Tillsonburg Post - May 1, 2025

Tillsonburg

Tillsonburg

Wind turbine project planned for area

A proposed wind project could see up to 22 Megawatts of power produced in an installation in the early planning stages to the west and south of Tillsonburg.

Developer wpd Canada held two open houses this week—on Tuesday and Wednesday—to inform the public about its 200-megawatt proposal, the Cedar Flats Wind Project. The proposed area for the turbines would stretch from Verschoyle south to almost Corinth and then west past Highway 73.

wpd Canada has completed four wind installations, all below 10.25 Megawatts. Turbines in the existing developments appear to be two-megawatt models. Cedar Flats could have up to 34 turbines, but this is a preliminary estimate subject to environmental assessments, technical studies, and community input. Contracts with landowners are also needed.

“This period of consultation is critical,” said Dilan Unutkan of wpd Canada. “We are committed to listening carefully to residents, landowners, and municipal leaders to ensure that local perspectives directly shape the project's design. Further public engagement sessions will be planned and community feedback will continue to guide how we move forward.”

Community resistance to the proposal is already growing, with meetings May 7 in the Brownsville Community Centre and May 8 in Malahide Community Place in Springfield. Both meetings start at 7 p.m. and will have petitions against the development. Lawn signs opposing the development are also available.

OXFORD STAYS BLUE

received 53.2 per cent of the vote, far surpassing the Liberal’s David

Food bank accepting monetary donations

The Tillsonburg Helping Hand Food Bank is accepting financial donations as a way to meet increasing demand.

In a typical year, the food bank would do a spring food drive, but instead this year is doing what coordinator Samantha Hamilton calls the Spring Forward Give Back Financial Drive.

“People can donate any amount they want and it would go towards us purchasing groceries,” she explained.

Donations can be by cash or cheque in person at the food bank’s location at 131B Rolph Street during office hours from

Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Online e-transfers can be made to coordinatorhhfbtburg@gmail.com or cheques can be mailed to PO Box 144, Tillsonburg, ON, N4G 4H3. Tax receipts can be given for monetary donations.

“This gives another option for someone who wants to give back but doesn’t want to go through the chore of grocery shopping,” she said.

Financial donations also give the food bank more bang for the buck with the food bank able to use bulk buying power. This was started in October, through a combination of buying from local grocery stores with pre-orders on sale items and direct from suppliers on some items like milk where 400 liters is needed.

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna thanked supporters and volunteers at his victory party after he was reelected in Monday’s election. Khanna

Hilderley with 37.9 per cent. See Page 4 for the full story.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Wind turbine project planned for area

According to the company’s presentation to South-West Oxford and Malahide councils, an agricultural impact assessment will start this month and more information will be presented to the councils in the third quarter of this year. The presentation also listed the benefits of the development as: a community benefit fund, tax revenue, local contracting opportunities, employment at the finished development and spending at local businesses.

The project will require municipal approval before it is considered by the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator. Then, zone changes and site plan approval would be needed for the sites.

Asked about the proposal, SWOX Mayor David Mayberry answered, “The vague proposal presented to council did not identify any specific properties nor any definite numbers. The proponents must first secure lease agreements which are confidential and are not required to be made public.”

He explained that the process would leave the decision of whether a community wants wind turbines up to the local council. “Under the new rules, while the province makes it clear that wind turbines are an acceptable option, they have left the final decision to local councils.

While Mayberry hasn’t heard much feedback from the community about the development, Malahide Mayor Dominique Giguere has.

“Predominant themes include environmental concerns, potential impacts on wildlife, issues with the proposed location, future decommissioning of the turbines, the industrialization of the countryside, noise and visual aesthetics, impacts on property values, and potential health concerns for nearby residents,” she said.

“Additionally, some residents have explicitly requested that Council oppose the project outright. Our municipality strongly believes that residents have a right to be informed, heard, and meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their properties, health, and overall quality of life.”

Giguere said renewable energy development can present challenges and opportunities. While she said wind energy supports the province’s energy and climate goals, it has to align with local values.

“Council remains committed to an open and evidence-based decision-making process,” she said. “All relevant facts, including community input and expert analyses, will guide the municipality’s final stance.”

For more information, contact wpd Canada at cedarflatswind@wpd-canada.ca

(CONTRIBUTED IMAGE)

Food bank accepting monetary donations

“When something is on sale, we can buy a larger amount to get us through to when it’s next on sale so we can get more,” Hamilton said.

The spring drive comes at a time when the number of individual visits increased to 7,036 last year, up from 5,598 in 2023. Looking at it a different way, there were 839 individuals served by the food bank at the end of 2024.

Hamilton attributed the growing demand on a number of factors.

“We’re seeing a lot of clients we haven’t seen in 16 to 18 months, coming back” she said. “That’s probably growing prices - $50 in groceries in 2020 is not $50 in groceries now.”

The growth in the town’s population is another factor.

“Along with that comes rising rent and

housing prices – it’s supply and demand,” Hamilton said.

With increasing rent, mortgage and insurance costs, sometimes people resort to buying what they can when their other bills are paid.

“That’s usually one of the quicker things to tail off,” she said of grocery purchases.

Layoffs and shutdowns are also adding to those who use the food bank.

In light of the rising demand, the food bank is planning an audit to increase its efficiency. Hamilton said to date there aren’t any plans to reduce the amount of food given out.

“A lot of food banks have done that,” she said. “Fortunately, Tillsonburg has been good to us and I plan on keeping it that way as long as possible.”

Realtors plan food drive for May 7

JEFF HELSDON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local realtors are planning a food drive for May 7.

Tammy Betzner, chairperson of the realtor’s care committee of the Woodstock Ingersoll Tillsonburg And Area Real Estate Board, explained the food drive is organized in a way to minimize disruption to residents, and avoid knocking on doors where possible.

“We come three, four five six days ahead of time and hang a door hanger,” Betzner said. “Then people can leave, or not leave, the food at the door. Then we don’t have to bug them, we don’t have to knock on their door. It’s not very invasive.”

Donations collected will stay in the community where they are collected. In Tillsonburg, donations will go to the Helping Hand Food Bank, in Ingersoll to the Salvation Army and in Woodstock they

will be split between Operation Sharing and Seniors in Food Crisis.

Beside the door hangers, the event will also be promoted on Facebook.

Betzner said the real estate agents try to hit most doors, but sometimes there are limits due to the number of agents taking part. She said anyone wanting to help, or high school students wanting community hours, should reach out to her at Cell (519) 670-1280.

The event was started by Woodstock realtor Kelly Byers, who initially ran the program herself and then joined the realtor’s care committee. Byers still spearheads the Woodstock end of the program. She was recognized for her work provincially and locally.

Door hangers will outline the items that are needed most. Betzner reminded that all items must be non-perishable and can’t be expired. Pick-up will be between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 7.

Khanna re-elected in Oxford

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Incumbent Arpan Khanna handily recaptured Oxford in the federal election on Monday.

With 242 of 243 polls reporting on Tuesday morning, Khanna had 37,995 votes, Liberal David Hilderley captured 27,018, and the NDP’s Matthew Chambers received 3,107. Ballots cast for others running were: Jacob Watson, Christian Heritage Party, 1,200; Cheryle Baker, Green Party, 1,057; Steven Beausoleil, People’s Party of Canada, 634; Melanie Van Brugge, United Party of Canada, 238; and Akshay Vardhan, Independent, 107.

By percentages, Khanna received 53.2 per cent of the vote and Hilderley 37.9 per cent.

The local results were reflective of Southwestern Ontario, where the Conservatives captured all the rural seats. In London, two Liberals held their ridings, while the Conservatives toppled NDP’s Lindsay Mathyssen in a long-time stronghold for the party in London-Fanshawe.

At Khanna’s election party in Woodstock, supporters and volunteers were solemn as early results showed a Liberal victory nationally. Oxford results were slow to appear, but Khanna was in front from the first results posted. His lead built as more polls reported, and a cheer went through the room when he was declared a winner by media.

Arriving at the party past 11:30 p.m., Khanna walked through the room personally thanking all the volunteers and shaking hands. Speaking to the crowd, he started by thanking the volunteers, his staff and family.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “You may have been amazing, not just today, but for the weeks leading up to it.”

Claiming that the campaign broke records for the riding in a federal election, he said workers knocked on 45,000 doors, put up 2,500 signs and the vote count was the highest ever.

Confessing he was a workaholic, Khanna said he speaks up for Oxford residents. Mentioning a senior couple who was going to lose their home and a single parent struggling to feed her children he talked to on the campaign trail, he said, “This is what we’re fighting for.”

Interviewed later, Khanna said the senior couple were being crippled by the increased cost of living, higher interest rates and rising food costs.

“They were in tears yesterday. It was sad to see that. They did

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everything right,” he said, adding this couple is not alone in their predicament.

He said the single mother is working double shifts trying to feed her children, and saw the Conservatives as the party of hope. Coming from a family with both parents being factory workers, Khanna said he understands the plight of the average Canadian.

During his speech, Khanna vowed, “I will be the hardest-working Member of Parliament in the country. If there is a problem and I can help, I will.”

Khanna was elected in a by-election in 2023 following the resignation of Dave MacKenzie. That was Khanna’s first challenge by Hilderley, and he won by 2,500 votes, or six per cent. Asked the reason for the increase in the margin, Khanna answered, “Since I was elected, I worked my butt off. I dedicated my time and it’s Oxford residents who trust me.”

He also spoke of his vision to help people whenever he can.

“It doesn’t matter who you voted for, I am there,” he said.

The other part of his vision: “I will always put Oxford residents first.”

Khanna is looking forward to servicing residents with integrity and compassion. He also wished the best to the other candidates in the race, who gave it their best shot.

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Reflecting on the national results the next day, Khanna said with the Liberals having a minority, the question is what happens next with support needed from another party. He hopes for a change of course that will make life better for people in Oxford.

“I do feel there is a sense of divide in our country,” he said. “They need to find a way to reunite and get our country back on its two feet again.”

While Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat, on a pos-

itive note Khanna said the party picked up two dozen seats in areas it didn’t have seats in before, increased the youth vote, the vote for trades and brought up the vote percentage nationally.

From the Liberal camp

While Hilderley was disappointed personally, he said the biggest disappointment he had was for his team, which had worked hard.

“It befuddles me we didn’t manage to win this one,” Hilderley said. “Oxford County has always been a blue riding for the most part. The voters have decided they wanted to maintain the status quo.”

He said he hasn’t seen Khanna do anything in Ottawa in the past two years, and no money coming to Oxford County.

“It’s difficult when you’re in opposition, but the things he voted against – dental care, pharma care, the income supplement for seniors. Those things are important for Oxford County citizens.”:

Speaking to the national results, Hilderley said he was hoping for a majority so the Liberals could implement their plan.

“Hopefully the parties will work together and build a strong future for Canada,” he said.

Hilderley hasn’t decided if he will try to run again.

“It does demand a lot of commitment,” he said. “It’s important for my association to rebuild and prepare for the next election in a positive way.”

All candidates were asked to provide input, and the only response was from Vardhan.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the constituents who voted for me,” he said. “I remain committed to serving you diligently and faithfully in whatever capacity I can. I also congratulate Arpan on his re-election as the Member of Parliament for Oxford County.”

Oxford MP Khanna addressed his supporters with his wife at his Sim at his side after Monday night’s convincing win.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Family viewpoints of the Second World War

LAUREL A. BEECHEY Tillsonburg Post Columnist

THE STAGE IS THE WORLD

Both my grandfathers served in the First World War.

After the war, Grandpa Lamb’s helmet was in the foyer, hung upside down with a plant in it. He worked with the horses during the war, whose screams occasionally haunted his dreams.

Grandpa Turner, although he lived through the war, the mustard gas in the dirty pool of water he drank from while buried in the mud, killed him in 1944. This was two years after his second son Sid, died in the Second World War.

The Second World War was my parents’ generation’s war. My father’s eldest brother enlisted in the Canadian Navy, assigned to protecting the troop ships sailing to and from Europe. Dad, his closest friends, and youngest brother Sid, went to enlist in the

RCAF. They all passed the physical and flew, except Dad, who had tuberculosis and went to the sanitorium in Windsor for months.

With the RCAF, Sid flew with the RAF in the North African campaign to regain control of the Italy’s Fort Tabruk. The goal was to control the Suez Canal, and access to Middle East’s oil reserves, which German General Rommel had captured in June 1942.

The 37th squadron Sid flew with, perhaps to avoid ground defences, flew over the Mediterranean Sea, however they were shot down along the north coast of Africa and still lay at the bottom, of the sea.

The website aircrewremembered.com tells the tale: “On Monday, September 7th at 19.15hrs. 37th Squadron of Wellington IC bombers took off from Royal Air Force base Abu Sueir, Egypt to bomb the harbour and shipping at Tobruk, Lybia. The aircraft and crew failed to return, and all the crew were reported missing and later killed. Pilot: W/O.1. Sidney Allan George Turner R.C.A.F. Age 21. Killed. Pilot 2: W/O.2. Archibald Boyd Cameron R.C.A.F. Age 22. Killed. Obs: W/O.2. Roger Bentley Clements R.C.A.F. Age 25. Killed. W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Roderick Daniel Macdonald R.A.A.F. [Australian] Age 33. Killed. Air/Gnr: Sgt. Geoffrey Donald Rawbone, R.A.F.V.R.

Age? Killed. Air/Gnr: Sgt. Peter McIntyre 946416 R.A.F.V.R. Age 26. Killed.”

What did they, and countless others give up their lives for in North Africa? They were all part of battle which gave the Allies a key victory in North Africa during the Second World War, by trapping and forcing the surrender of German and Italian forces in Tunisia in May 1943.

That victory, following Operation Torch and the Second Battle of El Alamein, ended the Axis threat in the region and opened the way for the 1943 invasion of Sicily and Italy. Capturing Sicily afforded the Allies an air base to support the liberation of mainland Italy. It also freed the Mediterranean shipping lanes for supplies etc., and contributed to the downfall of dictator Mussolini, who was overthrown.

Although still occupied by Germany, Italy formally changed sides joining the Allies. Later that year, Hitler the put Mussolini as the head of a German puppet state in the north of Italy, but the Allied advance continued, causing Hitler to divert resources from the Western Front, which caused a strain on the German military in both fronts. In June 1944, Rome was liberated and in 1945 Mussolini was captured and killed by partisans.

On Europe’s eastern front, Hitler was facing a Soviet offensive. Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria each tried to split from

Germany in 1944, as the Red Army advanced and occupied them. Soviet forces entered Berlin in April 1945, prompting Hitler to commit suicide.

May 8, 1945, at 11:01p.m., Central European Time, officially marked the end of the war with the unconditional surrender of Germany. The war with Japan would not end until Aug 9 with the atomic bombs.

Eighty years ago, the Second World War was over! An anniversary to remember. Perhaps more important than celebrating the end of the Second World War, were the lessons learned at the beginning, when greedy, power-hungry dictators, slowly and quietly began changed laws to their benefit, and motivated the masses to blindly follow them.

The WW2, Rogers & Hammerstein musical South Pacific, has a song that tells how that happened: “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” It says: “You've got to be taught to hate and fear. You've got to be taught from year to year. It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear, You've got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be taught to be afraid, Of people whose eyes are oddly made, And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade. You've got to be carefully taught. You've got to be taught before it's too late. Before you are six or seven or eight. To hate all the people your relatives, hate. You've got to be carefully taught.”

Local volunteer helps find lost and missing pets

After a 35-year career with Canada Post in Tillsonburg, she's still known by many residents as "Kim the letter carrier".

Retired for six years, Kim Cronmiller looks back on walking her route and visiting during deliveries, when it used to be a door-to-door task.

"There are a lot of lonely people, older people, and I might be the only person they saw that day," she says, reminiscing about how much she enjoyed those conversations. She was also programed to remember where dogs lived, and she’s had her share of positive and negative experiences with them.

Kim is a people person, but she's also become an advocate for animal welfare, and she's one of the volunteer moderators for Tillsonburg Lost and Found Animals on Facebook. The page allows people to notify others in the

community when their pet is missing, or an unknown pet has been found. Kim also moderates animal related posts on Not Talk Tillsonburg to maximize the chances of finding missing pets or to report concerns about wildlife. Over the years she has accumulated many contacts and can connect with individuals and local organizations who can help, making her a valuable resource.

The time Kim spends in this voluntary endeavor isn't restricted to the online world. She says that she and her fellow moderator "have spent many hours in their pickup trucks looking for lost dogs." Once found, they often bring the animal to their own homes to wait for the owners to be located and notified. "The goal is to keep them safe until someone can respond," she adds.

"It always feels good to reunite pets with their owners," Kim says, "but I do it for the animals."

With steep ravines and coyotes, she's very aware of how dangerous and terrifying it would be for a little dog to be lost and alone overnight. She remains humble about her big heart and simply says that "lots of folks are busy, but we're able to do this and we're passionate about it."

She attends town council meetings whenever animal welfare bylaws are being discussed; she wants all animals to be treated with respect.

It's something deeply ingrained in her since childhood, having always had horses growing up on a farm. Later she and her husband Steve had a horse farm outside of Langton, while both commuted to Tillsonburg for work. Steve didn't grow up with horses, but he was open to it.

"He didn't have to," Kim says, "it could have just been

my thing, but he was my cowboy."

The couple sometimes boarded horses, and they would often help local farmers by going to get cattle that were on the loose. Their son got his first pony as soon as he was old enough to ride and they primarily kept riding horses for the family only. Kim didn't like the idea of any horse being left behind in the barn while everyone else went riding.

Nine years ago they searched for people who would love their horses and care for them well, and they sold the farm and moved to town. After Kim retired, however, boredom crept in after only a few months. She offered to do some decluttering projects, which she had done before, and it gave her a sense of purpose and a use for her time. She continues to help people with downsizing and decluttering, from closets to kitchens to whole houses. Her first big job was a daunting task, including a two-story workshop full of equipment, but when it was complete it was very gratifying to leave people with a new peace of mind. There's no time for boredom now. She helps people with organization and decluttering according to her own energy levels and other commitments. Volunteering her time to search for lost animals or helping with wildlife rescues is her priority, and she enjoys walks with their own dog named Finn. They always had golden retrievers on the farm, but having a dog in town is different, and size doesn’t matter: “This six-pound little Yorkie rules our lives!” she laughs, and no doubt many of our readers can relate to that. If your own beloved pet is lost, Kim might be the one who helps bring them home.

ROBIN KRAFFT

Tillsonburg Post Columnist

Local singer nominated for Ontario county music award

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Local singer Olivia Mae Graham has been nominated for a Country Music Association of Ontario award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed of for years,” she said. “I’ve been going to the CMAO awards for years.”

Graham explained that CMAO members choose the award nominees through three rounds of voting. She was one of six chosen as a nominee. Further voting will decide who wins the award.

“It’s going to be fun to walk the red carpet, to celebrate with my friends,” she said. “To recognize me in this way is super humbling.”

The winner will be announced at the 13th annual awards show, which is scheduled for June 1 at the Music Hall in Hamilton. The show is open to the public.

“This is the first step to recognize those in the industry has been making waves on a breakthrough,” she said, pointing to recent winners Owen Riegling and Josh Ross as examples whose careers started to take off after winning.

Graham said she is getting more radio play and plans to release some new songs this spring. The award nomination is helping that.

“It’s definitely made more industry people take note and we’re getting more interview requests,” she said.

Artists needed to have released a song within the last 12 months to be eligible for the award. Graham's eligible song was “Boots.” She just released an acoustic version of the song with a new video.

“It shows small-town shows at the age of 12 to opening for Terri Clark and James Barker Band,” she said of the video. “This song is about my journey so the fact this song got us nominated is really cool in my opinion.”

Graham is in the process of releasing her first album, scheduled for this fall.

“I cannot wait for people to hear the new songs I’ve been working on, I’m just so excited,” she said. “They

always say in the music world it takes your whole life to write your first album and six months for the second one.”

Writing new songs daily, Graham said the track list isn’t finalized yet.

“Having an album and collection of songs where I wrote every single one, and I was able to produce with musicians I love, it’s a big milestone. It’s a collection of my life to this point,” she said. “I’m excited to see what happens after we put it out into the world.”

Graham will play at the Carriage House in Tillsonburg on May 25. The last show she played there sold out.

“I’m so excited to be back in Tillsonburg,” she said. “I’m happy to celebrate with friends before heading off to the awards in June.”

Tickets are available through her website at https:// www.oliviamaegraham.com

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Local country singer Olivia Mae Graham was nominated as Breakthrough Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association of Ontario. She finds out if she wins at the awards ceremony on June 1.

Another measles exposure

There was another measles exposure at Tillsonburg Memorial District Hospital’s Emergency Department. This exposure was April 17-18, between 11:53 p.m. and 4:02 a.m.

If you were present at these locations during these timeframes, were

born in 1970 or later, and are not up to date with your vaccinations, please call public health at 1-800-922-0096. This includes those who were only present briefly as measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours.

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Ontario investing $798,838 in transit in Oxford

[WOODSTOCK] — The Ontario government is investing $798, 838 to support public transit in Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Woodstock through the 2024-25 Gas Tax program. This funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.

“This funding is great news for people in Oxford,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we are investing in local transit to give people in and around Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Woodstock more ways to connect with work, school and the people and places that matter most to them.”

The Ontario government is investing over $380 million in 106 municipalities across Ontario to improve local transit through the Gas Tax program.

The breakdown of funding for Oxford municipalities is as follows:

• Town of Ingersoll - $55,595

• Town of Tillsonburg - $133,589

• City of Woodstock - $609,654

For 2024-25, municipal Gas Tax allocations have been maintained at 2023-24 levels. In addition to the Gas Tax program, the government supports municipal transportation projects through the Connecting Links program and the Ontario Transit Investment Fund.

Oxford OPP investigate fatal collision

An individual has died following a collision involving a passenger vehicle and a pedestrian.

On April 26, at approximately 10:45 p.m., members from the Oxford detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a collision on Highway 19, South-West Oxford Township.

The investigation determined that a pedestrian was struck on the stretch of road between Keswick Road and Ostrander Road.

A 61-year-old from South-West Oxford Township was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.

Do you have a grab-and-go emergency kit ready?

What supplies would you need if you were forced to leave your home unexpectedly, or had to survive for a few days without basic utilities and municipal services?

Your emergency plan should consider every member of your household, including your pets. Everyone in your home needs to have a 72-hour emergency kit

www.getprepared.ca

• Water (2L per person per day) and whistle

• Medications and prescriptions

• First Aid Kit

• Food that won’t spoil and utensils

• Items for children and pets

• Manual can opener

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Wind-up or battery-powered radio

• Extra keys for your car and house

• Cash, travellers’ cheques and change

• Identification, insurance and bank records

• Candles and matches or lighter

• Change of clothing/footwear

• Warm blanket

• Toiletries and personal hygiene items

• Hand sanitizer and garbage bags

• Prepaid phone card, mobile phone charger

• Handy tools including duct tape

The driver of the vehicle reported no injuries. The road was closed for several hours to facilitate the investigation but has since re-opened.

The Oxford OPP, with the assistance of West Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) Team, continue to investigate the collision. Anyone with information or dash-cam footage is asked to contact the Oxford OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), or submit an online tip at www.oxfordcrimestoppers.com, where you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.

Tillsonburg council briefs

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Concern raised about staff time on sub-committees

A report on the Founder’s Day subcommittee brought forward a concern from one Tillsonburg councillor.

The report, which was from the Museum, Heritage, Culture and Special Awards Committee, recommended that the Founder’s Day sub-committee meet on an “as-needed basis pending staff availability”.

Councillor Bob Parsons -who initially understood that the clerk needed to be present during the meetings which could result in overtime - questioned that.

“Could this not be ad -hoc group that meets time to time and do without presence of clerk,” he questioned.

He was told a member of the clerk’s office must attend, but it may not necessarily be the clerk. The sub-committee is subject to the same terms as the committee, and having a staff member present is one of the terms.

“Is there any way we can restructure the terms of the committee to meet in a way that is more cost effective moving forward,” he said, pointing to the overtime.

Clerk Amelia Jaggard responded due to the timeframe involved, there isn’t time to restructure.

Caution raised about heritage designation

Several members of Tillsonburg council were cautious of a recommendation from the Museum, Heritage, Culture and Special Awards Committee to attach heritage designations to several properties.

The recommendation brought forward in a report to council was to direct staff to assess possible heritage designations for: the pillars in Memorial Park, the Oddfellows Lodge, Tillsonburg Masonic Centre, 186 Bidwell Street, Gibson House and Lake Lisgar.

Deputy Mayor Dave Beres said a heritage designation could impede further development on these properties. Citing Gibson House as an example, he said if

there was a desire for future alterations, he asked if it would require a special request to the province.

Clerk Amelia Jaggard explained that would be part of the investigation.

Coun. Bob Parsons said he had the same concern, and mentioned a couple of buildings downtown that shared walls with the adjoining building.

“I would like to know if that would have limitations on abutting properties,” he said, asking if there would be notification to abutting property owners.

Jaggard said if council gives that direction, it would occur. The staff report will outline the legislative process, she said, saying beyond that council will make the determination.

Coun. Pete Luciani asked how a body of water would be designated. Andrea Greenway, director of culture, recreation and parks, said the museum curator would be looking into that aspect.

Council passed a motion to prepare a report to outline the process for heritage designations.

Traffic issues to be investigated

Municipal staff will be looking into two issues brought forward by the town’s traffic advisory committee.

The committee recommended staff investigate the feasibility of a three-way stop at the intersection of Windermere and Allen and look into traffic concerns on Wilson Ave. The latter includes reaching out to the residents’ association and bringing forward suggestions for traffic measures at the intersection of Wilson Ave and Jackson Court.

Cemetery policy

A review of cemetery decoration policies ended up without any changes.

However, Coun. Bob Parsons said this could be an opportunity to educate residents about what is allowed or no allowed to decorate stones in winter or summer. He suggested a picture board somewhere in the cemetery to provide some clarity.

Andrea Greenway, director of culture, recreation and parks, said the committee was looking at something along this line, but through a QR code somewhere in the cemetery.

Pasons retorted that he thought a better solution wouldn’t involve technology as everybody doesn’t have a smart phone.

Kudos on diversion rate

Coun. Bob Parsons gave kudos to Tillsonburg, and Oxford County residents, for their recycling.

Parsons was speaking to a report on the April 14 Tillsonburg council agenda on the annual waste management report.

A member of council back in the 1980s before there were Blue Boxes, Parsons remembered discussion of developing a landfill site then as fears were the Oxford County Waste Management Facility (Salford) was nearing end of life. The report forecast the lifespan of the landfill site at 31 years.

“I think it’s important to celebrate that in 2024 the county and its residents diverted 46 per cent waste, 35,000 tonnes of waste through the recycling program,” he said.

He encouraged Tillsonburg residents to continue recycling.

Cranberry Line project increases in cost

Town councillors were presented with a report asking for an increase in costs for the Cranberry Road reconstruction.

CJDL Consulting Engineers were the successful bidders on the tender for consulting services in 2022. Since that time, it was found additional hydrogeological and soil testing was needed beyond the scope of the original tender. Council ap -

proved an additional $44,279 in spending for the project.

MegaBike fundraiser

Tillsonburg councillors were asked to spread the word about the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) MEGABike coming to town on May 28.

BBSS’s Kristen Ralph spoke to council about the groups’s program in Tillsonburg. There are currently 29 youth on a wait list, looking for a mentor to be paired with.

“Our goal is to raise $40,000 and every dollar will stay in Tillsonburg to support children and youth,” Ralph said.

The event will have teams of 29 people (plus one driver) ride the bike for 20 to 30 minutes through a route. The goal is to raise $40,000.

Ralph was hopeful the event will also raise awareness and attract more mentors. The overall goal is to have 100 young people and have each matched with a mentor.

She spoke of the value of BBSS in building social and mental skills, leading a way to employment.

“Our work reduces long-term reliance on social assistance,” Ralph said. “Hopefully to lower the burden on our community and most importantly empower young people to realize their full potential.”

The request of council members was to help spread word about the event and attend the event.

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Tips For your Wedding Attire

The Groom should be unique from the groomsmen by selecting different colours for their suit-tuxedo, neck attire differentiation

There are 122 various shades of white. Groom and groomsmen should have exact same shirt otherwise colour variations will show in pictures.

Sometimes a groom may want a second shirt for the special day, especially in hotter days or those that tend to sweat more.

Colour of groomsmen neck accessories should be the same as bridesmaids’ dresses

Colour of shirts should not comprise colour of wedding dress. If the gown is off white or a darker shade of white, DO NOT wear white shirts - otherwise dress will look dirty and be exaggerated in pictures

We are open 7 Days a week and late on Thursdays and Fridays and also available by appointment.

Parents and grandparents should be the second-best dressed people at the wedding.

Get hitched to these wedding trends

Modern couples are choosing to start their lives together in style. The latest trends suggest it's bound to be a fashionable year for those tying the knot in the months to come. Check out these ideas that are on many a modern couple's wish list.

Scaled down style

It may be the year of the mini in terms of bridal style. From dresses to bouquets to diminutive foods, couples can't get enough of miniature items that, despite their small size, add maximum impact to the big day.

Celebrant-led ceremonies

For some, there is no more meaningful part of the wedding than the ceremony when two lives are joined together. Although many couples still prefer traditional religious weddings, others are opting for more customizable, celebrant-led events that are personalized and tailored to the couples' unique histories and stories. Flexibility in relation to the ceremony location, and options for inclusivity and cultural diversity, are priorities among many modern couples.

Experiential extras

Sure couples are still opting for a band or a DJ to provide the bulk of the reception entertainment, but many also are branching out into new arenas. One new trend to emerge offers creative flair. Couples hire an artist to paint or sketch a portion of the ceremony or reception in real time, and guests can enjoy seeing how the scene unfolds. Additional

options regarding entertainment include culturally specific performers.

Creative photography

For years now, couples are increasingly opting for less stilted, posed photos in favor of something a little less rehearsed. Candid photography and a photojournalism approach are popular requests among modern couples, but an even more adventurous photo style also is emerging. As drone photography becomes even more common, aerial photos and video are being used to add an even more unique approach to wedding documentation.

Colorful fashions

Modern weddings are big on color, from bold and vibrant floral displays to wardrobe choices. Gone are the days when brides must wear white. They're now choosing everything from pastels to silver and even black if the mood hits. Plus, wedding party dresses are equally vibrant, with many brides opting to let their bridesmaids mix and match gowns and colors in a range of hues.

Weekend-long weddings

Some people don't want the magic of the wedding to end after one day, so they opt for an entire wedding weekend. Hitched says searches for weekend wedding venues have risen by 50 percent in the past year.

Wedding styles and trends continue to evolve, and couples have many options that can help them make their big day unique.

BRIDAL GUIDE

L J EWELLERS

Buying an engagement ring, and wedding bands, is an important decision and there are many aspects of the purchase to consider. What style would look best on your finger? Do you have a certain diamond cut you prefer? What thickness of band do you need?

Gordon Lesser at Lesser Jewellers in Ingersoll would happily sit down with you to discuss all aspects of your diamond ring and wedding band purchases. Starting with the four C’s, which are cut, colour, carat, and clarity, Gordon has 50 years experience in teaching couples about the quality and value of this important purchase. Working within your budget requirements, he will suggest the best options for your needs. It is recommended that you call the store ahead of your arrival (519-485-2190) so we can be certain Gordon will be available when you arrive. While we have a wide variety of options in stock for you to choose from, we can also custom make your perfect ring. Gordon has considerable experience in creating custom orders. Also, have you thought about having your rings engraved? This can be arranged, and if your purchase is an instock item, engraving is typically free of charge.

Gifts for your attendants is also something we would be happy to help you with.

Gordon Lesser looks forward to helping you choose the perfect rings! Let’s make your memorable day the best it can be, with rings you will be proud to wear for years to come.

Lesser Jewellers is located in downtown Ingersoll, at 146 Thames Street South. The store offers fine jewellery and is a giftware store, with a great selection of watches and clocks. It has been operating since 1995, when Gordon purchased another jewellery store which had operated in this same location since 1951. We also offer jewellery repairs and provide clock and watch repairs. Clock repairs are done on our premises. We offer in store engraving which is free of charge on items purchased in our store. Corporate watches and giftware are offered as well. Complimentary gift wrapping is available for all items purchased from us.

The business recently opened a new division, a store called Beyond Your Backdoor a short walk down the street at 136 Thames Street South. The new store is a nature-themed gift store which we are sure you will most certainly find just as delightful as Lesser Jewellers.

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Tucked into the heart of southwestern Ontario, SixPence & Sage is a boutique bridal shop with locations in Waterford and Tillsonburg, bringing together timeless elegance and modern charm in a relaxed, welcoming space. Founded by Leslie—a paramedic with an eye for style and a passion for meaningful moments—SixPence & Sage Bridal Boutique is all about celebrating love, individuality, and the power of a truly unforgettable outfit. What started as a dream in a small town has grown into a trusted destination for brides across Ontario. Leslie’s vision was simple: create a place where people feel comfortable, cared for, and inspired. The boutique quickly built a reputation for its laid-back vibe, gorgeous dresses, and personal service—so much so that a second location opened in Tillsonburg to keep up with demand. SixPence & Sage offers a curated selection of

bridal gowns from Canadian and European designers like Bridalane, Aire Barcelona, and Rosa Clara. Whether you're looking for something sleek and modern or soft and romantic, there's a gown here to match your style. And with accessories by Laura Jayne and expert alterations recommended through local seamstress Jane Johnstone, every look comes together with care and detail. But the boutique isn’t just for brides.

In partnership with Collins Clothiers, SixPence & Sage now offers a full men’s formal wear lineup too. Whether it’s for a groom, best man, fatherof-the-bride, or prom night hero, the boutique makes sure everyone can suit up in style—with the same personal attention and no rush vibe that defines their bridal side.

SixPence & Sage also loves collaborating with local talent. From styled shoots to wedding expos, they regularly team up with photographers, florists, stylists, and artists to showcase what’s possible when creativity meets community. It’s not just about fashion—it’s about making something beautiful together.

Appointments are recommended, especially on weekends, to ensure a private and personalized shopping experience. But when space allows, walk-ins are always welcomed with a smile.

So whether you’re saying “yes” to the dress, hunting for the perfect suit, or just want to explore a boutique that listens to its clients - SixPence & Sage is worth the visit. It's bridal magic, without the pressure.

(BLACKBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY)

Photo: Danielle Cargill Photography

Photo: SJ Photography

Photo: Black Bird Photography

Photo: sadiemartinmedia

Photo: Nadine Watson Photography

Mayor speaks to chamber

JEFF HELSDON Editor

From reconstructing the Kinsmen Bridge to addressing homelessness, Mayor Deb Gilvesy covered a lot of ground during the mayor’s annual address to the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce.

The annual event was held Thursday, April 17 at the Tillsonburg Soccer Club.

Starting out with a nod to town founder George Tillson, Gilvesy pointed to the record year for building permits, with $147.8 million worth of building taking place. The 10-year average is $65 million per year.

“Last year we just about doubled that,” Gilvesy said.

Of the 2025 total, $69 million was residential, and the remainder commercial and institutional. Gilvesy mentioned the Northgate Plaza bringing “much-needed commercial space”.

Speaking more to residential, there were 246 permits issued last year, which is above the 20-year average. Gilvesy said there are holding provisions in place to ensure there is enough water and sewer capacity. Oxford County’s 10-year master plan will see more sewage capacity added and wells brought on line.

“It’s essential we have infrastructure before houses are built,” she said.

Modhani, Shep’s Bakery, Armtec, Marwood and the new PeopleCare development on Maple Lane were listed as for job creation.

“The demand for long term care in Oxford County is extremely high and Tillsonburg is truly blessed to have this brandnew facility in our community in the near future,” Gilvesy said. “It is an opportunity to keep loved ones closer to home in a state of the art facility.”

Replacement of the Kinsmen Bridge was highlighted as one of the largest in-

BIA proposes expansion to cover more of downtown

frastructure projects of 2025 at $4.7 million. About 250 to 500 people per day use the pedestrian bridge. Cranberry Road was the other large project of 2025 mentioned at a $5.3 million cost. A combined effort with the County of Oxford, it will see repaving of the roadway, installation of paved walkways and water, sewer and storm sewers.

Gilvesy highlighted the turnaround of the fire communications dispatch department as a success story.

“When I first started on council in 2018, fire comm was on life support and the residents of Tillsonburg were subsidizing other municipalities’ 9-1-1 service to the tune of $200,000,” she said.

Gilvesy gave credit to staff for working hard to seek new contracts, rewriting old contracts and turning the deficit into a projected surplus of more than $320,000 in 2024.

The mayor also mentioned the town providing funding for a one-year partnership with the Oxford Health Team to provide a clinic for people without a primary care provider and initiatives to provide lessthan-market rate housing and assist with homelessness. The town’s CIP program allowed the Harvest Ave development to add 15 units at less than market rate, and a development at 31 Earle Street will also provide affordable housing.

Concluding her remarks, Gilvesy said inflation impacts not only the taxpayer –who she acknowledged funds the town’s work – but also the municipality.

“All municipalities are struggling with funding asset management plans and keeping up with rising expenses,” she said. “We are not unique but it is imperative that we continue to ensure that your dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. As we enter into a time of economic uncertainty, I am confident that the town is well represented with a CAO and senior leadership team that have the best interest of the community at heart.”

JEFF HELSDON Editor

The town is seeking input on a proposal to increase the boundaries of the Downtown Tillsonburg Business Improvement Area (BIA).

Formed in 1978, Tillsonburg BIA was one of the first in Ontario. At the time the population was 9,400 people. The original boundaries stretched from Venison Street, south to Bloomer, and were bounded by Valley View on the west and a line roughly down the middle of Lisgar Ave to the east.

“It’s basically been the same zone for more than 50 years, but the population has more than doubled,” said BIA Executive Director Mark Renaud, noting the population is now more than 21,000.

The proposed expansion would stretch from the middle of Concession Street on the north, along the Stoney Creek gully on the west to Otter Creek, across to Young Street on the South, and then up Vienna Road, crossing the Otter and towards Maple Lane. There would be no impact to residential home owners, but there would to commercial and industrial properties.

The release announcing the expansion stated, “An expanded BIA zone also

opens the door to greater collaboration and synergy in areas like marketing, events, and activations. The new zone unlocks access to key public spaces ideal for hosting community events, such as Annandale House, Coronation Park, John Pound Road, the Tillsonburg Community Garden, and the Annandale Public School campus. These venues provide incredible opportunities for inclusive, well-attended gatherings that benefit the entire town.”

Renaud said becoming part of the BIA will allow businesses to take part in the promotions. He said some town businesses, such as Indigo Lounge, already pay an affiliate marketing fee members to take advantage of the promotion. This will also expand the area the BIA looks after.

“We’re well regarded as having one of the cleanest downtowns anywhere,” he said, adding there will be no additional staff added if the proposal is approved.

The cost of being part of the BIA is related to the municipal tax assessment of a business. Renaud gave the example of a median commercial property with an assessment of $265,000, saying the BIA levy would be $747. He also noted BIA rates have decreased and, with more membership, are expected to decrease further.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

This map shows the current and proposed BIA boundaries.

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy addressed the Chamber of Commerce at the annual mayor’s luncheon.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

BIA proposes expansion to cover more of downtown

The process started in October 2023 when the BIA’s board of management agreed to request a boundary expansion. Later that month, council agreed to the boundary expansions.

As part of the process, owners of businesses in both the current and proposed areas must be notified before a boundary expansion bylaw is passed. A 60day objection period started on April 11, and should be filed with the town clerk.

The clerk will report to council in June or July, with the expectation that if the proposal proceeds, it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Approval of the plan will also allow for better planning for the expansion of the downtown at some point in the future.

“If we don’t expand the downtown will die and force development outside the core,” he said.

Theatre Tillsonburg Shines with Four WODL Nominations for Steel Magnolias

Theatre Tillsonburg is celebrating a wave of recognition as ‘Steel Magnolias’ by Robert Harling received four prestigious nominations from the Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) Festival Awards.

The beloved Southern comedy-drama captivated local audiences and the regional adjudicator, earning nods that highlight both individual performances and the strength of the production as a whole. The nominations include:

• Outstanding Cameo Performance – Pete Matthews as radio announcer

• Outstanding Performance in a Major Role – Jessica O’Connor as Truvy

• Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role – Nikki Wiltac as Annelle

• Outstanding Ensemble – The Cast of Steel Magnolias

“Being nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by WODL for my role in Steel Magnolias is a true honour,” said cast member Nikki Wiltac. “Steel Magnolias is a story rooted in resilience and connection, and our cast and crew embodied that every step of the way with energy, strength, and camaraderie; which also speaks to our nomination for Outstanding Ensemble. Our nominations are a tribute to Theatre Tillsonburg and speaks to the high-quality productions we put on stage.”

Directed by Julie Buffett, the production resonated with its heartfelt storytelling and strong character work. The director’s passion for the piece was clear from the start.

“I selected Steel Magnolias to direct at Theatre Tillsonburg because it is a play I love and I believed it would be a hit with the audience,” said Buffett. “I knew it was a play that required stellar acting and I was confident I could find the right people to perform these roles in Tillsonburg.”

Buffett expressed particular pride in the ensemble’s recognition, noting, “Regarding the WODL festival award nominations, it is absolutely no surprise to me that the actors were recognised. I am particularly proud of the Outstanding Ensemble Cast nomination as this is for all of our actors: Tabatha, Melanie, Angela, Kelly, Jessica, Nikki, and Pete. This adjudication has confirmed what I already knew —that we have some very talented actors at Theatre Tillsonburg.”

WODL, which represents community theatres across southwestern Ontario, plays an important role in fostering artistic growth and recognizing excellence in the region. Theatre Tillsonburg President Dianne Clark emphasized the broader impact of these nominations.

“WODL nominations are a significant achievement and an important form of recognition for both individuals and the collective work of a theatre group,” said Clark. “They help increase visibility and support for future productions, and offer valuable feedback that helps us grow as artists and as a company. It’s also a wonderful way to connect with the wider theatre community across Western Ontario.”

As Theatre Tillsonburg continues to grow its presence and reputation, recognition like this affirms the creativity, commitment, and collaboration that defines the organization. Whether it’s heartfelt drama or high-energy comedy, local theatre continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of the performers, directors, and countless volunteers behind the scenes.

As a registered not-for-profit charitable organization, Theatre Tillsonburg is powered by passionate volunteers and supported by the generosity of its community. Every ticket purchased, donation made, or hour volunteered goes directly toward sustaining and growing live theatre in our region. It means that every show, every set, and every light cue is made possible by people who believe in the power of storytelling and the value of the arts in small-town Ontario.

If you’re looking for your next night out at the theatre, Habit of Murder, a witty Canadian murder mystery, opens May 29 at Theatre Tillsonburg. Be sure to follow us on social media for behind-thescenes sneak peeks, updates, and all the fun that goes into making the magic happen on stage.

For tickets and showtimes, visit www.theatretillsonburg.com or call the box office at 519-688-3026.

Come play with us! We promise you’ll leave entertained and inspired!

Theatre Tillsonburg’s production of "Steel Magnolias”, which ran earlier this year, was nominated for several Western Ontario Drama League Festival awards.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

New vet clinic opening in town

JEFF HELSDON Editor

A familiar face is behind a new veterinary clinic opening in Tillsonburg.

Dr. Sharon Howard, is opening Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic on May 5. The full-service veterinary clinic will be specializing in medical care for dogs and cats. This includes, preventative health care, dental work and surgery.

Howard has lived in Tillsonburg for 23 years, and worked at a number of clinics in the area as an associate veterinarian during that time. She will bring the best of what she has seen from each of the places she worked to her new venture.

“I’ve had a lot of positive influences from other places I worked and gained knowledge from a lot of other experienced veterinarians,” Howard said.

For instance, one unique service Howard is offering is home euthanasia. She had experience with this service while working at a clinic in London.

“It’s a very difficult time for people and we want to make it as stress free and personal as possible,” she said. “Time and time again, people are so grateful for that service.”

Located at the intersection of Tillson Ave and North Street, Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic was designed to give a personal connection in what Howard called a “homey environment.”

“We’re going for a homey, comfortable feel rather than something like a doctor’s office,” she said.

Howard emphasized this a privately-owned clinic, not a corporate enterprise,

and will stress personal service. She decided to strike out on her own seeing the demand and growth in Tillsonburg.

“There’s a need and Tillsonburg is a growing community,” she said. “It’s a great time to offer this as a service.”

Reception of the business is already exceeding Howard’s expectations.

“The reception has been positive and people are say-

ing we need this,” she said, adding there are already more than 300 people who want to sign on.

Local staff have been hired to fill the positions and the business is ready to open. The clinic was designed to be able to add another veterinarian down the road.

Pricing will be competitive with the area. Hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., initially.

Dr. Sharon Howard exams the office cat Roo in her newly-completed examination room at Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

The crew at Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic are ready to greet the public when the facility opens on May 5. Left to right are: Amanda van der Linde, office manager and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT); Trudy Long, reception and Animal Care Attendant; Jahna Gogo, RVT; and Dr. Sharon Howard, owner.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Tillsonburg curling fans paid more attention paid to provincial curling championships this year, knowing one of their own was on the ice.

Jayden King was representing the Tillsonburg Curling Club when he competed at several provincial events this year.

The Courtland native started curling when he was 11 after watching it on television. Encouraged by neighbours Nora and Les Peter, he started to curl at the Tillsonburg Curling Club, and still does.

King then move to curling in London, since there weren’t a lot of younger competitive curlers in Tillsonburg, reaching out to Jennifer Cuddie, a competition de -

velopment coach with experience at the national, national university and international levels.

“Then the rest was history,” he said.

Now 23 years-old, when he was 19, he wanted to take a more active role locally and joined the board of the Tillsonburg Curling Club.

“That’s where my involvement in Tillsonburg started again,” he said.

King is the skip of the team, a vital position in curling. He started in this role when he was 13 when it was asked who wanted to step up.

“I enjoy the pressure of throwing last when everything is on the line and to think about the critical angles and what the other team is going to do. It’s a natural fit for me right now,” he said.

He noted that teams used to win in curling if the skip was good, but that has changed.

“Now days you need the whole team to win to compete,” he said.

When King competes, he always represents Tillsonburg Curling Club – except for in the men’s division. He competes in men’s; mixed doubles, with one man and one woman on a team; four person mixed; and the Silver Tankard, where clubs send one full men’s team and one full women’s team.

“Their full men’s score and full women’s score is used to calcu -

late a score versus using separately,” King explained of the Silver Tankard.

The Silver Tankard is the oldest curling event in Ontario. King’s team won the recent event in Oshawa, defeating Niagara Falls.

Most members of the Silver Tankard team are in university.

“We actually decided to enter this team when we were playing

beach volleyball last summer,” he said.

It’s different with the larger team of eight, and King said fun is stressed at the Silver Tankard.

“It’s a good combination between competition and fun,” he said.

King tipped his hat to the fan support he receives in Tillsonburg.

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Jayden King represents the Tillsonburg Curling Club while competing in all of his events except for men’s. The Courtland resident won the provincial championships in mixed last year and recently was part of the team that won the Silver Tankard.

(@CURLING PHOTO)

The Silver Tankard involves competition with a full men’s team and a full women’s team, with the winners decided from a combined score. Jayden King’s Tillsonburg Curling Club team was part of the team. Left to right are: (front row) Katie Ford, Emily Middaugh, Maddy Fisher, Grace Cave, (back row) Jayden King, Dylan Niepage, Owen Henry and Spencer Dunlop.

(JAYDEN KING PHOTO)

King aiming to win provincials next year, head to Brier

“Most of the members follow our team and how we’re doing,” he said.

Outside of the Silver Tankard, King won the 2023 Ontario Juniors in men’s, and in 2024 provincially in mixed. Both qualified him to go to nationals. In 2022, competing in junior men’s he finished ninth of 18 teams. The following year, he was 10th of 18 teams in men’s and this year finished

12th of 14 teams in mixed.

King’s men’s team is ranked 16th in Canada, and 42nd in the world.

“Last winter we missed out on the Brier (men’s national championship) by one shot,” he said.

Next year, King’s goal is to win the provincial and go to the Brier in St. John’s, NL. He will have a new team next year.

Curling is a big obligation for King – he curled 18 of 21 weekends over the winter. Often this covers Thursday to Sunday.

“It’s a large time commitment,” he said. “When your schooling changes or your job changes, it’s tough.”

He is currently enrolled in a Masters of Human Health and Nutrition course at the University of Guelph. He will

be done in August, with plans to go to teacher’s college next year, while continuing to curl. The longer-term goal is to supply teach after completing his schooling, while continuing to curl.

“Now it’s working towards the Brier and Olympics,” he said. “It’s shifting the focus from the provincial level and trying to break into the national level.”

Gemini soccer girls sitting atop TVRA South East

TRIBE Post Correspondent

Halfway through the Thames Valley Regional Athletic girls’ varsity soccer season, the Tillsonburg Gemini are playing with house money.

Following a 2024 campaign as much about enjoying the game and gaining experience, the Gemini find themselves atop 2025 Tier II standings with a 2-0-1 won/lost/tied record.

“I definitely see improvements since last year,” said defender Ava Deleye following a 7-0 shutout victory over St. Thomas Central Elgin Titans Thursday, April 17th at London’s City Wide #1 field. “And we’re doing better than last year

already, so the season should be good.”

Kherington Spanjers fuelled Tillsonburg’s attack with four goals against the Titans, Sophia Monsere added two and Kaia Spanjers a single. Goaltender Elysse Davis picked up the shutout.

“We’re trying to get them open with balls they can run onto,” said Gemini midfielder Brooklynn Malott of her team’s offensive strategy. “They’ve got lots of speed and can get open.”

Monsere netted Tillsonburg’s goal in a regular season-opening 1-1 draw against Ingersoll DCI, backed up by a 5-1 win over Woodstock College Avenue Tuesday, April 22nd.

“I think we communicate well,” said Gemini defender Vivian Suderman of her squad’s strong start. “We’ve definitely upgraded since last year, for sure.

“Off to a really good start for sure,” she added later. “We have a good group so I’m excited.”

This year’s Gemini is a comparatively young team says Michelle Dench, who co-coaches with Alison Wallace. Along with their returning senior athletes, Tillsonburg has a large contingent of Grade 9 rookies, “who are very good.”

The Gemini are challenged by the lack of a high schoolaged rep travel team in the

community, players wishing to continue after ageing out of minor soccer choosing between a women’s team or travelling out of town. However, Dench is also pleased with the 2025 campaign’s opening ‘kickoff.’

“A great start, a great team, an amazing group of girls who get along well,” she summed up. “Nice to see them start the season so well.”

The Gemini were scheduled to be back on the pitch April 28th against Ingersoll and April 30th against Woodstock Huron Park, closing out a busy week of soccer with its hometown Gemini Cup, Friday, May 2nd at the Tillsonburg Soccer Park.

A popular annual tradition for

both girls’ and boys’ teams originally established by Dave Sandor, the 16-team draw typically fills up within a day says Dench, and is a much-anticipated seasonal highlight.

“It’s always a great day of soccer,” she concluded.

TVRA South East Varsity Boys Soccer Tier I

Thursday, April 24

St. Thomas St. Joe’s 4, Gemini 0

Tuesday, April 22

Woodstock St. Mary’s 5, Gemini 1

Tuesday, April 15 Ingersoll DCI 2, Gemini 0

JEFF

Gemini midfielder Brooklyn Malott (left) moves the ball forward against Central Elgin’s Carly Holmes and Madison Knelsen.

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Tillsonburg’s Emily DaCosta (left) makes a play along the sideline against Central Elgin’s Madison Knelsen (centre) and Bella Stahlbaum (right).

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

U10 A Storm cap season with OMHA final appearance

JEFF TRIBE

Post Correspondent

The South Oxford U10 A Storm’s Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship final appearance in Whitby Sunday, April 6th was a fitting conclusion to a great season.

“I was proud of all the kids for their hard work and dedication,” said coach Chris Sanders. “They put in the work and it showed.”

U10 is the first year players converge under the amalgamated South Oxford format, an adjustment made right off the hop, said their coach.

“Right from the first practice they were already bonding in the dressing room, developing friendships off the ice,” said Sanders. “That just carried on.”

The U10 Storm’s season featured tournament victories in their own South Oxford event and the U11 Division of the Buffalo Winter Classic, along with a 20-2-2 record in what Sanders characterized as an extremely competitive Shamrock Hockey League.

“It was a challenging division,” he said, home to four of the top six-ranked U10 A teams in Ontario. “Every team in the Shamrock is a good hockey team.”

The U10 Storm’s offence was fuelled by Oliver Lyonaise who won the Shamrock scoring title and Nolan Murray and under-age defender Vincent Heleniak who both finished in the top five. However, beyond quality goaltending and what Sanders considers the best defence in the league, the

team’s forward depth was what stood out to opponents throughout the season.

“Every other team seemed to have two solid lines, we were fortunate to roll three,” said Sanders.

Moving through Shamrock round-robin playoffs in first place, the U10 Storm opened best-of-three semi-finals with a 5-4 win over the Norfolk Knights. The Knights battled back with a 3-2 win in Port Dover

before the U10 Storm closed the series out with a hard-fought 4-1 victory on home ice.

“The kids came to play that day,” credited Sanders.

South Oxford advanced to the best-ofthree league final against Mt. Brydges, a solid team who had handed the Storm’s both regular-season losses. Opening with an 8-1 victory and then dropping a 5-2 decision in the second game, South Oxford had to earn a hard-fought 4-2 win including an empty-netter in the third and deciding contest.

“The team came together and we came out on top,” said Sanders.

As well as the league title and attendant OMHA Red Hat championship tournament berth the victory provided, Sanders appreciated both two tough playoff series and competitive league games night in night out.

“I think having to play those hard games

and battle every night set us up, prepared us for the (OMHA) playoff tournament.”

South Oxford’s run through OMHA round-robin play including a rematch against the Haldimand River Kings. The Storm beat the River Kings in the final of their own tournament, losing to them in regional Silver Stick qualifiers. Sandwiched around comfortable 9-2 and 7-1 wins over the Woolwich Wildcats and Collingwood Blues respectively, their game was expected to determine first and second in their fourteam pool, and who would have to cross over against the powerhouse Belle River Canadiens in semi-finals.

“All the kids knew how big the game was,” said Sanders of an eventual 5-1 win. Finishing first, South Oxford took care of a fast-skating Centre Wellington Fusion squad 5-1 in their semi-final.

“We jumped out early, got two quick goals and were able to hold them off as the game went on.”

The U10 Storm faced the Belle River Canadiens in the OMHA A final, a squad with size, strength, ability to move the puck well, and a ‘phenomenal’ player first identified in Silver Stick play.

“We came out with a gameplan and he still scored six goals on us,” credited Sanders. “Even outside of him, Belle River is a well, rounded, very good hockey team.”

The Canadiens opened a 2-0 lead which South Oxford was able to counter, battling back to square accounts at two. However, Belle River responded with two goals during a five-on-three power play.

“And we just ran out of gas,” said Sanders of an eventual 9-2 loss to a quality team and individual player who had 27 points in five OMHA tournament games. While naturally preferring a victory, the result did not take the shine off what their coach characterized as a great 2024-25 season.

“Coming second out of 106 teams in the province is a pretty impressive year,” Sanders concluded.

Pickleball continues to grow

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Diane Peacock, president of the Tillsonburg Pickleball Club presented council with a plan to better utilize the pickleball courts in light of heavy use.

Starting by thanking council for the three new courts that opened, Peacock provided background on the club, saying it started after a conversation between pickleball players and the director of parks and recreation. They were told to form a club, and now two short years later, they have 120 members.

“The mission of Tillsonburg Pickle Ball Club is to arrange for facilities, assist and promote the growth of pickleball as a sport for all ages n Tillsonburg and foster social interaction amongst its members,” she said.

Previously the club requested council to put pickleball lines on the tennis courts, Peacock said now may not be the right time to focus on that request. Instead, she asked for dedicated court time to be set aside at no cost to the club. The hours requested were Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to noon, and

Tuesday and Thursday evenings until dusk. The request was for only two courts to leave one open.

“During this time we would organize play based on skill level - learn to play, intermediate and advanced,” Peacock said.

In return, the club would organize lessons, hold clinics and open houses.

“We think this is important because there are not enough courts to accommodate the growing numbers of players,” she said.

Organization could add to safety by separating advanced and beginners. It would be fairer and more equitable, which is safer “than just people showing up and creating mayhem which is what we have now.”

Peacock also requested better signage, which would outline etiquette, and emphasize having four people on a court, and that no single games, drills or lessons are allowed.

“This game is played most times with four people and we can’t have maximum usage with one group taking over a court,” she said.

Council accepted the report for information and told Peacock a staff report is on the agenda for the April 28 meeting.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The South Oxford U10 A Storm capped a great 2024-25 season with an OMHA A final appearance Sunday, April 6th in Whitby.

Cornish helps ‘lock’ up first place for Gemini rugby women

TRIBE Post Correspondent

Keona Cornish is primarily a lock.

But the Tillsonburg Gemini girls’ rugby co-captain is a Jill of all trades for her side, found at a number of onfield positions depending on the game situation.

“A little bit of everything, I’m everywhere,” she smiled.

“She subs in where we need her,” credited Keirsten Sanderson, one of a five-member Gemini coaching staff.

To the uninitiated, nomenclature for the sport’s 15 positions presents an interesting learning curve with descriptive/puzzling titles including fullback, fly-half, hooker, wing, back row, lock and scrum half. And while happy to fill in where needed, the position Cornish and her Gemini compatriots are happiest to occupy is first place in the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association’s Jill McCallum Division, firmed up with a 29-10 victory over the Woodstock CI Red Devils on a beautiful, sunny Thursday, April 24th morning at London’s City Wide Field.

“Lots of good teammate communication,” said Gemini co-captain Avah Sanderson. “We have a good bond together and are listening very well both on and off the field.”

Sophie Hicks, Carly Kennedy and Cornish were each credited for a five-point try against WCI (the rugby equivalent of a football touchdown, running the ball across the goal-line and touching it down on the ground).

Avah Sanderson added two two-point conversions (kicking the ball through the uprights from the lateral position the try was recorded) and three trys, including one on a lengthy ‘pick and go.’ Quite literally, players advance the ball laterally and vertically, and upon getting tackled, shelter the ball, moving it rearward to a teammate, who picks it up and goes again.

“It escalated across the field,” said Sanderson.

The Gemini opened their regular season with a 2015 win over St. Thomas St. Joe’s Rams the previous Wednesday (April 16th), in which chilly weather was also an opponent for both sides.

“They couldn’t feel their fingers by the end of the game,” said coach Sanderson.

The victory was significant in that while Tillsonburg has beaten St. Joe’s in ‘sevens’ (seven players a side) competition, this was a first in full-squad regular season play. Gemini success is attributable to a number of factors, beginning with a 30-member roster featuring a mixture of veteran experience and Grade 9 enthusiasm. Apart from a balance of physical talent, size and speed, those elevated numbers allow the coaching staff to keep fresh legs on the field.

“It’s way better than last year,” said Cornish. “Go hard or go home,” agreed Avah Sanderson.

The coaching staff features three-year members Tony Hietkamp and Shelby Colldock, second-year Emma Miners, and rookies Katrina Blong and Keirsten Sanderson. The Gemini have been practising for two months says the latter, pleased to see their hard work paying off both on the field and in the standings.

Tillsonburg is scheduled to face St. Thomas Parkside, also at 2-0 in the standings Wednesday, May 7th at St. Thomas’s 1Password Park, before closing out its regular season at home to Woodstock Huron Park Tuesday, May

JEFF

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Confronted by an array of Red Devils, Tillsonburg’s Avah Sanderson pitches the ball back to a teammate.

Home Improvement 2025

Refresh & Renew; Local Experts & Fresh Ideas

How to keep indoor air clean during allergy season

Seasonal allergies can turn a warm and welcoming spring or summer day into something else entirely. Congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes are just some of the unpleasant symptoms of seasonal allergies, which are most often triggered by high pollen counts during spring and summer.

The Mayo Clinic advises seasonal allergy sufferers to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. But what about indoor air quality? The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that eight out of 10 people are exposed to dust mites and six out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. Dust mites and pet dander can each trigger allergic re -

actions. Pair those two triggers with higher pollen counts common in spring and summer and it's no wonder that many seasonal allergy sufferers are ambivalent about the warm weather seasons. Fortunately, steps can be taken to keep indoor air clean during allergy season.

• Close windows and doors. Many people embrace opportunities to open their windows and doors on warm days, but doing so allows outdoor allergens like pollen to get inside. Pollen can attach to furniture and clothing, and that can make time indoors unpleasant for allergy sufferers. Maintain indoor air quality by closing windows and doors on

windy days and/or days when pollen counts are high.

• Employ air cleaning devices. The AAFA notes that air cleaners with Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly¨ filters can filter nearly 98 percent of allergen particles in the air. The AAFA maintains a list of certified air cleaners at asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.

• Keep a clean home. The Mayo Clinic notes that, in most homes, items such as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting provide an ideal environment for dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that trigger allergic reactions in many people. The AAFA recommends keeping surfaces in a home clean

and uncluttered to control dust mites. Washing bedding and uncovered pillows in hot water each week also can help to corral dust mites and improve indoor air quality.

• Vacuum frequently. Frequent vacuuming is another way to improve indoor air quality. The AAFA maintains a list of Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly vacuums that have been tested and found to prevent allergens from reentering the air.

• Prevent mold and treat areas where infestations have occurred. Mold also contributes to

poor indoor air quality. Dehumidifiers can be used to reduce mold and dust mites, making these beneficial additions to allergy sufferers'homes. Minimizing house plants around the house and addressing leaky fixtures immediately are some additional measures to prevent mold infestations. It may not be enough to simply stay indoors to avoid allergic reactions on spring and summer days. Embracing measures to improve indoor air quality can be vital for allergy sufferers as well.

Home Improvement 2025

Refresh & Renew; Local Experts & Fresh Ideas

Tillsonburg Glass & Mirror Ltd. has been the trusted local supplier and installation expert for glass details in Tillsonburg and the surrounding area for more than 80 years, specializing in both commercial and residential renovations.

Guided by the motto, "We Service What We Sell," they are committed to providing exceptional craftsmanship and customer service.

Founded in 1940 by Walter Reg-

inald (Sam) Heckford in the basement of his home on Tillson Avenue, Tillsonburg Glass & Mirror Ltd. quickly outgrew its original location but remained on the same street through the generations. Today, the Heckford family operates from a modern showroom at 213 Tillson Avenue, Tillsonburg, Ontario.

After Sam Heckford’s leadership, the business was passed to his son Wesley in 1957. In 1983, Wesley welcomed his son Kirby into the company, and recently, Kirby’s son Warren has also joined the family legacy. With four generations now involved, Tillsonburg Glass & Mirror Ltd. proudly stands as one of Ontario’s longest-running

family-owned and operated glass and glazing companies—a rare achievement in today’s business world.

Tillsonburg Glass & Mirror Ltd. is also deeply committed to giving back, supporting numerous charities, community projects, activities, and local sports teams. They are proud members of the local Chamber of Commerce, the London & District Construction Association, the Economic Development Committee, the Homebuilders Association, the Canadian Independent Business Association, Window Wise, and S.A.W.D.A.C.

While much has changed over

Home Improvement 2025

Taylor brothers launch D & B Construction

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Two Tillsonburg brothers have launched their own construction business.

Dylan, 25, and Ben Taylor, 23, recently launched D & B Construction. The company specializes in small renovations, basements and bathrooms, builds deck and fences, assembles pre-built items (like IKEA) and stains existing decks.

Dylan has been working for another company in construction for four years and Ben worked as a framer for two years.

Deck staining has been busy, and includes pressure washing, using a cleaner

to brighten the wood to better accept stain, sanding and then staining.

“People like it because they are worried about their deck stain not sticking,” Ben said.

The pair have put their boots on the ground and have been going door to door telling people about their new venture, in addition to other advertising. They also know many people in town themselves, and through their father Mark and mother Jennifer.

Ben, who looks after more of the marketing and bookkeeping, said they also want to get involved in community initiatives to help promote the business.

Dylan, left, and Ben Taylor are the operators of D & B Construction. The new company specializes in home renovations, building and staining decks and assembling pre-built items.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Home Improvement 2025

Refresh & Renew; Local Experts & Fresh Ideas

Rooted in Community: The Story of Tillsonburg Garden Gate Ltd.

For 14 years, Tillsonburg Garden Gate Ltd. has been more than just a place to buy plants, it’s been a place where gardens, dreams, and community spirit grow. What Matthew and Linda Fenn started as a small family passion has blossomed into a trusted local business, built on hard work, quality, and care.

From the early days of selling annuals and shrubs at the greenhouse to now offering a full range of flowers, décor, and landscaping essentials, the business has continued to grow. With the addition of a

floral department to service the needs for everyone in Tillsonburg and the surrounding area.

Today, Tillsonburg Garden Gate is proud to remain a true family business. Their daughter has joined the team full time to bringing new energy and ideas, while their son also lends a helping hand, keeping the family tradition alive. Together, they are committed to helping you create beautiful outdoor spaces where memories are made. Thank you to our community for growing with us, season after season.

Keep on growing!

Home Improvement 2025

Refresh & Renew; Local Experts & Fresh Ideas

How to upgrade your home to accommodate modern living

Remodeling projects allow homeowners to put their personal stamps on a property. In addition to choosing a color and design scheme that fits a particular aesthetic, homeowners may want to outfit their homes with various features that can make them more accommodating to modern living. Homeowners can use these ideas as a springboard for remodeling projects designed to modernize their homes.

• Open floor plans: Open floor plans remain coveted characteristics of modern home architecture. An open layout enables occupants to feel like they are enjoying spaces together without having to be on top of one another. Since sightlines are not obstructed in open floor plans, homeowners can enjoy a

cohesive design style across each level of the home.

• Eco-friendly features: Eco-friendly features modernize homes and may even earn homeowners rebates from the government. From positioning rooms to take advantage of natural sunlight to using environmentally responsible materials throughout a home, modern homes can function with a much smaller carbon footprint than older structures.

• Smart home technology: A smart home is equipped with appliances and other devices that can be controlled remotely, typically from a phone or computer connected to the internet. Investopedia notes that smart home technology offers homeowners convenience

and cost savings. Smart home technology is available across a wide range of budgets, ranging from thousands of dollars for a complete home automation to roughly $100 for a small change like a smart thermostat.

• Accessibility features: A home that can grow with its residents is advantageous. When choosing renovations, features like slip-resistant flooring, stylish grab bars and low-threshold or barrier-free showers can enable homeowners to age in place more comfortably.

• Dual owner's suites: Dual owner's suites can be an asset for couples who choose to sleep separately. The Sleep Foundation says individuals choose to sleep in different rooms for a variety of reasons, notably reduced sleep in -

terruptions and improved sleep quality. Plus, an extra bedroom can come in handy when one person is ill or in the event a partner snores. Rather than one person in the relationship getting the "lesser" space, certain homebuilders now offer plans for dual owner's suites so both people get the features they desire in a bedroom.

• Three-season room: Many homeowners aspire to bridge the gap between the indoors and outside. Three-season rooms help transition from the yard to the interior of a home, and offer a touch of nature without the bugs or unpleasant elements.

A number of home improvements can bring homes up to the standards of modern living.

Freeman Mechanical is a family run, values-based business that provides affordable solutions, products and services for all your plumbing and water treatment needs. We started our business in 2016 and have stayed true to our core values; honesty, integrity and respect, and to our mission; to provide peace-of-mind to our clients.

We service anything in the plumbing industry. For your water treatment needs we supply Excalibur Water Systems that are backed by the best warranties at a great price.

Backed with years of experience in the commercial and industrial plumb -

ing sector, we can take on any sized job. We can help in all areas of your renovation project by using qualified sub-trades. You can meet with our fixture suppliers to build your dream kitchen and bath, and work within your budget.

We are located in Ingersoll and are primarily an Oxford County based business but will travel wherever our clients need us.

We are fully licensed professional plumbers for any residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural projects. Call us at (519) 535-9983 or visit our website www.freemanmechanical.ca.

KINSMEN EASTER EGG HUNT

Hundreds attend annual Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt

in for large gift basket prizes. Dozens of plastic eggs were donated by Kelsey’s with prizes inside.

There is still some debate as to when the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club hosted its first Easter Egg Hunt.

In 2019, at a cold, rainy Easter Egg Hunt, long-time organizer Walter Ellenberger (with Dan Haines) said the Kinsmen tradition went back 37-38 years, recalling a time when the Kinsmen took over from the Jaycees (Junior Chamber) more than four decades ago. The organization reigns have since been passed on to younger Kinsmen members.

“It’s our tradition, it’s our event,” said Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club’s Cedric Tomico on April 19. “We love being able to put on just a completely free event for the town. Our motto is Serving the Community’s Greatest Needs.

“Who else other than the Kinsmen Club is going to pull off an event of this magnitude every year? We’ve got a great, vibrant club and everybody is always onboard,” said Tomico, proud of the Kinsmen who volunteered their time Saturday – and who helped sponsor the event.

“The fundraising for this event is all from Kinsmen members.”

Tomico said the club scattered 34,500 foil-wrapped chocolate eggs in the park Saturday morning, noting they had purchased 150 bags of chocolate, nearly 500 pounds in total. Each 1.5kg bag had approximately 230 chocolate eggs.

Eight special plastic eggs, two in each area, were turned

Twenty minutes before the 11 a.m. start near the Kinsmen Bandshell, Tomico predicted the rain, which was coming down hard at Memorial Park, would only last 5-10 minutes.

“I think we should be alright for the main event. Around noon, it’s supposed to really hit.”

He was right. The downpour did stop within 10 minutes, the sun came out, and the lines of kids in four age categories – three-and-under, four-six, seven-nine and 10-12 – filled up with eager children.

Because of the rain, Tomico estimated maybe 500 children would take part Saturday, about half of last year’s number.

“On a day like today, people are probably waiting until the last minute.”

Again, he was right.

“The same amount of chocolate though, so each kid will get a little bit more chocolate. You’re welcome!” he laughed. “The kids don’t care if it’s raining, they’re out here having fun. Luckily it’s warm.”

Before and after the egg hunt, families could visit Equipment Alley, a collection of trucks, tractors and excavation equipment, along with OPP and Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services units on display.

Participants could purchase a hot dog lunch provided by the Tillsonburg Kinettes. Tim Hortons donated coffee and

hot chocolate – free for participants. Donations of non-perishable food items were accepted for the Helping Hand Food Bank. chris@granthaven.com

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)

Tillsonburg’s Amira Burns, 4, and Sasha Burns, 6, collect chocolate eggs Saturday at the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt.

Jean and Levi Humphrey from Tillsonburg at the 2025 Tillsonburg Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt.

Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club’s Cedric Tomico, on the left, with Kinsmen members and family Declan and Jush Matheson, Shane and River Curtis, at the annual Tillsonburg Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt on April 19.

Hazel Kennedy of Tillsonburg met the Easter Bunny Saturday, April 19 at the annual Tillsonburg Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt.

Tillsonburg Kinettes were fundraising Saturday with a hot dog barbecue at the annual Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt in Tillsonburg.

Eager children take off from the starting line Saturday at the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club Easter Egg Hunt. An estimated 500 children participated in the annual event at Memorial Park.

CHRIS ABBOTT Post Contributor

The Cabot Trail - an iconic Canadian destination

PAUL KNOWLES Tillsonburg Post Columnist

We have all seen the reports: Canadian travel to the United States is down, way down. Canadians are choosing to go elsewhere in the world just now, or to stay home.

Well, if you are in the latter category, staying home can open an unending cornucopia of opportunities. This home of ours is gigantic; our home and native land stretches 5,514 kilometres from Cape Spear, Nfld., to the Yukon-Alaska border, and 4,634 kilomtres from Cape Columbia on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, to Middle Island in Lake Erie, Ont. Our country covers an unimaginable 9,984,670 square kilometres.

So, given all of this, where to go after we’ve decided to stay home? My features over the next few months will include several good suggestions, but let’s begin with one of my favourites, which we explored last summer, The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island.

Let’s admit the obvious, The Cabot Trail is a stunningly beautiful drive. It stretches 298 kilometres – which could be navigated in about four non-stop hours, I suppose, but should not be, at any cost. We actually stayed four nights on or near The Cabot Trail.

Please take the time to stop, and to stop a lot. Stop at little shops where artisans are working on the spot with their wares on the stores’ shelves. Stop again and again to savour the ocean views. Stop to walk the paths and trails that will carry you through forests to water-

falls and lakes, or along beachfronts. There are walks and hikes for every level of activity, from brief, gentle strolls to steep climbs. Many of them are within the boundaries of the terrific Cape Breton Highlands National Park, yet another of Parks Canada’s gems. By the way, you can tell when you are within the boundaries of the National Park, because the highways are in superb condition. The moment you cross the border, not so much.

Our first port of call on Cape Breton Island was a few minutes from actual access to the Cabot Trail. We stayed at the Glenora Inn and Distillery where they produce truly excellent, single-malt whisky – they can’t call it Scotch because the Scottish distillers are litigiously protective of the name. Those who know me will know why I loved it, but more about this terrific place in a subsequent column.

Staying close to the trail meant we could begin our exploration early the next morning. We decided to travel clockwise, heading north and eventually east from the west coast of the island to the east. En route, we stopped to explore a craft shop and its neighbour, an ice cream parlour, in Cheticamp. We pulled off, often, to simply take in the incredible ocean views and, of course, capture as many photos as we could.

And we opted to hike two of the dozens of trails in the national park, in both cases avoiding steep climbs, but nonetheless having to keep a watchful eye on the rock-strewn and tree-root-filled paths. It was definitely worth the effort and we recorded 13,400 steps on this first day on the trail.

Our first stop was at MacIntosh Brook, where a woodland trail took us back to a beautiful waterfall. Then, we explored the trail at Warren Lake, also in the national park. That trail circumnavigates the lake; there were signs cautioning hikers about coyotes, but we saw no large animals, only spotting four toads, three snakes, a white-tailed junco and a spotted sandpiper – at least, that’s my best

“Travel

guess as to the identity of those two Nova Scotian birds. It’s a very enjoyable walk.

Our next two nights were spent at the quaint Knotty Pines Cottages near Ingonish.

The accommodation was fine, but the view from the deck was amazing! Our first night there was Sunday, so no restaurants open but the Co-op was, and we purchased the raw materials for a wonderful al-fresco dinner on the deck, where we watched the sun set.

And that reminds me, if you have the choice, explore The Cabot Trail on sunny days. That will make all the difference.

During our stay in the Ingonish area, we walked the beautiful beach; there are several great beaches along the trail.

Our final night on Cape Breton was spent in one of the southern-most communities on The Cabot Trail, Baddeck. Baddeck is definitely worth a leisurely visit. I have written previously about the fascinating Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site here, but there is much, much more.

We stayed at the Inverary Resort, a complex of comfortable lodges and cottages that also includes a tiny chapel, dubbed the Conn Smythe Chapel because the curmudgeonly owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs donated the money for its construction. That, too, is another story.

While in Baddeck, we partook in two quintessential Cape Breton experiences – a delicious lobster supper at Baddeck Lobster Suppers and a traditional Cape Breton concert (with an amazing fiddler, of course) at The Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh.

And all of this just scratches the surface of the experiences awaiting you right here at home – albeit a bit of a distance from your living room – on Cape Breton Island.

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.

One of hundreds of gorgeous views along The Cabot Trail.

(PHOTOS BY PAUL KNOWLES)

Self-confessed hooker Emelda Roach, at Flora's in Cheticamp.

Sunset from the deck of our Knotty Pines cottage.

U-Fill Water Center is about more than filling jugs

U-Fill Water Center in Tillsonburg has built a reputation for being a spot to fill drinking water jugs, but it’s much more than that.

Owner Mike Christiaens started the company in the Dairy Queen plaza in 2007.

“I was working for a company at the time in automotive and the writing was on the wall, and I was looking at other options, looked at water and took a chance,” he said to the company’s origins.

Asked where he got the idea of a water company, he answered, “I was consumer of it myself and going in a local grocery store and filling jugs.”

After six years in that location, Christiaens purchased the present property at 49 Oxford Street.

The primary business today is still people coming in to refill their water jugs, although he does also deliver to businesses and industries.

U-Fill Water Center is about more than filling jugs, though. The company recently had a 24/7 My Propane Buddy station set outside. The other big business is ice, which is made from the purified water. The ice is available for retail, and is also delivered to several area retailers.

Asked what separates him apart from his competitors, Christiaens cited price and convenience. Part of this is the ability to purchase packages by paying in advance. A five-gallon jug is $4, but pre-paid packages can bring that down to $2.64 per bottle.

“You can fill multiple jugs at a time here,” he said on the convenience side.

The water starts out as Tillsonburg tap water, goes through a water softener to remove calcium, and carbon filtration to remove the chlorine. The salt from the softening process is later removed. The water goes through a reverse osmosis membrane for further purification.

“When people come in to fill their jugs, it goes through one more polishing filter and a UV light as well,” he said.

Three other locations – Paris, Ingersoll and Simcoe – have followed. These are self-serve stores that are open 24/7, and are completely automated with machines that take debit and credit cards.

Christiaens

Passionate Kinettes lend their support to local organizations

In keeping with a humble yet illustrious tradition, the Tillsonburg Kinette Club supports local organizations to address the needs of our community.

The first Kinsmen club was formed in Hamilton in 1920, with Kinettes following in 1935. Under the umbrella of Kin Canada, this network of volunteers remains committed to having positive impacts in their communities, across the country and beyond. The first charter in Tillsonburg was formed in 1946, with 17 young women.

Current club president Tammy Kyle has family ties to those early Kinettes. Her husband's grandmother was the Tillsonburg chapter president at a time when you could only join if your husband was a Kinsmen, and you could only serve up to the age of 40. Times have changed and those early limits have been eradicated, but the two groups do participate in some events jointly, like the recent Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt and Kinettes barbeque and food booth.

The current club has 31 members, ranging from 20 to 70 years of age, and some have been members for 50 years.

"It's a tight-knit group," Kyle said. "We have really great volunteers that are passionate about the club and the community."

New initiatives have made the Tillsonburg Kinettes more visible and better known, which has attracted new members, resulting in the strongest club in years.

The Mom Prom is a good example. The third iteration will be held at the Carriage Hall, offering an opportunity for a fun girl’s night out. The women's-only event, June 7, is not just for moms, but is a licensed setting for women over 19. Featuring a DJ, dancing, photo booth and grazing table, tickets sell out fast. Attire is a personal choice, Kyle explained, "with some dressing according to the theme, some casual, and some like to echo their own prom, complete with crimped hair and poofy dresses." It's their biggest fundraiser of

the year, with all proceeds going back into the community.

Their longest running event is Breakfast with Santa, which has grown exponentially, with 648 people served at last year's event. Kinettes are always looking for opportunities to address the unique needs of their own communities. They participated in a walk to support the Alzheimer's Society, presented a check to St Joseph's school playground fund, brought awareness to the United Way of Oxford's "Tampon Tuesdays", raised the most money at the Coldest Night of the Year walk and presented Tim Horton gift cards to staff and guests at The Inn Out of the Cold. They've recently do -

nated to Rags to Riches Cat Rescue, the Helping Hand Food Bank, and collected numerous toys and winter warmth items to deliver to the Salvation Army. They also regularly support Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO).

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except July and August), and they invite women who are interested in joining to come out to a meeting and see what it's about or to volunteer at an event. You can contact tillsonburgkinettesgeneral@gmail.com or send them a direct message on Facebook to express your interest. The club also welcomes representatives to come to their meetings and speak on behalf of

their organization. The Kinettes always want to hear where the need is greatest and how they can help, whether by donation or by offering their support as volunteers.

Kyle has been with the Kinette Club for 25 years and has served as president twice before her current term. She was recently recognized with the President of the Year award. While she is grateful and feels humbled by it, she said it's really a reflection of the group: "It's about them. There such a good group, they're easy to lead. We're never short of volunteers for events and everybody contributes in some way and is a valuable member."

The Tillsonburg Kinettes Mom Prom is one of the club’s largest events of the year. Besides being a fundraiser, the group is a fun night for club members.

(ASHLEY EDWARDS PHOTO)

ROBIN KRAFFT

Post Contributor

With generous support from the community, the Oxford OPP Auxiliary crammed several OPP vehicles with food donations Saturday, April 26 at Metro in Tillsonburg. “It always restores our faith in humanity,” said Auxiliary Constable Stephanie Duncan. “A small donation can go such a long ways.” With their third cruiser just about full, and expecting to make at least one or two more cruiser deliveries, more than 1,000 pounds of food was donated from the Cram-the-Cruiser event to the Helping Hand Food Bank. From left are Alec Simbish, Stephanie Duncan, and Nathan

the Oxford OPP Auxiliary.

Weekend Quiz

1. What year was Pierre Poilievre first elected as a member of Parliament?

2. Name the 5 NHL teams whose names do not end with the letter “s”?

3. On May 1, 1930, which planet was discovered?

4. What is the birthstone for May?

5. On the first Saturday of May, what popular racing event takes place?

by Stewart Grant

6. What country has the highest rate of gambling?

7. What year was Pac Man invented?

8. On May 2nd, 2011, U.S Special Forces took down the leader of al-Qaeda known as who?

9. Who founded Mother’s Day?

10. Which flower is associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite?

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)

Pye from

(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)

Station Arts Centre teamed up with the Tillsonburg Sailing Association Saturday, April 26 for their first spring electronics recycling drive in Tillsonburg, which will continue Saturdays with volunteers on site from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Electronics, small appliances (without freon), and dry-cell batteries are accepted. All recycling funds raised will go toward The Station Arts Centre and local charities, including YFC Upper Deck and St. Paul’s community kitchen. Floyd Marshall, left, from the Tillsonburg Sailing Association, is with Sarah Senior, chair of the Station Arts Centre board of directors.

MUSIC CORNER

Brian Byrne of I Mother Earth to perform and host songwriting class in Tillsonburg

BEN ANDRESS

Tillsonburg Post Columnist

It’s not every day you get to experience a night of heartfelt storytelling, powerful vocals, and raw emotion in Tillsonburg — but that's exactly what's on tap next weekend.

Tara and Brian Byrne, the husband-and-wife duo behind Two, are bringing their inspiring new project to Paddy’s Underground on this Saturday. Known for crafting songs that cut straight to the heart, the pair will also be hosting an intimate songwriting class earlier that afternoon, offering fans and aspiring musicians a glimpse into their creative process.

For Brian, best known as the former frontman of Canadian alt-rock giants I Mother Earth, playing smaller, community-focused venues feels like a

natural extension of the music he and Tara are now making.

“I think just from being a general music fan and going out and performing covers of other people's stuff and then thinking, well, maybe I could try it?”

Brian reflects on his humble beginnings and what inspired him to become a songwriter and performer. “As a young person getting into actually performing other people's songs was the first inspiration to start trying to take a run at it.”

Tara Byrne, a seasoned songwriter and performer in her own right, shares the same passion for creating meaningful musical experiences. Together as Two, Tara and Brian craft music that blurs the lines between folk, pop, and Americana, with an emphasis on honest lyrics, memorable harmonies, and stripped-down arrangements that allow the emotion to shine through. Their live performances are known for being warm, authentic, and deeply moving — a true reflection of the bond they share both on and off stage.

The songwriting class, running from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Paddy’s Underground, is open to songwriters of all skill levels and will focus on the art of lyric writing, melody development, and the emotion-

UPCOMING SHOWS

MAY 1 - OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH BILLY GIBBONS

Paddy's Underground Free – 4 p.m.

MAY 1 - NAOMI & DAN DUBE

The Copper Mug Free - 8:30 p.m.

MAY 3 - SONGWRITING CLASS WITH TARA & BRIAN BYRNE

Paddy's Underground

$120 - 2:30 p.m

MAY 3 - TWO (TARA & BRIAN BYRNE) SEAN MCCURLEY, CONNOR PETKAU, ETHAN WALL

Paddy's Underground

$15 - 8 p.m.

*SOLD OUT* MAY 3 - BATES & STUDDY SYSTEM OF A DOWN TRIBUTE

The Copper Mug

$20 - 8 p.m.

al storytelling that has become a hallmark of their music.

“I generally get a melody in my head, and then I hope that my guitar skills can support what I'm hearing in my head," Brian explained of his creative process. "And I'll try to develop that chord progression that suits the melody and then kind of go from there. On the other side of things, sometimes I'll have a lyric line — don’t know if it's a chorus line or a verse line — I just look at it then kind of work backwards from there or forward, I guess, depending on which way you look at it.”

Rather than teaching from a rigid curriculum, Byrne emphasizes a collaborative, supportive environment.

“Getting together with people who want to just have an outside ear, an outside influence. I don't dictate how things should go,” Brian says. “It’s more taking somebody's idea and saying, well, have we tried this? And sort of run everything through and see what sticks. I mean, obviously, if you're trying to create the next great big hit for Billboard there might be some rules that you should follow, but I also think that songwriting is really special in that if you feel something - that is something that really can't be captured necessarily through formulaic ways.

The things in between that make your hair stand up. It's not a course. It's trying to work and develop songs with people who are creative and just want to properly flush it out and get something out of it."

Byrne has worked with a wide range of people, from aspiring pros to casual music lovers.

“I have hobbyists that just want to do karaoke. I have people who are already in studio looking for better vocal arrangements. I have people that sometimes just need a pep talk before they go to sing on the mic and record something.”

Brian explains that no matter the level his goal remains the same: “I want people to feel like they have a better direction than when they came in. I want them to feel more confident about their singing.”

Beyond technical advice, Brian also stresses the importance of keeping grounded as artists grow in their careers. “If you go from playing to 20 people to 500 people to a 1,000 to 10,000, make sure that circle that you trusted in the beginning stays somewhat the same,” Byrne advises. “The outside influence feeds the ego more than the creativity and the actual things that need the support. So be very careful of that. That’d be my advice. Just do a little gut check on the peo -

MAY 4 - NORTH OF 60

The Copper Mug Free - 5 p.m.

MAY 7 - SPAGHETTI FUNDRAISER FOR BENTLEY

The Copper Mug $20 (adults) $10 (Kids) - 4:30 p.m.

MAY 8 - OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH BILLY GIBBONS

Paddy's Underground Free - 4 p.m.

MAY 8 - YOU HAD ME

The Copper Mug Free - 8:30 p.m.

MAY 9 - MUSIC TRIVIA

The Copper Mug Free - 8:30 p.m.

MAY 10 - PRO WRESTLING THE BAND, DEALBREAKER, HET UP!

ple around you as you get further into it.”

Brian’s musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After stepping in as the second vocalist for I Mother Earth in 1997, he helped the band reach new heights with albums like Blue Green Orange, which sold over 50,000 copies in Canada and earned a Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year. His passionate vocals and natural charisma gave the band a fresh new sound, resonating with long-time fans and new listeners alike.

Beyond his time with I Mother Earth, Byrne has also made a meaningful impact as a solo artist. One of his most personal projects, The Arizona Project, is a song he wrote to support suicide prevention efforts. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the song are donated to the Collateral Damage Project, founded by mental health advocate Scott Chisholm.

Now, with Two, Byrne is channeling all of his experience and passion into a more intimate, acoustic-driven sound that highlights the storytelling at the heart of his and Tara’s songwriting. The duo are entering the studio next month with producer Bill Bell to track their first album.

Their show at Paddy’s Underground on May 3 promis-

es to be a night to remember. Whether you're a long-time fan of Brian’s work or just discovering the magic of Two for the first time, you'll be treated to an evening of beautifully crafted songs performed by two artists at the top of their game.

The live performance by Two will take place on Saturday May 3 at Paddy’s Underground located at 20 John Pound Road in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Doors open at 8 p.m. with opening support from Sean McCurley, Connor Petkau and Ethan Wall. Tickets for the show are available for $15 (HST included) in advance by calling The Mill at 519-8421878 or by visiting Eventbrite. ca. Tickets will also be available at the door for $20, subject to availability. This is an all ages/licensed event. ATM on site. This is a wheelchair accessible venue.

The songwriting workshop with Tara and Brian will be held earlier the same day from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Paddy’s Underground. Workshop tickets are $120 (HST included) per participant and spots are limited to 10. Registration is available by calling Blacktop Records at 519-688-5060 or visiting Eventbrite.ca

Anyone wanting more details can visit www.templelifetwo.com or paddysunderground.com.

Paddy's Underground

$15 - 8 p.m.

MAY 12 - MICAH SCHNABEL, VANESSA JEAN SPECKMAN, TREVOR KOSTYRIA, BEN ANDRESS

Paddy's Underground

$15 - 8 p.m.

Calling all sleuths: Can you solve the mystery of Café of Murder?

Welcome to 5 Minute Mysteries Sponsored by Habit of Murder opening May 29th 7:30 at the Theatre Tillsonburg. To celebrate our first Murder Mystery in some time, Theatre Tillsonburg is sponsoring a series of WhoDunits here in the Tillsonburg Post and on our Theatre’s social media sites. Our Mmission: get our readers into the super sleuth mode, activate your detective mindset and challenge you with a series of written and visual mysteries to solve. We published our first two visual mysteries, on the theatre’s social media. This week is our first written mystery challenge “ Café of Murder”. We invite you to solve this 5 Minute Mystery. The solution will be published in the next Tillsonburg Post along with the next written mystery. We will continue offering visual mysteries on our social media… so expect another written mystery here in the next edition..

During the run of Habit of Murder each night audience members will have the chance to SOLVE the Murder in the show and win a prize of 4 tickets to our November Christmas play. Welcome to 5 Minute Mysteries sponsored by Habit of Murder running May 29- June 8 at Theatre Tillsonburg.

By Joe Sheik

Sunny Adams wandered in a few minutes before 10:00 a.m. on a very mild Tuesday in April. It took only a few minutes to open the cash register in the little café at the back of the local bookstore. Sunny was a barista extraordinaire and she knew from experience that the first couple of hours on a weekday could be very slow at the bookstore, and in turn, her cafe. Slow to the point of boredom. She might have to pass the time with one of her favourite horror clips. 
So, imagine her surprise when customers began to

show up shortly after opening.

The first to arrive was Ryan Callahan, (Sunny would introduce herself to all her customers learning their names on account of her “Sunny” disposition). Sunny greeted Ryan as he entered the café area of the book store. Ryan examined the pastries, delaying his order.

Ryan had not been there long when Sunny’s second customer, Darryl Harrison, showed up at the cash register asking about a latte and a bagel. Sunny helped Darryl and showed him where to fix his beverage once served. Meanwhile, Ryan was still deciding. Sunny was pleased having two customers in her area so early -- it was only 10:20a.m at the bookstore on a Tuesday!

Sunny spotted Leo Therriault browsing the edge of the cafe area at 10:25 a.m., just after noticing that Ryan had left the pastry table and worked his way past the register. Such a busy day! It was difficult to keep track of so many customers but Sunny had a keen eye for details and an imagination to match.

Sunny could see Ryan wandering in the outdoor sporting section of the book store, so she moved on to her next sale, greeting Leo and showing him where to fix his beverage, all the while, Darryl examined the pastry section. She hoped Darryl would pick up some of the pastries since it was rare to sell any at this hour on a weekday but he seemed to have wandered.

Poppy Mathews came in at 10:30 a.m. and asked Sunny how many different kinds bagels she sold. Sunny walked Poppy over to the bagel table. Poppy thanked her and asked if he could order a cappuccino. Sunny decided to check on

Darryl. She actually lost track of a customer –she scanned the bookstore to see if he had left. It was only 10:36 a.m.and Sunny was having an uncharacteristically busy weekday. Ooh the horror movies she could now afford to stream.

At 10:45 a.m., Sunny saw Poppy head towards the washroom and Sunny noticed that Darryl had headed back into her area from the magazine section. At 10:50 a.m., Winnie Pepper walked over to Sunny from the fiction section and asked about a cappuccino. Now with two cappuccinos to make, Sunny was busy with her back to the rest of the Cafe. It took a few minutes not finishing with the two orders until after 11:00. Winnie paid for her order and left. At 11:04, Sunny noticed Poppy leaving the café and the bookstore.

At 11:10 .m., Sunny realized that she lost Darryl once again. She decided to check the men’s room. When she found him, she received the shock of her life. Darryl was dead on the floor with a knife wound in his heart. Mercifully, there were now no customers in her area as Leo Therriault had grabbed his coffee and left the store.

Sunny composed herself long enough to return to her register and call the local O.P.P. officer, Buddy Wallen. Sunny’s mouth was all a jumble as Buddy answered his phone, saying simply, “Buddy here.”

Sunny burst out, “Buddy, come over to the bookstore to the café side please. A customer has been murdered.”

Buddy was the area’s detective. There wasn’t much that went on in town that escaped his at-

tention. Sunny was grateful he was on duty on a Tuesday and available to handle this real-life horror. Buddy found the shocked Sunny still standing at the register. Firmly, but gently, Buddy had Sunny lead him to the deceased customer.

Once Buddy saw him, he knew who it was. He said, “I know this guy. He’s Darryl Harrison. Dealt with him and his friends when I was in narcotics. He’s known as ‘Duck’ and is a career criminal”

Sunny asked, “So you think another crook got to him or was it an angry demon?”

“Yeah,’ Buddy replied. “It’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be mob related. I’ve never seen a person murdered in a coffee shop before, and I’ve seen a lot.”

Within minutes, the book store closed and more officers appeared to cordon off the area. Buddy knew the key to solving this murder quickly rested with Sunny, who despite her wild imagination always knew where her customers were at any given time. Buddy led Sunny back to the manager’s office for a quiet visit in a calm setting. Once Sunny was sufficiently recovered, he asked her to relate all of the morning’s activities.

Sunny remembered everything – all of the activities and movements of the five customers in detail. Buddy listened intently and made notes. After considering what he had been told, they went to the video room and reviewed the security tapes. After watching them Buddy told Sunny, “This is the murderer.”

...Find the solution in the next issue!

GET HOPPING TO SUPPORT GIRL GUIDES

The Easter Bunny took a break from photos on Saturday to support the Girl Guides by buying cookies from Chloe Bearrs, centre, and Vivian Knowles. Cookie sales by the 1st Tillsonburg Girl Guides and 2nd Tillsonburg Pathfinders and Rangers were to support camp. The girls will be going door to door in May.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT

You’re never too old to hunt for Easter eggs. Bonnie Sitts, left, and Mary Jane Kekes were amongst those who participated in the adult Easter egg hunt at Annandale House. The plastic eggs hidden throughout the site had treats inside. The annual event also includes a tea and hot cross buns.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

Annual Annandale greenhouse sale opens Thursday, May 8th

TRIBE

Post Correspondent

An Annandale School greenhouse program which has been planting the seeds of horticultural experience, environmental awareness and community engagement for 50 years is gearing up for its annual plant sale.

“These kids are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity,” said Annandale educator Angela Daley whose appreciation for its experiential learning has grown across the past 23 of those years.

Greenhouse operation continued through Annandale’s transition from a high school through its Grade 7-8-9 period and onward to its current K-8 elementary profile. It has impacted thousands of students over the years says Daley, particularly important for some who may struggle with more theoretical classroom work, but flourish in its practical, hands-on environment. The greenhouse segment provides real-world experience tied into an educational unit on

water and the environment.

“We weave it into that.”

The growing season begins in January of each year, seeds and plugs planted, watered and carefully nurtured toward sale date.

“The kids do it all,” said Da -

ley, noting the soil can be chilly in the first month or so, working with it hard on the students’ hands. “But they’re troopers.”

During the earlier stages, plants are housed in a ‘mini-greenhouse’ and given

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

of the Liberal Party and Matthew Chambers of the NDP - were on hand to answer questions and explain their party platforms to those in attendance. The event was held in the Tillsonburg Community Centre on April 22.

extra heat, before spreading out through the structure as the season advances.

The 2025 sale opens Thursday, May 8th from 3:45-7 p.m., running Friday, May 9th from 3:455 p.m. and that Saturday (May 10) from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It continues through the following week (May 12-16th) from 3:45-5:30 p.m. daily, assuming plant availability. Students take responsibility for assisting community customers through the selection and sales process, adding layers of educational opportunity.

“The kids look forward to it,” said Daley, noting the sale can be a family affair, students proudly showing off their efforts to parents, some of whom have their own Annandale greenhouse background. “They were here in Grade 8 and they’re talking to their kids about it.”

This year’s selection features Roma, beefsteak and cherry tomatoes, bell and jalapeño peppers, a selection of herbs (basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary), and a wide variety of flowering

plants including impatiens, petunias, zinnias, flowering kale, marigolds, geraniums, dwarf sunflowers and alyssum, a list driven by consumer preference. There are also a limited number of flowering baskets which tend to move quickly.

“Over the years, these are the ones people have consistently purchased,” said Daley.

The community embraces the annual tradition, typically lining up a half-hour in advance on opening night. In the past, the greenhouse has connected with forestry programs by growing oak seedlings from acorns and also provided milkweed plants free to community members seeking to support struggling Monarch butterfly populations.

“It’s just one more thing to encourage the kids to think how we’re connected to the environment,” Daley concluded, hoping the long-standing tradition continues.

“The kids having this experience and the community benefitting from it.”

Local school boards under provincial scrutiny

JEFF HELSDON Editor

Two local school boards are at the top of the list of what the province calls “failures” at several local school boards across Ontario.

“As a first step, the province is appointing a supervisor to oversee the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and requiring the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) to submit an implementation plan to meet the ministry’s fiscal and governance expectations,” a provincial news release dated April 23 stated.

The release was about financial mismanagement at school boards across the province, and that provincial oversight of several boards was going to increase oversight.

Troubles at TVDSB started when details of a $38,000 retreat for senior board staff at the Marriott City Centre Hotel, adjacent to the Rogers Centre, were revealed in August 2024. As a result, Education Director Mark Fisher and Associate Director Linda Nicholls were put on leaves of absence, and later resigned.

The province appointed Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP to conduct an audit of TVDSB finances, which found a deficit of $17.3 million in 2023-24 and a projected deficit of $16.8 million in 20242025. This compared to a surplus of $3.5 million in 2020-2021.

The report found the reasons for the deteriorating finances include: increased absenteeism amongst staff, overstaffing of classroom teachers due to over-projected enrolment and overspending on technology and cybersecurity.

Oxford’s TVDSB trustees were contacted for comment, but trustee David Cripps said any media questions were to go to the ministry. The ministry did not respond by deadline.

At BHNCDSB, media reports of a trip to Italy to purchase art for two new schools by four trustees generated controversy. The trip, along with legal and publicity costs, pushed the costs to nearly $190,000 the province’s independent investigator found. Board trustees later agreed to repay the cost of the trip.

Financial investigations were also launched at three other school boards in the province.

JEFF

(JEFF TRIBE PHOTO)

Angela Daley (left) and Brian Skyloes are looking forward to the annual Annandale plant sale, beginning Thursday, May 8th inside the school greenhouse.

About 75 citizens came to the meet the candidate event co-hosted by the Tillsonburg, Norfolk, Woodstock and Ingersoll Chambers of Commerce, along with the Tillsonburg Post, Woodstock/Ingersoll Echo and The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette. Candidates in attendance at the event - Jacob Watson of the Christian Heritage Party, Arpan Khanna of the Conservative Party, Cheryle Baker of the Green Party, Independent Akshay Vardhan, Dave Hilderley

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTOS)

I shrink smaller every time I take a bath. What am I? Soap

I have one eye but can’t see. What am I? Needle

I’m full of holes, yet I hold water. What am I?

Sponge

The more you look at me, the less you see. What am I?

Fog

I’m taken before you get it, and given once you have it. What am I?

Photo

I’m found on a table, but I’m not food. I can be red, black, or even blue. What am I?

Playing card

I don’t have lungs, but I need air. I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I? Fire

You can catch me, but not throw

WIZARD

This is Wizard. he's a 6 month old kitten with lots of orange cat attitude, and a cute

COMING EVENTS

CRAVING SOMETHING LATE?

SWISS CHALET AND HARVEY’S ARE NOW OPEN LATER FOR DINE-IN, DRIVE-THRU, TAKEOUT, AND DELIVERY APPS!

MONDAY - FRIDAY: 11 AM TO 10 PM, SUNDAYS: 11 AM TO 9:30 PM

NEW DAILY SPECIALS BEING OFFERED FROM 8PM- CLOSE

Please stop by to see offers.

WHAT MAKES WINTER SHORTER?

Listening, dancing and enjoying 50’s-70’s country music at the Ingersoll Jamboree! Every other Friday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. at the Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St S, Ingersoll. Walk ins welcome at the door.

VON OXFORD GRIEF CARE:

FREE Monthly Grief Support Group Register at: oxford.griefsupport@von.ca or 519-539-1231 Ext 6299 or 6296

TILLSONBURG

WHEN: 2nd Tuesday of every month WHERE: VON Oxford Office 24 Brock St. W., Tillsonburg TIME: 6:30PM-8:00PM

INGERSOLL

WHEN: 4th Tuesday of every month WHERE: Ingersoll Public Library 130 Oxford St., Ingersoll TIME: 10:30AM –12:00Noon

WOODSTOCK

WHEN: 3rd Saturday of every month WHERE: Sakura House Hospice 715180 Oxford Rd.4, Woodstock TIME: 10:30AM-12:00Noon

INTERESTED IN BRIDGE?

Join us every Friday at the Tillsonburg Duplicate Bridge Club at 1 p.m. at The Senior Centre. Don’t have a partner? Come anyway and we will match you up with someone. For more information, visit their Facebook page: TburgBridge.

TILLSONBURG LIONS

The Tillsonburg Lions meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. You are invited to their dinner meetings in the Lion's Den at the Community Centre. If you are interested in giving back to your Community contact Jim at 519 409 0876 for more information.....all are welcome.

ARE YOU IN A JAM?

May 2 & 23, June 6 & 20 from 1-4p.m. Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St S, Ingersoll.

Ingersoll's Country Music Jamboree Club is celebrating 40 years. New members wanted. Qualifications - love 50-70's country music. Listen, dance, enjoy! The club welcomes walk-ins at the door.

MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING

1st Wednesday of every month

Starting at 7:00 pm

Not a member contact us to join

The Wagner Memorial Teeterville Legion Branch 526. 3890 Teeterville Road, Teeterville, Ontario. For More Information Call, the Legion 519-4435588 https://www.teetervillelegionbranch526. ca

ELECTIONS & MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 7th. Starting at 7:00 pm

The Wagner Memorial, Teeterville Legion Branch 526

3890 Teeterville Road, Teeterville, Ontario

Members only

Please bring your card to vote. Not a member contact us to join. Cash only, we do not have debit, or ATM. Wed.-Fri. 3 pm-10 pm, Sat.1 pm-10 pm, Sun.1 pm-6 pm. For More Information call, the Legion at 519-443-5588 or teetervillelegionbranch526.ca

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT ONE OF OUR EVENTS? WE WELCOME YOU!

The Wagner Memorial, Teeterville Legion Branch 526

3890 Teeterville Road, Teeterville, Ontario

You do not need to be a member to Volunteer, Just contact the legion and leave your name and number and purpose of your call. Someone will get back to you as to where you might be needed. Students and Adults welcome. Open hours. Wed.-Fri. 3 pm-10 pm, Sat.1 pm-10 pm, Sun.1 pm-6 pm. For More Information call, the Legion at 519-443-5588 or teetervillelegionbranch526.ca

PURE VINTAGE BAND at the Tillsonburg Legion on Saturday May 10 from 7pm-11pm. Tickets $15 advance and $20 at the door. Come dance to classic rock with style! For more info call 519-842-5281

BAKE, PLANT, PURSE, AND ACCESSORIES SALE

St John’s Anglican Church 46 Rideout St W, Tillsonburg. Saturday May 31st, 9am-noon Free admission.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FORESTVILLE CEMETERY

BOARD

Monday May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.

Dave Reeves place, 423 Charlotteville Road 1, Forestville. Please bring your own lawn chair. Everyone welcome to attend!

DELHI & DISTRICT

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

will meet on Monday May 12th at 7:30 pm at the Delhi Friendship Centre, 418 Queen St., Delhi Guest Speaker - Paul Oliver - Topic: Attracting Birds to your back yard. All welcome to join us for an evening of friendship and fun. Enter at the parking lot off William Street.

PLANT & BAKE SALE

Delhi & District Horticultural Society is having its annual Plant & Bake Sale on Saturday May 17th at the Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Cente from 8:00 am till noon. Great selection of perennials and home-baked goodies.

TILLSONBURG LEGION

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH

9am to 1pm on Sunday May 11. $15 Adults, $10 child 10 and under. Includes bacon, sausage, homefries, pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast, juice, tea, and coffee. All Welcome! For more information call 519-842-5281.

"STOMPING TOM REVISITED" at the Tillsonburg Legion

Sunday May 11 at 2:00 pm

Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and award winning artist Fraser Newcombe. Live auction and draws. $25 cash at the door. Cash bar available.

TILLSONBURG LEGION LUNCH

Wednesday May 14 from noon to 1pm. Serving homemade soups, sandwiches, desserts, tea and coffee for $15 cash per person at the door. All Welcome. For more info call 519-842-5281.

WEEKLY CRUISE NIGHT

Starting May 6th (weather permitting)

Hosted by the Tillsonburg Cruisers at the Tim Hortons/Wendys. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy vehicles of all makes and years.

CANADIAN HARVARD AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION OPEN HOUSE & FLY DAY

May 10 (Rain Date: May 11), 9am –4pm

Tillsonburg Regional Airport

Join us for the first Open House of our special 40th anniversary season. These monthly family-friendly outdoor events are always FREE and offer the opportunity to see our collection of Harvard aircraft up close, tour our hangars, explore restoration projects, purchase souvenirs, and best of all, purchase a flight! Pre-booking your flight experience is recommended by contacting crewflights@harvards.com,.

MOSEY INTO MAY

May 3 @ Messy Church. 10 to noon

St.Pauls United church 88 Bidwell St., Tillsonburg

Lots of fun and great food too. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

THE OXFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Focusing on Oxford County History! “History is alive in the buildings in which we worship – in the stained glass, in our records, books, artifacts and our stories!” Join Reverend Angus Sutherland as he takes us through the history of the Presbyterian Church focusing on Oxford County. Angus is past chair of the Committee for the National Presbyterian Museum (now the Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre), and acting Curator of the Heritage Centre’s Communion token collection.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 6:30pm Woodstock Museum, NHS Free public meeting – membership optional - refreshments served! info@oxhs.ca www.oxhs.ca 226-2424774. Like us on Facebook @ oxfordhistoricalsociety1987

THE BROWNSVILLE ANNUAL SCHOOL REUNION

June 18, 2025 from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Brownsville Community Centre.

There will be a Potluck lunch, so please bring your favourite dish. All former students and spouses are welcome to attend. If you have any Historical information or pictures, please bring them with you. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Meertens at rpmeertens@gmail.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Royal Albert bone china dinner sets, also Johnson Brother dinner sets, and Roy Riemen magazines from the late 1900’s, Country, Reminisce, Farm & Ranch Living. Call 519-580-0630.

TREES

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)

OBITUARY

It is with great sadness that we, the family of Nancy Louise (nee Brown) Louch, wish to announce her peaceful passing on March 31st, 2025 at Maple Manor Nursing Home with loving family by her side, in her 75th year.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Robert ‘Bob’ Murray Louch of Tillsonburg. Survived by her children Tracey Collins (husband Jason) and Kerry Koster (husband AJ), and by her grandchildren Michael, and Megan Collins and Jordan, and Christian Koster. Also survived by her brothers Doug Brown, and John (wife Jean) Brown, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by her parents Emerson Brown, and Elsie (Countryman) Wilbert Smith, and by her siblings Guy Brown, Laura Clark, Kathy Rockefeller, and David Smith. Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Maple Manor Nursing Home for your care and compassion with special thanks to Michelle, Emily, Christina, and Crystal.

In keeping with Nancy’s expressed wishes, cremation has taken place, with later inurnment in Tillsonburg Cemetery. Wareing Cremation Services, 161 Broadway St., Tillsonburg was entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages or remembrance and condolence may be shared at wareingcremation.ca

Keep your dollars in Canada to strengthen communities and support local businesses, including your local newspaper.

ANDERSON LEONARD E.

Our father will be dearly missed by family and friends. Leonard Earle Anderson, born on October 9th, 1960, passed away from natural causes on April 16th, 2025, in Tillsonburg Ontario.

His family was his pride and joy, and his greatest role in life was being a dad to his three daughters. He showed unconditional love and support to his family and always made sure to say ‘I Love You’ more than twice, to be careful. He was the person you could always count on and didn’t hesitate to help anyone or any animal in need, including the stray cat, Gypsy, whom he took in and loved for 10 years. He will be remembered in great detail for his love of “all things nature”, planes, trains, and automobiles.

Leonard leaves behind his children Tasha (Jordan Collier) Anderson, Christina (William) Bakker, and LennieMay Anderson. With love and appreciation, the family would appreciate memorial donations to a cherished animal shelter. The family is also grateful for the compassionate care of Wareing Cremation Services, 161 Broadway St., Tillsonburg who have been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared at wareingcremation.ca

Why is it important to preplan your funeral?

Thinking about final wishes doesn’t mean that a person’s sad, depressed, or looking forward to death. Individuals preplan because they want to give their family and friends as much comfort as possible on that difficult, yet inevitable day. Whatever their reason may be, preplanning is a logical decision that a rapidly growing number of people make each day.

4 Key Benefits To Prearranging Your Final Wishes:

• Your wishes are known to your family

• Urgent Decisions Are Completed Now

• Your Peace of Mind

• Addressing Funeral Costs

Benefit 1 - Your family and friends are the most important parts of your life, but without your clearly expressed final wishes, it will be up to them to come together to try to reach a consensus during a difficult time. Flowers, music, readings, and other simple decisions now can create feelings of animosity and disunity. Preplanning eliminates the guesswork and lets your loved ones have peace as they focus on their own healing and remembrance.

Proudly serving the communities since 1958!

Benefit 2 - Prearranging aims to take care of urgent decisions now and protect your family from unnecessary pain and expense. When that inevitable day arrives, you want your loved ones to be focused on the truly important things – remembrance, family support, and healing – not making arrangements and decisions about your funeral. Preplanning prevents them from having to make considerable financial and logistical choices while under emotional duress.

Benefit 3 - There is peace of mind that comes with knowing that you will say goodbye in a way that uniquely reflects you and your life. By prearranging your specific final wishes you ensure that your family will be guaranteed to have the service you would have wanted on that important day. Your decisions can shape how your family and friends remember you and can help their healing process with a personalized service that truly reflects your individuality and unique personality.

Benefit 4 - Preplanning and prefunding your funeral addresses funeral costs today and lessen the financial burden for your family down the road. Many

people assume savings or life insurance will cover their final expenses. By funding your funeral in advance, you lock in the price of your specific wishes at current prices, avoiding rising costs caused by inflation. You can then enjoy the rest of your life confident in the financial relief you’ll give to your loved ones. Furthermore, there is no risk to prefunding your funeral; all prefunded trust monies remain in trust for the purchaser until services are rendered. These funds are also fully transferrable to another funeral home, such as in the case your wishes change or you relocate. In short, prearranging your funeral allows you to show your love in a way your family will never forget. By taking care of all the details yourself – and well in advance – your preplanned funeral will exemplify the selfless love and generosity you have shown your loved ones throughout your life. Nobody is eager to reach the day of their funeral, but taking control of that inevitable step and organizing your final wishes is simply the right thing to do for yourself and for your family. Completing the preplanning process will create a great sense of clarity, joy, and pride.

Maurice J. Verhoeve, Owner/Funeral Director Margaret Verhoeve, Secretary

Message from Nadia Facca, the Integrated President & CEO

It’s such an exciting time to be part of the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) team and community as we celebrate 100 years of Caring for you, alongside the TDMH Volunteer Association. Since becoming the President & CEO just over three years ago, I’ve experienced dedication, compassion and the positive thinking showing TDMH’s commitment to our community.

Looking back on the humble roots of the hospital, born out of the bequest of former Mayor of Tillsonburg John Smith, through to our voluntary integration with Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll (approved by the Ministry of Health this past December), TDMH has been an organization unafraid to move forward, committed to progress.

We can look to the Ed DeSutter Dialysis Unit in 2005 and the addition of the Lessif Orthopedic Unit in 2023 as examples of how the community support for TDMH has never wavered. The TDMH Foundation is

able to continue to provide funds for necessary capital equipment because of the great community support they receive on behalf of the hospital.

In the past year, TDMH has implemented the Rapid Access Fast Track (RAFT) program in the Emergency Department (ED) to improve the efficiency of patient care, and the eDash ED tracking system allowing patients in the ED to see wait times. This was part of a larger ED Optimization project, led by frontline leaders assisted by team members, physicians and patient advisors. TDMH has always been dedicated to our patients, providing the highest quality care. TDMH has regularly and voluntarily taken part in the Accreditation Canada surveys since 1968 and was the first small hospital in Canada to achieve the four-year Accreditation reward in 1994, the highest achievement awarded at the time. Accreditation has continued to be a success point for TDMH throughout the years, a chance to demonstrate and be surveyed on our commitment to continuous improvements in patient care.

The hospital would not function as effectively as it does without the loyalty and dedication of our volunteers. The members of the TDMH Volunteer Association are the faces that all of us see on a daily basis, portering patients, at the information desk, and in the gift shop and Coffee Corner. They perform vital functions in our organization and provide support to team members with encouraging words and sharing of smiles. The TDMH Volunteer Association has also raised funds to support so much of the equipment around the hospital, including being the main fundraiser for providing digital mammography

at TDMH.

We have volunteers as patient advisors, who are part of our Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) serving a valuable role of providing their insights into enhancing the patient experience in our projects and day-to-day operations.

We have volunteers that serve on our board of directors and our foundation board. These volunteers govern the hospital and provide strategic leadership based on their own skills, experience and knowledge. We would not be where we are today at TDMH, celebrating 100 years, without countless hours from these community members. Thank you for your commitment to TDMH.

In an article from 1972, G.W. Stevens, former TDMH Hospital Administrator said, “Hospitals have been described as “Where hearts, heads and hands are in the service of others.” I would say that the TDMH and the TDMH Volunteer Association are representative of this, without a doubt. I wanted to say a heartful thank you to all of our dedicated team members over the years. It has been my pleasure to lead TDMH through this significant milestone year and I look forward to seeing what the next 100 years brings, for the hospital, the volunteers and this great community.

Nadia

Facca

Integrated CEO/President AHI & TDMH (since 2022)

Current board chair salutes hospital’s progress

As current Chair of the Board of Directors, it’s my pleasure to take part in the 100th year celebrations of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) and the TDMH Volunteer Association.

100 years is something to be proud of. I may not have the ‘claim to fame’ of being the first baby born at TDMH, but I am happy to say I was born there. From the day the corner stone was laid to today, there have been so many changes, not just to our beautiful building, but also to our name, our technology and the advances in medical care.

Speaking of name, I think it is very fitting that during this celebration we are also working towards our integration with our partner, Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll into Rural Roads

Health Services. From our earliest day as Soldiers Memorial Hospital, moving forward has always been a focus of our great hospital.

Former Mayor John Smith would be so proud of what TDMH has become. From his initial bequest of the funds to construct our hospital in 1925, imagine if he could see TDMH now? He would be impressed by the continuous improvements in patient care and safety, the great community support that has allows the TDMH Foundation to provide much needed support, and our leadership team that works tirelessly to ensure our level of care is top notch.

In my time on the board, we’ve seen so much progress toward the future –a new CT scanner, implementation of the Rapid Access Fast Track (RAFT) in the emergency department and the orthopaedic program – as well as continuing our journey toward integration. It’s important as we move forward to remember our roots by taking time to celebrate our history.

I see a bright future for our small rural hospital due to the continuous efforts of our dedicated team members, our community that have shown their pride, and our patients that have chosen us to take care of them in their time of need.

Congratulations TDMH on 100 years of excellent care in our community. Cheers for another 100 years ahead.

Carrie Lewis Chair, TDMH Board of Directors (2024 – current)

NADIA FACCA

Integrated CEO/President AHI & TDMH (since 2022)

CARRIE LEWIS Chair, TDMH Board of Directors (2024 – current)

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Volunteer Association celebrates 100 years

JOE MATISZ

TDMH Volunteer Association President

Congratulations to all volunteers on reaching our 100th anniversary for the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) Volunteer Association. We have many accomplishments to celebrate over the past 100 years supporting the hospital, patients, and the community of Tillsonburg.

On August 14, 1925, in the first year of the Tillsonburg Soldiers Memorial Hospital’s existence, the first planning meeting occurred to discuss the potential for a “Ladies’ Auxiliary” type of organization to support the new hospital. Across the country, Ladies’ Auxiliaries emerged during the First World War when women were asked to help wounded veterans returning home, and to provide supports for their families. Often anchored in hospitals, women came together to continue the tradition of volunteering to support the needs of ex-service personnel during this time.

On August 21, 1925, the first meeting of this new volunteer organization took place with Mrs. Ethel Lancaster being elected the first president, a position which she held for two years, and Mrs. V.A. Sinclair, (who was largely responsible for the initial planning) named honorary president. The organization was in fact called the “Ladies Aid” until after the Second World War, when the name was officially changed to “The Auxiliary to Tillsonburg Soldiers Memorial Hospital” by Mrs. H.J. Alexander in 1947. Much of this early history was documented in an undated article in the Tillsonburg News, written by Mrs. Sarah Stanfield, president of the Auxiliary from 1953 to 1954.

The name of our organization changed again on October 13, 1976, when new Letters of Patent were granted to the Auxiliary to the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. This name was changed again to the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Volunteer Association at the annual general meeting of the Volunteer Association on May 3, 2005. This last change signalled a shift from a focus on good deeds to volunteering across all areas within the hospital. This was also when we saw many more men volunteering at the hospital.

Over the past 100 years, we have had a total of 35 presidents.

The role of the TDMH Volunteer Association has evolved over the years. In the early days, the Ladies Aid organized to supply the various linens, and mending them when required. Providing good deeds, friendship and company was a

key volunteering role in the early years. Over time, volunteering has evolved and our volunteers are now involved in many important areas of hospital operations, including patient portering, information desk, volunteer visiting, patient feeding in the inpatient areas, supporting patients in mammography and diagnostic care, Coffee Corner, gift shop, cataracts and endoscopic movement of patients, and helping with administrative roles like reminder phone calls, and restocking supplies.

We are fortunate to have young people interested in volunteering with us. In the early days, they were called “Candy Stripers”, and their job was delivering snacks to patients in the hospital amongst other tasks. Since 1987, we have referred to our high school age volunteers as “Volunteens”. For interested teens, the volunteer hours at the hospital help Volunteens achieve the mandatory volunteer hours required for high school graduation.

Over time, the volunteer association has taken on a key role in fundraising for the hospital. The funds raised only started to be accounted for in 1953. Before 1953, the Ladies Aid and the Auxiliary simply made or bought things for the hospital as needed, without always formally recording their good deeds or monies raised. Rose Tag Days and Marathon Dessert bridge fundraisers are a couple of examples of early fundraising efforts coordinated through the Auxiliary.

Over the years, fundraising by the Auxiliary was substantial enough to purchase important equipment for the hospital. The first piece required to be given to the hospital by the Auxiliary was an operating room table to be used in the delivery room in 1951. Then an x-ray machine was needed, so $15,000 was pledged to this project with final payment made in 1951. The Auxiliary purchased furnishings for nurses and housekeeping staff rooms in

1952. In 1994, the first mammography unit was purchased and $100,000 was contributed by the Auxiliary. Other equipment purchased with the help of the Auxiliary funds include pediatric strollers, portable defibrillator monitor, bath lifts, ultrasonic units, and many other pieces of needed equipment.

Since 1953, it is estimated that the Volunteer Association has raised and given the hospital approximately $2.5 million for the purchase of equipment. Fundraising methods have been varied over the years, including the 1967 Auxiliary cookbooks (raising $5,000), a silent auction in 2011 (raising $982), and Nevada “HELLP” tickets, sold between 1990 and 2023 raising over ($14,000), to name a few.

One of the most memorable fundraisers was the “Extravaganza”. Extravaganza started in 1976, taking place in the main foyer of the Tillsonburg Complex also known as the Community Centre. It was an all-day event with door prizes, dinner and a beer garden. The Extravaganza moved to the former The Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Auction Exchange after that building was purchased by the Town of Tillsonburg. It remained there until the building was sold to a private company. The Extravaganza was held yearly from 1976 until 2011, raising a total of $757,000 over the 37 years. It required dedicated convenors and volunteers to make it happen. It took close to 300 volunteers to collect, sort and present the items for the Extravaganza. When the Extravaganza years came to an end, the Volunteer Association coordinated several other large-scale fundraisers, including the Temptations Dinner and Silent Auction (three of these), Tillsonburg Custom Foods chicken breast sales, LCBO coin box program, yard sale and the Autoneum employee barbeque. These fundraisers collectively raised over

$100,000 over five years.

The main TDMH Volunteer Association fundraising programs today are the gift shop, coffee corner and 50/50 tickets. The gift shop originated as a counter in the main waiting room and through the years has developed into the shop we have today. The Coffee Corner has been around for over 26 years. The 50/50 tickets are sold in conjunction with the TDMH Foundation. The TDMH Foundation started December 24, 1982. The TDMH Foundation is a registered charity where fundraised dollars and donations for the hospital are housed. Up until the formation of the TDMH Foundation, the Volunteer Association was one of the major fundraisers for the hospital. Today the Volunteer Association works collaboratively with the TDMH Foundation to raise funds for the hospital.

In addition to fundraising and volunteering, the TDMH Volunteer Association promotes health care education by providing student scholarships. The first scholarship was given to Edith Powers in 1956 for $100. Today, the TDMH Volunteer Association provides two annual scholarships every year to students attending college or university in a health care field. The annual scholarship is worth up to $2,000 over two years. This year, there was only one qualified recipient for the scholarship - Kaydee Arquisola, who is working to become a Registered Practical Nurse.

Just like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 Pandemic impacted the TDMH Volunteer Association in March 2020. The hospital was mandated to restrict people entering the hospital to only essential employees, and the Association was required to suspend all volunteering. As the pandemic lifted, volunteers were permitted to slowly return to the hospital. By June 2022, volunteer programs had restarted, but Covid had certainly taken a toll, with the number of volunteers willing and able to help dropping from 200 volunteers prior to COVID, to just over 100 today.

The good news is we are on track for a good overall year of volunteer hours. In November 2024, we hit 8,300 hours compares to 7,825 hours the previous year. We hope to reach 13,000 hours by the end of the fiscal year, which is approaching our pre-COVID level of 18,000 hours a year.

I would like to thank all of our great TDMH Volunteers and Volunteens for their continued support of the TDMH Volunteer Association. I trust we will be around for many years to come.

Diane Burgess and Debbie Granger hold a banner showing the hospital’s gratitude for its volunteers.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

A message from the Chief of Staff

DR. CLAYTON INCULET Chief of Staff, TDMH

Congratulations Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital on100 remarkable years of compassionate care, service, and community commitment. As Chief of Staff, it is a privilege to share such a momentous celebration.

For a century, TDMH has stood as a cornerstone of healthcare in Tillsonburg and the surrounding area—providing not only medical excellence, but also a sense of trust and belonging to the people we serve. This centennial milestone is a testament to the dedication of our staff, physicians, volunteers and the community

who have always supported the heart of the hospital.

Volunteers have played an essential role throughout TDMH’s history, offering their time, energy, and kindness to patients and families in countless ways. Whether it’s through comforting a patient, helping a visitor navigate the hospital to the orthopaedic clinic, or supporting day-to-day operations, their contributions leave a lasting impact. Their presence reminds us that healthcare is about people first—and that healing happens not only through medicine, but through human connection.

In my own clinic, I’ve seen the impact our volunteers make towards a meaningful difference each day. They allow us to focus more time on patient care, and their positivity helps create a welcoming environment for all who walk through our doors.

On behalf of the medical staff, I offer heartfelt congratulations to TDMH on 100 years of exceptional service. May we continue to build on this legacy together—with compassion, innovation, and the same strong spirit of community that has brought us this far.

Here’s to the next 100 years!

Dr. Clayton Inculet Chief of Staff, TDMH

Kleer leads TDMH through Accredation

DIANE KLEER Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, 2022-2024

As past chair of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH), it is my great pleasure and honour to have this opportunity to commemorate 100 years of dedication and compassionate care to our community.

A few milestones during my twoyear term as chair was TDMH receiving the final award of Accredited with Commendation in January 2023. This award means that an organization has surpassed the fun-

damental requirements of the Accreditation program. Kudos to all the TDMH staff for receiving this honor.

With the financial assistance of the TDMH Foundation, the board approved the advancement to the next phase of our electronic health record, Cerner One Chart Phase II, Wave 1. This expansion allows us to be in lock step with other partnering hospitals in Southwestern Ontario as they too expand their electronic health record.

After many years of a strong partnership, and a year of intentional planning and engagement with staff, physicians, patients, partners, volunteers, and the community, the TDMH and AHI Board of Directors voted for a full integration in May 2024. Stronger Together, the two hospitals continue to work toward the end goal of integration by April 2026.

Congratulations and thank you to the incredible team at TDMH for providing the highest quality healthcare in our community.

Diane Kleer Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, 2022-2024

Former chair pays tribute to hospital staff

Celebrating 100 years is an amazing milestone. Times have

changed with care practices, but the ongoing dedication of our staff has been the glue to the success of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH).

I was honoured to see firsthand some of the great successes through my 10 years on the Board of Directors.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused us all to pause, and we learned to do things differently. Even through personal and workplace turmoil, our staff remained focused on providing the best quality and safest care to our patients.

Along with Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll, we were the first hospitals in the region to implement electronic inpatient nursing doc-

umentation. This initiative was the groundwork for the ability to share appropriate information within the health care system.

Over the years many physicians have graced TDMH with their knowledge and unwavering dedication to those requiring hospital services. In 2021, we welcomed Dr. Clayton Inculet bringing orthopaedic surgery expertise allowing TDMH to provide same day joint replacement surgery for hips and knees for qualifying patients.

TDMH has both grown and changed over the last 100 years. Some of the services once provided have moved away however the evolution of new procedures and health care delivery methods have

grown within our walls.

Sincere thanks to all who have been a part of TDMH since the doors first opened until today. Best wishes for the future of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital.

Ruby Withington was the Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, from 2020-2022.

RUBY WITHINGTON Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, from 2020-2022

As I reflect on my time as past Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) Board Chair, I can’t help but feel tremendously proud of the exceptional people with extraordinary hearts who “gave their all” to achieving the utmost efficiency to the growth and expansion of the hospital. Our TDMH Family all played their part in our continuation of meeting the excellent standards of Accreditation Ontario.

TDMH board and foundation

Although our hospital may be small, it is vital to this area as our designated catchment population far exceeds our government guidelines.

Our progress in attracting specialists and physicians for our E.D. and inpatient care with our state-of-the-art equipment continues to grow and expand to this day.

Our Board of Directors shared a common thread of humility by the compassion and generosity from our community. We are so fortunate to have numerous and continuous contributions from our many donors that have ensured the growth and

2019-2020 JOINT BOARD

progress of our hospital. The people of this great community never cease to amaze me!

Working together with innovative and dedicated people who shared a common goal to build a future for our hospital, for our community, has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.

Thank you to the wonderful people of Tillsonburg and TDMH for this incredible opportunity!

Continued success to TDMH.

Larry Phillips was Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, 2014-2016 and Chair, TDMH Foundation Board of Directors, 2019-2021.

2023-2024 JOINT BOARD

Left to right, F: Ian Blain, Don Campbell (AHI Vice Chair), Al Lauzon (AHI Chair), Cheryl Buchner (TDMH Chair), Ruby Withington (TDMH Vice-Chair), Barb Morgan; B: Sandy Jansen, Dr. Elizabeth Allen, Todd Ross, Diane Kleer, Jenny Good, Mel Getty, Stephanie Nevins, Tanya Pirie, Cheryl Pfaff, Dr. Joel Wohlgemut, Dr. Jamie Cluett, Mike Bastow

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Left to right: F: Stephanie Nevins (AHI Chair), Diane Kleer (TDMH Chair), Judy Cayford, Nadia Facca; B: Stephen Molnar, Michelle Franklin, Cody Groat, Scott Davis, Tanya Pirie (AHI Vice-Chair), Carrie Lewis (TDMH Vice-Chair), Susan Goble Hall, Don Campbell

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Reflections on my time as CEO 2017 to 2022

In September 2017, I had the absolute honour of being appointed President and CEO of TDMH and AHI and so began my adventure leading these two phenomenal healthcare organizations.

I recall on day one of my tenure, meeting with Accreditation Canada as the hospital was undergoing this intensive survey process. The team,

as always, knocked it out of the park and were awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing. That would be the first of two surveys during my tenure that the hospitals would be awarded this highest level of recognition.

Through the unwavering support of our Board of Directors and our Foundation we were able to accomplish so much in the early days introducing cutting edge technology to support patient care, introducing a new physician model leveraging hospitalists and of course, embarking on our journey to full health system integration launching the Oxford and Area Ontario Health Team.

Little did we know in late 2019 that the COVID-19 pandemic was on our doorstep, an event that would change our hospital and our world forever. As I reflect on those tumultuous months, I am struck by the courage and resilience of our staff, physicians and leadership team, the lessons learned, and the profound impact on our community. From the very beginning, the weight of

responsibility was immense. We were tasked with keeping our staff and patients safe while navigating rapidly changing guidelines, supply shortages, and the emotional toll of an unprecedented crisis. There were days when the challenges felt insurmountable. Yet, time and time again, our team and our community rallied to support this incredible hospital. I recall one particularly difficult day being met by signs of support decorating our grounds – placed there by our community. Our gardens were decorated with hand-painted inspirational rocks; businesses and individuals in our community came together with donations of food, handmade masks, 3D printed ear-saving mask clips, hand sanitizer and absolutely anything else we needed for our staff. I recall our Mayor checking in on a weekly basis to ask how the town can support the hospital. I will be forever grateful for these expressions of support and caring for our team.

Of course, despite the pressure of the pandemic and the toll it was

taking on our leaders and teams, the leadership team never stopped building and expanding the care provided to the Tillsonburg Community, introducing a new orthopedic surgical program providing the newest state of the art surgical care close to home.

I remain so incredibly grateful for my time at TDMH and for being a small part of the last 100 years of caring. The experience shaped me as a leader and as a person. I learned that while we cannot predict every challenge, we can prepare by building strong systems, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing the well-being of our people. It also reaffirmed my belief in the power of collective resilience and the profound difference we can make, even in the face of the unimaginable. Together with the Tillsonburg community, we proved that compassion and determination are the heartbeats of healthcare.

Happy 100th anniversary TDMH!

Sandy Jansen

AHI-TDMH Integrated President & CEO, 2017-2022

SANDY JANSEN

AHI-TDMH Integrated President & CEO, 2017-2022

McHugh first CEO of TDMH and AHI

I was President and Chief Executive Officer of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) from 2004-2012. It was my first experi-

ence as a CEO and I was so fortunate to inherit all of the strong work of those leaders before me. The Board of Directors, under the tutelage of Peg Hogarth, punched above its weight. And the staff, medical staff and community were so competent, proud and supportive of our hospital. We moved our young family to a house on Demeyere Avenue where we built a strong community with whom we are still in touch. It was a homecoming for me; I was born and raised in Ingersoll and my family had strong ties to Tillsonburg.

My objective was to build on TDMH’s strengths and ensure we were part of the integrated system of hospital care that was emerging in Southwestern Ontario. During my time at TDMH we introduced a satellite dialysis unit in partnership with London Health Sciences Centre. In partnership with Alexandra Hospital,

Ingersoll, we were able to implement and operate only the second CT scanner in a hospital of our size in Ontario. We worked closely with other hospitals on laboratory services and a shared surgical call schedule with Woodstock General Hospital. The highlight for me was becoming the CEO of both TDMH and the Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll, a partnership that is still flourishing.

The community’s vision and support were the secret sauce for all these advances. The Town of Tillsonburg always had confidence in its future and realized that a strong hospital was critical to its continued success. We loved our time in Tillsonburg. Our daughters are all grown now and we all have happy memories of Tillsonburg.

Tom McHugh was TDMH President & CEO 2004 – 2012, and Integrated President & CEO 2012.

From all of us to TMDH

Thank you for 100 years of making a difference.

TOM MCHUGH

TDMH President & CEO 2004 – 2012, Integrated President & CEO 2012

Bennett leads TDMH though foundation’s launch

Congratulations to Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) on the celebration of its Centennial in 2025!

From 2002 to 2014 I was a member of the TDMH Board of Directors, and from 2008 to 2010 was honored to serve as the board’s chair.

There were many events that took place at TDMH while I served as the board’s chair that were especially memorable. For example, through collaboration with the TDMH Foundation that started in 2009, the foundation hired its first Executive Director in January of 2010. This development led to an immediate, and significant, increase in donations to the foundation that has continued to date.

After a significant period of ever-increasing effort, we were also able to finally secure, and then celebrate on Oct. 9, 2009, the grand opening of TDMH's first CT scanner. This represented a major advance in the diagnostic abilities available to our health care providers at TDMH and the community that they serve.

Finally, through extensive consultation over an extensive period of time both within our own ranks and with Alexandra Hospital in Ingersoll, we were able to

merge the two hospitals at the President - CEO level. That merger immediately saved very significant resources for both hospitals and helped to pave the way for further integration and cost saving efforts that continue to this day.

As the saying goes, "it takes a village," and none of the foregoing achievements would have been possible without the talent and dedication of the professionals and volunteers that TDMH has had, and continues to attract.

We have had at all times an excellent Board of Directors where ideas could be discussed, and debated, in a fulsome and very productive manner. The acquisition of the CT scanner, and then the affiliation that was finally established with Alexandra Hospital are two excellent examples of just how collaboratively our board was able to function in this regard.

Tom McHugh in his capacity as TDMH's President and CEO was especially helpful in this regard during my term as board chair. His innovative and "forward thinking" style benefited TDMH and the patients that it served then, and still to this day.

Finally, TDMH's support staff were, and still are, extremely capable and supportive. In this regard Loralee Heemskerk, whose official title was "Executive Assistant", deserves special recognition for helping to ensure that our organization and all of its board members over the years were as fully informed and organized as any volunteer board possibly could be.

It was a privilege to work with such a dedicated team and, again, congratulations to TDMH on the celebration of its centennial in 2025!

Brad Bennett was Chair, TDMH Board of Directors from 2008-2010.

BRAD BENNETT

Chair, TDMH Board of Directors from 2008-2010

Brad Bennett, Chair of the TDMH Board of Directors from 2008-2010, with executive assistant Loralee Heemskerk.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

A special thank you goes out to Lisa Dahm, Integrated Executive Assistant, Administration & Governance, for her assistance in making this special edition

come together. Besides writing some of the articles, Lisa coordinated lining up the messages from the contributors and found the historic photos in the hospital archives.

Heath at hospital through turn of century

EUGENE

HEATH Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, from 2000-2002

Coming from the business world, it took some time to get used to how things work in the health care world. I was always impressed by the teamwork at all levels of the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) staff. By the time I became Chair of the Board I was honoured to be able to contribute in any way I could to help keep things running smoothly and moving forward.

Jim Spencer had just retired as CEO after having done a stellar job and he had set a well-respected high bar. Brenda Butters was promoted

from our staff to be the new CEO and made a seamless transition.

We had just come through the Y2K scare when we, and most of the computerized world, feared bad things could happen if computers couldn’t handle the transition from 1999 to 2000. The office staff made all the necessary contingency plans and there was a big sigh of relief when nothing happened.

TDMH has been a pillar of Tillsonburg and our district. It is greatly appreciated, generously supported by many and well suited to carry on.

Eugene Heath was the Chair, TDMH Board of Directors, from 2000-2002.

Corner reflects on board in the 1980s

DAVID CORNER

Chair, TDMH Board of Directors 1985-1987

Chair, TDMH Foundation Board of Directors, 1995-1999

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) has been the epitome of change over the 30 years that I have volunteered on the hospital and Foundation Boards of Directors.

In the 1980's providing guidance to the hospital was an 18-member Board of Directors with representation from across the catchment area.

TDMH had 140 plus acute beds including a very active maternity ward and a full long term care ward.

From the purchase of the first personal computer ($15,000) to the newest CT scanner, technological upgrades have been continuous.

Now we have a 50-bed acute care facility with several outpatient clinics providing service to a growing and changing demographic.

The TDMH Foundation has grown from a passive fundraiser that commenced with an art auction in the early 80's to the proactive organization it is today supporting capital equipment and special project funding for TDMH.

Keeping quality healthcare close to home will continue to be a priority for TDMH as they journey forward to further integration with AHI and plan for the next 100 years.

It has been an honour and privilege to have served TDMH.

Respectfully Submitted

David Corner

Chair, TDMH Board of Directors 1985-1987

Chair, TDMH Foundation Board of Directors, 1995-1999

Hogarth served on board for 25 years

PEG HOGARTH Chair, TDMH Board of Directors 1987-1989

We are celebrating 100 years of TDMH’s caring and service to Tillsonburg and the surrounding area. We are honouring the past but at the same time looking forward to new possibilities in the future. I am so proud to have been involved for 25 of those years. Serving on its governing volunteer board for that period of time (1982-2007) gave me experience from the past that can often inform the future.

Much of that board’s time was spent assessing and attempting to meet the needs of the community such as: worrying about not having sufficient funding to ensure the sustainability of a healthcare system of which we were very proud; concerned about our aging infrastructure and developing plans for partial replacement; recruiting enough family physicians to meet medical needs of the community and the hospital; ensuring that our medical equipment was up to date and that we were equipped with the newest technology available to a hospital of our size; dwelling on the fact that patients had to wait too long in the ER; troubled that there were not enough long-term beds for our elderly popu-

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital’s legacy is written in every life it’s touched.

Reflection from TDMH former Chief of Staff

TDMH Chief of Staff, 2017 - 2022

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital's 100th year anniversary and the TDMH Volunteer Association's 100th year anniversary are momentous occasions worth cele-

brating. TDMH has been committed to providing top quality health care for a century, and the Volunteer Association has been supporting the hospital by assisting in patient care and also raising funds.

I started my family medicine practice in Tillsonburg in 1989 and have many fond memories of working with the wonderful people at TDMH. While serving as Chief of Staff from 2017 to 2022, I saw firsthand the important contribution of all the people that worked and volunteered at TDMH, including those who served on the Board of Directors. Everyone was committed to providing excellent service and patient care. Tillsonburg and area residents can be so proud of TDMH and the Volunteer Association.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone anniversary!

Jamie Cluett, TDMH Chief of Staff, 2017 - 2022

JAMIE CLUETT

Hospital President and CEO looks to the future

JEFF HELSDON Editor

As Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) celebrates its 100th anniversary, there is a nod towards the next quarter century, and beyond.

Like many institutions, TDMH president and CEO Nadia Facca explained planning for the future is an ongoing exercise. However, with the hospital, there are a couple of differences. Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, and with the technology being used to save lives, keeping up is vital. And, the hospital is different than other public institutions in how it receives funding for new equipment. Comparing it to a municipality, taxpayers fund upgrades through property taxes and user fees in a municipality, but with the hospital, the cost of all equipment must be fundraised by the community.

“It’s hard to believe we are publicly funded by

the Ministry of Health but have to depend on the community for equipment,” Facca said.

“I don’t think that will change into the future and we will continue to need to fundraise.”

As the hospital celebrates its 100th, Facca tipped her hat to the community for making this major milestone possible. She pointed to John Smith, the Tillsonburg citizen and former mayor, who bequeathed the land for the hospital in his will, and the effort of community members since that led to multiple building expansions and ongoing equipment updates.

“People saw a need and kept with; it is why are still here today,” she said. “That’s how you get to 100 years - the community wraps its arms around you and embraces you.”

Facca pointed to the second CT machine added at TDMH, possible through a generous donation from the Verspeeten family, as an example of the support.

“If we didn’t have that donation and the widespread community support, we may not have that latest technology,” she said.

The near future

Much has changed from the days when the hospital was built. In the 1920s, and many subsequent decades, X-rays were taken on film and had to be developed. That is all now captured digitally. Community acquired pneumonia, for instance, used to require a hospital stay to be cured and often resulted in death - until the 1930s when antibiotics were discovered. Now, this type of pneumonia can be treated by taking an antibiotic at home.

Laparoscopic surgery, which is done with cameras and robotics, allows surgeons to complete many procedures with smaller incisions and be less invasive, resulting in quicker healing and shorter hospital stays.

“The future of medicine will have more robotics, and artificial intelligence,” Facca said.

“AI will help us with diagnosing and treatment.”

TDMH was on the leading edge approximately 25 years ago when it partnered with London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, St. Thomas, Ingersoll, Woodstock and other area hospitals for electronic health records technology. For example, if a person with a heart attack was rushed to TDMH where preliminary tests were done,

and the patient needed transfer to London, all patient records are shared between hospitals in protected electronic instances.

“The doctors there can see what the doctors did here,” Facca said. “Your file goes with you digitally.”

Now electronic health records are being expanded further, again with community support. TDMH is in the next phase of this expansion currently with other partnering hospitals.

Patients can also see their own results online through the Connect My Health patient portal. Registration is done through their website. This was made possible due to the many years that TDMH has continued to digitize the electronic health record.

“The future will hold more and more technology expansion,” Facca said.

For TDMH, part of the future will be the amalgamation with Ingersoll’s Alexandra Hospital to Rural Roads Health Services. The outside of both buildings will still have their individual names, along with the new integrated organizational name.

Facca said when people come to the front door, it will look the same. The next step after integration is long range clinical service planning. Facca sees this opening up more opportunities and will help to prepare local health care for population growth and demographic changes.

“With integration we can envision the future together to strengthen health care delivery,” she said.

Facca said clinical service planning is a long process – we are planning for 20 to 30 years ahead of now.

“It’s not easy, it’s long,” she explained. “We want to be in the conversation with the Ministry on our long range plans. We’re not there yet, but want to be there soon to realize long-term benefits.”

The end result of that conversation with the Ministry may or may not mean site expansion in Tillsonburg, it’s too early to know. The goal will be the appropriate level of service for the community for the future.

“When we are integrated and go to the Ministry with an integrated submission on our clinical services, we will be stronger.”

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

TDMH President and CEO stands next to the historical display in the hospital’s lobby which holds many of the artifacts of its past with the banner celebrating 100 years behind her.

Hospital CEO looks to the future

She emphasized, though, in the integration, that the identity of the individual hospitals will stay with each site.

“We’re not doing a shake-up, we’re on a journey together…it’s been an evolution,” Facca said.

That evolution will continue with looking for efficiencies in administration. For example, currently, there are two web sites, and in the future a move will be made towards one web site representing both sites and each of their services.

Work is currently underway with other partners across Oxford County to have Rural Roads Health Services be a site for physician clerkship in the future– the step for third and fourth year medical students before their residence is declared. Facca expects this could take a few years to establish.

“When you have medical students in the community and they fall in love with the community, they may decide to set up a practice,” she said. “Also, what it gives students is a taste of rural medicine.”

able technologies that will help us manage our health,” Facca pondered. “From a hospital perspective, how technology will change might allow us to care for patients better in the next 100 years.”

Facca said personalized medicine, which adapts the treatment to the individual’s genetic response, is one thing on the horizon. She said it is already occurring in some places.

She sees patients having more information at their fingertips and hopes for a focus on prevention of disease and early detection. If medical professionals know earlier in a patient’s life the possible ailments, such as a heart condition or cancer, they can advise how to better alter lifestyles for prevention. In contrast, Facca said medicine is more reactive now.

One of the common images of the future of technology is the tricorders and scanners used in science fiction series such as “Star Trek”. Is that next?

Currently, medical students in their first year visit Tillsonburg and Ingersoll as part of Discovery Week. The feedback from the students is the students didn’t realize what each of the hospitals has to offer.

“When they’re shadowing our doctors, they realize everything the community has to offer,” Facca said. What else does the future offer?

Where is medicine going in the future? Just a quarter of a century ago, no one would have imagined watches that can take a pulse, ECG or track respiratory rates. So, what could be next.

“We may see advancements in wear-

“It’s possible,” Facca said. “Anything is possible. It will happen quickly. The pace of technology will happen much quicker than anyone expects. I hope we’re ready for it.”

And it’s her goal to ensure the hospital is in a position for the future.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

The new CT scanner in the hospital was made possible due to a donation from the Verspeeten family. CT technologists Kathy Emerson, left, and Sheila Best are two of the staff members who work in the department.

Volunteering at the hospital a family tradition for Barb Morgan

BARB MORGAN

Convenor of the TDMH Gift Shop

Volunteering at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) seem to be a natural evolution of my life. My parents always told me, whether it can be verified or not, that I was the first baby born in the new wing of the Tillsonburg Hospital .... which later I have amended to add “which is now the old wing.”

As a young child, I was brought up on Bear Street and then moved to 112 Rolph Street, just steps away from TDMH. We watched the ambulances race up the street. We watched our next-door neighbour Dr. Dalby running to the hospital at all hours of the day or night. So, the importance of our hospital was not lost on us, at even a very young age.

When we were about 6 or 7, we hosted a Kool-Aid stand in front of our home, and with the profits, a whopping 62 cents, we marched up to the front desk of TDMH and donated. I don’t know who accepted our donation, but I remember being praised and feeling all warm and fuzzy about it.

But the best part was when the local paper came out that week, myself and all my cohorts had our names in the paper for our generous donation. Wow, talk about an impression! Those kinds of things really do

stick with people.

After my dad passed away, my mother would go to the hospital every Thursday afternoon to work in the Gift Shop. I remember her tales of trying to balance the till and of all her big sales that day. She could give me lessons on balancing...

When I started my Real Estate Career, I quickly realized that the Tillsonburg Hospital was something we bragged about to all potential buyers from out of town. On

CONGRATULATIONS

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and Volunteer Foundation on a century of care! peopleCare looks forward to continued partnership with you to meet the needs of the community.

every tour of what Tillsonburg had to offer, the drive by of our hospital was a highlight of the tour. Something that had always just been there had turned into something that we were very lucky to have and something we needed to support.

In 2016, I was asked to join the Board of Directors of the hospital, and it was an honour to sit around that table for 6 years. That too was an incredible learning experience for me. Again, it was driven home

exactly how fortunate we are in this world to have this hospital in the centre of our town.

So, last year when I decided that this was to be my last year in Real Estate, I needed something to help me transition. My first and only thought was “I am going to volunteer at the Hospital.” I reached out to Stacia Hansen (TDMH Volunteer Coordinator). Together, with my friend Barb Van Doninck, we have taken on the job of Convenors of the Gift Shop and yes, it did take two of us to fill Joyce’s shoes!

I am very proud to say that my daughter is also a volunteer at this hospital as a member of the TDMH Foundation Board and so the family tradition continues.

I will finish by saying that volunteering at the hospital is a privilege and an honour. To be included and encouraged by a group of like-minded individuals as yourselves is heart warming.

Thank you for allowing me this privilege and for helping me learn to support this hospital and the doctors, nurses and everyone who keeps the doors open.

Congratulations on 100 years, and Cheers to the next 100 years of volunteering!

Barb Morgan was a member of TDMH Board of Directors from 2016 – 2022, and is the current convenor of the TDMH Gift Shop

Where Care and Community Come Together

Barb Morgan is the current convenor of the TDMH gift shop and a former board member. She may have been the first baby born in what was then the new wing of the hospital and is probably the hospital volunteer with the longest tenure, starting when she was six or seven.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

From a retired RN who worked at TDMH

tient care areas, learning as I was going along.

Hi everyone, I am going down memory lane, to share some of my experiences working as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH.) I started working there in October 1988 and retired in March 2013.

The first person that greeted me on orientation day was Marion Pratt, who was the in-service educator, staff development, at the hospital at that time. She was the best of the best, and made me feel very warm and welcome, as a newcomer, and that got me off to a great start. I trained at Toronto General Hospital and worked in neuro surgery for eight years, then moved to the Queensway Hospital in Etobicoke as a float nurse for nine years.

At TDMH, I was first hired parttime and worked in most of the pa-

My sister Sue Bamford, RN, and Ellen Baird, RN, oriented me to help out in the post op recovery room as needed.

When I got oriented to the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU), I can thank Debi Drinkwater RN, Shirley Thiebert RN, and Diane Monk RN for making me feel very welcome, and I learned a lot from those great nurses. Shirley Thiebert said to me, “Don’t worry, this is a very nice place to work.” And she was right!

I did many ambulance runs to London with critical patients, and like the TDMH staff, the ambulance crew helped me along and treated me very well.

In 1996, I got a full-time job in the ICCU, which was always my favourite place to work. The ICCU staff did off-hour courses in cardiac and respiratory care and by increasing

your knowledge base helped to give more accurate reporting to the doctors on patient status.

We were also very fortunate to have two wonderful and knowledgeable respiratory therapists (RTs) helping us in the unit. Those people were Les Molnar and Derek Barnard, who helped us with ventilated patients and much more.

Marion Pratt, my nurse educator, always kept her office door open for anyone who needed a good listener to drop in during the day for a kind, helpful talk.

I became a committee member for Health & Safety. Each area was routinely inspected for hazards and reported to area leaders. This was a good way to get to know the hospital.

My time working at TDMH leaves me with fond memories of the great people that I met and worked with including Janis Barnard RN and Marlene Thorpe RN who were both

nursing co-ordinators of ICCU at different times, both sharing advice and directions.

It has been a privilege to work and share in the care of patients in our wonderful community during my time at TDMH.

Leslie Wilcox

Registered Nurse at TDMH (1988 – 2013)

LESLIE WILCOX

Nurse at TDMH (1988 – 2013)

TDMH - A HISTORY

Over the course of the last 100 years, Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) and the TDMH Volunteer Association have been through a lot - transitions, changes and a great many successes. As we celebrate 100 years of caring for you, let’s take a look back as we journey through some of the major milestones that brought the hospital and volunteer association where we are today.

1921

The death of John Smith, former mayor of Tillsonburg, who, after providing for his widow, left between $10,000 - $19,000 to the town, with direction that it is to be used to form a hospital trust in the Town of Tillsonburg. Smith also left his home on the west side of Rolph Street at the corner of Washington Grand for

use as that hospital, with the caveat that if it wasn’t appropriate, it was to be sold and more appropriate land should be purchased.

1923

Letters patent show that Tillsonburg Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Trust was established in order to create Soldiers Memorial Hospital.

1924

The Smith house was sold for $4,500, and the Ferguson property located at Rolph and Bear Streets was purchased for $7,000. The town closed off the west end of Bear Street, between Rolph Street and Jack Alley (now called Valley View) and sold it to the hospital trust for $1 plus legal costs connected to the sale.

1925

Cornerstone was laid for the new building, attached to the Ferguson house, which would be built of brick

and joist construction with hardwood floor,s for a cost of $60,000 plus equipment. The silver trowel used in the ceremony is on display in the glass display case at the main entrance of TDMH.

The group who would become the “Ladies Auxiliary”, the first notion of a volunteer association, met for the first time. This group organized initially to supply and mend various linens used at the hospital. Providing good deeds, friendship and company was a key volunteering role in the early years.

1926

Tillsonburg Soldiers Memorial Hospital was officially opened by the Honourable John Martin, Minister of Agriculture. The first patient arrived two days later – a five-yearold boy who needed his tonsils removed.

The Ladies Auxiliary expanded their membership by going door to

the houses where they knew people might be interested in joining their organization.

1930

A small extension was built onto the Ferguson house to create additional space in the on-site nurses’ residence.

1939

Another wing is added to the hospital, this time 2-stories high, which included additional nurses’ residence.

1947

The Ladies Auxiliary reorganized, sending letters to anyone in Tillsonburg who might be interested in

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

LISA DAHM Contributor

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Corner stone laying, 1925

Renovation, 1949

John Smith

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

TDMH - A HISTORY

becoming a member. Membership cost $1, and membership was 42 ladies. Reorganization also brought a name change to “The Auxiliary to Tillsonburg Soldiers Memorial Hospital.”

1948 - 1949

Overcrowding was becoming common, often reaching the maximum of 53 patients in hospital at the same time. The board of directors made plans for the first major expansion, which will consist of the north and west wings, the powerhouse and laundry.

1950

Supplementary Letters Patent changed the name of the trust from the Tillsonburg Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Trust to the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Trust. The name of the hospital was also changed to remain consistent,

and to reflect that the hospital patients came from more than just the Town of Tillsonburg, and the armed services comprised more than just soldiers.

1951

The hospital auxiliary raised enough funds to provide an operating room table to be used in the delivery room, followed shortly by an x-ray machine, representing their shift to fundraising significant enough to purchase major equipment for the hospital.

1952

Two new wings are officially opened, increasing capacity to 105 beds and 27 bassinettes ready for the baby boomers. Construction costs approximately $859,600. Contributions from federal and provincial governments covered nearly half of the construction costs. The remainder was supported by county governments of Oxford, Elgin and Norfolk, townships, villages, service clubs, Women’s Auxiliary and the local community.

1956

The first hospital auxiliary scholarship is awarded to Edith Powers. The scholarship is created to promote health care education.

1963

1964

Planning for another expansion begins. The hospital is experiencing overcrowding. In preparation for expansion, the oldest section of the hospital (formerly known as the Ferguson house) which contained the main entrance, offices, lobby and patient rooms, is demolished.

A contract is awarded for the addition of a South Wing and renovation to the north wing and construction begins. Contract price is $1,001,000.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Finished reno, 1953-4

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

1966 Reno

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

1966 Reno

TDMH - A HISTORY

1966

The newest portions of the hospital are completed and officially opened. New equipment is seen throughout the hospital, including in the boiler room and laundry. Total value of the new buildings and equipment was over $2,650,000. The hospital now holds 151 beds.

The hospital auxiliary opens the gift shop in the main lobby of the hospital.

1967

A new master plan is drawn up calling for orderly progression and expansion of the hospital and facilities over the next 12 to 15 years. The plan has four phases – 1) Ren-

Celebrating a Century of Caring

Our sincere appreciation for each of the medical professionals in every department and clinic, administrative and clerical staff, maintenance, custodial and food services personnel, and all of the many volunteers –past and present – at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital.

Through these 100 years, each one of you are, and have been, a critical component in keeping our community hospital operating and growing. What you do and say, every day, makes all the difference to so many people.

We are very grateful for the dedication, work ethic, skills, tenacity, and compassion of every individual who has called TDMH their workplace.

ovation of the operating and delivery rooms; 2) extension of the south wing; 3) extension of the north and west wings; 4) upward extension of the south wing.

1968

TDMH submits to its first accreditation survey and is awarded full accreditation by the Canadian Council of Hospital Accreditation (now called Accreditation Canada.)

TDMH also underwent an ‘Assessment Survey’ by a team under the aegis of the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Hospital Association, emerging with flying colours.

1969

Phase one and two of the master plan are completed, and while the concepts of the plan are good, changing demands have required adaptation to the priorities.

1970

Attention shifts to focus on a relatively new service – development of

an intensive coronary-cardiac care unit (ICCCU) is planned as a small addition within the existing footprint of the hospital.

TDMH receives full accreditation for the second time.

1971

Ribbon cutting on the new ICCCU. The first patients came under care of that unit in October, which meant that medical and nursing personnel would spend the greater part of a year learning new techniques and procedures in support of the new unit; this continual training and education of staff will be ongoing as long as the hospital serves the district.

1972

TDMH receives unannounced visit from the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSO) which highlighted the successes of the TDMH medical and hospital staffs.

After a year and a half of committee review, a formal submission was made to Ontario Hospital Service

(CONTRIBUTED

TDMH - A HISTORY

Commission for approval to proceed with planning

1973

Study of Ontario hospitals indicates TDMH is one of several hospital in dire need of expansion and renovation.

The first portable X-Ray machine is used at TDMH.

1974

The first “crash cart” was put into use in the Emergency Department (ED) at TDMH. A crash cart is a self-contained, mobile unit that contains materials, drugs, and devices necessary to perform life support protocols to potentially save someone's life.

1975

Minister of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Harry Parrott announces ministry approval to proceed to Phase 2 of expansion planning.

1976

The first hospital Auxiliary “Extravaganza” event takes place in the main foyer of the Tillsonburg Community Centre. It was an all-day event with door prizes, dinner and a beer garden. Extravaganza was held yearly from 1976 until 2011, raising a total of $757,000 over the 37 years, with the support of nearly 300 volunteers each year. TDMH receives approval for the master plan and the functional plan, but receives the stipulation that no further progress can be at this time due to a lack of capital and operational funds.

1977

The Thames Valley Health Council makes advocating for the expansion of TDMH a number one priority.

1979

Construction begins!

1981

The “new” building, as you see it today, is officially opened, after construction costs of nearly $7.5 million - $300,000 of which was raised in the first four months of the campaign as the com-

munity portion. All directly connected municipal governments, as well as the federal and provincial governments, contributed.

1982

The TDMH Foundation is incorporated as a charitable organization, tasked to raise funds for new and replacement equipment for TDMH as well as funds for other special projects within the hospital. The foundation acts as a “quiet fundraiser”, operating with minimal public announcement with a focus on targeted outreach, for the first 28 years, transferring $3,929,784 for capital requirements.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Front of hospital, 1977

TDMH - A HISTORY

1983

TDMH opens an ultrasound room, used mostly for fetal ultrasounds.

1986

New technologies allow TDMH to complete laser surgeries, completely without sutures. These were mainly dermatological procedures at the time.

1989

Another three-year accreditation award is achieved by TDMH. At the time, only 15 per cent of hospitals in Canada would receive three-year accreditation status.

1992

In conjunction with a longstanding “sister city” relationship between Tillsonburg and Hengshui City, China, TDMH twins with Harrison International Peace Hospital in China in order to share knowledge between the two hospitals. The Harrison International Peace Hospital was named for Dr. Tillson Harri-

TDMH - A HISTORY

son, who was born in Tillsonburg, and was the great-grandson of George Tillson for whom the town is named. Dr. Tillson Harrison assisted in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in China, saving many lives in China during the revolution, and is widely honoured in China as a National Hero.

1994

Mammography unit is officially opened at TDMH. $100,000 of the funds used to open the unit was raised by the hospital auxiliary.

Renovations to the hospital add six day-surgery beds, a pre-admit clinic and open ophthalmology and cataract surgery programs. Also, a portable ECG (electrocardiogram) machine could be seen in the hospital.

1998

The hospital auxiliary opens the Coffee Corner, initially a cart in a corner of the Emergency Department.

2000

Woodingford Lodge Tillsonburg receives goahead to locate long-term care beds on a portion of the hospital property, where it is still located today.

2003

Breast Screening Clinic opens at TDMH. Through the Ontario Breast Screening Program, this service is available to anyone, without referral through a family doctor.

2005

The hospital auxiliary officially becomes the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Volunteer Association, a change that signals a shift of focus from general good deeds to volunteering across all areas within the hospital. Volunteers can be seen performing vital functions in nearly every area of the hospital.

The Tri-County Dialysis Committee, a community group, raises over $750,000 to build what will be named the Ed DeSutter Dialysis unit, before seeking approval from the Ministry of Health.

2006

Renovations in the emergency department, patient registration and physiotherapy as well as the relocation of the Coffee Corner and gift shop to their current location at the corner of the main entrance lobby.

2009

The installation of TDMH’s first CT scanner. At the time, the hospital was only funded for inpatient and emergency scans. Current funding allows scans for all patients.

2010

The TDMH Foundation Board of Directors makes the decision to become active fundraisers

in support of TDMH, holding annual campaigns and fundraising events to entice new donors.

2011

Re-development of the hospital with a new master plan is proposed and discussions are held with consultants and architects. TDMH did not receive ministry approvals to proceed.

2012

Digital mammography comes to TDMH with $1,000,000 raised in four months, mainly through the TDMH Foundation’s active fundraising efforts.

Tom McHugh becomes first Integrated President and CEO as Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll and TDMH enter into a shared services agreement that indicates the first steps toward integration.

2013

TDMH receives the first shipment of Workstation on Wheels, or “WOWs”, that make accessing and updating patient records easier by clinical staff. A WOW is a portable, mobile computer cart designed to provide healthcare professionals with a flexible workspace for charting, accessing patient data, and using clinical applications. It allows for mobility, on-the-go charting, and often includes features like dictation support and infection control measures.

2014

The implementation of HUGO, a technology used at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) to store patient records and provide a more streamlined experience for both patients and staff. This initiative aligns with the hospital's strategic goals, emphasizing technology to improve healthcare delivery. HUGO allows records to follow the patient, improving access and continuity of care.

TDMH implements a number of additional day programs, including the pain clinic, internists offices and CMHA services.

The TDMH Board of Directors enters into a Joint Board Agreement with Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll Board of Directors as the two boards begin working more earnestly toward integration of the two hospitals.

2015

A master plan submitted for redevelopment of the emergency department area with an approximate cost of $10 million did not receive traction from the ministry. No construction was done.

2016

TDMH is proud to be one of the first hospitals in the region to implement Closed Loop Medication Administration (CLMA) in its Emergency Department. CLMA, a more secure way to administer medication to patients, increases security of “right patient, right medication, right dose, right

time, right route.”

2018

TDMH purchased the dental building across Rolph Street from the hospital for future development.

CONGRATULATIONS

COURTLAND BAKERY

TDMH - A HISTORY

2019

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) were introduced as a way to improve healthcare coordination and collaboration across various settings. The goal is to create a more connected and patient-centered system by bringing together different healthcare providers and organizations.

2020

The entire world enters the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. The Tillsonburg community shows immense support for the hospital and healthcare workers.

The Oxford OHT is officially formed with a goal to deliver a coordinated patient experience to the Oxford County community.

Total funds transferred to TDMH from the TDMH Foundation up to March 2020 is $10,242,168.

2021

TDMH launches a specialty orthopaedic clinic and surgical program in partnership with London Health Sci-

ence Centre’s Ortho-Trauma Team. The program focusses on acute extremity fracture management and orthopaedic surgical intervention to individuals in

our region.

2022

TDMH celebrated the milestone of performing the first same day joint hip replacement surgery. Implementation of this program provides residents of the communities we serve greater access to quality care closer to home.

2023

Lessif Orthopedic Unit Matching Program raises over $1,000,000 in support of the TDMH Orthopaedic Clinic – 635 donors gave over 778 gifts to support the matching program.

2024

TDMH celebrates the Archie & Irene Verspeeten and Family Diagnostic Imaging Centre, after a $1.8M donation from the Verspeeten family funds the replacement of the existing CT scanner with new “state-of-the-art” equipment, making Archie and Irene’s generous philanthropic gifts to TDMH exceed $3 million.

Within the electronic medical record system, Dragon Medical One implementation at TDMH significantly improves provider efficiency, allowing for faster and more accurate clinical documentation in a patient’s chart, leading to more timely documentation, enhanced patient care, and improved overall workflow across departments.

TDMH is the first hospital in Southwestern Ontario to use software in anesthesia that is a critical step in closing

the loop on surgical documentation, ensuring that all perioperative care is now captured electronically in one centralized system, enhancing patient safety by improving access to real-time information and reducing reliance on paper records and supporting better continuity of care.

Implementation of the Rapid Access Fast Track area within the ED, staffed by a trained nurse practitioner (NP). Patients presenting with low acuity, non-urgent conditions may be seen in the RAFT area by the NP, improving ED access and flow.

AHI and TDMH collaborate with Woodstock Hospital’s information technology team to create an electronic patient access and flow dashboard named eDash. The dashboard uses non-identifying patient information from the hospital’s electronic health record to show real time data about emergency and in-patient bed status. ED waiting rooms have been equipped with a patient specific dashboard highlighting information and updates about the hospital.

In December, the MOH gives approval for AHI and TDMH to integrate under a new integration name, Rural Roads Health Services, with each site maintaining its individual name. The proposed integration date is April 1, 2026.

2025

TDMH and the TDMH Volunteer Association celebrate 100 years of Caring for You!

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

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Caring for you and your family with respect and dignity is our most important priority.

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TDMH Foundation plays a critical role

JEFF HELSDON Editor

From the cart checking vitals in the emergency department to the CT scanner, there is no doubt the equipment in Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) is leading edge. But there is one thing all this equipment, even down to hospital beds, has in common: the provincial government doesn’t pay for it.

With health care and hospitals being primarily a provincial government responsibility, many people wrongly assume that money from the province pays for new equipment. This is not so, and has not been the case for decades. Money for all hospital equipment must be raised in the community. Raising these funds is the vital role that the TDMH Foundation plays.

“The government pays for the operation of the hospital, but not the equipment,” said Gerry Dearing, Executive Director of the TDMH Foundation, “The community must fundraise for equipment in the hospital.”

A new CT scanner, thanks to the Verspeeten family, is the largest of the recent community support donations. Some of the other recent ini-

tiatives the foundation was behind include raising $1 million to get the Orthopedic Surgery Program off the ground, and purchasing an endo -

scope, stretchers and other diagnostic equipment.

For 2024, the foundation transferred $1.8 million to the hospital for equipment purchases.

In concert with the hospital’s 100th anniversary, the foundation is launching its 100 for 100 Equipment Campaign called The 100 Club Membership. The campaign is seeking, at least, one donor at $100,000, 10 donors at $10,000, 100 donors at $1,000 and 1,000 donors at $100. All donors will be displayed on a donor wall in the hospital main lobby under the appropriate giving level. This is a first for a campaign of this type.

“We’ve not had a membership club like this before,” Dearing said. “We think it fits in with the 100th Anniversary and people who want to donate will part of this 100th Club.”

The campaign, which will run all year, is to raise money towards the purchase of new hospital beds and capital equipment. The intention is to replace all the beds in the hospital (over multiple years) and with a single bed being $17,000 and a specialized ICU bed coming in at $52,000, this will be a large feat. There are also some smaller high priority pur-

chases planned for the year: an operating room table, vital signs tower, pain pumps, gastroscope, radiology monitor and a syringe pump for pediatric use.

Outside of the 100 Club, which is unique to this year, the foundation has two direct mail campaigns per year in association with the mail-out hospital/foundation Community Report.

The fourth annual Taste of Summer is planned for May 31, from noon to 8 p.m. This event involves food trucks and family activities, such as a petting zoo, dog shows, children’s shows, a vendor village, beer tent and local entertainment. Entrance is by a donation to the foundation.

Taste of Summer usually draws several thousand people and raised more than $40,000 for the foundation last year.

The annual golf tournament, planned for Friday, Sept. 12 this year at the Bridges of Tillsonburg, is the other large fundraiser. It includes a day of golf, dinner and a live auction. It raised $52,000 last year.

“The course is usually a sellout plus we have extras that come for dinner,” Dearing said.

TDMH Foundation Executive Director Gerry Dearing and Development Assistant Lindsay Tribble are readying for the hospital’s 100th anniversary gala and annual Taste of Summer event. Tickets for the event are $100 each and are available from the foundation or hospital administration offices.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

The foundation’s golf tournament is one of its regular fundraisers. This year’s tournament will be Friday, Sept. 12 at the Bridges of Tillsonburg.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)

TDMH Foundation focuses on bed replacement program

To help celebrate TDMH 100th Anniversary, TDMH Foundation has launched a capital equipment fundraising initiative on top of our Annual Equipment Campaign.

The hospital needs new patient beds and plans on purchasing eight beds at a cost of $136,000 in 2025. This is the first phase of a multi- year initiative to replace all beds in the hospital. Every year the Foundation works with the hospital to help fund the required highest priority needs of Capital Equipment. To help add new technology to improve care, as the government does not fund capital equipment, the Foundation is asking for continued support and cannot do it without generous gifts from the public.

Below is a list of some of the equipment required for 2025.

Glidescope

A Glidescope is an instrument that is used to support clinician’s view of a patient’s airway in emergency situations. The Glidescope can help with intubation procedures, viewing vocal cords, and support patients who may have anatomical or traumatic injuries in which visualization of the airway is difficult. At $30,256 each, one is required.

Vital Sign Towers

Vital sign monitors are a tool used that is used daily by the health care team to provide information about the physiological condition of the patient. The vital sign machine measures: blood pressure, temperature, pulse and oxygen levels. Knowing these important measurements helps to inform care and the treatment plan. At $3,313 each, two are required.

Pain Pumps

A pain pump or infusion pump infuses small amounts of medications into the patient’s circulatory system. Pain pumps may be used after certain surgeries to help control a patient’s pain. Two are required at $5,569 each.

Therapeutic Gastroscope

A gastroscopy is a test to check inside patient’s throat, esophagus and stomach. The scope is an important diagnostic tool to check what may be causing digestive problems such as difficulty swallowing, ingestion or heartburn. The gastroscope is a thin,

flexible tubed tool with a light and camera on the end. One is needed at a cost of $32,272.

Arjo Ceiling Lift

Ceiling lifts are a motorized device that lifts and transfers a patient along an overhead track mounted to the ceiling. The ceiling lift involves the use of a sling for the patient to be safely transferred one place to another such as from the bed to chair. Four are required at $ 13,084 each.

Syringe Pump for emergent pediatric use

A pediatric syringe pump is used to ensure there is high accuracy and precision in medication delivery in children. The syringe pump supports precise control over the medication delivery ensuring safe patient care. One is needed at a cost of $4,235.

Radiology Monitor

A radiology monitor is used by radiologists to view diagnostic images such as X-rays, CT scans and more. Radiology monitors are an important tool to help radiologists make accurate diagnosis. One is required at a $30,048 cost.

Operating Room Table

The purpose of a surgical table is to provide a stable and secure platform for patients while the surgical team operates. The table can be moved in various positions to support an optimal approach and positioning of the patient’s anatomical surgical site for easier access for surgery. Two are needed at $57,672 each..

Bed Replacement Program - HillRom Centrella Max beds

These are the preferred beds for acutely ill, medical/surgical inpatients. The beds have integrated features for fall prevention and early mobility support with bed exit alerts, clear visual indications of potential patient fall risks and verbal safety prompts; pressure injury prevention through therapeutic surfaces and positioning support to prevent sliding and simplify turns;advanced air mattress systems support skin therapy reducing pressure ulcer risks and patient monitoring features to help detect signs of patient deterioration, with contact-free, continuous heart and respiratory rate monitoring. Eight beds are needed at $17,000 each.

TDMH Foundation plays a critical role

A large part of the golf tournament, and many foundation events, is support from the business community. This can be hole and golf cart sponsors at the golf tournament, petting zoo sponsors, and a wide variety of event sponsorship opportunities.

“If it wasn’t for our community partners, we wouldn’t be able to do our events,” Dearing said. “Our event donors support events and help with our events.”

The foundation’s revenue is rounded out by estate gifts and memorial giving in memory of a friend or loved one

usually at funerals.

“We have a great community, a very generous community,” Dearing said. TDMH Foundation was formed 43 years ago, and was registered as a charity on Dec. 24, 1982.

Dearing was with the Sunshine Foundation in London as director of development before starting as the first full-time Foundation employee. He and his wife have moved to Tillsonburg to become part of the community, including him joining the Kinsmen Club and Chamber of Commerce. Assisting Dearing with the

foundation is part-time Development Assistant Lindsay Tribble, whose father David was one of the foundation founders.

When this year’s campaign winds up, a new year of planning will start for new priority equipment next year.

“It never ends,” Dearing said. “There’s always a need for new and improved, better technology to enhance and provide better care. The more the community supports us, the more we can support the hospital with new and better equipment and improve patient care.”

Patient with ortho team, March 2021.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

John Smith’s legacy is the Tillsonburg hospital

JOAN WESTON Contributor

John Smith, a prominent Tillsonburg citizen, was the man responsible for Tillsonburg’s first public hospital, which began operation 100 years ago.

John Smith was born on November 15, 1843 in Walton, England and educated in the English public schools. He emigrated to Canada in 1868 and settled in Tillsonburg in 1870. Soon after his arrival, he established a planing mill and a sawmill. After several years he became a contractor as well, building the town hall; the first Tillsonburg High School at a cost of $6,500; plus many houses. Many of these homes were on Rolph Street. Smith also was successful in his lumbering operations.

After amassing considerable wealth, Smith devoted himself to public activities and was an active member of St. John’s Church. He served on town council for about 10 years, and was mayor in 1886.

On January 15, 1886 John Smith married the widow Jennie (Jane) Burn, a milliner, who was my great-great-grandmother. The couple resided in the residence on the south-west corner of Washington Grand Ave. and Rolph Street, which Smith had built in 1884.

A “Tillsonburg Observer”, October 31, 1884 article stated: “The fine house recently

erected on Rolph Street by Mr. John Smith is well worth a visit of inspection if only to see the grand manner in which it is painted. The outside coloring is unique in Tillsonburg, though we believe it is the very latest agony in the United States. The body is a dark and rich olive green, and the edging and window sashes Venetian red. The very best and costliest English colors were used….” The couple enjoyed 29 years of marriage, then Great-GreatGrandma (Burn) Smith passed away in 1915.

On September 24, 1917 John Smith married her sister, my Great-Great-Great Aunt, Louise Dimmock.

Smith died on October 21, 1921. He had been concerned about the lack of a public hospital to serve Tillsonburg residents and those of the surrounding region. In his will, he bequeathed $100,000 and the proceeds from the sale of his house, if necessary, to the town to establish a public hospital to be named “Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital”. Town council gratefully accepted this gift, and in 1924 sold John Smith’s house in order to purchase the land where the current hospital stands. It took until March of 1925 before the Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital was completed and officially opened.

Due to the foresight and legacy of John Smith, Tillsonburg has been blessed with a public hospital for 100 years.

Winter Warmer fundraiser, hosted by the Copper Mug

fundraising

including Tim Davis, bottom photo, and the Hard Chords, top photo.

In the time before Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital

LISA DAHM Contributor

Despite being founded in 1825, and incorporated in 1872, Tillsonburg was without a hospital until 1903, when Dr. W.H. Bennett formed the “Emergency Hospital.” Until the early 1900s hospitals were avoided, as they were generally seen as only treating the poor who suffered from infectious diseases and conditions caused by lack of nutrition. Patients who could afford treatment at home preferred to stay there and avoid the hospitals.

The Emergency Hospital treated the sick and injured but was not a hospital in the sense that we know it today. A flyer for the Emergency Hospital notes “Surgical Work, Confinement Cases and Accidents” as the hospital’s purpose, with a “resident medical man always in charge”, and “thoroughly trained and competent nurses.”

Despite that, seriously injured and chronically ill patients were required to attend hospitals elsewhere, including Victoria Hospital in London which opened in 1899.

People who went to the hospital were expect-

ed to pay for the service, though fees were very small despite hospital operating costs not yet being supported by the government as they are today.

The Emergency Hospital building still stands today on Ridout Street directly behind the Bank of Montreal, though renovation has made it nearly unrecognizable. It was the long-time office of Doctors Alexander and McLeod before being renovated for the Tillsonburg Medical Clinic, and later, for other purposes.

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Making a difference – the volunteer voice of our patients

LISA DAHM Contributor

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital is lucky to have a dedicated Volunteer Association celebrating 100 years along with TDMH.

One particular group of volunteers are the members of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC). Called patient advisors, PFAC members represent patients and their family members by sharing their ideas, experiences and points of view with health care professionals in a collaborative partnership to help inform hospital work.

Patient advisors have the opportunity to speak on behalf of patients and their family members, giving them a “voice” in the patient centred care process, working in partnership with health care professionals to identify patient needs and make suggestions for improvements where possible.

Volunteer PFAC members meet with health care professionals on a monthly basis to support service and system planning intended to improve the hospital experience. They participate on hospital committees and working groups, and provide input on correspondence and procedures from a patient’s point of view.

PFAC has been integral to a number of recent and ongoing projects implemented to improve the quality of patient care at TDMH, including taking part in the revision of TDMH’s new hire orientation process and attending orientation to share patient stories with the new hires to the hospital. Patient advisors have also been participating in leadership recruitment processes in order to advocate for effective patient relations even before a leader joins the team.

Patient advisors have also been involved in wayfinding review, and in project engagement/partnership for large scale projects like the Emergency Department (ED) optimization project and the CT scanner replacement project. One of the most impactful projects that PFAC has taken on recently involved the revision of patient experience surveys, helping TDMH gather valuable

feedback from patients and family members. With the support of our patient advisors, patient experience surveys are also now translated into five languages (in addition to English): French, Punjabi, Low German, Dutch, and Spanish.

Patient Experience Rounding is another new process implemented by PFAC where patient advisors are able to connect with patients ‘in the moment’ of their care experience to provide feedback and assist the team in making real-time improvements to patient care. This has not only improved survey response rates, but helped TDMH implement timely improvements based on those survey results. The program was recently presented as peer learning session at a Health Quality Ontario (HQO) meeting because of its success.

While no special qualifications are required, our patient advisors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, as well as

huge amounts of compassion and dedication to our patients and their families. This small but mighty group affects real change within their sphere of influence. TDMH is grateful for everything each and every one of them put toward their volunteer roles with us.

The patient advisor team at TDMH are always looking to welcome new members to PFAC. Former patients and their family members are encouraged to apply to share their passion and dedication to improving the quality of patient care.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Patient Experience Rounding program was an initiative to increase the quantity of patient responses, while providing meaningful engagement for patients, families and volunteers, and enable the opportunity to receive in the moment feedback to make real-time improvements to patients. Volunteers were trained to conduct the surveys with iPads. Left to right are: Stacia Hansen, TDMH Volunteer Coordinator; volunteer Helena Mikewicz; volunteer Jan Barnard; and April Mullen, CNE.

VIDEO GAMES - VINTAGE TOYS - SPORT COLLECTIBLES GOLD & SILVER

BIRTHDAY BASH

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital hosted a 100th birthday celebration for staff and retired staff in March. Photo 1: Both staff and former staff members showed up for the birthday celebration, filling the cafeteria. Photo 2: Joe Matisz, president of the TDMH Association, presents a cheque for $40,000 raised at the gift shop and coffee shop to TDMH President and CEO Nadia Facca. Photo 3: TDMH chair Carrie Lewis was the first to sign a board that equates to a giant birthday card. It will be on display at the gala and Taste of Summer for the public to sign. Photo 4: It was cake for all at the celebration. Taking part in the cake cutting were, left to right: Carrie Lewis, TDMH board chair; Nadia Facca, TDMH President and CEO; Joe Matisz, president of the TDMH Association and Barb Morgan, a hospital volunteer and TDMH Foundation member.

(JEFF HELSDON PHOTOS)

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The Lessif Orthopaedic Unit was possible through $500,000 raised from the community which was matched by John and Liz Lessif, left. The Lessif's donation demonstrated their immense care and commitment to the hospital. TDMH Chief of Staff, and orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Clayton Inculet is pictured with the Lessifs.

The hospital Extravaganza started small in 1976 in the main foyer of the Tillsonburg Community Centre, and was a combination of a yard sale, door prizes, dinner and a beer garden. The event moved to the former tobacco auction exchange after the town purchased it. Between 1976 and 2011, the Extravaganza raised $757,000 for the hospital.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Staff at the newly renovated emergency department registration desk in 2006.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Dalby recalls early days of TDMH

JEFF HELSDON Editor

In more than 40 years as a doctor in Tillsonburg, Dr. Dick Dalby has witnessed the hospital grow with the town.

A Tillsonburg native, he went to Rolph Street School and Annandale before attending the University of Western Ontario for medicine. Outside of a one-year internship in Hamilton, his entire career has been spent in Tillsonburg.

Dalby started at the Tillsonburg Medical Centre with Dr. Howard Alexander and Dr. McLeod in 1964 on Ridout Street. Ironically, the building where the practice was based was the original Tillsonburg Emergency Hospital. The latter left shortly after Dalby start for a time.

Dalby’s earliest recollections of the hospital date back before he started as a doctor as he grew up down the street.

“There used to be a nurse’s education dormitory on the front side. That was before my time (as a doctor),” he said. “Then we got a temporary Intensive Care Unit that was built on the south side. It was a four-bed intensive care unit.”

That temporary unit was removed when the ICU was built on the second floor where it is today.

TDMH didn’t used to have a dedicated surgeon. To the best of Dalby’s recollection, Dr. Elmer Quintyn, who was from Lynedoch, came about a year before he did. A second surgeon was added when

of tonsils in Tillsonburg,” Dalby said.

In the early days, Dalby and Dr. Vince VanHooydonk were the anesthetists at TDMH. Dalby spent a lot of time in the operating room during his internship in Hamilton, and became an anesthetist that way, as did VanHooydonk.

“You can’t do that today,” he said.

tyn and Ort retired as the newer surgeons weren’t as comfortable doing cesarean sections, which is vital for an obstetrics department.

“If you had somebody in labour and need a cesarean section you need that fairly quickly,” Dalby said.

Combined with funding challenges, and a concern from medical staff about the inability to perform Cesarean sections, a decision was made to stop delivering babies in Tillsonburg.

Dalby was also chief of staff at the hospital for 20plus years.

His daughter, Dr. Lisa Dalby, said he did that job without receiving an additional salary.

“He did not take the money because he wanted the money to go to the hospital,” she said, adding he felt responsible for Tillsonburg having a top-rate facility and wanted the

money invested in equipment.

Dalby’s lobbying helped to see TDMH get a CT scanner.

“It took about 10 years to get it, and a lot of talking and fighting,” he recounted.

As chief of staff, he was also change of recruitment of doctors and medical staff. Over the years, he convinced many doctors, surgeons and internist Dr. Paul Liwanpo to locate in Tillsonburg. Another

part of the job was working with hospital management on the budget. Dalby spoke highly of working with former president and CEO Jim Spencer and treasurer Neil Tull.

“They were a good team and I worked closely with them on what we could spend,” he said.

Today, although he is retired, Dalby sees even more technological advancements at TDMH and believes this is a good thing.

Dr. Howard Alexander, left, and Dr. Dick Dalby in the clinic on Ridout Street in the 1960s.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Dr. Dick Dalby

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)