The Citizen - April 9, 2020

INSIDE THIS WEEK:

CHARITY - Pg. 7

SPORTS - Pg. 8

GALLERY - Pg. 19

Blyth woman donates her 1,000th toque/vest set

Walton-area teen drafted by OHL’s Windsor Spitfires

Blyth Festival Art Gallery cancels Student Show

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Volume 36 No. 15

Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Blyth Festival suspends season

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Busy week The Fire Department of North Huron has been extremely busy over the past few days.

Between medical calls and field fires on Saturday and a motor vehicle collision and possible chimney fire on Monday, the department has been out to multiple calls in recent days. Above, firefighters attempt to control a field fire that broke out on Hoover Line on Saturday afternoon.

The blaze threatened not only the growth immediately next to the large swath of land that it devastated, but also the surrounding reforestation area. (Denny Scott photo)

For the first time in the 46-year history of the Blyth Festival, its season has been suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the world.

Artistic Director Gil Garratt made the announcement through The Citizen website last week saying it was time for those at the Festival to take a step back and suspend the season until further notice. While suspending the season doesn’t necessarily mean it’s being cancelled, Garratt also said it’s important not to impose a timeline on the season that even experts in the field cannot claim to know.

“As a community leader, the Festival owes a responsibility to help support and amplify the life-saving message of our public health officials and their initiatives of social/physical distancing right now.

Our front-line healthcare workers, and the volunteers, administrators, and civil servants working to deploy the largest mobilization of care and compassion in Canadian history, need our unequivocal support. We, the Festival stand with these workers and our thoughts are with them in this crisis,” Garratt said in the statement.

“We also know that storytelling and live theatre is a crucial part of community health, and we will be

here for this region, and for all Canadian audiences and artists, when the time for us to directly help our community heal is at hand.

Culture is what brings us together and allows us to understand each other, to laugh together, to remember, and to dream about our common future; that is our responsibility as artists, and we promise we will be here to help us all heal when the clouds of COVID19 have parted.”

In an interview with The Citizen, Garratt said the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Festival began to hit him when they were having to cancel dramatic workshops.

He said that while there was a small workshop planned for Liars at a Funeral, the Festival’s second planned show of the season, a twoweek-long workshop was supposed to be taking place right now in early April for Airborne: The Life and Legacy of Lorna Bray. Due to that show’s improvisational nature with the use of plenty of technology, it was when those processes began being affected that Garratt knew the season was going to have to be pushed back at the very least.

With backstage staff set to begin arriving in Blyth in the middle of April, those early realizations led to some “sobering” conversations among Garratt and other Festival staff members like General Manager Continued on page 20

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Huron-Perth Huron and Perth Counties now have 20 confirmed cases of COVID19 according to the Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) team.

On Monday, during a bi-weekly press conference, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Miriam Klassen explained that, over the weekend, the total rose from 17 cases to 18 cases across the two counties.

The breakdown includes six cases in Huron County (up from four), two

in St. Marys, eight in Stratford and four in Perth County outside of Stratford and St. Marys. She said there were two in each age bracket of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and over 80, one each in the under 20 and 70-70 brackets and six in the 6069 bracket. The HPPH is no longer providing specific location or identifying information as part of its information to the press. Thus far, the area has only seen one fatality

from the Coronavirus in Perth while one person in Huron has recovered from the virus.

The HPPH has conducted 399 tests for COVID-19 with 55 pending, Klassen said, and reminded everyone to only seek out testing if both the provincial online assessment suggests clinical assessment and a doctor or medical professional advises testing after a phone call.

Brussels youth dies in crash A fatal motor vehicle collision east of Brussels claimed the life of 21-year-old Sydney Dietrich-Illsley of Brussels on Sunday.

Shortly after 12:38 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Huron County Paramedic Services and Brussels Fire Department responded to the crash scene at the intersection of Newry Road (Huron County Road 16) and McDonald Line. The OPP and West Region OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement team (TIME) were on scene investigating

the incident for several hours after the collision.

The preliminary investigation indicates a sport utility vehicle was eastbound on Newry Road (Huron County Road 16) when the vehicle left the paved portion of the roadway, collided with the ditch and subsequently rolled before it came to rest upright within the intersection.

Dietrich-Illsley, the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

A post-mortem examination was

scheduled to take place Monday.

Newry Road was closed between Victoria Street in Brussels and Fischer Line as a result of the incident. McDonald Line was also closed between Brandon Road and Cranbrook Road.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Huron OPP at 1888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The HPPH is also dealing with outbreaks in two long-term care facilities: Greenwood Court in Stratford and Hillside Manor near Sebringville. The single case at Hillside is in isolation while there have been five cases in Greenwood Court: four residents and one staff member. None of the cases have been hospitalized as of press time.

Klassen reminded the community to practise physical distancing, especially with Easter approaching.

“Residents should know that gatherings under five people remain restricted,” she said, adding that

local police services can impose penalties for those breaking them (the restrictions). “The weeks ahead are critical as we all try to flatten the curve. We owe it to our friends, neighbours and family to practise physical distances and limit outings.”

She said the virus cannot be passed without humans, so by practising distancing and staying at home, the infection chain can be broken.

For the most up-to-date information on local cases, visit hpph.ca.

NH budget passes

By Denny Scott The Citizen During its meeting on Monday night, North Huron Council passed its 2020 budget, though it likely will undergo several changes throughout the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The budget included an overall spending increase of 2.97 per cent,

or $177,351.53, bringing the municipality’s total budget for 2020 to $17,769,587.81. Director of Finance Donna White told councillors the municipality would collect $4,438,670.53 from the base rate, $6,146,938.53 from taxation, $1,701,343 from area ratings, $6,925 from flat rate streetlights and and the rest from dedicated reserves Continued on page 3

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Stop the Spread COVID-19 can be deadly.

Stay home. Save lives.

Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus Paid for by the Government of Ontario

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 3.

‘Friends’ set to host food bank collection

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Special delivery The Wingham & District Hospital Auxiliary and Wingham Tim Hortons treated staff at the Wingham hospital to lunch on April 2. Above, Doris and Jim Taylor deliver lunch to Doris Foxton. (Photo submitted)

Parental support project launched Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce

announced a special support program for parents and guardians

Clean up, clean up While some have been using their COVID-19 quarantine time to learn something new or connect with their families, the Boyer family connected while cleaning up their community, taking in cans they collected from Brusselsarea ditches. (Photo submitted)

Wingham taxes could go down over 2020 Continued from page 1 or transfers including water and sewer services and projects carried over from previous years.

Based on an average residential household evaluated at $202,750 in 2019, which would now be valued at $205,000 through assessment increases, White said that each municipality would have a very different reality as a result of the spending increases.

Wingham ratepayers, for example, may see an overall reduction in taxes paid thanks to area ratings, specifically for police services, dropping. That average homeowner would have paid $4,315,88 in taxes in 2019, but 2020 would see the ratepayers pay $4,194.70, including county and education taxes, for an overall decrease of 2.81 per cent. In

Blyth, the budget means a 3.49 per cent increase to $3,536.30 on that average household while in East Wawanosh it would increase by 4.69 per cent to $3,289.45.

Farm and commercial values will also fluctuate significantly depending on where they are located.

White told council that, throughout the year, she planned on having staff prioritize projects because the COVID-19 pandemic will have an impact on not only the budget but the projects that can be pursued. That impact, however, will not be known for some time, she added.

Council passed the budget unanimously. For a more in-depth look at the budget, check next week’s edition of The Citizen.

across the province on Monday in the face of COVID-19.

Through the existing Support for Families Initiative, parents can apply for $200 per child between the ages of 0 and 12, or $250 per child with special needs.

Lecce said that, with public schools staying closed until May 4 and private schools and childcare facilities closed until at least April 13, it was resulting in economic hardships for parents which this onetime payment was designed to combat. Those already enrolled in the initiative will automatically be included.

Ford said he understands the hardships parents are going through, comparing his own experience with four daughters to what every other parent is going through. He thanked everyone for their efforts in combating COVID-19.

“It’s up to every person in Ontario to listen to the experts,” he said.

“Please, stop the spread of this deadly virus before it affects someone close to you.”

Parents and guardians can apply at www.ontario.ca/page/get-supportfamilies.

This Friday, Good Friday, the Friends of the Village of Blyth will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Wingham.

Lissa Kolkman, one of the members of the local gardening and beautification group, says that starting at 9 a.m., volunteers, including a hard-to-miss adult-sized Easter Bunny named Peppermint, will be making their way through Blyth to collect items for those less fortunate this Easter. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Friends of the Village of Blyth are asking residents to put a bag or box of items to be collected at the end of their driveway for volunteers to come and collect them.

Kolkman said it was a way for the organization to give back given the current state of affairs in the world and the increased food bank need

locally. The event follows in the footsteps of an Easter event held on the Blyth Greenway Trail last year hosted by the group.

Also chipping in for the food drive, those without canned goods stocked at home can head to Blyth Food Market where pre-packed bags of groceries will be made up for $10 and $20 to be donated.

She’s also encouraging those putting out items to brighten up their part of the village to try and incite smiles around the community. If houses could create some sidewalk art, signs in their window or any other Easter-inspired art, that would make the collection just that much easier for the volunteers and maybe just brighten someone’s day.

Look for the volunteers out on Friday collecting for the food bank and consider bringing a donation to the end of your driveway for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Wingham.

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The Citizen Go back to Calvary!

(Arthur Pink, 1886-1952) “When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 Christ did not die in order to make God love us, but because He did love His people.

The cruel cross is the supreme demonstration of Divine love.

Christian reader, whenever you are tempted to doubt the love of God for you, go back to Calvary!

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

Easter Schedule

The Citizen To observe Good Friday the Citizen office will be closed Friday, April 10 Deadline for the April 16 paper will remain the same Please call or email ads (office remains closed to public)

by 4:00 pm Monday, April 13 519-523-4792 email: info@northhuron.on.ca

We wish every family a safe and happy Easter

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Editorials & Opinions

President: Keith Roulston • Publisher: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld • Heather Fraser

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The bright side With unprecedented dire statistics, scary warnings and heavy restrictions rolling across our screens, it is easy to feel small, isolated and afraid during a global pandemic. However, one doesn’t have to look too far to also find heartwarming stories of compassion and community.

There are numerous celebrities donating money like the Wu-Tang Clan donating to the Ottawa Food Bank and promoting the cause through their Twitter feed and Oprah Winfrey donating $10 million for Coronavirus relief. Others are also amusing us through these dark times like Dolly Parton’s online bedtime stories and the hundreds of other artists who are engaging us with their songs, stories, jokes and tutorials.

There are local heroes helping their neighbours like the Jam Jar providing meals to the seniors in the Highland Apartments, the local churches helping the families displaced by the fire late last month and all the people helping loved ones celebrate birthdays and anniversaries from afar. The list of good deeds and good neighbours grows daily.

The good news is what makes all of this bearable and will help lessen the scars. Years from now, let’s look back on this time and remember all the people who helped us make this experience a little less bleak. – DS

True leadership As the world struggles through the COVID-19 nightmare, with things seemingly getting worse in Canada by the day, we can look to our leaders and know they’re doing their best, both politically and personally, to get us all through this together. The same cannot be said south of the border.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been calm, yet direct at the helm for Canadians, even as his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, became infected. And while he has not been as forthcoming and transparent as Premier Doug Ford with his projections (remember that statement), he has been clear with Canadians about what needs to be done.

In regards to Ford, he too has shown selfless leadership in the face of COVID-19. Not only has he done away with partisan politics (for the time being) but he has done what needs to be done. He personally hit the road to pick up masks donated by a dental office in Markham. He is showing that boots-on-the-ground style of leadership he claimed to have during his campaign, but failed to show in his first year in office.

To the south we have U.S. President Donald Trump whose approval numbers have inexplicably seen a bump during his bungling of the virus in its early days (though experts predict that will be short-lived). He is a man who is more interested in the ratings of his daily briefings and his ranking on various social media platforms than saving actual lives. The ultimate spin doctor, Trump has gone from calling the virus a hoax to downplaying its severity to trying to blame China to patting himself on the back if the U.S. can limit Coronavirus deaths to 200,000. Now, we have his unqualified son-in-law, Jared Kushner, leading the response.

Our federal and provincial leadership might not be perfect, but they are doing everything they can. The same can’t be said for everyone. – SL

Just the facts ma’am Last week marked a watershed moment for the province, including the Huron Perth Public Health team (HPPH), when, in the space of 48 hours, reporting COVID-19 cases to residents changed drastically.

Previously, the cases were identified by age and location, giving some sense as to how close to home the COVID-19 pandemic had hit for residents within Huron and Perth Counties, however now the organization, following in the footsteps of upper-tier governments, is limiting details, instead presenting overarching data for the area.

Whether it’s the provincial and federal governments failing to treat this COVID-19 situation as dire as it should have from the beginning or both Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referring to documents and predictions but not making them publicly available, Ontario and Canada’s governments are limiting information and treating constituents with kid gloves. Premier Doug Ford took a step in the right direction with the province’s projections, but we need more.

It’s of little doubt that the slow-playing of the direness of the situation has led to people not taking it seriously and the actions of public health entities, whether the decision was made in-house or further up the healthcare system chain, are doing little to prevent that. While the decision may have been made to inspire fear in everyone to take this situation seriously, it’s going to fail, either by removing all danger or creating situations where people forget to be good neighbours.

As long as direct, accurate information is being withheld about how dangerous a situation this is, people will continue to ignore it. In Huron County, that means that people are still gathering because the closest case is in South Huron, nearly out of the county as far as they’re concerned.

With no local information people aren’t taking the threat seriously.

Taking the kid gloves off and ending the practice of holding back information until it’s too late is the only way to relay the message. – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years April 11, 1963 Elston Cardiff of Brussels, a veteran member of the House of Commons, won a solid victory for the Conservative Party in the Huron riding, winning his eighth consecutive term.

Cardiff defeated Gordon McGavin of McKillop Township by over 2,300 votes. McGavin conceded the election to Cardiff at 8:30 p.m. on the night of the election.

Trees in the five forest tracts in the Brussels area had reached the point in their growth that they posed an “extremely serious” fire hazard.

The Canadian Jersey Cattle Club announced that Don Head Molly’s Lettie 2nd – 200705 – a Jersey cow bred by Don Head Farms Ltd. of Richmond Hill and owned by D.F. Snyder had won a Life Time Production certificate from the club.

The cow had produced nearly 77,000 pounds of milk and over 4,200 pounds of fat to win the certificate.

April 14, 1999 Nancy Michie, Morris Township Clerk-Administrator, aimed to clarify comments made in the previous issue of The Citizen regarding Morris Township’s intention to discuss amalgamation with Turnberry Township. She said that East Wawanosh Township and the Town of Wingham were both invited to join those talks later.

Michie said that first meeting with East Wawanosh Township was productive, after which Wingham requested to be part of the meetings.

Shayrina Sheep Farm near Bluevale won the 1999 Huron Tourism Development Award, presented annually at the county’s brochure swap, which

was held in Seaforth for that year.

April 15, 2010 Avon Maitland District School Board administrators declared their intention to seek provincial funding for a new school in North Perth, close schools in Ethel, Listowel and Gowanstown and recommended the expansion of Brussels Public School.

The Brussels expansion would include four new classrooms, though the school would be converted to a Kindergarten to Grade 6 facility.

While neighbouring municipal councils from Central Huron, Morris-Turnberry and AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh tangled with North Huron over increased fire coverage costs, Huron County Council said it would be staying out of any negotiations.

Max Oldfield, the founder of Oldfield Hardware in Brussels, passed away. He was in his 89th year.

Duff’s United Church in Walton was set to host “50 Years of Walking Down the Aisle in Style”, a fashion show to model bridal styles from the past five decades.

Several Blyth Lions Club members were honoured as the club celebrated its 65th anniversary. Ken Stewart, Barney Stewart and Alex Blair all received Melvin Jones Fellowships, while Charlie Shaw was presented with the Helen Keller Light in the Darkness Award.

April 11, 2019 Over 200 F.E. Madill Secondary School students walked out of their classes to protest proposed changes to the provincial education system, including the implementation of elearning and larger class sizes.

In stark contrast to the student walk-outs going on in Huron County and all over the province, Huron-

Bruce MPP and Minister of Education Lisa Thompson said the reforms were finding great support across the province despite the widespread protests.

She said the extensive provincial consultation with parents and teachers informed the government and she then acted accordingly.

“That’s the way I work. I listen and I consult. That’s evident with the new curriculum and people are happy,” Thompson said.

Huron County Council had its budget set for adoption, including a 3.75 per cent increase to the levy for a total budget of just under $42 million.

The creators of the celebrated Blyth Festival show The Pigeon King, were set to host a special onenight concert and album launch for the album they created from the show’s music. Produced by John Powers, the album featured all of the songs from the show, as well as some other originals from the cutting room floor of the creative process.

The Huron Midget BB Heat earned provincial gold over the previous weekend, winning the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association championship over the Lakeshore Lightning, completing a five-game sweep of the tournament.

A massive auction at McGavin Farm Equipment raised $32,000 for the Huron Residential Hospice and Tanner Steffler Foundation.

The Citizen was honoured by the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) for the best rural story of the year for a newspaper with a circulation under 9,999. Lisa B. Pot of The Rural Voice tackled homelessness in rural Ontario in the award-winning tory.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 5.

Other Views

When COVID-19 is ancient history

A

t the future date of 2516, at an archeological dig in an ancient landfill site near Brussels, Ont., researchers unearthed an important artifact which increased understanding of the social consequences of the plague that struck the world in 2020. The information was contained within a notebook, its pages brittle with age, but preserved inside a bag made of a shiny, indestructible material once called plastic and made from petroleum. No name was attributed to the diary.

Diary of my self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Day 1: Following the advice of a psychiatrist on television (researcher’s note: television was an ancient communications tool of the period), in order to reduce the stress of isolation I have decided to keep a diary of my experiences.

This morning I cleaned two bedrooms and the bathroom. Might as well make use of the time.

Day 2: Cleaned the rest of the house.

Now what?

Brian (researcher’s note: seems to be her partner, I believe called a husband in those long-ago days) insisted we watch Contagion on Netflix. Just what we needed: watching a movie about a plague in a time of plague.

Day 3: Pleasant spring day so went for a walk. My neighbour Sally doesn’t seem to understand the concept of distancing. When she saw me, she came running out to talk.

No matter how far I stepped back from her, she moved closer. She wouldn’t take a hint so tomorrow I’ll eat garlic toast before my walk.

Day 4: Garlic toast didn’t work.

Apparently Sally likes the smell of garlic.

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk Instead I’ll try not showering for a few days before I go for a walk next time. There’s nobody else to smell me anyway – except Brian and he’s busy building birdhouses in the garage most of the time. At the rate he’s going we’ll have enough avian accommodation for all the birds in Huron County.

Day 5: Got bored. Baked a cake. Got the recipe from one of the five new cookbooks I bought in the last year that I’d never opened until now because I didn’t have the time.

Day 8: I cleaned the house again this morning. Hardly seems worth it. Why have a spotless house if no one sees it?

Day 10: Working my way through the cookbooks. Baked cookies this morning.

Ate cookies this afternoon. This could get dangerous.

Day 12: Brian’s running out of lumber.

Thank goodness. Birdhouses were threatening to take over the house.

Day 13: Guess what! They still deliver lumber! We’re now working on housing for all the birds in southern Ontario!

Day 16: I need a hug. The only person I’m allowed to get near is Brian. Not much luck there. He hasn’t even noticed that I haven’t showered in two weeks. Not that it deterred Sally. Maybe I should just let her hug me and get it over with.

Day 20: Watched the movie A Blast

From the Past with Brian. It’s a comedy about an eccentric genius who builds an elaborate, self-sufficient, fall-out shelter in his backyard and, under the mistaken impression there has been a nuclear attack during the Cuban Missile Crisis, seals his family in for 35 years until the radiation levels will be low enough to survive on the surface. His wife turns to drink. Who can blame her! Thirty-five years! Please tell me this virus won’t last as long as radiation.

Day 23: I seem to be becoming addicted to baking – and eating. Maybe I’d have been better off to taking up drinking like the woman in the movie. No wonder I hear that alcohol sales have increased 40 per cent.

Day 25: To avoid Sally I’ve stopped going outside. Now she’s coming to the kitchen window with smiley signs and waving like she’s gone nuts. It’s disrupting my baking.

Day 28: To slow Brian down I made him a chocolate cake with crushed sleeping pills baked in. Didn’t work. The caffeine in the chocolate must have counteracted the sleeping pills and he’s building faster than ever!

Day 30: Some “expert” on television says we might have to put up with this epidemic for up to two years! Help! By two years I won’t have any choice but to have to leave the house because Brian will have filled it with birdhouses. On the other hand, I won’t be able to leave the house because I’ll weigh 400 pounds from eating my baking and I won’t fit through the door.

Looking back through this diary is too depressing. I think I’ll stop reading it.

(Researcher’s note: that was the last entry in the diary. We have no idea if the subject survived the pandemic.)

Seriously, it is time to smarten up

F

or weeks we’ve been inundated with the suggestion that those of us who can stay at home as much as we can to fight the COVID-19 pandemic should be doing so and it’s finally gotten to the point that people can be charged for not following that advice.

Maybe that order should’ve come sooner, but no one has a crystal ball, so we can forgive the hope that the pandemic would be cured by common sense.

On April 1, it was no joke when Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown took to Facebook to make a special announcement that those ignoring physical distancing would not be tolerated. He explained that, on March 31, a 3-1-1 call was made to report a group of 20 people who were disregarding physical distancing by attending a backyard party.

The people at the party could be facing a fine of up to $100,000. Brown said the minimum fine of $750 would not be sought but the accused would, instead, be taken to court. He said the issue is not being taken lightly and that there should be serious consequences for endangering a community with something like a party.

“This is too serious for anyone to be reckless and foolish,” he said, and Brown was right.

I’m about to suggest something here that goes against a very core belief of my being: tattle on your neighbours.

If you’re a bit older than me, act like we’re in the height of the Cold War and anyone who is ignoring the physical distancing is a Commie nogoodnik. If you’re a bit younger than me, keep the Boomers in line who aren’t following the rules.

Normally, I’m the kind of person who won’t go out of their way to make another person’s life difficult (unless they really, really tick me off) but this isn’t like letting those neighbour

Denny Scott Denny’s Den kids blow off steam by breaking the noise bylaw or giving that new family who doesn’t seem to realize you can’t just burn your garbage in town a pass. Physical distancing isn’t meant to prevent nuisances, it’s a step that’s intended to save lives. Live and let live is not the attitude that will get us through all this. We need to hold each other to higher standards.

As my editor Shawn has pointed out in his column last week, we are seeing the true colours of our leaders thanks to this issue and Premier Doug Ford is finally acting like he deserves to be in the office he won. On Monday, when announcing a support program for parents, Ford explained exactly why it’s so important that we all follow the rules or be reprimanded for not doing so.

“There are extremely serious consequences if we don’t stay home,” he said, not referring to the fines but to the cost in terms of lives lost.

“All we have to do is look at New York, Italy or Spain. Here in Ontario we have 1,600 lives at stake this month alone. This is a matter of life or death.”

Ford went on to explain that Ontario’s supplies for fighting COVID-19 and keeping our front-line workers safe while doing so were running out and announcements and actions from south of the border, stopping necessary medical supplies from entering Canada, could hasten the rate at which our healthcare system is overrun.

That means it’s on each of us to lighten the

load on that system by not taking stupid risks and reporting those who do. Stop visiting people. Don’t hold parties. If you’re a parent and your kid keeps having friends in the backyard, that means you’re not only allowing your health to come into question but the health of all those kids’ families. That’s the same for everyone who thinks they need a family Easter meal.

If I could swear in a column, here is where I would: If you’re not working, getting groceries or medications, stay the &*$% home.

Things have changed, even since last week.

When I see people breaking the physical distancing rules, I don’t think about how they’re going to impact their families, I think about how you might impact mine. Last week, when I penned my column about how scary the world is right now, I was terrified. Now? Now I’m angry.

I’m angry because people aren’t paying attention to the rules. I’m angry because, even with COVID-19 in Huron, people are still acting like it can’t affect them.

Well it can and it will and it may not stop there. When you’re in a car accident or have a fire at home, you’re going to infect the firefighters, paramedics and police officers and, if I happen to be working, you’ll infect me as well. Then my daughter will get infected and, as a three-year-old, she’s at higher risk of not surviving it.

So, Huron County, it’s time to stop being so Huron County for a little while. Don’t shake your head when your neighbours break the rules – report them by calling the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Maybe if we get a few $100,000 fines levied around here, people will stop having parties in their backyards because, for some, their wallet matters more than the health of their families, friends and neighbours.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

It’s not all about you

O

ver the past two weeks I’ve written my sad column about COVID-19 and my positive column about the virus – now it’s time for my angry column and a little reminder to people that it’s not all about them.

After a brief conversation with Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt, The Citizen went live last week to tell readers the Festival season would be suspended until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns. It was probably one of the hardest decisions ever made in the Festival’s history, but a necessary one. We spoke about the dozens relying on the Festival for employment this summer and I couldn’t help but think of all the businesses in Blyth that rely on a healthy, robust Blyth Festival season to survive, The Citizen among them. The vitality of the entire community depends on it as a major artistic attraction.

The conversation and the decision at hand could only be described as heartbreaking – not just for Gil, but for me as well. But what’s at stake is ensuring there will be a Blyth Festival for another 46 years, Gil said. I think that’s what’s on many of our minds. What will our world look like if this virus continues to spread for weeks and months? Many are playing waitand-see, but a prolonged shutdown will kill off many of the businesses we know and love.

The outpouring of support and sadness was immediate, with many suggesting that summer in Huron County just won’t be the same without the Festival (if the suspension runs that long). On Facebook and in messages to The Citizen, however, there was discussion and questions about what the suspension meant for those who’d bought season passes.

With jobs, livelihoods and our very way of life hanging in the balance for many, it was all about the passes for some people. There it was in black and white (pixels): how does this decision affect me? It is exactly the attitude that has us in this mess with people failing to look past their own interests and ask what’s in it (or not) for them in this pandemic.

In the United States hundreds pack churches and beaches for their own mental well-being or to preserve the American perversion of freedom (that no one can tell them what to do and to suggest otherwise would be socialism) without a thought of what their actions mean for their town, their country or the world.

It comes from the top with President Donald Trump finally backing off comments that COVID-19 was created or exaggerated to hurt his re-election (after he backed off from calling the virus a media hoax altogether). He has even boasted of the television ratings of his briefings. People are dying, economies and industries are crumbling, but everyone is watching his T.V. show, so there’s that.

Failing to stay home because you’re not concerned about the virus, hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer, politicizing the death of thousands for personal gain – these are all harrowing and depressing examples of failing to see the world beyond your own naval.

Not to get overly dramatic, but at a time like this, unprecedented in history, humanity has to band together. In the case of the Blyth Festival, people are losing their jobs, their opportunities to be on stage and on gallery walls or to simply put food on the table. Think about them instead of how things inconvenience you. In fact, the Festival said in its statement that part of the decision was to respect front-line workers and the crisis at hand, noting that arts will be there when the clouds part. Let’s follow their lead, looking beyond ourselves and searching for empathy, even if it doesn’t come naturally to some of our fellow residents.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

DeWit honoured at Inspiring Women in Huron event Jackie DeWit of Brussels is one of 28 residents who were honoured as Inspiring Women in Huron in March thanks to her extensive community impact in just a short time.

DeWit is best known for her business on Brussels’ main street, JD & Company and her second project, The DeWit Luxury Suites, also on the village’s main street. What began as a homebased business for DeWit has blossomed into an institution in Brussels.

Jackie DeWit was one of 28 recipients She was the winner of the Inspiring Women in Huron of Huron East’s 2017 awards last month. (Photo courtesy of Dianne Win This Space Brandon Photography) competition, though

Inspiring

she had come so far from its training and assistance that she pledged to open the store before the competition concluded.

DeWit began her life as a ticketed welder, but then opted to change course and she now produces organic and natural products through JD & Company. She also refinishes furniture and upcycles furniture for sale and for use in her six suites in Brussels.

DeWit was nominated as an Inspiring Woman in Huron by Jan Hawley, Huron East’s economic development officer and the head of the municipality’s iteration of the Win This Space competition.

Since opening her store in Brussels, DeWit has also committed to being an active volunteer within the community. She is now a member of the Brussels Lions Club, the Brussels Agricultural Society and the Brussels Horticultural Society. Through her business, she has also made a point to contribute

to various local organizations through charitable donations.

The night DeWit and the other 27 women were honoured at the Knights of Columbus Centre in Goderich she said it was humbling and impressive to be in the company of so many positive women improving their communities.

The awards are handed out annually by the Huron Women’s Shelter and the Goderich YMCA to recognize women working to make their community a better place.

She said she treasured being there that night so she could learn about what other women in the county were doing.

“Jackie believes inclusion is the key to success. In her eyes, everyone needs to be working as ‘one’ to reach a positive end,” wrote Hawley in her nomination. “She is truly a wonderful advocate, not only for the community of Huron East, but for all of Huron County.”

Hawley said in her nomination

that DeWit’s is truly the story of an inspiring woman.

In the wake of the pandemic, DeWit has also created and donated many cleaning products locally. She has donated over 40 bottles of hand sanitizer, over 30 bars of soap, over 20 containers of liquid soap and numerous other items, including stress inhalers for paramedics across Huron County.

She has also offered free night stays at The DeWit for anyone who “needs a reset” during this time.

DeWit is not the only one contributing during this time. Her mother has sewn over 55 masks for personal support workers and nursing home staff free of charge.

As a Brussels woman, DeWit said she was proud that her recognition would help put the village on the map in this regard.

Degree Crossfit owner awarded for efforts Kelly Miller, owner of Degree CrossFit in Seaforth, serves as a mentor and coach to her “tribe” at the gym, which is why she is one of the year’s Inspiring Women in Huron winners.

Miller was one of 28 local women honoured by the awards, which are held annually by the Huron Women’s Shelter and Goderich YMCA. The awards were handed out in March at a special ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Seaforth’s Kelly Miller, owner of Centre in Goderich.

Degree CrossFit, was honoured as an “Kelly is a role Inspiring Woman in Huron in March. model and leader intent on improving (Photo courtesy of Dianne Brandon Photography)

Leading the tribe

the lives of others with a focus on education, diversity, health and wellbeing,” said Sandi Henderson and Jackie Fritzley in their nomination.

Henderson and Fritzley said Miller is the creator of the “happiest place in Seaforth” with Degree CrossFit. Her journey began as a “member athlete” under founder Kaleda Connell. They said Miller fell in love with the gym’s atmosphere and endeavoured to earn her coaching credentials, eventually reaching the position of head coach and manager before taking over Degree’s ownership where she now leads a team of coaches and staff.

“With an engaging smile and welcoming nature, Kelly is a role model for women of all ages in Huron County, passionate about educating others on all aspects of healthy living,” the nomination reads. “She instills the philosophy of

Plan isolation one day at a time A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 This a week to count your blessings. Most weeks we do, but as the world hurts more and more, we are stunned by how fortunate we are, as compared to the worldwide picture. The limitations placed on us are minuscule when we see or read about the lives of others, even some in our province.

Like normal times, when a solution is simple, like diet or exercise, we think we know better, and go for complicated ways to make things go away. So in these strange times when our job is simple, we can complicate things so well. On every encounter with the media we hear wash your hands properly, keep your distance and stay home when unwell. It does not advise doing extra things like wearing a mask or buying test kits or hand sanitizer or toilet paper in bulk.

Be sensible.

When things get weird, it’s time to get all your common sense active and know to be nice to the folks who

limit the number of people in a store or smile at a friend from a distance or offer to buy groceries for a neighbour or call someone who lives alone. It really is quite simple for our area, we have space to go for a walk and keep away for others, we have a grocery store that has everything we need and pleasant staff who are doing their job well and we have connections that keep track of each other. So keep your chin up, limit the amount of screen time from all sources and hear a human voice at least daily.

We are so used to planning ahead, this time of viral invasion has taken its toll on our mental well-being.

This is unknown territory so planning for one day is really all we can do. Weird, very weird, but we can adjust. We have lots of time to

do it. Think of others and how this time of limitations is affecting them.

When you connect, keep things pleasant, do yourself and others a favour and limit your complaints. In fact have your own personal pity party, speak your complaints out loud and listen to what you just said.

Get over it and move along.

Once again the Queen, in her calm and dignified way, offered her address to the nations, showing that her 94 years of wisdom with these words,” If we remain united and resolute we will overcome this.

Better days will return. We will meet again.”

Amen. Stay safe and wash your hands.

We are an Easter people, who live in hope, in life and resurrection.

Betty G.W.

At the Branch

Branch work goes on

By Jo-Ann McDonald The work goes on even if the Brussels Legion Branch is closed.

The outside work was conquered this week. Our thanks to Don Jacklin who swept most of the lawn this past week and to Jim and Sandra Brown who did the tidying up and raking.

The offer to help any of our older members of the Branch still stands.

Call the Branch or the executive member who contacted you and let us know how we can help.

All activities are still cancelled, as everyone knows, and we look forward to seeing everyone back when the province gives the goahead. We thank everyone for staying in and helping to stop the spread of this wicked virus. Stay safe all.

being the best version of yourself into every one, supporting members on their wellness journey.”

Outside of her work with Degree, Henderson and Fritzley said Miller has provided the warm-up for the Walk for Mental Health and hosting a burpee-a-thon in support of the Tanner Steffler Foundation. They said Miller is quick to impart her knowledge and motivation on social media, offering advice to members of the general public.

For more information on Inspiring Women in Huron, visit huronwomensshelter.ca or visit the event’s Facebook page.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

The Citizen will be available for free online at huroncitizen.ca during the COVID-19 pandemic isolation and physical distancing measures

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 7.

Blyth businesses thankful for barricade builder Several local businesses are singing the praises of local craftsman John Hoonaard after he created some sneeze-guard-like protective barriers for essential businesses remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoonaard brought barriers to both the Blyth Post Office and Watson’s Home Hardware’s Blyth location last week.

Employees at the post office were thankful for Hoonaard’s efforts saying that every little bit of protection helps during the pandemic.

At the Home Hardware location, employees were impressed by the utility of the guards, which could be adjusted for height depending on what was needed.

The guards are made of wood and glass and are designed to prevent potential contaminants from being passed from customer to employee or vice versa. Hoonaard was able to make them at his home.

Shielded The Blyth post office, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Pharmacy and Watson’s Home Hardware’s Blyth location were among the essential service locations that local woodworker John Hoonaard helped out by crafting glass barriers to prevent COVID-19 spread. Above, Susan Bromley and Joanne Dargavel at the Blyth post office pose with their new protective partition. (Denny Scott photo)

Local hits maker’s milestone

Helping out Renny Hulzebos recently marked 1,000 sets of vests and toques crafted for people in third world countries. The milestone has taken her eight years with each bag, like the one shown above, holding 40 sets. (Denny Scott photo) Blyth’s Renny Hulzebos recently marked a unique milestone, having crafted 1,000 vests and toques to be sent across the world to help thirdworld countries.

Hulzebos estimates that hitting that milestone has taken her eight years of frequent knitting.

“I didn’t knit much when my husband was around,” she said.

“Now, however, if I sit, I knit. Every time I fill a garbage bag with knit vests and toques, I mark it down, so I know how many I’ve made.”

Hulzebos says she has a friend in Listowel who was taking part in the program and that’s how she originally heard about it.

“I thought, ‘Hey, I can do that.’” she said.

Hulzebos has been a knitter all her life, dating back to when she and her sister would knit sweaters together.

That practice continued throughout her life.

“I remember, after the war, we couldn’t get anything for clothes, but we had yarn,” she said. “I would knit stockings, toques and everything in between like sweaters and hats for a whole outfit. I’ve been knitting like that all my life.”

She said that knitting is a nice pastime, especially now that people should be isolating themselves in their homes.

As for what keeps her at it, Hulzebos said that’s a mystery to her, she just finds herself doing it whenever she’s sitting down.

“I have lots of yarn in my pantry and, if I’m sitting, I’m working on something,” she said, adding people sometimes give her yarn after learning of her dedication. “When I finish one item, I start the next and then, when I have a garbage bag with 40 [toque and vest] sets in it, I send it away.”

The sets are taken in by a church in Stratford that puts together care packages to send all over the world.

Hulzebos can knit a toque in an evening and, if she has a solid day, she can make a vest, though she doesn’t often sit and knit for that long.

“I have other things to do, like keep my house a little decent,” she said with a laugh. “I do what I can though.”

She is just about to send her next full bag of vests off, having sent the last in late January.

Anyone interested in taking part can contact Hulzebos at 519-5239791.

Those were just the first locations he provided shields for as Hoonaard has been installing them around town at other essential businesses that remain open.

For his part, Hoonaard said he was just doing what he could for the real heroes: the frontline workers who are still going to work and braving the reality of a COVID-19-infected world.

“I just did a couple hours of work with materials I had at home,” he said. “They’re on the front lines, they deserve the credit. They’re the backbone of the country and, without them, we wouldn’t be able to keep going through this.”

Hoonaard also said that he feels like the world is going to change as a result of the pandemic and that people may start to realize how much was taken for granted. He hopes that, by protecting the people who have to work, we can preserve as much of the life the world knew before the pandemic as possible.

Equipment sought From Marilyn’s Desk

I am wishing that everyone stays healthy. You should check on your neighbour, family and friends in this very stressful time.

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

There is only one person celebrating her birthday this week and that is Kerry Diebold. Kerry will celebrate April 13.

Blyth and Brussels United Churches are looking for gentlyused hockey equipment. They are branching into a project to send hockey equipment to communities in Northern Ontario so children there will have equipment to play hockey.

If you happen to be going by Blyth United Church on Sunday morning, stop and listen to the music being played over the outdoor speakers.

Here it is, the third week of staying at home. Yesterday I listened to the Palm Sunday Church service from Forest United Church in Kitchener where Rev. Gary Clark is the minister.

NEWS FROM BLYTH Spring Cleaning Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Sports Walton’s Luke Fritz drafted to Windsor Spitfires

OHL-bound Luke Fritz, a Walton-area teen, was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Windsor Spitfires over the weekend. Fritz grew up playing minor hockey for both Brussels and the Huron Perth Lakers. (Photo submitted)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Sixteen-year-old Luke Fritz, the son of Greg and Jill of the Walton area, has been drafted into the

Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a member of the Windsor Spitfires.

Drafted in the 11th round, 214th overall, Fritz says it’s surreal to think he’s been drafted into one of the premium hockey leagues in the

world. He says he’s honoured to have reached this point in his life.

The right winger has played hockey for the Huron-Perth Lakers for the last seven seasons of his life, but his hockey journey began in the Brussels Minor Hockey system when he was just four years old. Not only did he play hockey with the Brussels Bulls when he was younger, but Fritz also worked with instructors like Michelle Blake and the Brussels Skating Club to learn power skating alongside his hockey career.

It was when he was in the Atom division that he made the switch to the Lakers.

Fritz says the Brussels system did a great job of preparing him for the Lakers and beyond. As a member of a strong Brussels team, he said it was easy to step up into the Lakers system.

In his most recent season with the Lakers, the 2019/2020 season in Minor Midget AAA, Fritz played in 32 games and scored 14 goals and notched 17 assists. He would score another 10 goals with eight assists in 17 playoff games during the team’s postseason run earlier this year.

After Fritz was drafted, he earned some kind words from local journalists who had been following his progress.

Matt Pepper of thescout.ca said there was “lots of sandpaper” to Fritz’s game. “[Fritz] loves the board and crease battles. Works for every goal he gets. I’m a big fan of his

style of play,” Pepper Tweeted.

In the Windsor Star, Frank Evola, the Spitfires’ Director of Scouting and Hockey Operations, said of Fritz, “[He’s] kind of like Zach Hyman [of the Toronto Maple Leafs]. In your face, plays bigger than his size, a jack of all trades and can chip in on offence.”

Fritz says he’s excited to begin the journey to potentially joining the Spitfires, but the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into things, leaving the next steps a little uncertain.

As a first-time draft pick, Fritz should next be heading to the Spitfires’ rookie camp with the hopes of earning a spot at the team’s main training camp. There, he said, he would hope to earn a spot on the team’s active roster and then move on to the season as a member of the Spitfires. That schedule, however, has changed due to the Coronavirus.

Fritz says the camps should still take place later this year, he just doesn’t know when.

Heading into the draft, which was held last Saturday, Fritz had an inkling he might get drafted, as he had been talking to numerous teams in the lead-up to the draft, but being given that chance is pretty special, he said.

Fritz said he wouldn’t have been able to get to where he is today without the support of the Brussels and Walton communities and local sponsors like Flynn Farms, Sholdice Insurance and Maureen Wildfong of

LUKE FRITZ ReMax that were there with him for the majority of his time on the ice.

When the 2019/2020 OHL season came to a premature end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Windsor Spitfires sat in fifth place out of 10 teams in the league’s western conference. The team had 76 points with a record of 34 wins, 20 losses and eight overtime losses.

The western conference, however, was significantly stronger than the eastern conference at the end of the season. With their record, the Spitfires would have been in third place in the eastern conference. They finished the season with the seventhbest record in the 20-team league.

Laporte honoured for environmental efforts, volunteerism

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Honoured Jacqui Empson Laporte was one of nearly 30 women honoured at the Inspiring Women in Huron awards night hosted by the Huron Women’s Shelter and the Goderich YMCA in March. She was nominated by Kate Procter who said Laporte has been involved in environmental projects, general volunteerism and minor sports. (Photo courtesy of Dianne Brandon Photography)

Jacqui Empson Laporte of Auburn is one of this year’s Inspiring Women in Huron, being honoured last month as an “environmentalist, advocate and leader” in her nomination.

Presented annually by the Huron Women’s Shelter and the Goderich YMCA, the awards seek to honour inspiring and outstanding female residents of Huron County. This year nearly 30 women were recognized for their work in the community.

Laporte was nominated by Kate Procter, one of her long-time friends and colleagues, and she was one of four women from Auburn recognized that night. She was told in January and thought it was great she would be among those nominated.

She said that creating a community is really about people giving their talents and skills. With everyone putting themselves into their communities, it helps small villages like Auburn to prosper, she said.

Procter highlighted Laporte’s work with the environment through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as well as serving on the Board of Innovative Farmers of Ontario and the Natural Channels Steering Committee, which works to improve water management and natural habitat in rural areas.

Laporte has also provided technical support for the Healthy Lake Huron Initiative, which is a collaboration between environmental agencies from Tobermory to Sarnia working to improve lake water quality.

Aside from her work with the environment, Laporte has also been very active in the community over the years. She was a Big Sister, a Cub Scout leader and a soccer coach. She was one of the leading voices advocating for Auburn in cross-border fire service negotiations and she has also served as a Budget Buddy for Rural Response for Healthy Children, teaching financial literacy to marginalized residents.

Laporte worked on the landscaping for the 2017 International Plowing Match and is currently a member of the Auburn Horticultural Society. She is a board member and a trail ranger for the Maitland Trail Association.

Laporte serves as a member of Engaged Women of Huron and has been a team lead and crisis responder for Huron Victim Services, while also serving as the

president of OPSEU Local 121.

Being part of the awards night, which was held in Goderich earlier this month at the Knights of Columbus Centre, was very inspiring, Laporte said. Seeing 28 other women and hearing about all they give back to their communities, she said, was amazing to see.

“It’s all about different people bringing different things to their community,” she said.

As for being one of four women from Auburn who were among the 28 honoured that night, Laporte says she loves living where she does.

While not an Auburn native, Laporte says she’s proud of her community and says it’s encouraging to be surrounded by so many inspiring and hard-working people.

For more information on Inspiring Women in Huron, visit huronwomensshelter.ca or visit the event’s Facebook page.

BELGRAVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD invites NOMINATIONS for the Jim McGee Community Volunteer Award Submissions are to be completed by June 30, 2020 For more information please contact Kendra Robinson mandkrobinson@yahoo.ca 519-357-4040 for an information package

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 9.

COVID-19 concerns responders

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Creative (pirated) license When Blyth’s Pick A Posie’s weekly online costume contest turned to pirates, it didn’t say from which century. While some focused on the romanticized high seas version of the scallywags, Murray Bromley donned the trappings of a modern porch pirate, stealing unattended deliveries. (Photo submitted)

The Fire Department of North Huron is at full strength and is ready to respond to fire calls despite the COVID-19 pandemic; however the hope is those calls will be limited.

Deputy-Chief Chad Kregar told The Citizen that the only real change to how the fire department is operating right now is that training has been put on hold until the end of the month to prevent unnecessary gatherings. “Everything else is still status quo,” he said.

While the call volume has noticeably decreased since the pandemic resulted in people being encouraged to stay home, Kregar said the calls the department is responding to are now more likely to be structure fires. “Everyone is at home which is leading to these situations,” he said.

The department did have some firefighters in quarantine, including Kregar, after being out of the country, however everyone is now back on call and ready to respond.

While everyone is ready to fight fires and help those in need, Kregar said there are still some concerns about social distancing and how to make that happen when fighting

fires or responding to other emergency calls.

“It’s difficult to work like that, but if we don’t, we could have the entire fire department in quarantine due to exposure,” he said. “Then we don’t have a fire department to respond.”

He pointed to an announcement made by Christopher Cleave, the fire chief for the Ripley-Huron Fire Department, which explained the problem.

“Unfortunately there are members within our communities that are not taking the Medical Officer of Health’s advice seriously,” Cleave said in the announcement. “This is placing our entire community at serious risk of community spread of COVID-19.

“The fire department’s concern is that this behaviour greatly increases the risk of first responders coming into contact and potentially being infected with COVID-19,” he continued. “If this were to happen and members of the Fire Department became ill or had to self-isolate for 14 days, it will have serious impacts on our ability to respond to emergencies within our community.

This in turn will have very serious public safety implications.”

Cleave says that there are daily fatalities as a result of the virus and

he doesn’t want his community to become a part of that trend.

“You have the ability as an individual to save peoples’ lives by acting responsibly and by following the advice and orders of the provincial and municipal governments,” he said. “We are volunteers. Please do not put our health, safety and lives at unnecessary risk.”

Kregar went on to say that part of protecting the firefighters is to limit any potential for fire calls, including not having open air burns unless the proper rules are followed, which forbid burning garbage or brush and only permit fires for recreational purposes or cooking. Also part of that bylaw is calling the local fire department to make sure it is aware of locations where burns are being held to prevent unnecessary calls.

“Make sure to call and report a burn when you’re having one,” Kregar said.

For North Huron residents that means calling Kregar at 519-5255763 or calling 226-523-9500 and pressing option seven.

The Citizen is available online at huroncitizen.ca

Grocery delivery service set up Seniors and frail elderly are finding it difficult to leave their homes and get groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic and ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services is responding to this need.

ONE CARE is launching a new grocery delivery service for seniors and people with health challenges and the agency is partnering with Foodland locations in Clinton, Exeter, Wingham and Stratford.

Seniors who live in Huron County and in Perth County can order and have their groceries delivered with the help of ONE CARE.

To register for this program, seniors simply have to call ONE CARE to sign up. Staff will take the order and arrange the delivery to your door, as well as arrange for payment. There is a small fee for this program to help cover the cost of delivery which may be waived as subsidy options become available.

“Our hope is that this service will help seniors, who are unable to leave their homes, or are in need of assistance with grocery shopping, be able to stay at home, maintain their independence and stay safe during

the pandemic,” says Kathy Scanlon, Executive Director for ONE CARE. ONE CARE continues to operate many essential services such as personal support at home, home help, Meals on Wheels and transportation for medical needs as well as social work and friendly visiting by phone.

To register for the grocery delivery program or to ask about other services, call the Community Support Services Central Intake at 1844-482-7800.

For more information visit https://www.onecaresupport.ca/

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Beating back the blaze The Fire Department of North Huron’s Dan Ryan was one of numerous firefighters called to Hoover Line on Saturday to battle a field fire that broke out, blackening the ground and threatening the growth nearby. (Denny Scott photo)

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Abuse resources remain available during pandemic

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Many resources remain in place for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and Teresa Donnelly wants residents to know that, despite the COVID-19 shutdown and stay-home orders, help is there for those who need it.

Donnelly, the West Region Sexual Violence Crown, spoke to Huron County Council on April 1 on behalf of the Domestic Assault Review Team (DART). She told councillors, who met remotely via Zoom, that there’s a perception that all county and related services are closed to the public, but people in abusive relationships need to know there is help available. Being quarantined in an abusive relationship, she said, can make things worse with the victims having nowhere to go.

Donnelly said that many safe

havens like parks, libraries and stores are now closed to the public and people are being advised to stay home, which can be devastating for women and children in abusive relationships. At a time like this she said the county should do its best to communicate that there are resources available for those who need them.

“With the current pandemic of COVID-19, the Domestic Assault Review Team is very concerned about the safety of women and children. Survivors of gender-based violence are most at-risk of violence in their own homes,” Donnelly said in her letter to council. “We are facing an unprecedented situation where ‘self-isolating at home’ is both the primary advice in response to our current public health crisis, yet the most common location of harassment, violence and lethality for women and children

experiencing and/or at risk of gender-based violence.”

Donnelly also noted the concerns of Corey Allison, interim executive director of the Huron Women’s Shelter.

“This pandemic is putting the most vulnerable in our society at risk. Women and children facing domestic abuse are no exception.

While we support social distancing and self-isolation, it’s important to recognize that for survivors, the home can be the most dangerous place of all,” Allison said. “At Huron Women’s Shelter, we remain committed to providing support for women and children, while recognizing our social responsibility for the health of our community, and have adjusted where necessary to keep our team and women safe.”

Donnelly went on to say that the risk is currently higher not just because of the lack of opportunities

to leave home, but also due to high levels of stress and anxiety due to job loss, decreased income, children being home from school, a lack of structured educational programming and difficulties in accessing resources.

Donnelly asked that council authorize a link on the county’s website for those in distress, helping them to access resources that could help them and council agreed.

Donnelly then listed the resources available to people who need them even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Huron-Perth chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association remains available, Donnelly said, with its after-hours response line open at 519-274-2848.

While the office of Choices for Change Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselling Centre is closed to the public, the centre is still providing support over the phone at 1-877-218-0077.

Donnelly said the Crown Attorney’s office remains open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for telephone inquiries at 519-524-9272. In-person support can be found between 10 a.m. and noon and then again from 2-4 p.m. Staff is also monitoring email at goderichcrownoffice@ontario.ca.

The Huron Perth Centre continues to offer services for children’s mental health and youth justice with phone support offered Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Huron Perth Children’s Aid Society office is closed, but staff are working remotely with 24/7 coverage available at 1-800-2655198.

The Huron Perth Public Health team is continuing services that cannot wait like sexually-transmitted infection (STI) testing and birth control. Those in need of their services can call or text 519-4401439 for an appointment.

All area food banks continue to operate on a limited basis with prepacked hampers and other precautions being taken.

Donnelly also said there are two meal programs continuing in Goderich and the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre is doubling its deliveries to communities without food banks ity mun s Com arenes Aw

Two sides of the same doubloon June Bromley of Blyth put on her most dreadful dress to compete in the weekly Pick A Posie online costume contest focused on pirates. (Photo submitted)

Province unveils dire predictions

By Denny Scott The Citizen The provincial government has further limited business in the province in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.

In a press conference on Friday, Premier Doug Ford explained that construction within the province would be brought to a halt for the most part, with some exceptions, including necessary infrastructure projects.

Ford said that, effective Saturday, April 4 at 11:59 p.m., all industrial construction except emergency construction would be halted, all community infrastructure save road and hospital projects would be

limited and no new residential construction could begin. Existing construction projects will also be monitored closely, Ford said, as the province has added more than 60 individuals to its roster of inspectors.

He said that of the 538 site inspections conducted over the past week, five sites were shut down and “we won’t hesitate to shut down more.”

Ford made the announcement immediately after having provincial representatives release modelling information on COVID-19, with Ford saying it’s important that everyone has the information he has.

That information indicates that Ontario has saved thousands of lives through the actions taken

thus far, but more can be done.

As of Friday afternoon, there were 3,255 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ontario, including 67 deaths. The number of cases is expected to balloon to 80,000 by the end of the month. However, without any intervention, that number could have reached as high as 300,000.

Dr. Peter Donnelly of Public Health Ontario said that Ontario’s on trend to mirror the United States with its COVID-19 ratios, however that can be changed with “full future intervention,” a measure that wasn’t described in the documentation. If the government immediately implements those “full” measures, however, Donnelly said the models Continued on page 12

Deadline April 10

like Brussels, Huron Park, Lucknow and Vanastra.

The Huron Out of the Cold program continues to operate in Goderich, she said, until April 15, its scheduled closing date, though Huron County might extend it.

The Huron Women’s Shelter is open and offers residential support to women at high risk and its 24hour help line is available to anyone in need at 519-524-6245. The shelter’s second stage housing sites are closed to visitors, but the shelter is continuing to support residents remotely.

The John Howard Society is continuing to offer services and intake by phone though its offices are closed to the public. The society is still conducting the Huron County Partner Assault Response Program, conducting intakes and partner calls by phone at 519-438-4168.

The probation office is still conducting its work remotely and increasing calls to victims. It office can be reached at 519-524-2193.

Rural Response for Healthy Children is continuing its work remotely with the closure of its offices with staff members reaching out to parents and caregivers to offer support, including mutually agreed upon check-ins every week.

Call 519-482-8777 to leave a message for Rural Response for Healthy Children. Messages are retrieved daily.

The Supervised Access Visitation and Exchange Huron-Perth office remains open for calls and e-mails, but all sites are closed for on-site services. If both parties have been contacted, intake services can be conducted over the phone at 519508-6101.

Victim Services Huron is still supporting first responders on scene if necessary, but phone services would be the first line of defence.

Referrals, safety planning and needs assessments will all be completed by phone or e-mail at 519-600-4108.

The Victim Witness Assistance Program is conducting interactions with clients by phone. You can call 519-524-4085 for information, support and referrals.

In the future, links to many of these resources should be available on the county’s website at huroncounty.ca.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 11.

County moves forward with new climate plan

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen As part of the April 1 Huron County Council meeting, Lily Morrow provided councillors with an update on the county’s climate change adaptation plan.

Morrow, the county’s climate change and energy specialist, joined the meeting remotely and provided her update, telling councillors that the county has compiled climate projections for the local area, which were used to complete a vulnerability and risk assessment.

From those assessments, staff identified five priority areas: infrastructure and assets, health and safety, engagement and partnerships, resiliency and continuity and innovation and growth.

Morrow says the next steps include gathering community feedback, finalizing the goals of the plan and devising the adaptive actions to be implemented across the county.

The first two workshops for the process were held in December, 2019 and January, 2020 with community feedback sessions held in February and March. Morrow said that further plan development would now take place in the spring and summer months.

Morrow also detailed the corporate consultation phase of the project, determining how the county will be impacted by climate change in regards to its departments, services, operations and assets. For example, she said in her report, if heat waves increase due to climate change, there will be more heatrelated incidents, leading to an increase in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls.

Through the corporate consultation phase, Morrow said staff also determined the county’s vulnerability to the identified impacts, asking how the county would be affected by the impact if it were to happen immediately. The

CERB now in place Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Sunday, said that those applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) would receive their first payment within three to five days.

Trudeau explained that the CERB, which was made available this week, would be deposited into applicants’ accounts within three to five days if direct deposit options are chosen. Those who wish to receive the benefit by mail should receive it within 10 days.

Those among the 2.1 million Canadians who have applied for employment insurance benefits since March 15 will be moved into the CERB queue. For more information, visit canada.ca.

The news came during Trudeau’s daily announcement on Sunday, when he also called on those with military experience or specialized skills to reach out to Health Canada as it worked to build an inventory of volunteers to help provinces and territories to track and combat COVID-19 cases.

Trudeau also said that reservists in the Canadian Armed Forces will be offered full-time jobs in the near future with the same compensation as regular enlisted members, which will offer economic support to the country and make sure communities are well-supported.

consultation identified 247 impacts, 126 of which would be medium- or high-level vulnerabilities, while at the same time finding 22 potential opportunities.

In Morrow’s basic climate projections for Huron County, she anticipates the average annual temperature will rise to 11ºC in the 2050s, compared to the historic temperature of 7.7ºC from 19812010, an increase of 43 per cent.

She also projects a 390 per cent increase in heat waves over that same time period, jumping from 1.1 per year from 1981-2010 to 5.4 annually in the 2050s and a 300 per cent increase in “very hot” days and a 30 per cent decrease in frost days in Huron County.

She has also projected a 10 per

flooding and improve the capacity of the county’s natural environment to adapt to future changes.

• Health and safety: Staff will continue to support community-level resiliency and preparedness, minimize climate-related risks for county employees (especially those working outdoors) and ensure that proactive procedures are in place to respond and recover from climaterelated emergencies.

• Engagement and partnerships: Staff aim to develop and implement communication strategies to promote leadership and preparedness, enhance community partnerships to strengthen the county’s capacity to respond to climate events and continue to encourage climate awareness

cent increase in the Lake Huron maximum surface water temperature from 19.7ºC from 1981-2010 to 21.9ºC in the 2050s.

In the second workshop, Morrow said staff focused on risk assessment and goal setting, determining the probability that an impact would occur, multiplied by the damage it may cause, which helped to narrow down priority areas.

• Infrastructure and assets: Staff worked to determine the impacts of climate change on the county’s built infrastructure, invest in modifications to improve the resiliency of county infrastructure and buildings to the impacts of climate change, continue to identify and mitigate risks associated with stormwater management and

at the corporate level in the county.

• Resiliency and continuity: Staff will integrate climate change considerations into county policies and procedures and minimize disruptions to county operations and services to ensure resiliency and continuity.

• Innovation and growth: The county will invest in innovative solutions that promote resiliency and carbon reduction and continue to identify and take advantage of climate-related opportunities.

Morrow said the next steps will be to gather community feedback, finalize goals and determine adaptive actions, identify the title and vision for the plan and begin drafting the county’s corporate climate change adaptation plan.

at

the edge of walton

The North American Beaver

busy beavers at the edge of walton!

Scientific Name: Castor canadensis size: 16-30kg (they are the largest living rodent in the world) Distribution: Lakes, ponds, marshes and slow-flowing rivers and habitat:

streams throughout North America (excluding the far northern areas of Canada and deserts - they need water to survive!)

Beavers live in lodges. Lodges are little dome-shaped houses made from woven sticks, grasses and moss plastered with mud. Lodges are built on the banks of ponds, on islands or on lake shores, just barely above water level. Many lodges have a hidden underwater backdoor for instant swimming access!

fun facts about beavers:

1.

2.

Beavers are nocturnal, meaning they do most of their hard work at night. Beavers can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes! Beavers do not hibernate, they continue working and eating all winter long. Beavers don’t just build homes from trees, they also eat them. Beavers eat leaves, roots and bark from deciduous trees for the most part (including our heritage apple trees). They also eat aquatic plants.

A beaver’s tail isn’t just used for swimming. Beavers also slap the water with them to startle predators as they dive out of harm’s way.

During the Ice Age giant beavers existed! They were called Castoroides and could grow to over 7 feet long with front teeth up to 6 inches long.

A beaver’s teeth are orange and never stop growing!

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Beavers at the edge of walton: Beavers have been at the Edge of Walton many times over the years! Prior to the current colony residing here, the last time was over 20 years ago. Why did they leave? We believe they left because they ran out of trees they could safely access for food. How did you know your pond had beavers living in it? While out for a walk, we would find trees cut down, but not by us. Beavers leave tell-tale signs of their presence, like pointy-chewed stumps with shavings around the base. Will you get rid of them? No way! The cool thing about these beavers is that they have increased the depth of our pond by digging up mud from the bottom to help build their lodge. In doing so, our pond is now deep enough for fish to thrive for the first time ever!

Let’s build a beaver dam!

Beavers create dams to make ponds, their favourite place to live. Dams are created by weaving branches together, felling trees by cutting them down with their teeth and waterproofing the construction with mud.

1. Find a waterproof container (the longer the better).

2. Gather sticks, rocks, mud (or dirt and add water to make your own mud).

3. Using the sticks, rocks and mud you gathered, build a wall all the way across the middle of the container.

4. Fill up a cup or bowl with water and pour it on one side of your container only.

5. Does your beaver dam work? If not, add more sticks + mud until the water can no longer pass through!

The edge of walton is a registered non-profit organization and is located at 42932 walton road in walton, ontario

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

OPP prepared to police compliance

Bath time!

Puppy Jersey Girl is the cleanest dog around thanks to the COVID-19 quarantine, says owner Bonnie Hastings, with an increased bath frequency thanks to more time on the hands of her owners. Whether or not the puppy is impressed remains to be seen. (Photo submitted)

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) encourages businesses and individuals to voluntarily comply with the short-term restrictions introduced by the federal and provincial governments to combat the spread of COVID-19.

While education, awareness and compliance are preferred options, officers will apply discretion to lay charges under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

Enforcement actions can include offences relating to operation of non-essential businesses and gatherings of more than five people, with some exceptions. Additionally, police have the authority to arrest those in non-compliance of the federal Quarantine Act at the request of a screening or quarantine officer.

The OPP will continue to provide public safety services to the communities it serves and support the efforts of federal, provincial and local health authorities during the

current situation involving COVID19. The OPP says it appreciates the public’s ongoing support of these measures. The OPP requests that residents stay home and avoid nonessential travel, practise good hygiene and follow the Ontario Ministry of Health’s recommendations in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

If you wish to file a report regarding non-compliance under the Quarantine Act, contact the Public Health Agency of Canada. For emergencies, please call 9-1-1. For all other police matters, including non-compliance to the EMPCA, please call your local police or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. For less serious incidents, report online by visiting opp.ca/reporting.

Additional COVID-19 information and resources can be found at Ontario.ca and the Government of Canada website.

OPP-related information and updates can be found at opp.ca.

Morris-Turnberry prepared to meet electronically In order to both have a trial run for upcoming electronically-attended meetings and to approve a bylaw allowing such meetings, MorrisTurnberry held its first online council meeting last week in the form of an emergency council meeting.

The meeting was held under the new rules implemented by the

provincial government allowing a municipality to hold a meeting to approve electronic participation.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Trevor Hallam explained that Morris-Turnberry Council had two options: amend its existing procedural bylaw, passed last year, to allow for electronic participation

or repeal and replace it with a new bylaw, which he said would allow him to address several problems within the existing bylaw.

“We’re doing housekeeping to keep it up to date and we were planning to make changes anyway,” he said.

The changes were mostly cleaning

up wording, removing verbatim excerpts from the municipal act and referring to where those excerpts came from instead and resolving any contradictions in the document, Hallam said.

Another proposed change was also removing a 10:30 p.m. curfew for council meetings, though it didn’t make it in. The curfew isn’t a hard deadline for the meetings, as council can ignore it by motion. Hallam explained that, since he had been attending Morris-Turnberry meetings, first under Clerk Administrator-Treasurer Nancy Michie, his predecessor, and now as CAO, he hasn’t seen many meetings go that late and felt it wasn’t necessary to be in the bylaw.

Councillor Jamie McCallum,

however, asked for it to be left in.

“That gives us a goal,” he said.

“We’re supposed to be working within a three-hour meeting or less. I propose we leave that in.”

Councillor Jim Nelemans agreed with McCallum, saying the current term of council hasn’t seen any lengthy meetings, but he can remember times when council was consistently running over.

Council approved repealing the existing procedural bylaw and replacing it with Hallam’s suggested new bylaw with the 10:30 p.m. curfew still enshrined in the document.

Council met earlier this week on April 7 for its first regular council meeting online via the Zoom meeting platform.

Keep up with the latest agri-businesses and the best of rural living!

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Charlotte and Harvey Jutzi are spending their time during the COVID-19 pandemic playing in the corn box at their home. (Photo submitted)

ICU capacity may be overrun Continued from page 10 anticipate 12,500 cases by the end of the month, a significant decrease from the projected 80,000.

As far as fatalities, the modelling suggests that, with the current level of intervention, 1,600 people will die by the end of the month as a result of COVID-19. Without intervention, that number could have been much higher at 6,000, however with “full” intervention, it could be as low as 200 total deaths.

Donnelly explained that further

modelling expects 3,000 to 15,000 deaths over the course of the entire pandemic with current or more intense measures in place. If the province hadn’t acted when it had, however, there could have been as many as 100,000 deaths.

The modelling also predicts that, in a worst-case situation, Ontario’s known expansion capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, or the number of beds that may be available if all planned beds are crafted, could be exhausted for its

most dire cases by April 14. Relying solely on the current available capacity, however, that worst-case scenario has already overwhelmed the number of beds available.

Both Ford and Donnelly, alongside Deputy-Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott encouraged everyone to stay home if possible and practise self-isolation, good hygiene and physical distancing to help flatten the curve and bring an end to the pandemic as soon as possible.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 13.

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Brussels Livestock report

Cows sell steadily on selective demand Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending April 3 were 1,975 cattle and 722 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday quality fed steers and heifers sold steady with second cut cattle selling easier. Choice steers and heifers sold $140 to $147.

Second cut steers and heifers sold $130 to $140. Cows sold on a steady market with selective demand. On Thursday veal sold under pressure with soft demand. Lambs sold higher, sheep sold lower and goats sold steady. On Friday calves and yearlings sold on an active trade at steady prices.

Heike Hoffman of Wroxeter,

consigned two head that averaged 1,665 lbs. and sold for an average price of $143.58. One blue steer weighed 1,695 lbs. and sold for $147. Francis Riley of Walkerton, consigned nine steers that averaged 1,726 lbs. and sold for an average price of $130.61. One black steer weighed 1,540 lbs., sold for $147.

George Hinz of Monkton, consigned five heifers that averaged 1,400 lbs. and sold for an average price of $133.71. One red heifer weighed 1,485 lbs., sold for $144.

There were 200 cows on offer.

Beef sold $75 to $85 with sales to $90; D1 and D2, $72 to $75 with sales to $77; D3, $68 to $71; D4,

$55 to $66. Eric Diehl of Milverton, consigned one red cow that weighed 1,435 lbs. and sold for $90.

There were 11 bulls selling $82 to $126. Gerald Becker of Ayton, consigned a red bull that weighed 1,460 lbs. and sold for $116.

There were 130 head of veal on offer. Good holsteins sold $85 to $100 with sales to $120; SL heavy holsteins, $75 to $85; heavy holsteins, $70 to $85; medium holsteins, $65 to $75; plain holsteins, $65 to $75.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $224.50 to $392; 50 - 64 lbs., $316 to $382; 65 - 79 lbs., $264 to $314; 80 - 94 lbs., $244.50 to

$277; 95 - 110 lbs., $229 to $236.

Sheep sold $80 to $120.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $300; nannies, $50 to $150; kids: meat, $300 to $350; dairy, $180 to $299.

Norman B. Martin of Clifford, consigned 55 lambs. One lamb weighed 49 lbs. and sold for a price of $392. Nine lambs averaged 56 lbs. and sold for a price of $351. Ron Cook of Belgrave, consigned 16 lambs that averaged 61 lbs. and sold for a price of $329.

Top quality stocker steers, 400 499 lbs. sold $247 to $261; 500 - 599 lbs., $227 to $249; 600 - 699 lbs., $207 to $227.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $182 to $212; 800 - 899 lbs., $171 to

$180; 900 - 999 lbs., $158 to $174; 1,000 lbs. and over, $148 to $154.50.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $194 to $216; 500 - 599 lbs., $191 to $206.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $179 to $195.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $162 to $173.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $143 to $168.50; 900 lbs. and over, $144 to $169.25.

Craig Simpson of Glencoe, consigned 15 head. Fourteen charolais heifers averaged 903 lbs. and sold for an average price of $169.25. Oscar Bauman of Wallenstein, consigned 25 steers.

Twelve gold steers averaged 827 lbs. and sold for an average price of $180.

Hensall 4-H Club tours Suntastic greenhouse

Interesting stuff On March 11, the Hensall 4-H Cooking Club toured Suntastic greenhouse in Exeter. They were shown the ropes by Andrea Gordon who taught them all about the plants, as well as the bugs that live in the greenhouse year-round. (Photo submitted)

By Molly Groot On Wednesday, March 11, our fifth meeting for Hensall 4-H Cooking Club started with a warm welcome into Suntastic greenhouse!

As we were all eagerly gathering together, our club was introduced to our tour guide for the evening, Andrea Gordon. Andrea works hard in the greenhouse caring for the plants and bugs that live in the greenhouse.

Our tour was about to begin, but first off, hand washing to prevent unwanted bacteria from entering the greenhouse. It is important to be mindful of the growing plants, so before entering the greenhouse each person walked through liquid sanitizer. This step also prevents contamination from entering the greenhouse on outdoor footwear.

Bad bacteria entering the greenhouse could cause diseases for the plants, or unwanted insects hitchhiking on boots and shoes!

Our first stop was at rows and rows of peppers! A greenhouse is a really fun spot for bugs because it is a warm and humid environment.

Suntastic greenhouse does not use pesticides to get rid of bad bugs that hurt the plants, but rather uses other special bugs that fight the bad bugs.

Suntastic has 75 to 100 employees to

help with harvesting the peppers.

Did you know. that all peppers start off green, then change colour as they ripen? Also, another interesting fact is that red, orange and yellow peppers contain up to three or four times more Vitamin C than a green pepper? Andrea told us both peppers and tomatoes grown at the greenhouse are planted in ground-up coconut shells.

Following the peppers, we ventured into the area of the greenhouse where tomatoes are grown and harvested. Members learned that tomato plants can grow up to 40 feet tall. Another interesting fact is that tomatoes come in a variety of colours such as, orange, yellow, pink, white, and even multi coloured, not just green or red. What a colourful display of tomatoes.

Suntastic greenhouse has bumblebees to pollinate the tomato plants. The reason why the greenhouse uses bumblebees is because they can pollinate faster than honey bees. Also, honey bees can be more aggressive than bumblebees.

Once we had learned about tomato harvesting, our club was off to do some grading.

When grading peppers, there are three categories: Grade A, Seconds, and Cull.

Peppers in the cull category are sent as food to some lucky farm animals.

Once we had completed the task of grading, Andrea was impressed that the Hensall 4-H Cooking Club only had one pepper entered in the wrong category.

Did you know that Suntastic produces about 2.6 million kilograms of tomatoes and 1.1 kilograms of peppers every year?

Wow, that’s a lot of hard work. Our meeting came to a close, and we thanked Andrea for the amazing tour of Suntastic greenhouse.

The fourth meeting (prior to the social distancing mandate due to COVID-19) of the Hensall 4-H Cooking Club began with a work sheet on healthy eating, asking each member, what they had ate that day.

During the discussion on healthy food choices, 4-H members were brainstorming different foods and deciding which food group to place the item in according to Canada’s Food Guide. There are many different fruits and vegetables available in Ontario year-round.

Ontario-grown carrots are usually found in the grocery store or farmers’ markets all the time. Apples can be easily found too, from cold storage, depending on available varieties and weather during crop

production. As well, local produce is available frozen year-round such as cranberries, wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, peas, corn, beans and broccoli. What a colourful display of nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables.

When preparing Ontario’s tasty fruits and vegetables, 4-H members must have the correct kitchen knowledge prior to cooking. During the hands-on food preparation activities, members have learned and demonstrated different cooking skills. For example they have learned how to- dice, chop, slice, measure, mix, boil and bake. These are just a few of the skills required when preparing a recipe. The working groups were challenged with five new recipes: mashed rutabaga, bruschetta, sweet and sour carrots, apple and corn quesadilla and sautéd cabbage. Once again, the food was delicious!

After the food preparation had ended, 4-H leader Gitanjali talked to the club about growing sprouts at home in a jar. Some of the most common seeds used to grow sprouts are: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, alfalfa or chia seeds. The process is fairly easy. Step 1: fill a mason jar with water. Step 2: place three tablespoons of seeds into the mason jar. Step 3: fresh water each day until the seeds sprout. The seeds should sprout after two to three days. Sprouts can be added to many different recipes, and provide you with extra nutrients. Sprouts are heart friendly, help your body with digestion, and build your immune system. So now the 4-H Cooking Club can grow their own superfood at home in a jar! What’s your superpower?

The third meeting of the Hensall 4-H Cooking Club began with a lesson about Canada’s Food Guide.

For every meal, your plate should be half fruits and vegetables, one quarter whole grains, one quarter protein, and your drink of choice should be water. The Government of Canada has made changes to the food guide in the last few years, based on scientific research.

Canada’s Food Guide helps Canadians choose foods that improve health and meet nutrition needs.

Along with healthy food choices, proper portioning of food is important. It’s also very important to

measure ingredients accurately when following a recipe. Members learned about measuring tools used in the kitchen. When measuring liquid ingredients like water, milk, or oil, a see-through measuring cup with a spout is used. Metal or plastic measuring cups, with handles, in different portions are used for dry ingredients. It’s very important when following a recipe to use the correct measurement.

Leaders Denise and Mary Lynn had a fun game to play about how to eat healthily and make healthy food choices. Most members were correct with their trivia answers. Our knowledgeable members listened to the different ways preserved Ontario fruits and vegetables can be used in a recipe when fresh are not available, for example, frozen or canned.

Member Ryan Miller suggested, “you mean jarred?”, but he was corrected with the term, meaning canned.

Then it was time for members to put their measurement skills to the test. But before they began, handwashing was first. Their menu was bumbleberry crisp, strawberry rhubarb crisp, peach and blueberry custard tarts and cherry cranberry mini cheesecake. This night was full of sweet desserts made from Ontario fruits in February.

There was one more sweet treat before the meeting came to a close: a birthday cake to celebrate Dugald’s 13th birthday. And although birthday cake is not listed on Canada’s Food Guide, it’s still fun to enjoy every once in awhile.

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Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

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

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Brussels businesses stepping up during pandemic PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

We have had a good week around our house with the grandchildren.

We have been working on a little school work, math, printing and learning how to tell time and then fun making crafts. This week we did an Easter egg garland. The eggs had pictures of all our family members,

who we will not be seeing at Easter.

The children can hang them up and look at them as they celebrate Easter.

A most wonderful lady has left our community this past week in Mary Davidson. She will be missed by her children Joyce, Doug, Ann and Connie and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had achieved the fantastic age of 104 years. Always smiling, full of deviltry, humour and jokes, she would always have a lively conversation with you.

She came from a family of five and her family owned a bakery in town many years ago. The love of her life was her husband George, who predeceased her many years ago. She worked at Grewer’s

Obituaries

MARY ANN DAVIDSON (née ROWLAND) August 14, 1916-April 4, 2020 Mary Ann Davidson (née Rowland) passed away peacefully at Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels. She was in her 104th year.

Mary is survived by her children Joyce Triebner (Ralph), Listowel; Doug Davidson, Listowel; Ann Laurie, Guelph and Connie Davidson, Port Elgin. Mary is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her husband George Davidson, daughter Joan Davidson, son Jack Davidson, son-in-law Robert Laurie, daughterin-law Linda Davidson, her brother Bill Rowland and her sister Gladys Hymers.

Mary lived in Brussels for most of her life. Her father moved the family to Brussels to run the bakery. She went to nursing school in London for a short time but she was lonely, so returned and married her sweetheart, George Davidson. They quickly started a family with Joan, Jack, Joyce, Doug and Ann. The house was always busy with kids, friends, family and even boarders!

Mary was also a fixture in the community as a member of the Rebekahs and the Presbyterian Church. She worked many years at Grewer’s Grocery store and at the post office. Full of joy and laughter, her feistiness and wicked sense of humour will be missed most. She always loved a good game of cards and was often out many nights playing euchre where she would proudly display the can of salmon or chocolate bar that she won. She kept up with politics and the news. When Mary celebrated her 100th birthday, she was pleased to see the Queen sent her birthday wishes, but she would not let her family display any of the wishes from the politicians she didn’t like.

She loved to carry on with her children with constant teasing and joking and she took pride in knowing what the grandkids and

their families were doing. She was loved by everyone who met her and she will be truly missed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a future date at Melville Presbyterian Church in Brussels.

In lieu of flowers, and as expressions of sympathy, donations in her honour may be made to Melville Presbyterian Church.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to PO Box 340, Brussels, ON. Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca Special thank you to the staff at Huronlea for your unmitigated care and keeping your residents safe.

Thank you especially for being at the frontline during this unprecedented time.

GAIL CHALMERS Gail Louise Chalmers (née Gowing), formerly of Point Clark, passed away at the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, Goderich on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. She was 76.

Gail was the cherished wife of the late Wally Chalmers (2009) and the dear mother of Dawn (John) Mawhinney of Kincardine and Jeff (Debora) Chalmers of Ripley.

She was the beloved grandmother of Matthew (Allie Houston) Mawhinney and Darby and Larissa Chalmers. Gail was the dear sister of Glenna (Ross) Pannabecker, Carol (Bob) Mommersteeg and Kim (Bill) Stride.

She will be missed by her siblingsin-law Joan Chalmers, Richard Chalmers and Mary (Ken) Phillips.

Gail was predeceased by her parents Norman and Helen (née Turvey) Gowing and brothers-inlaw Jim Chalmers and Dave Chalmers.

A private graveside service will take place. Final resting place is in Blyth Union Cemetery.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Parkinson Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Portrait and memorial can be found on the home website at www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com

Grocery Store and the post office during some of her working years.

Mary always enjoyed having a full house with her many family members dropping in for a visit or a game of cards. She was a great lady who will be remembered and missed by all. Our condolences to all.

A newsworthy and wonderful act of kindness by local business couple Jeff and Maddy Miller, owners of The Jam Jar Pub and Eatery, have shown the area another act of kindness for many.

The residents of the Highland Apartments, who receive meals from the kitchen of Huronlea, saw that service withdrawn during this COVID 19 outbreak. Since March 14, Maddy has been cooking 22 meals because of her connections with suppliers and delivering them to the residents of the apartments.

Observing social distancing, she leaves the meals at the entrance doors for the residents to pick up and does that at no charge. This is her way of giving and supporting the community.

Congratulations to this couple for this great act of kindness. We as a community can also help this couple with their act of kindness. I am sure a donation towards their costs of

supplying these meals would be appreciated and you can be part of a great act of kindness.

There has been another act of kindness by local businesses.

Turning Heads and Making Waves and Bulk and Bargains or Janice Dixon Machan and Wendy Hiebein Marks were the smiling paper faces in the windows. There were 119 faces created by many and displayed in the windows of businesses and homes. The activity was for children and parents to find as many of the faces as they could as they walked the streets of Brussels. There were many participating and there were prizes for all. Prizes were donated by local people and businesses. Great job folks!

The Blue Ribbon or in John Lowe’s case, blue lights, venture is on. The blue is to show support for all our support services and frontline workers who are working to keep us safe, fed and protected.

These include doctors, nurses, PSWs, cleaning staff at all facilities that are open, firefighters, police, paramedics, grocery store employees, pharmacists, bank employees, post office employees, delivery folks and most importantly, are truck drivers who keep bringing

all the necessary supplies for all to work with. Tie a ribbon on your trees, mail box, posts, bannisters, pillars and show your support today.

Another local good news story is business person Jackie DeWit. She has started making masks, gowns and surgical hats with her amazing sewing talent from material donated Continued on page 16

NEWS FROM WALTON

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 15.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $7.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST. 50¢ will be deducted if ad is paid in advance

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Monday in Brussels 4 p.m. Monday in Blyth Phone 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF and steaks – also halves and quarters available in bulk. Phone 519-3577678.

13-3p -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 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 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE online for free while we are under orders for physical distances. Stay safe!

Citizen-ToCitizen “SWAP SHOP” ad “One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

Let us help you turn that junk into $$

Services

Services

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

09-9 --------------------------------------------

FAXING SERVICE is suspended.

Will resume when COVID-19 crisis is over. The Citizen, tfn --------------------------------------------

Services JJ’s Lawn Maintenance

Wanted SOMEONE TO PAINT THE exterior trim of a house. Call 519887-6602.

15-2p --------------------------------------------

Cranbrook Customs Ltd. Liquid Manure Spreading Two 6300 Houle manure spreaders with 50 km tractors

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413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114

FARM FOR SALE BY TENDER 38934 Belgrave Road Belgrave, ON N0G 1E0 - Lot 32, Concession 9, East Wawanosh, Township of North Huron, County of Huron.

Approximately 199 acres in size with approx. 88 acres reported as workable, approx. 40 acres mixed hardwood and 68 softwood/wetland and 3 acre building site. Workable land is reported to have minimal drainage. Topography is sloping to rolling. There is standing timber that could be harvested from the woodlot. Approx. 1200 square foot 1960s bungalow with concrete poured foundation, aluminum siding and a newer steel roof, and a propane furnace. Outbuildings include an older steel clad stone foundation bank barn approx. 50'x60' and 2 small garden sheds. Being sold “as is”.

Sniff Out a Great Deal in the Classifieds.

For more information or to arrange viewing please email Virginia Schenk at virginia@schenklegal.ca or call SCHENK LEGAL at 519-357-4500 and leave a message with your contact information.

For offer to purchase forms please contact: SCHENK LEGAL, Barristers & Solicitors at info@schenklegal.ca or call SCHENK LEGAL at 519-357-4500 and leave a message with your email or address.

TENDER DEADLINE MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020 @ 12 PM

Shoppers with a nose for bargains head straight for the Classifieds.

In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from cars to canine companions. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want, and it’s used by hundreds of shoppers every day.

Tender materials may be submitted by regular mail, fax, or email. We are not accepting hand delivered tenders.

The vendor reserves the right to choose or not choose the appropriate bid at their sole discretion.

The highest bid will not necessarily be the successful bid.

Go with your instincts and use the Classifieds today.

The Citizen Classifieds 523-4792 • 887-9114

➨ Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less.

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 – four used Honda alloy rims, 16 x 6.5, $200. Call Marc/Cairn, 519-357-2101. 14-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – two water pumps pus tank, $150; 150' welding table plus 220 welder, $200; dried fire wood, $50/cord or best offer.

519-335-6998.

14-3

All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at

www.huroncitizen.ca

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Walton landfill closed for now

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Snack time Iris Pipe is enjoying snack time outside during the COVID19 pandemic. Remember, physical distancing doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fresh air, just do so safely. (Photo submitted)

Huron East has decided to close the Walton landfill until April 25 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight, in correspondence sent to councillors, said the landfill would be closed this weekend and scheduled to open again on April 25, though that decision would be evaluated in the coming days.

Bluewater Recycling in Grey and McKillop is continuing collection Knight said and the decision has been made keeping in mind the safety of the municipality’s employees.

The launch of wheelie bins in both Grey and McKillop has been pushed back as a result of the situation. Bins are now scheduled for an early May delivery with the first pick-up scheduled for May 29.

Knight also said that while there had been some discussion regarding cancelling the scheduled April 21 council meeting, a decision has yet to be made.

He said that all planning matters scheduled to be addressed at that meeting have been deferred indefinitely and notices associated with the planning applications will have to be recirculated. For the time

being, staff are investigating remote meeting options, such as teleconference or Zoom online meetings, but a final decision has yet to be made regarding the April 21 meeting.

In his report to council, Knight also detailed two meetings in which he’d taken part. First there was a meeting of the mayors and chief administrative officers of Huron County and the second was a meeting with the Huron East emergency control group.

“Six of the nine municipalities participated in a Zoom meeting [on April 3] that was organized by the county. The county has been an excellent source of information throughout the pandemic and is likely the logical medium to accumulate information and arrange meetings,” Knight said in his report.

“The meeting was informative in the additional awareness of how other municipalities are dealing with the pandemic and certainly from the county’s perspective, the immediate focus is on the homes [for the aged], [Emergency Medical Services] and social services. From the lower-tier perspective, while there is some support for the consistent position, i.e. the decision to close recreation facilities, but [there is] also an acknowledgment that each

municipality also deals with their own situations differently, i.e. staffing levels.”

The emergency control group meeting, Knight said, was focused on reviewing the municipal response to the COVID-19 shutdown, assessing the municipality’s current situation and discussing future measures, including a potential state of emergency declaration.

“Generally speaking, I believe we are of consensus that the municipality has taken proactive measures and that our essential services are being provided and other services are, for the most part, being provided, although they have been scaled back,” Knight wrote in his report.

“It was also acknowledged that it is the mayor’s decision on the declaration [of a state of emergency] and while there may be some consideration of the need for a declaration (both by Huron East and the seven other lower tiers that have not declared) if the situation worsens significantly or if municipal services are compromised, that a joint declaration would have more impact.”

For up-to-date information regarding council’s April 21 meeting or a decision regarding the Walton landfill, visit the Huron East website at huroneast.com.

Good maple season could be stymied by COVID-19

By Denny Scott The Citizen While it’s been a great year for maple syrup production, COVID-19 is making an impact on the bottom line for producers.

Kevin Schneider of Robinson Maple Syrup in St. Augustine said this year was great, only being outdone recently by the 2019 crop.

“We had a crop and a quarter this year, 125 per cent of what we expected,” he said. “Normally we make 208 barrels and this year we made 262.

“It was a really good year,” he said, “one of the best we’ve ever had.

Last year was even better.”

While this year’s crop was great, Schneider said, COVID-19 and the control measures in place have had an impact on not only the sales forecast, but how the company is working as well.

“We’re working and keeping our distance right now,” he said, adding most of the work that’s being completed now is outdoors so it’s not a problem.

“I guarantee it will have an impact on our business,” he said. “We package a lot of syrup to sell at restaurants and bakeries, so sales are going to drop for sure. We’re thinking it will be a 20 to 30 per cent difference.”

He said the company is looking to work online more to sell because people are nervous to go to stores.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Everything is so up in the air. It’s hard to predict what the market will be for maple syrup, or anything really.”

One of the big aspects of their success will be tied to people shopping local, Schneider said.

“Support local as much as you can.

That’s the message I want to get out to everyone. We’re all going to struggle for the next little bit, so supporting local is more important now than before.”

Barb Storey of Storey’s Maple Syrup, Honey and Pork Products near Winthrop said they have similar concerns, but that market closures were going to be an added pressure.

“We had a really good syrup season,” she said. “We had a litre and a quarter or a little better per tap and the quality was excellent. We hardly made any dark syrup.”

She said the company mostly sells through community markets like those in Seaforth and Goderich, however those have been closed.

“I would say 75 per cent of our sales came from going to those markets,” she said. “We still have on-farm sales here, but the Continued on page 18

A big season Maple syrup producers are reporting that this year, like last year, was a great year for the syrup crop. The control measures being implemented around the COVID-19 pandemic, however, will limit markets and leave producers searching for alternatives to reach their usual consumers.

(John Stephenson photo)

DeWit crafting for COVID-19 Continued from page 14 to her by her mother. The articles will be donated to our local essential workers in our area and beyond. This is a 100 per cent non-profit venture to support our healthcare workers.

They are also available to folks who are having cancer treatments, have respiratory problems or have low immune systems and need to have masks. They are available by donation and 100 per cent of the funds will go back into the community. Spread the word to contact Jackie if in need of any of these articles. Great job Jackie!

It was a beautiful day on Saturday

and it encouraged me to get out and get the ditch and field cleaned up of debris. When all was said and done, I had three full garbage bags full of beer cans, pop cans, coffee cups, plastic water and pop bottles, chip bags, take-out containers, feed bags, cardboard, chunks of plastic and pails. One thing I did not pick up was the garter snake that scared me. I hate snakes, but I continued on.

There was lots of garbage, but one good find was a $10 dollar bill. Made the three hours of work worth $3.33 an hour. The 14 beer bottles made another $1.30, so a good day’s work!

Another job that has been put off is

the defrosting of the freezer. It is another good job done with the food organized, and maybe found some to be outdated at the bottom so thrown away, and freezer cleaned.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Corbin McCallum, Krista Shortreed Verkley, Gary Bennett, Nate Fritz, David Baan, Marlene Glanville, Colleen McCallum Bromley, Donna Hannon, Stephen Gulutzen, Shelley McGavin, Doug J. Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Wayne Regele, Myer Braecker, George Love, Kevin Wilbee, and Marie McGavin. Happy birthday to all.

Walton Landfill Site In an effort to protect our staff, promote social distancing and not encourage unnecessary travel, the Walton Landfill site will be closed on

Saturday, April 11th The Landfill site is scheduled to be open on April 25th, but please check the Huron East website (www.huroneast.com) to ensure it is open Walton Landfill Committee April 6th, 2020

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

Four stories that changed the world

By Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Blyth Christian Reformed Church This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey as people lined the streets shouting “Hosanna” which means, “Lord, save us’. On Friday we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. On Sunday we celebrate His resurrection. What we often forget is the next celebration, the ascension of Jesus into heaven which, this year, happens on May 21. These four celebrations can be understood as the unfolding of a story which has changed the world.

Palm Sunday was a day of high expectation. The people lining the road from the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah who would gather the crowds of people who had arrived in Jerusalem into an army to defeat the Roman occupiers. As they lined the road and shouted, “Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) they hoped that Jesus would solve their immediate problem which had been created by the presence of Roman soldiers. They wanted someone to make Israel great again, and they were putting Jesus forward as the one who could do so.

With God on His side and with the masses of people gathered in Jerusalem for the festivities, certainly He could lead an army to gain victory over the Roman garrison stationed there.

The people hoped for relief from their immediate troubles, but it was not to be. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He made no move to be crowned king over Israel. Rather, He began to speak about His impending death by crucifixion. And, five days later, when Jesus was arrested, the crowds again lined the streets and called for His immediate death. They had become disillusioned with Him because He did not fulfill their expectations.

Little did they know what Jesus was going to accomplish by His death. Early on in the biblical story, God had pronounced that all who sinned would be banished from His presence, a spiritual death that humanity could not reverse.

Physical death would follow. When Jesus died on the cross, by offering His body as a sacrifice, through the shedding of His blood, the penalty of death for sin was paid for. Jesus, who had lived a sinless life, gave His life to substitute for ours. All who put their trust in Him have the penalty for sin reversed: we become spiritually alive and we become welcome to enter back into God’s presence.

It was at the cross that Jesus dealt with a bigger problem than the immediate one the Jews of His day were experiencing at the hands of their Roman oppressors. The devil, God’s adversary, had introduced into this world the enslaving power of sin. Worse than any virus, sin permeated the very core of this world, and it has left humanity facing certain demise. One hundred per cent of all people who are born are born spiritually dead, separated from God and will die a physical death. In His death on the cross Jesus defeated the devil’s work by paying the price for sin and in so doing released humanity from its enslaving power. Although the full impact of Jesus’ death on the cross is not immediately felt, its power is enduring. All who believe in Jesus have been made spiritually alive and

will never be separated from God because of sin again.

The celebration that follows Good Friday, Easter Sunday, celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

This is a physical resurrection in which it is made clear that the power of death has been defeated. What was impossible has been made possible. The finality of physical death is no longer a certain reality.

There is the sure hope of physical life beyond physical death. And, wonderfully, the Bible promises that all who are made spiritually alive through faith in Jesus Christ will one day be raised to new life again. This is the assurance that the resurrection of Jesus gives us.

Normally we stop there, but we should not forget the final celebration, the ascension of Jesus into the presence of His heavenly Father. This is really the culmination

of the story, for Jesus receives what was lost in the fall into sin in the beginning. He receives the joy of living in the presence of God, something that all of humanity was created to experience but has lost through the presence of sin in this world. And, through His ascension into heaven, Jesus became king and He now reigns, sovereign over every aspect of life in every part of the world.

To be sovereign does not mean that Jesus dictates every single thing that will happen. Rather, it means that He will cause things to work out for His specified ends. The devil, although he has been defeated, still seeks to destroy God’s good earth.

This is evidenced by the devastating effects the COVID-19 disease is having on this world at present. This is the devil’s work, and it is ugly and joyless. Yet, because He is

have been limited. The world would still be enslaved to the devastating impact of sin. The way of Jesus was not to victory except through His self-sacrifice on the cross. To be free from the impact of a virus would be great; to be set free from the consequences of sin is even better.

The virus takes a few lives, and, as horrible as that is, sin takes every life. That is even more tragic. Jesus has solved the greater problem, and He has given us access to the Father as well.

There is a final chapter in the story, one that has yet to be written, Continued on page 19

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship EASTER It’s not about a SERVICE It’s about a SAVIOUR

BRUSSELS

HE IS RISEN.

United Church

He is risen indeed!

Weekly worship in our building is cancelled.

Take the opportunity to join Rev. Gary Clark on YouTube “Forest Hill United Church Kitchener” for Sunday Worship.

The Regional Ministry of Hope See our Facebook page 10.30 a.m. on Sundays for a live broadcast of our service.

All Anglican Churches are closed for public worship until further notice.

Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope

sovereign, Jesus can and is working through this difficult time to accomplish His purpose, namely to bring people to an awareness of God and a desire to experience His presence. And, through this time, in ways we cannot see and may not be able to explain, Jesus is bringing good to this world.

Palm Sunday shows us the beginning of the journey of Jesus.

Had Jesus given into the desires of the crowds and rallied the masses around Himself to form an army to defeat the Roman oppressors, Hhe could well have become king in Jerusalem. But His impact would

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH

BRUSSELS

9:00 am

12 noon

250 Princess St., Brussels • 519-887-6388 • Pastor Ken Gazley ALL Are Welcome In This Place

Church Services are cancelled until further notice Video sermons available on YouTube by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM

10:30 am

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Due to COVID-19 weekly church services are cancelled until further notice.

Stay safe and healthy!

Brussels Soup and More 2 is cancelled until further notice.

519-887-6687

Blyth United Church Due to the COVID-19 Virus the church building is closed.

Please join Rev. Gary Clark on YouTube “Forest Hill United Church Kitchener” for the Sunday Service Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Evangelical Missionary Church Visit HuronChapel.com for VIDEO SERMONS posted weekly!

Good Friday April 10, 10:30 a.m. Pastor Rob Campbell, “But Now...” (Rom.3:21ff, livestream) Easter Sunday April 12, 10:30 a.m. Pastor Ernest Dow, “Finding Joy in Hardship, through our Risen Saviour” (Rom.5:1ff, livestream) (Gatherings on hold due to COVID-19)

** Let us know how we can be praying for you / practical needs ** huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn

Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m.

17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m.

220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m.

1025 Wallace Avenue N.

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Londesborough United to remain closed until May 1 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO

By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296

As the world has seemingly, for most of us, ground to a temporary halt, news for other activities is difficult to come by. I have been enjoying the news reports of how other folk are filling their hours of isolation and sharing video clips to cheer up the country. As Canadians we have again shown our care for others.

As of Monday our young folk should have more to do as teachers share school work and lessons with them. Ten hours a week of work doesn't seem like much, but it surely is a start. They are all missing the

real, as opposed to social media, contact with friends. Having a summer job in order to pay for postsecondary education is likely becoming a concern for our teenagers.

I heard it reported that this is the worst crisis the world has faced since the Second World War. It has been predicted that deaths in the United States will be more than the total of that war and the military engagements of U.S. soldiers since.

The numbers being bandied about are staggering. I tend not to listen to too many news reports as I feel the predictions, etc. can be interpreted differently by whoever is doing the reporting.

The only predictions which depress me are those about how long we will be isolated, not able to see family and friends.Thankfully, we are in an age of telephones and other social media outlets. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau keeps reminding that every one of us can serve our country by staying home.

As the Queen said in her address, we will be able to be proud of how we came together to resolve this issue, this common fight/endeavour.

Today it is being suggested that we all wear facial covering/masks when out in public. My daughter-in-law forwarded me a pattern for making a mask.If any of you are interested in protecting yourself I am willing to share the pattern. Give me a call.

Calls were made last weekend to be in touch with congregants of Londesborough United Church. The church will remain in shutdown until at least May 1. However it might be good for all members to remember

that our expenses continue. Perhaps you might consider sending in a contribution so our faith community will still be thriving when this virus is over. The same applies to all churches in our area. Knowing you have done something in that regard might just brighten your day.

We are all hoping for regular summer activities. If your family is looking to send children to summer camp keep in mind that the Londesborough UCW has been in the habit of helping families with the cost of faith-related camps. As the summer arrives you might contact president Marie Bergsma about that.

Stay well. And keep the faith this coming weekend as we celebrate, separately, Easter.

Syrup yield rises Continued from page 16 pandemic has changed a lot.”

She said she’s working by phone to contact regular customers, arranging drop-offs or pick-up times, and that is working well.

She said she’s practising safe sales

by keeping her distance and, when dropping off multiple products, providing sanitizing products for people to operate safely.

“People still have to eat, and we have to find a way to make that work,” she said.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

Festival Art Gallery cancels Student Show

A tough year The Blyth Festival Art Gallery has cancelled the annual Student Show this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show is a favourite among board members and President Carl Stevenson who says he has seen numerous students grow up artistically through the exhibit, seen above last spring. (File photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The Blyth Festival Art Gallery will not hold a Student Show this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the rest of the season, Board President Carl Stevenson says they’re in a wait-and-see mode.

The board issued a press release on the cancellation last week and Stevenson, in an interview with The Citizen, says it was a difficult decision to make because the Student Show is a favourite of many board members.

“It’s definitely my favourite show of the year,” Stevenson said.

Over his years of involvement with the gallery, including recently as the vice-president of the board and now the president, Stevenson

says he’s come to know many of the students who regularly contribute art to the show. Seeing them grow and improve over the years, he said, truly showed him the impact of the show on young artists in the community.

Many of those student artists, he said, have come back to the gallery as solo artists within either the Community Show or in professional gallery shows over the years, so it’s a shame to have to cancel it for 2020, Stevenson said.

“We are terribly disappointed, but everyone needs to heed the lifesaving message of our public health officials and their directives of social distancing right now,” Stevenson said in the press release. He added that the gallery is waiting to hear from all levels of government, as

God has a plan says van Leeuwen Continued from page 17 but it will be. One day Jesus will return to this earth, and He will clean up this world from its sin. All those who put their faith in him will be resurrected from death and we will live in the presence of God forever.

Our remembrance of Good Friday and our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus this week are part of the larger narrative that began last Sunday. Jesus came to Jerusalem and people thought He should solve their immediate problems. We sometimes wonder why God doesn’t solve all of our problems immediately. Like the people of Palm Sunday we have to understand that God’s ways are not always understandable to us. Nevertheless,

we can be assured that God, through Jesus Christ, has set into motion a plan which gets to the heart of the problem by conquering the power of sin, and which ends with new life in the presence of God.

well as the Blyth Festival, in regards to the next steps. He said it’s safe to assume that the gallery will follow the Festival’s lead as far as scheduling. Last week, the Festival announced it was suspending its season until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a first in the Festival’s 46-year history.

This is the first time in the gallery’s 45-year history that the Student Show will not be held. It had been scheduled to open to the public on April 30.

Colleen Schenk, the Avon Maitland District School Board trustee for North Huron, Howick and Morris-Turnberry, who is also a

member of the gallery board, said she was deeply saddened by the decision, but knew it was the right one to make.

“The Student Art Show is, in my opinion, the most important gallery show of the season, as it gives our local students an opportunity to showcase their talents, to share their dreams and visions and to evolve in a way that is not always open to those involved in the arts,” Schenk said in the gallery’s press release. “I am extremely disappointed that this exhibition had to be cancelled for 2020. It is my hope that during this period of isolation, these students will have the time to build upon their portfolios in their homes, and I look forward to once again seeing their talents showcased in the spring of 2021.”

As a gesture of good faith, Gallery Exhibition Chair and Student Show Curator Bruce Stainton promised that any students who wish to participate in the Community Show, should it go ahead, would have their entry fee waived.

Stainton also thanked Mary Carroll, who was due to sponsor the show in memory of Paul Carroll, and Fred Waltham, who had sponsored the student awards.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, members and donors who have offered their continued support in this unprecedented time,” he said in the gallery’s press release.

Stevenson, speaking to The Citizen, said the status of the Community Show is currently up in the air, but it is a show that could easily be rescheduled to another time

of the year in co-ordination with the Blyth Festival’s long-term plans for the year.

The Community Show, Stevenson said, is a one-day show that calls for community members to submit a piece of art the day the show opens, so with little planning involved, he said it could easily be moved to the fall to coincide with a pushed-back Festival season or even during the holidays when the Festival plans to remount the popular A Huron County Christmas Carol, which was such a hit for the Festival last Christmas.

As for the three professional shows, Stevenson is again saying that the board is in wait-and-see mode. If some of the shows have to be shuffled or delayed, those changes have yet to be officially discussed.

However, he said the gallery will be supporting its artists as much as it can during this time and if and when the shows can finally move forward.

Right now, he said, artists may have trouble finding supplies and services like paint, framing or printing, so the gallery will not be moving forward until the artists are confident they can put their best foot forward in their show.

Regarding the artists themselves, Stevenson said board members had been in touch with them and the hope is that they’ll use this time to continue creating in their home studios ahead of their shows, whenever they may be held.

For more information on the gallery, visit it on Facebook or online at blythfestival.com.

Happy Birthday Murray Black Some say 65’’s old, and I guess it could seem, Like you’ve lost a bit of your polish and gleam, But the fact is that it’s undeniably true, That the “old” age of 65 looks good on you!

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Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Cook are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Sarah to Michael son of Mr. & Mrs. Bill Smith The wedding will take place December 21 in London, Ontario

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

Festival season suspended Continued from page 1 Rachael King about the reality of what the Festival and the community are facing.

Garratt said he and the staff really realized the fluidity of the situation when they prepared a handful of contingency budgets for various scenarios on a Friday for the Board of Directors and before they could present them the following Monday, they were all obsolete.

Seeing that, Garratt thought it was time for the Festival to take a step back and put residents first. Above all, Garratt said, the Festival is a community organization, so it had to look at how it could play a positive role during this unprecedented shutdown.

Whether it was the artists and staff, the theatre-goers or the volunteers, Garratt said the Festival had a responsibility to keep its community members safe, which played heavily into the decision that was made.

Garratt said suspending the season was the right thing to do. There have been other organizations that have pledged to open again at the end of May or the end of June, he said, and for him it was impossible to make such a promise. If federal government officials and leading doctors, scientists and epidemiologists can’t make that claim, he said, there was no way that he could.

He also cited the provincial government’s projections announced on Friday that thousands could die in the province when all the dust settles and social distancing measures could be in place for an extended period of time, saying there is simply no way to know how long the pandemic will last.

When he and King brought their decision to the Board of Directors, Garratt said there was a lot of upset and sadness, but ultimately members agreed it was the right thing to do.

Referring to the seven stages of grief, he said there was a lot of bargaining by those involved before acceptance was reached.

He said the response to the announcement has been heartwarming, with new members donating to help the Festival through such a tough time and others advancing their donations early to ensure there is enough cash flow for those still working.

This has been crucial, Garratt said, as the Festival has committed to paying those playwrights who were commissioned for the season and keeping new play development moving during the shutdown, something that Garratt said is very important to him.

He also said fellow artists have offered their services when the Festival re-opens to the public.

Due to the traditional stage timeline, even a fast-tracked production would need weeks of preparation and rehearsal before it could be on stage, so local artists like Dan Needles have volunteered completed, simple-to-produce shows to put on the Memorial Hall stage while the scheduled 2020 season is prepared for production.

Garratt has also brainstormed numerous concepts like concerts, monologue nights and other ideas when the Festival can welcome audiences back to Blyth.

Garratt did say that the 2020 season will be produced on the Blyth Festival stage, it’s just a matter of when. Those plays will not be lost, he said, they will be produced, it’s just a question of when that will be allowed to happen.

One of the major reasons behind the decision to take the wait-and-see approach, Garratt said, is the prolonged sustainability of the Festival and its place in Huron County and beyond. When this is all over, Garratt said, Blyth will need community more than ever and the Festival wants to be there to do its part.

He said he knows the village will get through the COVID-19 shutdown because there really is no community out there like Blyth.

Garratt relayed a quote about the Festival from Member of the Order

of Canada and creator of The Farm Show, Paul Thompson, who said the “experiment” of the Blyth Festival would never work, but if it was going to work in one place, it would be Blyth.

Garratt said that quote had often left him scratching his head, but now he knows it’s all about the unique community of Blyth and its special place in the arts world.

There is no other theatre in the world like Blyth, he said. In 20 years as an actor in Toronto, Garratt said he had never acted in a show set in Toronto. Meanwhile, the bulk of the shows produced by the Festival are set either in Blyth or in neighbouring towns, a rarity for many Canadian theatres.

The Festival, he said, is authentic to its home, but universal at the same time. Last season, he said, the Festival sold over 4,000 tickets to North Huron residents alone. At the same time, people from over 20 states came to shows in the 2019 season and Festival shows have been produced in nearly 30 countries showing the unique circumstances around what the Festival offers locally as well as to the world.

For more information on the Blyth Festival, keep watching The Citizen for further announcements or visit the Festival’s website at blythfestival.com.

Glammed up Ella, left, and Julie Sawchuk were among the many who participated in the first Pick A Posie costume challenge, dressing like someone from the 1920s. The contest has helped locals get their minds off of the COVID-19 quarantine. (Courtesy photo)

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