By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Dresden’s Summer Night Market isn’t over after all.
Instead, the renamed “Dresden Market Fair,” is moving to a new location on the Dresden Agricultural Society’s property at the Dresden Raceway.
The event, that has attracted thousands to downtown Dresden since its inception in 2018, is taking place
July 25. It will be preceded by the tractor pull – another popular draw – on the evening of July 24.
According to Dresden Agricultural Society’s Alicia VanEsse, the reimagined event will build on the success of the summer market, and organizers are hoping vendors and visitors will keep on coming.
“We’re really just changing locations,” said VanEsse, one of the directors on the ag society board.
“We’re trying to make sure that everybody who was involved is
Summer Night Market attendees flock to Dresden last August
showcase. It’s moving to the Dresden Raceway this summer.
still involved,” she said in a telephone interview, noting organizers hope all of the estimated 100 vendors will return.
“We’re honestly just picking it up from the middle of town and putting it on the ag society’s property,” VanEsse explained. “We’re glad to keep it in Dresden to show-
case what we have.”
Morena McDonald, one of the founders of the Summer Night Market and the Dresden Christmas Market, announced earlier this month that her group of organizers decided to step away from the summer market, stating that the workload of organizing two large events was
becoming too great. Instead, McDonald explained, the core of volunteer organizers, which includes Tyler Ouellette, want to focus on the Dresden Christmas Market, building on the “Christmas Town” work carried out by the Dresden Shines group.
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By Pam Wright
Journalism Initiative
Earlier this month Ontario’s Ombudsman issued a letter stating the Ministry of Health won’t be going forward with a
health hazard study on the “bio-accessibility” of potentially toxic sediment in the affected wells as requested.
In addition, the MOH has taken the same position in response to a 1,400-signature petition submitted to the Ontario legislature in June 2025, asking the government to probe the bio-accessibility issue.
Christine Burke, whose well has been fouled since nearby wind turbines took shape in 2014, said the Ford government has abandoned affected residents.
“They shut the door on the people. They shut the door on families and they’ve turned their backs on the people.”
- Well owner Christine Burke
“They shut the door on the people,” a frustrated Burke told The Voice after receiving the news. “They shut the door on families and they’ve turned their backs on the people.”
Local geologist Keith Benn, who sat as an expert witness on the all-hazard study carried out by the province in 2021, describes the government’s response as “industrial-strength gaslighting” noting officials neglected testing the sediment as requested. “This is rock-solid proof the government is ignoring the issue and the petition,” Benn said in an interview. “We made it known that the bio-accessibility of toxic metals in the sediment was the main concern, but the sediment was never tested.
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“Testing the sediment was the main thing we asked for,” Benn stressed. Dirty water said to be caused by the construction and operation of wind turbine farms in North Kent has been a contentious issue in Chatham-Kent for more than a decade. Residents in the Dover/Mitchell’s Bay area and Chatham Township began complaining of fouled water in their wells when industrial wind farms appeared on the landscape. Many of the affected homeowners said their well water
turned murky and black, clogging pumps and filters and making it unfit to use and drink. For some, the problem continues to this day.
Geological studies have determined the industrial turbines have been built on an aquifer comprised of Kettle Point Black Shale known to carry toxic metals.
Burke, with the help of Benn and Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns, brought the matter to Doug Ford’s attention when he was on the campaign trail in 2018. In a face-to-face meeting at a
Wallaceburg coffee shop, Ford said he was going to address the issue.
After he was elected, Ford did halt the construction of the Otter Creek Wind Farm north of Wallaceburg. He also spearheaded an all-hazard study of dirty water wells located in the shadow of North Kent 1 Wind Farm.
But at the time, no testing was done on affected properties in Dover. In that area, where Burke lives, no attempt was made, and the problem continues unabated. She and husband Terry have installed a complex filtra-
tion system, but the couple remain worried about the bio-accessibility of toxic metals.
The North Kent 1 Wind Farm consists of 34 wind turbines, and the East Lake St. Clair Wind Farm near Mitchell’s Bay has 55 turbines in operation. There are another five turbines operated by Boralex on Marsh Line in Dover.
To prove their point and push the government to find a solution, local residents raised $12,000 in 2023 to pay for independent testing at a Michigan laboratory. A professional hydrogeologist sampled
nine wells. The tests detected levels of arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and lead. Mercury was found in two wells.
But the discovery didn’t result in any action by the province.
Burke said she’s also worried about families who unknowingly purchase properties with fouled wells, adding one of her new neighbour’s dogs was getting sick after consuming the water. The family wasn’t aware of the problem when they purchased the home.
At the Grace Congregational Church on Bear
Line, the water also contains black sediment, Burke said.
“They’re serving coffee and tea and everything there,” she added.
Benn also points out that wells may contain the toxic heavy metals even if the water may appear clear and could be harmful to human health if ingested.
As part of its response, the MOH has instructed well owners to take advantage of free water testing for E. coli. and other bacteria through Chatham-Kent Public Health. But Burke and Benn both said that’s not the answer.
Continued from page 1
“We want to nurture that and collaborate more,” McDonald said in an interview. “Planning two similar events only a few months apart, we weren’t able to invest the time needed to focus on the growth of two events.
“We want to start those conversations earlier this year and hopefully we can get even more community groups involved,” she said. “There’s a lot of benefits to focusing on just one.”
The Dresden Christmas Night Market is tentatively scheduled for the last weekend of November.
The first one took place in 2017.
Going forward, McDonald hopes everyone will embrace all the “cool things and spinoffs” both markets bring to Dresden.
The Dresden Summer Night Market has been recognized by Festival and Events Ontario as one of the top 100 events in the province. It was also nominated for a provincial sustainability award.
The Dresden Agricultural Society is welcoming inquiries. People interested in volunteering or setting up a vendor booth can email dresdensummernights@gmail.com.
What could be better on a Satur day morning trip to your local farmers’ market than bringing a six-pack of beer with you to guzzle and burp your way through the fruit and vegetable stands?
That seems to be the mindset of Premier Doug Ford as his government is looking to expand the “bring-yourown” event permits for municipally designated cultural or community outdoor public events. Such events can include farmers’ markets, art exhibits and neighbourhood festivals – you know, places that either don’t have booze or rely on special-event licensing to assist the organizing groups in raising funds that help pay for said events.
This is nonsensical to us. Ontario is not Texas. This move sets the stage for increased consumption of alcohol. And for small-town Ontario, this just encourages drinking and driving. The ploy is yet another move by a government that can’t see past the horizon from its ivory tower in Toronto. In population-dense cities, there are plenty of alternatives to driving, thanks to mass-transit alternatives. But here, Chatham is the only community with consistent public transit,
and those buses stop running regularly shortly after 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Who polices consumption when Joe Blow brings his own booze to an event? Is every citizen supposed to take the provincial Smart Serve course and police themselves?
“I’m shorry shir, you’ve had too mush to drink. You’re cut off,” Joe Blow says to a mirror image of himself.
We don’t buy it.
But, apparently, it is being forced down our throats. According to a provincial government press release, “Municipalities will be required to pass a bylaw authorizing the use of alcohol in public, if they do not already have one in place, and establish a local process that would determine whether an event qualifies as community or cultural.”
Who benefits here? The alcohol producers and the alcoholics. Everybody in between can only hope they aren’t clipped by a drunk driver or aren’t sucker punched at a friendly gathering by someone who cannot control his or her over-indulgence in alcohol. It seems checks and balances are being replaced by chugs and beverages.
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What we need in Chatham-Kent
Editor: We need shared basic services in society, and our municipalities administer most of those regular day-to-day services. Officially, our system of government pays for these expenses by taking money from people; we call these taxes.
Elected officials ought to never forget that they essentially demand people’s wallets, take what they “need” and leave the wallet on the floor.
As a farmer, I appreciate the value of the long-term plan. The things we use to grow food (assets) cost money, we need them for many years, and we pay for them over multiple years because they cost a lot. I must re-invest every year while operating my farm business as efficiently as possible, keeping
enough to survive on personally, and hoping by the end of my farming career that I’ve done enough to create my pension.
In local government, councillors swim through a never-ending pool of demands for resources (our money), and someone is always disappointed. When Chatham-Kent was thrown together, we were told that efficiencies of scale, duplication reduction, shared expertise, etc. would benefit citizens.
Again, as a farmer, I appreciate the efficiency when a municipal drain can be serviced with one point of contact versus navigating several municipal jurisdictions.
Good personnel in that department have provid-
ed proof some things can be done better. This isn’t the case across the board, and the size of our municipality has created a bureaucratic empire that demands feeding. When bad decisions like the recent dust control issue for rural roads, ratepayers were forced to react with far more voice than warranted for a fundamental service, while the root causes were lost in priorities of spending, so they didn’t get the air of debate deeply needed. Our budget process misses a very important element for better transparency. Municipal government exists at the whim of the provincial government.
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The Chatham Voice
A vehicle recovery attempt in the frigid waters of Erieau ended in tragedy March 18, with a Chatham man losing his life.
The diver went into the water that morning to help in connecting cabling that would pull the vehicle from the channel at the end of Mariners Road.
That vehicle went into the water last November, while its occupants were able to escape.
However, at about 11:30 a.m. March 18, the vehicle recovery went south and police were called after the diver had not resurfaced.
A co-ordinated effort with local police, fire and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit led to the recovery of the diver’s body the following morning.
According to multiple social media posts, and multiple sources contacted by The Chatham Voice, the diver was Gary Smith, 67, of Chatham. Smith was a very experienced diver, and ran Red Devil Scuba in Chatham in the past.
Continued from page 6
Even though we elect councillors, the minister can and does direct them and their spending through legislated standards (i.e. a fire truck must be this new), directives (i.e. speed cameras must be stopped), and outright threats for removal from office or possible removal of an entire council (code of conduct rules). In the extreme case, an entire municipality may be replaced with an administrator if
the minister says so. So much systemic challenge exists. What if we structured the budget differently? Spending is largely directed, so those mandatory “thou shall items” ought to be flagged for budget as directed expenses (green ticket items). Items of similar force but with a component of council choice and some flexibility such as budget to fix vehicles or replace we should label as a yellow ticket item on budget.
Items demanded by ratepayers but not directed by legal directive or judicial precedent ought to be shown as blue ticket items. And all other items identify as orange ticket items.
The present capital-versus-operating model essentially by definition does not give enough clarity as to why we do the service in the first place.
Big-ticket items like policing costs are pretty much a rubber-stamp
event for council, so ask the province, why not upload all policing to the level of government that calls all the shots but leaves the bill on our local table?
Councillors share a common goal to make things better, but ultimately, it’s still a job you’re doing, one that you interviewed for (got elected).
I hope we can get a back-to-basics approach this year in Chatham Kent that focusses on
the core elements of our shared required services and re-focus our appreciation for ratepayer dollar allocation in the future.
Rural residents might not feel so compelled to ask for a divorce simply to find efficient, responsive municipal partners
to carry on local business.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Worried about the Dresden landfill?
Mark Sept. 21 on your calendar.
That’s the date York1 Environmental Waste Solutions will face off against the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in a Chatham courtroom.
A full day has been scheduled for the hearing where the issue will be “argued on its merits,” according to Ontario Su-
perior Court Justice Jasminka Kalajdzic.
The hearing will take place 10 months after the company launched legal action against Chatham-Kent’s position that the GTA-based business must adhere to the municipality’s planning and zoning requirements.
York1 is seeking to expand a landfill just north of Dresden. The company is saying it doesn’t have to follow C-K’s requirements and should be allowed to move forward with its plans, which in-
cludes building a regenerative recycling facility, expanding the size of the landfill proper, and constructing a ponding system for soil washing.
The municipality’s argument that it does have jurisdiction over planning is based on a letter stating as such from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks issued last year.
Legal counsel for the two parties made a brief appearance via video conference March 17, with 32 people attending.
The battle against the York1 project at 29831 Irish School Rd. began in February 2024, when it was discovered by the public the company was planning a massive expansion at the derelict dumpsite only a kilometre north of the community.
In 2024, Ontario’s former Minister of the Environment decreed that a full Environmental Assessment was warranted, but that was reversed by the Ford government in June.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Having your book nominated for the both the Giller Prize and the Trillium Book Award is no easy feat.
Neither is being the number one top seller on
Amazon for Canadian short stories.
But in the past few weeks, Wallaceburg’s John Gardiner has achieved all three.
Titled ‘Life in the Deep End, Stories from the Soul,’ his latest release features 19 short stories showcasing what the
author calls “emotional thought-scapes.”
And while they are tales about ordinary people dealing with ordinary things, Gardiner said the stories are far from ordinary.
“Because they paint vivid emotional images in the reader’s mind,” the
author said of his published work. “That’s the idea. I write like no one else you’ve ever read, I guarantee it.”
Part of the attraction to his work is its accessibility, Gardiner explained.
submission morphed into Life in the Deep End.
Davie said he was “quite taken” with Gardiner’s talent.
of nominees in September. This is winnowed down to a short list in October, before the winner is announced in November.
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“People with a Grade 6 education can read my writing and enjoy it and people with university degrees in English can enjoy it,” he added. “My writing is what you call every-person writing for everybody.”
Michael Davie is Gardiner’s new, and first, book publisher. The president and CEO of Manor House Publishing discovered Gardiner’s writing by chance while surfing the internet. He liked what he saw and asked Gardiner to send him some samples.
Gardiner forwarded some of his work and that
“He’s a remarkable writer and the work is very engaging,” the Ancaster-based publisher said in a telephone interview, calling Gardiner a “very effective” writer.
“I was drawn right in,” Davie explained. “It held my interest.”
Publishers are the ones who nominate writers for the Giller and The Trillium. They are only allowed to submit one title for the nomination. Davie zeroed in on Gardiner and Life in the Deep End.
The winner of the Giller Prize, Canada’s top fiction award, receives a $100,000, while the provincial Trillium Book Award winner receives $20,000. The Giller starts off with a long list
For Gardiner, 73, finding a publisher and having his work recognized at the highest level, is rewarding. He’s been writing for a half century, founding the “Probe” newspaper at his high school in his hometown of Hanover. He went on to achieve a Masters in Library Science at Western and did a turn as a reporter in Delhi. In 1985, he was hired as the editor of The Wallaceburg News, a job he did for eight years. Following that, Gardiner worked on various iterations of news media – both pre- and post-Internet – becoming a well-known voice in the region.
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He founded the CK Times and ran it for 10 years before retiring 13 years ago.
News reporting informs his fiction writing in a number of ways, Gardiner said, helping him become skilled at writing dialogue.
“I don’t mean to brag, but I write dialogue particularly well, because I spent 40 years interviewing people and writing down what they said,” Gardiner explained, adding newspaper deadlines also helped him become a “first draft” writer.
Life in the Deep End is Gardiner’s third book. His first two were self-published, and while
he’s happy with them, having a publisher is a whole new writing ballgame.
“I’ve been chasing a publisher, like for 40 years,”
Gardiner said. “The big difference between having a publisher is you can enter contests normally closed to those who self-publish. It opens the whole world up to you.”
Gardiner is pleased about the nomination but isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“You have to be realistic,” he said. First of all, it’s only a nomination but it’s still a big deal. I’ve got a long way to go before I win anything,”
But it’s gratifying nonetheless.
“For my publisher to have the confidence in me, to enter me in the Giller competition...I feel pretty good about that.”
Gardiner, also a wellknown “retired” bass player, is a cancer survivor hit by some serious health issues in the last
five years. However, he’s buoyed by his recent success.
“For years it’s been just John. It’s been me out there against the world. But now I have a publisher. If I get hit by a truck tomorrow, my book is still out there.”
We’re widening Highway 3 from Essex to Leamington to help you reach
We’re building the first small modular reactors in the G7 and first large scale nuclear facilities in 30 years.
That’s how we protect Ontario.
• New / Old Garden Makeovers • Interlocking Driveways and Patios - Installation & Repair
Retaining Walls
Complete Groundskeeping
Shrub Trimming
Renovations can transform homes into spaces that mirror homeowners’ dreams. Regardless of the scope of a project, a home renovation will involve some level of disruption to residents’ daily lives. Lengthy, more involved projects may impact daily life considerably. Renovation timelines vary depending on the scale of the project. Painting may take a week or two, while a kitchen or bathroom remodel may last anywhere from four to 16 weeks. Larger projects like adding a room can take between three and six months, say the experts at John Merrill Homes. Projects also often take longer than expected, as surprises may be in store once homeowners begin peeling back the layers in homes. Homeowners about to embark on lengthy renovation projects can embrace these tips to come through on the other side relatively unscathed.
Choose your timing
Plan accordingly
Creating and sticking to a daily schedule, and knowing what is happening each day, can keep a project on track. It also allows you to determine which days will be the most chaotic. Demolition days can be noisy and messy, and maybe those are days when you plan to be away from the house for a few hours.
Designate a safe zone
Store items out of harm’s way Invest in a storage solution for the duration of the renovation. Decluttering and removing items before the project is in full force will make it easier to work and maneuver, and it also means fewer items will need to be cleaned afterwards. Renovations tend to kick up a lot of construction dust, after all.
Establish a room or rooms as work-free areas to which residents can retreat. If multiple rooms are being renovated, you might consider spending time with a family member or friend, or getting a hotel for a short duration until the bulk of disruption dies down.
The timing of a renovation may have to coincide with contractor availability or having the budget to fund the project. But homeowners should consider life circumstances and season before starting a project. You might not have the energy to take on a project right before the holidays. If kids play on sports teams that require a lot of travel, it might be better to wait until the season winds down. Figure out what you can realistically take on to reduce the likelihood that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
Lower your standards
Homecooked meals may be your standard most days of the week, but it’s alright to be a bit lax when remodeling projects begin. Relying on frozen foods or takeout might be necessary for a little while. Remodeling projects can be disruptive and stressful, but certain strategies can make it easier to get through projects without too much disruption.
Homeowners may think they have to tear down walls or build room extensions to transform their homes with renovation projects. But small projects can yield impressive results, and that’s something homeowners working with limited budgets can keep in mind.
There’s no shortage of small projects that can change the look and feel of a home. Many of these undertakings can be achieved with a modest investment.
• Front door replacement: A new front door instantly improves curb appeal and can make a home more secure and energy-efficient. Painting the existing front door is an even smaller project that still offers appeal.
• Lighting addition: Whether a homeowner enlarges a window or adds skylights, natural light can produce incredible results. Investing in new lighting can feel like expanding a space without pushing out walls.
• Kitchen and bath fixture upgrades: Faucets and door pulls are used every day. Swapping existing fixtures for something a little more modern can unify spaces and provide subtle changes that enhance these popular spaces.
• Wood floor restoration: Scuffing and scratches can adversely affect the pristine look of a natural wood floor. Homeowners can polish a floor to restore its shine. A professional service will sand down and refinish older floors at a fraction of the cost of a new floor installation.
• Exterior lighting: Lighting isn’t just important inside. A welcoming glow in the yard is awe-inspiring. There are many energy-efficient lighting options, including ones that do not need to be hard-wired to the circuitry inside
Millions of people embrace opportunities to get back in their gardens each spring, and they might be reaping more rewards from that activity than they realize. According to the American Institute of Stress, gardening sparks a level of creativity among enthusiasts, and that can help to alleviate stress by lowering levels of the hormone cortisol. In addition, authors of a 2022 study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening concluded that gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic helped people cope with coronavirus-related stress through outdoor activity.
the home.
• Staircase renovation: Coordinate the staircase to the style in the home with a decorative carpet runner. A secure runner is attractive and can help reduce slipping down the stairs. Tighten shaky railings or replace them while upgrading the stair treads.
• Interior paint: Change the color of walls, doors, cabinets, or even furniture with paint. All homeowners need is a paint color that inspires them and a little bit of time.
• Replace outlet covers: Upgrade outlet covers with screwless options. Screwless plates for outlets and light switches can make walls look more sleek.
• Entry organizer installation: Banish clutter from the home by catching it at the door. An entry organizer with spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, and shopping bags can be eye-catching and functional.
• Carpets cleaning: Soiled carpets can look drab and dingy. Homeowners can rent carpet-cleaning machines or hire services to revitalize carpets with a deep cleaning. Small changes around a home can create a big impact without breaking the bank.
Outdoor living has become a coveted feature for many homeowners and those looking to buy. In 2026, landscape architecture has shifted from something that is purely ornamental to features that are functional and resilient. The American Society of Landscape Architects says a professionally designed landscape can increase a home’s value by anywhere from 15 to 20 percent. Some projects can yield a return on investment of even more — even recuperating the entire cost. Where is a homeowner to start when it comes to maximizing the potential of a landscape? These projects and components can be a good place to start.
• Natural stone patios: A high-quality patio can offer a great ROI. These patios may use the same stone levels and lines as the interior of the home.
• Outdoor kitchens: HGTV says an outdoor kitchen ROI can range from 55 percent to 200 percent, depending on the location and comparable homes in the area. High-value versions include built-in grills, weather-resistant cabinetry, and stone prep areas.
• Climate-controlled pergolas: Pergolas on their own can add interest and function to outdoor spaces. Those that feature motorized louvers that adjust for sun and rain have become a luxury essential for many homeowners. They help extend the usability of outdoor spaces during various seasons.
• Smart lighting systems: Integrated systems with LED lights controlled by apps are now major selling points for homes. These systems improve security and curb appeal at night. According to Urban Oasis Contracting, outdoor lighting doesn’t just show a space, but also transforms it. Adding carefully placed lights can redefine the property in distinct ways.
• Softscaping improvements: Mature trees can add character to a property and also reduce cooling costs via natural shade. Landscapes that require low irrigation are outperforming traditional lawns, according to Organic Valley.
Home design trends come and go, but one that has inspired a legion of committed followers is the 3-5-7 rule. The 3-5-7 rule is a formula for interior decorating that encourages homeowners to group furnishings in odd numbers. The intention behind such groupings is to ensure homes feel balanced and intentional without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Adherents to the 3-5-7 rule feel that odd-numbered groupings allow for an ideal blend of scale and height that creates a natural rhythm within interior spaces. Some even insist that odd groupings appear more curated. Size can come into play when pivoting to the 3-5-7 approach to interior design. Three large furnishings can be arranged (i.e., sofa, area rug and a large piece of wall art), five mid-sized items (chairs, coffee table, etc.) and seven small pieces (candles, framed photos, etc.).
The market research experts at Business Research Insights report that the three-season sunroom market size is projected to nearly double between 2025 and 2035. BRI reports that 65 percent of homeowners prefer cost-effective sunrooms when seeking to extend their living space. The popularity of sunrooms can be traced to a number of variables, including year-round access to a home’s surrounding landscape. That access might be hindered if the only spaces to experience nature is a patio, deck or another traditional type of outdoor living space. But sunrooms, particularly those equipped with heating and cooling, can bring homeowners in touch with nature during times of year when they might otherwise be compelled to steer clear of their outdoor living spaces due to less welcoming weather.
Homeowners looking to get great returns on outdoor living investments can consider prized improvements that transform exterior living spaces.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
‘Where Love Resides’ is the name of a new photo exhibit currently on display at Crow City Coffee in Chatham.
Its black and white photos, taken by photographers Steve Obalek and Martha Franks, depict everyday life in Chatham’s Tecumseh Park neighbourhood.
According to Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood Association (TPNA) member Susan Simpson, the project came together organically following the association’s fall festival held last September.
“Where Love Resides is a photographic tribute to a community shaped by history, resilience and connections between neighbours,” Simpson told The Voice in a recent interview, noting that after she saw some of the photos, she thought they were “too good” to
be stored on a flash drive in a drawer.
“Patrons at the cafe tell us that the images are full of joy,” she added. “It is our hope that other neighbourhoods will form associations and through initiatives and events, promote community engagement, safety, vibrancy and inclusiveness.”
Obalek, who along with partner Heather Kingham are Simpson’s next-door neighbours on Ellwood Avenue, calls himself a “street” photographer.
he’s been shooting photos most of his life.
“Patrons at the cafe tell us that the images are full of joy. It is our hope that other neighbourhoods will form associations and through initiatives and events, promote community engagement, safety, vibrancy and inclusiveness.”
- Susan Simpson
“I love taking photos of a moment in time of what people are doing,” said Obalek, noting
However, when the longtime construction worker met Kingham, who is a birder, his interest in photography deepened. When taking candid pictures of people, Obalek said most people are co-operative. “They think it’s fun,” he explained.
Franks, the other photographer in the exhibit, is Simpson’s daughter. She’s now moved to England where she is pursuing a career in photography.
Continued on page 23
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The TPNA was formed after the Victoria Park Place (VPP) shelter took shape on Murray Street in 2022. Residents found that the social disorder associated with the homeless population was affecting the neighbourhood due to the fallout from drug addiction and mental illness.
VPP ran as homeless shelter for three years closing in August of 2025. Simpson has words of praise for the help the group has received over the years from the Chatham-Kent Police Service and Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue.
“They helped us a lot with our sanity and our safety,” she added. “They have been fantastic.”
Where Love Resides is available for viewing at Crow City Coffee until the end of March. Plans are also in the works for exhibits through the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
Thursday, March 26, 2025:
• The 64th Annual Lenten Noon Hour Interdenominational Service at Christ Church, 80 Wellington St. W., Chatham (beside the bus depot). 12:10-12:35pm, followed by a sandwich luncheon in the parish hall. The theme this year is “The Cost of Discipleship”. The speaker this week is The Rev. Dr. Marg Moriyama. Free will offering with proceeds to CK Hospice, Outreach for Hunger, and Salvation Army Food Bank.
• 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.
• Tilbury Legion, 4 Stewart St. Hall open 2:30-9:00pm. Pool League.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available. Everyone welcome.
Friday, March 27, 2026:
• Join us for a Delicious Beer Battered Fish dinner at the Merlin Legion. Fantastic food for $12.50 tax included. Served from 4:30-7pm.
• 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 Liver & Onions or Fish & Chips, $15.00(HST included). Take out available by calling 519-3518733 or 519-351-5639. 5:15pm is weekly Catch-The-Ace draw. Fun Darts at 7:00p.m. Members & non-members welcome.
• Tilbury Legion, 4 Stewart St open 3:00-10:00pm. Pool & darts at 7:00pm.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am-1:30pm. Daily specials, fish & chips and other menu items available. Friday night supper is a Shepherds Pie dinner with coleslaw and a bun. Dine ins $14 and pickup $15. All meals are served at 6pm. Everyone welcome.
Saturday, March 28, 2026:
• Consider joining in on a fun day of cards. Euchre Tournament at the Merlin Legion. Registration is at 11am and cards start at 12 noon.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 10:00am-9:30pm. Line Dancing lessons 10:00am-12pm. Meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open 3:00pm-5:30pm. Come out and check out our menu. Entertainment by Second Round band from 4:30-9:30pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Bill’s Place Drop In. 11:00am-2:00pm. 1:00pm: Spring Potluck. Bring a dish, bring a friend, and celebrate community together. Come spend some time in the safety of Bill’s Place. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask questions, read a book, or about life or what we’ve been working on. Come and go as you please. No RSVP needed! All ages welcome.
• Tilbury Legion, 4 Stewart St. Meat draws. Check our Facebook page for hours. Cougars and Fox Band 6:0010:00pm. $5.00.
• Eggstravaganza – A Family Event at Evangel Community Church. 76 Sandy St., Chatham. 10:00am–noon. Blow ups, face painting, games, dramas, cotton candy, pizza, egg hunts and more! Must register at www.evangelck.com. Free.
• St. Andrew’s United Church will host a free “Family Drop-In Day” from 10am2pm. Families are invited to drop in for a variety of activity stations, including crafts, STEM activities, cupcake decorating and games. The goal is simple; to offer a welcoming space where families can spend time together with the community, with no hidden agenda. More info can at the church office.
Sunday, March 29, 2026:
• Spring Coin Show presented by Chatham-Kent Coin Club. 10am-3pm. Everest Convention Center, 250 National Rd. Chatham. 30 Dealer tables both selling and buying coins, tokens, paper money & bullion. Free Admission/parking. Contact President Jim Austin President@ CKCoinClub.com, 226-627-6789).
• Breakfast at the Chatham moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 9amnoon. All meals are cooked to order. Everybody welcome.
• Branch 642 L. A. hosting a dinner & silent auction fundraiser at the Chatham Legion, 39 William St., N. Doors open 3:00pm. Lasagna dinner 5:30pm. 100 dinner tickets available $20.00 ea, purchase at the Legion Bar. Guests are welcome to attend the silent auction only. All Bidding closes at 5:15 pm, items must be paid for & collected during event (ATM on site).
• All You Can Eat Brunch at the Tilbury Legion. 4 Stewart St. 10:00am-1:00pm.
Monday, March 30, 2025:
• Pepper at the Tilbury Legion. 4 Stewart St. 7:00pm. Hall opens at 6:30pm.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026:
• Buying a car? Know your rights. Join us in person or online for an informative webinar presented by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) 6:30-7:30pm. OMVIC will provide resources and tips for buying new and used cars. Join us online (through Zoom) or in person at Chatham, Blenheim, Merlin, Ridgetown or Tilbury Branch. Register by contacting your local branch, or by calling 519-354-2940.
• 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.
• Tilbury Legion, 4 Stewart St. Hall opens at 5:30pm for pool league.
Wednesday, April 1, 2025:
• 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. We have Fun Darts at 7:00 p.m. Members & non-members 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.
4. Assembly possessing high legislative powers
5. Genus of typical owls
6. One with distinctively colored hair
7. Red cross
8. An alternative
9. Abominable snowmen
10. About ear
13. The opening letters
CLUES ACROSS
1. “Bird of Paradise” constellation
5. Red Sox WS winner Bronson 11. Whirl
12. The State Dept. has a notable one
16. Energy, style and enthusiasm
17. Part of the mind
18. Mountainous country
19. Type of beverage
24. Atomic #109
25. Opposite of falsities
26. Female sheep
27. Rocky peak
28. Sensitive information sharing environment
29. Ethnic group of Thailand
30. Patron saint of Rome Philip 31. Psychedelics
33. Japanese pine
34. Have an impact on
38. Violent disorder
39. A French river
40. Early Mesoamerican civilization
43. Messenger ribonucleic acid
44. Musician Clapton
45. Ancient Greek sophist
49. Largest English dictionary (abbr.)
50. Valley
51. A way to unwind
53. Atomic #93
54. Recommending
56. Indigo bush
58. Larry and Curly’s pal
59. Off-Broadway theater award
60. Fencers
63. Small Eurasian deer (pl.)
64. Relating to songbirds
65. A way to assign CLUES DOWN
1. Some are “secret”
2. Intestinal openings
3. Distant planet
14. Feeling of regret
15. Atomic #39
20. Luteinizing hormone
21. Atomic #55
22. Carries a debt
23. Albanian monetary unit
27. Semitic abjad letter
29. Yes
30. Negative
31. Earn a perfect score
32. Connecticut
33. Partner to cheese
34. Snack nuts
35. Quadruped’s body part
36. Locate
37. Pitching statistic
38. “__, myself and I”
40. Utah city northwest of Provo
41. Football players in the trenches
42. One who runs the show
44. Wood
45. Performing artists
46. Slang for a cut
47. More breathable
48. Most crafty
50. Provokes into action
51. University of Dayton
52. Sodium
54. Large fish of the mackerel family
55. Not one
57. __ and behold
61. Sports highlight show
62. “The Great Lakes State”
By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative
Duart Presbyterian Church may be a memory, but part of its physical presence still lives today, thanks to another local church.
Duart Presbyterian’s 88-year-old stained-glass window depicting Jesus’ ‘Suffer The Little Children’ from Matthew 19:14 is now displayed in the new sanctuary at The Gathering Place Community Church in Ridgetown.
After Duart Presbyterian closed in April of 2010, an auction was held that September to sell off some of the contents before demolition of the building.
“In the time between the Duart church’s closing
and being demolished, a lady who attended that church began worshipping with us,” said Pastor Doug Rowley of The Gathering Place. “She purchased the window at an auction, knowing that one day we intended to expand our church.”
He said the woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, had stored the window for about 12 years before it was brought out to be incorporated into The Gathering Place’s new sanctuary.
“Unbeknownst to her, every church has its own niche to try to reach out and especially care for children and youth,” Rowley said. “The art piece she purchased is an artistic impression of Jesus hiding children, ‘Suffer the little children.’”
“It’s really appropriate for what our church is,” Rowley added. The backlit stained-glass window is prominently placed on the sanctuary’s feature wall above the platform, which drew plenty of praise during The Gathering Place’s grand opening last October.
“It’s gorgeous, a beautiful piece of a time in history, as stained glass windows aren’t being incorporated into churches as much anymore,” Rowley said. “It really blends the old with the new.”
He said the window represents “the larger faith community.
“We had a number of fam-
ilies migrate from there (Duart) and join with us,” he said. “One church closes, and part of it is fused with another church and brings that history forward, which is really characteristic of our church.”
Adam Frazee of Frazee Glassworks – which is located behind the church – was commissioned to restore the 88-year-old window for its installation into the new Gathering Place sanctuary.
“He did a phenomenal job,” Rowley said.
The Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK PUC) is undertaking a Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update Study. The Study is being prepared in accordance with the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environme ntal Assessment (Class EA) requirements for Master Plans. CK PUC currently services approximately 39,0 00 water 0 wastewater customers.
The Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK PUC) is undertaking a Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update Study. The Study is being prepared in accordance with the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environme ntal Assessment (Class EA) requirements for Master Plans. CK PUC currently services approximately 39,000 water 0 wastewater customers.
Register, collect pledges, and hike in support of Hospice residents and their families!
Sunday, May 3, 2026
You may also walk the path at your convenience April 27 to May 2, 2026.
Mud Creek Trail
Meet at John McGregor Secondary School
300 Cecile Ave, Chatham ON
Order your Hike for Hospice T-Shirts and Memorial Signs before April
The study will review previous capital plans and identify additional capital upgrades needed to sustainably provide municipal water and wastewater services. It will also assess infrastructure requirements to accommodate future growth to the build-out scenario beyond 2051, while continuing to improve servicing to existing residents, businesses and institutions. This Study is being coordinated with other municipal planning initiatives, including the Chatham-Kent Official Plan Update, the Southwest Servicing Study, the Transportation Mobility Master Plan, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The water and wastewater servicing solutions will be designed to be financially, socially and environmentally sustainable, meeting Chatham-Kent’s potable water and sewage servicing needs for the long term.
The study will review previous capital plans and identify additional capital upgrades needed to sustainably provide municipal water and wastewater services. It will also assess infrastructure requirements to accommodate future growth to the out scenario beyond 2051, while continuing to improve servicing to existing residents, businesses and institutions. This Study is being coordinated with other municipal planning initiatives, Kent Official Plan est Servicing Study, the Transportation Mobility Master Plan, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The water and wastewater servicing solutions will be designed to be financially, socially and environmentally sustainable, meeting Chatham-Kent’s potable water and sewage servicing needs for the long term.
To ensure all those interested have an opportunity to provide input to the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update Study, three (3) Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held. Proposed servicing solutions will be presented at the PICs, and public input is encouraged. Once complete, the final Study report will be made available for public review and comment.
To ensure all those interested have an opportunity to provide input to the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update Study, three (3) Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held. Proposed servicing solutions will be presented at the PICs, and public input is encouraged. Once complete, the final Study report will be made available for public review and comment.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the project webpage at www.letstalkchathamkent.ca/wastewater-master-plan to stay up to date on project updates, issued notices and shared study material.
If you have any questions or comments and/or would like to be added to the MP Update’s mailing list, please contact one of the study representatives listed below:
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the project webpage at www.letstalkchathamkent.ca/wastewater-master-plan to stay up to date on project updates, issued notices and shared study material.
Dhana Niriella, PhD, P.Eng, PE(FL) Chatham-Kent PUC Manager of Engineering ckpuc@chatham-kent.ca
Walid Abi Akar, P. Eng. R.V. Anderson Associates Limited Project Manager chatham-kentwwwmp@rvanderson.com
If you have any questions or comments and/or would like to be added to the MP Update’s mailing list, please contact one of the study representatives listed below: Dhana Niriella,
PhD, P.Eng, PE(FL) Chatham-Kent PUC
By Matt Weingarden Local Journalism Initiative
Tilbury Times Reporter
As conflict intensifies in the Middle East and fears of a wider regional war grow, several Chatham-Kent residents say they are living in a state of constant worry for family and friends caught in the turmoil.
With air travel disrupted, borders tightening and communication be-
coming increasingly unreliable, the uncertainty is weighing heavily on local families with ties to the region.
For Iranian-Canadian residents in Chatham-Kent, the anxiety is even more personal. Reza Farhadi, who has lived in Chatham for more than a decade, said his parents remain in Iran, where tensions have risen sharply amid fears of retaliation and further military esca-
James Chester "Jim" Parmley
77, Saturday, March 14, 2026 Life Transitions
Dennis Wayne Carroll
80, Sunday, March 15, 2026 Life Transitions
Walter Melville Rennie
88, Sunday, March 15, 2026 Life Transitions
Dorothy Peters
73, Thursday, March 12, 2026
Cavanagh Funeral Home
Judy Kerkhof
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
Bonnie Kiyoshk
61, Thursday, March 12, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
Michael MacKinnon
61, Saturday, March 14, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
kendrickfuneralhome.com
lation.
“My parents are in Shiraz, and every time I call them, I’m afraid it might be the last time I hear their voices for a while,” Farhadi said. “They tell me not to worry, but how can I not? The whole region feels like it’s on edge.”
Farhadi says the uncertainty is made worse by the possibility of communication blackouts.
“There have already been disruptions,” he
Arend Smid
85, Sunday, March 15 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Martin Beales
87, Sunday, March 15 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Alice J Tetrault-Hymus
70, Sunday, March 15 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Lisa Kerr
59, Sunday March 15, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Jayne Osmon
84, Tuesday March 17, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Meg Keller
81, Monday March 16, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Manuel Sousa Jr.
64, Wednesday March 18, 2026
Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
said. “Sometimes the internet slows down or calls don’t go through. When that happens, my heart stops. I just want to know they’re safe.”
He said many Iranian-Canadian families in the region are experiencing similar fear.
“We came to Canada for peace and stability, but our hearts are still with our families back home,” Farhadi said. “It’s painful to watch events unfold
from so far away.”
Local residents said they are frustrated by the lack of clear information about evacuation options, flight availability and the safety of civilians in affected areas. Some said they are relying on social media, international news outlets and sporadic messages from loved ones to piece together what is happening.
Ken Smith
73, Sunday, March 15, 2026 Badder Funeral Home
Marjorie Kathleen Willer
98, Friday, March 13, 2026 Badder Funeral Home
Charlie Johnston
59, Sunday, March 15, 2026 Badder Funeral Home
Jerry Roseblade
80, Sunday, March 8, 2026
Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Peter Vale
84, Friday, March 13, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
William Patrick
68, Monday March 16, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Richard Goldsmith
87, Friday March 13, 2026
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
A woman faces attempted murder charges in the wake of a March 13 stabbing in Wallaceburg.
The stabbing took place on Murray Street, police say.
“Due to the severity of
the incident, the investigation was immediately assumed by the Major Crime Team,” a police media release said, adding officers “were able to quickly identify the accused, determine the involvement of associated parties, and secure key evidence critical to the investigation.”
On Monday, police say the accused, a 36-year-old Chatham-Kent woman, was located and taken into custody with the help of the OPP-led Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Unit.
Police say the stabbing was an isolated incident and the victim and accused are known to each other.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det-Const. Garth Reid at 519-436-6600 ext. 80404 or garthr@chatham-kent.ca, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS (8477) or www. ckcrimestoppers.com.
Mindorff, Richard Peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Tuesday March 10, 2026, Richard John Mindorff, age 72 of Chatham. Born in Chatham in 1953 son of the late Jean (Sherbourne) and Frank Mindorff. Beloved brother of Theresa and Paul English, Joe Mindorff (Louise Moist), Ray Mindorff and Tony and Marian Mindorff. Also sadly missed by several nieces and nephews and dozens of cousins. Friends and relatives may visit at the Hinnegan Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham from 10-10:45 AM on Saturday March 28, 2026 where a funeral mass will be conducted in St. Ursula’s Church at 11 am. Cremation will follow. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date with his parents. Donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences welcomed at www.peseski.com
Mickie Florence Hurst (nee Hoekstra)
January 19, 1955 – September 24, 2025
Six months have passed since you left us, but not a day goes by that you are not in our thoughts. Your humour and laughter were among the greatest gifts in our lives — the kind that could fill a room, lift our spirits, and make everything feel a little lighter. Even in difficult moments, you had a way of finding something to smile about. You found joy in the simple things: tending to your flowers, enjoying a warm cup of coffee with a homemade treat, picking blueberries, or quietly watching the birds flutter around the backyard. Those small, beautiful moments will always remind us of you.
Mom, we miss you more than words could ever express and carry your love with us every day.
Your warmth, kindness, and the love you gave so freely continue to live on in the memories we hold close to our hearts. Though time moves forward, the space you left behind will never be filled.
Forever loved and deeply missed.
Lovingly remembered by
Your Son and Daughter, Aaron Hurst & Monica Hurst
March 29 • 10am-3pm
Convention Centre 250 National Rd., Chatham 28 Dealers’ Tables who BUY, SELL and TRADE Free Admission &
Announcement
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.
Advertise your business in the classifieds! 519-397-2020
up to 10 hours/wk
Location: Hybrid Send cover letter & resumé to rashin@dimeskilaw.com Email subject: “Reception Position” 519-319-7313
Classified ads starting at only $7 plus tax. 519-397-2020
Claims against the Estate of Jack Herman Butler, late of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Province of Ontario, deceased, who died on or about the 18th day of May, 2016, must be in our hands by April 9th, 2026, after which date the estate will be distributed having regard only to those claims which have been duly filed.
DATED at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent this 4th day of March, 2026
Jared Tattersall May 29, 1978 - March 25,
For my son, whose future held so much promise. The love I hold for you remains constant and enduring. Love Dad
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. Carpet Cleaning
Solicitors
Over 100 45’s. for sale. Also some 78’s and 33’s. Best offer. Very large authentic picture of Sunset Blvd., with papers. $800 obo. Phone 519-4370634.
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
Stair Lift for 4 stairs or 68 inches long. $200.00 Call 519692-4456 or text 548-996-7453.
Year round yard clean up in Chatham-Kent Phone 519-436-4449. Wanted Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.
Place your ad in the classifieds! 519-397-2020
$50,000 for $237.48/mth
$100,000 for $474.95/mth
$200,000 for $949.91/mth
$300,000 for $1424.86/mth
$400,000 for $1899.81/mth
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