The Citizen - April 21, 2023

The

THIS WEEK 4 • Editorials 8 • Sports 10 • History 13 • Car Care

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source

Friday, April 21, 2023

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Volume 39 No. 16

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

Roulston inducted into HOF

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Full S.T.E.A.M. ahead From left, Gerrit Sepers, Grade 5 student Lilly West and Karen Middleton-Meadham all participate in a workshop as part of S.T.E.A.M. Night at Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough on Thursday, April 13.

The fun, interactive and informative evening was an opportunity for families and faculty to come together to explore the subjects of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Huron East budget process continues

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East Council continued the 2023 budget process on April 13, hearing about operating budget projections and a potential increase to the levy in excess of 16 per cent.

Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts and Director of Finance Stacy Grenier presented their report to council at the meeting, which included five-year projections for nearly 50 departments that, for the moment,

included a 16.25 per cent to the levy. That does not necessarily reflect the draft budget’s impact on the tax levy for the year, but those figures will not be presented until the next budget meeting, which has yet to be set. He did note that the municipality’s assessment base has grown due to development, which is good news for Huron East.

He did note, however, that, even with the 16.25 per cent proposed increase to the levy, there is still $550,000 of unfunded capital under the fire department budget, which

needs to go towards the municipality’s portion of selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment for the firefighters, although McRoberts did say there is an opportunity to finance the equipment purchase over the course of between six and 10 years.

McRoberts began the presentation by preaching the “conservative” nature of the budget, saying that staff members and department heads have all tried to be conservative with this year’s

Heat, 86ers triumph provincially

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The local girls’ hockey season wrapped up over the weekend, as the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) held its provincial championships in the Toronto area, welcoming six Huron Heat teams and a number of other local squads in search of provincial glory... with some finding it.

The Senior C Huron Heat earned provincial gold with a 5-1 win over

the Orillia Hawks in the final.

The team began with a 5-0 win over the Bluewater Hawks on April 14, followed by a 4-4 draw with the Orillia Hawks later that day.

The Heat then began April 15 with an 8-0 win over the Gloucester Cumberland Lady Stars, followed by a 5-4 victory over the St. Marys Storm.

The team then defeated Stone Mills in the semifinals by a score of 4-1 and, ultimately, the Orillia Hawks in the finals by a score of 5-

1 to win provincial gold.

The U13 C Wingham/Lucknow 86ers won their provincial bracket, defeating the Kanata Rangers in the final and going undefeated in the tournament.

On April 14, the team beat the London Devilettes by a score of 61, followed by a 5-0 win over the Twin Centre Hericanes. On April 15, Wingham/Lucknow beat the Carleton Place Cyclones by a score of 3-1, followed by a 3-0 win over Continued on page 8

budget figures in what will prove to be a difficult budget year. Right off the bat, he said, 6.8 per cent of the proposed increase can be attributed to wages, while a further 2.25 per cent is due to benefits.

He also detailed numerous pressures affecting this year’s budget process, such as a minimum inflationary increase of 6.5 per cent, a 15 per cent increase to insurance costs, a utility cost increase of 10 per cent, a 20-25 per cent increase to fuel costs and more.

As part of the meeting, council also debated a number of expenditures that McRoberts said could perhaps wait for a year in order to bring the potential levy increase down. As a result of the meeting, staff is now working towards a 13.5 per cent increase to the levy. Council had issued an approximate goal of 12 per cent, while Councillor Bob Fisher asked if he could be so bold as to suggest a 10 per cent increase.

McRoberts’ first recommendation was to use the gas tax funding to fund a road project in the budget, since the scope of the funding had Continued on page 19

It’s a great week for good news about good news - Blyth-area Renaissance man and founder of The Citizen Keith Roulston has been inducted into the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s (OCNA) Hall of Fame.

The OCNA Hall of Fame is intended to recognize and celebrate community members who’ve had a significant impact on Ontario’s local newspapers.

Lucknow-native Roulston is in good company - this year’s fellow inductees include publishers Michael Atkins (Laurentian Publishing) and Abbas Homayed (Sudbury Northern Life), retired Metroland Media Group president Murray Skinner, and columnist and editor Jim Thomas of The Stouffville Sun Tribune.

But who is newspaper crackerjack Keith Roulston, and why is he being honoured? The Citizen sat down with its mostlyretired founder at his charming split-level rural home to learn a bit more about the journey that has brought him to where he is today.

A far cry from the popular image of the newspaper man as a Hearstian fact-manufacturer, Roulston has always believed in thinking small. His favourite kind of story? “People’s stories… interesting stories about what people are doing locally.” If you live in Huron County, Roulston has covered your fish fry, your barn fire, your local political races. He has not only been a compassionate local reporter and editor in Huron County for over 40 years, but he has also been an active participant in the community his papers have served.

While Roulston’s community involvement has been the subject of many articles over the years, he never set out to make the news, just to tell it. And news wasn’t actually his first choice.

“I didn’t even plan on going into journalism, I wanted to be a fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) originally,” he reminisced, “but when I got to the 13th grade, I didn’t have the right subjects to do that.” Roulston attended the now-closed Lucknow District High School, which did not offer the physics class required to join the RCAF - interested students would have to travel to Wingham if they wanted to learn about the properties of matter and energy. “I didn’t want to do that, so I had to decide what else to do… my mother eventually said ‘you’re Continued on page 3

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Captain Nesbitt retiring after three decades of service

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Captain Russell Nesbitt has retired from the Fire Department of North Huron after 30 years of service.

A great community is made up of dedicated individuals performing vital services, and it is hard to imagine a more vital part of any community than its fire brigade.

Firefighting is hard work, both physically and emotionally - for that reason, it is rare for one person to serve for three entire decades.

North Huron and Huron East Fire Chief Kent Readman feels that it’s hard to overstate the impact Nesbitt

has had on his community. “It is rare in today’s fire service to see people reach this milestone and is something that should be truly celebrated as this type of commitment comes with a lot of personal sacrifice. Captain Nesbitt has impacted the lives of many of the people he has served over the years and has provided a strong and consistent leadership presence within our fire department.”

Nesbitt’s long and storied career of public service has a very simple origin story. “One day, the old fire chief, Paul Josling, approached me and asked if I’d be interested in a position… and that was it, 30 years ago,” laughed Nesbitt. Equally

Time to relax Kerry and Russell Nesbitt are getting used to the retirement lifestyle after three decades of unpredictable firefighting and emergency response. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Russell Nesbitt Newly-retired FDNH Captain

simple is his reason for retiring.

“Firefighting is a young man’s game… it’s a lot of physical labour!”

Between these two points is a lifetime of quick decision making.

“The first five or 10 minutes of a fire set the precedent for the rest of the call… you’re trying to minimize damage, you’re trying to save lives.

You’ve got a lot of decisions to make in a short period of time.”

Much has changed since he started out. “It’s unbelievable how much transformation has occurred… the trucks are bigger and better in every way - designed incredibly well and comfortable.”

That’s a far cry from the early days, riding in a jump seat in frigid temperatures. “It was a

little more rugged,” he recalled.

The equipment necessary to fight fires has also gone through a number of significant upgrades over the past three decades. Air packs are the lifeline for any firefighter, bringing breathable air into hostile environments, and they have changed a lot. “Some of the new packs now have infrared built right into the visors… it would have been a dream 30 years ago to even think that was possible.”

It’s also been a lifetime of memory making.

“The trucks don’t turn a wheel without a person driving it - our manpower is our best asset… the camaraderie and the teamwork, that’s the stuff you remember, I mean, the work gets done, but it’s

those bonds and those relationships you rely on. They’re counting on you, and you’re counting on them.”

Another essential teammate that made Nesbitt’s marathon stretch as a firefighter possible is his wife, Kerry. “I couldn’t do anything without her… she’s the glue that took care of the family.” Kerry became used to 30 years of sudden disappearances and changed plans, and she is looking forward to a less complicated schedule. “It’s going to be a whole lot different for me,” she laughed. As for Captain Nesbitt, he’s in search of a new hobby with relaxation in mind.

Nesbitt’s advice for anybody thinking of going into firefighting is simple. “If it interests you at all, try it out.”

The 13th annual Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund Run Around The Square is back in-person this year!

Sunday, May 14th All proceeds from the Run Around The Square go towards the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund and the purchase of life-saving defibrillators.

Registration open until April 30th at midnight !

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All registered runners will receive a t-shirt and be entered into a draw to win a bike from 360 Bikes ’n Boards in Goderich

Register at www.runaroundthesquare.ca Brought to you by:

Three distances 5K - $60 10K - $65 Half-marathon - $70

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 3.

Roulston receives high praise from OCNA that stay the same. The 1974 line from The Blyth Standard, “A typical Canadian day: one guy was saying the government was spending too much and another was demanding yet another service” could have been written at any time in our nation’s history. Whether it be a 15-cent copy of The Clinton News Record from 1970 or a copy of The Citizen purchased for $1.50 today - they both contain editorials

by Roulston addressing consumers' growing unease with rising costs.

How has he been spending his wellearned retirement? Writing for The Citizen, of course.

These days, the “local newspaper” has become something of an endangered animal. The modern media world is a place where it is common for giant conglomerates to buy up small-

Hall of famer Keith Roulston was inducted in the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s Hall of Fame on Friday, April 14. Roulston’s decades-long career has focused on telling local stories. (Scott Stephenson photo) Continued from page 1 interested in writing, so why don’t you go to Ryerson?’”

Go to Ryerson he did, in 1965, at the height of the swinging Yonge Street scene - an era when virtually unknown Joni Mitchells and Neil Youngs roamed the earth. Not content just to study journalism, Roulston became assistant editor and then editor of The Ryersonian, the school’s newspaper.

Having been bitten by the newsie bug in the big city, Roulston returned to his hometown to spread his enthusiasm. He got right to work creating a paper of his very own - a sport-centric publication known as Western Ontario Sports.

How was his first foray into the wild world of sport publication?

“That was a disaster,” laughed Roulston. I had all the journalism training and absolutely no clue what it took to pay the bills.” He quickly learned about the difference between working at a paper and starting one. “At The Ryersonian, we had always just put out a newspaper and the advertising was just magically there… all of a sudden we had to go out and find advertising to support the newspaper. I was in charge of that as well as the editorial side of things - when it came to the advertising side, I was terrible!”

After the learning experience of

that ill-fated publication, he worked his way through the area’s thenvibrant local news scene. In those days, the local weekly was the place to check out movie times at Wingham’s Lyceum Theatre, or learn about the $2.50 smorgasbord at Trinity Church. Roulston started out with a brief stint as editor of The Clinton News Record in 1970.

“I was there for a year and a half or so when I heard the newspaper in Blyth was going to be sold.”

Most of the papers back then were owned by people who also owned printing plants using letterpress technology, but a tectonic shift in the industry was looming - the advent of offset printing. Not since the move from the Scriptorium to the Gutenberg printing press had there been such a huge increase in potential quantity at a considerably decreased cost.

Printing plates became a quick and easy way to produce print media with high-quality images.

A side effect of this streamlining many smaller papers began to go up for sale. “All of the printing was now being done in one place, and the newspaper part of it was being sold… so I bought the old Blyth Standard from Doug Whitmore, whose father, Ken Sr., started Blyth Printing in 1938, and whose son, Ken, is the current owner.”

Shortly after starting out in Blyth,

Decades in the making Founding Citizen Publisher Keith Roulston is seen here in 2013 receiving the Silver Quill Award for 25 years in the business from Anne Lannan. (File photo)

Roulston stumbled upon another passion while out looking for impressive things to photograph for the paper. A local club was putting on a variety show at the Blyth Memorial Hall, a stately old building on Queen Street. The space was in a state of disrepair, but its historical value was evident, from the cornerstone to the rafters.

Roulston felt the hall also had a future waiting to happen.

This first encounter with Memorial Hall led Roulston to a years-long odyssey to restore the forgotten local beauty to its former glory. He found allies all over Blyth, from Blyth Board of Trade head Helen Gowing to the Lions Club, leading all the way to the Blyth Village Council. There were fire escapes to install, painting to do, an electrical system that needed rewiring, and $50,000 in roof repairs. A galvanized community worked hard for years, eventually leading to the fully restored crown jewel of the Blyth Theatre Festival, of which Roulston is a co-founder and first general manager. He has also written plays for the festival.

While working to establish the festival and theatre, Roulston was still actively working in local news, founding The Rural Voice and running The Village Squire. He sold off these publications in 1979 to focus solely on the theatre, but found himself unable to stay out of the paper game, founding The Citizen in 1985 when further newspaper closures led to a lack of coverage of both Blyth and Brussels.

Despite his work with the community-based theatre, Roulston did not have the funds to start another paper. The limitations of this situation led him to get creative, and he came up with a plan to find local funding, selling $100 shares in the paper to the residents of Blyth and Brussels, a venture that was so successful that it received international news coverage, which led to the Ontario Securities Commission’s discovery that The Citizen had more shareholders than the legal limit.

The result was a reduction in the number of shareholders to 50, and the resulting paper, The Citizen, is still community-owned to this day, and continues to employ a dedicated team focused on telling local stories that matter to residents.

These days, Roulston’s mind has been occupied with how much things have changed, but he’s also always had an eye for the things

town papers, gaining influence and homogenizing news.

Online publications spew divisive rhetoric that has put entire societies at odds, and the independent local paper’s habitat is being threatened. Not since the conversion from letterpress to offset printing has there been such a momentous shift in print media.

That’s what makes Keith Roulston such a remarkable anomaly in the world of print media. All of his papers, whether The Blyth Standard, The Citizen, or The Rural Voice, have offered the same thing to the citizens of Ontario’s West Coast - the feeling that their triumphs are worth celebrating, their burdens can be shared, and that their causes are worthy. It is the chance for our citizens to be seen.

He chooses and saves one of His crucifiers!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Secret Place”) “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’

And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34 “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard His cry and saw how He died, he said: Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39 He Who hung in sheer and marvelous mercy on the Cross craves a trophy of grace, and will not be satisfied until He has it. Out of the ranks of cruel paganism, He chooses and saves one of His crucifiers!

The Saviour had been praying, and it is evident now that His prayer was not in vain: “Father, forgive them!” He had entreated God for the very Roman centurion who had nailed Him to His tree of shame, and then had sat down and barbarously gambled for His clothes. Yet he is... fully and instantly forgiven, transformed into the confessor of the Man he crucifies!

Let me rejoice that nothing is too hard for the prayers of Jesus. He asks God for... my salvation and pardon, the conquest of my unthinking and earth-chained mind, the renewal of my selfish, proud and disobedient life.

In the heavenly place He lifts His holy and pierced hands on my behalf. And the Father gives Him His heart’s desire, and does not withhold the request of His lips.

A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Editorials & Opinions

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

The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.huroncitizen.ca

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Turning the page Free speech was victorious by a narrow margin in a small Texas county last week, but could still be threatened by the appeal process.

After federal judges ordered Llano County to reinstate a dozen children’s books that had been banned due to LGBTQ and racial content, the commissioners of the library system were considering shuttering the entire public library system, rather than comply with the order.

Librarians and other citizens in favour of reinstating the list of banned books were at odds with a group of residents who called the material “salacious” and “unsafe” when each side spoke to the commissioners at an emergency meeting. Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham, who is the head of the county commission, announced they would abide by a federal judge’s order to restore the books rather than shutter the system.

We are not immune to censorship in Canada. In fact, the Book and Periodical Council of Canada established Freedom to Read Week to highlight the fact that there is a constant battle to keep our intellectual freedom. They produced a list of 29 books that have battled censorship which includes Canadian icons Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro.

It’s incredible that closing an entire library system would be the preferred option to some over allowing 12 books to remain in circulation.

Censorship in any form is a slippery slope, but especially in a public library system that is supposed to provide resources for its citizens to engage in lifelong learning and explore new dimensions. – DS

A hidden life Last Friday, the man who spent decades writing editorials in this space - in addition to founding the newspaper itself - was inducted into the Ontario Community Newspaper Association Hall of Fame. Keith Roulston has spent a lifetime telling the stories of this community, in the pages of The Citizen and The Rural Voice (in addition to his early work with other area newspapers) and on stage at the Blyth Festival.

Keith’s voice has been omnipresent here for decades, but not from a grandstand or a soapbox - through these very pages or from behind the scenes at the Festival (which he also co-founded). The impact he’s had on this community is undeniable, though he’d be the first to disagree.

Oh, maybe not disagree, but shift the spotlight and, thus, the credit to someone else, thanking them for all they’ve done to better the world.

The very nature of journalism says that good reporters, columnists and editorial writers keep themselves out of the story. As a result, the impact of a decades-long career can be sneaky. Keith has done all he’s done not to push an agenda and certainly not to get rich, but to serve his community as well as he could. The Citizen is no stepping stone, but a life’s work that’s being recognized for all it’s accomplished.

Keith, this Editorial Board offers its most heartfelt congratulations on your remarkable achievement. Your commitment to community is an inspiration and your hard work and dedication has driven so many to strive to do the same. Your impact looms so very large.

Simply put, if there were more Keith Roulstons - people who strive to build up their communities and selflessly elevate those around them, uninterested in who will get the credit - the world would be a better place, full of wisdom, care and a sense of responsibility. – SL

Cue the poop (emoji) slinging CBC/Radio-Canada has announced that it will be “pausing” its use of Twitter, following the social media platform’s labeling of its main account as “government-funded media”. In a statement released by CBC Media Relations Director Leon Mar, he expressed concern that Twitter’s labeling undermines the accuracy and professionalism of the work done

by CBC journalists, as it falsely described CBC’s independence. Mar also said CBC had not been consulted before the label was applied.

Mar argued that CBC does not meet the criteria for “governmentfunded media” as defined by Twitter’s website, which refers to outlets where the government provides funding and may have editorial involvement. He pointed out that CBC is publicly funded through a parliamentary appropriation that is voted upon by all MPs, and its editorial independence is protected by law in the Broadcasting Act. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had requested the label for CBC English’s accounts that promote “news-related” content, but not for its French counterpart. Poilievre’s Tweet also linked to a Conservative petition calling for CBC to be defunded, stating that it spreads “Trudeau propaganda” instead of news. The Canadian Press then contacted Twitter for an explanation, to which the company responded with 💩 (an icon depicting a smiling pile of human excrement, also known as a poop emoji). The asinine reply from Twitter should make anyone question its suitability as a venue for important political discourse.

As leader of the official opposition, Poilievre already has a platform to convince voters that the Broadcasting Act should be reviewed. Instead of respectfully making the case directly to Canadians in the House of Commons, Poilievre is squarely focused on 💩. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years April 21, 1966 A surprise gathering of friends and neighbours arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Bone in Morris Township. The occasion was to honour them before their departure for their new home in Wingham. Several games of euchre were played, adding to the festive atmosphere.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, someone took a 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne from the McCutcheon Motors lot, but their joyride was short-lived. Just a few blocks away, in front of W.J.D. Cardiff’s home, the car crashed into a tree, causing extensive damage to the grill, headlights and fender. The culprit returned the car to the spot from which it was taken. However, their driving skills hadn’t improved, as they ended up backing the car into a large plate glass show window, shattering it.

On April 6, the Brussels Girl Guides gathered for their weekly meeting at the public library, with 23 Guides in attendance. The patrols started off with a game before Mrs. D.A. Rann arrived to teach them copper tooling.

April 21,1976 On April 12, the Blyth II 4-H Club held its sixth meeting at the home of Mrs. Murray Hamm. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the 4-H Pledge, followed by Nancy McInnes reading out the minutes from the previous meeting. The group then engaged in a discussion about ideas for covers on their record books.

Mrs. Hamm took the floor to demonstrate the French knot, which was the final stitch to be learned by the members.

The Blyth Fire Department had a busy night on Friday and early

morning on Saturday as members battled two fires in a short span of time, managing to prevent extensive damage.

The prompt action of the firefighters kept the total damage to under $3,000 for both fires.

The first call came in just after 9 p.m. on Friday from concerned neighbours of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Daer, who had noticed sparks coming from a fire at the corner of the Daer barn. Chief Irvine Bowes estimated the damage to be less than $1,000, with the cause of the fire being a faulty electrical cable.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, the fire department responded to another call at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Lee on Drummond Street. The Lees, who were in the process of remodeling their home, woke up around 5:30 a.m. to find the house filled with smoke. Mr. Lee quickly evacuated his wife and child from the house and called the fire department.

By the time the firefighters arrived, the fire had spread from the kitchen wall, where it had started due to a light bulb touching bare wood, to the attic above the kitchen. However, the firefighters were able to confine the damage from fire and water to the kitchen area of the house. Chief Bowes estimated the damage to be under $2,000.

April 22, 1998 During the April 17 meeting of Morris Township Council, a petition with 17 signatures was presented by Deborah Himmelman, requesting action to address the issue of excessive noise at the Wingham airport. The petition specifically pointed out that the tow plane used for the glider school was the source of the noise disturbance.

Lou Maloney and Ken Preszcador emerged as the champions of the euchre games held at Walton Hall the previous week. Ruth and Bill Jenkins secured the second-place spot, while Delores and Margaret Anderson claimed third place.

George Love was awarded the men’s lone hand prize, and Eileen Wickie won the ladies’ lone hand prize. In addition to the euchre games, there was also a 50/50 draw, and the lucky winners were Millie Johnston, Elsie Mogk and Charlie Johnston.

The melodious notes of music reverberated through the halls of Knox Church in Cranbrook on a delightful Saturday night. The talented performers, showcasing their diverse skills and captivating voices, enthralled the audience with an inspiring and popular repertoire of songs. Among the many highlights of the evening was the mesmerizing performance by the members of the Lucknow Youth Choir, which delighted the audience with its soulful renditions of several numbers.

April 18, 2013 Staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that a warming centre remained operational at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre over the weekend, providing crucial support to those who were without power.

In addition to offering overnight accommodations, the centre extended a helping hand by providing warm meals and hot showers to those who were unable to access these necessities at home.

The Chime In Choir from Knox United Church in Belgrave performed at Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels on Sunday.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 5.

Other Views

So much to be hopeful about

A

pril, in our family, seems to be a time for visiting my doctors, with trips to Kitchener to see my heart specialist and London to see one of two people overseeing my prostate cancer treatment. The other day I was in the right frame of mind to realize how lucky I am.

We live in an era of spectacular medical knowledge and research. I suffered a bout of rheumatic fever back in the 1950s. In those days before universal health care, my doctor wanted me to go to hospital for several weeks, but my family couldn’t afford it. I was kept at home and my doctor visited regularly, having to walk up a (short) snow-filled lane to see me (rheumatic fever attacked in winter).

It seemed that I had escaped heart damage at the time, but four years ago I was ill and the doctors realized I had a heart valve damaged by the rheumatic fever I had suffered 60 years earlier. Rheumatic fever had become completely unknown to medical professionals thanks to universal availability of penicillin.

But, luckily, because of medical progress over the years, it was possible to have the faulty valve in my heart replaced under the medical procedure invented years since my original infection. But my surgeon said it was a top priority. If not replaced quickly, I was likely to die. So they did act, giving me an artificial valve, and I’m still here. On a recent visit, my doctor said my heart had actually gained strength since the operation.

I was still recovering from that surgery when doctors discovered that I also had prostate cancer. My cancer specialist in Stratford treated me with hormone shots, to delay the disease, but also sent me to a researcher in London who used experimental radiation therapy to treat the disease. The results were

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk dramatic and I don’t need the hormone shots, for the time being. I get regular testing to see if the cancer has gained strength. When it does, I’ll have a bigger problem.

Oh, and I have regular appointments with my optometrist. Several years ago he noticed that I was having problems with the corners of my vision. It was a problem my aunt suffered when I was young and she became nearly blind. But a specialist gave laser treatments and my vision has been stable for several years, proven by a complicated, once-a-year test that just about drives me crazy. Now, I also need drops because my optometrist tells me the pressure in my eyes has grown. The drops, however, seem to be working.

I also had a stroke, as part of a three-year strike-out rate, that, with the best of medical care, I seem to have recovered from.

But such are the advances being made in this age when we have more people involved in medical research than ever before. Before the heart valve issue was discovered, I took no medication at all. Today I have a constantlygrowing list of pills and drops at breakfast and before bedtime.

The advances in medical care are truly breathtaking. We have an inspiring movie in our collection called Breathe, based on a true story. It’s about Robin and Diana Cavendish, made by their son Jonathan, a British

filmmaker. Polio is another long-forgotten plague from before a vaccine was invented that turned it from a yearly, summertime dread that killed thousands over the years, to a piece of history.

Despite the fact polio was mostly suffered by children, in this case, Robin contracted the disease while he was an adult, working in Africa in 1960. He was paralyzed by the disease and, because he was so active, he simply wanted to die. But Diana, who was pregnant with Jonathan when the illness attacked her husband, refused to let him. She kept at him until he began to bounce back.

Still, it seemed he was confined to a hospital bed until an inventive friend, Teddy Hall, an Oxford University professor, created a portable machine to help him breathe without being confined to bed. With the batteryoperated machine, he was free to leave his hospital bed, to the disapproval of the supervising doctor.

Diana finds them a rural home where she and Robin live with young Jonathan. There are complications, which I won’t go into here, but they live a magical life for anyone suffering a similar debilitating disease.

There’s one scene that’s worth mentioning because anyone who has seen the movie remembers it. Robin is taken to Europe to speak at a conference. While there, he’s taken to a leading German facility, to a room in which polio survivors are kept, as if they were in filing cabinets, in walls fitted with iron lungs to breathe for them. The contrast between his life and theirs is astounding.

There is so much hope in modern medicine and medical research now, but there’ll be even more in the future. That’s why we should be so hopeful!

It’s time to talk seriously about the weather

W

elcome back to The Chaff-eteria, where we serve up heaping trayfuls of pure, unadulterated Chaff to satisfy even your wildest cravings for the good stuff. That's right, folks, we have 100 per cent pure, undiluted The Chaff, with absolutely no Chiff, no Chuff, and definitely no Chorf! It's the real deal, endorsed by four out of five doctors as more effective than water for sustaining life on Earth. The fifth doctor?

Well, they're probably just not getting enough The Chaff in their diet to make proper recommendations. Don't listen to that underChaffed charlatan!

This week’s The Chaff is taking aim at whoever is responsible for this April’s wacky weather and demanding accountability for the recent, unacceptable flip-flop from summerlike conditions on one day to blustery, wintry weather the next. I mean, seriously, what's up with that?

First of all, it's just too much too soon. Back in the day, we had a thing called springtime, when conditions would gradually improve over several weeks. Remember those days?

You'd have plenty of time to put away your heavy winter clothing and bust out your lighter spring jackets. And if you were lucky, you might find some hidden treasures in the pockets, like a forgotten $5 bill or a half-pack of throat lozenges from last year. But with the current weather shenanigans, periods of proper spring weather are becoming less reliable and more inconsistent, meaning those hidden treasures might not see the light of day until much later, or worse, not at all. I mean, with the rate of inflation these days, that $5 bill forgotten in your pocket is worth even less than when you originally forgot you put it in there, seriously reducing your lozenge-buying power. It's a tragedy, folks!

And don't even get me started on the

Scott Stephenson The Chaff decision to sharply drop the temperature on a Monday. I mean, were the teachings of the great spiritual philosopher Garfield completely disregarded? According to Garfield, Mondays are the most hateable day of the entire week.

Adding insult to injury with a sudden chill in the air is just cruel. What’s next, a full ban on lasagna?

Why not save all the bad weather for Wednesdays? It's a perfectly fine day for that kind of nonsense, if you ask me. In fact, there's even a petition circulating in the community to relegate all bad weather to Wednesdays. It's time to take a stand, folks! Add your name to the list and join the choir of rage singing the songs of complaining.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely in favour of some variation in the weather. It’s nice to have a warm day in the middle of November or an occasional gentle, cool rain in the typically hot summer months, but a nearly 30-degree temperature drop in April?! You’ve got to be kidding me.

Our political leaders have been conspicuously silent on this important issue.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not made himself available to answer any of the questions I’ve been screaming toward him on my computer screen. Too woke, I guess.

Premier Doug Ford hasn’t been any better.

He’s probably hosting a ton of “Sun and Snow Stag and Does” up at the “Fat Cat Cottage for the Over-Advantaged” and riding Ski-Doos all

the darn day long, laughing at those of us suffering like suckers in the sun and then cold.

It's clear that the recent erratic weather patterns are unacceptable and disrupting our daily lives. The cruelty of chilly Mondays cannot be ignored. It's time for us to demand accountability and take action. We deserve a more reliable and enjoyable weather experience, and it's time for a change.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that April's weather is no longer a source of frustration, but a season of pleasant surprises full of Chiff, Chuff, and definitely lots of Chorf!

This week's Maitland Valley Camera Club Photo of the Week comes from Liz Allan, who captured this scene of a woodpecker telling a blackbird, in so many tweets, to get lost.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Another beer please

W

atching Dazed and Confused, the coming-of-age film set in 1976, the other night, one of the teachers, on the last day of school, issued this warning as the calendar neared July 4 of the United States of America’s bicentennial year: “Okay guys, one more thing, this summer, when you’re being inundated with all this American bicentennial, Fourth of July brouhaha, don’t forget what you’re celebrating, and that’s the fact that a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males didn’t want to pay their taxes.”

Forgetting, for a moment, that, as the high school students storm out of their last class of the year, the character of Randall “Pink” Floyd shouts an emphatic, “Yeah!”, in response to the history lesson, I got thinking. How many of our holidays have roots that perhaps aren’t as cheery as we’d care to admit?

Of course, there’s Thanksgiving. The debate around the celebration of Thanksgiving has been ongoing for many generations now. What exactly are we celebrating (especially our neighbours to the south) with all that turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie?

Our Dazed and Confused teacher gave us her take on Independence Day in the U.S., of course, and then there’s Columbus Day, which has steadily fallen out of favour in recent years but is still celebrated by many, despite what Columbus’s “discovery” of America entailed for many Native American populations. For others, Commonwealth Day has reached the end of the road, while others with great admiration for the Royals still celebrate it.

I remember thinking this at the time Cooper was born. He’ll have a birthday right near Family Day. It’s always nice to have a birthday near a long weekend. My birthday is always on the Victoria Day long weekend and Tallulah’s is just a few days before Canada Day. Victoria Day and Canada Day are easy to explain.

Family Day might be a little tougher to explain to Cooper when he grows up. “Well, Son, once upon a time, there was this evil man named Dalton McGuinty who was seeking re-election in Ontario in 2007, so he promised to create a new holiday out of thin air if he was elected and that’s why you don’t have to work today.”

(A quick side note that, on the first Family Day, I needed a passport and my father rightly predicted that the notoriously-overrun passport offices would be empty on Family Day with people thinking they’d be closed, but they were open because federal employees had to work and provincial ones didn’t. The person who helped us assured us that would change the following year if the union had anything to say about it. You want to see some grumpy federal employees? Go to a passport office on Family Day. The good news was that we went straight to the desk and our passports were arranged in no time at all.)

The controversy runs even deeper, as I discovered when I began doing research on Family Day for this column. Family Day is observed in Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Alberta was the first to create such a holiday back in 1990. The story goes that Alberta Premier Don Getty created the holiday in the wake of a scandal involving his son, Dale, who was arrested in 1988 for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover RCMP officer. In “The True Meaning of Family Day is Cocaine” on Vice, the writer suggests that Don created a holiday so families could spend more time together, a reaction to Don’s own guilt about neglecting his family. (He insists the two are unrelated.)

We celebrate, we drink beer, we barbecue and we set off fireworks. We don’t ask why.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

At the Branch

District C donates $178,631 in 2023

The puck stops here Scott Bromley presented the Don Higgins Goalie Award to two worthy recipients earlier this month as the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association handed out its year-end awards for the 2022/2023 season. William Wall and Triston Piper were this year’s winners of the prestigious award. (John Stephenson photo)

Hospice concert, dinner set A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 Don’t you just love Canada?

Right now, it’s the variety of weather that we are offered that makes me thankful to live here. All the other things that make this such a great country come after our first thought, the weather, and then we smile.

Once spring arrives, all sorts of social events take their spot on our calendars. We know to limit planned events for March, because of the weather, and so once we hit April and May, lots is happening.

You need to know your priorities

for support and then do it to the best of your ability. For this house, the Huron Hospice is a pretty special place: a place for the last stage of life to be celebrated and supported.

Death is a stage of life that is uncomfortable for many and, when this transition house does its stuff, families know that death is not a scary, bad thing. When a family member dies of cancer or other causes, the hospice house is there.

Everything costs money and so the Parker girls, Lisa, Tara, Lori and Lara, wanted to show their gratitude for past assistance. On Saturday, a Huron Hospice dinner and auction will be held at the Four Winds Barn, a time to learn and support, to share and appreciate the many blessings we have in this community.

The Easter season continues as we watch in appreciation the rebirth of many plants in our gardens. That bit of colour on a chilly day as the crocus and daffodils and forsythia gives us a reason to appreciate the

circle of life. It is good.

Spring cleaning/decluttering has begun. The 5R’s truly appreciates your generosity in making it easy for Patty and the volunteers to offer a store that we are proud of. If possible, bring small loads of your treasures, in case many people are clearing that day. We have minimal garbage, as the 5 R’s indicates, but time and space are pretty important when moving items along to the right destination. Keep donating your treasures but, when possible, a box or two at a time, makes our job more efficient.

Earth Day is on Saturday. Use some of the day to see how you could do a better job of being kinder to the earth. One less paper plate bought, one less plastic bottle used and one less, one-use store bag will make a difference. It’s the, if we all do a little, great things can happen, story. We only have one earth, let’s save it.

Bye now. Betty GW

HE to plan for succession

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East is moving ahead with succession planning after it was identified as a priority in the previous year’s service delivery review.

Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts provided council with a report on the topic at a meeting late last month, saying that a succession plan would improve municipal service delivery and address staff retirements that could be coming in the next few years.

“This approach will also ensure that the municipality has better capabilities to attract and retain high-performing staff.

The approach also establishes greater organizational capacity, which will result in better municipal service delivery,” McRoberts wrote in his report to council.

He noted that staffing resources in Huron East have remained largely unchanged over the past 20 years, while services have

“increased in scope, complexity, and regulatory framework.”

McRoberts that the “gradual and incremental” increase is known by many as “service creep” and as it continues, seemingly small changes can have a large impact years down the road.

With smaller municipalities and their relative workforces, McRoberts said, people end up “wearing many hats” out of necessity, which can lead to problems if the workload is unchanged for lengthy periods of time.

“In a smaller municipality, this is somewhat expected and necessary, but becomes problematic when those additional roles increase beyond the workload capacity of the position or continue for extended periods of time,” McRoberts said in his report. “The outcome is one of two: the person becomes frustrated and leaves the organization or the work does not get completed or is completed poorly.”

McRoberts called the current organizational structure of Huron East “extremely flat”, meaning that it inhibits the ability for front-line staff to develop skills, experience, knowledge and training to advance from intermediate positions to more senior positions.

He said the changes proposed will be implemented over the next six to 18 months and his hope is that they will provide an improved ability for succession planning.

“While some current staff positions are being eliminated, none of the existing staff are being laid off or terminated as part of this process,” McRoberts said in his report. “Existing staff are being either reallocated to new roles or existing positions vacated through planned retirements.”

McRoberts said he anticipates an overall improvement in service as a result of the changes. First, he said, he expects improvements to the municipality’s recreational, social and cultural services through Continued on page 24

BY JO-ANN MCDONALD The Lions Club meeting was the first event of the week at the Branch. It was held on Wednesday evening instead of Easter Monday.

The group of over 30 enjoyed meatloaf with dressing and gravy.

The crew volunteering their time for the Branch included Judy Lee, Linda Bird, Marni Knight and JoAnn McDonald.

Thursday evening had the entertainment committee meeting to discuss the upcoming euchre event and other planned events.

They appreciate all suggestions for different entertainment events for the Branch and hope they keep coming.

The Thursday night blind mixed darts had a nice crowd on hand to take aim at the boards. I will have the results next week, I hope!

Friday evening, the pub grub was pulled pork and there was a great crowd. It was also the final evening for the very popular monthly euchre tournament. There were 28 teams hoping to be the big winners of the night.

Finishing first was team Bruce Fischer and Mark Gropp. The second-place winners were Nancy Bridge and Sheila Cousins and third prize went to team Joe and Hanna Nicholson. The lone hand prize went to team Vern Logan and Sherri Oliver and a low score prize went to Zoellyn Onn and Marlene Martin. It has been a great run and thanks to all who have supported the euchres. The nice weather is coming and the euchres will return in the fall. See you all then.

The pub grub this week will be chicken burgers. Looking ahead to April 28, there will be karaoke and it will be chicken wing night!

Saturday, the Branch was the venue for the celebration of life for the late Dan Pearson. It was a full and noisy place for all those attending and sharing stories of Dan with each other and the family.

Lunch was provided by another hard working crew of Linda Bird, Judy Lee, Kathy Burkholder, Mabel Glanville, Jo-Ann McDonald, Marni Knight and Janice Machan.

It was then the district convention in Elmira and three Comrades from Brussels attended.

tizen The Ci 2023 E PHON BOOK

NTON S • CLI WINGHAM SSEL •BRU AFORTH • LYTH N • B ORRIE • SE R U B •G • AU ERICH • GOD

Comrade John Lowe as Youth Chairman, Comrade Eric Ross as District Chairman and Comrade Deb Ross as Branch representative.

Some of the highlights of the weekend were the presentations of achievement awards in provincial recognition of 100 per cent renewals when compared to previous years. Comrade Deb accepted the certificate on behalf of the Branch.

The District C convention includes 50 Branches and donations for many worthy causes supported by the Royal Canadian Legions are given. This year there was $2,750 given for track and field programs for youth; the charitable foundation, $34,900; bursary program, $20,900; youth education, $5,155; the tri-district hospitals, $39,926; Poppy program, $24,000; service dog program, $25,000; the Ruck to Remember Program, $6,000; veterans transition program, $5,000 and Royal Canadian wounded exservice, $15,000.

There was a total of $178,631 donated to the many different programs supported by the Royal Canadian Legions from District C. We’re all very proud of all the worthy causes supported by Legion members from their fundraising events, which was highlighted at the meeting.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 7.

Hullett hosts S.T.E.A.M. night for students, parents to make unique pieces of art.

The “Dash Robots Unleashed!” session was a hit among kids and adults alike. Participants followed step-by-step instructions to make the so-called Dash robots move, sing, dance and respond to commands. Teachers, parents and Stevens were impressed with the students' coding skills and their ability to work collaboratively with the robots, showcasing the integration of technology and engineering in the modern world.

Stevens said the students have really embraced the technology and are in no way horrified by the terrifying implications of increasingly intelligent robots rising up to enslave humanity.

The excitement continued with the “Volcanic Eruptions” session, in

S.T.E.A.M. for the whole family Last week, Hullett Central Public School held a special night for students and parents to focus on S.T.E.A.M. (also known as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and it was a great success. Above, from left, Grade 5/6 teacher Jennifer Cousteils, Grade 4 student Kelsey Cressman, and Jason Cressman learn about kinetic and potential energy in the “Spring Is in the Air” workshop, while below, from left, Grade 5 student Zaidyn Poelman, Shelby Poelman and Joanne Poelman make bath bombs in the “Scrub-a-Dub-Dub!” workshop, in which families learned about what happens when you mix baking soda and citric acid. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Lucky Charms to perform at Trinity From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Gayle Poore, who will celebrate on April 21; Paul Craig and Sheila Moore, April 22; Sandra DeCorte, April 23 and Tanner Brooks, April 24. Happy birthday everyone and enjoy your special day.

Local churches are entertaining us this month. Trinity Anglican Church has the Lucky Charms on April 21 and Melville Presbyterian is presenting Darryn de Souza on April 30. Also, don’t miss the Blyth United Church drive-thru meal on May 13.

It seems like Mother Nature was only teasing us last week with the beautiful weather that we received.

Temperatures were in the high 20s.

This week has started out a little h ealt tal H s Men arenes Aw

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Hullett Central Public School came alive with excitement on Thursday, April 13 as Principal Lori Stevens, teachers and staff hosted an engaging S.T.E.A.M. Night.

Parents and students gathered in the school's gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. to begin an interactive exploration of the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.).

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from Stevens and the teachers, expressing their enthusiasm for the importance of S.T.E.A.M. education in today's world.

Families eagerly participated in various hands-on sessions offered in different classrooms throughout the evening.

One of many highlights was the “Scrub-a-dub-dub!” session, in which families learned about the science behind homemade bath bombs. Kids were captivated as they mixed the ingredients and eagerly watched their bath bombs take shape. Grade 5 student Zaidyn

Poelman said he enjoyed the process, working with a focus that didn’t leave time to answer many of The Citizen’s questions. His mother, Shelby Poelman, confirmed Zaidyn enjoys being clean.

In another session, titled "Spring Is in the Air!", families delved into the concept of potential and kinetic energy through an exciting engineering task. With craft sticks in hand, they weaved together linking structures, building potential energy, and awaited the chain reaction as it sprung to life, displaying the concept of kinetic energy in action. The room was filled with laughter and excitement as families cheered on their popping creations. Grade 5/6 teacher Jennifer Cousteils, leader of the kinetic energy workshop, expressed appreciation for the S.T.E.A.M. Night initiative, saying that it is somewhat novel for there to be a curriculum-based activity for parents and students to enjoy together, because sports can often dominate the school’s market for attention and engagement.

Math enthusiasts were in for a

treat with the “Math Meets Video Games!” session. Participants learned about the math language used in computer programming and were thrilled to create their own video games using coding.

The arts also took centre stage at S.T.E.A.M. Night, with the “Science Meets Art” session.

Families learned about the science behind creating “Rainbow Paper” with nail polish, water and paper and explored fun ways

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different with Tuesday’s temperature being lucky to make it to 5°C and with snow in the air. We always seem to have to get that little bit of snow in April to make the May flowers bloom.

Stay safe this week and give someone a phone call or better yet pay someone a visit to say hello.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

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which participants experienced the thrill of simulating volcanic eruptions through this classic experiment. Parents and teachers joined in the fun as they observed the chemical reaction that created the appearance of a fizzling volcano, with lava trickling down the sides. Grade 5 student Aiden Hoekmeijer made a prescient preexperiment prediction at what the result would be saying, “I know for a fact that it’s going to spill on the floor.” Hoekmeijer’s hypothesis came to fruition, fully and frothily.

As the evening came to a close and families strode into the sunset of a blazingly hot mid-April day, Stevens expressed gratitude to all the families for their enthusiastic participation and support of S.T.E.A.M. education.

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Sports

U18 C Meteors claim provincial championship Continued from page 1 the Chatham Kent Crush.

On April 16, the 86ers won their semifinal game over the Lambeth Lancers by a score of 7-0 before winning the championship over the Kanata Rangers with a 3-0 shutout victory in the finals.

Both the Huron Heat and the Upper Maitland Mustangs were also in this bracket.

The Mustangs tied their first game 1-1 with the Lambeth Lancers before losing to the Lindsay Lynx 3-0 and the Glengarry Highlanders 5-0. The Huron Heat lost all three of their games, falling by a score of 2-0 to the Kanata Rangers, 2-0 to the Chatham Kent Crush and 3-1 to the Woodstock Wildcats.

The U18 C Mitchell Meteors won their provincial bracket, defeating the Tillsonburg Lightning by a score of 1-0 in the final.

The team, which includes a trio of local players, Teagan Hickling, Madison Bernard and Nyla Pawitch, went through the tournament undefeated, the only blemish, a 2-2 tie with the

Kincardine Kinucks in the early stages of the tournament.

The Meteors began the tournament with a 2-0 win over the Brockville Angels, followed by the aforementioned draw with Kincardine, both on April 14. The team then beat the West Oxford Inferno by a score of 3-1 on April 15 and the Chatham Kent Crush by a score of 1-0 later that day.

On April 16, the team beat the Smiths Falls Cubs by a score of 4-0 in the semifinals, followed by a 1-0 win over the Tillsonburg Lightning in the finals.

The U11 B Heat made it all the way to the semifinals, but lost by a score of 2-1 to the Carleton Place Cyclones, settling short of gold for the season.

The Heat won both of their games on Friday, April 14, beating the Niagara Rapids by a score of 2-0 and the Kingston Ice Wolves by a score of 3-1. The next day, the Heat shut out the Timmins Falcons by a score of 6-0 and the Ayr Rockets by a score of 3-0.

The Heat then lost against

Carleton Place by a score of 2-1, but won the third-place game against the North Durham Blades by a score of 5-3, earning the players a spot on the podium.

The U9 B Huron Heat lost three of the four games they played at the championships.

On Saturday, April 15, the Heat lost to the Toronto Leaside Wildcats by a score of 2-1, followed by a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the North Halton Twisters.

The team began Sunday, April 16 with a 7-3 win over the Kingston Ice Wolves, but then fell to the Nepean Wildcats by a score of 12-2 to end their tournament.

The U11 C Huron Heat won one of their three games, opening the tournament with a 4-1 loss to the Woodstock Wildcats and bouncing back with a 4-0 victory over the Cold Creek Comets, but ultimately falling to the Kemptville Storm by a score of 3-0.

In the U15 C bracket, the Upper Maitland Mustangs made it to the post-round-robin stage, but lost their final two games of the

tournament, ending their season.

They opened with a 1-0 win over the West Oxford Inferno and a 2-0 win over the Cold Creek Comets, both on April 14, followed by a 3-0 win over the Kemptville Storm and a 1-0 overtime win over the Gloucester Cumberland Stars on April 15. The next day, the Mustangs lost to the Kanata Rangers by a score of 1-0 in

overtime and then to the Wallaceburg Lakers by a score of 21.

The U18 BB Huron Heat began their tournament with a win, beating the Orangeville Tigers by a score of 4-2 on April 14, but they then lost to the Norfolk Hericanes by a score of 4-1. The team’s tournament ended with a 5-0 loss to the Napanee Crunch.

Honouring a legacy Earlier this month, Carter Kellington, left, was presented with the Luke Anderson Novice Award for his work on the U9 Blyth Brussels Crusaders as the association handed out its year-end awards. Diane Anderson, the late Luke’s mother, right, made the presentation. (John Stephenson photo)

Well done The Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association handed out its year-end awards earlier this month at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre and it was Luke Fischer for the U15 Rep team and Carter Howson for the U15 Local League team who were named winners of this year’s Jeremy Austin Award. (John Stephenson photo)

Majestic WI highlights grants

By Bev Craddock The Brussels Majestic Women’s Institute met on Wednesday, April 12 at noon in the Brussels Library meeting room. A potluck lunch was served and enjoyed by all.

Members were pleased to have Barbara Grube, District President, as their guest. After lunch, the meeting was called to order by Doreen Marks, welcoming all. She presented a reading, followed by the business of the week.

Highlights of the past year were

talked about; The Unfinished Object group is doing well with an average of 12 to 16 people who are all glad to get out of the house and enjoy each other’s company while the occasional craft project gets completed.

There was great interest in the making of cards and floral arrangements with winter greens, the importance of water in our life, and the growing need for Christmas boxes to brighten the season.

Donations to Women’s Shelter,

Brussels Fall Fair, fire victims, and the food bank were made, though there are so many other charities needing help.

The year closed and the 2023/2024 year opened and all officers were sworn in by Barbara Grube for another year. All are looking forward to doing more in this term.

We thank the community for the support and, hats off to the members for over 1,600 volunteer hours.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 9.

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Brussels Livestock report

Calves sell on fully active trade at weekly sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending April 14 were 1,980 cattle and 1,210 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively at fully steady prices. Choice steers and heifers sold $208 to $221 with sales to $223. Second-cut cattle sold $198 to $210. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold $180 to $200. Holstein steers and heifers

sold actively at prices $5 to $10 higher – $163 to $207. Cows sold steady.

On Thursday, veal, lambs, goats and sheep all sold steady.

On Friday, calves sold on a fully active trade with prices steady to last week’s high market. Yearlings sold steady.

Larry Reinhart Jr. of Mildmay, consigned 12 head. Five charolais heifers averaged 1,447 lbs. and sold

for an average price of $222.50.

Barry Shaw of Bluevale, consigned five head. One gold steer weighed 1,560 lbs. and sold for a price of $222.50.

There were 200 cows on offer.

Beef sold $100 to $149; good holstein cows, $98 to $146; medium holstein cows, $94 to $97 and bulls sold $147 to $171.

There were 200 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $208 to $251;

Let’s Get Growing Club meets

Growth spurts The latest Wawanosh 4-H Club project is Let’s Get Growing, which began earlier this week with a meeting in Auburn. From left: MacKenzie Slatter, Nora Gulutzen, Hailey Hanna, Reese deBoer, Elise Otten, Henry Drennan and Brody Clifford with their plantings. (Courtesy photo) The first meeting of Wawanosh 4-H’s Let’s Get Growing Club was held on April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Hall. The Let’s Get

Growing Club manual was supplied by 4-H Canada along with seeds, gardening gloves and trowels for each of the members.

Inside knowledge The Huron 4-H Ag. Explorers recently held their third meeting at Hansens’ Independent grocery store in Exeter. Members are seen here with store owner Mike Hansen, learning about the business. (Courtesy photo)

Leaders started the meeting with the pledge then led a memory game.

The Election of Officers was then held. Hailey Hanna was elected president, with MacKenzie Slatter and Brody Clifford as her co-vice presidents.

Henry Drennan volunteered to be attendance recorder and Reese DeBoer volunteered to design the cover page. The press reporter role will be shared.

Hailey led the roll call, which asked members what experience they had with gardening. Most members had some experience either with a garden at home or with their grandparents. They then discussed food security.

Members planted their seeds.

They planted tomatoes, red peppers, onions, cucumbers, carrots and lettuce. A watering schedule was provided in the manual to help members stay on track when watering their plants.

After cleaning up the planting area, members moved to the kitchen to make smoothies. While enjoying their smoothies, they discussed that smoothies are a great way to avoid food waste, as they can use up fruit that is past its prime, or excess fresh fruit in the summer can be frozen and saved for later.

Hailey closed the meeting with the motto.

good holsteins, $195 to $210; SL heavy holsteins, $195 to $205; heavy holsteins, $180 to $195; medium holsteins, $185 to $194.

Elmer Albrecht of Kincardine, consigned five head. One holstein steer weighed 675 lbs. and sold for a price of $209.

Mallott Metals Inc. of Wallenstein, consigned two head.

One blue steer weighed 1,045 lbs. and sold for a price of $251.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $334 to $370; 50 - 64 lbs., $365.75 to $390; 65 - 79 lbs., $362 to $394; 80 - 94 lbs., $321.75 to $347.50; 95 - 109 lbs., $278.50 to $285; 110 lbs. and over, $213.75 to $250.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $350; nannies, $100 to $200; kids: meat, $350 to $555; dairy, $250 to $375.

Shane McClure of Seaforth, consigned 14 head. Six lambs averaged 68 lbs. and sold for an average price of $394.

Curtis Howe of Walkerton, consigned 30 head. Three lambs averaged 81 lbs. and sold for an average price of $342.50 Alvin Davey and Sons Ltd. of Paisley, consigned three head. One kid goat weighed 52 lbs. and sold for a price of $555.

Kent Wilson of Conn, consigned 20 head. Six kid goats averaged 59 lbs. and sold for an average price of $555.

Top quality stocker steers, 400 499 lbs. sold $307 to $370; 500 599 lbs., $311 to $346; 600 - 699 lbs., $264.50 to $335; 700 - 799 lbs., $256 to $287; 800 - 899 lbs., $265.75 to $281; 900 - 999 lbs., $251 to $273; 1,000 lbs. and over, $239.50 to $259.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs., $266 to $294; 500 - 599 lbs., $262.50 to $297.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $250 to $282.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $237 to $267; 800 - 899 lbs., $228.75 to $254.50; 900 lbs. and over, $226 to $250.75.

Allan Aitchison of New Liskeard, consigned 76 head. Ten charolais heifers averaged 803 lbs. and sold for an average price of $254.50.

Riddell Farms of Dundalk, consigned 18 head. Ten charolais heifers averaged 743 lbs. and sold for an average price of $267.

Edwin M. Bauman of Holyrood, consigned 45 head. Sixteen bwf steers averaged 812 lbs. and sold for an average price of $279.

Steve Pastoor of Kerwood, consigned 62 head. Eleven simmental steers averaged 1,012 lbs. and sold for an average price of 258.75.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

St. John’s closes after 163 years in Brussels

Generations of faith Easter Sunday marked the final regular service at St. John’s Anglican Church in Brussels. Now, its official deconsecration service is set for Sunday, April 30, followed by a luncheon and history displays at the Brussels Legion. (John Stephenson photo) On Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m., St. John’s Anglican Church will host its final service, officially deconsecrating it after 163 years as a fixture of the Brussels faith community.

Bishop Todd Townshend from the Diocese of Huron, alongside Rev. JoAnn Todd will officiate, followed by a light lunch following the service at the Brussels Legion where historical displays from the church can be enjoyed.

What follows is an abridged history of the church, prepared largely by Anne Cooper and updated by Wardens Michelle Blake and Doug Dale ahead of the final service.

The Parish of St. John’s was born in the summer of 1860. The settlement went by the name of Ainleyville, but church Missionaries were there conducting regular services of divine worship in the Orange Hall on Mill Street.

The late W.L. Kerr came from the village of Clinton, followed by his brother John Wilton Kerr, a greatgreat uncle of Marquerite Stretton (nee Bryans). He was an active Catechist and Lay Reader and may rightly be regarded as the father and founder of the church in Brussels.

Despite many difficulties and discouragements, and with the help of his young niece, Ellen Ann Francis, he was successful in building a new church.

1n 1864, the first “Little Church” of frame construction was built and consecrated and dedicated with the name of St. John. This building later became the Orange Hall on Thomas Street. Eventually Rev. J. W. Murphy of Wingham came to conduct services, then, in 1872, the Rev. A.J. Lindsay of Huron College was appointed as the resident Incumbent. After six months, he passed away, but before his death he was able to begin services in the Orange Hall at Walton.

The first “Little Church” was just beyond its infancy when the Village of Brussels was incorporated in Dec. 1872. It was in May of 1873 that the Rev. H. Cooper was appointed to the Parish and finding that the church and community were growing in leaps and bounds, encouraged the building of a new, larger church to house the growing congregation. Lot 109 on the corner of Turnberry and Church streets was donated as a church site by the late John Manning, father of George and Herb Manning. St. John’s Church today stands on this site. Construction began in 1875 and completed in 1876 at a cost of $6,000 with only a debt of $1,500 owing.

The church officially opened on Aug. 13, 1876. The following year, 1877, a bell weighing 750 pounds was placed in the tower.

Rev. Cooper left the Parish at the end of 1876 and was succeeded by Rev. E.J. Robinson, who arrived in March of 1877.

Bishop Helmuth visited the Parish on April 25 and confirmed a class of 36 candidates. In 1878, Mr. Caldwell was appointed as Lay Reader. He opened and worked the mission of Henfryn church for three months as an experiment but he was not successful. On Oct. 1, an exchange was permitted by the Bishops between Rev. Robinson and Rev. F. Ryan of Exeter. Some families who had left, returned but the congregation became very divided. They were discouraged and disheartened by the heavy burden of debt that remained after Rev. Robinson left.

In the fall of 1880, darkness fell.

This was caused by the Great Chicago Fire. It was at this time that St. David’s church at Henfryn was being built. At St. John’s, Rev. Ryan was succeeded by Rev. W.T. Cluff from 1885-1892 and followed

by Rev. W. G. Reilly from 1892-

1894. St. John’s was free of debt in 1894.

During 1897 and 1898, plans were being made for the construction of a rectory. The contractor was Tom Newsom for the joint effort of St. John’s, Brussels and St. George’s, Walton.

In February, 1905, Rev. H. M. Lang-Ford was appointed rector of the Parish. In 1909, Rev. Cameron came to the parish and, after a ministry of four years, he was followed by Rev. E. Page.

Rev, Page remained until 1917, at which time Rev. Henry Smith came.

He served until 1920. During his ministry, lights were installed in the rectory. From this point on, the tenure of office became shorter, due to a period of decline and harder times. Rev. Roy Mess, Rev. Stanley Johnson, and Rev. W. J. Connor all came to St. John’s between 1920 and 1923.

After this unsettling time, the church closed until March, 1924 and was used by the members of the Methodist church, as their church had a fire.

The church re-opened on May 4, 1924 with the arrival of Rev. Frank Lewin. The church was badly in need of repair at this time. It was wired for power in September of 1924 at a cost of $170, and the Ladies Guild paid $150 for a new furnace in the rectory. In 1929, a new well was dug at the rectory.

In 1929, Rev. Lewin was succeeded by the Rev. F. G. Pickard.

In February of 1935, the Rev. John Graham became the incumbent and served the Parish well until June 1939. He was followed by Rev. W. J. Hendry, who became so ill that he could not perform his duties. Rev. Frank Watts filled in from October of 1939 to November of 1941.

In December of 1941, the Rev. F. W Davis was appointed as the

rector and, in order to strengthen the financial position of the Parish, St. Alban’s of Atwood and St. David’s of Henfryn became part of the parish with St. John’s. After Rev. Davis moved on in May of 1942, Rev. E. C. Jennings of London was in charge until Rev. M. F. Oldham came in July of 1942.

During his incumbency, the church was redecorated at a cost of $258 and many memorials were added over the next two to three years. In December of 1945, St. Alban’s, Atwood, was transferred to the Parish of Listowel and Rev. Oldham resigned the Parish to take up work at the Diocese of Ontario.

St. David’s of Henfryn continued to be part of the Brussels Parish.

On April 16, 1946, the Rev. John H. Kerr became the rector and, less than a year later, the church was completely destroyed by fire. The fatal date was Feb. 25, 1947 when a fire of unknown origin was discovered at 5:15 a.m. and already out of control. All the vestry books and valuables perished in the blaze.

The only thing left standing was the tower with its bell and part of one of the walls. Two things were salvaged: the Parish Registers and the Alms basin (the Ross Whittard memorial).

Both the Presbyterian and United Churches offered the use of their buildings and the latter offer was accepted. The United Church members had suffered a similar disaster only a few years earlier.

With undaunted faith and boundless energy, parishioners set to work on the clean-up job. At a congregational meeting it was unanimously decided to rebuild. A Building Committee was appointed with Mr. Harvey Bryans as chairman. Mr. Archie Engel and Mr. William McMurray were in charge of the carpentry work and Mr. Fred Sawyer laid the flooring in the new church. Many members and friends of St. John’s gave hundreds of hours of labour, thousands of dollars and millions of loving prayers to the restoration of St. John’s church.

On July 10, 1949, the new church was opened by the Right Rev. G.N. Luxton, Bishop of Huron.

Since the opening of the church, many memorials had been donated, one of them being a new pipe organ, the first in the history of the Parish, as the previous one had been a reed organ.

Rev. Kerr continued his ministry in the new church until June, 1952, when he left for a Parish in Alvinston. His successor was the Rev. A. N. Ellis, who emigrated from the Diocese of Liverpool with his wife and three sons. Rev. Ellis left St. John’s in 1956 and we welcomed Rev. Jewell from Burk’s Falls.

The last services were held in St. George’s Church in Walton in 1957 and it was officially closed in 1961.

The graves from the adjoining cemetery were moved to St. John’s Cemetery.

The next rector, the Rev. K. Jaggs, was appointed in September of 1958. The first Altar Guild was installed in January of 1959 under the leadership of Mrs. J. Pennington. Esther McCutcheon is the longest-serving member of the St. John’s Altar Guild, beginning in 1960, until the present day - 63 years of dedicated service!

During Rev. Jaggs’ two-year incumbency, a stress was laid on the Sacrament of the Lord with a weekly Eucharist and celebrations of Holy Days were introduced.

Servers were introduced and a Junior Choir was formed in November of 1959.

The church’s 100th anniversary was celebrated on July 17, 1960.

Rev. Jaggs conducted his last service on July 31, 1960. The incumbency of Rev. Henry Leonard Jennings of Lucknow began on Sept. 1, 1960 for the Parish of Brussels, Henfryn and Walton.

On Sunday, July 2, 1961 the parish welcomed the Right Rev. H. F. Appleyard, Bishop of Georgian Bay on his first official visit. At the service of Morning Prayer, the Bishop burned the building fund bank note, with the last payment having been made by Mrs. L. D. Thompson in memory of the late Louis Thompson.

The church was consecrated in July of 1962 by Bishop Appleyard.

The Rev. Franklin G. Braby came to the Parish in June of 1966 and remained until 1969. During his stay, the issue of realignment came up. St. Alban’s and St. David’s were connected with the parish of Milverton-Millbank. Brussels was then realigned with Blyth, Belgrave and Auburn. For a short period of time, Rev. Braby served the Brussels church only. He left to take up ministry in Stratford, Under the new realignment, the rector was to live in Blyth.

The Rev. Keith Stokes came to the Parish in September of 1969. He remained until March of 1974. Rev. Stokes was succeeded by Rev. Fred Carson, who started in May of 1974 and departed in 1977. That September, Rev. Dan Sargent was appointed to the parish. Rev. Dan was a young and energetic young man who played the guitar and built Continued on page 11

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 11.

St. John’s deconsecration service set for April 30

Saying goodbye Rev. JoAnn Todd, centre, oversaw one final Easter Sunday service at St. John’s Anglican Church in Brussels on April 9. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 10 up the congregation and Sunday school to new proportions. During his ministry, carpet was laid in the aisles and a new electronic organ was purchased.

In 1978, Michelle (McCutcheon) Blake became the church organist at the age of 18, taking over for Mrs. Bertha Elliott, who had been the organist for many years. Michelle remains the dedicated organist at St. John’s to this day.

In 1979, several meetings were held with regard to realignment with the decision being made for Brussels and Blyth to form a twopoint Parish, effective January of

1980. Belgrave church realigned with Wingham and Auburn remained as a satellite of Blyth and Brussels under the ministry of Rev. Cravin, with Rev. Sargent taking the occasional services.

Rev. Sargent resigned from the parish in 1981 and moved on to a church in London. After his resignation, Janet Price-Jones conducted services for St. John’s, with communion services conducted by visiting clergy. Janet continued as a lay reader for Rev. Robin Lyons when he came to the Parish in December of 1981. In spite of the economic times, St. John’s continued to be able to pay

its budget apportionment in full each year. During this time, the exterior of the church was painted and a new roof was installed on the rectory. Sewer connections were also made.

Rev. Patt Nunn started her ministry in May of 1986. A youth group had been formed during this time by her. She was the rector until 1989. At this time, St. Mark’s church in Auburn closed its doors after the retirement of Rev. Bill Craven and the church was later demolished.

The year 1988 was a very trying year but, fortunately, by the yearend, all financial obligations had

Just around the corner Earlier this month, the Blyth Festival received a special delivery, as the stagecoach for its trilogy of Donnelly plays arrived in the village. James Reaney’s three plays - Sticks and Stones, St. Nicholas Hotel and Handcuffs - will be on the Harvest Stage as part of the Festival’s 2023 season this season. (Courtesy photo)

been met. During 1988 and 1989, repair and cosmetic work was done at the rectory and at the church, with all labour donated by the faithful members. Brick and plaster work were done by A.R. MacDonald from Wingham.

Rev. David Fuller commenced his ministry in the two-point Parish of Brussels/Blyth in September of 1989, only staying for two years.

Rev. Paul Acton came into the parish in September of 1991 and was there until 1995.

Rev. Acton took part in a special service at the St. John’s cemetery (formerly the McCutcheon cemetery) for the installation of the memorial gates in memory of Harry and Hannah McCutcheon. Jack and Clarence McCutcheon were faithful trustees for the cemetery for many years.

Rev. Nancy Northgrave came to the Parish in 1995. She married Rev. Brad Beale a couple of months later. They had two sons who attended the Sunday school program. Nancy served the Parish of Brussels/Blyth until December of 2000.

On May 1, 2001, Rev. Tom Wilson was appointed priest of the Parish of Brussels/Blyth. He came with his daughter Annissa and was the rector until early 2008. During his time, the church had a small fire on Nov 30, 2003 from an Advent Wreath left burning. Luckily it was noticed in time before it caused major damage. Rev. Tom married Dawn Cornelio in our church in 2006 and eventually he moved on to a ministry in France where his wife was working as a professor.

Rev. Tom nominated four different parishioners for the Bishop’s Award for Excellence in Ministry over the four-year period from 2004 to 2008: Esther McCutcheon, Michelle Blake, Anne Cooper and Marie McCutcheon.

After Rev. Tom left, plans were made for St. John’s to become a four-point parish.

In May 2008, Rev. Perry Chuipka came to St. John’s. He was appointed rector of four churches: Brussels, Blyth, Wingham and Lucknow, forming the Parish of New Beginnings. He was at St. John’s every second Sunday, with Peter Zoeller filling in as our Lay Reader. Peter was a faithful Lay Reader from 2008 until 2018.

St. John’s celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010 with former rector Rev. Keith Stokes as the guest speaker. Sandra Clark was ordained a Deacon at St. John’s in February of 2009 and helped with our church ministry until 2018.

The church rectory was sold in the summer of 2010 to a family and, in 2015, St. Peter’s of Lucknow closed its doors and St. John’s became a three-point Parish.

Rev. Perry moved on to a new Parish in October of 2015 and the parishioners were happy to have retired Rev. Allan Livingstone from Goderich as the interim minister for the next two years.

Rev. JoAnn Todd came to St. John’s in January of 2018 and St. John’s became part of the Regional Ministry of Hope, a four-point Parish once again with Hanover church joining in. However, Hanover closed its doors in 2019.

With the COVID-19 pandemic striking in 2020, the church was closed and re-opened a few times over the next two years. Services were posted online and the congregation felt the financial and physical effects of the pandemic on the life of the church. St. John’s Parish would have celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2020, but this was not to be.

The last official worship service was held on April 9, 2023, Easter Sunday, and the final, deconsecration service will be held on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m.

Copies of the church’s full history will be available at the Brussels Legion after the service by donation.

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

‘Sunshine List’ grows

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Setting the tone Earlier this month, as the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association hosted its annual awards night gala, held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, it was the Brussels Optimist Club that provided the food. (John Stephenson photo)

The Provincial Government recently released its Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act list, also known as the Sunshine List, for public employees who made over $100,000 in 2022 and several local institutions saw numerous employees make the cut.

This year’s list includes 266,903 people, which is an increase of over 22,000 people from the previous year.

Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson earned $165,851.04 in 2022.

As previously reported by The Citizen, Huron County itself had 54 of its employees on the list, led by Chief Administrative Officer Meighan Wark, who was paid $198,930 in 2022.

The Avon Maitland District School Board had 628 entries on the list in 2022, which is up only slightly from the 622 people on the

list in 2021, but up drastically from the 199 board employees on the list in 2020.

There are 191 employees of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board on the list for 2022, led by Director of Education Christopher Roehrig at $217,717.03.

In North Huron, Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans was one of three employees on the list. He was paid $149,448 in 2022, followed by Directors of Recreation Vicky Luttenberger and Director of Public Works Yamileth McCarthy, paid $104,085.79 and $107,157.85, respectively.

Four North Perth/North Huron Family Health Team employees made the list this year, including registered pharmacist James Brown, clinical director Lindsay McGee at $100,694.35 and registered nurses Daniel Goodman and Brittany Jantzi at $118,828.44 Continued on page 20

Heat players meet with O’Reilly at provincials PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

It was such a beautiful week last week with record-breaking temperatures for April. There were lots of folks in summer attire, lawn raking, landscape companies out working, lots of kids on scooters and bikes, trampolines, basketball or just sitting and relaxing in the sun. A taste of what’s to come.

But, of course, Mother Nature is not ready for us to move right into summer weather and brought the rain/wet snow on Monday morning after the great weather. So, it was back to long pants, heavy sweaters, coats and even boots. Weather in Ontario!

The great weather had the farmers out on the field. A lot of manure was being spread, as well as stone picking, cultivating, planting of new hay fields or grass, rolling, spreading of fertilizer on wheat and sprayers out on the fields. If the farmers are not on the fields, they are in their sheds getting equipment ready and greased and checking for any problems. Next round of good weather will maybe include the planting of corn.

Congratulations to Robert and Jackie Glanville on becoming grandparents again. Son Edward and wife Jessica have welcomed a second son, Lyle Edward, to the family. He will be welcomed home by big brother Jonah and grandparents Larry and Lynn McClure. Congratulations to all.

Congratulations to Mary Bradshaw on the arrival of her second great-grandchild.

A beautiful little girl, Sophia Rose, has been welcomed by parents Kyle and Megan Miners. Big brother Ace and happy grandmother Tracey are excited.

We send our get-well wishes and fast-healing thoughts to Nelva Scott. She has suffered a fall that has resulted in a broken leg. We hope she comes along well.

As many folks read in last week’s paper, it was the end-of-season

provincial championship tournaments for many of our local girls’ hockey teams this weekend.

The tournament was held in Mississauga at many arena complexes that had at least four ice pads at each. Congratulations to the U13C girls team from Wingham/Lucknow, the 86ers, for becoming Ontario champions. The team included many local girls, including Aliya Haggitt, daughter of Mike and Christa Haggitt.

Congratulations to the team.

Many Huron Heat girls’ teams were also in the provincial tournament there. The U11 C team did not win the title, but had a good time and played well. They lost their first game to Woodstock, won against Cold Creek and lost game three to Kemptville on Saturday morning.

The families did a variety of things between games or after they were eliminated, including going to the Blue Jays game, swimming in the hotel pool, going to the aquarium, shopping and enjoying

the experience. A highlight for many of the girls was meeting Ryan O’Reilly. They had finished their game and he was going in to watch his sisters play a game. He was very gracious meeting the kids, having pictures taken with them, autographing their hats and being very encouraging to them all. Ryan commented to our son how surprised he was to see so many people from Huron County that he knew when he came into the arena.

Not only were the girls thrilled to meet him but the siblings also. Our grandson Wes was “out of his mind” excited to meet him and have a picture taken. Wow! It was a great finish to the girls’ season.

Three Walton girls on the team included Brea McDonald, Emma Dalton and Breanne Carnochan.

They all report a fun time.

Our nephew Mike Warwick and his son Brycen are here from Calgary. It is a short visit because they have come to get daughter Sydney confirmed in her new housing in Windsor, get some of her

belongings into storage and head home to Calgary. We had them for supper the first night and a visit and then they were heading to Windsor the next morning to take care of business. Nice to see them again!

Keep in mind or mark your calendars for the Brussels Farmers’ Market, returning in May, starting the 26th. It will be held at the Richmond Square about every two weeks over the summer: June 9 and 23, July 14 and 28, Aug. 11 and 25 and Sept. 8 on Friday afternoons from 12-5 p.m., I believe. Great!

We hear John Gillis is struggling with a few health issues.

Pneumonia is keeping him quiet these days. We hope he soon feels better.

Celebrating birthdays this past week included Leah Janmaat, Murray Pepper, Jonathon Tipple, Edgar Andrades, Diety Bos, Sarah Alexander, Jacob Gulutzen, Ben Terpstra, Patty Banks, Blair Fraser, Edward Glanville, Heather Godkin, Catherine Bernard, Clara Blake,

Tucker Wilson, Ellie Wilson, Betty McCallum, Mandy Mitchell Demarline, Nora McClure and Maelyn Blake. Happy birthday to all!

NEWS FROM WALTON

Enjoy your home time!

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 13.

Spring Car Care 2023

Listen when your car's telling you something An introduction to electric vehicles Get to know your car's maintenance intervals

The Citizen

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Know your intervals, care for your vehicle

The sands of time Preventative maintenance with vehicles can be as easy as keeping up with routine checks and fluid changes. Know your car’s maintenance intervals and keep up with that schedule and hopefully you’ll avoid disaster down the road. (MS photo) MS - Vehicles are among the most costly expenses individuals have. According to data from Kelley Blue Book, the average price paid for a new vehicle in the United States in September, 2022 was $48,094. Canadian car buyers face an equally expensive reality in their country, where the average MSRP for a new car is more than $45,000.

Since vehicles are such sizable investments, it behooves motorists to do as much as they can to keep their cars and trucks running smoothly. Vehicle owner’s manuals typically recommend maintenance intervals and should be drivers’ first resource for information regarding how to take care of their cars and trucks. But the following are some standard maintenance intervals drivers can keep in mind.

3,000 miles (just under 5,000 kilometres) The 3,000-mile marker used to be the benchmark for changing oil, but modern vehicles can now go longer between oil changes. However, it’s still a good idea to check other fluid levels every 3,000 miles.

Windshield washer fluid, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid should all be checked every 3,000 miles and topped off if levels are low.

It’s wise for drivers to perform some additional maintenance checkups every 3,000 miles. Check tire pressure, inspect hoses (which should not be leaking or bulging) and clean the interior of the vehicle every 3,000 miles.

5,000 miles (just

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many miles it’s been since they were installed.

10,000 miles (just over 16,000 kilometres) Some vehicles may only require oil changes every 10,000 miles.

That’s not uncommon in vehicles that use synthetic oil, though drivers are urged to consult their owner’s manuals.

Brake pads also may need to be replaced around this time, and one telltale sign of that is a squeaking noise whenever the brakes are applied.

Drivers can ask their mechanics to check the alignment of their vehicles around this interval as well. Though many vehicles won’t develop alignment issues, it’s best to check for such issues every 10,000 miles, or whenever a vehicle feels as though it’s pulling in one specific direction.

Maintenance intervals are created to serve as a guideline for drivers.

Any issues that arise should still be brought to the attention of a mechanic regardless of how many miles have been added to the odometer since the most recent trip to the garage.

over 8,000 kilometres) Many vehicle manufacturers now recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles. Tire rotations also can be part of service visits at this interval, and drivers can ask their mechanic to check their fuel filters and batteries every 5,000 miles as well.

Many may already do this as part of their comprehensive maintenance packages, but it’s still good to confirm if they do and request they do so if it’s not part of the plan.

Drivers also can request that cabin air filters are inspected at this point, though they can generally last a year before they need to be replaced.

Around the 5,000-mile mark, wiper blades also may begin to show signs of wear and tear, including streaking on the windshield or scratching noises when in use. Each of those signs indicates the wipers need to be replaced. However, drivers should take note of these signs regardless of when they appear. Some may not make it 5,000 miles before they begin to wear down. In such instances, they should be replaced immediately regardless of how

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Auto Service Hours: Store Hours: Monday to Friday 8-5 M-F 8 am - 8 pm Store: 519-524-2121 Saturday 8-4 Sat. 8 am - 6 pm Service: 519-524-2124 Sunday Closed Sun. 9 am - 6 pm Call 519-524-2124 to book your appointment

Hwy. 8, Goderich

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 15.

Vehicle malfunctioning? Listen to what it’s telling you • Squealing sound: A highpitched squealing sound is typically indicative of worn-out brake pads.

However, Cars.com notes that if such a sound is only present when a car is first driven in the morning, it could just be surface rust being scraped off the rotors. After a few initial applications of the brakes, that sound might disappear. If it doesn’t, the vehicle will likely need new brake pads.

• Scraping on the windshield during rain: The scraping sound on a windshield when the wipers are in use should not be taken lightly or be interpreted as a sign that the rain is only falling slightly.

In fact, that sound indicates the wipers are worn out, which means they’re not effectively clearing the windshield.

In addition, the wipers could be scratching the windshield

each time they produce this sound, ultimately necessitating a costly windshield replacement.

Wiper blades can be replaced in a matter of minutes, so address this issue promptly.

Learning to recognize the culprits behind various vehicle noises can help drivers nip problems in the bud before they compromise the automobile and the safety of the people inside it.

MS - Automotive problems are often best left to professionals.

Though seasoned car enthusiasts may be capable of diagnosing and fixing car troubles without the assistance of a trusted mechanic, most drivers are better off letting the pros address issues under the hood.

But, drivers can still play a vital role in vehicle maintenance.

Learning to recognize warning signs of various problems that can affect cars can prevent breakdowns and potentially costly repairs. And,

in certain instances, such as when the brake system is not working properly, knowing how to spot problems before they escalate into something larger can make drivers and their passengers safer and potentially prevent accidents.

Television shows and movies have lent credence to the notion that brake problems are marked by the sudden cessation of a vehicle’s ability to stop. Though that can happen, warning signs of fading brake systems tend to be more subtle.

• Noises: Much like a knocking sound typically indicates a problem with a vehicle’s air-fuel ratio mixture, certain noises also suggest there are problems with the brakes.

The most noticeable sign is a highpitched squeal that occurs when drivers apply the brakes. But grinding sounds and noises like scratching and scraping also warrant a visit to a brake specialist.

• Increase in stopping distance: An increase in the distance a vehicle travels before it stops after Continued on page 17

Get to know your brakes

Listen up Not all sounds are created equal when it comes to vehicles. Some are good and some aren’t. Knowing the difference, and which sounds might mean what, may help you do the right thing for your car. (MS photo) MS - Automobiles have come a long way since their introduction more than 100 years ago. Though modern cars and trucks still employ some of the same principles as their forebears, the vehicles people drive today bear little resemblance to those that made waves in the early part of the 20th century.

Modern automobiles are technological marvels, which has made both driving and maintaining a vehicle much simpler. In regard to maintenance, built-in diagnostic systems can now alert drivers when something is wrong with their vehicles. Though that feature is undeniably useful, drivers can still benefit from learning to recognize issues by ear. Many issues that can affect a car or truck produce unusual sounds, and learning what certain noises may indicate, can help drivers detect problems as soon as possible.

• Rattling sound in a wheel well: Most people have mistakenly placed clothing in a dryer without realizing they had spare change in their pockets. That mistake is immediately apparent once the dryer starts, thanks to the unpleasant noise of coins bouncing off the interior of the machine.

Drivers may hear a similar sound when behind the wheel and wonder what’s behind it.

Such a sound is often indicative that there’s a loose lug nut inside the hubcap. This issue can arise when drivers don’t tighten the wheel properly after changing their own tire, or, if mechanics make the same mistake when rotating or replacing tires during a routine maintenance session.

• Squeaking sound: The auto

insurance experts at Geico® note that rear- or four-wheel-drive vehicles may produce a rhythmic squeaking sound when an issue arises with the universal joint. JD Power notes that the universal joint, often referred to as a U-joint, is part of the system that enables the rotating crankshaft in the engine of a vehicle to transfer that rotating motion to the rear wheels. U-joints get a workout whenever vehicles are driven, so they require maintenance, and a squeaking sound is one indicator that the Ujoint needs to be addressed immediately.

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Some things to consider before going electric as long as they clear space in the garage where the car can be parked.

Auto Trader notes that some garages may need to be upgraded with a level two charger, and that can be expensive. Drivers who must park their EVs outdoors overnight should know that this, too, may require some additional funds for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). Local building codes may govern the installation of such

equipment, which is best performed by an electrician. These are some additional costs of EV ownership that first-time buyers must consider and research before they switch to an electric car or truck.

EVs may become the new normal over the next several decades. But before that day arrives, first-time EV buyers must consider a host of factors as they shop around for an electric car or truck.

Over 22 years in business!

All the buzz Electric cars are the way of the future, but there are some things you should consider and have in order before taking the great leap from a traditional gas-powered vehicle to an electric one. (MS photo) MS - Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely touted as the vehicles of the future. Despite the growing availability of such cars in the present day, for many drivers EVs remain a novelty. That means buying an EV for the first time is a wholly new and unique experience.

Tesla EVs might be the most visible electric cars on the road today, but most major auto manufacturers, including Nissan and Chevrolet, produce EVs as well. That means buyers have more EV options now than ever before, which can make the process of buying such a car more exciting, but also more difficult. Narrowing down a growing number of options may not come easy to first-time EV buyers, who can keep these tips in mind as they begin this exciting journey.

• Get an idea of the accessibility of charging stations around your home: The number of public charging stations is on the rise, but there’s still a lot of work to be done in this area. In fact, research from McKinsey & Company indicates that nearly half of consumers in the

United States indicate that battery or charging issues are their foremost concerns about buying EVs. The automotive resource Auto Trader notes that most EVs have enough battery range to cover more than the average daily commute in America. But drivers who hope to use their EVs as their everyday cars that take them to work, help them run errands and get around town should confirm there are enough public charging stations to make that possible.

• Look into subsidies: The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy notes that all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for

a federal income tax credit that could be as high as $7,500. State and/or local incentives also may apply. The Canadian Automobile Association reports that the Government of Canada offers point-of-sale incentives of as much as $5,000 for drivers who buy or lease an EV. These subsidies can help bring the cost of EV ownership down by a significant amount and are worth exploring as drivers decide which electric car or truck to buy.

• Consider your parking situation: Homeowners who own single-family homes with a garage that can accommodate at least one vehicle can easily charge their EVs

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 17.

Help your car last longer amid rising costs Mobility in early 2022 indicated that the average vehicle on the road is 12 years and two months old, which marked the highest number in the over 20 years such information was tracked. A host of variables affect how long drivers keep their cars, but the rising cost of new vehicles has undoubtedly compelled many drivers to aspire to keep their cars for longer periods of time.

Aging cars may require a little more “TLC” than vehicles that are right off the dealership lot, but the following are three simple tips that can help drivers keep their cars running longer.

• Become a more careful driver: A careful approach when behind the wheel is safer than aggressive driving and beneficial for your vehicle. When starting, avoid revving the engine, which needlessly wears it down. When out on the road, avoid rapid accelerations, which also contributes to needless wear and tear. Even excessive idling can adversely affect the engine, so keep winter warm-ups to around 30 seconds to prevent damage to engine components.

• Know when and how to fill up: Every driver has likely visited a filling station when an oil tanker is busily filling the tanks. That’s traditionally been considered a lessthan-ideal time to fill up, as the theory is that filling the tanks stirs up sediment that could then find its

Keeping up With the rising cost of new vehicles, more people than ever (in recent memory) are keeping their cars longer, hoping for one more month or one more year out of their trusty vehicle. Here are some tips to keep your ride on the road longer. (MS photo) MS - The last few years have not proven the most advantageous times for new car buyers.

According to the Consumer Price Index Summary from the United

States Bureau of Labor Statistics, buyers paid 12.2 per cent more for new vehicles in January of 2022 than they had in January, 2021.

Faced with such a significant

increase in price, many drivers understandably want to keep their current cars longer than they might have initially planned.

Data released by S&P Global

way into consumers’ gas tanks, adversely affecting their vehicles.

However, that’s often dependent on the station itself and how much its owners prioritize maintenance of the tank and filtration systems.

Drivers who trust their local station owners can likely fill up when the tankers are present without worry. In addition, avoid topping off once the nozzle clicks when filling up. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that topping off is harmful to the planet and the vehicle, as gasoline needs room to expand.

When you top off, the extra gas may damage the vapor collection system and cause the vehicle to run less efficiently.

• Change oil more frequently as the vehicle ages: It’s true that modern vehicles no longer require oil changes for every 5,000 kilometres driven. However, as vehicles age, drivers and their vehicles’ engines may benefit from more frequent oil changes than the owner’s manual necessarily recommends. Oil changes remove dirt and metal particles from the engine, potentially contributing to a longer life expectancy. More frequent changes can be especially beneficial for vehicles that are often driven in stop-and-go traffic.

Rising vehicle costs have compelled many drivers to keep their cars longer than they initially planned. Some simple strategies can help drivers achieve that goal.

For all your Towing and Repair Needs Call

Car pulling? Get it looked at Continued from page 15 the brakes are applied indicates that there’s an issue with the brakes.

This issue may or may not require a brake replacement. In fact, it’s sometimes indicative that brake fluid levels are low, which can be remedied quickly and easily.

However, an increase in stopping distance is significant enough that it should be brought to the attention

of a brake specialist immediately.

• Pulling upon stopping: Another warning sign of brake problems is when the vehicle noticeably pulls to one side as it comes to a stop. This indicates that one side of the brakes is malfunctioning, while the other is working properly. Like other issues with brakes, this one requires

immediate attention from an automotive professional.

Brake systems should be inspected during routine maintenance visits. But issues with brakes can arise even after such inspections, which underscores how important it is that drivers learn to recognize the warning signs of brake problems.

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $7.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST.

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

Articles for sale KUBOTA MODEL ZD 221, 54" deck and grass bagger, like new, 80 hours. Call 519-357-6656. 15-2p -------------------------------------------RUSTIC CEDAR GAZEBOS AND pergolas; also a supplier of steel roofing, siding and trims. Webwood Truss, 382 Whitechurch St., RR 5, Lucknow. ON N0G 2H0.

15-8p -------------------------------------------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.

01-50p -------------------------------------------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 tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal’s YIG in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Card of thanks FINLAYSON- The family of the late Laird Finlayson would like to extend our gratitude to the following. We sincerely thank everyone who sent food to our homes, as well as sent cards, memorial gifts, online condolences, made donations and visited. The kindness shown to us is truly overwhelming and very much appreciated. Hearing your memories of our Dad/grandfather/ brother were truly heart warming. We graciously thank Wes, Charlene and Art from Haskett Funeral Home along with the rest of the staff for your professionalism, guidance and care provided to our family. Your direction and kindness will not be forgotten. We thank Pastor Brian Hymers of Egmondville United Church for providing a lovely service, Mary Helen McLaughlin for the beautiful music and the members of EUC for the delicious lunch after the service. We would also like to thank all medical professionals who treated Dad with kindness and compassion. If you were a neighbour who checked in, a friend who took time to say hello or drop off some homemade treats, if you were someone who stopped to have a short conversation with Dad while he was out for a walk or just simply waved to him while sitting on the porch, thank you. All of those little things to you meant such a great deal to him. Sincerely and with love, Sharon & Brian, Sue Anne & Ed, Sandra and Doug, Shelley & Brian and our families.

Card of thanks Help wanted Help wanted PLUNKETT - Thank you. I would like to thank my family for hosting the great party in the Auburn Hall to celebrate my 90th birthday. Also to my friends and relatives who came with cards, gifts and best wishes for my big day. I enjoyed meeting and visiting with everybody. It was a day I'll never forget. Thank you so much for coming to celebrate with me.

Jewel Plunkett.

-------------------------------------------WILSON The family of Thelma Wilson would like to thank you for the kind words, cards, floral tributes and generous donations in Thelma's honour. Frank, Sharon and family.

Coming events AUBURN VILLAGE WIDE YARD and Garage Sales, Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Auburn and District Lions Club Breakfast will be held the same day at the Community Memorial Hall from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., $12/person. Maple syrup donated by Robinson Maple Products. Eggs provided by Huron County Egg Farmers. Proceeds for community betterment.

16-2 -------------------------------------------MELVILLE CHIMES, BRUSSELS will be calling you to “An Afternoon of Music” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. Come and enjoy Don Chesher and Friends, Melville Choir and Friends, Marcy Bremner - Flutist, Rev. Alex Jebson, Margaret McInroy, Melville Trio - Mary, Peggy and Margaret. Introducing Darryn de Souza, a very talented vocalist and musician, who travelled with “The Tenors” for ten years!

Free-will offering. Refreshments provided. Proceeds to Brussels United and Melville Presbyterian Churches.

16-2p --------------------------------------------

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Tourism & Events Student – Seasonal Day Camp Leader – 5 weeks Landfill Attendant - Part Time Visit the Township of Huron-Kinloss website to view these employment opportunities. https://www.huronkinloss.com/en/townhall/careers.aspx

“SWAP SHOP” ad

The Municipality of Huron East is now accepting applications for the position of

“One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CLERK/RECEPTIONIST The successful applicant will work closely with the Deputy Treasurer to coordinate the accounts receivable functions of the Municipality. The successful candidate will also be responsible for handling the majority of the receptionist duties of the Municipal office including receiving and directing telephone inquiries as well as responding to emails.

Applicants should possess a community college diploma with a background in business/accounting. Applicants should have a working knowledge of accounting procedures and preference will be given to those applicants with experience in a municipal government setting.

The 2023 salary range for this position is $24.03 and $27.85 per hour.

Further information including a complete job description is available on the Huron East website (www.huroneast.com).

St. John’s Anglican Church, Brussels invites you to join them in offering thanks and praise to God as they celebrate the ministry and service provided to the community in the last 163 years The Service of Deconsecration will be on Sunday, April 30th at 3:00 pm with Bishop Todd Townshend celebrating Lunch and sharing of memories will follow at the Brussels Legion

Hay/straw ------------------------------------------5 FOOT ROUND BALES. No rain. Also 15 acres standing hay.

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Applicants are asked to submit a detailed resume in confidence to the undersigned by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 2nd, 2023.

Stacy Grenier, Director of Finance/Treasurer Municipality of Huron East 72 Main Street South, PO Box 610 Seaforth, ON. N0K 1W0 519-524-2561 (Fax) treasurer@huroneast.com We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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We can help you discover your parenting potential. You can get more information about our services on our website www.ramoth.ca or by phone 519-323-3751 or email: office@ramoth.ca

PRIVATE SUPPORT WORKER with a certificate. 519-912-1102.

15-1 -------------------------------------------CUSTOM CLOVER SEEDING with GPS, $2.50.acre or $3 for pasture. Seed available. Call Kurt Beuerman 519-525-0538 or 519523-9234 (home).

09-9 -------------------------------------------INCOME TAX PREPARATION – farm, business, personal. Stephen Thompson, 519-482-3244. 07-10p

• 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.

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - for wood stove, many large boxes of cut and dried kindling from various types of trees, $20 for the whole lot. Call Milly 519-482-7262.

15-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE - Pride GoGo mobility scooter, red in colour, four wheels, excellent condition, operates as it should, batteries are good, small in size, so great for use in your home, $650. Call 519-482-5243, Clinton.

15-3 -------------------------------------FOR SALE - one pair 30" dualwheel tractor rims, $400. Phone 519-357-2957.

14-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE - 5 yds. 45 inch wide and 4 1/2 yds. 34 inches wide, new white cotton polyester material, $60; 4 yards new white linen, 60 inches wide, $50; Fisher-Price 1982 (complete) blue tea set, $25. Phone 519-524-1138 13-3

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 19.

Operating budget on table for HE

A sad day On April 13, fire crews from Goderich, Central Huron, North Huron, Huron East, Lucknow, Kincardine, Bayfield and Ripley all converged on a structure fire on Market Road north of Goderich. No injuries or loss of livestock were reported, though the fire was problematic due to dry conditions and high winds that day. (Courtesy photo)

Wilbee to speak at Knox PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Gary and Nellie Clayton returned home on April 1 from their winter vacation in the sunny south. They reopened their very rare business, The Olde Tyme Radio Centre, that is 35 years old.

On Sunday, April 16, Jim Hess was the guest speaker at Knox United Church, Belgrave. After Mr. Hess welcomed the congregation, the Christ Candle was lit. The opening hymn was “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” followed by the Opening Prayer and the Passing of the Peace.

The scripture lesson was read from Psalm 138 and John 21:1-14.

His reflection was entitled “The Days Following.” The closing hymn was “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God.” On Sunday, April 23, Gloria Wilbee will be the guest speaker.

Everyone is welcome.

The Community Coffee Break is on Tuesday, April 25 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the community centre. You are welcome to join in for fellowship coffee and snacks.

Birthday greetings are extended to Muriel Taylor, April 22 and Emerson Marks, April 26. Happy birthday and enjoy your day.

We have had many sunny and warm days from Mother Nature. It was a good time to get out and rake and clean up the yard, and also to plant some garden that could survive in cool weather. The flowering shrubs, trees and spring bulbs are in bloom. Many of the

Obituaries

WILLIAM JAMES “BILL” WRIGHT Bill Wright of Wingham, passed away peacefully at his home, on Friday, April 14, 2023. He was 77.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Mary Anne “Pat” (Schmidt) Wright who predeceased him in 2015 and the loving dad of Brad

and Janice Wright, Jo-Ann and Clarence den Dekker, Kim Tout and Bill and Carolyn Ganner. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his devoted partner Debbie Oberholzer-Mills and her family, his many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and sister Mary Lou Pfeffer.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Eva Wright, and sister Marie Campbell and her husband Harris and brother-in-law Glen Johnston.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the home of Trevor and Julie Tout on Saturday, June 24, beginning at 2 p.m.

Flowers are gratefully declined.

Memorial donations to Ontario Lung Association, Grand River Hospital Foundation (Regional Cancer Centre) or the Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com.

golfers have been out golfing.

Today (Tuesday, April 18) we were surprised to wake up to snow flurries. It is supposed to get milder later in the week, so it will change the weather once again.

Continued from page 1 recently been expanded to include, according to McRoberts, just about anything. Council agreed to that change.

Council also approved moving debt settlement for the Brussels, Morris and Grey and Seaforth and District Community Centres’ goforward deficits until the three years between 2024 and 2026. The estimated total of the deficits is just over $340,000, with the Huron East portion estimated to be $285,593.

The centres have been carrying forward deficits every year for a number of years, with annual budgets either adding or subtracting from them slightly. Council had decided to begin the process of doing away with them permanently, but, at last week’s meeting, decided to start that process next year.

McRoberts, however, noted that the centres would not be permitted to accumulate any new debt this year, as those balances would be settled at the end of the year. He also made note of the Brussels Cemetery carry-forward deficit of $215,823, but said that he is proposing that it be deferred until 2024 or later.

While McRoberts had suggested perhaps delaying the scheduled succession planning changes until next year, council opted to keep those changes in this year’s budget in an effort to look forward and plan for the future.

Council then opted for a swap, delaying a scheduled town hall efficiency study until 2024, but then using that money for an independent fire services review, recommended by McRoberts and supported by new Fire Chief Kent Readman, who was in attendance at the meeting.

Readman told councillors that he was supportive of the review and felt the time was right for it. He said he thinks there are some changes that can be made to increase efficiency and, in his short time with the department, he has already seen some of them himself.

Councillor Gloria Wilbee spoke in favour of the fire review, saying that with Readman being new at his post, it would be a good time for a fresh look from an independent consultant and Readman wouldn’t have to be concerned with “backstabbers” fighting the review.

Council opted to go ahead with the review.

Another budget item considered was the $40,000 set aside for holiday decorations, first in Brussels this year and then in subsequent, smaller communities like Walton, Ethel, etc. in the coming years. Some councillors felt it was unfair that taxpayers’ dollars would be used for decorations when communities like Seaforth raise funds through their Business Improvement Area (BIA) for similar purchases. However, others, like Dianne Diehl, spoke in favour of the purchase, saying that at $40,000, talk of removing it or even halving it would have very little impact on the budget. Furthermore, it is scheduled to come from the economic development department reserve. In the end, council decided to leave it in.

Council thanked McRoberts and Grenier for their hard work and “digging” to find savings. Members will return to the budget at the next special meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. Then, McRoberts says, staff will dig further into how the proposed levy will affect ratepayers.

Remembering your loved one Honour your loved one by placing their obituary in

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

The Citizen.

This is a free service provided by The Citizen. We encourage you to share the story of your loved one in a special remembrance of their life.

Cards of thanks can be placed in our classified section, starting at just $8.00.

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Lions serve over 300 at breakfast

Starting the day off right The Londesborough and District Lions Club held a breakfast on Sunday to raise funds for planned renovations to the ball diamond in the coming weeks. Over 300 people were served that day. (John Stephenson photo)

Ellis leads LWHA employees Continued from page 12 and $119,251.70, respectively.

In Morris-Turnberry, Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam made $120,292.79 in 2022 and Director of Public Works Mike Alcock made $102,793.76.

In Huron East, three people made the list, including Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts, who made $155,188.83, now-retired Fire Chief Marty Bedard, who made $106,348.65, and Director of Public Works Barry Mills, who made $103,613.03.

In Central Huron, four people made the list, led by Chief Administrative Officer Steve Doherty with $129,429.23. Clerk Kerri Ann O’Rourke at $102,555.34, Fire Chief Dave Renner at $108,459.20 and Compliance Officer Craig Snell at $108,011.73 followed.

Rosemary Foran, executive director of Community Living Central Huron, also made the list at $100,653.51.

Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker made $153,832.21 last year, while Chief Building Official Brett Pollock made $102,816.95.

In Howick, Clerk Carol Watson made $108,714.12, while Treasurer Brenda Weishar made $106,005.70.

Five Town of Goderich employees made the list: Chief Administrative Officer Janice Hallahan at $167,709.71, Treasurer Deanne Hastie at $134,540.95, Director of Operations Sean Thomas at $122,504.20, Clerk

Andrea Fisher at $104,653.50 and Chief Building Official Jason Dykstra at $101,853.50.

Four people from Bluewater made the list: Chief Administrative Officer Laurie Spence Bannerman at $164,437.03, Manager of Public Works David Kester at $127,276.20, Clerk Chandra Alexander at $117,417.48 and Roads Superintendent James Adkins at $100,911.93.

Six people from South Huron made the list: Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Best at $192,421.10, Director of Infrastructure and Development Don Giberson at $152,232.16, General Manager of Financial Services Sandy Becker at $146,196.17.

Manager of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Rebekah MsuyaCollison at $140,202.11, Fire Chief Jeremy Becker at $124,554.62 and Chief Building Official Mike Rolph at $107,990.69.

Thirteen people from the South Huron Hospital Association made the cut, led by Chief Financial Officer Darlene Borland at $143,258.78.

The Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance had several dozen people on the list, led by Chief Executive Office Karl Ellis, who made $199,796.67. Ellis is one of 20 people listed as being employed by Listowel Memorial Hospital, while the Wingham and District Hospital has 16 employees listed, led by registered nurse Madelaine Deitner at $153,880.76.

Debbie Hopper, executive director of Wingham and area Community Living, was also on the

list, making $105,087.05 last year.

Twenty-nine people were on the list for the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, led

by President and Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Trieu at $236,770.50.

Two nurse practitioners were on the list at the Clinton Family Health Team: Jennifer Blackhall and Pamela Van Dyke who both earned an identical $122,178.

Four people were on the list for the Bluewater Area Family Health Team, led by physicians Farahnaz Farzadfar and Deborah Josephson, who both made an identical $275,179.11 in 2022.

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance had 159 people on the list in 2022, led by associate pathologist Barry Sawka at $316,744.83 and President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Williams at $309,601.75.

The Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society had 13 people on the list in 2022, led by Director of Corporate Services Doug Woodburn at $148,720.02.

Huron Perth Public Health had 33 people on the list this year, led by Chief Executive Officer Miriam Klassen at $330,981.76.

Dana Bozzato, Chief Executive Officer of the Huron-Perth Centre for Children and Youth, earned $107,762.74 in 2022, while Catherine Hardman and John Robertson from the Canadian Mental Health Association HuronPerth Addiction and Mental Health Services made $115,065.07 and $104,239.26, respectively.

NOTICE

BLYTH UNION CEMETERY AND WINGHAM CEMETERY The Township of North Huron has submitted a revised by-law to the Registrar of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2022. Any interested parties may contact the Township of North Huron Public Works Department at (519) 357-3550 ext. 128 for further information, visit the Township Municipal Office to receive a hard copy or access online copies on the Township Website. By-Laws or amendments may be reviewed or copied at the Municipal Office.

This By-Law is subject to the approval of the Registrar, Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act. 2002.

Telephone: Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO): 647-483-2645 or 1-844-493-6356.

I guess it is back to reality this week, weather-wise. Last week’s warm, dare I say, hot weather was a nice change from the cold and damp we had been experiencing, but definitely not normal for April.

In spite of wanting to get started on summer planting, etc., real spring is still a few weeks away. The trees are surely budding thanks to the warmth.

The fine weather on Sunday was likely responsible for the large turnout at the Londesborough Lions breakfast at the Londesborough Hall last Sunday.

The last few guests would be finding the maple syrup a trifle scarce, I understand. This was a good thing for the group, however.

I understand they are planning some renovations at the ball diamond in the coming weeks, so those funds will come in handy.

Hullett Central Public School will be holding its annual “fun” night on Friday, April 28 at the Blyth Community Centre from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The community is invited to the Hullett Hoedown and attendees are encouraged to don western apparel for the evening.

Entertainment, a bake sale and a silent auction are staples of the event. Children can enjoy games, have their face painted, make selections at the penny sale and visit the photo booth. Food and refreshments are offered as well.

Donations for the bake table and the silent auction are welcomed.

Contact the school at 519-523-4201 for more information.

This year, the funds raised will be used for a library remake. Plan to attend or/and make a donation.

Regular readers of this column realize that I occasionally pick up interesting items from the Saturday Toronto Star to pass on. The following two bits caught my eye last week.

By now we all realize that advertisers take every advantage to hawk their products: a serviette, sandwich board, the boards of an arena, t-shirts, etc. Considering what advertisers paid for this following opportunity one recognizes it must pay to advertise.

Recently the Calgary Stampede held a canvas auction. This event raised $2.75 million selling the canvas space on the chuckwagons that are part of the exciting Continued on page 24

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 21.

From the Minister’s Study

Stanley marvels at the historical record of Easter

By Pastor Michael Stanley Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church, Auburn As I reflect on Easter and the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I marvel again at how incredible it is that we have the events of that first Easter recorded in history. The Bible has four historical accounts of Jesus’ life, often called the four “Gospels”.

The word “Gospel” simply means “Good News”, and so the name was given to these four books of the Bible that tell us the Good News about Jesus coming to save us. It was this Good News about Jesus that the first Christians shared that spread across the world. The result of their efforts is that we are able to gather together on another continent, 2,000 years later, and celebrate that “Good News” about Jesus and read with our own eyes the words they wrote. That’s amazing.

In the Bible, we also have another book called 1 Corinthians. This is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a church in a city called Corinth (modern day Turkey) about 22 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was the first of two letters he would write to the Corinthians, which is where it gets its name, “1 Corinthians”.

After Jesus came alive again, He gave His followers the task to go and tell the whole world about the “Good News” that they can have eternal life because of Jesus. One of the people that would be saved and then go on to become one of the greatest missionaries and preachers about Jesus was a man named Paul.

Paul wrote a number of letters to the churches that he spread throughout the Roman empire to help them with questions that they had. In this letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 15, Paul gives proof for how we can know that the facts about Jesus that we celebrate at Easter are true.

The first thing that Paul points out is that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sin, just like the Old Testament said would happen to the Messiah (the word “Messiah” simply means “Saviour”). The prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before Jesus and he wrote about how the Messiah would be killed… before crucifixion was even invented. By the way, one of the really amazing archeological discoveries of the last 100 years was a copy of the book of Isaiah that was dated to before Jesus’ life.

That tells exactly how Jesus would die (you may have heard of “the

Evangelical Missionary Church

Dead Sea Scrolls”). Now Paul wants the church to know that Jesus also came back to life and that they can believe it to be fact because there are people who saw Jesus alive. Paul records how Jesus appeared to the disciples, as well as how one time, Jesus was also seen by 500 people at once.

Now, this is pretty amazing.

Remember, Paul is writing this letter 22 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, and he is writing to a congregation on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea. You may hear some people today ask how we can know for sure that Jesus actually rose from the dead. Well, Paul cites that over 500 people saw Jesus alive at the same time and many of those people were still alive when he wrote this letter. In other words, Paul is saying to the Corinthians that they can go ask them if they want to verify that it’s true.

We can be confident today that this is true because the only reason we have a copy of this letter in the Bible that we can read is because it would have been copied many times and spread throughout the

Roman Empire. If anything that Paul claimed was not true, then there were 500 people that could have said so. By every measure of authenticity for historical documents, the books we have in the Bible surpass any other historical document of that time period. As archeologists continue to discover manuscripts (fragments of copies of ancient documents) today, they have found them to be 99.5 per cent identical to the Bible we have today. If you believe that Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great were real people; or if you believe that we have writings from Plato or Aristotle, then you can believe what the Bible says about Jesus.

Now, I have heard some criticism today that the disciples conspired to construct this story about Jesus’ resurrection and spread it around so that they could get power for themselves. Well that’s not true, because, to get 500 people to agree on a lie is next to impossible, and, on top of that, we know that the disciples and many of the first Christians were killed for their faith because they refused to deny what they were saying about Jesus; most

importantly that He died and rose again (we have non-Christian Roman and Jewish historians who record this)… and no one will ever die for something that they know is a lie. There really is no other explanation for history other than the fact that Jesus actually did rise from the dead.

So, if it’s true that Jesus rose from the dead, then what does that mean for us? First off, the Gospel accounts in the Bible are clear that Jesus said beforehand that He would die and rise again. So, because Jesus rose from the dead, it shows that we can trust that the rest of the things Jesus said and did are true.

Secondly, if Jesus didn’t actually rise from the dead then we would still be trapped by our sin. It is Jesus’ resurrection that proved that He really does have the power to overcome the consequences of sin.

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Join Us In 2023, As We

Come Worship With Us Sundays at 10:00 am

Wingham United Church

All Are Welcome

217 Minnie Street, Wingham Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 am Sunday School at 10:30 am

Romans 6:23 says, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life”. Jesus proved that he conquered death and that he can now give eternal life.

Jesus’ death and resurrection doesn’t just take care of the past, it gives us a future! If Jesus’ death was just for this life, then what good is that? This world is broken because of sin and because it is full of pain and difficulty. We are looking forward to an eternal life when everything is made right and we get to actually be with God, the one who created us and loves us.

We are looking forward to living the life God intended for us when He made us.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they rejected God’s good plan for humanity, and sin entered the world and fractured it. Jesus came to fix what is broken with the Continued on page 22

250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388 • Pastor Ken Gazley

Services available on YouTube Rev. Colin S. Snyder rev.colinsnyder@gmail.com Wheelchair accessible 519-357-2961 and parking

winghamunited@hurontel.on.ca winghamuc.webs.com

The Regional Ministry of Hope Weekly service live-streamed at 10:30 a.m. on our facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

The Regional Ministry of Hope www.regionalministryofhope.com 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca

Trinity

BLYTH 9:00 AM St. Paul’s Trinity

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BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels **Please note our new location** Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon

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For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

Come Worship with Us!

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch Join us for woorship

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

Sundayy, April 23 at a 11:00 am Outreach project of baby suppliess for northern Ontario Indigenous families continues thru April. Joint Brusse els & Blyth worship service April 30, guest speaker from True North Aid d the organization facilitating our Outreach project.

Contact Alex at ministter.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com y @g Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca b P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259 P.

Sunday, April 23, 10:30 am Pastor Mike Stanley Acts 1:1-14 (Introducing Acts)

Blyth United Church Sunday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Sunday School during worship Join us for Coffee and Snacks after!

On-site and online live.huronchapel.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 Outreach project is for True North Aid - Baby Supplies

Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, April 23 9:30-10:30 a.m.

We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Rev. Elwin Garland d leads in worship, praise and prayer to God. A time of fellowship to folllow.

April 30 - 2 p.m Come and enjoy “An Afternoon of Music” at Melville Melville, featuring local talent and Darryn de Souza, musical artist.

Free will offering.

Soup & More 2 Join us every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch.

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Historical Society continues growth in Wingham

The good old days Bill Farnell, left, was one of several presenters at a recent meeting of the Wingham and Area Historical Society. He spoke about his grandmother, Alice Crowder, as a VAD in World War I and displayed her extensive collection of badges and pins. (Courtesy photo) A meeting of the Wingham and Area Historical Society was held April 15 at the Alice Munro Library. The meeting started with a reading by Valdeane Gedke and Brent Bowyer of Audrey McKague’s recollections of “Dating and Romance in the early 1950s in the Wingham area.” These included the importance of the Royal T as a gathering place for dances and dates. The times were surely different then, much more formal, with well-known expectations and rules about proper behaviour! There were knowing

nods from the audience of almost 30 present and, afterward, some of those present mentioned that they had met their future spouses at the Royal T. Next, Trina Huffman, head librarian, showed some of the local history books available at the library, including books by Campbell Cork, David Yates, Arnold Mathers, John Pattison’s Museum Musings, and the 100th anniversary book of Wingham becoming a town, published in 1979.

Brent Bowyer gave an overview

of the moves toward incorporation and affiliation with the Ontario Historical Society, as well as the tasks of an executive/board. He listed the many ways supporters could help out, from recording their own stories (or helping others do so), to helping identify people on the 1949 black and white, silent movie, Stars of the Town were highlighted. Also mentioned was that Wingham’s 2024 Homecoming committee would like to co-operate with this group, and that the 150th anniversary of Wingham becoming a town is approaching fast in 2029.

It is very encouraging that the Facebook page for this society now has over 310 followers.

After a break for refreshments, Bill Farnell made a very interesting and moving presentation on the work of his grandmother, Alice Crowder, as a VAD (nurse’s aide) overseas in World War I. Bill’s display of a large number of badges and pins given to his grandmother by grateful, wounded soldiers, along with many old photos, his grandmother’s nursing uniform, and his readings from her diary really gave all in the audience an appreciation for the dedication of the volunteers under horrendous conditions.

Bill related that many men died of the Spanish Flu right at the end of the war. All present could agree with Bill that his grandmother’s tendency to hoard everything was very valuable in the end.

Tragically, his grandmother’s younger brother was killed by runaway horses spooked by falling and exploding munitions fewer than 100 days before the Armistice of November 1918. And, although women served alongside their male counterparts, when it came to pensions and support being offered after the war, women were excluded. His grandmother’s experience at the front and the fact that she took many courses in England for nursing assistant work were not recognized, so she gave up on her dream of becoming a nurse back in Canada.

The next public meeting of the society will be on Wednesday, May 17 at the Alice Munro Library.

Virginia and John Newell will do a presentation of a large postcard collection and some memorabilia.

Those coming are invited to bring some of their own old photos, postcards and other memorabilia of Wingham and area.

At the June 14 meeting at 2:30 p.m., Bevan Brown and Valdeane Gedke will offer a presentation on the three railways that once were in Wingham with many photos of the old trains from their in-depth research in the past few years. Tim Willis will also tell about the incredible large wooden model he has made of an early steam locomotive.

History is ‘Good News’ Continued from page 21 world. Jesus solved the sinning problem on the cross and now we are waiting for the day when He comes back to make everything new and fix all that is broken in the world.

If you are not sure that you have eternal life, or if you have any questions, then I encourage you to read one of those historical accounts of Jesus’ life and find out what really happened. I promise you, it’s “Good News”.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023. PAGE 23.

Student Show draws massive opening night crowd

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The opening of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery Student Show took place at the Bainton Gallery in Memorial Hall on Friday, April 14, showcasing works by students from the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.

On opening night, the gallery was packed with students, family members and art aficionados admiring a wide variety of weird, wild and whimsical works. The show featured paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, presented in a range of different mediums. “It just gives them a chance to show what they can do,” said excited parent Sue James. Another patron chimed in, positing that in the images displayed “there are thousands and thousands of words being said tonight.”

Upon entry, one was met by Emmy VR’s (St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School) “Cute but Creepy” - a bold bust oozing toothy, glam, nightmare vibes that lets gallery goers know they were in for an absolute treat of a show.

One of the most joyous things about this exhibit was the sheer variety in the work. There were 100 pieces on display, each one a doorway into its own world. Noel Hallman’s (Goderich District Collegiate Institute) “Intake” vibrated with wounded enthusiasm just a few inches from “Knowledge of Nature” - a serenely balanced bust of human merging with nature created by Kara Small-James (St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School). Small-James was very enthusiastic about having work in the gallery. “It’s really cool… you just make it for yourself.”

Skeletons were the subject of a number of works, but even within that framework, there was a great deal of variety. Lily Verbeek’s (F.E. Madill Secondary School) “Forever Connected” was hauntingly sweet, a clear contrast to Grace Smith’s (F.E. Madill Secondary School) freaky, floral, “Heartsnatcher,” while Lorna Finkbeine’s (South Huron District High School) “Playful Tiger” felt like a prehistoric play on Lisa Frank.

There was a panoply of pieces with animals as their subjects domestic, wild and imagined.

Marissa Wagler’s (Listowel District Secondary School) “Pastel Tiger” would be right at home at the hippest of coffee shops, while Jordan Partridge’s (St. Mary's District Collegiate and Vocational Institute) “Untitled” self-portrait with their pet cat Mavis truly captured the transformative effect pets can have on people. Wesley Beland’s (Central Huron Secondary School) lively “Dragon” may have been used in promotional materials for the event, but that didn’t make it any less exciting to see in real life.

Beyond the two-dimensional, there were a bevy of striking sculptures. Two stand-out pieces, very different on the surface, were both by St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School student Madison Stevens. The first, the minimalist figure “Fight or Flight”, caught the eye as soon as one entered the room, while the more subdued “Two Sided” - a shiny, scale model building, offered the audience an interactive, remote control light display.

Strong portraiture skills depicted emotive faces in numerous styles, from the classical elegance of Ella

Young talent on display The highly anticipated return of the Student Show did not disappoint art fans as opening night saw a large McRae’s (Goderich District Collegiate Institute) monochromatic “Pretty in Pink,” to the introspective, pensive pencilwork of Merieke van Lierop’s (St. Mary's District Collegiate and Vocational Institute) “Ava”.

Waiting in one corner was the unsettling ink mystery entitled “Herman Moore” - a stark, brooding child brought to life by Sarah Dyet (St. Mary's District Collegiate and Vocational Institute).

In another corner stood “STAR” - a pop-art skateboard deck brought to life by Hailee Phelan (Stratford District Secondary School).

There were two striking relief prints on display - Dania Roswell’s “Raven King” and Olivia Decker’s “Tea Cups”. Both students came from Central Huron Secondary School, and both pieces had clear commercial appeal, whether they be produced as high-end greeting cards or offered up as potential tattoo designs for lucky clients.

Not just an opportunity to showcase their work, the show was also a chance for the students to sell their art. “DVD Fish”, a shimmering, recycled media rainbow koi by Marissa Wagler

(Listowel District Secondary School) sold quickly, as did a number of other pieces. Whether or not they wanted to sell their work was left up to the students, and many of the young artists chose to label their work “NFS” or “not for sale”.

Nouveau pop-culture icons peppered the gallery, to the delight of younger patrons. Dallas McDougall’s (F.E. Madill Secondary School) “Venom Snake” captured the tragic, convoluted origins of its subject, and Faith Richter’s (Central Huron Secondary School) clay bust “Captain Spaulding” could have sparked a bidding war amongst the splatter-cinema set, had the work been for sale.

There were a number of clear crowd favourites, including Dorian Marks’ (Stratford District Secondary School) masterful, Goya-esque “The 42%” - a piece whose name had many guests asking questions. Jorja Jane Kirkpatrick’s (Listowel District Secondary School) playful, Polaroid-inspired painting “Dumpster” may have been one of the smallest works in the show, but

turnout of local culture vultures who were treated to a diverse display of delightful student work. (Scott Stephenson photo) it made a big impression with people. Also popular was Avery Durand’s (Stratford District Secondary School) “Apricot Glow”, a landscape overflowing with retro colour and spirit. “I just love art so much,” exclaimed an ebullient Durand after the show.

The show was collectively curated by teachers from area schools, and organized by volunteers like Kelly Stevenson, Exhibition Chair for the Gallery, who also provided an impressionist punch and an interactive popcorn exhibit that was a big hit with guests of all ages.

A handful of well-deserved prizes were doled out by Gil Garratt, Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival, who advised the students to “keep making art, your work is beautiful.” Even though Decker, Wagler, Durand, Small-James, and Meghan Hymus (St. Mary's District Collegiate and Vocational Institute) were declared winners, it was hard to feel the energy of appreciation

for all the evening’s local, up and coming talent and see anything but a room full of winners - winners, and really cool art.

The Student Show is open to the public until May 5, and the gallery is expanding its hours for the next two Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to meet popular demand.

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Strong show of support Above, spectators enjoy art. Below, “Fight or Flight”

by Madison Stevens. (Scott Stephenson photos)

PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023.

Race anniversary an opportunity for some

Order up!

Mike Boven, right, was among those Londesborough and District Lions Club members who chipped in on Sunday to serve over 300 people breakfast as part of a fundraiser for the group, which has ball diamond renovations on its mind. (John Stephenson photo)

Bluevale Hall earns accessibility grant

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen At Morris-Turnberry Council’s Feb. 7 meeting, it was announced that the Bluevale Community Hall had received a grant to address accessibility concerns with the entrance door. The much-awaited repairs were completed on April 4, bringing the entrance up to code and ensuring it is safe and accessible for public use, according to a report prepared by DeputyClerk Kim Johnston.

The repairs included the installation of a panic bar exit, trim, and an electric strike, as well as an automatic door opener and electronic proponents to allow for remote locking and unlocking of the hall, eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the building at the front entrance.

Johnston’s report says that, with the new system in place, the process for Bluevale Hall rentals has also been streamlined. The municipal office will now book the rentals and

share a rental calendar with the Bluevale Community Committee.

The week leading up to a rental, a reminder e-mail will go out to the committee, and members will ensure that the door is unlocked before the rental and locked again afterwards.

Furthermore, the installation of a small black box beside the push button outside the building allows committee members and employees of Morris-Turnberry to use their own assigned key fob to enter the hall, adding an additional layer of security and convenience.

To ensure smooth operation and familiarization with the new system, online training was completed with municipal staff on April 5.

The completion of the work on the entrance door to the Bluevale Community Hall marks an improvement in accessibility, making it easier for all members of the community to access and utilize the hall for various events and activities.

HE plans for future with succession plan Continued from page 6 standardization and a greater focus on development.

“Recreation, social and cultural programs are becoming critical aspects of municipal service delivery, as residents and prospective residents consider and evaluate their priorities, which include a higher quality of life.

Quality-of-life considerations highly value recreational, social and cultural programs,” McRoberts said in his report.

He also anticipated an increase in regards to co-ordination of development and planning processes and further support for water distribution and wastewater collection services, as well as dedicated human resources and external communications roles.

McRoberts also stressed the need for continued staff development and review, as well as maintaining competitive wages.

“While the succession plan will have a financial impact, the intent is to gradually phase the implementation of the plan to minimize the financial impacts of the period of the plan implementation,” McRoberts said in his report. “While the cost for full implementation is expected to be in the order of $130,000 per year, the cost of the changes will be accommodated through growth in municipal taxation revenue from new development.”

Council did not vote on a motion connected to McRoberts’ report, which was presented simply for councillors’ information.

Continued from page 20 chuckwagon races each summer.

That translated to about $102,000 per team wagon. This year is the 100th anniversary of the chuckwagon races and the money raised will benefit both that sport and the Stampede itself. Something to watch out for when the Stampede is televised this summer. Some of the advertisements themselves look truly interesting and very artistic.

This next news item was titled, “When the Heart Breaks, Send It Here”. A Croatian couple whose relationship was breaking up had an item neither felt compelled to keep given its emotional attachment to their time together. Thus was born the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. The idea was, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a place where everyone on the planet could send objects after a breakup?”

It is the busiest museum in the capital. This archive ostensibly

helps people move on after heartbreak.

On display are items received anonymously from all over the world. Each item has a card alongside telling its story. The museum now has 4,000 items of which 70 are on display at any one time. Other broken relationships, such as a religious belief or the death of a child, are also represented. The museum’s curator claims items arrive by mail every week.

Pop-up displays have been held around the world and always garner interest. After a display in Mexico City, the museum received hundreds of items. What kind of things, you ask? A pair of men’s white dress shoes, pink rubber gloves, a parachute rig, a piece of a 47-year-old wedding cake, toy furniture, a bike, basketball shoes, etc. Wouldn’t it be interesting, and fun, to learn the background to each donation?

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