Echo - August 30th, 2024 by granthaven

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

STONETOWN TRAVEL

Employees at CAMI hopeful new agreement can be reached

Employees at Cami Automotive have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. 97 per cent of CUPE Local 88 said they would support a potential labour interruption. The vote was held last weekend in London and the current contract expires on Sept. 22.

It is a requirement by law to have a strike mandate vote within 30 days of the expiry of a contract. Union chair Mike Van Boekel said he wasn’t surprised to see so much of his membership vote yes to a possible strike.

“It should be high, to be honest. If you get a low number, you don’t really have a lot of power with the company so it’s good to see they are backing us.”

Despite the battery plant side of the operation being busy, there haven’t been consistently strong sales of the EV delivery vehicles they produce leading to reduced hours for employees.

“It’s a new market GM has never played in before. A lot of people were betting electric would take off faster than it has. It’s big in Europe and everywhere else but it’s just not big here yet. Sales are increasing but we were hoping for a quicker buy-in.”

In the hopes of increasing production at the plant, CUPE said they are willing to work with GM and have put a few ideas on the table.

WOODSTOCK FAIR CELEBRATES 187 YEARS

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Allegations of financial abuse at Norwich retirement home

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An Ingersoll woman is raising a red flag over damning allegations of wrongdoing at the Norwich location of Trillium Care Communities, a 25-bed retirement home.

The Oxford detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police has confirmed they are investigating a reported fraud. On Aug. 21, police were notified and the initial investigation determined there were multiple victims with an estimated loss of over $50,000. Police say the investigation is ongoing and they have a suspect.

The Echo was contacted by Miranda Guitard who is married to the grandson of a resident at the home. She

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said the suspect police are looking at is the former director of care, Julie Vitias, a Tillsonburg resident. The home released a letter explaining she is no longer employed there.

“Effective August 20, 2024, Julie Vitias is no longer with Trillium Norwich. We are pleased to announce Davyd Yushkin has been appointed as the new manager…We understand your questions and concerns. Davyd is available to address any matters related to your loved one’s care.”

The Echo emailed and called Yushkin but did not hear back before press time but was able to hear from Anna Nikitenko who said she was the general manager for Trillium Care Communities.

gathered

games, rides, competitions and much more at the Fairgrounds last weekend for the 2024 Woodstock Fair. Story on page 13.

(RON YUZARK PHOTO)

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Police and RHRA have launched investigations

“The lady is not working since Sept. 2.”

The letter provided to family and residents said Vitias was released from her duties on Aug. 20. Nikitenko reiterated Vitias was let go on Sept. 2, a date a week away.

The Echo asked what details can be shared about the investigation into the alleged financial abuse at the home, and if the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA) was contacted. The RHRA is the governing body for retirement homes in Ontario.

“Of course.”

Yushkin was also asked who owns the company and what other locations they have.

“No, I can not tell you. I will be able to speak with you after the investigation. I will be happy to share the information but I can’t do it right now.”

The company’s Facebook page shows at least one other property in Toronto or Bloor Street. Its website is currently offline, something Yushkin attributed to technical issues.

Giutard alleged Vitias has stolen over $5,000 in money that was supposed to go towards paying the monthly fee but said others have been taken for far more. Rent payments were made via e-transfer but the payment was sent to an address not from the company.

“I was very specific on every e-transfer I made. I would put a note for all the dollars I spent. The email she gave me was a Gmail and I got a security question. She would

fill in the answer and accept the money.”

She added when you look up the email address of any employee it was a name followed by @trilliumcarecommunities.ca.

“She created a Gmail account for the money to be sent to which obviously would have been connected to her own personal bank account. I never got any receipts. When I look back at it, holy s@#t on me.”

Residents of a long-term care or retirement home are required to get income tax receipts at the end of the year for income tax purposes but are also given a monthly receipt following payment. Guitard said she has no idea if Pat is even on the home’s roster.

“I asked Julie a number of times for the lease agreement but it was like pulling teeth to get it. Excuse after excuse. I finally got it on Aug. 20. Pat was admitted in June. She sent it to me the day she was fired and it was an incomplete lease agreement so I texted Julie and said I would be there in 20 minutes to pick up the rest of it.”

She explained that was the time when Vitias explained she had resigned from her position at the home. She added Pat was admitted to the home in mid-June and it didn’t take long for Vitias to reach out after the new resident exhibited behaviours.

“My husband and I were on our way to Michigan to go camping and my phone was ringing off the hook. She called me to say Pat was having extreme behaviours and I didn’t tell her she had a behavioural support worker. She felt like I duped her

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into taking her into the home.”

Guitard said Vitias did her own due diligence when she assessed Pat at the Ingersoll Hospital and while she doesn’t know if her medical issues were disclosed, she accused Vitias of bending the truth.

“It was lie after lie after lie and I called her out on it and I didn’t trust her. Since Pat moved in, they have sent her to the Woodstock Hospital about a dozen times. We are going through med changes but she wants to leave but she can’t so she hits her cane on the door.”

Giutard is helping her husband with his grandmother’s care after it became unsafe for her to be alone.

“Pat is 90 years old and was living on her own. She was at the hospital in Ingersoll for a month and I was advised to tour the facility in Norwich. I went and it is a nice setting. It didn’t feel institutional and was a large Victorian-style home,” she said.

season

Guitard, a mental health and addictions worker, explained Pat makes suicidal statements, but when a 90-year-old woman said she wanted to kill herself it was a concern. She explained the home’s staff should be better trained in dealing with behaviours, including how to help a senior when they are exit-seeking, which she said thankfully the home is prepared to do. She added the police investigation into potential fraud is a step in the right direction.

“I feel a sense of relief knowing that the situation is being taken seriously and that justice may be pursued. It’s reassuring to

have authorities involved, which can bring some comfort and hope for accountability and resolution. No senior in a care facility like Trillium should ever have to worry about becoming victim to something like this,” added Guitard.

The Echo reached out to the RHRA and was provided a statement from Raymond Chan, the organization’s manager of public affairs.

“The RHRA acts swiftly to investigate when alerted of an alleged offence committed by a staff member or owner of a licensed retirement home. An investigation consists of interviews, collecting evidence, reviewing documents and determining whether an offence has been committed.”

He added there are a number of penalties a home could face following an investigation including a compliance order, a monetary administrative penalty, a management order and even an order revoking a license to operate.

A summary of any such action will be published to the retirement home’s profile on the RHRA’s public database. If the RHRA determines there is probable grounds that an offence had been committed under section 98 of the Retirement Homes Act, the RHRA may file charges through the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Oxford OPP Major Crime Unit is assisting with the investigation and is asking that anyone who knows something about these frauds to contact the Oxford OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *677 via cell phone.

FRONT

The Retirement Home Regulatory Authority has confirmed they have launched an unspecified investigation at Norwich’s Trillium Care Communities. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

Provincial funding adds mental health resource for youth in Oxford County

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ontario government said it is making it faster and easier for young people to connect to mental health and substance use services by launching a new Youth Wellness Hub to serve Oxford County. This is one of 10 new hubs the government is adding to the network of 22 hubs bringing the total to 32 across the province.

“Our government is continuing to take action to improve mental health and addictions services in communities across Ontario, and support people and their families living with mental health and substance use challenges,” said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health. “As we expand the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province, young people in Oxford County can connect to the mental health and addictions care they need, in one convenient location, closer to home.”

Beginning in 2025, the new hub will connect youth aged 12 to 25 in Oxford County to convenient and free mental health, substance use and primary care services in a safe, youth-friendly space. Rural communities in the area will also be supported by a mobile hub model,

making it easier for youth to drop in for in-person counselling or peer support close to their home.

Other services provided through the hub will also include supports for newcomers and access to community and social supports and employment services.

Wellkin Child and Youth Mental Health is leading the co-design of the Oxford County Youth Wellness Hub with local community partners ensuring diverse youth voices are at the centre of the design of the hub model.

"The approval and funding for our Brightside Youth Hub is one of the best gifts we can give as a community to our youth,” said Wellkin executive director Kelly Baker. “We thank Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (and the government) for their support in making this vision a reality. The coming together of community partners is a testament to the community’s commitment to putting children and youth first in Oxford County. Youth today are struggling, and a Youth Wellness Hub is an opportunity to change that.”

She added that by making a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for youth, by youth, young people aged 12 to 25 will have a place where they can find help, and most importantly, find connection.

“It is a place that lets them know our community cares about them. They are our future, and they need to know they matter."

Between 2020 and 2023, Ontario established a provincial network of 22 Youth Wellness Hubs that they say have connected 43,000 youth and their families to mental health, substance use, and wellness services, accounting for over 168,000 visits.

"Our government recognizes that youth in our province need mental health and substance use support closer to home to continue thriving in rural communities,” said Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman. “The new Youth Wellness Hub in Woodstock will provide these essential services to young people across Oxford County, offering comprehensive support and high-quality care when they need it most,” he added.

Associate minister of mental health and addictions Michael Tibollo said by continuing to expand the network of hubs, the government is ensuring youth across the province have convenient access to the highest-quality mental health and addiction supports, when and where they need them.

Wellkin Child and Youth Mental Health is leading the co-design of the

Oxford County Youth Wellness Hub with local community partners ensuring diverse youth voices are at the centre of the design of the hub model.

Zorra Township cuts the ribbon on much needed outdoor pavilion

beautiful day.”

As Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman pointed out, the ribbon cutting for the new pavilion at the Embro-Zorra Community Centre was the one day bad weather could be tolerated.

But when the community got to finally cut the ribbon on its crowd-funded project, it was sunny and warm.

“It’s a beautiful day for it,” Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan said. “But I guess now that we have this every day would be a

On Aug. 14, Zorra citizens and politicians alike were at the newly completed Embro-Zorra Community Centre’s outdoor pavilion, a 40’ by 80’ covered pavilion structure that is equipped with plumbing and electrical and has accessible picnic tables.

The pavilion was a community-led project completed in time for this year’s highly anticipated Embro Highland Games.

It was funded in part by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which donated

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$90,000, the Township of Zorra, which provided $58,000, and the Zorra Caledonian Society, which donated $40,000, among other sponsors and community members.

Helen Dowd and Gord McKay, cochairs of the committee responsible for the pavilion and representatives from the Zorra Caledonian Society, told the Echo that this was a major project and one that was needed for the community. That’s why the society put up such a big amount of money.

“We want people to take us seriously,”

Dowd said. “And that’s why we’re coming into the meeting with $40,000.” It was raised over years of saving money. That money was planned for a big project, but it was unknown what project it would be for at that time.

Later, Dowd told the crowd that gathered for the ribbon cutting that their ahha moment came during the 2018 Embro Highland Games when they had to move the event to Canada’s Outdoor Park in Woodstock due to construction.

“In 40-degree heat, we saw the crowd flock to the many sheltered options that

CONNOR LUCZKA Echo Correspondent

John Lohuis of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan, and Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman stand behind the ribbon before it was officially cut. The three were joined by a swath of people who assisted in getting the project off the ground. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

they had available on their grounds,” Dowd said. “And we knew right then and there that we needed to do this back here in Embro.”

Ryan thanked township staff for their work behind the scenes, facilitating the development, and reiterated just how important it was that the community got this done.

He said council took the position of funding a portion of the project and inviting the community to fundraise as well because it gets them invested financially and emotionally.

“There is something to be said for the community saying ‘We're going to go out and we're going to actually beat the doors in our own community and we're

going to invest in it, not just financially, but emotionally. We’re going to be invested in this project happening. It's ours. We made it happen.’”

That sentiment was echoed by John Lohuis, a representative from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“One of the things that we look for when we look at these grants is the degree to which the community is already raising money or donating in kind,” said Lohuis. “You had that long list of people and construction companies and others that have helped on this. So, it's truly a large community effort, and that's just amazing. You should celebrate this great structure because it brings community together.”

COMING SOON Extended library branch hours

We asked, you answered.

Thank you to everyone who completed the 2024 Rural Community Engagement Survey earlier this year.

Thanks to your feedback, we are extending the hours of operation at our rural library branches to serve you better!

New hours will take effect in September. Learn more at www.ocl.net

Gord McKay and Helen Dowd, co-chairs of the committee responsible for the pavilion and representatives from the Zorra Caledonian Society, said that the idea for the pavilion came during the 40 degree heat that lingered over the 2018 Embro Highland Games.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

Fanshawe’s Oxford campus gets its own Career Closet

Fanshawe College students at the Woodstock Oxford Regional Campus now have more on-campus access to work attire.

Fanshawe is expanding its Career Closet program to the Oxford campus at 369 Finkle Street just in time for the Fall 2024 semester beginning this September. The

initiative is run by the college’s Career, Co-Op and Employment services and lends professional clothing attire such as blazers, dress pants, collared shirts, and suits, to students for job interviews and other opportunities. The items are professionally dry-cleaned after each use. Gently used and clean work attire pieces can be donated in Room 110.

“It's super exciting that the Career Closet is coming to the Woodstock Campus,” said Jillian Wojtasiak, cus -

tomer service representative for the Woodstock Oxford Regional Campus. “This means students will have easy access to great professional outfits, perfect for job interviews, job fairs, and other professional opportunities. With this access, students won’t have to stress about what to wear and can focus on showing off their skills and confidence.

I am happy to be a part of an initiative that is going to help students make a strong impression as they kick off their careers.”

Wojtasiak also said that it’s been great working with Fanshawe’s main campus in London to bring the program to Woodstock.

“They've been super supportive and easy to work with, helping us get everything in place for the Woodstock Campus Career Closet,” she said. “Their input and enthusiasm have made the process smooth and exciting. It has been a great team effort, and we are excited to see how this will benefit our students.”

Darlene O’Neill, Fanshawe’s director of employment and entrepreneurial services, said the Career Closet helps alleviate the stress of job interviews and buying clothes for them, especially when students already face financial pressures as is.

“By alleviating some of the stress associated with putting their best self forward, we may be adding to their success in that interview. We are here to support all our students and branching out to the regional campuses is a core component of our Here for You brand.

Often it is difficult for students to come to Oxford Street to borrow professional clothing. Now they don’t have to.”

The Career Closet at Fanshawe’s London campus saw several donations pour in during the past year. 429 students accessed the service within the last academic year. Any questions or comments about Career Closet can be sent to doneill@fanshawec.ca.

EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

Fanshawe College will be expanding its Career Closet this fall by bringing one to the Oxford Woodstock Regional Campus in the upcoming semester. The Career Closet allows students to borrow professional attire for job interviews and other opportunities at no cost to them.

(BRIGITTE MACKINNON PHOTO)

Highway 59 bridge construction

WOODSTOCK HOSPITAL WORK

A concrete section is being replaced at the hospital’s main entrance walkway. While the work is underway, some of the walkway and roundabout are temporarily fenced off. Work is expected to take approximately two weeks.

Construction is progressing on the Oxford Road 59 (Vansittart Avenue) bridge. Stage 1 of construction is expected to wrap up later this week and Stage 2 construction will begin immediately. During Stage 2, work will move from the west side of the bridge to the

east side. For motorists, Oxford Road 59 from Devonshire Avenue to Tecumseh Street will remain closed to southbound traffic, with existing detour routes still in place. Northbound traffic remains open in a single lane, but motorists should expect delays. Tecumseh St. is open to local traffic only. For more information, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/59bridge.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Impaired driver arrested

Woodstock Police Service briefs

A 66-year-old Woodstock resident is facing impaired driving charges, a driver’s licence suspension and vehicle impound after police responded to the LCBO on Dundas Street in the afternoon on Saturday, Aug. 24 for reports of a lone male driver who was showing signs of impairment.

Police say the driver was arrested and later provided a breath sample indicating he had almost three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

The Woodstock Police Service would like to remind drivers to find a safe, alternate way home rather than getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking.

Police lay drug and possession

charges

Two people are facing charges after police conducted a routine traffic stop in the city on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Just before 3 p.m. an officer stopped on a suspended driver on Reeve Street. During the interaction with the driver, police identified an expandable baton in the vehicle and a substantial amount of three different controlled substances as well as Canadian currency.

A 48-year-old male with no fixed address faces charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and driving while suspended. A 50-year-old Norwich male has been charged with three counts of possession of a Schedule I Substance, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

Police say they recovered metham -

phetamine, fentanyl and cocaine. Investigation leads to drug bust

In June 2024, the Woodstock Police Service Drug Enforcement and Criminal Intelligence Unit initiated a drug trafficking investigation that resulted in two arrests. On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Drugs and Intel Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit, Community Response Unit, Canine Unit and Uniform Patrol executed a search warrant.

A 39-year-old Woodstock woman is facing three counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.

Police say they seized an approximate street value of $3740 worth of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and oxyco -

done in addition to over $1000 in Canadian money.

A 41-year-old Woodstock resident was also arrested as they were wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Flight from police

A driver is facing charges after fleeing from police in an attempted traffic stop.

On Wednesday, Aug. 14 at approximately 11:25 a.m., a police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lansdowne Avenue/Township Road 3. The vehicle accelerated away from police at a high rate of speed but was located at a residence in the area.

The 22-year-old driver from Woodstock was arrested and is facing charges of flight from a peace officer, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, unsafe operation of a vehicle, and driving a motor vehicle with no license plates.

Current contract set to expire on Sept. 22

“There is a lot of work we want to bring in that has been contracted out. For instance, all the trucks we sell are shrink-wrapped and we think we can do that here. It doesn’t bring in hundreds of workers but if we can bring in a bunch of work like that it would help.”

He added the plant has a stamping shop with four large presses that has been shut down.

“I thought we could do custom stamping. It’s a huge business. I know GM will argue it’s not the core business and I understand that, but it’s still work for

our members. We could also slow the lines down and if we do that and get more sales that could potentially bring everybody back.”

Since the last contract started three years ago, members have not had fulltime employment. Workers continue to work for two weeks and then have two weeks off.

“It’s very tough. Some of the older guys I don’t think mind it. We get paid while we are off but only a percentage. For our members in their late 20s and early 30s, these are their big earning years. The cost of living has gone up

so much. Anyone can handle a layoff for a short period of time, but we’ve been doing it for about four years,” explained Van Boekel.

He added it’s also tough on Ingersoll and area communities because CAMI employees aren’t spending the amount of money they normally would if they had full-time hours. The union chair said he isn’t blaming GM for the current situation and wants to work with them to come up with a deal. The company injected $2 billion into the Ingersoll facility.

“They came with the money and a

new idea. We had Equinox and Terrain which were both huge sellers but unfortunately, they took those to Mexico where it’s cheaper and they don’t have the environmental standards and human rights laws we have. We were six days a week here for eight years. They gave us a product they thought would sell big and I still believe in the trucks.”

Van Boekel feels they are a year or two away from hitting sales targets. The first order for the EV trucks went to Walmart’s American division, something he hopes will continue.

“Those are the orders we want. If Walmart likes what it gets, they can order thousands of them. We want companies like UPS or the post office to get interested where potentially thousands could be sold and keep us going for months.”

He also has some ideas on how to retrofit the EVs including adding refrigeration units and even for use as a motorhome.

“A guy from Colorado ordered about 300 of them and is turning them into motorhomes. He thinks it will be a huge seller, especially with seniors who don’t drive all day. They can park for the night and charge it up. There are some ideas GM never thought of that will develop over time.”

The bargaining process is often a long one and Van Boekel expects talks to go down to the wire approaching the Sept. 22 deadline for a new deal.

“We will eventually move into a hotel where we have rooms booked and break into different sub-committees. As we get closer to the deadline, we will work around the clock for probably the last two nights. I fully expect we will come out of it with a contract. A lengthy strike won’t be good for anybody.”

Van Boekel said there have been some good conversations to date between the two sides.

Members of CUPE Local 88 have voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action at CAMI where EV delivery vehicles are built. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Ontario Provincial Police briefs

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ingersoll man faces impaired charges

Police arrested a driver after investigating a single vehicle collision in the Township of Zorra.

On Aug. 19 at approximately 9 p.m., the Oxford detachment of the OPP received a report of a vehicle in the ditch on the 37th Line in Zorra Township.

After speaking to the driver, police observed signs of impairment and made an arrest.

Police say a 27-year-old Ingersoll man was charged with impaired driving in addition to dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The accused has been released and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Woodstock on Sept. 24.

Police looking into fatal collision involving a pedestrian

Oxford OPP is investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision involving a pedestrian on the outskirts of Tillsonburg.

At approximately 7:34 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23 officers along with Oxford

County Paramedic Services, responded to a collision involving a pedestrian on Potters Road in Tillsonburg.

Police say a pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck while walking along the roadway and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Details about the deceased individual have not been released.

The driver of the pickup truck was uninjured and remained at the scene.

Potters Road, between Westtown Line and Rock Mills Road, was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Norwich teen faces multiple charges

A 19-year-old Norwich resident faces a long list of charges following an investigation of intimate partner violence in the Township of Norwich.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 the police investigated an assault in progress. There was an increased police presence in the northwest area of Norwich as a result. Minor injuries were reported.

The accuses faces charges of uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, trespassing at night, three counts of resisting a peace officer and two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon.

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Maple Leaf Fund helping Oxford County’s food security and food education programs

EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

The Oxford Community Foundation (OCF) is making sure organizations across Oxford County have the equipment they need to run programs addressing food security and food education needs.

The OCF’s Maple Leaf Fund awarded seven organizations to support capital-related needs of their programs addressing security. The fund was distributed as follows:

• $17,935 to VON Oxford for student nutrition programs at elementary schools in Oxford County

• $3,500 to Cycles of Life for their food rescue program

• $5,000 to Youth Unlimited YFC Woodstock for The Table program, which supports high school students

• $5,110 to Dayspring Pregnancy and Family Support Centre for their Baby Brunch Crockpot Meal preparation education program

• $5,825 to United Way Oxford for ensuring an Ingersoll transitional home has a kitchen

• $5,275 for South Gate Centre’s Meals for Seniors program

• $6,300 for the Multi-Service Centre’s Frozen Meals on Wheels program in Tillsonburg

Louise Wardrop, executive director of OCF, said the funding will cover capital-related costs such as freezers, refrigerators, tables, chairs, dishwashers, crock pots, and other appliances.

"All of these organizations do a fantastic job with fundraising,” Wardrop said. “To be able to help them purchase some of these bigger things for programs that are so important, it gives us a lot of satisfaction and pride to be able to support our community in the way that we can through the Maple Leaf Fund."

The Maple Leaf Fund honours the

late Harvey and Erma Beaty. Harvey founded Cold Springs Farms in Thamesford, which grew into an agri-business franchise over the years until its eventual acquisition by Maple Leaf Foods. Wardrop said she remembers several of her friends working for Cold Springs and the generosity of Harvey as he gave back to the community, even after his passing through the fund.

“We know it takes a village and he was a huge contributor to his local community, and he continues to do so even years after he's passed,” she said. Food security has been a growing issue ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The cost of living crisis has made food security an even larger issue now, as well as a decrease in volunteers.

“We're absolutely seeing an increase through the organizations we work with and support,” Wardrop said. “Food is a big demand, and the unfortunate part is many of these organizations are run by many caring people in our community and since COVID, a third of the volunteers have not come back. That makes being able to support the demand for food even more challenging when you don't have the same networks of people being able to support the programs. It is a challenge and we are seeing that in our community where demand has increased and yet, the number of people supporting these programs isn't at the same level. It's coming back, but it's not at the same level as it used to be."

Applications for the Maple Leaf fund will re-open in February 2025. The OCF announced in an Aug. 22 press release that the OCF general fall granting has more than $42,000 available in multiple sectors in the region. More information can be found by visiting oxfordcommunityfoundation. org/grant-application.

Harvest market in Ingersoll

On Aug. 24, the Kiwanis Ingersoll Harvest Market offered a delightful day of family activities at the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum. Admission to the event was free, as were all the children's activities, including train rides, face painting, museum activities and balloon fun. The event featured a weekly Farmers' Market vendors, handcrafted artisan goods, a Kids Zone with farm animal attractions, miniature train rides, balloon artists, exhibits and presentations from the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum, food demonstrations, a chainsaw wood carver, live entertainment, a variety of food trucks, and activities hosted by the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre. The weather provided the perfect backdrop for a day of exploration and enjoyment.

Food Favorites from Smoke and Grill.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Entertainment by Adelle and Ronny Knopf and Nik Odermatt of You Had Me.

Left: Walter, on his vintage Case Tractor, pulled attendees around the event.

A walk down memory lane of Woodstock’s businesses

Braemar Women’s Institute member Mary Walton stands proudly beside the showcase containing her branch’s book titled “Grandmother’s Quilt Blocks” from 1958. Mary Walton designed and did the handiwork of the cover plus one of the quilt blocks inside as a young farmwife and mother.

Members of the Braemar Women’s Institute explored the current exhibit at the Woodstock Museum National Historic Site History Museum in downtown Woodstock on Aug. 7. It is tilted “It Came from Woodstock! Souvenirs, Swag and Ephemera.”

Among the items on display were rulers, pens and pencils from businesses from long ago. There were a few calendars with landscape or animal themes, cups and saucers, and church plates in a display case. Someone donated a collection of store receipts that were used before the current use of automatic cash registers and credit cards.

Also on display was a travelling exhibit titled, “Beyond Blue & White: Wedgwood Designed for Canada.” The exhibit came from the King Heritage and Cultural Centre in King City Ontario.

Both exhibits can be viewed until Sept. 14.

The highlight of the visit was finding the Braemar Women’s Institute book titled, Grandmother’s Quilt Blocks, in the main gallery. The official museum catalogue describes the book as a

“scrapbook of 18 different quilt blocks complete with a description of each pattern. The cover is blue quilted cotton over cardboard. Letters are embroidered in gold floss on the cover. Book is held together with four blue and white shoelaces threaded through buttonholes along the back edge of book. A poem on the back page: “THE PATCHWORK QUILT” is printed as well, and the names of the members of the Braemar Women's Institute who worked on the book are also listed.”

The Braemar Women’s Institute book was the branch’s competition entry for the competition in the Oxford North District. The judging took place at the Presbyterian Church in Innerkip in 1958 and Braemar’s book won first prize among the three books submitted for the competition.

Mary Walton, who designed and did the handiwork of the cover, was so pleased to see the book on display in the glass-enclosed showcase. The book contains special memories of her friends and their quilt blocks. It is also important when researching textile and social history.

Refreshments were served and the business section was completed at a member’s home in Woodstock.

LAURA GREEN

Echo Contributor

(LAURA GREEN PHOTO)

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Oxford County bird tests positive for West Nile Virus

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Thursdays and Fridays available for 2024 – August 2025. Book now!

A dead bird in Ingersoll has tested positive for West Nile virus. Dead birds are collected and tested as part of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative surveillance program and positive results are reported to Public Health Ontario. Neither Southwestern Public Health nor Public Health Ontario collect dead birds directly for West Nile virus testing.

Birds can get the virus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

"The identification of a bird that has West Nile virus is a reminder to protect ourselves from mosquitoes," said Amy Pavletic, Manager of Environmental Health at Southwestern Public Health.

Southwestern Public Health recommends removing standing water from around yards to prevent mosquito breeding opportunities. Residents can

also protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes by using DEETbased repellents; wearing light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, pants, and socks in areas where mosquitos are present. It is also a good idea to change the water in bird baths every other day, keep pool pumps circulating and install screens to cover the openings of rain barrels.

Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Those who do usually experience mild flu-like symptoms. Fewer than one per cent of people infected with the virus get seriously ill. Contact your primary care provider if you exhibit flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit the health unit’s website at https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/ news/bird-in-ingersoll-tests-positivefor-west-nile-virus.aspx.

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Woodstock Fair is a fantastic event for families in Woodstock and surrounding areas. It offers a wide range of activities for all ages, from youth-focused events like Old MacDonald's Barn and scavenger hunts to exciting shows like the Halfinger Horse Show and Great Canadian Lumber Jack Shows. If you missed this year's fair, be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event. It's a great way to spend a few days with family and friends and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a county fair.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Annual Woodstock Fair

Taking on the challenge with support from her friends at the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance display, a non-profit to promote harness racing.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Cierra and Matt Thomas with Kiah and Zan taking in the Fair. Kimmely from New Galma Dairy and Creamery grooming her Holstein grooming her entry in the show.

Right: Water Racer challenge by Carny Amber.

Ontario’s largest outdoor farm show ready for 2024

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show returns on September 10 to 12 with demonstrations that give farmers hands-on experiences to drive new equipment, see demonstrations in the field and talk to companies bringing the latest in agriculture technology to the farm.

“Farmers want to know how something is going to work, especially when it comes to equipment, engines or power units,” said Rob O’Connor, business development lead and show director. “At this show, farmers have the opportunity to try out different models or see equipment operating in the field from a large number of companies in one place.”

There are 100-plus acres of trade show space to explore at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show,

plus additional acres for demonstrations with crops, equipment and live animals, farmers can experience the latest in equipment and products for the farm.

“An added benefit is that it’s easy for farm -

ers to get their questions answered with over 600 exhibitors onsite,” said O’Connor. “Many farmers come with a mission to find out more about a specific product or solve a challenge they are facing.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is back in Woodstock, running from Sept. 10 to 12.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo SPORTS

Carly Brintnell

Sales Representative

Cell: 519 - 635- 8640

Office: 519 - 539 - 2070

Email: carlybrintnell@royallepage.ca

Website: carlybrintnell.royallepage.ca

757 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON N4S 1E8

Woodstock 13U Wranglers finish Baseball Canada national tournament in fourth

A game of inches came down to about 18 of them for the Woodstock 13U Wranglers, frustrated in their Baseball Canada national championship bronze medal final 3-2 by Quebec 1 in nine innings.

British Columbia would make the most of its long journey to Woodstock, defeating Ontario 1 4-2 in a tight gold medal championship Sunday evening on the adjacent Southside East diamond. BC defeated Ontario 2 5-4, Prince Edward Island 15-0, Newfoundland and Labrador 13-3 in pool play, and New Brunswick 11-1 in a quarter-final matchup, advancing undefeated to the final with a 7-5 semi-final win over Quebec. Ontario 1 downed Alberta 20-1, Nova Scotia 11-1 and Quebec 2 15-9 in pool play, defeating Nova Scotia 16-1 in quarter-final action and Woodstock 5-3 in semi-finals.

In the medal game, Wranglers Owen Gibson and Aryan Pandey set the table in the bottom of the sixth, reaching on an error and apparent sacrifice bunt, which the latter punched past the left side of the pitcher’s mound and legged out for an infield base hit. Running all the way, Gibson alertly took third on the play.

Pandey stole second to join Gibson in scoring position with Wranglers second baseman Grant Hamulecki at the plate, his squad trailing 2-1. Facing a 1-2 count with the infield drawn in, the left-handed batting Hamulecki sharply grounded a ball down the first-base line, skipping agonizingly close to the bag, and potentially, a

two-run RBI double.

“My dad said it was about a foot-and-a-half (foul),” said Hamulecki.

Instead, the 1-2 count and runners held, Hamulecki retired 5-3 on a ground ball to third on the next pitch. Blake Baxter was hit in the right foot by a pitch, loading the bases. Gibson would tie the game at two on a passed ball, however, it would be the only run Woodstock plated in a promising inning, closed on a shallow fly ball to centre and pop-up fielded by the pitcher, respectively.

Neither team scored in the seventh, Pandey laying out in centre field to rob Quebec’s Anthony Seguin of a base hit. Woodstock pitcher Christopher Emery issued a leadoff walk in the visitors’ eighth but then helped himself on the front end of a comebacker 1-6-3 double play before striking out Benjamin Levesque to close the inning.

The game’s outcome continued to revolve around the first-base bag in the bottom of the eighth. Wranglers Owen Gibson stroked a solid single sandwiched by strikeouts, stealing second on a first-pitch curveball and advancing to third on a passed ball. Hamulecki drew a two-out walk, placing runners at first and third. Baxter followed with a sharply hit ground ball to the hole at short, a tough play at any level. Quebec first baseman Olivier Bouthillier made a game-saving snag, hanging onto the bag with his foot as he dove to his right, backhanding Louis Lessard’s throw on one hop.

Translated through his sparse English, a guy old enough to have worked with French primers in tobacco harvest and teammates, Bouthillier said he saw the ball wasn’t coming cleanly to him, confessing he didn’t think

he had made the play.

“I was happy,” Bouthillier smiled.

Quebec’s Olivier Parent lined a solid single to centre to lead off the top of the ninth. He was erased on the front end of a 5-4-3 double-play attempt which came up just short, with the eventual winning run chased to third on an Antoine Renaud double to the left-centre gap. Guilbeault came home with what would stand as the game-winning run on a Mavrik Morin sacrifice fly to centre, before Emery got out of the inning on a pop to third.

Connor McNorton legged out a slow chopper to third for an infield hit to lead off the home ninth, but Quebec turned a 5-4-3 double play, a second one-hopper dug by Bouthillier, to push the Wranglers to the brink. Woodstock’s Owen Gower spoiled a nasty, low 1-2 pitch en route to working a two-out walk. Guilbeault locked up the victory in relief on a fly ball to left.

Quebec opened scoring in the top of the first on a Lessard grounder up the middle and a solid Parent RBI single to right. Woodstock answered with some small ball in the home half, Pandey singling between third and short, taking second on a passed ball and third on an infield groundout before scoring on a second passed ball. Quebec took the lead on an unearned run in the top of the fifth, Seguin reaching on an error and scoring on a bad-hop single past a drawn-in infield.

Woodstock had its chances, unable to produce a run on two singles and a walk in the home third, lining into a 5-3 double play on a hit-and-run in the third, and having two runners caught stealing by Seguin, whose throwing arm both limited and threatened Woodstock’s running

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

JEFF TRIBE Echo Contributor

Woodstock’s Nico Tedesco slides safely into second during the Wranglers tournament-opening 8-2 win over Manitoba.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Woodstock’s Connor McNorton puts his bat on the ball during the Baseball Canada 13U bronze medal game, Sunday evening at Woodstock’s Southside West diamond.

game.

Disappointed at the moment, Hamulecki could find solace in the fact the Wranglers played their trademark quality defence through the national tournament, along with finding an offensive boost.

LEE GRIFFI Editor

Area junior hockey fans will notice a new look for the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) this season.

“We can say we’re top four in Canada,” he summed up. Pandey, one of six additions the Wranglers were allowed to make for nationals, would have happily traded player of the game honours for team bronze medals. There were points in the game he felt Woodstock ‘could

have done better.’

“But it’s a game of inches.”

Like Hamulecki, he was disappointed with the bronze outcome, however enjoyed the tournament experience 100 per cent.

“Great players and great teammates too,” he said, calling the chance to play in nationals a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity. “I’m just happy I was part of this group.”

The Wranglers had opened pool play Thursday with an 8-2 win over Manitoba, finishing the day at 2-0 on the strength of an 11-1 victory over New Brunswick. Woodstock dropped a tough 8-7 decision to Quebec #1 Friday afternoon but rebounded with a 13-4 quarter-final win over Ontario #2 that placed them in a Sunday morning semi-final against Ontario #1.

Wranglers manager Jeff Shapton called a narrow 5-3 loss against a team that had dominated opponents, an event highlight.

“That was huge for us.”

Shapton would also have preferred to end with medals around his team’s neck.

“We had lots of chances to win, just didn’t go our way, didn’t get the bounces - and that’s baseball.”

Classy in defeat as well as victory, Shapton tipped his camp to Quebec, while celebrating his team.

“They played the best baseball they’ve ever played,” he summed up, appreciating results from a small-town team playing against the nation’s best competition.

“And we ended up fourth in the country.”

PJHL unveils new look and partnership Provincial Junior Hockey League

The league has decided to rebrand itself with a new look, logo and slogan as it comes closer to launching the 2024-25 season.

Mitchell Giamou is the league’s new social media and marketing manager and said the priority when he was hired in February was to develop ways to showcase the league to new audiences and revamp the look.

“One of the things we focused on was #LevelUp as our hashtag for the upcoming season. We talked about how we bring a new look, feel and direction and started working on the logo towards the end of the playoffs.”

#LevelUp represents the league’s growth in size and reach over the past few years and aligns with the goal of making a game a must-see event across Ontario.

The logo, designed by Giamou, was presented to teams and board of directors at the league’s annual general meeting in April and the OHA AGM in June.

“We came up with a new feel but at the same time matching other Ontario Hockey Association leagues. We came to a decision a few months ago and have been working tirelessly on integrating the new website, the new look and feel and getting the graphics together.”

The website remains hosted by HockeyTech meaning it has the same functionality as the previous one but Giamou explained they aren’t done with it yet.

“We have the same shell but are hoping to revamp it to be more present during some games. I have presented a few new pages that are updated daily with new storylines around the league which come from the teams.”

Giamou has a background in coding and feels he can push the site’s limits to bring fans a more interesting experience in addition to attracting new fans.

“When I started it was a dark-looking site so we added a brighter, more welcoming tone as well as being more organized. We also have more space for sponsors. There are still a few things to be implemented but number one we wanted to make it brighter to the eye.”

The PJHL is also improving its social media presence along and its live streaming service, available

with a paid membership.

“Every team will have cameras installed and we are going to be able to bring highlights and video to our social media channels. Whether that’s me capturing something live or postgame, we will have a top five plays of the week to have more eyes on the on-ice product as opposed to just being at the game.”

With over 60 teams on the ice in the league, Giamou is fully aware he can’t attend every game but wants to highlight special events including the first game for a PJHL team, the Streetsville Derbys.

The league’s efforts to improve its marketing efforts don’t just have the goal of attracting new followers while giving their current fans more to take in. Player recruitment is also at the forefront.

“We are the biggest junior hockey league in Ontario, if not Canada, so we want to make sure we are showcasing what we can do as a league and what opportunities we can provide to potential players. They can see a team winning the Schmaltz Cup and what it’s like to hoist the trophy.”

PJHL commissioner Terry Whiteside shared his excitement about the league’s new look.

“The PJHL is taking a fresh new look. Our marketing team has come up with a modern exciting look and should entice greater fan engagement and pride in

our league through our social media pages. We look forward to bringing this new look to the league this season.”

Another part of Giamou’s role is to attract new sponsors and partnerships and the league has just announced it has joined forces with a Canadian-based online ticket platform, Showpass. The six-year agreement will allow fans to purchase their tickets ahead of time and in-person digitally for the upcoming 20242025 season and beyond.

“It won’t be fully integrated this year but 25 teams will be involved in a pilot. They are getting their equipment soon to prepare for the regular season. The goal is to give teams an avenue to bring in new revenue, broadcast themselves on a different platform and give them more of a digital presence.”

Giamou said he realizes the league has a cash-atthe-door mentality but he hopes the new service will cater to those more digitally focused fans to have the option to purchase tickets ahead of time or at the door with a debit or credit card. The league hopes to have all 63 teams running Showpass for the 2025-26 season and locally the Tavistock Braves and Woodstock Navy Vets are part of this season’s pilot.

To take a look at the new website go to https://www. thepjhl.ca/.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

British Columbia defeated Ontario 1 by a 4-2 margin in the Baseball Canada 13U national championship final, Sunday evening in Woodstock.

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STALLIONS WIN A PAIR OF WEEKEND GAMES

The U9 Woodstock Stallions played in Stratford last weekend, competing in a pair of 7-aside games. The team was able to win both games.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Ontario’s largest outdoor farm show ready for 2024

This show is a great way to stay on top of advancements that are moving agriculture forward.”

The event has been highlighting innovative equipment and technology from leading agriculture companies for 31 years. The 2024 show highlights include:

• Equipment Demonstrations - featuring spring tillage, forage baling and drones from dozens of companies that operate equipment in the fields located at the show.

• Autonomous Equipment Demonstration - Haggerty AgRobotics shares a range of equipment for robotic seeding and weeding.

• Ride and Drives - feature test drives for sprayers, telehandlers, skid steers and compact loaders.

• Crop Plot Displays - thirteen com -

panies share seed, fertilizer, plant health and crop protection products for common eastern Canadian crops.

• Livestock Central - industry-specific information for dairy, beef, goat and sheep producers.

This is the first year for the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation’s ‘Discover Rural Oxford’ booth.

The exhibit will host 15 local, rural businesses. Participating establishments will not only showcase and sell their products but also offer visitors an interactive experience, allowing them to taste, touch, or try the locally sourced goods firsthand. For more information go to https://ruraloxford.ca/ discover/.

More details on the show itself are located at https://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/.

September 2nd 2024 is the day we honour those who have worked incredibly hard to make the lives of all Canadians worthwhile. The membership of Unifor Local 88 in Ingersoll hopes that on this day all workers will be recognized and acknowledged for dedication to their jobs and positive contributions to society. We at Local 88 extend best wishes to everyone on this upcoming Labour Day Holiday.

Thamesford News

YOUR LOCAL THAMESFORD TRAVEL CONSULTANT

JULIE TAYLOR

Travel Consultant

Cell: 519-859-9371

julie@stonetowntravel.com www.stonetowntravel.com

Born to buck - third annual Purple Hill Ram Rodeo and Country Music Showcase was one to remember

CONNOR LUCZKA

Echo Correspondent

It was sunny skies and good tunes for this year’s Purple Hill Ram Rodeo and Country Music Showcase.

The third annual event took place, as it always does, at the Purple Hill Opry Hall in Thorndale, hosted by owners George and Anna Taylor.

George said that people were excited about it this year, not only because of the amenities and events offered but because it was in their backyards.

“We were getting so many compliments and thanks for actually doing it and putting it on, bringing it into the community,” George said. “Of course, the way (we) brought it into the community was (we) had some good community-minded sponsors. It would be difficult to bring it in if (we) didn't have those people that were interested in helping.”

George wanted to thank Glassford Motors Limited in Ingersoll and Blythe Dale Sand and Gravel for their help in getting the event off the ground.

The weekend at the rodeo kicked off with a cowboy party at the Purple Hill Opry Hall on Aug. 23, with live music from the Southbound Dance Band.

The following morning, the gates opened for a kids rodeo show with the Canadian Cowgirls, followed by two Ram Rodeo performances. Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain played during an intermission and country music star George Fox played with an all-star band for the country music showcase, a personal highlight for George.

“He is a country music icon,” George said. “And it was a delight to see him on the stage … George Fox started singing and the people were coming across the infield in a wave, from the rodeo arena to the outdoor bandstand.”

On Aug. 25, the Shelly Rastin Band and the Canadian Line Dance Champions played in between ram rodeo performances. The Canadian Country Showband and the Purple Hill Grand Ole Opry Show closed out the weekend in an afternoon showcase.

Although they are still determining exactly how many people came to the event over the weekend, about 8,000 people came last year and he expects a similar amount of people came this year.

“You know when people are walking up to you and thanking you very sincerely for bringing this show so that they could come and see it all tied together, both the rodeo and the country music showcase … it gives us quite a bit of encouragement for another year.”

George said he and the team are already thinking of ideas for next year. As a country music venue, he wants country

Ryland Doucette takes a ride on the mechanical bull on the Saturday show of the third annual Purple Hill Ram Rodeo and Country Music Showcase, which took place from Aug. 23 to 25. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

After a competitor is thrown off, the still-bucking horses are rounded up by experienced hands and brought back into their pens. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

From experienced cowboys to those just “learning this sport of rodeo,” as the announcer said, joined the multiple Ram Rodeo shows over the weekend. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

music to take centre stage of the event, for it to be a concert series that happens to have a rodeo playing at it.

“It’s a lot of work and it’s tough,” George said. “But, you know, it's when you got communities that get behind something like this – it makes it an awful lot easier, and it makes it possible.”

The Purple Hill Opry Hall was built in 1880 and is situated where the original Purple Hill

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Loyal Orange Lodge was. According to the hall’s Facebook page, on a map, it’s Purple Hill Farm, on Purple Hill Road, north of Evelyn Side Road, just east of London. For the people of the local community and surrounding area, it’s a testament to time, a symbol of success and a jewel that is both treasured and meant to be shared.”

It hosts events in the hall and auctions, weddings, and camping on its grounds.

Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain play during Saturday’s intermission to a tent-covered crowd. The three-day event had more than just horses on display. It kicked off with a cowboy party at the Purple Hill Opry Hall Friday night and carried on with multiple performances until the Canadian Country Showband and the Purple Hill Grand Ole Country Opry Show closed out the event on Sunday night.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

Huge crowds made it out to the Purple Hill Country Hall and campgrounds in Thorndale over the weekend, wandering the field filled with stalls of vendors and community representatives. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Musical surprises in Newfoundland

Canada’s newest province –though the first region in the country to be settled by Europeans – seems to be on everyone’s bucket list.

When it was announced that St. John’s, Nfld., was going to host the annual conference of the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), the conference sold out in very few hours. That had never happened before in the history of TMAC. It seems half the travellers I talk to these days have recently been to the Rock, or plan to go very soon. I can’t blame them.

Most of us travel to Newfoundland and Labrador with a set of assumptions packed in our carry-on. We plan to see whales and icebergs and maybe puffins. We intend to eat seafood. We are pretty sure we will see wildly coloured houses.

And we fully expect to hear some great, Celtic-based music.

Well, you will. The pubs and restaurants of St. John’s and other Newfoundland communities are surefire places to find fine musical entertainment.

And during my week in the St. John’s area, I was treated to a lot of down-east music, from an amazing, musical guided tour through Newfoundland musical tradition, presented by the troupe, Spirit of Newfoundland, to a singing guide on a whale-watching and puffin tour, to a one-man concert by a campfire.

That musician was Stephen Maher, a lifelong fisherman, carpenter and musician who now plays with his son, Liam, in a band called Down Forward.

Stephen captured the historic Newfoundland passion for music when he told me, “Irish/ Newfoundland music has played a major part in my life as my great-great-grandfather came from Cork, Ireland, and settled in Aquaforte in 1838.”

We heard solo artists and small bands performing in the pubs on George Street.

On the closing night of our conference, the organizers had booked The Navigators, one of the finest Celtic music bands in the province. So, when it came to my rather healthy appetite for great east-coast music, I was pretty satisfied.

But what I also loved was our discovery of the unexpected breadth of live music on offer in Newfoundland and Labrador. A classical string quartet greeted us in the foyer of the Emera In-

novation Exchange. And at the closing gala of our conference, we were introduced to another thriving facet of the St. John’s music and entertainment scene, drag.

Yep, our host and the entertainers for the evening were three of the many drag queens who practice their talented trade in the provincial capital.

A high point in the evening came when the host – glamorously made up and clad in a gorgeous red dress and very, very high heels – teased one of our board members and then said, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

We thought it was just a comic line until he revealed that he was Keith Power, the same person who performed as a “stereotypical” male Newfoundland singer, part of the Spirit of Newfoundland cast, who had sung songs by Newfoundland musicians from Ron Hynes to Great Big Sea. Turns out, Keith has a highly diversified musical act!

And please allow me a personal digression: one thing that did not happen (although the spirited Navigators’ concert might qualify) was a genuine kitchen party. I craved the experience of a few folks sitting around a room, playing and singing.

After the official conference, Jeanette, the Destination St. John’s representative who was going to take five of us on a three-day tour of the “Irish Loop”, reminded me that we had talked about how each of us plays guitar. As we set out on

the tour, I noticed a guitar in the back of the mini-bus.

“Are you going to play for us?” I asked Jeanette.

“No, my dear. You are,” she replied.

She had brought the instrument for me, and – I love this bit – because she didn’t have a guitar case, she had borrowed one from her ex-husband just so I could have a guitar to play.

So, sure enough, as we sat in the lounge of the Cliffs Edge Retreat on Witless Bay two nights later, she handed me the guitar and my colleagues, our Destination St. John’s hosts and most of the members of the March family who own the place, consumed a few beverages and sang song after song. I guess my age was showing, though. The next day, one of my younger colleagues told me she had never met anyone who knew so many protest

songs!

So, I even got my kitchen party – though they had to import the guitarist from southwestern Ontario, so I’m not sure it counted. But what touched me was the typical thoughtfulness and generosity of Jeanette, who went so far out of her way to bring me a moment of joy.

And that, I believe, is actually the number one reason people come to Newfoundland and Labrador. While the landscapes and seascapes are amazing, the natural adventures never-ending and the music superb, the best thing about the Rock will always be the people.

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 Echo Contributor

Stephen Maher, a local musician, dropped in on our campfire meal outside St. John's.

Guests at a reception in St. John's were greeted by a classical string quartet – perhaps not the down-east music they expected!

Our singing guide on the O'Brien's whale- and puffin-watching voyage. All photos by Paul Knowles.

Beachville museum hosts annual BBQ

Despite the heavy rain on Aug. 16, the Beachville District Museum's Annual Summer Roast Beef BBQ saw a full house with tickets sold out well before the event. Attendees savored a meal sourced from local providers on the scenic museum grounds, enjoyed tours, and mingled with family and residents. The event featured live entertainment and children's activities. Proceeds were dedicated to the museum's roof restoration and other essential community initiatives. The menu show-

cased local fare, including roast beef from The Butcher Barn, baked potatoes from Streef Produce Ltd., creamy coleslaw from Mt. Elgin United Church, hearty baked beans, sweet corn from Windy Willow Garden, pies from Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market, Bre's Fresh Market, Miss Ingersoll Family Restaurant and Society volunteers, complemented by a selection of hot and cold beverages. It was an enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser? Remember when Facebook bought a case of

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?

Remember when Google provided free pizza to your child’s soccer team when they won the championship? Neither do

Remember when Facebook bought a case of Girl Guide cookies to support your daughter?

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?

Neither do we!

Remember when Google provided free pizza to your child’s soccer team when they won the championship?

Local businesses live here. They play here. They invest here. They need our support, now more than ever.

Remember when Facebook bought a case of Girl Guide cookies to support your daughter?

Local businesses live here. They play here. They invest here. They need our support, now more than ever.

The line up at the buffet extended out into the rain.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Eager to dig into their dinner were Jamie Peever, Shannon Rowe, Aubrey and Paisley.

Watching over the boiling corn kettle were Yeva and Jim Parsons (Founding Member of The Museum).

Route to the Past – Mighty Military Men of Zorra

When one mentions the Mighty Men of Zorra, we naturally think of the World Champion Tug of War Team which brought honour to the people of Embro and Oxford County during the late 1800s, but there were other men of might from this same area and their battlefields were not on the playing fields of athletes; these were members of an elite group of men belonging to the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

This is the story of three brothers – all members of the Ross family, all sons of David R. Ross and his wife the former Annie Munro.

John Munro Ross was born in 1878. He did the normal things that boys of his age and time period did. He attended the Embro Public School, then Woodstock Collegiate Institute. He also was a member of the local militia, the Oxford Rifles. His father was a Captain of the Embro Company, and his uncle Colonel James Munro was Commanding Officer. It was this uncle who was chosen as part of the Canadian contingent sent to England in 1897 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, but that is a story for another time.

Young Jack Ross as he was popularly known, attended one year of university in Toronto and one year at McGill in Montreal before returning home to work with his father in their milling business. However, in 1899, when the call went out for volunteers to serve in the South Africa War, he was one of the first to sign up with the Royal Canadian Regiment. His service and actions were such as to garner the notice of the Reverend W.A. MacKay when he was writing “Zorra Boys At Home and Abroad”. There is a large chapter about Captain J.M. Ross’ daring exploits during the battles of Paardeberg and Bloemfontein during which he was invalided back to England. Upon his return to South Africa the war was over and he returned to Canada.

Like many other young men of the time, Jack headed west in search of his

fortune. He settled in Vancouver as an insurance businessman. However, when the storm clouds of war once again gathered, he was quick to enlist with the local 29th Battalion, a British Columbia based regiment which came to be nicknamed “Tobin’s Tigers” after their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Seymour Tobin. Over the course of the Great War, Jack himself rose to become commanding officer of this regiment on two separate occasions when other officers were injured: in the fall of 1916 and again during the first half of 1917.

Unlike some other officers who were said to hide behind the lines, Jack Ross was always near the action. Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 1917, he was himself wounded in 1918 but prior to that he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, with Bar, and was mentioned in dispatches on four separate occasions.

Perhaps it is sheer coincidence that on July 1st, 1918, Ross’ 29th Battalion was involved in the Canadian Sports Championship Meet and members of his regiment won the Tug of War championship! Was this mighty man of Zorra on the

sidelines cheering on his men?

Following the war, Jack Ross stayed in the Canadian Army, becoming Commanding Officer of Military Districts in Vancouver, Regina and London until his retirement in 1936. Major-General John Munro Ross passed away in London Ontario at the age of 81 in 1959, survived by a son John Jr. and daughter Kathleen Gordon Ross, the wife of General Sir Charles Falkland Loewen.

Jack’s younger sibling James Gordon Ross was born in 1879 and like his older brother attended the same schools ending up with an engineering degree from McGill. He first worked as an engineer for the Grand Trunk Railway in 1903. Three years later he was prospecting for silver in the area around Cobalt Ontario. His work experience as a railway employee and mining engineer led to him to working as an engineer and superintendent of construction for the Hudson River Tunnels in New York City in 1906. Two years later he was back in northern Ontario as manager of a mine near Espanola, then from 1909 to 1911 he travelled the world inspecting various mining properties before landing a sweet job as a consulting

engineer for the Milton S. Hershey Company out of Montreal.

In September of 1914, Jamie, like his older brother and his younger brother Robert, enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Jamie became a Lieutenant with the 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada – the same unit as Ingersoll’s Edward Norsworthy! Jamie was so severely wounded during the Battle of Festubert in 1915 that he was invalided back home, but after the war he was made an honourary Colonel of the Black Watch of Canada, and he became a husband. In 1922 he married the widow of a fellow officer. Gladys McGibbon, with the apt maiden name Miner, had been born in Honolulu where her father was medical doctor to the last Royal Family of Hawaii.

For the next seven years, the happy couple travelled across North and South America. In 1929 Jamie joined the Asbestos Corporation of Thetford Mines as Vice President and General Manager. Over the next few years, James Ross also served as a Director for the Royal Bank of Canada and President of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. During World War Two, he was appointed General Manager of Wartime Metals, a government agency overseeing all metals directed to the war effort. In 1940, Jamie Ross donated $25,000 for the purchase of a Spitfire which was named in his honour. He passed away in 1968. It only remains to state that the third brother, Robert Bruce Ross, had also enlisted in September of 1914 and served as a Major with the 1st Battalion of the CEF although various health issues plagued his career. He was appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1925 until 1933. He was buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery along with his wife’s family. Meanwhile, Major-General John Munro Ross and Lieutenant-Colonel James Gordon Ross lie side by side, shoulder to shoulder in true military fashion, as if on picket duty, overlooking the southern salient of the North Embro Cemetery.

Route2thepast@gmail.com

SCOTT GILLIES

Contributor

James Gordon Ross (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) John Munro Ross (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Leen’s Fish and Chips sails into Woodstock every Thursday

community.

Leen Hakvoort’s fish and chip truck wagon celebrates family heritage stretching back to The North Sea.

“My dad fished, my brothers fished, my uncles fished, my opa (grandfather) fished and I fished,” Hakvoort smiled outside the mobile restaurant.

He grew up in Urk, Holland, a former island converted into a polder and home to fish processing plants with the largest fish auction in Western Europe. Leen’s father Hessel and other family members worked on ocean-going draggers in the North Sea, catching plaice, Dover sole, cod and haddock.

Leen both filleted fish and actively sought perch, pickerel and whitefish on a 50-foot boat during the winter in static gill nets on IJsselmeer, an 1,100-square-kilometre closed-off freshwater inner bay in central Holland. His family also harvested eels during the summer.

“They had 1,000 traps, set them out every day.”

Leen transitioned to construction, continuing through concrete and finishing framing following his 2005 emigration to Canada, but his connection to the water remained strong. The family continued a weekly tradition of a Saturday evening meal of fried fish and rice, based on what was both available and affordable for the Dutch fishing

“It’s just in us,” smiled Hakvoort, who began selling smoked fish in 2006 before purchasing his fish wagon in 2008. He began sailing it onto Norwich’s main street that year, charting a new course to 107 Wilson Street (the open property just south of the railway tracks on Oxford Road 59), Woodstock in 2018.

“We’re mobile, we can go wherever,” says Hakvoort, who also services private parties and events.

Leen’s Fish and Chips offers standard fare, deep-fried haddock and cod fillets and loins, along with Great Lakes pickerel and for the non-believers, french fries and poutine.

Hakvoort’s best-seller honours his Dutch roots, kibbling, translatable as ‘little pieces’ of fish, bite-sized nuggets widely available at fish and chip wagons in The Netherlands.

“Everyone in Holland knows what it is,” he said. “They’re easy to eat. Nice finger food.”

Hakvoort also stocks other traditional Dutch items including fresh, salted herring, smoked salmon and salmon salads. The business is a big hit particularly Fridays in Norwich for customers drawn to the nearby bakery and imported foods outlet.

In both Woodstock and Norwich locations, Leen’s background in both catching and processing fish is invaluable in sourcing quality, fresh products. There

is also an art to frying fish to perfection, finished, yet not overcooked and dry.

“You have to be right on,” says Hakvoort, whose largest challenge is

trying to keep up with customer demand during peak periods. “You try and do your best for people but you still have to make sure you have the best quality.”

JEFF TRIBE Echo Contributor

Leen Hakvoort (centre), flanked by his daughter Helayna (right) and niece Sherrylyn Breman (left), prepared for a Thursday rush at the 107 Wilson Street, Woodstock location for Leen’s Fish and Chips.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Staff members for Leen’s Fish and Chips are recruited from the family, both chef Leen’s children and nieces and nephews, including daughter Helayna (left) and her cousin Sherrylyn Breman. (JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Leen’s Fish and Chips sails into Woodstock every Thursday

The Hakvoort family tradition continues in a new country, Leen’s crew recruited from his kids along with nieces and nephews. Service opens at 11 a.m., with Hakvoort and company onsite at 10 to begin preparation for a long day stretching through the supper hours.

Perhaps ironically, the global pandemic provided a boost for business, with customers happy to enjoy a restaurant-style takeout meal. COVID-19 also challenged input costs said Hakvoort, noting cooking oil which cost $19 pre-pandemic soared to $53 at its height and now runs around $34. “It will never come down to where

it was,” said Hakvoort, who like many other restauranteurs, strives to keep costs affordable while remaining economically viable. “Most of the stuff is like that.”

Leen’s Fish and Chips is a summer venture, Hakvoort returning to construction in the winter. Running a fishand-chip restaurant on wheels by its nature means dealing with a lot of moving parts. However, realizing a dream that also pays homage to his family heritage is something he thoroughly enjoys.

“It’s always a challenge, but it’s not only for the money, I enjoy it too,” he concluded. “You have to enjoy your work, that’s a big thing too.”

W h e r e c r e a t i v i t y m e e t s c o m m u n i t y .

F a l l p r o g r a m r e g i s t r a t i o n i s

n o w o p e n , a n d t h e r e ’ s

s o m e t h i n g f o r a l l a g e s !

W e ’ r e a c r e a t i v e a r t s s t u d i o i n d o w n t o w n

W o o

A d u l t P r o g r a m s :

M o d e r n C a l l i g r a p h y

F u n w i t h W a t e r c o l o u r

C a r d m a k i n g

W e e k l y C r e a t i v e S o c i a l T i m e

M i n d f u l n e s s M o n d a y L u n c h H o u r s

F u l l d e t a i l s o n o u r w e b s i t e

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o r e g i s t e r :

d o g o o d o x f o r d c o u n t y @ o u t l o o k . c o m 5 1 9 - 4 2 1 - 6 9 8 8

Leen Hakvoort’s family fishing heritage reaches back to the North Sea and Holland’s rich seafaring tradition.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF OXFORD COUNTY

The Optimists bring out the best in Youth, Community, and Themselves. If anyone is interested in coming out to meet us and learn more about us please email brenda7621@outlook.com

LIVING WITH LOSS: A SIX-WEEK GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Caring Hearts Support Network: St. David's United Church, 190 Springbank Ave., Woodstock ON

A safe and supportive space to explore your grief, with the guidance of trained facilitators. Please contact for upcoming dates. No cost to attend. To register or for more information call or text 519-536-3370. www.caringheartssupportnetwork.com. One-on-one grief support is also available.

REPAIR

CAFÉ

4th Saturday of each month; 10:00 a.m.Noon

Hosted by East Oxford 403 Anglican Churches St. John’s Church, 685860 Oxford Rd. 2, Woodstock

Repairs to clothing, textiles and minor nonelectrical household items by donation. Also offered: learn how to make your own repairs.

INNERKIP CEMETERY DECORATION DAY & MEMORIAL SERVICE

Sunday, September 1; 2:30 p.m. 60 Main St, Innerkip, ON

We welcome you to decorate your family gravesite.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Sunday, September 8; 2 p.m.

Old Log Church Cemetery, 435310 43rd Line, Embro Theme is from the Highlands of Scotland to the hills of Zorra. Join us to honour our history, our heritage and those who are no longer with us (people from every walk of life and culture). Featuring: Speaker Local Historian, Steve MacDonald; Piper, Ron Marshall; Drummer, Wendy Marshall; Soloist, Elaine Northmore; Keyboard, Paul Tree. For more information contact, Ron Marshall, Secretary of Board (519-475-4646); Rev. Marg Murray (519-8596274). Invite your family. Bring a lawn chair.

COMING EVENTS

LOOKING

FOR SOMETHING NEW TO TRY?

Monday, September 9; 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Ingersoll Pipe Band Hall, 108 Wonham St. S., Ingersoll. Modern square dancing is a great way to learn something new, have some fun, meet new friends, and get some exercise! At Thames Valley Dance Club, we dance on Monday nights from 7:00-9:00pm. All you need is comfortable shoes and casual clothing. No experience or partner required and all ages are welcome. We will be starting our 2024-2025 season on Monday, Sept 9/24 at a new location: The Ingersoll Pipe Band Hall, 108 Wonham St. S. Ingersoll. First night is free, and after that $7.50 per person each Monday. For more information, contact Doug at 519-537-9037 or Lois at 519-535-2884. Hope to see you on Sept 9th at the Ingersoll Pipe Band Hall!

ST. JAMES' ANGLICAN CHURCH

INGERSOLL PRESENTS RICK KISH & FRIENDS

Friday, September 13th; 6 p.m.

From Sinatra to Bublé, this upcoming dinner show presented by St. James’ Church Ingersoll will celebrate songs made famous by some of the greatest crooners of all time.

Rick Kish and Friends will be appearing at the Unifor Hall in Ingersoll on Friday September 13th. Get ready for an early fall scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings catered by Janice’s Fine Country Dining followed by swingin’ tunes and great stories in this highenergy trip down memory lane.

Your evening will begin with cocktails at 6:00 pm (cash bar); dinner at 6:30 pm, and, concert at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the evening are $60.00 and the venue is the Unifor Local 88 Hall on Victoria Street in Ingersoll.

So act now and call the church office at 519485-0385 to reserve your tickets.

BBQ BEEF DINNER

Saturday, September 14; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Mount Elgin Community Centre, 333204 Plank Line

Mount Elgin Community Centre and Dereham District Lions Club will be hosting a BBQ Beef Dinner on September 14 between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. Menu: BBQ Beef, Baked Potato, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Roll, and Dessert. Cost $25.

Advance Orders only by September 7.

Contact: 519-842-9323, 519-521-0423, 519926-0039

“I know the paper is free, but can I get a subscription anyways?”

Yes. We understand that some people might like the convenience of the Woodstock Ingersoll Echo arriving at their home (located near or far) through Canada Post, so we do have subscriptions available for this purpose. The price for a subscription is $52 plus GST = $54.60. To subscribe, please e-transfer granthavenmedia@gmail.com and include your full mailing address in the comments, or send a cheque with mailing address to Grant Haven Media, PO Box 2310, St. Marys, ON N4X1A2

YOUNG AT HEART LUNCH

Thursday, September 26th; 12:00 p.m. Huron Park Baptist Church, 199 Berwick St, Woodstock Please call the church office for more details 519.421.4722

INGERSOLL 50+ ACTIVITY CENTER

EVENTS: 250 Ingersoll St. S, Ingersoll

BUS TRIP: FALL COLORS MYSTERY TOUR

Tuesday, October 8th

A day full of fall surprises! Your day includes: motor coach transportation, driver gratuity, lunch, and surprise destinations. Depart 9:30am return 6:30pm $140/ members $155/ non-members.

FUNDRAISING FISH FRY

Friday September 27th; Doors open at 5 p.m.

Serving Begins at 5:30pm, Take -out at 6:30pm.

$35/pp includes 6 pieces of Perch, fries, coleslaw, drink, and dessert. Food is being prepared by the Mount Elgin Firefighters. Buy your Ticket by September 20th

WOODSTOCK MOOSE LODGE EVENTS: 690 Sutherland Drive, Woodstock

WOODSTOCK'S OWN COUNTRY SWEETHEART

August 31st; 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

$7.00 per person.

LINDA LEE COUNTRY SHOW

Saturday, September 7th; 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

WOODSTOCK FOOD BANK DRIVE WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Saturday, September 14th

$10.00 per person, all food and proceeds going to food bank.

GERALD DAVIDSON & THE COUNTRY VERSATILES

Sunday, September 15th

$12.00 per person.

CAR SHOW

September 22nd

Beachville Museum

BIRTHDAY BASH

Saturday, October 5th; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Open to everyone (free)

RANDY THOMAS

Saturday, October 5th; 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

$7.00 per person

MIKE THORPE

Saturday, October 12th; 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

$7.00 per person

TERRY EMPEY

Saturday, October 19th; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

$7.00 per person

HALLOWEEN BASH GORD BELL

Saturday, October 26th; 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

BEACHVILLE LEGION EVENTS: 434852 Zorra Line, Beachville

STEAK BBQ WITH BAKED POTATO, CORN,SALAD, DESSERT

September 14; 5 p.m. Call 519-423-6363 to order

FISH AND CHIP DINNER

September 27; 5:30 p.m. Call 519-423-6363 to order

KARAOKE - September 21st; 7 p.m.

EUCHRE - Thursdays; 7 p.m. DARTS - Fridays; 8 p.m. FREE POOL

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION EVENTS: 642 Dundas Street, Woodstock

BRANCH EXECUTIVE MEETING September 3rd; 7 p.m.

GENERAL BRANCH MEETING September 10th; 7:30 p.m.

CADETS BACK ON EVERY MONDAY

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

SATURDAYS

September 7th - Mike Thorpe; 7 - 11 p.m.

September 14th - Randy Thomas; 7 - 11 p.m.

September 21st - Back-to-Back; 7-11 p.m. September 28th - 1962 - Cindy McMaster; 7-11 p.m. September 14th - Meat Draw; 3 p.m.

THREAT & HARASSMENT TRAINING September 14th; 10 - 11:30 a.m.

EVERY THURSDAY SHUFFLEBOARD BACK ON AT 1:30PM

SILENT AUCTION

September 19th - 21st starts the 19th - Draw on the 21st.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN SERVICE IN INGERSOLL

September 22nd; 1:30 p.m.

DART LEAGUE ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS. (EXCEPT FOR SEPTEMBER 11TH TUESDAY DART WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY)

SERVICE OFFICE VISIT

September 27th; 10 a.m.

WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE KITCHEN

Woodstock

Why did the lion spit out the clown? Because he tasted funny.

What is the best way to communicate with a fish? Drop it a line.

What is a mosquito’s favorite sport? Skin-diving.

Why couldn’t the chicken find her eggs? She mislaid them.

Why can’t a leopard hide? Because he’s always spotted.

Which beans do kids like best? Jellybeans.

What does a cat have that no other animal has? Kittens.

What has two heads, four eyes, six legs, and a tail? A cowboy riding his horse.

What is as big as an elephant, but weighs nothing at all? The shadow of an elephant.

What fur do we get from a Tiger? As fur away as possible.

Why do dragons sleep all day? They like to hunt Knights.

Kevin is an adorable black pug puppy who is now almost 6 months old. (Pictured at 10 weeks!) He loves his naps where he snores the most and he loves to do handstands while he eats! He brings joy wherever he goes!

BACK TO SCHOOL

RENTAL REQUIRED

Granny Flat type, clean accommodations required in Woodstock area. Mature 50+ Canadian Professional Single male relocating for work with non-profit, non-smoker, no pets, solid credit. 519-350-9089 Capellanbrad@gmail.com

Have you been affected by someone else's drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups could help YOU! Call for

Contribute to your local community newspaper! Send articles, sports or event recaps, and photos to info@theecho.ca

Shade trees, Fruit trees, Apple, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet and Sour Cherries, Apricot, Nectarines, Blueberry, Haskopp, Black Chokeberry, Grapes etc. Lots of Spruce, Pine, Cedars for windbreaks and privacy hedges, Sizes 1 to 6+. Flowering shrubs and much more. Come check us out Mon-Sat 7:00am - 6:00pm Martin's Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Road, Wroxeter (1 concession north of Wroxeter on Belmore Line)

for $10

issue! Send an e-mail to info@theecho.ca to inquire.

We’re hiring

Location: Work from Anywhere!

Type: Commission

Schedule: Your Own Schedule

TRUCK AND BACKHOE OPERATORS

About Grant Haven Media: At Grant Haven Media, we are committed to delivering top-quality news and information to our readers. As a leading newspaper company, we take pride in our dedication to journalistic excellence and community engagement. As we continue to grow, we're looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our dynamic sales team.

If you are interested, contact If you are interested, contact Heather Dunbar at: Heather Dunbar at: heather@granthaven.com heather@granthaven.com

Oxford County is hiring! As a Truck and Backhoe Operator, you will operate heavy equipment and support our seasonal work plan, including maintaining culverts, roads, roadsides and safety devices. You will also perform winter snow plowing. There are six vacancies at various locations in Oxford County.

Competition number: #2024-81

Employment status: Temporary Full-Time (Winter Season: November 18, 2024 – April 4, 2025)

Wage range: $30.49/hour

Hours of work: Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Locations: Public Works – Transportation (Woodstock, Drumbo, Springford and Highland Patrols)

Qualifications for success

•Grade 10 or equivalent experience.

•Valid Class D license with Z endorsement is required.

•Previous construction/equipment operator experience or equivalent is an asset.

Resumes will only be accepted electronically via e-mail at hr@oxfordcounty.ca. Please include the competition number, position title and preferred patrol location(s) of interest in the email subject line.

Closing date

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 by 4:00 p.m. View the full job description: oxfordcounty.ca/careers

ADVERTORIAL

Local Senior Faces the Challenge of Downsizing Amidst a House Full of Memories

John, a long-time resident of Oxford County, found himself at a crossroads. At 78 years old, John was having some health issues and knew it was time to move into a more supportive living environment. However, the thought of packing up a house full of cherished memories and furniture was overwhelming. With his children living far away, John felt the weight of the task even more acutely.

John’s Story

John’s home was filled with decades of accumulated memories: family photos, heirlooms, and furniture that told the story of his life. Although his children were supportive, their physical distance made it challenging to assist him hands-on with the daunting task of downsizing and organizing a move. Feeling paralyzed by the enormity of the move, John turned to HUGO and Company for help, a business that would get him moved, estate cleared and on the market with just one phone call – the “easy” button he needed.

A Comprehensive Solution

“It was the retirement home that suggested I contact HUGO and Company,” recalls John “I had no idea such a service existed. They took charge of the entire transition process, so I didn’t need to do a thing – I was shocked at how easy they made it.” HUGO and Company is a full-service downsizing and transition management company that focuses on moving seniors into retirement or care homes, and specializes in moving people living with dementia.

Monica de Wit, who has a background in design and grew up on a dairy farm in Oxford County, is the founder of HUGO and Company and started this business almost 10 years ago, after identifying an unmet niche in the market. Says de Wit “I soon realized most of my clients were seniors asking me to help edit and select belongings before they moved….and then they were calling me back to help decorate and finish off the space once moved in.” Fast forward 10 years and de Wit has finessed this to be a one stop resource for seniors who are transitioning homes by taking care of the entire move process and completing the move in a day. In fact, they send clients away for the day while they work their magic. “Clients ask us all the time what they can do to prepare for

their move – I tell them to plan a day at the spa or golf course!” she jokes, “we really do take that burden off their hands –we encourage them to have an enjoyable day out to take their mind off things - we are usually done setting up by dinner so they can come back and enjoy a glass of wine and settle into their new home that evening.” “I was impressed with how much care and attention to detail was taken with my belongings” states John, “Monica took note of all the important pieces and treasures that I have collected over my life and then came back with a few different layout options and ideas on how to best integrate them into my new home. I was actually surprised at how much would fit - it was such a relief.” “Our process may seem a bit backwards” admits de Wit, “we opt to move the senior first – get them safe and settled into their new community – then deal with the estate contents and getting the home on the market.”

Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc., in partnership with HUGO and Company, offers a comprehensive service designed to support seniors in every aspect of downsizing and moving into a new home. The team, including Jennifer Webb, Realtor®, Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Marianne Butler, Realtor®, and Mario Spina, Broker, work closely with seniors to ensure that their transition into a new residence is as seamless and comfortable as possible. “It was a natural fit to partner with Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc.” says de Wit, “we are both very focused on supporting seniors and making the entire process smooth and easy –so the emphasis can be on enjoying the next chapter without worrying about the logistics.”

The team at Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc., has extensive experience in the real estate market and understands the unique needs of seniors –which is not taken lightly. Jennifer Webb is a credited SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) with the team at Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc. and is committed to providing personalized service tailored to aging adults and their specific situations in these life changing moments. “We want clients to know that every detail...from downsizing, to the move, to the listing, to negotiating the

deal is all handled with professionalism and care,” says Webb.

Feels Like Home

“When I came into my new home at the senior residence I couldn’t believe how much it just felt like my space – all my important pieces were there, everything was unpacked, the bed was made, the kitchen was set up and organized, the pictures were hung and my bathrobe was even on a hook they installed on the back of the bathroom door – just like I had it in my old place”, remembers John “ I couldn’t believe this was all done in a day!”

The team has found that once their client is settled in their new home, it becomes easier to prepare their previous home for the market. With their belongings already moved, the home can be staged and shown without disrupting daily life. The team at Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc. keeps the client informed throughout the selling process, providing updates on showings, feedback, and market conditions to ensure they get the best possible price for their home. As in John’s case, home equity was a critical component of retirement planning, so maximizing the value of his home was key in supporting his financial future.

While John still misses some things about his old place (the big tree in the backyard he used to sit under), he is happy to be settled in his new home, surrounded by familiar items and supported by a community designed to meet his needs. His children, though miles away, are relieved and grateful for the compassionate and professional support he received. “If I knew it was going to be this easy, I would have done it sooner,” says John.” I had myself so worked up about this whole process…I sleep way better these days!”

Interested to find out more? HUGO and Company, Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc. and Green Private Wealth will be hosting a Downsizing Seminar on September 19th 1:30-3:30 pm @ Ingersoll 50+ Activity Centre- For registration call 519-485-3869 or 519709-6635.

For more information on how HUGO and Company and Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc. can assist seniors with the entire move process, including the sale of the home: www.hugoandcompany.com (844-511-4846) and www.YourOxfordConnection.com (519709-6635)

*The identity of the client has been altered for privacy reasons.*

Above: Seniors can simplify the whole downsizing and move process, including the sale of their home, by connecting with local businesses HUGO and Company and Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc.