St. Marys council has supported the design of a new pavilion at Milt Dunnell Field as the town prepares to move ahead with another piece of its broader park-revitalization plan.
At its May 26 regular meeting, council received an information report from facilities manager Ray Cousineau outlining the proposed design for a new pavilion next to
the north ball diamond. The existing pavilion has been identified for rebuilding as part of the Milt Dunnell Field revitalization plan.
According to Cousineau’s report, the current building is due for major repairs, and the revitalization committee determined replacing it with a more user-friendly structure would help improve the park.
“My plan is to have these drawings finalized in the next week or two, have the tender out as soon as possible and … to start
St. Marys residents will soon have a new option for travelling across southwestern Ontario and beyond after council approved a bus-stop agreement with FlixBus at its May 26 meeting. Council approved an agreement allowing the international intercity bus company to use two designated stops on Water Street South, clearing the way for FlixBus to begin serving St. Marys with flag service as part of its London-Stratford-Toronto route.
“The one nice thing about it being a flag service is they will maintain that primary corridor along Highway 7 from London to Stratford and not stop in St. Marys if they haven’t sold tickets, but if, within two hours of when they plan to stop in St. Marys, they’ve sold tickets, they’ll stop in St. Marys,” town CAO Brent Kittmer said. “With (Onex Bus), because there wasn’t ridership, we didn’t see them stay in the community very long, where, in this instance … it just seemed like an easy stop into St. Marys (to) pick someone up if they’re there.
“I think there’s less risk because they know it’s only flag service and they’re going to come here on demand. It’s a really great way to start and we hope the public embraces it, we hope the public uses it because we’ve heard that’s a want and a need in the community.”
According to a report from Kittmer, improving access to public transportation was identified by council as a strategic priority at the beginning of the current term. While residents already have access to PC Connect service along the London-St. Marys-Stratford-Kitchener corridor, the new FlixBus service will connect local travellers
COMMUNITY
FlixBus to bring intercity service to St. Marys
to a much larger transportation network.
In an email to Mayor Al Strathdee and Kittmer shared with the Independent, FlixBus director of public affairs Andrew Miller confirmed service will launch June 22.
Initially, St. Marys will receive one round trip each day. The eastbound departure will leave town at 7:55 a.m. and travel through Stratford, Kitchener, Guelph, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Toronto Union Station. The westbound return trip will arrive in St. Marys at 5:30 p.m. before continuing to London, including stops downtown and at Western University.
The route will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, until July 26 before expanding to daily service beginning July 27.
Town staff identified two locations on Water Street South for the service, the same stops previously used by Onex Bus before that company ceased operations earlier this year. A southbound stop will be located near 60 Water St. S., while a northbound stop will be established near 84 Wellington St. S. Staff determined the locations best met FlixBus operational requirements after reviewing several options.
The town will install permanent concrete boarding pads at both locations and will be responsible for general maintenance of the stops, including snow and ice removal where practical.
“Is there going to be any kind of a shelter at these stops,” Coun. Marg Luna
asked.
“Not at the outset just because of the cost, but if this service becomes something that’s sustainable in our community and is widely used, I think that would be our next natural improvement, to provide shelter.”
The agreement is for an initial five-year term and will automatically renew annually unless terminated by either party.
Known for its bright green buses, FlixBus has rapidly expanded its Canadian network in recent years. The company
launched service in Stratford in February after Onex Bus announced it would discontinue service due to low ridership. At the time, FlixBus said Stratford’s inclusion in its network would improve yearround, car-free access to major cultural, educational and transportation hubs while creating more convenient travel options for residents and visitors.
Passengers travelling on FlixBus routes have access to amenities including free Wi-Fi, power outlets, luggage storage and real-time bus tracking through the com-
pany’s mobile app.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the mayor of Stratford did do some lobbying on our behalf before we had the meeting (with FlixBus),” Mayor Al Strathdee said before council approved the agreement. “I think Martin (Ritsma) wants to the use the bus to come to some Lincolns games or something.
“But he did suggest to Flix that we’d be a good candidate for bus service as we’ve had several conversations about transportation.”
service to St. Marys beginning later this month.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF FLIXBUS WEBSITE)
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EDITORIAL
Age-friendly communities are better for everyone, not just seniors
GALEN SIMMONS
Regional Editor
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about how our communities and our society as a whole fall short when it comes to supporting people with disabilities and seniors who want to age at home.
From family members with mobility issues who are unable to secure adequate home care to our recent struggles navigating a largely inaccessible world after my fiancé, Julia, broke her leg, there are so many barriers in our day-to-day life that make it difficult, if not impossible, to retain our independence as we get older, sick or injured.
It has been said many times that the true measure of a society is how it takes care of its most vulnerable members. Having watched countless people I love fight tooth and nail to get the support they need to continue living their lives as they always have and fall short, at least in some respects, it’s clear our society has some room to improve.
And that becomes an especially salient point when we look at how our senior demographic is growing.
According to Statistics Canada, Canada had more than 8.1 million people aged 65 and older in 2025, representing 19.5 per cent of the population – nearly one in five Canadians. The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry further predicts that by 2030, seniors are expected to account for roughly 23 per cent of Canada’s population, meaning nearly one in four Canadians will be over 65.
Recent projections published by the Government of Ontario suggest the fastest-growing age group is people aged 85 and older. In Ontario, the number of people over 75 is expected to more than double by 2051, while the number of people aged 90 and older could more than triple. For the first time in Canadian history, there are now more seniors than children under 15. Though seniors make up less than one-fifth of the population, they account for nearly half of health-care spending because older adults typically require more complex care.
When it comes to the impending “Senior Tsunami,” most politicians talk about seniors only in terms of hospitals, emergency rooms and nursing homes. The reality is healthy aging begins long before someone needs medical care.
Bravo Boo
We have 4 Bravos this week
1) A big bravo to Harris-Greig Automotive. We know they are a business, but these guys go above and beyond with their work and services, ready to help when others are in need. Thank you guys, you are the best.
2) Bravo to the young couple at the corner of Salina and Elgin for putting up a lovely little library. Well done.
3) Bravo to the contractor on Ontario street for removing most of the tires from the site. Almost there!
4) Bravo to the lady who paid for the bouquet of flowers I was buying for the cemetery for a longtime best friend who passed away recently. Thank you very much.
We have 1 Boo this week
1) Boo to the people that let their cats run free to do their business on other people’s patio furniture, in gardens and setting off cameras at 2 a.m. It is very alarming.
Communities need programs and support services to help residents remain healthy throughout their lives, and especially as they get older. These include free or low-cost exercise programs, social clubs and cultural programming, as well as volunteer opportunities, opportunities for learning and accessible transportation. These programs help maintain physical health, reduce isolation and keep seniors engaged in their communities.
Social isolation is becoming a major challenge for older adults, and recent surveys show loneliness remains stubbornly high among Canadian seniors. A senior who attends a weekly card game, exercise class, church supper, service club meeting or community centre program is often healthier than someone sitting alone at home.
Community organizations, churches, libraries, service clubs and recreation departments all play a role in healthy aging.
Most seniors do not want to move into longterm care if they can safely remain in their own homes. That means investing in home-care nursing, personal support workers, meal-delivery programs, transportation services, homemaking assistance and respite care for family caregivers – an often-forgotten piece of the healthy aging
puzzle.
Helping seniors remain at home longer is usually what they want and is often less expensive than institutional care.
Beyond the home, communities need to become more age friendly. The conversation should extend beyond health care to include accessible sidewalks, benches and resting areas, safe crossings, affordable housing options, transportation alternatives, and accessible public buildings.
A community that works for an 85-year-old generally works better for everyone.
At the end of the day, we need to look beyond the cost of the programs, services and health care we will all need as we age and remember seniors work for the benefit of our communities every day. Seniors volunteer in hospitals, churches, schools, museums, food banks and service clubs. They provide child care for grandchildren, mentor younger generations and contribute decades of knowledge and experience.
An age-friendly community isn’t measured by how it cares for people in their final years; it’s judged by how it supports people to remain healthy, active, connected and independent for as long as possible.
Quote of the Week
“The prices, I think it really pushes the game out of reach for people who want to be there and want to show up and it’s really disheartening. It kind of turns the games themselves into a status affair that pushes people away from it altogether, which is not in the spirit of what the game’s about.”
- 22-year-old Joshua Kautto, who calls himself a “huge” soccer fan regarding the ticket sales for the upcoming FIFA World Cup
Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
St. Marys Independent
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Galen Simmons • galen@granthaven.com
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Contributors
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36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@stmarysindependent.com | 519.284.0041 | granthaven.com
The only definite thing about humans is that they can change.
We become what we think about.
The more you look for defects in others, the more you become affected.
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
St. Marys Stonetown Heritage Festival to showcase full day of entertainment July 25
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
The Stonetown Heritage Festival returns on Saturday, July 25, with a full lineup of live entertainment, family activities and cultural experiences celebrating the stories and traditions that shape St. Marys.
This free event invites residents and visitors to enjoy a lively day in the heart of downtown with a strong focus on music, dance and interactive performances
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Queen Street stage will come alive with nonstop entertainment. Audiences can look forward to a dynamic schedule of local performers, including the return of crowd favourite Bex in Motion and, new for 2026, Stratford singer-songwriter Nora Joy. The stage will highlight a diverse range of talent throughout the day, showcasing the energy and creativity of the community.
Families can take part in fun activities across the festival footprint, including the Kids Zone on Wellington Street North, where inflatable attractions will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 2 p.m., professional magician Ron Gudel will take the stage in the Town Hall Auditorium for an engaging and interactive magic show that is not to be missed! Festivalgoers may also spot Gudel downtown during the day as he performs surprise pop-up tricks and previews of his act.
The festival also features a breakfast hosted by the St. Marys Kinsman (on the street until 11 a.m.), heritage tours, an artisan and vendor market and, joining the street festival this year, the St. Marys Farmers’ Market (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.), offering something for all ages and interests while celebrating the unique identity of St. Marys.
The excitement continues into the evening as the celebration shifts to Milt Dunnell Field for the St. Marys Kinsmen Summerfest, presented as the grand finale of the Stonetown Summer Series. This year features an even bigger stage and an expanded music lineup. On July 25, performers Kelsi Mayne, Bradley Hale, Jessie T, Maxwell Smith, Rebekah Stevens and The Faultliners will deliver a high-energy night of live music. The Summerfest lineup also includes a tribute to The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd on July 23 followed by performances by Small-Town Strip Club, Loviet, City Ground and The Faultliners on July 24. Tickets are required for all Summerfest concerts.
Earlier in the day, visitors can enjoy the midway from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., adding even more excitement for families before transitioning into the evening festivities. For those looking to extend their experience even further, the St. Marys Ghost Walk, hosted by Stratford Walking Tours, offers a unique and atmospheric way to discover the town’s history after dark. Tickets are required for this experience. With live entertainment all day, engaging activities and a full evening of music, the Stonetown Heritage Festival promises a memorable summer highlight in St. Marys.
The latest municipal news from the Town of St. Marys
CAR SEAT SAFETY CLINIC
or email clerksoffice@town
June 8 | Fire Hall | 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Receive advice and guidance on choosing the correct car seat for your child Experts from CPSAC will be available to check that your child’s seat is fitted correctly and safely Free admission, no registration required
Learn more: townofstmarys com/news
For event details and updates, visit www.discoverstmarys.com/events.
PAVEMENT PAINTING UNDERWAY
Crews will be in town completing
TOWN HALL STAIR RECONSTRUCTION
Town Hall’s outdoor staircases are currently undergoing construction Access to the Town Hall service desk and public washroom will be closed for approximately six weeks Services usually offered at Town Hall will be provided online, by phone or at other municipal facilities
Our senior of the week is Judy Woosnam. Judy was born in London, Ontario and grew up in the country near Thorndale. She taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and volunteered at the church. She now enjoys listening to music, reading and trivia programs. Judy celebrated her birthday on June 2.
If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, contact us at 519.284.0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.
WEEKEND QUIZ
By Jake Grant
Making memories matter at the Alzheimer’s Walk
On Saturday, May 30, the Alzheimer Society of Huron Perth held its annual St. Marys Alzheimer’s Walk to raise funds in support of people living with dementia in our community. Approximately 50 people showed up to walk for the cause, raising about $10,000, a number that does not include the online donations. Art Cholmondeley welcomed the walkers and shared some information on dementia and how it affects caregivers as well as those with the disease. Deb from the Friendship Centre warmed the crowd up with some exercises and bagpiper Les Brunton led the walkers all the way to the end of the walk and back, adding greatly to the fundraiser. Thanks to everyone for their support. Pictured above, Les
leads the walkers out of the pavilion to start on the walk around the flats and along the river
What animal is on the Canadian
What is Lady Gaga’s first name? 3. Which is the only piece of artwork that Michelangelo signed?
4. What type of nut is commonly used to make pesto sauce?
5. How many noses does a slug have? 6. What city would you find the Boboli Gardens?
7. Which rapper set the Guinness World Record for the most words in a single hit? 8. How many continents are there?
The festival of lights is called what?
How many bones does a shark have?
Brunton
during the St. Marys Walk for Alzheimer’s.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Learn about Ontario architecture with new book by Shannon Kyles
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
The St. Marys Museum (177 Church St. S.), in partnership with Betty’s Bookshelf, is hosting an event with author and architecture expert Shannon Kyles on Wednesday, June 10, at 7 p.m.
The Story of Ontario Architecture: What We Built and Why We Built It outlines the reasoning behind design decisions and includes photographs that help identify different styles and periods. The book builds on Kyles’ website OntarioArchitecture.com, which launched in 1999. The Greensville author previously taught mechanical engineering and architecture at McMaster University and Mohawk College.
“St. Marys is a storybook town, built by craftspeople and seemingly untouched by the modern drive to mediocrity. While unique, it has most of the architectural
trends of Ontario towns in the 19th and 20th centuries,” said Kyles in a press release. “This presentation will overview the reasons why builders and designers chose the styles that they did, and how they affect the town and its residences.”
Registration is not required for this event. The featured book will be available for purchase for $60 plus tax, supplied by Betty’s Bookshelf.
The event will coincide with a new summer exhibit, “Building St. Marys,” highlighting different architectural gems around town and the tools used to construct them. The exhibit will open at the Summer Open House on June 6. Summer hours at the museum are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 12-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, call the St. Marys Museum at 519-284-3556 or email museum@town.stmarys.on.ca.
St. Marys to host community Pride celebration
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
The community is invited to come together in celebration of Pride at a funfilled Family Festival on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m. at Cadzow Park.
Presented by the Friends of the St. Marys Public Library, this inclusive and family-friendly event promises an evening of entertainment, connection, and celebration for all ages.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of activities and attractions, including:
• Live music performances
• Karaoke fun
• Lawn games for all ages
• Fresh popcorn and cotton candy
• Temporary tattoos
Following the festival, everyone is welcome to stay and enjoy a Movie in the Park at dusk, featuring the beloved classic, The Princess Bride.
The Family Festival is designed to create a welcoming space where families, friends and neighbours can gather to celebrate diversity, inclusion and community spirit.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on its rain date of Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. at Cadzow Park.
Organizers encourage everyone to bring their family and friends, enjoy the festivities and help make Pride in St. Marys a joyful and memorable experience.
For more information about the event, email jsmith@town.stmarys.on.ca.
St. Marys council supports new pavilion design for Milt Dunnell Field
building in September and have it ready hopefully by the end of September, early October,” Cousineau told council.
The current pavilion is roughly 72 feet long and 32 feet wide, with two storage areas and an amenity space in the middle. The proposed new building would maintain the same overall footprint but increase the ceiling height to just under 12 feet.
Under the proposed design, the new pavilion would include a 32-foot-by-32foot storage area for the town’s Winter Lights displays, with a 10-foot garage door facing the parking lot to make access easier for staff.
The design also includes a small storage area with an exterior door for the St. Marys Farmers’ Market, as well as a separate staff-access door.
The remainder of the pavilion would be an open, roofed seating area for public use, with space for picnic tables, a steel ceiling, recessed pot lights to prevent birds from nesting in the building and numerous power outlets to support community events.
The building would also be designed so retractable windscreens could be installed in the future.
The entire structure is expected to feature a concrete floor, steel roof and steel siding. Existing electrical-distribution panels used for the Winter Lights display would remain housed in the building.
“You mentioned you’ve talked to Upper Thames (River Conservation Authority); that was my first question when I read this report, how we’re going to go
St. Marys council has supported the design of a new pavilion at Milt Dunnell Field. The proposed structure would include Winter Lights and farmers’ market storage, a covered public seating area, enhanced electrical capacity and improved accessibility
to concrete, solid surface,” Coun. Dave Lucas said. “Have we been given their blessing, at least verbally?”
“When we met with Upper Thames the other day onsite, her biggest concern was that we flood-proof the building,” Cousineau responded. “She wasn’t concerned with the concrete flooring. (Engineering consultant) B.M. Ross (and Associates) will be putting an application into Upper Thames with the design and the stamped drawings, and at this point, she has not raised any concerns with the concrete
floor.”
As part of the project, the new pavilion would be moved roughly 30 feet east of the current location to place it closer to the end of the parking lot and improve access to the storage area. Staff noted the relocation is limited by the existing electrical infrastructure that converges at the building.
While the move will reduce the size of the current gravel parking area, staff plan to reuse gravel removed for the pavilion construction on the west side of
the parking-lot entrance lane to maintain a similar amount of parking near the pavilion.
The new location would also create space on the river side of the building where sunshades could potentially be installed in the future to expand the covered area.
Lighting improvements are also proposed, including exterior lighting on the storage area, recessed lights in the public seating area and an additional light on a nearby hydro pole to illuminate the parking lot. Lights would operate on a timer similar to those at the Cadzow Park pavilion.
An accessibility review completed for the project recommends that at least 20 per cent of picnic tables be accessible, that the path from the parking lot to the pavilion be firm, stable and slip resistant, and that one van-accessible parking space be provided near the building.
“Is the sidewalk that runs along the one side of the parking-lot side of the building wide enough for accessibility?” Coun. Fern Pridham asked.
“We’re going to meet all (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) standards for this building, Cousineau said. “The six-foot-wide sidewalk is AODA compliant. We’ll be making sure the whole building and the public areas and staff areas are AODA compliant.”
The project was approved as part of the town’s 2026 capital budget. With council’s support for the design, staff are expected to move forward with issuing a tender for the pavilion project.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
Get growing at the 26th annual Garden Fair
Don’t miss the 26th annual Garden Fair sponsored by the St. Marys Horticultural Society this Saturday, June 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees will find vendors with beautiful annuals, unusual and cold-hardy perennials, aquatic plants, bedding plants, shrubs, roses and amazing peonies.
The horticultural society will be selling annuals and hanging baskets; check them out on the bleachers. Also available are
many different types of décor to beautify gardens and patios, including metal artwork, fused glass, birdhouses and hand-painted stones to name just a few of the many and varied vendors attending this event.
The horticultural society will once again be manning the famous Tomato Tent with a large assortment of heritage tomatoes as well as one hybrid – Better Boy – which is the “gold standard for
the popular bake-sale table, memberships will be available to purchase and there is even a colouring event for the kids in the food building. If they take their coloured pictures to McDonald’s, they will be treated to a free ice cream cone! Thanks, McDonald’s, for the support. Refreshments will be available with Barista’s returning with their delicious
Members of the horticultural society will be baking up a selection of treats for
Starting at 10 a.m., the St. Marys Lions Club will be firing up the barbecue with sausages along with fried onions and hot dogs with all the fixings on their grill.
The Garden Fair is being held for its 26th year at Milt Dunnell Field just off of Water Street North. Come out and get that gardening fix in this lovely park setting and support the St. Marys Horticultural Society and its many vendors. This event is held rain or shine; admission is free and so is parking. And don’t forget the Farmers’ Market is just across the park road. It is always an excellent market to take a wander through once finished at the Garden Fair – a great way to spend a Saturday morning with the family!
Some beautiful annuals that were available at a previous sale.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
One of the Garden Fair’s longtime vendors, Brenda Sutherland, shows some of the hardier perennials in a past year of the sale.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) ANN PEDLEY
Community members share their industry knowledge at Holy Name of Mary school
The kindergarten classes at Holy Name of Mary Catholic School had some visitors throughout May attend as part of their Community Helpers Month.
This was the second year the school invited members from the community in to help teach real-world experiences. There were nine presenters from various fields of employment who shared their knowledge with the students.
The following is a list of the volunteers that gave demonstrations:
• Farmer: Shannon Ross (The Hitching Post)
• Firefighters: Mike and Christian (St. Marys Fire Department)
• Electrical linesman: Scott Frey
• Nurse: Maggie Frey
• Paramedic: Jacquie (St. Marys EMS)
• Doctor: Rachel Berta (Happy Valley Health Team/St. Marys Memorial Hospital)
• Hairstylist: Lindsay Lang
• Police officer, social worker and therapy dog: McKenzie, Rachel and Dusty
• Priest: Father Don (Avon-Thames Family Parishes)
Each presenter had a unique story to share, and some brought hands-on experience for the students. During the St. Marys firefighters’ presentation, a real emergency call came in, showing the students how fast the pair sprung into action.
Student educator Melissa Kittmer stepped up to get her hair cut in front of the class by hairstylist Lindsay Lang. The students also got a visit from the therapy dog, Dusty the golden retriever.
Beyond learning about the various careers, the students took this opportunity to work on feeling comfortable around emergency personnel. They watched a firefighter suit up in full equipment, so they now understand what they look like in an emergency situation.
Dr. Rachel Berta demonstrated setting a real cast on Mrs. Kittmer and used the medical saw to remove it. Shannon Ross, a farmer and owner of the Hitching Post, shared with the students how to plant their own clover to create miniature community gardens and explained to them where their food comes from.
These was just a few examples of everything the students learned in May during these visits.
“We feel as though the students learned so much through these handson experiences. This sort of learning is invaluable. We hope we have helped create some wonderful memories while piquing their interest in different career paths,” said teacher Melanie Hughes.
The organizers of this program are very grateful to the volunteers who took time to participte in these presentations and were patient with the students’ questions. They are hoping to continue the tradition next May.
WENDY LAMOND Independent Reporter
Dr. Rachel Berta shared with the class her knowledge on the medical field.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Shannon Ross shared with the students her knowledge on farming and where food comes from.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Firefighters Mike and Christian show the students the fire truck and equipment they use.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
St. Marys Healthcare Foundation and Happy Valley Clinic hosts breakfast
On Saturday morning at Milt Dunnell Field, the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation and Happy Valley Health Team hosted a breakfast for the community. The cost was by donation and English
muffin sandwiches with peameal bacon, eggs and cheese were available. Also available were milk, water and coffee. There was a Teddy Bear hospital where stuffies could be checked over by a doctor and fixed up if needed. Kate Gregg was also on hand making her awesome balloon creations. All the proceeds from the
event support the foundation.
Thank-you to Delmar Foods, Graholm Farms, Perth Dairy Committee, Joe’s Diner, Stonetown Supply, St. James Men’s Service Club, Bruce and Nancy White, Lactalis Canada Inc., Tremblett’s Independent Grocer and Devizes Cheese Factory for their kind and giving dona-
tions, making the event possible.
There were approximately 330 people who came to the breakfast, raising $2,000 for the foundation thanks to the generosity of the community. The next early bird draw for the health-care foundation’s 50/50 for $250 will be held on Thursday, June 4.
STRATFORD NISSAN
WENDY LAMOND Independent Reporter
St. Marys Healthcare Foundation communications coordinator Bernice De Decker did a lot of organizing for the breakfast and was all smiles putting up signage and getting ready to welcome the community.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Nurse Sue Lindsay and Dr. Charles Gatfield spent a lot of time on the grill cooking some delicious food.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Leona Sadler visited the Teddy Bear Hospital as Dr. Sarah Donaldson checked over her stuffy.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Shelterlink calls for funding stabilization amid youth homelessness challenges
AMANDA NELSON Independent Reporter
At the May 11 Stratford council meeting, Cate Trudeau, Shelterlink executive director, and Cambria Ravenhill, board director, spoke to council to request immediate and medium-term actions to address youth homelessness in Stratford and Perth County.
Last winter, Shelterlink experienced significant staffing challenges after several employees left to work at the city-funded warming centre. While unintended, the staffing losses placed considerable strain on Shelterlink’s operations and nearly resulted in a temporary closure of the organization during a time when demand for services was especially high.
“Shelterlink has had financial challenges over its 35year existence, but we have some very specific challenges that came to light this past winter, and we are looking to fill a rather urgent need for stabilization measures as we go into this winter,” said Ravenhill. “Last winter, there were changes in local services, which increased competition for frontline staff.”
Ravenhill said the introduction of the warming centre greatly affected staffing because the warming centre was able to offer staff $5 more per hour, and Shelterlink could not compete with its current available funding.
“In short, Shelterlink lost four staff members in about one week in early December, and that’s four out of 12 staff,” said Ravenhill. “So, a third went and they were most of our night staff and all of our maintenance staff.
This created a huge operational challenge. It was very hard for remaining staffers who had to fill in. We came very close to forcing a temporary closure of the shelter.”
Shelterlink, which has been operating for 35 years, has evolved from a youth homeless shelter to an organization that helps prevent youth homelessness and provides faster housing transitions through community supports.
“Today, Shelterlink’s work extends well beyond shelter,” said Trudeau. “We help youth avoid entering shelter through prevention or diversion, support faster transitions into stable housing and provide follow-up supports to help youth remain housed and connected to their community.”
She continued to tell council this approach matters because youth require a specialized response, one that recognizes their stage of development, their heightened vulnerability and the importance of early intervention for homelessness.
Last fiscal year, Shelterlink supported 33 youth in the community and diverted an additional third to alternative housing. However, the organization faces financial challenges, including a $142,100 shortfall and a broader structural funding issue.
Council was asked to help stabilize operations and review the funding model to better reflect actual costs and best practices.
Funding models from the province are also an issue, as financial assistance is tied to per-diem payments for occupied shelter beds. Because Shelterlink has been successful in keeping youth out of the shelter by increasing community support, its provincial funding has also decreased, meaning the bulk of its funding is municipal and donation based.
“When Shelterlink was created 35 years ago, it was a shelter; it was just emergency beds,” said Ravenhill. “But now, it’s an entirely programmatic approach to youth homelessness that offers upfront prevention to help youth move into successful adulthood.”
According to the Everyone Counts 2024 Highlights Report, 46 per cent of chronically homeless adults first experienced homelessness before the age of 25. This highlights the long-term consequences when youth homelessness is not prevented or resolved quickly. The longer a young person remains homeless, the greater the risks of school disruption, exploitation and lasting negative outcomes.
To learn more or support Shelterlink, visit www.shelterlink.org.
New research paper examines effectiveness of alternative shelter models
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT Staff Contribution
A research paper from United Way Perth-Huron’s United Housing initiative warns that municipalities’ growing reliance on non-permanent shelter systems risks entrenching homelessness rather than resolving it.
In a press release, the United Way Perth-Huron said “The Social and Financial Cost of Non-Permanent Shelter Systems for Addressing Homelessness,” written by United Housing director Kathy Vassilakos and research intern Maria Erb, finds that municipalities have increasingly turned to temporary shelters as a response to public pressure to do something about homelessness. The reports argues the evidence doesn’t support the belief that tiny shelter communities and other similar temporary solutions can effectively help vulnerable individuals transition into per-
manent housing.
“Temporary shelters may seem like progress to communities wrestling with the issue of homelessness, but the evidence doesn’t support the belief that tiny shelter communities and other similar temporary solutions can help vulnerable individuals transition into permanent housing,” said Vassilakos in the press release. “By contrast, research does show that an approach like Housing First is a more effective investment in permanent and supportive housing.”
Housing First is a program designed to eliminate homelessness among individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges who are also dealing with chronic homelessness.
A 2024 study in the U.K. examining their first Housing First pilot showed this approach generated an average of £15,880 ($29,197 CAD) per year per person in benefits to both individuals and the
larger system. Additionally, Finland reported savings of €40 million ($64.4 million CAD) during the first 12 years of its Housing First program.
When looking at the challenges facing communities around homelessness, the numbers are sobering and underline the need to invest in permanent and supported housing.
In Ontario, more than 81,500 people experienced homelessness in 2024 – a 25 per-cent increase since 2022 – with over half classified as chronically homeless. Provincial data shows a large gap between the need and available resources, with just one supportive housing space for every 14 people experiencing homelessness.
Local data reflects provincial trends. Non-profit agencies in Stratford provided support services to 734 people in 2025.
Thirty-nine individuals were unable to secure housing due to a lack of available units, and an additional 28 required fully
supported housing. In July 2025, at least 148 households in Huron County were experiencing homelessness, with 126 classified as chronic. Similar patterns were seen in June 2025 across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County, where 144 households were experiencing homelessness and 131 were considered chronic.
The research paper recommends reaffirming Housing First as the foundation of homelessness policy, redirecting funding from the option of short-term shelter expansion to permanent housing, and advancing supportive housing projects as a more effective and fiscally responsible response.
“In the end, investing in permanent housing instead of creating costly and ineffective temporary systems is the only evidence-based solution to the challenges we face around homelessness,” said Vassilakos.
New research paper examines effectiveness of alternative shelter models
“We understand that for certain groups, including women escaping intimate partner violence and vulnerable youth, there remains a need for emergency shelters so it’s not a matter of dismissing them completely. But if we keep investing in temporary fixes, we risk losing an opportunity to build long-term solutions. We need to shift our thinking toward making sure people who need housing get it and can keep it for years to come.”
While the paper does not address the need for investments in homelessness prevention, that is a focus of United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH)’s work, both through internal programs as well as partners offering programs as diverse as mental-health counselling, access to nutritious food and support connecting individuals with the programs and services they need.
“There is a clear need for permanent housing and
there are community partners, including United Housing, working toward that goal,” said Vassilakos. “But it’s also important to help people before they find themselves vulnerable and in need of housing. That’s why UWPH’s work both through internal programs and our partners remains critical to addressing the upstream causes of homelessness, and why the organization’s annual campaign remains such a vital part of the region.”
United Housing is the region’s first non-profit housing organization dedicated to developing and operating mixed rental units. United Housing aims to work across our region, creating affordable living spaces through renovations, retrofits, acquisitions and new builds, as well as operating existing and newly built housing; helping ensure that everyone lives in housing suitable and affordable to their needs.
Visit unitedhousingperthhuron.ca for more details.
At right, the report cover for “The Social and Financial Cost of Non-Permanent Shelter Systems for Addressing Homelessness,” written by United Housing director Kathy Vassilakos and research intern Maria Erb
(IMAGE COURTESY OF UNITED WAY PERTH-HURON)
Friendship Centre helps St. Marys seniors stay active, connected and engaged
For many older adults in St. Marys, the Friendship Centre is much more than a place to play cards, exercise or attend a program.
It’s a community hub where friendships are formed, new interests are discovered and volunteers help shape the programs and services that support hundreds of local residents each year.
Operated by the Town of St. Marys’ senior services department out of the Pyramid Recreation Centre, the Friendship Centre offers a wide range of recreational, social and support programs for adults aged 50 and older, as well as adults with varying abilities. According to St. Marys
senior services manager Jenny Mikita, the centre’s continued success comes down to two things: listening to the community and empowering volunteers.
“We hear from people all the time that we’re a great centre and that their friends in other communities don’t have anything compared to what we have going on here,” Mikita said. “There’s a great variety of programs, but there’s also a really strong sense of community. People come here to connect with other people.”
From fitness classes and pickleball to the Friendship Centre Choir, craft groups and social activities, participation continues to grow. Mikita said the Friendship Centre Choir recently wrapped up its year-end concert, providing an opportunity for participants to step outside their
comfort zones and rediscover talents they may not have used in years.
“It was awesome to see people participating in things they haven’t done for so long,” she said. “People were getting up and doing solos they probably haven’t done in years.”
Just as important as the programs themselves is the way new ideas are developed.
Rather than dictating programming from above, Friendship Centre staff look to participants and volunteers for direction.
One example is a proposed French-language conversation group expected to launch this fall after several members expressed an interest in practising their conversational French with others in the community.
“We listen to the people,” Mikita said.
“That idea came directly from people who use the centre.”
That approach extends to volunteer recruitment as well.
Many volunteers begin as program participants before stepping forward to lead activities, support fundraising efforts or help deliver services to others. Mikita said the centre is fortunate to recruit many volunteers from within its own membership.
“People are willing to support things they’re passionate about,” she said.
That volunteer spirit helps make much of what the Friendship Centre offers possible. Volunteers lead fitness classes, organize activities and support fundraising events that help keep programs affordable and accessible.
The Friendship Centre Choir performs at their year-end concert May 27 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
Local seniors attended a recent scams workshop to learn about all types of frauds, both online and over the phone, run in partnership between the Town of St. Marys and the Stratford Police Service.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
“It’s because we have these volunteers,” Mikita said. “They’re enriching their own lives and enriching the lives of others.”
Beyond recreation programs, senior services also provides a variety of supports designed to help residents remain independent and connected to their community.
Services include Meals on Wheels, shopping assistance, fitness and falls-prevention programs, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance and community connections programming. The department also works closely with organizations such as the Alzheimer Society, which offers satellite services and programming at the Friendship Centre.
Mikita described the department as a one-stop shop for seniors, caregivers and families looking for information, resources and support.
“We serve people who participate in programs, people who receive services and the volunteers who make it all happen,” she said.
While reaching isolated seniors can be challenging, Mikita said partnerships with health-care providers, community organizations, family caregivers and local media help connect residents with the services they need.
At its core, she said, the Friendship Centre’s mission is simple – helping people stay active, engaged and connected.
“The key is to stay active – physically, mentally and socially,” Mikita said. “Isolation is a huge challenge for people. The more connected you are, the easier it is to access services and stay involved in your community.”
For residents considering retirement or looking for a new way to stay involved, Mikita encourages them to explore the Friendship Centre’s programs and volunteer opportunities.
“St. Marys is very fortunate to have people who are passionate about what they do,” she said. “There are so many ways to get involved and give back.”
More information about senior services, Friendship Centre memberships,
programs and volunteer opportunities is available through the Town of St. Marys website, www.townofstmarys.com/recre-
ation-community-culture/seniors/, or by contacting senior services staff at 519284-3272.
St. Marys mobility service keeps residents connected and independent
For many residents in St. Marys and the surrounding area, access to safe and reliable transportation can mean the difference between staying connected to the community and becoming isolated at home.
That is where St. Marys & Area Mobility Service comes in.
The independent, non-profit organization provides accessible and volunteer transportation for older adults, people living with disabilities, those recovering from illness or injury and residents who need additional support getting to appointments, shopping, social activities and other important destinations.
“We are the transportation from health care to community,” said mobility service manager Amber Miners. “Especially in our rural areas, it’s not just a convenience; it’s certainly a lifeline for some folks.”
The service supports eligible residents in St. Marys, Perth South and parts of Zorra Township and Thames Centre. Clients must be 55 or older, require accessible transportation, be recovering from an injury or illness, be living with a disability, or receive transportation support through a third-party or government program.
While the organization is known for its accessible vehicles, Miners said clients do not need to use a wheelchair or mobility device to qualify. Some riders are still able to walk independently but no longer drive long distances, do not have access to a licence or vehicle, or need help reaching appointments outside the community.
“Some people still maintain their li-
cence and drive in town, but going to Victoria Hospital in London can be daunting,” Miners said. “It’s not just about the ride. It’s about taking away one more thing they have to worry about.”
The mobility service offers door-todoor transportation, meaning drivers help ensure clients make it safely from their homes to their destination.
“We take pride in getting the person to the door and in with somebody so that we know they are going to be looked after,” Miners said.
That personal connection is an important part of the service.
With five vehicles in its fleet, including accessible buses and vans, as well as
a hybrid Ford Explorer donated by Perth South for ambulatory rides, the mobility service provides thousands of trips each year. According to Miners, the service’s vehicles complete roughly 7,000 rides annually, while volunteer drivers provide approximately 2,000 additional trips using their own vehicles.
In some of the busiest months, the organization provides more than 600 vehicle rides and more than 200 volunteer rides. Those trips include medical appointments, dialysis, adult day programs, shopping, errands, social visits and community activities. The service also offers group charters and weekly shopping shuttles, and it works with long-term-care
homes, the Friendship Centre and other community partners to help residents take part in outings they might otherwise miss.
For residents in nursing care, retirement living or their own homes, the service provides more than transportation. It provides familiarity, dignity and peace of mind.
Drivers and volunteers often get to know regular clients well, especially those travelling several times a week for medical appointments or programs.
“You start to get to know the individuals,” Miners said. “If they’re not on a ride for a little while, volunteers or staff will ask, ‘Is there something going on? Are you okay?’ You really do start to care.”
That kind of relationship, Miners said, helps build trust for clients and their families.
In winter, small gestures like warming a blanket before an early-morning pickup can make the service feel less like a ride and more like support from a neighbour.
The mobility service is supported through Ontario Health funding, municipal contributions, Ontario Gas Tax Program funding, ridership fees, donations and community partners.
Those partnerships are essential, Miners said, particularly as the cost of vehicle maintenance continues to rise and the organization looks toward future vehicle replacement. A vehicle-replacement fund has already been started with support from Perth South’s wellness fund, and the service hopes to eventually add another, larger accessible vehicle to replace aging equipment.
“Without that support, our operational levels would be dramatically reduced,” Miners said. “It really wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community
St. Marys & Area Mobility Service has a fleet of five accessible vehicles and even more volunteer drivers to help local residents who are 55 and older or who require accessible transportation to get where they’re going.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARYS & AREA MOBILITY SERVICE)
Provincial funding announced for local seniors active living centres
To kick off Seniors Month, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae has announced $186,537 in annual funding for local seniors active living centres (SALC).
This funding is part of an over $22-million investment to support 416 SALC programs across the province, including 97 new ones.
“Helping our seniors stay active and healthy in their golden years is important to ensure our communities continue to thrive,” said Rae in a press release. “Our government continues to support important senior programs, ensuring the communities our seniors helped build continue to serve them.”
“Senior active living centres keep our seniors, fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in their communities,” added Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho in the press release. “Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is making the largest investment in seniors active living centre programs in Ontario’s history. This will help even more seniors, no matter where they live, including those in a city or rural, remote and northern communities, live more healthy, happy and independent lives.”
SALCs provide programing and activities for seniors that support physical and mental wellbeing, keeping seniors active and involved in our communities. Local programing includes fitness classes, ed-
ucational activities and card programs. Some SALCs also offer virtual or satellite programing to engage with as many seniors as possible.
This year, the province is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first six Elderly Persons’ Centres – now known as seniors active living centre programs – established under the Elderly Persons’ Centres Act, 1966. For six decades, the Government of Ontario has continued to expand access to programs that help more seniors stay active, healthy and socially connected, ultimately improving their overall wellbeing.
The Ontario government is focused on helping seniors stay socially connected, engaged in their communities and close to home, supporting a happier and higher
quality of life.
“With June being Seniors Month in the Province of Ontario, I am glad to be sharing this good news,” said Rae. “It is important that we recognize and thank the many seniors in Perth-Wellington for their various contributions.”
Funding allocations from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility are as follows:
• Stratford Active Adults: $55,000
• North Perth Seniors Centre: $18,317
• Friendship Centre for St. Marys & Area: $55,616
• Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged (The Spruce Active Living Centre): $57,640
• Total: $186,573
St. Marys mobility service keeps residents connected and independent
around us.”
For Miners, the reason the service matters is simple; rural transportation barriers can quickly become barriers to independence.
If residents want to age at home, remain active or continue choosing what their lives look like, transportation is often one of the most important pieces of that puzzle.
“It may be one of those things you
don’t always think about until you need it,” Miners said. “But when you need it, that’s when we’re able to show up and be part of that journey.
“It’s maintaining independence. It’s connection and dignity.”
More information about St. Marys & Area Mobility Service, eligibility, fees and ride bookings is available by calling 519-284-4010 or visiting www.stmarysmobility.com.
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DCVI Golden Oldies to hold second annual reunion
An event is taking place on Saturday, July 11, at the Royal Canadian Legion that focuses on reconnecting former classmates, friends and community members that attended St. Marys District Collegiate Vocational Institute (DCVI) up to the year 1985.
The casual, social reunion will take place from 12-4 p.m. and will include lunch by Huron Shores Catering, a cash bar through the Legion, lots of conversation, many stories and lots of laughs.
For three years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a group called the Silver Foxes organized a DCVI reunion each year, but when the pandemic hit, like most events, it was stopped. In 2024, the reunion was revived under the name, The Golden Oldies, and approximately 200 people attended.
The Golden Oldies are made up of a volunteer committee of former classmates who look after organizing tasks like registration, catering, communication, promotion, parking and any other event-day jobs. The committee consists of Lynn Brooks, George Cifa, Cheryl Firby, Dan MacDonald, Peter McAsh, Lloyd Monteith and Sue O’Grady.
Additional volunteers help to make the reunion runs
smoothly.
“As people get older and life takes them in different directions, opportunities to reconnect become increasingly meaningful,” the organizing committee shared in a
statement to the Independent. “Golden Oldies provides a chance to renew those connections, reminisce and enjoy time together with people who share a common history.”
One of the most important pieces of a reunion are the pictures and memories. Leading up to the event, the organizers are busy posting yearbook pictures and other nostalgic photos on social media, which will also be played as a slide show the day of.
A private Golden Oldies Facebook group has been created for people to share stories and to stay in touch after the reunion.
Along with age comes the importance of laughter as the committee, keeping things light, joked that the reason these reunions are important is because it gives people a chance to “catch up with people before they die.”
Reconnecting with old friends, revisiting stories, remembering loved ones gone and sharing what classmates have been up to is such a rewarding experience. Our pasts helped frame the people we are today and for those who attend, many of the people at the reunion were a part of it.
The cost to attend is $30 per person and can be paid by e-transfer to dcvigoldenoldies@gmail.com.
Follow the Facebook page DCVI Golden Oldies event updates and information.
Happy Seniors Month!
Enjoyable activities and events for every senior at Kingsway Lodge
to be outdoors.”
Kingsway Lodge has a variety of programming to ensure the enrichment of the lives of all the residents, whether they are part of Fairway Residence independent living, Kingsway Retirement, or in longterm care.
Missy Little, events/volunteer coordinator for Kingsway Lodge, comes up with activities and events based on feedback from residents. Past events include trips to the Stratford Festival, to Bayfield for fish and chips, and to Anna Mae’s restaurant. The Little Tavern, a pop-up tavern at the lodge featuring drinks, snacks and live music, is also popular among the residents.
There are also campfires, outdoor walks and outdoor music events during the summer. Outings to Hearn’s Ice Cream are also a big hit, especially when the group made their own waffle cones filled with their choice of ice cream and toppings.
“Anything with food is a draw for sure,” Little said. “We have a wide range really. We have some that like to do crafty things and we have some that like to be outdoors. We have some that never want
Families who attend the events at Kingsway Lodge are often paired up with other families and get to know each other.
“It’s like a little community at their table so they can talk to not only their loved ones, but other family members and build a connection,” said Laurie Smith, director of recreation.
In accordance with provincial legislation, long-term care facilities must provide programming that meets spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual and physical needs of the residents. Long-term care residents will go to Giant Tiger and Heeman’s Garden Centre for their outings to experience a variety of colours, sights and smells.
Local organizations like the St. Marys Museum and the St. Marys Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will come to Kingsway Lodge and Friendship Centre volunteers and staff will run exercise programs. The St. Marys Lions Club also runs their meetings at Kingsway Lodge bi-monthly.
“We try to bring our community into Kingsway,” Smith said.
More information about Kingsway Lodge can be found online by visiting https://kingswaylodge.com.
EMILY STEWART Independent Reporter
St. Marys Independent SPORTS
Cowan wins SMGCC’s Senior Men’s Invitational for second straight year
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
For the second consecutive year, Rob Cowan was the overall low gross winner of the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s (SMGCC) Senior Men’s Invitational tournament May 27.
Cowan finished with a two-under-par score of 70 and was the only golfer to end with a score under par. The field included 97 golfers playing in good conditions, with wind picking up midway through the round.
Cowan described his reaction to capturing his second straight title in the tournament.
“It’s nice (to win two straight years),” Cowan told the Independent. “I think I played better overall this year than in last year’s tournament. I’m getting to know the course a bit better each time I play it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what next year brings.”
According to Cowan, the tournament win was a change of fortunes for him on the course.
“I hadn’t been playing well for a couple
of weeks, so I’m pleased with the day,” Cowan said. “My iron play was solid and I had quite a few looks for birdie and made a couple. I didn’t have too many mistakes. I think I only missed two greens in regulation and one by more than the collar.”
Cowan added his two-under-par score was thanks to a strong eagle drive on hole number 17.
“One of the big moments of the day for me was on Hole 17. I had just three-putted on Hole 16 for bogey to go back to even and give me two bogeys and two birdies. I hit a good long drive to a good spot (on
Hole 17) and hit a beauty seven-iron to 20 feet and made the putt for eagle.”
The low net winner with a net score of 64 was Merlin Malinowski. Steve Fisher, with a gross score of 75, emerged as the 50-59-year-old division winner. Bruce Brodhagen was the 60-64 winner with a 79 gross score. Rick Hebert scored a gross of 76 to take the top spot in the 65-69 division. Amongst the 70-74-year-olds, Rod Dench finished first with a gross score of 75. In the 75+ division, Brian Woods came first, scoring a gross of 80.
Merlin Malinowski makes a putt on Hole 18 during the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s Senior Men’s Invitational tournament May 27. Malinowski was the overall net winner of the tournament with a net score of 64.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Rob Cowan tees off on Hole 7 during the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s Senior Men’s Invitational tournament May 27. Cowan was the overall gross winner of the tournament with a two-under-par score of 70.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Rob Cowan holds the champions’ plaque after winning the St. Marys Golf and Country Club’s Senior Men’s Invitational tournament May 27. Cowan won the tournament for the second consecutive year.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Sports Wall of Fame inductees to be celebrated at Pyramid Recreation Centre this fall
At its meeting last Thursday evening, the St. Marys recreation and leisure advisory committee selected three inductees for the Sports Wall of Fame.
These representatives were chosen for their achievements and outstanding accomplishments in sports in the community. The 2026 inductees will be celebrated this fall. Below are brief summaries of the inductees, capturing the key highlights of their achievements, contributions and the remarkable influence they have had on sports within the community.
Athlete inductees:
Mike Teahen
An accomplished baseball player, Mike Teahen had a lengthy career as an active athlete. After starting his competitive ball journey right here in St. Marys, he was eventually called up to the Inter-County Senior League representing Stratford. Teahen then went on to play professionally in Alberta for six seasons and has represented the country as a member of Canada’s National Men’s Baseball team five times, playing in World Championships, Pan-Am Games and more. Teahen received further acclaim when he was named Most Valu-
Amie Shackleton
Amie Shackleton has cemented herself as a prolific curler in her field and is now being recognized in her home community. From her early years of involvement in the sport, Shackleton has been a trail-
for women’s curling both locally and across the province. Throughout her decades-long competitive career, Shackleton has amassed countless medals, trophies, banners and more. Some highlights of her esteemed career include multi-season appearances at Trophy Provincials, Silver Tankards, Ontario Mixed Curling Championships, Intermediate Women’s Provincials and at the Scot-
ties Tournament of Hearts. Shackleton’s prestigious career has set a standard of success and elevated the curling community in St. Marys.
Loiey Moir
Loiey Moir, an accomplished ladies fastball player who began her career playing minor ball in St. Marys, has been selected as an athlete inductee. Moir was instrumental in the expansion and development of ladies fastball in town and competed as a member of the St. Marys Pullets who won the Ontario provincial championship in 1962 and 1963. Moir went on to play catcher for the Kitchener Kieswetters starting in 1965, winning the 1971 Canadian National Championship. The pinnacle of Moir’s success occurred in 1972 when she represented Canada at the World Ladies Fastball Tournament in Italy where the team secured a second-place finish. From humble roots as female athlete of the year at St. Marys DCVI in 1954, 1956 and 1957, Moir has demonstrated outstanding athletic success in her field.
The next call for Sports Wall of Fame nominations will start in April 2027. An announcement will be made when nominations open through the local media, social media and on the town website at townofstmarys.com/sportswall.
able Player of the Alberta Major Baseball League in 1978 and was named as All-Star for the same league three years later in 1981.
blazer
Sports Wall of Fame inductees. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
Four STK students qualify for world championships
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
Sensei Jalyne Lorentz, Fox Houston, Lisa Sheldon and Shannon Campbell of Stonetown Karate (STK) have qualified to compete in the World Karate Commission (WKC) World Championships to be held Oct. 24-30 in Chiclana, Cadiz, Spain, after strong performances at the Team Canada National tryouts in Ottawa May 14-16.
The top four competitors in each event qualified for the national team. Beginning with Campbell, she finished in second place in the Point Sparring event in the 48+ Women’s division.
Lorentz, who competed in the 18+ Women’s division, finished in the top four in five competitions, including classical forms and hardstyle forms, both of which she came in second place. Lorentz also placed third in traditional weapons and creative weapons, as well as taking
fourth in kenpo.
Lorentz described her excitement about returning to the world stage, adding how she feels she has improved since being at the worlds last year.
“Making Team Canada is always an exciting achievement,” said Lorentz. “I’ve been fortunate to be on the team for several years now and each year, my goal is to be better than I was before. Winning is great, but seeing my own growth and improvement year after year means even more to me. Leading up to provincials and the national tryouts, I focused on building my strength, power and overall performance presence. I balanced both technical training and strength work, which helped me feel more complete as an athlete. Compared to last year, I feel stronger, more confident and more consistent in my performances.”
In addition to vying for her spot on the Canadian national team, Lorentz also noted the chance to run a kata seminar was
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a special part of her experience at the national tryouts.
“One of the highlights for me was being invited by the national championships to run a kata seminar,” Lorentz said. “It was an exciting opportunity and getting to spend several hours the night before the competition working closely with athletes to refine their individual performances made it even more meaningful and rewarding.”
Houston earned a pair of world-championship qualifications in the 14-15-yearold boys’ division, placing third in both classical forms and hardstyle forms.
According to Houston, competing internationally is a daunting but exciting test of his abilities.
“I’m excited for new opportunities and to practice hard to get better every day. For the world championship, I want to improve on my stage presence in the ring to enhance my performance overall. Having other high-level athletes around me is definitely intimidating at first, seeing everybody’s great performances. It’s a good reminder that you need to focus on yourself to have the best outcome.”
In the 35+ women’s division, Sheldon placed first in the continuous light contact
sparring competition. Sheldon also took first in the same event in the 42+ women’s bracket, the same division in which she added a third-place finish in point sparring.
Sheldon told the Independent the environment of the national team is motivational to those participating to grow and become even greater.
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to represent Canada at the WKC World Championships. I am looking forward to competing against some of the best athletes from around the world while representing my country. I will continue working on speed. At this level, small improvements can make a big difference, so I am focusing on sharpening my techniques, improving my conditioning and making sure I am mentally prepared to perform at my best.
“Being surrounded by other high-level athletes pushed me to raise my own standards and perform at my best,” Sheldon continued. “Competing alongside talented athletes creates a positive and motivating environment where everyone challenges each other to improve. It helped me stay focused, work harder and gain confidence in my abilities.”
Pictured from left to right are Lisa Sheldon, Fox Houston, Sensei Jalyne Lorentz, and Shannon Campbell. The four Stonetown Karate (STK) members attended the national team tryouts May 14-16 in Ottawa and qualified for Team Canada headed to the World Karate Commission (WKC) World Championships, to be held Oct. 24-30 in Chiclana, Cadiz, Spain.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Katie Greene launches the ball up the field from the defensive end during this past Monday’s U12 Girls Tier Two St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Theo Shute swings and records a hit during last Thursday’s Forman Electric U11 HL Blue St. Marys Rockies game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Kira Henderson drops to a knee to score a goal during this past Sunday’s U10 Girls Tier Three St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Kiril Maslov kicks the ball into the box from the edge of the pitch during the U13 Boys Tier Three St. Marys Storm game last Thursday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Vienna Beckett steps into a big shot on target during last Wednesday’s U18 Girls Tier One St. Marys Storm game.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Louis Bradley plays the ball through the midfield during the U10 Boys Tier Three St. Marys Storm game this past Sunday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
St. Marys bowlers compete at provincial tournaments
coach Scott Louwagie, and Felix Louwagie. The triples team of Aisla, Felix, and McKeen placed fifth in the province with 304 points over average, and each member got a $60 scholarship. Aisla won the junior medal for high single, and McKeen won the senior high four-game points over average award. Pictured in the middle, from left, are McKeen, coach Helen Brockman, Landon Ball, and Christie LeBlanc. McKeen and Ball took fourth place in the provincial high-low doubles tournament with 122 points over average. LeBlanc, along with Felix, took fifth in the tournament, and LeBlanc won the medal for high four-game with 112 points over average. Pictured on the right, from left, are James VandeGevel, Robin VandeGevel, Amanda Kittmer, and Jeanne Lyons. Kittmer and Lyons, coached by Brockman, came in fifth in the bantam division of the provincial tournament, while the VandeGevels finished 10th in the province’s junior division. Both teams bowled at or above their average. The St. Marys Bowling Lanes also extend sincere thanks to their coaches and parents, and to the Downie Optimists for their support of the YBC program in St. Marys.
DCVI Junior Girls Soccer team wins playoff semi-final
The St. Marys DCVI Junior Girls Soccer team advanced to the Huron-Perth playoff finals after a 2-1 win over Listowel May 25.
Head coach Allyson Dunstedt praised the team for their ability to battle back against the adversity of trailing by a goal and having a goal disallowed.
“What impressed me the most about the semi-final game was the team’s resilience,” said Dunstedt. “We were dominating the play for the majority of the
game. We went down 1-0 early on, but the girls kept pushing, and even after we had a goal called back, we continued to push and scored two more goals.”
After falling behind by a goal early in the contest, the Salukis steadily stormed back to take control of the game. After a goal by Lauren Pfaff was called back, Lena Thompson and Aubrey Cousineau managed to score in the second half to take the lead and, eventually, the victory.
According to Dunstedt, there was no shortage of strong performances up and down the field for St. Marys in the semis.
played incredibly well with every member contributing. Emma (Hodkinson), Lauren (Pfaff) and Lena (Thompson) had notable performances up front, driving our offence. Kacey (Graham) and Aryn (Sheldon) had solid performances on the back end, knocking down every ball that came their way.
“Gracie (Ross) also stepped up big for us in the last few games playing net,” Dunstedt continued. “Gracie had never played net before in soccer. She learned quickly and did incredibly well.”
Though the Salukis weren’t able to
lic Secondary School in the Huron-Perth finals, Dunstedt noted the season was a success thanks to the team’s competitiveness and willingness to play unfamiliar positions.
“Something that stands out to me about this group was their work ethic and their adaptability,” Dunstedt said. “We had several players play entirely new positions all over the field, but they embraced it and this was huge for our team’s success. We also had a lot of depth on our team, so it was very much a whole team effort each game.”
The St. Marys Bowling Lanes were well represented at the YBC Provincial Championship, hosted May 30-31 at Nebs Fun World in Oshawa. Pictured on the left, from left to right, are Aisla Fisher, coach Aaron Fisher, Nathan McKeen,
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
COLUMNS
UKRAINIAN CORNER: The
10 p.m. manifesto – why ‘busy’ is a bad word
We treat time as a constant – a rigid sequence measured by the cold ticking of a clock. But for the human brain, time is elastic and subjective. It is a story our mind tells us, and lately, that story has become a thriller.
Before we blame our busy schedules, we must realize we never truly live in the “now.” It takes the brain about 80 milliseconds to process sensory data, meaning we are always watching a slightly delayed broadcast of life. Moreover, time “stretches” based on our attention. Have you ever looked at a clock and felt the secondhand freeze? This is chronostasis – your brain literally rewriting your memory to create a seamless reality.
I felt this elasticity of time most acutely when my family and I moved to Canada. Our first year was a blur of a million tasks, where everything – literally everything – was brand new. I remember the incredible amount of mental energy it took just to handle a simple bank appointment or navigate a “small-talk” encounter at Tim Hortons.
Back then, time felt slow and dense because every second was packed with new information and survival instincts. Your brain is in “high-definition recording mode” when you are an immigrant.
Now, nearly four years later, the basic hurdles are cleared. We know how the systems work; the “survival” phase is over. But a new, more dangerous trap has appeared: the pressure of “serious” goals and professional ambitions.
To manage these higher stakes, I turned to hyper-discipline. I began scheduling my day in 15-minute increments, convinced that a perfectly managed calendar was my only way to stay ahead. But I soon discovered the dark side of this precision.
(CONTRIBUTRED PHOTO)
In a compelling exploration of the modern “cult of busyness,” Alona Vasylieva traces the journey from the high-stakes survival of immigration in Canada to the psychological trap of hyper-productivity.
When your day is scheduled down to the last second, structure becomes a cage. This rigid discipline eventually led me to a state of hysteria, where my brain lost its ability to switch off. Even during a holiday or while trying to sleep, my mind is still “running the numbers,” scanning for the next task. We have become so addicted to doing that we have forgotten how to be.
This disconnect from time isn’t just an adult problem; it’s becoming a generational gap. Recently, my son, Alex, expressed a desire to learn how to tell time on a traditional analog watch. It made me realize that for many children today – and even young adults – the circular face of a clock has become a mystery. We
Straight From The Shelves
By Laura McAsh, St. Marys Public Library
This PA Day, Friday June 5, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, join us for the “Oneida Language Beading Craft” guided by Patsy Day, a member of the Turtle Clan Oneida Nation. Through this program, participants will have an opportunity to engage with the Oneida Language while exploring beading techniques integral to the culture. Both beginners and experienced beaders will enjoy this chance to experience this rich tradition. This program is free to attend and no registration is required.
UP THIS WEEK
• Fri., Jun. 5: Oneida Language Beading Craft (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.), Pride Family Festival & Movie in the Park^ (6 p.m.)
• Sat., Jun. 6: Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mon., Jun. 8: Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tues., Jun. 9: Write of Way (6:30 p.m.)
• Wed., Jun. 10: EarlyON Play & Read (9:30-10:30 a.m.), Mahjong~ (1-4 p.m.), FOL Social (6:30-8 p.m.)
• Thurs., Jun. 11: Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
*Registration Required | ^Held at Cadzow Park (217 Park St.) ~Held at the Friendship Centre - Meeting Room A (317 James St. S.)
are so used to digital numbers flashing at us from screens that we’ve lost the visual representation of a “slice” of an hour. An analog clock shows us where we are in the cycle of the day, whereas a digital clock only tells us what the current second is.
Seeing Alex struggle to grasp the “big hand” and the “little hand” reminded me that we are losing our intuitive connection to the passage of time, trading it for the cold, fragmented precision of a smartphone.
To manage this anxiety, we turn to apps. We track our steps, our water and our sleep. We think we are controlling our lives, but we are often just feeding our anxiety. By outsourcing our wellbeing to
an algorithm, we lose the intuitive ability to feel our own bodies. True health isn’t a number on a screen; it’s being able to feel tired without an app telling you that your “readiness score” is low.
This brings us to the most vital part of our recovery: the 10 p.m. rule. In Ukraine, we have a profound saying. “The morning is wiser than the evening.” Science now confirms the biological brilliance behind this.
Going to bed around 10 p.m. is not just a suggestion, it is a neurological necessity. Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the brain’s glymphatic system flushes out metabolic waste and the mind “digests” the day’s emotional load. This is when your brain processes the stress, the social friction at work and the anxieties of building a life in a new country. If you skip this window, you wake up with “emotional indigestion” – carrying yesterday’s heaviness into a new day.
Perhaps, I’m just looking for a sophisticated scientific excuse to justify my “grandma” bedtime habits. My friends have become so terrified of my schedule that they’ve stopped even thinking about dropping by after 7 p.m. While they might be out seizing the night, I’m busy outsourcing my stress to my glymphatic system. It’s not being boring; it’s hightech emotional maintenance!
If you find yourself with a free minute, don’t reach for your phone. Don’t berate yourself for being “unproductive.” Your brain needs those gaps to stay human. True mastery of time isn’t about how much you can cram into a day. It’s about having the courage to put down the tracker, ignore the schedule and go to sleep early enough to let your soul catch up with your body. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is absolutely nothing at all.
Ask the Arborist
By Joel Hackett • 519.272.5742 • jtsquote@gmail.com
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
Dear Arborist,
I have a large hollow tree. I am looking to remove the raccoon nest in it because it makes a real mess of my deck. The issue is the last 15 feet is filled with cement. How do you deal with that? Why would someone put cement in a tree anyways?
Thanks, Glenn
Dear Glenn,
Filling hollow trees with cement used to be a recommended method. Many years ago, this was the go to method for most hollow trees. However, it
is actually harmful to the tree and causes numerous health problems. For obvious reasons, cement is also very difficult to remove.
In your case, options could include cutting above/ below the cement and using a crane to move the log out, then cutting the wood away and using a sledge hammer to remove the cement. Alternatively, cutting the wood away and then using a jackhammer or a cement saw. Thankfully the practice has not been done for many years so we rarely encounter the problem anymore.
Sincerely, The Arborist
ALONA VASYLIEVA Independent Columnist
HISTORIC ST. MARYS: McNeight-Brine Farmhouse
The beautiful farmhouse in the photograph with this week’s column is located on Line 6 in Perth South, formerly known as the Base Line, Blanshard Township. The owners have requested a property history report from the St. Marys Museum’s volunteer team of researchers. It will be a pleasure to consider the architecture and delve into the history of this interesting house. It has many characteristics of a 19th century Ontario farmhouse with a dormer, complete with gothic window, over the front entrance, and first-floor windows placed symmetrically on either side of the door. Built ca 1879, the house has retained many of its original features although some have been modified or upgraded for 21st century living.
The house originally had a full veranda across the front. These verandas usually had ornate columns and gingerbread trim that were challenging to maintain. They were often the first features of the house to be modified or removed completely. Although it has been replaced by a more practical open porch at the entrance door, traces of the original veranda can be seen in the brickwork, especially under the eaves. There is a section of decorative orange bricks that would have been visible just above the place where the veranda roof was attached to the wall of the house. There were also verandas on both the east and west sides of the kitchen wing to the south. Both verandas have been retained although both are now closed in, offering better protection from the weather.
The ornate trim on the gothic dormers on the north and west sides has survived and is beautifully maintained. Although the windows have been replaced, the curve under the lintels is consistent with the shape of the original windows. The walls of the house are made of brick with an intriguing mix of colours. The first impression is that of a typical white or yellow brick house, found throughout this part of Ontario. However, a closer inspection shows an orange tinge in some of the bricks while others are grey or almost brown. These irregular colours give the walls a lovely texture. The builder also paid special attention to the quoining and the brick trim around the windows on the front façade. There are other historic houses on Line 6 with similar brickwork. They show the natural colour of the brick fired in some nearby brickyard a century and a half ago when these houses were built.
Another remarkable feature is that, through its history, this property has been owned and occupied successively by only two families, both significant in the history of the area. Edward McNeight was the first owner of Lot 22, Concession 7, Blanshard. He and his brothers immigrated from Ireland in 1846 and took up several 100-acre farm lots from the Canada Company on the Base Line. Edward McNeight’s name is on three different lots, according to the Canada Company records. Eventually, he settled on Lot 22 and sold the other two. The Canada Com-
pany required settlers to clear enough land and raise crops to pay for their farms in yearly installments. By 1855, Edward McNeight had paid the total of £110 and received his deed. The spelling of Edward’s last name varies in these early records – sometimes McKnight or McNight. However, “McNeight” was this branch of the family’s preferred spelling and is used on personal records such as marriage and death certificates.
Edward McNeight was born in 1805 in Londonderry. In 1835, he married Christina Topping, born in 1809 in Belfast. Before they came to Canada, they had a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1841, who was just five years old when she left Ireland. Several of Edward’s brothers also came to Canada and settled in Blanshard Township. At least one, James McNeight, also had a wife, Isabella Marriott, and a small child. Edward’s parents, Joshua and Mariah McNeight, joined their family on the voyage. Although they were in their 70s, they chose to leave Ireland behind and travel with their family. What an undertaking to set out for an unknown country, knowing there was no turning back! Joshua died in 1854 and Mariah in 1856 far away from Ireland in Blanshard Township.
Edward and Christina McNeight raised seven children on their farm. According to the 1861 census, the McNeight family lived in a log house. The residents included a married daughter and son-in-law and their three-month-old baby. Edward took out a mortgage in the late 1870s most probably to finance the construction of the brick house at that time. When Edward died in August 1887, he left his farm to his oldest son, Joshua, who had been given his grandfather’s name. Joshua in turn, after his death in July 1921, passed the farm onto his son, David McNeight. David, born in 1878, had married Annie Elizabeth Marriott in 1904. They had two children – a son, Samuel, and a daughter, Maud Kathleen.
David McNeight, like his father, lived his entire life on the Base Line. He was active in his community, serving on the township council and on the board of
Zion United Church. He died in January 1948. As the township history book, Blanshard in Review, states, David’s son, Samuel, would have been the fourth generation of McNeights on Lot 22, Concession 7. However, Samuel was not a farmer. At the time of his father’s death, he was a chemical engineer with the Dupont Company in New York. But there were still other McNeight farms on the Base Line. Today the name remains very well-known in the St. Marys area. Annie McNeight, David’s widow, sold Lot 22, Concession 7, to Harry Lloyd Standfield Brine in April 1948. “Brine” is the second name associated with the property.
James Brine, Lloyd’s grandfather, brought his family to Canada in 1844. They settled first in Huron County near Goderich, lived for several years in Lon-
don Township, and then, by 1868, moved to Blanshard Township. But the reasons for this family’s significance took place in the 1830s, before they left England. As a very young man, James Brine had been convicted and sent by prison ship to Australia. He was one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. The Martyrs’ story is familiar to many people, but it is worth remembering and retelling. Six farm labourers from Tolpuddle, a village in Dorset, England, were sentenced in 1834 to seven years hard labour in penal colonies in Australia. Their crime was demanding fair wages to support themselves and their families. Their courage in confronting establishment landowners became the focus of the growing trade union movement in England. After their transportation, there were demonstrations and petitions demanding that they be pardoned. Eventually they were, and between 1837 and 1839, they made their way back home. When James returned to England, he married Elizabeth Standfield, the daughter of fellow Martyr, Thomas Standfield. When they left England, they had three young children to bring with them. Eight more were born in Canada. One of them, William Joseph Brine, born in 1850, was the father of Lloyd Brine, who bought Lot 22, Concession 7, in 1948. Lloyd was a bachelor and several years before his death, he sold his property to his nephew, Edwin (Ted) Brine and his wife, Merle Hazelwood Brine. In 1990, Mike and Patty Brine bought the farm from his parents, and they raised their two children in their beautiful home. The family has always been aware of the significance of the name “Brine” and are proud of their connection to the remarkable Tolpuddle Martyrs.
This beautiful house on Line 6 in Perth South is an excellent example of an Ontario farmhouse.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ST. MARYS MUSEUM)
MARY SMITH Independent Columnist
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Tournon
steam train takes travellers back in time
When the Viking company invited us on a Rhône River Cruise, we knew we’d be travelling via airplane and, of course, boat – more specifically, a Viking Longship christened Viking Heimdal.
We hadn’t realized that the old cliché, “planes, trains and automobiles,” would be true to the max. We flew into Paris, returning post-cruise by air from Marseille to Munich to Toronto.
In Paris, where we stayed for three days, we used automobiles for tours and added boats to the list as we took a Seine River cruise. We travelled from Paris to Lyon by high-speed train, and there, boarded the longship for our weeklong cruise.
So, we thought we’d pretty much covered the transportation device gamut but then came the fifth day of the trip when we found ourselves boarding a much-older railway train, a sharp contrast to the rapid ride from Paris. We were spending the morning on a leisurely trip aboard the Tournon Steam Train, riding in heritage carriages with plenty of steam blowing past as we travelled through a beautiful
and unspoiled French river valley.
The official name of the train is the Chemin de fer du Vivarais. It’s in the Ardeche region in the south of France. The full line is 33 kilometres long, running from Tournon in the Rhône Valley to Lamastre in the Doux valley. However, there are also shorter, half-day trips, including the one we took.
It’s quaint, authentic and quite wonderful. Riding in these heritage carriages pulled by a genuine steam locomotive is a great experience in its own right, but the scenery through the valleys is also spectacular.
There is an intriguing history to the Tournon Steam Train, both as a tourist attraction and prior to that incarnation.
The line was originally built between 1886 and 1890, and it carried freight and passengers until 1968.
Some local enthusiasts believed it was too special to abandon, and so a surprisingly brief, two-year project resulted in the 33-kilometre line being reopened as a special attraction in 1970. It stayed in service until 2008 when a growing operating deficit and increasing disrepair of the rolling stock forced another closure. But fans of steam trains are not easily deterred.
Although that hiatus lasted five years, this time, they brought the train back once again. In 2013, they again fired up the steam locomotive, and, with that, the current railway service began. All of the rolling stock is authentic with the locomotives dating back to the beginning of the 20th
century.
That’s the history of the train as tourism attraction, but the previous life of this railway is much more poignant. During World War II, the Rhône region was a key centre for the French Resistance, as French patriots fought against the Nazis – and against the Nazi-friendly Vichy government. I have written previously about the city of Lyon as an important base for the Resistance. As the war unfolded, the Resistance fighters moved more and more to the forests and mountains of southern France, from where they waged what might be called guerilla warfare against their occupiers.
And we learned that the Tournon Railway, running through the district that was home to plenty of Resistance fighters, was frequently employed to smuggle guns and ammunition for these Resistance fighters, with boxes of arms and ammo buried beneath the piles of coal used to fire the engine.
The railway was also used when Jewish children were brought from Paris, where their lives were in immediate danger. They were then taken via this local railway to isolated farms where they could hide in relative safety. Thus, these cute little carriages we were riding in were actually important tools in combatting the horrors of the Holocaust. Many lives were saved from death in the concentration camps because of the Tournon railway. A sobering reality check.
Back to today. The carriages have windows that can be
opened and passengers can also stand on the car’s entrance platforms to take in the stunning views of the Doux River gorge, as well as to breathe in the scent of coal fires and to experience the clouds of steam. Your every sense carries you back in time.
And there is an unexpected twist at the farthest point of the excursion we took, from Tournon to the Colombier-le-Vieux-Saint Barthélémy-le-Plain trip. And no, I am not making up the name of the latter station. The sign fills an entire wall of the old station building.
Because the passengers quite rightly expect to be returned to Tournon, the steam engine has to be disconnected from the carriages and turned 180 degrees to head back the way it came.
This is accomplished by something that looks a little like magic but is really just good old engineering know-how. The 44ton locomotive is turned around manually – by one man who does not even work up a sweat –on a cleverly designed turntable. Back at the Tournon station, passengers can visit a museum, which includes heritage train cars, plenty of railroading artifacts and, of course, a gift shop. All in all, a wonderful experience of stepping – actually, riding – back in time.
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.
The steam engine was built in the early 20th century.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
PAUL KNOWLES Independent Columnist
The Tournon Railway has a dedicated team of workers, including the engineer.
The ride takes passengers through beautiful scenery in the south of France.
One of the original carriages is shown beside the engine.
EAT AT OUR HOUSE: More kitchen staples
Here are some simple recipes to make at home with limited oven time. It’s still not scorching so we can manage the oven being on for a little bit longer! All of these recipes require very minimal effort and yield mouthwatering results. Happy June!
A wonderfully easy traditional Greek lemon chicken and potato dinner that saves you time in the kitchen and yields delicious results.
Ingredients:
• 3 lbs chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
• 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 2 medium lemons, juiced
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
Method:
• Preheat oven to 450°F
• Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces
• Peel and slice potatoes into quarters
• In a large bowl, toss and coat chicken, potatoes, oil, lemon juice and spices listed.
• Transfer to a 13-by-nineinch baking dish, making sure the chicken pieces are touching the bottom of the pan. The potatoes can be between and on top. Sprinkle everything with paprika. Cover the pan with parchment and then aluminum foil tightly.
• Roast for 45 minutes.
• Uncover and roast for another 15 minutes or until chicken and potatoes get brown and crispy. Internal temperature of chicken should be 165°F.
• Spoon the sauce collected in the pan over the chicken and potatoes before serving
• You can also use a combination of Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Easy cheesy bread
Forget ordering out; make this garlic cheesy bread at home. It will be a hit for snacks and game days.
Prep: 10 minutes; Total time: 30 minutes
RURAL REFRESH:
We see advertisements and hear about the local services and supports for mental health but still feel like reaching out can be like a daunting task. We live in a society that celebrates independence, heroic behaviours and a culture of hustling. As a result, people are often experiencing heartache, grief and stress alone. Even with the movements to
Ingredients:
• 1 can Pillsbury thin pizza dough
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese, hand shredded
Method:
• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Lay the pizza dough out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roll into a thin rectangle
• Add the melted butter using a pastry brush, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• Add parmesan and mozzarella evenly on top.
• Place into centre rack of oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and dough is cooked all the way through.
• Garnish with some dried parsley, slice horizontally and make several vertical cuts about an inch to an inch-and-a-half apart. Serve warm with your choice of dip and enjoy!
Homemade coconut ice cream
Serves: 4-5; Total time: 10 minutes
A creamy dairy-free dessert you can make at home with no ice-cream maker required.
Ingredients:
• 1 (14 oz) can full-fat, sweet-
ened cream of coconut
• 1/2 cup additional coconut milk or milk of choice (or vegan preference)
• 1/3 cup sweetener of choice such as sugar, maple syrup or local honey
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Your role in rural mental health
minimize the stigma towards mental health, people often feel a pressure to stay silent. Rural communities and small towns are no different. There are community groups, coffeeshop conversations and many opportunities for connection. But have you noticed the conversations can sometimes stay surface level?
“Finally, some sunshine this week,” or, “Did you hear about the new neighbour? I heard they are not doing well.” That’s where it ends. Am I right? No talk about how the sunshine is shifting our mood from the seasonal depression that was so long-lasting after a winter that lingered. Or the fact that the neighbours “aren’t doing well” because they are transitioning through a move to be closer to aging parents and, on top of caregiving, they are fi-
nancially strapped, looking for a job close to their new neighbourhood. I mean, no wonder they aren’t “doing well!”
Does this sound familiar? The thing I really love about smaller communities the impact of community and supportive conversations can have a ripple effect. It often just takes one comment or someone to speak up to shift the direction of the conversation.
“Thank goodness for the sunshine this week. I was starting to feel really down, didn’t feel like doing much of anything!” I am sure others would think, “Heck! Me too! Glad I am not the only one.” You don’t necessarily need to disclose that you just started with a new counsellor, had a great session and are working through a recent mental illness, and the sun is just the cherry
on top (though, of course, you could, and I bet you wouldn’t always be alone in that either).
Some ways we can create community and supportive conversations is by sharing; sharing that you started with a new counsellor, that you’ve joined a support group, are experiencing stress, or are having a hard day. Share in whatever way feels comfortable for you. Though honestly, the magic can often happen when you don’t feel completely comfortable.
When someone reaches out or opens up to you about a mental illness or struggle, don’t minimize or try to cheer them up. Instead, listen. Validate that what they are experiencing sounds really tough. Then, if it feels appropriate, respond with empathy and support, maybe resources if you know of some and encour-
Method:
• Combine ingredients in a bowl. If you have an ice cream maker, transfer to that. Otherwise, you can freeze in ice cube trays and blend when frozen. Homemade ice cream is best consumed day of making but this can last a few weeks in the freezer.
age the helpfulness of further conversations or professional help.
These small changes in conversations and support might be the big change for someone who might need a little extra confidence to disclose their recent challenges or to reach out for mental-health support. Mental illness lives in small towns too. You aren’t alone. In fact, you’re often just one conversation or statement away from letting others know they aren’t alone either.
Jaclyn Turpin is the owner and a social worker at Rural Refresh, a counselling agency specializing in supporting rural individuals who are caregiving, experiencing loss, going through transitions and living with agricultural stress.
LAUREN EEDY Independent Columnist
This easy Greek lemon chicken and potato dinner saves time in the kitchen and always turns out delicious.
(LAUREN EEDY PHOTO)
JACLYN TURPIN Independent Columnist
Riddles
How many months have 28 days? All of them.
I have many teeth, but I can’t bite. What am I? A comb.
There’s only one word in the dictionary that’s spelled wrong. What is it? The word “wrong”
What has a thumb and four fingers, but is not a hand? A glove.
What kind of band never makes music? A rubber band.
What can fill a room but takes up no space? Light.
What two things can you never eat for breakfast? Lunch and dinner.
What kind of lion never roars? A dandelion.
What has a thousand needles but cannot sew? A porcupine.
How do you catch a school of fish? With a bookworm.
What is a tree’s favorite drink? Root beer.
What is the wealthiest nut? A cash-ew.
bringtwopairsof pants?
- Word Search -
SPONSORED BY:
Adult Learning Programs of Perth, Upstairs at the St. Marys Public Library 15 Church St. N, St. Marys, ON | Phone: 519.284.3932 | Cell: 226.374.8231 alearning@town.stmarys.on.ca | www.adultlearningperth.ca | Facebook: @AdultLearningProgramsofPerth
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St. Marys Veterinary Clinic is pleased to be the sponsor of the
PET OF THE WEEK
HEARTWORM IS SERIOUS—BUT PREVENTABLE.
Along with heartworm prevention, talk to your vet about multipurpose protection against fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites.
Starting prevention early keeps your pets healthy, happy, and safe all year round. One step today means a healthier tomorrow!
LUCY
Our Pet of the Week is Lucy, a four-year-old Samoyed. She would like to say hi to all her friends at the St. Marys dogpark and let them know that she is moving to Europe soon! Lucy is owned by Jan and Andrea Osterlund.
King (6) Hey Kids... Every Riddle Kid that appears in the paper gets a FREE MILKSHAKE at the Sunset Diner!
Thorndale News
When we get older …
“When I get older … ”
How many times did we say this as young children, or hear it now from kids around us?
“When I get older, I am going to stay up as late as I want. I am not going to eat those yucky vegetables and I will do anything I want.”
Then in adulthood, it is not all that easy to do everything we want. We know those “yucky” veggies are actually good for us. And as for a scheduled bedtime, we need a good night’s sleep to function the next day. And then there are family commitments, economic pressures, demanding careers – just life itself. That childhood statement changes slightly to “when I get older and retire, I will be able to do whatever I want.”
Well, we have made it; we’re retired and those senior golden years are here.
Retirement is a big step and some people struggle with it. Leaving a long-held job or a successful career was a major part of their identity. Children leave and build lives of their own. We have freedom that we have yearned for since we were young. We don’t miss our jobs, but we do miss the people. We feel disconnected, perhaps lost. Some seniors wrestle with this new stage in their lives.
According to Statistics Canada, approximately 8.1 million Canadians are 65 and older, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of Canada’s total population, with people 85
years and older one of the fastest growing age groups. All levels of government recognize the importance of programs that help seniors stay active, involved and rooted in their communities.
The Active Living Program in Thames Centre, coordinated by Karen Gress, is a valuable platform for seniors. Through a provincial grant in 2025, this program
was expanded to offer activities for seniors at the Thorndale Lions Community Centre, and its popularity continues to grow.
With it being Seniors Month in Ontario, the theme is “Let’s Get Moving.” Movement isn’t just physical – it’s social, being engaged, staying curious and being connected to community.
Community Liaison Committee
The next Community Liaison Committee Meeting will be held on Friday June 5th at 10am at the St Marys Municipal Operations Center. Members of the public who wish to observe are welcome to attend. Residents who wish to speak in front of the Committee may submit a detailed request in writing at least 3 days prior to the meeting in writing to the Committee. The request will be considered by the Committee and approved prior to the meeting. Please submit all requests, questions, and concerns for the meeting to kara.terpstra@vcimentos.com by June 3rd, 2026.
“The Active Living Program is important for the wellbeing of seniors,” said Gress. “It provides connection with others of similar age. That develops friendships, which creates a sense of belonging. There are volunteer opportunities that provide a sense of purpose, being part of a team.”
Gress explained exercise classes help improve strength, muscle tone and cardiovascular health, while Yoga and Tai Chi classes promote relaxation, awareness of body and mind, improve balance and strengthen core muscles. There are also opportunities to participate in pickleball, shuffleboard and curling.
Besides being physical, the social opportunities within the Active Living Program such as art classes, weekly afternoons playing euchre, movie afternoons, meal events, planned bus trips and weekly men and women’s coffee hours promote friendships and expand the worlds of seniors.
“We currently have 635 members in Thames Centre,” Gress said, “which give folks the member rate and privileges at both Thorndale and Dorchester centres.” She praised Dayna Barons, the active living assistant in Thorndale, calling her creative, organized, energetic and passionate about working with the 50-plus community.
Residents of Thorndale looking for a place “to get moving,” be creative and connect with others; this is the program for you.
Pictured from left are Murray Pink, Thorndale active living assistant Dayna Barons and Dick Nieuwland at the men’s coffee hour, which promotes conversations as the men chat about current affairs and past experiences, all while making new friendships.
(NANCY ABRA PHOTO)
NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
Brisket Dinner
Show
Tri-County Heritage celebrating 50 year anniversary
BEVERLY HUGHES
Contributed Article
The Tri-County Heritage Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
In 1975, local residents of Ilderton began preparing to celebrate their upcoming centennial celebrations in July of 1976. Collectors of antique farm equipment in Ilderton and surrounding counties were invited to bring their antiques to display at the event.
Because of the positive response, the idea of forming a collectors’ club in southwestern Ontario was raised. Meetings were held and by March 1976, William Stewart, the local MPP and Ontario’s minister of agriculture, presented the proposed club’s charter to the legislature, where it was passed.
On March 27, 1976, it was signed by Sidney B. Handleman, minister of consumer and commercial relations.
The Tri-County Heritage Club (representing surrounding areas including members from St. Marys) had officially been formed. Directors were elected and officers appointed.
The newly formed club put on an impressive antique machinery display at the Ilderton Centennial, including a threshing demonstration, a working sawmill and a variety of antique tractors, engines, cars and trucks.
In 1977, the Ilderton Fairgrounds and arenas were booked for holding their first Heritage and Antique Show on the same weekend in July as the centennial had been held. The turnout exceeded expectations. In addition to the annual show, members supported many fairs and events in Ilderton and surrounding communities. The membership continued to grow, and every July, the Heritage and Antique Show has been held at the Ilderton Fairgrounds.
Over the past 50 years, in addition to holding the an-
Howard William Worte, born on February 12, 1940, in Nissouri Township, Ontario, peacefully passed away on May 12, 2026, at St. Marys Hospital in St. Marys, Ontario.
A devoted farmer and a pillar of his community, Howard’s life was marked by a profound connection to the land and those around him. Howard was a farmer through and through. His dedication to caring for his cows and tending to his gardens was not merely a vocation but a vibrant expression of his love for nature and rural life.
A valued member of the Ayrshire Club and the Oxford Woodlot Club, he was also renowned locally as a big maple syrup producer—a title that spoke to his craftsmanship and commitment to preserving traditional practices. Born to George and Blanche Worte, Howard grew up in a family that nurtured strong bonds and a deep work ethic.
He is predeceased by his wife, Eunice Worte (Harkes) in 2020, whom he married in 1968. Together, they shared many years filled with love and partnership. Their children—Lynn Worte (Stephen Smith) of Uniondale, David Worte (Wendy) of Lakeside, and Donna Smith (Karl) of Thorndale—carry forward his legacy. Howard’s life’s joy was enriched further by his grandchildren Ryan Worte (Kady Billings), Raechel Boertien (Jared Boertien), Kaitlin Smith (Joel Curry), Emma Smith (Zach Burns), Mack Smith, Quinn Smith, Jack Smith, and Samuel Smith, and his great-grandchild Hailey Billings-Worte, who continue to be a testament to his enduring spirit. Howard also leaves behind his siblings Shirley (Harold) Hacon and Sharon Agla, as well as many in-laws including Holly Keizer, Cheryl McCall (George), Cindy Harkes, and Robert Harkes (Luanne). His extended family, including numerous nieces and nephews, remember him with fondness and respect. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Blanche Worte, his siblings Alvin, Linda, and Charles Worte, and his brothers-in-law Richard (Dick) Agla, and Bill Harkes, all of whom remain in his memory and inspire those who loved him. Howard William Worte’s life was one of dedication, warmth, and steadfast commitment to his family, land, and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and cherished as a man who lived his principles with quiet strength and open heart. His legacy will undoubtedly endure in the fields he tilled, the trees he nurtured, and the hearts of his family.
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, a Graveside Service will take place at Zion Cemetery, Cobble Hills Rd, at 1:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life at the Browns School House on the 13th Line, Zorra Township.
Donations can be made to Alzheimers, Cancer, or Diabetes Societies, St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital, or a charity of choice. Heartfelt thanks to the ER and hospital staff at St. Marys Memorial Hospital for the compassionate care they provided to Dad. Being cared for in our small community hospital, surrounded by familiar faces, brought great comfort to our family during this difficult time.
Personal condolences may be left online at www.brockandvisser.com
Ulch
Thank you to our family and friends for all the gifts, food, cards, phone calls, texts and visits following my fall and hip surgery.
To the Nursing Staff and the Physio gals at St. Marys Memorial Hospital, thank you for your patience and kindness and being firm with me so I would get walking again.
John Ulch
Looking Back
AMY CUBBERLEY Independent Columnist
Caddy Llama
25 years ago (2001)
There was celebration at the St. Marys Youth Centre last week following word of a $113,900 grant from the provincial government’s Trillium Foundation. Youth Centre Board Chair Bruce Barnes credited the Youth Centre board members who, along with Deb Hotchkiss, devised a detailed action plan and grant application.
BIRTHDAY
London Free Press sportswriter John Herbert used a llama named Ato as his caddy during a round of golf at River Valley Golf Course last week. The feature story appeared on the front page of last Saturday’s edition.
50 years ago (1976)
The estimated total cost of storm sewer construction work here in St. Marys during this summer and that of 1975 will reach a quarter of a million dollars.
A complaint came into the Journal Argus recently concerning a hole in the fence at the Quarry, south of Teddy’s Field. A check failed to reveal a hole but certainly any agile youngster could roll under the gap at the bottom or casually walk around the east end of the fence.
75 years ago (1951)
St. Marys retail stores will remain open until 9 pm on Saturday evenings starting this week and for the months of June, July, and August.
Al Curran, traveler for a well-known London paper house, who calls on the Journal Argus frequently, was the winner of the $50,000 dream house in Kitchener on May 24.
The Rotarians are working on plans for a filtration device at the Cadzow Park pool. If built, the water will not have to be changed as often, and the water temperature will be more favourable for swimming. The cold water has been one of the drawbacks at Cadzow Park since it was built. Rotarian Ralph Ainslie and his committee are investigating.
100 years ago (1926)
The McConnell Club, with their latest venture in the musical comedy world, “Fleurette”, certainly took the town by storm and jammed the Lyric Theatre on Thursday and Friday nights with the most enthusiastic audiences that ever greeted an amateur show here. It was one of the most amusing and certainly the most captivating productions that the McConnell Club has ever attempted.
St. Marys Collegiate Institute Cadet Company gained 83rd place with a percentage of 83.6 in the Winter rifle competitions of the Dominion Rifle Association.
CLASSIFIED ADS CLASSIFIED ADS
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 at 519-570-6920.
FOR SALE
Shade Trees; Maples, Oaks, Birch, Beech, Honey Locusts, Elms, Magnolia, Hydrangea Tree, Tulip Tree, Crab apples, Ivory Silk Lilac, Chanticleer Pear, Golden Weeping Willows and more. Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Nectarine, Blueberry, Haskap etc. Lots of healthy strong Spruce, Cedars and White Pine for your privacy hedges and windbreaks. Hundreds of flowering shrubs. Reg Hours: 7am- 6pm Mon-Sat at Martins Nursery c/o Emanuel Martin. 42661 Orangehill Rd., Wroxeter, ON
WANTED
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: Diamond Dogs Music 114 Ontario St. Stratford / 226-972-5750
Portable BBQ. Three small green propane tanks - $50. Call 226-661-0090
FOR SALE
1 Coffee Table and 2 End Tables, wrought iron, wood and slate tops, a must see. Selling for one third of what we paid new. $500 for the set. Phone 519-284-1087
FAMILY YARD SALE
Friday, June 5th from 2 pm - 7 pm Saturday, June 6th from 8 am - 12 pm
126 Glass Street, St. Marys Something for everyone!
Quilters Estate Garage Sale
All Proceeds to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth
SATURDAY JUNE 20 8 A.M.
Shakespeare Presbyterian Church (located at the lights in Shakespeare) Contact Linda for more information 519-272-7783
June 6, 2026 8:30am >> 1:00pm Milt Dunnell Field St. Marys, On St. Marys Horticultural Society
THE WEEK AHEAD
SPONSORED BY: McDonald’s St. Marys 752 Queen St. E., St. Marys Founding and Forever partner of Ronald McDonald House
PRC & Friendship Centre events – See the Stonetown Crier on Page 5
St. Marys Public Library events – See Page 30
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
- St. Marys Cement community liaison committee meeting at the MOC – 10 a.m.
- Royal Canadian Legion hot dog lunch at Noon
- Family yard sale at 126 Glass Street – 2-7 p.m.
- A.N.A.F. meat draw – 6 p.m.
- Friends of the Library Pride Family Festival & Movie in the Park at Cadzow Park – 6 p.m. Movie “The Princess Bride” starts at dusk
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
- Family yard sale at 126 Glass Street – 8 a.m. to Noon
- St. Marys Farmers Market at Milt Dunnell Field – 8 a.m. to Noon
- St. Marys Horticultural Society garden fair at Milt Dunnell Field – 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Downie Optimist Club bike rodeo at the PRC –10 a.m. to Noon
- Royal Canadian Legion meat draw – 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
- Legion bingo – Doors open 11:30 a.m., Early bird 12:45 p.m., Game time 1-4 p.m.
- Purple Hill Country Opry “Barn Dance Reunion Show” – 2 p.m.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
- St. Marys Gospel Hall two-week info session begins - 7:30 p.m. each night, Monday to Friday
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
- Royal Canadian Legion buddy check coffee –10 a.m. to Noon
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
- Friends of the Library social at the Library –6:30-8 p.m., Donation to the pantry appreciated
- St. Marys Museum event on “The Story of Ontario Architecture” – 7 p.m.
