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Norwich school has two Pride flags destroyed LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two Pride flags have been removed from a Norwich elementary school and burned on its grounds.

Oxford OPP is investigating the incidents that took place at Emily Stowe Public School recently. Police say two individuals attended the Jerdon Street address, removed the flag from the flagpole, and lit it on fire. Video surveillance shows two suspects wearing hoodies.

“It’s being investigated as a mischief and we are gathering information to see if there is factual hate/bias related evidence to support a hate crime charge,” explained OPP media relations Constable Randi Crawford. “We will go to the Crown attorney, who is the one who can call it a hate crime.”

She added if someone is charged with a hate crime they could receive an increased penalty upon conviction. She added crimes like these are disheartening for police and she is hoping the public will provide the OPP with tips so the culprits can be caught.

“Our media partners are so helpful in getting information out there. We rely on the community to help us help them.

We know in small towns and townships, a lot of people hear and see things but maybe don’t feel comfortable coming forward.”

She added it is important to keep the residents of Oxford County safe, and anyone with information can call police directly at 1-888-310-1122 or *677 via cell phone. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.oxfordcrimestoppers.com.

“I feel like we have come a long way in Canada and I am proud of that and I hope this doesn’t happen again. We have Pride month coming in June and I hope we can all celebrate and have it safe and peaceful. I don’t know how many flags have been damaged over the years, but one is too many,” Crawford said.

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PRIDE FLAG RAISING

(RON YUZARK PHOTO)

Attending the Pride flag raising were, left to right, committee member Katie Schutt, president of Oxford County Pride Tami Murray; Oxford warden Marcus Ryan, Oxford Pride co-founder Phil Vander Mallen, South-West Oxford mayor David Mayberry, Pride Vice-president Jordan Kent, and East Zorra-Tavistock mayor Phil Schaefer. Story on Page 5.

Sass Jordan to headline GoodForTheSoll 2025 LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“It doesn’t get more rock ‘n’ roll than this.”

Those were the words of Jay Panaseiko, organizer of Ingersoll’s Good for the Soll Music Festival, when he announced the final act for the event, which will be held on August 23 at Ingersoll’s Memorial Park.

“We are thrilled to announce that Canada’s Queen of Rock and Blues, Sass Jordan, will be headlining this year’s music festival.”

Panaseiko said he is stoked for this year’s event and was overwhelmed with ideas from supporters.

“After the success last year with Helix and a great lineup, everyone in town became a promoter. I had emails asking me to get this band or that band for this year. I have been doing some work with Sass Jordan on an album that is about to be re-released, and that’s

when I thought about getting her to play this year.”

Jordan is a JUNO Award-winning artist known for her electrifying performances and chart-topping hits like Make You a Believer, High Road Easy and Tell Somebody. She has shared the stage with rock legends such as Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Van Halen, and mentored the next generation as a judge on Canadian Idol. She also gave Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters his first drumming job.

Three other acts have been booked for the event, including local bands One Way Streets and Miss Conduct.

“One Way Streets was a no-brainer. They’re from town and everyone wanted them back this year. Miss Conduct is also from Ingersoll and really wanted to be a part of the festival last year, but by the time I found out, it was too late but they’re here this year.”

Panaseiko described Miss Conduct as a girls' punk band with a male drummer, with music that is undeniably raw and authentic, accompanied by brazen guitar riffs and hard-hitting drum beats.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 2

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June 6, 2025

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Two local acts also performing Statements from area politicians condemn the acts

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

He also had high praise for up-and-coming performer Charlie Edward, who is on the ticket.

I’ve been following him since he was 16 when he was in a band called Legal Kill. They won the Forest City London Music Awards’ high school battle of the bands around 2017. This kid is just a guitar virtuoso and is about to release an EP and he’s opening for Foreigner on July 5 in Windsor.”

Edward has performed with Motley Crue, Stone Temple Pilots, and inducted Prism into the Canadian Walk of Fame while performing a version of Spaceship Superstar.

The event will feature a larger stage and more lights this time around. Aside from the music, La Katrina, a food truck from Woodstock, will be available to feed hungry concert goers.

“Aside from that, everything is the same. I’m hoping for an identical night of good community fun, 100 per cent no tariffs, free, and under the stars. If you noticed, I changed the logo to Canadian flag colours from last year’s orange. That was kind of my elbows up, and the festival is 100 per cent Canadian.”

Panaseiko wanted to make sure the amazing businesses of Ingersoll and the surrounding areas were thanked for their continued support of the festival, which wouldn’t be possible without them.

“How cool is it that they give their hard-earned money to throw a concert for free in a small town? I

am so appreciative of them and the people who run them. It warms me up that we get the chance to do this again with the Lions Club, and the money raised from the beer tent will all go back into the community.”

He added it is a win-win for everybody.

“Everyone gets a free show, and we make money for the community. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.”

Just like in 2024, some food and beverage sponsors are going to be putting GoodForTheSoll-themed items on their menus.

“There are a bunch of them that will do monthlong specials in August with a custom drink or a burger or whatever. We’re trying to get people to go to our website and follow along on our Facebook page to see what the businesses have to offer.”

Donations are also going to be taken at the entrances to raise money for Ingersoll’s Multi-Use Recreation Centre. Panaseiko added he is a few sponsors shy of being sold out, and anyone interested can contact him at Jay@studio73digitalmedia.com or by phone at 519-497-9173. He added more volunteers are also welcome.

More information is available on the festival website at https://goodforthesoll.com/ and on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Goodforthesoll.

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CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Tami Murray is the President of Oxford Pride and said the acts are disappointing, but the group isn’t disheartened.

“We aren’t going to let this interrupt.

Taking a flag down or stealing it is one thing but setting it on fire is a clear message of the hate and discrimination some people, unfortunately, still linger with.”

Murray added anytime someone comes onto someone else’s property, steals something and burns it for a specific reason, it is an act full of hatred.

“I know from a psychological perspective, given the work I do as a psychotherapist, when someone sets something on fire it indicates rage and directed and purposeful hate.”

Despite the flag burning, Murray explained she and the group are excited to be marking Oxford Pride’s tenth anniversary this year.

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan, a long-time supporter of the Pride movement, issued a statement the day after the first act of vandalism.

“What happened last week at an Oxford County elementary school is alarming and heartbreaking: that there are people who would commit these acts, and that they would do so in what should be a safe space for children.”

He added acts of hate are not accepted by the community at Pride Month or at any time.

“Oxford County, as a community and as a municipal government, is fully committed to building safe communities where everyone belongs. It is what we have demonstrated through progressive policies, partnerships, guiding doc-

uments, and our actions. This includes raising the Pride flag again this year in all eight area municipalities in support of Pride Month in Oxford County, which proudly celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year.”

Ryan said the cowardly actions do nothing to diminish the overwhelming support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Oxford.

The Township of Norwich released a statement following the second flag-burning incident. “(We are) aware of the acts of vandalism that took place at Emily Stowe Public School on May 16 and May 24, where Pride flags were removed from the school’s flagpole and lit on fire,” it read.

“One of the goals in council’s strategic plan is for ‘A Healthy and Safe Community’, and this kind of vandalism has no place in our community. The Township stands against acts of violence towards any group within our community and will continue to work to ensure our community is safe and welcoming for all its members.”

Norwich Mayor Jim Palmer said the township believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and acts of vandalism and violence, such as flag-burning, spread a message of hate.

“They have no place in a welcoming community like Norwich.”

Murray added she was pleased to see local politicians condemn the acts quickly.

“We are very fortunate to have really strong, progressive support in Oxford County.”

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE SAD DEMISE OF THE HUDSON’S BAY STORES On Sunday June 1st we made our way over to the Bay store at Maisonville Mall in London Ontario.

The Hudson’s Bay Company has been around for an amazing 355 years of Canadian history before Canada was born in 1867.

The company has been the heart of Canadian retail establishment for centuries.

I am old enough to remember the Bay’s store decorated windows at Christmas time in Toronto whose magical themes of the animated elves and the reindeer, Christmas trees that were very beautiful.

My parents even though we were Jewish encouraged us to line up to see Santa Claus and his helpers to hear what we wanted for Chanukah.

My mom looked forward to reading the Bay Catalogue where she could order merchandise

in the mail that would then be sent to our house C.O.D. It was the final day for Hudson Bay to be open and we wanted to say our good byes. For the most part the store was an empty shell accept for a few sales staff and customers at the jewelry counter offering 80% off the retail price.

Some of the people with their phones in their hands were taking photographs to help them remember the store closing. Eight thousand three hundred Bay employees will lose their jobs with no severance pay allotted.

The young people like to remind us that it is what it is. What was, was.

To forget the past and to accept the present day reality that everything has a best time before it is comes to an end. No time set-aside for nostalgia re the Bay it is time for us to move on.

Len Lesser, Dorchester

Visit us online at theecho.ca Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!

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IT’S TIME TO SWEEP OUT ALL TRUSTEES OF BOTH OF THE THAMES VALLEY SCHOOL & THE LONDON DISTRICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARDS Over 2024 and 2025, we have read about the irresponsible and excessive abuses of taxpayers’ education tax dollars.

The trustees of the TVSB have been running a $16 million deficit and want the province to bail them out.

What do the trustees the TVSB do? Do they cut costs, the number of the useless bureaucrats they employ, their bloated salaries, benefits and pensions?

No, the TVSB trustees cut in the “usual” places, taking educational supports away from children with learning issues disabilities and other difficulties.

In the summer of 2024, in the midst of this turmoil, the TVSB trustees decide to organize and take a weekend “retreat” to a five-star hotel at the Rogers Centre, with firstclass travel on VIA Rail and first-class accommodations, meals and such.

Of course, when the news of this abuse of tax-

payers’ dollars becomes general knowledge, a firestorm of rage strikes, we get the usual petulant whining that “this was done for the students” and various members of the TVSB’s bloated bureaucracy either take an unpaid or paid leave or some outright resign in order to avoid scrutiny.

The rats are fleeing a sinking ship.

It’s so bad that the province moved to take over and audit the TVSB’s finances and such, uncovering more spending irregularities and abuses, dubious promotions and such.

The LDCSB is not much better in the fiscal responsibility and common sense sections.

While the LDCSB is not running a huge deficit as the TVSB, it shows the same irresponsibility and lack of concern for taxpayers’ dollars as the TVSB. One would think that, with all the incredibly visceral fallout from the insipid decision of the TVSB, while opining about how to deal with a 10-figure deficit, the LDCSB would keep a low profile and make the same insipid mistakes as the TVSB. No, it was recently published in the Woodstock

Sentinel-Review, London Free Press and other Postmedia publications that the trustees of the LDCSB, as well as another separate school board, had scheduled “retreats” at Caesar’s in Windsor, a 5-star luxury hotel with first-class travel, accommodations, meals and such. Just like their counterparts on the TVSB. Is there any other way for corrupt, irresponsible and useless politicians and bureaucrats to act?

As we know, on the fourth Monday of October every four years, taxpayers cast their ballots for public and separate school board trustees.

We expect the trustees we elect to be responsible stewards of our tax dollars, to have the utmost concern for the education, safety and well-being of our children.

However, we do not get responsible trustees.

We get irresponsible trustees who have absolutely no regard for taxpayers’ dollars, who believe that the taxpayers’ pockets is bottomless, thinking nothing of bloating the payroll of the TVSB with ever more useless bureaucrats whose only aim is to feather their nest, their retirement and their cronies’

nest as well.

Now, municipal and school board politics are at the low end of the political spectrum in Ontario. It’s all about name recognition, voting for the same trustee for 10, 20, 30 years, even though that trustee is as useless. But many continue to vote for that useless trustee because he is their friend, neighbour, a golf or hockey or buddy, a drinking buddy or a work colleague.

Voters do not look at a fresh face who comes with fresh ideas because those voters do not want to disappoint the incumbent, whose “best before date” is 25 years old, or more or they do not want to upset their “buddy” by wanting responsible trustees.

Everyone, on Monday, 26 October 2026, for the sake of your children, please make sure you vote responsibly and clear out EVERY incumbent on the both the Thames Valley School Board and the London District Catholic School Board.

You and your children deserve better and more responsible representation than what you have been receiving.

Allison Gowling Woodstock, ON

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Pride Flag raising at Oxford County building draws enthusiastic crowd EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

Many community members attended Oxford County Pride’s flag-raising ceremony to kick off Pride Month.

The Pride flag rose at the Oxford County municipal building on 23 Reeve St., Woodstock, last Friday. The crowd applauded as it reached the top of the flagpole and mingled after the ceremony.

"This is amazing. You can just feel the support, the love, the community around us, and I'm just really proud and really grateful,” said Tami Murray, president of Oxford County Pride.

Murray admitted there is still some discourse towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but she still feels support from allies in Oxford County.

“I'm born and raised in Woodstock and Oxford County, so luckily I know enough people. I've gone to school here, where I feel those relationships have built a strong foundation for acceptance.

There's discourse, but at the end of the day, I always look at it that when one person steps forward, it will hopefully prevent someone else from taking two steps back.”

Ahead of the flag raising, Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan spoke about the destruction of the Pride flag at Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich. In his statement sent out on May 22, Ryan called the tearing down and burning of the flag gutless, and he em-

phasized that in his speech again at the Pride Flag Raising ceremony in Woodstock.

“When you do it at night and you cover your face and you don't say who you are, I think that's the definition of cowardice,” he explained.

He added showing up as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at events like the Pride Flag Raising ceremony is an act of courage.

“When you look at this…today as I said, again, publicly notified in advance so that anybody can come, done in daylight and people who have some reason to be afraid, coming out and saying no, here I am let's do this I think speaks volumes about the people involved.”

The warden was also pleasantly surprised by the turnout at the event.

“You never know in a given year for these things, how many people are going to show up. For sure, there were a lot of people here with Oxford County Pride, but there were a lot of people who were allies who just came to say I support this, I think this is good,” he said.

“It's good that people in our community feel included and can participate, so great crowd. But also, I'm not surprised because it's always a happy event.”

Oxford County Pride has many events planned for June during its 10th anniversary, including the popular Family Fun Day at Museum Square on June 14.

More information about Oxford County Pride programming can be found by visiting https://oxfordpride.ca.

(RON YUZARK PHOTO)

A large turnout of local supporters gathered for the flag-raising ceremony, showing strong community support for Pride Month and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

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June 6, 2025

Ribfest feeds and entertains Woodstock opens new hungry Oxford County and splash pad area residents The City of Woodstock celebrated the official grand opening of the Finkle Street Splash Pad on May 24 at the Reeves Community Complex.

Families came together to enjoy an afternoon filled with excitement, water, and family-friendly activities. The pad is the largest in the city and features more than 30 spray elements, including a splash bucket.

Designed with inclusivity in mind, it offers fun for children of all ages and abilities. In addition to the water features, guests explored the new accessible playground, carefully designed to meet a variety of mobility and sensory needs. A nearby shade pavilion provided a comfortable space for families to

relax and take shelter from the sun or rain.

Families participated in lawn games, enjoyed a complimentary treat from Mega Cone Creamery, and many brought picnic lunches to make the most of the chilly afternoon.

The splash pad was developed after the decommissioning of the aging wading pool at Southside Aquatic Centre, which had reached the end of its service life. After over a decade of studies and recommendations, the city chose to invest in the new facility to better serve residents and visitors. Two lucky children, Ivaan and Fiona, had the honor of being the first to activate the splash pad by pushing the start button.

A ribber expertly cooks up mouthwatering BBQ, filling the air with irresistible smoky aromas.

The second annual Woodstock Ribfest was held last weekend and it sizzled with high-octane rock and mouthwatering ribs, attracting thousands to the Woodstock Agricultural Society Fairgrounds for a weekend of music, food and family-friendly fun.

Ribfest officially kicked off Friday night with a double-header performance that shook the fairgrounds. Classic rock lovers were treated to the thunderous sounds of Dust N’ Bones, a tribute to Guns N’ Roses, followed by CRÜED, Canada’s notorious tribute to Mötley Crüe.

Saturday turned the volume up even higher. Sonic Sinners hit the stage in the

afternoon with a hard rock setlist spanning the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, mixing in original tracks. That energy carried straight into the evening as Red Sky Cartel delivered powerful rock covers from the 70s through the 90s. The night culminated with a powerhouse performance

by Back In Black: AC/DC ERAS, one of Canada’s most celebrated AC/DC tribute acts, igniting the crowd with electrifying renditions of the band’s greatest hits.

Beyond the music, the festival featured four award-winning ribbers, a fierce hot sauce and BBQ competition, local vendors, games, beverages, and both a Celebrity and People’s Choice Awards segment.

(RON YUZARK PHOTO)

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

How prepared are Ontario municipalities in the event of a cyber attack?

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

According to one expert in the field, it isn’t a matter of if a municipality will be hit by a cyber attack. It’s when.

Dan Mathieson served as the mayor of Stratford for 20 years and spent 27 years in municipal politics. That city suffered an attack in 2019, one that crippled its IT systems and cost taxpayers $75,000 to fix.

Mathieson was named a special advisor on cybersecurity and municipal engagement at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2023 and works closely with the school’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.

Mathieson said once Stratford’s IT system was healed, he decided to dive into the field to learn more about it by talking to organizations specializing in the field, including the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity.

“In doing so, I met Dr. Mohammed Lachemi, president of TMU. He was starting to work on municipal engagement… and I told him one of the things he was missing was one of the biggest threats municipalities have and that’s in cybersecurity.”

Municipalities are putting more services online and providing increased databases in the interest of transparency, but with it comes increased risk.

“That risk has to be managed as it has the ability to cripple municipalities. It led to, ok, let’s start to build some awareness around that and really why I have been going to some conferences to advance the awareness side of things.”

Mathieson explained the vast majority of municipalities say they are not prepared in the event of a cyber or malware attack.

“I will go on the record. A lot of councillors may not have realized the amount of risk that’s out there, and it’s not a slight to staff, there’s only so much money to be spent by local government, and cybersecurity ranks below homelessness, housing, transportation, clean water, sewers and recreation facilities.”

Mathieson said one of his goals is to get municipalities to collaborate on the subject, something that could save precious tax dollars.

“Maybe there is an opportunity for a group of them to share services and information to help reduce the risk while making their money go further as opposed to being, it’s all of us on our own type of thing.”

He is suggesting something along the lines of a regional security operation centre where dedicated staff can keep a close eye on things.

“Perhaps we split the cost of two IT professionals and all our servers go through that and those people live and breathe that all day long. Their job is to keep all the network pieces safe. Stratford has a very strong IT department but they have multiple things each day they need to worry about. They need someone whose sole focus is on IT security.”

Improving cybersecurity comes at a cost, and presently, there are no funding streams available from any level of Mathieson is optimistic that change could be coming.

“I think there has been some traction at the provincial and federal level. You’re starting to hear of more municipalities doing annual emergency exercises as they have been simulating cyber attacks. Whether it's on communication systems or ones that run water and wastewater facilities, they are talking about what they would do if it were to happen.”

Two representatives approached the former Stratford mayor following his recent presentation at the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference in Collingwood to say they were in the midst of an attack but haven’t made it public.

“They were working through it with their insurer or police, and it’s because they’re trying to make sure they don’t share too much information that could give the attackers more ideas. Just like we need professionals focused on security every day, there are criminals focused on how they can exploit municipalities and other government entities every day.”

TMU has compiled a checklist for municipalities to utilize free of charge to see just how prepared they are. It has been put together by top students who are simulating attacks.

“Some checklist examples are what’s the backup for when your email system goes down, or when someone takes over your website. How are you going to communicate? What do you do for records retention if they take over your computer

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Dan Mathieson is warning municipalities across Ontario about cyberattacks. The former Mayor of Stratford went through an attack in 2019.

system?”

Mathieson said the goal of the checklist is to get municipalities thinking. Hamilton was also hit with a major cyber attack recently and according to the Spectator newspaper, that city spent nearly $10 million to regain control of its systems.

“Hamilton’s IT budget increase this year was just over $30 million. What I say to members of council is it’s not what the initial cost is, it’s the cost to recover, to rebuild, and then operate going forward. They need to know all three of those aspects.”

The former Stratford mayor suggested local government remember the Japanese phrase, Kaizen, which is essentially continuous quality improvement.

“You don’t do this by checking something off the list and say, alright, we have it looked after. It is a continual, organic piece that needs to be looked at on an ongoing basis because everything changes in systems. How many times do people get an update for their phone or computer? Every time there is an update, a new vulnerability comes with it.”

Oxford County provides IT services to all lower-tier municipalities and provided the Echo with a brief statement on its cybersecurity measures.

“Oxford County takes a number of approaches to keeping its information systems safe. Protecting municipal assets in all forms is an utmost concern for the county, as is protecting the information of our residents, employees and partners.”

“Oxford County is always open to innovative and collaborative approaches. We already have asset management, planning, and IT collaborations with area municipalities. I would, of course, view IT and cybersecurity issues through a lens of effectiveness first and foremost,” explained Warden Marcus Ryan.

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Art Gallery sees positive reception for Sensory Support Kits EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

Since announcing the space will include sensory support kits, the Woodstock Art Gallery has received a great deal of positive feedback.

The gallery announced in a May 27 press release that six kits are available to sign out, free of charge. They were developed by Autism Canada and feature a fleece blanket, a stuffed animal, tinted sunglasses, noise-cancelling headphones, and fidget toys such as spinners, a squishy ball, a pop-it board and a bubble game.

Stephanie Porter, head of education and interim curator/director, said the gallery has received positive comments via social media.

The first kit was distributed the morning of May 30, the day of the interview with the Echo.

“The front desk staff was pretty excited about sharing that opportunity with our community,” she said.

The kits were launched in conjunction with AccessAbility week from May 25 to 31. The sensory support kits help guests who are neurodivergent, including those with autism, enjoy the gallery without overstimulation by unexpect-

ed noises, large crowds or bright lights.

"They provide the users with the opportunity to explore the gallery and have a comfortable and safe experience, as well as maintain their independence without needing to tell anybody anything about that,” Porter said.

The sensory support kits have been part of Woodstock Art Gallery’s plan since the shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where gallery staff looked extensively into the accessibility of the organization’s public spaces. Porter said neurodivergent children who visit the gallery were considered.

"We were finding that more children were needing the time and space and just being in a free time space and we found that some of them really didn't do well with the transitions, and we looked into and researched heavily on making this space more friendly and more accessible and more inclusive,” she explained.

The gallery is looking for more ways to boost accessibility, such as including sensory kits in education programming. Touch tours, tactile art explorations for guests who learn through other ways besides vision, are also considered. Some

(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)

Thomas Vukovic holds one of the sensory support kits now available at the Woodstock Art Gallery.

artists are creating tactile pieces for the gallery’s permanent collection.

“Whether it's through describing the work in a different way than we do visually here or being able to

touch a sculpture and feel what it's made of or experience the textures and shapes of any kind of artwork,” Porter said.

The Oxford Community Founda-

tion provided funding for eight kits.

They are available at the front desk any time during designated hours on Wednesday evenings and other gallery hours of operation.

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work KEN WHYTOCK Echo Contributor

Collaboration is the name of the game when it comes to fundraising in Drumbo and it began with the vision of the Blenheim District Public School (BDPS) Home and School Association's idea to improve the outdoor space of the school. Their 'greening' project has plans for an outdoor classroom, more trees, and a play-based learning area. In order to meet their goal, the Home and School Association needs to raise $100,000. They have been soliciting donations, running bake sales, and running fundraising events.

The Home and School Association also approached the Drumbo Lions Club and presented at the club's March meeting. So impressed were the Lions Club members that they voted to give the project $5,000 and in brainstorming other ways to help out, decided to donate proceeds from their summer Food Truck nights to the project as well.

This is where a third community partner comes in - Morrows of Drumbo. Rob Kennedy of Morrows was in

negotiations for hosting Food Truck nights in Drumbo over the summer and, as a Lions Club member, thought it would be a great team effort to have the Lions Club co-host the event in return for a share of the proceeds. The Lions, in turn, give the proceeds to the Home and School Association.

So, on the second Wednesday evening of the months May to August, members of the public are invited to the Morrows parking lot to choose food from one of four food trucks between 4 to 7 pm. The Lions Club and the Home and School Association members are there, working together, to raise money for a great cause while demonstrating community partnerships.

At the Drumbo Lions Club Fundraising Auction the Lions Club presented a cheque for $5,000 to the BDPS Home and School Association. In the picture are a few members from each group doing the cheque presentation.

Left to right: Dylan Strickler, Larry Balkwill, Rob Kennedy, Justin Read, Wendy Zehr, Mark Peterson, Gerry Harmer, Melissa Shuker, Jennifer Blake, Valerie Dedman, Kristyn Yeck, and Ellise Mackie.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Drumbo Lions Club co-sponsored a Food Truck Night in the Morrows parking lot on May 14. It was a fundraiser for the BDPS Home and School Association. Shown here are a few of the Lions Club members that helped out. Left to right are Ken Whytock, Larry Balkwill, Tom Dezell, Alex Cordon, Rob Kennedy, and Gerry Harmer.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Lights! Camera! Murder! first OAP Community Theatre production as independent group EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

The newest OAP Community Theatre production will take audiences back to the 1940s in a case of whodunnit.

The theatre, which specializes in one-act plays, will present Lights!

Camera! Murder! At St. David’s United Church. The production is a 1940s murder mystery by Todd Wallinger, and it takes place on the set of a murder mystery film, where the cast and crew try to solve an on-set crime.

Lights! Camera! Murder! will run from June 13 to 15. Yes, that means the opening night is on Friday the 13th. Fitting for a murder mystery.

"We really didn't think about it at the time when they booked the dates, but it's very fitting now, yes absolutely,” said producer Ted McLauchlin.

The production’s costumes and dialogue cement the play as a period piece. So far, rehearsals are going well, and the actors are taking on any challenges that come with putting on a 1940s period piece.

"It's not an easy play to stage because of the time period, and there are a lot of things happening,” McLauchlin said. “A lot of people coming on and off at all times, so it's been a chal-

(TED MCLAUCHLIN PHOTO)

(Left to right) James Callaghan and Alicia Sauve star in Lights! Camera! Murder! presented

by OAP Community Theatre from June 13 to 15.

lenge, but they have risen to that challenge."

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The play is OAP Community Theatre’s first production as an indepen-

dent theatre company. Previously, it held productions like Our Little Secret and the beloved Festival of One Act Plays at Theatre Woodstock. St. David’s United Church is also a new venue for OAP, so they were looking for a production that complemented the new beginnings.

"We wanted something that was fresh and different and something new, and something that would incorporate some really great character actors, and this was the play that rose to the top for that choice,” he explained.

McLauchlin added the team is working hard on the production and hopes audiences enjoy it.

“A lot of these people have some experience on the stage, but some of them are very new, and we're always excited about that,” he said. “It's a community project. Everything we do is about our community and we just hope that people will take some time.

It's not a long play. To come out and enjoy it at a beautiful venue and really come and support is what we're hoping."

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased either online via https://www.oapcommunitytheatre.com or at Carman’s Foto Source in Woodstock’s Springbank Plaza.

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Woodstock Police Briefs

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LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two arrested following threat investigation Woodstock Police arrested and charged two males following an incident involving threats, weapons offences and drug trafficking.

Police responded to reports of an altercation at a residence on Vansittart Avenue at 1 a.m. on May 30. Two male suspects were reported to have attended the location where they allegedly pointed a firearm and a knife and threatened a victim.

Following an investigation, police arrested two males, a 24-year-old from London and a 39-year-old from Woodstock.

They have both been charged with The two males have been jointly charged with uttering death threats, pointing a firearm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The Woodstock man has also been charged with two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, failing to comply with a probation order, possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

During the investigation, police say they seized a quantity of suspected fentanyl

with an estimated street value of approximately $20,000 as well as a knife, a scale and Canadian currency believed to be proceeds of crime.

Both accused are being held in custody pending the outcome of a bail hearing.

Arrest made after indecent act in city parking lot Police were called to a Norwich Avenue parking lot just before 10 p.m. on May 29 in response to a report of an indecent act.

Officers located a male in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle while engaged in an act of public indecency. The 58-yearold London male was arrested and has been charged with committing an indecent act in a public place.

The accused was released from custody on an undertaking with conditions.

Police inspect local Navy League troop Inspector Jamie Taylor had the honour of attending the 40th Annual Inspection of the Navy League Cadet Corps Unicorn on May 31.

“It was a privilege to offer remarks and celebrate the dedication and achievements of these young cadets as they continue to build leadership skills, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. Congratulations to all cadets, officers, and volunteers for making this milestone event a success,” said Taylor.

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Woodstock Police Inspector Jamie Taylor inspected a Navy League Cadet Corps on Saturday afternoon.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

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Keep being you Love your ears

We are looking to hire a part-time journalist, based out of Ingersoll, to report regularly on a variety of local happenings within our Woodstock Ingersoll Echo newspaper.

Please send resume to the attention of Lee Griffi at info@theecho.ca.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

13

Oxford Ontario Provincial Police briefs LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Zorra collision kills one, another person airlifted to hospital Provincial Police are investigating a tragic two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Road 84 and 31st Line on Tuesday around 9 a.m.

“Oxford OPP, along with fire and paramedic services, responded to the intersection,” said OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk. “It involved a box-type delivery vehicle and a motor vehicle. I’m sad to say that one individual in the motor vehicle suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The second individual…was airlifted by Ornge to a trauma centre where they are currently fighting for their life.”

The driver of the delivery truck suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The road was closed for several hours while police traffic specialists conducted an investigation.

Witnesses said the Ornge Air Ambulance landed in the outfield of a baseball diamond on Wellington Street behind the Embro Zorra Community Centre. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Oxford OPP. Charges laid following Norwich weapons investigation

Two teenagers have been charged after police received a report of a weapons complaint.

Police were called to Stover Street in Norwich last Friday just after 5:30 p.m. The investigation determined that some sort of projectile was discharged from a vehicle, striking a pedestrian. Minor injuries were reported.

The vehicle fled the scene but was located a short time later by police.

Two 17-year-olds have been charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. One of the accused faces an additional charge of dangerous operation.

The youth's identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Both will appear in a Woodstock courtroom to answer to the charges at a later date.

Ditched vehicle results in impaired charge Police were called to a report of a vehicle in the ditch on the 37th Line of Zorra Township last Friday night.

A 31-year-old male from Putnam was charged with dangerous operation and impaired driving. He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in a Woodstock courtroom on July 15.

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An Ornge Air Ambulance was seen landing at an Embro ball diamond Tuesday morning to meet with a ground ambulance following a serious collision in Zorra Township.

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

SPORTS

Huskies run out of time, not determination and effort JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

The Woodstock Huron Park Huskies girls’ soccer team ran out of time, not effort and desire.

“Super proud,” said Huskies coach Steve Vanderlugt following a 5-2 Thames Valley Regional Athletics South East Tier II championship game loss to Tillsonburg Glendale on May 21 at Huron Park. “They never gave up, they kept going strong.

“Even when they were down, they kept playing their hearts out.”

The Huskies had ample opportunity to figuratively throw in the towel, a particularly useful accessory on a day featuring a bone-chilling combination of chilly temperatures, rain and wind.

“The whole game,” said Huron Park’s Violette Caskanette. “Not very nice,” she added in an understatement.

In conjunction with a hat-trick’s worth of inclement weather, the Huskies also faced a 2-0 second-half deficit. Led by the indomitable determination of centre midfielder Payton Cowan, Huron Park kept pressing, however, resulting in a glorious opportunity to pull within a goal on an 18-yard cracker from Makila ‘MJ’ Jones. A shot labelled for the top, left corner was denied by Tillsonburg goalie Elysse Davis, arguably her best

of numerous key stops.

“Their keeper did play very well,” credited Vanderlugt. “Lots of great saves, lots of good kicks.”

Glendale extended its lead on a quick strike advancing down the right wing and back into the centre, finished by Kherington Spanjers with her second marker of the contest. Instead of pulling within a single goal, Huron Park found itself down by three, a quick and potentially devastating turnaround. The Huskies continued to press, breaking through as Cowan crossed a high, looping pass from the right wing, wind-blown to the far post where Gulalay Khan was able to direct it home.

“It was a good strike, a good strike,” Cowan credited. “Right on target.”

Cowan added Huron Park’s second marker shortly after, bringing the Huskies back within a single goal, momentum on their side.

“We all just kept playing,” said Khan.

“Teamwork.”

“I would say we pushed harder (instead of giving up),” continued Caskanette.

“It’s like the last game,” added Cowan, “you just want to give it everything.”

In a contest of punch and counterpunch, Tillsonburg managed to absorb Huron Park’s challenge, countering with another quick strike up the left side be-

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Glendale goalie Elysse Davis gathers the ball up as Huron Park’s Gulalay Khan (#16) drives to the net.

fore being moved back to the centre, from where Sophia Monsere upped the visitors’ lead to 4-2. Huron Park’s last, best opportunity to affect the outcome came on a penalty, denied by Davis, before Glendale rounded an eventful 5-2 final.

“It was a good match, back and forth,” said Vanderlugt, who felt the Huskies had pressed throughout the contest. “It was just when they had their chances in

front of the net, they got them.

“Both teams played really well. They just came out on top.”

As Cowan referred to, the game was her and Jones’ last.

“Two strong Grade 12s,” said Vanderlugt, noting their contributions will be missed, but already looking to the next season. “We’ve got a lot of potential returnees and hopefully some new players coming up.”

Knights survive Tier II final without ‘injuries, cards, crying’ or hypothermia JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

The Woodstock College Avenue Knights boys’ soccer game plan changed in a hurry on May 21 at Woodstock’s Cowan Park.

One moment, they tied the Thames Valley Regional Athletics South East Tier II boys’ soccer championship game at one on a 21-yard Hayden Lindau free kick hammered into the bottom, left corner of the Lord Dorchester Beavers goal.

“Big gap,” said Lindau, who successfully worked around a Dorchester defensive wall.

But in the next couple of minutes, the Beavers broke the game open, capitalizing on a less-than-ideal clear following a pressured pass back to the keeper, compounded by rainy, windy and chilly weather and slippery field conditions.

Moments later, Dorchester upped its advantage to 3-1 on a left-wing cross to the crease deflected home at pointblank range.

“After that, we made sure everyone got some time,” said College Avenue coach Justin Sperduti.

The Beavers rounded a 4-1 final later in the second half off a scramble inside the 18-yard box.

In a word, the weather was ‘brutal’, Sperduti able to celebrate the fact the Knights got through the game with ‘no injuries, cards, crying’ or, for that matter, hypothermia.

“It’s a gross day,” said Lindau, operating in part in survival mode. “Not trying to get injuries and having fun.”

College Avenue’s Cayden Alexander-Mahar was among those making the most of the opportunity, continuing to hustle on defence to make a guest save and a strong head ball clear in the game’s final ten minutes, despite a score which was effectively out of reach.

“Just having fun,” he shrugged.

“Just cold, it’s freezing,” the Knights’ Kaleb Krupp added. “(But) a good season, fun.”

As the players and a few fans headed for warmer and drier climes, Sperduti hung in long enough to concur on a 2025 Knights campaign that had been both enjoyable and productive.

“Much improved from last year,” he concluded.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

A chilled group of College Avenue Knights try their best to stay warm and dry during the TVRA South East Tier II final.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

15

College Avenue Knights happy to ‘touch’ history with inaugural TVRA Tier I softball trophy JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

It’s not that Emma Perryman is excessively superstitious.

But on game day, the Woodstock College Avenue (CASS) Knights girls’ softball player always puts her left sock on before her right, snacks on strawberry Timbits and begins her pre-game playlist with The Show Goes On. “And oh, have to kiss the line if you step on it,” Perryman smiled.

And so, when she saw teammate Emma Colcuc pick up the inaugural Thames Valley Regional Athletics Girls’ Softball plaque before the Knights championship final game against the Arva Medway Cowboys - touching a trophy before winning it, and even after, being considered back luck in some quarters - Perryman was concerned they were playing with fate.

“I didn’t even know that was a thing,” protested Colcuc, who was quickly educated by her third baseman’s horrified reaction.

Upon further reflection, Perryman took the moment in stride.

“I was a bit worried,” she confessed.

“But then I concluded that we as a collective of young women had put in a lot of work, and we would just play the game the way it was supposed to be played and the outcome would take care of itself.”

The Knights did just that, helping karma along with three three-run innings and a seven-inning, complete game

performance by starting pitcher Morgan Howard, which combined for a 9-5 TVRA Tier I title victory Monday, June 2nd at London’s Stronach Park.

Howard had taken a line drive off the kneecap on the weekend during a club team tournament in Ohio. Unable to walk Saturday, she pitched a single game Sunday and might have been considered questionable as a result for Monday’s TVRA final.

“So this was a breakout game for me.”

Medway gave the Knights a battle, opening the scoring with a single in the top of the third inning. CASS responded with three runs in the home half, and again in the fourth after the Cowboys tied the game at three in the frame’s top half. Perryman stroked a two-run home run to up the Knights’ lead to 6-3. Medway refused to go quietly into the afternoon light, plating another two runs to close within one at 6-5 in the top of the fifth.

Howard struck out two in a one-twothree top of the sixth, setting the stage for College Avenue’s third three-run inning. Arianna Pastoor led it off with a base hit, stealing second to put herself in scoring position. Colcuc plated her from there with an RBI single, scoring herself as Perryman lofted a triple after a bang-bang play at first with Myla Reissner hustling hard down the line. Howard helped her own cause with an RBI triple hammered into the left-field corner, which she unsuccessfully tried to stretch into a home run.

Back on the mound to start the sev-

enth, Howard recorded the first out 1-3 after a leadoff walk. Perryman ranged into foul territory for a popped up bunt attempt and out number two, Howard closing her complete-game victory with her 13th strikeout.

Pastoor finished with three singles for the Knights, Reissner and Payton Jones adding two apiece and Hannah Ryksen one base hit.

“We were hitting it to people to start,” said Howard. “And then we found gaps and kept rolling.”

The championship trophy, which every Knight was pleased to touch following the game, is the first awarded in recognition of softball as an official TVRA sport.

“We left our mark on the school, we just made history,” said Perryman.

“It’s nice to be the first to do something,” Howard added.

Two other Woodstock teams were also in action Monday, the Woodstock CI Red Devils capturing the TVRA Tier II title with an exciting 7-6 victory over London Theresa CHS. The Woodstock Huron Park Huskies were defeated in the Tier III final, 11-1, by Lord Dorchester.

College Avenue will head into the eight-team Ontario Federation of Secondary School Athletics (OFSAA) West qualifier scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 in Stratford as the top seed.

To be clear, Knights coach Ryan Stafford emphasized Colcuc is ‘the life of the party, the glue on the bench, a great team player and loved by her teammates.’

“But no touching trophies this time,” he smiled.

The top two teams from this event and a similar eight-team OFSAA East qualifier advance to a four-team OFSAA final on June 12 in Paris.

“I think our team is good enough to compete at that level,” Stafford concluded. “Let’s cross our fingers and hope.”

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(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO) Knights’ third baseman Emma Perryman snags a popped up bunt attempt in foul terri- Hustling down the line, College Avenue’s Myla Reissner was called out on this bang-bang tory for the second out of the seventh inning. play.

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

WCI girls make it soccer ‘OFSAA-squared’, to the ‘third power’ with 3-1 WOSSAA A victory

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Red Devils’ Emma Holm (right) moves the ball toward the wing with a Holy Cross opponent in hot pursuit.

JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

Robyn Wilson’s room may be her safe space, where the trappings of teenage hood can be tolerated.

“Pretty busy most of the time,” the Woodstock CI Red Devils striker admitted. “My clothes kind of end up on the floor.”

On a soccer pitch, Wilson is a perfectionist who likes to clean up at both

the offensive and defensive ends. So much so that after scoring two goals and arguably saving two others during her team’s 3-1 Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletics Association A championship victory over the Strathroy Holy Cross Centurions on May 28th at Woodstock’s Cowan Park, Wilson lamented the chances she hadn’t buried.

True, she had been denied on a rush into the Centurions’ zone and also had

a hard shot sail high-right over the top corner. But Wilson also, with help from her teammates, had provided the margin of victory over an aggressive and talented opponent, earning the Red Devils their first Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) A girls’ soccer berth.

The WCI girls will join their male Red Devils counterparts, also competing in their first soccer OFSAA, June 5 to 7 in Welland.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said coach and math teacher Karis Bracewell, agreeing the rare accomplishment might be termed ‘OFSAA-squared.’ “Perfect,” she smiled.

The Red Devils qualified for the WOSSAA A final with a 2-1 win over Wingham F.E. Madill, subsequently battling a talented and aggressive Centurions squad with an opening that while not negative, wasn’t ‘perfect’ either. Early Strathroy pressure was both relieved and answered as WCI crossed the ball from right to left in its defensive zone, working it forward to Morgan Smith in the middle of the field, who sent a long through ball forward.

Wilson simply outran the Centurions’ defence, forwarded the ball into the clear and deftly finished mano-a-mano against a charging Holy

Cross keeper. The Centurions equalized before the half on a long shot off the right wing, potentially aided on a rainy afternoon by slippery field and ball conditions.

WCI adjusted its gameplan at halftime, looking to let the ball rather than their legs do the work, a shift which paid immediate and ongoing dividends in terms of ball control and possession time.

“We just slowed ourselves down, looked and found the open player and it worked out,” said Smith.

What would stand as the game-winner came on a deceptively calm moment, contrasting with a closely fought and at times physical battle.

WCI’s Olivia Knopf took the initial shot, which blocked at the defence, rebounded to Wilson with unexpected time and space near the edge of the 18-yard box.

“I like to panic on those ones quite often,” said Wilson.

“Not this one,” countered WCI’s Claire Harmer.

“Just had to stay calm and look where I wanted to put it and finish,” Wilson responded, who turned and capitalized in the bottom, left corner of the Centurions’ goal.

Red Devils’ keeper Kate Hooker, with occasional ‘guest’ support

from friends, made the one-goal lead stand up until Alex McDonald added a late insurance marker with a burst of speed down the middle of the field.

Maintaining her ‘step’, McDonald perfectly timed her shot prior to an onrushing defender and the keeper’s arrival, elevating the ball over the latter, just under the crossbar.

“I saw over her head and I took it.”

“I thought we put a good effort in,” added Wilson, far more generous in assessing her teammates’ performance than her own. “Ten out of ten - we got the result.”

The first half in particular illustrated a tough game, ‘well fought,’ credited coach Bracewell, whose halftime ‘ask’ was for her team to be first to the ball.

“And I think we did that.”

For some Red Devils, including Harmer, the provincial A soccer championship represents the third OFSAA team final for 2024-25, beyond OFSAA-squared to the power of three via appearances with the basketball, volleyball and now, soccer teams.

“Three-peat baby!” smiled Harmer, who is looking for the Red Devils to continue to play ‘their game.’

“Let’s go, bring on the energy,” she concluded. “Nothing’s going to change.”

Close shave for WCI Red Devils at/after WOSSAA A boys’ soccer championships JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

Depending on the way you look at it, the Woodstock CI Red Devils boys’ 1-0 Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) A victory over the Strathroy Holy Cross Centurions at Woodstock’s Cowan Park May 28 was a journey one or four years in the making.

Either of which is considerably longer than it will take for coach Jason Poole to regrow his hair.

“Yeah… I made some promises early in the season,” the Red Devils mentor admitted with a grimace. “And they may come back to bite me.”

The same two teams met in last year’s WOSSAA A final, with the Centurions prevailing.

“Three-hundred-and-sixty-five days preparing for this moment,” said WCI’s Oscar Berkeley, who scored the lone goal off a second-half penalty earned by teammate Elisha Dezeeuw.

Berkely took a wide run to the spot, indicating to his right before calmly depositing the ball in the bottom, left corner of the Strathroy goal.

“We call him Mr. Nonchalant,” credited Red Devils keeper and captain Justin Deschamps.

“He has no emotion out there unless he’s yelling at the ref,” WCI centre-back Noah Clements added with a smile.

Deschamps and company made the narrow margin stand for the rainy duration, sticking to Poole’s gameplan of trusting the team’s structure, playing stingy defence and countering when opportunities presented themselves.

“They played it well and did the right stuff,” credited Clements of a tight battle contested on a slippery pitch.

“They had more chances,” Deschamps agreed, “but we did it when it mattered most.”

The Red Devils had their hands full with the Centurions in the first half Poole admitted, and with a quartet of yellow cards, had to play cautiously through the second.

“And just lay it on the line.”

One late Strathroy try rolled wide of the post to the WCI keeper’s left, but shortly after, the referee’s final three whistles set off a celebration one - or four - years in the making.

Deschamps is among the graduating Grade 12 veterans who has been with coach Poole for their entire high school careers, looking forward to celebrating a final soccer farewell together at Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA A) championships.

“We didn’t win a single game for like two years,” said Deschamps. “Last year, we saw some hope.

“And we knew if it was going to be any year, it was this year.”

The Red Devils defeated Wingham F.E. Madill 2-0 in their WOSSAA A semi-final on goals from Nardo Rose and Dezeeuw, Holy Cross blanking Exeter South Huron 6-0.

“I think it was meant to be,” said Poole, who 20 years earlier, had headed home the goal which sent Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors to OFSAA in Jordan’s Crossing, right in the neighbourhood of this year’s twinned boys/girls A in Welland June

5 through June 7.

Both WCI boys and girls teams qualified, the first provincial soccer berths for both teams, and in the words of coach Poole, a ‘once in a generation’ accomplishment.

Before the Red Devils had a practice this season, before they touched a ball, he held a team meeting.

“Laying out what we wanted and how we were going to get there.”

That roadmap to improve on 2024’s 16-1 record by punching the team’s ticket to OFSAA included seeking out tough competition, adding tournament games and upgrading last year’s playoff beard with the incentive of creative hairstyling, should the Red Devils win WOSSAA A. “I had to motivate them,” Poole explained.

“And we get to pick,” said Clements, musing it will require another team meeting to ultimately decide.

“I think a buzz, he needs it all off,” Clements continued. “A nice clean buzz.

“That’s my vote.”

“I think we’re going down to the wood,” Berkeley continued.

“I think just shave it, completely shave it,” Deschamps agreed.

Poole is very aware that haircuts are temporary, OFSAA memories last forever. However, apart from a little thinning, he and fiancé Lindsay McCoy’s upcoming August nuptials do add a measure of concern on style - or lack thereof. Fully conceding McCoy has done the heavy lifting for

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

WCI’s Leonard Hobbs (rear) heads the ball from danger.

both wedding planning and the birth of their fourmonth-old daughter while supporting his busy basketball and soccer coaching schedules, Poole is hopeful whatever style is chosen dovetails decently into wedding photos.

“It may not be a good look,” he concluded with a smile. “Hopefully it’s just a different colour and I can wash it out.”

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Warriors play for each other, ‘Pop’ in locking up OFSAA AA berth JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors boys’ soccer dual threat Tommy Walker finished what the St. Thomas St. Joe’s Rams started in a 2-1 Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) AA semi-final penalty kicks victory Wednesday, May 28th at London’s City Wide Field.

“Season on the line, just had to give my all there,” Walker summed up succinctly.

That tense win was in itself just the opening act for a 3-2 extra-time AA championship victory over the London Westminster Wildcats. The back-to-back gut checks earned the Warriors an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AA provincial final tournament berth in Ottawa from June 5 to 7, which goes along with the WOSSAA title.

“It was amazing and it still doesn’t seem real,” said Warriors co-coach Vanessa Pye. “OFSAA was our goal the moment we lost in last year’s WOSSAA finals against (London) Oakridge,” she continued. “We believed this was our year and every step of the way the boys showed us they wanted this and were willing to do what it takes.”

The Warriors earned every bit of their WOSSAA AA title, opening against a tough St. Joe’s squad whose only regular Thames Valley

Regional Athletics South East season loss came at the hands of the Warriors, 4-1 on May 1 at London’s City Wide field. St. Mary’s followed this up with a 3-0 shutout in the TVRA South East title game Wednesday, May 21st at Woodstock’s Cowan Park. Despite three-goal margins in both meetings, a credible sports adage speaks to how hard it is to beat a quality team three times in a season.

It would be borne out in a WOSSAA semi-final, which finished both regulation and extra time tied at a goal. The Rams had opened scoring with Mateus Fortuna answering for the Warriors.

In extra time’s latter stages, Pye and co-coach Valerie Popovich made a strategic substitution, shifting midfielder and team captain Walker into the Warriors net in preparation for looming penalty kicks in lieu of a starter who was unable to continue.

“It’s all mental,” said Walker, who tries to identify which way to ‘guess and dive’ during opponents’ run-up.

The Rams opened strongly, scoring on their first two kicks to, in conjunction with an opening save from their goalie, take an early 2-0 lead.

St. Mary’s responded however on consecutive goals by Noah Allard, Fortuna and Hunter van den Akker.

Walker recorded two denials on the Rams’ third through fifth shots, diving to his right to see one sail wide of his right post and then subsequently, make a clean block on another. Stepping to the penalty spot as the War-

Weekend Quiz

by Jake Grant

1. What is the modern birthstone for the month of June?

2. W hat year did the Canada's Wonderland open?

3. H ow many Stanley Cups do the Edmonton Oilers have?

4. W here did Stonewall riots happen?

5. How many chambers are in

the human heart?

6. W hat does SPF stand for?

7. What are the holes on a golf ball called?

8. W hich actor played Captain Jack Sparrow 9. T he Roman goddess Juno is the goddess of what?

10. W hich zodiac signs are associated with June?

This week’s answers are found on pg. 39

17

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Woodstock St. Mary’s Warrior Caleb Allard (rear) executes a hard challenge against a St. Joe’s opponent.

riors’ fifth shooter with the tally tied at three and the game on his foot, he reflected on two successful earlier penalties against the same keeper.

“I went left both times, so I switched it up,” said Walker, who calmly buried the game-winner inside the post to his right.

Things did not get markedly easier in the AA championship game later that afternoon.

The Warriors’ Lisandro Da Costa scored off a corner to equalize at one during the first half, Kingston McPherson giving St. Mary’s a 2-1 lead just prior to its conclusion.

Fortuna extended the Warriors lead to two with 20 minutes to play in the second half, a crucial insurance goal that would stand up as the game-winner. Westminster pulled within one during an extended period of extra

time, however, St. Mary’s held on for the victory in what coach Pye described as a ‘gritty, gritty display.’

“This team played for one another and played for ‘Pop’ (coach Popovich) every single second and it was most evident in the finals where every single person contributed,” she credited. “It was an amazing feeling to see these young men play their hearts out.”

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Family Owned & Operated 519 - 425 - 1600

Beachville celebrates inaugural baseball game Baseball history came to life at the Beachville District Museum on Saturday, May 31, as community members gathered to celebrate the 187th anniversary of the first recorded baseball game in North America with the Baseball, Buddies, and Burgers fundraiser.

The event welcomed visitors of all ages for a day of historical celebration, community connection and classic ballpark fun. It featured a lively re-enactment of an 1838-style baseball game for participants aged 12 and up, bringing to life the spirit of that original match played in Beachville on June 4, 1838.

Attendees enjoyed engaging baseball displays and exhibits from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, the London Majors, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), and the Canadian Centre for Baseball Research. Hands-on demonstrations, youth activities, and storytelling added an in-

teractive and educational element to the festivities.

“This event was a true celebration of our local heritage,” said Stephanie, curator of the Beachville District Museum. “We’re proud to honor Beachville’s unique place in baseball history and bring the community together in such a fun and meaningful way.”

Beachville’s historic role in baseball traces back to a game witnessed by Dr. Adam Enoch Ford in 1838, later documented in a letter published in Sporting Life in 1886. Thanks to detailed research by historians Dr. Nancy Bouchier and Dr. Bob Barney, the 1838 game has been firmly established as the earliest recorded game of its kind in North America, cementing Beachville’s place in sports history.

For more information about future events or the museum’s exhibits, visit www.beachvilledistrict(RON YUZARK PHOTO) museum.com.

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Brian and Paul stand in front of their historic display on the local history of baseball.

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Managing Director

Owners Jeff & Michelle Glendinning

Robert Rivest Directors

Dave Nancekievill Jeff Glendinning

Call or Email for More Information 519-425-1600 or www.mcbeathdynes.ca 246 Thames St. S., Ingersoll, ON N5C 2T7

The 5 K runners were off at the starting line the splash pad.

The 2025 Dairy Capital Run laced up and took off on May 24 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Discovery Farm in Woodstock.

For the third consecutive year, the event took place on the scenic grounds, bringing the community together for a fun, family-friendly event in support of the Woodstock Hospital Foundation.

Participants enjoyed a fresh take on the traditional race experience, with all routes, the 5K, 2K, and the popular Lil’ Hoofer Run, set entirely on gravel roads winding through the expansive agricultural property.

This year’s theme, "The Dairy Capital Run

Goes Country," set the tone for a relaxed and joyful morning where the focus was less on competition and more on fun, fitness, and community spirit. Each participant received a commemorative finishers medal and event shirt, celebrating their accomplishment and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Runners and spectators were treated to the picturesque backdrop of Canada’s largest outdoor agricultural showcase, adding a charming rural touch to an already udderly delightful event.

The fresh farm air, rolling fields, and infectious energy made the 2025 Dairy Capital Run a mooment to remember.

(RON YUZARK PHOTO)

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

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Oxford to become a living ITOPA’s The Long Weekend, wage employer last of Foster Four in Oxford County’s theatre scene

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It wasn’t unanimous, but Oxford County council voted to pay all of its employees a living wage.

Oxford County directly employs two positions, a library page and seasonal students, who are paid less than the 2024 living wage for London, Elgin and Oxford, which is $19.50 per hour. To become certified, an organization must commit to ensuring externally contracted employers who provide services for at least 120 hours of labour per year pay their staff a living wage. Currently, the county pays some library staff $17.20 and seasonal workers $18 per hour.

“Given the dollar amount, I don’t have a problem moving forward with this. It is such a small group,” explained Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie. “I think we have some challenges in our library system, trying to attract people to that form of work.”

When it comes to students, Petrie explained their cost of living has increased, particularly with the price of schooling and housing.

“I think we need to provide leadership. One of the things we face in our society is the cost has gone up but the wages have not. These are seasonal students and investing in them can lead to…attracting better employees and convincing them this is a great place to work.”

Among those voting against the motion was East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor Phil Schaefer who said there are too many negatives in pursuing a formal certification and disagreed with raising the pay of those affected.

“I think if our wage rates for these positions were too low, the county would certainly be looking at making them more appropriate. But we haven’t done that because I don’t think they are too low and to offer an 8.3 and 10.8 per cent wage increase to a couple groups of our employees and commit to adjusting that biannually, it’s not fair to the rest of our employ-

ees.”

He added taking on the designation would be an exercise to satisfy a third party that feels the county is underpaying some staff members.

“I don’t agree with that, so I will not be supporting the motion.”

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesey rejected the idea of becoming certified with the Ontario Living Wage Network because of the effect it would have on companies hired by the county.

“I would consider that to be government overreach if we are determining what our contractors should have or not. The director mentioned we are lagging behind in student wages, but there is also a 15.8 per cent youth unemployment rate in Ontario. It surprises me that over 18 dollars (per hour) we are behind because there seem to be a lot more students than jobs.”

She added a student wage isn’t meant to be a living wage.

“They still have support from parents. It’s not like an individual out on their own.”

The decision will not have any effect on the wages of employees who are currently above the living wage threshold and the hourly pay hike will kick in on January 1, 2026.

“This year we are employing 19 summer students; however, since this takes effect January 1, the new wage will apply to the summer students employed in 2026,” explained Amy Smith, Director of Human Resources. “We have 11 employees currently working in the library page position.”

The move toward providing a living wage will cost the county just over $42,000 split almost evenly between the library system and student employees. To become certified as a Living Wage Employer by the Ontario Living Wage Network, employers sign a license agreement and pay an annual employer certification fee. For Oxford County, it would have been $600. Staff had recommended against becoming certified.

(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)

(Left to right): John Butterworth, Monique Bouchard, Becky Tanton, and Trevor Finkenzeller star in Norm Foster’s The Long Weekend at Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA).

EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA) will close off their 2024/2025 season with a fun-filled comedy about friendship that will keep audiences pondering what’s next for the four best friends trying to enjoy a long weekend.

ITOPA will present The Long Weekend by beloved Canadian playwright Norm Foster from June 20 to 22 and 26 to 29. The comedy features four best friends whose friendships are put to the test during a weekend in a country home as they learn how they feel about each other.

"It's a play that has a lot of excitement, laughs, and surprises. There's twists and turns in the script. You never know what's going to happen next and it's just funny, funny, funny,” said director Kathleen Boyd. “If you just want to come, have a nice, good laugh, this is the play."

ITOPA’s The Long Weekend will be the last of the Foster Four productions across Oxford County community theatres, which also includes Embro’s Thistle Theatre, Theatre Tillsonburg, and Theatre Woodstock. Attendees have one more chance to enter a draw to win 2025 season passes to the Foster Festival in St. Catharines.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 35

Fishing day in May ANN LOFTHOUSE Echo Contributor

The Ingersoll Rotary Club held another successful fishing day in May at Smiths Pond Park. Despite the looming skies, over 100 children and their families enjoyed a great day netting over 60 fish. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) generously sponsored the event once again and as you can see from the photos, a wonderful time was had by all!

The event is named for Lawrence Beckett, a long time OFAH member and member of the Rotary Club of Ingersoll. Lawrence, along with other dedicated club members, works tirelessly to prepare the pond to give families a day to share the love of fishing.

Visit us online at theecho.ca (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Ingersoll Services for Seniors celebrating 30th anniversary as dynamically evolving entity JEFF TRIBE Echo Correspondent

Ingersoll Services For Seniors (ISS) and the Ingersoll 50+ Activity Centre (I50+AC) are celebrating 30th anniversary seasons as dynamic entities, evolving to meet the changing needs of a 750-strong membership and their surrounding community.

“We’re always trying to innovate and keep up with the trends,” said ISS Program Coordinator Victoria Rode.

ISS was founded in 1992 to provide socialization and home services for area seniors.

Through support from the Town of Ingersoll and Oxford United Way, the I50+AC opened in the Lion’s building at 58 Thames Street South in December 1994. The growth and popularity of programming created a need for a larger facility, which was addressed through an agreement between the Town of Ingersoll and CAMI Automotive for the ownership of Suzuki Canadian House and its adjoining property. Renovations were complete and operations began on October 1, 2001, with membership doubling as a result of expanded space and opportunity.

ISS continues as a non-profit charitable organization supporting older adults in the community through three departments: Community Support Services, Assisted Living and the I50+AC. Its integrated delivery model includes services supporting the physical and mental well-being of members and others through a wide range of fitness and social activities, educational workshops, meal and grocery delivery, equipment loans, and transportation to, for example, doctor’s appointments, or connection to personal support workers.

The ISS/I50+AC mandate is advanced through diversely functional square footage featuring multi-use space, a kitchen/dining room, workshop, library, fitness centre, billiards room and access to shared recreational facilities, including pickle ball courts. Operational flexibility

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Ingersoll Services for Seniors (ISS) Program Coordinator Victoria Rode (left) and Chris Webber (right) extend an invitation for seniors 50 and older to check out the ISS/Ingersoll 50+ Activity Centre during its 30th anniversary season.

was recently expanded through the installation of an enclosed lift funded providing functional accessibility to the second floor.

Technically, the 30th anniversaries were marked in December 2024.

“But we’re kind of celebrating throughout the year,” said Rode.

It’s difficult to list every service provided on location or through ISS and I50+AC. There are foundational social activities such as darts, billiards, dominoes and a deck full of card options, euchre, bid-euchre, bridge and pepper.

Educational programs run the gamut from creative writing and art to learning a new language. The men’s shed continues as a centre for woodworking, and although there is currently no ‘she shed’, women’s woodworking courses are being offered for the first time. Fitness options exist from self-directed routines, line dancing and specialized regimens for those dealing with Parkinson’s or strokes, and com-

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Joyce Crawford works out in the fitness room at the Ingersoll Services for Seniors/Ingersoll 50+ Activity Centre.

petitive pickleball contests.

“It can be,” Rode admitted, adding with a smile, “but it’s fun… mostly.”

The walking club is also celebrating its 20th anniversary under founder Kim Bidwell, who continues to coordinate its activities as a volunteer. Every Wednesday the club hits a trail, local or further afield, enjoys a variety of length and difficulty options, concluded with a tailgate party or visit to a nearby coffee shop.

“Just like snacks or refreshments,” said Rode.

Practically speaking, foot care services are available Tuesdays and Fridays, and a very popular assistive equipment loan program, including wheelchairs, hospital beds, commodes and knee sliders. Around 3,200 items are loaned annually, 377 in April, for example, or an average of roughly 12.5 daily.

Anniversary initiatives of note include a shack sail installation to expand outdoor activity space, seeking to add computer literacy

classes, and efforts to attract ‘young 50-plus seniors’, including expanding operational hours to better fit schedules with work commitments.

“They’re hiking today, but they’ve gone skiing and snowshoeing and are planning on going kayaking this summer,” said Rode.

She and Jackie Davison are also striving to revive a District 31 Ontario Senior Games Association relationship interrupted by COVID, coordinating qualifying events for the provincial summer games, including pickleball, bid euchre, euchre, baseball and predictive walking.

Finally, there is an emphasis on social proscribing, the process of anyone in the community knowing of an older adult who might benefit from activities provided through the ISS or I50+AC. “They can complete a referral form and send it to us,” said Rode. “Basically, it’s a social prescription to get them out to activities.”

It could be someone in need of physical supports or meal services Rode continued.

“Other times it’s just for social inclusion meeting new people and keeping in touch.”

Interested persons are invited to check out the organization’s website at www.ingersollseniors.com. It includes a wealth of information, the opportunity to join a weekly email list and the ISS phone number (519-485-3869). People can also visit the Ingersoll 50 Plus Activity Centre Facebook Page for further up-to-date information.

Annual membership costs $45, which provides access to some free activities and also offers reduced charges for others, such as $3 for a fitness class, compared to $6 for non-members.

“It’s a very busy place,” Rode concluded of organizations that, while continuing to evolve, remain all about maintaining and preserving quality of life for a senior population that has contributed greatly during their lives.

“They deserve to have a place to go and do the things they enjoy,” Rode concluded.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Line dancing is one of the fitness/social activities offered at the Ingersoll Services for Seniors/Ingersoll 50+ Activity Centre, as illustrated by Program Coordinator Victoria Rode.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Ontario retables legislation to support seniors and their caregivers LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ontario government recently re-introduced legislation to protect and support seniors and the people who care for them.

The Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, if passed, would better connect seniors and their caregivers to complex care, according to a news release. It is backed by $114 million in investments to increase access to community and social programs that help seniors stay fit, active and healthy in their communities.

“As Ontario’s population continues to grow, it is critical to build for the future so we can support some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Paul Calandra, acting Minister of Long-Term Care. “That’s why our government is investing in new programs to improve quality

and access to care while strengthening protections for seniors and their families.”

The proposed legislation would amend the Fixing Long-Term Care Act and the Retirement Homes Act. Several changes would be made and make several changes the government feels will make a huge difference: • P rotect residents with dementia by requiring all long-term care homes in Ontario to have an organized program for dementia care and services.

• Support seniors and their families by strengthening residents’ rights to ongoing support from family or friends who provide care.

• Broaden requirements for long-term care homes to recognize and respect the cultural, linguistic, religious and spiritual needs of residents.

This includes new

regulations that require long-term care homes to increase information available in French.

• I ntroduce new offences related to the abuse or neglect of a longterm care home resident and enhance the ability to investigate and prosecute offences.

Other initiatives complementing the legislation include: • I nvesting almost $80 million over three years to improve and expand dementia care and supports.

• Expanding community programming and resources for seniors living in their own homes.

• Developing a provincial approach for using artificial intelligence for the early detection of osteoporosis, responsible for 80 per cent of all fractures in older adults.

These changes are one

more way the province is taking action to protect Ontario and meet the needs of Ontario’s aging population and their caregivers by improving and expanding supports for seniors living in longterm care, congregate settings and in the community.

"Our government is continuing to take action to ensure that Ontarians have access to the health care and services they

need, at every stage of life,” said Health Minister Sylvia Jones. “This investment will improve access to high-quality dementia care across the province, allowing more seniors and their loved ones to connect to the compassionate services and supports they need, in their community."

Donna Duncan is the CEO of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, a group representing the majority of homes in the province, mainly the for-profit sector.

"Long-term care homes play a vital role in enabling seniors with high care needs to age in their communities when staying at home is no longer possible. The government’s historic levels of investment in long-term care staffing, program and capital have enabled critical innovation and improvements in care.”

She added as Ontario’s long-term care homes continue a transformation to provide innovative, resident-focused models of care, the association thanks the government for its continued commitment to supporting and strengthening long-term care across the province.

The Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario has thrown its support behind the pro-

posed legislation. The CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario explained the government’s recognition of nurse practitioners (NPs) as clinicians and leaders.

“We deliver high-quality, compassionate care in long-term care homes, ensuring Ontario’s seniors receive the support they deserve to maintain their health and well-being,” explained Dr. Michelle Acorn. “This is a necessary step in leveraging the full extent of NPs’ training and expertise, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Long-Term Care to improve resident outcomes across the province."

Seniors, designated as those 65 and older, make up the fastest growing age group in the province, and over 60 per cent of Long-Term Care residents have a dementia diagnosis. Ontario is in the process of building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds.

Incentives up to $35,400 are also being offered to personal support worker students and eligible personal support workers to launch careers in longterm care homes and in the home and community care sector.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors

ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

The impact of reading on cognitive decline

Aging and change go hand in hand.

Although some may bemoan the gray hairs that start to arrive or stiffness in the knees that seems to sneak up on a person in middle age, such concerns are not necessarily enough to lose sleep over. However, many people 50 or older are nervous about the potential for cognitive issues like dementia as they grow older.

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 6.7 million people have Alzheimer's disease in the United States.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that there were 733,040 people living with dementia in the country as of January 1, 2024. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias can rob people of their memories, personalities and abilities to live satisfying, independent lives. While it may not be impossible to prevent all cognitive issues completely, there is reason to believe that reading could be an ally in cognitive care.

The American Academy of Neurology says that reading stimulates the brain and has been shown to slow down cognitive decline in old age. Reading also may help slow down memory loss.

The powers of reading were noticed

more than 10 years ago when a 2013 study from researchers at Emory University measured readers' MRI scans as they read books. They found the deeper readers went into a story, the more areas of their brains were activated. This activity remained elevated for several days after participants finished their books. The more a person reads, the stronger complex networks in the brain become.

Additional evidence that reading can help the brain was noted by researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. A 2024 study suggests that older people with mild cognitive impairment who engage in high levels of activities like reading, hobbies and word games have better memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed than those who do not take part in such endeavors. Furthermore, a 2021 study published in Neurology found that high levels of cognitive activity, like reading and writing letters, can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by five years among those age 80 and over.

Reading can keep brains functioning optimally and potentially delay age-related cognitive decline.

June 6, 2025

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

You’re not getting older, you’re getting better LISA TIMPF Echo Contributor

Golf is one of those sports where athletes seem ageless.

For example, German professional golfer Bernhard Langer has won PGA Tour Champions events, golf’s senior tour for players over 50, at the age of 67.

“I hope to inspire other people,” Langer once said at a press conference in California. “Some say I'm too old, I can't get any better anymore. I still think in your fifties you can improve, maybe even into your sixties, depending on what level you're playing at since golf is very technical.”

The good news is that the agelessness of golf holds true for the rest of us as well. Golf instructor Steve Koncz notes that he hasn’t seen much change in his own game over the years. He believes age can be an advantage in some ways when it comes to golf.

“I know people whose golf game has improved in their seventies and eighties. It’s not necessarily technique. It’s the way they manage their game.”

Koncz notes that, unlike some sports, golf is also an activity people can pick up at any age. “I have some people just starting in their sixties and seventies. You can still learn to enjoy the game.”

It doesn’t necessarily take long to develop the basics to build on.

“In the case of lessons, if they do their assigned exercises at home, they can pick it up in three to five lessons.”

At the same time, picking up the basics of swing mechanics doesn’t mean you know everything about the game. Once you start, Koncz says, “You never stop learning. It adds to the fun.”

As proof that it’s possible to enjoy the game well into one’s senior years, Koncz cites the case of London golfer Ed Ervasti.

Ervasti, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 101, played more than 100 rounds of golf each season well into

(LISA TIMPF PHOTO)

While some sports become less accessible as we age, golf is one game that can be played and enjoyed by seniors. It’s never too late to try it.

his nineties. He set a record for bettering his age by the most strokes, shooting a score of 72 at age 93 at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club.

One piece of advice Koncz has for older golfers, and that he follows himself, is to stay flexible. He stretches every night to keep his hips and shoulders loose, and advises that golfers stretch before each game, particularly on cooler days.

“It’s important to warm up the muscles you are going to use.”

Stressing over outcomes can impede enjoying the game, Koncz adds, citing W. Timothy Gallwey’s “triangle” theory in The Inner Game of Golf. If we focus on the things we can control - learning and enjoying the experience of what we are doing - rather than stressing over results, that’s when we’ll be at our best.

“Some people are 90 per cent about the score,” says Koncz, and that can interfere with both their enjoyment of the

Any senior who books a job and provides a deposit during the month of June will receive a 10% discount

Chris Lorentz

game and their ability to make progress.

In his role as a golf instructor, Koncz has made a few observations any golfer, senior or otherwise, could benefit from.

“90 to 95 per cent of golfers end up short on their shots up to the green,” Koncz notes. Sometimes, this might be due to ego or overestimating one’s strength. “Even if you play one club longer, in some cases, that will improve your game.”

He also advises playing to the fat part of the green.

Another piece of advice is to relax. “So many golfers tighten up,” Koncz said. “George Knudson always said that you relax to play good golf, you don’t play golf to relax.”

“Sometimes people try to hit the ball too hard, at too high a percentage of their strength, and they end up off balance,” he added.

He suggests golfers should hold their finish or stay in their follow-through position until the ball stops rolling.

You should be able to do this if you are in good balance.

If you aren’t, that may be a signal something is amiss with your swing.

Golf equipment has changed over the years, with a much greater range of club lengths, club shaft flexibility, club weight, and so on. Golf balls are also more forgiving. One of Koncz’s skills is matching equipment to a golfer’s swing speed, height, and other attributes.

One service he offers is a fitting session so that golf clubs can be custom-made for the individual.

“I see people every day with ill-fitting equipment. Having the right equipment makes it easier and quicker to learn the game as well as enabling better play.

Koncz offered one final piece of advice.

“If people focus on just feeling gratitude for being out there on the course, and focus less on score, it will change a lot of people’s games.” For him, golf is all about fun, exercise, and learning, which may be part of its secret to being an ageless sport.

Owner / General Manager

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

25

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Staying connected: the power of socializing as we age SARAH LINDSAY South Gate Centre

As we age, our lives inevitably change. Children grow up and move away, careers wind down, and for many older adults, the loss of a spouse or close friends can bring a profound shift in daily life. Amid these transitions, one element becomes more essential than ever: social connection.

Research shows that staying socially active isn’t just enjoyable, it’s vital for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Yet, social isolation remains one of the most significant challenges facing seniors today.

According to the National Seniors Council of Canada, nearly 30 per cent of Canadian seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated. The risk is even higher for those who live alone or have experienced recent loss.

This is where places like South Gate Centre make an enormous difference.

Why socializing matters more as we age Human connection is a basic need at any age, but for older adults, it becomes a powerful form of prevention.

Social interaction has been shown to: • Reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

• L ower the likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia.

• Encourage mobility and reduce fall risk.

• Boost the immune system and overall health.

• I mprove life satisfaction and sense of purpose.

Put simply, staying connected helps people stay healthier, happier, and more resilient.

Unfortunately, many older adults

face barriers to maintaining social ties. Retirement can reduce day-today interaction. The death of a spouse or close friend can lead to feelings of grief and loneliness. Physical limitations, lack of transportation, or financial concerns can make it harder to get out and engage with others.

That’s why accessible, welcoming community hubs like South Gate Centre are so critical.

South Gate Centre: a place to belong Located in the heart of Woodstock, South Gate Centre is more than a recreation facility; it’s a place of belonging, purpose, and joy for adults 50+.

Through a wide variety of programs, classes, events, and volunteer opportunities, South Gate provides a space for older adults to connect, contribute, and thrive.

From fitness classes that build strength and confidence, to creative workshops that stimulate the mind, to social groups that foster deep and lasting friendships, South Gate Centre offers a welcoming environment for everyone. Whether you’re rediscovering a hobby, trying something new, or simply enjoying a good conversation over coffee, every visit can be a meaningful step toward well-being.

For those who have lost a spouse or are new to the community, South Gate offers an open door to start over, to be seen, heard, and valued. A lot of members say that finding South Gate was life-changing, helping them rediscover joy after loss, and giving them a reason to get up in the morning.

As one longtime member shared, “After my husband passed, I needed something to fill my time but I found so much more than that. I found friends, purpose, and a place where I

Happy Seniors Month!

Seniors make a big difference in our lives. June is a time to celebrate the wisdom, experience, and invaluable contributions of seniors in our community.

truly belong.”

Celebrating Seniors Month: honouring the contributions of older adults June is Seniors Month in Ontario. It is a time to recognize the incredible contributions of older adults to our communities and to support their continued health and engagement.

This month, South Gate Centre is proud to celebrate our members and all older adults with a variety of special events and free programs designed to encourage connection, wellness, and fun. It’s the perfect time to try something new, meet new people, and see what the Centre has to offer.

Whether you’re interested in art, music, travel, technology, fitness, or volunteering, there’s something for everyone at South Gate. And for those who are feeling isolated or hesitant to jump in, our warm and inclusive atmosphere makes it easy to take that first step.

A stronger, more connected community

When older adults stay socially engaged, the entire community benefits.

They share wisdom, volunteer time, support local businesses, and foster kindness and care across generations.

Investing in the well-being of older adults isn’t just about improving individual lives, it’s about building a stronger, more connected community for all of us.

At South Gate Centre, that’s what we’re doing every day and we invite you to be part of it This Seniors Month let's celebrate the power of connection. Let’s support those who’ve spent a lifetime supporting others. And let’s continue to grow a community where everyone, at every age, has the opportunity to live fully, joyfully, and together.

Coffee and tea are always free, thanks to our sponsor, Wellington Street Denture Clinic. Stop by for a cup and stay to meet new people.

South Gate Centre is located at 191 Old Wellington St. South, Woodstock.

Visit our website at www.southgatectr.com or call us at 519-539-9817.

SENIORS MONTH s i JuneEveryone is welcome to celebrate with us - FREE. Pre-register by calling 519-539-9817

COMMUNITY BBQ TRAILWALKERS

LIVE WELL TALKS

Fri June 6

Noon

Southside Park Pa.illion

Sat June 7 4km walk as part of Trails Festi.al

Tue June 10 Rightsizing Made Easy: Helping To Simplify Your Mo.e, Being a Good Patient as You Age

SENIOR FITNESS MARATHON

Wed June 11 8 am - 12 noon

40 minute classes

Why Weight Class, Stretch on the Floor, Sta ility Ball, Seated Fitness, Seated Stretch

CELEBRATE YOUR STORY

Tue June 17 Social Afternoon - Join us for an uplifting afternoon of reflection, connection, and cele ration4

GET YOUR GROOVE ON

Tue June 24 Try a FREE Adult Dance Class Demo with Dance in Style

ERNIE HARDEMAN MPP - Oxford

ernie.hardemanco@pc.ola.org • 519-537-5222 • 1-800-265-4046

191 Old Wellington St. S. Woodstoc ) ON 519-539-9817

MORE INFO www.southgatectr.com/newsletter www. ace oo .com/southgatectr or DROP-IN M-F 8:30 am - 4 pm

26

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Woodstock and area raised $270,000 for dementia support CONNOR LUCZKA Echo Correspondent

With about 14,500 people in Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford counties living with dementia – and an annual price tag of $2 million to provide free services for that community – the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners needs to rely on the wider community to keep its lights on.

Because of that community, they rallied together to raise $270,000 in its 2025 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on May 24.

Jen Davidson, manager of communications and marketing for the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners (which includes London, Tillsonburg, St. Thomas and Woodstock in its coverage area), said the annual walk is the organization’s biggest fundraiser and vital to the organization’s success.

“By and large, (the walks) went really well,” Davidson said. “Last year saw torrential downpours, so we were really thankful that it was only cold. It's amazing to see the community spirit that comes out and the enthusiasm, and they're all just such joyous events.

“This year, across our four walks, we had 700 walkers and we raised in total $270,000,” Davidson went on to say. “It's a little short of the goal. It's a bit of a trend, I think a lot of charities are seeing. It's very uncertain economic times that we're living in. It's still a tremendous amount of money. We are so grateful for the fundraising that's done by the community to support the organization.”

Davidson added that in Woodstock, there were 100 walkers who raised $40,000.

Apart from raising money for the organization, the walk is also a time to connect with others going through a similar (though not the same) experience. Clients,

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Participants gather at the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Woodstock. This year, walkers in Woodstock, London, St. Thomas and Tillsonburg raised $270,000 for the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.

care partners, volunteers, family members, community figures and those on the board of the society all gathered for the walk, connecting with each other and their loved ones.

The money raised stays in the community and goes to the local society’s services, which are provided free of charge.

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As Davidson explained, the society offers a plethora of services for clients and care partners. They offer client education sessions on care essentials, first steps, ambiguous loss and grief, support groups for all stages a care partner will go through, and therapeutic recreation sessions like Minds in Motion, where clients and care partners can join together for physical, social, and mind-stimulating activities in an 8-week program.

The organization just expanded into the township of Zorra, providing its Minds in Motion therapy sessions in Thamesford. Now, those living in that rural community won’t have to drive far to join their peers.

For more information on services offered by the society, including the new services offered in Thamesford, visit the society’s website at https://alzswp.ca/support/.

The amount raised by the community this year was incredible, Davidson said; however, it is not enough to support the baseline work that they provide to caregivers. As previously mentioned, the organization needs to raise $2 million a year for its base operating expenses.

While the organization works behind the scenes to secure grant funding each year, Davidson said that more baseline government funding would go a long way to make sure its programs and services are stable.

Dementia illnesses are on the rise in the country and demand for the society’s services is increasing in tandem. Each year, 200 more people, senior or otherwise, join its waitlist.

Although Alzheimer’s and other dementia illnesses are commonly thought of as something only affecting seniors, that is a misconception. Early-onset dementia is a prominent illness and its numbers are on the rise as well. By 2050, the society’s research indicates that 40,000 people under the age of 65 will be living with a dementia-related illness.

While the 2025 walk is officially over, those interested can still donate. The window to donate to the walk closes at the end of June and other donations are accepted year-round.

Those interested can donate at https://alzswp.ca/wfa/.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

27

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28

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025 ADVERTORIAL

Local Senior Faces the Challenge of Downsizing Amidst a House Full of Memories John, a long-time Oxford County resident, faced a daunting challenge. At 78 and dealing with health issues, he knew it was time to transition into a more supportive living environment. But the thought of sorting through decades of memories and furniture was overwhelming—especially with his children living far away.

John’s Story John’s home held a lifetime of cherished belongings: family photos, heirlooms, and furniture rich with personal history.

Though his kids were supportive, they couldn’t be there to help in person. Feeling stuck and overwhelmed, John reached out to HUGO and Company, a local business that handles everything from downsizing to moving and estate clearing. “It was like hitting the easy button,” he recalls.

A Comprehensive Solution “It was the retirement home that suggested I contact HUGO and Company,” says John. “I had no idea such a service existed. They took over the entire process—I didn’t have to lift a finger.”

HUGO and Company is a full-service downsizing and transition management company specializing in senior moves, particularly for those living with dementia. Founded 10 years ago by Monica de Wit, the company was born from her background in design and desire to help older adults navigate overwhelming life transitions. “What started as helping clients sort their belongings evolved into full-service moves,” says de Wit. “Now, we take care of everything—often completing the move in a single day.”

On moving day, clients are encouraged to enjoy a relaxing outing while the team gets to work. “We tell them to spend the day at a spa or on the golf course,” says de Wit. “By dinner, their new home is fully set up—with everything in place, even their bathrobe hanging on the bathroom door.”

Feels Like Home John was astonished by the attention to detail. “Monica really took the time to understand which pieces mattered most. I couldn’t believe how much fit in my new space—it truly felt like home.”

Once clients are safely settled, HUGO and Company shifts focus to clearing the estate and preparing the home for sale. That’s where their partnership with

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

Your Oxford Connection at The Realty Firm Inc. comes in. Together, they provide an all-in-one solution that includes real estate expertise from Jennifer Webb, SRES®, Marianne Butler, and Mario Spina, Broker—a team well-versed in the unique needs of aging adults.

“We’re passionate about helping seniors and their families through these major life transitions,” says Webb. “From downsizing and moving to selling the home, we handle every step with professionalism and compassion.”

For John, this partnership was invaluable. With his belongings thoughtfully arranged in his new space and his former home listed without disrupting his dayto-day life, the transition was smooth and stress-free. “If I’d known it would be this easy, I would have done it sooner,” he says.

A Downsizing Seminar hosted by HUGO and Company and Your Oxford Connection will take place on TUESDAY JUNE 10, 1PM @ the Sally Creek Community Centre, 330 Lakeview Drive, Woodstock, as part of the Living Well Talks through the South Gate Centre . To register, please call (519) 539-9817 or 519709-6635.

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

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors

ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Activities that promote cognitive health Maintaining physical health as a body ages is an important consideration, and often one of the first things that comes to mind when people think about being healthy. Yet physical health is only one component of a healthy lifestyle; individuals also must pay attention to what they do to promote cognitive health.

A 2023 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health indicated that some decline in cognitive abilities is a natural part of the aging process. Attention, memory, executive cognitive function, language, and visuospatial abilities all exhibit measurable declines with age, according to the study.

Just because some measure of cognitive impairment occurs as the years march on doesn't mean that seniors are powerless against Father Time. Certain behaviors and activities can help improve cognition.

Physical activity It is important to stay physically active, not only for the body, but also for the brain. Harvard Health says research shows when animals exercise regularly, the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain increase. More oxygen can reach an area of the brain that is responsible for thought and help improve brain function. Exercise also lowers blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar, all of which can be beneficial to the brain.

Engage in relaxing activities People who are depressed, sleep-deprived or anxious tend to score poorly on cognitive function tests. While this

may not be an indicator of cognitive decline, it is important to engage in behaviors that promote happiness and restfulnesss for mental health. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and activities that help a person smile and laugh can be good for the brain.

Participate in stimulating activities Stimulating activities, like word games, gardening, dancing, or playing a musical instrument, can help maintain cognitive function and enhance memory, says Healthline. Doing things that require mental effort can help stimulate and maintain cognitive function and also may improve emotional well-being.

Read more often Various studies indicate that reading can promote strong mental health. In addition to keeping a person entertained or informed, reading exercises the brain. There are new words to learn, new scenarios to imagine and locations to envision. Sharing a summary of what was read with others also helps work the brain in different ways, all of which are good for cognitive health.

Make new recipes Browsing through a recipe, shopping for the ingredients, putting the ingredients together, and producing the finished product all can work the brain. A person is reading, engaging in math, predicting the results, and utilizing the senses during the process of cooking.

Various activities can promote strong cognitive health and may help to reduce or delay cognitive decline through the years.

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

24

4 pm to 8:30 pm

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

29

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors

ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Osteoporosis in old age MERCEDES KAY GOLD Echo Contributor

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density among the aging population, and predominately in women.

In Canada, one in four women and one in eight men over the age of 50 are impacted. As we age, the process of bone renewal becomes less efficient and mineral density is lost. Osteoporosis causes bones to become thin and weak, leading to potential fractures, disability and even deformity.

The most common fractures are wrist, spine and hip. The scary fact is the mortality rate increases after a hip fracture, and even more frightening, fewer than 50 per cent of people experience functional recovery.

Did you know 25 per cent of patients are living in a long-term care facility for a minimum of a year of post-recovery for a hip fracture?

There are tonnes of risk factors for developing osteoporosis, but we can’t turn back time. Prevention and reducing the risk of falling are key. Yes, genetics plays a part, but you can help delay the process through daily choices.

As a personal trainer, exercise is essential. Be active daily. Strengthening bones can be as easy as incorporating regular weight-bearing activities. Include exercise such as walking, dancing, hiking or climbing stairs. All of these awesome activities are inexpensive, requiring no equipment. Just you and a can-do attitude.

For those already sporty and on-thego, choose more vigorous activities.

Golf is grand when you walk the whole course and carry your bag. Tennis is top-notch and how about pickleball,

Did you know we offer

all inclusive rates?

the fastest growing sport in North America? What about old-fashioned skipping or jumping on a rebounder? A recent study in The American Journal of Health Promotion showed increased hip density after just four months of jumping just 10 times twice daily.

Weight-bearing is non-negotiable but adding in strength-training is beneficial. Using just your bodyweight or adding dumbbells makes muscles stronger, which protects and strengthens bones. Bodyweight exercises include squats, lunges and planks. Power up with push-ups whether on the wall, modified to on the knees or the standard military option. Aim for two to three sessions per week and please rest up to 48 hours in between. Challenge yourself and wear a weighted vest while performing the bodyweight exercises.

Don’t sit on the sidelines due to arthritis, aches and pains. Move the body and minimize inflammation. Yoga and Tai Chi are considered low impact but still weight-bearing. They will help lower the risk of falls because they are fantastic for helping improve balance.

Mat-based Pilates, also suitable for all fitness levels, is also a great go-to, increasing flexibility and strength.

Always consult your doctor or health practitioner before beginning a new program. Now is the time to start exercising. Wear comfortable shoes with great support. Warm up with walking or marching and add in some arm swinging. Have fun and stay hydrated.

Advice provided in this column should not be taken as medical advice.

Always consult a doctor first before adding anything new to your health and wellness regime.

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Schedule your private tour today by contacting our Retirement Home Manager at (519) 539-6461 or RetirementWoodstock@caressantcare.com

All Smiles Woodstock Denture Clinic (formerly known as Likins’ Denture Clinic)

We smile when you smile.

Good health starts at the mouth.

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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

30

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

Adapting your diet to combat osteoporosis MERCEDES KAY GOLD Echo Contributor

As a personal trainer, let me remind you exercise is essential to offset osteoporosis but there’s more ways to minimize your risk. I have switched to my holistic-nutritionist cap, and now it’s time to share the importance of diet and supplements.

Eating well is a whole lot of whole-body wellness. It all begins with the diet and then, if needed, supplements are added.

Choose nutrient-dense options that deliver key minerals and vitamins which boost bone health.

Magnesium Magnesium plays a crucial role in bone health. Supplementing is non-negotiable at any age. Speak to your health partitioner about the type best suited to your needs.

We are learning a magnesium deficiency is common worldwide. Magnesium helps the body utilize calcium and vitamin D. Magnesium is required for bone healing and rebuilding, and a deficiency leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Daily requirement ranges between 250 and 400 milligrams but most people require more, and older adults require even more due to

bone loss.

Forget fortified foods. Cereals and orange Load up on magnesium-rich foods. Your juice are not the best. Aim for wholefood menu planning should include gads of gor- options whether plant- or meat-based. Evgeous greens, raw nuts and seeds, high-per- eryone living north of the equator requires centage dark chocolate, avocados, bananas supplementing this vital vitamin. Adding and sweet potatoes. Healthy foods are im- the all-important vitamin D is crucial but perative and garden fresh is your friend for make sure it contains k2 for ultimate abstrong bones. sorption.

Calcium K2 Are you over 50? The goal is to obtain K2 is required for D3 to work its magic.

1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. Top food A healthy gut produces vitamin K2 but too sources include wild salmon and sardines many people struggle with digestion. Keep with the bones; legumes; figs; sunflower in mind, some medications such as antibiotand sesame seeds. ics and blood thinners interfere with absorpMilk is controversial. Do you choose or- tion. K2 is paired with D3 in high-quality ganic or from a factory farmed cow? Do supplements in capsules or liquid. Purchase you drink fortified plant-based milk alter- D3 on its own? Use it up before making the natives? Almond, soy and oat plus the long switch but include food sources.

Meat-based choices include beef, chicken list of other options contain fillers, thickeners and could be GMO. There’s also reams and liver. Plant-based lovers look for ferof recent studies questioning dairy as a mented soy referred to as natto as well as source of calcium for humans. unpasteurized sauerkraut and lush, leafy broccoli, spinach and kale.

I Vitamin love Dmy new hearing aids!

Recently Zinc Calcium works in tandem with the sunI attended a ondinner partyZinc where I could shine vitamin. Load up fatty, cold-water plays a part in over 300 enzymatfish like wild salmon and mackerel. Enjoy ic reactions in the body and this immune hear everyone much clearer in Most thepeople can get eggs and eat the yolks. Love liver and make booster isthan on my list. mushrooms a suppertime staple. enough in their daily diet. Do you?

Choose beef and beef liver, preferably grass-fed and pasture-raised, as well as lamb. Snack on raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cashews and enjoy lentil stew or a tofu stir-fry on Meatless Mondays. Eggs are exceptional and hands down my favorite food source supporting overall health in a million ways.

Boron Boron is rarely mentioned and few people are aware if they consume enough of this vital trace mineral.

Prunes solve more than constipation! Hazelnuts – not Nutella please – and almonds are astounding. Love smoothies? Combine avocado, peaches and pears for a bounty of boron for bone-health building at its finest.

On-the-go? Dried apricots are dreamy, but look for sulfite- and colour-free, always.

Bone health improves quality of life and leads to bone longevity. Life is too short and moving is mandatory. No waiting and watching on the sidelines. If you want to live a long life, take a step in the right direction. You are meant to thrive not survive.

Advice provided in this column should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a doctor first before adding anything new to your health and wellness regime.

HEARING AID USER TESTIMONIAL

I love my new hearing aids! Recently I attended a dinner party where I could HEARING USER TESTIMONIAL hear everyone much clearerAID than in the past! Thank you Woodstock Hearing Clinic for helping me to hear better!

— Rick R, Woodstock ON past! Thank you Woodstock Hearing STAR STAR STAR STAR STAR Clinic for helping me to hear better!

— Rick R, Woodstock ON STAR STAR STAR STAR STAR

At Woodstock Hearing, we understand that your hearing needs are unique, Woodstock Hearing, we understand and we take aAt personalized approach that your hearing needs to develop tailored solutions that are unique, and we take a personalized approach fit your lifestyle. to develop tailored solutions that fit your lifestyle.

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Clinic • Hearing AidServices Options & • Hearing Assessments Advice • Hearing Aid Options & • Hearing Aid Repair & Advice Cleaning • Hearing Aid Repair &

• Wax Removal Cleaning

• Wax Removal Fiona Macaulay Owner and Hearing Fiona Macaulay Instrument Specialist Owner and Hearing Instrument Specialist

Independently owned and operated Independently owned and operated

226-232-8122 226-232-8122 79 Montclair Dr, Woodstock 79 Montclair Dr, Woodstock Plenty of parking available

Plenty of parking available

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

NOW OPEN!

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.

Complete Denture Services

• Digital Impressions • Exams and Free Consultations • Implant-Supported Dentures • Standard and Immediate Dentures • Partial Dentures • Relines, Rebases and Repairs • Referrals to Other Specialists

Call 519-320-7080

79 Montclair Drive, Woodstock Plenty of parking available!

31

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

32

Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors

ontario.ca/SeniorsMonth

How arthritis affects daily life and mobility Arthritis is a broad category of joint and connective tissue disorders that impacts around one in five people in both Canada and the United States, according to the Arthritis Society of Canada. In fact, arthritis is a leading cause of disability for many people around the world. Arthritis becomes a greater concern as people age. That's particularly so with osteoarthritis, which is degenerative condition caused by repeated use and stress on joints.

Common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, reduced mobility, and physical weakness. Such signs underscore how much arthritis can affect daily life. Symptoms may come and go, but it's not always easy living with arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Also, in some people, rheumatoid arthritis can damage body systems beyond the joints, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels, says the Mayo Clinic.

There is no cure for arthritis, so working on lifestyle changes can improve quality of life and help people manage day-to-day tasks more easily.

• Lose weight: Carrying around extra weight can put greater stress on joints, causing more pain and stiffness. Losing a little weight can

help alleviate stress on hips and knees and facilitate mobility.

• Take medicine: Talk to your doctor about which medicines might be available to help manage daily symptoms. Certain prescriptions and over-the-counter options can help prevent flare-ups and may even reduce the risk of further problems.

• Find balance: Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests toggling between activity and rest to protect joints and lessen symptoms. Take breaks when needed, and don't feel down on yourself if you canÕt exercise for as long or as intensely as you once did.

• Get regular activity: Certain exercises can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Consult with a doctor about what you can do to keep joints flexible. Swimming, walking and low-impact aerobic exercise can promote flexibility.

• Talk to someone: Arthritis also can come with emotional symptoms that you may want to discuss with a mental health professional.

Arthritis affects millions of people's lives, but management of the condition can improve quality of life.

Recounting memories and making new ones

Recounting memories and making new ones

Spring Market & Open House Come and shop from local vendors!

Welcome Telfer Place in ParisHouse SpringtoMarket & Open Telfer Place gives you the freedom to choose the kind of retirement lifestyle you’ve been looking for. From the comfort of your private suite, you’ll have access to a full range of amenities and services you can enjoy with new friends and old alike. Hearty and delicious meals are served in the dining room, and extra help is always at hand if you need it.

Come and shop from local vendors!

Saturday, April 12 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

245 Grand River St. N., Paris, ON Interested in being a vendor?

Call 519-442-8005 for more details

Saturday, April 12 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

245 Grand River St. N., Paris, ON

Discover the Telfer Place difference, where happy aging is our agenda.

Services & Amenities: Independent living Assisted living Long-term care

Library

Interested in being a vendor?

Resident baking kitchen Atrium Call 519-442-8005 for more details

Central and private dining rooms

Hair salon/Barber shop

Fitness area

Patio Telferplaceretirement.com

Join us for our annual

Classic car show Telfer Place Retirement Residence Front parking lot 245 Grand River St. North, Paris, ON

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Call Emily for a tour today!

519-442-8004

Telferplaceretirement.com • 245 Grand River St N, Paris, Ontario

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

33

Route to the Past – The Oldest Fraternity in Oxford County SCOTT GILLIES Contributor

Brotherly love, relief and truth; equality, liberty and fraternity. These are the fundamental principles on which Freemasonry is founded.

Treating everyone as equals, no matter their social status or standing in life. These are some of the basic tenets shared by members of this worldwide fraternity. Not only is Masonry the oldest organization in the world, spread over the entire globe, it is perhaps the oldest society in Oxford County.

Loyalists who had settled near Long Point in the 1790s had formed a lodge near present day Turkey Point. But that was a fair hike for others who had begun homesteading in this area. Two hundred and twenty-two years ago, Masons first met in the community of Oxford-on-the-Thames to form a lodge. In the same year that the Napoleonic Wars began, this group gathered at the small log cabin of Robert Sweet on the southern edge of the Thames River, near what is today the site of the Thames Street bridge in Ingersoll. The year was 1803.

Worship With Us

Some of those first members of this fledgling fraternity included James and Enoch Burdick, Samuel Canfield, Sikes Townsley, Asakel Lewis and Joel Piper. Some were United Empire Loyalists who had remained faithful to the King during and after the American Revolution; others were a few individuals who had opposed them. Thomas Ingersoll was one such person who had served with the Colonials but who had moved to Upper Canada years later. He had been initiated into Masonry in his home state of Massachusetts.

Fellow Masons in the province of Upper Canada at the time of its formation included the Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe, and famed Mohawk chief Joseph Brant. These individuals put aside their political differences and met with Thomas Ingersoll to select a site for a new settlement now known by his name.

In 1812, an ill-directed American president believed that the colony of Canada could be invaded and that the citizens would readily join the Union. However, the people of Upper Canada held a different viewpoint, and they rallied to repel the invaders. Several of those who stood on

GRAND RIVER MENNONITE CHURCH Princeton We invite you to worship with us.

guard of their homelands were masons.

Two years later, in 1814, a group of Kentucky militiamen, led by former Oxford resident Andrew Westbrook who had ‘gone to the dark side’, ransacked towns and villages, mills and churches along the Thames River, including those at Centreville. As this horde, led by General Duncan McArthur, headed south, they fought Canadians and British regulars at Malcolm’s Mills (the last battle with a foreign nation on Canadian soil), before burning mills in Waterford, Simcoe and elsewhere. While in Waterford, the local miller was saved from hanging, by his American Masonic “brother” -- General McArthur.

In 1821, the Oxford-on-the-Thames lodge became known as King Hiram Lodge and so it continues to this day.

In 1852, members from Woodstock, tired of travelling to Ingersoll or London, decided to form their own fraternal body known as King Solomon’s Lodge. By 1856, membership in the Ingersoll institution had still grown to such an extent that a second lodge was formed in that town, known as St. John’s. Some of its earliest members included John Galliford – a shoemaker and former Master of King Hiram Lodge who had also served as the first Reeve of the newly incorporated Town of Ingersoll in 1852. Other members included innkeeper John Patterson, wagonmaker John Fursman, Charles Parkhurst, owner of the local woolen mill on Charles Street

East, and plasterer William Evans.

Masonry is not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets. Based on the medieval guilds of stonemasons who constructed castles and cathedrals in Scotland, England and Europe, these groups guarded their trade secrets and shared their knowledge through apprenticeships.

If masonry was a secret society, members of the public, including women, would not have been invited to the meeting held in 1856 to form this new lodge.

Over the course of the years, there have been members of rank and affluence including doctors and lawyers, clergymen and business owners. There have also been general labourers and tradesmen. Each and every member is treated as an equal, and for these reasons it can be found across the globe, including in Ingersoll, Woodstock, Tavistock, and Tillsonburg to this day.

If you have attended any parade in Oxford County, you have no doubt enjoyed the antics of the various Shrine club members and their minibikes, miniature cars, Volkswagen Beetles, the Ghostbusters’ hearse, etc. The local Shrine Clubs in Tillsonburg, Aylmer and London raise vast sums of money to donate to children’s charities and healthcare facilities. If you like and appreciate the efforts of this organization, then you have a sense of what Masonry is all about. To be a Shriner, one has to first become a Mason.

Route2thepast@gmail.com

Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am

Pastor 519.521.3491

CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY Anglican Church

560 Dundas St. Woodstock 723 Dundas St., Woodstock

Holy Eucharist

Sunday mornings at 11:00 am with Rev Tony Bouwmeester Holy Eucharist followed by Bible Study Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU Historic Old St.Paul’s: Celebrating 190 years

Worship Services

Wednesday 10:30 a.m. followed by Coffee Hour Sunday 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. followed by Coffee Hour NEW - Saturday 6:00 p.m. followed by Coffee Hour Rev. Richard Hetke will be offering Communion.

We’re excited to welcome you to Hoenhorst Farms near Innerkip for Breakfast on the Farm

What can you do at Breakfast on the Farm?

JOIN US ON JUNE 14, 2025 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

• Get up close with farm animals – cows, sheep, water buffalo, goats and more • See extensive tractor and farm equipment displays • Explore interactive games and exhibits about where your food comes from • Meet and chat with local farmers and food producers

Tickets: $5 for adults, children free Full details and tickets at FarmFoodCareON.org

Hoenhorst Farm, Innerkip (parking is off-site and free shuttles will take guests to the farm)

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June 6, 2025

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Zorra Township News

Zorra Township to explore becoming living wage employer CONNOR LUCZKA Echo Correspondent

Zorra Township council will soon be discussing the viability of becoming a certified living wage employer with the Ontario Living Wage Network.

The network is an organization that champions the concept of a living wage, effectively the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in the community.

In 2024, the network had $19.50 as the living wage for London-Elgin-Oxford, the region where Zorra Township

resides. Currently, it is the lowest living wage rate in Ontario, but each year the organization produces a report and update in November.

Coun. Crystal Finch made a motion to direct staff to prepare a report on the subject for council’s May 21 meeting.

Finch said Zorra residents have seen the effects of affordability pressures and the township has the opportunity to be a leader in the area.

“I look forward to the report, as I feel being a certified living wage employer is an important step in being proactive,” she said.

Coun. Paul Mitchell was not convinced, however.

“Living wage is a feel-good thing in theory, but in reality, it has some unintended consequences. If an employer is mandated to raise the pay level of their least trained, educated and experienced workers to a level that meets the living wage to maintain pay equity with their employees, they also have to raise the pay level for their medium-skilled and their high-skilled workers. If they do that, their price, cost of production for their product or service is increased to the point where they could become un-

competitive.”

That reality could mean the elimination of minimum wage jobs to be replaced by machines, he said, and for that reason, he did not support the motion.

He argued the township already has a high base pay rate for employees so a report would be redundant.

Both Mayor Ryan and Coun. Kevin Stewart supported the motion, saying that while they agreed with Mitchell’s points in part (if not in totality), a staff report would thoroughly examine it in a Zorra context, allowing council to make an informed decision either way.

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DISCOVER

the Queensview difference!

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Here, you’ll find more than just a place to live. You’ll discover a vibrant, caring community where your needs are met with kindness, your choices are respected, and your family is welcomed.

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Visit us 70 King Edward Street, Paris Ph: 519-442-5621 • life@queensviewrc.ca Queensviewrc.ca

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

ITOPA’s The Long Weekend, last of Foster Four in Oxford County’s theatre scene

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

The 10th anniversary of the Foster Festival, featuring a selection of Foster’s works, runs until August 24.

"This is a great one for that Foster Four to end with because this is such a typical Norm Foster play with lots of repetition of lines and fun schtick that gets repeated by the different characters,” Kitty Babcock, stage manager, said.

“Running gags. Lots of those,” Boyd added.

"Lots of fun bits and this cast is superb at making those happen and bringing them forward without being totally upfront with it,” Babcock explained. “They're much more subtle than sometimes happens, so

35

SHOP LOCAL

they're doing a great job. We're very excited.”

Boyd said that the cast has been great to work with during rehearsals.

"I'm really lucky with the cast that we have. They're all really professional.

They're just bang on,” she said.

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. and matinee performances start at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., respectively. Tickets are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors, $22 for students 12 years old and over, and $10 for students under 12 years old. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.itopa.ca or call 519-4853070.

Echo

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

Father’s Day Shopping, Oxford Pride Family Day, Music in the Square, Shopping Night...

FIND OUT

NE @

IN JU G N I N E P P A H WHAT’S

a c . k c o t s d o o w n w o t n w o d

Exhibit With Us at the outdoor farm show!

September 9th, 10th & 11th!

ruraloxford.ca/discover

DOWNTOWN

36

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

COMING EVENTS TAKE HOME PIG ROAST Old St Paul's Church 723 Dundas St Woodstock, Ontario Saturday June 14th.

Tickets are $25.00 each and include roast pork from the spit, potato wedges, beans, coleslaw and dessert. Pick up is from 5pm to 7pm. Don’t delay, tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance by visiting our website at www.oldstpauls.com or calling 519537-3912.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE June 7, 2025: 8:00 - 1:00 pm Plants, housewares, books, fabric, etc.

Chrystal's Fries Food Truck from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Grace United Church Tavistock 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.

CANADIAN HARVARD AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION OPEN HOUSE & FLY DAYS June 14 (Rain Date: June 15) July 5 (Rain Date: July 6) August 16 (Rain Date: August 17) Sept 13 – Wings & Wheels All event dates take place from 9am – 4pm Tillsonburg Regional Airport Join us for our Open House & Fly Days during our special 40th anniversary season. These monthly family-friendly outdoor events are always FREE and offer the opportunity to see our collection of Harvard aircraft up close, tour our hangars, explore restoration projects, purchase souvenirs, and best of all, purchase a flight! Pre-booking your flight experience is recommended by contacting crewflights@ harvards.com.

BREAKFAST ON THE FARM Date: June 14, 2025 Location: Hoenhorst Dairy Farm, Innerkip (parking is off-site and free shuttles will take guests to the farm) Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tickets: $5 for adults, children free. Get up close with farm animals, see extensive tractor and farm equipment displays, explore interactive games and exhibits about where your food comes from and meet with local farmers and food producers.

Full details and tickets at FarmFoodCareON.org SACRED HEART PARISH EUCHRE We invite everyone to join us for a Euchre afternoon.

It will be held in Henderson Hall, 133 John Street Ingersoll.

Tuesday June 17 start at 1:00 pm.

Refreshments provided. For more info call or text Martha 519-320-0785 ARE YOU IN A JAM? June 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.

SECOND ANNUAL VILLAGES OF SALLY CREEK CHARITY CAR SHOW June 21st, at the Community Center, 330 Lakeview Rd, Woodstock, 9am to 3pm, Door prizes, top 10 awards, catered food, DJ. All proceeds to Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO). Spectator admission: free, Info: (519) 290-1173 email: larry.e.oliver@ gmail.com OXFORD COUNTY ANNUAL COIN SHOW Woodstock Coin Club Along with Ingersoll Coin Club Sunday, June 29th, 2025 Woodstock Agricultural Society Fairgrounds 875 Nellis St., Woodstock, On N4S 4C6 9:00am to 3:00pm Admission: $4.00. Buy, Sell, Trade & Evaluate. Kid's Table | Free Parking | Food Booth is open Contact: John Tryhub, (519) 608-8446 / john@woodstockgoldnsilver.ca MOTORCYCLE RALLY RIDE 4 SUICIDE AWARENESS

July 5 2025 Registration: 9:00-10:45 am Kickstands Up: 11:00 am Start & Finish: 645 Finkle Street, Woodstock, ON $20/bike registration.

Ride rally to raise awareness for suicide and its prevention.

Victim Services of Oxford available for support and information. Door prizes after ride for registrants.

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.

PIZZA FEST Thursday July 24, 2025 4 pm - 8:30 pm Downtown Ingersoll Live Music - Rated Blue, Street Performers, Vendors, Car Show, Stores Open Late, Children's Activities, and of course Pizza!

Seating available. Free Admission - Food Tickets: $1 ea.

Pizza Slice: 3 Tickets Pop/Drink: 1 Ticket. Proceeds to local charities.

Visit us on FB: Ingersoll BIA 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.

GRIEF SUPPORT FOR MAID RELATED LOSS 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 will meet the 4th Wednesday of the month from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Thamesford Library, 165 Dundas St., Thamesford.

The group is free of charge and pre-registration is requested.

To register contact Deb or Faye at 519-866-3016 or email faye@compassionategriefsupport.ca.

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.

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 INGERSOLL WHEN: 4th Tuesday of every month WHERE: Ingersoll Public Library 130 Oxford St., Ingersoll TIME: 10:30AM –12:00Noon WOODSTOCK WHEN: 3rd Saturday of every month WHERE: Sakura House Hospice 715180 Oxford Rd.4, Woodstock TIME: 10:30AM-12:00 Noon THE LIONS CLUB OF WOODSTOCK 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.

HURON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH EVENTS: 199 Berwick St, Woodstock 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.

BASKETBALL POWER CAMP August 18-22 9 am-12:50 pm Ages: 5-14 Call the church 519-421-4722 for Registration details.

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK BIA IMPORTANT DATES: 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 SHOPPING NIGHT 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 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.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 55 EVENTS: 642 Dundas St, Woodstock CADETS Every Monday (ending on June 23rd) SHUFFLEBOARD 3pm, every Thursday MEAT DRAW: June 7th at 3pm BATTLE OF BRITTAN IN INGERSOLL CAR SHOW AT THE LEGION BRANCH 55: 10am2pm.

BRANCH GENERAL MEETING: June 10th at 7:30pm.

SOUP N SANDWICH: June 12th 11:30-12:45pm.

FALL DARTS ending on the 25th.

SUMMER DARTS: Starting this month on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm.

STEAK BBQ DINNER with Bake Potato with Baked Beans 5-6pm plus dessert strawberry shortcake please per order no later June 17th.

June 15th is Father's Day. EVENING ENTERTAINMENT June 7th Steve Beach & James Anthony 7-11pm June 14th Back to Back 7-11pm June 21st East Hill 7-11pm June 28th Randy Thomas 7-11pm FOOD TRUCKS AT GRACE UNITED CHURCH, TAVISTOCK June 9, from 4:30 - 7:30 Born2Eat, Crystal's Fries, Fo' Cheezy, Moreish Ice Cream.

Proceeds go to TAP - Tavistock Assistance Program June 16, from 4:30 - 7:30 Frying Dutchman, SWAT, El Milagro, Moreish Ice Cream.

Proceeds go to Camp Bimini June 23, 4:30 - 7:30 Serial Griller, Pablas Street of India, Ish n chips, Beavertails.

Proceeds go to Grace United Church June 30, 4:30 - 7:30 Wild Boar, Berlin95, Los Rolling Tacos, Moreish Ice Cream.

Proceeds go to Agricultural Society WOODSTOCK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Open Meeting & Spring Flower Show Library, Huron Park Secondary School Use Berwick St door & south parking lot Tuesday June 10th, 7 pm Speaker: Heather Jerrard “Weird & Wonderful Plants First meeting free, Annual Membership $15, Family $25. All welcome OXFORD COUNTY BRANCH OF ONTARIO ANCESTORS Are you looking to start a summer pastime? Are you interested in your family history? Oxford Branch has an extensive collection of family history and genealogical resources that can help you. Come visit our Resource Centre at 82 Light Street, Courthouse Square, Woodstock. We are open Tuesdays to Thursdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm where volunteers are ready to help you get started or help you research for missing information.

You can also connect with us on the web at https://oxford. ogs.on.ca. We are dedicated to supporting and promoting genealogical research in Oxford County. Hope to see you through the summer!

CEDARVIEW RETIREMENT LIVING EVENTS: 511 Finkle St, Woodstock, ON FREE POKER (no money) Monday June 2,16,23 at 2:00pm RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All are welcome BINGO AND OR CARD BINGO (0.25 per round) Tuesdays June 3, 10, 17, 24 at 2:00pm RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282 All are welcome FREE SEATED ZUMBA Every other Wednesdays June 18 at 9:30am RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All are welcome FREE CEDARVIEW SLOTS-OPEN HOUSE Thursday June 12th at 2:00-4:00PM Poker, Roulette, Human Slots, Blackjack 21 (No Money) RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All are welcome FREE STRAWBERRY SOCIAL June 13th at 1:30-3:30pm Demo with our Sous Chef, followed by Jonny Daley on our Grand Piano.

RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All are welcome

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

COMING EVENTS

FREE FISH FRY WITH ENTERTAINMENT June 26th, 11:30am-12:30pm RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All are welcome FREE EUCHRE TOURNAMENT Sunday June 29th followed by BBQ 2-4pm RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home 519-602-0282. All our welcome

3RD ANNUAL WHEELS OF HONOUR AT CEDARVIEW RETIREMENT HOME Presented by The Ontario Military Vehicle Association Saturday July 12th 11am-3PM Please bring a non parishable food item for the food bank.

Toddsdogs Food Truck, Dance in Style Performing at 11-11:30am Ingersoll Pipe Band from 12-1pm All are welcome

FREE LIVE WELL TALKS Tuesday, June 10 at Sally Creek Community Centre.

South Gate Centre presents two speakers.

1 pm – 2:30 pm: Rightsizing Made Easy: Helping To Simplify Your Move Monica de Wit & Your Oxford Connection Join us for a free Downsizing Seminar designed specifically for seniors and their families, hosted by HUGO and Company and Your Oxford Connection.

3 pm – 4:15 pm: Being a Good Patient as You Age Dr. Amber Macleod Learn about how to advocate for yourself in the midst of an overburdened health care system.

More information can be found at https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ. Pre-Register by calling South Gate Centre 519-5399817s on

ELVIS IN HAWAII July 4th @ 7:30-8:30pm With Roy Leblanc. $20.00 a ticket.

RSVP at Cedarview Retirement Home Bring a nonperishable food item. All are welcome

FREE SENIORS FITNESS MARATHON Wednesday, June 11 8 am – 12 noon 5 - 40 minute classes Weights, Stretch on the Floor, Stability Ball, Seated Fitness, Seated Stretch. South Gate Centre presents this event at Sally Creek Community Centre.

More information, so you know what classes are when and what to bring - https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ.

FREE PRESENTATION WITH BROCK & VISSER END OF LIFE OPTIONS July 17th at 2:30pm-4pm Cedarview Retirement Home Embalming & Tools, Organ Donation, Cremation vs Water Cremation and more.

RSVP at 519-602-0282

FREE CELEBRATE YOUR STORY – SOCIAL AFTERNOON Tuesday, June 17 at 1 pm South Gate Centre presents this activity at Sally Creek Community Centre.

More information can be found at https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ. Pre-Register by calling South Gate Centre 519-539-9817

BEACHVILLE LEGION EVENTS: 434852 ZorraLine, Beachville

FREE DANCE CLASS DEMO Tuesday, June 24: 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Get Your Groove On – Try a FREE Adult Dance Class Demo with Dance In Style. South Gate Centre presents this event at Sally Creek Community Centre.

More information can be found at https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ. Pre-Register by calling South Gate Centre 519-539-9817

June 13 5:30 pm: Wings and Fries Dinner June 21 7-11 pm: Karaoke with Ken Pyle Euchre: Thursdays 7 pm Darts: Fridays 8 pm Free Pool SOUTH GATE CENTRE EVENTS: 191 Old Wellington St S, Woodstock FREE COMMUNITY BBQ provided by South Gate Centre Sponsored by Century 21 Heritage House Friday, June 7 at noon At Southside Park, Pavillion by the Children’s Playground Please bring a lawn chair if you have one.

519-539-9817 www.southgatectr.com More information can be found at https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ. FREE SOUTH GATE CENTRE TRAILWALKERS PART OF OXFORD COUNTY TRAILS FESTIVAL Saturday, June 7 at 10 am At Pittock North Shore – North on 59 to Pittock Park Road. Park inside the conservation area.

More information can be found at https://bit.ly/43qfyUQ.

FREE MONTHLY CRUISE-IN AT DADFEST Sunday, June 15 9 am – 2 pm At Movement Church Free Footlongs & Rootbeer Show Cars, Big Rigs, Military Vehicles Free for cars. Free for spectators.

GIANT TIGER FUNDRAISING BBQ FOR SOUTH GATE CENTRE At Giant Tiger, Woodstock Friday, June 20: 11 am – 2 pm Pay what you can. 519-539-9817 FALLSVIEW CASINO Friday, July 18 and Friday, September 19: 9 am – 6 pm South Gate Centre Bus Trip Members pricing and non-members pricing. www.southgatectr.com. 519-539-9817

June 6, 2025

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Beachville hosts car show The May Community Car Show took place on May 25 at the Beachville District Museum. The event offered a funfilled afternoon for car lovers and families alike.

The Beachville Legion served up a delicious BBQ lunch, while attendees with a sweet tooth enjoyed ice cream and other treats from a variety of local ven-

dors. Guests were invited to relax in the shade, grab a snack, tour the museum, and take part in the popular 50/50 draw.

Admission was free, though donations to support the museum were gratefully accepted. The day was a success, bringing the community together to celebrate local history, automotive beauty and warm-weather fun.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Stephen, owner of this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, shows his car to Bethany and George.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

38

Riddles PET OF THE WEEK

I’m full of keys but can’t open a single lock. What am I? Piano

SPONSORED BY:

What has legs but doesn’t walk?

Table You can’t see me, but I’m always there.

I’m the reason your hair stands on end and your kite takes flight. What am I? Wind

519-761-9798 BARKINBOUJEE.CA

I’m always running, but I never move.

What am I? Clock

STITCH

I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I? Joke I’m found in a second, twice in a decade, but never in a century. What am I? The letter E What has a spine but no bones?

Book I’m round on both sides but high in the middle. What am I? Ohio You’ll find me in Mercury, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter, but not in Venus or Neptune. What am I? The letter R

Sudoku Sudoku

by PeterS 2025

5 6 2 8 9 7 6 3 2 4 7 4 8 1

8 7 4 6 8 4 7 1 6 3 9 2 9 4

Solutions on page 39

Simple (0)

She's almost 5 and is cared for by the Allen family. She has 2 favourite humans, the oldest 2 children. She loves belly rubs. You can find her in the kitchen waiting for shredded cheese, sitting in her cardboard flower shop or sitting in the window watching birds.

Our selection includes a large variety of raw food & raw meaty bone options, organic & natural supplements, collars, leashes, harnesses, lots of options in our chew bar, eco-friendly toys, and our locally sourced freeze dried treats made by us.

109 THAMES ST. S., INGERSOLL

Mon-Fri 10-6 pm and Sat 10-3 pm

Nominate your pet to be Pet of the Week by emailing info@theecho.ca Published pets will get a free goodie bag from Barkin Boujee!

Word Search

Pride Month Word Search (Updated) PRIDE MONTH N N O N B I N A R Y Y Y W O R Z E R R C

R S H Q P T R A I N B O W E U G Z K R Y

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S Q D M W Y L F D R D Q N T Z Z U Y L C

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A G V E V F C M H D F F V Q Q J Y H J Q

E U E M I Q I X C P Y N P C E A Q E K Z

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U D S A I F D L N N X C I X J W E R X J

A H L A B G C M I S V O D U Q J E A T H

L X O C I J Q K O E F M E A M X R N S P

I L V C L I X I V X C M H S I H S S D R

T D E E I P M L B U J U E E E Q V G G O

Y S C P T N V X E A W N S X J H E E L G

C V T T Y R U A T L H I W U C S G N I R

U B T A I S U P P O R T X A S Q M D Z E

K H U N D J D E C T N Y I L O H Z E K S

U I I C Y O U M E B R I B M T A H R S S

Y T R E Z P U V K U G C B J W F M P I B

PRIDE EQUALITY LOVE IS LOVE COMMUNITY ALLY NONBINARY TRANSGENDER QUEER PANSEXUAL ASEXUAL VISIBILITY PROGRESS SUPPORT ACCEPTANCE RAINBOW

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

BUSINESS DIRECTORY E-BIKES AND SCOOTERS

REAL ESTATE

Thinking of Buying or Selling?

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Upon successful completion of your transaction and closing, we’ll cover

• E-Bikes • Mobility Scooters • Sales and Services • Battery Replacements and Upgrades

briteesolutions.ca Official Daymak Dealer 406 Simcoe St, Woodstock, ON 519-602-7545 • briteesolutions@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE

We want to hear from our community! info@theecho.ca

SHOP SHOP LOCAL. LOCAL. SAVE SAVE LOCAL LOCAL 416.409.6117

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Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.

Support Support thelocal local the businesses businesses thatsupport support that yourlocal local your newspaper. newspaper.

SHOP LOCAL. SAVE LOCAL

Echo PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS WITH US! HERE’S HOW Deadline: Tuesday prior at 3 p.m.

Contact: info@theecho.ca Coming Events are for non-profit organizations to promote their free admission events at no charge. Event listings can include your event name, date, time and location as well as a phone number, email address or website. If your event is not free admission or you would like to include more details than stated above, you have the following options:

Coming Events Word Ad (50 word max.) $10 + hst Coming Events Boxed Word Ad (50 word max.) $15 + hst Display Ad - Sizes begin at a business card size for $35 + hst

Support the local businesses that support your local TREES newspaper.

Shade trees, Fruit trees, Apple, Pears, Peaches, Plums,

CLASSIFIEDS ANNIVERSARY

39

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)

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Alexandrite 2. 1981 3. Five 4. New York City 5. Four 6. Sun Protection Factor 7. Dimples 8. Johnny Depp 9. M arriage & Childbirth 10. Gemini & Cancer

SUDOKU Sudoku Solution

6 1 7 2 5 4 8 3 9 4 9 3 6 1 8 7 5 2 5 2 8 9 3 7 4 6 1 7 6 5 3 9 1 2 8 4 3 8 1 4 2 6 5 9 7 2 4 9 7 8 5 3 1 6 1 7 4 8 6 3 9 2 5 8 5 2 1 7 9 6 4 3 9 3 6 5 4 2 1 7 8

Visit us online at theecho.ca

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

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

June 6, 2025

40

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MONDAY - FRIDAY 9AM-8PM SATURDAY 9AM-6PM SUNDAY 10AM-5PM