February 3, 2016

Minister

By Bryan Jessop

The economic wounds inflicted on Leamington from the 2014 closure of Heinz continue to heal.

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal appeared at Lakeside Produce in Leamington late Tuesday morning to announce a provincial investment that will trigger the creation of 203 new full-time jobs in Leamington. The announcement was based on an investment of just over $1 million to provide Lakeside Produce with equipment that will allow the shelf life of its inventory to be expanded by about 12 days through respiration control packaging — allowing it to be exported to consumers in Asia.

The partnership between the provincial government through its Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and Lakeside will also allow the local employer to retain an existing 312 positions within its workforce. The facility’s expansion has started with the hiring of 40 new workers with the remaining 163 to be phased in over the next three years. New equipment will accommodate an increase in both efficiency and capacity and is part of a project valued at $7 million that Lakeside estimated to reach completion in autumn of 2019.

The February 2 announcement was attended by Leamington Mayor John Paterson and all members of Municipal Council as well as a handful of local business representatives.

“We all know how important it is to focus on job creation across Southwestern Ontario and beyond,” Leal stated. “It’s about helping forward-looking companies like this one (Lakeside Produce) to invest in new technology, boost innovation and in a case like this, quite literally grow your market share.”

Leal described a 10-day agricultural trade mission he attended in China during April of last year as an encouraging experience, where hosts continually expressed interests in importing produce grown in Ontario.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity here at Lakeside to partner with the Ontario government,” said Lakeside Produce Inc. president and CEO Chris Cervini. “We are very appreciative to continue to help grow the local economy and provide jobs for the Windsor, Essex and Kent County regions.”

Cervini offered thanks to several individuals and groups playing roles in his company’s expansion, including Leal and OMAFRA, Mayor Paterson and the rest

of Municipal Council, Lee McGrath of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, George Gilvesy of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG), Nancy Crighton of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, family members and Lakeside Produce team members.

“We are very, very proud to be a part of a growing community and we look forward to continue to achieve our vision here at Lakeside to be the most respected and trusted produce partner in Leamington,” Cervini said.

Mayor Paterson described the municipality’s role in securing the Lakeside investment as a “partial” one, although Leal noted that support from both it and the community’s business sector have been instrumental in rebounding from the Heinz closure in the early summer of 2014.

“When a community rolls up its sleeves — both the municipal leadership and the business leadership — great things can happen,” Leal explained. “This announcement today builds on the great spirit of Leamington.”

Cervini noted that Lakeside has plans to more than double production volumes through the next 3 to 5 years by opening into Asian markets. Production facility expansion includes an additional 80,000 sq. ft. of space to compliment greenhouse growth that will take place from 10 months to three years from now. Lakeside now owns and operates 35 acres of greenhouses and markets more than 400 acres of greenhouse product.

Wages for the new jobs will start at a base rate of $11 per hour to executive positions that will create a pay range that Cervini described as “extreme.”

Paterson explained that the new positions being created at Lakeside — along with the Highbury Canco workforce that will reach 400 this year and other new sources of employment — will put Leamington beyond the 640 to 650 estimated jobs that were lost upon Heinz’s closure date in late June of 2014.

“You can tell by the smile on my face that my mood has changed dramatically,” Paterson said of his outlook on the community’s future since the Heinz closure was announced in November of 2013. “Even from the lower end (of the pay scale for new Lakeside jobs), it’s still good news for everyone as far as I’m concerned. This is a great industry to have in our town.”

Garage fire displaces family of four

Leamington Fire Services were called to a garage fire on Warren Avenue on Wednesday night, January 27, at approximately 10 p.m.

It took 17 firefighters to control the fully involved garage fire. No injuries were reported and damage is estimated at $150,000. Smoke and damage has displaced the family of four.

Unintentional smoking materials are being blamed for the fire.

damage

Members of Leamington Fire Services were called to a fire at a fourplex building on Sturgeon Meadows on Saturday night, January 31 at approximately 12:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, one upper unit was on fire. All occupants were evacuated. The cause of the fire was believed to be an accidental kitchen fire. Damage of fire, smoke and water is estimated at $150,000.

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal.

Lakeside Produce Inc. president and CEO Chris Cervini — a fifth generation family leader with the business

Leamington Mayor John Paterson.

The Leamington office of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society has relocated to the Central 33 building at 33 Princess Street, Suite 505, in uptown Leamington.

This move enables the Society to expand its footprint in terms of providing state-of-the-art facilities to better serve the needs of children, youth and families of Essex County. Approximately 30 staff occupy office space in this newly renovated facility.

The Children’s Aid Society is the first tenant to come aboard in this exciting new collaboration with a number of key community partners. Following in the coming weeks will be the City of Windsor’s Employment and Social Services/Ontario Works team, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Community Living Essex County and Children First.

“We are extremely proud to be paving the way for a new community hub that that will create a synergy and cohesive approach to service delivery that can only have a positive impact on how we deliver the highest calibre of programs to Essex County residents,” said Bill Bevan, Chief Executive

Officer of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society.

The partner organizations have commented as follows:

“The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is looking forward to joining our partners in the new Leamington facility. We anticipate our public health services transitioning to the new facility and being fully operational this spring. Health Inspectors, Family Home Visitors, Public Health Nurses, Dental Health staff, Tobacco Enforcement officers and clerical staff will all be permanently housed in this enhanced building to better serve our community.” – Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

“As a county based agency, Community Living Essex County is excited to build upon our work with other agencies in meaningful and collaborative ways to improve access to supports and services for children and youth with an intellectual disability and their families.” – Community Living Essex County

“Children First is an early intervention agency offering services to families with preschool age children experiencing a wide range of child development or mental health

challenges. We are excited to establish a Leamington community presence by joining with the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society and other service providers at the Central 33 office.” – Children First

“The City of Windsor’s Employment and Social Services/ Ontario Works team is excited to be a part of this new venture in Leamington. Community hubs are vibrant centres of community life that generate economic and social benefits. Working with our partners under one roof will allow a network of human services to better support families in Leamington and the surrounding areas.” – City of Windsor

“We are very pleased to see the development that is improving the access to care with the new social services hub at Central 33, close to LDMH. The development of the social service co-location is another enhancement to LDMH’s Neighborhood of Care where now we have more than 20 agencies providing mental health and addiction services and consultation.” - Terry Shields, CEO at LDMH.

An official opening of Central 33 will take place this spring.

Quick Facts - Across Essex County

• CPR Instructors - 153

• AEDs allocated - 62

• Diabetes - 7.0% of area residents have diagnosed diabetes.

• HBP - 17.5% of area residents have high blood pressure.

• Smokers - 19.3% of area residents smoke.

• Weight - 60.7% of area residents are overweight or obese.

• Fruit/Vegetables - 40.7% of area residents eat at least 5 servings of fruit or vegetables a day.

• Physical Activity - 50.0% of area residents are inactive during leisure time.

• Hospitalization S - 681 area residents were hospitalized for stroke-related conditions.

• Hospitalization HD - 3,728 area residents were hospitalized for heart-related conditions.

HEART&STROKE RESEARCH SUPPORTING PATIENT CARE

• Nearly 4,400 people in the Windsor-Essex area are hospitalized each year for heart disease and stroke related conditions.

• We fund 600 researchers across Ontario in local hospitals, universities and research institutions.

• We have injected $313,876 into Foundation supported research in the Windsor area alone.

• Vascular disease still remains the number one cause of death and disability among North Americans.

• Nearly 300 area residents were hospitalized for stroke-related conditions in 2010.

• 59,859 or 17.5% area residents over 12 years of age have high blood pressure, the number one risk factor for stroke.

MCR Station items donated to Historical Society

By C. Scott Holland

At the January meeting of the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society, Kathy McIlwaine, wife of the late Mike McIlwaine who was interested in local railroad history, talked to the group about the MCR Station.

The station itself is immersed in some of Leamington’s most fascinating history, and Kathy McIlwaine, a former teacher at Leamington District Secondary School, has many memories associated with the station and also thanks to her late husband Mike’s collection.

“It was a railway line originally called the Leamington and St. Clair Railway Co. which was formed in 1877. Several different routes had been established for it running north from the shores of Lake Erie, north to Comber and eventually either Stoney Point or Belle River. In 1880, after Canada Southern’s board had decided to build the line, they hired Alexander Baird, a provincial land surveyor, to do a detailed survey. By late 1881 a subcommittee of the board decided to walk the proposed route and reported back two days later. Some four years later it remained little more than a paper charter,” she said.

But MP Lewis Wigle lobbied Sir John MacDonald’s government for a railway grant in order to get the spur built. The line would gain notoriety because it became the only line which did not travel from one county to an adjoining one, a stipulation by which the railway grants were offered.

Work on it was slow in 1886 as they began erecting the Leamington station. The following year, grading and clearing the path for the line began in the spring and the laying of the tacks commenced on June 3rd and was completed late in the summer. On September 9th construction work was deemed completed, and there was a special excursion on a train called ‘The Leamington’ heading from Comber to Leamington.

McIlwaine told the gathering about the line’s first special run. “But full operation of the line was a bit premature,” she said. “During that first trip, several of the train’s passenger car steps were knocked off by tree stumps and the train also ran over several pigs. One farmer successfully sued the small railway line for the loss of his animals. One can only imagine that very first trip from Comber to Leamington!”

The line was extended by two miles to the Leamington Dock in 1888, and on March 1, 1889 Canadian Southern took over the operation of the line with a 15-year lease and an option to purchase it. It would become a major shipping line for local timber and agricultural produce.

Canada Southern purchased the line on June 5, 1895 and made it a subsidiary. It would maintain its separate identity until 1904 when CSR bought it on July 18.

Besides its use as a means of delivering southern Ontario’s fresh produce and timber to the rest of the country, it also served as a major passenger line with its connection to the east-west Canadian Southern Railway.

But CSR filed for bankruptcy in 1904 and it was leased by Michigan Central. That was only the start of a number of lease transfers. In 1929 the line was subleased to New York

Central and in 1974 Penn Central. On April 1, 1976 Penn Central, together with other bankrupt railroads, amalgamated to form Consolidated Rail Corporation known as Conrail. In turn, Conrail rerouted, canceled or eliminated many services in Canada. On April 25, 1986, 72% of CASO controlling interests were transferred from Conrail CN/CP. At nearly the same time, one of the biggest users of the Leamington line, H.J. Heinz Canada, converted many of their shipments to transport trucks. The loss of goods being shipped by rail was dramatic, and between 1996-97 the number of annual carloads had dropped by 25%, thus leaving CN/ CP with closing and aban-

Kathy McIlwaine and Leamington & Mersea Historical Society president Paul Bunnett-Jones hold the historic original Leamington designation sign from the Leamington and St. Clair Railway Station. (Photo courtesy of C. Scott Holland)

Right - The MCR station as seen looking southward in 1967. (Photo courtesy of the Mike McIlwaine collection)

doning the Leamington to Comber spur. By September 2001, the railway track had been removed.

After 110 years of activity, the railway line ceased to exist. However, its original, one-of-a-kind batten and board station from the 1880s is still is there. The Leamington and Mersea Historical Society is currently in the process of trying to raise enough money to have the structure restored to its grandeur and have it serve as a museum, a monument and a reminder of its importance to the town. Without that single spur, Leamington may not have grown quite as quickly as it did, and it was a major factor in drawing the Heinz factory here.

After Kathy McIlwaine gave a short history of the station, she presented the LMHS with an original hanging station designation sign as well as many artifacts pertaining to the MCR station from her late husband’s collection.

Anyone interested in donating to the MCR restoration fund or who wishes to join the Historical Society is welcome to contact Bill Gay or the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society, c/o P.O. Box 201, Leamington, ON, N8H 3W2.

An original Leamington and St. Clair Railway shipping bill from Oct. 1889. (Courtesy of the Mike McIlwaine collection)

This dieting thing is for the birds, I tell ya.

We’ve been going at it for a couple of weeks now, with a few stumbles and falls off the wagon intertwined amongst our healthier choices.

That’s why I hesitate to call it a diet. I’d rather refer to it as ‘trying to eat healthier.’

My cookie fetish has all but disappeared, although I do long for a nice fresh Oreo now and again.

The truth is, my cookie craving is diminishing with each day that passes, along with my Coke and Pepsi habit.

upped my consumption of the good foods. Except kale, quinoa and numerous protein drinks. I’m drawing the line in the sand, if I can bend over that far.

I’ve never been a fan of drinking a lot of water and I don’t know why. When I’m hot or have worked up a sweat, I can down water with the best of them, but otherwise I’m not a huge fan.

I remember as a kid, drinking water straight from the hose. It was so cold my teeth would chatter and sing every time I lowered my mouth to the hose.

Bottled water doesn’t hold the same pleasure for me. Maybe because it’s from a plastic bottle, I don’t know. I’ve long been a fan of can pop over the stuff in the plastic bottles too. Nothing actually beats a glass bottle of pop, but those days are ancient history, except for those novelty sodas you can buy at the convenience store.

So the past few weeks have been full of greens, grains and groans in our household.

I’m enjoying my fair share of Swiss chard, broccoli and spinach. I can’t afford cauliflower without applying for a loan, so I’ll stick with the green stuff.

Stir-fried, steamed, boiled or baked, these tasty greens should help get things kick-started.

I’ve joked in the past few months that I was training for a hockey tournament and trying to get my playing weight up. The simple truth is that I’ve been eating way too much in the way of carbs and junk food.

So I’ve ‘cut back’ on my intake of the bad foods and

Warmth comes from more than a winter coat On again off again… did you say Paczkis?

Life on the rock returned to normal around the 17th of January. Temperatures in the high 60s gave me a chill, forcing me to pull out a long-sleeved shirt to wear.

Knowing this is our son Cheyne’s last term at college, we purposely arranged three visits to New Hampshire during his hockey season. Following a long couple of months with guests, it took us five days to put the island back together. When everything was shipshape we headed out to Fort Lauderdale before going on to New Hampshire. During our last visit there I nearly froze, so while in Florida I took advantage of the after-Christmas sales and purchased a new winter coat then splurged on a pair of boots as well.

The coat was definitely the right call, as we were flying east possibly right into the major coastal winter storm that was predicted. On our last trip there I flew comfortably wearing sandals, planning to switch to my warmer shoes upon arrival in Boston. Unfortunately, our bags did not arrive with us and I proved the hard way that if your toes are cold, your entire body is as well!

Around noon, Mark and I drove into Henniker, “The only one on earth”, and happily entered our favourite little B&B that has become one of our homes away from home. The heartfelt greetings from the innkeepers, Kate and Phil, always create a cozy and warm environment.

Prior to the hockey game we met up with the parents of one of Cheyne’s teammates. It never ceases to amaze me that it always comes down to the simplest and most basic things that draw us together with people who come from a variety of lives and places from all over the globe.

Cheyne was injured in the third period of the hockey game. Although the hospital was not the place we envisioned heading to, we were relieved to be there with him. Once a parent always a parent, and our hearts ached along with his as he realized that it may be the last game he’d play at New England College.

That Sunday we headed home to Wheatley as planned to touch base with family and friends. This visit was methodically scheduled by Mark around a hockey tournament with his buddies in Belle River. Thankfully our rental car in Detroit was fitted with heated seats, but they still didn’t hold a candle to the warm greeting of our friends.

Previously, Cindy and Virginia offered their basement apartment for us to stay in while we were in Wheatley. We were pleased and didn’t hesitate to take them up on

You can throw just about anything healthy at me except for those. Well, also eggplant, green beans or zucchini.

Of course, I still love my share of meat. ‘The redder the better’ has always been my motto, but I’ve managed to scarf down a fair bit of chicken lately.

Chicken is actually pretty versatile, so I’m able to get a shot of protein and still not break the scales too badly. We’re going to start an exercise routine as soon as we can get out from under the excuses, like weather, TV, insomnia, TV, grandkids, and did I say TV?

I’ve often said I don’t have any vices, but television has really become one for me. The creators of Netflix should really have shares in Weight Watchers because they are creating more customers for them every day. Right now, if you give me a choice of getting out for a walk or watching a good Netflix series, I’m already sitting on the couch, remote in hand.

That has to change sometime in the near future. If not today, then tomorrow or the next day, or the next day after that. Do I procrastinate much?

And now this week I’m bombarded with Superbowl, Paczkis and Deb’s birthday. If I were Jewish, I’d say ‘Oi Vey’.

Something tells me my greener choices will become fatter choices for just one more week.

Then maybe, just maybe, I can do something different the following week, or the month after that, or maybe once the weather gets nicer, or before fall sets in.

Time will tell. I’ll keep you posted.

it. Although our job on the island is to ensure topnotch pampering for our guests, I could see on our arrival that I still had lots to learn. The tiny tea/coffee station was sided by a basket of sweets and our own little fridge was abundantly stocked with water and beer. An electric fireplace warmed the air, adding even more luxury to our visit.

We learned from our last time home that we’d have to pace ourselves so that we wouldn’t return to the island exhausted instead of relaxed and refreshed. Our only scheduled appointments were for eyes, teeth and hair, which was practically the only time Mark and I saw each other. We both managed to find our way to the Complex routinely during the week and felt as if we had never left. Mark, to no one’s surprise, fit in no less than nine games of hockey. I enjoyed a couple of Rob Grey’s spin classes, along with my friend Tracy. She also shared with me some tips on how to properly use TRX bands. We have them on the island, but her trainer Rosie has given her a range of exercises that are guaranteed to be a pain in my butt, literally!

Lunch with my sister, dinner with Mom and Bob, as well as a beautiful walk along the waterfront with my cousin all helped with the balance of calories in and out. I’ve had intimate visits with my family and girlfriends. People often ask me what I miss the most on the island. Without a doubt, it is time with the people I love and fresh bananas. The past week has fulfilled both of those cravings.

We rearranged our return flights so that Mark could return via Boston where he could be with our son Cheyne as he underwent surgery on his wrist. I continued as planned to Lauderdale where I provisioned for our return to the island until April.

The island will welcome us with warm air and the greetings from our Bahamian family. We will reciprocate as we bring with us the warmth in our hearts that you have all given us. We feel so fortunate to feel at home wherever we are.

Let’s Wine Together

Saving leftover wine

From Steve in Detroit: How do you recommend we save leftover wine?

Steve, I have to admit that the concept of “leftover” wine is never one we have to deal with in our home. There are, nonetheless, a number of ways that you can preserve it for future use. The key in all cases is to minimize its exposure to oxygen. Oxidized wine will eventually taste like vinegar, which isn’t a bad thing if you’re looking for a salad dressing component.

The first option is an exception to that rule. Pour the wine into an ice-cube tray and freeze it, transferring the cubes to a re-sealable bag once frozen. This does not minimize the wine’s exposure to oxygen; it does, however, make for great shots of flavour for stews, gravies, sauces, etc. Simply take one or two “winecubes” out of the bag when preparing a stew or making a gravy or sauce, toss them in the mix and voila! A burst of added flavour to enhance the meal, with a reduced alcohol content to start with.

One key to remember before moving on is that it’s vital to keep wine cool, even before opening the bottle. The ideal temperature for storing wine is 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 12-13 degrees Celsius. I emphasize “storing” here because the temperature at which you prefer to drink your wine is exactly that; your preference, regardless of what anyone says.

The second option is to keep a smaller bottle on hand, preferably one with a very tightfitting lid. Pour the leftover wine into the bottle and insert the cork or put on the lid. Keep refrigerated for up to a week. Re bottling is an ideal method ONLY if some of the wine overflows when you close up the bottle. That way you’ll know that there is no air bubble inside and the wine will be “safe” from oxidization. Please note that once the original bottle of wine has been opened, there’s really no going back… nothing you can do will definitively halt the oxidization process once it starts.

Note that slightly aged red wines will last longer once opened than a young white wine. With a white wine, you’re looking at two to three days once opened, regardless of the technique you use. Red wine will last up to a week.

There are a number of gadgets and tools that you can purchase as well, some more or less pricy than others. They range from a system that vacuums the air out of the bottle, leav-

Race

Gore Hill Public School is very proud

(Submitted photo)

Open Letter to Parks Canada

Re: Point Pelee Deer Cull

The report in Wednesday, January 29, 2016 edition of the Southpoint Sun stated, “We have to protect the park’s savannah and its ecosystem” from the claimed ravages of overpopulation of deer which pose “a ongoing threat to native endangered flora.”

What about the visual impact of the park on its year round supporters and the thousands of summer visitors? The ugly view of cut trees and branches, left in unsightly piles along the side of the access road, makes Point Pelee the eyesore of national parks. It seems that the plan is to have the undergrowth hide the mess from visitor’s view during the summer months.

If the parks existence is to protect the flora, then remove ALL the deer and CLOSE the park to visitors. If, however, visitors have any part in its existence, then for goodness sake clean up the mess along the road. Natural falls are one thing, but clearly cut tree trunks should be removed from sight. As a regular year-round visitor to the park, one of my favourite events is to see the deer in the trees or as they cross the access road ahead. – Frank Gilmore, Leamington

ing an oxygen-free environment, to one that replaces the oxygen with another inert gas that isn’t supposed to have a negative effect on the wine.

To minimize concern, try cooking with the leftover wine the next day. It won’t have lost much of its flavour in a day, and while some of the alcohol will have dissipated, that isn’t really a concern when introducing wine to heat as you’ll lose most of the alcohol anyway.

Please submit wine-related questions for publication and I will also share my experiences with local wines. You can reach me at grapeaspirations@gmail. com and on Twitter at @ gr8grapz.

Gore Hill Students Post Great Results in Derby Car

of the students from Mr. Nolin’s Grade 8 class in their recent success at Leamington District Secondary School’s Derby Car Race. These students were finalists in this event. From left to right, Mr. Nolin, Kaylie Goodchild, Kyle Fehr, Nickolay van Veenschoten and Madeline Wong. Kyle was the top racer from Gore Hill with Nickolay and Madeline coming in second and third. Kaylie’s Derby Car was selected as “best design”.

Valle awarded title of Miss Peace at World Miss University pageant

Miss University Canada, Catherine Valle of Leamington, recently placed fifth in the international pageant, World Miss University, held in Beijing, China, on January 27.

Catherine spent almost 3 weeks in China, travelling to various cities, becoming immersed in their culture, and taking part in international conferences on behalf of Canada. Because of her many speeches, volunteer work, and presence on stage, Catherine was awarded the title of Miss Peace to bring home to Canada.

“I am so grateful for this award because it goes to the girl with the ability to inspire others to work towards a world where harmony and cooperation are not just dreams, but reality!” said Catherine. “After meeting 56 other girls that all have such amazing stories to tell, I am the one that has become inspired by them. I must say that I am very blessed that Canada has taught me what peace truly is: tolerance in the presence of adversity, acceptance in the presence of diversity,

and unity in the presence of segregation. So although it’s not the main crown, I am very honoured to be bringing this one home to the ‘true north strong and free!’ Go Canada Go!”

This was Catherine’s first international pageant. She was given the opportunity by the Miss Universe Canada organization. After being a delegate in Miss Universe Canada 2015, held in Toronto last May, and placing in the top 12, Catherine was offered the title of World Miss University Canada, and she gratefully took on the responsibility of representing her country on the international stage. Catherine represented Canada with honour, grace, beauty, and intelligence and should be proud of all she has accomplished.

The winner of World Miss University is Miss Peru. Runners-up are: 1st runner-up Miss China-Macow, 2nd Miss Pakistan; 3rd Miss Nepal; 4th Miss Canada Catherine Valle of Leamington (Miss Peace), and 5th Miss Korea (Miss Service)

Tree planting and care workshop

Are you interested in planting trees this year or learning more about how to care for your native Carolinian trees? If so, plan to attend the free Tree Planting and Care Workshop, hosted by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). Learn about the environmental benefits of tree planting, grants and financial assistance to landowners for planting trees, the different tree planting techniques and the ways to care for your future forests and special shade trees.

This workshop will be held on Thurs. Feb. 25 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Essex Civic Centre, 360 Fairview Ave. W., Essex. The workshop is free, but space is limited so pre-registration is required at http://treeplantingworkshop.eventbrite.ca/. Learn more about the grants and financial assistance that ERCA has for landowners who wish to restore some of their lands to natural habitat.

In addition to tree planting, eligible projects can include native prairie restoration, wetland creation, rock chutes and other soil erosion control structures. To quality for the ERCA grant program, landowners should own a minimum of one acre of land. If you are interested in learning more, ERCA encourages you to contact its professional restoration staff at any time. For more information about any of these opportunities, visit www. erca.org or contact ERCA at 519-776-5209, ext. 310.

Accessibility Advisory Committee welcomes addition

Leamington’s Accessibility Advisory Committee tasked to “outline the Municipality’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under the [Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities] Act” has requested the addition of Mr. Tom Schmidt to the committee. Mr. Schmidt’s interest in helping was welcome, and his appointment to the committee as a citizen representative was passed by Council at the Feb. 1 meeting.

The winner of World Miss University is Miss Peru. Runners-up are: 1st runner-up Miss ChinaMacow; 2nd Miss Pakistan; 3rd Miss Nepal; 4th Miss Canada Catherine Valle of Leamington (Miss Peace) (second from left); and 5th Miss Korea (Miss Service).

Miss University Canada, Catherine Valle of Leamington, represented Canada on the international stage at World Miss University pageant in Beijing, China, on Jan. 27. Catherine was fourth runner-up and was also awarded the title of Miss Peace.

The Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala held Saturday, January 23 Fire & Ice raised an amazing $100,000 for the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County - Erie Shores Campus (Leamington). The Gala Committee once again delivered a fabulous evening of dining, dancing and entertainment at the Leamington Portuguese Club.

Entertaining in the foyer were Madison Jeffery and Dimitria Liovas.

BMO: Carmelo Digrandi, Jennifer Mallen, Ann Diab, Luigi Congi, Lisa Pugh and Jack Bommarito. Deanne & John Cervini

Lyndsey Pentland RPN, Yvonne Bauer RN, Cheryl Deter CNE VP

Several of the Gala Committee members, from left to right: Susan Liovas, Shelly Gabriele Gale, Tania Iacobelli, Melissa Mucci, Mary Catherine Stevenson and Amy Ingratta.

in the in the in the in the in the

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20

A burst of optimism has you moving toward a new goal, Aries. This positive frame of mind can propel you to the finish line quickly, but make each decision carefully.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, new revelations may inspire you to make some long-desired changes. Write down all of your plans so you can see them on paper and weigh all of your priorities.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

An old friend you haven’t seen in a while may suddenly reappear in your life, Gemini. This person may take you on a fun trip down memory lane. Enjoy the laughs.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Expect a change of circumstances at work, Cancer. This change may come by way of a transfer or a promotion, or it might be something less significant. Embrace it in any case.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

A close friend of yours may suggest a last-minute trip, and you just may be game for an adventure, Leo. Pack all of your essentials and do not think too much, or you might back out.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, a financial windfall may seem like a great thing on the surface, but it doesn’t come without a price. Resolve to be responsible with your newfound largesse.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, you might feel nervous at the prospect of a big change at your job, but you are totally ready for the change and some new responsibilities.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, some recent nerves and stress may come to an end this week. You feel focused right now and have your eye on the prize, and relief is on the way.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, expect some welcome developments in your romantic life. This may be the week you meet someone new. If you’re involved, expect your romantic energy to grow.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you’re ready to spread your ideas and plans to others, but the public just may not be open to what you have to share at this time. Don’t force the issue at present; give it a few days.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Sacrifices will be well worth the effort this week, Aquarius. Keep in mind that these sacrifices are temporary and not that disruptive. The reward awaits.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, success at work paints you in a new light with your colleagues. You may finally receive the recognition you deserve.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY 31

Justin Timberlake, Singer (35)

FEBRUARY 1

Harry Styles, Singer (22)

FEBRUARY 2

Gerard Pique, Athlete (29)

FEBRUARY 3

Isla Fisher, Actress (40)

FEBRUARY 4

Clint Black, Singer (54)

FEBRUARY 5

Darren Criss, Actor/Singer (29)

FEBRUARY 6

Kathy Najimy, Actress (59)

Good news forecast at annual Mayors’ Breakfast

By Pat Bailey

Just a few short years ago, with the closure of the H.J. Heinz Company, the economic forecast for the Municipality of Leamington was not too bright. But on Thursday at the Leamington and District Chamber of Commerce sponsored Mayors’ Breakfast at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, Leamington mayor John Paterson could not contain his excitement on the municipality’s future.

Smiling from ear-to-ear, Paterson spoke of the amazing turnaround and promised a major announcement this week, a grant that will mean more than 200 new jobs in town.

Paterson was tight-lipped on the specifics of the announcement, but urged the crowd of about 80 guests to stay tuned.

Paterson said a number of local firms have quietly expanded, adding a few jobs here and there throughout 2015, totalling 380 new non-agricultural jobs in the past year. This does not include Highbury Canco, the former Heinz, which will have 400 full time employees in 2016, up 150 from its original 250 employees.

“Municipalities cannot create jobs,” said the mayor. “Our purpose is to invest in infrastructure which will attract entrepreneurs, who will create those jobs.”

Two key components – the expansion of the Union Gas main line and the construction of the long-awaited hydro line into Leamington – are utilities required by all industries.

Paterson said Union Gas is building the second phase of the gasline needed to feed the local industries, and the hydro line and transmission station is expected to be up and functional by 2018.

The mayor credited a rather controversial decision by Council for a boom in construction in 2015.

“We certainly didn’t take dropping our development charges to 0% lightly, and we were nervous,” said the mayor, “but we definitely feel a lot better about that decision now.”

“The results have exceeded our expectations,” he added.

Paterson said this trend should continue even further upward from the incredible numbers from 2015. He said the residential build value went up from $8.7 million in 2014 to over $21 million last year. Construction in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors also experienced tremendous growth. Overall, Paterson said the total build value for 2015 was up about $25 million from 2014.

He said a stumbling block for industrial growth to the north, a new sewer line, is finally progressing and he expects a design should be ready by the end of this year. He said the plan is to run a sewer line from Seacliff Drive, up the East Side Arterial Road, to Highway 77 and out to the 4th Concession.

“The growth potential is incredible,” said the mayor, in industrial, commercial and residential sectors. “Job opportunities and industrial taxation are the driving forces behind this push from Council and administration,” added Paterson.

Another good news story on the industrial front is the expansion of Uni-Fab and its foray into the medical devices industry. He said owner Abe Fehr, who he referred to as a ‘hometown hero’, is working in conjunction with Zain Ismail and Cheryl Deter of Leamington District Memorial Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital and CareTech in the development of a new medical bed.

“This is a big step in diversification of Leamington’s manufacturing base and could lead to research and develop-

ment opportunities not considered before,” said Paterson.

He said another exciting announcement made last year involved the development of the waterfront. From the purchase of four parcels of property, to the redesign of Erie Street South, to the proposed improvements from the marina to Seacliff Park, the project is expected to kick-start the resurgence of the waterfront and the municipality itself, said the mayor.

But the uptown core has not been forgotten. The mayor said work has begun on improvements to the uptown core to return it “to the centre of pride that it should be”.

While he said it won’t happen overnight, Paterson said Council is hoping to correct the problem of garbage scattered in the core area and make improvements to parking.

“There is no shortage of ideas on how to improve the core and we are realistic enough to know this will take time,” said Paterson. “But we are preparing to take some rather dramatic steps.”

While Paterson credited local businesses, administration and Council for a portion of the ‘good news forecast’ for the coming year, he said there are also individuals who went above and beyond for the municipality.

He pointed to a trio of local citizens who have stepped up for the betterment of the town.

Mike Schlater and the casual luncheon that turned into a $1 million gift for the municipality, and Ross Barnwell and Joe Oswald who

(Continued on page 10)

Leamington mayor John Paterson addresses the crowd at the annual Mayors’ Breakfast, hosted by the Leamington and District Chamber of Commerce. (SUN Photo)

Five-planet lineup visible until Feb. 20

By Gary Boyle The Backyard Astronomer

Human civilizations have looked up at the night sky for entertainment as well as science. It was noticed from a very early time that five “stars” seem to move across the background constellations. These mystery objects were called “planet”, which comes from the Greek meaning “wanderer”. Uranus, Neptune and (minor planet) Pluto were discovered within the past few hundred years by telescope.

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Most times we can see the naked-eye planets at night or in the morning, except when a planet disappears in the solar glare. On rare occasions the naked-eye planets are fanned out in one area of sky. Until February 20, step outside about an hour before dawn and look south to see Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. In fact, in many languages the names of the seven days of the week are derived from the five planets and the Sun and Moon.

Good news forecast at annual Mayors’ Breakfast

(Continued from page 9)

are organizing a three-day Hogs for Hospice fundraiser provided more good news that kept a smile on the mayor’s face throughout the breakfast.

Paterson’s Kingsville counterpart, Mayor Nelson Santos, pointed to the importance of the three Cs in making 2016 a success — collaboration, co-operation and communication.

The partnership in Union Water was one very important relationship, Santos pointed out.

“Together, as co-owners in our Union Water Supply System, we have an example of how we can deliver high standard, good quality and safe drinking water,” said Santos. He said key to its success is that all four municipalities work collaboratively for the greater good of all residents served by UWSS.

Like Leamington, one of Kingsville Council’s most exciting plans for 2016 include improvements to its waterfront as well, namely Mettawas Waterfront Park. Plans include a waterfront boardwalk, gardens, a memorial trail, a proposed splash pad and restoration of King’s Landing (the former Grovedale).

Santos said the project has gotten a jumpstart by an anonymous donor who has pledged to match donations up to $250,000.

“We are working very well toward our goal of raising $250,000 to get $500,000, thanks to that anonymous donor who is finding great pride in our communities’ insistence to protect public access to nature’s beauty for many generations beyond our own to enjoy,” said Santos.

Santos also spoke on the importance of teamwork.

“And this encompasses the main points of my message today,” said the Kingsville mayor, “to truly set a course for success we need to understand who we are and how we, as neighbours, can better achieve success together by utilizing the strengths that are truly unique to us.”

Health Centre, every

until March 29, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Topics: nutrition, child development, discipline, safety, health & wellness. Prizes & giveaways. Free childcare provided. For more info or to register call Nicole at 519-258-6002 ext. 503.

CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM AND HERITAGE VILLAGE (CTMHV) ON THE ARNER TOWN LINE IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS to help with kids programs such as 'Pioneer for a Day', special events, shows, meetings, or in the museum, log cabins and period buildings, etc. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to help out, contact Judy Anderson, Education and Volunteer Coordinator at CTMHV, 519-776-6909 or email education@ctmhv.com

ARE YOU REGISTERING YOUR CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FOR KINDERGARTEN? Parents can speak with other families and professionals about the school experience at the free ‘School Entry Event’. Wednesday, February 3 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at ACCESS in Kingsville. Childcare available. Contact Windsor Essex Family Network to register 519974-1008.

LEAMINGTON BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - First Wednesday of every

month. Next clinic is Wednesday, February 3, 12:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the Leamington Kinsmen and Recreation Centre, 249 Sherk St. Walk-ins welcome or phone 1888-236-6283 to book an appointment.

HAPPIER MOMS - a time for moms and children, Wednesdays - Feb. 10, 17, 24, at Faith Mennonite Church, 269 Sherk St., Leamington. If you're feeling down or stressed out, or need some ideas on how to manage those roller coaster feelings, you are welcome to join the group. Agenda: 9:30 - Coffee & Play; 10:30 - Coping Strategies; 11:00 Moving Our Bodies (bring your stroller!). For more information call 519-326-6391.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

UPCOMING SOUTH ESSEX

EVENTS: Donation and Volunter Drive - Saturday, February 13, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. South Essex Restore Grand OpningSaturday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. All events occur at Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex’s newest location: 1 Iroquois Road, Unit #2, Leamington. For more information please call 226-345-2488.

ONT. PURPLE MARTIN ASSOC. will hold it's first meeting of the 2016 season on Saturday, February 20, 9:00 a.m., at The Gleaners building, Industrial Drive (off Oak St. W.), in Leamington. Discussion includes information on the spring arrival of purple mar-

tins and attracting these amazing birds to your home. The public is welcome. Call Paul 519-738-3476 for more info.

MONDAYS - SENIORS DROP-IN, 1st and last Monday of the month only at 10:30 a.m. at Leamington United Church. Guest speakers, refreshments, games, exercise. It's free, fun, and wheelchair accessible. All seniors welcome. ARE YOU AFFECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S DRINKING? The Wheatley Serenity Al-Anon Family Group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheatley Friendship Club (north entrance), 171 Erie St. N. DO YOU ENJOY VOLUNTEERING AND MEETING PEOPLE? South Essex Community Council in Leamington is currently looking for volunteers for Meals on Wheels Delivery. If you are interested in volunteering during the morning for about 1 hour per week or as a back-up volunteer, please call Noreen or Susan at SECC519-326-8629 ext.381. www.secc.on.ca.

PREGNANCY & RESOURCE CENTRE, 33 Princes St. (Princess Centre) Suite 408, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses and trained volunteers. Free pregnancy tests. Call 24/7 for free and confidential support - 519-3260612. Business calls: 519-3263821.

Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter will be fanned out in one area and are visible in the south sky for about an hour before dawn until Feb. 20.

Snow Sculpture

A lot people aren’t overly upset about the lack of snow this year, especially after the amount of white stuff the area got the last two winters. Despite little accumulation, snow sculptor Jeff Meyer of Sherman St. in Leamington was still able to get outside and enjoy making his winter creations, one of which was a tribute to David Bowie that he did in January. (Submitted photo)

Budget news update

Just my thoughts...

One of the really delicious aspects of following the budget deliberations from the very outset is learning of the many improvements and updates planned for Leamington long before they actually occur. These can be divided into two groups: the ‘mega‘ projects of the capital budget, and the ‘normal’ projects of the various departments’ operating budgets. Here’s a selection you may find exciting — especially if any apply to your road.

Staff have recommended that Sherk Street receive some TLC to the tune of almost a million dollars. Everybody knows there is a great push to install a sanitary sewer for Point Pelee Drive and the Bevel Line because last year Leamington was awarded a huge grant toward the $4.75 million cost. What you may not know is that the time is ripe to begin work on a northeast trunk sanitary sewer. This will, no doubt, be an expensive, multi-year under-taking, but the proposed budget contains half a million in seed money to start things off.

Don’t think it’s all work and no play in the capital budget: the municipality now has the money in hand to build a soccer club house facility. There is also a proposal to finally do the upgrades needed to have a Seacliff Beach and Waterfront amphitheatre.

In the past, the municipality has become more aware of the aging waterlines that need replacing in the town. Consequently, one of the jobs municipal Council has is to see if Leamington can afford six projects that will replace old four-inch cast iron lines with new six-inch lines, as well as the replacement of the old eight-inch asbestos cement line that runs along Point Pelee Drive and the Bevel Line with a new eight-inch PVC main. I hope you aren’t thinking that the rural area is getting short shrift in this budget, because that is clearly not the case. There is over $2¼ million proposed for drainage work alone. Add to this

OBITUARY

M. Leota Feltz

M. Leota Feltz went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at the age of 87. Formerly of Pelee Island.

OBITUARY

Phyllis Dobsky

Beloved wife of the late Ken (2007). Dear mother of Christine Desjardins (Claude), Matt Feltz (Margaret). Loving grandmother of Jeremy (Naomi), Ashton, Marcel, Taylor, Victor and Melissa, and great-grandmother of Christian, Kaley, Skyla and Emily. Dear sister of Jack Boughner (Vera). Predeceased by sister Doreen MacDonald (Bob), brothers Stanley and Frank Boughner. Dear sister-in-law of Audrey and George Malloch. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Leota worked for the Township of Pelee for many years, was secretary-treasurer at Pelee Island Anglican Church, and secretary at Pelee Island Library.

At Leota’s request, cremation has taken place. Visiting is at St. John’s Anglican Church, 60 Erie Street North, Leamington, on Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 1 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Rev. Andrew Wilson officiating.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to Pelee Island Heritage Centre, 1073 West Shore Road, Pelee Island, ON N0R 1M0.

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

the continuing initiative of eliminating gravel roads (proposed to cost about $390,000 in 2016), engineering design work to replace rural bridges and planned road traffic improvements, and you have a lot. Perhaps one of the biggest single projects being proposed is the roughly $400,000 improvements to Mersea Road C. It would be easy to go on and on and on until even the most avid reader gives up. Let’s just leave it, for now, that the municipal Council faces a difficult balancing act between what you and I want to see fixed, replaced or created, and what you and I expect them to do to hold the line on tax increases to a reasonable level. Next week we’ll know.

Phyllis Margaret Dobsky (McCrystal), 89 years, passed away peacefully at home in Leamington with her family by her side on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Loving mother to Linda Tetley of Windsor, Donna and her husband Gary Nouvion of Belle River, Bernadette and her husband Paul Hildebrand of Leamington, Brenda and her husband Kevin Ascott of North Cobalt, Brian and his wife Cindy of Windsor, and Larry and his wife Lisa of Harrow. Cherished Grandma to Tanya, Darren, Lauren, Greg (Jordan), Dean, Jordan, Jesse, the late Michael, Jared, Travis, Becca, Amy, Ryan, and the Hildebrand children. She was also a great-grandma. Dear sister of Bill McCrystal of San Diego, and Linda Semperger of Windsor. Predeceased by a sister Marie Hotzon, and brothers Manuel and Lawrence McCrystal.

Cremation has taken place. Visiting is at the Hammond Funeral Home, 17 Little Street South, Wheatley (519-825-7741) on Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m.

Following Phyllis’s wishes, a private interment will be held for the family at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Leamington.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the LDMH Foundation - Hospice.

www.hammondfuneralhome.ca

BANK THEATRE NOTES

10 ERIE STREET SOUTH P.O. BOX 434

LEAMINGTON, ON N8H 3W5 519-326-8805

AUDITION CALL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH @ 2:00 PM

We are bringing back, by popular demand, THE FARM SHOW. Production run is late May and early June. We require 3 or 4 females and 3 or 4 males. All ages. Actors will play multiple roles. Some group singing. Auditions are being held Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7 at 2:00 pm, at the Bank Theatre, 10 Erie Street South, Leamington. Please enter through the back stage door. Bring a short prepared reading (2 minutes). Our Director is Rick Taves. Call him at 519324-6988 or email at rftaves@gmail.com for more information.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE

FEBRUARY 11, 12, 13 @ 7:00 PM & 14 @ 2:00 PM

The Bank Theatre's highly successful production of SHIRLEY VALENTINE starring Allison Still-Berry will be on stage at The Olde Walkerville Theatre, 1564 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. Tickets are $20. For ticket purchase information please contact the Olde Walkerville Theatre at 519-253-2929 or www.oldewalkervilletheatre.com

FISH AND BIRD

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH @ 8:00 PM

The Bank Theatre in partnership with the Kingsville Folk Festival is proud to present the band Fish and Bird. Main Stage favourites from the 2014 Kingsville Folk Festival they are returning to Essex County with their incredible songwriting, harmonies and musicianship. This young Canadian band provides a fresh re-imagining of folk music for generations old and new. Tickets are $20 (fees may apply) and may be purchased by phone 1-800-838-3006 or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2473610. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the performance begins at 8:00 p.m.

MARCH 5 @ 7:30 PM & MARCH 6 @ 2:00 PM WOMEN OF SONG II CONCERT

The ladies take the stage again with another tribute concert to Canadian music, both pop and folk. Come and join Sharon Light, Nicole Barron, Jacquie Cadarette, Janet Dixon-Snaden and Patti DiMaggio as they perform songs from Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Shania Twain, The Rankin Family, Anne Murray, Leonard Cohen, Serena Ryder, BTO, and many others along with a few favourites from their first concert. David Light heads up "the fellas in the band" with John Takle, Steve Cox, BJ Laub and Jeff Wilkinson. Tickets are $15 and available at Wharram Jewellery, Thomson Guardian Pharmacy and the Lesson Lounge.

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BILL CHAPLIN

Alzheimer Society presents awareness program to Leamington

By Bryan Jessop

The Alzheimer Society’s local branch is “fired” up about bringing public awareness of a new initiative to Essex County’s southeast corner.

The Society’s Finding Your Way program made its way to Leamington Wednesday, Jan. 27 with a two-hour, public open house event hosted by Leamington Fire Services. The province-wide campaign is largely driven by an objective to spread public awareness on Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Windsor and Essex County Alzheimer Society special project coordinator Sayed Daher and LFS personnel approached the open house as a two-tier event, where information on residential fire safety and the importance of working smoke alarms was also made available to visitors.

Finding Your Way was launched by the Alzheimer Society as a multicultural safety and awareness program that in part helps members of the general public identify a dementia patient who has wandered away from their establishment of care. It also helps caregivers reduce the chances of a patient wandering away or getting lost and assists patient care providers to prepare for and respond to such incidents.

The open house included free information kits for family members and caregivers and assistance from Daher and a University of Windsor student volunteer with filling out details on patients in a section of the kit that included space for an updated photo.

“We’re addressing community issues and the community is responding very well.”

— Sayed Daher

“We’re focusing on education,” said Daher, who noted that Essex County is a pilot location for Finding Your Way. “We don’t want to scare people, but want them to know what to do if they see someone that could be a dementia patient who might be lost.”

Roughly two months earlier, the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County reached out to its community partners with two town hall-style meetings — one at the Ciociaro Club in Windsor and the other at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens in Kingsville. It was there that Daher approached representatives of the LFS — one of its 70 partners — with the idea of hosting an open house to help deliver the Society’s message into its segment of the county as part of Alzheimer Awareness Month in January.

“The towns of Kingsville and Leamington have been very open to our programs and incentives,” Daher explained. “We’re addressing community issues and the community is responding very well.”

An estimated 7,120 Windsor-Essex County residents 40 and over have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and within 15 years, the number is expected to surpass 10,000 for those 65 years of age and older. About 60 per cent of dementia patients go missing and if not found within 24 hours, stand a 50 per cent chance of suffering serious injury or death.

Daher noted that wandering dementia patients can often be identified by medical alert bracelets or by being insufficiently dressed for current weather and temperature conditions. If seen, such patients should be spoken to in a calm voice and kept within sight until emergency responders arrive. If an individual seems agitated, he or she should not be approached and nearby residents are encouraged to call 9-1-1.

For more information on Finding Your Way and Alzheimer Society services, visit the website www.alzheimerontario.ca.

\Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Esesx County special project coordinator Sayed Daher (centre) describes the contents of an information kit to Leamington Fire Services deputy chief Mike Ciacelli while student volunteer Kolby Phillips helps apply a photo to the kit for a visitor.

Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Esesx County special project coordinator Sayed Daher (right) helps a visitor of an open house at Leamington Fire Services fill out an information kit with the assistance of student volunteer Kolby Phillips. The Wednesday, Jan. 27 event focused on publically promoting the Alzheimer’s Society’s province-wide Finding Your Way program.

LEAMINGTON BLOOD DONOR CLINIC

Wed., March 2/16

12:30 - 7:00 pm at the KINSMEN RECREATION

Literacy program a hit at M.D. Bennie

By Bryan Jessop

A unique mystery has been cooking up for Margaret D. Bennie Public School’s youngest students.

What started as recognition of Family Literacy Week evolved into something that Kindergarten students at the local school could really sink their teeth into, as a reading program turned out to be only the first step in an unusual turn of events. The combined junior and senior Kindergarten classes of Christine Jeffery and Dana Campbell gathered for a story reading about the elusive Gingerbread Man on Monday, Jan. 25. The story inspired each of the two classes — 46 JK and SK students in all — to bake their own Gingerbread Man the following day.

The two sizeable would-be treats, however, escaped from the kitchen oven after it was reported that an oven mitt was unintentionally left wedged between the door and body of the stove. The search for the duo of runaway baked goods ensued, inspiring the entire school to get involved in locating and capturing the fugitives.

“We had the whole school just going crazy about it,” said Early Childhood Educator Brittany Wills, who collaborated on the week-long search along with Jeffery and Campbell. “They’ve (the Kindergarten students) been very curious as to what’s going to happen. There was a lot of good feedback from the kids after reading the books, so the whole thing just took off from there.”

The idea to bake their own Gingerbread Men was presented by the students themselves, although the escape and subsequent search for the larger-thannormal cookie people caught them by surprise.

Since learning of the pair’s escape, the week’s literacy theme was again put to good use with the writing of descriptive letters and the creation of a list of clues to assist with the hunt.

Clues were found throughout the remainder of the week, including crumbs and messages in the school’s library and music room. Grade 8 classes assisted with the search, reporting during morning announcements on clues as they were found.

One of the final measures made to relocate the missing Gingerbread Men was to invite Leamington OPP Constable Kevin O’Neil to the school to hear the students’ descriptions of the runaways. O’Neil was called to the school to file a similar ‘missing persons report’ regarding snack items on the lam a few years ago. Last year, a similar chain of events

took place at Gosfield North Public School east of Essex and northwest of Leamington. Both Gingerbread Men were discovered on the morning of Monday, Feb. 1

in the main office by staff member Diane Martin. The two cookies were then decorated and eaten by the school’s Kindergarten classes.

Leamington OPP Constable Kevin O’Neil joins two junior and senior kindergarten classes as they reveal their interpretations of two missing gingerbread men at Margaret D. Bennie Public School Friday, Jan. 29.

Leamington OPP Constable Kevin O’Neil listens to students from two junior-senior Kindergarten classes describe the appearance of two missing gingerbread men. (SUN Photo)

Investment needed for long-term care

SOURCE: Ontario Long Term Care Association

The Ontario Long Term Care Association has called for government to make long overdue investments in the province’s long-term care homes where 77,000 seniors receive 24/7 care each year. A new report outlines four realistic and affordable solutions that once implemented will result in improvements to the care provided to seniors in long-term care:

• To eliminate the three and four-bed rooms and other outdated designs that date back to 1973, a renewed plan must be implemented to modernize and rebuild older long-term care homes that 35,000 seniors live in today.

• To provide the best care and treatment to the almost 65,000 seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, each home in Ontario must be provided specialized supports and resources.

• To keep seniors in their home community and out of hospital, a strategy must be implemented that recognizes the unique needs of homes in small and rural communities.

• To help manage the growing needs of seniors in today’s long-term care homes, staffing models need to be changed and expanded.

“Right now, in long-term care homes right across the province, seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t getting the specialized services we know will help provide them with safer, more comfortable care,” said Candace Chartier, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association. “Too many seniors are living in homes that need to be rebuilt and modernized. Too many seniors with dementia aren’t getting the supports they need to ensure their comfort and safety. Our seniors deserve better care… The time for action is now.”

The report can be found at www.betterseniorscare.ca

TRACY

Saturday, February 6

BILL ENGVALL Saturday, February 20

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Friday, February 26

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Saturday, February 27 4pm & 9pm

BURTON CUMMINGS AND BAND

Friday, March 4

DAVID SPADE Friday, March 11

JOHNNY

Saturday, March 19

About the Ontario Long Term Care Association: The Ontario Long Term Care Association is the largest association of longterm care providers in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of longterm care operators – private, not-for-profit, charitable and municipal. Members provide care and accommodation services to over 70,000 residents annually in nearly 440 longterm care homes in communities throughout Ontario.

Road to Kingsville Folk Fest concert series presents Fish & Bird

Road to Kingsville Folk Fest Concert Series presents Fish & Bird, main stage favourites of the 2014 Kingsville Folk Music Festival, on Thursday, Feb. 25 at The Bank Theatre and Meeting Place, 10 Erie St. S., Leamington. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available by phone 1-800-838-3006 or online at www.kingsvillefolkfest.org and click on “Concerts”. Raised on equal parts roots music and Radiohead, Fish & Bird have received praise on both sides of the Atlantic for their refreshingly unclichéd writing. With their fourth album, “Something in the Ether” (released on Fiddle Head Records in September 2014), the young Canadian band continues to re-imagine folk music for a new generation.

The group members have been friends more or less since childhood, growing up in the small community of idyllic Mayne Island, a remote 900-person island off the west coast of British Columbia. Songwriter Taylor Ashton and fiddler Adam Iredale-Gray formed Fish & Bird in 2007, based on a shared interest in traditional old-time music. Their musical interests span many genres and styles of music, including jazz and indie rock. The duo grew into a five-piece and now, 7 years later, are joined by drummer Ben Kelly, electric guitarist Ryan Boeur, and upright bassist Zoe Guigueno, presenting a collection of songs that effortlessly fuse their traditional folk influences and experimental leanings into a coherent, modern-day roots opus.

From innovative arrangements to mature, restrained playing, it’s hard to believe that you’re listening to a group of musicians only in their mid-twenties. The future looks brighter than ever for Fish & Bird, who are currently on tour in Europe.

The concert is a fund raising project of both the Sun Parlour Folk Music Society (Kingsville Folk Music Festival) and the Sun Parlour Players Community Theatre (The Bank Theatre).

The Sun Parlour Folk Music Society exists to provide diverse high quality folk music through concerts and the annual Kingsville Folk Music Festival and allocates funds to the MAY FUNd (Music and Arts for Youth) which provides financial assistance, an annual scholarship and more to regional youth to access the arts.

For more information visit www.kingsvillefolkfest.org

Trinity Anglican Church to celebrate 150 years

By Margaret Brackell - Trinity 150th Anniversary Committee

Let your imagination take you to a simpler time and place. Stop awhile and reflect on what is happening on that half-acre plot along Talbot Trail: trees are being transformed into rough-cut lumber; a stone foundation rises above the ground; a contractor is seeing his vision of a small church take shape. Local men volunteer their efforts and the women are bringing baskets of food for the workers. Break times are short as the men press on, for the completion date has already come and gone. Shorthanded now, due to sideline preparations against possible Fenian Roads, and with much work to be done, the men lean into their commitment to build this House of God. Progress is further hampered by weather as winter settles in. November, and the finishing touches are finally added. Hearts burst with pride. A simple little church, built by those who will worship within its walls. Trinity is what they call her, and she is consecrated in November of 1866.

Did the founding members envision their handwork still standing 150 years later? Did they wonder how this little church would leave its mark on the many people who would walk through her door? So much has changed since her inception, yet Trinity (that little white church in the cemetery) continues to be here for whomever God sends her way

The earliest records of the Church of England services being held in this area date from the early 1860s. Rev. R. Fletcher came here in 1858 and was stationed at Leamington, Kingsville and Colchester. He would travel on horseback, following a narrow trail through the hardwood forest.

The first services were held in the old township hall that stood on Talbot Street in Cottam. Services were also held in the homes of parishioners.

The construction of the church was interrupted at this time and the contract date for completion had to be disregarded. However, by November 1866, the church was ready for the opening ceremonies.

The auspicious date was set for November 22. The Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn, the first Bishop of Huron (1857-1871), came from London for the occasion and conducted the Service of Consecration. The incumbent, Rev. Robert Fletcher, assisted in the service. The original Certificate of Consecration is a prized possession of the Parish Archives.

Trinity Anglican Church is hosting several events throughout 2016 to mark this grand achievement. All are welcome to join the congregation as they celebrate 150 years: Bob Garrett will sing and play on the guitar the song he wrote for the church’s 125th Anniversary (Apr. 17); Old Fashion County Fair to coincide with Cottam Annual Yard Sale (June 4); 24 members of the Diocesan Cathedral Choir for a Choral Evening Prayer service (June 12); Trinity Choir old hymn sing (Oct. 16); Anniversary Banquet with former priests, past members, current Bishop Bob Bennett and first Bishop Benjamin Cronin attending (Nov. 19); Service to remember the church’s first service in 1866 (Nov. 27).

Leamington receives Robert Pulleyblank Award for Municipal Achievement

The Municipality of Leamington is the proud recipient of the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s (ERCA) 2015 Robert Pulleyblank Municipal Achievement Award. This award recognizes the Municipality’s efforts towards creating a clean, healthy and sustainable future for the Essex Region.

Leamington has undertaken significant work to contribute to environmental enhancements in the region. Over the past few years, abandoned railways have been repurposed into trails for the enjoyment of walkers, joggers and cyclists. In addition to providing opportunities for residents to be active and connect with nature, these trails also allow for environmentally friendly and healthy transportation options.

In 2015, the Municipality of Leamington partnered with Parks Canada to create the Leamington Monarch Trail which provides food and habitat for migrating birds and butterflies, especially monarchs, to refuel before continuing on their long journey. The multiphase project will include gardens of milkweed and supporting plants along approximately five kilometres of urban trails.

The Municipality of Leamington was further recognized for demonstrating leadership with the acquisition of prime waterfront lands. Plans for this area include a hip, vibrant waterfront with bike paths that will connect Seacliff Park to the marina and Lake Erie.

Leamington also partnered in the project to create a rain garden at Seacliff Park to help filter pollutants and manage stormwater. By using a variety of native plant species, this project helps to provide habitat for pollinators.

In 2010, following the devastating tornado which severely damaged the landscape of the Municipality, all docks at the Leamington Marina were upgraded using recycled material and services were significantly improved.

2010 also saw the Municipality partner with ERCA to help landowners replant the many trees lost during the storm.

Leamington’s focus remains on protecting and improving the health of Lake Erie. Within the past few years, substantial upgrades have been made to the Pollution Control Centre, and in 2015 the Municipality was successful in obtaining financial assistance for an important project to upgrade sanitary sewers along Bevel Line and Pelee Drive. When completed, this project will help to improve the health of Lake Erie as improperly functioning septic systems in this area will be removed and sewage will be municipally treated.

Trinity Anglican Church in Cottam, “The Little White Church In The Cemetery”, will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2016.

On Saturday, January 23 the Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation received a cheque for $40,000 from John Pavao and family. The funds were raised during their annual Sun Parlour Rodeo. Pictured here,

This year’s Sun Parlor Rodeo is scheduled for July 30 and 31.

Sun Parlor Rodeo continues to give back to the community

Sun Parlour Rodeo began over 14 years ago with a small idea from a local cowboy – John Pavao. He thought that it might be good entertainment to bring a rodeo to the area. John thought that it would be a great way to bring the community together and raise some money for the local hospital. After meeting with BJ Prince from The Rawhide Rodeo Company, they decided that it was worth a try! John and a few friends formed the Sun Parlour Rodeo Committee and began planning for the first Sun Parlour Rodeo in 2001. The first year drew a crowd of about three or four thousand people and purchased a bladder scanner for the Leamington District Memorial Hospital with the money raised. Throughout the past 15 years, a bladder scanner, baby monitor and portable defibrillator along with $45,000 towards the dialysis unit has been donated totalling $100,000 to the Leamington District Memorial Hospital. In 2008, Sun Parlour Rodeo thought that WE care for Kids, a local children’s charity, would be an excellent partner for the event and since donated $108,500 to that cause. In 2014, The Hospice of Windsor Essex County Inc. Erie Shores Cam-

pus was selected as charity of choice and received $40,000 their first year and a further $40,000 in 2015, assisting to reach a grand total of charitable donations to date of almost $300,000! In 2015, the Sun Parlor Rodeo Committee was very proud to have also donated $5,000 to Project Rebound, assisting Leamington resident David Younan in his rehabilitation costs after suffering a brain aneurysm in 2014. An additional $1,500 was also donated to several local causes.

The very successful charity event continues to be produced by BJ Prince and the Rawhide Rodeo crew. Presently, the event is planned by a family of five with the help of many family and friends and all of the proceeds are donated again to The Hospice of Windsor Essex County Inc. Erie Shores Campus. This year’s rodeo dates are July 30 and 31 at the J & R Excavating site at 1835 County Road 18, Ruthven.

“We always thank our sponsors and volunteers who make this happen and we’re very grateful to the community and the people who continue to come out and support this,” said Jennifer Pavao.

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FGT gets zoning change, application fee refunded

Monday evening, Feb. 1, the regular meeting of Leamington Council opened with a public meeting regarding the by-law amendment that would restore Institutional zoning to the Full Gospel Tabernacle property that was inadvertently removed in error some years ago. There was no objection, and the by-law amendment could be considered before the meeting ended.

There was a further report from Leamington’s planning department recommending that the church be rebated its application fee for the zoning change, since the need for the work could be traced to inadvertence on the part of the municipality. It was pointed out that under normal circumstances this kind of error is caught during routine reviews, but the change was made urgent due to the proposed minor construction to the church.

Council agreed and the fee will be refunded. The expense of the re-zoning will be absorbed by the planning department.

Permission granted for reduced yard size at townhouse development

Larry Santos Construction petitioned for permission to reduce the size of the rear yards for a group of townhouses to be built in the Destiny Estates Subdivision off Robson Road. At the Feb. 1 Council meeting a report was presented to Council by Brian Nagata, Leamington’s development planner, recommending that the change be permitted. It was seen that a 10% increase to individual lot coverage would not have a negative impact.

The opposition to the change from Golfview Lakes Subdivision was continued and voiced by their planner. The argument was not accepted by members of Council. Council passed the recommendation and permission for the change was granted.

and Canadian Folk Music Award winner, is a rapidly rising star on the Canadian music scene. Escamilla, born in a family of six in Chiapas, Mexico, began singing at the age of four and at age six discovered the thrill of performing and the powerful magic of live music. Now, a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and a producer living in Toronto and despite the distance from his homeland, Quique remains attached to his Mexican roots. He’s honoured to be in and traditions through his music and live contemporary performances. www.quiqueescamilla.com

”Modern day troubadour Quique Escamilla makes music that comes straight from the soul. The stories he tells are the stories we need to hear; socially and politically conscious lyrics paired with exceptional musicianship. He’s a unique talent who holds to the traditions of heavyweights like Bob Marley and Manu Chao. Quique is really one to watch!” - CBC Radio Canada.

KINGSVILLE FOLK

from left to right, are Cheryl Deter, (LDMH), Jennifer Pavao Chevalier, John Pavao, Honorina Pavao, Stephanie Pavao, Vanessa Pavao and Nelson Carvahlo. The funds will be used to support Hospice Erie Shores Campus.

(Photo submitted)

Local store celebrates young arthritis patient’s birthday

By Bryan Jessop

Thanks to a rather warm welcome from a local business, 13 was anything but unlucky for Serina Carey.

The Amherstburg native — a patient of several medical conditions including juvenile arthritis — was given the option by her mother Rhonda Carey to celebrate her 13th birthday at any local destination of her choice. Despite only one prior visit, Serina chose to bring her mother and best friend Eva Lewis for an afternoon to Cindy’s Home and Garden on Seacliff Drive, just east of urban Kingsville. Rhonda e-mailed the store about three weeks prior to setting up a celebration for Wednesday, Dec. 16 — one day prior to her daughter’s actual birth date. Serina was booked for one of several appointments at a London hospital for December 17.

“I was so impressed by what they did. It was really amazing, a complete shock. It just didn’t end.”

— Rhonda Carey

Managers and staff at the store greeted the guests initially with “Happy 13th Birthday Serina” on the business’s front sign along the Seacliff Drive entrance to its parking lot. Once the small group made its way inside, it was greeted by one surprise after another. Even Rhonda, who arranged the visit, was pleasantly taken aback by what Cindy’s had in store for Serina.

“They just took off with it,” she explained. “I was so impressed by what they did. It was really amazing, a complete shock. It just didn’t end.”

After receiving permission to miss the school day, the group went out for breakfast before arriving at Cindy’s at about noon. Staff greeted Serina with a bouquet of balloons and treated her to a cake — all in a theme of purple, her favourite colour — before presenting her with a multitude of gifts including a staff t-shirt, music box filled with inspirational charms, a stuffed animal, owl book, a bouquet of her favourite flowers (Gerbera daisies) and other items.

Cindy’s was established in 1989 as a single greenhouse operation and has since expanded to feature 6,500 sq. ft. of floor space. The business has won several awards including the Leamington and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 and 2011 Business Excellence Award for Innovation, the latter for the introduction of Cindy’s Too Country Store. Cindy’s Too, immediately south of the original store, was decorated specifically for Serina’s visit. There, staff members and other patrons sang to the birthday girl after she was presented with her cake.

Additional accolades include the 2010 Biz X Award for Best Little Retail Shop, a Kingsville Business Improvement Association Award in 2012 and the Better Business Bureau’s Integrity Award in 2014.

Symptoms of Serina’s illnesses began in June of 2014 with a swollen knee. Initally, Rhonda believed that the soreness was related to her daughter’s active lifestyle, which including ballroom dancing, riding scooters with her brother and running in several track and field events. By January of 2015, the soreness and swelling spread to five other joints, forcing Serina to use a wheelchair. It was then that she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.

“She was a perfectly healthy child — it all happened so fast,” said Rhonda.

The youth was able to attend Grade 8 classes at Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School daily for the first three weeks of the current school year until her conditions worsened. She hasn’t attended a full day of in-school classes since late September and hasn’t been able to spend a partial day there since November.

Assignments, work and tests are now sent to the Carey’s home, where Serina is able to learn the curriculum on her own.

“She’s been doing amazing,” Rhonda said. “She’s still getting really good grades.”

Serina plans to take high school courses from St. Thomas of Villanova in Amherstburg and aspires to become a doctor.

“She’s developed a real interest in special needs,” Rhonda explained.

Serina has also been diagnosed with severe scoliosis and spondylolysis, a vertebrae defect that has caused the bottom disc of her spine to slip below the tailbone. A

curve in her spine has forced her to make her recurring trips to London hospitals for treatment and testing by train, as riding in a car has become too painful and uncomfortable.

Although Windsor has a pediatric neurologist, a lack of other local specialists force the Careys to travel to London and Hamilton for medical appointments. Despite her physical conditions and a challenging schedule of testing and physiotherapy, Serina continues to offer an enthusiastic outlook on life and remain focused on one day working in the medical field.

“She’s the most positive young lady I know,” said Rhonda, who noted that twice-weekly visits to the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle for swimming for Serina had to stop because of a heart condition. “She’s never mad at the world like she should be. She’s got tons of Instagram followers.”

In the short term, Serina hopes to make a return visit to Cindy’s during the upcoming spring, if she is physically able to make the trip.

Serina Carey (centre, front) celebrated her 13th birthday at Cindy’s Home and Garden in Kingsville along with her mother Rhonda Carey (centre, behind), her best friend Eva Lewis (left) and pictured here is greeted by employee Cindy Morel. Carey, who is a patient of juvenile arthritis, was treated to a full birthday celebration by Cindy’s Home and Garden on Dec. 16 of last year. (Submitted photo)

GECDSB Math Task Force seeking feedback

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) Math Task Force has put together a survey for student’s parents or guardians in order to gather important feedback on the mathematics programs in elementary and secondary school.

The survey’s goal is to assess parent’s/guardian’s level of comfort with the material at hand and to determine if they are confident helping their child with math homework. Parents/guardians are also being surveyed for their opinions and attitudes on whether math is essential for their children.

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

First Baptist Church

3 Fox Street, Leamington 519-326-4372

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Heritage Baptist Church

555 Talbot St. W., Wheatley

519-300-1400 Pastor Francisco Penner

Sunday 11 am & 7 pm, Wed 7 pm

Wheatley Baptist Church

47 Talbot St. E.., Wheatley 519-825-7433 Pastor Richard Smith

Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 10:00 am

CONGREGATIONALIST

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 10:00 am

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 475 Bevel Line Road, Leamington 519-322-1858

Sunday Gatherings 10:30 am

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

PRESBYTERIAN

Knox Presbyterian Church

58 Erie St. S., Leamington 519-326-4541

www.pccweb.ca/knoxleamnington/ Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Michael’s Parish

29 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

NO MASSES FROM JULY 14 TFN

St. Joseph’s Church

310 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Saturday Mass: 5 pm (English)

Sunday Masses: 7:30 am (English)

9 am (Italian, English) 10:30 am (English)

12 Noon (Portuguese)

3 pm (Spanish), 7 pm (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

Don Bedore’s father, Paul Bedore, in their 1935 Chev panel truck.

1935 Chevrolet panel truck in Kingston

At age 12 in 1947, Don Bedore (now living in Leamington) took a picture of his dad’s 1935 Chevrolet six cylinder panel truck purchased from Lee’s grocery store in Kingston for around $250. The Bedore family had been without a car for 5 years, ever since their 1927 Model T Ford gave up the ghost. Whenever they went anywhere during those 5 years, Don and his sister and Mom and Dad walked.

When Don’s dad bought this panel truck, it became the family car. It had two bucket seats in front and the back was empty. Dad went to a wrecking yard and picked up a bench seat from a 1928 Essex and installed it in the back for Don and his sister. It wasn’t fastened down as tight as it should have been, and Don and his sister often rocked back and forth depending on what gear Dad was shifting into.

The door at the back was hinged on the driver’s side with an outside handle on the passenger side. But there was no way to open it from the inside. Don removed the striker plate from the door handle mechanism and kicked the door open whenever he wanted to get out.

Under the hood was an overhead-valve six cylinder engine brought out in 1929 by Chevrolet to get the jump on Henry Ford, who was producing his famous Model A at that time. The Model A had a flathead 4-cylinder engine, and by adding two extra cylinders to the Chev, it could claim you could buy a Chev Six for almost the same price as the previous four. The Chevrolet car became the No. 1 selling car in America in every year of the 1930s except 1935. Chev trucks were also very popular.

The front of the Bedore family’s panel truck is really a ’35 Chev car with the panel truck body added to the chassis. A 3-speed floor shift transmission and clutch pedal was all you needed to change gears, and the transmission had synchromesh. The floor in the rear was finished in hardwood. Don remembers riding in the truck many times.

When Don was a teenager, he wanted a car of his own. Money was tight but in 1953 he managed to find a weather-beaten 1937 Ford coach at a low price. All four fenders were missing, but for a teenage driver that was a plus, because with the extra weight taken off the car would go faster!

The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be located through the Board’s website at www.publicboard.ca Search warrant executed, four charged

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 10:30 am (Eng)

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)

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

Service Sunday 9:15 am & 11 am 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

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

Olinda-Ruthven United Church

1907 Queen Blvd., Ruthven ON 519-326-3138

Sunday Services at 9:30 am

Wheatley United Church

59 Talbot St. W., Wheatley ON 519-825-4157

Sunday Services at 10:30 am

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda

2953 Olinda Sideroad, Ruthven 519-326-4352

Sunday Service 10:30 am

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Essex County Street Crime Unit, OPP patrol officers, Essex County OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the Essex County K-9 Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Malibu Drive in Leamington on January 26. Officers located and seized $26,000 worth of cocaine, $1,800 Canadian cash and a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. As a result of the search, four Leamington residents were arrested and charged: an 18-year-old male with Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; a 20-yearold male with Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; a 38-year-old female with Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; and a 48-yearold male with Possession of a Schedule I Substance. All parties will appear in a Leamington court in March to answer to the charges.

Horticultural Society elects 2016 executive

LHS Update

By Catherine Riediger

Well, it took Old Man Winter a little while to catch up to us and, until this latest blast of winter, some of my plants were still trying to bloom.

January started off with the newly elected Leamington Horticultural Society Executive holding their first board meeting Jan. 6 and monthly meeting Jan. 20. The new executive is as follows: President - Peter Scorrar; 2nd Vice President - Catherine Riediger; Treasurer - Emily Oldenberg; and Board Directors Kathryn Brooker, Karen Green, Dick Grolman, Edna MacLellan, Joan McDonald, Susan Ross and Charlie Wright. Due to conflicting schedules, the secretary, Sheila Goodfellow, has given notification and her replacement is TBD.

The Planting Committee met with municipal staff to choose Leamington’s 2016 “Flower of the Year”. They chose the Lantana Camara plant.

The name Lantana derives from the Latin name of the wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, the flowers of which closely resemble Lantana.

This perennial plant can grow as a vine or as a shrub if properly attended. It thrives in hot climates and can withstand the rays of direct sunlight. Lantana’s aromatic flower clusters called umbels are a mix of red, orange, yellow, or L. montevidensis which produces blue or white florets all year round. Other colours exist as new varieties are being selected. The flowers typically change colour as they mature, resulting in inflorescences that are two or three coloured. Its foliage is dark green and has a distinct odour. Lantanas are useful as honey plants, and Spanish flag (L. camara), L. Lilacina and L. trifolia are sometimes planted for this purpose, especially in butterfly gardens.

This beautiful plant has spread from its native South and Central America to around 50 different countries. Lantana species are widely cultivated for their flowers in tropical and subtropical environments and (as an annual plant) in temperate climates. Lantanas are generally hardy and being somewhat toxic are usually rejected by herbivores but can become infested with pests.

world) is greater than the biomass of humans. Insects are the most diverse living things with over two million different species. The importance of insects to man may be divided into those that are Beneficial, Harmful or of no significance. Horticulture is the growing of plants in closed areas such as farms, gardens and orchards. Insects are vectors of disease, they turn plant material into protein, they damage plants, food and structures, they pollinate crops, they recycle nutrients, they produce some products, they are used in biological control of pests, they have aesthetic value, they are a source of food, they are used in scientific investigations and they are used in medicine. Peter provided many examples of insects that do these things for a healthy planet or are part of the human environment.

The guest speaker for the Feb. 17 meeting at Leamington United Church, 7:30 p.m., will be a representative from Point Pelee National Park highlighting developments occurring within the Park. LHS would love to see you there to share some horticultural fellowship.

Lantana camara will often out-compete other more desirable species, leading to a reduction in biodiversity. The spread of lantana is aided by the fact that their leaves are poisonous to most animals and thus avoided by herbivores while their fruit is a delicacy of many birds which distribute the seeds and unwittingly contribute to the degradation of their home ecosystem. It can also cause problems if it invades agricultural areas as a result of its toxicity to livestock as well as its ability to form dense tickets which, if left unchecked, can greatly reduce the productivity of farm land. Since Leamington is a temperate climate, it is unlikely that it would survive our Canadian winters.

Extracts of Lantana camara may be used for protection of cabbage against the aphid Lipaphis erysimi.

2016 Flower of the Year is the Lantana Camara. paign and hope Leamington residents and businesses will incorporate the Flower of the Year in their flower pots, planters and gardens.

The Communities in Bloom Committee will be meeting shortly to plan the 2016 Cam-

At the January 20 meeting, Peter Scorrar gave a fascinating talk on the subject of “The Importance of Insects and Horticulture”. Insects are the largest group of living things on Earth. The biomass of ants (the weight of all the ants in the

Baby Announcements Tell everyone about the birth of your baby in the Southpoint Sun!

Leamington’s

Sharks honour 2015-16 overagers

By Bryan Jessop

The ownership is new, but the Wheatley Sharks continued to honour a team tradition for its graduating-age players.

The Sharks 1994-born players — forwards Brett Bowman and Lucas Raffoul and defenseman Brian Johnson — were the focal points of a ceremony prior to Wheatley’s final 2015-16 regular season home game, played Monday, Jan. 25 against the Mooretown Flags. Playing their final season of junior hockey, the trio of 21 year olds was greeted on the ice by their parents before being presented with the white-over-blue versions of their jerseys by Sharks director of hockey operations Brad Hyatt.

The Sharks went on to beat the Flags 1-0, with Bowman assisting on the lone goal, scored by Mitchell Prudence.

“It’s been fun,” Bowman said of the five seasons he has played for the Sharks. “The Carnevale family was always really good to me and the new ownership has a good thing

going here too. I’ve had a lot of good teammates over the years and great coaches. I’m glad to be ending my career with (head coach Dave) Wiper — we love playing for him.”

Before joining the Sharks, Wiper was Bowman’s midget travel team’s head coach. Bowman, the team’s captain and a Wheatley resident born August 8 in 1994, played two games for the Sharks as a 16-year-old in 2010-11 — one in the regular season and one in the playoffs. The latest regular season was by far his best, where he added 21 goals and 41 assists for 62 points in 38 games — more than twice the 30 points he posted in 39 regular season games in 2014-15, his previous best.

Bowman finished his last regular season on the highest note possible, capturing this year’s Great Lakes Junior C league points title. The nine-team group’s second highest scorer was Alvinston’s Karten Berg, whose 54 points left him eight behind the Sharks’ leader.

Bowman’s junior hockey total prior to the 201516 playoffs, stands at 205 games, 53 goals and 100 assists for 153 points, 136 penalty minutes, 14 power play goals, 36 power play assists, three shorthanded assists and seven gamewinning goals.

Johnson, who stands at 5’ 10” and 180 pounds, was born February, 15, 1994 and is a Belle River native. He is

one of the team’s current associate captains and has consistently been one of the Sharks’ most offensively productive defensemen. Johnson joined Wheatley as its 16-year-old in 2010-11 and split the following season between the Sharks and nearby Junior ‘B’ Leamington Flyers.

He returned to the Sharks full-time for 2012-13 and played the next season with the Belle River Canadiens, where his three game-winning goals were the most for any player on the team. Johnson came back to the Sharks starting in 2014-15, playing his second consecutive season without missing a regular season game. In total, he has amassed 280 games, 36 goals and 115 assists for 151 points, 197 penalty minutes, 13 power play goals, 47 power play assists, two shorthanded goals, two shorthanded assists and nine gamewinning goals for the three junior teams he has represented. Johnson has led his team’s defensemen in points for two of the past three seasons.

Raffoul, also an associate captain, lives in Leamington and was born April 7, 1994. At 6’ 0” and 170 pounds, the right winger has played four full seasons with the Sharks, starting in 2012-13, playing in all but one of 40 regular-season games as a rookie. Raffoul’s totals include 171 games,

22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points, 201 penalty minutes, eight power play goals, eight power play assists, three shorthanded goals, two shorthanded assists and three game-winning goals.

Vacation policy changes

At the Feb. 1 meeting of Leamington Council, a couple of changes to vacation policy were recommended by Lisa Granger, the municipality’s Human Resources Officer. The changes were proposed because of the Christmas 2016 holiday situation. To make operations run more smoothly, it is recommended to allow employees to take statutory vacation time either on the Friday before or the Monday after. By making this change the Municipal Office will be able to function properly between Christmas and New Year’s. Another change was recommended to the vision care plan to reflect what is available to unionized employees. Council accepted the recommendations, the maximum cost of which could not surpass $6,000.

Wheatley Sharks forward Lucas Raffoul and his mother Jody Mallott pose for photos during a ceremony for the Wheatley Sharks’ 2015-16 overagers. (SUN Photos)

Wheatley Sharks team captain and five-year veteran Brett Bowman presents a bouquet of flowers to his mother Wendy Bowman while his father Jeff Bowman looks on.

Wheatley Sharks defenseman Brian Johnson poses for photos along with parents Roger and Linda Johnson during the team’s annual overagers ceremony Monday, Jan. 25 prior to a game against the Mooretown Flags.

Sharks to face Admirals in quarterfinals

By Bryan Jessop

For the Wheatley Sharks, the playoffs will begin at the precise location the regular season ended — at Amherstburg’s Libro Centre against the Admirals.

The Sharks’ final two regular season games were both played on the road, starting with a Tuesday, Jan. 26 6-2 loss in Essex that snapped a six-game winning streak and ending on a more positive note — a 4-1 victory in Amherstburg Sunday, Jan. 31. The league-leading and defending provincial champion 73’s started the scoring for the Jan. 26 game with a Matthew Hebert goal that was followed by a Jack Leafeve power play marker to tie the score at one-all after 20 minutes. Mitch Lantin and Brett Bowman assisted on the Wheatley goal.

The second period made all the difference, where Essex potted four in a row while outshooting the Sharks 19-5. Riley Meyerink, Tyler Scott, Max Viselli and Hebert scored for the hosts. Delaney MacDonald potted another power play goal for the Sharks at the midway point of the third, assisted by Lantin and Frankie Ciacelli. William Stadder completed the scor-

ing for Essex, also during a power play opportunity.

The Sharks were outshot 38-21 and went two for seven on the man advantage while Essex was two for two.

After a scoreless first in Amherstburg, Calyn Kir opened the scoring for the Sharks after taking feeds from Cole Butler and Derek Toews. Kasey Basile tied the game late in the first frame.

Kir struck again for the game winner with less than three minutes remaining in the third. Tavolieri-Essex and MacDonald were credited with assists. Wheatley finished the scoring and thwarted the Admirals’ hopes of finishing in second place with two empty netters — first from MacDonald with assists to Andreas Gossmann and Kir followed by an unassisted goal from Bowman.

The Admirals outshot Wheatley 34-27 and went zero for three on the power play while the Sharks were held to zero for four.

“Going into that game, it meant something for everyone,” said Sharks head coach Dave Wiper. “We were trying to get ourselves playoff ready and keep our momentum going and it

worked out well for us.”

Wheatley finished two games above .500 with a record of 19-17-2-2 for 42 points, one point behind fifth-place Lakeshore. Last year, the Sharks were 1720-0-3 for 37 points and seventh place.

Wheatley will face Amherstburg in the Great Lakes Junior C quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Admirals swept the series in four games. Amherstburg won four of five 2015-16 regular season games between the two squads, starting with a 5-4 overtime win in Wheatley. From there, the Admirals won 6-4 and then 3-2 at Libro Centre and 4-1 at Wheatley Area Arena.

“They’re a great club and we’ve got some redemption to pay back from being swept last year,” said Wiper. “That’s why we were hoping to get them (the Admirals) in the first round. We’ll be ready for them. It’ll be a great rivalry for the crowds of both teams.”

This year’s playoff series between the two teams has been scheduled as follows:

• Game 1 — Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Amherstburg, 7:30 p.m.;

Monday February 22nd 6:30pm-8:30pm

• Game 2 — Monday, Feb. 8 at Wheatley, 7:30 p.m.;

• Game 3 — Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Amherstburg, 7 p.m.;

• Game 4 — Friday, Feb. 12 at Wheatley, 7:30 p.m.;

• Game 5 (if necessary)

— Sunday, Feb. 14 at Amherstburg, 7 p.m.;

• Game 6 (if necessary)

— Monday, Feb. 15 at Wheatley, 7:30 p.m;

• Game 7 (if necessary)

— Sunday, Feb. 21 at Amherstburg, 7 p.m.

Matt Taylor of the Sharks is expected to miss two to three weeks with a concussion. The rest of the Wheat-

ley roster will be healthy to start the series against the Admirals.

Elsewhere, the Essex 73’s will face the Alvinston Fly-

ers, the Blenheim Blades will take on the Dresden Kings and the Mooretown Flags will square off against the Lakeshore Canadiens.

Brian Johnson of the Sharks and Blaine Bechard of the Admirals battle for control of the puck in the Amherstburg zone during a Monday, Jan. 4 match at Wheatley Area Arena. The two teams will meet in this year’s Great Lakes Junior C quarterfinals, starting Wednesday, Feb. 3 in Amherstburg and then Monday, Feb. 8 at Wheatley Area Arena starting at 7:30 p.m. (SUN Photo)

Get ready for Trivia Night 17

Is your team ready for Trivia Night 17? Leamington Minor Baseball’s annual Trivia Night is Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., at the Portuguese Club in Leamington.

Teams of four will answer trivia questions competing for cash prizes, door prizes and bragging rights. Subjects include Canadiana, sports, geography, TV, food and much, much more. All proceeds will support minor baseball locally.

Teams can be registered online at leamingtonminorbaseball.com or by visiting Fletcher’s Cleaners in Leamington. For more information call Jeff at 519-566-4558.

Atom Weil’s tie K’ville Red

Southpoint Atom Weil’s took on Kingsville Red in Kingsville on Saturday.

It was a close match and scoreless until late in the first period when Leah Youssef took a pass from Cian Tiessen to put Weil’s on the board.

Second period was pretty quiet until halfway through when Luca Rino and Leah Youssef passed the puck to Colton Selwood who chalked up the second goal for Weil’s. Kingsville’s Zander Boughazale came back to score a goal, then Morgan Woolnar of Kingsville scored to tie up the game. Seconds later, Abel Teichroeb rushed the puck up for Weil’s to score on a breakaway goal.

Weil’s held the lead until late in the third period when Griffin Dyck scored for Kingsville to tie the game with a score of 3-3.

Wreckreational break

One of my most frequent uses of the world wide web is window shopping on Kijiji.

“Window” is the operative term here, as my favourite category to peruse is classic cars — I’ve already got as many hobby cars as my garage and limited amount of leisurely time can accommodate (one), and 99.9 per cent of the really nice ones are priced way out into the stratosphere. One of the most bizarre sales tactics that I’ve ever witnessed anywhere else is what some sellers on Kijiji will do if their item or items doesn’t sell after a few days, weeks or months.

They’ll raise the price.

That’s right, with some sellers, the asking price will actually go UP if the vehicle isn’t snapped up quickly enough. I don’t get it either.

Sometimes I think the mindset is basically that if the price tag is higher, potential buyers will assume the car or truck is in better condition. When most gearheads see a 1970 Pontiac GTO going for $500, they’ll assume it’s a rusted out basket case or a VERY challenging restoration project… and rightfully so. And no, prices don’t always go up because its mid April and the market has switched from one benefiting the buyer to one favouring the seller. I’ve seen it happen in the dead of winter, when practically nobody is in the market for something that’ll just have to go into storage immediately after being towed home.

The National Hockey League is one of those sellers. When Alexander Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews elected to skip this year’s All Star Weekend, they were systematically suspended for one game apiece. That’s not a new rule, but seeing as the league changes rules and standards more frequently than some of us change socks, it probably wouldn’t hurt to let it slide or turf that piece of legislation all together.

What’s really absurd about the suspensions are just how easily the NHL could have danced around them. Toews is

dealing with an illness that forced him to miss the third period of a recent game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin is tending to a nagging lower body injury that has plagued him since November. Both players saw the ASW as the ideal chance to catch some much-needed rest (as did their respective coaching staffs), but the NHL didn’t see it that way (you can’t spell “unhealthy” without N-H-L, as the old saying goes). No, the spectator and network cash gouge that is the All Star Game is far more important than the health and safety of the league’s players.

Honestly, I’m surprised the NHLPA (players’ union) didn’t freak out about the suspensions. It’s not exactly the game’s best-kept secret that the All Star Game is far lower on the list of priorities for the league’s top players than staying healthy for the games that actually matter. This, of course, is why there is practically no hitting throughout the annual spectacle. I can only assume that there is a sort of unspoken rule or agreement between players that the rough stuff be set aside for showdowns that mean something in the playoff race.

I actually caught the last half of one of the ‘semifinal’ games on Sunday. It was the last half of the Atlantic vs. Metro contest. The three-on-three format was interesting and certainly opened the door to a fast-paced, worry-free passing game. Stoppages of play were scarce — no need for goalies to smother the puck when the opposition’s offence retreats as quickly as possible to avoid a two-on-one rush or breakaway in the other direction.

It was obvious that the camera crews weren’t accustomed to it — one goal was missed completely in favour of a third replay of the previous tally and a late third-period breakaway was overlooked so that we could watch the goalie at the other end sprint toward his bench for the fourth skater.

I guess you could say it was a breath of fresh air, but it certainly lacked the intensity of three-on-three overtime hockey I’ve seen at both the Junior B and C levels (where a second point was actually at stake). It was kind of like beer league or pick-up hockey, only with the most talent the planet has to offer.

And then, of course, the hype about John Scott’s presence weighed in far more than Toews’ or Ovechkin’s absence. He scored twice in the Pacific-Central semifinal, which was precisely 40 per cent of the five he’s scored in nearly 300 previous games. I could use this opportunity to emphatically state “he never would have scored those goals had that been a regular-season game with playoff implications,” but I won’t — in fact, good for him. And yes, he was named the MVP of the final, where his Pacific team nipped the Atlantic 1-0. A decision motivated by all the hoopla perhaps, but still, Scott proved a point of sorts to all the naysayers (including myself). Personally, I think Steven Stamkos should receive some sort of recognition for throwing the game’s only hit, but it is what it is. Scott, as it turned out, threw the only hit of the two semifinals.

I can’t help but wonder what the ASG’s format is going to look like next year. In my opinion, the punishments handed out to Ovi and Toews turned out to be an uglier mark on the NHL’s image than the entire Scott fiasco, taking an embarrassing situation and making it just a little bit worse — at least Scott’s physical well being wasn’t at risk. Such is the state of the NHL — players who don’t want to play being told that they must “or else” and a player who wants to be involved being told that he can’t (at least initially).

It’s great to see the league’s elite players on the same surface at the same time, but it’s time for the league to take a step back and concentrate harder on the big picture. If threeon-three keeps fans on the edges of their seats, why not do away with the offsetting penalty rule during the regular season and playoffs? To see four-on-four and even occasional three-on-three play as part of an actual game might spice things up considerably.

BRYAN JESSOP

Jessop’s Journal

Golden Years golf report

Aces were difficult to come by as 42 golfers only managed 70 aces on Jan. 28 at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens.

Leading the pack with 5 aces was Herb Ascott, and he needed a little help from his friends Doug and Art. Cathy Dewhurst was on her game with 4 aces, and following closely with 3 each were Mike Binder, Kathy Bradley, Perpetua Hildrop, Lloyd Honey, Laurie Hylton, Bill Mayville, Bob McWilliam, Colleen Pearse, Barry Sweet, Bill Taylor and Bill Ward. Chipping in with 2 apiece were Caroline Ascott, Pete Daudlin, Tom Dewhurst, Gail Johnston, Eva Kah, Moe Scratch, Art Sweet, Mary Anne Vickery, Ernie Vandenberg and Gerrit Vriesen. Rounding out the ace parade with 1 each were Murray Cascadden, Ethel Ferguson, Norbert Gisi, Wanda Hayes, Tom Hyatt, Julia Kos, Garry Pozzo, and Doug Vickery.

Carding a strong 16 over 9 holes were Bill Ward and Laurie Hylton. Notching 17 were Mike Binder, Lloyd Honey, Herb Ascott (2), Barry Sweet, Bill Taylor and Bill Mayville.

Continuing his strong play with 34 over 18 holes was Bill Ward. Herb Ascott, Bill Mayville and Bill Taylor each recorded 35, while 36 was recorded by Lloyd Honey, Laurie Hylton, Moe Scratch and Colleen Pearse.

The top score over 36 holes was shared by Bill Ward and Bill Taylor with 73. Hot on their heels were Lloyd Honey, Barry Sweet and Tom Hyatt with 75, and Herb Ascott with 76. Rounding out the top scores with 77 were Cathy Dewhurst, Colleen Pearse, Moe Scratch, Laurie Hylton, Eileen McIntosh and Gerrit Vriesen.

First place with a terrific score of 225 went to Team queens (Cathy Dewhurst, Bill Taylor and Tom Hyatt). Second place with 227 went to Team 3 (Eileen McIntosh, Laurie Hylton and Bill Ward).

Third place with 237 was captured by Team Jacks (Julia Kos, Pete Daudlin and Barry Sweet).

Play continues every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Colasanti’s.

Mixed Curling First Season Winners

The Leamington Sun Parlour Curling Club’s Mixed League is divided into two seasons, with the teams totally changing for each season. The winners for the first season are, from left to right, skip Carol Quinn, vice Gary McRae, second Sue Dube who was sparing in the playoffs for Ann Dick, and lead Kelly Devaere. The lead in the playoff game changes back and forth for the eight ends and was a tie game after the eighth end. A draw to the button was needed to establish a winner. (Submitted photo)

Stars weekend recap

Southpoint Community Trophy Peewee girls team took on Chatham in their first meeting of the playoffs.

During the first few minutes, Southpoint could not find their rhythm and Chatham spent way too much time in their end. Fortunately, goalie Courtney Jeffery kept Chatham from scoring. The Southpoint girls eventually played with more determination and at the 33 second mark of the first period, Alexa Taylor pushed the puck past the Chatham goalie. Jaryn Harris picked up the assist.

In the second period, Southpoint’s Shannon Harris battled for control of the puck at her own blue line. Once getting it under control, she sent the puck off the boards to Kaitlynn Pickard. On a breakaway, Kaitlynn made a nice deke on the goalie and slipped the puck into the right corner of the net. Alyssa worked hard to bottle up Chatham in their own end and then in a scramble in front of the net she was able to jam the puck in. The assist went to Tara Tiessen. This capped off the scoring and the 3-0 shutout went to Courtney Jeffery.

The Southpoint Naples Pizza Bantam Stars welcomed the LaSalle Sabre Cats to the Highbury Rink on Sunday afternoon. The Lady Stars battled hard and played great for two periods, at which time the game was scoreless. Early in the third, LaSalle exploded with three goals in the span of two minutes and that is all it would take as the Sabre Cats won this contest 3-0.

The Leamington Kinsmen Southpoint Intermediate Stars battled a tough undefeated Windsor Wildcat team in Essex Kent playoff action. This was a very exciting, fast-paced game that saw both teams deadlocked at two goals apiece until the 5-minute mark of the third period when the Wildcats scored the eventual game winner.

The Wildcats scored again with a minute and a half remaining in the game to win 4-2. The Lady Stars had several breakaways and point blank scoring opportunities but only lit the lamp twice. Kayla Collison and Captain Lea Marshall scored for the Kinsmen Stars. Erica Taylor made several key saves throughout the game.

Close game for Sunbrite Peewees

Sunbrite Peewees played Kent Cobras Red at home this weekend. They took an early lead when Massimo West took a nice pass from Ben Morin and Dawson Collison to score the first goal for Sunbrite. Just minutes later, Kent scored two goals to take the lead.

Second period showed a lot of action but was scoreless. Nick Baeini showed his excellent goaltending skills to keep Sunbrite in the game.

Finally, as the third period started, Marcus Stanley and Malcolm Klassen passed to Tyler Swaddling who scored another goal for Sunbrite to tie the game. As the third came to a close, Kent scored another goal to take the lead. The game ended in a 3-2 loss for Sunbrite.

K’ville Kings: 3 home games before playoffs

The Kingsville Kings have three home games left before they start the playoffs. The team’s record is 35 and 2 as they go into the weekend hosting two home games, facing the Komoka Dragons Fri. Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. and the London Lakers Sun. Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. The last home game is Fri. Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. when the Kings face the Norfolk Vikings.

Game passes must be used during the regular season games. Also, season ticket passes are not valid for playoff games.

Rhine Danube bowling scores

The following are the Rhine Danube bowling league scores for Jan. 18.

Games Over 200: Ozzie Wolf 211-213, Kevin Kosempel 205, Heinz Kosempel 237, Chris Kosempel 216-223-244, Willy Fittler 210, John Paliwoda 202, Manfred Dickau 206, Dan Dalimonte 211, Wayne Abbott 213, Jack Valade 212. Series Over 550: Ozzie Wolf 591, Kevin Kosempel 591, Heinz Kosempel 609, Chris Kosempel 683, Willy Fittler 558, John Paliwoda 557, Dan Dalimonte 562.

High Handicap Games: John Paliwoda 280, Chris Kosempel 271, Wayne Abbott 270.

High Handicap Series: John Paliwoda 791, Jamie Arquette 777, Chris Kosempel 764.

Standings: Fittler Farms 21, Weil’s Food 19, Dickau Construction 12, Del Fresco 12, Taki’s 11, Rhine Danube 9.

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Father and son time for Prouts

By Pat Bailey

It was a flashback of sorts – on a much grander scale. The good old days of packing up a car or boarding a bus for hockey tournaments across the province conjure up visions of father/son bonding time and the unmistakable odour of hockey in all its glory.

Times have changed for the Prout family though.

When Paul Prout headed out on Jan. 20 for a little father/son time, there was no packing his son’s bag, no packing snacks for a long car ride, no air fresheners necessary to try and mask the stench emanating out of the hockey bags.

Instead, Paul only had to worry about what he’d like to eat or drink, the rest was taken care of by the Columbus Bluejackets organization.

His son Dalton is now 25, and a defenseman for the Columbus Bluejackets for the past three years.

And after returning from his second father/son trip which began in Columbus on Jan. 20, Paul was still recovering from a little quality time with his son, travel and an overabundance of food and drink.

“I feel like I won the lottery,” said Paul of his NHL experience.

He said a group of 14 proud fathers descended on Nationwide Arena on Jan. 21 to experience what their sons’ hectic schedule includes.

For Paul, it was a chance to step into his son’s skates for a glimpse into the life of a professional athlete. And what Paul found out – he never has to worry about Dalton going hungry or becoming dehydrated.

Paul said the amount of food, fresh fruit, snacks, water, Gatorade and juices is staggering. He said every time he turned around, there was an offer of food or drinks.

While many may think the life of a professional hockey player is all fun and games, Paul said he certainly couldn’t

keep up with the schedule, between the practices, games and the travel.

He admitted the Bluejackets try to make life as easy as possible for team members, but said it’s still exhausting.

“We did everything the boys did,” said Paul, not including the actual physical activity. He said they got up and were at the rink by 8 a.m. for breakfast, which included virtually any breakfast food he could imagine.

Paul said the players then had a workout, while the fathers introduced themselves and ‘broke the ice’. He said the group of dads included one from Russia, two from Sweden, Americans and Canadians from coast to coast, and a familiar face in Spitfires’ GM Warren Rychel, whose son Kerby is Dalton’s teammate.

While some of the fathers may have felt a little out of place, it was old home week for Paul.

Blessed not only with his son’s hard work and family’s sacrifices paying off with an NHL contract for Dalton, Paul said he was lucky enough to land in a city close enough to his hometown of Kingsville to make the trip fairly regularly.

“It’s awesome,” he said.

A familiar face around the arena, Paul said he has been made to feel like a member of the Bluejackets family. And that has certainly paid off.

He said parking in the players’ lot, being offered accommodations on his visits to Columbus with friends he met at the games and the personal greetings from Bluejackets’ personnel certainly make for a welcoming atmosphere when they do make the trip.

It wasn’t all food and drinks though; the fathers also laced up their skates and took on the area first responders in a little charity game on Thursday.

According to the Bluejackets’ website, Paul’s shot was already legendary around the Bluejackets’ dressing room.

“Paul Prout plays a very simple game, there’s not much to it,” the story said, “but man he can shoot the puck.”

“I remember watching him play when I was a kid,” they quoted Dalton as saying, “he’d wind up and goalies would get out of the way.”

Paul admits he’s a little rusty, but said it was fun.

Once the physically demanding part of the trip was over, Paul was able to sit back and enjoy the chance to see another side of the NHL experience – the practices, the workouts and the inside of the cockpit of the Bluejackets’ private plane.

He said unfortunately they saw the Bluejackets suffer a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames Thursday night, but said he got to have a little visit with an old opponent and later teammate of Dalton’s, the Flames’ T.J. Brodie and his dad.

Not only were the two sons opponents, the fathers also squared off against each other in ball.

The next day, they were ushered through security before boarding the private plane and heading to Boston. Paul said they were scanned before boarding the plane and then had to walk a very short distance to board. On board, Paul said more food and drinks were offered in the luxurious confines of the plane.

After arriving, Paul said a bus picked them up and transported them to the front door of a beautiful hotel.

“Not one I could ever afford,” he joked. They later enjoyed an authentic Italian dinner in Little Italy and then found the time to visit the famous Cheers bar.

On game day, Paul said he watched both teams practice at Boston Gardens, then took in the game in a specially reserved suite for the fathers. While the Bluejackets lost 3-2 in a shootout, Dalton did give his dad something to cheer about – scoring his first goal of the season.

The loss was followed by a late night flight back to Columbus, arriving at Dalton’s apartment about 3 a.m.

Sunday was simply spent with father and son relaxing and watching football together, like the old days.

Paul decided to stay over for a game against the Montreal Canadiens Monday, which they won 5-2, before a late night drive home, while Dalton boarded the plane for a backto-back game in Montreal.

He admits it was an exhausting long weekend, and said he learned that “I just can’t keep up anymore,” he laughed.

While he was in awe of the luxury of the dressing room and the plane, “the best part though, getting a chance to see my son living his dream”.

The fathers weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the weekend though.

“This trip is such a blast for him and for all of us,” Dalton was quoted as saying.

Novice Blue wins 5-2

ice Team Blue opened up their post season play versus Southpoint Team Grey. It was a great end-to-end game with both goaltenders making a difference in keeping their teams in this game.

Andrew Demante was between the pipes for the Blue Team and Megan Derbyshire for Grey Team. Scoring for Team Blue was Matteo Pereira, Mateo Santos, Nathan Omar and Dayne Di Milo (2) to end the game in a 5-2 victory for Blue. Assists were by Dayne Di

and Chase Simpson.

The defense core of this Blue team

job and consists of

job working hard on forward.

for the week with an undisclosed injury.

County Bridge Results

Milo (2)

is really doing a great

Hayden Epplett, Chase Simpson, Carson Koehler and Matteo Pereira. Dylan Marchand, Cohen Kimball, Mason Dault and Rowen Arthurs are all doing a great

Lucas Grilo is expected to be out

Paul (left) and Dalton Prout in the cockpit of the Columbus Bluejackets’ private plane. (Submitted photos) Above - Fathers and sons gathered following an outdoor practice Friday (Jan. 22) before heading to a game in Boston. Right - Father and son, Paul and Dalton Prout, in the Columbus Bluejackets dressing room.

Leamington Half Century Centre, Jan. 25: North/South1st Al Morrison and Derek Parry, 2nd Helen Preyde and Nina Towle, 3rd Henry Hildebrandt and Jack Warmenhoven. East/ West - 1st Joyce and Sandy Gammie, 2nd Sonia and Ernie Jackiw, 3rd Mame Nicholson and Dave Derbyshire. Bridge games are played each Monday at 12:45 p.m. Members and new members welcome.

Kingsville Bridge Club, Jan. 27: North/South - 1st Vi Major and Margaret Koeman, 2nd Marie Ellwood and Derek Parry, 3rd Joyce and Sandy Gammie. East/West - 1st Dave Derbyshire and Roger Cote, 2nd Bill Chaplin and Chris Brennan, 3rd Mary Strachan and Patricia Sandford. Bridge is every Wednesday at the Lions Hall in Kingsville, 7 p.m.

ERIE

APARTMENTS

137 Erie St. South 2 bedroom units available. 2nd & 3rd floor. 13th month free. Available immediately. Call Bob at 226-936-1676

LEAMINGTON

LAKEFRONT

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

• library and social rooms

SERVICES FOR RENT

280 Sherk St. Leamington

• 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments.

• Renovated, convenient location, near shopping, sports complex and Seacliff Park.

• Secure entry and

CAMELOT SHIRES APARTMENTS

Amenities include:

• 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

FIORE TOWER

Newly Renovated 2 bedroom apartments available now. Walk-to shopping. Walk-in pantry, utilities included, on-site manager, secure building, laundry, elevator, party room. Call 519-326-4622

Beautiful, secure building in a good location. 1 bedroom available. Utilities and parking included. Call Georgina 519-322-9526 We speak Spanish and English.

COMING UP

KINGSVILLE LEGION BRANCH 188 Friday Night Dinners 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Weekly Specials $14 (Ribs or Perch). Other weekly menu items $12. Karaoke every 3rd Saturday of the month 8:00 p.m. 519-7335162 (office) or 519-7339081 (bar). ja6-tf

ANNUAL PANCAKE & SAUSAGE SUPPERTuesday, February 9 from 4:00 to 6.30 p.m. The Church of the Epiphany, 96 Main Street West, Kingsville. Adults $5, children 6-10 $2, children 5 and under - free. Take-out available. ja27-fe3

PANCAKE & SAUSAGE SUPPER - Tuesday, February 9 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at St. John's Anglican Church, 60 Erie Street North, Leamington. Adults $5.00; children (6-10 years) $2.50. ja27-fe3

INCOME TAX - Confidential preparation of Personal, Farm and Senior Returns. Pick up and delivery available. E-file or regular filing. Over 35 years experience. Call Tim Mousseau at 519975-2414 or toll-free at 1855-975-2414. fe3-ap13

ELECTRICAL WIRING REPAIRS, etc. by licensed electrician. Small jobs welcome. Call 519-326-7900 anytime. ja20-fe10

CALL KAHL RECYCLINGWe come to you and haul away your junk. Scrap metal and appliances are free. Everything else has a fee. Call Ken 519-322-8305, 519-326-8559. ja14-tf

Heights

400 Oak St. E., Leamington GREAT 2 bdrms, UTIL INCL! COME SEE! Social room w/events, pkg, secure entry, on-site mgmt. CALL TODAY! 519-324-9610 realstar.ca

FARMS FOR SALE

LADIES! YOU ARE INVITED to a dinner evening at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, Monday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $18. Our inspirational speaker and singer is Donna Fawcett, St. Mary's, Ont. with her topic "Life Is a Story". Our special feature is Dana Romualdi with her book "Magic Kisses". Please make your reservation with Sharon at 519-326-0421 by Friday, February 5th. Presented by Leamington After 5 and RSVP Ministries (formerly Stonecroft Canada) Check us out at www.rsvpministries.com. fe3

J J STITCHING - SEWING, alterations, and repairs. Pants shortened $8.50 plus tax. (Some exceptions may apply such as lined pants). If your clothing is too tight or too baggy, give me a call to see if it can be altered. Call Jean at 519-968-2261. 14 Johnson Avenue, Leamington. jjstitching@gmail.com ja13-jn29

PRINTING: BUSINESS ENVELOPES,invoices, flyers, business cards, custom print jobs, whatever your printing needs, call Jim at The Sounthpoint Sun for quick and economical service, 519-398-9098. tf

FARM FOR SALE BY TENDER

natural gas (high pressure line) and 24’’ water main. Tiled every 2 rods (clay and plastic). Potential for Greenhouse Development

Anyone interested in submitting a bid should contact the undersigned as per the contact information provided below to obtain a tender package as to further information, terms and conditions. Failure to submit a bid in accordance with the tender package m ay result in such bid being disqualified.

and

and

not later than 4:30 P.M. on

17, 2016. The

reserves the right to reject any bid and the highest bid may not necessarily be accepted.

LOST

Male Siamese Cat, chocolate point. Lost near Talbot Street East and Victoria Street in Leamington on December 24, 2015. Call Leamington Vet Clinic at 519-326-8343. ja6-ap6

LOST - REWARD - LARGE

Bayshore Home Health is Hiring PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKERS AND RN’S FOR HOSPICE CARE Fundamentals of Palliative Care certificate required

Please send resume to: cteskey@bayshore.ca

NOW HIRING: GENERAL LABOURER

• Farm or greenhouse work experience an asset

• Picking, clipping, de-leafing, etc. lifting 30-50 lbs

Depending on seasonality, hours vary daily, 6 days per week

Ability to work independently and be part of a team. Wage: $11.25 per hour

Contact: Mastron-hr@sunsetgrown.com

NOW HIRING: GREENHOUSE SUPERVISOR

51 Acre Tomato and Pepper Farm

• Supervision and motivation of greenhouse labourers

• Assist Labour Manager with day to day activities.

• Salary dependent on experience

• Full time, permanent

Contact: Mastron-hr@sunsetgrown.com

PART TIME SCHOOL AIDES NEEDED AT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

Are you friendly, approachable and young at heart? ... If so, we need you!

The Leamington/Kingsville/Cottam area

Public schools of the GECDSB require supervision of students during their nutrition/recess break(s). Times or schools can vary; we will work with your schedule. MATURE candidates welcome.

Please note candidates must obtain police and TB clearance.

Pay Rate: $11.69/ hour + 4% vacation pay

If interested, please email: ptsa@prostaffworks.ca or call Cathy at: 519-250-9403 (between 2-5 pm)

We are currently seeking a

PART TIME STOCK CLERK

• Available for approximately 2 shifts per week, mainly evenings and weekends.

• Very heavy lifting involved.

• Ideally suited for student or person who is physically strong, very reliable and enjoys working with people.

Please apply in person with resume by Friday, February 12, indicating you are applying for the position of part time stock clerk.

Graydon Walling, store manager

288 Erie Street South, Leamington

IZA DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING is hiring! Looking for Welders, Machine Operators and Industrial Painters! Send resumes to ccocks@izadm.com or apply within at 1960 Road 3 E., Ruthven ja13-fe10

NOW HIRING - GENERAL LABOURER.Must have greenhouse work experience. Duties include: picking, clipping, de-leafing, packing, etc. for tomato crop. Standing for extended periods, bending, crouching and must be able to lift 30 lbs. 6 days per week - daily hours vary. Wage: $12 per hour. Reply by email to ridgefarms@sympatico.ca ja20-fe3

DINIRO FARMS NEEDS full time greenhouse general labourers. $11.25/hour, 45+ hours, 7 days/week. Must be available Saturday and Sunday. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds on a repetitive basis. Please apply via email to: dinirofarms@wavedirect.net.

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Armstrong Top Pack Ltd. is hiring 50 permanent, full time vegetable packers for its Leamington location to start as soon as possible. The wage rate is $11.00 for 44.0 hours per week. You should be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on a repetitive basis and be able to sort and pack fruits and vegetables in a fast paced environment.

No education or experience is required. Apply in person from 9:00 to 5:00 at 500 County Road 18, Leamington, N8H3V5 or by email jobs@toppack.ca

STUDENT BABYSITTER NEEDED - own transportation a must. Very early Saturday mornings 5:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.; possible other shifts as needed. References required. Call 519-324-2134 or email kpg2471@yahoo.ca. ja27-fe3

MECHANIC Licensed 313A or 313D SHEET

Licensed 308A (Registered with OCOT)

Full Time, Benefits Available Prefer resume to be dropped off at: 238 Talbot St. W., Leamington, ON Resume must include school transcript, references and MVR (motor vehicle report) Alternatively - send to: 519-326-3632 Fax or grossi@grossiplumbing.ca

2021 Division Road North Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9 519-733-2305 www.kingsville.ca kingsvilleworks@kingsville.ca

Town of Kingsville - Town Planner

The Town of Kingsville is seeking an experienced and energetic individual to become a key member of our planning team in the beautiful, historic and picturesque Town of Kingsville. We are located on the shores of Lake Erie, in the southernmost region of Canada. The Town of Kingsville has a population of 21,500, comprising of the Town urban center, the Village of Cottam and Hamlet of Ruthven. Kingsville is advantageously situated close to the international border and major urban centres.

The Planner will be responsible for providing administration and processing of planning applications (minor variances, consents, zoning by-law amendments, subdivisions and Official Plan amendments).

The Planner shall have obtained a University Degree in Land-Use Planning and be a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. A minimum of two years of experience as a Municipal Planner will be considered an asset.

A complete description of the Town Planner duties is available on the Town of Kingsville website www.kingsville.ca. Applicants shall complete the “Career Profile” application form which is provided online.

The Town of Kingsville offers an attractive and competitive benefit package. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.

Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume including the completed Career Profile, marked “Private & Confidential” by regular mail, personal delivery, courier or email to:

Human Resources Department Town of Kingsville 2021 Division Road North Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9

E-mail: alonsbery@kingsville.ca

The above package must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016.

With intentions of keeping a firm grip on first place, the Leamington Flyers aren’t doing many favours for the teams battling for second.

Leamington hosted the Chatham Maroons Thursday, Jan. 28 in a match up between the West’s two most penalized teams and skated away to a 5-2 victory for their 16th win in the last 17 games. The loss kept the Maroons one point behind the second-place London Nationals.

The first period was a chippy one, with both teams keeping their respective penalty boxes occupied for much of the opening 20 minutes. The Flyers wasted little time in starting the scoring, as Liam Hogan wired a snap shot from between and just beyond the inner hash marks to beat Maroons’ goalie Parker Butler at just above ice level. Hogan took a drop pass from Luke Sanko, who had just taken a feed from Derek Elliott to make it 1-0 after 40 seconds.

The Maroons drew even on their first of several power plays when Connor Koviak beat Tyler Wall from close range with heavy traffic in front of the Leamington net.

The Flyers took 19 penalty minutes plus misconducts through the opening frame while the Maroons were assessed 17 minutes plus misconducts. Chatham outshot their hosts 15-10 to start the second period.

goals back on a Delcan Conway effort, wristing a shot off one of Wall’s posts before the puck bounced over the goal line.

The teams played the final two-anda-half minutes of the second after the pane of glass was re-secured and an early second-intermission flooding of the ice took place. About nine minutes after changing ends, Sanko buried a rebound from an Urbanic shot for his second goal and third point of the night. Elliott also assisted to garner his third point of the match. Scoring ended during a Leamington power play with just over three minutes remaining. A Mitch Crevatin wrist shot from the point was redirected on its way to the net to hit the mesh of Butler’s net at about waist height. Langlois drew the only assist.

Both teams calmed down on the penalty front for the second period, which ran far more fluently until a pane of glass on the penalty box side of the rink was knocked loose with 3:25 remaining. Earlier in the second frame, Leamington took another lead with just under three minutes expired from the clock as Nicolas Mainella sent Luke Sanko and Zach Guilbeault on a two-man rush. Guilbeault took the puck to the left side of the net before passing it back to Sanko, who one-timed a laser past Butler.

Derek Elliott added to the Flyers’ lead by catching Butler off guard with a right to left wrap around, sending the puck over the goal line on the backhand after taking helpers from Aaron Langlois and Joe Urbanic. Chatham got one of the

FLYERS SOAR ABOVE M’S

BY BRYAN JESSOP

The Flyers outshot the Maroons 43-29 and went one for four on the power play while Chatham managed one for seven.

“We played good at times and not so good at other times,” said Flyers head coach Tony Piroski. “We’ll take it (the win). We found a way to win.”

The Flyers bolstered their offense by acquiring Mark Manchurek on Wednesday. Manchurek played for the LaSalle Vipers last season after spending time with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires.

The Tecumseh native was the GOJHL’s Western Confernece top rookie scorer for 2013-14 and is expected to join the Flyers in one to two weeks while he tends to a ligament injury in one of his legs.

“We’ll give him enough time to be where he needs to be,” said Piroski. “He’ll be a big addition for us, but we don’t want to rush him. We’ll play it by ear.”

Thursday’s win over the Maroons was the second for the Flyers in five days. Leamington also posted a 3-1 win over the Nationals in London on Wednesday night, keeping the second- and thirdplace teams at arm’s length in the Western standings.

“We battled hard tonight,” Sanko said following the 5-2 win over the Maroons.

“With guys out of the lineup (Mitch Amante, Cale Phibbs and Scott Emerson), everyone stepped up — it feels great to get the two points. My line with Elliott and Hogan was really clicking. We were finding each other on the open ice.”

On January 27 in London, Thomas Virban opened the scoring at about the midway point of the first period. Matt Doty evened the score for the Nats on the power play, but Mark Gangnon replied with the game winner — also on a power play — for the only tally of the second period. Colin Moore added an empty net goal in the final minute of the third stanza.

The Flyers outshot their hosts 31-28 and went one for four on the power play while London went one for six. Michael Barrett earned the win in goal.

Rest of the West

The London Nationals

handed a 7-2 loss to the Lambton Shores Predators Tuesday, Jan. 26. In the race for fourth, the St. Thomas Stars won a 10-8 scoring fest against the LaSalle Vipers on Wednesday. The Sarnia Legionnaires won 6-3 agianst the St. Marys Lincolns on Thursday, prior to a 4-2 win for St. Thomas over Lambton Shores on Friday. Also that evening, the Lincolns defeated the Strathroy Rockets 4-0 to create a four-point cushion in the race for the last playoff spot. Sarnia won 6-4 in Lambton Shores on Saturday while London handed a 6-4 loss to Strathroy. On Sunday, LaSalle nipped Chatham 5-4 as Sarnia defeated Strathroy 4-3.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES: Thu., Feb. 4 vs. London, 7:10 p.m. Thu., Feb. 11 vs. St. Marys, 7:10 p.m.

UPCOMING AWAY GAMES: Sat., Feb. 6 vs. Sarnia, 7:10 p.m. Wed., Feb. 10 vs. London, 7:30 p.m.

Zack Guilbeault of the Flyers drops a pass back as he approaches the side of Chatham goalie

Parker Butler’s net during the second period of a Thursday, Jan. 28 tilt at Highbury Canco Arena. The pass went to Luke Sanko, who buried the puck for one of his two goals to support his team’s 5-2 win against the Maroons. (Sun photo)

Flyers defenseman Zak Parlette congratulates goaltender Tyler Wall for the win after the thirdperiod buzzer. (Sun photo)

Joe Urbanic of the Flyers approaches the side of the Chatham net from behind the goal line after pulling the puck out of a crowd of players along the boards. (Sun photo)