The Jacobs opened the liquidation business in 2018 on Wellington Street in St. Marys, drawing shoppers from all over offering a wide range of products from clothing, food, bedding and furniture.
Knowing the possibility their popular business would outgrow their current location, the Jacobs decided to
By Wendy Lamond
The St. Marys Kinsmen Club celebrated the end of their Kin year at a wrap up party that took place on the Sunday after Summerfest with the handing out of yearly awards to the Kinsmen of the Year and Rookie of the Year. The voting takes place at the last meeting in June and stays sealed until that day. The club had a first this year with a tie for Kinsmen of the Year going to two very worthy candidates, Ryan Leaman and Trevor Schram. The Rookie of the Year went to Mark King.
All three winners are good examples of what the Kinsmen Club is all about and they willingly put in the time and effort it takes to better the community. Leaman was part of the Summerfest committee which brought in the larger midway. He is also the co-chair of the Santa Claus parade and co-chair of the fundraising campaign that was held at the King house with the elaborate Christmas light display and the Santa visits.
Schram, who I am told will underplay his role, is the mastermind behind all the Kinsmen’s social media. He is the one responsible for keeping the public informed of upcoming events and going live during events. He has stepped up and was voted in to be the new vice-president for the coming year.
Mark King was very deserving of winning the Rookie of the Year award. King took a great leading role on the Summerfest committee. He has stepped up to help Leaman with the Santa Claus parade and hosted the Christmas Lights fundraiser at his place. Incoming president is Dave Bage. If you wish to learn more about the Kinsmen, you can contact them through their Facebook page Kinsmen Club of St. Marys Ontario or email stmaryskinsmenclub@gmail.com. See photos on page 2
Quadro Communications is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new retail location in Lucan, as well as celebrate 100 years of connecting communities! Join them on Saturday, July 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 280 Main Street for an exciting and unforgettable day.
This special celebration will include a meet and greet with Trevor Collver, a distinguished local race car driver. In 2024, Trevor secured three Feature Race wins in the Delaware Super Stock Series. He will be present with the #1 Inventory Express Chevrolet Camaro, a car he personally built, prepared, and drives. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet Trevor, see his car, and get his autograph. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a variety of fun activities for children and adults, including face painting, balloon animals, and fantastic prizes. Indulge in delicious food catered by Donnelly’s Café and treats from Dessert First Bakery Café. There will also be a variety of prizes from local busi-
nesses, along with a fantastic giveaway from Quadro.
Plus, don’t miss out on the excitement as local radio station MYFM
90.5 ExeterToday.ca broadcasts live from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.! They’ll be playing great music, conducting quick interviews, and hosting an incredible giveaway.
“We’re thrilled to open our new retail location in Lucan and mark 100 years of connecting communities.
This milestone reflects our dedication to serving and engaging with our customers, and we’re excited to celebrate this achievement with the people of Lucan and surrounding areas.”
— Darryl Evans, General Manager, Quadro Communications.
Be sure to join in on this fantastic event! The Quadro team is excited to celebrate this new chapter with everyone in the Lucan community.
Event Highlights:
• Meet and greet with Trevor Collver,
Race Car Driver
• Delicious food and refreshments
• Fun activities for all ages
• Exciting prizes and giveaways
Event Details:
• Date: Saturday, July 27
• Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Location: 280 Main Street, Lucan
To learn more about Quadro Communications, please visit www.quadro. net or call 1-800-265-4983.
A tie for Kinsmen of the Year. Winner Ryan Leaman, Kinsmen president Cliff Sterritt and winner Trevor Schram.
Rookie of the year winner Mark King and Kinsmen President Cliff Sterritt.
Melodies at the Museum returns for an eleventh season
Summer concert series showcases local favourites and new talent
The St. Marys Museum is hosting its eleventh Melodies at the Museum summer concert series this August. On Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. a different musical performance will take place outdoors at the performance stage in Cadzow Park.
Return Melodies performers MeganBrady will kick the series off on August 7. MeganBrady are a dynamic musical duo from St. Marys that performs a blend of oldies, classic rock, and pop tunes from the decades. Meg’s soulful powerhouse vocals, Brady’s guitar/bass/cajon expertise, along with some vocal harmonies, are a perfect fit for all occasions.
August 14 brings the Kintore-based jazz septet known as Jazzm@x (pronounced Jazzmatics) to the stage. They were born because of big band charts received by a member of the
band from Andy Hoe, a venerated bandleader and sax player from St. Marys. More of these charts were also purloined or borrowed from high schools, and the idea that they could perform this music came to be. Carol Shaw (tenor sax), Wade Whittaker (bass), the Four Irvines (Dan [drums], Barb [keyboards], D’Arcy [alto sax/ flute] and Judy [trumpet]), and an import from Mitchell, Brad Carew (trombone) combined to form Jazzm@x in 2002. Since then, the group has performed in many venues, playing a range of styles from jazz standards to Bossa Nova to Funk. Music lovers may have stumbled upon them playing on the Avon River in Stratford on a barge, or in Bancroft at the annual Arts Festival, or perhaps on a patio in Tobermory.
On August 21, local duo Stacey Frayne
and Johnny Bowes will take the stage. Stacey has been gigging in pubs in Canada and Ireland for the past 10 years. Johnny Bowes, a well-known performer in the Stratford music scene, has been playing music for 25 years. Performing an entertaining mix of 90s and 2000s covers, this duo is well-known for their lively Sunday afternoon performances at Broken Rail Brewing.
The series finale will take place on August 28 with former Museum employee, Jaron Camp, who will take the stage with Rachael Frankruyter. After years of playing together, Jaron and Rachael created the duo project York Street Thought Process. They have collectively performed at a variety of venues throughout Southern Ontario, from restaurants to festivals. The duo creates a playful mixture of indie-folk
and improvisation; from a wide range of original music to classic covers. Their debut album was released in August 2022.
All concerts will take place on the performance stage in Cadzow Park and will be moved to the Town Hall auditorium in inclement weather. If the weather looks questionable on the concert day, visit the Museum’s Facebook page by 5:00 p.m. for a decision regarding the concert location.
Admission to the concerts is by donation, with all proceeds going to the St. Marys Museum. Thank you to McCormick Canada and the Friends of the St. Marys Museum for sponsoring the performers.
For more information, please contact the St. Marys Museum at 519-2843356 or museum@town.stmarys.on. ca.
Suddenly, the Dems got it right
By Stewart Grant
Last week I wrote about how this U.S. Election cycle is going to be full of interesting twists and turns, but I didn’t anticipate just how quickly things could change.
On Monday of this week, I wrote an editorial for this week’s newspaper about how U.S. President Joe Biden’s endorsement basically snuffed out any real chance of a competitive contest to find his replacement. I wrote about how Biden was too close to the situation to make an unbiased decision - just like he was wrong about endorsing himself as the Democratic nominee over the past several months, I thought he was wrong about endorsing his VP Kamala Harris as his replacement.
Like many others, I thought that the Democratic National Convention would be the place to choose among the many excellent choices to become the party’s nominee. Atop my wish list were people like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois’ J.P. Pritzker, or Indiana’s Pete Buttigieg. In my opinion, these candidates, all from swing states, were better choices than Harris who, as Biden’s Vice President, had a fair amount of baggage that had been illustrated in recent polling vs. Trump that showed her not faring much better than Biden. However, not long after I finished my editorial on Monday afternoon, it quickly grew stale and out-dated. By Tuesday morning, press day, it was unprintable for this week’s paper.
Suddenly, it appears as though the Democrats got it right. Following Biden’s Sunday afternoon endorsement of Kamala Harris, the entire party rallied and united around her, and she stepped up to meet the moment.
Her first speech as the presumptive 2024 Democratic nominee was much stronger than the performances that I remember from her when she unsuccessfully ran for the 2020 nomination. When watching her speak, how refreshing it was to see the issues of this upcoming election (i.e. women’s rights, character of U.S. leadership)
articulated in a coherent, understandable fashion. It was sure a sharp contrast from the debacle that was the June 27 CNN Debate, where the most memorable exchange was two old men arguing about who was the better golfer.
Biden’s decision to drop out of the race, and his announcement a half hour later to endorse Harris, has been enthusiastically endorsed by a huge mass of people who were so desperate for a stronger, younger candidate. In the first 24 hours after the announcements, the Democrats raised $81 million in donations from more than 888,000 different contributors. Meanwhile, 30,000 people volunteered to help with the campaign. At the same time, prominent Democratic leaders have pledged their support to Harris, who now has secured enough delegates to guarantee her nomination.
Instead of a drawn-out leadership selection process and potential infighting among the party, they have united behind the Vice President. The focus is now on the issues of the election rather than the question of who will replace Biden.
I didn’t think Kamala Harris was the right choice, and I don’t think I was alone on that, given her mediocre showing in “what if” polls during the past few months. But now things have become real, and change is afoot in this election race.
After watching the last 24 hours unfold, I’ve changed my mind, and I think that many others will take another look at Harris and what she offers in contrast to Donald Trump. The next polling that takes place will surely see an uptick in her support levels now that she is actually the candidate. Meanwhile, the Republicans who have painted Biden as the “old man with cognitive issues” now are saddled with Trump as the much older, less mentally stable candidate in this race.
The real poll happens on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and I think that we will find out on that day that Kamala Harris will become the next President of the United States.
Have
I'll drink to that too!
Bravo Boo
We have 2 Bravos this week.
1) Bravo to "Art Of Ideas" Gallery at 236 Jones St. E. for the thought provoking ideas about the human condition: past, present and very future. Your hostess and guide Elena, and Artist Florin, have done a masterful task of preserving the house as their gallery, in presenting accumulated instruments of human achievement and in Florin's beautiful works of art. His mastery of light and of his medium remind one of the Dutch Masters and his insightful ideas on the canvases put him uniquely in a class by himself. Their generous time spent makes this tour more than worth the admission. Truly a bargain.
2) To whoever it was who saw my wallet fall off my trunk as I drove off from the gas station and proceeded to pick up all its contents and drop it in my home mailbox, I thank you so very much. You saved me so much trouble and time. What a kind person you are.
3) My grandson and I really enjoyed "Finding Waldo"at numerous businesses. Congratulations to the BIA for a great project. All staff that we encountered were very kind and accommodating.
*Please note all Boos and Bravos must be signed in order to be considered.
We have 1 Boo this week.
1) Boo to anyone stealing peoples posessions - breaking into businesses, cars, garages and more. Boo to all you thieves!
Quote of the Week
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
- Excerpt from U.S. President Joe Biden’s announcement posted on X on July 21, 2024
Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
St. Marys Independent
Publisher
Stewart Grant • stew@granthaven.com
Regional Editor
Galen Simmons • galen@granthaven.com
Graphic Design / Sales Inquiries
Tyler Carruthers • info@stmarysindependent.com
Business Development
Heather Dunbar • heather@granthaven.com
Billing Administrator
Cindy Boakes • boakescindy1576@gmail.com
Administrative Assistant
Wendy Lamond • wendylamond74@gmail.com
Contributors
June Grant, Nancy Bickell, Mary Smith, Nancy Abra, Lauren Eedy, Spencer Seymour, Sarah Cairns, Paul Knowles, Jake Grant
36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@stmarysindependent.com | 519.284.0041 | granthaven.com
Do things that feed your soul, not your ego and you will be happy.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. You learn nothing if you think you are right all of the time.
You can't change a person that doesn't see an issue with their actions.
Bravos and Boos are submitted by community members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the St. Marys Independent.
COMMUNITY
Ribbon cutting ceremony for renovated East Wing
Staff, local dignitaries and members of the Healthcare Foundation gathered in front of the newly renovated East wing at the hospital on Monday. Incoming Chair for the Foundation Amanda McCurdy and Chair of the Board of the HPHA John Wilkinson cut the ribbon to officially open the wing.
By Wendy Lamond
What started as a patient room refresh project in the East wing of the St. Marys Memorial Hospital ended up being a complete patient wing rebuild that was officially opened Monday, July 22 with the ribbon cutting ceremony looked on by staff, Foundation board members and local dignitaries.
HPHA Board chair John Wilkinson welcomed the crowd and shared the importance of having all four hospitals working together in the Alliance to attract young nurses and doctors to our area and making it a wonderful place for the staff to work.
Mayor Al Strathdee gave a reminder of how lucky we are to have our hospital and gave thanks to everyone who volunteered their time, donated and helped in making the renovation come to fruition.
Many people helped in making this happen from Clinical stakeholders, infection control, architects, patient partners and hospital experts to make decisions on what was needed to improve the wing.
It was decided that the rooms needed to be larger, washrooms had to have more space, accessibility issues had to be looked at, infection control standards met, lighting and heating issues fixed.
Only a couple of rooms previously had a mechanical lift but with the upgrade, all rooms will have this piece of equipment that will help the staff transport patients from bed to wheelchair.
Staff had a big input into what needed
STONETOWN STONETOWN
CCRIER
improvement. Items such as side tables on wheels that can be moved for more accessibility to the patient were put in, as well as clocks that are synchronized to one main centre helping with medication dispensing without worrying about battery issues.
An Isolation room was created for the safety of patients and staff. The need came to light during COVID; however, this was already on the project planning radar. The room has a large washroom with a wheel-in shower and a mechanical lift that goes on a track from the bed to the washroom.
ONTARIO SUMMER GAMES 2024 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The triathlon events are coming to Town on August 2 and 3 We are seeking volunteers to help ensure things run safely and smoothly Roles include barrier guards and event location volunteers townofstmarys.com/triathlon
One other major change with the renovation was the creation of the manager’s office being located within the wing. Previously it was in a different area leaving manager Arlene Lanting feeling too distant from where she was needed and wanted to be.
Project manager for the hospital, Francesco Sabatini, took those in attendance on tours to show the changes and upgrades.
Chair for the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation, Amanda McCurdy spoke on behalf of the foundation and shared the excitement of being able to support the HPHA with a total of five million dollars on what was originally a three-million-dollar capital campaign.
She also went on to thank the project team, steering committee, the staff that gave their input on design, their campaign chair Ken McCutcheon and foundation chairs Cindy Bilyea and Pat Craigmile for their unbending belief in our community.
QUARRY RESIDENT SEASON PASS
We
Senior of the Week
Our senior of the week is Ralph Scheuermann who was born on July 31, 1944 in Halifax where his father was stationed. He has three children Duane, Denise and Darcy, two stepdaughters Liz and Jennie, four grandchildren, and five step grandchildren. He likes to ride his motorcycle and collects antiques. He also likes to travel and old time rock "n" roll and country music.
If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, Contact us at 519-284-0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.
COMMUNITY
Story sharing event on kindness to remember Sheila Greason
By Wendy Lamond
In September of 2023, the world lost an amazing lady that was all things kindness, giving and caring. Right now, more than anything, we need more of that in this world. What better way to do that than to get together and share stories of kindness. A gathering will take place on Wednesday, July 31 from 2-4 p.m. in memory of Sheila Greason, who was born July 31, 1942. This event is being hosted by Jennifer Leslie and Nancy Vermond, and will take place in the hall of the St. Marys United Church at 85 Church Street South.
As many people know, Greason was one of the kindest people, spending most of her life putting others first and always with a smile. She was an inspiration to many, making them want to carry on her legacy to be thoughtful and kind.
The event is open to anyone. Those in attendance can share stories of kindness involving Sheila or from anywhere else. It is a feel-good meet up where people can share a short folk tale or a true or fictional story that illustrates the power of caring. For those who don’t wish to share, feel free to just come and listen.
Admission is free and donations to the St. Marys Public Library will be gratefully accepted. There will be a break and light refreshments.
The library was one of Sheila’s favourite places as she spent many hours there. As a teacher, she spent her life even after retirement helping people develop their skills and love of reading. Organizers are pleased to support the library as it is a place where connections happen in person and through books and other resources.
An event focused on sharing stories of kindness, giving and caring will be held in remembrance of Sheila Greason at St. Marys United Church from 2-4 p.m. July 31. Contributed photo
For more information about this event, contact Vermond at 519-284-2698, nkvermond@bell.net, or Facebook messenger. If planning to attend, please use the back entrance near the south end of parking lot.
did the
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
Wanted Wednesday program yields results for Stratford police
By Galen Simmons
The Stratford Police Service is thanking the community after the service’s Wanted Wednesday social-media-outreach program recently resulted in the arrests of four people with outstanding warrants.
According to police, the program was developed to obtain assistance from community members in the location of high-risk people wanted on outstanding arrest warrants by the Stratford Police Service. The goal of the program is to improve the safety and wellbeing for victims of crime, as well as the community in general, by expediting the location and arrest of people with outstanding warrants.
“We did it pre-COVID and we took it from a couple other services that were doing it and seemed to have a bit of success with it,” said Stratford police Insp. Mark Taylor. “We kind of took it on ourselves and then COVID hit and we kind of got away from it because nobody was supposed to be out and about anyway, so it was getting more difficult. … Now, since COVID has kind of lifted and everything is getting back to normal, we decided to take it back on again and ran it for three weeks and have been successful three weeks in a row.”
Thanks to the response from the community, all four Wanted Wednesday posts have resulted in arrests.
The first Wanted Wednesday press release was posted on social media and sent to local media on June 12. This release highlighted Joshua McCann, who had outstanding warrants for criminal harassment, break and enter, mischief under $5,000, trespass by night and breach of probation. McCann was located and arrested on July 5 at a residence in Stratford.
The second Wanted Wednesday subject, Barry Prouse, was posted to social media and a release was issued to local media on June 19. Prouse had an outstanding warrant for possession of stolen property, fail to comply and breach of probation. Prouse was located and arrested at a residence in Stratford on July 6.
The third subject, John Flood, was posted to social media and a release was issued to media on June 26. Flood was wanted for a domestic-violence-related breach of probation. Flood was made aware of the post
and turned himself in to Stratford police on July 3.
The fourth subject, Kirkland St. Louis, was posted to social media and a press release was issued to media on the morning of July 10. He was wanted for assault, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and two counts of fail to comply. St. Louis was located and arrested in the Town of St. Marys later in the afternoon on July 10.
None of the above charges have been proven in court.
“The impression, maybe, is we’re out actively seeking people who are wanted on warrants. In fact, we’ve got a lot of other things on the go and our officers are very busy doing other things and doing other investigations,” Taylor said. “The officers themselves tend to forget who is wanted and where they might be. Seeking the public’s assistance and locating these people has been beneficial to us and it has worked out so far.”
With plans to continue the Wanted Wednesday program, Taylor and the Stratford Police Service is thanking those who sent in tips that led to each of the four arrests. While the program depends on the community’s help, he said it also puts pressure on those with outstanding warrants, either giving them the encouragement they need to turn themselves in to police or even serving as a reminder that they have outstanding charges and warrants for their arrest in the first place.
“There are the one-offs where people actually do not even know they have a warrant. They miss a finger-print date or they miss a court date and things slip their mind and they’re put on a bench warrant or a first-instance warrant,” Taylor said. “We get their photo in the paper and they happen to see it on social media and they say, ‘Hey, looks like I should probably check in with the police station.”
No matter the charges or circumstances, Taylor says it is always in someone’s best interest to voluntarily check in with police to settle any outstanding warrants, something that usually only takes about 20-30 minutes to process, depending on the warrant and the charges.
COMMUNITY
Town of St. Marys withstood last week’s deluge of rain relatively well; the golf course, not so much
By Galen Simmons
Though there was some minor street flooding following last week’s deluge of rain, town staff feel St. Marys as a whole withstood the precipitous onslaught relatively well.
Heavy rain moved across the Upper Thames River watershed in several waves July 15 and 16, ending at approximately midnight July 17. By 2 p.m. July 17, the Upper Thames River basin had received 75-170 millimetres of rain over the past week, leaving the ground saturated and not able to absorb runoff, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) said in a press release.
“Pretty good,” St. Marys director of public works Jed Kelly said when asked how the town fared during and after the most-recent rainfall events.
“We found a couple little pinch points in the stormwater system and we found some maintenance issues we have to address, we found a couple legacy things we’d never seen that’s going to require some attention. There’s obviously all sorts of residents calling about grading issues and things like that, but that’s private property stuff.”
“We’ve definitely heard of people with flooded basements, for sure, kind of anecdotally,” added infrastructure services manager Jeff Wolfe. “We haven’t been to any properties to go over it with people, but overall, we fared pretty good.”
While low-lying areas around the
Thames River and its tributaries in St. Marys did see high water and some flooding, and warnings for residents to stay clear of rivers and streams were issued by UTRCA, Kelly and Wolfe said public-works staff ensured storm-sewer inlets across town were kept clear of leaves, branches and other debris. Combined with regular preventative maintenance of stormwater facilities, catch basins and drains, they said the stormwater system worked as expected.
The town did see some issues with drainage where the asphalt on Charles Street had been removed and the road is set to be repaved.
“We got a little bit lucky that our main reconstruction project for the year, Wellington Street, hasn’t gotten started yet,” Wolfe said. “Usually when we have a reconstruction project and we get big rains like that, it becomes a problem just for access because everything is opened up and it’s kind of a little bit of a warzone. But this year, fortunately we’re not starting until the first week of August, so we didn’t have to worry about that.”
Since the ground was already saturated by previous heavy rain events, runoff from agricultural lands on the outskirts of town resulted in an influx of corn stalks and other debris being carried into town, plugging sewer grates and causing a few inches of flooding on the road surfaces of Queen Street East and James Street South.
“Both Queen and James had water ponding up on the roads during the storm,” Kelly said. “Probably no more than three or four inches (of water), I’d guess.”
While the town as a whole may have fared well during last week’s rainfall, the St. Marys Golf and Country Club –which sits in a low-lying area of town prone to flooding – was forced to close for at least the remainder of the week as eight of the course’s 18 holes were flooded.
“It’s pretty bad,” said golf course general manager Matt Staffen. “It’s the worst I’ve seen it since the year 2000 – so 24 years. We just got hammered with a significant amount of rainfall for the past seven days, but then (it was) compounded on top of that big, seven-inch rain at the end of June. We’re probably at above 12 inches (of rainfall) over the last few weeks, and that’s just devastating for us.
“When you add in the dam at the Wildwood Reservoir; they opened that up Tuesday night. They contacted us, and I’m going to give them credit where credit’s due. They’ve been doing a great job over the last couple years to avoid this because we’ve had a lot of rain over the last 13 months or so, so we’ve been fortunate they’ve been managing it very well. But this quantity and the compounded amount was just too much to handle.”
Staffen said he hoped the conservation authority would be ready to close the dam by Friday morning, at which
time he and his staff would start working to drain the flooded fairways and do what they can to rehabilitate the golf course’s grass surfaces. He was hopeful the course would be able to reopen to golfers early this week.
Kelly and Wolfe said this recent rainfall should serve as a reminder to property owners to take the time now and shore up their homes and buildings for the next major rainfall.
“We don’t see heavy rains like that very often so we sometimes forget that, as homeowners, we shouldn’t have our basements directly connected to the storm sewer,” Wolfe said. “We do not permit direct, gravity connections to the storm sewer, so most houses are connected with a weeper around the footing.
“Storm sewers are meant to promote full, so in that case you could potentially be at risk if your house is directly connected to a storm sewer, so we do recommend sump pumps – either pump to grade or pump to storm sewer with an overflow (valve). … And lot grading of your yards … needs to be maintained. Your grading that was established when your house was built; ground moves through thaw-freeze cycles, so having an awareness of the grading of your lot (is important) to make sure you’re not sending water towards your house. … You should probably check your sump pumps, too, during big events like that to make sure it’s working properly.”
The river was high and the falls were flowing in St. Marys after heavy rains hit the region July 15 and 16. Photo by Wendy Lamond
The St. Marys Golf and Country Club experienced its worst flooding in 24 years last week with eight of its 18 holes under water. Photo by Julia Paul
Jacobs Liquidation & Auction Ltd breaks ground on James Street South
Continued from page 1
purchase three acres of property on the outskirts of town in 2020 for when the next stage would be necessary.
The size of their current building is just over 8,000 square feet. The new building will be 17,000 square feet with space for future opportunities.
Craig Jacobs said the extra space will allow for better inventory display and will allow them to provide greater deals to the community. The new space will also allow them to accept some product deals they are offered but cannot accept due to lack of room.
One of the biggest benefits of the new location is the opportunity for ample parking. They will be able to offer 150-200 parking spaces that is just not feasible where they are now.
Construction of the new building, which is being handled by MTH Contracting, was expected to start next week but due to all the rain, it may be pushed back a week, however contractor Paul Bender plans on having the foundation poured in September to still have it ready by early 2025.
The new location is in Perth South, close to St. Marys and close to the highway, making it very accessible to those coming in from out of town.
“We look forward to the positive impact and opportunities this expansion will bring to our community,” Perth South Mayor Jim Aitcheson said.
Craig and Deanna Jacobs were joined at the ceremony by their children, Carson, Dylan and Grace, who shared in the joy of this next step for the family-owned business.
“We
HOURS
Craig and Deanna Jacobs get the shovels ready to break ground on James Street South where their new building will be ready in early 2025. Photo by Wendy Lamond
The Jacobs family shares a happy moment as they stand together at the new location where they will break ground
their new building. Picture from left are Craig, Gracie, Deanna, Carson and Dylan Jacobs. Photo by Wendy Lamond
look forward to continuing to serve the community and grow together,” Craig Jacobs said.
Scuba themed Vacation Bible Camp a success
By Wendy Lamond
For approximately 45 years every summer, children from Granton, St. Marys, Kirkton and other surrounding areas have attended the Granton Vacation Bible Camp put on by Villages United Church. Every year has a different theme and roughly 40 attendees take part in the weeklong camp that includes teachings of God,
games, music and friendship. Children from four years and up can attend at no charge.
The theme this year is Scuba-diving into friendship with God allowing the kids to learn a lot about undersea animals and all things aquatic, all while still learning lessons about the bible.
The group meets at 9 a.m. in the main part of the church and leader Sher-
ry Garrett leads them through prayer, stories and songs. Garrett attended the camp when she was young and loves that she can give back to the community and share the joy that she experienced with the new generations.
The singalongs get everyone up, moving and having fun.
After the morning group session, the
kids separate by age into different stations like sports, story time, crafts and imagination. It takes many volunteers to help during the week and is a great way for students to get their volunteer hours.
The camp runs for one week in July from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and wraps up on the Friday with a big water-balloon fight.
Deep Bible Adventures story time, usually run by Meryem Ma, took place with Patty Brine dressed as Mary Magdalene sharing a story with her group, Tucker Wilder, Tom Dundas, Bennett Meta, Ben Schmidt, Ezri Dunn and Mady Antaya. Photo by Wendy Lamond
Ethan Zwambag, Lincoln Aldrich, Aria Grant, Duncan Foster and Arthur Hiscox look on as leader April Barker teaches the difference between what items float and what items sink at the imagination station. Photo by Wendy Lamond
Sherry Garrett stands in front of the colourful Scuba display which showcases the week’s theme. Photo by Wendy Lamond
in St. Marys
By St. Marys Independent staff
Shortly after 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, the Stratford Police Service received a report of a break and enter at the Subway on James Street South in St. Marys.
The break and enter was discovered by an employee who arrived for work and found the front door smashed and the till box missing. Video surveillance showed that at 3:05 a.m. on July 18, an unknown man approached the store from a wooded area located to the west of the store. The man is allegedly recorded smashing the glass on the door and entering the store. The man collects the till box and exits the store through a separate door before returning to the wooded area.
The man is described by police as wearing black and white Under Armour running shoes, blue jeans, a black coat or sweater with the hood up, a black ball cap, yellow and white gloves, and he is carrying a beige backpack.
The Stratford Police Service is asking for anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect to call police at 519271-4141, or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.p3tips.com.
TriCounty FoodGrains Group Plants Crop and Dedicates Field
By Nikki Taylor
The TriCounty Foodgrains Group met on June 23 to dedicate the 2024 crop and focus on our mission of ending hunger in our world. This group is a project affiliated with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank - an organization that provides food and education to regions in Canada and other countries across the globe that are struggling with food insecurity. To help projects achieve this goal, the Canadian Gov-
ernment matches proceeds from all Foodgrains projects at a rate of 4:1. This means that when you purchase produce or donate to this group, your donation is multiplied by a factor of 4.
Generous donations continue to be made to this project year after year.
The family of Sheila Greason has graciously allowed land from her farm to be used for the growing of crops. The Hitching Post and Petals and Foliage have once again provided both seed
and plants for the project. Labour is provided exclusively by volunteers from East Nissouri Union Church, St. Marys Presbyterian and St. Marys First Baptist.
We are always looking for new volunteers so if you are interested, please let us know. You can call Bob Pickel at (519)461-1400 or come and visit us at the St. Marys Farmers Market where we will be selling our crop of potatoes, onions and squash.
We will also be hosting a fundraising Music Evening on September 21 at 7:30 p.m. St. Marys First Baptist Church will host this event. Chet Greason and Amy Jessop have graciously donated their time and talents in honour of Sheila Greason’s legacy. More information regarding this event will be forthcoming. Many thanks in advance!
ARTS & CULTURE
Disclosing Successful Screenwriting
By James Giles, edited by Alice Rixson
Screenwriting or scriptwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions and video games. The art aspect of films lies in the ability to write and construct a compelling narrative, develop interesting characters and evoke emotions through dialogue and visual elements. All writers add their own unique voice, perspective and approach when creating a script. St Marys’ screenwriter Robin Crozier is a multi-international award-winning writer and producer. She has been recently recognized for her work with Best Screenplay accolades at the Hollywood Gold Awards, the International Gold Awards, the London Movie Awards and the Sweet Democracy Film Festival for her screenwriting for Cry of Silence by Akoolfilm Company by producer and director, Allen Kool.
Along with international acclaim, she has three Canadian Screen Award nominations. “I never thought about screenwriting until I met my husband, Allen Kool, who encouraged me,” remarks Crozier. “At first, I just had plot lines and characters running around in my mind, so I'd write a script just so I could focus on another story - sort of like downloading. And I thought the best way to begin was to try different genres, so I wrote a quirky drama, a sci-fi, a thriller, a medical drama and the like,” she says. Crozier grew up in the Ontario cities of North Bay and Oakville. Her journey to screenwriting started with writing short stories and pursuing studies in English literature at West-
ern University in London, Ontario.
The biggest challenge of screenwriting that applies to all writers is that it’s a solitary journey, says Crozier. “Most days I work alone in my office and if something is coming together, I read it to my dog for his approval. Luckily, he likes everything.
“However, screenwriting is different in that the script affects a large number of other people and what I see in my mind isn't always possible in terms of logistics, production design, costuming, for instance. Also, unlike a novel, the dialogue is subject to the artistic interpretation of the actor, sometimes resulting in a very different character and meaning than intended,” she adds.
There are pre-set rules and conven-
tions that govern format, structure and pacing of screenwriting. Screenplays are generally 90 to 110 pages in length, have a clear Act 1, 2 and 3 denoting the beginning, the middle and the end respectively. They also have a defined protagonist, the central character, and an antagonist, the adversary. Like any craft, screenwriting requires modification and refinement. Writers often produce multiple drafts, fine-tuning their work to enhance clarity, coherence and impact. This revision process is a key aspect of the skill of screenwriting.
Crozier usually begins her project by jotting notes on lined paper until a sense of the storyline develops and the characters come to life. From those rough drafts, she changes to index cards, one scene per card. Cro-
zier’s process of building one scene per card and rearranging them is her approach to bring a story together. “One time the story line wasn't coming together and I happened to drop the cards. When I picked them up again [to arrange them] the whole thing made so much more sense,” she recalls. This may sound “old school”, she adds, as word processing software for amassing notes has become a popular method.
Screenwriting is often part of a collaborative filmmaking process. Writers work closely with directors, producers and other creative professionals. The ability to collaborate and adapt the script to fit the needs of the production is both an artistic and a practical technique.
Since moving to St. Marys more than five years ago, Crozier has been instrumental in the creation of three feature films despite the COVID-19 pandemic: The Sanctuary, The Taste of Blood and Cry of Silence. She is now working on a drama titled Broken Bond and an historical television series called Noose: The Hangman's Tale. Akoolfilm Company won numerous international awards in the last few years but for Crozier the best reward is seeing one of the productions in a theatre with others and experiencing the response of the viewers. At the premiere in Stratford of Cry of Silence, the audience cheered at the end. “It doesn't get any better than that,” Crozier said proudly!
Please send comments and proposed topics for Arts articles to - smindependentarts@gmail.com
Pictured is Robin Crozier - screenwriter. Contributed photo
St. Marys Lions Club holds classic car show
Members of the St. Marys Lions Club served a pancake breakfast and a sausage/ hot dog lunch at the PRC pavilion during their classic car show held on Saturday, July 20. Pictured left to right: Ernie Monk, Ron Annett, Larry Ford, Bill McNeight and club president Gwendolyn Boyle. Photo by Murray Grant
Rod Riordan of St. Marys exhibited his 1955 Chevy Nomad. Photo by Murray Grant
St. Marys Independent SPORTS
www.lindsaypickering.ca
lindsaypickering22@gmail.com
U12-GT2 weathers ‘chaotic’ to score 2-1 win
By Spencer Seymour
It may not have been a work of art, but the U12 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm capped off a busy few days with a 2-1 victory on July 22 over the visiting Delko Brydge squad.
After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Maddie McCutcheon, Delko Brydge’s hot start to the second half allowed them to tie the game at one apiece. However, McCutcheon came up big once again for the Storm, scoring on a penalty kick midway through the second half, restoring St. Marys’ one-goal lead with the eventual game-winning goal.
Head coach Korey Graham told the Independent he was especially pleased with his team’s win, given it was their third game in two days.
“We got an early goal which helped give the girls a bit more energy,” Graham said after Monday’s game. “Coming off our two games yesterday in the sun, I thought we were a bit tired and we got into playing Delko Brydge’s game a bit rather than playing our game. At times, we were kicking the ball back and forth which is not something we try to do as much. But the girls stuck with it. They battled hard when they needed to and we were fortunate to get a good break with the penalty shot at the end and Maddie capitalized for us.”
The reason for the team starting to run low on energy was, just one day before, the Storm went to St. Thomas for a one-day mini tournament that saw St. Marys play two games on July 21.
Graham stated his team was able to power through their exhaustion one day later against Delko Brydge thanks to their strong teamwork and confidence in each other’s skills.
“I think it comes down to how closely bonded our team is. Our girls trust each other out there. It doesn't matter who is on the field or who is playing what position. We have a lot of trust in one another and even when things aren't going the right way, we've learned not to panic and just take a breath, regroup ourselves and just play the best we can with the energy we have in those moments. They work together as a team really effectively.”
Coach Graham also highlighted a returning Aisla Fisher, who didn’t play in the games in St. Thomas, as bringing some much-needed energy to the team’s defensive line.
Although both of their games at the St. Thomas mini-tournament, contested against teams from Sarnia and Oakridge, both ended in draws, Graham felt it was some of the team’s strongest soccer of the season, especially their strong-willed redemption game against Sarnia.
Maddie McCutcheon lines up a penalty kick during the U12 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm game on July 22. McCutcheon scored on the penalty kick, a goal that held up as the game-winner in the Storm’s 2-1 victory over Delko Brydge. Photo by Spencer Seymour
“The first game of the tournament for us was against Sarnia, who we played at the beginning of the year and got our butts kicked in a 6-1 loss,” noted Graham. “At that time, we were just getting our team going, so the game [on Sunday] was a good test to see how far we’ve come. It was a pretty physical, back-and-forth game that ended in a scoreless tie. I definitely think it was one of our best efforts of the year because of how we battled and handled the physicality.”
In their second game of the day, an early advantage on the scoreboard turned into a second-half deficit that, thanks to a resilient pushback by the Storm, was evened up before the game concluded.
“We got out to an early 2-0 lead against Oakridge and then they got one back to make it 2-1 before the half. In the second half, we were a bit hesitant and they scored two quick goals to go up 3-2. That was when we decided to go down to two defenders and push another person up front to try and tie it up. Thankfully, we were able to work the ball through our midfielders and they made a good pass up to Maddie [McCutcheon], who split the defence, got fouled in the box, and scored on the penalty shot to tie it at 3-3 which was the final.
“It was just a really strong effort and show of resilience,” Graham continued. We were the better team for most of the game for sure and the girls didn’t get down on each other when they lost the lead. They just tried to shake it off and they scratched and clawed their way back into the game. We fin-
The U12 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm travelled to St. Thomas for a one-day mini-tournament on July 21, which included two performances that head coach Korey Graham praised for the team’s compete level and resilience. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Kyla Graham, Maddie McCutcheon, and Kenzie Shackleton. In the middle row, from left, are Evelyn McAllister, Nora Laidlaw, Ainsley King, Madelyn Stewardson, Vaida Graham, and Nelleke DeWit. In the back row, from left, are head coach Korey Graham, Lilly Garniss, Danika Terpstra, Charlotte Matheson, and assistant coach Kim Garniss. Not pictured are Lilly Forbes and Aisla Fisher. Contributed photo
ished strong and Kim [Garniss] and I are very proud of the girls for their efforts.”
Graham also noted the impressive team-wide nature of his squad performances, including the defensive line made up of Nora Laidlaw, Lilly Garniss, and Evelyn McAllister making solid outlet passes and clearing the ball when needed. Along with McCutcheon, Vaida Graham and Danika Terpstra controlled the center midfield incredibly well. Madeline Stewardson, Charlotte Matheson, and Nelleke De Wit, playing as outside midfielders, were described as “workhorses,” while Ainsley King and Kyla Graham rotated through the striker position and created an abundance of scoring chances. In goal, Kenzie Shackleton played stellar in all three games, including a shutout against Sarnia and a strong showing against Delko Brydge in which she was described as a “brick wall.”
SPORTS
‘Aggressive’ U14-GT3 One Storm defeat Goderich
By Spencer Seymour
A stellar performance by the U14 Girls Tier Three
One St. Marys Storm earned the squad a 2-1 victory over Goderich on July 18.
Head coach Ian McKichan said, in the week leading to the game, the team focused on their field spacing, which was a key factor in the team getting the win.
“Their positional play is something we worked on this week, along with creating and moving to open space,” McKichan told the Independent. “St. Marys Minor Soccer has also been working with Eddie McKenna from the Stratford Training Academy this year and our team had a session with him which I know helped. You could see it on the field with the way the girls were using more of the field and getting the ball up the wings.”
St. Marys got goals from Lauren Pfaff and Sophie Stewardson as part of the 2-1 victory.
One of the most notable aspects of the Storm’s game was their assertiveness in combatting Goderich’s ball movement at every turn. No matter where on the field Goderich found themselves with the ball, they always seemed to have a St. Marys player nipping at their heels and getting in the way of their attack. McKichan said it was exactly what he was hoping to see out of his team.
“The girls played a lot more aggressive. In our last two games, we were sitting back and not winning the battles as much, but in this game, they challenged Goderich on every play. Their communica-
tion was much better as well which was one of the other big focuses for us going in. That communication led to much better passing against Goderich than in previous games.
“I like to play a more aggressive game and this group of girls play that style very well,” continued McKichan. “This group doesn't back down and goes into challenges strong. This leads to turnovers and these girls score a lot of their goals in that transition. Goderich played well and gave us a good challenge but our girls worked hard to overcome them and we got the three points because of it.”
Emerson Borg wins a battle for the ball during the U14 Girls Tier Three One St. Marys Storm game on July 18 against Goderich. Photo by Spencer Seymour
St. Marys and Area Minor Soccer hosts appreciation events for families
By Emily Stewart
After wrapping up another season, the St. Marys and Area Minor Soccer Association will host two appreciation events to thank the players and their families for a job well-done.
There will be a U3 to U8 House League Fun Fest at Meadowridge Fields on August 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will feature bouncy castles, freezies, food truck eats from the Sunset Shack, and a balloon artist.
“It's just really to say thanks for a great season from the executive,” Car-
rie McKichan, registrar, said.
Previously, the House League Fun Fest would have student volunteers run yard games. Last year, the soccer association brought bouncy castles in for the first time, and it was met with great success.
"We had a huge turnout, which was great to see,” McKichan said. “The families looked like they had a great time, and we hope that even more people join us this year."
The St. Marys and Area Minor Soccer Association will also host a Rep Team
Appreciation Day on August 9 in Solis Park for players U8 to U18 in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3, starting at 6:30 p.m. for the U8 to U10 players and 7:30 for the U12 to U18 players. The event will have a skills competition for the Storm soccer teams, a free barbeque, and a dunk tank. The skills competition will have four stations for players to test their dribbling, accuracy throw-in, and shooting skills for a chance to win prizes.
Brad Wittig, the director of player coach and development, said to the St. Marys Independent that appreciation
events encourage unity amongst the travel team program, from the players to the teams, to the program itself.
“That allows for teams to bond outside of regular soccer games or practices, building friendships that will translate onto the pitch,” he said. "And for both players and parents to meet and talk with the executive team for feedback. I think there's multiple benefits, but hopefully the players see that the association cares about their members and wants to see soccer continue to grow in our community.”
U13 HP Red Rockies find all-around groove against Wilmot Thunder
By Spencer Seymour
The Wildwood Care Centre U13 HP
Red St. Marys Rockies were clicking on both sides of the ball on July 17 when they picked up a 15-5 win over the Wilmot Thunder.
Head coach Scott Walsh told the Independent he was thrilled with the team’s performance in every area of the field.
“The girls were hitting really well and our pitching was outstanding,” said
Walsh. “Chloe Phillips was our pitcher and she has been on fire lately on the mound. She continued that and was able to shut Wilmot down and go the distance for us in the game.”
On the other side of the plate, Walsh said their strong offensive output was ignited by three members of their order.
“Laine Leis, Morgan Reid, and Reese Crawford had some timely hits that allowed us to get ahead and really jumpstarted our offence. After that,
Ask the Arborist
By
Joel Hackett
| 519 272 5742 | jtsquote@gmail.com
Dear Arborist,
I have a hardwood tree, not sure what kind. It has red, bumpy, nodular, lumpy things on the leaves. Sometimes they are green. What is wrong with my tree?
Sincerly
What Is Wrong
Dear What Is Wrong, It sounds like some version of leaf gall. There are many different kinds of galls. The causes are also
numerous. Causes for leaf gall can be insects, nematodes, fungi, and bacteria. Although this condition is unsightly, most types of leaf gall are harmless to the tree.
Sincerely
The Arborist
Joel Hackett is a certified Arborist residing in the St. Marys area. Currently, he spends most of the year running Joel’s Tree Service. For contact call 519 272 5742 or email jtsquote@ gmail.com
the girls just kept on scoring. They got into a really good groove at the plate.”
With the team scoring at a great pace and the pitching being dialled in, Walsh was also happy with the team’s defensive play behind Phillips, noting how the team’s focal points in practice were executed brilliantly against Wilmot.
“It all begins at our practices. The girls come to practice ready to learn and improve. We work on the little things that will make a difference in
the games. Our defence and aggressiveness on the bases keep us in most games which takes pressure off our pitchers.
“With our defence, we teach getting to the ball quickly and keeping it in front of you to limit extra bases and runs,” Walsh continued. “When we are aggressive on the bases, the girls are stealing bases, limiting forced outs for the other team, and putting more pressure on their defence.”
Brought to you by your local
Ayla Boemer throws the ball from the outfield during the Dave Hensel U11 HP St. Marys Rockies game this past Monday.
Owen Dittmer tosses the ball to second base for an out during the Happy Valley Health Team U16 OBA St. Marys Rockies game last Thursday.
Pierce Bennett defends a rush up the field by the opposition during the U10 Boys Tier Three Two St. Marys Storm game this past Sunday.
Emma Hodkinson races past an opposing defender during this past Monday’s U16 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm game. Photos by Spencer Seymour
Lilly Murphy makes a big catch during last Wednesday’s Stonetown Electric U13 HP Blue St. Marys Rockies game.
Addison Poetker kicks the ball through the middle of the field during this past Sunday’s U10 Girls Tier Three St. Marys Storm game.
84 Wellington Street South St. Marys, ON (519) 284-1690
HISTORIC ST. MARYS: A Gathering of Women HISTORY
By Mary Smith
This week’s photograph invites speculation. A group of 11 women of various ages have gathered outdoors for some pleasant, social reason, friends having afternoon tea together. The original photograph in the St. Marys Museum’s historic image collection is printed as a postcard – the picture on the front and on the reverse, spaces for message, address and postage stamp. This particular postcard was not mailed. It was probably one of a dozen or so printed as keepsakes. The photographer is unknown, but he or she has posed the women in the picture. No one’s back is turned although one face is partially hidden. Although it is a very old image, it is remarkably clear.
The photograph will be included in the 2025 Rotary Historic St. Marys calendar and is already on its way to the graphic designer. Although we may be curious about the reason for the gathering, that’s not really important. The picture was chosen for its content. We believe it was taken between 1910 and 1914, possibly a bit later. At that time, there was no casual summer clothing for women at this social level. These women are all beautifully dressed for the gathering. Some, mostly the younger ones, are wearing light colours. Dark garments are for those who are older or have reason to dress in a more subdued fashion, such as mourning the recent death of a relative. All of them are wearing lace –lace dresses or blouses or, at least, intricate lace collars. The elderly woman in the centre of the picture is wearing a black, straw bonnet decorated with a feather plume.
The postcard was donated to the St. Marys Museum at least 50 years ago by Isabel Sparks, along with other photographs of her friends and family. (They can be viewed on the on-line digital collection, Picture St. Marys.) Born in 1890, Isabel was the daughter of Dr. Thomas and Caroline (Carrie) Sparks who lived in the grand house at 236 Jones Street East. The Sparks called their home Ercildoune after a place in Scotland. The locals called it “Sparks Manor.” Isabel grew up with a half-sister, two full sisters and a brother. She herself is not in this photograph but her mother is. Caroline Sparks is sitting comfortably in a wicker chair, second from the right. Mrs. Sparks was born in 1859 and so would be in her early to mid-50s at the time of this photograph. Her round glasses and hair style make her look somewhat older.
It would be satisfying to be able to identify all the women in the photograph. Before she donated it, Isabel Sparks wrote the names of 10 of the 11 women on the back of the postcard. (There was one name she couldn’t remember.) Unfortunately, it is not clear exactly how Isabel’s list of names corresponds to the position of the women in the picture. Probably one of them is the hostess but we don’t know which one or where she lived. The location of the photograph is not provided and there are no clear landmarks in the background to provide clues about the location of this sheltered garden.
It is possible to compare this photograph with others in the collection. Caroline Sparks, for example, is identified in several other pictures and so can be recognized in this one. Census and cemetery records can also be checked but may not always be helpful. For example, Isabel labelled the woman seated on the extreme right “Mrs. Mills.” But Mills is a common name. There were a dozen or so “Mrs. Mills” within the likely age range in the 1911 census for Perth South. Without knowing either her own or her husband’s given name, it is impossible to tell which one might be in the photograph. And there is the additional possibility that she might be someone from far away, on a summer visit to friends and relatives in St. Marys.
The woman holding the book in the chair on the extreme left, however, is easily identifiable from other Museum photographs. She is Frederika (Ryckman) Dale, the wife of William Dale, a
classics scholar and former professor at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto. Mrs. Dale was also highly accomplished. Born in 1876, she was an early female graduate of Queen’s, earning a BA in 1898. William Dale, 27 years her senior, was her classics professor. They were married in 1901 and went to live on the Dale farm southwest of St. Marys in Blanshard Township. They later moved to 89 Ontario Street South where their four children grew up. Mrs. Dale was a pillar of the Methodist Church, the Women’s Institute, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Women’s Patriotic League. The Dales were Methodists; the Sparks family attended Knox Presbyterian Church. That rules out the possibility of this gathering being some sort of church Ladies Aid tea.
Since Mrs. Dale lived in the west ward and the Sparks lived on Jones Street East, this wasn’t a neighbourhood party either. However, there are neighbours in the picture. A mother and daughter, Mrs. Isabella Irving and Miss Katie Irving, lived at 94 Peel Street South, just two or three blocks from Sparks Manor. Born in 1844, Mrs. Irving is, as far as can be determined, the oldest woman in the photo. Isabel Sparks identified her as the woman in the centre of the group. Seen in profile in her small bonnet, she is sitting beside the tea table, decorated with a bowl of flowers. Born Isabella Fletcher in Hamilton, Scotland, she came to Canada at the age of 18 to live with her young brother, a newly ordained Presbyterian minister, in his manse
in Scarborough. He was later called to a church in Hamilton, Ontario, and Isabella went with him. In 1880, she married William Irving, whom she met when he was a medical student. By 1880, Dr. Irving had established a good practice in Kirkton, Ontario, and they were able to be married. Isabella’s brother was the officiant. In 1882, their only child, a daughter, Catherine (Katie) Fletcher Irving, was born. In this photograph, Katie Irving is the woman sitting on the ground on the right. She is chatting with a woman who might be Mrs. James (Elizabeth) Maxwell. The two of them are risking grass stains on their lovely dresses for the sake of this photograph. In this group, Katie is the only woman who is single; the others are all married or widowed. Dr. Irving died in 1901 and Isabella Irving had been a widow for at least a decade at the time of this photograph. Katie’s role in life seems to have been to serve as a companion to her parents, a role she continued until Isabella died in 1932.
The role of women as homemakers, and sometimes also heads of their households, was challenging. Mrs. Sparks supported her husband’s career as a doctor and helped her daughters through various crises – a marriage gone wrong, a fiancé killed in World War I, the birth of a disabled child. They, in turn, supported her after Dr. Sparks died in 1917. This support continued until Caroline died in 1947, age 88. Frederika Dale’s education was not wasted. She needed it to keep up with her scholarly husband. She also needed all her organizational skills to manage her four young children, keeping them busy and quiet while her husband, closed in his study, could concentrate on his scholarly pursuits. William Dale died in 1921 when his youngest child was just nine years old. Frederika had to manage the family finances, her children’s upbringing and their education. She did all that and continued to be involved in her many other organizations. She outlived her husband by 50 years, dying in 1971.
These women did not work outside their homes. We can’t know whether they found their homemaking roles fulfilling or frustrating. We do know that at least some of their daughters were encouraged to pursue careers in teaching, nursing and even business. This photograph captures a time when women’s role in society was in transition, just before 1918, the year Canadian women gained the right to vote.
This photograph from the St. Marys Museum's collection shows a group of women, ca 1914, enjoying tea and conversation on the lawn.
Thorndale News
RAM RODEO & COUNTRY MUSIC SHOWCASE
email info@stmarysindependent.com
August 23, 24, 25 (Adult $40, Youth $20, Child $5) Rodeo performance times Saturday 1pm, Sunday 1pm. Rain or shine.
Thorndale Repair Shop celebrates 15 years
By Wendy Lamond
Fifteen years ago, when Tim Muir started his business on King Street, it was just him, a truck and his tools.
Fast forward to today, he currently has 10 full-time employees and a busy garage that is available to help customers with all their vehicle needs.
On Friday, family, friends and employees celebrated the milestone at the shop with pictures, a cake and some reminiscing.
Thorndale Repair Shop is a full-service automotive maintenance and repair garage servicing a wide range of vehicles including heavy trucks and heavy equipment like wheel loaders and excavators. Muir’s motto is “Big and small, we fix ‘em all.”
The biggest change that the shop has seen over the past 15 years is the significant change in technology. They have enjoyed the challenge and are constantly learning new things daily with the understanding that adapting brings growth.
Muir, who started his own business because of his love for fixing equipment, shared his favourite part of his job is the people. Whether it’s the suppliers or customers, he will work with them until the job is done.
“I would like to thank all our customers from automotive and heavy equipment, suppliers, my employees and my family. It’s been terrific serving Thorndale and area for the past 15 years and I look forward to another 15,” Muir said.
Employees were on hand to celebrate the 15 years of business with owner Tim Muir. Photo by Jake Grant
By Nancy Abra
It all starts with a need and an idea. When Kirk Hallman, a high school student in Thorndale, got a new puppy a few years ago he noticed there wasn’t a safe area to take your dog off-leash in town. So, he took it upon himself with a few other young people joining him to approach Thames Centre Council in April 2021 for the need of a dog park in Thorndale. In December 2021 Council approved the creation of a dog park as part of the Thames Centre 2022 Capital Budget. An Ad Hoc Committee was established in 2022 as a ‘Committee of
Thorndale Lions Dog Park Thorndale Minor Ball team attends London Majors game
Council’ with two Thames Centre Councillors, four community members and two staff representatives. Council carried this project over as part of the 2023 Capital Budget.
The cost of the Thorndale Lions Dog Park was set at $36,000 which was based on the Dorchester’s Dog Day Park. “The municipality has covered the basic costs of the dog park including fencing, parking area and operating costs,” Kirk Hallman, Committee Vice-Chair/community representative stated. “And there has been a successful fundraising campaign to raise money for the extras, such as benches, agility equipment and trees
for shade.”
The Thorndale Lions Dog Park is located south of the county road through Thorndale, at the corner of Nissouri Road and Gerald Parkway. Even though the park is open for the public to use, the official grand opening initially scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 has been postponed.
Stephanie Williams, a community member on the committee who is involved in the fundraising campaign stated, “The reason for the postponement is due to a delay of equipment for the park from the manufacturer. Once the equipment
arrives, the municipality will proceed with the installation and necessary repairs to the grounds to ensure that everything is in optimal condition for the grand opening.” Williams added, “we apologize for any inconvenience this change may have caused and want to assure everyone that the municipality and committee are working diligently to reschedule. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to visit and enjoy the Thorndale Lions Dog Park. Your support and generosity have been instrumental in making this project a reality, and we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support.”
The Thorndale U11 Minor Ball team attended the London Majors game last weekend. “Our players loved it” remarked Amanda Elliott, parent of one of the Thorndale players. “This outing was set up and arranged by their coaches, Jeff Fleming, Andrew and Rachel Murrell. They were able to run onto the field with the Majors while the starting lineup was announced and stay with the players on the field during the national anthem. It was such a fun and inspiring afternoon for our young Thorndale players.” Contributed photo
COLUMN
The Doctor is In - Grateful Ukrainian Neurologist hopes to practice medicine in Canada
By Julie Ashley
Even as a young girl in Ternipol, Ukraine, Halyna Patrilyak dreamed of being a medical doctor, having a family, owning a home and travelling to see the world and meet people from different walks of life. Ambitious dreams, for sure. Not only did Halyna eventually fulfill these dreams through hard work and ambition, she went on to complete several specializations that resulted in her practicing as a Neurologist for 15 years, overseeing Medical Practices within Administration also…until the war broke out. She was forced to stop her practice and leave her beautiful community.
Halyna reflects, “I put my whole life in a suitcase, looked at it and cried, asking myself every time WHY? War destroys people's destinies. Why am I forced to leave my native home and everything I have acquired during my life? The soul ached, and the heart cried.”
I immediately pause when I hear her words. I, nor most living Canadians, can imagine what war feels like, what it sounds like, what it looks, or even smells like. This, in fact, is one of the factors that brought Halyna and her two sons to Canada. The peacefulness of our country is a main factor for many other Ukrainians whose lives have been continually interrupted by war. They know that war has not been part of our recent history, unlike so many other countries. We sometimes forget that fact amidst our privilege. Halyna talks about leaving Ukraine and asking God for wisdom to make the right decisions and encounter good people. She could not know what the future held when she arrived in February, 2023.
She recounts for me, “The first words I heard were ‘Welcome to Canada’! These words sustained my every day.” Halyna reflects gratefully that her prayers were answered. She comments on the many residents and volunteers who helped her family find housing, work, opportunities to learn English, and other logistics of settling here. There were even additional experiences offered to visit cultural events to learn more about Canada or to attend Ukrainian events to enjoy some of what was left behind. Even simple words of kindness from others gave encouragement to Halyna.
Her sons, Vasyl,18 years old and Denys,17 attend St. Michael’s in Stratford and are excited for the abundance of opportunities ahead of them, with little fear of war interrupting their futures.
Halyna’s preparation for life in Canada began before she knew she would need it. While she studied at Medical School with students from different countries, she would help them adjust to the Ukraine and recognized how difficult it was to come to a foreign country. “I had no idea that I would, a few years later, face the same challenges.”
As was her dream, Halyna travelled extensively, given her higher station in life as a reputable professional and experienced Neurologist in her country. She reflects on her travels to many countries including Israel. There, she found it startling to see military women with weapons on the streets. That memory haunts her as we fast-forward to today. She worries about the men and women in military uniforms on the streets, everyday for many hours, enduring alarm sirens, rockets overhead, destruction, and for
many, death. In Israel and Palestine, the situation is similar. She wants to underline for me how horrific it is and how no one is safe from war, due to the cruel mistakes made by politicians and how the politics funnel down to innocent citizens. This could happen to Canada too.
I am in awe of Halyna’s humility and patience given that her specialization and skill level is in such demand in Canada, where people wait many months to see a Neurologist. She had hoped that she could use her education and skills in Canada in Medicine. But this door was closed. She needed to put food on the table here. It is not a known fact, but Ukrainians are not able to bring their financial resources with them always. With few options, Halyna began work in a factory as a welder, since welders are in demand here, and it is known that this can be a method for improving chances for Permanent Residency in Canada. I wince at this thought. How is it possible that we do have the methods in place to fast track someone who brings so much of what we need so desperately?
Halyna left welding as she could not endure the physical challenges so has now found work with the elderly as a Personal Support Worker. She is happy to be working in the general field although at a position well below her capabilities. Being so grateful to the Stratford community, she decided to volunteer at the Stratford Hospital, and humbly prays for those who have helped her to now.
Being the gracious person she is, Halyna seems less concerned about her own situation and wants Canada to know the plight of her people.
“Dear compatriots of Canada
Your country has long been a beacon of hope, compassion and opportunity for those seeking refuge from conflict and hardship. Today, you face a crucial mo-
ment to once again demonstrate these values as you welcome Ukrainians fleeing a devastating war in their homeland.
These people have experienced incredible difficulties. We left our homes, our livelihoods, and often our loved ones. We come to Canada, not by choice but by necessity, looking for safety and a chance to rebuild their lives.
As Canadians, you have the power to dramatically change our lives. Here's how you can help:
Embrace them with open arms: a simple smile, kind word or offer of help can mean everything to someone adjusting to a new country.
Provide employment opportunities: Many Ukrainians coming to Canada are skilled professionals eager to contribute to the economy. By offering them jobs, you not only help them achieve financial stability, but also enrich your workplaces with diverse perspectives and experiences.
Support their integration: Learning a new language, understanding local customs and navigating unfamiliar systems can be challenging. Offer patience, guidance and resources to help newly arrived Ukrainians easily integrate into your communities.
Celebrate their culture: Ukrainian culture is rich and vibrant. By embracing and honoring their traditions, you create a more inclusive society and help them stay connected to their heritage.
Protect their rights: Ensure that newly arrived Ukrainians are treated fairly and have access to the supports and services they need to thrive in Canada.
Remember, many of our ancestors once came to Canada in search of a better life. By extending a helping hand to Ukrainians today, you honor this heritage and strengthen the diverse structure of our nation.
Together, we can turn this difficult time into an opportunity for growth, compassion, and unity.
Thank you for your open hearts and minds. Your kindness and support will change the world for the better for those who need it most.”
Words spoken by the heart of a Neurologist, whose selfless ethic is to care for others.
It is my hope that Canada will soon change their hearts (and policies) to allow Halyna to practice medicine here too.
You know someone whose story should be told? Please reach out to me at jraeashley@gmail.com
Halyna Patrilyak. Contributed photo
COLUMN
WHAT'S FOR DINNER: Cooking with Sumac
By Lauren Eedy
Sumac is a popular spice in Middle Eastern food and I’m sure you’ve seen it growing all over Ontario. It can be identified by its vibrant red berries (poisonous sumac is white).
The berries can be turned into a coarse powder and tastes slightly tart, very similar to lemon juice. You may be familiar with the popular spice blend za’atar which contains sumac. It blends exceptionally well with allspice, chili, thyme and cumin. In North America, Indigenous peoples and settlers used sumac to treat a variety of ailments such as coughs, sore throats, stomach aches and wounds.
You can purchase sumac at Middle Eastern stores, Troyer’s Spices in downtown St. Marys or you can make your own! Its great as a meat rub (lamb and duck especially), sprinkled on hummus before serving or wherever you
would like to add an interesting lemon profile. To dry and make your own, you can forage sumac between August and October. Collect sumac after a long dry spell as rain tends to wash away the flavour; dry whole clusters as berries are easier to remove when dry. Pop a single layer in a low oven or dehydrator and leave them until completely dry, about 5 hours. Pull apart clusters and rub the berries off right down to the centre stalk. The dried berries can be ground and sifted. If you want a liquid infusion, cover berries in tepid water and let soak from 10m to a few hours. Strain with a cheese cloth, then repeat with more water. If you simmer them, it may destroy the vitamin C properties.
Beans with Sumac
3 cups cooked navy beans
1 onion, chopped
1 or more cloves garlic, chopped
½ cup pork crackling (or bacon, pork or sausage), *omit if you prefer meatless
½ tsp dried mustard powder
2 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp sumac
1 tsp salt
1 cup puréed tomatoes
2 tbsp dark molasses
1 cup sumac juice or water
Method:
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan or slow cooker. Bring to a boil and simmer gently, covered, for 3-4 hours. Add more liquid if they become too dry.
Corn and Sumac Salad
Serves: 4-6 Total time: 20m
4 ears of corn
1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
½ cup chopped parsley
10-15 Castelvetrano olives, pitted and sliced into quarters (optional)
7 oz feta, crumbled
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sumac, plus more to garnish
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
½ - ¾ tsp salt to taste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus more for coating corn Method:
Preheat the grill or broiler to high.
Coat the corn in some olive oil. If broiling, place ears on the sheet pan. If grilling, place directly on the grates. Rotate ears, being careful not to burn. Once grilled, remove to cut-
ting board to cool and cut corn off the cobs.
Place grilled corn, cherry tomatoes, parsley, olives and feta in a mixing bowl. Evenly sprinkle with lemon juice, sumac, red pepper flakes, salt and olive oil. Gently toss to combine. Garnish with reserved parsley.
Goes on Almost Everything Salad Sumac Dressing
Makes: ½ cup dressing
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sumac spice
Salt to taste
Method:
In a medium bowl or jar with a lid (easy for mixing), pour in olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Stir in sumac spice and salt. Pour on to your favourite
greens and toss to coat.
Yogurt Sumac Dip
Makes: 1c Total time: 5m
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator and brought out to dress salads, meats, veggies, and whatever else needs a cooling hit of tang.
1 cup whole milk yogurt
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
1 tsp ground sumac
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp chopped mint
Method:
Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Taste for seasoning accordingly. If you’d like a thinner consistency; add 1 tbsp milk or water.
Riddles
Why did the cowboy die with his boots on?
Because he didn’t want to stub his toe when he kicked the bucket
What did the fireman’s wife get for Christmas?
A ladder in her stocking
What lies at the bottom of the sea and shivers?
A nervous wreck
What do you call an American drawing?
Yankee doodle
Have you ever seen a man eating tiger?
No, but in the cafe next door I once saw a man eating
chicken
What do cannibals eat for breakfast?
Buttered host
What do you call a cat with eight legs that likes to swim?
An octopuss
What is the best way to communicate with a fish?
Drop it a line
What do you call Rodents that play Hockey? ‘
Rink Rats’ Why do Hummingbirds hum?
They’ve never learned the words
Riddle Kid
- Word Search -
COLUMN
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Bratislava: a city of contrasting emotions
By Paul Knowles
Bratislava is a city that engenders a complex collection of emotional reactions. A visit to this capital city of Slovakia leaves the visitor thinking about a whole gamut of human experiences, from longing to despair to sheer, silly joy.
For me, all of this added up to an immediate and deep-seated affection for this city, probably out of proportion to the limited time I spent there. But I came away loving Bratislava.
A bit of history; like a lot of the nations of Europe, the name, boundaries and political realities of Slovakia have changed dramatically over the decades. It only became a separate, independent country in 1993 when the former Czechoslovakia (which was created in 1918) was subdivided into two separate nations – Slovakia and the Czech Republic or Czechia. For many years, Czechoslovakia was behind the Iron Curtain, ruled by a communist regime that was loyal to the U.S.S.R. Only in 1989-1990
did communist rule end. And therein lies the sense of suffering and longing that a visitor to Bratislava inevitably feels. The first stop on most tours will be Bratislava Castle, towering above the city and overlooking the Danube River. When you stand on the ramparts of the castle, you can see both Hungary and Austria, and guides may tell you of their own, personal experiences before 1989 as they stood in those very spots, locked behind the invisible but very real walls of the Iron Curtain, longing for freedom that lay just across the river in Austria.
These are poignant moments for any visitor as you stand imagining what it must have been like for people trapped inside a dictatorial regime unable to escape. This is not ancient history in Bratislava – it is recent, living memory –and it’s a very good thing for those of us who take freedom for granted to be reminded that this is often not the case in human experience.
But then your tour will take you through the streets of the old city, where you will find an entirely different vibe.
Many European cities are well supplied with sculptures and statues, but it’s hard to find one with as much sense of whimsy and laughter as you’ll discover in Bratislava.
There are amusing statues everywhere. Perhaps the most famous is Cumil the Sewer Worker, a bronze sculpture set low on a street corner.
It depicts a life-sized worker emerging from a sculpted manhole and attracts innumerable visitors seeking selfies with the unusual figure.
And there are more – a soldier leaning on a bench in the city square and a jolly, life-size sculpture of Schöner Náci, a man who strolled the streets of the city in top hat and tails.
There are also some rather surprising sculptures in the heart of the city – golden, armour-clad statues who suddenly bow to the visitor, engendering shrieks of surprise, and hopefully inspiring tips. These stock-still buskers always amaze me with their ability to remain immoveable for minutes at a time.
There are also musical buskers offering street-front entertainment to strolling tourists.
Of course, not all of the street art in Bratislava is humourous. There are sculptures commemorating key events including some during communist times, and others that are simply excellent works of art on public display.
And speaking of public art, as in many European countries, much of the architecture must also be considered public art. The layers of history in Bratislava are impressive – this was a prehistoric settlement, later occupied by Celts, Romans and Slavs who arrived in the eighth century.
The buildings of this city span centuries of construc-
tion, from ancient gates and towers to the UFO-shaped restaurant high above a modern bridge. And speaking of spanning centuries, when you visit Bratislava Castle, first built in the ninth century, your tour bus will park in front of the impressive Slovakian Parliament, a massive building right next door built in 1986.
Visitors to Bratislava have plenty of culinary and cultural options awaiting them – museums and galleries, and many street-front restaurants and cafés where you may want to sample Bryndzové halušky, a dish of potato spaetzle/gnocchi topped with a sheep's milk cheese sauce and fried bacon, which tastes as good as it sounds and is about as healthy a diet as you might imagine.
We visited Bratislava while on our romantic Danube Vi-
king river cruise. It was an optional tour, which means you pay extra for it compared to the daily tours of cities like Vienna or Budapest that are already included at no charge. But the day trip to Bratislava is definitely worth it. It’s an opportunity to visit another country and Bratislava is a fascinating destination. How many people actually get to spend time in Slovakia? One word to the wise; when your guide mentions that former NHL star Zdeno Chara is from Slovakia, don’t boo even if you are a Leafs fan. I may not be allowed back into the country.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.
A town square in Bratislava. Notice to the right, the sculpture of a soldier leaning over the shoulders of a seated couple. Photos by Paul Knowles
Bratislava Castle, dating back to the eighth century.
A street entertainer captures the attention of some touring school children.
OBITUARY Graham
It is with great sadness to announce the peaceful passing of Linda Yvonne Graham on July 17, 2024 at West Perth Village in Mitchell at the age of 74.
Born in South Porcupine, Ont., daughter of the late Jimmy and Jeanne Rivers. Predeceased by her husband Jim (2019) Mother of Derek, Angelique, and Chad (Jennifer) and survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters Micheline Rodgers (Dan), Shelly Healy (Rick) and predeceased by siblings Brian and Cathy Rivers. Linda will also be missed by her closest friends Paula Niven, Connie Bressette and Deb Van der Holst. Linda was always putting others before herself. She spent her working life as a social worker in addictions, which perfectly suited her character. She gave the best hugs. A "Celebration of Linda’s Life" will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion, 66 Church St. N. St. Marys on July 27, 2024 from 2 - 4 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Huron Perth. Online condolences at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca.
OBITUARY
Beattie
William “Bill” Wilbert Beattie passed away at Stratford General Hospital on July 16, 2024 at the age of 84. Beloved husband of 60 years to Marlene. Father of Steve, Paul (Lucy), Lori (Matt) and predeceased by daughter Kim. Grandfather of Bridget (Ashley), Courtney, Olivia, Madelyn, Ally, Gavin and Owen. Brother of Ron (Kathy) and predeceased by sister Beth Mills (Pete). Also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Bill farmed his whole life in Downie Township and will also be remembered as a dedicated school bus driver. He was a faithful fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays. Cremation has taken place. A private family interment service was held in Avonbank Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation. Online condolences at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca.
OBITUARY
O'Hearn
Dawn Anne O’Hearn (nee Thompson) of St. Marys, originally from Etobicoke, Ontario passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, at the age of 91. True to her nature, she left on her own terms, “appropriately dressed” and calling all her own shots.
Born on September 22, 1932, to Grace and Leslie Thompson, Dawn came from a family whose roots in Etobicoke ran deep and whose commitment to service helped shape their community in enduring ways. Dawn followed her brother Glenn to Sunnylea Public School and then Etobicoke Collegiate, where she met Chuck O’Hearn, her devoted life partner of more than 50 years.
Together, Chuck and Dawn built a beautiful life that centred around their children: Lynn, Brian, Larry, Susan, Gregory, Janet and Carol. Their home was always open to all and was a haven to their kids and friends. Dawn was an independent woman who loved to be socially engaged and always made time for those who needed a listening ear. Her community service spanned decades, including Girl Guide leadership, volunteering at the provincial court probation office, Marriage Encounter guidance, elementary student mentoring and hospice companion work. She cultivated a legacy of service and compassion in her loving children and was deeply cherished by her 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Dawn will be laid to rest near the family cottage in Victoria Harbour, alongside her beloved husband Chuck and her son Brian. A celebration of her incredible life will take place at a later date. Online condolences at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca.
THANK YOU
Taylor
Thank you to the firefighters, good neighbours, friends and family on our recent home being damaged by smoke. Thank you to Economical Insurance and Belfor Property Restoration. Thank you to Westover Inn, Deanna and staff for our 6 week stay, you have provided excellent service. Thank You and God Bless
Agnes and Jim Taylor
CELEBRATION
Come celebrate Ralph Scheuermann's 80th birthday!
July 28th, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. St. James Lodge St. Marys Ont. Best Wishes only please
Sedley
Ronald John Sedley
1941 – 2024
Ron Sedley, of London, Ontario passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, July 14th, 2024, in his 84th year.
Beloved husband of Audrey (Norris) Sedley. Devoted father to Rhonda (Fred) DeLong, Jim (Crystal) Sedley, and Jeff Sedley of St. Marys. Loving papa to grandchildren Meagan (Devon) Stewardson, Abbey (Christopher) Thistle, Travis (Allison), Sam, and Billie Jean Sedley, Holly (Brandon) Marriott, Payton, and Colin (Audra) Sedley; and 10 great grandchildren: Ashlynn, Sophie, Madeline, Mayla, Tealya, Lachlann, Daxton, Hudson, Mya, and Kylee. Ron's children shared their father (aka Sed) with his stepchildren Dan Bearss (Irene), Rob Bearss (Janet), and Marnie MacMeekin (Gordon), Mark Bearss (predeceased), 9 grandchildren Josh (Maggie), David (Nikki), Joanna (Jeremy), Nathen (Michelle), Corey (Andrea), Curtis, Vandie, Justine (Bill), Rebecca (Sam) and six great-grandchildren: John, Mack, Chloe, Elissa, Ameline, and Nora. He will be missed by his siblings Marilyn (Jerry), Joanne, Roger (Christine), Linda, and Cathy (Ricky) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ron was predeceased by his father John, mother Vera, and brother-in-law Larry. Respecting Ron's wishes cremation has taken place and there will not be a funeral service. To honor Ron's memory, we ask that all who wish to participate donate to HHOA Haliburton Fish Hatchery (donate at www.hhoa.on.ca) where Ron spent many volunteer hours during his 25 years of retirement in the town of Haliburton; or a charity of their choice. Arrangements with the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, St. Marys, (519-284-2820, www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca).
Jim Nairn
In loving memory of a dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who left us suddenly Aug 3, 2005.
This month comes with deep regrets. It brings back a day we cannot forget. You left us suddenly with no goodbye, but memories of you will never die. May the winds of love blow softly and whisper, so you will hear.
We will always love and miss you and wish that you were here.
Deeply missed and always loved.
Your Wife Marilyn, sons Jamie and Gwen, Dave and Sandy, grandchildren, Shaune, Jenna, Tyler, Ann Marie and Emersonn, Great Grandchildren Dominic and Brocklynn
Straight from the Shelves COMMUNITY
By Laura McAsh, St. Marys Public Library
There’s a little more than a month left to venture out onto the Thames with one of the Town’s kayaks! The 2.5-hour slots open for booking a week beforehand and can be booked up to 24 hours before the start of the time slot. Come to the Library right before your booking to pick up the key to your kayak, a safety kit, and a life jacket, then head down to the Flats to get your kayak out of the Yak Shack and out onto the river using the brand-new accessible boat launch! Book your ‘yak here: https://tinyurl. com/Yak-Shack. Please contact Olivia if you have any questions or need to cancel a booking: 519284-2340 ext. 273.
This Week’s Recommendation
Animal Safari is next week’s theme for the Summer Program. Learn about a variety of species around the world that are extinct, endangered, rediscovered, or recovering in the beautifully illustrated book “Animals Lost & Found” by Jason Bittel. Discover the bright orange fur of the Golden lion tamarin and snuggle into an underground nest with
the Bermuda petrel, then fly through dark caves with the Bulmer’s fruit bat and swim amongst the reefs with the massive Humphead wrasse. All this and more are within the pages of “Animals Lost & Found”, found in our children’s non-fiction section.
Up This Week
Fri., July 26: Fire Safety with the St. Marys Fire Department* (1 p.m.)
Sat., July 27: Dungeons and Dragons (10 a.m.)
Mon., July 29: Crafty Kids (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.), Club SMPL (1:30-3 p.m.)
Tues., July 30: Reading Help* (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.), Tuesday Book Club* (11 a.m.), Discovery Den (1:30-3 p.m.)
Wed., July 31: EarlyON Play and Read (9:30-10:30 a.m.), Reading Help* (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.), Mahjong Intro (1-2 p.m.), Mahjong! (2-4 p.m.)
Thurs., Aug. 1: Open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Registration Required
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I am writing in response to the article regarding the reduction in hours at the St. Marys Library as a result of the removal of funding from the Township of South Perth.
Like Leanne Vandenbrink, I am a frustrated South Perth resident and I have taken my concerns to municipal council and to the mayor, to no avail. But if you aren’t a Perth South resident and you aren’t bothered by the change in library hours then you may think this situation has no impact on you. So I am sharing some of the downstream impacts of this decision.
Firstly, it erodes opportunity and inclusion in our community. I am a Girl Guide leader and have been leading various groups of girls in St. Marys since 2003. In any given year, about 1/3 of those girls are from Perth South. The library has been a vital source of programming material for us. In addition to loaning us books and fishing tackle, we have used the maker space and the support of the librarians to research topics of interest for our girls. We often walk down to the library from our weekly meeting location to access these services and also to get a bit of exercise. Because of where some of us live, this is no longer an option. And it is the erosion of this type of support that causes leaders to become frustrated and Girl Guide units to close. This has already happened in Exeter and Kirkton. If you don’t have a daughter then perhaps this won’t incite your concern so let me tell you about what our Guides contribute to your community. Each year we help the food bank package up dozens of hampers for Christmas distribution, we pick up litter around Earth Day, the girls make cards for the residents of Kingsway lodge around Valentine’s Day and in lieu of dues we collect non-perishable food items
every week that are donated to the community food pantry at St. James Anglican Church. I may not be ready to throw in the towel on all of this yet, but I am going to find it very challenging to explain to the girls why the location of some of their residences means we can no longer make use of St. Marys Library services.
Secondly, now that I need to travel to either Stratford or Exeter to make use of library services, I will choose to do my shopping in those communities. If other Perth South residents are doing the same, this can add up to a significant loss of revenue for St. Marys businesses. If you live in St. Marys, this should be of concern to you.
Finally, I am spending more on gas and creating a worse environmental footprint by travelling further than is needed to access library services and to do my shopping. The Girl Guide law implores us to “protect our common environment” and this decision has made it more difficult for Perth South residents to do their part.
We’ve all made poor decisions when we are frustrated and challenged and I strongly feel that is what has happened in this situation. Each party has become entrenched in their perspective and is not considering the bigger issues at stake. Yes, we hired our elected representatives to make prudent use of our financial resources, but we also expect them to engage in meaningful, ongoing dialogue rather than drawing a line in the sand that has resulted in losses for everyone.
I implore all parties to reflect on the results of your actions, recognize your part in them and “be the change” that is needed to turn this situation around.
Gwyneth Hall
LOOKING BACK Young driver
25 years ago (1999)
By Amy Cubberley
Karen Ingram, Julie Noble, Sarah Richardson, Jennifer Spearin and Elizabeth Taylor are all competing for the 1999 St. Marys Fair Ambassador title.
St. Marys OPP during a routine traffic stop on Friday at approximately 1 a.m. discovered that the driver of a vehicle was a 14-year-old male. The male was driving the car, and his 25-yearold relative was asleep in the back seat.
Linda Strathdee of Stonetown Books and Library Board member Marlene Macke have launched a new book donation program for the St. Marys Public Library. People who purchase books at Stonetown and donate them to the Library within three months of purchase will receive a receipt for a charitable tax credit.
50 years ago (1974)
Police and several merchants have expressed concern recently over an indicated rebirth of the glue-sniffing craze among local younger teenagers. Police had an instance last week while several retailers report a run on glue sales recently. While not illegal, the practice can reportedly create quite a health hazard with possible brain damage from the glue fumes. Parents might be well advised to make certain that youngsters understand the risks involved.
St. Marys swim coordinator Frank Renversey vacated that position at the end of last week. The post will be filled for the remainder of the summer by Carol Robinson.
75 years ago (1949)
At least two cases of scarlet fever have been reported in the past week.
The C.N.R. is re-flooring and repairing the wooden overhead railway bridge on Ingersoll Street, leading to the Ruthig Farm.
The local detachments of the Provincial Police are checking up on bicycle riders who ride the sidewalks and otherwise make a nuisance of themselves by not having their machines property illuminated at night.
100 years ago (1924)
George Dixon of the south ward suffered a slight heart attack on Wednesday. He is now fully recovered.
Typhoid fever has been reported about Motherwell, two cases having developed to date.
Some forty girls of the C.G.I.T. of the Methodist Church, under the leadership of Mrs. Salvadge and Mrs. Cardwell, picnicked at Springbank yesterday, the cars being supplied by friends of the congregation.
Wanted
CLASSIFIED ADS
CLASSIFIED ADS
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Fold, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: Diamond Dogs Music 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750
Wanted
A working camcorder that will play Hi-8 digital tapes. Phone 519-284-3774
Wanted to buy
All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals. Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.
Trees
Shade trees, Fruit trees, Apple, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet and Sour Cherries, Apricot, Nectarines, Blueberry, Haskopp, Black Chokeberry, Grapes etc.
Lots of Spruce, Pine, Cedars for windbreaks and privacy hedges, Sizes 1 to 6+.
Flowering shrubs and much more. Come check us out Mon-Sat 7:00am - 6:00pm Martin's Nursery 42661 Orangehill Road
Wroxeter (1 concession north of Wroxeter on Belmore Line)
For Sale
2 burial plots with deed, 2 vaults, gold cross certificate & memorial bronze marker located in Forest Lawn London. Today’s prices $13,000 - $15,000. Priced at $6,000.00. for quick sale. Please leave message 519-453-4917.
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Thomas Matthew Crooks
2. Red
3. Boston Celtics
4. Sailfish
5. Christopher Columbus
Mitosis
8. Andrew Lincoln 9. Six types
1920-1933
SUDOKU ANSWERS
HELP WANTED
Radar Auto Parts has a full-time position open in our St. Marys location. Currently looking for a driver/counter opportunity. Looking for a team player. Please send resume to Radar Auto Parts, 395 Queen Street in St. Marys.
We are hiring a Customer Service Representative
This is a full time, on-site role for a Customer Service Representative who will be responsible for such tasks as servicing clients, data entry, and reception. You should have customer service experience, excellent communication skills, and strong attention to detail. Insurance experience would be an asset but is not required.
The opportunity to become a licensed broker will be available for the right candidate.
If you are interested in working for St. Marys Insurance Group please send your resume to erica@stmarysinsurance.ca.
50 Years Golden
John & Pat Froud
July 27, 1974
Celebrating cherished memories. Congratulations on your anniversary!
Love always, Julie, Sean, Charlotte, Elizabeth and Margaret, Matthew, Jodi, Graeme, Eleanor and Edwin, Laura, Janet, Preston, Fraser and Brooks
THE WEEK AHEAD
BY:
PRC & Friendship Centre events – See the Stonetown Crier on Page 5
St. Marys Public Library events – See Page 25
Friday, July 26
- Service Canada pop-up service centre at the St. Marys Public Library – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- A.N.A.F. meat draw – 6 p.m.
- Summer folk music concert at First Baptist Church – 7 p.m., Tickets $20
Saturday, July 27
- St. Marys Farmers Market at Milt Dunnell Field – 8 a.m. to Noon
- Quadro grand opening of Lucan location at 280 Main St, Lucan – Noon to 4 p.m.
- Royal Canadian Legion meat draw – 5 p.m. Sunday, July 28
- Ralph Scheuermann’s 80 birthday celebration at St. James Lodge – 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31
- Share stories of kindness in memory of Sheila Greason at St. Marys United Church –2-4 p.m.
