Huron Hospice prepares for 8th annual butterfly release
The Annual Butterfly Release is back at Huron Hospice for its eighth year.
On Sunday, August 25, people will release their butterflies and remember loved ones at a Huron Hospice Bender House commemoration ceremony.
The butterfly is a universal symbol of transformation, and the release is a much-anticipated event for Huron County families.
“It is a beautiful way to honour and remember those we have lost in our community, and recognize the important work done at Huron Hospice,” said Willy Van Klooster.
“We think the gardens at Bender House are an ideal location to release butterflies and remember. Families can also pick up and release them at an important place to their family.”
Huron Hospice will livestream the commemorative event at the Bender House and broadcast it on YouTube and social media.
Huron Hospice will sell Painted Lady Butterflies ($40), Butterfly Bushes ($38), Black-Eyed Susans ($25), and Purple Coneflowers ($25).
These plants are important pollinating plants and make wonderful additions to any garden. The deadline for ordering butterflies is August 1.
Painted Lady Butterflies are bred in a certified butterfly breeding facility near Peterborough. The perennial plants ordered this summer will be available for planting in the spring.
The plants should flower in time for the butterflies and bees in the spring and summer of 2025.
The International Butterfly Breeders Association (IBBA) has done thorough research on butterfly releases, demonstrating that these events are safe when done correctly.
BIKING TO SAVE LIVES
Five-year-old Levi Hawkins will ride through the month of August to
Levi Hawkins continues to raise money for SickKids
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
During the month of August, the Great Cycle Challenge aims to end childhood cancer and pedal in honour of those lives which have been lost, while standing with brave kids still fighting to survive.
The goal is to fund life-saving research to develop safer and more effective treatments and find cures for all childhood cancers.
Five-year-old Levi Hawkins will be pedalling for his fourth year doing the Great Cycle Challenge, riding to raise money for kids with cancer.
In the last three years Levi has raised over $5,000 - $5,356 to be exact – and has ridden a total of 471-kilometres and
has not even started to track his kilometres for this year’s challenge.
“For being five years old, this is a pretty huge accomplishment,” said Laura, Levi’s mother.
“He is very passionate about this fundraiser and his biking, and we thought we could get the word out to help raise even more money for this amazing cause.”
Right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it’s the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada.
“I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support SickKids Foundation to allow them to continue their work in developing treatments, and finding a cure for childhood cancer,” expressed Levi on his pledge page.
Huron Hospice prepares for 8th annual butterfly release
Captive butterflies retain their instinct to migrate, so relocation and release will not impact their ability to find resources and migrate during the appropriate season.
Scientists have no evidence of a negative effect on the gene pool of wild populations after captive-bred monarchs are released.
Butterflies rarely die in shipping, and the IBBA has a shopping policy that breeders must follow to prevent such from happening.
Butterflies can be purchased at www.huronhospice.ca or by phone at 519-525-7352.
The deadline for ordering butterflies is August, 1.
Levi Hawkins continues to raise money for SickKids
Levi’s goal is to raise $1,800 this summer, and as of July 15 has already raised $750.
Levi’s father Rob is an avid mountain biker and the family have always had their kids on bikes at a very young age. Rob heard about the challenge on social media and decided it would be a great challenge and to achieve personal goals for themselves as well as supporting a great cause. Through his mother, Levi said he wishes that every kid had the chance to ride bikes like he does. That’s what keeps him motivated.
Levi rides wherever he wants and tracks his mileage through an app called Strava for the month of August, to contribute to the total kilometres ridden.
The deadline for fundraising is August 31. Levi starts tracking his kilometres in August, but people can donate as early as
July when his account is registered for the current year.
There is no minimum amount required, and donations can either be personal or a company donation. Receipts are also provided for tax purposes.
The money collected directly online through the Great Cycle Challenge website goes directly to the National SickKids Foundation and supports the Garron Family Cancer Centre at SickKids.
“The money is used in support of research to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer,” Laura explained.
“In the eight years of this Cycle Challenge starting, there has been $46,960,280 raised from riders across Canada. He is so happy to be part of such a great cause.”
Visit https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/riders/RobHawkins for more information, to make donations, see Levi’s statistics, history and achievements.
Levi Hawkins. CONTINUED FROM FRONT (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Goderich Council establishes Citizen Recognition Award policy
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
In 2023 Goderich Council authorized staff to develop a policy to recognize outstanding citizens who have made a significant contribution to, or a positive impact on the community.
Citizens who receive the Citizen Recognition Award will focus on, but is not limited to civic responsibility and contribution, community spirit, innovation, volunteer services, mentoring and coaching, contributions to the Town of Goderich, responsible environmental practices, com-
munity pride, and demonstrates teamwork and community involvement.
A ceremony celebrating the Citizen Recognition Awards will be held in the front foyer in October of this year.
According to a memo to council the Citizen Recognition Policy is established to recognize the broad range of elements that make up the Town of Goderich’s inspiring culture, by acknowledging those who contribute time, talent and resources towards improving the quality of life in Goderich.
The purpose of the new policy is to acknowledge outstanding citizens who have made a significant contribution to, or pos-
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itive impact on the community.
Citizens who receive the Citizen Recognition Award have exemplified a strong sense of volunteerism, civic pride, and commitment towards the betterment of the community.
Nominations must be a citizen of Goderich, all ages are eligible, may only receive one award in their lifetime, eligible for posthumous recognition, received by individuals, teams or groups.
Self nominations will not be accepted, and members of council are not eligible to receive the award while serving their term. Nominators are not required to be a
resident of Goderich.
According to the report, should exceptional circumstances arise in which it would be appropriate to either recognize an individual who resides outside the town, these guidelines should give the Clerk the flexibility to consider such nominations and forward for approval.
Council reserves the right to solicit and approve nominations post-deadline, if warranted.
Each recipient will receive a formal Citizen Recognition Award signed by the mayor and council and recognized on social media and the Town’s website.
Letter to the editor
Great stuff right around the corner
Dear Editor, I was amused at Paul Knowles having extolled the virtues of a Lavender Farm in Quebec, wrote in the most recent Goderich Sun edition: “We will travel around the world to see sights, but we ignore some really great stuff
right around the corner”.
But it appears that Knowles had just done in his previous article, as we have a great Lavender Farm at Essentially Lavender near Teeswater, and there is also the nearby Bayfield Lavender Farm, which I have yet to visit.
Goderich Sun
Patrick Capper Clinton
Work begins on $1.3 million track and field upgrade at St. Anne’s
The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) is pleased to announce that work has begun to replace the track and enhance the infield playing surface at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton.
The original track has served the school community well over the past 25 years.
This facility is used by schools throughout the Huron-Perth district, as well as the community.
“This project represents a significant investment by the board for St. Anne’s, Huron-Perth athletics, and the County of Huron,” said Chris N. Roehrig, Director of Education, HPCDSB.
“We are proud to be a strong community partner.”
This project will replace the existing track with new asphalt including a rubberized surface coating.
Drainage issues for the soccer, rugby, and field hockey pitch will be addressed at the same time.
In conjunction with the track upgrade, a new field house will be constructed to properly store the equipment.
“We are very excited for the St. Anne’s track rebuild happening this summer,” said Laura Blackmore, Vice-Principal, St. Anne’s.
Search concludes on Lake Huron as victim is located
On July 3, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Huron County OPP received several marine calls of a kayak adrift in the waters of Lake Huron in Sunview Avenue, in the Municipality of Bluewater.
The vessel was located by the Canadian Coast Guard unoccupied.
Police have been investigating the whereabouts of the individual last seen in the kayak.
The Canadian Coast Guard, members of the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU), OPP aviation services, along with the Lambton OPP and Huron OPP marine units searched the area for several days.
The search concluded on July 9 at approximately 12:30 p.m. when the deceased 57-year-old male from London was located near the water’s edge just south of Dewey’s Point, near the community of St. Joseph.
The OPP wish to extend their condolences to the family of the victim during this difficult time and thank those members of the public who assisted the OPP in their investigation.
Suspect arrested after series of auto thefts and collisions in Goderich
Huron County OPP has charged a Goderich-area resident with numerous criminal offences following a series of auto thefts, a break and enter, and collisions in the Town of Goderich in the early morning hours of July 12.
Just after 3:20 a.m., officers received a report of a suspicious vehicle being driven erratically in Goderich near Elgin Avenue.
Officers attended and located an abandoned damaged pickup truck on Kingston Street.
While investigating where the pickup truck originated from, police located a second damaged vehicle in the parking lot of a car dealership on Bayfield Road.
The business had been broken into and heavily damaged.
Officers then observed another vehicle being driven away from the lot speeding northbound on Bayfield Road.
As additional officers converged, the latest suspected stolen vehicle was observed driving the opposite direction on the Goderich Square.
As the officer attempted to stop this vehicle, it sped away onto Elgin Avenue and collided with five parked unattended vehicles causing extensive damage.
Officers were able to take the lone driver into custody after they resisted arrest and assaulted officers.
The accused was transported to a local hospital as a
“By investing in the track rebuild and inner field upgrade, future generations will have access to high level training facilities, which will enable rural athletes to compete and find success at the provincial or national level.”
The track is used by students across Huron and surrounding counties. Physical Education classes, elemen-
Police Reports
precaution and was released soon after.
The accused has been formally charged with a list of criminal offences. The total estimated damage exceeds $500,000.
A 32-year-old man from no fixed address has been charged with Break and Enter – Commit Indictable Offence, Theft of Motor Vehicle (three counts), Fail to Stop After Accident, Flight from Police Officer, Dangerous Operation, Mischief over $5,000, Assault a Peace Officer, Resist Peace Officer, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 (three counts), Fail to Comply with Probation Order (two counts), and Possession of Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine.
The accused was held for a bail hearing and was remanded into custody.
Death investigation in Central Huron, police seeking witnesses
Police continue to seek witnesses in a homicide investigation in Central Huron.
Investigators have received information that two individuals may have been in the wooded area near the former Holmesville Public School on Cut Line Road between 12 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on July 2.
Police believe these individuals have information that could assist the investigation but have not yet come forward.
The investigation began on July 2 at 4:18 p.m. when members of the Huron County Detachment of the OPP and emergency services responded to a Cut Line Road address between Parr Line and Tipperary line, where a youth was located, transported to hospital, and later pronounced deceased.
The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, remains in custody.
The investigation continues by the Huron County OPP Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from OPP Forensic Identification Services and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner.
While the police acknowledge the public interest in this case, investigators are asking that the privacy of the families be respected, along with the court-ordered publication bans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Huron County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Huron OPP warning local banks of fake passports
Members of the Huron OPP were called to a financial institution in the Township of North Huron, Wingham, for a report of possible fraudulent documents and suspi-
tary regional track meets, Huron-Perth athletics, invitational track meets as well as local organizations have also enjoyed the benefits of this facility.
Members of the community are also seen daily, walking the track to improve their health and fitness.
The track rebuild is scheduled to be completed by fall 2024.
cious person on Tuesday, July 16.
Just after 3:30 p.m. police were contact by bank staff advising of a lone male that had attempted to open a bank account using a passport from a foreign country, along with immigration papers and other documents.
The male advised he lived and worked locally, however bank staff checked to find that the residential address the male provided does not exist.
The bank also confirmed that he was not employed at the local business as he had claimed.
When confronted with these findings, the male fled the bank, leaving some of the documents behind.
Huron OPP officers viewed the suspect’s passport and confirmed it to be a fake with the Canadian Border Ser
vices Agency (CBSA).
Huron Health System appoints new President of Medical Staff at AMGH
Huron Health System is proud to announce Alexandra Marine and General Hospital’s (AMGH) new President of Medical Staff, Dr. Tamra Steinmann.
Dr. Steinmann has served as a Family Physician in Goderich for the past decade, demonstrating unwavering dedication, extensive expertise, and deep compassion for her patients.
In this new role, she will serve as a representative for medical staff and physicians,
providing strategic leadership and guidance.
“I am passionate about my work and feel grateful to be part of a community with such wonderful colleagues and patients,” said Steinmann.
“The dedication and hard work that Dr. Aaron Daters has demonstrated over the past few years in this role have made a significant impact. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build upon the foundation he has laid.”
Upon completing her studies
at Western University in 2014, Steinmann relocated to Goderich to start her professional career in the healthcare sector.
In her capacity as a Family Physician, she also delivers critical services in the Emergency Department at AMGH and provides inpatient care.
Furthermore, she contributes to the education and training of future medical professionals in her role as the Site Director for Western University’s residency program.
Outside of her professional
commitments, she cherishes spending quality time with her husband and their two children.
“Our exceptional staff not only enhance the lives of our patients but also strengthen our organization,” said Jimmy Trieu, President and CEO at Huron Health System.
“It is a privilege to collaborate with such talented professionals, and I am confident that Dr. Steinmann will contribute significantly to our continued progress in her new role.”
Gateway welcomes additional summer students
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) is pleased to announce its new and returning Research Assistants, Sarah Spacek and Maitland Roy. Sarah Spacek is joining Gateway CERH as a Social Science Research Assistant Student. She graduated from St. Anne’s high school in the French Immersion and the Health and Wellness Programs.
Spacek is returning for another year to take additional science and math courses and explore other branches of study. She is interested in sciences and considering a career in the health field. Spacek enjoys running, both track and cross country, and has
a passion for music. She will be challenging her Grade 8 piano in the Royal Conservatory of Music
in the winter.
This summer, Spacek will be working on the “Skilled Healthcare Attraction and Retention Program”. She is excited to contribute to rural community health and research.
Maitland Roy is returning to Gateway CERH as a Social Science Research Student. She will be entering her fourth year in the Honors Specialization Integrated Science program at Western University, majoring in Biology.
After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a master's degree in the field of health sciences or business in healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with friends, pho -
and spending
Coming together to shape the healthcare
It was an exciting week for students attending the Discovery Healthcare Camp in Goderich.
A vibrant group of 17 students had the chance to dive into hands-on clinical skills, explore endless career possibilities, and gain invaluable insights from the dedicated health professionals at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH).
This is the third year Goderich has hosted Discovery Healthcare Camp.
“We know how important this exposure to various healthcare careers is for high school students, and we are already seeing the results with more local students on a healthcare career path,” said Gwen Devereaux, President at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health.
Laurie Hakkers, Clinical Nurse Educator at AMGH, dedicated time to leading students through hands-on clinical exercises, including life-saving CPR and precise medication dosages.
Laurie’s own journey started in 2006 at a summer camp just like this one, where she first discovered her passion for helping
others.
tario, she looks forward to furthering the development of her local community through research in rural health. This summer, Roy will be working on the “Benefitting Rural Area Volunteer Emergency Firefighters” project.
Gateway CERH is thrilled to have these two individuals join the team. Gateway looks forward to the innovative perspectives and contributions they will bring as we continue to enhance healthcare in rural areas.
If you would like to learn more about Gateway CERH, and our past or present projects, please visit Gateway CERH’s website at: www.gatewayruralhealth.ca.
leaders of tomorrow
“I attended this camp when I was in Grade 11 and it is where my journey in healthcare began,” said Laurie.
“What made this camp unforgettable was that it was my first genuine encounter with the world of healthcare.”
Laurie said they gave them hands-on opportunities – suturing stuffed animals, practicing injections on oranges, and even applying casts to fellow campers.
“These were experiences I had never been exposed to before, and they introduced me to the vast and exciting opportunities that a career in healthcare can offer,” added Laurie.
“It was an eye-opening adventure that set me on a path to make a difference.”
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) launched Discovery Healthcare Camp in 2022 in partnership with Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and Huron Health System.
Together, they are not just teaching skills – they are shaping the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.
DISCOVERY HEALTHCARE CAMP
tography,
time at the beach. Roy grew up in Bayfield, On-
SARAH SPACEK
MAITLAND ROY
DR. TAMRA STEINMANN
Laurie Hakkers attended MedQUEST in 2006, a similar summer camp supported through Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, which inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
United Way Youth in Action grants create next generation of engaged citizens
United Way Perth-Huron’s (UWPH) work engages people across Perth-Huron, tackling pressing local issues affecting the communities where they live.
As part of this mission, the organization is building the next generation of engaged residents through the Youth in Action (YIA) grants program.
This provides opportunities for youth to come up with creative solutions to challenges facing people their won age and develop skills that can transfer to other areas of life.
“Every year, we’re excited to see the amazing ways local youth come up with to address issues in their communities across Perth-Huron,” said Megan Partridge, UWPH Director of Governance and Community Impact.
“We can see that this past year’s grant recipients inspire other young people to think of ways to help in their communities.”
This past year’s funded projects included:
• You Are Not Alone (Goderich District Collegiate Institute): Grade 12 students started a mental health awareness group at the school and created a dedicated wellness space for Grades 7-8 students with contributions from the art class.
“This space has had a great impact on our Grade 7 and 8 students,” said Ella Williamson, one of the youth leads for the You Are Not Alone project at GDCI.
“The room allows positive energy to be shared between students and staff and help them reflect on what they are grateful for each and everyday.”
• Equitable Living Project (Central Huron Secondary School): The youth lead ran a Christmas-time food and essential item drive at CHSS, partnered with a local food program to provide essential supplies to residents in need, and presented information on homelessness and local programs to classmates.
• Microscope Lending Program (Huron County Library): A homeschooled student acquired microscopes for the Huron County Library catalogue and ran small classes on how to use them reaching over 120 youth.
• Bedford Intermediate Youth Project (Nancy Campbell Academy): Students partnered with Stratford District Secondary School students to provide a blended tutoring and recreation program for elementary students.
• Building Community Wellness (Listowel District
Secondary School): Students will host a speaker to discuss mental health and well-being and to build a sense of community.
• Generation Rainbow Collective (Stratford Pride Community Centre): 2SLGBTQ+ youth led a series of eight weekly social activities to strengthen their community and support each other.
• Motivational Mondays (St. Marys DCVI): Students brought in a mindfulness teacher to teach two classes about practical strategies to aid anxiety.
• New and Improved Picnic Tables (Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS)): Students collaborated across classes to build and decorate a new picnic table for the school grounds.
• Students Helping Students (SDSS): Students created an in-school food station stocked with a variety of lunch food items to supplement and/or provide lunch for students facing food insecurities. The youth lead created a report to document the needs discovered.
• The Kindness Project (South Huron District High School): Students planned activities to spread kindness in their community, such as hosting a concert for nursing home residents, working with Exeter Elementary School students to spread rocks painted with positive messages around town, and appreciation events for school staff.
• Urban Farming Project (SDSS): Students partnered with the Local Community Food Centre to create an urban farm. Students and community members worked together to build intergenerational connections and learn regenerative farming practices.
• Youth Space (Tanner Steffler Foundation): Youth volunteers installed a hygiene pantry for your participants in their new space.
“When you’re a 17-year-old trying to start something, it can be really hard without funding,” said Amelia Morrison, part of the Tanner Steffler Foundation’s Youth Space project.
“Having the opportunity to receive funding as a youth for a project you created is amazing. Then that initiative can grow into something bigger.”
The 12 grant recipients each reached up to $1,000 for their projects.
YIA grants were available to youth aged 14-25 to plan and implement projects addressing youth concerns in their community.
Police Reports
Police believe that the intention of the fraudsters is to open accounts with false identification, then gradually defraud banks of money over time.
Local banks are being made aware of this issue and are encouraged to contact OPP if something similar occurs at 1-888-310-1122.
Unsafe motorists rack up thousands of charges during Operation Safe Driver Week
The OPP laid more than 8,100 traffic charges during Operation Safe Driver Week because of unsafe actions and behaviours on the part of non-commercial and commercial drivers.
Commercial drivers were charged with more than 1,000 Highway Traffic Act offences.
Non-commercial drivers were penalized for the balance of the offences.
From speeding, following too closely, and unsafe lane changes, to unsecured loads and defective commercial vehicle equipment, the broad scope of offences underscores the multiple risks posed by drivers who do not share the road safely in and around large commercial vehicles.
Heading July 2024, close to 500 of the more than 4,000 commercial vehicle-involved collisions on OPP-patrolled roads have resulted in fatalities and/ or injuries.
Motorists are reminded that most collisions can be prevented if every driver commits to sharing roads safely throughout the year.
Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual campaign, founded by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. This year’s campaign ran from July 7 to July 14.
Serious collision in Central Huron
A serious collision occurred on July 18 at 10:20 p.m., which closed Base Line at Londesboro Road in Central Huron.
Two vehicles collided and emergency responders located four injured occupants who were transported to local hospitals.
One occupant was later airlifted to a London Hospital with more serious injuries.
The OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team is on scene to assist with the investigation.
Plant-based refrigerated beverages recalled due to Listeria
On Tuesday, July 9 Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued a statement warning Ontarians to not consume recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages.
Earlier this week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various Silk and Great Value brand plantbased refrigerated beverages as they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Given the long shelf life of the recalled products, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) encourages residents to check their refrigerators for these products and to throw away any recalled products immediately or return them to the place of purchase.
HPHP has sent communication about the recall to congregate care facilities including long-term care homes, retirement homes and childcare centres. Public Health inspectors are contacting these facilities as an additional precaution.
Consuming food or beverages contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can lead to a serious infection called listeriosis.
The illness can be fatal for vulnerable populations such as newborns, older adults, pregnant individuals, and persons whose immune systems are compromised.
Symptoms of listeriosis can occur from three days up to three weeks after a person eats or drinks a contaminated product.
In some cases, symptoms can appear 70 days after exposure.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, constipation, and muscle aches.
In severe cases, symptoms could include stick neck, confusion, headache, and loss of balance.
Health811 is a valuable resource to help determine when you need to reach out to a healthcare provider. In a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
The drive-in theatres of Huron County
to a movie right in your car.”
The automobile and the movies were the two great romances of the twentieth century, and they met at the drive-in theatre. Drive-in theatres became an integral part of the North American summer season. They were places where parents could take the kids dressed in their pajamas to play on the rides while waiting for dusk for the show to begin.
Drive-ins were places where teenagers met up friends or, perhaps, snuggle up with a date and catch the latest B-Horror flick. Indeed, there is a good chance someone reading this may have been conceived in the car lot of one of the local drive-ins.
For three generation, Brownie’s Drive-In was a family business as Lorne and Margaret’s son, Steve, and his sons operated the theatre until the 1980s. Steve remembers that one of their most popular events was the Midnight Triple Feature that ran twelve until nearly dawn. On those nights, often the cars lined as far back as the downtown.
Brown said that the staff had to vigilant to prevent drivers sneaking in friends in the trunk of their vehicles. Usually, a solitary occupant of a car was “a dead giveaway’ that something was up.”
Studies show: Hearing aid wearers are 3x more likely to be happier than those without.**
Healthcare is not one-size-fits-all, by listening to our clients and asking questions, we can recommend the right solutions for your
Katie
Koebel,
Audiologist & Senior Manager, Audiology
The first drive-in theatre was established in Camden, New Jersey in June 1933. Even though, the guardians of morality damned drive-ins as ‘passion pits’ where young people ‘swapped spit’ in the back of cars. With the slogan, “the whole family is welcome, no matter how noisy the children are,” the first drive-ins were clearly geared for young families.
At the peak of the drive-in craze, in the 1950s and ‘60s, there were more than 4,000 North American drive-in theatres. Most of the theatres were in rural areas where television had not yet penetrated, and populations tended to be more mobile because of the distances between towns and there was little competition for entertainment dollars.
The metal speakers that hooked to the car windows never had good sound quality. Often the sound and the speaker in the movie were out of sync. Yet, it was more than a movie, it was an experience. The anticipation of staying up late waiting for the movie to start made the drive-in an allnight novelty.
Bob Marshall of Listowel opened the Llashmar Drive-In Theatre in Clinton in 1953 (near the present location of the Clinton Casino). At the price of $1.00 per car regardless of the number of occupants, it proved to be a tremendous success.
In 1956, Lorne and Margaret Brown purchased the theatre and changed the name to Brownie’s Drive-In theatre. Brown in ‘The History of Clinton’ (1975) called it a place “you could enjoy both seeing and listening
The Goderich Sunset Drive-In opened on April 30, 1954. Located just south of Highway #8 south east of the V.L.A., it was the first drive-in theatre operated by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Sutherland of St. Mary’s. They also owned the Park and Capital theatres in Goderich as well as movie houses in Clinton, Mitchell and Seaforth. George Thompson, who owned the Lyceum theatre in Exeter, was the first manager.
At the height of the 1950s baby boom, the Sunset advertised a hotdog barbecue and “equipment to warm baby’s bottles should the parents bring the baby along in the family car.” With movie changes three times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), and ‘always a cartoon’ between features, it delivered fresh entertainment throughout the summer season. The first movie was the wholesome, patriotic, classic musical “The Stars and Stripes Forever” about John Philip Sousa, the American march king.
The Starlite Drive-In theatre in Shipka opened under the ownership of Emerson Desjardines in time for the Dominion Day weekend on June 29, 1955. With ‘free ice cream for the kids’, the Starlite’s debut feature was the romantic western ‘Calamity Jane’ starring Doris Day.
Since the early 1990s, Allan Barnes, a film enthusiast, has been the Starlite’s manager of Huron County’s last operating drive-in. Barnes attributes Starlite’s success to its isolation from urban sprawl that has encroached on many of the old drive-in theatres. He also cites its proximity to the resort town of Grand Bend as a factor in the Starlite’s longevity.
DAVID YATES Sun Contributor
Starlite Drive-in Theatre in Shipka has been operating since 1955. Courtesy Cinema Treasures. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
ONE CARE reopens doors in Clinton after four years
After four long years, ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services have officially opened their doors at their Clinton location.
On June 26, ONE CARE held their Annual General Meeting in-person at their Clinton location, followed by an open house for excited community members. More than 80 people attended the opening and toured the renovated facility.
The building has been closed for a number of years. In early 2021, the building’s roof collapsed in the main hall as a result of a heavy snow load. The agency was faced with many challenges including the cost of repairs, insurance coverage and securing a contractor during the pandemic.
Essential programs and services were temporarily relocated, including the com-
mercial Clinton kitchen which supports one of the largest services - the Meals on Wheels program for Huron County. The kitchen operations were relocated to temporary accommodations over the following years including the Libro Hall, then to the Clinton Legion and then the Reach Centre.
“It’s been a very long road, and we were faced with many challenges along the way due to the pandemic and financial hurdles,” said Kathy Scanlon, Executive Director of ONE CARE.
“This building means so much to our community and reopening our doors to clients in the Central Huron area means the world to so many. Seeing our clients’ faces again, in our building, and hearing from them about the difference our services have made to their family was well worth the hardships
we faced.”
ONE CARE was fortunate to engage expertise of R.J Burnside and Associates and BELFOR Property Restoration who came forward to 2022 to support the renovation and repairs. The renovations included a new roof, and extensive interior repairs.
The agency also decided to make some internal repairs to the building to help make the space more efficient. The renovations include improvements to the kitchen and the Meals on Wheels production area, a new reception area with improved accessibility, and a new foot care clinic.
“We are so grateful for Burnside and BELFOR and to the community, including the partners who stepped forward to relocate our kitchen, so that we could continue to offer these essential services,” Scanlon
added.
“And at our open house, being surrounded by our clients, employees, volunteers and agency partners while we reopened our doors again was the perfect beginning to our fresh start.”
The ONE CARE Clinton location is the site of many programs including the Meals on Wheels kitchen and production for Huron County, the Clinton Adult Day Program, Dining for Seniors and social programs, foot care clinic and agency administration offices. Additional exercise and wellness programs will start in the fall of 2024.
For more information about ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services, visit www.onecaresupport.ca.
To register for a service, call 1-844-4827800.
The drive-in theatres of Huron County
The Starlite has become an integral part of the south Huron community. Throughout its 69-year history, the grounds of the Starlite Drive-In have been used for church services, fund-raising events, boy scout and girl guide camps and even an upcoming movie set.
Barnes is already scheduling movies for the next summer season. He says it is easy to choose successful drive-in movies, “you just have to keep it light and bright.”
In 1970, the Sunset Drive-in was sold to the Famous Players movie chain and reopened as the more adventurously named Mustang Drive-In to cater to the changing demographics.
As the baby boomers entered early adulthood, the drive-in viewing public changed. Hollywood responded by making ‘B’ movies for the teen drive-in circuit. Drive-in movies became associated with low budget films geared to appeal to the hormonally turbocharged. Yet, it is still the family friendly atmosphere that draws crowds to the drive-in. According to Barnes, ‘nothing is as good as a good family film on a long weekend.’ His most successful night was a showing of ‘Homeward Bound’ on a holiday weekend.
Barnes recalls seeing “kids leaping out of moving cars” and run for the play equipment. It is now “a social thing’ according to Barnes, where parents bring their
children and meet up with people that they have not seen for years. It is also a lot less expensive than taking a family of four to the movie theatres.
Barnes notes with justifiable pride that the Starlite Drive-In has outlasted movies on Beta, VHS, and DVD. The grey metal box speakers that used to hang on the windows have long since been replaced with sound transmitted through the car’s AM/FM radio.
However, with the home entertainment revolution, the modern movie audience could watch films in the comfort of their home without interference from rain, fog and other weather phenomenon that hampered drive-ins.
The Mustang Drive-In screened its last film on September 6, 1987 when it ran the imminently forgettable double feature films “Back to the Beach” and “Beverley Hills Cop II.” Paul Wheeler, the manager of the Park Theatre in Goderich was the Mustang’s last operator. Brownies’ drive-in theatre turned out the lights for the last time on the Labour Day weekend in 1988.
Like the nickelodeons, radio soap operas, and dance pavilions, drive-in theatre belongs to another age. For baby boomers, drive-in Theatres are nostalgic reminders of their youth. It is still possible to take your family (or a romantic date) to a drive-in movie and experience the feeling of a rapidly passing era where the automobile met the movie screen. Just don’t forget to leave the speakers behind.
What imaginary line divides the earth's hemispheres? 8. In which outdoor game do players try to throw small bags into holes on a raised platform?
The sport of Judo originates from what country?
A FRESH START
Above: Huron Warden Glen McNeil and ONE CARE Executive Director Kathy Scanlon.
Right: The kitchen at the ONE CARE Clinton location is the main production site for Meals on Wheels for Huron County. The public got to tour the kitchen at an open house event on June 26.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
United Way moving forward with housing development projects
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
United Way Perth-Huron’s mission is to build better communities by developing, creating, constructing, and managing affordable housing in the region.
The work of the United Way is often tied to community development, moving projects forward and creating partnerships.
United Way decided to create its own organization with an aim that by 2030 is an established and sustainable non-profit housing developer in the region.
United Way aims to be a developer of housing, will do property management and that will include property acquisition.
“We anticipate the first project will happen later in 2025 in Listowel,” explained Erb.
The project in Listowel will be a downtown revitalization project taking a building United Way has purchased and convert the upper floors to 10 units, which have been vacant since the 1970s.
Erb explained there is considerable opportunity in the region where there is often upper space not utilized.
United Way intends to have more conversations with Mayor Trevor Bazinet and CAO Janice Hallahan to speak more specifically on projects and how they can move forward in Goderich.
“It is years in the making, not days, not
weeks,” added Erb.
“We recognize that is the case and nature of development, but we wanted you to know we are moving ahead with this.”
By 2050, the goal is to have everyone in Huron and Perth counties living in housing suitable and affordable to their needs.
“Housing is the crisis of our day, and we are working along with many partners to participate in what we hope will help our communities face this challenge over the next number of years,” said Ryan Erb.
Erb explained that United Way has had a municipality that has donated land, and a municipality that has entered a collaboration to rebuild their library with housing in the same project.
What United Way wants to do is speak directly and candidly with the town to see if the two partners can merge priorities to address the housing issue.
“We all know we need to do something more,” reiterated Erb.
“This council and Huron County has done a lot already for people experiencing homelessness around here, but there is more that needs to be done on that united front.”
United Way’s hope is that by 2050, this concern has been addressed adequately.
“One of the ways we can move forward is by collaborating to create a new organization that will spearhead the affordable side,” said Erb.
In addition to the organization estab -
lishing a housing development, to aid the supports available for those experiencing homelessness, United Way’s annual Coldest Night of the Year is a major fundraising event.
Through United Way’s programs, 1,816 Goderich residents have been helped whether through housing, food security issues, access to services, or intimate partner violence.
According to a report to council, Goderich has raised $133,855 for the Coldest Night of the Year initiative.
Last year 44 women accessed emergency shelter, 28 youth benefitted from extended support, 81 people used Out of the Cold, and nine people were supported by a Housing Stability Worker.
The need for more action is there.
Mayor Trevor Bazinet plans on being more involved in the Coldest Night of the Year next year.
At a recent council meeting, Bazinet publicly challenged himself and anyone else willing to accept, to sleep outside the night before the big fundraising walk.
“People are sleeping outside in the cold. I’m going to challenge my council to sleep outside with me, as part of the Coldest Night of the Year and try to raise some money that way,” said Bazinet.
“They don’t have to if they don’t want to, but I feel like it’s about the experience and knowing what people are going through.”
January 1 Bazinet took the cold plunge into Lake Huron with several people to raise money for the Alzheimer Society.
In 2025, Bazinet wants to challenge himself, and anyone else who would be willing to join him, to raise money for the Coldest Night of the Year by sleeping outside.
“We get to walk around the Square and have hot chocolate and go inside somewhere warm,” added Bazinet.
“We are not outside. I’m trying to find the courage to do it, but I think it’s an important thing to do and I hope we can raise more money that way.”
Through this action Bazinet is hopeful to bring more awareness and more funds for such an important initiative.
“I want to do this because I feel it is important to have a better sense of what homeless people deal with in the winter by sleeping in the cold elements or trying to survive in the cold weather,” admitted Bazinet.
“It is important to me, to have a better understanding of what the less fortunate deal with for one night of the year.”
For more information about United Way’s housing development, visit https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca
Public Health encourages the public to serve food safely this summer
Whether you’re heading to the beach, camping, or having a backyard get together, food needs to be safely prepared and served to avoid food-borne illnesses.
Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) would like to offer some food safety tips to prevent illness when planning summer activities and meals.
“It’s not uncommon to see an increase in food-borne illness cases, such as campylobacter and salmonella, over the summer months,” said Chris Boyes, Public Health Inspector.
• Thoroughly cook and reheat food to the proper internal temperature. Use a probe thermometer to check the temperature.
• When serving hot foods, keep them above 60 degrees Celsius by placing them on the grill, or in heated chafing dishes, a slow cooker, or warming trays.
CHILL:
• Keep cold foods at 4 degrees Celsius or below by placing them in a refrigerator, cooler, insulated container, or over ice.
• Pack perishables safely when transporting food for a beach day, camping trip, tournament, or outdoor gathering. Use a cooler with multiple ice packs or bags of ice.
• Never defrost or marinate food at room temperature.
“With more outdoor gatherings and activities at this time of year, food will often sit out in warm temperatures for several hours. This creates an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to multiply and increases the risk of people getting sick.”
SEPARATE:
Common symptoms of food-borne illness include stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Some tips for handling and serving food safely to avoid food-borne illness include: CLEAN:
• Wash hands before preparing and eating food. Use soap and water if available, or hand sanitizer containing at least 70 per cent alcohol
• Wash vegetables and fruits under running water that is safe to drink
• Clean and sanitize counters, cutting boards, and food preparation utensils
COOK:
• Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices separate from cooked and ready to eat food during storage and preparation to prevent cross contamination.
KEEP FOOD OUT OF THE TEM-
PERATURE DANGER ZONE:
• The danger zone is between 4 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius. Harmful bacteria can multiply quickly in this temperature range.
• Perishable foods that are left sitting out for more than two hours (or one hour on hot summer days) are unsafe to eat and should be thrown out.
Visit www.hpph.ca/foodsafety for more.
Discovery Healthcare Camp held at Camp Klahanie Goderich
The University of Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, in partnership with Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health and Huron Health Systems, hosted its annual Discovery Healthcare Camp (DHC Camp).
Rural youth are the future of our workforce; therefore, it is important to invest time and resources into helping them succeed in their various career aspirations.
As individuals graduate from high school, they continue life in many different directions. A trend growing in popularity, and one that is needed, is pursuing an education for a future career in healthcare.
Recognizing that youth from rural communities are more likely to return to their community after education, this one-week camp for high school students aims to educate, mentor, and inspire students on all the opportunity healthcare has for them.
This year’s DHC camp proved to be interactive, hands on, and inspiring, as students were able to explore different rural healthcare paths and options.
Throughout the week, campers learned how to do cast application, the challenges of aging well, the roles and skills of delivering babies, suturing, the importance of wholistic wellbeing and mental health, tour of the various departments of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH), and presentations by Ontario Provincial Police, and Huron and Area
DISCOVERY HEALTHCARE CAMP
Search & Rescue (HASAR).
“Hosting and supporting the Discovery Healthcare Camp for high school students aspiring to study healthcare is vital for nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Jimmy Trieu, AMGH CEO.
“This camp provides an immersive experience, offering hands-on learning, exposure to various medical fields, and mentorship from experienced practitioners.”
Goderich Sun
By continuing this initiative, Trieu explained that AMGH inspires and equips students with the knowledge, skills, and passion needed to pursue successful careers in healthcare, ensuring a brighter future for the industry and the well-being of our communities.
“Rural health is so important, some of my favorite rotations [in medical school] have been some of my rural ones in the smaller towns because the communities
are just so supportive and conducive to learning,” said Deep Sandhu, Year 3 Medical Student.
The Discovery Healthcare Camp is an incredible experience for everyone involved. Providing the opportunity for rural students to come out and learn from University of Western’s medical students is exciting and educational.
“Finding out your career path can be a challenge in high school, so providing this resource to explore, learn, and talk oneon-one with various health professionals is an invaluable tool to thinking about one's future,” added Joel Hordijk, Gateway CERH Research Assistant.
Gateway gives special thanks to the Goderich Lions Club who continually support this initiative every year by providing their outstanding outdoor camp, camp Klahanie, making DHC in Goderich unique as the only outdoor camp run every year.
Gateway would also like to thank the various sponsors and donors for helping with camp costs. This year Gateway was pleased to initiate a sponsorship program that financially supports individual students interested in attending the camp.
The younger generation is going to grow to be the next front-line healthcare providers, and Gateway hopes to continue this camp to educate, support, inspire, and grow the region’s own healthcare workforce.
(L-R): Neil Haas, Glen McNeil (Warden), Sarah Spacek, Gwen Devereaux, Lisa Thompson MPP, Joel Hordijk.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Students learning how to apply casts.
Dr. Natuik presentation with a birthing simulator doll.
Royal LePage corporate challenge a huge success
In June, 87 eager and energetic participants from across Huron County gathered at Bannister Park in Goderich for the 2nd annual Royal LePage Heartland Realty Corporate Challenge.
Sixteen teams representing 14 local businesses used their brawn and their brains to complete 10 fun challenges.
Ultimately, the team from Jokey North America was victorious after a three-way tiebreaker with the teams from Coldwell Banker and Huron Commodities.
Participants enjoyed a BBQ lunch provided by Harbour Hill Retirement Community and local craft brewery Square Brew was on-site with their ‘tap trailer’.
Zehrs Markets donated fruit and snack bars, while Culligan Water ensured that every participant stayed hydrated on what was a very hot day.
“The Corporate Challenge goes back decades in Goderich, and we are so proud to have partnered with Engage
Goderich Lions Club supports Coastal Centre’s youth education program
POSITIVE IMPACT
Club
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) is thrilled to announce that the Coastal Conservation Youth Corps will continue to make a positive impact this summer. This is due to the generous support of a $2,000 donation from the Goderich Lions Club.
Their donation will ensure that this impactful program can continue to engage and educate youth in vital coastal conservation activities.
The Goderich Lions Club’s support for local initiatives highlights their dedication to environmental stewardship and youth development.
This latest donation to CCYC underscores their ongoing commitment to fostering a sustainable and vibrant community of young environmentalists.
Their donation enables us to expand our program activities by bringing participants to Goderich for immersive learning expe-
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
riences that directly contribute to the preservation and restoration of the Lake Huron shoreline.
The Coastal Conservation Youth Corps is an immersive program designed to engage youth in hands-on conservation efforts along Lake Huron.
Participants gain a deep understanding of the importance of environmental conservation through activities such as dune restoration, shoreline clean-ups, and educational workshops.
CCYC not only fosters environmental awareness but also empowers young participants to become future leaders in conservation.
The LHCC is a non-government charity dedicated to supporting a healthy ecosystem through education, restoration, and research.
To learn more visit www.lakehuron.ca
Goderich to bring it back and expand it to our members across Huron County,” explained Colin Carmichael, Huron Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“For the participating businesses, this is more than just fun and games; it’s an opportunity to build a culture of teamwork within organizations. It also allows owners and employees alike a chance to socialize in a business context, which is a key aspect of Chamber events.”
Jeff Bauer, co-owner of title sponsors Royal LePage Heartland Realty, agreed that the networking aspect of the Chamber is huge for business-to-business.
“Chamber events give us an opportunity to chat with other business owners, let them know about our services, learn about other services, and create that Chamber family,” added Bauer.
The 3rd Annual Corporate Challenge will take place on June 20, 2025.
Rally for the Cure donates over $10,000 to AMGH
RAISING AWARENESS
The committee made the generous donation to AMGH on July 9. (L-R): Committee members Anne McIsaac, Lynn Coates, Barb Lassaline, AMGH Foundation Executive Director Kimberley Payne, Committee members Tracey Peters and Judy Lajeunesse, and AMGH Foundation Executive Committee Director Laura Herman.
Rally for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament takes place every year to raise awareness and funds for the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) Foundation.
On July 9 the Committee from the Rally for the Cure had the pleasure of donation $10,500 dedicated to the mammography program in the imaging department at AMGH.
Kimberley Payne, AMGH Foundation Executive Director conveyed her gratitude for the significant donation made from the Rally for the Cure.
Funds from the tournament will be used towards the purchase of a new mammography machine in the diagnostic department. The current machine is nearing end of life and is slated for replacement.
“Every time we acquire a new mammography unit, we improve the diagnostic technology and ability to detect breast cancer early,” said Payne.
“Many of the participants in the Rally for the Cure are breast cancer survivors or know someone affected by breast cancer. We hon-
our and respect the hard work of these organizers and everyone who supported the event. Thank you to our very generous community.”
According to Anne McIsaac, Committee Coordinator, the Rally Committee is committed to continue with the golf tournament in 2025.
McIsaac explained that the event is something the participating golfers look forward to each year.
“The ladies really get into coming up with creative costumes and dressing in so many shades of pink. Some are already planning for next year,” added McIsaac.
“There is great satisfaction from both the golfers and other donors knowing that the money raised is staying in our community and going to a much-needed local cause.”
The tournament was a resounding success with 80 golfers dressed in pink and unique costumes to support the important cause of early breast cancer detection through mammography.
Lions
supports shoreline conservation. (L-R): Bob Robson, Alyssa Bourassa, Executive Director of LHCC, Don Edward, Stephen Bidwell, and Peter Shephard.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Cowbell Brewing launches free home beer, cider and RTD delivery program
Cowbell Brewing is excited to announce the expansion of its Ontario-made home delivery program, offering free shipping to select regions across Ontario.
Cowbell drinkers across the province will continue to have convenient access to their favourite beverages, during the OPSEU strike, with no delivery charge.
The free home delivery program launched on Tuesday, July 16. The minimum delivery threshold is one 24 x 473 ml or 24 x 355 ml case of product, with a delivery cut-off time set at noon the day before the scheduled delivery date based on the area.
borough, North to Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby
• Thursday: Ontario South and West, including Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, Brantford, Port Dover, Port Rowan, Port Burwell, Port Stanley, St. Thomas, London, Lucan, St. Marys, Stratford, Elmira, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, Arthur, Orangeville and Huron County
Keg delivery is only available in Huron County.
Weekly delivery schedule by region:
• Wednesday: Toronto, East to Scar-
• Friday: Downtown Toronto, West Core and East, Mississauga, Brampton, and surrounding areas
How to order: Customers can browse available products and place their orders through the online store. For more information on the products available, please visit www. cowbellbrewing.com
Head Office: 150 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B4 | 519-284-2332 agent@stonetowntravel.com TICO #50010159
Branch Office: 210 Mill Street, New Hamburg, ON N3A 1P9 | 226-333-9939
newhamburg@stonetowntravel.com TICO #50025796
SPORTS Goderich Sun
Jarod McManus
www.rlpheartland.ca Melissa Daer
Slo-pitch competitors keen for 18th
Don Johnston
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
One of the most highly anticipated ball tournaments of the year has set their dates.
Held on the August long-weekend, action from the nearly 20-year-old slo-pitch tournament will take place at Bannister Park in Goderich.
The 18th Annual Don Johnston Slo-pitch Tournament organized by Trevor Bazinet – also the mayor of the town – says this year the tournament is bigger than last.
As of July 17, the tournament was sitting at 21 men’s teams and 11 lady’s teams. According to Bazinet, last year the tournament had 20 in the men’s division and only eight in the lady’s, an increase from last year of four teams.
“I believe the tournament has been so successful because it has such a great reputation as a well-organized tournament amongst the baseball community,” explained Bazinet.
The tournament attracts teams from Cambridge, Stratford, Mitchell, Exeter, Seaforth, Mount Forest, London, Clinton, Kitchener/Waterloo, and Goderich.
“Over the 18 years of the tournament, I have made wonderful friendships with so many people from other communities,” added Bazinet.
“I am passionate about the Don Johnston because Don was such a loving and caring person who volunteered so many hours for the betterment of youth sports and the Town of Goderich.”
Bazinet, who had additional support
offered this year by Rhonda Fritzley, is grateful for the confidence that Don’s wife Linda and his kids Alicia and Mark have in him to continue to organize the tournament for the last 18 years.
Plans are in place for a beverage tent hosted by Goderich Minor Hockey and the Goderich Flyers, along with Wicked Witches of West Street food truck.
The 18th Annual Don Johnston Memorial Baseball Tournament will be held August 1 until August 5 at Bannister Park.
Opening ceremonies take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 2 with games starting at 6:15 p.m. There will be 13 games on the schedule that evening.
Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 games will begin at 9 a.m. with games at both Bannister Park and the John O’Keefe
Memorial ball diamonds all day. Quarter finals, semi-finals, and the championship games will be played on Sunday, August 4.
In addition to the tournament acting as a tribute to the late Don Johnston, it is a fundraiser for Goderich Minor Hockey. According to Bazinet, a nice addition to the tournament this year will be on Saturday, August 3. London Knights Mental Health Strategist Paulie O’Byrne will have the OHL Championship Trophy (J. Ross Robertson Trophy) on display from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. for people to see and have their photo taken with it.
The tournament opens on Thursday, August 1 at Bannister Park at 6:45 p.m., with seven games planned to be on the schedule.
18th Annual Don Johnston Memorial Men’s Schedule
THURSDAY
6:45 Pm Lions – Brewers Vs Skid Marks
6:45 Pm Bmr – Blue Balls Vs Clams
8:00 Pm Lions – Ball Hogs Vs Bears
8:00 Pm Bmr – Bobby’s Boys Vs Easy Riders
9:15 Pm Hyundai – Brewers Vs Clams
9:15 Pm Bmr – Bobby’s Boys Vs Skid Marks
FRIDAY
6:15 Pm Bmr – Blue Balls Vs Brewers
6:15 Pm Lions – Weiners & Dean Vs Brew Crew
6:15 Pm O’keefe – Clams Vs Skid Marks
7:30 Pm Bmr – Mitchell Coyotes Vs Outsiders
7:30 Pm Lions – Fighting Squirrels Vs Jagerbombers
8:45 Pm Bmr – Bomber Command Vs Cripplers
8:45 Pm Lions – Clinton Cardinals Vs Kekambas
10:00 Pm Bmr – Weiners & Dean Vs Federales
10:00 Pm Hyundai – Outsiders Vs Smokies
10:00 Pm Lions – Ironmen Vs Ball Hogs
SATURDAY
9:15 Am Hyundai – Easy Riders Vs Clams
9:15 Am Bmr – Bomber Command Vs Brew Crew
9:15 Am Lions – Federales Vs Cripplers
10:30 Am Hyundai – Jagerbombers Vs 10:30 Am Bmr –Fighting Squirrels Vs Mitchell Coyotes
10:30 Am Lions – Ironmen Vs Clinton Cardinals
11:45 Am Hyundai – Easy Riders Vs Brewers
11:45 Am Bmr – Bobby’s Boys Vs Blue Balls
11:45 Am Lions – Bears Vs Kekambas
1:00 Pm Hyundai – Bomber Command Vs Federales
1:00 Pm Bmr – Cripplers Vs Weiners & Dean
1:00 Pm Lions – Mitchell Coyotes Vs Smokies
2:15 Pm Hyundai – Ball Hogs Vs Clinton Cardinals
2:15 Pm Bmr – Ironmen Vs Kekambas
2:15 Pm Lions – Outsiders Vs Jagerbombers
3:30 Pm Hyundai – Skid Marks Vs Easy Riders
3:30 Pm Bmr – Ironmen Vs Bears
3:30 Pm Lions – Brewers Vs Bobby’s Boys
4:45 Pm Hyundai – Bomber Command Vs Weiners & Dean
4:45 Pm Bmr – Federales Vs Brew Crew
4:45 Pm Lions – Fighting Squirrels Vs Smokies
6:00 Pm Hyundai – Ball Hogs Vs Kekambas
6:00 Pm Bmr – Mitchell Coyotes Vs Jagerbombers
6:00 Pm Lions – Bears Vs Clinton Cardinals
7:15 Pm Bmr – Blue Balls Vs Easy Riders
7:15 Pm Lions Bobby’s Boys Vs Clams
8:30 Pm Bmr – Blue Balls Vs Skid Marks
8:30 Pm Lions – Fighting Squirrels Vs Outsiders
9:45 Pm Bmr – Brew Crew Vs Cripplers
SUNDAY
9:00 Am Bmr 3rd Place Of Group 1 Vs 3rd Place Of Group 2 (Winner To C Final)
9:00 Am Lions 3rd Place Of Group 3 Vs 3rd Place Of Group 4 (Winner To C Final)
10:15 Am Bmr 2nd Place Of Group 1 Vs 2nd Place Of Group 2 (Winner To B Final)
10:15 Am Lions 2nd Place Of Group 3 Vs 2nd Place Of Group 4 (Winner To B Final)
11:30 Am Bmr 1st Place Of Group 1 Vs 1st Place Of Group 2 (Winner To A Final)
12:45pm Bmr 1st Place Of Group 3 Vs 1st Place Of Group 4 (Winner To A Final) 2:00pm Bmr “C Finals”
3:30pm Bmr “B Finals” 5:00pm Bmr “A Finals”
GROUP 1
Bobby’s Boys
Clams
Brewers
Skid Marks
Blue Balls
Easy Riders
GROUP 2
Fighting Squirrels Mitchell Coyotes Jagerbombers
Outsiders
Smokies
GROUP 3
Federales
Bomber Command
Cripplers
Weiners & Dean
Brew Crew
GROUP 4
Ironmen
Ball Hogs
Bears
Clinton Cardinals
Kekambas
18th Annual Don Johnston Memorial Ladies Schedule
THURSDAY
6:45pm Hyundai – Angels Vs Scared Hitless
8:00pm Hyundai – We Gyatt It Vs Base Pitches
FRIDAY
6:15pm Hyundai – Angels Vs Bats Hit Crazy
7:30pm Hyundai – Bait & Tackle Vs Fam Jam
8:45pm Hyundai – Memphis Belles Vs Beauties
SATURDAY
8:00am Hyundai – We Gyatt It Vs Bats Hit Crazy
8:00am Bmr – First Cut Vs Scared Hitless
8:00am O’keefe – Cougars Vs Base Pitchers
9:15am O’keefe – Cougars Vs Beauties
10:30am O’keefe – We Gyatt It Vs Bait & Tackle
11:45am O’keefe – Memphis Belles Vs Base Pitchers
1:00pm O’keefe – Angels Vs First Cut
2:15pm O’keefe - Fam Jam Vs Scared Hitless
3:30pm O'keefe – Bats Hit Crazy Vs Cougars
4:45pm O'keefe – Memphis Belles Vs Bait & Tackle
6:00pm O'keefe – Beauties Vs Base Pitchers
7:15pm Hyundai – First Cut Vs We Gyatt It
8:30 Pm Hyundai – Angels Vs Fam Jam
9:45 Pm Hyundai – Scared Hitless Vs Bats Hit Crazy 9:45pm Lions – Beauties Vs Bait & Tackle
Goderich
July 9:
SUNDAY
8:00am Hyundai – Memphis Belles Vs First Cut
9:15am Hyundai – Fam Jam Vs Cougars
10:30am Hyundai – 5th Place Vs 8th Place (Winner To C Final)
11:45am Hyundai – 6th Place Vs 7th Place (Winner To C Final)
1:00pm Hyundai – 1st Place Vs 4th Place (Winner To A Final Loser To B Final)
Sunday 2:15pm Hyundai – 2nd Place Vs 3rd Place (Winner To A Final Loser To B Final)
Sunday 3:30 Lions “C Final”
Sunday 3:30 Hyundai “B Final”
Sunday 5:00 Hyundai “A Final”
LADIES GROUP (11 TEAMS) We Gyatt It Base Pitchers Scared Hitless Angels
Bait & Tackle Fam Jam Beauties
Memphis Belles Bats Hit Crazy Cougars First Cut
and District Shuffleboard Club Results
The club had 49 members who played shuffleboard this week.
The club’s lucky Domino’s Pizza winner was Randy McLean.
There were four, three-game winners this week: Judy McLean (that’s two weeks in a row), Bruce Haselgrove, Marge Heimpel, and Pauline Green.
Congratulations to all the winners.
In other news, the Ontario Shuffleboard Association recently held a provincial tournament at the club in Goderich on June 26, 27 and 28. Out of the many participants from across Canada, the following members from the Goderich club stood out and accomplished the difficult.
June 26 – Main Event:
Third place went to Dale Robertson and Don Rose with 340 points.
June 26 – Consolation Event:
Fifth place went to Judy and Randy McLean with 261 points.
Seventh place went to Brian Pollock and Bill Godfrey with a total of 243 points.
June 27/28 – Open Event: Second place went to Leida Gerrits and Bill Godrey.
Congratulations to all of Goderich Club winners. For complete results, visit the Ontario Shuffleboard Association results website: https://shuffleon.org
July 16:
The club had 46 members who played shuffleboard with us today.
The lucky Domino’s Pizza winner this week was Leida Gerrits.
The club had five, three-game winners this week namely Terry E. Pautler, Gerrit Dykman, Randy Bender, Marg Cameron, and Lorraine Gilchrist. Congratulations to all the winners.
Send in your sports reports
Coaches and/or parents are invited to send in your sports reports and pictures to the Goderich Sun to let Goderich and area know how your teams are doing throughout the 2024 season (and to create some great scrapbook material to be reflected upon in future years).
Game reports should be kept to a maximum of 100 words. Please include a brief description of what happened during your games, including the names of those who scored and any special efforts made
by your players.
Please send reports and pictures by emailing kate@goderichsun.com
Goderich Grizzlies 2024/25 Huron County Fastball Schedule
Friday, May 31 vs Fullarton at 8 p.m. (WON 8-1) Wednesday, June 12 @ Mitchell at 8:30 p.m. (LOST 3-0)
Monday, June 17 vs. Mitchell @ 8 p.m. (LOST 11-1)
Friday, June 21 vs Sebringville at 8:30 p.m. (WON 7-0)
Tuesday, June 25 vs Monkton at 8 p.m. (LOST 6-3)
Friday, June 28 vs Milverton at 8 p.m. (WON 9-1)
Friday, July 5 vs Wingham at 8 p.m. (LOST 13-6)
Sunday, July 7 vs Brussels Bangers at 2 p.m. (WON 8-1)
Sunday, July 14 @ Wingham at 8 p.m. (LOST 5-2)
Friday, July 19 @ Brussels Bangers at 8:30 p.m. (LOST 2-1)
Monday, July 22 vs Mitchell at 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 6 vs Wroxeter at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13 @ Fullarton at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 16 vs Wroxeter at 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 22 @ Milverton at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 25 @ Belmore at 1 p.m.
Friday, September 6 @ Sebringville at 8 p.m.
Monday, September 9 vs Walton at 8 p.m.
**Bold denotes a home game at Bannister Park**
North Huron Tempest 2024 Schedule
Friday, May 24 @ Sarnia FC at 7:30 p.m. (DRAW 0-0)
Wednesday, May 29 @ Whitecaps London U21 at 8:45 p.m. (LOST 5-0)
Sunday, June 2 @ St. Thomas SC Reds at 6 p.m. (LOST 3-1)
Sunday, June 9 vs. London-St. Thomas Croatia at 7 p.m. (LOST 2-0)
Sunday, June 16 vs. Strathroy United FC at 7 p.m. (LOST 1-0)
Sunday, July 7 vs. CYSA Chatham Eagles at 7 p.m. (LOST 4-0)
Sunday, July 14 vs. Sarnia FC at 7 p.m. (TIE 2-2)
Sunday, July 21 vs. Whitecaps London U21 at 7 p.m. (WIN 3-2)
Thursday, July 25 @ London-St. Thomas Croatia at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 28 @ CYSA Chatham Eagles at 7 p.m.
Monday, August 5 @ Strathroy United FC at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 18 vs. St. Thomas SC Reds at 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 25 vs. CYSA Chatham Eagles at 7 p.m.
Friday, August 30 @ Sarnia FC at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4 @ Whitecaps London U21 at 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, September 22 vs. Strathroy United FC at 7 p.m.
**Bold denotes home games played at Goderich Bannister Park**
LAWSL 1st DIVISION STANDINGS
2024 HCFL Standings
Support the local businesses that keep your community and its newspapers thriving.
Goderich Seahawks Schedule
JULY:
Wednesday, July 24: U9 Seahawks vs. Seaforth Wolverines Blue @ 6 p.m. @ Bannister Park
Thursday, July 25: U15 Seahawks Lemon vs. Elma Express #1 White @ 6:30 p.m. @ Bannister Park
Locals finding success on YouTube with national and global reach
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
Morgan McEllistrum and Paul Hickmott first met in 2008 through their respective wives who have been friends since high school.
After realizing they had a lot in common, their friendship developed from there.
Morgan and Paul opened their hobby store that focuses on card games like Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and Disney’s Lorcana in February 2023.
Furthermore, Morgan and Paul also have a YouTube channel that is gaining quite a following. Some of their popular videos get upwards of 70,000 viewers.
Paul, who is originally from Mitchell, moved to Goderich in 2008 and Morgan and his wife moved from Guelph to Port Albert in 2012.
It wasn’t until 2021 that Paul and Morgan started their YouTube channel.
“We both really enjoyed the card game Magic the Gathering – playing, investing and choosing to start our own joint collection,” admitted Morgan.
“We both really enjoy looking for and collecting rare cards. The channel started as a way to enjoy the cards with others, and for them to see our excitement at opening a super rare find.”
Both Morgan and Paul have been avid card players and collectors for years, stemming back into their childhoods.
The two of them together started collecting and investing in cards together and used YouTube to voice their thoughts on the cards, and the excitement of finding rare cards in the sets. The rest has grown from there.
Once the popularity of their YouTube channel continued to grow, Paul and Morgan opened a Patreon account.
Patreon is an online community compromised of the creator and the people who have subscribed to their channel.
Those who have subscribed purchase a membership to their Patreon to support the channel, with a monthly subscription and then product from them that Paul and Morgan then open on their channel.
According to Morgan, monthly, product is mailed to our patreons – hopefully with some rare cards.
Once a YouTube channel reaches 1,000 subscribers, the channel is then monetized. This means that YouTube will pay creators through advertising revenue.
Advertising revenue is generated when people watch ads that run through videos. This revenue from ads is shared between YouTube and the creators, which empowers creators to directly profit from their work.
According to Morgan, on YouTube, the bulk of their product is purchased by members of their patreon account, in what they call a Box Break.
A box product can have 48 packs inside of it. Each pack is offered on Patron and the members let Paul and Morgan know how many packs they would like to purchase. Paul and Morgan then open the boxes on their channel.
“This is done on a first come, first serve basis,” said Morgan.
“These sell out very fast. Box size and pack numbers can vary depending on the Magic the Gather Set being opened. We do also purchase product for ourselves to open, because we still love the thrill.”
Currently Paul and Morgan have just shy of 18,000 subscribers to their channel. Some of their most popular videos have upwards of 70,000 views.
Magic The Gathering rare cards, much like sport cards, can be incredibly valuable and expensive.
“We were lucky enough to pull a serialized one of 100 Gandalf card from Magic the Gathering Lord of the Rings Special Edition package for a patreon,” admitted Morgan.
“That was then graded and sold at auction through Goldin Auction.”
Paul and Morgan’s store MTG North came out of a need for a direct distributor of Magic the Gather product to keep up with patreon demand, and a desire to open our own brick and mortar card store – a dream for Morgan since youth.
MTG North officially opened its doors February 2023 on the Square in Goderich.
“We carry the areas largest selection of Magic the Gathering products,” explained Morgan.
“We also carry Pokemon products and cards, Star Wars Unlimited, and Disney’s newest card game Lorcana. And, if we don’t have it, we will do out best to find it for you.”
In store, MTG North offers a fantastic and inclusive play space. Tuesday nights the store runs Lorcana game night. Saturday night the store offers Magic the Gathering Commander League.
“We encourage anyone interested in learning to come on out for some fun,” said Morgan.
Morgan believes the popularity of their YouTube channel comes from their genuine friendship and fun banter.
Their aim is to create a community where everyone can feel included and comfortable and have a few laughs.
“It’s a place where people who enjoy Magic the Gathering from all parts of the world come together, get excited over product and rare cards, share in each other’s successes and have some fun,” added Morgan.
“I think that’s why our YouTube and patreon community
continue to grow.”
Both Paul and Morgan feel incredibly lucky to have had such great success with their YouTube channel/Patreon and are very grateful for their community and its continued support.
“I’m not sure either of us thought it would grow into what it has become, and I know our families were quite skeptical in the beginning,” Morgan said.
“We have both now be able to leave our full-time jobs to pursue our passion for cards full time, and have a lot of fun while doing it.”
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) North’s YouTube channel currently has 17.8 thousand subscribers, with 966 videos, with views up to 73,000 on some of their videos.
They have had fans drive and visit from various places across Canada and the United States, with a patronage of 1,200 members and growing.
MTG North is so popular online, that some of their patreons from across North America have made the trek to Goderich to pop in and see Paul and Morgan.
“If you’re in the area, come and say hello.”
For more information about MTG North visit https://www. mtgnorth.ca
Goderich Duplicate Bridge Club Results
On July 2 the club had nine tables directed by Rob McFarlane:
Successful book launch in Goderich
East Street Cider Company was the scene of a memorable book launch on Thursday July 11, The View From Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed, a recently released memoir by Owen Sound author, Gwen Lamont.
As part of the Summer Book Launch Series, Lamont chose Goderich as her first stop. The chapters set in Goderich describe a significant time in her life. She read from one of those chapters at Thursday’s launch.
She also spoke of her valiant but unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the Ontario Hospital Goderich, a place that plays a prominent role in exhuming her childhood.
During the question and answer period, Lamont spoke of the impact she hopes her book will have to enable others to tell their stories, remind her readers of the power of a caring adult to change the trajectory of a child’s life and to amplify the conversation about intimate partner violence.
Goderich Town Councillor Liz Petrie, spoke of the important role her council played as one of the 100 municipalities signing a resolution to encourage the province of Ontario to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
Vanessa Key received a donation from the author for the Huron Women’s Shelter. Key was moved by the event and expressed gratitude for the support from Gwen Lamont.
The local planning committee members; Karen Morrison, Cindy Fisher and Liz Pitrie were acknowledged for their work in ensuring the success of the event.
The next stops on the Summer Book Launch tour are Lion’s Head July 25, Parry Sound August 8, Kincardine August 22 and Southampton August 29.
Tickets are available at Coffin Ridge.ca and GwenLamontAuthor.ca. Books are available at GwenLamontAuthor.ca and gingerpress.com.
A CHILDHOOD EXHUMED
Blyth Festival announces naming of stage at Memorial Hall dedication ceremony
The Blyth Festival will name its flagship indoor stage in response to a landmark $500,000 gift from the Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation of Canmore, AB.
The space will be named The Margaret Stephens Stage in celebration of the family’s wish to honour their late wife and mother, Margaret Stephens.
This gift is in addition to the $250,000 the Foundation pledged earlier this year to anchor the Blyth Festival’s $500K For Another 50 Years campaign. This second gift brings the family’s total giving to $750,000 – the largest gift in the Blyth Festival’s history.
The family’s decision to commit to the larger gift was based in part on the massive success of Blyth’s matching-gift appeal.
This ongoing campaign has inspired unprecedented generosity from Blyth’s donor family and is expected to wrap up shortly (although donations are still welcome).
Representatives of the Stephens family will gather with friends, Festival staff and local officials to unveil a commemorative
plaque in Memorial Hall’s Blyth Festival Art Gallery on August 3, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Although the Foundation is headquartered in Canmore, AB, Andrew and Margaret Stephens grew up and married in southwestern Ontario.
With their children Eric and Patricia, they spent many summers in a beloved family cottage on the shores of Lake Huron, enjoying both cottage life and the Blyth Festival.
“This is a wonderful way to remember our mother, who passed away ten years ago this summer,” explained Patricia.
“She loved arts and music, and she and dad always taught us the value of teamwork and community. That spirit is alive and well at the Blyth Festival, so it’s the perfect way to remember her.”
According to son Eric, throughout her life, his mom shared her love of the arts and theatre with everyone. She made a way for their family to spend time together.
“My first hope for this gift is that it will allow many more families to discover the marvellous theatre in Blyth, and to bond over it as we have,” added Eric.
“My second hope is that it fosters even more lifetimes of engagement with the arts.”
Blyth Artistic Director Gil Garratt said the Blyth Festival has never named the stage, but that they are thrilled to honour Margaret Stephens in this way.
The Stephens family’s extraordinary generosity has provided the Blyth Festival with exactly the kind of financial stability needed to continue.
“This gift will help enable us to expand our new play development program, bolster our staff, and fulfill our mission,” Garratt said.
To honour Margaret’s passion for promoting women in art and music, the Stephens family is also sponsoring The Trials of Maggie Pollock, running on the Margaret Stephens Stage July 31-August 29, 2024.
This new work, commissioned by the Blyth Festival and written by award-winning Canadian playwright Beverley Cooper, chronicles the life of a Huron County farmwoman convicted of witchcraft in 1919.
The Blyth Festival is a registered char-
ity. Like all Canadian arts organizations, it relies on donations from corporations, foundations and individual donors to make up the difference between what can be raised through government support and reasonably-priced ticket sales.
The Andrew and Margaret Stephens Family Foundation:
The Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation, established by Andrew and Margaret in the early 2000s, is dedicated to enhancing communities through strategic investments, creating opportunities for cultural change, inspiring individuals to achieve greatness, and recognizing and appreciating those who make a difference. Investing in a number of carefully chosen community organizations, the Foundation focuses on building capacity in the arts, education, health, and in under-represented and challenged communities.
To date, the Foundation has made significant investments in university infrastructure and scholarships, health research and hospital fellowships, social enterprise development, women in leadership, and palliative care.
Gwen Lamont reading at her book launch at East Street Cider Co. on July 11.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Wakelin draws inspiration from policing career, Stratford and family cottage
Al Wakelin was told to “write what you know,” and he incorporated that in a few different ways in his book, “Unforgiven Trespasses: A Cottage on Caledonia.”
His book takes place in Stratford where he grew up and retired from a career in policing and security. Wakelin and his wife, Sue Wakelin, opened the Cottage on Caledonia B&B in 2016. Unforgiven Trespasses centres on a young Hollywood actress who retreats to that very bed and breakfast to escape from the stalking and harassment she faces.
Though the narrative takes place in June 2020, there is no COVID-19 pandemic, and the Stratford Festival season is therefore running in the novel. Wakelin found the pandemic tough, both personally and for his business. He wanted to promote everything Stratford has to offer in his novel and names landmarks such as theatres, restaurants and businesses.
“I thought it was my own way of showing my care and love for the community I grew up in; that this would get somebody to come and visit Stratford,” Al Wakelin said.
The protagonist also retreats to Goderich and Bayfield, inspired by the author’s memories of a family cottage overlooking Lake Huron. Al Wakelin draws from experiences throughout his career as an RCMP officer and security manager for McDonald’s Restaurants Canada as well.
As part of the McDonald’s security team, Al Wakelin worked at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and 2010 Vancouver Olympic games and was personal security to VIP celebrities who made appearances at McDonald’s locations across Canada such as Rod Stewart, Yao Ming, Wayne Gretzky and Beyonce. He described Ming and Gretsky as quiet and reserved, whereas Stewart was a bit more of an extrovert. Wakelin also recalls working security when tennis star Serena Williams insisted, she picks up her own dog’s poop nearby the event, saying it’s her responsibility to clean up after her pet, though he offered to do it for her.
"They were all just people,” he said of the celebrities. “I think that’s what I wanted to bring to the celebrities in my book. There is more than one and there are some of surprises in the book, so I tried to make them all as reachable as possible and believable.”
Al Wakelin’s novel is based on the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer, a 21-year-old actress from the TV show, “My Sister Sam,” who was stalked and eventually fatally shot by Robert John Pardo in 1989. The case led to legislation in the State of California outlawing stalking.
"Because I was a young police man at the time, I really thought it disturbing,” Al Wakelin said. “The course of events that led to her death were all absolutely preventable."
The novel also touches on cyber-stalking, an issue prevalent in present day. Al Wakelin said laws in Canada haven’t changed
too much over time. He said the deaths of 15-year-old Amanda Todd and 12-year-old Carson Cleland, who both died by suicide after being harassed and sexually extorted online, demonstrate the impact of the issue.
"If I have a voice, it's to push that piece – how many people have to be victimized needlessly?” he said. “Because as an investigator, I don't have the tools I need to pursue such people."
The Unforgiven Trespasses prologue begins with a police officer experiencing a traumatic flashback from what he saw during a crime scene in the 1980s as a rookie.
As someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Al Wakelin found writing the novel healing and it helped him through the difficulties of the pandemic.
“Going back to some of those demons in my past and opening them up and looking at them in different ways, I think, was extremely therapeutic,” he said. “They say one of the good things to do with things like post-traumatic stress syndrome is to journal, to write. I'm not a diary guy, so this gave it that outlet."
Unforgiven Trespasses can be purchased at the Cottage on Caledonia at 61 Caledonia St. and Fanfare Books at 92 Ontario St in Stratford, and Betty’s Bookshelf in St. Marys. The books are also available at Fincher’s in Goderich, and Al Wakelin is hoping to have them in shops in Waterloo and Bayfield eventually. Al Wakelin was told to “write what you know,” and he incorporated that in a few different ways in his book, “Unforgiven Trespasses: A Cottage on Caledonia.”
His book takes place in Stratford where he grew up and retired from a career in policing and security. Wakelin and his wife, Sue Wakelin, opened the Cottage on Caledonia B&B in 2016. Unforgiven Trespasses centres on a young Hollywood actress who retreats to that very bed and breakfast to escape from the stalking and harassment she faces.
Though the narrative takes place in June 2020, there is no COVID-19 pandemic, and the Stratford Festival season is therefore running in the novel. Wakelin found the pandemic tough, both personally and for his business. He wanted to promote everything Stratford has to offer in his novel and names landmarks such as theatres, restaurants and businesses.
“I thought it was my own way of showing my care and love for the community I grew up in; that this would get somebody to come and visit Stratford,” Al Wakelin said.
The protagonist also retreats to Goderich and Bayfield, inspired by the author’s memories of a family cottage overlooking Lake Huron. Al Wakelin draws from experiences throughout his career as an RCMP officer and security manager for McDonald’s Restaurants Canada as well.
As part of the McDonald’s security team, Al Wakelin worked at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and 2010 Vancouver Olympic games and was personal
security to VIP celebrities who made appearances at McDonald’s locations across Canada such as Rod Stewart, Yao Ming, Wayne Gretzky and Beyonce. He described Ming and Gretsky as quiet and reserved, whereas Stewart was a bit more of an extrovert. Wakelin also recalls working security when tennis star Serena Williams insisted, she picks up her own dog’s poop nearby the event, saying it’s her responsibility to clean up after her pet, though he offered to do it for her.
"They were all just people,” he said of the celebrities. “I think that’s what I wanted to bring to the celebrities in my book. There is more than one and there are some of surprises in the book, so I tried to make them all as reachable as possible and believable.”
Al Wakelin’s novel is based on the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer, a 21-year-old actress from the TV show, “My Sister Sam,” who was stalked and eventually fatally shot by Robert John Pardo in 1989. The case led to legislation in the State of California outlawing stalking.
"Because I was a young police man at the time, I really thought it disturbing,” Al Wakelin said. “The course of events that led to her death were all absolutely preventable."
The novel also touches on cyber-stalking, an issue prevalent in present day. Al Wakelin said laws in Canada haven’t changed too much over time. He said the deaths of
15-year-old Amanda Todd and 12-year-old Carson Cleland, who both died by suicide after being harassed and sexually extorted online, demonstrate the impact of the issue. "If I have a voice, it's to push that piece – how many people have to be victimized needlessly?” he said. “Because as an investigator, I don't have the tools I need to pursue such people."
The Unforgiven Trespasses prologue begins with a police officer experiencing a traumatic flashback from what he saw during a crime scene in the 1980s as a rookie.
As someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Al Wakelin found writing the novel healing and it helped him through the difficulties of the pandemic.
“Going back to some of those demons in my past and opening them up and looking at them in different ways, I think, was extremely therapeutic,” he said. “They say one of the good things to do with things like post-traumatic stress syndrome is to journal, to write. I'm not a diary guy, so this gave it that outlet."
Unforgiven Trespasses can be purchased at the Cottage on Caledonia at 61 Caledonia St. and Fanfare Books at 92 Ontario St in Stratford, and Betty’s Bookshelf in St. Marys. The books are also available at Fincher’s in Goderich, and Al Wakelin is hoping to have them in shops in Waterloo and Bayfield eventually.
EMILY STEWART
Sun Correspondent
Trail Talk: The landowner is always right
All our trails are open to the public due to the kindness of the landowner. These vary from Private Landowners to Conservation Authorities and corporations such as Sifto and Goderich Township, other municipalities etc.
In a business there is a saying the “the customer is always right”. In the case of our trails the landowner is always right. So if the landowner asks you to do something, you should apologize for your misunderstanding and carry out their request. There is no point in arguing as all this does is to make it more likely that the landowner will withdraw permission for hikers to use the trail.
There have been occasions when a dog owner refused to put their dog on a leash, and hikers have argued with the people at the Falls Reserve or been seen on a closed trail.
I wonder what creatures use our trails
at night when we are not on them. I set up a camera on a feeder on high tree stump. As well as the expected birds, squirrels and chipmunks, there are regular visits by a mouse, cat, and raccoon. Less often by a rabbit that managed to climb up that high, and just recently an opossum and then four raccoons at the same time.
At dusk there have often been displays by fireflies. There are 170 species in Canada and the U.S.A. One species in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, flash in unison.
I am working to see how many consecutive days I can see at least one butterfly. I expect this will end on the next rainy day. I was lucky on June 30 when it was cold and drizzling, so I was surprised to see one Northern Pearly Eye.
As of July 18, I have seen butterflies on 34 consecutive days, averaging 11 per day, the high number often thanks to Cabbage Whites, European Skippers and Red Admirals. Whatever type of
naturalist you are, whether interested in birds, plants, trees, insects such as dragonflies, moths or butterflies, it makes you more aware of life along the trails, and how devoid of variety of life, is the home owners lawn.
We are blessed to have the Maitland River and Bayfield River valleys, as they support Carolinian plants that are usually found further South. Try to get out onto our trails and enjoy the great variety of life that they support.
NOTES:
TRAIL CLOSURE from Cherrydale Raod (20km) to Nature Conservancy property (25km) due to a coyote problem.
Saturday, July 27 at 10 a.m. - A Stop and Look Walk on the Sawmill Trail. Leader Ralph Blasting 519-525-3205 or rjblastingjr@gmail.com
Sunday, July 28 at 10 a.m. CycleMacGregor Point Provincial Park. Helmets are required and be prepared for rain or sunshine. Ride Details: Meet at
Park entrance gate.
Obtain a park pass from a library you belong to or pay a $14 day pass more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Donald Andrew at 519 530- 9019, call or text.
Difficulty: moderate as some of the trails are bumpy due to roots and stones. All participants taking part in the Maitland Trail events should sign the waiver for 2024, preferably the online version.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca
Midweek Hikers hike for 1.5 to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays, contact Patrick Capper.
Both groups meet at 9 a.m. and are open to non-members provided they sign the MTA online waiver.
If you have questions or something of interest for Trail Talk email Patrick Capper: pcapper99@gmail.com
PATRICK CAPPER
Sun Contributor
A mouse at the feeder.
Four raccoons at the feeder.
An opossum.
A rabbit checking things out.
PHOTOS)
Local architect wins heritage awards for work on ‘Slave Chapel’
As a result of the work of Goderich resident, and Blyth-based architect John Rutledge, the Fugitive Slave Chapel earned heritage awards this year.
Rutledge and the collective that worked on this project were presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation in February 2024.
Additionally, Rutledge earned the Peter Stokes Restoration Award in October 2023, and the London Heritage Award in April 2024 for his contributions to the project.
The Fugitive Slave Chapel Preservation Project in London worked on restoring this historic building – known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church – has restored the early 1800s building and relocated it to the Fanshawe Pioner Village (FPV).
Although for many of the volunteers involved it was a 10-year project, and Rutledge was only involved for eight of those years.
“Throughout the duration of the project, a dedicated group of volunteers kept the flame burning, resulting in a happy ending to an unsteady journey,” admitted Rutledge.
According to Rutledge, after sitting two years vacant, the church’s head office decided they would be unable to run a renovated building as a learner’s centre,
community centre, and small museum and unable to afford the renovation.
Through a series of constructive events, Fanshawe Pioneer Village (FPV) agreed to have the building moved, for the second time, to their property at the Thames Valley Conservation Area in the east end of London.
“As all of the existing old, relocated buildings at FPV are of white, Anglo-Saxon origin,” explained Rutledge.
“The addition of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church built in 1948 ensure that FPV will be able to tell a more inclusive history of London’s past.”
Local architect John Rutledge has been part of projects since 1977 in cities and towns across Ontario including acting as a de-
sign consultant for Royal Homes Ltd., in Wingham and principal of an architectural firm in Goderich and Blyth.
Over the course of his career, Rutledge has also been heavily involved in the community serving on boards such as the Blyth Festival Theatre, and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO).
Rutledge explained that in 1848 and 1849, the Black Congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church built a humble place of worship beside the Thames River on Thames Street in London. It was a modest building, constructed with a basic traditional timber-frame structure.
During the church’s early years, it became part of the Underground Railway as Black American Slaves moved northward towards freedom.
Over time the church’s London building became known as ‘The Fugitive Slave Chapel’.
Rutledge further explained that sometime during the 1920s the Congregation sold the church, and it became a residence for many decades, until the early 2000s, when the owners at that time decided they wanted to demolish the building.
During 2014 and 2015, a group of volunteers who know about the building’s value and significance to London’s Black History arranged to have the church moved onto a vacant lot beside Beth Emmanual Church.
As a result of its historical significance, it was determined then that the building would be restored, renovated, and added onto to become a small community
centre, learners centre, and historic centre for London’s Black History. This plan was put on hold and never came to fruition.
In November 2022 the building was moved to FPV, where it remains today.
The church is one of the oldest surviving buildings in London, and until this church arrived at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, all buildings only represented London’s Caucasian and Protestant history.
With interior changes like insulation and electricity, this building plays host to special events during Black History Month in February.
In 1848, the Black Congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church built a humble one-storey place of worship beside the Thames River in London. It was also part of the Underground Railroad and became known as The Fugitive Slave Chapel.
The restoration of the church’s exterior and interior has extend-
ed the life of the building and offered a space to tell a more inclusive history.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be recognized for the work I do on restoring old buildings, although this honour is also extended to all the dedicated volunteers, whose help and work on restoration projects, is paralleled with the work I do,” added Rutledge. The current outcome of the restored church is a result of work by the preservation project committee, also known as the Chapel Project Committee, which uncovered the Chapel’s history, revealed most of its original character and features, build community awareness and facilitated its move to FPV.
Other restoration projects Rutledge has worked on include Bayfield United Church, Carnegie Library (a branch of the Huron County Library System), the Wingham Branch of the Huron County Library (renamed the Alice Munro Library), and the Wingham Railway Station.
KATHLEEN SMITH Editor
The Fugitive Slave Chapel built circa 1848 set onto its new concrete foundation at FPV before restoration work started.
John Rutledge won the Peter Stokes Restoration Award.
Completed exterior restoration of the church showing ‘Cross and Bible’ door with curved gravel barrier-free accessible pathways into the church.
Before photo of the interior (left), and finished interior, showing the northwest corner (right).
(DAWN MISKELLY OF FPV PHOTO)
(DAN SCHNEIDER PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Huron Perth Agriculture and Water festival ending after 30 years
The Huron Perth Agriculture and Water Festival (HPAWF), held annually in Seaforth, is ending after 30 years.
The festival began as the Slice of Huron in 1992 to teach local young people about agriculture in their communities.
It expanded in 2006 to include components about water awareness and conservation, becoming the festival it is today.
The festival, geared toward Grade 4 students and their teachers from across Huron and Perth counties, was always delivered as a free, interactive educational event.
In 2019, after another successful festival, the committee began fundraising for the 2020 season. Early in 2020, the festival was cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding school field trips and a teachers’ strike.
The COVID-19 pandemic postponed many plans for the HPAWF over the years,
and the Steering Committee has made the difficult decision to disband.
The HPAWF Steering Committee would like to thank the many volunteers who donated their time to the festival over the decades.
It would not have been possible without the many people who came together: the presenters who created and delivered educational content to the students, to those involved in organizing lunch, and to the local secondary schools who helped facilitate the day.
Year after year many generous sponsors contributed monetary donations to the festival. Large supporters of the event were Huron County Federation of Agriculture, Perth County Federation of Agriculture, Huron County Egg Farmers, Huron County Chicken Farmers, Huron County Dairy Producers, Huron County Beef Producers, Huron County Pork
Producers, Perth County Pork Producers, Huron County Grain Farmers, Perth County Grain Farmers, and the Huron Clean Water Project.
The committee would also like to thank the many community groups from across Huron and Perth counties who donated. These groups ranged from agricultural societies to Lions Clubs and Optimists to Women’s Institutes. Every donation contributed to the success of the festival.
Community was at the heart of the festival and the Steering Committee made the decision to disperse the remaining funds to local organizations that align with the vision of the festival.
The festival worked tirelessly to promote the value of agriculture, linking the daily lives of farmers to the food children enjoyed in their households.
With increasing food insecurities, the festival donated $200 to each of the 47 el-
ementary schools in Huron Perth through the Ontario Student Nutrition Program. Similarly, $10,000 will be donated to the Huron Perth Agricultural Science Centre, to be developed in North Perth, for the purposes of educating children and youth on all facets of agriculture, from safety to sustainable farming.
The Steering Committee believes that the new science centre aligns closely with the values of the HPAWF, by educating local youth about the importance of agriculture in their communities using a hands-on, interactive educational model.
The committee looks forward to supporting this incredible learning centre.
“To the students, parents, and teachers who attended the festival through the years, your participation made the festival a success year after year,” the committee said in a statement.
“Thank you.”
Annual turtle hatchling release event on August 29
Huron Stewardship Council (HSC) and Ausable Bayfield Conservation are joining with other community partners to host the return of the annual Turtle Hatchling Release Event.
The popular event is on Thursday, August 29 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, east of Exeter.
Admission is free and people are welcome to drop in at any time during the event.
Donations are encouraged and proceeds support turtle conservation in Ontario.
The turtle release event has taken place since 2016. Sheldon Paul is HSC Fieldwork Coordinator, and he said the turtle event draws crowds every year and is a great way to educate people of all ages about the need to protect Ontario’s eight turtle species.
“It’s fun, it’s free, and we look forward to seeing everyone there,” Paul said.
Hope Brock is ABCA Healthy Watersheds Technician. Brock said turtles are important links in food webs and provide essential services.
Snapping turtles, for example, help
to control aquatic vegetation and clean creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms.
They also cycle nutrients and spread seeds, which benefit other organisms. Brock said people can protect turtles by watching for turtles on roads when driving, helping them safely crossroads in the way they are headed, protecting nests from predators, and reporting turtle sightings to community monitoring projects.
Enhancing turtle habitat is also vital.
“Preserving and creating habitat for turtles and other species is one of the most important things we can do to sustain our turtle species,” Brock said.
“There has been a huge increase in the interest in turtles and protecting turtles in our watershed, so I also want to thank people for these efforts.”
Brock is grateful for the community’s continued curiosity, for attending this event and for their desire to help these atrisk animals.
People attending will not be able to hold
the turtles. This is to protect the animals and reduce their stress. Those attending will be able to see the turtles as they are released.
The HSC staff releasing the hatchlings are trained and authorized to release them.
Ontario’s native freshwater turtles face many threats including habitat loss and road mortality (death by cars and other vehicles).
Hundreds of turtles in Ontario are hit by cars each year. These could be gravid (pregnant) females looking for a place to lay eggs, or turtles looking for new habitat and mates.
People can help turtles by creating and enhancing habitats on their properties, stopping to help turtles cross the road in the direction they are heading (when it is safe to do so), and working with their local municipalities and communities to erect turtle crossing signs and build safe passages.
People can also arrange for transport of injured turtles to the turtle hospital.
To learn more visit HSC’s website https://www.huronstewardship.ca/
Elizabeth Balfour, Secretary-Treasurer for Huron Perth Agriculture and Water Festival presents donation to Brittany McDonald, Community Development Coordinator for Ontario Student Nutrition Program (Huron-Perth).
Elizabeth Balfour, Secretary-Treasurer presents a donation to Steve Dolson, Chairman, and Sylvia Behrns, Treasurer of the Huron Perth Ag Science Centre.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Grey Matters: Choosing the right Retirement Community for You
This month lets explore the differences between assisted living and long-term care communities, and how to find the perfect place for your Golden Years.
Independent Living Versus Assisted Living: Understanding the Difference Independent Living Communities are designed for seniors who are able to live on their own, or have a need for occasional assistance, and would like to enjoy the benefits of community living.
These environments can offer a broad range of amenities and activities, such as restaurant style meal options, library, exercise programs, social clubs, hobby groups, hair dressing, transportation, entertainment, medication management etc. These types of communities offer a life style for those who have no need for extensive medical care, or assistance and allows seniors to age in place until care needs exceed the services offered.
Long Term Care Residences or Assisted Living Residences are ideal for seniors who need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, feeding, assistance in moving from one area of building to the other and extensive medication management and nursing care. These environments are for people that are unable to live on their own and care for themselves without significant risk. While also providing social activities and community spaces, the focus is less on independence and more
on providing necessary care and support.
Tips For Choosing The Right Community For You:
Choosing the right residence is a crucial decision. Here are some tips to help you find a community that you will enjoy and that suits your needs:
Location: Consider the proximity to family, friends, and essential services. A convenient location can make a big difference in your happiness. Choose locations and environment with lush gardens and quiet streets. Whether it is fitness, gardening, on-site dining, or transportation services, ensure the community offers what is important to you.
Amenities and Services: Make a list of must-have amenities and services. Whether it’s a fitness center, on-site dining, or transportation; ensure the community offers what’s important to you.
Continuum of Care: many independent living communities offer a continuum of care, mean-
ing you do not have to move as your needs for assistance grow. Ask specifically when touring, what their continuum of care offering is comprised of.
Community Atmosphere: Visit potential residences to get a feel for each community. Talk to residents and staff and attend some activities or events. All activities and programs are generally listed monthly on their websites, and most are open to the public. The right atmosphere can make you feel welcome and right at home. First impressions are lasting.
Cost: first determine your budget. Take into account all your current expenses for rent, mortgage, house keeping, food, utilities, taxes, maintenance costs, (such as snow removal, grass cutting if applicable). Total your monthly expenses to know what you’re spending now. Understand the cost involved in the prospective communities that you are considering, and what is included in the monthly fees.
Make sure the community fits your budget without compromising the quality of life you desire. You may be surprised when you look at what your total costs are now versus moving to a community that is all inclusive.
Reputation and Reviews: Research the residences reputation. Look for reviews and ratings online and ask family and friends of people you may know who live or have lived there.
Conclusion: By choosing the right community you can live every day like it’s a vacation, surrounded by friends and engaging in activities you love. This is your time, so take the time to explore the options and find a place where you feel at home and where you can thrive and enjoy this time of your life. Embrace this new chapter with excitement and anticipation.
Your best years are yet to come!
Annette Gerdes is the General Manager at the Goderich Place Retirement Residence
Have some self-compassion for better mental health
Sun Contributor
Have you noticed that more and more people are dealing with mental-health challenges these days? I suspect this shift happened during the pandemic, when we were forced to isolate, and had nothing but time to confront our thoughts and feelings.
Famed researcher Brene Brown says, "We are now considered to be the most stressed, depressed,
overweight, and over-medicated population in history."
Mental health challenges have always existed, but many of them were hidden (and buried) in the constant "doing" that we experience in this modern society.
It was only when we were forced to stop this incessant ‘doing’ that some of us finally discovered an uncomfortable truth about ourselves: Not only do we lack self-love and self-compassion, but some people may have also uncovered feelings of loathing about themselves.
From the time we're born, we're programmed by our culture, societal influences and expectations from parents, extended family, or peer groups, the education system, government influences, marketing, advertising and media messages.
Those influences can prevent us from following our own intuition. We can become so con-
ditioned by the world around us that we never try to discover what truly motivates and inspires us.
When we lose touch with our own identity and start to identify with the world’s expectations of us, we're living out of alignment with our true nature.
So, how can we uncover our true nature to start cultivating the self-compassion that we so desperately need?
The first step is to take some brief moments out of your regular routine to withdraw from the external influences of the world.
Whether it's putting your phone away for an hour, going for a walk/run, visiting a museum, or going somewhere to shelter yourself away from the expectations of others and the world. Find what works for you so you can do it when you need it.
It's vitally important to take these moments to nurture &
Goderich Sun
nourish yourself. By doing this self-care practice with persistence and patience, it gets easier to realize that our negative self-talk and limiting beliefs are things we can change. All it takes is a persistent willingness to exert consistent efforts to help ourselves.
As you embark on this journey within, you can discover that you are not flawed, you are simply fallible. When we know better, we can do better.
This is a lot to ponder, especially for those who have been stuck in feelings of self-loathing for a long time. I didn't uncover the depth of my self-loathing until I got clear and sober, and the process of unpacking the baggage of the past - and putting it away for good - is going to be different for everyone.
Your direction is more important than your speed.
I will leave you with this final
thought: If you can take this inner journey to start cultivating self-compassion, you can unlock levels of love and awe that can change your life for the better.
The question is, "Are you ready to take the first step?"
If you'd like to learn ways to better navigate the waves of life, send me an email for details about regular meetings, mindfulness walks, and self-care retreats. Email: info@redroofrecovery. com
Tanya MacIntyre is a certified CBT Practitioner, Mental Health Professional, and owner/operator of Red Roof Recovery.
DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to constitute, or be a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from your doctor, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have watched, read, or heard from anyone at Red Roof Recovery.
Pick Up Locations
TANYA MACINTYRE, RED ROOF RECOVERY
ANNETTE GERDES, Sun Contributor
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Into the woods with Lori McCarthy
We walked a short distance into the forest that surrounds Lori McCarthy’s home. En route, Lori pointed to two or three different plants and told us to pick some of the leaves or small branches. These we carried to a rough-hewn table set up in a clearing and we began to create the first of at least a dozen amazing tastes we were to experience that afternoon.
It’s unusual, to say the least, to refer to a person as a destination, but I can’t think of a better description for McCarthy. She would argue the point, maintaining the destination she represents is actually Newfoundland and Labrador. I couldn’t imagine a better ambassador for Canada’s newest province.
But I would still maintain that McCarthy herself and the unique experience she has created qualifies as a destination, and one worth seeking out.
McCarthy is a passionate Newfoundlander, a highly trained chef and a self-described outdoorswoman.
After working for many years in the restaurant business, she decid-
ed to combine all of her passions, and she has developed an unparalleled experience for visitors to her part of Newfoundland, only a few minutes out of St. John’s.
McCarthy led our group of five travel journalists and two convivial hosts from Destination St. John’s to the table in the woods.
On our way, we had foraged for some leaves of sweetgale, a shrub native to many parts of Canada. McCarthy invited us to grind our sweetgale leaves with sugar. She distributed glass mugs and we combined the sweetgale with cranberry sugar, partridgeberry syrup, black current leaves, a stalk of rhubarb we had picked from her garden, strawberry rhubarb kombucha and some soda and ice. I think the soda was the only thing not foraged on Lori’s property.
The result? One of the most delicious drinks I have ever enjoyed, and that was just the start.
McCarthy led us a few metres on to where she had started a fire in a fire pit, which was surrounded by low, rough-hewn benches. Beside the fire was a plank laid on its side, on which was pegged a large fillet of arctic char.
The meal was astonishing. The smoked char was served along with amazing mussels. McCarthy had harvested some divers’ scallops, which you can’t buy in a store, and served a potato salad complete with tiny, delicious Newfoundland shrimp.
A couple of McCarthy’s friends showed up carrying a guitar and we were regaled with Newfoundland folk songs as we enjoyed this exceptional meal.
Then we were invited into a craft building where we made our own sweetgale sugar and other spices to take with us.
Finally, we walked a trail down to the water’s edge where McCarthy served us tea in actu-
al china cups and a collection of wonderful, homemade desserts.
She explained this was the setting that inspired her to bring her culinary skills back into her beloved Newfoundland woodland where she engages in what she calls “storytelling through food.”
She told us after working for years in restaurants, she had a mug-up with her mom. McCarthy had been watching chefs from around the world as they incorporated products from their local landscape into their culinary creations. As she and her mom sat sipping tea by the sea, she wondered if her own experience could be converted into an actual business, enabling her to pursue all the things she is passionate about.
As it turns out, it could.
“At its heart, my work is storytelling through food,” she said. “Stories collected and retold, stories of integrity, authenticity and my unwavering, non-negotiable commitment to tell the real stories
of Newfoundland and Labrador. Those stories that live deep in my soul and in the souls of those around me.”
McCarthy has collected an archive of Newfoundland and Labrador stories, songs, poems and scrapbook entries, and part of her time with visitors is spent in reading some of these authentic, homegrown treasures. In fact, I first met McCarthy not in her woods, but on the stage of our Travel Media Association of Canada convention in St. John’s a few days prior to our foraging visit. During her keynote talk to our members, she read some poignant prose by a Newfoundlander and also talked with great emotion about her grandmother – and she brought many of us to tears right alongside her.
That’s the kind of heartfelt commitment McCarthy’s guests are in for. It’s an unforgettable experience, one that carries you right into the heart of Newfoundland culture.
And McCarthy makes it clear this work is not only for the entertainment of visitors.
“I want my children and their children to love and appreciate the gifts this land has given us. Our stories, our food, our whole way of life, they're all worth passing down. They're part of who we are, where we've been and where we're going.”
If you are interested in spending time with McCarthy – and I could not recommend that more highly – you can contact her at lorimccarthy.ca.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden. net.
PAUL KNOWLES Sun Contributor
Lori McCarthy in the craft room where visitors can make condiments from the plants they forage from the woods.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
Tea and dessert by the sea.
The incredible beauty of Newfoundland's shoreline – the perfect setting for a "mug-up.”
Which way did the outlaw go when he stole the computer? He went data way
Why wasn’t the outlaw allowed to be buried in the town cemetery? He wasn’t dead
What
They
horse eats and drinks with its tail?
Where do race cars go swimming? In a car pool
What kind of egg travels to unknown places? An eggs-plorer
Why can’t you play basketball with pigs? Because they hog the ball
Backward I am heavy, but forward I am not. What am I? The word “not”
What can be swallowed, but can also swallow you? Water
What can burn the eyes, sting the mouth, yet be eaten? Salt
LANDI
I would like to nominate my sweet girl, Landi (Sheltie). She is aptly nicknamed the Diva. Chasing squirrels and napping in the sunbeam are favourite pastimes.
SUMMER OLYMPICS
To submit photos of
kate@goderichsun.com
Come and Go Tea for EILEEN & DAVID SLEIGHTHOLM to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Saturday, August 10, 2024 Knights of Columbus Hall, 390 Parsons Crt., Goderich. Between 1-4 p.m.
Everyone welcome, no gifts.
MARIE MILTENBURG
Marie Miltenburg of Lucknow, died peacefully with family by her side on July 18, 2024 at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Marinus “Ries” in 2012.
Marie was born in Boxtel, Netherlands to her late parents Arnolda (Strik) and Herman Marsman.
She will be sadly missed by her children: Nolda & Doug Scott, Tony & Marilyn, Ben & Jayne, Donald & Jennifer all of Ashfield, Mary Ann & Roy Neureuther of Goulais River, Maurice, and Nancy both of Goderich, and Diane & Cliff Carrothers of Lambeth.
She was the very proud grandma of 18 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
She is survived by 7 siblings in the Netherlands and Canada and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by 3 infant grandsons and 3 siblings.
Marie worked alongside Marinus on their farm raising their large family. They dedicated themselves to their family and to their church. Marie recently moved to Pinecrest Manor in Lucknow from Goderich Place, as she was requiring more care. Sometimes she could still be found with her hands busy knitting.
Visitation and funeral services were held at St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community Centre on July 23, 2024. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Kingsbridge. As expressions of sympathy donations appreciated for the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation or the St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community. Condolences and Memorial information online at www.mackenzieandmccreath.com .
Sunsets of Goderich
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Celtic Blue Highlanders piping down the sun on Friday, July 19 at Rotary Cove Beach. (KATHLEEN SMITH PHOTO)
First Time for Everything Festival (FTFE)
On Wednesday, July 24 until Saturday, July 27. Come and try out, try a new role, try to learn something new at The Livery Theatre.
This year the theme is absurd – focusing on the weird and wild world of absurdist theatre. No book necessary, but donations welcomed. Festival seating. First-come, first-served. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Arrive early and enjoy the artisan market. All proceeds will go toward the 2025 FTFE Festival.
Catch the Ace Draw
On Friday, July 26, Friday, August 2 at 7 p.m. Held at the Goderich Legion.
Mustang Mega Cruise 5.0
On Saturday, July 27 at the Goderich waterfront.
SOTTG Ladies Open Mat
On Saturday, July 27, held at Huron BJJ.
Punk Rock Market
On Saturday, July 27 at The Den.
Bingo at the Legion
On Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, August 4 at 12 p.m. Join the upstairs of the Legion when doors open at 12 p.m.
Early bird game at 1:25 p.m. Canteen open. Last Sunday of every month is a $1,000 jackpot.
Goderich Laketown Band Concert Series
On Sunday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lions Harbour Park. Admission is free.
Alice Wallace Live Music
On Monday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. at The Den. Alice Wallace brings soulful Americana tunes, to touch the hearts of her listeners with her raw lyrics and country charm. Admission is $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets sold at The Den or Evenbrite.
Steam Camp
On Monday, July 29 until Friday, August 2. Held at the Huron County Museum.
Behind the Bars
On Tuesday, July 30, Thursday, August 1, Tuesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 8 at 7 p.m. at Huron Historic Gaol.
This is an interactive tour of the gaol where visitors can meet in-costume actors portraying real inmates and staff from the past. Last tour begins at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets online. Adults $10, children/students $5, families (two adults and up to four children/students) $25, preschool (five and under) free, museum members free.
18th Don Johnston Memorial Baseball Tournament
On Thursday, August 1 until Sunday, August 5. Held at Bannister Park.
Euchre at the Legion
On Tuesday, July 30 and Tuesday, August 6 at 7 p.m. Join the Tuesday night Euchre party at the Legion. Admission is $5. Participants need a partner to play.
Goderich Jammers
On Wednesday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 7 at 7 p.m.
Join other musicians and music enthusiasts at the Goderich
Legion for a jam night.
Goderich Celtic College and Kids Camp
On Monday, August 5 until Thursday, August 8. Held at GDCI.
Circle City Cruizers – Cruize Night
On Wednesday, August 7 at Lions Harbour Park.
Goderich Blood Donation Event
On Thursday, August 8 from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Every 60 seconds someone in Canada requires blood or blood products. You can make the difference. Book at blood.ca, the GiveBlood App, or call 1-888-236-6283.
Goderich Art Club Show and Sale
On August 9 to August 11 at the MacKay Centre. This club has been going for over 70 years and has 35 members currently – a great community of painters. Free admission and accessible air-conditioned building. Accepting cash, cheque, debit, credit cards. This year the event has 27 artists and over 400 original works of art. Feature artist is Jayne Crebolder. Hours: Friday and Saturday – 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Sunday – 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
BIA Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday and Sunday morning until October, at Courthouse Square. From 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
BIA Sunday Market
Every Sunday at Courthouse Square. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. until October.
BUSINESS DIREC TORY
Intriguing India: The trip of a lifetime
This year marks a milestone birthday for my sister and next year, a milestone birthday for myself. What a great reason to finally visit our family roots, in this case, India! Our father was born and raised in Allahabad, and spent his formative years in Calcutta, now known as Kolkata. With the fall of the British Empire, his family moved to England and later to Canada, which he proudly called ‘home.’ We spent our childhood hearing about this exotic country and have always wanted to travel there. Like many people, the idea of such a trip is daunting, overwhelming and somewhat intimidating. After quite a bit of research, we’ve found the perfect trip – a fully guided tour
that includes the tops sites as well as cultural exploration cruising the Ganges river.
Beautiful, exotic and chaotic, India is a country unlike any other. Wondrous sights rich in romance and intrigue reflect the history of centuries of Mughal rule followed by the British. The Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks and UNESCO sites. The Taj Mahal in Agra and Humayun’s Tomb
in Delhi were built as grand tributes of love. The Pink City of Jaipur, a centre for the arts, is famous for its many palaces.
One of the world’s most sacred bodies of water, the Ganges River flows throughout India and Bangladesh, through a myriad of small villages and densely-populated cities. Life on the river is very different from the hustle and bustle of the large cities, and very few travellers have the opportunity to experience it. The architec-
ture along the Ganges is magnificent, dotted with mosques, palaces, temple complexes and intricately-carved Hindu temples.
In the next 10 years, India is expected to become the world’s hottest travel destination, and Stonetown Travel wants to take you there in luxury. My sister and I are currently planning a fully-escorted group tour to India in Fall 2025 and would love you to join us. The tour will begin in Delhi and
explore the Golden Triangle. The trip will continue to Kolkata where travellers will board an exquisite small cruise ship for a Ganges River cruise. You will travel safely and comfortably, enjoying India’s finest accommodations.
To learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, please contact Stonetown travel.
Hilary Purvis is a travel consultant with Stonetown Travel in New Hamburg.
A cultural immersion unlike any other, this voyage brings
