St. Marys Independent - February 20

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St. Marys council has approved a partnership between the town and the Avon Maitland District School Board’s specialist high skills major program that will see local high school students from St. Marys DCVI come up with design ideas for upgrades to Lind Park.

After the town was unsuccessful with its application last fall for up to $30,000 in FedDev Ontario funding that would have seen the park at the corner of Jones Street East and Church Street South upgraded with landscaping, picnic tables, accessible pathways, benches and signage, creating a more vibrant and active downtown environment that balances historical significance with modern community needs, town staff recently met with school board staff to discuss the potential for a partnership on this project.

“Prior to the holidays, I did get a phone call from a representative within the high skills major program at Avon Maitland District School Board who proposed the idea of doing a partnership similar to something they did in another community with a park that was geared towards public art,” said St. Marys tourism and economic development manager Kelly Deeks-Johnson. “It was something that worked really well and was a great opportunity for their students.

“So, she and I worked on what this would look like and basically, the high skills major program within the school board has various specialties – construction, manufacturing, engineering (and) they have an artsand-culture and environmental group – and they all work on the individual specialties. The proposed idea would be that we would collectively get together staff and the school board – the high skills major staff would put together the (student) groups – and we

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s (CBHFM) class of 2025 will consist of six new inductees.

Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger José Bautista will be inducted alongside ex-big-league left-hander Érik Bédard (Navan, Ont.) while Canadian Junior National Team head coach Greg Hamilton (Toronto, Ont.) will be inducted in the coaches/officials category. Longtime Women’s National Team star Amanda Asay (Prince George, B.C.) will also be inducted, posthumously.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee has also elected former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League legend Arleene Noga (Ogema, Sask.) and Gerry Snyder, the Montreal city councillor who played a crucial role in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada. Noga and Snyder will be inducted posthumously.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class will be honoured in a ceremony at the hall-of-fame grounds in St. Marys on June 7.

“We are proud and excited to celebrate the outstanding careers of this year’s inductees in

COMMUNITY

would have a one-day session, probably at the Pyramid Recreation Centre.”

During that one-day session, the high skills major students would be grouped based on specialty and town staff would present an overview of the park-rejuvenation project including challenges, like the need to enhance accessibility at the park, opportunities and outcomes. The session would include a site visit at Lind Park and each of the student groups would be tasked with brainstorming and developing project ideas for the park. Town staff would return later in the afternoon to hear the student proposals

and ask questions.

“We would take it from there as far as whether we want to pursue any of the ideas, or collectively merge any of the ideas, and put together a group to determine what a design could look like,” Deeks-Johnson said. “If there’s time, we could even enhance the partnership to have students work on things like building benches or working through some of the signage we would like to achieve with the park, those kinds of things.”

While the park-upgrade project was originally dependent on grant funding, $35,000 for the project was still included in the town’s 2025 budget. According to

St. Marys director of corporate services André Morin, this partnership could not only provide an excellent opportunity for local students to engage in the community and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, it could potentially save the town some money on consultants and design work for the park project, making it more feasible.

“I see this as extremely positive,” Coun. Jim Craigmile said. “The way I’m reading it is Phase 1 is giving them a bit of a free reign to come up with some designs and then it would come back to us. So, it could end up being multi-year because Phase 2 could be costing or con -

struction.”

“Yes,” Deeks-Johnson responded. “It’s a small space, so there’s not much we can really do there. It’s going to be very simplified. Really, it’s adding some seeding, greenery, some low-maintenance plants, tree canopy, also some signage and we’ve talked about some introduction of some art and various interesting pieces within the park, which is something they’re very keen to explore as well. … We would give them what our objectives are and sort of what restrictions might be … and let them tell us some neat ideas. I’m excited to hear what they come up with.”

The Town of St. Marys is commemorating International Women’s Day with initiatives and events designed to spotlight women who positively impact our society and to address the issue of access to affordable feminine-hygiene products.

St. Marys Public Library

On Saturday, March 8, in collaboration with the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force, the St. Marys Public Library will be highlighting their Period Pantry by providing complimentary period products to those in need. Available products include pads, tampons, Diva Discs and Diva Wash.

This initiative, made possible through a grant from the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health and the continued

efforts of the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force, aims to raise awareness about the issue of access to affordable feminine-hygiene products and promote discussions on how to ensure that every individual has access to the necessary hygiene items.

"We are proud to help provide essential period products to our community,” said library CEO Sarah Andrews in a press release. “This initiative not only addresses a critical need but also fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for all."

The St. Marys Public Library Period Pantry is available year-round and can be accessed during business hours. Individuals interested in donating to the Period Pantry may contact the St. Marys Public Library at 519-284-3346.

St. Marys Friendship Centre

The St. Marys Friendship Centre

will be holding its annual International Women’s Day Event on Friday, March 7 at 1 p.m., with this year’s theme of "Accelerate Action."

This free event will include presentations from Aileen Burgin on her work with the “Super Aging Initiative,” Myrna Fisk on the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and bestselling author Julie Sawchuck on the importance of proactive planning for accessibility and inclusion.

"Our annual International Women's Day event is an opportunity to celebrate

the incredible contributions of women in our community and to inspire action and change for a more equitable future" said St. Marys senior services manager Jenny Mikita in the press release.

Those interested in attending the event can sign up by calling 519-2843272 or registering online at townofstmarys.com/activenet.

For more information about International Women’s Day, visit www.internationalwomensday.com.

St. Marys firefighters train for ice-water rescue

On Saturday Feb. 15, the St. Marys Fire Department practiced ice-water rescue techniques around Milt Dunnell Field (Flats) and Trout Creek. They used specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), ropes, rapid deployment craft (RDC), poles and a stokes litter basket to simulate ice-water rescue scenarios.

“This is a high-risk, low-frequency event,” said Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson. “This is one of those events that doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does happen, it’s dangerous. We do it now so our members are refreshed in their ice-water rescue training. You will see us practicing for still, swift and ice-water rescue all year round.

“One or two firefighters would enter the ice water to save the victim or the patient, and firefighters would stay back to pull them out. We have other options such as a Fortuna boat, which is a specialized rescue boat for water and ice. Or, in the worst case, most dangerous part, our members must go into the water and swim up to the person. The highly trained members of the Go Team led by Lt. Darcy Robinson are knowledgeable in all things water, ice and cold-water safety, and know how to help somebody if they were to fall in the water or through the ice.”

Being mindful of surroundings near water and ice is crucial. According to Anderson, anyone venturing out should always share their plans with someone, carry ice picks, depending on the season, and wear a life preserver. These precautions can provide anyone with additional time and energy in case of an emergency.

St. Marys firefighters recently participated in ice-water rescue training exercises around Milt Dunnell Field and Trout Creek.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARYS FIRE DEPARTMENT)

EDITORIAL

Opinion: Canadians stand together, true north strong and free

There are moments in history when a generation is called upon to define and defend itself, now and for the future. For Canadians, this moment has come in the form of the punishing tariffs the president of the United States is threatening us with – we who are his closest ally and largest trading partner. We should be under no illusions. These moves are meant to cripple our economy and put millions of Canadians out of work. He wants to bring us to heel.

Largely unwarranted and seen as illegal by some, these tariffs serve as a pretence and cover for a bigger idea - to annex Canada, while also threatening the sovereignty of those he sees subservient in his new world order, be they Greenland, the Panama Canal and even Gaza.

Canadians will have none of it. Neither will the Europeans, Mexicans, Central Americans or Gazans who are also in his crosshairs. The road to self-determination and freedom has been too highly fought for and paved with the blood of too many ancestors to let it slip from our hands now.

We are not interested in going back to a feudal past, a religious crusade or an authoritarian regime.

Not long ago, Canada and the United States were bound by a close friendship, helping each other through thick and thin. Together, we were part of the Allied Forces who fought and died alongside each other to eradicate acts of tyranny.

But the White House has lost sight of that friendship and a feeling of betrayal

lies in its wake.

Thankfully, there are millions of Americans who, just like us, have expressed disbelief at these attacks and against his own people and others around the world. They are starting to rise up against the President and his billionaire-tech oligarchs.

Our mission now is to be clear-eyed about the moment we’re in and to move forward with clarity, resolve, resilience and resourcefulness. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to our children to shape a world inspired by the values of respect, self-determination, human rights and the rule of law.

As Canadians, we must stand resolute as we defend our nation and with nations who share our values.

Across this country, an “awakening” is happening, fueled by a sense of purpose and pride. A resistance has already begun through the actions of everyday Canadians who are forming a vanguard that will spread beyond our shores. I am joining them too.

This unfolding situation reminds us that bad things happen when good people stand by and do nothing. Canadians are not ones to stand back and do nothing. We never have been. We are justly proud of who we are and are prepared to defend and fight for it now and forever.

There will be no surrender.

Loreena McKennitt is an international, multi-platinum recording artist, a member of The Order of Canada, the former honorary colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force and founder of Wise Communities. wisecommunities. org/canada.

Bravo Boo

We have 5 Bravos this week.

1) Bravo to all those dedicated people who brave the weather to deliver the Independent each week.

2) Bravo to the town employees that worked hard throughout the night to clear the town streets and sidewalks.

3) A big bravo goes out to Mr. Steve Cubberley, thanks so much and I appreciate you for blowing out the snow at the end of my driveway.

4) Bravo to the caring and generous residents of St. Marys that have helped to care for the young man living in St. Marys without a safe place to call home. He appreciates the love you have shown. It takes a village and ours is the best. Kindness always wins.

5) Bravo and thank you to all my neighbours on Jones Street West. They and their snow blowers have kept my driveway clear during these snowy days, and it is very much appreciated.

Quote of the Week

"What I saw was everyone on that plane suddenly became very close, in terms of how to help one another, how to console one another. That was powerful.”

- Peter Carlson, a passenger on the Delta Air Lines flight 4819 after the plane crashed on landing at Pearson Airport on Monday.

Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!

St. Marys Independent

Publisher

Stewart Grant • stew@granthaven.com

Regional Editor

Galen Simmons • galen@granthaven.com

Graphic Design / Sales Inquiries

Tyler Carruthers • info@stmarysindependent.com

Business Development

Heather Dunbar • heather@granthaven.com

Billing Administrator

Cindy Boakes • boakescindy1576@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant

Wendy Lamond • wendylamond74@gmail.com

Contributors

June Grant, Nancy Bickell, Mary Smith, Nancy Abra, Lauren Eedy, Spencer Seymour, Sarah Cairns, Paul Knowles, Jake Grant, Julia Paul, Emily Stewart, McGinny Photography

36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@stmarysindependent.com | 519.284.0041 | granthaven.com

The St. Marys Independent THOUGHTS OF THE WEEK

Sponsored by:

In the face of family issues, build bridges not walls. Have someone in your life that can make you smile, even when they aren't around. What divides us pales in comparison to what unites us.

We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

and Boos are submitted by community members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the St. Marys Independent.
We have no Boos this week.

Concerns over craft beer industry loom amid election

The owner of a local craft brewery in St. Marys is concerned over how the upcoming Ontario provincial election will affect the province’s craft-beer industry.

According to the Province of Ontario’s website, the beer volume tax is 17.6 cents per litre for both draft and nondraft beers brewed at microbreweries and manufacturers. The environmental fee is 8.93 cents per non-refillable container.

"As a small producer,” said Ryan Leaman, Broken Rail Brewing owner, “I pay the exact same rates as some of the very large guys that are out there, which can be hard for a small brewery.”

Leaman said that while the Ontario PC government promised lower tax rates for craft breweries, it has yet to happen.

“The question is, 'Are they going to have that same thought and want to help reduce it?' " he said. "Currently, the Green Party has actually come out saying that they would remove the tax on craft brewers, which is welcoming news but we're not sure of the other parties and even the current PC party. I haven't seen anything coming out saying for sure that would lower that."

The craft-brewery industry is facing challenges, and several breweries shut down. The large-scale manufacturers have also been struggling since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“Having a little bit of relief could go a

very long way,” Leaman said.

Broken Rail Brewing has literature from the Save Local Craft Beer campaign available with information about the beer volume, can taxes and the burden breweries shoulder. Leaman is also making sure the social media coordinator at the brewery is posting about the campaign.

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MARCH BREAK CAMP PRC

Say goodbye to boredom this March Break with Camp PRC!

The Save Local Craft Beer campaign website also has a draft letter to send to local MPPs to address the issue. Leaman said, so far, there’s a bit of interest in the campaign.

"Everybody that I've talked to that I've kind of brought it up or asked questions about it, they're definitely on board,” he said. “How many are actually going online and filling out those forms to reach out to the MP and all that, I'm unsure. I’m obviously not there to witness it. I would love to see more awareness brought to it.”

More information on Save Local Craft Beer can be found by visiting www. savelocalcraftbeer.ca.

From crafting masterpieces to actionpacked games and skating, the fun never ends at the Pyramid Recreation Centre Register online through ActiveNet today

Our senior of the week is Bernie Vandonk. Bernie was born in Pembroke and grew up in New Hamburg and Kitchener. He has two children and one awesome grandson named Walker. Bernie has been married to Marg for 10 years. He is a member of the Rotary Club as well as a Legion member. In his spare time he likes to garden, travel, hike, skate outdoors, and visit live music festivals. He loves living in St. Marys and calls it a town very worth living in.

If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, contact us at 519-284-0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.

Fire Capt. Ryan Taylor celebrates 30 years of service with the St. Marys Fire Department

St. Marys Fire Department Capt. Ryan Taylor reached a significant milestone in his career on Feb. 15, marking 30 years of service to his community.

Taylor joined the department on Feb. 15, 1995, and through his dedication, hard work and continuous education, he was promoted to captain on Dec. 29, 2018. His 30-year tenure as a firefighter has been both challenging and rewarding, with no plans for retirement in sight. Taylor has been honoured with the 20-year Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal and is set to receive his 30-year bar.

In March 2022, Taylor was recognized as St. Marys’ Firefighter of the Month. His inspiration to pursue a career in firefighting stemmed from his childhood admiration for his best friend's father, who was also a member of the fire department.

One of Taylor’s most cherished aspects of being a firefighter is his ability to give back to the community. In addition to his firefighting duties, he actively participates in fundraising efforts for local charities, youth sports, scholarships and Muscular Dystrophy Canada with the St. Marys Fire Department.

Taylor was raised in St. Marys and is married to Marcy. Together, they have three children – Devin, Curtis and Reid. In addition to his duties with the fire department, Taylor works at the St. Marys Cement plant and

owns his own business.

Taylor also has the unique opportunity to mentor and work alongside his son, Curtis Ryan, who was hired on Jan. 1 as one of the newest recruits.

“Capt. Taylor is an exceptional leader,” said deputy fire chief Phil West. “Ryan has always led by example. He has been a friend and mentor to countless members of this department.”

In a press release, the town thanked Taylor for his ongoing commitment and dedication to protecting our community.

1. What is the world's oldest known currency that is still in use today?

What is the tallest building in the world?

What tool is used to measure angles? 4. The Brooklyn Bridge spans which river?

5. What was a “garderobe” in a medieval castle? 6. A mule is a cross between which two animals?

7. Who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?

8. What country has the most pyramids in the world?

9. What ingredient makes bread rise?

10. Who founded the technology company Microsoft?

Ontario Apples at

Homework club for Ukrainian students looking for volunteers

A homework club is looking for volunteers to assist Ukrainian students with their learning.

V.J. Knutson, a former teacher, set up a homework club for Ukrainian students between the grades of senior kindergarten to Grade 11. Knutson was helping teenagers with English, French and Civics, but then she got several requests from elementary schools to help Ukrainian students with parents who do not speak English and therefore could not help with their homework.

The homework club meets every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m., with volunteers arriving at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Marys Public Library. The club is looking for more volunteers so there can be one volunteer for each student. Current volunteers include retired teachers and other members of the community.

"It's just about being able to sit with the child and help them with whatever skills it is that they need to work with,” Knutson said.

Many students have mandatory 20

minutes of reading time. Helping the students with their daily reading requirements takes up most of the club’s meetings.

“The parents have said the kids can read to them, but they don't know or can't really correct them or help them with understanding what they're reading,” Knutson said.

She added many of the students participating in the club are bright and ready to learn.

"It's good for the kids because they get to work with somebody who can give them feedback and they're all very eager,” Knutson said.

The homework club also offers a chance for parents to meet each other and socialize.

“They all meet up and bring their kids and I don't know if they go for coffee or what they do, but it gives them a chance to come together,” Knutson said. “It also gives them a chance to come together with some Canadians, like the volunteers that are there."

Anyone interested in helping out can send an email to english.knutson@ gmail.com.

Grant Haven Media partners with Paris Independent

Paris’ online newspaper will launch print edition in March

“Start the Presses!” was the big headline in the Saturday, Feb. 15 online edition of The Paris Independent, as managing editor Casandra Turnbull broke the exciting news to her hometown that their newspaper would be available for the first time in print format on Wednesday, March 19.

Effective March 1, the Paris Independent becomes the 11th newspaper under our Grant Haven Media banner as we continue to follow our mandate of “restoring local journalism, one community at a time.”

I have admired the work of the Paris Independent for over a year; ever since our company expanded into Brant County in January 2024 with the purchase of the Brant Farms publication.

The Paris Independent, like the St. Marys Independent in my hometown, developed locally in response to failures of the media conglomerates to safeguard local news reporting. Three years after St. Marys saw the closure of its Journal-Argus, Paris lost its Star. Paris Independent founder Chris Whelan wrote in his history column this week about the rich history of journalism in Paris.

“The Paris Star, a stalwart publication, stood as a testament to the town’s commitment to news dissemination. … Had fate been kinder, the Paris Star would have celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025. Alas, the echoes of its presses fell silent in 2020, hushed by the hand of Postmedia.”

Though Postmedia had closed the

www.samshomehardware.com

Paris Star during the pandemic, along with 14 other community newspapers, a grassroots campaign began the following year to fill this void.

“Throughout the majority of 2021, our community endured a notable absence of a vital communication channel precisely when it was most needed,” said Whelan, who put a call on social media hoping to find likeminded people to help launch a new digital publication. “The outpouring of support was

truly overwhelming, notably from key figures such as Casandra, the former editor of The Paris Star until 2011.”

The first edition of the online Paris Independent was launched in September 2021. For each of the last 180 weeks, Whelan, Turnbull and the rest of their Paris based team have put out a digital newspaper, building up a loyal following of over 2,000 readers. Still, an online paper has its limitations. It’s not something that you can see or be

aware of when you are walking the streets of Paris and visiting the stores, restaurants, or coffee shops.

Last month, I met with Whelan for lunch at the Cobblestone Public House in Paris and suggested we establish a partnership with the goal of converting the Paris Independent into a print publication so it may make an even greater impact to its community, with a more visible presence and a powerful new distribution model.

Following our meeting, Whelan, who I’ve found quickly to be a kindred spirit, consulted with Turnbull who agreed this was the perfect time to take their newspaper in this direction.

“This was always our end goal,” said Turnbull of a print edition. “When we started the Paris Independent, we promised the community that if it was viable, one day we would roll out a print edition. With a strong online presence and digital footprint, it's only natural that we take that next step in growth and publish a weekly edition that will reach stores, businesses and community centres across Paris. Even as the community has adjusted to digital news, we still get the occasional question, 'Where can I pick up a copy?' There will always be a longing for a print edition, something tangible to hold in your hands and flip the pages as you digest what is happening in your own backyard.”

The presses will begin to roll soon, with the first print edition being delivered to Paris on March 19 while also being available online at www. granthaven.com.

Some of the Paris Independent team got together at the Paris Inn recently to plan for the first print edition and beyond. Pictured from left to right are George Le Gresley (sports reporter), Michelle Malvaso (photographer), Stewart Grant (publisher), Casandra Turnbull (managing editor) and Chris Whelan (editor).
(CINDY WHELAN PHOTO)

St. Marys council looking to bill 119 industrial, commercial and institutional properties for recycling pickup

A total of 119 industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) properties in St. Marys could soon be on the hook for paying for recycling-pickup services after curbside collection of recyclables transferred from the responsibility of Ontario municipalities to producer responsible organizations (PROs) in April 2024.

At the Feb. 11 town council meeting, St. Marys councillors discussed how the town might recoup remnant recycling fees that are being paid by the town to Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA) after the 119 properties in question were deemed ineligible for funding through a PRO. Since that time, the town has incurred and continues to incur $70 per wheelie recycling bin annually for these non-eligible properties. As there are a total of 255 bins across all 119 properties – some properties have more than one bin –the town has incurred a total of $17,850 since last April.

“As council may remember in 2024, the town’s curbside recycling residential cost transitioned to those PRO organizations that basically took our residential component for curbside col-

lection off the municipality and onto those organizations,” the town’s environmental services manager, Dave Blake, said. “Following that transition, remnant recycling fees are continuing to be incurred by the town on a monthly basis. … The ICI properties got incorporated into the town’s curbside-collection program historically, but no longer meet that eligibility requirement for the PROs to do those program services on their behalf.”

Historically, the town has structured wheelie-bin fee to cover both the costs of the curbside-garbage collection program and the recycling-collection component. In theory, that means the ICI properties that are also utilizing the curbside waste-collection program are paying into the system for recycling services as well. However, when reviewing the properties in question, staff determined 41 of the 119 properties have a like number of waste wheelie bins in service; 51 of the 119 properties have more recycling bins in service than waste bins; and 27 of the 119 properties have no waste bins but have one or more recycling bins.

Among five different options for how or if the town should recoup those fees from the 119 properties, including two options that would only recoup costs

from properties that have more recycling bins that garbage bins, Blake said staff recommended simply invoicing all 119 properties for remnant recycling fees at $70 per bin.

Though some councillors suggested that might encourage those property owners to divert their recyclables to their garbage bins to save on recycling costs, thereby allowing recyclable material to enter the town’s landfill, Blake assured them there are a number of avenues for dealing with that issue including enforcement of a town bylaw that prohibits contamination of waste with recyclables and reaching out to property owners in breach of that bylaw to offer education and guidance on how to dispose of recyclables properly.

Mayor Al Strathdee, however, was concerned with moving ahead with that or any option before knowing exactly what properties were on that list.

“Someone’s going to phone me and say, ‘How come I’m getting charged for five bins and Rob Edney, respectfully, is a landlord (in the downtown core) and he’s not getting charged for any?’ … That’s why I’m concerned about passing this until I know the answer,” the mayor said. “ … I’m not comfortable passing it until I understand because even the churches and the Legion

and all these things; who’s covering (their fees)?”

Some councillors questioned whether larger apartment buildings in town were considered commercial or residential under the PRO eligibility criteria while others wondered how businesses that utilize the town’s nine-yard, legacy recycling bins in the downtown core, which Blake said are intended for overflow from higher-density residential buildings downtown, would be affected.

“It seems like there is a (desire among councillors) to charge for the remnant recycling, but we need to go back and do some more work on exactly what that PRO definition (for ICI versus residential properties) is,” offered public works director Jed Kelly. “And we might be on the cutting edge of this. I know there’s other conversations happening at other councils, so we can go back and run this up the flagpole again and provide more detail and come back.”

Should council ultimately decide to bill the 119 ICI property owners for recycling collection by BRA, Blake said they would have the option to opt out of the BRA’s recycling pickup program and procure some other recycling-collection service on their own.

GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jacobs Liquidation hosts soft opening at new location

Jacobs Liquidation held a soft opening Feb. 13 at their new location at 1911 James St. S. The new space is incredible, well laid out and is chock full of inventory. Owner Craig Jacobs shared they are still working on the space and working out the kinks. There will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 21 at 9:30 a.m. Above left, the first customers, Neil and Elaine Primeau, were welcomed by owner Craig Jacobs at the new location of Jacobs Liquidation. Above right, owners Craig and Deanna Jacobs graciously stopped for a picture during their busy first morning at the new Jacobs Liquidation location.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTOS)

Family Day Weekend included lots of snow clearing

Those snowbanks are particularly tall from the perspective of young Bhode on Grahlyn Ave.
Sage Meyer trying to swing on the farm on Cobble Hills Road.
Jonathan and Jeff Buckland were up on the roof to clear the heavy accumulated snow on Sunday.
The McKellar’s pet cat Cash didn’t get far in clearing the front step.
Great neighbour, great legs! This fine fellow has kindly cleared out many driveways on Carrall Street this year.
Josh McNeight jams with an icicle that he pulled from his dad’s eavestrough on Elizabeth St.
The dog days of winter! Oyo (the Bernier) and Aico (National Service Dog in training) have some fun in the snow with Lara Middleton on Family Day.
Grandpa Brent Dundas shows young Chase how it’s done.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Tony Rybka of St. Maria St. flies the flag for Canada, the great white north!

Kirkton “Home for the Holidays” 4-H Christmas club reflects on the holiday season

Submitted article

Members of the Kirkton “Home for the Holidays” Christmas 4-H club spent the lead-up to the 2024 holiday season baking holiday goodies and making Christmas cards and holiday decorations.

The following are accounts of each of the club’s six meetings written by club press reporters Blake T. and Owen B.

Meeting 1

By club press reporter Blake T.

At the first meeting, we got to know each other and took the first attendance. Then, we headed into baking. I was paired with my grandma and two teenage boys.

There were three other groups as well. We all worked hard making treats and sweets to bring home to our families at Christmas time.

Right in the middle of making our bars, someone noticed we were missing an ingredient. April, our leader, had to rush home to get the missing ingredient. In the meantime, I was watching the other groups. Then, April came back with the missing ingredient. It was vanilla powder.

That is how our first meeting went. I love 4-H.

Meeting 2

By club press reporter Owen B.

The second meeting of the 4-H Christmas club was all about chocolate.

We started the meeting with roll call and the question was, “What is your favorite chocolate bar?” Some of my favourite answers were Caramilk, Coffee Crisp, Mars Bar and Twix.

Then we heard that the guest leader was Edith. We went into the kitchen. We melted chocolate then we dipped candy in it. We dipped Twizzlers, Chips Ahoy Minis, Pringles and Veggie Straws. We

also had a spoon to scoop the chocolate into molds.

At the last station, we were making candy cane bark. With the extra chocolate, we made clusters. When we were done, we had to wash dishes and the water went everywhere!

We ended the meeting with a snack of dipped marshmallows and chocolate brownies. The brownies had a secret ingredient. The secret ingredient was black beans.

Elections were held: president Amelia, vice president Nelleke, secretary Zach, press reporters Blake and Owen.

Meeting 3

By club press reporter Owen B.

This meeting was held at the Kirkton Church. The topic was making Christmas cards.

Our guest leader was Sue Shafer. She showed us some tricks to making cards. We made these cards for residents of the Wildwood Care Centre. We spent the whole meeting making cards and we made about 40 cards.

We ended the meeting with a snack and the snack was Timbits.

Meeting 4

By club press reporter Blake T. Nov. 28, 2024, was the fourth 4-H meeting. We were at April’s house. We were making wooden snowmen and urns.

There were paint cans and paint brushes for the snowman and a lot of branches for the urns. Some of the adults helped by bringing some pretty decorations to put on the urns.

At the end of the meeting, we went to

April’s garage to have snacks and soon we will go to a retirement home to sing carols! And that is what we did at our meeting.

Meeting 5

By club press reporter Owen B.

We met at the Kirkton Hall and our guest leader was Cherie Thompson, a chef.

Half of the group met in the kitchen to bake some desserts. We baked Mini Carrot Cakes, Pecan Squares, Magic Chipit Bars, Date Squares, White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies. I personally liked them all!

The other half of the group met in the hall to finish the snowmen from the meeting before. Then the groups switched places. Then we ended with a snack of brownies with apple and caramel on it.

Meeting 6 / Achievement Night

By club press reporter Owen B. Our sixth meeting was cancelled due to weather so we had it with Achievement Night. For Achievement Night, we went to Wildwood retirement home. We sang Christmas carols to the residents. After singing, we gave them our Christmas cards we made at Meeting 3.

Next, we went to St. Marys United Church. Leaders had cookies we baked from meetings before on a big table. We walked along the table picking the cookies. Each member got to take a container full of cookies home to enjoy with their family.

For snack, we had extra cookies that were left on the table.

So that ended the Home for the Holidays Christmas 4-H club, and we had a great season. Thank you to the Kirkton-Woodham Optimist Club for sponsoring us and to our leaders, Sherry Garrett, Catherine Liscumb, Judy Thompson and April Barker.

Christmas club members sing carols for residents of Wildwood retirement home on Achievement Night.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
At the first meeting of the Kirkton Christmas 4-H club, members baked sweets and treats for the holiday season.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The third meeting of the local 4-H Christmas club was focused entirely on making Christmas cards.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
KIRKTON CHRISTMAS 4-H CLUB

Perth County grants over $56,500 to 20 landowners and communities for 2025 tree-planting projects

From a total budget of $100,000 for the program this year, Perth County will allocate a combined $56,537 to 20 landowners, communities and organizations through the spring intake of the 2025 Perth County Stewardship Program for local tree-planting projects.

At the Feb. 6 Perth County council meeting, councillors voted to approve all 20 applications for funding. The stewardship program is divided into three funding streams. The landowner stream offers 50 per cent of project costs up to $3,000 to landowners planting 50 or more trees; the community stream offers a maximum of 100 per cent of project costs up to $5,000 to non-profit groups, municipalities, or conservation authorities planting trees or conducting tree-distribution programs in the county; and the woodland stream offers a maximum grant of 75 per cent of project costs up to $750 to landowners completing a 10-year forest-management plan.

Of the 20 applications approved by council, 12 were made to the landowner stream with a total of just over $30,000 in requested funds, seven were made to the community stream with a total of just over $25,700 in requested funds and one was made to the woodland stream

with a total of $750 in requested funds. Nine applications came in from West Perth, five from North Perth, four from Perth East and two from Perth South.

“These projects will complete one forest-management plan and plant 3,592 trees and shrubs encompassing 28 native species,” said county resiliency and stewardship coordinator Hannah Cann.

“The applications … would add 6.99 kilometres of windbreak and 16.35 acres of natural assets in Perth County.”

Along with the recommendation to approve the applications to the program, the county’s agricultural working group also recommended that council uses the balance of the funds for the program in this year’s budget, roughly $43,460, to offer further funding to landowners during a fall intake for the program later this year. Some county councillors, however, asked whether the remaining funds could instead be directed back into the overall county budget to support county projects such as the establishment of roadside windbreaks to combat the dangers of blowing snow on county roads.

“I’d like to know where this fall stream comes from,” Coun. Rhonda Ehgoetz said. “ … That’s not something that I thought council was doing or this committee was doing. Also, I would like to see us put that money towards

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windbreaks on our roads. We’ve had an awful lot of complaints if you watch Facebook and take it with a grain of salt. There are people that are saying in one county they have trees along their road and it’s stopping the snow, and yet in Perth County we don’t seem to have that.

“I don’t know what the urgency is to spend this money and if people don’t want it, then we should put it back into our budget. We have other things, but if we really want to spend it, I say we put trees along our roads.”

In response, deputy warden Dean Trentowsky, who serves as chair of the agricultural working group, noted the advisory committee had always intended for the program to have two intake periods – one in the spring and another in the fall. The only reason there was just one intake period last year was because the program’s budget was allocated fully during the 2024 spring intake.

“The 2025 year is different in that an additional $25,000 was allocated to the program and not all the funds available were taken up in the spring intake,” he said. “It’s still a very good program for private landowners to engage in given the nature of the decline in the forestry health in terms of … the ash trees. There’s still a need for the private landowners to engage in this program and it’s still a popular program.”

Returning to Ehgoetz’s point about the need for natural windbreaks along county roads, Coun. Sue Orr asked if there was any way to incentivize private landowners to plant trees that could act

as windbreaks for drivers on county roads once mature, to which Cann said staff is in the process of identifying new funding streams for the program, one of which could provide funding for “living snow fences.”

“It was always the intention of the county stewardship program to add new streams as more money was allocated year over year,” Cann said. “Living snow fences is a stream that we are looking at adding as one to highlight for landowners. Unfortunately, living snow fences are amazing, but you have to have the buy-in of the landowners whose land is adjacent to the roads. Being able to support landowners who are wanting windbreaks and living snow fences on their own accord is a really great initiative to do for this program to start. We are in the process of also identifying priority areas for living snow fences in the county.”

In response to a follow-up question from Ehgoetz about why the county can’t just plant living snow fences and windbreaks on the public road allowance, Cann said they need to be planted a certain distance away from the roadway, often on private property, to be effective.

Trentowsky also noted funding for the protection of saplings and seedlings once they’re planted may also be included as part of the stewardship program as early as this fall – something the agricultural working group had determined there is a need for going forward.

Line dancing to better life SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE

The history of Line Dancing is generally linked to country and Western music. Some say it has its roots in European folk dances, such as square and round dances. It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s, and from the social settlement movement of folk dancing.

Line Dancing is a choreographed dance in which a group dances to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows that usually face all in the same direction. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Each dance is usually associated with, and named for, a specific song. Each dance consists of a number of walls, the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back, or one of the sides.

The 1992 music video for the Billy Ray Cyrus country Western song Achy Breaky Heart has been credited for launching the line dance format into public consciousness. Its newfound mainstream appeal would see it spread out to other pop-centric musical genres as well.

Line Dancing is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, dance clubs, ballrooms, and social clubs, like the Friendship Centre housed at St. Marys’ recreation centre, the Pyramid Centre.

The Friendship Centre is a hub for numerous community activities. “We provide programs and services, which encourage individuals to stay active, encourage community connection, and stay socially well,” says Sarah Jones, Senior

Services Program Coordinator at the Friendship Centre. “We offer everything from fitness and dance classes, to discussion groups, music programs, and everything in between. Programs are geared towards our 50+ population, but are often compatible for those over the age 18, such as Line Dancing. On average we see anywhere from a dozen to a few dozen participants. It depends on the time of year,” says Jones.

Shirley Davis, who hails from London, ON, has been a Line Dance instructor for 20 years, and loves teaching in St. Marys. “She began her Line Dancing career because she enjoyed the music, and the dancing when she and her friends went out,” says Jones.

Dancing has been a part of human history for thousands of years. People in every culture and country can reap the health benefits of dancing. It’s a gentle and painless approach to exercise, engaging the mind and body in an enjoyable way that does not feel strenuous. Medical evidence shows that adults can significantly improve lower body muscle endurance, strength and flexibility, balance, agility, and gait through dancing. There are other benefits such as reducing stress levels anxiety, and insomnia.

Seniors can benefit greatly from most forms of dance as they provide low-impact cardio at an activity level that produces many of the same heart and pulmonary benefits as traditional cardio

exercises. Research shows that one to two hours of dancing a week can also improve mental dexterities. The memorization of steps, and the focus required by older people dancing result in increased brain activity, promoting better cognitive functions.

“As a newcomer to line dancing, some participants find learning new moves a challenge in the beginning, but as they become more confident and muscle memory takes over, they soon excel, and then they are hooked,” emphasizes instructor Davis.

Other dance-specific lessons such as Ballroom Dancing and Zumba can also develop and maintain physical fitness, coupled with desirable social interactions for mental health.

There are numerous programs offered at the Friendship Centre that encourage physical fitness and social interactions. Events also available include a weekly Jamboree, which encourages musicians from all over to keep on jamming, while providing the community an opportunity to dance and enjoy music.

Even though the massive popularity of Line Dancing has declined, it is still an activity that is still very much alive. While there may not be a consistent stream of new Line Dancing music produced, the old classics are still danced to in country music halls around the world. What do participants like best about line dancing? Without hesitation, Davis responds, “The music, friends, and of course - the dancing!”

For more information about line dancing and other programs available at the Friendship Centre, phone the Friendship Centre at 519-284-3272, email friends@ town.stmarys.on.ca or connect through facebook.com/StMarysFriendshipCentre.

Please send comments and proposed topics for Arts articles to - smindependentarts@gmail.com

Line Dancing at the Friendship Centre.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
On Monday, Feb. 10 St. James Masonic Lodge #73 hosted the bi-weekly community dinner at St. Marys United Church. Serving the meal were: back row left to right Kelly Badger, Bill Porter, Barry Cookson, Harold Douglas, Don Dingwall, Steve Hearn and Daniel Greig. Front row left to right are very capable volunteers Chloe White and Elizabeth Blackler
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)

St. Marys Independent

St. Marys Independent SPORTS

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Lincs’ monster roll continues with 17th straight win

St. Marys needs two more points to clinch West’s top spot

Earlier this season, it would have been insane to have suggested the 11-game winning streak with which St. Marys Lincolns began the regular season wouldn’t be the team’s longest unbeaten stretch of the year.

In all honesty, an 11-game winning streak in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s (GOJHL) uber-competitive Western Conference was a rather far-fetched notion before it happened. And yet, here the Lincolns sit with wins in a jaw-dropping 17 straight games, including their most recent pair of wins over the Elmira Sugar Kings and St. Thomas Stars.

The Lincs’ last defeat came on Dec. 13. St. Marys’ win streak hit its sweet 16 on Feb. 14 when the Lincolns followed a lacklustre first period by a remarkable final 40 minutes to claim a 6-2 victory over the powerful Sugar Kings. Head coach Jeff Bradley told the Independent the team’s performance was “something to be proud of” even with their imperfect opening frame.

“We started out pretty good on the powerplay but then we didn’t look quite as sharp as we normally do for the rest of the first,” said Bradley. “We just didn’t quite have the touch when it came to the more high-skill plays we were trying to make, but we talked in the first intermission about it and played more of a simple game until we got our feet under us because we could also do that really well, and I thought we were excellent in the second and third.”

A warmup violation penalty against Elmira gave the Lincolns a man advantage to start the game, and despite a swarming powerplay showing by St. Marys, the game stayed scoreless until Liam Eveleigh buried a powerplay goal for Elmira later in the first. Eveleigh’s goal, the 30th in his GOJHL career as a defenceman, came just 13 seconds into the Sugar Kings’ first man advantage of the night and ended a run of shorthanded perfection by the Lincolns, who had fended off 31 consecutive penalty kills coming into the game. While not wishing for more periods like the first against the Sugar Kings, Bradley noted such stretches allow the

team to further sharpen their already ironclad resolve.

“Sometimes it's nice to have a little adversity. To win 16 games in a row, a lot of things have to go right for a team to do that, so it’s not the worst thing to have a little reminder that you’re not invincible. It keeps us honest. If you don’t show up, teams can beat you and Elmira is definitely not the team to mess around against. Even though it wasn’t a perfect start, I think it made us pull our socks up and we were better for it in the end.”

And pull up their socks the Lincolns certainly did.

Just 46 seconds into the middle stanza, Luca Spagnolo buried the game-tying goal, the 33rd of the year, after a furious scramble around Elmira’s net. Along with Jaden Lee, Ethan Coups picked up an assist that gave the Goderich native points in five straight games.

Spagnolo’s goal was followed by Lincoln Moore potting his 23rd on a perfect setup pass by Kyle Morey just 36 seconds later. Almost exactly six minutes after Moore’s goal, Ryan Cornfield capped off a three-way passing play with Ryan Hodkinson and Cohen Bidgood to tally his 12th of the season.

Chase MacQueen-Spence then sent home his 20th of the campaign at the

14:28 mark of the second to make it 4-1 in the Lincolns' favour on the powerplay after being fed the puck by Lee. Blake Elzinga also picked up a helper on the goal.

MacQueen-Spence went on to add an empty net goal in the third and drew heavy praise from the bench boss for the galvanizing presence he has brought to the line with Morey and Moore, all the while remaining one of the team’s most effective performers recently.

“That line of Chase (MacQueen-Spence), Kyle (Morey) and Lincoln (Moore) are really solidifying themselves as a premier line in this league. Chase has elevated his play at this time of the year every season he’s been here, and he’s doing it again on top of being an amazing leader.

“Obviously, Chase deserves to be playing with high-end players, but he also understands that when you have guys coming into the lineup, there is going to be a transition period from their previous team to ours. This whole time, Chase has understood his job as helping them get used to how we do things while continuing to put up points. He’s been great all year but, especially lately, Chase has been unbelievable.”

Before MacQueen-Spence’s empty

netter, Bidgood scored for the Lincolns while Elmira got another powerplay marker from Eveleigh. Morey and Owen Kalp assisted on Bidgood’s goal, while the lone assist on MacQueen-Spence’s empty net tally went to Jake McPherson, the first point for the Edmonton, Alta. native.

In between the pipes, the Lincolns enjoyed yet another wonderful performance by Nico Armellin, who made 28 saves to earn the win. Armellin’s 11th straight win tied the Vaughan product with Jesse Raymond for most wins in a season by a rookie goaltender in Lincs’ history.

“Nico was fantastic,” Bradley said. “He’s a first-year player who has just been so consistently good for us. He deserves all the accolades he’s received. I know he’s enjoying his time here and he’s playing lots, plus he’s got a great goaltending partner in Colby (BoothHousego). They push each other in a really positive way, and we’re fortunate to have the luxury that those guys provide.”

The one major downside to the game for St. Marys was the loss of Kyle Morey, who was ejected in the third period for disrespectful and abusive behaviour for a comment made towards another player. The call carries with it a minimum fivegame suspension, the first of which was served on Family Day.

Lincs overpower Stars for 7-3 victory

The Lincolns returned to the ice for a matinee on Feb. 17, travelling to St. Thomas and earning a 7-3 win over the Stars.

It took just one minute and 37 seconds for Moore to find the five-hole of Stars’ goalie Matthew Vahramian to put St. Marys up 1-0. As he has settled into his new team, his overwhelming offensive talent has proven to be somehow equalled by the star forward’s intense competitiveness and defensive responsibility.

“It’s easy to see his offensive skillset,” Bradley said, “but I think what the coaching staff, our players and hopefully our fans have come to appreciate is how hard Lincoln (Moore) works and how physical he is. He has championship DNA. For him to still have that level of will and desire, considering what he has

SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
Chase MacQueen-Spence and Cohen Bidgood embrace in celebration of MacQueen-Spence’s goal during the St. Marys Lincolns’ 7-3 win over the St. Thomas Stars on Feb. 17. By scoring against the Stars, MacQueen-Spence has scored in six consecutive games.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)

Lincs’ monster roll continues with 17th straight win

already accomplished in hockey, is unbelievable. The work ethic he has and how amazing he is at every part of the game are inspiring for our entire team. We are so lucky to have Lincoln.”

Nicolas Glanville managed to tie the game at one apiece for St. Thomas heading into the first intermission, but much like in their previous game against Elmira, the Lincolns were poised for a second-period goal explosion kicked off by Kalp driving from the blueline down to the front of the net, finishing by making a dazzling forehand-to-backhand move before tucking the puck past Vahramian.

Jacob McLellan was credited with the only assist. The goal, Kalp’s third of the season, was also his 50th career GOJHL point.

The supremely steady rearguard has become one of the Lincolns’ most reliable players and was lauded by Bradley for being the kind of player every coach wants to have.

“Guys like Owen (Kalp) don’t always get the credit they deserve because it doesn’t result in a whole bunch of points, but he is an absolute dream. Owen always wants information. The more information he can get and the more tasks he can be given, the more he succeeds. The best thing about Owen is how incredibly intelligent he is. He is probably one of the most intelligent players I’ve had the pleasure to coach.”

It was Owen Voortman’s turn at the

9:19 mark of the second when he ripped home a powerplay tally to end a fivegame goal drought. Lee and Cornfield picked up the assists.

Less than two minutes later, Hodkinson drove the net and tipped home a wonderful pass from below the goal line from MacQueen-Spence. Moore also earned a helper on the goal.

With a little less than six minutes left in the middle period, heads-up puck movement at the point by McPherson and Evan Roach opened things up for

Noah VandenBrink, who scored a dizzyingly gorgeous goal to put the Lincolns up 5-1. After a 16-game goal drought, VandenBrink has now scored in two of his last three games.

Two minutes and 40 seconds later, Hodkinson once again bulldozed his way to the front of the net and pushed the puck by Vahramian for his second of the afternoon, assisted by Quinn GavinWhite and Ryder Livermore. GavinWhite now has points in three of his last four outings.

Trent Clinton scored in the final minute of the second before Logan Hawery found the back of the net for the Stars with exactly seven minutes left in the third. MacQueen-Spence scored with just 16 seconds left in regulation, with assists going to Bidgood and Moore.

The goal puts MacQueen-Spence up to six consecutive games with a goal.

Colby Booth-Housego made 24 stops to secure his ninth straight win. With just six games remaining before the playoffs, the Lincolns find themselves two points away from clinching first place in the Western Conference. And while much of their game appears to be in order, the Lincolns are still hungry for more.

“They are smart kids and they care. They care about the team,” Bradley said. “They want the best for the team. They want to learn and keep growing their game. They love adding new things to what we do, and they love working on new elements. There are always things to keep tightening up. Our powerplay breakouts are one thing I think we can still get a bit more consistent with, but we just have such an intelligent group of hockey players that they love adding new things to our game.”

The Lincolns host the Stars for a rematch on Feb. 21 on Fill the Rink Night at the Pyramid Recreation Centre before heading to Waterloo to take on the Siskins on Feb. 23.

Owen Kalp flashes a rye smile during the St. Marys Lincolns’ 7-3 victory on Feb. 17 over the St. Thomas Stars. Kalp has been among the most consistent performers for the Lincolns throughout the season and scored a highlight reel goal against St. Thomas to help lift the Lincolns to their 17th straight win.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)

U9 MD Boys win double-overtime gold at Aylmer tourney

SPENCER SEYMOUR

The Finnbilt Construction U9 MD Boys St. Marys Rock captured the gold medal at the U9 Full-Ice Tournament in Aylmer Feb. 7-9 in thrilling fashion.

The Rock advanced to the gold-medal game by winning a must-win contest against the East Elgin Attack in the final round-robin match-up for both teams. Heading into the game, St. Marys sat with a 2-1 record, while East Elgin was a perfect 3-0. The Rock turned in a very strong showing en route to taking a 4-1 win and setting the stage for a rematch between the two teams in the championship game.

Head coach Rodney Harrison credited his squad for rising to the pressure of the fourth and final round-robin game.

“It was a must-win for us and we carried the play for a lot of the game,” Harrison told the Independent. “Our team was really aggressive on the forecheck and took East Elgin's players’ time and space away. Their goalie played really well because we certainly had enough chances to score a few more goals.”

In the final, East Elgin took a 1-0 lead with under two minutes left in the opening period. However, a full-line effort found the tying goal before the period was done, starting with MacLean Ross and Carter Van Wieren forcing the Attack’s shooters to the outside, which created a board battle that Jacob Zwambag

won with support from Ryker Harrison. The successful battle along the wall allowed the Rock to clear the puck out of their zone, and just moments later at the other end of the ice, Ben Hemstrock banged home a rebound to tie the game at one apiece in the dying moments of the first.

Landon McIntosh and Zac Bes did some fantastic work on the penalty kill, while Jackson Monisit Brown created a glorious scoring chance late in the third. St. Marys’ goaltenders, Everett Douglas and Jack Becker, each turned in excellent efforts throughout the weekend. Despite their great performance, the

Rock couldn’t solve the East Elgin netminder in regulation, with the game going into four-on-four overtime. Without a winning goal, the game then entered three-on-three overtime, where Harrison fired a long-range point shot that found a way into the back of the Attack’s net to win the game 2-1 for St. Marys.

The goal came after some outstanding backchecking by Van Wieren and Max Bilyea that created an outlet pass for Harrison which didn’t quite connect. However, a second impressive play by Bilyea to win a battle along the boards in the neutral zone to take control of the puck ultimately got the puck to Harrison for the game-winner.

According to Harrison, the team’s resolve and overall effort, especially with the group down Callum Parker and Brody Pearson due to illnesses, helped win the game.

“The work ethic and never-give-up attitude these players have on this team are special. Being a smaller-roster team, everyone has a job and missing two players of the team is tough, but our guys rallied and worked hard as a team. For the nine skaters and two goalies we had to battle that hard for each other, and for the two guys unable to play, is a proud coaching moment for me and the rest of the coaches. The way they dealt with the highs and lows emotionally, mentally and physically is good for their growth as individuals and as a team.”

Friends of the St. Marys Public Library extends sincere thanks and a big shout out to its 2025 sponsors for their generous support!

Action Health Care Inc.

All Roads Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

Angela Dawn Aesthetics & MediSpa

Atlin & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants

Betty’s Bookshelf

Black’s Financial Services

Cascade Cleaners

Cubberley Plumbing and Heating

Delmar Foods

Fern Pridham, Shackleton’s Real Estate & Auction Co.

FNF Ingredients

Forman Electric

Frayne Custom Cabinets

Graham Energy

Harris Greig Automotive

Hubbard Pharmacy

Kingsway Lodge

Little Falls Car and Pet Wash

Little Falls Crafters Market

Luckhardt Landworks

Marziali Garage

McCully’s Hill Farm Market

Meadowridge Gas & Variety

Meridian Credit Union

Nail Effects

Naina’s Indian Kitchen Bar & Grill

Peak Select Realty

Petals and Foliage

Primerica

Quadro Communications

Queen St. Dentistry

Remax / The Dundas Team

Ronald White Esq, Barrister & Solicitor Rotary Club of St. Marys

Sam’s Home Hardware - St. Marys Home Building Centre

St. Marys Bowling Lanes

St. Marys Dentistry

St. Marys Independent Newspaper

St. Marys Insurance Group SIG

St. Marys Lions Club

St. Marys Optometry: Dr. Carol Venn

St. Marys Presbyterian Church

St. Marys Veterinary Clinic

Stone Home Creatives

Stonetown Physiotherapy &

Sports Injury Clinic

Stonetown Travel

Sunset Diner

TD Bank

The Chocolate Factory

The Flower Shop and More

The Hitching Post

Tim Hortons

Toews Power

Troyer’s Spices

TuttCo

Veterinary Purchasing

Waghorn, Stephens, Sipos & Poulton

Water St Dentistry

Westover Inn

Zenfire Pottery

The Finnbilt Construction U9 MD Boys St. Marys Rock earned the top prize at the U9 FullIce Tournament Feb. 7-9 in Aylmer. Pictured laying on the ice, from left to right, are Everett Douglas and Jack Becker. In the second row, from left, are Ben Hemstock, Jackson Monisit-Brown, Zac Bes and Carter Van Wieren. In the third row, from left, are Landon McIntosh, McLean Ross, Max Bilyea, Ryker Harrison and Jacob Zwambag. In the back row, from left, are Dan McIntosh, Rod Harrison, Mark Ross and Chris Van Wieren.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

CBHFM announces 2025 inductees

St. Marys this June,” said Jeremy Diamond, chair of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s board of directors. “Each of them, in their own distinct way, has had a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in our country.”

José Bautista

Born in Santo Domingo, D.R. in 1980, Bautista developed into one of the greatest players in Toronto Blue Jays’ history during his 10 seasons with the club from 2008 to 2017.

After serving as a part-time player in 2009, Bautista made adjustments to his swing and set a franchise record with 54 home runs in 2010. That performance earned him his first of six consecutive All-Star Game selections and his first of two straight American League Hank Aaron Awards as the league’s top hitter. He followed that up with his best allaround season in 2011 when he hit .302 and topped the AL in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.608) and OPS (1.056). In 2015, Bautista helped propel the Blue Jays to their first division title in 22 years. He then cemented his legacy as a clutch performer with four postseason home runs, including his most memorable, which is simply known as the “bat flip” in Blue Jays’ lore.

Bautista ranks near the top in many of the Blue Jays’ all-time offensive categories, including first in WAR (38.3) and second in home runs (288).

Érik Bédard

Born in Navan, Ont., in 1979, Bédard was chosen in the sixth round of the MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He

quickly developed into one of the best pitching prospects in the O’s organization and was selected to play in the MLB Futures Games in 2001 and 2002.

Bédard joined the Orioles’ starting rotation in 2004. Two years later, he enjoyed a breakout season when he set career highs in wins (15), starts (33) and innings pitched (196 1/3). He followed that up with his finest big-league campaign in 2007 when he went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and registered 221 strikeouts in 182 innings in 28 starts. That strikeout total remains the highest in a major-league season by a left-hander born in Canada.

In February 2008, he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners where he’d record a tidy 3.31 ERA and fan 249 batters in 255 1/3 innings in 46 starts over parts of three seasons. He completed his major league career with stints with the Boston Red Sox (2011), Pittsburgh Pirates (2012), Houston Astros (2013) and Tampa Bay Rays (2014).

Bédard is the leader among Canadian big-league left-handers in starts (230), innings pitched (1,303 2/3) and strikeouts (1,246).

Greg Hamilton

Born in Toronto in 1965, Hamilton has served in prominent leadership roles with Baseball Canada for more than three decades. During that time, he has overseen the most successful era in the history of the national team’s program. His affiliation with the national teams began in 1992 when he was named pitching coach of Canada’s Senior National Team. He held that post through

Fisher, Kosluk put forward strong effort at Master Youth Tournament

1995 until he became the head coach of the Junior National Team the following year. Hamilton continues to head the junior team today while doubling as director of men’s national teams.

Under his guidance, the Junior National Team has won three medals: a silver at the U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2012 and bronze medals at the same event in 1997 and 2006.

As Senior National Team general manager, Hamilton assembled the Canadian squads that captured gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games – the first two golds ever won by the Canadian senior team. In 2022, Hamilton was a recipient of Baseball America’s Tony Gwynn Award for his lifetime contributions to baseball.

Amanda Asay

Born in Prince George, B.C. in 1988, Amanda Asay joined the Women’s National Team in 2005 and became one of its finest and longest tenured players. An outstanding two-way player, she was a two-time National Team MVP (2006 and 2016).

Her best all-around performance with the national team came at the Women’s World Cup in 2018 when she recorded two wins, while also batting .500, to lead Canada to a bronze medal. In total, in her decade and a half with the national team, she was a key contributor on teams that captured five Women’s World Cup medals, as well as a silver medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

She passed away on Jan. 7, 2022, at the age of 33. In 2024, she was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame posthumously.

Veterans committee inductees

Arleene Noga

Born in Ogema, Sask. in 1924, Noga was an outstanding softball player when she was signed by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) in 1944.

Noga joined the Fort Wayne Daisies for 15 games in 1945 prior to being dealt to the Muskegon Lassies. The sure-handed infielder proceeded to establish a league record for best fielding percentage (.942) by a third baseman. At

one point, Noga played over 300 consecutive games, which garnered her the nickname “Iron Lady.” In all, she competed in 354 AAGPBL games, which is the eighth-most among Canadians who played in the league.

Following her AAGPBL career, Noga returned to Regina where she was part of nine provincial, championship-winning softball teams. But she never lost her connection with the AAGPBL. She served as a member of the board of directors of the AAGPBL Players Association for 12 years and was a spokesperson for Canadian AAGPBL women.

She was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame the following year.

She passed away on March 14, 2017, in Regina, Sask.

Gerry Snyder

Born in Montreal in 1920, Snyder played a crucial role in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada. As a city councillor and passionate sports ambassador, Snyder worked tirelessly to secure a big-league franchise for Montreal.

He first met with MLB commissioner Ford C. Frick in 1962 and after the national league announced in 1967 that it planned to expand by two teams, Snyder started travelling to national-league meetings to ensure that Montreal was on the radar for their expansion plans.

Snyder convinced Seagram owner Charles Bronfman to come on board as a financial backer and eventually as the club’s primary owner. The relentless Montreal politician’s efforts were finally rewarded when the National League announced that the city of Montreal would be awarded Canada’s first major league franchise on May 27, 1968.

After the Expos began play, Snyder returned to his role as city councillor for the district of Snowdon, a capacity he’d serve in for 25 years. Throughout his political career, he continued to be a tireless sports ambassador for Montreal and helped the city land the 1976 Olympics. Snyder passed away on Nov. 26, 2007, in Montreal.

Pictured is the team of Aisla Fisher, Scott Rinn, and Kingsley Kosluk who bowled at the recent Master Youth Tournament. Fisher and Kosluk both bowled over average but did not medal.
PHOTO)

Lots of weekend action at St. Marys Curling Club

The St. Marys Curling Club held their annual Tim Hortons Continental Cup last weekend, with 24 players participating. This year’s winners were “Team Yellow”, comprised of Maddie Freedman (captain), Graham Rae, Jason Clarke, Matt McConnell, Doug Ranton, Taylor Jantzi, Chuck Graham, Sandra Ranton, Ilea Pick, Carrie Bentz, Doug Blowes, and George White. Representing “Team Red” were Adam Hudson (captain), Tom Westerveld, Pat Murray, Aaron Waugh, Jason Blum, Russ Mitchell, Ryan Leaman, Calvin Jacobs, Terry Parson, Joan Blowes, Carol Parson, and Greg Bentz.

This coming weekend, the Club hosts the inaugural qualifiers for the Best Western Challenge. Manager Jason Clarke described the event to the Independent. “This exciting new Provincial competition offers a unique opportunity to boost participation in curling by welcoming players of all skill levels, ages, genders, and abilities. We have Mens and Womens teams coming from all around the region to participate and it's a fantastic opportunity for our organization to showcase our facilities, bring the community together, and highlight the sport we all enjoy. For those interested in coming down to watch the action, the weekend curling schedule has draw start times on Saturday of 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., and on Sunday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Delaney Bond takes a wrist shot during the Bickell Built Homes Ltd. U13 C Girls St. Marys Rock game last Saturday.
Paisley Wood throws the puck towards the goal during the Veterinary Purchasing U15 C Girls St. Marys Rock game last Saturday.
Kylie Fifield unleashes a shot on goal during last Saturday’s Hubbard Pharmacy U18 C Girls St. Marys Rock game.
Brenna Bears sends a wrist shot flying on net during the U14 St. Marys Snipers (Habermehl) game last Saturday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTOS)

How property taxes are calculated and affected by inflation

Understanding property taxes can be confusing, so let's break it down.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is one of the least-understood components of your annual property tax bill. MPAC, an organization under the provincial government, evaluates properties in Ontario every four years.

So, how does this affect your tax bill?

Your property tax bill consists of two main parts: the municipal levy and the MPAC land assessment. These two numbers are used in a simple formula: the municipal levy divided by the total MPAC assessment for the municipality. The levy is a municipality's annual tax budget — how much they need in taxes to fund services. For simplicity's sake, we will disregard the education tax portion of the levy. This formula sets your tax rate.

MPAC categorizes properties based on primary use, such as residential, commercial, or agriculture. This classification enables MPAC to assess each property's value using a unique formula for each type. The assessment considers over 200 property characteristics like building age, size and location. You wouldn’t want your farm

appraised using the same system for a condo!

The Ontario government halted property value updates at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, your property taxes are still based on 2016 values. MPAC continues to update properties, but only when renovations, new buildings, or ownership changes occur. These changes are backdated, meaning even updated properties are taxed on their 2016 values.

On average, residential properties in Ontario have almost doubled in value since 2016. What happens when the evaluation process resumes? Will your

f MILLS FARM FOR SALE BY TENDER

Tenders are invited for the sale of farm property located at 1268 Perth Road 139, St Mary’s Ontario and legally described as :

Lot 24, Concession West Mitchell Road Blanshard Save and except HWP975, Perth South 110 workable acres more or less.

Containing a house, bank barn and drive shed

For tender forms and other particulars contact: Murray McKercher Professional Corporation

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Phone: (519) 527 -0850 x. 234

Email: tsmith@murraymckercher.ca

Tenders to be submitted by 12:00 noon

On Friday February 21 , 2025

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted .

property taxes double?

The short answer is no because property taxes depend on more than just property values. To see why, let’s look at a hypothetical example.

In the municipality of Independent Springs, there are 50 homes with a combined value of $25 million. To plow the streets, manage wastewater and pay the fire department, Independent Springs needs $250,000 annually. To calculate the tax rate, we divide the levy ($250,000) by the total assessment ($25 million), resulting in a 0.01 per cent property tax rate.

If Jim’s house is worth $500,000, he pays $5,000 in annual property taxes. You calculate your property taxes by multiplying your homes assessed value ($500,000) by the tax rate (0.01 per cent). If Todd’s house is only worth $250,000, he pays $2,500. It is proportional to the value of their properties.

After 10 years of inflation, Independent Springs stays at 50 households, but now the total value of the properties has doubled to $50 million. For this scenario, we will imagine Independent Springs’ levy remains at $250,000 annually. The property tax rate will now be 0.005 per cent, half the rate it was 10 years ago.

Let’s look at how Jim and Todd’s property taxes have changed.

If Jim and Todd’s homes increase by the same value, they will continue to pay the same rate. Even though their property values doubled, the tax rate was halved, so the increases cancel out. The difference emerges with unequal growth.

If Jim’s home grows by more than

125 per cent instead of the average 100 per cent, it's now worth $1.125 million. His new tax bill will be $5,625 — just $625 more.

If Todd’s property grows by only 60 per cent in value because of flood damage, his home is now worth $400,000. His new tax bill drops to $2,000 — $500 less than his old bill.

Your tax bill isn't just based on how much your property changes in value — it depends on how it changes compared to other properties in your municipality. If every property increases by the same percentage and the levy stays the same, property taxes won’t increase.

However, we do not live in Independent Springs. Property taxes will increase as municipal costs grow because of inflation and population growth. Properties also increase in value at different rates; some people will pay more and others will pay less. Rising property values don’t necessarily mean higher property tax rates. Understanding how MPAC assessments work can help you make sense of your tax bill.

While this explanation oversimplifies the topic and does not consider municipal budget growth or the education tax rate, it should help clarify how MPAC assessments impact property taxes. For more on municipal budget variations and growth, stay tuned for next week's column.

For more details on property assessments, watch MPAC’s YouTube video, "How Your Property Tax Is Calculated."

Meet your candidates: James Montgomery of the New Blue Party

James Montgomery says it’s time for a government that will lower the cost of living, unlock more homes being built and protect the rights of Ontarians.

Montgomery is the New Blue Party candidate for Perth-Wellington. He has spent the last 13 years serving as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces army reserves. As a captain, he has instructed cadets in Stratford for the past year but has previously instructed cadets in Clinton. He is also a factory worker and a preacher.

Stratford residents may also recognize his name from the 2022 municipal election, in which he was unsuccessful in securing a seat on council but had a “good learning experience,” he said.

His priorities going into this provincial election are affordable child care, tax relief by lowering HST from 13 per cent to 10 per cent, reducing governmental fees, protecting personal freedoms and limiting lobbyists’ power in Queen’s Park.

“I’m a huge personal-freedoms guy; I know New Blue Party is a huge personal-freedoms party, so defending personal freedoms, property, free speech and making sure that the government is fully transparent and held accountable.

… Another big talking point for the New Blue is to have more accountability when dealing with lobbyists. I'm not here to serve the lobbyists. I'm here to serve the constituents of Perth-Wellington.”

Health care is also a key priority for Montgomery. With family working in that field, he says he understands the challenges facing the system.

Hills Resort Embro, Ontario is now accepting applications for Park Maintenance

All applicants must hold the following qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license

• Experience driving tractors

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work independently & in a team environment

• The work schedule includes weekends

If interested, please forward your resume to: Email: thebakers@happyhills.com Or call if you have any questions: 519-475-4471

“There's a lot of hospitals that are closing ERs just due to staffing shortages,” Montgomery said. “So to address this, the New Blue Party, but also myself, want to focus on rehiring nurses and doctors and health-care workers that were dismissed due to the COVID-19 mandates, push for policies that would improve working conditions of healthcare staff and provide competitive

wages, ensure adequate mental-health supports to prevent burnout and, additionally, I would advocate for better training programs and incentives to attract and retain health-care workers.”

To address the housing crisis, he is advocating for lowering the taxes and fees associated with building a home and with buying a home. Specifically, he advocated for scrapping HST on the purchase of a primary residence and lowering the fees for municipal building and inspection permits, costs he said add up for the average consumer.

Preserving Ontario’s agricultural heritage is also important to him. He is advocating for “smart growth” to meet the region’s growing population while limiting urban sprawl.

“I believe in an Ontario that works for everyone,” said Montgomery, “where families can afford to raise their children, where home ownership is within reach and a government that respects your freedoms instead of restricting them.

“I understand the struggles that people face. The cost of living is rising, child care is scarce and too many people are priced out of the housing market. That's why I, as well as the New Blue, have a plan to make life more affordable, fair and free.”

Hills Resort Embro, Ontario is now accepting applications for Lifeguard Positions

All applicants must hold the following qualifications:

• Current Certification of National Lifeguard Service (NLS)

• Current Certification in Standard First Aid and C.P.R.

• Experience working with children

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

If interested, please forward your resume to: Email: thebakers@happyhills.com Or call if you have any questions: 519-475-4471

James Montgomery is the New Blue Party’s representative in Perth-Wellington.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

COLUMNS

UKRAINIAN CORNER: Walking the streets of Chernihiv

Today, I invite you to explore the charming and historically rich city of Chernihiv. The first written mention of Chernihiv dates back to 907 A.D. when Kievan Prince Oleg launched a campaign against Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium. Representatives from Chernihiv participated in this campaign and the city was listed second only to Kyiv in the resulting agreement with the emperor.

Legends abound regarding the origins of Chernihiv's name. One tale speaks of a dense forest, the "Black Grove," that once covered the area, giving rise to the city’s name. Another story claims the city was named after Prince Chorny, who once ruled the region. Adding to its mystique, Semargla, a mythical creature with a dog’s head, bird-like wings, and a snake-like tail, has been considered the protector of Chernihiv for over nine centuries. This ancient talisman embodies the enduring spirit and fascinating history of the city.

I adore this city, which is more than 1,300 years old! Once a rival to Kyiv, Chernihiv was a grand and coveted settlement, sought after by noble princes, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians and even Crimean Tatars. It was one of the largest cities in Europe during the 13th century, and its glorious past is evident at every turn.

Let me share with you a few of Chernihiv’s treasures!

If you approach Chernihiv by road from Kyiv, the first landmark greeting you after crossing the bridge is the stunning Catherine Church. Bathed in sunlight, this iconic symbol of Chernihiv is visible from afar. Built to commemorate the heroism of the Chernihiv Regiment during the storming of the Turkish fortress of Azov in 1696, it was consecrated in 1715. The church’s golden domes and brilliant white walls stand as a testament to its enduring

beauty and historical significance.

Next, we’ll stop at the legendary Anthony Caves, a site of fascination for many. To some, these caves are a Christian shrine; to others, they represent an impressive feat of underground architecture or even a place rumored to be haunted. The Anthony Caves form a complex network of underground structures that include the churches of St. Anthony, St. Theodosius Totemsky and Nicholas the Saint, along with a chapel, Anthony's cell and a cemetery, all interconnected by winding galleries. What sets these caves apart is their unique structure with four levels stacked one above the other. Recent research has uncovered previously unknown sections and ancient inscriptions within the caves. According to legend, the caves stretch all the way to Kyiv, offering a secret passage to the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Whether fact or myth, this story adds to the intrigue and mystery of the Anthony Caves.

Finally, no visit to Chernihiv would be complete without stopping by the Chernihiv Brewery, home of the famous Chernihivske beer. The brewery’s story began in 1988 as Chernihiv prepared to celebrate its 1,300th anniversary. The Chernihiv Desna Brewery worked tirelessly to craft a beer worthy of the occasion, resulting in the creation of the Chernihivske brand. Today, visitors can tour the brewery to learn about its history, witness every stage of beer production and discover the artistry behind their iconic brews. At the end of the tour, adults can enjoy tasting a variety of freshly brewed beers.

Chernihiv is a city that warmly welcomes all who visit. It offers countless excursions, vibrant stories, stunning architecture, and unforgettable sights. After exploring its historical and cultural gems, you can relax in a cozy restaurant and enjoy a wide array of local delicacies. Chernihiv is not just a city of history; it is a city of stories, flavours and endless hospitality.

To be continued; see you next time!

Marking the third anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Three years ago, the world watched Putin’s military line up their tanks in what we all hoped was just a drill. It was not.

Ukrainians were forced into defending their country and freedom in a vicious attack that continues today. The Russians believed they would conquer Ukraine in three days; they did not anticipate that Ukraine would be so courageous and heroic. Ukrainians continue to fight for their independence.

Canada has provided much support to Ukraine, and they are grateful for this.

They hope we will not forget them, especially on this, the third anniversary of the war. You are invited to participate in a rally in support of Ukraine on Saturday, Feb. 22 in London, Ont. Participants will be gathering at 2 p.m. at Speaker’s Corner in Victoria Park.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to support, please fly the Ukrainian flag, wear the blue and yellow colours, or write to our MPs about the need for ongoing support.

If you would like to know more about what is happening in Ukraine or how you can be of help, visit the Ukrainian Canadian Congress website at www.ucc. ca.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
1: Semargla, the protector of Chernihiv. 2: Catherine Church. 3: The Anthony Caves. 4: The Chernihiv Brewery.
The Ukrainian Congress of Canada and the London Ukrainian Centre are hosting a rally at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in Victoria Park to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

HISTORIC ST. MARYS: Historic house plans display at

The 29th edition of the St. Marys Heritage Fair will be held on Friday evening, February 21, 2025, in the main hall and the multipurpose room in the Friendship Centre part of the Pyramid Recreation Centre. This is a change from the large community hall that has been the venue for the past several years. Elections Ontario has claimed the hall as a polling place for advanced voting – yet another inconvenience that the February 27 mid-winter election is causing.

To fill this more intimate space, the Fair’s great exhibitors have rallied with displays for everyone to enjoy. New this year is the Art of Ideas Gallery. Everyone who has passed 232 Jones Street East, the intriguing mansion surrounded by a sculpture garden, will want to learn something about the marvelous art within the house created by Eugen-Florin Zamfirescu. At the Heritage Fair, visit the Gallery’s display and find out how to book a tour.

People attending the Fair will be able to check the progress of on-going projects such as the Harrington Grist Mill and the Komoka Railway Museum. More old friends include the Perth Regiment Veterans’ Branch 236 Royal Canadian Legion, where new activities seem to happen each week, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Visitors can find out more about the recently announced 2025 inductees and when they might see Jose Bautista. It’s also worth stopping at the Heritage Fair just to see what local collector John Harris will bring to display. This year, he has requested three tables to show off items from his treasures.

The last two Historic St. Marys columns in the Independent have been about local building designer and contractor, William J. Stafford (1875-1947.) His use of published plans in books and from other sources to inspire his floorplans and elevations has also been discussed. The St. Marys Museum will bring examples of these plan books to the Heritage Fair along with copies of some of Stafford’s drawings of houses that can still be found in St. Marys. The Museum display will give visitors an idea of the scope and variety of Stafford’s projects during the first half of the 20th century. His drawings include elevations and plans for two very different homes for two unrelated Smith families – one house designed near the beginning of Stafford’s work as a builder/architect and the other, 30 years later, at the very end of his career.

The earlier house, designed for Frank Hartland Smith in 1916, was built on the southwest corner of Queen and James

Street where it still stands today (266 Queen Street East.) The lot became available when the old schoolhouse on that site was demolished. This original St. Marys public (or common) school, a rectangular limestone building, was built in 1845. In those early years, it served not only as a school but also as a place where the early congregations worshipped until they were able to build churches of their own. This oneroom school soon became overcrowded and was replaced by Central School on Elizabeth Street although the school board occasionally pressed it into service again whenever over-crowding was an issue. The old school’s last use was as a drill hall for local recruits to the 110th (Perth) Canadian Infantry Battalion in World War I. After the soldiers of the 110th went overseas in 1915, the building stood empty. It was torn down and the school property divided into two lots. F. H. Smith’s new home was on the lot closest to the corner of Queen and James Streets.

Frank Smith, a druggist, came to St. Marys in the early 1900s and opened a store downtown on Queen Street. He had been born in 1882 in Aurora and, in 1907, he returned there to marry Myrtle Estella Towns. The young couple first lived in an apartment on Water Street but by April 1916, they were able to commission W. J. Stafford to build them a house of their own. Stafford’s north and east elevations for this project survive. He labelled it a “semi-bungalow

dwelling,” meaning the new house was a storey-and-a-half. The façade, facing north onto Queen Street, shows a full front veranda with steps leading up to an entranceway, slightly offset to the west. The east elevation shows a smaller porch sheltering the back door at the south end of the house. From the front, the house looks modest in size but according to the 1931 census, it contained 12 rooms. They were probably needed. Although Frank and Myrtle only had one daughter, Dorothy, age 10, both their elderly mothers were living with them at the time. Another daughter, Doris Alma, born in 1917, had died in 1919. The Smiths’ handsome brick house has been beautifully maintained and the exterior is remarkably unchanged today. Three decades later, William Stafford designed a very different house for Clarence Smith, who worked at Maxwell Limited, the large manufacturing company on James Street South. Clarence Smith had been born in 1898, the son of Alex Smith and Adeline Ullyott, who had a 200-acre farm in Concession XV, Blanshard Township, not far from St. Marys. When Clarence was still a little boy, the family moved into town. By the time of the 1921 census, they lived on Queen Street West and Alex was working as a mechanic in a garage. Their four children still at home were also helping to support the family. Clarence was a shipper at Maxwell’s and his brother, George, was a baker. One of their 16-year-old twin sisters was a

Fair

domestic while the other worked at Delong Hook & Eye, locally called “the pin factory.” By 1931, the girls had left home and Alex and both his sons, were now employed at Maxwell’s.

In September 1933, Clarence Smith married Edith Tremble. By this time, he was a foreman at Maxwell Limited. By 1946, he was prosperous enough to afford a lot in the east ward along Elizabeth Street where other new houses were being built. Smith commissioned Stafford, his former neighbour on Queen Street West, to design and build their house. Although Stafford was by now near the end of his contracting career, he and the Smiths experimented with something very different from Stafford’s usual frame structures. They built it a house with walls and floors of poured concrete. Stafford’s plans for this house were based on one of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s recommendations for affordable and efficient homes to help deal with the postwar housing shortage. There are two flat-roofed concrete houses on Elizabeth Street, built roughly at the same time in 1946 and following the CMHC pattern. H. C. Treanor built one on a lot he owned at 341 Elizabeth Street – coincidentally, he was married to Edith Smith’s sister, Lillian. Stafford built 418 Elizabeth, about a block further east. Stafford’s assistant, Glen Millson (1927-2021,) remembered the process and described it almost 60 years later. The concrete was poured into six-inch deep forms, was watered down and allowed to set. Then the next course was poured until the walls reached their desired height. The walls consisted of three inches of exterior concrete, a three-inch air space, and three-inch concrete interior walls, all connected with reinforcing rods. The exterior was stuccoed and painted after construction. The Smith house, shown in this week’s photograph, has a parapet roof and an attached garage, one of the first in St. Marys. It is set on a large, landscaped, corner lot. While it attracted considerable attention when it was being built 80 years ago, today this house and the one at 341 Elizabeth Street are just lovely components of the neighbourhood.

Friday, February 21, will be a busy one at the PRC with not only the Heritage Fair and the advanced poll taking place, but also the Fill-the-Rink Lincolns’ hockey game. The Fair runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Please visit, coming in at Entrance C from the south parking lot. Lincoln fans can drop in before the game starts or between periods to update us on how our great, league-leading team is doing! For information about the Heritage Fair, contact the St. Marys Museum: museum@town.stmarys.on.ca.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ST. MARYS MUSEUM'S ARCHIVAL AND IMAGE COLLECTIONS)
The concrete house at 418 Elizabeth Street is shown above W. J. Stafford's proposed elevation, drawn in 1946. Some changes have been made to the original proposal, such as larger windows on the right and a porch at the front door.

EAT AT OUR HOUSE: Classic comforts with a twist

Enjoy a night in with an elegant entrée cooked from the heart. Add your own twist with an appetizer or dessert of your choice. These recipes are deceptively manageable and sure to impress.

Vegetarian French onion soup with lentils

Prep: 15 minutes; Cook: 1 hour and 15 minutes; Serves: 5

4 yellow and sweet onions

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

½ tsp sea salt

2 tbsp all purpose flour

½ cup dry white wine

6 cups vegetable broth

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp fresh thyme

1 cup green lentils-dried, rinsed and sorted

10 thick slices French baguette

1 cup gruyere -freshly shred -

ded (I recommend Stonetown’s Grand Trunk)

Method:

- Prepare onions: slice onions in half and each into half-moon slices.

- Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Stir and reduce heat to medium-low. Let onions cook, stirring occasionally until they shrink down and get brown in colour, about 40-45 minutes.

- Add sea salt, flour and garlic to the onions until they are caramelized to your liking. Stir and cook for a few more minutes,

- Pour white wine into the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up bottom bits of the pot. Add vegetable broth, thyme, balsamic and dried lentils. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to let soup simmer for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender.

- While soup is cooking, slice baguette and shred the cheese; you can also toast the baguette, if you prefer, under broil. Keep an eye on it.

- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with two slices of bread and sprinkle with shredded gruyere. Transfer bowls to oven on a baking sheet, medium rack and turn broiler to high. Cook 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and enjoy!

- If you wish to skip the alcohol, sub with 2 tsps of balsamic vinegar. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Lobster ravioli

Prep: 2 hours; Cook: 20 minutes; Serves: 6

You can make your own pasta dough; or you can buy fresh pasta sheets or use wonton wrappers. However, making the dough is worth the effort!

For the dough:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)

- 3 large eggs

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1-2 tsp salt

- For ravioli filling: 12 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped (2 cups)

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

- 2 tsp lemon zest

- ¾ tsp salt

- ¼ tsp black pepper

- 1 pound homemade pasta (or fresh storebought pasta or wonton wrappers)

For the sauce:

- 1 tbsp unsalted butter

- 1 shallot, thinly sliced

- ¾ cup dry white wine

- ½ cup heavy whipping cream

- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh sage or thyme

- ¼ tsp black pepper

Method:

For the Pasta Dough:

Place the flour in a mound on a clean work surface and make a well in the center. Add the eggs, olive oil and salt. Begin beating the eggs with a fork to break them up. Slowly start to mix in the flour while beating. Continue until a shaggy mixture forms.

Working with your hands or a bench scraper, begin folding the mixture together until a dough ball forms. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, sprinkling with additional flour if needed to keep the flour from sticking to your hands or the counter. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

For the ravioli filling:

In a large bowl, stir together the lobster, garlic, ricotta, lemon zest, salt and pepper until combined.

Divide the pasta dough into quarters and lightly dust with all-purpose flour to keep the pasta from sticking as needed. Roll out each half using a pasta roller beginning on the largest opening, Number 1, and gradually decreasing to the Number 5 setting. (You can also roll this by hand with a rolling pin to 1/16-inch thick.) Place one dough sheet on a clean work surface, dollop the lobster mixture in 1 tablespoon portions

about 1 inch apart. Brush the dough around the filling with water. Top with the other dough sheet and press around the filling to seal. Cut into squares. Place the ravioli on a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered while continuing. (Ravioli can also be frozen and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 month.)

For the Sauce:

In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil over medium-high. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the shallots. Cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 1 minute. Add the wine. Cook, stirring often until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the cream, sage or thyme, salt and pepper. Cook, whisking constantly until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

When the water is boiling, add the chilled ravioli. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 2-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ravioli to the skillet with the cream sauce. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and return to a simmer, stirring occasionally, adding 2-4 tablespoons of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately.

Veterans, serving Canadian Forces members, RCMP, allied forces and first responders are welcome. You do not need to be a Legion member to attend.

Come meet fellow veterans in a safe, non-judgemental environment of comradeship. There will be free coffee and doughnuts.

Every Tuesday morning from 10 AM till noon at the St Marys Legion, beginning 4 February.

66 Church Street North, St Marys.

Sponsored by Tim Hortons

For

Rumble at 519 661-7446.

LAUREN EEDY Independent Columnist
BRANCH 236, ST. MARYS

Thorndale News

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In the Heart of Thorndale lies an array of businesses at 160 King St.

Originally built in 1924 for a school, the large building at 160 King St., in the heart of Thorndale, has been home to many different businesses and services such as the West Nissouri municipal offices, fire department, a church and a hairdresser, just to name a few.

Still to this day, 160 King St. is a vibrant part of Thorndale’s commercial area of diverse businesses and services.

The Balloonery & Gift Shop with their excellent service and creativity has been a great addition to Thorndale and the surrounding community for the past four years with their great selection of balloons and ideas to help celebrate that special event or occasion.

Caring Hands Home Health Care understands today’s challenges of caring for a family member or friends of all ages. Their services include health assessments, safety and physical assistance, and creating care plans tailored to enhance the quality of life, whether at home or in a care facility.

Fran Lau-Acosta, with seven years of nursing experience in both community and hospital settings, has a passion for beauty and regenerative medicine. Alongside her commitment to ongoing education in medical aesthetics, she believes in a multifaceted approach to graceful ageing, utilizing various techniques. At Fran Injects, she offers a free

consultation to discuss what treatment is best for the individual seeking to enhance their beauty.

Michelle Henderson is a registered social worker/psychotherapist at 160 King St. who provides safe, non-judgmental counselling and therapy services to individuals, couples and families in the rural community. She can be reached at MH Counselling & Therapy for a free consultation to explore how she can

support you.

Primp Haus, a full-service beautician studio, offers a wide range of makeup and cosmetic services, as well as specializing in permanent makeup artistry.

Owner Michelle Coghlin, who also resides in Thorndale, uses Canadian products from female owned and operated companies.

Rising Lotus Yoga is an intimate, cozy space to express the self and soul

through their yoga classes. Owner Christin believes that yoga is a restorative and healing form of self care for body, mind and spirit.

Therapy Worx opened at 160 King St. in September 2020. Sheena Ball has been a registered massage therapist since 2011 and is in good standing with the college. She is passionate about providing the best treatment for her patients to help achieve the patient’s goals and outcomes in a comfortable environment.

Dr. Conner and Dr. Danielle at Thorndale Chiropractic welcome families to their newly renovated clinic space. They provide rehab-focused chiropractic care and offer a variety of different modalities and techniques including chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, acupuncture, custom orthotics and more.

The Thorndale Repair Shop which operates in the former space of the Thorndale Fire Dept at the 160 King St. building, has been an essential service to this community for over 15 years. Their services include both automotive maintenance and repair, and heavy diesel maintenance and repair. Thorndale Repair Shop is an approved DriveON facility for vehicle safeties and commercial-vehicle inspections.

For these businesses and services at 160 King St. and more in the community of Thorndale, check out www. ilovethorndale.ca/businesses.

Municipality of Thames Centre takes action on looming tariffs

As the threat of tariffs loom, the municipality is taking positive action to support business and farms in Thames Centre.

“With the upper levels of governments, federal prorogues and provincial in election mode,” Coun. Tom Heeman said, “we need a way to make sure that the impacts don’t get lost in the noise. The municipal government is the source

of stability on the political scene and we want Thames Centre’s voice to be heard as President Trump is threating our fundamental industry and agriculture.”

At the Feb. 10 Thames Centre council meeting, Heeman read out his motion: “Whereas U.S. President Trump has declared that Canada will be subject to 25 per-cent tariffs Feb. 1; and whereas the federal parliament is prorogued; and whereas the provincial government has announced an upcoming election; and whereas Thames Centre businesses face

uncertain economic conditions in the face of U.S. tariffs; now therefore be it resolved that Thames Centre conduct a tariff-impact survey of local businesses; and that the Thames Centre economic development committee be requested to conduct an impact open house. Be it further resolved that council direct staff to prepare a communications plan and that County of Middlesex economic development be requested to supply businesses with up-to-date program information and convey tariff impacts to

appropriate provincial and federal ministries.”

The motion was seconded by Coun. Danielle Lockie, approved and passed by council.

“Tariffs are taxes,” Heeman said after the meeting. “With Canada’s reprisal on U.S. tariffs, that money will go to Ottawa. Then we have to fight to get that back to our business effected in our community. If we are not organized, we will not be effective for Thames Centre.”

NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
The busy building at 160 King St. in Thorndale
(NANCY ABRA PHOTO)

What has 13 hearts, but no lungs, feet or bellybuttons?

A deck of cards.

What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Short.

I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?

An echo.

What is always in front of you but can never be seen?

The future.

What starts with a ‘P’, ends with an ‘E’, and has thousands of letters?

A post office

Give me a drink, and I will die. Feed me, and I'll get bigger. What am I?

A fire.

What breaks as soon as you say its name?

Silence

What's one thing that tastes better than it smells?

Your tongue.

What word begins with E and ends with E, but only has one letter?

Envelope.

I have no wings, but I can fly. I have no eyes, but I can cry. What am I?

A cloud.

Kid Riddles

- Word Search -

SPONSORED BY:

Adult Learning Programs of Perth, 26 Wellington St. S. St. Marys |

|

alearning@town.stmarys.on.ca | www.adultlearningperth.ca | Facebook: @AdultLearningProgramsofPerth

THIS YEAR’S SNOW SEASON

Never ending

High banks

Blocked driveways

Weather alert

Forecast

Above average

Accumulation

Hazardous

School closure

Slippery

Stay home

Shovel

Snowblower

Snowplow

St. Marys Veterinary Clinic is pleased to be the sponsor of the

PET OF THE WEEK

February is Pet Dental Health Month. Dental diets and chew treats usually have a specific kibble design and/or anti-tartar ingredients to help remove plaque from the teeth and reduce the formation of tartar. Speak to your veterinarian for more information on the different types of diets and treats available.

BEAN

Our Pet of the Week is Bean, a very happy and friendly chihuahua at the age of 14 years. He spends most of his days guarding his own backyard, enjoys being a copilot in his big transport truck, and often checks out the passersby outside the Coldwell Banker Homefield Legacy Realty office window in downtown St. Marys.

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: A snowbird alternative in southern France

Let’s be honest, politics has suddenly made a huge impact on tourism. Every day, it seems I hear from a would-be (or has-been) snowbird debating the question of travelling to somewhere warm in the United States.

Many have gone south or plan to go. More than one has told me, “But this is the last time, at least for now.” And many others have stayed home or are seeking out alternatives – they still want to spend all or part of our Canadian winters somewhere warm and welcoming.

In the midst of this, I was invited to spend a morning with a large group of tourism representatives from the Côte D’Azur, a region of France on the Mediterranean Sea. I arrived a bit skeptical; the key cities here are Nice and Cannes, both reputed to be expensive and, in the case of Cannes, jam-packed for the world-famous film festival. It turns out, both things are true at times. The Côte D’Azur is expensive in high season – the summer months. In the colder months and shoulder

seasons, not so much.

And yes, Cannes is crammed with celebrities and celebrity-watchers from May 13-24. Other than that, again not so much.

In fact, the folks from Nice and its neighbours have no interest in enticing Canadians to come visit in the summer. They’re already full. But the rest of the year, the months when Canadian snowbirds are looking for a warmer and sunnier place to nest, the Côte D’Azur may well be worth considering.

The temperatures in February and March are similar to Myrtle Beach. When I checked the second week of February, the daily highs were around 15 degrees Celsius. Pleasant, sunny and no snow.

No snow, that is, until you finish your espresso and croissant on your terrace in Nice and then head up into the nearby Alps to ski all afternoon.

And that’s a clue as to why Canadians might consider the Côte D’Azur as a good, late-winter option because, unlike some Caribbean resorts for example, there is a lot to do here. There always has been because, as Bertrand Pous, General Consul of France, told us, “The concept of tourism was created in Côte D’Azur. Tourism is our history.” And today, it represents a full 30 per cent of the region’s GDP.

I chatted at length with Rudy Salles, a long-time Member of Parliament in the French government and now president of the Metropolitan Nice Office of Tourism. A resident of Nice, he

is also a huge fan of his community. His job, he says with a smile, “is a pleasure for me.”

Rudy practically bubbled over as he described all the great things awaiting Canadians: inexpensive skiing, about $60 Canadian a day; history, the entire city is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site; and easy transportation, including the international airport. “Many things to do all year long.”

There is a special focus on art, architecture and cuisine; art galleries include the Matisse Museum. Both Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall were long-time residents of Nice. In fact, one of the highlights of the region is, literally, the light. There are postcards celebrating the “pure light,” and innumerable artists have visited the Côte D’Azur, captivated by this unique natural phenomenon. Rudy also pointed to the unending variety of experiences available to visitors. Metropolitan Nice includes 52 communities, seven of which are Mediterranean ports. It stretches from the sea to mountains topping out at 3,000 metres.

Charlotte Cejudo is international senior sales manager for the Cannes Visitors Bureau. She told me that, apart from the 11 days in May of the film festival, Cannes is “a city of easy lifestyle,” with hundreds of events, all very accessible, throughout the year. She lauded the historic old town with a castle open to visitors and also the daily food market. In fact, it seems that open markets offering food, crafts and more are commonplace in the Côte

D’Azur. Of course, since this is the French Riviera, shopping opportunities range from craft tables to the highest-end brand names.

A 20-minute boat ride from Cannes takes visitors to either of two unique islands –Ste-Marguerite or St-Honorat, the latter owned by monks who are expert winemakers.

Mélanie Paul-Hus summed up the appeal of the Côte D’Azur for me. “It’s the perfect place for people who want to escape Canadian winters.” She pointed out that “everything is open year-round” – restaurants, attractions, shops and festivals.

Melanie is the Canadian director of Atout France, the France tourism development agency. She added, “In the winter, it’s not expensive and it’s very, very safe.” It’s popular

with people looking to learn French, though Melanie told me English is spoken everywhere. It’s also a hit with golfers; the shoulder seasons offer a wide variety of great golf.

She notes that the Côte D’Azur is a day trip away from popular destinations like Monaco and Saint-Tropez, and, in fact, that from here, “You can go anywhere in Europe.”

But, given the huge menu of attractions right here, including temperatures that allow you to dine outdoors year-round, why would you want to go anywhere else?

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 Independent Columnist
Great skiing is less that two hours from the Mediterranean coast in the Côte D'Azur.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF AURON-COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE TOURISME; GEORGES VERAN)
Nice's Cours Saleya near the harbourfront.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE TOURISME)

ANNIS

In loving memory of my wonderful husband Ken gone too soon

Two years ago February 22, 2023

Please God forgive a silent tear

A constant wish my Ken was here

Others are taken, yes I know

But he was mine, and I loved him so

You did not bid a last farewell

You never said Good-bye

You were gone before I knew it

And only God knows why

So God please take a message

To my Ken in heaven above

Tell him how much I miss him

And give him all my love

To those who have a husband

Cherish him with care

For you never know the heartache

Until you see his empty chair

So lonely without you

Your Wife Phyllis

Smiling in the Butterfly House

THANK YOU

Kittmer

It is with gratitude and appreciation that the family of the late Mary Kittmer would like to express their thanks to everyone who offered acts of kindness, food, flowers and messages of condolence. We were overwhelmed with the turnout and support. Many thanks to the Uniondale Fire Department, members of Browns United Church congregation and St. Marys Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, who assisted Mom.

Special thanks to Rev Pam Wilcox for her inspirational service and to Andrew Hodges Funeral Home for their care and allowing us to fill the rooms to the brim in typical Kittmer get together fashion.

We are very grateful. Mom was surrounded by the love of family and friends. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Ken, Barry, Jean, Bill, Mark, Rob and their families

THANK YOU

Hotson

I would like to thank everyone that came to my party. Also, for the cards, gifts and phone calls. Thank you to my family for putting the party together. What wonderful memories.

Thank you so much Irene Hotson

THANK YOU Siddall

We, the family of Rose Siddall, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our family and friends who have supported us with cards, messages, flowers and prayers.

Many thanks to Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home and staff. Andrew and Andrea, you provided exceptional service to our family during this difficult time.

David Burghardt, thank you for being there for our family. Your kind words and guidance during our mother’s celebration was truly special and appreciated.

Thank you to Town and Country Cheese Shoppe for providing an excellent luncheon following the service for our mother.

A very special thank you to the St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Happy Valley Family Health Team, doctors, nurses, support workers. Your compassionate quality care is and always will be greatly appreciated.

To the administrative staff, support workers and the "Very Special Staff" on the retirement side of the Wildwood Care Centre, your kindness and caring ways will always be remembered.

The Stead, Hodge, And Siddall Families

Dr. Michael Nixon, Dr. Karl Weselan and Dr. Reem Amayem

Ask the Arborist

Dear Arborist,

My white pine lost some branches with all the snow. They just snapped off. How do I keep this from happening or is it normal?

Concerned Homeowner

Dear Concerned Homeowner,

Though a beautiful tree, white pines have rather weak branches. When loaded with weight or hit by a strong wind, they will often break.

THE WEEK AHEAD

PRC & Friendship Centre events – See the Stonetown Crier on Page 5 Friday, February 21

- Jacobs Liquidation grand opening at 1911 James St. S – 9:30 a.m.

- Provincial election advance polls at the PRC – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- Royal Canadian Legion “hot dogs and more” lunch at Noon A.N.A.F. meat draw – 6 p.m.

- St. Marys Heritage Fair at the PRC – 7-9 p.m.

- St. Marys Lincolns vs St. Thomas Stars at the PRC – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 22

- Provincial election advance polls at the PRC – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- Rally in support of Ukraine at Speaker’s Corner in Victoria Park, London – 2 p.m.

- A.N.A.F. Pickerel Fish Fry – 4-6 p.m.

- Royal Canadian Legion meat draw – 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 23

- St. Marys Lincolns vs Waterloo Siskins at Waterloo Memorial Rec Centre – 1:30 p.m.

Monday, February 24

- Community Dinner at St. Marys United Church – 5 p.m., Sponsored by Hodges Funeral Home

Tuesday, February 25

- Royal Canadian Legion Buddy Check coffee at the Legion – 10 am to Noon

Thursday, February 27

- Provincial election day, Polls open at the PRC from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it. Sometimes, you can trim out the damage and over time it fills back in, but it depends on the tree and how many branches have broken off.

Sincerely,

The Arborist

Joel Hackett is a certified Arborist residing in the St. Marys area. Currently, he spends most of the year running Joel’s Tree Service. For contact call 519 272 5742 or email jtsquote@gmail.com

LOOKING BACK Emergency preparedness

25 years ago (2000)

friends of the

If the recent Y2K scare accomplished anything, it was to make communities more aware of what would be needed in a real emergency. Y2K worries, combined with the devastating ice storms in Quebec two years ago, have led to some pretty serious meetings about emergency preparedness. Town Council is considering buying a municipal generator for emergency use.

Lisa Tapley of CARSTAR Collision has nominated Elsie Witteveen of St. Marys as a volunteer-ofthe-year candidate through Chatelaine magazine. Tapley submitted a story on Witteveen about all the volunteer work she has done. The winner will be announced in June.

50 years ago (1975)

Among the 750 veterinarians and spouses attending the 101st annual convention of the Ontario Association in Hamilton were Doctors K. W. Schiedel and Neal W. Robson of St. Marys.

Ten skin divers from Stratford and Toronto, along with three instructors, were in the local quarry last Sunday, using a triangular hole cut through the eight-inch ice coverage.

St. Marys Fire Chief Don Swan recently completed a statistical report on the fire-fighting activities of the St. Marys Fire Department. The Town of St. Marys during 1974 had 19 alarms and a reported fire loss of $9,800.

75 years ago (1950)

Snow shovels got their first working in a month on Monday evening. Old-timers cannot remember when there was a winter with less snow and such high temperatures.

The young folks throughout the country districts have had an unusual season of good skating in the many flooded fields and ditches. Some children have been able to skate all the way to school along these roadside ditches.

One St. Marys couple who got stranded on Highway 100 on Monday evening’s blizzard were made a home for the night by Reeve Grant Sutherland and Mrs. Sutherland. The St. Marys couple found that this was not the first time stranded travelers have enjoyed the gracious hospitality at the Sutherland home.

100 years ago (1925)

The St. Marys Old Boys and Girls Association of Winnipeg held its annual reunion on January 27 in the Winnipeg Temperance Hall. This was the tenth annual reunion of the association, whose membership is well over the two hundred mark. A unique feature of the program was a poem entitled “St. Marys” which was red by Miss Florence McNair. At the recent meeting of the Simcoe County Council, Miss Grace Switzer of Kirkton, who is Principal of Beeton Public School, was appointed as a member of the committee to prepare the June Promotion Examination papers for Simcoe County.

One hundred and sixty-five St. Marys fans went to Stratford on Friday night to witness the Falls-Stratford senior hockey game. The 10:30 train from Stratford was held until 10:50 to accommodate the local people.

CLASSIFIED ADSCLASSIFIED ADS

Wanted

$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Fold, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: Diamond Dogs Music 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750

Wanted

A working camcorder that will play Hi-8 digital tapes. Phone 519-284-3774

Wanted to buy

All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals. Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.

Wanted

I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, Pepsi or any pop company. Brewery items - Kuntz, Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, wristwatches, pocket watches, old fruit jars - Beaver Star, Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs - Red Indian, Supertest etc. Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me519-570-6920.

Trees

Shade trees, Fruit trees, Apple, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet and Sour Cherries, Apricot, Nectarines, Blueberry, Haskopp, Black Chokeberry, Grapes etc.

Lots of Spruce, Pine, Cedars for windbreaks and privacy hedges, Sizes 1 to 6+.

Flowering shrubs and much more. Come check us out Mon-Sat 7:00am - 6:00pm Martin's Nursery 42661 Orangehill Road Wroxeter (1 concession north of Wroxeter on Belmore Line)

For Rent

Large 3 bedroom downtown apartment in 3 story walk up, includes all utilities, wifi, laundry, parking. References required. Available February. Please call 519-697-4985

For Sale

Burgundy Reclining Love Seat. 2 Seater, Real Leather $200 or best offer. Please call Rob at 519-284-2815

HELP WANTED

THE CANADIAN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM IS HIRING FOR 5 SUMMER POSITIONS

For full job descriptions, see our website: www.baseballhalloffame.ca

Museum Assistant - 3 positions (2 FT, 1 PT)

Available to students grade 11 or higher

Pay: $18 20/hr (weekdays and weekends)

Site Maintenance - 2 positions (2 FT)

Available to students grade 12 or higher, plus adults

Pay: $19.50/hr (weekdays and weekends)

Application deadline for all positions: March 4, 2025

Start date for all jobs will be late April

All cover letters and resumes can be emailed to baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca or dropped off at 386 Church St. S. in St. Marys

Stratford Police Service

We currently have openings for the following position:

Please refer to the City of Stratford website at www.stratford.ca for details of the duties for this position, qualifications, and application submission process.

Application forms will be available on the Stratford Police Service website under the “Careers” link. Completed application packages for this Casual Part Time - Experienced Police Constable position will be accepted until March 10, 2025.

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