Two Row Times, October 30, 2024 by Two Row Times

MCFN celebrates grand re-opening of old council house

DONNA DURIC

donna@tworowtimes.com

TWO ROW TIMES

The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation celebrated the grand re-opening of the old council house last Friday.

Originally built in 1882, the council house has served as a vital seat of Anishinaabe governance in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region and has been a gathering point for the MCFN community for over a century.

The building, modeled on a standard brick and clapboard structure, has witnessed countless significant moments in MCFN history.

In the 1970s, the council house underwent major renovations, including the installation of energy-efficient windows, carpeting, and a new heating system.

These updates have allowed it to continue serving residents in various capacities, from a community centre and schoolhouse to a concert hall and even a factory for burlap upholstery.

The restoration of the Old Council House underscores the MCFN’s commitment to preserving Anishinaabe language, history, and culture.

The revitalized space will serve as a place to repatriate artifacts, welcome band members who have never visited their ancestral land and restore Anishinaabe governance to its historic location.

This restoration was made possible through the support of the Government of Canada via the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with funding from the MCFN Community Trust and the Ontario Trillium

Foundation.

MCFN says those contributions will ensure that the council house will continue to serve the community for another 100 years.

“The Council House holds profound historical significance as it symbolizes the inaugural elected leadership of our Nation under the Indian Act framework. In assessing our contemporary buildings, it is essential to honor the historical contributions of our ancestors who laid the groundwork during the formative years of our governance,” said Chief Claire Sault. “Furthermore, we must recognize the leadership demonstrated by successive elected Councils, which has guided us up to this point and time today.”

“Support for the restoration of the Council House goes far beyond the physical renovation of a building. The Council House will

serve as an important place to preserve, honour and celebrate Anishinaabe language, history and culture,” said the Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). "The Government of Canada is pleased to have supported these restoration efforts so the Council House can continue to serve the community.”

“Congratulations to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on this significant milestone,” said Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Parkdale-High Park. “The restored Council House will support the preservation and teaching of Anishinaabe history and culture for not only our children but our grandchildren and generations beyond.”

Dreamcatcher Foundation celebrates Indigenous trailblazers at Gala

The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation

(DCF) celebrated Indigenous trailblazers at the MontHill Golf & Country Club on October 24, when it held its 18th annual Dreamcatcher Foundation Gala.

DCF said the gala, which welcomes celebrities, entertainers, sponsors, and DCF supporters, anticipated more than 450 people at the sell-out event and that 100 per cent of the event proceeds go directly towards supporting the aspirations and dreams of Indigenous youth.

“We recognize it takes meaningful community engagement to offer our youth the support and resources necessary to build thriving communities,” reads DCF’s website.

Indigenous culture was showcased at the event with a performance by Six Nations Women Singers, Fawn Wood and Notorious Cree James Jones. Followed by honouring some of the 2024 Dreamcatcher

Award recipients.

“During the gala, we honour Dreamcatcher Award recipients who have accomplished incredible achievements in the sectors we fund,” said DCF.

Hockey player Jordan Nolan, actress Jessica Matten, health and wellness coach Shayla Oulette Stonechild, Curt Styres and Phil Monture, were honoured for their accomplishments in the sectors funded by the charity.

The sectors include Land and Water, Wellness and Education, Arts and Culture. An award is also presented every year to a deserving individual for a Lifetime Achievement.

DCF has funded brighter futures for youth in more than 140 Indigenous communities since 2004. As one of Canada’s leading Indigenous charitable foundations, DCF is dedicated to provid-

ing talented, passionate and energetic youth the support they need today, to become tomorrow’s community leaders.

DCF is a non-profit charitable organization created to assist Indigenous people with their present goals and future endeavours. Its mission is to fundraise and acquire donations to financially assist Indigenous communities.

Seeing Red, an Indigenous-owned media company based on Six

Nations of the Grand River Territory, celebrated alongside other supporters at the event.

“We celebrated the 18th Annual Dreamcatcher Gala. This year’s awards and gala ceremony took place at the MontHill Golf & Country Club and honoured the incredible achievements of outstanding Indigenous individuals in their fields, while simultaneously giving back to Indigenous youth,” said Seeing Red on social media. “With inspiring

stories, live entertainment, and heartfelt community spirit, we came together to support a brighter future. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to our mission.”

By focusing on families and their children, DCF provides access to programs they may otherwise not be able to afford. These programs help youth develop into healthy thinkers, creators, and leaders.

Re-opening of the Golden Spoon Kitchen

Free meal for Seniors on November 6th from 2-6 at the Family and Youth Centre 1527 Fourth Line Rd. A variety of meal choices available. Please come out and see our new kitchen which will enable us to feed more of the community.

We would like to thank SN Council, Community Development Corp, GRE for supporting our growth. We would also like to Thank Community members for their time, donation of Foods and monetary donations to make this all possible.

Stevie Salas (left) joined Mark McGraff (middle-left) of Sugar Ray on stage at the 2024 Dream catcher Gala. Jonathan Garlow and Odell Alexander (right) of local band Vampire Duwop celebrated the release of their new EP. ALEXANDER

Bryan Porter is the main visionary behind Seeing Red and he shared his heart for the betterment of Indigenous people and outreach to the dispossessed the marginalized. Hockey player

Jordan Nolan, actress Jessica Matten, health and wellness coach

Shayla Oulette Stonechild, Curt Styres and Phil Monture, were honoured for their accomplishments in the sectors funded by the charity.

DREAMCATCHER

The beautiful natural scenery along the Niagara Escarpment belies a grim reality in Hamilton, Ontario.

It's the setting of many a run and hike for me and the residents of Hamilton and surrounding areas.

It's also now home to a myriad of pop-up homeless encampments, which have exploded in popularity in urban centres across North America in the past decade.

I went for a run along this path, known as the escarpment rail trail, this past Sunday.

Homeless encampments, addictions and homelessness in general is a hot button issue in every major city and neighbourhood group on social media these days.

During my run on Sunday, I passed a few encampments and nearing the bottom of the trail, close to the Wentworth steps, I saw a homeless man at the bottom of the trail.

He was leaning up against a wooden railing.

At first mistaking it for a cigarette, I saw what was a small, cylindrical glass pipe in his hand as he turned around, saw me, and quickly moved it from his mouth and shoved it in his pocket.

Me, being the completely open and gregarious person that I am, wanted to chat with him, so I stopped and said, "hey, it's okay, I don't care about the pipe."

I was sweating and a bit out of breath, looking like a regular jogger on a beautiful and sunny

The humanity of homelessness and addiction

15-degree fall afternoon.

He was immediately on guard.

He thought I was an undercover cop. I assured him in my very sweaty and out of breath demeanour that I was far from being a police officer and that I just felt awful for the judgment homeless people with addictions receive.

I’ll call him “Shane” to protect his identity.

He was 45, I learned. Same age as I am, I told him with a smile.

Finding some common ground, the conversation was easy from there.

I later learned he was from a Miqmaq First Nation on the east coast.

Like many people, he assumed I was Indigenous, too, when I told him I worked for a newspaper on the Six Nations territory but I told him, no, I was a non-Indigenous woman who just happened to work on Six Nations.

Thinking back to his age, my mind quickly pondered what his 45 years were like compared to my 45 years on earth.

Why was he on a trail, with no home, addicted to fentanyl, and I wasn’t?

It’s a question that has plagued my philosophical mind for years.

I’ve had a ton of trauma.

Hell, we all have.

Mine will remain private for now but I often feel as though it has made me have intense compassion and understanding for those who do turn to drugs to self-medicate. But I digress. Chatting with Shane was easy on that gorgeous, sunny afternoon.

He wasn’t exactly high but he said he had enough fentanyl in his system at the time we were talking

to feel relaxed and relieved of any pain.

Pain relief is the only reason he even does fentanyl anymore, he said.

His tolerance has grown so strong, he doesn’t even get high anymore.

He uses it for maintenance.

Shane looked relatively put-together for a substance user without a home. Although his eyes and cheeks were sunken and his complexion was sallow, he was alert, logical and lucid as we started to chat. He told me he lived in an encampment just up the path behind some trees with his girlfriend.

She goes to work and they even have a generator at their camp - which helps whenever they need electricity.

But back to the drug use.

I don’t want to sound condescending, but I am completely clueless when it comes to homelessness, addiction and what drug use looks like.

My intensely curious and sometimes rude, nosy self started probing for answers as politely as I could: what drug do you take? I asked. What do you use to take it? How much does it cost?

He gave me a sly look and wry half smile as he pulled out his glass tube and a piece of tin foil.

I’ve only seen drug use in movies.

I asked, “how does it work? Is it something you melt on that foil and inhale the smoke? Is it a powder?”

He said the fentanyl he smokes comes in a hard rock form, which - yes, melts on the foil - and he inhales the smoke through the pipe.

Fentanyl, by the way, is an opioid said to be 100 times more potent than morphine, an opioid.

Opioids are painkillers. The natural forms are derived from the opium poppy and the euphoric effects from opium have been documented for thousands of years.

It blocks pain signals in the body. For some, a pleasant euphoria is felt with opioids.

Some have described it as being wrapped in a warm blanket and getting that wonderful, comforting, loving hug from mom that millions of humans suffering from long-term trauma never got.

Dr. Gabor Mate, the world’s foremost expert in trauma and addictions, has said that addiction is rooted in trauma and has described opioid effects in a similar manner - like being wrapped in a warm blanket. The world finally feels safe and secure. The warm, secure hug you’ve been craving your whole life has finally arrived.

It’s self-medicating and self-soothing. You’re at peace.

Shane said his mother had been “feeding” him drugs since he was eight years old. Around that age, he said, she began giving him a myriad of drugs to calm him down, when he was sick, etc. He said due to that, he’s been an addict his whole life.

It was up until last year that he said he was a functioning addict with a a home, a partner and children.

His addiction became too much for his ex-partner to handle and he’s been homeless since.

Shane admits there is nothing that can be done for him until he wants to

stop. And he’s not ready.

He’s been to therapists but he’s not ready to quit, he said.

In the meantime, he’s just riding life out day by day.

Shane says he does not steal to support his habit but he didn’t elaborate how he did support his habit.

He did say that street drugs are cheaper than prescription drugs.

Painkilling pills like oxycontin and Percocet used to cost him $200 a day to support his opioid addiction.

Fentanyl is actually cheaper than continuing to take prescription drugs.

If your doctor cuts you off, you can get a cheaper and more potent high off the streets. That’s right.

A street drug that is infinitely more dangerous than a prescription drug is cheaper.

And people are dying every day from fentanyl overdoses.

Shane is sure he won’t overdose. His tolerance is too high for any dose, he says. He’s “nodded off” a number of times, and once, his heart even stopped for a few minutes.

But the pain from withdrawal is not worth quitting right now, he said.

Shane said he knows people in the city are sick of encampments, sick of having their things stolen to feed addictions, sick of seeing messes by the sides of roads and parks - but he says he never makes a mess and is ashamed they’re all judged the same way.

Before I knew it, almost an hour passed by during our long chat.

I was starting to get a chill from the sweat on my running clothes and I felt

Shane was getting a bit edgy and maybe wanted to take another hit but not in front of me.

I told him to take care of himself and be careful - and that I better not read about him being a goner from an overdose of fentanyl.

He said that wouldn’t happen. The only way he would be a goner would be from (making a gunshot gesture to his head) suicide.

My heart sank. I quietly said, “No. Don’t do that. Okay, you take care but remember, a lot of us in Hamilton see you as people. I hope things work out someday, somehow.”

“Well, thank you,” he said, grateful, but also with a cloak of shame, and he walked back towards the woods while I slowly picked up my pace and began running again. I can’t imagine living such a life. There is no way I will ever judge it.

Almost 6,000 people died from an opioid overdose last year in Canada. There were 199 suspected drug-related deaths in Hamilton in 2023. Indigenous people make up two percent of the population in Hamilton, yet roughly 23 percent of the homeless population, according to a 2021 PIT count - (point in time survey of homelessness).

Stay tuned to the Two Row Times for an upcoming series on addiction, homelessness and how both affect Indigenous people in disproportionate numbers, both on-reserve and in urban centres across the country.

DONNA DURIC donna@tworowtimes.com TWO ROW TIMES

THE HEALING CIRCLE

OPP police briefs

Two arrested for doorto-door sales/liens/mortgage fraud

TORONTO - Members of Ontario's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have arrested two more individuals following a criminal investigation linked to a door-to-door sales fraud which victimized over 200 people across Ontario. In this fraud scheme, salespeople attended the homes of older adults and vulnerable people to initiate frauds where victims unknowingly entered into home service and/or renovation agreements at exorbitant prices. Many victims believed they were getting services/installations and renovations for free through government grants or rebates.

Organizers of this fraud then used the fake agreements to register Notice of Security Interest's (NOSIs) against victims' homes without their knowledge. Later, these NOSIs were paid off to the benefit of the organizers using fraudulent, high-interest mortgages against the victims' homes. In many cases, this fraud left the victims in

financial peril; and in some cases, forced the victims to sell their homes.

As a result of the investigation, police charged two individuals under the Criminal Code:

Austin ACHESON, age 29, of Woodbridge, has been charged with: Fraud Over $5000 - two counts. Danielle HARRISON, age 39, of Mississauga, has been charged with: Fraud Over $5000 - three counts, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.

The accused were arrested on October 15 and 17, 2024 and were subsequently released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto in November.

OPP looking to identify vehicle involved in motor vehicle theft

HALDIMAND COUNTY - Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify a vehicle and occupants involved in a motor vehicle theft.

On October 25, 2024, at approximately 7:30 a.m.,

the Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a motor vehicle theft from a Lise Lane, Caledonia address.

The investigation determined that earlier that morning, between 2:50 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., two or more unidentified individuals attended the address and stole a motor vehicle that was parked, secure on the driveway.

It is believed that the involved people utilized an electronic device to capture the unique signal from the key fob from the exterior of the home, to start the vehicle.

Investigators reviewed video surveillance and observed what appears to be a newer model white Honda Civic with a rear spoiler stop in front of the home and leave with the stolen vehicle simultaneously. The stolen vehicle has been recovered.

The OPP is asking anyone who may have security video in the area or has any information about the Honda Civic or its occupants, to call 1-888-310-1122.

Safe trick-or-treating tips

JACE KOBLUN jace@tworowtimes.com

Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats.

Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children’s Safety Network warns that it’s also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween, with two times as many child pedestrians dying on Halloween compared to other days. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help. Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.

Trick-or-treat in groups.

Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.

Improve visibility. It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.

Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trickor-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighbourhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful. Eat before trick-ortreating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating

can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.

Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.

Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.

Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.

These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this year.

ROLLING LANE CLOSURES

October 28th - November 20th

The image of a menacing yet somewhat alluring man with canines piercing the neck of an unsuspecting victim has been circulating for more than 100 years and is believed to have

The story of Count Dracula

evolved from ancient Romanian folklore.

Count Dracula, a mythical, blood-sucking undead creature, is based on a very real individual who has a unique place in Romanian history. Vlad Dracula, nicknamed Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler, was the ruler of Wallachia in the mid-1400s. He hailed from

Sighisoara in Transylvania, but spent most of his adult life in southern Romania, according to Romania Tourism.

Dracula translates to Son of Dracul, meaning dragon or devil. Vlad the Impaler was the second legitimate son of Dracul and is one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history as

well as a national hero in Romania. Vlad plundered Transylvanian Saxon villages that supported his opponents and took captured people back to his home where he had them impaled.

Despite his brutal military strategy, there is no evidence that Vlad the Impaler had any ties

to the supernatural. That connection is due in large part to the 1897 novel Dracula penned by Irish author Bram Stoker, which inspired the vampire trope. Having never travelled to Romania himself, Stoker evoked authority by including many real locations in the country in his work.

The book’s narrative was built around letters, diary entries and newspaper articles so that readers could very well believe that Vlad the Impaler truly was condemned to live off the blood of the living for all eternity.

“Dracula” helped pave the way for more Dracula adaptations, including the 1922 film “Nosferatu,” which is the Romanian word for vampire.

This, combined with the dense, dark ancient forests of Transylvania, and the fact that Romania Tourism says that Transylvania sits on one of the Earth’s strongest magnetic fields, help add to the mystery surrounding this area of the world and the possibility that there really could be an undead predator feeding on the living.

Depending on the account, Dracula can shift his shape to a vampire bat or even mist. Additional accounts say that he will be burned by sunlight, although in Stoker’s version, he can move about during the day despite typically being nocturnal. Hollywood films helped solidify the persistent myths about Dracula over the years.

Count Dracula, a mythical, blood-sucking undead creature, is based on a real individual in Romanian history. FILE

Notice of Transition and Study Commencement

Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Class Environmental Assessment Study Intersection Improvements at Highway 6 and Eighth Line/Wellington Road 22, and Highway 6 and Second Line, Wellington County (GWP 3112-18-00 and GWP 3113-18-00)

THE PROJECT

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Egis (formerly McIntosh Perry) to undertake the Preliminary Design, Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for the Highway 6 intersection improvements within the Township of Guelph/Eramosa and Township of Centre Wellington, Wellington County.

THE PROCESS

This study was initiated as a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) but will be moving forward as a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024)

This notice is being issued to inform of study commencement, and to confirm that this project has transitioned to following the 2024 Class EA. Transitioning to the new Class EA process will improve the planning process of projects beyond the preliminary design stage, bringing MTO into alignment with best practices observed in other Class EA frameworks. Transitioning from the requirements of the 2000 Class EA to the 2024 Class EA reflects a commitment to optimizing the assessment process by removing redundancies and expediting project planning to facilitate a more streamlined implementation process. Commitments made during the preliminary design phase will be addressed as the project progresses through the design process. Design and construction information will continue to be published on the project website and opportunities for public consultation will be ongoing through preliminary design.

Please note that the transition to the 2024 Class EA is not anticipated to negatively impact project schedule or construction timelines.

Information on the project, including the process under the 2024 Class EA can be found at www.Highway6andwellingtonroadsecondline.com

At the end of the study, the project team will prepare a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) that describes how the requirements of the Class EA were met; how the project achieves the greatest overall transportation benefit while minimizing overall negative net environmental impacts; other key decisions; consultation with individuals, organizations, and Indigenous communities; and commitments for consultation and environmental protection.

THIS NOTICE ISSUED: OCTOBER 30TH, 2024

The project team will issue a Notice of Completion at which point there will be a 30-day comment period allowing for an opportunity to provide comments on the TESR. The project team will include comments received, responses to the comments and any supporting materials in a record of consultation.

COMMENTS

If you have any comments or questions about this notice, or have questions about the study, we respectfully request you to contact one of the following Project Team members:

Mr. Steven Pilgrim, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager Egis

516 O’Connor Drive, Unit 200 Kingston, ON K7P 1N3 tel: 343-344-2629 or Toll-free: 1-888-348-8991

e-mail: Highway6@mcintoshperry.com

Ms. Wendy Xu, P.Eng. MTO Project Manager Ministry of Transportation | West Region 3rd Flr, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3 tel: 548-588-1937

e-mail: Wendy.Xu@ontario.ca

You are encouraged to visit the project website, www.Highway6andwellingtonroadsecondline.com where project information including notice, background information, etc. can be found. You can also submit comments or questions to the project team on the project website.

Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments become part of the public record. If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the Project Team members listed above.

Pop culture costumes bound to be big this year

JACE KOBLUN

jace@tworowtimes.com

One of the best ways to get in on the Halloween costume fun is to choose a look that borrows from popular culture. This year there is no shortage of inspiration for those who want to look like their favourite movie, television and game characters.

Comic Book Frenemies. Marvel’s popular characters joined forces in “Deadpool & Wolverine” this year with the titular stars played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, respectively. Whether you’re team red or team yellow, dressing up as one of these action characters is certainly going to be popular for Halloween 2024.

Whirlwind Romance. Fans of the “Bridgerton” television series know that the third season

follows the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. This is a perfect couples’ costume, and one that will be lavish at any Halloween gathering.

Travis and Taylor. The last year-plus has been notable for both football fans and Swifties. Threetime Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift became the power couple of record, earning fans from both sides of the football/ music aisle. Dressing up as this duo is sure to get rave reviews.

Country Vibes. Beyoncé ushered in a new era of country music in 2024 with the release of her album “Cowboy Carter.” Emulating the pop-tocountry princess is a great way to turn heads this Halloween.

The Juice is Loose. It’s been 36 years since audiences enjoyed the hijinks of Beetlejuice, the star

character of Tim Burton’s horror-comedy. With the release of “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” complete with most of the original actors reprising their roles, there’s no question that Beetlejuice, Lydia and Delia costumes will be trending this October.

Another Pink Lady. While “Barbie” was the chic lady in pink for 2023, thanks to the announcement of the new prequel series dubbed “Elle,” Elle Woods from the “Legally Blonde” franchise is sure to be trending this Halloween.

Wacky Wednesday. Now that another series instalment is in the works, there will be plenty of people dressed up as Wednesday Addams this Halloween.

Looking to pop culture yields plenty of inspiration for Halloween costumes each year.

TrickorTreat

• Be active in fun fall activities like carving pumpkins and apple picking.

• Enjoy treats in moderation.

• Choose non-candy treats like spider rings, Halloween themed pencils or note pads.

• Get moving! Play Halloween games. Walk instead of driving to trick-or-treat.

• Be creative with fruits and vegetables! Serve guacamole dip as “slimy green stuff” with cauliflower as “brains.”

Serve baby carrots, sugar snap peas or green beans as “witch fingers.” Use shredded carrot for hair, black olive slices as eyes and veggie bits and pieces as witch or jack-o-lantern faces.

know the score.

Shohei Ohtani's rural hometown honors its superstar son -- from city hall to the hair salons

By Stephen Wade

OSHU CITY, Japan (AP)

— Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan is a rural place, famous for its high-quality Maesawa beef, its history of making traditional ironware and the intense green hills and mountains that surround it.

Japanese call such places “inaka” — roughly translated as the “countryside.”

No glitz, quiet streets and up north — cold winters. It's only 300 miles (500 kilometers) from Tokyo, but it seems farther away.

These days, Oshu City is most famous for Ohtani himself, and the intense pride local people show for one of the game's greatest ever players. He started in the local Little League with the Mizusawa Pirates, played for Hanamaki Higashi High School — a route that led him to the World Series. His Los Angeles Dodgers lead the New York Yankees 3-0, and fans here will be tuned in when LA tries to clinch the title early Wednesday morning local time.

The town honors Ohtani at every turn. And to experience it, start first with hairdresser Hironobu Kanno's salon called “Seems.”

The hair salon that became a shrine to Shohei

Ohtani

The waiting room is a museum dedicated to Ohtani with about 300 artifacts hung, stacked and squeezed into every corner. Even more items are in storage.

There are signed Dodgers and Angels jerseys, dozen of autographed baseballs, bats, shoes, caps, gloves, bobbleheads, photos of Othani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, shirts emblazoned with images of his dog Decopin (Decoy in English), stuffed animals, pillows and life-size cutouts of the superstar. Kanno said many fans come to town on a kind of “pilgrimage," and his shop is often part of that.

“My customers and those who come to visit Ohtani’s hometown really enjoy seeing the collection, and I think it is a very effective way for them to feel closer to Ohtani," he said.

The collecting began innocently when Kanno attended a baseball game on May 23, 2013 — the first professional game in which Ohtani batted and pitched. This was for Japan’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Kanno came back with a ball signed by Ohtani.

“When I put the ball with Ohtani’s autograph in my salon, the customers were very happy to see it,” Kanno said. “So I started to collect goods little by

little.”

The rest is history. He said his most treasured item is a cap signed by Japanese players who defeated the United States in the final of last year's World Baseball Classic in Miami.

Kanno confessed that the cost of Ohtani goods keeps rising. He suggested he'd spent about 10 million yen — perhaps $100,000 — on Ohtani merchandise over a decade, and guessed the value might be five or six times as much.

He said he’d never met Ohtani nor his mother and father — Toru and Kayako — and the superstar has never seen the collection.

He said eventually, he'd like to see it in a real museum and added he wasn't in it for financial gain.

A small town becomes a pilgrimage point for the Ohtani-obsessed Head across town to the city hall if you need more Ohtani memorabilia. One corner is loaded with photos of Ohtani, newspaper clips and pennants reminding that he won the American League MVP in 2023 and 2021. He’s the favorite to be the National League MVP this season.

The centerpiece of the city hall collection is a replica of Ohtani’s right hand. The golden hand allows you to grasp it and watch a video with Ohtani showing how

the replica was made.

Keigo Kishino and his wife, Chiaki, said they traveled in one day from the western city of Osaka — by plane and train — just to shake the the hand.

“He is a source of energy for me, or something like that,” Chiaki said.

Jeffrey Kingston, who teaches history at Temple University in Japan, described Ohtani as a “combo of pure skill, pride and nationalism that make him irresistible to the Japanese public, and anyone remotely interested in the game, extending even to people who never really cared about baseball.”

His was referring partially to his wife, Machiko Osawa, a professor of economics at Japan Women’s University. She is not a baseball fan. But Othani got her interested — at least in the short term.

“Ohtani changed the image of Japanese and helps transcend their complex feelings toward Westerners,” she explained.

“When I was young, there was a huge gap in ability between American players and Japanese players. Japanese players are shorter and not able to compete, but now Ohtani changed the image of Japanese baseball players. He is tall, fit and a superstar.”

Ohtani's Oshu City impact is unlike any other ballplayer

Ohtani is the only MLB player from Oshu City, although others have come from nearby. Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi also attended Hanamaki Higashi High School, and Rintaro Sasaki — the son of Ohtani's high school coach — is a phenom who skipped professional baseball in Japan altogether and currently plays at Stanford. But no one generates buzz back home like Ohtani. Earlier this year, a local rice paddy was used as an “artist's canvas” with Ohtani's image in Dodger's blue and wearing No. 17 — with Decoy alongside — cut into the green field. The likeness if unmistakable.

Oshu Mayor Jun Kuranari talked about Ohtani as an inspiration, and the rice paddy might be an example. He also brought up Ohtani as a role model. “He plays with such a pure heart, and his performance is amazing,” the mayor said. "But what I think is also amazing is that he is able to stay humble while playing so well. He is a role model for everyone, and also makes the locals proud.”

This story has been corrected to show last year's World Baseball Classic final was in Miami, not Tokyo.

Shohei Ohtani. FILE

Take time November 11th to pause and think of the freedoms we enjoy today because of the sacrifices made by all National and Aboriginal Veterans, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Allied Veterans, Serving, Retired, those who completed Basic Training and Honourably Released from The Canadian Armed Forces, and their families.

The Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Provincial Command proudly supports all the above.

Do you know someone, in any of those categories, in need or who may qualify for Benefits?

Please contact us

Phone: 1-888-207-0939 or 1-905-841-7999

Email: rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca

Website: www.on.legion.ca

Ontario Command

Notice of Transition and Study Commencement

Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Class Environmental Assessment Study Highway 7/8 and Road 111 Intersection Improvements, Township of Perth East, Perth County (GWP 3083-21-00)

THE PROJECT

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Egis (formerly McIntosh Perry) to undertake the Preliminary Design, Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for the Highway 7/8 and Road 111 intersection improvements, located in the Township of Perth East, at the boundary of Perth East and the City of Stratford, Perth County.

THE PROCESS

This study was initiated as a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental (Class EA) Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) but will be moving forward as a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024).

Please note that the transition to the 2024 Class EA is not anticipated to negatively impact project schedule or construction timelines.

Information on the project, including the process under the 2024 Class EA can be found at www.Highway7and8perthcountyroad.com

The project team will issue a Notice of Completion at which point there will be a 30-day comment period allowing for an

opportunity to provide comments on the TESR. The project team will include comments received, responses to the comments and any supporting materials in a record of consultation.

COMMENTS

If you have any comments or questions about this notice, or have questions about the study, we respectfully request you contact one of the following Project Team members:

Steven Pilgrim, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager Egis 516 O’Connor Drive, Unit 200 Kingston, ON K7P 1N3 tel: 343-344-2629 or toll-free: 1-888-348-8991

e-mail:

Highway7and8@mcintoshperry.com

Wendy Xu, P.Eng. MTO Project Manager Ministry of Transportation | West Region 3rd Flr. 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3 tel: 548-588-1937

e-mail:

Wendy.Xu@ontario.ca

You are encouraged to visit the project website, www.Highway7and8perthcountyroad.com where project information including study notices, background information, etc. You can also submit comments or questions to the project team on the project website.

SIX NATIONS COUNCIL

SIX

AND NEW CREDIT

Date: Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Pay dues between 10am - 12pm Adults $30 & Children $15

E-Transfer payments accepted at: sixnationsbenevolent@gmail.com or mail to the above address

Please bring your favorite side dishes

New Members Always Welcome!

Being held at:

30 Cao Lane, Community Living Hall, Six Nations, Ohsweken, ON

Quarterly Executive Meeting Dates to be announced, all members welcome to attend.

Hope to see everyone there!

CLUES

ACROSS

1. __ Spumante (Italian wine)

5. Highly impressed

11. Pronoun to identify something specific

12. Uttered in an impassioned way

16. Outfits

17. “Westworld” actor Harris

18. Stewed game casserole

19. Indignities inflicted on others

24. Blood type

25. Says beneath one’s breath

26. Taxis

27. Transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm

28. NFL great Randy

29. Where college students live

30. Brief Yankees sensation

Kevin

31. Condiment

33. -frutti

34. Polish city

38. Astronomy unit of distance

39. Romanian village

40. Bears first overall pick Williams

43. Irritated

44. Clothing for sale has them

45. One-time world power

49. When you anticipate arriving

50. Farm building

51. Organize thoughtfully

53. Detective

54. One who reduces

56. Nursemaids

58. Partner to “Pa”

59. World’s longest river

60. Commemorates

63. Compound

64. The Lannisters and Starks fought for one

65. Email function CLUES DOWN

1. Open-roofed entrance

2. Japanese religion

3. Dancer’s garments

4. Distributes

5. Yemeni port

6. Spanish doctors

7. It cools your house

8. Engine variant

9. Makes more manageable

10. Days (Spanish)

13. Milliliter

14. Spread out from

15. With two replaceable hydrogen atoms

20. Respectful title for a man

21. Equally

22. Scarlett’s home

23. Big Blue

27. Subway dwellers

29. One-tenth of a liter

30. Central European river

31. Distress signal

32. Expression of sympathy

33. Bar bill

34. Football equipment

35. Dance music

36. Russian river

37. Mary __, cosmetics

38. Gym class

40. Autos

41. Fourth and honorable name in ancient Rome

42. Defeats (abbr.)

44. A way to color

45. Planet

46. Form of humor

47. Taken without permission

48. Go over again

50. Auto parts manufacturer

51. Detective’s source

52. Home of the Flyers

54. Short official note

55. Emit coherent radiation

57. In the year of Our Lord

61. Atomic #18

62. Not from, but…

SUDOKU

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Your energy levels are soaring this week, Aries. Channel this vitality into a new project or personal goal. Be cautious of being too impulsive, and think things through before acting.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Embrace flexibility in your personal life, Taurus. Being open to change will lead to unexpected opportunities and strengthen your relationships. There are a few surprises ahead.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Communication is key for you this week, Gemini. You may find that your words carry extra weight and influence. Use this to your advantage at work and in your personal life.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, focus on behind-the-scenes work around the office — it’s not always about being in the spotlight that gets you ahead. All of your contributions are valuable.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, embrace your natural charisma and confidence, but also remember to show appreciation for the people who support you. Balance is key in all social situations this week.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

It is time to get organized, Virgo. Tackle any lingering tasks or projects that need your attention. Your meticulous attention to detail will serve you well as you bring order to things.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, focus on finding harmony in your relationships this week. You might need to mediate conflicts or offer support to loved ones. Use your diplomatic skills to create balance.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Trust your instincts when making decisions, especially those related to work or personal projects, Scorpio. Your intuition is pretty sharp this week, so use it to your advantage.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, adventure is calling out to you. Whether it’s a spontaneous trip or exploring a new hobby, embrace opportunities to expand your horizons.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, your dedication and hard work are likely to be recognized, leading to potential advancement or new opportunities. Just wait for all of the exciting things to come your way.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Use creative energy to explore new ideas or tackle creative projects, Aquarius. When you interact with others, you also may gain some fresh ideas to use to your advantage.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, this week calls for reflection and healing. Take time to address any emotional needs and seek support if you want to talk to someone or simply need another be close to you.