Southpoint Sun December 11, 2013

Local Tim Hortons team wins provincials

By Bryan Jessop

Reaching the national level of the Tim Cup Challenge may have been a ‘steep’ hill to climb, but proved an attainable goal for a local team of Tim Hortons employees. Taylor Ives, Gina Geauvrea, Olivia Pallotta and Erika Verissimo followed up on their district championship of the second annual nation-wide competition by winning the provincials in Ottawa and participating in the national championships, also held in the Canadian capital. The team, self-dubbed ‘Steeped Team,’ won $4,000 for their efforts in addition to another $1,000 per member for a sum of $2,000 each.

“We are so proud of them,” said K.S. Crowder Enterprises Inc. operations manager Tracy Hunter.

“They did very well.”

The Tim Cup Challenge — a series of competitions for teams of Tim Hortons coworkers to test their speed, accuracy and courtesy in handling hypothetical orders — began this year across Canada and some U.S. locations in October with district events hosted by participating restaurants. A total of about 1,500 Ontario Tim Hortons branches competed for a chance at the provincial finals.

Leamington employees united in taking pay freeze

Non-union workers with the Municipality of Leamington added their support to their employer by turning down an already approved pay increase.

The annual economic adjustment report came to Council on Monday, December 9. The non-union employees include summer students, crossing guards, parttime employees and members of Council. Because this is reviewed yearly, the pay freeze is for one year.

The pay freeze initiative started when unionized public works employees in Leamington chose to forgo a negotiated pay increase after the announcement of the Heinz plant closure.

A report to Council stated, “The bargaining units for the Municipality representing the Leamington Firefighters Association, Teamsters (Public Works and Recreation) have agreed to a 0% wage adjustment for 2014/2015.

Like our bargaining units, non union staff fully understands the impact the Heinz closure could have on Leamington, and it is therefore recommended that the non-union staff receive a 0% adjustment for 2014.

Regional winners arrived in Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 18 and competed in the province-wide event the following day. With a kiosk set up on stage, each team took turns responding to three orders in front of a panel of six judges. Several spectators, including 3,000 store owners, attended the Ontario and national events.

After winning at the Ontario level, Steeped Team became one of five groups to vie for the national title. The five finalists represented Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Eastern Canada and Ohio. For the second consecutive year, the team from St. John’s, Newfoundland was deemed champions. Although judges did not offer the public the rankings and/or scores of the other four teams, some in attendance explained that Steeped Tea finished second.

“They were fantastic,” said K.S. Enterprises Inc. owner Keith Crowder, who played NHL hockey with the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings through the 1980s. “Every one of them did a terrific job. I hope they’re all still here for next year.”

Taylor Ives, the youngest of the four from what K.S. Enterprises describes as it’s Leamington ‘south’ store, performed the roll of order taker while the other three put orders together. Crowder was allowed to watch his team in action, but could not witness other competitors as orders given were similar if not identical.

Between the provincial and national events, Steeped Tea practiced in their hotel room.

“They were very well prepared,” Crowder noted.

The five K.S. Crowder Tim Hortons restaurants — each of the three in Leamington and both in Essex — formed at least one team each last year, but did not advance beyond the regionals. The Leamington south location represented by Steeped Team has been in operation since 1987 while the north branch across from Leamington Fairgrounds was incorporated in December of 1992 while the west store came to being in 1997.

While on stage in Ottawa, Steeped Team introduced Crowder as “Keith Prouder.” Upon their return to the airport in Windsor, the local foursome were greeted and returned to Leamington in a limousine.

“They got back to work still flying high,” Hunter said with a laugh.

The report concluded that he trickledown effect, as a result of the Heinz closure will not be realized for a number of years; however, the Municipality knows that the loss of its major employer will have an impact on the community. Therefore a 0% adjustment for 2014 for non-union staff is recommended.

“The leadership shown by our firefighters, Teamsters, parks and rec staff, and the non-union is very comendable,” stated Mayor John Paterson after Council accepted the recomendation.

Toys 4 Tots needs more toys

The annual Toys 4 Tots campaign is in need of more toys to make sure every child has a present this Christmas.

This Saturday, December 14 at 11 a.m. is the Live Auction by Legacy Auctions at the Leamington Fairgrounds (Farmers’ Market). There are four lots up for auction which will make many children’s Christmas wishes come true.

“It seems their list for families has grown by leaps and bounds this year and they only have enough for half the kids! We are trying to get the word out about this very special auction that will be taking place. All the money raised goes to Toys 4 Tots,” stated Tammy Wiper. Be sure to check out the drop off locations for toy donations on Page 26 of this paper.

From left to right, Erika Verissimo, Taylor Ives, Gina Geauvreau and Olivia Pallotta display the $4,000 cheque won by their Tim Hortons second annual Tim Cup Challenge team ‘Steeped Team’

BANK NOTES

10 ERIE STREET SOUTH LEAMINGTON 519-326-8805

FAMILY CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT

“Santa, Stories & Songs of the Holidays”

Children ages 4 to 11 are invited to a FREE morning of holiday fun! Come make a holiday craft, have your face painted, enjoy a snack, make music with Crazy Raisy, listen to stories of the holidays and take home a free photo with Santa! Parents of children ages 4 to 6 are asked to stay with their children during the program.

Saturday December 14 from 9:30 to noon at St. John’s Anglican Church, 60 Erie Street North, Leamington. Presented by Sun Parlour Players Community Theatre and sponsored by Access Neighbours. For more information, call 519-326-8805.

TBT’S OFF SITE MUSIC SERIES

Coming Saturday January 11, 2014: The contemporary jazzy sounds of Ian McGregor Smith and Friends at Leamington’s Knox Presbyterian Church. “Jazzed Up January” will be a concert not to be missed! Tickets: $12 each available in Leamington at Guardian Drugs and The Lesson Lounge, in Wheatley at The Party & Discount Store and in Kingsville at Rebel Cowboy Music.

Follow The Bank Theatre on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheBankTheatre

Is there a special someone in your life who at Christmastime always says “Please don’t buy me anything. I don’t need a thing!”?

Here is the solution to your problem… Buy this special someone a seat at The Bank Theatre.

For a $1,000 tax-deductible donation, your loved one’s name will be on a seat for all time. This is a Christmas present that won’t end up at a garage sale! As a registered charity, you will receive a donation tax receipt. Please include your cheque and the completed form (below) and send both to Sun Parlour Players Community Theatre, Box 434, Leamington, N8H 3W5. For more info, please call 519-326-8805.

Yes! I would like to make a donation celebrating someone special by purchasing a seat at The Bank Theatre.

Please create a plaque with the following name: Please mail tax deductible receipt

Thanks for support

On October 29th our son, Journey Stephen James Stickney, did not wake up from his sleep. We later found out that he had passed away from SIDS, which leaves us with no reason or explanation as to why. This sudden tragedy has left us broken, not knowing what to do, how to proceed in life or how to live. Every day we face challenges in moving forward.

I moved to the Toronto area about 10 years ago but have never forgotten where I came from. When our son died, the outcry of messages and support from an overwhelming number of people from the Leamington and Wheatley area was amazing. Seeing so many familiar faces and the hugs we received at the funeral helped as we didn’t feel so alone during this time. We will never be able to thank you all for all of your support, donations, and phone calls so we thought that this letter would help us reach all of you.

Journey was a great baby boy. He just started smiling and looking into our eyes and acknowledging us. He had big hands that I think he got from his greatgrandfather and a beautiful smile that he got from his mother. His sister loved him and insisted on helping change his diaper, holding him and rubbing his back after feedings. Dove is only 2½ so we have told her that he has gone up with the stars past the moon. She still talks about him and we hope she will remember her short time with him forever.

I want to thank all of you again for all of your support thus far and going forward. We ask that over the upcoming Christmas holiday that you hug your loved ones a little longer and tighter, tell them you love them one more time and cherish every moment you have with them.

Love Stephen, Sherri and Dove Stickney

Can You Identify These Suspects?

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Leamington would like the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects from a break-in that occurred two weeks ago in the Municipality of Leamington, just outside of Wheatley.

Two residences on Coterie Park were entered and ransacked between Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29. Video obtained from the scene show a male and female suspect on the front porch of one of the residences. Several items were stolen from within both residences.

If you have any information regarding the identity of these persons, you are asked to contact the OPP Street Crimes Unit at 519-326-2544. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.

Make Leamington Fire Services’ holiday wishes come true!

Leamington Fire Services

Chief Chuck Parsons has a holiday wish and he needs your help to make it come true.

“I’m wishing for a firefree holiday season this year,” said Chief Parsons. “But I need you to make this come true!”

While fire can happen anywhere, at anytime, it most often strikes when we let our guard down – when we’re distracted by the hustle and bustle of the holidays, by the telephone, by the kids or by the doorbell. All it takes is for a pot to be left on the stove, or a candle left burning unattended, and a family’s holiday celebrations can turn to tragedy.

“Consider using batteryoperated or electric flameless candles,” continued Parsons. “Never leave cooking unattended, drink responsibly, and keep a close eye on those who do not.”

The Leamington Fire Services also reminds you that it’s the law to maintain working smoke alarms on

every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. Everyone is urged to take a few minutes to test their smoke alarms and install new batteries if needed.

It is also a good idea to have a carbon monoxide alarm that will alert you to the presence of this deadly gas.

The holidays are a time when friends and family

visit. Have a home fire escape plan with two ways out and make sure everyone is familiar with the plan.

For more holiday season fire safety tips, visit www. ontario.ca/firemarshal

Details remain limited as the news of a Leamington businessman’s death in Brazil has made national headlines.

What can be verified is that Dean Tiessen, New Energy Farms president was in Brazil for a 10-day agro-business trip.

According to reports from Brazilian media, Tiessen and New Energy Farms CEO Paul Carver were driving Saturday night, December 7 when they came across an attempted cargo robbery. Reports say the two men were ordered out of their vehicle by the armed suspects, who shot Tiessen twice and fled the scene.

Tiessen received a Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence in 2011, for growing miscanthus, a perennial grass, a source of fuel for the greenhouses. New Energy Farms is a global leader with its innovative venture to grow the grasses, process them into dense pellets and market the pellets as fuel.

Tiessen leaves behind a wife and four children. Foreign Affairs Canada has not released information about the shooting. No arrests have been reported in this murder.

Dean Tiessen New Energy Farms photo

Leamington Firefighters had their boots in hand as they collected donations for The Salvation Army on Saturday, December 7. Donations help support the essential programs of The Salvation.

(SUN Photo)

Keep it simple in survival mode

We get so wrapped up with what we don’t have, what we want, we lose our perspective regarding what we truly need and the world that simply provides it. What kind of world do we live in that is so far away from the deserted island from long ago?

Last week, my body finally let me know enough is enough. It felt like it was short-circuiting. In the process of trying to plan the perfect Currier and Ives, Norman Rockwell and Hallmark Christmas all wrapped up with a lovely ribbon, I went into overload. Fortunately, I was lucky and warded off a migraine by taking time for myself. I rested a little longer in bed that morning, then soaked my feet and gave myself a pedicure. My head felt better and so did my tootsies.

snorkeling gear and a knife, basic clothing to protect us from the sun, and our food supplies. My mother, once again a wealth of knowledge, helped prepare our zip-locked food packs with dried staples that stored well. Rice, flour, baking powder, dried fruits, dried vegetable soup mixes and drink crystals were loaded into our backpacks.

What am I trying to wrap up in these gaily-wrapped presents? I ask myself this question and the answers I come up with are all the simple gifts that I recall from my childhood. These weren’t the ones ordered from the Wish Book, even though the moments spent flipping through those pages were wondrous. The memorable gifts were the ‘untouchables in the atmosphere’ that my parents created within our home.

Each day we were given rations. One day they included oatmeal, raisins and nuts, the next day bread, raisins and nuts. Our water jug was filled daily. We were on our own for the rest of the day. Since there was a group of us on this island, we soon learned who we wanted to be on our team. We chose the people who brought something valuable to the table, like knowledge, skills and food items we could trade.

The Sweet Smells of Christmas was a favourite book we scratched and sniffed our way through, but the goodies Mom prepared with our helpful little hands were what brought these smells and tastes to life. Shortbread cookies and Christmas cake carefully chopped, mixed and aged in brandy filled our cookie tins and tummies. I would stare through the windows of our homemade gingerbread house and dream of living within its stained glass windows and gumdrop walls.

We swam every day with our group and gathered food we could use to prepare our meals. Conch chowder was prepared with dried soup base, conch fritters were made with flour and baking powder, and spiny lobster filled our menus. Life was simple when we were focused on survival and surrounded by the people chosen to be on our team. One group’s staple of gummy bears melted into a mammoth gummy bear, but even so it didn’t trade well for our yummy concoctions. On occasion, a dollop of their rum awarded them a taste of our chowder. Somehow they went well together!

Sometimes our lives become so quick-paced that we send ourselves into survivor mode without even knowing it. Sooner or later our bodies let us know and we are wise not to ignore the symptoms. Thirty years ago, Mark and I actually survived. Now, as I think back to the two weeks we spent on ‘the island’, survival there seemed to be a much easier task than those we put ourselves through daily now.

Back to reality, our feet slowly step out of the sand. Food continues to fill our pantries and our hot water is warmed by a hot water heater instead of by the sun. If we pay attention our bodies let us know when they are in survivor mode. Weariness, headaches, ulcers, shoulder aches are simply a few of the symptoms that send a warning to our brains. One would think we’d been swinging through a jungle. Hmmm, maybe we are.

We were dropped on Pyfroms Cay, an island in the Exumas south of Nassau, Bahamas. We were only allowed to bring what we could carry. That included a dome tent, our

Before the holidays have come and gone and we’ve barely survived them, let’s try to find “the more in the less.” Who would you choose to survive with and what would you pack to survive on? “Life’s a Beach”, so choose wisely.

Gift-giving more than just buying presents

My mother-in-law in London reads the Southpoint Sun every week online. She has no real allegiance to Leamington, but she likes to go through the paper and see what I’ve been up to. She has reminded me repeatedly that she misses my column. And I always have the same lame excuse, “I know, I know, I’m just too busy.” I was recently reminded by Maeve Omstead-Johnston, who politely told me how much she enjoys my columns, but that she hadn’t seen any lately. Again, I said, “I know, I know, I’m just too busy.” And now I’ve had a couple of ladies mention to me how much they love the Southpoint Sun, but they miss my column. If I miss one week, I can blame it on being busy, but if I continue to be too busy to write every week, then something’s wrong in my life and I need to find the balance again. I need to write, I love to write. And so I’m back.

I think I was about 30 years old before I truly embraced the concept of it’s better to give than to receive. How true. I really have no wants for Christmas or birthdays, but I absolutely love shopping for others. I appreciate every gift and every card, but I really love watching people open my gifts.

I remember once when I was a kid, I was about eight and my older sister and her friend were at our house and they were going rollerskating for her birthday. As soon as I found out it was her friend’s birthday I biked down to the corner store (about a country mile) and bought a plastic ring. At eight, it wasn’t like I had a lot of money. I had some change that I was saving to buy a bottle of root beer after baseball practice, but this was definitely

more important. It was an oversized ugly bluebird ring, but I was so proud to give it to her. I remember her jokingly saying that she’d turn it over so the bluebird was in her palm, so she wouldn’t break it while rollerskating.

I know now that she was being polite and didn’t want to be seen with the ring on. I’m sure she took it off as soon as they left. But to this day we laugh about that day. We went out for supper last year and when we reminisced about it, she said it was her 18th birthday and she doesn’t remember one other present, but she always remembered my bluebird ring. It restores my faith in the ideal that, ‘it’s the thought that counts.’

Another memorable gift was a ring I gave my best friend. She was waiting for the adoption of her daughter to come through and it was a long heartbreaking process that kept mother and daughter apart for months. For Mother’s Day I gave her a ring with her new daughter’s birthstone. I was so excited to give the present that I couldn’t wait until Mother’s Day. Some things you never forget.

As this Christmas draws nearer, I’m once again trying to find meaningful gifts for those who mean the most to me. There is so much variety right here in Leamington, that I can honestly say, aside from buying a goat and chickens through World Vision, I have shopped locally.

SHEILA McBRAYNE

McThots

Second report supports first: it’s

more

economical to keep turf maintenance in-house

The reoccurring question of whether it is more cost efficient to contract out municipal turf maintenance or to keep the work in-house surfaced on Monday, December 9 in a report from Robert Sharon, Director of Community Services.

During the review of the 2013 budgets, Council requested that administration provide a report comparing the costs of contracting out municipal turf maintenance versus completing the work in-house. A similar study was completed by administration in 2010 which concluded that “the small cost differential is more than made up for by the higher level of service and the efficiencies around combining other maintenance activities with the turf maintenance”.

Municipal staff maintains over 200 acres of turf on an annual basis. Economies of scale justify the purchase of this larger equipment, which in turn saves significantly on the number of people hours required to cut various parcels. This is demonstrated by larger properties showing a greater savings compared to contractor costs. Sharon also noted the Municipality is more competitive in its pricing because it does not have to make a profit like a private company would. He also pointed out that the Municipality uses summer students in tandem with fulltime employees to perform the work and keep costs down.

“We have a total of over 300 acres of grass cutting, if we opened it up, would we get a lower price?” asked Councillor John Jacobs. Sharon explained that most bidders were not equipped with large enough equip-

ment and the cost to invest in such equiptment, would require a multi-year commitment for contract work.

In his report to Council, Sharon stated there are other benefits to be considered and efficiencies to be realized with in-house resources completing turf maintenance. While a well managed private sector contractor can deliver a quality result at the agreed upon price, in the low bid environment of public sector procurement, there is the risk of a poor performing contractor substantially impacting the service standard provided to residents and users of the specific areas.

In-house crews can be selective of which properties are suitable to be completed in varying weather and subturf conditions.

These crews have the flexibility to leave a particular area and be re-assigned other work, returning when conditions improve. Inhouse crews will also report and/or repair any deficiencies in the specific areas while they are at the site. In addition, mowing is only one aspect of turf maintenance.

The results of the study do show that smaller properties, which make up the

‘Downtown List’ show a small potential for savings. These small areas, which are located throughout the municipality, pose challenges when assigning estimated contractor maintenance costs due to estimating contractor mobilization and demobilization costs.

Overall, the municipality currently has a good balance of resources available to complete the various seasonal operational tasks throughout the year. As turf maintenance is a seasonal operation, these municipal resources, including personnel and equipment are also utilized in other seasonal operations such as winter control. To attempt to reduce either equipment and/ or staff in one season, will ultimately affect efficiencies in other operations. In addition, per the current Teamster’s collective agreement, no seniority employee can be laid off as a result of any work or service being sub-contracted. As a result, contracting out additional turf maintenance with all else remaining equal, would ultimately result in higher annual costs to the Municipality.

The report was received for information.

Blair promoted to OPP Deputy Commissioner

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Chief Superintendent Brad Blair has been promoted to rank of Deputy Commissioner, Provincial Commander for Traffic Safety and Operational Support, replacing Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey who retired at the end of November.

Originally from Essex, Ontario, and a graduate of the University of Windsor, Blair is currently the Commander of the OPP’s Central Region, but will transition to his new role in the near future as one of four Provincial Commanders supporting OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.

A 27-year veteran of the OPP, Blair began his career in the far north at the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Detachments and went on to hold a variety of command positions with increasing responsibility. In 2011 he was promoted to Commander of Central Region after serving for several years as Commander of the Aboriginal Policing Bureau.

As Provincial Commander, Blair will assume responsibility and oversight for all OPP traffic programs in the province, the Communications and Technology Support Bureau, the Security Bureau which oversees all corporate and dignitary protection, and the Field Support Bureau which is charged with all major event planning.

His new command also includes important OPP specialized units and programs such as Emergency Response Teams, Tactics and Rescue Units, the Aviation Services program, the Auxiliary program and Offender Transport.

Two weeks until Christmas...

SHOP

LOCAL

OPP Deputy Commissioner Bob Blair

in the in the in the in the in the

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20

Participate in something new and interesting this week, Aries. The perfect activity will present itself in the next few weeks, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, delay any upcoming shopping excursions for the time being. Your coffers are getting a bit sparse, and you need to conserve the rest of your funds.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21

Listen to advice this week, Gemini. Loved ones only want to help and provide support, so keep that in mind when those closest to you offer some guidance.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, your suspicions may be aroused by someone who has been paying more attention to you than normal. It could be something completely innocent, but right now you're not sure.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23

Every day is a learning process, Leo. You will find that there are a number of new ideas swirling around in your head, and if you pin one down, you may be on to something.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22

Your colleagues at work may be making things difficult, Virgo, but there is nothing you can do about it right now. Just work your hardest, and things will turn out for the best.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, prepare to juggle multiple responsibilities in the coming days. Be ready to multi-task and expect to be pulled in multiple directions.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, a small misunderstanding turns into a larger battle this week. But you have the power to put the flames out quickly by keeping a cool head.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, you are having so much fun lately that it almost seems like life is a game. Just don't get so caught up in the good times that you overlook your responsibilities.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you usually take your responsibilities quite seriously, and that is often for the best. Just be sure to let your hair down sometimes and have a little fun.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, some irregularities have begun to pop up of late. It is not up to you to figure out what is going on, though. Others will discover the truth.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, your head may be in the clouds, but it is quite comfortable up there. Just don't linger up there too long.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER 8

Ian Somerhalder, Actor (35)

DECEMBER 9

John Malkovich, Actor (60) DECEMBER 10

Kenneth Branagh, Actor (53)

DECEMBER 11

Rita Moreno, Actress (82) DECEMBER 12

Mayim Bialik, Actress (38)

DECEMBER 13

Wendie Malick, Actress (63)

DECEMBER 14

Jackson Rathbone, Actor (28)

Popular location was a “Sweet” one for nearly 70 years

For almost 70 years, a popular downtown Leamington restaurant was among the top places for area residents to gather, have banquets and enjoy friendship and quality food. Just about anyone over the age of 50 who grew up around Leamington will fondly recall spending time at Diana Sweets.

Sadly, the building on Talbot St. West no longer exists. Yet the popular restaurant, which opened on March 22, 1917, once billed itself as “the place where you meet your friends” –and retained the slogan for 30+ years.

The Talbot. St. West location was originally occupied by “The Fair”, which Bill Kondouros purchased and then opened his Diana Sweets restaurant, named after his daughter. He initially sold “speciality homemade candies, chocolates and tasty luncheons.” Even in 1917 as the Great War (World War I) neared its conclusion, the store advertised “Diana’s orange soda which will enliven you!”

By December 1917, Kondouros’ restaurant had its first expansion. When it was completed, a 20’ by 20’ addition to the rear of the structure was used for the making of ice cream and candy and allowed for more customers.

Two years later, business was prosperous and their menu offered “delicious sundaes and ice cream sodas.”

In 1920, the booming business was so intent on recovering a wrong cash tender that they placed an ad in the June 10th Leamington Post & News pleading, “Would the lady who received $4.55 instead of 50 cents last Monday, please return the $4.” There was no follow up, but hopefully the restaurant recovered the money, otherwise an embarrassed waitress or cashier was out of a rather sizable transaction and possibly a job.

Other specialties Diana’s sold were fresh roasted peanuts, and in July 1923 a new soda called Vernor’s Ginger Ale which was manufactured in Detroit. To lure customers, historically, Diana’s was the very first restaurant to offer roadside service. Another ad from July 1923 “urges motorists to drive up and be served without leaving your automobile... equivalent to that of Detroit.”

Throughout its history Diana’s was known for its homemade candies and chocolates, but as it slowly grew its food menu made it one of the area’s most popular restaurants.

The biggest change for the location came in 1931. Despite the economic hard

times, local contractor H.W. Link was in charge of its largest transformation. Work began in the fall of 1930, and by April of the following year, Diana’s re-opened as a restauranttea room while still serving homemade candies and sodas.

When its renovations were completed, it was 20’ wide and 128’ long. At its front were the soda and cigar counters plus candy showcases. Its soda fountain was impressive with two units that could rely upon 52 pumps which drew syrups and fruit juices from electric refrigerator (Kelvinator) containers in the basement. There were a grand total of five refrigerators in the basement.

Each of its dining booths had ample accommodations for four people and a large mirror in each one, while its ceiling tiles were a mosaic green, cream and purple.

Besides its upscale décor, its rear kitchen featured

both gas and electric stoves. By this time, Kondouros brother Thomas had joined him in running the restaurant after coming to Canada from Greece around 1925. Diana’s had become so popular that many Mersea and Leamington councillors spent time there after meetings, and in one instance in the late 1920s a town council meeting was halted in order to spend time at the restaurant.

In 1941, another 20’ by 25’ addition was added to it, again for the creation of candies and ice cream. Further remodeling was done in 1952 and 1953 when air conditioning was installed by the Kellow and Robinson plumbing and heating firm.

As well, the restaurant proudly proclaimed that Leamington’s Lakeside Jersey Dairy was their supplier of dairy products beginning in the early the 1950s. Many customers would ask for “a large 400” – which was a large chocolate milk.

Besides their homemade candies, some of the other favourite items at the restaurant included cherry coke and lime coke, both of which premiered in the 1940s long before their modern counterparts.

An October 1963 fire causing $20,000 worth of damage affected the business operation. Yet the restaurant was repaired, remodeled and remained a popular spot well into the 1970s.

An ad in an annual South Essex Hockey League program (1962) indicated that Diana’s also offered “home delivery.” Many of CHYR’s staff and disc jockeys, including Chuck Reynolds and Pete Summers, dined there in the 1970s after coming to town. For Summers

(Vic Lehan), the location was where he met his future wife, Simone, who worked there. They met in 1978 at the restaurant and married a year later.

In late December 1987, a fire broke out in a second floor office. It was called in by a passerby at 4:45 a.m. and took the Leamington, Mersea and Kingsville Fire Departments a good part of the day to quell the blaze and save several businesses next to the restaurant. Leamington Fire Chief Murray Cascadden said at the time, “The double brick walls between buildings helped prevent the spread of fire.” The fire’s damage was estimated at between $200,000 and $300,000.

and without a doubt memories still abound about the good times, love and friendships that formed and grew in that single location.

Despite the devastation, owner Tony DiMenna took his time deciding whether to remodel or demolish the building. Within 18 months the building was removed and a modern facility replaced it, but did not carry on the name.

Bill Kondouros, who resided at 84 Talbot West, died at the age of 88 in March 1980, while brother Thomas, who lived at 99 Talbot West, died in December 1978.

For 70 years Diana’s was just as vital to Leamington’s livelihood as any grocery store or coffee shop today,

To learn more about the area’s history, one can join or attend the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society for their meetings. The Society holds their meetings on the fourth Saturday of most months at locations in and around Leamington. Watch the Sun for more details, locations and times.

C. SCOTT HOLLAND

A look at Leamington’s past...

Diana Sweets, street view 1978

Diana Sweets, 1940s.

Cussing and concussing

It’s been more than two weeks now since I banged my noggin up north and the fog has lifted. In case you were wondering where my column was a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t collect my thoughts to write about anything. I think that’s the worst head bump I’ve had in years, for at least as long as I can remember.

It began innocently enough. It was early Saturday morning and we were just breaking camp, loading up our bags and belongings and preparing for the long ride home.

I had already walked out to the trailer a few times to throw in my sleeping bag, my totes and a few random items. Each time, I was careful to duck as I entered the back of the trailer.

The reason I was careful is because I’ve hit my head on the top of the opening at least four other times in the past. So I was very cognizant of the danger lurking. Apparently, though, I wasn’t cognizant enough.

I muttered a few thousand swear words and attempted to get up. I managed to get to my feet and pick up my hat and the clump of hair that accompanied it. I looked like a defective Chia Pet.

Now, those who know me also know that I can’t afford to be giving away any more hair, and more than a few comments from my comrades echoed my thoughts.

After a few minutes, the blood stopped and although there was no discernible lump, I felt like I was in a fog. It was hard to describe but it wasn’t really a headache as much as a feeling of fogginess.

suggested a doctor’s visit. Not being a big fan of doctors, I opted to take the wait and see approach, hoping the fog would clear in a couple of days. By Tuesday night, it still wasn’t clear, so I opted to go to the local walk-in-clinic in Tecumseh, where I miraculously had no wait at all, and within five minutes I was in an exam room, awaiting the arrival of the doctor who would undoubtedly order tests, x-rays, scans and loads of medication.

the legal limit.

Then he grabbed a small light and looked into my eyes. He moved his finger back and forth a few times and instructed me to follow it without moving my head.

“Now, we’re getting somewhere,” is what I thought at that moment. I could only expect the CT Scan to be next.

As I approached the halfloaded trailer with my duffel bag in hand, I noticed a perfect spot for it about halfway back, where it would fit nicely in between two other bags. Ahh…the perfect fit, then BANG.

I went down like a sack of potatoes and could hear most of the guys trying to stifle their laughs while they asked if I was okay.

Each and every one of them knows what it’s like. We’ve all hit our heads on that trailer more than once over the past 15 years.

As I reached for my head, feeling the warm blood oozing from the fresh wound,

Of course, I felt stupid that I had walked into the trailer again, after avoiding falling down for the entire week up north. You see, most everyone who knows me also knows that I am prone to falling, tripping, cutting my fingers, burning myself on the oven, pretty much anything that might amuse others at my expense. So, I was quite proud of the fact that I didn’t fall down while hunting, or burn anything the whole entire week.

And then came Saturday. Anyway, to compound matters, a snowstorm hit most of Ontario that very morning and our usual eight-hour drive turned into almost 13 hours in a vehicle, really wanting to just lay down and drift off.

My traveling companions were good enough to do the driving so I could rest my dizzy head, but not without getting their laughs at my expense. Don’t worry, I’m used to it and expect nothing less.

After arriving home, I informed my lovely about my bump on the head. She thought I looked awful and

Well, just before he entered the room, I heard him sneeze one of the loudest sneezes I’ve heard in awhile. I imagined him wiping his nose on his sleeve. Great, I thought. I came here to get my head examined and this guy’s got a contagious flu bug to give me instead.

He quietly knocked on the door before entering and then he waltzed in.

There I was, sitting on the chair expecting the worst. There he was, a 25-year-old kid with a plugged up nose and watery eyes, about to get up close and personal with me. I honestly thought maybe I was on ‘Punk’d’ or something. He listened to my story for a minute or so, and unlike everyone else, he didn’t laugh once.

He asked me to get up on ‘the table’ and I promptly jumped up there. He grabbed a tongue depressor and asked to me to open and say “ahh”. I did. All the while, I’m thinking, “please don’t breathe on me.”

He looked in my ears and listened to my chest, prompting me to wonder if he listened to me when I described my symptoms at all. He took my blood pressure and declared it well within

But it wasn’t.

With a loud sniffle, he declared me healthy as a horse and said there was no neurological concern. He then proceeded to write me a prescription for an antibiotic, on the off-chance that my head fuzziness was from a sinus infection, of which there was no sign.

I suspect he was just trying to protect me from whatever nastiness he was carrying in his body. I accepted his prescription and dejectedly exited the exam room. I scampered home with my prescription, which I haven’t filled, and declared myself healthy to all that would listen.

After a few days, the black circles under my eyes cleared up and I began to feel my head getting clearer. The lack of energy that came along with the bump on the head was likely the most prominent symptom, but it appears I’ll never know whether I had a concussion or not.

He did say I’d never play the piano again, though.

My faith in the Canadian health system is restored.

Leamington Air Cadets looking

for new recruits

Invitation to Open House

Branch 535 Leamington Air Cadet Squadron is looking for new recruits!

If you are a boy or girl between the age of 12 and 18, this is a great program to become involved in. Leamington Air Cadets meet every Thursday night at the Cadet Hall located behind Leamington District Secondary School (off Smith Rd.)

Leamington Air Cadets will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a Commanding Officer’s parade, drill demonstration, in-class training sessions and refreshments to follow.

The program is free of charge and runs from September until June. Summer training is available to qualified cadets. There are yearly flying scholarships available. Come out and meet new friends, learn more about what Air Cadets do and consider joining today. For more information please call 519-326-3835 or drop by the Open House.

St. Louis School shares true meaning of Christmas with Andre family

By Sheila McBrayne

Students at St. Louis Catholic School in Leamington showed their true Christmas spirit last week. Students and teachers were asked to give what they could and support a Leamington family who needed their help. The following message was sent out:

“As you are aware, Heinz has announced the closure of the Leamington plant as of June 2014. While this has had an impact on many, many members of our community there is one family in particular that has been especially hard hit. The Andre family has had many serious struggles. Their eldest daughter Aubri was diagnosed with two kinds of leukemia in the last few months and her father Phil Andre, is an employee of Heinz and will be losing not only his job, but also his much needed benefits. Last, week the family experienced another blow when they were told that the only hope for treating their eldest daughter Aubri was in Calgary, Alberta. This treament will begin as of December 11. Now the entire family of five must relocate in an effort to save their daughter/sister. As a Catholic school community, we believe that this time of Advent is one in which we must reach out into the community to show the true meaning of Christmas. We decided to use our time, talent and treasure to benefit the Andre family and give them a “Christmas From Home” in Calgary, Alberta.”

The school held a toonie pajama day where students were allowed to wear their pajamas to school for a $2 donation. The school also held a Christmas Rainbow Loom Workshop. For a $1 donation the students made special bracelets to commemorate the Advent Mission.

The staff at St. Louis School also asked students to not give any presents to teachers this year, but instead donate to the Andre family.

On Friday, December 6 the Andres attended St. Louis to accept their generous donation. “We thought if each student raised $4, we’d have over a $1,000, but I’m so very proud to announce that we, as a school, raised more than $5,500,” said a tearful Jessica Meloche, Grade 4/5 teacher. St. Louis Principal Kelly Rilley also presented Aubri with a Crusaders sweatshirt and made the Gore Hill Public School student an honorary Crusader.

Aubri Andre and her parents Lisa and Phil Andre were special guests at St. Louis Catholic School on Friday, December 6. Seven-year-old Aubri is a Grade 2 student at Gore Hill Public School who became an honorary Crusader for the day. St. Louis students and staff had raised more than $5,500 for the little girl who is battling two types of leukemia. (SUN Photo)

Mt. Carmel students hooked on looming

By Sheila McBrayne

While most parents are trying to peel their kids away from television or video games, students at Mt. Carmel Blytheswood Public School are hooked on another hobby.

On any given day, during recesses and breaktimes,

there’s a room at Mt. Carmel reserved for the Crochet and Looming Club. There is almost always someone there completing a hat or scarf. Teachers Laura Gagne and Rebecca Kantati had no idea how popular the club would be when they first announced it about one month

ago. Approximtely 60 students from the school’s 265 signed up. Boys and girls from grades 4 to 8 enjoy making baby caps for LeeLee Hats to be donated to babies in local hospitals.

“It’s pretty cool to think that a hat you made will go to a hospital and be worn

by a baby. The baby might even be a cousin or brother or sister,” said Grade 7 student Abigail Thiessen.

The idea started when Gagne saw a demonstration of looming at the Leamington Library by LeeLee Hats. She decided to start a looming and crochet club at her school. The school purchased looms for the students to use and asked for donations of yarn from teachers and parents. It didn’t take long for students to cover a Christmas tree with handmade items.

“I actually had to learn, myself, how to do it so I could teach the students…

I found myself rolling balls of yarn at home and in my spare time. I first started with crochet hooks and soon switched to the loom. The looms are great for the kids.

There are a handful of students who crochet, but most use the loom,” said Kantati.

The club has become so popular, that many students have purchased their own looms to make sure they can participate. “I’m told they’re sold out of looms at Walmart and Michaels in this area,” she said.

“I’d say of the 60 who signed up we have 30 very active members. The older students help the younger

ones and it’s a very nice group,” said Kantati. When asked if the club was yearround or if it would be finished after Christmas, the students who were looming that day, in unison, cheered – “yeah!” when Kantati said that it would be year-round. The hats will be donated to LeeLeeHats, and other items such as scarves and larger hats will be donated locally. Some students have even crocheted extra hats to give as Christmas presents. Anyone who would like to donate yarn to the school would be greatly appreciated. “We can always use more yarn,” said Kantati.

Approximately 60 students at Mt. Carmel-Blytheswood Public School – boys and girls –spend at least one recess or break time a day crocheting or looming hats and scarves. The baby caps are donated to LeeLee Hats and others are donated locally and to Third World countries. Pictured here around the Christmas tree decorated with the hats made by the Crochet and Loom Club, from left to right are, Dylan Chamberlain, Grade 7, and his classmates Abigail Thiessen and Chloe Gagnier.

(SUN Photo)

When teachers Laura Gagne and Rebecca Kantati organized the first ever Crochet and Loom Club at Mt. Carmel-Blytheswood Public School, they had no idea how popular it would become. Pictured here, Ms. Kantati (far end) supervises several students who were looming during a recess break last week.

(SUN Photos)

The Christmas tree hunt

Christmas is approaching and it is now time to contemplate the Christmas tree! Please understand I’m a real-tree person, none of that wussy, artificial, tree made in China stuff. When it comes to Christmas trees I’m what you might term very experienced. Growing up in the bush east of Vancouver, not only did we routinely womp down trees on our land (you had to clear the bush and cut firewood) but for several years my dear late father and I would spend days scouring local mountainsides cutting 400 to 500 Christmas trees every year. We didn’t cut them at some organized tree farm; we climbed hills and mountainsides and forded ice-cold creeks to cut trees. And often it was normal Vancouver area, December weather – rainy and cold.

LLOYD BROWNJOHN

Cobweb Corner...

From pre-dawn to well into the evening’s darkness, we cut and hand-dragged trees over snags and through dried bracken and across mountain creeks. I’m an experienced Christmas tree old guy.

So now it is the season for a tree and, regrettably, I’m reduced to finding and cutting one at a local tree farm. No longer need I stumble over hidden windfalls or rotted stumps.

I’m told that we need the tree for the coming weekend as a mess of grandkids are expected to visit and they’ll be eagerly pillaging gifts from beneath the tree and, we hope, awing and oohing over our elaborately decorated tree.

So I took my saw in hand, dressed warmly as I was ordered, and headed for the local tree farm. It began to snow. Nice touch, I thought.

Luigi, the tree farm owner, welcomed me as if we were old friends, which were weren’t, but I could see his eyes light up with dollar signs as he directed me through a rapidly increasing blizzard to the distant field of trees.

My genuine Home Hardware toque was now encased in ice as I plunged into this artificial forest. My eyesight was somewhat constrained as snow and water drops completely encased my bifocals. I plunged ever deeper into a blurring forest of Christmas trees and realized, far too late, that my GPS needed an extension cord which I had neglected to bring. And then there was that “oh no!” moment when you realize that the combination of old guy and cold meant that you had an unnatural urgency to pee. Stop, fumble, unzip, attend to necessity whilst remembering not to face into the wind.

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At this critical point I began to sense that I was not alone. There were eyes –red, beady eyes – peeking out at me from trees now covered in snow. The grip of terror began to overtake my thinking: A tree! Any tree! Find one in this torrent of snow, cut it down, and then see if you can find your way back to Luigi and his warm outdoor bonfire!

I finally stumbled into a tree and knelt in the snow and began to cut it down. I don’t why, but when it began to fall I yelled “timber!”

“O Christmas Tree…”

The Leamington Rotary Club has been selling Christmas trees since 1991 to raise money for local community projects. Tree sales originally started at Bennie Lumber, then Zellers, and currently are at Canadian Tire. The trees come fresh cut from Sloan’s Tree Farm in Bothwell. Featured sales personnel in this photo are Rotarian Jim Samson of Leamington’s Club and Assistant Rotary District Governor Dr. Julie Ricci.

I’m certain when a tree falls in a tree farm somebody might hear the bellow of “timber!”

Once the tree was down I entwined my arm in a large lower limb, grabbed my saw from the snow and began to haul it in a direction I figured was “out”. The wind and snow were from the northeast so all I had to do was bear south-southwest a quarter west. Or maybe it should be one-eighth west, or maybe a tad southeast by east. I plodded on, eventually noticing I had forgotten to re-zip and cold air was penetrating where it was not welcome.

Then I heard the music – Luigi’s outdoor tribute to Christmas – and through the opaqueness of snow and increasing darkness I began to see a glow, a fire beckoning me to safety. There sat Luigi by the fire, sipping some of his homemade wine, now mulled, as I dragged my tree into view. “Nice tree!” he said.

I agreed, and then I stood it up and realized it was only 4 feet tall. Far too short to impress the grandkids. “How much?” I blurted from beneath my frozen toque.

“That’s a nice tree,” answered Luigi. “That one is going to 50 dollars.”

We had sold our bush cut trees for $2 to $3. “Wow! That’s a lot of money for a small tree,” I said.

“You don’t like it, you don’t have to take the tree home,” responded Luigi.

So he took my $50 and wished me a Merry Christmas and then I took the tree home. Short, decorated and beautiful, it now stands as a tribute to an old guy’s conquest of nature. Mind you, it must have contained a hundred spiders’ nests as our ceilings are now coated with tiny crawling things, most of which seemed to have used our top angel to reach a new height.

As for the grandkids, “Nice tree Grumpydad, but way too short.” Little wretches!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 -

Christmas Concert: Angels on Assignment, 7:00 p.m. UMEI auditorium. Witness the back story of how the angels took part in the birth of Christ. Presented by UMEI junior drama class and UMEI concert choir, with special guest UMEI chamber band. Admission free.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 - All widows are cordially invited to the annual Widows' Banquet, 5:00 p.m., at UMEI Christian High School, 614 Mersea Road 6, Leamington. Dinner is free, followed by a program presented by the Bergen Family. RSVP to Eva Wiebe 519-329-6637 or John Friesen 519-796-6152.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 - Food & Fellowship Supper 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Leamington United Church, 9 John St. would like to invite all those who are alone or having trouble making ends meet to come and share a meal. No charge.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18FREE Well Baby and Child Dropin Clinic, from 1:00-3:30 p.m., at Mill Street Ontario Early Years Centre, 134 Mill St. (Mill St. Public School), Leamington. The clinics

are for healthy babies and children from birth to 6 years old. Meet with a public health nurse to have your baby weighed and measured. Caregivers will also be able to speak with a nurse about breastfeeding, growth and development, parenting and injury prevention. No appointment needed. For more info or future clinic dates visit www.wechealthunit.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18Voices of Youth in Community Meeting in the Heinz Arena meeting room at the Leamington Recreation Complex. Meetings are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. All youth ages 1424 are welcome to join. For more information contact Wanda 519733-8983 ext. 22 or email wrodrigues@accesscounty.ca.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 - Heritage Choir invites one and all to come to their Annual Christmas Concert @ 7:00 p.m. at the Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Leamington. Old and new carols, German and English, will be sung to celebrate Christ's Birth. Free will offering for the Leamington Mennonite Home. Enjoy, sing, and give God the

Glory.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22McGregor Community Christmas Turkey Dinner, 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. No charge - donations accepted. Knights of Columbus Hall, 9560 Walker Road, McGregor. Sponsored by Knighs of Columbus #2844 and served by the Squirettes of Mary, Circle #1001. To ensure enough food for all please reserve your dinner by calling Rose, 519-776-5710.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 - Food & Fellowship Supper 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Leamington United Church, 9 John St. would like to invite all those who are alone or having trouble making ends meet to come and share a meal and celebrate the coming of 2014. No charge.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8Voices of Youth in Community Meeting in the Heinz Arena meeting room at the Leamington Recreation Complex. Meetings are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. All youth ages 1424 are welcome to join. For more information contact Wanda 519733-8983 ext. 22 or email wrodrigues@accesscounty.ca.

Community Calendar is a FREE service for FREE events. Please see the COMING

Classes and workshops being offered at LAC

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso

CHAD RILEY

Ongoing right now and coming up in the New Year at the Leamington Arts Centre (LAC) is a wide variety of art classes for children and adults that will help you nurture your creativity, meet new friends, interact with others and share in the process of learning.

Gallery Crawl

The LAC has a full lower level studio with several classrooms and spaces where their skilled and experienced teachers will guide you through the art making process in the discipline of your choice. Whether you have never created a work of art before, you are looking to gain new skills in a new discipline, or you are just looking to get back in the saddle again, there’s a place for you.

This winter, local artist and master printmaker Marshall Heaton is excited to bring printmaking to the LAC’s new Printmaking Studio. Through a series of four classes and two workshops, artists will explore the art of relief printmaking (from its most basic stamping applications to specific focuses on woodblock and lino printing), and intaglio printmaking (from the etching to engraving process). Artists will hand-pull their own work and utilize an etching press, and learn about the art of multiples, editions, transfers, mono-printing and various post printing additive processes. Presentation of completed works – matting, framing, binding, photographing, exhibiting and gifting – will also be presented based on participant interest.

Ongoing in the LAC studios are painting in oil, acrylic, mixed media and drawing with Leyla Munteanu. Born in Romania in 1967, Leyla moved to Canada in 1998. She currently holds three bachelor degrees: Engineering (Bucharest, Romania), Fine Art and Education (University of Windsor), and a Masters Degree in Fine Art from Wayne State University, Michigan.

Also ongoing throughout the year is Art Works for kids 5-13 and teens 14-19 years of age, making art fun with Katherine Burton.

Art Works has been bringing children quality art programs since 2006. Providing a wide variety of art programs such as evening classes, Saturday camps, March Break camps, summer camps, after-school programs and in-school programs.

For a complete list of classes including dates, times and any additional information, visit www.leamingtonartscentre.com/Classses or navigate to the education page.

Thinking of a Christmas gift for someone? Gift certificates are available for classes as well as for LAC’s one-ofa-kind gift shop featuring all local and handmade arts and crafts.

If it’s photography you’re interested in, be sure to submit your best 8”x10” photos for LAC’s annual Anything’s Possible Amateur Photo Contest generously sponsored by Speedprint of Leamington and Photography and Framing by Anna Boudreau. Speedprint is offering $600 in photography and framing prizes that will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of the categories: People, Places, Things. Nine prizes in total will be awarded. The deadline to submit is Saturday, December 21 at 4 p.m.

Simply bring in your 8”x10” (photos only) with your entry form and LAC will have it matted by Anna, backer boarded and put in a clear protector sleeve as part of your entry fee. All photos submitted will be exhibited for the month of January and judged for a chance to win! Also, during the month visitors can come in to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. The photo with the most votes at the end of the exhibition will be custom framed by Anna. More info including entry forms available at the gallery or on the website.

From the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers at the LAC, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season with an artful New Year!

is modest and loosely based with only two criteria – everything is under 16 inches and priced under

and themes.

Burgess elected GECDSB chair

Trustee Julia Burgess has been elected by colleagues to serve as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB). The vote took place during the Board’s annual Organizational Meeting held Dec. 3.

Burgess, who has represented the Kingsville/Essex area as a trustee since 2000, succeeds Helga Bailey as the head of the 10 member board. “I offer hard work and demonstrated dedication,” Burgess promised her fellow trustees. “2014 will prove to be another challenging year.”

Lisa Gretzky (Windsor, Wards 3, 4, 10) was elected to serve as the Board’s Vice-chair.

Trustees also selected the chairs for the Board’s standing committees: Education – Kim McKinley (Windsor, Wards 1, 2, 9); Operations and Finance – Dave Taves (Leamington/Pelee Island).

The Leamington Arts Centre has both galleries filled for the month of December. In the small gallery is the Modest Miniature Show . This exhibition’s focus is to put a spotlight on those little materpieces. Unlike traditional miniature art shows, this exhibit

$99. In the big gallery is the

Shooters Photography Club. Visit the gallery to see their work and many styles

Many attended an opening reception on Wednesday, December 4. (SUN Photo)

Rotary Exchange students visit to Leamington

Rotary Youth Exchange students enjoyed activities in Leamington recently, including riding on the Rotary Peace Train float in the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 30 and visiting Point Pelee on Dec. 1 where the students visited the First Nations Turtle Sculpture and participated in a drumming ceremony with Elders.

This year’s Rotary Youth Exchange students visiting Rotary District 6400 in Canada and the United States arrived in August and will be here until school finishes. They are from Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Thailand and Turkey.

The Leamington Rotary Club’s exchange student is Filippa Wirmen, who is currently attending LDSS and is being hosted by Phil and Julie Larade.

Rotary Youth Exchange students at the First Nations Turtle Sculpture at Point Pelee National Park.

Rotary Youth Exchange students during a Drumming Ceremony with First Nation Elders at Point Pelee National Park.

This year’s Rotary Youth Exchange students gathered for a photo holding the flags of their various countries when they visited Point Pelee National Park Dec. 1.

Maestro Franz welcomed to Leamington

By Sheila McBrayne

Robert Franz, music director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra was at the Leamington Arts Centre on Tuesday, December 3 for a welcoming reception. Maestro Franz is the newly appointed music director at WSO and also serves as music director of the Boise Philharmonic, associate conductor of the Houston Symphony and music director of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Opera and Orchestra.

Maestro Franz is the sixth music director in the Windsor

Gore Hill Students

Collect 1400 Items in Holiday Drive

Gore Hill students again proved their generosity and sense of community by collecting over 1400 items for their Holiday Drive. Items included canned goods, dry groceries, toys, blankets, hats, mittens and personal toiletries. Grade 2 student Joel Lazo counts items that have been packed in boxes, ready to deliver to the Leamington Salvation Army for distribution to families in the community. The #1 Choice for success with pets!

Orchestra’s 65-year history, succeeding Maestro John Morris Russell. Franz is a strong supporter of arts education, and has created arts education programs for the Carolina Chamber Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Louisville Orchestra, West End Chamber Ensemble and the Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony.

Franz admitted he did not come from a musical family, but knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a musician. From cello, to oboe Franz received his Master of Music degree in conducting from the North Carolina School of the Arts in 1992 and his Bachelor of Music degree in oboe

performance in 1990 from that same institution. He has participated in conducting workshops in the Czech Republic, St. Petersburg (Russia), Nashville, the Festival at Sandpoint and was a participant in the 1997 National Conductor Preview.

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra has a busy 2013 planned with venues in Windsor and surrounding concerts in Essex County. The orchestra comes to Leamington next on Saturday, February 8 when they present Modern Romantics at the Leamington United Mennonite Church.

Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro Robert Franz was in Leamington for a welcome reception at the Leamington Arts Centre. Franz is the new music director for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Pictured here he talks with symphony patron Lloyd Brown John.

The Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra provided music for the welcome reception for the new music director of Windsor Symphony Orchestra Robert Franz. (SUN Photos)

How to care for a potted Christmas tree

The holiday season is almost here, and if you are considering having a live potted Christmas tree in your home, now is the time to be looking. The selections are normally excellent and you can be sure of getting the perfect tree.

When choosing a live tree there are several important things to consider. First make sure the tree has a strong root ball, meaning not something that was just recently dug out of the field. What I mean is a tree that was either grown in a pot or one that was transplanted at least last spring. By doing this you will be certain the tree will have a better chance of surviving.

Gradually introduce your potted tree from outside to in-

First time parents Kellie Shilson and Dan Myer are pleased to announce the safe arrival of their daughter Bristol, born November 30, 2013 at 12:07 a.m. weighing 7 lbs 10 oz.

First time Grandparents are Edith and Lee Myer, Scott Shilson and Lori Heyens, Cathy Gilbert and Mike Taylor. Their excited aunts and uncles, Steve, Brodie, Jared, Palmer, Anna and Jessica are already spoiling her with lots of love. Great-Granddaughter to Arnold Shilson, Lilli Fredrich and Elaine Myer. Many thanks to the wonderful nursing staff at Met Hospital.

side by simply placing the pot in a garage or enclosed porch. Once the tree is dormant and is brought directly into the warmth it will start to grow, causing future damage to the needles.

Next decide on the outside location in your landscape for the final planting spot and prepare a hole before the ground freezes.

Once you have started this process, check the plant for bugs and insects and get rid of them. This can be done by using a hose sprayer and some soapy water.

Place your potted tree in the coolest part of the room and away from floor heat ducts or registers.

Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. Water from the top of the pot only and do not let the tree sit in water.

You should keep the tree inside for no longer than 7-10 days.

When decorating your tree, only use the small twinkle lights and nothing that will give off heat.

After the holidays, carefully introduce the tree outside slowly by doing the same as when preparing the tree for

On successfully obtaining the Chartered Professional Accountant designation Love, your proud parents, Jose and Lamia your brothers Antonio and Pablo, and your extended family.

inside. Do not expose the root ball to repetitive freezing and thawing. If you are not able to plant your tree immediately after Christmas, store the tree outside in a sheltered area until spring. Cover the root ball or pot generously with straw, mulch or even snow to protect the roots from freezing. Since moisture loss is a real danger it is important to keep the soil moist, even during the winter, especially on sunny days when the ground temperature can change. Just keep in mind that even after all the special care and

precautions you take, the chance of your tree’s survival rate is 50-50. But with a little added loving care, your tree may see another spring. Good luck!

CARD OF THANKS

The family of the late Gilbert Pickle wishes to express sincere thanks to all those who helped and supported us in the loss of our loving husband, father and grandfather. We would also like to thank the ambulance attendants and Leamington Hospital Emergency staff. A special thank you to Pastor Patrick Pickle, for a beautiful service. An extra special thank you to Gil's son Chris for the heartfelt eulogy for his father and family, also, Gil's granddaughter Shailyn for the loving poem she wrote for her Papa. We greatly appreciate all the prayers, sympathy cards, flowers, food, and donations. We will never forget how Reid Funeral Home went out of their way to comfort our family during this difficult time. The Family of Gilbert Pickle

Please join us on this joyous occasion for Best Wishes & Cheer as we celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Donna & Harry Moody

Open House

Saturday, December 14, 2013 2:00 to 5:00 pm (-ish)

Wheatley Legion, Upstairs, 27 Erie St. N. ~ Your Presence is all the gift they need ~

could talk to you, there is so much we would say, Life has changed so very much, since you went away.

We’ll always feel you close to me, and though you’re far from sight,

We’ll search for you among the stars that shine all through the night.

would have been proud of her three granddaughters who gave the eulogy, as well as the grandsons, granddaughter and great-grandsons who acted as pall bearers. The ladies of First Baptist Church, who prepared the fabulous luncheon deserve a big round of applause. Thanks everyone for being there for

BILL PLUMB

In the back yard...

OBITUARY

Rex W. Pearce

Rex W. Pearce, 93 years, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 9, 2013.

Dear husband of Jean (Simpson) for 70 years.

Loving father of Don and late wife Betty, Bradley and late wife Starr, and Richard. Special grandfather of David and Karen, Brian, Tanya, Mandy, Michael, Sandy, and Nick.

Proud great-grandfather of Rex and Maddison. Brother of Marjorie McCracken, Ruth Hillman, Donna Latam, and Harold. Predeceased by siblings Jack, Lyle, and Lois Holland. Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Rex was retired from the H.J. Heinz Co. after 30 years of service and enjoyed farming.

Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation by contacting the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631).

Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort or make a charitable contribution at www. reidfuneralhome.ca

Two arrested for break and enter

Leamington OPP have arrested and charged an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old male with break and enter.

At approximately 11:50 p.m. the evening of December 4, police responded to a call from a residence on Maynard St. in Leamington regarding a break and enter in progress.

Police immediately attended and located two males a short distance from the residence who matched the description provided.

Both were released and will appear in court on January 2, 2014 in Leamington.

Leamington man charged with numerous drug offences

A 48-year-old Leamington man was arrested and charged with several offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act following a search of his residence Dec. 5.

Members of the OPP Drug Enforcement Unit and the Community Drug Action Team conducted a search at an Oak St. E. residence and seized marijuana and cannabis resin with an estimated street value of $150,000.

Police have charged David Friesen of Leamington with the following offenses: Produce a schedule II substance (cannabis marijuana); Produce a schedule II substance (other than marijuana); Possession of a schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of a schedule II substance, cannabis resin over 1 gram.

Friesen was released and is scheduled to appear in court on January 16 in Leamington.

Leamington-Mersea Goodfellows 2013 Christmas Basket Campaign to date

Activity is beginning to pick up in preparation for the 2013 Leamington-Mersea Goodfellows Christmas Basket Campaign. While donations to date are running a little behind those in previous years, officials of the organization are confident that the community will respond well in the time remaining to reach the required funds to meet this year’s expenses.

The organization is operated entirely by its volunteers and with much help from the community at large, so the funds received go almost entirely to the program with very little used for administrative purposes.

The Goodfellows would like to acknowledge the support of the following who have donated to date: Lawrence Gilbert, Don Mensch, Beatrice Robinson, Donald Nicholson, Peter Sawatzky, William Masters, Marlene & Ronald Wilkins, Peter H. & Marie Epp, Vivian Edmondson, Dennis Staudt, Lucille & William Torode, F.M. Nassif Ltd., Walt & Elfrieda Brown, Bartel Machine, Hugo Tiessen, Drs. R. & C. Armstrong, Sue Omstead, Tri-B Acres Inc., Udo & Jill Renner, Udo Renner Insurance, Avril Grant, Martin & Suzanne Tiessen, Peachland Rebekah Lodge No. 45, James Taylor Fishery, Laura Brown, Henry & Elizabeth Hildebrandt, 2010615 Ontario Inc. o/a Spraytec, Daveco Design & Sale Services (Dave Hamm), Nature Fresh Farms, Dale & Gail Grainger, Mary Jane Barnet, C.A. Bailey Limited, Walter & Anna Spaunburg, Glen & Marilyn Scase, Lynne & Roger Yanik, Jo Evans, Pam Evans, Maxine Hartley, John & Marilyn Butcher, Anton & Rosa Gossmann, Harry & Rose Klassen, Lionel & Elsie Aasen, Patricia & James Simpson, Hillman United Church, Grossi Physiotherapy Professional Corporation, Highline Produce Limited, as well as anonymous cash from donation boxes.

Since the closure of Heinz announcement, efforts continue at a hectic pace to plan for the future of Leamington. Mayor John Paterson’s office, the Windsor Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), the Provincial Ministries of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, Agriculture and Food, and Training Colleges and Universities have all been working together to develop plans to assist those who will be impacted when Heinz closes in June 2014. The recent announcement by Premier Wynne of $200,000 through the Communities In Transition Fund will assist in developing a process to address those businesses who were suppliers to Heinz. Mayor Paterson is optimistic the federal government will be forthcoming with matching funds.

“I am pleased with the effort and cooperation being put forward by those involved in developing a plan to assist those impacted by the Heinz closure,” said Mayor Paterson.

Mayor Paterson also noted he has met with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local president to determine how the municipality might be of assistance to the employees who will be negatively affected.

“It is important that we keep the people of Leamington informed of the efforts being made to assist those who will be affected by the plant closure,” said Mayor Paterson.

Giving Spoon sends SA on shopping spree

By Bryan Jessop

For the second time in as many years, the Leamington Salvation Army has been treated to a shopping spree at The Real Canadian Superstore on Talbot Street East.

The local Salvation Army was informed of a $1,000 donation made possible through the Leamington Masonic Lodge #290 Giving Spoon Fundraiser, led by lodge member and Superstore employee Bill Dunn. When Salvation Army family services director Charlene Vincent arrived at the store to pick up items for her organization’s soon-to-be packaged Christmas Hampers, she discovered that the contribution grew to a value of $1,483.75. The extra amount was made possible by a special discount arranged by Superstore manager James Lea.

“I didn’t expect to be shopping for more, so it’s a wonderful surprise,” said Vincent, who explained that many of the extra items picked up will be used to stock the shelves of the local Salvation Army’s food bank.

Vincent explained that the Real Canadian Superstore is an ideal location for the shopping spree, as it has supported numerous SA programs in the past including the annual Stuff The Bus food drive. The store also makes donations to the Leamington branch’s food bank on a regular basis.

“The Superstore does support the Salvation Army very well,” said Vincent. “We’re glad to give them the business.”

Coincidentally, the shopping spree took place on the opening day of the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Drive — Thursday, Nov. 28 — which locally, includes the Superstore as one of its locations.

Specific, large-quantity items for this year’s SA Christmas Hampers collected during the second annual spree included juice, cake mixes, frosting and condensed soup. The items will help fill 130 hampers to be distributed throughout Leamington and surrounding areas on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Residents interested in supporting the Giving Spoon fundraiser can attend the Leaming-

ton Masonic Lodge’s soup luncheon on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from now until Christmas. These luncheons are being held at the lodge at 3 John Street in Leamington.

From left to right, front to back, Leamington Salvation Army volunteers Peter Fehr, Sasa Huskic, family services director Charlene Vincent, driver John Dyck, Leamington Masonic Lodge #290 members Charles Whittle and chaplain and W. Bro. Dan Berry, Real Canadian Superstore manager James Lea and Soup Guru Bill Dunn pose with large quantities of items to stock the shelves of the Salvation Army food bank and fill their 2013 Christmas Hampers.

Real Canadian Superstore employee and Soup Guru Bill Dunn helps Leamington Salvation Army family services director Charlene Vincent, driver John Dyck (far left) and volunteer Peter Fehr load a shopping cart with breakfast cereals during the second annual shopping spree for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hampers and food bank. The Masonic Lodge’s Giving Spoon fundraiser and discounted rate from the Superstore made it possible for the Salvation Army to pick up nearly $1,500 worth of food and beverages.

Real Canadian Superstore manager James Lea, employee and Soup Guru Bill Dunn and Leamington Salvation Army volunteer Sasa Huskic load up the Salvation Army truck with shopping spree items.

the WECSSAA Tier II senior boys basketball season with the game-starting jump ball at Cardinal Carter Thursday, Dec. 5. The Cardinal Carter defense took control of the game from start to finish, earning their team a convincing 46-16 win.

Sheldon Foldesi of the Cougars protects the ball from a challenging Walkerville opponent during the WECSSAA Tier II senior boys basketball season opener at Cardinal Carter. (SUN Photos)

Noah Chacko releases the ball for a shot at the Ste. Cecile net during a WECSSAA Tier III senior boys basketball game at UMEI Wednesday, Dec. 4. The teams were tied at 24-24 after three quarters, but an unproductive fourth led to a 30-26 loss for the hosting Lightning.

and a Ste.

battle for control of the ball during a WECSSAA Tier III senior boys basketball game at UMEI Wednesday, Dec. 4. The teams were tied at 2424 after three quarters, but an unproductive fourth led to a 30-26 loss for the hosting Lightning. (SUN Photos)

Above - Derek Toews

Cecile opponent

Not-so-organized sports

As Christmas approaches, so too do the series of extended family holiday gatherings.

While every family celebration is different, there are always a few standard practices that bind them all together. During the Christmas holidays, it’s usually a big, fancy meal (often turkey), some sort of gift exchange, watching a family-favourite movie or perhaps a snowball fight in the back yard after all the uncles have had too much to drink.

I’ve enjoyed a lot of these traditions from the time I was a kid who couldn’t reach anything on the kitchen counter up to present day (no pun intended). An extended family Christmas celebration on my wife’s father’s side from a few years ago included one of my recent favourites. Quite suddenly, shortly after the meal, a game of road hockey broke out. Powerless to resist, I grabbed one of about a dozen hockey sticks poking out of a barrel in the garage — wasting just enough time to ensure I selected one with a blade that wasn’t too chewed up — and away I went to join a group that ranged in age from early teens to early 60s.

There’s a lot to be said for not-so-organized sports. Topping the list is the fun factor — it goes without saying that these are the games where everyone involved is out there for the fun of it rather than worrying too much about a lofty championship title or garnering the attention of professional league scouts. The aforementioned family Christmas road hockey game was the only one I can recollect with good-natured cross checking (the younger, smaller “players” were spared of such roughhousing).

What could be the most interesting aspects of the time-

TOM GIGNAC

BRYAN JESSOP

Jessop’s Journal

honoured pick-up game is the interpretation of the rules. A friend of mine told me of a makeshift soccer game that took place when he was a kid growing up in a small Manitoba town called Winkler. A group gathered at a school yard or park that included real soccer nets sans netting. In this rather bizarre interpretation of the sport, players could not only carry the ball beyond the goal line to an area that would have otherwise been out of bounds, but could also then turn 180 degrees and kick the ball through the back of the net for a goal.

My friend didn’t go into great detail about the game, but I can only imagine that the standard offside rule was thrown to the wayside. I’d love to watch the FIFA World Cup of Soccer adopt the ‘score from either direction’ rule, although I suppose lengthening the pitch would be in order. The very thought of the concept may seem laughable, but an NHL game from the past weekend between the Leafs and Sens actually required video review after the back of a net was lifted and the puck slid in from behind.

I thought it was common knowledge that the puck had to cross the goal line to be considered a goal. Perhaps the goal judge grew up playing recreational soccer in Winkler.

Then there’s pond hockey, a pastime so intertwined with Canadian culture that it’s depicted on the back of our fivedollar bill. I’ve lost count of the number of Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons commercials featuring a group of kids playing hockey on a frozen pond or marsh. That’s actually one of the things I love about this country; instead of denying or getting angry about national stereotypes, we embrace them and hold them high for the world to see… eh? This grassroots rendition of the game has even rubbed off on our southern neighbours. After the Molson Canadian Heritage Classic between the Habs and Oilers in 2003 — the first official outdoor regular season NHL game — the Yanks can’t seem to get enough of them. There’ll even be one played at Dodger Stadium between Los Angeles and Anaheim a month after Christmas.

One of the best stories ever written is based on outdoor hockey. A copy of The Hockey Sweater rests on my son’s bookshelf, patiently awaiting the day he’s ready to develop an appreciation for the greatest player of the Original Six era.

Cougars junior girls volleyball

Marlee LaSala of the Cougars sets up the ball during a WECSSAA junior girls Tier II volleyball match at Cardinal Carter Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Cougars dropped the first two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-14 before narrowly losing the third 26-24. On Thursday, the CC girls travelled to Lajeunesse to take on the Royals. The sets ended in scores of 25-23 for the Cougars, then 25-17 and 25-6 favouring the Royals.

Rhine Danube bowling scores

The following are the Rhine Danube Bowling League scores for Mon. Nov. 25.

Games Over 200: J. Dalimonte 202, R. Dickau 224, M. Dickau 213, O. Wolf 213, H. Kosempel 235, G. Garnham 247-234, J. Nikosey Sr. 204, A. Dickau 209-200-234, W. Fittler 204, C. Kosempel 203-257, D. Dalimonte 211, K. Kosempel 222-224, L. Trepanier 212, A. Smith 213.

Series Over 550: R. Dickau 563, M. Dickau 551, O. Wolf 573, J. Nikosey Sr. 558, J. Valade 572, D. Dalimonte 565, H. Kosempel 611, G. Garnham 670, A. Dickau 643, C. Kosempel 648, K. Kosempel 608.

Standings: Dickau’s 51, Taki’s 46, Fittler Farms 44, Rhine Danube 42, Weil’s 37, Unico 32.

UCCU Atom girls bring home silver

The Southpoint Stars UCCU Atom Girls team competed in the St. Thomas Panthers Hockey tournament on the weekend.

The first game was Friday night and the girls defeated the home team 1-0. Hana LeClaire had quite a few saves to earn the shutout and Alyssa Lamb picked up the lone goal. The MVP was Brienna Tiessen for her strong defensive play.

The second game had the girls playing against a strong South County Team. The Stars lost 2-1. Hana was the MVP and Alyssa scored her second goal of the tournament.

The Stars next met the Lambeth Lancers and although spirits were high and the girls played hard, they again came up short with a 2-1 loss. Alyssa Lamb picked up her third goal and the MVP of the game.

The fourth and final game of the round robin saw the girls go up against a strong London team. A win would put the team into a tie with Lambeth for second place. Knowing the importance of the game, the girls came out strong. Alyssa Lamb scored 40 seconds into the game, assisted by Maeghan Derksen and Tarez Rahib. Alyssa scored again in the second with an assist going to Tarez. The girls held London scoreless until late in the third period, and even though London pulled the goalie and threw everything at them they couldn’t put in the tying goal.

Using a tie-breaker setup, that win earned the Southpoint team a spot in the finals. The opponent would be South County who went undefeated in the round. The Stars put in a good performance in the first period. The D were rarely on their own in the neutral ice with two and three forwards coming back to help. No goals were scored by either team.

South County picked up two quick goals early in the second period and the Stars struggled to put the puck in the South County net.

No goals were scored by either team in the third.

The Stars came away from the tournament with the silver medal. The girls were disappointed in their finish but the fans and coaches knew how hard the team worked and how well they played. Congratulations, girls.

Lions shut out Saints

By Bryan Jessop

For the second time in as many games, the Leamington District Secondary School girls hockey team has left a goose egg in the opposition’s ‘goals for’ column.

The Lions won their second in a row at home with a 3-0 shutout win over the St. Anne Saints Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Unico Arena, following a 7-0 drubbing of Massey from the previous week. With the victory, the LDSS girls leapt over their 2A rival Nobles in the race for first in the 3A-4A division while holding a game in hand over the Belle River team.

The game was a consistent back-and-fourth affair, but the Lions capitalized on their chances while goalkeeper Shayna Augustine closed the door on all St. Anne offensive opportunities. Ashley Clifford opened the scoring and provided the game winner after 56 seconds of play in the first stanza, releasing a shot that bounced off the ice and past Saints goalie Vanessa Dispenil. Jillian Iles and Claire Phibbs were credited with assists. Phibbs went on to earn an ‘assist hat trick’, helping to set up all three Leamington goals.

Five minutes and two seconds later, Lauryn Gradwell buried an ice-level shot while standing all alone in front of the St. Anne net after taking a backhand pass from Summer Liebrock after she slid across the front of the Saints goalie with an opposing defenseman in close pursuit.

The Lions added to their lead 86 seconds into the final period when Erin Reid grabbed a rebound from a Phibbs shot and sent it past Dispenil. Shannon Fehr also offered a helper on the game’s final tally.

“We played really well. I’m impressed by the overall team effort,” said Lions head coach Bob Clifford. “There was a lot of making second and third efforts when we lost the puck. It’s been the best effort by far this year so far.

They’ve (St. Anne) got some good skaters who don’t give you much time with the puck.”

Both teams went zero for two on the power play.

Two days later (Thursday, Dec. 5), the Lions hit the road for the second time this season for a game against the Villanova Wildcats at the Vollmer Arena in LaSalle. The Wildcats won in a 4-0 decision.

Shailyn Waites of the Lions circles the St. Anne net with a Saints defender giving chase during a WECSSAA 3A-4A girls hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Unico Arena. With the 3-0 win, the Lions moved into first place in the seven-team division. (SUN Photo)

held Sunday, December 1st, 2013 at Leamington Hospital

REMEMBERING THOSE WE HAVE LOST IN 2013

Unico Arena Thursday, Dec. 5. Sarkis, playing her first game with the Cougars, scored her team’s only goal in a 2-1 loss.

Cougar girls edged by Vista

By Bryan Jessop

The 2013-14 regular season may have been a mere four games old for the Cardinal Carter girls, but the signs of improvement for the fledgling program are already evident.

The Cougars lost a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to the visiting Tecumseh Vista Academy Vortex at Unico Arena Thursday, Dec. 5 in recent WECSSAA girls 1A-2A hockey action. Vista utilized a couple core players to keep Cardinal Carter’s defense on its toes and opened the scoring when Muna Fadel outmaneuvered the hosts’ defense and slid an ice-level backhand shot past Aylee Church with 1:42 remaining in the opening fame.

Tecumseh applied heavy pressure in an attempt to expand on its lead, but Church consistently steered shots from a multitude of angles and locations aside. Both teams generated chances in the second period, which ended with no further adjustments to the scoreboard.

Just after the third period’s midway point, the Cougars’ patience was rewarded when Brooklyn Sarkis released a shot from the point that found the lower left corner of the TVA net. Sarkis, playing defense and her first game with the team, was assisted by Kayla Collision.

The game appeared destined for a draw and the first-ever point for the Cardinal Carter team, but a scrambling play in front of the Cougars’ net ended when an arched shot flew over a sprawling Church and into the net with 1:47 remaining in the game. The Cougars made a valiant effort to tie the game, but the curfew buzzer cut their drive short with 42 seconds showing on the clock.

“They played a great game,” said Cougars head coach Chris Lapain of his Cougars. “Aylee Church just stood on her head. Every game we’re getting a little better. We’re not just throwing the puck away — we’re actually looking.”

Gaye (Tetzlaff) Oldroyd

Fratarcangeli Tony Fratarcangeli Patricia Gallant (2002)

& Gary Gallant (2005) Brandy Gignac-Peddie

Girardin

Grainger

Grant (2002)

Grant (2006)

Grant (2007)

Graziano

Paolo Graziano

Teresa Graziano

Vito Graziano

Ethel & Gordon Hall

Michael Hamm (2009)

Ron Henderson (2002)

Robert Hewett (1999)

Karen Hewett (2006)

George F. Heyens

Donna Holt

Lorne Holt

Cassilde Ingratta

Bruna Ingratta

Harold & Dorothy Ives

Thomas E. Ives

Tom Kehoe (2000)

Roy S. Kipping (2010)

Glen Knight

Michael Kraus

Michael J. Kraus

Antonia LaRocca

Jim Lindsay (2012)

James Lindsay (2012) (Dad)

James Lindsay (2012) (Husband)

Tom Linke (2005)

Harry Litwin

Eric Ludke (2001)

Margaret Peggy Madison (1999)

Norman Mady

Paul Martin (1993)

Gilbert Martin (1997)

Tony Mastronardi (2010)

John J. Maycock (2006)

Ella Mayer (2012)

Ella & Elymer McCormick

Lorris McCormick

Murray McHardy (1961)

Georgina McHardy (2012)

Grace & Reuben McInnis

Shawn McKeen (2012)

Bruce Merritt

Marie Milkins (1967)

Len Milkins (2007)

Michael Milkins (2011)

Casey Moody

Kathleen Mutterbach

Agnes Neufeld

Ronald Nolan (1996)

George Oldroyd (1994)

Mattia & Vincenzo Pace

Roger G. Parent (1994)

Marie Pedrick (2002)

Lloyd Pepper (1998)

James Phaneuf

Susan Philippa

Wayne Potter (1993)

Ethel Quick (2003)

James Reaume

Winnifred Reaume (1979)

Dorothy Reaume (2000)

Walter Reaume (2001)

Walter Reaume SR (1961)

Josephine & Ourson Reynaert

Domenico Ricci (2003)

Margaret & Archie Riley

Ward Roach (2012)

Martha Rutgers (2012)

Mirella Sabelli

Blake Sanford

Joseph & Hildegard Sellick

John Sieler (1997)

Jack & Inez Slater

Pieter & Hendrika Slingerland (1978)

Kevin H. Slingerland (1996)

Marg & Jack Stein

Arthur & Ferne Stephens (1959 & 1992)

Dean Stickles (2007-2009)

Eileen Stockwell (2011)

Bob Summerfield

Sante Testani (2004)

Carl Tetzlaff (1992)

Freda Tetzlaff (1995)

Anthony Thoman (2009)

Mary Thomson

Nick Tiessen (2009)

W.J (Bill) Torode SR (2001)

Gerald Truskey (2007)

George Tytgat (2012)

Archie Watterworth (1957)

Stella Watterworth (2008)

Craig Wesenberg (1980)

Conrad Wesenberg (1995)

Irene Westrop (2004)

Bill White (1997)

Albert W. Wigle

Iris Wilkinson (2011)

Evan & Verna Wilson

Dorothy Wiper (1998)

Everett Wiper (1999)

Arnold Wiper (2003)

Christine Woelk

John Woelk

Jeanette Peague

Earl Will 1985

Joe Collard (2002)

Hector Marenetette

Lawrence Laporte

Vanhorn

Vanhorn

Caza

The Cardinal Carter bench was shortened somewhat by one player dealing with the effects of a flu while another is tending to an injury. The Cougars next game was a Tuesday, Dec. 10 home ice competition against the L’Essor Aigles. Results were not available by press deadline.

About a week prior to the game against TVA, the Cougars hit the road for a game against Essex. Cardinal Carter lost 6-0 for their first shutout loss of the season. They will next return home for a Tuesday, Jan. 7 game against Essex, starting at 3 p.m.

Tyke/Novice in exhibition play

Naples Pizza Southpoint Tyke/Novice Team 6 lost 6-5 to Kingsville #3 in exhibition play Sat. Dec. 7 at Wheatley Arena.

Goals were scored by Kaeden Sarkis, Josh Unsworth, Drennan Vince (2) and Kaeden Sarkis. Earning assists were Drennan Vince,

Owen Pimentel, Jonathan Semaan, Josh Unsworth, Tyler Franklin, Evan Gualtieri, Adam Krueger and Kaeden Sarkis. Excellent work by teammates Grayson Vince and Jack Thomas.

Great job by goalie Joel Stockwell.

Atom Minors fall flat

The Gabriele Brand Source Home Furnishings Southpoint Capitals Atom Minors took on the Amherstburg Avalanche Saturday afternoon, Dec. 7, on the Heinz rink. Unfortunately for the Capitals, they came out flat and the Avalanche took advantage, scoring three goals in the first two minutes. The Capitals found themselves down 6-0 after the first period.

The Capitals did less watching in the second and third periods, but wound up losing 11-0.

The Gabriele Brand Source Home Furnishings Atom Minors next see action on Saturday, December 14 versus Amherstburg at 1:00 p.m. on the Heinz rink.

Brooklyn Sarkis poke checks the puck away from Tecumseh Vista Academy’s Muna Fadel during a WECSSAA girls 1A-2A game at

Golden Years mini golf

Forty-eight players managed 89 aces over 36 holes on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Colasanti’s.

Leading the pack with 5 each were John Vlodarchyk, Bill Ward and Lloyd Honey, followed closely with 4 each by Ethel Ferguson, Frank Lasi, Andy Orsini and Gerry Wilkinson. Sinking 3 apiece were Dorothy Cascadden, Floyd Johnson, Cam Keith, Julia Kos and Bill Mayville. Two dropped for Iggy Arner, Mary Binder, Kathy Bradley, Gary Honey, Lois Hudwagner, Tony Hudwagner, Tom Hyatt, Eva Kah, Winnie Moore, Art Sweet, Barry Sweet, Bill Taylor, Bryon Walker and Ken Womack. Rounding out the total with 1 each were Jim Allen, Cheryl Allen, Eleanor Brook, Madeline Butler, Eunice Cascadden, Pete Daudlin, Murray Hartford, Marie Lasi, Duane MacIntosh, Eileen MacIntosh, Barb Murphy, John Murphy, Colleen Pearse, Shirley Thiessen and Pat Womack.

Low score for 9 holes went to Gerry Wilkinson, Bill Ward (2), Julia Kos and Frank Lasi with 16. Seventeen was recorded by Gerry Wilkinson, Lloyd Honey (2), Pat Womack, Art Sweet, Gary Honey, Kathy Bradley and Mary Binder.

Low score for 18 holes with an excellent 34 went to Gerry Wilkinson, followed closely by Bill Ward and Art Sweet with 35. Sharing 36 were Gerry Wilkinson, Pat Womack, Julia Kos and Floyd Johnson. Notching a 37 were Bill Taylor, Mary Binder, Frank Lasi, Gary Honey, Bill Mayville and Lloyd Honey.

A strong 69 by Bill Ward captured honors for 36 holes, with Gerry Wilkinson recording a 70, Art Sweet 73, Julia Kos 74, Bill Mayville 75, Frank Lasi and Lloyd Honey 76, and Andy Orsini 77.

First place honors, with a score of 233, went to Team 9 (Gary Honey, Art Sweet, John Vlodarchyk). Second place was corralled by Team 5 with 235 (Pat Womack, Jim Allen, Bill Ward), while third place went to Team Kings with 238 (Rose Taylor, Fran Clifford, Andy Orsini).

Play continues on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens

On Thurs. Nov. 28 the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Centre hosted badminton players competing in WindsorEssex County Senior 55+ Games. Here are the results:

Ladies Doubles 65+: 1st Inga Sauerwein and Elaine Hancock.

Mixed Doubles 65+: 1st Walter Meixner and Karen Cianfarani, 2nd Hans Sauerwein and Inga Sauerwein, 3rd Bill Westrop and Joy Van Belle.

Men’s Doubles 65+: 1st Walter Meixner and Ed Totten, 2nd Tony Cianfarani and Mike Wright, 3rd Bill Westrop and Hans Sauerwein.

Mixed Doubles 55-64: 1st Mike Wright (per Tom Rogers) and Jane Rogers, 2nd Gerard Beaulieu and Rosemary Murphy, 3rd Michael Tanner and Patti Field.

Ladies Doubles 55-64: 1st Patti Field and Ann Tanner, 2nd Rosemary Murphy and Nellie Willemse (per Brenda St. Germaine), 3rd Joy Van Belle and Jane Rogers.

Men’s Doubles 55-64: 1st Tim Garvey and Kirk White, 2nd Andre Letarte and Richard Chartrand, 3rd Pierre Thom-

Southpoint Sun Stars record shutouts

On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 7, the Southpoint Sun Stars Bantams travelled to Aylmer to take on the Belmont Blazers.

The Stars were a little sluggish on this day, but got their legs going midway through the first period and created several scoring opportunities on the Blazer netminder. At the 3:57 mark of the first period, Lauryn Gradwell won the draw in the Blazer end, drew it back to the point and Corinne Jackson fired a shot high over the glove of the Blazer goalie to put the Stars out front 1-0.

The Stars continued to control the play through the second period and with 3:57 remaining in the second period the Stars scored on the power play to go up 2-0. With the draw in the Blazers end, the power play went to work and Bailey Brown jumped on a rebound in front of the Blazers net and beat the goaltender with a low shot on the short side. Bryanna Rodrigues and Emily Hyatt picked up assists on Bailey’s goal.

The third period saw the Blazers outwork the Stars and they were buzzing around the Stars net most of the third, but Alyee Church pushed aside all the shots she faced and earned the shutout. Another valuable two points on the road and a 2-0 Stars victory.

On Sunday afternoon the Sun Stars played host to the first place Lambeth Lancers. The game was very well played through three periods with both teams getting good opportunities to put one on the board but in the end the defense and goaltending won out in a scoreless draw.

The Stars had a chance late in the third when Kennedy Hodgson took a drop pass in the slot and fired it off the post. That’s as close as the Stars would come on this day, earning a point on home ice. Natalie Edmondson earned the shutout with some great work between the pipes.

as and Gerard Derrikx.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants! Badminton for the 55+ age group is played on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the gym at the Complex.

The Stars took 3 out of 4 points on the weekend and inch closer to the top of the standings.

Next Saturday the Stars travel to Lambeth to take on the Lancers in their home rink.

Go Stars go.

LDSS junior boys hoops vs Villanova

Parker Garrod and a Villanova centre take part in the gamestarting jump ball for a WECSSAA Tier II junior boys basketball game at LDSS Thursday, Dec .5. The Wildcats jumped out to 17-6 and 28-14 leads at the first two buzzers en route to a 53-32 win over the Lions. (SUN Photo)

Cougers junior boys hoops

The Cougars’ Mike Mauvro goes airborne for a layup attempt while being chased by two Walkerville opponents during a WECSSAA Tier II junior boys basketball season opener Thursday, Dec. 5 at Cardinal Carter. The Cougars dominated the game en route to a 45-22 win. (SUN Photo)

Lasers make a splash in Sarnia

The Leamington Lasers continue to make a splash at each meet they attend this season. The team travelled to Sarnia on December 8 to compete against seven other Southwestern Ontario teams and their dedicated training paid off once again.

Taking first place for the Lasers were: Vladi Jidkov (13), 50 fly, 100 breast, 100 IM; Kalin Lougheed (9), 100 IM, 25 breast, 50 free; Nicolas Lougheed (7), 25 back, Sebastian Nunes (16) 100 back.

Second place: Stephen Bosse (12), 100 breast; Samantha Card (15), 100 back; Hayden Fox (11) 50 fly, 100 IM, 100 free; Rylee Gillett (6), 25 back; Lorenzo Flores (7), 25 free; Sebastian Nunes (16), 100 breast.

7+ Under 100 Medley Relay: Rylee Gillett, Nicolas Lougheed, Grace Fox, Lorenzo Flores. 12-13 200 Medley Relay: Emme Zanuttini, Vladi Jidkov, Scott Plancke, Ryann Child.

Third place: Ryann Child (12), 50 fly, 100 back; Hayden Fox (11), 50 breast; Rylee Gillett (6), 25 free; Lorenzo Flores (7), 25 breast; Vladi Jidkov (13), 200 free; Sebastian Nunes (16), 100 free; Xavier Nunes (15), 100 free; Scott Plancke (13), 100 back, 100 breast, 100 IM; Emme Zanuttini (12), 100 free.

14+ Over 200 Medley Relay: Samantha Card, Xavier Nunes, Sebastian Nunes, Ryann Child.

The Lasers train four times a week at the Leamington Kinsman Recreation Complex. The next meet they will attend is the meet these swimmers have been training for all season, the Division III Provincial Team Championships being held at the new aquatic centre in Windsor from December 13-15.

Busy weekend for Stars’ hockey

On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8 the Community Trophy Southpoint Peewee Stars welcomed the Lakeshore Lightning. This was a very close game with both teams battling hard, but in the end the Lightning prevailed with a 2-1 win. Chelsea Andary scored the lone Stars goal with assists going to Raine Schiefer and Brigitte Klassen. Both Caitlyn Preston and Halle Debono were strong between the pipes for the Lady Stars.

The Rhine Danube Southpoint Intermediate Stars battled the South County Girls from Harrow. Both teams brought their “A” game in this very exciting match-up. The Lady Stars had several opportunities to tie this one up, but just fell short with Harrow winning this game 2-1. Shelby Davison scored the lone Stars goal with the assist going to Grace Andrews. Madelin Hubbs played amazing in net for the Lady Stars giving her team an opportunity to tie this game.

The Lion’s Club Southpoint Intermediate Stars played the Windsor Wildcats on Sunday afternoon. As with the other games, this match-up was a very close battle. The Lady Stars tied this contest with 5 minutes remaining in the game, and netted the game winner with 1.1 seconds remaining. Lea Marshall, Kelsey Babkirk and Chase Cabral scored the Stars goals with assists going to Abbey Gradwell (2), Hannah Toews and Marshall.

The Wheatley Optimist/ Rotary Club Southpoint Peewee Stars travel girls played host to the Sarnia Lady Sting on Sunday afternoon. This was a very close game, but in the end the Lady Sting were victorious by a 1-0 margin. Cassidy DeGroote was spectacular in net for the Lady Stars, holding the Lady Sting to a single tally.

Lions boys hockey returns

By Bryan Jessop

The LDSS boys hockey program has made a comeback spanning about half a decade. Unfortunately, their recent Sandwich Sabre guests made a comeback over a course of about 15 minutes.

The Lions’ first home opener since the mid-late stages of the last decade took place at Heinz Arena Wednesday, Dec. 4 against the Sandwich Sabres. Leamington established a 5-1 lead by roughly mid-game, but the visitors sprung back with two late-second period goals followed by three more over a span of three minutes and 16 seconds in the third.

Colin Ritzer of the Sabres opened the scoring during a two-on-one rush with his team on the power play, blasting a slap shot past LDSS goalie Mitch Monaco. Calyn Kir replied with an ice-level tally for Leamington before Evan Mastronardi poked the puck over the goal line during a scramble in front of the vistors’ net for a 2-1 lead to start the second period.

The Lions dominated the first half of the second period, burying another three goals within a time frame of two-and-a-half minute. Kir got the trio of goals started with a sharpangle shot from close range before Kyle Dama snapped the puck into an open right half of the Sandwhich net. Kir completed his hat trick by taking a cross-crease pass and driving it home before the Sabre goaltender could react.

Rio Simons got the comeback effort started for the guests by intercepting a pass in his own zone and racing the puck to the LDSS end before potting a backhand shot. Two assists were credited on the goal, although Simons posted the marker without feeds from teammates.

Connor Hamilton was next 31 seconds later, sending a rebounding puck into a near-open net to bring a 5-3 score into the third period.

Ritzer took over from there, scoring his second, third and fourth of the game with a backhand, slap shot and chip shot for the game winner.

Leamington assists went to Jared Adams, Dama (2), Jesse Fast and Cody Epp. The Lions were outshot 37-34.

“We made some mistakes and they capitalized on turnouvers,” said Tony Nurse, who is coaching the LDSS boys along with Butch Rickeard. “Now it’s about how the boys come out and respond to this. We’re seeing some good things out there. We’re patient and we’ll let them develop together.”

Every player on the Lions team is playing high school hockey for the first time. More than 30 students representing various grades tried out for the team, including a handful of house league players and AAA midget Mike Travis. Tryouts were held primarily in the format of a pre-season tournament hosted by Sandwich, defeated by the Lions before they dropped the next three.

“We’re introducing new systems to them, so there’s obviously a learning curve here,” said Nurse. “We’re very excited about this season.”

The 2013-14 campaign began with a pair of road games, starting with a 5-2 loss to Villanova and an 8-1 defeat at the hands of Essex. Leamington returned to the road for a Tuesday, Dec. 10 match against Holy Names (results unavailable by press deadline).

The Lions will return to the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex today (Wednesday, Dec. 11) for a 3 p.m. start against General Amherst.

Leamington’s Kyle Dama sends a pass into the open side of the Sandwich net despite a dive across the crease from Sandwich goalie Owen Murray. The game was the first home ice contest for the LDSS boys in half a decade. Leamington led 5-1 until late in the second period, when a Sabres comeback ended in a 6-5 loss for the Lions. (SUN Photos)

Justin Church of the Lions is sent to the ice by Adam Gaiarin of the Sabres during WECSSAA boys hockey action at Heinz Arena Wednesday, Dec. 4. The Lions lost 6-5.

Flyers come up short versus Chatham

By Bryan Jessop

Both stuffed toys and the Leamington Flyers fell in last week’s game against the Chatham Maroons. Spectators bearing gifts had to be patient for their team’s first goal in the annual Teddy Bear Toss for local children as the Maroons sped away with a 7-2 victory at Heinz Arena Thursday, Dec. 5. Followed by a shootout defeat in Strathroy two days later, the Flyers have suffered three consecutive losses for the first time since Oct. 25 to 30 of 2012. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Flyers were handed a 6-4 loss in Sarnia before losing 54 in a shootout to the hosting Strathroy Rockets on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Fans had to wait 35 minutes and 15 seconds to shower the ice with stuffed toys during Thursday’s charity event, by which time the Maroons had already found the back Leamington’s net four times. “It was probably our poorest performance of the season,” said Flyers head coach Tony Piroski. “It was just a lack of effort. It’s a long season and everyone has their nights, but I feel bad that people paid $9 to see that.”

Although the Maroons outshot the Flyers by a modest 32-30 margin, the visitors were the more effective team both with and without the puck for the majority of the game. Leamington goalie Trevor Wheaton managed to fend off Chatham attackers for about the first six minutes before Trevor Richardson went ice level and inside the right post for the first tally of the night. Penalty trouble made matters worse for the Flyers, who surrendered a five-onthree, top shelf goal to Tanner Ferguson with just over two minutes left in the opening period.

The game winner was also scored during a man advantage, when Steven Szekesy released a waisthigh wrist shot from directly in front of the Flyers net after about four minutes of action in the middle frame. Adam Arseneault provided the first insurance

goal during a three-on-one charge, a play where Wheaton had virtually no chance to stop the shot from inches in front of his goal line.

Jared Dennis sent the toys flying by burying a slap shot past new M’s goalie Jacob Keogh after a Colin Moore shot was blocked. A sum of 245 stuffed toys were thrown to the ice by spectators and collected by Southpoint Stars players and members of the Leamington Figure Skating Club.

James McEwan replied for the Maroons 64 seconds into the third period on a goal that appeared to take most of any remaining wind out of the Flyers’ sails.

Dylan Seguin however dug deep to make a shorthanded breakaway goal out of a Chatham power play turn over near centre ice, faking a shot against Keogh before jutting to the left side of the net and tucking the puck into the lower corner. The goal, Seguin’s ninth point in five games, was unassisted.

The Maroons finished the scoring with even-strength markers by Kyle Brothers and Michael Verboom.

Chatham was two for seven on the power play while Leamington came up empty handed on each of five opportunities.

For the past week and a half, the Flyers have been tending to injuries affecting Alex Seguin (upper body), Chris Scott (lower body) and Nicklas Pleshakov (concussion).

“When you’re short players and don’t make an effort, you’re in trouble — that’s what happened Thursday,” said Piroski.

Currently, the Flyers are con-

sidering new additions to the roster of players interested in coming to Leamington. In the meantime, other strategies could serve as short-term solutions to the team collecting only one point in the past three games.

“It’s definitely not a bad thing to make a few lineup adjustments when the team’s having trouble winning,” Piroski noted.

On Saturday, Kyle Shaw bookended a Dylan Seguin goal to give the Flyers a 3-0 lead in Strathroy before the Rockets stormed back to knot the score up at 3-3 for the second intermission. Shaw finished his hat trick early in the third, but the hosts replied with their second power play goal to force overtime and a shootout. Shaw scored on the first penalty shot, but Tony Spidalieri, Dylan Seguin and Nathan Opblinger were stopped by Tynan Lauziere while the Rockets’ third and fourth shooters beat Austyn Roudebush.

rest of the west

Two games played Wednesday, Dec. 4 ended in a 6-1 victory for LaSalle over Strathroy while London doubled Lambton Shores 4-2.

St. Thomas blanked St. Marys 3-0 on Thursday followed by a 3-1 win for London over St. Marys on Friday. Lambton Shores defeated St. Marys 3-2 on Saturday in the race for the West’s final playoff spot, followed by a 6-4 Chatham win over St. Thomas on Sunday.

Cale Allen of the Flyers tries to navigate with the puck between Nate Pietens and Tanner Ferguson of the Maroons during a game at Heinz Arena Thursday, Dec. 5. The Maroons won 7-2. (Sun photo)

Members of the Southpoint Stars and Leamington Figure Skating Club, with some assistance from the Leamington Flyers, collect 245 stuffed toys thrown onto the ice by Flyers fans during the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss. (Sunphoto)

Dylan Seguin reaches for a rebounding puck during a Thursday, Dec. 5 GOJHL game at Heinz Arena against the Maroons. Seguin scored for his ninth point in the past five games in his team’s 7-2 loss. (Sun photo)

Sharks feast on Kings

By Bryan Jessop

Dresden started and finished the scoring, but had little success holding back the Wheatley Sharks for the 51 minutes in between.

The Sharks put a couple more points between themselves and the third-place Belle River Canadiens Monday with a 5-2 nod over the visiting Dresden Kings at Wheatley Area Arena. David Vergeer opened the scoring 75 seconds after the opening faceoff with a waist-high wrist shot that eluded Conner MacKinnon during a one-on-one, but the Sharks replied with the next five, starting with the first of two Cale Phibbs tallies 10 minutes and 44 seconds later. Taking a lateral pass from Brett Bowman, Phibbs tapped the puck into the unoccupied left half of the Kings net that netminder Jamie Morreau had little to no chance of stopping. Mike Reid also assisted.

Wheatley added the game’s only power play goal less than four minutes later when recently-acquired defenseman Evan Makaric scored his first as a Shark. Makaric released a wrist shot from inside the blue line that Morreau partially intercepted with his glove, only to lose sight of the puck as it arced under the crossbar and into the goal. Austin Fontaine drew the only assist, helping the Sharks take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Fontaine scored his 11th of the season and the only goal of the second period with a shot that struck Morreau’s pad and continued onward with enough momentum for the puck to skid over the goal line. Austin Thompson and Jimmy Ciacelli assisted on the marker, buried

after 45 seconds of play.

The Sharks’ defense smothered Dresden’s offensive game, allowing only four shots in the second frame. The hosts had several opportunities to further pad their lead at mid game, but were unable to pull the trigger. Wheatley went on to complete a shots on net advantage of 25-19.

Phibbs chipped in with his 10th of the season to start the scoring for the final 20 minutes, releasing a wrist shot from 15 feet in front of the net that beat Morreau in an untouched path in the back of his net. Scott Florence and Thomas Virban set up the play. At midperiod, Frank Ciacelli swatted a Florence rebound into the Dresden net on a play also assisted by Bowman.

Dresden’s Blake Padbury directed a Braeden Nicholson shot into the Sharks net with about seven-and-a-half minutes remaining for a goal that proved too little, too late for the Kings to mount a comeback charge.

“I was happy with the effort tonight,” said Sharks head coach Ken Galerno. “We distributed well, but couldn’t handle passes at times. That was the youth of our team showing itself.”

Galerno and his coaching staff are pleased with the additions of Makaric and Tyler Liboiron, two deadline acquisitions who have now played three games each for Wheatley.

“Mack (Makaric) and Libby (Liboiron) are making a big difference,” Galerno explained. “They can really move the puck out of our end.”

Centre Shawn Hope, landed in a deal with the Blenheim Blades, will play his first game for Wheatley on Friday, Dec. 13 in Dresden.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Sharks visited the Alvinston Flyers in an 8-6 Wheatley win. The Sharks led 6-1 in the latter minutes of the second period, but allowed the Flyers to reply with five consecutive goals to tie the contest at six-all. Fontaine potted the game winner late in the third, followed by an empty-netter by Florence. The first six Sharks goals were scored by Jimmy Ciacelli, Florence, Jon Woelk (2), Fontaine and Frank Ciacelli. MacKinnon stopped 41 of 47 shots for the win while the Sharks fired 36 at relieving goalie Brad Jacklin and starter Brett Avery.

The Sharks next home game will be Monday, Dec. 16 against the Blades at 7:30 p.m. for Wheatley’s annual United Way Night. A portion of admission proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Chatham-Kent.

Wheatley veteran Brett Bowman tries to poke the puck past Dresden goalie Jamie Morreau during the second period of a Great Lakes Junior ‘C’ game at Wheatley Area Arena. The Sharks won 5-2.

Wheatley’s Eric Rivard and a Dresden player crash into the boards during the third period of a Monday, Dec. 9 game at Wheatley Area Arena. The Sharks won 5-2. (SUN Photos)

Wheatley hosts inter-district duplicate bridge tournament

Twenty competitors from the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent areas competed Nov. 26 in an Inter-District Duplicate Bridge event at the Wheatley Friendship Club. The tournament was part of the Ontario Senior Games 55+.

Gold, silver and bronze winners were determined in both North-South and East-West Divisions.

Local competitors have their eye on the 2014 Summer Provincial 55+ Games being offered next August in the Windsor/Amherstburg area.

The Churches of Leamington and District Welcome You

ANGLICAN

St. John The Evangelist

60 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-326-3111

Sunday Worship Services

8:30 & 10:30 am

St. Mary’s Church

East West Road, Pelee Island

1st & 3rd Sundays from June to September at 10 am

Calvary Church

North Shore Road, Pelee Island

1st & 3rd Sundays from October to May at 10 am

BAPTIST

Calvary Baptist Church

475 Bevel Line Road, Leamington 519-326-0876

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

First Baptist Church

3 Fox Street, Leamington 519-326-4372

Sunday Worship 10:45 am

Heritage Baptist Church

555 Talbot St. W., Wheatley 519-300-1400

Pastor Francisco Penner

Sunday 11 am & 7 pm, Wed 7 pm

CONGREGATIONALIST

Faith Everlasting Congregational Church

589 Hwy 77, Leamington 519-322-2994

Sunday Worship 11 am

220 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-322-1644

Saturday Services: Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am

LUTHERAN

St. Paul’s LutheranEvangelical Church

311 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-3966

Sunday Worship Services

9:30 am (Germ), 10:30 am (Eng)

Sonshine Lutheran

194 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-398-8179

Sunday Bible Study 9 am Worship Service Every Sun.10 am

MENNONITE

Faith Mennonite Church

269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-6391

Sunday Worship Services

10:50 am (Summer 10 am)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church 1408 Deer Run Rd, Leamington 519-326-9734

Sunday Worship Services 9:15 am (German), 10:45 am (English)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Church 108 Mersea Rd 3, Leamington 519-322-9915

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Leamington United Mennonite Church 78 Oak Street East, Leamington 519-326-2727

Sunday Worship 9:45 am

Summer Worship Services 9:30 am (German), 10:15 am (English)

Meadow Brook Fellowship 219 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-326-3605

1 Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 am

North Leamington United Mennonite Church

625 Mersea Rd 6, Leamington 519-326-7928

Sunday Worship 10:00 am

South Point Community Church 55A Talbot St. W., Leamington 519-322-1858

Sunday Gatherings 10 am

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Iglesia La Buena Semilla

269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-733-0342

Sunday Worship 6:30 pm

Leamington District Memorial Hospital 194 Talbot St. W., Leamington 519-326-2373, Chaplain’s Office ext. 4443

PENTECOSTAL

FGT Family Church

285 Talbot St. E., Leamington Free bus rides available 519-322-2316

Sunday AM Gathering 10 am

Leamington Christian Centre

98 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-322-1504

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am English/Spanish 6:30 pm Templo Christiano De Leamington

39 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-325-9654

Sunday Worship Services 3 pm

Mount Zion Full TabernacleGospel

6 Mill Street, Leamington 519-252-0031

Sunday Worship 7:30 pm

United Pentecostal Church

312 Erie St. St., Leamington 519-326-7056

Sunday Worship Services 11 am

PRESBYTERIAN

Knox Presbyterian Church

58 Erie St. S., Leamington 519-326-4541 www.knoxknotes.com

Sunday Worship Services 11 am

ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Michael’s Parish

29 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Sunday Masses: 7:30 am.(English)

10:30 am (English/Children’s Liturgy) 10:30 am (OLBS, Wheatley, English) 3 pm (Spanish), 7 pm (Youth)

St. Joseph’s Church

310 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Saturday Mass: 5 pm (English)

Sunday Masses: 9 am (Italian, English) Noon (Portuguese, English)

St. Anthony’s Parish (Maronite Rite)

280 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-322-2282

Sunday Masses 9:30 & 11 am (Lebanese, English)

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army Citadel 88 Setterington Street Leamington 519-326-4901

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Leamington United Church 9 John Street, Leamington 519-326-9461

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

Mersea United Church

1301 Mersea Road 8, Wheatley 519-825-4157

Sunday Worship Services 9:30 am

UNITARIAN

UNIVERSALIST

Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda 2953 Olinda Sideroad, Ruthven 519-326-4352

Sunday Service 10:30 am

Duplicate bridge East-West and NorthSouth silver winners, from left to right: David Derbyshire, Derek Parry, Velma Malcolm and Linda Hyatt.

County Bridge Results

Leamington Half Century Centre, Mon. Dec. 2: 1st Vi Major and Pauline Mikolash, 2nd John McGregor and Dorothy McGregor, 3rd Nina Towle and Helen Preyde, 4th Bob Branton and Frank Duransky. Games are each Monday at 12:45 p.m. Members and new members welcome.

Kingsville Bridge Club, Wed. Dec. 4: North/South - 1st Bill Chaplin and Chris Brennan, 2nd Jack Warmenhoven and Bob Branton, 3rd Jim Murphy and Nancy Murphy. East/West - 1st Roger Cote and Jim Perkes, 2nd Marg Koeman and Vi Major, 3rd Bob Lee and Henry Hildebrandt. Bridge is played every Wednesday at the Lions Hall in Kingsville, 7 p.m. For info call 519-738-4939.

21085 Pier Rd. RR#1 Wheatley ON N0P 2P0

Duplicate bridge East-West and North-South bronze winners, from left to right: Mame Nicholson, Eileen Edwards, Marie Elwood and Vi Major.

Duplicate bridge East-West and North-South gold winners, from left to right: Jeanne Manners, Shirley Plant, Pauline Mikolash and Al Morrison.

OBITUARY

Rita Impens

Rita Marie (Lamotte) Impens, born October 14, 1921, gone to be with Our Lord and Saviour. The Matriarch of our family has passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Erie Glen Manor at age 92.

OBITUARY

Angie Stamatopoulos

Angie (Featherstone) Stamatopoulos, 38 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, December 2, 2013 at her home after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

OBITUARY

Marion Jackson

Marion Ethel Jackson: It is with great respect that her family announces her passing on Monday, December 9, 2013 at University Hospital, London, at the age of 100 years.

Daughter of the late Frank (1938) and Charlotte (1947) (Vigneux) Lamotte. Beloved wife of the late Charles Joseph Impens (2004). Dearest mother of Linda and Louis Marentette, Cathy and Larry Sumner, Jim and Diana Impens, John and Judy Impens, the late Charles Joseph Impens (1954), Robert and Robin Impens, Patrick and Judy Impens, Perry and Marlene Impens, Sgt. Charles and Sandra Impens. Treasured grandmother of 19 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren. Dearest sister of the late Ernest (Ella) Lamotte, Marion (late Joe) Howe, the late Rosie (late Ralph) Ciliska, the late Theresa (Joe) Bonyai, Maurice Lamotte, the late Florence (late Ferd) Impens, the late Henry Lamotte, Ted (Annette) Lamotte, Kay (Walter) Balsam, Joe (Nola) Lamotte. She’ll be sadly missed by sister-in-law Emma Moody and brother-in-law Maurice Impens. She was admired and respected by many nieces and nephews.

Rita was born in Windsor, moving to Albuna at 12 years of age. There she lived on the Lamotte farm until it sold and moved to Leamington in 1961. Robson Road became her and Dad’s favourite home with the doors open to all family and friends day and night. Mom worked as a first aid nurse at Sun Parlor Home and Canadian Canners until her retirement at age 60.

Rita was a longtime member and Past President of the CWL. She volunteered her time to many nursing homes and Meals on Wheels. She was a great supporter of Right to Life with the making of angels and rosaries. Her hobbies were crocheting afghans, making family tie blankets, puzzles, cards and board games.

The family would like to thank the staff of Erie Glen Manor where she has lived for the past 2½ years for their tender care and compassion. Also St. Elizabeth Health Care and CCAC for their personal support these past few weeks.

Mom’s generous, kind and gentle soul will live on in the hearts of the many lives she had so lovingly touched. Visiting was at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Thursday from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral Mass to celebrate Rita’s life at St. Michael’s Church, 21 Elliott Street, Leamington, on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10 a.m. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to St. Michael’s Building Fund, St. Vincent De Paul Society or charity of your choice.

Connection Christmas concert benefits local groups

Local gospel group “Connection” hosted a successful Christmas Concert and SingAlong at First Baptist Church in Leamington on Sun. Dec. 1 with 225 people in attendance. The program included the ladies quartet “Lost and Found”, whose music was a welcome addition to a very enjoyable afternoon of entertainment.

The generosity of the community enabled Connection to provide $300 to each of the following groups: Leamington Anglican Church, Leamington United Church, Leamington Knox Presbyterian Church, and Leamington Gleaners. The money will help these groups in their mission to provide food and meals for the less fortunate in town. A donation of $100 was also designated to the Salvation Army (Leamington), along with the food that was collected that afternoon.

Members of the group Connection are John Moran, Brad Bailey, Lynn Bailey, Brian Bailey, Janis Willan, Kim Sykes, Dale Butler and Charlene Wilkinson. They credit the people behind the scenes for help-

ing make the concert possible – the soundman, lift operator, AV tech, custodian and ushers – and expressed gratitude to those who attended and gave so generously.

Plans are being discussed for another Connection concert in late spring or early summer.

Beloved wife of John Stamatopoulos. Loving mother of Bailey, Macy, Niko and Daria. Dear daughter of Donna and Greg Featherstone and daughter-in-law of Ionnais Stamatopoulos and Sally Hiller. Dear sister of Matthew and Heather Featherstone and their children Dexter, Beau and Dane. Sister-in-law of Christine Stamatopoulos and Greg Meloche. Loving granddaughter of Duane and Leda Quick, Gary and Helen Featherstone, and great-granddaughter of Virginia Beattie. Angie will be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visiting was at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Thrice Holy Hymn Service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 8:45 a.m. then to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 65 Ellis Street East, Windsor, for Funeral Service at 10 a.m. to celebrate Angie’s life. Fr. Stavros Chatzis officiated. Interment Erie Memorial Gardens, Leamington.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to Windsor/Essex Cancer Centre Foundation, Hospice of Windsor or Camp Trillium.

Friends may share memories at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

$20,000 in grant and scholarship prizes up for grabs

With thousands of dollars in prizes on the line for kids and students across the country, Google Canada has issued a last call for entries for the first-ever Doodle 4 Google contest. K-12 students have until December 31, 2013 to design a doodle for the Google Canada homepage on the theme “If I could invent anything, I would invent…”

The national winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship, a $10,000 grant for their school, and be featured in a Royal Ontario Museum special exhibit in March 2014.

A panel of guest judges, including astronaut Chris Hadfield and actress Karine Vanasse, will select 25 regional winners. The 25 finalists will receive a trip to Toronto, where five regional winners will be named and the first-place winning doodle will be announced.

Interested students, parents and teachers can visit www.google.ca/doodle4google for contest rules and to download entry forms.

Beloved wife of the late George Richard “Geordie” Jackson (1981). Marion was formerly of Ingersoll and Leamington, with her current residence in London. Dear sister of Dora Wurker (Woodstock), Doug Hawkins (Mississauga), and Dr. Carmen Hawkins (Gainesville, Texas). Predeceased by sisters Thelma Telfer, Helen Hawkins and Joyce Hawkins, and brothers Bill and George Hawkins. She will also be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.

Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 12 noon until time of Funeral Service to celebrate Marion’s life at 1 p.m. Rev. Linda Blair officiating. Cremation.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the charity of your choice.

Friends may send condolences or make a charitable contribution online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

December 19

DONNY�&�MARIE CHRISTMAS�IN�WINDSOR Sunday, December 22 SCOTTY�M cCREERY

Friday, January 10

SMOKEY�ROBINSON Thursday, January 16

JOHN�PINETTE Wednesday, January 22 COLLECTIVE�SOUL

BARENAKED�LADIES Thursday, February 6

ERIC�BURDON�&� THE�ANIMALS Saturday, February 15 Tickets on sale December 14!

MELISSA�ETHERIDGE Friday, February 21

GEORGE�LOPEZ Friday, February 28 TRAVIS�TRITT�WITH�

1951 Singer convertible slalomed and hill-climbed

Gord Fielder of Windsor passed along this story of a friend he grew up with in TroisRivieres, Quebec:

“I was one of a group of four neighbourhood boys who owned and worked on old cars. Rodney owned a ’52 Anglia, George a ’53 Studebaker Champion, I owned two 1953 Hillman Minx cars to make one car (I can’t say a decent one), and Rick Gruninger had a 1951 Singer convertible he purchased in 1963.

“In 1961 or ’62, when Rick was 18 and going to school in Ottawa, he wanted to buy an MG TD but they were over his budget. In searching for one he could afford, he came across a Singer, not for sale, but it really appealed to him because the styling was similar to the MG, except the MG was a 2-seater and the Singer a 4-seater. After he returned home for the summer holidays, his friends told him of a Singer behind a machine shop shed in town. Three brothers owned it and sold it to Rick for $100 minus engine and transmission. The car was towed to Rick’s parents’ house, where he began working on it.

“Rick found a wrecked Ford Consul Capri with a 1340 cc engine, 4-speed transmission, drive shaft, and rear end with only 17,000 miles on the odometer. He installed all these parts in the Singer, but had a problem. The Ford transmission was a column-shift but Rick wanted to keep the Singer interior as original as possible with a floor-shift. He solved this problem by going to another junkyard and buying the top plate and shifter from a Ford Anglia that had a floor shift and installed it on the Ford Consul transmission in his Singer. Now his only problem was that the gear pattern was backwards, and on top of this, the car was right-hand-drive.

“Next he converted the mechanical brakes on the Singer to hydraulic, including disc brakes for the front. This change necessitated a lot of welding and the brake pedals ended up being pieces of angle iron with hand-made pads mounted on them. He also removed the

DRIVERS WANTED

OPP K-9s for Special Olympics

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Essex County are selling OPP K-9 stuffed animals as part of a fundraiser for Special Olympics. The dogs are available at any OPP Detachment in Essex County. The proceeds from the $10 cost will be donated to Special Olympics.

original dashboard and had his grandfather cut a new dashboard out of plywood on a jigsaw, which gave the car a custom dash with custom-mounted gauges.

“Rick had lots of fun driving the car around town after he got used to the backward shift pattern and right-hand-drive. He entered the car in local slaloms and hill-climbs and it was known around the area as ‘The Sewing Machine.’”

Festive R.I.D.E. campaign underway

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) 2013 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign is underway. It started November 23 and will run until January 2, 2014. According to the OPP, the public can expect to see numerous OPP Festive R.I.D.E. stops in order to deal with drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Unfortunately, the irresponsible behaviour of one driver can negatively affect the lives of many.

The OPP is reminding drivers that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption when driving. This is evident every year in the number of Warn Range Suspensions the OPP issues to drivers whose Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) falls within the 0.05 to 0.08 range.

Over the last two Festive R.I.D.E. campaigns (2011 and 2012), OPP officers issued a total of 1,208 Warn Range Suspensions over and above the 1,375 impaired driving charges they laid throughout the province. Those who are issued a Warn Range Suspension immediately lose their licence at the roadside and are not allowed to drive from that point on for a minimum of three days.

LAIDLAW CARRIERS VAN DIVISION requires experienced AZ licensed drivers to run the U.S. Premium mileage rate. Home weekly. New equipment. Also hiring Owner Operators. 1-800-2638267

FOR SALE

#1 HIGH SPEED INTERNET

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Absolutely no ports are blocked Unlimited Downloading Up to 11Mbps Download & 800Kbps Upload ORDER TODAY AT: www.acanac.ca or CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-866-281-3538

SAWMILLS from only $4,897 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT. Restless Leg Syndrome & Leg Cramps? Fast Relief In One Hour. Sleep At Night. Proven For Over 32 Years. www.allcalm.com Mon-Fri 8-4 EST 1-800-765-8660

EMPLOYMENT OPPS.

$$STUDENTS - ADULTS$$ Need extra income to help in month ends? Don’t need a regular work. Flexible schedule, easy work, stimulating. Sell delicious chocolate products. 1-800561-2395

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMOTIVE Service Technician(s) in Hanna Alberta. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. offers competitive wages from $32/hour, negotiable depending on experience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefits. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban centres. More info at: hannachrysler.ca Fax 403-854-2845; Email: chrysler@telusplanet.net.

GPRC, Fairview Campus, Alberta needs Power Engineering Instructors. No teaching experience, no problem. Please contact Brian Carreau at 780-835-6631 and/or visit our website at www.gprc.ab.ca.

STEEL BUILDINGS

STEEL BUILDING...”THE BIG YEAR END CLEAR OUT!” 20X22

$4,259. 25X24 $4,684. 30X34 $6,895. 35X36 $9,190. 40X48 $12,526. 47X70 $17,200. One End wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca

STEEL BUILDINGS/METAL BUILDINGS 60% OFF! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206 www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

ADVERTISE ACROSS ONTARIO OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY! For more information contact your local newspaper.

Want to talk to someone about gambling problems? Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505 www.ProblemGamblingHelpline.ca

Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline on Facebook or @ConnexOntario on Twitter

SERVICES

Have you become addicted to prescription medication?

Drug & Alcohol Helpline 1-800-565-8603 www.DrugAndAlcoholHelpline.ca

Drug and Alcohol Helpline on Facebook or @ConnexOntario on Twitter

WANTED

WANTED: OLD TUBE AUDIO EQUIPMENT. 40 years or older. Amplifiers, Stereo, Recording and Theatre Sound Equipment. Hammond organs. Any condition, no floor model consoles. Call Toll-Free 1-800-9470393 / 519-853-2157.

MORTGAGES

$$$ 1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGESDebt Consolidation, Refinancing, Renovations, Tax Arrears, no CMHC fees. $50K you pay $208.33/ month (OAC). No income, bad credit, power of sale stopped!! BETTER OPTION MORTGAGES, CALL TODAY Toll-Free 1-800-282-1169, www.mortgageontario.com (LIC# 10969).

AS SEEN ON TV - Need a MORTGAGE, Home Equity Loan, Better Rate? Bad Credit, SelfEmployed, Bankrupt? Been turned down? Facing Foreclosure, Power of Sale? CALL US NOW TOLL-FREE 1-877-733-4424 and speak to a licensed mortgage agent. MMAmortgages.com specializes in residential, commercial, rural, agriculture, farms, & land mortgages. Visit: www.MMAmortgages.com (Lic#12126).

PERSONALS

ARE HOLIDAYS & HOLIDAY PARTIES making you feel more alone than ever? Call MISTY RIVER INTRODUCTIONS & let us help you find someone wonderful to spend your life with. CALL (519)658-4204, www.mistyriverintros.com.

TRUE PSYCHICS! For Answers call now 24/7 Toll Free 1-877-3423036; Mobile #4486; http://www.true psychics.ca. DATING SERVICE. Long-term/shortterm relationships, free to try! 1-877297-9883. Talk with single ladies. Call #7878 or 1-888-534-6984. Talk now! 1-866-311-9640 or #5015. Meet local single ladies. 1-877-804-5381. (18+)

ADVERTISING

REACH MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS IN ONTARIO WITH ONE EASY CALL! Your Classified Ad or Display Ad would appear in weekly newspapers each week across Ontario in urban, suburban and rural areas. For more information Call Today Toll-Free 1-888-219-2560, Email: k.magill@sympatico.ca or visit: www.OntarioClassifiedAds.com.

HEALTH

1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime Mental Health Helpline 1-866-531-2600

www.MentalHealthHelpline.ca Mental Health Helpline on Facebook or @ConnexOntario on Twitter

BUSINESS OPPS. SALES REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED - The Aim Companies. Best Health, Nutritional Products. Available in Canada Today. Best Rewards Program Too!! Call Collect for Free Catalogue, Literature 519-627-1337 or bigteetwa@gmail.com

1951 Singer convertible built in England and owned by Rick Gruninger in Quebec soon after he bought it minus engine in 1963.

SOUTHPOINT SUN

GOING FAST!

ONE BEDROOM APT.$600 per month, utilities included. Call 519-3261869. de4-tf

APT. FOR RENT - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 27 Clark St. West, Leamington. $800 + utilities. Available now. Call 519-562-9555. no20-tf

LEAMINGTON LAKEFRONT

Upscale and Affordable in Leamington’s ONLY waterfront rental apartment building overlooking Leamington Marina and Park and minutes from the beach. Amenities include:

• library and social rooms

• new Smart Card “no coin” laundry

• beautiful lobby

• underground parking

• outdoor balconies

• FREE utilities and window coverings

• Fully secured and 24-7 onsite management.

Ask us about our limited time “New Tenant” incentives. www.ska-apartmentrentals.com Call Mike or Kevin 519-326-8819

FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

YORK FURNACE - WORKS well, 2 1/2 ton air conditioner with small leak, $200 for both together. 3 inch galvanized pipe - 20 ft. long, $10 each. Small white Chihuahua mix, 2 1/2 years old, $100. 519-791-2641. no27-fe5

FOLD AND GO solid ultra light scooter. Perfect condition with accessories. Price is right. Please call 519326-6363. If no answer, leave message and phone number. oc9-de11

2500 SQ. FT. industrial/commercial/warehousespace in Ruthven. Call 1-800-2652397 or email paulh@wwp.on.ca. no27-de18

TRAINING

A, B, C DZ TRUCKand bus training, 7 days per week, one on one. We like to do free estimates to see your driving capabilities, then we give you an assessment. Call Dennis 519-620-4313. no27-de19

1 BEDROOM CONDO for rent. 44 Robson Rd., Leamington. $750 + utilities. No pets. Call 519-326-5591. se11-tf

1 BEDROOM AND 2 bedroom apartments. Fridge, stove, laundry services and utilities included. Almost newly renovated. Clean and close to shopping centers. In Leamington and Kingsville. Available now. Call 519-8163095. de11

HOME FOR RENT - 2 bedrooms, living room, bathroom and eat-in-kitchen. $750 plus utilities. Serious enquiries can fill in application at Leamington GM dealership. no27-tf

KINGSBRIDGE MANOR IN Kingsville (senior building), 2 bedroom apartment for rent, $680 per month. Fridge, stove, air conditioner included. Elevator in the building. Call 519-326-1577 or 519322-0920. de11-tf

COMING EVENTS

“CHRISTMAS

SERVICES

INDOOR/OUTDOOR CARPENTRY - Renovations and repairs, windows, doors, painting, flooring, basements, drywall, closets, etc. Free estimates. 35 years experience. Our installation is as good as or better than window and door companies at 1/2 the price. Note: 2730% of your heat is lost through windows and doors. We install windows and doors year round (senior discount). Call for a quote, Bill, 519-566-8408. de4-ja2

PLUMBING

eh48@hotmail.ca

PAINTING - PROFESSIONAL, EXPERIENCED painting at reasonable prices. Bring your house back to life by refreshing your current colour or spice things up with a new colour. Don’t let your drab rooms bring you down this winter. Call Dave Burton at 519-999-2551 for estimate. no20-ja1

PRINTING: BUSINESS ENVELOPES,invoices, flyers, business cards, custom print jobs, whatever your printing needs, call Mallory at The Wheatley Journal for quick and economical service. 519-825-4541. tf

SOUTHPOINT SUN

3 FISH VESSEL Deckhands wanted - mandatory 1-2 years experience. Permanent position. Perform variety of maunal tasks on commercial fishing boat. Monthly salary of $2,290. Send CV to Saco Fisheries21116 Erie St. South Wheatley, ON N0P 2P0 or sacofish@mnsi.net. de11

Skyline is looking for: Live-in Resident Managers and Assistant Resident Managers in Southwestern, ON

This is an ideal FT, live-in opportunity for an enthusiastic team of 2. Duties include apartment building management through rent collection, maintenance and cleaning. Please visit our website for a complete job description and to apply at: www.skylineonline.ca/careers Fax: 519-341-0178

LOOKING

FOR AZ DRIVER Leamington to Montreal run. From December 15 - March 31. Possibility to stay longer. Top pay. New truck and trailer. Call 519-778-8743 or email: rabatrans@hotmail.com

1 Position Available: Full time (30-40hrs) seasonal

Greenhouse Scout: Scouting for insects and diseases in commercial vegetable or flower greenhouses in Essex County. Should have scouting experience OR have some knowledge of pest and/or beneficial insects. Ability to identify some major insect pests and damage symptoms present in greenhouse crops.

Job requires:

• physical demands of walking all day (8-9 hours)

• hot, humid conditions;

• use of scissor carts and climbing over some obstacles.

• Clear, concise handwriting; English communication skills (spoken and written); good rapport with customers

• good knowledge of general math for data collection;

• attention to details

• Ability to work with minimum supervision and in time allotted. Pay rate depends on experience.

Insured personal vehicle and good driving record required. Paid mileage from farm to farm.

Send Resume, including summary of practical experience related to this job. Drop off, fax or send resume to:

MGS Horticultural Inc.

Here We Grow Again! We are looking for a MAINTENANCE PERSON

Skills and Experience a must in high speed packaging, canning, or bottling equipment. Pay is dependant on experience, includes many benefits. Please apply to: Hiringnow@highlinemushrooms.com or fax: 519-326-7222 Visit: www.highlinemushrooms.com for more information.

PRESTEVE FOODS NEEDS at least 15 permanent fish plant workers. Willing to train new workers. Initial wage is $10.25 an hour. After completion of 60 work days, salary increases to $13.90 + health benefits. Position requires either operating processing machine, lift up to 50 lbs on repetitive basis, packaging. Application can be dropped off at 20954 Erie Street South, Wheatley, Ontario or send by e-mail to info@prestevefoods.com. de11

PRESTEVE FOODS NEEDS at least 15 permanent fish cutters. Experienced fish cutters are paid by piece work. Willing to train new workers. Initial wage is $10.25 an hour. After completion of 60 work days, salary increases to $13.90 + health benefits until cutter is able to make more through piece work. Position requires to filet fish at fast pace. Application can be dropped off at 20954 Erie Street South, Wheatley, Ontario or send by e-mail to info@prestevefoods.com. de11

Attn: Joanna Dawson, Biological Service Manager Box 33, 50 Hazelton St. Leamington, ON N8H 3W1

Fax (519) 326-0425

Email: joanna@mgshort.com

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE OPENING

Experienced Licensed Truck Mechanic - Lead Hand Reefer experience an asset. Must be able to schedule in work and have good communication skills with customers, along with doing regular repair work. Remuneration according to experience.

Please bring or mail your resume to: Myer’s Truck & Trailer Repairs Ltd. 560 Hwy 77, R.R.#5, Leamington, Ontario. N8H 5V81

Regional - Great Lake States, Ontario, Quebec. Ability to be home during the week as well as for resets on weekends.

Long Haul - Western Canada, Southern United States

Call Rob Swyntak at: 519-250-8008 ext. 245 Fax: 519-250-2945 or apply in person at: 3049 Devon Drive, Windsor, ON

website at: www.morricetransportation.com

Call Rob Swyntak at: 519-250-8008 ext. 245 Fax: 519-250-2945 or apply in person at: 3049 Devon Drive, Windsor, ON

Online applications can be obtained off our website at: www.morricetransportation.com

SOUTHPOINT SUN

NOTICES

THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REMOVE A HOLDING SYMBOL ZBA #77

Affecting land in the Municipality of Leamington and known locally as PHASE 1 – SOUTHWIND ESTATES SUBDIVISION

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington intends to consider an amending by-law under Section 36 of the Planning Act to remove the Holding Symbol (H) on land described as Phase 1 of the Southwind Estates Plan of Subdivision being Lots 41-78, Plan 12M-563 in the former Township of Mersea, now The Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington (see inserted key map). The earliest Council will consider passage of the by-law is at the regular meeting of Council on Monday, December 16th, 2013 at the Municipality of Leamington Council Chambers at 111 Erie Street North, Leamington.

The subject property is designated Residential on Schedule A-7 of the Official Plan and is currently zoned Residential Zone (R3-H) on Map 49 of Zoning By-law #890-09 for the Municipality of Leamington. Southwind Estates Plan of Subdivision entered into a development agreement with the Municipality for the development of 170 residential lots in 2010. The agreement was amended in 2012 to allow for the development of Phase 1 of the plan, including 24 single detached dwellings and 19 townhouse dwelling units. A Holding Symbol (H) was placed on the zoning of the subject land to restrict the availability of building permits until a time when the Municipality was satisfied that adequate services have been provided within the development. The owner of the subject lands has provided for the supply of municipal services (i.e. water, storm water drainage, sanitary services). The Removal of the Holding Symbol (H) will have the effect of releasing development restrictions on the property.

ANY PERSON interested in this matter and wishing to make representation either in support of or in opposition to the intended amending by-law should contact the undersigned before the meeting date. If you require any further information, please contact Danielle Truax, Manager of Planning Services.

DATED AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON THIS 11th day of December, 2013.

BRIAN SWEET, CLERK MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON 111 ERIE STREET

ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE

NOTICE TO: ORLINTER MAURICO GARCIA

A CASE HAS BEEN STARTED AGAINST YOU IN COURT AT 200 Chatham Street East, Windsor, Ontario N9A 2W3

The next court date is January 15, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. or as soon as possible at that time, Courtroom #5.

The court may make an order in this case that may affect your rights. You can get more information about this case from the court office at address above.

You may also get information about this case from :

Karen M. Robertson

Barrister and Solicitor 200-176 University Ave. West Windsor, Ontario N9A 5P1

Tel: 519-252-1123

IF YOU DO NOT COME TO COURT, AN ORDER MAY BE MADE WITHOUT YOU AND BE ENFORCED AGAINST YOU. C883320

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT STEVEN THOMPSON

late of the Municipality of Leamington, In the County of Essex and Province of Ontario, who died on August 24, 2013

Creditors and others having claims against the above estate are required to send full particulars of the same to the undersigned solicitors for the Estate Trustee on or before the 20th day of December, 2013 after which date the estate’s assets will be distributed having regard only to claims that have been received.

Dated at Leamington, Ontario this 21st day of November, 2013.

SAWATZKY BALZER

Barristers and Solicitors 5 Russell Street Leamington, Ontario N8H 1T7

519-322-2341

Solicitors for the Estate Trustee