Part of an effort to clean up the town’s west quarry, also known as the fishing quarry, with the goal of opening up recreational opportunities similar to those at the town’s swimming quarry, council recently endorsed a plan that includes the removal of the large concrete structures left behind by limestone-mining at the site.
At the Feb. 25 council meeting, councillors approved a recommendation by the town’s strategic priorities committee to have the removal of the concrete structures be presented during the town’s 2026 capital budget deliberations as part of an overall plan for revitalizing the west quarry.
“The issues (at the west quarry) all revolve around the historical-industrial use and the site not being properly cleaned up before it
Matthew Rae will once again be heading to Queen’s Park as Perth-Wellington’s MPP. He secured another decisive victory in the snap provincial election on Feb. 27.
At the Mitchell Golf and Country Club that evening, just minutes after major polls called his win, Rae thanked his supporters.
“The good people of Perth-Wellington and Ontario have made their voices heard,” Rae said. “They've chosen to re-elect a strong, stable, majority Conservative government in the Province of Ontario, a historic victory this evening for our Progressive Conservative Party. No premier has achieved three back-to-back majority governments and hopefully – fingers crossed, I know it’s early – an increased seat count.
“The night is still young,” he joked.
According to the unofficial election results from Elections Ontario, with 8,073 of 8,079 Ontario polls reporting, Rae’s last hope did not come true. The PCs won their third majority government with 80 seats. In the 2022 election, they won 83.
The Ontario NDP will be the official Opposition, securing 27 seats. The Ontario Liberal Party will have 14 seats, the Green Party of Ontario has two and an independent has one.
With 59 of 59 Perth-Wellington polls reporting their results, Rae secured 20,752 votes and 47 per cent of the vote, slightly up from when he was first elected to the legislature in 2022. That year, he secured 19,468 votes, over 10,000 more than the runner-up, the NDP candidate, Jo-Dee Burbach.
The runner-up this election is Liberal Ashley Fox with 12,547 votes, 28.42 per cent of the vote and nearly doubling her performance from
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
CONNOR
was handed over to the town,” St. Marys infrastructure services manager Jeff Wolfe said at the Feb. 18 strategic priorities committee meeting. “So, there’s a bunch of concrete and steel and then there’s these concrete structures that stick up out of the ground that were not addressed before the previous (owner) handed it over.
“In the early 2000s, the town lifted the proverbial rug and swept this underneath by putting a fence all the way around (the property). They said this site isn’t safe, let’s fence it off to prevent people from going in there. Obviously, that didn’t address any of the reasons for the issues, but since that time, we’ve regularly had problems with people cutting the fence to access these particular structures, so it’s constantly a maintenance item for us. Our insurer calls them “an attractive nuisance” where we as the property owner don’t really want people interacting with them, but they look kind of neat so people will go out of their way to climb the fence or cut the fence to go in and interact with them along the edge of the water.”
There are six tall concrete structures approximately 20 feet in height and several shorter structures, roughly four feet high, along the west embankment of the quarry. These supports were originally built as mining infrastructure used by the Thames Quarry Company to support bins that would top load crushed stone into railway cars. Wolfe said people climb the structures and jump off of them into the water.
A visual review of the concrete pillars on the west side of the quarry was conducted by structural engineers at B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd. last spring. They found the structures to be cracked and spalled, with openings now housing wildlife. The columns do not appear to be at risk of falling over, however continued deterioration could increase the risk of large sections falling away from the structures – a liability for the town should the quarry be opened up to the public.
Staff recommended four options for what to do with the concrete structures ranging from the complete removal of the structures at a cost of as much as $68,000 to patch-repairing the six tall pillars at an estimated cost of more than $330,000 to prevent pieces from falling
St. Marys cultural services manager Amy Cubberley noted that while the concrete structures are not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, they do have some heritage value and there would likely be some public backlash should council choose to remove them entirely. While Cubberley said the purpose of the taller structures is known, there is much less historical information on the purpose of the smaller structures other than they could have housed machinery of some kind.
“Could (the shorter structures) be used in some way to enhance the park like backing benches onto them or something that would still remain as part of the history but be something that’s not so onerous to maintain?” Coun. Fern Pridham asked during the committee meeting.
While Wolfe estimated the removal of just the taller pillars would cost between $20,000 and $25,000, and said the shorter structures are in better shape without as much risk for falling debris, Mayor Al Strathdee and other members of council spoke strongly in favour removing all the concrete structures.
“This area hasn’t been designated as a historical structure. … To me, it’s garbage,” Strathdee said. “Respectfully, it’s remnants from our industrial past and its stone is deteriorating. If we keep them,
we have to maintain them and I don’t see what they would add to the new vision of redeveloping the quarry. They’re stones; there’s stones all over town in different places.
“This is garbage, this is junk, this is stuff that was left behind, abandoned, and respectfully, I think if there was historical value, if there was something special there – and I know people are going to disagree with me – something would have been done in the past, but the reality is, if you have a good look at
these things, if we don’t do something, they’re going to fall down.”
Strathdee also pointed out the cost to have masons repoint and maintain structures like those at the west quarry would not be worth the value they would add to the site or the town as a whole.
Ultimately, the committee and later council agreed with the staff recommendation to remove the structures entirely as part of the plan for cleaning up the west quarry. This year, that plan includes water sampling and a depth scan at the west quarry, a parking study, the development of a landscape design and the preparation of a site-restoration budget. In 2026, landscaping and site-restoration work would begin in earnest, which will include the removal of the concrete structures.
“This isn’t happening immediately,” Coun. Rob Edney said at the committee meeting. “We approved this is the direction we’re going. … If someone can come forward with a case in that period of time to say the significance of these (structures) is so great that we have to find a way to maintain them, I am all ears.”
Pridham, who had to leave the committee meeting Feb. 18 before members voted on the removal of the structures, made it known at the Feb. 25 council meeting she was disappointed council wouldn’t consider maintaining the smaller structures as a tie-in to the quarry’s industrial past and voted against the committee recommendation.
Pictured are the six, 20-foot-tall concrete structures along the fence line at the west quarry in St. Marys.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
St. Marys Legion Branch 236 hosts Provincial Cribbage Tourney
WENDY LAMOND
Independent Reporter
St. Marys Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 had the honour of hosting 216 cribbage players on Saturday for the Provincial Cribbage Championship.
Teams travelled from all over including Cochrane, Bobcaygeon and Brampton with most coming to town on Friday evening for registration and fellowship.
The hosting honours went to the local club as it was won last year in Falconbridge by St. Marys members Darrell Gorvett, Dave "Bim" Graham, Grant Graham and Ray Hewitt, who then travelled to the national tournament in Shediac, N.B.
The tournament was to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but due to the stormy weather, it was delayed starting by about an hour. Each team of four were
qualifiers at their zone levels and each team played nine games with the victory and trophy going to Legion Club 142 Toronto with the highest score.
The winning team will now go on to the National Dominion Tournament in Whitby.
Though our St. Marys Branch did not have a team qualify, there was lots of help on hand to pull off an event of this size with very busy bartenders and a
busy kitchen team.
Having this many visitors to town is great for our community, as it supports businesses like Stone Willow Inn, The Westover, local restaurants and shops.
The Legion Branch 236 was a busy spot this past weekend with the cribbage tournament on Saturday and another successful Bingo event on Sunday.
A total of 216 qualifying members from all over Ontario came to St. Marys to participate in the tournament.
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTOS)
Legion members Tom Jenkins, Bim Graham, Vic Mansfield and Don Feeney were on hand at the Provincial Cribbage Tournament that St. Marys Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 hosted on Saturday.
EDITORIAL
When will the future matter?
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
In my second year of college, which started in the fall of 2018, I lived in a basement apartment with two roommates in Etobicoke, a not-too-shabby suburb of the Greater Toronto Area. This was right at the end of the Kathleen Wynne era, so Ontario, understandably, was fed up with the state the province was in under Wynne’s direction as premier.
What’s funny to me is, as I look back on that time, I could feed myself for about a week for, at most, half of what it costs now. Oh, and I paid $750 per month in rent.
Would anyone be willing to wager with me whether or not that exact same rental property would carry the same monthly price tag now?
Seven years later, not only has Premier Doug Ford outspent the spending-crazed Wynne government, he’s overseen and indeed willfully ignored hundreds-of-percentage-point increases to grocery prices and rental prices.
And no, those grocery prices haven’t gone up to offset increased costs. If that were true, the grocery chains would have the same profit margins proportionally to what they had in the years before the pandemic and inflation uptick. Their profit margins have skyrocketed. They are price-gouging people, but Doug is too busy drawing blueprints for a tunnel to care, I suppose.
More hospitals close earlier, fewer people can afford essentials and higher rates of crime, all while Premier Ford is planning his weekly temple massages at Ontario Place.
So, seeing two other major parties with freshly installed, new leaders, Ford calls an election to ensure they don’t have time to mount a year-long case against him under the guise of needing a strong mandate to stand up to an American
president who Ford is on tape saying he was happy won the American election.
He stands on a debate stage with all the smug arrogance he can muster and, for 90 minutes, dodges any mention of the $2.2 billion spa, his fetish with highways and his downright-absurd tunnel thing.
He talked about building more jails. Firstly, I wish he was as passionate about housing non-criminals as he evidently is about housing criminals. And secondly, if the only thing he has to deal with crime is more jails, that means he doesn’t expect the crime rate to go down, which means he has no intention of improving education, housing and mental-health services to stop people from becoming criminals in the first place.
He talked about building more hospitals. Great, more buildings that will close at dinnertime.
He touted how, under his watch, taxes haven’t gone up. Taxes haven’t gone up. Just rent and groceries. Thank goodness we’re not spending $100 more in taxes to hire teachers or pay nurses; we need that money so we can spend $2,000 more every month to not be homeless and hungry.
And the majority of this province said bring on more of all that.
I will never own a home as long as I live in Ontario, which at this rate, won’t be much longer. I probably won’t be able to afford to rent my own apartment in the next half decade. Not because I’m paid crumbs – my employer actually pays me a decent wage – but because to afford what should be the bare minimum in Doug Ford’s Ontario, you have to be making twice what I make every month.
My future, and the future of people 30 and under living in this dump of a province, absolutely sucks and it will continue to suck until we have a provincial government that has a remote interest in making life easier. Thanks a lot, Ontarians, and thanks a lot, Doug.
Bravo Boo
We have 4 Bravos this week.
1) A big bravo to the friendly and helpful staff at our local Canadian Tire Store for their help with a new key and door lock issue.
2) Bravo to the St. Marys Station Art Gallery and local schools for providing such uplifting works of art! It was wonderful to see all of the colourful, spring flower creations by very talented students!
3) Bravo to the staff and players of our St. Marys Lincolns! They are always pleasant and accommodating with fans. Go Lincs Go!
4) Bravo to everyone that stopped on Feb. 26 when I fell crossing Wellington Street and broke my ankle. To the gentleman who told me to squeeze his hand while I was waiting for the ambulance, I wish I had your name. To Wanda from Foodland who came out to see if she could assist. And especially to Haley who went above and beyond. You brought my shopping cart to the hospital and offered to stay with me if I wanted you. Also thank you to the EMTs, the doctors and the nurses of St. Marys hospital.
We have 1 Boo this week.
1) Boo to all the neighbours who leave their dogs outside barking day and night. We get it, dogs bark, but when your furry friends are left alone outside in the snow, cold, rain, or heat, it’s not only cruel to the animals but also inconsiderate to neighbours who have to listen to it. If they are standing at the door barking, let them in! It’s the compassionate thing to do for both the dogs and those living nearby.
Quote of the Week
"I will work with every level of government and every political stripe, because fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada, it will take a full team Ontario effort. It will take a full team Canada effort."
- Premier Doug Ford on election night after winning a third majority government
Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
June Grant, Nancy Bickell, Mary Smith, Nancy Abra, Lauren Eedy, Spencer Seymour, Sarah Cairns, Paul Knowles, Jake Grant, Julia Paul, Emily Stewart, McGinny Photography
36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@stmarysindependent.com | 519.284.0041 | granthaven.com
The St. Marys Independent THOUGHTS OF THE WEEK
One minute of patience could be worth ten years of peace.
Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone.
The more you dream, the more you achieve.
Out of the mountain of despair, is a stone of hope. Sponsored by:
Annual Secret Marathon 3K run to be hosted by GC Boyle Law Firm
GC BOYLE LAW FIRM
Submitted article
GC Boyle Law Firm invites you to its fourth-annual Secret Marathon 3K run in support of gender equality for runners everywhere.
The run is on March 8 and starts at 3 p.m. at GC Boyle Law Firm. Runners are welcome to wait inside the firm until the run begins.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome, from walkers to runners to those with mobility aids. Participants can also run with strollers or dogs. Entrants are asked to email admin@gcboyle.ca to confirm registration.
Post-run snacks and drinks will be provided at GC Boyle Law Firm.
The Secret Marathon is a movement inspired by Zainab, the first Afghan woman to run a marathon in Afghanistan, taking a stand against the country's unjust gender norms. This led running legend Martin Parnell to steadfastly support Zainab and her cause, vowing to run the Marathon of Afghanistan the following year.
He partnered with filmmaker and marathoner Kate McKenzie to train and run the marathon in secret for fear of making the marathon a target of terrorism. The whole story can be found in The Secret Marathon, a book by Parnell, as well as the documentary of the same name.
STONETOWN STONETOWN
CCRIER RIER
The latest municipal news from the Town of St. Marys
For more information on the Secret Marathon, visit thesecretmarathon.com.
Rae secures another decisive win, locking Perth-Wellington for PCs in Feb. 27 election
the 2022 election. NDP Jason Davis secured 5,580 votes, Green candidate Ian Morton secured 3,299, New Blue candidate James Montgomery secured 1,284, Ontario candidate Sarah Zenuh secured 458, and Freedom candidate Rob Smink secured 229.
The voter-turnout rate rose from last year’s 50 per cent ever so slightly. This year, 53.33 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.
Speaking with reporters after his win, Rae said his priority on Feb. 28 is to check in with local small businesses, chambers of commerce and other levels of government on the region’s plans to deal with the tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened.
The threat of tariffs was the reason why
Premier Doug Ford said he called the early election, arguing that his government needed a stronger mandate. When asked if the election was worth it, as the numbers trickled in that night showing no big changes in the legislature, Rae said that it was.
“The premier went to the people because it was necessary to hear from the people on something, as I mentioned in my remarks this evening, (that) is the greatest existential crisis our country’s, my opinion, facing since our founding –and it’s ensuring that we have a mandate, a strong, stable mandate, to outlast President Trump.”
The Library will feature their Period Pantry initiative on March 8, offering free feminine hygiene products to raise awareness On March 7 at 1 PM, there will be presentations from inspiring speakers at the Friendship Centre 519-284-3346
MARCH BREAK CAMP PRC
Say goodbye to boredom this March Break with Camp PRC!
From crafting masterpieces to actionpacked games and skating, the fun never ends at the Pyramid Recreation Centre Register online through ActiveNet today
townofstmarys.com/campprc or
Rae will join his colleagues from across Ontario in Toronto when Ford calls the 44th Ontario Parliament to session at a later date.
Register your pet as part of a “purr-fectly paw-some ” contest before March 31 for a chance to win a $50 gift card from Pet Valu! Registering your dog or cat with the Town ensures that they are returned to you if they ever stray from home This program provides free showers to those in need Showers are private, secure and accessible for individuals of all
We welcome your submissions for our weekly Senior of the Week. Please send a photo and a brief description to info@stmarysindependent.com and we will feature them in an upcoming issue.
If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, contact us at 519-284-0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.
MPP hopefuls vow to continue work even after election losses
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ian Morton of the Green Party of Ontario is disappointed – not with his own performance in the Feb. 27 election where he and other candidates lost to incumbent Matthew Rae of the PC Party of Ontario, but at the results as a whole.
“I don’t know why there's so many people voting for this government and this Conservative party that are experiencing so many difficulties,” Morton said the morning after the loss. “I don't feel like our MPP really represented the people of the riding very well at all, and yet he's getting … the same level of voting. So, it's pretty disappointing.”
That being said, Morton did say he was pleased with his own performance. Though he came in fourth with 3,299 votes, 7.47 per cent of all votes cast, it was growth for the Greens in Perth-Wellington. During the last election in 2022, then Green candidate Laura Bisutti netted 2,627 votes.
Morton has shared throughout the election cycle that his plans were to run long-term and to grow the Green Party steadily over many years and many elections. He said he is proud of himself and his team for running a good campaign and performing well in debates across the riding.
Jason Davis of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Ontario said he’d anticipated the results of the election leading up to when they started trickling in.
Though other parties saw increased support this year, the NDP’s support dropped dramatically. Davis secured 5,580 votes, 12.64 per cent of the vote, compared to when candidate Jo-Dee Burbach secured 9,170 votes and 22.04 per cent of the vote in the 2022 election.
This is the second year in a row that NDPs hemorrhaged votes. In 2018, candidate Michael O’Brien had 14,385 votes.
Davis had heard from numerous residents. While they told him they wanted to support the NDP, they were voting strategically this election in order to oust Rae and party leader Doug Ford from the legislature.
“The good thing that we had going for us, though, is that we had a lot of … Conservative voters contact us and say, ‘We're looking to make a change now because it's not like the current administration has been fiscally responsible in any way,’ and it was nice to have those conversations. Obviously, it wasn't enough.”
Although runner-up Ashley Fox of the Ontario Liberal Party lost to Rae by a wide margin of 8,205 votes, it was still a marked improvement over last election. Fox received 12,547 votes, 28.42 per cent of the electorate that cast a ballot this election. That is more than double what she got in the 2022 election, when she netted 6,708 votes.
“I had support across party lines, and that's amazing,” Fox shared. “That's amazing to be trusted with their vote, to be trusted to advocate for them. I'm absolutely so proud and even though the results are not exactly what we were expecting, you know, it's so rare to see across-party-line support. And that thrilled me, like absolutely thrilled me, because people did realize that we need a change.”
Morton, Davis and Fox said the voter turnout rate of 53.33 per cent was disappointing; however, Fox was the only one to point out a silver lining. It increased from 2022’s 50.09 per cent in a winter election, when turnout was expected to drop due to the weather conditions. It was also above the provincial average of 45.40 per cent.
Additionally, they thanked their supporters and said this won’t be the last Perth-Wellington hears from them. All said they will work over the next four years to hold this new government accountable.
Rae will return to Queen’s Park when Premier Ford calls the 44th Parliament of Ontario to session. Along with Morton, Davis and Fox, Rae beat James Montgomery of the New Blue Party (1,284 votes), Sarah Zenuh of the Ontario Party (458 votes) and Rob Smink of the Freedom Party of Ontario (229 votes) to secure his decisive win.
1. Which country has the highest life expectancy? 2. What is the most common surname in Canada?
3. How many minutes are in a full week? 4. What is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet? 5. How many dots appear on a pair of dice? 6. What is acrophobia a fear of?
7. December 26 is known by what name in Ireland?
8. Where would you be if you were standing on the Spanish Steps?
9. Which is the only continent with land in all four hemispheres? 10. What is the tallest type of tree?
By Jake Grant
“And I had those conversations with people,” Davis said. “I explained to them, ‘Hey, look, if the first thing that you care about is health care, I would suggest you vote for something instead of against. If your main concern is the affordability of housing, I would suggest that you vote for something instead of against.’ … But we knew it was coming. It was somewhat expected.
Community Liaison Committee
The next Community Liaison Committee Meeting will be held on Friday March 14 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 March 12th, 2024.
PRC condition assessment identifies as much as $2.8 million in capital projects over next decade
GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After staff and engineering consultants conducted the first-ever formal condition assessment at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) last year, town staff now have a prioritized list of as much as $2.8 million in needed capital upgrades at the PRC over the next decade.
At the Feb. 25 St. Marys council meeting, councillors voted to have staff update the town’s existing 10-year capital plan and asset-management plan based on the findings from the PRC building-condition assessment undertaken by the town and Artas Engineering & Design Inc. At the Feb. 18 St. Marys strategic priorities committee meeting, Artas managing partner and director of project management Brent Powers took councillors through the recommendations from the condition assessment, which did not include the PRC aquatics centre as it is currently closed until May for an estimated $2 million in unforeseen renovations and repairs.
“I will say I think (the PRC) is in fair to good condition,” Powers said at the committee meeting. “I think a lot of the main items have been addressed, being mechanical, lighting, efficiency. You’ve done a good job up to this point to protect that asset and make sure it’s operating as intended. There’s a few items that I think should be addressed within 10 years.”
As part of the assessment, Artas engineers conducted a visual review of the building envelope including walls, roof systems, foundation, floors and steel structures, and a review of existing conditions related to the Ontario Building Code, fire code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance. They also made recommendations to elevate existing conditions from previous building code and AODA compliance to current standards, and calculated the estimated lifecycle costs to complete all recommendations outlined in the report for asset-management-planning purposes.
Among the capital upgrades and replacements identified by the condition assessment, a number of major projects were identified as needing to be completed within the next five years. They include the replacement of the roof over the Friendship Centre, which is now 20 years old; the repaving of the PRC parking lot and assessment of underground infrastructure; the replacement of multiple rooftop exhaust fans that are now at the end of their lifespan; the replacement of rubber skater floors in the arena dressing rooms, the dressing-room entry corridors and ice rink access points; the replacement and rerouting of an asbestos-con -
taining Transite stormwater pipe over the Rock Rink; and the replacement of numerous doors throughout the facility.
The majority of the assessment's shortcomings centered on AODA compliance, including the need for parking-lot signage, pedestrian-vehicular transitions, barrier-free restrooms, braille signage and accessible seating among other items. At the time of construction or various updates at the PRC, the shortcomings identified in this assessment were not part of any codes and regulations at that point in time.
While many of these issues do not require updating, staff and the consultants said they should be part of a forecast to modernize the facility in the future.
“I see there’s $600,000 (in capital upgrades) listed for 2025,” Coun. Marg Luna said at the Feb. 18 committee meeting. “We’ve already passed our budget; is any of this in the budget? How are we going to follow this plan?”
“In this case, a lot of the items you see in the plan in front of you for 2025 are not in the 2025 approved budget,” St. Marys director of corporate services André Morin said. “We do have several items (identified in the assessment) in our current 10-year capital plan. So, the next step is for myself to work with (recreation operations manager Doug LaPointe) and his team to take a look at the report in front of you today and create our 10-year plan and slice that (up and figure out) how that’s going to happen and what needs to happen in 2025. If there is anything that needs to happen in 2025, (we would) bring something back that would have to be approved (by council).”
Otherwise, Morin said staff would determine when each of the identified projects can happen over the next 10 years.
Some projects, he explained, like the roughly $900,000 in roofing work needed at the PRC, are included in both the condition-assessment recommendations and the town’s current 10-year capital plan.
“The challenge is,” Morin continued, “what we’re seeing today is (that roofing work) is at the upfront – 2025-2028 – whereby in our plan, we had (that work) in 2030-2032. So, I think that’s going to be where the challenge is for us. It’s not going to be necessarily the total (cost) amounts. We’ve accounted for a lot of it. … The challenge is going to be from a timing perspective; what can we move forward, what can we move backwards, where’s the funding going to come from? I think that’s the next step.”
Once staff integrate the results of the building-condition assessment into the town’s 10-year capital plan, council will have the opportunity to review the new plan for the PRC as part of 2026 budget deliberations in the fall.
Stonetown Heritage Festival to feature old favourites and new programming
EMILY STEWART Independent Reporter
The St. Marys Stonetown Heritage Festival has lots of activities in store this year, from beloved, historical tours to new musical acts.
The annual Stonetown Heritage Festival will run from July 11-13. The free event will feature a variety of activities that highlight the arts, culture and history of St. Marys such as historical walking and bus tours, live music and a carfree core.
“The heritage festival is a beloved event for the community but also an opportunity to attract visitors to experience our striking architecture, unique shops and services and rich history,” town events coordinator Morgan Easton told the Independent. “Celebrating St. Marys heritage is also celebrating the entrepreneurship that developed this community from the Eaton family to early architects.”
The historical walking tours and bus tours have been the most popular activity among attendees of the
Stonetown Heritage Festival in the past.
“There is great interest in our local history,” Easton said.
For the second year in a row, the festival will be focusing on arts, culture and history. Easton said the focus and new additions to the festival are among the revised Stonetown Heritage Festival recommendations.
“We are excited to feature a variety of new musicians and, based on feedback from last year's experience, we aim to offer more activities around the dinner hour to enhance the festival experience for attendees,” she said.
Easton also said the vendor-application period will be announced soon, so anyone interested in selling their wares at the Stonetown Heritage Festival should keep an eye out.
All information and updates can be found by visiting www.discoverstmarys.ca/en/see-and-do/stonetown-heritage-festival and through the Town of St. Marys Facebook and Instagram pages.
FARM FOR SALE BY TENDER ZORRA TOWNSHIP
Property: PT RDAL BTN LT 35 AND LT 36 CON 14 EAST NISSOURI CLOSED BY 506354; PT LT 35 CON 14 EAST NISSOURI AS IN 503024; DESCRIPTION MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE IN FUTURE AS IN 503024; ZORRA (PIN: 00206 -0029 LT)
Municipal Address: 297131 29th Line, St. Marys, Ontario.
Total of 103 acres including approximately 10 acres of bush and 88 workable acres, systemically tiled
Buildings include a beautiful 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home, 2 garages with one having infloor heat. The property has a large pond, inground pool, hot tub and an outdoor fire pit area.
Tenders will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on April 2, 2025
Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
For tender forms contact: Monteith Ritsma Phillips
Professional Corporation Barristers and Solicitors
Attention: Andrew Phillips
6 Wellington Street, P. O. Box 846
Stratford, ON N5A 6W3
Phone: 519-271-6770 ext. 2226
154B Ontario Road, P. O. Box 608
Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0 Phone: 519-348-8112
Email: phillips@stratfordlawyers.com
Nominations will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on March 18, 2025 at Town Hall (175 Queen St. E) The Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board is currently accepting nominations from members of the BIA to fill a vacancy for the remainder of the 2022 - 2026
Soon, residents and visitors of St. Marys will be dancing in the streets to celebrate the town’s arts, culture and heritage during the Stonetown Heritage Festival. The event will run from July 11-13.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF ST. MARYS)
It’s almost time to change your clocks!
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
Clocks will be turning back on March 9 and the St. Marys Fire Department would like to encourage all residents to install new batteries in their smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms when changing their clocks.
“In order for smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms to be effective, they need to be maintained properly,” said chief fire prevention officer Brian Leverton. “At least once a year, old batteries should be replaced in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Even better, replace your alarm batteries when the clocks change. It’s an easy way to save your life.”
In a fire-related emergency, smoke alarms are essential for providing an early warning to the occupants in the building. A smoke alarm will quickly notify residents of a fire and give them enough time to evacuate the building safely. Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and outside of all sleeping areas. For added protection, the St. Marys Fire Department recommends smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms be installed inside all bedrooms.
Carbon-monoxide alarms provide early detection of carbon monoxide in the home. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that could cause serious harm to any occupants who are exposed. These alarms must be installed outside of all sleeping areas if the home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
Tampering with or removing the batteries of smoke or carbon-monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Ontario Fire Code can result in a ticket of up to $360 or a fine of up to $50,000.
Remember, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms are only effective if they are working! When the clocks change, take the extra step to keep family and loved ones safe. It could save a life. For more information, contact Leverton at 519 284 2340 ext. 301.
St. Marys’ chief fire prevention officer Brian Leverton. Zanya Kaczmarek from Glo Hair Salon and Chelsea Smith, a fire inspection and fire safety education student at Fanshawe College are encouraging locals to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms when they change their clocks for the spring forward time change March 9.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Who is the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary?
very important to support the hospital system.
Meet members Kate Graham and Brenda Follis.
Graham, who is one of the newer members of the auxiliary, joined in 2022 not long after the group was able to start up again after the COVID-19 shutdown. She has had very positive, personal experiences with both the hospital and clinic.
“I love our hospital and the health care here and want to do anything I can to keep and support the hospital,” she said. Graham volunteers in the Hospital Boutique and is our valued and unflappable cashier at many of our fundraising events!
Follis, also one of our newer members, moved to St. Marys four years ago and knew she wanted to get involved in her new community. She has a background in health services, so the auxiliary was a perfect fit.
Follis is a backup volunteer at the Hospital Boutique, happily contributes her baking for the auxiliary bake sales and is an active and engaging patient-support volunteer for inpatients. She enjoys the flexibility of the group and feels it’s
“We’ve got something extraordinary here,” she said.
The auxiliary was very appreciative to receive another donation of stuffies from Jackson’s Guardian Pharmacy. When volunteers working in the Hospital Boutique see little ones fussing in the ER waiting room, giving them a little stuffed animal goes a long way towards soothing their tears.
The auxiliary’s 2024 fundraising goal was reached, which enabled the purchase a SCIFIT Step One recumbent stepping machine for the hospital. St. Marys was the only hospital in the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance family without this piece of equipment, and now we have one!
And as promised, the excess funds raised on Giving Tuesday were directed to express appreciation for our healthcare staff. Reusable shoppers filled with snacks were distributed to each staff member at both the hospital and clinic. For updates on fundraising events or to become a volunteer, follow the auxiliary on Facebook at The Boutique at St. Marys Memorial Hospital or email smmhauxiliary@gmail.com.
St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary members Kate Graham and Brenda Follis.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARYS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY)
JANIS FREAD
Contributed article
A new engine rolls into the Station Gallery SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE
JIM GILES
Independent Columnist
Edited by Alice Rixson
Curators are responsible for locating and selecting pieces of art, researching their subject matters, organizing and managing exhibitions and sharing their insights with patrons. While artists tend to be in the limelight, curators work behind the scenes to advance the way art is viewed, understood, and appreciated.
Since its celebrated opening in 2016, the Station Gallery has hosted a vibrant mix of acclaimed and emerging artists’ expositions under the direction of retiring curator Cameron Porteous. After an extensive search for a replacement, Duncan MacDonald, who comes from the Niagara area, takes over in January 2025.
“The biggest challenge I see is filling the shoes of Cameron Porteous,” acclaims MacDonald. “He has done such a wonderful job at championing art in St. Marys. My goal is advance his legacy, and build from it.”
MacDonald is a Canadian contemporary artist, curator, and professor. His artworks have been exhibited in numerous venues and festivals throughout the world including Paris Nuit Blanche in France, the Tahrir Cultural Center in Egypt, and the Cambridge Galleries in southern Ontario, to name just a few.
He studied at York University in Ontario and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, focusing on interdisciplinary studio practice and sound. This is a form creative expression where artists apply at least two different approaches to their works. It often involves a combination art and technology, typically digital in nature.
MacDonald is the recipient of distinctions, awards and grants such as a Danish international visiting artist residency and the Canada Council Paris Studio. Between 2018 and 2021, he worked on a large-scale research project entitled MASR: Research in Modern and Contemporary Egyptian Art, and acted as Director of the Visual Arts program at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Prior to his Egyptian appointment, he was an associate Professor of Fine Visual Arts at Brock University in Ontario.
“I have taught art for nearly 20 years in academia, about 30 different 15-week courses in studio art and art history. Most recently, I taught art in Cairo where I also acted as head of a large university gallery for
five years,” says MacDonald. “Beyond teaching and running galleries, I have served as director of university departments, so I have a huge amount of administrative experience.“
MacDonald is eager to assume the helm at the Station Gallery. “I am excited to get to know the local artists,” he states, and he sees a lot of talent in St. Marys and its surrounding regions. He is keen to connect them to people in his cultural network, and to help create opportunities for them locally and beyond. He also wants to fashion strong exhibitions that highlight the considerable talent found in the area.
MacDonald grew up in
Soulstice Collective Market to be held March 15
Submitted article
We’re thrilled to introduce you to the Soulstice Collective, a community-centered movement founded by Sammy Thompson and Kate Warren, united by their shared passion for fostering connection, healing and empowerment.
Soulstice Collective was born out of the desire to create a space where individuals at all stages of their wellness journey can come together, explore holistic products and services, and feel inspired to take control of their health in
ways that resonate with them.
This is our very first market and we are so excited to welcome you!
Come support local businesses, meet people within the community and maybe treat yourself to some amazing products and services.
Event details:
The admission is free. Yes, free!
When: Saturday, March 15
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: St. Marys Golf and Country Club (in the ballroom)
Facebook: The Soulstice Collective
Instagram: @thesoulsticecollective
a small town in Eastern Canada with virtually no art community. It was his main reason for leaving the area. “I see the Arts as a kind of clear sign of the strength and vision of a community in general,” MacDonald claims. “If you have a strong Arts community, you have a healthy community.” He feels that the Station Gallery is a beacon to people who think a little differently, who like to dream, and who value not only what people express, but how they do it. He adds that a gallery is a space in which to admire art, to provoke discussion, to challenge notions, to debate, to talk about what is important to a community, and to relate this to history.
MacDonald has an ambitious vision for the upcoming years. “My first goal is to get the art education side of things up and running. I want to have our space filled with people eager to learn more about art, and to create an atmosphere of creativity and inclusivity. It doesn’t matter if someone is brand new to any discipline in art, or if they are a seasoned pro. I want people to feel welcome, to learn, grow, and expand their abilities and ideas surrounding art. I will be curating a number of exhibitions beyond the educational side.” He also hopes to bring some juried exhibitions to St. Marys.
MacDonald plans to develop ongoing series of art education workshops in drawing, watercolour, painting, photography, and animation. He wants to share his knowledge and experience with all age groups.
“I can imagine an annual art competition of sorts, something I like to call The Art Olympics,” he says. He would also like to feature international artists and show their works alongside local artists to create conversations about art and culture. “These are just a few of the things I want to bring to St. Marys,” he says. To learn more, visit his website at duncandmacdonald.com.
Please send comments and proposed topics for Arts articles to - smindependentarts@gmail.com
After having their 18-game winning streak snapped on Feb. 23, the St. Marys Lincolns scored 19 goals in two games to get back in the win column against the Komoka Kings and London Nationals.
Many of the Lincolns’ top stars enjoyed offensive success in the team’s 10-0 thrashing of the Komoka Kings on Feb. 28, including Chase MacQueen-Spence, who scored the game’s first goal fiveand-a-half minutes into the first period. The goal, MacQueen-Spence’s 25th of the year, gave the Lincs’ assistant captain goals in eight of his last nine games.
Lincoln Moore and Cohen Bidgood also scored before the end of the first, giving the Lincolns a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
At the 14:13 mark of the second stanza, Jaden Lee made history when he scored his sixth shorthanded goal of the season, surpassing the single-season shorthanded goals record of five set by Sean Consitt in the 2009-2010 and 2012-2013 seasons. Lee’s linemate, Luca Spagnolo, also tied Consitt’s record when he recorded his fifth shorthanded goal earlier this year.
Moore added his second of the game a few minutes later to make it 5-0, with Owen Voortman extending the Lincolns’ lead to six goals.
Through 40 minutes, the Lincolns had outshot the Komoka Kings 42-10 thanks in part to a strong focus defensively. Head coach Jeff Bradley credited the return of assistant coach Mike Herman for helping the team have a strong showing in their own zone.
“The fact that Mike (Herman) is back here full-time now is huge for our team,” said Bradley. “We want to make sure guys are getting up to speed on the back end with his style and the way Mike and our team want to play when the playoffs roll around. Seeing someone like Ben (Randall) get a chance to play, or the guys who haven’t worked with Mike too much before, it was good to see those adjustments being made with Mike back behind the bench.”
Three minutes and 56 seconds into the third frame, Noah VandenBrink finished off a great give-and-go with Quinn Gavin-White. Just seven seconds later, Voortman ripped a shot home for his 26th of the campaign. Lee added anoth -
er shorthanded goal later in the third to add to his newly set record before Moore completed the hat-trick for his 27th of the season.
The sharp disparity between the topranked Lincolns and last-placed Kings made it difficult to determine where the Lincolns’ skills began and the Kings’ lack of high-end ability stopped. However, according to Bradley, the team still managed a solid effort.
“We're in the process of trying to prepare for an undetermined playoff opponent, even though we can’t move up or down in the standings. The goal right now is just to make sure our game is in order, but it’s somewhat tough to judge if we made a ton of progress in that game. It’s not that Komoka wasn’t trying, but it’s a tough game for us to take a lot from. But I think we built a bit of chemistry and confidence, so those were positives.”
In addition to his first-period goal, MacQueen-Spence added a trio of assists. Spagnolo, Ethan Coups and Ryan Hodkinson also picked up three helpers. Gavin-White and Ryder Livermore each tallied two assists.
Making 18 saves in the shutout bid was Colby Booth-Housego and, in doing so, he tied the Lincolns’ franchise records for shutouts in a single season, six, and
career shutouts, eight, both set by Bryan Hince.
“By the end of his career, depending on how long he plays here, Colby (Booth-Housego) could go down as one of the best goalies in St. Marys Lincolns’ history stats-wise,” Bradley said. “He’s a cornerstone of this organization and hopefully will be for years to come, and he deserves everything he gets.”
Lincs trounce undisciplined Nats 9-3
The Nationals’ team that traded goals with the Lincolns in the first period on March 1 did not seem like the same group that came fully and truly undone in the third period and frittered away any hope of making a comeback.
However, in a game that began with a powerplay goal by VandenBrink just one minute and 18 seconds into the opening period, it ended with a double-minor for kneeing, a major for a dangerous hit from behind by Luke McSorley and two game misconducts.
Nationals’ head coach Brandon Prust got ejected during the final period as well.
Bradley and his squad, meanwhile, stayed focused on actually playing the game they had come to play.
“We have a big picture in mind and I don't think London did,” Bradley said. “We’re not playing to beat the Lon -
don Nationals right now. We’re playing against ourselves and because of that, it doesn’t serve us to let our emotions get in the way. London showed what happens when you do that. Giving up 11 powerplays and three goals cost them the game, so that’s not something we want to do to ourselves.”
Just eight minutes and 28 seconds into the first period, the two teams had gone back and forth finding the back of the net with the score sitting at 3-2 in the Lincolns’ favour. London tied the game at three apiece with around four and a half minutes left in the period. Spagnolo and Jacob McLellan joined VandenBrink in scoring for St. Marys in the first. While their offensive play was clicking, the Lincolns’ were far from perfect on the defensive side during the first. However, the bench boss was pleased with the team’s progression as the game went along.
“I didn't like our first period. I thought we mismanaged the puck quite a bit and made some pretty costly errors in the first period. It is somewhat understandable; we haven’t played a ton of meaningful hockey as of late, while London is a talented team who is still fighting for something. But as the game went along, we got much better and by the end, we were pretty happy with our game.
“We looked at video in the intermission and our message was that the way we were playing was unacceptable,” continued Bradley. “We were doing things that went against what we had talked about in our pregame meeting. But, credit to the players, they listened to what we said and they went out and did what we asked. This is a smart group who care and work hard, and after the first, they went out and executed.”
In the second, Hodkinson drove to the front of the net and whacked a loose puck through the five-hole of Nats’ goalie Casimir Weckström for his 17th of the year. Coups followed that up with a point shot that bounced through a maze of bodies before hitting the back of London’s net and giving Coups points in nine of his last 10.
Owen Kalp assisted on both goals in the second period, which gave the native of Chatham points in six of his last seven games.
In the third, Bidgood buried his ninth of the season, while Moore extended his
Ryan Hodkinson whacks a loose puck by London Nationals’ goaltender Casimir Weckström, scoring the eventual game-winning goal during the St. Marys Lincolns’ 9-3 victory over the London Nationals on March 1. Hodkinson totalled four points in the Lincolns’ back-to-back wins over the Kings and Nationals.
(TURNER ROTH PHOTO)
Lincs bounce back with offensive explosions
goal streak to four straight games.
VandenBrink, who received player-ofthe-game honours and was marvelous for the Lincolns, completed a threepoint night with the team’s third powerplay marker of the contest and his second goal on the man advantage.
Bradley praised VandenBrink for what was arguably his best game of the season.
“Noah (VandenBrink) was unbelievable. In every way, he was outstanding. He was great on the powerplay. We’ve been preaching about shift lengths and he was taking well-timed shifts. We’re preaching about having a responsible forward high in the offensive zone, and he is incredibly responsible. He’s a great leader. Him getting to the net led to the goal by Ethan (Coups). Noah has always been a big-game player for this organization. When the chips are down, he’s there.”
With one minute and nine seconds left, the Nationals misfired the puck from behind their own net, causing an own-goal that was credited to defence -
U9
LL
man Ian Gedney. While not exactly the most skillful goal of the night, Gedney was also credited by his head coach for his back-to-back performances against Komoka and London.
“Ian (Gedney) had two really good games this weekend for us. He kept it simple and he started looking a bit more comfortable. You could tell at times that he didn’t want to make mistakes on the ice, so we had been urging him to just go play and have some fun. He did that this weekend and he looked really good on the blueline for us.”
Spagnolo added three assists to his one goal while Coups, Lee, McLellan, Moore and Voortman all finished with two-point games. Booth-Housego earned another win in between the pipes and, on March 3, Booth-Housego and MacQueen-Spence were named players of the month by the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL).
The Lincolns went to London on March 5 after the Independent’s press time and will end their regular season schedule on March 7, hosting the high-powered Chatham Maroons.
Boys White take silver at Lefroy tournament
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
St. Marys Independent
U12 Snipers help Newmarket Stingrays win first game of season
(CONTRIBUTED
Owen Voortman gets a wrap-around chance during the St. Marys Lincolns’ 10-0 win on Feb. 28 against the Komoka Kings. In the Lincolns’ pair of games against Komoka and London, Voortman recorded two goals and five points.
(TURNER ROTH PHOTO)
The Stonetown Electric U9 LL Boys White St. Marys Rock captured a silver medal at the Feb. 28 to March 2 Year-End Tournament in Lefroy. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Marcus Horenberg, Mason Krauskopf, Mac McCarthy, Logan Bickell, and Elijah Campbell. In the middle row, from left, are Reiner DeBoer, Will Graham, Gibson Rumble, Willem Essing, Nate Campbell, Sawyer Graham, Tony Fluttert, and Nico Sicilia. In the back row, from left, are Brett Graham, Chris Rumble, Matt McCarthy, and Brett Bickell.
Pictured from left to right are Peyton Foley, Kenzie Shackleton, Chelsea Hughes, and Briella Graham. The four members of the U12 St. Marys Snipers turned into saviours for the Newmarket Stingrays on March 1, temporarily suiting up for the Stingrays who otherwise couldn’t bench a team in their game against the London Lynx. The four Snipers-turned-Stingrays didn’t just help Newmarket play the game, but helped them achieve their first win of the season.
PHOTO)
DCVI nordic ski team has strong OFSAA showing
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Independent Sports Reporter
The St. Marys DCVI nordic ski team travelled to Sudbury Feb. 20-21 to compete at OFSAA and returned with a strong slate of results that included five top-10 individual finishes.
In the junior girls’ event, Lily Hollestelle-Black shot off the starting line as she made her OFSAA debut. Holly Black’s dedicated training paid off as she had an incredible race and a confident lead to the junior team relay. Alanna Savile pushed through the pain to an impressive 32nd, while Regan Jones’ technique helped land her in 27th. Charlotte Richardson earned the strongest finish amongst the junior girls from DCVI, placing ninth. DCVI’s junior girls also had a strong performance in the relay event, finishing seventh.
The junior boys team came ready to race with Graeme Froud hitting the course with confidence, Ethan Henderson racing hard in both individual and relay races, and Reid Watson making huge gains throughout the season to land a spot in the top 40. Zach Matheson owned the hills on the course, leading him to break the top 20, and Nic Brintnell earned a ribbon as he raced to an impressive fourth-place finish.
Experience was evident in DCVI’s senior girls’ representatives, with Anna Ropp skiing in her last OFSAA and leaving it all on the course. Bailey Ross finished her season with one of her best races ever. Ropp and Ross ended their career as Salukis skiers demonstrating leadership, dedication and determination.
The senior boys team saw huge success with both relay teams qualifying
for the finals and finishing sixth and eighth. St. Marys was the only school to have two teams qualify for the relay finals.
Lucas Binning showed he was there for more than just an experience, skiing to help his team qualify for the relay final. Trevor Aarts left it all on the course and Hayden Brintnell showed tremendous grit. Oliver Black’s technique carried him to a top-30 finish and Colton Henderson’s style helped him clinch 26th. Experienced skiers Griffin McGregor and Myles Clinton landed in 17th and 18th respectively, while Trevor Richardson and Owen Littlejohn both finished in the top 10. Nate Schiedel headlined the crop as he came in fifth.
Rachel Hendriksen, coach of the DCVI’s nordic-ski team, credited the team’s senior members for guiding the team to a strong OFSAA performance.
“We have an experienced senior boys team and two very dedicated senior girls, and their leadership was really apparent,” Hendriksen told the Independent. “The rookie skiers definitely benefited from the seniors' leadership as well as the knowledge shared by the coaches and the ability to train all winter.”
Hendriksen also said the entire team was able to progress more consistently than in recent memory thanks to more favourable weather conditions.
“For the first time in the past few years, we have had enough snow to continuously train all season. The improvements in the skier's technique were really incredible. We had some amazing community coaches and volunteers, including alumni DCVI skiers who really helped our skiers find confidence and make gains in their racing.”
Pictured from left are Trevor Richardson, Oliver Black, Lucas Binning and Colton Henderson, members of DCVI’s second senior boys’ relay team, which placed eighth at OFSAA. DCVI was the only school to send more than one team to the relay finals. Individually, Richardson rounded out a trio of top-10 finishes in the senior boys division for St. Marys.
Pictured from left are Nic Brintnell, Ethan Henderson, Zach Matheson and Reid Watson who, along with Graeme Froud, competed in the junior boys’ category. Brintnell secured the highest individual place among all of DCVI’s skiers at OFSAA, finishing fourth.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Pictured from left to right are Hayden Brintnell, Owen Littlejohn, Myles Clinton and Griffin McGregor. The four, along with Nate Schiedel, made up the St. Marys DCVI senior boys’ relay team that finished sixth at the Feb. 20-21 OFSAA Nordic-skiing event in Sudbury. Schiedel captured fifth in the senior boys’ individual race, while Littlejohn took eighth.
Pictured from left are Regan Jones, Holly Black, Charlotte Richardson and Alanna Savile. The quartet represented DCVI and captured seventh in the junior girls’ relay race at OFSAA. Richardson finished ninth in the individual junior girls’ competition.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
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The St. Marys Lincolns’ Alumni Group honoured five teams (2005 to 2010) on March 1 at the PRC. Some of the members of those teams toured the newly-renovated Lincs’ dressing room. Pictured from left to right are Nathan Peacock, Alumni Group president Scott Graham, Dave Chessell, Justin Salt, Bill Bourne, Merlin Malinowski, Tyson DeJong, Josh McDonald, Mike Bannerman, and Jordan King.
Lincolns’ Alumni Group president Scott Graham was one of four men who spoke at Saturday’s reunion event at the PRC. In a great address, Graham outlined the goals of the Alumni Group and reasons why they honour Lincs’ teams from their storied past. The teams honoured racked up an impressive 160 regular season wins, and the Alumni Group has been incredibly helpful in the Lincolns’ dressing room renovation project.
are Mike Bannerman, Nathan Peacock, Josh McDonald, Justin Salt, Bill Bourne, Tyson DeJong, Dave Chessell, Jordan King, and coach Merlin Malinowski. The Lincs’ Alumni Group also sponsored Saturday’s game between the Lincolns and London Nationals.
and
the Lincolns’ best coaches in franchise
Peacock was league scoring champion in 2005-06, the first Lincoln to win a league scoring title in 30 years.
Merlin Malinowski, left,
Nathan Peacock, of Tillsonburg, warmly greet each other at Saturday’s Alumni reunion event at the PRC. Malinowski coached all five Lincs’ teams who were honoured on March 1 and was one of
history.
(PAT PAYTON PHOTO)
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Four SKC students win medals at provincial champs
The Stonetown Karate Centre (SKC) was well-represented at the Ontario Provincial Martial Arts Championships on Feb. 22 in Burlington, with four students combining for a trove of seven medals.
Leading the way was Sensei Jalyne Lorentz, who captured gold medals in traditional forms and traditional weapons, along with a silver in creative weapons in the 18+ women’s black belt division. Lorentz also prevailed as her division’s overall grand champion.
Lorentz also attended the Karate Ontario Elite Tournament on Feb. 23, finishing first in the U12 division and second in the 16+ category.
Back at the provincial martial-arts championships, Shannon Campbell, competing in the 35+ women’s advanced division, earned a gold in traditional forms and a bronze in point sparring.
In the 35+ men’s novice group, Geoff
Holdsworth took the top prize in traditional weapons. Marieke Van Lierop added a silver medal in the 15-17 girls’ black belt division’s traditional-weapons competition.
Sensei Jeremy Lorentz expressed pride in yet another strong tournament showing by his local students as they build momentum for the March 22 STK Master of the Ring Martial Arts Tournament being hosted at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys.
"As we approach our Master of the Ring Martial Arts tournament we’re hosting next month, we couldn’t be more proud of our students and their dedication,” said Jeremy Lorentz. “They’ve been training relentlessly, perfecting their katas and weapons, sharpening their point-sparring skills and building the mental toughness needed to compete at their best. We have no doubt that each of them will step onto the mat with confidence and represent our dojo with honour."
Stratford teams prevail at Wellington Bonspiel
Pictured from left to right are Geoff Holdsworth, Shannon Campbell, Marieke Van Lierop and Sensei Jalyne Lorentz. The four Stonetown Karate Centre (SKC) students combined for seven medals at the Ontario Provincial Martial Arts Championships on Feb. 22 in Burlington.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
With two full draws and a strong contingent from both St. Marys and Stratford, the Wellington Brewery Bonspiel was a smashing success on Saturday at the St. Marys Curling Club. The winners of Draw 1 were Team Aitcheson. Pictured above left, skip Evan Aitcheson intensely surveys the stone thrown by Trevor Caven as sweepers Brian Aitcheson and Taylor Yantzi are poised with their brushes. Winning Draw 2 was another Stratford-based team, that of Team Malcho. Pictured above right, skip Rob Malcho delivers his stone accompanied by teammates Jason Malcho and Craig Pearce, while Mike Elliott holds the broom off-camera. The St. Marys Curling Club thanks all for participating including those who made the short drive from Stratford to create some exciting rivalry games with the Stonetown squads. Many thanks are also extended to the event’s sponsors: Wellington Brewery, Delmar Foods, and Teahen Construction.
(STEWART GRANT PHOTOS)
Dr. Michael Nixon, Dr. Karl Weselan and Dr. Reem Amayem
Thursday, March 6, 2025 19
Brought to you by your local
84 Wellington Street South St. Marys, ON (519) 284-1690
Ashton Ropp advances the puck up the ice during the St. Marys Buick-GMC U10 A Boys St. Marys Rock game last Wednesday.
Sam Richardson fires a shot during last Wednesday’s Cubberley Plumbing, Heating, and Air U13 LL Boys Red St. Marys Rock game.
Jenna Gooder chases down a loose puck during the Sam’s Home Hardware U15 B Girls St. Marys Rock game last Saturday.
Chloe Phillips lines up for a faceoff with her hands skillfully reversed during last Wednesday’s Veterinary Purchasing U15 C Girls St. Marys Rock game.
Isabella Fluttert skates the ring through the offensive zone for a scoring opportunity during this past Sunday’s U14 St. Marys Snipers (Graham) game.
Delaney McKay carries the puck down the wing during the Hubbard Pharmacy U18 C Girls St. Marys Rock game this past Monday.
(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
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(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)
Property tax rates and municipal levies, what is the difference?
In the last column, we discussed MPAC and property assessments. This week, we will discuss another piece of the municipal property tax puzzle — the municipal levy.
Before we go any further, let’s define a key term: the levy. Simply put, a levy is the total amount of money a municipality needs to function. Think of it as the community’s shared bill for essential services like roads, parks and emergency services.
Municipalities can generate revenue in a variety of ways, including grants, service charges, investment dividends, or everyone's favourite, taxes. When municipal expenses rise —whether due to inflation, salary increases, or new projects — so does the municipal levy.
The tax rate is calculated by dividing the total municipal levy by the total MPAC-assessed value of all properties. This means any increase in the levy usually leads to higher property taxes.
However, the municipal levy is more complex than this basic formula suggests. In a single-tier municipality such as St. Marys, property taxes consist of three components: the lower-tier tax rate, the MSSC fees and the education tax rate. Let's break this down further.
First off, there are three types of municipalities in Ontario. Single-tier municipalities operate directly under the province without an additional layer of local government. Examples include The City of Toronto and the City of Ottawa.
While geographically located within Perth County, the Town of St. Marys is known as a separated municipality. St. Marys is fully independent from the county. They do, however, cooperate
under the Municipal Shared Services Committee (MSSC). The town pays the county to provide and administer paramedic services and the Stratford-Perth Archives.
More commonly, municipalities operate in a two-tier system. In this setup, there is an upper-tier municipality that covers a large geographic area and multiple lower-tier municipalities. The Township of Perth South operates in this system with its respective upper-tier municipality of Perth County.
Upper tiers are responsible for large regional roadways, social services and a county/region-wide paramedic service. Lower tiers, by contrast, handle local roads, fire services, land-use planning and tax collection. While some responsibilities overlap, each level of government has its own budget and tax rate, forming the municipal portion of property taxes.
The final piece of this property tax pie is the provincial education rate. This rate is established by the provincial legislature and is applied equally across every residential property in
Ontario. The power to set an education tax rate was stripped from local school boards in 1997 to create a fairer education system.
Schools in rich communities would no longer have a leg up on disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Funds would instead be collected and redistributed by the province to ensure every student received the same education quality.
The education tax rate is applied differently to commercial and agricultural properties. For instance, in 2025, the residential education tax rate will be 0.153 per cent, while farmland will be taxed at a lower rate of 0.03825 per cent.
The total tax rate applied to your property is the sum of the upper-tier rate, lower-tier rate and provincial-education rate. This number, multiplied by the MPAC-assessed value of your land, will equal the dollar amount you owe in annual taxes.
Oh boy, that was a lot! If you have made it this far, I commend your perseverance. Understanding our govern -
ment can be unnecessarily complicated, but we must understand it. We can't make informed decisions without properly comprehending who does what and why.
We all know it wouldn't make sense to ask a member of parliament about garbage collection or discuss national defense policy with your mayor. But do you know who to contact when ambulance response times increase or your road needs repairs?
By understanding how distinct levels of government function, we can ensure our concerns are directed to the right people and that we actively participate in decisions that shape our communities.
As Sir Francis Bacon wrote in 1597, “Knowledge is power.”
Correction: I would like to apologize for a miscommunication in the last article in this column. When referring to the taxes applied to the fictional municipality of Independent Springs, I misidentified the tax rate of 0.01 as a percentage instead of a rate. A rate of 0.01 is 1.00 per cent.
Two pie charts showing the difference between single-tier and two-tier municipal structures on property tax rates.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
NATHAN BEAN
Contributed article
Museum’s popular speaker series resumes on March 20
ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT
Staff Contribution
The popular St. Marys Museum speaker series will return this spring for its 12th season with a variety of engaging presentations.
The organizers of the speaker series, previously referred to as the seminar series, have undertaken a slight rebranding to broaden its appeal and aim to make the talks more accessible to individuals with a general interest in the topic or those seeking an engaging evening event.
On Thursday, March 20, assistant curator Emily Taylor along with retired curator Mary Smith will hold a presentation on the husband-and-wife photographer team Carter and Isaac. William Carter and Alberta Isaac ran a successful photography business specializing in outdoor photographs of farmsteads and houses. Learn about this dynamic duo, their photography technology and the surviving photographs the museum is thrilled to have in its collection.
Brian (Chip) Martin, author of From Underground Railroad to Rebel Refuge: Canada and the Civil War, will be the guest speaker on Thursday, April 24.
Despite all we know about the American Civil War, few books have explored Canada’s role in the bloody conflict. Award-winning journalist Brian Martin will open eyes about how both Canada and the United States, and their citizens, interacted during the Civil War and the troubled times that surrounded it. Martin’s book will be available for purchase at the presentation.
On Thursday, May 15, Ken Telfer, longtime seminar-series presenter and property researcher, will lead a presentation on the buildings of St. Marys that are no more. While St. Marys has many beautifully preserved historic buildings, there are others that have been lost to history. Through his nearly 20 years conducting property history research at the St. Marys Museum, Telfer has uncovered many fascinating stories about buildings that no longer stand.
All sessions of the spring speaker series will be held on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. The fee for each session is $12 per person with a discounted rate of $10 for museum members. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 519-284-3556 or email museum@town. stmarys.on.ca.
Statement by the Prime Minister on unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement on March 3 regarding unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada. We are reprinting this statement in your community newspaper due to the issue’s importance to all Canadian citizens and secondly to document these developments within the historical record of this publication.
“Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per-cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.
“While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3-billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more coordination and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a fentanyl czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures
Canadian Navigable Waters Act
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority hereby gives notice that a submission has been added to the Navigable Waters Registry pursuant to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act for public comment described herein and its site and plans.
Pursuant to paragraph 10(1)(b) of the said Act, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has deposited with the Minister of Transport, on the on-line Common Project Search Registry (http://cps.canada.ca/) and under registry number 12449, a description of the following work, its site and plans: Constructing the new public safety boom for the existing Wildwood Dam on Trout Creek in Perth County, on Road 119 (43.26280, -81.07417).
Comments regarding the effect of this work on marine navigation can be sent through the Common Project Search site mentioned above under the Comment section (search by the above referenced number) or if you do not have access to the internet, by sending your comments directly to: David Green, P.Eng. Group Leader, Dam Engineering, D.M. Wills Associates Limited, at 705-957-5672 or dgreen@dmwills.com.
Note that comments will be considered only if they are received not later than 30 days after the publication of this notice.
from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per-cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers and for a fair deal.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”
Posted at Perth South (Perth County) this 6th day of March, 2025.
Transport Canada (TC) will not make your comments on a project available to the public on the online public registry. However, any information related to a work is considered as unclassified public record and could be accessible upon legal request. As such, the information and records provided should not contain confidential or sensitive information. If you want to provide confidential or sensitive information that you think should not be made public, please contact TC before submitting it.
COLUMNS
EAT AT OUR HOUSE: Latin American flavours
LAUREN EEDY
Independent Columnist
With the weather finally becoming tolerable, many have flocked to warmer destinations to get a well-deserved break. For those of us here, why not simulate some of that joy by creating dishes that bring back the nostalgia of popular vacation flavours to our kitchens. Buen Provecho!
Grilled shrimp bowl with avocado, corn salsa and creamy sauce
1 avocado, diced Cooked rice of your preference Pepitas, for garnish (pumpkin seeds)
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Method:
- Prep the shrimp. In a bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat.
- In a separate bowl, combine corn, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Mix gently and set aside.
- Grill or sauté the shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- In a third, smaller bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Assemble bowls: divide
Straight from the Shelves
LAURA MCASH
St. Marys Public Library
Come to the St. Marys Public Library for some FREE fun this March Break!
• Tuesday: Stuffy Storytime & Sleepover (6:45 p.m.) - Bring your plush pal for a storytime, a scavenger hunt, and then leave your stuffy for a Library sleepover! Pick them up on Wednesday and see what they got up to in the Library overnight.
• Wednesday: Minecraft Party (1:30 p.m.) - Level up with some awesome Minecraft-themed activities including PLINKO, a craft, button making, and snacks!
• Friday: Friday Fun Day (drop-in, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) - Drop into the Library during open hours for some fun activities like a giant colouring page and a craft.
• Saturday: Family Trivia (10:30 a.m.)
- Put your brain to the test at Family Trivia! Bring your family or meet up with some friends and have a great time! The winning team will take home
a sweet treat.
No registration is required for any of these programs, but parent/guardian supervision is required.
Up This Week
Fri., Mar. 7: Open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., Mar. 8: Dungeons and Dragons (10 a.m.)
Mon., Mar. 10: Learn to Play…Euchre!* (10:30 a.m.)
Tues., Mar. 11: Write of Way (6:30-7:30 p.m.), Stuffy Storytime & Sleepover^ (6:45 p.m.)
Wed., Mar. 12: EarlyON Play and Read (9:30-10:30 a.m.), Mahjong! (1-4 p.m.), Minecraft Party^ (1:30 p.m.), Scrabble (6-8 p.m.)
Thurs., Mar. 13: Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 14: Friday Fun Day^ (dropin, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sat., Mar. 15: Family Trivia^ (10:30 a.m.)
*Registration Required
^Parent/Guardian Supervision Required
cooked rice between bowls.
Top with grilled shrimp, corn salsa, avocado slices and drizzle with creamy sauce. Garnish with pepitas and chopped green onions.
2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen or canned (drained)
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup grated cotija cheese (can substitute feta or queso fresco)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 large egg
¼ cup milk
Vegetable oil, for frying
Lime wedges, for serving Additional cheese for garnish Method:
- In a large bowl, combine corn kernels, flour, cornmeal, baking powder and spices, mix until well distributed.
- Stir in cheese, chopped cilantro, egg and milk. Mix until a thick batter is formed.
- Heat 1 inch-deep of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan (around 350°F). Carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil, flattening them slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Fry fritters 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve fritters warm with lime wedges and a sprinkle of cotija (or recommended cheese listed above) on top.
$100 - Greg Walker
$100 - Christine Marriott
$100 - Greg Wallace
$100 - Cindy Rohoman
$250 - Denise Bell
$500 - Ron Lewis
$5,005 - Stephen Goad
Thank you to everyone supporting our 50/50.The March jackpot is already over $1,000, with the first early bird draw happening on Thursday, March 6! Get your tickets today for a chance to win
HISTORIC ST. MARYS: The
MARY SMITH
Independent Columnist
St. Marys is fortunate to have fine cultural institutions and also to have a municipal government that not only supports them but is willing to look toward future enhancements of the services they offer. Many local and area residents have special affection for our fine public library, situated in the heart of the town. It is worthwhile, from time to time, to stop and remember the early library supporters whose hard work and advocacy made our current library possible. The date above the pillars at the library’s Church Street entrance is A.D. 1904. That’s the date of the construction of this building. But since the 1850s, a library in some form was part of the local community.
Many of the first families to settle in this area were recent immigrants, mainly from England, Ireland or Scotland. They had travelled to Canada by ship, usually in steerage, with strict baggage limitations – articles needed on the voyage, such as blankets, clothing, perhaps extra provisions and utensils to prepare family meals. There was little room for keepsakes from the countries they were leaving behind. Most of the earliest artifacts in the St. Marys Museum were made or acquired in this area after the settlers arrived. These include items needed for their new lives – axes to cut down trees to build the first log shanties, tools to clear till the ground and to plant the first crops, spinning wheels, looms and quilting frames to provide clothing and warm blankets for the family. Food, warmth and shelter were, of course, priorities. But there are a few items in the collection that did travel across the ocean with the immigrating families.
Most of these are small objects, such as a snuff box or an early daguerreotype in a hinged case. Although not all immigrants were literate, many were and, if they could manage, they also brought along books. In the Museum’s collection, these include small Bibles, even one written in Gaelic, and some basic reading and arithmetic books for instructing children. Other volumes made their way into early pioneer homes – the stories and poetry of Sir Walter Scott were favourites. Friends exchanged books with each other, but this was not enough. As the community grew, there needed to be a larger collection available to those who wanted to read. From this need, a library in St. Marys was formed. But it was quite different from the public library that we know today.
The first library in St. Marys developed in step with the growth of the town itself. On January 1, 1855, St. Marys became an officially incorporated village with its own municipal government, separate from the surrounding Blanshard Township. By this date, the village’s population was about 2,500 people. There was a common school to educate the village children and churches with growing congregations. To meet other social needs, groups such as fra -
ternal organizations, temperance societies, and clubs for sports like curling and baseball were formed. And in early 1856, yet another group of residents met in a local hotel “to take into consideration the propriety of starting a Mechanics Institute in St. Marys.”
Mechanics Institutes were established in Great Britain in the 1820s, part of the social reform movement to improve life for the working classes. The term “mechanic” was a general one, meaning a person who worked with his hands, a tradesman. The Institutes quickly became popular in England and Scotland and spread across the Atlantic to the United States and Canada. The first Canadian Mechanics Institute was founded in Montreal in 1828. The Institutes were set up to provide access to books, newspapers and instructive lectures – all opportunities for adult education. There was a modest membership fee, usually about a dollar a year.
The local weekly newspaper, the St. Marys Argus, diligently reported the formation of the new Mechanics Institute. The newspaper accounts suggest that the founders were aware that it could not only serve the common good but also be a mark of prestige for the village. They set about collecting subscriptions and wrote a constitution. A local druggist, John MacLean, was appointed librarian for 1857. That meant that MacLean would reserve some space in his store as a reading area for members. He would be responsible for keeping records of books borrowed and returned. The elected officers applied for and received a government grant to assist with starting the library. The St. Marys Mechanics Institute seemed to be underway.
But not fast enough for some! Alexander Belch, editor of the Argus, had supported the initiative to form a Mechanics Institute and had encouraged people
nected with Mental Improvement,” and the Anglican rector, the Reverend Archibald Lampman, delivered a “Treatise on Education.” The most successful speaker was Dr. Adam Ford, a popular young physician who seemed to be part of every local initiative – politics, sports, music and literary societies. He gave his lecture on chemistry, demonstrating several experiments on-stage to the delight of his audience. In 1861, he and his brother-in-law, Leon Clench, also organized the first fundraiser to buy books for the Institute’s library, a concert also held in Victoria Hall.
to purchase subscriptions. But in early 1857, he wondered in an editorial what was happening with this important project: “We would ask – are the names of the members yet regularly enrolled? – is the money in the hands of the Treasurer? – are any efforts being made to procure books or establish the library with the money in hand – if it is in hand?” This may have been a wake-up call for the Institute executive. They began to meet more regularly and reorganized their book committee. Most of the village’s prominent citizens were Institute members and some of them volunteered their services to present a series of lectures. Beginning in March 1857, these lectures were held in Victoria Hall, the auditorium of the brand-new town hall at the northeast corner of Queen and Church Streets.
The lecture topics would not likely draw a crowd today. Dr. Daniel Wilson spoke on “General Prosperity as Con -
The lecture series was successful, books and periodicals were ordered, but the best location for the Mechanics Institute was harder to resolve. Renting downtown premises was expensive and, as the Argus stated, “We should first use every effort to build up the library. Many of our merchants would cheerfully consent to give the library a place in their establishments.” Starting out in John MacLean’s drugstore, the library moved several times in its early years to premises that included the back of a bookstore and space in the office of the St. Marys Journal, the Argus’s rival weekly newspaper.
But as the collection grew to more than 400 books, a dedicated space was needed. In 1882, Richard Box, a private banker and property owner, offered rooms on the second floor of his retail block at the northwest corner of Queen and Wellington Streets. The Mechanics Institute remained in this location for a decade, paying an annual rent of $100. When the new town hall opened in 1892, the library was given two small rooms in a corner of the main floor. A dedicated building for the library was built in 1904 – partly thanks to the persuasive powers of William Nelson Ford, Dr. Adam Ford’s older brother. That story will be continued in next week’s column.
Note: For more detailed information about the Mechanics Institute, see the history of the St. Marys Public Library, “Within These Portals,” published in 2010. It is available at the library.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ST. MARYS MUSEUM'S COLLECTION OF HISTORIC IMAGES)
The St. Marys Mechanics Institute, forerunner of the public library, was formed in 1857, the same year the frame town hall was built on the northeast corner of Queen and Church Streets. The Institute sponsored lectures for members in the second storey auditorium of the town hall.
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO:
Finding all the answers about Alexander Graham Bell… except one
Frankly, it’s a conundrum and we can’t exactly call the guy up on the phone to ask for clarification, even though he did invent the darned thing because Alexander Graham Bell has been gone for just over a century – he died in 1922.
The question is, “Where did Bell invent the telephone?” The folks at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site at 94 Tutela Heights Rd., Brantford, Ont., say they know the answer.
“The Brantford home (is) where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone on July 26, 1874.”
Perhaps this is so. One online source reads, “Bell himself said that the telephone was invented in Canada but made in the United States.”
Other sources insist the telephone was invented in the United States. There is no argument that the telephonic communication of the human voice occurred in Boston, on March 10, 1876, when Bell’s voice was carried over a telephone wire to his assistant, Thomas Watson.
“Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.”
And the world has been a busier and noisier place ever since. When I visited Baddeck, N.S., I learned a great deal about Mr. Bell, his life and his inventions. And while I did not definitively discover where the concept of the telephone was first envisioned – though, as a Canadian I’m happy to stick to the Brantford story – I was surprised by a lot of what I learned there.
Baddeck is home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. It’s in Baddeck because Bell and his wife, Mabel, built a summer home in Baddeck following a visit to the seaside town in 1885. The house – which is not part of the museum – was named Beinn Bhreagh, a nod to Bell’s Scottish heritage.
It was there I learned the surprising fact that Bell lived in Brantford for only one year, arriving there in 1870 as a 23-year-old with his parents and leaving for a teaching position at the Boston School for the Deaf just a year later. So, if he invented the telephone in Brantford, the self-proclaimed “Telephone City,” he did it while on a visit back home.
The Baddeck museum is a rich treasure trove of information about the famed inventor who, incidentally, was never a Canadian citizen. He was born a Scot and became an American citizen after his move to Boston, but both Alec and Mabel are buried in Baddeck.
Visitors to Baddeck can walk through the high points of Bell’s life, both by following an information-panel pathway that answers virtually every
question you might have and by visiting the various exhibition spaces filled with Bell’s inventions, telephones through the ages and more of his remarkable creations, including flying machines.
During our visit, a highlight was watching a patient mom trying to explain a dial phone to her young daughter, who was struggling mightily to understand how this clunky, black-corded device related to her sleek smartphone.
The details of Bell’s life are every bit as fascinating as his inventions. His parents came to Canada in an effort to save Alec’s life. Two of his brothers died of tuberculosis in Scotland and, when Alec also became ill, his family fled to what was seen as the healthier climate of southern Ontario. It worked and Bell was able to resume his exploration of the world of sound. His fascination with sound is what led him to become a teacher of deaf children and eventually to assume a position as professor of vocal physiology and elocution at Boston University.
And his commitment to improving the lives of deaf people improved his personal life – he married one of his pupils, Mabel Hubbard – and the lives of countless others, including Helen Keller. In 1887, Bell was asked for advice by Keller’s parents and he introduced her to Annie Sullivan, who helped Keller surmount the challenges of being born both deaf and blind. Keller dedicated her autobiography to Bell.
But Bell’s interests reached far beyond the classroom. He
was a co-founder of the National Geographic Society. He was constantly inventing and the Baddeck National Historic Site is filled with devices he created, some of great historical significance, some bordering on the whimsical.
Among the most important, one such invention arose from his interest in flight, and his collaborations with others of the same ilk. Bell had founded a group called the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) in 1907, four years after the Wright Brothers had made their first flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C. Bell had been experimenting with flight – at first, tetrahedral kites – since 1898, and subsequently joined with AEA
colleagues like designer J.A.D. McCurdy to build the Silver Dart, the airplane that made the first powered flight in Canada at Baddeck in February, 1909. The Silver Dart is on display at the Baddeck museum.
The precise, geographic origins of the telephone may still be slightly clouded in mystery, but for answers to everything else concerning Alexander Graham Bell, you’ll want to call on the fascinating Bell museum in Baddeck.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.
PAUL KNOWLES Independent Columnist
The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, N.S.
(PHOTOS BY PAUL KNOWLES)
Bell's Baddeck office, as recreated at the National Historic Site.
The Silver Dart, the airplane that made history in Baddeck.
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Riddles
What did the mom corn ask baby corn? “Where is pop corn?”
Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it wasn’t peeling well!
What kind of mail does a celebrity vampire get? Fang mail
What did Dracula’s teacher say when he failed his math test?
“Can’t you count, Dracula?
What did one math book say to the other? “Don’t bother me, I have my own problems”
What kind of light did Noah use on the ark? Flood lights
What goes up but never goes down? Your age
Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because it was already stuffed!
What part of a computer does an astronaut like best?
St. Marys Veterinary Clinic is pleased to be the sponsor of the
PET OF THE WEEK
TICK TALK. With Spring in the air (hopeful thinking) ticks will start questing for their next meal at Zero degrees. Protect your pet and start flea/tick prevention products today!
LEXIE
Our Pet of the Week is Lexie, a one-year-old sheepadoodle. Lexie loves the snow and her favourite spot is on the top of a snowbank. When she meets people on her walks, her backside is wiggling back and forth so she has earned the nickname Miss Wigglesworth. Lexie is a member of the Houlden family.
Thorndale News
Cosmetic Injectables & Medical Aesthetics
We specialize in offering high quality cosmetic injections & medical aesthetics through a variety of treatments.
160 King St, Thorndale, ON | (519) 331-8905 | www.franinjects.ca
A section within the St. Marys Independent
MARCH 14 2025 FROM 6 PM - 9:30 PM Thorndale United Church | 245 King Street, Thorndale, ON
A slice of pie and bottomless coffee/ tea/juice for $5.00 on Pi Day. Local vendors will be there too!
The Thorndale Dinner Theatre, a community tradition, continues
The Thorndale Dinner Theatre was organized by the Thorndale Agricultural Society as a fundraiser back in the early 1990s.
After a few years absence, it was reinstated in 2007. Over the years, the Thorndale Dinner Theatre has been a community tradition for the area, not only as a fundraiser for the Thorndale Ag. Society, but also for the local groups and churches that provide the meals.
The Thorndale Dinner Theatre involves many dedicated, energetic volunteers from the area. The cast of talented players for the 2025 production of A Butler Did It by English playwright Robert Scott, as well as the crew of 12 behind the scenes, have been planning, rehearsing and working for months. It was all hands on deck with many more residents
and volunteers who came out to transform the Thorndale Lions Community Centre into a dinner-theatre setting.
“I can't say enough about the stage and set and all the volunteers who rebuilt and decorated a great set in two days,” said producer Jackie Malleck.
“There were many positive comments on the set, especially the moving wall to make two sets.
“The age range of the cast was wide, but they worked so well together. Every performance, they added a new funny bit keeping each other on their toes, but it was obvious they were thoroughly enjoying what they were doing. And, of course, the sound and lighting team as well as the costumes and props were all excellent.”
As this valued Thorndale and area tradition continues, the Thorndale Dinner Theatre is a tradition carried forward by community for the community.
Thorndale Fire Station donates to Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Join us for March Break at the Thorndale Library
MIDDLESEX COUNTY LIBRARY STAFF Staff Contribution
Join us during March Break for a funfilled week of activities at the Thorndale Library.
March 11
10:30-11 a.m. Toy Story (Family)
Mr. Bear and the Dinosaurs invite your toys for a sleepover. After a story, they’ll stay overnight at the library and enjoy a fun party. Pick them up Wednesday full of stories.
11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Video Game Party (ages seven to 11)
Come in and play the March Break away at a video game party! Try out our VR headsets or bring your own portable gaming devices! Registration now open.
March 12
6-7:30 p.m. Blast from the Past-Silent Disco (ages seven to 11)
Join us for a fun-filled silent disco at the library! Dress up in outfits from your favourite decade and dance the night away. Registration now open.
March 13
Join us for family March Break movie morning. We’ll provide the movie and popcorn, you bring a drink, snack and pillow/blanket, and favourite stuffy. Registration not required.
March 14
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sock Star! Song and Craft (ages eight to 14)
Join us at the library to make a sock puppet and learn a fun song! Registration opens on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m.
March 15
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Movie Morning (Family)
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Explore Coding with Scratch (ages seven to 11)
Kids will learn how to explore coding basics while they create their own video games. Registration now open. As always, feel free to drop in, call us at 519-461-1150, or email us at thorndale_ staff@middlesex.ca with any questions or to register for upcoming programs. Thorndale Library is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays from 2-8 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We hope to see you at the library!
Together with the Dorchester Fire Station, the Thorndale Fire Station raised more than $15,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada with funds collected through the stations’ most recent boot drives. Pictured from left to right are Thorndale Fire Department chief Nick Dorken, firefighter Derek Johnston, Muscular Dystrophy Canada representative Mike Brennan and district fire chief Wes Fox.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MUNICIPALITY OF THAMES CENTRE)
NANCY ABRA Independent Reporter
The Thorndale Dinner Theatre’s 2025 cast of A Butler Did It.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
OBITUARY
O'Hara
George O’Hara passed away peacefully at Kingsway Lodge, St. Marys on Friday, February 28, 2025. Beloved husband of Marlene (nee Ball) O’Hara. Loving father of Sherril O’Hara (Scott Stark) and the late Timothy O’Hara (Diana Hodgins). Cherished grandpa of Alisha Theal (Cory), Brittany Mandigo (Bradley Breen), Kevin Mandigo (Alyssa Loucks) and great-grandpa of Henry, Jayden, Myla, Sophia and Penelope. Dear brother of the late John O’Hara (Shirley).
George was a mechanic and tow truck driver, he knew many locals from the calls he would attend. He was always quick to crack a joke and loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly. He enjoyed traveling, collecting Harley and tow truck memorabilia and could often be found at “the office” (i.e. Tim Hortons) when he was not on the “dash for the cash”.
Head Office: 150 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B4 | 519-284-2332 agent@stonetowntravel.com TICO #50010159
Branch Office: 210 Mill Street, New Hamburg, ON N3A 1P9 | 226-333-9939 newhamburg@stonetowntravel.com TICO #50025796
At his request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. There will be a family graveside service at St. Marys Cemetery in the spring. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Online tributes at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca.
LOOKING BACK School closures
By Amy Cubberley
Hardwood Smoker Pellets
Ontario Apples at McCully's
25 years ago (2000)
An emotional tribute was held last week for outgoing Friendship Centre director Sue Fowler, who has moved onto a new career in real estate. Sue’s replacement, Stephanie Ische, recently started at the Friendship Centre.
St. Marys’ Terry Todd was selected Best Director in the Western Ontario Drama League Out-of-Festival competition for directing David French’s “1949” for the Thistle Theatre in Embro.
There were tears, jeers, and anger on Tuesday in Seaforth as, one by one, in what was an excruciating process for many, six Huron and Perth County schools received closure votes from trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board.
50 years ago (1975)
The barometer in the Journal Argus office window reached its lowest level since before the big storm in January 1971 on Tuesday. The barometer signals the arrival of bad weather (or good) at least half a day before it really hits the area.
P.A.R.Q. headquarters are once again on the move. This time it will be just one door south at Town Hall as their present space is being remodeled into a Council Committee meeting room. P.A.R.Q. will be in the centre space along the east wall with an office and supply room.
Three St. Marys men flying by private plane to Florida early this week found themselves weathered at Chattanooga, Tennessee for a while due to bad weather conditions. The pilot was T.G. (Chum) Hammond and his enthusiastic passengers were Dick McPherson and Don McArthur of Westover Park.
75 years ago (1950)
Mr. Georgy Thompson, proprietor of the Lyric Theatre in Exeter, is preparing to have the building there enlarged and remodeled. Twenty feet will be added to the rear of the building and the front will be remodeled to accommodate a new foyer. The seating capacity will be enlarged by 75.
Reeve L.J. White of Blanshard accompanied by Councillors Alvin Crago, John Stephen, Harry Webber and Kenneth Hodgins, Road Supt. J. Dunnell and Clerk C.A. Barnett attended the rural municipalities convention as well as the Ontario Good Roads convention in Toronto last week.
Last week’s story hour had an attendance of 105 boys and girls. This is the best number to date and even more can be accommodated.
100 years ago (1925)
Honesty pays. One day this week, little Robert Grassick found a lady’s purse on the street and brought it to the Journal Argus office. The purse belonged to Mrs. Sidney Ullyot who was very pleased to get her purse back, as it contained quite a sum of money. Robert was well rewarded for his honesty when Mrs. Ullyot left a crisp dollar bill for him at the Journal Argus office.
Rejecting Premier Ferguson’s proposed 4.4% beer as “inadequate”, the Moderation League of Ontario sets its face towards the goal of full government control.
The annual meeting of the St. Marys Egg Circle was held at the home of Mr. F.C. McIntosh on Monday evening. Mr. D. Graham, president, occupied the chair. A very satisfactory report was made.
CLASSIFIED ADSCLASSIFIED ADS
Wanted
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Fold, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: Diamond Dogs Music 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750
Wanted
A working camcorder that will play Hi-8 digital tapes. Phone 519-284-3774
Wanted to buy
All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals. Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.
Wanted
I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, Pepsi or any pop company. Brewery items - Kuntz, Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, wristwatches, pocket watches, old fruit jars - Beaver Star, Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs - Red Indian, Supertest etc. Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me519-570-6920.
For Rent
Large 3 bedroom downtown apartment in 3 story walk up, includes all utilities, wifi, laundry, parking. References required. Available February. Please call 519-697-4985
For Sale
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. Mon-Sat 7:00am to 6:00pm. Martin's Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
The Friends of the St. Marys Museum
Presentation of Annual Reports NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7 p.m.
St. Marys Museum, 177 Church Street South (in Cadzow Park)
Take entrance off Tracy Street to parking lot beside Museum.
Please note: All are welcome but only paid members are entitled to vote or to stand for executive positions.
Memberships are $15 per year and will be available at the meeting.
For information or for an agenda package, contact the Museum 519-284-3556 or museum@town.stmarys.on.ca
Are You A Newcomer To The St. Marys Area?
THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, March 9
- McCully’s Maple Festival & pancake
Gifts + MORE
The friends of the library has a FREE Welcome Package for you to pick up at the library! • Recreation Info • Health & Wellness
Maps
Local Services
Coupons
St. Marys Public Library, 15 Church St. 519-284-3346 RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE FOR JUST $10 PER WEEK
RED PLAID PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
Mudmen in Concert
Friday April 4 2025
St. Marys Town Hall
Tickets $25 advance $28 @ door
Doors @ 7:30 pm • Show @ 8:00 pm
Tickets available at The St. Marys Rec Centre 519 284-2160, www.ticketscene.ca & the door This is a LLBO all-ages Mudmen Inc event
