What is going on in Woodstock high schools – Part 2
It has been several years since the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has had an official policing program in its high schools. The desire to bring one back, at least in Woodstock, has fallen on deaf ears at the board level.
Woodstock Police investigated 47 violent incidents in city schools in 2024, a jump of 11 over 2023 and 24 more than 2022. Deputy police chief Nick Novacich said those numbers are concerning.
“The fact there has been a steady increase over the last few years is worrisome, and that’s just what is being reported. I have a feeling schools are dealing with some incidents internally and for some reason we aren’t being notified.”
Novacich said parents often do not want to pursue criminal charges, even when their child is a victim, but police would at least have a record of the occurrence. At the same time, he explained the level of violence during two recent and serious assaults (outlined in part 1 of this series) raises a huge red flag, along with the crowd of students watching and videotaping.
“It’s alarming that so many people just stand around watching and don’t intervene. Are some of these things staged for social media purposes, are they sometimes willing combatants?”
The deputy chief explained he recently met with the city’s high school principals and delivered a firm message.
“There’s got to be zero tolerance here. They have to be safe places.”
Leatherbarrow cleared by city’s IC
out under section 5.1. Moreover, there was no evidence presented in any of the Applications that she sought to use her office to influence a decision or recommendation by City staff,”
Counc. Kate Leatherbarrow was cleared of any wrongdoing surrounding a potential conflict of interest surrounding the city’s Streetscape project.
John Mascarin, a partner with the law firm Aird and Berlis LLP, is the Integrity Commissioner (IC) for the city and received three complaints surrounding Leatherbarrow’s involvement in approving Phase 1 of the downtown revitalization project.
“We have concluded that the Councillor did not contravene her obligations of disclosure and recusal from participation and voting as set out in section 5 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. She therefore did not have to file a written statement set
A code of conduct filing was also made against the councillor as a result of controversial social media posts she made following a recent story in the Echo, but it was dismissed without an investigation being conducted.
“For the reasons noted above, the allegations that the Councillor contravened the Code are unfounded at law. Based on the foregoing, in our view, the allegations set out in the Complaint have no reasonable prospect of being sustained,” said a report from the law firm. “Accordingly, we are exercising our discretion to not carry out a fill investigation of this Complaint and to summarily dismiss the Complaint.”
(RON YUZARK PHOTO)
The Zorra Caledonian Society Board was thrilled with the turn out of this year's National Tartan Day. Story on page 5.
LEE GRIFFI
Journalism Initiative Reporter
Local officials eyeing new school police program but turned down by TVDSB
The TVDSB did have an official School Officer Resource Program that involved a Special Constable regularly going into the schools, along with a school officer who would visit regularly. That all ended in the spring of 2020.
“It was a combination of things. After the George Floyd incident in Minneapolis, trustees and board staff were questioned about the role of policing at the London Catholic District School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board by community leaders,” said Novacich.
Under mounting pressure, the boards voted to pause any policing in schools and then the pandemic came along, and a working group did eventually form to explore the possibility of a new program. A consultant was hired and performed student interviews, and a focus on Indigenous, black and students of colour was the end result and no further action was taken to implement something new.
“The concern was that a police officer in a school could be triggering and traumatic to some of the students. One recommendation made was an officer should not be in uniform and not have their use of force equipment to better build a relationship with students,” said Novacich.
He added London is a much bigger city and most of the opposition came from there.
“Woodstock is more of a rural setting and wasn’t experiencing the same situations. I sat on the committee along with other smaller police services in the board area and we made it clear it wasn’t feasible for us to have an officer in schools that didn’t look like an officer.”
He added there were several implications from a union standpoint that made the idea impossible.
“If we sent in a member without proper protection, what if something happened at a school and students or
staff had to be defended? We opposed that because we couldn’t run a program that way. London police maybe could because they are a larger service. That’s where it ended for us.”
Novacich said the Thames Valley board ended up voting against any type of program, but a pair of Oxford trustees did support it for Woodstock high schools. He added they weren’t the only ones.
“Through some conversations with Dennis Wright, the TVDSB superintendent for our area, he said he wanted us back in the schools and added we are allowed in the schools, but we can’t deliver any type of program in a classroom setting like we used to.”
He added some officers currently stop in at schools to engage with students by simply walking the halls and checking in with the office staff.
“That’s more than welcome and that’s what we have been trying to do. Any type of program delivery has to be done after school hours and we have had some success with a drug talk or mental health crisis conversation and they were very well attended. We still have ways to engage with youth through our summer programs.”
Novacich explained that when officers are in schools the response from students has been very positive.
“I’m a basketball fan so I went to watch some of the boys' OFSSAA basketball tournament in the city recently. I went to St. Marys, CASS and WCI. The kids in the hall were saying hey, how are you doing? It wasn’t a big deal at all for them.”
He made an interesting point during our 30-minute sit-down interview at the police station – most of the kids
currently in high school have never had a police program and the perception when students do see a cruiser is that someone did something to bring it there.
“After a recent visit to Huron Park, I was walking out to my car and a few kids came up and asked me what happened. I said I was driving around and stopped in to walk the halls. I popped into the cafeteria to see what was for lunch. They thought it was cool. It never used to be uncommon to see an officer in schools and now it’s swung the other way.”
Oxford Trustee Dave Cripps is currently leading the TVDSB in the absence of chair Beth Mai who is on a leave of absence. The Echo reached out to both Cripps and the board for comment but did not get a response by press time.
The Thames Valley District School Board does not have any official police programs in its high schools. Community support is growing for one to be back the halls of Woodstock high schools
(TVDSB PHOTO)
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo
Councillors to take conflict of interest training session
That grievance was made by former city councillor Paul Plant who also submitted one of the conflict of interest complaints.
“What do you have to do to breach the code of conduct? What do you need to do to be in a conflict of interest? This may sound like sour grapes, but I question the integrity commissioner himself. I question the role, I question the legislation. My feeling is politicians at all levels of government have no accountability.”
He added the only true form of accountability comes at election time.
After the IC report, Leatherbarrow put a motion on the floor to have city staff schedule a special open meeting of council to participate in a training session with the IC regarding the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
“I think this will be a great resource for this council and certainly there is a municipality next year, so I do look at this as a resource for both the next term of council and the public should they wish to access it at any point if they have questions.”
She added the meeting being public and readily available on the city’s YouTube channel is a good thing.
“Knowledge is power and I think it could be very beneficial. I certainly think this council could use it,” she added.
Mayor Jerry Acchione agreed with the training being put in the public eye.
“Training is never a bad thing. I think we have all learned a lot through this process… Again, I want to thank (the IC) for being as thorough as he was because it has been a little contentious and I think the general public, as Coun. Leatherbarrow just mentioned, could benefit from having an open session.”
Leatherbarrow asked for a recorded vote, and the only member of council to vote against the motion was Coun. Mark Schadenberg. Coun. Deb Tait and Coun. Connie Lauder did not attend the meeting.
The Echo reached out to Leatherbarrow for comment following the meeting but did not receive a response by press time.
Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts 88 Thames Street South, Ingersoll presents
Purchase Tickers at www.itopa.ca or call the box office 519-485-3070
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo POST Tillsonburg POST Tillsonburg
The Ingersoll, Norwich, Tillsonburg, and Woodstock Chambers of Commerce, along with the Tillsonburg Post and Woodstock Ingersoll Echo present:
MEET THE FEDERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES
Tuesday, April 22, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Lions Den Meeting Room at the Tillsonburg Community Centre (45 Hardy Ave, Tillsonburg) FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Crimes of the Heart
by Beth Henley
(CITY OF WOODSTOCK YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I would like to 'echo' the words expressed by a reader for the excellent care received in the ER at Ingersoll Alexandra Hospital. In my recent personal experience, I too am grateful and appreciative of the care provided by the attending physicians, medical team and staff. As professionals, they are courteous and caring, easing one's anxiety at a stressful time.
I also want to commend the Oxford County Paramedic Services for their swift response, assessment, and transport to the ER. We are fortunate to have these and other essential medical services available in Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Woodstock hospitals.
L.Trowell, Ingersoll
Echo
Ingersoll mayor confident county homeless plan will make a difference
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Oxford County Council recently passed a Homelessness Response Strategy called Housing for All. It is described as a multifaceted approach containing several steps, provisions and partnerships with community groups in an effort to greatly reduce homelessness in Oxford by 2033.
“Everyone needs a place to call home. In many communities, including Oxford County, finding appropriate, affordable housing can be a challenge. Buying a home may be out of reach and affordable rental housing can be difficult to find. As a result, some of the most vulnerable members of our community face housing insecurity,” said the report's introduction.
Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie said it’s about keeping people in their homes and transitioning people out of temporary housing into their own homes with the care they need.
“The strategy is an outline of where we want to go and staff are going to be working on bringing forward the items and programs to make it happen. Having the HART being awarded is a great thing to help this along and we are working on fixing the 24-hour emergency shelter system to make sure it's providing the services we need.”
He added the entire basis of the plan was to see what programs and services were available, what works, what doesn’t and who does what. It also spells out the role of the county and what help is needed from other levels of government and organizations.
“I’ll give you a great example. The government of Ontario provided funding through its Homeless Prevention Program. Oxford County was able to put out an RFP for transitional housing here in Ingersoll. The United Way came to the table and the community gathered with them and we were able to get the project completed and I believe people are moving in very shortly.”
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that won’t accomplish anything, he stated the county won’t be effective without it.
“Having that strategy and being able to focus everybody on that is a huge step forward. Is it going to solve homelessness 100 per cent? No. We need partners to come to the table, and we need funding, but this will guide us where we need to go to be effective and it will make a difference in people’s lives,” he explained. “It is certainly going to be way more effective than not having a plan.”
The plan includes the five main pillars of reducing homelessness through prevention, support housing stability through collaboration, maintain and improve the existing housing portfolio, increase affordable and rental options and advocate for increased investment.
Housing for All was passed unanimously and Petrie admitted council members were feeling the stress of the situation as much as those in the community.
“We are talking about people’s lives here. They need to be given the right to supports and pathways forward to better lives. This is what staff did extensive research into and everybody felt this was something we could get behind.”
The plan will be fluid, meaning it can be tweaked over its lifespan based on what’s working what isn’t.
“I think that’s a really big part of this. It isn’t to say do a, b, c and d and we’re done. It’s this is what we have as far as resources now. This is where we need to build those resources and these are the problems we need to work on.”
The plan includes $500,000 for a homelessness prevention program along with 10 new transitional and 10 supportive housing beds at the new HART Hub in downtown Woodstock, although there is no word when that will open. It will also create an ad hoc committee to provide feedback on possible locations for a homelessness support centre.
Petrie said another goal is to not waste taxpayer dollars and organization’s time on efforts that aren’t going to see tangible results. When asked what he would say to the skeptics who might feel it is just another plan
166 people were known to be experiencing active homelessness in the county in January of this year. 66 per cent had a diagnosed mental illness and 69 per cent were going through substance abuse. Nine per cent were identified as experiencing domestic violence, 11 per cent were Indigenous and eight per cent were young people.
Scottish culture on full force in Embro
National Tartan Day was proudly celebrated on April 5 in Embro at The Royal Canadian Legion by the Zorra Caledonian Society with a vibrant gathering honoring Scottish culture and heritage.
The event, rooted in a tradition that began in the mid-1980s in Nova Scotia, has turned into a global celebration embraced by Scots and their descendants around the world.
The festivities coincided with the historic signing of the Declaration of Arbroath
in 1320, Scotland’s own Declaration of Independence. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with traditional homemade Scottish fare, including dishes made from cherished family recipes. Many raised a wee dram among friends, savoring the warmth and camaraderie that defines the spirit of the celebration.
The crowd was especially captivated by the high-energy performance from the dancers of the Sim School of Highland
Dance, who brought tartan to life in a dazzling display of precision and passion. Live music added to the atmosphere with spirited performances that had toes tapping and hearts swelling with Scottish pride.
National Tartan Day continues to be a
meaningful tribute to the enduring legacy of Scottish people and their contributions across the globe. The Zorra Caledonian Society's big annual event is The Highland Games in Embro on July 1.
(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)
Angus found a quiet spot outdoors to warm up before his entrance to the evening's gala.
The Sim School of Highland Dance proudly performed for guests at the event.
Liberals hoping Hilderley can win Oxford on second try
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Well-known public figure David Hilderley finished second in the 2023 Oxford by-election by about 2500 votes. He’s running again for the federal Liberals on April 28.
A long-time resident of Oxford County, he is well known for his community involvement and engagement. He spent 34 years as a teacher, consultant, vice-principal and principal in the Oxford County and Thames Valley District School Boards, supporting children and families in his home community.
Since retiring from education, his passion to serve families has not disappeared. As chair of the Golden Gala, co-chair of the South Gate Centre, and previous board member of the Woodstock Art Gallery, he has played a role in many local initiatives that benefit the residents of Oxford.
“I have always been involved in my community, providing leadership and commitment to several charities and initiatives,” explained Hilderley. “I was encouraged by friends and community leaders to let my name stand as the Liberal candidate. This election is the most important one in recent years, as US tariffs and Mr. Trump have created great uncertainty that needs to be properly addressed by a government that is strong in its tariff response and capable
of uniting Canadians.”
Hilderley said the number one issue in the campaign is the chaos coming from south of the border.
“These actions have the potential to have a significant/serious impact on the jobs and lives of people in Oxford. From agriculture and food production to automotive parts and assembly, our residents deserve a calm and disciplined Member of Parliament who will Stand Up For Oxford. Protecting our robust economy is a top priority for me as a candidate, as it is for Prime Minister Carney.”
He added the protection of the natural environment and prime agricultural land in Oxford is something he is passionate about.
“Climate change is real and the Liberal Party is committed to a cleaner, greener future. I also stand fully behind our supply management sector which supports family farms in Oxford. Protecting the prime land they cultivate is essential to ensuring we remain food secure.”
Hilderley said his third top issue is housing, specifically density and intensification within urban centres, which will reduce the need to sprawl out into agricultural land.
“Housing starts need to be accelerated to balance out the supply of homes to meet the pressing needs in Oxford.” He added Canadians cherish the uni-
versal, publicly funded health care system we have and instead of allowing wealthy people to cut the line, he is committed to improving and expanding the system in Oxford. He is also encouraged by the recently approved Homelessness Response Strategy that has just been approved by Oxford County.
“This robust plan is a multifaceted approach among numerous community groups. If we are going to address encampments in our community, we will
need a coordinated approach. I am excited about the opportunity to work at the federal level to support this housing policy.”
Hilderley added elections are divisive by nature but is encouraging people in Oxford to focus on the collective goals of protecting the economy, protecting jobs, and supporting local businesses.
“Division won’t win a trade war. Division won’t pay the mortgage. Division won’t make Canada strong.”
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Khanna seeking a second term in Oxford
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Arpan Khanna was born into a working-class family in Canada, and he is proud to call East Zorra-Tavistock home, where he lives with his wife, Sim, and their two boys, Arvin and Ayvan.
“Before being elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxford in 2023, I worked as a lawyer and small business owner. Outside of politics, I enjoy spending time at the shooting range and am a proud member of the Oxford Fish and Game Club.”
Khanna added volunteering and serving the community are important to him.
“I volunteer with GlobalMedic, a Canadian charity, where I have helped pack and deliver thousands of pounds of food and hygiene kits to local organizations like Operation Sharing, the Helping Hand Food Bank, and the Salvation Army right here in Oxford, as well as to other vital organizations across Canada.”
Khanna said he entered politics to help restore the Canadian promise his parents believed in.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
“A country where, if you work hard, you can build a good life and raise a family with dignity. I also saw the need to unleash Oxford and Canada’s full potential. There’s too much chaos and not enough focus on real solutions. I want to be a strong local voice that stands up for our families, our workers, and the next generation.
He added there are three key issues for him in this campaign, the first one being affordability.
“Too many seniors are struggling. People are working harder but falling further behind. The dream of owning a home and building a future is slipping away. We must make life more affordable and restore the hope that hard work will pay off.”
He also wants to put Oxford and Canada first to protect our sovereignty, support our farmers and auto sector, and stop the decline of Canadian values and opportunities. Having safe communities is also top of mind.
“Crime and addiction are rising across our country, including here in Oxford. We need to tackle the root causes of crime, support those battling addiction with treatment, and ensure law-abiding
citizens feel safe in our streets, schools and community centres. There have been too many heartbreaking stories of finding needles at parks.”
Kanna explained he wants to help build an Oxford where families can thrive, whether someone is raising kids in Tavistock, commuting from Thamesford, or retiring in Tillsonburg.
“That means making life more affordable, protecting local jobs in our auto and agriculture sectors, and ensuring seniors on fixed incomes aren’t left behind. I want to make sure Oxford remains a place where hard work pays off, where you can own a home, feel safe in your community, and build a future for the next generation.”
If re-elected, Khanna said he will focus on homelessness and crime, along with economic growth.
“The recent instability in the North American auto industry has deeply affected the communities of Ingersoll and Woodstock and the Oxford economy. It impacts our auto plants and the thousands of spin-off jobs it creates. I am committed to supporting our auto industry by advocating for policies that protect existing jobs, attract new investments, and promote economic diversification to strengthen the local economy and spin-off opportunities.”
He added Tillsonburg has a diverse
job market, but residents have expressed concerns about job availability and economic growth.
“I plan to support initiatives stimulating local businesses, attracting new industries, and creating employment opportunities to ensure a thriving community.”
Khanna explained agriculture is central to the communities in East Zorra–Tavistock.
“I will advocate for our farmers by working to reduce unnecessary regulations, open new markets, and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure their continued success and sustainability. This includes defending supply management to protect our agricultural sector.
He added it has been the honour of a lifetime to fight for Oxford in Ottawa over the last two years.
“I’ve always had an open-door policy and have worked hard to help thousands of residents with their federal concerns. From launching a youth council to fixing the Beachville tracks to opening a pop-up office in Tillsonburg.”
He added he has worked to expose the failures of Canada’s broken immigration system and brought forward ideas and legislation to put Canada first.
“Oxford is my home. I’ll never stop working to put our community first.”
Van Brugge running for United Party of Canada in Oxford
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The newly formed United Party of Canada has been around since 2024 and is running 16 candidates in the April 28 election – one of them in Oxford.
Melanie van Brugge grew up in Oxford County and went to Beachville Public School and Woodstock Collegiate. After college, she returned to Woodstock and opened a clinic called Body Kinetics with her sister. Back then, she went by the name Melanie Folkema.
“I’ve always been involved in my community, volunteering as a youth leader at a local church. Our group loved doing mission work both at home and abroad. Many of us are still close friends and continue to make a positive impact in the community.”
She said she has always enjoyed listening to others' perspectives and engaging in debates.
“Just ask my English teachers! But I soon realized that life could be more peaceful if I kept my opinions to myself, as not everyone shared my values. So, I stopped asking why others took the stance they did on important issues.”
Van Brugge said in recent years, she started to feel staying silent was seen as
agreeing with things she didn’t agree with.
“The COVID-19 pandemic showed me how different medical, financial and social ideologies were publicized as normal, yet seemed so different than what many believed. I hoped our government leaders would take a strong stand against the direction our country was heading, toward a post-national state, by providing the decisive leadership we needed at that time. When I met Grant Abraham and the United Party, I found a leader who spoke out against many of the issues Canadians cared about, and that’s when I joined the United Party.”
She said the main concerns she hears from people in the community are the devaluation of human life from conception to death, which she says is because Canada does not have laws prohibiting abortion and the use of medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the high cost of housing, and the uncertainty about Canada's future with finances, retirement savings, trade and global influence threatening our sovereignty.
“In a world where we’re often silenced if our opinions don't match what we're made to think is the mainstream, I would like to see the social censorship ended, especially with bills like C-18 (An Act respecting online communications platforms that make
Worship With Us
College Ave Church 22 Wilson St, Woodstock
Join us for 2 exciting Easter Services on Palm Sunday - April 13th and Easter Sunday - April 20th at 10:30a.m.
Welcoming back
Pastor Lloyd Bennett
news content available to persons in Canada) and C-27 (the Digital Charter Implementation Act), which restrict our freedom of speech. Canadians should be free to express their views without fear of being shut down or oppressed, or at the risk of losing their job.”
She added one of the biggest issues in Ox-
ford County is housing and homelessness.
“Many people struggle to pay rent or mortgages, sometimes going hungry and sometimes losing their homes. Another issue that needs attention is the legalization and easy access to hard drugs. Suicide, mental health and addictions are prevalent concerns and need to be tackled.”
Weekend Quiz
1. What year did the Toronto Maple Leafs last win the Stanley Cup?
2. What country is Easter island located in?
3. NASA's third mission to the moon was called what?
4. What does DM mean on social media?
5. What part of the cell contains genetic material?
by Jake Grant
6. What do Pandas primarily eat?
7. What temperature scale is based on absolute zero?
8. What’s the name of the current that pulls swimmers away from the shore?
9. What is the largest muscle in the human body?
10. What day is Queen Elizabeth II birthday?
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Melanie van Brugge is running under the United Party of Canada banner for the Oxford riding in the upcoming federal election April 28.
ITOPA’s ‘Crimes of the Heart’ production examines power of sisterhood amid obstacles
EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent
Ingersoll Theatre of the Performing Arts (ITOPA)’s spring production will highlight how sisters can get each other through difficult times.
ITOPA will bring Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Crimes of the Heart to the stage between April 25, 26, and 27 and May 1 to 4. It involves three sisters, Lenny, Meg, and Babe Magrath, who come together to hear about their grandfather, the family’s patriarch, who is spending his final hours in the hospital. The three sisters run into some serious, yet somehow funny issues emphasized by their straitlaced cousin and a young lawyer trying to keep Babe out of jail while avoiding falling in love with her.
“It's more of an intimate play about relationships and the struggles of three women in the South and how they struggle as women in the time and it's a lot about the bond of sisterhood and how they overcome their struggles as women in the South,” said director Michelle Murphy, who also stars as Meg.
Murphy saw the play when she was younger and enjoyed it so much, she always wanted to direct it.
"I just really liked the characters, the complexity of the characters and the relationships between the women and the Southern accent is really fun too.”
In late February and early March, ITOPA presented In the Rest Room at Rosenblooms, which Murphy also starred in. It was a play about the sisterly bond between three friends who meet every day in the lounge of a department store’s restroom. She said that while she picked Crimes of the Heart as she always wanted to bring it to the stage, there are similarities.
“They both speak to the human condition and the need for people to have relationships, whether they'd be with family or friends, how important and integral that is to living and survival, overcoming obstacles and such.”
The evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. and the matinee performances start at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to www.itopa.ca or call 519485-3070.
Entrepreneurs’ tea in Woodstock
Some Oxford County entrepreneurs gathered on the afternoon of April 3 for a warm and engaging in-person networking event at the Crafty Corner Tea Room in downtown Woodstock. The event, titled Let's Connect Over Tea, welcomed both seasoned business owners and new entrepreneurs for a casual yet impactful afternoon of conversation, collaboration, and community building.
It drew attendees from across the region who shared their stories, pitched their businesses, and highlighted how others in the room could support them through referrals or partnerships. Each
participant was given two minutes to introduce themselves, their products or services, and identify their ideal client or business need.
The cozy and welcoming atmosphere of Crafty Corner Tea Room provided the perfect backdrop for authentic connections. Guests supported the local venue by enjoying a selection of teas, coffee, and delicious treats, contributing to the vibrant, small-business-friendly spirit of the gathering. LegalShield, the event host, gave a brief presentation outlining its service and income opportunities, sparking further discussion and interest among the group.
(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)
(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)
(Left to right) Michelle Murphy, Lilee-Faith Scotney, and Rebecca McNall star as the Magrath sisters in Crimes of the Heart, running from April 25 to 27 and May 1 to 4 at ITOPA.
Edell was welcomed by Sheryl Scott from LegalShield.
Denise, Lisa, Marnie and Kelsey from Crafty Corner Tea Room were ready to serve participants.
United Way Oxford announces most successful campaign to date
Honours two pillars of the community with King Charles III Coronation Medals
(CONNOR
LUCZKA PHOTO)
During the 2024-25 United Way Oxford’s annual fundraising campaign, a record-setting $1,301,252 was raised.
CONNOR LUCZKA
Echo Correspondent
The annual United Way Oxford campaign surpassed all expectations this year.
On March 27, at the Sally Creek Adult Community Centre in Woodstock, the United Way announced that the community raised a record-breaking $1,301,252.
“Thank you all,” Kelly Gilson, executive director of the local United Way, said after a drumroll announcement. “I promise you, our volunteers and our team and our board will spend those dollars wisely and we will leverage and maximize each and every penny…So, thank you very much. See you next year.”
It wasn’t enough for everyone. To the shock of many in the room that evening, Ryan Westbrook of Toyota Motor Manufacturing announced a surprise $75,000 donation in support of the Ingersoll Light House, United Way’s second transitional home in the county.
“This wonderful place will have a huge impact and an incredible home to help its residents have a stable and positive environment to grow,” Westbrook said.
“After supporting the Tillsonburg Light House and seeing the impact it had on residents of that community, we couldn't wait to help in Ingersoll.”
Additionally, two pillars of the organization were honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medals, a medal which recognizes notable Canadians who go above and beyond to make their community a better place.
Beth Taylor, a long-time community volunteer and retired educator with a 30-plus-year history with the United Way, and Gilson, who has steered the organization for 22 years and counting, tearfully accepted the awards that evening. Both of them took the time to encourage everyone in the room to do their part.
“I’m truly humbled by this award,” Taylor said. “Volunteering is the best job
in the world. There is none better. You get to choose the time, you get to choose the job, you get to say no if you really don't want to do it, or if you want to go on vacation. You get to choose who you work with, and I've been able to work with some of the best people around. They're kind, compassionate, they're passionate of the work that they do and they're dedicated to working towards a better and stronger community and leaving the world in a better place.”
“It takes a village to raise a child,” Gilson said. “It takes a village to do what we do. None of us do it in isolation. We have a small but mighty team, but man, we work hard and we can achieve things that most other organizations our size surely cannot. And that ability to know that what we do matters – and it really is changing lives and it changes our community – I think that feeds each and every one of us each and every day.”
The annual Community Impact Award winners were also announced. They in -
Ontario Provincial Police briefs
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Rash of impaired driving charges
The Oxford detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police charged five alleged drunk drivers over four days last month.
On March 27, a 25-year-old male was pulled over in the area of St. Andrew Street after being seen driving erratically and was charged with impaired driving by alcohol. He will appear in court on May 20 to answer to the charges.
On March 28, police responded to a traffic complaint of possible erratic driving on Plank Line in the Township of South-West Oxford. A 49-year-old from London was charged with im -
paired driving, dangerous driving and failing to comply with a demand. Police say they were also charged under both the Highway Traffic Act and the Liquor Licence Control Act with failing to report damage to property on a highway and driving a motor vehicle with an unsealed container of liquor. They are scheduled to appear in court on April 28.
Police were on patrol in Ingersol on March 30 and saw a vehicle driving irregularly on Thames Street North. A 24-year-old male from Woodstock faces charges of impaired driving, dangerous operation, failing to comply with a demand, two counts of failing to comply with a probation order and failure to comply with a prohibition order
The accused was held for a bail hear-
ing and has since been released from custody. He is set to appear in court on April 22.
Then, on March 30, police responded to a traffic complaint of possible erratic driving on Plank Line in the Township of South-West Oxford. A 52-year-old London male was charged with impaired driving and two counts of driving while under suspension. He will appear in court on May 13 to answer to his charges.
All four accused were given a 90day Administrative Driver's License Suspension and their vehicles were impounded for seven days.
The last incident resulted in charges of possessing more than one driver’s license, novice driver about zero alcohol and stunt driving. The 27-year-old
clude:
• Community Commitment Award –Maglin Site Furniture
• Corporate Support and Engagement Award – Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
• Joint Management and Labour Award
– GM Cami Assembly & Unifor Local 88
• Outstanding Team Award – RBC
• Quantum Leap Award – Saputo
• Employee Campaign Champion Award – Sarah Tyson, South Ridge Public School
• Employee Campaign Champion Award – Julie Martens, St Patrick’s Catholic School
• Special Appreciation Award – Bonnie Buchanan
• Rising Star Award – Corteva Agriscience
• Local Love Award – Sierra Construction Group
• Game Changer Award – Dale Flynn Jr
Woodstock man
On March 29, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Oxford OPP members responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Hawkins Road in the Township of South-West Oxford.
“Any instance of Impaired Driving is concerning. Certainly, five occurrences in four days illustrate how instances of impaired driving have a significant impact on traffic and public safety in the county,” said Oxford OPP Inspector Tony Hymers.
“The Oxford OPP are committed to taking alcohol and drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. We also want to take a moment to tell the motoring public that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Kelly Gilpin, executive director of United Way Oxford, presents a King Charles III Coronation Medal to Beth Taylor, a long-time community volunteer and retired educator with a 30-plusyear history with the United Way. Later that evening Gilpin herself would receive the same honour.
Ontario Provincial Police briefs
Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired and driving under the influence is a criminal offence,” he added.
Police say if you plan to drink alcohol or take drugs, don't include driving in that plan. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another option that takes driving out of the picture altogether.
“We at the Oxford OPP want to ensure everyone gets to where they are going safely,” said Hymers.
Reduced load enforcement results in dozens of charges
Officers from the Oxford OPP and the provincial Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team teamed up and laid multiple charges after conducting enforcement in East-Zorra Tavistock, Zorra and Southwest Oxford.
46 vehicles were stopped, and 20 were weighed, resulting in 61 charges
being laid and 42 warnings.
Some of the charges laid were for overweight vehicles, operating a vehicle with a load not secured properly, improper brakes on a trailer, misleading safety mark and failing to accurately complete a daily inspection report.
Police added a passenger of one of the trucks was not wearing a seatbelt and was seated on a bucket in the cab.
The Reduced Load season in Oxford County runs between March 1 and April 30.
“During the spring thaw, heavy loads can cause substantial damage to roadways,” said an OPP news release.
“This damage can increase safety risks for all motorists due to wash boarding, which is the formation of periodic, transverse ripples in the surface gravel, as well as potholes and pavement deterioration. When a vehicle encounters this type of damage, its handling can be unpredictable and can result in a collision.”
Echo Construction
Oxford Road 35 (Devonshire Ave) – Woodstock
Oxford County is beginning a multi-year reconstruction project to improve Devonshire Avenue in Woodstock. This year’s work begins mid-April and will be carried out in two parts.
April – July 2025
Vansittart Avenue/Devonshire Avenue intersection: Oxford Road 59 bridge to Vincent Street
• Single lane open northbound from Devonshire Avenue to Tecumseh Street
• Detours for southbound traffic: Oxford Road 17 west to Oxford Road 30 (11th Line) or Oxford Road 17 east to Oxford Road 4
April – December 2025
Devonshire Avenue: Vansittart Avenue to Victoria Street North
• Devonshire Avenue from Vansittart Avenue to Victoria Street North closed to through traffic in both directions, with local access only
• Detour: Vansittart Avenue - Ingersoll Avenue - Huron Street
All construction schedules are weather dependent. For more information visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/construction
Oxford County Pride celebrating 10 years of growth and accomplishments
EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent
Oxford County Pride has a decade worth of accomplishments to celebrate. This June, marked as Pride Month, will be a 10-year celebration for the organization.
"We're pretty excited,” said Tami Murray, Oxford County Pride president. “We're very proud of the accomplishments that we've been able to achieve in the last 10 years and the growth and we just hope to continue to grow to be bigger, better, and better in the future."
Murray said the organization experienced all kinds of growth from attendance at events to participation from business partners, political partners, and community members, as well as the number of flag raisings in Oxford County. In 2024, all Oxford County municipalities held Pride flag raisings after the Township of Norwich gave the green light for the Pride flag to be one of the non-civic flags raised in the community. It was
2025 Rotary Easter Egg Hunt
The Rotary Club of Ingersoll will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19th at Victoria Park in Ingersoll. The event will begin at 10:00 AM and will feature separate egg hunts for children ages 2-4, 5-7, and 8-10. The Easter Bunny will be there to meet the children and pose for photos. We encourage you to bring your children and friends for this fun event.
We also welcome donations of cash or non-perishable food items for the local food bank. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
previously banned from Norwich’s town property.
"Being able to raise Pride flags in all of the townships was a huge, huge road bump for us that we were able to overcome, so we're very proud of that,” she said.
Oxford County Pride expanded its programming over the years to include a Pride Dance, Drag Storytime, and Open Mic events in addition to Family Fun Day. The organization also paired with Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese in 2024 to host a Wine and Cheese event. There are more businesses in Oxford County running their own Pride events without Oxford County Pride reaching out.
"It's more now coming to us and saying what can we do to support you versus us having to knock on doors,” she said.
Although there is plenty to celebrate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the past 10 years, in Oxford County and beyond, there are also safety concerns amid anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric
rising in recent years.
"Our allies are a big piece of this in terms of coming out and sending that message that as allies, we're going to make sure that our general community is safe, let alone the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” Murray explained. “I think there are still some significant concerns given the messaging that we're receiving in the South regarding transgender individuals and trying to essentially eliminate them, so I think that continuing to advocate and having those critical conversations is really important."
Oxford County Pride is prioritizing security to ensure the safety of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at events and works with the OPP and Woodstock Police Service.
"Instead of being able to resource more opportunities and activities, we're going to have to spend more of those dollars on safety and security for our events - but we want to ensure that we will be keeping people safe,” she said.
Other organizations like Oxford County’s Queer Intersections and QUINN also have community events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ and its allies. Oxford County’s Rainbow Coalition held a 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity workshop for Allies on April 2. The second workshop is at the Station Arts Centre in Tillsonburg on May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
"With the discourse that we're experiencing in the world, I think community and connection are essential and I'm quite appreciative there's more of that happening and that people are connecting in safe spaces,” Murray said. The Oxford County Pride Guide will be released May 1. The pride guide will be filled with full details of events during June, including the Family Fun Day at Museum Square from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14 and the Pride Party on June 20.
For more information and updates on Oxford County Pride, visit www. oxfordpride.ca or its Facebook page.
Former Oxford CAS supervisor celebrates 105th birthday
JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent
It makes a certain sense a woman who re-retired from a 40-year career with the Children's Aid Society at the age of 84 would celebrate her 105th birthday.
What makes Dorothy Ward's story even more remarkable is that her accomplishments came after she recovered from tuberculosis (TB) as a young woman.
"I think I had something to give and I gave, that's all," Ward summed up succinctly from her residence north of Woodstock.
Dorothy was born on March 13, 1920, spending her young years helping out on the Down family farm east of Courtland. They began without hydro, an outhouse rather than indoor plumbing, and Dorothy walking a mile-and-a-half to school along with her siblings.
"No snow days back then," she said, explaining that if there was a blizzard, her father would harness his team of horses and drive his and the neighbours' children to school. When telephone service arrived, her family was on a party line, their ring two longs and two shorts.
"Everyone would pick up the phone to listen," said Ward. "That was like the beginning of social media."
She enrolled in nursing school in St. Thomas at the age of 18, graduating three years later and upgrading her degree at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital and The Neurological Institute. Turning down a $43-a-month offer to work there, she began her career in 1942 as supervisor of operating rooms at the hospital in Fredericton for the then-princely sum of $79 a month.
"That was good money," said Dorothy, who attributes learning manageri-
al skills from her mother Lucy on the home farm.
Her attempt to enlist with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 was grounded by a diagnosis of TB.
"That put the kibosh on that."
Dorothy spent the next three years in a sanatorium in London, before streptomycin's efficacy against the bacterial infection was established.
In a time before universal health care, her father sold three cows to pay for treatment, which today would be administered across a week, rather than the single dose she received.
"That would cure anything," Dorothy laughed.
Rebuilding her strength and stamina over the subsequent years, she took annual six-month summer caregiving jobs with a Toronto woman travelling to Kennebunkport, Maine, also helping out her sister after the birth of her daughter. Dorothy recovered sufficiently to return to nursing at The Standard Tube factory in Woodstock in 1958, working for four years before 'having a snit with the director,' who reportedly told an assistant that because she couldn't do anything else, 'They had her over a barrel.'
"Don't ever tell anybody I can't do anything," Dorothy responded. "I'll probably do it."
In 1962, she moved to a position with Oxford County's then seven-member CAS, working with unmarried mothers. Pregnancy out of wedlock was a huge societal taboo at the time, women were subjected to prejudice and negative judgement, including from their own families.
"Who was I to judge?"
Dorothy asked rhetorically, striving for a combination of compassion and respect.
It was not uncommon at the time for pregnant unwed women to be relocat-
ed under some pretence, have their babies, give them up for adoption, and return to their lives under a shroud of silence.
The story of one 42-year-old unwed mother's dilemma is indicative of the times and how they've changed. Staying with relatives in Ontario during pregnancy and birth, she found herself unable to commit. Dorothy presented the option of making her baby a temporary ward, placed within foster care pending a final decision. One year later, the woman contacted Ward, indicating she'd like to take custody of her baby.
Dorothy flew to a western airport with the child, 'a real darling' who became a quick favourite with a flight crew, surprised to see Ward solo during the return flight.
"They were all worried about what I had done with this baby," smiled Dorothy, who shared a brief explanation. "They thought it was wonderful."
Dorothy's work responsibilities included counselling and support for whatever decision women made - some did keep their babies - as well as visiting schools and giving talks on her role.
"Quite often, kids would
say 'Can I come and talk to you?'"
Dorothy's satisfaction came from helping women in extremely tough circumstances come to their own choice, one which at the time, they felt was best.
"When girls made a decision, they were satisfied it was good."
She went on the road weekly, visiting women in communities including London, Kitchener, Toronto and Chatham.
"To see my girls, as I called them."
Support given through challenging times formed lasting bonds, Ward continually meeting women she had served.
"It was amazing the number I ran into and rewarding they would come up to you."
Dorothy moved into a
supervisory role in the late 1970s. Working with the CAS in support of neglected or abused children comes with challenges. Ward 'saw it all' during her career, at times working closely with police to extricate the most vulnerable from horrific situations. She recalled one instance, four young people removed from their home in the middle of a nighttime downpour.
"You have to disrupt these children and their lives," she said. "I used to feel that as much as we were taking them away from parents, these kids were given a chance in life, a much better chance."
She was threatened 'many times', taking that in stride along with the 'hard' parts of the job.
"You didn't seem to mind because you felt you were getting somewhere," she said. "I think I did the best at that point for that person or that particular problem."
Her career became part of her life, much more than a job, supported unconditionally by her husband of 55 years, Rex.
"He never ever complained about how much I was away from home."
Retiring at 65, Dorothy was contacted by a provincial official, seeking her experience with a CAS experiencing difficulties.
"He called and asked if I'd be willing to come and help him out."
That initial contract led to others in counties
across south-western Ontario, a string stretching out across the next 20 years. In re-retirement, Dorothy volunteered at the Woodstock hospital's physiotherapy and rehab departments, one doctor shaking his head in disbelief after asking her age.
Admittedly, a fall just before her 100th birthday in which she broke two vertebrae in her neck, her pelvis and hip slowed her down a little, to the point her nephew Ed Down moved in with her.
"I was kind of dinged up, but I survived," she smiled. "I am so lucky to have Ed."
Dorothy celebrated her 105th at home with family members, former co-workers from the Oxford CAS and a cake that had only five candles on it.
"We didn't want the smoke detector going off," her nephew smiled in explanation.
"I really enjoyed working with them," said Dorothy of her former 'crew.'
"And I guess they enjoyed working with you," Ed added, "because they still keep in touch."
Touching even lightly on Ward's remarkable life story stands both as testimony to determination and resilience and the danger of arbitrarily assigning an age number to a person's ability to contribute.
"You sort of felt you could still do a bit of good for people," Dorothy concluded, "And I think you can."
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Dorothy Ward celebrated her 105th birthday recently at home, north of Woodstock, with family members and former Children's Aid Society (CAS) compatriots. Trained as a nurse, she had a remarkable 40-year career with the CAS, finally re-retiring at the age of 84.
Big Cheese Days and Cheese Trail reach 10-year milestone
EMILY STEWART
Echo Correspondent
Tourism Oxford is celebrating an entire decade of the Cheese Trail and its subsequent Big Cheese Days, highlighting the rich dairy and cheese industry in Oxford County.
Big Cheese Days will return this May for its tenth anniversary of the trail, where more than 30 participating businesses including farms, cheese shops, and restaurants, will have specials every Saturday of the month. Woodstock’s Cheesy Cow Co. is new to the trail this year, along with GoodPud and Makkink’s Flower Farm and Café in Tillsonburg.
"It's really exciting just to see how the Cheese Trail has grown and flourished over the years,” said Meredith Maywood, Oxford County’s tourism manager. “It just makes you happy and warm inside."
The Cheese Trail was created by Maywood’s predecessor, Cathy Bingham. When Maywood joined the Tourism Oxford team, she worked with the Culinary Tourism Alliance to help shape what the Cheese Trail looks like now.
"We kind of kick off the tourism season every year in May to get people to come out and explore what's new on it,” Maywood said. “It's also a nice testing ground for businesses because they can try out new ideas and some of
those ideas have become permanent offerings from businesses such as cheese tours.”
Maywood added that the Cheese Trail and its Big Cheese Days give visitors to Oxford County a chance to taste food and beverages unique to the local businesses they visit.
“Tourists love to enjoy the taste of a local place that they're going to, and we have so much of that available in Oxford County from our cheesemakers, our chocolatiers, craft brew, and other food producers,” she said.
She also encouraged Oxford County residents to check out the Cheese Trail any time of the year.
"Some people who live in Oxford County might not even be aware of the great tourism attraction that they have in their backyard and I encourage them to get out and explore the Cheese Trail,” she said. “It's a year-round attraction, so whether you can come out Saturdays in May, it's something that you can come and do on a year-round basis when you’re wanting to get out with your friends or if you’ve got family visiting as well. It’s a great outing for everyone, from families with children to people who are looking for an adult group outing, just explore all the cheese and flavours in the area."
To find out more about what Big Cheese Days will offer for 2025, visit online via https://tinyurl.com/bigcheesedays2025.
Alister
Maclean
Realtor, CCIM
519-860-4113
amaclean@execulink.com
Tracey
Flynn
Realtor
519-532-0164
reachtracey@gmail.com
traceyflynnrealtor.ca
L J EWELLERS
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo SPORTS
Captains/Veterans basketball classic a slam dunk success
JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent
Janse Jorgensen’s dunk may not have been ‘picture’ perfect.
But it was a legitimate live-action TVRA South East Captains/Veterans Junior Boys’ Basketball slam.
And despite not ‘posterizing’ an opponent (dunking over a defender), it was good enough to earn props from
Woodstock Huron Park Junior Huskies teammate Carter D’Entremont.
“The Parkside one had a dude in it, this was wide open,” D’Entremont explained. “Still a good dunk though - he got it down.”
Both Huskies had their moments in a 55-46 loss to the Blue Team (Woodstock St. Mary’s, Woodstock CI, Ingersoll DCI, Lord
Dorchester), D’Entremont opening White Team (Huron Park, Woodstock College Avenue, Tillsonburg Glendale, Lord Dorchester) scoring with a three-point field goal. Jorgensen would finish with five points, including a dunk toward the end of the fourth quarter. He had ‘eight or nine’ slams during the regular season, adding the Captains/Veterans dunk competition victory to cap a solid HPSS season.
“The (basketball) community made it fun,” said Jorgensen. “Everyone was like, we’re getting together and all playing. I liked that part of it.”
After not winning a regular-season game the season before, the Huskies finished 6-2 in their 2024/25 campaign, beating St. Thomas Parkside in their first round of playoffs before losing to eventual TVRA South East champion St. Thomas St. Joe’s.
“In our minds we won,” smiled Jorgensen. “Because we played with our hearts.”
The same sentiment might have been expressed by St. Mary’s guard/forward Destiny Omirigbe, whose Warriors were also defeated by St. Joe’s, both in the TVRA South East and Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association AA finals.
The first outing wasn’t
their best, said Omirigbe, but the Warriors rebounded to play much better at WOSSAA, with contributions from everyone.
“We cleaned it up in the second to get a silver medal.”
Omigribe had four points in the Captains/Veterans game with Warriors teammates Travis Martens (2) and Johnny Bertoia (12) also hitting the scoresheet.
“This was fun,” said Bertoia, enjoying both the Captains/Veterans experience and a regular season finished off with WOSSAA silver.
“We started a little slowly but picked it up.”
WCI’s Oscar Berkeley earned his squad’s MVP honours with a 16-point performance, Dorchester’s Curtis Willick added two and IDCI Blue Bombers Carter Minielly and Gavin Laidman six and eight, respectively.
“A good time,” summed up Laidman, having fun teaming up with players from other teams. “And getting to freestyle a bit.”
Representatives from the homecourt WCI Red Devils put their stamp on the senior contest, stroking 10 first-half three-point field goals to give Team White (WCI, Dorchester, Huron Park) a 61-45 advantage at the break. They extended the lead to 89-67 by three-quarter time, but Team Blue (CASS, Ingersoll DCI, Tillsonburg Glendale) enjoyed a 37-23 fourth quarter run which tightened the gap to an entertaining 112104 final.
“It’s better when it’s competitive,” said Red Devil guard/forward Preston Hilderley. “Everyone who watched enjoyed it and had a good time.”
Hilderley finished with two treys and the senior game’s lone dunk.
“Got higher on that one than I thought,” he smiled, pleased to put the ball down during live action, while taking nothing away from the halftime dunk competition.
“It’s hard, fair enough,” he said, giving the three competitors credit for style points. “Guys out there trying 360s, windmills.”
IDCI’s Qurron Kelly was one of the crowd-pleasers, getting above the rim to put down a couple of slams.
“Tonight was just to have fun,” he said.
“It was all around energetic, I would say,” agreed College Avenue’s Nick Mobarak. “Just a fun game. Not a lot of defence but keeps everybody playing in a fun way.”
Mobarak scored ten points for the Blue Team, CASS teammate Craig Sutherland had an even dozen, Jake Hawkeswood 18, Devon Fordham 14 and Essen Mohamed two. Kelly had six and IDCI teammate Nathan Kapitor added five. Tillsonburg Glendale’s Lucas Sandham took Blue Team MVP honours with a teamhigh 30, including 14 in the fourth-quarter run.
Will Halward, following in his elder brother Jaxson’s footsteps, accepted the TVRA South East Mr. Bas -
ketball honour from WCI coach Eric Molinaro at halftime, pacing all scorers with 30 points in what might or might not be his final high school hoops outing.
“To be continued,” he smiled.
WCI’s Derek Gravel earned White Team MVP honours with a 17-point performance fuelled by five treys, Red Devils Kyle Wettlaufer and Zach Molinaro added three and two of the team’s 16 three-pointers overall. Dorchester’s Jaden Sebinagena had 18 points, teammate Cam Avey 11 and Huron Park Huskies Aiden Menton and Garret Foster four and nine, respectively.
“Lots of points, lots of shooting,” said Aiden Menton.
“I liked the passing too,” added Foster. “At the end of the day, everyone was chill. It was a lot of fun.”
“Everyone was involved,” Menton agreed.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Woodstock CI’s Will Halward was presented the TVRA South East Mr. Basketball Award at halftime of the senior boys’ Captains/Veterans game by coach/game convenor Eric Molinaro. Molinaro was also pleased to report the event raised over $1,100 for the Terry Fox Foundation, donated in honour of Captains/Veterans founder Bill Gillespie.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Woodstock CI’s Will Halward was presented the TVRA South East Mr. Basketball Award at halftime of the senior boys’ Captains/Veterans game by coach/game convenor Eric Molinaro. Molinaro was also pleased to report the event raised over $1,100 for the Terry Fox Foundation, donated in honour of Captains/Veterans founder Bill Gillespie.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Huron Park’s Jance Jorgensen put the ball down during the Captains/Veterans junior game.
Chris Coyle honoured with OFSAA Leadership in School Sport Award
JEFF TRIBE
Echo Correspondent
Example and environment both played pivotal roles as Chris Coyle was honoured with an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Leadership in School Sport Award during the recent A boys’ basketball championship in Woodstock.
“Pretty cool,” the Tillsonburg native summed up succinctly. “Very humbling, very special.”
The award is presented annually at each OFSAA final to a teacher/coach who has made a significant contribution to the educational athletic program. Recipients exemplify fair play and sportsmanship, while promoting enjoyment, personal growth and educational achievement through school sports.
While honoured as a member of the Woodstock CI Red Devils program, Coyle’s athletic roots are anchored firmly within his home community. He played for the Glendale Griffins during his Grade 9 season before amalgamation with the Annandale Marauders created the Gemini program the following school year. In all, Coyle played six high school seasons, including a victory lap, sporting the number 14 his basketball hero David Coulthard had worn. It was an era when the Griffins and subsequently Gemini competed at the AAA level, at the time the highest in the province.
“The best of the best,” said Coyle, who gained an intimate firsthand knowledge of Tillsonburg’s tradition of basketball excellence. “Being part of that program I grew up watching.”
Beyond WOSAA and OFSAA appearances and medals, fun facts about his playing career include a perfect 11-11 MVP shooting performance during the inaugural captains/veterans game (with one free throw for 23 points) and a season with Memorial University of Newfoundland at St. John’s, where he led the Atlantic Universities Athletics Association (AUAA) in free throw percentage, second overall in Canada.
“No one was guarding me,” he laughed. “I was all right.”
Coyle played for his late father Wayne all but one high school season, a person who remains an inspiration to this day.
“Dad was the largest influence in my life in every way, especially in basketball,” Chris credited. “He always has been my go-to guy for information.
“Some of what we still do is what he taught me.”
The elder Coyle was a member of a boys’ basketball coaching partnership including Dave Quarrie and Brian O’Ro -
urke. Their decades of commitment in building and maintaining a consistently competitive program stayed with Chris throughout his working and coaching life.
“You have to put in the time and effort, have a plan,” he explained, supporting athletes in being successful both on the court and off. “A little bit of that rubbed off on me.”
Coyle began his teaching career with nine years in the elementary system before joining Woodstock CI in 1998/99.
He came in to contribute to an existing program built by individuals, including Peter Ewing, Lance Elliott and Dave Alexander.
“The place had some basketball pedigree, I just brought my own twist,” said Coyle. “It was a nice combination of what I learned in Tillsonburg and saw here.”
His initial coaching experience mirrored the process of step-by-step program building. Coyle’s first group of players won one game in Grade 9, ‘a couple’ in Grade 10.
“By Grade 13, they were one of the best teams around.”
In all, Coyle has nine OFSAA appearances on his coaching resume, to date, which naturally rank as highlights.
“Some girls, some boys,” he said. “I was lucky enough to coach both. Getting there is such a big goal. It’s the best in the province, right? And such an awesome experience for everyone.”
Coyle also has four provincial medals, an antique bronze, two bronze and a silver from this year’s event in Woodstock. The OFSAA leadership award will fit nicely into his collection, representing what he appreciatively views as recognition for lifetime achievement.
In gratefully accepting it, Coyle wished to thank OFSAA A convenor and nominator Eric Molinaro, given both the direct relationship between hosting OFSAA and, in general, recognizing a local individual for the leadership award, as well as their long-standing coaching relationship. Coyle also mentioned previous fellow WCI program coaches Jag Rai, Brian Does and Christian Madamba, as well as the contemporary Jason Poole, previously an elite-level soccer coach who has developed into an excellent Red Devils basketball bench boss within the WCI program. And last, but certainly not least, Chris expressed appreciation for his wife Tami’s support, without which ‘none of this would be possible.’
In summing up, Coyle didn’t focus on winning, medals or awards related to a program he helped form, shape and develop, but rather a shared coaching journey, ‘all the little things’ that happen in
practices, games or on the road.
“It’s about the people, relationships with kids and other coaches. That’s the
fun of it, build a program and watch the kids flow through Grade 9 to 12 and create some memories along the way.”
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Tillsonburg native Chris Coyle (right, pictured with nominator Eric Molinaro, left) was honoured with an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Leadership in School Sport Award during the recent A boys’ basketball championship in Woodstock.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Chris (left) Coyle shows off his OFSAA Leadership in School ring under the appreciative eye of his greatest supporter, wife Tami.
Flocks of badminton birdies flying high at opening TVRA junior mini-meet
JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent
Flocks of birdies were flying high at the opening Thames Valley Regional Athletics South East junior badminton mini-meet Tuesday, April 1st at Woodstock Huron Park.
“Everyone seems to have more teams,” said Huron Park cocoach and mini-meet co-convenor Sara Tomlinson. “It’s definitely an up-and-coming sport for sure.”
She and compatriot Karen Lam were extremely busy flight controllers inside a full gym of active courts, boys’ and girls’ doubles teams from the host school, Woodstock CI, St. Mary’s and College Avenue and Ingersoll DCI (IDCI) contesting a steady flow of 15-point matches.
“Today was good crazy,” smiled Lam.
“Once we got it rolling,” added Tomlinson.
“Good teamwork,” Lam rejoined. “We made it work.”
Factors, including elementary school badminton programs, appear to have contributed to an upswing in junior high school numbers playing out in Huron Park’s main gym and beyond.
“It seems to be,” agreed Tomlinson. “We had a really great turnout for tryouts.”
High school badminton is a comparatively short season, an opening mini-meet of boys’ and girls’ doubles matches; singles and mixed doubles taking to the court the following week at Lord
Dorchester. The TVRA East (Oxford County plus Dorchester) meet for all four divisions is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15th at IDCI, followed by TVRA South East Tuesday, April 22nd at St. Thomas Parkside. The top teams from there qualify for Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) championships which represent the pinnacle of the junior season.
Each school can send three teams per division to TVRA, Huron Park fielding more than that number at this point.
“It’s great a lot of kids want to come out to play,” said Tomlinson.
The comparative quickness of the season allows student-athletes to cram another competitive outlet into what may already be a busy schedule.
“More sports,” smiled WCI’s Jillian Trepanier, coming off a girls’ hockey season to join ranks with volleyballer Avery Molinaro before both head onward to track and field.
“It’s fun to work together,” said Molinaro, whose badminton goals include ‘having fun.’ “And we would like to go to WOSSAA if we can make it.”
“That would be nice,” Trepanier agreed.
Similarly, Springbank Public School alumni Charles Thompson and Fyfer MacDonald teamed up before the former concentrated on Huron Park soccer, the latter the Huskies baseball
team.
“It’s a sport we can play together,” Thompson explained.
They finished the day with a perfect 4-0 record, as well as identifying areas they’d like to work on, including better communication.
“We sort of have to aim our shots a bit better,” Thompson added.
“Get the other team running a bit more,” MacDonald contributed.
St. Mary’s Warriors Matthew Polidori and Travis Martens also had a solid outing, going 3-1 on their day.
“We did all right,” assessed Martens of a Grade 10 tandem which narrowly missed qualifying for WOSSAA last year, experience establishing that tournament as this season’s goal.
“Got to play more as a team,” said Martens of lessons learned at Huron Park.
“If it’s in between us, who’s going to get it?” added Polidori. “Chemistry, I guess.”
As the day’s matches concluded, some players continued to hang around, Thompson and MacDonald among those splitting up for a little impromptu singles action. Although happy to have successfully completed a busy day, their enthusiasm, like having more than three teams per division, was a good problem to have, said Tomlinson.
“You’ve got to chase them out of here at the end of the day,” she concluded with a smile. “It’s good to see.”
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Woodstock CI’s Jillian Trepanier serves during TVRA junior badminton mini-meet action Tuesday, April 1st at Woodstock Huron Park.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO) St. Mary’s Warrior Matthew Polidori lines up a shot on his backhand.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Huron Park’s Charles Thompson lines up a shot.
Woodstock U13 Reps off to OHF championship tourney
battled each weekend and grabbed up as many extra ice times as we could.
Our 2012-born U13 A Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets are a team composed of 17 young athletes who love hockey. These boys have worked hard over the season with one goal in mind - to attend an OHF Championship weekend. With any team, you trudge through the highs and lows of a season, but after each tough loss, we moved forward, and celebrating each win felt incredible. These boys put in hard work both on and off the ice, participating in dryland training, bonding through dragon boat races, and even spending Christmas together at the World Junior Tournament in Ottawa. This season has been one for the books.
The road to the Alliance Championship weekend
When we found out that the Alliance Championship weekend was going to be held in Woodstock, our coaches and players locked in with working on being the top of our league to ensure we could represent our city. There were no host team privileges; only hard work was the way to get us here. We
Our regular season record of 12-4-2 solidified our position as the number one team heading into the Alliance Championship weekend on home ice last weekend in the A division.
Alliance Championship weekend
Leading up to the Alliance Championship weekend, I emailed Matt Fidlin, the GM of the Navy Vets Junior C team and asked if our boys would be able to use their dressing room. He said yes, so our boys were able to have the experience of leaving their equipment in a Junior room, have snacks available, and have their own stalls labelled with their names. This honour came with a level of pride and made their desire to win for their city even greater. Our first game was at 9 a.m. on the green pad. This is a change from the regular season, as the boys usually played on the Red (bigger) pad. They had to quickly adjust their play and battled hard against London Mustangs White but were only able to secure a 6-6
(Please park at the door)
tie.
Our second game was in the afternoon against the London Mustangs Purple. The Jr. Navy Vets came out hard and kept the play in their zone often, only letting a few shots on our goalie. Our defence and forwards landed four goals in the back of the net, giving us a 4-0 win.
We knew going into the third game against Cambridge Hawks that if we won, we would get a bye straight to the finals. With a high-intensity game, we came out on top 3-2.
We came back to the arena to watch the semi-final game to see who we would face in the finals - the Cambridge Hawks or London Mustangs Purple. When that game was over, we knew we would be facing Mustangs one more time.
The final countdown
Our team came to the rink, battling nerves and knew that the game would not be easy. They all wanted one thing - to be the best, and to win. The first period was scoreless and in the second the teams battled hard, but Nash Zylstra gave us a 1-0 lead on a feed from Colton Townes and Carter Yeoman. Later in the period,
Woodstock had a faceoff in London’s zone. Aiden Murphy won the draw clean back to defenceman Drew Klein-Geltink, who had a quick shot that found the back of the net. Minutes later, London answered back, setting
up an intense third period where both teams had great chances to score.
Our goalie, Austin Martel, made some incredible saves and Yeoman was able to score an empty-net goal with just under 30 seconds remaining on a
pass from Aiden Murphy to complete a 3-1 victory. The team has qualified for the OHF championship weekend in Belle River from April 18 to 20. The coaches and families could not be prouder of these players!
MEGAN YEOMAN
Echo Contributor
(MEGAN YEOMAN PHOTO)
Players are captain Aiden Murphy, alternate captains Carter Yeoman and Drew Klein-Geltink. Goalies Austin Martel and Wyatt Holt. Forwards Nash Zylstra, Colton Townes, Caelen Pocock, Nolan Tune, Weston Van Haeren, Trenton Watson and Charlie Dee. Defencemen Blake Vaughan, Chase Ireton, Nathan Gagnon, Rory Hook and Weston Yates. Head coach Justin Martel and assistant coaches Darrin Murphy and Justin Zylstra. Trainer Darryl Klein-Geltink. Manager Megan Yeoman.
Why this election matters for farmers and rural communities
DREW SPOELSTRA President, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
We’re in the midst of our second election campaign of 2025 and like all elections, it’s a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the importance of agriculture to our communities, our economy and our country.
In Ontario alone, the agri-food sector contributes over $50 billion to the economy every year – to put that into every day terms, that’s enough
to buy 10 billion cups of Tim Hortons coffee, or 250 double-doubles for every Canadian!
The sector also employs 11 per cent of Ontario’s workforce by supporting 871,000 jobs and generates $26.2 billion in exports every year.
That’s why food and farming matter – and why, as farmers, we work hard to get that message across to politicians of all parties, both federally and provincially.
I farm with my family near Binbrook in the City of Hamilton growing crops, raising horses and producing high quality milk and beef, and I’m also the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).
It’s already been a busy year with the ongoing turmoil of tariffs and cross-border issues with the United States, but that’s exactly why it’s important to be engaged in
this campaign.
This is a pivotal time for Canada and for agriculture, and that’s why the OFA is urging federal election candidates to take clear and decisive stances on critical issues affecting farm businesses, economic competitiveness and food security.
Here are the OFA’s priorities for the April 28 federal election:
Addressing trade issues: Tariffs and other trade barriers threaten Canada’s food system. The agriculture sector needs immediate support to weather this uncertainty, as well as long-term investments that will ensure we can continue to produce food, fuel, fibre and flowers right here at home.
Support for farm business competitiveness: Programs that help farmers manage business risks beyond their control, like
tariffs, trade, inflation or weather, are critical. Farmers are asking for a permanent increase to the interest-free portion of the Advanced Payments Program to $350,000 per year and improvements to the AgriStability program that will make it easier for farmers to access support. Permanently scrapping the carbon tax: There are currently no practical, cost-effective alternatives to the fuels used in agricultural production for essential activities like grain drying and barn heating. Although Canada’s carbon tax rate has been set to zero, farmers are asking the carbon tax to be permanently removed from fuels used in agricultural production.
Preventing railways from downloading costs onto farmers and landowners: Federally regulated rail companies are downloading infrastructure maintenance and
safety upgrade costs that have always been their responsibility onto farmers and landowners in two major areas: drainage and private rail crossings. The federal government must prevent railways from downloading these cost-prohibitive expenses onto farmers and landowners.
Ensuring consistent access to labour: Lack of labour across the entire agriculture and food supply chain — including planting, production, quality control, processing, distribution and research — is a critical issue. Farmers need access to reliable, well-functioning labour programs that provide benefit to both employers and workers, and a longterm strategy is needed to address workforce shortages.
To help engage candidates locally and regionally on agricultural issues, we encourage our
Sally Creek hosts murder mystery event
The Sally Creek Community Centre was transformed into a thrilling scene of suspense, humor, and fine dining on March 29. Guests stepped back in time to 1967 for the murder mystery event, Diamonds, Death, and Second Chances. Attendees, dressed in their finest period attire, were transported to an elegant benefit auction hosted by Lady Ophelia, where intrigue and danger lurked behind every conversation. With the doors open, attendees mingled and anticipated the unfolding mystery, while at 5 p.m., the appetizers and bar service
members to host an online call or forum, invite them on farm tours or organize all-candidate meetings focused specifically on farming and food-related topics.
For reach beyond rural areas, it’s important to demonstrate agriculture’s relevance to urban issues.
Many of those 871,000 jobs our sector supports are actually in urban areas far from our farms, for example. Topics like food security, economic resilience, affordability and climate change matter to Ontarians regardless of where they live.
As the leading advocate and strongest voice for Ontario’s farmers, we’re proud of our sector and the work that farmers do producing food, fuel, fibre and flowers all across Ontario – and we will continue to work with all levels of government to help ensure Farms and Food Forever.
commenced, allowing guests to sip on cocktails and sample delectable bites prepared by Local Roots Cafe. As the event progressed, the highly anticipated show began. The audience was introduced to the glamorous yet mysterious world of Lady Ophelia and her valuable collection of fine jewels. With the prized peace diamond up for auction, the stakes were high. Enter James Blonde, the suave secret agent tasked with ensuring the safety of the diamond and maintaining order, if he could. The guests quickly found themselves entangled in
a plot full of unexpected twists, shocking revelations, and, of course, a murder that had to be solved. Dinner was served buffet-style, offering a delicious spread that perfectly complemented the evening’s entertainment. As attendees dined, they worked together to piece together the clues, uncover hidden motives, and deduce the identity of the culprit.
Laughter and gasps of surprise filled the room as the mystery deepened,
keeping guests engaged and on their toes. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, with South Gate Centre members attending at a special rate of $30, while non-members joined in on the excitement for $35. The evening proved to be a resounding success, with guests applauding the captivating storyline, the delicious cuisine, and the engaging performances.
Attendees left the event with smiles, lively conversations, and the
lingering question - was justice truly served? For those who missed out on Diamonds, Death, and Second Chances, antic -
ipation is already building for future murder mystery events at Sally Creek Community Cen
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(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)
Starring in the evening Mystery Event were Jessie Smith, James Blonde 007, Lady Ophelia, Sandi and Randy.
Dressed in their finest were Diane and Lon Clark.
and Community.
An opening in our underwriting department has created a career opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who is a team player and demonstrates good judgement and attention to detail. The successful candidate will ensure accurate and efficient processing of insurance applications, endorsements and renewals as well as provide administrative support.
Key Responsibilities:
• Primary focus will be automobile underwriting while providing general support for other lines of business
• Review & accurately process insurance applications, endorsements and renewals within service standards
• Collaborate with agents, brokers, and other stakeholders to gather necessary information
• Maintain organized and up-to-date records of underwriting files and documents
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of underwriting reports and documentation
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the underwriting department
• Provide administrative support
Experience & Skills Required:
• Underwriting knowledge preferred
• Previous experience in an administrative or support role
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Proactive and positive approach to customer service
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
Preference may be given to candidates currently enrolled in the Chartered Insurance Professional designation program, or have other experience or training relevant to this position. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are necessary. The successful candidate should be willing to pursue further insurance related courses when opportunities are offered.
If this position is of interest to you, and you feel you have the attributes we are looking for, please submit your resume and cover letter by April 25, 2025 to info@southeasthope.com
More information about our Company can be viewed at www.southeasthope.com
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted. Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request during the recruitment process.
Route to the Past – Vimy Ridge Remembered
SCOTT GILLIES Contributor
Topographically it’s only a hill, but from a military point of view it was a strategic stronghold. For the German troops in World War One, it was the backbone of their famous defensive Hindenburg Line. It was called Vimy Ridge.
A chalk ridge stretching from the French coal producing town of Lens in the north, to the city of Arras in the south, Vimy Ridge had been held by the Germans since 1914. It provided them with a clear view of all the flat open lands surrounding it.
The Huns had sworn to hold it; the Allies tried twice to capture it, with disastrous results for both the French and the English. Now, in 1917, it was up to the Canadians.
Since much of this low land had been reclaimed from the sea, any high point was of strategic importance. The Germans had spared no efforts in fortifying the ridge. It was riddled with trenches, underground bunkers and concrete machine gun posts.
On April 8, 1917, Lieutenant Frank Smith of the 146th Battalion was surrounded by thousands of other Canadians when he wrote to his father in Norfolk County. Smith and his comrades-in-arms had enjoyed the sun of that Easter Sunday and he wrote that they hoped for similar weather the next day because they sensed that they were about to be part of the “biggest day in Canadian history”.
Months of preparations, briefings, and coordination had been set into play. Raiding parties had resulted in valuable information. A life-size replica of the battlefield was constructed behind Canadian lines and used repeatedly for instructive exercises. By the time the battle actually took place every Canadian soldier, from the officers in command to the individual foot soldier, knew his duty and objective.
In preparation for the attack, more than 25 miles of supply road had to be repaired or built along with another 20 miles of tramway for the daily shipping of more than 800 tons of ammunitions, rations and other supplies behind the Allied line of trenches. The sudden concentration of fifty thousand horses within this same small area further required the construction of reservoirs and 45 miles of pipelines in order to meet their daily requirement of 600,000 gallons of water.
To ensure good communication among the Canadian Corps, signallers added 21 miles of cable, burying much of it seven feet deep to withstand enemy shelling. Since the area was in full view of the enemy most of this work had to be done at night.
Military engineers known as sappers dug twenty-five feet deep tunnels up to the front lines. Dug so deeply, these subways and caverns provided safe cover as well as first aid posts and storage depots for the troops. This network of tunnels is considered one of the most
remarkable feats of the war. Their use saved countless thousands of Canadian lives.
A massive artillery barrage began on March 20th, destroying or damaging at least 80% of the German fortifications thanks to aerial observations. A new explosive fuse also managed to destroy most of the barbed wire entanglements strewn across the battleground.
As military chaplain Canon F.G. Scott observed in his memoir “The Great War As I Saw It”, “it was a time of mingled anxiety and exhilaration…Never was the spirit of comradeship higher in the Canadian Corps. Never was there a greater sense of unity. The task laid upon us was a tremendous one, but in the heart of each man, from private to general, was the determination that it should be performed.”
At 5:30 am April 9, 1917 – Easter Monday – the iron throats of nearly 3,000 Allied guns once more began pounding the German defences and 30,000 Canadians went over the top into No Man’s Land.
Marching closely behind the cover of a creeping barrage of exploding shells, Canadian troops under the carefully timed command of General Arthur Currie captured one of the main German trench systems within 30 minutes. One Canadian described it as “perhaps the most perfect barrage of the war as it was perfectly synchronized.”
The majority of the ridge was captured in record time, but there was one hill, nicknamed “The Pimple” which was a stubborn vantage point for murderous machine gun fire. Major Stanley Norsworthy of Ingersoll, who was in command of the Black Watch that morning, urged his troops and the neighbouring Kootney Battalion to push on. Suffering more than 50 casualties, their efforts finally paid off.
During the extended battle, local boys from Ingersoll -- Ernest Harfield, Alfred Jeavons, Walter Newman, 18-yearold Archie Barrow, and Tom Cussons paid the ultimate price; still others were wounded in the fray.
Some historians have heralded this attack as the crowing glory of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. It was the first time that all of the Canadian troops had fought together under their own banner and that did have a unifying influence on the troops from then on. In hindsight, there were other, more significant battles won by the Canadians in the days and months to come following the attack on Vimy Ridge. For all of these reasons, Canadian troops earned a reputation for being the fiercest fighters on the field. By April 12, 1917, all of Vimy Ridge had been captured. Two years later, Ingersoll’s own Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gibson (son of our local postmaster) was part of the peace negotiations. When the Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris, Canada was at the table as a one of the Allied signatories. That right was earned with the blood of the young Canadian men who fought and died that week in France.
Route2thepast@gmail.com
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Thomas Cussons. Ernest Harfield.
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: More than just a bucket list destination
Echo Contributor
This article is about St. John’s, Nfld., but let’s start in downtown Toronto, specifically, at the fascinating attraction called Little Canada.
During my visit to Little Canada, I was “littlized.” Sadly, this does not indicate an effective diet plan. Instead, a miniature of me – three quarters of an inch in height – was produced through a 3D photography and subsequent molding process. I was asked where I would like my mini-me to be placed in Little Canada. And about three weeks later, I received a photo of the tiny Paul loitering just outside the YellowBelly Brewery in St. John’s, Nfld.
Why there? Two reasons – because St. John’s is an amazing place to visit, and because the YellowBelly tavern is a terrific source of excellent beer, good food and great stories. It probably says everything you need to know that when registration opened for our 2024 Travel Media Association
of Canada conference in St. John’s, the 250 available spots were filled in two hours, and a waiting list was growing by the minute. St. John’s is clearly one of Canada’s bucket-list destinations, and deservedly so. I suspect it will become even more popular as more Canadians opt to explore Canada.
I loved a lot of things about St. John’s. There is, of course, Signal Hill, the iconic location at which Guglielmo Marconi received the first-ever transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.
Oddly, that’s not where the name originated. Signal Hill was a key post used for military signaling (initially by flags) as early as 1704. As communication became more modern, Signal Hill became the terminus of eight telegraph cables connecting Newfoundland (and points south and east) to Ireland.
Signal Hill boasts an historic tower and amazing views, but this being Newfoundland, home of the friendliest folks you’ll meet, one of the biggest attractions is a man and his dog – Ed Jackman and his 140-pound Newfoundland named Sable Chief. They come to the hill almost every day, and Sable Chief happily poses for photos – no charge – with visitors.
Of course, visitors to St. John’s also have to capture photos of the colourful houses in Jelly Bean Row – although I find this rather amusing, since it would seem that at least half the homes in the older sections of St. John’s are equally brightly hued.
Every attraction in St. John’s comes with a story or three. The
home of the governor general, in the midst of a beautiful park, has a rather quixotic feature – a moat! Our guide, Jeff Howard, told us when the stately home was constructed, the governor of the time held that office both in Newfoundland and in Bermuda. He ordered the construction of an official residence in each place and wanted a moat around the Bermuda building. But the plans got switched, and here, on high ground in peaceful Newfoundland, the official residence of the King’s representative is protected by an entirely unnecessary moat.
One of the most popular districts in St. John’s is Quidi Vidi, home to the amazing craftspeople housed in the Quidi Vidi Artisan Studies, as well as a terrific brewery named for the village. That’s just one of the unique small communities within easy distance of downtown St. John’s, all worth a visit!
Of course, most visitors to St. John’s – and thousands of locals – spend a lot of time in the pubs and clubs of George Street. Heck, the Great Big Sea song, “The Night Pat Murphy Died,” pays homage to this party central.
“They stopped the hearse on George Street outside Sundance Saloon; They all went in at half past eight and staggered out at noon.”
And that brings us back to the YellowBelly Brewery. It’s ideally located; its front door is on Water Street, its rear entrance on George.
And don’t get the impression it is named for cowards; Yel-
lowBelly is the name of hurling teams from Wexford, Ireland – and they don’t come tougher than Irish hurlers.
Brenda O’Rielly owns the place. She told me it has stood on Yellowbelly Corner since before the 1700s and has been occupied by a lot of different businesses. She bought the building 22 years ago and, before opening, spent five years doing renovations and turning it into the thriving enterprise it is today.
YellowBelly’s beers are unique creations, brewed onsite. But there is still room for a total of 700 patrons – not counting the patio, open in warmer weather. The beer labels reflect the Irish/Newfoundland connections of the place: Wexford Wheat, Come From Away, Fighting Irish Red Ale and, my
favourite, YellowBelly Confederation Ale with a can featuring a wildly colourful portrait of the first premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood. St. John’s may be a bucket-list destination, but for me, it certainly isn’t one I would check off as been there, done that. This hospitable, unique community is a place you will want to spend time in, again and again. And when I do, you’ll be able to find me right there at the YellowBelly Brewery. Although unlike mini-me at Little Canada, I will probably be inside with a pint close at hand. Paul Knowles is an author and tavel 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
The famed Jelly Bean Row in St. John’s.
(PHOTOS BY PAUL KNOWLES)
YellowBelly Brewery owner Brenda O’Rielly spent five years renovating the historic St. John’s building before opening.
The author with Sable Chief on Signal Hill.
Learning some basic Newfoundland skills at Quidi Vidi village in St. John’s.
Zorra Township News
Multi-use courts construction delayed, RFP will be reissued in 2026
CONNOR LUCZKA
Echo Correspondent
While every councillor around the horseshoe admitted delaying construction of the much-anticipated multi-use courts was not ideal, they made that decision at the April 2 Zorra Township Council meeting.
“I'm in a unique position,” Coun. Katie Grigg said during the meeting. “Because I sit on that committee…Delaying it another year to RFP for next year wasn't, you know, the dream. I think I can speak for the committee, based on the discussions we've had at our most recent meeting, that the new location is ideal for the long-term use of the courts, and the construction of that development in that timeline really is a huge contributing factor.”
She added by delaying one more year, the use of the courts is set up for the best function for everyone involved.
In early 2025, the township issued a request for proposal for the courts’ design and installation. Two bids were received, and Brantco Construction quoted the municipality $201,850 but did not include a design. Burlington Paving Co. quoted the municipality $395,000, though it expanded the scope of the project.
Staff recommended re-issuing the RFP in 2026 until after the grading and necessary infrastructure of the Kingwood development (where the courts will be located) are completed. Kingwood’s engineer has also offered to complete an engineering design at no cost, which would assist future bidders in submitting accurate proposals.
Ice allocation policy amended to align with community values
After requesting a review of how the township allocates ice time back in 2023, council approved a few notable changes to its policy.
While many of the amendments were to add definitions, such as municipal groups and ice hour, one key addition was the definition of equity-deserving groups. That means minor sports organizations need to be made up of at least 40 per cent local residents or within a reasonable percentage for minor local organizations servicing equity-deserving groups or providing unmet community needs.
The push to amend the policy stemmed from a 2023 delegation from the Woodstock Wildcats Hockey Association and a motion from council to address the inequality of ice access for Zorra girls' hockey participants.
Other notable additions include recognizing the Thamesford Trojans Junior B hockey team as a community asset and giving them priority ice time despite not being local to the township. June 20 is being set aside as a day to review ice allocation and allow for ice time trades among organizations.
The full amended policy is available on the township’s website.
Across two arenas in the township, in Thamesford and Embro, there are a total of 120 prime-time hours per week. Fifty-six per cent of that time is allocated to local minor sport groups, five per cent is allocated to the Junior C team, 24 per cent is allocated to adult groups (local and non-local), and 15 per cent is allocated to non-local youth teams, typically
Nominations for Senior and Volunteer of the year awards now open
CONNOR LUCZKA
Echo Correspondent
Each year, Zorra Township Council recognizes two individuals for going above and beyond for their community – and they want to hear from you on who should be this year’s winners.
The Volunteer of the Year award goes to a resident who exemplifies volunteerism and whose efforts have positively influenced the municipality, as does the Senior of the Year award (except that they are 65 years of age or older).
An individual can be eligible for nomination of both awards in the same year; however, will not
be the recipient of both in the same year.
If you know someone who has contributed to the township’s arts, literature, community service, volunteering, education, environment, fitness, and humanitarian activities, fill out a nomination form and explain why they deserve to be recognized in 50 words or less. The nomination period closes April 25.
Residents can find nomination forms here: https://www.zorra.ca/living-in-zorra/ awards/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJiRm9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHqAePuT4fuVGrThdgchZvat91YYsBOPbc5e6YvpvBvMkBk2nWyneQLVRt2OG_aem_eS9IvYphT958VwL9qbvFkw.
from Woodstock, Ingersoll, and London.
In consultation with local minor sports groups, they all noted an anticipated need for more ice time in the 2025/2026 season, given the growing population and higher registration rates.
“Without an established industry norm, staff have drafted this policy to align with community values, anticipated growth in youth sports, an educational review of physical literacy research, and equitable best practices from ice allocation in other communities,” the report reads.
Township phasing in PickupHub model for online registration
To address staffing limitations, safety risks, and inefficiencies, the township is transitioning to an online registration system called PickupHub for drop-in programs to replace the current cash payment system.
Participants normally pay for drop-in programs by bringing cash in what the municipality is calling an honour-based system. Now that the recreation department’s programs are expanding (since 2024, dryland programs have increased from 15 to 22).
PickupHub is a Guelph-based online registration and payment platform that is used by over 15 municipalities, including Woodstock and Ingersoll. It reduces administrative work and improves data tracking. Participants sign up for an account on an electronic device and can browse activities in the local area. By registering through the service, payment can be made with a credit or debit card.
PickUpHub charges a 15 per cent transaction fee, but Sofia Caldwell,
manager of recreation and facilities, said staff are confident it will not impact the municipality.
“The new 15 per cent transaction fee will be offset by the current labour costs that we are having to realize through the collection and counting of cash, taking it to the bank and reconciling it,” Caldwell said. “To give you just a bit of a snapshot, from…January to March, for our programs the 15 per cent fee on the revenue of that would total $1,800. In comparison, labour costs for our current payment system, we’re averaging about five hours of staff time on a weekly basis, about $1,900.”
Staff will be rolling out the program in spring this year with pickleball and yoga. In the short-term, cash will continue to be collected.
Township cancels battery collection program
Due to safety concerns, the township will no longer be collecting used batteries for local residents.
The service was offered through the local arenas and municipal offices since 2012 but staff consulted with waste management personnel from Oxford County and have concluded it is no longer safe to do so.
As noted in the management report explaining the decision, “improper handling and storage can lead to batteries overheating, leaking harmful substances, bursting, catching fire or exploding.”
Staff will be directing residents to recycle used batteries through a few services, such as the county’s waste management facility in Woodstock.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The Lions River Park in Thamesford was flooded due to an immense amount of rain that poured over Zorra and region on April 2. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority estimates that 35 to 55 millimetres of rain fell across the watershed.
EMILY STEWART
Echo Correspondent
Two performers in Oxford County are starting a new initiative to welcome those who want to meet like-minded people who love to sing.
Vocal Rhythm Oxford (VRO) is a new initiative offering programming for people looking to perform and sharpen their singing skills. Between 80 to 90 people have expressed interest so far.
VRO, run by musical director Chloe Weir and program director Mike Crabbe, came after the directors realized a need to have a space for the community to gather together and sing Top 40 pop songs for the joy of it. Crabbe and Weir have been collaborating together since high school and are very involved in Oxford County’s arts community, particularly the theatre scene.
“Through our natural interactions through those experiences, we realized
there's a really beautiful arts community and everyone is looking for something different to connect to one another and build on this community,” said Crabbe.
Weir added that beyond high school choirs, coffee houses, musical theatre productions, and other opportunities, also seen sometimes in post-secondary, there aren’t a ton of opportunities to sing in adulthood other than karaoke or as a professional singer.
"There's a lot of places where if you want to be an actor, there's loads of community theatre. If you want to sing musical theatre, there's loads of opportunity for that, but pop music - just singing into a microphone for the love of it - there's not too much of that so that's kind of the niche that we wanted to fill.”
VRO will have an audition-based performance session on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. starting April 23 and a monthly sing-sesh session that is more focused on working on socializing
and skill-building without performances on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at College Avenue United Church. However, VRO is more focused on those who love to sing as a hobby.
"If you have a spark in your heart, if you're a shower singer and you want to take it to the next level, this is something that we want to invite people to things that they can help build their confidence in not just in performing, but in social interactions too,” explained Crabbe said.
The performance group of VRO will have their first performance at the Downtown Woodstock Streetfest Main Stage on July 19 and will sing summer songs such as “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves, “Soak Up the Sun” by Cheryl Crow, and “(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, as well as disco songs such as ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”.
Crabbe has fond memories of check-
ing out StreetFest in the summer growing up in Woodstock and attending the annual event with Weir when they were camp counsellors, so he’s looking forward to performing there.
“It's nice to be a part of something that's already big in our community and having an experience that allows local talent the opportunity to present for our community and add some really wonderful opportunities for people to come out and support them,” he said.
“It's free to attend, so it's really nice for the friends and family involved and just to know that it's a way to warm our downtown a little bit more on an already beautiful day. StreetFest is always such a very specific vibe of this fun in the sun and that's the perfect way to have our first concert,” Weir added.
More information on VRO can be found at https://vocalrhythmoxford.carrd.co or by visiting the VRO Facebook and Instagram pages.
Smile with Confidence
Accepting CDCP Patients
Accepting
CDCP Patients
We are accepting patients with the Canadian Dental Care Program.
Keeping your smile looking great and feeling happy is the number one priority of the team at the Woodstock Denture Clinic. We specialize in complete, partial, metal-free dentures and implant retained dentures.
We are accepting patients with the Canadian Dental Care Program. Keeping your smile looking great and feeling happy is the number one priority of the team at the Woodstock Denture Clinic. We specialize in complete, partial, metal-free dentures and implant retained dentures.
Complete Denture Services
• Digital Impressions
• Exams and Free Consultations
• Implant-Supported Dentures
• Standard and Immediate Dentures
• Partial Dentures
• Relines, Rebases and Repairs
Complete Denture Services
• Referrals to Other Specialists Call 519-320-7080 79 Montclair Drive, Woodstock Plenty of parking
• Digital Impressions
• Exams and Free Consultations
The month of April has been home to many historical events over the years. HereÕs a look at some that helped to shape the world in April 1925.
• Henry Ford begins running a private air freight service between Detroit and Chicago on April 2.
• On April 4, Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg agrees to run in the second round of the German presidential election in place of Karl Jarres, who had won the first round. Jarres withdrew his name prior to the second round, paving the way for Hindenburg's candidacy and ultimate victory.
• Adolf Hitler formally renounces his Austrian citizenship on April 7. Hitler would remain stateless and ineligible for public office until being granted German citizenship in early 1932.
• In conjunction with the British Colonial Office, the Australian government announces a plan on April 8 to
encourage nearly half a million British citizens to relocate to Australia. The government offers low-interest loans and skills training to entice people to move.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby is published on April 10.
• The James Simpson-Roosevelt Asiatic Expedition departs New York City on April 11. The expedition aimed to collect wildlife species from mountainous regions in Asia, and would ultimately return with thousands of specimens.
• Women are granted the right to vote in the Dominion of Newfoundland on April 13.
• The Caterpillar Tractor Company is founded upon the merger of Holt Manufacturing Company and the C.L. Best Tractor Company on April 15.
• The Communist Party of Korea is founded in Japanese-ruled Korea on April 17.
• The use of a sign shaped like a shield is standardized as the way to identify federally funded highways in the United States on April 20.
• The entire crew of the Japanese cargo ship S.S. Raifuku Maru perishes when the ship sinks in a storm on April 21. The ship was transporting wheat from the U.S. to Germany but rescue efforts failed due to stormy conditions.
• France begins air raids on Morocco as part of the Rif War on April 27. The raids would continue intermittently for the next nine years.
• After consuming an excessive amount of hot dogs and soda, Babe Ruth undergoes surgery on April 17. Ruth had collapsed on a team train 10 days earlier and is treated for what doctors characterized as an intestinal abscess.
BETTER TOGETHER CARE IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO
COMING EVENTS
EASTER AND PALM SUNDAY SERVICES
College Ave Church 22 Wilson St, Woodstock
Join us for 2 exciting Easter Services on Palm Sunday April 13th and Easter Sunday April 20th at 10:30a.m. Welcoming back Pastor Lloyd Bennett.
LIONS FUNDRAISING BREAKFAST
Foldens Community Hall
Sunday, April 27 from 9 am – 1 pm
Adults $15, kids aged 5-10 $5, 4 and under free. All proceeds to the Sweaburg Lions projects and Foldens Park.
“Y” KNOT QUILT SHOW AND SALE
June 1st from 10am to 4pm Falstaff Family Centre 35 Waterloo St., Stratford. Many beautiful new and antique quilts will be for sale with all proceeds going to help support the Stratford Family Y and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
WALK FOR LUPUS IN WOODSTOCK
Saturday June 7/25 at Southside park in Woodstock at the pavillion by the playground. Registration starts at 10:00 am and the walk starts around 11:15. Lots of raffle prizes and some refreshments. For more information contact janropp@yahoo.com or call 519-535-9114.
NOAH'S ARK ADVENTURE
July 7 - 11, 9:30am to 12noon CornerStone Baptist Church
34 Graham Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 6J6 For ages 5-11. Call: 519.537.0125 for more information or go to https://www.myvbs.org/cornerstonewoodstockvbs/ to register.
APRIL GOLF PACKAGE FUNDRAISER
April 1 to April 30
April golf challenge package, $25 & secure a spot on the spinner wheel, for your chance to win the $1290 package. Odds of winning depend on number of names on the wheel, but for certain, if your name is NOT on the wheel, you cannot win it! All proceeds will be donated to my Great Cycle Challenge ride to help the kids fighting cancer! Send your EMT for $25 per spot on the wheel, to me at omulder@rogers.com or email me at the same address to make other arrangements for payment, to get your chance to win this package! To receive a tax receipt, make your donation directly to: https:// greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/HenriettaOlthoffMulder
GOOD FRIDAY EVENING
April 18
Join the Ingersoll Choral Society Good Friday evening as they perform Mark Hayes’ “Requiem”, and other selected works. With orchestral accompaniment. Sacred Heart Church, Ingersoll, 8 pm. Free will offering will be received. www.ingersollchoralsociety.ca or find us on Facebook.
SACRED HEART PARISH EUCHRE Henderson Hall 133 John Street Ingersoll. Tuesday April 22 start at 1:00 pm
We invite everyone to join us for a Euchre afternoon. Refreshments provided. For more info call or text Martha 519-320-0785
OUR CLASSIC COUNTRY ROOTS SHOW
Sunday May 4, 2025 at Mt Elgin Community Centre, 333204 Plank Line, Mount Elgin, ON Celebrating Nashville's Greatest Stars with Roy LeBlanc and Mary Skelton together with the Royal Tribute Band. Tickets are $35.00 (INCL. HST) and are available at WWW.TICKETSCENE.CA/EVENTS/51159 or by calling Dawne (519)-421-6836 or Joanne (519-4851988)
LOOKING FOR FUN, FITNESS, AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION? JOIN US FOR PICKLEBALL!
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there's a spot for you at Huron Park Baptist Church, 199 Berwick Street held the first Saturday of the every month from 9-11 a.m. Cost is FREE!
Bring a friend, bring your energy, and let's play! For more information or to sign up, call 519-421-4722
OXFORD COUNTY BRANCH OF ONTARIO ANCESTORS VIRTUAL MEETING
Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7 pm
“Preachers, Teachers, Entrepreneurs and Rebels” Deward Yates will take us on a virtual field trip of historical plaques, following rural and urban pathways, celebrating Oxford County’s History from Embro to Wolverton and multiple places in between. Register for free by visiting our website https://oxford.ogs.on.ca.
TILLSONBURG DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Interested in Bridge? Join us every Friday at the Tillsonburg Duplicate Bridge Club at 1 p.m. at The Senior Centre. Don’t have a partner? Come anyway and we will match you up with someone. For more information, visit their Facebook page: TburgBridge.
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
REPAIR CAFÉ - TOSS IT? NO WAY!
1st Saturday of each month; 9:00 a.m. - Noon
St. John’s Church 685860 Oxford Highway 2, Eastwood, ON N4S 7V9
St. John’s, Eastwood, now affiliated with Repair Café International (look for us at repaircafe.org). Meets the first Saturday of every month 9am to noon at St. John’s Church 685860 Oxford Highway 2, Eastwood, ON N4S 7V9. Repairs made to clothing, linens, household items, toys, musical instruments etc. Save money, learn how to make your own repairs. Volunteers welcome. Payment by donation.
PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Third Wednesday of each month; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 21 Wellington St., Woodstock (Virtual options available)
PCMH is a peer support program providing support to parents and caregivers across Ontario with lived experience raising children and youth with mental health challenges. For more information, please visit family.cmho.org or oxfordcounty@pcmh.ca. We are also on Facebook: Parents for Children's Mental Health ~ Oxford County
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.
GRIEF SUPPORT FOR MAID RELATED LOSS
4th Wednesday of the month from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Thamesford Library, 165 Dundas St., Thamesford
This monthly in-person grief support group for loss related to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) offers a compassionate, safe space to explore this unique loss. The group is free of charge and pre-registration is requested. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 23rd. To register or inquire about an evening group, contact Faye Brekelmans at 519-866-3016 or email faye@ compassionategriefsupport.ca.
VON OXFORD GRIEF CARE:
FREE MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Register at: oxford.griefsupport@von.ca or 519-5391231 Ext 6299 or 6296
TILLSONBURG
WHEN: 2nd Tuesday of every month
WHERE: VON Oxford Office 24 Brock St. W., Tillsonburg TIME: 6:30PM-8:00PM
The Lions Club of Woodstock has been serving the community and Oxford County with kindness and generosity since 1931. The Lions always place the needs of neighbours and communities first. Through the dedication and hard work of our volunteer members, we are serving those in need together. If you are interested in becoming a member or simply wish to learn more by attending one of our monthly meetings, please email Steve Iorio at steveiorio4@gmail.com for more information.
ARE YOU IN A JAM?
May 2 & 23, June 6 & 20 from 1-4p.m. Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St S, Ingersoll. Ingersoll's Country Music Jamboree Club is celebrating 40 years. New members wanted. Qualifications - love 50-70's country music. Listen, dance, enjoy! The club welcomes walk-ins at the door.
OPEN HOUSE
April 30th 2-3pm
Cedarview Retirement Living
Edward on the harp. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the food bank. Call Cedarview at 519-602-0282, RSVP with Lisa
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION EVENTS: 642 Dundas Street, Woodstock
MEAT DRAW - April 12th at 3pm
EASTER BAKE SALE-VENDOR MARKET/ CRAFT SALE
April 12th at 9am to 1pm
CADETS
Every Monday night
SHUFFLEBOARD
Every Thursday at 1:30pm
DART LEAGUES
Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Friday evenings
SATURDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
April 12th - Jeff Dawdy - 7-11pm
April 19th - Loose Change - 7-11pm April 26th - Back-to-Back - 7-11pm
ROAST BEEF DINNER
Sunday, April 27th
with Mash potatoes & veggies, coleslaw dessert extra from 5-6 pm pre-order by April 22nd. Please contact the Legion for details.
HURON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH EVENTS: 199 Berwick St, Woodstock
LADIES EVENT
SENIORS LUNCH
April 24 – Noon Program – to be announced later Call the church 519-421-4722 to register.
BASKETBALL POWER CAMP
August 18-22 9 am-12:50 pm Ages: 5-14
Call the church 519-421-4722 for Registration details.
MEN - BRING YOUR OWN CUT OF MEAT TO BBQ
June 20th @ 6 pm
Location: Huron Park Church
Potato and Caesar Salad, Buns, Dessert provided + Jed Lau will demonstrate the preparation of different
spice rubs
Contact the church 519-421-4722 no later than June 13th for details and to register.
INTRODUCTION TO BALLROOM DANCING April 17 - May 22. 8:15 - 9:15 pm
FISH AND CHIP DINNER
April 18th - 4:30 pm
THAMES VALLEY BLUE GRASS AND OLD TIME COUNTRY PICKERS
Saturday April 19 1-4 pm
Come enjoy the music
KARAOKE Saturday April 19, 7-11 pm
OXFORD COUNTY DARTS TOURNAMENT
Saturday April 26, Registration 9-9:30, Play at 10 Doubles followed by singles
EUCHRE THURSDAYS - 7 pm
DARTS FRIDAYS - 8 pm FREE POOL
OXFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS: oxhs.ca info@oxhs.ca or 226-242-4772
SAVING THE TITANIC
Wednesday April 30, 2025 @ 6:30 PM
Thomas Ryerson, Author and grandson of William Edwy Ryerson. A true story about William Edwy Ryerson who survived the sinking of the Titanic.
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK BIA IMPORTANT DATES:
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK SHOPPING NIGHT
April 24, May 22, June 26, July 17, August 28, September 25, October 23, November 27, December 18 - 5pm-8pm
Our monthly shopping event, Woodstock Shopping Night, typically occurs every 4th Thursday of the month. Participating stores stay open late until 8 pm to facilitate late-night shopping. Enjoy a great night out in downtown Woodstock with extended store hours & exciting specials.
DOWNTOWN HALL
May 7 - 6pm-8pm @Theatre Woodstock
Join us at Theatre Woodstock from 6pm to 8pm for an engaging evening where you can connect with the Downtown Woodstock BIA members and find out more about the exciting things happening in our Downtown area.
MUSIC IN THE SQUARE
June 19 until August 28 Every Thursday
Come to Museum Square for a little lunchtime concert. Music in the Square happens every Thursday from 12 pm to 2 pm during the Summer months. Grab some lunch from one of the neighbouring businesses or bring your own and enjoy live bands and musicians.
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK SUMMER STREETFEST
July 18/19
Summer Streetfest is a two-day celebration happening every July. Formerly known as Sidewalk Sales, Summer Streetfest invites you to discover Downtown Woodstock. With Dundas Street closed off for cars, stroll the street and discover our charming downtown businesses. Enjoy live music, kids’ entertainment, exciting sales, yummy eats or take a seat on one of the many patios for a cold drink.
CLASSIFIEDS
Our family extends an invitation to family, friends and neighbours to join us for a Celebration of Don’s Life on Saturday April 26, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Unifor Hall, 364 Victoria Street, Ingersoll, Ontario.
(please refrain from wearing colognes and perfumes out of respect for those with allergies).
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)
On April 3, 2025, the Ingersoll community lost a cherished friend, and the Warma family lost an incredibly loving mother, and grandmother. Anthea Warma passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved children, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering love. Born on May 27, 1932, in Sheffield, England, Anthea knew from a young age that she wanted to dedicate her life to nursing and giving back to others. She graduated from nursing school in Sheffield, England, where she met the love of her life, Sushil, a talented surgeon. Though she would never admit it, their connection was instant, and when they discovered they shared the same birthday, it felt like destiny. They were married on August 26, 1960, in Sheffield, embarking on a beautiful journey together. The couple soon moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where their family blossomed with the arrival of their two children, Anita, and Neil, born just a year apart during the frigid winters of January. Anthea’s love and devotion for her children were a warm embrace that could melt even the coldest of Winnipeg days. In 1968, the family relocated to Ingersoll, Ontario, where Sushil became the General Surgeon at Alexandra Hospital. Anthea dedicated the next 57 years of her life to this vibrant community, passionately promoting the arts and nurturing her love for opera and classical music. She devoted countless hours to volunteering and leading fundraising activities for Alexandra Hospital, always striving to make a difference. When she was not volunteering, Anthea could be found at home, playing games with her children, tending to her beautiful flower gardens, attending the theatre, or entertaining friends with her warm hospitality. Together with Sushil, she traveled the world, visiting over 30 countries, creating cherished memories that would last a lifetime. Anthea’s kindness, her generous spirit, and her wry sense of humor will forever be etched in the hearts of her beloved daughter Anita, her devoted son Neil, and his lovely wife Ivana, as well as her three fabulous grandsons, Sebastian, Lucas, and Marco. The Warma family will celebrate the life of their beloved mother and grandmother in the near future. In lieu of flowers, they kindly suggest that donations be made in Anthea Warma’s honor to VON Sakura House in Woodstock, Ontario, a cause that reflects her compassionate spirit. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the McBeath-Dynes Funeral Home 246 Thames Street South, Ingersoll 519-425-1600. Personal condolences may be posted atmcbeathdynes.ca/ memorials/anthea-warma/5579714/index.php
I fall from the sky, but I’m not snow. I help the flowers and veggies grow. What am I?
Rain
I’m yellow and bright, up high in the sky. I warm the earth as I pass by. What am I?
Sun
I’m small and green, sprouting through. In springtime gardens, I’m something new. What am I?
Seedling
I flutter and float from flower to flower. I add color to springtime’s hour. What am I?
Butterfly
I buzz and hum and never nap. I help make honey and love a flower’s sap. What am I?
Bee
I’m pink or white and bloom on trees. I dance in the wind and float on the breeze. What am I?
Blossom
I’m soft and round, born in a shell. I chirp and peep — can you tell? What am I?
Chick
I’m green and wet and grow real fast. I cover the ground like a carpeted cast. What am I?
Grass
I’m found in spring and liked a lot. Some call me lucky — what have I got? Four-leaf clover
STEWWY
Stewwy is a 16 year old house pot belly pig. He likes sunbathing and hunting for his treats. Dislikes mud and bathtime. Stewwy spends his days napping and begging for food inbetween naps. He goes for car rides and loves camping in tents. Stewwy has travelled all over Ontario to vacation in cabins, cottages and campgrounds. Stewwy loves attention from strangers because it means he's likely going to get a treat.
