is a free event open to anyone that is looking for information about health and wellness in the Essex County area.

The Migrant Worker Community Program provides social, cultural and recreational events, as well as translation and liaison services to the agricultural migrant workers who live and work in the local communities.

Price not lone factor in computer purchase

By Mike Thibodeau

Leamington Council has agreed to purchase new computers, over 100 units, including desktops, laptops and tablets, for about $148,000.

That was the bid from Advanced Business Solutions of Windsor, one of 10, Council learned at its meeting on April 9.

But they learned that awarding the contract to Advanced wasn’t simply a matter of a low price.

Technology director David DelCiancio told Council that several factors are included in making a decision of which computer system to purchase.

“Price is just one factor, it does not give a true picture of what meets all the specifications,” he said.

He was responding to a

query from Councillor John Jacobs who wanted to see the prices from the 10 submissions. In a report, DelCiancio said there were four criteria used to determine the final choice.

From a price point of view, DelCiancio said the bid from Advance, was only “in the middle of the pack.”

In its budget, Council had approved spending $170,000 on new computers this year.

For the old computers, DelCiancio said the recommendation is they be donated to local schools and charities

as well as some sold to staff, after licenced programs and other municipal data has been removed.

High winds, heavy rainfall wreak havoc from Wheatley to Kingsville

The Essex Region Conservation Authority released a flood warning due to the winds out of the west at 25-35 KM/HR, with gusts exceeding 45-55 kilometers per hour.

The FLOOD WARNING was in effect for the Municipality of Leamington, all areas west of Point Pelee National Park, and for the west coast shoreline of Pelee Island. The West Shore Road of Pelee Island was closed due to flooding, shoreline erosion and damaging waves

“Fire and Rescue, OPP, Drainage Staff, and Public Works staff have been out there all weekend. Our CAO, myself and our Director of Infrastructure have been there and now our building department staff are going property to property to access damage to submit to the Province for disaster relief consideration. Public Works will be doing road cleanup as soon as the water recedes. We have been in contact all day with the Ministry Housing on the matter. Our MPP Rick Nichols has already spoken to the Minister of Housing on our behalf and the same has taken place at the Federal level with our MP Dave Vankesteren. ERCA notified everyone through every type of media available of the probability of the flood situation. Every step that could have been taken has been taken and now we are in the damage assessment phase. If there are still some unknown emergency situations out there I would ask people to contact our emergency services at the Fire Department.”

- Mayor John Paterson, Municipality of Leamington.

Cedar Beach, Kingsville area

Pulley Road being hit by waves on Sunday, April 15.

Wheatley Harbour on Sunday afternoon, April 15. The gazebo was toppled by that night.

Water surrounds the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park.

RIB’S RAMBLINGS

Mark Ribble

The power of our lake

We took a drive to Wheatley Harbour on Sunday to watch the massive waves smashing against the breakwall.

That pile of rocks designed to protect the harbour from such waves was fighting a losing battle. Looking down the shoreline along Pulley Road, the giant waves were taking liberties with the homes along the coastline.

The storm that hit last weekend was a doozy.

I guess we were lucky we didn’t get the widespread ice and freezing rain they got further east and north, but I feel bad for property owners along the shoreline down there.

I remember driving through that area in the 1970s with my dad after a couple of particularly bad storms hit and flooded Coterie Park.

It was bad, and although I haven’t been down there this week, I suspect it’s just as bad again.

Over at Cedar Island on the Kingsville side of the point, they had equally bad flooding. I remember going through that area in the mid-80s when they had a massive flood in the springtime.

I had been working in the real estate business a couple years before that and had sold a property along Heritage Road right in that area. I recall driving by that property and seeing what had been a nice little property flooded beyond belief. The creek had risen up behind them and completely covered the yard and likely ruined the interior of an otherwise nice place.

Mother Nature can be a savage beast and Lake Erie can be equally as savage.

Spring storms are nothing new on our beloved lake.

The old Point Pelee Lifesaving Station was manned on a regular basis because of the amount of vessels that got in trouble in bad weather.

It was established in 1902, before the point became a national park, under the direction of Coxswain Lewis Wilkinson. Wilkinson was credited with saving no less than 376 lives during a 26-year stint.

Of course, Captain Jimmy Grubb inherited that post after Wilkinson’s retirement and made many remarkable rescues on the lake.

New navigation equipment, maps, GPS and other technology make shipwrecks on Erie pretty much obsolete nowadays, but it doesn’t make the lake any less dangerous when she’s angry.

I noticed on Sunday that the lake freighters were sitting tight on the west side of the point and were quite visible off the Leamington shoreline, anxiously awaiting safer waters.

I suppose in the old days, those ships would just carry on, hoping for calmer waters as they navigated the Pelee Passage, only to meet their demise in Pigeon Bay.

As a kid who grew up inside Point Pelee, I saw many a storm on that lake. My dad was a commercial fisherman and his crew battled lots of waves.

Before I was born, my dad was involved in a rescue off the Pelee beach which saw him swim out to a floundering fishing tug from Kingsville and help two fishermen back to shore and get them to the hospital. This was during an April storm and the ice was everywhere, according to the story my mother told years later. It always made me thankful that my father, who wasn’t a strong swimmer at all, made it home safely that night. Otherwise, I would not be writing this today.

We are fortunate to live in an area where we are pretty much free from earthquakes, hurricanes and forest fires. We have such a beautiful lake that we’ve always been able to count on for fishing and recreation. It’s part of our lives and living near the lake comes with its benefits.

We found out on the weekend that old Lake Erie can also be violent. Let’s hope she will calm down for the rest of the year.

Winery tours: some basic questions while sampling the region’s bounty

LET’S WINE TOGETHER

Carmen Danner

As we embark on a new year and look forward to a fresh new season in the wineries, many of you are probably already planning your first visit of the year to one of our amazing local wineries. To get you ready for the experience –whether it’s your first ever visit to a winery or just your first visit for this year – here are some basic questions you may wish to ask while sampling the region’s bounty. What grape(s) do you grow here, why did you choose them, and which ones did you use to make this wine? While every winery in our area grows the same reliable “go-to” grapes such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, they also grow any number of grapes that may be unique to them or just particularly well-suited to the region. Is this wine a blend or a single-varietal? For the most part, if the label reads “Riesling” or “Pinot Noir”, for example, then what you’re tasting is probably 100% that grape. If the label has a catchy name like Lady in Red, Wowza, Posh Cuvée, Pier 41, Touché, Amarouge, etc., then you’re likely tasting a blend – and it can be fun to find out what that blend is and why the grapes were chosen.

Was this wine fermented in oak or stainless steel? Some wineries go heavier on their

approach to oak than others, and you can bet the wine maker has a good reason for doing so. Why not expand your wine knowledge – even if it’s just for your personal information – and try to get inside the winemaker’s mind? What food would you serve this wine with? If you want to have a fun game with your fellow tasters, ask them what they think they would serve the wine with. This can be a lot of fun, believe me, and even more so when you compare answers with those of the person who’s leading your tasting because they’ll give it to you from the winemaker’s point of view. How close did you get to their recommendation?

How long can this wine sit or age? If you’re interested in wine as an investment or actually have a wine cellar to stock, this is an important question to ask as there are a number of factors – which I’ve covered in previous articles – that can affect how long any wine should be aged before it reaches its peak or before it crosses the line and you won’t likely want to drink it anymore.

This is of course just a starting-off point for your questions. Take it from someone who has been on the other side of the tasting bar… there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to tasting wine.

Please help keep this column current and relevant. Let me know what you would like to hear about and submit your questions to me at csfdanner@gmail.com or on Twitter @gr8grapz.

Vehicle idling: harming our health, our wealth and our planet

In recognition of Earth Day this month, members of the Leamington District Secondary School EcoTeam will be reporting on local environmental issues that have a global impact. This week, Grade 12 Minister of the Environment Elle Dresser is reporting on idling.

By Elle Dresser, Gr. 12, LDSS

Idling, or leaving your vehicle running while stopped is a significant environmental issue. Last year we noticed a number of parents idling at our school while waiting to pick up students. We thought that the problem might be even worse at local elementary schools so we collaborated to collect data.

On a beautiful spring day, our student researchers found that 62% of waiting parents were idling for 20 minutes or more, some for as long as 30 minutes. The situation was worse than we expected. Our EcoTeam decided to create an educational campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of idling on our health, our finances and our environment.

Idling vehicles emit harmful substances, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, ground level ozone and particulate matter. The Ontario Medical Association reports that vehicle emissions are linked to smog, respiratory disorders, heart disease and impairment of the immune system.

The most recent Air Quality Report for Ontario, published in 2015, revealed that the Windsor region ranks among the worst locations in the province for almost every indicator of air quality. Every year, poor air quality in Essex County results in an estimated 260 premature deaths, 900 hospital admissions and 2,750 emergency room visits.

Children are at a greater risk from exposure to vehicle emissions because they breathe at a faster rate and inhale more air per kilogram body weight compared to adults.

Of course idling wastes fuel and gasoline is expensive. Did you know that it also damages your engine? In January 2016, Business Insider magazine revealed that idling damages cylinders, fuel injectors and pistons, which can lead to expensive engine repairs and reduce the life of your vehicle.

Idling is also unnecessary. Idling your vehicle for more than 10 seconds wastes more fuel than shutting it off and restarting it. In the November 2017 issue of Popular Mechanics, drivers were advised that the best way to warm up a vehicle, even in the winter, is simply to drive it.

As a group of environmental advocates, our EcoTeam was concerned primarily with the effect of idling on our environment. We learned that the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen in vehicle emissions combine with water in the atmosphere and return as acid precipitation. When it returns to the Earth, acid precipitation can damage plants, buildings and monuments, soil and aquatic ecosystems.

Of course acid rain isn’t our only environmental concern. This month, NASA published a report stating that 97% of climate scientists agree that the Earth’s climate is warming and that this is due to human activities. As we learn in our Chemistry lessons, the combustion of a fuel results in the production of carbon dioxide and water vapour, which are both greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In fact, transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gases in Canada.

Burning a fuel in the engine of a vehicle that isn’t even moving makes it 0% efficient. This is both wasteful and harmful. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, if Canadian drivers reduced idling by just three minutes every day, we could prevent more than 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. That’s the equivalent of tak-

ing 320,000 cars off the road!

The Ministry of Natural Resources recommends idling be limited to no more than one minute. Toronto, Cambridge and Burlington are just a few examples of the many Ontario municipalities that have imposed a 1 minute idling limit. Of course there are exceptions for emergency vehicles and in unavoidable situations, but enforcement of idling by-laws has reduced the practice significantly in these communities. It can also save the municipality some money. In 2005, the city of

‘Quality of life’ a major plus, says development manager

By Mike Thibodeau

If there is any particular lure that Leamington can outshine other areas it is the “quality of life.”

That’s the quick summary from James Cox, the town’s manager of economic development, tourism and special events.

The question was put to Cox at the April 9 council session by Deputy-Mayor Hilda MacDonald.

As a newcomer, she feels Cox could provide a perspective to “see where we are lacking.”

“We can market that,” said Cox, adding that the town is ideally situated being close to the border and large centres.

Cox, on the job for a year, was providing council with an update on his office.

“It has a primary focus on business retention and expansion,” said Cox, in his report that outlines a number of strategies with two coming in for praise from councillors.

One would see his office help new businesses” go through the required processes.

“That would be invaluable to them,” said Councillor John Hammond.

A second would be the expansion of data pertaining to Leamington, even more detailed then what Stats Canada provides now.

Cox said that tourism is the “second largest sector of the local economy” and that includes an emerging “culinary” factor. We have to “develop that strength... there are a lot of good restaurants here.”

Cox also told council that the Community Improvement Program (CIP) ends this year but a new one will be launched in 2019. Through it, property owners could get help funding improvement efforts.

The goal is to make funding “easier to access and results in tangible, visible improvement to the uptown.”

Hamilton saved $300,000 in fuel costs and 720 tonnes of greenhouse gases by reducing idling of municipal vehicles alone. Now that the policy is fully enforced, it is estimated that the Municipality itself will save $2-million to $3-million each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,800 tonnes. We hope that the Municipality of Leamington will consider implementing an idling by-law in the near future.

In the meantime, we will continue with our educational campaign. To help share our research, EcoTeam members created informational post cards to give to parents if we notice them idling at our school. We have shared the postcards with local elementary schools so that their EcoTeams can help reduce idling too, and we have included our “Why Stop Idling?” postcard for you to cut out and keep in your vehicle. We have found that when people learn more about an environmental issue, they usually choose to do the right thing. Now that you know more about the negative impacts of idling, we hope that you will change your habits too. Stop warming up your vehicle unnecessarily, shut off your engine when you expect to idle for more than 10 seconds, avoid drive-thrus whenever possible, and share what you’ve learned with others. Our health, our wealth and our planet depend on it

Elle Dresser

Leamington’s lighthouse a shoreline beacon for over 40 years

A WALK THROUGH TIME

C. Scott Holland

When Leamington became recognized as a village, four docks dotted the landscape along the shores of Lake Erie, and by 1880 there were three of them within a short distance at the foot of Erie Street.

The need for a lighthouse was obvious and Canadian Parliament appropriated $1,000 for the construction of a lighthouse at Leamington in 1879. The following year, Peter Williams constructed a pyramidal tower at a contract price of $794.

Initially, the Leamington Lighthouse displayed a fixed white (catoptric) light at an elevation of 48 feet above the high-water mark and the light it cast could be seen for 12 miles in clear weather.

Joshua Lamarsh was hired to serve as its first keeper at an annual salary of $150. But keeper Lamarsh resigned after three years and he was replaced by Forest H.C. Conover, who owned the land on which the lighthouse sat. Conover remained its keeper until the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1923. The nearby streets of “Forest” and “Conover” are named in his honour.

The light at Leamington was improved at the opening of navigation in 1915 by substituting a fourth-order lens for the catoptric illuminating apparatus formerly used in the lantern room. In 1919, keeper Conover was provided a hand-operated foghorn that was to be used to answer signals from steamers in the vicinity of the wharf during thick, inclement weather.

In late June 1923, a fourth-order flashing, white electric light was established atop a pole at the end of the government pier, and Leamington Lighthouse and the hand-operated foghorn were discontinued. With his services no longer needed, keeper Conover retired from light-keeping at the age of 67.

The abandoned lighthouse and surrounding land were sold to Elmer Wallace Luford of Walkerville, Ontario, in 1928. Shortly after, the property began to be used as a campground where vacationers and locals could spend some time by the lakeshore. Later, semi-permanent cabins were built, replacing some of the tents that were commonly used. Around 1930 the lighthouse was repositioned to the location (18 Park St.) where it now stands.

In 1947 the lighthouse property was sold to a group of Americans and Canadians who became known as “The Lighthouse Club”. At this time the club’s property entailed 64 modest cabins located between those on the hill near the lighthouse and those along the beach. The lighthouse was also moved from its original location to avoid shoreline erosion.

In the early morning hours of June 6, 2010, an F1 tornado touched down in Leamington causing widespread destruction. Some cabins were damaged beyond repair, but the lighthouse escaped without significant damage.

The Lighthouse Club has owned the structure for the last 70 years and has transformed it into restrooms for the community, while a clubhouse has been erected adjacent to it.

One can only imagine the stories that the two lighthouse keepers, Joshua Lamarsh (18801883) and Forest H.C. Conover (1883-1923), had to tell of their experiences.

A recent view of some of the Lighthouse Club properties along the shoreline cottages. The club has owned the lighthouse and many of the surrounding properties since 1947. (Photos courtesy of the C. Scott Holland collection)

This photo circa 1900 shows two of Leamington’s Lake Erie landmarks. The Leamington lighthouse is seen to the left of Brown’s Ice House. The ice house stood until the late 1950s and was used for storing blocks of ice for use by businesses and homeowners because refrigerators weren’t popular until the 1950s. The photo shows the lighthouse original location on the cliff overlooking Lake Erie. It was erected in 1880 and served as a beacon until 1929 when it was decommissioned.

This snapshot shows the Leamington lighthouse circa 1915 when its light apparatus was upgraded. Of particular note is the amount of open space around it and the fence surrounding the structure. Further upgrades occurred in 1923. Only two men – Joshua Lamarsh and Forest Conover – were lighthouse keepers. Conover served as its keeper for 46 years of its 49 years in use.

The Leamington Lighthouse as seen at its 18 Park St. location in more recent years. It was privately purchased in 1930 and subsequently moved back away from the cliff’s edge. The Lighthouse Club was a group of American and Canadian cottage owners who had at one time owned 69 cabins built in the area between the beach and around the lighthouse.

NCA raises $70,000 at Spring Bling Gala

By Pat Bailey

The Neighbourhood Charitable Alliance was founded in 2012, raising over $270,000 to assist local residents in their time of financial need.

Saturday night, April 7, the group hosted its major fundraiser, the Spring Bling Gala, at Lakeside Park Pavilion. Over 300 guests turned out to support the group’s efforts. The evening included dinner, drinks, entertainment and an auction.

The evening raised an estimated $70,000 and the winner of the $6,500 grand prize was Dennis Rogers.

Volunteers lead in the fight against cancer

April is Daffodil Month and during National Volunteer Week the Canadian Cancer Society Chatham-Kent Community Office would like to thank the many Society volunteers who lead in the fight against cancer. Volunteers are at the centre of all we do! Together we’re fighting back to achieve our mission.

Society volunteers are working in all capacities across Ontario to help ease the burden of cancer – from raising funds for life-saving cancer research to offering caring support to people living with cancer to advocating for healthy public policy to administrative support in our local offices.

Here’s just a few ways they’re helping people in our community:

• Wheels of Hope Transportation volunteers drive patients to and from cancer-related appointments.

• Peer support volunteers share their cancer experiences with others through one-toone and online support programs.

• Volunteers offer support to people living with cancer.

• Volunteers provide leadership and administrative assistance to the local office.

• Volunteers promote healthy living and cancer risk reduction by distributing our materials and educating others.

• Volunteers advocate for healthy public policy.

Society volunteers have integrity, they are caring, they have courage and they are progressive. These values are at the core of everything they do.

Cancer changes everything. So can you.

– With thanks and appreciation, Cindy Vinall, Senior Manager, Community Offices, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario

WonderBroads hosting open house

A wellness opportunity for breast cancer survivors

Your breast cancer treatment is finished. The next step is regaining your confidence, your strength and trust in your body. The perfect way to do this is paddling in a dragon boat with the WonderBroads!

The WonderBroads, the community’s breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, is hosting an Open House on Saturday, May 12 from 12-noon until 2 p.m. at the pavilion at the Sandbar Marina, 930 Old Tecumseh Rd., Puce. Everyone is welcome. No experience or commitment is required.

The WonderBroads paddle for fun, exercise and to increase awareness about breast cancer and the proven benefits of dragon boat racing for all breast cancer survivors. Interested participants are asked to RSVP to Jennifer Fraser at 519-326-4998.

The Neighbourhood Charitable Alliance board worked tirelessly to ensure the success of its Spring Bling Gala. Back row: Shawn Chapman, Carrie Pinard, David Halliwill, Matt Isaccs, Kim Lewis, Harold Konrad, Tim Dobson and Ian Murray. Seated: Linda Jeffery and Gloria Cavenago.

There were several local people on hand to lend their support to the Neighbourhood Charitable Alliance at its major fundraiser, Spring Bling 2018 Gala. They included, left to right, John Cervini, Deeanne Cervini, Reiner Neumann, Lisa Neumann, Billie Stapleton and Dr. Robert Stapleton.

The Spring Bling Gala was a family affair for the Jones family.

Pictured at left are Mike and Debbie Jones with Jenna Jones and her fiancé Cole Hicks.

Broncos tribute on display at LKRC

(Continued from Front)

where Kevin took on a job with the Mersea Township Police in 1987. Before the move back to Ontario, however, he was able to witness what became one of his fondest memories in Saskatchewan — watching the Broncos win a Game 7 league championship after a fourhour drive to see the game. More recently, since the CJHL’s national Centennial Cup was replaced by the RBC Cup in 1997, the Broncos won two Canada-wide Tier II Junior A titles in 2003 and 2008.

“There have been a lot of great players come out of Humboldt,” said O’Neil, noting that in one particular season, five Broncos were offered scholarships to play with then hockey powerhouse Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. “They’re a very dedicated group. I was with them on some of those bus trips; they’re nothing like the ones around here. A game against the Flin Flon Bombers would be a 12-hour (round trip) ride. They were cold rides, too. After bringing that sweaty equipment back to the arena, it was all frozen solid.”

O’Neil recalled living in Saskatchewan in 1986 when a bus crash involving with Swift Current Broncos caused four fatalities.

“You hate to see tragedies like this,” he said. “It’s so sad — nobody’s life should be lost doing something that they love. The one positive thing this has caused is that it has brought our country together. It’s made a lot of people realize how precious life is and helped people sort out their own priorities.”

Shortly after the collision involving the Broncos’ team bus, O’Neil approached LKRC membership services and marketing supervisor Geoff Stephenson and manager of recreation Terry Symons with the proposal to set up a display. Staff at the LKRC completed the arrangement on the morning of Thursday, Apr. 12 in one of the lobby showcases, where it will stay for the next few weeks. Alongside the display, a registry has been set up by Reid Funeral Home inviting visitors to the Complex to sign their names and messages to the residents of Humboldt. Once the pages have been filled, the book will be mailed to the Broncos’ home town — slightly smaller than urban Kingsville — located about 110 km east of Saskatoon.

“The community of Humboldt will always be special to me. They welcomed us with open arms.”

— Kevin O’Neil

“The Go Fund Me account is a great idea, but a lot of people can’t afford to give money,” O’Neil explained. “This is a way they can still offer their support and respect.”

“The second we put that book out, people started signing it,” said Stephenson. “For being such a big hockey community ourselves, it makes sense.”

Festival of Cartoons presented at Gore Hill

Ms. Sales Grade 5 class at Gore Hill Public School hosted a Festival of Cartoons where students shared the secret education behind some beloved cartoon characters. Messages that contained stereotypes about gender roles, lifestyles, dress and other behaviours were discovered by attendees.

Topics included Disney’s portrayal of “helpless” women and males as their “rescuers”, stereotypes in cartoons in the presentation “Scooby Doo What’s Wrong With You”, and “What’s Wrong With Poppeye” regarding hidden facts behind the character such as violence, sexism and racism.

funding

The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has announced that a total of up to $7,000 in scholarship funding is now available for students planning to pursue their post-secondary education in varied fields of study. The funding is available through scholarship funds that have been set up at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and include: Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund; Gale and Irene (Knister) Taylor Scholarship Fund; Harding Electric/Morris and Ruth Harding Memorial Endowment Fund; and Father Matt Sheedy Scholarship Fund.

“We are proud to be able to grant scholarships to eligible students pursuing their dreams by furthering their education at the postsecondary level,” said Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WECF. “Through its grant-making activities the WECF is able to establish partnerships that not only assist a broad range of community organizations, but also have a positive impact on the future of youth in our communities.”

For further details visit www.wecf.ca

Rylee Gillett shares the hidden facts behind the character Popeye. (Submitted Photo)

Security ONE team

Staff at Will Insurance Brokers

Staff at Municipality of Leamington

Staff at Nature Fresh show off their jerseys

Staff at Erie Shores HealthCare

Staff at Southpoint Lally Ford

Showing their respect

Colasanti’s showing support (More

Black Bear Farms awarded 10 medals

By Pat Bailey

William Rondelez is not your typical winemaker. In fact, he’s not a wine drinker, has no formal education or training in winemaking, and doesn’t include grapes when making his wine.

Instead Rondelez, the owner of Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery in Kingsville, more or less discovered his passion for winemaking quite accidentally.

As a fruit grower since 1992, Rondelez said he attended a fruit growers meeting in the Niagara area and then made a day trip to New York. He said it was there that a speaker from Cornell University piqued his interest during a discussion of strawberries and wine.

That Christmas, Rondelez said he received his first wine kit.

$10,000 Boost For The Bank Theatre

Hicks, MacPherson, Iatonna & Driedger LLP donated $10,000 to The Bank Theatre members who were presented with a cheque at the Municipality of Leamington building, April 10, 2018. Multiple donations of varying amounts coming in over the last few days, combined with Hicks, MacPherson, Iatonna & Driedger’s contribution, raised the curtain for The Bank Theatre another $25,000! As of April 17th The Bank Theatre has reached $350,000 in the matching fund campaign with the Municipality of Leamington which is capped at $400,000. Deadline to donate and double your donation to the campaign is April 23. From left to right are: Helen Huebert (bookkeeper, The Bank Theatre), Tyler

And in 2002 he began experimenting with the different berries grown on the family farm on County Road 20. The result? A fruit wine made from raspberries.

Ursula Tiessen (president, The Bank Theatre), Heather MacPherson

Tim Driedger (HMID LLP).

and varietal character.

Five years later Rondelez got his licence to produce wine, and within a year he had already earned his first medals for his winemaking efforts.

He has never looked back.

So far, competing against others in the fruit wine category, Rondelez has brought home over 100 medals.

Competing in the All Canadians and the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in New York most recently, Rondelez came away with 10 medals.

The competition, which includes 24 countries, 6 provinces and all 50 states, included nearly 4,000 wines which were judged by 73 judges based on the wines’ presence, balance

Rondelez said he was satisfied with the results but was hoping to repeat and bring home a medal for each of the 12 wines he entered, as he has in the past.

Although he admits he’s not really a fan of the taste of wine, he said he relies on family and guests of the winery to taste-test his concoctions and give him their opinions. “If I get a good result,” said Rondelez, “I go ahead with the blend.”

He admits some of his blends have been nothing more “than just a cleaning out of the freezer”.

Yet his success is evident, with a collection of medals on display in the quaint retail shop.

A rather small ‘but not too small’ operation, according to Rondelez, the winery includes sister Michelle and mom and dad, Madeline and Jerome.

While they don’t offer tours per se, Rondelez said he hosts groups of 1-110 people.

Black Bear bottled 18,000 litres of wine in 2017, and for Rondelez it is a real labour of love.

“I love making the wine and meeting people from all over the world,” he said.

William Rondelez of Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery in Kingsville shows off his latest 10 award-winning fruit wines.

Hicks (HMID LLP), Lindsay Iatonna (HMID LLP),

(HMID LLP), Ashley Meyer (HMID LLP),

(Submitted photo)

Work to begin on new floor

WHEATLEY LEGION NEWS BRANCH 324

Jan Watson

Patricia Suy, Velma Hope and Larry Evoy, with 5 wins, led the 24 players who shot Fun Darts on April 6 at Wheatley Legion. There was a four-way tie of 4 wins among Nikole Clements, Angie Imeson and Richard Howe – Marcelle Chittle, Sherry Decaluwe and Doug Seili – Kim Bruner, Julie Reid and Mike Simpson – April Simpson, Arnold Seili and Jim McClellan. Also tied, with 3 wins, were Debbie Ouellette, Mary Robinson and Steve Clements – Tracey Bruner, Tim Moore and Garry Hope. Rosemary Duquette, Bonnie Evoy and Gord Crook snuck past the skunk with one win. Lady doublers were Patricia, Velma, Nikole, Sherry, Julie and Debbie.

Julie Reid won 3 times at the Meat Draws that were run by Claudette Sykes on April 7. Judy Pickle won twice and single winners were Jenine Howe, Gloria Sheldon, Doug Miller, Mary Robinson, Jamie Sue Sykes and Jerry Sovie. Wayne Wright won the 50/50 draw.

Everyone is welcome at the Meat Draws on Saturday afternoons. Tickets go on sale at 3 p.m. and the draws run from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Stop in for lunch on Wednesday. Chili dogs and chips are on the menu for only $6 per person. Everyone is welcome.

Many thanks to a phone call from Sharon Fewster. I learned that the Foot Care Clinics phone number has been changed. The new number is 519-564-0935. The clinics are for eligible seniors in the Wheatley 825 phone area and are held on Tuesdays at the Meadows of Wheatley.

As I write this news with a northeast wind pounding the lake bank, rain water threatening to flood my screened-in porch and large downed tree limbs decorating my yard,. it’s hard to imagine golfing in the near future. Hopefully that will change by the time of the Zone Golf Tournament on May 12. You must sign up on the sports bulletin board by Friday April 27 in one of 4 categories – Women’s, Super

Daffodil Days: Hope Blooms

With the high rate of cancers among firefighters, Canadian Cancer Society representatives Cindy Vinall and Kelly O’Rourke visited the Kingsville Fire Department last week to help kick off Daffodil Month by pinning daffodils on the local firefighters. Pictured, Vinall, senior manager of community offices for the Canadian Cancer Society, pins a daffodil on Kingsville Fire Chief Chuck Parsons, in support of all of those Canadians living with cancer.

(SUN photo)

Seniors 70+, Seniors 55-69, or Regular.

Thanks to the great response for donations, work will begin on the Branch’s new flooring on Saturday night April 28. While this work is being completed the open hours will not be interrupted as the bar will be in full service upstairs. Quilters… sign up for the “Quilts of Valour” group. They will meet the first Saturday of each month as long as the upstairs hall is available. You need only a sewing machine and your lunch. If you don’t have a sewing machine, one will be provided. Call Sony 519-354-8760 or 226-350-7794. Donations of 100% cotton, cotton or poly/cotton batting and thread are being accepted at the Branch. In the words of one veteran… “That quilt brought a new healing for me. I wish I could explain how deeply the gift touched me. Those who put their hearts and hands into this I cannot thank you enough.”

ECLECTIC PERSONAS: Gerry Lawhead, April 3 - June 30

publicSUBMISSIONS+EVENTS

PELEE 100 Student Art Show

In celebration of Point Pelee National Park’s 100th anniversary in 2018, Point Pelee Citizen Advisory Commitee invites students to participate in the Point Pelee 100 Student Art Show. Join the park as it celebrates the rich natural and cultural heritage that makes it so unique and looks to shaping the spirit of community and conservation in the future. All artwork MUST be in the following categories and themes: Grades 1-4: Conservation, Grades 5-8: Community, Grades: 9-12: Looking to the Future. ONLY DRAWING media (coloured pencil, wax crayon, graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, pastel, etc) will be accepted and they MUST be on 11×17” paper. Amazing Prizes & Awards! Deadline to Enter: April 28, 5pm SPRING STUDIO CLEAR

OUT SHOW

Artists, this is your chance to clear out that packed studio to make room for new work! Do you have old artwork that has been around for years, work that your are tired of shuffling around to make space in your studio? Don’t hold on to it any longer… the spring studio clear out exhibit has low entry fees so you can enter a lot work and get back that studio space you need! Deadline to Enter: Sat April 28, 5pm

LEAMINGTON FLOCK FEST: Nesting

The Leamington Flock Fest is an annual arts event which brings the community together to embrace the arts. The Flock Fest is an exhibition of work representing the journey of creative exploration, connecting and soring past our personal limits. It is an exhibit of new, inspirational and stimulating artwork that highlights artist’s feats and flights through the thrills of personal and spiritutal migration and growth. The theme of this year’s exhibit is “Nesting.” Artists may be inspired by an actual nest but artists are also free to share personal, mental, or spiritual inspirations and ideas that are representational for them of nesting. Deadline to Enter: Sat April 28, 5pm

THE BANK THEATRE MATCHING FUND CAMPAIGN ENDS APRIL 23RD!!

JUST 6 DAYS TO LAST CURTAIN CALL!

Naming rights, seat sponsorship, individual and corporate giving options are available. Every dollar counts and doubles until April 23rd as it is matched by the Municipality of Leamington up to $400,000. Tax receipts for donations of $20 and up. For more information and to donate online visit our sponsor pages on our website www.banktheatre.com or drop off your cash or cheque to Leamington Town Hall payable to The Bank Theatre. THANK YOU all so much for your support, we’re almost there!! THANK YOU media sponsors Southpoint Sun, Southpoint Printing, Blackburn Radio Windsor’s Country 95.9/92.7 & YourTV Windsor.

“SHOW THE LOVE”

23 musicians share their original songs on a double compilation produced by Quantum Sound Productions in Kingsville in an effort to support The Bank Theatre! The CD is $20 doubling to $40 until April 23rd!! Contact banktheatre@gmail.com or in Leamington, Counter Effects, Leamington Arts Centre, Bradt’s Butcher Block, Municipality of Leamington & Leamington Home Building.

TEN for TALENT!!

If every person in Leamington donated $10 to The Bank Theatre matching fund campaign we would raise over 1/2 million dollars - WOW!! The theatre is YOUR success story and the TALENT the theatre brings in needs your love. Visit www.banktheatre.com to donate online or drop your donation off by cash or cheque at the Municipality of Leamington payable to The Bank Theatre. Donations of $20 or more receive a tax receipt. Double your $10 - TEN for TALENT until April 23rd with the matching fund campaign!

DALE’S FRIDAY COFFEE HOUSE

Friday, April 27 and May 25. OFFSITE Knox Hall, Knox Presbyterian Church, 58 Erie St. S., Leamington. Doors 6:30 p.m. Show 7:00 p.m. Admission - Pass the hat.

MEETINGS

Annual General Meeting - Tuesday May 8 at 7:00 pm at The Bank Theatre. Please enter at the black stage door at the back of the theatre. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - If you are a member in good standing and wish to be a part of a growing and dynamic organization and are interested in joining our Board of Directors, please forward a 25-50 word bio and photo to banktheatre@ gmail.com Membership $5 - All Welcome!

RENOVATIONS

During renovations at The Bank Theatre upcoming events will be held at offsite locations. Visit our website for updates. www. banktheatre.com

Stephen Sanger

Stephen Ricardo Mark Sanger passed away suddenly Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the age of 39, in Leamington, ON.

He was the dearly cherished son of the late Bruce and Diane (Cullen) Sanger. Devoted and loving father of Joshua and Ashley. Much loved by Uncle Ken and Aunt Susan. Will be dearly missed by several generations of cousins.

Stevie thoroughly enjoyed his work at Nature Fresh Farms where he was a greatly valued employee. Private visitation and cremation have taken place. Interment at Lakeview Cemetery will take place at a later date.

If so desired, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Reid Funeral Home and Reception Centre 519-326-2631.

Gore Hill hosts Family Math Night

Gore Hill Public School’s Parent Council, in conjunction with the staff, recently hosted a very successful Family Math Night that had 75 attendees.

The evening offered a variety of math workshops, organized by various teaching staff that focused on such areas as Math Across the Curriculum, Homemade Manipulatives, Math Talks, Math and Technology, and Math Games.

Each family received a gift bag that included items to be used for math activities at home. A range of resources were also given to families that was specific to the various grade divisions. Local community sponsors donated a variety of door prizes.

Murray Whaley

Murray William Whaley, 94 years, passed away at Sun Parlor Home in Leamington on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Devoted husband of Marilyn (nee Bishop) (passed January 18, 2017) for 69 years. Son of the late William and Olive Whaley. Dear father of Carol Ives of Leamington, Brian (Angie) of North Bay, Darl of Victoria B.C., and the late Mark. Adored grandfather of five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Survived by twin sisters Doreen Scratch (late Hugh) and Eleanor Laramie (late Bub). Predeceased by siblings Alfred (Joyce), Rex (Kay) and Edith Bride (George). Special uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Murray was a past Grand Steward of the Xenophon Wheatley Masonic Lodge. Murray is the last member of the 14 founders of the Wheatley Talbot Trail Golf Course.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 1-2 p.m. followed by his Funeral Service at 2 p.m. at Reid Funeral Home and Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631). Interment Erie Cemetery, Wheatley, to follow.

Donations may be made to charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Mercury

Seventy-eight years ago, a dark blue 1940 Mercury convertible with serial #1D5955 rolled off the Ford assembly line in Windsor. Fourteen years later, the OPP condemned the car off the road. That’s when motorcycle dealer Jim Robinson of Wheatley bought it.

THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE

Bill Sherk

Over the winter of 1955, he performed a body-off rebuild with air scoops in the hood and put the car back on the road in the spring, repainted tomato red. In 1956 he sold it to Burcell and Neil Nead of Merlin.

In 1957, Neil traded it for a 1950 Plymouth on Red Brown’s used car lot in Leamington, where Dick Garant bought it, then traded it to his brother Cliff for a ’50 Ford convertible. By 1958, the original flathead V8 had been replaced by an overhead-valve ’51 Studebaker V8.

I was 17 when I bought the car minus engine from Cliff in June 1959 for $150. The car was quickly nicknamed the “Sherk Merc.” Later that summer, I had it on the road with a triple-carb 283 Chev V8 and ’38 Buick Roadmaster floor shift transmission.

I drove it for three years, then sold it minus engine in August 1962 in Toronto to Marshall Morgan, whose parents did not want him to have a car. He stored it for two years, then sold it to John Martin in Midland. I then lost track of it for 30 years.

In 1994, I found it in a garage near Belleville, off the road and not for sale. Seven years later, in 2001, the owner died and I bought it from his son. It needed work.

Hundreds of hours of labour and thousands of dollars were staring me in the face. In 2003 I sold it again, this time to Scott Wood in Toronto, who rebuilt it as it looked in the ’50s. In 2017, Scott sold the ’40 Merc to Ray Cloutier, who lives in eastern Ontario.

Ray emailed me: “I picked it up and trailered it home on Tuesday, July 4. With traffic it took 6.5 hours to get home. I took the Merc out to the local cruise night tonight (July 5) and guys always like to see something new. Lots of compliments.”

I’m always looking for more stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca

Gore Hill teacher Heidi Sales explains one of several math games to parent Margaret Wiebe and students, from left, James Wiebe, Caleb Unger, Ryan Wiebe and Lauren Wiebe as fellow parent Tara Kimball looks on.

From wetlands to

reducing waste, LDSS continues to be an environmental leader

Staples Canada has committed funds to schools demonstrating environmental leadership and stewardship through the Superpower Your School contest, held in collaboration with Earth Day Canada. Through the initiative, 10 deserving schools are awarded funds toward the purchase of new technology, including cameras, laptops, printers, drones and tablets, to assist in advancing student education and promote inspirational projects.

In 2017, Leamington District Secondary School (LDSS) submitted its application in the hopes of remodeling its EcoTeam. After becoming one of the 10 schools to win, the students at LDSS developed curriculum-linked lessons about Wetland Conservation for local elementary students.

Using iOS software capable of coding found on the Apple Macbook, they have been able to track local amphibian populations and develop a Marsh Monitoring app to evaluate the overall health and well-being of the local wetland ecosystem. Using the laptops and projectors from Staples, they could better showcase their results and achievements to the broader school population.

Business Profile

Jacobs Shoes and Accessories Ltd.

Larry and Najibe Jacobs would like for you to walk a mile in their shoes.

The longtime owners of Jacobs Shoes and Accessories firmly believe “Life’s too short, so why not have a great pair of shoes”.

The couple’s foray into the shoe business began quite humbly, with their first shipment of shoes sold while on display on their front porch.

Over the past 30 years in business, they’ve grown. They now boast a large showroom, featuring both men’s and ladies’ shoes for virtually every occasion.

Whether you’re attending a formal gala, graduation, dinner and a movie, just out shopping or out for a run, Jacobs Shoes has a shoe to fit every size for any occasion.

They carry name brands such as Clarks, Rockport, Easy Spirit, Trotters, Mephisto, Volkswalkers, Steve Madden, New Balance and more, and take great pride in their customer service.

‘This is Us’: a concert that reflects life through song

Taking its cue from the ever-popular television series, the County Classic Chorale will sing a concert of songs from its repertoire that touch the hearts of its singers, reflect life events, and reinforce the family bond that is created when people sing together.

‘This is Us’ concerts will be offered in three county locations: Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Harrow United Church, 45 Munger St. E.; Sunday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Leamington United Church, 9 John St.; and Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Epworth United Church, 56 Division St. S., Kingsville.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary, singers were asked to list their favourite songs over the last decade – songs that have spoken to them or have made an impact in their lives. What resulted is an amazingly varied program of nostalgic flashbacks – songs of love, joy and spirituality, songs about sadness and loss, and songs that just bring a smile to your face.

Through this selection of choral music, audiences will have a glimpse into the soul of the County Classic Chorale, will learn how singing has become an integral part in the lives of its choristers, and why the Chorale is still, after 35 years, a cornerstone of Essex County’s choral community and musical tradition.

Singers were also invited to share (in ‘tweet’ format) why they enjoy singing and why the chorale means so much to them. Insights emerged such as “I sing for the health of my spirit, the company of good friends, and to keep my brain challenged and young”. Audiences will hear more of these tweeted testimonials, will also participate in the choral experience and even choose the concert’s closing number.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children and are available from chorale singers, from Wharram’s Jewellery, from Thomson Pharmacy or at the door.

With the help of a MakerBot 3D printer, LDSS students built biodegradable models for prototyping engineering projects, including environmental monitoring stations. Collectively, this has helped the students reduce the generation of landfill waste each semester – ensuring LDSS remains a local leader in environmental stewardship and responsibility.

Recently, Lisa Jeffery, Science teacher and LDSS EcoTeam lead, and Brianna Jackson, former EcoTeam member/LDSS student and 2015 Earth Day Canada Youth Hometown Hero Award winner, delivered a presentation at the Ontario Eco School Super Conference on Building an Effective Eco Team.

By supporting the tireless and inspiring work of the teachers and students, there’s no limit to what they can do to help the environment.

To learn more about the Superpower Your School contest, visit www.staples.ca/powereco

They offer personalized service and strive to meet the needs of even the most hard to fit customer. Seeing a smile on the face of her customers when they finally find that shoe that fits their feet properly also brings a smile to Najibe’s face.

She said they cater to both unusually narrow or extra wide feet, as well as seniors in search of a shoe compatible with their orthotics.

For the Jacobs, offering a relaxed, friendly, pampering atmosphere is their number one priority and they take great joy in interacting with their customers.

Always greeted by a friendly voice as they enter, customers will be impressed by the hundreds of styles of shoes the Jacobs carry. Rack upon rack of beautiful shoes will greet them.

Jacobs Shoes is located at 22 Talbot Street East in beautiful downtown Leamington and is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit Najibe and Larry for all of your footwear needs or give them a call at 519-322-1818.

shoes.

Students in the LDSS Environmental High Skills Major program earned their Habitat Restoration certification by removing invasive Phragmites at Hillman Marsh, a local wetland.

Show The Love for The Bank Theatre

A double compilation CD produced by Quantum Sound Productions in Kingsville featuring original songs from 22 musicians based throughout Ontario and one from Michigan is being offered in support of The Bank Theatre fundraising goals to renovate the theatre.

In a unique effort to help the theatre, Neil Quiring of Quantum Sound Productions funded the production of the “Show The Love” CD artwork, mastering and replication. Neil Quiring is a retired Kingsville businessman and musician himself who believes in the value of the arts in the community and showcasing local talents.

The Bank Theatre began extensive renovations fall/winter 2017 and will continue well into 2018. Upon completion, the theatre will be a modern, viable and accessible state of the art facility for arts and culture in the uptown core of Leamington.

The Municipality of Leamington offered the theatre a matching fund campaign, which will match dollar for dollar, all private and corporate sector donations capped at $400,000 within a deadline of six months ending April 23, 2018.

The “Show The Love” CD is offered for sale at $20 each and doubles to $40 with the matching fund campaign until April 23. The matching fund campaign is now at the 3/4 point with a total of $300,000 being raised, including donations from the Honey Family Foundation, Uni-Fab, Rotary Club of Leamington and Counter Effects among many oth-

ART SHOW & SALE BY GERALD ENNS. Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre, 28 Division St. S. Kingsville. Showing: Month of April.

LEAMINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETS

Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., at Leamington United Church. Speaker: Society member Susan Ross. Topic: “Life in Belize”. You are welcome to join the Society for an evening of horticultural fellowship. For more information call Peter Scorrar 519-326-8529.

ARTS SOCIETY OF KINGSVILLE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Thursday, April 19, 5:30 p.m., at Pelee Island Winery, Kingsville (lower level, elevator available). Speaker: Mayor Nelson Santos. Discussion: Plans for Kingsville’s new Arts & Cultural Centre by the lake. Refreshments will be served.

RUMMAGE SALE at Leamington United Church, 9 John St., on Friday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon.

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE - Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon at First Baptist Church, 3 Fox St., Leamington. Gently used spring and summer clothing, small household items, books, toys, and misc treasures!

WHEATLEY FREINTSHIP CLUB SPRING BAZAAR (INDOOR YARD SALE) on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Friendship Club, 171 Erie St. N., Wheatley. Treasures room, Craft room, Quilting room, Tea room and bake sale. The Heritage Society will also be open upstairs. Yard sale room is full.

FISH FRY - LAKE ERIE PERCH DINNER on Saturday, April 21 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Epworth United Church, 56 Division St. S., Kingsville. Parking and entrance to Memorial is on Mill St. W. Adults $17, children 6-12 years $8, children 5 years and under free. Tickets at the door.

“LOVES, LIES & THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA”, presented by Thamesville United Church Drama (TUChD), April 21, 22 (matinee), 27, 28, 29. Dinner and play $35, show only $16. Times vary. For more information or to order tickets go to www. universe.com/tuchd3

Renovations to the 1850s Bank Theatre building will include accessible washrooms, lobby, ticket outlet, seating, grand staircase and the gallery, as well as interior and exterior treatments.

ers. Donations are coming in at all levels from $10-$100,000. Musicians on the double CD include Mayor John Paterson of the Municipality of Leamington, with the first-ever recording of one of his original songs complimented by playing his 12-string guitar. Many of the musicians are recognizable and have all performed in the Windsor-Essex region and include Justin Latam, Crissi Cochrane, The Oh Chays, Quiring Brothers, Gregger Botting, Kari Lynn Hewett and Roger Hewett, Andrew Taves, Francine Honey, Allison Brown,

Max Marshall, Peter F. Light, Dale Butler, The Laws, Soul Brother Mike, Mary Newland and Richard John Baker, Robert Stark, The Lights, Martha Renaud, Denis Bastarache, Karen Morand, The Fontaines and Nicole Barron.

Dale Butler, a local music favourite, is also part of the team involved with this project. “Leamington has needed a home for the arts, including dance, music and theatre, and The Bank Theatre provides that home. These wonderful musicians Show The Love by sharing their music for The Bank Theatre building fund. This CD shows the wide variety and talents of the musicians in our community and beyond. We can’t thank these musicians enough for supporting this project and we’re excited to share the love on the stage once renovations are completed at The Bank Theatre!”

The Show The Love CD encompasses multiple genres from folk to country, soul to blues and everything in between. The Show The Love CD can be purchased at Dale’s Friday Coffee House shows, Leamington Home Building Centre, Leamington Arts Centre, Bradt’s Butcher Block, Counter Effects and the Municipality of Leamington, by contacting Larry McDonald in Wheatley sandi-lar@hotmail. com or Michelle at banktheatre@gmail.com

The Bank Theatre 2017 season saw several concerts and productions filled to capacity with attendees. Renovations to the 1850s building will include accessible washrooms, lobby, ticket outlet, seating, grand staircase and the gallery, as well as interior and exterior treatments.

The Bank Theatre is located at 10 Erie St. S., in Leamington and showcases local, national and international arts and culture including productions, dance, and concerts. For more information visit www.banktheatre.com

COUNTY CLASSIC CHORALE PRESENTS “THIS IS US” with performances on: Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Harrow United Church, 45 Munger Ave. E.; Sunday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Leamington United Church, 9 John St.; and Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Epworth United Church, 56 Division St. S., Kingsville. Adults $12, students $6. Tickets at Wharram’s Jewellery and Thomson Pharmacy in Leamington or from the singers.

ONTARIO PURPLE MARTIN ASSOC. MEETS Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m. at Orchard View Golf Course, 1357 County Rd. 34, Ruthven. Meet with lots of knowledgeable Martin People who are very willing to share their experience and help with questions regarding all aspects of Purple Martins. All are welcome. Info: Paul 519-738-3476.

HEALTH AND INFORMATION FAIR: THE MIGRANT WORKER COMMUNITY PROGRAM will be holding its annual Health and Information Fair at the Roma Club in Leamington on Sunday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. This is a free event for the migrant workers and the public. The goal is to provide migrant workers and the public in general with an increase in health awareness by providing health screening, activities, materials, demonstrations, and information to motivate participants to make positive health behaviour changes.

FOOD & FELLOWSHIP SUPPER, Monday, April 23, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Leamington United Church, 9 John St., welcomes those who are alone or experiencing hardships to come and share a meal. No charge.

INVESTING & PLANNING WITH EDWARD JONES

- Wellness Seminar on Wednesday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Seacliff Manor, 30 Seacliff Dr. E., Leamington. Refreshments & giveaways. All welcome. RSVP seacliffmanor.ca or 519-326-2624.

HAT TRICKS FOR HUMBOLDT FUNDRAISER

HOCKEY TOURNAMENT - Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29 at Essex Centre Sports Complex for players age 16-20. Two girl and two boy divisions, recreational and competitive divisions. Junior house league players welcome. Cost $650 per team. Register by contacting Paige Stomp 519-999-4747 or Troy Stomp 519-819-0066, or tstomp@cogeco.ca

Community CALENDAR

PELEE PAST QUESTERS (PPQ) MEET Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m., Windsor Family Credit Union, 318 Erie St. S., Leamington. Speaker: Janice Kubiak Will. Topic: History of the Lighthouse Community between the dock and Seacliff Park. PPQ is an organization for the study of antiques, preservation and restoration of artifacts, existing memorials, historical buildings, landmarks and education. Guests are always welcome. Any questions? Call Jackie 519-326-1361.

HAM & SCALLOPED POTATO DINNER - Sunday, April 29 - 5:00 p.m. Knox Presbyterian Church. $15 advance tickets, $17 at the door.

LEAMINGTON BLOOD DONOR CLINIC at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, Wednesday, May 2, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. New donors & walk-ins welcome! To book an appointment or for additional information, please contact us at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) / www. blood.ca / GiveBlood App.

SCHNITZEL DINNER Saturday, May 5 at Comber Legion Br. 241. $15. Schnitzel, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable salad, dessert, tea or coffee. Advanced tickets. 519-687-2201. 6241 Main Street, Comber.

LITTLE TOMATO CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR., at Kingsville’s Migration Hall on May 4 at 7:00 p.m., May 5 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and May 6 at 2:00 p.m. All seats are $16.50, with children 5 and under for $7.50. For tickets go to migrationhall.com or call 519-733-5357, or Box

Office Video, 20 Division St. North.

SOLI DEO GLORIA SINGERS SPRING CONCERT,

“Beauty is the Handwriting of God”: Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m., at UMEI, 614 Mersea Rd. 6 west of Hwy 77, north of Leamington; and Sunday, May 6 at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Tickets in advance $12 adults, $6 children, at the door $15 adults, $7 children. Tickets at Kindred Credit Union, from choir members, or call UMEI 519-326-7448 for more info.

LIVING CLUTTER FREE - Wellness Seminar on BOXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S. Free class for Parkinson’s patients. Now accepting registration. Open to residents of Essex County. Call Andre 519-551-0539.

COFFEE BREAK – ALL ARE WELCOME at First Baptist Church, 3 Fox St., Leamington on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Delicious coffee, tea and goodies are served. Participate in or cheer on games of shuffleboard or table games. There is a time of Q&A with Pastor Mike or Pastor Jason. It’s a great time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet new people.

CAREER CLOTHING IS AVAILABLE at St. John Anglican Church Angel Cupboard for anyone who requires professional clothing to attend job interviews or for starting a new position. Call 519326-3111 and leave a message for Charlotte to set up an appointment.

ADDICTION RECOVERY: Family Education and Support Program: call 519-990-2530.

ADDICTION RECOVERY GROUPS now running at St. John the Evangelist, Erie Street. Mondays at 6:30 p.m. - Westover After Care. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. - SMART Recovery. Fridays at 7:00 p.m. - Cocaine Anonymous.

IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234.

WHEATLEY HERITAGE SOCIETY is open Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For appointments other than normal hours contact Heather Vannieuweneburg at 226-248-0382 or e-mail wheatleyheritage@gmail.com.

THE SALVATION ARMY LEAMINGTON CC YOUTH DROP-IN CENTRE open every Tuesdsay, 6:008:00 p.m. at the church, 88 Setterington St. The centre provides a safe supervised location and use of our computer lab, movies, videogames or table tennis etc. For more info contact us at 519326-4901.

MOODS DISORDER GROUP MEETS the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Leamington District Memorial Hospital, 1st Floor. Info: Nancy at 519-971-4050 or nrkolah@sympatico.ca

SOUTHWEST OUTDOORS CLUB MEETS the second Tuesday of every month (except August) in the upstairs hall of the Wheatley Legion starting at 7:00 p.m.

Southwestern

Ontario

Gleaners

6th Annual Fundraising Dinner

By Pat Bailey

The Southwestern Ontario’s Gleaners held its 6th Annual Fundraising Dinner on Saturday evening, April 14, at the Leamington Portuguese Club. About 500 people attended this year’s event, which is the only fundraiser for the group.

Guests were told the group was responsible for providing 3.2 million servings, feeding 9,000 people three meals a day in 2017. The group was hoping to raise $100,000 through proceeds from the meal, and live and silent auctions. About 70 prizes were donated by generous businesses throughout the area.

Freddy’s Run For Diabetes

Despite a downpour, coupled with gusting winds, about 110 walkers and runners braved the elements Saturday, April 14 to help raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) in the 5th Annual Freddy’s Run for Diabetes at Point Pelee. It may have been a rather soggy day, but it didn’t dampen the spirit of the runners and walkers. Pictured above are first female and male finishers in the 5K run, Kelly Tofflemire and Abe Peters. (SUN Photos)

From left to right are Tina Quiring, chair of Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, Peter Fiss, SWO Gleaners vice-chair, board of directors, and Vern Toews, past chair, SWO Gleaners. (SUN Photos)

Left to right, Alison Klassen, Jayne Latam, Tim Latam and Janet Dick enjoyed their evening at the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners 6th Annual Fundraising Dinner at the Portuguese Club Saturday night.

This group was happy to support the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners at its annual fundraising dinner at the Portuguese Club Saturday night. Left to right, Lana and Dave Hildebrandt, Amy and Bill Toews, Renee and Richard Iacobelli, and Laura and Ed Keck.

The tradition continued Saturday night. For each of the six years the Soutwestern Ontario Gleaners have been holding its fundraisers, they have presented Joe Colasanti with a hand-knitted cap to mark the occasion.

Everleigh Wiens, 1½, joined her family in support of the 6th Annual Southwestern Ontario Gleaners fundraising dinner.

Town of Kingsville

Staff at Hair Cafe

Staff at Collins Barrow, Leamington

Local soccer player going to England

By Bryan Jessop

Dedication to the sport of soccer had earned a former Leamington and Wheatley player trips to camps not only across the border, but also across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sierra Lapos, who began playing minor soccer in Wheatley and then Leamington starting at the age of five, has been invited to attend an elite camp being hosted by England’s Premier League West Ham United. Lapos will be attending the week-long camp and tour along with a group of American cohorts after catching the attention of recruiters at US regional and national series.

“She’s very excited about it,” explained Sierra’s mother Traci Lapos. “She plays year round and trains every fall and winter. She’s a very dedicated player.”

Before her family moved to Tilbury, Lapos, now 11, began playing minor soccer in Wheatley. After a couple seasons, she began playing in both Wheatley and Leamington and then entirely in

“She plays year round and trains every fall and winter. She’s a very dedicated player.”

— Traci Lapos

Leamington before joining a competitive Windsorbased team three years ago. Dubbed the Liverpool FC IA Michigan Rush, the team plays in Michigan’s Super Y League. Backed by a recommendation from her coach, Lapos was invited to attend the Regional Scouting Series in Indiana during the summer of 2016. Her display of skills then landed her the opportunity to attend the US Technical Championships in Georgia later that year.

The schedule of camp invitations didn’t stop there. For July of 2017, Lapos was welcomed to another national camp in Georgia organized by West Ham United. It was from there where she received

the invite to participate in the professional English team’s excursion in London, to which she will arrive Saturday, Apr. 21.

The trip to the Premier League club’s camp will include a number of sightseeing excursions, including a tour of their home field, London Stadium. During the camp, the group of about

Special Olympic Swimmers

On Sunday, Apr. 8, the Leamington-Essex Warriors Special Olympics Swim Team competed at the 2018 Special Olympics Swim Meet hosted by Sarnia. The team of Kitch Grubb, 33, Darrel Reginer, 57, and David Reaume, 54, competed against teams from London, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia, and Lasalle-Windsor in a series of races for the first meet of the year. After working hard and training all season, swimmers and coaches came home very pleased with the results. In Grubb’s individual heats, he placed fourth in the 25m backstroke, 50m backstroke, and 50m freestyle, along with a second place finish for his 25m freestyle with a time of 20.87 seconds. Reginer placed third in the 50m freestyle swim, second in the 25m freestyle, and received first place for both the 25m and 50m backstroke heats. Reaume placed top three in all five of his races, including third place finishes in his 25m freestyle and 50m backstroke, a second place finish in his 25m backstroke, and first place finishes in both his 25m breaststroke and 50m freestyle races. The Warriors are looking forward to another successful season next year. From left to right are coach Chloe Jakob, Grubb, Regnier, Reaume and coach Giovanni Oliverio. Missing from the photo is coach Natosha Johnson. (Submitted photo)

14 players selected from the Georgia program will meet members of the West Ham United Ladies FC and engage in matches against an elite team of players visiting from Australia.

Lapos, a Grade 6 student at Tilbury Area Public School, most frequently plays centre

midfield, although she occasionally takes on duties at left wing. Shortly after being introduced to organized minor soccer in Wheatley, she began enrolling in the local annual week-long camp UK Soccer, organized by husband and wife duo Nick and Karen Husbands of Kings-

ville. Traci explained that much of Sierra’s success and progress made in the sport can be attributed to the UK Soccer program, which has been set up in local communities including Leamington, Wheatley, Kingsville, Tilbury and Blenheim under the guidance of former WED., MAY 2/18

Eleven-year-old Sierra Lapos, a former minor soccer player in both Leamington and Wheatley, will be attending an elite soccer camp hosted by the Premier League West Ham United Football Club in England. Lapos will attend the week-long camp after receiving an invitation through an American national camp she attended in Georgia. (Submitted photo)

The Old Page... Clippings from the Wheatley Journal, April 1998

Pearce Plato finishes Boston Marathon as the oldest Canadian

It was a thrilling experience for Pearce Plato and several other runners from the area.

The 102nd version of the grueling 26.2 mile Boston Marathon took place on Monday, April 20 and Mr. Plato, at 65 years of age, was the oldest Canadian in the race. Approximately 12,000 started the race at Hopkinton including the 525 Canadians in the event and raced through seven other cities to Boston.

About 10,000 finished the event and Pearce finished in the position of 6535th. His time for the 26.2 miles was 3 hours, 47 minutes and 47 seconds to earn a cherished medal for finishing.

Fellow participants from the area were Dominic Ricci of Leamington who was the second oldest Canadian in the race. He finished in 3 hours, 39 minutes and 34 seconds to be in 5676th spot.

Helen Peters of Leamington was 5840th overall with a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes and 29 seconds.

Antonio Didomenico, also of Leamington, recorded a finish position of 4452nd in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 54 seconds.

Andy Fehr of Staples was in 2717th position in 3 hours, 16 minutes and 54 seconds.

Mouse pads with a message

Computers in the schools are now accompanied by a highly visible message on a fresh supply of mouse pads. Crime Stoppers of Chatham-Kent has supplied $20,000 worth of mouse pads to every elementary and secondary school in Chatham-Kent. The schools were much in need of the mouse pads and Crime Stoppers seized the opportunity to convey the message that their website can be viewed to follow reports on the Crime of the Week, as well as prominently displaying the number for students to phone in a crime tip. At the Wheatley Area Public School computer stations are left to right - Trevor Bachieu, Constable Paul Myers - Chatham Police Coordinator, Detective Constable Tom Harris of the OPP and Carly Price.

Southpoint Annual Hockey Awards

Front row left to right: Adam Cervini - top houseleague defenseman; Jon Bartel - houseleague player of the year. Rear row - Ryan Harder, top houseleague forward; Mark Ribble - Mr. Hockey award; Matt Phibbs - houseleague coach of the year; Josh Beaupre - houseleague goalie of the year.

Front row left to right: Trevor Marentette - Atom houseleague player’s creed; Adam Foran - Novice houseleague player’s creed. Rear row: Zachary Brunato - PeeWee Houseleague player’s creed; Ryan Burger - Midget houseleague player’s creed; Joe Wickham - referee of the year; Caleb Beaupre - Bantam houseleague player’s creed.

Front row left to right: Jaren Guirissevich - Novice travel player’s creed; Evan Rutgers - Atom travel player’s creed. Rear row: David Armstrong - Pee Wee travel player’s creed; Michael Bell - Bantam travel player’s creed and overall defenseman; Ben Dalgleish - Midget player’s creed; Matt Anthony - overall travel goalie; David Penner - travel player of the year. Absent from photo Scott Makey - travel coach of the year.

SMHA declares award winners

By Bryan Jessop

Southpoint Minor Hockey has officially ‘Capped’ another season with the announcement of award winners from the 2017-18 campaign.

The SMHA held its annual awards banquet Saturday, Apr. 14 at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex gymnasium following the past two years for the ceremony at Wheatley Area Arena. The association’s secretary and director of girls’ hockey Greg Dries organized the awards portion of this year’s banquet while SMHA Hockey Moms made meal arrangements.

Prior to the distribution of awards, Dries led a moment of silence in honour of those who died in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash Friday, Apr. 6.

Awards were again handed out to players from among the approximately 400 registered for 2017-18 from all age divisions in girls, local league and travel systems. Winning players, who received keeper plaques, were announced as follows: Esso Awards

• Most Improved — Kaden Gabriele, Charbel Taiwil, Sebastian Belanger, Cohen Kimball, Braden Conrad, Max Scheibner, Nikolas Massad, Brian Friesen, Emma Brown, Meghan Mercer, Kara Willis, Josie Wiper, Brittany Wiebe, Logan Bonner, Josef Zieba, Adrian Gualtieri, Matt Enns, Kayden Cook, Liam Ouellette, Noah George, Santiago Cabrera and Ben McFadden;

• Most Dedicated — Abel Teichroeb, Andrew Marchand, Gavin Butiniello, Josef Zieba, Jeremy Dueck, Evan Ouellette, Aaron Stein, Paige Derbyshire, Kristen Kretschmann, Erica Taylor, Charlie Liebrock, Evan Gualtieri, Emily Hyatt, Chase Simpson, Abby Gualtieri, John Recker, Tyler Franklin, Carson Stomp, Cade Price, Dane Price, Alyssa Lamb and Nicholas DiMilo.

• Most Sportsmanlike — Adam Kruger, Nathan Ribble, Ryan Krueger, Cole Carreiro, Lucas Neufeld, Zack Dault, Seth Janzen, Cole Knopp, Chloe Taylor, Raine Schiefer, Kathryn Ciacelli, Tara Wright, Meaghan Simpson, Stephanie Wiebe, Corinne Jackson, Max Youssef, Jenn Fehr, Isiah George, Liam Brown, Owen Matthews, Marco Fortuna, Thomas Chauvin and Rex Pearce.

• Top Goalie — Evan Gualtieri (girls interlock), Cassidy DeGroote (girls travel), Cole Bradley (local league) and Nolan Meadows (travel).

• Top Defense — Kelsey Babkirk (girls interlock), Abbey Hopper (girls travel), Luke Scratch (local league) and Jackson Reidiger (travel).

• Top Forward — Taylor Babkirk (girls interlock), Morgan Brown (girls travel), Charbel Nicolas (local league) and Mike Vida (travel).

• Top All Around Player of the Year — Shannon Harris (girls interlock), Bailey Brown (girls travel), Nick Baeini (local league) and Caleb Stoddart (travel).

Players Creed

• Girls — Taylor Insley (atom), Emma Well (peewee), Ava Hildebrandt (bantam), Amber Tazzman (intermediate), Grace Hyatt (midget travel).

• Local League — Ryan Krueger (novice), Nathan Omar (atom), Ethan Rodrigues (peewee), Alex Jadischke (bantam), Damon Palichuk (midget).

• Travel — Isiah George (novice), Owen Deneau (atom), Cole Vaillancourt (peewee), Noah Bright (bantam).

• Keith Lindsay Stars Coaching Staff of the Year — Brad Hyatt, Scott Hopper, Steve Wilson, Chris Babkirk, Amy

ington Kinsmen Recreation Complex gymnasium. Bell, Tom Hyatt (midget BB)

• Local League Coaching Staff of the Year — John Gruber, Tom Heinz, Trevor Wickem (peewee white).

• Travel Coaching Staff of the Year — Troy Stomp, Bernie MacMillan, Aaron Matthews, Chad Recker, Ron Goyeau (peewee).

• Ken Epp Memorial Award (Trainer of the Year) — Kevin Cook.

• Timekeeper of the Year — Alyee Church.

• Referees of the Year — Cameron Impens (Ewald Dobetsbeger Level 1 or 2), Joseph Alfano (Senior).

• Mrs. “Pep” Non Board Member Volunteer of the Year — Jamie Lefaive and Sammar Liebrock.

• Mr./Mrs. Hockey Board Member of the Year — Kevin Ford.

Notable playoff runs from this past season included the Southpoint Capitals bantam travel team’s advancement to the OMHA ‘B’ semifinals. Also, the 2017-18 novice AE Capitals came within one point of making an appearance in the semifinals.

“For the most part, the board was happy with how things went this year,” noted SMHA president Greg Liebrock.

Although no dramatic changes to the SMHA system are currently anticipated for 2018-’19, Liebrock noted that OMHA approval for a new pilot project would mean a shared boundary between Southpoint, Erie North Shore and Essex for 2019-’20. The changes would mean the elimination of some residency requirements and restrictions between the three neighbouring ‘A’ centres.

“The approval was too late to get an agreement in place for this year, but its something these centres are very interested in exploring,” Liebrock said.

Coincidentally, the upcoming 2018-’19 season will mark the 25th anniversary of a similar pilot project between Wheatley and Leamington minor hockey associations. Following a smooth transition, the next season — 1994-’95 — marked the amalgamation between the two groups into the Southpoint system, one of the first of its kind for the

Ontario Minor Hockey Association.

If the three bordering associations amalgamate, travel teams could be offered at the AA, A and AE levels, depending on the number of players registered.

“In that case, we’d only be losing kids to Triple A,” said Liebrock, who explained that the OMHA’s Non Residential Passport (NPR) rule allowing AA teams to take up to three A players from nearby associations is making it difficult to find the numbers to ice certain travel teams. “A lot of centres can’t run some teams because of losses to NRP rules.”

Liebrock explained that because of NRP allowances, Southpoint loses multiple Leamington players each season to the AA system in Belle River and Wheatley players to the AA Chatham organization.

Winners of this year’s Players’ Creed awards pose for photos along with their trophies from teams in girls, local league and travel teams during this year’s Southpoint Minor Hockey Association awards banquet. The event was held Saturday, Apr. 14 at the Leam-

Local skipping team wins provincial championships

The weekend of April 7-8 a local jump rope team, the Essex Energizers Skipping Team, competed at the Provincial Jump Rope Championships in Hamilton. Skippers are from Essex County, including five from the Leamington area. It was a very successful competition for all of the teams.

In the U10 year old category, the Skipping Squad and the Awesome Energizers placed first and second overall, respectively.

In the 11-12 year old category, the Ropin’ Rascals placed third overall.

In the 13-14 year old category, Thunder placed third overall and Junior Pack placed first.

The Junior Pack also set some provincial records in Single Rope Double Under Relay with 298 jumps and Double Dutch Pairs Speed with 296.5 jumps.

In the 15-17 year old category, the Pink Ladies came in second overall.

There were also some standout individual performances. In the U10 year old category, Leah Pocock placed fifth overall. In the 18-29 male category, Lucas Martin from the Wolf Pack placed second overall. In the 13-14 year old category, Peyton Gendreau placed second and Reagan Farough

placed first.

The team will compete in the National Championships May 19-21 at St. Clair College’s Sportplex.

TT senior golf

By Bob McLean

The Talbot Trail senior golfers wants to welcome back all past league members to their enjoyable Tuesday TT Golf League and invites new golfers 50+ years to join them. Play commences on Tuesday, April 24 and May 1 at 10:00 a.m. After that, play will begin at 9:00 a.m.

On your first outing you need to register between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. This will enable organizers to get the groups off smoothly for the first golf test of the year. New golfers please provide your name and age so you will get placed in the correct grouping for reporting scores. If you can’t start in April, join up ASAP!

The cost to participate in the league is $30. This entitles league members to four barbecue meals, prizes and great fun with their fellow league members. Participants who aren’t TT members will have to pay Steve, the manager, for their golf and cart usage. We will continue to arrange the exciting travel excursions.

The winter weather was very challenging, as we all are very aware. Derek Brown and Robert Gillespie have been kept very busy getting the course in great shape for the golfing season. The irrigation system will likely be completed by the time the seniors’ league starts. Derek will enjoy having a better working watering system at the TT course.

If anyone has news to share with the league participants on opening day, please do so. It would be helpful if you had the information in writing.

See you on the 24th of April!

The Essex Energizers Skipping Team recently won Provincial Jump Rope Championships in Hamilton. Team members are from all over Essex County, including five from Leamington. (Submitted photo)

Bryan Jessop

Humboldt Strong

It’s always heartwarming to see a community rally around the victims of a devastating tragedy, especially when that community covers a surface area of 9,985,000 square kilometres.

Actually, displays of support for the Humboldt Broncos Tier II Junior A hockey team since the bus crash that took 16 lives have spanned the globe. Leave Your Stick Out, Go Fund Me donations, Jersey Day and countless other showings of support have come from places like Arizona, New York, Nigeria, France, China and naturally, from all over Canada.

These campaigns and gestures of goodwill of course have been met by sentiments from the perpetually miserable — the sort of people who can, as they say, find a problem for every solution. They’ve wondered aloud across virtually all social media platforms if the outpouring of support for the Broncos would have been the same if they were NOT hockey players.

The answer, at least in my humble opinion, would be “yes.” Certainly we’re hearing about it more in Canada because it HAPPENED in Canada. If it had been a bus full of high school students and teachers on a class trip, then yes, I believe the rest of the country would have replied in similar fashion.

I will, however, be the first to admit that the tragedy struck a nerve with so many Canadians because it happened to a group of people that so many of us can relate to. “From one hockey community to another,” say many of the signs in and around the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, for example. Yes, people, hockey is an entity that millions of us Canucks can discuss with one another whether we’re immediate family or complete strangers. If you’re meeting someone from the other side of the country for the first time, those conversations are usually about the NHL teams whose logos we’ve noticed on one another’s shirts, jackets or hats. If it’s someone from the next town over or the other side of the county, then that chat could very well be about a local minor or junior hockey team or league.

For that reason, the tragedy that took place at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335 didn’t just affect the Broncos. It didn’t just affect Humboldt or Saskatchewan or even Canada. It affected everyone involved in hockey across the globe, and again — NO, it doesn’t mean anybody values the lives of hockey players more than NON hockey players. If your next door neighbour dies or is severely injured in a traffic accident and you react more strongly than you do when the exact same thing happens to someone in Christchurch, New Zealand, does that mean you think your neighbour is more important than that person on the other side of the Earth? No, it does not.

Hockey will never be as meaningful as life itself, but that doesn’t mean it can’t connect the lives of people who don’t even live in the same time zone. Over and over and over again, it has united people of different religions, levels of income, political affiliations and even ethnic backgrounds. Your kid might go to a public school while someone else’s attends a Catholic school on the other side of town, but they’ll often meet at the arena in between to play for the same minor hockey team or cheer on the town’s junior team.

Millions of us can’t afford to attend NHL games on anything resembling a regular basis, so we save ourselves a boatload of time and money by attending junior games (that are a lot more meaningful to some of us anyway). Whether it’s Major Junior A, Tier II Junior A,

Junior B or C, many of us can look out onto the ice and see a player or two we know as a family member, neighbour, classmate, co-worker or friend.

That’s why a tragedy like this hits a small town like Humboldt (somewhere in size/population between Tilbury and urban Kingsville) so hard. Many of us think about how the same thing could have just as easily happened to OUR hometown junior team and THAT is why it’s not only about the Humboldt Broncos. That’s why it’s also about the teams who have never experienced anything so terrible. That’s why it’s about the Antigonish Bulldogs, the Grand Lake Moose, the Chilliwack Chiefs, the Sherwood Park Renegades, the Fort Erie Meteors, the Steinbach Pistons, the Waterloo Siskins, the Hanover Barons and yes, the Leamington Flyers and Wheatley Sharks. NOBODY is impervious to tragedy and that’s why EVERYBODY tends to rally around those who are hit by it directly.

Whether the worst case scenario strikes an entire team or a single player, the tendency is that everyone around quickly forgets about bitter rivalries and the scores that they thought had to be settled both personally and on the game sheet. Shortly after the Wallaceburg News closed and I began working in Sarnia, a player with the Lakers by the name of Tristan Carswell died suddenly in his sleep from implications related to a heart condition. I had witnessed it with my own eyes many times — while not being the biggest player on the ice, Carswell showed no fear and would get in the face of virtually any opponent, especially if that adversary had just delivered a cheap shot to another Laker.

For that reason, he didn’t exactly make a lot of friends from the league’s other eight teams. After he died in late December of 2008, however, the local Junior C web forum was inundated with messages of thoughts and prayers, words of heartfelt sympathy and condolences from many of Carswell’s most bitter on-ice rivals. The fights, pushes, shoves and exchanges of choice words from very recent games prior were suddenly forgotten — and for good reason.

To make a profound understatement, there can never be too many tributes made in honour of the 16 people who lost their lives in the Broncos tragedy. As I was typing these words, the Go Fund Me account started in support of the players and staff on the team had surpassed the $11.5 million mark — nearly tripling its $4 million goal (by the time you read this, the total will have likely gone well beyond $12 million). If you get the chance, pay a visit to the Broncos tribute on display in the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex lobby and sign the nearby registry that will be delivered to Humboldt in the weeks to come.

I realize that the number of professional hockey players who read this column is almost certainly a big fat zero, but if I can make ONE request of the team that wins the Stanley Cup this June (I’m hoping now more than ever that it’s the Winnipeg Jets), it would be to bring Lord Stanley’s Mug to Humboldt. I can’t think of a more deserving town.

County Bridge Results

Leamington Half Century Centre, Apr. 9: North/South - 1st Jim Perkes and Roger Cote, 2nd Marilyn Robbins and Marie Ellwood, 3rd George Hildebrandt and Al Morrison, 4th Ann Mocan and Ross Macintosh. Bridge games are played each Monday at 12:45 p.m. Members and new members welcome.

Kingsville Bridge Club, Apr. 11: North/South - 1st Marie Ellwood and Roger Cote, 2nd Sharon Lutz and Marilyn Robbins, 3rd Chris Brennan and Bill Chaplin. East/West - 1st Bob Lee and Henry Hildebrandt, 2nd Derek Parry and Ron Martin, 3rd Roy Trowell and George Hildebrandt. Bridge is every Wednesday at the Lions Hall in Kingsville, 7 p.m.

Crowder ready to lead Flyers

By Bryan Jessop

The Leamington Flyers have had their share of success over the past half decade and new head coach Cam Crowder wants to keep it that way.

Crowder was announced as the local Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team’s first new head coach since 2010 shortly after a group of five area businessmen including himself purchased the team from Abe Fehr. He takes on the position of bench boss after spending the past two seasons as head coach of the Junior C Essex 73’s.

In 2016-17, Crowder led the 73’s to a Stobbs Division and Western Conference championship. He was an assistant coach with the team in 2014-15 and 2015-16, the former of the two seasons which ended in a provincial Schmaltz Cup championship. One year earlier, he served on the Junior B LaSalle Vipers’ bench as an assistant coach. Crowder is taking on the role of head coach for the Flyers upon the retirement of Tony Piroski, who accepted the position eight years ago on an offer made by Fehr shortly after buying the community-led team along with his brother Jake Fehr.

“The first thing we want to do is thank Abe and Tony for what they’ve done over the past eight years,” Crowder said on behalf of the new ownership group. “We want to take what they’ve built and keep it going. We’re looking to retain players who can come back and recruit the right type of people to move forward.”

Crowder, who also played for the 73’s from 2001 to 2005, introduced himself to Flyers players and staff during a meeting in the team’s dressing room Wednesday, Apr. 11. He described the introduction as a success and noted that he’s eager to prepare the team for the 2018-19 campaign.

“I’m really excited about having an opportunity like this in such a supportive community,” Crowder said. “We’ve (the five new owners) all had some type of involvement in hockey — I’ve been involved my whole life. We want to win and develop players for the next level.”

Crowder explained that the selection process for assistant coaches in still in the works, noting that he hopes to bring aboard a couple from the group that coached the team through 2017-18. The new coaching staff’s first on-ice priority will be this year’s Spring Camp, scheduled to take place at Unico Arena May 12 and 13. Plans for the camp include inviting between 80 and 100 potential rookies to form between four and six teams for the two-day gathering.

As head coach in Essex, Crowder established a regular season record of 56 wins, 20 losses, one tie and three overtime losses and a playoff record of 32 wins and 13 losses.

The new ownership group also announced Justin Solcz, formerly the head coach of the Junior C Lakeshore Canadiens, as general manager. Solcz also spent eight years as an associate coach with the University of Windsor Lancers men’s hockey program, helping the team develop from last place in the OUA to four-time Western Conference finalists. He also helped guide the team to a OUA Queen’s Cup championship in 2013-14.

At the same time, Craig Mahon — one of the five new owners — has been introduced as the Flyers’ Vice President of Hockey Operations. Jason Melo, also from the ownership group, is the Flyers’ new president.

Sharks host awards banquet

By Bryan Jessop

Almost simultaneously, the Wheatley Sharks paid tribute to the best of last season while revealing new personnel to prepare for the next.

The Junior C team’s annual awards banquet was hosted by The Car Barn Wednesday, Apr. 11, where the announcement of traditional award winners was followed by the introduction of a mostly new bench staff. The seven player awards were congratulated by a panel of team representatives led by new general manager Thomas Grubb. The group also included new head coach Josh Carnevale, who will replace Dave Wiper after the second-time Sharks coach served the lead role for about two-and-a-half years. Grubb, after serving as assistant GM, replaces Pete Anthony, who resigned from his position at the same time as Wiper. Filling in Grubb’s former position will be new assistant GM Daryl Glasier, who has served as vice president of the Southpoint Minor Hockey Association and co-coached the Southpoint major midget travel team in 2016-17 along with Adam Hatt, who is one of the Sharks’ newest assistant coaches. Hatt, who played with the Junior B Chatham Maroons, will serve as a defensive coach. Also taking on the title of assistant coach for the first time with the

“We just want to get everyone out there, back into shape and ready to work.”

— Josh Carnevale

Sharks will be former Maroon and University of Windsor Lancer Ian Faubert.

The new coaching and management group wasted no time preparing for 2018’19, as they began the recruitment process shortly after the Sharks were eliminated in a four game Stobbs Division quarterfinal against the Dresden Kings.

“We’ve got some holes to fill,” explained Grubb. “We’ve got about 10 prospects at the top of our list and we want to see at least three or four of them committed to playing here. We can’t protect Southpoint players anymore, so we’ve got some heavy recruiting to do.”

Grubb referred to new Ontario Hockey Association legislation that will allow players from all minor hockey associations to join junior teams from rival communities should they chose to do so. The new rule takes effect starting with the 2018-’19 season.

Grubb explained that Wiper and Anthony could continue to work with the Sharks in other, yet-to-be-determined capacities. Although Brett Oliphant and Marc Tremblay will be back as an assistant coaches with the Wheatley team, Ken Shine will not be returning. The status of other bench personnel will be determined after their post-summer work schedules have been declared.

Representatives of Sharks coaching and management announced the following players as winners for the past season’s seven awards:

• Rookie of the Year — Dawson Iles;

• Most Improved Player — Matt Carvalho;

• Defenseman of the Year — Mitch Lantin;

• 3D Award (Determination, Drive and Desire) — Drew Denomey;

• Coaches Creed — Steve MacDonald;

• Regular Season MVP — Cole Butler;

• Playoff MVP — Alixe Saliba.

After honouring players of the past season, new and returning coaches expressed an interest in efforts to bring aboard new additions to the roster. Although only Antonio Ciampa and Ryan Zsebok were overagers from 2017-18, the Sharks will only be able to return four of the seven players who’ll be overagers for 2018-19. Grubb noted that a couple others will be unable to return because of schooling commitments while others could advance to higher levels

of

hockey. So far, both of last season’s goalies — Catalin Morin and Dylan Zelko — are expected to be back for next season.

The first major step in finding rookies will be this year’s Spring Camp, slotted for Saturday, Apr. 21 and Sunday, Apr. 22 at Unico Arena in Leamington. As of the awards banquet, about 60 players committed to the camp. Grubb explained that he’d like to see about 70 potential rookies attend the two-day event.

“We should have a good core of return players including a strong group on defense and solid goaltending. There’ll be a few holes to fill up front, which is our main issue right now.”

“I’m really excited about getting back out there,” said Carnevale, who served as an assistant coach with the Sharks for the past eight years alongside head coaches Ken Galerno and then Wiper. “We just want to get everyone out there, back

into shape and ready to work. This team has to be ready to go in September.”

Prior to coaching, Carnevale played four years with the Junior B Leamington Flyers and then two with the Sharks at left wing.

What is Discovery Healthcare Summer Camp?

It is a one-week medical science summer camp for students designed to mentor and inspire interest in pursuing a career in medicine or other health care professions.

What to expect?

Clinical skills sessions • Talks from health care professionals and opportunities for clinical exposure • Discussions involving the path to various healthcare professions • Group work solving medical cases • Recreation sessions incorporating fun and team-building activities

Location: Leamington District Secondary School, Leamington

For ages: 13-15

http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/discoveryhealthcare

From left to right, Alixe Saliba as Playoff MVP, Matt Carvalho as Most Improved, Mitch Lantin as Defenseman of the Year, Cole Butler as Regular Season MVP, Dawson Iles as Rookie of the Year and Drew Denomey as 3D (Drive, Desire and Determination) were the 2017-18 Wheatley Omstead Sharks award winners for the annual team banquet held at The Car Barn. Absent was Coaches Creed winner Steve MacDonald.

The annual Wheatley Omstead Sharks awards banquet — held Wednesday, Apr. 11 at The Car Barn — included the introduction of a new bench staff for the 2018-’19 season. From left to right, they include head coach Josh Carnevale, assistant coaches Brett Oliphant, Ian Faubert and Adam Hatt, assistant general manager Daryl Glasier and general manager Thomas Grubb. Absent from photo: Assistant Coach Marc Tremblay.

Flyers host awards banquet

By Bryan Jessop

For the first time since 2010, the Leamington Flyers commemorated more than just the end of the past season with their annual awards ceremony.

This year’s banquet, held Tuesday, Apr. 10 at The Portuguese Club, also marked the end of the eight-year ownership era of Leamington businessman Abe Fehr. Shortly after the local Junior B hockey team’s season ended with a conference semifinal Game 7 loss to the St. Thomas Stars, Fehr announced publically his intention to sell the franchise to a group of five buyers made up of Cam Crowder, David Halliwill, Dan Jancevski, Craig Mahon and Jason Melo. Fehr utilized this year’s awards event as an opportunity to thank coaches, management, players, parents, sponsors, volunteers and fans from the past season as in previous installments, but also as a chance to thank the same groups of team representatives from the seven prior campaigns under his ownership.

“The whole experience has been a dream come true,” Fehr said upon the completion of the 2017-18 banquet. “I was 10 when I started following hockey and I never thought something like this would be possible.”

Fehr started the ceremony’s series of events with a tribute to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos, a Tier II Junior A team devastated by a highway collision that claimed the lives of 16 players and staff members the previous Friday.

“It was something that really got to me over the weekend,”

Fehr said before instigating a moment of silence for the SJHL team. “Saturday and Sunday were very emotional for me. My thoughts and prayers are going to be with them for a long time. It made me think of all the time this team has spent on a bus to and from games.”

After the meal, the accolades Fehr offered to other representatives of the Flyers were reciprocated, starting with departing head coach Tony Piroski.

ers to age this year and four players to age next year, so this team is built on next year and the year after. They’re going to be at the top of the heap for the next two years. We’ve got a little bit of everything — good goaltending, good forwards, good defense and guys that work hard. There are going to be players who like playing for him (Crowder) a lot more than playing for me and vice versa. Those things are just part of the game — those things happen. I want all my players to start with a clean slate. I have nothing but good things to say for each and every one of my players.”

• Leading scorer — Griffin Robinson;

• Playoffs MVPs — Noah Hedrick and Connor Meyerink;

• Unsung Hero Award — Kade McKibbin;

• Defensive Forward of the Year — Blake Bain;

• Volunteer of the Year — Jerry Sleiman.

After hearing from players, volunteers and coaches and the announcements of award winners, the large crowd of guests listened to a brief history on where Fehr took the team during his tenure as owner from game-time voice of the Flyers, John Hammond.

been over the last number of years. It’ll be bitter-sweet for me not being in an ownership role. I don’t think I deserve as many accolades as I’ve been given over the last couple days — that’s something for the rest of you too. We’ve got a great group of fans and I hope that they’ll continue to support the team in the coming years.”

“(The season) before he bought the team, they won seven games,” Piroski noted. “We had nowhere to go but up. Between Abe and all the people we’ve brought up, I think we took one of the four or five worst hockey teams and made them one of the four or five best — we never had a losing season. As Hop (general manager Kevin Hopper) said, we were three goals away from getting to the finals six years in a row. You can have good coaches, good assistant coaches and everything else, but good owners like this are few and far between.”

Piroski noted that he was recently contacted by the team’s next head coach — Cam Crowder — who asked him about the majority of 201718 players who are eligible to return for next season. During that conversation, Piroski recommended that any and all players interested in returning for 2018-19 be welcomed quickly to the roster.

“This organization is in great shape. We are losing three play-

Word has circulated through the local junior hockey scene that Piroski may take on a coaching position for potential teams including the Chatham Maroons, but those rumblings were put to rest during the banquet.

“For any rumours that are out there floating around, I have my coaching jacket hung up and will not be coaching this year anywhere,” Piroski announced. “You can never say never, but I have no plans for coaching in the immediate future.”

“Leamington’s losing one hell of a coach this year, but an even better person,” said graduating-age captain Zach Guilbeault. “His winning ways will certainly be missed.”

Between mutual gestures of praise and thanks, Hopper and Fehr declared and distributed this past season’s awards. Winners for the 2017-18 campaign were awarded as follows:

• Rookie of the Year — Dylan Weston;

• Coaches Award — Zach Guilbeault and Dalton Langlois;

• Defenseman of the Year — Jaydon Fetter;

• Regular Season MVPs — Blake Bain and Griffin Robinson;

“We were hurting back in the day. Going back about 10 years ago, including the Zamboni driver, it seemed like our attendance was about 10,” Hammond said of the season leading up to Fehr’s purchase of the team. “We put out the request (for bids to buy the team) and when we saw the name Abe Fehr… we knew that they (Fehr and partners Jake Fehr and Gary Langman) were good hockey people, good business people, but more importantly, we knew that they were going to keep this hockey team here in Leamington, where it’s been for 66 years.”

After reflecting on some of the investments Fehr has put into the team, Hammond — a member of Leamington council — presented a municipal award to Fehr for his years as a corporate citizen along with his wife Lisa, thanking him for his services as owner of the Flyers. Hammond noted that the award bestowed upon Fehr was the only one of its kind he has witnessed since joining council four years ago.

After also being presented with an enlarged, framed 2017-18 team photos with autographs from players, coaches and staff Fehr concluded the banquet with closing remarks thanking all individuals involved with the Flyers for the successes experienced over the past eight seasons. Fehr also encouraged fans and other supporters to continue following the team in the years to come.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Fehr said of the new owners. “I really think that these guys are going to take the team to the next level again. I really think they’re going to carry forward with what the volunteer and what the team spirit has

Later, Fehr said that the decision to sell the team did not come easily. As a board member of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, he explained that he hopes to see future OHA changes translate into Tier II Junior A hockey south of Toronto for many current B teams, including the Flyers. With that in mind, he wanted to see the team land in the hands of an ambitious ownership group that could adapt to those or any other changes.

“I couldn’t just put a ‘For Sale’ sign on the team and let it go to anyone who was interested,” Fehr said. “We’ve got the best group possible taking over. They’re a great fit for the town and a great fit for the team. They want to continue on with the things that have been positive for the Flyers and carry on the tradition.”

Big Buck Sportsmen’s Show this Saturday

The Southwest Outdoors Club’s Big Buck Sportsmen’s Show is this Saturday, April 21 at Tilbury Arena, 49 Bond Ave. Deer and moose racks, wild turkey beards and bear skulls will be scored by FROW (Federation of Ontario Wildlife), and there will be more than 60 booths offering hunting and fishing gear as well as outdoor clothing and accessories.

Activities for kids include fishing in a trout pond, 3D archery shooting and the Birds of Prey Show by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy.

There will also be a huge door prize table and an ATV raffle.

The Big Buck Sportmen’s Show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5, free for kids under 12 accompanied by an adult.

Executive member and game announcer John Hammond presents outgoing owner and president Abe Fehr with a certificate from the Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington — for whom Hammond is also a councillor.

General manager Kevin Hopper (left) presents a collage and team jersey to graduating age player Zach Guilbeault during the annual Leamington Flyers awards ceremony.

Director of hockey operations Harold Konrad (right) presents a team photo signed by players to owner and president Abe Fehr during the Leamington Flyers’ annual awards ceremony at The Portuguese Club Tuesday, Apr. 10. The event marked the end of the 2017-18 season as well as the eight-year ownership era for Fehr, who is selling the team to a group of five local buyers.

Members of the 2017-18 roster pose for photos at the

Leamington Flyers awards ceremony at The Portuguese Club.

An intermediate group completes their routine to “I’m Still Standing” in the second half of this year’s Skate Wheatley Carnival Saturday, Apr. 7 at Wheatley Area Arena. This year, 94 Skate Wheatley members performed 34 numbers to the theme “This Is Your Moment — Going For Gold” in afternoon and evening presentations. Routines included 14 solos including one from guest skater Jake Ellis of Essex, a former Skate Wheatley member who won bronze at the Skate Canada Challenge in Montreal and gold at the Ontario Winter Games.

Skate Wheatley Carnival

Kenda Hancock performs as a soloist to “Do I Wanna Know” during the 44th annual Skate Wheatley Carnival.

One of the Pre Can Skate members peers out into the crowd while her group performs to “I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends”.

Isabella Ribeiro begins her number to the tune “Fix You” in the second half of this year’s Skate Wheatley Carnival.

Cardinal Carter boys soccer vs. Kennedy

Austin Paparola of the Cougars tries to intercept as a Kennedy player sends the ball onto the host team’s half of the field during Cardinal Carter’s WECSSAA Tier I boys soccer home opener Thursday, Apr. 12. The Cougars improved to one win and one draw in a 3-0 decision over the Clippers, with Nico Gualtieri scoring twice and Thomas Saba adding a single. Two days earlier, Cardinal Carter and the Holy Names Knights settled on a 3-3 tie, with Cougar goals provided by Saba (2) and Gualtieri.

Hat tricks for Humboldt tournament fundraiser Apr. 26

Hat Tricks for Humboldt Fundraiser Hockey Tournament will be held Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29 at Essex Centre Sports Complex, with all proceeds going to the Humboldt Broncos Junior Hockey Team.

The tournament is for players ages 16-20 – two girl and two boy divisions consisting of a recreational and competitive division. Junior house league players are welcome. Cost to register is $650 per team

To register a team, contact Paige Stomp at 519-999-4747 or Troy Stomp at 519-8190066, or email tstomp@cogeco.ca

Golden Years golf report

On April 11 at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, 33 Golden Years golfers delivered 59 aces, highlighted by 3 consecutive aces on hole #3 delivered by Eileen McIntosh, Bill Mayville and Bill Ward.

Leading the ace parade with 5 was Bryon Walker, followed with 4 each by Mary Anne and Doug Vickery. Sinking 3 each were Tom Dewhurst, Lloyd Honey, Laurie Hylton, Bob Martin, Bill Mayville, Bill Taylor, Gail Turk and Bill Ward. Dropping 2 each were Pete Daudlin, Cathy Dewhurst, Marie Lasi, Betty McManus, Andy Orsini and Tom Sasso. Chipping in with 1 apiece were Jack Gisi, Eva Kah, Eileen McIntosh, Bob McWilliam, Barb Murphy, John Murphy, Colleen Pearse, Mavis Rutter, Moe Scratch and Gerrit Vriesen.

A strong 16 over 9 holes was carded by Doug Vickery. Managing 17 were Laurie Hylton, Betty McManus, Colleen Pearse, Andy Orsini, Marie Lasi, Bryon Walker and Jack Gisi. Rounding out the scores over 9 holes with 18 were Mary Anne Vickery, Gary Honey, Pete Daudlin, Doug Vickery, Marie Lasi, Bob McWilliam, Bill Taylor, Bob Martin (2), John Murphy, Eileen McIntosh and Bill Ward.

Doug Vickery continued his strong play with 34 over 18 holes. A 36 went to Andy Orsini, while Mary Anne Vickery, Pete Daudlin, Betty McManus and John Murphy each carded 37. Rounding out the low scores with 38 were Gary Honey, Doug Vickery, Cathy Dewhurst, Marie Lasi, Bill Taylor, Bob Martin (2), Jack Gisi and Bill Ward. Doug Vickery’s eye for the aces was again reflected in a 72 over 36 holes. Mary Anne Vickery and Bob Martin had 76. Cathy Dewhurst, Andy Orsini and Marie Lasi each scored 77, while Laurie Hylton, Lloyd Honey, Eileen McIntosh and Bill Ward rounded out the scoring with 78. A score of 231 was good enough for first place by Team 4 (Doug Vickery, Betty McManus, Cathy Dewhurst). Carding 237 and second place was Team 9 (Mavis Rutter, Jack Gisi, Bob Martin). Third and final spot with 240 was nailed down by Team 2 (Julia Kos, Pete Daudlin, Laurie Hylton).

Play continues every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Colasanti’s. The final date for golf is May 17. Golf will be followed immediately by the annual banquet luncheon. Paid-up members must pay $5 each in advance, while member’s guests may attend by paying $10 each.

LDSS boys soccer vs. Essex

Chaya Ahmed Ali passes the ball before two Essex players can close in on him during the first half of the WECSSAA Tier II boys soccer home and season opener for the Lions at the old LDSS field Monday, Apr. 9. Essex scored two early goals en route to a 5-4 win. Leamington goals were scored by Romario Badchkam, Lebar Mar, Jashaun Martens and Rushawn Badchkam. On Thursday, Apr. 12, the Lions paid a visit to the Brennan Cardinals, where they won in a score of 1-0. Danny Neufeld earned the shutout in goal while Romario Badchkam scored the lone goal.

Flamingo bowling scores

The following are the Flamingo Restaurant bowling leagues scores for April 2. Games Over 200: Manfred Dickau 203, Aaron Dickau 206-220, Dan Dalimonte 278202, Kelly Bruner 233, Albert Salvati 208, Al Bison 203, Wayne Abbott 216-214, Jack Valade 203-233, Heinz Kosempel 234, Chris Kosempel 247-218-224, Ernie Purr 237, Gary Garnham 251-209.

Series Over 550: Aaron Dickau 614, Dan Dalimonte 642, Kelly Bruner 604, Al Bison 562, Wayne Abbott 570, Jack Valade 602, Heinz Kosempel 607, Chris Kosempel 689, Willy Fittler 554, Ernie Purr 585, Gary Garnham 627.

High Handicap Games: Dan Dalimonte 325, Gary Garnham 298, Ernie Purr 297.

High Handicap Series: Chris Kosempel 806, Dan Dalimonte 783, Gary Garnham 768. Standings for end of second-half season: Rhine Danube 62, S.W. Property 57, Dickau Construction 53, Weil’s Food 51, Del Fresco 46, Fittler Farms 46.

Dan Dalimonte’s game of 278 was third high for the season, and his 325 handicap game was also third high.

Congratulations to the Rhine Danube team for being second-half season champs.

Church Directory

2

3

fun page

ANSWERS ON PAGE B-13

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you may have to admit that the master plan you have set up has a few

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

itinerary, put all of your effort into the

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

E-mail, call or drop off your classified ad by Friday at 4:00

Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: journal@mnsi.net or sun@mnsi.net

COMING UP

KINGSVILLE LEGION

BRANCH 188 - Friday Night

Dinners 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Weekly Special - Friday, April 20th roast beef and battered haddock $16. Other weekly menu items $14. Karaoke every 3rd Saturday of the month 8:00 p.m. 519-7335162 (office) or 519-7339081 (bar). a6-tf

MAYOR TO SPEAK at ASK

Annual Meeting - Public invited! Arts Society of Kingsville invites all members and the general public to attend its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pelee Island Winery, Kingsville, lower level (elevator available). Guest speaker Mayor Nelson Santos will discuss the exciting plans for Kingsvilleʼs new Arts & Cultural Centre by the Lake! Refreshments will be served. Please plan to attend. (Next A.S.K. monthly meeting May 31, 7:00 p.m., Unico). ap11-18

HOUSE FOR SALE

THREE LEVEL SIDE SPLIT

- 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, attached 1.5 car garage. 389 Heritage Road, Kingsville, $279,900. Call owner (Ron) for appointment to view. 519733-4725 or attend Open House 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. ap18

IRWIN PLUMBING - New homes, renovations, repairs. Same or next day service. Since 1999. Call Tim 519825-7245. mr8-tf

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

SOUTHPOINT PRINT: Envelopes, invoices, flyers, postcards, brochures, booklets, drivers logs, tickets, and many other custom print jobs. Call Mallory 519-3989098 or mallory@southpointsun.ca. tf

MOVING/YARD SALE

1304 WIGLE GROVE RD, Kingsville, April 20 and 21, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Kitchen set, glass table with chairs, appliances, furniture and much more. ap18

8 DONALD AVENUE, Leamington. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 20, 21 & 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Something for everyone - everythingʼs gotta go. ap18

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE - April 20-22 9:00 a.m. - ? 14 Camelot St. Moving - furniture, kitchenware, collectable glassware, and gardening tools. Rain date April 27-29. ap18

ITEMS FOR SALE

1988 GOLDWING TRIKE with reverse, and towable camper. Call 519-326-9626. mr28-ap18

ROUND - 2 DOOR Corner Shower for sale. Almost brand new, never been used. 36 x 36 x 75”, frosted glass. Asking $750. Can be reached at 519-903-3347. ap18-25

COCA COLA COLLEC-

Brian E. Adamson

Oak St. East

Eye examinations by appointment

TION, Oil lamp collection, Cat Wine Bottle collection, Stainless steel flask collection, Gingerbread collection, Campbellʼs Soup collection, salt & pepper collection, train set collection, die cast car collection, belt & buckle collection, A & W Cup collection, Christmas jar collection, Chuck Wagon collection, Porcelain doll collection, cigarette case collection. Call 519-326-9626. mr28-ap18

LEAMINGTON LAKEFRONT

Greenhouse Labour Positions Available

Wage: $14.00 per hour

Full Time Employment

40+ Hours a Week

Duties include Crop Work, Picking, Winding, etc. Fast paced environment, repetitive tasks, handling heavy boxes, bending, kneeling, attention to detail. No experience required. No education required. Must have own transportation.

Please send resume to: employment@wpgreenhouses.ca WEST POINTE GREENHOUSES LTD., 404 ROAD 3, LEAMINGTON

JC FRESH FARMS & greenhouses

JOB OPPORTUNITY

General Labour Warehouse, Vegetable Packer

Hours vary on production.

Wage: $14.00 per hour. Please fax resume to: 519-733-8059 or apply online at: www.jcfreshfarms.com

Greenhouse Worker

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Crop work, winding, pruning, harvesting

• Checking quality of harvested produce

• Other duties as assigned

WORK CONDITIONS:

• Fast-paced environment, repetitive tasks, standing for extended periods

• Bend, crouching, kneeling, hand-eye coordination, attention to detail

• Working at heights, hot environment

WAGE AND HOURS:

• 40 plus hours a week including Saturdays

• Wage: 14.00/hour, seasonal, full time

No Education Required. No Experience Required. Please forward your resume by email to: hr@orangelinefarms.com (627 County Rd. 14, R.R. # 5, Leamington, ON N8H 3V8)

LOOKING FOR CAREGIVER for 71 year old woman suffering from Dementia (Stage 1) to provide vital physical, practical, and emotional support. Services will be needed for 4 hours per day 4 times a week, starting immediately. Offering $25 per hour. Hours are flexible, so caregiver can choose which days work best for them. Please email robinabbrewer@gmail. com to apply or for more information. ap4-25

NOW HIRING

KITCHEN

& WAIT STAFF & ICE CREAM ATTENDANT

Please send resume to: freddysparkstop@gmail.com

We are seeking

GREENHOUSE

PRODUCTION ASSOCIATES

• Compensation is $14.00/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@aphria.com or mail a resume to: P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S., Leamington, ON N8H 3C4

General Labourers for 2018 Processing Season

• Day and night shifts 50-60+ hours/week (Mon.-Sat.)

• Working in warm temperatures

• Transport raw, finished & packaged materials; measure/ dump ingredients; check for basic quality defects

• Starting wage $14.00 per hour No education, and no experience required. lori.weil@weilsfood.ca 483 Erie St. North Box 130 Wheatley, ON N0P 2P0

STUDENTS

Do you have ideas for creating your own company? Here’s your chance to turn those ideas into a real business this summer. The Summer Company program provides you up to $3000 and the opportunity to start your very own business and to develop your entrepreneurial skills.

The program is open to students between 15 and 29, who are returning to school in the fall. It can help bring your ideas to life. It’s exciting and highly rewarding, and it’ll give you the chance to be your own boss.

When it comes to actually getting your company up and running we’ll provide you with up to $1500 and the training you will need to help get you started. Then, when you’ve successfully completed the program at the end of the summer, we’ll give you up to $1500 for your return to school.

For more information or to sign up for Summer Company, contact Chatham-Kent’s Small Business Centre at 519-360-1998 or visit Ontario.ca/SummerCompany.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE for onfarm market and packers needed. Apply at raymontsberries@live.com. ap11-18

E-mail, call or drop off your classified ad by Friday at 4:00 p.m. 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 5, Leamington ON N8H 1M2 Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: journal@mnsi.net or sun@mnsi.net We accept CASH, CHEQUE, DEBIT, VISA &

GREENHOUSE WORKERS NEEDED

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.

$14.00 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.

Apply: Southshore Greenhouses Inc. 1746 Seacliff Drive Kingsville, Ontario N9Y

E-mail, call or drop off your classified ad by Friday at 4:00

Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: journal@mnsi.net or sun@mnsi.net

•

Send resume to: mjobin@leamington.com 108 Erie St. N. Leamington 519-326-3206

Erie Shores Golf and Country Club Hiring for the position of

GOLF COURSE LABOURER

Employment from end of March to end of October annually @ 44 hrs./week, wage starting at $14.00/hour but may increase with any golf course experience and/or having or obtaining a Horticultural Program diploma. Other College/university students are also encouraged to apply.

Interested Applicants can email resume to: miketoth.si@gmail.com or fax to 519-326-3519 Phone: 519-326-4231 Ext.5

GENERAL GREENHOUSE

LABOUR - Full time and part time positions available. 4048 hours per week, weekends/holidays. Wage $14/ hour. Physically demanding work, load lifting required, hot humid environment. Duties include planting, pruning, suckering, harvesting, and other duties as assigned. No experience required. Apply to IPR Farms Ltd. by fax 519-326-6702 or email hriprfms@gmail.com. mr28-tf

GENERAL GREENHOUSE LABOURERS needed. Requires heavy lifting and crop work. Minimum wage. Call 226-348-7545. ap18-25

M&M FARMS LTD - Greenhouse Worker positions available. Responsibilities: crop work, winding, pruning, harvesting, checking quality of harvested produce, other duties as assigned. Work Conditions: fast-paced environment, repetitive tasks, standing for extended periods, bending, crouching, kneeling, attention to detail, working at heights, hot environment. Hours: 45+ hours a week including weekends. Wage: $14.00 per hour, seasonal, full time. No education or experience required. Must have own transportation. Please forward e-mail to mmfarms@bell.net or Fax: 519-326-8047. ap18-my9

PINNACLE ACRES REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $14.00/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: pinnalcejobs@hotmail.ca No experience or education required. mr7-ap18

NOTICES

Leamington Library Redesign Project

Notice of Public Open House

The Municipality of Leamington, in collaboration with the Essex County Library Board have undertaken the redesign & retrofit of the Leamington Public Library. The Municipality has retained the services of Passa Associates Architects to assist with the project. A Public Open House will be held to engage the community and gather feedback on the conceptual drawings for the renovations.

Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: Leamington Municipal Building, 111 Erie St. N. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Greenall

Chief Librarian/CEO, Essex County Library 360 Fairview Ave W Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

rgreenall@essexcountylibrary.ca

Paul Barnable

Director of Community & Development Services

Municipality of Leamington 111 Erie Street North, Leamington, ON N8H 2Z9

519-326-5761 ext 1369

pbarnable@leamington.ca

NOTICES

Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) completed a Water and Wastewater Master Plan for the Municipality of ChathamKent in 2012. An update of this Master Plan was completed in 2018 and outlines short-term and long-term water and wastewater servicing strategies to the year 2037 to:

 • meet current and anticipated future demands, including the need for infrastructure improvements and upgrades

address current and future regulatory requirements

provide funding for future servicing

The Master Plan Update was completed following Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. This Master Plan Update renews the water and wastewater infrastructure recommendations to meet the needs of Chatham-Kent. In general, the preferred servicing strategies include:

 • Water - continued capital improvements to the water supply and distribution system to improve system reliability and address current and future regulatory requirements.

 • Wastewater - continued capital improvements to the wastewater treatment and sewage collection system to improve system performance, reliability, address current and future regulatory requirements, and provide funding for future servicing opportunities.

The preferred strategy includes a number of projects that will be completed in accordance with the requirements for a Schedule B project under the Class EA.

Some Schedule B Class EA projects require acquisition of land and specific sighting for the project. In addition to completing Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Class EA process for these activities, additional on-site and off-site investigations will be required under the detailed design phase. Additional investigations may include: soil and groundwater testing, air quality and noise, water quality testing, where projects are located on a new site, and traffic studies where construction is in existing right-of-way or easements, in conformance with the Screening Criteria found in Appendix 3 under the Municipal Class EA.

Any future servicing of currently un-serviced communities, hamlets and rural areas will be completed as a separate Class EA study, including consultation with local residents and specific agencies.

Public Review Period

The Master Plan Update will be available for a 30-day public and agency review period from April 18 to May 17, 2018.

Subject to comments received as a result of this notice, the Municipality intends to officially adopt this Master Plan Update in guiding its water and wastewater infrastructure program. The report will be available at the following locations and on the Municipality’s website www.chatham-kent.ca.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre

315 King Street West

Chatham, ON, N7M 5K8

Phone 519-360-1998

Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission

325 Grand Avenue East

Chatham, ON, N7M 5L8

Phone: 519- 436-0119

Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

The Municipality will consider all comments received. Please submit your comments by May 17, 2018 to: Rob Bernardi, P.Eng., Facilities &

Day Skaters kick off the 44th annual Skate Wheatley Carnival to “Fight Song” at Wheatley Area Arena Saturday, Apr. 7. This year, 94 Skate Wheatley members performed 34 numbers to the theme “This Is Your Moment — Going For Gold” in afternoon and evening presentations. Routines included 14 solos including one from guest skater Jake Ellis of Essex, a former Skate Wheatley member who won bronze at the Skate Canada Challenge in Montreal and gold at the Ontario Winter Games.

Hailey Bazala and the rest of her senior group start the second half of Skate Wheatley’s annual carnival to the tune “Sky Full of Stars.”