The Chatham Voice, Nov. 30, 2023

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Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Edward Hambleton loves trains and he even brought his own when he came to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train roll into Chatham Friday.

The youngster and his mom Kelly were part of an enthusiastic crowd that turned out to see live performances from pop star Kiesza and the band Seaforth. The holiday train has been running across the continent since 1999, raising funds for local food banks. Outreach for Hunger was the beneficiary this year, receiving a cheque for $4,050.

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PAGE 2

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Commemorating Coloured All Stars

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Contributed image

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, along with Alivia Couture, her mother Kerry Couture and Djoser Tabron are seen at the unveiling of the new plaque in Stirling Park honouring the Chatham-Kent Coloured All Stars. The plaque is the first one to be dedicated by the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network.

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Then and now, the Chatham Coloured All Stars continue to blaze trails.

In 1934, the renowned team faced down racism and broke the colour barrier by becoming the first Black baseball team in Canada to win a provincial title. Nearly nine decades later, the team has been honoured with the first plaque to be dedicated by the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network.

The plaque was unveiled recently in Chatham’s Stirling Park, the home field for the All Stars back in the day.

Not only does the plaque honour the team, it pays homage to Archie Stirling, whose family donated the land for the park. Known as Mr. Baseball, Stirling is recognized for his involvement with the sport.

The plaque also includes other Black baseball history, before and after the heyday of the All Stars.

Samantha Meredith, outgoing executive director of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, said she wanted to nominate the Coloured All Stars team “first and foremost” when she learned of the CKHN’s new plaque initiative.

“They are one of my favourite history stories to share,” Meredith said, noting the team was “long overdue” to have a historical plaque placed at their home diamond.”

The team has become a favourite topic of historians, with several books penned about it in recent years.

The team has been inducted into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame.

Meredith said she’s excited to see some of the upcoming plaques in 2024 and is already working on the next round of submissions.

The plaque is a collaboration between the CKHN and the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society, supported by Hydro One and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Crash claims a life The Chatham Voice

A Walpole Island man perished after a head-on collision Nov. 22 in Wallaceburg.

Chatham-Kent police say the crash took place shortly before 10 a.m. at the intersection of Main/ Murray Street and Margaret Avenue.

A vehicle heading east on Margaret veered into the westbound lane and hit a tow truck head on.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 73-year-old Walpole Island man, was taken to hospital. First responders and medical personnel attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service Traffic Unit is currently investigating the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact Const. Joel Rehill at 519-355-1092 or joelr@chatham-kent.ca

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PAGE 3

News

Family roots drive Devolder Farms

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Hard work and a willingness to diversify are the keys to Bob and Diane Devolder’s success.

Their persistence in growing their business, Devolder Farms, has led to the company being recognized as Agriculture Innovator of the Year.

The Dover Centre area couple received the award at the Chatham-Kent Chamber

of Commerce’s 77th annual Rural Urban Awards celebration in Chatham Nov. 22.

The couple, married for 44 years, started out on Bob’s family farm with Bob being the third generation to work the land. Diane, whose maiden name is Martin, also comes from a Dover area farm family that made a name for itself growing corn.

The duo started out in the 1980s raising livestock, tobacco and cash crops. They saw a need for seed cleaning and established a small seed

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Bob and Diane Devolder hold the award for Agriculture Innovator of the Year they received at the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce’s 77th Rural Urban Awards.

cleaning plant, establishing Devolder Farms in 1988.

Decades later, the operation has many facets. The company has a busy seed processing facility, offers grain storage and drying; provides agronomic advice; offers liquid fertilizer options; build, sells and services Sukup grain bins; custom farms some 1,150 acres; and retrofits older planters, tractors and sprayers with precision planting equipment.

In order to do so, the Devolders have had to fight the naysayers and embrace technology.

In 1996, the business was the first in Canada to introduce Roundup Ready soybeans, something Bob said wasn’t popular at the time.

“There were people that were skeptical about it,” Bob acknowledged.

They pressed on and today Devolder Farms is a pedigreed seed dealer for DeKalb Seeds for soybeans, owned by Bayer Crop Science Canada, and C&M Seeds for wheat.

The company employs 35 people, including some who fill a niche with their specialized technology skills, Diane said.

It looks like Devolder Farms will be staying in the family. Two of the couple’s three daughters and their husbands work on the farm making it a true family affair.

“It makes us feel good knowing we can keep it going,” Bob noted.

Diane said Devolder

Farms’ success can be attributed to the fact that all of the operations fit together.

“It’s been fulfilling,” she explained. “It all ties together. Everything we do.”

The pair also credits their staff for the company’s achievements.

“Certainly, we have a lot of great employees

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Neither said they ever dreamed they’d be where they are at today, with their business being recognized by the chamber.

“When you work a lifetime in agriculture, it feels pretty good,” Bob said.

Three other awards

were also given out at the ceremony. Ridgetown’s Hanna Reid was named Youth Agriculturist of the Year; Jim Campbell of Blenheim received the Agriculturist of the Year award, and Anne Verhallen of Thamesville was named Friend of Agriculture.

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PAGE 4

News

Talbot Trail bypass option gains steam

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

After further exploration, it looks like there may be a palatable solution to remedy the ongoing closure of a section of Talbot Trail along Lake Erie.

At a special public meeting held in Tilbury recently, the municipality laid out a number of options to deal with the road closure brought on by erosion eating away at the shoreline. In 2019, the looming threat saw Chatham-Kent close the section due to safety concerns.

Dubbed the “technically preferred alternative” route, the proposal would see a new

stretch of road built that would link the existing Talbot Trail along the lake to Coatsworth Road. The new section of road – less than a kilometre long – would cut through the property owned by Hacienda Farms, connecting the pavement at the Coatsworth and Talbot intersection.

The current section of Talbot Trail running parallel to the new road would be abandoned. The asphalt would be removed and the land would be allowed to return to its natural state.

The preferred alternative choice also eliminates the need for westbound Talbot Trail motorists to detour around

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West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson and Margot Gillespie check out the “technically preferred alternative” that would see a new section of highway built to connect existing sections of Talbot Trail. The municipality closed a section of the road in 2019, due to the impacts of erosion.

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the Second concession to Stevenson Road and back down to Talbot Trail.

Property owners attending the public meeting said the new proposal is much better – and far cheaper – than the original decision made by council to build a 34-kilometre rstretch of roadway that would have sliced through farmland along the route.

Retired engineer John Mann helped found an advocacy citizen group to protest the idea of moving Talbot Trail in-

land. He is pleased with the alternative route that’s being recommended.

Mann, who owns a 100-acre property that includes significant woodland, would have seen the pavement slice through his farm if the inland road was built.

The grassroots group that carries the motto “Save Our Farms, Save Our Shoreline, Save Our Forests and Wildlife and Save Talbot Trail” has worked hard lobbying the municipality to not proceed with moving the road inland. Members held meetings and went door to door collecting 650 signatures on a petition to protest the move.

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Mann is recommending the community get behind the proposed alternative route.

He lauded the “fresh approach” taken by new infrastructure and engineering general manager Edward Soldo and his team.

“It’s awesome, practical and a breath of fresh air,” Mann said at the meeting, noting the open-minded approach to find a better solution applies to C-K councillors as well.

“They’re of a mind to do something that made sense,” Mann told The Voice, noting there was “a lot of momentum” from the former council to “run from the lake.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PAGE 5

News

Festive magic returns

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

The Chatham Armoury will once again be overflowing with the holiday spirit, but in a bit of a time warp this year.

After hosting outdoor events, which included drive-up shows during the pandemic years, Lisa Lester of Four Diamond Events said this time around, she’s gone a simpler route.

Gone are the days the front of the Armoury was illuminated in a festive light show, or live performances that took place out front.

Santa won’t be battling corporate greed as he did in last year’s live show. Instead, he’ll lead dance parties and other

fun events.

Having endured very damp conditions and the deteriorated the ground of Tecumseh Park, and very windy conditions that resulted in cancelled shows, Lester opted to move the entertainment indoors in 2022.

Lester said even by shifting indoors, it just didn’t feel right.

Admission prices for a largescale show left her wanting to find ways to increase inclusion.

“What I’m finding, just with the times, is people can’t afford it. We’re trying to make it so it’s available to everyone,” she said. “This year, our focus is solely on raising money to help Chatham-Kent families.”

Four Diamond Events has teamed up with Merry Magic,

Shorter, cheaper route proposed Continued from page 4

“It generated a lot of fear, and fear motivates people to do things that don’t make sense,” Mann said, calling the proposed solution “common sense.”

Wendy Christianson, a neighbour of Mann’s on the affected stretch of Talbot Trail, said she is pleased with the proposed alternative, noting the 34-kilometre road would have cut through her farm.

“I’m very happy with the proposed alternative as it won’t impact natural habitat,” Christianson said, adding woodlands along the lake are critical to native species and to annual bird migration.

Mann said the group is hoping a park will be created along the section of Talbot Trail that will be abandoned.

“The bottom line is that people travelling along Talbot Trail love the lake,” Mann said. “It would be great to pull over there, have a picnic, or get out

your binoculars to watch the birds. It’s beautiful and it’s attractive and it’s peaceful.”

Earlier this year, council opted to revisit the inland highway decision following a request from West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson asking that the municipality seek a cheaper and less invasive solution to the issue.

Formerly a provincial highway, the responsibility of Talbot Trail was downloaded onto Chatham-Kent in the 1990s. In 2010, the municipality had to build a $200,000 bypass in the Coatsworth area after erosion caused a major crack in the highway.

Next steps in the process include further community engagement, with final recommendations to return to council in February 2024. If approved, the municipality will need to purchase some land to build the stretch of road but the necessary acquisition is less than one hectare.

a group that is focused on helping the Salvation Army and Camp Vincent.

“Their main mission is to feed kids in schools and we are also helping Camp Vincent,” Lester said.

The camp has fallen on hard times as a result of the pandemic. Multiple years of not being able to run camps due to COVID-19 restrictions, followed by a period of hesitancy, has crippled the camp.

“Last year, they only had 50 per cent of the enrolment needed to get back up and running coming out of the pandemic,” Lester said. “So we’re going to send kids to camp.”

Funds raised will also help provide school lunches for children in Chatham-Kent.

Remember the days of Christmas in Muskoka, a weeklong event where patrons could enter into raffles for decorated Christmas trees while their children did crafts and bought presents for their parents?

It’s back, Merry Magic/Four Diamond Events style.

“We’re still going to have Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s going to be more interaction. There will be a Santa dance party. It’s going to be more spontaneous,” Lester said.

Thirty-five companies have donated or sponsored decorated trees for the raffle.

Along with all this, there will be face painting, raffle games, and more.

For more information, visit merrymagicevent.com.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Opinion Trim the budget Council is going into the weeds this week, looking for ways to manage a four-year budget, a first-ever endeavour for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Ratepayers will be watching, hoping their elected officials break out their carving knives, post-U.S. Thanksgiving, and responsibly trim some of the hefty tax hikes that we all face.

The first time working on a fouryear budgeting process may seem daunting to councillors, as they have never done it before. They’re used to short-term thinking, looking at matters a year at a time. This time around administration has given them a proposed budget that sees a nearly 31 per cent increase over the next four years.

Inflation, they say, is to blame. Just look around us and they have a case, as other municipalities are looking at proposed double-digit increases for 2024.

Here, we face a proposed increase of 6.57 per cent for next year. Over the course of the next four years, the average is 7.82 per cent.

For the average homeowner, that works out to about $300 more in taxes each year.

Yes, inflation is impacting us all,

and we have tightened our belts and reexamined our spending habits.

Can council do the same with the municipality? We shall see.

In past years, most budget deliberations were completed by the end of three nights of deliberations.

As councillors nibbled on taxpayer-funded snacks and nibbled away at the edges of the budget, they often declared they were done after going through the budget package once.

This time around, they must not do that. This is a four-year plan, with steep tax hikes all around. Dig deeper and find additional savings.

What you should be looking for may not be in the overarching material delivered by administration.

Ask questions. How often does furniture need replacing? Computers?

Vehicles? Who gets to a drive municipal vehicle? Why? Do they also have a vehicle allowance, because if they do, that would be double dipping, something that most certainly should not be allowed.

Simply skimming the pages will not do this time around. You can all do better, and still maintain a longer-term view.

We, the ratepayers, will be watching.

Our letters to the editor policy The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@ chathamvoice.com (use “Letter” in the subject line).

You can also drop them off or mail

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71 Sass Rd., Unit #4, Chatham, ON, N7M 5J4 Tel: 519-397-2020

New recycling plan sticks it to small biz Editor: Either Chatham-Kent council didn’t understand the implications of the new provincial recycling policy it adopted recently, or it didn’t care. Either way, it is terrible news for both small business and the environment, and I am disappointed that council didn’t protest this like they have protested the new strong mayor powers.

One of the outcomes of the new policy appears to be that commercial properties – including small businesses – in C-K will no longer get curbside pickup of recyclables. They will either have to pay a private contractor to haul them away or send them to the dump.

Even if this provincial-level recycling comes with a reduction in taxes, we all know that reduction will be small and

will evaporate as other municipal costs go up.

Given the tight margins most businesses run on, especially the small, locally owned ones, this means that most will be forced to landfill these materials.

This is a huge step backward, environmentally, and a tremendous waste of resources.

It also represents the increasing privatization of essential public services.

As a small business, we were already struggling with the amount of packaging we get from our suppliers, because downtown recycling pick up was every other week. While we source locally for many products and ingredients, and work with our suppliers to minimize packaging as much as possible, for some things we don’t

have a choice as to how things are sent to us.

This will either increase our expenses, which we frankly can’t afford, or vastly increase our impact in the environment, which is the opposite of what we set out to do.

It is especially puzzling that council would go along with getting rid of recycling for businesses along the main streets since most of C-K’s main streets have residences above the shops and residential recycling will still take place.

If businesses bring in private contractors to cope with recyclables, this increases traffic.

This is incredibly frustrating because we want so much to invest in our community.

Chandra Clarke Chatham

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PAGE 7

News/Opinion

C-K radio upgrade would cost $11M

leaving gaps in service.

Five different options were examined by the committee, ranging from sharing services with other A recommendation from admin- municipalities, to sharing a system istration to spend $11 million over with OPP and EMS, to leasing the the next five years to upgrade Cha- equipment.

The motion sparked discussion on tham-Kent’s emergency radio network has been sent back to staff for the merits of owning, rather than leasing equipment. further study.

Chatham-Kent Fire In a 10-6 vote Nov. “It really boils down to & Rescue Deputy 20, council approved a motion from Walla- this posing a significant Chief Adam Walters told council that ceburg Coun. Aaron risk and liability for when exploring the Hall to seek more in- emergency respondoptions, the comformation on the pro- ers.” mittee learned all of posal requesting that - Police chief Gary Conn the 10 municipalities a report come back in consulted own their the new year detailing any new recommendations or own emergency radio infrastructure and contract the management options.

The budget ask – brought forward of the service out.

Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary

by Chatham-Kent’s emergency communications governance com- Conn said the committee explored mittee – would see C-K purchase sharing the system that EMS and and own the network’s core infra- OPP use but the provincial governstructure. Under the recommen- ment won’t allow that.

Conn told council upgrading the dation, the public safety radio network would be managed by an system is critical.

“We have dead areas within our independent service provider.

Hall said it’s “prudent” to make municipality, so this has been occurring for the last 25 years. It really sure council gets its right.

“I know we’re going to be look- boils down to this posing a signifiing at the numbers during budget cant risk and liability for emergency responders,” Conn said. “So, it again as well,” Hall said.

Chatham-Kent fire, police, and is imperative that we correct it.

“For the last 25 years, I would acpublic works currently share the emergency system, which, since its curately say that we have been atinception in 1998, has provided less tempting to correct this via a Bandthan ideal coverage – sometimes Aid approach,” Conn added. “We

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Proposed tax hike too high Editor: Shame on city council for even considering the outrageous tax hikes over four years!

After two years of covid shutdowns, rising mortgage rates and skyrocketing grocery bills, how does council think homeowners – young and old – can possibly afford this added

cost? It is insanity!

If the city is in a bind financially, start within your own house, cutting cost/ jobs.

The homeless situation will only get worse with outrageous tax hikes such as this.

Rob McNiff Chatham-Kent

can no longer sustain that.”

Walters pointed out that the emergency network is a “critical piece of infrastructure” for the municipality,

something Chatham-Kent needs to maintain for the future.

East Kent Coun. Steve Pinsonneault said council needs

to see “what the pros and the cons are” of the municipality owning its own infrastructure, but noted it’s “probably a good idea.”

Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Water and Wastewater Master Plan (Approach #1) Notice of Master Plan The Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, through its consultant AECOM has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Master Plan study to develop strategies for water and wastewater servicing to accommodate existing service areas and future growth.

The study documented existing conditions, population forecasts, water, and wastewater modeling, engaged key stakeholders and the general public, and evaluated short- and long-term alternative water and wastewater servicing strategies over the next 30 years at 5, 10, 20, and 30 year intervals, including high level cost estimates.

The Process This study was undertaken in accordance with the master planning process of the Municipal Engineers Association MCEA document as amended in March 2023. The water and wastewater master plan followed Approach 1 of the MCEA Master Plan process, which ends at the completion of Phase 1 and 2 of the Environmental Assessment process, providing a basis for future investigations for Schedule B and C MCEA projects. A Master Plan report has been prepared to detail the work completed and the recommended water and wastewater projects that may be implemented over the 30-year planning period to the year 2051.

An electronic copy of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan report is available for public review at the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent webpage (link below) between November 20th, 2023, and January 10th 2024. https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/chatham-kent-water-and-wastewater-master-plan How to get involved The PUC invites anyone with an interest in the study to review the Master Plan report and provide feedback. To provide feedback or request more information please contact us at: Dhana Niriella, PhD., P.Eng, P.E. Project Manager Chatham-Kent PUC 226-312-2025 x4338 dhanan@chatham-kent.ca

Paul Adams, CPT Environmental Planner AECOM 519-963-5873 Paul.adams2@aecom.com

Comments and questions can be received until January 10th, 2024.

With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record of the Study.

This Notice was Issued on November 20th, 2023.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

News

Breakfast program heads indoors

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Breakfast is served.

Again. Finally.

After three years of serving takeout-style as a result of the pandemic, First Presbyterian Church’s Saturday morning breakfast program has reverted to sit-down dining.

The program, which began 22 years ago, serves hot breakfast to about 180 people each Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Rev. Mike Maroney, First

Presbyterian’s minister, said it is great to see the return to indoor eating.

“Folks can come in, sit down, have tea, coffee, juice...have a meal, and can go back for seconds if there is enough,” he said.

Maroney said the pandemic forced the switch to the takeout format, and then it lingered due to the fact volunteer numbers were slow to return after the pandemic.

“But now we have enough volunteers to reintroduce indoor eating,” he said, adding it’s better for

their patrons as well. “We always felt the dignity of eating indoors is far greater than having to stand outdoors in line.”

The breakfast effort is still offering just the one menu –frittata and hash browns – but it fills the hunger gap.

Maroney said he tells patrons he wishes they could do more, but they are quite appreciative of the food.

“The patrons are very gracious and complimentary: ‘This changes our Saturday, so thank you,’” he said.

The menu will expand in the near future. Prior to the pandemic, volunteers had established a rotation of four different breakfast menus, switching it out weekly to give added variety.

Maroney said everything is being reintroduced slowly to make sure there are enough volunteers to ensure the breakfasts are done properly.

He added the breakfast team has phased out the takeout element with the return to in-house seating, but in the short term is still

letting some people take food back to their families.

Maroney said he is proud of the volunteers who serve the breakfasts. Some have been doing it for more than two decades.

“We’ve pretty much served every Saturday for 22 years,” he said. “The food is good. It’s well made. Once we reintroduce all our menus, it’s just like going to a restaurant and eating for free.

You give your guests the best you can give, and I’m thankful for that.

“From the very begin-

worry about going home to cook.

It was so nice to have our needs met as well as Dad’s.

Caring for a resident and their family

Hospice gave a family something they didn’t know they needed.

In March of 2017 we received the We managed with Dad at home phone call that no one wants to for April and May, but things get. “We found a tumor.” The quickly declined. He was no prognosis was not good; 12 longer able to help get himself out of bed in the morning, his months, 18, if he’s lucky. mobility was disappearing, and his Dad loved being outside, hunting pain was now intolerable. We and fishing, four-wheeling, knew it was time for Hospice. tinkering in the garage, fixing lawnmowers, building bird As you approach Chatham-Kent houses, feeding the squirrels, Hospice you can’t help but notice biking, walking or just cutting the the beautiful landscaping and grass (most of which he did warm, welcoming greeting you barefoot and topless). My Dad get from the volunteer at the desk. was humorous, out-spoken, Over time, many got to know us always so helpful to his kids, his by name which made it easier to walk through those doors every grandchildren and his neighbours. day. We were grateful for the In March of this year, we found weekly barbecues, soup and baked out the original tumour awoke goods, made by kitchen from its slumber and started volunteers, as they allowed us to growing. At this point, Dad was have lunch on site and not have to not up for any more treatments.

When Dad entered Hospice, his pain was off the charts. The doctor told him, “Give me 3 days and I’ll have your pain under control.”

Dad responded, “No.” He didn’t think that was possible. However, just as promised, in 3 days his pain was manageable. No longer would Mom have to manage his medications. This was taken off her plate the very first day and was a great relief.

You might think the most impressive feature of the room was the big screen TV, fireplace, or huge bathroom, but it was the adjustable cuddle bed, which we took full advantage of. With the click of a button, the bed could be expanded to queen-size for those moments you wanted to lay down with your loved one.

The nurses made it clear to Mom that she could call in at any time, so she did. Twice a day. First thing in the morning and just before she went to bed. This allowed her to get a good night’s sleep.

When Dad passed, we were told that we didn’t need to rush. We had a prayer service in his room with him and we were able to

ning we believed if we’re going to serve people, we are going to serve them well.”

Just purchasing the food for the weekly breakfast costs an estimated $23,000 annually, as prices have increased dramatically in recent years. But there is never any cost to the patrons, Maroney said.

There is a beneficiary fund of which the church uses the interest to purchase the food, he said, but additional fundraising is needed to address the growing costs.

walk him out as a family and say our goodbyes before the funeral home took him to prepare him for the visitation. Each grandchild was given the opportunity to say a few words if they wanted, then lower a floating candle into the waterfall pond. It was such a peaceful way to end our Hospice journey.

Hospice felt like a home away from home. We were able to be ourselves, spend all the quality time we needed with Dad and not have to worry about anything else.

They cared for us, and I knew this because, on most days, I felt like we were the only people there.

The impact that Hospice left on our family will be a positive memory that ended a very long journey. There are not enough words to tell our Hospice story and the immense appreciation we have for such an incredibly warm, compassionate place.

- Shared by Sue and the Hoskins family in memory of Bob.

519-354-3113 www.chathamkenthospice.com

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PAGE 9

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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New seasonal clinic sets up outside CKHA

Happy Holidays From Our Families To Yours

Chatham-Kent has new tool in the fight against seasonal respiratory illness.

The temporary seasonal care clinic is now running out of a mobile trailer outside the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s emergency department in Chatham.

A collaboration between the CKHA and Chatham-Kent EMS, the clinic is designed to provide timely care to people with cough, cold and flu symp-

toms, as well as other minor ailments.

The clinic’s intent is to provide care to those who do not have a physician/ nurse practitioner, or who cannot be seen in a timely manner by their healthcare provider. The clinic’s aim is to conserve needed capacity in the emergency department during the seasonal surge of flu and respiratory ailments.

Patient with symptoms of cough, cold and flu; urinary tract infection, ear ache, rash, or need for prescription refills, eye in-

fection and general minor complaints are welcome.

However, patients are advised to seek advice from their primary health-care provider before attending where possible.

Clinic hours will vary.

Patients must register with the emergency department in order to access the clinic and will be seen on a walkin basis. For more information, consult CKHA social media channels or http://www.ckha.on.ca/ chatham-kent-seasonal-care-clinic.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PAGE 11

News

The Gift does it again for C-K Volunteers collect food, toys across Chatham-Kent communities

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

It’s the Gift that keeps on giving.

Volunteers with The Gift took to the streets of Chatham-Kent Nov. 18 to collect food and toys for those in need.

Brent Wilken, organizer of the event, said the collections went very well across the municipality.

“Saturday was great. Even more communities are taking more ownership,” he said.

“Most communities had doorto-door pickup.”

Volunteers went along neighbourhood streets and collected any food or toys left out on front porches by residents at noon on Nov. 18.

Each community controls the distribution of items within itself. Items collected in Blenheim, for example, stay in Blenheim for residents in need within that community.

Wilken said volunteer support for the day was “amazing” as well.

“There is such commitment all over,” he said. “It feels like something powerful has been solidified now.”

The Gift arose in November 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, and has continued every November since.

“The Gift is here for years to come. That’s what we thought before and this year proved it,” Wilken said.

Pre

Donations this year were heavy on the food side, Wilken

said.

“Because of the struggling,

people want to be sure others are fed,” he said.

The Gift was also without a home until the last minute, with no place to house the collected items or to host people to come and grab what they need.

However, Wilken said the giving nature of the community changed all that.

“We ended up with two excellent locations. Mojo Drywall on Given Road just built a huge barn for their operation. They had not filled it out completely.

That was our main depot,” he said.

The other location is on Siemens Drive just off Park Avenue East beside Vitesco.

Storing of goods collected in Chatham will take place on Siemens Drive, while the sorting and “shopping,” as Wilken calls the distribution of items, will take place at Mojo.

Pickup dates for those needing items will be announced shortly, Wilken said, once the sorting is complete.

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PAGE 12

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

News

Council gets behavior advice

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Don’t take chances, be respectful and play it safe.

That’s the message John Mascarin delivered to Chatham-Kent councillors when outlining their duties under Ontario’s Municipal Act. The Toronto lawyer, a long-time expert in municipal governance, made a presentation to council recently as part of a training session designed to pinpoint what is expected

of C-K’s elected officials when serving in office.

“The municipal council is the most important decision-making body at the local level,” Mascarin said, noting council as a whole is looked at as the collective directing mind of the municipality, not of its individual members.

“Council must not seek to wield that power unilaterally or away from the council chambers,” he said.

Citing numerous caselaw decisions, Mascarin said that when serving

on council “members are under a duty to act in the best interests of the corporation and the citizens they represent.”

He stressed that only council as a whole – not an individual council member – has the authority to direct staff to carry out a particular action.

Mascarin reminded councillors that many of their decisions are “complex and controversial,” with long-term consequences, noting council must consider the future health and welfare of the

community.

“You cannot look at your responsibilities as shortterm responsibilities,” he stressed.

Mascarin touched on a wide range of topics during his talk, including ethics, conflict of interest, professionalism, confidentially, respect for civil discourse, respect for staff, proper conduct and the correct use of social media.

According to the lawyer, the latter often gets people into trouble.

Calling social media something that is “really

wonderful and really awful,” Mascarin said posting on various platforms provides instantaneous contact.

“Please be careful when you’re a member of council of your title,” he advised. “It provides an aura of legitimacy.

“The use of social media tends to get members of council in hot water a lot,” he said. “Always pause before sending any kind of electronic dissemination of your views. Review your message. Really think about it.”

Mascarin also advised council to not communicate electronically during council meetings.

Mascarin also outlined the clear delineation between the roles of councillors and C-K administration and staff, noting council’s role is to govern, while staff are there to carry out operations.

“Staff is there to help you carry out your decisions,” he told council. “But just remember they’re not yes men, or, they shouldn’t be yes men.”

Continued on page 13

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Dos, don’ts of sitting on council Continued from page 12

“That’s a problem if they are. You want to have a robust, forceful staff that sometimes say no to you or challenge you.

“Equally you’re entitled to challenge staff,” he said. “You do so in a civil, professional, courteous manner.”

He also told council that when they are appointed to various boards, their duty is to greater good of the organization they’ve been chosen to represent, rather than pushing for the needs of constituents.

If in doubt about a conflict, Mascarin advised councillors “to get ahead of it” by contacting their integrity commissioner.

Mascarin also touched on the recent advent of controversial strong mayor powers bestowed on 44 Ontario mayors by the province, saying he doesn’t believe the powers will fulfill the goal of building

more housing.

“I don’t get it,” said Mascarin.

“I’ve spoken out very strongly against this.

“The whole logic is that strong mayors will build more homes,” he said. “Does anyone think that will really happen?

I don’t.”

Mascarin commended Chatham-Kent on its recent hiring of Suzanne Craig as its new integrity commissioner.

“Kudos to you on the appointment of Susan Craig,” he said.

“You’ve chosen wisely for your integrity commissioner.”

He reminded council the integrity commissioner’s role is to be independent, impartial, neutral and objective, and their decisions cannot be challenged under current legislation.

“The role of council is not to challenge the integrity commissioner’s findings,” he said.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Porchlight Campain The Chatham Goodfellows will be in your neighbourhood on Monday, December 4th

Volunteers will be travelling through the community to accept cash, toys and food donations from people who leave their porchlight on.

Please Leave Your Porchlight On And Give Generously!

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT NO CHILD WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME! PORCHLIGHT NIGHT - Volunteers will visit homes in Chatham to collect toys, food and monetary donations on December 4th.

STREET SALES - Friday December 15th or Saturday December 16th will be the Chatham Goodfellows Street Sales Campaign.

The Street Sales Campaign organizes volunteers to canvass at the entrances of local businesses where you will sell the annual Goodfellows paper and collect monetary donations.

TOY PACKING - The Goodfellows Toy Committee will be holding their Annual Toy Packing from December 11th-14th!

FOOD PACKING - Set for December 19th starting at 8am. Between 1,500-1,600 food boxes are packed every year, if you wish to help on this day the Goodfellows can’t wait to see you there!

DELIVERIES - Toy Hamper deliveries will take place on December 18th and Food Hamper deliveries will take place on December 19th starting at 11:30am until finished!

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MAKE A MONETARY DONATION - Cash donations help us purchase turkeys, ham and turkey rolls, as well as other foods for a lovely Christmas meal as well as enough provisions for a week thought the holidays. E-transfer to: donate@chathamgoodfellows.ca. Mail cheques to: Chatham Goodfellows. PO Box 114, Chatham, ON N7M 5K1. Tax Receipts issued for donations over $20 CONTRIBUTE THROUGH STREET SALES Buy a newspaper Friday, Dec. 15th & Saturday, Dec. 16th.

ORGANIZE A WORKPLACE OR FAMILY GOOD AND TOY DRIVE - Local businesses, families and individuals who organize food and toy drives are very important to the No Child Without a Christmas success. If you would like to organize a special event please email: info@chathamgoodfellows.ca.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 15

Porchlight Campain

The Chatham Goodfellows will be in your neighbourhood on Monday, December 4th

Goodfellows prepare to hit the streets

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Turn on those porch lights Dec. 4 and help the Chatham Goodfellows.

They’ll have hundreds of volunteers seeking donations in the door-todoor portion of their “No Child Without a Christmas” campaign.

Goodfellows spokesman

Tim Haskell said the volunteers will begin about 5:30 p.m. and should be done by about 8 p.m.

“Leave your porch light on and we’ll come to your door with our big red smocks that say Chatham Goodfellows on them,” he said.

The fundraising event is so effective that scammers have tried to take

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“Last year, someone walked into someone’s kitchen and said they were with the Chatham Goodfellows.

They weren’t,” Haskell said.

That’s why the Goodfellows wear their smocks, so you’ll know just who they represent.

Upwards of 500 volunteers will canvas Chatham neighbourhoods, seeking support. Many of those volunteers are local high school students, Haskell said.

The Porchlight cam-

paign is a well-oiled machine.

“It’s all organized. It’s been happening for 60 years. We’ve got a good grasp on what should be done and what shouldn’t be done,” he said. “But there is a lot of ground to cover.”

New volunteers are always welcome. Haskell said they can register at chathamgoodfellows.ca.

Other notable dates for the Goodfellows include Street Sales, where volunteers seek donations in front of many stores in Chatham, and the final day to register as a Goodfellows client.

That date is Dec. 1. For existing clients, you can go to the website, while new clients can call 519354-1146.

Street Sales take place Dec. 15 and 16.

Chatham Goodfellows ensure there is “No Child Without a Christmas” Through generous community donations and volunteer efforts, Chatham Goodfellows brighten many Christmas mornings with toys for children and food for holiday meals.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

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Business

Local law firm teams up with HGTV celeb

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

A Chatham-Kent law firm has a celebrity in its corner.

Anderson Law Group is now a member of the Trusted Professional Program through HGTV’s high-profile property renovator Scott McGillivray.

Anderson boss Lindsey Anderson said the McGillivray actually approached them about being named a Trusted Professional on his website.

She was caught off guard initially.

“I was a little concerned it was legit when we were contacted,” she said with a laugh. “But he has a team that works for him managing his program. They asked if it was something we would be interested in.”

Anderson said the McGillivray team researches any potential professionals, and they did their due diligence in investigating Anderson Law and its trio of lawyers, Anderson, Jeff Wesley and Jocelyn Kraayenbrink.

Anderson said being named as a trusted professional is good for the firm, as well as Chatham-Kent.

“It’s prestigious, but we had to look at if we wanted to be involved,” she said “It wasn’t

just a positive for us, but it was a positive for the community.

It really gets Chatham-Kent on the map. There are good things going on here. This is a good place to be.”

Wesley, who happens to be Anderson’s father, agreed.

“When we get a higher profile, we all benefit (local realtors, businesses, etc.) because we are also promoting Chatham-Kent outside of our community. Even Scott, when we met, was asking us about investment opportunities in Chatham-Kent,” Wesley said. “How many more who view his website or through his word of mouth will do likewise?”

Kraayenbrink’s legal wheelhouse is wills and estate law.

However, she recognizes the recognition the Trusted Professional tag delivers.

“Lindsey, Jeff and I, we don’t make a big deal about what we do,” she explained. “We all try really hard to be people our clients feel are accessible. We do a good, solid job every day. To be recognized was very affirming.”

The trio travelled to Toronto to meet with McGillivray and his team, and came home impressed.

“We had a chance to chat with Scott. He’s very nice, very per-

Anderson Law Group members Jocelyn Kraayenbrink, Jeff Wesley and Lindsey Anderson have been named Trusted Professionals through property developer/celebrity Scott McGillivray.

sonable and very friendly. We had a good chat about the real estate market in our area,” Anderson said.

Kraayenbrink said his staff were a treat to work with as well.

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PAGE 17

851 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg

519-627-4011

Contributed image

Straight Talk with Nathan McKinlay In our column, we often share the insights, stories and encounters experienced at the Funeral Home and beyond. We are blessed to be able to help families of all different faiths, backgrounds and walks of life through their grief journey. At a time of loss, people are often either at their best or at their worst, and families tend to either come together or come apart. Working with grief and death day in and day out can be challenging. It is certainly not a job for everyone and not everyone can cut it. We are fortunate to have been able to hone and train a team of compassionate and passionate, authentic and hard-working professionals to serve our families. Our greatest asset is our team. As such I only felt it appropriate to highlight some of the individuals that I am fortunate enough to work with.

- Nathan Sherry Burri has been working at the Funeral Home for over 20 years. She began her career with Jon Ford at J.L. Ford Funeral Home in Blenheim. When we purchased the Blenheim Funeral Home from Jon Ford, we were fortunate enough to have Sherry join our team!

Sherry (nee Pokornik) was born and raised in Blenheim, and as such, she knows just about everyone in the Blenheim area. She worked diligently and patiently through the numerous renovations we have done at the Blenheim Funeral Home and continues to work passionately and tirelessly any day, night, weekday or weekend we call her in. No matter the day, or the hour, Sherry always arrives to work with a smile (assuming you have a coffee ready for her!).

Sherry’s natural warmth, organizational skills, work ethic, and creative talents make her the perfect person to highlight first. Thank you, Sherry!

Trust the Professionals.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 18

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 19

News

Campbell picked to lead LKDSB board The Chatham Voice

Two Chatham-Kent residents have been elected by their fellow trustees to lead the Lambton Kent District School Board.

Randy Campbell and Kelley Robertson were chosen as chair and vice-chair, respectively, at the Nov. 21 school board meeting.

Campbell is assuming the post for the second time, having been elected chair of the

board for 2020-2022. He was first elected as a trustee in 2006 and held the position of vice-chair from 2018 to 2020.

Robertson was first elected to the board in 2022 and serves on the parent involvement committee, as well as the special education advisory committee.

Campbell thanked his fellow trustees for their continued support for student achievement and well-being, acknowledging challenges lie

w e t s e h . t e l s i i s m Thi ings a s r b t a th

ahead.

Grateful for the support of her colleagues, Robertson said she will continue to work towards student success, noting she wants to build “confidence” with communities throughout the district.

LKDSB director of education John Howitt congratulated the pair, noting the role of the board is much like a compass that provides direction for the operational work of administration.

w e t s e h t s i s i Th e! l i m s a s g n i that br

CKHA hopes to ignite the holidaysThis is the stew ! e l i m s a s that bring The Chatham Voice

Christmas will be a little brighter for the lucky winner of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation’s Igniting Healthcare Holiday 50/50 Fundraiser.

Expanding on the successful summertime Ignite initiative, it’s the first time the Foundation is holding the holiday draw.

Launched on Nov. 23, the campaign will run for four weeks, culminating in the grand prize draw on Dec. 21, just in time for Christmas.

Proceeds from the draw

will support the areas of greatest need at the CKHA Chatham and Wallaceburg campuses.

CKHA Foundation president and CEO Christine Colautti said the summer draw always receives tremendous support, so the move was made to add another and to “see how high the jackpot will get.”

The first early bird draws will be held Nov. 30. The second follows Dec. 7 and the third is on Dec. 14.

Anyone who purchases a ticket before 1 p.m. on the draw dates is automatically

entered into the early bird draws and the jackpot draw.

Four ticket pricing options are available. Buyers can choose 10 numbers for $10; 60 numbers for $20; 200 numbers for $50 or 350 numbers for $75.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ignite5050.ca beginning Nov. 23.

They can also be purchased in person at the CKHAF office at 9 Ursuline Avenue in Chatham during business hours.

For more information, call the Foundation at 519-4362538.

Contributed image

Members of the Lambton Kent District School board re-elected chair Randy Campbell at a recent meeting, and elected Kelley Roberson as vice chair.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 20

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

News

Ewe ‘GO’ Girl!

Kay wows them at the Winter Fair

By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative The Ridgetown Independent

Move over Taylor Swift!

You may be a rock star, but you have nothing on Ridgetown’s flock star.

Kay, bred and owned by local shepherds Gary and Luanne Brien, stole the show at the 101st Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

The 22-month-old Polled Dorset yearling ewe made such an impression, winning the Reserve Champion in the 2022 Royal Sheep Show and with her

media savvy in her appearance on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, she was invited back as the Royal Animal Ambassador for this year’s 101st Winter Fair.

And Kay embodied the Royal spirit in her role.

“The Royal wanted her as a mascot to help promote the fair, and they were over the moon with the results,” said Gary Brien, the third-generation sheep farmer residing on Ridge Line west of town.

“Everybody wanted to pet her or have their picture taken with her,” said Brien. “We couldn’t believe how approachable she

was.”

“Adults, babies, children, seniors and people with special abilities were all excited to meet her,” said Luanne Brien.

“Her size, soft wool fleece and calm nature appealed to every age and ability. We were overwhelmed with how much people were excited to meet her.”

Concerns about Kay being overwhelmed by all of the attention and mingling with people were quickly cast aside.

“As we gained confidence in her, she got more confidence in herself,” Gary Brien said.

Kay made Royal appearances at the Paddock, the celebrity stage in Heritage Hall, every day and sometimes twice a day.

“There were numerous times when she was being swarmed by schoolaged children or people who were not used to interacting with livestock, and she just took it all in; she just stood there chewing her cud,” Gary Brien said.

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Ridgetown’s Kay, a Polled Dorset ewe, rides the GO Train with her family en route to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

“At times, she might have handled the crowds better than I did,” he laughed.

One of the highlights for Kay was a media blitz as she appeared on several television and radio shows to promote the fair.

She was already accustomed to dealing with the media with her CBC radio interview during the 2022 show.

“I thought CBC was coming to us; we were surprised we had to go to them,” Brien said as they transported Kay to the CBC studio in her trailer.

“After seeing how well she handled the travel last year and how unaffected Are you a woman of good character? she was when mov-

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ing between different environments, activities and appearances, it made our decision to accept their offer a lot easier for this year’s fair,” said Lee Brien, son of Gary and Luanne, as the family and Kay conducted several live and telephone interviews in her duties as the Royal Ambassador.

One of the main duties of the Royal Animal Ambassadors is promoting the partnership between the Royal and GO Train.

The day before the Royal Fair’s opening, Kay was transported to the Scarborough GO station, and the Briens – Gary and Luanne, Lee, daughter Sarah with husband Jordan Case and daughters Evelyn and Maddison – accompanied her on the train ride to Union Station.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 21

News

LKDSB to act on nepotism claims

line of where we have been and where we want to go,” said Girardi. “We think there are real beneGary Girardi says the fits to have an audit done.

Lambton-Kent District An equity audit is not School Board has to ‘elim- mandated by the provinate’ nepotism and fa- ince.”

LKDSB had previously vouritism in its hiring completpractices.

This after “I think the report is in ed both a student a consultant and a staff found it was line of where we have census to p e r v a s i v e been and where we gather deat the pub- want to go. We think mographic lic school there are real benefits board. Gi- to have an audit done. information about both rardi, the groups in s u p e r i n - An equity audit is not tendent of mandated by the prov- 2022. Girardi said the e d u c a t i o n ince.” staff cenfor human - LKDSB’s Gary Girardi sus showed resources, presented the report the workforce at LKDSB to the board earlier this is not a reflection of the demographic of the commonth.

“I think the report is in munity with only two

By Blake Ellis Local Journalism Initiative The Petrolia Independent

per cent identified as Indigenous, while three per cent identified as racialized, three per cent were 2SLGBTQ+ and seven per cent of staff were living with a disability.

But the equity report went further. The Turner Consulting Group found nepotism and favouritism is embedded in the hiring practices of the board. The stated goal of the report is to “increase diversity, develop equitable policies and practices and create a truly inclusive organization.”

Employees interviewed by the consultant said it was not uncommon to work beside the child of a senior administrator and they felt the board was only going through the motions to appear to be

equitable and inclusive.

Employees also believe “nepotism and favouritism impact hiring and advancement at the LKDSB and that they are in fact pervasive in the organization’s culture.

“In addition, many shared their perception that the hiring process is unfair, difficult to navigate, and creates barriers to the hiring of candidates from Indigenous communities and the equity-seeking groups.

“Some felt the nepotism and favouritism was so embedded within the culture of the board that these employees believe ‘that’s what the board is known for.’”

Some employees also feel the current equity efforts by senior leader-

ship have made little real change.

As he presented the report to the board, Girardi said the organization has to make sure it uses merit-based hiring practices and eliminate nepotism and favouritism.

The four priorities in the report are to diversify the workforce, create more equitable policies and procedures, create a more inclusive and welcoming work environment and strengthen equity infrastructure.

Girardi said the organization can’t tackle all 83 recommendations now, but the consultant gave a path for the LKDSB to move forward and created an action plan. In the end, LKDSB wants to improve student success,

strengthen employee relations and “show ourselves as an employer of choice” within the community, said Girardi.

Trustee Jane Bryce suggested there be a professional development session for trustees to look at policy changes through an equity lens.

A workshop for trustees is being set up in January with a human rights lawyer.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 22

Community Events

Thursday, November 30, 2023: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St., Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm.

Everyone is welcome.

• Merlin Legion Jam Session, 1-4:30pm.

All welcome to attend. Donation of $2 required. For more details call Mike at 519-350-8937 or the Merlin Legion 519–689-4884

• Line Dancing at 11am at the Ridgetown Area Adult Activity Centre. $3 for members or $6 for first time non-members.

Call the Centre at 519-674-5126 to learn more.

Friday, December 1, 2023: • Adult Colouring at the CKPL Chatham Branch Community Living Café. 2:00pm4:00pm. Are you looking for a creative outlet? Need some time to escape the everyday? Come and connect with people of all ages and skill levels while colouring away the stress of the day. Come alone or bring a friend. No registration required, come and go as you please.

• Join us at the Merlin Legion Br. 465 for our delicious Merlickin Pork Chops includes 1 chop, scalloped potatoes or fries, veggies, bun and dessert. Serving 4:30 to 7 pm . RSVP 519-689-4884.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00-6:00. No orders after 5:30pm.

Tonight’s specials are Pork Roast or Fish & Chips, $13.00. Take out is available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639.

Fun Darts start at 7:00pm. Everyone Welcome.

• Clair Culliford of The Veranda Presents will read his recent verse and prose at Mrs. Bell’s Tea Room at 1 pm. Some of the writings will be humorous, some thoughtful, some complimentary, and some satirical or perhaps sarcastic.

All will be entertaining. The reading is called “From My Cabin Overlooking The Thames.” At the Tea Room, you can enjoy a pot of tea and delicious scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Saturday, December 2, 2023: • 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.

• Join us at the Merlin Legion Br. 465 for our delicious Merlickin Chicken plus menu serving 4 to 7pm Plus tonight we welcome you to be entertained by “The All Nighters” 7 to 11 pm Questions call 519-689-4884.

• MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Jubilee Chorus presents: “Christmas Joy! A Festival of Lessons and Carols”. This free concert will take place at Grace Christian Reformed Church (255 Tweedsmuir Ave W) on Saturday, December 2, at 7pm.

A freewill offering will be received with the proceeds going to support Refuge Pregnancy Support Services. Bring your friends and enjoy, and on select pieces singing along!

• The Wallaceburg Concert Band presents it’s annual Christmas Concert, “The Magic of Christmas”, at 7pm in the WDSS Webber Auditorium (920 Elgin St., Wallaceburg). Free admission. Freewill donations are graciously accepted.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am– 9:30 pm. There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 3:00pm– 5:30pm. Entertainment

by The D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30.

Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.

Sunday, December 3, 2023: • Creekside Church - 10:00 a.m Sunday’s at the Active Lifestyle Centre, Merritt Ave. Haven’t been to church in a while? Come find community with us. creeksidechurch.ca.

• The CK Singers Community Choir is pleased to present “The Gift of Christmas” concert at First Presbyterian Church in Chatham on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:30 pm featuring Christmas music both new and old. Joining the choir will be soloists Andrew Derynck and Amy Clifford along with Amy Tapley on French horn and Holly McCubbin on flute. Free will offering to support the local food bank. All are welcome to experience the joy of music at Christmas.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023: • Chess Club at Chatham Branch of CKPL. 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Drop in program.

Great opportunity to learn new strategies by playing with different players. All ages and all skill levels are welcome.

• The Chatham Legion, Branch 642 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. Come play Euchre at 1:00 or spend the evening playing Shuffleboard or Euchre starting at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• ALC Carpet Bowling, 12pm–3pm. $3 members $5 non-members. Make new friends and have fun!

• Join Ally Hill and Emily Taylor at 6pm for a vinyl paint night at Bill’s Place 48 Centre Street, Chatham. Pay what you may entry fee proceeds support CK Pride. All materials provided. All ages welcome but 16+ recommended. Reservations: Nathan.Dawthorne@ckpride. com.

• Pasta Lunch Fundraiser at The Active CLUES ACROSS Lifestyle Centre from 11am-2pm in The 1. Old English Common Ground Café – Eat in or Take letters Out! Pasta, meatballs, garlic toast and 5. Sculpture a brownie for only $12 Support your 11. Showing up 50+ Recreation, come for a tour! 20 again Merritt Ave Chatham. Call to order today or come on in and sit awhile and meet 14. Tie the knot some new friends! 519-352-5633. again

15. Washington city 18. Stiff structures in invertebrates 19. Mark over a vowel 21. Explosive 23. Popular race: __ 500 24. Pile up • Join us at the Merlin Legion Br. 465 for 28. Mint a fun filled afternoon with the Jam Ses- 29. Commercial sion from 1 to 4:30 pm All are welcome 30. A minute to attend. A donation of $2. From 4 to 7 amount (Scottish) Homemade Panzerotti + Menu available 32.

Small Eurasian – Call 519-689-4884 Join us at the Merlin deer Legion Br. 465.

33. Baseball stat 35. Numbers • The Chatham Legion, corner of cruncher William & Colborne St. Chatham open 36. Japanese 11:00am–9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out masked drama our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 39. Gasteyer and 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. de Armas are two 41. Blood group Are you affected by someone else’s 42. Assist in drinking? Al-anon can help! wrongdoing Call - leave message 44. Language spoken 519-350-3462 in Cameroon and Chad Alcoholics Anonymous, we can help!

46. Grayish-white Information Line 519-360-5246.

47. A woolen cap of Send your not-for-profit events to This week’s puzzle michelle@chathamvoice.com answers found on or bruce@chathamvoice.com page 23 Thursday, December 7, 2023: • Blue Christmas service - 7:00pm at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave. W. If you are navigating grief and loss this Christmas, we invite you to join us to be encouraged, strengthened and refreshed. For more info call 519-4360255.

CHRISTMAS VENDOR MARKET

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Scottish origin 49. Microorganism 52. Place under prohibition 56. Calm, dependable 58. Congressman 60. Force 62. As a result of this document 63. One of two main branches of Islam CLUES DOWN 1. Make a mistake 2. Gordon and Snider are two 3. Geographical region of Finland 4. Ejected saliva 5. A way of performing 6. Scotland’s longest river 7. One of the six noble gases (abbr.)

8. Body art 9. Two-toed sloth 10. Electronic counter -countermea sures 12. Foolish person (Brit.)

13. Of the wind 16. Grand home 17. Sound 20. English river 22. Symbol indicating ownership 25. Exclamation of surprise 26. Pouch 27. Apart from 29. Satisfaction 31. The bill in a restaurant 34. Sea bream 36. Port in southern Japan 37. Double-reed instruments 38. Center 40. South Dakota 43. An orderly crowd 45. Indicates position 48. __-pedi 50. Nonsense (slang) 51. Republic of Ireland 53. Nocturnal flyers 54. American state 55. Clusters in fern fronds 57. Patriotic women 58. A person’s brother or sister 59. Breed of sheep 61. Popular film “Despicable __”

It’s Time for the ALC

COMMON GROUNDS CAFE Monday to Friday 11am-2pm

Fun Stuff

Wednesday, December 6, 2023: • The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am– 9:30 pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome.

The Active Lifestyle Centre Coffee Shop

Great Friends! Everyone Welcome!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

We offer programs & services for older adults 50+. Stop in for a tour or see the program line up at activelifestylecentre.org 519-352-5633 • 20 Merritt Ave., Chatham

Saturday, December 2nd 9am-2pm Come Visit 50+ Vendors Arts Crafts Food

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Classifieds

Christmas Trees

Legal Notice

Christmas trees

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS Claims against the Estate of Robert Charles Harris, late of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Province of Ontario, deceased, who died on or about the 12th day of June, 2021, must be in our hands

by December 14th, 2023, after which date the estate will be distributed having regard only to those claims which have been duly filed.

Miller Christmas Trees! Located on Hwy#2 at the former Travellers Motel (7715 Queens Line). 500’ West of Bloomfield Rd. 11:00am-7:00pm.

Call 519-437-1008 for more info.

Christmas pots also available.

Services Offered

NEED SOME ROOMS PAINTED FOR CHRISTMAS?

DATED at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent this 22nd day of November, 2023 Anderson Law Group Barristers & Solicitors 619 James Street P.O. Box 409 WALLACEBURG, Ontario N8A 4X1 Solicitors for the Estate Trustee

Help Wanted CARRIER WANTED:

Give Don a call at 519-351-9416.

Wanted Wanted: Scrap air conditioners and misc. Phone 226-229-2614.

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools.

We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.

Wanted to rent or buy 1 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred.

519-352-5414 or 226-627-5414.

Sell your unwanted items in the classifieds!

519-397-2020

Help Wanted

Part Time Afternoon Cleaning Staff Wanted Must be able to work different hours as needed.

Involves weekend cleaning. The candidate must also be able to cover shifts for the other cleaner.

Experience would be an asset.

Involves some heavy lifting. Call 226-229-0098 for an interview.

For Sale

Full-length silver mink coat for sale. Must See! Phone 519-3524572.

We are looking for a carrier in the following areas: #1 - Queen (Richmond-Park), Richmond (Queen-Raleigh), College #2 - Queen St (between Park & Indian Creek) #3 - Chippewa, Tanser, Sioux #4 - Garden Path, Iris, Dahlia, Carnation, Crocus Carriers are given 3 days each week to delivery their route!

Call Michelle at 519-397-2020 or email michelle@chathamvoice.com for more info!!!

PAGE 23

OBITUARIES

Ronald Jones 82, Sunday, November 19, 2023 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Fredrick John Newfield 75, Thursday, November 16, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Ann Motycka 81, Monday, November 20, 2023 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Fred Robinson 84, Saturday, November 18, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Edwin “Ted” MacNally 93, Thursday, November 16, 2023 Life Transitions

Kathleen “Kit” Hillman 95, Saturday, November 18, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Alice Kett (Thompson) Thursday, November 16, 2023 Life Transitions David Turner Thursday, November 16, 2023 Life Transitions Sherry Morrell 63, Friday, November 17, 2023 Life Transitions Margery McLeod (McKay) 85, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Life Transitions Louise Maxfield 75, Monday, November 13, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home Joan Thatcher 82, Tuesday, November 21, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home Jill Ouellette 62, Thursday, November 16, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home

Stay in the loop and receive daily news updates right to your inbox Visit chathamvoice.com/subscribe ity Stay connected to your commun m! alis joun l and support loca

Daniel Lenover Friday, November 17, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home

Héléne (Pinsonneault) Cartier 97, Friday, November 17, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home David Pels 57, Monday, November 21, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Genowefa “Jenny” Wrotkowska 94, Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Linda Marie Mifflin 64, Monday, November 20, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Deborah Ann Carr 66, Monday, November 20, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Stjepan “Steve” Matun 76, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Marie Friesen 61, Friday, November 10, 2023 Kendrick Funeral Home See full obituaries at chathamvoice.com/obituaries

Ely St. John 67, Monday, November 20, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home Rosaire Pinsonneault 91, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 McKinlay Funeral Home

A Part of Wallaceburg since 1943.

519.627.2861 ericnichollsfuneralhome.com

This week’s puzzles found on page 22

Loans

4 Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390

MORTGAGES / LOANS

CONSOLIDATE DEBTS LOWER YOUR PAYMENTS

Difficult Situations Accepted Borrow $50,000 for $283.50/mth $100,000 for $567.00/mth $150,000 for $850.50/mth $200,000 for $1134.00/mth $250,000 for $1417.50/mth

WE ALSO ARRANGE UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT/LOANS

Whether you are looking to purchase a home, refinance your mortgage, or consolidate debt, it’s important that you are making an educated decision and receiving professional unbiased advice.

60 Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

lifetransitions.ca • 519-351-4444

For qualified borrowers. First mortgage based on 4.74%/yr fixed rate, 5 yr term, 25 yr amortization.

On approved credit, & subject to borrower qualification.

Rates & terms subject to change without notice.

Call John at 519-252-6953 - 24 hours or email john@unimorcapital.com UNIMOR CAPITAL CORPORATION Brokerage Lic.#10675

245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710

alexanderfuneralhome.ca

Serving Kingsville, Wheatley & Chatham kendrickfuneralhome.com

Generations of Families Continue To Place Their Trust With Us

Funerals and Cremations

156 William St., Chatham | www.peseski.com | 519.352.5120

459 St.Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141 141 Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451

www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 24

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

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