The Citizen - April 12, 2024

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Friday, April 12, 2024

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Volume 40 No. 15

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0

Military training coming to NH

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

On the scene On Thursday afternoon, members of the Lucknow and District Fire Department rushed to the scene of a shop fire on Belfast Road near Lucknow Line. The department would call in mutual aid from North

Huron and others. The fire was brought under control in short order. According to firefighters at the scene, the suspected cause was a loose spark from some welding at the site. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Modest increase approved in M-T

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Council approved its 2024 budget at a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 2. The tax levy is increasing by $159,872 over last year, or 3.35 per cent, amounting to $4,932,595.

This translates to a municipal tax rate increase of 3.68 per cent. When combined with the county’s 4.53 per cent tax rate increase and no increase to the education rate, the resulting blended amount is going up by 3.59 per cent over last year. A single-family home assessed at $226,031 can expect to pay $124.81 more than it did in 2023.

Mayor Jamie Heffer welcomed Treasurer Sean Brophy to the meeting. “Sean, I guess this is our favourite topic over the course of the year and we bring you to the ‘hot seat’ to conclude it for us.”

Brophy began with an overview of the changes he’s made since the last draft of the budget was presented on March 5. “I have

received an update in regards to Huron East cemetery, fire and recreation. They had their first budget meeting back on the 19th [of March].”

According to Brophy, MorrisTurnberry’s share of the 2024 Huron East cemetery budget is $9,356, a decrease of $644 from his previous estimate.

“For fire,” he continued, “the operating levy - they have us in for $99,000. I had previously built the last draft using the North Huron increase as an estimate, so their actual number has come in a little bit better than that draft: $16,000 less.”

Brophy explained that Huron East has provided projections for the next 40 years of fire capital expenditures. “The thing to note here is the planned pumper truck that they originally had scheduled in 2026, they’ve bumped that back to 2028 at this time. What that means for our reserves is we’re looking pretty good for the next couple of years and then the big hit

will happen in 2028, which is giving us a couple more years to build that up and be prepared for it, which is nice.”

Moving on, Brophy said Morris-Turnberry’s share of the Huron East recreation levy for this year is $101,744, up $7,924 from the previous budget draft in which he used the Consumer Price Index increase

from September as an estimate.

Brophy noted that Huron East also provided an updated recreation capital plan, allowing him to expand Morris-Turnberry’s projections from five years to 15 years.

“The one thing I didn’t have in the last draft was the Brussels ball diamond regrading. Our share of that is 20 per cent, so about to the Continued on page 3

April showers always bring May flowers, but this particular May will be bringing a little something extra to Huron County - a military emergency management training exercise!

Municipalities in both Huron and Bruce Counties were recently informed of their selection by the Canadian military to host the impending operation - North Huron alone expects to see over 400 military personnel mobilizing throughout Wingham and Blyth from May 3 to May 5. The Military has requested use of the Blyth and District Community Centre, the Blyth Campground and ball diamonds and parts of the Wescast Community Complex.

At last Tuesday’s Council Meeting, North Huron Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans noted that acting as a participating location will fulfill the township’s legislative requirement to complete an annual emergency management training exercise. “We typically would do an exercise in the fall, but this is certainly an opportunity for us to take it to a different level, and be a learning opportunity for all the members of the Emergency Management Control Group, which includes the Reeve, Deputy-Reeve and staff.”

Goderich, Clinton and Hensall will also be participating in the military training exercise. “It’s an opportunity to learn among ourselves and learn from our neighbouring municipalities. So this is a win-win, across the board,” said Evans.

Councillor Mitch Wright thanked staff for having a positive attitude Continued on page 7

ACW passes its 2024 budget

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Despite an apparent moment of collective amnesia amongst council members regarding the status of proposed work on Dungannon Road, Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh Council (ACW) approved the 2024 budget at a regular meeting on April 2.

Mayor Glen McNeil asked for a show of hands from council to determine support for approving the

proposed tax rate as a bylaw.

Councillor Wayne Forster interjected, “I thought Dungannon Road was included in [the budget], if I remember right. Am I wrong?”

Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker indicated that the Dungannon Road project was not to be included in the final draft, according to his notes from the budget meeting held on March 15.

Incredulous, Forster replied, “It was out? I thought it was in.” Becker, repeating himself, said that

according to his notes, the proposed Dungannon Road project was out.

Forster mentioned that he had intended to review the budget decisions but didn’t get around to it before the meeting.

“So, are you satisfied?” McNeil asked Forster, who replied, “Honestly, I thought it was in there.” McNeil then offered support to Forster’s recollection of the decision, saying, “My memory was that it was in there also, and that we Continued on page 32

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

The barn builders Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

W

hen the first farmer settlers came to our area, they were faced with enormous challenges. They needed shelter for their families, to clear the land for crops, basic survival and to build shelter for livestock.

At first, the animals would be in the crudest of buildings, such as a lean to that was attached to the humble cabin. As time and energy would permit, small log barns were built. By the 1870s, the farmers were able to construct larger, substantial timber barns for livestock in a lower section and for the storage of hay, straw and grain in an upper floor. Of course, with timber being readily available, it was the number-one choice for the building material.

Local sawmills often worked on the basis of sharing the lumber produced when logs were brought in. That is, the customer would get his logs sawn in return for the mill owner retaining a share of the lumber produced. It was a win-win situation.

Timber barns are composed of posts, which are the vertical components, and beams, the horizontal ones. In addition, various braces between the posts and beams complete the basic structural elements. The post and beams are connected by a system using mortises, the rectangular slots in a post, and tenons, the tongues of wood at the end of the beam. When tenons are inserted into the mortises, round or rectangular holes are bored into the connection between the two and then they are secured with

wooden pegs called trunnels.

Thus a very sturdy structure is accomplished without the use of nails or screws.

A section of posts and beams is called a bent. The number of bents in a barn determines its length. In 1906, it was announced that Charles Procter of Morris Township was increasing the length of his barn by adding another bent to it. Running from end to end lengthwise in the barn are sills at the bottom, purlin plates up higher and top plates above that.

The lowest timber in a structure is called a sill and it lays on the foundation. Earliest barns were built on the ground without a foundation, but with large stones at the corners.

The lowest beam was then called a mud sill.

By the 1880s, there must have been the ability devised to raise a barn up off these mud sills and to replace them with either a stone foundation or one made of cement.

In one June, 1881 edition of the Huron Expositor alone, the Seaforth newspaper chronicled that no less than 14 barns were raised to be put on stone foundations and that four new barns were built.

When the old-growth forests were no more, it became difficult to find a tree tall enough to produce a foot square timber of the length needed for the sills, purlin plates and top plates. For that reason, most new timber barns being built these days rely on the solid parts of older barns that have been dismantled.

A barn raising required a barn framer, or barn builder, a person who was in charge of all aspects of the endeavour. In the Auburn area, one such person was Donald Patterson, who later became Huron’s county engineer. Patterson was hired to erect a barn for James McBride of Carlow in the barn-raising season of June, 1885. When Patterson became ill with pneumonia, he delegated young Oliver Clark to do the job.

McBride was wary of the choice and worried that the rock elm that he had paid $8 per thousand feet for would be ruined. Clark enlisted the help of experienced barn builder Bill Whitely of Londesborough to be present. Whitely agreed, saying Clark was in charge but if he (Whitely) saw any missteps, he would take over. No errors occurred and Oliver Clark successfully completed his first barn raising.

Some of the other names of framers from years past that have surfaced are Alex Dennis of Walton, John Curran of Ashfield, a man by the name of Keating in the Seaforth area and George Steen.

Preparatory work for a barnraising would be securing the needed lumber and the assembly of portions of the barn ahead of time. These components would be laid out on the ground surrounding the site in the correct order.

The premise of a barn raising bee in the early days was that the mighty beams, posts and bents were raised into place by sheer manpower using ropes, chains and pulleys. And to

this end, men and boys came from the neighbourhood to share their brawn and expertise.

On the day of the event, two captains were chosen who, in turn, called out the names of the workers until everyone was on a team. The barn framer was in charge and no moves were made without his direction. With a “yo heave “ here and a “steady men” there, he guided the erection of the frame of the barn.

The parts of the frame, once erected, were held together with scads until the exterior boards could be nailed on to complete the operation. However, for one farmer in Kinloss, it was unfortunate that a strong wind sprang up the night of the barn-raising and the whole framework blew down in a tangled mess.

Once the work was completed, it was time for a bountiful meal served by the hostess and many other

women. Often, a dance completed the evening.

It was not uncommon for liquor to be present at barn raisings and sometimes this led to some accidents. From time to time, editorials appeared in local newspapers decrying the barnraising culture, stating that the competition aspect could lead to carelessness and accidents.

At one barn raising in West Wawanosh Township in 1892, during the erection of a 70x40-foot structure, it was noted that one man was knocked down by a falling brace, another had his head cut open, while still another had his foot crushed. Occasionally, the injuries were more severe and sometimes a worker had the misfortune of falling and losing his life.

These days, the tradition of barnraising is still being carried on in the Amish and Mennonite communities.

Board, CEL part ways The Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) has made the difficult decision to not renew its employment services contract with Employment Ontario beyond March 31, 2025. This means that the AMDSB Centre for Employment and Learning (CEL) will no longer be the provider of employment services for Huron County after a one-year transition period.

Several factors have contributed to this decision, including increased operating costs and the board’s desire to align its resources with its core mandate of supporting teaching and learning. The adult education services of the CELs will remain in place as these services support accessible learning

opportunities across both counties.

Jane Morris, Superintendent of Education, said, “We are here to support our staff who are impacted by this change as we transition away from employment services.

We are grateful to them as they have provided exemplary employment services and support to members of our community.”

Employment Ontario, through the Employment Services System Manager (SSM), Bruce County, will start a process to find another employment services provider for Huron County and that organization will begin service on April 1, 2025.

Throughout the next year, AMDSB says it will collaborate with the SSM to develop a transition plan as they move towards this change.

Sunday, May 12th All proceeds from the Run Around The Square go towards the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund and the purchase of life-saving defibrillators.

!

Re

g

er t s i

w No

Registration open until April 20th at midnight

Register at www.davemounsey.com Brought to you by:

Three distances 5K - $65 10K - $70 Half-marathon - $75

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 3.

Rare solar eclipse dazzles local skygazers 2:23 p.m.

2:43 p.m.

2:55 p.m.

3:12 p.m.

3:28 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

3:55 p.m.

4:12 p.m.

4:23 p.m.

The cosmic ballet goes on As North America’s east coast found itself enraptured by a rare solar eclipse, reaching total darkness in areas like Niagara Falls, locals were ready, willing and able to safely take in some cosmic history. Clockwise from top left: Meg Doran, Kate Duff and Elizabeth Duff in Blyth; Goldie and Gloria Garratt and Gemma James Smith near Bayfield; Dylyn and Kalyn Haggitt in Blyth; Cecilia and Luke Bisschop near Auburn and the Garratts again. The eclipse pictures across the top of the page were taken by Candy (Submitted Haggitt of Blyth. photos)

Budget approved Continued from page 1 $10,000. That will be covered by the recreation reserve.”

Continuing, Brophy said, “The other thing of note is the ice resurfacer. They did have that originally in 2027; that has been moved up to 2025.” MorrisTurnberry will contribute $25,000 to the $125,000 overall cost of the ice resurfacer.

Concluding his review of budget alterations, Brophy said, “Where that leaves us for our final draft budget is a little bit better than a month ago.” However, he noted, “I will point out that these are still best estimates, [the Huron East] budget is not finalized yet but it’s the best we’ve got at the moment.

The other alternative is we sit and wait for them to finish but we did that last year and we waited until May, which I’m not too keen on.”

Heffer concurred with Brophy’s assessment of the situation, saying, “Sean, I agree. We may as well finish it up tonight, rather than wait, because the wait could take some time.”

Offering praise, Councillor Jamie McCallum said, “I’d just like to commend staff and council as a whole that we did the best we could for our taxpayers and kept our increase reasonable to reflect what’s going on in our economic structure here at the present time. I think it’s a pat-on-the-back for all

Are you tired of getting a second-hand newspaper?

around.” Heffer echoed the sentiment, specifically highlighting the work of the treasurer.

In a unanimous vote, council approved the 2024 budget.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me!

(J.R. Miller, “Miller’s Year Book — a Year’s Daily Readings”) “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me! But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you — for My power is made perfect in your weakness!’” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Many prayers which seem to be unanswered — are really answered. The blessing comes — but in a form we do not recognize. Instead of the very thing we sought — something better is given!

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The burden is not lifted away — but we are sustained beneath it.

We are not spared the suffering — but in the suffering we are brought nearer to God, and receive more of His grace.

The sorrow is not taken away — but is changed to joy.

Our ignorant prayers are taken into the hands of the great Intercessor, and are answered in ways far wiser than our thought!

Instead of earthly trifles — heavenly riches!

Instead of things which our poor wisdom sought — things God’s infinite wisdom chose for us!

Instead of pleasure for a day — gain for eternity!

A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-3887

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Scott Stephenson Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld

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The Paper Bag Premier So, once again, Doug Ford has stepped in to save the day; a true everyman’s hero. Last Sunday, he sent a letter to the top dog at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario “requesting” that the organization reverse its decision to remove paper bags. In April of 2023, the LCBO discontinued the familiar branded bags in an effort to divert 2,655 tonnes of waste from landfills and save 188,000 trees annually.

“At a time when many Ontario families are already struggling to make ends meet, every additional expense counts. That includes charging customers for reusable bags instead of the free paper bags that the LCBO previously offered,” Ford said in the letter, bravely championing a cause that no one, give or take, has raised in the last year.

At a time when the Ford government is coming under criticism for land deals, possible farmland appropriation, transit and transportation woes, health care battles and gravy can reminders of Ford family slogans after the so-called Sunshine List was released, the sudden care for the burden on the public of having to remember to haul a reusable bag to the liquor store or be “stuck” openly carrying alcohol in public seems to be another shiny object to deflect our attention.

Doug Ford has demonstrated once again that he is the master of disruption, distraction and dysfunction. – DS

Use it or lose it A few days ago, Canada’s The Globe and Mail won the Freedom of Information (FOI) Award from the Investigative Reporters and Editors, a non-profit organization based in the U.S. that focuses on improving the quality of journalism. It was the newspaper’s “Secret Canada” project that brought home the bacon. The investigation into Canada’s freedom of information systems was called “one of the most ambitious public records projects ever published” by the organization’s judges.

Tom Cardoso and Robyn Doolittle (of Rob Ford crack smoking reportage fame back when she was with the Toronto Star - she has since written several books and remains one of the country’s best reporters) began this work in 2021 amid woeful Freedom of Information access.

As The Globe was feted, The Whitehorse Star announced it was ceasing its work permanently, ending a 124-year history of reporting.

The contrast between the two announcements served as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of this thing of ours: journalism.

Community support is essential for any business to flourish and, for a newspaper to serve its community, it requires that buy-in. Without journalists to keep tabs on decision-makers, they tend to shift into the shadows and, little by little, residents lose connection to their community and higher-ups act unfettered, knowing no one’s watching, no one’s reading and no one cares. As we’ve voluntarily turned our lives over to rich weirdos like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, we’ve lost the connection and protection that a newspaper provides.

Remember in the months and years ahead to use something, lest you lose it. The Star won’t be winning any more awards, but your support for The Globe and Mail, and yes, The Citizen, and others ensures a future in which those publications retain that opportunity. – SL

Saving what’s ours In a recent opinion piece for The Globe and Mail, public affairs columnist Lawrence Martin shed light on a pressing issue that strikes at the heart of our national heritage: the neglect of 24 Sussex Drive.

Martin’s insights highlight the urgent need to address the decay of this iconic landmark and his proposition deserves attention and support.

Martin articulates how 24 Sussex Drive stands as a pivotal site in Canada’s history, where monumental decisions were made and where leaders from diverse backgrounds converged. Despite its rich historical significance, the residence has remained vacant for eight years, a symbol of political hesitance and public indifference.

A proposal put forth by former Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper, as outlined by Martin, offers a pragmatic and nonpartisan path forward. By leveraging private donations to fund the restoration, Chrétien and Harper seek to remove political obstacles and breathe new life into this emblematic structure.

Martin emphasizes the symbolic power of Chrétien and Harper, representing different political ideologies, joining forces for a common cause. Their collaborative effort transcends partisan divides, embodying a spirit of co-operation sorely needed in today’s polarized climate.

The National Capital Commission, entrusted with the stewardship of 24 Sussex Drive, would likely embrace the Chrétien-Harper initiative, as Martin suggests. Martin’s piece addresses potential concerns about funding sources and influence. He believes that Chrétien and Harper’s reputations, coupled with transparent fundraising practices, mitigate these apprehensions and would bolster public confidence in the project.

Working together across the political divide can ensure that 24 Sussex Drive regains its place as a symbol of our national identity. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years April 16, 1969 Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Heffron were delightfully taken aback last Saturday night as their family members showered them with a surprise. The occasion was a banquet held at the Blyth Inn, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary coming up on April 15.

After the sumptuous dinner, everyone made their way to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Anderson in Hullett Township. The rest of the evening unfolded with card games and dancing, accompanied by the lively tunes of Scott’s Orchestra.

The April meeting of the Blyth Horticultural Society took place at Mrs. C. Higgins’ residence with a strong turnout. Plans were finalized for attending the Annual District Meeting in Brussels on Saturday, April 19.

During the meeting, it was agreed to organize a spring tea event at Mrs. A. Sundercock’s home in June. Additionally, the society encouraged those interested in enhancing Blyth’s aesthetics to contribute two potted plants suitable for park beds, such as geraniums, foliage plants, patience plants, begonias and more.

The Blyth girls’ broomball team recently took part in a Carling tournament held in Honeywood over the past weekend and proudly returned with the championship trophy.

Securing the title, the team triumphed over Honeywood with a 2-0 victory, surpassed Chesley in overtime play by two shots on goal, and outplayed Thornbury with a score of 2-1.

April 13, 1977 The weekly card parties at the Brussels Legion concluded

marking the end of the winter season. The men’s team emerged victorious and received the trophy from Walter Kerr, who presented it to Leonard Lamont.

The Huron County Board of Education would hold a special public meeting on April 25 to address concerns about “literary filth” in secondary school English course books. Lloyd Barth of Blyth, raised the issue at a recent meeting, citing specific novels like John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners, and J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Six individuals from the Brussels area, one of whom was a juvenile, were facing charges related to multiple automobile and parts thefts totalling $11,000 across seven municipalities since New Year’s Day. April 12, 1989 Around 20 individuals participated in the open Fun Fest meeting held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on April 6. The event’s planning was on track and the meeting aimed to gather suggestions and feedback from local organizations and residents.

The Brussels recycling program had a successful start last Wednesday, with Don Carter from Carter’s Waste Disposal reporting the collection of 1,990 pounds of recyclable materials in the village.

Initially, Carter had estimated to the Council earlier in the year that only a couple of hundred pounds of material would be collected.

Murray Cardiff, the Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, took the oath of office on Wednesday as Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Don Mazankowski,

who served as the Deputy Prime Minister, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Agriculture.

April 15, 2004 A Brussels family left for the Czech Republic on Monday for a 10-day trip. Chris and Adam Corbett, sons of Charles and Abi, were participating in the spring classic hockey tournament in Slaney and Prague as members of the Major Bantam Triple A Lakers.

The costs of the trip were covered by the players, who fundraised throughout the year, along with support from the Brussels Optimists and Lions clubs.

At the regional science fair in Seaforth last week, a girl from the Brussels area, Kayla Bishop, a Grade 8 student at Brussels Public School, received two awards. She won the best consumer-tested product award and the laboratory testing award, earning a total of $170. Bishop’s project, titled “Battle Against Germs,” involved testing anti-bacterial soap against regular soap using a glow-in-thedark germicide. She washed spoons with both soaps and then examined them under ultraviolet light to determine residue levels.

There was a break-in at Blyth Building Supplies Ltd. Gary Courtney discovered the break-in when he arrived at work on Monday morning, noticing that the deadbolt on the door had been twisted off. A police report confirmed that $200 was stolen from the office area and Courtney mentioned that no additional damage was found except for the broken deadbolt. As of Monday, there were no leads regarding the identity of the thief or thieves.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Do your part to save democracy

T

he current hearings into possible federal election interference by foreign powers have also demonstrated that, in modern times, the entire election process has been turned on its head. What’s “down” is suddenly “up” and vice versa.

The Canadian election process has been turned upside down in recent years. The idea originally was that members of each party at the riding level decided on the best local candidate, based on their work on the homefront. Voters then selected the best of these servants of the local area to represent us in Ottawa, or provincially, in Toronto, and the best people were sent to the capital to represent us, then the best of these was chosen to be party leader, and you had the best leader of the party with the most elected candidates as prime minister or premier.

It hasn’t been that way for a long time, of course. Everything is top-down these days. Oh there’s one more democratic move in recent years as party members have been given the choice of who will be party leaders through national conventions. But once the leader is chosen by party members, he/she is in charge.

So, in many cases, someone is not chosen as the local candidate for office without the approval of the party leader. On the other hand, most of the time in the federal or provincial election, we, the local voters, don’t send who is generally regarded as the best candidate but, rather, the representative of the party we choose to lead the country or province. Now and then there are variations. I recall when this generally Conservative riding with a strong Conservative provincial government elected Murray Gaunt of the Liberals year after year because he was so popular from being a farm director on CKNX Radio and TV – and he proved that the voters from his home riding had

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk made a good choice by working his butt off.

For the most part, though, parties are topdown nowadays. But one way or another, things can go wrong, and that’s what the hearings on foreign interference in elections are about.

Appearing before the hearing, Han Dong, originally a Liberal but an independent since the scandal over possible Chinese election interference, asked international students from China to vote for him to get the party nomination in 2019. It’s alleged that a Chinese government official threatened Chinese students, implying that their study permits would be in jeopardy if they didn’t support Dong (even though they weren’t Canadian citizens). Some Canadian intelligence officials suggest the Chinese agent may have given documents to students who didn’t even live in the riding.

All of this shows the vulnerability of Liberal Party regulations, critics say. At a nomination meeting, the busload of non-Canadian students might be enough to win the nomination for a candidate.

But the problems aren’t all the Liberals’.

Each party has its own regulations at the party level and, in the age of foreign interference, that makes them the weak link in the Canadian democratic system. Parties want young people and new Canadians who aren’t yet citizens to

get involved because it’s a sign of growth.

Different parties have different paths. In February, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives called a nomination vote in the Richmond Hill riding, but set the cut-off day for local electors only two days later, The Liberals, on the other hand, in 2014, disqualified a long-time member, Christine Innes from running in a by-election in TrinitySpadina riding after she wouldn’t sign a promise that she wouldn’t run the next year when her riding was redistricted and was to be contested by Chrystia Freeland, who was sought by the party hierarchy.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Jaskaran Sandu of the Sikh Coalition suggested that Indian government diplomats have pushed political parties to ban some Sikh candidates that India opposes.

Seeing this interest by representatives of foreign governments to influence our governments should stir Canadians to get involved when they often feel their vote doesn’t matter. Obviously every vote counts and who we send to parliament or the provincial legislature matters.

Democracy only works when enough of the public thinks it matters: when people join parties and help nominate deserving candidates who have shown, through their activities, that they will work for the benefit of the people of their riding. Then the rest of us need to investigate to see which of the local candidates is most deserving and look at the party she/he represents and whether they would best lead the country or province.

Democracy only works when we citizens stay involved, We take a chance on losing the best government system ever invented when we retreat and don’t play our part as citizens.

The sun and the moon aren’t real

O

h, dear readers, let us embark on a journey through the twisted corridors of cosmic conspiracy, where truth is a fleeting comet and deception reigns supreme.

As the “moon” made its dashing debut in the daylight, casting shadows and whispers across the land, a conspiracy of cosmic proportions unfolded before our very eyes.

Yes, we speak of none other than the socalled “solar eclipse” that danced across the sky on April 8. But hold onto your tin foil hats, for what we’re about to reveal will make your synapses sizzle like scrambled eggs on the sidewalk during a summertime heatwave!

You see, dear fellow truth-seekers, this celestial spectacle was not the handiwork of nature, but rather a diabolical scheme concocted in the dark recesses of governmental minds. Picture this: a cabal of bureaucrats and astronomers huddled in a dimly lit room, sipping on moonshine and plotting to hoodwink the masses. Their plan?

To eclipse the truth with a shadowy charade, blinding us with bogus brilliance!

This horrible hoax was simply a high-tech Hollywood production staged in the supposedly vast expanse of space. The moon, a mere prop in this cosmic theatre, casting its scripted shadows with precision timing. And the sun? A blazing ball of computer generated imagery, its rays carefully choreographed to dazzle and deceive. We’ve been watching a celestial blockbuster, unaware that we’re mere extras in a grand illusion.

But let us peel back another layer of the cosmic onion, shall we? The moon and the sun, those celestial celebrities we’ve worshipped since time immemorial, are not what they seem. Oh no, dear readers, brace yourselves for the mind-bending truth: they are nothing but elaborate video projections, holographic illusions designed to keep us gazing skyward while the real mysteries unfold beneath our feet!

Scott Stephenson The Chaff “But how?” you may ask, your eyebrows arching like crescent moons. Well, dear comrades in curiosity, the answer lies in the technology of the elite. Advanced holographic projectors, hidden satellites beaming images to the sky and a complicit media painting the cosmic canvas - all part of the grand spectacle to keep us starry-eyed and star-struck.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I saw it with my own eyes!” Ah, my friends, that’s where the plot thickens like cosmic gravy. Those eclipse glasses? Mere mindcontrol devices! They filtered out not just harmful rays but also the truth, leaving us in a haze of manufactured marvel.

But fear not, dear readers, for we have donned our truth-tinted glasses - perfect for peering beyond the veils of deception. The next time we gaze skyward and witness such celestial shenanigans, let us remember the words of this humble column: the moon may be full of cheese, but the real lunacy is believing every celestial charade served on a silver platter!

We’ve been fed a cosmic lie so colossal that it makes the moon landing look like a backyard barbecue. What if we told you that outer space, that “vast” expanse we’ve been taught to marvel at, is not vast at all? In fact, it’s so small that even a hamster in an adorable spaceship could navigate it without breaking a sweat. But shh, dear readers, the powers-that-be don’t want us to know the tiny truth that lurks beyond the stars.

It is a cosmic conspiracy woven into the fabric of the universe itself. We’ve been led to believe in the infinite vastness of space, with galaxies stretching into eternity and stars twinkling billions of light-years away. But, the truth is, outer space is more like a bachelorette apartment than a sprawling mansion. Those twinkling stars? Just tiny LEDs on a galactic backdrop, controlled by puppet masters.

But why the deception, you ask? It’s all about control. By painting a picture of endless space, they keep us gazing skyward, dreaming of distant worlds and endless possibilities. Meanwhile, the real action is happening right under our noses. Yes, dear readers, the Earth is the centre of this cosmic stage, and we’re unwitting actors in a galactic drama scripted by the powers-that-be.

If outer space were truly vast, wouldn’t we have stumbled upon alien civilizations by now? Wouldn’t our telescopes be capturing clear images of far-off galaxies, rather than fuzzy blobs of light? The truth is, they’ve cleverly hidden the boundaries of space, making us believe in a never-ending expanse when, in reality, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away.

And what about those astronauts, floating weightlessly in their tin cans of exploration?

Don’t be fooled! It’s all a zero-gravity illusion, created in a soundstage tucked away on some classified military base. They want us to believe in the romance of space travel, the thrill of exploring new frontiers, but it’s all smoke and mirrors.

Outer space may be painted as vast and infinite, but the real cosmic truth is hidden in plain sight. It’s a tiny, cramped corner of the universe, and we’re all just out-of-work actors in the greatest hoax ever conceived.

Keep questioning, keep exploring and never stop seeking the miniscule truths that lie beyond the stars.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Condemnation

A

t the risk of antagonizing the legal, law-abiding community of gun owners that is known to get a bit prickly if they get misconstrued with the gun violence we know and loathe on the nightly news, do you remember that Seinfeld quote about guns?

Jerry inadvertently gets mixed up in bootleg movies at the behest of a friend of Kramer’s who, when he’s met with resistance from Jerry, brandishes a gun to get his way. When the man returns to a Jerry who doesn’t have what the man wants, Kramer insists that the man will understand, to which Jerry responds, “people with guns don’t understand. That’s why they get guns - too many misunderstandings.”

This whole situation between Jerry and the gun brandisher popped to mind when news stories said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “condemned” the Israeli strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.

Just like the gun brandisher was unlikely to understand Jerry’s reluctance to get involved in all of this illegality, I thought that those engaged in full-scale war, killing aid workers, women, children and, of course, men (not singling out a side here, just to be clear - it appears both sides are doing plenty of killing) would file a condemnation in a relatively lowpriority compartment of their consciences.

If you’re Trudeau, or any other world leader for that matter, you have to condemn the strike that took the lives of seven people simply trying to feed those in a war-torn part of the world (again, those on both sides), but the act of condemnation just seems so impotent.

I remember pitching this as an editorial topic just a few weeks ago. It was a scene from the House of Commons and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, amid calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, stated, unequivocally, that “the violence must end”. To bastardize something an old boss used to use when he would tell me an interesting fact from his past or a story about a famous person he used to know (he worked sometimes as a trainer for some NHL old-timers), Mélanie, that advice for peace in the Middle East and a buck fifty will get you a coffee at Tim Horton’s.

In that editorial board meeting setting, I was going to pitch Joly’s reaction as the ineffective opinion many of us have. For many who have not come down hard on one side or the other those of us in the bloated, crowded grey area of the middle - we just hope the violence ends.

It’s kind of like the t-shirt for non-sports-fans at sporting events declaring loudly and proudly that you just hope both teams have fun.

As the situation continues to deteriorate in that area - the planned Israeli ban on Al Jazeera sending out news to the world from that region is particularly concerning, and has been treated appropriately by the international community it’s hard to know what the way forward is, but I think it’s safe to say that we can leave our stupid condemnations in our pocket.

For me it just brought to light the futility of it all. Trudeau has to do it, of course, as he can’t be seen to be supporting any of this, and yet, at the same time, a condemnation in a press conference here in Canada means what, exactly? It reminds me of the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Daily, Trudeau would Tweet about how much he disapproved of what was happening there. I remember thinking, “that’ll do the trick you brute, you.”

As we know from the wisdom of Jerry Seinfeld, people with guns don’t understand and that’s why they get guns. When words cease to do the trick, it’s gun-toting time. And, increasingly, around the world, we’re seeing more and more people going that way.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Eclipse prompts Earth thoughts A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

Optimists for life Two members of the Brussels Optimist Club were presented with lifetime memberships at the beginning of last Saturday night’s annual spring auction and dinner. Long-time Optimist Doug McArter, centre, made the presentation to Steve Knight, left, and Mike Thomas ahead of the club making over $70,000 in its auction, the proceeds from which (John will benefit new playground equipment at North Woods Elementary School.

Stephenson photo)

At the Branch

Ace jackpot reaches $1,000

By Jo-Ann McDonald We had a quiet week from April 1-5 before the storm, as the saying goes. The week had Cadets, darts, the Legion Pipe Band, the Catch the Ace draw and Friday night pub grub, but the week of April 8-13 will be a completely different story.

There are three catering functions on the books as well as a fish fry.

The Thursday night darts had 22 darters taking aim at the boards.

The first-place team consisted of Bruce Fischer and Sandra Brown.

Second place went to the team of Rhonda Davis and Chris Brown.

Third place was the trio of Evelyn Hillier and John and Sheron Stadelmann.

Many of the players had good aim, because there were five with

shots over the 120 mark. Hitting 140 were Paul Willie, Rhonda and Sheron. Hitting 123 was Barb Cadotte and hitting 122 was Tim Nyholt. There are still about four weeks left for darts, so come out anytime to check out the blind mixed darts on Thursday evenings for only a toonie!

The Friday night pub grub was poutine with some extra toppings, which made it really good. It was enjoyed by a dozen or so.

The Catch the Ace draw was conducted by Jo-Ann McDonald, Deb Ross and Sandra Brown. The lucky winner for the night was Sandy Huether winning $138. Her envelope of choice was the lucky number seven, though it didn’t live up to its name this time. The

Getting ready Dan Fritz, left, and Kevin Deitner were crucial to the proceedings on Saturday night at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre as the Brussels Optimist (John Club held its annual spring dinner and auction.

Stephenson photo)

envelope revealed the five of spades, so the ace remains hidden.

The estimated jackpot for the fifth draw next week is $1,000. Get your tickets at the Brussels Pharmacy, Brussels Variety, McDonald Home Hardware or at the Brussels Legion.

The pub grub for this week is beef stew. Drop in and pick some up or eat in and save slaving over a hot stove.

The Branch had four darters who travelled to Port Stanley to participate in provincial senior darts on Saturday. Eric Ross, Bob Richardson, Bruce Fischer and Randy White had a great day of darting and came up just one win short of advancing to the playoffs.

Congratulations to the four and we’re glad you had a good day.

With spring happening, lots of things are changing - most notably with the landscape, with warmth, the profusion of growth and colour being seen everywhere.

As I write this, the afterthoughts of the total eclipse of this afternoon keep running in my mind. Details of the solar system, the size of the moon, the distance the sun is from earth and the pathway of this event are pretty exciting. Then, we have the added detail that it will be 125 years until it happens again. As I kept a check on our afternoon sky and the subtle changes seen, in the grand scheme of the solar system, our role is really quite insignificant.

Humbling too!

Earth Day is later this month - a time to stop and consider our role in the preservation of a clean earth.

The changes that have happened in the past few years have had dire effects on our land and water worldwide. Mountains of plastic float in the oceans, medication levels in sewage water are disgusting and still we buy more.

There are many organizations that have taken specific steps to improve our world, think, learn, change and support.

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month kicked off with Green Shirt Day on April 7. At this time, 4,300 Canadians are waiting for needed organs. To increase awareness, Green Shirt Day was initiated by the parents of Logan Boulet, one of the Humboldt Broncos hockey players killed in the 2018 bus disaster. They saw the need and did something about it.

For you, signing your driver’s license or checking out donateyourorgans.ca, you are offering a gift to possibly eight people from body parts you no longer need. Check it out.

The pool participation in Wingham is improving. After the chatter last year about the need, the use and the cost of the pool, sensibility seems to have prevailed.

Numbers seem to be improving in several of the scheduled activities.

Pool time is an easy exercise place, easy on the joints and quite relaxing.

The good news of Camp Menesetung, the United Church Camp north of Goderich, was shared with our United Church congregation on Sunday. Clayton Peters, Executive Director, told of happening and events, some lifechanging, that happened at camp.

As church attendance decreases the need for faith formation opportunities for children increases. The good news that Clayton shared gave our hearts a lift as we thought about how a village is needed to raise a child.

Bye now Betty GW

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Sandy Huether, $138.

Envelope #7 found the 5 of Spades Next estimated jackpot is $1,000.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 7.

Peters talks camp with United Church

The future of art The annual Student Art Show at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery is now open after Saturday night’s gala reception and awards ceremony. It remains open until May when the Community Show will inhabit the Bainton Gallery. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Deb Hakkers Hopefully spring has arrived and is here to stay this time.

Our family is saddened with the passing of my aunt, Joye Kane, my dad’s sister, who was 91.

On a happier note, Fred’s mom is enjoying her trip to Holland and looking forward to her visit to the Keurkuf (tulip festival) this weekend.

This week, we wish a happy birthday to Kerry Diebold on April 13, Colin Howson on April 18 and Bryce Glousher on April 19. Hope everyone enjoys their special day!

Clayton Peters from Camp Menestung told the Blyth United Church on Sunday about the value of friendship and how camp can provide that for kids. On Monday, the keynote speaker on the P.A. Day talked about the importance of human connection, not only to kids but to all of us. It makes me think how lucky we are to live in the area we do, where there are all kinds of opportunities to be connected to those around us.

The United Church still has a few beef pies if you would like to order.

Heffer ‘looking forward to’ training Continued from page 1 about the impending event. “I’m happy that staff is looking at this as an opportunity, as opposed to seeing it as extra work to be avoided.” Wright also requested more details on how to relay important information about the exercise to North Huron’s civilian population.

Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer had an answer to Wright’s query -

the Canadian military has informed the township that it will be handling all public communication efforts.

“We have been assured on many occasions that they are in control of that, but as we all sit around here, we’ve got four weeks to go and we have yet to hear anything.

Unfortunately, that is in the arms and the eyes and the hands of the Canadian Armed Forces, and they work in mysterious ways.”

Councillor Chris Palmer also expressed enthusiasm for the future occurrence. “I’m pleased this is happening. And it’s going to occur before the big camping season starts... and maybe local businesses will benefit from all these soldiers running around.” Palmer also asked if a notice about the exercise could be posted on the North Huron website and was informed by Evans that they were to wait for

The Reading Web with Cindy Norgate

H

onesty: this was our character word this week at Hullett Central Public School. It seems simple enough, but my husband and I heard a piece from the CBC program, Ontario Today, about children and lying. It was quite interesting. Have you ever thought about how parents sometimes lie to children and how it affects them?

An article by the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education entitled, “Parental Lying May Have Longterm Effects on Children’s Wellbeing”, in January of this year.

“Their findings, published recently in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science, show parental lying to be very common around the world. More than 80 per cent of parents admitted to having lied to their children, and over 90 per cent of adults reported their parents having lied to them at some point in childhood.” Further, the article also found the greater exposure to parenting lies the “increased chance of teenagers lying to parents, anxiety, depression, and poor attachment.”

Is it always easy to not tell “simple white lies” to your children? Of course not! I am not sure if I 100 per cent agree with study, but I did find it interesting, so I wanted to share it with you.

On another topic, I have been

thinking about how to keep children engaged in learning during the summer. You might be asking, “Why is this important? Don’t children need a break?” Of course they do, however, they have no instruction for two months, and young, developing brains tend to lose information if it is not repeated.

In fact, the Canada Centre for ADHD Awareness wrote an article entitled, “Curtailing Your Child’s Summer Brain Drain”. It states, “Children can lose up to 40 per cent of the learning gains they have made over the school year if stimulating learning opportunities halt over the summer months. There’s extensive neuroscience research evidence that taking an extended break from learning during the summer can impact students’ retention and engagement for the next school year according to research published in the American Educational Research Journal.”

Summer learning, in no way, means it can’t be fun and entertaining. In fact, I taught summer school last year, and we learned a lot, but we also made sure the children had a fun and a relaxing time as well.

So, you see, the continuation of learning throughout the summer is a win-win situation. Your child won’t lose information retained during the school year, but he

or she will also enjoy the summer break.

In future articles, I hope to share with you a tip or two each week for summer learning. For our reading this week, I want to encourage you to order a subscription to Highlights Summer Big Fun Workbook by Penguin Random House. According to the publisher’s website, “Organized week-by-week and aligned with state standards, kids will love the puzzles that make skills-practice fun plus the bonus pull-out hidden pictures progress poster, fun reward stickers, award certificate and the extra activities that they can take outdoors.” There are different age groups to choose from.

Check it out at penguinrandomhouse.ca and search for “Highlights Summer Learning”.

As I leave it here for this week, I hope you will begin to plan fun activities for July and August with your child, and I will help you. Fun learning activities do not have to cost a great deal, and the head start your child will get will be priceless.

Remember, it is your attitude about it that will command the success of the situation. I’m always cheering for you. You can do this!

“Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you will ever have is your mind and what you put into it.” - Albert Einstein

instructions from the Military Liaison.

Reeve Paul Heffer concluded the discussion by commenting that “they’re protecting our country, and I trust that they know what they’re doing. I guess that’s why we’re here, and they’re out there... it’s going to be a busy time for sure, and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Residents are encouraged to check social media and stay tuned to their radios for more details as the exercise draws nearer.

Looking ahead, the church is having a drive-thru supper on Saturday, May 11 for Mother’s Day. If there is anything special you would like to see mentioned in this column, please e-mail mcraig1@tcc.on.ca or call 519-5258640 (evenings only please).

Until next week, take care of yourselves and each other.

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Blyth Festival Art Gallery features student artwork

Young and talented The Blyth Festival Art Gallery’s annual Student Show opened on Saturday, April 6. The exhibit features remarkable and diverse artwork created by local students.

(Scott Stephenson photos)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The Blyth Festival Art Gallery’s 2024 season kicked off on Saturday with one of the village’s most electric and eclectic events - the opening night of the annual Student Art Show.

Each year, students and their teachers from high schools in Wingham, Goderich, Clinton and beyond assemble the work of their respective school’s cream of the art crop and ferry it to Blyth’s Bainton Gallery.

This year’s acts of artistic expression are rendered in an impressive array of mediums: traditional paintings, scrappy collages, digital art, experimental sculptures and more are all on display at the gallery, each one contributing its own unique energy to the collective cacophony of creativity.

Elly McRae of Goderich District Collegiate Institute (GDCI) offered up a real showstopper with her painting “Streetlight Reflections”, which depicts downtown Goderich on a rainy night. Jorja Kirkpatrick of Listowel District Secondary School (LDSS) struck some pop art notes with a whimsical foam sandwich sculpture entitled “Lunch at Sandy's Diner”. Abigale

Thackeray, also of GDCI, displayed some real beadwork chops with “Belcher Siblings”. Amber Elizinga of Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) transformed clay and acrylic paint into the impressively realistic “Blue-ring Octopus”. Every person in attendance seemed to be drawn towards a different piece.

President of the Gallery Committee Carl Stevenson shared his feelings about the importance of the show. “Once again, all you artists have done a fantastic job. I tell everyone that this is my favourite show of the year, and it always is - you guys just keep bringing it, every year. It seems like the art is getting stronger and stronger every year, and it’s just a thrill to be able to come in and work with it and hang it... fantastic job!”

When it comes to the individual physical spaces that come together to form the “Voltron” of rural creativity that is the Blyth Centre for the Arts, it can be easy to overlook the Bainton Gallery, which has housed a countless variety of visual art exhibitions for almost as many years as actors have been treading the Festival’s theatrical boards. It’s easy to understand why - when not in use, the nondescript white rectangle of a room, tucked in off to the side of

the theatre, pales at first glance when compared to the lovingly restored and historically significant Memorial Hall or the marvelously modern construction of the Harvest Stage.

But the Bainton Gallery’s unassuming attitude is also its greatest strength. In the past few years, there has been some absolutely knock-out art amplified by the simple surprise that is the incongruous space of a gallery that is best experienced by happenstance. One week, the little gallery’s white walls and cool light brings out the sheen of comforting isolation of Edo-period Japan in Rob Tetu’s pottery, the next week, the same space infuses even more air and light into one of Hannah Dickie’s photos of an Amish barn.

The enduring power of the gallery is never more evident than

during the Student Art Show. The depth and breadth of the unfettered talent on display never ceases to amaze family, friends and art aficionados alike. There is also an aura of great potential and newfound legitimacy swirling over the whole exhibition. Many of the young artists who contributed to the show are displaying their work publicly for the first time - an important step on the path of any artist. Having work hanging in a real gallery space can be the thrilling moment when an artist begins to really think of themselves as an artist for the first time.

While the main purpose of the show is just putting art out into the community, it is also a judged competition. This year, the prizes were provided by a new local sponsor and behemoth of the semolina flour industry - Howson

and Howson, which is located just down the street from the gallery.

Rick Howson attended the event to present winners with their welldeserved rewards.

Rachael King, the General Manager of the Blyth Centre for the Arts, addressed all the artists who contributed to the show before announcing the winners. “I have the grand pleasure of thanking all the artists who took the time and used their creativity and were brave and provided this fantastic art that is on the walls and breathing life into this place to start the Festival’s 50th anniversary. And thanks to the parents that have supported these folks - that’s not something small.

We are so grateful that you have fostered the talent that we’re seeing. And, of course, the teachers who have brought it all together.”

While many of the students have chosen not to put their work up for sale this year, there are still a few pieces available for purchase for anybody looking to make a smart investment in the future of art.

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Devon Henry 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

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Saturday, May 11th, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. Seaforth Lions Pool Tickets available from Optimist Club Members, & Blooms ’n Rooms Licence # M834991

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 9.

Student Sculpture Garden opens in Clinton

Sculpted Above, students from across Huron and Perth Counties cut the red ribbon at a ceremony marking the grand opening of the Student Sculpture Garden at Millenium Park in Clinton on Thursday, April 4. “Jellyfish” by students at Listowel District Secondary School is featured in the centre. Left, “Ducks and Cattails” by students at Central Huron Secondary School. Right, young sculpture enthusiasts appreciate “Flowers” by (Scott students at St. Anne’s Secondary School.

Stephenson photos)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Thursday, April 4, witnessed Clinton in a whirlwind of excitement as it officially unveiled the much-anticipated Student Sculpture Garden at Millennium Park. Despite drizzly weather conditions, the afternoon launch drew a sizable crowd, highlighting the community’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and creativity.

The project, honoured with the “Rural Excellency Award” from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), showcases original metal sculptures by local students, serving as both artistic landmarks and symbols of youth creativity and community spirit.

“We made the ducks and the cattails,” said Tanner Brooks, a Grade 11 student from Central Huron Secondary School, reflecting his team’s innovative approach.

“We thought it was something unique that hasn’t been done.”

Grade 12 students Deagan Keats and Tristan Dietrich from Listowel District Secondary School shared insights into sculpting a jellyfish, noting its evolution and room for improvement. “We did some tweaks on it from the original plan,” explained Dietrich. “The sculpture portion at the top was just flat metal, so we added little holes in it to add more character,” he elaborated.

Grade 11 student, Laura van Nes from St. Anne’s Catholic School, discussed creating a flower sculpture. “It’s alright,” she commented on the finished product, hinting at further improvements needed to meet her personal level of satisfaction.

Central Huron Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela

Smith, the driving force behind the initiative, emphasized the project’s significance. “Clinton didn’t have any sculptures. So, I thought we have two high schools with welding classes - maybe they could make some sculptures. As with any idea, it just kept growing and growing and growing,” she shared. The scope of the project expanded to include other schools in the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.

Limited budget availability for materials required Smith to find alternative sources of funding. “I went to Huron County Economic Development and applied for a grant. So I got a [Supporting Local Economic Development] grant. I went to Huron Manufacturing Association and their members and they kicked in money…I was able to go back and offer every school $500 for supplies and then they were asked to create a sculpture. In the end, we have an entire public art exhibit made entirely by students, while training them for actual postsecondary jobs.”

Smith continued, “On top of that, we’ve had professional lighting installed that is computerized. So [the sculptures] will be lit up in the same colours as important buildings are across the country. For example, last weekend, the military asked all buildings across the country that are lit up to change their colours to blue. So, the CN Tower, Niagara Falls - the big spots - were all asked to light up in blue. Well, here in Clinton we got asked to also light up in blue. We’ve gotten on the radar of these large celebrations.

Every time there is a large national celebration, these sculptures that these kids made will be lit up in those colours as a landmark as much as the CN Tower.”

Impressed by the efforts of the young sculptors, Smith beamed.

“The results are incredible. The students were asked to create a metal sculpture. There were no guidelines around it at all. It was left up to their creativity. As you can see, every one of them is

completely different, very unique.

Some of them are recycled materials - the jellyfish, for example, is made out of bicycle parts. I think we’ve got an incredible public display.”

Smith is hopeful that the initiative may continue to evolve. “I’m working on a little project to possibly animate these sculptures, so I’ll keep you posted.”

Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn commended the students’ efforts, acknowledging the skill and dedication required. “It’s always impressive to see what some of our young people can do,” he remarked.

“A lot of work goes into it - quite a skill set! The fact that you can display public art in a form that’s going to last for years and years and years, I think is a real tribute,” he added, praising the enduring nature of the sculptures.

Huron-Bruce Member of Parliament Ben Lobb commented on the project’s role in showcasing students’ potential in the trades.

“There’s a lot of talent here and they are great little designs,” he noted, highlighting the importance of practical skills in complementing classroom learning. “Public art is a reflection of the individual, it’s a reflection of the community and, in a way, it’s also a reflection of the time, the era, that you’re going through,” he elaborated, linking the project to broader societal themes.

Smith summed up the importance of projects like the Student Sculpture Garden. “We just need to train these kids and make them aware that they can stay [in Huron and Perth Counties] and have these incredible careers.”

The culmination of the event saw the students involved in the project gather to officially unveil their work to the public. Amidst the backdrop of their creations, they ceremoniously cut a red ribbon, symbolizing the grand opening of the Student Sculpture Garden. This moment not only marked the fruition of months of hard work but also signified the beginning of a new chapter in Clinton’s artistic landscape.

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

Then you’ll love sudoku. This mindbending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Sports

U13 HL Heat WOGHL champions with Lucan win

A day to remember On Saturday in Clinton, the U13 HL Huron Heat won the Western Ontario Girls’ Hockey League final over the Lucan Irish by a score of 4-0, capping off a tremendous season for the team, seen above in their locker room after the win, below to the right in the seconds following a Jordan Shannon goal, and players commemorating the moment, such as (John Stephenson coach Nathan Shannon of Blyth with daughters Jordan, left, and Kyla. photos)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This weekend, six Huron Heat teams will be making their way to the Toronto area for the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) provincial finals with hopes of returning with gold medals around their necks.

The U11 BB Huron Heat play their first provincial championship game in Ajax at 8 a.m. on Friday,

Georgina Golden Hawks later that night.

The tournament continues for the five teams on Saturday, April 13.

The U11 BB Heat will play the Kanata Rangers, the U11 C Heat will also play a Kanata Rangers team, the U13 BB Heat will play the Sudbury Lady Wolves, the U13 C Heat will play the Lucan Irish and the U15 C Heat will play the Ilderton Jets. If successful, the teams will then play for a spot on the podium on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, April 13, the U9 B Heat will join the mix, beginning their year-end tournament in Brampton with games against the Gloucester Cumberland Stars and the Brantford Ice Cats followed by games on Sunday, April 14 against the Burlington Barracudas and the Durham West Lightning.

Looking back, the U13 HL Heat won their Western Ontario Girls’ Hockey League (WOGHL) provincial championship game over the Lucan Irish in Clinton by a score of 4-0, capping off a remarkable season for the team that ended with a record of 29-11-2 and that provincial championship.

Also on the weekend, the U9 C Huron Heat played in their year-end tournament over the weekend of April 5-7 in St. Marys, opening

with a 3-1 victory over the Woodstock Wildcats on April 5 and followed by a 2-0 loss to the Lucan Irish later that afternoon.

The next day, the Heat played the Sarnia Lady Sting and lost by a score of 6-1. The team would then play one last game on Sunday, April 7, taking on the Chatham-Kent Crush and beating them by a score of 4-0.

Also on Saturday, April 6, the U13 BB Heat beat the Mooretown Lady Flags by a score of 3-1 in an exhibition game in Goderich, while the U7 team played the Waterloo Ravens on the road, though a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

On Monday, April 8, the U11 BB Heat played an exhibition game with the Kincardine Kinucks on the road, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

Looking beyond the year-end tournaments for the Heat, there is an equipment and jersey return session scheduled for 7-8 p.m. on Monday, April 15 at the Central Huron Community Complex in Clinton. Then, on Wednesday, April 17, try-outs begin for the 2024/2025 season with sessions scheduled over the subsequent two weeks, all in Goderich at the Maitland Recreation Centre, also known as the YMCA.

April 12 against the Toronto Leaside Wildcats, followed by a contest with the Scarborough Sharks that afternoon.

Also on Friday, the U11 C Heat begin their quest for a provincial championship in Mississauga, first playing the Belmont Blazers at 8:15 a.m. and then the Lakeshore Lightning that afternoon.

The U13 BB Heat, also in Mississauga, will begin their yearend tournament with a game against the North Halton Twisters, also at 8:15 a.m. on Friday with an early afternoon game against the Toronto Leaside Wildcats to follow.

In Brampton, the U13 C Heat will play the Sault Ste. Marie Wildcats at 9:15 a.m. on Friday morning, followed by a 3:45 p.m. game with the Fort Frances Leafs, both on Friday.

The final Huron Heat team to begin its provincial year-end tournament on Friday is the U15 C Heat, who will play the Wilmot Wolverines in Oakville at 2:45 p.m. to open the tournament, followed by a 9:15 p.m. game with the

S T E K C I T SHOW UT O D L O S

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 11.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice e.ca

Threshers’ blessing needed for soccer field: NH staff

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

North Huron Council received a report from Director of Public Works and Facilities Gregg Furtney in regards to a request from the Blyth Kids Club to construct a soccer field on the Blyth Campground. The club’s estimated cost to construct the field is $75,000, not including taxes or design.

The request from the Kids Club was made before the township’s new acceptance of donations and fundraising policy came into place on March 4. Staff believes that the cost of design would be between $10,000 and $15,000. No funds were allocated for the proposed project in the 2024 budget.

Furtney’s report cited North Huron’s 2021 Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Culture, which recommends an investigation into the feasibility of various soccer organizations consolidating their schedules with the goal of removing the township’s obligation to maintain an existing field in Morris-Turnberry. The township would work to secure long-term access to existing school fields while considering options for acquiring new land or repurposing existing municipal land for a field.

Staff’s proposed options include encouraging the Blyth Kids Club to partner with a registered non-profit organization to raise their own funds, funding some or all of the project with reserve funds, deferring the decision or taking no further action. A letter of approval from the Huron Pioneer Threshers and Hobby Association (HPTHA) would be required before the project could move forward, if council chose that option.

Staff has not yet begun working to secure long-term access to the school fields. “North Huron owns the campground, so it will be up to us to decide what is best for the municipality,” said Furtney.

Councillor Mitch Wright commented that, while he supports the idea of a field in Blyth, council had already made the decision to leave it out of the 2024 budget. “We already went through our budget process recently and we identified which 2024 projects we are going to do - this wasn’t on the list. I don’t think we should be rehashing it again so soon. And also, we just put in our new policy in regards to how groups like this can work with the municipality by presenting a proposal for partial fundraising so it becomes a shared responsibility between the local group that wants the facility and, of course, council’s

use of taxpayers’ funds.” Wright put forth the idea that the Kids Club could use the new fundraising policy to canvas for potential local donations, and present a new proposal to council so it could be considered as a possible project for the 2025 budget.

Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer pointed out that Wright’s idea was very similar to staff’s first option, adding that North Huron would have “to designate a certain square footage where they could put it.

That being said, of the soccer associations currently in North Huron, the northern wards have had access to four fields throughout the township, and one outside the township, for many years - the ones in the southern and the Blyth ward have not had any municipal participants in any of the soccer facilities - I’ve seen the need and I’ve seen the passion of the personnel of the Blyth Club putting their time and effort in - they’ve made the teams, they’ve obtained the equipment, they’re just looking for a flat surface for the kids to run on... The facility is not being utilized to its full potential. It’s one week a year that it is fully used.

North Huron has no cash value in any children’s park in Blyth Ward... that’s been left to service groups.

This would be nothing less than

allowing another service group to provide that facility for us... my own personal opinion is that any asset of North Huron we own should be fully subsidized by North Huron, and kept up to the best of the ability of that asset, or not have it.”

Councillor Chris Palmer advocated for encouraging the club to find a community partner that would work with it to raise funds locally. “Maybe they already have a partner, I don’t know. But it would be nice for that to happen - it’s a start... we can’t do anything as far as budgetary means this year anyway, and fundraising always takes time, so it’ll give them time for that.” Palmer also voiced concerns about whether or not the plethora of antique tractors that occupy the campground during the annual HPTHA reunion would impact the longevity of the field.

“You can’t even park cars on a soccer field,” he said. “We’d have to make sure that Threshers are alright with setting that bit aside and to not utilize it - that’s the only way to make a field resilient.” He also pointed out that at least one of the school fields is in a state of disrepair. “It was not done properly... it doesn’t grow well, and it’s pockmarked. The kids have trouble there.”

Falconer argued that less concern should be focused on the HPTHA. “The property we’re talking about is owned by North Huron. It’s rented for a week by a non-profit organization. The other 51 weeks of the year, it’s the responsibility of North Huron to maintain, cut and do with it what we will. The square footage of what Threshers uses has been shrinking for many years.

They don’t use the full camping grounds, and the gravel spaces are where the tractors and steam engines go. There’s many spaces there - it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to find suitable square footage for a soccer field that’s not in use... our responsibility is to our taxpayers, not to the organization that rents it.”

He went on to point out that the two organizations were already in talks about accommodating both the field and the steam engines, and were close to an agreement.

Clerk Carson Lamb drafted a motion for council to support the report’s first option - encouraging the Kids Club to partner with a registered non-profit organization in order to raise 100 per cent of the funds themselves, with staff offering suggestions of grants for which they could apply. The motion passed unanimously.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK REPORT For the week ending April 5, 2024 Total Receipts: 2,080 cattle, 758 lambs and goats Tuesday – Fed cattle sold on a slightly easier market with quality considered.

Cows sold fully steady.

Thursday – Veal sold steady. Lambs, sheep and goats sold on a strong active trade at steady prices.

Friday – Calves and yearlings sold steady.

Fed Cattle: There were 75 fed cattle on offer.

Choice Fed Cattle: $239 – $249 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $228 – $238 Aged and Medium Fed Cattle: $215 – $220 Holstein Fed Cattle: $170 – $225 Neil Weppler of Ayton, consigned nine head. Two fed steers averaged 1,590 lbs. and sold for an average price of $241. One fed heifer weighed 1,380 lbs. and sold for $249.

Dennis and Doug Johnston of Holyrood, consigned three head. One black cow weighed 1,595 lbs. and sold for $180.

Terpstra Farms Ltd. of Brussels, consigned 15 head. One holstein cow weighed 1,240 lbs. and sold for $173.

Sheep: $115 – $210 up to $235 John Wharry of Paisley, consigned 74 head. Ten lambs averaged 72 lbs. and sold for an average price of $465.

Justin Shortreed of Walton, consigned 14 head. Six lambs averaged 88 lbs. and sold for an average price of $449.

Veal: There were 155 veal on offer.

Beef Veal: $270 – $285 Good Holsteins: $240 – $250 SL Heavy Holsteins: $235 – $245 Heavy Holsteins: $210 – $235 Medium Holsteins: $225 – $239 Plain Holsteins: $210 – $224 Drop Calves: $625 – $1,085 / HEAD RG Harris Farms Ltd. of Ripley, consigned five head. One blue cross veal weighed 945 lbs. and sold for $285.

Bennewies Livestock Inc. of Bornholm, consigned three head. One holstein veal weighed 730 lbs. and sold for $250.

Cows: There were 225 cows on offer:

Lambs:

Beef Cows: $140 – $165 Good Holstein Cows:$ 140 – $165 up to $173 Medium Holstein Cows: $126 – $139 Bulls: $174.50 – $201 Fed Cows: $170 – $210

Under 50 lbs.: $450 – $480 50-64 lbs.: $430 – $465 65-79 lbs.: $442 – $465 80-94 lbs.: $420 – $450 95-109 lbs.: $367.50 – $415 110 lbs. and over: $285 – $335 up to $385

Goats: Meat Kids: $590 – $620 Dairy Kids: $450 – $590 Mature Bucks: $300 – $400 Mature Does: $166 – $300 Markus Gaehwiler of New Liskeard, consigned 12 head. Six kid goats averaged 61 lbs. and sold for an average price of $611.

Johannes Poganatz of Wallaceberg, consigned 13 head. Three kid goats averaged 57 lbs. and sold for an average price of $612.50.

Stockers: There were 1,625 stockers on offer.

Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: $415 – $475 400 – 499 lbs.: $405 – $460 500 – 599 lbs.: $390 – $441 600 – 699 lbs.: $351 – $415.25 up to $431 700 – 799 lbs.: $307.50 – $380 800 – 899 lbs.: $320 – $369 900 – 999 lbs.: $290 – $329.50 up to $331 1,000 lbs. and over: $289.50 – $309.25 up to $312 Top Quality Heifers: Under 400 lbs.: $360 – $475 400 – 499 lbs.: $375 – $405 up to $425 500 – 599 lbs.: $344 – $421 600 – 699 lbs.: $283 – $376 up to $384 700 – 799 lbs.: $281 – $325 800 – 899 lbs.: $284 – $318 900 lbs. and over: $259.50 – $300 up to 316.50.

Elias S. Weber of Wroxeter, consigned 29 head. Six charolais heifers averaged 606 lbs. and sold for an average price of $376.

Glen Roney of Mitchell, consigned 25 head. Twelve black heifers averaged 793 lbs. and sold for an average price of $325.

Nathanael W. Martin of Wroxeter, consigned 35 head. Twenty-one charolais heifers averaged 933 lbs. and sold for an average price of $316.50.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES

Riddell Farms of Dundalk, consigned 22 head. Fifteen charolais steers averaged 661 lbs. and sold for an average price of $416.25.

10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

Angus M. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned eight head. Seven charolais steers averaged 803 lbs. and sold for an average price of $369

9:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

Joseph Bearinger of Harriston, consigned eight head. Eight charolais steers averaged 936 lbs. and sold for an average price of $329.50.

TUESDAYS THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS

10:00 a.m. Stockers Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Zweps return from U.S. trip PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Making progress Sheila Smith from the North Woods Elementary School’s parent council was the guest speaker at Saturday night’s Brussels Optimist Club’s annual spring dinner and auction. Fundraising for new playground equipment at the school was the chosen cause for the night. The auction made over $70,000, which is up by $11,000 from last year, though the net profit has yet to be calculated. Fundraising for the playground is now 64 per cent of the way to its goal. (John Stephenson photo)

The week began with a P.A. Day for students. It was scheduled so children would not be at school or on the bus when the eclipse happened.

Coffee Hour at Walton Hall is returning this week on Saturday, April 13. We have a special guest in Neil McGavin and some of his DVDs of the events around Walton.

Remember it is the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Drop by from 9-10:30 a.m. and have a visit with old friends and maybe meet some new friends.

George and Harry Zwep thought they would have a quick getaway before spring planting season and headed for warmer weather. Their “winter” bike trip had them heading for Hillsboro, Ohio. They parked the truck and trailer and headed out from there.

They rode through Kentucky and travelled parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest. From there, they headed to Tennessee and went through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, which is about a mile long.

They then headed for Georgia to see

the Cloudland Canyon Falls before visiting the Little River Canyon in Alabama. North Carolina was the last state they rode through before heading back to Ohio.

It was a very scenic trip, particularly through the parts of the Smoky Mountains range. They travelled about 2,500 kilometres and had great weather while away.

Welcome back to the Zwep boys!

We are glad to hear that Barb McLellan is feeling much better.

She suffered a gallbladder attack and it was serious enough that they removed her gallbladder immediately. This happened just prior to heading west for a holiday with family, but Barb came through with flying colours and could go.

Having very special visitors for 10 days over Easter were Don and Dale Chesher. Their daughter Melody and her children Quinn and Alexa were here for a visit from Switzerland. They enjoyed a lovely Easter with their extended Cardiff family and enjoyed seeing them.

The children were entertained with some creative crafts and had a very fun time and lots of laughs together.

Another family had visitors, this time from New Brunswick, over the Easter holiday. Brad Knight and Christine had a visit with Janine Knight and baby Noa. They had a nice visit and then Janine met a friend for Easter dinner.

Max and Barb McLellan have returned from a week’s holiday in Vancouver visiting daughter Candace and husband Jay and boys

Pierce and Preston. They had great weather and the cherry blossoms were out, making it a sweet smelling time. They also went to the Vancouver Aquarium and to Granville Island, where there is a massive market.

Celebrating birthdays this past week include Colleen McCallum Bromley, Savannah Bowers, McKinley Janmaat, Donna Hannon, Stephen Gulutzen, Shelley McGavin, Doug J. Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Wayne Regele, Myer Braecker, Kevin Wilbee, Marie McGavin, Heather Dunbar, Shannon Craig, Cole Zwep and Kathryn Emmrich Johnston.

NEWS FROM WALTON

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 13.

From the Minister’s Study

‘Doubting’ Thomas seen as relatable believer

By Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector, The Regional Ministry of Hope So, here we are in the first week after Easter Sunday.

Almost everyone has heard the story of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. John’s gospel tells another story about the disciple Thomas, who has difficulty coming to grips with believing about Jesus’ coming back to life.

It’s now the evening on that first Easter Day, and the women who discovered that Jesus’ body is missing are told by an angel that Jesus has risen from the grave, and they are to go and tell the male disciples. John’s gospel tells us that, later that same evening, Jesus just turns up amongst the frightened disciples, who have locked themselves behind closed doors because they were afraid of what may happen to them. After all, their leader had been crucified as a criminal of the state, what might their fate be?

And then Jesus just shows up in the disciples’ midst, out of nowhere, showing them his wounds. And now the men believe what the women told them, yes this is Jesus, risen from the dead; what better evidence do you need? Seeing is believing!

Then Jesus breathes upon them, filling them with his Holy Spirit!

Imagine their elation; the Lord is alive, risen from the grave, and his Spirit is upon us!

Now, Thomas wasn’t there when all this goes down. So when Thomas later does join up with them, the disciples, spiritually and emotionally renewed from their encounter with Jesus, tell him: “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas is not being taken in by this pronouncement, maybe wondering if they’d gotten into the wine while he was gone.

Remember, he wasn’t there when the women came with their extraordinary news; he wasn’t there when Jesus just showed up in the room with the others. I think Thomas’ skepticism is understandable, given the situation.

There was nothing more that they all wanted than to have Jesus be alive! They were devastated and lost by his death; they don’t know what to do now without him to lead them, and they fear for their own safety. But unless Thomas sees for himself, he’s not going to be taken in because, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is except when it comes to God’s love!

God is the exception to that rule.

God’s grace and love go beyond

anything we can ever think humanly possible, because God’s immensity is beyond anything we with our limited human perceptions can ever imagine! Jesus, out of his love for humanity, knowingly and willingly went through the whole Good Friday horrors; he knew that his ministry, his behaviours, preaching and teaching would result in his being killed. But he also knew that he would rise again, come back to his disciples again!

Death is not the final answer, evil does not win in the end! Jesus rising from death teaches us that out of death comes new life. God and God’s love in Christ reigns supreme!

Now, let’s get back to Thomas.

He lives with his skepticism for a full week before Jesus returned to the group, again behind closed doors. I bet that was a long week for Thomas - we can only imagine his thoughts - wondering if his friends really were all crazy, or if had they been duped by someone, or whether he was the crazy one to not believe what his friends actually believed was true, or maybe berating himself

for coming late to the gathering and missing Jesus. Is Thomas maybe even yearning to believe that it could be for real, that Jesus really is alive?

I think Thomas has gotten a bit of a bum rap all these years, negatively labelled as “Doubting Thomas”. Personally, I like him, he’s the one who is not afraid to step up, to put words to concerns that the others can’t or won’t.

Remember when Jesus said he was going to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead? The disciples warned him not to go, because the last time Jesus was in Bethany, the people tried to stone him to death. And what does Thomas say? Well guys, if he’s going, let’s us go and die with him.

He understands that Jesus needs to go and supports him. He encourages the others to support him, even if he’s not 100 per cent certain just why Jesus needs to go.

Jesus was then trying to explain, before his crucifixion, that he knew his time to leave them was coming, and he would go to his Father, and that his Father’s house had many

The Regional Ministry of Hope Come Worship with Us! Trinity Anglican BLYTH 9:00 AM

St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican WINGHAM 11:00 AM

519-357-7781 • email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca www.regionalministryofhope.com Weekly service live-streamed at 11:00 a.m. on our Facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

BRUSSELS S

Evangelical Missionary Church

So, a week or so later, Jesus reappears to the group of disciples and goes right to Thomas, the one who was not afraid to question, to wonder, to yearn. Jesus offers himself and presents his scarred body for Thomas, even to touch if he wanted to, giving him the reassurance that he needed to believe, and once again, presents them all with his peace.

I think John records Thomas’ experience for all the skeptics who will not experience the presence of Jesus like those first disciples did.

Verses 30-31 state, “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

These two verses, many scholars believe, are the original ending of Continued on page 15

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship God’s Word is a

lamp to my feet

Welcomes you to Worship with us 10:00 am Worship Service 11:15 am Sunday School for all ages

Interim Pastor Elwin Garland 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

U United Chu ur urch Join J oin us at at W Worship orship orship Sunday, Sunday y,, April April 14, 14 4, 9:30 a.m.

ALL ARE WELCOM ME, COME BE PART OF OUR FAITH H COMMUNITY “Games Ti Tim me” April 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Last call to registe er for Photo Directory 887-9231 Contact Alex at ministter.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com y @g Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca b brusselsandblythuc ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259 P.

Londesborough United Church 338 King’s Rd., Londesborough 519-523-4225 Worship Time & Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Sunday April 14, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Mike Stanley preaching on Nehemiah 1, "Introduction to Nehemiah - Part 1"

rooms. So, when their time came to go to the Father, he would come to get them, so they needn’t worry. It was Thomas who put voice to the question, “how do we find that Lord when we don’t know the way?”

Thomas wanted to be with Jesus, with the Father. He wanted to ensure that he knew the way, when he wasn’t sure of it. Now, that’s faith, Thomas wasn’t a doubter, he was a believer!

Which one of us has not had these same questions? Which one of us has not wondered where Jesus was when we felt alone, anxious or worried, or wondered just where Jesus was in our lives - if anywhere at all? And just how do we find the way to God? Thomas gives voice to that - he was not afraid to ask Jesus directly. And Jesus responds to Thomas. Jesus doesn’t berate him for asking, he tells him that he is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14.6) We find God in and through Christ.

Everyone Welcome

Sunday, April 14, 2024 11:00 am - 12 noon We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Rev. Jan Mclnnes leads us in worship, prayer, and praise to God. Coffee, snacks, and a time for visiting will follow the servicee.

Soup & More 2 Join us every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch. This free meal is made possible by the Brussels churches and many volunteers working together to serve our community. c All are welcome!

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512 2

Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels Childcare and Sunday School provided for children 0 to 8 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

Blyth United Churrch Sunday Service at 11:00 am “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherrd d lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Nursery & Sunday School during worship On-site and online - live.huronchapel.com Sat. Apr. 13, 9-3:15 Men's Event "Stopping Online Sin" Register at tinyurl.com/pornsos2024

119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

The outreach project for April is Camp Menesetungg Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churche es blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

Services are live-streamed and can be found by searching n “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, APRIL 12, 2024

Classified Advertising Coming events Services

– RATES – 20 words or less only $9.00 + HST Additional words 25¢ ea. + HST

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Tuesday Phone 519-523-4792 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 15 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-274-1236, 519441-2085.

-------------------------------------------Shade trees, Spruce, White Pine, Cedars, windbreaks and privacy hedges, Shrubs, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet & sour Cherry Trees at (Emanuel E.M. Martin) Martin's Nursery 42661 Orangehill Rd, Wroxeter ON N0G 2X0 -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations - Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Variety, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal's YIG (Wingham), Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, Fincher's (Goderich), Goderich Victoria St Shell, Canadian Tire Gas Bar, Goderich and The Citizen office in Blyth.

-------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 $5.00, 5x7 - $6.00, 8x10 - $10.00.

Phone to order 519-523-4792 or email info@northhuron.on.ca

SPRING TAKE-OUT LUNCH, Tuesday, April 16, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth. Pork tenderloin lunch with dessert, $12 per person.

Ordering deadline: Monday, April 15. To order call 519-523-9396 or email: mcgregor@ezlink.ca -------------------------------------------Wingham Hospital Rummage Sale at the Wingham Legion, Wednesday April 17 2 to 6 p.m. and Thursday April 18 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Seasonal clothing can be dropped off Wednesday until noon at the Legion.

Pickup of articles call Lois 519-3573326. Articleswe need are seasonal clothing, small household items, books, toys, puzzles, jewellery etc.

No furniture or electronics please.

Support your local Wingham Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

--------------------------------------------

Come and Go Community Bridal Shower for

Upcoming auction Upcoming auction

INCOME TAX PREPARATION – farm, business, personal. Stephen Thompson, 519-482-3244.

--------------------------------------------

LARGE CLEARING AUCTION SALE of Tractors, Pickup Truck, Trailers, Equipment, Shop Tools, Some Household and Miscellaneous Items

Local Coverage Where You Wo Work, Play & Live

To be held for

Stan Marks

Saturday, April 20 at 9:30 am 4 km West of Brussels on Morris Rd. Em # 41719

Catch up on sports, shoppinng deals, restaurants, events, new businesses, politics, joob openings, homes for salee, cars for sale and more witth your local newspaper!

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fiancée of Brian Brophy on

www.huroncitizen.ca

Sunday, April 21 at 2-4 pm at the Brussels Optimist Club

Help wanted Help wanted Wingham United Church

Coming events

located in Wingham, Ontario is currently seeking to fill the part-time vacancy of:

Londesboro & District Lions Club Old Tyme Country Breakfast Sunday, April 21, 2024, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Londesborough Community Hall Adults $12.00, Children under 12, $6.00 Proceeds to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

-------------------------------------------McIntosh United Church presents their Annual Gospel Evening, Sunday, April 21, 2024. Featuring “The Bushell Family” and “The McIntosh Singers and Quartet”.

Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show time 7:00 p.m. Freewill offering.

McIntosh United Church is located at the corner of McIntosh Line and Huron Bruce Rd. 6 km east of Belmore.

-------------------------------------------KARATE! IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL CLASSES AVAILABLE SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS Self-defense, Self-discipline, Selfconfidence.GROUP CLASSES FOR AGES 4 TO ADULT Taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and 12X World Karate Champion. Location Fresh Wind Revival Centre - 21 Lloyd Street, Wingham. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ONLY $85 +HST FOR 8 WEEKS. Uniform extra. Special ends May 1. Regular price $105 +HST Call 519-580-1418 or e-mail becky_schweitzer@hotmail.com www.schweitzersmartialarts.com

Are you a stay-at-home mom looking to get out of the house while your “littles” are at school?

Do you want to pick up some extra part-time work?

Are you friendly and enjoy meeting people while creating a warm and welcoming environment?

Do you have bookkeeping and office administration experience?

Tractors: 2014 KUBOTA L4060 4wd HST cab air heat 2 remotes w/LA805 loader, has skid steer quick attach & 6ft material bucket, 1,120 hrs. (bought new, excellent condition) pallet forks sell separate, FORD SUPER MAJOR 5000 (runs nice). 2020 KUBOTA Z724X 54 inch zero turn mower 376 hrs. (bought new, excellent condition).

Pickup Truck, Trailers, Shed & Container: 2012 FORD F150 XLT single cab 2wd pickup 263,050 km (bought new, runs good sells as is, tool box not included). 8ft long x 7.6ft wide hydraulic dump trailer, 2 - 6ft x 10ft utility trailers, 4ft x 8ft utility trailer, 10ft x 12ft hip roof utility shed, 8ft x 20ft storage container (good floor & roof).

Equipment: LUCKNOW 7ft 3ph single auger snow blower w/ hydraulic hood, 5ft bush hog, 16ft x 8ft flat rack wagon on Joe’s running gear, 7ft 3ph scraper blade, 3pt pallet fork, 28" buzz saw, cement mixer w/electric motor.

Antiques & Collectables: Andrew Malcolm dresser, wardrobe & head board (very nice) 3- ice cream chairs & table out of Maggie’s hamburger shop in Brussels, Lloyd Loom baby buggy (very old), old baby dolls, cast iron church pew ends, 2 - Hoosier cupboard bins, lightning rods w/balls, old wash tubs, old cans, rd. oak table w/6 press back chairs, rd. oak table, captain’s chair, plus more interesting collectables.

Shop Items: ATLAS 42" STEEL LATHE w/post grinder, CANOX AC DC welder, Granny w/ 2 dollies, 2-1/4 ton chain hoists, 16 speed Drill press, large HUSKY tool chest, pipe dyes, cutters & reamers, 2 - anvils ( 1 is 119pds.) miter saw, bench grinder, 3ft metal break, numerous filing cabinets w/ letter size drawers, wrenches galore, power & hand tools, plus much, much more.

Miscellaneous Items: Yardworks 20" gas push mower, 2- STIHL gas string trimmers, heavy ext. cords, electrical & plumbing supplies, 1,000 litre tote, quantity of white pine lumber, misc. steel, lg. quantity of forks & shovels, ladders, Conibear traps, live traps, 2 - dog pens, 2 - sets of scaffolding, hydraulic hose, shelving, filing cabinets, 2 - wall cabinets, tread mill, plus many more items to numerous to mention.

Plan to attend a partial listing many useful items.

Lunch booth on site For more information call Stan Marks at 519-887-6207 TERMS Cash or cheque with proper I.D. No debit or credit cards.

No buyers premium.

Proprietor & auctioneers not responsible for accidents, injury, or loss of purchase.

Verbal announcements take precedence over advertising.

Auctioneer Bill Horst (519) 577-0011

Secretary-Treasurer

Check out the job posting for full details at: https://indeed.com.

Please send a cover letter and résumé outlining your interest and qualifications to: winghamunited@hurontel.on.ca clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line.

Wingham United Church is an equal opportunity employer. Wingham United Church will provide reasonable accommodation in compliance with AODA when notified by a candidate that accommodation due to a disability is required for the interview process.

Swap shop

Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad “One person’s junk is another’s treasure” Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

• The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

FOR SALE - Victorian settee and two matching chairs. New blue upholstery. Excellent condition. $200. 519-612-2770 15-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Four Continental Procontact-TX tires. 245/45R20.

40,000 km. $200. 519-526-7263.

15-3 --------------------------------------------FREE - Hardwood treetops, near Bluevale. 30” colour tube TV, working. 519-357-5614 15-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Aerator, hardly used, owner’s manual. $175.; Lawn sweeper, like new, owner’s manual. $300.; Huskavarna rototiller, barely used, owner’s manual. $300. 519482-7440.

15-3 ---------------------------------------------

Swap shop FOR SALE - 120 bass accordian.

Made in Italy. 519-523-9268.

15-3 --------------------------------------------WANTED - Looking for a ping-pong table. Call 519-529-1023.

15-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Street Cruiser folding bikes. $30 each, both for $50. Some rust. Tires like new. Solid pine hanging shelves. 3 ft. wide x 38 in. high, 8 1/2 in. diam. 519-525-9304.

14-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Glass shower door $50 or best offer. Four all season tires on rims 195 65 R15 (Corolla) $200.

FREE - chicken waterers. 519-8876602.

13-3 ---------------------------------------------

All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at www.huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 15.

4-H e-waste collection coming to Londesborough

Well, the Easter Bunny has made his rounds again this year, much to the delight of the young folk who enjoyed their annual chocolate binge.

The buzz around this year’s Easter treat was, of course, the increased cost to chocolatiers of the main ingredient. Manufacturers of the various treats were scrambling to find ways to keep their product desirable and still not increase the price too much. A tricky balancing act.

However, it was still incongruous to be spending so much talk and concern on the preparation of a treat when so many, right in our own area and across the country, are struggling to put regular food on their tables for their children.

Although the increase in grocery prices seems to have slowed, they

are sitting at roughly 40 per cent higher than the prices of three years ago.

One comparison I read had a basket of products at Walmart bought for $82 in March of 2021 and $113.32 in March of 2024 - a 38 per cent increase. A family of four can expect to spend $701 more for groceries this year after an increase of $1,065 in 2023.

Every household has two essentials: food and shelter. They are both more costly than before the pandemic in spite of Canada’s seemingly improving economic situation. Canadians’ economic woes will continue no matter which political party is in power.

On the flip side of all this price concern are the experts who claim Canadians can do better in their own kitchens with the food they do purchase. They claim the average Canadian household produces 79 kilograms of food waste every year.

It seems we all need to improve food storage, buy only what we need for our menu planning, and ensure products get used before they spoil. The food tossed away in landfills is a source of greenhouse gases as well as being a waste of money.

And speaking of landfills, Huron County 4-H will be holding its annual electronic waste and battery collection event in Londesborough on Saturday, April 26. You can drop by the Hensall Co-operative Londesborough Feed Mill location that day with your items from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be members of the club there to assist you. This is a triple benefit event.

You get rid of those unwanted items. The club sells the valuable parts to support its activities and harmful items are saved from our landfills.

Well, the eclipse got television coverage for three hours on Monday afternoon, beginning just before the phenomenon got started in Mexico. The whole path of the eclipse took slightly more than 30 minutes to cross a portion of Canada. And the things I learned!

They were things I obviously missed when it happened last for us in 1979.

I did not realize a solar eclipse happens somewhere in the world every six weeks, give or take. But most happen over water or in uninhabited areas of the world.

Having seen one eclipse seems to bring about the desire to see more and some of the interviewed people

Obituaries

EILEEN (ERNEWEIN) MCGLYNN Peacefully at Huronlea Home for

the Aged in Brussels, Eileen (Ernewein) McGlynn, formerly of Wingham, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the age of 87.

The devoted mom of Cathy and Steve Howson of Blyth, and Anne and Brad Bender of Wroxeter, Eileen was the loving grandma of Meagan and Nick Cicchini of Point Edward, Holly Howson and Justin Burke, and Brenden Howson and Anika Kumhyr, all of Blyth and Kelsey Wagler and Jacque Deslaunais of Listowel. She was the great-grandma of Reid and Grace Cicchini, Raelynn Magliocco and Paisley and Oakley DeslaunaisWagler.

Eileen was the sister of Alf and Joan Ernewein, Bert Ernewein, Joe Ernewein, John Ernewein, Francis and Marilyn Ernewein and Mary and Dave Nash and the sister-inlaw of Judy and Ray Fischer and Eleanor Curran.

Eileen will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and their families.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas McGlynn, sons James and Tom McGlynn, sister Helen McGlynn, brother Harold Ernewein and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Monday, April 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A memorial Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Wingham on Tuesday, April 16 at 11 a.m.

Interment will take place at Wingham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.

Online condolences at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com

Don’t be afraid to wonder: Todd Continued from page 13 John’s gospel, this message of believing without seeing, although another chapter was added, as an epilogue. John’s book was written for the skeptics, the seekers, the “Thomases” among us, those yearning to believe.

When we are unsure of what we need to do, what direction to go, what decisions to make, what to believe, we need not be afraid to put voice to that, and use it as a springboard for further searching.

Then we can look to the scriptures, to Jesus’ life, for answers, for direction for our lives, our purposes, both individually and as a church community. And Jesus will respond! We need to pray, to go to Christ, and then listen for that still small voice that brings us the answers; we need to look around and see the grace of God all around us. How do we know when it is true, when it is Christ who is calling us, leading us? When we feel the

peace of Christ, when we feel his love, his grace. If it is not love, it is not of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit.

Life these days brings many unknowns and world events do, at times, cause us concern, and maybe even fear for the future. There are days when we too feel like we’d be safer if we stayed behind the locked doors of our homes. And consider the fear of those first disciples, as they locked themselves behind the doors of the house where they took refuge and comfort after Jesus’ death. When Jesus first came and showed himself to the disciples, his presence showed them he was alive; risen from the grave. And they were filled with the reassurance of his peace. What does Jesus do next? Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into them, telling them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus is recreating them.

They are not only Jesus’ disciples, his followers, now they have been

also re-created as apostles, those who are sent out to do Jesus’ work, to bring about God’s kingdom. This is the true calling of all who claim to be Christians. Discipleship means we follow and believe the ways of Jesus. Apostleship means stepping out, and putting that faith into action.

Yes, doubts will plague us, and we may too fear for the future, like those early disciples. And we sometimes do wonder where God is in all of it, but what Thomas teaches us is it’s alright to doubt, to question - and take those questions to Jesus. Don’t be afraid to wonder, to ask, to delve deeper into your faith. Because in so doing, it leads to a new awareness and understanding of Jesus, of God of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And then, in that deeper understanding, the Spirit of Jesus can and will empower us, God’s people, to do God’s work - just like those early disciples!

are making plans for Iceland, Spain, etc. in the next few years. The crowds in Niagara Falls were astounding; people from all around the world. What a marvellous place to experience it!

They talked early in the show about the diamond ring and the corona. The diamond impressed me and they showed it more than once as they reported across the U.S. and Canada. It was rather eerie here for us on the fringe of the eclipse when the moon crossed the face of the sun. And the total darkness in places like Niagara Falls and Gander, Newfoundland was sudden, surprising and short-lived.

One can easily understand how mystical these natural events would seem to peoples in centuries past.

The event is interpreted as a harbinger of hope.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

Victim Services to merge Victim Services Huron and Victim Services Bruce-Grey-Perth have announced the joining of Perth County with Huron County effective May 1, 2024.

According to a press release from the newly-amalgamated body, this will result in a stronger, more comprehensive support network for victims of crime and tragic circumstances, ensuring that individuals and families receive the

highest level of support and care across the regions.

“By combining resources, expertise and community partnerships, the newly formed organization will be better equipped to address the evolving needs of the communities served.

The organization will align with other community stakeholders that currently serve both Huron and Continued on page 19

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Lucknow’s Corrie Cooper wants to know your name

Hangin’ with Mrs. Cooper Corrie Cooper, left, and Debra Porter, right, of Lucknow volunteer as judges during the 2023 Lucknow Fall Fair parade. (Courtesy photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Whether locally born and raised, or new in town, anybody residing in plucky little Lucknow these days can count themselves lucky to live in a spot that’s chock full of topnotch volunteer spirit.

There is the incomparable Kinsmen Club of Lucknow and District, who transform an old cow pasture into a massive country music festival every year using little more than a whole lot of teamwork and a little bit of fence.

There’s also a dedicated network of volunteers who’ve been developing alternative methods of ensuring locals have access to affordable, healthy food since the town grocery store shut down in 2016. The Lucknow Fall Fair has been running strong on volunteer power for over 160 years now, while the Horticultural Society beautifies the town’s public spaces with its annual flower plantings. And that’s just the tip of the Lucknow love iceberg!

While everyone who donates their time to make Lucknow a little lovelier deserves to have the spotlight shone on them, there’s one creative collaborator in the mix that you can’t help but notice - mostly because she seems to be anywhere and everywhere in town!

Lucknow native Corrie Cooper wears her local pride on her sleeve, and was more than happy to take a moment out of her afternoon to talk about all the things she loves about contributing to her community. She even loves the area’s weather, in all its forms. Even on a day that’s chilly enough to make most people hurry from the safety of their warm car to the safety of their heated home, Cooper can be found outdoors, hanging out in lawn chairs relishing the last morsels of winter with her next door neighbour, Debra Porter.

Cooper is quick to admit she

might have a bit of a biased perspective when it comes to her hometown. “I know every small town around here has great volunteers, but I just think that volunteering in Lucknow is really, really strong,” she confessed.

Porter can offer a firsthand account of what it’s like to live so close to pure, unadulterated localized enthusiasm. When she moved from Toronto to Lucknow a few years ago, it didn’t take long for Cooper’s enthusiasm to have an effect on her. “Corrie has a way of rallying her community to get involved. She’s like a walking billboard. I work nights in nursing, and I didn’t think that I had time to do anything, but she finds a way for me to have time. She’s amazing!

And when she’s not volunteering, she’s advocating for the things going on in the town. They were looking for artists to paint the fire hydrants all over town, and she got me to do it. If it wasn’t for Corrie, I would never have applied. She’s our cheerleader!” Cooper chimed in to remind Porter that one of her hydrant designs actually won the competition. The two teamed up last year to be tough but fair judges of the pedestrian entries of the Lucknow Fall Fair parade.

Cooper works at the local library, which allows her to encounter a wide swath of Huron-Kinloss residents every day, every one of whom has the potential to awaken their latent volunteer spirit, with some gentle nudging. “I’m just thankful for the job I have”, Cooper remarked.

She’s also part of the local branch of food security initiative The Good Food Box. “Community members can pay $22, and they get 10 to 12 items in a box. It’s basically bulk buying. We have a gentleman who purchases for us, and everything goes to the church, and about 29 volunteers come together and we take like, a 50-pound bag of

potatoes, create an assembly line, and make up the boxes. It’s good stuff, and it’s so much fun to watch all our volunteers! The other day I just stood back and watched for a minute, and all I saw was community.”

She’s also a talented photographer, which has created

some interesting opportunities for her in town. “In 2009, I was approached by one of the Kinsmen,” she said, “and he asked me to take photos for Music in the Fields - I had no idea what he was talking about. And then for seven years I documented the whole event and did the ‘Meet and Greet’ photos. Those Kinsmen, man those guys work hard! It started as a one-day event, then it became a two-day event, then it had to move to the new field, because it just kept getting bigger.”

Cooper and her children, Monique and Liam, are also active members of the Lucknow Horticultural Society (LHS), which tends to the flora outside of the arena, local businesses and Waterworks Park. They also curate the bountiful boxes of blooms that can be found on most of the town’s bridges. “Every year we choose a theme - this year, it’s ‘Orange’,” she confided. “We have a local person we get all our flowers from.

We all look through a book and choose plants that will stand up well, and be hardy, and then our Flower Committee makes the final selection, and then they grow all summer.” The LHS has raised money to support its downtown

beautification efforts in a variety of ways over the years, but its current preferred form of fundraising is the perennially popular community breakfast at the arena. “It’s just a way to bring the community together. And do a bit of fundraising.”

When she was growing up, Cooper’s father ran his own butcher shop on Campbell Street, and worked hard to be an active member of the community. Cooper learned from his example, and works to pass those same values on to her own children. “I think the biggest thing I learned from him is that you do business and you do life, and everything else, in the place where you live. I love that my roots are here. There is so much value in younger people learning from people that are older than them. I just think that when you work together in the community, it doesn’t matter who you are everyone can offer something, however they can help. I just love seeing all generations and ages of people working together, having friends across the board. To still be able to walk downtown and know the names of the people on the street - I want to do that with my kids.”

Thank you for making Huron a welcoming community!

Last year, volunteers contributed over 1,800 hours supporting newcomers to Canada by: • Providing temporary accommodation • Driving people to appointments • Supporting English language learning • Connecting newcomers to service providers • Acting as translators and more We couldn’t do it without their tremendous support!

To get involved, sign up: https://connectedcountyofhuron.ca/support-for-ukrainian-newcomers County of Huron I Immigration Partnership Email: home@huroncounty.ca www.HuronCounty.ca/immigration-partnership

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

NH staff propose curtailing use of Town Hall Theatre

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Dave Tiffin, Chair of the Wingham Business Improvement Area (BIA), addressed North Huron Council during the public comment portion of the April 2 meeting in regards to a proposal put forward

by North Huron staff that would impose limitations on weekday performances at Wingham’s Town Hall Theatre. Staff currently occupies a portion of the facility that is also used as a “green room” space for performers, and they feel the recent increase in weekday shows has begun to interrupt their daily workflow.

Tiffin outlined why he, and the rest of the BIA, believe that restricting shows would be detrimental to the township. “The theatre has become very successful in drawing in well-known artists, which, in turn, brings in residents from all over Southwestern Ontario... the more well-known entertainers often like to perform at smaller venues throughout the week, and larger centres on the weekend, which makes perfect sense. Not having an option for weekday evening performances would be a severe problem.”

The theatre has certainly seen an

increase in big ticket acts since the days of pandemic restrictions.

Shaun Majumder, Jim Cuddy, George Fox and The Sheepdogs are just a few of the well-known performers who have graced the stage over the past year. Celtic rock band The Mudmen also came out last year to help Lisa Harper of the United Way put on a successful fundraiser show to raise money for the Northern Huron Connection Centre.

The proposed restrictions coincide with a potential managerial shake-up of the venerable performance space. “The Wingham BIA has been approached to do operations oversight of the theatre,” explained Tiffin. “The BIA is totally on board with this idea, however, we have not yet been asked for any input on theatre operations. I would ask that council defer any decision on any of these four options presented in the Town Hall Theatre operations report until the BIA has had a chance to offer input and suggestions.”

Gregg Furtney, North Huron’s Director of Public Works, pointed out that the report was intended to lock in a limited schedule before any possible transition to a BIAmanaged space. “There will be an upcoming Town Hall Theatre report

that will address the proposal from the Wingham BIA, but before that report comes forward, staff believe it’s important to set out the operational parameters of the event space before discussing other possible changes to the current process.”

The current report also offered some insight as to how staff and entertainers came to their current state of co-mingling. In 2018,

following a volunteer-driven restoration of the space, a letter from a former member of the Wingham Town Hall Theatre Committee spurred staff to submit a report to council that recommended the former council chambers, back hallway and kitchenette be designated a “green room” space for performers, on weekends only, for a trial period of 12 months. No follow-up

Huron and Perth Counties to merge victim services on May 1 Continued from page 15 Perth Counties,” said Deborah Logue, Executive Director of Victim Services Huron, and current Interim Executive Director of Victim Services Bruce-Grey-Perth.

The merger will officially take effect on May 1, at which point services in Perth County will operate under the umbrella of Victim Services Huron to become Victim Services Huron-Perth. The current region of Bruce-Grey-Perth will become Victim Services BruceGrey. Services will continue uninterrupted during the transition

period and clients can expect the same level of support and assistance from the dedicated staff and volunteers.

“Victim Services Bruce-GreyPerth and Victim Services Huron have long been dedicated to supporting individuals during some of the most challenging moments of their lives,” said Wendy Pratt, Board Chair of Victim Services Bruce-Grey-Perth. “By redefining our service boundaries, this merger represents a significant step forward in our ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate

Coffee group to meet on April 23 PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

The Belgrave United Church Women met at the home of Elly Dow on April 2. The worship, prepared by Doreen Marks, focused on darkness to light, from death to life.

The program featured Easter customs and traditions around the world. Updates from a favoured outreach program, Change her World, has evolved from assisting young girls with primary school education costs to current college and university grants and financial assistance.

Connie and Sheila served a light lunch, enjoyed over coffee, tea and conversation.

On Sunday, April 7, Elwin Garland was the guest speaker at Knox United Church. Catherine MacDonald played prelude and postlude music and accompanied all the hymns.

On Sunday, April 7, Taylor and Hunter, grandchildren of Ruth King, planned a surprise birthday supper, complete with birthday cake for their grandmother at her home. It was her 95th birthday.

Wow! Her home was beautifully decorated for the special occasion.

Belated birthday wishes are extended to Don Pattison on April 7.

On Monday, April 8, the coffee group met at the Belgrave Community Centre to enjoy snacks,

coffee and fellowship.

The next get-together is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 from 9:30-11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Cards will be played on Friday, April 12 at 1 p.m. in the Community Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Renee Lanthier of Rochester, New York spent a few days visiting with her aunt, Arlyn Montgomery.

On Tuesday, as I was preparing my news to send in, it was a beautiful sunny day. We hope spring weather is here to stay. Some people are busy with outside work, dethatching, raking, aerating and rolling the lawn, while some are busy cleaning up the garden.

Planting season is almost upon us.

Connie and Tom Black are home from a week’s vacation in Cayo Coco, Cuba. They enjoyed beautiful warm temperatures daily.

Their hotel was near the Atlantic Ocean, so they spent a lot of time swimming. The people were very friendly, smiling all the time and they love Canadians vacationing there.

Connie and Tom met people from all over and it was nice to learn about other countries.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, Jim Hess was the guest speaker at Knox United Church, Belgrave. “Crown Him with Many Crowns” was sung accompanied by Linda Hess, who accompanied all the hymns and also played the prelude and postlude music.

The scripture readings were taken from Matthew 27:11-31 and verses 32-66. The congregation was favoured with special music by Jim’s daughter Judith singing accompanied by Linda with the piano.

His message was entitled “The

report was filed, until now.

Furtney’s document tallies the number of planned 2024 performances at 21 shows, eight of which would occur on weeknights.

Five of those eight nights fall on a Friday. It begins by acknowledging that the theatre is invaluable to the township, before going on to state that ‘‘when there are staff and performers in the building at the Continued on page 32

Blessings of Easter”, followed by a scripture reading from Matthew 28:1-10.

In December of 2018, there was an article in the Listowel Independent about Greg Blagdon making a difference, one pop tab at a time. The article went on to tell Greg’s story. The story caught Elly Dow’s eye, so she spread the word.

Greg fills two-litre pop bottles with tabs (one at a time - approximately 2,800 per bottle) and strives to fill more bottles each year.

He began with 30 bottles. Thanks to overwhelming support from community churches (like Knox in Belgrave) his Community Living family, as well as his own, neighbours and friends, he has donated 205 bottles of tabs to the Elora Legion. The Legion uses the money raised from the sale of the tabs for their outreach programs.

As a final thought, hopefully all tab collectors also know they can

care to those in need across our counties. Together, we will continue to uphold our mission of empowering victims and promoting healing and resilience within our communities.”

Both organizations express their gratitude to their supporters, partners, and volunteers who have contributed to their respective missions over the years. Together, they look forward to continuing their vital work in building safer and more resilient communities.

For more information about Victim Services Huron-Perth or Victim Services Bruce-Grey, visit victimserviceshuron.ca or victimservices.com.

Sudoku Solution

take the cans to local Shriner can depots - it’s a win-win.

I’m hoping that everyone had an enjoyable Easter. Mother Nature provided good weather for family get-togethers and anybody travelling. Some places provided Easter egg hunts, which the little children enjoyed. The daffodils are in bud and crocuses are in bloom.

We have lots of squirrels and birds around.

Have an enjoyable week. Go for a walk or drive and see the gorgeous colours in the flowerbeds.

Time to Celebrate!

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, retirement or some other special event, show them how much you care with an announcement in The Citizen.

2" wide x 3" high

4" wide x 3" high

includes colour

includes colour

$30 + tax

$60 + tax

The Citizen Call or email today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

2023~2024 WINTER SPORTS A special thank you to all the people who submitted photos for the sports section.

Photo credit for the BBMHA Crusader Hockey Teams, Huron Heat Teams, Mid-Huron Huskies Teams and Wingham Ironmen Teams goes to Picture Day Photography.

Blyth Bullets Junior Broomball U9: Back row, from left: Logan Hoffmeyer, Levi Allen, Naomi Rowe, Addison Bosma, Savanna Kemp-Wolfe, Hunter Arnold. Middle row: Connor Souch, Tom Freiburger, Forrest Rowe, Lincoln Casserly, Emmeline Bosma. Front row: Kendry Noble, Eivin Lloyd , Emmett Allen, Hazel Font, Vienna Dyskstra. Absent: Easton Dykstra.

Blyth Bullets Junior Broomball U12 - “Silver Provincial Champs”: Back row, from left: Lucia Dale, Addison Hoekmeijer, Ashton Quesenberry, (A) Briony Bosma, Tucker Quesenberry, Rylan Brown, Mackenzie Shannon. Middle row: Aiden Hoekmeijer, Weylin Shanahan, Beckett Noble, Wyatt Lloyd, (C) Sierra Dykstra.

Front row: Jake Salverda.

Blyth Junior Broomball U12 Ice: Back row, from left: Britney Pink, Brooklyn Arnold, Chase Neutel, Alex Johnson, Ryder Neutel, Liam Neutel, Hendrik VanNes, Liam Greig. Front row: Kesley Cressman, Brad Bannon, Hendrix Casserly, Kolbie Greig, Kylie Cressman, Heather Bannon.

Blyth Junior Broomball U12 Silver: Back row, from left: Manager Lorne Teatro, trainer Dakota Stryker, Thomas Blake, Sophie Wright, Nora Gulutzen, Ashley Dekens, Sonya Teatro, head coach Dan Blake, assistant coach Heather Armstrong. Front Row: Jase Caesar, Joe Freiburger, Lainey Stryker,Felix Gulutzen, Kaden Watkins, Clara Albers, Leyland Caesar.

Blyth Junior Broomball U14 Girls - “Silver Provincial Champs”: Abbey Haak, Eden Beyersbergen, Holly Gross, Bridget McCallum, Keryn Dale, Hailynn Greidanus, Leah Westra, Sloane Bolger, Macy Smith Brynn Beauchamp, Victoria Deweerd, Addyson Gowan, Hailey Hanna, Isla de Boer, Marie Bolen.

Blyth Junior Broomball U14 Boys - “Bronze Provincial Champs”: Back row, from left: Cameron Boult, Aiden Mitchell, Braxton Stryker, Dallas Dykstra and Clay Hoggart. Middle row: JT McNaught, Maddox Fielder, Aiden Kimball, Carmen Harris. Front row: Aiden Albers and Cameron Greig. Absent: Erik Ford and Coaches Sandra Hoggart , Laura Jackson and Nick Stryker.

Blyth Junior Broomball U16 Girls: - “Silver Provincial Champs”: Back row, from left: Coach Casey Boven, Tyler Boven, Sarah Hallahan, Julia Egli, Loralie Gross, Molly Bolinger, Rachel Wilts, Coach Manny Taylor. Middle row: Trainer Maleah Taylor, Brooklyn Bromley, Ava Haak, Leah Boven, Macie Taylor, Kaleigh McCallum, Rowan Gaspric, Kiera Hoekmeijer. Front: Myah Bos, Tori Kennedy, Abi McNaught, Peyton Riley, Abby Mitchell.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 21.

Blyth Junior Broomball U16 Boys: - “Silver Provincial Champs”: Back row, from left: Marc Westra, Jason Hoggart, Ethan Ernewein, Kaden Wilson, Owen Ernewein, Nathan King, Greg Bell, Titus Buttar, Jason Buttar, Scott Dale. Middle row: Bryce Dale, Wyatt Hoggart, Brendan Hickey, Nathan Westra, Keegan Mcinally, Jake Gutscher, Warren Pavelin, Ryan Beauchamp, Dylan Kreuger. Front row: Lukas Greidanus.

BBMHA Crusaders U5: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Kyle Machan, trainer Jodi Nurse, head coach Tara Smith, assistant coach Mark Gillis. Front row: Knox Gillis, Ellis Cronin, Daxtyn James, Beau Machan, Saylor Nurse, Sadie Smith, Charlotte Rammeloo. Absent: Forrest Rowe

BBMHA Crusaders U7 Black: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Dylan Hasnoot, Vera Smith, Quinn Baker, trainer Shawna Nelemans, Alex White, Cole Rammeloo, head coach Andrew Baker. Front Row: Robert Bromley, Cayden Nelemans, Nate McDonald, Parker Cronin, Lucus Blake, Hudson Hasnoot, Camden Csoff.

BBMHA Crusaders U7 White: Back row, from left: Head coach Kyle Machan, Liam Machan, Elijah Huhtala, assistant coach Joel Kellington. Front Row: Kinsley James, Jackson Needham, Kinsley Patterson, Eric Kellington, Marley Reinink, Andrew Burrell, Logan Cochrane.

BBMHA Crusaders U7 Burgundy: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Tyler Dietner, Blake Lyons, Leroy McNichol, head coach Ty Campbell, Barrett Nurse, Camilla Campbell, trainer Greg Blackwell. Front row: Pearl Lee, Layne Thompson, Lydia Dietner, Blake Sinclair, Nigel Blackwell, Derek Wakenell, Kenton Anderson.

BBMHA Crusaders U8 Black: Back row, from left: Tucker Wilson, Brandon Courtney, Nash Rombouts. Front row: Liam Rushton, Ellie Wilson, Emilia Kellington, Connor White, Claire Rammeloo. Absent: Kai Milinkovic, head coach Trevor Wilson, assistant coach Melissa Milinkovic, trainer Nick Courtney.

Congratulations on another great season!

wishes to congratulate all the teams on another successful season!

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all the teams on another great season!

Blyth Lions Club

Wingham~519-357-3466 Listowel~519-291-4920

www.pandoraspantry.ca

Brussels Optimist Club Congratulations and best wishes to all the teams on another great season of winter sports!

Proud of all the Teams!

Congratulations to the Blyth/Brussels Congratulations teams on a great year!

Blyth Brussels Crusaders your local on afrom great year!

Pioneer sales representatives:

Brett & Brett & Laura Laura Fischer Fischer 519-887-8253 519-887-8253

For service and quality you can trust.

Brussels

519-887-6273

For service and quality that you can trust

PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

BBMHA Crusaders U8 Burgundy: Back row, from left: Trainer Chris Csoff, head coach Mark Gillis, Eli Csoff, Bowey Nurse, manager Caitlin Gillis, assistant coach Ryan Nurse. Front row: Logan Gross, Reid Cronin, Weston Lee, Ireland Nurse, Jack Lee, Nash Gillis, Maeve Egli.

BBMHA Crusaders U9 MD: Back row, from left: Trainer Brad Lapp, head coach Scott McDonald, assistant coach Matt LaRocque. Middle row: Matt Abell, Warren LaRocque, Sully Smith. Front row: Jacoby Noble, Wes McDonald, Pierce Smith, Brady Toll, Henk Brennan, Andrew Blackwell, Anna Lapp.

BBMHA Crusaders U9 LL: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Steve Rombouts, head coach Tyler Dietner, assistant coach Ashley Miller-King. Middle row: Hunter Rombouts, Alexis Greidanus, Jack Gahan, Lincoln Laffin. Front row: Colin King, Brynlee Armstrong, Harmony Needham, Nixon Brown, Alex Dietner, Gracelyn Howson, Chet Merner.

BBMHA Crusaders U11 LL: Back row, from left: Connor Lyons, Ashlyn Greidanus, Colton Boyer, coach Greg Cronin, Parker Gingrich, Jansen Strickert, Addie Campbell. Front row: Mia Hubbard-Buffinga, Ben Beurman, Cooper Cronin, Sawyer McCall, Olivia Cochrane, Isla Fischer, Jordyn Laffin. Absent: Layne Millinkovic.

BBMHA Crusaders U11 Rep: Back row, from left: Trainer Brett Bean, head coach Josh Nurse. Middle row: Murray Bromley, Jarrett Fleet, Winston Greydanus, Gavin Gross, Casey Bolinger, Laurelei Shortreed. Front row: Lauren Wharton, Kaleb Nurse, Wesley Bean, Benton Nurse, Jett Broom, Carter Kellington, Griffen VandenBos, Canon Beuermann, Hudson Smith. Absent assistant coach Jason Kellington.

BBMHA Crusaders U13 LL: Back row, from left: Trainer Brandon Blake, head coach Andrew McCutcheon, assistant coach Chris Blake. Middle row: Spencer Huhtala, Claire McCutcheon, Kaleb Lyons, Jesa Fischer, Rileigh Cox, Liam Egli, Mackenzie Gingrich. Front row: Foster Blake, Harlen Bootsman, Hayden Benedict, Lukas Balon, Kaileb Thompson, Ethan Boyer, Adel Fischer, Warren Greidanus.

Absent: Mitchell White, assistant coach Clint Fischer.

"We've Got Your Lumber"

B LAKE S TYLE

D ESIGN & D RAFTING I NC .

Chris Blake

Brussels 519-887-6277

AGRICULTURAL

Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc.

Office: 519-887-8102 43177 St. Michaels Road Cell: 519-955-2343 Brussels, ON blaker006@hotmail.com N0G 1H0 www.blakestyle.ca

RESIDENTIAL Congratulatio teams on a gr ns eat season!

NEW CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS

519-524-0253

Way to go Teams!

Always proud of our teams!

Congratulations to all the Teams!

373 Turnberry St. Brussels 519-887-6426

Way to Go Teams!

For all your excavation needs including septic system installations and repairs Supplying Brussels/Blyth Area with all types of sand, gravel and stone

BRUSSELS • 519-887-8855 • KURTIS CELL 519-496-1871

Congrats to all the Teams

Matt, Julie, Sawyer and Davis McCall PO Box 640, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 519-357-7007 mattrmccall@hurontel.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 23.

BBMHA Crusaders U13 Rep: Back row, from left: Trainer Cole Zwep, head coach Caleb Logan, coach Tyson Fischer. Middle row: Evan Egli, Ty Somers, Trace Boven, Hudson Greydanus, Joel Fleet, Miles Adams. Front row: Cole Greidanus, Connor Kellington, Carson Lee, Blake Johnston, Lincoln Bolinger, Lukas Hubbard-Buffinga, Nathan Baillie, Braxton Stryker, Carter Pope. Absent: Luke White.

BBMHA Crusaders U15 LL: Back row, from left: Head coach Kirk Baillie, Kipp Johnston, Liam Fischer, Max Logan, Emmitt Shortreed, trainer Rob Mason. Front row: Wade Baillie, Carter Howson, Ayden Hallahan, Aiden Hickey, Colyn Hallahan, Will Nesbit, Cole Mason.

BBMHA Crusaders U15 Rep: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Derek Cherrey, head coach Erin Nesbit. Middle row: Wade Baillie, Damon Shannon, Emmitt Shortreed, Adrian Egli, Dylan Lee. Front row: Bo Wharton, Everett Cherrey, Tysen Greidanus, Carter Howson, Triston Piper, Will Nesbit, Justin Fleet, Brett Caldwell, Cole Mason.

BBMHA Crusaders U18 LL: Back row, trainer from left: Brad McLean, Quinn Cox, Simon Wernham, Taylor Wharton, Graham Nesbit, head coach Matt Lee. Front row: Dylan McLean, Boden Lyons, Sheldon Lee, Jack Reigling, Jack Nicholson, Reed Fischer, Louis McNichol. Absent: coach Shawn Nicholson, Riley Seabrook, Owen Rolph, Tyson Finch, Travis Bevin, Braden Hummel, Donny Miller.

BBMHA Crusaders U18 Rep: Back row, from left: Chris Stewart, trainer Jenna McDonald. Middle row: Caleb Koch, Brett McCutcheon, Carson Bromley, Luke Fischer, Tyson Finch, Bryce Shortreed. Front row: Dylan McLean, Nate Fritz, Peter Albers, Sheldon Lee, Reed Fischer, Jake Bromley, Jackson Hallahan, Connor Dale, TJ Groves. Absent: Assistant Coach Brett Fischer, Boden Lyons, Jack Nicholson, Owen Rolph, Travis Beaven, Riley Seabrook.

Huron Heat U7: Back row, from left: Trainer Maegan Greidanus, head coach Reuben Smith, coach Tyler VanDrunen. Middle row: Stella Brown, Veda Tosetto, Emry Livingstone, Isobel Van Amersfoort, Morgan Van Bakel, Vayda McBride, Payten Shaddock, Loxley Dietz, Julia Jacklin. Front row: Brooklyn Murray, Paislee Glover, Evey Reid, Annalise Elligsen, Nora VanDrunen, Dottie Tremeer, Kylee Smith, Taylor Carnochan, Juliet Greidanus.

Way to Go Teams!

Congratulations to all the Teams!

Howson & Howson Ltd.

Flour Mill Blyth

519-523-4241

Blyth

Contact us at 519-523-9624 • 1-800-663-3653

41 Third St. Vanastra

CONGRATULATIONS ATHLETES KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN!

LOCAL CALLS 519-482-7869 IF BUSY CALL 519-482-5816 info@dndglass.ca www.dndglass.ca Glass & Mirror Experts

Seed Crop Protection Fertilizer Grain Elevators Custom Spraying

Congratulations Teams!

406 Mill Street, Blyth

PROFESSIONAL SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION

www.spaessentialsblyth.com

Congratulations to all the Teams We are proud of our youth!

Blyth Legion Branch 420

Blyth Printing Inc. wishes to congratulate the teams on another great season!

See us for: • colour printing • posters • brochures • envelopes & letterhead

We’ll "imPress” you

Corner of Dinsley & Mill

Blyth 519-523-9211

519-523-4793

email:blythprinting@ezlink.on.ca

PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Huron Heat U9B: Back row, from left: Head coach Tyler VanDrunen, trainer Kendal Schlosser. Middle row: Evyn Rathwell, Aubrey McClure, Kiara Hugill, Jamie Glover, Ellie Murray, Quinn Leslie, Norah Schlosser. Front row: Carmen McNaughton, Georgia Mahon, Nev VanDrunen, Ryleigh Murray, Ryan Courtney, Kinley Henderson, Adalyn Wilson.

Huron Heat U9C: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Matt Chaput, coach Steve Van Amersfoort, trainer Clara Carnochan, trainer Jason Denys. Middle row: Violet Van Amersfoort, Hayden Denys, Hannah Sytchev, Isla Van Dieten, Paige McKay Front row: Frances Greidanus, Iris MacDonald, Avaya Chaput, Violet McFarlan, Nora O’Keefe, Julianne Jantzi, Mollie Carroll.

Huron Heat U9 HL: Back row, from left: Jake K, Greg H. Middle row: Kylie S, Ava J, Harper B, Sawyer H, Lexi H. Front row: Andie V, Brynleigh P, Lilah A, Emma K, Layna H, Morgan P, Bailee H.

Huron Heat U11 BB: Back row, from left: Carrie Wood, Ryan Watterworth, Laura Bannon. Middle row: Emma Dalton, Nicola Egli, Ava Rathwell, Hartley Newbigging, Kate Myers. Front row: Olivia Skyring, Milan Prouse, Gracie Mahon, Olivia Carnochan, Berkley Keyser, Reese Watterworth, Emma Wood, Makinley Bannon, May O’Keefe. Absent: Devon Prouse, Dean Wood.

Huron Heat U11 C: Back row, from left: Trainer Mandi Layton, Coach Stacey Prescott, assistant coach Tara Regier. Middle row: Sadie Wammes, Sydney Prescott, Bree Regier, Abby Lepelaars, Addison Taylor, Aurora Hessel. Front row: Paisley Kirkconnell, Hannah Grant, Charlise Cantelon, Kinsley Wilson, Kennedy Cronin, Natalie Vosper, Ava McCann, Audrina Layton, Rya Renning. Absent: Assistant coaches Jason Lepelaars and Todd McCann.

Huron Heat U11 HL: Back row, from left: Kim O'Donnell, Amy Horton. Middle row: Raya Eickmeyer, Maaike Rotter, Madison Pole, Emily Dougall, Peyton Anderson, Chloe Pope. Front row: Makayla Holden, Harper O'Donnell, Halle Smith, Isla Greidanus, Harper Brown, Alyssa Walt, Julia Baxter, Alayna Carnochan, Raya Nimetz. Absent: Kinlee Maize, Chris Greidanus, Amber Dougall.

Dr. Veronica Lee and Associates 218 Ontario St., Clinton

519-482-9392

Brian E. Wightman Congratula tions

Teams on anothe r • Personal & Corporate Tax grea t season!

• Accounting & Bookkeeping

Chartered Professional Accountant

• Agricultural Services

Seaforth ~ 519-527-1331 Email: brian@wightmancpa.ca

125 Ontario Street, Stratford Phone: (519) 271-7581 25 Water Street N., P.O. Box 1228, St. Marys Phone: (519) 284-1030 210 Oxford Street, E. London Phone: (519) 432-1663

Congratulations Teams!

Congratulations to all the Teams!

COME VISIT US U AT

SEAFFORTH GOLF COU URSE “HU URON COUNTY’S HOME OF GOLFF” - Mature 18-hole 8 h l Champions Ch i ship hi Layout L - Full Length Driving Range & Practice Facility - Licensed Patio & Dining Room - Fully Stocked Pro-Shop - Open O to t the th Pub P blic li - Memberships Available 42990 Front Rd. Seaforth, Ontario - 519-522-0985 - www.sseaforthgolf.com - @seafor @ thgolfclub

We are proud of all the Teams!

Seaforth Optimist Club Congrats to all the Teams!

CALL THE EXPERTS! 43479 Blyth Road (R.R. #1) Walton, ON N0K 1Z0 kmmfarmdrainage@outlook.com Business: 519-887-6428 Ron 519-524-3543 • Chad 519-955-1588

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 25.

Huron Heat U13 BB: Back row, from left: Mark Mahon, Karrie Livingstone, Mike Jarmuth, Shawn O’Brien, Tim Vosper. Middle row: Abby Wammes, Zoey Prescott, Lily Livingstone, Mackenzi Finnigan, Emily Colclough, Lucy Mahon. Front row: Kirklynn Caldwell, Anna Jarmuth, Alyse Hoogenes, Emery DeJong, Brooke MacKenzie, Elena Hogger, Dani Vosper, Mackenzie VandenHeuvel, Reagan O’Brien.

Huron Heat U13 C: Back row, from left: Lesley Upshall, Scott Meyer, Mark Olson, Mike Ansley, Mark Calder, Christy Wood. Middle row: Kinley Wood, McKenna Gemmell, Hailey Laing, Emma Upshall, Reese Deboer. Front row: Leigha Wynja, Katie Meyer, Alexis Ansley, Halle Corriveau, Bree Vanden Hengel, Cali Calder, Summer Shannon, Claira Olson, Jordan Kamerman.

Huron Heat U13 HL: Back row, from left: Coaches: Andrew DeGroot, Nathan Shannon, Jamie Black, Mark Saggers. Middle row: Macy Sinclair, Brea McDonald, Alex Saggers, Maeva Blake, Emry DeGroot. Front row: Lily Rees, Jordan Shannon, Kyla Shannon, Adele Black, Maddy Zimmer, Nora Coleman, Lauren Riegling, Molly Macaulay, Eva Rooyakkers.

Huron Heat U15 BB: Back row, from left: Sue Little, Ken Gosleigh, Jess Dolmage, Pat Maloney. Middle row: Harlow Keys, Madeline Gosleigh, Lauren Koostra, Shayna Dolmage, Lauryn Maloney, Aven Dykstra , Hadley Little. Front row: Kyla MacDonald, Brooklyn Lammerant, Cassandra Colquohoun, Sutton Olmstead, Stella Thompson, Mercedes Daer, Addison McAsh, Ali Lammerant, Brianna McNichol. Absent: Sophie Caldwell.

Huron Heat U15 C: Back row, from left: Ben Tenhag, Chloe Lewis, Dean Wood, Krista Kuntz, Chris Fielder. Middle row: Leah Kuntz, Charlie Grant, Harper Phillips, Claire Cowman, Alyssa Hakkers, Melanie Sinclair, Ella Smith. Front row: AubreyAnne Cameron, Abigail Wood, Ruby Taylor, Rachel Love, Annie Davidson, Brook Beuermann, Naomi Pryce, Kayci Fielder, Lia Marshall.

Huron Heat U18 BB: Back row, from left: Ally Riegling, Carly DeJong, Riley Wilson, Hailey Beuermann, Carleigh Dale, Caleigh Ditner, Ella Williamson, Morgan Marks, Cassie Elliott, Karsyn McInally. Front row: Steve McInally, Blaine Marks, Neveah Little, Ashley McLeod, Sophie Gosleigh, Ashlyn Edwards, Danika Dykstra, Clara Leduc, Sydney Kootstra, Glen Ditner.

Huron Heat U18 C: Back row, from left: Back row, from left: Assistant coach Brenden Dale, trainer Jennifer Vogels, head coach Gerrid Dalton, trainer Bryan Durand. Middle row: Adrianna Brown, Destiny Dunbar, Sydney Dalton, Elise Brady, Grace Allen, Joselyn DeJong, Sydney Kolkman, Ansley Durand, Macy Tremeer.

Front row: Hailey Davidson, Addyson Wolfe, Erin Davies, Mackinley O’Brien, Allyson Vogels, Leah Dale, Olivia Bachert, Karly Fielder, Faith Durand. Absent: Assistant Coach Dave Burns, Olivia Lambers.

Mid-Huron Huskies U6 - #1

PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Mid-Huron Huskies U6 - #2

Mid-Huron Huskies U7 - #1

Mid-Huron Huskies U7 - #2

Mid-Huron Huskies U8 - #1

Mid-Huron Huskies U8 - #2

Mid-Huron Huskies U9 LL

Mid-Huron Huskies U9 MD

Mid-Huron Huskies U11 LL 1

Congratulations to all the Teams on another successful season!

Congratulations to all the Teams!

Hayter & Associates Inc. W. Glenn Hayter, CFP, BSc (Agr) 320 Victoria St, Clinton, ON 519-482-5840

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 27.

Mid-Huron Huskies U11 LL 2

Mid-Huron Huskies U11 Rep B

Mid-Huron Huskies U11 Rep D

Mid-Huron Huskies U13 LL 1

Mid-Huron Huskies U13 LL 2

Mid-Huron Huskies U13 Rep B

Mid-Huron Huskies U13 Rep D

Mid-Huron Huskies U15 LL 1

Another Great Season - Well Done Teams!

Londesboro & District Lions Club

t Job Grea s! a e T m

Proud sponsors of the Mid-Huron Huskies Box 339 37594 Telephone Road Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 519-482-3783 Toll Free: 877-532-4394 E-mail us at: vandriel@vandrielinc.com

PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Mid-Huron Huskies U15 LL 2

Mid-Huron Huskies U15 Rep B

Mid-Huron Huskies U15 Rep D

Mid-Huron Huskies U18 LL 1

Mid-Huron Huskies U18 LL 2

Mid-Huron Huskies U18 Rep B

Mid-Huron Huskies U18 Rep D

Mid-Huron Huskies U21

Wingham Ironmen U5: (not necessarily in order shown). Wesley B, Colton C, Everette E, William F, Kelly M, Quinlan P, Harper V, Ryan W.

Wingham Ironmen U7 LL Blue: (not necessarily in order shown). Patrick A, Quinton B, Liam B, Addilyn C, Evelyn D, Joey F, Chelsea G, Trey H, Harvey J, Cullen L, Ilsa M, Braxton T, Easton V, Ryker V. Coaches Garrit Vincent, Steve VanMeeteren.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 29.

Wingham Ironmen U7 LL Yellow: (not necessarily in order shown). Russell B, Kian C, Ava C, Haillie E, Parker H, Mason M, Ryder M, Nora M, Harrison M, Robin M, John-David M, Declan P, Kinelsy R, Coaches Dan Murray, Lucas Marks.

Wingham Ironmen U8 LL: (not necessarily in order shown). Wesley B, Blake B, Sterling C, Lincoln C, Easton J, Blakeley L, Leah M, Tori M, Ray M, Emmett M, Ava S, Liam V, Emma W, Coach Kent McPherson.

Wingham Ironmen U9 MD: (not necessarily in order shown). Liam C, Lucas C, Rory C, Rowan C, Jackson D, Seth H, Henry M, Harris M, Jordyn R, Kayden S, Aubrey T, Finn W, Spencer Y, Coaches Jamie Chester, Cory McDonald, Brad Carter, Jen Riley.

Wingham Ironmen U9 LL: (not necessarily in order shown). Revel B, Kailyn C, Zaden E, Gunnar E, Autumn E, Jasmine F, Odin L, Delsey L, Adleigh M, Aubrey M, Dawson P, Harper S, Sawyer S, Coaches Dan Elliott, Mitch Skinn.

Wingham Ironmen U11 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Bailey B (AP), Griffen B, Rory C (AP), Christiaan G (AP), Kalyn H (AP), Reed M, Grant M, Bentley M (AP), Callen M, Mason O, Jase R, Caleb R, Hudson S (AP), Camden V, Logan W, Coaches Cory Bragg, Marc Miller, Jason Rutledge, Andrea Verhaeghe.

Wingham Ironmen U11 LL Blue: (not necessarily in order shown). Bentley M, Noah B, Douglas C, Hudson S, James H, Bentley M, Christiaan G, Lian G, Jenna M (AP), Bryn D (AP), Austin L, Kalyn H, Axel B, Coaches Chad Haggitt, Dave Bartman, Jamie Morrison, Krista Campbell.

Congratulations to all the teams!

HEATING • COOLING • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • DUCT WORK • INDOOR AIR QUALITY • REFRIGERATION • FIREPLACES

1-888-357-4301 • WWW.MONTGOMERYINDUSTRIAL.COM

Congratulations to all the Teams!

Congratulations to all the Teams!

TENPAS DECOR

“You can’t pass on TenPas, where the welcome mat is always out for you!”

Carpet One Floor & Home 122 Main St. E., Listowel ~ 519-291-4440 www.tenpasdecorcarpetonelistowel.com

Vern’s Country Auto & Leisure

• Safety Vehicle Inspections • Classic Cars Specialist • All models cars and light trucks • Motorcycles & ATVs • Lawn & Garden Equipment • Snowmobiles • Watercraft & Marine • Trailers

Congratulations to all the Teams!

40486 B-Line Road, Wingham 519-357-1997 ~ Fax: 519-357-9978 vernsauto@eastlink.ca

Congratulations To All The Teams 99 Kerr Drive, Wingham ~ 519-357-1270 Check out our website winghamcolumbuscentre.com wc1@bellnet.ca

Wishing all the Teams congratulations on another great season!

PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Wingham Ironmen U11 LL Yellow: (not necessarily in order shown). Bailey B, Kobie C (AP), Kinsley C, Nolan G, Blake H, Malynne H (AP), Harlan J, Griffin J, Alleigh M, Makayla S (AP), Jeffrey W, Owen W, Scott W, Shawn W, Coaches George Jupp, Brian Bishop, Nancy Jupp, Heather Stewart.

Wingham Ironmen U13 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Ryder B, Wesley D, Kyler J, Max L, Nash M, Jarin R, Sam R, Cohen S, Carter V, Coaches Jeff Lewington, Joel Riley, Dennis McLean, Andrea Verhaeghe, Jeremy Schnurr.

Wingham Ironmen U13 LL - Blue: (not necessarily in order shown). Connor A, Axel B (AP), Corbin C, Evan D, Coulton F, Farrah H, Griffin J (AP), Liam M, Connor M, Zara R, Blake R, Caleb S, Mason V, Logan W, Jeffrey W (AP), Owen W (AP), Coaches Cameron Teraa, Raelynn Pennington, Peter Jakobsen, Terry Walker, Jenn Robinson.

Wingham Ironmen U13 LL - Yellow: (not necessarily in order shown). Brock B, Tyson C, Liam D, Reid H, Gauge H, Rory J, Jay M, Braydon M, Spencer S, Jaxon T,John W, Scott W, Coaches Rob Warwick, Ryan Cook, Tash Buchanan, Jamie McCallum.

Wingham Ironmen U15 C: (not necessarily in order shown). William M, Kaiden M, Colton S, Tayt S, Darren P, Aiden H, Joel I, Ryden V, Darcy D, Parker A, Lucas O, Lochlan H, Kade K, Dustin B, Memphis R, Brady E, Coaches Mike Kucan, Tim Prentice, Josh Ireland.

Wingham Ironmen U15 LL: (not necessarily in order shown). Winston A, Evan B, Tyler B, Gavin E, Colby H, Trenton H, Liam H, Kaleb H, Kaden J, Billy M, Mikel M, Aaric R, Jacob S, Tyler S, Brent W, Hunter W, Lane W, Coaches Cody Youngaloo, Cody McKeachnie, Damian McBurney, Sydney Teraa, Marilyn Whitfield, David Burns.

JKM

Congratulations to all the Teams!

Christina Steplock, AMP VP Online Mortgage Solutions Mortgage Agent Level 2

www.christinasteplock.ca

519-357-2558 christina.steplock@dominionlending.ca

Congratulations teams on another great season!

Way To Go Teams!

Plumbing Heating Cooling and Refrigeration Congratulations on another great season!

306-897-0156 Clinton, Ontario Jonmerner@gmail.com

Jon Merner

Bes Wish t e Team s s!

Dr L McCarthy • Dr S Doorn 9 Patrick Street West, Box 88, Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 Tel : 519-357-1282 • Fax: 519-357-4509 email: reception@winghamoptometry. com

HURON FEEDING SYSTEMS Your local authorized dealer for...

Brussels • 519-887-6289

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024. PAGE 31.

Wingham Ironmen U18 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Emma C (AP), Kaden B, Trayden C, Kirkton C, Dylan D, Connor F, Ethan G, Logan L, Carter M, Wyatt R, Keaton R, Preston R, Adler S, Reid W, Coaches Tyson Michie, Brad Robinson.

Wingham Ironmen U18 LL: (not necessarily in order shown). Nathan A, Alex B, Brier B, Landon B, Lukas C, Cody D, Dylan D, Logan H, Jack H, Logan H, Colban H, Bryn H, Hayden J, Andy M, Tyler M, James S, Coaches Jeff Norgate, Jeremy Heffer, Rob Harrison, Chad Carter, Kathy Clark, Maggie Speer.

Wingham-Lucknow 86ers U9 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Pierce A, Kinslee B, Rachel B, Grace B, Hailey B, Camryn B, Carolee D, Kenley D, Adeline D, Madison F, Isabelle M, Kenzie L, Nykole R, McKinley V, Madalyn W, Coaches Laura Bross, Mike Bean, Lacey Bean, Amanda Ritchie.

Wingham-Lucknow 86ers U11 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Saige A, Kolbie C, Madison D, Bryn D, Caryss D, Malynne H, Katherine H, Irelyn J, Adalyn M, Jenna M, Amber R, Caleight R, Makayla S, Lyvia S, Myla V, Coaches Dennis McLean, Stu Rintoul.

Wingham-Lucknow 86ers U11 HL: Back row, from left: Mikaela B, Aubrey B, Hadyia C, MacKenzie C, Lyra D, Claudia D, Maddy H, MacKinley H, Kinley I, Addie L, Paisley R, Ella S, Laykin S, Brynlee V, Coaches Tom Simpson, Brett Lammie, Ashley Simpson.

Wingham Ironmen U15 B: Back row, from left: Layla A, Katie Rae B, Rainie C, Gabby D, Aliya H, Paige I, Maddi L, Addison M, Skylar M, Lyla O, Morgan R, Coaches Ray Buttineau, Mike Haggitt, Ashley Andrew, Sarah Campbell.

Wingham-Lucknow 86ers U15 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Presley C, Lacey D, Talia E, Ashley G, Bella H, Ainslie J, Melana M, Kylie M, Alyssa M, Phoenix R, Elaina S, Ava T, Reese T, Coaches Jasmine Vader, Kent Readman, Cheryl Johnston, Lawanda McBurney.

Wingham-Lucknow 86ers U18 C: (not necessarily in order shown). Ava B, Briella C, Emma C, Cierra C, Haylee D, Mikayla D, Jasmine D, Addison D, Chloe M, Addison M, Hailey M, Leah P, Elleah S, Kiera S, Grace S, Alyn W, Devyn W, Coaches Chasity Caesar, Isaac Errington.

PAGE 32. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.

Budget approved

Shop fire Firefighters from the Lucknow and District Fire Department and the Fire Department of North Huron responded to an incident on Belfast Road on Thursday, April 4.

(Scott Stephenson photo)

Wingham BIA to propose take-over of WTHT operation Continued from page 19 same time, staff productivity is reduced, especially during load-in and sound check times, and access to the kitchenette becomes limited…. Weekday performances that need to set up and do sound checks during municipal office hours have been challenging. There is additional noise, reduced space for staff to congregate on breaks, and additional people in the building. Sometimes all the entrances to the building are being used to get the equipment up to the theatre - there are health and safety concerns, as well as confidentiality and security concerns. Staff are looking to council to set the parameters for operation.”

Furtney presented four options to council that could better accommodate the needs of North Huron’s five staff members. “If council is interested in the theatre business and want to help grow it, staff could be directed to investigate and report back as to possible alternative green room options.” His other suggested plans of action included restricting weekday access to the theatre until after 4:30 p.m., allowing performances on weekends only, or limiting the number of weekday shows to six per year and closing the office on those days. The report acknowledged that a mandated decrease in performances would likely mean less access to the stage for local performance groups like the Almost Famous Players.

Councillor Chris Palmer criticized the possible changes.

“Option 2 I don’t like, because it may restrict some big acts, and there seem to be more and more of them. Option 3 may hurt the Almost Famous Players. Number 4, restricting it to six rentals a year, well that’s restricting the use of the hall and its profitability.” Palmer went on to suggest that on performance days, staff could use North Huron’s brand new council chambers. “We have a great room

back here, and it was built to be used by staff whenever it’s needed, so during these times, anybody who is unduly affected by noise should maybe just come here? That’s an option.”

Councillor Ric McBurney countered Palmer’s comment in support of staff. “I feel like we’re pushing the people trying to run the township out of their workplaces,” he said.

Councillor Mitch Wright spoke up in regards to the BIA’s potential takeover of theatre management. “I think we should actually defer this to a later meeting. There are one or two members of the BIA that have lots of experience with this.

They’ve talked to the performers, they’ve helped run wires and make small modifications to the theatre to facilitate performances, and I think they could come up with some ideas that are a bit more nuanced and detailed than this report…. I don’t think waiting another couple weeks to make a decision to allow time for consultation with the BIA will make much of a difference. I don’t think any of these options hit the nail on the head.”

According to North Huron’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, the theatre should be front and foremost as a local asset.

It states that “as a part of postpandemic planning, opportunities exist to focus efforts on marketing the township's arts and cultural spaces to raise awareness of what's available in the community and to encourage use. In an effort to increase use of the Wingham Town Hall Theatre, consideration should be given to promoting the space for school use, hosting programs or events such as movie nights and theatre classes (either by the township or a third party), and attracting performers that appeal to different interests and age groups.”

A motion passed to defer any decision until after staff meets with the BIA.

Continued from page 1 were deferring Loyal Line for another year.”

McNeil asked whether council wanted to proceed or defer a budget decision until the next meeting.

Councillor Anita Snobelen said, “To be honest with you, I felt like it was in, it was out, it was in, it was out so many times…. It was in my notes in my binder, which I didn’t bring with me today, perhaps I should have. I looked in my notebook and I didn’t make a note of it here but I know I did make a note of it in the binder but, as I recall, it was in and out at least twice through the conversation and discussion…. I would be okay to defer it, but I wouldn’t want to see staff, you know, have their hands tied because we don’t pass this today.” Finding himself in a parallel predicament, McNeil admitted, “I’m the same as you, I have it noted in my book, but I don’t have it with me today.”

Public Works Superintendent Thomas McCarthy offered his account of the decision in question.

“As I recall, it did get passed in and out. But at the end of the day, to my

recollection, it was out just because we felt like it could wait an additional cycle. It is a fair chunk of money and it would probably, the way [Treasurer Ellen McManus] has got the budget setup, it would probably impact that, so, to my recollection, it was out.” Appearing virtually from home with access to her budget binder, Councillor Jennifer Miltenburg said, “I’m going to agree it was in and out and in and out but… I just looked in my notes and my notes say it’s out.”

Deputy-Mayor Bill Vanstone suggested McCarthy make the final decision on whether to include work on Dungannon Road in this year’s budget.

Definitively, McCarthy concluded, “as discussed in the budget meeting, just because of the amount of traffic and the condition that [Dungannon Road] is in, you could hold off on it.”

By a show of hands, council supported enshrining the tax rate into a bylaw later in the meeting. A motion to approve the budget as presented was successful, with Councillors Curtis Blake and Evan Hickey voting against it.

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