The Lakeshore News Reporter by Diversity Reporter

Rat molent ugitia tum harum harum La Belle Fromage celebrates five years

Canadians promote support for Ukraine

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VOL. 01 | March 30, 2022

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Lakeshore's fight against the flood

From the Editor's Desk Welcome!

Council and residents search for solutions to Town's flooding issues By Devan Mighton It's a never-ending storm. Every year, in one thunderous torrent, the rain may only last a few hours. However, its aftermath lingers from there on out. Whether it's deemed a 25-year event, 100-year event, or just plain bad luck, these onslaughts of seasonal rain are becoming as predictable as death or taxes and have intensified in recent years. "You know, if we get a lot of rain, the hardware store in Belle River is using a squeegee to push the water out the door," explains Lakeshore resident Celeste Willis. "They have to close roads in the area because we can't drive on them and every time they say it was a significant rain event, but we have this every single year." Since 2017, the residents of Lakeshore have battled against the tide to keep their basements from flooding, in what seems like a losing battle. The last major rainfall, which occurred in July 2021, resulted in the flooding of over 250 Lakeshore homes, causing millions of dollars in damage. "I flooded–I had two sump pumps going–but it's not about who flooded and who didn't," states Willis. "The last thing I want to do is to show

Lakeshore streets flooded in July of 2020. – Courtesy of Lakeshore Resident Flooding Action Group

real estate and if somebody wants to sell their house–it's out there that this whole area floods. What I want to do is to get the town to deal with existing residents' concerns instead of putting all of their money into future growth." In November 2021, Willis gave

a presentation to Lakeshore Town Council, on behalf of a group of residents calling themselves the Lakeshore Resident Flooding Action Group, shining a light on flooding issues in their town. Based on a 2020 Stantec survey of water management, the group concluded that

the estimated cost of repairs to the Town's infrastructure would be in the ballpark of $33,840,000. Unfortunately, at such a cost, without federal and provincial contributions, this amount would undoubtedly create a substanFIGHTING FLOOD, PAGE 6

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Greetings and welcome to the inaugural edi-tion of the Lakeshore News Reporter – print edition. We are thrilled to be able to bring you im-portant news developments across the Lakeshore region. Our focus – to bring you great stories about building community and human interest – and pursue the issues of concern that interest you – the reader. We plan to share amazing stories about your neighbours, help you find local events and keep track of what’s happening across Lakeshore and surrounding municipalities. Our first edition may include a few familiar faces, as we continue to grow our brand. Seasoned reporter Devan Mighton takes a look at continuing flooding issues around the municipality. Veteran hockey writer John Humphrey re-joins the team, bringing you the story of twins Ryan and Connor MacPherson, who play for the Leamington Flyers. Writer Caitlin Kelly spotlights local business La Belle Fromage in Belle River. We continue to grow and progress, but we’re hardly perfect. We ask that you are patient with us as we continue to develop our presence. Have an idea or thought for a story? Know a volunteer who deserves some recognition? Want to vent with a letter to the editor? Have any school news? What about local sports results? We’re here for you. We invite you to check out our digital and Facebook sites here: lakeshorenews.com fb.com\LakeshoreNewsReporter

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Matt Weingarden lakeshorenews.com

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Editor, Lakeshore News Reporter

02 | March 30, 2022

Local Stellants/LG Energy Solution invest $5 Billion in battery production plant in Windsor The facility is expected to employ nearly 2,500 workers

Watermain replacement project to continue through mid-May Daily lane restrictions in place The Municipality of Lakeshore will continue with the watermain replacement project in the area of Railway Avenue, including Fourth, Dupuis, Sixth, and Seventh streets in Belle River. The project is expected to take place between Mon., March 21 and mid-May, weather permitting. Daily lane restrictions will be in place throughout the duration of the project. Restrictions will be moved as work progresses throughout the project area.

Restrictions will impact Railway Avenue (between Fourth and Seventh Streets) and Dupuis, Sixth, and Seventh Streets (between Railway Avenue and Broadway Street). Roads will remain open to local traffic and all vehicle drivers should use caution while navigating the project area. Residents and businesses in the area may experience low water pressure for short durations during the project.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens attend a news conference held Wed. March 23 announcing the construction of a new $5-billion-dollar battery plant to be located in Windsor.

By Matt Weingarden Windsor has been selected as the location of a new $5-billion-dollar electric vehicle battery plant. Partners Stellantis and LG Energy Solution has announced a joint venture to produce leading edge lithium-ion battery cells and modules to meet a significant portion of Stellantis’ vehicle production requirements in North America. The 4.5-million-square ft. facility is expected to be operational by 2025, employing nearly 2,500 people. Expectations are that for each of the positions created at the plant - another two to three spin off positions will be created across the region. Plant construction, located a 220-acre site on Twins Oaks Drive near Banwell Rd. and the the EC Row Expressway, is scheduled to begin later this year, with production op-erations planned to launch in the first quarter of 2024. The province says the more than $5-billion investment is the largest in the automotive manufacturing history of Ontario. The plant will supply batteries for a “significant por-tion” of Stellantis' North American production, the companies said in a statement. “Our joint venture with LG

Energy Solution is yet another stepping stone to achieving our aggressive electrification roadmap in the region aimed at hitting 50 percent

Canada's first electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility will create at least

2,500

NEW JOBS

of bat-tery electric vehicle sales in the US and Canada by the end of the decade," said Car-los Tavares,

Stellantis CEO. "We are grateful to the Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels of government for their support and commitment to help position Canada as a North American leader in the production of electric vehicle batteries." Stellantis and LGES expect the plant will serve as a catalyst for the establishment of a strong battery supply chain in the region. According to all le vels of Government, Canada is committed to establishing a broad, local battery ecosystem by leveraging, among other things, its leadership in the gen-eration of electricity from renewable sources. "Stellantis is Windsor’s largest employer and has a rich history in this community. Chrysler began operations in this community in 1925 and has employed generations of Windsor–Essex workers at its facility. With this announcement, we are securing the future for thousands more local workers and securing Windsor’s strategic location as the home of Canada’s electric vehicle future. As the world pivots to EVs, Windsor will soon be home to the battery manufacturing facility that powers it all." said Windsor mayor, Drew Dilkens.

For questions about the project, please contact Lakeshore’s Capital Projects Division at CapitalProjects@Lakeshore.ca.

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First case of Influenza A confirmed in Windsor-Essex The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has reported the first case of Influenza A in Windsor and Essex County. The WECHU is reminding everyone to get their flu shot. The best way to protect yourself against the influenza virus and lower your risk of getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is free for people who work, live or study in Ontario. There are a number of ways for residents to get their influenza vaccine: ● From your health care provider (contact your doctor or nurse practitioner)

● At participating local Pharmacies in Windsor and Essex County Symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 can be similar: fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headaches, and muscle pain/body aches. If individuals have any of the above symptoms, they should not attend work or school, contact their health care provider, and seek testing at a local COVID-19 assessment centre if you are eligible for PCR or rapid POC molecular testing.

The flu can affect anyone, including those who are healthy, but people at higher risk of serious complications are: ● young children ● babies under 6 months of age (who are unable to get the vaccine) ● adults aged 65 and over ● pregnant women ● those living with a chronic health conditions (such as asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, heart disease) It is important to take precautions to prevent

getting or spreading the flu: ● everyone over 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine every year ● wash your hands often ● cough and sneeze into your arm or tissue ● do not touch your face ● stay home when you are sick ● avoid close contact with others if feeling ill ● clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared items ● contact your health care provider to rule out other viruses such as COVID-19

March 30, 2022 | 03

Local Tilbury ONroute electric chargers installed at 401 roadside stop Two new units CCS, CHAdeMO and Tesla compatible By Matt Weingarden New electric-vehicle chargers at roadside stops in Tilbury and Dutton will assist to bridge the gap for drivers that need to charge up when travelling from Windsor to London. Currently, the ONroute chargers on the Dutton eastbound and West Lorne westbound places, are operational. The westbound Tilbury units are expected to be in service by Friday March 18. “From London onwards by Toronto, and even onwards to Montreal or Ottawa, there have been chargers proper off the highways you would go to,” said Sean Hart, a Lakeshore resident, who is also the vice-president of the Canadian Electrical Automotive Society - an electrical automotive advocate. “You get off the 401 after which, in a kilometre, there can be a fast charger you would use, however inside that gap between Windsor and London there was completely nothing.” According to a press release, Provincial authorities plan on 20 of the 23 ONroute charging stations on highways 400 and 401 to be active within 12 months. The Ivy Charging Community, an enterprise of Hydro One and Ontario

Energy Technology, is responsible for the set-up, possession and operation of the units. The chargers are CCS, CHAdeMO and Tesla compatible. Todd Smith, Ontario’s energy minister, says the investments are designed to make driving an electrical automotive extra handy and accessible. “Drivers can pull into an ONroute station alongside our province’s busiest freeway to seize a espresso or a meal whereas charging their automotive, making it simpler to discover Ontario or go to household and buddies,” said Smith. “These new EV quick charging stations will increase EV possession, help Ontario’s rising EV manufacturing business and cut back emissions.” Hart mentioned with rising gasoline costs, particularly lately, the chargers are popping up at a good time. “If someone is driving a gasoline automotive and so they’re filling up, they will see these charging stations there,” he said. “I’m hoping individuals will get the message that an electrical automotive is value contemplating at this level.” For more information please visit chargehub.com

Two new Tilbury ONroute electric chargers have been installed at the 401 westbound road side stop and are expected to be in service on Fri. March 18. – Photo by Matt Weingarden

Wilder side of the law

Welcome back! I tried to find the right ‘opening statement’ for this, but that’s honestly the best I could come up with after 2 years of… well, what-ever that was. You’d think I would have something better, but alas, there it is and here we are, back on the Wilder Side of the Law. So, what’s changed in the legal

Now, a judge physically located in Windsor, can preside over Court proceedings anywhere and viceversa. This could significantly improve the flow of the Courts, reduce backlogs, and lead to quicker justice. All good things. Of course, there have been other changes to the legal world, but I have run out of ‘bill-able space’ here and discussion of those other changes will have to wait until another time. Have a question or topic for Wilder Side of the Law? Email it to steven@diamondlaw.ca

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world? A lot… Let’s start with virtual legal proceedings and court. Things have come a long way since that video of ‘Cattorney’, Rod Ponton, the US lawyer who had a cat filter active during a proceeding and tried to explain to the Court that he was not actually a cat. Today, virtual proceedings have become common and most people appear as themselves, instead of a fluffy animal. In fact, it would seem that virtual proceed-ings are here to stay, after a recent Court announcement that many Court proceedings will be virtual, on a permanent basis. Natu-rally, some people oppose the use of virtual proceedings. However, I think it is a good change and one that is long overdue. One of the biggest benefits to ‘Virtual Court’ is that people can participate more easily. They can attend from home, on a break from work, even while away on vacation. Another benefit is the availability of judges. Often, judges from Windsor are pulled away to cover other jurisdictions.

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04 | March 30, 2022

Editorial SUVs are driving us toward climate calamity

By David Suzuki When bumper-to-bumper traffic chokes roads and SUVs fill urban parking lots, we can’t say we’re taking the climate crisis seriously. But it’s more than a question of consumer choice. The issue is systemic. The auto industry spends enormous sums to convince people they need massive SUVs and trucks to haul themselves to work and the grocery store — as if two tonnes of car weren’t enough. The slick ads paint pictures of freedom and active lifestyles, of getting out into nature, failing to

mention that their existence is putting nature and human survival at risk. Most aren’t being used as work vehicles or in rural areas. Those ads work. During 2020, global energy-related carbon emissions fell by seven per cent, partly because of the pandemic, but emissions from SUVs rose, as did sales — growing to 42 per cent of the global auto market. The five most popular vehicles sold in Canada in 2021 were SUVs and trucks. According to the International Energy Agency, “Emissions from SUVs have nearly tripled over the past decade, owing to their increasing popularity around the world, which has outpaced the growth of other segments of the auto market. Today, SUV emissions are comparable to those of the entire maritime industry, including international shipping.” Cars spew enormous amounts of polluting, climate-altering emissions to mostly transport just one or two people. SUVs consume about 20 per cent more energy globally than medium-sized cars over the same distance — 30 per cent in the U.S., where they like them big!

A recent study for the David S u z u k i Fo u n d a t i o n b y t h e Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team (START) and Navius Research examined this destructive demand for SUVs: “From 1990 to 2018 in Canada, the number of cars on the road went up by 10 per cent, while the number of light-duty trucks went up by a factor of three (from 3.4 million to 13 million).” That added about nine megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere over the same period. Buyers reported that environmental and public safety impacts didn’t factor greatly in their purchasing decisions. Most SUV drivers downplayed environmental effects, claiming their vehicles aren’t much worse than cars, and that they need them for space or safety. As for the latter, the study found SUV drivers prioritized their own safety regarding accidents and difficult weather conditions but expressed little concern about known impacts on others — pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers in other vehicles. Half said they wouldn’t downsize under any conditions. Given the pervasiveness of

highly effective advertising, it’s no surprise people have become so attached to these behemoths. Vehicle electrification, including SUVs, will help, but it’s not the solution — especially as SUVs and trucks require more raw materials and use considerably more battery power than standard cars. It will never be environmentally sound to use two or more tonnes of materials to transport less than a hundred kilos of human. Vehicle electrification isn’t happening quickly enough anyway. As an upcoming START research report for Équiterre and the Foundation found, Canada has an electric vehicle supply problem, especially outside of Quebec and B.C., which have mandates to shift to zero-emissions vehicles. It found that without a federal mandate requiring manufacturers to produce and sell a growing proportion of ZEVs, an increasingly stringent vehicle emissions standard, a “feebate” that adds a premium to polluting vehicles and uses the money to reduce electric vehicle prices, or a combination, Canada won’t meet its ZEV or greenhouse gas targets.

The real solution is to change how we get around, and to reimagine our living spaces to reduce reliance on private automobiles. We must expand public transit, taking advantage of new and emerging technologies in electrification, autonomous vehicles, system efficiencies and more. We need to make it easier and safer for people to cycle and walk, and to choose other transport options, from electric scooters to skateboards. We need to develop walkable, livable neighbourhoods with easy transit access. Many are also calling for tighter regulations or a ban on advertising for fossil-fuelled cars, as was done for cigarettes. Face it: most people aren’t out exploring, or even ripping up, nature in their SUVs; often, they’re sitting in gridlocked traffic, pumping out pollution. That isn’t the road to well-being. We must do better. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.

Another crippling blow to Canadian’s food costs?

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COVID-19, runaway inflation, and labour shortages have strained our capacity to meet Canada's food security threshold. Canadians cannot take another shock to our food supply chain, which

will threaten our food security and add to the rising cost of food. In addition, our supply chain is facing cost pressures from volatile commodity markets, increased utility and fuel costs, and increasing war in Europe. Inaction on any potential rail strike or lockout will be another crippling blow to Canadian's cost of food. A potential rail strike or future lockout adds to the immense logistical challenges facing input suppliers to our farmers, as they attempt to position enough fertilizer to support our spring planting season. Less fertilizer now means less yield and less food into a world food security system shocked by war on European soil. Even just the possibility of any type of rail strike or lockout already has one of Canada’s food retailers threatening their suppliers. Some

retailers have already served notice not to try to pass along increased freight costs, potentially resulting from a last-minute shifting to an overloaded rail system, or to a trucking industry already understaffed to attempt to compensate for a strike or lockout. Our local food processors/manufacturers are being rebuffed at every turn by retailers as they try to mitigate the cost pressures they face. Why has Canada yet implemented any form of a Grocer Code of Conduct, which would level the playing field in the food value chain, and allow food processors/manufacturers to survive? Surely, when a company as large as Frito-Lay (owned by Pepsi) has to stop shipping product to Loblaws, the lack of an Industry Code of Practice is evident.

Any potential rail strike or lockout just adds another straw on the back of Canada’s farmers, food processors and manufacturers. This government needs to have a plan in place now, to prevent further food supply and price shocks, and/or more empty spaces on our grocery shelves! Let’s get resolved before all Canadians suffer. Dave Epp, MP Chatham-Kent--Leamington Editor’s note: It should be noted that Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and the union representing 3,000 conductors, engineers and train and yard workers agreed to final and binding arbitration to end a work stoppage. Workers returned to the job on Tues. March 22.

March 30, 2022 | 05

Canadians promote support for Ukraine

By Hailey Renaldo The citizens of Ukraine are in need since the declaration of war was made against them by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the WHO health cluster estimates that the number of affected people has climbed from 2.9 million a week ago, to over 18 million today. “As of 9 am EST on Feb. 28, the Appeal has raised over $4 million from a broad base of supporters across Canada – provincial governments, family foundations, community organizations, credit unions, public and private companies, and thousands of individual donors,” said Orest Sklierenko, President and CEO of Canada-Ukraine Foundation on the Canada-Ukraine Foundation website. “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from every corner of Canada, who share the horror of the

war being waged by Russia against both Ukrainian and Russian, and the Ukrainian people.” there has never ever been a threat Vladmir Putin has publicly stated against them for speaking a differthe reason Russia has invaded is ent language. This excuse to invade because the country is unable to move is politically selfish, ignorant, and an forward with the alleged constant example of imperial greed. If somethreat from Ukraine. He claimed his one could try to think about the peointentions are to protect people from ple, and actually care, they would hatred and genocide within Ukraine, never bomb their houses or rip away despite there having never previously their lives. Never. This is just about been any issues of either within the borders of Ukraine. LaSalle resident, Oleksandra Guarasci lived in Rivne, Ukraine for 25 years before moving to Canada with her daughter and husband. She said she has roots from Russia, and because of this, has always been bilingual. “It’s insane how Russia is trying to promote saving people, by killing,” said Guarasci. Photo by Joy Pearson Davis, Tilbury “There is no need for any of this, these Russia trying to eat another piece of people were happy and peaceful. It’s another country.” a bilingual country, though more When asked to describe what people are speaking Ukraine. Russia Ukraine was like before the contrying to save people in Ukraine is flict, Guarasci said the country was a huge lie. Everyone I know speaks filled with happy, peaceful and social

Ontario Party Essex announces Frank Causarano as candidate Longtime Kingsville/Leamington resident and Business owner, Frank Causarano has been acclaimed as the official Ontario Party Candidate for the position of Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Essex in the upcoming June 2, 2022 Election. Mr. Causarano is a 39-year-old entrepreneur, business owner and is a dedicated husband and father of a beautiful 5-year-old daughter. Active in the community through his family’s business (Anna’s Garden, Home and Wellness) of over 40 years that he leads with his wife Marlene. Frank is familiar and concerned with the cur-rent issues affecting families and businesses especially in the Essex County region which has borne the brunt of the pandemic regionally if not the most in North America. Mr. Causarano has assumed several local board positions that focus on small and medium business, such as True Kingsville and is active in community donations and fund-raising with Churches, multiple area schools and grass roots fundraising. Mr. Causarano is new to politics and provides a fresh perspective with his business and community experiences, problem solving abilities and teamwork approach.

people who value and protect their culture and traditions. It is a place where there is always someone to talk to, always a place to go, and always new things to see. “The incredible heritage, the beautiful language and traditions of Ukraine, there’s so much to love,” said Guarasci. “Living in Ukraine, you feel happy, free and so connected to your roots. The values of the culture are very much a part of every day there … and when I heard of the conflict with Russia, all I could do was cry.” Guarasci still has close family and friends in Ukraine, whom she tries to keep track of and speak with every day. “It’s terrible because I’m so far from all my family who are 8,000km away and I feel so helpless,” said Guarasci. “I call my family a couple of times a day. I send messages and ask them to write me anything – even at night. A smiley face, a kiss, a little letter – just so I know everyone is fine safe … I have so many friends

and their families in different parts of Ukraine, and they’re all saying there are apartment buildings that were bombed, people are in shelters hiding, they are out of food, out of water, out of supplies. Children are hungry, babies are without formula. People are living with no food, no light no gas, nothing for days. Others are trying to run away from the bombing just to be shot in their cars, the Russian soldiers won’t let them go.“ Initiatives are gaining more ground to help provide for civilians in Ukraine as Russian soldiers advance into the country and large companies have ceased their services with Russia. Companies such as Shell, YouTube, McDonalds, most car companies like Audi, Mercedes, Ford Motor Company, Disney, Starbucks, and many more. “We are extremely grateful to all Canadians for their continued generosity and support at this time of need,” said Alexandra Chyczij, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “Putin must be held to account in the International Criminal Court of Justice where he should be tried for war crimes.” For more information on new events and on-site reports from Ukraine, visit Live Ukraine News or to donate to the cause visit canadahelps.org. Videos are also posted to this Instagram group regularly with updates from residents in Ukraine.

Top health and wellness trends in 2022 The core elements of staying healthy, such as eating well and exercising often, may never change. However, scientists and health practitioners are always pushing boundaries on how best to do those things, and every year we hear of new life hacks to try out that may be the key to our health. Here are some top trends for 2022:

Frank is supportive of multiple local BIA’s and Chambers of Commerce, and is actively communicating with business leaders, reli-gious leaders and citizens concerned with the direction of our Province. He is also an active sport fisherman, committed to health and wellness and conservationist who is very engaged in environmental preservation, and understands current clean water, flooding concerns and the housing crisis affecting his riding and the region. Mr. Causarano has a strong political mes-sage for the residents of Essex. “Our fundamental Freedoms are being in-fringed upon, the Cost of Living has become unbearable, and our Health Care System is need of additional and expanded resources. I plan to fight for the constituents of Essex and hold those responsible to account and address policies affecting these issues” Mr. Causarano will fight for your right to Freedoms, Fiscal Security and a functional and sustainable Health System The Ontario Party’s 6 foundational pillars are: Family and Faith, Freedom and Fiscal Responsibility, Truth and Transparency.

Whole health While there’s no special ingredient or trick that can actually “boost” your immune system, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to keep yourself healthy and prevent illness. A key trend is a holistic approach to your health that recognizes the interconnection of eating nutritious food, being physically active and nourishing your mental health as core parts of staying well. Sleep hygiene Now that many of us have discovered the extra z’s you can get when you don’t commute to an office, we’re loath to lose them. So, this year expect everyone to be talking about the best things in sleep hygiene, from creating a bedtime routine and avoiding screens to tech and apps that help track the sleep you’re getting or improve its quality. Functional genetic testing Maybe you know someone who’s had their genetics tested to find out about their ancestry. With functional genetic testing, you’ll be able to discover the health implications of your genes. This goes beyond markers for major diseases – tests from The DNA Company can indicate whether you’re likely to gain weight in the cold, if you’re hardwired for binge-watching and even if you’re well-suited to a vegan diet. It’s a new frontier in health and wellness sure to make a splash in 2022. Find more information on getting a genetic profile at thednacompany.com.

06 | March 30, 2022

Fight against the flood

Residents of the Lakeshore Resident Flooding Action Group are asking the Municipality to ensure stormwater and sanitary sewers are upgraded before additional future growth across the region. FIGHTING FLOOD, FROM PAGE 1

tial hike in municipal tax. "Council recognizes the importance of dealing with flooding issues to protect residents and their properties as well as ensure the long-term sustainability and continued success of our municipality," says Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain. "We’ve made substantial investments, through both capital and operating budgets, to respond to the problem in the present and develop long-term solutions for the future. "In 2022, we’ve invested in order to enhance our ability to respond to flooding, expand flood-related bylaw enforcement, and deliver stormwater management improvement projects. These investments form part of our comprehensive response to address the complex challenges of climate change and flooding today, and well into the future." The reality is, there is no easy fix. Climate change, torrential rain, shifting lake levels, aging hook-ups and infrastructure, all have a role to play in the Town's flooding issues. In recent years, flooding has been a major issue across the Windsor-Essex region, affecting the municipalities of LaSalle, Windsor, and Tecumseh, among others. In August 2021, the Municipality of Lakeshore approved their Flood Mitigation and Protection Framework (FMPF) in an effort to tackle some of the ongoing issues the municipality has seen in recent years. The effort included the rollout of their Smoke Testing Program, 2022 budget investments to expand bylaw investigation and enforcement related to flooding, the rollout of a Flood Rapid Response Team, and a spring FMPF status update in the coming months. In addition, the Town will be discussing priority actions for a Shoreline Management Plan in late March. "Mitigating the impact of flooding events and protecting residents and their properties has been a priority of our Council," explains Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Tracey Bailey. "We have dedicated significant operational resources and capital projects to improve our capacity to prevent and respond to flooding, provided grants

and subsidies for property owners, and developed data-driven plans which will inform and prioritize the actions we take today and in the years ahead. "Like many local governments in our region and around the world, we are dealing with the challenges of a changing climate, including the impact of higher rainfall and more extreme storm events, but there are no easy solutions. The actions we’ve taken and the investments we’ve made represent the start of a long-term, multi-pronged approach to dealing with these challenges in a responsible and sustainable manner." For Willis, the Municipality’s response is not enough. "I've asked them for their plan of action on the (Stantec report) items and I haven't got anything back from the town," she states. "I'm very concerned that they haven't addressed the problems. When I looked at the budget, they only had around $282,000 for infrastructure, drainage, and problems out of the whole budget. That's not enough to deal with the engineering report that says they need millions to fix some of these pumps and these issues." Lakeshore Ward 1 Coun. Steven Wilder has experienced flooding, along with many of his friends and neighbours. The constant fear of rain has turned into lingering anxiety for many. "Whenever we get heavy rain events like that, it's concerning because some people have flooded numerous times," explains Wilder. "In the last five years, there's been a number of big storms. Unfortunately, it continues to be a problem for residents. It continues even for people who don't flood–you get that constant concern or worry because you've flooded before." Wilder says that some of the scenarios presented at recent meetings in preparation for the Shoreline Management Planning are scary– especially in the event of a 100year flood. "They picked some areas to highlight, just as an example," states Wilder. "They used Pike Creek, and I live right on Pike Creek, it was an area that was previously heavily impacted, and the water levels, and flooding, and

how far that water reaches inland is nothing short of devastating." Wilder explains that flooding is a community and regional issue–especially coastal flooding. No matter how well-built your breakwall is, if your neighbour's isn't up to snuff, you're getting flooded. "The Shoreline Management Plan is just one specific thing, but it shows you how much work there is to do," says Wilder. "Then you look at the Stormwater Management Plan and the sanitary upgrades that we're going through–there's a lot of different pieces to the puzzle, and, at the end of the day, it's going to come down to dollars and infrastructure." "I think we've got to look at upgrading our sewers, upgrading our stormwater ponds, upgrading our infrastructure," he continues. "We're doing a big upgrade at the Denis St. Pierre Plant, which is great. That's going to help with sanitary backups and flooding." Wilder says that everybody wants this done yesterday, but the costs are "astronomical", which will force the issues to be addressed in piecemeal. He was also one of the councillors

Lakeshore basements flooded in July of 2020.

who opposed further development in the Amy Croft area of Lakeshore–an area that flooded heavily in 2017. "I'm not a fan of the high-density development in that area," he says. "It's a flood-prone area and, unfortunately, I was one of the few who didn't think it was a good idea." After the 2017 flooding, Wilder says that he was initially not impressed with the onus being put on homeowners to protect themselves from flooding. His crawl space flooded during the event, and it turned out his sump pump was not working. He replaced the pump, protecting his home at his end. "I can't stop the rain from coming," says Wilder. "I can't control that, but there's steps I can take." In addition, he added extensions to his downspouts and bought a backup pump." "These are great steps that a resident can take to protect their own home, because the larger solutions–bigger ponds, larger pumps, bigger pipes–all that stuff that people want takes a lot of money and takes a while." He adds that the Municipality of Lakeshore's Smoke Testing Program

is free and is a boon to the community. "It's one of the best things that we ever came up with, if you asked me," opines Wilder. "We waived the fees on sewer camera inspections. The municipality will come in and inspect your pipes and your line and tell you if you have cracks, clogs, or problems that way, because a lot of the flooding problems relate to stuff on the private side." Wilder stresses that the flooding is a regional issue and needs to be treated as such. With costs that could run into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, he says it is essential to obtain funding from upper levels of government to make these fixes a reality. "We try to do projects to help– drainage, roadwork, and stuff like that–but it comes down to dollars and cents," states Wilder. "We definitely want to help, but it comes down to money and to go to the resident and say, 'Here's a 300 per cent tax hike,' to try and chip away at the problem–it just doesn't make sense." Fo r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e Municipality of Lakeshore's free Smoke Testing Program, please visit www.Lakeshore.ca/Flooding.

Construction continues on a significant expansion to the Denis St. Pierre Water Pollution Control Plant which represents a critical investment in wastewater treatment capacity needed to accommodate growth in the Municipality’s northwestern urban areas. The expansion of the plant will increase treatment capacity by 70 per cent. – Matt Weingarden / The Reporter Staff

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March 30, 2022 | 07

La Belle Fromage celebrates five years at Belle River location By Caitlin Kelly As a young girl Rachelle Chandler, owner of La Belle Fromage, would make frequent trips with her family to Quebec. She described her favourite part of her childhood travels - visiting the local artisanal businesses - often run out of the homes of local residents. This experience, Rachelle shares, inspired her to add owning and operating her own artisanal goods business to her bucket list. Describing herself as more of a “jumper” than a “dreamer”, she indicated “she has always had the belief that if you have an idea, you should go for it,” - and that’s just what Chandler did. After a successful career in nursing, Rachelle decided she was going to “go for it” and open her own business. She recalled purchasing a commercial refrigerator and some local artisan cheese and converting an area of her home to a business space. As support for the business grew, La Belle Fromage quickly outgrew its space in her home. Rachelle, along with business partner Paula Hall, began brainstorming ideal locations for their business to plant its roots. As long-term Belle River residents themselves, both Rachelle and

Paula are familiar with the close-knit community and saw the benefits of a main street location. Additionally, Rachelle has strong ties to the Belle River business community, noting her meme and pepe owned Harpe’s Hardware years ago, with a brick on the façade of what it is now Uptown Gifts and Collectables still displaying the Harpe name. Now an established member of the Belle River business community themselves, La Belle Fromage is celebrating its 5th year at 519 Notre Dame St. Rachelle and Paula first met when their children, now grown, played hockey together. As their children remained close throughout the years, Rachelle described feeling as though life came full circle when she and Paula reconnected for what she calls their ‘business adventure.’ Rachelle explained both she and Paula share a love of good food and supporting small business…a natural fit. “We both enjoy hearing the stories behind the business adventures of others,” said Chandler. With this spirit, the business partners strive to share the stories of each Canadian company featured in the store, as well as their own adventure, which helps customers feel ‘at home’ while shopping, truly capturing the essence of a

From left: La Belle Fromage owners Rachelle Chandler, along with business partner Paula Hall, are celebrating five years of service at 519 Notre Dame St in Belle River. – Matt Weingarden / The Reporter Staff

small-town community. The adventure has not always been easy for the business partners, facing a global pandemic, as well as Paula’s personal health journey following a breast cancer diagnosis. “We are humbled by the way the community has rallied around the business during difficult times, noting the support, prayers and concern for Paula during the hardest days.” shared Rachelle. Chandler indicated customers

attend the store daily and share their support for Paula, dropping off gifts and asking “How they could help?” Today, Rachelle shares a positive update, saying Paula has fought hard, pushed this past year and will be back in the store soon. When asked to share one of the keys to success that has helped La Belle Fromage stand out, Rachelle highlighted the way she and Paula have always trusted their own ideas, which she indicated “often don’t

follow the crowd”. Whatever the strategy, it is certainly effective as La Belle Fromage has proven itself as a must-stop shop in Belle River. Whether you are looking for artisanal Canadian cheese, local honey or coffee, daily home-made lunch specials or their delicious dips, scones and countless other treats, you are guaranteed to leave La Belle Fromage with a couple new friends, a happy heart and a full belly.

08 | March 30, 2022

Business & Economy Canadians Wasting millions of dollars a year through food ‘Shelflation’ Compromised supply chains increasing waste and costs By Matt Weingarden

When asked if they had to throw away any food before the expiry date, or discard it prematurely in the last month, the answers were surprising. At any time, some Canadians are expected to have to dispose of food prematurely, but numbers surveyed were higher than ex-pected. A total of 63 percent of Canadians said they had to throw away food prematurely at least once in the last

six months. Based on food categories, the highest per-centage was in produce, at 45 percent, fol-lowed by dairy at 31 percent. Bakery prod-ucts were third at 27 percent and meat was fourth at 17 percent. Deterioration of the quality and freshness of food products can happen at any time, but it is suspected the pandemic and global sup-ply chain

challenges have made things worse in recent months. When supply chains aren’t working optimally, the chain will rob consumers of some needed shelf life at home. “The number of Canadians who have no-ticed this is astonishing,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analyt-ics Lab. “Shelflation” can happen at anytime, due to weather, labour disputes,

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A new study shows Canadians have thrown away $550 million worth of food in the last six months. ‘Shelflation’ is a new term has entered the grocery industry’s always changing lexicon. Researchers have coined the term and say it occurs when the shelf-life of food is com-promised by supply chain issues before you even put it in your cart. ‘Shelflation’ is considered a close cousin of the well-known term “shrinkflation.” While shrinkflation is considered a strategy which the food industry uses to reduce quantities of a food product without chang-ing the price, while “shelflation” is defined as when supply chain issues lead to overripe or less fresh food products making their way onto store shelves. This phenomenon ends up costing more to the supply chain and ultimately to the con-sumer. The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, in partnership with Angus Reid, recently conducted a study on shelflation, which occurs when the food supply chain’s efficiency compromises a perishable food product’s shelf-life at retail. A total of 1500 Canadians from across the country were surveyed last month.

labour shortages, mechanical failures, border-related chal-lenges, or anything which can extend stor-age and/or transportation times. But it may have gotten worse with the pandemic.” “Regional differences are telling,” said Janet Music, research associate Dalhousie Uni-versity. “You can see some regions have been impacted more by this than others, and this adds to a household’s grocery bill.” In Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic, of those who had to throw away food prema-turely at home, 24 percent said they had to do it 5 times or more. The greatest food waste was reported in the Atlantic region at 70 per cent and the lowest was in Saskatchewan at 42 percent. Food waste is a major challenge in our economy. In Canada, about 2.2 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year. The most common causes of perishable food waste at a retailer are overstocking, unpredictable consumer demand, inappro-priate quality control, and product handling. Compounded by issues up the food chain, retailers don’t stand much of a chance. So, putting blame solely on the retailer can be misplaced. Freshness and quality of perishables will obviously vary, depending on where you live and where you shop. Some regions are bet-ter served than others. But unlike shrinkfla-tion, “shelflation” can be dodged. Going to the grocery store once a week, or once every two weeks may not be ideal, es-pecially right now with current food supply chain woes. Visiting the grocery store two or three times a week and buying enough for the next two to three days may help in the long run, and waste less. The bottom line? Canadians need to ap-proach their grocery shopping habits a little differently.

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March 30, 2022 | 09

Food & Agriculture Ontario farmers raise concerns about global food supply

Get your grill on! It’s ‘Springtime BBQ Tune up Time’ with Pitmaster Jules Mailloux

Russia-Ukraine war could massively disrupt the world’s food supply chain

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is threatening to jeopardize the global food supply chain, potentially impacting the 2022 crop season. This is expected to drive up prices in the short term and lead to widespread famine in at-risk regions by next year, warn Ontario farmers. Last week, the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Agri Business Association held a briefing for provincial and federal government officials to outline the risks and challenges facing farmers for the planting of the coming season, and the impact the Russia-Ukraine War could have on Ontario’s food supply. Farmers in Ukraine and Russia produce about a quarter of the world’s calories, with key regions in North Africa and the Middle East dependent on their production. But this supply chain has been significantly jeopardized by the tragic geopolitical events unfolding in Ukraine. This is forecast to result in a spike in food prices between eight and 22 percent over the coming months, and many agriculture economists are predicting famine in several African countries within the next 18 months.

How policymakers, farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture value chain respond to this crisis over the next few weeks is critical, and will determine how much food will be available in Ontario, Canada and around the world. It is vitally important that Ontario find ways to maximize its production of livestock feed and grain in the 2022 growing season, which will also require strategies to manage the shortfall in fertilizer that is expected to materialize because of sanctions against Russia. “The war in Ukraine is tragic, and OFA is united with our brethren Ukrainian farmers who have had their livelihoods ripped apart and lives put at risk,” said Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “Ontario is Canada’s most productive region, and Ontario farmers are eager to do what is required to produce the food people rely on us to grow. But in light of these geopolitical matters, compounded by last year’s drought in Western Canada and South America, we can’t do it alone.”

Chili Cook off held by Comber Legion The Comber Legion Branch 241 held a very successful Chilli Cookoff on Saturday March 19th with19 entries submitted. The legion hosted a full house of patrons who were able to sample from any or all for only $5. The five finalists, from 1st place to 5th place was winner Rick, second place Mark, third place went to Irene, fourth to Shelley and Bern took 5th place. Winning prizes provided by Loop Fisheries Wheatley, Comber Home Hardware, Lil’s Gift and Fashion and the Comber Food Market. A special thank you to cook-off Coordinator Karen St. John.

Comber Legion Chili Cook-Off winners in-clude: from right; Karen, Rick, Irene, Mark, Bern and Shelley.

First warm up of the season and we are all ready for it. I know I am. This means for most that its time to get the BBQ, grill or smoker out of the back garage and get your grill on. But, there’s that word, is your grill, BBQ or smoker ready for the season? Like most of us we are so excited to get started that we forget the basics. • Open that grill, BBQ or smoker and clean it out. Guaranteed you will find lots of Yuck in there from last season and some unexpected winter guest. Grease, dead bugs, spider webs and sometimes even mice. Who wants that flavor in our foods? Not me. • Time to get dirty, we will need a few things to help get us started. Pail, dish soap, grill cleaner, scrub brush, scraper, shop vac, garden hose and cooking oil. Whether it’s a Natural gas or propane grill, charcoal grill or a smoker they are all pretty basic. Propane or Natural gas grills. • Open up, remove cooking grates and flavor wave bars. Now you will see all the nasty grease and food bits left behind from last year. I like to use the scraper to break up all that unwanted nastiness then use the

shop vac to suck it up. • Now you can use a grill cleaner like spraynine or hot soapy water and get in there with that scrub brush and start scrubbing. This is where I say to myself, Self, why did you not do this last fall when it was time to put the grill away. Scrub the grill grates as well and rinse everything well. • Don’t forget to check the propane hose as well, use a spray bottle with soapy water and spray on the hose going to propane tank and check for any leaks, we don’t need a fire under the grill, would not be good. • Check the tube burners and if they seem plugged up use a paper clip to clear out the holes. Might as well start the season with a new battery in the igniter. Now reassemble the grill and oil the grates really well, light the grill (make sure lid is open) and close the cover to reseason the grates. Let it burn on high for about 20 minutes. If you have a Charcoal grill or Smoker, pretty well the same: • Remove the grate and clean out all the old food debris and grease. Scrape, clean and rinse really well and let dry. I like to use a penetrating oil to lube the vents for

easier use. • Dry the grate and oil it up (cooking oil) so it does not rust. Make sure you check your charcoal for signs of rodents that might have needed it for a winter home. I like to keep mine in a separate garbage can labeled CHARCOAL on it so no one uses it for garbage. If not stored properly, charcoal can and will absorb moisture, so if it’s hard to light that could be the reason. • Oh, and NEVER and I mean NEVER use lighter fluid to light the charcoal unless you like your food to smell and taste light lighter fluid. It will not burn out. Use a charcoal chimney starter with newspaper or lighter cubes. No chemical taste this way either. About Jules Mailloux: Jules loves to cook! Over the years the Lakeshore resident has found his calling as a ‘Pit Master’ taking part in over 30 competitions, has been a culinary instructor with the LCBO, is a newspaper, radio and TV contributor and BBQ store owner. He is looking forward to competing and teaching as we work through the end of the pandemic.

Rib Rub Ingredients: • 1/2 Cup Turbinado sugar • 1/2 Cup smoked paprika • 1/3 Cup garlic powder • 2 Tablespoons onion salt • 2 Tablespoons chili powder • 2 Tablespoons Cumin • 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper

• 1 Tablespoon black pepper • 2 Teaspoon of Dry Mustard • 1 1/2 Teaspoons dried Oregano

Directions: Mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container.

10 | March 30, 2022

Lifestyle / Leisure Spring home maintenance inside and out

SUDOKU 2

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Check solutions at bottom of this page.

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Check and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors Lubricate weatherstripping and sliding doors and windows Check that windows and screens are operating properly Check air ducts, remove covers and vacuum dust from vents Clean humidifier and check for condensation and proper humidity levels Check attic, basement and crawlspaces for leaks or moisture Clean or replace your furnace filter Check and clean the heat recovery ventilator (HRV); wash or replace the filter Check sump pump (if installed) for discharge Inspect water heater for leaks

As winter starts to break, you may have more opportunities to check on areas outside the home. In the long run, maintaining the exterior of your home can be just as important as interior upkeep. When the weather is better, consider the following: • • • • • • •

Check eavestroughs and downspouts for debris Check roof for loose or cracked shingles Check driveways and walkways for frost damage Inspect fences Turn on exterior water supply Test septic system and clean if necessary Plan landscaping to avoid soil settlement and water ponding

Remember to always work safely and do your research before taking on an unfamiliar task. Consider leaving some of the more dangerous tasks, such as checking for mould or roof inspec-tions, to a licensed professional. Find more home maintenance tips at tarion.com.

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Call: (226) 780 1122 CALL OR EMAIL US (226) 780 1122 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Household Hazardous Waste Days The Municipality of Chatham-Kent in conjunction with Waste Connections of Canada Ridge Landfill will be holding eight Household Hazardous Waste Days between April and November in 2022 The events will be held: Veolia Environmental Services 141 Prosperity Way, Near Chatham

Day Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Saturday, May 14, 2022 Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Tuesday, July 12, 2022 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Saturday, September 10, 2022 Tuesday, October 11, 2022 Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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With spring right around the corner, we’re all looking to put those winter blues behind us and get our homes into tip-top shape. But with spring weather being unpredictable, sometimes it’s hard to juggle work, life, interior and exterior maintenance. Get a head start on spring by checking the interior of your home while it’s still cold and snowy outside. Here are some of the ways you can be proactive about protecting your home and your health:

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For more information please visit www.chatham-kent.ca, your nearest Municipal Centre or call 311 or 519-360-1998. This event is provided by Waste Connections of Canada’s Ridge Landfill and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

March 30, 2022 | 11

Sports Rose City Gymnastics Club competes at Burlington qualifier Recently, 14 athletes travelled to Burlington to compete at the Gymnastics Qualifier competition. Out of the qualifiers, the top 32 athletes are selected to represent their club at the On-tario Championships being held in Ottawa

the week of May 19 through 22. Local athletes represent families from the municipalities of Amherstburg, Windsor, LaSalle, Belle River, Chatham and Essex. The following athletes took part in the competition:

Name

Age

Rank

Amherstburg: ● Lillian Camilleri

3rd place

Belle River: ● McKenna Anger ● Mya Gordon-McCann

13 13

7th place 9th place

Essex: ● Jordan Park

14th place

LaSalle: ● Sara Fazekas ● Olivia Douma ● Samantha Navarro ● Sofia Spadafora

17 14 11 16

1st place 1st place 1st place 9th place

Windsor: ● Katarina Morgan ● Paige Jones ● Libby Pavlovic ● Ella Ukrainyc ● Amy Robins ● Savanna Acchione-Barr

10 14 11 11 15 16

8th place 5th place 7th place 6th place 6th place 5th place

MacPherson twins commit hockey scholarships HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIPS, FROM PAGE 12

and their advisor Harold Konrad, progressed quickly. Connor and Ryan and their parents visited the school's main campus in Dunham from February 4-6 and the family decision to commit to UNH was made shortly afterwards. Konrad is a Kingsville resident and former Flyers general manager and is one of the most well-respected hockey persons in these parts. He also works with legendary hockey player Bobby Orr, who is now a hockey agent. Having the Orr Group as family advisors is a clear indication of not only the skill of the MacPhersons not only as hockey players, but as young men. Rest assured, Number Four doesn't represent just ordinary players or persons. “We didn't know about U.S. College hockey because we always thought that we would go the Ontario Hockey League route,” Ryan claims. “Mr. Konrad showed us the advantages of both routes to go to play hockey at the highest level and he explained our options and has been

very supportive of us.” Living at home and attending the same school (grade 11 at Ste. Anne's in Tecumseh) has also assisted the twins' transition with moving up from Sun County to Leamington. “I have a few friends who have left home to play junior hockey and they have had to contend with living in a new town and going to a new school in addition to other issues away from the rink,” Ryan offers, matter-of-factly. “Living at home while playing in Leamington has been a blessing because when things go wrong, I don't have to arrange to make a phone call home, I just have to get together with my parents or other people and talk things over.” Despite being just months into their junior b hockey careers, the MacPhersons have made considerable contributions to the Flyers and are one of the biggest reasons that the team (32-10-0-0) is in first place in the GOJHL'S Western Conference. “With Connor and Ryan coming into the season as 17-year-old rookies, I think that we, as a coaching staff,

were looking for them to learn and mature as the season progressed,” claims Mitchell, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft and played with their minor pro teams in North America before embarking on an extensive pro career in Europe. “Connor and Ryan play top minutes for us every game and no disrespect to any of our other players, but they are the biggest reason why we are where we are in the standings at this time of the season. “They are well-respected in the dressing room and are loved by their teammates,” continues the 32-yearold native of Toronto. “It's amazing at their age to come in at this level of the game and be go-to guys so quickly, but that is what they are for us.” Leamington general manager Justin Solcz is also not shy in heaping praise on his prize rookies. “Dale plays the boys in all games situations – as he should because they have earned it,” he offers. “They play their regular shifts on our penalty-killing

and powerplay units too. “We are comfortable in have Connor and Ryan out there for us at any time of the game.” Connor and Ryan have played together on the same line and on the same teams for their entire careers so far, and the Flyers that will not changing anytime soon. The boys are the perfect fit for each other,” Solcz contends. “One (Ryan) is a playmaker and the other (Connor) is a goalscorer. “I can't see a situation arising that would want us to split them up. It's not just a weird twin thing, is that they complement each other so well when they are playing.” The MacPherson twins will likely have the opportunity to play one or two more seasons of junior hockey after the 2021-2022 campaign before moving onto the University of New Hampshire, although that is not guaranteed. One thing that is guaranteed, though, is that Connor and Ryan MacPherson will continue to be double trouble for opposition hockey teams for seasons to come.

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12 | March 30, 2022

Sports MacPherson twins commit to University of New Hampshire hockey scholarships By John Humphrey A pair of Essex County's young and highly-skilled junior hockey players have taken the next step in their promising careers. Connor and Ryan MacPherson of Tecumseh have been lighting it up for the Leamington Flyers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League since the start of the 2021-2022 seasons The 17 year-old young men committed last month to attend the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and play for the Wildcats. The UNH Wildcats are the National Collegiate Athle tic Association (NCAA) Division One hockey team that are a member of Hockey East and play their home games at the Whittlemore Center in Dunham, New Hampshire.

The MacPhersons, who are not only brothers, but are fraternal twins (they do not look alike) joined the Flyers last fall after playing AAA hockey for the Sun County Panthers. The pair were both taken in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection by the Ottawa 67s. Ryan , a 5'11”, 161 lb centre who shoots left-handed,was drafted in the 9th round, 171st overall, while 5'11”, 154 lb Connor, who is right-handed and plays right-wing, was selected in the 10th round, 188th overall, by Ottawa. The brothers attended the 67s mini-camp last August, but returned home to play junior b hockey and continue their development. It wasn't long before the pair attended the August mini-camp of the Flyers, turning the heads of coaching and management staff so often and vigorously that they nearly

caused the Leamington staff to suffer whiplash. In 42 games with the Flyers, who lead the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Western Conference with a 32-10-0-0 record in the 20212022 season, Connor MacPherson has 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points and currently leads the Flyers in scoring, while Ryan MacPherson has 12 goals and 35 assists for 48 points. Connor also sits in 13th place overall among the GOJHL's top scorers, while Ryan is in 20th place overall. The MacPhersons play alongside left-winger Gavin Grudner, a draft pick of the OHL's Guelph Storm. Leamington head coach, Dale Mitchell, who is in his first season as a head bench boss (anywhere) has been instrumental in developing the MacPhersons both on and

Courtesy of Leamington Flyers Hockey Club

off the ice and that has not been lost on the boys. “Coach Mitchell is great to play for. While it is only his first season coaching, you would think that he has been doing it for seasons,” said Connor. “He had a lot of experience playing junior hockey (winning backto-back Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires in 2009-2010) and he played pro hockey for seasons too. “He knows a lot about the game and he is a great guy to learn from.” Mitchell's confidence in his rookies not only during the regular season, but in training camp and in the pre-season helped showcase the

17 year-old Connor and Ryan MacPherson have committed to attend the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and play hockey for the Wildcats – while getting an education.

MacPhersons' considerable talents and the brothers quickly caught the attention of the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. “New Hampshire's coaching staff contacted us in November and told us that they had watched a few of our games on video,” recalls Ryan. “A couple of weeks later, one of the coaches came down to see us play in Leamington and a few weeks later another coach came to see us too.” The dialogue between UNH and the MacPherson family (father Matt, mother Jodi and younger brother Evan, 14 in addition to the twins) HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIPS, PAGE 11