Artist creates flag out of poppies
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Kristy Gold’s thumbs are still sore, but she’s proud of her accomplishment.
Gold spent the better part of a week creating a 52-inch-by-36inch Canadian flag made out of fabric poppies.
And she had handed it over to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 642, to display.
Gold, who works at the El-
ephant’s Nest in downtown Chatham, is artistically inclined and an annual participant in the downtown Remembrance Day ceremony.
It only made sense that these two passions of hers would collide.
Gold said she’s responsible for the window displays at the Elephant’s Nest. “I do all the displays for the different holidays,” she said. “I had just taken down the Crow-
fest pieces and I decided I wanted to do a Remembrance Day one. I figured it would be nice to do some poppies. But I was conflicted. I wanted to do a flag as well. Then…what if I did a flag made out of poppies?”
With that combination in mind, she set to the task. It involved cutting out about 700 poppies from red and white fabric.
The poppies I cut by hand. They’re all different sizes. I got two different types of red and one of white,” she explained. “I spent hours cutting them out. You’ve got to fold them a certain way to give them depth.”
PUBLIC NOTICE OF REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
November 11, 2024 Downtown Cenotaph, Chatham corner of King St. & 6th St. Form up in front of the Legion at 39 William St. March Off Branch 642 at 10:30am
From there, the poppies
were pinned to the 52-inch-by36-inch piece of plywood that holds it all together. Gold said her mother helped her with cutting the plywood to size.
The family effort continued, with her daughters helping by putting the black tacks through the centre of each poppy.
And then Gold put them in place on the plywood; 700-plus times.
“My thumbs…I felt it after the first day,” she said of pressing the tacks into the wood again and again.
The initial plan was for a display to go in at the Elephant’s Nest, but chatting with patrons changed Gold’s mind.
“A lot of our patrons are veterans. I showed some of them my
progress,” she said. “Then I decided to donate it to the Legion. It felt important.”
She also expanded her initial plan to make the larger flag.
“The feedback and reaction from the veterans I know personally…I wanted to make it bigger and put it at the Legion,” she said.
Gold attends the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph on Sixth Street in Chatham every year.
“Remembrance Day, for me, is a day of remembering those who fought for our freedom, who fought in our past and will fight in the future,” she said. “If I can contribute to bring back the memories or keep the conversations going, great.”
Erie fishing industry gets $10M bump
The Chatham Voice
Lake Erie’s fishery industry is getting a $10-million boost from the province.
According to a media release the money will be used to upgrade two fisheries management facilities in Wheatley and Port Dover in order to strengthen recreation and commercial fishing.
Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris travelled to Wheatley to make the announcement Oct. 31.
“Commercial and recreational fishing in Lake Erie are critical resources to southwestern Ontario’s economy, featuring world-class fisheries that generate millions of dollars and sustain thousands of jobs,” Harris said.
“As part of our government’s
plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help boost our province’s economic growth and agri-food sector by ensuring these fisheries are able to stay competitive and resilient in the face of economic uncertainty.”
The upgrades include replacing aging infrastructure, expanding the space at both locations and incorporating new technologies to enhance safety and improve efficiency.
The laboratories where fish samples are processed will be enhanced as well.
Construction will begin over the next two years with the Port Dover site set to open by 2027 and the Wheatley facility by 2029.
Chatham-Kent–Leamington
“Our government is proud to support the people who work in our agri-food sector and will continue to make the critical investments that ensure a sustainable and resilient food supply for the people in our communities,” Jones said.
Lake Erie has one of the world’s largest freshwater commercial fisheries, bringing in an economic benefit of $200 million per year, supporting around 1,000 jobs in the fishery and fish-processing sectors.
From 2004 to 2023, Lake Erie contributed an average of 82 per cent of the total commercial fish harvested from the Great Lakes.
MPP Trevor Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said the investment will support fisheries and protect Ontario’s food security.
Flexing at the plex in Chatham
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
A new amenity is taking shape on Chatham’s south side.
Spearheaded by real estate developer Phillip Ong, CK Flex Plex will take indoor recreation to the next level.
Located in a warehouse on the former Navistar property, the 37,000 square-foot structure will offer a variety of sporting opportunities – from indoor soccer and volleyball to table tennis.
Ong, who started the Chatham-Kent Recreation League (CKRL) for adult sports two years ago, said creating the space evolved from his experiences renting spots to run the league. Often, Ong said, he was unable
to get appropriate sites at appropriate times.
“I want my own space,” Ong said at last week’s official announcement, explaining he liked the idea of consolidating the league in one spot. He ended up speaking with Don Tetrault of the Tatro Group, one of the owners of the property, and the rest is history.
Ong said Tetrault was receptive to the plan.
“We got talking and he liked my idea for a sports complex,” Ong said at the opening. “We just played around with the idea and we came up with this idea.”
Originally from Vietnam, Ong lived in Halifax and Toronto before moving to Chatham-Kent with his young family. A sports buff, he had been travelling to Windsor to play
soccer twice a week but found it to be too much. He said that led him to start the CKRL close to home.
Accustomed to playing in indoor spaces in cold weather, Ong said he considered moving but instead decided to create something to “make it better for everyone.”
And, he added, the plan was met with enthusiasm from the Tatro Group and the mayor.
“The mayor and Don have been very helpful,” Ong added. “They helped me push it ahead.”
The current plan includes indoor soccer fields; six indoor volleyball courts; six indoor badminton courts and three half-court basketball courts.
Eventually, the entrepreneur said he’d like to ex-
pand, and if all goes well, the future may include outdoor beach volleyball spaces, an outdoor soccer field with artificial turf and possibly a restaurant where people can enjoy food and drink while socializing.
As far as what will be offered, Ong said programming will be tailored to public demand, open to individuals and organizations, including school groups, youth sports and even professionals who want to hone their skills.
He’s hoping coaches will also offer clinics and training.
“Anyone who has an interest can just reach out to us to work out a rental agreement,” Ong said.
Mayor Darrin Canniff, who spoke at the opening, said the CK Flex Plex is the perfect private-pub-
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lic partnership and won’t cost taxpayers a dime. He said the idea for an indoor sporting facility has been on the municipality’s radar for a while and the original idea was to build a dome at the St. Clair College Community Park on Bear Line.
“To actually put this as a business, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the mu-
nicipality,” Canniff said. “This is much needed,” he added. “ It’s a super-exciting opportunity for Chatham-Kent. We’ve identified this for years. We need this...the demand is growing for this facility. This is one of those pieces of the puzzle from a recreation perspective that we didn’t have.”
Continued on page 5
By Caroline Smith
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Plans for a new indoor sporting complex at the former Navistar property in Chatham were officially announced last week. Here, Don Tetrault of the Tatro Group, CK Flex Plex founder Phillip Ong, Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor and Mayor Darrin Canniff mark the facility’s official launch.
Hiring underway at dump site
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Despite the fact approvals are still needed, York1 is looking to hire workers at the Dresden landfill site.
This came to light just days after the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada turned down a request from Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.) to review the project under the Impact Assessment Act.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island First Nation members also signed onto the request.
York1’s Help Wanted ads on Indeed have raised concerns among officials.
“To my knowledge they (York1) have not received any approvals and putting ads out is premature at best,” said Rick Lindgren, staff lawyer with the Canadian Environmental Law Association.
According to Lindgren, who serves as co-counsel for Dresden C.A.R.E.D, approvals from the province and Chatham-Kent are needed in order for the landfill expansion to legally go ahead.
In a telephone interview, Lindgren said York1 officials disagree with that opinion, noting it will be “interesting to see how this plays out.
“It’s wait and see,” Lindgren explained. “I hope
everyone has their ears to the ground to be ready and let us know if anything happens.”
Chatham-Kent deputy chief administrative officer Dave Taylor said he had been made aware of the want ads and the municipality is looking into it. Chatham-Kent is on record as being firmly opposed to the project.
He also stressed “it’s important to remember that York1 does have some existing approvals stemming from historical approvals.”
However, Taylor pointed out that the municipality “has been really consistent” with the fact York1 needs further provincial and municipal approvals, including land-use approvals, and York1 has “not sought those.”
Since the project came to light early in 2024, opposition has been fierce, coming from a wide array of environmental agencies, opposition leaders and municipal governments – including Dawn-Euphemia, Lambton County and Dresden Together.
A comprehensive environmental assessment had been placed on the development by former Environment Minister Andrea Khanjin in 2024. But in June 2025, the EA was removed by the provincial approval of Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act – which empowers the govern-
ment to create special economic zones.
GTA-based York1 has plans to build a regenerative recycling facility at the Irish School Road site a kilometre from the community, as well as a soil washing and leachate ponding system, while expanding the dormant landfill capacity to accept non-hazardous construction and demolition waste.
When The Voice reached out last week to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) with a list of detailed questions about the York1 project, the paper received a three-paragraph answer.
In an email response from Alexandru Cioban, deputy director of Issues Management, Legislative Affairs and Press Secretary for MECP Minister Todd McCarthy, wrote that the York1 waste project is “an expansion of an existing, active landfill with waste permissions already in place – and would not normally require a new environmental assessment that would take six or more years to complete.
Good addition to C-K
Continued from page 3
Canniff said the Flex Plex adds to what’s being offered at the new tennis dome that’s being run by Tennis Clubs of Canada.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, a long-time advocate for indoor sports, is pleased with the announcement.
“It’s wonderful to see private partners involved in projects like this,” McGregor said. “It brings value to the community and it’s a huge piece of attraction and retention.”
“This makes it a site that can mobilize quickly to expand Ontario’s internal waste management capacity, ensuring long-term stability while reducing reliance on international systems,” Cioban wrote. “We have been clear, the project will still undergo extensive environmental processes and remain subject to strong provincial oversight and other regulatory requirements, including Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA) under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA).”
However, for the grassroots groups, the battle goes on.
“Our fight continues alongside Walpole, Chatham-Kent and Dawn-Euphemia to oppose this project in all its forms,” Dresden C.A.R.E.D chair Stefan Premdas said late last week.
Premdas pointed out that while IAAC president Terrence Hubbard turned down the request for an assessment, he acknowledged the project may cause adverse effects to areas under federal responsibility, listing fisheries, migratory birds, species at risk and First Nations
people.
In another development last week, the Lambton Kent District School Board is on record as being officially opposed to the Dresden expansion. The board recently reviewed a case coming out of Stoney Creek, Ont., where the Ministry of Education stopped the construction of a school because it was too close to a landfill.
Board trustee Angie Mills-Richards, who serves Dresden students and also owns farmland adjacent to the landfill site, said she hopes the Minister of Education will listen.
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As part of the project, artist Ruth Ann Pearce will be painting a mural on the back wall.
“She saw this place and she loved the idea,” Ong said.
Ong said he hopes to hire 10 employees to help staff the facility. For more information on the project access www.ckflexplex.com online.
Ong said organizations that book during the first year will be offered a promotion to help the Flex Plex get up and running.
Opinion
Remember your code
Perhaps all municipal councillors need a reminder of their code of conduct, because apparently some can’t get it into their heads, despite the integrity commissioner having to deal with several complaints in recent years.
“Members of council shall uphold a high standard of ethical behaviour to ensure that their decision-making is impartial, transparent and free from undue influence.”
Note to certain councillors: Listening to some of the social media outbursts by citizens could be construed as undue influence. Keep an open mind and don’t get bogged down.
“Members shall refrain from engaging in conduct that would bring the municipality or council into disrepute or compromise the integrity of the municipality or council.”
That’s a laugher, or at least it appears more than one councillor is laughing, or just ignoring this one. If the majority of council as a whole makes a decision, that is the will of council. Don’t be passive aggressive about the matter publicly. Move on. You may not like the decision, but slamming it or clearly distancing from it on social media only serves to undermine council.
“Members shall perform their duties
and arrange their public affairs in a manner that promotes public confidence and respect and bears close public scrutiny…”
Promoting public confidence?
In this rendition of council? No, there are some who appear hell-bent on undermining council. Several councillors are fuelling the divide between rural Chatham-Kent and Chatham. Tossing out falsities such as the Chatham-Kent Community Hub will result in the closure of rural libraries, for example. Need we remind everyone that some citizens earlier this year wanted to see their communities separate from Chatham-Kent?
Deal with facts. Listen with your ears open. Read your council reports.
And beware the naysayers. Don’t discount them, as these are often members of our community who are very passionate about the fabric of Chatham-Kent, but often come rooted with questionable ideals.
But if someone is ALWAYS against spending, it’s time to distance yourself. There is smart spending, and cutting off all spending could very well cause the municipality to stagnate. If that happens, you’ll be one of the people left holding the bag of excrement.
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chathamvoice.com.
You can also drop them off to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4.
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Mayor Canniff refutes Coun.Bondy’s letter
Editor: Recently, Coun. Michael Bondy sent an email to media, without cc’ing myself or council, about the Chatham-Kent Community Hub. It contained inaccuracies that mislead the public.
His statement indicating that the project will cost $90-100 million is false, misleading, and an attack on the credibility and integrity of our council, staff and consultants.
The total project budget
for the Community Hub is $52.8 million. Full stop. The project’s capital budget includes all construction costs, contingencies, and procurements within the $52.8 million.
Claims of hidden costs, undisclosed interest, or a “blank cheque” are false, plain and simple. It has been explained to Coun.
Bondy several times in open session and through
reports that all contingencies ($7.1 million in this case) are built into the $52.8 million budget, yet he still fails to grasp the concept. Coun. Bondy has had access to the project financing information for over a year. The information is in the October 21, 2024, May 12, 2025 and October 20, 2025 reports to council.
Continued on page 7
A littered lifestyle
Editor: I walk every day along Mud Creek and all summer have enjoyed it. However, since school went back, I’m appalled at the amount of litter scattered everywhere.
At one spot in particular close to McGregor
high school there is always a group of kids hanging out, smoking marijuana and leaving their garbage everywhere. I have spoken to them twice about it
but of course their response was disrespectful and self-entitled. It’s very sad.
J.M. Gautreau Chatham
Strict procurement procedures utilized
Continued from page 6
The debenture for this project will not be issued until 2028–2029, after the sale of surplus properties, receipt of donations, and release of unused contingencies. These repayments will be funded through the existing facility replacement budget, meaning no tax increase is required.
His statement that the contract has no spending cap is incorrect. This project is being executed under a fixed-price contract. The tender award was conducted under strict municipal
procurement rules. Any costs beyond the awarded amount would require council approval through a public report. I want to stress that this project has been subject to extensive due diligence by both external and internal professionals, including engineers, accountants, lawyers, architects and more. This due diligence has allowed us to forecast with a high degree of accuracy that this project will come in at or below the $52.8 million budget.
The Chatham-Kent Fire Hall referenced in his
statements is a completely separate project that will be considered independently by council at a later date.
This project, as per the council-approved Fire Masterplan, needs to take place regardless of what was decided on the CKCH project. His efforts to intertwine the costs of two unrelated projects is yet another instance of misinformation.
I take Coun. Bondy’s attempt to spread misinformation very seriously. Council, administration and I are bound to provide residents with
accurate, verified information.
I understand that Coun. Bondy, ever since declaring his intention to run for mayor, is against this project, but attempting to cast aspersions on it through the spread of misinformation is unprofessional and beneath the integrity of a Chatham-Kent councillor.
The fact is: This project is the most fiscally responsible option. As reported to council on May 12, renovating the existing Civic Centre, library, and museum to comparable modern stan-
dards would cost around $55 million more than the CKCH.
We’re getting an all-inone facility for half the cost, all while reducing payments on multiple assets. This doesn’t even include the sale of the two buildings, the possibility of unused contingency, and community donations, all of which would reduce the cost by millions of dollars.
Most of the negativity I’ve heard about this project stems from misleading information. What I’ve been hearing from informed local business-
es, families, newcomers, and library and museum patrons is an overwhelming sentiment of positivity and approval. I’ve been hearing a community that is excited for progress, eager for change, and excited to see their municipality strategically investing in itself in preparation for growth.
How can we ask businesses and residents to invest in C-K if we aren’t willing to do it ourselves?
Darrin Canniff Mayor
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Do many of us really understand?
Remembrance Day. Men and women displaying a huge array of medals. Parades. Tears. Memories. We are to be thankful and remember people who died years ago in wars most of us have only read about. So how can we remember?
It’s not that we don’t care, but rather we don’t really understand. Most of us have grown up not experiencing war. In fact, about 75 per cent of Canadians were born after the 1950’s Korean War.
As a boy, my friends and I were fascinated with war. We were born soon after the close of the Second World War, and war stories and movies were everywhere.
I was a former member of the Chatham Kiltie Marching Band. I recall many Remem-
brance Day services at the downtown cenotaph playing “Abide with Me” and watching the tears stream down wrinkled and worn faces of men and women. I did not fully understand the huge significance Nov. 11 held for so many.
Hearing stories of war gave me a glimpse, but seeing
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things firsthand has been life changing.
Vimy Ridge was one of the greatest battles in Canadian history. I walked through the same First World War trenches our soldiers did 100 years ago. They were only feet away from the enemy’s trenches. No wonder so many died.
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I saw the rolling landscape around Vimy Ridge due to the thousands of bombs that pounded the land during the battle. I walked through the underground tunnel. I saw where our Canadian soldiers slept, ate, fought and died. In Flanders, near the town of Waragem, I visited the largest Commonwealth war cemetery. It contained thousands of white markers, row after row after row. I walked for hours through this cemetery not saying one word. I read the epitaphs on the tombstones and discovered many of these soldiers were young men, far too young to be lying dead in a field so far from home. That day was cold, wet and miserable. I can only imagine the conditions these soldiers endured.
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Dieppe was the site of one of the great losses in Canadian war history. I stood and looked out over the beaches of Dieppe and tried to envision our soldiers being cut down by enemy fire before they ever reached land. The evening was cold, windy and stormy, and I stood out in the rain for quite some time thinking of how each lost life had impacted so many others. I can still remember the wind howling throughout the night, reminding me of the very real horrors of war.
In Japan, the site of the world’s first atomic bomb used in warfare on a populated area was Hiroshima. The U.S. dropped the bomb to try and end the Second World War. I watched hundreds of Japanese men, women and children walking past the memorials and reminders of this devastation.
of human beings were killed through work, torture, starvation and medical experiments. I saw the crematorium, viewed the guard towers and peered through the electrified barbed wire surrounding the camp. I walked around the grounds and saw prisoner’s barracks, meant to hold hundreds but instead housed thousands.
Before I left, I sat and scanned the entire cemetery. A humble and sobering feeling overwhelmed me, and all my tear-soaked eyes could see was the blur of white stones marking the spots of so many young and innocent lives.
I saw very real evidence of war in the scars, missing limbs and body malformations of hundreds of people. I walked slowly through the museum and viewed pictures of the horrors that war brings on civilians. I sat at the very spot the bomb exploded overhead and tried to imagine the utter desolation and destruction on that August day in 1945. Buchenwald was one of the largest concentration camps in Germany. This beautiful country setting played host to a horrific story of human brutality, waste and destruction.
I walked through the camp and museum, trying to understand why tens of thousands
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I stood in stunned silence, overlooking this now serene place. The setting sun threw shadows across the landscape, and I could almost hear the desperate and anguished cries of men, women and children. In all these places, I would sit for hours trying to envision what happened during these dark times in our history. How could people let this happen? How can we do such things to fellow human beings? And yet, wars and atrocities still happen every day in far too many countries.
I have learned many things through these firsthand experiences. But one thing always comes across – there is nothing glamorous about war. I realize, in a very small way, what hundreds of thousands of men and women and families sacrificed and went through for me. Freedom meant blood that spilled on fields, oceans and in the air so many years ago and so far away from home.
This Remembrance Day, I want to offer my thanks to the men and women who served. To all the families who lost a loved one, thank you for what you gave up. To those who sacrificed so much and sent family members over to an unknown land, thank you. To those who are still living with physical and emotional scars, I am sorry you have carried these wounds for so many years. For those haunted by memories and still living with past horrors, I am sorry. My generation and the generations following me do not fully understand what you went through. But we are so thankful and grateful you did.
Kim Cooper
Honoured for excellence
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham native Melissa Strachan has received a prestigious award from the Canadian International Black Women Excel-
lence (CIBWE) organization.
At a recent gala in Toronto, the Kitchener social worker was acknowledged with a “Black Pearl” award for her accomplishments. Each year the agency cel-
ebrates 100 Black women and the advancements they have made in Canada and beyond.
CIBWE delivers programs through creative efforts such as events, publications, training, online platforms, social en-
terprises, capacity building and special projects that connect Black women to the world of opportunities that are available.
Proud mom Marcha Strachan, who attended the Oct. 25 event, told The Voice, she’s delighted about the honour.
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“My head is big,” Strachan joked. “It’s a onetime thing and I think I’m allowed to be proud. They tried to make the girls (honourees) feel very special and Melissa was sparkling that night.” Melissa, 46, attended McNaughton Avenue Public School and Chatham-Kent Secondary School, and holds a Master degree in Social Work. She is currently the associate director of counselling at the University of Waterloo.
According to Marcha, her family hails from the Dresden area and Melissa
is seven generations removed from slavery.
“We are standing on the
shoulders of everyone who has come before us,” she said. Contributed
image
Chatham native Melissa Strachan is all smiles after receiving a Black Pearl award from the Canadian International Black Women Excellence organization recently.
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Drug poisonings a concern in C-K
The
Chatham Voice
A recent spike in overdoses has prompted a warning from public health about the danger of drug poisonings.
In a recent media release, Chatham-Kent Public Health (CKPH) officials said the rise is linked to an influx of strong fentanyl mixed with Xylazine –commonly referred to as tranq.
Tranq increases the effect of opioids, officials said, and can cause prolonged sedation, as well as wound and skin issues.
“This serves as an important reminder that the unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and always changing,” the release stated. “Substances may not be what individuals expect, increasing the risk of harm or death.”
According to recent CKPH data, there were three local
suspected drug-related deaths in the past three months, from July to September. A total of 15 suspected opioid poisoning calls to CK EMS were recorded in September.
For Chatham-Kent and Ontario overall, the number of opioid-related deaths in the first quarter of 2025 is lower than the number of deaths in the quarter prior. Northern health unit regions continue to experience the highest annual rates of opioid-related mortality in Ontario; however, Sarnia was among the cities with the highest mortality rates in the first quarter of 2025.
Since 2021, about one in five opioid deaths occurs amongst people experiencing homelessness, public health officials said.
Half of all opioid toxicity deaths occur among people living in areas experiencing the highest level of material resource deprivation
In the event of overdose, individuals are advised to call 911 and to administer naloxone to the user if opiate use is suspected. Do not leave someone who is overdosing alone and stay
with them to assist until paramedics arrive.
Other advice for drug users is to avoid using alone and to have a safety plan whereby someone checks on you. Users are advised not to mix drugs, to know the quality of drugs and to be aware of their tolerance level. They can also call
the call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) Safer Consumption Hotline at 1-888688-6677.
To learn more about where you can get a free naloxone kit visit ckphu.com/naloxone. To view the most recent opioid surveillance report visit ckphu. com/opioids.
New exhibit at museum
The Chatham-Kent Museum is alive with colour these days.
The museum opened a new exhibit, CK in Full Colour, recently.
This exhibition of vibrant displays and interactive elements explores the science and significance of colour.
For most people, colour is a constant and powerful visual stimulus that shapes how
we experience the world. Colour provides essential information about our surroundings, helps us recognize objects, navigate our environment, and interpret our experiences.
Through this exhibit, explore the science behind how the human eye perceives colour. Learn how different colours may influence your mood and behaviour.
Discover how diverse cultures in our C-K community see meaning in colour enriching our connections, traditions, and daily life.
In addition, the museum’s Imagination Station provides hands-on activities for every age and learner to continue the adventure.
Out in the Open is a visible artifact storage area in the exhibition galleries of the museum. Visitors can grab a flashlight and peruse almost 5,000 artifacts from the museum’s three-dimensional artifact collection.
The Chatham-Kent Museum is open for drop-in visits Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is by donation.
Contributed image
Tranq, or strong fentanyl mixed with Xylazine, is present in Chatham-Kent, and public health officials say it’s contributing to an increase in drug poisoning in the municipality.
The Chatham Voice
A banner of a memory
Capt. Brackin IODE purchases numerous Remembrance Day banners
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The members of the Captain Garnet Brackin chapter of the IODE will not forget.
As Remembrance Day approaches, this local branch of the service club recently purchased the Remembrance Day banner of its namesake, Capt. Garnet Bracken, who was killed in the First World War.
In fact, the Brackin branch went four steps further. The group purchased banners for four other Chatham IODE branches that have since disbanded – Lt. Dick Crawford, Maj. George Smith, F.O. Bev Pritchard, and Lt. Austin Wright.
These banners are displayed along King and Fifth streets in Chatham, along with other banners marking the passing of local soldiers lost during the First and Second World Wars. They will remain there until Remembrance Day.
Marianne Johnstone, spokesperson for the Brackin IODE branch, said this is the 125th anniversary of the IODE in Canada, and the branch members “wanted to do a little project or two.”
Johnstone said the IODE purchased the banners through the Royal Canadian Legion.
“They’re beautiful. They’ve been up there for more than five years and they still look good,”
she said of the banners. “I think it’s a great way to honour them.”
Members of the Brackin IODE aren’t done. They will stand vigil at the cenotaph on Sixth Street on Nov. 10 as part of the initiative put on by personnel at Christ Church in Chatham.
On top of the banner purchases, which help support the Royal Canadian Legion, Johnstone said the Brackin IODE added five $125 bursaries at Chatham and Pain Court secondary schools this year.
“We always give $750 to each high school as a bursary. This year, we did a $125 bursary for a student at each of the high schools in Chatham and
Pain Court who had done a lot of volunteering,” she said. “We encourage kids to be volunteers in their community and at school.”
IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization. Women of all ages and from all walks of life and backgrounds “meet in local chapters for fun, friendship and community volunteerism,” according to the IODE Canada website.
The focus of the IODE is on children, education and community services.
The Brackin branch is not the only remaining IODE group in Chatham. The Kent Regiment branch also exists.
Enbridge staying put: mayor
A week after reports surfaced about Enbridge possibly pulling out of Chatham-Kent, the mayor is saying that’s not about to happen.
Darrin Canniff said he spoke recently with Enbridge CEO Gregory Ebel and was told Chatham-Kent is an important piece in the Enbridge puzzle.
“During that conver-
sation, he told me, and I quote, ‘Enbridge will always have a significant presence in Chatham-Kent.’ That commitment is important for our community,” Canniff said. “Enbridge has been and will continue to be a strong partner and employer right here in Chatham-Kent. There may be changes but he assured me they will always be present in our community in a significant way,
Pop-up book sale at library
Chatham-Kent Public Library is hosting a fall pop-up book sale at the Chatham branch.
The sale will take place in the Community Living Café, between Nov. 17 and Nov, 22, while supplies last.
“This is a great opportu-
nity to stock up for winter and get some holiday shopping done as well, as there is a large selection of items to choose from,” officials said in a media release.
Visitors are asked to bring their own bags. All proceeds from the sale will support library programs and services.
which is great news.”
News surfaced in late October that Enbridge was considering a move.
Officials with the company, in an email to local media, were rather vague.
“As part of our regular review of facilities and real estate strategy, we are exploring options to better support our team and evolving operational needs. However, no final decisions have been made, and no changes
are expected in the near term,” it read.
Enbridge employs about 1,000 people in southwestern Ontario.
Enbridge’s Chatham office is at 50 Keil Dr. N. in Chatham, the former headquarters for Union Gas, which was swallowed up by Enbridge in 2017.
The Voice has so far been unsuccessful in getting comment out of Enbridge.
The Chatham Voice
The Chatham Voice
Historic sexual assault charges laid
A BC man faces charges in connection with four sexual assault cases in southwestern Ontario nearly 30 years ago…including two cases locally.
In one instance, on May 23, 1997, a girl was walking along Highway 21 in Thamesville shortly before noon. She was picked up by a man driving a light blue or grey two-door vehicle. OPP officials say she was taken to a wooded area where she was sexually assaulted.
A sexual assault in Chatham took place on Aug.
20, 1997. OPP officials say a girl was picked up on Grand Avenue West about 10:40 p.m. by a man driving a blue vehicle. She was taken outside of Chatham and sexually assaulted.
That was the fourth in a string of such assaults that year. Others took place in Sarnia.
In all instances, police say the victims were left at the site of the assaults.
An individual from British Columbia has been arrested in connection with a series of violent sexual assaults that occurred in southwestern Ontario in 1997, following a
multi-jurisdictional investigation known as Project Aerial.
Back in the day, police believed that the same unknown offender was responsible for the four incidents. Over the years, two of the four incidents – the events from March and June 1997 – were linked to the same assailant using DNA analysis and investigative efforts, police say.
The cases were later transferred to the OPP. Despite extensive efforts and repeated public appeals, the identity of the assailant remained unknown for many years.
In January 2024, advancements in DNA technology, and resulting forensic analysis by the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS), linked the four assaults to the same individual. The OPP utilized investigative genetic genealogy and employed other investigative techniques to identify the individual believed to be responsible, police say.
On Oct. 26, with the assistance of the RCMP, Vancouver police and the OPP, police made an arrest in Campbell River, BC.
As a result of the investigation, Jason Timothy
Davidson, 52, of Campbell River, is charged with three counts of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon, kidnapping, four counts of forcible confinement, three counts of uttering threats and one of theft.
OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns credited police persistence and courage from the victims with charges being ultimately laid.
“Project Aerial reflects decades of persistence and commitment, not only from the victims who had the courage to
come forward, but also from the investigators who never stopped pursuing answers,” he said.
“I want to recognize the dedication of both current and former members of the investigative team, as well as the exceptional co-ordination across provincial jurisdictions that made this arrest possible.”
The investigation by the Lambton and Essex OPP Crime Unit remains ongoing, in conjunction with other police services.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
The Chatham Voice
On Remembrance Day, we’d like to share our admiration and appreciation for the dedicated men and women in uniform whose service and actions have protected our freedom and our way of life through the generations.
In Flanders Fields by
John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
The roles of the three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces
Each November, individuals across Canada honour and recognize the service and sacrifices of members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Remembrance Day is celebrated in Canada every year on November 11, making the month of November an ideal time to learn about each of the three branches of the country’s armed forces.
as large a force as the Regular Force (22,500 members), and an additional 3,500 civilian employees serve in support of the Army.
The Royal Canadian Navy
provide peacekeeping services and humanitarian aid and prevent illegal activities from happening at sea. According to the Government of Canada, the RCN is made up of approximately 8,400 Regular Force personnel. An additional 4,100 Reservists and 3,800 civilians serve in the RCN.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Canadian Army
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is tasked with protecting Canadian sovereignty at sea, at home and abroad. Sailors in the RCN also
Working in partnership with the United States, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) defends and protects Canadian and North American airspace. The RCAF flies a large inventory of aircraft, which the Government of Canada notes includes a significant amount of new or completely modernized aircraft. The RCAF serves in both peacetime and during times of conflict.
The Canadian Army is the land component of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Army consists of full-time Regular soldiers, part-time Reservists who serve in communities across Canada and Canadian Rangers from remote locations in Canada.
The Government of Canada notes that the Army Reserve is a part-time component of the Canadian Army that deploys members both at home and abroad. With roughly 21,500 members, Reservists make up nearly
The Canadian Armed Forces serve a variety of functions, protecting Canadians, Canadian interests and even foreign citizens both at home and abroad. Remembrance Day marks the perfect time to celebrate and honor the Canadian Armed Forces.
Mayor Darrin Canniff On behalf of Chatham-Kent Council
Gestures anyone can embrace in support of Veterans
Community-wide events tend to be held on November 11, but any day of the year is a good time to pay respect to veterans. On a local level, people can do much to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.
• Provide a free restaurant meal. Offer to take out a veteran for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you see a veteran eating in a restaurant, anonymously pay the bill for that person.
• Send care packages. Communities can gather resources and chip in to make care packages for veterans who live in town, and even to send to troops stationed elsewhere. Include foods and comforts from home.
• Buy from veterans. Seek out veteran-owned businesses in the area, and then make purchases from their retail stores or utilize their services.
• Volunteer at a VA hospital. Spend time with veterans where they receive care for current
health needs or past injuries suffered in combat.
• Decorate cemeteries. Honour fallen veterans by placing flowers or flags by their gravesites.
• Participate in a parade. If your town hosts a Remembrance Day parade, find out how you can volunteer or be a part of it. Oftentimes parade officials enable youth groups, such as high school marching bands or scouting troops, to participate in the parade.
• Write to the newspaper. Write an op-ed or highlight piece to submit to the newspaper about veterans in the community. Mention local veterans who have unique stories, or speak about the importance of veterans to the community.
• Ask a veteran to speak. If you work in a school or a community center, ask veterans to share their experiences with area youth.
• Visit local memorials. Spend time visiting memorials nearby and pay homage to the veterans who devoted their time, or even their lives, to service.
God Bless Our Veterans
Notinikew featured at St. Andrew’s
The Chatham Voice
As part of St. Andrew’s Saturdays at 7 concert series, the Windsor Classic Chorale will present Notinikew, a moving Remembrance Day program composed and narrated by Indigenous artist Andrew Balfour.
The event takes place
Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church in Chatham.
Notinikew (which means “going to war” in the Cree language) explores the stories of Indigenous soldiers who fought for Canada during the First World War. Despite their courage and sacrifice, these soldiers
returned home to a country that denied them the very rights and freedoms they had fought to defend. Through powerful choral music and narration, Balfour’s work gives voice to a history too often forgotten, “the words and woes of a community and destiny too rarely heard about.”
The concert will also feature tenor Andrew Derynck, baritone Adam Iannetta, cellist Karen McClellan, and song keeper Grandma Theresa, whose presence and storytelling bring depth and authenticity to this performance.
Presented in honour of Remembrance Day, No-
tinikew invites audiences to reflect not only on the tragedy of war but also on reconciliation, remembrance, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Donations will be accepted at the door ($20 per person suggested amount.) All proceeds support the ongoing Saturdays at 7 concert series
WINTER HAS A WAY OF TESTING US.
The nights grow long, the days grow colder, and the simple things — walking to the mailbox, shovelling the driveway, making it to the grocery store — suddenly become a challenge. But what often hurts most isn’t the cold. It’s the loneliness that creeps in with it. When the snow falls and the streets grow quiet, many older adults find themselves spending more and more time alone. Friends visit less often. Family members worry more. Adult children call every night “just to check in,” but hang up still uneasy, knowing how quickly one fall, one power outage,
or one icy step could change everything. Winter is hard on you… and on those who love you.
At St. Angela’s Meadow Retirement Lodge, we understand that staying home alone through the winter can take its toll physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. That’s why we’ve created a community where warmth means more than just temperature. Here, you’ll find fireside lounges and hearty home-cooked meals that bring people together. You’ll hear laughter echoing down the hallways during card games and crafts. You’ll see neighbours
looking out for one another; a comforting reminder that someone always notices if you’re not at breakfast or feeling your best.
For families, that peace of mind is priceless. Knowing that Mom or Dad are safe, supported, and surrounded by friends brings a comfort no weather report can take away.
And for residents, winter takes on a new meaning. One filled with connection, companionship, and the simple joy of waking up each morning with something to look forward to.
At St. Angela’s Meadow, we believe
and the music program at St. Andrew’s. Now in its 12th season, St. Andrew’s Saturdays at 7 series showcases local and regional artists in a range of genres from classical and choral to jazz, film, and world music creating musical experiences for the Chatham-Kent community.
retirement living isn’t about giving something up; it’s about gaining what matters most: warmth, safety, and community. Because life doesn’t stop when the snow starts to fall, it just gets better when you have someone to share it with.
So before another winter sets in, ask yourself: what would it feel like to have more warmth in your days, and less worry in your nights?
Maybe it’s time to find out.
Call or visit us today at (519) 352-5225 -OR- 20 Merici Way, Chatham, ON N7L 3L8. We can’t wait to meet you!
Future champions of industry?
high schools from across the municipality.
Chatham-Kent students with the Lambton-Kent District School Board recently took part in the 2025 Manufacturing Day. The day is an annual event, and part of a province-wide initiative, that promotes careers in manufacturing and connect students with local industry leaders.
Through organized facility tours and interactive experiences, the program, co-organized by municipal economic development staff, aims to provide students with practical insights into the advanced technologies, career pathways, and workplace environments that define today’s manufacturing sector.
More than 200 students took part, coming from seven local
Students visited ten local businesses: Aarkel Tool and Die, AWC Manufacturing, 1 Source Design, KSR International, Lambton Conveyor, Martinrea, Russell Tool and Die, Vitesco Technologies, We Cover Structures, and Windmill Cabinets. Each location gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how products are made and how technology is used in the process.
“From robotics and automation to design and engineering, the manufacturing sector is rapidly transforming, and so are the career opportunities,” said Sean Columbus, economic development officer, in a media release.
While skilled trades continue
to play a vital role, the sector is increasingly seeking talent in areas such as software development, technical operations, and advanced equipment handling, officials said. With the integration of artificial intelligence, smart technologies, and
Homeless doc airing at Capitol
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, a documentary about homelessness in Chatham-Kent will hit the red-carpet Nov. 8.
Created by the film making duo of twin sisters Kat and Karissa Strain, “Unhoused: Communities in Crisis” will
have a public screening at the Capitol Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission to the show is by donation to Outreach for Hunger, which is in need of pantry staples such as rice, oatmeal, pasta, flour, kid’s snacks and coffee and tea.
An anonymous donor, Strain Professional Realty, Sisters Strain Film Corp. and Rotary District 6380 have
all chipped in to make the screening possible, according to Kat Strain.
“They wanted to make sure Chatham-Kent could come out and see it,” Kat explained, noting the documentary looks toward a “positive future” for the community.
The Sisters Strain both say they learned a lot when making the film.
Continued on page 21
digital systems, students were able to observe firsthand how innovation is reshaping multiple industries.
Thank You
The Make Children Better Now Association would like to thank their sponsors: Tek Savvy, Bayshore HealthCare, Rondeau Capital Inc., Apollo General Contracting, Moir Crane Service Ltd., Cimoroni, Dresden Foodland, CKXS, The Wright Family, TJ Stables, Teri-Lyn Harlick, Delaware Nation Council, Cascades Casino Chatham,
To Suit Your Fancy Decor / Design, Fill Your Cup, Mediatopia, Frick’s Fish & Chips, Lally Group, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, Waste Connections of Canada, Tatro and especially to the John D. Bradley Centre. Thank you also to our contributors, volunteers, and participants for making our 20th Anniversary Gala an Amazing Success.
The Chatham Voice
Contributed image
Students take part in Manufacturing Day, an annual event that promotes careers in manufacturing and connect students with local industry leaders.
NOVEMBER IS WOMEN ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
1. Listen to and believe survivors
When a woman shares her story of violence, she takes the first step to breaking the cycle of abuse. It is on all of us to give her the safe space she needs to speak up and be heard. Call out victim-blaming.
2. Understand consent
Freely given clear consent is mandatory, every time. Rather than listening for a “no”, make sure there is a clear “yes”, from all involved. Adopt clear consent in your life and talk about it.
3. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help
There are many forms of abuse and all of them can have serious physical and emotional effects. If you’re concerned about a friend who may be experiencing violence or feels unsafe around someone, review the signs and learn about the ways to help them find safety and support.
4. Teach the next generation and learn from them
The examples we set for the younger generation shape the way they think about gender, respect, and human rights. Start conversations about gender roles early on. Talk about consent, bodily autonomy, and accountability in an age-appropriate way to boys and girls. For example, discuss the importance of a clear “yes” from all involved, the fact your body is yours and you make choices over what happens to it, and of how we must always take responsibility for our actions. It is important to also listen to what children have to say about their experience of the world. By empowering young advocates with information and educating them about women’s rights, we can build a better future for all.
5. Start a conversation - Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that’s been perpetuated for decades. It is pervasive, but it is not inevitable, unless we stay silent.
6. Fund women’s organizations Donate to local organizations that empower women, amplify their voices, support survivors, and promote acceptance of all gender identities and sexualities.
7. Hold each other accountable Violence can take many forms, including sexual harassment in the workplace and in public spaces. Take a stand by calling it out when you see it: catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments, and sexist jokes are never okay. Create a safer environment for everyone by challenging your peers to reflect on their own behaviour and speaking up when someone crosses the line, or by enlisting the help of others if you don’t feel safe. As always, listen to survivors and make sure they have the support they need.
Visit https://www.unwomen.org for more info.
and prayers
Chatham Kent Women’s Centre is asking you to show your support! Purple is a symbol of courage, survival and honour, and it also symbolizes the fight to end woman abuse.
Light up your business, school, home and place of worship with purple lights, balloons, and streamers. Stand in solidarity with abused women and support them in understanding that any shame and/or blame they may feel does not belong to them but to the perpetrators of their abuse.
Let’s Light our Community in Purple and Shine The Light On Women Abuse! String Lights $10 - Purple Light Bulbs $10
For more information contact us at 519-351- 9144 or Facebook.
Gala nets Hospice
$182,000
The
End-of-life care in Chatham-Kent received a big boost recently, as the Chatham-Kent Hospice Benefit Gala raised more than $182,000.
That included a $30,000 nightof donation.
The sold-out event provided attendees with an evening of gourmet dining, auction experiences, and an emotional account from a local family sharing their journey with Chatham-Kent Hospice.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us and to our generous sponsors, particularly our title sponsor, Victory Lincoln,”
Marian Redford, chair of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation, said in a media release.
“Your incredible support ensures that local families con-
tinue to receive vital residential hospice care, grief support, and care navigation at no cost to them. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our guest speaker, who kindly shared their family’s experience, helping us all understand the profound im-
pact your contributions have.”
The night’s Golden Ticket raffle offered 100 lucky guests the chance to win an exclusive experience from the silent auction and two tickets to next year’s gala. Lisa Clement was the winner, choosing the Sweet
Party Suite at a Windsor Spitfires game.
The popular Mitton’s Jewellers Diamond Draw, featuring a stunning 18K white gold earrings set with .73cts of natural Canadian diamonds, was won by Deb Gillier.
‘Unhoused’ to be shown on Nov. 8
Continued from page 19
“We discovered how much work is being done,” Kat said. “If you’re not involved in that sector, you don’t know about all the things that are going on. It takes a lot of effort and planning and we just hope people can see how much is being done and what will be done.”
“It kind of shocked me,” said Karissa, noting the issue goes beyond encampments. “We didn’t realize how many people are struggling who aren’t homeless...who are really living close to the line in C-K.”
The documentary was made with input from Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) Missions, Hope Haven and municipal staff.
According to the Strains, the film has generated plenty of interest and will be submitted to various film festival competitions.
Doors to the event will open at 6:30 p.m. for the red-carpet experience, followed by the showing at 7:30 p.m.
Chatham Voice
Contributed image
John Schinkel bids on a live auction experience at the eighth annual Hospice Benefit Gala.
Grant application period underway
The Chatham Voice
Applications for funding under Chatham-Kent’s Together CK Grant Program are now open. Aimed at supporting community events and projects in 2026, the application deadline is Nov.
28. The Together CK program supports community culture and connection building by providing funds to support partnerships with local initiatives, according to a municipal media release. Funds are reviewed and
allocated through a formal review process and approved by C-K council. All applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of citizens and representatives from various municipal departments.
Community members
can apply for 50 per cent of a significant event’s expenses up to a maximum of $25,000; 50 per cent of a community event’s expenses up to a maximum of $5,000; or 50 per cent of a community project’s expenses up to a maximum of $10,000.
The grant program is administered by the Municipal Community Attraction & Promotion division.
Information sessions regarding the funding are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 5 from
1 to 3 p.m.
To attend one of the sessions, register on Eventbrite. For more information, consult.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/together-ck-2026 online.
Community Events
Thursday, November 6, 2025:
• Jam Session at the Merlin Legion, everyone welcome between 1-4pm. Consider staying for an early dinner! Donations are welcome, so bring your singing voice or musical instrument.
• 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 starts at 1:00pm. BINGO! L.A. Bingo 7pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available. Everyone welcome.
Friday, November 7, 2025:
• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out and have a chat, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or find out about our programs and upcoming events. No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome. 3:30-6:30pm.
• 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 ham & scalloped potatoes or fish & chips, $15.00(HST included). Take out available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun darts start at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Join us for a Delicious Beer Battered Fish dinner at the Merlin Legion. Fantastic food for $12.50 tax included. Served from 4:30 to 7 pm. Call 519-6894884 to place your order. Take out also available.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. 11am- 1:30pm. Daily specials including fish & chips and other menu items available. Friday night supper is a Meat Loaf dinner with potatoes, vegetables, salad and a bun. Dine ins $14 and pickups $15. Please call 519-352-8291 to order. All meals are served at 6pm. Everyone welcome.
Saturday, November 8, 2025:
• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:00am, serving indoors, no take out. Wheelchair accessible.
• Wabash Women’s Institute Craft Show. Wabash Hall. 9am-1pm. Admission $2. Handmade crafts, bake table, door prizes.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 10:00am-9:30pm. Line Dancing lessons 10:00am-12 noon. Meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm, ending with a 50/50 draw. Kitchen open 3:00pm-5:30pm. Come check out our menu. Entertainment by Back 2 Back 4:30-9:30pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• The Windsor Classic Chorale presents Notinikew, a profoundly moving Remembrance Day program composed and narrated by Indigenous artist Andrew Balfour, at 7:00 pm at St.Andrew’s United Church in Chatham. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door ($20 per person suggested amount.) For further info contact St. Andrew’s United Church at 519-352-0010 or visit www. standrewschatham.org/events.
• Meat draw at the Tilbury Legion, 3:00pm. 4 Stewart St., Tilbury. Everyone welcome, no need to be a member.
Sunday, November 9, 2025:
• Windsor Coin Club: Canada’s Best One Day Coin Show. 9am-3pm. Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Ave., Windsor. (2nd floor). Buy, Sell, Trade. Free. hourly door prizes. Free admission.
• All you can eat brunch at the Tilbury Legion. 10:00am-1:00pm. $15.00 Three and under free. 4 Stewart St., Tilbury. Everyone welcome, no need to be a member!
• Breakfast at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 9am until Noon. All meals are cooked to order. Everyone welcome.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025:
• Remembrance Day. Come join us at the Chatham Cenotaph at 1939 6th Street, where the ceremony to reflect on our fallen heroes will start with a parade beginning from The Chatham Legion at 10:45am & ending in front of the Cenotaph. Members & non-members welcome.
• Chatham Camera Club meeting at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 255 Tweedsmuir Ave. West, Chatham. Featuring our Flash Workshop Part II, with Keith Blackwell, Mike Blasik and Jim Pollock. Meeting starts at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:45pm. All are welcome, bring in your camera! Call (519) 350-1672 for further information.
• March from the Tilbury Legion to the Cenotaph at 10:30am. Everyone welcome. Service starts at 10:50am.
• Please join us at Merlin Community Hall for the Remembrance Day service that begins at 10:50 Sharp.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Daily special is meatloaf dinner. Fun darts at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Fish Crispies, homemade fries and coleslaw at the Tilbury Legion. 4 Stewart St., Tilbury. Everyone welcome, no need to be a member!
• Tilbury Legion Christmas Sign Making evening with Jessica from Rustic Homes. 6:30-8:30pm with appetizers. $35.00. Must pre-register, call 519-358-6124. Everyone welcome!
Thursday, November 13, 2025:
• Retired Workers Chapter Meeting at 10:00am, visit with friends and former workers and keep up to date with things going on in the Community, pensions, benefits and the information provided from informed leadership and guest speakers. Spouses are welcome. Unifor Local 127, 405 Riverview Dr., Chatham (lower board room).
• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out and have a chat, do your homework or find out about our programs and upcoming events. No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome. 3:30-6:30pm.
• Jam Session at the Merlin Legion. everyone welcome between 1-4pm. Consider staying for an early dinner! Donations are welcome so bring your singing voice or musical instrument.
• Theatre Kent presents: CATS! CATS is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground and is alive with purr-fect felines. 7:30pm. cktickets.com.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Alcoholics Anonymous Chatham-Kent. Call or text 519-360-5246. aachathamkent.com.
Fun Stuff
53. Unwise
54. Most unnatural
56. Dennis is a notable one
57. Ointments
58. Students’ exam
59. Leaked blood
CLUES DOWN 1. Brave 2. Act of awakening
3. Jest at 4. Sandwich store
5. Chapter of the Koran
6. Dismounted
7. Small vehicle
8. Irked
CLUES ACROSS
1. Difficult 5. Coarsely ground
corn
9. There’s one for the “world”
11. Loved Romeo 13. Sticky situation 15. Pelvic areas 16. An informal debt instrument 17. Cannot be repaired surgically 19. A device attached to a workbench
21. Related on the mother’s side 22. Sound unit 23. __ Sagan, astronomer 25. Utah city
26. A disappointing effort
27. Steal goods during a riot
29. Wakes up
31. Hair salon service
33. Serenaded
34. Looked intensely
36. U.S. Air Force expert Robert F.
38. A type of cast
39. One’s duty
41. Where golfers begin
43. Make a mistake
44. Semitic sun god
46. Ancient Greek City
48. Having had the head cut off
52. A place to stay
9. One who earns by disreputable dealings
10. Monetary unit of Samoa
11. Long, mournful lamentation
12. Weight unit
14. Alone, single
15. Decreases
18. Indicates beside 20. Worn by exposure to the weather
24. A body of traditions
26. College students’ ultimate goal
28. Amino acid
30. Nasal mucus
32. US government entity
34. Swinish
35. Legislative body in Russia
37. Grant an exemption to
38. Put in advance
40. Satisfy
42. Felt
43. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls
45. Witnesses
47. Picnic invaders
49. Gasteyer and de Armas are two
50. Ancient person of Scotland
51. Cheerless
55. Unwell
Charity Classic raises $44K
The fifth annual CK Charity Classic, in partnership with the Business Social Network, brought in more than $44,000 this year.
Organizers, sponsors and recipients gathered recently to celebrate as well as announce next year’s tournament beneficiaries.
There were three main recipients of the funds raised from this year’s tournament. First was the Mental Health Network of Chatham Kent which received a new air conditioner for their facility thanks to a partnership with Handy Bros. and a new double oven kitchen setup to allow them to teach and prepare meals daily.
erosity of both sponsors and participants, the CK Charity Classic was also able to give out additional funds in the form of a sponsorship for the Chatham Kent Children’s Safety Expo.
The CK Charity Classic was also able to make a donation that allows the CK Racquet Centre to purchase equipment for a pilot program to introduce school-aged kids in Chatham Kent to tennis.
The beneficiary for the sixth annual CK Charity Classic will be the Village Resource Centre in Wheatley.
The Ontario Student Nutrition Program received support to allow them to purchase more than 17,000 snacks for schoolaged children in Chatham Kent. Finally, FreeHelp CK benefitted to allow them to serve 125 seniors weekly with their Meals for Seniors program.
Due to the overwhelming gen-
The Kiwanis Club of Chatham-Kent is now a permanent partner of the CK Charity Classic. This strategic partnership will ensure the longevity of the CK Charity Classic and help the Kiwanis to fund their Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and keep getting high-quality books into the hands of youth in Chatham-Kent.
In its fifth year, the CK Charity Classic has raised and distributed more than $146,000 to various Chatham Kent not-for-profit and charitable organizations
focusing on supporting community health and wellness, delivering exceptional services, and much more.
The Chatham-Kent Charity Classic is a non profit founded by Adam and Erin Dickinson along with Eric Koscielski as a way to give back to Chatham-Kent. All proceeds raised by the CK Charity Classic stay in Chatham-Kent.
Column cont. on pg. 26
The Chatham Voice
Contributed image
Organizers, donors and beneficiaries celebrate the raising of more than $44,000 at the fifth annual CK Charity Classic.
Helping to make children better now
Continued from page 25
Employees with Bayshore have teamed up to raise $5,125 for the Make Children Better Now charity.
The money was raised in a variety of ways, including a 50/50 draw at the annual Christmas party, as well as office raffles for spa gift cards, Bayshore apparel and paid day off vouchers.
Unused office furniture was also sold to raise funds, and employees also made voluntary payroll donations, with Bayshore matching every dollar.
“We’re proud of the collective effort and generosity of our team, and we’re
excited to support such a meaningful cause,” said Bayshore Chatham/ Windsor administrative assistant Rebecca Robinson in a media release.
As a government-funded health-care organization, Bayshore Homecare Solutions provides free services through referrals from Ontario Health at Home. Bayshore offers personal support worker (PSW) care, nursing care at home, and clinic services.
ALUS tours C-K Chatham-Kent hosted the 2025 ALUS Canada Eastern Hub Conference recently, bringing to-
Amelia Lounsbury
100, Thursday, October 23, 2025 Kendrick Funeral Home
Bob Horton
61, Friday, October 24, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Mervyn Tubb
95, Sunday, October 26, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Madeline Giffen
89, Thursday, October 23, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Chatham (519)
gether ALUS communities and employees from across the country.
Attendees included ALUS Canada employees, representatives from many Ontario communities, several municipalities in Quebec and one community from the USA.
ALUS Canada is the national parent organization supporting locally run ALUS communities. Its slogan is “Where agriculture and nature meet.”
ALUS Chatham-Kent was established in 2019, with the help of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA).
OBITUARIES
Joseph "Joe" Verhoog
85, Thursday, October 23, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Alma Lorraine Carter
87, Monday, October 27, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Regina Hoekstra
79, Sunday, October 26, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
John William "Jack" Turkington
72, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home
Bayshore Homecare Solutions staffers celebrate their $5,125 donation to Make Children Better Now with the charity’s organizer Mike Neuts.
The ALUS Canada board of directors appointed Jordan Sinclair as the new CEO this year. Sinclair has been a member of the ALUS Chatham-Kent PAC since 2019 and joined ALUS Canada in 2023. This year’s conference was based out of Retro
Jona Smith
82, Thursday, October 23, 2025 Hinnegan Peseski Funeral Home
David Rowlands
72, Thursday, October 23, 2025 Hinnegan Peseski Funeral Home
David G. McGeorge
97, Friday, October 24, 2025
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Charles Lussier
76, Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Robert Allen Young
40, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Life Transitions
Angus Robert Reid
83, Monday, October 27, 2025 Nicholls Funeral Home
Suites in Chatham. Attendees boarded a bus to visit several local projects.
Highlights included a large-scale natural watercourse habitat restoration project by Bob and Moira Kerr.
The group also visited Bkejwanong Territory
(Walpole Island), where they walked the land and learned about the island’s unique natural landscape.
• Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice. Send your information to bruce@ chathamvoice.com.
Classifieds
Help Wanted WANTED FARM HELP
Needed Immediately. Part-Time Cook, approximately 25hrs per week. Experience required. Also, needed, Casual Part-Time Cook Tuesdays to Saturday. email resume to: legionbranch642@ gmail.com. Phone 519-351-8733.
The Chatham Voice is looking for carriers in the following areas:
• Craven Drive
• Henry O’Way
• King St. E
• Prince St.
• Duke St.
2 Farm Labourers wanted, Hand Planting and Hand Harvesting of vegetable crops. Work is in Chatham area. 1 - 2 years experience needed. Hiring for April 2026 season. $17.60/hour. Full time seasonal. Apply in person at either Sarah’s Farm Market Stores. 31 Sandys Street or 413 Queen Street, Chatham, ON or email koning.enterprises@bell.net.
Hiring Experienced & New AZ Drivers
• St. Clair Estates Carriers have 3 days each week to deliver their route. Email Michelle at michelle@ chathamvoice. com for more info!
The Active Lifestyle Centre invites applicants to apply for the position of Executive Director For more information about our Centre, visit our website (www.alc-ck.com)
Please email your resume and cover letter to Sarah, at programs@alcchatham.ca no later than Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Obituary
Classifieds
In Memoriam In Memoriam
Coming Event
Wanted
Rowlands, Dave At Chatham-Kent Hospice, on October 23, 2025, Dave Rowlands, age 72 of Chatham died surrounded by family. Born in Chatham on December 28, 1952, son of the late James and Barbara Rowlands. Beloved husband of Molly Rowlands. Loving father of Anne, Lauren and Lee [predeceased]. Dave loved to spend his time out on the water sailing or on the golf course. He leaves a piece of himself behind in the many projects he helped with over the years. Celebration of life will take place Sunday, November 9th at the Links of Kent Golf Club & Event Center in Chatham from 2- 5pm. Donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice would be appreciated. Online condolences welcomed at www.peseski.com
Gene Dziadura ~ 1936 - 2010
Fifteen years is a long time to miss someone, and still, not a day goes by that we don’t feel your presence in some way. As our family grows, your wisdom grows with it. The next generation may never have met you, but they will know you . . . your humour, your lessons, your love. You are more than a memory, you are a part of who we are. We miss you. We carry you with us. And we celebrate you, always. Love your family.
Windsor Coin Club Canada’s Best One Day Coin Show
Sunday, Nov. 9 • 9am-3pm Caboto Club 2175 Parent Ave. (2nd floor) BUY - SELL - TRADE Free Hourly Door Prizes Free Admission
Meeting
Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.
CONSIGNMENT OR BUY: Wanted: Coin collections and silver coins. Call Paul 289228-2817.
Smith, Jona Peacefully At Chatham-Kent Hospice, Chatham, on October 23, 2025, Jona Smith, age 82 of Chatham. Born in Halifax on August 7, 1943, son of the late Una Smith and Jonathan Smith. Beloved husband of Mildred Smith. Loving father of Garry, Terry, Tina and Christopher. Predeceased by siblings Susan (Lloyd) and Charlie. Loved by many nieces and nephews. Cremation will take place. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Online condolences welcomed at www.peseski.com
Announcement
In Loving Memory of Father SGT REGINALD ERNEST HORNE, S.A.57242, WW2, Algonquin Regiment / Kent Regiment, buried in Adegem, War Memorial Cemetery, Belgium & Grandfather PVT. FREDERICK HORNE, PVT 4319, WW1, 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry, buried in Bailleul War Memorial Cemetery, France.
“Look” they’re marching across the sky
Brave soldiers waving goodbye
Never to see “loved ones” anymore
For Sale
To give us the Freedom we have today “Look” they’re marching across the sky
Brave soldiers waving goodbye.
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 8:00am at Retro Suites Hotel Derby Room 2 King St. W., Chatham
RSVP by November 21st, 2025 via email: downtownchathambia@gmail.com
Wanted: Scrap air conditioners, dehumidifiers. Phone 226-2292614. Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
Chatham Baptist Chapel
Thank you for your service Daughters Margaret, Bette, Son Ron, Grandchildren & Great-grandchildren
New Children’s Sunday School Has Opened! 11am each Sunday.
**Free ride pick up available if needed. Call 519-354-1999. chathambaptistchapel.com
Loans
5-foot grand piano. Must sell. $3,500 or best offer. 519-9488737, 226-3453113
