The Citizen - Feb. 3, 2023

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Friday, February 3, 2023

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Volume 39 No. 5

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Playoff push for Heat

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Eyes out front On Sunday, the U15 C Huron Heat welcomed the Lambton Attack to the Central Huron Community Complex in Clinton to continue their run in the playoffs.

The meeting was successful for the home team, with the Heat posting a 5-0 shutout win over the Attack.

That marks the team’s third playoff win in three games, during which the Heat have only allowed one goal. The Heat are next in action on Feb. 5 in Lucan for a game against the Irish, followed by a Valentine’s Day clash with the Ilderton Jets in Seaforth. (John Stephenson photo)

Surplus dominates M-T budget talks

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Council is facing a unique challenge as the municipality enters the early stages of 2023 budget deliberations: how to best make use of $1.5 million of profit resulting from the sale of development land in Belgrave in 2022. Council discussed this and other proposed budget items at a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 9 a.m.

The meeting began with a general overview from Treasurer Sean Brophy, followed by departmental presentations from Chief Building Official Kirk Livingston and Director of Public Works Mike Alcock, and included additional input from CAO/Clerk Trevor Hallam. Councillors were invited to pose questions or make comments following each presentation.

“Overall we’re not looking, I guess, too bad,” began Brophy.

“We've got a little bit of a projected surplus for 2022.” Brophy said

work on year-end entries and reconciliations was ongoing, so he did not have a specific figure available to share, but assured council it would be included in the next draft of the budget.

Livingston spoke next on the proposed municipal drains, building department, and property standards budgets. Livingston cited an increase in salary for the drainage superintendent and $3,900 in additional administrative costs as part of the reason for a proposed $11,360 increase to the drainage budget over last year. The salary increase, Livingston clarified, is connected to a change in rate of which council was made previously aware. Livingston said the overall budget was also increasing because of a greater-than-anticipated price tag for a four-wheeler for drainage superintendent activities, which added $4,500 to the proposed total.

On the revenue side, Livingston highlighted the grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

totaling $16,280. Livingston said drainage maintenance projects are funded by assessing costs back to affected landowners, as well as through provincial grants. Capital projects, Livingston noted, also assess costs back to landowners.

Livingston continued to review the building department budget.

The operational expenditures are expected to rise by $12,182 over last year due to rate increases and truck repair expenses. Livingston informed council that a department truck is due for brake repairs, which he had confirmed by Leslie Motors, but the tires should last for one more year. Livingston proposed a new reserve fund specifically for vehicle replacement. Mayor Jamie Heffer expressed general support for the idea of contributing to reserves and commended Livingston for the initiative, although credit was passed along from Livingston to Treasurer Brophy for the idea’s conception.

Livingston concluded with a review of the property standards

budget, saying there would be a $585 budget increase over last year to accommodate rising contractual costs with the property standards/bylaw enforcement officer. Livingston also noted that this category is a net-loss to the municipality.

Alcock then spoke about the public works budget, first addressing parks/cemeteries, saying not much has changed over last year. Alcock discussed the possible creation of a parks reserve fund, with nothing specifically intended for its use, by potentially contributing cash in lieu of parkland money from recent land developments. This fund, Alcock suggested, could be used for future repairs or potentially even funding a new park in the future. Heffer asked for clarification from Brophy on guidelines for spending cash in lieu of parkland funds. Brophy explained that previous in lieu money needed to be spent in order to be maintained, but new in lieu Continued on page 14

Huron Heat teams are working their way through the playoffs and finding success in the early stages of the postseason.

On Sunday, Jan. 29, the U13 C Heat continued their playoff journey, beating the Bluewater Hawks in Clinton by a score of 2-0 and then heading out on the road later that day for a game with the North Middlesex Junior Stars, which the Heat won by a score of 1-0.

The team’s playoff quest will be put on hold this weekend, as members will travel south for the annual London Devilettes Tournament. They will play the Stratford Aces and host London Devilettes on Friday, Feb. 3, followed by a game with the St. Thomas Panthers on Saturday, Feb. 4.

They are back in playoff action again on Feb. 12 with a game against the North Middlesex Junior Stars in Clinton and then again on Feb. 25 on the road against the Bluewater Hawks and on Feb. 26 at home in Clinton against the St. Thomas Panthers.

The U11 C Heat played the Central Perth Predators in Blyth to continue their playoffs on Jan. 26 and won by a score of 2-0. Their next playoff game will be on the road in Woodstock, as they will play the Wildcats on Feb. 4.

They’re then due to take on the Mooretown Lady Flags in Clinton for a playoff game on Feb. 5, followed by playoff games against the St. Thomas Panthers on the road on Feb. 10 and at home in Blyth on Feb. 11.

On Feb. 17, the team will take part in the 26th annual Friendship Festival in Brampton, followed by playoff games against the Central Perth Predators on the road on Feb. 23 and the Woodstock Wildcats in Blyth on Feb. 25.

The U18 C Heat played a pair of playoff games over the weekend, first at home in Clinton against the Lucan Irish on Jan. 28 and then on the road in Lucan for another game with the Irish on Jan. 29, but scores were unavailable at press time.

This weekend, the team heads to London to take part in the London Devilettes Tournament before returning home for a playoff game against the South Huron Sabres on Feb. 12 in Clinton. They then play the St. Thomas Panthers in their next playoff game, on the road on Feb. 18, followed by home playoff Continued on page 10

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

Blyth BIA’s AGM now bumped to February

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen The Blyth Business Improvement Area met in vacant commercial space at 402 Queen Street in Blyth on Thursday, Jan. 26, after being displaced from its usual meeting room in the community centre due to a suspected clerical error. The regular meeting of the group, originally intended as the Annual General Meeting, began abruptly when Chair David Sparling made claims that North Huron Council had proposed changes to the Blyth BIA’s constitution without first consulting the group, which were disputed by a township representative attending the meeting.

“That’s not the way that it happened,” interjected Demetri Makrakos, Economic Development Officer for North Huron. “If we’re going to start this way, let’s at least be correct about things.” Sparling attempted to regain control of the meeting but Makrakos continued, “If we’re going to go through this today, this is part of the problem, right? We’re saying things and they’re not accurate; and then The Citizen reports on it and we have to backstep and we have to explain how things actually happened. It’s not productive.”

The tense, pre-introduction confrontation set an uneasy tone for the meeting and some present audibly bristled with confusion regarding the Economic Development Officer’s identity and role in the meeting. Makrakos informally introduced himself and apologized for interrupting

procedures but was adamant the record be correct regarding possible changes to the Blyth BIA constitution.

According to Makrakos, “Council did not propose the changes [to the Blyth BIA constitution]. North Huron staff proposed changes for council to look over but then had to bring [the changes] to the BIA. So the BIA was going to be consulted, just, there’s a proper order to doing things. So it was to go to council for council to say, ‘Yeah we’re okay with [changes to the BIA constitution],’ and then to the BIA for the final say.”

Sparling responded by saying, “The ask was that we try and do [the Annual General Meeting] in January. Historically this is not when we do our Annual General Meeting, it’s typically in February.

We tried to move it to now, however in the process, our treasurer, for personal reasons, had to step down, which makes it hard to prepare a budget.” Sparling thanked Blyth BIA Church Representative Rev. JoAnn Todd for reluctantly agreeing to assist with 2023 budget preparations, drawing on her previous experience as BIA Treasurer. The chair declared the Blyth BIA would proceed with a regular meeting that day, not the Annual General Meeting.

Sparling informed the group that the Blyth BIA e-mail server, provided by Zoho Communications, is deficient for his personal needs and that he only checks the account on a limited basis.

Representatives from the Blyth Hospitality Group were invited to

speak on their activities. The group, a collective of local businesses that specialize in the hospitality industry, would like to co-ordinate an off-season strategy to bring more people and groups into the community throughout the quieter winter months.

The Blyth Hospitality Group boasts accommodations for up to 50 people spread over a range of different spaces. Sparling said,

“From the BIA’s perspective, if we can support the Hospitality Group in any way, count us in.”

Economic Development Officer Makrakos was invited to speak further on the process behind possible changes to the Blyth BIA Constitution. Makrakos accepted partial responsibility for the miscommunication by telling the Blyth BIA he was unable to present proposed changes at a 2022 council

meeting due to a family emergency.

Makrakos questioned whether subsequent e-mails he’d sent explaining the proposed changes had been received by the Blyth BIA Chair due to Sparling’s previously mentioned e-mail server issue.

Later, Sparling said, “I think it’s safe to assume that you don’t use our BIA e-mails until we reset and rejig them.” Makrakos intends to Continued on page 7

A friendly game of cards The Brussels United Church welcomed members of the community into the building on Friday afternoon for a few hours of friendly gameplay, called “Games Time” at the church. Rev. Alex Jebson, second from left, even joined for a few hands of euchre.

(John Stephenson photo)

The Blyth Festival Rides Again in 2023 Bigger, Better, and Bolder than Ever June 14th - September 9th 7 productions ~ both indoors and outdoors Memorial Hall and the outdoor Harvest Stage

Artistic Director, Gil Garratt, says “you’ve simply never had more reasons to come to Blyth.”

Outdoors, on our Harvest Stage: The Donnellys Trilogy (Sticks and Stones, The St Nicholas Hotel, and Handcuffs)

by James Reaney, adapted and abridged by Gil Garratt.

On the Festival stage at Blyth Memorial Community Hall Liars at a Funeral by Sophia Fabilli Chronicles of Sarnia by Matt Murray The Waltz by Marie Beath Badian

The Real McCoy written and directed by Andrew Moodie

blythfestival.com

519-523-9500

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

Queen of the Furrow dazzles AGM crowd

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The weekend’s return of wintry weather did not keep members of the Brussels Agricultural Society away from their annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Brussels Legion. Attendees kicked snow from their boots and hung up winter coats as they gradually filled the majority of folding chairs set up and waiting for them in the space. The AGM is an opportunity for the organization to celebrate and review the previous year’s activities and achievements, and to plan for the year ahead.

Outgoing President Zoellyn Onn warmly welcomed the group and acknowledged the presence of several government dignitaries including Morris-Turnberry Mayor Jamie Heffer, Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh Mayor and Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, and Huron–Bruce Constituency Representative Bill Strong (standing-in for Member of Parliament Ben Lobb, who was absent due to the impending resumption of Parliament the following day).

Young person Sophia Burkholder absolutely dominated the awards portion of the afternoon tied to the previous year’s Brussels Fall Fair.

Burkholder took home top honours for both the Junior Section Award, presented by Past-President Dorothy Cummings, and the Optimist Best All Around Participation prize, presented by Brussels Optimist Club President Doug McArter.

Guest speaker Maranda Klaver, Ontario Queen of the Furrow, delighted the assembly with remarks about her experiences as Huron County’s 2019 Queen of the

Smiles all around The Brussels Agricultural Society gathered for the annual general meeting on Sunday, Jan. 29. From left: 2022 Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Deanna Haanstra, 2022 Brussels Fall Fair Little Ambassador Paislee Ribey, and 2023 Ontario Queen of the Furrow Maranda Klaver. (John Stephenson photo) Furrow and the new challenges she faces in her current role. Klaver reflected on the origins of her interest in the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, the importance of family and

Big winner!

Sophia Burkholder, left, was the winner of both the Junior Section Award and the Brussels Optimists All Around Participation Prize in last year’s Brussels Fall Fair. She was awarded on Sunday at the Brussels Agricultural Society’s Annual General Meeting by outgoing Brussels Agricultural Society President Zoellyn Onn, centre, and Brussels Optimist Club president Doug McArter, right. (John Stephenson photo)

community in her life, compassionate strategies for addressing mental health issues in rural settings, and the difficulties encountered by girls and women in the traditionally male-dominated field of agriculture.

After concluding her speech, audience members rose to their feet, offering Klaver a standing ovation. Onn presented Ontario’s Queen of the Furrow with a gift and expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization.

Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador, Deanna Haanstra, and Little Ambassador, Paislee Ribey, were on hand to provide updates on their official activities. Haanstra said she really enjoys participating in the community in Brussels, loved judging the dog show, and spoke fondly of pie she enjoyed at the fair, eliciting audible laughter in the room by referring to the pie as “a highlight.” Ribey recounted seeing a lot of people she knew at the Seaforth Santa Claus parade and the Clinton Santa Claus parade, and savoured a memory of enjoying hot chocolate in a warm sleigh while Haanstra was forced to deal with a float-related mishap at the Brussels Santa Claus parade.

Treasurer John Lowe updated members on the society’s financials, and provided detailed records looking back at the turbulent pandemic budgets of

2022, 2021, and 2020.

Late arriving to the meeting, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Huron– Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson rose to offer a few words of encouragement and remind attendees that their efforts are important for sustaining communities. The Minister spoke on the importance of local fairs throughout the province and commended volunteers for their hard work. Thompson concluded her remarks and departed shortly thereafter.

The election of directors was difficult to achieve on this particular Sunday afternoon. Most nominations were declined immediately, and the incoming First Vice-President Sean Mitchell decided to withdraw and become Second Vice-President instead.

Crystal Blake’s name was put forward to fill the vacated First Vice-President position and the nomination was accepted.

The Homecraft Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions were not filled by the meeting’s end.

Other business included an update from Farm and Food Care Ontario, a discussion about delegate subsidization for the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies conference in February, a discussion on whether or not to provide a gift for financial auditors, a discussion on whether or not to contribute an item to a fundraising auction and, if yes, how much should be spent on the item, and a successful vote to lower quorum at regular meetings from 15 to 10. The selection of a date and theme for the 2024 Brussels Fall Fair was deferred to the next meeting, with a date that has yet to be determined.

Here—put your troubles here!

(Charles Spurgeon) “Cast your burden on the Lord—and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22 Cast your troubles where you have cast your sins. You have cast yours sins onto Jesus—cast your troubles there also!

As soon as the trouble comes, quick, the first thing—tell it to your heavenly Father! Remember, that the longer you take telling your trouble to God—the more your peace will be impaired. The longer the frost lasts—the more likely the ponds will be frozen.

Oh! It is a happy way to smoothing sorrow, when we can cast our burden upon the Lord. Oh, you agitate Christians, do not dishonour your religion by always wearing a ‘frown of concern’. Come, cast your burden upon the Lord.

I see you staggering beneath a weight which He would not fee. What seems a crushing burden to you—would be nothing but a bit of dust to Him! See! The Almighty bends His shoulders, and He says: “Here—put your troubles here!”

“Cast all your cares upon Him—because He cares about you!” 1 Peter 5:7 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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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When the storm is over...

When Hazel McCallion passed away this week just days shy of her 102nd birthday, Mississauga mourned the former mayor who had transformed the city. McCallion, with her brash personality and outspoken views, became known as Hurricane Hazel and used that tenacity to transform a collection of towns, suburbs and farms into the seventh largest city in Canada over her 36-year reign.

She was not without controversy, having several conflict of interest allegations over the course of her political career, but she was an expert in politics and managed to lead the city through unprecedented growth with barely a contender to run against her.

Her forceful personality, along with her dedication to her residents and taxpayers was a combination to be reckoned with. Premiers and Prime Ministers called her a “terror” when she appeared before them to demand things that would help Mississauga. Her particular political acumen was knowing when to shift policy and she was able to detect change in public opinion even before it was evident. This flexibility and keeping in touch with the will of the residents of the city kept her in the top spot until she decided to retire at age 93.

McCallion’s “retirement” over the next decade was not one of idleness. She sat as a chief elder officer of a senior care company, chancellor of Sheridan College, a special advisor to the University of Toronto Mississauga, and had recently accepted a three-year renewal to the board of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority. Retirement, indeed.

Personalities like Hurricane Hazel are what keep politics interesting, but dedication to public service is what keeps politicians successful.

– DS

Defending an inheritance The heirs of Jewish art collector Karl Adler who sold a Picasso to secure the funds to flee Nazi Germany are suing the Guggenheim Museum in New York City over ownership of the piece. The Guggenheim acquired the piece in 1978 as part of a collection that was bequeathed by Justin Thannhauser, who helped run the gallery that initially sold the Picasso to Adler and later bought it back. The museum contends that the piece was traded in “a fair transaction between parties with a longstanding and continuous relationship”.

The lawsuit does dredge up a contentious legal matter. The piece was not stolen by the Nazis, as some were, it was sold at a time when a family was desperate to liquidate assets to flee persecution. By selling the artwork, they were able to flee to South America and were not subjected to the Holocaust.

Can their heirs sue the heirs of the person who bought it, decades later and for millions of dollars, due to an unimagined increase in the value of the work of the artist that originally painted it? And what about great works of art that were sold by the artist for a pittance? If a legal precedent is set, how many cases would we see where our ancestors sold something for less than it was worth and we could now profit from that historical transaction? – DS

Standards, but unenforceable The Federal Government asked the non-profit group Health Standards Organization (HSO) to develop standards for nursing homes that would address systemic problems that were exposed by the coronavirus pandemic. These standards that would address gaps in infection control, staffing and quality control were announced this week, but without any plan to make them mandatory for long-term care providers.

Canada had the worst record for COVID-19 fatalities in nursing homes during the first wave of the pandemic. In fact, Ontario was so hard hit that the military had to be called in to assist with the residents of long-term care facilities that were understaffed, little or no infection control protocols and, in some cases, a disregard for basic care and cleanliness.

Creating a standard of care for policy-makers and leaders in nursing homes to set the bar is all well and good, but if the standard is not mandatory across the country, what is the actual point?

We already have a piece-meal system for long-term care that varies greatly depending on the province, and whether a facility is governmentoperated, non-profit or for-profit.

The HSO already sets the standards for accreditation, but in Canada, 36 per cent of privately-owned facilities chose not to undergo accreditation. In Ontario, accreditation is voluntary, unlike Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta, which all require it.

Federal legislation to at least ensure that all nursing homes and long-term care facilities attain the same basic accreditation and standards would go a long way to looking after our seniors and most vulnerable citizens. – DS

Looking Back Through the Years February 3, 1966 The Maitland Conservation Authority held a meeting at the public library in Brussels to adopt a $103,520 budget, and to review a report about a failure to provide a road allowance into a local conservation area. The budget increased 30 per cent over the previous year, but only resulted in a slight increase in levies for municipalities under the authority.

The budget included a $40,000 expense for the rehabilitation of the Howson Dam in Wingham, part of an $80,000 project begun in 1965.

The project was managed by the Ontario Government’s reservoir program and received a 75 per cent grant from the conservation branch of the Department of Energy and Resource Management.

The municipality was responsible for the remaining 25 per cent. Also at the meeting, Chairman of the Conservation Areas Advisory Board George McCutcheon expressed concern over Colborne Township’s failure to provide a three-quarter-mile road allowance into a conservation area situated near Goderich and Benmiller.

A winter storm struck the area.

Winds up to 40 miles per hour were recorded and snowfall totals reached 12 inches. School buses were cancelled and mail did not arrive on the day of the storm.

February 4, 1976 A controversial bylaw passed during an evening session of Blyth’s council that allowed Bainton’s Old Mill factory outlet to open on Sundays. The bylaw met opposition from Rev. Ted Hoogsteen who penned a letter that called on council to: “1. Maintain that Jesus is Lord of the Sunday. 2.

Maintain that Sundays are days of

worship. 3. Maintain that Sundays are days of rest and healing. 4.

Maintain and honour the value of human life and therefore not to pass a by-law to permit retail businesses in this jurisdiction to be open on Sundays.”

Franklin Bainton appeared at the meeting to say he did not want to open on Sundays, but that his competition in neighbouring Hullett Township had already received permission to open on Sundays. Bainton said, “We must remain competitive or we’ll go out of business.”

Residents of Blyth were hit with one of the worst winter storms during one of the hardest winters they had seen in a long time. The storm forced police to close Highway 4 because drifting snow and reduced visibility caused several accidents.

February 4, 1998 The Blyth Fire Department was notified they would soon receive a defibrillator for its rescue van, making it the only fire department in Huron County at the time that would be capable of aiding residents who had suffered heart attacks.

The Brussels Horticultural Society held a meeting at the library. Guest speaker Shirley Wheeler offered tips on creating artificial flower arrangements. The group decided to hold a flower show in the coming year and read a letter of appreciation from town council. A delicious lunch was served by Sara Stephenson and Luella Mitchell.

January 31, 2013 The Wingham Ironmen finished their season on a high note with two consecutive wins.

Wingham defeated Goderich and Walkerton in their final two contests of the

season. The Ironmen placed fourth overall and were set to meet the fifth place-Mount Forest Patriots in the best-of-seven quarterfinals.

Officers from the Huron County OPP Detachment began patrolling snowmobile trails in the area for the first time in 2013. Three Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) checkpoints were set up at strategic locations and snow machine operators were checked to see if they were following the rules.

Infractions recorded by police included failure to have current trail permits, failure to have insurance cards, failure to wear a helmet, and one driver was found to be driving while disqualified. No alcoholrelated offences were observed by OPP officers.

Bob Trick, Central Huron’s Animal Control Officer, said that the local coyote population was continuing to rise.

Trick, responsible for animal control in several municipalities, said there was cause for heightened concern around the Hullett Ward of Central Huron, with the main concentration of animals being found around the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area.

Belgrave Knox United Church Women enjoyed a potluck meeting.

Jennifer Burns gave a presentation about dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and the need for awareness and understanding. Nancy Jardin thanked Burns and presented the speaker with a gift of appreciation.

Former Morris-Turnberry and Huron East councillor Mark Beaven was named general manager of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies and appeared as the guest speaker at the Brussels Agricultural Society’s annual general meeting.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 5.

Other Views We want to bid the pandemic goodbye

A

s Canadians recently marked the third anniversary of the first cases of COVID-19 and the first anniversary of the anti-COVID occupation of downtown Ottawa and various border crossings, we spent a few days contemplating the effect of the pandemic on our Canadian way of life.

I know I’ll lose a portion of our readership right here if I mention that a significant portion of this article is drawn from a report, based on the work of an expert panel and published last week by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), a non-profit organization based in Ottawa, that shows how misinformation is eroding trust in public institutions and exacerbating health crises.

“Social-media companies primarily generate revenues by selling advertising space, the value of which is driven by users’ engagement on the platform,” the report said.

They focused on March 1 to Nov. 30, 2021, a time before the Omicron variant was dominant and vaccines were still highly effective against both infection and severe illness.

The researchers estimate that misinformation led about 2.35 million Canadians to avoid or decline vaccination during that period. If those individuals had chosen to get vaccinated, the report estimated that it would have prevented about 200,000 COVID-19 cases, about 13,000 hospital admissions, 3,500 ICU admissions and 2,800 deaths. It also could have saved the health care system $300 million in hospital costs.

The calculation didn’t account for additional costs, such as physician visits, long-COVID cases, the added burden on surgical backlogs or lost productivity in the workplace. Alex Himelfarb, chair of the expert panel that wrote the report, said that its estimates are very

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk conservative because it only examined a ninemonth period of the pandemic.

And that was only nine months from a 36month history of the infection. In Canada, Statistics Canada says, there had been 50,000 deaths as of Jan. 23. Worldwide, there have been 6.7 million deaths. In the U.S., there have been 102 million infections (that we know of, since many people didn’t go to a doctor) and 1.1 million deaths. In other words, Canada has done very well, with fewer than half the Americans who have died, on a per-population basis.

Of course if you’re one of the skeptics who refused to get vaccinated, you don’t trust these figures. Many of those who gathered in protest on Parliament Hill a year ago, or marked the anniversary last weekend, distrust the “experts”.

“In a democracy, the public should be able to understand the risks we’re facing … and act on that basis,” said Stephan Lewandowsky, a Canadian professor at the University of Bristol’s School of Psychological Science in the U.K. and one of the report’s authors. “But if you’re drenched in misinformation … then you’re distorting the public’s ability – and you're denying people the right – to be informed about the risks they’re facing.”

One of the report’s authors suggested about 80 per cent of the misinformation could be traced to about 11 anti-vaccine voices. Yet,

despite a reduced death rate, the opposition goes on. In Alberta, new Premier Danielle Smith, leader of the United Conservative Party, has been a non-believer in the fight against COVID-19. As time goes by and people tire of fighting the disease, more and more people, even believers, aren’t bothering to get vaccinated, and more worrisome, aren’t getting their children vaccinated.

In a way, the current pandemic revives memories of the influenza pandemic of 19181919 that killed more people than World War I, with the worldwide death toll estimated at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people.

It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. The effect of the influenza epidemic was so severe that the average life span in the U.S. was depressed by 10 years. And this was considering that propaganda campaigns and war restrictions and nationalism allowed public health departments to easily step in and implement their restrictive measures.

And yet, frightening as it was, people adjusted and went back to their ordinary ways of life, giving rise to a spread of the infection and a whole series of new deaths and illness.

(And of course those were the days before free health care.)

So it’s understandable that people want to “get past” this current infection, even if they are not disbelievers in vaccines and restrictions. Still, we must remember the lessons learned a century ago from another deadly disease. We risk the knowledge that we are ready to ignore the pandemic before it is ready to ignore us.

As we mark the third anniversary of what sometimes seems like a never-ending crisis, we must be prepared to continue the fight until it is over.

This week's Maitland Valley Camera Club Photo of the Week comes from Blair Smith of Brussels, who captured the blue, cool night sky of winter in Huron County, looking up from the base of one of the area’s mighty trees.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

The written word

A

s someone who communicates through the written word for a living, being clear and getting your point across is crucial to my day-to-day life. That’s why I have always gotten a kick out of the use of subtitles in an English-speaking program while an English-speaking person speaks English.

Usually it’s someone with a bit of an accent (deep southern U.S. is a popular one to receive this treatment), but not always.

A few days ago, The Guardian published a piece entitled, “Mumbling actors, bad speakers or lazy listeners? Why everyone is watching TV with subtitles on” in which Katie Cunningham reports that 40 per cent of Netflix viewers are regularly using subtitles, showing that they’re not just for the hard of hearing.

As a person who spent his teens and much of his 20s attending concerts in Toronto (some ear-splittingly loud, others not so much), I can safely say that I don’t hear everything. That’s why, as the proud owner of a pair of top-ofthe-line Bose noise-cancelling headphones, I can honestly say I’ve caught more audio on songs, movies and TV shows wearing those than I would in a traditional viewing situation.

Jess bought them for me shortly after Tallulah was born. Initially, they were for me to watch TV, movies, etc., downstairs while Jess rocked Tallulah to bed, which could take hours some nights. It kept me busy and the house quiet. Then, as I got more into cooking while our little girl was sleeping, I’d be wearing them in the kitchen and listening to music or podcasts and not disturbing anyone.

The Guardian article got me thinking about subtitles. It also features a screenshot from the show Orange is the New Black, in which a female prisoner is sitting on the toilet and the subtitle reads, “[urinating forcefully].” (I’ll come back to that... in a roundabout way.) The Guardian, somewhat cheekily, captions it as “a beautiful example of the art of television subtitling” from the show.

To reference the movie Sideways again - I must have set some sort of editorial record as the person who has most referenced Sideways in the history of the world - loyal column readers and those who love the movie (there are dozens of us, damn it!) will remember that main character Miles is crazy about what was then an obscure wine grape: pinot noir.

As someone who has called up his speech on the beauty of pinot noir’s flavours (“The most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet”) on YouTube on more than one occasion, I took a bit of a double take the other day when I hovered my cursor over the video for a second, but had not yet committed to clicking on it.

When you do that, the video starts in a small box, without sound, but with subtitles. Miles sits on the porch with Maya, his love interest, and she asks him the question on all our minds, “Why are you so into pee now, huh? I mean, it’s like a thing with you.” The text, of course, is pinot, but I can understand the mix-up.

Oh, come on faithful Sideways viewers. You can’t tell me you’ve forgotten the romantic scene between Miles and Maya in which she asks him about his love of pee (now, indicating that, perhaps, he wasn’t always into it?).

Sure, they’re just the auto-generated YouTube subtitles, not proper ones, but as someone who has seen the movie many, many times, it was pretty jarring to read. And, if a person is watching that for the first time, boy can it change the context of the scene.

So, while you can’t necessarily believe everything you hear (or don’t), I guess the same can be said for what you read.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

At the Branch

Legion welcomes six new members

Thank you kindly Maranda Klaver, right, Huron County’s 2019 Queen of the Furrow and the 2022/2023 Ontario Queen of the Furrow, was the guest speaker at the Brussels Agricultural Society’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday, which was held at the Brussels Legion.

She recounted her journey from winning locally in 2019 to her big provincial win late last year in Kemptville, near Ottawa and received a standing ovation from those in attendance. Outgoing Society President Zoellyn Onn, left, presented Klaver with a gift to thank her for taking the time to speak at the meeting. (John Stephenson photo)

Columnist takes a look back A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 There were lots of things and people to think about this week.

Several times, to remember where you were and what was significant, as you received news of the world.

First, January 2020 was the first Canadian case of a new and strange virus and the World Health Organization was on it. By March we were in the throes of a large health alert. For many of us this was the first time our health was connected to others and way outside our comfort zone. Only people who recall the polio epidemic had anything to compare.

We listened, we learned and we heeded the experts in this scary time. Over these three years we appreciated our rural area, our relative isolation and the behaviour of people concerned for the welfare of others. We all have stories of grief, disappointment and learning as news of the passing of this mighty virus grew. Friends and family died, long-term health effects remain and we remember the effects of this pandemic. It remains a worldwide health emergency and we do remember.

Hazel McCallion died at 101. She leaves a lot of memories, the rail explosion in her town, women’s hockey, 12 terms in municipal politics in Mississauga and one feisty lady. Hazel was a speaker at the Good Roads Convention in 1979 and my first year on Brussels Council, she won my heart then.

Hazel was direct and clear, perhaps

her way of doing municipal business could be brought back.

Hazel played hockey for pay, $5 a game in Montreal and her continued love of the game helped bring women’s hockey to the public eye and grew it to the standard we now know.

David Onley is another death to recall. The first Lieutenant Governor for Ontario with an obvious disability. His courage, confidence and personality showed the world that you don’t need two good legs to make a difference. I found it ironic that his disability was due to the after effects of polio, this as we consider the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

David challenged us to see and do what is right and he did it in all levels of society.

As adults we often forget about the heroes we had as children.

Take a moment and think who you use as examples of good living,

Hazel and David are on my list.

Bye now, Betty G.W.

By Jo-Ann McDonald Last week at the Brussels Legion Branch began with the general meeting with 13 executive members and regular members present. Membership reports that only three members have not renewed their dues but are pleased to have accepted six new members to the Legion family. We will be hosting an initiation night on March 24 and all members who have not been initiated will be contacted to attend. It is also Jelly Bean Blue night which had to be changed from March 17.

The Branch is applying for a patio licence again this year and hope to hear back soon. New curtains have been put up in the Hall to help with sound and soon we will decorate for Valentines!

Don’t forget the dance on Feb. 11.

Tickets available at the Branch.

Youth Chairman Nanci Ducharme reports that there were two winners at the zone level from the Branch for the Remembrance Day posters. Claire McCutcheon won second in black and white, junior division and West Bachert won first in black and white, primary division. Both posters will go on to District competition. Both students are from North Woods Elementary School.

Congratulations!

Mark Feb. 22 on your calendar for the 2023 public speaking.

The next edition of the Military Service Recognition Book is underway. We are looking for submissions about your relatives who served in World War I and II, Korean or Peacekeeping service. A copy of their enlistment papers, a photo and a story about their time in service and after would be

appreciated. If you have a loved one you wish to have included in the next publication, give the Legion a call for more information or leave a message and we will get back to you.

Saturday was the men’s Huron County darts contest which were played at the Branch. There are nine teams of four-to-six players that play each other once during the afternoon of play. Comrade Jo-Ann prepared the light lunch and Comrade Deb Ross bartended and looked after the lunch also. It was a good day.

The Catch the Ace draw on Friday evening had the lucky winner of Cora Alcock. Her chosen envelope was number 27 where she found the jack of diamonds. She won $185. The estimated jackpot for Feb. 3 is $6,500.

The Branch was busy again on Sunday with the Brussels Agricultural general meeting being held. There were approximately 50 people present to hear the guest speakers and the reports of the year’s activities. Comrades Judy Lee, Marni Knight and Jo-Ann McDonald served up dinner to around 30 of the members.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 7.

Google Maps issue persists in Blyth

Pitching in Recently, two local organizations pitched in and made donations to the United Way Perth-Huron’s Northern Huron Connection Centre, which is being established in Wingham. The Blyth Lions Club, above, donated $500, while Libro Credit Union donated $1,575 through its Staff Workplace Campaign. Lions President Fred DeBoer, top left, and Debb Finch, bottom left, made the presentations to Lisa Harper, right, of the United Way. (Courtesy photos)

United Church to host dinner From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Vera Hesselwood, London, (a long-time resident of Blyth) who will celebrate on Feb. 4; Mac Brooks, Feb. 5 and Evelyn Caldwell and Jeff Josling, Feb. 6.

Do you want to give your special Valentine something special? Order him/her a roast beef dinner from the Blyth United Church drive-through supper on Feb. 11 for Valentine’s Day. This past week Mother Nature has shown us that it may be the last of January, but it is still winter. We have had a very open January with no snow until the last week.

Looking ahead to February our experts are saying that it will be

colder than what we have experienced in January with temperatures below zero. The good thing about it is that February is a short month.

Take care and stay safe this coming week and call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile.

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Continued from page 2 share a draft of the Blyth BIA’s constitution ahead of the Annual General Meeting, now scheduled for February.

Sparling raised concerns about Blyth-area businesses and locations being incorrectly listed on Google Maps. Makrakos said this is an issue the township and county have been working on with Google and it should be mostly resolved by now.

Any outstanding issues should be reported for correction.

Goderich-to-Guelph Rail Trail (G2G) access was another topic for discussion. The group would like to create greater connections between the popular leisure trail and Blyth’s downtown businesses, but are concerned about industrial traffic and public safety issues. Further concerns were expressed about limited preparations for the upcoming construction planned for the problematic intersection of London and Blyth Roads.

Sparling expressed displeasure at a recently passed bylaw that limits parking on the main street to two hours. Blyth BIA members would like to see the parking bylaw repealed.

North Huron Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer, who serves as council’s representative on the BIA, updated the group on the ongoing North Huron budget process, saying it has been difficult to find solutions to limit a proposed tax increase. Falconer also said that previous funding intended to mitigate costs of newly-established public health measures is coming to an end, but the costs remain.

Rev. JoAnn Todd promoted the Coldest Night of the Year walk in Blyth, a United Way Perth Huron fundraiser, on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m.

Todd is entering a team called the “Blyth Blazers” and more information about the event is available online at cnoy.org. Todd

also provided an update on the United Way Northern Huron Committee’s progress toward opening the Wingham Connection Centre, a new, multipronged resource for Huron County’s growing unhoused population.

The Blyth Festival is preparing for its busiest season in history.

Festival General Manager Rachael King said brochures are being created, permanent seating is being installed at the Harvest Stage, and contingency plans for inclement weather are being designed to allow outdoor performances to pivot indoors, if necessary. King said seasonal crews begin arriving in April, rehearsals start in May, and the Festival is actively seeking accommodations in the community, as well as volunteers and box office employees.

Service Club Representative John Stewart of the Blyth Lions said there are still tickets available for the Legion elimination draw that goes to Feb. 11. Stewart also reported that a team from Blyth is competing in a provincial level cribbage tournament. The Lions Club, Stewart continued, is hosting a smoked pork chop dinner on Apr. 22. Finally, Stewart raised a shared concern between members of the Legion and the Lions Club regarding new SmartServe training and certification requirements that may be prohibitive to volunteer participation in both organizations.

The next meeting of the Blyth BIA is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Blyth arena.

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

Sports Ironmen win two over the weekend, remain in fourth

The wall Wingham Ironmen goaltender Garrett Golley was in fine form over the weekend for his team, opening with a 4-0 shutout of the Kincardine Bulldogs, above, and then a 4-3 win over the Walkerton Capitals on Saturday. The Ironmen, with 41 points on the season, remain in fourth place of the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen With 41 points in the season, the Wingham Ironmen are still in fourth place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League after a pair of wins over the weekend.

The Ironmen opened play over the weekend with a 4-0 shutout win over the Kincardine Bulldogs on Friday night in Clinton and then kept the winning feeling alive with a 4-3 win over the Capitals on Saturday in Walkerton.

On Friday night, there was no scoring in the first period, but Wingham’s Matt Tolton opened the second period with his 14th goal of the season at the 2:27 mark, assisted by Coleson Fischer and Kyle Stanbury on the power play.

Nate Bloemberg reached the dozen-goal mark for the season at 9:51 of the second period, assisted

by Tayt Bramhill on the power play, followed by Patrick Galloway scoring his third goal of the season at the 14:10 mark of the second period, assisted by Austin Becker and Nate Bloemberg - a third power play goal of the game.

Aiden Joyce of the Ironmen put the game away at 15:40 of the third period with his first goal of the season, assisted by Matt Tolton and Patrick Galloway.

In the first period, Wingham goaltender Garrett Golley incurred a slashing penalty, but Chase Lorenz served it, followed by Lorenz being called for a penalty of his own, hooking, at the 9:45 mark of the first period.

Kincardine’s Gavin Gibbons was called for interference at 16:13 of the first period, followed by his teammate Joseph Pringle being called for tripping at the

18:13 mark of the period.

Just 32 seconds into the second period, Kincardine’s Brennan Long was called for tripping, followed by Bulldog Joseph Pringle being called for slashing at 1:16 of the second.

Landon Sanford of the Bulldogs was then called for slashing at 5:08 of the second period, followed by a head contact penalty called on Kincardine’s Ryan Litt at the eightminute mark.

Bulldogs’ goaltender Carter Garvie was called for roughing at 9:20 of the second period, which was served by Kyle Dolmage, while Wingham’s Austin Becker was called for head contact at the 10:40 mark of the second period.

Kincardine’s Landon Sanford was called for slashing at 13:14 of the second period before being penalized again just seconds later at 13:22 for inciting an opponent, which earned him a game misconduct.

There were no penalties in the third period.

Wingham’s Garrett Golley only faced 10 shots in the game and stopped all of them, while Kincardine’s Garvie stopped 17 of the 21 shots he faced.

Wingham’s Matt Tolton was the first star of the game, with a goal and an assist, followed by goalscorer Aiden Joyce as the second star and Tayt Bramhill, who was the third star of the game with one assist.

On Saturday, Walkerton opened the scoring at home against the Wingham Ironmen.

Clayton Fitzsimmons scored his second goal of the season at 8:42, assisted by Andrew Earley and Brayden Fischer.

Wingham bounced back with a goal from Kyle Stanbury, his 21st of the season, at 11:15 of the first

period. Turner Mckenzie provided the assist.

The Capitals, however, scored again to end the period with a 2-1 lead. JJ Lavigne scored his fifth of the season at 16:20 of the first period, assisted by Jett Morningstar.

Wingham came out flying in the second period, with Austin Becker scoring his eighth goal of the season at 1:34 of the second, assisted by Nate Bloemberg and Kyle Stanbury on the power play.

Josh Pham then put the Ironmen in the lead with his fifth goal of the season at 2:55 of the period, assisted by Chase Lorenz.

Jett Morningstar then tied the game back up with his 11th goal of the season at 12:58 of the period, assisted by JJ Lavigne. However, Josh Pham scored again, his sixth of the season, an unassisted effort, at 13:39 of the second period to put the Ironmen ahead by a score of 43. There was no scoring in the third period, so that’s how the game ended.

Walkerton’s Clayton Fitzsimmons was the first player penalized in the game, called for interference at 3:58 of the first period. His teammate Eliott McCarey was then called for charging at 19:36 of the first.

Turner Mckenzie of the Ironmen was called for slashing at 3:12 of the second period, followed by Walkerton’s Spencer Maddock at 6:49, who was penalized for too many men on the ice.

Fitzsimmons was then called for hooking at 16:37 of the period before Wingham’s Austin Becker was called for interference at 17:53 of the third period.

Less than a minute into the third period, Noah Bloemberg of the Ironmen was called for slashing,

followed by a slashing call against Walkerton’s Spencer Maddock at 5:49 and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against Turner Mckenzie of Wingham at 8:46.

Garrett Golley earned the win for the Ironmen in net, stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced, while Russ Sebben suffered the loss in net for the Capitals, stopping 29 of the 33 shots he faced.

The Mount Forest Patriots remain in first place in the division with 51 points and a record of 25-6-0-1.

They are followed by two teams with 46 points - the Hanover Barons in second with a record of 21-8-2-2 and the Mitchell Hawks with a record of 21-9-2-2. The Ironmen are in fourth place with a record of 19-11-2-1 and 41 points, followed by the Kincardine Bulldogs with 36 points and a record of 16-13-3-1, the sixth-place Walkerton Capitals with 10 points and a record of 4-25-1-1 and the last-place Goderich Flyers with a record of 4-27-1-0 and nine points.

The Ironmen hosted the Mount Forest Patriots in Wingham on Wednesday, Feb. 1, but a score was unavailable at press time.

The Ironmen are next in action on Friday, Feb. 3 with a game against the Mitchell Hawks in Wingham, followed by another home game on Saturday, Feb. 4 again against the Patriots.

The Ironmen are then on the road, taking on the Hanover Barons on Friday, Feb. 10 and heading to

Mitchell on Feb. 11 for a game with the Hawks. They’re back home on Feb. 17 for a game with the Kincardine Bulldogs, followed by two more road games to close out the month of February. They head to Walkerton for a game with the Capitals on Feb. 24 and then to Goderich to play the Flyers on Feb. 25.

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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: “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 3, 2023. PAGE 9.

Sports Crusaders teams head to tournaments this weekend for those games.

The U9 team beat the Mid-Huron Huskies in Blyth by a score of 3-2, while the U11 Local League Burgundy team lost to the MidHuron Huskies by a score of 4-3 and the U13 Local League team lost to the Kincardine Kinucks Micro Age 1 team on the road by a score of 4-2.

That night, at the Blyth and District Community Centre, the U21 Crusaders lost by a score of 21 to the Shallow Lake Lakers.

On Sunday, the U8 Black and Burgundy teams hosted Mitchell Meteors teams in Blyth, while the U21 team played the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Ripley, coming home with a 5-2 win.

That night, the U11 Rep team played the Mitchell Meteors to a 33 tie in Blyth, while the U15 Rep

The Blyth Repository of History

Tough loss The U21 Blyth Brussels Crusaders were in action at the Blyth and District Community Centre on Saturday night, welcoming the Shallow Lake Lakers to the village. However, the contest didn’t go the way of the home team, with the Crusaders suffering a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Lakers. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This weekend, the U15 Rep Blyth Brussels Crusaders will be heading to St. Marys for the annual St. Marys Rock Tournament, while the U9 team will be in Hanover for the Canadian Tire Cup Tournament.

The U15 Rep team will open its tournament on Friday, Feb. 3 with a game against the host St. Marys Rock, followed by a contest with the South Kent Lightning. Also that day, the U11 Local League Black Crusaders will be in Goderich for a game with the Sailors, while the U21 Crusaders will host the HuronBruce Blizzard in Brussels.

On Feb. 4, the U6 Crusaders will play the Hornets in Howick, while

the Seaforth Stars teams will host both the U8 Black and Burgundy Crusaders in Seaforth that morning.

The U7 Burgundy team will welcome the Mid-Huron Huskies to Blyth, while the U13 Local League Crusaders will welcome the Kincardine Kinucks Superheat 2 team to Brussels that day at noon.

That night, the U15 Rep team will continue its tournament play with a game against the Ilderton Jets.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, the U8 Burgundy and U6 teams will be in Zurich for games against the Thunder, while the U11 Local League Burgundy team will be in Goderich for a game with the Sailors. The U9 team will be in Mitchell that night for a game with the Meteors.

Down in front On Saturday, the U21 Blyth Brussels Crusaders lost to the Shallow Lake Lakers by a score of 2-1 in Blyth.

(John Stephenson photo)

team beat the AEMHA Ice Dogs in Chesley by a score of 6-1 and the U18 Rep team lost to the Sailors in Goderich by a score of 4-2.

On Monday, Jan. 30, the U15 Local League team welcomed the Walkerton Capitals to Blyth and the U18 Rep team hosted the HuronBruce Blizzard, also in Blyth, while the U13 Rep team was on the road to play Central Perth. Scores were unavailable for those games at press time.

On Jan. 31, the U9 team played the Wingham Ironmen Yellow on the road, while the U18 Local League team played the Wingham Ironmen in Brussels. Scores were unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 2, the U15 Local League team played the Ironmen in Wingham, but a score was unavailable at press time.

On Monday, Feb. 6, the U18 Local League team will play the Vipers in Arthur and the next night the U13 Local League team will host the Wingham Ironmen in Brussels. On Feb. 8, the U13 Local League team will be in action again, welcoming the Mid-Huron Huskies to Blyth.

On Feb. 10, the U18 Local League team will play the Ironmen in Wingham. That weekend, the U18 Local League Crusaders will take part in the Huron-Bruce U18LL Tournament, while the U15 Local League team will play in the Mad Dog Hockey Tournament in Palmerston.

Looking back, on Jan. 23, the U15 Local League team lost to the Wingham Ironmen in Blyth by a score of 5-4, while the U15 Rep team won big in Seaforth, defeating the Mid-Huron Huskies by a score of 8-0.

That night, the U18 Rep team lost to the South Bruce Blades in Blyth by a score of 5-2.

On Jan. 24, the U18 Local League Crusaders beat the Mid-Huron Huskies in Brussels by a score of 52, while the next night, the U13 Rep team beat the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Blyth by a score of 6-3.

On Jan. 27, the U11 Rep team lost to the West Grey Warriors in Brussels by a score of 5-1, while the U21 team beat the Mid-Huron Huskies, also in Brussels, by a score of 3-1.

The U18 Rep team tied the MidHuron Huskies at six in Clinton that night, while the U15 Local League Crusaders tied the Howick Hornets at five on the road.

On Jan. 28, the U6 team played the Goderich Sailors and the U7 Burgundy team played the Howick Hornets, both in Brussels, while the U7 Black team played the MidHuron Huskies in Seaforth and the U8 Black team played the Cyclones in Listowel. Scores were not kept

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

Playoffs continue for five Huron Heat teams

Digging in the corners The U18 C Huron Heat took on the Lucan Irish in Saturday night playoff action in Clinton at the Central Huron Community Complex. Thus far, the teams have been unable to distinguish themselves from one another, playing to a 1-1 tie in Clinton on Saturday night and then a 2-2 tie in Lucan on Sunday night. The U18 C Heat are next in playoff action on Feb. 12 when they take on the South Huron Sabres in Clinton. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 1 games against the Sarnia Lady Sting on Feb. 24 in Seaforth and the London Devilettes in Clinton on Feb. 26.

The U15 C Heat played two playoff games over the weekend, first on the road in Komoka for a game against the Ilderton Jets on Jan. 28 and then at home in Clinton for a game against the Lambton Attack on Jan. 29, but scores were unavailable at press time.

They’re back in playoff action on Feb. 5, taking on the Irish in Lucan, followed by playoff games against the Ilderton Jets in Seaforth on Valentine’s Day and the Lambton Attack on Feb. 18 in Watford. The U15 C Heat will play the Lucan Irish in Seaforth again in playoff action on Feb. 21 and the Woodstock Wildcats on the road on Feb. 25.

The U11 HL Heat are on the road to continue their playoff journey,

taking on the Woodstock Wildcats HL Black team on Feb. 5, followed by another road playoff game against the Ilderton Jets on Feb. 11 in Komoka and a home game in Goderich against the Woodstock Wildcats HL White team on Feb. 12.

The following weekend, the team will host a pair of playoff games, the first against the St. Thomas Panthers in Blyth on Friday, Feb. 17 and then one with the North Middlesex Junior Stars on Feb. 18, also in Blyth.

Their final scheduled playoff game for the month is set to go ahead on Feb. 25 in Seaforth

against the Sarnia Lady Sting.

On Jan. 24, the U9 HL Black team lost to the South Huron Sabres by a score of 5-1, while, on Jan. 28, the U9 B Heat and U9 HL White Heat took on the Woodstock Wildcats in Woodstock and Lucan Irish in Seaforth, respectively, but scores were not kept for those games.

The U11 B Heat beat the Ilderton Jets in Komoka by a score of 2-1 that day, while the U15 BB Heat ended their game with the Sarnia Lady Sting in a scoreless tie.

That night, the U18 BB Heat tied the South Huron Sabres at one on the road.

On Jan. 29, the U11 B Heat beat the Ilderton Jets in Clinton by a score of 3-2, while the U13 B Heat lost to the Saugeen Shores Storm in Goderich by a score of 2-1. The U9 HL Black team lost to the North Middlesex Junior Stars on the road by a score of 3-1 and the U9 B Heat played the Waterloo Ravens on the road, but a score was unavailable at press time.

That afternoon, the U18 BB Heat played the Aces in Stratford and tied at one, while the U15 BB Heat lost to the Sarnia Lady Sting on the road by a score of 1-0.

The Senior team was in Hensall to host Milverton that night, but a score was unavailable at press time.

Looking ahead, the U13 C, U15 BB, U18 BB and U18 C Heat teams will all be heading to London for the annual London Devilettes Tournament.

The U15 BB Heat will begin their tournament on Friday, Feb. 3 with a game against the St. Catharines Junior Badgers, followed by a clash with the Markham Stouffville Stars.

The U13 C Heat will first play the Stratford Aces and then the host London Devilettes, while the U18 BB Heat will play the Devilettes, followed by a contest with the Durham West Lightning.

Also that night, the Senior team will play the Upper Maitland Mustangs in Howick.

On Feb. 4, the U13 C Heat continue their tournament play in

London with a game against the St. Thomas Panthers, while the U15 BB Heat will play the Oakville Hornets in the tournament and the U18 BB Heat will also play the Oakville Hornets in their tournament play.

Also that day, the U9 B Heat will welcome the Kitchener Lady Rangers to Seaforth, which is where the U9 HL Black team will play the Ilderton Jets later that afternoon.

That night, the Senior team will play Milverton on the road.

On Feb. 5, the U9 B Heat will play the Grand River Mustangs in Fergus, while the U11 B Heat will host the Lucan Irish in Clinton.

The U13 B team will host the Mount Forest Rams in Goderich that morning, followed by the U9 HL White team welcoming the South Huron Sabres to Clinton.

On Feb. 8, the U9 HL Black team will play the South Huron Sabres at the Stephen Township Arena.

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

Battling The U15 C Huron Heat took on the Lambton Attack on Sunday in Clinton, playing to a 5-0. This comes just a day after the team defeated the Ilderton Jets by a score of 4-0 on the road in Komoka. The team continues its playoff journey on Feb. 5 with a game against the Lucan Irish. (John Stephenson photo)

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PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

The Citizen

519-523-4792 huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 11.

How to prepare for buying a new home

Planning ahead Buying a home is easily the biggest purchase most Canadians will make over the course of their lives. Be prepared and know what to expect before the big day comes.

(News Canada photo)

NC - The high interest rates we are seeing make borrowing more costly. What you can afford may have changed in recent months. So, if you’re thinking of buying a home, make sure to assess your financial situation and compare different options to see what makes sense for you.

Here are a few tips: • Understand mortgage options: As a first step, compare the different types of mortgages available. Mortgage lenders offer different options, such as variable or fixed interest rates and open or closed mortgages. Each have their own pros and cons. For instance, consider if you’re comfortable with your interest rate potentially rising.

If not, a fixed-interest-rate option may be better for you.

As well, with a closed-term mortgage, there are usually limits on how much extra money you can put toward your mortgage each year. But the interest rate is usually lower than on an open mortgage.

• Order a copy of your credit report: A potential lender will look at your credit report before approving you for a mortgage.

Before you start shopping around for a mortgage, order a copy of your credit report and make sure it doesn’t contain any errors. If you don’t have a good credit score, a mortgage lender may refuse to

approve your mortgage or decide to approve your mortgage for a lower amount or at a higher interest rate.

• Assess what you can afford: Before you lock in a mortgage, compare different financial scenarios by running through different mortgage amounts and features. This will help you see the big picture and understand how much money your entire mortgage will cost. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has an online mortgage calculator that’s not trying to sell you on anything. You can see what your payments would be like if you made them monthly as opposed to bi-weekly or how they would change with different down-payment amounts. You can also see how different amortization periods would change how much interest you’d pay in the long run.

• Consider other costs: It’s important to keep in mind that there are other costs beyond your mortgage when you buy a home.

These can include property taxes, legal fees and home inspection fees.

Home insurance fees can also add up, as do costs for repairs you may need to do in the future. Be sure to consider how all these expenses fit as you figure out your home-buying budget.

Find more tips and financial tools to help you plan for a mortgage at canada.ca/money.

Avoid credit card scams, save your money similar across all card issuers.

Contact your card company or check your credit or debit card agreement to verify the terms and conditions. Banks must always fully investigate a transaction that you dispute.

How do you protect yourself?

Here are a few smart steps: • When shopping online, look for websites with addresses starting with “https” or ones that have a padlock image on the address bar.

• Never share your debit or credit card or your PIN with another person, not even a family member or partner.

• Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess and change it often.

• Keep a list of cards you carry in a safe place along with the phone numbers to call if any of your cards

Protect yourself Scams and fraud are on the rise in Canada, especially when it comes to credit cards. Protect yourself with some of these helpful tips. (News Canada photo) NC - In the past year, Canadians have lost millions of dollars to fraud and scams. When it comes to debit and credit card fraud, scammers are finding new ways to steal personal and financial information, so it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities, and how to protect yourself.

Card issuers such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Interac are bound to help protect you against financial loss if

someone uses your credit or debit card without your permission.

However, you also have responsibilities when it comes to protecting yourself against fraud.

For example, it’s your responsibility to keep your account information and PIN safe. You must also notify your card issuer right away if you notice unauthorized transactions on your account, and, if you lost money, they’ll usually reimburse you in full.

Generally, these conditions are

are lost or stolen.

If you think you were a victim of fraud, you should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You should also contact your local

police, your bank and the two credit reporting agencies, Equifax and TransUnion, to put a fraud alert on your credit report.

Learn more at canada.ca/money.

DONALD A ANDREW ACCOUNTING

Accounting & Income Tax Services for FARMS, BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS 296 Ross St., Lucknow

Ph. 519-528-3019 dandrew@hurontel.on.ca

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

*. . . . . . . (" $"& (" $#& ',&+#& .

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

Londesborough Lions set to host breakfast

Last Sunday was the anniversary of the arrival in Ottawa in 2022 of the protesters that came to be known as “the freedom fighters”.

Our capital basically was shut down by these folk who felt the government had no right to issue a COVID-19 vaccine mandate or issue rules for getting the virus under control in Canada.

I wonder, after a year, how those folks are viewing their actions in hindsight. I would be interested to learn whether any of those protesters have dealt with COVID19 this past year? Although news for the pandemic may not be item number one on the daily or even weekly news reports, it is still out there.

I can attest this week to that fact.

It is an insidious wee bug.

Symptoms can be mild to severe.

Some folks may not be aware they are even ill, or ignore symptoms, and go about their daily lives unaware of the fact they are infecting others. For a very stay-athome couple we are dumbfounded as to where we were infected. And I am angry.

So my reason for mentioning this is to urge everyone to consider others, and ultimately yourselves,

to stay home when you feel ill and to wear that mask! Give a little thought for the welfare of others.

This is the love month and you can start by wearing a mask.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the UCW of Londesborough United Church invites everyone to gather in the church basement following the morning service on Feb. 12 for coffee/tea and valentine cupcakes and a time of conversation.

The following Sunday morning, Feb. 19, the Londesborough Lions Club will be serving up their “Old Tyme Country Breakfast” at the Community Hall. Enjoy breakfast from 8-11 a.m. for $12. a plate.

I recognize I am very out of touch with what sports are offered in the North Huron Centres so please accept these next thoughts aware of that lack. I wonder if the Blyth ice surface could be used in summer months for things such as roller skating, ice hockey, indoor soccer, and how about a walking track? A nominal fee to walk would compare to the cost of gas to drive to Clinton, Goderich or Wingham and might be a senior’s way to support the building for use by youth. Or perhaps a summer day camp.

Anything to prevent the closure of an integral part of the community.

I trust quieter and calmer work is being done on this budget presently.

How do you like self- checkouts?

Why do you think they were implemented? In the beginning many folk thought they were put in stores, major chains especially, to cut down on employees. So, mistakenly, they weren’t used as much as a protest against taking away someone’s employment.

More and more stores were equipped with this option during the months of the COVID-19 pandemic because stores were having difficulty finding and keeping employees for the personal checkouts lines, for a variety of reasons. My personal reason for using a person to check-out, is just that. A chance to interact with another being which, since the pandemic especially, we recognize is important for mental health. In this society where things seem to need to be instant, one can hurry through a self check-out. But standing in line is a chance to slow down your day, to have a quiet pensive moment before rushing off to the next busy event.

You and I both know if there is a way to beat the system, someone will find it. You and I might never

losing it at the front of the store isn’t a big deal.

Admittedly, the supermarket chains are recording their highest profits in recent memory. And prices continue on an upward trend.

Experts point to the need to address income inadequacy. But that can’t come overnight and in the interim stores expect shoplifting will only increase.

The Catch 22 to this is that as shoplifting continues, and stores lose dollars to that practice, the price, which seemed too high to begin with, will be increased yet again making basic necessities out of reach for many.

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think to cheat that system but, for others, the opportunity is there.

Statistics reveal 5.8 million Canadians live with the threat of food insecurity. Records indicate 1.5 million food bank visits across Canada in March 2022. People are desperate and theft through self check-outs has spiked in recent months.

People doing this form of shoplifting don’t apologize. In their defence they mention the still rising cost of food and maintain they are “taking” only necessities. Some justify their actions against the fact that stores discard food because of age, expiry date and appearance, so

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

Brussels Livestock report

Fed steers, heifers sell actively at stronger prices Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Jan. 27 were 1,366 cattle and 417 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively at stronger prices. Choice steers and heifers sold $190 to $200. Second-cut cattle sold $180 to $189. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold

$165 to $179. Cows sold on a strong active trade at steady prices On Thursday, veal sold strong and steady. Lambs, sheep and goats all sold steady.

On Friday, calves and yearlings sold fully steady. Yearling heifers sold on a higher market.

George Roney of Staffa, consigned 10 head. Two gold

heifers averaged 1,455 lbs. and sold for an average price of $195.50.

K/C McAlpine Farms of Ailsa Craig, consigned eight head. Three charolais steers averaged 1,622 lbs. and sold for an average price of $200.

There were 250 cows on offer.

Beef sold $98 to $134 with sales to $150; good holstein cows, $95 to

All the right moves The U18 C Huron Heat took on the Lucan Irish in Clinton on Saturday night in one of the postseason’s early playoff games. Neither could pull ahead, however, as the teams ended the game tied at one. (John Stephenson photo)

OFA connects with rural leaders

By Paul Maurice, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Last week marked the annual conference of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).

For an advocacy organization like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the ROMA conference is a key event on the annual calendar. It’s where rural municipal leaders, rural stakeholders and government representatives come together to meet, network and discuss issues of importance to rural Ontario.

Although our members are farmers, the OFA also advocates on behalf of strong rural communities.

That’s because we know that in order to keep agriculture profitable and productive, we need the rural communities that support our farm businesses to be healthy, vibrant and viable.

I farm with my family in Simcoe County, a municipality with both rural and large urban centres. As a member of the OFA’s provincial board of directors, I also represent farmers in Peel and York Regions – two municipalities that are very familiar with dealing with urbanrural pressures.

Last week, I was one of the OFA representatives at the ROMA conference and it was an excellent opportunity to meet with elected officials and staff from provincial government ministries and municipalities across Ontario.

We had many conversations on issues that matter to farmers and rural communities, including farmland preservation, agricultural policy and farmer mental health – but it was also a chance to be able to just generally talk about the agriculture sector and give people a

greater understanding of what we’re all about. It is truly a valuable experience to be able to have these interactions and discussions in a less formal setting.

After all, our industry contributes $47 billion annually to the provincial economy, employs 10 per cent of Ontario’s labour force, and exports nearly $20 billion in agri-food products every year.

Those are significant numbers that underline the critical importance of farming to the economic engine of Ontario – and why agriculture and rural communities need investments and distributed economic development to support continued strength and growth.

A key component of that is improving rural infrastructure and services to create job growth, build affordable communities and ensure we have a sustainable food production system. Rural Ontario needs investments into rural roads and bridges, reliable and affordable high speed internet, access to affordable energy and increased social infrastructure like local schools, health care and community centres. All of these are essential to attracting and keeping people in rural communities.

Growing the agri-food sector also means housing affordability and long-term land use planning. We encourage governments to do this by committing to farmland preservation, supporting smart growth in our urban centres, and ensuring that we are protecting the agricultural and environmental lands we depend on for local food production. Affordable housing can help businesses attract much needed workers, offer growth opportunities for our communities and positively impact the decision-

making of young adults looking to make a purchase of their first home.

And finally, we believe in improving economic development and community health. Increasing agritourism and local food offerings in our communities encourages more people to participate in outdoor activities, learn where their food comes from, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and increase their connection to the food, flowers, fibre and fuel grown right here in Ontario.

It’s been a year since the OFA, with the financial support of the provincial and federal governments, launched the Farmer Wellness Initiative. This program offers free mental health counselling and supports for Ontario farmers and their families – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There’s long been a need for such a resource and given the level of interest I saw being shown by ROMA conference attendees, it’s one that is striking a positive chord.

As a farmer, I was also pleased to see a new level of enthusiasm for agriculture from the many people I spoke to, why it matters, and what needs to be done to protect it. It’s been very important to me for many years to give Ontarians opportunities to learn more about farming and to have conversations to help deepen that understanding.

For the OFA, that’s where the value lies in attending events like the ROMA conference: it gives us an opportunity to share our messages, but also lets us get a better understanding of where elected officials and policy makers are coming from. Working together will help us ensure “Farms and Food Forever” for the benefit of all Ontarians.

$111; medium holstein cows, $76 to $84.

Bulls sold $111 to $148.

There were 100 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $215 to $238; good holsteins, $210 to $230; SL heavy holsteins, $200 to $227; heavy holsteins, $145 to $227; medium holsteins, $195 to $209; plain holsteins, $180 to $194.

Larry Graul of Walkerton, consigned four head. One holstein steer weighed 710 lbs. and sold for a price of $230.

Jim Maw of Forest, consigned three head. One grey white-face weighed 870 lbs. and sold for a price of $238.

Lambs 50 - 64 lbs. sold $300 to $320; 65 - 79 lbs., $268.50 to $290; 80 - 94 lbs., $200.75 to $302.50; 95 - 109 lbs., $196 to $202.50 and 110 lbs. and over, $175.50 to $190.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies: $100 to $250; kids: meat, $200 to $365; dairy, $200 to $290.

Andreas and Petra Aeberhardj of Neustadt, consigned 13 head. Nine lambs averaged 63 lbs. and sold for an average price of $320.

Heffer Farms of Wingham, consigned 17 head. Seven lambs averaged 88 lbs. and sold for an average price of $257.50.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $311.50 to $337; 400 499 lbs., $287 to $315; 500 - 599 lbs., $274 to $306; 600 - 699 lbs., $291.50 to $303; 700 - 799 lbs., $268 to $299; 800 - 899 lbs., $250.50 to $266; 900 - 999 lbs., $246 to $258.50; 1,000 lbs. and over, $242 to $254.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 -

499 lbs. sold $203.50 to $275; 500 - 599 lbs., $237 to $265; 600 - 699 lbs., $198.50 to $230; 700 - 799 lbs., $219.50 to $240; 800 - 899 lbs., $217 to $235; 900 lbs. and over, $219 to $245.50.

Gerald F. Weber of Wallenstein, consigned 15 head. Seven charolais heifers averaged 908 lbs. and sold for an average price of $245.50.

Steve Pastoor of Kerwood, consigned 75 head. Five black heifers averaged 1,004 lbs. and sold for an average price of $239.75.

Dan Hoggart of Londesborough, consigned 11 head. Four gold steers averaged 741 lbs. and sold for an average price of $299.

Blake Renwick of Clifford, consigned 10 head. Ten black steers averaged 702 lbs. and sold for an average price of $271.25.

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

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

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

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

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

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

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Articles for sale NEW!! HOMEMADE, LOCALLYmade crackers and tortilla chips!!

Large variety of flavoured cheese, homemade butter and more! Cozy baby blankets too! Maitside Orchards & Farm Store, 23 Orchard Lane, Brussels.

04-2p -------------------------------------------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.

Births

Coming events Help wanted Help wanted In memoriam WINGHAM COLUMBUS CENTRE’S Famous Fish Fry is Friday, February 10 from noon to 6:30 p.m. We are offering “Eat In” this month. Eat in, $20 – choice of battered or grilled white fish and a buffet of salads, potatoes and breads, also coffee and tea. Take-out $18 – fish, potato, coleslaw and dinner roll. We also do chicken fingers for the “non” fish lover. Taxes are included. Call early to book your fish as we tend to sell out. 519-3571270.

05-1 -------------------------------------------AUBURN AND DISTRICT LIONS Club Valentine’s Breakfast at the Auburn Community Hall, Sunday, February 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Adults $12, Children $6, Preschool free.

Maple syrup supplied by Robinson Maple Products. Eggs supplied by Huron County Egg Farmers.

Proceeds for Ronald McDonald House. We Serve.

05-1p --------------------------------------------

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FOR SALE - Firewood for sale.

Dry, well seasoned hardwood. $70 a face cord (approx. 10 available).

No delivery. Call 519-525-2972 04-3 ----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Pup for sale. Calm temperament like Australian Shepherd/Norwegian elkhound mother, size like Jack Russell father. Shots, dewormed. Born October 14. $330. 519-357-1883 04-3 ----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Leg Magic exerciser to strengthen hip, thigh and leg muscles, $100. Clinton 519-2339124.

03-3 -----------------------------------------

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Administrative Co-ordinator – 24 month contract Visit the Township of Huron-Kinloss website to view these employment opportunity. https://www.huronkinloss.com/en/townhall/careers.aspx

WARWICK. In memory of Sharon Warwick who passed away Feb. 9, 2020.

Sadly missed along life’s way, Quietly remembered every day.

No longer in our life to share, But in our hearts she’s always there.

05-1p

M-T establishes water rates Continued from page 1 money was coming that could be used for future park repairs. In addition, the parks/cemeteries budget also includes $4,000 to repair a walkway in Kinsmen Park that was damaged.

Next Alcock addressed the Belgrave water system, saying the situation was mostly status-quo.

Operating expenses remain static but there is an anticipated minor rate increase for hydro. The municipality’s contract with private water management company Veolia is linked with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and will require additional funding in 2023.

Revenue remains consistent because consumers are charged a flat rate by the municipality.

With regards to capital expenditures, Alcock mentioned the reservoirs would soon need to be cleaned and inspected; and the work on the Jane Street well, originally slated for 2022, would be completed in 2023. Alcock confirmed the 2022 completion of work on the McCrea Street well. In addition, Alcock touted a reserve fund being built for large future projects like the eventual replacement of the Jane Street well.

Alcock concluded by saying, “the Belgrave water system is in good shape.”

At this time, Brophy advised council to consider establishing the 2023 municipal water rate at $1,183.97, an annual increase of 84 cents. A motion was made by Councillor Sharen Zinn, seconded

by Councillor Jodi Snell and passed unanimously, officially locking in the year’s rate.

Alcock resumed his presentation by speaking on the landfill budget.

The department is expecting an increase in labour costs in 2023.

Aging equipment is becoming a greater concern, causing upward pressure on maintenance costs.

Alcock hopes that a dedicated reserve fund will be put towards machine replacement costs that are looming.

A concrete pad will be installed to park the landfill packer for maintenance. According to Alcock, the packer currently sits on tires in the wintertime to prevent freezing and directly in mud for the rest of the year. According to Alcock, installing the concrete pad will increase the efficiency of increasingly frequent maintenance work.

The department also plans to move forward with a living fence to

keep litter from escaping the landfill into the community.

Alcock indicated the department is noticing an upward trend in revenue at the Morris landfill site and is conservatively predicting a $50,000 increase for 2023. The Turnberry landfill site’s budget includes perpetual care of the site and any potential consulting studies ordered by the Ministry of the Environment, an unpredictable and infrequent prospect.

The curbside pickup program is expected to have minor cost increases related to the existing contract with the Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA). Zinn asked if the contract is annual and was told the five-year agreement will expire in 2024. Alcock elucidated on the ownership structure of the BRA and highlighted benefits received by working with the organization relative to communities that do not.

Alcock next addressed the roads budget with a number of proposed increases for dust control contracts, bridge washing, tree trimming and snow removal. Snow removal costs have been low this winter, but Alcock admits it is difficult to predict future needs with the majority of snow typically falling between January and March.

Current stockpiles of salt and sand remain high. The cost of gravel has risen 40 per cent, so even a planned 10 per cent decrease in gravel use will only partially defray rising costs.

Alcock detailed two major road construction projects planned for 2023. The first is finishing the paving of Clyde Line between St. Michaels Road and Moncrieff Road. The second is resurfacing, removing and repairing the asphalt on Queen Street and Clyde Line in Bluevale. Barriers, curbs and repairs are planned for one of the two bridges on Moncrieff Road and scheduled repairs are to be done on the other.

The department would like to upgrade its 2009 single-feed chipper to an industry standard dual-feed model that would help tackle the backlog of dead and dying ash trees that need to be removed.

Alcock attributes rising insurance rates, increased benefits, current training needs and unpredictable fuel costs as reasons for the escalating roads maintenance budget, coming in $110,000 over last year.

Between 2021 and 2022, fuel

costs for the municipality increased by $75,000. “We have no idea where [the price of] fuel is going,” said Alcock, “and it’s such a volatile thing; such a political item.”

Alcock is concerned about upcoming equipment costs, such as the planned retirement of the department’s grader, which has seen increased maintenance demands as it has approached replacement age.

Alcock also addressed the Belgrave stormwater master plan.

Much of Belgrave’s older, undersized stormwater system will need an update to hook into any new development. $30,000 from the Asset Management Reserve fund is proposed to be used toward the development and planning stage of the stormwater master plan.

Alcock warned council that present funding for future bridge and culvert repairs is inadequate and steady investment in reserve funding is necessary. Alcock predicts an estimated $60 million will be needed over the next 30 years for bridge and culvert maintenance and repairs.

Brophy resumed speaking to address the administration, policing, fire and animal control budgets. The imminent replacement of the office’s computer server will be a major expense in the administration budget. Brophy warned council that the server is nearing the end of its five-year lifespan and should be replaced before complete failure causes an office closure. Brophy also suggested doubling the $25,000 that went into the Morris-Turnberry working reserve last year for 2023.

The financial deposit from the 2022 Belgrave land sale is earning over four per cent interest for Morris-Turnberry, adding general revenue to the municipal coffers.

Brophy said a further discussion on how to use these funds was forthcoming in the meeting.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) sent the municipality a $12,000 rebate from a 2022 surplus.

Net costs for policing are down, but Brophy recommends putting extra funding into the reserve to cover future increases. An increase in contract costs is expected under the fire budget. The proposed animal control budget is also seeing a small increase.

The council discussed grants and donations that had been requested Continued on page 19

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 15.

Obituaries

Quite an honour Sophia Burkholder, left, won the Junior Section Award at last year’s Brussels Fall Fair. She was presented with her award at the Brussels Agricultural Society’s Annual General Meeting, which was held on Sunday at the Brussels Legion, by Society Past-President Dorothy Cummings. (John Stephenson photo)

Locals return from snowmobile trip PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Last week wasn’t too bad weatherwise. It was clear on Wednesday morning but forecasters had predicted heavy snowfall and low visibility for the afternoon, so the school buses were cancelled.

Meteorologists are educated to forecast these events and it is not done on a whim by the school boards to cancel. Their concern is the safety of the children and the drivers.

Congratulations to Steve and Rita Bowers who have become grandparents for the fourth time.

Their daughter Laura and husband Ryan Kennes of Parkhill, have welcomed a second daughter. Lyla Elizabeth joins big sister Hailey in the family. Congratulations!

Those who are snowmobile enthusiasts are welcoming the latest snowfall and are hoping for more.

The trails around here are not open, but the groomer has been out getting them ready anticipating more snow. For those who could not wait, travelling to other parts of the province was the answer. Four local men, Scott McDonald, Jason Gemmel, Devin Blake and Darryl Young, travelled to Pembroke area to enjoy the trails. They left Friday very early and arrived, checked in, unloaded the sleds and were off.

They put 150 kilometres on the sleds the first half-day away. In the two full days of riding they managed another 450 kilometres.

The trails were fantastic and they really enjoyed the area.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Fred Uhler, Ryan Jacklin, Sheldon Lee, Alexis Beuerman, Phyllis Coleman, Chris

Ryan, Mark Wilbee, Macklin Bernard, Thys DeJong, Sarah Mitchell, John Braecker, John Driscoll, Marilyn McDonald and Amy Whyte. Happy birthday to all.

EARL WESLEY YOUNG Earl Young of Wingham, passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

He was in his 94th year.

Earl is survived by his wife Isabell (Barbour; Montgomery) Young of Wingham; his son Robert Young (Jane Swan), East Garafraxa, and his granddaughter Laura Young, Guelph. Earl was predeceased by wives Doreen (Hays) and Shirley (Heimbecker); daughter-in-law Joanne (Fitzgerald) Young; and brothers Elwin (“Bill”), Meredith and Worthy Young and sisters Marjorie (Jackson) and Myrtle (Barwick; MacDonald).

Earl Wesley Young was born July 27, 1929, in Goderich, and followed several of his family into a career at sea, rapidly rising to the rank of mate. After the birth of his son, Earl ‘came ashore’, eventually gaining an engineering accreditation. Earl moved his young family to the Sarnia area to participate in the start-up of a chemical plant, but returned to Wingham after just a few years,

purchasing and operating Wingham Bowl, while continuing as a stationary engineer at Bruce Nuclear and later at CFB Clinton, where he was Senior Civilian.

Earl left his formal engineering career behind, focusing on business, adding school buses, a courier service and a sporting goods store to his bowling business. Earl provided out-of-town transport for the Wingham Ironmen hockey team and spent considerable time with the club.

A lifelong musician, Earl had a love of old country music and guitar, which led him to an active role with the Barn Dance Historical Society. Life on the water remained a passion for decades, and Earl enjoyed owning a series of speedboats and cabin cruisers in pursuit of that passion. He was also an active member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 180, a Life Member of Masonic Lodge 286 in Wingham and a former Shriner.

‘Uncle’ Earl enjoyed a special relationship with his many nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by his entire family, and by friends made in pursuit of his many interests.

Visitation was held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Feb. 1. A Masonic Lodge Service was held that afternoon. The funeral service took place in the funeral home chapel on Feb. 2, followed by a reception at the Wingham Legion. Interment will take place at Wingham Cemetery.

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

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

PENNY MARIE (LOWE) HASTINGS Penny Marie (Lowe) Hastings passed away on Jan. 19, 2023, at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

Penny was the loving mother of Tyler Hastings, Mandy Hastings, and son-in-law Shaun. She was the dear grandmother of Maci, Landon, and Alaia; sister of Doug Lowe, Linda Hyde, and brother-in-law Doug Hyde. Penny was also a beloved aunt and friend. She holds a special place in all our hearts and will be remembered fondly.

In following Penny’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no services held at this time.

If desired, memorial donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated and can be arranged online, or through Reynolds Funeral Home.

Messages of condolence and memories may be shared at www.reynoldsfuneral.com.

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

Looking Back at 1848 Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

F

ew people who travel the many roads that crisscross Huron County in 2023 can visualize what the landscape would have looked like nearly two centuries ago. Where today there are carefully cultivated fields, sturdy buildings and several municipalities once was an almost impenetrable virgin forest.

The nucleus of European settlement in this area started when John Galt and William “Tiger” Dunlop met at the mouth of the Menesetung River (later Maitland River) in June of 1827.

At this time they acted on the plan of the Canada Company, based in England, to profit from opening up the area for settlement.

By 1837, when the first rugged road, into the Huron Tract, was completed, there were 385 men, women and children in the area. By 1842, that number had increased to 7,190 people. “Most of the settlers going to Huron County headed for Goderich as it was the only established settlement during the first four or five years.” (Professor James Scott, The Settlement of Huron County).

Two factors were important to opening up land for settlement: surveying and road building. Early surveyors had a difficult time setting their lines through the dense stands of trees, the mire of swamplands and the daily assault of insects. Areas

beyond Goderich were opened up in stages. The first settlers in Ashfield were George May near Nile in 1835, John Runciman near Dungannon in 1836, and William Dougherty at Sheppardton in 1836. In Wawanosh, John Jackman and Charles Girvin settled near Nile in the early 1840s.

Morris had been surveyed by 1849 with the first settlers being Kenneth McBean and William McConnell.

Turnberry was surveyed by 1852 and John Messer came in 1853, choosing Lots 39 and 40 on Concession 1 for his new home.

Looking further eastward, Howick was surveyed in 1847 and the first settler was probably John Carter in 1851. Grey was first settled by a man with the name of Beauchamp, but he did not register his claim. The second resident was John Mitchell who came in 1852.

It is quite interesting to view the Huron Signal newspapers of 1848 as found on the Huron County Museum’s Digitized Newspapers site. The Signal was published by a Scotsman by the name of Thomas McQueen, an ardent reformer, who often railed against the majority Tory establishment. This newspaper consisted of one large sheet of paper that when folded in half produced four pages of print. McQueen would have undertaken all of the tasks from gathering news to setting type and then running the paper through a press. A liberal application of ink on

some pages makes them a bit difficult to read. No matter, the items found on those pages give us a peek at life in Goderich, which was quite different from the experiences of the newly-arrived settlers who were trying to carve out a place in the forests of Huron.

George Miller and Co., a foundry, offered threshing mills, castings for grist and saw mills, waterwheels, bake kettles, cook and parlour stoves, ploughs and bells in the 500to 1,000-pound range. Alexander Melvin was prepared to receive orders for lumber or light wagons, as well as make harrows or drags to order. T. Gilmour and Co. had “almost every description of hoop and iron bar” and as a sideline, also sold tobacco. To furnish the midcentury homes, Latschaw and Erbe, cabinetmakers, were making sideboards, drawers, sofas, bedsteads, dining tables and Grecian, fancy and Windsor chairs.

To brighten homes, Edward C. Watson, painter and glazier, advertised that if “employers were to furnish materials, he would engage to work at the cheapest rate.” He further added that “all types of produce would be taken in exchange for work.”

Mr. A. Naismyth was a “fashionable tailor” who was continuing to make the most approved styles on short notice.

Market Square was the focus of most

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

I

’ve been enjoying Karen Webster’s columns in the paper for weeks now. In fact, my readers have suggested if I could write as well as Karen, I might eventually catch on some day. I consider myself a bit of a community historian. Yet, I don’t know where Karen gets some of her stuff. I’m certain that she wouldn’t make things up - only I would do that. But, whatever her sources, I do think she is missing some pieces. So for those history buffs out there seeking the real truth, the title of this dissertation is: The Sordid History of Homo Sapiens and Human Civilization as Pertaining to Brussels, Ontario.

Before European contact, the land upon which Brussels sits belonged to the First Nations, in particular, Chief Menesetung. He was a bit of a ladies man. I’m not certain if he was an Oneida or Onondaga or Chippewa, but his wife caught him fooling around with some gal called Della Ware. She was so upset she tried to commit suicide by jumping into Turnbull’s Pond. Even back then, the pond was only four feet deep, so her efforts were in vain.

Chief Menesetung had to ship her down to Benmiller Falls to achieve the desired outcome.

Next, a couple of strangers, I think maybe a Stretton and a Lowe, showed up.

They offered Menesetung a bit of costume jewellery and a haircut and the deal was done. Keith Mulvey wasn’t even there to collect the realtor fee.

Then they said to their horseman, “Go over to the registry office in Goderich and stake our claim.”

Ainlay was the man’s name and, being a self-promoting

Yorkshireman, he wanted to name the town after himself. Well, even back then, Goderich could always find a way of screwing things up. A sloppy county clerk misspelled it and so Ainleyville was born.

Fast forward to the 1870s.

Businessman John Leckie had his sights set on bringing a railroad to town so he wouldn’t have to send his cattle all the way to Seaforth. So he got himself elected as the first Reeve of the Village and made the Grand Trunk an offer they couldn’t refuse.

“Tell you what,” he says, “for every dollar you invest in your railroad, I’ll make sure the local taxpayer gives you two.” And it worked. If you look at old maps, the rail line should have gone straight across from Kincardine to Palmerston.

Instead, it dips down to Brussels like a fat man’s belly. The only other concession that the Grand Trunk Railway asked for was to rename the town after their favourite vegetable.

Roundabout 1895, the Brussels Gentlemen’s Club was founded. So we are not as old and venerable as the Ag. Society or Horticultural Club, but we have more staying power than the Orangemen, Mechanics, Masons, Oddfellows and the Morning Stars (not to mention the Perth County Conspiracy).

That brings us to the 20th Century.

At one time, we had three butcher shops. One was owned by a Baeker, another by a Thompson and the third by a Stephenson. They soon realized that if they amalgamated, they could get a bulk rate on sawdust, which promptly went into their wieners and increased their bottom line. (I don’t even have the heart to talk about the good old days when

Brussels was full of baloney.)

Next, Roy Cousins came down from Aurora and launched Cousins Creamery. Over the years it became a source of pride for all of Brussels.

Sadly (according Jack Thynne), Roy’s fatal mistake was to hire Ivan Campbell. And that was the end of that.

After the war, Max Oldfield got tired of growing potatoes in Dundalk and started selling radios and TV sets in the 1950s. For the next six decades, he could get you whatever make or model you wanted, provided it was on a Wednesday.

When the federal government repealed prohibition, it put a great many McCutcheons out of work.

They had to pivot their operations from bootlegging into car sales just to survive. In fact, Brussels was one of the very last jurisdictions in Canada to go “wet”. George McCutcheon was Brussels Reeve and County Warden at the time and fought the repeal tooth and nail.

(That’s why my mother always blamed the Anglicans.) Funny thing how back in the day, everyone went to main street to get their groceries, and a back street to get their booze.

Now it’s the other way around.

That brings us to the present. Stay tuned for next week’s column entitled: The Future of Brussels: Will it be like Sodom and Gomorrah, or can Jonny Harris keep us Still Standing?

(Disclaimer: This article has not been approved by the Tweedsmuir Histories, Huron Historical Society or Karen Webster. Or Shawn Loughlin for that matter.)

Truthfully Yours TKF.

of the commerce at that time. H. Horton was situated there where he had a manufactory of saddles, harness, trunks, carpet bags and valises. Also located on the square was Gilbert Porte, who sold “ladies’ and gentlemen’s fashionable boots.”

Dr. Hamilton, a surgeon, was located just down the way, on West Street.

M.B. Seymour advertised “chests of tea, boxes of tobacco, kegs of shingle nails and horseshoes” that all had come from Liverpool by way of Montreal.

If a person required bricks, John Halden Jr. and Co. was the business to see. Mr. and Mrs. Nairn ran one of the several private schools in the settlement and gave lessons in English, French and Latin.

In November of 1848, it was reported that John Bignall, the superintendent of the Common Schools, had absconded with 448 pounds and that the teachers were without pay. In the light of communications, once a month, the postmaster, A. F. Mickle, provided a lengthy list of people who had letters

waiting for them at the post office.

And we must not forget the farming community. The Huron District Agricultural Society had a “remarkably fine thoroughbred Durham bull standing at Thomas Harris’s farm on Bayfield Road.”

The services of this bull came at a cost, per cow, of two shillings, sixpence or produce.

Distance and the lack of passable roads were hindrances for the settlers in the outlying areas to access the variety of goods and services available in Goderich. As well, those beginning years, of hewing out a place to live, were lean years for almost all the people living at a distance from Goderich. What little cash they had probably was used to make payments or keep up the interest installments on their property. As time went on, the roads were improved and crops provided the funds to grant the country brothers and sisters leave to partake in the goods and services that were already taken for granted in Goderich.

Bidding farewell Zoellyn Onn, the outgoing president of the Brussels Agricultural Society, bid farewell to the organization on Sunday at the Brussels Legion for its annual general meeting, making way for incoming president Reg Vinnicombe. (John Stephenson photo)

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

From the Minister’s Study

Prominent musician to share message of love, faith

By Jason Hovius Brussels Community Bible Chapel Chances are you have recently heard a song about love gained or love lost. That’s almost all we hear on pop or country radio stations.

The desire to love and be loved is universal to mankind and is as important as food and sleep to our level of happiness. Love is also one of the strongest emotions a human can experience.

A once-famous pop song from the 1970s called “Could You Ever Love Me Again?” was played and sung by a Canadian duo called Gary and Dave. At one time it was a number one hit in Canada. For older readers, their names may ring a bell since Gary and Dave graced many local stages in the early 1970s, including the Bruce Inn and the Sutton Park Inn in Kincardine.

Wingham’s CKNX also played every record released by the pair. I am unfamiliar with their level of popularity globally, but a quick YouTube search with a skim of the comments shows that their 1970’s songs still resonate with many around the world.

A little known fact about Brussels Community Bible Chapel (BCBC) is that a member of this pop duo was instrumental (pun intended) in the founding of this little church here in small-town Brussels. In fact, Gary Weeks still occasionally visits BCBC on Sunday mornings. Lord willing, he will join us on the weekend of February 11 and 12 at the Four Winds Barn, where he will candidly share the story of how God’s love found him when he felt broken and empty in the world of fame and earthly success, a world that few of us have experienced.

Tickets are sold out for the Saturday night event (with all money going to the local Food Bank). However, the 10 a.m. Sunday morning church service at Four Winds is free and accessible to anyone – first come, first served due to limited capacity.

Bob Cretney recently wrote a biography of Gary Weeks entitled with the name of the aforementioned song. It is available online from Gospel Folio Press in Port Colborne. I have bought several books from them in the past and the process has been painless.

This book, written in story form, shows how God has an active interest in reaching people’s hearts through various means. There are several true stories from the lives of Gary and Claudette about God’s miraculous provision and of “chance” encounters that were too

perfect to be merely coincidental.

It was at the age of 12 that a young Gary became a believer in Jesus Christ. Prior to this, he had been raised in a church, but had never repented of his sin and cried to Jesus for forgiveness. Going to church and being raised in a Christian home is not enough to become saved. Just like Gary Weeks, we all have to make a personal, heart-felt decision to yield to Christ, or else be stuck bearing our own sins before God on judgment day.

However, from Gary’s youth until the height of his success as a young adult, he did not follow his Saviour whole-heartedly. He often thought to himself, “I will serve God later”.

Despite making time for sports, university, pilot’s training, and rapid growth in the entertainment industry, he made no time to consider what kind of a man God wanted him to be. One day, a brief phone call at his lawyer’s office brought his career to a crashing halt. His wealth and fame largely vanished in mere months until he was next to homeless, wondering where to find true fulfillment and purpose in life.

Gary said “I will serve God later” for about a decade, but no one can predict how much time one has left.

Tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us. If you are waiting for a convenient time to turn away from sin and become a disciple of Jesus

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Join Us In 2023, As We

Come Worship With Us Sundays at 10:00 am All Are Welcome

Wingham United Church 217 Minnie Street, Wingham Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 am Sunday School at 10:30 am Services available on YouTube Rev. Colin S. Snyder rev.colinsnyder@gmail.com

Pastor Mike Stanley, John 14:15ff - “The Helper, the Holy Spirit”

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, February 5 9:30-10:30 a.m.

We extend a loving welcome to all to join us downstairs as Rev. Amanda Bisson leads us w, in worship. The Congregation’s Annual General meeting will follow with a pot luck lunch to be served after that.

Soup & More 2

Join us every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch. This free meal is made possible p by the Brussels’ churches and many volunteers working together to serve our coommunity.

All are welcome!

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

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

Wheelchair accessible 519-357-2961 and parking

Sunday, February 5 at 10 a.m.

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

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

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

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

Trinity

BLYTH 9:00 AM

St. John’s

BRUSSELS 12 NOON

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

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

Come Worship with Us!

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch

Sundayy, Februarry 5, 2023 Worship Service at a 11 a.m.

After church, the soup is ready! Bring B sandwiches, buns or hand-held dessert and participatee in ANNUAL MEETING.

NORTHERN HURON-PERTH CATHOLIC FAMILY OF PARISHES All are welcome to visit or join with us, and to become disciples of Jesus, sharing in Christ’s mission.

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

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

17 Flora Street

Blyth United Church

Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday ~ 9:00 a.m.

220 Carling Terrace

Sunday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m.

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 Nursery & Sunday School during worship

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

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

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Sunday, Feb. 5, 10:30 a.m.

human yearns for. He writes, “I was blown away with how pathetic my attempts were at conveying what love was all about. What Jesus did on the cross was true love.”

If I were to ask you for the antonym of love, most of you would respond with the word hate.

You wouldn’t be entirely wrong, but a more accurate antonym of love is indifference. Indifference means that you couldn’t care less Continued on page 19

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

IMPORT TA ANT CHANG GE ~ February 12 W Woorship at 9:30 a.m.

Evangelical Missionary Church

Christ, that time may never come.

And the time in the meantime is lost forever. Do not delay. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

It was in his late 20s that Gary was struck with awe by the love of God through Christ. Even though he had been singing for years about love all around the world, he had been ignoring the deeper, unconditional love that every

Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday ~ 11:00 a.m.

1025 Wallace Avenue N.

Outreach project is the Northern Huron Connection Centre in Wingham

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

Website: nhpc.dol.ca

Telephone: 519-357-2435

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023.

ers t t e L THE TO

R

TO EDI

Hamilton-Seeger catches up on local events

Slim margins The U11 B Huron Heat were in action on Sunday, welcoming the Ilderton Jets to Clinton. In the end, it was the home team that triumphed by a score of 3-2.

(John Stephenson photo)

It has been a long time since I “put pen to paper” but that does not mean I have not been reading all the news in your fine publication.

First of all I don’t think anyone has formally thanked you and your staff for cranking out the news every week during the COVID-19 pandemic. No mean feat and it was done in such a creative way with photos from previous events used to advertise annual events that were not going to happen. And what wonderful additions from local photographers!

I will miss Denny and congrats to Scott Stephenson on taking over the position. I hope he covers local municipal councils with the same vigour.

Which leads to the next topic: North Huron council. Oh my, I do think they have lost sight of what makes a community great. We see a lot of new builds going on (look at Maitland river flats at Wingham and the perfect homes in Belgrave and north edge of Blyth) and wonder what will happen with the increase in population and tax dollars if there is no community to

be part of.

And shame, shame, shame on them for turning a blind eye to the rich heritage of Wingham. Council is looking to return items donated to their museum. That in itself is a major task as a lot of the items were donated by people who are no longer with us. With the industrial growth of the foundry (Western Foundry and later Wescast), the excitement around the beginnings of CKNX and the impact it made in this part of Ontario, and being located in the rich farming land of Huron County, you would think their history is worth preserving and teaching to everyone. The wonderful old building, which needed repairs decades ago but was not a priority, has deteriorated into an expensive project. Be prepared for it to be stripped from the streetscape. It is a sad time when a community loses its history.

One last point on the matter of history; I have been involved with a number of local history books and it is the local newspapers that shine when doing research. Obituaries offer clues as to family history and connections. But we have lost the art of writing obituaries, at least for our mothers, sisters and aunts.

Case in point, the edition of January 20, 2023 had five obituaries, my condolences.

When you read about the three gentlemen you had a sense of who they were, what made them special.

But the two women had no stories, no loving comments about how they lived their lives, how they made their mark in their families or in their community. They were born, married, raised children and died. And we wonder why women’s

work carries no weight. We don’t recognize the important part women play in our lives. We would not be here without them. Maybe we need to be proactive and write our own obits, or ask funeral directors to gently encourage families to broaden their scope beyond the mere facts at such a sad time.

Well that was a lot to cover!

Keep up the good work.

Rhea Hamilton-Seeger.

Stevenson seeks improvements in snow removal Does the North Huron Public Works Department not own a shovel? I only ask the question because each winter I am frustrated by the lack of snow removal at the Blyth crosswalk.

After each snowfall, the button required to activate the crosswalk is inaccessible without standing in snow up to my knees.

As an able-bodied person, I wonder each time I use the crosswalk how a person in a wheelchair, using a mobility scooter or a child activates it.

Taxpayers spent approximately $250,000 for a crosswalk only usable in good weather? Surely Public Works can do better.

Deborah Stevenson.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023. PAGE 19.

Barnett leads Knox service in Belgrave PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Fun and games While it was all fun and games at the Brussels United Church’s “Games Time” on Friday afternoon, not everyone was sitting with cards in hand - others were busy preparing food and snacks, like Betty Graber Watson, left, and Julie Harrison. (John Stephenson photo)

M-T surplus sparks discussion Continued from page 14 from the municipality. The consensus reached by council is that charitable donations are an inappropriate use of public funds, but the community is encouraged to make private donations on their own.

Council also discussed its recreation budget, and while funding levels will likely remain on par with previous years, council expressed concerns that potential closures of the arena in Blyth and the swimming pool in Wingham may reduce service levels, without

reducing costs to Morris-Turnberry ratepayers. Council intends to revisit the issue next year after some of the uncertainty is rectified.

Ideas for what to do with the windfall surplus of selling development land in Belgrave in 2022 spurred a noticeably livelier discussion in the room. Heffer recognized the rare opportunity for a municipal council to decide how to spend such a large surplus.

Council members made several suggestions, including topping off reserves, setting money aside for future development projects,

investing the money to produce annual returns, paying off debt to remove it from future books, and/or using $30,000 to go toward the Belgrave stormwater master plan.

Brophy will provide more options for consideration at a later date.

Brophy estimates the overall proposed increase to ratepayers in Morris-Turnberry is 6.95 per cent.

After discussion amongst council, Heffer requested Brophy report back with options to bring that figure closer to five per cent. The next budget meeting will be held as part of a regular council meeting.

Susan Barnett, Licensed Lay Worship Leader, was the guest speaker on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Knox United Church, Belgrave.

After welcoming the congregation, the call to worship was read responsively, then Ms Barnett lit the Christ candle.

The scripture lessons were read from Micah 6: 1-8 and Matthew 5: 1-12 and Psalm 15 was read responsively with the congregation.

Ms Barnett reflected on the word “blessed”. We hear it all the time. I have been blessed or we have been blessed. What does it mean? It means we have a lot of something.

Today we might add some blessings: college education, good jobs, attractiveness, faith, power and wealth, etc. Jesus tells what it is like to be blessed. We have all been blessed in one way or another.

On Sunday, Feb. 5 the guest speaker will be Bill McAuslan.

Everyone is welcome.

My husband’s cousin, Thomas Helm, passed away on Jan. 24 at Wingham and District Hospital.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Joan, and his daughter Janine (Barry) and son Doug (Jenni) and

grandchildren Ryan, Brayden, Carmen, Reed and Nelson. Sincere sympathy is also extended to Tom’s brother Art (Barbara) and his sister Roberta Whytock and families.

We are back to winter weather again with lots of snow. The students didn’t mind getting time off from school last week. The snow has been enjoyed by the people who snowmobile, ski, snowshoe or those who just like to go for a walk through the forest to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.

Celebrating birthdays are Madison Davenport on Feb. 1, who will be 10 years old and her brother Jackson Davenport will be eight years old. Happy birthday to both of you and enjoy your day!

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

New CMHA branch established Effective Monday, Jan. 30, leading addiction and mental health agencies in Huron and Perth Counties, Choices for Change and Resilience Huron Perth, are pleased to announce their official transition to a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The organization will now be known as CMHA Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services.

“Today is a very exciting day for our two agencies and their dedicated and committed staff.

Now individuals in both Huron and Perth Counties experiencing mental health and addiction issues will be able to access the best possible care and services using a centralized and

consistent intake process,” said CMHA Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services CEO Catherine Hardman on Monday.

“Clients will only have one agency to tell their story to and one intake process, making it easier for clients to seek service and community partners to refer individuals.”

Becoming the 27th branch of the CMHA in Ontario provides additional benefits for the newest agency, including the ability to leverage branch expertise and best practices across the province.

“CMHA has a 70-year history in Ontario and is a key player in the community mental health and addictions sector,” said Claudia den

God will love you again Continued from page 17 about someone. Many of you know that it often hurts more to be ignored by someone than for them to just have it out and scream at you.

The Bible says matter-of-factly that God is love, and indifference or even aloofness is not one of His character traits. He does not force His love on people, nor does He force love from people (which wouldn’t be true love at all), but He can never be accused of being indifferent. He sacrificed His one and only son as a gesture of love for the world (John 3:16).

Could God ever love me (again)?

Absolutely! What if I have committed murder or sexual sins or if I have anger issues or if I were disobedient to my parents when I was younger? I must confess, yours truly has committed many, if not all and more, of the same sins you have, and yet by God’s gift of grace I have found peace and forgiveness.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). In Cretney’s words, “He’s [God’s] never stopped loving you! Love is not something God does. Love is something God is.”

Boer, the supervisor appointed by Ontario Health to lead Resilience Huron Perth during this transition period. “It’s reassuring to know there’s a strong branch network where you can find guidance, advice and staff support.”

“As a sector, our goal is to support our communities through the delivery of much needed mental health and addiction programs and services. As such, we are delighted to welcome CMHA Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services into the CMHA family,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “This newest addition today only adds to the strength of our network of branches in Ontario in the areas of case management, supportive housing and addiction recovery. We’re excited for the future and for what is to come.”

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