The Citizen - March 15, 2024

2 • History 4 • Editorials 8 • Sports 19 • Fermentation

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source

Friday, March 15, 2024

$1.50 GST included

Volume 40 No. 11

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

CH cuts budget increase

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

The big reveal Anishinaabe artist Jeannette Ladd, pointing upwards, was in Goderich on Saturday to officially unveil her new mural at the Huron County Museum, commissioned by the museum itself. “Through the mural, I wanted to show that our love and respect for Mother Earth, Turtle Island, is necessary to ensure that we have a world for

future generations. The piece shows that we are all connected to the sun, moon, stars, nature and water, which need to work in harmony to provide a good life for everyone and everything,” Ladd said of the mural, above. The event shared the museum space with the county’s Great Maple Bake-off, part of its annual Maple Mania. (John Stephenson photo)

End in sight for Morris-Turnberry budget

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Council received an update on the 2024 budget process from Treasurer Sean Brophy at a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5. Brophy confirmed that the process is nearing completion and provided details about the tweaks that have been made since the budget was first presented on Jan. 9.

Brophy is projecting a draft levy increase of $169,324 or 3.55 per cent, requiring a draft rate increase of 3.88 per cent, with a projected blended rate of 3.71 per cent, but clarified the numbers are still subject to some changes and outstanding figures.

Under the building department, Brophy proposes increasing the

training budget from $6,500 to $7,500, using additional funds from reserves to cover the increase.

Under the landfill budget, Brophy proposes contributing an additional $36,000 to the reserve, increasing the future landfill costs from $10,000 to $25,000 in anticipation of site development, and adding $6,500 for a heated portable washroom unit.

Councillor Sharen Zinn probed Brophy on the proposed facility upgrade. “Don’t we have a portable washroom out there now?” queried Zinn. “Yes, there’s currently one there,” replied Brophy, “but it’s not heated.”

Director of Public Works Mike Alcock chimed in to provide clarification on the hot topic. “It was brought to my attention when we had a person filling in out at the

landfill that had to shovel out the porta potty before they could use it, which kind of shocked me. But when the wind blows, those doors flap and when the doors flap, they fill in with snow,” explained Alcock. “In addition to that,” he continued, “it’s always been a concern of mine that there’s no place at our landfill to wash your hands. And from a health-andsafety perspective, if there’s any place on the planet you want to wash your hands, it’s at the landfill.”

Alcock said that there are potential cost savings of buying the new unit over renting the current model at the site. He indicated the same company would service the replacement. According to Alcock, eliminating the rental fee would reduce the annual cost by around

$1,440. “If we were to upgrade to a unit that was heatable, our prices would be $1,800 per year lower. We would still be paying them $55 to come out and pump the waste. We think that once a month would be fine because this unit has a flush toilet.”

Alcock offered further justification for the expense. “The other nice thing about this unit is that it has a locking door. We get people into our landfill scavenging.

The sign doesn’t keep them out and neither does the gate. There’s the potential there for them to be in a bathroom that you might not want to use after.”

Mayor Jamie Heffer flushed out questions from the floor.

Councillor Jamie McCallum wondered how the proposed new Continued on page 20

Despite staff coming in recommending a year-over-year tax increase of nearly 14 per cent, Central Huron Council is opting for an increase closer to five per cent, choosing to cut a number of bigticket purchases.

Director of Finance Jeff Boyes presented council with his first draft of the consolidated budget on Tuesday, March 5. This came after several budget meetings that were focused on the operational budgets for specific departments.

Boyes recommended a tax levy increase of 13.85 per cent, representing a tax rate increase of 13.51 per cent. He told council that staff was aware of the “significant” nature of a 13.85 per cent increase, but underlined the importance of keeping up with the “growing operating and capital needs” of the municipality. He noted that the biggest reason for the proposed increase was wages.

“The primary driver of the operating increase is wage increases resulting from the collective agreement negotiations. This was expected, as unionized annual wage increases were only 1.5 per cent from 2020 to 2023,” Boyes said in his report. “In addition, the interest, capital and operating costs for the Bluewater Youth Centre have increased without any lease revenue to offset them. As noted at the previous council meeting, this cost could be offset in future years with an increase in leasing revenue.”

He added that spending in facilities and equipment is also increasing as both continue to age, requiring further maintenance.

Boyes did, however, prepare a number of scenarios for council to cut items in order to incrementally decrease the potential tax levy increase, bringing it all the way down to 5.06 per cent, which would represent an overall tax rate increase for Central Huron residents of 4.3 per cent.

He proposed removing three events from the economic development/community improvement co-ordinator budget in the Sip and Savour and Wine and Cheese events at a cost of $1,000 and $850, respectively, as well as elimination of the annual Mayor’s Mingle at a cost of $8,500.

However, four large-scale purchases being removed from the budget were the real needle-movers in Boyes’ recommendations.

While removing the Sip and Continued on page 3

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Busted!

Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

I

n the quest of information in family research, one may find historical records to anchor the recollections of subsequent generations. The other side of the coin would be the family stories that have been passed down through the ages. How does the researcher separate fact from fiction?

Let us look at the case of William Watson, who, in 1848, was one of the earlier settlers in Wawanosh Township (now West Wawanosh).

He had grown up in a fishing family in the village of Whitehills, Banffshire, Scotland. His trade was that of cooper or barrel maker, an asset to his family as the barrels he made held the salted fish meant for export.

When he came to Canada, he brought with him two chests; one contained his tools and some clothing and the other, books. The preceding information has been confirmed by research.

In the mid-1950s, his daughter, Eleanor, wrote about her father’s history in which she told of his attending the University of Glasgow at the same time as David Livingstone, of his being a secretary to a Lord Marr and of William falling in love with the Lord’s daughter, Jeane. When the Lord forbade the marriage of William and Jeane because of William’s lower social status, William set off for Canada then returned to Scotland later only to find that Jeane had died of a broken heart.

William journeyed to Canada once more vowing to wed the first unmarried woman he met there.

Quite the story, but, was

there truth in any of it?

Eleanor was only four when her father died in 1879, and in her 80s when she wrote the family story for her nephew. Recent research has determined that there was a Lord Mar in Scotland, but that he and his wife had no children. As well, William married a young woman from Colborne Township, which is nowhere near any landing port in Canada and she was unlikely to be the first unmarried woman that he met.

So, we are left to wonder. What is the truth? Did all these events take place or were they merely stories told around the fireplace half a continent and an ocean away from being verified or disputed? We can’t say for sure whether these stories were true or not, but we are skeptical.

Here is another case of fact or fiction. In the 1970s, an older woman passed away and members of the family were receiving friends and relatives at the visitation. One guest was quite advanced in age and, after he read the obituary card, he approached the deceased’s two daughters and said, “Girls, you have your mother’s birth year as 1891.

That is wrong. I know because I was born in 1895 and we used to date.

She told me she was younger than I was.” Oh, oh! Looks like that grandma got busted for lying about her age decades after the fact!

Kate Duff, one of the volunteers at the Blyth Repository of History, has uncovered a fascinating story of a former Blyth family. Here are her findings.

“We announce the death of Sir

Wm. H.G. Colles,” proclaimed the newspapers in October of 1880.

“The late Sir Colles was knighted in 1851 A.D.… he was Lord Mayor of Dublin,” said the Goderich Star. “Sir Colles; Conveyancer, Solicitor in Chancery, and Attorney of the Law and Equity Courts of Ireland, Genealogist, Land, Loan, and Estate Agent, Life and Fire Insurance, and General Agent” was, per the Huron Expositor, “Blyth’s nobility,” who, before his death, travelled to Washington, D.C., where he was “presented to the President of the White House [Rutherford B. Hayes].”

Far from being one of Blyth’s most illustrious earliest citizens, though, he was one of its earliest charlatans. He was never knighted, nor was he Lord Mayor of Dublin.

An enquiry to Julie Mayle, Curator of Manuscripts at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library, confirmed that Colles visited Washington and left his calling card with the receptionist at the White House, but she could not uncover any evidence that he actually met the president.

So, who was William H.G. Colles, and how did he come to be known as Sir Colles? He was born March 30, 1803, in Dublin, Ireland, to an upper middle-class family of lawyers, doctors and churchmen.

His father, Richard Colles, was a barrister - that is, a high-status lawyer “called to the bar” - as was his elder brother, Edward. His uncle and first cousin were professors of surgery at Trinity College, Dublin; another uncle, brother of his father’s first wife, was a baronet. No doubt

his family expected similar success from William, and indeed he became a lawyer too, but, by 1856, he was still toiling as an ordinary solicitor in Dublin.

Then, around 1859, when he was 56 years old, William, his wife Jane, and their seven children immigrated to Canada. Was this a voluntary move? Or was he exiled abroad by a family embarrassed by his inventive approach to the truth?

The 1861 and 1871 census reports show that the family settled in Bentinck Township in Grey County, where William first declared himself to be a solicitor and later, with his eldest son Thomas, a farmer.

William may have seen the move to Blyth as the perfect opportunity to knight himself; perhaps he thought “Sir” would benefit his return to the business of law more than a simple

“Esq.” And we can imagine that Jane must have enjoyed being called Dame or Lady Colles.

William opened a law office on Queen St, while Thomas ran a stage coach company, including the mail route between Clinton and Wingham. William and Jane, who died in 1886, are buried in Clinton Public Cemetery; their headstone, erected by Thomas, omits their selfappointed titles.

Consider yourselves busted, William and Jane Colles.

Perhaps, in the information age that we now live in, it would be more difficult to perpetrate such fictional lives without the fear of being found out. On the flip side, considering the content on the internet and artificial intelligence, can everything we see and hear be considered the truth?

Neews depends endss on facts. ts. Whe Where are you our facts ts coming com ng from? ro News Media Canada is a passion ssionate advocate for the news industry. We support our mem mber m publications in their pursuit of quality journalism nalism.

Wee believe that when society has factss they can W trust, better decisions will be made.

newsmediacanada.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 3.

CH budget process nears completion

Time to taste As part of Huron County’s annual Maple Mania, the Huron County Museum played host to The Great Maple Bake-off, which brought together culinary professionals from Bayfield Berry Farm, Milk n’ Honey, White Squirrel Golf Club and Resort, The Den Juice Company, Cowbell Brewing Company and BOYB Zero Waste Depot. Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, right, was on hand to keep things in order. In the end, it was White Squirrel (with an assist from its maple syrup provider Blyth Creek Maple Farm) that would end up claiming maple supremacy. (John Stephenson photo)

‘Whoville’ chosen for carnival

Kudos to the government for clamping down on sports celebrities being part of advertisements for gambling groups. I admit to being surprised that someone like Wayne Gretzky would think he needed to be in those television spots or that their agents didn’t recognize the harm they might do.

Our youth look to these persons as examples for their own lives and the thought that one of these advertisements might ruin a life or a family should have been taken into consideration. It’s better that Wayne sticks to reminding adults to get their vaccines! Dare I say that it is always about the bottom line?

And the debate goes on... about Daylight Saving Time. Have you recovered from last weekend’s time change? Has your circadian rhythm gotten back in step? Twice a year, we hear this discussion about abolishing the practice of gaining and losing an hour of sleep. Both sides have reasonable-sounding arguments. I can’t say I have noticed any changes in the few days following the change unless one counts the fact that a lovely nap seemed necessary on Sunday.

Licensed Worship Lay Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship at Londesborough United Church on March 10, the fourth Sunday of Lent. The congregation was smaller than usual that day due to inclement weather. The choir asked the musical question, “Is There Anybody Here [who loves my Jesus]?”

Sue offered her “Time for Everyone” to all who are young at heart, as there were no Sunday school children present. She encouraged everyone to think about God as a magnet. Christians are drawn to Him and our church to reinforce our faith as we hear over and over the stories and lessons of the Bible. The importance of those writings change throughout our lives, but remain the magnet that directs us.

The responsive reading was Psalm 107. In the verses of John 3:14-21 Jesus replies to a question by the Pharisee, Nicodemus. For her reflection that day, Sue took on the role of Nicodemus and told of his meeting with both John the Baptist and Jesus. His questioning of those events changed his life.

As this most important season in the Christian calendar continues, be aware of the special services upcoming, such as Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Communion on Easter Sunday. The Easter food drive continues as well.

The knitters and crocheters, who met on Tuesday afternoon in the church basement are encouraging others to join them for a time to work on projects, get some help and have a chat while working.

This past week was March Break for students across the province.

Once pupils and staff return to classes, it will seem just a short rush to the end of June.

Hullett Central Public School will be preparing for its spring production of Seussical the Musical over the next few weeks. Because of the music presentation, the Student Advisory Committee has chosen “Whoville” as the theme for the school’s annual carnival and auction on April 26. Keep the date on your calendar so you can join the fun at the Blyth and District Community Centre that evening.

Watch for more details in the next month and consider how you might

help or what you might donate to the auction.

On Feb. 20, the senior volleyball teams from Hullett Central participated in the district tournament, held at Central Huron Secondary School. Hullett Central played matches against teams from Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich, Brookside and Huron Centennial Public Schools. Mr. Plant coached the boys’ team and Mr. Caldwell coached the girls’ team.

The Hullett Central teams had similar results against the other schools. However, because the boys’ team only lost one match, they finished the event in first place. The girls’ team ended the day in a three-way tie with Clinton and Goderich. Because Clinton beat Goderich during the day, they finished first, Goderich claimed second and Hullett Central was declared in third place. Well done to all of the players!

Hoopsters are busy practising currently in preparation for the upcoming district basketball tournament.

Continued from page 1 Savour and Wine and Cheese events would only serve to reduce the tax levy by less than 0.01 per cent each and the Mayor’s Mingle by 0.1 per cent, four proposed removals would have a much greater impact. The four items combined would have an impact of more than eight per cent on the tax levy. The removal of repairs to the facilities storage building, at a cost of $225,000, would reduce the levy by 2.54 per cent; the removal of the Maitland Line bridge repair, at a cost of $198,000, would reduce it by 2.24 per cent; the removal of paving on Telephone Road, at a cost of $117,000, would reduce it by 1.32 per cent, and not replacing a backhoe, at a cost of $200,000, would reduce it by 2.26 per cent.

If council were to remove all seven line items from the budget, Boyes said it would result in a 5.06 per cent increase to the levy and an overall tax rate increase (including Huron County and education rates) of 4.3 per cent.

A 5.06 per cent levy increase would result in an additional tax of $36.37 per $100,000 of residential assessment. It would also represent an increase of $76.71 on the average single-family home in Central Huron, which is currently valued at $211,000.

In regards to assessment, Boyes also noted that the Municipal Properties Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has not reassessed homes since 2016. When that time comes and assessments are raised, rates will come down, he said, noting that, regardless of assessment, it only takes so many dollars to run the municipality. So, if assessment rises, the tax rates will fall to compensate.

On that note, he told council that, under the proposed budget (with the tax levy increase of 13.85 per cent), the levy requirements this year would be just over $10 million, compared to $8.8 million in 2023.

Boyes also noted a number of pressures expected on the budget in the coming years. He said there is no money in the budget to operate a pool (options for a new pool are currently being considered), which account for a savings of between $70,000 and $90,000 per year. He also said that Central Huron may incur “significant” costs related to the Dodds municipal drain, adding that nearly $300,000 in costs relating to the drain have yet to be recovered.

Furthermore, Boyes noted that capital requirements for 2025 will exceed those of 2024 by nearly $2 million. He then told council that, if changes were made to the budget (that council would eventually make) to put off a number of capital purchases, that would add another $1 million to the 2025 capital requirements. That means the budget will require $9.1 million in general capital needs in 2025, compared to just $6 million in 2024.

As for a jumping-off point for the budget, Boyes also told council about a bit of an accounting note that resulted in a deficit for the 2023 budget of nearly $1.35 million.

He told council that over $3.2 million in debt was not utilized in regards to the Bluewater Youth Centre. If the loan was fully drawn down, he said, the budget would have ended in a surplus position of nearly $2 million. He said he wanted to note that for council to provide full context to the deficit being presented.

Once the floor was turned over to council, it was clear that councillors were not in favour of the proposed tax levy increase and endeavoured to bring it down.

Councillors Alison Lobb and Everett Smith spoke first, both in favour of Boyes’ lowest proposed increase of 5.06 per cent. Lobb, however, wanted to keep the Mayor’s Mingle alive calling it a “signature event” for the municipality that is always well attended.

Mayor Jim Ginn also spoke in favour of keeping the three events in the budget. First, he said, they would barely impact the bottom line with their relatively small costs, and second, he agreed with Lobb that the Mayor’s Mingle has become an event that people anticipate and frequently attend.

Council directed Boyes to return with a budget that included a 5.18 per cent increase to the tax levy (his proposed 5.06 per cent increase, but with the three aforementioned events returned to the budget) to be considered at council’s April 15 meeting. Furthermore, council opted to cancel the next scheduled budget meeting on March 19 (at least for budget deliberation purposes - council did float the idea of keeping it as a time to discuss some economic development opportunities) and move ahead on April 15.

It is finished!

(J. C. Ryle) “It is finished!” John 19:30 Let us turn from the story of the crucifixion, every time we reat it — with hearts full of praise.

Let us praise God for the confidence it gives us, as to the ground of our hope of pardon. Our sins may be many and great — but the payment made by our Great Substitute far outweighs them all!

Let us praise God for the view it gives us of the love of our Father in heaven.

He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all — will surely with Him give us all things!

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

Not least, let us praise God for the view it gives us of the sympathy of Jesus with all His believing people. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows what suffering is. Jesus is just the Saviour that an infirm body, with a weak heart, in an evil world, requires!

A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-3887

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Editorials & Opinions

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

The Citizen 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

Looking to the lakes This winter’s “weirdly warm weather” has sent scientists off in a new research direction, according to a report in the National Post. After record warm temperatures on the planet in January (now for the eighth month in a row), researchers from Michigan Tech University are beginning to collect data on how that will affect the Great Lakes. This winter saw just three per cent ice over on the world’s largest freshwater system - the lowest since 1973, when records began to be kept.

For lakes accustomed to long, cold winters under ice, these changes could have dramatic environmental, economic and cultural impacts.

Scientists do not know how the warming of the planet will affect everything in the immense Great Lakes basin, including harming certain fish species, eroding beaches, fuelling algae blooms and clogging shipping channels. Iceless lakes could open up longer fishing and shipping seasons, but, without ice cover, scientists speculate the lakes will absorb more sunlight and warm up sooner. This could result in large algae blooms and thermal stratification, both of which would cause large die-offs of plankton and other organisms, and smaller fish populations.

Winter storms and extreme weather events would make it harder to fish commercially and wreak havoc on shipping lanes, and damage shorelines, docks and infrastructure. All of these impacts would increase costs of food and other goods that rely on the Great Lakes. Climate change has costs and the sooner we understand them, the sooner we can evaluate the costs of taking steps to mitigate that change and the cost of doing nothing. The iceless Great Lakes are a powerful barometer. – DS

Losing our leaders On consecutive days last week, we lost two giants of, not to put too fine a point on it, things that are important to The Citizen, its readers and the communities it serves. Ron Walker, co-founder of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, passed away on March 7 and the next day, March 8, Jack Ryan, host of the 2017 International Plowing Match, followed.

One year after James Roy, Anne Chislett and Keith Roulston founded the Blyth Festival, Roy approached Ron, a painter and teacher, and his wife Bev, an accomplished printmaker who passed away last October, about creating an art gallery to complement the new theatre.

Next year, the gallery will mark its 50th anniversary, just one year after the Festival celebrates its golden anniversary.

In the years leading up to 2017, The Citizen ran several features on the Ryan family as their Walton farm would be the focal point for the IPM Huron County was to host. Rather than the farm, it was the Ryan family that was the focal point. The tight-knit group of Jack and his children - Stephen, Joe, Peggy and Monica - was missing Marianna, Jack’s wife of 43 years, who passed away in 2012 at just 65.

These champions of community were not just emblematic of what it means to be caring members of society, they shared love stories the likes of which we should all admire. Bev and Ron, and Marianna and Jack so loved one another so they could then share that love with us.

Huron County will miss these four, knowing they cannot and will not be replaced. To remember them, we have art and a gallery, we have memories and we have an event that captured the hearts and minds of residents for years. You are all deeply missed. Thank you. – SL

Did you feel the Ken-ergy?

Finding bad news is easy to do in 2024. Tragic scenes flash endlessly across “doom scrolling” screens, imprinting awful and horrific images of atrocities, autocracies and hypocrisies onto fragile minds and psyches without reprieve. It can sometimes feel like there is no escape from the harshness of the human experience. For too many unfortunate souls, hope is usurped by sorrow and things are looking like they might only just get worse from here. But then again - Ryan Gosling.

London’s very own “Mousekateer” performed at the Academy Awards on Sunday. The Breaker High star strutted his silliest stuff on Hollywood’s biggest stage with undeniable charm, incredible confidence and colossally abundant comedic capability. An instant Oscars classic.

The Barbie heartthrob was joined by fellow Barbie heartthrob and Mississauga-raised Simu Liu, among others, for a subversive song-anddance number and cheeky homage to legendary buxom bombshell Marilyn Monroe’s memorable performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the Hollywood classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

To begin his performance, the pink-clad Gosling crept and crooned playfully behind star and producer Margot Robbie, before he perambulated onwards to sing along with co-star America Ferrera and director/mastermind/visionary/genius Greta Gerwig. A gleefully beaming Gerwig was clearly elated by the rousing rendition of “I’m Just Ken” by the FranKENstein’s monster she created.

The movie Barbie only took home one Academy Award for a song that wasn’t the one Gosling performed. Nevertheless, it was quite obvious who actually won the night. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years March 19, 1969 The Blyth Fire Brigade responded to a call at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Griffith on County Road 25, situated east of Blyth, last Thursday morning. The call was prompted by a fire that broke out in the kitchen of their farmhouse.

Both winners of the Blyth Lions Club speaking contest, Miss Hazel Collins and Mr. Bill Boussey from Central Huron Secondary School, also emerged victorious in another contest held in Wingham. They were set to journey to Angus, Ontario to participate in additional competitions.

The World Day of Prayer Service took place at Blyth United Church on Friday, March 7, centred around the theme “Growing Together With Christ,” prepared by the women of Africa.

During the service, Mrs. Russell Cook delivered a meaningful address. Additionally, Mrs. Keith Webster, Mrs. Wm. Dalrymple, Mrs. Louis Phelan, Mrs. L. McLellan and Mrs. C. Van Amersfoort participated.

Accompanied by Mrs. Kai on the organ, a ladies trio consisting of Mrs. H. Hoba, Mrs. A. Wasson, and Mrs. Doug Howson performed two numbers, including the song “Kum Ba Yah.” Mrs. M. Hol served as one of the ushers.

March 16, 1977 On Monday morning, a fire completely ravaged the barn and its contents at Louis Kumprey’s farm on RR4, Brussels. Kumprey informed The Post that 30 head of livestock, including cows and horses, were lost, along with all the contents, though he couldn’t specify the number of implements.

The cause of the fire remained

unknown, and there was no available estimate of the loss. The Brussels, Blyth, and Wingham fire departments swiftly responded to the call after the fire was initially noticed between 6 and 7 a.m.

However, by the time they arrived, the fire had already spread significantly, resulting in the barn being completely engulfed in flames.

On Monday, committee chairman Jim Prior announced that six tenders had been submitted for the construction of the new Brussels, Morris, and Grey Community Centre. The arena committee engaged in the process of thoroughly reviewing them and aimed to reach a decision by the week’s end.

Tenders were required to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday.

Prior noted that up until 14 minutes before the deadline, none had been received. Remarkably, all six tenders arrived within minutes of the cutoff time.

The committee planning the 1978 International Plowing Match sponsored a competition to encourage farm and home owners to enhance the appearance of their property. This contest, named the “Farmstead and Home Improvement Competition,” offered prizes in three categories: most improved farmstead and entrance, most improved rural dwelling and grounds, and most improved urban home and grounds.

March 15, 1989 The submission and bylaws for Blyth’s $300,000 PRIDE (Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development, and Economic Revitalization) program were forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs subsequent to a

public meeting convened on Feb. 28.

Simon Hallahan commemorated his 90th birthday with an open house at his residence in the Westfield area.

Blyth Village Council decided to absorb the $6,359 debt owed by the Blyth and District Recreation Centre Board to the village.

March 18, 2004 On Literacy Day at Hullett Central Public School, Rob Bundy captivated students and teachers with an enthusiastic recounting of the life story of the renowned writer, Robert Louis Stevenson.

Bundy engaged the audience by indicating Stevenson’s origins on an oversized map before delving further into his narrative.

The Bantam Bulldogs narrowly fell short in the semi-final series against the Milverton Royals.

Despite securing victory in the opening game of the best-of-three series, they were unable to maintain their momentum and succumbed in games two and three. Game two, which took place in Blyth on Monday, March 8, ended with a score of 8-3 in favour of Milverton.

The Ontario Retail Farm Equipment Dealers’ Association Convention unveiled its lineup of officers for 2004, featuring a local individual appointed as the first vice-president.

Brian McGavin, representing McGavin Farm Supply Ltd. in Walton, was appointed as the first vice-president during the organization’s convention and annual general meeting held in February in Niagara Falls.

The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams from Brussels Public School joined the North Huron Tournament held at F. E. Madill.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Poverty in a land of great wealth

O

ne of the advantages of being my age is that you come to appreciate many of the improvements life offers today.

On the weekend, for instance, we had a meteorological setback with winter weather returning for a day. But modern weather forecasting is so good that we knew in advance that this was coming, and that it would only be short, and then we’d be back to spring-like weather, and the spring snowdrops already blooming in our garden, would soon reappear from under the snow.

But one thing we never imagined when I was a youngster were the camps of tents that are present in many urban areas these days, housing people who can’t afford rent and those who use their rent money instead to buy drugs.

The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario calculates that on any given night, 35,000 Canadians are homeless (about the population of the City of Stratford) and that at least 235,000 are homeless in a year. Of these, 27 per cent are women, 19 per cent are youths and 24 per cent are people 55 years of age or older.

I’m not sure how old these figures are. If they’re based on last year, things are already probably worse this year. The number of people who are homeless just appears to keep growing.

The saddest part of this is how many of these people seem to be drug addicts. As a kid, even as a young adult, this extreme amount of drug addiction wouldn’t have seemed possible - this, despite the fact that many people of my generation were the first to smoke marijuana regularly. Some of the addicts are people who have progressed from one level of drugs to another, seeking a bigger “high”. But others were hooked by using some drugs originally provided on doctors’ advice to recover from pain and becoming addicted.

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk I feel sorry for political leaders and municipal staff who are blamed for not doing more to help the homeless. There are free clinics set up to ensure those addicted get clean in the hopes of saving their lives. Often neighbours complain of the chaos created in their community by the patients attracted and the dangerous effect on neighbourhood children.

When it comes to housing, civic politicians and staff have provided some drop-in centres where people can seek a warm bed for the night, but even if they had enough of these to house all the homeless people they had in their city last year, there always seem to be more this year - more than the shelter spaces available.

The situation seems to be made worse by many landlords who claim they must renovate buildings and so they evict long-term tenants who don’t pay as much rent. Unable to meet the soaring rent these days, (high rents someone my age finds unbelieveable) they often become homeless. What kind of greedygus landlord can enjoy his higher income while watching these people suffer?

All this in a country that has so much!

Meanwhile, the population of the country seemed to drop by a third, or even a half in some areas, this past week because so many took their families to southern vacation spots all while we had people living in tents.

Things have changed so much since I was young. Going to a town school in Lucknow, I can remember only a couple of families who went south in winter. Most of us in my community (and I suspect most others) found something else to do on our “Easter” holiday, as it was back then. We didn’t have the money for a vacation in my youth. Airports were much smaller because few people flew. The only people I knew who had been to Europe were my father, who had been a soldier, and our neighbours, a Dutch family who had come to Canada to escape the poverty of post-World War II. We have lived such a blessed life since then in Canada. Millions and millions of people have come to Canada (our population has more than doubled since my childhood) and nearly all of them have prospered. And still they come, and still they improve their lifestyles.

And yet, while all these people do well, more than 200,000 people across the country can’t afford to rent an apartment, let alone a house.

Since my childhood we’ve adopted a government-sponsored medical system that pays for most medical costs. Our governments help us get college and university education, with grants to schools and subsidies to students. We have more people today with a post-secondary education than ever before. (I was the first person in my extended family with a post-secondary degree, thanks to student loans and grants.)

And yet, we also have people living in tents in parks and along river banks, something we never saw in my youth. We have wealth we couldn’t even imagine when I was young, and yet we have people living in tents.

Take a few moments this mid-winter break, to think about that contrast.

Beware of Jean-Claude Van Scam ick it into Chaff gear, kickers, it’s time once again to stick it to The Chaff by telling it like it is or like it isn’t or like it might be if more people had the courage and resolve to once more Chaff unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

This week we’re dissecting all of the latest scams that we’ve fallen for, so you don’t have to! It’s been a busy month for us getting duped and we’ve been rolled repeatedly, so let’s look at where we went wrong and where the “Nefarious Larrys” and “Miscreant Martinas” went oh so right (at doing wrong).

Scam #1: “Raised from Childhood” Sometimes scammers can be people you think you know. They’ve gained your trust over time and get you to let your guard down.

In the “Raised from Childhood” scam, the culprits use fake names like “Mom” and “Dad”. The way this works is the scammers conceive and give birth to a human child - you (the victim). For a while, they provide care and all of the necessities of life, teach you about the world and help guide you into the adult world. Once you are fully established with your own home, career and family - that is when they strike! Think you misplaced your wallet? Wrong! It was stolen by your “parents”. Sadly, it happens generation after generation.

Scam #2: “Answering the Phone” Looking forward to a call from your old friend, or your new lover, or your old friend’s new lover? Well, guess what? That call is from a scammer and you’ve lost everything, Buster!

The way this scam works is through telephone lines and cellular cells. Victims unknowingly provide everything scammers need by saying the word “hello”. With this data, fraudsters are able to put together a convincing fake version of you that looks just like you, sounds just like you and even possesses all of your memories.

K

Scott Stephenson The Chaff Your clone is then directed to find and destroy you to take over your entire life. The only way to avoid this scam is to gather, douse in gasoline and burn all of the phones in your life.

Landlines, cellphones and tin cans with string must go.

Scam #3: “The Chaff” This is a particularly insidious scam perpetrated by the most perverted minds this side of Pervert’s Gulch, Michigan. The way this one works is via newspaper column. The writing is typically awful and always confusing, leaving readers/victims wondering, “Why am I reading this?” This is when the poor suckers usually realize that their time has been stolen from them and they are never going to get that time back because that time now belongs to the author of the “column” and obviously they are just going to waste that time that they’ve stolen because that’s how they get their darn jollies off. Disgusting!

Scam #4: “Ham Scam” If you’re anything like us, you’ve got ham on the brain. It’s a great meat on its own, terrific in a sandwich and elevates every salad to a heavenly level of excellence. But did you know that sometimes that ham is a scam? It’s true.

This scam works in slices. Slice after slice of the criminal cold cuts find their way into the mouths, gullets and bellies of victims in delis and hoagie joints across the country.

Once you hear the telltale grumbles coming

from within, it’s too late - you’ve been ham scammed!

Scam #5: “Scamming the Scammers” This one turns scams onto their heads. Those who should be on the lookout are scammers themselves. While no scam is a “good” scam, sometimes there are silver scam linings. In this case, we are reminded that scammers are people too. They have hopes and dreams and fears just like you.

Scam #6: “Jam Scam” Have you ever opened a jar of jam to enjoy a few scoops of delicious preserves as a snack?

Sure, we all have! But sometimes that jam is a scam. Commonly, scammers swap out the jam for a few slices of tainted ham. Adding this stuff to your salads is a great recipe for feeding your dumpster because that’s just trash.

Beware of the “Jam Scam” because that delicious jam, very well, might be tainted ham.

Scam #8: the “No Scam #7” Scam Are you wondering where Scam #7 is located? Well, wake up! You’re not going to find it because it’s a scam!

Scam #9: “Scum Scam” This one is too gross to really get into here but watch out for it because it is very, very effective. To speak of the “Scum Scam” is to delve into the darkest recesses of human depravity, where morality holds no sway and deceit reigns supreme. Let us not dwell on its horrors, lest we find ourselves ensnared in its vile embrace.

Scam #10: “Scamma Lama Ding Dong” Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp? You guessed it - scammers! Avoid shaking their hands at all costs.

You’re now fully equipped to handle all of the dangers in this life, real or imagined. For further peace of mind, send cheques, Bitcoin, and socks full of nickels to The Chaff’s Department of Hams, Jams and Scams.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

War (Taylor’s version)

M

ore so than any time in the last, say, decade or two, tenuous relationships between international neighbours are at the forefront and it’s clear that one misstep, misunderstanding or even mildly aggressive act could have dire repercussions and be the basis for full-scale war. Their Franz Ferdinand moment, if I can loosely quote my publisher.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and directly caused that conflict, which still rages to this day. While acknowledging that this one is more complicated, on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led Palestinian groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, another conflict that now rages in and around the Gaza Strip.

America is doing American things and drone bombing, well, a lot of people, but mainly targets in Yemen, Syria and Iraq after three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan.

With all of this carnage and loss of life, it’s clear that international neighbours should be walking a knife’s edge when dealing with one another, lest they be the next pair to show up on the list of warring nations.

In Canada, things are relatively peaceful.

Sure, there is the occasional proposal to build a wall along the Canadian/American border (the longest international border in the world) or American politician hurling barbs at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (though, really, who isn’t doing that these days?), but, for the most part, we get along and the possibility of a protracted, bloody war between us feels low.

Until now.

In what truly feels like our Franz Ferdinand moment, our queen has been slighted. No, I’m not talking about that British lady who died a few years back and I’m definitely not talking about self-proclaimed Queen of the Kingdom of Canada (and cult leader and QAnon disciple Romana Didulo). I am talking, of course, about the woman who really wears the crown around these parts. It’s obviously Céline Dion.

Taylor Swift. You all know her. You all love her. She’s the belle of the ball. She has the biggest tour in the world. She has the biggest movie in the world. She’s Time’s Person of the Year. She just won a Grammy Award. Her boyfriend just won the Super Bowl. It’s her world, we’re just living in it. And to award her with the aforementioned Grammy, Queen Céline made a rare (rare) appearance as she deals with the effects of stiff-person syndrome.

And then, when Swift won and she moved towards the stage for this fateful meeting, she took her award. That. Was. It. Sure, Swift and Dion apparently sang together backstage, but the word snub has been thrown around. She might as well have picked up the award off of a bar stool - that’s how little attention she paid to our Queen when she presented the award.

Hell, she spent half of her speech talking about Lana Del Rey (you guessed it - American) without acknowledging Dion’s presence.

So, while some Canadians are worried about former U.S. President Donald Trump seeming to encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that aren’t paying enough into their militaries (i.e. Canada), maybe it should be those losers south of the border who should be worried.

“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take ‘My Heart Will Go On’,” goes a version of Braveheart that plays in my mind. Dion chest-punched so Swift could heart-hands.

As Canadians, we’ve spent recent weeks sharpening our knives and oiling our guns, so, what happens now? What’s next for us?

A bloody, protracted battle between us and our longtime friends seems not just likely, but, really, the only way forward. There are some lines you just don’t cross.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

At the Branch

Current executives available to answer questions ahead of election next month

By Jo-Ann McDonald The year-end for the Branch is fast approaching and it will soon be time for the election of officers for the Branch executive. Now is the time to be thinking about joining the executive and get involved in the running of the Branch. Monthly meetings are held on Tuesday evening and tend to be about two hours long.

Elections are in the month of April (fourth Tuesday). Call any member of the executive to ask what is expected or what it is all about or call the Branch.

The Thursday night darts had 19 darters out for some fun. The firstplace team consisted of Jim and Sandra Brown. There were four teams tied for second and, after a playoff, the winning team was Randy White, Eric Ross and Louise Poirier. The high shots of the night were by Eric hitting 133, Steve Hall hitting 123 and Rhonda Davis hitting 119.

Darts continue and everyone is welcome to come out and give it a try. A toonie is all it costs and the action starts at 8 p.m.

The Branch hosted the Hensall Co-op for a meeting on Friday. The group enjoyed the speakers and a roast beef dinner served by the Comrades. Thanks to Sandra Brown, Deb Ross, Kathy Burkholder and Judy Lee. The Friday night pub grub was chili dogs and they were enjoyed by all. This week is beef on a bun and it is also euchre night, as well as the first draw of the new Catch the Ace fundraiser. We hope you have your

ticket and, if not, the Brussels Variety, Brussels Pharmacy, McDonald Home Hardware and the Legion all have them.

I am still working on the Military Service Recognition Book and would welcome folks to call and inquire about what is needed. The short story is, if your loved one served in the First World War, a picture, a signature is required, along with just a little information on what they did after returning from the war, their family and where they lived or any interesting story.

Please call 519-887-6570 or 519887-6751 and leave a message if you’re interested and I will return your call.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Kyle the Minion On Thursday, March 7, the Brussels Skating Club hosted their annual show to display the skills and confidence club members acquired during this season. In the above photo, Kyle Van Loo waves to throngs of adoring fans. (John Stephenson photo)

Entertainment & Lo ocal Events

Yoour Com mmunity…

Yoour Faamily… amily Yoour Intterests…

Yoour H Home…

Yoour World… o It’s All a Part P of Your o Local Neewspaper!

Spring thoughts arising A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 Spring is a good time to think of surprise and growth. As we approach the end of this quasiwinter we just experienced, I’m just going to be thinking straight spring thoughts.

March Break is here with all the fun that entails. Plans both big and small have been made to celebrate this week; pool time, tournaments, library days, travel, sleepovers and lots more are all in the works for this week. Enjoy the kids.

We all have a standard of celebration and, depending on your

history and thought process, we all celebrate uniquely. International Women’s Day was last week and yes, I celebrate, but then I think about how much has not been done.

There are many groups who are not treated equally, and we each have our concerns. Indigenous, Black, poor, queer and visible minority communities, as well as women are often not given the respect and dignity that we all deserve.

Facts and figures were part of International Women’s Day and, depending where you live in the world, women’s wages are between 37 and 55 per cent less than those of men. In fact, it will take more than 135 years for women’s wages to equal those of men around the world. Imagine the style of your underwear determines your paycheque. Equal pay for equal work seems like the right thing to do, but for this to come, attitudes need to change.

We need to remember we live a

life of privilege that’s tied to no other reason but where we were born. Think of your life if you lived with dark skin in Alabama or were born lesbian in Argentina or wanted to be a Christian in China. For you, life just got a lot more fragile and frightening.

As for what we can do in Huron County, be aware of unequal treatment and speak up. When you hear people degrading others, defend them. Attitudes can be catching; be alert and aware what of you think and, more importantly, what comes out of your mouth.

P.I.E. Day was Thursday - pie as in a circle is infinite, with 3.14 being an infinite number. This day is noted for people to be public, intentional and explicit when defending the dignity of the queer community. Knowledge is a good way to help move the world, one person at a time.

Take care.

Bye now. Betty GW

Family y Fun Features In-Depth In Depth Local Reporting g

0 The Citizen Citiz zen only $5000 Add the E-edition for only $1000 more One year subscrip ption to

Enclosed is $50.00 for a 1-year subscription Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

To 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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 7.

Nice weather returns in time for March Break

Stars on ice!

The Brussels Skating Club put on quite the spectacle at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Thursday, March 7.

The annual show featured skaters of various ages displaying tricks and techniques they’ve picked up this year. (John Stephenson photos)

Bedard and Kregar step in as fire chiefs to replace Readman

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Marty Bedard and Chad Kregar have stepped up to serve as the fire chiefs for Huron East and North Huron, respectively, after the departure of Kent Readman.

Readman was hired to be the chief of Huron East, North Huron and Morris-Turnberry in late 2022 to much fanfare, as Readman, a former North Huron firefighter, was returning to an area in which he’d worked before.

However, in late January, it was announced that Readman had taken a job as the fire chief and Director of Emergency Services for Loyalist Township, a small community located nearly equidistant between Napanee and Kingston in eastern Ontario. Readman began his time there in late February.

As a result, on March 4, North

Huron Council appointed Chad Kregar as its interim fire chief.

Kregar is a long-time North Huron firefighter who is also employed as Huron County’s emergency management co-ordinator. As part of the announcement, North Huron appointed Ken DeVries as the interim deputy-fire chief as well.

The next day, Huron East Council appointed the recently-retired Marty Bedard, whom Readman replaced in late 2022, as the interim fire chief for the municipality.

In a press release issued by Loyalist Township, Readman said he was excited for his new role.

“I am looking forward to joining the well-established team at Loyalist Township Emergency Services. I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to work with and help protect this community,” he said.

By Deb Hakkers Well, we are back to spring again!

All the kids are enjoying the nice weather for March Break!

This week, we wish a happy birthday to Ken Siertsema on March 15, Braeden McDonald and Steven Sparling on March 16, Madisen Lee on March 17 and Grace Hallahan on March 20. Hope everyone enjoys their special day.

As of Wednesday, Mom was no longer a patient of Clinton Public Hospital, whose staff she thanks for their care and compassion over the last months. She is continuing with recovery and rehab as a resident of Huronlea in Brussels. She looks forward to this next step and thanks all those who have visited, sent emails, called or sent best wishes with one of us. She hopes that this will continue in her new place of residence as her e-mail address and cell phone number remain the same.

There are all kinds of activities throughout the area to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. Be sure to wear your green.

You can still order pies for Easter from the Blyth United Church.

They are $12 each and available in raspberry, mixed berry, apple and pecan.

Until next week, take care of yourselves and each other.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

ESTATE FIREARMS SPECIALISTS FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 202ϰ AUCTION PROGRAM

ZŝŇĞƐ͕ ^ŚŽƚŐƵŶƐ͕ ,ĂŶĚŐƵŶƐ͕ ŶƟƋƵĞƐ͕ DŝůŝƚĂƌŝĂ͕ ŽůůĞĐƟŽŶƐ͕ ƐƚĂƚĞƐ͕ ^ŝŶŐůĞ /ƚĞŵƐ Ĩ Žƌ ƵĐƟŽŶ Žƌ WŽƐƐŝďůĞ WƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ CONTACT: SWITZER’S AUCTION dŽůůͲ&ƌĞĞ ϭͲϴϬϬͲϲϵϰͲϮϲϬϵ ŵĂŝů hƐ Λ ƐĂůĞƐΛƐǁŝƚnjĞƌƐĂƵĐƟŽŶ͘ĐŽŵ sŝƐŝƚ hƐ Λ ǁǁǁ͘ƐǁŝƚnjĞƌƐĂƵĐƟŽŶ͘ĐŽŵ

MAITLAND VALLEY CAMERA CLUB

Photography by Joan Perrie

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Sports Ironmen fall in hard-fought seventh game

The thrill of victory... ... and the agony of defeat. The Wingham Ironmen were well acquainted with both emotions on the weekend, beating the Kincardine Bulldogs in Wingham on Saturday night, above and below, to force a decisive game seven, and then falling in said game seven, ending their 50th anniversary season in the first round. (John Stephenson photos)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Despite a valiant effort to push their first-round playoff series with the Kincardine Bulldogs to the limit, the Wingham Ironmen 50th

anniversary season is over after a 42 loss in game seven on Sunday.

The Ironmen fell down three games to one after a 3-0 defeat last Wednesday in Wingham, but roared back with a 6-4 win in Kincardine on Friday night and a 3-2 victory in

Wingham on Saturday night, all leading to the deciding game seven on Sunday, which the Bulldogs won by a score of 4-2.

The Bulldogs will now face the Mount Forest Patriots in the semifinal round.

Last Wednesday, Gavin Downs scored at 18:21 of the first period for the Bulldogs, assisted by Gavin Gibbons and Graeden Colhoun, and that was all Kincardine would need.

The team would, however, add two goals in the third period to put the game away. Wilson Shipp scored an unassisted goal at 13:59 before Liam Colhoun scored an unassisted, empty-net goal at 17:41 to finish off the Ironmen.

Carter Garvie stopped all 21 of the shots he faced to earn the shutout win for the Bulldogs, while Garrett Golley stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Ironmen net for the loss.

The Bulldogs served 12 minutes in the box on six penalties, while the Ironmen spent 24 minutes in the box due to eight penalties.

On Friday, the Ironmen won a high-scoring affair in Kincardine by a score of 6-4.

The teams exchanged power-play goals to end the first period tied at one. Liam Colhoun scored at the 10-minute mark, assisted by Jordan Moulton and Carter Servais, followed by an Austin Becker goal for the Ironmen, assisted by Coleson Fischer and Tayt Bramhill.

The Bulldogs would then take a 2-1 lead at 7:53 of the second period thanks to a Trent Houghton power-play goal, assisted by Jordan Moulton and Liam Colhoun.

However, four unanswered Ironmen goals would follow to close out the period.

Tayt Bramhill scored at 12:48, assisted by Coleson Fischer, followed by a Micah Kraayenbrink power-play goal at 13:42, assisted

by Nate Bloemberg, a Noah Wettlaufer goal at 17:30, assisted

by Brandon Bishop, and an Ethan Smith goal at 19:51, assisted by Owen Rahn and Tayt Bramhill.

The Bulldogs would make it interesting in the third period, with Dylan Richardson scoring on the power-play at 4:13, assisted by Liam Colhoun and Carter Servais, and Jordan Moulton finding the back of the net, also on the powerplay, at 18:32, assisted by Gavin Downs and Carter Servais.

However, Jesse Coombs would put the game away for the Ironmen with an empty-net goal, assisted by Tayt Bramhill, at 19:27 of the third period to close out the game.

Garrett Golley stopped 33 of the 37 shots that he faced in the Ironmen net for the win, while Carter Garvie stopped 26 of 31 shots for Kincardine in a losing effort.

The game was a relatively clean affair, with the Ironmen serving 12 penalty minutes on six infractions

and the Bulldogs being called for five penalties for a total of 10 minutes in the box.

On Saturday night back in Wingham, the Ironmen would beat the Bulldogs by a score of 3-2, starting with a goal by Noah Wettlaufer at 6:10 of the first period. Owen Rahn and Coleson Fischer assisted on the goal.

After a scoreless second period, Kincardine would tie the game at one just 47 seconds into the third period thanks to a Jackson Phillips goal, assisted by Gavin Gibbons and Liam Colhoun. Logan Burnham and Noah Bloemberg would then score unassisted goals for the Ironmen at 1:03 and 3:23 of the third, respectively, before Gavin Downs made it close again for the Bulldogs at 17:05, assisted by Jordan Moulton. However, that was as close as the Bulldogs would get and the game ended with a 3-2 score in favour of the Ironmen.

Ryan Wheeler stopped 19 of 22 shots in the Bulldogs net, suffering the loss, while Garrett Golley stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn the win for the Ironmen.

Another clean game, the Bulldogs spent just eight minutes in the box on four penalties, while the Ironmen were called for five penalties, resulting in 10 penalty minutes.

On Sunday in Kincardine, the teams traded goals to end the first period tied at one. Tayt Bramhill scored first for the Ironmen on the power-play at 14:44, assisted by Owen Rahn and Austin Becker, followed by a Kincardine goal scored by Jordan Moulton at 19:30, assisted by Kyle Dolmage.

In the second period, Gavin Gibbons gave the Bulldogs the lead with a goal at 6:22, assisted

by Kyle Dolmage and Gavin Downs, but the Ironmen would tie it up at 9:51 when Austin Becker scored an unassisted power-play goal.

After that, however, it was all Kincardine. Jackson Phillips scored at 11:23 of the second period, assisted by Carter Servais and Kieran Moore, followed by Servais scoring an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:43 of the third period to put the game away and end the series.

Carter Garvie stopped 30 of 32 shots to send the Bulldogs into the second round of the playoffs, while Garrett Golley stopped 30 of 33 shots in a losing effort in the Ironmen net.

The Ironmen served four minutes in the box on two penalties, while the Bulldogs were called four times for eight minutes in the box.

Belgrave Minor Ball Registration March 9 and 16 at the Belgrave Community Centre from 10 am - noon Any questions please contact Bruce Higgins 519-357-5109

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

Sports Crusaders nearing end of playoff journeys

Shutout On March 2 in Brussels, the U18 LL Blyth Brussels Crusaders took on the Mitchell Meteors in a playoff game, but fell by a score of 7-0. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The playoff journey continues for a number of Blyth Brussels Crusaders teams as the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championships approach and another hockey season draws to a close.

The U11 LL Crusaders have won one playoff game and lost six ahead of their game with the Mitchell Meteors on the road on March 13. A score for that game was unavailable at press time.

The U11 Rep team has won four playoff games and lost its other four with no more games left on the schedule.

Meanwhile, the U13 LL team has won three of its four playoff games, but with two more games left on the schedule. The Crusaders will be in Mitchell to play the Meteors on March 16 and then Goderich to play the Sailors the next day.

The U13 Rep squad had a rough

run through the playoffs, losing all six of the games they played.

On March 18, the U15 LL team will welcome the Drayton Defenders to Blyth for their final scheduled playoff game. The team has won three playoff games and lost its other three in the postseason.

The U15 Rep Crusaders have lost four games and won one in the playoffs, with no games left on the schedule.

The U18LL team has won five playoff games and lost two. They were back in action on March 11, welcoming the Arthur Vipers to Blyth, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

The U18 Rep team won five playoff games and lost three with no more games on the schedule, while the U21 team won three games, lost three and tied one. The team was due to be back in action on March 10, taking on the Vipers in Arthur, but that game was cancelled.

Over the weekend at the annual Elmvale Maple Syrup Country Tournament, two Mid-Huron Huskies teams (the U13 Rep and U11 teams) won gold, but the U11 Rep Crusaders were unable to find success.

The team opened tournament play on Friday, March 8 with a 6-1 loss to the Penetang Flames, followed by an 11-0 loss to the Lucan Irish. The next day, the Crusaders lost to the Wasaga Beach Stars by a score of 10-0, ending their tournament.

As part of Goderich Young Canada Week, the U13 LL Crusaders made their way west, playing into Sunday, but ultimately falling short of gold.

The locals opened their tournament on March 8 with a 2-2 tie with the Walkerton Capitals, followed, the next day, by a 3-2 loss to the Wingham Ironmen.

On March 10, the Crusaders fell to the TCDMHA Rebels by a score of 8-2, ending their tournament.

Earlier this week, the U15 Rep Crusaders took part in Young Canada Week, playing Central Perth on Monday and the Saugeen Valley Steelheads and the Tavistock Royals on Tuesday, although scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On March 10, the U13 Rep team lost its playoff game with the AEMHA Ice Dogs in Paisley by a score of 8-4, while the U15 Rep team lost to the Shallow Lake Lakers, also on the road, by a score of 7-0.

On March 9, the U13 Rep team lost its playoff game to the Drayton Defenders in Blyth by a score of 30, while the U9 MD team lost its regular season game to the Arthur Vipers on the road by a score of 8-1 and the U9 LL team won its game with the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Brussels by a score of 14-1.

The U18 Rep team lost its playoff game by a score of 2-0 to the South Bruce Blades in Brussels, followed by a 5-0 playoff loss for the U11 LL team to the South Bruce Blades on the road and a 7-3 defeat for the U15 Rep team at the hands of the Walkerton Capitals on the road.

Also that day, the U8 Black team played Huron-Bruce in Lucknow, but a score was not kept.

On March 8, the U11 LL team lost its playoff game to the Mitchell Meteors in Brussels by a score of 60, while the U18 Rep team beat the Mitchell Meteors in its playoff game by a score of 3-2 on the road.

Also that day, the U7 team played Central Perth in Brussels, although

a score was not kept for that game.

On March 6, three Crusader teams were in playoff action. The U13 LL team beat the Howick Hornets in Blyth by a score of 3-2, the U13 Rep team lost to the Minto Mad Dogs in Palmerston by a score of 5-4 and the U15 LL team beat the Huron-Bruce Blizzard in Blyth by a score of 2-1.

On March 5, the U18 Rep team beat the Drayton Defenders on the road by a score of 2-0 and, one day earlier on March 4, the U11 Rep team beat the Mid-Huron Huskies in Seaforth by a score of 3-1, the U18 LL team beat the Mid-Huron Huskies in Hensall by a score of 42 and the U15 LL team lost to the Mid-Huron Huskies in Seaforth by a score of 2-1.

Looking ahead, the U9 MD team will play the Drayton Defenders in Blyth on March 16, and then, on St. Patrick’s Day, the U8 Burgundy team will play the Mid-Huron Huskies, the U9 MD team will play the Arthur Vipers and the U9 LL team will play the Listowel Cyclones, all in Blyth.

On March 19, the U9 LL team will play the Ironmen in Wingham followed by a March 20 contest between the U9 MD team and the Wallace Sabres in Palmerston.

On March 21, the U9 LL Crusaders will host the Wingham Ironmen in Blyth before heading to Tara for the annual Ice Dogs Tournament that weekend. Also that weekend, the U9 MD team will head to Mount Forest for the annual Rams Tournament.

SPRING TREE SALE Nothing says spring like planting trees!

A variety of seedlings, large stock trees and shrubs from our spring sale are still available. n Species, ordering and pricing information is posted on our website. n Good selection of seedlings available.

Tough loss Despite the above celebration, which could be easily mistaken for some rough stuff, the U18 Rep Blyth Brussels Crusaders lost their March 2 playoff game with the Mid-Huron Huskies in Brussels by a score of 4-2. (John Stephenson photo)

[e] trees@mvca.on.ca [w] mvca.on.ca [t] 519-335-3557 ext. 233

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Wingham Skating Club goes to the movies Olivia Al

Reid Fergusson Claira Schnurr, Olivia Al, Brooklyn Leis, Alena Scott, Sadie Toll, Avery Toll, Celeste Wall

Brooklyn Leis

Alena Scott, Aaliyah Cordes, Alivia Goetz, Nikita Fawx, Lyla Jurjens, Isla MacAdam, Ruby Nickel, Celeste Wall

Alena Scott

Aiden Van Niekerk, Owen Scott, Bella MacIntosh, Ryver MacIntosh, Madison Beasley, Rayna Williamson

Madison Beasley, Isla MacAdam

Keep up with the latest agri-businesses and the best of rural living!

Claira Schnurr

Lyla Jurjens, Isla MacAdam, Ruby Nickel

Skate expectations

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The Wingham Skating Club just asked audiences at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex to step into the world of cinema for their annual showcase of the skills they’ve learned. “A Night at the Movies” was full of graceful routines inspired by club members’ favourite films and set to songs from beloved movie soundtracks.

Younger skating groups had a lot of fun playing classic Hollywood characters like the Minions, while a number of the older, solo skaters took advantage of a cinematic loophole created by The Eras Tour movie by choosing to skate to their favourite Taylor Swift songs.

In a world in which so much iceoriented energy is directed towards the sport of hockey, it can be easy to overlook the hidden qualities that make figure skating such an enriching sport for young people.

Wingham Skating Club hosted their annual show at the North Huron Wescast Community Centre on Wednesday, March 6. (Scott Stephenson photos) Reaching personal goals and developing new talents can be a transformative activity.

Less combative than other ice sports, figure skating also has the benefit of working the creative side of young people’s minds, as they learn to incorporate music and pop culture influences into a demanding sport that requires discipline, perseverance and physical fitness.

For young skaters in rural areas, the sport not only offers a unique outlet for physical expression and health, it encourages a sense of selfdiscipline and work ethic in young individuals. These qualities on the ice often translate to other areas of life, including academic performance and personal pursuits.

The benefits of youth figure skating also extend to emotional and mental health. The process of learning, practising, and mastering skating routines instills a sense of

achievement and confidence in young skaters. It teaches resilience and the ability to handle pressure and setbacks - falling while attempting a jump often holds as much value as landing it. Seeing the more seasoned skaters shepherd the younger students through their routines underscored the way that figure skating creates a space for bonds to be built between the young people of North Huron and its neighbouring municipalities.

Now that the curtain has come down on their production of “A Night at the Movies”, the members of the Wingham Skating Club can take a break and reflect on all the hard work they put into getting ready for this year’s showcase. And whatever theme the Skating Club chooses next year, it’s sure to be another enjoyable evening for the town’s most talented skaters and their audience!

Rural Rural Voice Voice

The The

August 2022

THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE ... $2.50 PM 40037593

$25 for 12 issues

$45 DINNER UNDER THE STARS RESPECT YOUR FOOD Food is meant to feed and nurture you, say owners of Silver Creek Nursery

Farm dinners with homegrown food attract attention of former Governor General

MORE TREES, LESS FUEL Big companies get serious about reducing carbon footprint with Carbon Footprint Initiative

for 24 issues Please make cheques payable to North Huron Publishing Inc.

The magazine of Agricultural Life

Subscribe Today www.ruralvoice.ca The Rural Voice 405 Queen St., P.O. Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 11.

Impressive performance at Brussels show Elsy Jorritsma, Chelsea MacLeod

Eric Kellington, Jesa Fischer, April Irwin, Alexander White Avery MacLeod

Amber Ryan, Alice Jorritsma

Emilia Kellington

‘Ice’ to meet you The Brussels Skating Club hosted their annual show at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Thursday, March 7. The evening featured club members demonstrating the skills they have learned on the ice this (John Stephenson year.

Celeste Wall

photos)

Natalie Laffin

Elsy Jorritsma

Wake Up p to the Importance of Yo our Local Newspaper wherever you are Landry McDonald, Elliott Gingrich, Daxton Verstoep

April Irwin, Iris Pipe

As your local newspaper, we report on the news and events affecting your life and the world around you. Doing our part to keep the community connected and the public informed is our mission.

We invite you to subscribe today to our E-Edition at a special rate, and start making every day an opportunity to be engaged!

Subscribe Toda o y to Stay Informed and Suppor t Yo our Local Newspaper with our E-edition

$

30

/yr.

405 Queen Q St., Bly yth, ON 519-5 523-4792 www.hu . roncitizen.ca

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Majestic WI meets

Maple maniacs Huron County rolled out its now-annual Maple Mania over the weekend, celebrating that sweetest of all Canadian nectars at restaurants, libraries and with local syrup producers, such as Freedom Syrup in Walton, above. Bob Rowe was on hand on the wet and cold day and was kind enough to provide a demonstration. (John Stephenson photo)

By Bev Craddock The Majestic Women’s Institute met on Feb. 14 at the Brussels Library. Doreen Marks opened the meeting with the Institute Ode and Mary Stewart Collect, followed by a reading entitled, “Love Dress”.

Secretary Marie McCutcheon read the minutes from the January meeting, followed by a reading by Kathy Bridge.

Doreen Marks presented the business of the group before speaking about Black history for Black History Month, specifically about the Underground Railroad.

She discussed the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which was based on the life story of Josiah Henson, who was born into slavery. He would live in a hut with no floor or furniture. The day started at sunrise, working seven days a week. His first meal of the day would be at noon and his last meal would come when the day’s work was done.

Josiah was bought and sold over the years, but managed to have a

wife and children. He learned in 1830 that he was to be sold and separated from his family, so they began the search for freedom, following the Underground Railroad, consisting of secret trails, marked simply to let them know if it was a safe house.

Finally, they arrived in Dresden, Ontario, where they helped other slaves find education and work and establish themselves. Henson has since been honoured for his work by being the first Black man to be on a Canadian stamp.

On Feb. 19, the Women’s Institute celebrated 127 years since the first meeting, which was held on Feb. 19, 1897 in Stoney Creek, Ontario.

The organization began by educating the community on the health and well-being of families, in the 1920s advocating for employment rights for women and education and health care for all.

The meeting was then closed and lunch was served by Bonnie Lindsey and Kathy Bridge.

was the grandpa of seven and greatgrandpa of one. He will be missed by his siblings Gerry and Anne Ryan and Sister Teresa Ryan.

Jack was a farmer through and through. He loved working alongside his parents, brothers and now his son. He was a quiet man and had an unwavering love for his late wife and true love Marianna.

They loved music and dancing ballroom, clogging and square dancing, all kinds really. He loved and adored his family and grandchildren. He loved to spend one-on-one time with them.

Breakfast at the Walton Inn was always fun.

He was a community man and was always willing to help, whether it was coaching ball, being a member of the Ball Park Committee, dressing up for fundraising events or just working behind the scenes to help in any way he could. Jack was a quiet, kind, devoted family man and man of faith. Our deepest sympathies to the Ryan family.

It was Coffee Chat at Walton Hall last week and there were about 20 enjoying the morning “chat”. The gatherings are meant to bring together friends and neighbours for a social time like the good old days of gathering at the Walton Inn when

it was run by Graeme and Helen Craig. Everyone is welcome so stop by on the Walton Hall on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

March birthdays include Eric Ross, Fred McClure, Bridget McCallum, Carali McCall Hughes, Alex Melady, Linda Bird, Allison Baan, Wren Grey Williams, Joanne Knight Black, Jo-Anne Workman, Parker Grobbink, Christine Knight, Bob Alexander and Reg Vinnicombe. Happy birthday to all.

Walton mourns passing of 2017 IPM host PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

When the paper comes out, March Break will be almost over for our school children, teachers and bus drivers. Parents have had to make arrangements for childcare or take the time off work, maybe change shifts or even call in

grandma and grandpa. I have heard all of these options. The usual activities for March Break would have been playing outside in the snow, making snowmen, forts, skiing, snowmobiling, but other activities had to be found.

Hopefully they all had fun and are ready to go back to school and finish the last 15 weeks of school!

Rick and I and Steve and Marni Knight have just returned from a very relaxing week in the Dominican Republic. Many might even think it was boring, because relaxing was the priority. We stayed at the Punta Cana Princess Resort and Spa and it was for adults only.

Our days started with food,

U11 C Heat team still undefeated

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The U11 C Huron Heat are still undefeated in the playoffs, posting a record of eight wins and five ties with a pair of games yet to be played.

The team was in action on March 8, welcoming the South Huron Sabres to Seaforth, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time. The girls will then host the Stratford Aces on March 15 in Seaforth before playing the Central Perth Predators on the road on March 16.

The U13 HL Heat will play the Ilderton Jets on March 17 on the road to continue their playoff journey, building upon their postseason record of seven wins, one tie and one loss.

The U11 BB Heat have three wins and two losses. They welcomed the Owen Sound Ice Hawks to Blyth on March 9, but a score was unavailable at press time.

The U11 HL Heat will host the Lucan Irish in Seaforth on March 16 as the team looks to build on its playoff record of six wins, two losses and one tie.

The U13 C Heat don’t have any further playoff games on the schedule, but they have found success with a record of 10 wins, three losses and one tie in the postseason.

The U13 BB Heat also seem to

have wrapped up their playoff journey, winning three games, tying two and losing one.

The U15 C Heat won four playoff games, lost seven and tied three with no more playoff games listed on the schedule.

The U15 BB Heat have won two playoff games, lost five and tied one. The girls played the Lakeshore Lightning on the road on March 9, but a score for that game was unavailable at press time.

The U18 C Heat closed out their playoffs with a record of five wins, six losses and five ties, while the U18 BB Heat won three playoff games, lost five and tied two.

Over the weekend, the Senior team played Monkton on the road on March 10, but a score for that game wasn’t available at press time. On March 9, the U9 B team beat the Cambridge Roadrunners in Seaforth by a score of 7-2 and the U9 HL team beat the St. Marys Rock on the road by a score of 6-2.

Back on March 5, the U9 HL team beat the St. Marys Rock in Seaforth by a score of 6-4.

Looking ahead, the U9 C Heat will host the Tillsonburg Lightning in Seaforth on March 16, while, that same day, the U9 HL team will play the Central Perth Predators on the road.

The next day, the U9 C Heat will play the Bluewater Hawks on the road and the Senior team will play Monkton at home in Hensall.

swimming, refreshments, pool aerobics, food, swimming, resting, swimming, food, cards and sleep.

The best part was no phones and no cooking. The rooms were lovely and there was lots of hot water. The food was good at the buffet in addition to eight different restaurants, three at our resort and five at the sister resort next door.

We tried the Rio Grande steakhouse, the La Petite Fondue and the Japanese restaurant.

Different theme nights for food included Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, Swiss, American and international nights. The Japanese eating experience was something to see and enjoy. The chef with his “juggling” and “banging” of his cooking utensils on the grill in front of the seating for 12 was very interesting. Just ask Marni how close he came to her face at the end of his performance. Yikes!

We had gorgeous hot weather with only one hour of rain on one afternoon. It was a very slow-paced and relaxing trip for all and we enjoyed our time away!

Our sympathies are extended to the family of Jack Ryan on his passing. He will be lovingly missed by his children Steve, Joe, Peggy and Monica and their families. He

NEWS FROM WALTON

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice e.ca

Safety is forever paramount

By Tracey Arts, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture With the weather warming up, farmers become eager to hit the fields and get spring planting underway. That’s still a few weeks away, though, so now is a great time to give some thought to staying safe and healthy as we go about our daily jobs and lives on the farm. After all, for us, the farm isn’t just a workplace, it’s also where we live and raise our families.

It’s particularly relevant right now because March 10-16 is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, an annual event that focuses on increasing awareness of farm safety, sharing resources and promoting the importance of developing best practices and farm safety plans.

My husband and I are dairy farmers in Oxford County. A farm can be a hazardous workplace, so it’s important to know where the dangers are. For us, that means not just being careful ourselves, but also making sure our employees have the training they need, whether it’s safely disposing of needles in a sharps container or knowing where the blind spots are when driving a tractor or a skid steer.

We also have two young boys, so we’ve taken great care to teach them about safety as they grow, but

in a way that lets them be involved in the activities on the farm and doesn’t stifle their natural curiosity about our animals and equipment.

The older they get, the more they want to help, so it is critical for us to teach them how to do things properly and safely - and to ensure they have respect for the hazards that livestock, tools and machines can represent.

At a high level, farm safety is about knowing what to do on the farm to avoid accidents and injuries; not just during busy times like planting or harvest, but anytime you’re working with equipment or livestock.

That means keeping equipment fixed and up to date, taking a break when you’re tired or fatigued, and not cutting corners when you’re in a rush. When working, shut down equipment before making adjustments or dislodging a blockage, keep safety guards in place and don’t let kids play around work sites or near equipment. Have a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers handy and take a charged phone with you when you head out for the day.

On our roads, there are too many accidents involving vehicles and farm equipment every year, and both farmers and motorists have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. Farm equipment is larger than it used to be, and many rural roads

have narrow shoulders, making it difficult, if not impossible for farmers to pull off to the side and let motorists pass safely.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, but anyone driving slow-moving vehicles should be alert for drivers anxious to pass at unexpected times. Watch carefully when turning onto public roadways and making left turns across traffic, and use your slow-moving vehicle sign, lights, tail lights and signals to make your equipment as visible as possible to other motorists.

It’s not just physical safety that matters, though. As our farms become more connected, it’s critical that we also think about the safety of our data and our online systems. There is no such thing as 100 per cent security, but using current software and systems, training employees to recognize threats, backing up data and using strong passwords that aren’t shared will help minimize risk.

Finally, research has helped draw attention to the high levels of stress that farmers face and the importance of emotional and mental health. The Farmer Wellness Initiative is a key resource that can provide help when it’s needed most.

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you can access support at 1-866-267-6255, with additional resources available at farmerwellnessinitiative.ca.

A sweet win Dianne Diehl, a Huron East Councillor and resident of the Ethel area, recently placed third in Ontario in the honey class. Diehl’s jar of honey began its awardwinning journey at the Brussels Fall Fair with the Brussels Agricultural Society, winning locally before heading to the annual Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies’ conference, where she earned the bronze medal. Diehl was awarded by Brussels Agricultural Society President Reg Vinnicombe at a recent meeting of the society. (Photo submitted)

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK REPORT For the week ending March 8, 2024 Total Receipts: 1,470 cattle, 1,088 lambs and goats Tuesday – Fed cattle sold on a good steady trade. Cows sold fully steady.

Thursday – Veal had a heavier run of calves, traded easier. Lambs sold steady. Sheep sold steady. Goat kids sold higher; goat nannies sold steady.

Friday – Choice calves sold fully steady. Second cut calves sold easier.

Yearlings sold steady.

Fed Cattle: There were 75 fed cattle on offer: Choice Fed Cattle: $235 – $248 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $226 – $235 Aged and Medium Fed Cattle: $215 – $235 Holstein Fed Cattle: $150 – $208 Dwayne Dickert of Ayton, consigned four head. Two fed steers averaged 1,665 lbs. and sold for $246.

Cows: There were 200 cows on offer: Beef Cows: $135 – $185 Good Holstein Cows: $131 – $148 up to $163 Medium Holstein Cows: $121 – $130 Bulls: $170 – $190

Keith Dunston of Mildmay, consigned three head. One black cow weighed 1,440 lbs. and sold for $180.

Gerald and Josie Kemrerink of Kippen, consigned five head. One holstein cow weighed 1,925 lbs. and sold for $163.

Brian and Craig Salverda of Londesborough, consigned 44 head.

Seventeen lambs averaged 64 lbs. and sold for an average price of $427.50.

Alex McKay of Stratford, consigned five head. Four lambs averaged 56 lbs. and sold for an average price of $445.

Veal: There were 195 veal on offer: Beef Veal: $275 – $299 Good Holsteins: $230 – $247 SL Heavy Holsteins: $230 – $238 Heavy Holsteins: $195 – $225 Medium Holsteins: $220 – $229 Plain Holsteins: $200 – $219 Drop Calves: $425 – $875 / HEAD Reuben S. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned 10 head. One blue veal weighed 1,185 lbs. and sold for $298.

Bennewies Livestock Inc. of Bornholm, consigned eight head. One holstein veal weighed 710 lbs. and sold for $243.

Lambs: Under 50 lbs.: $415 – $520 50-64 lbs.: $400 – $445 65-79 lbs.: $355 – $400 up to $417.50 80-94 lbs.: $333 – $375 95-109 lbs.: $295 – $310 up to $332.50 110 lbs. and over: $238 – $297.50 Sheep: $130 – $227.50 up to $270

Goats: Meat Kids: $600 – $618 Dairy Kids: $450 – $605 Mature Bucks: $300 – $400 Mature Does: $127.50 – $280 Harold Woestenenk of Gowanstown, consigned 16 head. Fourteen kid goats averaged 59 lbs. and sold for an average price of $618.

Henry Byler of Belgrave, consigned nine head. Six kid goats weighed 62 lbs. and sold for an average price of $610.

Stockers: There were 1000 stockers on offer:

Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: $312 – $410 up to $465 400 – 499 lbs.: $272.50 – $447 up to $465 500 – 599 lbs.: $314 – $430 600 – 699 lbs.: $299 – $362 up to $401 700 – 799 lbs.: $300.50 – $369 800 – 899 lbs.: $281 – $340 900 – 999 lbs.: $270 – $319 up to $328 1,000 lbs. and over: $281 – 313.75 up to $321 Top Quality Heifers: Under 400 lbs.: $310 – $400 400 – 499 lbs.: $280 – $417 up to $445 500 – 599 lbs.: $267.50 – $349 up to $365 600 – 699 lbs.: $296 – $367 up to $376 700 – 799 lbs.: $264 – $324 800 – 899 lbs.: $260 – $320.50 900 lbs. and over: $270 – $300 Char-Vale Charolais Ltd. from Garlands Crossing, Nova Scotia, consigned 12 head. Four charolais steers averaged 596 lbs. and sold for an average price of $416.

Amos Wideman of Holyrood, consigned 20 head. Nine charolais steers averaged 847 lbs. and sold for an average price of $340.

Jonas Weber of Listowel consigned nine head. Two simmental steers averaged 1,003 lbs. and sold for an average price of $321.

David H. Martin of Wingham, consigned 38 head. Thirteen charolais heifers averaged 885 lbs. and sold for an average price of $320.50.

Dan Coulthard of Stratford, consigned 83 head. Eleven black heifers averaged 901 lbs. and sold for an average price of $300.

James Martin of Elmira, consigned 27 head. Nine red heifers averaged 1,049 lbs. and sold for an average price of $284.50.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

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

FRIDAYS

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

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, MARCH 15, 2024

Classified Advertising – RATES – 20 words or less only $9.00 + HST Additional words 25¢ ea. + HST

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

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

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

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

-------------------------------------------Shade trees, Spruce, White Pine, Cedars, windbreaks and privacy hedges, Shrubs, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet & sour Cherry Trees at (Emanuel E.M. Martin) Martin's Nursery 42661 Orangehill Rd, Wroxeter ON N0G 2X0 -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations - Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Variety, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal's YIG (Wingham), Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, Fincher's (Goderich), Goderich Victoria St Shell, and The Citizen office in Blyth.

-------------------------------------------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

Card of thanks RILEY - A great big THANK YOU to all of my family, friends and neighbours for the many kindnesses and inquiries extended to me while I was a patient at St. Mary's General Hospital. Wayne Riley

Coming events SING! SING! SING! Come sing with us. The Seaforth Harmony Kings. All welcome. Tuesday nights, 7:15 p.m., Seaforth Public School.

Experience the joy of singing 4-part harmony. For more info call 519887-9181.

--------------------------------------------

Coming events Notices Come and hear Shelley McPheeHaist speak on ONE CARE and what it offers to our community residents. At Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels on Wednesday, March 20 at 1:30 pm. Sponsored by Walton WI..

-------------------------------------------SPRING TAKE-OUT LUNCH, Tuesday, March 19, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth. Irish beef stew with coleslaw, a kaiser and dessert, $12 per person. Ordering deadline: Monday, March 18. To order call 519-523-9396 or email: mcgregor@ezlink.ca -------------------------------------------Join us for our Famous Fish Fry at the Wingham Columbus Centre Friday March 22nd from 12 pm-6:30 pm. Eat in $20 - choice of battered or grilled white fish and a buffet of garden and Caesar salad, french fries, baked potato, mashed potato, gravy, dinner rolls, also coffee and tea. Take out $18, Fish, potato, coleslaw and dinner roll. We also do chicken fingers for the non-fish lover. Butter tarts $2 or homemade cheesecake and other desserts $5 ea.

Kids are 1/2 price. Taxes are included- Call early to book your fish as we tend to sell out. 519-3571270.We are still making lots of frozen soups and meals - give us a call or come check them out.

--------------------------------------------

Notices

Notices

NOTICE OF EARLY DEADLINE FOR THE MARCH 29 PAPER

The Citizen’s Friday, March 29th paper will be published on Thursday, March 28th Deadline for advertising and editorial is Monday, March 25th at 2:00 pm 405 Queen Street, Blyth 519-523-4792

Notices Seaforth Optimist Club Monthly Cash Draw winners MARCH 2024 WINNERS Deb and Ken Janmaat..........$2,500 Gwen Good ................................$100 Mary Verberne ..........................$100

Services A.J's Delivery - Need something picked up? Groceries, coffee, snacks, car parts, pharmacy, and more! Call A.J.'s today! Brussels 343-585-6735 -------------------------------------------INCOME TAX PREPARATION farm, business, personal. Stephen Thompson, 519-482-3244.

--------------------------------------------

Swap shop Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

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

FREE TO A GOOD HOME Bunnies for Easter. Contact Evelyn Caldwell ~ 519-523-9324.

11-3 ---------------------------------------------

Notices

Notices

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

FOR SALE - Table saw 10”, 2HP, Can be wired 110 or 220. Currently wired 110. Table size 27” x 39 3/4”.

One extra blade. $150. Chain hoist. 2 ton with 10’ lift. Used once. $150.

226-880-1689 10-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE- Gun cabinets, one is a pine, corner-unit 6’ plus tall, glass front, door below. Other is a double cabinet with drawers below, approx.

6’ x 4’. $500. ea. Call 519-357-3117.

9-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Patz silo unloader, reconditioned and painted for a 12-20 diameter silo. Parts only. Call for details $1,000. 519-345-0446 9-3

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

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 15.

Classified Advertising Notices

Notices

Notices

Notices

PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

COUNTY ROAD 25 (BLYTH ROAD) G2G RAIL TRAIL TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE THE PROJECT: The G2G Rail Trail, with support from Huron County, is planning to restore a tunnel under County Road 25, west of Blyth to improve the safety and accessibility of our trail.

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE: A Public Meeting is planned so that project details including timelines and traffic impacts can be provided along with further details related to the extent of construction.

Representatives from the G2G Rail Trail Group, the County and the project engineering team (BMROSS) will be in attendance.

Date:

Thursday March 21, 2024

Time:

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Presentation at 6:00 PM)

Location:

Blyth Arena Hall – 377 Gypsy Ln, Blyth, ON

Residents and interested parties are welcome to submit comments and questions during and following the meeting.

Imran Khalid – Director of Public Works, Huron County ikhalid@huroncounty.ca, 519-524-8394 x. 3504

Wilbee to speak at Knox

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Card results for March 8 are: high gold card, Judy Hahn; most shoots gold card, Irene Carey; high white card, Gord Machan; and most shoots white card, Mac Brooks.

Cards will be played again on Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m.

Everyone is welcome.

The guest speaker on the fourth Sunday of Lent, March 10 at Knox United Church, was Elwin Garland. After Mr. Garland welcomed the congregation, he lit the Christ Candle and “Holy, Holy, Holy” was sung, accompanied by Mackenzie Wightman at the piano and Lila Procter with her guitar.

Garland’s sermon was entitled “Nicodemus”. Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who belonged to the party of the Pharisees. One night he went to Jesus and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God.” Jesus said no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again of water and the spirit.

The guest speaker for Sunday, March 17 is Gloria Wilbee.

Everyone is welcome.

Birthday greetings are extended to Don Vair (March 13) and Jack Marks (March 16). Enjoy your day!

The Coffee Group met on March 12 at the Community Centre and enjoyed coffee, snacks and fellowship.

Hopefully the students enjoyed their March Break. On the weekend, we did get winter weather and some had their shovels out again, but Monday seemed to be better and on Tuesday we had sunshine and double-digit temperatures. We did see students out walking.

Mother Nature is displaying spring flowers with the daffodils in bud and the tulips are up and soon to be in bud with crocuses in bloom. Go for a walk and enjoy our early spring weather.

This Notice issued March 6, 2024

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

Advertise it in

The Citizen

Call or email to book your ad today!

519-523-4792

info@northhuron.on.ca

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

Obituaries Cremation has taken place. A private ceremony will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers,as expressions of sympathy, donations to Veterans Emergency Transition Services or Wounded Warriors Canada would be appreciated.

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

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca

RONALD DOUGLAS WALKER Ronald Douglas Walker, born Oct. 16, 1937, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, passed peacefully and unexpectedly at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario on Thursday, March 7, with his daughters by his side.

From his humble prairie childhood, Ron’s passion for creativity was ignited by the movie, Lust for Life, the 1956 Vincent Van Gogh biopic, and he never looked back.

After attending art school in Regina and Vancouver, he eventually moved to Toronto where he became heavily involved in the city’s art scene, while earning a B.A. degree at the University of Toronto. Upon graduating from teachers’ college in 1964, Ron found his professional calling as an educator, first in Toronto, and later in Clinton at Central Huron Secondary School.

Ron brought his love of art with him to Huron County, where he was known as a prolific landscape painter. He and his wife Bev founded the Blyth Festival Art Gallery and volunteered to help numerous community projects, while simultaneously fixing up a derelict property and lovingly raising their family.

Ron’s Bohemian passion for life was infectious and endlessly inspiring. He lived every waking moment with a joyful energy that drew people of all ages to his magnetic personality.

Swimming in Lake Huron, travelling the world, eating, drinking, painting, reading and appreciating films were all approached with a sense of delight and adventure. A self-proclaimed “extrovert hermit”, Ron was always ready to lend you a hand or hand you a libation.

He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather, a consummate teacher and friend. He will be sorely and deeply missed.

He is survived by his loving daughters Shawna and Tammy, his son-in-law Damon, and his granddaughters Myelle and Iyla.

A celebration of life for Ron and Bev will be announced in the coming months.

In lieu of flowers and as

expressions of sympathy, donations to Huron Hospice or Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca ERIC NEWTON VANDERHULST Eric Newton Vanderhulst passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 6, 2024, at Listowel Memorial Hospital in his 49th year.

The loving husband of Ellen (Windsor) for 21 years, Eric was the proud dad of Benjamin. He was the son of Yvonne and the son of Gary, the brother of Melissa (Bryan) Stiefel and the grandson of Oma Elizabeth. He is survived by his father-in-law Bill and Kathy Windsor and brother-in-law Martin Windsor. He was the special brother of Charles and Tina Fisher and family, Corey and Elissa Chevrier and goddaughter Madison.

Eric will be missed by good friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by Opa Abel and Grandmother Marnie.

Eric was a devoted husband and father and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved to entertain at his lakeside home in New Brunswick, enjoyed the outdoors and especially liked to snowmobile. He retired as a warrant officer after 20 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. Eric served on two tours to Afghanistan and one tour to Kuwait. His job took him all over Canada and he was able to see the beauty of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario.

Eric saw beauty in everything and was grateful for his time with us.

He will be remembered for his humour and his knowing smile.

LILLIAN GERTRUDE MOSES Lillian Gertrude Moses passed away peacefully at Royal Terrace in Palmerston on March 1, 2024. She was in her 92nd year.

The beloved mother of George (Juliette) Ball of Stratton, Ontario and Rose Glanville of Listowel, Lillian was the mother-in-law of David Glanville (predeceased). She was the grandmother of Earl (Gina) and Tina (Christopher), Jonathan (Amanda), Michael (Megan) and the great-grandmother of Tate, Rieley, Jessie. Claire, Blake, Tyler, Alexis, Mia, Nolan, and Braelyn Swarthout (predeceased).

Lillian was predeceased by her husbands Earl Ball and William Moses, her mother Ada Brittain, father Archie Nixon, and sisters Ada Partridge and Kathleen Holden.

Lillian will be sadly missed by Harriet Bodfield and many friends, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at the St. Marys Cemetery on May 27 at 11 a.m.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made online at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca

JACK RYAN Jack Ryan of Walton passed away peacefully at Huronview, Clinton, surrounded by his family, on Friday, March 8, 2024 in his 86th year.

The beloved husband of the late Marianna (Grobbink) Ryan for 43 years, Jack was the proud dad of Stephen and Darlene, Joe and Rhonda, Peggy and Terry Sloan and Monica and Steve James. He was the adored Grandpa Jack of Sarah, Spencer (Rachael), Roan, Johnnie, Mackinley, Adam, and Owen and great-grandpa of Winnie Mae. Jack was the dear brother and brother-in-law of Gerry and Anne Ryan, Sister Teresa Ryan, Betty Ryan, Catherine Grobbink, Ted VanderWouden, and Mary Ann Grobbink. He is fondly loved by many nieces and nephews.

Jack was predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Marjorie (Reid) Ryan, his siblings and their spouses Joan and Don McDonald, Bob and Barb Ryan, Jim Ryan, and Nelson Ryan, sister-in-law Emma VanderWouden, and brother-in-law Henry Grobbink.

Jack was known far and wide for being a great person; quiet, very

kind, well loved and widely respected. Jack lived and loved his three Fs. Farming: Jack lived on three farms throughout his life and was proud to be able to see all three of them from the same spot.

Faith: Jack was a faithful member of St. Ambrose Church in Brussels and St. James Church in Seaforth.

Family: Most important to Jack was his family. Jack loved his family and was so proud of everyone, especially the love of his life, whom he has patiently waited to be happily reunited and dancing with his sweetheart, Marianna.

Visitation was held at Haskett Funeral Home, Seaforth on Tuesday following the saying of the Rosary in the funeral home that afternoon. Jack’s Funeral Mass was held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Brussels, on Wednesday, March 13 with Father Ross Bartley presiding. Interment St. Ambrose Catholic Cemetery, Brussels.

Donations to Alzheimer Society Huron Perth, Canadian Cancer Society, St. Ambrose Catholic Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

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

Welcome Your New Arrival in

The Citizen

Call or email to book your ad today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

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.

Like puzzles?

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

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

Don’t numb yourself to injustice says Jebson

By Rev. Alex Jebson, Blyth and Brussels United Churches We’re all good at finding things or tasks around the house from which we’d rather avert our eyes.

Whether it be cleaning closets or switching over the decorations, we can always avoid chores when there’s an opportunity.

One thing that I have definitely avoided is sorting through the piles of photos that Grandma and Grandpa gave to me a while back. I know that I need to put them in albums eventually, but if I just leave them in the cupboard, they can be out of sight and out of mind.

And yes, sometimes it’s alright to leave the dishes soaking in the sink or ignore the dust bunnies in the corner. But in many other areas of life and our faith, the desire to avoid and look away can be a real challenge. In a faith of protest, a Lent where we are called by God to follow Christ in the ways of challenge and service, one of the greatest hurdles is really opening our eyes and keeping them trained to what God wants.

Our biblical forebears also had difficulty with this. Take the example from Mark 8:31-35, in which Peter and the other disciples get an earful and a clear image from Jesus about not avoiding discipleship: Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

Up to this point in the journey, the disciples have been surprised at where Jesus has led them and what he’d shown them, but they certainly didn’t mind what they were looking at. They were seeing people healed and restored, communities brought together, and a teacher and friend who stuck with them when they weren’t quite understanding things.

But you can picture Peter’s eyes widening in disbelief when Jesus

Evangelical Missionary Church

Sunday March 17, 10:30 a.m.

MISSIONS SUNDAY: Guest Speaker Jordan Martin, Interact Alaska

started rambling on one evening about all the suffering he was going to endure. Other disciples were likely casting their eyes to the ground, covering their ears or slowly looking for the nearest emergency exit where they could make a quick and unnoticed getaway. It was an image of God and discipleship that disturbed them in a way, and they wanted to avoid it at all costs. They didn’t even want to look at crosses, let alone take up their own and stumble along with Jesus.

For us today, there’s always going to be those little moments every day; those little “should” moments in which we see an opportunity to live out our faith, but avoid them instead. The chance to pray, the chance to help a neighbour, the chance to go visit someone - those are the daily opportunities in which, through the rush and hubbub of the day, we debate whether or not we have the time to pick up the cross at that exact moment, or turn our eyes and pretend that we didn’t see the chance for

faith lived out in the first place.

This, in itself, is something that we address and atone for in Lent, seeking out God’s Spirit for the dedication and inspiration to not avoid these tasks of discipleship.

However, the avoidance that Jesus rebukes Peter about and that strains our relationship with God today is the avoidance of the world at large, the avoidance of any kind of woe or the seemingly overwhelming need in the world.

When talking about world events with people, one of the most common responses I hear from people these days is that they just turn off the news, that they just can’t take in any more information.

They don’t feel strong or, perhaps, empathetic enough to bear witness to where God’s love and care is needed in the world, let alone take up crosses and trudge towards it.

Beyond the apathy and fear that we may have, the sense that we cannot bear to look or understand the costly nature and need of discipleship, there are also forces beyond ourselves that try to avert

Worship with us at

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Co ee Time 11:15 am Sunday School for all ages All Are Welcome Interim Pastor Elwin Garland 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch 5th Sunday off Lent March 17, 2024 att 9:30 a.m.

All are welcome, come be part of our o Faith Community

Trinity Anglican BLYTH 9:00 AM

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

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

Londesborough United Church 338 King’s Rd., Londesborough 519-523-4225 Worship Time & Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

March 24: Palm Sunday Service March 29: Good Friday Service March 31: Easter Sunday and Communion

Everyone Welcome

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, March 17, 2024 11:00 am - 12 noon We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Doug Sargent leads us in worship, prayer and praise to Good.

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

Worship with us Sunday, March 17 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels Childcare and Sunday school provided for children aged 0 to 8 during the sermon We invite you to join us April 7, 2024 at 10 a.m.

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

will be presenting A Scientific and Biblical Defense of Creation

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

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.

119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

Come Worship with Us!

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

Sunday Service at 11:00 am

Nursery & Sunday School during worship On-site and online - live.huronchapel.com

what divine presence and power looks and acts like. Instead of looking at the world in apathy, in thinking nothing can change, they could see where God’s Kingdom was and still is breaking in.

One can picture Lent as a time of protest, of putting our voices and actions where our faith in God is.

And the first step is to not look away, and start shouldering the crosses, the love and compassion and justice that God’s Spirit is working in the world. And, like Jesus, we rely on people and ourselves to call out the avoidance, to say, “Get behind me, Satan!” to the powers and fears that make people turn their backs on those most in need.

We have seen this in past movements and protests, where the Spirit inspired individuals and communities to not hide their justice-seeking and love, but force the rest of the world to reckon with Continued on page 18

The Regional Ministry of Hope

Tuesday Tu y,, March 26th - 10:00 am Lent Mid-W Week Devotion Service We

Blyth United Churrch

Bolivia Medical Ministry Update - Lynn Bowman

our eyes. Those who benefit from the oppression and hatred of others, who thrive off of greed and apathy, would rather our eyes be turned away from the situations happening in Gaza, Congo, Yemen, Ukraine, and other places. They don’t want us to think that God offers a vision of life in which people care for one another and don’t avert their eyes.

And yet, despite the head-turning, God’s presence, care, and the world that God calls very good refuses to let us look away. Jesus calling out Peter certainly meant that all eyes were on him. If Peter and the other disciples tried to avoid the world, focusing only on their limited understanding of God’s glory and power, they would have missed out on the true solidarity, the true changing of hearts through grace, the true embodiment of community that God would offer through Christ. Peter and the other disciples would experience a complete upending of their understanding of

The outreach project for March is the Local Food Grains Grow wing Project Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churche es blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

when Matt Bondy from Creation Ministries

nu to orr J o

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

BLYTH BLY LYT YTH CHRISTIAN YT HRISTIAN RISTIAN REFORMED REFO OR OR RMED RM MED CHURCH Hwy. 4,, Bly B yth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

To lift up the crosses, we cannot look away: Jebson

Life’s about balance Last Thursday night, the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre played host to the annual year-end showcase for the Brussels Skating Club. This year’s theme was “A Night at the Movies” and Sara Whitehead, above, was one of several skaters who performed solo routines for those in attendance. (John Stephenson photo)

Continued from page 17 it and take up their crosses together.

One historical example that springs to mind is that of Emmett Till, the Black, 14-year-old child who was killed in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. With his body nearly unrecognizable, his mother, Mamie, dared to have an open casket funeral for her son, because, in her words, “I wanted the world to see what they did to my baby.” Her bravery and discipleship in the midst of tragedy and suffering helped sparked the modern Civil Rights movement, and her decades of advocacy and justice-seeking for racial justice and children’s rights reflected her carrying the cross, and making others look and respond alongside her.

We see this happening this very day in Gaza as well. Despite the intentional targeting of journalists in Gaza and the attempts of governments and institutions to downplay the horror that is going on there, people both within Gaza and those outside of it refuse to let people look away, and, with the Holy Spirit, insist upon a response of discipleship and divine love.

Many of you may have read or heard interviews over the past couple of weeks with the Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, who had been taking

pictures of the devastation and human response since October. He ended up having to flee Gaza in late January, but continues to share information and recordings of the loss and the moments of grace and kindness in the midst of the genocide.

Many, including myself, find it difficult to look at the images of children killed and communities mourning, but, given the strength offered and love needed for those actually living it, it is the bare minimum that I and others can do, to start lifting our crosses up just a little bit. In one interview, Motaz says, “I always dreamed of being a travel photographer. I wish I reached people with my beautiful pictures of Gaza, not with our suffering. I didn’t want to be a war photojournalist. But you don’t have the option; you don’t have the freedom to choose.”

To do this work, to lift up the crosses, we cannot look away. If you are looking for tangible ways to keep your eyes and hearts open, look beyond the six o’clock news for eyes and ears on the ground seek out the voices and images of those living where God’s love and care needs to be lived out. And use your time and voice to make sure that others don’t get the opportunity to avert their eyes or try to avert ours.

If you aren’t seeing any protests or vigils going on around here, organize one yourself. If you see people dismissing the needs and justice-seeking of the world, call them out on it with the same vigour and strength that Jesus had while calling out Peter. Take time to reach out to your elected leaders, to make sure that our officials refuse to avert their eyes. These are the ways that we lay the groundwork of our protest discipleship.

I’ll end with the words of the Rev. Dr. Paul Shupe: “Opportunities are daily before us, times when we may give our lives sacrificially to acts of love, compassion, justice, and peace, even in the face of the same imperial forces of sin and death that confronted Jesus. In this season, we are wise to ponder not only the cross or crucifix in our sanctuary, but the picture of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, calling all his disciples to take up our own crosses and to walk with him in paths of love and service.”

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

Advertise it in

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

Busin ness Dire ector ry Dave Frranken F ra k

CONCRETE FORMING For All Y Yoour Concrete Needs!

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • Foundations • Floor Finishing • Circular T Taanks • Sandwich W Waalls FREE ESTIMA AT TES RR#3 Blyth ~ Fax 519-523-9604 519-523-9971

Largge instock selection of pallet racking racking, store shelving, display cases and more ffor Inddustrial, Residential, Farm & RRetail

NEW CONSTRU UCTION AGRICUL LT TURAL RENOVA VA AT TIO ONS RESIDENTIIAL

Call

519-5244-0253

Affordable Large & Small Trucks Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement

Passenger Vans full size or mini

GODERICH TOYOTA 344 Huron Rd. GODERICH

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

Ta T alk to us u instead.

ww ww.lakesideshelving.com com lakeesidemarket@gmail.com .com

TO L L - F R E E

33842 Market Rd., wyy. 211 North off Goderich, offf Hw

1- 877- 5135 5333

JK KM

CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS

fridge carts - piano dollysmoving blankets

Bernard Enterprises

Lakeside

SH HELV VING & RACKING

Renewing Smiles. Improvinng Function.

Restoring Confideence.

Mount Forest Clinic 111 Queen St. W. 519-509-5400 Mon, Wed & Fri 9am to 5pm

Listowel Clinic 120 Inkerman I St. W. 5519-418-8844 Tues & Thurs 9 to 5pm 9am

email: durkalecdentureclinicc@outlook.com www.durkalecdenturecclinic.com li i

Plumbing Heating H Cooling and Refrigeration Re

306-8897-0156 Clinton n, Ontario Jonmerne er@gmail com

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

519-887-6405

19-524-1740 51

RR #4 Brussels centralboilerr..com

Jake’s Small Engine Repair

Dog and Cat Boarding and Daycare Dog boardding $32 • Cat boarding $20 Daycare $25

Lawnmowers Chain Saws Side by Sides Snowmobiles Snow Blowers Golf Carts & more

40991 Blyth B Road, Blyth ON blyth hboardingkennel.com

Licensed Small Engine Technician smallenginejake@gmail.com

Jacob Nonkes

Kyla Campbell

Joon Merner

83341 Currie Line, Blyth 519-955-4234 519 955 4234

226 622 8477 226-622-8477

www.facebook.com/jakessmallengine

Take time to check out our Ta great selection of books.

Perfect for all ages and all occasions.

1BUJFOU $BSF 3F *OWFOUFE 417 Parsons Court, C Goderich 519-612-1387 Open 12-4 Monday - Friday; 10-4 Saturday

www.articulatenursing.com

Authorized dealer for

The Citizen

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

Call 519-5 519-523-4792 523-4792 to book your sp spot pot today!

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

Flynns host two-day preservation workshop

Preserving the harvest Red Seal Chef Connor Flynn, along with his wife Laura, organized a successful two-day food preservation course with the Seaforth Agricultural Society. Attendees learned various techniques such as canning and fermentation. Due to high demand, another session is scheduled for April 27 - 28. (Scott Stephenson photos)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

Recently, Red Seal Chef Connor Flynn held a two-day course in food preservation with the Seaforth Agricultural Society. Each day began with a comprehensive lesson that addressed the scientific and technical aspects of a variety of preservation methods, followed by some hands-on, skill-building activities.

For this instructional, attendees acquired the skills needed to make and preserve everything from carrots to peppers to beef. Salsa making was also part of the curriculum, as was fruit dehydration and sauerkraut fermentation. As grocery prices have skyrocketed due to supply chain issues and corporate pricing policies, preserving food at home has seen a worldwide resurgence in recent years.

As one of the few Canadians to be recognized as a Master Food Preserver, Flynn hopes to use his classes to educate people about food safety and dispel persistent food untruths. “There’s a real myth that tomatoes never need to be acidified,” he explained. “When you look at recipes from the 1950s, they were created with the tomatoes available at the time in mind.

Today, there are so many varieties of tomatoes that are much lower in acidity, which means they won’t work in those recipes.”

Flynn also feels that Canada is lagging behind in the realm of food preservation education. “We’re in the Wild, Wild West up here... I’m maybe a bit of a cowboy, but I don’t mess around.” He had to travel all the way to Cornell University for his training, after finding that the type of food preservation course he was looking for just wasn’t available in Canada.

Canning is not just a pleasant traditional activity - it’s a crucial tool in the strategic management of resources, especially in areas like Huron County, where agriculture is the heart of the economy. Bountiful harvest periods frequently yield far

more produce than can be sold or consumed right away, which creates a conundrum for farmers and gardeners alike. Canning is one of the many creative and delicious ways to address a surplus. Canning serves as a bridge between abundance and scarcity. Not only does the processing and sealing of food in airtight containers prevent spoilage and food waste, it ensures that the flavours of a hard-earned harvest can be enjoyed year-round.

Starting a cold December morning with a slice of toast topped with some homemade strawberry jam is both a lovely reminder of the past summer’s berry picking and a good way to stir up some excitement for next year’s growing season.

Canning is especially useful in areas that have limited access to fresh produce outside the growing season, or during times when grocery prices seem to be constantly on the rise. Homecanned produce can also help maintain a balanced diet while fostering self-reliance by enhancing food security.

Food preservation also contributes to economic sustainability. On a large scale, commercial canning extends the shelf life of agricultural products, which can open new revenue streams and stabilize incomes, particularly outside the main growing seasons. Food preservation mitigates the feast-or-famine cycle inherent to farming, which supports economic stability.

Of all the methods that Flynn teaches in his workshop, his favourite is also the oldest fermenting! “I love the simplicity, and the connection to history,” he explained. “Prior to refrigeration, every culture had their own fermenting process.”

Today, there are numerous social media platforms teeming with content creators offering a plethora of hints, tips and instructions from preservation enthusiasts. While a quick TikTok tutorial may be perfectly suitable for those looking to make some simple refrigerator pickles, understanding how

preserving works is an essential part of ensuring safe canning and fermenting practices. Flynn’s more scientific approach to the art of preservation stressed the importance of starting any canning project with high-quality jars and lids. “You’ve already invested the time and the energy,” he pointed out. Any canning project, no matter how meticulously planned out, can be spoiled by low-quality canning supplies. Flynn also pointed out some lesser known factors that can affect the safety of canned goods, like the altitude of the kitchen being used.

Historically, the act of canning played an important part in the fabric of rural life. Before the advent of refrigeration, communal food preservation was common.

Members of agriculturally-oriented communities would come together for canning sessions very much like the one that Flynn just held in Seaforth. Recipes and tips would be exchanged, and both the workload and preserves would be shared.

Beyond being practical, these gatherings were a social event that instilled a sense of belonging and collective responsibility.

Knowledge and skills were then passed down through generations, gradually becoming the foundation of modern food preservation science.

Choosing to host the event at the Seaforth Agriplex was an easy choice for Flynn and his wife Laura, who is very much involved in organizing the course behind the scenes. “The Seaforth Ag. Society was so supportive and into this!” she exclaimed. “We came to them with the idea to bring things like this to the community, and they said ‘this is what we want!’” Sixteen people scored one of the coveted spots in the sold-out course, which is all that the facility’s kitchen could safely accommodate. All the attendees were also offered samples of some of Flynn’s own preserves, which were accompanied by baked goods from Seaforth’s The Sprouted Mill and Bakery, and everybody went home with some

canned goods of their very own to enjoy at a later date.

If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Flynns’ food preservation course in Seaforth, have no fear due to the overwhelmingly positive response from participants, there is already another course scheduled for April 27 - 28. The previous session filled up quickly, so those looking to learn the modern approach to age-old methods of food preservation should sign up well in advance. Based on the degree of interest, it seems the art of preservation is just as relevant today as it has ever been.

Sudoku Solution

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 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024.

County passes budget

Sweet dreams Steve Bachert of Blyth Creek Maple Farm was one of many maple syrup purveyors who flung open their doors on the weekend, welcoming people for tours, tastings and more (John as part of Huron County’s annual celebration of all things maple: Maple Mania.

Stephenson photo)

At Huron County Council’s March 6 meeting, council officially adopted the 2024 budget, establishing tax rates and the general levy for the year by way of a bylaw.

Council had much of its budget debate at previous meetings, so the budget was passed with little conversation. The general levy for 2024 will be $52,826,607. *** Cleaning up a matter decided months ago to discontinue the Huron Heritage Fund, council passed a motion on March 6 to officially dissolve the Huron Heritage Fund Committee. The decision came after a report and recommendation by Director of Cultural Services and Huron County Librarian Beth Rumble. *** Council has opted not to go any further in regards to county-wide development charges.

Director of Planning and Development Sandra Weber presented a report on county-wide development charges at council’s March 6 meeting, recommending that a terms of reference and

M-T budget to return for approval in April Continued from page 1 unit is powered. Alcock said it’s an electric, forced-air design and that operation costs might increase by 10 to 15 per cent.

“It sounds weird,” Alcock concluded, “but I think it’s something all of us would enjoy if we were out there.”

Brophy resumed leading the budget discussion, focusing next on the roads department. An additional $80,000 contribution to the bridges and culverts reserve is proposed, as well as an additional $65,000 contribution to the equipment reserve and a $110,000 contribution to the roads reserve. For 2024, reconstruction of North Street and Alice Street has been removed, biannual bridge inspection expense of $7,000 has been added, and the balance of the Belgrave Stormwater Master plan setup, $22,000, has been shifted from last year. Brophy plans to fund the bridge inspection and stormwater master plan from the asset management reserve.

Under administration, insurance costs are up by a whopping 19 per cent, or $30,000. The Maitland Valley Conservation levy is up by 8.4 per cent and the Saugeen Valley Conservation is raising its levy by 4.2 per cent.

Under fire, the North Huron operating levy is increasing by 15 per cent to a total of $232,295, or $31,142 more than last year. The Morris-Turnberry share of the capital levy is going up by $50,970, which Brophy intends to fund through the fire reserve. With numbers still outstanding for Huron East’s fire budget, Brophy is matching North Huron’s 15 per cent increase to the operating levy as a placeholder for Huron East until the

actual numbers are received, for an estimated total of $116,235, or $15,161 over last year. Huron East fire capital expenses are estimated to come in at $166,275 for MorrisTurnberry’s share.

Brophy is earmarking $168,500 for costs associated with the Brussels Fire Hall renovation.

Projecting fire reserve contributions for the next few years, Brophy cautioned council that current levels are insufficient for anticipated upcoming capital expenditures.

Under recreation, the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre (BMGCC) has not yet been received, so Brophy used an increase of 3.8 per cent as a placeholder. Capital costs for the BMGCC are expected to be $94,800 for a brine pump, an electrical panel, pool filters and a pool deck, as well as $50,400 carried over from 2023.

Brophy recommends transferring a surplus from 2023 in the amount of $136,816.39 to the general reserve. The closing balance of the general reserve from 2023 is $345,561.

Wrapping up the discussion, Heffer said, “Sean, you’re putting your best guess into the unknowns and we were hoping you would come out as close to C.P.I. as possible. I don’t know if you’re a magician or you just keep moving numbers so much that you confuse us….” Retorting in jest, Brophy quipped, “A little bit of both.”

Heffer continued, “You got us to where we were hoping you would, so I think that’s good.”

Council then approved a motion to return the final budget and bylaw to the April 2 meeting of council.

subsequent report could be produced for council if there was an appetite to consider implementing development charges at the county level.

Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he wasn’t sure which way he was leaning, but that he was open to more information.

However, Howick Reeve Doug Harding went the other way, saying that Howick has worked hard to encourage development and, now that it’s happening, he would hate to do anything that might slow down or halt that progress and make it harder or less appealing for developers to work in Huron County.

Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp shared similar sentiments, saying he didn’t feel further research was necessary and that the issue should be dropped where it is.

Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn agreed with Harding, saying that he felt that if lower-tier municipalities wanted to implement their own development charges, which some have, that would be fine, but he wasn’t in favour of it at the county level.

250 GLUTEN-FREE FAVORITES Discover tasty and innovative ideas for everything from baked goods, pasta dishes, appetizers and family meals to mouthwatering desserts. As a bonus, many of the recipes are dairyfree, egg-free and white sugarfree. $27.95 GROWING UNDER COVER Options for extending the growing season by using protective covers to create controlled spaces for vegetables to thrive. Plant earlier, harvest later, keep pests at bay, and protect crops from sudden weather changes. $33.95

TRUE GREEN HOME National Geographic presents 100 inspirational ideas for creating a green environment at home, from energy efficient renovations to chemical-free cleaning, to water conservation in the house and garden to environmentally sound finishes and furnishings. $22.95

NIGHT-NIGHT CANADA A special way to spend bedtime in Canada!

Say goodnight to all your favorite locations, including: Calgary Zoo, Parliament Hill, CN Tower, Montreal Biosphere, Saddledome and more. Board book. $14.99

DINOSAUR DISCOVERIES Here are the most recent theories about the history of dinosaurs, backed up with amazing facts about dinosaur discoveries.

Gibbons discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaccous periods and many of the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each of those times. $10.99

NOTES ON A BEERMAT A book in praise of beer written by Toronto author Nicholas Pashley.

Thoughts on everything from finding the perfect pub to surviving a hangover. More than 200 pages of quirky thoughts on his favourite subject. $19.95 Now $9.98

300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS A great soup nourishes the soul as well as the stomach. This book offers an incredible variety from traditional comfort food to exotic taste sensations. Recipes for everything from stock to meat, fish and vegetable soups. $27.95

BREWING MADE EASY Imagine offering guests your own home brew. This book provides information from brewing your first batch of beer to creating your own recipes. Information on equipment, instructions on making beer and recipes for different beers and ales. $10.95

The Citizen

405 Queen St., Blyth

519-523-4792