The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
Serving New Hamburg, Tavistock, Baden, Wellesley,
Some
The 2026 budget process hasn’t started yet, but a pair of Wilmot Township councillors are getting a jump on it.
Ward 4 residents have been invited to
share their ideas at a drop-in event hosted by councillors Lillianne Dunstall and Steven Martin. Martin said he is open to listening to anything the public has to say.
“I do not have a set plan with regard to the budget. We have to continue to build our capital reserves. We want to keep the taxes as low as possible.”
He added to continue to have good infrastructure and services, Wilmot needs to have the revenue to cover expenses.
“At the same time, the community has to be an affordable place to live. So, this town
Speed-camera programs are stirring controversy across Ontario, with Premier Doug Ford threatening to scrap them entirely and a growing wave of vandalism targeting the devices.
A total of 16 cameras were damaged earlier this week in the Greater Toronto Area. Despite the public backlash, the Region of Waterloo is hailing its own program as a major success. The region’s camera on Snyder’s Road has also seen its share of abuse as it has been spray-painted twice and cut down a pair of times.
Regional data shows that between Feb. 3 and July 31, speed cameras captured more than two million speeding incidents. In that time, 55,899 tickets were issued, with 84 per cent of drivers receiving only a single ticket since the program began. The average fine is about $110, and 73 per cent of tickets have already been paid.
Wilmot has three speed cameras, located near schools on Snyder’s Road, Bridge
New Dundee, St. Agatha, Shakespeare, Petersburg, Hickson, Punkeydoodle’s Corner
From left are contestants Alexis Leis, newly crowned 2025 Tavistock Fall Fair Ambassador Brooklyn Ross, and Ava Ropp, who delivered speeches before a packed crowd at Tavistock Memorial Hall on Friday evening. Judges Kayla Veldman, Jenna Chalkley and Eddie Matthews praised all three for their excellent presentations before selecting Ross, who will represent and promote the Tavistock Agricultural Society over the next year. More Tavistock Fall Fair stories and photos on pages 4-11.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
hall drop-in is an opportunity for residents and constituents to give us their feedback on what is important in the budget and what concerns they have. I want to listen to people and take their comments, ideas and concerns seriously.”
Wilmot Township’s 2025 draft budget initially sparked national attention with a proposed tax increase of more than 50 per cent. Following extensive debate, council adopted a phased approach to capital
affordability is already a major concern for people in our community and folks across Canada,” Wilkinson said.
Dunstall explained she and her counterpart felt it was important to start the 2026 budget conversation early.
“This session is about listening and learning from residents and giving them the chance to raise concerns and share ideas before the formal process begins. At last year’s town hall, residents had some great suggestions. One was budget training for new councillors and the other was a Six Sigma-style service delivery review. I was able to get both passed unanimously. The training has happened and the review is now underway.”
Many municipalities use Six Sigma-style
reviews to assess whether each service is necessary, effective and aligned with community priorities and benchmark costs and service levels against other municipalities (to find out if they are over- or under-spending). It also explores opportunities to streamline processes, consolidate services, or introduce technology and makes evidence-based decisions about funding, staffing, or outsourcing.
Council approved a schedule for the 2026 budget at its meeting on July 28. However, timelines are very likely to change due to the recent departure of key finance staff.
Dunstall said no one has raised the budget with her recently, but she expects that to change in the near future. She added her goal in 2026 is to put everything on the table.
“We are already entering the budget with a levy. I am bringing forward a motion to introduce a scoring system that evaluates township-owned properties. This will help council make informed decisions about whether to retain, lease, or sell assets. These are difficult conversations, but necessary ones if we want to provide both strong services and fair tax relief.”
She added there will be tough conversations going forward, but they will be important ones.
“Whatever decisions are made, the community has to be at the table and part of the solution. No more surprises.”
The event takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 3-9 p.m. at the New Hamburg Community Centre at 251 Jacob St. Anyone with questions is encouraged to email the two councillors at lillianne. dunstall@wilmot.ca and steven.martin@ wilmot.ca.
Wilmot Ward 4 councillors Lillianne Dunstall, left, and Steven Martin have scheduled a 2026 budget open house later in September to hear concerns and ideas from residents.
(WILMOT.CA PHOTOS)
Street and Waterloo Street. Wellesley’s two cameras are on Lobsinger Line and Queen’s Bush Road. All are in school zones with a 40 km/hr speed limit in effect at all times. The most extreme violation in Wilmot was recorded at New Dundee Public School, where a driver was caught driving 173 km/ hr on a Saturday morning. In Wellesley, the worst case saw a driver clocked at 145 km/hr in front of St. Clements Catholic Elementary School during a school day in April.
“As students across Waterloo Region return to school, the first six months of the expanded Municipal Speed Camera (MSC) program data show drivers are lowering their average speed in school zones, making the community safer for those who walk, roll and cycle,” said a news release from the region.
“Following a successful pilot program, the region directed staff to protect schools across the region with speed camera technology to slow vehicles down and make roads safer for everybody,” added Doug Spooner, the region’s acting commissioner of transportation services at a media briefing with the Gazette.
There are currently 17 cameras in school zones across the region with 11 more ready to be rolled out in the fall, none of which will be in Wilmot or Wellesley townships.
Fines are divided into three parts: the base fine itself, a victim surcharge that goes to the Ministry of the Attorney General and a plate-lookup fee paid to the Ministry of Transportation.
“We lease the cameras on a daily rate, we have staff members and operational costs like printing and envelopes. Any money beyond that goes into the road safety reserve, which is a new capital account. What we are doing with our partners is talking about how we are going to reinvest that money,” Spooner said.
He added staff will make a recommendation on how to spend the reserve later this year, and it could include revenue sharing for lower-tier municipalities like Wilmot. Spooner said regional council has directed staff to install cameras at all 175 school zones in the Region of Waterloo.
“Public, private, parochial, let’s get there. We will get there in terms of whether these are the right locations for the cameras. We have been clear that what we are after in terms of road safety is road design, and these speed cameras are an intervention that we need right now. It’s not about the revenue for us, it’s about road-safety outcomes, so we’ll keep the cameras in there as we
build out the program.”
Spooner added staff are looking at what the criteria for removing a camera would look like. It would include a drastic decrease in speed, along with safety improvements on the roads.
A regional report notes a significant improvement in speed compliance, signaling safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. However, it cautions that excessive speeding is still a problem near most schools at all hours of the day.
Despite the positive messaging from the region, the premier urged municipalities earlier this week to eliminate speed-camera programs and said he would take matters into his own hands if they don’t.
“They should take out those cameras, all of them. This is nothing more than a tax grab. … Some people driving through a neighbourhood and they are five, 10 kilometres over, they are getting nailed. It’s not fair. So, I’m dead against the photo radar they have.”
The region’s press briefing was held nearly one week before Ford’s public comments.
Waterloo Region currently has 17 school zones utilizing speed cameras, with 11 more coming online this fall. A full map of locations can be found at https://gis.regionofwaterloo.ca/municipalspeedcameras.
Scenes from the 173rd Tavistock Fall Fair
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Mayor Phil Schaefer was glad to be riding in Ron Saunder’s racing division’s Hot Rod in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade.
This year’s Tavistock Fall Fair Ambassador, Brooklyn Ross, sponsored by the Tavistock Opti-Mrs. Club.
Alexis Leis, ambassador contestant at this year’s competition.
Ava Ropp, ambassador contestant in this years competition.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Lily Pullen (2024-2025 fall fair ambassador) with this year’s junior ambassador winner, Natalie Dunn.
Members of the Tavistock Optimist Club were extremely busy over the weekend at the fair with burgers, hotdogs and their world famous French fries.
Special entertainment was a new show on the midway on Saturday at the fall fair that kept visitors entertained.
There was a new midway this year for the kids and some new bouncy castles kept Tavistock area youth busy on Saturday, all for a $5 admission.
The two champion showmanship winners for beef and dairy at this year’s Tavistock Fall Fair at the area 4-H dairy and beef show.
Members from Oxford and Perth counties competed for the red rosettes at this year’s 173rd Tavistock Fall Fair. The weather was perfect for the dozens of 4-H members who competed at this year’s outdoor show.
Tavistock Fall Fair celebrates little ones at 42nd annual Baby Show
The 42nd annual Baby Show at the Tavistock Fall Fair was held on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. and the littlest members of our community brought plenty of smiles to the crowd.
The show was organized by the baby show committee led by Gloria Wettlaufer with members Kathy Rosenberg, Linda Holst, Lisa Zehr and Janet Heinbuch. Wettlaufer also served as emcee for the afternoon. The judges were Sheri Bell, owner of Tavi Chill, who has lived in Tavistock since 2011, and Lily Pullen, the Tavistock Fair Ambassador for 2024-2025.
The baby show is always about fun and community spirit. No matter what the categories may be, every child participating goes home with a gift bag. Members of the audience were given a free ticket giving them the chance to win valuable door prizes throughout the afternoon.
This year’s event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Tavistock IDA along with donations from Subway, Tavi Chill, Realtor Sandra Eby, Scotiabank, Yantzi Home Hardware and many members of the community. Sadie May Harrett and Linda Holst donated books, which were included in each gift bag, and winners in each category had the chance to pick out a book to take home. A total of 25 children were registered this year.
There were gifts for several special categories including youngest registered and youngest walking on their own. The youngest girl registered was Madelyn Tallulah James Schumm, daughter of Morgan and Jordan. The youngest boy registered was Elijah Kenneth Vincent Kaufman, son of Scotty and Michelle. Both babies received a gift of money from baby show convenor Elaine Weicker.
The youngest baby walking on their own was Payton Dawn Marie Debus, daughter of Kaylee and Kyle. Payton received a prize donated by Sherill Calder in memory of her mother, the late Beatrice Krug. Krug, along with the late Erma Heinbuch, helped organize the very first baby show.
In the girls’ zero-to-six-month category, Evelyn Sarah-Anne Cassidy, daughter of Hanna and Ethan, was recognized for having the least hair, while Rhea Ronnie Collins, daughter of Hanna and Mike, was chosen for having the chubbiest cheeks.
For the boys, Elijah Kenneth Vincent Kaufman won for smallest ears and Callahan Kenneth Earl Kalbfleisch, son of Kenzie and Kenzie, was recognized for having the most hair. A door prize for this age group went to Jayce Wallace Zoeller, son of Maggy and Dane.
In the girls’ seven-to-12-month category,
Layla Maria VanBoekel, daughter of Denise and Kieran, took home prizes for biggest dimples and lightest hair. She also won the door prize for her age group, donated by Friends of the Fair.
In the boys’ seven-to-12-month category, Greyson Nicholas Lichti, son of Eric and Christine, won for both longest fingers and biggest smile. As the very first baby registered in the show, Greyson also received a gift of money donated by Brenda Wettlaufer.
The girls’ 13-18-month category saw Elliott Jacqueline Rae McKay, daughter of Brooke and Scott, win for curliest hair, as well as for having the longest given name. She also received the door prize for this age group, donated by committee member Kathy Rosenberg.
Ellis Quinn Steinman-Hill, daughter of Jordan and Trevor, was chosen as the
friendliest baby.
Among the boys in the 13-18-month group, Wesley Jeffrey Beam, son of Dylan and Nicole, was recognized for having the biggest fist, while Aden Michael Le Pore, son of Amy and Graham, was noted for his long eyelashes. The door prize for this age group, donated by Wendy Bender, went to Emmett Tyler Smith, son of Cassandra and Allan.
This year’s baby show was extra special with not just one, but two sets of twins participating. Abigail and Bailey Hackett, daughters of Cora and Wes, received gifts donated by committee member Gloria Wettlaufer. Payton and Palmer Debus, daughters of Kaylee and Kyle, received gifts donated by the Tavistock Agricultural Society.
The Tavistock Fall Fair Baby Show remains a much-loved tradition celebrating Tavistock’s youngest and reminding us all that the fair is about fun, family and community spirit.
Cora Hackett has her arms full with twin daughters Abigail and Bailey. Kaylee and Kyle Debus hold twin daughters Payton and Palmer.
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
(DIANE DANEN PHOTOS) Layla VanBoekel with mom, Denise.
Aden Le Pore with mom, Amy, and Wesley Beam with mom, Nicole.
Madelyn Schumm with mom, Morgan, Evelyn Cassidy with mom, Hanna, and Rhea Collins with dad, Mike.
Tavistock Fall Fair 2025 Display Competition
Fourth annual Tavistock Family and Friends Bike Rally
Submitted to the Gazette
The Tavistock Fall Fair hosted the fourth annual Family and Friends Bike Rally on Sunday, Sept. 7, running from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Convenors Dana and Jamey McGregor oversaw an exciting lineup of activities, including an obstacle design contest, a bike-decorating contest and a themed obstacle course ride.
Participants navigated the “Seed to Harvest” obstacle course, which featured routes around the pond, through the cornfield and across open fields.
The Ropp family contributed a teeter-totter obstacle and an over-therailway challenge. The Hulcoop family won $100 for the obstacle design draw and another $100 for the best obstacle with their cornfield ramp, which was decided by the riders. In the bike decorating contest, Rhys Martin and Levi Hulcoop each won $10 by draw. There were six winners from the bicycle obstacle course including Kaden Ropp, Vince Stickney, Maverick Gruber, Hallie Wagler, Levi Hulcoop and Chloe Hulcoop, each receiving $10 by draw. The grand prize of $100, drawn from all
bike rally participants, went to Chloe Hazeleger.
Additional prizes, generously donated by Rays Produce, went to Simeon Hulcoop and Charlotte Martin. All participants received ribbons for completing the obstacle course. Those who preregistered by Wednesday at midnight also received a treat bag thanks to Musical Moments Piano and Theory.
Special thanks go to the YMCA of Three Rivers Stratford, Rays Produce and Musical Moments Piano and Theory for sponsoring the event and to all of the participants.
First place winner: Sam’s Your Independent Grocer in Tavistock received first place for its fall fair window display.
Second place winner: South Easthope Mutual Insurance earned second place in the Tavistock Fall Fair window display contest.
Third place winner: Stonecrest Engineering & Crescent Ridge Services took third place in the competition.
Rural display – first place: Alisha Wilson received first place in the rural display category for the Tavistock Fall Fair.
Rural display – second place: Mary Lou Ross earned second place in the rural display category.
(AMANDA MODARAGAMAGE PHOTOS)
All 16 Tavistock Family and Friends Bike Rally participants pose on the cornfield obstacle ramp, which was voted the best obstacle by riders.
Reuben Hulcoop, three, son of Phillip and Melissa Hulcoop, navigates the “Over the Railway” obstacle during the Bike Rally.
Mom Jill Taylor with daughters Lucy, four, and Elsie Martin, six, of Tavistock enjoy taking part in the fourth annual bike rally at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
DANA MCGREGOR
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(DIANE DANEN PHOTO)
Little Hobby Hill Farm Exhibit at Tavistock Fall Fair
Vintage tractor featured in TDHS fall fair display
Bennett Vink, three, son of Alex and Alaina Vink of Tavistock, makes friends with a miniature goat in the Little Hobby Hill Farm exhibit at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
(DIANE DANEN PHOTO) A well restored 1944 Ford 2 N Tractor with step-up transmission was the focal point at the Tavistock & District Historical Society (TDHS) fall fair display. The tractor is owned by Kevin Winhold of Tavistock. Shown in the picture are, from left, Bob Rudy, Brian Bennett and Dr. Paul Bartlett, directors of TDHS.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MARILYN PEARSON)
Tavistock Fall Fair honours Ken (Butch) Mogk for decades of service
and anticipated events at the fair.
The Tavistock Fall Fair has long relied on the dedication of countless volunteers, and few have given more to the event than Ken (Butch) Mogk.
For decades, Mogk poured his passion for horses into organizing the heavy horse show, making it one of the most successful
On Saturday, during this year’s horse show, Mogk and his family were recognized for his years of service.
Agricultural Society president Kim Urlando addressed the large crowd on hand.
“When you think of horses and parades around Tavistock, the name Ken Mogk is a familiar one,” she said. “Ken’s love of
horses has been a lifelong journey. That passion led him to take on the role of convener for the heavy horse show—a tough job, even for a horse lover like him. Truly, it has been a labour of love.
“At the agricultural society, we are so grateful for the years Ken has served our organization with such dedication. Our many thanks for a job well done.”
Agricultural Society” and wished him all the best.
Old tractors, young drivers keep ancestry alive in
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
Two young Tavistock-area teens proudly kept family tradition alive at the recent Tavistock Fall Fair Parade, driving tractors that looked as good as the day their ancestors once worked the land with them. These gleaming machines represent the first tractors their grandfathers and great-grandfathers relied on decades ago. For families with names like Zehr and Wagler, farming history runs deep across Oxford, Perth, and Waterloo counties.
Tavistock
Ken (Butch) Mogk and fair president Kim Urlando watched the heavy horse show on Saturday at the Tavistock Fall Fair. For many years, Mogk was instrumental in organizing the event, personally calling breeders to ensure teams and wagons filled the ring each year. Urlando, who grew up on a farm near the Mogks, thanked him for “many years of unwavering service to the Tavistock
Ken Mogk was the centre of attention Saturday as his family and friends gathered to honour his decades of leadership and hard work organizing the heavy horse show at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Troy Wagler, son of Ryan and Katie Wagler, drove this International Farmall “H,” a tractor model that was especially popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Darcy Zehr, son of Lisa and Jay Zehr, piloted a John Deere “G” in the parade. His great-grandfather Lorne Zehr would have begun farming with this popular two-cylinder model.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Champions named at Oxford County Open 4-H Calf Show in Tavistock
Gazette Correspondent
The Oxford County Open
afternoon at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
The competition showcased top-quality calves and the hard work of local youth preparing their animals for the ring.
Haflingers and Percherons shine at Tavistock Fall Fair
WEST
Gazette Correspondent
The weatherman co-operated in a big way for the Heavy Draft Horse Show at this year’s Tavistock Fall Fair.
Judge Judy Gaspardy, who travels across Ontario to officiate at more than 18 horse shows of all breeds each year, said she always enjoys returning to Tavistock to judge the heavy horse classes.
A Lady Driver class winner takes the ring in the single harness Haflinger cart division at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
GARY
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Judge Braden Sparks, right, with the champion winners. From right: grand champion calf exhibited by Blake Zehr, reserve by Olivia Simm and honourable mention by Gracie Weitzel.
Ella Ward-Boult proudly shows her champion calf during the North Oxford 4-H achievement day at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
Judge Braden Sparks evaluates calves shown by Isabel McKinley, left, with her Jersey, and Michael Van Ginkel with his Holstein, during Saturday’s 4-H achievement day.
4-H Calf Show drew strong participation from Oxford and Perth County 4-H members on Saturday
GARY WEST
(AMY DANEN PHOTOS)
The Fleming family of Burgesville — Katie, Marilyn and Jamie — showed their Squirrely Acres Percherons in single and double hitches.
Percherons in the show ring drew a crowd, even as midway rides buzzed in the background at the Tavistock Fall Fair.
Haflingers remain a favourite attraction in Tavistock, where owners take pride in showing and driving the popular breed each year.
Grand Champion Heavy Horse winner is Gord Doughty of Jarvis, Ont. Presenting the trophy and ribbon are Donna Mogk and this year’s judge, Judy Gaspardy from Acton, Ont.
Grand champion draft horse named at Tavistock Fall Fair
The 173rd Tavistock Fall Fair’s horse show saw a Jerseyville couple capture the top prize with their team of Haflingers.
Martina and Andy Orth, who attend the fair annually, were awarded the Ken and Carol Mogk Championship Trophy for Grand Champion Draft Horse. Their Haflinger impressed in the line class as well as the cart and wagon classes, performing strongly alongside other stablemates.
The Ken and Carol Mogk Championship Trophy for Grand Champion Draft Horse was presented Saturday to Orth Haflinger Stables of Jerseyville. From left, judge Judy Gaspardy, Donna Mogk, Carol Mogk and Martina Orth with her winning Haflinger.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Local MP critical of federal Liberals’ lack of bail reform
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Hundreds of constituents showed up for a free breakfast at Oxford MP Arpan Khanna’s constituency office on Saturday, where crime and bail reform were the hot topics.
Khanna, who is preparing to introduce a private member’s bill to tighten Canada’s bail rules, accused the Liberals of running a “smoke-and-mirrors” campaign throughout the summer.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of photo ops, a lot of announcements and talking points over the last six months of this so-called new government, but we haven’t seen a lot of action. We’re not seeing any actual legislation released,” he said.
He added if the Carney Liberals were serious about real changes to bail reform, they would have brought it forward during the first six weeks of Parliament following the election.
“Even today, we had 400 people show up and everyone talked about crime here in Oxford County,” Khanna said.
He referred to recent crimes, including the tragic death of a young boy shot to death while in bed in North York.
“When I hear about an eight-year-old lying in his mom’s arms, the safest place in the world is in bed with your mom, and he was shot and killed by a stray bullet, we have a problem. When a 71-year-old grandma is at the grocery store and stabbed to death, we have a problem. When we have broad-daylight shootings, we have a problem.”
He added he isn’t buying the idea the Liberals have the wherewithal to fix the problem they started.
“The people who started the fire, the arsonists themselves, now say they are sorry and can fix the fire they created. They burnt the house down. In 2018, Bill C-75 was brought in by the Liberals, which
caused this crisis.”
Khanna explained judges are required by law to impose the least restrictive bail conditions and release those accused at the earliest opportunity, something his bill addresses.
“You’re going to see some of those things reversed, give the police the tools they need and judges will have some clarity in the criminal code to actually lock up repeat violent offenders who are terrorizing communities across the country.”
At a press conference in Mississauga on Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his government will be introducing legislation this fall to overhaul Canada’s bail system. The proposed reforms aim to implement stricter rules to ensure violent and repeat offenders remain in custody rather than being released shortly after arrest, allow for consecutive sentencing for the most serious crimes, address cases involving serious offences such as gun violence, break-ins and car thefts, and emphasize that “people accused of violent crimes should not be in and out of jail within days,” ensuring they face appropriate consequences.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who met with Carney ahead of the announcement, is advocating for more mandatory minimum sentences and tighter measures under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“When someone is charged with a heinous crime, they must remain in custody.
People have had enough,” Ford said.
The MP says police across the country are fed up with a system that sees officers risk their lives to make arrests, only to watch offenders walk free and return to the streets within days, sometimes sooner.
“Very demoralizing. I have travelled now from coast to coast to coast and met with law enforcement, premiers, MLAs, victim advocacy groups, social workers, and crown attorneys, and it is demoralizing for everybody,” Khanna said.
He said police in Woodstock told him they are catching the same criminals over and over again. He added the same 15 people in Kelowna committed over 1,500 crimes in a single year.
“We have very efficient criminals who have chosen a lifestyle of crime. It’s our job to keep Canadians safe. We need to implement minimum mandatory sentences for those trafficking in drugs and involved in organized crime. We need to end the violence.”
He explained the number one job for a government is to keep its citizens safe, whether they are at a park or at home.
“It has to change and we will make sure we put the government’s feet to the fire when Parliament resumes next week.”
Carney made a point last week to mention Canada needs more effective policing, though he didn’t mention any specifics. Khanna suggested more effective bail laws are the key.
Oxford MP Arpan Khanna hosted hundreds of constituents on Saturday for a free pancake breakfast. Khanna said the number one topic on people’s minds was bail reform and crime.
(LEE GRIFFI PHOTOS)
Neeb Haven Farms showcases state-of-the-art pullet barn near Shakespeare
Hundreds of visitors attended an open house at Neeb Haven Farms in North Easthope Township last week to see the newest technology in pullet raising.
The Neeb family invited the public to tour their new free-run aviary barn, where
one-day-old chicks are raised to 18 weeks of age before becoming laying hens. Once mature, the pullets will be transferred to aviary systems for egg production, supplying specialty egg markets across southwestern Ontario.
The facility features modern ventilation, perches and constant access to fresh feed and water, all monitored by advanced
computer systems. Paul and Pauline Neeb, together with their daughter Vanessa and son-in-law Tyler Harper, said the new barn reflects their commitment to the future of farming while honouring their family’s past. Paul Neeb’s father, Floyd, recalled the challenges of the 1960s, when eggs sold for just 17 cents a dozen — well below the cost of production.
The open house also showcased a new technology called the Panel Guardian, developed by Smart Ag. The device monitors temperature differences inside electrical panels and detects current imbalances, helping prevent barn fires caused by faulty wiring or breakers. Costing under $2,000, it has already attracted significant interest from farmers and insurers.
Inside the new aviary pullet barn at Neeb Haven Farms, the Neeb family gathered for the open house. From left, front row, are Floyd Neeb with grandchildren Noah, Vincent and Brooklyn Harper. In the back row, from left, are Lois, Pauline and Paul Neeb with Vanessa and Tyler Harper.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Smart Ag co-owner Neil Scholten, left, and developer Daniel Campbell display the Panel Guardian monitor inside the Neeb Haven Farms electrical room. The device helps detect wiring and breaker issues before they cause barn fires.
Touch a Truck in New Hamburg raises funds for cancer foundations
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
Hundreds of residents turned out Saturday, many dressed in pink, to support the Touch-a-Truck fundraiser at B-W Feed on the western edge of New Hamburg.
Families climbed into big feed and construction trucks, massive combines and large tractors supplied by Stratford Farm
Equipment, making it a day of fun with a serious purpose. Volunteers in bright pink B-W T-shirts welcomed the crowd and expressed gratitude to the many sponsors who helped make the event possible, with all proceeds directed to local hospital cancer foundations and initiatives.
Shakespeare’s Truck Centre also joined as a presenting sponsor for the day.
says he is grateful for the medical care that helped him win
glad to give back to cancer research and care initiatives.
Hidden Acres Camp welcomes NEAT Club for breakfast
Members of the North Easthope Antique Tractor (NEAT) Club visited Hidden Acres Camp and Retreat last week for a hearty breakfast and a look at the work being done year-round at the long-established camp.
Executive director Chris Pot welcomed a full dining room despite the rainy weather and was especially pleased to see
neighbours Paul Neeb and Tyler Harper arrive on their antique tractors to make the morning complete.
Pot said the breakfast not only raises funds but also keeps local residents and farmers informed of the important programs offered by Hidden Acres, located on Line 37 between Shakespeare and New Hamburg.
“We continue to be busy year-round as a retreat for families,” he said.
From left, Declan, Dugan and Christina Thrower were proud to support the campaign. Dugan Thrower, who was diagnosed with colon cancer six years ago, is now cancer-free after treatment. He
the battle and is
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Families explored a variety of vehicles at B-W Feed during the Touch-a-Truck fundraiser on Saturday, including crane trucks, livestock haulers and tractors.
The breakfast crew at Hidden Acres Camp on Line 37 included, from left, Maryanne Lebold, Emily Riegert, Josh Penfold, Brent Mussev, Amanda Pot, executive director Chris Pot, Rachel Morton, Cassie Lebold and NEAT Club member Tyler Harper, pictured with his family’s antique John Deere.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
New Hamburg Fall Fair ready to entertain
Event theme highlights importance of agriculture
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
This year’s New Hamburg Fall Fair runs from Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 14, with the theme of “Cultivating Community Connections” at its core.
Wilmot Agricultural Society president Stephanie Szusz explained it is a clever play on words, while also carrying a meaningful connection to rural life.
“We have always said that the Wilmot Ag. Society has two purposes. First and foremost are agricultural education and awareness. People just don’t realize where their food comes from anymore and yet in Wilmot, we are surrounded by phenomenal land with great producers,” Szusz said.
The second purpose is to bring the community together, particularly as it continues to grow.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, but a side effect of growth is you can stop knowing who your neighbours are and even knowing your community. We love the idea of telling the people of Wilmot and the surrounding areas to come on out for the weekend or even a day. Meet your neighbours, see the people you might run
into getting your morning coffee.”
Szusz added the fair is a place for everyone where they can invest in and cultivate relationships that will ultimately strengthen the community.
The event features the second year of Freestyle Motocross shows, set for 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Grandstand. New this year is the Barnyard, a free area for children, and a performance from Erick Traplin, a well-known and beloved local kids’ entertainer. The Hunter and Jumper show is not on the agenda this year, but Szusz hopes it will return in 2026.
A midway is always a major draw for fairgoers of all ages — something noticeably missing from this year’s Woodstock Fair. By contrast, Tavistock’s Fall Fair featured three rides and a few inflatables, which left some attendees underwhelmed.
Szusz noted organizers secured a new midway provider just before the pandemic, and it has proven very popular with visitors.
“It is absolutely a highlight for us now. We were with the same provider Tavistock was with for many years, and the quality and quantity were going downhill. We are thrilled Magical Midways is our provider.
We ran out of room last year and they couldn’t get one ride set up. It was a great problem to have.”
Szusz added having a variety of rides is an effective way to get kids of all ages to come to the event, particularly teenagers.
“I remember from my days you were the coolest kids in town if you could go down on a Friday night. Even if you didn’t ride the rides, you just hung out at the midway. It was the place to be. It attracts teens in the evenings, then you have parents with little kids who come out Saturday mornings.”
A longtime volunteer suggested the midway include a Ferris wheel this year, something that adds another level to the event.
“It’s such a nostalgic thing. To even drive by and see a Ferris wheel, I think it makes people think, ‘Oh, we should go to the fair!’ ”
Szusz has been the ag. society’s president since 2017 and admitted anyone involved in planning and running the fair does it because they want to contribute to society. While many non-profit and community groups have seen a decline in the number of volunteers, that isn’t the case in New Hamburg.
“We’ve been incredibly thankful and blessed over the years to have people step forward and say they want to help. We had a volunteer who gave us the idea of turning volunteer roles into job descriptions. If someone loves social media, be our social media person. If you don’t want to be a member of the board but you like to lift heavy things, be a part of our setup and tear-down crew. We got very granular and said to people if you have five hours, here is a job for you.”
Szusz added the board welcomes any feedback from fairgoers on what they would like to see at the event.
“We do surveys after the fair and all the time we get blasted with negative comments. Then there are gems hidden in there where people say this would be really cool to have, or they wish we had this competition. We are here to serve and we want to hear from the people of the township on what they want to see. We marry that information with the things we feel passionate about that are important to still showcase.”
More information on the 2025 New Hamburg Fall Fair is available at www. newhamburgfallfair.ca.
Wilmot council in favour of disbanding Canada Day committee in favour of staff-led approach
GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wilmot council will likely disband the volunteer-based committee that has organized and run the annual Wilmot Canada Day event for the past two years in favour of a staff-led approach.
At the Sept. 8 committee of the whole meeting, Wilmot director of community services Chris Catania told council staff is recommending the dissolution of the Canada Day committee of council to allow staff to take the lead in organizing and running the event going forward, which he said would foster better communication among organizers and more efficiency in the overall event-planning process.
“The Canada Day Taskforce has played a pivotal role in the Canada Day celebrations for both 2024 and 2025,” Catania said. “The dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of taskforce members has been instrumental in the success of this event.”
“ … Under this new approach, staff would work collaboratively and closely with local organizations and community groups to plan, coordinate and deliver an inclusive and community focused celebration. This recommendation is informed by the feedback of both taskforce members and staff highlighting the potential for improvement in coordination and streamlined processes. The staff-led approach will enhance operational efficiencies while maintaining strong community engagement and community support.”
The 2024 Canada Day celebration, held at William Scott Park, exceeded expectations with an estimated attendance of
approximately 5,000 people. Building on this success, the committee implemented changes to the 2025 event based on feedback. With the relocation to a new venue and enhanced programming, the 2025 event saw even greater success, drawing an estimated 7,000-8,000 attendees.
While the committee did its best to address all issues identified from the 2024 event, it continued to struggle with the structure of meetings, as it was seen as prohibitive to the planning process.
According to the council report, the main issues the committee struggled with were not being able to discuss items that weren’t on a meeting agenda and not being able to communicate officially with committee members between meetings.
“I was surprised … that there isn’t flexibility in subcommittees to address items that aren’t on the agenda,” Coun. Stewart Cressman said. “Usually there’s a section called ‘other business.’ I’ve chaired a number of meetings in my past commodity life and it didn’t seem to be as rigidly defined as that.”
In response, township clerk Kaitlin Bos said the committee is actually an official committee of council, which means it must give the public notice of when each meeting will be held, there must be quorum for each meeting, it has a code of conduct and there are other protocols and rules members must follow, including only discussing items posted on each meeting’s agenda, similar to the rules council adheres to.
“Our intention is … it’s still a community-led event,” Catania said. “We really need the support of our community groups
and our volunteers to help the success of this event for Canada Day and right now, we have really a good event. We know what we’re doing – not just staff but volunteers. We’ve had a couple of years, we know the different successes. With this type of process moving forward, staff can make it more efficient. We can start engaging with some of our vendors earlier, signing off on certain agreements. We have these things in place, but we definitely rely on the community and the volunteers to help really run it, specifically the day of.
“So, we’re not really changing anything in that regard, we’re just trying to make the process a little more efficient for staff so they can still continue on with their core duties as well, and to make it a success for the rest of Wilmot.”
According to the council report, staff oversight is critical to maintaining accountability for public funds and ensuring adherence to legislative and insurance requirements. Staff are experienced in working within the framework of the Waterloo Municipal Insurance Pool and have access to the necessary resources and professional advice, including reviewing contracts with high-risk vendors (fireworks providers and inflatable amusement companies) to ensure appropriate liability coverage and risk-management protocols are in place.
Additionally, staff are well-versed in public-health regulations, emergency response planning and first-aid requirements for large-scale community events.
In recent years, staff have secured funding through the Federal Celebrate Canada Grant – $8,000 in 2024 and $12,000 in
2025 – to support the Canada Day celebrations. Staff are responsible for preparing the grant application, ensuring compliance with all federal guidelines, managing the disbursement of funds and submitting final reports to the federal government.
Staff also maintain responsibility for the overall event budget and are accountable for providing transparent and accurate financial reporting to both council and the public.
As the Canada Day event enters its third consecutive year, much of the foundational work has already been completed. Advertising templates, event signage, vendor and performer contacts and logistical plans are in place, allowing township staff to quickly move forward with securing vendors, entertainers and other services without requiring specific direction from a committee.
Volunteers, meanwhile, can assist with a variety of tasks, including planning certain aspects of the event, securing vendors, fundraising, coordinating children’s activities, providing visitor support and helping manage vendor logistics on event day. For this year’s Canada Day event, volunteer members of the taskforce secured more than $18,000 in donations and sponsorships.
“This is not ending the Canada Day events as we know it, it’s just making it logistically, I think, a lot easier,” Mayor Natasha Salonen said. “ … A huge thankyou to everyone who has volunteered and been a part of our taskforce. I know a lot of you have been on it for the last two years. … It really has paid off.”
This year’s sauerkraut well underway in Tavistock
Less than 10 days after the Tavistock Men’s Club sold its last bag of sauerkraut from 2024, the Tavistock Cabbage Patch Boys were back at work Monday morning, turning 1,200 cabbages into the tangy local favourite.
In the clubhouse behind the Men’s Club Hall on Woodstock Street North, the scene resembled a factory assembly line as members chopped and mixed cabbages donated by Beanhaven Farms near Happy Hills. The aroma of the annual tradition, which began in the mid-1950s, could almost be smelled from the street.
Organizer Ross Schumm said demand continues to grow, with hundreds of twoand-a-half-pound bags sold locally each year and orders shipped as far as the East Coast, Northwest Territories and British Columbia.
Once the barrels are full and sealed, the 2025 batch will be ready for sale starting
Nov. 10, just ahead of the Men’s Club’s annual Sauerkraut Supper. Extra bags will also be available for Christmas and Easter orders.
The secret recipe, members joke, is “locked in a cement vault” — though, as they like to add, “only their hairdresser knows for sure.”
Tavistock Men’s Club members clocked plenty of steps Monday morning as they worked their way through 1,200 cabbages to make this year’s sauerkraut. John Schultz, right, joked Sauerkraut chairman Ross Schumm rolls out another barrel to be packed with cabbage and salt, where the cabbage will ferment until the 2025 batch is ready to bag on Nov. 10.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Shakespeare Mills Inc. thanks employees with food truck lunch
Shakespeare Mills Inc. (SMI), one of the largest employers in the Shakespeare area, once again showed its appreciation for staff last week with a free food-truck lunch.
The premix company, established in 1981, employs 34 people and serves beef, dairy and poultry producers across the region.
Owner and manager Jeff Sparling said the company’s motto, “success is no mistake but the result of continuous hard work,” reflects the dedication of its employees.
“Most of our business is done by rail, with bulk commodity silos situated beside the CN line,” Sparling said. “But we also ship in bags and no order is too small. Each ration is formulated to meet an individual farm’s specifications.”
Longtime employee Roland Danis was also recognized during the event for 32 years of continuous service.
Employees of Shakespeare Mills Inc. gathered last week for a food-truck lunch provided by the company to thank staff for their hard work.
Longtime employee Roland Danis was also recognized for 32 years of service.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
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Perth County Federation of Agriculture brings rural and urban residents together
For the first time, the Perth County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) hosted an evening designed to bring farmers and urban residents together for meaningful conversation about food production and availability.
The event, called Across the Table, invited Stratford residents to meet the farmers who grow their food in
the surrounding townships of Perth County. Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma, who also farms just outside the city, co-organized the evening with PCFA directors and members.
The gathering, held in Ritsma’s barn, drew more than 130 people who shared a meal of pork, chicken, homegrown potatoes and other locally sourced dishes. The Ellice Optimist Club and Perth County Pork
Producers prepared and served the food.
Half of those in attendance were urban consumers while the other half were farmers representing commodities such as dairy, beef, poultry, eggs, grains and vegetables. Together, they discussed how food is produced, the challenges farmers face and the importance of agriculture as a major driver of Perth County’s economy.
What tower was the first to be struck by terrorists on 9/11?
3. How many Super Bowl wins do the Buffalo Bills have?
4. Klondike Gold Rush national historical park is found in what US city?
5. Mick Jagger is the lead singer of what band?
6. GO Transit was founded in what year?
7. What river did George Washington cross to attack the Hessian mercenaries?
8. Ultrasonic waves have frequencies that are above how many Hz?
9. What is the farthest planet from the sun in our solar system?
What red creature starred in Sesame Street?
Christopher W. Franklin Funeral Director
Pictured from left are Sara Wood, Perth County director and vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture; Derek Vande Walle, president of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture; and Perth-Wellington MP John Nater. All took part in one-on-one discussions during Across the Table. Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae also attended but is not pictured.
Stratford recording artist Janna Leduc and her band provided live entertainment for the evening. Leduc also spends time recording and performing in Nashville.
Mitchell farmers Chris and Sara Wood worked alongside PCFA directors and Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma to bring farmers and city residents together for an evening of dialogue about food, farming and community.
Farmers and Stratford residents sat down together to share perspectives on food production during the PCFA’s Across the Table event.
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
The Old Gazettes
By Sydney Grant
Slowly but surely, I’m reading through the past pages of the Tavistock Gazette (est. 1895). Within this weekly column I’d like to share with you some of my findings.
September 9-16, 2015, Edition (10 years ago)
Principal Laurie James has hired several new teachers this year to join her dedicated staff at Tavistock Public School. Jackie Verhoeven is an early childhood educator (ECE) for kindergarten and will work with teachers Leanne Oliver and Rachel White and the other ECE, Jennifer Schade. Marci Rabe of Drumbo is the primary prep teacher on a long-term occasional (LTO) contract. The new intermediate instrumental music teacher is Samantha Hayes. Not a new face, but now the full-time French teacher, is Michelle Melucci who served last year as an LTO for Larissa Lagzdins, who was on leave. Tavistock’s new school secretary is Corinna Grevers who is taking over from Melissa Crandall, who is on maternity leave. Rick Kokoszka of Woodstock is the school’s new charge custodian.
Friday Night is always exciting for the official opening of the Tavistock Fall Fair and this year was no exception. The 30th annual Fall Fair Ambassador competition was held in the Memorial hall where the majority of former ambassadors were on hand to see Nicole Stewart crowned as the 2015-2016 winner. Stewart, 18, a Tavistock Public School and Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School graduate, was sponsored by the Tavistock Opti-Mrs. Club. Stewart’s speech, delivered in front of a large crowd of friends and family, focused on the theme, Picnics. “A tisket, a tasket,” she said, quoting the old nursery rhyme that deals with a dropped basket. “I have a whole basket of memories to share,” she said.
The newest entertainment event at the Tavistock Fall Fair this year was the Freestyle Motocross Show in Queen’s Park. Although only five of the six shows were completed due to wet weather, the first shows Saturday night were an overwhelming success. Since 2004, 8 Six Six has been doing FMX shows and building freestyle motocross ramps. They have performed in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and as far away as
China. The takeoff ramp is three feet tall and the landing ramp is 12 feet tall and 16 feet wide. They go 30 feet in the air and the gap from ramp to ramp is 75 feet. Overall length of the course is 265 feet.
September 11-18, 1985, Edition (40 years ago)
The entrants in the Tavistock Fall Fair parade were in the Tavistock Mennonite Church parking lot at 12:30 p.m. to be judged in their categories. Some wonderfully conceived costumes and vehicles were entered this year. Fiveyear-old Alison Chesley puts on her best Cabbage Patch face as she and her brother, Matthew, took first place in the single decorated wagon and child category.
There was a full house to watch the arm-wrestling contest on Saturday night in the Tavistock Memorial Hall. After a lengthy contest, the winners were announced with Susal Telfer of London taking the ladies division. Cheryl Flynn came in second and Bonnie Martin took third place. This was a well-entered category. In the fly weight division, Steve Ramseyer of Tavistock came out the winner over a strong opponent, Paul Patriquian. In third place was Murray Ramseyer. The lightweight was a heavily contested division and after several tries, Paul Engel of Kitchener managed to better Steve Ramseyer. Mark Zilke took third place. The middleweight was a replay for Paul Engel who defeated Wayne Wagler in the final bout. George Iszakovis was a strong return and with his usual sportsmanship, had to bow to Engel and settle for third place. Richard Barbe of London took the heavyweight when he put down Iszakovis and third went to Keith Kuntze.
September 10-17, 1975, Edition (50 years ago)
Although the 124th Annual Tavistock Fall Fair started out with rain Friday night, it cleared up about dusk and the weather improved for the rest of the evening. Attendance was down Friday night but after Saturday’s shower in the morning, it turned out to be a beautiful day with attendance picking up to pass the 1974 attendance just slightly. Friday evening, free entertainment was provided by the TWS chapter of the Sweet Adelines, featuring the All Tones, while under the lights in the ball park the TugO-War Teams showed their power.
TOWNSHIP OF EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
116 Woodstock St. S., Tavistock Phone: 519-655-2151
All are welcome
Service led by Rev. Marilyn Arthur Music by Marilyne Nystrome
TRINITY LUTHERAN (ELCIC)
Sebastopol - Tavistock 2210 Perth Line 29
Pastor Steve Hoffard
Worship In Person or on Zoom Sundays at 10:00 AM (519) 655-2372 trinitylcoffice@gmail.com www.trinitytavistock.com
TAVISTOCK MENNONITE
Pastor Julie Ellison White
131 Wettlaufer St., Tavistock 655-2581
Sunday Worship services begin at 9:45am, with coffee and fellowship to follow at 11am.
All ages Junior Sunday School will follow after the service.
All are Welcome Stream services online at www.tavistockmennonitechurch.ca
TAVISTOCK BIBLE CHAPEL
32 Oxford Street, Tavistock, Ontario
Questions or Need Help? Text or Call: (519) 655-2413 tavistockbc.org
Family Bible Hour - 11am Each Sunday
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN LCC
Cemetery Decoration Service
September 21st, 2 pm
Church Phone 519-276-0701
Wellington Street, Tavistock stpaulstavistock@gmail.com
Pastor Rev. Michael Mayer
EAST ZORRA MENNONITE
677044 16th Line Road, East Zorra
Pastors Ray Martin & Mike Williamson www.ezmennonite.ca
Service audio recordings available at: https://ezmennonite.ca/worship/
WILMOT TOWNSHIP
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
Corner of Waterloo St and Byron St, New Hamburg
Weekly Sunday services at 10:15 am. All are welcome. https://www.stgeorgesnewhamburg.com
St James Chapel of Ease 4339 Huron Rd Wilmot Township
All are welcome.
Rev Margaret Walker; Office: 519-662-3450 sgacnewhamburg@gmail.com
St Agatha Mennonite Church
1967 Erb's Road St Agatha 519-634-8212
Pastor Jim Brown
Worship service 10am followed by coffee hour and sermon discussion. All are welcome
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
Merchants come up just short in Kitchener at Canadian softball championships
from the arm of Yantzi.
The 2025 ball season and, to a certain extent, an era, has come to an end for the U23 Tavistock Merchants.
The team dropped a 3-2 decision to the Toronto Junior Batmen, despite two solo homeruns by Connor Brooks, who was named the playoff’s most valuable player.
“It was a tight game that came down to small margins. We generated some offense with a pair of solo homeruns, but Toronto found ways to answer back. In the end, we didn’t create enough scoring chances to get over the line,” said head coach Kevin Zehr.
Despite not finishing with a gold medal, Zehr said he’s extremely proud of how his young men competed.
“The group put in a strong effort from start to finish. We played through a deep and competitive field, battled through setbacks and earned our way to another national final. The result wasn’t what we wanted, but the consistency and work ethic were there all year.”
Tavistock opened the tournament with a 5-3 extra-innings loss to Saskatchewan but bounced back with a 3-0 win against Quebec thanks in large part to 15 strikeouts
The Merchants then lost to Toronto by a 3-1 score, meaning they had to win three straight games to move on to the playoff round. Will Schlotzhauer sat down 13 in a 5-0 win over Shallow Lake, then Running struck out 10 in a 10-5 win over New Hamburg. Yantzi and Running then combined to lead Tavistock past Newfoundland and Labrador with a 12-5 win.
Tavistock dropped a 6-5 decision to Toronto, setting up another matchup against New Hamburg, where a 6-2 win gave them another shot at the Batmen.
Two other Merchants received individual awards as Yantzi earned top-pitcher honours and Becker was awarded top infielder.
“Competitive and consistent. We put ourselves in a position to compete for a national title, earned a silver medal and further developed the younger players in our system,” said Zehr when asked to sum up the season. “I’d also like to highlight the continued support from our community and the commitment of our players and staff. Sustaining success at this level takes all of that working together.”
The team will lose eight players to age next season, including four who have played key roles in the team’s success over
(CONTRIBUTED
the years.
“Mason McKay in centre field and pitchers Nate Running and Reese Yantzi have been here five years, while Jack Becker gave us four steady seasons at third. They contributed to multiple national medals and provincial titles, and their experience and reliability will be difficult to replace,”
Zehr said.
Also aging out are Kyle Roth, Andrew Vanboekel, Chad Brown and Blair Bender. Eight players are set to return next season and the Merchants plan to bolster their roster with talent from their U20 squad and other regional centres.
Zehr said he will follow the same recruitment strategy he has always employed to fill the holes, an approach that has brought the team consistent success.
“We’ll continue to build around our local players, as we always have, while looking to add players who fit the team’s culture and commitment level. That approach has
kept us competitive over the long term, and we’ll follow the same process heading into next season. Our goal has always been to make Tavistock a fun place to play while preparing players to compete beyond their junior years. We want Tavistock to be a place where athletes are respected, developed and given the chance to play deep into championship weekends. It seems to be a recipe that works.”
The Merchants have competed in every Junior Canadian Championship since 2015, missing only 2017 and 2020 thanks to the pandemic. The team has won two golds, two silvers and one bronze medal over the last 10 years.
Four team members will continue their ball season in Argentina from Sept. 1320. Schlotzhauer, Running, McKay and Brooks are representing Canada at the U23 Pan American Championships in Santa Rosa. Yantzi was also chosen for the team but turned it down to focus on school.
Fastball under the lights kicks off Tavistock Fall Fair
Friday night’s fastball game at the Tavistock Fall Fair was a hit in every sense of the word.
The young Tavistock Hops faced off against the Tavistock Legends in an entertaining matchup under the lights. Fans
packed the stands and were treated to plenty of action, including an over-thefence homerun by Aaron Waugh, a member of the Tavistock Merchants’ recent silver medal-winning team.
The Legends came out on top with a 4-2 win, but the real victory was the energy and excitement that helped launch another edition of the fall fair.
The Tavistock Merchants earned a silver medal at the U23 Canadian tournament in Kitchener. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Gary Baker, Joe Mick, Nate Running, Chad Brown, Justin Roth, Andrew VanBoekel, Blair Bender, Jack Becker, Will Schlotzhauer and coaches Tyson Zehr and Kevin Zehr. In the front row, left to right, are Tripp Gilbert, Connor Brooks, Kyle Roth, Mason McKay, Reese Yantzi, Bo Schurink, Keaton Bartlett and Aaron Waugh.
LEE GRIFFI Gazette Correspondent
PHOTO)
The Tavistock U11 and U15 Athletics were honoured for their gold-medal championship seasons during a special recognition at Friday night’s fall fair fastball game. Both teams stood shoulder to shoulder with the Tavistock Hops and Tavistock Legends, drawing cheers from the crowd.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Firebirds expect to contend again this season
The New Hamburg Firebirds reached the final four of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) playoffs last season, and while no one would argue the feat will be difficult to duplicate, it would be wrong to rule it out.
The Firebirds have been one of the league’s most consistent teams for years, and head coach Shane Gerber said he’s looking forward to the regular season getting underway. Their season kicks off with a pair of road games this weekend, Friday in Norwich and Saturday in Wellesley.
“We’re excited as a group. There are a few new faces and a few guys gone, but we are excited about what’s come in and to see the guys who have been here take the next step. We will see what that brings,” he said.
The biggest offseason acquisition for the Birds is former Waterloo Siskins captain Ben Oliver. The Kitchener native played four full seasons for the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) team and will end his junior career with New Hamburg.
“He aged out at the Junior B level, but we are allowed to have one player under a new league rule. We also have Connor Varley who played Junior C in Midland last year, and he is a small, speedy forward. Michael Dion was at the Guelph Storm camp as an invite, and he is coming to us from the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.”
Varley and Dion are both attending post-secondary education institutions in the area. Another newcomer is goalie Connor Harman, who is expected to share the duties with Deklan Jermol. Harman, a Waterloo native, played for the U18 Waterloo Wolves last season where he posted a 1.77 goals-against average in 18 games and attended the Storm camp after being drafted.
“We also have a pair of new locals on the team in Rhett Calder and Kayden Livingston, who played on the U18 Junior Firebirds, and I know they are looking to make steps with us this year.”
The team scheduled six exhibition
games this preseason. The first two featured almost exclusively rookies, while the final four gave Gerber and his staff a closer look at the team’s potential. Fans can expect an added dose of speed in the 2025-2026 season.
“What we like is we can really play with pace. I wouldn’t say we couldn’t do it last year, but we chose not to as a staff. With what’s here now, we can play with speed and I think it will be the key to our success. The preseason showed we can execute with pace, but it’s going to be a matter of whether we can be consistent at it.”
Each PJHL coach the Gazette speaks with during the season stresses how tough a division the Doherty is, and no one can take a night off with the poorer teams or there will be an extra number in the loss column. Gerber expects the standings to be even tighter this season.
“I would say our division has really tightened up from top to bottom. The parody should be very good which is exciting for the fans and hopefully gets more fans in the seats for all of us.”
The Firebirds held an open house recently where their new dressing room was unveiled. Gerber explained that while it may not be the number one recruiting tool, it sure doesn’t hurt.
“Everybody behind it did an amazing job. That room is special, for sure. There are TVs in every corner which makes it easy for us as a coaching staff to utilize video. No one has to bend around to find a way to watch.”
He added the players have already made themselves at home.
“When something looks good, it feels good. There’s no doubt there was some excitement when they first saw the room. We have some guys who have played at higher levels and said they have never been in a room like it. It’s exciting for them and for us as an organization.
The Firebirds have announced their on-ice leadership team – Andrew Gear is the captain while Keegan Metcalfe, Jack MacDonald and Justin McManus have been named alternate captains.
New Hamburg’s home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 against the Hespeler Shamrocks.
Pride Seeds showcases new hybrids at Sebastopol demonstration plot
It was a big week for Pride Seeds growers in Perth and Oxford counties, and Waterloo Region as local farmers were invited by Zenon Bender and Jim Witzel of Yantzi’s Seeds to tour a Pride demonstration corn plot on Sebastopol Road, just west of Line 29.
The plot, hosted by Scott and Bob Dietrich, featured 15 different Pride varieties. Farmers examined both silage and grain corn hybrids and had the chance to discuss growing conditions, yields and
challenges with company representatives. Pride Seeds agronomists reported that tar spot has not been a major concern in the area this year thanks to effective fungicide programs. Test weights appear strong locally, though some regions to the north and south have struggled with drought stress.
Corn rootworm pressure is increasing on heavier soils across parts of southern Ontario, they said, while Japanese beetle has not yet posed significant issues in this area. Spider mites were noted on field edges but did not appear to be a widespread problem.
Birk Painting keeps busy with Tavistock builds and renovations
With new builds and home renovations on the rise in the Tavistock area, demand for skilled painters has never been higher. One local company, Birk Painting, continues to meet that demand.
Founded in Waterloo in 2001 by Davinder Birk, the company moved into the Tavistock community in 2015 when Apple Homes secured Birk Painting under contract. Since then, the partnership has thrived, with Birk Painting marking 10 years as Apple Homes’ painting contractor.
In 2016, Birk and his family built their own home with Apple Homes, making Tavistock their permanent residence. Since then, he has also given back to the community, volunteering annually as a Tavistock Tornadoes youth soccer coach.
The company has grown to four full-time and four part-time employees, keeping
pace with Apple Homes’ expansion. On average, Apple closes two to four houses a month, with developments near Tavistock Public School and beyond.
Birk Painting handles everything from priming houses and spraying trim and doors to painting walls, staining staircases and applying exterior finishes. Their focus on quality, efficiency and personal service has made them a reliable partner for Apple Homes.
Beyond new construction, Birk Painting also offers full interior and exterior repaints. One recent highlight was painting the new Penrose Suites at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
The company is located next to Quehl’s Restaurant in Tavistock, in the building once known as the local police station where the late Const. Ron Rudy made his second home.
For inquiries, call 519-573-2672.
Area corn growers gather at the Pride Seeds demonstration plot on the Scott and Bob Dietrich farm near Sebastopol to hear company representatives discuss hybrids and growing conditions for the 2025 crop year.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
From left, owner Davinder Birk, Daniel Gomez and Atar Nijjar at the Birk Painting office in Tavistock.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
LEE GRIFFI Gazette Correspondent
‘Oh, give me a home, where
the buffalo roam’: Braemar WI visits Buffalo Ben Bisons farm
Our tour of Buffalo Ben Bisons on a high prairie wagon pulled by tractor horsepower brought back the memories of signing the campfire song, “Home on the Range,” which has been the state song of Kansas since 1947.
It was composed by violinist Daniel Kelley in 1873 and the text was written by otolaryngologist Dr. Brewster Higley as a poem titled, “My Western Home,” and published in 1876 in a Kansas newspaper.
Of course, Braemar Women’s Institute (WI) members didn’t sing on the wagon because we didn’t want to scare the bison with our voices.
Buffalo Ben Bisons farm is located at 255395 25th Line, Thamesford, and he has an on-farm market of pastured-raised bison meat which is government-inspected and vacuum-packed. He also offers wagon tours of the paddock by calling/texting 519-608-3020.
Buffalo Ben Van Hasstert, a retired dairy farmer of 38 years, had a passion for bison since he was a young child. He has studied the role of the bison in Canadian and American history. He also studies the animal husbandry of the bison.
Moving from the dairy farm, he
purchased his retirement property that feature lowland pasture. It has been 10 years since he started with 11 animals purchased from an established producer near Hagersville and now has a herd of 33 including one breeding bull. September is mating season, so extra caution was taken
Notice of Intention to Amend the Regional Road System By-Law
The Region of Waterloo intends to amend By-law 01-059 (Regional Road System By-law) and By-law 16-023 (Tra ic and Parking By-law). The amendment is with respect to the assumption of:
- Oxford Road 5, lying between Punkeydoodles Ave/ Oxford Road 24/Perth-Oxford Road (Regional Road No. 1) and Oxford-Waterloo Road (4.7 centerline kms), and
- Road 101 A, lying between Perth Road 101 and Punkeydoodles Ave/Oxford Road 24/ Perth-Oxford Road (0.1 centerline kms), and
- Perth Road 101, lying between Road 101 A and Concession Road from the Township of Wilmot to the Region of Waterloo. The road will continue to act as a boundary road between Oxford County and the Region of Waterloo, jointly owned and maintained by both parties. There will be no observable changes to the public on how this road operates and is maintained.
The amending by-law will be considered at the Regional Council Meeting scheduled for: Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 7:00 p.m.
Regional Municipality of Waterloo Council Chamber, 2nd Floor Administration Building 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener
A copy of the amendment will be available for review starting September 17th, 2025, in the Clerk's O ice, Region of Waterloo, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. If you have questions concerning the amendments please contact Shawn Buckley sbuckley@regionofwaterloo.ca
If you wish to speak at the Council meeting, please register as a delegation with the Clerk's O ice at 519-575-4420 by 4:30 on September 18th, 2025. If you require accessible services to participate, please contact the Council & Administrative Services at least five days in advance of the meeting. This notice is in accordance with the “Municipal Act”, 2001. Tim Brubacher, Acting Director, Council and Administrative Services/Regional Clerk
All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and agencies regarding this by-law are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision. Under the “Municipal Act”, personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be referred to Council & Administrative Services regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca
Europe and they have a large hump at their shoulders. Their coats are thick and shaggy. Their heads are larger in proportion to their bodies. Buffalo are from Africa and Asia and have no hump, and their coats are smoother. Bison are known for being more aggressive and unpredictable, whereas buffalo are generally more docile and are used for milk and meat production.
Bison and buffalo products like water-buffalo milk, ice cream, cheese and meat can be found at Kampkreek Dairy, 4701 Line 29, in Stratford.
Ben’s bison species is the plains bison and there is large herd of wood bison in Elk Island National Park, Alta.
The Van Hasstert herd is pasture fed and receives dry hay in late fall to early spring. Ben also outlined his herd health practices used when an animal is ready to be butchered.
for our Sept. 3 morning tour.
A mature cow weighs between 1,200 and 1,400 pounds and an older bull can weigh between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds, and can reach and maintain a speed of 55 km/hr.
Bison and buffalo are not the same species. Bison are from North America and
Braemar branch members enjoyed their brown-bag lunches on the front lawn under the mature trees away from the bison herd and held their business meeting with president Anya Donaldson presiding. The next meeting will be held at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre, 125 Centennial Line, Ingersoll, on Oct. 1 with the tour beginning at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcomed to join us and questions can be directed to lauracgreen77@gmail.com.
Braemar Women’s Institute members recently toured the Buffalo Ben Bisons Farm in Thamesford.
LAURA GREEN
Braemar Women’s Institute
(LAURA GREEN PHOTO)
Wilmot mayor calls for the development of a council remuneration-review policy
from the Region of Waterloo for her role as a regional councillor.
Gazette Puzzles
Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen has asked township staff to prepare a policy that would, if approved by council, have the township undertake regular reviews of council pay and benefits once during each term of council.
At the Sept. 8 committee of the whole meeting, clerk Kaitlin Bos presented a report to councillors informing them of Salonen’s mayoral direction to have staff bring back a council remuneration review policy for consideration at council’s November committee of the whole meeting.
In Bos’ report, she provided councillors an overview of current council remuneration, including current base salary levels and comparative data from similar municipalities, as well as considerations for potential changes, such as transitioning the mayor’s role from part-time to full-time, while outlining various models for determining appropriate compensation. The report recommends establishing a formal policy for regular remuneration reviews during the third year of each council term, incorporating public engagement and a full assessment of compensation components.
“Often times in municipalities, there is an annual review in the budget year leading into the next council,” Salonen said. “We did not have a process, so in discussion with the clerk, she asked that I provide direction so that we could then get a process going and she wasn’t just arbitrarily bringing up information that hadn’t been requested. So that’s where that came from on wanting to get into a process as well as getting a formalized policy before council to consider.
“So, any changes that council may consider in the budget would not be happening for this council. I want to make that clear to the general public.”
In 2025, the mayor’s position in Wilmot Township comes with a salary $39,425, while councillors are paid $21,872 – both of which have remained stagnant since council voted in 2023 not to increase council salaries. Council also chose to forgo cost of living increases in 2024 and 2025.
In addition to her mayoral salary, Salonen also receives a salary of $49,282
For comparison, other council remuneration in nearby municipalities as of 2024 were as follows:
• Wellesley: mayor - $32,979; council - $17,880
• North Dumfries: mayor$41,443.68; council - $22,457
• Woolwich: mayor - $37,604.36; council - $22,059.92
• East Zorra-Tavistock: mayor$24,812.06; council - $17,713.17
• Perth East: mayor - $32,415.77; council - $19,399.66
“I do work on the (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) healthy democracy advisory board, and on that, we discuss ideas and concepts and we’re really trying to find a way to engage more and diverse people to enter into the political realm – in particular, in municipal politics – and run,” Salonen said about why she wants council to consider transitioning the mayoral position from part-time to full-time.
“A lot of the body of research that is coming forward is that one of the barriers is compensation when it comes to these positions. There are people who are interested in these roles but, due to financial reasons, the commitment from a time perspective doesn’t always work out that they’re able to hold these positions even though they might bring value to the roles.”
Speaking from personal experience, Salonen said the hours she is paid to work in comparison with the hours she actually works – especially now that mayors in Ontario have added responsibilities following the expansion of the province’s strong mayor powers earlier this year, including proposing the annual budget –simply don’t balance out.
By reviewing council remuneration regularly through a standardized process, Salonen said it could ensure compensation is fair for both councillors and the mayor, allowing people of all socio-economic backgrounds with skills that could prove valuable for the township to run for election.
A full council remuneration review policy will be brough to council for consideration at its committee of the whole meeting in November.
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Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Is walking enough exercise for losing fat?
HEAPS OF HEALTHY TIPS
By Mercedes Kay Gold
Question: I walk for exercise, but is this enough to lose fat? What should my Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat be?
Walking is a great form of exercise, and yes, alongside proper meal planning, losing body fat is possible.
Many health professionals look at the BMI, a simple calculation: BMI is bodyweight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The BMI does not look at body composition or one’s overall health. It’s less accurate for different types of people from bodybuilders to pregnant women and the elderly.
Measuring the waist circumference (WC) is another tool of assessment. A waist above 102 centimetres (40 inches) in men or 88 centimetres (35 inches) in women is associated
with the development of serious health issues.
These findings are merely a piece of the health puzzle.
A true measure and key to longevity, managing weight and offsetting diseases is to look at the percentage of muscle mass and body fat in the body.
A healthy body fat percentage is up for debate. The number varies depending on who you ask. Many experts in Canada will list a healthy body fat percentage in adult women somewhere between 20 per cent to 32 per cent and 10-22 per cent for men.
There are many ways to test the subcutaneous body fat, the layer located just below the skin, from calipers to a body composition analysis and the gold-standard DEXA scan. As a personal trainer, I favour the InBody,
which is highly accurate – up to 98 per cent when compared to the DEXA – and easily available at a fraction of the cost. The InBody test is amazing for tracking changes in body fat, water, muscle and visceral fat.
Muscle mass is correlated to function and quality of life in aging. For the average Joe, weekend warrior and athlete, the quick and non-invasive InBody test is extremely helpful to see the percentage of muscle mass in each quadrant of the body. Exercise programs can then be tailormade, helping build an equally strong physique. The InBody test also highlights visceral fat. This is the belly fat hidden in your abdomen – the fat you can’t see surrounding your internal organs. Visceral fat is dangerous and linked to heaps of health risks.
Yes, you can have a healthy body weight, body fat percentage but still develop visceral fat. Do you drink? Do you smoke? Are you stressed? How’s your sleep? How much alcohol do you consume? Do you eat a refined and overprocessed diet lacking whole foods? Do you weighttrain to build muscle? How many boxes did you check? Do you
have a larger midsection which is quite dense and protrudes?
Eating a nutrient-dense, wholefood diet as well as incorporating cardiovascular and weight-training into your routine are essential, offsetting the risks associated with both types of body
fat. High visceral fat sets you up for a long list of conditions from elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol to insulin resistance to inflammation throughout the body. My best advice is to learn your numbers and then make informed decisions suited to your unique, one-of-a-kind self.
Winterizing your home: Protecting your biggest investment
EXPERT REAL ESTATE ADVICE
By Isabel Livingston
As we enter fall, the cold and chilly months of winter are upon us (I am cold just thinking about it). Just like making sure the kids’ winter gear still fits and getting the winter tires put on your vehicle, there is a little bit of proactive maintenance that is
recommended to get your home ready for the winter months.
As tempting as it is to want to cozy up and put off the chores, these basic things can make a world of difference not only now but in the years ahead when it comes to the preservation of your
By Tim Mosher Tavistock and District Historical Society
home.
When most people hear “winterizing your home,” they think of the exterior, and for good reason. The exterior is of course the shell of your home, and therefore the first line of defense against the elements. Regular maintenance ensures fewer surprises and better long-term health.
Inspect windows and doors for cracks in caulking or damages to weather stripping and replace or touch up as needed. This easy fix that can protect against winter drafts and moisture, but it will also help keep energy bills lower!
Eavestroughing and downspouts might just be the most important maintenance chore in this article. Giving them a good
The answer to last week’s History Mystery: The question was “What strong hint in this picture tells you that the carousel was fully stopped to take this photo?” The picture was of a 1895 carousel filled with children and adults, as well as standing in front of it facing the camera. Anna Mikus of Mississauga answered first. The man standing left of centre wearing a bowler hat is resting his left hand on a carved horse’s hindquarter.
clean before the cold winter can help provide better drainage for melting snow, which in turn will help to reduce risks of ice damming that can cause damage to your roof.
Most of us are guilty of enjoying a warm summer afternoon sitting on the patio enjoying the warm sunshine with family and friends. If you can find storage space for your outdoor patio furniture, I would highly recommend it. While not directly impacting your home, you will get a much longer life if you can store it away from the elements during the colder months.
There are a few things inside our homes we can do as well to help this winter. Small changes can lead to big savings when it comes to our furnace life and energy bills. Replacing your furnace filter every one to three months is a great way to keep airflow moving properly and efficiently. If it’s in the budget, having your furnace serviced can help to ensure everything is running smoothly with no surprise breakdowns in the middle of December.
We touched on it earlier, but
filling in any holes is important to prevent those cold drafts from coming into your home and working against your furnace. This is a great way to help your furnace not have to work so hard to maintain a cozy temperature in your home.
Winter always brings its share of challenges, but with preparation, your home can face the season with confidence. Think of these tasks not as chores, but as a way of protecting your comfort, investment and future equity. By doing regular maintenance, it helps to ensure fewer surprises, prevent costly repairs and support the long-term health of your home, both structurally and financially. Set aside time each fall to winterize; you’ll save money, reduce stress and enjoy the season knowing your biggest investment is protected.
For any questions or article suggestions, please reach out at 226-232-4236 or ilivingstonsells@gmail.com.
Isabel Livingston is a sales representative at Gale Group Realty Brokerage Ltd.
(VECTEEZY PHOTO)
Walking is a simple and effective form of exercise that, paired with healthy eating, can support fat loss and overall health.
Getting behind the scenes with the Blue Jays
OH, THE PLACES WE'LL GO
By Paul Knowles
Once upon a time, long ago and sometimes far away, I was given a dream assignment: write a book about players on the Toronto Blue Jays. It was published right at the start of regular season, 1986, and it featured chapters about Jesse Barfield, Lloyd Moseby, Tony Fernandez, Willie Upshaw, Mark Eichhorn and Kelly Gruber, among others.
I was sent to Dunedin for a week in spring training where I got to know all these terrific athletes and, frankly, terrific people. Then back to Toronto for the weeks prior to season opening.
The book, Home Run: The Personal Profiles of Champion Athletes, went into two printings. The foreword to the book was contributed by Gary Carter. Like I said; a dream job.
And why, other than sentimental nostalgia, did I bring this up today? That’s because of a tour we did a couple of weeks ago – a tour of the new parts of the renovated Rogers Centre, home of today’s Blue Jays. See, when I was hanging out with the Blue Jays, their home was Exhibition Stadium; open to the elements, terrible seating and occasional pre-game snow-removal challenges.
Not so, today. Rogers Centre (which those of us of a certain age
will always call “Skydome”) is a state-of-the-art sports stadium. We joined a pre-game tour of the place and by and large, it was a pretty interesting experience. Tours are run all season long, several times a day. It’s not wildly expensive – the classic tour costs $40 for adults, $30 for seniors, $25 for kids, though you can also spring for a pre-game tour at twice that price, which is longer and includes batting practice, or an “ultimate pre-game tour” with a price tag well into three figures. We were hosted by Destination Toronto on the pre-game tour.
As Blue Jays fans know, Rogers Centre has just undergone some major renovations. A venue that once was home to other sports apart from baseball, it is now a dedicated space for baseball and concerts only. So, the designers were able to change the configurations of the ballpark and make – so they claim, I think accurately – all of the seats more suited to watching a ball game.
Now, to tell you the truth, I am of two minds about the pre-game tour. There’s a lot of good stuff for sure. We got to see, up close, the Jays’ World Series Championship trophies. In the same room are housed the Gold Glove trophies of Vladimir Guerro Jr., José Berriós, Vernon Wells, Devon White, Tony
Fernandez and Jesse Barfield.
That’s the good news. The bad news for the average fan is that these key bits of memorabilia are kept in the Rogers Banner Club, accessible only to folks who have TD Premium Access or to people like us on a tour.
And that pattern was repeated throughout the tour. We saw the much-touted new wall of Blue Jay baseball cards, but it’s in the Heinz 328 Club named for the foul pole on the first base side of the park; it’s located 328 feet from home plate, and the base of the pole is right in the wall of the club. The 328 Club is also an exclusive venue open only to members who have paid extra for the privilege.
The tour takes visitors to a few other similar locations, including a very high-end corporate box. You get to see a lot of photos of famous players and plenty of memorabilia, but at the same time, the tour gets to feel a little like a sales job: “You, too, could enjoy these amenities at a price.”
For us, the highlight of the tour was to be on the field, carefully corralled behind a rope, to watch Blue Jays batting practice. And while we were there, the batters up were Vlady, Bo Bichette, George Springer and Daulton Varsho. For true Jays fans, that experience was probably worth the price of admission.
We also had tickets to the game – good seats, but not in a special section. We discovered that once in the stadium for a pre-game tour (for which you also must have game tickets), you can’t leave between the tour and the game. But again, some good news – it was Loonie Dog night, so dining out wasn’t wildly expensive. And the Jays won a tightly contested and exciting game.
So, bottom line; is the tour worth the money? For die-hard Jays fans, I would say yes. The chance to get behind the scenes and see trophies, photos and other memorabilia (including a bat used by José Bautista in the famous bat-flipping game) is somewhere near priceless to the dedicated lover of all things Jays.
And I must confess, I did get a bit nostalgic for those days when I could actually sit in the Exhibition Park Jays’ dugout before a game and wander on the field with Tony, Lloyd and Jesse. But for a guy now long disconnected from the team, the tour and the game were highly enjoyable experiences in their own right.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and past-president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
One of the two World Series trophies won by the Jays.
The wall of baseball cards in the Heinz 328 Club.
Memorabilia from José Bautista and Edwin Encarnación.
Gold Gloves won by Blue Jays: from top, left to right, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Berriós, Devon White, Vernon Wells, Tony Fernandez and Jesse Barfield.
The battle of the bulge and how I won the war (sort of)
DRESS SHARP. SPEND
SMART.
By Scott Dunstall
So, here’s what happened. I knew I had been packing on the pasta when I got on the scales over the past four years. Did I do anything to stop it? Nope. Oh yeah, I yo-yoed to beat the band, but as we all know, when we start sliding down the second half of life, that ol’ cheesecake don’t evaporate like it used to.
So here I am this year sweating bullets in March knowing I slapped on another three since Christmas and that I was going to have a showdown with my summer closet which, by the way, had been getting smaller and smaller as my waist got bigger and bigger. Funny how that works. And then you start kidding yourself that you look great in black. Every day, week, year.
So, I knew I needed help and talked to my therapist, the mirror. I said smarten up, suck it up and stick to your OMAD plan which always works for me, but not peacefully, as my wife can attest. As soon as you take men out of their natural homeostasis – catch a cold, go on a diet – we become wounded animals. And it was my newly found friend, Valerie Troy (wife of karaoke buddy Brendan Wycks), who said to me the other night at the Scran, “One skipped lunch and you guys are writing your will.”
And then there was the blueberry pie fiasco. One night I walked into the kitchen, took a slice of pie out of the box and put it on a plate, and just stood there staring at it. On one shoulder, I had the devil
screaming at me. “Do it Scotty!! Hit it with whipped cream. You know it’s going to taste like paradise.” On the other shoulder, good buddy is whispering, “Just put it back. Nobody has to know.” I went through that nonsense four times that night. Oh, and I would buy a whole box of cookies and eat one. Then I would call my sister-in-law, Lee (who has a sweet tooth as well), and ask her to take the bag. She would yell at me for doing this all the time and refused to take them. Then I would take a picture of me throwing the bag in the garbage and send it to her. Worked every time, but man was she ticked.
Long story short, the weight came off and I started to tool around my old buddies, polos and shorts. Hey purple polo, long time no iron. When I opened up the bottom drawer of my shorts collection, I heard this whimpering. When I opened it, it was a pair of tapered Ben Sherman above-theknee, yellow shorts. Like a puppy at the door and his long-lost master coming home, the reunion was heartwarming.
Last time I tried a lot of this stuff on, I looked like an orange with
Milverton Fall Fair starts this weekend
The Milverton Agricultural Society is inviting everyone to its 162nd Milverton Fall Fair, which kicks off Thursday, Sept. 11, with the Perth County Beef Farmers barbecue.
The fair will run until Saturday, Sept. 13.
This year’s theme is Farmgate to Dinner Plate, with festivities taking place at the Milverton Agri Centre beginning at 5 p.m. on opening night.
Organizers have planned a wide variety of activities throughout the weekend and hope to see many local farmers, families and residents come out to enjoy the fair.
a double wrapped elastic band around the middle and two cankles sticking out the bottom. But this year? They fit. Suddenly, I could tuck in shirts again. Belts stopped being emergency equipment and started being style choices. I could match them to shoes, play around with tucked polos, even walk out the door looking like I knew what I was doing, all because I finally broke my addiction, at least temporarily, with my good pal Ronald McDonald.
Hi, I’m Scott, and I’m a Big Macaholic.
Here’s the beauty of it. By losing 12 pounds, I didn’t need a new summer wardrobe. It was already there waiting for me. Shirts, polos, shorts, pants, all back in rotation. Do you know how much money that saved me? A pile. And what did I do with it? Nothing, because sometimes saving money just means saving money. In my mind, it’s part of the game. That means, through experience, knowing what things cost and what is good value.
That’s the whole point of this column. Dress sharp. Spend smart. This summer, I spent nothing. I just suffered, fought with a pie, muttered at salad bowls and came
out on top with clothes that finally fit again.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ll still wander into Winners or Marshalls when the timing is right. But this year, the smartest move I made wasn’t at a checkout counter. It was at my own dinner table, saying no to dessert.
So, before you load up your Amazon cart and talk yourself into a any seasonal refresh, take a long look at your closet. You might already have everything you need.
Scott Dunstall has been on a stylistic journey for over 10 years. His belief is that every guy has a style of their own. When it’s discovered, it empowers and builds confidence. Scott has appeared several times on Rogers TV Kitchener as a guest on DAYTIME. His writing has been republished by LinkedIn Top Influencer and INC. Magazine contributing editor, Jeff Haden. He has also written several pieces for the Baden Outlook. You can follow Scott on Instagram @everydaystylebyscott or on LinkedIn @scottdunstall or Life & Style Wilmot on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or propose collaborations: everydaystylebyscott1@ gmail.com.
Remembrance season is approaching
We know what they did for our country, so the least we can do is Remember; the freedom we have is ours to protect and continue to guard our precious heritage.
Part of this guarding is keeping our dedication to the observance of Remembrance alive and teaching not war but peace. At the 11 a.m. service, a chill runs through me as the Bugler plays “Last Post,” calling attention to the loss of life. In silence, I think of those families who are forever deprived of all that could have been, I think of my family and friends and how lucky we are to live in a country of tolerance.
The silence is broken, the Bugler plays “Reveille,” which brings me back from my thoughts and lets me know that life goes on, so with an everlasting depth of gratitude, I will always remember them.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 532 in New Hamburg is proud to fulfill our duty to host the Remembrance Day Service. This year, Remembrance season starts on Oct. 31 when we raise a Poppy flag at Castle Kilbride and we send the volunteers out to put countertop boxes in businesses throughout our towns. The season finishes on Nov. 11 with a parade to the cenotaph and, from there, to the old arena on Jacob Street for a commemorative service at 11 a.m.
During that service, wreaths are laid by dignitaries and families in memory of a relative who served their country in the quest of peace. Those wishing to lay a wreath, please contact me at 519-7450212 or email rwbergy@gmail.com
We thank the community for its generous support of our Poppy Fund Appeal. Our pledge and motto, “We Will Remember Them,” is our declaration and promise.
Locally farmed Speckled Park beef animals, along with alpacas, will be among the animals on display at this year’s Milverton Fall Fair.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(HELEN DOWD PHOTO)
BOB BERG
New Hamburg Legion Poppy Chair
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Terry Fox Run
Registration: 8:30 a.m. Kick off at 9 a.m.
For more information, to register and to donate, visit: https://run.terryfox.ca/92735
Wilmot Rec Centre 1291 Nafziger Rd, Baden
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Stratford Scottish Country Dancing
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Free Open House and Ceilidh (Dance)
For information contact stratfordscd@gmail. com or (519) 272-1398
St. Paul’s Anglican Church 9 Douro St. (at Waterloo)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Perth East council meeting
7 p.m.
Council chambers
25 Mill Street East, Milverton
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Community Care Concepts invites you to
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Tree Planting
9 a.m. to 12 noon
Come to add a greater variety of native trees to this lovely park for beauty and shade. Details and registration: https://letstreewilmot.ca/ events/
New Dundee Community Park 667 Main Street
DOORS OPEN Waterloo Region
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Talented pianist, Jack Wyndham, will be performing a concert at 2 p.m.
There will be displays, refreshments, and an opportunity to ring the tower bell. We hope you will support this event and bring your friends and family too!
Zion United Church 215 Peel Street, New Hamburg
Tavistock Braves Smoked Pork Chop Dinner
Serving from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Advanced tickets only. Available from executive members or call Steve 519-320-8985
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Wilmot special council meeting, pre-budget 6-9 p.m.
Council chambers
60 Snyder’s Road West Baden
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
TOPS - Taking off Pounds Sensibly Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
TOPS is a non-judgmental weight loss support group. Need help on your weight loss journey. For info call Cathie 519-662-9273. St James Church, Baden Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship.
12 noon
Please register and buy your tickets by Sept. 19 by calling 519-664-1900 or Toll Free: 1-855-664-1900.
Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
-STAMP CLUB
Oxford Philatelic Society Meetings: 2nd Tuesday (2-4pm) and 4th Tuesday (7-9pm)
September to May
If you have never belonged to a stamp club, now’s the time. Meet new friends, grow your knowledge and collection. Contact: Don Eaton dhfe@silomail.com Website: http://www.rpsc.org/chapters/oxford Church of the Epiphany 560 Dundas Street, Woodstock Ontario N4S 1C7
MUSEUM/ARCHIVES EXHIBIT
“Retro Rewind to the 70’s & 80’s” Every Saturday from from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. or by appointment until September 13 Donations appreciated.
Chesterfield Museum/Archives 816661 Oxford Road 22, Bright
FREE SENIORS ACTIVITIES
Tavistock Seniors Activities
Pickleball Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon, 12-4. Contact: Don Junker
CLASSIFIED ADS
FOR RENT
Newly renovated 1 bedroom apartment, upstairs unit. Located in Tavistock. If interested call 519-801-5454.
FOR SALE
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. MonSat 7:00am to 6:00pm Martin’s Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
HOUSE FOR SALE
Lovely move in ready bungalow in the west end of picturesque St. Mary’s. 72 Carrall Street. This property features a large corner lot, 2 main floor bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a partially finished basement with 2 additional rooms, plus a family/rec room. Single detached garage. Go to Kiji Ad ID 1724804443 or Facebook Marketplace, search “72 Carrall Street” for all of the details and photos. Must see! Contact 519-570-6931 or kristafrancisishere@hotmail.com.
WANTED
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: DIAMOND DOGS MUSIC 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750
WANTED
I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, Pepsi, any pop company, Brewery items Kuntz, Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, Wristwatches and pocket watches, Old fruit jars, Beaver Star Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs Red Indian Supertest etc Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me - 519-570-6920.
The Contract Framing Group is hiring for various positions. We are looking for a part-time shop person to repair/maintain tools, equipment &
deliveries, as well as full-time wall-panel workers to
in pre fab shop, and full-time job site labourers. We
a competitive wage and benefit package. Email jason@contractframing.ca or call 519-273-4600.
Sunday, October 5th 8:00am – 12:00pm Tavistock District Memorial Hall 3 Adam St., Tavistock. Admission: $5 (children 5 and under free). The
Are you a motivated self-starter with a passion for sales and marketing? Do you thrive in a
SERVICE DIRECTORY —
