Echo - September 27th, 2024

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

The Woodstock Hospital is dealing with another breach of privacy and at least one person affected has no idea what information was leaked.

The Woodstock resident, who did not want to be named, was a part of the breach and said it’s disturbing to find out this is the second incident in 2024.

“I am just shocked they don’t have more procedures in place to catch stuff like this. I don’t like it whatsoever. It terrifies me to know information like that can be passed around or seen by anyone.”

The patient, who did not want to be identified and will be called Jane Doe for the purpose of the story, said she isn’t satisfied with the hospital’s response. She listened to a voicemail from the facility before calling back.

“No, not at all. When I called back, they didn’t even have it reported (to the provincial privacy commissioner) yet. They weren’t even sure if they were going to be sending letters out to anyone and I feel it’s important for people to get something like that in writing.”

The hospital released a written statement approximately 48 hours after being contacted by the Echo.

“Earlier this week, a staff member inadvertently emailed a patient list to one, unintended, recipient. Upon identifying the error, the recipient confirmed with our staff that they deleted the document, ensuring the situation was contained. Woodstock Hospital has followed Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, notifying the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the affected patients.

Woodstock woman wants encampment near her backyard dismantled

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Woodstock woman is growing increasingly frustrated at what she said is the lack of action to remove a long-standing encampment on city property right behind her home.

Beth Merryweather said she’s had enough after over 18 months of not being able to enjoy the property she owns.

“They have a tent up six feet high on some sort of structure they built by the river and another resident has two motorbikes, an offset umbrella and a 20-foot deck. One has four structures, three of them tarped together and the other up on his deck.”

Merryweather added she is often woken up by yelling and screaming and is worried for the safety of one man’s female partner.

“I heard one night her saying she was breaking her arm. They also have a generator and power tools, they have two motorbikes they rev at night. Clean it up. Get these people out of there and find them some homes. I understand a lot of people won’t go to shelters, so give them another option, just not in my backyard. If it was your backyard, would you put up with it?”

Merryweather said Woodstock mayor Jerry Acchione did visit her home recently, and while the pair were speaking several other neighbours arrived to let him know how displeased they were with the situation.

Those affected have no idea what information was released

Our organization encourages staff to report accidental errors so that we can continue to learn, improve our processes, and maintain the highest standards of patient care and privacy.”

The Echo reached out to Chelsea Fagan, the hospital's communications and public relations officer, with some follow-up questions. Among them was what information was released in the attachment such as names, addresses, health card numbers or phone numbers; is the person responsible for the error was still an employee of the hospital; should the hospital face a fine from the privacy officer for this and/or the previous breach; and where does the money come from to pay that fine?

Fagan responded by saying, “Thanks for reaching out again. Please use the statement provided as the hospital’s comment on this matter.”

What the hospital statement didn’t say is the roster was sent to a patient on the list of the mental health day program, something confirmed in a recorded call with Libby General, the hospital’s director of health information and privacy.

“One of the clinicians meant to attach a schedule of events and added and wrong attachment and attached a list of all of the roster of the day hospital patients and your name was on that list. It was sent to one patient and that patient has deleted the email and has acknowledged they have not done anything with it. So, it has not gone anywhere but we are obligated to let you know that did happen,” said General.

General added there was no clinical

information released.

“We don’t have any concerns about anything having been done with that information. The patient responded immediately and said I don’t see a list of events, I see a list of patients,” added General.

Doe told the Echo she hasn’t attended the program in at least a year and a half and doesn’t understand why she is still on the list. She also said she’d like

to know what private information was released, something the hospital won’t comment on.

“I was told it was a roster. I don’t know if there was more information on it or not which is why I wanted something in writing. I don’t know why my name was even on it.”

Doe, who admitted to having mental health issues, said she wound up in the emergency department just after the or-

deal.

“I have anxiety but since this happened, I felt tingling in my left arm and my blood pressure was high. I went to the hospital and had some tests and bloodwork and the staff was really good.”

Ryan Purdy, a victim of the first privacy breach earlier this year at the hospital, said he must have been on the roster of those attending the program. He told the Echo he contacted General and it wasn’t a friendly call.

“She was very standoffish once I told her who I was. I said I heard there was a breach involving the mental health day program and the full roster of patients was leaked. I told her I'd been doing those programs for a year and a half and I wanted to know if I was on the list.”

According to Purdy, General said he would get a call if he was. He also told the Echo he was blocked from the hospital’s Facebook page.

“I said she should know if I'm on it so either yes, I am or no I’m not. She said I can’t tell you anything more. She added the last time we talked I took the issue to the radio and the newspaper and then she hung up on me.”

Purdy was concerned about the integrity of his health care in the first breach, something Doe echoed as she was not told if her health card number was on the sent attachment. She also wants to know what exactly was sent out.

“It doesn’t give me any comfort. They haven’t told me if it was a roster or a roster with something else on it. My health card number, I’m thinking, is probably on it.”

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

City and mayor say their hands are tied

She added one night she arrived home to find two people on her property.

She said she did recently receive a text message from Grant Drygas, the city’s supervisor of forestry and parks, saying they were getting legal advice.

“Next steps at this point are to work with Bylaw to present this situation to our legal council to see if we have grounds for enforcement. I am also working with outreach to meet with individuals and see if, collaboratively, we can encourage them to move to another location, at least closest to your property,” the message read.

She added all levels of government need to work together to help those in need.

“Something needs to be done with the mental health and housing systems. We need mental health and drug addiction reform. I understand not everyone wants help, but if we don’t try, we can’t do anything to rectify the situation.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named for fear of repercussions, said he was threatened by someone living in the encampment earlier this year.

“I have been told to not walk down to that part of the park. I won’t now because of them. I walked down the street one night and (an encampment resident) was flashing a knife and yelled ‘what are you looking at old man?’ He was chasing a girl down the road.”

He added drugs are a factor in the behaviour of those living on the site and he’d like to see more rehab beds in the area to help people get cleaned up. He’s also concerned about the value of his property when he’s ready to sell.

“We aren’t quite ready to retire yet, but the value of my house will drop because they are living down there. Who’s going to compensate us for the difference in what the property’s really worth? It looks very beautiful when you drive into Woodstock and you see right across from the Chuckwagon restaurant on Dundas.”

Part of his frustration is how homeless people can afford some of the items in a pair of encampments near his home, including pets.

“The other night they had a husky in there. They have a dog now. We’re homeless but we can get a dog. We’re homeless but we have a generator. We’re homeless but we can have a dirt bike we race on the street at two, three, four o’clock in the morning and wake me up. My girlfriend and I have to go to work.” Woodstock’s mayor said he sympathized with Merryweather and added they have shared concerns.

“There are no clear answers here. There is no easy solution. We had our mayor’s task force meeting this morning and talked about (encampments). We will keep working together as a collaborative group but until something major changes within the health network or whatever we want to call that, I don’t know what we are going to do.”

Acchione said the city is not able to legally move anyone thanks to a precedent-setting court decision in Kitchener-Waterloo.

“That’s what makes this difficult. Unless we have a shelter system they can move into right away and we need enough (spaces) for everybody to move into, we are not allowed to shut one down,” he added.

“Where do you put them? Where do you tell somebody to go live? They obviously can’t afford to rent an apartment.”

Det Tait, who has visited the property on several occasions and spoke to one of the residents in the spring, understands the court ruling but explained things are out of control.

“I spoke to a woman living there in May and let her know there were more shelter beds. She told me she was aware and willing to go but her boyfriend didn’t want to. The last time I went in was July with some city staff and Counc. Lauder. The garbage was atrocious, I can’t even describe how much there was.”

Tait said she believes about six people are living in that encampment now and added no one wants to live like that nor should they have to.

“Who wants to live in a bug-infested encampment? But we are allowing it so we aren’t any better. As I said in an email to city staff and the CAO, every property owner has a right to live peacefully and that is not being allowed here. She can’t use her backyard, she can hear them yelling and screaming when she’s inside with the windows closed.”

Tait added at one point the smell had gotten so bad at the site it was seeping into Merryweather’s backyard and home.

“To me, there is a health and safety issue. I don’t know why we can’t use that to get them out because it’s not healthy for anybody. The city should be doing something and they just need to get a backbone and do it.”

Stephen Miller, the city’s Manager of Bylaw Enforcement, said any decision on clearing an encampment on city land is on a caseby-case basis given legal precedence.

He added parks and public spaces are not intended for people to live in and the city does have bylaws that prohibit that.

“The challenge is without adequate and barrier-free shelter space for people living in encampments to go, we are challenged in removing people from public space based on legal precedence in other communities.”

He said for that reason, the approach currently is to work together through the community response team to try and move people into safe, stable housing.

“Because of the complex challenges many people living in encampments face, our response must be somewhat tailored to each

unique situation for the safety of everyone involved.”

There are some situations where enforcement may be possible due to extreme health and safety concerns. Miller noted illegal activity is never permitted and if residents living near an encampment witness it, they should call the police.

“We know people are frustrated and staff share their frustration. We continue to work with our partners and people living in encampments to try and transition them to more appropriate housing options, even if our actions are not visible to the public and it takes longer than people would like.”

UNIFOR LOCAL 636 WOODSTOCK FOODLAND AND OXFORD COUNTY PRIDE are happy to be co-hosting FREE Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for those in NEED

“The response team engages with those living in encampments at a minimum weekly but usually multiple times a week to get them out of encampments into appropriate housing. Sadly, there is no easy or quick fix.”

Unifor Local 636 @ 126 Beale St Woodstock

Monday October 14th, 2024 TIME: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2024 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Local 636

UNIFOR LOCAL 636 WOODSTOCK FOODLAND AND OXFORD COUNTY PRIDE are happy to be co-hosting FREE Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for those in NEED

Unifor Local 636 @ 126 Beale St Woodstock

A Woodstock resident said police visits to the encampment on city land are common a few times a week.

Beth Merryweather said she is unable to use her deck and backyard due to a large encampment that has been behind her property for over 18 months.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Prowind Renewables is a German based company that builds and operates industrial wind turbine projects in Europe and Canada, including 10 turbines at Gunn’s Hill, south of Woodstock. Prowind made a presentation to the Zorra Township Council on Sept. 4th. That presentation can be viewed on the Zorra Township Youtube channel, accessible through the Township website.

Prowind is proposing to build 16 to 24 industrial wind turbines in a 56 square km area between Road 119 and the boundary with East Zorra Tavistock, the exact location of which they are not disclosing publicly. These turbines would be up to 214 metres (702 feet) tall from ground to blade tip, which is 61% taller than the Gunn’s Hill turbines. It is reasonable to expect that the larger Zorra based turbines would be visible for up to 10 kms.

Prowind claims that industrial wind turbines take up .65 acres of land, equivalent to a high voltage transmission tower. In reality, a transmission tower requires an average of .066 acres, while the Gunn’s Hill turbines have an average footprint of 2.03 acres plus another .65 acres when the access roads are included. That is 40 transmission towers for every wind turbine.

There have been many problems associated with industrial wind turbines,

as outlined at windconcernsontario. ca, including negative impacts on human and animal health, groundwater contamination, bird deaths, fractured neighbourhood relationships and unreliable energy production, etc. Not the least of these concerns is the loss of prime farmland, which the Minister of Energy and Electrification has stipulated is to be avoided in future green energy projects. Zorra Township has some of the most productive farmland in Canada. It makes no sense to lose 40 to 65 acres of it to this project!

Prowind needs support from Zorra Township Council, in order to have their application to the Independent Electricity System Operator approved. Zorra Council can kill this project by passing a motion declaring that Zorra is unwilling to host industrial wind turbine projects. That is how East Zorra Tavistock township stopped a similar Prowind project earlier this year. And as a total of 157 Ontario municipalities have done.

I urge everybody who is concerned, and especially Zorra residents, to contact all of Zorra Council to express your opposition. Contact information for the members of council is available on the Zorra Township website.

Sincerely,

Paul Mitchell Ward 3 Councillor

(Zorra Township Council)

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show wows again

LEE GRIFFI Editor

Nearly 48,000 visitors attended the three-day show on September 10, 11 and 12 to see the latest agriculture innovations and equipment technology at Ontario’s largest outdoor farm event.

The show draws interest from across Canada and around the world for those wanting an up-close experience of agricultural livestock, equipment, crops and technology. Dozens of onsite events gave visitors many ways to connect and share their interest in Ontario agriculture.

“I’ve been in the business for 25 years now and this was the best show I’ve ever seen,” said show director Rob O’Connor.

He added every part of the show ran incredibly smoothly over the three days.

“From behind the scenes when we started the show when the exhibitors were moving in, the team did a great job and that set the stage. Our exhibitors do a great job presenting themselves and the new technologies. We had 18 companies that participated in the innovation award program and we had 15 busloads of young people coming to the career call event.”

The weather couldn’t have been better as daytime highs reached the high 20s with no rain over the three days.

“The site looked great. The site looked great as we had lots of mois -

ture before the event so everything was green and lush. It just added to the overall great feeling from the show.”

O’Connor proudly explained the largest number of agricultural companies coming together at one event is at the Woodstock show, the largest of its kind in Canada.

“Because of that, it drives a lot of attendees from outside Southwestern Ontario along with Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the eastern United States, but also a lot of visitors from outside of Canada.”

Those groups included folks from the Czech Republic, Italy, Holland, and just a large number of people interested in the business of agriculture. O’Connor said they come because it offers an opportunity to connect with other people in the business and a chance to see the newest technology. He added groups come to Canada to explore new connections and business opportunities, thanks in part to politics and turmoil.

“We have seen so much turmoil in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine/Russia war has changed how countries work together. They want to source our technology or perhaps sell some of their equipment and technology to Canada and North America using our show as a gateway to that market.”

The show may be over but the planning for 2025 gets underway soon, including debriefing about the good and bad from this event.

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“We all sit back and think about the show, get the emotion out of it because there is a lot of passion involved. We try to remove that by taking some time away, then come back and analyze what went right, what went wrong, and can we fix things or grow things that will help the show to continue on.”

It may be early in the planning process for next year but O’Connor did quip they have their eyes on some new parts of the world to target.

“What we will definitely look at is the international market. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of international delegations this year. We will continue exploring those new markets to provide that gateway for Canadian manufacturers. We tend to forget in Canada how much more advanced we are in our technology than other parts of the world.”

He added farmers from other countries want to learn how we farm so they can advance their own industries including South America, Australia and New Zealand.

“Depending on what types of crops they are growing it can be those countries you listed but it could also be France, Italy, and a lot of South African countries are growing quickly and are using agriculture to improve their economic structures.”

O’Connor explained he has seen a lot of interest from countries like Ethiopia and Uganda.

“We will see how those develop but right now there is more of an oppor-

Woodstock Ingersoll

tunity to grow the international space than there has been in the last two decades.”

The show hosted 657 exhibitor booths with companies participating in new product launches, field demonstrations,

cutting-edge research, special events and autonomous equipment demonstrations.

Other features included the latest technology in the field including robotic equipment, drones and autonomous

machinery. Robotics and live animals in the Dairy Innovation Centre showing new production technology and new field research at Discovery Farm Woodstock bringing advancements to Ontario farmers.

Over 37,000 people attended this year’s Outdoor Farm Show this year where over 600 exhibitors showed there wares to local, regional and international attendees. (LEE GRIFFI PHOTO)

Police looking for suspect in connection with daytime drive-by shooting

LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Woodstock Police are looking for a suspect following a brazen drive-by shooting in the city.

On Monday, Sept. 16 at approximately 4:30 p.m., police responded to the area of Harcourt Cres. and Upper Thames Drive after a report of gunshots being fired. Police located a residence with multiple bullet holes.

A video canvass of the area has been conducted and it was determined that shots were fired at the residence by the driver of a black, four-door BMW sedan with no front plate.

There are no injuries and police are asking anyone with information or video to contact them. No firearm been recovered.

The incident set off a firestorm of concern on the Woodstock Police Service Facebook page with nearly 100 comments from residents.

Woodstock police are looking for the driver of a black, four-door BMW sedan with no front plate after a drive-by shooting (PHOTO COURTESY WOODSTOCK POLICE SERVICE)

United Way Oxford launches fundraising campaign

On Sept. 20, Craigowan Golf and Country Club hosted an unforgettable event that brought together members of the community to celebrate and reflect on the United Way Oxford 60th Anniversary Campaign Kick-off. Attendees were welcomed by guest speakers Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada, and Mary Fearon, CEO and Founder of OnPurpose Inc. Both speakers shared insights into the current landscape of the charitable sector, inspiring everyone to embrace a renewed sense of hope and positivity. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as old friends

reconnected and new friendships blossomed. Attendees reminisced about the good times shared over the years, creating a warm sense of nostalgia. The event not only marked the kickoff of the campaign season but also served as a moment to look back at past achievements while planning for the coming campaign. Community members left feeling energized and motivated, embodying the spirit of togetherness that defines their collective efforts. The event was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of unity and shared purpose in the charitable landscape.

at Woodstock

Fairgrounds

Every Saturday from 7 a.m. till 12 noon All year round

Local products and seasonal produce: Fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey Fresh meats, sausage, frozen fish

Freshly baked bread and goodies Delicious pizza Flowers and plants Handcrafted gift items

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Kelly Gilson, Executive Director of United Way with Amanda Kreiger and Juli Franklin welcomed supporters.

Mary Fearon and Bruce MacDonald donated their time as guest speakers for the event.

West Oxford United Church congregation is celebrating its 220th anniversary on September 29

RUTH INGRAM

Echo Contributor

We are considered to be the oldest Protestant Congregation with continuous services in Oxford County.

First records show that services were held in the settler’s homes led by Nathan Bangs, a pioneer saddle bag minister of the Methodist Church.

Later services were held in a log schoolhouse until a church building was built on the present site. In 1854 the frame building was replaced by the present brick building. Of course, there have been many changes made to the building itself and the interior since that time. In former years the church was the centre of the community.

The Ladies Aid, which is now renamed United Church Women, was very active with their annual Turkey Supper, catering to weddings and funeral lunches and banquets. They held bake sales and published five cookbooks with favourite recipes. Any money raised was used in the church or to support the community.

After the ladies decided to dissolve their group due to a lack of younger women joining, the ladies and men formed a Fellowship Group which met once a month. They donated to various charities in the area and were leaders in the latest facelift of the church sanctuary.

There were mid-week groups for boys, Tyros, and for girls, CGIT. There was also a Young People’s Group for older teens. At one time it was considered the strongest in the Oxford Presbytery. This group had a baseball team in a league with other neighbouring churches and often ended up the winner of the plaque. There are two of the plaques still in our church.

When the church was the centre of the community there were often many extra activities. I can remember Halloween and

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Valentine’s Day parties where young and old came for an evening of games such as crokinole and of course finishing up with lunch. There were Christmas concerts when each class in the Sunday School, or individuals would present a skit or a song for the audience. There was usually a small gift for each child at the end of the night. We held a Sunday School picnic in the summer, in a nearby park or for many years we went to Lakeside for swimming and races or games and the great picnic lunch!

Many of the original settlers who came to “Oxford Upon the Thames” are buried in the pioneer cemetery surrounding the church. These stones tell the story of many families who lost young children , mothers, or whole families wiped out by epidemics!

A large restoration project took place from 1970 to 1972 to repair and try to preserve old grave markers. The cemetery is now owned by the Township of Southwest Oxford.

Did you attend Sunday School , Young People’s, UCW, CGIT, TYROS, the Fellowship group or were you married here? Or are you interested in a part of the history of Southwest Oxford or Oxford County?

Join us on Sunday, September 29, at 10:30 a.m. for our 220th Anniversary Service led by Rev. Janine Lunn, with guest speaker, Rev. David Van Patter, a former minister, and special music by Ian Masson.

Following the service, join us for light refreshments, a chance to renew old friendships or meet new friends and an opportunity to view our historical displays and/or stroll through the pioneer cemetery.

West Oxford United Church is at 354395 Church Line, between Karn Rd. and Clarke Rd, just east of Ingersoll. Everyone is welcome.

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New era of transparency at TVDSB

The Thames Valley District School Board has been under considerable fire of late thanks in large part to an ill-fated staff retreat at a downtown Toronto hotel. The three-day junket cost taxpayers close to $40,000 and has resulted in tremendous backlash from the community and the provincial government.

A release from the board stated, “This has been a learning experience for the TVDSB and will not happen again.”

The board, one of the largest in the province, currently has a deficit of nearly $8 million and shortly after the retreat cost was made public its director of education, Mark Fisher, went on a medical leave of absence.

“The Board is committed to ensuring that staff, students and families are supported during this time and we thank them for their patience,” said TVDSB chair Beth Mai.

Former director Bill Tucker has been named interim director and shortly after that announcement, the ministry announced it will perform an audit of the board’s finances.

The Thames Valley District School Board has been under considerable fire of late thanks in large part to an ill-fated staff retreat at a downtown Toronto hotel. The three-day junket cost taxpayers close to $40,000 and has resulted in tremendous backlash from the community and the provincial government.

A release from the board stated, “This has been a learning experience for the TVDSB and will not happen again.”

The board, one of the largest in the province, currently has a deficit of nearly $8

million and shortly after the retreat cost was made public its director of education, Mark Fisher, went on a medical leave of absence.

“The Board is committed to ensuring that staff, students and families are supported during this time and we thank them for their patience,” said TVDSB chair Beth Mai.

Former director Bill Tucker has been named interim director and shortly after that announcement, the ministry announced it will perform an audit of the board’s finances.

“The Thames Valley District School Board is pleased that the Ministry of Education is willing to lend their support and conduct an audit of accounts. The board has every confidence that Interim Director Bill Tucker will share the work that he is leading at the Board’s direction around accountability and transparency to the community as we prioritize student achievement and well-being,” read a statement from Mai.

The Gazette sat down with the board chair whose first comment was a commitment to talking to the media when asked.

“I really believe in communicating with the public and (the media) is the vehicle to do that whether the news is good or bad. It is important.”

Mai, a former teacher and special education advocate, said TVDSB had a surplus several years ago but the decision was made by the previous board to implement health and safety measures at schools during the pandemic above and beyond what was recommended. She added it is the director’s responsibility to ensure a balanced budget is met.

“That is part of the reason why the budget was depleted. There are additional

pieces as the ministry gives us a certain amount of money for portables but we need more because our student populations are sometimes beyond what our schools can handle.”

She added the board does have the ability to move funds from one budget line into another and the money in each line must be spent or the province claws it back.

“You might need money somewhere else and a budget line may have been exhausted so we asked the ministry to make a change so that is going to help us. If there are properties that have been closed, we have the ability to sell them which will help as well.”

Mai said in the big picture there are two very serious challenges, not just for TVDSB, but for boards across the province.

“Those are related to the funding we get

WOODSTOCK

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for staff absences. Our staff, and rightfully so, are using what is allowed in their collective agreements. We are paying a significant amount more from the surplus we had but we have essentially run out. We are looking at where that money is going to come from.”

The second issue is the benchmarks for the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance changed and she said the province hasn’t kept up which greatly hurts the bottom line.

“We are required to pay the CPP and EI for our employees but the ministry hasn’t given us the appropriate funding to be able to do that. If one of those things doesn’t change, we are in big trouble. To me, it’s common sense.”

In 2025 the board will not be allowed to run a deficit, putting even more pressure on the organization to implement cost-cutting measures or receive more funding. Mai said there were no cuts to staff in the classroom but instead, there was tightening at the board office.

“There were some positions we had trouble filling including psychologists since private practice is much more lucrative so staff took those out of the budget. We didn’t lose any staff on the ground.”

Mai explained they are obligated to be financial stewards of the board’s financial resources but also responsible for student achievement and well-being.

“If you are caught in-between where you don’t believe you can meet the needs of students with the budget that is provided then you have a responsibility to say something.”

If the board determines it is not able to balance its budget in 2025, the Ministry of Education would become involved in the process to ensure the budget is balanced.

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Ingersoll Variety

Ingersoll Barber Shop

Benjamin Moore / Rietta's Décor

Ingersoll Public Library

City Hall

Oxford Manor Retirement Residence

Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre

Alexandra Hospital

Ingersoll 50+ Centre

Woodingford Lodge

Gardens of Ingersoll

Home Building Centre

Comfort Inn

Ingersoll Cheese & Ag Museum

THAMESFORD

Circle K

Thamesford Variety

Thamesford Arena / Hall

Shell Gas Station

Pioneer Gas Station

Thamesford Pizza

Tim Hortons

JC Graphics

EMBRO

Embro Food Market

Kintore Coffee Co.

Highland Restaurant

Embro Hub - Fuel & Coffee

Cambrocourt Manor

Embro Pharmacy

TAVISTOCK

Sam's Independent Grocer

Shell Gas Station

Quehl's

D&D Homestyle Café

Tim Hortons

Renaissance

HICKSON

Hickson Post Office

HUNTINGFORD

Esso on Hghway 59

ST. MARYS

St. Marys Independent

Thames Valley District School Board Chair Beth Mai, has promised great transparency and accountability when it comes to financial issues (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

CAMI union members ratify collective agreement with GM

Unifor members at the CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly plants in Ingersoll have ratified a new collective agreement with General Motors. The new deal contains pay increases and adds the facility to Unifor's Detroit Three pattern.

"For the first time, Unifor has successfully negotiated a two-year contract term that will align CAMI members with the union's Detroit Three negotiations to combine the future bargaining power of more than 5,600 GM members. Never again will CAMI members have to wait to play catchup on wages and benefit improvements," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor Local 88 spokesperson, Mike Van Boekel said he and his members are pleased with the end result.

“It is a very good deal and answered a lot of the issues we had. We received economic gains which is good because it's been a tough ride for our members and a tough ride for everybody the way prices have gone up the last few years.”

The new CAMI contract compresses three years of wage gains into two, providing 15 per cent for production workers and 20.25 per cent for skilled trades. Workers will receive an immediate 10% pay increase with a 2% increase in Sept. 2025 and an additional 3% increase in July 2026.

Unifor members at the CAMI Assembly

and Battery Assembly plants in Ingersoll have ratified a new collective agreement with General Motors. The new deal contains pay increases and adds the facility to Unifor's Detroit Three pattern.

"For the first time, Unifor has successfully negotiated a two-year contract term that will align CAMI members with the union's Detroit Three negotiations to combine the future bargaining power of more than 5,600 GM members. Never again will CAMI members have to wait to play catchup on wages and benefit improvements," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor Local 88 spokesperson, Mike Van Boekel said he and his members are pleased with the end result.

“It is a very good deal and answered a lot of the issues we had. We received economic gains which is good because it's been a tough ride for our members and a tough ride for everybody the way prices have gone up the last few years.”

The new CAMI contract compresses three years of wage gains into two, providing 15 per cent for production workers and 20.25 per cent for skilled trades. Workers will receive an immediate 10% pay increase with a 2% increase in Sept. 2025 and an additional 3% increase in July 2026. By the time the contract expires, production workers will top out at $44.52 per hour and trades at $55.97.

"CAMI workers have been trailblazers in the EV transition and our bargaining committee was determined to bring home

the wage increases, pension improvements and income replacement measures to protect them during this evolution and position them for the future," added Van Boekel.

Unifor Local 88 members voted 95.7 per cent in favour to ratify the new two-year agreement, which will expire on September 20, 2026. Those in the trades voted just over 80 per cent in favour.

“Trades are tough to maintain right now because everyone is paying so much. Hopefully, this contract will guarantee they aren’t going to leave anymore,” explained Van Boekel.

Other highlights of the deal include a $10,000 signing bonus for full-time employees, improvements to pension plans and improved safety provisions. Van Boekel added sitting at the bargaining table with the big three has its advantages.

“We get a lot more say at the table instead of just having to follow a pattern. We will hopefully have a seat at the head table to try and determine what the pattern is going to be, get in front of it.”

Another win for the union is the elimination of waiting for a cheque following a layoff.

“Every time there is a layoff our members have a one-week waiting period so that will be paid from now on. That’s really big because it’s been happening so often to our members. We are also supposed to hit two shifts again in January. That’s going to be the biggest thing because everybody finally gets back to work,” he added.

Many contract negotiations in either the private or public sector can be contentious at times which can lead to lockouts and strikes. Van Boekel praised GM throughout the bargaining process and continued to do so once the deal was signed.

“They seemed happy too at the end. They answered the call and they knew we had a lot of tough years. Hopefully, we are close to getting out of it. I’ll be honest. They answered the call on a lot of our tougher issues. The money was there which is always one of the main driving forces.”

He added the union will continue to be active and do good things for the people of Ingersoll and area.

“We have a great social justice program going and they want is to do that again. They agreed to give us $100,000 a year and we can spend it wherever we like in the community. Our members have learned that even though we have gone through tough times, there are some people out there who have it a lot tougher.”

Van Boekel said Unifor has supported organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters Oxford and donated to area food banks during the Christmas season.

Unifor Local 88 represents more than 1,300 members at CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly who manufacture the Chevrolet BrightDrop EV 600 and EV 400 and Ultium battery modules.

Unifor's next round of negotiations with the Detroit Three will take place in the fall of 2026.

Hike for Hospice another success

The 2024 Hike for Hospice took place at Roth Park on Sept. 21, drawing community members together for a worthy cause. All funds raised during the event were directed to Sakura House, with organizers setting an ambitious goal of $100,000 to support the local hospice. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, hikers, and the Oxford County community, Hike for Hospice has now raised

over $1.3 million in its 21-year history. This significant contribution has greatly benefitted Sakura House and its mission to provide compassionate care. Organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, donors, participants, and volunteers who made the event possible. They looked forward to welcoming everyone back next year for another successful day.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Enthusiastic Hikers at the starting line ready for the event to begin.

The Kuties were on hand to take part.

Proudly, the Jagiello family accompanied Happy Hippo in the Hike.

LEE GRIFFI

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ingersoll Rails House of Brews sees outpouring of support

EMILY STEWART Echo Correspondent

The first craft brewery in Ingersoll has received plenty of positive reception since opening.

Ingersoll Rails’ House of Brews on 99 Victoria Street launched in early August to eager craft beer drinkers. Founder Craig Rathburn said that the brewery’s beer inventory sold out within 18 business hours over three days of opening.

“We're just blown away by how many people came in and since then, the responses we've gotten on the actual beer itself,” Rathburn said. “Which is a huge relief because you never know."

The Vienna ale, a red brew with caramel and toffee undertones, was the surprise crowd favourite. Rathburn said the beer is brewed with a Vienna malt that is a darker roast and kilned. He described the beer as a smooth and easyto-drink pour and said customers come in just to stock up on the Vienna ale.

"I was unsure what the reception of that beer was going to be like, so I brewed a small batch, put it all in cans, and that sold out really fast,” he said.

Rathburn’s vision to open Ingersoll Rails’ House of Brews spans over three decades. Originally, he wanted to open a brewery inside of the old train station, but the building was demolished before

he could repurpose it. He still had the two buildings part of the current location in the deal, and the architecture fit his goals, so he worked with what he had.

"I was looking for an old building,” Rathburn said. “I didn't want some steel warehouse or a strip mall or anything cookie-cutter like that that you could put a business of any kind in. I wanted a building that had some history and some character.”

As Ingersoll never had a craft brewer up until now, Rathburn is thrilled to open the very first brewery in town.

"It's very exciting,” he said. “Very proud to be the first one in the town, so and again, because we're the first, we didn't know what the reception was going to be like, and it's been overwhelmingly positive, so we're overwhelmed with how the town received us so far."

So far, Ingersoll Rails’ is just selling canned beer. Eventually, the brewery will convert the mill into a production facility, have some tap rooms open, and a patio deck overlooking the river and the train tracks.

"It's going to be a really, really cool, laid-back place to go and enjoy a pint,” Rathburn said.

Ingersoll Rails’ products can be purchased at the brewery. Updates can be found on the brewery’s Facebook, Instagram, and Threads pages.

Remember

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?

Remember

Remember

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

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?

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

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

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

when Facebook bought a case of Girl Guide

Ingersoll Rails House of Brews is the first craft brewery in Ingersoll. Craig Rathburn, owner, said that beer drinkers are loving the beer and are contributing to the brewery’s overwhelmingly successful start.

(KATH RATHBURN PHOTO)

(KATH RATHBURN PHOTO)

Solve riddles, raise money: Amazing Race Challenge raising money for Ingamo Homes

EMILY STEWART

Echo Correspondent

Residents of Woodstock and area will get a chance to experience a scavenger hunt akin to The Amazing Race right at home.

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO) will host the Amazing Race Challenge on Oct. 5 to raise money for Ingamo Homes. Teams of four to six people will meet at Boston Pizza on 431 Norwich Avenue and take off to solve riddles at different locations across Woodstock and get a passport stamped throughout their travels. The participants will meet back at Boston Pizza for prizes and an afterparty at the restaurant with live performances from Stratford Celtic band The Bookends.

“It's a great way to show up to the community,” Sophie Foster, fundraising and communications coordinator for DASO, said. “Learn more about this organization and just take part in and be a part of Ingamo or even just be a part of helping an organization that does such amazing things."

Ingamo Homes, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, is a non-profit transitional housing program that provides outreach, programming, and second-stage housing to women and children in Oxford County fleeing violence. The Amazing Race Challenge aims to raise $10,000, with each team fundraising $500.

Foster said that it costs $100,000 each year to keep Ingamo operational, and

the increasing cost of living and housing crisis are leading to more demand for the services. Funding for Ingamo has also not changed since the 1990s.

“With everything just climbing,” she said. “With the population climbing, the number on our waitlist just keeps getting higher and we constantly need to keep finding ways to fundraise and just keep connecting with the community to keep offering what we do."

Ingamo is an Inuit word that means “a place of friends.”

The organization supported more than 1,000 people over the years and has 22 townhouses reserved for its residents. Several testimonials from former residents on Ingamo Home’s website indicate a supportive environment and a strong sense of community.

“Ingamo's very much like that,” Foster said. “I've only worked there now for six months, and I feel that way as an employee. I know a lot of the women and families that have stayed there feel that way and it’s very community based. That's why I wanted to do an event like this where we can all come together and celebrate and have fun and connect, whether it be kids with their parents or co-workers or just friends in general. I just thought it was a great way to connect all those different groups."

Check-in for the Amazing Race Challenge starts at 9:30 a.m., with the race starting at 10:30 a.m. and the afterparty at 12:30 p.m. To donate or to register a team, visit https://tinyurl. com/Ingamoamazingracechallenge.

Woodstock Police briefs

Street-level drug trafficking investigation leads to charges.

On Sept. 17, members of the Community Response Unit were on foot patrol in the parking lot near the intersection of Wilson Street and Peel Street.

As officers approached a male they observed controlled substances in plain view. Police say he was placed under arrest and searched and approximately $2000 worth of Cocaine, Fentanyl, Hydromorphone and Morphine as well as $290 in Canadian currency were seized.

A 34-year-old of no fixed address from Woodstock has been charged with four counts of possession of controlled substances.

Robbery suspect arrested

A 38-year-old male is facing a robbery charge after walking into a Norwich Ave. variety store.

Police say the suspect entered the

store last Thursday evening and placed his right hand in his pocket. He told the clerk that he had a gun and demanded cigarettes and then fled on foot.

The suspect was located a short distance away and was placed under arrest. The cigarettes were recovered and nobody was injured. No firearm was located.

London man arrested while on stolen bike

An officer on patrol spotted a motorcycle with no license plate on Sept. 22 around 10 p.m. Police say the bike pulled into a business on Dundas Street where the officer conducted a traffic stop and ran the VIN. The motorcycle had been reported stolen and a 49-year-old London male was arrested for possession of stolen property.

He also faces six counts of operating a vehicle while prohibited, and several

other charges.

Joint traffic initiative leads to dozens of charges

On Sept. 10, the Woodstock Police Service welcomed traffic officers from the London, St. Thomas and Strathroy Police Services as they hosted the Four Counties Traffic Initiative.

It focused on problematic areas of the city that generate complaints about traffic speed, along with distracted drivers and vehicles with equipment issues.

In total 33 charges were laid including 25 for speeding, two improper mufflers and one count of careless driving. Two drivers were also found to be on the road with suspended licenses.

Police say they are committed to highway safety and thank the residents for their continued assistance in helping them identify traffic-related issues within the city.

Police chase leads to charges

A 19-year-old male is facing charges after fleeing from police in the area of Woodall Way and Devonshire Ave.

On Sept. 9 just after 3:00 p.m., police were conducting traffic enforcement in a school zone when their attention was drawn to a dirt bike without a rear licence plate. The rider then began to swerve on and off the gravel shoulder before accelerating away at a high rate of speed from an officer. Police say the bike travelled in the incoming lane of traffic for an extended period of time before attempting to escape in a corn field ditch. Following a brief chase a suspect was arrested.

A 19-year-old male from Creditville has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, flight from an officer, and driving an off-road vehicle without a license plate.

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Single-vehicle collision near Woodstock kills elderly Windsor man

Ontario Provincial Police were dispatched after getting a report of a collision in East Zorra-Tavistock.

The lone occupant of a passenger vehicle was taken to hospital and later pronounced deceased after a single-vehicle collision on Highway 59 in Oxford County.

On Sept. 24 around 1:30 p.m., members of the Oxford detachment of the

The driver, a 75-year-old resident of Windsor was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where they were pronounced deceased.

Highway 59 at Braemar Side Road and Strathallan Road was closed for several hours while police investigated.

Oxford Reads Gala to welcome author Emily Austin

EMILY STEWART

Echo Correspondent

After selecting Emily Austin’s Everyone in this Room will Someday be Dead as the 2024 Oxford Reads Book based on patron demand, the Oxford County Library and Woodstock Public Library will host a panel discussion with the author herself.

A Sept. 15 press release announced the Oxford Reads Gala will be held at Market Centre Theatre on 22 Reeve Street on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Host Sarah Acchione will talk to Austin about her books and the inspiration behind the stories and characters. Attendees will also have a chance to ask Austin questions.

“We're really excited to have Emily come and talk to us about her book and also about her other books,” said Ellen Rabie, community librarian of the Oxford County Library Ingersoll branch.

Austin is from St. Thomas and holds

her undergraduate degree in English Literature and Religious Studies from King’s University College and her master’s degree in library and information science from Western University. Her 2021 novel Everyone in this Room will Someday be Dead, is a comedic novel exploring 20-year-old Gilda’s obsession with death and her new and unexpected role as a church secretary.

Oxford Reads is an initiative run by Woodstock Public Library and Oxford County Library to encourage readers across the area to connect over Canadian literature. Rabie said the libraries gave patrons across Oxford County a chance to pick books for the Oxford Reads shortlist. Austin’s novel was overwhelmingly the top voted. It’s the first year the Oxford Reads book has one recommended by library patrons.

“We're really excited that the book that came directly out of our community is going to be our Oxford Reads this year,” she said.

Public information meeting

Oxford Road 35 (Devonshire Ave) reconstruction in Woodstock, 2025

Oxford County is beginning a four-year reconstruction project to improve Oxford Road 35 (Devonshire Avenue) in Woodstock.

Phase 1, beginning in spring 2025, includes construction between Vansittart Avenue and Wellington Street. This work is expected to finish in December 2025.

Future phases will include a different section of Devonshire Avenue each year, extending east to Oxford Road 4, except for the area between Lansdowne Avenue and Woodall Way, until the final phase of the project, expected to finish in 2028.

Public Information Centre

A Public Information Centre (PIC) is planned to allow the public to learn more about Phase 1 of the project, view plans, and discuss the project details with Oxford County staff.

Thursday, October 10, 2024 | Drop in: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Oxford County Administration Building, Main Lobby 21 Reeve Street, Woodstock

For information and updates follow Oxford County on social media or visit www.oxfordcounty.ca

STAFF

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

Woodstock Ingersoll Echo SPORTS

Carly Brintnell

REALTOR®

Cell: 519 - 635- 8640

Office: 519 - 539 - 2070

Email: carlybrintnell@royallepage.ca

Website: carlybrintnell.royallepage.ca 757 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON N4S 1E8

Barron corner three a great moment in what Red Devils hope is a good season

suming on the 24th with St. Mary’s at home to Aylmer East Elgin. Other Oxford County teams in action that day include Woodstock Huron Park at Tillsonburg Glendale, Woodstock College Avenue at St. Thomas St. Joe’s and Ingersoll DCI on the road to St. Thomas Central Elgin.

Full TVRAA South East girls basketball schedules, game results and standings are available through the ‘Fall Sports’ portal on the TVRA website at https://tvraa.com.

The senior Red Devils will continue their 2024 campaign looking to improve upon a bronze medal finish at the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletics Association (WOSSAA) A championships last year. Coming off a third-place finish at a pre-season tournament in Mitchell, coach Jason Poole said a victory in the high-energy United In Sport game helps set a positive tone.

“So much fun. I’m so glad the girls got to experience that.”

Woodstock CI Red Devils Peyton Barron’s corner three was a great moment in a 60-14 TVRA South East senior girls season-opener against the visiting Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors.

“Now we’re looking for a good season,” the shooting guard smiled.

The Warriors and Red Devils tipped off the 2024 TVRA South East athletic campaign on Sept. 19. The contest opened a WCI United In Sport triple-header also featuring junior and senior boys volleyball matches against the visiting Woodstock College Avenue Knights. The combination of a morning pep rally in WCI’s auditorium and a student option to ‘buy out’ of class and into the games resulted in a significant donation to United Way Oxford (around $2,500 last year) and a big-time, big-game atmosphere inside the ‘Devildome.’

The Red Devils fanned the flames with an impressive start, powering out to a 23-0 first-quarter lead built on a comparatively polished offence backed up by pressure defence. Barron’s triple came later in the onslaught, a brief risk-reward calculation evident before launching a longrange shot that found nothing but net, eliciting a massive response from partisan fans in the elevated ring above the court.

“It can be embarrassing if you don’t make it in front of everyone,” she admitted with a smile, but also exhilarating when it went through. “Everyone’s cheering and it’s a very good feeling.”

St. Mary’s point guard Leyah Anthony broke the shutout with a free throw, however WCI’s Kate Hooker’s fast-break layup at the buzzer punctuated a 25-1 first

quarter laying the foundation for WCI’s comfortable season-opening victory.

“It’s a good feeling when you can get a win under your belt,” said Barron. “It gets you off to a good start for the year.”

She finished with a half-dozen points, the Red Devils led by 12 from Bavlee Sajjan, displaying a scorer’s touch around the net. Claire Harmer also reached double digits with five field goals, Morgan Smith contributed seven points, Ava Bickell and Aurora House four apiece, Kaiden Martin and Avril Craven a field goal each, and Isabelle Clarke one free throw. Aliya Anthony and Leyah Anthony shared the scoring lead for St. Mary’s with five points apiece, with Tess-Anne Williams and Oriana Belonte adding a field goal each.

Although not favouring them on the scoreboard, the game represented a significant moral victory for the Warriors, back on the court following a 2023 hiatus.

“It was a good first try,” said Aliya Anthony. “A little nervous, but yeah, it was fun.”

Community coach Sandy Bruce (supported by staff member Emily Ruxton and assistant Davied Anthony) was impressed by how hard his squad played for a full 32 minutes. Amongst the positive ‘moments’ was Aliya Anthony’s hustle back on defence, leaping to deny a lead pass with two minutes left in a game whose outcome had long since been decided.

“They didn’t give up,” said Bruce, pleased to get a Warriors team back on the floor. “It’s getting out and building on each game, getting better each game.”

“Good for them for doing that,” credited WCI coach Chris Coyle. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

The TVRA South East girls’ regular season basketball schedule runs mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, re -

The Red Devils coaching staff has been impressed with the regular attendance of 16 senior girls at 6:45 a.m. morning practices. Although only able to dress 15 for games, they were able to work on different combinations and a full range of offensive and defensive sets - full and halfcourt pressure, person-to-person, and 1-3-1 zone defence - throughout the lineup, Coyle pronouncing himself ‘very happy’ with how all players had played.

“One hundred per cent a great way to start,” Poole agreed in conclusion.

JEFF TRIBE

Echo Contributor

The 2024 TVRA South East athletic season tipped off Sept. 19 in Woodstock CI’s ‘Devildome’ in front of a packed United In Sport house. (JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

WCI’s Ava Thistlewaite moves the ball against pressure from St. Mary’s Tess-Anne Williams, with Warriors’ coach Sandy Bruce in the background. (JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Setter and coach survive collision better than WCI ‘Devildome’ chair

school, was scheduled to begin in earnest the following Tuesday (September 24) with CASS hosting St. Thomas St. Joe’s, Woodstock St. Mary’s travelling to Aylmer East Elgin, Ingersoll DCI welcoming St. Thomas Central Elgin, Woodstock Huron Park hosting Tillsonburg Glendale, and WCI visiting E.S. Notre Dame.

Full TVRAA South East senior and junior boys’ volleyball schedules, game results and standings are available through the ‘Fall Sports’ portal on the TVRA website at https://tvraa.com.

An energetic, enthusiastic and extremely partisan crowd ringing the mezzanine above WCI’s gym’s wooden floor was treated to an equally energetic and entertaining match.

“Even though it was against us, it was a nice environment to be in,” said Schonewille.

The season’s opening match featured the powerful - and as often as not, accurate - serves and hits of two senior boys’ high school teams, along with a more sophisticated attack than one might expect this early in the schedule. Both setters utilized all three frontcourt attacking positions, mixing front, back and short sets, rather than simply relying on their power hitters.

Fortunately, Carter Schonewille and Colin Maltby were just fine.

But in the confluence of the College Avenue (CASS) senior boys volleyball Knights’ setter’s aggressive pursuit of a loose ball and a seated Woodstock CI (WCI) Red Devils coach, the latter’s chair ended up on the ‘DL’ (disabled list).

“The chair is usable but not safe,” coach Maltby confirmed, its back, right leg bent well out of position during a collision which happily, featured no human casualties.

“I was just trying to get to the ball,” explained Schonewille, who circled the net anchor pole to his right, heading out of bounds into WCI territory in a desperate attempt to bump a teammate’s errant pass back into play.

Although ultimately unsuccessful, CASS head coach Joanna Zubick applauded his hustle and desire.

“I always tell them no ball hits the floor without effort,” she smiled. “He was putting in the effort.”

Minor equipment malfunctions aside, the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) South East senior boys volleyball season hit the court running Sept. 20 at WCI. The senior Knights and Red Devils were the middle feature in WCI’s

triple-threat United In Sport 2024, an initiative which in 2023, raised around $2,500 for United Way Oxford through student ‘buyouts.’

Opening with an old-school pep rally in host WCI’s new auditorium, the se -

nior and junior volleyball Red Devils, respectively, served up a senior-junior double-header beginning at noon.

The regular TVRA South East volleyball season, predominantly running Tuesdays and Thursdays after

CASS took an early lead based on a strong Sam Abidoye jump serving run, but WCI answered with Zack Molinaro stringing together a response in kind. The Red Devils carried the advantage through to a tight 25-22 game-one win, sweeping a match victory via scores of 25-19 and 25-22. Following these ‘official’ results, two additional exhibition tilts rounded a five-game set, allowing both coaches to freely substitute and focus on individual and team development along with the outcome.

“An amazing start,” said WCI’s Jaxon Manning. “It was good with the school spirit.”

Manning felt the Red Devils’ ‘hitting and serving and talking’ had been good, but the team could use some work on receiving hard-hit balls, crediting the Knights for being effective from beyond the back line.

“Their serving was powerful. They closed out the game when they needed to close it out,” added coach Maltby.

And while he looks forward to improvements in communication, chemistry, teamwork and limiting opposition ‘runs’ as the season progresses, he was pleased with his squad’s first outing.

“Pretty proud of them, they got the job done.”

Although preferring a different outcome, Knights’ coach Zubick could also live with her team getting off to a good start.

“Not bad volleyball… not the best we’ve played,” she summed up. “Lots to work on for the rest of the season. We’re just going to keep putting in the work and try and get better,” Schonewille agreed in conclusion.

The TVRA South East boys’ volleyball schedule started Sept. 19 at Woodstock CI, with the homecourt Red Devils hosting the Woodstock College Avenue Knights in a senior-junior double-header.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

JEFF TRIBE

Echo Contributor

CASS’s Drake Vleuten (right) attempts to block a Jaxon Manning kill. (JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

LEE GRIFFI Editor

Davin Gray may have reached a milestone over the weekend but Woodstock went from a perfect 2 and 0 record to the .500 mark.

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Gray scored his 50th goal in New Hamburg on Friday night but the Navy Vets dropped a 5-3 decision in New Hamburg. The Ingersoll native has 50 goals and 95 assists in 108 games during his Woodstock career. Lucas Balanca and Brady Carne also scored the Woodstock who were outshot 66 to 38 by the Firebirds who raised their

South Doherty championship banner before the game.

The Navy Vets dropped a 5-2 decision in Paris on Saturday. Balanca and Chris Coulter found the back of the net in a losing effort.

Trojans drop first game of the season Thamesford’s perfect 2 and 0 record went by the wayside after a 3-2 homeice loss to Petrolia on Friday night. Carter Musselman led the Trojans attack with a goal and an assist. Calvin Hanford also scored while Redbanks was sharp in goal stopping 37 of the 40 shots he faced.

Woodstock captain Davin Gray scored his 50th career goal in New Hamburg Friday in a losing effort. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Getting back to our roots in nature

Benoit Paquette unlocked the door and welcomed us into the tiny house that was to be our home for the next two days. Paquette and his partner, Paule Rochette, are the deeply dedicated and passionate owners and operators of Hébergement aux Cinq Sens near the quaint village of Piopolis in Québec’s Eastern Townships.

The tiny house was charming with a couple of possible quibbles. The bed was in a low-ceilinged loft, which demanded care when rising, and the indoor bathroom would not accommodate anything but urination. Any other “function” was to be carried out in an outhouse, located a short walk away through the forest.

“What had we gotten ourselves into?” I wondered.

It turned out we had gotten ourselves into something wonderful, a unique experience in which the minor inconveniences were vastly outweighed by the delights, discoveries and warm hospitality of-

fered by Rochette and Paquette.

Hébergement aux Cinq Sens (literally translates to Accommodations at the Five Senses) is a member of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and its provincial equivalent in Québec. Rochette is from of the Huron-Wendat First Nation; Paquette also has Indigenous ancestry.

Paquette is also a trained biologist and a terrific storyteller. So, guests at Hébergement have the opportunity to walk with Paquette through the forest on this 20-acre site, where you discover the intricate interconnections of woodland life, and also learn Native Canadian wisdom arising from an intimate connection with nature.

As Paquette says, “What you love, it’s easy to protect.” The love Paquette and Rochette have for nature, for their Indigenous culture and for their unique project is evident in everything they do at their Hébergement.

Let’s be clear, this is not luxury living. Hébergement aux Cinq Sens is deliberately designed to encourage guests to think about the increasingly pressing need to care for our natural world.

For example, the tiny houses have kitchens, but they don’t have running water. There is a supply of drinking water and water for washing, but when you recognize that the small container on the counter is what is available, you instantly become aware of conservation and sustainability. The same message is clear when you walk the forest path to use the environmentally friendly hot, outdoor shower.

Paquette and Rochette certainly walk their talk. Paquette has built a

completely sustainable greenhouse that functions year-round. They can harvest fresh greens, for instance, in the dead of winter. And in the warmer months, they can enjoy the abundance of produce from the greenhouse and from their gardens, where they grow the three sisters of Indigenous lore – corn, beans and squash.

The couple have been operating Hébergement aux Cinq Sens for 16 years and continue to enhance the property. The tiny house we occupied is brand new, one of four in total, along with a cottage, four yurts and four campsites.

The limited number of accommodations means every guest can participate in small and one-to-one experiences like forest walks, tepee talks and star-gazing.

Our stay coincided with the first nights of the Perseids meteor shower. Paquette invited his guests to bring lawn chairs and sweaters, and sit in the meadow by the main house to watch the wonders in the sky. Hébergement aux Cinq Sens is in the midst of the Mont-Megantic Dark Sky Reserve. There is very little light pollution, so the starfilled sky is an astonishing revelation to anyone used to seeing just a few faint points of light above some urban area.

As we scanned the stars and watched dozens of meteors streak across the sky, Paquette offered a seminar on astronomy, weaving in Indigenous stories about the constellations. It was a fascinating evening. Paquette and Rochette are completely bilingual, so Paquette will do his talks in French, English or a combination of both, depending on the audience.

A key message in Benoit’s stories is that we are far too accustomed to consider nature as something separate from ourselves. Not so, he insists.

“Nature and us, we are one. We are part of the threading.”

“We have to tend to health, and health is nature. We have to get back into balance.”

He discounts the popular “survival of the fittest” concept. Instead, as we sit in the midst of the forest, he tells story after story about how the plants of the forest support and even learn from each other.

“It’s more about survival of the most cooperative,” he says. “Cooperation is the way of going through change.”

He lovingly strokes the bark of the oldest tree in their forest.

“This grandfather tree is 100 years old. It’s a library of informa-

tion” about survival and cooperation. And he draws an immediate parallel with Native Canadian culture.

“That’s why the elders in the native community are so important. They're the library of information.”

Paquette and Rochette are committed to offering a unique experience to their guests – a highly entertaining and inspiring visit, a bit challenging at times, that can be lifechanging in terms of your personal understanding of our role in the environment. They have set themselves a daunting task and they are succeeding, smiling all the way.

Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.

PAUL KNOWLES Echo Contributor

Benoit Paquette weaving together stories based in the science of biology, and Native Canadian knowledge.

Our tiny house at Hébergement aux Cinq Sens.

Paule Rochette and the part of the garden where the "three sisters" grow.

Benoit Paquette playing a unique flute during a fireside event in the tepee.

(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)

Zorra Township News

Thamesford District Recreation Centre in good shape

CONNOR LUCZKA

Echo Correspondent

A recent staff report on the Thamesford District Recreation Centre (TDRC) indicates there is still some life in the aging building and there is no urgency to revitalize it.

“I just wish the reports we get on our roads, culverts and bridges (are) going to have similar results, but I don’t think they will,” Coun. Paul Mitchell joked when the report was presented to council at its Sept. 18 meeting. “It speaks well to the work that staff has done over the years and the work that councils have done to free up the funds to keep a building that's over 50 years old in pretty good shape.”

According to the report on the TDRC, over the last few years, there has been considerable discussion on its long-term viability. It was originally constructed in 1975 and renovated in the early 2000s. It is structurally sound but the building is ageing. It will be necessary for council and staff to have a plan ready to address a capital project, when necessary.

Staff estimates that the replacement or major renovation of the TDRC will be more than $20 million, the largest capital project in Zorra’s history.

In a 135-page report, staff reviewed all structural and mechanical components of the building and provided a life expectancy for each item. Most of the components were scored as good or excellent, like the

wall foundations and roof.

The lowest-scoring components were still deemed fair, such as the plumbing fixtures, industrial doors, and the ice rink pumps and condensers.

Staff recommended starting allocating funds in 2028 for the TDRC Revitalization Project after debenture payments for past capital projects are half of what they are now, but Mitchell suggested setting money aside in five years rather than three, to start putting funds towards recommendations from the asset management plan.

According to the report, the first stage in the TDRC project’s planning process should be determining whether a new or expanded facility could be located on the existing property at 85 Middleton Street, which is about 14.6 acres. The next stage should be figuring out what park and amenity requirements could be accommodated on the site once the arena location has been determined.

Township in good hands according to auditor

Mayor Marcus Ryan said that more Zorra Township residents should note that if they would like to see where their actual tax money goes, they can.

“Residents can certainly feel free to disagree with the decisions council makes, but they can actually see where all the dollars go and they know this is where they went,”

Mayor Marcus Ryan said, after Christine Scrimgeour, the township’s auditor, gave a

presentation on her audit on Zorra’s 2023 financial year.

“I think a lot of residents don't realize that. Once a year we report to them on where it all went and what the current financial situation of the municipality is compared to the previous years. And I think that's a good thing.”

Overall revenue was up by nearly $1 million based on what was budgeted, at over $14.3 million. According to Scrimgeour that is due to an increase in interest rates and user charges like building permits.

Expenditures are up $2 million from what was budgeted - over $12.2 million was spent and $10.6 million was projected. Scrimgeour explained the township’s actual amount includes amortization of about $1.7 million and the budgeted amount does not, meaning what was budgeted and what is actual is “almost bang on.”

Scrimgeour also pointed out that 2023 has two significant capital projects on the books, the new municipal building completed in 2023 and the public works building that was completed in 2022 but was debentured.

Additionally, a new accounting standard for asset retirement obligations is now part of the financial statements. It projects the future costs of assets that need rehab, like buildings with asbestos.

The major asset impacting that line item in Zorra is the cost to decommission the Robinson Gravel Pit once all the gravel is extracted from it. In 2023, asset retirement

obligations are listed at just over $1.4 million.

Financial assets for 2023 are $17.9 million while liabilities are $19.3 million, leaving a balance of -$1.4 million.

“Last year was a positive number. This year it's a negative number,” Scrimgeour said. “But please remember that this is the first year of all that new debt. I'm not concerned that that number has gone into a negative position, because it's really just a point in time. It's the end of this really busy year of 2023 when so much was going on.

“This has been a significant year of a lot of activity, as you can imagine, paying bills on two fairly significant projects, keeping that all straight and just the regular dayto-day activity and some change in staff,” Scrimgeour went on to say, after presenting to council. “And so, I will comment that I think you've got great staff going forward, so I think you're in good hands.”

New integrity commissioner appointed

After deliberating in an in-camera session for nearly 20 minutes, council returned to an open meeting to make one last motion before adjourning.

Unanimously, aside from Coun. Crystal Finch who was absent, council directed staff to provide 30 days notice to Robert J. Swayze, the township’s integrity commissioner and closed meeting investigator, advising him that his services are no longer needed.

Staff were directed to appoint John Mascarin of Aird Berlis LLP.

Thamesford performer lands role at London’s Grand Theatre

CONNOR LUCZKA

Echo Correspondent

The last time the Echo checked in with Thamesford’s Lyla Couch she was performing in Anne of Green Gables at Stratford’s Kiwanis Music Festival and singing the Canadian national anthem at Thamesford Trojans home games.

The now eight-year-old has landed a role at London’s Grand Theatre in a performance of The Sound of Music.

“Lyly’s best friend’s mom told my wife about the auditions for (the play) and we thought it would be great for her. We went to the auditions and then she got a callback and was cast. Rehearsals start in October and the show runs from Nov. 22 to Dec. 29,” said Lyla’s father, Dave.

The theatre double-casts child performers and Lyla will be doing about four or five performances each week including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

“We have a lot of family coming into different shows so we will be very busy over the winter,” he added.

Lyla will be playing the role of Mar-

ta, the second youngest child in the von Trapp family and daughter of the Captain. She’s looking forward to being on a bigger stage.

“I don’t get stage fright. I just get some butterflies but they go away in about five minutes. I’m up there having fun,” she explained.

“I’m looking forward to it. The props, the costumes, the singing and the dancing, being a part of it is really special to me. I will put as much work into it as I can to make it perfect,” she added.

Lyla spent her summer at the Embro’s Dramarama-Thistle Theatre and is again signing the national anthem for the Trojans.

“Last weekend we were in Georgetown for the Terry Fox Run she sang the national anthem as well for that fundraiser,” said Dave.

Lyla took part in the Canadian Model and Talent Convention (CMTC) in Toronto last year and did have several callbacks from the various competitions.

“Six or seven agents wanted to sign her but one was in Los Angeles and one

in Milan and they were talking about international visas so we said no. We went with one in Toronto and Lyla has been doing a lot of self-tapes and auditions for commercials along with some small

roles,” said Dave.

He admitted it can be a challenge to find the right balance between his daughter’s career, school and just being a kid but they are managing.

“Especially for the theatre with all the rehearsals and she will be performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stratford’s Kiwanis Music Festival once this one is over. I know with the current one there will be some daytime matinees during school and even when she isn’t on stage, she has to be in the area in case the other Marta is sick or can’t go for whatever reason.”

He added the family tries hard to keep a good balance for both parents and Lyla.

“After we are done here, we have to do her spelling prep test for Friday, normal chores, she is on a swim team, soccer team and does gymnastics on Saturdays.”

For more information on The Sound of Music at London’s Grand Theatre, visit https://www.grandtheatre.com/event/ sound-of-music#cast.

Thamesford’s Lyla Couch will play the role of Marta at the Grand Theatre’s performance of The Sound of Music (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

SCOTT GILLIES Contributor

Route to the Past – Sons of England

Over the years there have been and continue to be various organizations in Oxford County and across Canada which were established for the betterment of young men. Freemasons and the Knights of Columbus were two such groups; Oddfellows and Foresters were others. Some organizations were formed along ethnic lines, such as the Caledonia Society for all the lovers of the heather. But there was yet another institution which at one time boasted a sizeable membership in Ingersoll. They were the Sons of England.

Founded in Toronto in 1874 by a native of Nottingham, the Sons of England was a charitable organization founded on the principle that a member could subscribe to a mutual insurance fund which could provide him with sick or death benefits. Within two decades membership had blossomed to more than 13,000 members in 223 chapters across the country. Locally, the group in Ingersoll was known as Imperial Lodge Number 176.

Modeled after Freemasonry and the principles of relief and charity, SOE members paid weekly dues to the local chapter so that medical attention, unemployment insurance, disability benefits and even funeral expenses could be covered in the event that any ‘son of the Jack’ or his family were in dire straits. There was an incident locally which demonstrated this act of final kindness. When a mangled male body was discovered on the train tracks outside of Thamesford, the only identifiable object recovered was an English pocket watch. Not knowing the name of the man, the Ingersoll Sons of England stepped forward and assumed the expenses of the funeral, based solely on the provenance of that watch.

So, why form such a Sons of England society in Ingersoll? The answer seems to be one of economics.

Before the turn of the 20th century, Ingersoll was a world-known locality. Since the late 1860s, cheese from Oxford County had been exported to England by Ingersoll-based businessmen. The success of that commodity prompted other entrepreneurs to export apples, turkeys and pork to Britain. These producers needed support industries which in turn required a growing workforce. As

a result, young men immigrated to Canada and found work in the foundries, factories and machine shops of Ingersoll. Skilled tradesmen like machinists Thomas and his son James Coombes found ready work at the Noxon Brothers Manufacturing Company, or the John Morrow Screw & Nut Company, and later the Ingersoll Machine & Tool Company which was owned and operated by fellow Brit E.A. Wilson.

Others from England with diverse skills and work experience also moved to Ingersoll; some were cobblers and clerks, while others were drovers or plumbers. Many came alone, but some were able to bring their wives, mothers and families too.

Not only did the Sons of England contribute to the local work force, but they were also active in community affairs. For instance, in 1902, the Hamilton branch of the SOE decided to make an excursion to Ingersoll for the Civic Holiday weekend. That idea grew to include other chapters of the Society travelling by train to Ingersoll. As the planning continued, the event became an Old Boys Reunion, with former citizens of Ingersoll coming from all over to attend. Newspapers reported that between 5-6,000 people participated in the Sons of England gathering that weekend.

When war was declared in 1914, some of these young residents of Ingersoll hurried home to fight for their King. Some chose to stay in Canada and support the war effort from the factory floor. As the war years dragged on, the need for reinforcements on the front lines steadily grew. In 1916, the Canadian government sought the formation of the 168th Battalion, Oxford’s Own. Heading up the recruitment in Oxford County was lawyer Thomas Gibson, a second-generation son of England; his father Joseph had immigrated to Canada in the mid 19th century and for many years had been Ingersoll’s postmaster.

The 168th drew from across Oxford County, and not surprisingly men born in England were part of those who enlisted. A group of them, all members of the Ingersoll based “B” Company, posed for a photograph before shipping out to England in October of 1916.

Notably, several of them were also members of another army -- the Salvation Army. Those local men who signed on to support the King and their adopted country included Leonard Diggs, Thomas John Rowland and kid brother Ernest, along with their future brother-in-law Sid Underwood, and fathers like Ernest Wolstenholme and his sons Thomas and Frank.

Other “Sons” included Ernest Newman,

and his brother Walter who died at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917, and Tom Cussons who was killed in action the same day. Later in 1917, Alfred Jeavons died in the battle for Hill 70 while Arthur Redfearn gave the ultimate sacrifice just months before the war ended.

In 1927, members of Imperial Lodge No. 176 joined their brethren across the nation in erecting war memorials. In the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery, a large stone cairn was constructed near the front entrance bearing the names of their comrades in arms who had fallen: Arthur Alway, Percy Barton, Albert Hardwick, Arthur Jeavons, Douglas Lucas, Ernest Martin, Henry Mason, Henry Shipton, Arthur Redfearn, Harry Ryder and Harry J. Wright.

In its hay day, the Sons of England was international in scope, but by the 1960s it seems that the local lodges everywhere were beginning to dwindle. The members of Imperial Lodge were in final negotiation with the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery to sell back the few remaining plots purchased by the Society earlier in the century. The last Sons of England Benefit Society in Canada closed its doors in 1971.

Route2thepast@gmail.com

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

(SCOTT GILLIES PHOTO)

Woodstock Terry Fox Run another success

The 44th annual Terry Fox Run was held on Sunday, Sept. 15. Woodstock continued its tradition as one of the communities hosting a local run every year since Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980. Over the years, Woodstock and the surrounding area have contributed more than $900,000 to the Terry Fox

Foundation for cancer research.

The Terry Fox Run in Woodstock remains a family-oriented event, with participants of all ages taking part. While some choose to run the course, others are encouraged to participate at their own pace, whether by walking, cycling, or rollerblading.

Community Health Centre celebrates four years of help

Community members gathered at Museum Square in Woodstock recently to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Oxford County Community Health Centre’s (OCCHC) Mobile Health Outreach Bus (MHOB).

The MHOB has been instrumental in providing essential services to individ -

uals experiencing homelessness, precarious housing situations, and those who feel unsafe seeking traditional healthcare. The event featured a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness about the program and its impact on the community.

During the celebration, attendees learned about the resources offered by

the MHOB, which include community referrals, assistance with paperwork, and advocacy services. The outreach bus also distributes vital tangible items, such as snacks, sleeping bags, hygiene supplies, and winter wear like hats and mitts. In addition to these support services, the MHOB provides basic primary care, ad -

dressing acute medical conditions, wound care, and the ability to prescribe medications and order tests. The event highlighted the significant role the MHOB has played over the past four years in bridging gaps in healthcare access and supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Christina Nielsen, Youth Engagement Lead for Brightside Youth Hub, presented its programs. Brightside provides mental health and wellness services for Oxford County youth.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Showcasing the Mobile Health Outreach Bus were Tammy Fay, Katelyn St. Pierre, Shelby Jackman, Val Carrillo and Amanda Cook, Lead of the Bus.

(RON YUZARK PHOTOS)

Participants gathered at the starting line and were ready to run.

Registering runners were volunteers Brian and Joyce Jackson, Carole Wilson and Steve Iorio.

SHOPPING

Oxford Reads Gala to welcome author Emily Austin

Leading up to the Oxford Reads Gala, Oxford County Library will host additional activities and events that explore the novel’s themes, such as a paint night, a sold-out murder mystery night, book club meetings, a “Living Well, Dying Prepared” talk run by a death doula, and crafty nights. The first of three craft nights across the county was held at the Evergreen Coffee Lounge in Ingersoll on Sept. 17, where participants made a terrarium inspired by the book.

“One of the locations in the book is a church with a graveyard,” Rabie said. “We're doing a fun Oxford Craft of the little terrarium that's a cemetery. A cemeterarium if you will. That ties in really well."

Rabie wants as many people as possible to read Everyone in this Room will Someday be Dead and attend the subsequent Oxford Read events to connect

with their community.

“This is really community driven,” she said. “It's a great way for our community members to get to meet each other, get to attend a free event that brings in someone really interesting and it really helps create community conversation and connection."

Anyone who registers for a free ticket before September 29 at midnight will have a chance to win one of five copies of Austin’s next novel, We Could Be Rats, to be released in January 2025. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ocl-events to find out more about related programming at Oxford County Library, and https://tinyurl.com/woodstocklibraryevents for Woodstock Public Library events.

More information about Oxford Reads can be found by visiting https:// www.oxfordreads.ca.

in Opportunities for Youth.

Imagine a child struggling with reading, feeling like they can’t keep up with their classmates. By the end of grade 3, 74% of struggling readers won’t ever catch up to their peers and are 4x more likely to drop out of high school.

United Way Oxford believes in the incredible power we have, UNITED as a community, to make a difference in the lives of children right here in Oxford County. As one of our identified investment areas, United Way invests heavily in programs and support for families and their children. These programs ensure children have access to nutritious meals, provide safe after-school activities, promote mental health and well-being and strive for a better academic future for our youth. These initiatives create a safety net for our community’s most vulnerable, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive.

Through funded partners such as Strong Start, United Way provides crucial educational support to help meet this need. Dedicated volunteers, like Ron at Innerkip Central School, offer free, interactive, 1:1 tutoring, that not only improves academic performance but also boosts self-confidence. This kind of support can change the trajectory of a child’s academic journey and their belief in themselves.

“Seeing the light come on for the kids is so rewarding. The one-toone time every week is sometimes the one adult that can help make a difference for these kids. It shows them that we care and want to help them succeed, which helps build their confidence in the classroom. Once they’re more confident in their reading ability, it helps them feel like they are more a part of the classroom - like they can read like everyone else - and they become more likely to participate in those group discussions.” Ron Bailey, Strong Start Volunteer

Challenges facing our children can feel overwhelming, but we know that providing programs in our community is working to help fill the gaps and meet kids and families where they are at. We are changing kids’ lives every single day, which positively impacts them and their families right now, and also throughout their lives. We need your support to ensure these programs are available when children need them. Please consider a donation today. Together, let’s build a brighter future for the children of Oxford County.

United Way Oxford works with 11 community partners and supports 41 local programs in Oxford County.

2,389 local children and youth received support through a United Way-funded program.

101 kids received free 1:1 literacy tutoring from a caring, trained volunteer.

480 nutritious meals were cooked for and served by youth.

23 youth and their families received mental health support in a crisis.

2,136,267 nutritious snacks were provided to students at 38 schools across Oxford County.

982 youth accessed affordable sports, arts, and recreational programs at the Fusion Youth Centre.

Burgeoning forest in Burgess Park evidence of community getting projects done

CONNOR LUCZKA Echo Correspondent

While it was officially the first day of autumn, luckily the summer weather stuck around for the 2024 Woodstock TD Tree Days planting.

On Sept. 22, volunteers from local TD Bank branches, members of the public, and representatives from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) came together under a near-cloudless sky at Burgess Park in Woodstock to plant over 130 trees.

TD Tree Days is the flagship volunteer and urban greening program of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, aiming to provide those involved the opportunity to help build healthy communities by planting trees and shrubs in urban and rural green spaces.

Brad Hertner, community partnership coordinator at UTRCA, explained the conservation authority finds suitable places for planting trees, plans individual projects, and orders the trees. Through TD, volunteers do the leg work and see the projects completed.

He thinks this is their third year at the Burgess Park in Woodstock location, just off the cul-de-sac at Tamarack Boulevard, but the UTRCA

has been working to reforest portions of the property for about 10 years.

“It's been a real mix of corporate volunteers, students on field trips, community events that have resulted in tens of thousands of trees planted with thousands of volunteers,”

Hertner said. “So, these kinds of partnership events are the only way these large-scale projects like this get finished.

“It’s nice when they can come out to public places like this too,” Hertner went on to say about the volunteers.

“Trees are great in the ground anywhere, but it's nice where they can come back and visit with their family and see the forest that they started to mature over the years.”

That lifelong connection to nature is familiar to Hertner. He started with the UTRCA about 20 years ago and started working in the area around Burgess Park 15 years ago, turning old agricultural fields back into forest, planting pollinator gardens, fostering trail systems throughout the parkland, and planting wetlands and doing other erosion control projects – there’s even a snake hibernaculum (an underground chamber where snakes can spend the winter) close by to Sunday’s tree planting site.

“This site offers so much evidence of restoration efforts and evidence of a whole bunch of different types of successful partnerships,” Hertner said. “Youth, adult service clubs, all types of groups have helped out here and when we can do that, when we get that much community buy-in, then the place becomes not just a special place, but a special place that's loved because people have put their hard work.”

In the watershed, the UTRCA has supported TD with five TD Tree Days plantings: one in Woodstock, Mitchell, St. Marys, and two with Oneida of the Thames and Chippewa of the Thames First Nations.

At the Burgess Park planting they had planned to plant 130 trees, though Hertner said there were about 170 trees in the trailer they brought. Not all of them would be planted on that Sunday but they will all find a home somewhere in the watershed.

According to representatives from TD, this year the bank worked with 75 organizations across the nation to plant 30,000 trees and shrubs – adding to the more than 520,000 trees and shrubs that volunteers have planted since the first TD Tree Days since 2010.

Jason Baird and Chris Pettie plant trees and shrubs at Burgess Park in Woodstock, just off the cul-de-sac at Tamarack Boulevard, for the 2024 Woodstock TD Tree Days on Sept. 22. It was one of many plantings that took place across the nation, which planted 30,000 trees and shrubs in total.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

Remember

220TH ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, September 29th; 10:30 a.m.

West Oxford United Church, 354395 Church Line, off Karn Road

Service to be led by Rev. Janine Lunn with guest speaker, Rev. David VanPatter, a former minister and special music by Ian Masson.Following the service join us for light refreshments and view our historical displays and take a stroll through the pioneer cemetery. West Oxford Church is considered to be the Mother Church of Methodism in Oxford County.

WCI 70S CELEBRATION

Sunday, October 20; 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Woodstock Navy Club, 959 James St, Woodstock, ON

Celebrate the 1970s with us! (all invited- 70s school attendees, friends etc). Come out, see old friends, music, dancing, snacks, cash bar. Tickets available at https://wci1970s.eventbrite.com/$25 a person. Put on your red and white, revive the “Kinniney” and come to dance and reminisce with all of us! We are looking forward to this event and we want to see YOU there!

OLDE FASHIONED BAZAAR

Saturday, October 19; 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Chalmers United Church, Kintore

Local Vendors, Bake Table, Home-made Crafts, Tea Room and More. We are Accessible

SIR FREDERICK BANTING: THE MAN YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW

Virtual Meeting -

Monday, November 18; 7:00 p.m.

Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors

Historians and scientists have deemed the discovery of insulin to be “the most significant event in the history of Canadian medical science”. Historians and authors have well documented the difference Sir Frederick Banting made with his involvement in the discovery of insulin. What has not been as effectively communicated are his many other contributions throughout the course of his lifetime. There was far more to this distinguished Canadian’s career than the often-simplified events of the insulin period. Banting’s interest in art, his military service in both world wars, and support for medical research in Canada will be discussed. Visit our website at https://oxford.ogs.on.ca to register for this free presentation on Zoom.

THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF OXFORD COUNTY

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

LIVING WITH LOSS:

A SIX-WEEK GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

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

A safe and supportive space to explore your grief, with the guidance of trained facilitators. Please contact for upcoming dates. No cost to attend. To register or for more information call or text 519536-3370.

www.caringheartssupportnetwork.com.

One-on-one grief support is also available.

REPAIR CAFÉ

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

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

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

COMING EVENTS

GRIEF SUPPORT FOR MAID RELATED LOSS

4th Wednesday of the month; 1 - 2:30 p.m. Thamesford Library, 165 Dundas St., Thamesford

A monthly in-person adult grief support group for loss related to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is being offered starting this fall, offering a compassionate, safe space to explore this unique loss with other individuals who have had a similar experience. The group is free of charge and preregistration is requested. The next group meeting will be Wednesday, October 23rd. To register or inquire about an evening group, contact Faye Brekelmans at 519-866-3016 or email faye@ compassionategriefsupport.ca.

ARE YOU IN A JAM?

Ingersoll's Country Music Jamboree Club is celebrating 40 years. New members wanted. Qualifications - love 50-70's country music. Listen, dance, enjoy! October 4th, October 18th, then every other Friday afternoon from 1-4p.m. Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St S, Ingersoll. The club welcomes walk-ins at the door.

MESSY CHURCH

Friday, October 4; 5:30 p.m.

The Salvation Army, 769 Juliana Dr., Woodstock

Messy Church is a family event and includes a FREE family meal, music and lots of fun family activities on the first Friday of each month. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Find us on Facebook at The Salvation Army Woodstock for event details and RSVP or call us for more information 519539-9345.

ALLISON LUPTON CONCERT

Saturday, October 5; 1:30 p.m.

Old St Paul's Church, 723 Dundas St., Woodstock

Followed by refreshments. Tickets $30.00 for adults and kids 12 under are FREE. Tickets available at The Hallmark Shoppe (exact change only, please), by calling 519-537-3912 or online at oldstpauls.com

WOODSTOCK MOOSE LODGE EVENTS: 690 Sutherland Drive, Woodstock

BIRTHDAY BASH

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

RANDY THOMAS

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

$7.00 per person

MIKE THORPE

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

$7.00 per person

TERRY EMPEY

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

$7.00 per person

HALLOWEEN BASH GORD BELL

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

HURON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH EVENTS: 434852 Zorra Line, Beachville

FREE MOVIE NIGHT

Sunday, September 29; 6:00 p.m.

Story of RUTH

THANKSGIVING

Sunday, October 13; 10:30 a.m. + a visit from supported worker – Miriam Tyers

TEEN CHALLENGE CHOIR

Sunday, October 20; 10:30 a.m.

YOUNG AT HEART (SENIOR) LUNCH

Thursday, October 24; Noon Call the church for more information 519-4214722

CREATION MINISTRIES PRESENTATION

Sunday, October 27; 10:30 a.m.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION EVENTS: 642 Dundas Street, Woodstock

EXECUTIVE MEETING

October 1; 7:00 p.m.

BRANCH GENERAL MEETING October 8; 7:30 p.m.

SHUFFLEBOARD

Every Thursday; 1:30 p.m.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

Every Saturday; 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. CADETS

Every Monday

DART LEAGUE

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays starting in October

SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL DINNER WITH GARLIC BREAD

October 25; 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Pre-Order no later than October 18th $15.00 per person.

MEAT DRAW

October 12; 3:00 p.m.

BEACHVILLE LEGION EVENTS: 434852 Zorra Line, Beachville

GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN DINNER

October 11; 5:30 p.m. Call 519-423-6363 to order

EUCHRE - Thursdays; 7 p.m.

DARTS - Fridays; 8 p.m. FREE POOL

What has hands but cannot write or clap? A clock.

What has stripes and goes through the air? A basketball.

What gets wetter the more it dries? A towel.

What has a neck but no head and arms but no hands? A shirt.

I'm taller when I'm young, and shorter when I'm old. What am I? A candle.

What is always right in front of you, yet you cannot see it? The future.

What has a tongue but cannot talk? A shoe.

What has legs but cannot walk? A chair.

What word begins and ends with the E but only has one letter? Envelope.

What's full of holes but still holds water? A sponge.

What breaks as soon as you say its name? Silence.

Search Featured Pet MILO

My name's Milo. I'm blessed with amazing parents and adore my new baby brother, Nash. Spring is my favorite season; there's nothing like the joy of muddy adventures, leaving paw prints all over the house. I thrive on running, playing fetch, and outings, with Home Depot being a personal favorite.

SUDOKU

Specializing in Custom Kitchens, Baths, Mantels, Bars, Entertainment Centers

Mike Foster • 519-655-2874

www.selectivecustomcabinets.com e-mail: selective@sympatico.ca 380 Woodstock St. S. Unit 8, Tavistock

QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Lufthansa

2. Jon Hamm

3. Maid of the Mist, Niagara City Cruises

4. Brad’s Drink

5. Thomas Jefferson

6. Tendons

7. Geologist

8. Herbivores

9. 4.83%

10. James T. Kirk

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

LARGE FABRIC SALE

Join us in lovely Lakeside at the Church Hall, 256554 Sunova Cres Sat, Sept 28, 104pm. All proceeds of this quilter’s estate go to charity. Batik $7/y, cotton $5/y, fat quarters $2. Plus quilt frame, panels, thread, pillow forms, grab bags, tote bags, gift bags & non-cotton fabric including upholstery fabric. Bring your own bag (or 2 - lots of bargains!). Coffee, tea, lemonade $2, sweets $, sandwiches $5. Outdoor seating & tables.

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)

SERVICES

Have you been affected by someone else's drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups could help YOU! Call for time and place. 1-800706-9833 or App Available

Are you a motivated self-starter with a passion for sales and marketing? Do you thrive in a flexible work environment where you can set your own schedule? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Location: Work from Anywhere!

Type: Commission

Schedule: Your Own Schedule

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

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

Locations: Public Works – Transportation (Drumbo Patrol) Closing

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 by 4:00 p.m.