Essex Free Press - July 30, 2015

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Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Vol. 135

A LOOK INSIDE Ricci named Rotarian of the Year PAGE 3 ________________

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Issue No. 30

Memorial Arena leaves legacy of memories

Essex competes on national CIB stage PAGE 6 ________________ Essex recognizes Bloomin’ gardeners PAGE 7 ________________ Thousands ‘Explore the Shore’ PAGE 13 ________________ Anger Management has the most heart

PAGE 17 _______________ Adult soccer hosts Day of Champions PAGE 20

Looking For A Good Home

“NALA” See Page 5 for adoption info.

by Sylene Argent It was bitter-sweet for many community members to watch the demolition of the Essex Memorial Arena begin on Tuesday, July 21. Watching the once local gather space for on-ice fun reduced to rebel brought an end to an era and had Essex residents reminiscing about their youth and the time spent inside its four walls. On the other hand, it was also a sign of forward progression. Essex Mayor Ron McDermott commented it was sad to see the Memorial Area get

demolished, but it had to be replaced. It was used until the end of last year’s hockey season. M c D e r m o t t remembers when the community pulled together to fundraise to establish the Memorial Arena in Town. And, many pitched in to build it, including McDermott. McDermott noticed many individuals had visited the Memorial Arena leading up to and during the demolition. Watching the walls come down triggered many memories for the Mayor, especially of those who were involved in erecting

the Memorial Arena in the early 1960s. Establishing the arena meant a place to play for local hockey clubs. McDermott remembers travelling out to Kingston when he was 18 to enjoy

ice time in a Sundaymorning Church League. Recent Essex Citizen of the Year recipient and longtime Essex 73’s volunteer Frank Matthys remembers volunteering to help put bricks on a

scaffold while the Essex Memorial Arena was being built. He said he hates to see the old arena come down, but it was time. Matthys got involved in being a part of erecting the Memorial Arena as he was volunteering at that time with hockey clubs in Town. He was volunteering his time to help with the Friday night Juvenile Blue Bombers team, as well as the Midget team. He recalled that the Bantam team was also around at that time. Matthys recalled the Friday night Juvenile Blue Bombers games to be an exciting attraction in town. It had teams involved from area communities, such as Essex, Leamington, Amherstburg, and Anderdon Township. Before the Memorial

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