The Citizen - July 8, 2022

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• Editorials • Music • Theatre • Obituaries

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source Volume 38 No. 27

Friday, July 8, 2022

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

HE defers any ward changes

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

155 years and counting The Huron East Fire Department concluded its trio of consecutive weekend breakfasts (Brussels on Father’s Day, Grey last weekend) with the annual Canada Day breakfast in Seaforth. Nearly 1,000 people made their way through the hall on Friday for the most important

meal of the day, served up by the volunteer firefighters of the community. The department also arranged a touch-the-truck event for younger diners that was said to be well-attended, making for a day that kept the Seaforth firefighters’ hands full on the country’s most important holiday. (Denny Scott photo)

Blyth mural debate continues with BIA

By Denny Scott The Citizen The ongoing saga of the artistic interpretation of the map of Blyth, commissioned by the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA), continued with representatives of North Huron meeting with the BIA. The art installation, which was erected in the spring, took some North Huron Council members by surprise. Councillors took issue with the sign, and also received negative feedback from ratepayers regarding it, resulting in council wanting the issue investigated further. The BIA commissioned the installation with funding from Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4). Noted artist Randy Jones created the actual art.

Demetri Makrakos, North Huron’s Economic Development Officer, and Community Engagement Co-ordinator Denise Lockie recently met with the BIA Sign Committee and discussed the numerous issues that had been reported regarding the art installation, giving the BIA a list of

issues to address with the sign.

During the BIA’s June 30 meeting, Cat O’Donnell of the Wonky Frog briefed the rest of the BIA on the meeting, which was held on June 22, saying that some of the issues had already been addressed.

The committee, which included O’Donnell, local real estate company DEAMS co-owners Annie and David Sparling and Colleen Jordan of the Hotel Lux, addressed issues, including misspelled business names and the design of the banner at the bottom of the art installation.

Many of the issues, according to previous discussions, come from the fact that the installation, which includes an artistic interpretation of a map of the village, is installed on municipal ground and must, therefore, follow the rules of the municipality.

The North Huron representatives pointed out that the land acknowledgement statement on the sign wasn’t congruent with the township’s. The committee decided to use the shorter of the two

statements the township uses, with David Sparling saying that everyone in the municipality should use the same acknowledgement.

During the BIA meeting, the executive noted the committee had used the Blyth Festival’s acknowledgement, which is different from the township’s.

The group next addressed the misspelling of G.L Hubbard Rutabagas, which had already been fixed with a sticker.

The absence of any identification for Gypsy Lane was next addressed. While the road is on the sign, it wasn’t identified, which members of North Huron Council said was a concern. Lockie said that, because the sign is on town property, it’s up to council whether they want to include the street name. According to the minutes of the meeting, the BIA is understanding of the issue.

Some businesses and sites were also not part of the map, which, during a previous North Huron Council meeting, had some council members questioning the process behind

the creation of the art installation.

The Howson and Howson structures on the east side of town, for example, weren’t included, however, O’Donnell said that the company is represented by the millstones under the flag posts illustrated near where the business is located. She said that discussions around the time of the creation of the art piece had pointed to it being difficult to fit a building the size of Howson and Howson’s plant on the map. After discussing the issue, O’Donnell suggested the committee come up with alternatives for the site and discuss the issue with the company.

North Huron Council members, during a previous council meeting, also pointed to the absence of the Blyth and District Community Centre as an issue. The minutes of the meeting suggested that the arena was represented by a gathering of people, and that there could be a sign added that says arena.

The banner across the bottom of the installation, which includes Continued on page 3

Huron East Council has deferred a committee recommendation that would drastically alter the ward system, with an eye towards eliminating it altogether, leaving the decision up to the new council.

At council’s Tuesday night meeting, which was held virtually via Zoom, Clerk Jessica Rudy presented the conclusion reached by the newly-struck Council Review Public Advisory Committee.

The committee, comprised of five members of the public, was charged with reviewing the composition and compensation of Huron East Council ahead of the 2026-2030 term.

The committee recommended the implementation of a nine-member council for the 2026-2030 term that would include a mayor elected atlarge, a deputy-mayor to be appointed by council from elected councillors, two councillors from a newly-created ward that would combine Brussels and Grey, two councillors from a newly-created ward that would combine McKillop and Seaforth, two councillors from the current Tuckersmith Ward and two councillors elected at-large.

This would be a change from the current structure, which includes two councillors from each of the five wards, one deputy-mayor selected by council from those councillors and a mayor elected atlarge.

Furthermore, the committee recommended that the new council undertake discussion by 2029 to eliminate the ward system and move to a wholly at-large election.

The committee had no recommendations on council compensation and suggested no changes be made.

Dan Fritz, chair of the committee, was present for the meeting, but not called upon for comment. Rudy said the committee met five times over the course of May and June, with herself and Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts both present at all meetings to provide support to the committee.

The committee gathered further input through the municipality’s online engagement tool HEAR (Huron East Asks Residents), garnering 35 responses. Seventeen of those who responded indicated that the current 11-member council size is ideal, while one more person (18) said it was too large. One person said the current council is too small, while 15 people said that Continued on page 2

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

C. Huron to purchase new municipal software suite

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Central Huron Council is moving forward with CentralSquare’s Diamond Municipal Solution enterprise resource planning (ERP) software at an implementation cost of $224,151.84 and an annual fee of $56,460.

Council made the decision at its July 4 meeting after a lengthy presentation from Director of Finance Jeff Boyes, who recommended CentralSquare to council. A Provincial Municipal Modernization Program grant, received by the municipality, will cover 75 per cent of the implementation costs, meaning the municipality will only pay $56,038 for implementation. The grant, however, will not cover any of the annual fees.

An ERP is a suite of software designed for municipalities that can be used across all departments, modernizing its office and departmental work.

In his report, Boyes framed the decision as one of resolving integration issues, increasing the lifespan of the municipality’s financial systems and offering a modern customer-facing portal for residents to pay bills, register dog tags, submit building permit applications and more. However, he said, if council chose not to modernize the municipality’s software, Central Huron would be accepting some risk, he said, of failure or premature obsolescence,

while also delaying the implementation of a customerfacing portal.

Boyes also noted in his report that CentralSquare also owns several other systems, such as Pearl, and Keystone, which Central Huron currently uses for its job costing and financial system, respectively, as well as Diamond, the recommended solution.

At the beginning of the process, Boyes said, staff was already concerned that the current Keystone software was reaching the end of its useful life.

“The programming language that Keystone is written in is quite old, with no plan to update it to a more modern language or architecture,” Boyes said. He added that the software is currently serviced by the two people who created it, who are nearing retirement age, so there were also concerns about customer service in the long-term.

“Staff are also worried that the modernization funding may hasten the decline of Keystone. Moving to a more modern system was a popular discussion point at the AMCTO [Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario] conference and the availability of funding will give smaller municipalities, like Central Huron, the opportunity to move away from Keystone,” Boyes said in his report. “As more users move away from Keystone, the likelihood of CentralSquare supporting it in the long-term declines.”

Boyes, however, noted that the

Public input lacking on council changes Continued from page 1 a seven-member council would be ideal.

Fifteen people each said they favoured at-large election for the deputy-mayor and appointment by council, respectively, splitting that vote, while six people said the deputy-mayor should be the councillor who receives the most votes in the municipal election.

Twenty-four respondents felt the current ward structure was appropriate, while the rest of the votes were varied between a revised structure or no ward system at all.

Regardless of the public input and a stated preference to retain the ward system, the committee expressed a desire to eliminate the ward election format and move to an at-large election format.

However, according to Rudy’s report, the committee recognized that such a move would require somewhat of a transition period.

Councillor Ray Chartrand felt the level of public input was far lower than what council was expecting, saying that 35 people voicing their opinions is hardly an appropriate sample size. He then suggested a motion that would defer the recommendation, organize public meetings on the subject and set a specific meeting in 2023 (he recommended a meeting in March) at which the new council would further debate potential restructuring.

Councillor Alvin McLellan agreed. Both Chartrand and McLellan thanked the committee and its members for their hard work, but McLellan echoed Chartrand’s comments, saying he felt far more input from the public was needed for such an important decision.

McLellan said he agreed with some of the committee’s recommendations, while disagreeing with others, but his main concern was the lack of public input. Having said that, McLellan acknowledged that you can’t force residents to take a survey and that the opinions of those who did take the time to participate shouldn’t be discounted, just that more voices needed to be heard.

Building on Chartrand’s suggestion of holding two public meetings, one in the northern end of the municipality and one in the south, McLellan suggested maybe hosting public meetings on the topic in conjunction with the municipality’s all-candidates meetings this fall. Traditionally, meetings are held in all five of the wards, which would ensure all areas of the municipality are included in the process.

Councillor Zoellyn Onn asked about the circulation of information on the issue and she agreed with McRoberts’ answer that the request for responses was sufficiently advertised, just that you can’t force residents to participate.

McRoberts agreed, saying that over the course of his career, he has found public participation very low unless the issue of the day is very controversial.

Council then made a motion along the lines of what Chartrand proposed, deferring the recommendation until after this October’s municipal election, presenting information to the public at this fall’s all-candidates meetings and directing the new council to consider the committee’s recommendations in the first half of 2023.

Council carried the motion.

current level of customer service with Keystone (notwithstanding any concerns about the future) is very good, while CentralSquare’s

customer service on other programs has been said by some to be lacking.

“Notwithstanding any of the

above, Keystone is viewed favourably by staff and performs its functions well. The current Continued on page 3

Wet and wild (for a cause) On Monday, June 20, students at Hullett Central Public School participated in some fun and educational events as part of the Walk for Water fundraiser. Students raised $570 to support Ryan’s Well, a program that provides clean water in Uganda. For more information, visit ryanswell.ca. (Photo submitted)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Proposed Official Plan Amendment for a Five-Year Review of the North Huron Official Plan The Township of North Huron has initiated a review of its Official Plan. After ongoing community consultation and revisions to Official Plan policies and mapping, the Council of the Township of North Huron has scheduled a public meeting to gather public input before they may consider adopting the draft amendment.

The North Huron community is invited to participate in an in-person Public Meeting on Monday, July 25th at 6:00pm at the North Huron Town Hall Theatre, 274 Josephine St., Wingham, Township of North Huron. During this time, the Township of North Huron will be considering the Official Plan amendment.

The Proposed Changes: A number of policy and mapping changes are proposed in the Official Plan Amendment as a result of the review. Key proposed changes include: • Permitting additional residential units in both urban and agricultural settings; • Promoting a wider range of residential building types to address local housing shortages; • Updating mapping for urban settlement, agricultural, natural environment, and flood hazard areas.

If approved, these changes would apply across the Township of North Huron.

Have Your Say: Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation, either in support of or in opposition to the proposed official plan amendment.

1. You may submit comments, objections, or concerns by email to Hanna Holman, Planner, at hholman@huroncounty.ca or to Carson Lamb, Clerk, at clamb@northhuron.ca.

2. You may speak during the public meeting. Individuals are encouraged to submit their comments before the meeting for consideration.

Comments and opinions submitted on the Official Plan Review, including the originator’s name and address, become part of the public record, and may be viewed by the general public and may be published in a planning report and Council agenda. We encourage written comments to be submitted

by July 19, 2022.

Learn More: Further information regarding the Official Plan Review can be found on the Huron County Connects project page at: connectedcountyofhuron.ca/north-huron-official-plan-review

Your Rights: If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of North Huron before the Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the County of Huron to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

If a person or public body does not make an oral submission at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of North Huron before the Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body.

Dated at the Township of North Huron This 28th day of June, 2022 274 Josephine Street, Wingham ON N0G 2W0 (519)-357-3550

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 3.

Jones’ Blyth mural to be moved to kiosk this year Continued from page 1 logos of supporting organizations and websites, also had a number of issues according to the minutes of the BIA sign committee meeting.

The first issue identified, according to the minutes, was that no website other than North Huron’s can be included, to adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The group discussed options for linking the BIA website from the North Huron website, which North Huron staff will consider.

The logos included on the installation, including North Huron, RTO4 and the BIA, also needed to be changed. According to the minutes, the North Huron logo has to be the same size or larger than the other logos, so the banner area

will be redesigned to match.

The group also discussed the process in place for the sign. While North Huron Council had approved a memorandum of understanding, the issues with the installation had council members say during a recent meeting that they felt out of the loop on the installation. As a result, the committee discussed options to fix the problem, from adding more oversight to the memorandum of understanding to having council explicitly state that the review of the design has to come to North Huron staff before any similar projects are undertaken.

Finally, the minutes say that the disparaging remarks made by some council members when the issue was discussed were not appreciated by the committee members and

volunteers that worked on the project.

The minutes also stated that the artistic installation will be moved to a kiosk by the end of this year, and a more traditional map will be on the back of the kiosk. The kiosk, which will be 90 by 39 inches, is part of another project funded by RTO4.

BIA EXECUTIVE The BIA executive reviewed the minutes of the meeting during its June 30 meeting and had several concerns about the installation and council’s response to it.

O’Donnell said that everyone is still going forward, and that it was a “great meeting” and said that Lockie would be reaching out to Jones directly to tell him the issues with the sign weren’t connected

to his artwork.

“We did clarify it’s not a map,” she said. “People were to understand it’s an art installation.”

She said there was some debate about asking Jones to alter his work for one business to have more inclusion on the map, saying that the sign was never meant to be a “business directory” but an art installation. She said that, while changes could be made, she doesn’t know if there will be a cost involved for Jones to make alterations to the piece.

O’Donnell said that the kiosks, detailed above, were to be installed in the fall, which caused Gerrit Sepers of BRØD Bread and Pastry to ask if the BIA should move ahead with its own advertising initiatives in the interim. “[Chair David Sparling] said we didn’t want to do things more than once,” he said referring to putting up advertising for local businesses.

“However, the hope was [the kiosk] project would happen by the end of June or early July. If that’s not going to happen, is there something that can be done?”

He said the alternative is to copy other local businesses, which have used duct tape on poles to direct

people to the businesses at the south end of the community.

Councillor Kevin Falconer, North Huron Council’s representative on the BIA, asked how the sign was installed without approval from council, which was what some council members believed had happened. O’Donnell said that wasn’t the case, and that the municipality had always been a part of the discussion and was involved with the groundbreaking and unveiling of the sign. She said that Lockie claims there was a need for a draft to go to North Huron, however that step may have been missed.

O’Donnell also addressed the logo concerns outlined above, saying the focus is on Blyth, and not North Huron, because people were in the village. She went on to say that, if the largest contributors to the project were given the most space, the Blyth Printing Shop would have the biggest logo, and local volunteers would be next. To keep it simple, however, they fit the three aforementioned logos as they could on the bottom of the sign.

After some discussion, the BIA executive took no action as a result of the review of the minutes.

A woman who had lived a sinful life (J.C. Ryle, “Coming Events and Present Duties”) “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house; she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:37-38 We can never be too well acquainted with our own sinfulness and vileness. The spring of all humility, thankfulness, grateful love to Christ, and close walk with God — is real, thorough, Scriptural knowledge of the wickedness of our own hearts. The soul that loves much — is the soul that feels its sin-debt is great, and that much has been forgiven.

Celebrate The Seaforth and District Girls Marching Band was one of several performing groups that took part in the annual parade that’s part of Goderich’s Canada Day celebration on July 1. (Denny Scott photo)

CH buys software despite concerns Continued from page 2 customer service is excellent and known to be some of the best customer service in the industry.

CentralSquare’s customer service on their Pearl and Diamond products is infamously poor. The poor service has been experienced by staff in relation to Pearl and was noted by other municipalities currently using Diamond,” Boyes said in his report.

Boyes also mentioned the history of the request for proposals (RFP) process, saying that a recommendation from the municipality’s information technology (IT) service delivery review advised replacing the municipality’s current financial and municipal software with a modern ERP. Furthermore, council authorized the purchase of a new municipal ERP in its 2022 budget at the estimated cost of $421,795.

However, as mentioned earlier, a grant has been received to cover 75 per cent of the implementation cost, provided the ERP is brought in by the end of February, 2023.

Boyes said the municipality received three responses, but one was eliminated because it couldn’t meet the implementation deadline.

As a result, of the remaining two, Boyes recommended CentralSquare Canada Software Inc. for its Diamond Municipal Solution because it integrated fully into Pearl, has a modern customerfacing portal and can be

implemented with the least amount of disruption to the municipality.

Some councillors were a little concerned with Boyes’ assessment of the customer service moving forward. Boyes said he and other staff members were also concerned, but that it was wise to make the upgrade and the municipality wouldn’t want to leave the funding

on the table.

He said that if council wasn’t completely sold on the recommendation, that’s because staff wasn’t either, but that, of the two options presented, staff felt the recommendation is the best one.

Council agreed and passed a motion to move ahead with Boyes’ recommendation.

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

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Fun and games The Clinton Raceway held its Kids’ Day celebration over the weekend including inflatable attractions and, of course, harness racing. (John Stephenson photo)

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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Homeward bound One outcome of the pandemic that many feared would come to pass has begun. The number of pets surrendered to Toronto shelters so far in 2022 is up 75 per cent over the same period last year. Pandemic pets are being given up for adoption at an alarming rate as their owners return to work or inflation outstrips their ability to care for their animals.

In many cases, these dogs are no longer puppies and they are suffering from separation anxiety after becoming accustomed to their owners being with them during the long shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the influx of animals, there is a wait list for surrenders and Toronto Animal Services is providing more resources to help owners keep their pets, including mobile clinics providing microchip, rabies shots and licensing at reduced fees, free dog and cat food while supplies last and providing spay and neuter services to low-income families.

It is a good reminder that pet ownership extends far beyond simply picking out a cute puppy. Doing some research on breeds to help find a pet that will fit into your long-term lifestyle is important. Consider where you will be five years from now, 10 years from now and what that dog will need from you for each stage of its life.

These pet owners wouldn’t consider putting their children up for adoption when it’s time to return to the office full-time, perhaps their fur babies deserve the same consideration, especially if there are additional resources to keep them in their home. – DS

The tipping point While most celebrated Canada Day, whether it be with fireworks, camping or spending some quiet time with their family, a few unlucky locals likely needed emergency medical assistance and last weekend those people found themselves with limited options.

Ahead of the long weekend, the Clinton Public and Listowel Memorial Hospitals announced that they were both forced to close their emergency departments. The Clinton department has been closed overnight since before the COVID-19 pandemic and has been subject to periodic closures several times since the pandemic was declared.

However, Huron County is not alone. Hospitals, especially emergency departments, have been facing staffing shortages and outbreak-related closures for over two years now and the problem is only getting worse. Stories can easily be found from across the country, especially in rural areas, of hospital emergency departments being closed for one reason or another - often due to staffing shortages.

Canada’s healthcare system is often held up as a shining example of a country caring for its people, regardless of their ability to pay a medical bill. While some neighbours to the south would love to dance on our socialized system’s grave, it is one of our greatest attributes, but it’s clearly in peril as staffing concerns rage and burnout persists.

Rolling closures like the ones we saw over the weekend may pass without thought for those of us who didn’t need care, but they are a concerning symptom of a much bigger problem and we should all be taking notice because you never know when you’ll be the one on the wrong side of a locked emergency department door. – SL

Everything to everyone While mud has been slung, changes have been made and feelings have been hurt as a result of the art installation at the Greenway Trail, the real question of the day is what the project was meant to be in the first place and if it accomplished that goal, bridging an impossible gap.

The art piece, an interpretation of a map of Blyth by celebrated local artist Randy Jones, was unveiled earlier this month at the trailhead, located just off of Queen Street, and was nearly immediately blasted by North Huron Council members and some residents for its content, style and the fact that it was placed seemingly without township permission.

While the latter has been cleared up, as council did approve a memorandum of understanding about the piece, the question of how the installation is meant to function is still yet to be answered.

Ignoring the issues of artistic integrity and the process that saw the art piece installed, the goal, from the start, was to have a piece of art to encourage people to come to downtown Blyth. What was produced, however nice a piece it is, may fall more on the artistic mural side, rather than a functioning map that could guide trail users to downtown Blyth.

While the map, which beautifully renders some of Blyth’s biggest landmarks, would fit perfectly as a mural on the side of a building, something a little more functional may have better accomplished the task of enticing trail users into the village instead of having them bypass Blyth’s commercial core and continue on their way.

In a community that prides itself on providing some of the greatest Canadian art there is, the question of utility becomes paramount when there is a stated vision and goal for that art, and that question remains to be answered with Blyth’s newest conversation piece, which perhaps tried to be two things at once and unfortunately ended up as neither. – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years July 8, 1965 The Brussels ladies softball team defeated the team from Winthrop on July 5 by a score of 11-10.

According to The Brussels Post, the game was filled with errors by both teams, many of which led to runs.

Brussels Night at the Western Fair Raceway was set for July 10 with thousands of dollars up for grabs. The Brussels Driving Park Pace was named for the old Brussels Driving Park race charter that was still being used at the Western Fair Raceway.

As a result of the significance of the event to locals, a free admission coupon to the race was included in that issue of The Brussels Post.

July 9, 1975 Professionals from Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille were back in Huron County to produce The Farm Show in Blyth to help raise money for the newly-established Blyth Summer Festival.

After a group of Theatre Passe Muraille actors created the show in 1972 near Clinton, its popularity continued to grow, even spawning a television show on CBC. The play was being revived for the summer in Petrolia and being brought to Blyth as a fundraiser.

Director Paul Thompson had produced the show in Blyth in 1973 in the Memorial Hall basement, but said he had always hoped to return to Blyth with the show so it could be produced on the main stage.

The Blyth Standard ran a special section to mark the opening of the Blyth Summer Festival, publishing feature stories on the actors, writers and other professionals involved in the unique and highly anticipated season of theatre in Blyth.

As part of the Blyth Summer Festival, a number of theatre

workshops were planned to help “improve local amateur theatre” in the area, sponsored by the Blyth Little Theatre through grants from Theatre Ontario.

The three workshops would focus on directing with Festival cofounder James Roy, stage craft and design by Ron Ferguson, technical director of the Festival, and acting with Steve Thorne. Thorne’s workshop would divide attendees into older and younger groups, if enough people were in attendance.

July 9, 1997 The provincial government announced that it would be downloading Highway 4 north of Clinton, Highway 86 from Amberley to the Perth County border and Highway 81 east of Grand Bend to Huron County.

Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney questioned the move, asking if any reasoning had been provided and Huron County Engineer Sandra Lawson said none had been given.

For the first time in months, a sense of optimism was being felt by those working in healthcare in Huron County thanks to the new, long-awaited Rural and Northern Health Care Framework, published

by Ontario Health Minister Jim Wilson.

The document differentiated between the healthcare needs of urban and rural communities.

Wilson made the announcement on June 27 in Goderich. The framework made a number of recommendations moving forward.

The Brussels Tigers took great strides towards returning to a .500 record with wins over the Zurich Rangers and Exeter Braves in Huron County Fastball League action.

After the pair of wins, the Tigers had a record of 4-5. They would face the Brussels Bulldogs on July 11 and then the league-leading Walton Brewers on July 12 as part of Sportsfest weekend.

July 5, 2012 Eric Coates, the longest-serving Artistic Director in the history of the Blyth Festival, announced he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the season.

Coates, who was in his 10th season leading the Festival, had accepted a position as the new Artistic Director of the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa.

Looking back, Coates said he was proud of the Festival’s new play development during his tenure, adding that several of the Festival’s plays had been nominated for Governor General’s Awards during his time in Blyth.

Avon Maitland District School Board Vice-Chair Randy Wagler said that the board was able to balance its 2012/2013 budget as a result of closing several schools and merging others in recent years.

“While those have been difficult choices, I think they’re paying off in our ability to maintain and enhance in the face of budget cuts,” he said at the board’s June 26 meeting.

A number of locals received Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards for their extensive work in the community, including Jonathan Van Camp in Belgrave, Jo-Ann McDonald in Walton, Darrell Bergsma in Londesborough and Gerrie Bos of Blyth.

Former students of the S.S.#1 Morris School gathered at Blyth Lions Park to mark the 50-year anniversary of the school’s closure.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Our ‘big’ problems are really small

O

h the hardships Canadians have to put up with these days. There are shots on television news nearly every day of chaos at Canadian airports as reduced staff by the airport or airlines conflicts with the huge demand to travel now that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

There is also plenty of coverage of suffering at gas stations as the price of gasoline has soared and people (me included) bewail how much more it costs to fill their tank, or even their lawn mower. The provincial government has reduced its tax on gasoline to try to help drivers out and put pressure on the federal government to do likewise, even though the federal government has been trying to discourage gas-fueled cars to counteract global warming.

The federal government is also under fire for border regulations regarding COVID-19 which bordertown mayors feel are hindering travel by Americans in cross-border cities who might otherwise have visited Canada.

Over the holiday weekend, anti-vaccine protesters were on Parliament Hill contesting the remaining restrictions caused by the pandemic. They even had a table where people could sign a petition calling on the Prime Minister to be tried for treason. Meanwhile, a far bigger crowd enjoyed the music and fireworks as if the pandemic hadn’t happened at all.

Oh, and my wife was telling me recently about a fiery discussion on a morning television station among hostesses disturbed about growing problems in an area of the world where they grow hot peppers that means that it may be hard to get hot sauce in Canada for the next while. Oh the pain of it all!

As I listen to all these complaints, I can’t help but think about the reaction to the grouching that must come from mothers who

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk have escaped to Canada with their children from war-torn Ukraine, leaving their husbands and fathers behind to fight the Russian invaders.

Or how about the Africans who worry because supplies from Ukraine, one of the world’s greatest exporters of food, can’t get to them because Russia has blocked their export? I wonder how they would feel if they could listen to Canadians gripe about the rising price of groceries when they’re worried if they’re going to have any food to feed their children.

How about the people in Afghanistan who once worked for the Canadian peacekeepers, who worry about how long it is taking them to be approved to come to Canada, all the time fearing retaliation by the Afghan government?

The thing that must surely frighten Ukrainians, both here and back in their homeland, is how long before Canadians, and people in other countries that are currently supporting them, decide that the price they’re paying, not just in taxes but in disrupted markets like gas and food, is too high. Do we have the fortitude to support our governments in doing what is right in helping Ukraine fend off Russia, or do we decide who cares about Ukraine if it costs us extra for gas and groceries?

Sometimes I wonder if we’ve lived so long in peace that we forget that there’s a price to pay for it. When I was growing up, we regularly

had tests involving getting down, under our desks, and not looking at the windows, simulating the experience of a nuclear bomb exploding outside. Our parents had lived through World War II. Some of them had fought in that war. They were conscious of what nuclear war could bring, having seen the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended that war. They feared the aggression of Russia, then leader of the Soviet Union, which seemed dedicated to spreading communism.

Growing up, I lived near an air force training base at what is now peaceful Vanastra and another base training people from across the NATO alliance at Centralia. Our current Prime Minister’s father, Pierre Trudeau, shut down those bases in the early days of a movement to cut the portion of our tax base that went to defence spending. The current aggression from Russia and China has led to pressure to increase defence spending again.

My generation has been blessed to live a lifetime with our country at peace, while others have seen their home life disrupted by war. Even our American neighbours have lost thousands by fruitless involvement in Vietnam. Perhaps, being the age he is, that’s why current U.S. President Joe Biden was so adamant about withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, where they were regularly being killed.

But having lived in peace, we tend to forget what a gift it is and we elevate relatively small hardships into big things. The roadblocks to travel? How about not being able to travel due to war? The restrictions caused by vaccine mandates? How about illness that keeps us isolated?

We live in a wonderful, peaceful world in Canada and our hardships are too infinitesimal to count.

My broken record impression

I

’m not a fan of repeating myself within the same year with a column, but sometimes it's warranted and, after North Huron Township Council’s Monday night meeting, I feel like I do need to address something that I wrote about just four months ago: the importance of minor sports to a community.

On Monday night, North Huron was asked to put the ice in at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex in September instead of October to better accommodate a number of rental groups, including Wingham Minor Hockey and the Wingham Ironmen.

Ignoring the fact that council was told the request likely couldn’t be fulfilled due to an ongoing staff shortage that has lingered for half a year now, I was again shocked that no one spoke about the economic spin-off of having the arena’s ice surface open. This was especially surprising since North Huron has both an economic development committee and an economic development officer.

Back in April, I said that the number of people who would attend a weekly or bi-weekly Ironmen game (which is typically a three-digit integer) could have a huge impact on businesses in Wingham, especially those at the south end of the community. If you have more than 100 people lining up for a hockey game in an arena without a concession booth, they’re going to turn to the McDonald’s plaza or the Tim Hortons plaza for a drink during the game and possibly local restaurants before and after the game for something to eat. Having hundreds of people moving through the community to watch those games is a no-brainer as far as economic development goes.

Now, we’re not talking about one team with a game or two per week, we’re talking about dozens of teams, many of which will have at

Denny Scott Denny’s Den least as many parents in attendance as there are players, coming to the arena.

Sure, a couple dozen parents may not seem like a huge economic driver, but that’s per team and, ignoring the Ironmen and the Wingham Figure Skating Club (just because I don’t have numbers for them) the Wingham Minor Hockey Association is anticipating at least 21 operational teams this year.

Let’s assume a few practices a night before the seasons start, and maybe half a dozen on Saturday and Sunday, to make up the more-than 30 hours that the association will need per week in September. That’s 27 ice times with, as an estimate, an average of 18 parents involved each time. That means that, since there isn’t a concession booth in the arena, 486 grandparents/ parents/guardians per week will be going into the arena who might need a coffee at Tim Hortons or McDonald’s (some people, like my dad, say their coffee is better).

And sure, that’s just shy of $1,000 in sales per week for coffee alone, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the $36,000 it will cost to put the ice in, but that’s just the lowhanging fruit as far as the spin-off is concerned.

After practices, parents may want to buy dinner instead of rushing home to make it and, I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this, but a family of four eating at McDonald’s can pretty quickly get up to $50. Heck, my family

of three, if we get desserts, is already getting up there. Parents of some of the older players who don’t need to stay and watch every practice, especially those who don’t live in town, may also take advantage of the fact that they’re in Wingham with downtime and do some shopping, and I’m not just talking about getting food for the week at the nearby grocery stores or getting new laces, tape and other hockey staples from a downtown store.

Wingham is home to pretty much every business imaginable, sometimes with three or four locations serving one industry, and that synergy of being in town with an hour to kill might make the difference between someone shopping in Wingham and someone heading to Wal-Mart in Goderich for a one-stop-shopping solution.

I could, once again, cite studies that have shown that hockey generates tens of thousands of dollars in spin-off revenue, especially in rural communities, but like I said, I don’t want to repeat things if I don’t have to.

The spin-off might not equal the $36,000 but, as Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip pointed out, recreation isn’t a moneymaker, it’s a service.

To expand on that, it’s not just a service for the families taking advantage of it, it’s a service to the businesses that benefit from people being in town.

So while I’m not necessarily surprised about the decision council made, to look at opening a half month earlier instead of a full month and review the policy that dictates when ice goes in, I am shocked that, outside of a single remark from the Wingham Minor Hockey Association representative, no one talked about the spin-off that opening the arena early would provide. That’s the kind of information that should always be considered when looking at expenses like this.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Telling a story

I

n May, the Michelin Guide announced it would be expanding to Canada, marking the first time that Canadian restaurants would be considered for Michelin Stars, considered by many as the highest honour in the world of food. I pitched this as an editorial topic at the time, not for what it meant for the restaurants of Huron County, but for the farms and producers of the region.

I’m no expert, but just in the last five years or so that I’ve been paying attention to this stuff, there has been a great shift in regional food. It’s not about who can cook the best steak or create the tastiest sauce, but about getting creative with the ingredients at your disposal and presenting, in the most creative and best-tasting way possible, what it means to be where you’re enjoying that night’s meal.

Foraging, for example, is a very traditional method of finding food (rooting around in the wild and picking what’s edible), but it has become popular with the best chefs in the world. That idea provides a snapshot of what it means to eat in a region and that landscape can’t be replicated anywhere else, establishing a real sense of place when it comes to one of our most universal activities: eating.

Locally (more or less), Naagan by Zach Keeshig has attracted attention for this. An established chef, Keeshig hosts a nine-course tasting menu dinner at his restaurant in Owen Sound based on his Indigenous background, comprised entirely of food he has foraged, grown or sourced locally. His menus would certainly tell a story not just of his heritage, but also of the area: a snapshot in time. Chefs who work this way seek to provide their diners with a plate of food that you couldn’t eat anywhere else in the world on that exact night.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have turned their sights on this idea working backwards, showing how the climate has changed through menus of the past.

The Atlantic published an extensive piece about the study by Ian Rose over the weekend.

The authors of the study gathered menus from hundreds of restaurants in Vancouver, as well as other cities along the west coast, including locations in Alaska and California. They then dug up Vancouver restaurant menus dating back as far as the 1880s.

“Using their records, the scientists created an index called the Mean Temperature of Restaurant Seafood (MTRS), which reflects the water temperature at which the species on the menu like to live,” Rose wrote in his piece.

“Predictably, they found that the MTRS of Los Angeles was higher than that of Anchorage, with Vancouver falling in the middle. But by analyzing how the MTRS for Vancouver has changed over time, they found a significant trend of warmer-water species becoming more common on restaurant menus. In the 1880s, the MTRS for Vancouver was roughly 10.7°C. Now it is 13.8°C.” Rose notes that, in Vancouver, cool-water species like sockeye salmon have continued to decline (British Columbia had its lowest salmon catch in 70 years in 2019) with warmer weather creatures like the Humboldt squid taking its place in fishermen’s nets.

When Jess and I traversed Newfoundland in the summer of 2019, we feasted on bakeapple (cloudberries), cod tongues and, well, cod everything else. Every meal felt like it could not have been served anywhere but there.

That’s the beauty of regional food, rather than grabbing McDonald’s every four hours, which is universal by design. You can learn a lot about where you are by its food; both in the moment and looking back through the years.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Cousins wins Forest City London Music awards

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Brussels native Adam Cousins said that winning the Forest City London Music Awards Country Artist of the Year award and the Music Video of the Year award for “Young Again” was “pretty crazy” and inspiring.

“It was a little bit of a surprise, and pretty crazy, to be honest,” he said. “Obviously the nominations were greatly appreciated, but I had no idea I was even in the running for winning.”

The awards, handed out based on votes on the Forest City London Music Awards’ website, were presented at the event late last month, with Cousins being named

the Country Artist of the Year and Derek Lamoureux, the director of the “Young Again” music video, being recognized for his efforts.

The video can be watched on Cousins’ YouTube page.

Cousins wasn’t able to attend the celebration, as he had just moved to Point Clark to start a new job, but he said he was there in spirit and received numerous text messages from people who were at the show and who had heard about the win.

“It’s just another reminder to keep pushing forward,” he said.

“Lots of things come up in the real world, in your personal life, and you have to keep pushing and doing what you love.”

He said the awards prove to him that his goal of connecting with his

fans, making music and making videos are putting him on the right path.

“I’m doing something right, something I love, as much as I can,” he said.

Cousins recently performed at the Blyth Rutabaga Festival kick-off concert, and is is next on stage on July 23 for the Hagersville Rocks Music Festival, playing with acts such as Aaron Pritchett and Dan Davidson. Just over a week later, he will be performing at the 14th annual Boot Hill Jamboree Camping and Country Music Festival alongside performers like The Road Hammers and Jess Moskaluke.

For more information on his music and upcoming acts, visit www.adamcousinsmusic.ca.

Way back when Brussels country music artist Adam Cousins, shown above performing at the Brussels Legion in 2018, has come a long way since starting his career as a performer. He recently won two Forest City London Music Awards, including Country Artist of the Year. (File photo)

At the Branch

Legion hosts fish fry

By Jo-Ann McDonald The month of July started with the Canada Day fish fry at the Brussels Legion Branch. The appropriately-outfitted cooking crew, dressed in their Canada Day red, fed almost 100 diners.

Comrades working for the Branch included greeter and money girl, Nanci Ducharme, Eric and Deb Ross and Judy Lee, cooking, batter girl Kathy Burkholder, Sandra Brown and Jo-Ann McDonald, assembling meals with Jo-Ann also doubling as delivery girl. Thanks to one and all for your support of the Brussels Legion.

The Catch the Ace draw went on as usual on Canada Day evening.

Team Jo-Ann, along with Judy Lee and Nanci Ducharme, did the honours. The weekly winner was Liz Sholdice and she won $178.

She chose envelope number nine and the three of diamonds was revealed. The estimated jackpot for next week, July 8, is $4,800.

Homecoming is only three weeks away and tickets are now available for the homecoming fish fry. It will be drive-through or walk-through with the options of eating at home, eating in the Branch or eating on the patio. Tickets are $20 per meal, with fish and all the fixings. You

can contact the Branch by calling 519-887-6562 or dropping in to pick up your tickets, e-mailing the Legion at legion218@ezlink.ca or calling Deb Ross at 519-531-1125 or going to the Legion Facebook page. All tickets must be prepaid prior to homecoming. You can etransfer the Branch. Get yours today!

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Happy Canada Day There’s some debate about what the truest Canadian food is for Canada Day. It could be butter tarts, Nanaimo-style bars, the traditional double-double with an apple fritter or even poutine. For the Brussels Legion, however, Canada Day means the annual fish fry, which has volunteers working hard on fish and fries to feed approximately 100 diners.

(John Stephenson photo)

Share your photos by emailing them to reporter@northhuron.on.ca

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Liz Sholdice $178 Envelope #9 found the 3 of Diamonds Estimated jackpot for July 8 is $4,800

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 7.

Blyth BIA votes to suspend sign fee

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Hanging it up Matt Townsend, shown here with his wife Aimee, hung up his bunker gear for the last time on June 23 during a special event at the North Huron Blyth Fire Hall/Public Works Building. The event included a grand opening for the site and several years worth of recognition for local firefighters, including Deputy-Chief Townsend, who is now retired from the service. Above, Townsend is being recognized for 25 years of service with the department. Other recipients of long service awards during the night included District Chief Ken DeVries (30 years), Captain Mike McDonald (25 years), Fire Prevention Officer Michael Roess (25 years) and Captain Trevor Hickey (20 years). The above also received their 10-Years-Plus awards, as did Kyle Vollmer, Darrel Eckert, Brad Carter, Arnold Wiegersma, Alain Dery, Robb Finch, Stephen Kolkman, Captain Jeff Josling, Captain Russ Nesbitt, Captain Brad Hodgkinson, District Chief Jeff Howson and Deputy-Chief Chad Kregar. (John Stephenson photo)

Locals celebrate in July

The Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) executive decided to waive the $25 rental fee for its changeable letter sign after discussing confusion around how to use the sign.

During the BIA’s June 30 meeting, the executive discussed the state of the signsafter Gerrit Sepers of BRØD Bread and Pastry said that, when he used it in the winter, the trays that hold the letters were pulling away from the signs.

He said the BIA should consider either fixing it in-house or finding someone to repair them.

Secretary Rachael King of the Blyth Festival, who chaired the meeting in light of the absence of Chair David Sparling and ViceChair Shane Yerema, said the signs are both “brand new” and that it might be worth reaching out to the company that provided them.

Bev Elliott, who attended the meeting to talk about the upcoming anniversary of Maple and Moose, said she wanted to use the signs to announce the event, and asked how that could be done. She also had some complaints about the sign, saying that it hadn’t been used to announce the Blyth Rutabaga Festival or the opening of the Blyth Festival season.

Rev. JoAnn Todd, who represents local churches on the BIA, explained that the group couldn’t find anyone to manage the signs for the BIA, which led Elliott to say it might be best to not have them out.

Sepers asked why the BIA charged for use of the signs, saying that the amount brought, $25 per week, likely isn’t worth not having the signs used to their full potential.

Todd said the signs have cost more than they will ever bring in, so that might be a discussion worth having.

Sepers suggested the BIA suspend

the rental fee as a result. He said that, since the BIA wouldn’t be meeting in July, the group should make a decision to get the sign working for local businesses.

John Stewart, who represents local service clubs on the committee, put a motion forward that the $25 fee be waived until further notice. The executive also decided to contact North Huron staff and ask how the funds should be collected if the BIA decides to reinstate the charge, as the group had previously run into issues collecting charges when funds have to go through council first.

The BIA then stated that those interested in using the sign should contact Sparling at chair@blythnow.ca.

NEWS FROM BLYTH Follow The Citizen on Facebook, Twitter or through our website at huroncitizen.ca

Good Employees are hard to find

From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Nicole Layton, and Todd MacDonald, who both will celebrate on July 8; Kathy Douglas, July 10; Avon Corneil, July 11 and Cheryl Cronin, July 12. Happy birthday everyone and hope you have a very special day.

Happy anniversary to Heidi (Craig) and Kyle Martin of Gowanstown, who will celebrate July 13.

Tuesday started out a very dull day as it had given us the much-needed rain. The corn in the area made it to knee-high

by July 1 and getting this rain, along with the heat, will help it grow.

Take care of yourselves and stay safe for the coming week. Give someone a call to let them know you are thinking of them.

Big night A special ceremony focused on local firefighters on June 23 was a big night for the McDonald family. Not only was Captain Mike McDonald, right, recognized for his 25 years of service, but his daughter Jenna, left, was officially sworn in after being brought on in 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the welcoming of new firefighters and the awarding of long service awards were delayed until the special event on June 23 at the Blyth Fire Hall. Other firefighters who were sworn in to new positions included Kevin Hogg, Jon Walters, Dan Ryan, Tyler Peel, Carel Grundlingh, Nathan Skinn, Laura Souch, Randy Zwep, Josh Wesselink, Ben Kolkman, Joost VanHittersum, Chad McCann and Brendan Thebeau and Captain Eric Mulholland. (John Stephenson photo)

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Collisions claim lives of Dashwood, Hensall residents Quite a crowd Early reports indicate that the annual Canada Day Firefighters’ breakfast in Seaforth served over 1,000 hungry diners with eat-in and take-out options. (John Stephenson photo)

Walton hall prepared for rentals PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

It was another week of good weather with farmers at work, but we still need more rain to freshen everything up and promote growth.

It was also a work week at the Walton Hall. Summer rentals will soon start happening at the Walton Hall, so some sprucing up was on the agenda. Board members Margaret McInroy and Jo-Ann McDonald and super volunteer helper Paul Humphries started painting inside and out. The front door was scraped and painted, along with the iron rails. The outside side door was painted and the entrance now has a fresh new look. The men’s washroom is painted a lighter, brighter colour and the cement floors in the washrooms have a new coat of paint as well. Some old carpeting was removed and flooring was laid to replace it. Hopefully we will finish sometime this week.

It was birthday party time for the lovely ladies of the Brussels Bunch.

They have really missed their gatherings because of the COVID19 pandemic and are happy to be able to gather again. The group gathered at JR’s and enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner and they had quite a crowd. They celebrated the birthdays for both June and July, so the birthday girls included Edna McLellan, Sandra Clark, Dona Knight and Lois McCutcheon. The ladies who enjoyed lunch and wishing them happy birthday included Betty Campbell, Betty McCutcheon, Merle Cousins, Esther McCutcheon, Nora Stephenson, Marci Bremner, Jean Davidson, Betty Cardiff, Joan Bernard, Mabel Glanville, Alice Marks, Audrey Cardiff, Isabel Wheeler and Rene Richmond. Happy birthday ladies and nice to hear you are all out and about.

Congratulations to Adam Cousins on winning the Forest City London Music Award for Country Artist of the Year and winner of Music Video of the Year for “Young Again”. Great job Adam!

Congratulations to Joyce Johnston and happy retirement!

Joyce has retired from the North Huron Food Share after 18 years of being its operations manager.

Everyone who knows Joyce knows she is a caring and compassionate

woman who gave her all for the job she was doing. Thank you Joyce for your years of service and we hope you enjoy your retirement.

Our sympathies are extended to the Webster family on the passing of Mack Webster. He will be missed by his wife Janet (Shortreed) and his children Mary Ellen and Brian and families. Mack was a farmer near Varna and retired to Bayfield many years ago. Our condolences to all.

The decorating has begun!

Homecoming colours adorn the main street flower planters and the municipal staff put up the banners last week. Some of the businesses have started decorating and soon the whole town will be beautiful.

The Horticultural Society is sponsoring a home decorating contest, so look for the signs and what they are looking for and make your home “part of the party” for homecoming.

Our get-well and recovery wishes go to Paul Gowing, who has suffered injuries from a fall. We hope he will have a full recovery.

Our thoughts are with him and his family.

Our sympathies are extended to the Keffer family on the passing of Rob Keffer. He will be lovingly missed by his wife Christine and his children Ashley, Mike and Meagan and their families. He will be remembered by his siblings Linda, Wanda, Dan, Barb, Donna and Murray and their extended families.

He was a fun loving, family man who loved helping others,

NEWS FROM WALTON gardening, travelling with his children, farming and having fun.

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

Celebrating birthdays this past week include Canada Day babies Linkin McCallum, Julie Wharton, Colton Van Driel and Jim Bosman.

They are followed by Franklin McClure, Dianne Baan, Sherri Taylor, Craig Baan, Jeffrey Linton, Ken Pethick, Michael Ryan, Allison Stevenson, Luella Van Driel, Ralph Bos, Lieven Verschaeve, Dianne Blake, Lorne Glanville, Brad Knight, Chris Csöff, Jim Brown, Allan Carter, Emily Mitchell and Sean Mitchell. Happy birthday to all!

Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers investigated a fatal motor vehicle collision that took place on Monday, resulting in the death of Dashwood’s John Freeswick.

Police say that, on Monday, July 4 at approximately 4:41 p.m., OPP officers, Huron County Paramedic Services and South Huron firefighters responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on MacDonald Road near Parr Line west of Exeter.

The OPP reports that the preliminary investigation revealed a crossover sport utility vehicle was travelling eastbound on MacDonald Road when the vehicle collided head-on with a bridge guardrail.

Freeswick, 48, the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A post-mortem examination was scheduled to be held on July 5.

Members from the West Region OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team attended the scene to assist with the collision investigation. As of Tuesday, the investigation remained ongoing and MacDonald Road remained closed between Parr Line and Ausable Line. *** A single motor vehicle collision late last month near Hensall claimed the life of a resident of the village.

OPP report that, shortly after 7 p.m. on June 28, Huron County OPP officers, Huron County Paramedic Services and Bluewater Fire Department personnel responded to a report of a single motor vehicle collision on Rodgerville Road near Ausable Line.

Police say that, upon arrival, first responders located a heavily damaged pickup truck that had collided with a concrete bridge

abutment. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deceased was identified as 27-year-old Evan Dickins of Hensall.

Members from the West Region OPP TIME Team attended the scene to assist with the collision investigation.

As a result of damages sustained in the collision the bridge on Rodgerville Road has been temporarily closed.

Any person with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 519-4821677.

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

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Commemorative issue of

Brussels 150th Anniversary in the July 22 edition 1/4 page (6” wide x 6 1/4” high) . . .$187.50 + HST 1/2 page (10” wide x 7.5” high) . . . .$375.00 +HST Please note: This special pricing is for former businesses of Brussels and for families who wish to be a part of this commemorative issue.

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by July 13 and we do the rest!

Bringing greetings Huron County Warden Glen McNeil waved to everyone who attended the Canada Day parade in Goderich last week. (Denny Scott photo)

Email: info@northhuron.on.ca or mail your story and photo(s) to The Citizen PO Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4792

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 9.

CH awaiting report on meeting changes

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Garden Hero Shirley Andrews, seated at centre, has been named this year’s Garden Hero for the year of 2022 by the Auburn Horticultural Society. The lifetime society member received her certificate on June 20, presented by Karen Redmond and a handful of other society members. From left: Rhea Hamilton Seeger, Marita Oudshoorn, Mary Ellen Foran, Andrews, Joni Reinhart, Redmond, Jolande Oudshoorn and Brenda Empey. (Photo submitted)

Andrews honoured by society The Year of the Garden 2022 provides the Auburn Horticultural Society with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many dedicated and inspiring individuals who, through their leadership, are improving the culture of gardening in their communities.

The gardening community is fortunate to have members who are not just gardening enthusiasts, but people who nurture the community spirit and pass on their knowledge and passion. This program also highlights the valuable work that gardening organizations across the country do in their communities.

The Auburn Horticultural Society would like to congratulate Shirley Andrew’s for being named the 2022 Auburn Garden Hero!

Shirley is a long-standing member of the Auburn Horticultural Society, contributing through many years as a member, in the community. For the past 15 years, Shirley has planted and maintained the containers at the Auburn Community Hall.

Shirley is truly a “Garden Hero” and members of the society are delighted to celebrate Shirley Andrews. Shirley’s nomination is listed on the Year of the Garden 2022 website, along with nominees

from Horticultural Societies, Garden Clubs, and gardening Community, across Canada.

Shirley Andrews, Life Member of Auburn Horticultural Society, was presented with the Garden Hero Certificate on June 20, 2022 by Karen Redmond along with Society members.

If you would like to become involved in the Auburn Horticultural Society, or would like to learn more, contact the society at AuburnHort1950@gmail.com.

The organization’s next event will be on Sept. 24, a guided tree tour of Auburn.

Development request denied

By Denny Scott The Citizen The owners of the contested Riverside Apartments development were told that no exceptions would be made by North Huron Council in regards to development charges.

Riverside Apartments Inc., including Brock Hodgins, Jonathan Eelman and Mario Temlin, wrote to North Huron Township Council to request that a portion of the $135,000 for building permits and development charges could be deferred until construction is complete, however council wasn’t interested in offering that kind of relief.

In the letter, Hodgins, Eelman and Temlin said that “the ecosystem” for residential development has changed quickly since the project started.

“The economy is stuttering and we are seeing the banks drastically change how they approve building financing,” the trio wrote. “Under the current financing scenario, we have found ourselves having to get creative in order to keep this project on track.”

The developers said they were trying to reduce costs across the board in an attempt to get their budget “in-line with something that our financial institutions would deem financeable.”

Council, minus Reeve Bernie

Bailey and Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip, who declared conflicts of interest, decided that offering any kind of relief wasn’t the right move.

Councillor Chris Palmer said he felt that the charges are “a drop in the bucket” when it comes to a large project like the 73-unit apartment building. He was also concerned about setting precedent for future developments. Palmer added that, with big-ticket upgrades

to infrastructure systems in the municipality needed, it didn’t make sense to offer relief on it.

Several council members echoed that concern, and Councillor Kevin Falconer, who chaired the discussion, said that North Huron wasn’t charging more than its neighbours, so the charge wasn’t an “undue request.”

Council took no action as a result of the request or discussion.

Central Huron Council is still awaiting a report on the cost to return to its council chambers in Clinton, while allowing for the possibility of hybrid meetings by incorporating Zoom technology.

Council discussed the issue at its July 4 meeting, when Councillor Michael Russo asked when council would be returning to chambers.

Since returning to in-person meetings with a hybrid component, the meetings have been held in the theatre on the upper level of the town hall building to allow for physical distancing to accommodate more people.

Clerk Kerri Ann O’Rourke said that she and other staff members had been working to prepare a report, complete with cost figures, on returning to council chambers.

The figures included would pertain to allowing for hybrid participation in meetings in the chambers. She also said there are still capacity concerns and an inability to ensure physical distancing in the council chambers space.

She also added that, on a personal level, it was quickly approaching a very busy time of year for her at the office and, with a municipal election on the horizon, she was hoping to use the council chambers as an accessible voting location in October.

Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt, who also sits on the Huron Perth Public Health board of directors, said that the public health perspective of returning to the council chambers needed to be considered. At those meetings, he said, there is still a hybrid component and guidance to wear masks indoors and maintain physical distancing.

Russo, however, wondered aloud if council was trying to be too many things to too many people, looking back favourably on days gone by when, if people wanted to be part of a council meeting, they would attend the meeting. Councillor Alison Lobb agreed, saying that, in the past, if people wanted to attend a meeting, they would attend, and if they didn’t, they wouldn’t. s arm on F Hur o Table T

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Russo then wondered what costs and upgrades would be associated with returning to council chambers, incorrectly remembering that hybrid participation had been possible in the chambers. O’Rourke told him that wasn’t the case and that audio and visual upgrades would be necessary to allow for hybrid participation in meetings held in the council chambers, apart from the physical distancing concerns.

Councillor Alex Westerhout went the other way, saying he felt that hybrid participation is a step into the future and he felt that council should be doing what it can to encourage that option. That way, he said, if people are sick, with COVID-19 or not, they would be encouraged to stay home, which is the way it should be.

He said everyone has been at a meeting and sat next to someone who is so visibly sick that it’s made them uncomfortable, and vice versa. This technology would allow people to be part of a meeting without putting other people in danger.

Because of the meeting schedule, O’Rourke said that the earliest council would be able to return to council chambers, with minimal changes made, would be in September. However, she reiterated that having the council chambers as an accessible voting location in this October’s election would make her life a lot easier.

Council didn’t offer concrete direction on the matter, but instead opted to wait for O’Rourke’s report on the matter, which should be coming at a future meeting.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Looking back on ‘The Farm Show’ 50 years later

First impressions The Farm Show, the theatrical experience that spawned the Blyth Festival and its desire for locallyproduced plays that reflect rural Ontario, started with a trip to a local farm. Janet Amos, right, shown with son Robin, was among the actors who made the trip that started the play. (Photo submitted)

By Keith Roulston Special to The Citizen This August marks the 50th anniversary of one of the foundational moments in Canadian theatre - and it all took place in a barn west of Clinton.

Paul Thompson, son of a veterinarian who had practised in Atwood, decided he wanted to do a play about farm life – which became known as The Farm Show. Alison Lobb, today a municipal councillor in Central Huron and very active in the community, remembers that Thompson arrived at her farm with Ted Johns, a teacher from between Clinton and Seaforth who would later become foundational in area professional theatre himself. They wanted a home for Thompson’s acting company for a few weeks while they went out and learned about the farmers of the community.

Lobb remembers thinking, “we’ll just show them around” and taking them along the Maitland and 16th Line area. Ray Bird’s vacant house was suggested as a home base for the company. (Bird, later living near Brussels, died in May of this year.)

It must be remembered that this was a time, early in the 1970s, when theatre was still an infant on the Canadian cultural scene. However, it had been given new stimulus by the Canadian Centennial celebrations in 1967. Until that point, theatre was something borrowed from beyond the borders, whether British at the Stratford Festival or Shaw Festival, or American in large theatres in Toronto that imported touring shows or at a few summer theatres in places like Muskoka that reproduced Broadway hits.

Thompson wanted to tell Canadians stories about people they would recognize. A graduate of University of Western Ontario in London, he’d received a Master’s

degree from University of Toronto, then studied theatre in France with radical director Roger Planchon, who imparted on him an interest in actors creating their own plays.

But Thompson wanted to create a Canadian theatre, so he came home and joined Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille (theatre without walls). He arrived in Huron County as a representative of the artists of the era: with a dusty, immense beard, blue jeans and sandals.

The company he brought with him included three women and three

men, none of them with any farm background. His wife, Anne Anglin, was perhaps the most experienced, having spent time with the Stratford Festival. She brought along the couple’s young daughter, Severn.

Joining her was Janet Amos, who had studied academic subjects, but inherited the acting bug from her mother, Beth, and brought her son Christopher (by fellow actor Allan Royal). The third actress was Fina MacDonell.

The male actors included David Fox, coming from a settled life as a school teacher and Miles Potter.

Both would become among the biggest names in Canadian theatre.

The other man, Alan Jones, didn’t stay with the production long-term.

Potter, who now lives near Stratford, remembers that unusual summer. “The first [memory] was having never left downtown Toronto for a couple of years after arriving there from the U.S. I literally had no idea where I was going when we set out from Toronto to drive to Huron County, or what to expect. I wasn’t a farm kid, so I didn’t know what the countryside or the structures or anything would look like; I was a blank slate. I was, of course, charmed and delighted by the area; I may have thought it was going to look more like west Texas; what did I know?”

The actors shared the house on the Bird farm. “The communal living, the bathing in the river and the rehearsals in a barn were all delightful to me,” Potter recalls.

“The rats in the house, not so much, but we borrowed a cat. I wasn’t as fond of the research trips we needed to do; like most people, actors are basically shy, and in a funny way, many of the people we interviewed were happier to talk to us than we were to knock on their doors.”

In ones and twos, the actors went out and introduced themselves to their neighbours. They would talk to them or work side by side with them, then come back to the farm and work together to improvise scenes based on their activities.

So Fox, for instance, visited Les Jervis, who had established a wildlife sanctuary near Holmesville after seeing something similar on a trip to Germany. Later Fox recreated

that visit and gives us a sense of that bales stop coming and he goes to the mow opening and luxuriates in the experience.

Anglin created a song, after cooler air. He also discovers the speaking with Jean and Mervyn Freshie in the workers’ coolers. Then Lobb, about the “Gobs and Gobs of he looks down and sees another wagon full of bales has pulled into Lobbs” who lived in the area.

Amos recreated the busy life of a place and the elevator is switched on farm wife of the era who still stayed again and sending another endless home on the farm, trying to do the stream of bales upward. He goes laundry with an old wringer washing back to work for the rest of his stay machine between interruptions from but he wonders aloud why anyone children and deliverymen and would put themselves through such eventually becoming part of the hell year after year.

There are many other scenes, both process, churning like the washing touching and funny, built on the machine.

Potter’s inexperience with farming rural life the actors experienced.

Thompson wanted members of the led to one of the longest, and most hilarious scenes in the play. community to see what the actors Absolutely ignorant of the realities had taken from their visits and of farm life, he and an unnamed arranged a performance in the Bird cast-mate are sent to help in putting barn.

“Some of the cast came to coffee,” away the hay in the era when most farmers used small square bales. He recalls Alison Lobb. “They were nervous about performing for the wore shorts!

His first job is working outside, neighbours. Originally they thought taking bales from someone else who Continued on page 11 is unloading a wagon. His job is simply to put the bales on the elevator that is carrying the bales upward to the hay mow in the barn.

He quickly learns putting the bale on the elevator in a way that keeps it from tumbling back down is harder than it seems at first. And the bales just keep coming at him!

He’s relieved when, after a load, he’s offered a job in the hay mow.

Here the bales also keep coming in an apparently unending torrent.

It’s also hot beyond his belief.

And, wearily, he Miles Potter, now a celebrated theatre tries to help lift the director, first came to the area in the bales using his 1970s with the production of The Farm unclothed leg. He Show. His experiences inspired The also discovers the Drawer Boy which is being remounted holes between the by the Blyth Festival now on the stacked bales.

Eventually the Harvest Stage. (File photo)

Story after story

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 11.

‘The Farm Show’ was refreshing

Quite a trek Rural Canadian theatre may have been born on a farm near Clinton thanks to the efforts of playwrights and actors like Paul Thompson, right, and his wife Anne Anglin, left. The duo packed everything they belonged in a truck and drove to Huron County to interview farmers, resulting in The Farm Show in the 1970s. The show was a precursor to the Blyth Festival and its mandate of producing Canadian theatre. The couple’s daughter, Severn, centre, now keeps that vision of rural theatre alive with the Blyth Festival. (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 10 there would be about 50 people there.”

Later, Lobb recalled there were 300 people present. The actors also fretted if the community would welcome how they had portrayed their neighbours. Fox, for instance, worried that his portrayal of an old neighbour with a facial tick would be seen as too shallow.

They needn’t have worried. The audience loved what they saw – laughing and crying and applauding.

Jim Fitzgerald, now a resident of Sebringville, was editor of the nearby Clinton News-Record. He remembered, recently, that he had been called by Millie Lobb, his correspondent for the area, and told about the actors rehearsing the show.

He went out and did a story that appeared in his newspaper prior to the Sunday afternoon public performance and took photos that later were reproduced over and over.

He remembers he found the show so refreshing. “They were actually doing something about us,” he says.

“Most theatre at the time was reproducing English or American stories”.

Thompson had intended to rework the material for a Toronto audience but was urged to play it just as it was. For the most part, when the show opened in Toronto in late September, it was the same play that had been seen in the Bird barn.

And the urban audience loved it during a month-long run. Urjo Kareda, the Toronto Star’s oftendifficult critic led the praise: “Thompson and his actors have helped us to know, understand and love a community of people beyond

our sphere of familiarity. As artists they can have no higher ambition.”

In the spring of 1973, Thompson and the cast (which by this point included Johns) brought the show back to its western Ontario roots, in a tour which included everywhere from auction barns in Clinton, Orangeville and Listowel to an old fall fair building in Brussels to the basement of Blyth’s Memorial Hall (the upstairs theatre couldn’t be used until a new roof was installed). The tour ended at Stratford’s Festival Theatre. Later The Farm Show played for an extended run at Ottawa’s new National Arts Centre.

The show would also tour New England and travel to Britain for a theatre festival.

During the western Ontario tour, Michael Ondaatje, a friend of Thompson’s (and more famous for his later novel The English Patient) made a film surrounding the play: The Clinton Special.

Beyond the show itself, The Farm Show had a permanent impact on the Huron County theatre scene. James Roy, the local native who was the founding artistic director of the Blyth Festival, was in the audience that day.

So was I, with my wife Jill and daughter Christina (who played with Severn Thompson and Chris Royal in the hay mow during the performance). I worked to try to bring Thompson and Theatre Passe Muraille to Blyth as a summer base for two years before Thompson became convinced the renovations necessary to Blyth Memorial Hall would never be completed and accepted an invitation to make a

summer home in Petrolia’s Victoria Playhouse.

Later, after giving Roy a bit of money to put on a show at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, Thompson would tell Roy about the interest in Blyth and Roy, who had been in the basement of the Hall to get vaccinated but didn’t know about the theatre, would visit, and in 1975, after the theatre had been renovated, started the Blyth Festival.

When he left five years later, Amos became the second artistic director. Fox, who died earlier this year, would become one of the young Festival’s biggest stars as would both Anglin and Amos.

Thompson and Potter became directors of some of the most popular shows at the Festival. Ted Johns, who had been part of the touring edition of The Farm Show, became one of the Festival’s most popular playwrights and performers.

Perhaps Potter sums up the impact of the show that started in a Clintonarea barn 50 years ago when he recalled recently: “My favourite Farm Show story is one that happened years later. I was directing a show at Canadian Stage in Toronto and David Fox and Janet Amos were all in it. There was a very young actor in the show, who, when we took some time around the table to talk about ourselves, said that he, Nick, had been inspired to be in the theatre by seeing a movie about a show about farming. It was The Clinton Special. And we also realized that Nick didn’t know that three people at that table were in the original. He actually thought we were dead. He was [I hope] happily surprised.”

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

No church services for July

Over, under Kindergarten students at Hullett Central Public School enjoyed a water day during the last days of school.

Above, Mila Lee, left, and Olivia Watson play a wet version of the classic competitive over, under game.

(Denny Scott photo)

Keith D. Harrell reminds us, “What has happened is not nearly as important as what can happen.

Look to the possibilities of your future for direction, forsaking the burdensome limitations of your past.”

I hope you all have had a chance to drive around Londesborough United Church and admire how great it looks with the painting nearing completion. After about two months of work, Woody’s Painting may finish this week. The upper windows are done and the lower ones are being worked on this week.

There have been a few hitches along the way, however. Woody found and repaired a good deal of dry rot and many of the top halfcircle pieces of glass above the aluminum screens broke being removed for access to the whole window. The screens were found to be in rather bad condition. Some of this was expected and is being handled.

$77,000 in grants awarded

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County has handed over SLED (Supporting Local Economic Development) funding to eight projects this year, infusing $77,500 to the projects.

Director of Economic Development Vicki Lass presented her report on the funding to Huron County Council at its June 22 meeting. She said this year’s projects aim to address the strategic priorities from the Economic Development Department’s 2021/2022 business retention and expansion project, which include workforce re-engagement, attraction and retention projects; business district and specific sector support programs and placemaking, community and tourism development initiatives.

She told council that the maximum amount awarded to a project this year is $10,000. In past years, she said, up to $90,000 has been available for projects, but that was increased to $100,000 for 2022 due to the support of Community Futures Huron.

A panel of judges, comprised of one representative from the Community Futures Huron Board of Directors and two members of the Huron County Economic Development Board of Directors chose the eight approved applications.

The successful applications are: The Town of Goderich, wayfinding signage; the Municipality of Central Huron, a lighted sculpture garden including student-designed and manufactured sculptures, which will be placed in downtown Clinton; Huron Farmers’ Market, market reinvigoration and co-ordinator position; Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, summer camp for students to explore medical careers; Dungannon Farmers’ Market, market start-up;

Eat Local Huron, farm crawl and tours; the Township of North Huron, Cruikshank Park enhancements and the Seaforth Business Improvement Area, placemaking with the

installation of mini-murals, wayfinding signage and greenery.

Council approved the grant funding and Lass’s report without much discussion.

But it has also affected the whole cost.

There are no services for the month of July but if you are still planning to make a donation to the project, you can mail it to Erin Yantzi in care of the church. The trustees will welcome that monetary help.

There are many in the Londesborough and church community dealing with health issues at present. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Life can be traumatic sometimes and you could lift their spirits with a call or a card, etc.

The Saturday Toronto Star was full of interesting items and puzzles on the holiday weekend. I felt a trifle guilty spending my time reading. The “Wheels” section, in particular, got a good read.

Especially as we consider a new vehicle to replace our 2010 model.

The front page of that section had a picture of environmentalist David Suzuki and a fully electric sport utility vehicle. After years of flying in his crusade to better the world, David has chosen not to fly because of fossil fuel use. But this spring he and his wife needed to get to Toronto’s Luminato Festival from their home in Vancouver. They investigated going by bus (no direct trip) or by train (cost prohibitive) and both still left a large carbon footprint. And their small electric vehicle only has a range of 150 kilometres to a charge.

Along came Volvo Car Canada with a model that gets 335 kilometres to a charge, two drivers and the chance to make a documentary about climate solutions people and groups are involved in along the way.

However, Suzuki noted that

driving an electric vehicle requires a different mindset. One doesn't just take a spontaneous side trip and being computer literate is a must when needing a charge. He notes governments need to have more charging stations.

Then, last evening, Chevrolet began advertising installing, free with a purchase from the company, charging equipment in homes.

There is much to ponder in a changing world.

Along the same line in another section, a story about the Orcas being on the brink of extinction because of environmental changes caught my attention. This is the fact that stopped me in my tracks: “A World Wildlife Fund report estimates that humanity has wiped out 60 per cent of mammals, fish, birds and reptiles since 1970.” That’s in our lifetime.

Is that stewardship of God’s world?

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

37th Annual Citizen of the Year Award Nominations Open Long-time Scout leader and church volunteer David Cartwright won the 2021 Citizen of the Year award for Blyth and surrounding communities posthumously. Pictured from left, The Citizen Publisher, Deb Sholdice presents the award to Shari Cartwright and family.

There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community.

This is your opportunity to show your appreciation for all they do.

Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the form and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and they didn't win, we encourage you to submit again.

Emailed submissions can be sent to Shawn Loughlin at editor@northhuron.on.ca I nominate ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ as Citizen of the year for

q

Blyth & area

q

Brussels & area

q

Huron County**

** New this year! Due to requests from the wider community we have added a category for Citizen of the Year Huron County to recognize outstanding citizens from beyond Blyth & Brussels.

I feel she/he deserves this award because ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nomination Deadline September 30, 2022.

Name and phone number of nominator Fax: 519-523-9140 Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 13.

Agriculture

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Brussels Livestock report

Light run of veal sells at steady-to-strong prices Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 1 were 1,115 cattle and 1,157 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively at steady prices. Choice steers and heifers sold $185 to $191 with sales to $194. Second-cut cattle sold $179

to $184. Holstein steers and heifers sold $112 to $176. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold $145 to $176. Cows sold $2 to $3 higher on a strong trade.

On Thursday, a light run of veal sold actively at steady to strong prices. Lamb sold steady to higher. Sheep sold

steady and goats sold higher.

On Friday, it was a light run for the holiday. Calves and yearlings sold steady.

Connell Farms Inc. of Palmerston, consigned 24 head.

Four gold heifers averaged 1,534 lbs. and sold for an average price of $189.50.

Simply better together Brett and Laura Fischer, Pioneer sales representatives from the Brussels area, recently nominated long-time local 4-H leader Kim Higgins, centre in purple, for the Simply Better Together contest in honour of Higgins’ years of community involvement. As a result, the Fischers were able to present Higgins and members of her Belgrave Brussels 4-H Beef Club with a $2,000 donation for the club. (Photo submitted)

OFA highlights pollinator health

By Jenn Doeman, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture With summer starting up, we all look forward to the bounty of fresh foods coming in season over the next few months.

Juicy strawberries, summer salads and fresh green beans are just a few of the delicious foods that we have access to thanks to a variety of pollinators in our Ontario ecosystem. Pollinators play a behind-the-scenes role, but this doesn’t discount their significance.

In fact, pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food and add $217 billion to the global economy.

Protecting pollinator health is an important responsibility that we all share. Pollinators support healthy ecosystems which, in turn, clean the air and water, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to share a reminder of the need for a healthy ecosystem to maintain a strong and resilient food system. This starts with supporting and protecting nature’s behind-thescenes workers: the pollinators.

When we think of pollinators, honeybees are the first thing that come to mind, but this role can also be played by butterflies, wasps, moths, birds, bats and other small mammals. Canada has close to 700 different types of native pollinators that support the growth of 75-95 per cent of all flowering plants on earth.

This diversity of pollinators and plants is ultimately what builds resilience in our food system. When one species is impacted by a drought, frost or other environmental conditions, another species is tolerant and can fill the gap.

Unfortunately, pollinators, especially bees, are susceptible to external factors, such as weather, disease/pests, habitat loss and chemical exposure. Not just one thing is to blame and it’s a complex system to support.

As a beekeeper, I appreciate the greater connection I have to the environment around me and the contribution my hives can make to the surrounding ecosystem. As a farmer, this hobby has helped me acknowledge the importance of stewardship practices and the benefits of my hives for the farm.

While it is a shared responsibility, farmers do have a large role to play in supporting pollinator populations. Enhancing pollinatorfriendly habitats on or around the farm is a great place to start. We like to take advantage of the buffer strips between fields to plant pollinator mixes, restoring natural habitats for existing pollinators with important food and nesting sites. As an added benefit, planting pollinator mixes can control invasive weed populations along buffer strips and into fields.

Making an effort to incorporate integrated pest management in farming practices is another great

way to support your surrounding ecosystem. Use pest control products responsibly by minimizing use where possible and follow product labels to apply as directed.

Being conscious of hive locations or pollinator habitats nearby can also help mitigate damage to pollinator populations. When possible, we try to avoid applying insecticides during foraging hours, instead applications can be done in early mornings or after dark.

Having a diverse crop rotation, scouting often and working with an agronomist to understand best management practices can all be highly impactful strategies.

Pesticides are a very important tool for farmers, but they are definitely not the only tool.

Ultimately, being champions and advocating for pollinator health is important to protect populations.

Even in urban centres, encouraging others to seek ways to support local pollinator habitats and food sources can have a positive outcome.

Planting native wildflowers in urban gardens and increasing plant diversity in backyards can both help. With greater awareness of how we can all contribute to the solution, pollinator populations can thrive.

Pollinators are the foundation of local ecology and a keystone point in our ecosystem. A crucial partnership exists between pollinators and flowering plants to maintain a robust food system and a healthier environment.

There were 250 cows on offer.

Beef sold $110 to $155 with sales to $167; good holstein cows, $120 to $135; medium holstein cows, $108 to $121.

Bulls sold $136 to $168.

There were 75 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $180 to $194; good holsteins, $170 to $184; SL heavy holsteins, $162 to $172; heavy holsteins, $130 to $160; medium holsteins, $148 to $160; plain holsteins, $126 to $146; bobs, $200 to $340.

Henry H. Bauman of Wingham, consigned one holstein steer weighing 720 lbs. and sold for a price of $179.

RG Harris Farms Ltd. of Ripley, consigned four head. One holstein steer weighed 730 lbs. and sold for a price of $184.

Lambs 50 - 64 lbs. sold $288 to $298; 65 - 79 lbs., $285 to $309; 80 - 94 lbs., $292 to $306; 95 - 109 lbs., $289 to $307.50; 110 lbs. and over, $267.50 to $285.

Sheep sold $100 to $275.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies, $100 to $300; kids: dairy, $300 to $553; meat, $375 to $500.

Dan and Christine Weber of Kincardine, consigned 29 head.

Five kid goats averaged 64 lbs. and sold for an average price of $553.

Darrin Durand of Hensall, consigned seven head. Two kid goats averaged 62 lbs. and sold for an average price of $535.

Mel Weber of Wingham, consigned 19 head. Three kid goats averaged 98 lbs. and sold for an average price of $307.50.

Top quality stocker steers, 400 -

499 lbs. sold $229.25 to $293; 500 599 lbs., $161.25 to $182.50; 600 699 lbs., $224.50 to $262; 700 - 799 lbs., $223.50 to $234; 800 - 899 lbs., $222 to $234; 900 - 999 lbs., $203 to $215; 1,000 lbs. and over, $187 to $206.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $203 to $208; 600 699 lbs., $165 to $207.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $182.50 to $200; 800 - 899 lbs., $195.50 to $201; 900 lbs. and over, $165.50 to $183.25.

Allan Aitchison of New Liskeard, consigned 68 head. Fourteen black heifers averaged 808 lbs. and sold for an average price of $201. Six red steers averaged 800 lbs. and sold for an average price of $230.

Curtis Dulland of East Garafraxa, consigned 21 head. Two bwf steers averaged 823 lbs. and sold for an average price of $234.

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

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

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

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

Articles for sale FOR SALE – 2012 DUTCHMAN Sport Travel Trailer 25 ft., $16,000.

Call 519-887-9300.

27-2p -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 519441-2085.

01-50p -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Dean’s Valu-Mart in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Card of thanks PARK. The family of Norine Park would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the condolences, sympathy cards, food and flowers, we all received during the passing of our mother. Your support at this difficult time was very much appreciated and a great comfort to all our family. She lived a great life and will be missed. – The Park family.

27-1p

Coming events Help wanted Help wanted In memoriam Come & Go Bridal Shower for Becca Kooiman (Reece McArter) Tuesday, July 12 7 to 9 p.m.

Brussels Optimist Clubhouse

HTTPS://WWW.MYREGISTRY.COM/ WEDDING-REGISTRY/BECCAKOOIMAN-AND-REECE-MCARTERBRUSSELS-ON/ 3356062/GIFTLIST

Coming events THE WINGHAM COLUMBUS Centre’s Famous Fish Fry is Friday, July 15 from noon to 6:30 p.m. Eatin, $18, choice of battered or grilled white fish and a buffet of salads, potatoes and breads, also coffee and tea. Take-out, $17, fish, potato, coleslaw and dinner roll. We also do chicken fingers for the “non” fish lover. Taxes are included. Call 519357-1270 to reserve your fish. 27-1

Howson & Howson Ltd. is a long-established Canadian milling company owned and operated by the Howson family since 1875. Our primary objective is to manufacture a safe product of consistent quality that meets or exceeds our customer’s expectations. Howson’s product lines are used in pasta, specialty breads, flat breads, couscous and other various food items. We remain firm on the desire to be an industry leader with development of new products to meet the changing needs of the consumer.

Howson & Howson Limited currently has an opening for a Miller in its Flour Mill in Blyth, ON. Requirements:

The Belgrave Community Centre Board invites community members to their regular meeting on

July 12 at 7 p.m. for the presentation of the

Kathy Procter Memorial Please join us for a celebration to honour Kathy’s contribution to the community.

-

Previous Flour Milling experience would be an asset Able to work on rotating shift Effective communication skills Good problem-solving skills and decision making Able to work efficiently as part of a team and independently Proficient Math Skills Good organization, time management and prioritizing skills High level of personal integrity Strong work ethic Accountable and Dependable

CAMPBELL, Peter. In loving memory of Peter Campbell who passed away July 9, 2021.

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.

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

27-1

Interested persons can forward résumé and cover letter to: Email - rick@howsons.ca Mail - Howson & Howson Limited Attn: Human Resources P.O. Box 390 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad

Celebrations STEFFLER. Congratulations to Clem and Phyllis Steffler from Calgary, Alberta, formerly from Brussels, on the occasion of their 60th Wedding Anniversary on July 14, 2022. Congratulations and love from your family, Mark, Mary-Jo, Patti, Michael, and Tim, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

27-1p

Miller

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

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

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - Craftsman table saw with motor, $75; Stanley handplanes, $5 and up; chisels, squares, handsaws and C-clamps, assorted prices; hand sanders and jigsaws, $5 each. 519-357-9249.

27-3 -----------------------------------------FREE - goldfish in pond – catch yourself. For details call 519-5272089.

27-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - one male, one female purebred golden retriever puppies born February 21. They have been vet-checked and dewormed. They are great around kids, love to swim and very calm dogs. Asking $850.

Call or text 519-721-5732. 26-3 ------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - brand new, handmade Shillcraft yarn, hooked rugs, very beautiful. All sizes, colours and patterns, starting at 5'x7'. Prices starting at $40 and up or best offer; All hooked wall clock, $20. 519-612-1112.

26-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - boy’s bicycle “Evolution” Ozark trail bike, silver grey colour, 5 gears, height 31", recently tuned up, $120. 519-4825648.

26-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - king-size upholstered bed frame, beige canvas headboard, footboard and sideboards, adjustable slat support, removable and washable covering, asking $100. Call Paula 519-341-8667, Brussels.

26-3 ------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - Olhausen 4'x8' snooker table with two sets of balls, triangle, cues and scoreboard, $700 firm. 519-887-9615 25-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Wingham area. Lots of books, including a few children’s books. Little girls’ clothing. Make a deal. All proceeds to Wingham Hospital Auxiliary. Phone 519-3572768.

25-3 -----------------------------------------“One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 15.

Staffing issues could prevent early ice in Wingham

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Wingham Minor Hockey, alongside several other North Huron Wescast Community Centre user groups, may be out of luck for an earlier start to ice sports season this year due to staffing.

During North Huron Township

Council’s July 4 meeting, Wingham Minor Hockey Association President Ryan Sanders said that, due to changes Ontario Minor Hockey has been making, the club needs more time to recruit players and have tryouts, asking for council to install the ice in Wingham at the beginning of September, instead of the beginning of October.

Sanders both spoke to and wrote a letter to council expressing the organization’s frustration with the decision to put the ice in in October.

“It has been brought to our attention that the Township of North Huron has [decided] to delay the installation of ice at the [Wescast Complex] until Oct. 1, 2022,” Sanders wrote, referencing

Family fun The Clinton Raceway held its annual Kids’ Day celebration over the weekend. The traditional harness racing that is held at the raceway every Sunday was accompanied by special activities focused on younger fans. (John Stephenson photo)

Coffee Break set for July 12 PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Belated birthday greetings to Mary McIntosh who celebrated July 2.

Murray Scanlon, United Church Licensed Lay Worship Leader was the guest speaker on Sunday, June 26 at Belgrave United Church.

Happy birthday was sung to Sheila Nixon.

Doug Walker returned home from Stratford Hospital and was wished a speedy recovery.

July church services will be held at Trinity United Church at 10 a.m.

Everyone is welcome. There will be no church services at Belgrave United Church for the month of July.

On Tuesday, June 28 the Community Coffee Break was held at the Belgrave Community Centre with 15 people enjoying fellowship, coffee and snacks. The next coffee break is on Tuesday, July 12, 9: 30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Sympathy is extended to Charles (Grace), Ross Procter, George (Elizabeth) Procter and Ruth Alton in the loss of their sister Mary Thomas, who passed away on June 21.

Kate and Cam Longson and their four sons of Airdrie, Alberta were guests at the home of Candace and Mitch Skinn and family in Wingham. They also visited with their grandparents and greatgrandparents, Jim and Mary Hunter and other relatives and friends.

the fact the ice had gone in earlier in previous years. “As your largest customer we strongly urge you to reconsider this decision as it has… a negative impact on our players and organization for the 2022-2023 season.

“We were very excited to finally get back to a regular season environment and now this decision jeopardizes that,” Sanders wrote.

“We are urging all our members to reach out to their local councillors to voice their concern. In this day and age with [the] significant impact of COVID on our children’s mental health, any type of normalcy is beneficial to their wellbeing.”

During the open forum portion of the Monday night council meeting, Sanders said that, using the metrics that had been presented earlier this year when the Wingham Ironmen had requested the ice be left in the arena, the various clubs in the area could easily rent 35 hours of ice time per week in September, justifying the expense of having the ice in.

“Wingham Minor Hockey, with 21 teams, will be using at least 31.5 hours per week,” he said, adding that other organizations like the Ironmen, figure skating and even neighbouring hockey associations will also need ice. “Putting the ice in in October, for our organization, will set us back drastically,” he said. “We need ice time before tryouts, for two-to-three weeks.”

Sanders also said that, as the largest user of the icepad, the Wingham Minor Hockey Association executive was disappointed that it wasn’t consulted on putting the ice in in October.

When it came time for council to discuss the issue, Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip reminded council that recreation isn’t a money-maker for the municipality, but a service it provides.

“If you think [this will turn a profit], stop now, because it never will,” he said, adding that the association is simply trying to

manage under new rules put in place by the provincial and federal hockey associations. “My thinking is, if we can provide a service that is… beneficial to our ratepayers… we need to talk about it.”

Seip said he didn’t want to deal with this issue as a one-off, however, saying the policy that dictates when the ice is installed in the community centres is very rigid and he would like to see it be more flexible so council doesn’t have to deal with these requests as often.

He suggested the policy should be changed so that, if enough ice time usage is guaranteed, the ice can go in at staff’s discretion.

Through discussion with council, Director of Recreation and Community Services Vicky Luttenberger explained that putting the ice pad in from Sept. 1 would cost $35,000 in electricity alone that isn’t part of the 2022 budget.

Luttenberger also said that, regardless of what council directed staff to do, early ice may not be possible. She said she would be bringing a report to council at its next meeting regarding staffing shortages, saying she didn’t have the means, with current staffing levels, to put the ice in early.

Councillor Paul Heffer said that extra expense made him wonder if the ice could go in mid-September, giving the association and other renters two extra weeks of ice time.

He suggested that staff bring back a report on what that would cost.

Councillor Chris Palmer said that hockey and figure skating are important to the community, but he agreed with Heffer that cutting the requested extension in half might be more palatable.

Seip then made a motion to change the policy, for both Wingham and Blyth, that would dictate how much utilization would be necessary to justify opening the arenas early, which council passed.

Reeve Bernie Bailey, however, said that it would all be dependent on first remedying staff shortages.

The Citizen

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Advertise your business here!

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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!

Can we help you?

Clara Blake, a member of the Brussels-based Maitland Valley Camera Club, recently snapped this shot of two birds enjoying a snack at her home. Whether they appreciated the interruption is up for debate. (Photo courtesy of Clara Blake of the Maitland Valley Camera Club)

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE Have an opinion? Send a letter to the editor to info@northhuron.on.ca

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, JULY 8, 2022.

Council approves Clinton dog park

What a milestone!

Jim and Mary Hunter of Belgrave recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends. They also went for a ride in a 1929 Packard, a car that’s just one year older than Jim. (Photo submitted)

Central Huron Council has authorized the creation of a new dog park in Clinton at the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) after months of investigation.

Council made the decision at its July 4 meeting based on a report submitted by Facilities Manager Steve Duizer who recommended the REACH location as the preferred option.

The location is in the north corner of the property’s rear riding area, which has not been utilized for riding purposes by REACH for a number of years, according to Duizer’s report. On that site, he said, a “substantial” dog park could be created, with the benefit of existing fencing on two sides, which would provide a cost savings for the municipality.

He also said that there is an area behind the existing pumping station near the site that could be converted

Obituaries

ROBERT “ROB” LLOYD KEFFER Robert “Rob” Lloyd Keffer passed away suddenly at the family farm outside of Ethel, on July 3, 2022. He was 59.

Rob was the beloved husband of Christine (Guikema) for 37 years; the loving dad of Ashley and Brad Lesperance, Mike Keffer and Jessica Zaba and Meagan Keffer and Mark Pollock and the proud Papa of Brooke, Carson, Chloe, Mya, Tyler and Baby ‘L’.

He was the brother of Linda (Tom) Stevens, Wanda (Don) Long, Dan (Brenda) Keffer, Barb (Murray) Elliott, Donna (Jack) West and Murray (Shelley) Keffer and the brother-in-law of Jackie Guikema, Marty (Lee) Guikema and Sean (Julie) Guikema, Jim Jelfs and Brian Secrett.

Rob is survived by in-laws Peter (Deane) Guikema and will be missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbours and especially missed by his buddies.

Rob was predeceased by his parents Lloyd and Alice Keffer, his brother Gary Keffer, sisters Dale Jelfs and Lorraine Secrett.

Rob was well known in his community as a generous man who always had a story. He had an amazing sense of humour and wasn’t scared to tell you what was on his mind. He loved his dogs, Baxter and Sheba, but his greatest love was for his family and friends.

He liked family trips with his kids and going to the casino with Christine. He spent time with Mike out in the bush cutting wood and everyone will always remember

chicken-killin’ Sundays.

He enjoyed going to the grocery store, always making sure he knew what was on special. He loved being outside in his vegetable garden, sharing his bounty and making his “Hun” do the canning.

Rob farmed for a large portion of his life and worked as a feed mill operator in the area. He was the life of the party, according to his friends, and lived his best life all the time.

Friends and family were invited to a visitation at Riverside Funeral Home in Brussels on Wednesday July 6. A family and friends graveside service took place the morning of July 7, followed by a celebration of Rob’s life at the Four Winds Barn in Brussels.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Grey Firefighters’ Association would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca.

JOHN ARDEN MACDONALD June 15, 1930 – July 1, 2022 John Arden MacDonald of Seaforth, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 1, 2022.

He was 92.

John was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Rowe) for 58 years and the cherished father of Carrie Debrone (Bill Driedger), Kitchener and Cameron MacDonald (Karen Catton), Nova Scotia. He was the loving Papa of Amie (Sean), Miles, and Anna (Jared) and the dear brother-in-law of Patricia “Pat” Rowe.

John was predeceased by parents

Mabel (Layton) and Orlin MacDonald, and son-in-law John Debrone.

John and Dorothy lived in West Montrose for over 30 years. John had a long-standing teaching career of over 28 years. He taught at schools in Toronto, Stratford and Waterloo. John was a talented woodworker. He designed the workshop at the former King Lear Public Sr. School (now Avon Public School) in Stratford. He was a skilled carpenter and always had a project on the go, whether it was a piece of furniture, a decorative item or completing home renovations.

In keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private graveside service will be held at Huntingford Christ Church Anglican Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, Seaforth. Donations to Skills Ontario or your local food bank would be appreciated by the family.

Condolences may be forwarded through www.haskettfh.com.

MARY (née Harman) LAMB It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Lamb of Mississauga, with her devoted husband Clifford and her daughter Juanita by her side. Mary lost her battle with Alzheimer disease and cancer on May 22, 2022. She was 83.

Mary was born to William and Irene (Warwick) Harman in Wingham and she was raised on the Third Concession of Morris Township. Mary is also survived by her sister, Joyce Harman, and her

in-laws Sonya Pollitt and Tessa and Martin Fee. She was a loving mother-in-law of Iris Lamb and doted on her grandchildren Arwen, Arya and Théoden. Mary was predeceased by her son, Bradley Lamb. Mary is fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, cousins, the Dixie Presbyterian Church community and friends.

Mary was a gifted musician, a talented seamstress, a highly versatile craftswoman, a skilled baker and master cake decorator.

Over the years, many have benefited from her kindness and generosity in sharing these gifts.

Everything she did was typically accompanied by a warm smile. She loved to laugh and her husband Cliff obliged by keeping the jokes coming for the 56 years they were together.

While Mary settled and made her life in the city, she often spoke of being a country girl at heart. She remained connected to her family and friends in the Brussels area, or “up home”, as she called it.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Mary’s life will take place at Dixie Presbyterian Church, 3065 Cawthra Road on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship. All are welcome to attend.

For those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy, the family requests that donations be made to the Dixie Presbyterian Church Foundation project.

Online donations can be made by e-transfer (dixiepc@bellnet.ca) or through Canada Helps (www.canadahelps.org).

into a parking area.

“There would be some drain work needed to reroute an open ditch handling overflow from one retention pond to another, and discussions with the roads manager happened regarding options and we could achieve this internally,” Duizer said in his report.

One concern raised, Duizer said, is the proximity of the site to horses during large events at REACH, such as barrel racing competitions, and he said that screening could be installed on the fence facing REACH to address those concerns.

He added that the Clinton Kinsmen have donated $20,000 to the project, which should cover expenses pertaining to fencing and fixtures, such as benches and waste receptacles.

Other locations that were considered, but eventually dropped in favour of the REACH location, included Hawkins Park, the Kinsmen and Kinettes Park, Sloman’s Park and a location at the end of Erie Street South.

Council approved Duizer’s recommendation.

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

Owned and operated by Mac and Donna Anderson Assisted by Mandy

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

STRATFORD MEMORIALS Creating Memories in Stone for Over 95 years

Call or email to make an appointment.

Masks are preferred for meetings.

519-524-8457 email: mfalconer@stratfordmemorials.com

Goderich/Clinton Michael Falconer Memorial Counsellor www.stratfordmemorials.com

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 $7.00.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

The challenge of nurturing a church in the first days

By Rev. JoAnn Todd Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth St. John’s Anglican, Brussels We’ve been reading through some of the stories in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, commonly just called ‘Acts’. Written by the same author as the gospel of Luke, it’s sometimes called Luke’s second book, and it’s kind of a neat book, especially if you’re into history.

Luke records the stories of how the Christian movement began and spread; the challenges, trials and tribulations of the people of “The Way”, as they were first called, how they developed this new movement based on the teachings of one Jesus of Nazareth, whom they believed to be the promised Messiah, and formed the church.

It’s worth taking the time to read it through completely, beginning to end. In Chapter 11, you can read that it was in the city of Antioch (today called Antakya, in southern Turkey) that this new grouping of people was called Christians. I rather like that earlier phrase, though, the people of “The Way”.

It’s more descriptive – that to be a follower of the way of Jesus indicated something was different, it meant a change in lifestyle, consciously choosing a different way than the rest of society. And what happens when people behave differently than the mainstream?

They’re often persecuted for their differences, their beliefs. You think it’s hard keeping a church up and going now? Well, in the first days it was really tough!

We also read stories of the disciples healing people and performing other miracles and wonders, how they share their faith and knowledge with others, of Peter’s and then Paul’s journeys of faith. They were fulfilling the great commission, as Jesus had told them to: preaching and teaching about the Son of God, risen from the dead, baptizing and bringing more and more people into this new way of living. And that, of course, annoys the elders, officers and officials of the Temples – it doesn’t go over any better after Jesus’ death than it did when he was alive. And so we read also about the persecutions of these followers of Jesus, and the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. We also read about the activities of a Pharisee named Saul, who was known to condone, encourage and participate in the persecutions of those “who belonged to the Way, men or women “ (Acts 9: 1). The fact that the religious officials felt it

necessary to imprison the women of the movement too is indicative of the importance of women to the early church.

Saul, the persecutor of Christians, becomes integral to the Christian Church. He undergoes a dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Saul is blinded by an intense light and he and his companions hear a voice. Saul seems to be aware that he is having a theophany – a personal experience of God – but, wanting to be sure, he asks, “Who are you Lord?” And the voice says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

And Saul is told to get up and continue to the city and wait there until he is told what to do. This story of Saul’s conversion experience is so important, so critical to the early church’s movement, that Luke tells it twice more in Acts (Chapters 22 and 26) and Paul himself tells the story in Galatians and alludes to it in 1st Corinthians. And it really is quite amazing. Saul goes from one who “breathes threats and murder

against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) to “proclaim(ing) Jesus in the synagogues, saying ‘He is the Son of God.’” (9:20) Saul does a total faith turnaround. He goes from persecutor to proclaimer almost immediately.

Saul’s healing from his blindness requires the assistance of one Ananias. He was one of the followers of this group that followed the ways of Jesus of Nazareth. The Lord speaks to Ananias and tells him to go to Saul of Tarsus and lay hands on him so he can regain his sight. Well, I’m sure Ananias’ first thought was, “You want me to do what Lord?”

But, taking the more tactful route, and wanting to be sure that Jesus really knows what he’s asking of him, Ananias essentially says to Jesus, “You do know who this Saul guy is don’t you? This is the same Saul of Tarsus who is locking our people up, on the authority of the chief priests.” And the Lord replies, “Yes, I know, it is my intention to use Saul to bring others to come to know me and believe in me.”

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

The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope www.regionalministryofhope.com 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH 9:00 AM

BRUSSELS 12 NOON

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

Come Worship with Us!

BRUSSELS

United Church WELCOME to WORSHIP Sunday, July 10 9:30 a.m.

Service available later online July is our summer break, no Sunday services Pastoral care needs 519-887-6259 Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

All are Welcome! Service at 11:00 am July 10th, 17th and 24th

Evangelical Missionary Church

519-357-5273

All are welcome to join with us in joyful worship to the Lord!

Blyth United Church Blyth United Church is on vacation for the month of July.

Services to resume August 7th at 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Sunday School available during worship

In-person and online! live.huronchapel.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

sure I’m strong enough to handle something as hard as what Saul’s/Paul’s calling brought him to.

And Ananias being told to go and lay hands on Saul? He knew Saul as the one responsible for jailing and condoning the killing of the members of the new Jesus movement, and that he felt like he was putting himself at great personal risk to do what Jesus asked. Can you put yourself in Ananias’ shoes for a moment? How do you think you would have Continued on page 19

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship SUMMER MESSAGE SERIES

Come Worship With Us Sundays at 10:00 am All Are Welcome (Masks are optional)

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

The Regional Ministry of Hope

In August please join the Brussels United Church for worship ~ Melville will be closed.

Sunday, July 10, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Ernest Dow, “Jeremiah’s Call and Confidence” (Jer.1:4-19)

Cool story, but the challenge with some of these old Bible stories is figuring out how they make sense for us in our world today. Can you identify with either of the characters of this story? I don’t know about you, but I have never had an experience of God, as Father, Son or Holy Spirit like either one of these gents. I’ve never really had a conversation with God quite as descriptive as Ananias’ or an experience of God’s presence as incredibly intense as Saul’s Damascus road event. And I think that’s maybe just as well. I’m not

"When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the LORD endure forever..."

(Psalm 104:30-31) Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

Sunday, July 10 at 10 a.m.

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

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

Join us for our 10:00 am and 7:30 pm services Services are live-streamed and can be found by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

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

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR CHURCHES HAVE RE-OPENED. WELCOME BACK. Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m.

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

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

1025 Wallace Avenue N. Facebook: Search for St. Joseph/Sacred Heart/St. Ambrose Live Sunday Mass, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Meet the Bradwins Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster Lured by an advertisement placed by the Canada Company, William and Ann (Gurney) Bradwin left their home in Buckinghamshire, England in 1849 with their eight children, 88 English pounds and six boxes of worldly possessions.

Unfortunately, before reaching Upper Canada, William died in Syracuse, New York, leaving Ann and their children to carry on to Paris in Brant County. It was there that two of the elder sons, Edmund and Joseph, learned the pottery trade to help support their mother and siblings.

Both of the Bradwin brothers eventually went to the Mount Forest area, choosing a site in Normanby Township with suitable clay with which to ply their trade.

The manufacture of crocks, jugs, mugs and bowls was essential to the households of that era.

In 1879, Joseph moved to Wingham and set up his pottery business at a location near the intersection of Josephine and Scott Streets, a site chosen for the clay found in the river bank adjacent to his home. After manufacturing pottery for several years, in 1888, Joseph sold his business to Ignatz Bitschy, a Mildmay potter. Joseph then switched careers and became the electrician for the newlyestablished Wingham Electric Light Company.

It was at this time that the

Bradwin family moved to Shuter Street. Joseph held the position of electrician for 25 years up until two weeks before his passing in May of 1915.

Joseph and Bridget Ann Burke had been married in Paris in 1865.

Their family of eight children was born in Lynden, Brant County, Wellington County and in Wingham.

A. E. Bradwin, the eldest son, was born in 1866. He was the editor and publisher of the Blyth Standard from 1894 until 1906. He was very active in the Blyth community as the secretary of the fall fair, a village councillor, an overseer of the Ancient Order of United Workmen Lodge 145 as well as being a steamship agent. A. E. edited several other newspapers, such as the Parry Sound North Star and the Goderich Signal. When A. E. left Blyth, he explained that his general printing and publishing house in Toronto required more of his attention. He also assumed the assistant editorship of the Toronto publication, Saturday Night. In addition, he held the post of secretary of the Canadian Press Association. A.E. passed away in Toronto in 1946, leaving to mourn his wife, Selena Emigh, and eight children.

Francis William Bradwin was born in 1869. He married Maude Eastman and they lived in Toronto,

where Frank was a buyer for a dry goods store. He passed away in 1945.

There was a daughter was born to Joseph and Ann Bradwin in 1871.

Her name was Annie Louisa Alberta Bradwin. Although she is listed in the 1871 census, no other record of her has been found and it is assumed that she died while still a young girl.

Charles Henry Bradwin was the next child, born in 1872. He lived in Harriston with his wife, Charlotte McNally, and a daughter. While working as a commercial travelling salesman, he died suddenly in Vancouver of heart failure in December of 1900.

Joseph Perry Bradwin, who went by his second name, was born in 1874. He was working as a clerk for the T. E. Mara Company in London, Ontario when he succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 32.

Edmund William Bradwin, born 1877, began his career by teaching at the Alps School in Culross Township, Bruce County. He undertook to get a university education in intervals, while also working. In 1904, he began working and teaching in bush camps for an institution called Frontier College. Once called Reading Camp Association, Frontier College was a program that placed young men in lumber and mining camps to work by day and

to instruct fellow workers by night.

Edmund spent two years as a local instructor then nine as a supervisor locating and supporting other instructors in northern Ontario and Quebec. And while doing the same manual labour as his students, he managed to study extramurally at Queen’s University obtaining a Master’s Degree. His PhD thesis formed the basis of his book The Bunkhouse Man, which was a study of work and pay in the camps of Canada 1903-1914.

He was 44 when he married Minnie Fessant of Teeswater. She was an excellent helpmate in his career, serving in many charitable and social capacities. Edmund was the principal of Frontier College for 50 years. Roy McMurtry, a prominent Ontario politician, who was once a worker/teacher with Frontier College, noted that Principal Bradwin had said “all we can offer you is hard work, low pay, bad food, black flies and a chance to help your fellowman”.

Frontier College relied heavily on university students, especially those in the pre-med program to serve in the work camps. One such medical student was named Benjamin Spock. Yes, that Benjamin Spock.

Fred J. Bradwin (1878-1910) was a fireman in Kamloops, British Columbia. He was well liked, proficient at his work and chose to live in the fire hall. At Christmas of 1910, he was in the fire hall when a call came in. As he was sliding down the fire pole, he lost his footing and fell to the floor below, dying a few minutes later.

Ernest Lorne Bradwin, the

youngest of the family, was born in 1880 and also went by his second name. His wife was Madge Tolin of Saskatoon.

He worked in department stores in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Spokane, Washington, where he passed away in 1953.

Like some other families in the history of our area, the Bradwins came and stayed for a while, working, going to school and participating in community life, before going on their way to continue their story elsewhere.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022. PAGE 19.

ACW chooses local supplier for mower

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Helping out The Inspiring our Future campaign, which is raising funds for the renovations at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, is off to a good start with two recent $25,000 donations. Above, Joe and Debbie Seili present a $25,000 to Fundraising Deputy-Chair John van Vliet. Below, van Vliet receives a cheque from Jacquie Waechter, left, and Andrew Weishar of Huron Feeding Systems. (Photos submitted)

Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township Council decided to go with a local vendor when it came in slightly over the lowest bid for the purchase of a new disc mower.

The lowest tender for the mower, a Kuhn GMD 240 Rear Mount Disc Mower, came in at $15,450 from Equipment Ontario of Mildmay.

The same mower came in $50 higher from McGavin Farm Equipment of Walton, both under the budgeted amount of $17,000 according to Public Works Superintendent Thomas McCarthy.

McCarthy, based on selecting the lowest tendered price, recommended that council purchase from Equipment Ontario and declare the municipality’s old Kuhn mower surplus to be put up for sale.

Councillor Bill Vanstone said he appreciated McCarthy’s work, but he would prefer to go with the McGavin Farm Equipment tender.

“It was $50 more, but we have a McGavin in this municipality,” he said. “I’d like to see us stick with the community.”

Councillor Wayne Forster said that, if it was a matter of being local, there was a salesperson for Ontario Equipment who lives in nearby Lucknow.

McCarthy said he was happy with either choice, saying the first service call to Mildmay would likely account for the $50 difference. He went on to say that, since the purchase had budget

approval, he didn’t necessarily need to bring this issue to council, but did need council’s permission to post the old mower as surplus.

Vanstone said he knows that going with the higher bid would go against the municipality’s regular practice, but having someone local who works in this area would be a benefit.

Councillor Jennifer Miltenburg, who participated in the meeting virtually, said she didn’t want to argue over $50, but pointed out McGavin Farm Equipment was now part of a bigger organization after amalgamating with Robert’s Farm Equipment.

“They’re all just different conglomerates,” she said. “None of them are independent.”

Deputy-Mayor Roger Watt asked if there was any wording in the municipality’s policies that would allow them to not go with any price other than the recommended lowest quote. McCarthy explained that, since this wasn’t an official tender process, council could take any price they like. He repeated that the main reason this came to council at all was to declare the older mower surplus.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker added that, in any documents the municipality sends out, it specifically says the lowest quote will not always be the one chosen. He also said that staff buys many parts at McGavins, so $50 is likely not “a big deal.”

Council decided to go with McGavins and declare the old mower surplus.

Happy 50th Anniversary!

How to respond to God Continued from page 17 responded to that request?

How do we respond to God’s call to do something that we’re really not sure we want to do, something that makes us quite uncomfortable, or something that feels even potentially threatening?

Well, as it turns out, the answer to that is also in our story for today.

What did Ananias do? He questioned Jesus, he wanted to be sure that he heard right, wanted to confirm what it was that Jesus wanted him to do. And Jesus doesn’t berate him, or scold him for questioning his calling. Jesus says, it’s alright, go, I’m going to use this Saul fellow to do my work, and I need you to be my hands and feet – literally in this case – Ananias had to go to Saul and lay hands on him.

Ananias brought to Jesus his fears, his concerns and worries and Jesus reassured him, told him that what he thought he heard Jesus asking him to do was really true and Ananias got the reassurance he needed to do what Jesus asked of him; and look what came of that!

Ananias was instrumental in Saul’s conversion, in Saul’s calling, in changing the church forever; in Saul becoming Paul, you could say!

I’m sure Ananias had no idea what the impact of his laying hands on Saul would have. It’s easy for us to see that now in retrospect. And for Paul, we can read in his letters that through all of his many, many challenges he wasn’t always sure of his road. He made missteps, but Jesus was with him every step of the way, and it was with

and through the strength of Jesus’ presence that he did what he did.

God knows, we’re not all Sauls or Ananiases. Yet Jesus calls us all to be a part of the bringing about of God’s kingdom. And yes, that’s sometimes intimidating and even scary and we’re unsure about what we’re doing or even why. Like Ananias, we’re called to take a chance, to take the plunge sometimes, to push the envelope and come out of our comfort zones.

And like Ananias did, there’s nothing wrong with saying to Jesus, “You want me, you want us, to do what, Lord?” And then, it’s by taking that leap of faith, by stepping out into the unknown, by answering the call to be people of the ways of Jesus, that we’re doing God’s work.

Walking an unknown road is uncomfortable and it challenges us, and we can feel vulnerable and unprepared. But like Ananias discovered, and Paul later tells the Corinthian Church (2Cor 12.10), when we’re at our weakest, we’re at our strongest. Now, how does that make sense? There’s another paradox of our faith. Because, when we step out in faith, we’re not walking alone, Jesus is with us, we’re walking with God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, when we’re at our weakest, our “scaredest”, that’s when we rely on God, and so we’re really at our strongest. And when we do God’s will, full of Christ’s Spirit, well, you’re never sure just where that will lead.

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022.

Bailey urges residents to ask neighbours for funding

By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Reeve Bernie Bailey feels that North Huron’s tax woes are caused by the municipality giving away too many amenities to neighbours without compensation.

Bailey, in the midst of a discussion about expanding ice time at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex during council’s Monday night meeting, said that Morris-Turnberry has left North Huron with significant recreation expenses over the past several years due to MorrisTurnberry Council not contributing to facilities its ratepayers use.

Councillor Chris Palmer, however, did point out that Morris-Turnberry Council had made a contribution earlier that year which Clerk Carson Lamb said was over $100,000.

“When it comes to recreation, we’re surrounded by MorrisTurnberry,” Bailey said.

“They’re supposed to help with facilities we own, for the upkeep and cost.”

Bailey said that, over the current session of municipal council, Morris-Turnberry has cost the municipality $100,000 with reduced payments.

“At one time, we could count on $90,000 to $97,000 to help support the facilities,” he said. “We lost $100,000 over the last three to four years because of squabbling.”

Bailey said Morris-Turnberry has a similar population to North Huron and North Huron provides far more services.

“North Huron can’t afford to supply everything to everyone,” he said, urging people to go to North Huron’s neighbouring municipalities and ask for support for projects like expanded ice time at arenas. “They will not pay for water, they will not pay for sewer.”

He said he understood the desire to not pay, saying North Huron would love to pay nothing for the facilities its residents use, but that isn’t realistic.

He then said that the facilities were built prior to amalgamation by municipalities working together, but it now falls to the host

HC Council opts for Exeter roundabout

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council is moving ahead with intersection improvements just west of Exeter at County Road 83 and Airport Line, favouring the recommended option of a roundabout.

Council discussed the situation at its June 22 meeting. It dates back to 2020 when council opted to further investigate a pair of troublesome intersections in the county, the aforementioned Exeter-area intersection and the intersection of County Roads 4 and 25 in the south end of Blyth.

“Through public consultation, it was determined that 89 per cent of respondents support intersection improvements of some kind. Of those that supported improvements at Airport Line and County Road 83, 65 per cent supported the installation of a roundabout,” said Manager of Public Works Cameron Harper in his report. “The Huron County Public Works Department agrees with B.M. Ross that installing a roundabout at this intersection is the safest option and significantly reduces the possibility of high-speed accidents. The installation of a roundabout also reduces the amount of time idling at a traffic signal, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and maintains traffic flow in all four legs of the intersection. B.M. Ross confirmed that traffic signals and a roundabout would both require land acquisition if these were to move forward.”

As part of the preferred alternative and the associated detailed design process, Harper said the posted speed limits approaching the intersection would also be reviewed.

A single-lane roundabout, which is what is being considered for the intersection, is estimated to cost $2,541,000 by B.M. Ross, much more expensive than the $1,656,000 estimated cost for traffic signals. The estimated costs include detailed design (including estimated consulting fees), construction costs and a contingency allowance.

“In summary, the Huron County Public Works Department agrees with B.M. Ross that a roundabout is the preferred alternative at this intersection based on the social, technical, environmental and economic impacts,” Harper said in his report.

Councillors did voice some concerns about the ability of a onelane roundabout to accommodate large farm equipment, a discussion that also arose during the Blyth intersection conversation.

However, the potential solution would be to make the curb mountable, if necessary.

Some councillors were also concerned, as they were when they discussed the Blyth intersection, about taking such an expensive step at an intersection where the majority of the incidents are a result of driver error, rather than a defect within the intersection itself.

The report’s recommendation only asked that council accept the report. However, based on the recommendation within the report, council is moving forward with a roundabout at the intersection with more formal steps coming in the near future.

municipalities to keep them operational.

“Never ask me why North Huron has high taxes,” he said. “It’s not because we have three arenas, it’s because we pay the bills for three arenas.”

He said council isn’t against hockey, swimming or children, but against giving away amenities that cost taxpayers significant amounts of money.

“There is a fine line between being a friend and a sucker and we

Remembering The dedication service of Brandon Cemetery, just north of Belgrave, was held on Sunday. Jim Hess was on hand to officiate the service, while Linda Hess provided the music for the joyous event. (John Stephenson photo)

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