Planning push for Wallaceburg hospital
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Another milestone has been reached in the reimagining of Wallaceburg’s hospital.
That’s thanks to a $2.5 million capital planning grant from the Ontario government.
The money will be used to complete the planning and design process, meaning the proj-
ect can go to the province for final approval as early as May.
In making the announcement, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP
Steve Pinsonneault said it’s a project he wants to see through to the finish line.
“This additional $2.5 million grant does show Premier Ford and our government’s commitment to making sure health care is a priority,” Pinsonneault said from the podium. “This funding will help ensure the Wallaceburg emergency
There were smiles all around at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Wallaceburg
thanks to a $2.5 million grant courtesy of the provincial government. The money will be used to pay for the final planning and design phase for the reimagined Wallaceburg site. Celebrating the win are CKHA president and CEO Adam Topp; Save Our Sydenham members Kris Lee, Herb John and Jeff Wesley; Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault and CKHA Foundation president and CEO Christine Mitchell.
department, diagnostic imaging and the laboratory facilities are carefully planned and designed to meet the needs now and in the future.”
The MPP had words of praise for the people who fought to keep the hospital in Wallaceburg, noting “it all started” with the grassroots advocacy group S.O.S. (Save Our Sydenham).
Pinsonneault commended donors and groups such as the women in the Sydenham District Hospital Auxiliary for devoting their time and raising money for the project.
“I also want to recognize the incredible support from local residents who have rallied behind this project – your generosity and advocacy have helped make this progress possible,”
he said. “Together we’re building a stronger future for health care in Wallaceburg.”
The capital planning grant brings the total provincial planning investment for the project to $3.5 million, building upon previous grants of $500,000 awarded in both 2019 and 2022.
The Wallaceburg redevelopment project features a 22,000 square foot addition to the existing building, which will house a new emergency department, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and an inpatient medicine unit.
CKHA president and CEO Adam Topp said the funding will consolidate all of the documents for submission in May.
“I know Steve is going to help push it along through government to get that final approval to go to tender,” Topp said.
“Thank you for your help in achieving that.”
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation leader Christine Mitchell acknowledged the importance of philanthropy, noting the foundation has received “transformational gifts” from the community, including legacy donations.
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Campus Friday
Steel industry struggling under tariffs
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
As industry grapples with the fallout from Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran, officials at home continue to push for change.
To that end, Chatham-Kent–Leamington MP Dave Epp would like to see the federal government reduce regulatory red tape and spell out the rules of the trade game.
Business needs stability, Epp said.
“The theme I’m hearing from across all of business is that business does not like uncertainty,” Epp told The Voice during a recent stop at Maple Industries in Chatham. “Whatever shall be, shall be, and we can live with that. Tell us what the ‘shall be’ is, and then we can reorganize... we can orientate.”
Recently, Epp met with local industry leaders, including those in the steel and aluminum manufacturing, sectors hard hit by punishing American tariffs. That includes the Maple facility on Sass Road, which has seen its 50-person workforce cut this past year because of tariffs.
Bill Munns, the company’s general manager, said the government needs to promote the domestic procurement of steel; find ways to give business relief from the tariffs and speed up the regulatory
process.
Currently, Canada does not have capacity to produce what are referred to as “I-beams,” Munns said, which are a key component in the construction industry. In the past, Mexico, Canada and the United States worked together, with the I-beams coming from the U.S. but tariffs have made that too costly. Now the I-beams come from countries such as Turkey, Vietnam and China.
“If we can’t access them, we can’t build,” Munn stressed. “The tariffs have created a lot of insecurities across the board so that’s why you haven’t seen a lot of private investment.”
Time is of the essence when it comes to the tariff issue, Munns added, because there’s nothing “cheaper than today.”
Domenic and Paolo Colucci purchased Maple Industries Ltd. in 2004. They said they are looking for help to stabilize the business and hope to expand in new areas, such as defence.
“We’re challenged now to see if we can make some new connections,” Paolo told The Voice. “There’s some deep roots here in the Chatham-Kent area and a lot of people who have experience in this industry. We’re assembling a team of innovators. People are moving to Chatham-Kent; they want to
Construction, and vice-president Paolo Colucci.
be a part of what’s going on here.”
“We have a great opportunity with bright, young people in this country who will have a lasting impact,” he added.
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction’s Suja John, also on hand at the meeting, said ensuring domestic steel is used in upcoming government projects is a goal.
“”If we can keep the infrastructure in government-funded projects, we can sort of make up for the jobs that we’ve lost,” the CISC business initiatives manager said, noting some 5,000 jobs are gone because of tariffs on steel.
“If we can keep it within Canada, our members can do it,” John said.
Epp, who has spent a large part of his career in the agri-food business, said removing barriers on steel through regulatory reform is essential.
One of the barriers introduced on April 1 is a spike in the industrial carbon tax to $110 a ton, which Epp said is embedded in the cost of steel, cement
and fertilizer.
“We had an election a year ago under the promise that we would know the rules by last July,” Epp told reporters. “People don’t know what the rules are. We live in chaotic times.”
Epp’s words come on the heels of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s recent trip to the United States where he hit the podcast circuit lobbying on Canada’s behalf.
According to Epp, big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as an EastWest pipeline are needed, adding the Conservatives voted to support the Liberal’s C5 bill which gives extraordinary powers to major federal projects.
But nothing’s happened yet, Epp added.
“We’re not seeing it,” the MP explained. “We have to get stronger at home. We have not done well with our own productivity because of the burdens we’ve self-imposed.
“The only people that can control Trump are the American people,” Epp concluded.
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump are heavily impacting local manufacturing businesses and owners are looking to government for help. Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Dave Epp, who has been touring local facilities, would like to see regulations simplified to help stabilize industry. Epp, second from right, recently visited Maple Industries Ltd. in Chatham, where he spoke with general manager Bill Dunns, president Domenic Colucci, Suja John of the Canadian Institute of Steel
CKHA lab staff show off upgrades
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Cutting-edge technology is transforming health care at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance one sample at a time.
That’s thanks to a $1 million upgrade in the hospital’s lab.
jacent track automation line. Behind stainless steel and plexiglass, the robotic mechanisms whir, ferrying tubes of liquid from one end of the unit to another.
“Eighty-five per cent of a doctor’s diagnosis, or a clinician’s diagnosis for our patients is based on the lab results that we provide every single day.”
- CKHA’s Mary Poulin
Two new chemistry analyzers are at the heart of the refresh – bringing pinpoint accuracy to the testing of blood and body fluids.
Reporters were treated to a look at the Quidel Ortho Vitros 7600 machines last week, as well the ad-
In describing the process, CKHA laboratory services manager Mary Poulin says the technology cuts man hours and enhances patient care.
“Eighty-five per cent of a doctor’s diagnosis, or a clinician’s diagnosis for our patients is based on the lab results that we provide every single day,” Poulin said. “Prior to the automation line being installed, our team was manually
uncapping and recapping 300 to 500 samples every single day.”
According to Poulin, the system runs entirely on barcodes, allowing technicians to locate and retest samples swiftly.
Samples the machine deems normal are handled through automation, enabling staff to focus on
the samples that need a closer look.
“That means our technologists are focused more on quality and patient safety,” Poulin explained,
“Prior to the automation line being installed, our team was manually uncapping and recapping 300 to 500 samples every single day.”
adding a patient’s journey is akin to an old-fashioned wagon wheel.
“The patient is at the centre of that wheel,” she said.
- CKHA’s Mary Poulin
The new technology replaces CKHA chemistry platforms that were 12 years old. Machines that are becoming outdated are described as “sunsetting” – meaning they can no longer be serviced due to outdated technology.
Continued on page 5
“We’re one of the many spokes that allow that patient journey to go around.”
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Dayna Houle, chemistry charge technologist at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, describes how state-of-the-art automated chemistry analyzer machines test blood and body fluids samples in the hospital’s laboratory
Increased lab efficiency at CKHA
Continued from page 4
Poulin said the hematology stainer – a critical diagnostic tool – is sunsetting at the end of 2026, so replacing it is on the agenda.
Safety and patient identification are key, and, according to diagnostic services director Jolene Kresan, the lab has 1,100 policies in place to make sure nothing goes awry.
“We follow rules to keep people safe,” Kresan explained. “We have government standards that we have to meet. We need 100-per-cent accuracy here.”
The new CKHA system, referred to as “dry” chemistry, was developed in collaboration with Bluewater Health in Sarnia. Four staff, including chemistry charge technologist Dayna Houle, underwent intensive training on the analyzers in Rochester, N.Y. In turn they relayed that information to the rest of staff.
Reading results isn’t the only thing staff at the lab do, Kresan noted, as some of them are getting under the hood fixing the machines.
Along with chemistry testing, the CKHA laboratory also houses transfusion medicine; histology (the examination of tissue) and hematology. There are 55 staff providing laboratory services including pathologist Dr. Jason Back.
CKHA president and CEO Adam
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance laboratory staff and leadership
their department as part of a media tour. They include Courtney Henke,
Rosemary Low and Mary Poulin. Two new automated chemistry analyzers are at the centre of the recent $1 million upgrade.
Topp thinks the public is interested in what happens behind the curtain.
“We follow rules to keep people safe. We have government standards that we have to meet. We need 100-per-cent accuracy here.”
- CKHA’s Jolene Kresnan
“It’s exciting for us; we think it will be exciting for other people to learn about, but it’s not something that would be the first thing you would
Slope support
An additional $3.2 million has been allocated by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to preserve the integrity of the Sydenham River’s banks.
Part of ongoing Sydenham River slope stabilization efforts, the work will take place on two sites along Glasgow Line. In 2019, Chatham-Kent was awarded $16 mil-
lion by the federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to be dispersed over a 10-year period to cover a wide range of projects to mitigate flooding and erosion along the Sydenham and Thames Rivers. The grant program is a cost-sharing offering, with local governments needing to contribute to 60 per cent of the costs of a project.
ask about,” Topp said, adding the hospital plans on providing more behind-thescenes information in the future.
“Jolene and Mary and her team have done some amazing work,” Topp said.
“Jolene and Mary and her team have done some amazing work. And I really wanted to give them a chance to just show off.”
“And I really wanted to give them a chance to just show off.”
The unveiling coincides with Medical Laboratory Professionals
- CKHA’s Adam Topp
Week April 1218 – aimed at
marking the work of those who toil in laboratories behind the scenes.
The Quidel Ortho Vitros 7600 chemical analyzers became operational last August, followed by the automated track line Sept. 30. April 1 of this year marked the launch of auto verification software.
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
had a chance to show off recent upgrades in
left, Dayna Houle, Jolene Kresan,
The Chatham Voice
Opinion
Will more cross?
Floor walking is hitting close to home these days.
We’re talking about the trend of MPs, from the Conservatives and the NDP, that have crossed the House of Commons to sit with the ruling Liberal government.
Marilyn Gladu, MP for Sarnia-Lambton, is the latest to cross over to Mark Carney and the Liberals. This one is a bit surprising.
Why? Well, from what she’s shown in her public political escapades, she espouses the far-right mentality similar to that of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
So, was she lured with promises of a cabinet post or something else? Or was she just tired of languishing in opposition with a leader whom a great deal of the country finds hard to like?
Gladu said crossing to the Liberals was the best thing for her riding.
We are truly scratching our heads in trying to make sense of this. Gladu has history that includes backing the Freedom Convoy, whose members basically despised all things about the ruling Liberals during the pandemic. She’s sided with vaccine deniers as well.
But, suddenly, Carney and the Liberals are the “best thing” for her and her riding?
Gladu is not an isolated incident. She’s the fourth Conservative to join the Liberals. Who is next? All Carney and the Liberals need is one more walker or a byelection win and they’ll have a majority.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives remain irate, seemingly forgetting that Stephen Harper benefitted from floor crossing when he led this country. The most notable addition was David Emerson who was immediately named to a cabinet post.
A big factor this time around is Carney. First off, he is not Justin Trudeau, the guy Poilievre tried to train his supporters to hate. Trudeau stepped aside and Poilievre’s support waned.
What Carney has done is rather shrewd, and old-school Liberal. He took several key Conservative points and made them part of his election platform. He altered the Liberal stances on the push to EVs to more of a nudge, and scrapped the consumer carbon tax.
That’s what the Liberals used to do when they sat in the middle, taking the best ideas from the NPD and Conservatives and adding them to their issues platforms.
What he is doing is working, whether the Conservatives like it or not.
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Poor venue choice
Editor: As reported in The Chatham Voice, the municipality has engaged consultants to prepare a Mobility Master Plan. How strange then that the first chance the public has to look at the scope of the consultants’ study is being held at the Links of Kent.
Nothing against the Links of Kent; it’s a great wedding venue, but it is not served by RideCK nor, being at the end of a long driveway and across
a parking lot, is it at all pedestrian friendly?
The municipally owned Bradley Centre, however, is served by RideCK’s Route’s 4 and 5, and the cost to use the venue would be ‘free’ – however it would have to be billed to the cost of the project.
Another location is the ALC on Merritt Avenue. While there would be a charge to rent the hall, it too is served by Ri-
deCK’s Route 4 and is within walking distance of many hundreds of homes.
Hopefully choosing a car friendly location doesn’t indicate that the consultants’ answer to our future mobility is to drive everywhere. If that is the likely outcome, why have a study at all?
John Willatt Chatham
Editor: Yes, the idea of an arena in Chatham-Kent makes great sense for the future. But it has to be a fairly large venue. At least an arena that can accommodate a large concert of 15,000 to 20,000 people. Why so big? Well, this is so that in 10 to 20 years you do not have to build another one.
It’s pretty hard to see so many people going to different cities for events and entertainment. Why not have them come
to Chatham-Kent to spend their money? By having a larger arena, the prospects of an NHL team are very realistic.
There are lots of people west of Toronto, plus a train system and highways. Having a GO train system to London and Windsor, plus being near the 401 with good access right now and lots of vacant land can provide parking for buses and ve-
hicles and an arena/ coliseum.
The idea is brilliant, but don’t think small. As people say: small town, small minds. It must be built on the outskirts of the existing city and the idea would have lots of private partners ready to get going . Build it and they will come.
Wayne Robertson Chatham
C-K budget plan needs to change
Editor: I am writing to provide a formal response to Emory Huszka’s recent letter (“What we need in Chatham-Kent,” in the March 26 Chatham Voice).
Mr. Huszka’s observations are well-founded, particularly regarding
the need for reform in the municipal budget process. The primary duty of council is to allocate taxpayers’ money responsibly rath er than deciding which flag to raise, which ribbon to cut or what grand opening to attend. It is
important to recognize that all public funds – provincial or municipal – ultimately come from the same taxpayers – you and me. The current budget process is overly complex and general. A more effective strategy would
involve a detailed, department-by-department budget review to ensure value for money. Departments failing to deliver sufficient benefits should be restructured.
Amalgamation, intended to reduce bureaucracy, has instead increased it, underscoring the need
for renewed focus and efficiency.
An appreciation for the municipality’s rural and urban composition, alongside a thorough reassessment of spending, is essential.
Mr. Huszka’s call to return to evaluating core services is timely
and would help realign council’s focus with its fundamental mandate: The prudent stewardship of public funds.
Michael Bondy Councillor Chatham-Kent
WHAT IF “SOMEDAY” STARTED TO FEEL LIKE NOW?
Spring has always been a season of There’s something about spring that invites reflection. Maybe it’s the longer days or the way the light lingers just a little bit more in the evening.
Maybe it’s the quiet shift from winter’s stillness into something softer, more open. Whatever it is, this time of year has a way of bringing things into focus, especially the thoughts we’ve been setting aside for “someday.”
The things we tell ourselves we’ll think about later.
Later, when the timing feels right. Later, when we have more energy. Later, when something nudges us to finally ask, what if things could be different?
But what if “later” has a way of stretching out longer than we expect?
For many older adults, daily life can
gradually become heavier than it once was. Not all at once, but in small, quiet ways. The upkeep of a home that once felt manageable now feels like a constant to-do list. Cooking for one becomes less about enjoyment and more about necessity. Days can pass without meaningful conversation, even in a world that feels more connected than ever.
And through it all, there’s often a quiet wondering in the background” Is there another way to live this chapter?
At St. Angela’s Meadow Retirement Lodge, we often meet people right at that moment of reflection. Not because something is wrong, but because something no longer feels quite right.
What many discover is that retirement living isn’t about giving something up.
It’s about making space for something more. More ease in the everyday, more connection without effort, and more opportunities to engage, or simply enjoy the comfort of knowing others are nearby. It can look like sharing a meal and lingering a little longer at the table. A friendly hello in the hallway that turns into a conversation. The quiet reassurance of knowing that support is there if and when it’s needed. It can also look like rediscovering parts of yourself that have been on hold. The hobbies you haven’t made time for. The routines that once brought you joy. The simple pleasure of having something to look forward to again. And perhaps most importantly, it can feel like a gentle lifting of the weight you didn’t fully realize you were carrying.
What if “someday” started to feel like now?
Spring has a way of making us notice what’s been sitting quietly in the background. If daily life still feels heavier than it should — the responsibilities, the solitude, the “what ifs” — maybe it’s time to explore what else is possible.
It’s Worth A Conversation
The idea of change can feel big, sometimes even overwhelming. But exploring what’s possible doesn’t have to be. At St. Angela’s Meadow Retirement Lodge it can start with a visit, a conversation, and a chance to simply see what life here feels like, without expectation or pressure.
“Someday” doesn’t have to stay somewhere off in the distance. Sometimes, it just takes a small step to realize that the next chapter might be closer, and more inviting, than you imagined.
Here, we believe that decision begins with a conversation. And it might be one worth having, sooner than you think. Call or visit us today at 20 Merici Way, Chatham, Kent, Ontario. (519) 352-5225. We’d love to meet you!
Music Fest underway in C-K
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The Kiwanis Music Festival has hit the right note for the past eight decades.
This year’s version of the festival marks the 80th.
Michael Gibbons, the chair of the festival, said it began in the wake of the Second World War.
“It started with a music day, coming off the Second World War,” he said. “It was so successful, they decided to make it into a yearly event.”
And it expanded over the years, going from a single day to the nearly two-
week effort we see this year, running from April 13 to 24, with the Grand Concert taking place in mid-May.
“I think the only time it really shrunk was during Covid, and even then, we ran it virtually,” Gibbons said. “Our numbers have come up quite healthy.”
That’s well up from about 250 registrations and roughly 400 participants who took part last year.
“It’s a much bigger job than you’d expect. I’ve been involved in other boards and this … the phrase ‘it takes a village’ definitely applies here.”
- Chair Michael Gibbons
This year’s version will see 420 registrations and 720 participants, he said.
The festival features its share of Chatham-Kent performers, from vocalists to orators, to pianists, string players, bands and choirs. Participants also come from beyond our borders.
“We see a lot from Windsor-Essex, and some from
the London area as well,” Gibbons said.
The focus is on youth, with performers as young as age five taking part.
“We always promote it as being a youth-forward event. The majority of our numbers are in the under-18 category,” Gibbons said. “But we welcome older ones as well.”
Performers up to the age of 24 can take part.
For Gibbons, he is still relatively new to the chair position, coming on board a couple of years ago.
“I wanted to get involved. I hit the ground running to start. I survived,” he joked about the steep learning curve.
“They haven’t kicked me out yet.”
He said he thought he had a good grasp of what was involved, but he was wrong.
“It’s a much bigger job than you’d expect. I’ve been involved in other boards and this … the phrase ‘it
takes a village’ definitely applies here,” Gibbons said.
With an army of volunteers, the show goes on. Gibbons said some of the volunteers that make the festival tick have been involved since the 1980s.
Meanwhile, that applies to him – in a way – as well.
St. Andrew’s United in Chatham, and Studio One.
The Grand Concert will fittingly take place in the Kiwanis Theatre in Chatham.
“The abilities these kids have just blow me away,” he said.
“I’ve seen a lot of the trophies. You see a lot of names. And you recognize some of them. You get a sense. There are little things you see and you realize it’s part of that history.”
- Chair Michael Gibbons
“I was in the McKeough Public School Choir,” he said, referring back to the early 1980s. “I really didn’t appreciate the scale of it at that time. They just said, ‘Stand here, do this.’”
The talent that shows up every year never ceases to impress, Gibbons said.
“The abilities these kids have just blow me away,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of the trophies. You see a lot of names. And you recognize some of them. You get a sense. There are little things you see and you realize it’s part of that history,” he said.
The festival requires multiple venues to host.
“Our name’s on the building,” Gibbons said.
“We want to keep it there.”
The concert hits the stage May 19 at 7 p.m. The time delay from the end of the festival to the concert date is to allow for tabulation of results.
“We have about a month in between. We have to look at all the marks the adjudicators have given and have to figure out who won what prize,” Gibbons said. “We want to make sure we get that right.” One area where the Kiwanis are looking for additional support is through the Friends of the Festival.
“We’d like to encourage more people to get involved,” Gibbons said.
According to the Kiwanis’ website, they involve Chatham-Kent Secondary School, Dresden Area Central School, Holy Family School in Wallaceburg, Holy Trinity/St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Chatham, Indian Creek Road Public School, New St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church north of Chatham,
Support from the Friends of the Festival helps fuel the event and fund prizes. To get involved or learn more, Gibbons said people can reach out to any Kiwanian they know.
Over the past 80 years, a great deal has changed, but the festival cruises on.
“No matter what’s going on in the world, it’s always successful and well attended,” Gibbons said. “People look forward to it and seem to genuinely enjoy it.”
Clarification
In “The cost of council” story published in the April 2 Chatham Voice, Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey was listed as the councillor with the most expenses in 2025. However, The Voice has since learned the expenses listed cover a portion of 2024, as well as 2025.
The Chatham Voice
Home sales up in March in C-K
from the same period in 2025.
It’s only six homes, but local realtors will take it.
After several months of poor property sales compared to the same period a year ago, March sales were up by six properties compared to March of 2025.
That’s a 6.6 per cent increase.
However, home sales were more than 11 per cent below the five-year average and nearly 17 per cent below the 10-year average for the month of March.
On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 221 units over the first three months of the year. That is a dip of 9.4 per cent
Carrie Patrick president of the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors, said poor weather contributed to the slow start to 2026 home sales.
“After a steep decline in February due to prolonged inclement weather systems, sales activity was back up in March but still remained below longer-term averages,” she said in a media release.
beginning to unwind but market conditions are going back and forth, so our region is in a bit of flux as far as housing is concerned.”
“After a steep decline in February due to prolonged inclement weather systems, sales activity was back up in March but still remained below longer-term averages.”
- Carrie Patrick
“Overall inventories are
The median price of homes sold in March rang in at $411,000, down by 0.7 per cent compared to March of 2025.
In terms of average price, that came in at 414,638, down by 1.3 per cent from March 2025.
The more comprehensive year-to-date average
Contributed graphic
The home sales roller-coaster ride continued in March, where sales picked up in Chatdham-Kent, topping March 2025 sales figures, after two months of negative results.
price is $416,607. That’s a drop of 4.4 per cent from the first three months of 2025.
The number of new listings dropped slightly, by 3.3 per cent, which equates to eight listings, from March 2025. There were 238 new residential
listings last month.
The new listings were 3.5 per cent above the five-year average and 24.8 per cent above the 10-year average for the month of March.
Active residential listings numbered 424 units on the market at the end
of March. Active listings haven’t been this high in the month of March in a decade.
Active listings were 24.6 per cent above the fiveyear average and 62 per cent above the 10-year average for the month of March.
The Chatham Voice
OFSAA curling coming to C-K
For the first time in history, more than 200 of Ontario’s finest high school male and female curlers will be coming to Chatham-Kent to compete in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) curling championships.
The event will be held at the Chatham Granite Club, Golden Acres Curling Club in Blenheim and the Ridgetown Curling Club from March 30 through April 3 of next year.
Ursuline College of Chatham curling coach Matt McKay said the school applied last year to host the bonspiel, which will
bring together 40 teams from across the province.
It’s essentially a twoyear process between being approved and holding the event,” he said.
“Before we applied, we realized that this was a large undertaking and we would need a dedicated committee to make it work.”
McKay is part of the committee along with Greg Aarssen and UCC staff members Steve Whyte and Darby Kalp. Whyte, as committee chair, said the group aims to provide a top-notch curling event, combined with a special experience for students, faculty and family members throughout their stay here.
“We want to offer the finest curling experience to the students and their families, but it’s also an opportunity to show off our community to people from across Ontario,” he said. “We’re planning special events for curlers and their families.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff is throwing his support behind the bonspiel.
“This event is huge,” he said. “This is part of the bigger picture of attracting people to Chatham-Kent and impressing them. What the
committee is presenting is likely one of the best OFSAA events ever. That’s their target, and I fully expect them to deliver, and a lot of people will be impressed with our community.”
Shannon Paiva of the municipality’s tourism and economic development department said, “We’re thrilled that Chatham Kent will play host to the 2027 OFSAA Curling Championship. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our community and its outstanding tourism assets to visitors from across the province. With an estimated economic impact of roughly $150,000, including local labour, this event will bring meaning-
ful benefits to our local businesses and residents. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome athletes, families, and fans to Chatham-Kent for what promises to be an unforgettable championship.”
McKay, also a co-chair, is a veteran curler who has helped organize several large bonspiels. He estimates that it will take between 75 and 100 volunteers to ensure a smooth event.
“We’re in the process of establishing the volunteer structure and we will be reaching out as we get closer to the event,” he said. “We’re also looking for sponsors across the municipality to help cover the costs.”
McKay said he has had
excellent cooperation from the three curling clubs.
“We’re dealing with student-athletes, and we are trying to make sure we don’t have any late nights, so we needed Blenheim and Ridgetown to help provide extra facilities to make that happen. Both clubs have stepped up and are fully involved in making sure the event is a success.”
Don Taylor of the Chatham Granite Club, Martha Wickware of the Ridgetown club and Debbie Sanders of Golden Acres in Blenheim, who participated in the announcement, said the event is special because it promotes youth curling and showcases their clubs.
The Chatham Voice
Contributed image
Mayor Darrin Canniff gets into the spirit as he prepares to throw a curling stone during the announcement that the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) curling championships will be held in Chatham-Kent next spring. Getting ready to sweep are (left to right) event co-chair Steve Whyte, Chatham Granite Club board member Don Taylor, Martha Wickware of the Ridgetown Curling Club and Darcy Kalp of Ursuline College Chatham.
you a
If you have new construction and need landscaping, an irrigation system, paving stone for patio or driveway, lawn levelled, seeded or sodded. If you have an existing landscape that is tired and needs rejuvenation . . . . Give us a call.
Waterfall work on display
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
TLC once advised people, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls,” but clearly local artist Steve Johnson didn’t listen.
Those water features called to him; so much so that he painted a series of iconic Canadian waterfalls, which are currently on display at Crow City Coffee.
These aren’t natural scenes from the likes of the Group of Seven. Johnson instead employs vivid colours and delivers an interpretive view of each set of falls individually.
“The style is … I’d call it ‘expressionist.’ It’s my own style. It just comes
out,” Johnson, who is also a photographer, said. “I believe that art should come from within. You put it out and express it. These waterfalls were God given. They’re beautiful.”
Johnson who moved to Chatham from Carleton Place a decade ago, said the 14 paintings showcase waterfalls from coast to coast.
“Every province is represented, and the three territories are represented – from west to east,” he said of the exhibit. “From Brandywine Falls in B.C. in the top left, finishing up with Churchill Falls (in Newfoundland) in the bottom right.”
He has visited about
half of the falls in person. Some of them are in rather hard-to-reach locations. And another, while located near Quebec City, involved a trek that is not for the faint of heart.
Johnson said when visiting Montmorency Falls, he climbed to a place not recommended for anyone who has a fear of heights.
As for choosing waterfalls as the collective subject for his first post-retirement project, Johnson had a simple answer.
“I chose that because it is eternal. It’s lasting. It’s beautiful. It moves people,” he said. “Canada has some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world.”
His next project, howev-
er, may expand and cross spans. For starters, it may encompass North America or possibly beyond. And the subject will be bridges.
“It might not just be Canada. It might be icon-
ic bridges and railway trestles worldwide or in North America,” he said.
Johnson said he’s been influenced by artists such as Willem de Kooning and Stuart Davis.
His waterfall work is
on display until May 3 at the coffee shop. The pieces are available for purchase, and anyone interested can contact Crow City Coffee, or Johnson directly at stevejohnsonfinearts@gmail.com.
Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
Chatham artist Steve Johnson is showcasing his series of 14 Canadian waterfall paintings at Crow City Coffee.
Our plan to protect Ontario is building new pipelines
As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building to bring opportunity, good jobs and growth home to our province.
That’s how we protect Ontario.
Natural ways to combat phragmites
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
A tiny non-descript caterpillar may hold the key to controlling the catastrophic spread of phragmites australis.
Commonly referred to as “phrags,” the towering plants have been dubbed Canada’s “most invasive species” and their spread threatens critical wetland habitat and species at risk.
But researchers are fighting back. One of them is University of Waterloo PhD candidate Claire Schon, who has been studying the plant for four years. Recently, she spoke to members of NatureCK in a presentation at the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
“We lose a lot of the plant biodiversity because of phragmites and it has a lot of negative impacts on birds and amphibians,” Schon explained, noting the plant’s out-of-control growth accelerates the release of carbon into the atmosphere.
“One in four species at risk in Ontario are directly threatened by phragmites invasion,” Schon told the crowd. “It really doesn’t discriminate on what kind of animals it harms – it has impacts on the entire ecosystem.”
“We lose a lot of the plant biodiversity because of phragmites and it has a lot of negative impacts on birds and amphibians.”
- Expert Claire Schon
Also known as the European common reed, invasive phragmites are believed to have arrived in Canada in ship ballast near Halifax around 1910, arriving in Ontario in 1948. In the early 2000s it was documented in the western provinces – making it a problem nationwide.
fire hazard.
“Phragmites control is a really hot topic in Ontario,” Schon added, noting the province committed $11 million to battling the plant in 2025.
In a 2021 cost benefit analysis, the researcher said that controlling phragmites would have resulted in $113 million worth of benefits to Ontario.
“It’s good for the marshes, but it’s also good for the bottom line to control phragmites,” Schon explained.
In addition to outlining the devastating effects of phragmites, Schon described how progress is being made to control the plant through bio-control.
The tall wetland grass –reaching as high as five metres – chokes out existing wetland flora and fauna, altering every ecosystem where it takes root.
Schon said phragmites have negative societal and economic impacts as well, noting the plant can affect agricultural drainage and lower values at waterfront properties. It can also be a traffic hazard blocking views at intersections and ruining recreational waterfront activities such as kayaking. Dry stands of the plant pose a significant
Traditionally, control has hinged on expensive chemical herbicides, sometimes using planes or drones, or mechanical control – cutting the plant below the waterline to kill it by drowning the rhizome – the plant’s horizontal stem.
On a smaller scale, people “spade” the plant, using a shovel to cut the stem from the rhizome.
Because of the enormity of the problem, Schon said it’s important to find a solution.
Continued on page 18
Chris Denomy
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Caitlin Wilson works on clearing a patch of phragmites located in standing water in an old fence row near Wallaceburg. Researchers are hard at work studying how the invasive plant can be controlled using European moths. One of the test sites is located in St. Luke’s Marsh near Pain Court.
Invasive phrags impact species at risk
Continued from page 17 Development of biological control for phragmites began in 1998, Schon said, noting researchers studied insects that feed exclusively on phragmites in Europe. Two “stem-boring” moth
species were selected for study in Canada after 11 years of research in North America. The insects lay their eggs in early spring. When hatched, the caterpillars bore into the stem of the phragmites plant, consuming two-to-four stems before pupating. The resulting moths lay their eggs in late summer and these survive over the winter.
“The goal is not to completely get rid of it (phragmites) but to bring it to a level that’s manageable,” Schon told the crowd.
In 2019, the federal government approved the use of the moths and it’s been full steam ahead since. A Ducks Unlimited wetland at St. Luke’s Marsh, adjacent to St. Clair National Wildlife Area near Pain Court, is one of 60 sites
in Ontario being studied. Schon is monitoring 12 sites from Windsor to North Bay.
In 2025, out of 35 plots where the moths were released, the insects survived and expanded their range in 25 of the sites.
“In general, they are increasing at most of the sites,” Schon said. “Biological control is really a gentle, gradual approach.
Quantifying these changes is really hard because sometimes it takes decades to see the changes.”
A reduction in height and biomass and a decrease in the number of live stems to allow more light to penetrate through the canopy are two of the benefits researchers have observed to date.
“The moths are doing their job and we have
some early-on signs of success,” Schon said, noting the moths are proving to be “very resilient” as they survived a fire that destroyed one of her test sites.
If an individual property owner wants to attack phragmites, Schon advises it’s important to distinguish the invasive European species from the native North American species.
OHL meeting above board: Craig
The Chatham Voice
An online information meeting with Ontario’s Hockey League Commissioner called by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff and attended by seven councillors he specifically invited did not break any rules.
That’s the word from C-K Integrity Commissioner Suzanne Craig,
who probed the matter following inquiries from the public and members of council asking if the session met the requirements of the 2001 Municipal Act. According to Craig’s ruling, the meeting didn’t violate the Act or the Code of Conduct for municipal councillors. No quorum was present at the meeting; no municipal
business was advanced and the session was not considered to be a meeting under the Act, Craig wrote.
As a result, the integrity commissioner, who is also a “closed-meeting investigator,” concluded “there was no conduct that ran afoul of the Municipal Act or applicable open meeting rules.”
However, Craig also
stated that despite the “technical lawfulness” of such gatherings, there are “important” cautions.
“Such gatherings run the risk of undermining public confidence and engendering suspicion, particularly if concern or opinions about council business are expressed at the gathering.”
Canniff acknowledged that all of council should
have been included in the initial meeting with the OHL. He has issued an official public apology and committed to including all of council in “broader engagement,” enhancing transparency and keeping residents informed as OHL-related discussions progress.
After the original online session in February, members of council who
were left off the invite spoke openly about their displeasure of not being asked to attend and being left in the dark about what transpired.
To remedy that, Caniff invited OHL Commission Bryan Crawford to make a presentation to council March 23, where he shared the same information.
Home composters available for purchase
Mother Earth is getting a boost locally, thanks to Chatham-Kent’s new Backyard Composter Program.
Part of the first phase of the municipality’ Organic Waste Diversion Program, the effort supports at-home composting by diverting waste from landfill by manag -
ing food scraps and yard waste at home.
To help achieve the goal, the municipality is selling composters for $20 apiece (including HST.) They can be pur-
chased in person at municipal services or over the phone for later pickup by calling 519-3601998.
Sites where composters are available include
Chatham-Kent Civic Centre; Blenheim Municipal Office; Dresden Municipal Office; Ridgetown Municipal Office; Tilbury Municipal Office; and the Wallaceburg Municipal Office. Quantities at each location are limited and subject to availability. More information can be found at chatham-kent.ca/organics.
The Chatham Voice
Community Events
Thursday, April 16, 2026:
• Join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-4pm at the Merlin Legion for a Music Jam. Donations welcome. Bring out your singing voice and instruments to have a great afternoon!!
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• The Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild meeting at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave W, Chatham. Doors open at 6:00 for socializing and shopping. The meeting starts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome to join us, but the fee for non-members will be $10 per meeting. Come and enjoy our presentations, guest speakers and all of the other fun at our meeting. Our membership fee is $50 per year and this entitles you to our newsletter and all of our regular meetings free of charge. You are welcome to contact us through our Facebook page or our website at www. ckquiltguild.com for more information.
• Bill’s Place Drop In & Nail Painting. 6:00pm–9:00pm. Come spend some time in the safety of Bill’s Place. Whether you want to paint your nails, chat with new friends, or simply spend time in a welcoming space, everyone is welcome to drop in. Supplies provided. 48 Centre St. Chatham.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available. Everyone welcome.
Friday, April 17, 2026:
• Multi-award-winning British-Canadian duo Red Dirt Skinners will appear live at St. Andrews United Church for an early-evening concert built around connection, storytelling, and attentive listening, bringing songs from their forthcoming ninth album alongside established favourites. Described by Roots Music Canada as “The Pink Floyd of Folk Music,” Red Dirt Skinners are known for genre-blurring songs and heartwarming stories. Tickets: https://reddirtskinners. com/tour-dates.
• Tasty Perch and/or Chicken Dinner with choice of potato & coleslaw plus dessert at the Merlin Legion, 2 Stanley St. Served 4:30-7pm at Merlin Legion. Contact 519-689-4884 for more information. Take outs also available. Hunter by Knight from 6:30pm–9:30pm.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu available. Friday night supper is a Roast Pork dinner with potatoes, vegetables, coleslaw and a bun. Dine in, $14 and pickup $15. All meals are served at 6pm. Everyone welcome.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Supper served 4:00–6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Cabbage Rolls or Fish & Chips, $15.00(HST included). Take out is also available by calling 519351-8733 or 519-351-5639. 5:15pm. is weekly Catch-The-Ace draw (tickets can be purchased at the bar). Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Saturday, April 18, 2026:
• Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club Swap Meet. 9092 English Line, Chatham. Fishing, hunting, camping, boating, anything outdoors! Buy or rent a table and sell. Everyone welcome! For tables contact Ben 519-437-9660.
• Saturdays at 7 at St. Andrew’s – “Time After Time” at 7 PM in the Church Sanctuary of St. Andrew’s United Church. This evening of moving choral and orchestral music will weave a tapestry of reflection on the seasons of life. St. Andrew’s Choirs will perform during the first half while the CK Chamber Orchestra takes the stage for the second half. Donations at the door (suggested $20.00 pp) support the music program at St. Andrew’s. Doors open at 6:30 pm. For further information: www. standrewschatham.org/events or the Church office 519-352-0010.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 10:00am–9:30pm. Line Dancing lessons 10:00am-12 noon. Join the meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open 3:00pm–5:30pm. Come check out our menu. Entertainment by Unity Station from 4:30-9:30pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Vendor Show: 10am-2pm at Good Shepherd School, 4 Edith St., Thamesville. Support small businesses while helping to raise funds for St. Paul’s Church. You’ll see clothing, jewelry, wellness products, 3D and crocheted toys, pet treats, home baking and much more. Stay for lunch!
• Join us at the Merlin Legion for Karaoke Bob, 7-11pm. Meal special with 1 lb wings, burger or jumbo hot with beer or alcoholic drink $11.50. Please call 519689-4884 for more information.
• Euchre at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St, $10. Registration is from Noon-1pm. Play begins at 1pm. Lunch is available from Noon-1pm.
Sunday, April 19, 2026:
• Breakfast at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 9amNoon. All meals are cooked are cooked to order. A Jamboree follows from 1pm-5PM., $5. Come out listen and dance to the great sounds of Hired Hand Everyone welcome.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Today’s special is Spaghetti with meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00pm. Evening Shuffleboard or Euchre at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026:
• RWTO – Chatham-Kent Branch invites retired women educators to our special 70th Anniversary “Royal Tea” luncheon meeting. Enjoy our celebration along with tea, sandwiches and desserts with your friends! You are invited to dress for a “Royal Event”. 9:30am registration at Moose Lodge, Chatham, cost $30. Call Lynn Russell for info, 519-359-0090.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Our daily special is Meatloaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Kent County Stamp Club meeting at the Active Lifestyle Center, 20 Merritt Ave. Chatham. 7:30-9:00pm. New Members and guests are welcome. Our members collect Canadian, USA, and World Stamps, Covers & Postcards. Take this opportunity to learn and share knowledge of the Philatelic hobby. For more information contact President Dennis Marek (drsam2945@gmail.com) (519-627-1429).
Thursday, April 23, 2026:
• Join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-4pm at the Merlin Legion for a Music Jam. Donations welcome. Bring out your singing voice and instruments to have a great afternoon!!
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• A Spring Art Exhibition: An Inspired Collection of Original Works by local artist Regina M. Stockus. A portion of the proceeds will support Ursuline College –Chatham Culinary Dept. Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be served. Thurs. April 23 – Sun. April 26. 4:008:00pm. 101 King St. West, Chatham. The Boardwalk Building, 1st floors. Free admission.
• Free Community Meal – 4th Thursday of every month from 5:30-6:30pm @ St Paul’s Congregational Church 450 Park Ave. W. Chatham. Everyone welcome.
Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call - leave message - 519-350-3462
Alcholics Anonymous Chatham-Kent. Call or Text 519-360-5246 or see our website aachathamkent.com.
Fun Stuff
1. Greek cupbearer of the Gods
2. Ancient Syrian city
3. Small Eurasian deer (pl.) 4. Range of mountains 5. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.) 6. Spoke
7. City in Georgia 8. Theatrical
9. CNN’s founder
CLUES ACROSS
1. Greek goddess of marriage
5. Tropical American blue jay-like bird
10. Abba __, Israeli politician
14. Dark olive black
15. Light, crinkled fabric
16. Notre Dame has a golden one
17. Leaked blood
18. Confronted
19. Negligible amount
20. Facilitated
22. Hill or rocky peak
23. Minneapolis suburb
24. Songs to one’s beloved
27. Brake horsepower
30. Angry
31. Children’s game
32. Spelling is a type of one
35. Obtained in return for labor
37. Indicates center
38. Chinese dynasty
39. Old World buffaloes
40. Slang for time off
41. Fabric
42. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea
43. Defunct regional economic organization
44. Philly footballers
45. Female sibling
46. Peter Griffin’s daughter
47. Digital audiotape
48. Insecticide
49. Scientific instrument
52. Pages may be dog-__
55. Israeli city __ Aviv
56. Type of sword
60. Middle Eastern military title
61. Wise individuals
63. French Polynesian island Bora __
64. Popular shoe type
65. One of 50
66. Divulge a secret
67. Dish of cooked meat mixed with potatoes
68. Actress Zellweger
69. Romanian city
10. Icelandic poems
11. Bjorn __, tennis player
12. Bowfin genus
13. One point north of northeast
21. Political divisions in ancient Greece
23. Electroencepha -lograph
25. Cool!
26. Male parent
27. Where some gymnasts work
28. Capital of Vietnam
29. Sailboats
32. Shelter (Scottish)
33. Completed
34. Discharge
36. Arrest
37. Partner to cheese
38. Coffee receptacle
40. Stagnate
41. Satisfies
43. Snakelike fish
44. Consume food
46. Type of school
47. Erase
49. Inform
50. Girl’s given name
51. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation
52. Every one of two or more things
53. Northern India city
54. Seventeenth stars in a constellation
57. Weapon
58. Amounts of time
59. Isodor __, American Nobel physicist
61. Soviet Socialist Republic
62. Witness
CLUES DOWN
Lifestyle education for Grade 5 kids
The Chatham Voice
Local officials are hoping to drive a message of healthy living home to youngsters as part of the Racing Against Drugs event this week at Erick-
son Arena. According to a media release from the Chatham-Kent Chapter of Racing Against Drugs, more than 1,000 Grade 5 students from 33 schools are expected to take part.
Students will be exposed to interactive “pitstops” where they will learn about drug and alcohol awareness, the dangers of smoking and vaping, personal safety and injury prevention, as well as
healthy lifestyle choices.
Each day concludes with racing activities designed to promote teamwork, school pride and positive decision-making.
“This program allows us to engage students in a
fun and memorable way while reinforcing critical safety and prevention messages,” said Amanda Wyatt, chair of the C-K Racing Against Drugs chapter. “The support of our community partners helps ensure this important program continues for local students.”
Developed by the RCMP, Racing Against Drugs relies on community support and sponsorships.
Let the voices soothe you at St. Andrew’s
This season, St. Andrew’s continues its Timeless concert series with Time After Time, an evening of music that brings together choir and orchestra in a celebration of songs that have echoed
across generations. This concert will be presented on April 18 at 7 pm.
Featuring the full forces of St. Andrew’s 60 voice Concert Choir, Bel Canto Children’s Choir, and the C-K Chamber Orchestra, Time After Time invites
audiences to experience music that has shaped moments, memories, and milestones. From beloved classics to iconic melodies that continue to resonate today, the program explores how music connects us again and again across time.
With the direction of Devon Hansen, director of Music at St. Andrew’s, this concert reflects both the depth and evolution of the program he has built over more than a decade. Hansen brings together performers of all ages in a unified artistic
vision, one that speaks to the enduring power of music in the community.
“Music doesn’t end when the sound stops –it lingers,” Hansen said in a media release. “Time After Time is about those moments that stay with us. The songs that come back, that mean something new each time we hear them, and that remind us of where we’ve been.”
All are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Donations (suggested $20 per person) will be gratefully accepted at the door.
Answer the call. Volunteer with Ontario Corps.
T:7"
The Chatham Voice
A win-win business partnership
The Chatham Voice
There’s a new partnership that launched recently, tying local businesses to funding to help spur growth. The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce has linked arms with Community Futures CK to launch the Rural Community Growth & Investment Loan Program. The program gives Chamber members with access to flexible financing from $5,000 to $20,000
OBITUARIES
Gladys Sproule
106, Friday, April 3, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
Dave Stocking
75, Monday, April 6, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
Bill Eves
86, Monday, April 6, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
Elizabeth Boothe
93, Wednesday April 1, 2026
Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Brenda Wiltenburg
70, Thursday April 2, 2026
Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Douglas Swayze
85, Wednesday April 1, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Kenneth Jones
56, Friday April 3, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Terry Griffore
62, Friday April 3, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Peter Nantais
83, Saturday, April 4, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
John C. Badder Funeral Home Thamesville - 519-692-4222 Badder Funeral Home & Reception Centre Dresden - 519-683-4444
Badder & Robinson Funeral Home Bothwell - 519-695-2716 Visit us: badderfuneralhome.com
Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com
245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710
alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca
Paul Van Den Diepstraten
53, Saturday, March 28, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Gordon Koppes
86, Thursday April 9, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Shirley Mary King
91, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Life Transitions
Michael Albert St. Amand
56, Friday April 3, 2026 Life Transitions
Corey Keith St Peter 48, Friday April 3, 2026 Life Transitions
Bill Willmore
70, Saturday, April 4, 2026 Life Transitions
Donald Joseph McKay
67, Saturday, April 4, 2026 Life Transitions
Barbara Ann Rutti
81, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Life Transitions
An Ngoc Phan
45, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Life Transitions
Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390 Serving Kingsville, Wheatley & Chatham kendrickfuneralhome.com
to support expansion, inventory, equipment, and start-up needs.
“Chatham-Kent is leading the way with a firstof-its-kind partnership
that directly connects Chamber membership to access to capital – unlocking new opportunities for local business growth,” Chamber officials said in a media release.
Michael Hinnegan
Wednesday April 1, 2026
Cavanagh Funeral Home
Jesse Kewayosh
28, Thursday April 2, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
Rufus Williams
74, Saturday, April 4, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
Philip Arnold
78, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Nicholls Funeral Home
Larry Campbell 88, Wednesday April 1, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Jim Frederick 72, Thursday April 2, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Konstantinos Babalis 96, Monday, April 6, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Katherine Margaret Cooper 51, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Vera Studnicka
96, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
The partnership brings together two forces: the Chamber’s role as a connector, advocate, and champion for business; and Community Futures CK’s expertise in flexible, community-based lending and advisory support. The result is a locally driven solution that helps businesses move from idea to action.
“As a community focussed organization with rural economic support as our focus, this strategic partnership with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce illustrates our commitment to bring new investment to the business community to help create resiliency and a growth mindset within Chatham-Kent,” said David Argenti, executive director of Community Futures CK, in a media release.
Chamber is an investment in your business’s potential,” said Rory Ring, president & CEO of the Chamber. “This partnership turns that investment into real opportunity – connecting members not just to networks, but to capital, support, and growth when it matters most.”
Community Futures CK emphasized the importance of local investment in building business resilience and supporting sustainable growth across rural communities.
By aligning access to capital with a strong local business network, the program addresses one of the most persistent barriers facing small business: timely financing. It supports both established businesses ready to grow and new entrepreneurs preparing to launch— reinforcing a model of economic growth from within.
The program features an interest rate at bank prime plus two per cent, designed to reflect today’s economic realities –where cash flow is critical and access to manageable financing can determine whether a business can act on opportunity.
More importantly, the rate reflects confidence in the strength of Chamber businesses. Companies that are connected, supported, and engaged through the Chamber ecosystem are better positioned to succeed— helping reduce risk and enabling more accessible, practical financing.
“Being a member of the
The impact is local and lasting. As businesses grow, they create jobs, strengthen main streets, and reinvest in the community—bringing new energy to the Love Local, Shop Local movement.
• Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to bruce@chathamvoice.com.
Sadie MacDonald passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. She is now reunited with her husband William “Bill” MacDonald who passed away on August 13, 2024. Sadie was born in 1947 in the Netherlands to the late Richard and Gerrie (Pelleboer) Van Keulen. She is survived by her children Jennifer (David) Heizer, Teresa (Michael) Medeiros and Brian Hough (Carolyn Adams-Hough). Grandmother of Emma, Seth, Mark, Killian, Matthew, Katelyn, Brooklyn, and Ethan and great-grandmother of 9 plus one on the way. She will be sadly missed by her siblings Garrett (Maria) Van Keulen, Henry Van Keulen and the late Diane Van Keulen as well as her many nieces and nephews. Sadie had a successful nursing career working in several areas of medicine including her position as an Infectious Disease Public Health Nurse, which she retired from. Her hobbies included curling and golf, and Sadie was revered by her peers as a talented Artist/Painter.
All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Sadie’s Life on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 1-4 pm at the Chatham Granite Club (41 William St N). Donations in memory of Sadie may be made to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.
MORTGAGES / LOANS
Classifieds
Peter Dierickse
February 11, 1941 - April 7, 2014
May the winds of love blow softly
On a quiet peaceful spot
Where the one we love is sleeping
And will never be forgot.
Remember him with a smile today He was not one of tears
Reflect instead on memories
Of all his happy years.
Recall to mind the way he spoke
And all the things he said
His strength, his jokes, the way he laughed
Remember those instead.
The good times he shared with us. wife Barbara, sons; Brad, Greg, Andrew & their families
George Frank Stefik
April 1935 - April 2025
Husband, Dad, Grandpa & Grandpa George
1 year has passed since you’ve been gone, we’ve grieved, cried and laughed. You are forever a part of us all. Your loving family
Joseph “Joey” Wheeler
July 10, 1967 - April 11, 2019
Always In Our Hearts
Your loving family
And I think of him as living, in the hearts of those he touched, For nothing loved is ever lost , and he was loved so much.
Vendor Sale Sat., April 18th, 2026 10am-2pm
Good Shepherd School 4 Edith St., Thamesville Clothing, toys, home & garden décor, jewellery, baking and much more! Support small businesses & St. Paul’s Church!
Chatham Baptist Chapel “Come out, All Are Welcome” Sunday Services 11am and 7pm Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Go to www.chathambaptistchapel. com to watch sermons.
Deep steam carpet cleaning, area rugs, and upholstery. GROUT CLEANING, DUCT CLEANING. Call Alec - 25+ Years Experience. 226-229-0451. greenandspotless@gmail.com. We are local Chatham-Kent Residents.
Wanted to buy - Samsung S21
Cell Phone, in good condition. Phone 519-354-7241.
2 sets of right handed golf clubs. 1 mens, 1 ladies. Ladies regripped with Winn grips. Both with pull carts. Great shape. $350 obo. Please call 519-8099694.
MUST GO 1985 Maxim X Motorcycle. (80,407 km) Windshield, dark blue Boss300W stereo. Runs great, ready for the road. Box of extra parts. New battery & battery tender. Always stored indoors. Asking $1000. Helmets included. 519-3547023.
Basic Guitar Lessons. Reasonable. 519-9172339.
Man available to do minor body work. Reasonable prices! Call 226-627-9010.
For Sale Lessons
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
Sell your items in the classifieds! Ads start at $7.00 plus tax! Phone 519-397-2020!
