The Citizen - February 9, 2024

2 • Sledge Hockey 3 • Cold Case 8 • Sports 19 • Music

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source

Friday, February 9, 2024

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Volume 40 No. 6

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Heat win in London, persevere in playoffs

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Jubilation The U18 C Huron Heat were in action on Sunday night, welcoming the Sarnia Lady Sting to the Seaforth and District Community Centre in another playoff game.

The Heat would find the back of the net first, much to

the jubilation of the members, but that joy would be shortlived as the Lady Sting would fight back to end the game tied at one. This came after the locals registered a 3-1 win over the Lady Sting in their first playoff game. (John Stephenson photo)

North Huron approves 2024 budget

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen North Huron Council held a statutory public meeting on Monday, Feb. 5 in regards to the final draft of the 2024 budget. The overall tax levy increase will be 3.8 per cent over last year.

The final budget contains a number of capital projects, including upgrades to the Blyth and District Community Centre, as well as the campground, repairs to the North Huron Wescast Community Complex, LED streetlights, and major road and tennis court repairs, among other things.

This year’s budget allocates up to $150,000 in reserve funds to offset the costs associated with the hiring

of two additional full-time early childhood educators, pending additional provincial funding to offset costs.

The 2024 budget also includes donations to the Blyth Community Betterment Committee, the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, the Elementary School Fair, Belgrave Playground Project, the North Huron Community Food Share, and the Northern Huron Connection Centre. Funding for two full-time museum deaccessioning assistants to continue work to shut down the North Huron Museum, and one full-time records management contract to implement the Laserfiche digital record system received pre-approval.

No members of the public offered

any comment. When the discussion was turned over to council, Councillor Chris Palmer raised questions pertinent to North Huron’s farming community. “On the impact chart, where you included the residential, commercial and industrial impact of the tax levy in each different ward, I would like to have seen the impact on farmland, as we’ve seen in the past, just so East Wawanosh people can see the typical 100-acre farm at today’s assessment will basically be double the 3.8 per cent increase.”

Palmer also returned to a topic that he has frequently sought resolution on - the true cost of policing each ward. “I also don’t see the cost of policing charted out.

I don’t know if you know that yet, and you already know what I’m going to say, but I just want it to be shown how unfair the portion is for East Wawanosh Ward.”

Treasurer Chris Townes agreed to provide the requested information on farm taxation to Palmer the following day, but conceded that the issue of policing was a more complicated matter. “Unfortunately, you’re not going to like what I’m going to say,” prefaced Townes, “but, policing costs in North Huron, like any other municipal services, are levied based on total weight of assessment.”

Palmer responded that it would be nice to see that information “in black and white.”

Council adopted the budget.

Last weekend, the U13 C Huron Heat won the London Devilettes Tournament, capitalizing on what has already been a great season for the team.

The Heat opened on Feb. 2 with a 2-0 win over the St. Thomas Panthers, followed by a 5-1 win over the Mount Forest Rams later that evening.

The next day, the Heat beat the Owen Sound Ice Hawks by a score of 6-0. Then, on Sunday, the Heat beat the Tillsonburg Lightning by a score of 4-1 in the semifinal round before beating the Twin Centre Hericanes by a score of 3-2 in the finals.

The U15 BB Heat were also in London for the tournament, opening on Feb. 2 with a 5-3 win over the Mississauga Hurricanes, followed by a 4-0 loss to the host London Devilettes.

The next day, the team tied the St. Catharines Brock Junior Badgers at one, which wasn’t enough to propel them to Sunday action.

The U9 HL Heat took part in the tournament as well, opening on Feb. 2 with a 3-1 loss to Parkhill and a 5-2 loss at the hands of the host London Devilettes.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, the team then lost to the same Devilettes team by a score of 3-2 before falling to a second Devilettes team later that day by a score of 8-1.

The U11 C Huron Heat have won their first two playoff games without even giving up a goal.

The team first hosted the St. Marys Rock on Jan. 21 and won by a score of 2-0, before hosting the Lambeth Lancers in Seaforth on Feb. 3 and winning by a score of 60.

The team then played the St. Marys Rock again in the playoffs on Feb. 5, but a score was unavailable at press time, followed by a playdown with the Lucknow and Wingham 86ers on Feb. 9 in Wingham and a game with the Mooretown Lady Flags on the road on Feb. 11.

The U11 HL Heat also won their first two playoff games (1-0 and 50 wins over the Mooretown Lady Flags on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, respectively) before losing to the Lucan Irish on the road on Feb. 4 by a score of 2-1.

The team is back in playoff action again on Feb. 10 against the Jets in Ilderton and the Bluewater Hawks on the road on Feb. 11.

The U13 HL Heat have three playoff wins and one tie under their belts. First, the team beat the Ilderton Jets on Jan. 27 by a score of 4-0 before tying the Lucan Irish at one on Jan. 28. The team then beat the Woodstock Wildcats in Woodstock on Jan. 30 by a score of 3-0 and the Wallaceburg Lakers in Continued on page 9

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Paralympian trains aspiring Clinton hockey player

Budding mentorship Two-time Paralympic silver medallist James Dunn, left, has been working with Clinton’s Carson Hymers, right, in his relatively new sledge hockey journey. A chance meeting in London has led to a months-long relationship that includes weekly training in Clinton at the Central Huron Community Complex, below. (Shawn Loughlin photos)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen A chance meeting in London has led to a budding friendship and months of mentorship between an aspiring sledge hockey player from Clinton and a two-time Paralympic silver medallist from Exeter.

It all began last September when Carson Hymers of Clinton, who had recently been diagnosed with ataxia - a degenerative nerve disease that affects co-ordination, balance, speech and more - said he wanted to try to play sledge hockey. His parents, Brad and Darlene, took him to London and, on an uncharacteristically quiet day at the arena, found just one other person on the ice that day.

That person was James Dunn, a Wallacetown native who, in 2018, became the youngest member of Canada’s national para ice hockey team at the Pyeongchang Paralympic Games. There he won silver for the country, a feat he would repeat with the team in 2022 in Beijing. He is now an assistant captain of the national

team and lives in Exeter.

As Carson began to learn how to operate on the ice alongside Dunn on that very first day, Darlene spoke with an arena employee, saying she couldn’t believe her luck to be able to use a largely-empty arena. The employee told her she was lucky for another reason and that her son was sharing the ice with a prominent paralympian.

Darlene then thought she would try her luck in speaking with Dunn, using the time-honoured, “hey you!” call-over. The two began speaking and Dunn couldn’t be nicer, she said. It didn’t take long for Dunn to become interested in working with Carson, scheduling regular trips to the Clinton arena so the pair could work together and Dunn could teach Carson the ropes of the sport. Darlene insisted on reimbursing Dunn for his time, mileage, etc., but Dunn refused and now Brad and Darlene only force the occasional donation on Dunn, even if he insists it isn’t necessary.

Since then, the pair can regularly be found at the Central Huron Community Complex on Monday

afternoons, spending an hour or so together on the ice, working on everything from stickhandling to shooting to just learning balance in their sleds. They always close out their sessions with a race around the rink, Carson moving forward and Dunn going backwards. When The Citizen was invited to take in the session and speak with the young men on Monday, Feb. 5, Carson won it for the first time.

The two young men are both 23 years old, born just over a week apart. Carson’s journey to sledge

hockey began in about 2018.

Always an active child who excelled in both soccer and hockey, Carson began informing his parents that he wanted to drop physical activities, such as hockey, soccer and even gym class at school, one by one. When he finally asked about dropping gym class, Darlene knew something was up and asked her son to put his cards on the table.

She said she began to notice her son’s tremors and they began to discuss further symptoms he was experiencing. They began the medical journey to figure out what was going on, travelling down several roads of diagnosis but coming up short before eventually arriving at ataxia. Right now, Carson is able to walk, but can be unsteady at times. However, due to the degenerative nature of the disease, the condition will continue to worsen as the years go on.

Dunn had a different path to sledge hockey; one that began at a much younger age.

In 2011, when was 11, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right leg, eventually undergoing chemotherapy before having to eventually have his leg amputated.

For Dunn, it was also a chance meeting that led him to sledge hockey. No one reported shouting “hey you” at one another, but, when Dunn was in the hospital, he met Tyler McGregor, who was also there receiving treatment.

McGregor was a AAA hockey player before being diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, which resulted in months of chemotherapy and the eventual amputation of his left leg. Encouraged by his former coaches to try sledge hockey, McGregor is now the captain of the men’s national team and is a three-time medallist (adding a bronze in Sochi in 2014 to the two medals Dunn has won alongside him). It was McGregor who extended his hand to Dunn, encouraging him to give sledge hockey a try and working

Have We Got Yo our Nu umber?

with him to learn the ropes.

In speaking with The Citizen at the arena that day, Dunn said it was his relationship and mentorship with McGregor that made him want to do the same for Carson. To be able to do that for someone else, he said, was something he really wanted to take on.

Looking back at his own journey, Dunn said it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with sledge hockey, as different as it was from the traditional ice hockey he had played as a child. He began playing in 2013, so he now has over a decade of experience under his belt, in addition to the Paralympic Games and World Championship medals.

He admits that he never expected to reach such heights. Sledge hockey, for him, began as a way to find something positive within a challenging situation and, aside from dreams of Canadian hockey glory as a child, he never dreamed he would be representing his country on the ice and winning medals in international competition.

For Carson, he said he felt it was time to return to the physical activity he had loved so much before his diagnosis.

He’s grateful for the work that Dunn is doing with him and the relationship they’ve fostered, but admits it has been hard to get the hang of sledge hockey. The balance and stick handling skills have been Continued on page 20

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 3.

Brussels woman brings closure to decades-old case

Lending a hand Hilary Ibbotson-Machan of Brussels has had a keen interest in genealogy and cold cases for many years and, recently, she was able to assist law enforcement in the State of Wyoming (mostly) solve a missing person case that was nearly 40 years old. In fact, it wasn’t the first time she was able to do this for someone. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen A cold missing person case in the State of Wyoming has been brought (mostly) to a close after receiving a massive assist from Brussels resident, genealogy enthusiast and amateur researcher Hilary Ibbotson-Machan.

Ibbotson-Machan made the discovery back in the fall, but, other parties involved, such as the family of the man in question and local authorities, wanted to wait until the information could be made public, which it was on Feb. 3 courtesy of a Cowboy State Daily article written by reporter Jen Kocher, whose articles tend to focus on missing persons cases.

The case in question is the 1985 disappearance of Roque “Rocky” Najera from Rawlins, Wyoming.

Until late last year, Najera’s family had no idea what became of the man. According to Kocher’s article, the last time Najera’s family had seen him was in July of 1985, just one day before his 20th birthday, when he stopped by his parents’ home in Rawlins. He had been living in nearby Cheyenne, Wyoming and working as a cook at a local Holiday Inn restaurant.

In the article, Kocher quotes Najera’s younger sister, Michelle Jacobsen, as saying that she and her family always feared that her brother had been the victim of a crime in Cheyenne. The article states that Jacobsen and Najera’s elderly parents always assumed Najera had passed, otherwise he would have reached out to them, but they were still stunned to hear the news.

Where Ibbotson-Machan comes in is through a keen interest in genealogy, true crime and missing person cases. She is a member of several cold case and missing person social media groups and would put her research skills to use if she felt she could help or if the

case interested her. With Najera, she said she was surprised to find how easily she discovered his death certificate, showing that he died in 1987, less than two years after he disappeared, in Seattle, Washington.

This information cannot be absolutely confirmed, IbbotsonMachan said in an interview with The Citizen, due to a number of factors, but there are many coincidences that make it very likely that this death certificate was Najera’s.

According to her findings, Najera died of smoke inhalation in a fire in an abandoned building on April 9, 1987. He was 21 at the time, according to the death certificate.

The identification, according to the Cowboy State Daily article, was made due to a citation on the person

in the fire issued from the King County Sheriff’s Office for a robbery with which Najera was reported to be involved. The birth dates match, but, no fingerprints were taken due to the degree of burns and decomposition.

“Based on the information provided to us by the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Seattle Police Department, the deceased subject has been tentatively identified as Mr. Rocky Najera,” said Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken in an e-mail to Cowboy State Daily. He added that, further confirmation would not be possible and Najera would remain an active missing person case for now.

Najera’s family was not notified of his passing, however, Kocher notes that Najera’s address, parents’ names and Social Security number

were all missing from the death certificate, so it may have been impossible to find a next of kin.

Furthermore, his first name was even misspelled as “Rogue” on the document.

Ibbotson-Machan says her interest in genealogy and cold cases dates back to her late teens. She said she and her sister used to go to local cemeteries in Norfolk County, where she grew up, libraries and archives to do the tactile research that genealogy called for in the days before the internet and digitized records.

Their early interest was mostly familial, however, their next door neighbour went missing when she was young and living there, a case that has still yet to be solved, so there was always that seed of interest that had been planted so close to home.

The neighbour in question is William John Smith. Last seen in Rowan, Ontario, Smith has been missing since June 23, 1983. He was operating a boat on its way out of Port Rowan that day, heading out on the north channel leading to Lake Erie, and neither he nor the boat were ever seen again.

In the years that have followed, Ibbotson-Machan has maintained a keen interest in such matters, keeping up with them as well as she can. In fact, the Najera case isn’t even the first she helped to solve.

Years ago, when dial-up internet was the height of technology and ancestry.com was still in its infancy, she and her sister helped connect a New Hampshire woman with their grandmother.

The story went that the woman in question had two children and then abandoned them, leaving Virginia for what was rumoured to be California all those years ago.

The pair began looking into it and were able to find some leads in California, including a new marriage for the woman and a house that was still in the family.

They connected the woman and her mother to the remaining family

members out west (after waiting for documents to be mailed to them from California to confirm their findings - again this was before the internet reached its current form) and the two sides of the family were able to eventually connect.

At the time, the thrill of connecting people with one another took a back seat to the monetary reward offered up, which was $500 U.S. each, at the time, IbbotsonMachan says with a smile.

In the time since, IbbotsonMachan worked as a reporter and photographer for The Woodstock Sentinel Review for about four years before moving to Brussels in the late 1990s. And, since then, she’s kept her eyes open for interesting cases and matters in which she might be able to help.

Of course, much of the research doesn’t necessarily lead to groundbreaking findings, but she’s always happy to help people when she can, though the experience can be bittersweet, she admits.

Cases like these are usually connected to tragedy, loss and unpleasant circumstances, so, while she’s happy to help provide closure for some people, it’s always sad to know that someone has died.

The dream, she said, in a missing person case is to, through your research, find an active phone number listed and be able to connect that long-lost person with their loved ones. However, that is often not the case. But, providing families with the closure they so desire can be satisfying in its own way, she said.

“I was really surprised and sad when I found it,” Ibbotson-Machan told Cowboy State Daily for Kocher’s story. “His family has been looking for him for so long.”

To read Kocher’s story in full, visit cowboystatedaily.com and find the story, published on Feb. 3, under the headline, “Nearly 40 Years After Wyoming Man Went Missing, Family Copes with Proof of his Death.”

Our offices will be closed for

It will soften a stone!

(Thomas Watson, “The Mischief of Sin”)

Monday, February 19th

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin!”

1 John 1:7 Christ’s blood is a SOFTENING blood.

There is nothing so hard, that it cannot be softened by this blood. It will soften a stone! Water will soften the earth — but it will not soften a stone; but Christ’s blood mollifies a stone. It softens a heart of stone. It turns a flint into a spring. The heart, which before was like a piece hewn out of a rock, being steeped in Christ’s blood becomes soft, and the waters of repentance flow from it.

“They will look on Me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn son who has died.” Zechariah 12:10 How was the jailer’s heart dissolved and made tender when the blood of sprinkling was upon it! “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30. His heart was now like melting wax. God might now set whatever seal and impression He desired, upon it.

“I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-3887

Deadline for

The Citizen’s February 23rd issue will be Tuesday, February 20th at 2:00 pm 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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Who can you trust?

As the global panic around COVID-19 wanes, the online community of reliable disinformation needs to find a new lightning rod to turn its foil hats toward and apparently the recent spate of wildfires, especially last summer’s fire that devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, is it.

Online conspiracy theories touted by various social media accounts are insinuating that the fires are being started by governments in order to get the public to “submit to their climate change agenda”.

In the era of multiple social media platforms, “wellness influencer” has developed into a full-time job for many. In fact, the “wellness” industry, valued in the trillions of dollars, is a ripe market for alternative truths, as well as alternative medicines. Followers are attracted to the ideals of individualism and self-enlightenment, with a heightened distrust of governments and other institutions, making them highly susceptible to any kind of misinformation that aligns with those values.

Once upon a time, Jenny McCarthy needed to sell books and convince booking agents for talk shows to give her time to spread mistruths around autism. Now, influencers with even fewer credentials can chime in. How does one debunk wildfire myths, vaccine disinformation or government conspiracies when tens of thousands of people are content to get their news from @truth_crunchy_mama (a Conservative single mother who homesteads and homeschools)? – DS

In search of the truth It has always been said in legal circles that eye-witness testimony is among the least reliable in court. This is hard to fathom because, as we all know, seeing something with your own eyes is the ultimate factcheck. But, what if it wasn’t and you could no longer trust your eyes?

Last week, this board wrote about the explicit images of Taylor Swift generated by artificial intelligence. Now, it’s something closer to home: a deepfake generated to alter the content and message of a CTV Ottawa report about a scam used to, well, scam more people.

The story in question was broadcast on Jan. 16. Its subject was a retired Ottawa couple scammed into purchasing cryptocurrency by way of a “financial advisor”. A fortnight later, a false version of the story, manipulated by deepfake A.I., circulated on Facebook heralding the investment as a path to “financial independence” for Canadians. This is especially concerning when media reports become the target.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, says it’s investing money to help tackle deepfakes intended to scam people (don’t hold your breath), but it’s clear that efforts like these are only going to increase over time.

Now, more than ever, find reliable, trusted sources for your news.

Read an honest-to-God newspaper whose staff you know, watch news on television or a network’s website. Social media, for all of its benefits (e-mail us if you know of any), is not a reliable news source.

And, if you think it is, we have some cryptocurrency to sell you. – SL

Behind closed doors The recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Premier Doug Ford’s mandate letters marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of government transparency and privacy rights. In a unanimous decision, the court upheld the exemption of these letters from the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), citing the need to safeguard the “substance of deliberations” within Cabinet.

Mandate letters, which outline ministers’ objectives, have increasingly been subject to public scrutiny, symbolizing a push for transparency in governance. However, the court reasoned that divulging such information could undermine the essential function of Cabinet confidentiality, which fosters collective ministerial accountability and allows the executive branch the necessary operational freedom.

The ruling has sparked debate, with critics arguing that a broader interpretation of the FIPPA exemption could potentially shield government officials from public scrutiny. Some contend that the exemption should be narrowly construed to exclude only specific details, such as the names of those involved in policy suggestions.

This decision arrives amidst heightened political tension, notably surrounding allegations implicating Ford in the Greenbelt scandal.

Accusations of land appropriation from the protected Greenbelt area for developer enrichment have intensified calls for transparency and accountability within the Ford administration. Further murkiness remains surrounding decisions regarding the future of Ontario Place, the Ontario Science Centre and Service Ontario locations.

While the court’s decision may disappoint advocates of open government, it underscores the delicate balance between transparency and effective governance. As Ontario grapples with pressing environmental and ethical concerns, the need for robust accountability mechanisms remains paramount. As such, the debate over the disclosure of mandate letters epitomizes the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic principles in an evolving political landscape. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years February 12, 1969 Police Chief Jim Warwick urged The Blyth Standard to advise the public to closely monitor their pets, particularly dogs. If folks noticed anything unusual about their animal’s behaviour, they were to get in contact with him promptly.

The primary concern of officials was rising incidences of rabies.

The Blyth Lions Club expressed gratitude to all individuals who contributed in any manner, be it through donations, canvassing, or attending Club events, in backing the Artificial Ice Fund.

The Lions joyfully announced the successful completion and full payment of the artificial ice project and arena floor as of February 6, 1969. They emphasized that such success would not have been possible without the wholehearted support of everyone in the area.

During the regular meeting held last Thursday night, the Blyth and District Conservation Club elected new officers. Jim Warwick assumed the role of president for the year 1969, while George Hamm, Sr. was appointed vice-president, Harve McCallum as treasurer, and Ed Daer as secretary.

A notable feature of the meeting was the presentation of films by a representative from the Labatt Brewing Company. The titles of the films included “Beaver Makes a Comeback,” “Fisherman’s Fall,” “Get Away from It All,” and “RCMP Musical Ride.”

February 9, 1977 Huron Bruce MPP Murray Gaunt declared that the registered nursing assistants course at Wingham and District Hospital would persist. The province had initially proposed the closure of the course in Wingham as part of the health ministry’s

austerity measures. Gaunt reported that he successfully raised objections to the intended shutdown.

Several Brussels residents had undergone training in the Wingham R.N.A. course.

The Brussels Cub pack recently had the opportunity to explore the interior of the village fire hall.

Chief Davey Hastings, along with other members of the volunteer fire department, conducted a tour for them, providing explanations on the operation of the firefighting equipment.

A historic turnout of over 360 women marked the 10th annual gathering of the Huron-Perth Presbyterial, United Church Women at Northside United Church in Seaforth. Mrs. Leonard Strong, from Egmondville, presided over the meeting as the president.

February 8, 1989 The discussions between the Huron County Board of Education and its 390 elementary school teachers were scheduled to recommence on Feb. 14. The aim was to reach a new collective agreement in their prolonged negotiations. The newly appointed mediator, David Whitehead, was to preside over the meeting.

Although the rails-to-trails initiative was in its early stages, opposition emerged against the concept. During the Huron County Council meeting on Thursday, all three area-reeves, representing the townships through which the abandoned Guelph-to-Goderich CP Rail line passes, voiced their disagreement with the idea of converting the right-of-way into a trail.

Fourteen individuals attended a shuffleboard event at Hullett Central School. Elizabeth Lawson

claimed the title of high lady, while Les Reid secured the position of high man.

February 12, 2004 On Saturday afternoon, community members came together to organize a special day of recognition, holding a reception to honour Citizen Publisher Keith Roulston. This event acknowledged his dedicated efforts on behalf of small-town Huron County.

Alongside his role at the weekly newspaper, Roulston played a crucial role as one of the founders of the Blyth Festival and contributed significantly to the revitalization of Blyth’s main street. The presentation during the event was made by Ralph Watson of Brussels.

On a recent Sunday morning at Melville Presbyterian Church, Jeff and Cathy Cardiff, accompanied by their children Matthew and Emily, were warmly welcomed.

During the congregational greeting, organist Mary Douma guided the junior choir members in singing two anthems, “Rock-a my Soul in the Bosom of Abraham” and “Love, Love, Love.” In expressing gratitude, Rev. Catherine Campbell reminded the congregation that j unior choir practice takes place every Tuesday night, emphasizing that new members are always welcome.

A recent consultant’s study shed light on the pressing need for infrastructure updates in Huron County. The study indicated that an investment between $6.6 and $8.8 million over the next five years would be necessary to bring the county’s bridges and culverts up to contemporary standards to ensure the overall well-being of the community.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Wives make Valentine’s Day work

A

s we approach Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year, here’s betting that a lot of potential grooms will use the holiday as the moment to propose.

Elsewhere, many couples will make the holiday their wedding day.

Valentine’s Day has always been a special time for couples in love. But, from the time we gave special Valentine’s cards to the girl or boy we had special feelings for, to the time we propose to, or marry that special someone (or celebrate 50 years together) the holiday holds special meaning.

That said, I was shocked recently when I read that the average cost of a wedding these days is now $30,000. This is as young couples these days complain they can’t afford the down payment for a house.

These costs also come at a time when more marriages fail. In fact, figures collected show that as of 2020 it is likely that around 38 per cent of marriages in Canada end in divorce. I know that two of the more expensive weddings I attended ended in divorce within a few years.

By contrast, my parents had a very small wedding ceremony and they stayed married until my father died, even though they were separated by World War II early in their marriage. Look at nearly any wedding ceremony of the era before my youth, and weddings were small - and most marriages lasted.

I recall with a chuckle, Jim Wight’s story about his father and mother in the book The Real James Herriot. I’m showing my age here even to recall that I watched the James Herriot television show in the 1970s, about the senior Jim Wight’s years as a veterinarian in the 1930s through 1960s in Yorkshire, England. His books sparked several TV specials and the long-running series. In an early television

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk movie, Jim Wight, the son, recalls the depiction of his parents’ wedding, which he says, with a chuckle, was far more splendid than the actual, very simple wedding of his parents 32 years previously.

My own wedding was bigger than that, but small compared to many of today. I was still a student at university when Jill and I met and fell in love and we wanted to keep wedding costs low for her father. A mother of a friend from her work made the bride’s dress and Jill’s bridesmaids also made their dresses.

Getting married was still important so you could live together, in those days. Today, couples often co-habit for years before they marry. And then they plan a huge wedding.

Even the proposal is a big event, these days.

I don’t remember having to propose. Jill and I just agreed we should get married and I went out to buy an inexpensive engagement ring.

Now, the potential groom might plan an engagement in front of 50,000 witnesses at a football game and pull out a huge diamond ring, after first tipping off the cameraman so he focuses on them. It’s sort of daring the potential bride to say no with all that attention on her.

Even simpler proposals need to be witnessed.

I chuckled at a recent video someone was shooting from a distance, so as not to tip off the bride. But then, a raccoon wandered into the

scene. The startled camera operator refocused on the raccoon and missed the magic moment between the couple. By the time she swung the camera back, the proposal was over. But, the whole episode was played over for millions on TV because the event seemed so funny. Oh, by the way, the potential bride said yes.

Making a marriage last isn’t easy. In this day and age, when both the man and woman have careers outside the marriage, there’s perhaps even more difficulty. We have busy lives outside our marriage while we’re supposed to be solidly united in our home life. It takes a very special feeling, by both partners, to keep a marriage united.

I credit Jill for much of the success of our marriage over 56 Valentine’s Days. I’ve lived a hectic, eclectic life, first with an office job in Toronto (where she also had an office job), then trying unsuccessfully to start my own company, then back working for a publisher at the Clinton News-Record, then self-employed again at the Blyth Standard (while she raised our first daughter on the side and became pregnant with our second), then with the Blyth Festival after I fell in love with theatre, first as chair of the board of directors and then as general manager – having sold The Standard.

Jill was pressed back into service as my assistant with another dream project when I tried to start a winter theatre, then got a job when my ambitions failed. When, with the help of Sheila Richards, I became publisher of The Citizen, Jill went to work with me again.

It takes a lot to make a marriage work over 55 years - some more than others. I suspect generally wives don’t get enough credit. This Valentine’s Day may all the wives get special praise.

It doesn’t get much bigger or gamer

F

riends, foes, fr-enemies, foe-nemies, ene-friends, friend-emoes, moe-nefriends, rent-a-friends, friend of friends and feline friends, welcome to The Chaff your weekly full-frontal, free-for-all, frolic festival featuring frivolous fun and furious frivolity.

In the hallowed annals of human history, there exist few phenomena capable of igniting the collective consciousness with such fervor and intensity as the impending crescendo of athletic prowess that looms ominously on the horizon. Yes, dear readers, brace yourselves, for the veritable zenith of competitive enterprise is upon us once more. It’s the “Big Game”.

In the bustling corridors of anticipation, the very fabric of society finds itself woven with threads of fevered speculation and impassioned discourse, as enthusiasts and aficionados alike engage in a balletic pas de deux of prognostication and predictions concerning the impending display of athletic virtuosity. It’s the “Big Game”.

As the fateful moment approaches, the air crackles with an almost tangible tension, punctuated only by the melodious strains of speculation and the aromatic allure of gastronomic indulgence. For what would such a spectacle be without the culinary accompaniment that serves as both sustenance and sacrament to the faithful throngs? From the humble nacho to the exalted seven-layer dip, each dish assumes its rightful place in the pantheon of gastronomic greatness.

But let us not be ensnared by the siren song of epicurean delights, for the true raison d’être of this grandiose affair lies not in the delicate interplay of flavours, but rather in the unrelenting clash of titans upon the hallowed battleground of athletic endeavour. It’s the “Big Game”.

Scott Stephenson The Chaff Indeed, as the denizens of the gridiron prepare to do battle, the very heavens themselves seem to tremble in anticipation of the monumental spectacle that is about to unfold. Heroes will be forged and legends will be born.

And let us not overlook the interlude of artistic expression that punctuates the proceedings, as luminaries of the stage and screen converge upon the grand stage to deliver performances of such magnificence and grandeur that they threaten to eclipse even the most breathtaking displays of athletic prowess.

For generations, the faithful have gathered, drawn together by a shared reverence for the sacred rites and rituals that accompany this monumental occasion. From the solemnity of the pre-game ceremonies to the raucous revelry of the post-game celebrations, each moment imbued with a sense of significance and solemnity befitting the grandeur of the occasion. (break for The Chafftime show) Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the mesmerizing spectacle that is The Chafftime show, brought to you exclusively by The Chaff! Prepare to be transported to a realm where imagination knows no bounds and creativity reigns supreme. As the curtains rise, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours floods The Chaff, setting the scene for an unforgettable journey through the realms of music, dance

and visual artistry. From gravity-defying acrobatics to soul-stirring musical performances, each act unfolds like a symphony of expression, captivating hearts and minds alike. But it’s not just about entertainment; The Chafftime show is a platform for social commentary and cultural celebration, where thought-provoking performances shed light on pressing issues while celebrating the rich tapestry of human experience. So sit back, relax and let the magic of The Chafftime show sweep you away on a whirlwind adventure unlike any other! (end of The Chafftime show) But let us not forget the heroes of the hour, the valiant warriors who take to the field in pursuit of glory and greatness. For they are the heartbeat of this grand endeavour, the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of millions who look to them for inspiration and guidance. Theirs is a journey fraught with peril and possibility, a quest for immortality amidst the swirling maelstrom of competition.

As the final moments tick away, the tension mounts, reaching a crescendo of anticipation and excitement that threatens to engulf all who dare to behold it.

Amidst the cacophony of cheers and chants, beneath the glare of stadium lights, the players take their positions on the hallowed turf, each step a testament to the countless hours of dedication and sacrifice that have brought them to this moment. With hearts pounding and adrenaline coursing through their veins, they stand ready to write their names in the annals of sporting history, to etch their legacy upon the collective consciousness of a global audience.

Let us raise our voices in unison, a chorus of celebration and solidarity in honour of this most hallowed of traditions - It’s the “Big Game”.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Too big for us

F

or those of you who read the editorials in this fine newspaper, you may think that sometimes it feels like something’s missing, depending on who you are and how you think. There’s often a reason for that.

First, a quick tutorial on the editorials because sometimes I think there might be some confusion out there (which often results in angry letters to me). Editorials are a group effort. The Citizen’s Editorial Board, which includes myself, Scott and Deb, meets weekly to discuss the issues of the day. We decide on three (usually with the goal of one local topic, one provincial or federal topic and one international topic - though not always) and each write one. And while an independent author’s initials appear at the end of their contribution for the week, a stance on the topic is agreed upon by all three of us and then, once written, the editorials are reviewed by all three members of the board, to ensure each author landed the plane on their topic of the week and that we all agree on what’s being said.

So, for example, when I wrote an editorial about the bigotry of a few hockey players in regards to Pride celebrations, all of your letters - lovely as they were - should have come to all of us, not just me. Writing letters just to me was wrong of you. I want you to know that and once you know, I want you to know that I know that you know. There. We all know now.

On this page, however, are columns written by three different people, often tackling three different topics in three very different ways.

On this page, if you have a beef with someone saying something, blaming the author is the right thing to do. I want you to know that, etc.

Back to the editorials. More often than not, we tend to formulate an opinion on issues that are a little out of left field; perhaps something you might not have known about before reading the editorial. The world is full of editorial writers, talking heads and others pontificating and opining... and this is where we arrive at the case of the missing editorials.

At a recent meeting of the board, we spoke about how so much of the news of the world these days feels ubiquitous. It’s always there, it’s always important and it’s always ongoing.

The war in Ukraine. Unrest in the Middle East. The never-ending, always-worsening situation in which Justin Trudeau finds himself (or created for himself, depending on the issue of the day). A racist, criminal and fraudster... who may just be the next President of the U.S. Galen Weston: Canadian super villain. The hellhole that is Alberta. Doug Ford’s crookedas-all-get-out government. The housing crisis.

These are all issues that are here, they persevere and they’re not going away. (Sorry for the redundancy, but sticking the rhyme was more important than not repeating myself.)

And so, there is only so much you can say on issues such as these without regurgitating the words of someone smarter than you, or really just recounting the facts because there isn’t anything intelligent to say.

So, when you read an editorial about the great Joni Mitchell or a local restaurant or Lily Gladstone, it’s not because we think those are necessarily more important or impactful than the death and destruction in the Middle East or our rapidly-eroding democracy or the climate crisis and children fearing for the future, it’s just that, well, what is there left to say?

So, we’re not ignoring those larger-than-life issues, pretending they’re not happening in hopes that they’ll just go away (O.K. we are doing that for Trump) we’re simply admitting that we’re not qualified to add anything to the conversation and leaving it to the experts.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

The sporting life The Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre hosted some hot hockey action on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The U15 Rep Blyth Brussels Crusaders lost their game (John Stephenson to Saugeen Valley by a score of 8-2. photos)

At the Branch

Fish and chips enjoyed by all

By Jo-Ann McDonald It was a quiet week at the Branch.

Cadets, darts, the Catch the Ace draw, and Comrades away darting were all on the schedule.

The Thursday night darts had 16 darters taking aim at the boards.

The first-place team was Jim Brown and Rhonda Davis, after a tie-breaker with Paul Willie and Sandra Brown, who placed second.

The third-place team was Eric Ross and Louise Poirier.

High shots for the evening were

by Eric hitting 136 and Louise hitting 134. Another skunk was earned by Randy White and

Darlene Gibson. It was a great night for all and everyone is welcome to come out and play.

The Friday night pub grub was fish and chips and everyone enjoyed the meal. The Catch the Ace draw was conducted by Comrades Sandra Brown, Kathy Burkholder and Deb Ross. The lucky weekly winner was Glenda Chaput, who won $320. Her envelope choice was number 22 and the 10 of hearts was revealed.

The hunt goes on for the ace of spades. The estimated jackpot for the draw on Feb. 9 could be

$10,000. The pub grub for next week is chili.

On Saturday, there were four Comrades attending the zone mixed darts competition in Lucknow. The team of Jim and Sandra Brown finished fifth in the doubles event and the team of Jim and Sandra, Chris Brown and Catrina Josling finished fifth in the team event.

They will be advancing to district play in Owen Sound.

Congratulations, Comrades.

Just a reminder that the Branch still accepts pop tabs and the Cadets accept pop cans. Tuesday is the best day to leave either donation.

Unusual ‘Fogruary’ weather demands drivers’ full focus A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 It’s no wonder we spend so much conversation time on the weather.

Who could imagine, anticipate or plan for this past week? Snow in February is usual, but fog, not so much. Driving, we are ready for whiteouts and decreased visibility,

but a touch of fog kept things interesting several times this week.

The sunshine on Saturday was a gift straight from heaven and was truly appreciated, though it left us wishing for more. The frost on the trees and bushes on Sunday gave the landscape a new look and, with that beauty, an appreciation for the shapes and designs of the vegetation we rarely glance at.

Wow. New building projects are fun to watch. The new subdivision, to the northeast of the Community Centre, is a busy spot. Housing starts are always welcome. So, the Elizabeth Street construction is a

welcome site as well.

As I try to think about what is new this week, and a blank was all that I had, it occurred to me that life is good when things are stable.

Winter is a good time to appreciate all the good things we have and give a little thanks for all the world disasters that are not in our midst.

We need to appreciate the scope of disasters that abound, but know that, other than a prayer for peace or a cheque to a specific organization, we really can do nothing.

Keep well, be kind, be respectful and be positive.

Bye now. Betty GW

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Glenda Chaput, $320.

Envelope #22 found the 10 of Hearts Next estimated jackpot is $10,000

Beat Canada Post!

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 7.

NEWS FROM BLYTH BLYTH UNITED CHURCH PRESENTS

Puck panache

Valentine’s Day Supper

The U13 Blyth Brussels Crusaders defeated the Kincardine Kinucks by a score of 7-1 at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3. (John Stephenson photo)

Winter wanes says groundhog concensus

By Deb Hakkers Winter seems to have gone on vacation, like everyone else. So far, we have really only had about one week of real winter. Most of the groundhogs were in agreement last week that we are headed for an early spring. We will see. I cannot believe that we are done with winter yet!

This week we wish a happy birthday to Dave Button and Renske Ribbink-Daer on Feb. 10, and Austin Martin on Feb. 13. Hope everyone enjoys their special day!

Mom is still battling the MRSA infection and she is still a patient in Clinton Public Hospital. She is making small and slow gains with

mobility thanks to the physiotherapy that she is receiving.

She appreciates the phone calls, emails and visits, which help her stay in contact with the world outside of the hospital.

The results from the Legion euchre on Jan. 29 were: first, Evelyn Blake (78) and Mac Brooks(71); second, Sharon

Freeman (69) and Dianne Clark (70); lone hands, Cheryl Buckham (three) and Jeanette Buker (four).

Share the Wealth went to Shirley Wood and Gord Haggitt.

To add anything to this column, e-mail mcraig1@tcc.on.ca or call 519-525-8640 (evenings only, please). Until next week, take care of yourselves and each other.

Saturday, February 10th Roast Beef Dinner Take-out only 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Adults: $25.00 Children: 6-12 years: $10.00 Under 6: Free Pre-order only Phone Joann at 519-523-9274 for orders and pick-up times Delivery Available 430 Mill Street, Blyth

The Reading Web with Cindy Norgate

“W

hen I was your age….” This is a phrase I tend to use quite often with students to let them know what the behaviour and character expectations were when I was a child. In certain cases, I think it is important for children to know that things like disrespect, breaking the rules, etc. is not accepted, but there are times when I must remind myself that children, growing up today, have a new eyeglass through which they are looking and much of it is not pleasant. Thus, their stresses are often different than what I was accustomed to as a young girl. Let’s delve into the first part of a two-part article.

Let’s admit it, society has changed. The family unit has changed. Parental expectations, in many cases, have also changed.

Has the pendulum of character expectations swung further in the other direction so much so that we can never get it back? I don’t have the answer, but I do want you and me to consider it for this week.

My husband knows one of my favourite things to collect is photos or figurines of one-room schoolhouses. Hearing my mother and father talk about one teacher, who was responsible for Grades 1 through 12 sounds quite overwhelming. In my research for this week, I decided to delve into this a bit more about how schools in Canada have changed over the years.

In an article written by CBC in November of 2023, titled, “What was school like 150 years ago?”

“They would stand in front of the schoolroom to recite their lessons.

The subjects were mainly reading, math and writing. Subjects like geography were added to the curriculum in 1850 and history in 1860.” Many children lived on farms and, due to the work required, had no choice but to miss school. My father and mother, in Tennessee, also spoke of school dismissing for a couple of weeks in the fall to, being a family of sharecroppers, harvest the cotton crop.

It’s true, in both the U.S. and Canada, that not all children were accepted into the “regular” schools.

However, and I believe I speak for educators when I say, a child should never be denied access to a public education based on anything that would make him or her different from others. That is simply not O.K. Case closed. However, specific character expectations should never “go out of style”.

This week’s reading is by author Alexandra Penfold, titled All are Welcome (2018). According to the author, “Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions.”

This book can be purchased at Amazon or there is a free readaloud on YouTube.

As I leave it here for this week, I would like to continue this thought next week. I want you and me to consider what pressures children

might feel now that we did not in our childhoods.

“Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness.” Anne Frank

MAITLAND M AITLAND V VALLEY ALLEY C CAMERA AMERA C CLUB LUB

Photography by Clara Blake

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Sports

Ironmen win one, lose one on weekend

Staring contest The Wingham Ironmen remain in sixth place after splitting their weekend matchups. (John Stephenson photos)

The Wingham Ironmen split their games over the weekend to remain in sixth place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League.

On Friday night in Wingham, the team fell to the Kincardine Bulldogs by the slimmest of

margins: a score of 1-0.

Kincardine’s Graeden Colhoun scored his first goal of the season at 8:35 of the third period, assisted by Gavin Gibbons, to win the game for the Bulldogs.

Rowen Cherrett stopped all 24 of the shots he faced to win the game for the Bulldogs, while Garrett Golley stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Wingham Ironmen net.

With no ice time available in Blyth this weekend due to the Blyth Brussels Crusaders’ annual U7 and U8 Jamboree tournaments, Blyth Junior Broomball teams are looking ahead to the weekend of Feb. 16-18

and the provincial championships in Belleville.

The U12 Bullets, Ice and Silver teams, in addition to the U14 Boys and Girls, U16 Boys and Girls and U20 Boys and Girls from Blyth will

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

While scoring was sparse, there were plenty of penalty minutes handed out, beginning with Wingham’s Josh Pham being assessed a slashing penalty at 4:04 of the first period, followed by another slashing call, this one against Kincardine’s Trent Houghton at 4:35 of the first.

Micah Kraayenbrink of the Ironmen was called for tripping at 9:48 of the first period, followed by a tripping call against Wingham’s Noah Wettlaufer at 11:47, a goaltender interference call against Kincardine’s Jackson Phillips at 12:08, a cross-checking call against Kincardine’s Tyler Wagler at 14:45 and a four-minute, double-minor spearing penalty called against Kincardine’s Carter Servais at 17:56 of the first.

At 13:05 of the second, Wingham’s Darcy Scott was handed a two-minute minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct, both for head contact. Bryce Martin of Kincardine was called for interference at 14:10, Wingham’s Austin Becker was called for slashing at 16:10 and, also at 16:10 of the second period, Wingham’s

Nate Bloemberg was given a 10minute misconduct for disrespectful and abusive behaviour.

A kerfuffle at 12:25 of the third period resulted in four roughing penalties, handed out to Kincardine’s Blake Hellyer and Bryce Martin and Wingham’s Austin Becker and Owen Rahn, followed by a 10-minute misconduct for disrespectful and abusive behaviour called against Wingham netminder Garrett Golley, which was served by Ethan Smith.

The Ironmen ended the weekend on a more positive note on Sunday in Walkerton with a 3-1 victory over the Walkerton Capitals.

Austin Becker opened the scoring for Wingham with an unassisted goal, his 12th of the season, at 19:36 of the first period. Graham Gateman would score his ninth of the season for the Capitals at 3:14 of the second period to tie it up, assisted by Chase Lorenz and Markus Grajnar-Ptok.

However, Wingham would pull away with a Logan Burnham goal, his first of the season, at 17:30 of the second period, assisted by Micah Kraayenbrink, followed by Kraayenbrink himself scoring his 13th goal of the season, unassisted, at 11:32 of the third period.

Garrett Golley stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced in the Wingham net to earn the win, while Noah Lundgren stopped 28 of 31 shots and was handed the loss for the Capitals.

Walkerton’s Austin Drew was called for tripping at 3:49 of the first period and Aiden Stanley of the Capitals was called for too many players on the ice at 17:25 of the first.

In the second, Wingham’s Austin Becker was called for tripping at 2:18, Walkerton’s Cameron Voisin was called for slashing at 7:25,

Nigel Kreager of the Ironmen was called for high-sticking at 7:55, Walkerton’s Daniel Norton was called for unsportsmanlike conduct at 14:50 and Wingham’s Nigel Kreager was also called for unsportsmanlike conduct at 14:53.

Markus Grajnar-Ptok of the Capitals was then called for tripping at 17:23 and again for boarding at 19:20.

In the third period, Wingham’s Jesse Coombs was called for crosschecking at 10:17 and Walkerton’s Josh Johnston was called for tripping at 19:54.

In the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, the Hanover Barons remain in first place with a record of 31-40-2 and 64 points, far ahead of the second-place Mount Forest Patriots, who sit at 56 points and a record of 27-7-2-0.

The Kincardine Bulldogs are in third place with a record of 20-112-5 and 47 points, followed by the fourth-place Walkerton Capitals with a record of 17-16-2-2 and 38 points, the fifth-place Fergus Whalers with a record of 15-15-3-2 and 35 points and the Wingham Ironmen are in sixth place with a record of 15-17-3-1 and 34 points.

The Mitchell Hawks are in seventh place with a record of 1022-3-2 and 25 points and the Goderich Flyers remain in last place with a record of 3-30-1-2 and nine points.

Tonight, Feb. 9, the Ironmen will host the Walkerton Capitals in Wingham, followed by a game with the Patriots in Mount Forest on Saturday, Feb. 10. The following weekend, the Ironmen are home for a Saturday, Feb. 17 contest with the Fergus Whalers and then a special Family Day matinee on Monday, Feb. 19 with Mount Forest. The puck drops for that game at 12:30 p.m.

Provincial tournament in Belleville Feb. 16-18

We are the champions The Blyth U12 Bullets celebrate their victory at a recent tournament held in Mildmay. They were one of four Blyth teams to win there. (Courtesy photo)

be taking part in the year-end tournament.

Several teams, however, were in action over the past weekend.

On Sunday, the U9 team lost to Palmerston on the road by a score

of 1-0. On Saturday, the U9 team was in action against Seaforth in Blyth, winning by a score of 4-1.

The U12 Ice team took on the U12 Silver team and the Ice won by a score of 1-0.

Also that day, the U12 Bullets

beat Mildmay in Blyth by a score of 2-1 and the U14 Boys also beat Mildmay in Blyth by a score of 3-0.

On Feb. 2 in Blyth, the U16 Boys lost to Mildmay in Blyth by a score of 3-0, while the U16 Girls beat Seaforth in Blyth by a score of 2-1.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 9.

U18 C Heat win, draw against Sarnia in playoffs

Hard-fought On Sunday night in Seaforth, the U18 C Huron Heat hoped to follow up their Jan. 27 win over the Sarnia Lady Sting by a score of 3-1 with another successful result, but the teams would find themselves tied at one when the final horn went. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 1 Goderich on Feb. 3 by a score of 50.

The team played the Lucan Irish on Feb. 4 in Lucan, but a score was unavailable at press time. The Heat then take on the St. Thomas Panthers on Feb. 10 in Goderich.

The U13 C Heat only have one playoff game in the books, but it went the right way for them,

beating the St. Thomas Panthers in Clinton by a score of 3-1 on Jan. 28.

They next play the Chatham-Kent Crush on the road on Feb. 10, the Lakeshore Lightning in Clinton on Feb. 11, the St. Marys Rock in Seaforth on Feb. 13 and the Upper Maitland Mustangs in Howick on Feb. 14.

The U15 C Heat have had more

of a mixed bag in the playoffs, opening with a 1-1 tie with the Lambton Attack on Jan. 27, followed by a Jan. 30 loss to the Wilmot Wolverines in Seaforth, a 41 loss to the Chatham-Kent Crush on Feb. 2, also in Seaforth, and a 10 win over the Upper Maitland Mustangs in Clinton on Feb. 4.

The team is next in action later this month, with games against the

Grand River Mustangs in Fergus on Feb. 24 and the Kitchener Lady Rangers on Feb. 25.

The U18 C Heat won their first playoff game, on the road on Jan. 27, against the Sarnia Lady Sting by a score of 3-1 and then tied Sarnia in Seaforth on Feb. 4 with a score of 1-1.

The team played the Upper Maitland Mustangs on Feb. 8 in Blyth, but a score was unavailable at press time, before taking on the Wilmot Wolverines in Seaforth on Feb. 16, the Upper Maitland Mustangs on the road on Feb. 17 and the Tillsonburg Lightning on Feb. 18 in Seaforth.

The U18 BB Heat begin their playoff journey on Feb. 17 with a game against the South Huron Sabres in Clinton, while the U15 BB Heat will play their first playoff game with the South Huron Sabres on Feb. 11 in Clinton.

The U11 BB Heat have two playoff games with the Owen Sound Ice Hawks scheduled.

They’ll play first in Owen Sound on March 3, followed by a game in Blyth on March 9.

In regular season action on Feb. 4, the U9 C Heat lost to the St. Marys Rock in Clinton by a score of 7-2 and the U9 HL team lost to the South Huron Sabres in Clinton by a score of 2-1.

Also that day, the U13 BB Heat played the Lakeshore Lightning on the road, the U9 B Heat played the Cambridge Roadrunners on the road and the U13 BB Heat played the Lakeshore Lightning on the road, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 3, the U9 C Heat tied the Woodstock Wildcats in Seaforth by a score of 2-2 and the U18 BB Heat tied the Stratford Aces on the road, also by a score of 2-2. The U13 BB Heat were in Woodstock to play the Wildcats that day, but a score was unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 2, the U11 C Heat won their special exhibition game at London’s Budweiser Gardens by a score of 2-0, while the Senior team played Milverton on the road, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 5, the U18 BB Heat played the Owen Sound Ice Hawks on the road, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

In regular season action this weekend, on Feb. 10, the U9 B Heat will play the Kitchener Lady Rangers on the road, the U9 C Heat will play the Chatham-Kent Crush on the road and the U11 BB Heat will play the Grand River Mustangs, also on the road. The U18 BB Heat will play the Orangeville Tigers on the road and the Senior team will host Elma Logan in Clinton.

On Sunday, Feb. 11, the U7 team will head to Parkhill for the North Middlesex Blizzard Bowl, while the U9 HL team will play the Lambton Attack in Alvinston, the U11 BB Heat will play the Devilettes in London and the U13 BB Heat will also play the London Devilettes on the road.

Also that day the U9 B Heat will play the Wildcats in Woodstock and the U18 BB Heat will play the Waterloo Ravens on the road.

U7, U8 Jamboree tournaments set for Blyth, Brussels

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This weekend, Blyth and Brussels will play host to the association’s annual U7 and U8 Jamboree tournaments, with the younger teams taking over Brussels and the veteran U8 skaters taking to the Blyth ice.

Locally, the U7 Black, Burgundy and White and U8 Black and Burgundy teams will play, hosting the tournament action on Saturday, Feb. 10.

In regular season action, on Friday, Feb. 9, the U9 MD team will play the Mitchell Meteors MD team and the U11 LL team will play the Drayton Defenders, both in Brussels.

On Feb. 10, due to the tournaments, most of the action is on the road. The U9 LL team will play the Central Perth Predators, the U21 team will play the Saugeen Valley Steelheads, the U11 LL team will play the Wingham Ironmen Yellow team and th U13 Rep Crusaders will play the Walkerton Capitals D team, all on the road, while the U15 Rep team will play the lone home game that night, hosting the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Blyth.

On Sunday, Feb. 11, the U9 MD Team will play the Central Perth Predators MD team, the U21 team will also play the Central Perth Predators, the U15 Rep team will play the Mid-Huron Huskies and the U18 Rep team will play the AEMHA Ice Dogs, all on the road.

As the week begins, the U13 LL team will play the Central Perth Predators on the road on Feb. 12, while the U18 LL team will play the Mid-Huron Huskies 1 team in Hensall and the U18 Rep team will

host the AEMHA Ice Dogs in Blyth.

On Feb. 13, the U18 LL team will play the Arthur Vipers 1 team in Brussels, and then, on Valentine’s Day, the U15 LL team will play the Drayton Defenders in Blyth.

On Feb. 4, the U9 LL team lost a tough one to the Minto Mad Dogs in Blyth by a score of 22-1, while the U11 LL Crusaders lost to the Goderich Sailors Black team by a score of 7-2 on the road and the U15 Rep team lost to the Walkerton Capitals, also by a score of 7-2 and also on the road.

On Feb. 3, the U21 team beat the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Blyth by a score of 3-0, while the U9 MD team lost to the Meteors MD team in Mitchell by a score of 15-2. The U15 Rep Crusaders lost to the Saugeen Valley Steelheads in Brussels by a score of 8-2 and the U13 LL team beat the Kincardine Kinucks MicroAge team, also in Brussels, by a score of 7-1.

Also that day, the U7 Black, White and Burgundy teams took on a trio of South Huron Sabres teams on the road and the U8 Burgundy team took on the Hornets in Howick, but scores were not kept for those games.

On Feb. 2, the U7 Burgundy team took on the Howick Hornets in Brussels, but a score was not kept for that game.

Also over the weekend, the U11 Rep team took part in the annual South Bruce Blades Tournament in Mildmay, taking on the host South Bruce Blades, the Huron-Bruce Blizzard, the Kincardine Kinucks and the TCDMHA Rebels, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 1, the U13 LL Crusaders beat the Huron-Bruce Blizzard by a

score of 6-3 in Ripley, while the U18 LL team lost to the Mid-Huron Huskies 2 team in Hensall by a score of 8-1.

On Jan. 31, the U15 LL Crusaders

beat the Central Perth Predators in Blyth by a score of 3-0. The previous day, Jan. 30, the U13 Rep team beat the Wingham Ironmen by a score of 4-1 and the U18 Rep

Crusaders lost to the Listowel Cyclones by a score of 5-2, both in Brussels. And, on Jan. 29, the U13 Rep team lost to the Mitchell Continued on page 13

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Sports Zamboni malfunction truncates Women’s Hockey Day

The Legends continue Technical difficulties cut Lucknow’s Women’s Hockey Day short on Saturday, Feb. 3. The Lucknow Legends were able to play their game against the Seaforth Lady Cents.

The hard fought match ended in a 1-1 tie. (Scott Stephenson photos)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

This past Saturday, the Lucknow and District Sports Complex hosted the 11th annual Women’s Hockey Day. The well-attended event was off to a good start, and the early games were a great showcase of the on-ice skills being developed by players in the younger divisions.

Unfortunately, the failure of the Zamboni’s hydraulic line during a routine resurfacing led to the previously pristine surface being seriously sullied by spilling fluid.

The surprising spray meant that most of the rest of the day’s scheduled games had to be scrapped indefinitely. It was certainly a disappointing turn of events for all the young athletes who had come out for the competition.

However, the spirit of the day was salvaged when it was decided that the scheduled game between the Lucknow Legends and the Seaforth Lady Cents would go on as originally scheduled, at 6 p.m., provided that the Zamboni and the ice could be restored to their former glory by the time the game was to start.

In the interim hours, the arena and the parking lot cleared out almost entirely. Teams robbed of the chance to play returned to their hometowns to await another chance to play their favourite sport. Hours passed, and the Zamboni did indeed get the ice clean in time for the

game to go forward. Cars returned to the parking lot, the players filtered back in, the canteen opened, and a small but vocal crowd of fans, friends and family formed as the players took the ice.

The echoes of enthusiastic cheers resonated through the rink as spectators witnessed the agility, speed, and skill displayed by these remarkable local athletes. A loyal contingent of young players from the Wingham/Lucknow 86ers were the loudest part of the Legends’ cheering section, while also being the smallest in stature. Their team had played Kincardine right before the Zamboni’s ill-fated run.

The long lull before the game did nothing to quash or quell the energy of either team - the game was a scrappy, spirited battle that entertained all those who observed.

It may have ended in a tie, but Women’s Hockey Day in Lucknow is about more than the final score it’s about solidarity found in a mutual love of playing one of Canada’s favourite games, together.

Amidst the fierce competition, there is also an undeniable sense of sportsmanship and respect, and it was refreshing to see these players honour the spirit of fair play and integrity that can define the game.

In the end, the 11th annual Women's Hockey Day was more than just a day celebrating female excellence on the ice - it became a study in rink-based resilience, and a great example of the relentless spirit of female athletes. Happy Women's Hockey Day to all!

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 11.

Will Canada’s dental plan change your finances?

NC - The federal government has begun to roll out the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which will cover some of the cost of most basic oral health care services for uninsured Canadians.

Once fully implemented, the plan will offer dental coverage for up to nine million people in Canada. It’s targeted specifically towards Canadians with an annual family income under $90,000 who do not have access to dental insurance.

The application process is opening in phases, starting with seniors.

How to apply Individuals who may be eligible have begun receiving letters from the federal government, inviting them to apply for the plan.

Keep an eye out for one of these letters if you: will be 70 years old as of March 2024; have a family income of less than $90,000; and have filed your 2022 tax return.

The letter includes instructions on how to confirm your eligibility and apply by telephone.

Only seniors who receive a letter will be able to apply before May 2024. Here’s when seniors can

expect to receive their letter: December 2023 - ages 87 and above; January 2024 - ages 77 to 86; February 2024 - ages 72 to 76; March 2024 - ages 70 to 71.

As of May 2024, applications shift from telephone only to an online portal and will open for eligible seniors 65 and older. More information on this portal will be available closer to its launch date.

Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under 18 will be able to apply online starting in June 2024.

All other eligible residents will be able to apply in 2025.

After you have applied If your application is successful, starting in March, you will be sent a welcome package by Sun Life, the administrator managing the plan on behalf of the government. The package will include a member card and a start date for your coverage.

Seniors will be able to start seeing an oral health provider as early as May 2024 but start dates for coverage will vary based on when you can apply, when the application is received and when

your enrolment is completed.

What’s covered The plan will help cover most basic dental services, such as check-ups, x-rays, teeth cleaning, fillings, dentures, root canals and some oral surgeries.

The CDCP will reimburse a percentage of the cost at the plan’s established fees. These depend on the members’ income level, and some people may have to pay the rest of the expense amount out of pocket. For example: if you have a family income under $70,000, you can have 100 per cent of eligible costs covered; if your family income is between $70,000 and $79,999, 60 per cent of eligible costs can be covered; and with a family income between $80,000 and $89,999, 40 per cent of eligible costs can be covered.

You may have to pay fees in addition to the potential copayment if: your oral health provider charges more than the CDCP fees or you agree to receive care that the plan doesn’t cover.

Before receiving oral health care, you should always ask your oral health provider about

Want financial stability?

First you must tackle debt NC - Having too much household debt is one sure-fire way to create financial stress for many of us. On average, Canadian household debt represented 177 per cent of our disposable income in 2019, and many Canadians are struggling even more since the pandemic.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to learn how to minimize your debts.

A budget is especially important if you have trouble paying your bills and do not know where your money is going every month. It will help you figure out how much money you get, spend and save, balance your income with your regular expenses, and it will guide your spending to help you reach your financial goals, such as paying off your debts.

While it may be difficult to escape during challenging times, try to avoid borrowing money. If you must, make sure you understand the cost of different credit products before you decide,

Drop by our office in Blyth and check out our wonderful selection of books. We have books for all ages.

The Citizen 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

and borrow only what you need.

Shop around, do your research and choose credit products carefully for your needs.

If you’re having difficulties paying for ongoing expenses or think you’ll have a hard time keeping up with your regular payments, it’s a good idea to speak with your financial institution about possible relief options that may be available. Weigh the pros and cons of these options before deciding on any of them. The

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has a mandate to provide unbiased and fact-based educational information to help Canadians manage financial health.

If you do take on debt, make sure you have a plan to pay it back.

Working a debt repayment plan into your budget will help your plan stay on track.

Managing debt is not always easy but there are resources to help you take control. Find more information at canada.ca/money.

any costs that won’t be covered by the plan.

Find more information canada.ca/dental.

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The primary advantages of pre-arranging your funeral is to relieve the burden on your loved ones in an already emotional time, and to ensure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes. Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family. Pre-payment also protects you and your family from inflation, and the growth is non-taxable.

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

Communities preparing for annual fundraiser

Coldest Night of the Year Fundraising events are happening in Blyth, Lucknow and Wingham in support of the Northern Huron Connection Centre. Above, many supporters participated in last year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) event in Wingham. Left, Lisa Harper of the United Way Perth Huron sat down with (Scott The Citizen to discuss this year’s CNOY plans.

Stephenson, John Stephenson photos)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

On Feb 24, the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk will be happening in towns and cities across Canada.

The event is still weeks away, but it already looks like the little town of Wingham is going to put in a strong showing again this year. The family-friendly event invites anybody and everybody to raise money by collecting donations and walking for either two or five kilometres in support of local charities that aim to serve members of the community that are experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.

Every year, the Wingham walk is put on with support from the Blue Sea Foundation, the United Way and local businesses. Lisa Harper of the United Way Perth Huron was kind enough to stop by The Citizen office for an in-depth conversation about the upcoming event, the importance of community engagement and the generosity of local residents.

While Harper was thoroughly impressed with last year’s efforts, she also believes this year has the potential to be even more successful. “Last year, we didn’t reach our goal of $40,000. We raised about $28,000, which is good, really good! But the previous year, our goal was $35,000, and we raised $42,000.” Rather than set their sights on a more modest goal this year, Wingham is aiming even higher. “This year we’re hoping our goal is $50,000. We are at just about 20 per cent already, at three weeks out.”

While Wingham’s walk tends to attract a good number of participants, the walk has recently garnered additional support from a

bit of a fundraising secret weapon the people of Blyth and Lucknow have organized their own hometown walks in support of Wingham’s chosen cause - the Northern Huron Connection Centre.

The centre, which opened in Wingham last year, offers a variety of services to local people in need, from all over North Huron and beyond.

Fundraising in Blyth is already well underway - in fact, there’s going to be a “Loonie Toonie Live Auction” on Feb. 12 (blizzard date: Feb. 19) at Trinity Anglican Church to raise money. The event has been spearheaded by Penny Chmilar of Penny’s of Blyth, with a lot of support from local businesses and assistance from Harper. “It’s going to be a really fun night!” she exclaimed. “There’s going to be 15 or 16 vendors, and we’re going to auction off items, and a portion of the funds raised are going to go to the Coldest Night of the Year, which, again, goes to the Connection Centre.” Most of the businesses on Blyth’s main drag have agreed to donate items: Picka-Posie Vintage, The Blyth Inn, Maple and Moose, Sweets and Treats and the Blyth Festival are all sending in some enticing options for bidding. There are also donations coming in from direct sellers like The Pampered Chef and Epicure. There are 100 tickets available to the auction, which can be purchased at Penny’s on Queen Street for $5 each.

The actual walk in Blyth will be happening on Saturday, Feb. 17, one week before the big event in Wingham.

The walk in Lucknow will be taking place on Sunday, Feb. 18, and is being organized by Lucknow and South Kinloss Presbyterian Churches. Harper will be speaking during church service that day, which will begin at 10 a.m. The walk is open to all and will run from 11 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. All the proceeds from Lucknow’s walk will go towards reaching the Wingham walk’s $50,000.

Afterwards, all are invited to head back to the church for chili.

Harper is also hoping for an increase in attendance at all of this year’s CNOY events. “Last year (in Wingham) we had 70 to 80 people come out, and we’re hoping for about the same this year. Actually, more. I’d love to have 100 people, or even more, join us!” Harper feels that every contribution helps, no matter how small. “We have folks that come that day, on Feb. 24, but we do prefer they register ahead of time - it just gives them more time for fundraising. Last year, we had

half a dozen people that came the day of the walk and asked to join.

They didn’t necessarily do any fundraising, but one gentleman brought a cheque for $250 as a donation and asked to walk, and we said, “Absolutely!”

One thing that Harper believes sets the CNOY event apart is the way it focuses on specific local charities - all the money raised by each walk goes directly towards a cause that’s important to that community. “In Wingham, that money is going to the Connection Centre,” she said. “The walk in Goderich is for the Huron Homeless Initiative. In Exeter, it’s going directly to their Connection Centre. We’re able to say this is what we’re raising for, and this is what the funds are going specifically to.”

In previous years, Wingham has raised money for the Connection Centre, but Harper feels that things are a bit different this time around.

“The nice part about this year - the funds are being raised for the Northern Huron Connection Centre in Wingham. The last two years, the centre wasn’t open yet, so it’s not that folks didn’t have a buy-in they just didn’t really understand what it was all about. It opened in July of last year, so we can give folks stats now. We can tell them that, since July last year, they’ve

had over 340 visits to the site.

They’ve served 274 meals. The laundry services are being used every day. The showers are being used every day. It’s been really nice.” Having some concrete evidence that their cause is one that really works is a good motivator for walk participants and donors alike.

Another motivating factor for local fundraisers: simple human empathy. “I think that because a lot of folks, you know, maybe have a family member that’s been living rough, or they’ve experienced it themselves, or they have mental health issues,” she explained, “those folks with lived experience can be very understanding. And there’s that generosity there too.

Because they get it.”

In Harper’s estimation, the number of people in Huron County struggling to make ends meet is increasing. “It’s a sign of the times… there’s a lot of folks out there who just can’t make it right now. Whether they can’t pay their rent, or they can’t pay their mortgage. Whether they have a roof over their head, there’s so many people out there right now in that situation.” Despite compounding challenges, Harper is optimistic. “In Wingham, we’re able to help folks get out of those situations. The Connection Centre has actually recently placed an individual, who

had been living without a home for about two years, into an apartment.

One person being placed in one home may seem like a very small story, but it is one of many small stories happening all over the country. And that is what makes this ever so inspiring.”

There are CNOY walks held all across Canada, each one raising funds for a local cause connected to the community. While all funds raised are kept within their respective municipalities, the impact of each individual CNOY walk reverberates on a national level. In Salmon Arm, B.C., they walk for the Shuswap Food Action Society, which is a group that addresses food insecurity through school programs, community gardens and fresh local food boxes for low-income residents. In Summerside, P.E.I, the people walk for the Lifehouse Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing, which offers a place to stay for women and children in need. Each one of these local programs improves the lives of real people, who, in turn, are in a better position to contribute to their communities, which leads to a stronger social fabric, nationwide.

The walk isn’t just good for those using the services it supports - it’s also good for the participants!

Harper says, “Engagement is absolutely essential, especially coming out of COVID. With regards to people being in isolation, you see a lot more mental health issues coming up. There are folks that are struggling, that are reaching out, that are using the 211 service, to get connected back into the community. So, engagement is so essential to mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. And without folks being involved, things just stop… so please register! We’d love to have you on board! It’s fun, it’s a fantastic event, you’ll be part of the community, and you’ll know you’ve done something really good for a fellow citizen in your local area.”

The main event will be happening in Wingham on Feb. 24, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Libro Credit Union and Maitland River Community Church parking lots.

Youth Winter Sports Pages Coaches and parents ~ we need your team’s picture and players’ names 1. Please submit team photo A.S.A.P. 2. Please include players’ and coaches’ names for under the photo.

Deadline March 29

Please help us get ALL the Winter Sports teams published.

The Citizen

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

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519-523-4311

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Huron East to bring roadside mowing in-house

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After a long-time contractor retired, Huron East Council has decided to bring its roadside mowing operations in-house at an annual cost of just under $120,000.

Director of Public Works Barry Mills, at council’s Jan. 23 meeting, presented a report that detailed the retirement of the contractor and the potential for a dramatic rise in costs, which triggered the

discussion about bringing it inhouse. “[Last year] was the last year of the roadside mowing contract with our current contractor. For 2023, there were only two bids received to cut two rounds of roadside grass for the months of June and September. The bids received were $56,000 and $116,375 for the grasscutting season. The municipality accepted the lowest bid. At that time, it was known that the contractor would not be bidding in

On the lookout Vendors were in place and bundled up on Saturday as Goderich Winterfest went ahead on The Square, offering something for everyone at the celebration held in the dog days of winter. (Scott Stephenson photo)

future years, as he was retiring.

Staff have reviewed the service and put together a proposal to bring the service in-house and [have] compared it to the next-lowest bid from 2023,” Mills said in his report.

“The proposal intends to take the roadside mowing program in-house by renting a tractor, purchasing a disc mower, and replacing a parttime winter maintenance position with a full-time [employee who] would plow snow in the winter months, cut roadside grass in the summer months, and do other duties while not cutting grass or plowing snow.”

As part of his report, Mills also presented some cost comparisons between contracting the service again, based on the second-lowest bid in 2023. He figured that the contract, based on the 2023 rate, would be just over $116,000, plus another nearly $30,000 for the winter maintenance position for four months, which would have to remain. He compared that to the $118,000 for a full-time employee (which includes the tractor rental, fuel and equipment maintenance).

Adding in the one-time capital purchase of a new disc mower at a price of $25,000, the two costs would be comparable $143,809.60 for a full-time employee to bring the service inhouse and buy a new disc mower and $144,891.53 for a grass-cutting contract and $28,516.53 to keep the

winter maintenance position for four months each winter.

Mills said that, by bringing the service in-house in 2024, he anticipated the municipality saving just over $1,000. However, with the disc mower purchase taken care of, anticipated annual savings for 2025 and 2026 are estimated to top $26,000 and continue beyond 2026.

In addition to cost savings, Mills told council that there were other benefits to bringing the service under the municipal umbrella.

“In addition to the cost savings,

the proposal also provides greater stability and flexibility to the Public Works Department by the creation of a full-time position, alleviating the challenge of recruiting at least one part-time seasonal position for winter maintenance.

This recruitment process has been difficult over the past several years,” Mills said.

Council agreed with Mills and voted in favour of the new proposal, with only Councillor Larry McGrath voicing his opposition to the idea.

Season continues for Crusader teams Continued from page 9 Meteors on the road in Mitchell by a score of 5-4.

On Feb. 5, the U11 LL Crusaders played the Mid-Huron Huskies 2, the U15 Rep team also played the Mid-Huron Huskies and the U18 Rep team played the Huron-Bruce Blizzard, all in Blyth, while the U11 Rep team played the Mid-Huron Huskies in Hensall, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 6, the U13 Rep team played the Minto Mad Dogs and the U18 LL team took on the Listowel

Cyclones 2 team, both in Brussels, followed by a Feb. 7 game between the U11 Rep team and the TCDMHA Rebels on the road and a home game between the U15 LL Crusaders and the Mid-Huron Huskies 1 team in Blyth, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On Feb. 8, the U15 Rep team played the Saugeen Valley Steelheads, the U8 Black team played the Wallace Sabres and the U18 Rep team played the Listowel Cyclones, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK REPORT For the week ending February 2, 2024 Total Receipts: 1605 cattle, 943 lambs and goats Tuesday - Fed cattle sold fully steady.

Cows sold on an easier trade.

Thursday - Veal sold actively on a steady market. Lambs, sheep and goats sold steady.

Steve Hallahan Farms of Blyth, consigned five head. One holstein cow weighed 1,610 lbs. and sold for $131.

Veal: There were 135 veal on offer:

Friday - Calves sold on a strong market $2 - $3 higher. Yearlings sold steady.

Fed Cattle: There were 140 fed cattle on offer: Choice Fed Cattle: $235 – $239 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $225 – $231 Aged and Medium Fed Cattle: $191– $215 Holstein Fed Cattle: $150 – $221

Steve Doherty of Owen Sound, consigned 16 head. Three charolais heifers averaged 543 lbs. and sold for an average price of $357.

Jayme Reid of Tiverton, consigned three head. One black cow weighed 1,715 lbs. and sold for $140.

Beef Veal: $245 – $268 Good Holsteins: $238 – $256 SL Heavy Holsteins: $230 – $248 Heavy Holsteins: $200 – $245 Medium Holsteins: $225 – $238 Plain Holsteins: $190 – $220 Drop Calves: $535 – $1,100 / HEAD Abraham B. Martin of Wellesley, consigned five head. One blue veal weighed 1,090 lbs. and sold for $268.

Harold and Barb Zettler of Teeswater, consigned six head. One red steer weighed 1,670 lbs. and sold for $237.

Peel Dominium of Bluevale, consigned five head. One holstein veal weighed 715 lbs. and sold for $240.

Cows: There were 330 cows on offer:

Lambs:

Good Beef Cows: $120 – $150 up to $160 Good Holstein Cows: $116 – $126 up to $131 Medium Holstein Cows: $111 – $115 Bulls: $130 – $179

Under 50 lbs.: $425 – $425 50-64 lbs.: $377.50 – $425 up to $435 65-79 lbs.: $330 – $384 up to $404 80-94 lbs.: $275 – $350 up to $369 95-109 lbs.: $250 – $274 up to $292.50 110 lbs. and over: $235 – $270

Sheep: $125 – $282.50

Ephriam S. Weber of Holyrood, consigned 17 head. Four red whiteface heifers averaged 909 lbs. and sold for an average price of $292.

Goats: Meat Kids: $450 – $507.50 Dairy Kids: $360 – $400 Mature Bucks: $285 – $390 Mature Does: $85 – $200 Kathy Oosterhof of Moorefield, consigned 14 head. Four lambs averaged 72 lbs. and sold for an average price of $404.

Dave Lawson of Clinton, consigned six head. Two kid goats averaged 54 lbs. and sold for $507.50.

Stockers: There were 1,000 stockers on offer: Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: $447 – $447 400 – 499 lbs.: $220 – $436 up to $459 500 – 599 lbs.: $362 – $451 600 – 699 lbs.: $285 – $402.50 700 – 799 lbs.: $315 – $363 800 – 899 lbs.: $308 – $336 900 – 999 lbs.: $289 – $319 up to $330.25 1,000 lbs. and over: $277.50 – $307.25 up to $321.

Top Quality Heifers: Under 400 lbs.: $197.50 – $315 400 – 499 lbs.: $260 – $346 500 – 599 lbs.: $270 – $333 up to $357 600 – 699 lbs.: $273 – $316 700 – 799 lbs.: $273 – $306 800 – 899 lbs.: $278 – $314 900 lbs. and over: $251 – $289 up to $296 Aaron Hackett of Lucknow, consigned six head. Three charolais steers averaged 515 lbs. and sold for an average price of $451 Argyle Farms of Dutton consigned 49 head. 13 black steers averaged 628 lbs and sold for an average price of $396.00.

Reuben S. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned 24 head. Thirteen charolais steers averaged 1,028 lbs. and sold for an average price of $321.

Phares Brubacher of Lucknow, consigned 15 head. Seven charolais heifers averaged 1,002 lbs. and sold for an average price of $282.75.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

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

FRIDAYS

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

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Classified Advertising – RATES – card of thanks coming events Personals

20 words or less only $8.00 + HST Additional words 20¢ ea. + HST

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

Articles for sale To all persons who have any houses, lands, tenements, farms, ships, vessels, goods, wares or merchandises to be sold or let, may have the same inserted at a reasonable rate.

North Huron Publishing 405 Queen St., Blyth for particulars.

-------------------------------------------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 -------------------------------------------WEBWOOD TRUSS WINTER SALE - 10% discount on roof trusses and floor joists. We do residential, commercial and agricultural. For details and/or quote call 519-3353551 and ask for Zach.

-------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Charlie’s Variety in Clinton, Fogal’s YIG in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

card of thanks COOK - A huge thank you to the firefighters, friends, family and neighbours who helped out after our barn fire. Your support through visits, phone calls, cards, food and help with the clean up was overwhelming. Once again it shows what a great community we live in.

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ALLEN. The family of Nancy Allen (nee Scruton) would like to express their deep appreciation to all that have supported us in the illness and passing of our wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma. The support shown through your many messages, calls, cards, visits, meals, and flowers continues to lift us up in this time of grief. A special mention of appreciation must be extended to the amazing staff at Huron Hospice Bender House; the wonderful care given to Nancy during her last week allowed us to spend time with her in a beautiful and compassionate setting. Also thank you to Dr. Uniac and the caring staff at the Clinton Public Hospital for the care given to Nancy during her illness. We are also grateful to Chris, Mark and the staff at Falconer Funeral Home for the care you showed Nancy, and those who loved her, during her visitation and funeral. Thank you to Susan Moore for officiating Nancy's funeral; your beautiful words will continue to bring us comfort in the days ahead. Thank you to Drew and Liz's friends and the Londesboro UCW members for the meals provided. Thank you to those that honoured Nancy’s memory by donating to Huron Hospice Bender House. A very special thank you to the following friends and family that have been exceptionally helpful during Nancy's illness - Barb and Al Bosman, Dianne Aitken and Karen Scruton. Your extra help, meals, and friendship during Nancy's short illness was most appreciated as we navigated this journey with her. All of the support our community has shown us has been incredible and will continue to bring us comfort in the days ahead as we mourn the loss of Nancy. Keith, Don, Mark, Drew, Paula and families.

coming events SHROVE TUESDAY, pancake and sausage supper, hosted by the Lucknow Presbyterian Church, 578 Havelock Street; Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5 to 7 p.m. Pancakes, Green's Meat Market farmer's sausage, maple syrup, apple sauce, pie, fruit and beverage. Gluten free available.

Adults $17.50, children 12 and under $8, children 5 and under free.

-------------------------------------------KARATE! IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL CLASSES AVAILABLE SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS Self-defense, Self-discipline, Selfconfidence GROUP CLASSES FOR AGES 4 TO ADULT Taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and 12X World Karate Champion Location Fresh Wind Revival Centre - 21 Lloyd Street, Wingham EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ONLY $105 + HST FOR 10 WEEKS Uniform extra Special ends Feb. 14.

Regular price $125+HST Call 519-580-1418 or e-mail becky_schweitzer@hotmail.com www.schweitzersmartialarts.com -------------------------------------------FEBRUARY TAKE-OUT LUNCH, Tuesday, February 20, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth. Meat loaf lunch with dessert, $12 per person. Ordering deadline: Monday, February 19. To order call 519-523-9396 or email: mcgregor@ezlink.ca --------------------------------------------

Join us for our Famous Fish Fry at the Wingham Columbus Centre, Friday, February 16 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eat in $20, choice of battered or grilled white fish and a buffet of garden and caesar salad, french fries, baked potato, mashed potato, gravy, dinner rolls, also coffee and tea. Take out $18, fish, potato, coleslaw and dinner roll. We also do chicken fingers for the “non” fish lover. Butter tarts $2 or homemade cheesecake and other desserts $5 ea. Kids are 1/2 price.

Taxes are included. Call early to book your fish as we tend to sell out.

519-357-1270. We are still making lots of frozen soups and meals. Give us a call or come check them out.

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Are you experience an unplanned pregnancy? Are you a young parent?

Do you feel overwhelmed and have questions? We have answers and we're here to help. Our services are free and completely confidential.

Contact Room2Grow at 519-6060046 or visit our website www.room2grow.info --------------------------------------------

The Citizen 519-523-4792 huroncitizen.ca

Help wanted Help wanted EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FIRE CHIEF – FULL TIME Visit the Township of Huron-Kinloss website to view this employment opportunity. https://www.huronkinloss.com/careers

In memoriam Swap Shop STILES - James Gordon Stiles, April 12, 1932 - February 9, 2014.

Gordon (Buzz) & Dad, 10 years have passed since you left us. Not a day goes by that your name isn't mentioned and one of your fancy sayings is said. You are loved and missed. Until we meet again.

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

PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Jim Hess was the guest speaker on Sunday, Feb. 4 at Knox United Church, Belgrave. Linda Hess played prelude and postlude music and accompanied the hymns.

The congregation sang “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.”

Dorothy McLaren read scripture from Colossians 1:9-14, and Psalm 34:1-15. Mr. Hess’ message was entitled “Knowing Jesus.”

On Sunday, Feb. 11, Bill McAusian will be the guest speaker and communion will take place.

Everyone is welcome.

Birthday greetings are extended to Madisson Davenport on Feb. 1 and Jackson Davenport on Feb. 5.

We hope you had a fun day.

Belated birthday greetings are extended to Grant Vincent, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

We are finally getting our sunshine we waited so long to get.

Enjoy the sunshine, whatever you do.

Citizen-To-Citizen

“SWAP SHOP” ad Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less.

Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

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

CRAIG - Remembering Graeme Craig, a dear husband and father who passed away February 8, 2021.

Cherished in our hearts forever.

Helen, Michael, Shannon & Dave.

-------------------------------------------KLEMKE - In memory of a dear father, grandfather (Tatta) and greatgrandfather, Paul Klemke who passed away thirty years ago, February 12, 1994.

Along the path of memories, we walk with you each day and just how much we miss you, no words could ever say.

As each day dawns and starts anew, as each day ends we think of you.

And in between no matter where, in our hearts you're always there.

We cannot stop the hands of time, or live in the past, but we will love and miss you, as long as our time lasts.

Love, your family --------------------------------------------

McAuslan to speak at Knox

FOR SALE - 24” Frigidaire dishwasher - like new, 2 years old.

Asking $300.; Lifetime water distiller complete with extra filters. Asking $500 obo; Stackable 24” Gorenje 7 kg. clothes dryer. Like new. Asking $400 obo. Call 519-357-3622 6-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Donald Sutherland Stamps. Post Office price - $1.05 each. 519-357-1504 5-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Donald Sutherland Stamps. Post Office price - $1.05 each. 519-357-1504 5-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Blundstones brown size 4 1/2, square toe, $75; Foosball table, $50; Storm Door - fits 36x80, 2 “thick”, white, $100. 519-357-4040 5-3 --------------------------------------------WANTED - Used, large chest freezer.

519-395-4211 4-3 ---------------------------------------------

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

Drop by our office in Blyth and check out our wonderful selection of books. We have books for all ages.

The Citizen 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 15.

Nature responding to odd winter PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

The heat is on In a playoff game hosted in Seaforth, the U18 C Huron Heat battled a team visiting from Sarnia. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. (John Stephenson photo)

It has been quite a week of great weather. Most of the snow has gone and we have had lots of fog instead of snowstorms. Mild temperatures are being enjoyed, but I think they are confusing nature. Checking my maple trees, I could see the start of little buds. I could see one of the bushes tapped for maple syrup has activity going on in it. I have not heard that the sap is running, but the mild temperatures during the day and cold nights just might get it going. I will have to check that out with the experts.

Our sympathies are extended to the Fraser family on the passing of Blair Fraser. He will be lovingly missed by his wife Debbie and

children Brad and Katrina, Angela Fraser and Shantel, Jessica and James and Krista and Justin and his mother Melva Fraser. He was the son of the late Don Fraser and a brother of Randy Fraser.

Blair was a caring family man, a farmer and was blessed with the ability to talk with anyone he met.

He will be missed by many. Our condolences to all.

It was party time on the weekend to celebrate the milestone birthday of 90 years for Marilyn McDonald.

The party was held at the Seaforth Legion for just the immediate family. About 40 were in attendance, while others were unable to be there.

Marilyn and her late husband Don had a family of six children: Bruce, Heather, Cathy, Pat, Jim and Jeanne. They farmed in Grey Township until Marilyn retired to Brussels after Don’s passing. She now resides in Seaforth at Maplewood Manor. The family enjoyed a wonderful afternoon visiting with one and another and Marilyn. Happy birthday Marilyn!

The predictions for an early

spring or six more weeks of winter were close with five predicting an early spring and four predicting six more weeks of winter. Wiarton Willie said we’d have an early spring and he was joined by Shubenacadie Sam of Nova Scotia, Fred la Marmotte of Quebec, Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania and Okanagan Okie of British Columbia. The other predictors of six more weeks of winter included Lucy the Lobster of Cape Sable Island, Manitoba Merv of Manitoba, Balzac Billie of Alberta and Van Island Violet of Vancouver.

I guess we will just have to wait until March 15 to know who was right!

It will be time for the Walton Coffee Chat again this Saturday morning. We hope to see a good crowd and maybe we will have more of Neil McGavin’s tapes of concerts from the past!

MaryAnn Thompson reports seeing her first robin on Feb. 5. It seems a tad early, but with this crazy weather, I guess we can expect just about anything.

Celebrating birthdays this past

Obituaries

ROBERT BLAIR FRASER Robert “Blair” Fraser passed away peacefully at University Hospital in London on Jan. 30 in his 64th year.

The loving husband of Debbie for 33 years, Blair was the dear dad of Brad and Katrina Fraser, Angela Fraser and Shantel McCready, Jessica and James Elston, Krista Fraser and Justin Horrigan and the loving grandpa of Mya and Mason Fraser, Karter and Holden Elston.

Blair was the beloved son of Melva Fraser and the late Don Fraser (2009). He was the brother of Randy Fraser and the late Lorna Fraser (2020) and the brother-inlaw of Don Flewwelling and Joyce Loucks, Joyce and Dan McEachern, Gary and Lori Flewwelling, Wayne and Lynne Flewwelling, Rob and Karen Flewwelling.

He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Blair was a very caring individual; he loved his family, and he was a farmer at heart. Blair would spend many hours talking on the phone checking in with the kids, family and friends and, when he was not on the phone, he was on the computer planning for the next year’s crops.

Blair would strike up conversations wherever he went. It did not matter if he knew the person or not, chances were, Blair knew someone that person knew, and the conversation carried on from there.

Many have missed hearing from

Blair, and he will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Blair’s life will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy donations to Farm and Food Care Ontario would be appreciated.

Please send donation cheques to Box 340, Brussels, Ontario, N0G 1H0.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca JANNETJE (née van Rijn) PASSCHIER Oct. 14, 1928 - Feb. 1, 2024 Truly my soul finds rest in God; My salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62 v. 1.

It is with great sadness that we announce the great loss of mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother Jannetje Passchier, 95, who passed away Feb. 1, 2024, at Huronview Nursing Home.

Janny was the loving wife of Anton Passchier for 58 years. She was the dear mother of Maria Passchier of Blyth, Anna Myers of St. John’s, Newfoundland, JoAnn (Richard) Pepneck of Vauxhall, Alberta, John (Joan) Passchier of Puslinch, Anton Jr. (Rhea) Passchier of Pickering, Bernice (Felix) Weber of Palmerston and Trudy (Mark) Krahn of Clinton.

She will also be remembered by her daughter-in-law Sylvia and Jim Parish of Blyth, 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Janny was predeceased by her husband Anton (2011), son Gordon (1987), daughter-in-law Sandra (2006), and son-in-law Owen Myers (2019).

Born in Katwijk aan Zee, Holland, Janny was the third of 11 children in a close-knit family. Her life was shaped by living through the Depression and World War II. As a young girl, Janny helped her farm family feed the hungry during the terrible Dutch Hunger Winter in 1944 and 1945.

Janny married Anton in 1953 and immigrated to Canada. Together, they raised their family of eight and farmed as a team. A gifted seamstress, she designed and made many dresses for her five daughters, knitted countless slippers and crocheted beautiful tiny sweaters for grandchildren.

Music was enjoyed through playing the organ and singing.

Janny’s writing included many letters, still treasured by her children, a tradition her own mother started when Janny first immigrated to Canada. An avid reader, she was always ready for intelligent conversations on religion or current events. Into her 90s, Janny used her proficient computer skills to send ebirthday cards and connect with family around the world, sharing valuable insights of her wartime memories in Holland.

A woman of deep Christian faith, Janny was a quiet and dignified example to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the community. In later years, every time we said goodbye and hugged, she would say, “Say hello to everyone and tell them I love them. My family means a lot to me.” A true legacy of faith, love and family.

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

The Citizen.

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

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

week include John Driscoll, Marilyn McDonald, Amy Whyte, Pamela Hackwell, Clinton Pryce, Abby McNichol, Arnold den Dekker, Katie Dionne, George Kruse, Catherine Terpstra, Theo Melady, Emilee Bennett, Cody Nichol, Lois Todd, Matthew Coleman, Annette Lewington, Ken Shortreed and Sydney Warwick.

Happy birthday to all!

NEWS FROM WALTON Wingham Memorials Distinctive memorials of lasting satisfaction produced by us to your specifications.

Visitation is on Friday, Feb. 9, from 7-9 p.m. and the funeral service is on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. officiated by Pastor Brent Kipfer. Both are at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church. Spring interment will be in the Blyth Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be to Open Doors of Canada or Clinton Public Hospital.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes Clinton. Messages of Condolence for the Passchier family are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com

Owned and operated by Mac and Donna Andersoon Assisted by Mandy

519-357-1910 E-mail: andgranite@bellnet.ca After hours appointments availab ble 89 North Street W., Wingham www.winghammemorials.com

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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 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Lake Affect Media focusing on local focus

Camera, man Nick Vinnicombe from the Walton area has spent the last decade building a rural media empire and he’s only getting started. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

When Nick Vinnicombe was still in high school, he began putting together a plan to form his own videography business. In the decade that has passed since then, his company, Lake Affect Media, has been growing alongside the shifting needs of his clients and community partners across Huron County. The number of services Vinnicombe offers has multiplied over the years to include myriad media solutions geared towards local business and residents. Lake Affect produces everything from wedding photos to promotional videos to 3D property tours.

The young entrepreneur was kind enough to step out of his editing suite and head on over to the arena at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre for a chilly chat with The Citizen about what it’s really like in the reasonably-paced world of rural media.

Vinnicombe likes to offer a little bit of everything, as long as it’s both a useful service and one that he truly enjoys doing. So far, it’s been a winning combination.

“Things really started taking off when I started focusing more on the things I’m passionate about, like videography and photography… I like working with a camera to help businesses in the area, whether it’s creating their advertisements or covering their local events. Getting to see videos that I create for businesses getting tons of views on social media and being promoted is just a really nice feeling. And it’s led to some real growth for my business as well!”

For this videographer, the success of his business is more than just financial in nature. “Wedding videos are really rewarding - when you send the video to the couple, and they just go nuts about how much they like it - it’s almost like a high, really!” He’s also found that it’s the kind of work that can have a positive impact on him as a person.

“I wasn’t really outgoing at all when I first started out, but doing this job, you’ve got to kind of sell yourself, which has really helped me come out of my shell. It’s such a fun job, to just drive around and meet people - you get to know just these little bits about so many different things. It makes it really easy to talk to people at parties!”

The last 10 years have had so many little bits, in fact, that Vinnicombe can sometimes start to lose track of it all. “There are times

when I forget how many things I’ve done. And then I sit in the back and throw on some videos, and it’s almost kind of overwhelming to see how many opportunities I’ve been given, and the breadth of the work I’ve gotten to do.” One of his recent jobs does stand out to him as a favourite project - working with Calhoun Super Structures. Calhoun is a company that engineers and produces large fabric building systems that are used for numerous industrial applications, from livestock housing to event spaces to airplane hangers. These large structures are touted as cost effective, sturdy and energy efficient. “They sent me out to a few different locations across Ontario to interview people that have had these structures installed on their property.“ Providing a wide variety of services requires a wide variety of equipment - luckily, Vinnicombe has the gear to get the job done, whatever it may be. He’s not above playing favourites, though. “I love my main camera - my Black Magic Pocket 6K. It’s just a fantastic camera! I also think it’s great that cinematic cameras have become more readily available to smaller businesses. But, if I had to choose my favourite piece of equipment, I’ve got to go with the drone.”

Vinnicombe has found many practical applications for a tiny, remote-controlled flying machine in his line of work - “It really unlocks a lot of potential when you’re working on a project and need to get a different angle or a different sort of shot.” Wide overhead shots have proved particularly useful for creating appealing videos of properties that are to be sold. Lake Affect also offers 3-D video tours of building interiors and home photography.

Since becoming a widelyavailable technology, unmanned drones have quickly grown into the go-to technology for all kinds of projects, from big budget blockbusters to search-and-rescue missions.

But Vinnicombe cautioned against just picking up a remote control and taking to the skies. “Drones can be difficult to operate… you also have to be very careful about when you use them.

The Ministry of Transportation has really started cracking down on them.” He obtained his drone operator’s license by completing a Fly Safe course that covers proper use of the machines and an understanding of the laws that govern them. “The exams that you

go through can be very in-depth,” he said. Drones are not allowed near airports, and operators are liable for any damages that are a result of any distracted driving they may cause by flying too close to roadways.

He may have a lot of gear, but that doesn’t mean Vinnicombe doesn’t have a big list of stuff he’d like to own someday - he does!

“There’s a lot of technological advancements going on with cameras right now… the same company that made my drone, DJI, makes a camera with a built-in gimbal, which I think would be really interesting to try out. It would basically make shooting handheld scenes so much easier, which is something you need to practise a lot to get good at. There’s always exciting new technology coming out. But it’s also all about working with the equipment you already have. In the film industry especially, it's so easy to get caught up trying to keep up with the latest trends.” Vinnicombe loves to use his spare time building different rigs out of his existing equipment.

While his main business concerns itself largely with the creation of new video content, Vinnicombe has another venture, Memory Rescue, that specializes in the opposite transferring old videos from VHS tapes into digital files and DVDs. “For a while I’ve been offering analog-to-digital conversions for VHS tapes, and now I’ve actually just split Memory Rescue off into its own business, so I can accept tapes through the mail from all over the country, instead of being limited to local drop-offs.”

VHS technology was once a go-to for home videos as well as commercial films. Families all over Canada acquired their own affordable camcorders between the 1970s and 1990s, making recordings of their lives and of the television programming they found interesting at the time. During those halcyon days, memories could be relived time and time again using the family VHS player. The rapid disappearance of this briefly ubiquitous home appliance has left many Huron County moments trapped in a labyrinth of purgatorial black tape, doomed to deteriorate bit by bit, plunged into obscurity by the relentless parade of progress. Or you can send those tapes to Memory Rescue, where Vinnicombe will convert the cursed cassettes into a more modern medium. “I love VHS tapes,” he explained. “But they degrade, they

develop audio issues, they just stop playing.”

One can’t discuss the video production landscape of Huron County without bringing up Goderich’s FauxPop Media, the crew behind all the post-production work on Matt Johnson’s 2023 film, BlackBerry. Lake Affect may be a smaller operation than FauxPop, but Vinnicombe is quite familiar with the most mysterious media moguls on Ontario’s West Coast they’ve been frequent collaborators on projects over the years.

“They’ve always been really great to work with - we’ve never looked at each other as competitors, it almost feels like more of a collective sometimes. They get jobs, I get jobs, we work on each other’s jobs - we all succeed together. It’s nice.”

After his first time assisting FauxPop on a project showcasing the music of Huron County, Vinnicome found that the more he hung out around their studio, the more job opportunities came his way. Those gigs evolved into a mutually-beneficial working relationship. During the pandemic, FauxPop and Lake Affect both hosted a variety of livestreams to help fill the gap created when inperson events ceased to be an option. They also worked together to focus on bringing local news to the public via FauxPop’s television channel. “I think it was helpful for people. We were on calls with doctors and nurses from Huron Perth Public Health, but we also talked to, like, grocery store workers about all the stockpiling and craziness that was going on.”

It may seem a bit strange at first that Huron County keeps producing video-obsessed youths that, when left to their own devices, start their own media companies, but it actually makes perfect sense. Both FauxPop and Lake Affect can trace their roots back to the same place: Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS). Always an early adopter of

technology, CHSS has long offered unique programs that have inflamed the passions of thousands of students over the decades - a group which includes several FauxPop founders, as well as Vinnicombe. “I took the high school major for communication technology - those classes made me realize that doing this could be something more than a hobby. They made me realize that starting this business was something that I could do, and gave me the confidence to try it. My teacher, [Jacqui] Morley, was really great… if it wasn’t for her classes, I don’t think I would have gotten into this industry.”

Working in a rural setting, rather than an urban area, comes with unique benefits and drawbacks.

Setting up shop back home has meant Vinnicombe saves a lot of money on rent, and benefits from the guidance and assistance from his family. “My dad has come in to help me run the business side of things. During the pandemic, he retired from his job at Johnson & Johnson, and he’s a very good project manager. It’s also really cool to see the film industry coming to Huron County. There’s a lot of wooded areas here that would be good for a horror film or a thriller.“ The trade-off for those advantages: costly and sometimes unreliable internet service in some of the remote locations he travels to for live-streamed events.

“Sometimes we have to reach out to a local company and ask them to boost the internet signal. That’s for sure the biggest drawback.”

Even with a few connectivity issues, Vinnicombe stands by his decision to keep his talents close to home. “I wouldn’t have this business if it wasn’t for Huron County. It’s part of the reason I named it ‘Lake Affect’ - it’s a play on words about the way that this area ‘affected’ my decision to get into the industry. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to do this - Huron County has always been my home!”

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Submit your HIGH RESOLUTION digital photo (please email original size - do not crop) to: Citizen Phone Book Cover at: info@northhuron.on.ca Deadline is February 23, 2024

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

Trust God, serve in his healing ways: Jebson

By Rev. Alex Jebson Blyth, Brussels United Churches There was one day during my undergrad summers working at the pioneer village outside of Peterborough that I was in the carpenter shop. “Alex,” you might say, “I didn’t know you could do carpentry!” I can’t, but they stuck me in there anyways. I mainly stuck to using the jigsaw, using planes on random planks, and making shavings for the other fireplaces with the drawknife and shaving horse; things that are very unlikely to result in a trip to the emergency room.

Anyways, that one day I did manage to nick my finger with the drawknife, right as a huge pack of visitors were heading straight to the shop. I didn’t want to make a scene or admit that I needed assistance at the time, so I just hid my hand behind my back and interpreted for the folks, using my head to nod in the direction of implements while trying not to let any blood drip on the shaving horse. And the visitors just kept on coming in. By the time I could actually sneak away to the main building for the first aid kit, I was quite a lot paler and had more sawdust in my cut than if I had just admitted I needed some healing in the first place.

Given the number of cures and other miracles that we find in the narratives of Jesus’ ministries, it seems like our spiritual forebears were not as reluctant as some of us today to admit that they needed healing of some kind. However, we still find in our Gospel narratives some trepidation and confusion, if not about seeking out healing, then about what healing actually looks like in God, and how we as communities are called to participate in God’s healing ways.

In Christ, we realize that we are both dependent on God and called

by God to help heal others.

This lesson is laid out in an efficient and frank manner in Mark 1:29-39. In Jesus’ first full day of public ministry, he heals a man while teaching in the synagogue of Capernaum, heals Simon’s motherin-law from fever, cures many of the sick people brought to his doorstep, and then hightails it to the next town over, so that he can continue his ministry. The folks of Capernaum were left to further heal as a community, without the physical presence of Jesus. Given that hectic work schedule, I won’t complain about a cut from a drawknife ever again!

Evangelical Missionary Church

Sunday, February 11, 10:30 a.m.

Thomas Bailey (Creation Ministries Int’l) “How do you Know? Who was There?”

God’s work of healing isn’t just about band-aid solutions. In God’s presence and care, and in the healing narratives we encounter in scripture, it isn’t so much about the physical curing of an ailment, but offering wholeness, a restoration of self and community, strengthening bonds and faith that has been strained and severed.

In the whirlwind narrative from Mark, Jesus addresses healing both in a private and public setting.

Today, we are likely in need of healing and wholeness in one way or another - we can look around the pews or our neighbourhoods and think of those we need to heal our relationships with, or those missing from these pews who have drifted or rifted apart. This is the kind of healing that Jesus addresses.

Jesus offers this healing through the grace that he offers - the grace that empowers us to love, to have compassion, to forgive where need be, to accept people as they are, because we all depend on God and on one another. Jesus dares to heal on a Sabbath, not letting properness or status get in the way - any and all are welcome to be a part of Jesus’ community and care. Whether the physical ailments were cured in ways that people were hoping or not, the healing of community was on full display. Nobody felt like they needed to be embarrassed or shamed by the need to be healed and to be a part of community.

In God’s care, in Christ’s ministry, wholeness is offered where it wouldn’t have been known otherwise. As the preacher William Carl III puts it, “…only when we

feel weak and helpless, whether young or old, are we vulnerable enough to experience the power and grace of a God who raises us up on eagle’s wings. So, this is about us, about God, and what God does with us when all we seem to be is down.”

But where the people struggled to understand, where they focused on band-aids instead of wholeness healing, was embracing their own role in the healing process. They were confused and upset that Jesus would want to move to the next town over, that he would seemingly abandon them just as the cures were reaching their crescendo. Yet, what Jesus was showing them was that they could use the healing they had experienced from God to be God’s agents of healing themselves.

With people restored to the community after their afflictions were gone, the community could be more whole. When people like Simon’s mother-in-law were healed, she could more fully serve and offer God’s love to others. With barriers broken down and the love of neighbours revealed, they could more authentically and more faithfully care for others within and beyond their community. Rather than just trying to patch or cover things up, things were made whole.

I was told a story once about a congregant who seemed to move pews every few months. And no, that’s not the miracle in itself, though it is a rarity. She tended to sit with people who were recently widowed, not necessarily saying much, but just being a calm and comforting presence for them as they would get back into the

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch Welcome to Worship Sunday, Februarry 11 ~ 9:30 a.m.

Sunday y school ages 3 + Joint Ash Wednesday Servicce ~ Feb. 14, 2:00 p.m. at Brusselss United Come, thee invitation is open to all.

“Games TTiimee” Fridayy,, February 9 at 1:30 Friendlyy,, reelaxing fun + refreshments 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.

Sunday morning rhythm. One woman who lost her spouse became extremely grateful for this congregant’s presence. For several months, as she waded through the paperwork and loneliness and changes that came with widowhood, her new friend was a presence that could always be counted upon at least once a week.

But, one Sunday, her friend was sitting beside someone else, who had lost his wife a few weeks ago.

She got extremely upset about this, and didn’t show up to church for a little bit. But, upon reflecting on the love and compassion that she had received when she needed it most, and understanding that there were others who needed to know the comfort and healing of a present and caring community, she came back, and started to do the same thing, sitting with newcomers or those going through tough times.

Embracing the need to be healed, the need for wholeness, we embrace the God who bandages and brings people together. And knowing this wholeness, we can live it out in

community. God makes healing very much a community endeavour and calling. We, as faith communities and local communities, may not be able to cure all ailments, and there will be times of tensions and wounds.

However, by living as authentic and caring people, dependent on God and loving of our neighbours, that is God’s healing lived out, and can inspire further healing all over. The pastor and psychotherapist Margaret Kornfeld lays this out in her book Cultivating Wholeness: A Guide to Care and Counseling in Faith Communities: “The community heals by being itself. Religious communities do not have to rely only on special programs or activities to be healing places. By being authentic, the community helps the people in them become more whole. The properties that characterize community – open communication, effective means of conflict resolution, and the love and acceptance of members who can Continued on page 18

Worship with us at

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Co ee Time 11:15 am Sunday School for all ages

o ’s Love God e dures en forever

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

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

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

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

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, February 11, 2024 11:00 am - 12 noon We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Doug Sargent leads us in worship, prayer and praise to Good.

Snacks, coffee, and a time to visit will follow.

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

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

Sunday, February 11 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

Blyth United Churrch Sunday Service at 11:00 am Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Nursery & Sunday School during worship Sat. Feb. 24, 10-4 MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT DAY with Pete & Leah Humphreys! ($20)

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

Outreach project for February is the Coldest Night of the Y Yeear e walk Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churche es blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

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

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

See snow days as opportunities at Hullett

Hullett Central Public School, like the rest of us in Huron County, had to make some last-minute adjustments to their days when winter arrived early in the new year.

There were several snow days.

The current policy with the Avon Maitland District School Board is that, when the buses are cancelled, the school remains open for those families who can or wish to bring their children to the school. This is true unless there are road closures and then the school is closed as well.

The children who attend on a “snow day” spend the day on the

practice and further study of already-taught learning, not on anything new. So, it is a good chance for children who might be struggling with some aspect of their education to get extra help and clarification. I have it, on good authority, that the children find it a fun day to be at school. There must be lots of time in the gym!

This policy must help families who would be scrambling to find child care on those school snow days.

There were a couple of teacher adjustments happening at Hullett with the new year. The one parents might notice is the leave being taken by Mrs. Anderson, who has been a DECE at Hullett. She leaves to complete her teacher training.

Good luck to her! Ms. Kipfer-Pryce will be welcomed to the Kindergarten A classroom in her absence.

Licensed Lay Worship Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, Feb. 4. Her

Reach out: Jebson Continued from page 17 then reach out to others – are the conditions under which healing can happen…

Experiencing the unconditional love of God and the acceptance of friends in the community gives people a possibility for rebirth.”

Our challenge today, as individuals, as congregations, as local communities, is to live as communities of healing; to be like those who sought out Jesus, not afraid to admit we need comfort and care in the tough times of life. Hurt people hurt people; healed people help heal people; to be like Simon’s mother-in-law or those who brought their loved ones to Jesus, actively serving and bringing people to greater wholeness; to band together as communities that heal and uplift when apathy and hate

threaten to create rifts and pains.

You don’t need a medical degree or be the Son of God to let God’s Spirit work healing through you. It can be as simple as being a bit more open about your experiences of healing and wholeness, so that others know they aren’t alone.

Maybe be a bit more intentional about reaching out to those who are ill or isolated, not to fix all their ailments, but to let them know they have a community who cares for them.

Trusting in God’s strength and care, reaching out to those who have moved on from the pews due to divisions or faith weaponized against them, seeking reconciliation and wholeness - however you are called to serve in God’s healing ways, may we trust in the God who tends to us, body, mind, and soul.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

message was based on Mark 1:2939. In those verses, Jesus heals the many who are sick and disabled in the crowds that have gathered to hear Him teach. He was preparing His disciples for their work in the greater world following His Resurrection.

The senior choir offered the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul” as their first anthem of the new year.

Sue’s time with the children tasked them. Sue had brought along two sets of blank puzzle pieces. The children paired off to put the puzzles together. When completed, the children learned that the centre piece said, “You are loved”. The surrounding pieces had words like parents, friends, siblings, etc., written on them, as examples of persons who loved the children.

When the first group had finished their puzzle, they helped the other group, again to emphasize sharing love and caring.

Sue pointed out that persons should share love in the world to whomever they meet. God’s love shared is the great healing power.

The choir invites everyone to its Valentine’s lunch following the morning service on Feb. 11.

The Londesborough United Church Women (UCW) will meet on Feb. 19, beginning with coffee at 7 p.m. The church’s annual meeting takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, also at 7 p.m. Attend and have a voice in the future direction of your church.

The winter we experienced in January brought some snow every day for two weeks. And now it is gone and we have left the boots on the mat again, wearing shoes outdoors on dry pavement. And travelling is easy. Although we are basking in warm temperatures currently, I don’t suppose Old Man Winter is through with us.

However, I could be wrong, as all the Canadian weather prognosticators, like Wiarton Willie, are predicting an early spring. Time will tell.

On the subject of furry friends, raccoons, in recent years, have

become a nuisance for urban areas.

Naturally, as population and settlement growth has disturbed and taken away their natural habitat.

Garbage raids are definitely a nuisance as is having to call in pest control for those that find their way into buildings, etc. Toronto goes so far as to call them an unofficial mascot.

I thought you might enjoy this little item. Thousands of people in downtown Toronto, approximately 7,000 customers, were without hydro for about two hours recently when a raccoon “came in contact” with a transformer at the transmission station in the Church and Wellesley area. Not exactly on the city’s outskirts. Needless to say, that raccoon will not be bothering the area again. Hydro One claims the animals are attracted to the warmth there and are taking measures to prevent this from happening again.

But, believe it or not, January is history. Eleven months from now Christmas will be over for another year!

January was Alzheimer Awareness Month. We attended a showing of The Father at the Huron County Museum in Goderich, sponsored by the Alzheimer Society of Huron-Perth, recently. This movie won an Oscar for Anthony Hopkins for his portrayal of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. It was an emotional

and poignant movie shown from the perspective of the father. If you have an opportunity to see this film, I encourage you to do so. So often, it is the life of the caregiver that is dealt with, not that of the patient.

This film gives a heart-wrenching insight into the other side, that of the sufferer.

Now, in February, we consider the Heart and Stroke Society and their work. An appropriate concern for the heart and love month. Be generous with your love this month - it may become a habit for the rest of 2024.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

Blyth’s de Souza launches camps, eyes summer classes

To the next level Blyth resident and world-renowned musician Darryn de Souza has launched March Break and P.A. Day STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) camps with hopes of expanding in the summer. De Souza is seen above last December with his Blyth (John Stephenson, Kids Club group and at November’s Songs of Hope fundraiser (inset).

Scott Stephenson photos)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After a successful holiday crash course for on-stage music with local young people with the help of the Blyth Kids Club, worldrenowned musician and relativelynew Blythite Darryn de Souza is launching his STEAM Camp over the March Break and P.A. Days in April and June.

In speaking with The Citizen, de

Souza said working with the Kids Club was crucial. Still being relatively new to the area after a lifetime in the Toronto area, he and his wife Alma wanted to get to know the community and its young people before launching anything too big. With that came their own knowledge of the community, learning what was abundant here, what was missing and what they felt they could provide as two seasoned professionals with a

Munro Festival seeks submissions Entries are now being accepted for the annual Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story writing competition, which offers $3,000 in cash prizes in the adult and student categories.

The 20th annual short story competition for emerging writers provides an opportunity for Canadian writers to explore the short story, a literary art form made popular by 2013 Nobel laureate Alice Munro. First place in the adult competition will be awarded $1,500 with two runners-up prizes of $250 each. Prizes in the youth competition are sponsored by Virtual High School and include $500 for first place and $250 each for two runners-up.

Submissions for the competition are now being accepted until March 15, 2024 via Submittable. The link can be found at w w w. a l i c e m u n r o f e s t i v a l . c a / shortstorycontest. The entry fee is $25 for adults and $10 per entry for youth.

Entries must be written by a Canadian author or an author living in Canada, who is not yet published (paid for their fiction writing). The story must be an original work of fiction of up to 2,500 words in the English language. No artificial intelligence, machine learning or

large language model tools may be used in the story, except for checking spelling and grammar.

Winners will be announced at an event in Wingham June 7.

The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story is set to take place in Bayfield, Blyth and Wingham from June 5-9 and feature masterclasses, readings, an on-stage production and panel discussions by internationally-renowned Canadian authors.

young family, which is where the new camps come in.

STEAM, of course, is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

It’s the evolution to include arts in the age-old STEM, which has long been held as the foundation of practical education. The inclusion of the arts, for de Souza, means everything, because the arts can be a gateway to anything if you think of it that way.

De Souza’s background, of course, is in music. He has toured extensively with The Tenors and more, having been educated in the realm of music since his elementary school days. Using music as a gateway to STEAM education, he says, is the perfect marriage and it gives him an opportunity to teach the youth of the area. He has spent much of his life as a teacher, in one way or another, so to be able to bring his own brand of teaching to Blyth is truly a gift and he looks forward to sharing it with everyone.

The de Souzas have had their own relationship with education since moving to Blyth. Alma had homeschooled their younger children when the COVID-19 pandemic was disrupting the flow of in-class learning and periodic at-

February 9th

Cooper Loughlin turns 1

Grandpa Stephen Mann turns 67 Love your family

home learning. However, the kids are students at Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough now, but the couple hasn’t ruled out a return to homeschooling, depending on a number of factors.

It was through this personal process of their own that they landed on the concept of STEAM Camps - a way of filling in the blanks and bringing in arts and foundational education that doesn’t necessarily fit into the provinciallymandated curriculum of Ontario’s schools.

De Souza says that bringing music and the arts into the traditional STEM process takes the quality of education one level deeper, always encouraging students to ask that one further question. Why do we do it that way? How does it work?

As of right now, the camps are available for children ages six to 14. The March Break camp will run March 11-15 and the P.A. Day camps are scheduled for April 19, June 7 and June 28. However, if de Souza finds success and an enthusiastic group of children, the plan is to expand the educational opportunities to more longer-term sessions, perhaps weekly over the summer. Furthermore, over the course of the year, de Souza hopes to expand the offerings even further to include regular classes and camps, as well as traditional music classes and more music-focused STEAM classes.

The camps will be held in Blyth.

The cost for the March Break camp is $259 plus HST for the week, while the daily camps are $55 plus

HST each. Examples of activities listed on de Souza’s literature include: Acoustic Adventures Singing Through the Lens of Science; Flight Lab - Mastering Paper Airplane Engineering; Melody Mingle - Kids Collaborate in Songwriting; Musical Math Bingo Extravaganza; Nature’s Melody - Crafting Soundscapes, and Sonic Science - Exploring Frequencies through Play.

It’s not hard to find the qualities within music that pertain to the pillars of STEM. De Souza says that science, technology, engineering and math are omnipresent in the world of music and it adds another layer of education that activates within artistic-minded children, teaching them some of education’s staples while also being artistic about it.

For more information, visit desouzamusic.ca, e-mail de Souza at darryn@desouzaschoolofmusic. com or call him at 647-887-9535.

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024.

Paralympian paying back kindness shown to him

James Dunn

Carson Hymers

Continued from page 2 slow coming, he says, but he feels as though he’s improved since last fall, working hard at it on a regular basis.

Dunn is so good, Carson said, that it can be intimidating at times, but he tries to remind himself not to compare the two skill levels, with Carson as a beginning and Dunn as a Paralympian with over 10 years of experience.

And Carson has improved. His balance has gotten better in the months since that fateful meeting last fall. On the bottom of a sled, there are two blades to facilitate skating. When Carson began, his blades were four inches apart and now they’re just three inches apart.

(They get closer together the more experienced the player. For example, Dunn’s blades are about an inch apart, though he says that some of his Canadian teammates play with blades right beside one another, but Dunn hasn’t seen a benefit to having them that close together, though it’s all just a matter of personal preference.)

Dunn says he has been reminded a lot of his own journey through working with Carson.

He remembers trying to find his balance and learn to work well with both of his hands (a necessity in sledge hockey, as opposed to traditional hockey, in which players are either right- or left-handed - in sledge hockey using both hands to

skate and stick handle is essential), so he’s able to help Carson break through walls as he learns the craft of the sport.

Darlene and Brad both agree that they’ve seen a tremendous improvement in Carson in regards to his emotional state. He is confident like he hasn’t been in years, Darlene says, and is back having fun on the ice once again after so much time away - a proclamation that would bring a tear to any parent’s eye.

Central Huron Deputy-Mayor Marg Anderson was also part of Monday’s session, watching it alongside Brad and Darlene and speaking with them as Carson and Dunn took to the ice. She said seeing sledge hockey success right there in Clinton is inspiring and she wished more people knew about its benefits. She hoped that perhaps a professional team or even Dunn’s national team would consider playing a game in Clinton that would, no doubt, introduce a lot of new people to the sport.

Dunn said he has truly been enjoying his time with Carson, not just from a hockey perspective, but from a personal perspective as well.

They have fun on the ice, learning together and finding a new way forward for a pair of Canadian boys who just want to play hockey. In fact, they both hoped for a check-in a few months down the road, so stay tuned!

Coming along Central Huron Deputy-Mayor Marg Anderson, centre, was present to take in last Monday’s session with Clinton’s Carson Hymers, left, and Paralympian James Dunn, right. She said she’d love to see Clinton play host to some high-level sledge hockey play to help spread the word of its benefits and availability. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

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Winter hoops Goderich Winterfest, the annual celebration of all things cold and snowy, went ahead last weekend on The Square, featuring vendors, food, entertainment and plenty of activities for young people. Tallulah Loughlin of Blyth was well occupied in the kids’ area with all it had to offer. (Courtesy photo)

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The Citizen