Simcoe Advocate 07_17_25

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Norfolk rental vacancies virtually nonexistent LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

If any would-be renters in Norfolk are struggling to find a place to live, they’re not alone.

The county’s housing needs study found a vacancy rate well below what experts would consider healthy.

Consultant Erik Karvinen, from Watson and Associates, presented the study at the July 8 council-in-committee meeting. And while many of the overarching themes were familiar, county staff did say the study lays a foundation for future work to address housing issues in Norfolk.

Rising prices over the past five years for both house sales and rentals have put pressure on the market, Karvinen said. Home prices have gone from 36 per cent in that time, from $412,000 to $561,000. Rentals, likewise, have increased from $775 a month to $975 a month.

“Much of the appreciation in rental rates has been caused primarily by insufficient supply in rental housing. Vacancy rates in the county are currently about 0.2 per cent, which is very low,” he said, noting a healthy market would have a vacancy rate around three per cent.

The study found 1,605 households are in what’s classified as core housing need, and another 720 are CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

The Schuyler Farms team unseated defending champions Koteles Farms during the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm tug of war competition, Sunday, July 7.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Good food, good turnout, great times JEFF TRIBE Advocate Correspondent

Oscar Martinez’s affable nature has earned him the Spanish nickname ‘Muneca’ - ‘Doll’ in English - among his Sandy Shore Farms compatriots.

But for the next year at least, the Mexico City native has also gained the title of ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk.’

It’s not because of a change in personality, far from it. Martinez’ trademark smile was still firmly in place following his jerk chicken and rice and

peas eating competition victory at the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm Tug of War, Sunday, July 7 at the Norfolk County Youth Soccer Park.

But he also had his game face on amongst a half-dozen offshore workers from farms in the area cheered on by an CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)

An antique fire truck from the Township of Charlotteville Vittoria Fire Department in the 2025 Calithumpian Parade.

Norfolk County OPP Detachment.

Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin wears Canadian flags in the Port Dover Lions Canada Day Calithumpian parade.

Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis.

Norfolk Roller Derby.

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

Alzheimer Society harnesses the power of music LISA TIMPF Advocate Contributor

Whether it’s the first song from a wedding dance, a favourite tune from high school, or a sound track from a pivotal point in one’s life, most of us have had the experience of music sparking memories.

The Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton taps into this phenomenon with their “Music for Memory” program.

Music for Memory allows individuals who are clients of the Alzheimer Society, and who have a diagnosis of dementia, to borrow an MP3 player loaded with personalized music for a four-month period. This trial period allows the individual and their caregiver to see if music can help with mood and memory.

At the end of the four months, some choose to purchase equipment of their own and continue tapping into the power of music. Others may find that the program isn’t for them, and that’s okay, says Laurie Ball, who serves as the Social Programs Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Society in Brant Haldimand Norfolk.

We’re all different in the way we use our brains, Ball says, noting, “What is special and important to one person might be different from someone else.”

For some people, Music for Memory makes a big difference.

“It can open up possibilities for communicating,” says Ball. “If someone is not communicating like they used to, it gives them tools from the past. Music can untap locked memories, and sometimes that might open up conversation.”

Ball notes that in some cases, people living with dementia who seem unresponsive to questions have opened up after listening to familiar music. In other cases, music helps to calm individuals, making it possible for caregivers to do needed tasks.

Why does music have this power? Songs, Ball notes, are often linked to powerful emotions from our past, and “you are more apt to hold onto a memory that has deep emotion attached to it.”

Emotion, in fact, can be “the glue that holds onto a memory.”

When someone is diagnosed with dementia, we often “see the diminishing abilities, not the abilities,” says Ball. “So much of what that person is, is still there.”

Music can bring out the essence of someone by linking them to their past.

“It lets them be the person that they are,” she says.

Songs can also bring back or evoke some memories, and that can be a “beautiful thing.”

To participate in Music for Memory, the recipient or their caregiver go through an application process that ensures program guidelines, like the limited-time duration, are understood. Returning the equipment at the end of the four months makes it available for use by another recipient.

The application also collects detailed information about the recipient’s music preferences. Volunteers use these music preferences to prepare a personalized playlist, featuring the eras, artists, and even specific songs favoured by the MP3 recipient. Volunteers then follow up at specific intervals to ensure there are no problems using the technology, and to check how things are going.

Ball salutes the contributions made by the long-time volunteers who operate the Music for Memory program, noting that they’ve taken ownership of the program and made it successful.

Music for Memory is just one of the programs offered by the Alzheimer Society.

The Alzheimer Society, Ball says, would love to connect with people sooner.

“In a perfect world, people would be getting in touch with us earlier, when they are seeing (cognitive) changes,” Ball says. “They can learn about services that can help along the way.”

Early intervention also makes people “more apt to be able to stay in the home longer.”

Social stigma, fear, or denial may be reasons for people not reaching out to the Alzheimer Society when indicators that might signal dementia start to show.

“Everyone knows their own normal,” Ball says.

When something seems off, a visit to the doctor may be in order.

In some cases, what presents as dementia may have other underlying causes, like an infection, and it’s important to address these root causes in a timely way. If the diagnosis is dementia, linking into the Alzheimer Society can smooth the forward path.

Sometimes, Ball notes, the Alzheimer Society doesn’t get approached until the caregiver is in crisis mode, which is unfortunate.

“A little education can make a huge difference. We can take some of the load off. The earlier you get connected with the Alzheimer Society, the easier this journey will be.”

For some, Music for Memory can be a way of easing that journey.

More information about the Alzheimer Society, its services, and what one can do proactively to ensure good brain health, can be found at https://alzda.ca/.

(GINETTE PIEPER PHOTO)

Laurie Ball, a Social Programs Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk Hamilton Halton, notes that music is often tied to memories. The Music for Memory program, which provides the loan of an MP3 device with customized music, is open to Alzheimer Society clients in Brant Haldimand Norfolk, and can help with mood and memory.

Bobbi Ann Brady MPP, HALDIMAND-NORFOLK 519-428-0446 | 905-765-8413 babrady-co@ola.org

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July 17, 2025

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Simcoe Advocate

EDITORIAL

MPP Brady joins tag team field trip to save farmland Haldimand-Norfolk

MPP

Bobbi Ann Brady It was an early start Wednesday in Hamilton as I again joined forces with my colleague MPP Mike Schreiner (Green Party) to promote our Foodbelt Legislation, Bill 21, Protect our Food Act, 2025.

You may recall, MPP Schreiner and I jointly introduced Bill 21 recently at Queen’s Park, a Bill we both feel is non-partisan. The Bill would protect agricultural land to ensure food security into the future. It would make it harder for designated farmland to be re-zoned, and it would ensure farmers and policy makers have a firm understanding of soil classes. When farmers and policy makers better understand where our class one soils are, they can make informed decisions about crop selection, conservation efforts, and of course, land management.

We began the day at 7:30 a.m. in the CHCH-TV makeup chairs to prep for an interview with Norfolk County native Annette Hamm who grew up near Langton. Schreiner and I then headed to Hamilton City Hall where we met OFA President Drew Spoelstra and proceeded to state our case to the General Issues Committee.

A motion introduced by Councillor Ted McMeekin unanimously passed and formalizes the City’s support for Bill 21 to the provincial government and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Together we emphasized the urgency of protecting farmland as Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland every day - the equivalent of losing nine family farms each week.

This is significant considering Ontario farmers grow more than 200 different crops and the sector contributes over $50 billion to the provincial economy and employs nearly one million people.

You might question why Hamilton would be interested in Bill 21; but it’s interesting to note much of the boundary of today’s Hamilton is actually farmland. City leaders acknowledged endorsing the motion aligns with the city’s efforts to build more homes without paving over their farmland. (Forget your stereotypical image of The Hammer… about 73 percent of Hamilton is rural. In fact, there are about 810 farms across the city of Hamilton, around 118 thousand acres of cultivation.)

In the face of a trade war, we should strive to grow as much as possible domestically. We all have to eat, and as I discussed on CHCH, across the province we see degradation and misuse of farmland. Take, for example, Wilmot Township, where 700 acres of farmland will come out of production to create a ‘shovel-ready’ site for future industrial development.

In Ontario, 97 per cent of our farms are family-owned and operated. Along with protecting the land, we must

treat our farm families with respect and give them the tools to thrive. Bill 21 will indeed protect productive lands for future generations, but I want to be clear that it will also respect farmers who want to create succession plans and reinvest in their farms.

On the legislative front, Schreiner, Spoelstra and I are all concerned Bill 5 could be another threat to Ontario farmland.

Much of Ontario’s farmland sits beyond The Greenbelt and it too needs protection. Bill 21’s concept of a food belt to augment The Greenbelt and ensure we are protecting agricultural lands across Ontario is critical. President Spoelstra reminded us that five percent of Ontario land is arable and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

My hope is other municipalities will be inspired to support Bill 21 by Hamilton Council and Councillor Ted McMeekin. The Bill will come up for second reading in the Ontario Legislature some time in 2026. Meanwhile, this Hamilton sojourn is only the first of my field trips to save arable farmland.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that Bill 21 is just one step we can take to ensure long-term food security – we must invest in increasing processing capacity across many sectors and do better in creating an economic environment for young people to enter the field.

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Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady joined the 2025 Canada Day parade in Port Dover. The Calithumpian tradition goes back to 1867. The Port Dover Lions have organized the town’s Canada Day festivities since 1954.

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

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Housing needs study finds 0.2% vacancy rate in Norfolk CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Members of Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in the Port Dover Lions Calithumpian (CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS) Canada Day parade.

JerPro Construction had at least four vehicles in July 1st Calithumpian Parade.

in severe core housing need. These classifications take into account a home’s state of repair and capacity, as well as how much the residents’ income goes to pay for the home.

Karvinen said the core housing need number is actually good news, as it represents only six per cent of Norfolk’s households, lower than the provincial average of 12 per cent.

Still, like many other municipalities, Norfolk continues to struggle with housing affordability. Using a provincial formula, Karvinen said housing in Norfolk would have to meet the following numbers to be considered affordable.

For ownership, anything $348,500 or less is considered affordable. On the rental side, monthly rents of $677 for a bachelor unit, $1,155 for a one-bedroom, $1,037 for a two-bedroom, and $1,667 for a three-bedroom is considered affordable.

To meet the county’s needs over the next decade, the study found the county would need to see 2,930 new units built, of which 730 would have to fit the affordable definition.

“There’s clearly a need to expand housing options for a range of household income groups in Norfolk,” Karvinen said.

The study included several recommendations, including updating the official plan to incorporate the new affordable housing definitions and targets, developing monitoring tools to track housing development, considering various studies to specific demographics, looking at enhancing the community improvement plan program for housing, and considering changes to standards and policy to encourage more compact built form as well as additional residential units.

Norfolk was required to complete the study through the Canadian Community Building Fund agreement.

Grant could help keep Norfolk buses running LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

One way or another, Norfolk County is hopeful a provincial fund will help pay for a portion of public transit in the municipality.

Councillors supported a staff plan to apply for an Ontario Transit Investment Fund grant at the July 8 council-in-committee meeting. This was despite some ambiguity about the requirements as well as a plan from the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation (SCOR) to apply for the same fund.

“Despite the ambiguity of all this, staff believe it’s worth applying,” said John Regan, director of economic development.

The Ride Norfolk Transportation Master Plan that was approved earlier this year included some ambitious goals to improve public transit in Norfolk. However, when staff presented the plan, councillors voted to maintain current service levels until the end of the year and discuss its future when

budget deliberations take place.

At the time, councillors said it would give the municipality some time to get a better handle on what provincial funding levels would be following the completion of the Community Transportation Grant that was helping offset some of the costs to run the service.

According to a staff report, OTIF “provides time-limited, application-based funding, for up to five years to support the start-up and growth of transit services in areas where there is a clearly identified transit service gap.”

In applying to the fund, Regan said the county could look to include Saturday service, a high priority, as an expansion. The fund makes mention of supporting expanded or new services.

“We’re not sure if the funding is going to support that status quo but we’re willing to give it a shot,” he said.

SCOR is preparing its own application and will be seeking support from Norfolk County, which gave Mayor Amy Martin

some pause.

“I want to make sure our application doesn’t undermine another application,” she said.

However, staff were comfortable that would not be the case.

The OTIF funding provides up to 50 per cent cost sharing for five years. Coun.

Adam Veri worried about a costly expansion using OTIF money and what may happen after the grant term is up.

“I am concerned about… we’re going to build this large system that all of a sudden we have to crater someday,” he said.

The staff report said 8,500 rides were offered between January and June of this year. Last year ridership was just shy of 21,500. Including Saturday service would increase annual ridership by an estimated 3,800.

Implementing a Saturday service would cost around $100,000.

With the loss of the Community Transportation Grant money, and council’s decision to maintain current service levels,

Norfolk is on the hook for an additional $71,000 in 2025, for a total level impact of $271,000 this year.

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)

Councillor Adam Veri, Norfolk Ward 6.

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July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

Back to the drawing board for water supply plans LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

Given the current state of provincial and federal funding, Norfolk’s inter urban water supply project seems like it’s becoming a bit of a pipe dream.

Staff weren’t ready to fully give up on the idea that upper levels of government would provide the required two-thirds funding benchmark the county set to start phase one of the IUWS project, however they acknowledge it’s time to make other plans.

“We’re now in a position where we can no longer sit and wait,” said Andrew Grice, general manager of public works.

Staff presented a report at the July 8 council-in-committee meeting recommending councillors allow them to begin looking for alternatives and spending $350,000 from the IUWS engineering capital project to fund those investigations.

Currently, Norfolk operates five drinking water systems that supply safe drinking water to the various parts of the county.

Since 2021, the county has had a plan to develop a distribution system that connects the county’s urban centres with the Nanticoke Water Treatment Plant in Haldimand.

But with a huge price tag - most recent estimates have it at $450 million - council also passed a stipulation in 2023 that said Phase 1 could only begin when they secured 66 per cent funding from upper levels of government.

“Is this a concession that inter urban water is not going to happen?” asked Coun.

Adam Veri.

“Based on the condition set by council of needing the 66 per cent to bring the program forward, we are looking at alternative options,” Grice responded.

“We don’t see any program in our near future that is going to provide that order of magnitude, but things change.”

The staff report said Phase 1 of the project has an estimated $140 million price tag, meaning they would need to secure $92.4 million in funding from the province and/ or federal government.

There was a time when projects would be funded through a one-third cost-sharing model between the three levels of government. And while she said she wasn’t aware of any official change, Mayor Amy Martin said those commitments no longer appear to be on the table.

“It’s a shame that we’ve developed a plan from the guidance of the province that’s so expensive that the province can’t fund it.

But the reality is we’ve also set a benchmark of one-third, one-third, one-third funding that isn’t even a funding model that exists with the provincial and federal government anymore,” she said.

“So it really is time to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do.”

Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin.

Norfolk curbside garbage pickup to go biweekly in 2026 LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

Garbage day in Norfolk will be every other week once the new contract begins in September 2026.

Biweekly collection is the latest approved change as the county prepares for a new waste collection system that takes into account changes to recycling rules and a push to divert waste from landfills that are rapidly filling up in Ontario. Norfolk already approved incorporating a green bin program to collect organics.

With the changes expected to be costly for Norfolk taxpayers, councillors directed staff to put out a request for proposals that allowed for various waste collection systems to find the cheapest option. However, only one bid was submitted, with proposed biweekly collection and an automated system that uses specialized carts being the cheapest version.

“I’m very disappointed we only had one bid,” said Coun. Doug Brunton.

The bid also comes with a steep price increase, with a staff report saying it’ll be between 85 and 90 per cent higher than the previous contract. This is common, though, with other municipalities reporting similar and even higher increases.

“Another municipality, had it kept its existing service model, would have faced a 132 per cent increase. Instead, by adjusting its collection program, the increase was reduced to 94 per cent,” the report said.

The 2025 budget included just over $2 million for waste collection, at $145 per tonne. The approved system would cost just over $254 a tonne, or about $3.54 million annually. Weekly and manual collection methods would have raised it as high as $325 a tonne.

Other potential bidders for the contract backed out, mostly citing an “inability to compete effectively, either due to current market conditions, resource limitations, or pricing challenges,” the report said.

Moving to the automated collection system also includes a significant cost to purchase the carts. As part of the staff report, councillors approved just over $5 million be included in next year’s budget to cover the cost of those costs. However, that money will come from the county’s Legacy Fund, meaning it won’t impact the levy.

With the automated collection, residents won’t be able to pay to leave an extra bag or two. Instead, staff said they’ll have to go to the local transfer station.

“If it’s in your cart it will get picked up,” said Merissa Bokla, supervisor of waste management.

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July 17, 2025

County surplus will help offset future debt

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Both levy operating and rate operating budgets experienced surpluses for 2024 LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

Significant staff vacancies and gapping last year led to Norfolk County ending the year spending nearly $11 million less than they budgeted for through the levy operating budget.

In addition to the $10.71 levy operating surplus, the municipality’s audited financial statements for 2024 also found a $2.06 million budget surplus for the rate operating budget. The bulk of that money will be used to mitigate debt requirements, saving

the county money down the road.

“Overall we had a very successful year, especially from a financial perspective,” said Kathryn Fanning, deputy treasurer and manager of financial operations and systems.

For the levy operating surplus, a total of $8.18 million will be used to fund approved projects that were previously slated to be paid for with debt. Most of the remaining money, $2.1 million, will go into the contingency reserve fund, while the marina reserve and county library reserve funds will see infusions of just under $341,000 and just over $84,000, respec-

Automated speed enforcement coming to Norfolk in 2026

Community safety zones will be the target for 2-year trial LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

Norfolk’s community safety zones may soon be patrolled by speed-detecting cameras.

The county has approved a two-year trial for automated speed enforcement, set to begin in early 2026. A report recommending the trial was approved at Norfolk’s July 8 council-in-committee meeting.

“I’m very eager for this to start in Q1 (2026),” said Coun. Kim Huffman, as she made a motion to accept the staff recommendations.

Some Ontario municipalities have embraced AES technology in recent years, following changes at the provincial level in 2019 that altered the Highway Traffic Act to allow AES in specially designated community safety or school safety zones. The cameras detect vehicles that are speeding, capturing the licence plate numbers at the same time. The owner of the vehicle will receive the fine, though infractions caught by AES are not subject to demerit points.

Municipalities can issue fines in two ways, through the Provincial Offences Act or an Administrative Penalty System.

Since Norfolk doesn’t utilize an APS system, staff recommended using the POA route.

Going through the courts could result in additional costs should motorists challenge their tickets. However, Director of Engineering and Asset Management Darnell Lambert said the experiences of other municipalities suggest that’s a rare occurrence, with roughly five per cent challenging the ticket.

“We’re finding a high level of just being paid and not being challenged,” he said.

Some of the details are still to be approved, but the plan is to have one camera operate on a four-month schedule at three sites a year. The schedule and sites will be determined later.

Motorists should expect to see warning signage 90 days before a camera is deployed at a safety zone, as well as signage stating AES is in force for that zone.

Lambert said there’s a threshold set that means going one km/h won’t necessarily lead to a ticket. However, those figures are set by the province and county staff have no influence over the threshold.

Opposition to the cameras in other municipalities has led to ongoing vandalism, with reports of cameras in Toronto and Niagara being cut down.

tively.

The rate operating surplus will be split fairly evenly between the water and wastewater reserves to support future capital needs.

While the surplus won’t lead to a direct and immediate decrease in property taxes, staff said it will help save future debt costs.

“The current debt payments that are going to be mitigated are just over $900,000 for the next budget based on debt mitigated through the surplus and through additional investment income. And then we also mitigate some future debt payments, so projects that have not been initiated, and those

payments are approximately $450,000 a year,” said Fanning.

And with a documented capital funding shortfall, surpluses help close the gap, staff added.

Councillors did question the reasoning behind the staff gapping, but CAO Al Meneses said it’s something senior staff review on an ongoing basis.

“We have to budget for every position we have. What we do on a regular basis is when positions become vacant, we explore whether that role is still required before we go out and recruit,” he said.

Norfolk’s early budget guidance suggests challenging year LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

Early estimates project a 7.4 per cent increase to Norfolk’s levy operating budget and average residential rate increase of 10.1 per cent for water and wastewater users in 2026.

A staff report outlining the 2026 budget timeline and guidance set the two figures, though it goes on to stress the numbers are preliminary and staff will refine things as the year goes on.

“We’ll make every effort possible to come in below these levels,” said Chris Everets, manager of financial planning.

The report also recommends approving a 3.5 per cent inflationary increase to the 2026 user fees.

Staff say infrastructure needs and replenishing reserve funds are two of the major drivers in the early budget projections.

“Though improvements in the county’s financial position have been made over the last five years, including the significant year end surpluses in 2022 - 2024, the county continues to be in a position where additional steps are required,” the report said.

Given macroeconomic trends and global trade wars started by U.S. president Donald Trump, there’s an elevated level of uncertainty as Norfolk begins thinking about next year’s budget.

With some increases already approved, including 2.5 per cent for infrastructure

funding and roughly three per cent for a new waste management contract, it already looks like a challenge to get to the 7.4 per cent mark.

“It’s a pretty tight window for everything else in the budget, isn’t it. Or are you going to come up with ways to save money for us?” Coun. Chris Van Paassen asked staff.

Everets acknowledged things do look tight at the moment, though he pointed out since the waste management contract doesn’t start until late 2026, its full impact won’t be felt right away.

This will also mark the first budget the county has undertaken since strong mayor powers were forced on the municipality.

Mayor Amy Martin said she has no plans to use her new powers, though the staff report reminded councillors this could change with future mayors.

Staff are also looking at ways to increase public engagement, including “enhanced outreach, extended availability of the annual survey, and innovative methods of promotion.”

BUDGET SCHEDULE The 2026 budget schedule sees an Oct. 16 meeting kicking things off with discussion of user fees, agencies, boards and commissions, and a preview of new budget initiatives. A rate budget meeting is set for Oct. 23, a meeting on the levy capital budget and 10-year plan is set for Nov. 20, and the levy operating budget has two meeting dates on Jan. 21 and 22, 2026.

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July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

Harvard planes provide a connection to the past CHRIS ABBOTT

Editor

Many things stand out at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, which celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport on Saturday, July 5.

The glue that holds CHAA together, said Shane Clayton, is the love of the history of the aircraft itself and the camaraderie of those that share similar passions.

“With the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, it was our greatest single contribution to the Second World War. We did a hell of a job with that,” said Clayton, CHAA Chief Technical Officer and in charge of the museum and archives, “and the legacy of our excellence in training pilots and air crew and all that.”

Clayton said CHAA aims to keep their Second World War Harvard training planes in the air as long as they can – as long as they have access to aviation fuel and propellor blades.

“We have lots of engine parts and we can make airframe parts. It’s a nice goal to hit 100 years, but let’s not stop there, let’s keep going. As long it’s not going to be $3,000/ hour to operate.”

It’s one thing to have a static museum full of planes, he said, but it’s an entirely different thing to get the full experience at CHAA, to hear, smell and feel what the Greatest Generation did 80-plus years ago.

“You can’t say enough praise for all the effort and time that people put into keeping CHAA alive for 40 years,” former president Bill Shepard said during the 40th an-

niversary ceremony.

Shepard, who joined the CHAA in 2001, starting as ground crew, and progressing to pilot and president, said it’s important to keep the history alive, and to honour the memories of people who were part of the “Greatest Generation.”

“One of the phrases often said here is, ‘People come for the planes and they stay for the people,’” said Shepard. “If you’re thinking about volunteering for CHAA, and you want something where your time and effort give back to the community, this is the place to be. We are a family here and we much appreciate what has been done.”

Shepard thanked everyone for coming to Saturday’s anniversary ceremony.

“Thank you for your involvement and I hope we see you all here in the future… and your young ones especially, because if we don’t keep young people involved in CHAA, we’re not going to go much farther. So we want to keep the hope alive.”

“Forty years, isn’t that amazing,” said CHAA president Walter Irie after the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 153 colour party concluded Saturday’s ceremony. “Something that started out as an idea, and now look at it today 40 years later. Three men got together and had this great idea to preserve these aircraft and dedicate them to the RCAF and the public.”

“It started in 1985,” said former president Pat Hanna. “There was a few guys up in Woodstock who had Harvards and they realized they weren’t going to be around forever to fly them, so they looked for interest in the community to start an association.

They found out there was a lot of interest.”

Hanna, one of the first generation of CHAA members, said they wanted to draw in ‘the next generation’ to learn about Harvards, what they served for, and the sacrifices made by the pilots who flew them.

“It was very important to us that their legacy did not disappear into the history books. Now, we’re into our third and even fourth generations of Harvard members coming along.

“The thing that is amazing to me is that it is 100 per cent a volunteer organization and has been for the whole 40 years, who keep all these Harvards flying, and have stuff like this (Fly Day and Open House). And it’s a close-knit organization. Bill (Shepard) talked about us being a family, and it’s been very much that since the very beginning. Everybody is welcome here. We’re a community organization and we really want to get the next generation involved.

It’s a real connection to the past and we don’t want that connection to be broken.”

Shepard, who has flown a P-51C Mustang for the CAF (Commemorative Air Force) Red Tail Squadron, and currently belongs to two squadrons, now flies a TBM Avenger (torpedo bomber), based in Dallas, at a half-dozen air shows a year.

The Woodstock pilot said each sub-section of CHAA has its own lifeblood – its own pulse. There are cycles for the maintenance and ground crews, fundraising and membership drives, and restoration.

“Our motto is to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display and demonstrate the Harvard,” said Shepard, “and other training aircraft associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and

Royal Canadian Air Force. That’s our main focus, the glue that keeps us together.”

Casey Bukowski, 101, from Lancaster, New York, visited Saturday’s 40th CHAA anniversary with friend Amy Beechler.

The World War II veteran was a gunner in a B-17 bomber in the 381st Bomb Group, 532nd Squadron flying out of England. His plane and crew were shot down Feb. 22, 1944, on their 16th mission. Bukowski was a POW at two different prison camps (Stalag 6 and 4) and he was part of ‘The Long March.’

Seeing the Harvards Saturday, known as the T-6 Texan in the US, brought back memories.

“I was training in gunnery school with those… the T-6 in Arlington, Texas. As a matter of fact, it was the first plane I trained in.”

Bukowski, first in aircraft mechanic school when he first enlisted, said he did not remember anything special about the T-6. But still enjoys seeing them.

“I am always interested and I often wonder, which one of those did I fly in? But I know the chances are very, very slim,” he added with a laugh.

The plane that is closest to his heart, he said, is the B-17.

“I always try to find out the names of them, and see if I remember flying with them. Ours was ‘Friday the 13th.’ While in training, we lost a (plane) on a training mission. Two engines caught fire and the pilot ordered abandon ship. All of the crew made it out safely and back to our base.

And all this happened on August, Friday the 13th.”

The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 153 Tillsonburg, provided a colour guard for the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s 40th anniversary ceremony on July 5.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association held an open house and fly day on July 5, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Former CHAA president Pat Hanna, left, and current president Walt Irie, cut 40th anniversary cakes Saturday at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

9

Former CHAA president Bill Shepard says ‘People come for the planes and they stay for the people.’

Just over 20 people signed up to experience a flight in a Harvard Saturday, July 5th at CHAA’s 40th anniversary open house and fly day.

THE SIMCOE ADVOCATE

Casey Bukowski, 101, and Amy Beechler from Lancaster, New York visited CHAA’s 40th anniversary open house and fly day on July 5. (CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)

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July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

North Shore Highlanders in the 2025 Calithumpian Parade in Port Dover.

Len’s Mill Stores won ‘Most Outstanding Float’ in this year’s Canada Day parade.

Calithumpian means ‘anything goes.’

Paris Port Dover Pipe Band.

Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club.

Riding in comfort on The Marshview Patio & Bar float.

Simcoe Advocate

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Simcoe Advocate

Fantasy, sci-fi can be a journey of self-discovery

“People with interests in multiple disciplines often find that having a creative outlet like this helps them look at life through a new lens,” he said. “Your mind goes to different places and makes new associations. You start thinking more abstractly, which gives you more flexibility when exploring the world and understanding the forces that shape history.”

That’s one reason Peter built his hero, Mick, not as a swashbuckling warrior, but as a curious mind.

“I was so in love with the way Patrick Stewart played Captain Picard on The Next Generation,” Peter explained.

“We went from the adventure-seeking Kirk - the space cowboy - to this intellectual who saw exploration and imagination as a duty to learn.”

Peter also believes that writing fantasy or sci-fi can be a journey of self-discovery. These imaginary worlds provide rich landscapes for working through problems, navigating around obstacles, and exercising the creative muscles.

All in all, Peter Ivey makes a strong ambassador for the genre - and he encourages others to try it themselves. Start by reading more fantasy, he suggests. Maybe even begin with The Lost Tribe stories, which - like Peter - start out in a seemingly tranquil fishing village.

ADVOCATING FOR AUTHORS

By Dick Bourgeois-Doyle Grotesque creatures, mysterious portals, and unexplained powers - these aren’t exactly everyday experiences in Port Dover.

But for fantasy writer Peter Ivey, they sprang naturally from the imagination he developed while growing up in the tranquil Norfolk County fishing village.

Today, Peter finds joy both reading and writing in the fantasy genre. His work, including The Lost Tribe series, takes readers on adventures across multiple imaginary worlds - and offers him a unique creative outlet in the process.

“Since I started reading, fantasy writing has always been a dream of mine,” Peter said in an interview. “One day, I realized the creativity wasn’t coming out in any other way.

So, I told myself: just sit down, stop being intimidated by the blank page, and write.”

So far, Peter has written four installments in The Lost Tribe series, with more on the way - alongside other book projects. The series follows a sometimes-reluctant hero, Mick Farrow, who has mysterious powers he doesn’t fully understand. Those powers link him to others with their own gifts and backstories.

A research analyst, educator, poet, and novelist, Peter Ivey has deep Port Dover roots, with family ties running through both the Ivey and Gamble families.

“Growing up in Dover, you had to go about 20 kilome-

(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Peter Ivey, fantasy fiction and sci-fi author.

ters before you didn’t trip over a cousin,” he joked. Though he now lives in Hamilton, Peter visits often.

Despite his strong local ties, Peter enjoys the challenges and pleasures of inhabiting other worlds - and meeting beings defined only by the limits of his imagination.

When we met, I asked Peter to pitch the fantasy genre to someone who usually reads non-fiction - history, science, and data-heavy books. He explained that fantasy and adventure novels can offer new perspectives on the real world and its issues.

Norfolk to launch two-year whistleblower hotline LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media

The county is launching a hotline that it, in a way, hopes will never ring.

But, in an effort to be transparent and accountable, Norfolk is setting up a whistleblower hotline that will give people a discrete way to inform senior management at the municipality of issues of waste and fraud. Staff presented two separate options for a two-year trial, recommending using an external third party to handle the hotline.

However, councillors voted to keep it in house, with the hotline to go through the CAO’s office.

“This program is an attempt to identify things that don’t come to our attention,” said CAO Al Meneses.

Summer student Sydney Stortini presented the report and said other municipalities such as Hamilton and Toronto have had success with similar programs.

“It provides staff and the public with a confidential and secure channel to report misconduct,” she said.

Meneses said a major goal is building public trust, and that senior staff don’t have a specific concern.

“We’re not suggesting waste and fraud is rampant in Norfolk,” he said.

The report suggested having the hotline only available internally to start, with county staff able to lodge complaints. If all goes well with that in the first year, the hotline could be opened up to the general public.

Councillors worried about the possibility that such a hotline, and the anonymity that comes with it, could lead to abuse by people with vendettas against certain staff members.

Stortini said it’s a valid concern, but that in her research it hasn’t been a particular issue.

The report was one of two recommendations staff put forward on transparency and accountability. Another, presented by a different summer student, Ethan Russell, sought approval to create a lobbyist registry. Such a project would create an online database that outlines whenever a member of the public lobbies a council or staff member outside a public forum.

Russell said the proposal included a narrow scope of when a person or entity would have to register, and added the onus was on the lobbyist and not the councillor or staff member.

“It’s just a very basic form,” Russell said.

However, some councillors were uneasy with it. Coun. Linda Vandendriessche said it might have a chilling effect on people who want to speak with her on a topic.

“We’re a level of government that’s closest to the people and this would make it difficult for people to stop me on the street corner,” she said.

That proposal was narrowly defeated.

Mayor Amy Martin, who supported both reports, said while she has no fears that councillors or staff are acting improperly, moving forward with such projects is a natural evolution of a growing municipality.

“It’s an easy next step to work towards the sophistication of the municipality,” she said.

WWW.GRANTHAVEN.COM

CELEBRATING LOCAL AUTHORS Look for books in The Lost Tribe series at Beach Reads Bookshop, and check out Peter’s full interview on the DoverWrites podcast at www.doverwrites.blogspot.com

Weekend Quiz

By Jake Grant

1. When was Oxford University founded?

2. Carlo Mastrangelo was a member of which 1950s band?

3. Which iconic ship sailed the Pilgrims across the vast Atlantic to land in North America in 1620?

4. What is the name of the famous sea monster in Scotland?

5. What do you call a female sheep?

6. What was the first DVD shipped by Netflix?

7. What do the letters of this boy band spell out "NKOTB"?

8. Who does Pocahontas fall in love with?

9. In Greek mythology, who rules the underworld?

10. Who is the youngest driver to ever compete in an F1 race?

This week’s answers are found on pg. 27

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Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

13

Long Point Basin Land Trust receives Trillium grant ALEX HUNT Advocate Correspondent

With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the Long Point Basin Land Trust is expanding its reach, deepening community engagement, and growing conservation efforts across the region.

Long Point Basin Land Trust recently received a $106,300 grant from the OTF to expand its mission to spread organization awareness and its values on maintaining habitat conservation and nature programming.

It was recognized there was a need to increase engagement with the community and build a resiliency in the organization, said Wendy Cridland, executive director at Long Point Basin Land Trust.

“The OTF grant builds capacity in terms of developing a fundraising and communication plan, along with materials and workshops about the benefits of land donation, (enabling) us to provide information to landowners to help with habitat management, help to enhance and expand our marketing.”

Along with enhancing the relationship with landowners, the grant will also be uti-

lized to expand LPBLT’s ‘Explore the Outdoors’ nature program.

“The program provides people with a great opportunity to engage in nature which certainly adds to the benefits of receiving this funding,” said Cridland.

“We are measuring the donation through tracking the number of people that are involved with the land trust. Whether it be providing donations or participating in activities or engaging us through social media, signing up through our newsletter helps us to be able to measure the success of the funding and the program.”

Cridland says that through the funding, the organization will be able to expand marketing reach and identity awareness through new venues, visitor guides, and sending postcards to the surrounding area to build a foundation on the value the LPBLT has on the community.

The land trust has also announced its new Arboretum Trail which features 13 tree species, along with highlighting the importance of its existing biodiverse ecosystems and conservation.

“We are certainly excited to continue to do the work here and expand the impact over time and grow our land base and engage with more people in conservation,”

said Cridland. “From what we have to offer I would hope that people take home an understanding on how special this area is.

It’s so diverse and has so much wildlife and

habitats to learn about and enjoy.”

With growing support and deeper community ties, the land trust aims to protect its unique landscape for generations to come.

Ontario Trillium Foundation recently announced a grant of $106,300 for the Land Point Basin Land Trust at Morning Moth Discovery, an Explore the Outdoors event.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

A ‘magical’ trip for lakers on deep, blue waters

The Lost Tribe

By Jeff Tribe A photographer’s magic light coincided with a fisherman’s magical run.

Back-to-back-to-back, basking in the gentle horizontal glow of a sun settling toward Lake Huron’s western horizon, our two downrigger rods alternatively dipped, signalling strikes of voracious lake trout some 125 feet below.

Rob Steinbach capped the flurry with an extended five-minute battle, savouring patiently working a fish toward the surface with a dragless fly reel.

“That’s a big one,” our unofficial first mate Nick Espinal commented, indicating a healthy bend in Steinbach’s mooching rod.

Too soon perhaps, the fight was over, Espinal deftly extending the net to corral another beautiful laker, which on quick inspection, ranked as our largest.

“That might be ten (pounds),” Steinbach guesstimated, adding with a laugh: “I’m just trying to brag.”

We had headed out of Goderich’s harbour some three-and-a-half hours earlier, late on a balmy early July afternoon on calm blue waters, cooled with a light breeze under high blue skies. (For associated video, search ‘Lost Tribe Lake Huron’ on YouTube.)

Our four-member party included a guy

Rob Steinbach shows off one of the lake trout caught during an early July charter out of Goderich.

growing up pulling horned dace and chub from his family farm’s creek; Steinbach, following his father and uncle’s fishing tradition including early days at the Mitchell Fish and Game Club’s stocked pond; Espinal, whose dad took him along river fishing for dorado in his native Columbia; and captain David Palmer of Maitland Valley Fishing Charters (https://maitlandvalleyfishing.com).

Palmer began chartering a decade ago, working around his ‘other’ business, Palmer’s Home Renovations. His fishing roots reach back to paddling ‘tin boats’ as a boy scout on a small lake near Wiarton, seeking pike and bass.

“Boats can be addictive,” he warned with a smile, Palmer’s passion for fishing leading to ‘Far From Workin II’, a 24-foot Alexis Pro by Thunderjet powered with a 300 HP Mercury Verado, along with a 15-horse trolling motor and full range of electronics.

He supports numerous charitable caus-

es and also thoroughly enjoys introducing young anglers to the sport, happy to get them off their electronics and out into nature’s pristine beauty. Casting off and leaving the harbour, we passed the infrastructure supporting Goderich’s salt mine, which says Palmer is as deep as the CN tower is tall, extending far out underneath Lake Huron.

Interrupted it would be however, the rod served by the downrigger to the left dipping sharply.

Our destination was fish-holding structure 20-plus miles offshore roughly in the middle of the lake, accessed by trolling north and south inside the Canadian-U.S. border. Palmer seeks a variety of species with an extended ‘array’, varying colour and presentation depths. In general, he was working closer to the surface for coho and chinook salmon and rainbow trout with lead-core and braided steel line and dipsy divers carried wide of the boat by lines attached to planer boards, chasing bottom-hugging lake trout with a pair of weighted downriggers mounted on its stern.

“Rod tip up,” Palmer advised calmly, “keep the pressure on.”

There are tried and true lures which consistently produce fish says Palmer, but it’s very much a day-to-day thing. This year, for example, the fish seem determined to break the old ‘bright colours for a bright day, dark colours for a dull day’ mantra.

Producing relies on a complicated series of equations featuring water depth as it relates to temperature, lure colour, speed, changing speed and turning, time of day, mood of the fish, and as ever, a bit of luck.

There was no loud ‘Fish on!’, merely an ‘Oh… oh!’ from Steinbach followed by a quick path to the rod, disengaging the line from the downrigger connector, setting the hook and gracious insistence the rookie take honours.

He encourages anglers to extend the experience, stay relaxed and don’t be in too much of a hurry to reel in, an approach Palmer believes also increases odds of landing fish. Mooching rods and fly reels also encourage a more intimate connection.

“The old fellas call it (the reel) a knuckle-buster, one-to-one so it’s just you and the fish,” Palmer smiled, admitting the setup can be a challenge should a big chinook make a run. “If you don’t get out of the way, it’s going to hurt.”

While fully understanding that concept, there is admittedly an urge to make sure you, as the new guy, get the fish to the boat.

“I’d give him seven (pounds),” Steinbach

“It’s always a different day,” Palmer smiled. “The fish are always full of surprises.”

Maitland Valley Fishing Charters captain David Palmer takes his turn easing a fish into the boat.

A bit of lingering haze burned off, the breeze making the sun’s warmth comfortable rather than oppressive, the gentle thrum of the trolling motor provided a drowsy backdrop on a picture-perfect day almost too beautiful to interrupt.

Sunset is closing in as Nick Espinal works to bring a lake trout to the boat.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

Lake trout love Huron's cold, deep waters said, exaggerating kindly if only slightly.

His turn was next, and translating extensive Lake Ontario salmon fishing experience to his new environs, the chartered accountant proved as handy with mooching rod and fly reel as at protecting clients from excessive taxation.

“Well done, Rob!” Espinal credited of a fish representing Steinbach’s personal best laker, and largest of the day to date.

The first had hit on a silver spoon with pink and purple highlights, the second on silver and pink, both from around 125 feet of water at a temperature of around 46-47 degrees Fahrenheit, 25 less than a surface 73.

“Lake trout love the cold water,” said Palmer.

As the evening advanced, so did our fish count, a majority of successes amongst the odd good-natured jibe about ‘live releasing’ fish shy of the boat. Each angler had multiple opportunities to battle and land fish, Espinal re-establishing the fact the left side of the stern was his lucky spot.

Palmer conceded to reel one fish in, his measured, gentle approach illustrating his theory on patience.

“Get bigger,” Palmer said, releasing a

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smaller specimen back into Lake Huron’s depths.

As enjoyable as the fishing was, so too were our surroundings, clear blue waters, the distant Canadian coast, a light flashing on a communication tower along the American shoreline, a passing freighter headed toward the harbour, a 225-metre-long/24metre-wide craft travelling at 14.94 miles per hour according to Palmer’s electronics.

“The Algoma Endeavour,” he related.

“He’s going into Goderich to pick up salt.”

The highlight, if you will, came at 8:17 p.m. on the rapid-fire strikes, potentially a confluence of structure and timing.

“A bit of both I think,” Palmer assessed.

“Whatever it was, I’ll take it,” he added with a laugh. “Nature’s magic.”

Espinal landed one final laker as the sun kissed the horizon, the moon taking over as we embarked on our journey back toward the harbour. A wonderful afternoon of fishing lay behind us, lake trout fillets in the cooler the best form of celebrating shared memories.

“We’re on a boat, that’s a good day,” Steinbach summed up.

“The smell of fish - even better,” Espinal concluded with a smile.

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July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

Five star dining in a lake-side village

OH, THE

PLACES WE'LL GO

By Paul Knowles Waskesiu, Saskatchewan is not exactly a bustling urban centre.

Permanent population of this resort town, located within Prince Albert National Park, is something stretching bravely toward 100 people. Of course, that multiplies geometrically in high tourist season, when thousands of visitors arrive in Waskesiu to enjoy the lake, the forests, the zip lines, and the art galleries and shops that are rather typical of a tourist resort.

What is definitely NOT typical of a lakeside community of this size is the restaurant located a short stroll from the beach – Restaurant Pietro, a five-star foodie delight that is a stunning surprise for any casual visitor… like me.

I was in Waskesiu during a really fine golfing trip, hosted by Tourism Saskatchewan. Our last two days of golf were at Elk Ridge, just south of Prince Albert National Park, so our hosts took us to dinner at Restaurant Pietro.

When I saw the town, I was expecting a tourist-town, pub-style menu.

What we got, instead, was one of the dining highlights of my life.

The fare is described as “quality, local food, made with love.”

The unpretentious entrance to Restaurant Pietro.

Restaurant Pietro is the creation of three culinary partners – Gary Gagne, Garry Findlay, and Chef Evan Niekamp. The restaurant was founded 12 years ago, and from the outset has been committed providing a superb, eclectic menu, and top-notch service.

The concrete evidence of that can be summed up in two words: “Caesar Salad”. I don’t know when the last time you had Caesar Salad done right, made at your table by an expert, but when the process unfolds before you, it’s a work of art.

At Pietro, it’s Gary (who explains that he’s the unpretentious one, with only one “r” in his name) who prepares the salad. He brings a loaded tray of ingredients, chats and tells stories as he works, and ultimately presents diners with the best Caesar salad they are likely to taste anywhere.

And then he admits that he doesn’t eat Caesar salad. After decades of making them – thousands and thousands of them – he’s content to leave that pleasure to his customers!

He’s also content to share his Caesar secrets with anyone – when I expressed appreciation for his work, he brought a cookbook to the table – and it included his own recipe for Caesar salad. And he was happy to let me grab a photo, so now I possess the recipe – if not the expertise.

One detail that impressed me was there is almost as much attention given to the creation of the croutons as there is to the other elements or the salad. And that in microcosm is the secret to the wonder that is Pietro’s – attention to every detail! Another example – it’s a smallish restaurant, but Chef Evan insists on butchering their own top tier steaks on site!

The other Garry – he of the “pretentious” two “r”s – is the wine expert, but is also very happy to wait on tables. Like his two partners, he is a devout believer in their enterprise. When he first came to Pietro’s, he knew a good thing when he saw one, and insisted that he be more than an employee – he would be a partner, or

Gary Gagne with all the ingredients for his amazing Caesar salad.

nothing.

He told me that the remote location of the five-star establishment makes for a perfect lifestyle – the partners and their staff work hard during tourist season, and then are free to vacation or work elsewhere the rest of the year. Garry spends several weeks skiing, in the winter months.

And yes, the staff does work hard. The place is full, all the time – reservations are essential. But the staff I saw all seemed to be enjoying themselves. That includes the kitchen staff – I was invited to step into the small cooking area, where the magic happens, and even the guy washing dishes was laughing.

The food? I started – wisely – with Caesar salad, and then took Garry’s recommendation, a haddock special. I know – ordering an ocean fish in land-locked Saskatchewan may seem silly. But it was amazing, served with lobster and shrimp, risotto and fresh asparagus.

The wine? I bucked tradition, and went for red, even with fish, and the Merlot was terrific. Most of the wines on their menu are $20 per glass. The wine list draws high praise from customers who post reviews on line.

My dessert choice was a white chocolate crême brulê. ‘Nuff said.

There is a paragraph on the restaurant’s website that is so apt that I am going to risk being accused of plagiarism, and quote it directly: “It takes more than exquisite cooking to make a memorable meal. Set in beautiful Waskesiu, we at Pietro believe an intimate atmosphere in the right location, personal and attentive service and great company are what separates a delicious dinner from an unforgettable experience.”And that, it was. Unforgettable.

The feature of the day at Restaurant Pietro, as recommended by Garry Findlay.

Waskesiu streetscape; a village of less than 100 inhabitants welcomes thousands every summer.

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

One of the art galleries and boutiques in Waskesiu.

The maestro at work!

Waskesiu Lake.

(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

17

SPORTS

Norfolk’s ‘Biggest Jerk’ is in reality, a really nice guy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

enthusiastic crowd as they attacked a significant combined mound of popular Caribbean staples: Scotch bonnet pepper-flavoured chicken with a familiar side. Martinez’ victory was no slam dunk against credible competition. But buoyed by chants of ‘Doll’ - a tiny bit confusing at the time, but explained later - and with the fiery heat of the chicken offset with occasional pulls from bottles of water, he persevered to a celebrated finish line.

“Mental control, that’s all,” Martinez explained of his gameplan through a translator.

“I see food, I gotta eat it.”

A true meat eater, he dedicated his ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk’ title to his children Saul and Irlanda, his considerable appetite fully slaked in arrears of the competition, no need for dessert.

“I am done,” Martinez smiled in conclusion.

The event personified an event based around fun and friendly competition moving strongly into a second year, building and expanding on the success of an inaugural tugof-war. Hosted in 2025 as a collaboration between the Catholic Community Services of York Region’s (CCSYR) Simcoe satellite office and the Norfolk OPP, this year’s event added a soccer tournament and ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk’ competition to the mix.

“We’re trying to create a more community-oriented space,” explained CCSYR Norfolk Expansion Lead and Director, Norfolk Community In Action Inc. Leanne Arnal.

“Integrating our whole community.”

The effort not only included but featured thousands of offshore agricultural employees who live and work in Norfolk County for a significant percentage of the year. A celebra-

MC Slick Rick (right), working in conjunction with fellow MC ‘Bigfoot’ holds the mic for a stirring rendition of ‘La Bamba’ courtesy of Guillermo Molina Zarate (left) during a karaoke competition.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTOS)

tory atmosphere was heightened by the presence of county firefighters, local vendors, food trucks and music. The OPP stepped up not only through their supportive presence, but also for a soccer match against an offshore all-star team featuring representatives from each participating farm.

Norfolk OPP Community Engagement Officer Constable Andrew Gamble was among those stepping up to the challenge. He signed up despite having a good idea how the game

Scotlynn goalie Mauricio Efrain Perez Rodriguez makes a diving save during competition against Schuyler Farms.

would play out against ‘incredible talent’ previously seen on display at the Farms of Norfolk Football Association tournament, scheduled this year for August 10th at the same facility.

“The quality of the soccer is unparalleled,” Gamble credited.

Born and raised in Norfolk, he played rep minor soccer and with the Holy Trinity Titans squad.

“I’ve been told it’s like riding a bike,” he

laughed. “But I can speak for the (OPP) group when I say it’s been a little while.”

Gamble expected the final result to play out in favour of the opposition, but prior to the match, his 20-year-delayed return to the pitch was about the opportunity to help bring people together, inspiring a sense of community within the community, which few things can do better than sports.

“That’s why we’re so fortunate to be part of this event.”

Oscar Martinez (centre) celebrates his victory in the jerk chicken eating contest.

18

July 17, 2025

Simcoe Advocate

Waterford museum proudly goes red and white BRENDA MOSER Advocate Correspondent

James Christison, Curator of Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum, is pleased to announce the opening of their newest exhibit ‘Textiles of Tenacity: Historical Red & White Quilts.’

Their latest feature exhibit adorns the main hall and captures one’s attention as soon as they step into the gallery.

Red and white is a classic colour scheme for quilt making that was very popular for over a century and now has a very special meaning for all Canadians. As we proudly support Canada, this exhibit reminds us all of the love of country that has been a part of our long history. It explores the infinite variations of design and pattern, while using just two colours.

Many of the quilts on display were made for fundraising purposes while others were made for domestic use. More today than ever, the red and white has a very particular and patriotic meaning. The staff at WHAM have taken great care in displaying the many ‘works of art’ that are on loan to them. More than 50 red-and-white quilts, gathered from across all of Southwestern Ontario, will be on display until Sept. 27.

Christison and the staff of WHAM would like to acknowledge and thank Heather

Smith for organizing those responsible for bringing this beautiful exhibition to WHAM. These include the following contributors: Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives; Annandale National Historic Site; Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre; Elgin County Museum; Grey Roots Museum & Archives; Huron County Museum; County of Lambton Museums; Norfolk County Heritage & Culture Dept; North Buxton National Historic Site; Wellington County Museum & Archives and Woodstock Museum National Historic Site. A very special thank you goes out to the Twilight Quilters’ Guild.

AGRICUTURAL HALL OF FAME Museum staff take great pride in their work and are busy preparing for the upcoming 2025 Agricultural Hall of Fame reception on Sept. 14, 2025 at 2 p.m. The event honours and celebrates Norfolk County’s outstanding contributions to agriculture and also promotes local achievements in agriculture. Mark the date on your calendar and join the celebrations and unveiling of the new exhibit highlighting their achievements and accomplishments in agriculture.

If you would like to visit WHAM and check out all of their displays, they are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation.

BE IN THE KNOW! Get the latest edition delivered straight to your inbox for free!

A sample of the 'Textiles of Tenacity: Historic Red & White Quilts' currently on display at Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum until Sept. 27.

(BRENDA MOSER PHOTOS)

WWW.GRANTHAVEN.COM/SIMCOE-ADVOCATE

Simcoe Advocate

Canada Day at Delhi Legion Branch 125 Legion Branch 125 in Delhi hosted a Canada Day red-and-white celebration with live outdoor music by Jeff Dawdy, dancing, and barbecue chicken dinner.

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)

July 9 – 26 July 30 – August 10

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

1-888-779-7703 www.lighthousetheatre.com

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Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady shares her regards with the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm assembly.

Constable Andrew Gamble, Norfolk OPP Community Engagement Officer (left), along with Inspector The Schuyler Farms band added to the aural ambiance of the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm day.

Andy Tait, were among the Norfolk OPP representatives present for 2nd Annual Farm to Farm.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTOS)

Word Search

THE SIMCOE ADVOCATE

CANADIAN LANDMARKS T U O T W E O N A L I P A C M Z L E F W N E H T K O W S B B B T Q O A B I Y G M E N E R Z K U I Z X B N U I I G Z F T G M E L S O D K G C G G N H F J R O R G K A R A B P G P N Z R T T U C J L O V N C I U E E R U J A B I D E B Q D F M T L A L Q U E B E C L E A G A A C S A Z Y U B R C S F I M T R E O N V M U I J C H N O A S P V N W E T U W K F A N R L I E E T P X T V C L H H Z O J E F E A W R N N H N F E A T L L I H C D E P A M N B R B R O Y W S N M Z Q Y I T S V Z N I W Y U G H C I J H L H K R A A K S O K O V R R E U H N C Q X E W Q J E J T N C W L P G A W D W Y J Z X Y H K R A P M W D S Y F Z L B A B L B N O N J T F X O W K A P K Z X Q C M X S T B D H O T O W E R Q F Q S O M E O E V M Y C M N U U Z M E M Z M H W Y A Y B X L L E W E P O H H C H O L D T B R O I F A R A G A I N X P E G G Y K

Banff CNtower Niagara Parliament Chateau

Easy Puzzle #1

Hopewell

Sudoku SHINING A LIGHT ON YOUR LOCAL NEWS

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Solutions on page 23 Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Simcoe Advocate

Riddles

July 17, 2025

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PET OF THE WEEK

Nominate your Pet of the Week by emailing info@simcoeadvocate.com

I speak without a mouth, hear without ears, and answer without a phone.

What am I? An echo... because even ghosts need someone to talk to.

RADAR

What has many keys but can't open a single door?

A piano—unless it's the key to your heart.

Meet our Pet of the Week: This is our dog, Radar! He is an f1b labradoodle – who just turned one year old! He can be quite mischievous, but he is also very cuddly and loves snuggles. I wouldn’t trade him for the world! We love you Radar <3

I’m always running, but I never move.

I have a face but no eyes. What am I? A clock… It’s basically the treadmill of time.

What can you catch but not throw?

A cold.

Submitted by Jen Mason.

I go up but never come down. What am I? Your age.

Summer Foods Weekly Crossword

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

THE PRODUCE PUZZLE

227 MAIN STREET IN DELHI, ON 1 2

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11. Popular summer berry for pies

20. Cool treat often licked on a cone

13.BBQ favourite that's often saucy

21. Refreshing citrus drink served cold

18. Crispy snack made from deepfried potatoes 23

4. Chilled soup often made with tomatoes

9. Red fruit used in caprese salad

16. Meat or veggie option on the grill 22

ACROSS

19.Smooth drink made with fruit and ice

22. Cooked over flames on a stick 23. Tropical fruit with spiky skin

Answers found on page 23.

July 17, 2025

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Simcoe Advocate

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Email to inquire: info@simcoeadvocate.com

THURSDAY, JULY 17

THURSDAY, JULY 24

SATURDAY JULY 26

Warriors STREAM Adventure 1 p.m - 3 p.m For kids 9–13 years old who are ready for a summer of fun, creativity, and discovery!

Captain Underpants STREAM Adventure 1 p.m - 3 p.m For kids 9–13 years old who are ready for a summer of fun, creativity, and discovery!

Neighbourhood Yard Sale

Norfolk County Public Library - Waterford Branch 15 Main Street South Waterford

Norfolk County Public Library - Port Rowan Branch 1034 Bay Street Port Rowan

FRIDAY, JULY 18

FRIDAY, JULY 25

Over 7 families participating! Cookies, furniture, toys, books, clothes, homewares, small appliances, craft supplies, tools & more.

Friday Fun Nights In The Cafe 7 p.m A special game night of Settlers of Catan.

Come play this exciting and classic game of trading, building and exploring! New and experienced players welcome! No cost to play.

Friday Fun Nights In The Cafe 6:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m Once again, local musician-actress-creative Meredith Wood is taking the Riversyde 83 Cafe stage! This time, her "varietous show" will include Canadian trivia poetry!

Guided by Bob and Sue Defreyne.

Riversyde83 FoodHub - 83 Sydenham Street in Downtown Simcoe

Riversyde83 FoodHub - 83 Sydenham Street in Downtown Simcoe

Bingo Night 7 p.m Doors open 5:30 p.m - Early Bird 6:30 p.m Presented by ABEL Enterprises. Concession stand run by Simcoe & District Humane Society.

TUESDAY, JULY 22 Captain Underpants STREAM Adventure 1 p.m - 3 p.m For kids 9–13 years old who are ready for a summer of fun, creativity, and discovery!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 45th annual Norfolk Terry Fox Run Registration is at 10 am.

Opening ceremonies & warm ups at 11 am.

The Run begins at 11 am.

We will host the event at Lions Ball Park. You can walk, Run, bike, roll 1 km, 5km or 10km.

Dogs are welcome to join along! We offer refillable water stations, snacks & beverages & fun activities before the event begins.

JULY 25 & JULY 26

MONDAY, JULY 21

Simcoe Legion, West Street, Simcoe

Patterson St, Owen St & Woodhouse St, in Simcoe, ON (near Memorial Ball Diamond, close to downtown).

Annual Church Yard Sale Friday July 25th - 5pm to 8pm Saturday July 26th - 8am to 1pm Colborne Village United Church in Simcoe is holding its annual Church Yard Sale, Friday July 25th 5-8 pm and Saturday July 26th 8-1 pm. Lots of treasures and items to decorate your home and garden! Everyone is invited to come and browse new found treasures!

Registration is at 10 am, with opening ceremonies & warm ups just before 11 am. The Run begins at 11 am. Participants return to the park & enjoy Dominoes pizza. For further information & to register you can visit run.terryfox.ca/norfolkcounty Lions Ball Park Pavillion along the Lynn Valley Trail - 75 Davis St., Simcoe

Colborne Village United Church - 30 Glendale Crescent, Simcoe

Norfolk County Public Library - Delhi Branch 192 Main Street of Delhi Delhi

PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS WITH US! HERE’S HOW:

Deadline: Monday prior at 3 p.m. Contact: info@simcoeadvocate.com

The Simcoe Advocate Community Calendar allows non-profit organizations to promote their free admission community events at no charge. Event listings can include the event name, date, time and location as well as contact information (ie phone number, email address or website).

If your event is not free admission or you would like to include more details than stated above, the Simcoe Advocate offers the following options for promoting your community events: Coming Events Word Ad in Classified section (50 word max.) - $10 + hst Coming Events Boxed Word Ad in Classified section (50 word max.) - $15 + hst Display Ad - Sizes begin at a Small Classified Display ad (3.3" x 2.5") - $35 + hst

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Email to inquire: info@simcoeadvocate.com

CONSTRUCTION Give us a call to start the process on your next project

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THIS COULD BE YOUR AD HERE! CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO!

Simcoe Advocate

July 17, 2025

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CLASSIFIEDS

COMING EVENTS

Email to inquire: info@simcoeadvocate.comSummer Foods HELP WANTED

The Simcoe and District Horticultural Society will be having their annual picnic at Homegrown Hideaway at 11 am until approximately 1 pm. The date is July 9th.

Bring your own lunch, lawn chair etc. The address is 524 St Johns Road. We can carpool at 10:45 at the fairgrounds parking lot. For more info contact helenuren@live.ca or 226 440 2699.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS 1

WE ARE

RSVP: 519-426-2144

Gerharda (Geraldine) Mary McCusker

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Location: Work from Anywhere!

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QUIZ ANSWERS "I thought of you today but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence. I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Our memory is a keepsake from which i’ll never part. God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart."

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FOR SALE

April 6, 1943 - May 13, 2025

- Garry Shean

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IN MEMORIAM

"See you in the next life Gerrie"

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Costa Rica Group Tour 9 Day departing from Simcoe

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

6. Beetlejuice

2. The Belmonts

7. New Kids On The Block

4. Loch Ness Monster

8. John Smith

5. Ewe

10. Max Verstappen

9. Hades

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BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATION DATES JULY 3, JULY 17, JULY 31

Copyright © 2025 SudokuTodo | For personal or classroom use only.

Play online or make your own free printable sudoku at SudokuTodo.com

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