The Citizen - Feb. 17 , 2023

4 • Editorials 8 • Sports 11 • Scouts & Guides 16 • Obituaries

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Friday, February 17, 2023

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Volume 39 No. 7

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Playoffs continue for Heat

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

One for all the lovers...

The Lucky Charms were the main attraction on Saturday night as the Brussels Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion hosted its annual Valentine’s Day dance. The relatively-new band, based in Blyth, has made a name for itself within the last year, playing wellattended and well-reviewed shows at the annual

reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association and other community functions, both public and private. They were met with enthusiastic fans at the Legion who were eager to dance in the company of their sweethearts and just enjoy a cold beverage and some good music. (John Stephenson photo)

Review approved amid budget pressures

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council has voted to undertake a service review as the county, like many of its lower-tier municipalities, faces a challenging budget year and the potential for a large tax levy increase.

Council held a special budget deliberation session on Wednesday, Feb. 8 to discuss a number of issues placed in a “parking lot” during previous budget sessions. In addition, council received a presentation from Huron Perth Public Health regarding its budget for the coming years.

Julie Pauli, Director of Corporate Services for Huron Perth Public Health, told council that the organization is proposing a two per cent increase to the budget for 2023, 2024 and 2025, but that there will be a sharp increase in the municipal contribution to the budget anticipated in both 2024 and 2025.

Council also considered

removing a number of big-ticket items from the budget, at least for the time being, including the purchase of several electric vehicles, the installation of traffic signals and further intersection enhancements at the intersection of Blyth and London Roads in Blyth and the creation of a bicycle lane on County Road 83.

Council voted to eliminate the purchase of a half-ton electrical truck for the county’s fleet, $10,000 for two charging stations and $85,000 for an electric van for the Early Years program and $15,000 for a charging station.

Several councillors said they felt the costs and technology had not quite reached the point of affordability and practicality for the county and that the purchase of electric vehicles should be postponed for a few years.

Huron East Deputy-Mayor Alvin McLellan said he didn’t necessarily disagree with the decision, but that the technology is not as far off as councillors might think. He cited

the Bluewater Recycling Association’s impending move to electric trucks, saying the county should be investigating electric vehicles very soon, if not this year.

In regards to bicycle lanes for County Road 83, which is a hightraffic road for bicycles, Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan wondered how many residents were being served with the move, compared to whether the money could be spent better elsewhere, serving more people.

The project is slated to cost an additional $586,000. However, when Howick Reeve Doug Harding suggested removing the project from the budget, he did not find a seconder for his motion, so it failed to advance any further.

Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp felt council should consider dropping some of the larger items from the budget, including the new housing facility on Gibbons Street in Goderich and perhaps investigate potentially cheaper options for the

new public works yard in Wingham. For the housing project in Goderich in particular, Klopp suggested that council “pause Gibbons Street and think about it” before proceeding any further.

During his presentation, Treasurer Michael Blumhagen cautioned council against using reserves to fund projects with ongoing costs, saying it would not be a sustainable solution.

“Staff are recommending that if council decides to further supplement ongoing operating costs from reserves, staff recommend a full review of programs take place starting 2023 to investigate the possibility of service cuts equivalent to the reserves being used,” he said in his report.

“If services are not reduced and significant cuts made, the same pressures will exist for 2024, as we are only punting the issue to a subsequent year until reserves are depleted. Future impacts to the levy Continued on page 2

Several Huron Heat teams have kept up their winning ways as the playoffs continue to unfold in local girls’ hockey.

The U15 C Heat have won all four of their playoff games thus far, only giving up one goal. They beat the Woodstock Wildcats on Jan. 22 by a score of 3-1, the Ilderton Jets on Jan. 28 by a score of 4-0, the Lambton Attack on Jan. 29 by a score of 5-0 and the Lucan Irish on Feb. 5 by a score of 5-0.

They were set to play the Ilderton Jets again on Valentine’s Day in playoff action, but a score was unavailable at press time.

They then head to Watford to play the Lambton Attack on Feb. 18, followed by a Feb. 21 contest with the Lucan Irish in Seaforth and then a Feb. 25 game against the Wildcats in Woodstock.

The U13 C Heat won their first three playoff games - a 3-1 win over the St. Thomas Panthers on Jan. 28, a 2-0 win over the Bluewater Hawks on Jan. 29 and a 1-0 win over the North Middlesex Junior Stars, also on Jan. 29 - but then lost to North Middlesex on Feb. 12 by a score of 3-1.

They next play the Bluewater Hawks on Feb. 25 on the road and then the St. Thomas Panthers the next day in Clinton, followed by two games against the B.A.D. Blazers, in Belmont on March 5 and in Clinton on March 12.

The U18 C Heat won their first playoff game against the Sarnia Lady Sting on Jan. 22 by a score of 3-1, followed by a 1-1 tie with the Lucan Irish on Jan. 28 and a 2-2 tie with the Irish again on Jan. 29 and a 1-0 loss to the South Huron Sabres on Feb. 12.

They play next on Feb. 18 against the St. Thomas Panthers on the road, followed by a game in Seaforth against the Sarnia Lady Sting on Feb. 24. The team then plays a home-and-home with the London Devilettes on Feb. 26 in Clinton and on March 1 in London.

The Heat are home in Clinton to play St. Thomas on March 5 and in South Huron to play the Sabres on March 11.

The U11 C team lost their first playoff game to the Mooretown Lady Flags on Jan. 21 by a score of 1-0, followed by a win over the Central Perth Predators in Blyth on Jan. 26 by a score of 2-0. They tied the Wildcats in Woodstock 2-2 on Feb. 4, followed by a 2-0 loss to Mooretown again in Clinton on Feb. 5. They ended their Feb. 10 Continued on page 8

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Councillors question intersection projects

Order up!

The Auburn and District Lions Club held a special pancake breakfast on Sunday at the Auburn Community Hall, marking one of the few meals that have been hosted by the club since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was well attended, raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. Auburn Lion Marinus Bakker, right, is seen bringing over a meal to start a diner’s day on the right foot. (John Stephenson photo)

HE forgives curling club debt

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

payments, which amount to just under $7,000, and any other late charges as a result of the miscommunication and allow the curling club to move ahead with an agreement with the centre.

While some councillors were concerned about setting a precedent, others felt the club’s situation was truly unique and would be unlikely to be replicated, with the club renting a centre owned by the municipality.

Councillor Ray Chartrand was in favour of the recommendation, saying it seemed like a situation that had simply fallen through the cracks during a significant staffing transition.

Council agreed and passed the motion to forgive the missed lease payments and allow the club to move ahead with an agreement with the child care centre.

county staff, predominantly Wark and Blumhagen, and can begin soon. She said it could involve a refocus on mandatory services.

Council approved the motion and the review with little discussion.

She then asked council for a little more direction on the budget ahead of the next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8.

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Huron East Council has reached an agreeable solution to outstanding debt associated with the Vanastra Curling Club and some correspondence that appears to have fallen through the cracks.

At council’s Feb. 7 meeting, Leanne VanLoo and Te-Anna VanDyke from the Vanastra Curling Club executive spoke to council about lease payments on the building and the potential rental of the club’s kitchen. The issue dates back to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of the centre, which would eventually last for over a year.

VanLoo told council that the club, which is volunteer-run, was in an awkward position as far as finding government support in the early days of the pandemic. It was ineligible for a number of grants, because the municipality owned the building, but the municipality didn’t receive grants that could have been passed on to the club.

She said she had been in touch with Brad Knight, who was the chief administrative officer at the time, who said he wasn’t overly concerned with the club making lease payments at the time and that the issue would be resolved at a later date.

However, as council noted, Knight was managing the municipality during the pandemic and would eventually retire, so the issue of the club was eventually shifted to incoming Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts.

VanLoo said the membership began making loan payments again in late 2021. She said they paid all of the expenses related to the centre, but had missed three lease payments that, through correspondence between the club and municipality, the membership had understood would be forgiven as a result of the situation and the club’s inability to generate revenue during forced closures

as a result of the pandemic.

She then detailed a number of attempts to get in touch with someone at Huron East in late 2022 and early 2023, which were unsuccessful.

This came as a result of a proposed agreement between the Vanastra child care centre asking to use the kitchen in the club. The membership drew up what VanLoo said felt like a fair agreement and proposed it to the municipality, but she said McRoberts did not view the terms favourably.

She said the original proposal was $2,000 a month for utilities and incidentals, but, after speaking with McRoberts, an updated rate of $500 a month was being proposed for a period of between six and eight months.

She then asked council to consider forgiving the loan

Continued from page 1 will be further compounded by additional inflation.

“This very issue was realized in 2004 and 2005 with required levy increases of 20 per cent and 17.38 per cent, as downloaded capital reserves from the Province for public works were being used to support operations.”

Blumhagen reminded council that he is proposing a 12.46 per cent increase to the levy, which would be far higher than it has been in recent years. The budget presented, with that increase, did not include any significant service cuts.

Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn said he supported the Gibbons Street project wholeheartedly and didn’t think it should be removed.

Improvements to intersections in Blyth and Exeter, however, could be moved a year or two down the road, he said, adding that the plans that have been procured and paid for could be retained and used by the county at a later date.

He said council needed to get the budget increase down to a reasonable level and he felt this would be a way to do it.

As a result of the challenging financial position council finds the county in, Chief Administrative Officer Meighan Wark has proposed the service review process, which will “evaluate and adjust levels of service within all program areas” beginning this year.

She said the review can be done by

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Smiles all around The Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association hosted its annual U6 and U7 Jamborees on Saturday in both Blyth and Brussels, welcoming a dozen teams to the community for a day of fun play and, yes, plenty of goals. (John Stephenson photo)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 3.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster Some people have the ability to pack a multitude of experiences and achievements into their lifetimes and one such person was William James Milne (W. J.). He was born in Streetsville, Ontario to Robert and Sarah (Erwin) Milne in 1868. This small family resided for a while in Palmerston before settling in Blyth in 1880 at which time they purchased the Commercial Hotel, now the Blyth Inn, located on the northeast corner of Queen and Dinsley Streets.

W. J. finished his elementary education in Blyth, and then went on to Clinton Collegiate Institute before attending Trinity College at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University in Kingston to complete his degrees in medicine. He graduated in May of 1888 and returned to Blyth to open his practice there.

He married Helen (Ellen)

McKinnon, daughter of D. B. McKinnon on June 27, 1894. To this union were born two daughters, Mary and Sarah.

In the first years of his practice, Dr. Milne drove some good horses and had several different kinds of conveyances such as a buggy and a Stanhope, a high, two-wheeled “gig”. Later, horses were only used in the winter and the doctor liked an automobile that could “hit a good clip”. In fact, in 1907, Dr. Milne was the second person in Blyth, after Isaac Brown, to purchase a car. Dr. Milne kept busy after obtaining the car, giving rides to any interested person. By 1915, he had a black Ford Runabout that was a gasoperated 2.5 HP, two-seater vehicle.

In 1903, Dr. Milne replaced his first office with a modern brick building that was located north of the Commercial Hotel on Queen Street. It was 60 feet long and two

storeys high containing a doctor’s office, an operating room and a drug store named White City Drug Store.

In addition to medicines and overthe-counter remedies, the drug store also sold mirrors, manicure sets, fine china and cut glass, perfumes, etc. In addition to his other profession, he was also an optician.

The upper floor of his building contained Milne Hall which was used through the years for meetings by many groups such The Canadian Order of Foresters, The Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW), the Women’s Sewing Circle, the Red Cross Society in WW l and the Maple Leaf Sewing Circle. Eventually this hall was turned into an apartment. In 2023, this building houses “Finds and Consigns”.

Not long had he returned to Blyth to start a medical practice than he also undertook a life of public

service. He was elected to the school board in 1889. Next, he became a village councillor and was the village reeve for 17 years.

In 1917, he became the Warden of Huron County. In that era, wardens were chosen according to their political alliance. Because 1917 was the year for a Liberal warden, Dr. Milne and a Seaforth man were nominated with Milne winning out.

In recognition of his term as warden, the village gifted him with a goldheaded cane which, later, his family donated to the North Huron Museum.

In 1913, the Blyth Standard newspaper printed a very complimentary profile in which he was characterized as “a man who believes in doing things and what he undertakes is carried to a successful issue with determination … his splendid platform oratory has charm as he has an excellent delivery.”

Dr. Milne was a fellow of the Trinity Medical College, a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as being the coroner for Huron County, medical officer for Huron and past-president of the Huron County Medical Association.

Melda McEnroy, who resided in Blyth from 1918 until 1927 and then later retired there, shared some of her memories in A Village Portrait, which was published in 1977, Blyth’s centennial year. The following is a paraphrase of those memories. “On Saturday nights in the summer, stores would remain open until 11 p.m. or later. Whole

families would linger and visit. By 6:30 p.m., Dr. Milne would be sitting in front of his drug store. He would chew tobacco and have a word of two with passersby. He was interested in all his patients and nonpatients too. He was Blyth’s oracle.

Words of wisdom, only, fell from his lips. Not only did he tell mothers how to look after their babies, but he was also able to give advice to gardeners and farmers. He was a specialist in municipal affairs and was responsible for many of Blyth’s streets being paved.”

Dr. Milne’s medical career spanned 49 years beginning when he graduated from medical school before his 21st birthday until a few months before his death in November of 1936. He was survived by his wife, Helen, and daughters Mary, Blyth and Sarah Cole of Toronto. The funeral service was held at Blyth United Church and he was buried in Blyth Union Cemetery.

Although the good doctor has been gone for decades, some of his legacy lives on.

A few of Dr. Milne’s records still exist and in them are chronicled the births of some of the hundreds of babies that he brought into this world. Many family names that still call Blyth and area home are included on those pages: Radford, Armstrong, Howatt, Scott, Glousher, Toll, Hallahan and Shortreed, to name a few.

In addition, his name is found in the detail at the top of the structure that he had built in 1903.

The chief burden of the Lord’s children (Philpot, “Meditations on the Adorable Redeemer”) The chief burden of the Lord’s children is sin. This is the main cause of all their sighs and groans, from the first quickening breath of the Spirit of God in their hearts until they lay down their bodies in dust.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 There is no knowing that does not begin with knowing God - John Calvin A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

Our offices will be closed for A time to celebrate Renowned musician Gary Weeks took to the Four Winds Barn stage on Saturday night, as part of a sold-out concert and discussion event, and then again on Sunday for a church service. Both events were hosted by the Brussels Community Bible Chapel, a church with which Weeks is certainly familiar. Weeks was half of the popular Canadian pop duo Gary and Dave, whose “Could You Ever Love Me Again” was a popular tune in the early 1970s and he treated those in attendance to some of his music, as well as a conversation about his journey as a Christian. (John Stephenson photo)

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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Close to home Early last week, news of the United States tracking and then shooting down a Chinese spy balloon was a news piece that, for most of us, was an interesting piece of international political drama that meant little to those living in the quiet Canadian countryside.

Even later in the week, reports of another balloon being taken out over Alaska was just a sequel to the ongoing conflict between two superpowers. But then, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave permission for a US F-22 fighter jet to take out an unidentified object in the skies above the Yukon. Now things were starting to become a little more interesting for Canadians.

By Sunday afternoon, the U.S. fighter jets were tracking and ultimately shooting down yet another mysterious balloon-like object, only this time the words “Lake Huron” in the newscast made us sit up and take notice in a whole new way.

Canadians enjoy a peaceful existence for the most part, with only a few conflicts and battles within our borders since the War of 1812.

Having a possible enemy aircraft of any type shot down over Lake Huron, especially in relative proximity to the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, does cause one to worry.

It was the current PM Trudeau’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudea who warned us about “sleeping next to an elephant”. We’ve experienced “the twitch and grunt” of our powerful neighbour to the south occasionally but generally in a support role, like taking in stranded air passengers during the 9/11 terror attacks. Having fighter jets taking out spy craft in the air above southern Ontario highlights the reality of living next to the United States and reminds us what the impact of their global relationships can have on our peaceful existence. – DS

Searching for valentines Toronto Mayor John Tory has thrown the political landscape of Canada’s most populous city into upheaval as a direct result of that age-old trope of powerful men being unable to behave themselves. Yes, despite all the years that have passed and the enlightenment the world has seen in recent years in regards to sexual relationships and power dynamics, perhaps the country’s most important lower-tier government is in a massive state of flux due to an old-fashioned office affair.

After the circus that was the mayoral reign of Rob Ford, Tory, while not loved by all, was viewed as a calm, steady hand in office. That’s no longer true. Now, at budget time, Toronto City Council is left to pick up the pieces, though Tory is doing the council (or, as some see it, himself) a favour by seeing the budget process through.

It’s unfortunate that, after all the world has learned in recent years, that someone like Tory would put so much in jeopardy, just to satisfy his most basic instincts, leaving council and the city’s residents to figure things out. The world of politics is often described by those who work within its parameters as a higher calling of public service, almost akin to the way religious leaders describe being called to serve. It’s unfortunate, then, when so many careers end with an abuse of power.

There are plenty of smart, capable people in Toronto, both on council and not, and surely the city will get up and dust itself off again.

It’s just unfortunate that this circus has been thrust upon it so soon after the municipal election. – SL

Searching for equality The Canadian women’s national soccer team - also known as the 2020 Olympic gold medalists - have been forced back to work after taking the unprecedented step of going on strike and declaring their intention to not play in the SheBelieves Cup that began this week. This comes after the team said it would stand by for the competition until concerns about budget cuts and equal pay were addressed by Canada Soccer. The team’s stance has been supported by the men’s team, which released its own statement, standing with the women.

The Canadian women have been the most successful soccer team in Canadian history, winning medals in recent years, all culminating in their win of Olympic gold. The team is now months away from the World Cup and they are still fighting for opportunities for both themselves and for their youth team. While in many professional sports settings, a line can be drawn from funding for men’s teams that bring in a disproportionate amount of revenue, the same cannot be said for the national teams in Canada. The women’s team has been, by far, more successful and more profitable for the country, its players the face of the sport in Canada, and yet they continue to lag behind, fighting for equal pay.

The conflict has garnered international attention and even national NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has expressed his support for the team. And, at a time when Hockey Canada is embroiled in a scandal of its own, the state of national sports in Canada cannot be said to be healthy with a straight face. These women have been the pride of our nation for years in return, they deserve the support of the nation. – SL

Looking Back Through the Years February 17, 1966 The Brussels Lions Club hosted its regular supper meeting at the Brussels Library. The meeting was presided over by Lion Hank TenPas and a very fine meal was served by the women of St. Ambrose Church.

Entertainment was provided by Miss Shirley Pipe, who performed an accordion solo. The winner of the guessing contest was Lion Gordon Workman.

The meeting included regular business and correspondence, and the decision was made to host a father-son banquet in March. The guest speaker was Rev. Allan Johnston of Brussels United Church.

The Brussels Post office thanked all those who had paid their subscription fees in advance and warned those in arrears that their accounts could be turned in for collection.

Knox Presbyterian Church held its annual meeting in the church basement. There were around 50 attendees who enjoyed a potluck supper. The meeting opened with a scripture reading and prayer by Rev. Charles A. Winn. Winn thanked the congregation for their co-operation since he’d taken over direction of the church. A vote was held to send a donation to the television show Footsteps that aired on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. on CKNX. The Agricultural Society formerly known as the Huron East Agricultural Society announced it had officially changed its name to the Brussels Agricultural Society at its annual meeting and noon banquet at the St. Ambrose Church hall. President of the society Clifford Bray presided over the meeting and guest speaker Doug

Miles spoke about the Canada Pension Plan and Workman's Compensation. The 1966 fair dates were determined to be Sept. 29-30.

February 18, 1976 The boys’ volleyball team from Blyth Public School went undefeated to win the Central Huron Division Championship, bringing home a trophy for its efforts.

In the round-robin portion of the tournament, the Blyth team won 10 straight games by defeating Clinton Public School, Hullett Central School, Huron Centennial School (Brucefield), Goderich Township Central School and Seaforth Public School in respective best-of-three contests. The team consisted of Anton Passchier, Jake de Boer, Steve DeJong (team captain), Dwight Chalmers, Kurt Campbell, Donald Nicholson, Danny Barrie, Pat Thalen, Gary Souch, Doug Falconer, and Brian Young, and coached by Mr. Tremeer, Mrs. Battye, and Mrs. Patterson.

Theatre Passe Muraille was getting ready to put on a show at Memorial Hall in Blyth called Horsburgh Scandal about the life of Rev. Russell Horsburgh, starring well-known Canadian actor Don Harron in the lead role. Proceeds from the show benefited Memorial Hall’s renovations.

A public speaking contest was held at Blyth Public School. Senior division winner was Paul Craig, and the runners up were Franklin Snell and Debbie Craig.

February 18, 1998 The Clinton Public Hospital officially opened its Ophthalmology Service through a strategic alliance with the London Health Sciences Centre.

Brussels resident Lillian Moses

won a Lotto 649 draw valued at $151,880. Moses abandoned the typical lottery numbers she had been using for years in favour of a selection of random numbers.

Moses and her husband Bill planned to invest the money and take a trip to Canada’s east coast.

The Brussels Sheepish Knitters went on a tour of the Spinrite factory in Listowel.

Blyth Midget hockey players cooked sausages and eggs for a well-attended fundraiser to go toward the team’s upcoming trip to Montreal.

February 14, 2013 North Huron distributed surveys to residents to collect information about the attitudes and opinions of community members regarding potential economic development activities. The information was intended to be used by the municipality, the Wingham BIA and the Blyth BIA to learn more about shopping patterns, perceptions of local businesses, and reasons why some shoppers choose to go elsewhere. Economic Development Officer Connie Goodall said, “We are eager to hear from as many people as possible.

The survey will be sent to every mailbox in the municipality but we want to hear from others who live and work in the area, as well as those who come to North Huron to shop or access services.”

The Blyth Legion Hall hosted a Valentine Roast Beef luncheon.

The Metkor Group from Lucknow was awarded the contract to renovate the Brussels Library after their $876,900 bid was accepted by Huron East Council.

Architect John Rutledge, tasked with the tendering process, was disappointed by the lack of bids.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 5.

Other Views

We get a lot for our medical buck

C

anada’s Premiers sat in suspense recently as they waited for the federal government to come up with an improved offer of assistance to help pay the bills for our healthcare system. They didn’t get as much as they wanted, but they put on a good face.

We’ve been faced with a showdown in recent months between provincial governments that claim they’re tapped out and the federal government, which is trying to keep its costs under control. In Ontario there are those who feel the provincial government is attempting to introduce private healthcare into the picture by providing government funding for private clinics to perform some services that are badly overloaded under the current situation.

Indeed, it’s been over 60 years since we experienced paying directly for our own medical coverage. Meanwhile we’ve watched American hospital shows, hundreds of hours of them, which generally don’t show the nitty-gritty of people having to pay the tab. I remember an episode of St. Elsewhere, many years ago, where doctors searched frantically for the reason why a patient was ill. With each new test they ordered, the computer churned out a bill that continued to rise.

All of which brought to mind an episode of the drama New Amsterdam which we watched recently, where the radical doctor in charge of the hospital runs into a young man with a deteriorating condition who hadn’t sought care because he was uninsured. The doctor began handing out free health cards to every patient he encountered who had no insurance. He figured it was cheaper to treat these people if they came immediately for treatment than if they waited for some major

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk illness which made it essential for them to seek care. He came into immediate conflict with hospital administration because of his move.

Ironically, the very next episode of the series involved a woman who couldn’t afford insulin because the provider had come up with a new formulation for the 100-year-old drug and was charged 10 times as much as in Canada. He tried to get Canadian imports by the truckload, but that was more than Canadian companies could supply.

Since these American shows are popular in other countries, I sometimes wonder how episodes like these are understood by people in France or Norway, where people generally get free treatment.

I have relatives who travel to Florida destinations despite that state’s lack of medical protection. In one case, their own insurance will only cover them for a limited period of time, so they come back for the required period, then head south again.

Still, in most episodes of these American medical shows, the patients are shown getting treatment as if they have the best of medical insurance. They set a standard of care which our Canadian system either matches or seems shoddy and second-class by comparison. We expect our hospitals to match the best the U.S. has to offer on one hand, yet we never think about whether we have

insurance coverage or if we can afford coverage. We just want the best coverage in the world. All of which has created an expensive issue for our provincial governments.

It is they, not the federal government, that are responsible for health care. With the exception of Saskatchewan, where Tommy Douglas was Premier for an early version of what is now the NDP, most provinces did not support free medical treatment in the 1960s. It was the federal government, under Prime Minister Mike Pearson, that offered to cover 50 per cent of the cost if provinces would take responsibility for the other half. Some provinces dragged their feet, Ontario among them, but government coverage was just too welcomed by voters.

Now, of course, the federal share of medical costs is less than 25 per cent as the federal government tried to balance its budget by cutting medical costs. In total, medical costs averaged $8,563 per Canadian in 2021. As an old geezer, I’m probably responsible for an unfair share of that cost.

Of course, we also get much better medical care today than we did in the 1960s, with far more money having been invested in improving our coverage than ever before.

Every day, it seems, we have stories of researchers finding new cures, or at least new improvements for old cures.

Despite all the bad news about medical coverage, we are living longer, and healthier, than we ever have. I probably wouldn’t be here under the medical care offered a couple of decades ago.

So, the medical system is a mixed bag.

It could, of course, be better, but many of us are getting better treatment than ever before.

This week's Maitland Valley Camera Club Photo of the Week comes from Wroxeter­area­based photographer Liz Allan, who frequently welcomes blue jays to her property, courtesy of cobs of corn set up for them to eat. Here, one leaves satisfied, while another arrives in search of a snack.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

A time for learning

I

n the weeks following Tallulah’s arrival into the world - as I’ve written about before - I had a lot of time on my hands.

Jess, of course, was busy feeding her, putting her down for naps and more and there was only so much help I could offer. So, during that time, I engaged in the time-honoured pastime of aimlessly staring at my television.

I caught up on movies I’d always wanted to watch and, as a new father, I was always surprised at how often I’d get choked up or find wisdom in something I was watching when the subject matter would lean the way of fatherhood. There are three that stick out.

First, there’s Lost in Translation. Bob Harris (played by Bill Murray) says to the muchyounger Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) of fatherhood: “It’s the most terrifying day of your life, the day the first one is born. Your life, as you know it, is gone. Never to return.

But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk, and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you’ll ever meet in your life.”

Don Draper of Mad Men had this to say as a father who had endured a trying childhood: “I don’t think I ever wanted to be the man who loves children. But, from the moment they’re born, that baby comes out and you act proud and excited and hand out cigars, but you don’t feel anything. Especially if you had a difficult childhood. You want to love them, but you don’t. And the fact that you’re faking that feeling makes you wonder if your own father had the same problem.

“Then, one day they get older and you see them do something and you feel that feeling that you were pretending to have. And it feels like your heart is going to explode.”

For something a little more to-the-point, we go to Furious Styles of Boyz n the Hood (a secretly great father-and-son movie), played

by Laurence Fishburne, who tells his son Tre that “any fool with a [penis] can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children.”

I tried to take an instinctive approach to being a father, just doing what felt right. I did read a book on becoming a father (Tallulah came two weeks early, so I blame her for whatever I missed in the last quarter of the book), but I mostly followed my gut. Through that, I learned that it’s hard to be a good father and it’s easy to see why many men fail.

There have been times of frustration, of course, but I think Jess and I have done our best to root all of our parenting decisions in love. Through love and care for Tallulah, we took actions to raise her always with the goal of ensuring she knew that we loved her.

A lot of these thoughts came flowing back last week as we had our second child, a little boy named Cooper Stephen Loughlin - his middle name a nod to Jess’s dad who now shares a birthday with his (middle)-namesake.

A new challenge, a new adventure, a new chapter of life at the Loughlin home. And with a boy (after two-and-a-half years of parenting experience with a girl), come new discussions.

How do we parent Cooper and ensure that Tallulah feels all the love and support she had from us when it was just us three? How do we teach our kids to stick together and remain a unit through thick and thin? How do we make sure Cooper doesn’t pee all over us time after time? All questions to be answered in time.

It feels like a wholly singular journey that millions and millions of people have also taken. Strange and familiar all at once.

The next chapter of life for our family starts now. It’s exciting, scary and incomprehensibly joyful all mixed together.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

At the Branch

The Lucky Charms entertain about 80 at dance must be seated by 6:45 p.m. for the program to begin at 7 p.m.

Mark March 18 on your calendar for the murder mystery night at the Branch, provided by the Brussels Leo Club. The night

will include a roast beef dinner and of course there is a mystery to solve.

Contact Zoellyn Onn, Murray’s Barber Shop or the Brussels Legion for tickets to the Leo Club’s event.

World Day of Prayer now set for March 3 A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

A perfect Valentine’s Day The Lucky Charms, based in Blyth, were the main source of entertainment on Saturday night as the Brussels Legion held a Valentine’s Day dance. About 80 people made their way to the Branch for the entertainment and fellowship. (John Stephenson photo)

By Jo-Ann McDonald The Brussels Legion Branch hall looked beautiful and very suited for Valentine’s Day for the very successful and fun Valentine Dance, held on Saturday evening. A great crowd gathered, almost 80, to enjoy the great music provided by the “Lucky Charms”. Great job by the entertainment committee; spot dances, door prizes and lots of fun for all.

The Thursday night darts had 14 darters taking aim at the boards.

Winners were: first, Rhonda Davis and Steve Hall; second, Jim and Sandra Brown; high shots, Eric

Ross, 140 and Pete Gray, 113.

The Catch the Ace draw was conducted by group three, Jamie, Jo-Ann and Andy. The lucky weekly winners were Paul and Julie Clarke and they won $204. The envelope they chose was number 11 and the four of spades was revealed, so the jackpot will continue to grow. The estimated amount for week 17 is $7,000. Get your tickets at the Brussels Variety, Brussels Pharmacy, McDonald Lumber and at the Branch. The more tickets sold, the higher the jackpot grows!

There were four Comrades attending a senior dart competition

held in Lucknow on Saturday. Jim and Sandra Brown and Eric Ross and Kathy Burkholder had a good day representing the Branch, but will not advance. They played as a team, Eric and Sandra in Doubles, and Eric in Singles. It was a good day and they had fun.

Don’t forget the public speaking night on Wednesday, Feb 22. Come out and hear the talented youth of our area recite their speeches they have worked hard on preparing. It takes courage to stand up and speak in front of a crowd. Come out and show your support for their efforts.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and you

News from the Gentlemen’s Club with the Kansas Farmer Special correspondent to The Citizen as curated by Paul Nichol

D

ear Readers: This column will introduce a regular bulletin of TKF entitled “News of the World”. As you might expect, I am something of a news hound.

Now, most days I have a microscopic focus on Brussels and its environs. But from time to time, I believe there are global events that really hit home for us in our little backwater. So here we go: All the world news that is fit to print.

News Flash Kathy Nichol recently celebrated her 29th birthday. Her adoring husband brought home a helium balloon with congratulatory remarks that immediately got swept away by the wind. It floated over Washington D.C. where it was immediately shot down by the Pentagon and the spy cameras removed.

*** The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a study that contradicted earlier reports that red wine was good for you.

Marguerite Thomas immediately retorted that it was false research undertaken without proper attention to standard health care methodology.

She also added that if all that time drinking wine was wasted, it was time well wasted. (Note: I might add that the so-called research was sponsored by the International Old Ladies Temperance League.) *** Someone has knocked out the power grid for up to three-quarters of the Ukraine population. The Russians deny it. So has KW Power Logic. They maintain it has nothing to do with them looking for new markets for their solar generators.

*** Renowned American composer Burt Bacharach has passed away at the ripe old age of 94. Apparently when approaching the Pearly Gates, St. Peter informed him that they were all full up right now and asked, could he wait around? Bacharach was quoted as saying “Alright then.

Do You Know The Way to San Jose?” *** In a shocking moment, Toronto Mayor John Tory has resigned. He has confessed to having an affair with a woman half his age. Local political pundit Rick Demaray offered an explanation. “If I could have an affair with a woman half my age, I would tell the rest of the world to bugger off too!”

Truthfully Yours TKF.

I hope you have/had a good Valentine’s Day. That being said, as I write this on Tuesday, it’s in my top 10 days of each year. Brother Clif and I were born on that day several years ago. Our parents knew how to keep fights to a minimum and so a square cake and a round cake were made. Clif and I got to choose which one was our cake.

The round cake was cut in half and iced to the square one, making one heart shaped cake. I’m sure we probably bickered over which cake was ours but it’s a good memory.

When the words Kids’ Korner are spoken, a smile comes to the faces of many. For over 40 years, the churches in Brussels offered volunteers and money each summer to help children in our community learn about God. Looking outside our community, they learned about the joys and challenges in other places. Over those many years, the children and volunteers supported places and people that were not as blessed as we are. Games, songs and stories helped the children see the many ways we could be the hands and feet of God. Now, Kids’ Korner is part of our history. It was time to rethink the gifts and needs of this loved time. The bank account has been transferred to Brussels Ministerial to further their good work. So, remember the good times with the many kids and smile.

As we lament the many dire situations in the world, we need to

stop and hear of miracles. The aftereffects of the earthquake that hit Turkey eight days ago are hard to fathom. Thousands have died and then we hear that after being buried for 200 hours, three people were dug from the rubble. Hope is what keeps the world going.

It’s World Day of Prayer season.

Around the world, the first Friday of March is set as a special time to listen and learn about other countries. It’s a day to hear facts , history and joys offered by rotating countries of our globe. The women of Taiwan have prepared this year’s service and we are invited to the Mennonite Church at 2 p.m. on March 3. Come and learn about the long history of World Day of Prayer.

Enjoy Family Day weekend. If all goes well, this house will celebrate a postponed Christmas. Weather and work schedules considered, it may happen on Saturday.

Look after yourself.

Bye now, Betty G.W.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Paul and Julie Clarke, $204 Envelope #11 found the 4 of Spades Estimated jackpot for February 17 is $7,000

Brussels Royal Canadia an Legion Branch 218

Public Speaking p C Contest t t Wednesday, February 22 6:30 pm - Doors open for registration 7:00 pm - Speeches begin Open to all school-aged children Public Welcome Questions regarding public speeches call Brussels Legion 519-887-6562 Monday to Friday after 4:00 pm

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 7.

NH begins museum decommissioning process

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

At North Huron Council’s Feb. 6 meeting, Councillor Mitch Wright addressed the budget for the decommissioning of the Howson Dam after noticing minutes from the previous meeting suggested the project would be funded entirely through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and reserves. This came despite the fact that the budget has not yet been approved. The clarification was noted. *** Also that night, Reeve Paul Heffer presented Josh Machan with

a Certified Certification.

Road

Supervisor

*** The Wingham Trailer Park Property was next on the docket, as council discussed supplementary environmental work that needs to be completed before the property’s upcoming sale. A maximum of $15,000 from the Economic Development Reserve Funds was recommended by CAO Dwayne Evans to be used to complete this work. *** Moving on, council lauded a recent profit of $14,475 garnered through the harvest of a woodlot in Wingham’s Hutton Heights

subdivision. It was suggested that the money be moved into a reserve account for future development of Hutton Heights. *** The upcoming deaccessioning of North Huron Museum was the next subject up for discussion. Unspent reserve funds from the 2022 budget in the amount of $70,000 were recommended for use in the project.

Deaccessioned museum pieces will be sent to other museums, or, if on loan, returned to their original owner. *** The design of a new mural to be installed in Wingham received high praise from council. The public art

piece is part of the 2022 Huron County Mural Project. *** The Barn Dance Historical Society received news that the final edition of their annual Jamboree

event will be able to go ahead as planned in May. *** The next regular meeting of North Huron Council will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Legion to host Family Day meal From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

There are quite a few birthdays this week, starting with my own on Feb. 18; Christine Hoba, Clinton and Vaughn Toll, Feb. 19; Bruce Siertsema, Agnes Wharton, Tom Hallahan, Bryce Toll and Scott Armstrong will all celebrate Feb. 21 and Sharon Jackson, Robbie Lawrie, Bayfield, Joan Caldwell and Shirley Giilck, Kitchener will celebrate Feb. 22. Hope everyone has a very special day. Happy birthday.

Hope everyone had a very good Valentine’s Day with their valentine. The day was shaping up to be more like spring rather than winter with temperatures between 5-10°C. There will be no Monday Morning Smile at Trinity Anglican Church on Feb. 20 as it is Family

Day, so instead of going to Monday Morning Smile, come out and support our local Legion at their breakfast from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

It’s a great way to start a holiday Monday.

Have a safe week and enjoy all the festivities that have been planned for this coming week.

Give someone a call to let them know you are thinking of them.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

Even Steven The U11 C Huron Heat played the St. Thomas Panthers in playoff action on Saturday afternoon at the Blyth and District Community Centre, but neither team could pull ahead, ending the game in a 1-1 tie. They would go on to win their next game in Stratford over the Aces by a score of 5-1 and this weekend the Heat will be in Brampton for the 26th annual Friendship Festival, with games lined up against the Cold Creek Comets, the Stratford Aces and the Upper Maitland Mustangs. (John Stephenson photo)

Huron County library awarded The Huron County Library is honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Minister’s Award for Innovation in recognition of the “In Your Backyard” program.

Presented to library staff at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference on Feb. 2 in Toronto, this Ontario Public Library Service Award recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact to the community and are of continued value to public libraries.

In the spring of 2022, library staff hosted “In Your Backyard”, a virtual local travel series that highlighted several hidden gems found across Huron County.

Inspired by Ontario West Coast’s tourism program, which ran during the pandemic, staff worked with local municipalities to invite participants to learn more about the

communities and businesses found right in their backyard. Building on the popularity of the program, the library partnered with the County of Huron’s Economic Development Department to offer an exciting summer giveaway that further encouraged people to get out and explore these hidden gems for a chance to win a Huron County weekend get-away. Locations represented each municipality in the county and were chosen to ensure they were accessible and free for everyone to enjoy.

“I am so proud “In Your Backyard” was recognized for its efforts to collaborate with our local communities to highlight all of the incredible things available so close to home,” said County Librarian and Director of Cultural Services, Beth Rumble.

“The program provided the

opportunity for the library to support our communities and businesses who were in a state of rebuilding after the pandemic, and to give people the chance to safely get out and explore Huron’s hidden gems.”

While the program ended in September of 2022, Huron’s hidden gems are still available to explore.

For more information, visit https://www.huroncountylibrary.ca/ in-your-backyard-summergiveaway/ During the conference awards ceremony, the Huron County Library was also presented with a certificate for reaccreditation as an Accredited Ontario Public Library.

This designation was granted by the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council in recognition of excellence in library service.

The Blyth Repository of History is looking for volunteers to help us write Blyth’s next chapter!

We need researchers, writers, editors, designers and proofreaders to help put together the History of Blyth 1977 ~ 2027

INFORMATION NIGHT Thursday, February 23 7 p.m.

Bainton Gallery Blyth Memorial Hall For more information call 519-523-4792 deb@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Sports U15 C Heat undefeated in first four playoff games

Pulling even The U11 C Huron Heat continued their playoff journey on Saturday at the Blyth and District Community Centre when they welcomed the St. Thomas Panthers to the village.

Neither team, however, could pull ahead of the other and the playoff game ended in a 1-1 tie. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 1 game with the St. Thomas Panthers in a scoreless tie on Feb. 10 and then again with the Panthers on Feb. 11 in Blyth, ending the game in a 1-1 tie.

They are next in action against the Central Perth Predators on Feb. 23 on the road, followed by a game with the Woodstock Wildcats on Feb. 25. They then play a homeand-home series with the Wallaceburg Lakers on Feb. 26 in Clinton and on March 11 in Wallaceburg.

The U11 HL team lost their first

playoff game against the Woodstock Wildcats Black team on the road on Feb. 5 by a score of 40. Their playoff game with the Ilderton Jets on Feb. 11 ended in a scoreless tie, followed by a 2-0 loss to the Woodstock Wildcats in Goderich on Feb. 12.

They are back in action on Feb. 17 against the St. Thomas Panthers in Blyth, followed by another game in Blyth the next night, this time against the North Middlesex Junior Stars.

They play the Sarnia Lady Sting in Seaforth on Feb. 25, followed by

a game with the Mooretown Lady Flags on March 5 and a March 12 game with the B.A.D. Blazers, also on the road.

In non-playoff action, the U11 C Heat beat the Stratford Aces on Feb. 13 by a score of 5-1.

On Feb. 12, the U15 BB Heat beat the Owen Sound Ice Hawks by a score of 1-0 and the U18 BB Heat beat the Sarnia Lady Sting on the road by a score of 6-1.

The U15 C Heat were in a playdown with the Lucknow/Wingham 86ers that day in Lucknow, but a score was

unavailable at press time. The Senior team was in Hensall to play Milverton, but a score was unavailable at press time, while the U9 B team played the London Devilettes on the road and a score wasn’t kept for that game.

On Feb. 11, the U18 BB Heat beat the St. Thomas Panthers in Clinton by a score of 2-1, the U11 B Heat beat the Southpoint Stars by a score of 7-1 and the U9 HL White team lost to the St. Marys Rock by a score of 2-1.

The U9 B team played the Kitchener Lady Rangers and the Wilmot Wolverines that day, but scores were not kept for those games. The U18 C Heat took on the Lucknow/Wingham 86ers in a playdown that afternoon, but a score was unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 8, the U9 HL Black team took on the South Huron Sabres on the road, but a score wasn’t kept.

The U15 C Heat took on the Upper Maitland Mustangs in Seaforth on Feb. 7, but lost by a score of 2-0, while the U9 HL Black and White teams played each other in Seaforth, with the White team coming out on top of a 4-3 score.

The U18 BB Heat played the South Huron Sabres on the road on Feb. 14, but a score was unavailable at press time.

Looking ahead, the U11 C Heat will be in Brampton for the 26th annual Friendship Festival, first playing the Cold Creek Comets on Feb. 17 and then the Stratford Aces.

Also that day, the U18 BB Heat

will be in a playdown contest with the Stratford Aces in Seaforth.

On Feb. 18, the U9 HL White team will play the St. Marys Rock in Seaforth and the U11 B Heat will play the Southpoint Stars in Seaforth.

The U11 C Heat are back in tournament action that day with a game against the Upper Maitland Mustangs, while the U15 BB Heat will play the Sabres in South Huron and the U18 BB Heat will play the South Huron Sabres in Clinton.

On Sunday, Feb. 19, the U15 BB Heat will have a playdown game in Clinton with the South Huron Sabres and the Senior team will play Monkton in Hensall.

The U11 B and U15 C Heat teams will have playdown games on the road against the St. Marys Rock and Milverton, respectively, while the U18 BB Heat will play the Lambton Attack on the road.

On Feb. 20, the U15 C Heat will have a playdown contest with the Upper Maitland Mustangs on the road.

On Feb. 21, the U9 B Heat will play the South Huron Sabres in Seaforth and the U15 BB team will have a playdown game with the South Huron Sabres on the road and the U13 C will have an Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) playdown game with the South Huron Sabres on the road that night.

On Feb. 23, the U18 C Heat will have a playdown against the South Huron Sabres in Stephen Township.

FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM – APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual 2023 Central Huron Façade Grant Program. The Program includes Façade improvements for properties in Central Huron that are assessed as Commercial. The Municipality has set aside funds to help assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of the building Façade or signage. The goal of the program is to enhance the appearance of commercial businesses and by doing so refresh the sense of pride within the community. Please note that the Municipality reserves the right to fund projects as deemed appropriate.

How to Apply: Program details and Application Forms are available at www.centralhuron.ca.

Applications must be received to the undersigned by

February 28, 2023 by 4:30pm:

Pickpocketed The U13 C Huron Heat took on the North Middlesex Junior Stars in a playoff game on Sunday morning at the Central Huron Community Complex. Unfortunately for the home team, they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 score. (John Stephenson photo)

“Central Huron Façade Grant Program” Attention: Nicole Lowe, Records Clerk Municipality of Central Huron 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 Tel: 519 482 3997 Fax: 519 482 9183 info@centralhuron.com If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Nicole Lowe at 519-482-3997 Ext. 1230.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 9.

Sports U21 Crusaders continue playoffs against Hanover by a 3-2 tournament win over the Walkerton Capitals. They would go on to play Glencoe later that night to close out the tournament, but a score was unavailable at press time.

The U15 Local League Crusaders played in Palmerston for the Mad Dog Hockey Tournament, losing their first game of the day against Centre Wellington by a score of 43. They lost again later that day to the Mount Forest Rams by a score of 1-0.

The U9 team played the Central Perth Predators on the road that day, but a score was not kept for that game. The U21 Crusaders played a playoff game on the road against the Hanover Falcons, which they lost by a score of 6-2. The U13 Rep team lost their playoff game that day to the Wingham Ironmen by a score of 3-1.

On Feb. 10, the U18 Local

League Crusaders lost to the Wingham Ironmen in regular season action on the road by a score of 3-2.

The previous night, the U11 Rep team lost its playoff game against the Mid-Huron Huskies on the road in overtime by a score of 6-5, while the U18 Rep team won its playoff game over the Hanover Falcons by a score of 4-0.

On Feb. 8, the U13 Local League Crusaders beat the Mid-Huron Huskies in Blyth by a score of 3-2, while the U13 Rep team lost its playoff game with the Minto Mad Dogs in Blyth by a score of 4-2.

On Feb. 7, the U13 Local League team won its regular season game over the Wingham Ironmen in Brussels by a score of 8-2, while on Feb. 6, the U18 Local League Crusaders lost to the Arthur Vipers on the road by a score of 6-2.

Garland to speak PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

Battle up front The Blyth Brussels U11 Rep Crusaders were in playoff action on Sunday in Blyth against the AEMHA Ice Dogs, marking one of the organization’s first playoff games this season.

Unfortunately for the locals, the Ice Dogs came out on top of the contest by a score of 3-2. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Playoffs continue for a number of Blyth Brussels Crusaders teams this weekend as the 2022/2023 season winds down.

On Friday night, the U15 Rep Crusaders will be in Mitchell for a playoff game with the Meteors, while the U21 Crusaders will have their own home playoff game against the Hanover Falcons in Brussels.

On Saturday, the U7 Black team will play the Hornets in Howick and the U6 team will host the Wallace Sabres in Blyth. The U11 Local League Burgundy team will head to Wingham for a playoff game with the Ironmen, the U7

Burgundy team will play the MidHuron Huskies in Blyth and the U9 team will play the Goderich Sailors Black T2 team in Brussels.

The U8 Black and Burgundy teams will play Mitchell Meteors teams on the road and the U13 Local League Crusaders will take on the Mid-Huron Huskies in Brussels to continue their playoff journey.

That evening, three teams will be on the road for playoff games. The U15 Local League team will play the Mid-Huron Huskies in Hensall, while the U11 Local League Black team will play the Meteors in Mitchell and the U21 team will play the Lakers in Shallow Lake.

On Sunday, the U21 Crusaders will play the Capitals in Walkerton

An annual tradition The Blyth Brussels Crusaders hosted their annual U6 and U7 Jamborees on Saturday in both Blyth and Brussels, welcoming five U6 teams and seven U7 teams to the communities for play. (John Stephenson photo)

in another playoff game, while the U11 Local League Black team will welcome the Listowel Cyclones to Blyth for a playoff game.

Blyth Brussels teams will play a trio of playoff games on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The U13 Rep Crusaders will play the Minto Mad Dogs in Palmerston, while the U15 Rep team and the U18 Rep teams will host the Walkerton Capitals and the Hanover Falcons, respectively, for playoff games at the Brussels arena.

The U13 Local League team will play the Walkerton Capitals in playoff action in Blyth on Feb. 22 and the U18 Local League Crusaders will welcome the Mitchell Meteors to Brussels for a playoff game that night as well.

On Feb. 23, the U15 Rep team will be in playoff action against the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Ripley, while the U15 Local League team will continue its playoff journey in Wingham with a game against the Ironmen.

On Friday, Feb. 24, the U11 Local League Crusaders will play the Zurich Thunder in playoff action, while the U11 Rep team will play the Wingham Ironmen, both in Brussels.

That night, the U18 Local League Crusaders will play the Vipers in Arthur for the playoffs.

Looking back, the U8 Black and Burgundy teams played HuronBruce teams in Blyth on Feb. 12, but scores were not kept for those games.

That evening, the U11 Local League Burgundy team lost its playoff game against the MidHuron Huskies in Blyth by a score of 6-2, while the U11 Rep team also fell in its playoff contest against the AEMHA Ice Dogs by a score of 32, also in Blyth.

On Feb. 11, the U18 Local League team won its U18LL Tournament game against HuronBruce by a score of 5-3, followed

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Jim Hess was the guest speaker on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Knox United Church, Belgrave.

After welcoming the congregation the Christ candle was lit. The call to worship was read in unison Psalm 1 36: 1-3. The scripture lesson was from Psalm 8 and Luke 12: 22-31. The reflection was entitled “Sayings of Jesus”.

Elwin Garland will be the guest speaker on Sunday, Feb. 19.

Everyone is welcome.

After a rainy day last Thursday and snow again on Friday, the students managed to get another day off school due to inclement weather. Then we received six days of sunshine from Mother Nature.

What a welcoming change.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed

Make it a FAMILY DAY to remember Feb. 20 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Fall Reserve Conservation Area n $15 per vehicle n Hike the trails n Hot chocolate & coffee

compliments of Tim Horton’s Highway 8, Goderich n Camp ire n Free snowshoe rentals n Information at mvca.on.ca or

call 519-524-6429

Valentine’s Day and the beautiful sunshine. The daylight hours are getting longer. February is half over and it won’t be long now until Spring. I noticed on Tuesday that some of our snowdrop flowers are out in bloom due to some of the milder days.

Enjoy your Family Day weekend.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Sports Weekend losses keep Ironmen in fourth place

Popping the water bottle There was plenty to celebrate at the beginning of the month, as the Wingham Ironmen were on a winning streak that included back-to-back wins over the division-leading Mount Forest Patriots, thanks to the help of the dramatic goal scored over the Patriots above, but last weekend the Ironmen lost both of their games, limiting any potential progress in the standings as the season winds down. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After a successful week with two wins over the division-leading Mount Forest Patriots, the Wingham Ironmen fell in both of their weekend contests, scoring just one goal over both games.

On Friday night, the Ironmen fell to the Hanover Barons by a score of 6-1, followed by a Saturday night loss to the Mitchell Hawks by a score of 3-0. Both games were played on the road.

On Saturday night, there was no scoring in the first period, but in the second period, the Hawks scored two goals in less than 20 seconds to put the Ironmen on the back foot.

Zach Schooley scored his first of the season at the 11:03 mark of the second period, assisted by Tyson Hall and Carter Musselman, followed by Caleb Musselman scoring his seventh goal of the season at 11:21 of the period. He was assisted by Dawson Diet and Jared LeSouder.

The Hawks would cap their win with a third goal in the final period of the game. Jonathan Tenhag scored his fifth goal of the season at 8:10 of the third period, assisted by Charlie Rankin and Nolan Gagnier.

Evan Knight was in goal for the Ironmen, taking the loss and stopping 19 of the 22 shots he faced. Bradley Boville earned the shutout for the Hawks, stopping all 42 shots he faced.

Boville was the first star of the game for stopping a whopping 42 shots, followed by second star Jonathan Tenhag and Callan Ferguson, both of Mitchell, the third star.

The Ironmen were plagued by penalty calls, earning 62 penalty

minutes, compared to the Hawks’ 16 minutes.

Wingham’s Kyle Stanbury was called for goaltender interference at the 20-second mark of the first period. Mitchell’s Zachary McCann was called for tripping at 13:06 of the second period and Wingham’s Matt Tolton was called for crosschecking at 14:26 of the second.

In the third period, Tolton was called for interference at the 1:16 mark of the period. Dawson Dietz served a bench penalty for the Hawks at 10:31 for too many men on the ice.

Tolton was again in penalty trouble when he received a roughing penalty at 11:09 of the third and a 10-minute inciting an opponent major penalty that earned him an exit from the game.

Wingham’s Turner Mckenzie followed suit, being called for roughing, a four-minute penalty, at 13:43 of the period, and a 10minute major penalty and ejection for inciting an opponent.

Kyle Stanbury of the Ironmen, at the same time, also earned a 10minute miscellaneous penalty and ejection.

Caleb Musselman of the Hawks was called for roughing at 13:43 of the third period, followed by ejections for Wingham’s Austin Becker (miscellaneous), Nigel Kreager (cross-checking) and Josh Pham (head contact) and Mitchell’s Callum McCann (miscellaneous).

On Friday night, it was another penalty-filled affair for the Ironmen against the Hanover Barons, though this time it seemed neither team could stay out of the box.

Curtis Arnold opened the scoring for the Barons, netting his 22nd goal of the season at 1:20 of the first period, assisted by Carter

Moran. Hanover would score the next goal as well, Joey Stimac’s 12th of the season, at 6:58 of the first period, assisted by Ryan Goetz and Ryan Colquhoun.

Josh Pham would claw back for Wingham with a shorthanded goal at 11:52 of the first period, but after that it was all Hanover.

Ryan Colquhoun closed out the first period with his ninth goal of the season at 18:51, assisted by Curtis Arnold and Carter Moran.

Ryan Goetz of the Barons scored the only goal of the second period, at the 5:41 mark, assisted by Ryan Colquhoun and Chris Ferri on the power play.

Curtis Arnold then completed his hat trick, scoring his 23rd of the season just 42 seconds into the third period, a shorthanded goal assisted

by Ryan Goetz and Payton McIsaac, followed by his 24th goal of the season at 15:42 of the third, assisted by Carter Moran.

Garrett Golley suffered the loss in the Wingham net, stopping 34 of the 40 shots he faced. Riley McCabe won the game for the Barons, stopping 26 of 27 shots.

The Ironmen were issued 52 minutes in penalties, compared to 45 minutes for the Barons.

Wingham’s Matt Tolton was called for slashing at the 11:42 mark of the first period, followed by a cross-checking call against Hanover’s Curtis Arnold at 11:52 and a four-minute head contact penalty called against Wingham’s Kyle Stanbury at 14:41, the same time Hanover’s Riley McCabe was called for roughing. His penalty was served by Aiden Stanley.

Curtis Arnold of the Barons was called for cross-checking again at 15:58 of the first period, followed by another roughing penalty called

against Riley McCabe, served again

by Aiden Stanley, a facemasking call against Hanover’s Dylan Richardson and goaltender interference called against Wingham’s Turner Mckenzie, all called as the period expired.

To start the second period, Micah Kraayenbrink of the Ironmen was called for tripping at 4:24 of the period, followed by Hanover’s Payton McIsaac being called for tripping at 4:51 and Wingham’s Tayt Bramhill being called for hooking at 5:25.

Hanover’s Payton McIsaac and Wingham’s Dawson Fahrer exchanged cross-checking calls at 10:13 and 12:36 of the period, respectively, followed by a goaltender interference call against Hanover’s Dylan Richardson at 12:36 of the second period.

At 13:01, Wingham Matt Tolton would be the subject of the game’s first ejection - a sign of things to come. He was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and booted from the game.

At 19:20 of the second, Wingham’s Josh Pham was called for boarding and Coleson Fischer, also of the Ironmen, was called for tripping at 19:38 of the second.

Hanover’s Chris Ferri was called for hooking at 11:17 of the third period, followed by a five-minute major penalty for goaltender interference called against Curtis Arnold of the Barons, which was served by Carter Moran.

At 16:44 of the third, Wingham’s Nigel Kreager and Turner Mckenzie

were both ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, as were Hanover’s Cohen McIsaac and Payton McIsaac. Mckenzie was also called for cross-checking during the incident.

Hanover’s Cam Angst closed out the game with a cross-checking penalty called as the final horn sounded.

The Mount Forest Patriots remain in first place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League with 57 points and a record of 28-8-0-1. The Hanover Barons are in second with a record of 23-9-2-2 and 50 points, followed by the Mitchell Hawks in third place with a record of 22-10-2-2 and the Ironmen in fourth with 45 points and a record of 21-13-2-1.

The Kincardine Bulldogs are in fifth place with a record of 17-14-31 and 38 points, followed by the sixth-place Walkerton Capitals with 12 points and a record of 5-27-1-1 and the last-place Goderich Flyers with 11 points and a record of 5-291-0.

The Ironmen now play the Kincardine Bulldogs on Friday, Feb. 17 at home in Wingham, followed by a Family Day matinee against the Mitchell Hawks in Wingham at 12:30 p.m., a make-up game from earlier this month.

They are then on the road to play the Walkerton Capitals on Feb. 24 and the Goderich Flyers on Feb. 25.

They close out the regular season in Goderich on March 4 for a game with the Flyers.

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PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4792

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 11.

Blyth Lions Club

2023

Proud supporter of our Scouts & Guides

February 19-25, 2023

Brussels Legion 218

Londesboro & District Lions Club Blyth Legion

First Blyth Cub Group: Back row from left; Peter Nonkes, Emma, Charlotte, Ryan, Dominic, Adam Wilts, Jack.

Front row: Sean, Rosalena, Ava, Alcacia, Charlie, Anna, Bennett. Absent: Erica Clark, Kolbi, Lauren, Liam.

Branch 420

Brussels Leo Club

1st Blyth Troup: Back row from left; Lavern Clark, Nathan, Allan Storey, David. Front row: Carlie, Joseph, Cameron, Austin. Absent: Gerald Hakkers, Jessie Hakkers, Peyton, Wyatt. sparlings.com

Propane. Appliances. Guaranteed Service.

1st Brussels Guide Group: Pictured back row, from left, Guider Kelsey Rathwell, Guide Lenyx Campbell, Guider Mady Deitner.

Middle row, Guider Crystal Blake, Embers: Abbey Wakenell, Korlee Campbell.

Front row: Sparks: Madelyn Irvine, Riley Irvine, Isla Mckinnon, Kendry Noble.

Howson & Howson Ltd. Flour Mill Blyth 519-523-4241

. $ ( . )( ) . . '-. . "& ! %. . . .

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Friend of Youth

Optimist Club of Brussels

Brussels Lions Club

Brussels Proud supporter of our Scouts and Guides

Brussels 519-887-9740

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Women’s Hockey Day returns to Lucknow

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

It was a terrific day for hockey at the Lucknow and District Sports Complex on Saturday, Feb. 11 as local and surrounding communities came together to support the 10th edition (or 12th anniversary) of Women’s Hockey Day in Lucknow. The event, traditionally held on an annual basis, marked the return of on-ice action after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the host, Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) Senior B team - the Lucknow Legends, to put the event on ice for 2021 and 2022.

“I’m happy to see so many people out [supporting Women’s Hockey Day],” said Lucknow Legends player, and event volunteer, Laura Jakobsen. “I think it definitely helps that some of the teams are more local because then grandparents or aunts and uncles can come and watch.” The list of teams competing for glory in Lucknow on the weekend included squads representing Perth, Huron, Bruce, Middlesex and Simcoe Counties.

“Women’s Hockey Day was created to encourage younger girls to keep playing hockey for as long as possible and to let them know there is an opportunity to keep playing after minor hockey,” said Jakobsen.

Offering praise to an event sponsor, Jakobsen continued, “We’ve been fortunate to recently partner with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. They run a program called MilkUP! and provide ‘Player of the Game’ prizes and chocolate milk to

Legends in the making Spectators came out to support local hockey at the Lucknow and District Sports Complex on Saturday, Feb. 11 for the 10th edition (or 12th anniversary) of hand out to all the teams.”

The bustling turnout of community support for this year’s Women’s Hockey Day, combined

Women’s Hockey Day in Lucknow. Players enjoyed complimentary chocolate milk provided by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario program MilkUP! (Scott Stephenson photos)

with the jam-packed lineup of games suggests the future of women’s hockey in the Lucknow area is brighter than the unseasonably warm February sun shining down on the arena that day.

Adam Scammell, Town Contact (Girls) for Huron-Bruce Minor Hockey Association, said the event was a great success. “It’s a pretty big day. We always promote women’s hockey and want to see it grow. There’s a lot of interest in the surrounding community.”

Shop Local includes Local Advertising

Tough day between the pipes The U18 Huron Heat suffered a 6-1 loss to the LucknowWingham 86ers on Saturday. (Scott Stephenson photo)

When you buy an ad from us, you are supporting local. Our entire staff - editor, publisher, reporter, sales rep. production coordinator, designer, photographer, columnists, correspondents, freelancers, proofreaders and mail crew all live and spend right here in Huron County.

Mark Zuckerberg and Google probably won’t send a photographer to your event or a reporter to interview the chair of your service club or attend five municipal councils on your behalf.

We have 2000 newspapers that go out every week that are each read by an average of four people. These readers shop locally, so this is a win-win-win scenario.

Jam session The Lucky Charms entertained the masses at the Brussels Legion’s Valentine’s Day dance on Saturday night. (John Stephenson photo)

Support your community newspaper so that it can support you!

PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

The Citizen

519-523-4792 huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

Brussels Livestock report

Lambs, sheep, goats sell at higher prices at sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Feb. 10 were 1,230 cattle and 468 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively at prices $1 to $2 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $193 to $201.75 with sales to $214. Second-cut cattle sold $185 to $192. Cows sold steady to last week.

On Thursday, veal sold actively at steady prices. Lambs sold steady to higher. Sheep and goats both sold higher.

On Friday, calves and yearlings sold on a strong active market at steady prices.

K/C McAlpine Farms of Ailsa Craig, consigned five head. Two red heifers averaged 1,420 lbs. and sold for an average price of $201.75.

There were 250 cows on offer.

Beef sold $100 to $134 with sales to $144; good holstein cows, $98 to $124; medium holstein cows, $80 to $95.

Bulls sold $117 to $152.

There were 140 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $200 to $227; good holsteins, $215 to $227; SL heavy holsteins, $205 to $227; heavy holsteins, $180 to $222; medium holsteins, $180 to $204; plain holsteins, $170 to $179.

RG Harris Farms Ltd. of Ripley, consigned three head. One holstein steer weighed 750 lbs. and sold for a price of $227.

RG & G Farms Ltd. of Kincardine, consigned three head.

One holstein steer weighed 780 lbs. and sold for a price of $227.

Lambs 50 - 64 lbs. sold $329 to $330; 65 - 79 lbs., $303.50 to $322.50; 80 - 94 lbs., $284.75 to $317.50; 95 - 109 lbs., $225 to $237; 110 lbs. and over, $186.50 to $205.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies sold $100 to $200; kids: meat, $350 to $500; dairy, $275 to $400.

Darrin Durrand of Hensall,

consigned 16 head. Five kid goats averaged 51 lbs. and sold for an average price of $490.

David Miller of Auburn, consigned nine head. Two lambs averaged 78 lbs. and sold for an average price of $322.50.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $313.25 to $317; 400 - 499 lbs., $316 to $363; 500 - 599 lbs., $328 to $346; 600 - 699 lbs., $265 to $308; 700 - 799 lbs., $243.50 to $270; 800 - 899 lbs., $250 to $264.75; 900 - 999 lbs., $256 to $262; 1,000 lbs. and over, $251 to $262.50.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $242 to $265; 500 599 lbs., $241 to $291; 600 - 699 lbs., $237 to $249; 700 - 799 lbs., $226 to $248; 800 - 899 lbs., $232 to $246; 900 lbs. and over, $221 to $236.25.

Glen Martin of Wallenstein, consigned 67 head.

Eight simmental heifers averaged 856 lbs. and sold for an

average price of $246 at the sale.

Jim Taylor of Burford, consigned 13 head. Three limousin heifers averaged 750 lbs. and sold for an average price of $248.

Ron Schreinhart of Walkerton, consigned 11 head. Five simmental

Festival seeks stories The Huron County Library is excited to announce the return of the Short Story Contest is provided by partnership between the Huron County Library and the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story.

Submissions will be accepted until March 15 and winners will be announced June 2-4 at the festival.

The Alice Munro Festival celebrates one of Canada’s best storytellers, and the only Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. While the festival will host established authors on the weekend of June 2-4, the Short

Columnist applauds arena letter writers

Well, politics is on my mind this week, which is not something I usually comment on in a village news column.

Firstly, after all the fuss over the presidential paperwork discovered in Florida at the estate of Donald Trump, don’t you think Joe Biden would have been cleaning his house and garage before someone came to check? But, no. Papers that should never have been taken home, so to speak, were found in his home also.

And these people are in charge of one of, if not the most, powerful countries in the world.

There is a country music song title, “Mothers, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys’.

A new song title may hit the charts, “Wives, Don’t Let Your Husbands Be Mayors”. Just a few years ago, the mayor of London, resigned from his job heading the city council because of an affair with a female staff member. So, what a shock it was to watch John Tory on Friday evening resign from the top job in the largest city in Canada for an affair with a young staff member.

Disappointing, for sure, for the city of Toronto, as he seemed to be doing good things for the GTA and was easily re-elected last fall. Just a little unfortunate he sought reelection as the city and council will be in upheaval now until a new mayor is elected. And just at budget time.

If you sometimes wonder about the power of the pen or, in this case, a newspaper, wonder no more. It

was a reporter from the Toronto Star, following up on a tip, who uncovered this story.

Some time ago I heard it said that every letter received by a politician represents “x” number of people of the same mind. I can’t recall the exact number, but it seems to me it was in the hundreds. If that is the case, the 50 letters and e-mails received by the council of North Huron over the possible closure of the Blyth and District Community Centre, must represent nearly every person in the municipality.

Hopefully this alone will send the budget talks in a different direction.

Politicians at every level need to always be aware they live in a glass house when they make decisions either personal or public.

However, on the flip side, we can applaud and celebrate the lives and work of David Onley and “Hurricane’ Hazel McClallion.

The virtue being emphasized this month at Hullett Central School is “fairness”. Pupils are being encouraged to share fairly and to stand up for the rights of others and themselves. Negative talk and gossip is being discouraged.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

Valentine’s Day was billed as “Wear Hearts Day”. Red hearts were pinned on, painted on and worked into hairdos for the event.

Then, on Feb. 22, the school will celebrate “Pink Shirt Day”.

Wearing a pink shirt shows solidarity against bullying, a situation schools are always working to eradicate.

The Hullett School Council is giving notice of its annual auction.

The date is set for April 28 and to be held at the Blyth and District Community Centre. Mark your calendar now.

Don’t forget to stop by the Londesborough Community Hall this Sunday between 8-11 a.m. for breakfast. The Londesborough Lions Club will be serving up an “Old Tyme Country Breakfast” for $12 a plate.

Licensed Lay Worship Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship at Londesborough United

steers averaged 898 lbs. and sold for an average price of $264.75.

Steve Pastoor of Kerwood, consigned 60 head. Twelve charolais steers averaged 1,003 lbs. and sold for an average price of $262.50.

Church on Sunday, Feb. 12. In keeping with Valentine’s Day, Sue suggested everyone be gentle to all they meet this coming week. She also reminded everyone that God can change the future when one is caught up in anger. Her supporting scripture passage was Matt. 5:2137.

A United Church Women’ssponsored coffee and Valentine cupcake gathering following the service was much enjoyed. The UCW will hold their next meeting on Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

Londesborough United Church will hold its annual meeting for 2022 the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. These meetings are your chance to have your voice heard and be involved in the future of the faith community. Annual reports are available at the church for perusal prior to that meeting. Be sure to pick one up and come to the meeting prepared.

Story contest allows for unpublished authors to submit their works for cash prizes.

All submitted works can be up to 2,500 words, and only unpublished authors are eligible. The adult contest, for authors 19 years and older, costs $25 per entry and has a grand prize of $1,500. The youth contest, for authors up to 19 years of age, costs $10 per entry and has a grand prize of $500.

“While the festival itself is a great opportunity to connect with your favourite Canadian Authors, the short story contest is special because it shows how much creativity and talent is among us,” said contest organizer and County of Huron Programming and Community Engagement Coordinator Jim Seale.

For more information or to submit a story, visit the Festival website at alicemunrofestival.ca.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

9:00 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

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $8.00 + HST Additional words 20¢ ea. + HST

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

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

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

Card of thanks BUTTAR. I’d like to thank my wife Nancy Buttar for being such a good wife. – Love Paul.

07-1p -------------------------------------------MACHAN. The family of Carman Machan wish to thank their families, friends and neighbours for the support during Carm’s brief illness and since his passing. Thank you to Dr. Sean Henderson and Dr. Inculet and his staff at Victoria Hospital, London, and Community Care for their help. Thank you to the Riverside Funeral Home for their professional services, to Rev. Alex Jebson for the wonderful funeral service and his compassion to our family, and to Glenda Morrison and Mary Cassidy for the lovely music.

Our thanks for the beautiful flowers, to those who brought delicious food to our home, donations made to the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation, to the Brussels United Church, the planted trees in Carm’s memory and to all who attended the visitation and funeral service. A special thanks to the Brussels Fire Department. – Sandra, Ross, Jennifer, Shawn, Kiley and Jack.

07-1

Coming events WORLD DAY OF PRAYER, Friday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. For more information phone 519-887-9017.

07-1 -------------------------------------------SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE Supper, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5-7 p.m. at Lucknow Presbyterian Church.

Pancakes, Beefway sausage, maple syrup, pie and beverage. Adults: $15, 12 and under $8. Gluten-free available. Eat-in only.

07-1p --------------------------------------------

Coming events

Help wanted Help wanted

PORK LOIN LUNCH WITH dessert, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth. Ordering Deadline: Monday, Feb. 20. For ordering/pick-up time call 519-523-9396 or email: mcgregor@ezlink.ca 07-1 -------------------------------------------GOSPEL CONCERT, SUNDAY, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., Egmondville United Church. Featuring talented local musicians. Free-will offering.

Everyone welcome.

06-2

Porky’s Nutrition is seeking a

LOGISTICS TECHNICIAN

Help wanted Help wanted The Corporation of the County of Huron’s Cultural Services Department - Library is currently accepting applications for the following position:

Temporary Full-time Summer Literacy Coordinators (Student Positions) See www.huroncounty.ca for more information regarding qualifications and the application process. Please forward letter of application and resume in one PDF document by 4:30 p.m., March 24, 2023.

The County of Huron is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Porky’s Nutrition is a new and innovative, family-owned, on-farm feed mill located near Zurich, Ontario. Porky’s receives whole grains from Goshen Ridge Farms Inc., and supplies balanced nutrition for hogs at Westland Hogco Inc.

Responsibilities include: ● Ordering and scheduling feed deliveries. ● Ordering, receiving and inventories of bulk and bagged feed ingredients. ● Communication with suppliers and customers ● Obtaining samples and grading of products. ● Housekeeping of the warehouse and mill.

Requirements: ● Previous experience in logistics and/or customer service is an asset. ● Computer Skills (working knowledge of logistics software and/or ability to learn) ● Organizational and time-management skills ● Communication and interpersonal skills Compensation: ● Porky’s provides competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package negotiable based on qualifications and previous experience.

Please email your résumé and cover letter to janet@porkysnutrition.com

Porky’s Nutrition is seeking a

Porky’s Nutrition is seeking a

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

FULL-TIME FEED MILL OPERATOR Porky’s Nutrition is a new and innovative, family-owned, on-farm feed mill located near Zurich, Ontario. Porky’s receives whole grains from Goshen Ridge Farms Inc., and supplies balanced nutrition for hogs at Westland Hogco Inc.

Duties include: ● Receiving, grading & mixing of feed ingredients to produce nutritious swine feed. ● Working together with the team to maintain efficiency of mill operations. ● Ensure mill, including bins and surrounding areas are clean and well maintained. ● Assist with ingredient flow issues and repairs, while following safety protocols and operating procedures.

Requirements: ● Previous mill operator experience is an asset. ● Must be physically fit. ● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. ● Must be well organized and able to work independently and as part of a growing team. ● Must be able to manage tasks efficiently and ensure that deadlines are met. ● Available to work evenings, weekends and overtime when required.

Compensation: ● Porky’s provides competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package negotiable based on qualifications and previous experience.

Please email your résumé and cover letter to janet@porkysnutrition.com

Porky’s Nutrition is a new and innovative, family-owned, on-farm feed mill located near Zurich, Ontario. Porky’s receives whole grains from Goshen Ridge Farms Inc., and supplies balanced nutrition for hogs at Westland Hogco Inc.

Duties include: ● Organizing of accounts payable and accounts receivable. ● Preparing and processing payroll. ● Completing monthly bank reconciliations. ● Managing data in spreadsheets and reports. ● Clerical duties, including answering phones and preparing documents. ● Organizing and scheduling meetings and events.

Requirements: ● Strong working knowledge of accounting principles, financial statements, and accounting systems. ● Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, and Excel). ● Experience using QuickBooks or related accounting software. ● Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. ● Detail-oriented. ● Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Compensation: ● Porky’s provides competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package negotiable based on qualifications and previous experience.

Please email your résumé and cover letter to janet@porkysnutrition.com

Thinking about quitting?

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

TO L L - F R E E

1- 877- 513- 5333

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 15.

Classified Advertisements Help wanted Help wanted In memoriams Services

Wanted

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

is seeking

Seasonal Box Office & Front of House staff More details available at www.blythfestival.com/employment

FALLS RESERVE Conservation Area

Applications for seasonal positions at Falls Reserve Conservation Area (Benmiller) are currently being accepted: n Park Operations n Gate Attendant n Maintenance / Patrol n Maintenance

The position descriptions and application details are posted on our website at: mvca.on.ca

The Corporation of the County of Huron’s Cultural Services – Museum Department is currently accepting applications for the following position:

Museum Assistants (Student Position) See www.huroncounty.ca for more information regarding qualifications and the application process. Please forward letter of application and resume in one PDF document by 4:30 p.m., April 3, 2023.

The County of Huron is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

CAMPBELL, Isabel. In memory of Mom and Grandma – Isabel Campbell, who received her wings February 20, 2022.

We thought of you today, But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday, And days before that too.

We think of you in silence, We often speak your name, Now all we have are memories, And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake, With which we’ll never part.

God has you in His keeping, We have you in our heart.

– With love from Ron, Wayne, Marilyn, Carolyn, Murray, Dianne, Brian, Gayle and families.

07-1p -------------------------------------------COOK. In loving memory of a son, brother and uncle, George Cook who passed away February 18, 2011.

Your actions were always kind, A generous hand and an active mind, Anxious to please and loath to offend, A loving brother and faithful friend.

We all miss you very much.

– Love, your family.

07-1p -------------------------------------------HALLAHAN, Sheila. In memory of a dear wife, mother and grandmother who passed away February 21, 2014.

In Our Hearts We thought about you today, But that is nothing new, We thought about you yesterday, And days before that too.

We think of you in silence, We often speak your name, Now all we have are memories, And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake, With which we’ll never part.

God has you in His keeping, We have you in our heart.

– Forever in our hearts and missed

by Joe and family.

07-1p

Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad Let us help you turn that junk into $$ • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

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

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - Mason Risch piano, like new; treadmill, both best offer. Recumbent exercise bike, $75; assorted books, including Jean Paré $1 EACH. 519-357-7249.

07-3 -----------------------------------------------------------------FREE - Yamaha double keyboard organ with bench and music. Molesworth, 519-291-4147.

07-3 -----------------------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - wooden dressing table with bench, $50; blue tufted arm chair, $40; slow cooker, $20; 2 pc. luggage set with pull-up handle and wheels, excellent condition, $40. 519-482-9868.

06-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - fancy self-standing scratch post for cats, $9. 519-527-0455.

06-3 -----------------------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - futon bunk bed combo, black steel frame with wood posts, extra thick futon mattress, $150. Call 519-887-9104.

06-3 -----------------------------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Samsung digital home theatre system.

Call 519-525-1053.

06-3 -----------------------------------------------------------------“One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

MULTI-GENERATION FARM looking for land to rent or share crop long- or short-term agreements.

Cover crops manure and good land stewardship. Competitive prices.

Contact Mark Nesbit 519-524-2474 or John Nesbit 519-530-9595.

07-5p

Condolences offered PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Another week has flown by. We are already at the mid-point of February and the celebration of Valentine’s Day. We hope everyone enjoyed the day with a loved one.

Just think, in less than a month it will be Daylight Saving Time.

Mark March 12 to spring ahead!

We bounced from bitterly cold temperatures last weekend to mostly above zero temperatures for most of the following days. The snow that we had accumulated was melted away by the high temperatures and then we had rain, rain and more rain by the end of the week. The snowmobile enthusiasts managed to only have a few days to be out on the trails after they were opened and now the trails are back down to dirt in some places and machines resting in the sheds. The snowmobile season seems to be getting shorter every year.

The rain we have had in the past week has made the rivers, streams, and ditches run fairly high. Keep children and pets away from the open water and let’s have a safe spring for all. I can’t imagine there is any ice on the waterways, but if there is, it will be very thin. Stay off the ice and don’t take any chances.

The gravelled back roads were fairly slick on Thursday morning and some buses were cancelled. My company did not cancel the routes, so I was on the job. The first gravel road of the day put my journey behind schedule by nine minutes and once behind, always behind.

My top speed was 20 to 25 kilometres per hour or the back end of the bus would slide. The roads improved during the hour-long drive and the afternoon run was alright. Again on Friday some buses were cancelled in areas because of slippery road conditions. I know that the municipalities have the employees and graders/plows/scarifiers on the roads by 4 a.m., but they can’t cover them all by 7 a.m. It takes time and they are out doing their best for everyone.

It is with sadness we learn of the passing of Clara Van Merkestein (née Van Veen). Clara will be missed by her siblings Gerrit, Piet, Alie and Martha and 25 nieces and nephews and their spouses. She was the sister of the late Aggie TenPas and they were very close and she missed her terribly. Clara loved to decorate and her house was always fully decorated, whatever the season. Every nook and cranny and space available had a beautiful crafted keepsake. She was very

creative, and a straight-to-the-point person, She had a quick wit and loved to cook and loved time spent with her sisters. It was always an interesting visit and the last one I had with her was in mid-January.

Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family.

Our get-well wishes go to Betty Shaw as she has suffered a fall and has sustained a broken wrist. We hope she has a quick recovery.

Our sympathies are extended to the Henry family on the passing of Lynne Henry. She will be missed by her husband John and son Devon and his wife Janice. She was the mother of the late Stephanie Henry.

Lynne was a quiet and lovely lady who was a teacher for 25 years at Brussels Public School and then North Woods Elementary School.

She was very creative and loved to sew, cross stitch, knit and made many a handmade gifts of clothes, bags, vests or whatever. She loved to share her talents by donating items to the many local auctions and charity to support the community, including the Legions.

She suffered from severe back pain and yet continued to walk as often as she could. She would stop to chat but never complained; a beautiful lady and soul. She will be missed by all who knew her. Our condolences to the Henry family.

March Break is just around the corner for the school children.

When the paper comes out, there will be 14 days of school left before the break. What will the children be doing? Staying at Grandma’s for a holiday? Attending day programs in the community? Just hanging out at home? Hopefully the weather will be good to be outdoors, whether in snow or sun. Be active, be out, leave the devices on the shelf.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Weldon Black, Maleah Taylor, Brady Dalton, Joyce Tipple, Christine Lee, Mary Baan, John McCall MacBain, Barry Skinner, Betty Glanville, Krista Fraser, Val Pethick, Gary McNichol, Betty Graber Watson and Hayden Lee. Happy birthday to all.

NEWS FROM WALTON

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

Unemployment rate rises In January, the unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region increased by 0.8 percentage points to 4.4 per cent. The provincial unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to five per cent, both unadjusted for seasonality.

Overall net employment in the region decreased by 4,500, with 3,800 full-time losses and 700 parttime losses. The region’s labour force size decreased from 165,400 people in December of 2022 to 162,300 people in January of 2023.

The number of goods-producing sector employees decreased once again this month by net 1,100. The construction sector experienced the biggest loss this month (-1,800), followed by manufacturing (-700).

Agriculture experienced another gain this month (+1,600).

Employment in the services-

producing sector decreased by net 3,400, the largest monthly decrease seen in the past 12 months.

Transportation and warehousing experienced the biggest loss (1,300) followed by information, culture and recreation (-1,200).

Educational services experienced the largest gain once again this month (+900).

“The most notable loss this month was in the Servicesproducing sector as well as fulltime positions,” says Dana Soucie, executive Director for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board. “We will be monitoring the trends and working with our stakeholders to support workforce development projects to address these labour shortages”.

Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region have increased over time at www.connect2JOBS.ca.

Awarded The Huron County Library recently received the Minister’s Award for Innovation for the county’s “In Your Backyard” program, which encouraged county residents to learn and explore all there is in the county. Branch Assistant Avery Greaves, left, and Marketing and Branding Co-ordinator Amy Zoethout, centre, accepted the award. (Courtesy photo)

Obituaries

expressions of sympathy, donations to the Huron Women’s Shelter would be appreciated. Cheques may be sent to Box 340, Brussels, N0G 1H0.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca.

KLAZINA “CLARA” VAN MERKESTEIN Mrs. Klazina “Clara” van Merkestein passed away peacefully at Huron Residential Hospice on Feb. 7, 2023. She was in her 88th year.

Clara was the loving friend of the late Eddie Stanford and sister of Gerrit van Veen, Piet (Margaret) van Veen, Alie Lee (Garfield) and Martha (Cees) de Boer. She was loved and will be sadly missed by her 25 nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Clara was predeceased by her parents Marinus van Veen and Aagje Oudshoorn, her sister Agnes and her husband Henk Ten Pas, sister-in-law Helen van Veen, brother-in-law Case Rietkerk, and nephew Brian Riekerk.

At Clara’s request, cremation has taken place.

A come-and-go celebration of Clara’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1:30-4 p.m. at Riverside Funeral Home, Brussels Chapel. Memories will be shared at 2 p.m.

Clara was a very creative and crafty person. She decorated for every season and took great joy in setting up her decorations and enjoying them throughout the year.

She loved to embroider and made many beautiful embroidery projects to hang on her wall. Clara loved her family, and enjoyed spending time with her sisters. She always made time for them. Her favourite time was spent celebrating birthdays and the family’s 50th year in Canada which made lasting memories for Clara.

She was an independent woman with a quick wit and realistic attitude. She loved her Lord and found great solace in Him as she prepared for her final journey.

In lieu of flowers and as

JANETTE RODGER Janette Rodger of Wingham, passed away peacefully at Wingham and District Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. She was 77.

Janette was the devoted wife of Andy Rodger of Wingham and the loving mom of Willie and Barbara Rodger, Orangeville, and Ellen and Paul Hackett, Kitchener. She was the cherished grandma of Lucas Rodger and Jaden Sholdice, Lindsay and Doug Campbell, Alyssa and Shane Burke and Dylan Hackett.

Janette will be remembered by her sister-in-law Vangie Speers and her husband Ken, as well as by her many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Janette was predeceased by her parents William and Bertha (McGee) Henderson, grandson Alexander Hackett, brothers Jack (Janet), Don, Jim (Audrey) and Bill and sisters Iona Jean (Don) and Ann (Michael).

Visitation was held at McBurney

Funeral Home, Wingham, on Thursday and will be held again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.

Scott Allen will officiate. A reception will follow at the Wingham Legion. The service will be live-streamed and a link is available on our website.

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

Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com

LINDA “LYNNE” HENRY Mrs. Linda “Lynne” Henry passed away peacefully on Feb. 10, 2023. She was in her 73rd year.

Lynne was the beloved wife of John for 52 years. She was the loving mom of Devon (Janice) Henry and the late Stephanie Lea Henry (1993) and the sister of Patricia (Bill) Mills, Brockville and Faye (Peter) Taylor, Brampton. She will be missed by many extended family and friends.

Lynne was predeceased by her parents Howard and Rita Leafloor.

Lynne was a creative woman who loved to sew, cross-stitch and knit.

She had many friends online who shared her love of sewing. She would always have a knitting project on the go and would share

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

The Citizen.

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

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

her expertise with others. She made many a piece of clothing or handmade presents for her kids and friends.

Lynne also loved to read, whether it was novels or articles of information on her iPad. She was always learning. Lynne was a teacher for 25 years, teaching Kindergarten and French, first at Brussels Public School and then moving to North Woods Elementary School in Ethel.

She loved her family, especially her sisters, with whom she kept in close contact. She wasn’t afraid of any job and always made sure that tasks were done properly. Her kind smile will be missed.

At Lynne’s request, cremation has taken place. Spring interment will be held at Brussels Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance would be appreciated.

Cheques may be sent to Box 340, Brussels, N0G 1H0.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca.

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

Life is a gift from God; He will provide for us

By Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Blyth Christian Reformed Church Here in Canada, we operate with the understanding that we should earn our keep. If someone is ablebodied and of sound mind, and if there is a job for which they are qualified, they should work so that they can support themselves.

Because of this mindset, we have a little trouble accepting gifts.

My birthday is coming up, and perhaps I will receive a few birthday gifts. Normally the gifts I receive come from those who are closest to me: my wife and children.

When they celebrate their birthdays, I return the favour. Or, at Christmas, I tend to give gifts to those who also give me gifts.

Some of us are horrified when we receive a gift from someone to whom we have never given a gift, and we want to give a gift in return to try to keep things equal. In a sense, we want to “earn” the gift we have received. We do this with Christmas cards as well. If we haven’t received a card from someone in a few years, we are likely to cross them off the list. If, on the other hand, we receive a card from someone who has never sent us one before, we quickly add them to the list and hope our card reaches them before Christmas. We want to earn our keep, so to speak, even when it comes to giving and receiving gifts.

But, as we well know, a gift is a gift. There should be no expectations of receiving a gift in return. If some of you should happen to give me something for my birthday (which is coming up in a few weeks), I should accept that gift and not feel even a twinge of guilt. And if I should neglect to give you a gift on your birthday, you should not feel insulted. A gift is a gift and it cannot be earned, nor should it be paid for in some way.

In Romans 6:23, we read that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. What the apostle Paul (the author of Romans) means is that when we sin, we cause death.

Now, normally sin does not seem to do that. Yet, if we begin to analyze the impact of sin on others and this world, we can see how death results. For example, if I am greedy and I consume or own much more than I need in order to live, it is quite likely that someone else does not have enough or suffers in some other way from my greediness.

Fulfilling my greedy desire for a bigger house, for example, may

lead to higher building material costs, and may cause someone else to have to settle for inadequate housing. Robbing someone of their quality of life is the first step toward sending them to their deaths. I used the singular, “I,” and I myself might not make that kind of negative impact with my greed, but if we are all greedy, we can understand how we can “kill” others and then also “kill” our communities. When we sin, whatever that sin may be, we “earn” death. While most of our “sins” may seem relatively minor, the sum total of all of our sins can rob this world and all who live in it of the fullness of life.

Romans 6:23 presents another side to us. It does not tell us to stop sinning so that we stop creating an environment where we are robbing ourselves and others of life. It doesn’t say, “Be good and kind to others so that you can bring life to this world.” It could say that, but, in reality, I think Paul understood the real heart of who we are. We do like to think of ourselves first and not others, so we are unlikely to be the kind of people who can create a sustainable environment of life.

Rather, life is a gift, and it is a gift

of God. The wages of sin is death (when we sin, we “earn” death), but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

What Paul is saying is that God can and does make a difference.

Jesus came to this world to die for our sins, and Paul says that if we put our faith in him, we can be free from the power of sin. Essentially, what he is saying is that when we put our trust in Jesus Christ, relying on him not only for access to heaven but also for all that we need, we no longer have to live for ourselves (which tends to be the basis for all sin). If we have to trust ourselves to obtain all that we need, we might come to believe that we need all we can get for ourselves and our needs. However, if we are confident that God loves us so much that he has provided eternal life (meaning life forever in a situation where life is good in every way), we can also be confident that he will take care of our daily needs.

We don’t have to work to support ourselves, for God will take care of us. Romans 6:23 says that this is God’s gift to us, and we simply need to receive it. Life is a gift of God whereas death is something we earn for ourselves.

Services available on YouTube Rev. Colin S. Snyder rev.colinsnyder@gmail.com

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quality of life by stealing, we should work, not so that we can support ourselves but, rather so that we can have something to share with those who are in need. When we trust God so much that we know that he will take care of us, we can also give life to others.

God gives us the gift of life, and it is such a big gift that we have more than enough to give plenty to others.

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship

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Ash W Weednesday S Service ~ February 22 at 7:00 p.m.

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We need not feel guilty about receiving that gift, nor should we think that we need to do something special to earn it. God doesn’t demand something from us before we experience his gift of life. All he asks us to do is receive in trust what he offers. And, after we have received the gift of life, there is nothing that God asks of us in return. So, if we don’t continue to earn the life he has given, he doesn’t take it away from us.

That being said, if you give me a gift, you may not expect anything in return, but you do expect a “Thank you”. And, in a way, when we trust God with our lives, when we follow his lead and live according to his ways, that is the biggest thanks we can give to God. Life is a gift from God. He will provide for what we need. That doesn’t mean, of course, that we can sit back and do nothing. Rather, as Paul says in another of his letters, instead of robbing others of their

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

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.

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Blyth resident critical of proposed recreation cuts To North Huron Council: For years, North Huron Council and staff have fielded questions about why North Huron has such high taxes. Those concerns have come from residents, business owners and people looking to relocate to the area. The response from staff, which was always echoed by council members, has always been the same: North Huron has high taxes because of the toptier services the municipality offers.

Every year one staff member or council member would say the services provided by North Huron are akin to those of much larger centres that draw from larger taxbases.

Former Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip would often say, if you want lower taxes, tell council which services you want to do without.

Whether it’s waste pick-up, social services, community centres or

non-essential snow removal, something would need to give if people would want to see taxes lowered (or just not going up as quickly).

This year, however, facing significant increases, North Huron staff and council seem to have forgotten the refrain that North Huron’s high taxes are tied to its larger-than-life services and are looking at cutting its way to prosperity (which doesn't ever really work).

The reaction, as proposed by staff (and likely tied to discussions at other budget meetings, if not behind the scenes entirely) has been to cut or reduce funding to North Huron’s most important services: cultural and recreation opportunities.

Sure, roads are paramount and water and wastewater are essential (according to Bill 23, anyway) but what’s the point in having roads if they only go to desolate communities?

What’s the point in having a huge community centre in Wingham if you gut the recreation components of it? We’re still going to pay for the space, as it’s not like you can just let it freeze. Also, you’re putting parents out, as the centre offered a great summer program with on-site swimming.

What's the point in having a world-class theatre if council can’t support it fully, and, in turn, rely on it for municipal networking and drawing in tourists? What’s the point in having one of the best event-hosting campgrounds in the region if you’re going to close the metaphorical doors? What’s the point in having a great arena in

Blyth sit empty when at least a few of the lights will need to be kept on?

We need to see some creativity here. Instead of building new council chambers, let’s use the Blyth Community Centre’s unused spaces to host staff and take back the old council chambers. Kill three birds with one stone: take back council chambers, have the centre see more use and don’t close down a community facility.

The same thing could be done in Wingham. Move some staff to the Hot Stove Lounge, since council was considering that as a potential site for council chambers, anyway.

Again, it could free up the previous council chambers and encourage use of existing facilities without requiring huge financial investments. Stop looking at these spaces as albatrosses around the municipality’s neck and start considering how to use them more effectively.

North Huron’s communities and ratepayers are used to high taxes.

It’s not a good reality, but it’s the one we’re working with. Anyone who has been here for more than a

couple years knows what we’re paying isn’t great, but it’s better than losing all the facilities and touchstones that make Wingham, Blyth, Belgrave and East Wawanosh the places we’ve chosen to live.

Admitting that cuts aren’t going to be popular doesn’t give staff carte blanche to gut the community to make their bottom line look better. Knowing the taxes are too high doesn’t give certain members of council the right to try to enforce their own personal agenda on this community of communities.

North Huron’s staff and council missed the mark here and, instead of realizing that, council wasted more money asking for reports into drastic decisions and drastic cuts that, if council has any sense at all, they know the public won’t support.

Send staff back to the drawing board. Look at the municipality’s largest expenses, like wages and benefits, before they suggest cutting things that make this community a worthwhile one to live in.

Ashleigh Scott, North Huron.

Local man concerned about provincial healthcare I am very concerned with Premier Doug Ford’s government’s plan to fix public healthcare.

Our healthcare system is understaffed and grossly underfunded. Where are the new staff from?

Try to stop the doctors and nurses going from the chronically underfunded public system to the better-paying, less-stressed private system. The public purse will flow like a river into new profits.

How is privatizing services and adding a profit element going to cost less? You will be hit by copayment charges for every tissue that you use. Corporate profits have to rise each year or it would be a fiscal loss. Where is the new money coming from?

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023. PAGE 19.

Forest study identifies serious tree threats Gouthro said monitoring is part of sustainability because threats to forest health can be identified via monitoring, which leads to resolutions.

During question period, it was asked what the trajectory of the Emerald Ash Borer is and will it die out or sweep back through to kill younger ash trees. Gouthro said they simply do not know. It might sweep back through, taking down saplings, relegating future ash trees to being a shrub tree that never gets a chance to grow into large trees. Right now, Emerald Ash Borer leaves behind ash trees smaller than nine centimetres. However, it eats any size of black ash trees.

There are indications that three species of parasitic wasps released into Ontario forests might one day prove effective in controlling (but not eliminating) the ash borer.

During the forest study, Gouthro and Shakespeare also kept their eyes out for trees that are disease resistant. “We found some elms that survived and we are hoping they can throw seed and come back into the landscape, but that may take 200 years or so,” said Gouthro.

Now, the best path moving forward is active stewardship and management. “The disturbances that are here and coming are having a major impact,” concluded Gouthro.

LOUGHLIN Shawn and Jessica Loughlin are proud to announce the birth of their son on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

Cooper Stephen Loughlin was born at 4:41 a.m. at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, weighing seven pounds and 14 ounces and measuring 52 centimetres in length.

Big sister Tallulah has welcomed her baby brother into the family with open arms, as have loving grandparents Lynne and Stephen Mann, with whom Cooper now shares a birthday, and proud Oma Rose Loughlin.

A closer look While the emerald ash borer has decimated the region’s ash trees, a recent Maitland Valley Conservation Authority forest study has identified significant threats to hemlock, butternut and beech trees as well and concluded that about 20 per cent of Huron County forest is made up of standing deadwood. Erin Gouthro, a watershed ecologist with the MVCA, and forester-in-training Matthew Shakespeare recently spoke about the report and the next steps at a meeting held in Clinton late last year. (Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot photo)

By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot The Rural Voice

Ash borer is just the start of future forest decimation with hemlock, butternut and beech trees also facing serious threats, concluded a forest study conducted by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) as it was revealed 20 per cent of forest in Huron County is made up of standing deadwood.

“When you are walking in the forest, you have a one in five chance of putting your hands on a dead tree,” said Erin Gouthro, a watershed ecologist with the MVCA who spoke on forest health at a meeting focused on forest health trends, hosted by the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee and Sustainable Huron in Clinton late last year.

“This isn’t going to end with the ash borer,” added Gouthro in a presentation that had a doomsday knell as she outlined the declining diversity in the forest canopy.

However, she did reveal tree size is larger in many woodlots and forest management practices do increase the health of forests. Her goal is to “raise the signals” about the health of forest ecosystems before deciding what the next approach will be.

She and professional forester-intraining Matthew Shakespeare explained how the intensive twoyear forest study was conducted and what it revealed. Forests are generators of basic human needs such as air, climate, soil and water.

Forests are also reservoirs of biodiversity.

Both upland and lowland, along with private and public, woodlots were surveyed to answer questions about diversity, regeneration, structure and disturbance. What is the health of the forest? What are the current challenges and how can forests be improved? Gouthro and Shakespeare learned that 86 per cent of Huron County’s natural areas are forests, which translates into a 16.04 per cent (526.6 square kilometres) forest cover over the county (as of 2020). That is a decline from 16.5 per cent (538 square kilometres) in 2000.

Maple trees are, by far, the most abundant species, making up 41 per cent of all forest trees. Standing deadwood is 19 per cent, ash is nine per cent, pine is six per cent, other coniferous are nine per cent and other deciduous (including black cherry, American elm, yellow birch, American basswood, trembling aspen, American beech) make up the rest.

Before settlement, hard maples were a dominant species, but so were American beech, elm and hemlock. Ash, on the other hand, wasn’t a dominant pre-settlement tree. Tracking species populations over time was an interesting part of the study and revealed how ash and soft maple began to dominate the landscape after settlement before ash was decimated by the Emerald Ash Borer.

In the wake of the ash decline, the study examined which seedlings are most dominant in today’s forest and discovered 61 per cent of seedling are ash, 18 per cent are sugar maple, seven per cent are red maple, six per cent are black cherry, two per cent are American elm and two per cent are Norway spruce. Invasive species, such as glossy buckthorn and common buckthorn, also had a large presence in the seedling count.

In terms of sustainability, size matters. A sustainable forest requires 50 metres square per hectare of trees. Tree size also matters. There needs to be more trees with a basal size (the horizontal area of trees 1.3 metres off the ground) over 15 metres square (or hectare) for a forest to be sustainable. There are more trees with a larger basal area in 2022 than in 2000.

“This is a good thing,” said Gouthro. “That tells us the management practices we put in place to decrease diameter cutting has a positive effect on the forests.”

More good news came from healthy trees versus stressed tree numbers. Of live trees scouted, 54 per cent were labeled healthy, while 23 per cent were labeled stressed. Of those trees that were stressed, the most common reasons were insects, invasive plants, tree cutting and windthrows.

Gouthro and Shakespeare conducted three specific case studies: Plot 1: This private maple and beech stand in East Wawanosh, which had emerald ash borer and beech bark disease present. It had been logged at intervals. Concerns in this stand were the presence of glossy buckthorn, the infestation of beech bark disease and threat of beech leaf disease. The ash regeneration is threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer.

Plot 2: The stand of maple and ash had been logged at intervals and stem-wounds from logging were present, indicating poor forestry practices. Trees were smaller and the forest had been infiltrated with reed canary grass, multiflora rose, dame’s rocket, garlic mustard and common buckthorn. Trees had been uprooted by wind and killed by Emerald Ash Borer.

Plot 3: This maple and beech tree forest had not been logged and had many windthrows and beech bark disease present. This forest had very low species diversity with three living tree species, two of which were dying from pest and disease. It has 59 per cent standing deadwood, from large, dead beech trees, meaning this forest was releasing carbon, rather than storing it.

“From these plots, we learned that not stewarding or managing forest puts the forest at risk,” explained Gouthro. “When forests are not stewarded, we risk losing them to invasive species and disease.”

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