Though some councillors and staff expressed concern over how they might be used in the future, Perth South council has not joined other Ontario municipalities, including neighbouring St. Marys, in expressing opposition to the recently expanded strong mayor powers.
After the Province of Ontario officially extended strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities effective May 1, many municipal councils and experts have expressed concerns over granting heads of councils
unilateral decision-making powers. At Perth South’s July 8 council meeting, township councillors and the mayor had the opportunity to weigh in on the wider implications of these powers.
“I’d like to go on the record that I just have serious concerns about this and it being extended,” Coun. Jaime Martin said during the council discussion. “First off, let me say I trust our mayor, but we’re making a decision for future (councils and mayors). I understand we have (these powers) already and it’s not a matter of anyone asking us if we wanted them or not, but I would like to
As wildfires continue to force the evacuation of residents of northern, eastern and western Manitoba to southern cities like Brandon and Winnipeg, one St. Marys resident was on the ground in Brandon assisting evacuees as part of the Red Cross response.
At the end of June, St. Marys’ Gillian Martinez returned home after nearly a month’s stay in Brandon, where she was part of the frontline effort to keep track of and rehouse those displaced by the fires. Though she’s volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross locally for the past 15 years, the trip out west was Martinez’s first out-of-province mission with the charity.
“I left May 29 and returned home June 21,” Martinez said. “My main role was as what’s called an emergency response team responder/ supervisor. I was sent to Brandon, Man., and we were responsible for what’s called a reception centre with the group of volunteers there. So basically, you receive people who are coming in either by coach or plane or those who have driven down by themselves. They register with you so you know where they are. They could be staying with family or friends or you could then pass them on to the next stage, which is giving them accommodation. That’s one of the other big jobs of that team; to find hotels in the
(TURNER ROTH PHOTO)
COMMUNITY
Perth South councillors and staff express concern over strong mayor powers
speak against it in that the fact that the mayor can propose and adopt the budget; like why are we all here? It’s too far in my personal opinion.”
Strong mayor powers include the ability to appoint a municipality’s chief administrative officer (CAO), hire certain municipal department heads and reorganize departments, create committees of council, propose the municipal budget, propose certain bylaws the mayor says advances a provincial priority, veto certain bylaws the mayor says could interfere with a provincial priority, and bring forward matters for discussion by council if the mayor says they could advance a provincial priority. In many
cases, a strong mayor can pass eligible resolutions with just one-third of council support.
As these powers have now been expanded to municipalities with councils comprising six or more members, that could mean decisions can be made by a mayor with as few as one other member of council’s support.
“Matters that were previously decided by the majority of council could now be decided by the mayor,” CAO Fred Tranquilli said during the meeting. “ … Previously, where the councils would make a decision with the majority, the council would not be involved in those decisions if the mayor chose not to involve them.
“The motivation, really, is the prov-
ince has been convinced that the councils are the problem, that the councils are in the way of advancing development or approving housing developments or other interests that the provincial government has. They see the councils as being easily persuaded by activist groups and that in those communities where the province has offered funding for communities that have accepted housing targets in return for additional funding, they see the mayors as being in the best position to advance those initiatives. …
That’s the rationale. In my experience with municipal government, I’ve never felt a municipality has been an obstacle. Usually, the municipalities are run very efficiently and on very lean budgets and usually process things very quickly.”
After the expansion of strong mayor powers was announced, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), which has been tracking the use of strong mayor powers since they were first introduced in Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, said there is no evidence to suggest this legislation has any impact on the number of housing starts in municipalities that have been granted the powers, flying in the face of the claim by the province that the legislation is meant to help municipalities build housing. Instead, AMCTO says its research suggests strong mayor powers have blurred the political-administrative au -
thority between the roles of heads of council and chief administrative officers (CAOs), threatening the neutrality of the public service and politicizing local government leadership.
“My intention is to go to (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual conference) in August and probably learn a bit more about what people are choosing to do,” Perth South Mayor Sue Orr said. “Currently, I don’t feel as though I have to do anything. When we come closer to the budget cycle, I’m probably going to (delegate the budget) over to staff, but we are not officially doing anything until we’re closer to that.”
Though, like some other small municipalities in Ontario, the council for neighbouring St. Marys recently passed a motion that effectively asked the province to consider removing the town from its list of municipalities with strong mayor powers, primarily over concerns around the erosion of council’s decision-making power and how future mayors may opt to use the powers to further their own agendas, Perth South council simply received the staff report on strong mayor powers for information and took no further action.
“We could write a letter and say we opposed it, but in reality, it doesn’t really matter; the powers are still there even if we oppose them,” Coun. Mark Bell said. “We could oppose it in this room, but it doesn’t really do anything.”
St. Marys to host Doors Open Summer 2025 event
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT Staff Contribution
On Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can travel through time by exploring several historic buildings in St. Marys.
Fifteen historic locations will welcome visitors as part of Doors Open St. Marys. Doors Open is a provincewide event that encourages people to visit places off the beaten path and highlights Ontario’s unique architectural and natural treasures.
New to this year’s event is the Flour Mill, located at 6 Water St. S. In recent years, Tracey Pritchard, a former Toronto caterer, food writer, restaurateur and consultant has been revitalizing the space. It is now a destination for delicious food, gourmet shopping and cozy boutique accommodation. During Doors Open, explore the main floor retail space and an upper-floor private residence. While downtown, take in the many shops and dining options in the Heritage Conservation District.
Riverside Bed and Breakfast, located at 96 Robinson St., is celebrating its 150th birthday this year! This designated heritage property was the childhood home of the world-famous violinist, Nora Clench. Owners Marie and John Stevens have graciously planned to open their doors, as well as host a special 150th birthday celebration with a vari-
ety of musical entertainers and artists on their front porch throughout the day.
The residents of Central School Manor look forward to welcoming visitors on Aug. 9. Three private suites, as well as most common areas, will be open.
Members of the congregations of four of the historic churches in St. Marys –St. James Anglican, St. Marys United, St. Marys Presbyterian and Holy Name of Mary Catholic – will welcome visitors and explain the features that make the churches important to the architectural context of the town.
Also, located on Church Street are two popular museums. The St. Marys Museum showcases exhibits and information about local history. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame commemorates great players, teams and accomplishments of baseball in Canada. The Baseball Hall of Fame will offer free admission during the Doors Open event this year.
Several municipal buildings will also be open to the public. The Station Gallery, located in the historic train station on James Street North, will welcome visitors to its exhibit, Leanne Davies: Pop Goes the World. The St. Marys Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as the former Mercury Theatre building at 14 Church Street North. During this event, members of the public can check out the renovation progress so far and learn more about plans for this building.
Broken Rail Brewing will open its doors as of 12 p.m. This train station, built by the Grand Trunk Railway, served the community for almost a century. A teenaged Thomas Edison may have worked here as a night telegraph operator from 1863-1864. The station underwent renovations in 2020. End the Doors Open tour with a pint while the new owners proudly share the history of this space.
Information headquarters for Doors Open will be located at a tent in front
of town hall. Maps will be available, as well as last-minute news about special, “added-value” features planned for many of the sites. Council chambers will be open and visitors can view work underway on the stage of the auditorium as the St. Marys Community Players prepare for their fall production, Hilda’s Yard.
For more information about the event, visit www.discoverstmarys.ca/doorsopen.
EDITORIAL
The Globe and Fail: What do they know about young people’s desire to buy homes?
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
The Globe and Mail managed to post what might be the most offensive article I’ve ever come across.
The headline read, “More Canadians are buying their first homes later in life, and they’re okay with that.”
No, we’re not okay with that. We’re pissed off. We’re resentful of older generations who decided the sanctity of an ultra-capitalistic society was worth preventing us from having the opportunities to have our own places to live at the same ages that our parents and grandparents did. We’re not resentful of our parents and grandparents specifically, but the fact is, the damage was done before we had a voice or even a heartbeat.
The article cites declining home ownership among younger adults and what they portray as a free-spirited la-di-da attitude. Apparently, younger adults aren’t buying homes because they just don’t want to right now, as evidenced by the falling home-buying rate.
Look, I know it’s legal now, but you shouldn’t be that high when you write an article for a major publication.
Apparently, we would rather travel instead. They actually say younger adults are “undaunted by the pressure to reach certain financial and life milestones by a certain age,” and that we’re “living life on our own terms and at our own pace.”
Firstly, it’s not like taking vacations started with my generation. I’m pretty sure previous generations went on trips and did so while owning a home. Don’t believe me?
National Lampoon’s Vacation was based on a typical family, not some distant planet we had magically gotten a vision from.
Secondly, the reason younger generations might take a vacation is to have a brief, mo -
mentary escape from the dead-end future we’ve been sentenced to.
The article also goes on to have quotes from a financial planner who, I’m sure, has lived the same experience my generation has and says these late, first-time homebuyers can still save for retirement by “getting a second source of income, taking in renters, working past retirement age and living more frugally.”
Hey, if you just wanted absolutely nothing and wanted to work forever, you could have everything you’ve ever wanted, unless another billionaire wants to shoot a rocket into space. Then the younger generation might need to settle for a bit less than nothing. I’m sure The Globe and Mail will be right there to tell us how excited we are about having less than nothing.
I don’t know why, but The Globe and Mail decided they would try to gaslight people under 40 into thinking that, somehow, having destitute futures no matter how hard we work and what salary we make is actually a good thing.
It sucks.
It sucks having no possibility of owning or even renting my own home unless I marry someone with a successful OnlyFans account. It sucks making a wage that should be enough and never is. It sucks working so hard for so little. And it’s not because of one political party; each one is to blame. It’s because of a brainwashing the wealthiest among us paid to have multiple generations indoctrinated into.
The Globe and Mail didn’t post that article because they are Liberal or Conservative. They posted it because they are just one more example of a corporation run by people with the same ultra-capitalistic fetish that the generations before mine devoted their lives to.
We’re not okay with it, but no one who can change it truly cares.
Bravo Boo
We have 3 Bravos this week.
1) Bravo to the good samaritan that found my wallet and handed it in at the Independent Grocery store. Please call Alex at 519284-0081 so I can thank you.
2) Bravo to Jeff for finding my phone on the street and getting it back to me. People like Jeff make St. Marys, St. Marys.
3) Bravo to student Nathan at Canadian Tire. I was in there on Saturday and he went above and beyond to help me by carrying items to my car and making them fit. It was a great experience and it made my day.
We have 4 Boos this week.
1) Boo to the people who continue to litter our town’s beautiful Grand Trunk trail system. I don’t think you would appreciate it if people started dumping garbage on your property! Have more respect or just stay off the trail. Also to the people who continue to spray paint on the posts and the cement supports of the trail system— A very shameful act!
2) Boo to those who smoke in the dog park or any park and toss their butts where the dogs can eat them and thank you to those who dispose of their butts in garbage cans.
3) Boo to people that ignore the town bylaw and let their cats wander free around town doing their business in other people’s flowerbeds.
4) Boo to those people that let their dogs bark all day long.
Quote of the Week
“What an incredible weekend at the Stonetown Heritage Festival! It was amazing to see our streets filled with music, laughter, and community spirit. We want to sincerely thank everyone who joined us to celebrateyour presence made this festival truly memorable. A heartfelt thank you to our hardworking volunteers, passionate vendors, supportive downtown businesses, and the entire St. Marys community. Your energy and commitment is what makes events like the Stonetown Heritage Festival so beloved” - Tourism and Events Coordinator Morgan Easton on the successful Stonetown Heritage Festival.
Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
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:
Learn to appreciate what you have before you are made to appreciate what you had.
This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.
Have patience with all things, but first, with yourself.
One that angers you controls you. Don’t give anyone that power.
Marys Independent.
The stories behind the soundtrack of your life
on Saturday, July 19
STONETOWN STONETOWN
JOHN STEVENS
Submitted Article
Are there certain songs that bring back magical moments for you?
On Saturday, July 19, you have the opportunity to relive some of the fond musical memories from your past. Tom Locke, a Vancouver-based storyteller and musicologist, will guide you through time from the ‘60s to the ‘80s with an interactive, live presentation that will reveal interesting notes on what made some songs great. You can participate in this free presentation at Snapping Turtle Coffee Roasters. It starts at 2 p.m.
Music has had a profound influence on most of our lives. Locke is no exception.
In August 2000, Locke introduced the online world to his music creation, “Moments In Time,” a curated walk down memory lane. This five-minute feature, written in a style similar to that of the legendary Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story,” continues to air weekly on the web via Treasure Island Oldies.
The first of Tom’s two books came out in paperback and e-book formats in the
fall of 2021. It’s entitled Moments In Time: Stories About Artists And Songs Of The 50s, 60s, & 70s. For Fans Of Music ... From A Music Fan.
His second book followed his award-winning first book in the fall of 2024.
Copies of both books now reside in the Library & Archives of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland.
The Moments In Time series is focused on putting smiles on the faces of its readers by taking them back in time to the music genres of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s via entertaining and informative stories about known and forgotten artists and songs.
Locke has now taken his show on the road. Interactive in nature and featuring the playing of some memorable tunes, the show goes where the audience takes it with a goal of “learning something new about the music you know.”
In this approach Locke delves into the roots of Rock & Roll, revealing how it shaped our culture and influenced future generations.
Don’t miss Tom Locke’s travelling road show, Moments in Time,
at 2 p.m. at Snapping Turtle Coffee Roasters.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN STEVENS)
Our seniors of the week are Tony and Jo Fluttert. The couple met in Holland and were married there before moving to St. Marys. They had five sons and raised their boys on a farm outside of St. Marys. They have 14 grandkids and four great grandkids. Tony and Jo both love farming and Tony was a hunter. According to granddaughter Jackie, Jo is the best cook and loves to play the boardgame rummy-o.
If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, contact us at 519-284-0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.
Weekend Quiz
1. What animal is known to spend 90% of its day sleeping?
2. What is the capital of Iceland?
3. Which sport awards the Davis Cup?
4. What is the only continent with land in all four hemispheres?
5. Which fast food chain has the slogan “Have it your way”?
6. Who discovered penicillin?
7. What musical instrument has 47 strings and 7 pedals?
8. What city hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics?
9. An amethyst is usually what color?
10. What is the formal name for a human voice box?
By Jake Grant
Huron Perth Public Health releases 2024 annual report
sponse to vaccine access gaps, two COVID-19 clinics were held in St. Marys, identified as an underserved area.
Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) has released its 2024 annual report, offering a detailed overview of the programs and services delivered across the region with a stronger emphasis on immunization efforts compared to the previous year’s post-pandemic focus.
This year’s report outlines HPPH’s ongoing vision to optimize health and wellbeing by taking action to protect and promote population health, prevent disease and enhance the quality of life for residents.
“The HPPH 2024 Annual Report includes updates on core public health programs and services likely familiar to our community, such as infectious disease control, immunizations and Healthy Babies Healthy Children,” said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron-Perth medical officer of health.
“Our report also describes several new initiatives that leverage technology, partnerships and the latest evidence to achieve public health goals. These include leading the infection prevention and control (IPAC) hub to support congregate settings, widely sharing our social connection primer and launching a new opioid-monitoring tool.”
As mandated under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, HPPH followed up on suspected and confirmed outbreaks of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in long-term care and retirement homes.
In 2024, 73 outbreaks were declared in these facilities. Of these, 104 were confirmed cases of influenza. There were 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which resulted in 14 deaths between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024.
HPPH provided 102 in-school immunization clinics across Huron-Perth for routine Grade 7 and Grade 10 vaccines, resulting in 3,640 total immunizations. In re -
On the environmental health front, HPPH expanded its “Check What We Inspect” disclosure website. In 2024, institutional food service kitchens were added, allowing the public to view inspection results for hospitals, child-care centres, long-term care homes and retirement homes.
Looking ahead, HPPH plans to include inspection results for personal-service settings (hair salons, aesthetics, tattoo studios) and recreational water facilities (pools, spas, splash pads, wading pools) on its website in 2025.
Health-promotion efforts this year focused on healthy eating, alcohol and substance use, reproductive health, and enforcement of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Of the 163 total complaints under the act, roughly 81 per cent came from schools, primarily due to student vaping infractions.
The report also highlights HPPH’s commitment to equity, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion. The Health Equity Team developed the HPPH Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lens to help staff embed these principles into programs and services throughout the region.
In 2024, the Healthy Smiles Ontario program reached 7,400 children in junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten and grades 2, 4 and 7 across the region.
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, including its Anabaptist Community Work initiative, expanded to two sites in Huron County.
The report also touches on improvements in communication, website development, surveillance, health assessment and research.
For more information or to read the full report, visit www.hpph.ca.
AMANDA MODARAGAMAGE Independent Reporter
St. Marys’ Gillian Martinez returns home after helping displaced residents during Manitoba wildfires
town.”
Just prior to Martinez’s arrival in the province, a provincewide state of emergency was declared for Manitoba on May 28 – the first of two to be declared with the second declared July 10 after a number of communities issued more mandatory evacuation orders. As of June 24, one day after the first state of emergency was lifted, 131 fires had burned in Manitoba this year alone with 18 still active at the time.
As of that same date, roughly 911,096 hectares had burned in 2025 and the Canadian Red Cross reported roughly 22,000 evacuees had registered with the charity from roughly 8,000 households across more than two-dozen communities. While many were allowed to return home after the previous emergency declaration was lifted, as of last week, it was reported nearly 13,000 people were forced to once again evacuate.
With so many people on the move, Martinez’s role in the response was to help keep track of all those moving people so family and friends could find their loved ones after they were evacuated to the south of the province.
“It was almost 10,000 people at one point in northern Manitoba coming down between Winnipeg and Brandon,” Martinez said. “The main communities we had were places like Flin Flon and Cranberry Portage, and a few others were flown in and bussed in. So, we had quite a lot of people from different communities up north in Manitoba. So, you’re helping them to register and settle, and there’s another team called safety and wellbeing who would go around the hotel (where the reception centre was located) and just check in on people.
“They would help them with rooms or having to involve other services, and
health people came and other welfare people from their towns came. It was a big team effort.”
Martinez said many of the people and families she registered were very anxious because they didn’t know if they would be able to return to their homes. She said those she helped would show her photographs and security camera feeds that showed the proximity of the fires back home and she did her best to put their minds at ease by explaining the registration and resettlement process, and providing hugs, teddy bears for children and any other comforts she could whenever possible.
“It was a very compassionate response,” Martinez said. “There are seven basic principles of the Red Cross, and two of them are very important in terms of humanitarian aid. You’re helping everyone equally because there’s a big number of First Nations and there’s non-First Nations as well. And there’s people who have more and people who have less – economic differences – so you’re treating everyone the same. It’s a humanitarian effort no matter who they are or where they come from.
“ … The local response was also tremendous because the health unit comes in, the local Indigenous health people come in, there was a peace officer who actually came from the Sioux Nation, which was very close. None of the Sioux Nation was evacuated because they’re south. He came – one gentleman and a few other people – and it was nice because they’re helping their people who speak the same language.”
One of the big considerations when assisting evacuees from Indigenous communities, Martinez explained, is the concept of family in those cultures. Families in those communities aren’t just four or five or six people; they can often
comprise a whole community, making it even more important that volunteers like Martinez keep track of everyone in the hopes of reuniting them during their stay in Brandon or Winnipeg.
At the end of her stint in Brandon, Martinez was restationed to a hangar at the Brandon Municipal Airport where she and other volunteers helped load evacuees onto planes so they could return home after given the all-clear.
“On the last day I was there, I was at the airport in Brandon and they were sending over 250 people home,” Martinez said. “It was kind of interesting because we were in this really big, old hangar with all the little biplanes and hobby planes. It was a beautiful old hangar. Buses would come, you would give them the manifest and then they would go in a plane of six or a plane of eight or a plane of 50. So, that was very nice.
“And there was one little lady, and I
said to her, ‘What will you do when you get home?’ ‘See my friends.’ They were probably in Winnipeg or other places,” Martinez said. “And then one little kid said, ‘Well, I’d like to ride my bicycle,’ because in the hotel situation, they’re not given that freedom they have when they’re at home.
“ … And then there was a baby carrier going home and this lady had this tiny little thing. She was five days old and she was going home. So, she was born while they were displaced. Nature doesn’t stop.”
As the Canadian Red Cross continues to help those displaced by fire in Manitoba, Martinez says she won’t hesitate to step in and volunteer with the organization when called upon again. Anyone else interested in volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross can visit redcross. ca/volunteer to learn more.
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
St. Marys Canadian Red Cross volunteer Gillian Martinez while stationed at the Brandon Municipal Airport.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF GILLIAN MARTINEZ)
Gillian Martinez, back at home in St. Marys after volunteering in Manitoba, wearing her Canadian Red Cross vest.
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
‘A dream come true for sure’: Max Smith to perform at Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
EMILY STEWART Independent Reporter
St. Marys musician Max Smith is looking forward to playing one of his favourite summer festivals, Lucknow’s Music in the Fields.
Lucknow’s Music in the Fields is a non-profit music festival raising money for charity with musicians like the Washboard Union, Sass Jordan, Josh Ross and Owen Riegling on the lineup for 2025. Proceeds from this year’s edition of the festival will support the Nightingale Centre, which provides grief and bereavement support for children, youth and their families at no cost to them.
Smith was selected as the runner-up in the Emerging Artists showdown for the 2025 edition of Music in the Fields. He will perform with his band on Aug. 23 alongside winner Graham Bedard.
“It’s the best feeling. I’ve been going to Music in the Fields for years now and to be able to play there, it’s a dream come true for sure,” Smith said.
Smith enjoys the welcoming atmosphere of Music in the Fields.
“I’ve been to Boots and Hearts,
I’ve been to a couple of bigger ones and Lucknow just seems more homey and I feel like I fit in with the crowd there, and it’s just an awesome festival and it’s a great time,” he said.
“Ever since I started playing music, I wanted to play there. Now I get the chance and I’m super stoked.”
He is also grateful for the support from St. Marys residents who voted for him during the contest.
“I can’t thank everybody enough,” Smith said. “It’s been an overwhelming amount of support. The St. Marys community, my friends, family, everybody who has voted and helped me along the way; none of it would be possible without anybody, so I appreciate everybody.”
In addition to Lucknow’s Music in the Fields, Smith will perform at the Tailgate Music Festival in Mitchell on Sept. 20, with Jade Eagleson headlining. Smith is also hoping to release a five-song EP by the end of the summer.
More information and updates about Smith can be found online either on Instagram, TikTok or on his website, maxsmithofficial.com. To learn more about Lucknow’s Music in the Fields, visit www.musicinthefields.ca.
to
on
Max Smith has always wanted to perform at Lucknow’s Music in the Fields and will now get a chance
do that
Aug. 20 as runner-up of the Emerging Artists Showdown.
JULY 11-13 | ST. MARYS, ON DISCOVER, CELEBRATE & CHERISH OUR HERITAGE!
Stonetown Heritage Festival Art Show highlights artist community
EMILY STEWART
Independent Reporter
Attendees of the Stonetown Heritage Festival on Saturday got a chance to cool down inside an art show featuring plenty of local artists.
The Stonetown Heritage Festival Art Show featured 34 local artists and their creations on July 12, in a vacant building at the corner of Queen and Water streets. The show featured many nature pieces and some landmarks seen throughout the town with bright, warm and summer tones displayed in a variety of artistic styles.
“This is really exciting,” artist Kathy Blake said of the art show. “One of the most exciting parts is this building we’re in. This space has been empty for a little while and a lot of our artists peaking in the windows saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a show there?’ and here we are.”
Blake had a portrait of Anne Shirley and another painting of an owl from the beloved classic, Anne of Green Gables, and the television show, Anne with an E. Though the works were displayed as the nearby Stratford Festival’s production of Anne of Green Gables takes the stage this season, Blake created the pieces a few years ago.
“I love storybook themes and that’s why I did that,” she said.
Artist members of the Stonetown Arts collective were featured in the art show, as well as artists who are not part of the organization.
“We’ve invited in, or enticed, other artists in the community as well. It was our dream to do that; make it a community show,” Blake said.
Blake added that as part of the Stonetown Heritage Festival, the art show was a chance to see how a community-focused art show would play out. She said that another community-based art show could take place in the future called Paint St. Marys.
“We’re so much part of the soul of this. We paint images from St. Marys, we carve them, we draw them and we love our little, beautiful town,” Blake said.
Artist Kathy Blake stands in front of her Anne of Green Gables inspired pieces featured in the Stonetown Heritage Festival Art Show on July 12.
(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)
Quadro Communications thanks their customers at local customer-appreciation event
EMILY STEWART
Independent Reporter
The Stonetown Heritage Festival filled Downtown St. Marys with lots of appreciative local businesses showing support for their customers, and Quadro Communications was one of them.
Quadro Communications Co-Operative held a Customer Appreciation Day during the Stonetown Heritage Festival on July 12. The communications company had giveaways throughout the day, as well as face-painting and colouring pages for the kids in honour of its 30-year anniversary.
“It’s been going terrific. Lots and lots of people come by to say thank-you as we want to say you thank-you back, of course,” said Quadro CEO and general manager Darryl Evans. “We serve the community and their members, so it’s an honour to do so.”
Founded in 1995, Quadro Communications Co-Operative provides TV and Internet services to St. Marys, Mitch -
ell and Lucan. About 65 per cent of St. Marys residences use Quadro as their service provider. All the employees reside within the region.
Quadro is community-focused, supports health care and sports teams in the region, and often partners with local organizations for giveaways, fundraisers and events like free swims. Evans said prioritizing community and giving back is appealing to local Quadro customers in St. Marys.
“They obviously know we give back to community, so community means a lot to them, too, as it does to us. It’s a very good relationship between us both,” he said.
Quadro Communications held another Customer Appreciation Day in Mitchell on June 21 and will be in Lucan on Aug. 16 to host another. The communications co-op will also sponsor an event hosted by the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 20 at Broken Rail Brewing Co.
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Pictured from left, Maggie Whitcroft, Darryl Evans, Stephannie Metcalfe, Alyssa Anderson, Caitlin Lindsay and Bennett McCarthy of Quadro Communications at the Customer Appreciation Day event on July 12, part of the Stonetown Heritage Festival.
(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)
JULY 11-13 | ST. MARYS, ON DISCOVER, CELEBRATE & CHERISH OUR HERITAGE!
Plenty to see and do at the 2025 Stonetown Heritage Festival
Cher Rettinger of New Life Tattoos adds the finishing touches to a chalk drawing of Disney favourite Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.
(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)
Plenty of fun activities dotted downtown St. Marys during the Stonetown Heritage Festival, including a cartoonist, food trucks and games and inflatables for kids.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
The view looking east on Saturday morning was full of excitement as the downtown filled up with many festival goers and vendors. The heat was not a deterrent as many people attended the festivities.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Queen Street was lined with booths and tents from various businesses and groups, with numerous activities available including colouring for kids, prize draws and a clay sculptor crafting handmade items.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Bex In Motion put on several hula-hoop shows during the Stonetown Heritage Festival, entertaining many attendees with her impressive tricks and crowd work.
(TURNER ROTH PHOTO)
Local musician Max Smith rocked the crowd as the headline musical act of the Stonetown Heritage Festival, performing on the stage set up at the intersection of Queen Street and Water Street.
(TURNER ROTH PHOTO)
JULY 11-13 | ST. MARYS, ON DISCOVER, CELEBRATE & CHERISH OUR HERITAGE!
Stonetown Heritage Festival draws huge crowds
‘Mr Ripley’ the man on stilts entertained the crowd as he wandered around.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)
Myla and Hudson Petrie were busy with their lemonade stand that they had at Grandma Sandra’s on Saturday. They were keeping people hydrated as they walked to the Stonetown Heritage Festival.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Jaxon Bolton was having a great time at the Stonetown Heritage Festival.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)
The professional team at K&H Distributing Fireworks, which have been in business for over 35 years, were busy getting things ready to rock on Saturday night as they set up for this year’s spectacular fireworks display.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
A huge crowd gathered for the street dance on Saturday night downtown at the Stonetown Heritage Festival.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)
St. Marys Hospital Auxiliary had a draw for a homemade quilt made by Daphne Evely. Pictured is Mary Wood and Kohen Martin who drew the winning ticket for a fundraising raffle won by Karen Whittaker with ticket #145.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)
Pictured are Pastor Carlo Rosati of Bethel Church in St. Marys and friend Brian Wilson.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTO)
Asphalt resurfacing project to begin July 14
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
The Town of St. Marys will be resurfacing sections of local roadways starting Monday, July 14.
Affected areas
• Thomas Street from Park Street to the sewage treatment plant
• Thames Avenue
• Egan Avenue from Wellington Street North to King Street North
• Charles Street from Queen Street East to Elgin Street East
• Brock Street from Queen Street East to Jones Street East
• Jones Street East from Huron Street South to Brock Street South
• Elgin Street West from Ontario Street
South to Salina Street South
• Widder Street East from James Street North to St. John Street North
• St. George Street North
• St. John Street North
• A portion of Thames Road North
• A section of Glass Street
Paving schedule (weather dependent) Week of Monday, July 14
• Milling the top layer of asphalt
• Maintenance hole adjustments as required
• Isolated concrete curb repairs
Weeks of July 21 and 28
• Milling asphalt of any outstanding areas
• Paving of new topcoat of asphalt
Please note the following during the paving schedule:
• Prior to paving, a liquid emulsion will be applied to the existing asphalt surface to enhance the adhesion of the new layer. Please refrain from walking or driving on areas treated.
• Construction personnel will be stationed at all construction zone entrances; kindly consult with them before proceeding onto newly paved asphalt to confirm it has cooled.
• Parking on new asphalt is not permitted for several days following installation.
Impacts to residents
• There will be no on-street parking permitted in the affected area from Monday to Friday beginning Tuesday, July 15. Vehicles parked on the street during this time will be towed.
• Driveways and entrances may be temporarily blocked during the milling process (approximately 30 minutes).
• Driveways and entrances may be temporarily blocked during the paving process (up to several hours). Residents are asked to plan to move vehicles ahead of time to an adjacent roadway and to allow for up to three hours after asphalt installation before parking.
• Curbside garbage and recycling collection will continue as scheduled. Residents in the affected areas are asked to place their bins in front of their houses as normal. Contractors will then move the bins to an accessible pickup location if necessary.
TriCounty FoodGrains Group expands in 2025
TRICOUNTY FOODGRAINS GROUP
Submitted Article
A lot has changed with the TriCounty FoodGrains Group this year.
The group is a partnership between East Nissouri Union Church, St. Marys Presbyterian and St. Marys First Baptist churches. Its aim is to work towards ending hunger in our world.
For many years, Sheila Greason donated and dedicated her land so that
produce could be grown there and then sold at the Farmers’ Market. This year, members of the group have teamed up to grow the crop on their own properties and at the St. Marys Community Garden. Petals and Foliage has also graciously donated some land to the cause. In addition to a location change, the group has expanded the vegetables they will be selling this year. Thanks to generous donations from both the Hitching Post and Petals and Foliage, the group
will offer potatoes, onions, squash, beets and pumpkins at the market.
The federal government will match proceeds from the market at a rate of five to one. This is a great way to get fresh, local produce and know that you are helping others!
To increase the amount of money we raise and, therefore, the number of people we can feed, the group is planning a Pancake Breakfast starting at 8 a.m. on Aug. 9 at the Farmers’ Market.
First Baptist Church will also host a Music Night on Oct. 4 starting at 7 p.m. and featuring local band The Gigis. If you would like to learn more about the TriCounty Foodgrains Group or become involved, contact Bob Pickel at 519-461-1400.
Hope to see you at the market this summer/fall!
St. Marys Horticultural Society garden tour
This is a picturesque property with hundreds of hostas, several species of Japanese maples, and a variety of
are many impressive trees and lovely stone walkways.
Pictured above is Marlene McKenzie in front of one of her lovely ivies. Her backyard is resplendent with both annuals and perennials, adding colour to her property
perennials. There
It’s truly one of a kind.
Pictured at the back of their outdoor fireplace, the owners of this property on Emily Street, Bob and Sussie MacLeod, have many hanging pots on their front porch and the flower bed at the side of their property can be seen from the Grand Trunk Trail.
This property belongs to Dave and Anna Devries. The pool and gazebo are the perfect place to relax on a hot summer’s day. Their property also features 70 fruit trees. On the property of Ron and Wendy Aitken is a very large vegetable garden.
(NANCY BICKELL PHOTOS)
Be part of the Big Picture at Harrington Homecoming Centennial
time when Harrington’s population was around 400.
Harrington’s big picture, a five-and-ahalf-foot-long photo portraying almost 500 people, hangs on the wall of Harrington Hall.
The panoramic photo was taken here in our village on Pitt’s Hill on Labour Day, 1925, in celebration of the “Old Boys and Girls Reunion,” an event that attracted over 1,000 celebrants at a
The Great War and the Spanish Flu had just ended. Great sacrifices had been made and hardships endured. Our ancestors were likely celebrating that they were still here, proud to be from here and full of optimism for a better future.
We face different challenges today, including the removal of Pitt’s Hill by a gravel company, but we remain proud of
our history and will be celebrating the centennial of that exuberant weekend by welcoming all who hold some affection and/or attachment for this historic, picturesque village.
We’re going to recreate that big picture with a 2025 version and we invite you to be part of it!
Picture time will be 2:30 p.m. Aug. 9 during the Harrington Centennial Homecoming, but there will be a wealth of activities until then at various sites around the village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
• Visit what is now the historic Harrington Grist Mill that was just a part of daily commerce back then;
• Tour the Harrington Community Centre in what then was the school (S.S. #4, West Zorra) – the building still retains many of the original architectural features;
• Examine a variety of displays in Harrington Hall, previously Broadview United Church which, in 1925, was transitioning from Harrington Methodist Church (historical memorabilia will be for sale);
• Bring your heritage to Harrington Hall: Bring items and/or documents you have related to the history of Harrington and area. Professional staff from the Beachville District Museum will be available to provide practical tips on preserving family treasures at home. From photographs to textiles, learn simple, effective ways to care for your keepsakes and ensure they last for generations to
• Study the school-related displays in the 1869 stone schoolhouse;
• Participate in the Little Hobby Hill Farm petting zoo provided by Oxford County Library;
• Check out the library itself (now a branch of Oxford County Library, but back then the Harrington Library was in the librarian’s home);
• Enjoy good food of The Sunset Shack, the yummy food truck from the Sunset Diner in St. Marys;
• Catch “Ox on the Run,” Oxford County Library’s mobile library project;
• Accept the challenge of the scavenger hunt around the pond and conservation area, organized by the Coyote Nature School;
• Walk around and explore the history of Harrington by reading the signs in front of selected properties explaining what activities used to occur therein.
Activities will end at 2 p.m. as a pair of pipers from the Ingersoll Pipe Band call everybody to assemble to be included in the big picture. Photographer Doris Weir, on behalf of the Zorra Heritage Committee, will take a panoramic photograph of all present. A copy of the photo will be emailed to everyone who provides an address.
2:30 p.m. – Everybody is welcome! This photo op is open to anybody who feels some connection to Harrington and area, whether from being born here, having lived here, partied here, fished in the pond or even just passed through and thought what a beautiful spot. This will be our challenge to the future, to protect and celebrate the heritage and the community values that make Harrington special.
Harrington Centennial Homecoming is being organized by the Harrington and Area Community Association (HACA) in collaboration with:
• Beachville District Museum
• Oxford County Archives
• Coyote Nature School
• Harrington Community Centre
• Ingersoll Pipe Band
• Knox Presbyterian Harrington
• Oxford County Library
• Oxford Historical Society
• Zorra Heritage Committee of the Beachville District Historical Society
This photo is a bit of the big picture from the first reunion, held in 1925, drawing people from far and wide who had some sort of connection to Harrington. The second reunion will be the Harrington Homecoming Centennial on Saturday, Aug. 9. Mill tours will be available at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. We will close up the mill at 2 p.m. when a pair of pipers from the Ingersoll Pipe Band will lead everybody to outside the historic stone schoolhouse (built in 1869) at the corner of Road 96 and 31st Line for the photo. Come be part of the big picture!
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HARRINGTON AND AREA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION)
HARRINGTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Giving Tuesday: Paint a rock, hide a rock
WENDY LAMOND Independent Reporter
This year, Giving Tuesday will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, however, it doesn’t have to be kept to one day as it is also good to spread kindness any day of the year.
On Thursday, July 24, the local Giving Tuesday committee is hosting a Paint a Rock, Hide a Rock Day. Locals are encouraged to paint their own rocks and place them around town to spread joy for others to find.
This is a great project and a good lesson to share with kids for parents in search of something to keep them busy.
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In the example photo published with this article, the blue paint represents the world and the red heart stands for the kindness that is being shared.
Giving Tuesday was started as a day that encourages people to do a good deed and to help others. Many businesses, service clubs and individuals get involved as a way to give back to the community and to just spread some love.
Look for more information about Giving Tuesday in St. Marys in the months leading up to Dec. 2.
For more information on Giving Tuesday, email Julie Docker-Johnson at jdockerjohnson@gmail.com.
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Let us take the hassle out of your holidays. Reach out to one of our knowledgeable travel consultants today!
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The St. Marys Giving Tuesday committee is organizing a Paint a Rock Hide a Rock Day on July 24 to encourage locals to spread joy around town.
St. Marys Independent SPORTS
U16 OBA Rockies win Cardinal Classic tournament
The Red Rock Construction U16 OBA St. Marys Rockies captured the gold medal at the Cardinal Classic tournament in St. Thomas July 4-6.
Coach Todd Dittmer said he was thrilled with his team’s performance throughout the entire tournament.
“This was a great weekend for the boys,” Dittmer told the Independent.
“Going into the weekend, we had a feeling there was a good chance for success. There always is with this team. It’s the little details that make the difference, and finally, we were able to put them all together.”
Dittmer added there was no shortage of memorable moments for his squad during the weekend.
“We could have an hour-long Instagram reel on this weekend’s highlights. Every player had huge moments throughout the tournament. Every player embraced the role they were given each game, succeeded at every assignment and fought through all adversity.
“Every player battled through the heat this weekend,” Dittmer continued.
“Sunday was incredibly uncomfortable for everyone. Hayden (Wright) felt it more than anyone. He caught every inning for us this weekend, and it was greatly appreciated.”
After dropping their first round-robin game to Mississauga by a score of 7-3, the Rockies turned into an unstoppable run-scoring machine, posting at least nine runs in each of their final four games. Additionally, St. Marys put up 16 runs or more in three of those four games, including in the championship game when St. Marys defeated Midland 16-7. The Rockies ended the tournament with a tournament-best plus-53 run differential, 30 runs higher than the
next-closest run differential.
Dittmer explained the final encapsulated a weekend-long theme of the team’s offence matching the execution and potency of their pitching rotation.
“One of our team’s biggest strengths is our pitching depth. We had outstanding pitching from six different throwers all weekend, and going into the final, they were averaging 0.53 runs per defensive
inning. Finally this weekend, our bats came alive to support our defence, and the final was a perfect demonstration of that full team effort.
“Our batters mentally moved past the individual game and supported the
whole team effort at the plate,” Dittmer added. “They were getting sacrifice hits to move runners, crucial bunts to set up a stronger offence and being aware to not hit double-play balls. It was awesome to watch.”
The Red Rock Construction U16 OBA St. Marys Rockies captured the gold medal at the Cardinal Classic tournament July 4-6 in St. Thomas. The team also thanked St. Marys Cement and the United Steel Workers Union for their support. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Harper Murrell, Dan Dittmer, Lacklan Gilchrist, Hayden Wright, Zach Larmer, Nate Hosack and Grayson Leblanc Mossey. In the back row, from left, are Les McGregor, Dale Levy, Donovan McGregor, Parker Levy, Cody King, Kolton McAllister, Nathan Schram and Todd Dittmer.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
SEYMOUR
Firby-Gregory, Fisher-Kapp win 2025 Battle of Gowanbrae
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
The St. Marys Golf and Country Club (SMGCC) held one of its most unique events of the year July 11-12, the Battle of Gowanbrae tournament.
The team of Jason Firby and Mike Gregory emerged as the overall men’s champions, while Melanie Fisher and Janis Kapp took the title on the ladies’ side.
Each team played four nine-hole matches as part of the SMGCC’s two-day tournament, with each match being worth plus or minus points depending on how many holes they were ahead, up to three points per match.
The ladies’ bracket saw the duo of Kelly Hennigar and Mary Kochanowski finish first in the standings after their four nine-hole contests with plus-six points. However, in their one-hole playoff final, Fisher and Kapp scored the win to take the overall championship in the ladies’ division.
It was a repeat win for Fisher and Kapp, who were also the ladies’ champions in the 2024 Battle of Gowanbrae.
On the men’s side, Gregory and Firby were tied with Dan Murrell and Kevin Thompson at plus-four points to make it to the final playoff from the blue tees, while Scott Kemp and Troy Carter rounded out the blue competitors with plus-six points. From the white tees, Merlin Malinowski and Rich Parsons, along with Steve Graham and Mike Kochanowski, both recorded plus-seven points to make up the rest of the men’s playoff final.
The three-hole playoff on holes seven, eight and nine came down to Firby and Gregory against Malinowski and Parsons in the shootout to decide the overall winner. Gregory and Malinowski each scored par, but Gregory’s handicap gave him a one-stroke decision over Malinowski to secure the win for the team.
According to Firby, he and Gregory were playing steadily well as a duo throughout the tournament.
“When one of us had a bad hole, the other picked up the slack to either saw off or win the hole,” Firby told the Independent. “Mike (Gregory) was capitalizing on 75 per cent of his stroke holes to either win or saw it off for us, and then obviously, he came up with the putt for par at the end.”
Firby further described several key holes throughout the weekend that helped the team reach the playoff, as well as the duo continuing to pick each other up before claiming the men’s title.
“We won all four matches with plus-one point in each. I got it going for us with a birdie on hole 16, the final hole of match one, and did it again in the last match with another birdie on hole 14 to get us the plus-one victory.
“On the first hole of the playoff, hole seven, I put one just on the back and chipped to two feet to make par, which allowed us to go to the second playoff hole,” Firby continued. “Mike also made par, which was a net birdie with his handicap on hole eight to help us avoid the chip off and go to the final playoff hole.”
St. Marys Tennis Club receives anonymous donation
Pictured on the left are Mike Gregory and Jason Firby. On the right are Melanie Fisher and Janis Kapp. Gregory and Firby won the men’s overall championship at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s 2025 Battle of Gowanbrae July 11-12, while Fisher and Kapp earned the ladies’ title at the two-day tournament.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Mike Gregory chips the ball onto the green during the first day of the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s 2025 Battle of Gowanbrae on July 11. Gregory, along with teammate Jason Firby, won the tournament’s overall men’s championship.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Melanie Fisher tees off during the first day of the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s 2025 Battle of Gowanbrae on July 11. Fisher and her partner, Janis Kapp, were the overall ladies’ champions of the tournament.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Pictured from left to right are St. Marys Tennis Club president Don Van Galen and the club’s communications officer Andrea Macko. Van Galen and Macko are holding a sign that will soon be displayed at the St. Marys racket courts explaining how to play tennis, tips for new players, and scoring rules. The sign comes after the club received an anonymous and generous donation.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
U16-BT3 Storm earn District Cup bracket win in penalty kicks
The U16 Boys Tier Three St. Marys Storm picked up a dramatic 2-1 win over Taxandria Yellow in a District Cup match that went to penalty kicks on July 9.
Head coach Connor Finucan told the Independent his team delivered a steady, resilient performance en route to the victory.
“The boys played our game,” said Finucan. “They were moving the ball and supporting each other really well. That support was the main thing. We weren’t just kicking it up to one guy and expecting the world of him. We got it to our strikers, Matteo (Napolitano) or Owen (Muir), and then got there to build the play, create options and look for that support pass.”
Finucan added his team had to overcome a rough-and-tumble opponent, which they did a masterful job of in the bench boss’ eyes.
“It was very close and very physical, and it was a bit frustrating at times when the other team was a bit rough and not playing the ball, and that’s not proper soccer and not how we play. But I was glad that our boys stuck with it physically and didn’t fold to their physicality, but also kept themselves in check. I told our boys, ‘If they’re going to shove, be a brick wall and don’t fall over.’ ”
Owen Muir opened the scoring with the only goal of the first half early into the game, with the game remaining 1-0 for St. Marys until Taxandria tied it up in the second half. The rest of the game saw some key stops made at either end, including a massive save in the final moments of regulation by St. Marys goalkeeper Leo Jenson when he dove out to sweep the ball to the side.
“Leo was great,” said coach Finucan. “His hands, when the ball comes straight to home, they are like glue. He only let in the one goal, and he pulled it right back after that goal and made that sweeping dive across the net to save the game for us. He has the confidence to fly at kids’ feet, and he doesn’t play like he’s afraid to get hurt.”
Both teams were informed with five
minutes remaining that, if the game was still tied, they would forego extra time and go straight to penalty kicks, which is exactly what happened. In the penalty kicks, St. Marys got a boost with their first two kicks, taken by Javi Franco-Farmer and Ben Robson, finding the back of the net. Jenson made a big save on one of Taxandria’s penalties three missed the net. Rens Debruin capped off the penalty kicks with a third goal for the Storm to secure the victory.
Finucan credited his team’s mental fortitude in the clutch moments of the contest.
“I certainly didn’t want to go to penalty kicks, but it’s an elimination tournament, so winning any way you can is all that matters. You lose and you’re done for the District Cup. I was probably the most nervous one on the field. When we were tied with five minutes left, the referee let both teams know that we would be going to penalties if we were still tied rather than having extra time, and that put the ante up.
“I was very glad that the boys kind of kept a level head and we ended on a good chance off of a corner kick,” Finucan continued. “It definitely lit a fire under our boys. They knew it was time to lock in. They knew it was go-time and they turned it up a notch.”
Pictured on the left is Javi Franco-Farmer scoring a goal in penalty kicks of the U16 Boys Tier Three St. Marys Storm’s District Cup game against Taxandria on July 9. On the right is Leo Jenson making a save during penalty kicks. The Storm won by a score of 2-1 after beating Taxandria in penalty kicks.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTOS)
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Leah Grose launches the ball towards the opposition’s net during the U12 Girls Tier
Three St. Marys Storm game on July 7. The photo was printed last week with the incorrect name written in the caption. The Independent apologizes for the error
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Hunter Smith cracks the ball towards the outfield during the Hubbard Pharmacy U9 WOBA Red St. Marys Rockies game last Tuesday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Colton Cubberley keeps the ball in play with a kick towards the box during last Wednesday’s U14 Boys Tier Three St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Logan Masselis rockets a pitch towards the opposition hitter during last Tuesday’s U11 WOBA St. Marys Rockies game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Heather Puff steps into a heavy shot on target during this past Sunday’s U10 Girls Tier Three St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Quinn Porter swings and gets a hit during the Cubberley Plumbing and Heating U14 OBA St. Marys Rockies game this past Monday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Jayne Johnston winds up for a sharp shot on goal during this past Monday’s U12 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
‘Rwanda Now’ produces ‘Big Three’ and myriad memories for Canadian traveller
The massive white rhino passed within 20 metres and continued southward, the makings of a credit card commercial in her wake.
Our rental vehicle cost a chunk, elevated suspension and four-wheel-drive invaluable on Akagera National Park’s driving trails. A Kayonza Café breakfast of samosas, meatballs, beignet and excellent Rwandan coffee ran $6 Canadian. And our paperless entrance fee came in at $100 U.S a head.
But less than a half-hour into our African safari, the $40-U.S-per-day services of local guide Firmin Hirwa had already proven priceless.
“Rhino!” he exclaimed, pointing off in the distance.
In rapid Kinyarwanda, Hirwa passed directions to our Canadian host, Rwandan expatriate Jean-Claude Munyezamu. Pausing to let a young black mamba slither past, Munyezamu
turned, heading back the way we had come. Hirwa expertly gauged the rhino’s path and pace, asking Munyezamu to stop and then back up 20 metres, a cape buffalo hoof from the previous evening’s lion kill banging off our left, rear wheel well.
Transfixed, we sat silently as the rhino covered the final 100 metres, angling directly in front of us and ambling onward, graceful for all her bulk.
“My name means lucky and today we are just that,” Hirwa said as our collectively held breaths released in awe and admiration.
We were on safari not in a zoo – but he and Akagera had delivered.
My unlikely path from Beaconsfield, Ont. to Akagera National Park, Rwanda led through a feature story with Munyezamu. A survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, he arrived in Canada as a refugee, settling in Calgary. Munyezamu started a soccer program to improve his public-housing neighbourhood, ultimately mor-
phing into Umoja Community Mosaic (umojamosaic.org). The not-for-profit added a culturally sensitive food bank, after-school programs, leadership for young women and a popular community sewing circle.
Inspired during a 2022 visit to Munyezamu’s former village Kabura, Umoja initiated diasporic outreach bringing school uniforms, sports equipment, fresh water and a basketball/volleyball court to the community’s Umurava Primary School. A second fresh-water source for the village centre and improving a road rendered impassable during the rainy season are ongoing goals.
“Come to Rwanda,” said Munyezamu, who makes it a practice to share annual visits.
Beginning with family members, 20 out of 20 (a random yet illustrative number) people expressed significant reservations about a destination primarily recognized by Canadians as the site of horrific genocide.
Deeply respectful and desiring to learn how Munyezamu chose reconciliation over revenge, reassured by his declaration of safety and with a side hustle figuring out how my wife could check ‘African safari’ affordably off her bucket list, I only somewhat nervously boarded Ethiopian Airlines.
Full disclosure: my newspaper career was spent covering sports, council, knocking together happy features and building an outdoors column, not international political commentary. I will not be starting now. Anyone seeking the 60,000-foot overview is encouraged to source alternatives.
My view of a very different Rwanda than I might have expected – ‘Rwanda Now’ if you will – is the ground-level account of a person sharing something of what he experienced.
It began with a tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, presenting an intense, no-holds-barred, matter-offact and more-balanced account than I
A young soccer player from Kabura, Rwanda illustrates the difference between a ball constructed from plastic bags and twine (in his right hand) and a factory-made equivalent donated by the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
A forward from Umurava Primary School looks to control the ball under the watchful eye of GS Rubira’s goalie and fans during an all-Kabura “friendly” between the two schools.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
A female white rhino passes close by our vehicle in Akagera National Park, Rwanda.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
A giraffe takes a quick drink at Akagera National Park as two compatriots scan for trouble.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
JEFF TRIBE Independent Columnist
‘Rwanda Now’ produces ‘Big Three’ and myriad memories for Canadian traveller
might have anticipated. It encompassed Rwandan history, colonialism and other factors leading to genocide. That and the aftermath included victim exhibits, survivors’ personal accounts and importantly, ongoing efforts to reconcile and rebuild following unspeakable horror.
The memorial’s website (https://kgm. rw) includes an option to sign up for a virtual tour.
My day-one impression of Rwanda was that of a nation on the move with sidewalks full of bustling, uniformed students (school is free to Grade 9), mothers with babies, delivery people, joggers and well-dressed professionals headed to work. Personal, people-moving and transport vehicles own a share of the road based on size, but motorcycle taxis prized for their ability to skirt traffic dart everywhere as Munyezamu compares them to “a pack of wild dogs.”
On rural highways, “Sophia” photo radar units (so named after a famous smart robot) text transgressors significant fines, thereby lowering previous levels of vehicular carnage. Bicycles remain key to the transportation system for everything from additional humans (the cheapest taxi) to cans of milk, fur-
try offers paid employment including street sanitation, Kigali’s graffiti-free byways regularly swept clean as a result.
We stayed inside a classic two-bedroom apartment with ensuite bathrooms, kitchenette, WiFi and gated 24hour security costing $300 U.S a week. An omnipresent streetside ATM equivalent seen everywhere from downtown Rwanda to isolated mountain villages sat outside. In essence, independent contractors under brightly coloured umbrellas staff desks holding thousands of Rwandan francs. The most remote corner of the country is well-connected by cell service exceeding that at our rural Canadian countryside. Clients present a code on their phone to proprietors who hand over cash, receiving a transaction percentage for their efforts.
niture and produce like crates of chickens or up to a half-dozen bunches of bananas to market. Riders dismount to push huge loads up Rwanda’s purported “thousand hills,” the latter a serious underestimation.
Crossing Kigali streets requires either “Rwandan instincts” or common sense. There is little doubt however, should the worst occur, the mess would be cleaned up quickly. Rather than providing social assistance, the coun -
The ATMs and the fact one sees women walking alone on city streets late at night allayed pre-trip fears. Munyezamu recommended protecting one’s cell phone from crimes of opportunity in busy markets for example, but overall, personal safety was not a concern.
We breakfasted a short stroll away, past a medical centre typically filled with mothers and young children, part of universal health care our host says
Students from Umurava Primary School celebrate the gift of basketballs from Basketball Tillsonburg and soccer balls from Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club Friday, June 20 in Kabura, Rwanda. The celebration includes Umoja Community Mosaic executive director JeanClaude Munyezamu (orange shirt) and Umurava coach Patrick Ndagijimana (centre, holding the soccer ball).
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
‘Rwanda Now’ produces ‘Big Three’ and myriad memories for Canadian traveller
is provided via a variable geared-toincome contribution. A six-egg Spanish omelette at Emmanuel Ntuyenabo’s Good Mood Coffee Shop cost the equivalent of a toonie, with a burger and fries costing $5. Ntuyenabo’s is partially farm-to-table, its rural base a progressive multi-hectare operation employing 11. In terms of agriculture, the lush nature of Rwanda’s hilly landscape was a surprise, in effect much of the country is a multi-crop garden. There are ongoing efforts to modernize smaller subsistence operations of under
Food was very affordable, chicken curry, rice and salad at the Kayonza Cafe running $14 Canadian, another $10 on top at Hotel de Mille Collines –the Hotel Rwanda. As a general rule of thumb, the more white people you see, the more it will cost. There definitely is a tourist versus local price Munyezamu helped us avoid on most occasions.
We mzungu (white people) were a curiosity, mildly so in Kigali, more so in Kabura where students crowded around, curious to discover what mzungu skin or hair feels like.
Soccer was queen; incredibly talented kids in sandals playing on every bit of available space with homemade balls historically made from banana leaves tied up in twine, evolved into plastic cores. Presenting a factory-made ball to a kid in a Vancouver Canucks jersey drew a crowd approaching 100, seemingly from nowhere, within five minutes.
Travelling the countryside offered striking contrasts: farm labourers hand-milling rice backdropped by subdivisions, translatable to Canadian counterparts, speaking to a growing
middle class; women carrying stacks of fruit or vegetables on their head, corralling a baby on one hip while chatting on a cell phone held in their other hand; Kigali mansions, the modern 10,000seat BK Arena hosting Masai Ujuri’s Giants of Africa basketball tournament in both 2023 and 2025; and construction cranes busy as the capital begins to grow up, compared to neat and tidy plaster-faced and painted, baked mudand-straw brick houses more prevalent in rural areas. Progress includes rebuilding Akag-
Students from Umurava Primary School perform a traditional dance during a ceremony celebrating the school’s new basketball/volleyball court, constructed in conjunction with Umoja Community Mosaic and Stampede Rotary Club, Calgary.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
Rwanda Basketball Federation executive director Fiona Ishimwe stands in front of the modern, 10,000 seat BK Arena in Kigali, the city’s
stadium to the rear.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
era in conjunction with African Parks from devastation caused during the genocide and, subsequently, the 40,000 cattle accompanying returning refugees. Sharing profits and hiring locally encouraged regional support which, with regular patrols, has drastically reduced poaching. Animal populations have also been bolstered by a combination of transplantation and reintroduction. Lions came back in 2015, rising in number to an estimated 60 today, and rhino in 2017, re-qualifying Akagera as a “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and cape buffalo) park.
We would finish with a “Big Three,” the penultimately shy leopard and elephants – approached with caution at the best of time – remaining elusive. Beyond rhino, buffalo and lions, we saw multiple species including amphibious hippos, giraffe, herds of impala, topi, zebra, waterbuck and feisty warthogs among them, along with “life list” African birds.
It’s beyond arrogance to feel one can figure out a country in a couple of
weeks, particularly viewing through a North America bias rather than African lens, despite our privilege in accompanying Munyezamu to places foreigners don’t go. But my consistent impression that, regardless where you are, whether you’re mzungu or otherwise, “People are pretty much people,” was only reinforced. In other words, the great majority of us are just trying to pay our bills, have a little fun, feel safe and secure, and believe in some form of a better future for our children. And that Rwanda seems to be striving to build opportunities that, through an accident of privileged geographical birth in Canada, we tend to take for granted.
Unquestionably, the nation faces ongoing challenges, but an initial sense of a narrative moving forward, a country and its people seeing the potential benefits and being willing to put in the work required, was not changed. Neither was the thought it’s a pretty good place for a tourist to experience Africa. And even if the elephants and leopards didn’t cooperate, that only provided one more reason to return.
The local milkman enjoys a quiet moment at Kabura village centre.
(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)
COLUMNS
UKRAINIAN CORNER:
The art of shopping – when our carts overflow
It seems our lives have become a never-ending online shopping spree, haven’t they? I’ve chatted with friends and colleagues, and the consensus is clear: we’re all buying more stuff. It makes sense, right? Who wants to waste gas and precious time driving to a store when you can click, buy and have it delivered straight to your door?
But sometimes, it feels like it’s gone to the extreme. My porch, for instance, rarely gets a moment of solitude. Couriers are constantly dropping off packages, day in and day out. Honestly, sometimes I don’t even remember what’s arriving! And it’s not even Christmas yet! It’s enough to make you feel like you’re living and working in a distribution center. With Amazon Prime’s “delivery overnight” feature, you barely think of ordering something, and poof! It’s on your porch the very next morning. It’s a miracle of modern convenience, no doubt, but it certainly makes it harder to stay mindful and keep track of your purchases. Happy? Add to cart. Stressed? Add to cart. Bored? You get the picture.
That “free” Prime delivery often feels like a perk, but it’s really part of a recurring monthly or annual membership. What seems complimentary is actually a subscription service, with charges quietly drawn from your account as per the Prime fine print.
Online shopping, initially a convenient tool, has evolved into a realm of excessive consumption for many. Individuals frequently make impulsive purchases, swayed by fleeting influencer trends and the constant push to acquire more, even if the items are unnecessary. This cycle often results in cluttered homes and strained finances, driven by a digital environment that prioritizes endless acquisition over thoughtful choices.
Comparing e-commerce in Canada and Ukraine isn’t easy, especially with the ongoing war, but let’s dive into some key differences, particularly when it comes to that moment of truth: getting
There are stark
(CONTRIBUTED
differences between online shopping in Canada and the Ukraine.
your package. In Canada, you get a notification from the courier, often with a picture of your parcel safely snuggled on your porch. The first time I saw one of these three years ago, I burst out laughing. In Kyiv, it used to be a whole ordeal just to get a package delivered to an apartment in a multi-story building. You had to notify security on the main floor that someone was coming up for safety, of course. Then, the courier would ascend, only to find no mobile reception on your floor, making it impossible to reach you. Everyone would get annoyed, and you’d eventually realize it just wasn’t worth the hassle. It was simply easier to go to the store yourself.
Even in a private house in Ukraine, you’d likely contend with tall fences and, more often than not, a dog. Sometimes, an angry dog. Accessing your porch without at least a phone call from the courier was practically a mission im -
PHOTO)
possible. So, the Canadian “here’s your package on your porch” picture still makes me chuckle.
E-commerce in Ukraine is experiencing significant growth with more shoppers and businesses joining the online market. Canada, on the other hand, boasts a more mature and deeply integrated online payment ecosystem with a broader range of widely adopted domestic and international options.
Ukraine, remarkably, has shown incredible progress in digital payments, with high adoption of contactless and mobile payment solutions.
It’s truly impressive how Russian aggression has likely accelerated the shift towards digital and contactless payments out of sheer necessity, driving a need for resilience and accessibility during
wartime. In Canada, innovation is more driven by evolving customer preferences, fintech partnerships and a strong regulatory environment. Both countries, however, prioritize secure transactions, with Canada’s well-established regulatory framework and Ukraine’s digital banks emphasizing enhanced cybersecurity, which is crucial in the current situation.
Now, let’s talk about the dreaded (or delightful) return policy. Most Canadian retailers offer generous return policies as a competitive advantage and a cornerstone of good customer service. Costco, for example, is famous for its “100 per-cent satisfaction guarantee,” which is exceptionally broad. You can return almost anything if you’re dissatisfied, even if it’s partially consumed or, in the case of food, has, shall we say, “melted away” (as long as there’s something to return). In Canada, I feel absolutely safe returning any item. It’s a “happy trails” kind of experience.
In Ukraine, every time I’ve attempted a return, I’ve felt a mix of humiliation and anxiety. You never know if you’ll actually be able to return the item. You have to be ready to “prove yourself” and, often, “fight” for your right to return. It’s a stark contrast to the customer-first approach here.
It’s so interesting to see how Canada is now making a big effort to buy local, choosing things made right here at home instead of from the U.S! It really reminds me of how we Ukrainians try our best to support our own country by choosing not to buy things from Russia. Whether you’re a Canadian browsing for maple syrup online or a Ukrainian adding a new embroidered shirt to your cart, online shopping is booming in both nations. It seems we all love the convenience of clicking our way to new treasures, proving that while geography might separate us, the joy of a package arriving at our door truly unites us.
Ask the Arborist
By Joel Hackett | 519
272 5742 |
jtsquote@gmail.com
Dear Arborist, What’s the best way to trim a Rose of Sharon bush?
Thanks, Mia
Dear Mia,
The correct answer is to make proper pruning cuts and reduce it into its natural shape. However, I had an older customer and he just hedgetrimmed them. Surprisingly, this yielded a lot of flowers. The entire bush was covered in flowers.
As flowers are normally the goal, I think I will be recommending hedge trimming going forward. Normally you would do this late fall, winter, or very early spring.
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
HISTORIC ST. MARYS: James Sclater,
MARY SMITH Independent Columnist
St. Marys was built by the efforts of many men and women in its history. But however they may have been honoured in their own time, they pass from the community memory as generations go by. There are reminders of some of their names. For example, the Weir fountain at the bank corners is named for William Weir, a former mayor, who donated it to the town more than a century ago. There are other names in public places but not so prominently placed. The name of James Sclater, the subject of this week’s column, is included on the marble tablet just inside the Church Street entrance to the St. Marys Public Library. He was on the building committee for the Carnegie library and, with the other committee members, was commemorated when the library was officially opened in August 1905. But during the 40 years he lived in this community, he did much more.
James Sclater, the son of James and Elizabeth (Betsy) Sclater, was born in February 1840 in Deerness, Orkney, Scotland, a southeasterly part of the Orkney archipelago. The Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, had a long, historic connection to Canada. In the 18th century, because of their skill at fishing and farming, many Orkney men were recruited by the Hudson Bay Company to serve in outposts in the northern territories. Although James was born a century too late for such adventures, he did have skills that were equally valuable in the New World. His father was a mason, and young James learned the same trade. James’ sister, Margaret, was also born in Deerness. Then the family moved to the Parish of Firth and Stennes where James’ two brothers, William and John, and a sister, Betsey, were born.
The three Sclater brothers all left Orkney for North America. James left first in the early 1860s, landing in Philadelphia. He found work easily but, rather than staying in one location, he worked his way north to the Canadian border, crossing into eastern Ontario in 1865. Not many details are known about his first marriage to Jane Robertson, but he met and married her before coming to southwestern Ontario. By the early 1870s, he had joined his brothers, William and John, in the Seaforth area. William, born in 1845, came to Canada in 1868, probably along with the youngest brother, John, who was 17 years old at the time. James and William Sclater formed a contracting company and built houses between Mitchell and Seaforth. James liked to reflect in later years on the fine stone houses he had erected in Perth and Huron Counties.
The brothers’ partnership eventually ended as the brothers diversified. James formed a partnership with a fellow Scot, James Whitson, in a lime works
lime manufacturer
in St. Marys while William became the owner of a coal and lumber yard in Seaforth. The two brothers remained close and would have been devastated when their young brother, John, died in 1879, age 28. When James and his wife, Jane, came to St. Marys, James bought property in the north ward and built a two-storey, white brick house, still standing at 154 Widder Street East. It was just across from the Presbyterian Church – he and Jane belonged to that congregation. Jane died in June 1882 at the age of 45 and was buried in the old Presbyterian Cemetery. Part of her gravestone can be seen among the collection of salvaged stones in the southeast corner of the park on Elgin Street East. There were no children surviving from this marriage.
James Sclater was a dedicated and generous member of the Presbyterian Church on Widder Street. He was a member of the building committee and served as the unofficial inspector of work during the church’s construction from 1879 until its opening in March 1881. The congregation was fortunate to have had such an experienced contractor keeping an eye on the builders. In 1885, James married Jemima Robertson in Belleville, Ontario. Robertson was a common Scots name, and, so far, it has not been possible to discover whether Jane and Jemina were related. However, it was not unusual at that time for widowers to find a second wife from their first wife’s family. James and Jemima Sclater had one daughter, Vera Constance, born in 1887. By this time, James was 48 and Jemima was 38. They had no other children. Vera
in his dealings, and considerate of his employees. In 1902, he sold his company to the Standard White Lime Company of Guelph, becoming a member of that firm and serving as the local manager in St. Marys. The 1908 telephone directory for St. Marys lists two locations for Standard White Lime – the St. Marys Kiln and the Downie Kiln. Sclater was appointed vice-president of the Standard White Lime Company and held that position for many years. He was also a director of the St. Marys Hardware Company.
was born in their Widder Street home and delivered by their neighbour, Dr. J. H. Mathieson, who lived next door at 106 Wellington Street North. Meanwhile, the lime business was doing well. The stone quarry was located on the north side of Widder Street East at Huron Street together with two large kilns. This profitable business carried on for about 15 years under the name, Whitson and Sclater. The company employed quarrymen, lime burners, and teamsters to bring fuel to the kilns and to carry the finished product to the freight yards for shipping. Burning lime is an ancient process to convert the stone for other uses. The quarried stone was broken up, top loaded into the kilns and heated to extremely high temperatures until it was altered chemically, its ashes becoming quick lime. The ashes were then combined with water to produce slaked lime that could be used for purposes such as mortar, whitewash, disinfectant and sanitation (in outhouses, for example). St. Marys, with a good supply of limestone, was one of southern Ontario’s historic lime-burning centres.
James Whitson and James Sclater dissolved their partnership by mutual consent in July 1887. Whitson moved to Toronto, but Sclater purchased Whitson’s part of the business and continued under the name St. Marys Lime Kilns. He was considered one of the town’s “solid” businessmen, honourable
James Sclater had joined the Mechanics Institute when he arrived in St. Marys and served as its president in 1890. He was later a member of the free public library board and when the Carnegie grant was received, Sclater was appointed by town council to sit on the building committee. With his knowledge of masonry, he was an excellent choice. He was a member of the fraternal society, the Ancient Order of Foresters. Otherwise, when he wasn’t busy with work, he preferred to spend his leisure time with his family. In 1904, he built a new family home at the southwest corner of Widder and Church Streets on property adjacent to the white brick house at 154 Widder Street East. Still standing at 112 Church Street North, this beautiful Queen Anne style, red brick house with its gabled roof and wrap-around veranda is a local landmark.
James Sclater lived a decade in his new home, but by early 1914, his health began to fail. He customarily walked along Widder Street under the railway trestle to his office at the lime kiln but by spring, he had to be driven. Still, he insisted on going there daily and, in his determination to be at work, he overdid himself. In early August, he took a turn for the worse and although he received the best care, he did not recover. He died five months later, December 9, 1914, age 74. Obituaries in both the Journal and the Argus praised this “honored citizen” of St. Marys. The Journal wrote: “There was something so thoroughly good, and sane, and clean in his whole life; something so lovable in his quiet, reticent, undemonstrative way of living that all men spoke well of him. The name of James Sclater has stood for many a day in the town in which he has lived as a synonym for Honour.”
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ST. MARYS MUSEUM’S DIGITAL COLLECTION)
The small figure of James Sclater shows the depth of the quarry for his lime works, located north of Widder Street East at Huron Street. Only traces of this important local industry can be found today. The photograph was taken in 1904 for the Ontario Bureau of Mines.
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Five star
Waskesiu, Sask., is not exactly a bustling urban centre.
The permanent population of this resort town, located within Prince Albert National Park, is something stretching bravely toward 100 people. Of course, that multiplies geometrically in high-tourist season when thousands of visitors arrive in Waskesiu to enjoy the lake, the forests, the zip lines and the art galleries and shops that are rather typical of a tourist resort. What is definitely not typical of a lakeside community of this size is the restaurant located a short stroll from the beach –Restaurant Pietro, a five-star foodie delight that is a stunning surprise for any casual visitor like me.
I was in Waskesiu during a really fine golfing trip hosted by Tourism Saskatchewan. Our last two days of golf were at Elk Ridge, just south of Prince Albert National Park, so our hosts took us to dinner at Restaurant Pietro. When I saw the town, I was expecting a tourist-town,
pub-style menu.
What we got instead was one of the dining highlights of my life. The fare is described as “quality, local food made with love.”
Restaurant Pietro is the creation of three culinary partners – Gary Gagne, Garry Findlay and Chef Evan Niekamp. The restaurant was founded 12 years ago and, from the outset, has been committed to providing a superb, eclectic menu and top-notch service.
The concrete evidence of that can be summed up in two words: “Caesar Salad.” I don’t know when you last had a Caesar salad done right, made at your table by an expert, but when the process unfolds before you, it’s a work of art.
At Pietro, it’s Gagne – who explains that he’s the unpretentious one, with only one “r” in his name – who prepares the salad. He brings a loaded tray of ingredients, chats and tells stories as he works, and ultimately presents diners with the best Caesar salad they are likely to taste anywhere.
And then he admits that he doesn’t eat Caesar salad. After decades of making them – thousands and thousands of them – he’s content to leave that pleasure to his customers!
He’s also content to share his Caesar secrets with anyone. When I expressed appreciation for his work, he brought a cookbook to the table and it included his own recipe for Caesar salad. And he was happy to let me grab a photo, so now I possess
the recipe, if not the expertise.
One detail that impressed me was there is almost as much attention given to the creation of the croutons as there is to the other elements or the salad. And that in microcosm is the secret to the wonder that is Pietro’s – attention to every detail! Another example; it’s a smallish restaurant, but Chef Evan insists on butchering their own top-tier steaks on site!
The other Garry – he of the “pretentious two Rs” – is the wine expert, but is also very happy to wait on tables. Like his two partners, he is a devout believer in their enterprise. When he first came to Pietro’s, he knew a good thing when he saw one and insisted that he be more than an employee – he would be a partner or nothing.
He told me that the remote location of the five-star establishment makes for a perfect lifestyle. The partners and their staff work hard during tourist season, and then are free to vacation or work elsewhere the rest of the year. Findlay spends several weeks skiing in the winter months.
And yes, the staff does work hard. The place is full all the time; reservations are essential. But the staff I saw all seemed to be enjoying themselves. That includes the kitchen staff. I was invited to step into the small cooking area where the magic happens, and even the guy washing dishes was laughing.
The food? I started – wisely – with Caesar salad, and then took Findlay’s recommenda -
dining in a lakeside village
tion, a haddock special. I know; ordering an ocean fish in landlocked Saskatchewan may seem silly, but it was amazing, served with lobster and shrimp, risotto and fresh asparagus.
The wine? I bucked tradition and went for red, even with fish, and the merlot was terrific. Most of the wines on their menu are $20 per glass. The wine list draws high praise from customers who post reviews online.
My dessert choice was a white chocolate crême brulê.
Enough said.
There is a paragraph on the restaurant’s website that is so apt that I am going to risk being accused of plagiarism and
quote it directly.
“It takes more than exquisite cooking to make a memorable meal. Set in beautiful Waskesiu, we at Pietro believe an intimate atmosphere in the right location, personal and attentive service and great company are what separates a delicious dinner from an unforgettable experience.”
And that it was. Unforgettable.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and Past-President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.
PAUL KNOWLES Independent Columnist
Waskesiu streetscape; a village of less than 100 inhabitants welcomes thousands every summer.
(PHOTOS BY PAUL KNOWLES)
The unpretentious entrance to Restaurant Pietro. Gary Gagne with all the ingredients for his amazing Caesar salad. Waskesiu Lake.
FROM THE GARDEN: At the scene of the crime
Everyone likes a good mystery but when the crime scene is your garden, that is a situation for concern. Depending on the nature of the offence, certain perpetrators are lurking in our gardens. Forget about calling in the CSI team. Gardeners become the detectives, examining the clues and evidence closely to figure out who or what are the prime suspects to solve the case. It seems like every summer I have a mystery to solve in my garden. Our brassica plants, particularly the kohl rabi leaves were skeletonized. I investigated the crime scene but didn’t see any visible culprits. However, I did notice small white butterflies fluttering about this area of our vegetable garden. Are these dainty butterflies just innocently looking for nectar or are these the sur-
veillance team scouting out the plant victims?
These small white butterflies, commonly known as cabbage butterflies, lay their eggs on brassica varieties - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale or other plants from the cabbage family. The eggs hatch into little green worms which are the hungry culprits that have decimated my kohl rabi. They are difficult to spot because they camouflage with the green leaves, and they move deeper into the plant to stay hidden. Installing row covers or netting over the plants will protect them from the cabbage butterflies laying their eggs. Companion planting with nasturtiums, marigolds and dill for instance may deter the cabbage butterfly but row covers works better. Commercial growers and market gardeners usually spray product containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to eliminate these offenders. Numerous other plants faced significant persecution this summer in my garden. Brash, reckless, copper-coloured perpetrators don’t hide when they are committing their crime; they are in plain sight devouring leaves and breeding. But once you get close to apprehending them, they quickly fall into the plant or to the
Makes Meal Prep Fast & Simple
ground and simply disappear. Annoying, especially when you caught them in the act and then they slipped through your hands.
These exasperating offenders are Japanese beetles and they can do considerable damage to plants in your garden. The adults feed on more than 300 plant species but the ones of choice are grapes and plants of the rose family. In July and early August, the females lay their eggs in lawns and turf areas. Those eggs hatch and the larvae or grubs then become another issue of concern. They feed on the roots of turf grass in late summer into the fall and take shelter over winter in our lawns. Japanese beetle traps are available for purchase and should be installed at the far end of your property since they attract beetles. Hand picking these frustrating offenders is the best way to get rid of them. Dump them into a dish or small pail of soapy water where they will drown.
Other parts of our garden have various crime scenarios. Mysteriously, leaves on our tomato plants have wilted. When examining the situation and the evidence, I concluded our tomato plants have been attacked by a virus borne in the soil – a silent killer with no
cure for recovery.
Suspicious occurrences of other chewed leaves, discolouration and slime trails are more items to investigate. The forensic style of garden sleuthing begins as I look for clues and patterns to locate these brazen criminals. I set traps for the nasty earwigs to apprehend them into a pail of soapy water. I follow the slime trails to locate snails to eliminate them and their wrong doings. But sometimes it isn’t a physical offender but Mother Nature. Hot, moist weather can
unmask fungal diseases. When the timing is right, powdery mildew and rust engulfs many plants as victims. Some plants resist the assault, while others suffer under it. There isn’t just one case file that happens in our gardens but many crime scenarios throughout the summer. A good garden detective can solve these mysterious crimes with observation techniques, evidence analysis and pattern recognition. To rid those offenders forever is another challenge.
Norraine.galloway@culliganwater.ca
NANCY ABRA Independent Columnist
What has a head, a tail, but no body? A coin!
Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because it was stuffed!
What gets wetter the more it dries? A towel!
What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree!
What did one wall say to the other wall? I’ll meet you at the corner!
What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping? A dino-snore!
What kind of band never plays music? A rubber band!
Why can’t Elsa hold a balloon? Because she’ll let it go!
What do elves learn in school? The elf-abet!
Why did the cow cross the road? To get to the udder side!
What kind of key opens a banana? A monkey!
Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one!
Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use honeycombs!
What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved!
Kid Riddles
- Word Search -
SPONSORED BY:
Adult Learning Programs of Perth, Upstairs at the St. Marys Public Library (700 Church Street North, St. Marys, ON) | Phone: 519-284-4408 | Cell: 226-374-8231 alearning@town.stmarys.on.ca | www.adultlearningperth.ca | Facebook: @AdultLearningProgramsofPerth
NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH
Baked Alaska
Banana split
Milkshake
Parfait
Smoothie Hearns
St. Marys Veterinary Clinic is pleased to be the sponsor of the
PET OF THE WEEK
Many gardening products and plants are toxic to pets. Avoid using harmful chemicals and keep pets away from dangerous plants like lilies, azaleas, and sago palms. Natural items like cocoa mulch, blood meal, and some compost can also be risky. Store these items securely and monitor your pet to prevent ingestion.
TORPEDO, BAHA & BIG BLUE
This is a first for the Pet of the Week. We are featuring three sharks owned by Cris. On the left is Torpedo, a torpedo shark who likes to play with the laser pointer. Top right is Baha who is a bala shark and bottom right is Big Blue who is the owner’s favorite.
Thorndale News
A section within the St. Marys Independent
Can you hear it grow? Corn crops doing very well in Thorndale this summer
If you chat with a farmer about their corn crop, they will probably wink and say, “You know you can hear it grow.” And perhaps the response may be, “Yeah, right!”
The concept of actually hearing a field of corn grow isn’t just a playful myth. It is rooted in real agronomic magic. The cornfields of southern Ontario are practically alive with energy during the summer months.
The ideal temperature for corn to grow is 21-27 degrees Celsius. As well, with the longer daylight hours in July, there is more sunlight for photosynthesis, which fuels the corn plant’s growth. This region also has good, rich loam soils that are packed with minerals and organic matter key for good root development.
Farmers also count on those timely rains to water their crops. While spring can be unpredictable with temperatures
and moisture, summer often brings consistent moisture, crucial for the corn plant’s kernel development. During dry spells, the long leaves curl inward and spike upwards as a defense mechanism to conserve moisture, decreasing transpiration, the process of water evaporation from the leaves. These upward-curled leaves inadvertently allow any moisture such as a heavy dew to funnel down the plant, evidently to the roots. Under optimal conditions, corn can grow up to 7.5 centimetres in a single day. On a warm, still summer night, with this rapid growth, one can hear it grow. This sound is the stalks creaking from rapid cell expansion as they stretch and grow. The subtle noise is a mix of internal tissue movement and external friction as the leaves and stalks rub together.
So, on a still, warm summer night, if you find yourself out standing in a field of corn, listen closely. Can you hear it grow?
Green Thumb garden tour a success in Thorndale
Street across from Sassy’s, as well as updating tour signs for the next year.
Last month, the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society hosted a tour of gardens featuring both those they maintain in Thorndale and various private gardens in the area.
The Green Thumb garden tour has been the society’s main, annual fundraiser for 26 years, highlighting over 125 area gardens during this span. The private gardens on the tour are unique and interesting to explore, inspiring horticultural enthusiasts of varied interests. At their wrap-up meeting last week, the Green Thumb committee reported that despite the hot and humid weather on June 22, they had a record number of 105 tour attendees for this year’s garden-tour event. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will be directed toward purchasing mulch, signage for Ralph’s Garden, which is along King
“It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation we extend to our sponsors,” the committee said in its report. “Their generosity allows us to continue our beautification endeavours of the gardens and planters in Thorndale. Also, a special thank-you to the Thorndale Family Restaurant for staying open late on the day of our garden tour to feed and refresh our hot and tired volunteers.”
The Green Thumb committee comprises members Melanie Gilchrist, Elaine Clays, Marylou Bontje, Elaine Wein, Barb Krasnicki, Brenda Hamacher and Dot Dellar with longtime committee members Shirley Hacon and Nancy Kell, who are stepping down from the organizing but will act as advisors. The planning has already started for next year, with the date set for Sunday, June 28, 2026.
A photo of Thorndale area farmer Pat Elliott with his granddaughter, Billie, taken on July 1. While the popular saying among corn growers is “Knee high on first of July,” some cornfields in the Thorndale area were advanced beyond that for what is sure to be a good crop ahead.
(NANCY ABRA PHOTO)
Pictured from left to right are Green Thumb garden tour organizers Melanie Gilchrist, Nancy Kell, Elaine Clays and Brenda Hamacher with Shirley Hacon and Elaine Wein in front. Absent from the photo are Marylou Bontje, Barb Krasnicki and Dot Dellar
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
OBITUARY
Bickell
It is with deep sorrow and love that we announce the passing of Georgina Ann Bickell, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
After 80 years of a life filled with love, laughter, and quiet strength, Georgina passed away on July 12, 2025 in Stratford General Hospital after a courageous struggle with illness. Georgina lived a life marked by unwavering devotion to her family, quiet resilience, and a spirit that offered both comfort and gentle humour to everyone. She was the heart of our family - a wise matriarch, a fierce protector and a compassionate caregiver.
Despite facing ongoing health challenges Georgina remained steadfast in her determination to bring joy and love to life. Her infectious laughter and beautifully generous smile will be greatly missed. She taught us the value of loyalty, the quiet dignity of perseverance, and the unmatched power of love that gives without condition.
She will be greatly missed by her devoted husband Larry and her children: Aaron Bickell, (Amanda), Tina Bickell and Jonathan Bickell (Alex Wiltshire). She was a proud and deeply cherished grandmother to Andrew Bickell. Georgina also leaves behind many dear friends and extended family members who will carry her memory forward with gratitude and love. We take comfort in knowing that Georgina has reunited with her predeceased family, her granddaughter Abbey Bickell, her siblings Lawrence “Pete” Mills, Marie Mills, and Grace Mills, her parents Christina (née Allan) and George Mills of Lakeside - as well as many lifelong friends who went before her.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, a graveside service will be held at Lakeside Cemetery on the Hill, 923347 Road 92, Lakeside at 11 am. Those in attendance are invited to bring a lawn chair if needed. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow at the St. Marys Legion, 66 Church St. N. St. Marys, from 1 to 3 pm. All are welcome to join in honouring and remembering Georgina’s life and legacy.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Abbey Bickell Memorial Fund (https://give. vancouverfoundation.ca/s/abbeybickell ) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Though Georgina’s presence will be deeply missed, her spirit remains with us - in every act of love, every moment of patience, and every cherished memory. Online tributes at www. hodgesfuneralhome.ca.
OBITUARY
Cook
Cook, John A.
October 15, 1936 - July 9, 2025
John Alexander James Cook of Stratford and formerly of St. Marys passed away peacefully at St. Marys Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 surrounded by his blended family, in his 89th year.
John was a devoted and loving husband to the late Mary Ann Cook (nee Rooney) who passed away January 4, 2025. Survived by daughters Sherrill Bradley (Ed) and Sylvia Richardson (Harry), stepchildren Paul Finch (Maristella), Steve Finch (Linda) and Julie Peterson (Jim) and sister Barb Squires.
Predeceased by a son Robert (Bert) Cook in 2023 and step-son Michael Finch in 2022.
John was a proud grandfather of several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John spent his working career at St. Marys Cement Plant. Back in the day he was the fellow responsible for shaking your china and rattling your windows every Thursday afternoon. John finished his career working in the stock room at the plant.
John was very active in life, enjoying his CB radio, dune buggying in the Sandhills, learning how to fly, mornings spent at the gym and golfing. But his most enjoyment came from time spent traveling and RVing with Mary Ann to many places and parks each summer.
As per John’s wishes, a graveside service will be held for both John and Mary Ann at St. Marys Cemetery on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to St. Marys Healthcare Foundation would be appreciated and can be arranged through Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, 47 Wellington Street, S. St. Marys, ON. (519)-284-2820
It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of John Shaw after a lengthy battle. John passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, one month shy of his 85th birthday, on July 7, 2025.
John will be remembered for his love of antique cars, his witty sense of humour and his hard work ethic.
Predeceased by his wife Marjorie (2021) of almost 55 years of marriage. Truly missed by daughters Barb and Sandy. Loving grandpa to Lauren, Brayden and Dani. Brother to Wayne and Iola, Kenlynn Bell (Bob) and Aleda Cluff. Brother-in-law to Bob Hendrick and wife Linda. Loved by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Marion (Gibson) and Hurley Shaw, siblings Glenn Shaw and wife Bernice, Sib Shaw and wife Laura, Dianne Chapman and husband Gerry, brother-in-law Bob Bell, nephew Richard Shaw and son-in-law Derrick Ellis.
A special thank you to the staff at Henley Place in London. In accordance to John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcome for visitation at the St. Marys Legion - 66 Church St. North, St. Marys. on Friday July 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, 47 Wellington Street, S. St. Marys, ON (519) 284-2820. Online condolences at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca
In loving memory of Joy Paton who passed away on May 28th, 2025.
The family would like to thank everyone who offered support during this difficult time including those who attended the funeral, sent cards, flowers, gift baskets and kind words. Your kindness is deeply appreciated
Cindy, Debra and Karen
Ron Smith is turning 90!
Please join us in celebrating at a special birthday Open House
July 27, 2025 from 1-4 pm at St. Marys United Church Hall, 85 Church St. S. St. Marys
IN MEMORIAM
Megens
In memory of a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather John J. Megens who passed away on July 14, 1998
Time slips by, But memories stay.
Quietly remembered every day, Happy thoughts of times together, Memories that will last forever.
You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, Although we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Lovingly remembered by the Megens, deGroot and Brandt Families
IN MEMORIAM Harris
In loving memory of Jean Harris
A special smile, a special face, In our hearts, a special place.
Memories are a gift to treasure, ours of you will last forever. Love Deb, Helen, Dan, Mary, Phil and families
LOOKING BACK Math Olympian
25 years ago (2000)
By Amy Cubberley
Dalton McGuinty will be in St. Marys on Wednesday morning with stops at the Town Hall and St. Marys Memorial Hospital. Ontario’s Liberal opposition leader will meet with Mayor Jamie Hahn and Clerk-Administrator Ken Storey.
Amanda McAlister, a Grade 7 student at Arthur Meighen, participated in the Provincial Math Olympics at Queen’s University in Kingston recently. Her team ranked sixth out of 28 teams, and out of 112 students Amanda ranked 32nd.
Andrew L. Hodges
50 years ago (1975)
Vandalism at the Quarry Pool last Wednesday night resulted in smashed spotlights along with garbage strewn all over the premises. The worst aspect of the incident was probably the fact that some glass got into the Quarry lawn grass, causing considerable extra work at clean-up.
A joker, or perhaps just somebody looking ahead a few months, the way gas prices are jumping, has set the gas price sign board in front of the still-rebuilding garage premises of Ralph Nixon at 96.9 cents per
75 years ago (1950)
Applications for positions on the staff of the new St. Marys Memorial Hospital are being called for this week by Superintendent Mrs. Beatrice Mason.
C.N.R. train No. 141. which for the past few weeks has been leaving here at 8:40 p.m. for London on Sundays, made its last trip last Sunday. It has been discontinued because of lack of patronage.
100 years ago (1925)
Chief Young was called out early Sunday morning to quiet a disturbing citizen of Blanshard who had partaken in too much whiskey of an old brew and was temporarily engaged in wrecking his house furnishings. The imbiber was lodged in the town lockup until morning when he was allowed to go after handing over $10 and costs.
The flower beds at Central School are amongst the most beautiful in town. Every hue and shade are represented, and the plants are lusty and strong. The caretaker, Mr. C. Langford, is to be congratulated for this beautiful spot which is doubly hard to cultivate owing to the proximity of so many children.
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 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. We are at the Pinery Market at Grand Bend every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 me - 519-570-6920.
For Sale
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. Mon-Sat 7:00am to 6:00pm. Martin’s Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
For Rent
Large 3 bedroom downtown apartment in 3 story walk up above Gilly’s, includes all utilities, wifi, laundry, parking. References required. Available July. Please call 519-6974985
For Rent
Room for rent in condo, working male preferred - $900 per month. Contact 226-301-4442
For Rent
Wildwood Care Centre (Retirement Living). Private room accommodations for Senior living available, can accommodate couples. Price $2800 to $4600 monthly. Meals, basic care, medication management and staff available 24/7. For tours call Lisa at 519-284-3628.
HELP WANTED
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, minimum qualifications, and application submission process.
Application forms will be available at the Stratford Police Service Administrative Centre at 789 Erie Street, Stratford, Ontario or via email at receruitment@stratfordpolice.com.
Completed application packages for this Part Time Clerk-Communicator position will be accepted until August 8, 2025.
Please mail or deliver completed applications to Stratford Police Service, 17 George Street West, Stratford, ON N5A 1A6 OR email to recruitment@stratfordpolice.com.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for testing will be contacted.
PRC & Friendship Centre events – See the Stonetown Crier on Page 5
Friday, July 18
- Tree Trust Stratford Perth Copper Beech tree repair at Westover Inn – 10 a.m.
- A.N.A.F. meat draw – 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
- St. Marys Farmers Market at Milt Dunnell Field – 8 a.m. to Noon
- St. Marys Lions Club car show at the PRC – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pancake breakfast – 8-11 a.m., Hot dogs/sausage on a bun – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Station Gallery exhibition opening of “Pop Goes the World” by Leanne Davies – 1-4 p.m.
- Tom Locke presentation on 60s to 80s music at Snapping Turtle Coffee Roasters – 2 p.m.
- Royal Canadian Legion meat draw – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23
An error was published in the story, “Kin Kitchen receives ‘a really great turnout with a lot of service’ at Summerfest,” in the July 10 edition of the St. Marys Independent. The estimate for funds raised by the Kin Kitchen over the Summerfest weekend is actually $4,000-$6,000, not $46,000 as originally reported. The St. Marys Independent regrets any confusion this may have caused.
Within the Independent’s recent 2025 St. Marys DCVI Commencement coverage, it was brought to our attention that we had omitted the names of the following Ontario Scholars: Olive Aarts, Sabahat Abulaheti, Hayden Brintnell, Raella Brodhagen, Elissa Gammon, Brooklynn Jessome, Sofia Sanchez Salas, Chloe Thynne, and Adam Turner. We apologize for the omission and wish to say congratulations to all graduates.
- Station Gallery “Summer art for Kids” – Ages 6-12, 9 a.m. to Noon, Ages 13+, 1-4 p.m. Call 519-274-1074 to reserve a spot
