The Citizen - June 2, 2023

4 • Editorials 10 • Barn Dance 13 • Agriculture 16 • Anniversary

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source

$1.50 GST included

Volume 39 No. 22

Friday, June 2, 2023

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

Barn Dance welcomes hundreds for last waltz

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Signing off Legendary emcee and current Voice of the Barn Dance Jim Swan, seen above last Saturday night with members of the Barn Dance Band, has been synonymous with the Barn Dance Campout and Jamboree in Blyth for decades. He returned over the weekend to take on those duties for one last time in

Blyth, though the Barn Dance travelling shows are slated to continue elsewhere. The weekend was full of musical memories for young and old alike, from the Friday session to Saturday’s big show to Sunday’s Gospel show and official farewell to its home for 25 years, as well as a thank-you to the dedicated team of volunteers. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Last week was a historic one in Blyth, as old-time country music fans came from all over Ontario to celebrate the 25th and final Barn Dance Jamboree/Campout Weekend.

For over two decades, the Barn Dance Historical Society has put on the Jamboree/Campout as a way of carrying on the legacy of CKNX Barn Dance - a groundbreaking radio program from Wingham that started out as an experiment in broadcasting and grew into a bona fide cultural phenomena. Barn Dance started in Wingham in 1937, when local radio station CKNX, (known as “Ontario’s Farm Station”), began playing live country music on Saturday nights.

It wasn’t long before locals took notice, and the streets of Wingham were lined with fans hoping to catch the live bands as they simultaneously broadcast over the radio.

The event then spread across Southern Ontario until coming to an end in 1963. Live shows were put on in places like Clinton, Kincardine, Lucknow and Bayfield, using on-site long-distance telephone lines to transmit the concerts back to the CKNX station, where they were broadcast to a wider audience. It became known as Canada’s Largest Travelling Barn Dance, and, at the height of its popularity, shows were being attended by thousands of fans.

Barn Dance was an incubator for world-class country musicians, including Earl Heywood, Canada’s Number One Singing Cowboy. It showcased talents from far and wide for decades - from country Continued on page 9

Province reverses course on farm lot severances

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen According to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the provincial government has backed away from a controversial planning proposal that would have allowed up to three residential severances per agricultural lot, a move decried by Ontario’s farm organizations as “catastrophic”.

Allison Jones, reporting for The Canadian Press, said that the OFA has received a letter from Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark stating that, after Premier Doug Ford met with farmers late last week after receiving strong opposition to the proposal, the government has opted not to go ahead.

“We understand that farming is often a multi-generational family enterprise, and our government has

been asked by many farmers to offer practical support to them and their families by making it easier for the next generation to live and work in the same place where they grew up,” Clark is quoted in The Canadian Press story as writing in his letter to the OFA, adding that the government originally thought the proposal would help farm families. “At the same time, we have clearly heard the concerns that have been raised about the need to preserve Ontario’s farmland - and we share that goal. We want to continue working with the agricultural sector to look at alternatives that would assist farm families in succession planning, but do not involve additional severances.”

Locally, the Huron County Planning and Development Department had sounded alarm bells several weeks ago, making

extensive presentations on the proposal to Huron County Council and many of its lower-tier municipal councils as well.

Furthermore, Dr. Wayne Caldwell, a Huron County native who is perhaps the province’s foremost expert on rural planning, said he had been making presentations to and

having discussions with anyone he could to help spread the word of the potential dangers of the provincial government’s proposal.

The OFA has responded in the form of its weekly commentary, which can be read in its entirety on page 13.

In a joint statement signed by Ontario’s farm leaders - Peggy

Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture; Max Hansgen, President, National Farmers Union - Ontario; Ed Scharringa, President, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario; William Bearss, Chair, Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission; Jack Chaffe, Continued on page 2

Union fears Wescast closure

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen News of a prolonged shutdown at Wescast Industries in Wingham has approximately 250 employees concerned for their future, as the company’s owners have been pleading the fifth with employees, Unifor, local media and even municipal politicians.

“Last week, Wescast Industries communicated to Unifor its intention to close the Wingham foundry while continuing to source castings directly from sister operations in China. Approximately 250 Unifor Local 4207 members currently work at the foundry,” reads a statement from Unifor. “The union maintains that overseas sourcing of the castings violates

program commitment guarantees in the collective agreement and is the subject of a prior grievance filed by the union earlier this year.”

Since the company was purchased by Sichuan Bohong Co. Limited in 2013, according to the union’s statement, Unifor has “repeatedly expressed concerns to management regarding the Continued on page 3

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Severance decision a ‘positive step’ claims Caldwell

Cast out, reel in The Wingham Sportsmen’s Club hosted its annual fishing derby on Tuesday, bringing local Community Living residents to the club for a chance to catch some trout and enjoy the lovely location on a beautiful day. The event has been running for nearly 50 years, according to organizers, who say it’s one of the most-anticipated days on the club’s calendar. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

Clinton 150th coming in ’25

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Central Huron Council is hoping to get involved and initiate a celebration in 2025 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the Town of Clinton.

Council discussed the issue at its May 23 meeting after receiving some correspondence about the upcoming anniversary and worked on a number of ways the municipality could proceed.

Staff recommended that, if

council wanted to proceed as the organizers of a homecoming event, a committee of council could be created, consisting of three council members and one or two members of the public. However, Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith suggested perhaps taking a more grassroots approach, similar to what went ahead for Canada’s 150th celebration in 2017. She said the municipality could have a seat at the table, but not necessarily be the organizing body and that citizen volunteers and service groups could

What a catch!

Kelsey Rathwell of Brussels was among those who cast their lines into the pond as part of the Wingham Sportsmen’s Club’s annual fishing derby for local Community Living residents. This was the first fish of the day that she caught, no doubt with more to come.

(Shawn Loughlin photo)

take the lead in organizing the event and recruiting volunteers.

Councillors said they definitely wanted to see an event go ahead, but agreed with Smith’s proposed approach. While nothing has been formalized yet, council directed staff to reach out to the Clinton Kinsmen and other service groups to gauge interest and to report back with the potential next steps. *** Council approved going ahead with an National AccessAbility Week event on May 30 in Clinton at the recommendation of Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith.

She requested permission and council’s support at its May 23 meeting to move ahead with the event. She hoped to host a small reception for the event that would highlight the municipality’s recent honours in terms of making Central Huron more accessible and help foster a feeling that everyone is welcome in Central Huron, regardless of any disability or mobility challenge.

Council had little to say about the recommendation, approving it and choosing May 30 as the date for the event. *** Central Huron Council will continue to support the Remembrance Day banner program it instituted a number of years ago.

While the municipality wasn’t the first to honour veterans on main street banners, it was the first in the region, leading to many others following suit in the lead-up to Remembrance Day. Council decided at its May 23 meeting to continue to install all 60 of the municipality’s Remembrance Day banners each year, covering the cost of installation beyond what is covered in the purchase price by families. Furthermore, council also planned for the future, passing a motion that stated that families will continue to pay the cost of $300 per banner, which covers one-and-ahalf years of installation, with the municipality covering the costs afterwards.

This comes after a number of suggestions were floated, including a costly digital sign or a cost increase for the traditional, physical banners.

Continued from page 1 President, Beef Farmers of Ontario; John DeBruyn, Chair, Ontario Pork; Scott Helps, Chair, Egg Farmers of Ontario; John Hemsted, Chair, Ontario Sheep Farmers; Phil Kroesbergen, Veal Farmers of Ontario; Murray Opsteen, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario; Bernard Pope, Chair, and Martin Straathof, Executive Director, Ontario Farmland Trust; Brian Ricker, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Ontario; Murray Sherk, Chair, Dairy Farmers of Ontario; Albert Witteveen, Chair, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance applauded the government’s decision to listen to the farm leaders of the province.

“The leadership of Ontario’s agricultural organizations named below are pleased to find common ground with the Ontario government in respect to protecting farmland under the proposed Provincial Planning Statement, with thanks to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, for their willingness to meet with farmers on this issue, better understand our position and work together to find a resolution on this matter,” the statement reads. “We understand and support - the need to increase the housing supply in Ontario, but we also want to ensure that housing is developed without encroaching on Ontario’s farmland, which is our most precious natural resource.

“It is extremely encouraging that the government is committed to continuing to work with Ontario’s farming community to find solutions. This commitment will ensure the protection of farmland and allow Ontario’s farmers to continue to feed the villages, towns and cities of the province. In addition, local farm leaders across the province look forward to engaging in the extended

consultations with respect to the proposed Provincial Planning Statement.

“Since 2018, the Premier and his team have been strong advocates for the agricultural sector and had the backs of Ontario farmers. We look forward to continuing to work with this government to ensure Ontarians have a sustainable supply of fresh, healthy and local food on their dinner tables both now, and in the future.”

Reached for comment on Wednesday morning by The Citizen, Caldwell said that, while there are still details to be ironed out, it appears that the right thing is being done to preserve farmland.

“It appears very encouraging. I’m sure we’ll all await the specifics but assuming the three severances are gone, that is a win for agriculture, municipalities and, I believe, the province as well. There are other aspects of the proposed Provincial Policy Statement to be reviewed, but this appears to be a positive step forward,” he said in an e-mail to The Citizen.

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

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

Blyt yth Annua nnual Us Used Boo ook Sale Trinity Anglican Church 166 Dinsley St., Blyth

June 2 & 3 Friday, June 2 ~ 4 pm to 8 pm (no early bird sales) Saturday, June 3 ~ 9 am to 6 pm

Book Intake May 31 & June 1 from 9 am to 5 pm Donate your clean, gently used books and help us preserve the past.

We regret that we cannot accept text books, encyclopedias, magazines or anything stained, dirty or torn. Please help us save the expense of dumping them!

Join us for our famous

Fill a Box box sale with Books on used books Saturday, June 2 from 3 to 6 for $10 For info contact deb@northhuron.on.ca

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

Meeting explores options for deteriorating dam snapping turtles, frogs and birds.

Many who own homes backing onto the Mill Pond consider it to be an essential part of their properties, and are uncomfortable with not knowing how their backyards would change if the pond became a river. Others feel the dam has too much historical significance to remove.

However, one doesn’t need to be a trained engineer to see that the dam is in trouble - it has the appearance of a structure that could collapse at any moment. If the dam were to fail, it is unclear what kind of damage could be wrought. While the pond is home to much wildlife, it is also detrimental to other native species, like fish that travel upstream to spawn.

Trout Unlimited offered a presentation supporting the dam’s safe removal in order to support the local fish population.

Several members of HuronKinloss Council were on hand to observe the public forum, as was Phil Beard from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). While the MVCA has previously been involved with conservation projects on either side of the dam, the dam itself falls under the authority of the Ministry

of Natural Resources, as do all dams.

The event was hosted by dam owner Morten Jakobsen, who is also the owner of Protekta, where the event was held. He invited members of the community to voice their feelings about this crumbling piece of local infrastructure.

Jakobsen may have a vested interest in seeing the dam conundrum solved, (as the property owner, he would be liable for any damage caused by a collapse, no matter how far down river) but he also hopes to come up with a solution with which the entire community can agree.

This may be a tall order, considering how many differing opinions there are on the subject.

There is also the issue of funding for any action that may be taken.

Different funding is supported by different objectives. Each idea for protecting, destroying, or modifying the dam comes with its own set of pros and cons. There is also a need to come up with a plan quickly, lest the dam collapse during the decision-making process. Hopefully the community can come together to make a decision before the decision is made by the unstoppable force that is nature.

A great bundle of sticks far too large for us to lift!

(John Newton)

Solutions needed

The Lucknow Dam, which was built in the 1800s, was the subject of a special open house on Monday night to brainstorm some solutions as the infrastructure continues to age and deteriorate. A solution that will please all involved is being sought in the wake of the meeting. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen There was an open house held in Lucknow on Monday night to discuss the fate of the town’s

historic dam, which has fallen into a state of extreme disrepair. The dam, built in the 1800s, blocks Dickie’s Creek, which created the much-loved Mill Pond. This issue is as thorny as it is urgent - it is

unknown when the ancient dam will finally collapse, but it might be soon.

The pond is home to an ecosystem that has existed there for over a century, including giant

Sometimes I compare the troubles we have to undergo in the course of a year, to a great bundle of sticks far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick, which we are able to carry today; and then another, which we are able to carry tomorrow; and so on.

This we can easily manage — if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day. But we foolishly choose to increase our trouble, by carrying yesterday’s stick over again today — and adding tomorrow’s burden before we are required to bear it.

“As your days — so shall your strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

Shutdown to impact 175 jobs Continued from page 1 company’s lack of investment in basic maintenance of the historic facility.”

Joel Sutton, the Wescast Plant Chair for Unifor Local 4207, is quoted in the statement as saying employees have been expected to fulfill that common promise of recent years in many industries of doing more with less.

“With a complete failure by management to properly invest in this facility, it’s been up to workers to keep this plant running and do more with less. Wescast has profited from this situation and wants to turn around and reward our hard work and dedication by violating our collective agreement, closing the plant, and moving our work overseas. It’s disgusting.”

In the union’s statement, Unifor noted that the current collective agreement between the union and Wescast is set to expire at the end of the year, with negotiations set to begin very soon.

“Wescast and its overseas owners are turning their backs on the foundry’s dedicated workforce and the community that has supported them for generations,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in the union’s statement. “The Wingham foundry closure announcement must serve as a wake-up call to every level of

government that Wingham auto parts workers urgently need support.”

Naureen Rizvi, Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director, said that neither Wingham, nor the industry can afford to lose this many jobs.

“Wingham can’t afford to lose hundreds of good jobs and neither can the industry,” Rizvi said in the Unifor statement. “Maintaining these jobs and the footprint of our auto parts supply chain is crucial to maintaining the skilled workforce and industrial capacity needed for the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing.”

Speaking to Wingham-based CTV News reporter Scott Miller, Sutton said the employees have not heard any specific news directly from the company.

“The local union here at Wescast was given notice that there would be a lengthy shutdown here at Wescast, sometime shortly. That’s really all we know. No exact timeline or details, as of yet,” Sutton told Miller.

Also in Miller’s piece, Sutton says that, during the shutdown, parts will be manufactured in Wescast’s Wuhan, China plant and then sent to Wingham for machining. As a result, Sutton says the union views this “temporary shutdown” as a “plant closure”.

“It seems like they’ve been on a

path to force our customers into moving all the work and jobs that happen here to China. They’ve kind of manufactured a situation that’s making it impossible for us to succeed. And, they don’t seem interested in taking on any new business, even though there’s some available to use,” Sutton, a 26-year veteran with the company, told Miller.

He told Miller that the shutdown will directly affect about 175 employees, while another 100 in the machining department will reportedly continue to operate during the shutdown. However, Sutton told Miller that he fears this could be the beginning of the end for the plant.

“This place has put a lot of money into a lot of families, in a lot of communities, for a lot of years,” he told Miller. “And I think the impact will be widespread throughout the area.”

In a story on CKNX by Adam Bell, North Huron Reeve Paul Heffer said neither he nor the township had received any official correspondence from the company either. A proper statement would be arranged when that happened, he told Bell.

Several reporters, in addition to The Citizen, have noted that calls to the company for an official comment have gone unanswered.

Entertainment & Local Events

Your Community…

Your Family…

Your Interests…

Your Home…

Your World…

It’s All a Part of Your Local Newspaper!

Family Fun Features In-Depth Local Reporting

One year subscription to

The Citizen only $5000 Add the E-edition for only $1000 more Enclosed is $50.00 for a 1-year subscription Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Postal Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Email address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Start your subscription today by phoning 519-523-4792 or online at huroncitizen.ca or mail cheque made payable to

NORTH HURON PUBLISHING INC. to: P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Editorials & Opinions

The Citizen

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

P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.huroncitizen.ca

The Citizen is published 51 times a year in Blyth, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $50.00/year ($47.62 + $2.38 G.S.T.) in Canada; $190.00/year in U.S.A. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited.

Advertising Deadlines: Tues. 2 p.m.

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 429 BLYTH ON N0M 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca

Member CCNA

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright

The sound of silence With reports of an impending closure at the Wescast plant in Wingham, workers are left hanging. The union that represents the approximately 250 workers announced on Monday that the plant would be closing by the end of the year, but the company has been silent.

Wescast has been a foundry in Wingham for more than a century, manufacturing automotive exhaust manifolds exclusively now, but has been owned by a Chinese company for a decade. The loss of the plant will be an economic blow to the region, but will be devastating for the hundreds of families who will experience upheaval and uncertainty while they try to rebuild their lives. Mass layoffs and plant closures are never easy, but a lack of information and a tendency towards secrecy will get tongues wagging and rumours flying, none of which is any help to the employees who must make major decisions on their futures.

In addition to financial support, education and retraining plans, the community needs to be aware of the mental health strain that this puts on employees, partners and families. Losing one’s job is one of the most stressful situations that anyone will find themselves in. A good-paying job with union support is not easy to replace, especially in a rural area.

The employees of Wescast deserve all the information they need as soon as possible. By neither confirming nor denying the closure claimed

by Unifor, the company is causing unnecessary stress. – DS

Meal fit for a king Ontario’s four major teachers’ unions, Food Banks Canada, the Toronto Youth Cabinet and more are calling on the Ontario government to institute a universal, free breakfast and lunch program in schools across the province as food bank usage soars. The groups have written a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce to that effect.

This bold proposal extends beyond the traditional understanding of care in the classroom, which has always been focused on keeping kids safe and teaching them effectively, preparing them for the years ahead.

This proposal will be viewed by many as a responsibility that begins and ends in the home, but there is a way to consider this as an extension of care for children. And, in the vein of listening to the experts, if the teachers’ unions are calling for this step, when they are having to scratch and claw for so much with Premier Doug Ford’s Conservative government, we owe it to them to take the proposal seriously.

The work of Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program is more like food bank relief, whereas this project would normalize food for students at schools and bring everyone to the same level on equal footing close to home. (The lead agency for the Student Nutrition Program for the region that includes Huron County, for example, is in Windsor.)

Much like a universal basic income program, which is decried by conservatives as the slippery slope to communism, some will shoot down ideas like this without considering their merits, insisting kids (and their parents) pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but hungry children will always need help and this might be the way. – SL

An erasure of culture In a bittersweet farewell, the last Barn Dance Jamboree/Campout weekend came to a close in Blyth this past weekend, marking the end of an era. With resounding success, this final installment witnessed an extraordinary gathering of approximately 200 campers, over 600 attendees at the climactic Barn Dance show on Saturday night, and a remarkable congregation of more than 400 for Sunday’s Gospel Show.

The sheer talent showcased throughout the weekend was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Guided by skilled Master of Ceremonies and Barn Dance legend Jim Swan, a parade of professional traditional country musicians, graced the stage, captivating the audience with their remarkable artistry. From start to finish, fans young and old (disproportionately represented by the latter) reveled in a splendid weekend of Huron County culture and top-notch entertainment.

Congratulations to those responsible for this unforgettable gathering: Ruth and Gord Baxter, the indefatigable organizers who poured their hearts and souls into every aspect of the event. Their unwavering dedication, coupled with the steadfast support of the Barn Dance Historical Society Board of Directors and a regrettably diminishing supply of volunteers, ensured the success of this momentous occasion.

The final Barn Dance Jamboree/Campout not only provided an exceptional platform for showcasing extraordinary talent, but also served as a poignant reminder of the rich cultural heritage ingrained in Huron County. It fostered a sense of community and appreciation for the arts, while celebrating the unique accomplishments of the original CKNX Barn Dance broadcasters, whose impact cannot be overstated.

While the final notes of the Barn Dance Jamboree/Campout have faded, the echoes of its legacy are in danger of being lost. The closure of the Barn Dance Museum represents a void in Huron County’s collective memory and is an irreplaceable loss for future generations. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years June 2, 1966 The Grand Warden, B. Hunter from Exeter, graced the Thursday night meeting of Western Star IOOF Lodge in Brussels. Hunter presided over the special ceremony, awarding a 40-year Jewel to Moe Wineberg from Toronto andBlyth, formerly of Brussels, and a 25-year Jewel to Frank Bainton of Blyth.

Several members of the Brussels Lions Club traveled to London to participate in the Ontario-Quebec Convention. The Brussels Club proudly showcased a float during the grand Sunday parade. Leading their entry was a convertible carrying the club's Queen, Miss Susan McDonald, accompanied by six attendants who were daughters of Lions: Misses Vonne and Pauline McCutcheon, Nancy Pearson, Ann Krauter, Donna Workman and Karen Mutter. The Brussels entry also featured two mounted riders, the Brussels Legion Pipe Band, and a group of 12 marching Lions.

Morning Star Rebekah Lodge had a delightful evening on Tuesday, May 24, as they organized a special Friendship Night. Lodges from Wingham, Teeswater, Palmerston, Atwood, Listowel, Monkton, Seaforth, Exeter, Hanover, Clinton and Goderich were warmly welcomed. Following the regular meeting, Aileen Mutter captivated the attendees with a couple of engaging readings, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. A lively game of Lollypop Bingo added to the excitement, and Winnifred Edgar emerged as the lucky winner of the draw. A delicious lunch was served, and everyone expressed their satisfaction, affirming that they had a wonderful time at the event.

June 2, 1976 The highly anticipated 1976

Blyth Summer Festival was just a month away, but the town was already struggling to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Staff of the theatre festival had started arriving, but securing suitable accommodations was a major challenge, with over 20 individuals involved in the production of four plays at Memorial Hall. Given the scarcity of hotel and motel options, the Festival and the Board of Trade began collaborating to establish a system for locating available space in private homes. A form was included in The Blyth Standard for those interested in offering their homes as accommodations.

After the resounding success of the recent production of Barefoot in the Park, the Blyth Little Theatre began gearing up for an exciting new season. A meeting was to be held on Thursday, June 10 in the small meeting room of Blyth Memorial Hall for those interested in participating in upcoming productions for the following year. The theatre was actively seeking new members to join its ranks, as it aimed to plan a more ambitious and largerscale season for the following year.

The Swinging Seniors convened at Blyth Memorial Hall on May 26 at 8 p.m., with a strong turnout of 35 members. Mrs. Watt skillfully led a sing-along session, playing old favorites on the piano. The primary focus of the gathering was to discuss plans for Senior Citizens’ Week. The remainder of the evening was filled with friendly games of euchre, Scrabble and shuffleboard. To the delight of everyone, the Social Committee provided a delicious lunch during the gathering.

June 3, 1998 The Brussels U7 soccer squad delivered a resounding victory against Listowel IV on their home turf on May 26. In the commanding 14-1 win, Taylor Prior, Jonas Schwarz and Joel Wilkinson all displayed their scoring prowess by securing hat-tricks. Contributing to the team’s success, Ben Gowing found the net twice, while Evan Ducharme, Ryan Smith and Cody Subject each added a single goal to the tally. Goalkeeping responsibilities were shared among Justin Pipe, Sean Slater and Subject, who all registered commendable performances.

New playground equipment was successfully installed at East Wawanosh Public School. To celebrate this achievement, a special ceremony was scheduled to be held at the school on Thursday, June 11.

July 28, 2011 In the spirit of Easter Seals’ Snowarama, Hullett Central Public School organized a friendly competition among its classes to gather the highest number of pennies for the fundraising initiative. The triumphant winner of this endeavour was the Kindergarten class, which amassed an impressive collection of 31,008 pennies, equivalent to $310.08. The event, overseen by local organizer Adrian Salverda, managed to raise a remarkable total of $14,000.

Notably, all the funds raised remained within the local community.

Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels marked a significant milestone of 20 years with an outdoor meal, songs, celebrations and the company of residents, employees and friends.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 5.

Other Views Saved by a bit of last-minute sanity!

T

he huge urgency over the plans of the provincial government to reshape rural Ontario changed suddenly, Tuesday afternoon, forcing me to quickly rewrite this week’s column before deadline.

The change came in the decision, announced

by Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to withdraw a bill, scheduled to close for public comment on Monday, that would have allowed three houses per 100 acres of farmland.

Clark comes from the rural riding of Leeds Grenville - Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, so he should have understood rural Ontario and known that this proposed legislation would have so ruthlessly altered the rural landscape. In my original column, I also blamed our local Huron-Bruce MPP, Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, for supporting such a disruptive bill, since she had kept quiet, but now I’m wondering I’m wondering if she has been working behind the scenes to change the government’s mind. At least I’m hoping she was, since her mother was clerk-treasurer of East Wawanosh Township when Lisa was growing up on the family farm near Belgrave.

Rural experience wasn’t big in the background of Premier Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative Premier of Ontario who proposed the legislation, who, in fact, tried to sneak it through the legislature when farmers are concentrating on getting their crops planted. Many were totally unaware of the proposal to allow farmers to sell three properties per 100-acre farm - potentially up to 24,900 residential lots in Huron County alone, according to the county’s planning staff. Each of those lots must have access to water and sewer services, so most will need a minimum

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk of one acre in size, meaning nearly 25,000 acres of Huron County’s valuable farmland could be lost.

But the loss is bigger. Urbanites aren’t often aware that a new livestock barn must be located at a distance from a residence, the distance determined by the number of hogs, cattle, chickens or sheep the barn holds. More homes means more problems locating barns.

Huron County is one of the largest producers of all these livestock commodities in Ontario.

But, I can hear some readers saying, Roulston lives in the country and he is not a farmer so who is he to talk? Point taken. For nearly a half-century my family has lived in an old farmhouse, 1,000 feet from the road, that probably would have been allowed to fall down otherwise when the farm was sold to a neighbour who simply grew crops on the land.

As someone who grew up on a farm, I wasn’t overly bothered recently when the cashcropping farmer who now rents the land had a neighbour spread chicken manure on the field.

We also have beef, dairy and hog barns within smelling distance, especially when it’s time to clean out the manure and spread it on fields.

It’s part of nature, which, as an aged farm boy, I understand. I doubt you can add 25,000 nonfarmers to the countryside who have the same understanding.

On our concession, we have a house on every

farm property, many the original home, considering this was the original McGowan settlement, established by members of the same Scottish family. Adding a few dozen homes, many owned by people with no experience with farming, will put extra money in the pockets of farmers who choose to sell the lots, but add immensely to the problems of farming.

For Doug Ford, living in the Toronto area, the foremost problem is finding space to settle the half-million new immigrants a year being allowed into Canada by the federal Liberal government. Looking at the bulging shelves at urban food markets, it’s easy to see why he has no concern about how millions of the new Ontario residents will eat. But we continue to lose 319 acres of farmland every day, to urban growth in Ontario. That’s before we stood to lose potentially 510,000 acres to urban development on farms if this legislation went ahead. Meanwhile, other food-growing areas of the earth’s surface are also being lost by politicians who see only the importance of providing homes, not eating.

More than a dozen farm organizations spoke out to help stop the proposal. Premier Ford could only see things in current Toronto terms and, to him, farmland is just land awaiting more valuable use for housing.

It was originally a Progressive Conservative government that came out with the policy of limiting the growth of residential development on rural properties. I remember when Huron County hired its first official planners. I recall talking to Gary Davidson and Nick Hill about the restrictions in rural growth it would bring. Thankfully, for now at least, those restrictions still stand.

I-tensils, U-tensils, we all tensils - for cutlery!

J

une is cutlery month and that means The Chaff is conducting a complete and urgently necessary review of the utensils we use (or forgo while in the bathtub) to eat delicious, delectable and downright delectablicious delicacies from all over the dusty darn dearth that we used to call Earth. Today, we embark on a delightful journey through the annals of spoons, forks and knives, dissecting their quirks and qua-forks. Each and every one of us gets to gobble a whole lot easier and breezier with the assistance of these unsung heroes of the dining table and without them, we’d all be living face-in-bowl and plate-tocheek, and that is no way to live in a civilized society (and if you disagree I will scream in your face, liberally using the t-word, the jword, and the six-word). Let us now take a whimsical exploration of the most underappreciated yet indispensable tools in our culinary adventures - the humble cutlery.

The Spoon: A Scoop of Bliss Ah, the spoon! An unrivaled champion of scoopability. It effortlessly cradles the liquid delights of the culinary kingdom and transports them gracefully to your expectant mouth. Its bowl-like charm is as comforting as a warm hug from a goblin. Just be cautious not to challenge its prowess with any impish endeavours in cutting or stabbing, lest you invite the wrath of a bent and defeated utensil.

Rating: ★★★★☆ - A quintessential staple, unless you're cutting steak with it!

The Fork: A Pronged Enigma Behold the fork, the pointy paradox of gastronomy. Its prongs stand in regal defiance, mocking your attempts to wrestle it into submission. It gracefully skewers bite-sized wonders, from tender meats to elusive peas, yet it occasionally fails when faced with runaway spaghetti strands. Oh, the irony! Its design, while splendid for spearing and

Scott Stephenson The Chaff gathering, can sometimes prove unwieldy, reminding us that life is a delicate balance between functionality and frustration. Rating: ★★★☆☆ - A noble companion, with occasional spaghetti-related existential crises.

The Knife: A Sharp Slice of Dexterity The knife - the sharpest tool in the cutlery drawer. With a blade gleaming like an overachieving dental hygienist, it's primed to slice through everything from hearty roasts to delicate cakes (serrated knives for popcorn cakes). A master of precision, the knife evokes both admiration and fear, for it knows its boundaries all too well. However, it can be a tad melodramatic, demanding constant sharpening and disdainfully gliding through your fingers if you dare to neglect it. Approach with caution and a sharpener in tow! Rating: ★★★★☆ - A reliable comrade, but a prima donna when it comes to maintenance.

The Spork - Stealthy Hybrid or Stupid Dumb Thing?

As we tread the unconventional path of cutlery critique, we mustn't forget the mirthful spork - a marriage of spoon and fork. A paradoxical wonder that leaves us pondering, "Is it a spoon? Is it a fork? Or is it an identity crisis on a plate?" It valiantly tries to do both, but alas, it excels in neither. The spork stands as a testament to our whimsical inventiveness, reminding us that sometimes, in our quest for culinary multitasking, we end up with a tool that's neither here nor there. Rating: ★★☆☆

☆ - An amusing concept, but a master of neither realm.

The Chork: A Chopstick-Fork Hybrid Enter the chork - a hybrid born from the forbidden love affair between a chopstick and a fork. This ingenious creation combines the dexterity of chopsticks with the pronged efficiency of a fork. The chork, with its chopstick-like ends and a fork-like centre, tantalizes the adventurous diner with promises of seamless noodle-slurping and precise food spearing. It's a valiant attempt to bridge the cultural gap between east and west, leaving us pondering whether it's a tool of harmony or a peculiar culinary cultural appropriation.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ - An oddball fusion of culinary worlds, perfect for the indecisive gourmand.

The Knork: A Knife-Fork Mashup Prepare yourself for the knork - a utensil that straddles the fine line between blade and prong. This curious creation boasts a combination of a knife's sharp edge and a fork's tines, offering the promise of effortlessly slicing and spearing with a single implement.

While the knork might raise a few skeptical eyebrows, it's a shining salute to human ingenuity in the pursuit of cutlery perfection.

However, be wary, for this enigmatic amalgamation might leave you with a less than stellar experience if you expect it to excel in either slicing or spearing. Rating: ★★☆☆☆ - A curious concept, but a Jack of all trades and master of none.

Remember, while these utensils may be mere extensions of our hands, they possess a whimsy and character all their own. So, the next time you sit down for a feast, take a moment to appreciate the silent heroes of the dining table - the spoons, the knives, and yes, even the sporks. Utensil-heads - let your forkflags fly!

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Spanning all of time

E

arlier this week, I interviewed playwright Marie Beath Badian for the third consecutive year about the same project. In 2021, we spoke about her work on The Waltz, a sequel to her wildly successful Prairie Nurse, which premiered at the Blyth Festival in 2013. We talked about the project again in 2022, when it was set to be part of the Blyth Festival season. And now, in 2023, we spoke about it once more, as it will be part of this summer’s season, after its unfortunate cancellation last year due to various factors.

This year when we spoke, Badian identified that we had begun a bit of a tradition in which we were regularly checking in with one another. When we first spoke (I didn’t interview her in 2013), my daughter had just turned one and we were still in the high tide of the COVID-19 pandemic, unsure of the future and what it held, especially for the world of theatre. Furthermore, Badian and I spoke about growing up in the Scarborough area and some of the shared experiences we had.

Then, in 2022, she had experienced some professional growth. The Waltz had gone from not just a project she was happy to have written, but something that was being produced in Blyth, her home away from home.

Then, of course, there was the cancellation.

The cast and creative team was struck with illness and they lost more than half of their preparation time and made the sad, yet smart call to cancel the show, wanting to ensure they put their best foot forward. So we spoke again briefly about that heartbreaking turn.

Then, this week we chatted again. I told her that I had another child, a boy, and that I was far too busy/tired to have watched Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy like I said I would by the next time we spoke.

I started thinking that we were living through what she was trying to capture on stage with her trilogy of plays. The “Before” trilogy - Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight - tells the story of the same couple over a period of nearly 20 years (using the same actors). This is apparently something that has captivated the mind of Linklater, as another of his films, Boyhood, was filmed over the course of more than 10 years with the same actors in the same roles.

Now, Badian and I haven’t been having these conversations for decades exactly, nor have we fallen in love with one another while strolling the streets of Vienna, but it feels like our lives have changed over the period of time during which we’ve been having these conversations.

Badian has watched her play grow, change and, eventually, leave the nest and make its way out into the world. I’ve seen a one-yearold girl turn into a three-year-old little woman and, while she hasn’t exactly left the nest yet, she is certainly more a person with her own little (yet growing every day) personality. And, of course, there’s Cooper, who wasn’t even a glimmer in my eye when Badian and I first chatted about The Waltz.

Time is a funny thing. It never ends, it’s never finished and it can never be reversed. It’s easy to see why people focus on it so much in their writing. It’s something we all have in common and we all understand it to the same degree (which is not at all, really).

So, as Badian strives to tell a story of a family over multiple generations, it feels like we’re playing out a similar story in our chats, each with news, a life-changing development or a story worth telling during every check-in.

In a way, at least to me, that experience shows the importances of stories she wants to tell.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

At the Branch

Decoration service set for June 25

Hunting for a bargain The Brussels village-wide yard sale went ahead on Saturday, with homes, garages and sheds all opening their doors to eager shoppers looking for something unique to add to their home colleciton. (John Stephenson photo)

Waterways hosts spring meeting A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 We’re back! Two weeks in Edmonton is great, but it’s good to be home.

The boys are growing and changing, moving up to four and six, so they have lots of energy and ideas. No chance to be idle with brother Clif, Phil and the boys looking after our entertainment.

Digging for worms was one activity I haven’t done in a while, but good to know the skill is still there. Just to prove that Ontario worms are superior, this Monday I sent a picture of one big fat juicy one I dug up in the flower bed. And yes the boys thought it was lovely.

Air quality was an issue on this visit with a warning of the level of air pollution every few hours.

Recess/outdoor time was determined by the number of pollutants at that time. The numbers changed with the wind from alright to no recess this morning. One day the advisory told us that extended time outdoors would be like smoking 10 cigarettes; that was a pretty clear picture. Surprisingly, it didn’t smell all that smoky, but the ash was visible on objects.

The market got going on Friday with a good showing of vendors present. It was good to see some familiar faces and new ones as well.

By the next market, June 9, the lot

will be paved for easier walking and better breathing from the dust.

We are lucky that Amanda and Mckenzie have taken on managing the event; this is a big job, and they’re doing it very well. Please support the vendors and this endeavour, it’s good for the village.

Western Ontario Waterways’ spring meeting of the United Church of Canada was held on the weekend. Port Elgin was the place with Zoom attendance available.

Knowing my mindset after two weeks of visiting, I chose Zoom.

It’s not the same as being with all the representatives, but a good choice to have. Our area covers Tobermory, Alliston, Orangeville, Cambridge and everything north of London, so, a very large area. The changing world and how to adapt was the basis for the theme of “Dream”. We all need to get with other people to realize how stuck we can be in our thoughts. It was a good time to see the possibilities of church in community as the world around us changes. Once again, we can mutter and pretend or we can dream of possibilities and, in our case, know there are people who have tried new ways of being “church”.

As regular attenders age and energy falters, a real look at the future of each congregation needs to be faced. If it’s not working, there are other ways to continue to be “church” in community. Exciting times or doom and gloom, your choice!

There are folks who don’t do Facebook, and I’m hearing they wished they knew about local events.

Wondering if an advertisement in The Citizen or a poster at the grocery store might

make them feel included. Just a thought.

The Wingham pool is open again much to the pleasure of several members in our area. Like so many things we take for granted, we are so lucky to have such a pool close by to help keep us mobile until the Brussels pool is open - as in this month - yippee.

Bye now. Betty GW

By Jo-Ann McDonald It was a busy week at the Branch with Tuesday night having the Cadets’ meeting and the general meeting of the Branch. The Cadets are getting ready for their last meeting, which will have happened on May 30. They were practising their drills, marching and demonstrations for their big evening.

Tuesday evening was the last general meeting for the current 2022/2023 year in the Legion.

Comrade Jamie Mitchell convened the meeting. Highlights for the month of June include the beginning of the Catch the Ace draw. Friday night, May 26, is the first draw. Group One did a great job and Ken Pennington was the lucky winner of $141. He chose envelope number 34 and the nine of diamonds was found. Next week, the estimated jackpot will be $500.

Pub grub was a surprise and it was poutine. I think burgers will be on the menu this week.

The karaoke crowd was very small, but with some great singers.

Mark your calendar, the last Friday of the month, to come out and sing, sing, sing.

Brussels Cemetery Decoration is June 25. Everyone is invited to attend. It is a time to gather and celebrate all the lives that have passed and now rest at Brussels Cemetery. Comrade Sandra Cable is officiating the service. You do not have to be a member of the Legion.

This is for everyone who have

loved ones resting there.

The Brussels Agricultural Society is hosting the Brussels Fall Fair on Sept. 19 and 20. They have had a major financial hit with needed electrical upgrades to the 4-H shed.

A motion was passed to give the fair board $1,000 towards the repair and upgrades.

The phone keeps ringing for more fish fry dinners and catering events.

Please call the Branch to find out dates and when you can volunteer to help.

We send our get-well wishes to Comrade Deb Ross, who was in hospital this past week. We hope she is feeling better and are glad she is home again.

To that end, she decided she could still do a few things at the Branch.

She has put up a new welcome sign on the patio. Really lovely. Thanks Deb. Something new starting in the month of June, and by the entertainment committee, is monthly dances. The Country Versatiles are going to play monthly until November. They will be on the last Friday of the month. Watch for more details to come.

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

Advertise it in

The Citizen 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Ken Pennington, $141 Envelope #34 found the 9 of Diamonds Estimated jackpot for June 2 is $500

Brussels Cemetery Decoration Service Sunday, June 25 NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

at 2:00 pm Everyone is invited to attend.

Bring your lawn chair.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 7.

BIA considers new Blyth blade signs

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Well spoken

The Blyth Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion recently honoured students at Hullett Central Public School for their Remembrance Day public speaking prowess, equipped with certificates to cherish. Above, from left: Isla Deboer, second place in the Junior division; Abbey Haak, third place in the Junior division; Donna Govier of the Blyth Legion; Zoe Wong, third place in the Junior division, and Wesley Bean, first place in the Junior division. Below, from left: Rodney Ansley, third place in the Intermediate division; Govier, and Rachel Wilts, first place in the Intermediate division. (Scott Stephenson photos)

Morrison, McClinchey triumph From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Matt Townsend, who will celebrate his birthday on June 2, and Albert Wasson, who will celebrate his birthday on June 5. Happy birthday to both of you - hope you have a very special day.

Happy 62nd anniversary to Bodie and Ollie Craig, who will celebrate their anniversary on June 3 and Happy anniversary to Barry and Cindy MacDonald, who will celebrate their anniversary on June 8.

I hope everyone is enjoying this very warm weather we are having this week. The predictions are for this warm weather to continue into next week, with temperatures over 30°C, we will be looking to turn on the air conditioners.

The sun is shining and there does not seem to be a cloud in

the sky as the month of June approaches.

Do you enjoy the game of baseball? If you do, come out to the ball diamonds and enjoy the ball tournament this weekend in connection with the Rutabaga Festival on Saturday, June 3.

Results of May 29 euchre are: first-prize winners were Lois Morrison with a score of 81 and Harold McClinchey with a score of 75, while second prize went to Evelyn Blake with 75 and Doug Trewartha with 71. Shirley Wood had three lone hands and Carol Lahey had four. Kathryn Aires and Doug Vincent shared the share the wealth prize.

Stay safe and enjoy the warm weather. Give someone a call to let them know you are thinking of them

On Thursday, May 25, Demetri Makrakos, Economic Development Officer for North Huron, paid a visit to the regular meeting of the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) to provide information about guidelines and regulations for the installation of “blade signs”. These signs project outward toward the street in a perpendicular direction from buildings. Makrakos said he was asked about “blade signs” during a BIA meeting last year and was now prepared to provide further details.

During the meeting, Makrakos said that encroachment agreements between the municipality and local businesses are essential before “blade signs” can be installed.

While it was initially believed that businesses would require a prohibitively expensive $5 million worth of insurance to qualify for such signs, Makrakos clarified that the minimum insurance requirement is actually $2 million and he intends to recommend this revised figure to North Huron Council for approval.

Makrakos proposed an initiative

for the BIA, suggesting that remaining funds from the North Huron Community Improvement Plan (CIP), amounting to $23,000 for 2023, could be appropriately utilized. He proposed that if five to 10 businesses in Blyth expressed interest in having projecting signs that were uniform in terms of colour, style and font, they could collectively approach him to work on CIP applications. Makrakos estimated that the cost of a “blade sign” ranges from $400 to $600, and if ordered in bulk, the price might be slightly lower. Through the CIP, Makrakos suggests half of the cost would be covered by the municipality.

Makrakos assured BIA members that he would be available to attend future meetings if there was significant demand from local businesses to install projecting signs, but reminded the group that final style approval would be required from North Huron Council. He also said he was planning to consult the Wingham BIA to gauge “blade sign” interest from businesses in the north end of North Huron with uniformity across the entire municipality in mind.

PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL!

NEWS FROM BLYTH

BLYTH PRINTING INC. BLYTH 523-9211

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Londesborough Lions sell out 15th annual Duck Race

Ready, set - go!

The Londesborough Lions Club held its 15th annual Duck Race fundraiser on Sunday, selling out, as has become tradition. In the end, it was MacKenzie Nesbitt’s duck that crossed the finish line first, earning her the top prize of $500. (John Stephenson photo)

Coronation Tea held in Clinton

A new reign The Clinton United Church and United Church Women hosted a Coronation Tea event to celebrate all things royal and, specifically, King Charles last week, and Londesborough correspondent Brenda Radford was there to take it all in. (Courtesy photo) It was a celebration for a new King. A celebration done in a very British manner, afternoon tea.

In June of 2022 Clinton United Church held an afternoon tea in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee. Over the past 12 months, circumstances surrounding the Monarchy have changed. This spring, the UCW ladies, led by Elizabeth Thorpe-Hearn, felt it was appropriate to honour King Charles III in the same manner with a Coronation Tea. Apparently many others were also in favour, as the large auditorium of the church was filled to capacity. Those lucky enough to score a ticket sat on white slipcovered chairs at tables with blue cloths. King Charles is an avid gardener and the tables had centrepieces of potted plants. Each table was labelled as a member of

King Charles’ and Queen Camilla’s family. The room itself and the hallways were adorned with British flags, pictures of Charles and his family and other royal symbols.

Those in attendance seemed to welcome the chance to attend royally and dressed accordingly.

Top hats and fascinators were the norm.

Showing slides, Elizabeth presented the story of King Charles in three parts: as the Prince of Wales, his Coronation and his passions and pursuits. It was a very thorough overview of the new King and offered history and little-known details of his 70 years. As Elizabeth pointed out, we need to be considerate of the man and accepting of Charles as King, the change of monarch and his reign.

The menu, also served in three parts, was typical afternoon tea fare

with several nods to the new king.

Charles, it seems, is a foodie. His tastes and lineage were reflected in the fare: from egg salad and cucumber sandwiches, to the lambstuffed mushrooms and meat pies to the Welsh scones, the Victorian sponge cake, Irish gingerbread, and Scottish shortbreads. Conversation at the tables centred on things royal, what we had learned and musing about what the future would hold.

Marg Machan and Peggy Menzies poured tea from silver tea services. Honey for your tea was offered, as this is how the king likes his tea.

Harpists Gabreilla Reinhart and Jane McQuarrie favoured the crowd with soft background music. Soloist Benjamin Hearn, accompanied by Louise Dockstaeder, sang a favourite song of the king, “They Can’t Take That Away from Me”.

The Londesborough Lions Club gave the club’s 500 ducks their annual swim down the Pollard Drain last Sunday, May 28. Ducks and spectators alike enjoyed the lovely warm day. Many thanks to Al and Barb Bosman for allowing the race to begin the swim behind their home.

The fastest duck to finish won $500 for MacKenzie Nesbitt of Bayfield. Cam Grigg of Clinton won $200 for owning the secondfastest swimmer, while the third duck to cross the line for $100 had been purchased by Diane Vandereijk of Londesborough.

Even the slowest duck was rewarded for taking part in the swim. Rita Leppinton of Clinton took home $100 for the last duck in the water.

In last week’s edition of The Citizen, Karen Webster, in her column “Glimpses of the Past”, talked about the art of blacksmithing and focused on a former Londesborough resident Dave Ewan. If you missed it, you might want to go back and check it out. It is a great account of that work and has bits of village history.

As it turns out, as a child, my husband lived just a few doors down from Dave’s shop and visited often. The article brought back memories for him of being awed by the task of blacksmithing and the tools of the trade. There may be another one or two persons who grew up in those days who also remember the shop. Subsequently, both Tom Duizer and Wayne Ward used the blacksmith shop, as it is known, for their trades.

CAMPING SUNDAY The Londesborough United Church Women (UCW) took the congregation of Londesborough United Church to camp on Sunday, May 28 with the Camping Service they presented. Calling everyone to the event, as at camp, was the bell rung by Helen Lobb. Thereupon all congregants moved close to the front, around the imitation campfire set on the dias while the women’s choir sang “Fire’s Burning”.

Folks were in camping attire and

many sported t-shirts from various camps. On display were pictures and items from camp experiences.

Taking part in the adult part of the service, reading scriptures and offering prayers, etc., were Kim Roetsicoender, Laura Scott and Erin Yantzi. Everyone participated in the singing of camp songs and Crystal Whyte, Jude Yantzi, Marsha Szusz and Laura Scott led the actions. Barb Bosman accompanied a women’s choir that sang “Shine, Jesus, Shine”.

Joan Goodall read a prayer of thanks for all nature that had been written by her son, Robert, during a week at camp some years ago.

Three generations of the Whyte family have attended Camp Menesetung and Joan Whyte and her daughter Crystal shared memories of all those experiences.

UCW President Catherine Allen welcomed everyone that morning and gave a reflection of the community of camping that children receive and how it affects their lives. She also reminded the congregation of the various contributions the Londesborough church has made to Camp Menesetung over the years.

Morgan Yantzi spoke on behalf of the Sunday school. The Sunday school had asked to be part of this service, making it the students’ last Sunday of classes for the year. And a church camp is all about children.

The children set up the stage to resemble a camp cabin. What followed was a humorous skit presented by Frances, Oliver, Josh and Jude on various camp activities, such as games, letterwriting, responsibilities, cleaning, poison ivy and songs.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

BRUSSELS MINOR BALL DAY Saturday, June 3 Time

Age Group

Teams

8:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 1:00 pm 2:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

T-Ball U7 U9 U11 Girls U11 Boys U13 Girls U13 Boys U15 Boys U17 Boys Men’s League

Brussels Black vs. Brussels Red Brussels Black vs. Brussels Red Brussels vs. Lucknow Gold Brussels vs. Zurich Brussels vs. Londesboro Brussels vs. Elma Express Brussels vs. Seaforth Brussels vs. Fullarton Brussels vs. Elmira Brussels Bangers vs. Wroxeter

Come on out and enjoy a full day of baseball, BBQ with the Leo’s, cotton candy and a nice cold treat from the Lolly Trolley!

Lots of great raffle prizes to be won!

For more information contact: Amanda White- 519-357-7547 or Krissy Rammeloo – 519-955-1386

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 9.

Blyth bids farewell to Barn Dance after 25 years Continued from page 1 music icon Larry Mercey to Wingham’s own Sharon Strong.

Banjo king Maurice Bolyer, fiddler Al Cherny, and icon Ernie King all became familiar faces in the Barn Dance scene. In its day, Barn Dance challenged the assumption that only cities could be media centres, and changed the perception of rural culture for generations of people.

The success of the Barn Dance radio show led to many other successful programs, like Western Roundup, Goodtime Country, and the CKNX television show Circle 8 Ranch.

Comparisons were frequently drawn between the CKNX Barn Dance and the Grand Ole Opry to the south, with Wingham being considered the Northern Nashville.

Of course, there never would have been a Barn Dance without Huron County’s original tech mogul, W.T. “Doc” Cruickshank.

Bored at work one February day in 1926, Cruickshank built a radio transmitter using instructions from a copy of Popular Mechanics. From this humble origin was born one of the first rural radio stations, and for decades Cruickshank oversaw its unique programming along with help from announcer Johnny Brent, the Barn Dance Band, and a slew of other artists and builders. Not enough can be said about Cruickshank’s influence on the development of rural culture and technology.

The end of the original Barn Dance programming led to the birth of The Barn Dance Historical Society, which became the driving force behind Wingham’s Barn Dance Museum, as well as the Jamboree Weekend.

Society members and volunteers were easily identified last weekend at the 25th and final event by the vibrant blue Barn Dance shirts and yellow vests peppering the crowd. A team of volunteers manned a raffle table full of prizes donated by local businesses, including The Old Mill, Cowbell Brewing Company and the Blyth Festival; helped organize entry and exit; and were just generally available for anybody interested in hearing fascinating facts about Southwestern Ontario’s country roots.

For peckish people who didn’t feel like cooking at their campsite, there were a number of tasty options on offer. Outside of the arena, Wingham’s Wild Willie’s Food Truck was slinging great sandwiches, sausages and fresh cut fries. Inside the venue, Blyth’s Flame ‘N Bricks Pizza was serving a variety of hot slices and sodas.

The Blyth Lions Club also lent its culinary crew to the weekend, hosting a dinner on Saturday and a breakfast on Sunday. Those willing to venture far-afield gave local favourite The Blyth Inn a distinctly Western saloon look, as fringeadorned, cowboy-booted patrons enjoyed pints and snacked on ribs, wings and fried chicken sandwiches all weekend long.

Wristbands were available for each individual day, or for the whole weekend. Most people chose to go in for the three-day option - a wise choice, as each day of the Jamboree had something different on offer.

Friday night started off with an old-time barn dance, with class act The Country Versatiles, who played classic tunes for rug-cutting couples late into the night. The band brought the whole crowd back to yesteryear, and each pair of dancers added their own unique spin to those sweet, classic barn dance moves.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, there was a rapid rearrangement of the arena’s seating - from dance hall to concert venue. The chair-change was choreographed by Manitoulin Island-based seating arrangement expert Roy Robertson, and was as precisely wrought as promised.

Saturday’s entertainment was divided into two portions - an open mic period in the afternoon, and a farewell concert at night. Those lucky enough to catch the open mic were treated to all kinds of surprise local talent, including the musical stylings of Hanover’s Jim Metzger and Brussels-based Ron Howitt.

The crowd favourite was certainly young Memphis Marier from Bayfield, who took the stage and stole the show with his rendition of “Together Again” by Buck Owens.

Popular demand brought him back to the stage to sing “Pure Love” by Ronnie Milsap. In a post-

An address from the President President of the Barn Dance Historical Society Ruth Baxter speaks to the large crowd assembled for the final Barn Dance Jamboree/Campout weekend in Blyth on Saturday, May 27. (Scott Stephenson photo)

performance interview, the almost10-year-old offered his thoughts on the end of the Jamboree. “I’ve been to a lot of jamborees, because I want to sing. It’s sad that it won’t be going on… but this is going to be a good one. Also, I play harmonica.”

Based on the strength of his performance, talent organizer Doug Dietrich invited the young country gentleman back to perform as a surprise guest at Saturday’s main event.

Between the open mic and the main show, the packed Blyth campground became a sort of casual secondary venue between the main action at the arena, as it has so many times in the past.

Individual jam sessions broke out at different sites, and classic country songs could be heard drifting through the air, played by performers young and old, amateur and professional. It was proven that young Marier does, in fact, play the harmonica.

It was also during one of these jam sessions that a young, unknown pair of siblings from Brussels appeared, carrying a banjo and a guitar, looking for a place to play.

They quietly impressed their Barn Dance elders with their skillful playing before disappearing as mysteriously as they had appeared.

It was a classic Jamboree move.

The Saturday night show was expertly hosted by master Master of Ceremonies Jim Swan - the current “Voice of Barn Dance”. Swan kept the show moving, the crowds entertained, and the air full of quick-witted comments. The fourhour show was packed with talented performers like Al Widmeyer, Jim Otterbein, Lance Russwurm, Naomi Bristow, Paul Weber, and Linda Elder, all performing their favourite old-time music. They were backed by Dietrich, Al Alderson, Ian Leith, Fred Lewis, and Grant Heywood (son of the late Earl and Martha Heywood) performing as the Barn Dance Show Band. The spectacular show was closed out by a set from Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Larry Mercey, who delivered a moving performance.

Sunday morning saw the final Jamboree Gospel Show, ably emceed by Historical Society VicePresident Betty Beer Vanrooy and a Gospel Band comprised of Dietrich, Alderson, Heywood, Royce Riehl, Bill Norris and George Lonsbury.

They backed up special guests like gifted duo Jay Riehl and Janna Leduc, as well as the phenomenal Bristow, who, at 25 years old, is potentially the hardest working yodelling singer in the country. The faithful and the faithless alike were moved by her powerful voice and effervescent spirit.

It was clear that the wellorganized weekend would not be possible without the tireless efforts of The Barn Dance Historical Society and its friends, and Sunday was the last chance to thank them for the decades of hard work they’ve spent preserving the memory of this cultural touchstone.

Beer Vanrooy presented Historical Society President Ruth Baxter with a bouquet of roses and profound thanks for all her years of service.

Baxter, in turn, thanked the Barn Dance community for their many years of enthusiasm.

She addressed the same old crowd one last time, saying “I don’t think of it as an event, I think of it as a reunion.” The whole Barn Dance Historical Society took the stage to be thanked for all they have brought

One more time with feeling Musician Naomi Bristow and Master of Ceremonies Jim Swan on stage in Blyth on May 27. (Scott Stephenson photo) to Barn Dance, and to be thankful for all that Barn Dance has brought to them.

Even though this was the final Jamboree/Campout Weekend, the Barn Dance Band will perform together at least until the end of 2023, if not longer. Upcoming shows include a performance in Exeter on Friday, June 30, and a show at the Wingham Town Hall Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 5.

It was a bittersweet weekend, one in which every person in attendance felt both great joy and great sadness about the end of an era. The sense of loss was made extra poignant by

North Huron Council’s recent decision not to reopen the shuttered Barn Dance Museum.

There was a feeling in the air that this part of Canada’s cultural heritage was about to slip away forever. But when you hear the otherworldly yodelling of Bristow, or the earnest backroad vocals of the young Marier, it’s hard to believe that this is really the end, or just the beginning of a new era for old-time music.

Whatever the future of Barn Dance may be, for now, “let’s say goodbye like we said hello, in a friendly kind of way….”

OverSTUFFed? Clear the clutter and cash in at the same time in Swap Shop Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less.

Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster! The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

The Citizen PO Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 405 Queen Street, Blyth 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Larry Mercey

Gerald Davidson Memphis Marier

Gord Ogilvie

Lance Russwurm

Jim Otterbein

Al Widmeyer Grant Heywood

Fred Lewis

Al Aldersley

Doug Dietrich

Linda Elder

Paul Weber Charlie Gord and Ruth Baxter

Richard Lobb

Randy Satchell

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 11.

Betty Beer Vanrooy

Janna Leduc Jay Riehl

Al Aldersley

Memphis Marier Naomi Bristow

Richard Marier

Grant Heywood

Bill Norris

Doug Dietrich

Improvised jam sessions

Barn Dance Historical Society Board of Directors

Ruth Baxter

Gord Baxter

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Brewers lose, Wonders win in season debuts PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

What beautiful weeks of weather we have had recently.

The farmers have been busy doing farm work. Good weather means the corn crop, planted by May 15, is poking through the ground. I would think that the majority of the corn and the biggest part of the soybean crop are planted. There are probably some to be planted yet. White beans are next and even some farmers have them all planted. We don’t need any more frost once they break through the ground, so the good weather has to stay!

First cut of hay has been cut by some of our dairy friends. With the hot, dry weather, it will soon be in a silo or pit or being baled.

When it is such a busy season, sometimes a little extra help around the farm is appreciated. Weldon and Joanne Black arrived from New Brunswick and were staying with brother Steve and Marni Knight.

You just can’t sit around, so Joanne was put to work on the tractor with the stone picker on it and Weldon was cultivating. He was amazed at the GPS and settled right in. The pair also spent time seeing some of Joanne’s old high school friends, going for dinner and visiting with relatives. They were here for just over a week and had a great time.

The yard sales on Saturday brought lots of folks to the village. I have heard good reports from many that were very pleased about their sales, but the best was the McCutcheon/St. John’s Anglican Church sale. They did amazing and managed to raise $1,000. Their proceeds are being donated to the North Huron Connection Centre at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Wingham, that helps those experiencing homelessness and people with mental health issues.

Fantastic, and what a generous donation to make. Thumbs up to all.

Congratulations to F.E. Madill Secondary School and its three rugby teams. During the past week they have won the three HuronPerth Championships, two Western Ontario Secondary School Sports Association championships and all three teams are going to Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) provincial play in Belleville.

Wow! Congratulations to the young athletes and their coaches on such a great year of play. Good luck at the OFSAA Championships!

When driving by the Walton Little School, you will see the beautiful new sign on the side of the building. It is courtesy of the hardworking parent group and its fundraising efforts. It is very colourful and eye-catching. Very nice! The sign was made by Artech from Seaforth.

Congratulations to Grandma Christine and Grandpa Brad Knight on the new additions to the family.

Christine’s daughter Michelle and husband Curt Verstoep have welcomed twins to their family.

Two beautiful little boys are welcomed home by big brother Daxton. The young men, named Ryker and Maverick, are both home and doing well after their May 10 arrival. Grandma and Grandpa Verstoep and the Knights are pretty excited about the busy times ahead.

Congratulations to Curt and Michelle!

A new business opened its doors on main street Brussels last week. It has useful, gently-used treasures and clothing. It is located in part of the DeWit Suites building. Drop in and take a look.

Our sympathies are extended to Claudette and Bruce Armstrong and family on the passing of Claudette’s father, Ron Fraser.

The McDonald family gathered at Scott and Alicia McDonald’s on Sunday to celebrate all the May birthdays in the family. It is a busy month, with grandson Wes McDonald turning eight, son-inlaw Adam Jarosz turning 43, grandson Owen Jarosz turning nine, son Scott turning 39 and grandson Nate McDonald turning five. It was

a beautiful day and the kids went swimming and we had an early supper and a nice visit on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon!

The Walton ball park had its first games last week and the Brewers

lost and the Wonders won. Games are on Tuesday night for the men and Thursday night for the ladies.

Come on out and cheer them on.

Celebrating birthdays this past week includes Thea Rijkhoff, Nate

McDonald, Marisa Curreri, Krysta Clarke, Geri-Lee Godkin, Adam Forbes, Rob Shortreed, Scott Henderson, Neil McGavin, Kyle Pryce, Patricia Andrades and Ernie Lewington. Happy birthday to all!

Coming in hot The Brussels Bangers began their first season in the Huron County Fastball League with a game against the Monkton Muskrats at home in Brussels on May 26. Unfortunately for the home team, they would lose the game by a score of 5-2. The Bangers have since also lost their second game of the season, falling to the Fullarton A’s by a score of 6-5. (John Stephenson photo)

38th Annual Citizen of the Year Award Nominations Open Pictured from left, Zoey Onn being presented her 2021 Citizen of the Year award by North Huron Publishing member Ralph Watson.

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 and wider Huron County area 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

I feel she/he deserves this award because ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS FROM WALTON

Nomination Deadline September 29, 2023.

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 13.

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice.ca

Agriculture

BLYTH 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

Brussels Livestock report

Lambs, sheep, goats all sell higher at sale

Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending May 23 were 1,395 cattle and 726 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively at fully steady prices. Choice steers and heifers sold $220 to $229; second-cut cattle, $210 to $219; aged and medium-fed steers and heifers, $180 to $221; holstein steers and heifers, $145 to $196. Cows sold steady.

On Thursday, veal sold on an easier market with quality considered. Lambs, sheep and goats all sold higher.

On Friday, calves and yearlings sold on a strong active trade with prices $5 to $10 higher.

Larry Reinhart of Mildmay

consigned 12 head. Two red heifers averaged 1,255 lbs. and sold for an average price of $226.

Jessie Vanloo of Bluevale, consigned seven head. Two charolais steers averaged 1,688 lbs. and sold for an average price of $229.

Francis Riley of Walkerton, consigned nine head. One charolais steer weighed 1,575 lbs. and sold for a price of $229.

There were 175 cows on offer.

Beef sold $126 to $168 with sales to $185; good holstein cows, $130 to $159 with sales to $165; medium holstein cows, $120 to $129; bulls, $146 to $175.

There were 160 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $212 to $257; good holsteins, $180 to $192 with

sales to $204; SL heavy holsteins, $180 to $187; heavy holsteins, $150 to $182; medium holsteins, $170 to $179; plain holsteins, $155 to $169.

Jim Maw of Forest, consigned three head. One grey heifer weighed 905 lbs. and sold for a price of $257.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $303 to $325; 50 - 64 lbs., $320 to $340; 65 - 79 lbs., $327.50 to $355; 80 - 94 lbs., $332.50 to $350; 95 - 109 lbs., $321.50 to $328; 110 lbs. and over, $190.75 to $285.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $350; nannies, $70 to $200; kids: meat, $400 to $695; dairy, $350 to $650.

Ungerer Farms Ltd. of Thedford, consigned 19 head. Eight lambs

averaged 90 lbs. and sold for an average price of $350.

Lar Steunebrink of Kirkton, consigned 39 head. Seven kid goats averaged 56 lbs. and sold for an average price of $695.

Cornelia Gulutzen of Listowel, consigned 23 head. Two kid goats averaged 57 lbs. and sold for an average price of $695.

Top quality stocker steers 400 499 lbs. sold $351.50 to $397; 500 599 lbs., $356.75 to $372.50; 600 699 lbs., $315.50 to $339; 700 - 799 lbs., $315 to $338; 800 - 899 lbs., $293.50 to $300; 900 - 999 lbs., $275.50 to $290.50; 1,000 lbs. and over, $253 to $271.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $294.25 to $315; 500 599 lbs., $294 to $340; 600 - 699

lbs., $253 to $308; 700 - 799 lbs., $276 to $294; 800 - 899 lbs., $242.75 to $266; 900 lbs. and over, $239.50 to $263.

Jonas Miller of Lucknow, consigned 12 head. Six black heifers averaged 812 lbs. and sold for an average price of $266.

Ben Snyder of Beachberg, consigned 62 head. Two black heifers averaged 783 lbs. and sold for an average price of $268.

Oscar Bauman of Wallenstein, consigned 136 head. Nineteen gold steers averaged 758 lbs. and sold for an average price of $314.50.

Gary Zehr of Newton, consigned 18 head. Eight charolais steers averaged 919 lbs. and sold for an average price of $290.50.

OFA applauds provincial government walk back

By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture In bringing a message, it often isn’t about one voice. It is many voices, one message.

Ontario’s farmers have been vocal - and united - in recent weeks in asking the provincial government to take a pause on its recent proposed Provincial Planning Statement and proposed Bill 97. We are thankful that government has listened to our most significant concern and is taking steps to address it.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) was joined by Ontario’s other two general farm organizations, 11 commodity and agricultural groups and 30 of the OFA’s local county federations of agriculture in a broad-based

coalition to urge the government to reconsider proposed actions that would severely threaten local farmland protection.

In particular, this coalition has been strong in its opposition to a proposal from the government to allow up to three new severed residential lots on an existing farm property. Creating residential housing lots in agricultural areas has long been controversial, and the negative impacts for farming are well demonstrated.

Ontario boasts some of Canada’s richest and most fertile farmland, and the proposed severance plan poses risks to that farmland, including permanently taking it out of agricultural production, which threatens the long-term sustainability of both farming and the food system on

which we all depend so heavily.

Our coalition is also extremely concerned that increased residential lot creation in prime agricultural areas will create conflict between farmers and their non-farming neighbours for all aspects of regular farm activities.

This includes applying crop nutrients to the land, conflict about odours and noise, wildlife control and more. We also don’t want to lose the current minimum distance separation requirement, which requires minimum distances between houses and livestock barns and works well to minimize conflict between livestock farmers and residential areas and protect water resources.

Simply put, this united coalition of farmers and agricultural leaders has spoken up with a single voice

against legislation that could make it difficult or impossible for farmers to manage and expand their farm businesses in the future.

That’s why the news that the provincial government has heard our concern and will not be moving ahead with the three-lot severance proposal is so welcome. The government has also announced it will extend the consultation period that is currently ongoing regarding the proposed Provincial Planning Statement and agreed to work with the agriculture sector to find solutions to this issue.

Conversations will continue between government and agricultural stakeholders. And that is important.

We recognize that Ontario is facing an affordable housing crisis and that solutions must be found,

and we’re more than willing to be part of that process. Ontario’s farmers are not opposed to urban growth and development - we also want housing options to support youth, seniors, families, workers, and newcomers in our communities.

The answer lies with responsible land-use planning that prevents further farmland loss, encourages ongoing investment in farms and farm-related businesses and helps communities reach intensification targets.

This includes directing growth to urban and rural settlement areas where housing needs can be met in serviced areas using much less land.

It also ensures efficient use of municipal infrastructure investments and reduces costs to provide services.

Meaningful dialogue between government, farmers and municipalities will help find ways to support the provincial government’s housing goals, and we look forward to actively engaging in that dialogue in the days and weeks ahead.

To government, we appreciate the change in direction and look forward to the conversations ahead.

To the farm organizations and farm representatives who represent our great sector: thank you for your united voices on this issue.

Here’s to “Farms and Food Forever”.

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

Back in the swing of things The Clinton Raceway now has two beautiful days of harness racing under its belt after last weekend.

Opening day, above, was held over the Victoria Day weekend, as the storied raceway welcomed back fans

after a record year in 2022. The first day of races also doubled as a fundraiser for Central Huron Secondary School, so students were on hand for a barbecue, bake sale and some face-painting. (John Stephenson photo)

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

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

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

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

Articles for sale ONE - 18 FT. MESH RACK WITH Horst running gear; New: one - 18 ft. mesh rack with Horst tandem running gear; one - 30 ft. mesh rack with Horst tandem running gear.

Call 519-887-6695.

22-1 -------------------------------------------RUSTIC CEDAR GAZEBOS AND pergolas; also a supplier of steel roofing, siding and trims. Webwood Truss, 382 Whitechurch St., RR 5, Lucknow. ON N0G 2H0.

15-8p -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 15 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-274-1236, 519441-2085.

01-50p -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal’s YIG in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Coming events

Citizen-To-Citizen

COME AND GO BRIDAL SHOWER for Holly Braecker (marrying Blake Cardiff), Saturday, June 3 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Cavan United Church in Winthrop.

22-1

“One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

“SWAP SHOP” ad

Personals ARE YOU PREGNANT AND unsure about your future? Contact Ramoth Houe. We can help you discover your parenting potential.

You can get more information about our services on our website: www.ramoth.ca or by phone 519323-3751 or email: office@ramoth.ca e6w

• 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 - four tires - 265x 70x17 load E truck, $200; four tires - 215x70x15 on Chev aluminum rims, $200; wood bench with wrought iron ends, $40; three pet carriers, good shape, $10 each; two Adirondack folding chairs, $10 each. 519-526-1012.

22-3 ------------------------------------------FREE - friendly barn kittens. Lloyd McClinchey, 519-526-7591. 22-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - firewood – dried hardwood, $60 per cord, five or six available. Pick up only! Call or text 226-880-1689.

21-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - white metal dryer lift 24"x27" $20; RH golf clubs, $20; Shish Kabob for barbecue, $20; drip pattern willow 9" plates, 5/$40; four all-season tires 245/70R17, $100.

Call 519-357-0856.

20-3 -------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - 10 grey plastic lawn chairs, $4 each. 226-880-1689. 20-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - one fold-up bicycle, 20" tires great for RV or SUV or boat, $60, Seaforth. 519-527-0734.

20-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - vintage Black Alaskan necklace, bracelet and earrings, purchased in Dominican Republic in late 1980s, $100.

Text/call for picture 519-440-6415.

20-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - 100 small square bales, Lloyd McClinchey, 519-5267591.

20-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Callaway travel golf bag, never used, $110 new – yours for $60. Text/call for picture 519440-6415.

20-3 -------------------------------------------

A welcome addition

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and MPP Lisa Thompson joined the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and Yorkshire Valley Farms recently in Exeter to donate hundreds of kilograms of chicken to the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre in Exeter. (Courtesy photo)

The Citizen Email or send in a colour photo and writeup (75 words or less) to info@northhuron.on.ca or mail to PO Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4792

$

25

(tax incl.)

Let us help you turn that junk into $$$

Chicken Farmers donate to local food banks

Births

Announce your new arrival in

FOR SALE - Garrison window a/c, 6300 BTU, fits width (with accordion panels) 22" - 38 1/8" x height 13 1/2" (got central air).

Always removed from window for winter. Text/call for picture 519440-6415.

20-3 ------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Nell Lamarsh, Canadian artist, vintage (55 years) palette knife painting on burlap (strolling on the promenade in front of castle) 36"w x 24"h, vibrant hues. Text/call for picture 519-4406415.

20-3 -------------------------------------------

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and the Honourable Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, joined Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) and Yorkshire Valley Farms last week for a donation of safe, healthy, locallygrown chicken to the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre.

Chicken farmers, in partnership with Yorkshire Valley Farms, announced a donation of 1,400 kilograms of chicken, which will contribute to over 12,000 meals for families and individuals in need, through the Huron Country Food Bank Distribution Centre.

The donation of chicken was made through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program,

which enables chicken farmers to donate their chicken to food banks across Ontario. The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program contributes over one million meals a year to local food banks.

“I would like to thank the Chicken Farmers of Ontario for continuing to show their community spirit and willingness to give back to those across the Province and particularly here in Huron-Bruce. The contribution through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Bank program will make a difference to our neighbours who are struggling with the rising cost of living by providing healthy, nourishing, local poultry to tables across Huron County,” said Lobb.

“This event is an important

recognition of the collaboration that takes place within our agri-food sector. The support from Chicken Farmers of Ontario and Yorkshire Valley Farms to provide this significant donation is admirable and I want to thank both organizations for setting such a positive example in the community, while looking out for people when they are experiencing difficult times. CFO certainly cares,” said Thompson.

“Thanks to the continued support of the Ontario chicken farming community, since 2015, the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program has donated over eight million chicken meals. Proteins, like chicken, are among some of the most-needed items at food banks

and we want to ensure that every Ontarian can access safe, healthy, nutritious, locally-grown chicken,” said Andrea Veldhuizen, Chicken Farmers of Ontario Board Director for CFO Cares and District 4.

“We believe everyone thrives on good food. So, we are pleased to work with the CFO Cares program to help more nutritious meals reach more people. The product being distributed today through the Huron County Food Bank will support communities where some of our farmers and employees live.

Initiatives like this are an important part of how Yorkshire Valley Farms works towards our mission to Make Food Matter More,” said James Sculthorpe, President and CEO of Yorkshire Valley Farms.

“The Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre is most grateful to the local farmers who are part of the CFO donation program, for the gifts of chicken we receive. The Distribution Centre delivers the chicken along with other healthy foods to the regional food banks, aid agencies and our mobile food truck program. So many families, including two-parent working families, are finding it hard to feed their families. Seniors struggle as well to eat three meals a day as their pension cheques cannot keep up with the cost of living. On behalf of the clients who receive the gifts of meat, thank you for your care and compassion. Your support will accomplish amazing things!

Together we can eliminate hunger,” said Mary Ellen Zielman, Executive Director, Huron Country Food Bank Distribution Centre

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 15.

Scanlon to be guest speaker at Knox PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Pulling together The Alzheimer Society of Huron County hosted Walks for Alzheimers in Clinton, Goderich and Wingham on Saturday to raise funds to combat the devastating disease, Above, a group gathers at Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton after of their walk on a beautiful, sunny day. (John Stephenson photo)

County’s Ukrainian response good; more work to be done

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County continues to support those coming to the region from the Ukraine, but further resources and places for people to stay are needed, says Local Immigration Partnership Manager Mark Nonkes.

Nonkes spoke to Huron County Council at its May 17 meeting, telling those in attendance that while the county’s response to welcoming Ukranian refugees after Russia’s invasion of the country has been good, more work and volunteers are needed to keep up the momentum.

Over 100 volunteers have aided the Huron County Immigration Partnership in this endeavour, but Nonkes says that more volunteers and places for refugees to live are needed.

“Since April, 2022, at least 60 Ukrainians have arrived in Huron County. It should be noted that the Huron County Immigration Partnership is not notified when newcomers arrive in Huron County due to the nature of the immigration pathways for Ukrainians. However, we are able to track the number of Ukrainians through the requests received for support from families hosting Ukrainian newcomers in their homes and attendance at monthly social gatherings,” Nonkes said in his report to council. “More than a dozen long-time Huron County residents have welcomed Ukrainian newcomers into their homes for months at a time as they were settled in Canada. When we receive a request for support, we ensure information is provided about available settlement services that include English language training, employment counselling

and support to access and sign up for health care, education and other social supports. At a more systematic level, the Huron County Immigration Partnership facilitates and assists with ensuring appropriate and co-ordinated community service responses have up-to-date information on government measures and what this means for various settlement supports.”

Nonkes said that a meaningful partnership with the Town of Goderich has greatly aided volunteer co-ordination through the in-kind contribution of dedicated staff time. Furthermore, Nonkes said there are five other partnerships to help meet the needs of newcomers, including the Goderich Lions Club.

“The Goderich Lions Club hosted a ‘Welcome to Canada’ barbecue in Continued on page 19

Guest worship leader Gloria Wilbee, Licensed Lay Worship Leader was the speaker on Sunday, May 28 at Knox United Church, Belgrave.

After welcoming the congregation the Christ candle was lit. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” was the first hymn that was sung. The call to worship was read responsively. The scripture lessons were read from Acts 2: 1-21 and I Corinthians 12: 3b-13. Gloria’s message was entitled, “Spirit of Life”.

“Spirit of the Living God” was the closing hymn that was sung.

BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED

On Sunday, June 4, Murray Scanlon is the guest speaker.

Everyone is welcome.

Birthday greetings are extended to Audrey Fenton on her 90th birthday, George Procter’s birthday on June 3. Ruth Gordon on her 80th birthday on June 2 and to Paul and Dorothy McLaren on their wedding anniversary on June 5.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Enjoy your day.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

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

The Citizen.

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

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

The Citizen

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

Advertise your business here!

One of the most read areas of the paper

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!

For a good cause On Sunday night, the First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth was the place to be for the annual Brent Powell Memorial Concert to benefit youth mental health initiatives throughout Huron and Perth Counties through the Huron-Perth Centre. Over $1,100 was raised. Jason Lamont, Dwight and Janice Nelson and the Dawe family of Clinton, well known as The Honey Sweethearts, above, were among the performers. (John Stephenson photo)

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, JUNE 2, 2023.

Howick Mutual celebrates its sesquicentennial

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Howick Mutual Insurance Company, a long-standing pillar of the local community, commemorated its remarkable 150th anniversary with a grand celebration held at its headquarters just east of Wingham on a scorching hot and sunny afternoon.

The festivities, which took place on Friday, May 26, showcased the company's resilience, unwavering commitment and dedication to its policyholders throughout its storied history.

Under the expansive canopy of a large tent, guests were treated to a delectable feast catered by Brussels-based Cardiff BBQ Catering. Attendees indulged in cold drinks, beef on a bun, refreshing salads, an array of cupcakes and a cake with “Happy 150th Howick” elegantly written on it in icing. The culinary delights were complemented by captivating entertainment provided by Natalie Irwin, setting the stage for a joyous occasion. The event also offered visitors an opportunity to explore Howick Mutual's state-of-the-art facility through guided tours.

Bil Graham, the vice-chair of Howick Mutual’s Board of Directors, warmly welcomed all attendees and officially inaugurated the 150th anniversary celebration.

In his address, Graham acknowledged the company's resilience in weathering the storms of two World Wars, the Great Depression, natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to bringing the celebration to life, acknowledging their invaluable support and dedication.

Political figures and industry leaders also joined the festivities, adding their voices to the chorus of congratulations. Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson expressed her excitement about celebrating 150 “glorious” years of Howick Mutual.

Thompson emphasized the company's vision of “farmers helping farmers,” a testament to the co-operative spirit that has been at the core of its success. She extended her heartfelt congratulations to all involved in

achieving this significant milestone.

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb expressed his pleasure at being part of the celebration. He commended the event's splendid setting and confidently predicted a memorable afternoon, adding, "The food is going to be great."

Jeff Consitt, representing Farm Mutual Re, extended heartfelt congratulations to Howick Mutual on behalf of work partners and friends. He highlighted the rarity of businesses surpassing 150 years, usually limited to banks, newspapers and brewing companies. Consitt expressed eagerness to continue the fruitful partnership for many more decades.

John Taylor, President and CEO of the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, paid homage to the 1215 farmers who founded Howick Mutual in 1873. He emphasized the company's commitment to the principle of “neighbours helping neighbours,” a guiding philosophy that has fueled its success. Taylor stressed that longevity alone is not enough; perseverance, consistent service and trustworthiness are the keys to success, qualities that he says Howick Mutual has exemplified throughout its history.

Steve Wright, Howick Mutual’s Board Chair, drew attention to the historical context of Howick Mutual's founding, coinciding with Canada's early years as a nation.

Wright marveled at the company's humble beginnings with a mere $114 in paid premiums in its first year, contrasting it with the presentday figure exceeding $28 million.

Kevin Inglis, President and CEO of Howick Mutual, expressed his gratitude to everyone who joined in celebrating the momentous occasion. He emphasized that the company's remarkable journey was not a result of mere luck or chance, but rather the relentless efforts and dedication of its people. Inglis commended the staff for their unwavering commitment, highlighting the word "dedication" as the perfect encapsulation of the individuals who have contributed to Howick Mutual's success over the years. He encouraged everyone to savour the festivities and enjoy themselves.

As the sun shone brightly on this historic anniversary celebration, Howick Mutual Insurance basked in the glory of 150 years of service and community support.

Mutual success since 1873

(Above) Howick Mutual’s Board of Directors pose with balloons. (Below, left) Howick Mutual President and CEO Kevin Inglis. (Below, right) Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. (Scott Stephenson photos)

Planning an Event?

Don’t miss potential guests!

Run your ad at least two weeks prior to the date or deadline to make sure everyone sees it.

The Citizen

info@northhuron.on.ca www.huroncitizen.ca

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

A catered affair

(Above, from left) Jeff Cardiff, Karen Griffiths, Cathy Cardiff, and Jennie Schimanski from Cardiff BBQ Catering. (Right) Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb delivers remarks. (Scott Stephenson photos)

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

From the Minister’s Study

Exploring the misunderstood nature of forgiveness

By Pastor Mike Stanley, Huron Chapel, Auburn In a previous article, I shared that I believe that love is one of the most misunderstood terms we use and suggested that love isn’t a feeling, but a choice based on a feeling; a choice to do what’s best for the other person.

Well, if love is the most misunderstood word we use in our conversations today, then forgiveness is a close second. A quick Google image search on forgiveness will result in pages of memes with all sorts of opinions on forgiveness such as: “I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget”, “just forgive and forget”, “forgiveness takes time”, or “forgive not because they deserve it, but because you deserve to be happy”.

There seems to be many opinions on forgiveness, the majority of which seem to contradict one another. So, the real foundational question at the root of all the opinions is, “why forgive at all?”

What is the purpose of forgiveness?

It’s ironic, we teach our kids to forgive when they are little; two children playing with some toys and one of them takes a toy from the other, so the other one responds by hitting. So, we intervene in the situation and tell one child to give the toy back and say sorry for taking it, and we tell the other child to say sorry for hitting, then we tell them to forgive each other and play nice. We are teaching them how to interact with someone else.

But… once we become an adult, all of a sudden, forgiveness is something we feel that we can just justify away. All those lessons we learned as kids no longer apply to us. We don’t forgive because we don’t feel like it, or because we are still hurt and so we allow our feelings to dictate what is the right thing to do. We don’t forgive because the other person refuses to be sorry, like a child pouting in the corner. Or, we feel like if we forgive that we are accepting the wrong they did to us as being alright.

Why are we so intent on teaching our kids to forgive when they are growing up, but then don’t practise it ourselves as grown-ups? Is forgiveness nothing more than a form of good manners that we teach our kids? Or, do we just use it like a trash bag to bundle up an ugly situation and toss it out of our life?

If so, then why forgive at all?

Think back to the example of kids; one kid takes the other kid’s toy and so we get them to give it

back and then we tell them to forgive each other... why? Because, we want them to get back to playing with each other. The purpose of forgiveness is to restore the relationship. Without forgiveness, it is going to be very difficult for those kids to play together anymore. That is why we need to forgive, because without forgiveness the relationship can’t happen. Just look at the state of the world we live in; racism, hate and war are results of deep-rooted hurts from hundreds of years ago, and Canada is not exempt from it.

Forgiveness is the first step in building towards a relationship again.

I am sure you can think of situations in your own life, whether work or personal, in which when you start to think of a particular person, your blood pressure rises and your mind starts to race through all the wrong that was done to you.

The thought of ever being their friend again seems like a distant reality. For as long as you hold on to the hurt that was done to you, the chances of a relationship are slim.

But, if you are willing to forgive,

BRUSSELS

then you can start the journey towards a relationship again.

Forgiveness is a choice, just like love is a choice. Love is acting in a way that is best for the other person and that is what builds relationships. So, the definition of forgiveness would be: choosing to put aside whatever it is that is hindering you from loving the person who hurt you so that the relationship can be restored.

That means that you can forgive even when you still feel the hurt of what they did to you, because forgiveness is not a feeling. One of

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship

United Church

Current Sermon Series...

Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 am June 4, 2:00 p.m. Hymn Sing Service at Huronlea Come enjoy a visit with residents and friends Contact Alex at minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259

Wingham United Church 217 Minnie Street, Wingham Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 am Sunday School at 10:30 am Service live-streamed at 9:30 am and recorded on YouTube Rev. Colin S. Snyder rev.colinsnyder@gmail.com winghamunited@hurontel.on.ca winghamuc.webs.com

The Regional Re Ministry off Hope ope 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

BLYTH 9:00 AM St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

Come Worship with Us! Co

Sundays at 10:00 am

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

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, June 4 9:30-10:30 a.m.

We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Doug Sargent leads us in worship, praise and prayer to God. A time of fellowship to follow.

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

All are welcome!

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

Blyth United Church Sunday, June 4 at 9:30 a.m.

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 Outreach project is North Huron Food Share

Sunday, June 4 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels **Please note our new location**

Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

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

Evangelical Missionary Church

Guest Speaker Lowell Hunking “Great Question!

What’s the Answer?”

(Mt.9:27ff; Jude 17ff)

Outdoor POTLUCK after Nursery & Sunday School during worship

On-site and online live.huronchapel.com VACATION BIBLE CAMP July 10-14 huronchapel.com/vacation-bible-camp

119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

All Are Welcome

DISCOVERING THE OLD TESTAMENT

Join us Wednesday mornings for visits in the garden starting at 10 am Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon Our 43rd Anniversary!

Sunday, June 4, 10:30 am

Come Worship With Us

THE FUN OF UNPACKING...

We welcome you to our Worship Service and celebration of Baptism

Wheelchair accessible 519-357-2961 and parking

the reasons we struggle to forgive is that we don’t feel like doing it for the other person. Rather, the feelings we have for the person that hurt us are still anger, resentment, bitterness or indifference. But what we don’t realize is that the only way to change how we feel is to choose to forgive, despite how we currently feel. We get to choose what we do with our feelings (put them aside) even though we do not get to choose what we feel.

This also means that forgiveness does not depend on the other Continued on page 19

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

17 Flora Street

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

Join us for our Sunday Services Pastor Gary van Leeuwen will be leading us in the 10:00 am and 7:00 pm services

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

220 Carling Terrace

Serv Se rvice ces are liv ive-str strea eamed ed ound by sea earch ching ing and can ca be foun “Blyth Chri Christ stian Reform rmed Ch Church” h”

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

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

1025 Wallace Avenue N.

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

Website: nhpc.dol.ca

Telephone: 519-357-2435

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Hope Air tour to begin in Goderich On Monday June 5, the Hope Air eastern tour starts at the Goderich airport.

Tour aircraft will be parked front row, centre. A Harvard will be present. A silent auction will happen. Registration will occur during the morning, At 11 a.m., organizers Ed and John have planned a Hope Air flight with a patient from Windsor to Goderich. Speeches from local dignitaries and Hope Air representatives will follow.

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb will then begin the live auction. Last year, the Goderich event raised the most money of all the fly-ins that happened across Canada, thanks to the help of Lobb and Warden Glen McNeil.

At noon lunch will be served.

While the pilots and public enjoy lunch, the local Huron Harp ensemble will provide background music.

After lunch, the tour aircraft will be departing for Sault Ste. Marie and other aircraft will be leaving for their own airports.

What is Hope Air? It is a registered charity which assists families needing their services.

Hope Air arranges non-emergency medical flights for low income Canadians who “must” travel from their homes in order to access necessary healthcare far away from home.

Local pilots volunteer and donate their aircraft, fuel and time to fly these patients from their remote regions to receive specialized medical treatments in the larger cities. WestJet and Porter Airlines both donate and greatly discount seats for these families.

Come to the Goderich Airport Monday June 5 for a chance to bid on a pair of WestJet tickets, a fire pit and overnight accommodations at local inns, plus more items.

A time for community

The Blyth Festival Art Gallery’s annual Community Show went up last week in the Bainton Gallery at Memorial Hall and, for the first time since 2019, was accompanied by an opening gala, featuring many of the artists, local art fans and members of the Blyth Festival team, like Associate Artistic Director Severn Thompson, left, who took the time to chat with Blyth’s Lynda and Duncan McGregor, right. (John Stephenson photo)

Business Directory Bernard Enterprises

Lakeside

SHELVING & RACKING

Large instock selection of pallet racking, store shelving, display cases and more for Industrial, Residential, Farm & Retail

COME IN AND VISIT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PHARMASAVE

BROWN’S PHARMASAVE 40 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont. 519-357-1629 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4 Rear Parking Available Easy Prescription Transfer

Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS

Jake’s Small Engine Repair Lawnmowers Chain Saws Side by Sides Snowmobiles Snow Blowers Golf Carts & more

Large & Small Trucks

fridge carts - piano dollysmoving blankets

Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement

Free delivery in Wingham & surrounding area

Jacob Nonkes

Passenger Vans

Licensed Small Engine Technician smallenginejake@gmail.com

GODERICH TOYOTA

83341 Currie Line, Blyth 519-955-4234

full size or mini

344 Huron Rd. GODERICH

519-524-9381 1-800-338-1134

www.facebook.com/jakessmallengine

Dave Franken

CONCRETE FORMING For All Your Concrete Needs!

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • Foundations • Floor Finishing • Circular Tanks • Sandwich Walls FREE ESTIMATES RR#3 Blyth ~ Fax 519-523-9604 519-523-9971

417 Parsons Court, Goderich 519-612-1387 Open 12-4 Monday - Friday; 10-4 Saturday

www.lakesideshelving.com lakesidemarket@gmail.com

email: parsonsusedfurniture@gmail.com facebook.com/parsonsusedfurniture

519-524-1740

JKM

33842 Market Rd., North of Goderich, off Hwy. 21

Call

519-524-0253

Central Boiler Classic Outdoor Wood Furnaces, Edge Outdoor Wood Furnaces & Maxim Wood Pellet and Corn Burners Gasification units available Inquire about our new edges Carman Bernard

519-887-6405 RR #4 Brussels centralboiler.com

- COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION

Plumbing Heating Cooling and Refrigeration

DAN'S AUTO REPAIR

306-897-0156 Clinton, Ontario

RR 3, Blyth, Ont. N0M 1H0

Jonmerner@gmail.com

Jon Merner

Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell

(on the Westfield Rd.)

DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician

519-523-4356

Martin’s Nursery NEW CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURAL RENOVATIONS RESIDENTIAL

Authorized dealer for

c/o EMANUEL E.M. MARTIN 42661 Orangehill Road RR #1 Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 1 Concession North of Wroxeter on Belmore Line Mon. - Sat. 7 am - 6 pm

Large selection of shade trees, including... MAPLES.... Royal Red, Sugar, Autumn Blaze, Autumn Fantasy, Morgan, Native Red, Silver X Red Maple Emerald Queen, Maple, etc., Oaks, Crabapple, Ornamental Pears, Ivory Silk Lilac, Ginkgo, Kentucky Coffee Trees, Lindens, Hydrangea Tree, Service berry, Saskatoon Tree, Globe Maple, Umbrella Catalpa, Birch, etc.

FLOWERING SHRUBS... Hydrangea, Spirea, Smoke Bush, Globe Cedar, Boxwood, Ninebarks & much more.

FRUIT TREES.... Apples, Pears, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot, Nectarines, Blueberry, Black Chokecherry, etc., Grapes.

Lots of Spruce and Cedars, create your own privacy hedge, windbreak or boundary line with a row of healthy Black or White Cedars, 3-6+ feet tall.

Call 519-523-4792 to book your spot today!

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023. PAGE 19.

Refugees still in need despite positive response Continued from page 15 August, 2022, an event that was attended by 90 Ukrainian newcomers, their hosts and other community members. The event was key to helping newcomers establish connections with one another and forging friendships,” Nonkes said in his report. “In 2022, the Goderich Lions Club also established a community committee to provide financial assistance to newcomers when they faced unexpected financial challenges.

While most of the Ukrainian newcomers found work within a few weeks of arrival, the fund helps

all newcomers access up to $1,500 per family for unexpected financial crises, such as covering an unexpected dental bill or repairing damaged eye glasses.”

Nonkes also told council that the Huron County Immigration Partnership has worked with Auburn’s Huron Chapel to collect winter coats and boots for newcomers.

“Building on the success of the Lions Club barbecue, the Immigration Partnership also partnered with Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich to host monthly potlucks for Ukrainian newcomers.

The potlucks have been an opportunity to build a Ukrainian community locally, to introduce new arrivals to other Ukrainians who have been in Huron County longer and to bring in guest speakers who provide information about available services,” Nonkes said in his report to council.

“Speakers have included the Salvation Army, who helped people understand how to sign up for assistance, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, who spoke about their settlement services, the Centre for Employment and Learning, who shared about their

Milestone The Lucknow Presbyterian Church marked its 150th anniversary on Sunday with an anniversary service led by Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee and and a special musical performance by the Kingsbridge Quartet. (John Stephenson photo)

Forgiveness is a continual process Continued from page 17 person. Sometimes we don’t forgive because the other person doesn’t show any sign of remorse for what they did. But I have found two things happen when I choose to forgive the other, regardless of whether they are sorry or not.

First, telling them I have forgiven them will often lower their guard and it ends up being the first step in them feeling sorry for what they did. When I come to them with humility and let them know that I am choosing to longer be upset about what they did, because I have put it aside and I would like to move on towards building a relationship with them, it is hard for them to maintain their justification for what they did.

Secondly, forgiving someone is the first step in me dealing with my own feelings of anger and bitterness. Let’s all just admit that being bitter is not the best emotional state to be in; even if we do feel some false sense of self justification when we dwell on all the bad things they did to us.

Forgiveness is also a continual process. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as doing it once and having all the bitterness disappear. The reality is that every time you see the other person, feelings of anger will well up, and you need to once again choose to put them aside and instead act in a way that would build a relationship. The beautiful truth to this though is that it is through this ongoing process of forgiveness, the healing will happen in your own heart and soul.

Healing will take time, but as the

relationship is restored, the wound is healed and the feelings of bitterness are relieved.

Forgiveness requires action just like love requires action; we need to act in a way that is loving. To forgive and forget is not true forgiveness, because the whole goal of forgiveness is to restore the relationship to what a loving relationship in that context (work or family or marriage) should be. We often make forgiveness conditional on restitution (I will forgive you after you pay me back for what you did to me). But the truth is, that is backwards and will never work.

Until there is forgiveness, no amount of restitution will ever be enough. We can’t go back in time and change what happened.

Sometimes, there is nothing we can do to ever fix the damage that was done; the vase has been shattered and it can’t be put back together again. Unless you forgive me, then there is nothing I can do to restore your relationship with me. You are going to have to make the choice.

Now, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to make amends for what we did that was wrong, of course, we do because that is the loving thing to do and that is what will build back the relationship… but forgiveness is not conditional on some level of restitution. True restitution comes when we truly desire to restore the relationship.

As Christians, we have the greatest example of forgiveness in Jesus. The Bible says that “God demonstrates His love for us in this way that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). God

so loved us that He chose to send his one and only Son Jesus to die in our place and take the punishment for our sin. He did this while we were still shaking our fists in rebellion to Him, telling the God who made us that we would rather live by our own rules and be in charge of our own life. Yet God, wanting to have the relationship with us that He created us for, took the first step in restoring that relationship. God is inviting you into an everlasting relationship with Him, if you are willing to accept the forgiveness He is offering and enter into relationship with Him by surrendering the control of your life to Jesus.

This verse is quoted in a number of different ways in the Bible about God, “But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love.” (Nehemiah 9:17b).

Why don’t you try Him out and see what He is like?

Sudoku Solution

employment and English learning opportunities and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, who highlighted income tax obligations.”

He told council that one continuing need is safe housing for Ukrainian newcomers. Nonkes said that safety and support for all involved has been paramount, which has been a focus for his department.

“To mitigate safety concerns between hosts and Ukrainian newcomers, the Huron County Immigration Partnership, along with other Immigration Partnerships across Canada, partnered with Ukraine Diaspora Support Canada (UADSC), a federally registered not-for-profit that formed to assist and support Ukrainians, displaced by war, to settle in Canada. UADSC matched Ukrainian families with Canadian volunteers to facilitate visas, travel (including purchasing plane tickets) and creating mutually-agreed-upon housing and sponsorship supports that are researched and monitored.

Huron County residents who are offering much-needed housing to displaced Ukrainians were connected to UADSC volunteers to manage the matching process,” Nonkes said in his report.

“Additionally, the Huron County Immigration Partnership recently formed a collaboration agreement with Cross Cultural Learning Centre in London who are experiencing significant demands for housing from newcomers who are already in Canada. Cross Cultural Learning Centre is a federally-funded institution that provides newcomers direct settlement assistance and is providing services to Ukrainian newcomers. The demands they are seeing have been overwhelming and the need for housing is urgent.

We join them in appealing to the community for people to consider hosting or billeting a family who has recently arrived from Ukraine.”

He also noted the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario offering personalized settlement support to newcomers, while the YMCA and Huron County Library have hosted Conversation Circles to improve English-speaking skills.

“We have been impressed throughout the past year with Huron County employers who welcomed Ukrainian newcomers into their workforce and went the extra step to make sure newcomers had the resources they needed to succeed in the workforce,” Nonkes said in his report.

“Despite the successes and collaborative environment established to respond to Ukrainian newcomers, there continue to be challenges. A lack of affordable housing has meant that some individuals have decided to move to urban spaces after being hosted by Huron County residents. The unavailability of hosts has meant that we have had to turn requests down from people interested in coming to this area. The limitations in public transportation within Huron County have meant that volunteer drivers continue to be relied on for several months after an individual or family arrives. The large distances between towns has meant that it is not easy for individuals to meet one another organically and develop a network of support. As such, Ukrainian meet-ups are essential to strengthen the community of support,” Nonkes said. “ We continue to be committed to working to support Ukrainian newcomers, thanks to a network of dedicated volunteers, passionate community organizations and community service organizations determined to assist in the settlement process.”

Happy 80th Ruth/Mom/Grandma!

What a milestone!

You have been a part of many things and brought smiles to so many people’s faces. We want to tell you how special you are to all of us!

Love your family

Time to Celebrate!

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, retirement or some other special event, show them how much you care with an announcement in The Citizen.

2" wide x 3" high

4" wide x 3" high

$30 + tax

$60 + tax

includes colour

includes colour

The Citizen Call or email today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023.

Brussels Market returns to Richmond Square

Back again The Brussels Market returned to the village on May 26 and will carry on a bi-weekly schedule until Sept. 8. Above, Rosemary Edward of Clinton, left, earns a sale from Jim and Janice Henry of Blyth. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen The much-anticipated Brussels Market made a vibrant comeback to the downtown area at Richmond Square on May 26, marking the beginning of its season on a sunny and warm day. With a diverse range of offerings and a promising lineup of vendors, the event lived up to its hype, drawing in locals and visitors alike.

The market boasted an assortment of goods, including jewelry, crafts, flowers, jams, syrups, butchered meat, fresh produce, baked goods and more. Event Co-ordinator Amanda Ripper said a total of 14 vendors from nearby locations eagerly signed up to participate in the first market of the season, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Amidst the stalls, members of the United Church extended their hospitality by offering warm cups of tea or coffee and delicious cookies, creating a welcoming ambiance for market-goers to enjoy as they explored the various offerings.

The Brussels Market is scheduled to recur every other week on Fridays from 12-5 p.m. until September, with the final event slated for Sept. 8. To further enhance the experience, future markets are expected to feature live music, promising to entertain and uplift attendees.

Among the enthusiastic vendors present, notable individuals caught the attention of market visitors.

Rosemary Edward, hailing from Clinton, showcased her homemade baked goods prepared in her kitchen at home, proudly highlighting the regular health inspections her operation undergoes. Edward expressed her joy at being back at the market and engaging with customers once again.

Emily Fitzpatrick Harman, representing Mapleton Acres Flower Farm just outside of Arthur, shared her excitement about participating in the outdoor Brussels Market for the first time.

Harman’s farm specializes in a wide variety of locally-grown flowers, emphasizing a

commitment to providing products that are “grown, not flown”. The farm's presence added a touch of natural beauty to the market.

Kim Goss from Clinton showcased a range of products from the brand Epicure. Goss proudly spoke of the company's Canadian origins, as it was founded in British Columbia, and highlighted its diverse selection of healthy and convenient food options. Goss expressed her delight at the market's reopening, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses.

Jacque and Angus MacDonald, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, were thrilled to bring their vibrant collection of handcrafted jewelry, known as Jacque’s Gems, back to the Brussels Market. Their colourful creations captured the attention of market-goers and added a touch of elegance to the event.

Donna Bauer from Brussels offered products from the brand Aloette, while also shedding light on the health benefits of aloe. Bauer expressed her happiness, saying,

“[It] feels good because the sun is shining.” Additionally, Bauer assisted her daughter-in-law Laura Bauer and granddaughter Sydney Bauer, who were unable to attend due to Sydney’s graduation, by selling handcrafted bags on their behalf.

Rebecca Witzke, who resides near Clifford, showcased an impressive range of products, including maple syrup, vegetables, crocheted items and wool from their farm’s sheep.

Amos M. Weber and his daughter Sarah, representing Millbank, displayed a delightful selection of butchered meats and cheeses, enticing market-goers with their high-quality, delectable treats.

The return of the Brussels Market provides a platform for local artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and offerings. As the market continues its bi-weekly run until September, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a lively atmosphere, enriched by the diverse array of products and the unmistakable charm of downtown Brussels.

Stop by and check out these and other great books!

101 Things For Kids To Do Outside Let them go outside and play! 101 Things For Kids To Do Outside is ideal for parents, teachers, and all those working with youth.

This book is ideal for the children who like gaming, TV and movies. Even kids who believe "there's nothing to do outside" can learn and be encouraged to experience the joy of outdoor play. Perfect for rainy days, sunshiny days, even snowy days. $19.95 ADMIRAL HENRY WOLSEY BAYFIELD David Yates brings to life the powerful personality and extraordinary career of Henry Bayfield, taking us on travels through the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and Atlantic coast in small boats on rough waters. This is a story that deserves to be remembered. $20.00 LIVES OF GIRLS AND WOMEN BEAUTIFUL BOARDS The intensely readable, touching, If you board it, they will come! make and very funny story of Del Jordan, mealtimes, special occasions and a young woman who journeys from holidays extra memorable with the 50 the carelessness of childhood delicious, inspiring, family-friendly and through an uneasy adolescence in easy-to-recreate snack boards found in search of love. $19.95 Beautiful Boards. $32.99 THE NEW STENCIL BOOK Includes over 40 stencil motifs to use and information how to cut stencils and how to apply them. Learn more about how to use this decorating technique. $19.95 Now $9.98

BREAD MAKING Essential Guide For Beginners ~ Self-Sufficiency This is an invaluable guide for anyone who’s always wanted to make warm, delicious NEVER SELL YOUR bread while becoming less HEN ON A RAINY DAY reliant on processed, preSome of those old packaged food. $11.99

Hop aboard The Brussels Optimist Club held a bike rodeo and pedal car pull on Saturday at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, much to the delight of five-year-old Lydia Deitner. (John Stephenson photo)

TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR Baby looks out weather sayings really the window. See do make sense. This the stars! Baby is book explains why. getting sleepy. $8.95 Yawn! Baby goes to bed. Nightnight, everyone!

This indestructible book is built the way babies “read”: with their hands and mouths. It won’t rip or tear and is 100% washable. It’s made for baby to hold, grab, chew, pull, and bend. $7.95

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

MAKING HOMEMADE WINE This bulletin will take the mystery out of winemaking by teaching you the language of winemakers, ingredients and equipment. It also includes delicious wine recipes. $5.95

DECKSCAPING Suggestions for trellises, arbours, planters, plants, vines and furniture to enhance your outdoor livingroom.

160 pages of ideas. $29.95