The Citizen - May 3, 2024

8 • Sports 9 • Protest 10 • Mental Health 19 • Entertainment

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Friday, May 3, 2024

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Volume 40 No. 18

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

Historic Lancaster coming to Goderich

An afternoon to remember On Sunday afternoon, The Honey Sweethearts and The Lucky Charms both took to Blyth’s Memorial Hall stage for a fundraising concert to benefit the creation of a documentary on The Farmerettes, a passion project of local author Bonnie Sitter. Both bands would comment about the majesty of the hall and a reverance for the stage. Joe Gahan of The Lucky Charms said his band

wasn’t used to playing professional stages like Memorial Hall’s, while Ava Dawe, above left, of The Honey Sweethearts said her band was “really good at background music” and joked that they’re unaccustomed to playing for a seated crowd only watching them. Above, Ava and her mother Heather, 40 per cent of The Honey Sweethearts, a Dawe family band, entertain the masses. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

MH stage renaming approved by NH

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

A recent donation from a generous patron brought Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt before North Huron Council at a regular meeting last month.

Garratt sought approval for the Festival’s right to name the stage at Memorial Hall in honour of the donor and their family. North Huron Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans prepared a report recommending that the proposal be approved, which was then discussed. While the actual name that the Blyth Festival hopes to bestow upon the stage was not yet revealed to council and the general

public, staff was privy to that information, and found no reason to withhold naming rights from the Festival.

Councillor Mitch Wright requested more clarity in regards to the nebulous idea of “naming rights”. “I don’t have an issue with the report, and I don’t think I have any issues with the spirit behind it, but I can’t support this motion as it’s worded, because there’s absolutely no restrictions on what the stage could be named. So, I assume they are going to name it after the family - reading into it, it’s likely that that’s what they are going to do... I think we just need a little bit of a tweak in the motion, to resolve that concern, and then I’m fully willing to support it.”

Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer spoke up to advocate for council to trust staff’s recommendation that the naming rights not be withheld, as they were aware of the potential name and had no objection to it.

Garratt agreed that the naming of the stage is a matter to be taken seriously. “Our understanding from the lease is that we actually can’t change the name of any of the spaces without approval from the landlord, which would be all of you. So, if we were going to change it to something obscene, which obviously would be a huge detriment to our very public business, we would still have to bring that obscene name to all of you, or your future counterparts, to vote on whether we could use it or

not.” He went on to suggest the rewording of the proposal to include more specific language.

Clerk Carson Lamb drafted a motion in which council would grant approval to the Blyth Festival to name the stage at Memorial Hall in honour of a family of long-time supporters of the Blyth Festival, in recognition of a significant financial donation.

The motion was moved by Falconer, seconded by Councillor Anita van Hittersum, and passed unanimously, save for Councillor Ric McBurney, who abstained from voting due to a pecuniary interest that arose from his involvement with Branch 420 of the Royal Canadian Legion, one of the Blyth Festival’s closest partners.

On June 14, 1964, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) flew retired Lancaster FM213 to Goderich, where the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion displayed it as a war memorial. In 1977, it was acquired by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, where the aircraft was painstakingly restored until its triumphant return to the air in 1988.

The Lancaster continues to fly and remains one of only two airworthy examples in the world.

On June 14, 2024 - sixty years to the day since its arrival - the Lancaster is set to make a celebratory return visit to Goderich Regional Airport. This momentous occasion will be celebrated with a series of exciting events and activities, providing a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to witness up close, the legendary aircraft, which holds a special place in the hearts of local aviation enthusiasts and history buffs.

Spectators are invited to witness this historic event and experience the thrill of seeing the Lancaster touch down on the runway.

Following the arrival, a series of activities and exhibits will be available for attendees to enjoy. On June 15, as the aircraft bids farewell to Goderich once again, spectators will be able to witness the aircraft’s majesty in flight.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the Lancaster to Goderich on this significant anniversary,” said Legion President Randy Carroll.

“This iconic aircraft holds a special place in the hearts of our community, and we are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate its history and pay tribute to the brave individuals who served during World War II. We invite everyone to join us in this momentous occasion and experience the magic of the Lancaster firsthand.”

The Lancaster is scheduled to arrive on June 14 at approximately 10 a.m. and depart on June 15 at approximately 2 p.m. The visit promises to be an unforgettable experience for those young and old alike. This historic event provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the aircraft’s remarkable engineering, its historical significance, and the heroic stories that surround it.

For more information, visit the Goderich Legion’s website at goderichlegion.ca or the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s website at warplane.com.

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Corbett retires from BMGCC after three decades bunch of different things - the only one that is still going is karate. They just had a competition, and a couple kids came away with some gold medals. It’s just so nice to see.”

With all the activity that the BMGCC has seen over the years, McArter and Corbett often found their thoughts turning to potential improvements to the space.

“Murray and I talked many times about how we needed a renovation, and bigger dressing rooms, and it never happened. It didn’t happen in his time, so it was really nice to see that happen before I left.” When the long-desired renovations were finally undertaken, it was another great example of community involvement.

“The Building

Committee was phenomenal,” she explained. “They went and visited so many arenas - most of them were arena people or contractors, so they knew a little bit about what needed to happen.” The upgrade includes an additional washroom and new dressing rooms.

When the local school closed, the BMGCC became an even more important part of the social fabric of Brussels. “It is the number-one community place, and everybody does come together. And Brussels is a community. As much as we are Huron East, Brussels is still Brussels. It’s a great community.”

It’s obvious that running the BMGCC was a labour of love that took a lot of work, which means

that retirement is going to be a big change for the former facility manager. “I’m going to take a little time and just relax, and get my head around the fact that I’m not working anymore. I love to work with my hands and do crafty things and woodworking and stuff, so I’m working on some of that. I’ve got three grandkids - there’s two I babysit quite often, and then I have a new one that was born while I was away [Corbett vacationed immediately after retirement], so I’ll be spending some time with them too. I might work a little on my trailer in Hanover... I don’t know exactly what I’ll get into.

Whatever it is, I’ll thoroughly enjoy it. I’ll keep busy!”

Happy Nurses Week!

May 6-12 We thank you for your dedication to keeping us healthy, and for everything you do.

Well managed Abi Corbett of Brussels stepped down from the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre in March after working there for more than 30 years. Corbett served as facility manager for nearly half of her time at the beloved community centre. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

They say that behind every great community centre are great members of the community - a sentiment that is most certainly true of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre (BMGCC) in Brussels. The centre recently bid adieu to its longtime facility operator turned facility manager, Abi Corbett, who has shifted gears from recreation to relaxation with her well-earned retirement.

She was instrumental in the operation of the BMGCC for many years, and oversaw a lot of the great events that make the space such a special hub for Brussels and the surrounding area. Corbett was kind enough to take a moment from her day to chat with The Citizen about her time facilitating recreation at one of Huron East’s favourite facilities, and how much of her retirement she’s really planning to dedicate to relaxation.

Corbett moved to Brussels from Kitchener in 1989, when her children were born, and found a place at the BMGCC a few years later, through the good oldfashioned grapevine. “I was looking for a job when my twins were only three,” she recalled. “A neighbour said that their babysitter had mentioned that their dad was looking for somebody at the arena.

So I went up and talked to him and gave him my resume.” She started at the arena in 1992, and began working her way up. “I didn’t start full-time until amalgamation in 2001. I’ve been full-time since then, and when Murray [McArter]

retired 14 years ago, I became the manager.” McArter spent over 30 years working at the Community Centre before Corbett took over, where he was often addressed by his nickname: “Crusher”. After he turned over the keys to his worthy successor, she found people started calling her “Crusher” as well.

“Murray was a great boss, and I miss him beyond words. He taught me everything I needed to know, really. I did a lot of courses, but Murray was a great teacher.”

McArter passed away in 2022.

Corbett attributes a lot of their success at the BMGCC to the people who use it. “The community was always very involved, so we always had people around, keeping us busy. People would come and try to get new programs going, and we’d always do our best to accommodate them as best we could.” Over the years, they’ve hosted dance classes, day camps, yoga and more. “I see day camps coming back, which is great. We went through quite a few years there where we weren’t getting anybody, so we kind of stopped it, so it’s great to see that coming back now... the young people were moving away, but now, there’s more young people staying. It’s nice to see that coming back.”

One of the programs on which Corbett worked with McArter was the Brussels Karate Club. “Karate has been going on in Brussels for two days a week for about 17 years now... I’m pretty proud of the karate! It was one that Murray and I implemented. We sent out a survey to the community asking them what they wanted, and there was a whole

Thanks to the Nurses Who Touch Our Lives Through their skill, dedication and caring, nurses make a lifesaving difference in the lives of countless people each and every day. During National Nurses Week, we’d like to express our appreciation to these dedicated men and women, whose commitment to patients and healing make our community and our world a better place.

The Citizen

In 2020, Braemar started its Best Practice Spotlight Organization journey through the RNAO and has since seen many positive changes to Braemar’s quality of care as a result.

We celebrate our amazing staff and the quality of care that they deliver to our residents each and every day.

Thank you for all you do!

405 Queen Street, Blyth 519-523-4792

All of us at Huron Hospice applaud our nurses for their kind, skilled, and dedicated care of residents and families at Huron Hospice Bender House.

You embody the traits that make nursing a profession well worth celebrating.

Thank you for bringing your best selves every day to those we serve.

www.huronhospice.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 3.

Historical Society seeks to aid county

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Taken down Last week, the F.E. Madill Mustangs claimed top honours in the annual Matthew Dinning rugby tournament, hosted by the school. The team played Stratford in the final and claimed a 7-5 victory in the tournament’s championship game. (Scott Stephenson photo)

SB approves DGR referendum The Municipality of South Bruce Council has passed a bylaw confirming the date and question for the 2024 by-election.

From Oct. 21-28, 2024 at 8 p.m., eligible voters in South Bruce will answer: “Are you in favour of the Municipality of South Bruce declaring South Bruce to be a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR).”

The notice of the passage of a bylaw authorizing the submission of a question to electors was published on Wednesday, April 24.

The notice confirms the question has been authorized by bylaw and sets the date for the 2024 byelection voting day as Oct. 28.

The issuance of this notice starts the 20-day appeal period, details of which can be found on the notice.

Confirming its previous motion, council also passed a bylaw authorizing the use of internet and telephone voting methods. Advance voting was also authorized from Oct. 21, 2024 through to voting day.

The Municipality of South Bruce has been participating in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) site selection process since 2012. South Bruce is one of two remaining sites being considered for the site of a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

As part of this process, the municipality retained consultants GHD to conduct a willingness study with the community, which identified a preference for a public referendum. Local by-elections (referendums) are governed by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. The act sets out that by-elections are to be conducted in the same way as a regular election, as much as possible.

Over the coming months the clerk’s office will be preparing for the election.

Electors are encouraged to visit the municipality’s by-election webpage for by-election updates and

information on how to confirm, add or update your information on the voters’ register.

If a minimum of 50 per cent of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, and more than 50 per cent of the votes cast are “yes”, the municipality will pass a resolution declaring South Bruce to be a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed DGR. In the event of a “yes” vote, the municipality will continue to participate in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process and South Bruce could be selected as the host community for the proposed DGR.

If a minimum of 50 per cent of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, and more than 50 per cent of the votes cast are “no”, the Municipality will exit the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process and South Bruce will no longer be eligible to be selected as the host community for the proposed DGR. If less than 50 per cent of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, the results of the referendum are not binding, and the decision on whether South Bruce is or is not a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed DGR will be made by municipal council.

The Huron County Historical Society knows that Huron County is in need of more storage and archive space for its museum and its members want to help.

At a recent meeting, David Armstrong and Ralph Laviolette from the society spoke to Huron County Council. The group represents a number of area historical societies and like-minded groups, such as the Wingham and Area Historical Society, the St. Joseph Historical Society, the Bayfield Historical Society, the Huron Branch of the Ontario Ancestors, the Van Egmond House Foundation, the South Huron Historical Society, the Huron Arts and Heritage Network and the Huron Heritage Roundtable.

The two men stated that the society’s objective in presenting to council is, “to ensure that valuable archival materials and artifacts from various personal and group collections and attics across Huron County are kept and preserved properly for the benefit of our children and future generations.”

This follows a presentation from Director of Cultural Services Beth Rumble earlier this year, detailing the lack of storage and archival space and limited opportunity to expand either at the Huron County Museum site or its off-site storage.

She also stated that the issue will be exacerbated as smaller museums shutter and their collections are sent to Huron County.

“In 2027, the County of Huron will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of The Canada Company’s opening of the Huron Tract and the creation of Goderich.

To celebrate this milestone, the Huron County Historical Society is

reviving a proposal to secure the future of our recorded history with the expansion of the Huron County Museum and Archives space, particularly the Archives space,” Armstrong said in a letter to council.

“Individuals and organizations in communities across every municipality have collections and history books that build on the pride of settlement and development. Some years ago, a number of both private and public collections were at risk of disappearing. Fifteen were quickly identified and more have come forward since. Seven of those are either disposed of or stored under questionable conditions.”

Armstrong lists North Huron and Huron East collections as being stored under “questionable conditions” and added that the History Narcisses Cantin Collection is now in private storage outside of the county with an unknown future, in addition to the St. Joseph and Area Historical Society’s own large collection, which also has an unknown future.

He detailed three reports that had been commissioned on museumrelated issues within Huron County between 2012 and 2014, all of which came to the conclusion that an expanded archives is imperative to store and preserve the recorded history of Huron County.

“One of the county’s goals is the preservation and wise management of its cultural heritage, as expressed in the cultural plan of 2008. We need to work together to create a solution to the issues,” Armstrong said in his letter. “We are also sending the report to the lower-tier municipalities, as these communities have a great stake in the future of a county archives. We realize in times of budgetary Continued on page 19

Too wise to err—and too loving to be unkind!

(Arthur Pink) Entertainment & Lo ocal Events

“I delight to do Your will, O my God!” Psalm 40:8 Faith endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life — by recognizing that all comes from the hand of Him who is too wise to err—and too loving to be unkind.

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Yoour Faamily… amily Yoour Intterests…

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

There is no higher aspect of faith, than that which brings the heart to patiently submit unto whatever God sends us, to meekly acquiesce unto His sovereign will, to say, “Shall I not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?” Faith when it reaches the pinnacle of attainment declares, “though He slays me, yet will I trust in Him!” Family y Fun Features

When we receive all that enters our lives as from God’s hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings—whether in a hovel, a prison-dungeon, or a martyr’s stake—we shall be enabled to say, “The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant place!” But that is the language of faith, not of sight or sense.

“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine!” Luke 22:42 “It is a genuine evidence of true godliness when, although plunged into the deepest afflictions, we yet humbly submit ourselves to God. It is the height of piety to be submissive to the sovereign will of God.” John Calvin

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“It is not enough to bear the cross, but we must take it up, we must accommodate ourselves to it, and acquiesce in the will of God in it. Not, “this is an evil, and I must bear it, because I cannot help it;” but “this is an evil, and I will bear it, because it is the will of God.” Matthew Henry “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to the delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” Jeremy Burroughs A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-3887

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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Above and beyond For the majority of us, the homeless crisis that has now trickled out of the cities and into our rural communities is possibly an annoyance, or something to tsk-tsk at, as we come across people living on the street.

After all, we know the county provides a shelter and various churches and social agencies have resources. It’s hard for us to understand the myriad of reasons that could result in someone living rough - everything from sudden job loss to addiction and mental health issues. Even harder to fathom is that someone might choose to stay out in the cold.

A recent story on CBC News highlighted St. Thomas’ success in reducing its homeless numbers by more than 30 per cent in less than seven months. The creation of supportive housing, similar to the project on the horizon in Goderich, deserves much of the credit, but making some creative changes at The INN, a 40-bed emergency shelter, was instrumental in shifting people into more permanent housing.

The first step to getting people off the streets is usually the shelter, but often people who need it the most are reluctant to use it. The INN, recognizing the differences between clients, reconfigured its interior to add flex space for seniors, members of the LGBTQ community and those with mobility issues. It also added more warming spaces for the winter season. The key to welcoming so many struggling people is recognizing their differences and finding ways to make them comfortable. – DS

People want answers Almost 100,000 Canadians (surely more than 100,000 by the time you’re reading this) have signed a petition asking that the federal government formally investigate Loblaw Companies Ltd. for what the petition calls “profiteering” and “greedflation” in general terms, but specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic when profits soared.

The company made money hand over fist as food prices skyrocketed with people like Galen Weston Jr. insisting that his companies kept costs as affordable as they could, despite Canadians struggling to make ends meet. Now, as the petition calls for a closer look, thousands of people are fighting back in the best way they know how: not opening their wallets. Indeed, many are planning to boycott Loblaw-owned stores for the month of May to show Weston they mean business.

People are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore.

Having said that, in remote communities or larger, centralized city centres, Loblaw-owned companies can often be the only option. So, making their point with their money (or by withholding it) may be tougher than some think, but, the will is there to hurt Loblaw where it would matter most for a money-hungry enterprise: its bottom line.

Weston and his company may stand behind only Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the subject of much finger pointing in regards to the issue of affordability of life in Canada, and, with so few alternatives, the company clearly knows that bark is unlikely to equal bite.

And while we’re boycotting consistently underperforming entities that make money hand over fist to no avail, should we be turning in our Toronto Maple Leafs’ jerseys for the month of May as well? – SL

Go Julie-Anne, go!

Runner Julie-Anne Staehli, a native of Lucknow, has a list of accomplishments that speaks volumes about her determination and talent. As a Canadian Olympian, bronze medalist at the 2023 PanAm Games, co-founder of the Re-Run Shoe Project and a revered racer for Team New Balance, she has inspired countless individuals.

As the anticipation for the Paris Games grows, so does the excitement surrounding Staehli’s quest for greatness. The journey to this moment has been marked by highs and lows, each step a testament to Staehli’s unwavering resolve and her ability to overcome challenges with grace and grit. However, amidst the anticipation, news of an injury has tempered some enthusiasm surrounding Staehli’s upcoming prospects.

Yet, the distance runner faces this setback with a resilient spirit, undimmed by the hurdles before her.

It’s disappointing to see such a talented athlete face challenges so close to a major event. Regardless of what happens next, in the eyes of her community, Staehli is already a champion. Her ability to overcome obstacles, coupled with her positive attitude makes her an inspiration to all. And while the road ahead may be difficult, there’s no doubt that Staehli’s journey will continue to inspire and uplift those who admire her. She has already proven herself a champion, not just in the realm of sports, but within her community.

Staehli’s hometown of Lucknow sports a mural of Canadian hockey legend Paul Henderson. Now is a chance to further celebrate local athletic icons by commissioning a mural of Staehli. On the day of her scheduled race in the Paris Olympics, regardless of her participation, there should be an official declaration of “Julie-Anne Staehli Day”. It would be a fitting tribute and provide inspiration for future generations, building upon her already-cemented legacy here at home. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years May 7, 1969 Readers of The Blyth Standard were asked to recall a letter to the editor by Mr. Robert Collins of Toronto in the April 9 issue, who was seeking details about an automobile produced in Blyth in the late 1890s. This letter set the “wheels in motion” for Ken McGowan, who unearthed a wealth of information about the inventor, John B. Kelly. Kelly, born in Blyth in 1859, lived until 1955 in Goderich.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Madill were celebrated at two distinct events in commemoration of their 23rd wedding anniversary.

On Friday night, close friends gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Howson to celebrate the occasion. Then, on Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Hessels, along with Terry and Cathy Madill, hosted a dinner for their parents at Tiger Dunlop Inn, joined by other members of the Madill family.

A group of ten students from North York School in Toronto, accompanied by their teachers Miss Claire Taylor and Mr. Morris, arrived in Blyth on Monday. These students were staying with host families in the rural areas of Blyth and attended Blyth Public School throughout the week.

The inaugural spring rummage sale organized by the Blyth Lions Club was quite successful. The items available for sale were as good as those in the fall sale, but there was a notably lower turnout at the event. However, the sale still managed to raise a respectable sum of $220.50.

May 4, 1977 Three students were set to secure summer jobs thanks to a “youth in

action” grant of $4,400 awarded to the Brussels, Grey, and Morris Recreation Committee last week.

These students were tasked with planning and running a program for preschool and school-age children.

Their responsibilities included supervising and maintaining the Lions wading pool, organizing a craft workshop, and coordinating various recreational sports activities.

The Huron County Board of Education informed Brussels Council that the year’s requisition would amount to $65,474, almost $11,000 higher than the previous year’s contribution.

Seeking clarity on this significant increase, the council passed a motion requesting Don McDonald, the local Board of Education representative, to attend the June 6 council meeting to provide an explanation for the substantial rise in the requisition amount.

Brussels Village Clerk-Treasurer Bill King and Brussels Post reporter Pat Langlois were asked to leave a part of Monday night’s council meeting without an official vote to enter a committee session.

Councillor Tom Pletch requested their departure around 10:45 p.m., with Clerk King returning after half an hour. Langlois was allowed back in at 11:45 p.m., but most councillors had already left, leaving only Reeve Cal Krauter and Councillor Frank Stretton, who chaired the meeting.

May 3, 1989 Brussels taxpayers were facing an 11.2 per cent increase in their village taxes, as per the mill rate set by the village council in a by-law on Monday night. The residential mill rate rose from 4.8501 to 5.3938, while the commercial rate

increased from 5.7058 to 6.3936.

For a home valued at $44,000, this meant a $23.92 increase in village taxes.

Additionally, the Board of Education’s budget added $40 to the same homeowner’s expenses, and Huron County’s budget brought a further increase of over $22.

An 18-year-old from Seaforth would perform community service as part of his guilty plea for throwing a beer bottle through a window at the Blyth and District Community Centre.

Keith Roulston, publisher of The Citizen, welcomed Lisa Boonstoppel to the editorial staff for the summer. Boonstoppel had actually started working at The Citizen three years earlier as a coop student from Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton.

May 6, 2004 Only six months into their term, North Huron councillors faced a vacant seat at the table. Clerkadministrator John Stewart received a resignation letter from Ralph De Vries, one of the Blyth Ward’s representatives, during the Monday night meeting.

De Vries, who had been on leave until June, cited “employment reasons” for his inability to effectively serve as a councillor.

His resignation was accepted with regrets, leaving the decision to fill the seat to the council.

The Stratford Festival kicked off its 2004 season with its first production at the Festival Theatre, delighting audience members. The season featured six Shakespearean plays, three new adaptations, two Canadian world premieres and two musicals. The public’s first opportunity to see Guys and Dolls was on Tuesday, April 20.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Distractions from our daily world

A

fter surviving day after day of the trial of Donald Trump for bribing the National Enquirer to cover up, during his first election campaign, his affair with a sometimes porn star, leading up to his eventual election in 2016, I’d had about enough of sensational news. Then Editor Shawn Loughlin reminded me, with his column on the death of O. J. Simpson a couple of weeks ago, that these sensational stories just keep grabbing the headlines.

The Trump trial deserves the coverage, since it is the first trial in American history of a former president, although there are more trials of Trump to come unless he is re-elected President this November and can cancel some of the charges against him.

But the O.J. Simpson trial was just as sensational. The former college football star who became even more successful in his pro career with the Buffalo Bills, leading to a TV and movie career, Simpson made headlines again when his wife, who had left him, was murdered, along with a man who worked at a local restaurant who was at her home to return a pair of glasses she’d left behind while dining.

As if a celebrity charged with the murder of his wife wasn’t enough, O.J. captured more attention by trying to drive away from the whole mess, but was spotted by the police and followed for what seemed like hours, interrupting normal programming, by TV cameras in a prolonged police chase.

I remember it all well; not being able to watch my normal shows on TV because of the moment-by-moment coverage of the chase, followed by the live coverage of the trial. I remember taking The Citizen to our thenprinting plant in Goderich and the entire typesetting department was watching the trial.

He was acquitted when he tried on the glove

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk the supposed murderer wore for the crime, but it didn’t fit.

Later, however, O.J. went to jail for other crimes and, until his death, a growing number of the general public thought he was guilty.

Then on the news last week I saw that it was the 30th anniversary of the election of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of South Africa after decades spent in jail during the apartheid policies of the minority whitedominated government under which the majority Black population wasn’t allowed to vote.

By coincidence, we’d pulled the DVD of his story, Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom, off the shelf and watched it just the other night, seeing the long years of his prison sentence before the rebellions of Black residents of South Africa (which dominated the news for years) finally brought change.

Seeing the movie recalled other movies we have in our collection about somewhat similar public domination of stories. Back in 1976, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman starred in All The President’s Men, about Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s stubborn efforts to uncover the Watergate scandal even as President Richard Nixon won a second term from the electorate.

But the evidence of Nixon’s crimes mounted up, little by little, and eventually he had to

resign to avoid being impeached, and he was given a pardon by his successor, Gerald Ford.

There’s also Good Night and Good Luck, starring David Strathairn as the legendary TV reporter Edward R. Murrow as he fought to bring an end to the 1950s reign of terror by the Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy who ended the careers of many public figures, including many movie and TV personnel, by accusing them of being Communists in the paranoia of the early 1950s.

What I realized from all this was that the fascination with the Donald Trump trial is just the latest in a long history of stories that dominated the headlines, particularly in the U.S. We Canadians have had a few sensational scandals of our own, but, in general, they haven’t dominated the news in the same way, and our attention is dominated so much by U.S. media that our issues seem small by comparison.

Someday we’ll look back on the Trump lawlessness in much the same way, if we’re lucky, as we do O.J. or the Watergate scandal as long as he doesn’t become a dictatorial leader after this year’s election. Some new sensation will dominate news coverage.

In the meantime, life will go on. In 2024 we, individually, live immensely better than we did during the Nixon scandal, let alone the McCarthy era - although the problem of climate change is bigger these days. If we don’t give in to the temptation of dictatorship being a less-stressful form of government, we will live more comfortably than any previous generation.

Scandals like the Trump case are important, but they distract us from the challenges of our own lives, particularly if we’re Canadians. No matter what judges and juries decide about Trump’s fate, our lives will go on.

Safety is the safest way to stay safe

R

eckless. Risky. Ravaging. These words often accompany the seasonal wonderland of snow that transforms the serene landscapes of Huron County into potential peril zones. As the allure of snowy escapades beckons, it’s paramount to heed the call for caution and prioritize snow safety.

The charm of snowflakes dancing in the air can quickly give way to treacherous scenarios if safety measures are neglected. This week, The Chaff tells you everything you need to “s’know” about what to do when the white stuff goes loco.

Risk Assessment: Understanding the Dangers The pristine blanket of snow conceals a multitude of hazards. From hidden crevasses in snow-covered terrain to the ever-present risk of squalls, avalanches, squall-valanches and Bruce Vilanchian Indomitable Snowmen, the snow zone layer landscape demands respect and awareness. Each snow season brings its own set of chilly challenges, requiring constant vigilance and preparedness.

Responsible Recreation: The Key to Enjoyment Responsible recreation forms the cornerstone of snow safety. Whether skiing up or down powdery slopes or embarking on a sinful snowshoeing adventure, being equipped with the right knowledge and gear is non-negotiable. Familiarity with snowtornado safety protocols, understanding the ways and wiles of blowing snow conditions and carrying essential survival equipment can mean the difference between an exhilarating adventure and a harrowing ordeal.

Resilience in Education: Empowering Communities Education plays a pivotal role in fostering snowy street smarts when developing a

Scott Stephenson The Chaff culture of total snow safety. Empowering individuals with knowledge about snowrelated risks and safety measures enables them to make informed decisions. Schools, outdoor organizations and community initiatives can collaborate to offer comprehensive snow safety programs, instilling a sense of responsibility and resilience in snow enthusiasts of all ages.

Respect for Nature: Preserving Winter Wilderness Respecting the natural environment goes hand in hand with snow safety. Avoiding sensitive habitats, adhering to designated trails and practicing “Leave No Trace Canada” principles uphold the integrity of wintry wilderness areas. By minimizing human impact, we preserve the beauty and biodiversity of these pristine landscapes for generations to come.

Reinforcement through Regulation: Upholding Safety Standards Regulatory measures play a crucial role in upholding snow safety standards.

Implementing and enforcing regulations regarding backcountry access, trail usage and equipment requirements promote responsible practices. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, outdoor recreation associations and local communities ensures a cohesive approach to snow safety governance.

Redefining Norms:

Embracing Diversity in Snow Safety Diversity and inclusion are integral aspects of promoting snow safety. Recognizing and accommodating diverse skill levels, physical abilities and cultural backgrounds fosters a welcoming and accessible snow safety community.

Reflective Evaluation: Learning from Incidents Every snow-related incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of continuous learning and improvement.

Conducting thorough incident analyses, sharing lessons learned and implementing corrective measures contribute to a culture of proactive safety management. Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement strengthens resilience and preparedness within snowed-up communities.

Resounding Call to Action: Uniting for Snow Safety As enthusiasts, stakeholders and stewards of the snow-covered landscapes, we are collectively responsible for fostering a totally hardcore culture of snow safety. Embracing a holistic approach that encompasses education, preparedness, inclusivity and environmental stewardship is imperative. Let us unite in our commitment to prioritize safety, uphold standards and preserve the magic of frosty adventures for all to enjoy forevermore.

The call for slippy-dippy safety echoes far and wide, urging us to embrace responsibility, resilience and respect in our snowy escapades. By heeding this call and championing a cutthroat culture of safety, we safeguard not only ourselves, but also the precious frosted and flaky wilderness that enchants us with its beauty and challenges.

Make sure to check next week’s The Chaff for coverage of this year’s Super Bowl!

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Sounds alright to me

F

or people of a certain age, and Scott and I both happen to be about that age, the Saturday Night Live of our youth in the 1990s served as a foundation of humour.

Last week, on page four, Scott wrote about the impact of Phil Hartman, the great Canadian SNL cast member, and, just recently, the great Norm McDonald was back in the news when O.J. Simpson died. People went back to watch supercuts of McDonald trashing Simpson as the host of SNL’s “Weekend Update” during the so-called “Trial of the Century”. Throw in Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, David Spade, Mike Myers, Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri and more and you have a pretty clear picture of what was funny to us back then.

Not only that, but for me, at least, SNL was how I learned about a lot of events. As a teen, I wasn’t exactly gobbling up the newspaper or the nightly news, so my window to current events was often SNL or something similar.

Fusing those two ideas together is easy.

Whatever McDonald thought about O.J. was what I thought of O.J. If they made fun of Bill Clinton or George H.W. Bush, I then thought those people were silly. When The Simpsons made fun of Twin Peaks for not making sense, I then absorbed, through osmosis, the idea that Twin Peaks made no sense. See what I mean?

One of the most memorable sketches from that period features Farley as a motivational speaker named Matt Foley hired to whip teens played by Spade and Christina Applegate into shape after the family’s cleaner found a bag of marijuana. Foley was the kind of motivational speaker in the vein of a cautionary tale. He lived in a van down by the river, as he painstakingly reminded people through the sketch, and he didn’t want them to end up like him, also living in a van down by the river.

Well, if you’re a person who went down the YouTube rabbit hole in the last few weeks to watch McDonald’s bits on O.J., you might notice some other SNL sketches from that era pushed to you. For me, one was the Foley bit.

It served as a stark reminder of how much things have changed since it first aired in May of 1993. Throughout the comment section were people speaking from a post-2020 world about wishing they could afford to live in a van down by the river. What was a worst-case scenario in 1993 had become aspirational.

Now, there may be a bit of exaggeration in those comments (as everyone knows, online comment sections are not exactly the place to go looking for rational, measured discourse among courteous, well-informed people) but there is certainly some truth to them as well.

I’ve written before about Nomadland, the tremendous book by Jessica Bruder that led to the Academy Award-winning film of the same name starring the great Frances McDormand.

It tells the real-life stories of people who, for one reason or another, have been driven to life on the road, living in their vehicles. Those profiled by Bruder in her book and then by director Chloé Zhao in the film have some money. They travel from job to job as seasons change and opportunities arise and pay for things like gas, food and vehicle repairs.

There is now an ever-growing community of people living in tented encompments across North America in large cities, but even here in Huron County many experience homelessness.

As we know, Huron County Council is addressing this with a pricey housing project.

As the quality of life declines in our part of the world, some of us are lucky and others are not. Looking back at something like SNL, while funny, provides a bit of a snapshot of a time when life was a bit easier.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Plenty to do and see as weather warms says Graber Watson A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

Off-season work Just weeks after the local girls’ hockey season drew to a close, prospective Huron Heat teams were back on the ice, this time in Goderich, to prove their worth and hopefully earn a spot on their respective teams. On Sunday at the YMCA in Goderich, four Huron Heat teams (U11, U13, U15 and U18) played four Lucan Irish teams in scrimmage games as tryouts continue for the 2024/2025 season. (John Stephenson photo)

Do you ever just stand and look in wonder at your wee corner of the world? I’m just back from a visit to Edmonton and, as always, I’m happy to be home. At the front step, growing through the cement and stone, is a pretty wee dandelion standing at attention in all her pretty yellow. You just have to smile at the tenacity. When I left, only the grass said spring might be coming; on my return, spring had arrived with the tulip and daffodil blooms swaying in the breeze. Ah, spring.

Hotel Clif and Anne was my destination. Knee replacement for brother Clif was the excuse to fly to Edmonton. It was a good time to

check on Phil’s family, too. He and Lauren are at another fun stage, as Hark and Weston are now six and four. I love active, alert, energetic little boys.

My fun is watching Phil’s reaction to all the things he did years ago. Clif’s grandson, sixyear-old Charlie, was often part of our day with one sleepover tossed in for good measure.

There were lots of fun times in ways that only little boys know how to do. I’m home now though and the peace is very nice.

Once spring is truly here, events seem to multiply. Depending on your interest, you can be part of the Brussels Agricultural Society’s Family Fun Fair on May 5, several upcoming musical events, Messy Church at Brussels United Church on May 8, The Brussels Lions Elimination Draw on June 8 and the beginning of summer sports. It’s time to get out and get social.

If all else fails there are always branches to pick up - your neighbours will thank you. Enjoy the spring growth.

Bye now. Betty GW

At the Branch

Mitchell returns as Branch President

By Jo-Ann McDonald It has been a good week at the Branch. Tuesday evening was the regular meeting of the Branch and elections were held. The regular business was conducted first.

Youth who are interested in participating in the Royal Canadian Legion’s track and field program need to think about it now. The deadline to register is June 11 and the event is June 15 at Davidson Centre in Kincardine. This is a district event. The event is open to athletes ages 12 to 17. You can register at trackie.com/event/ DistrictC2024.

Winners will advance to the provincial competition in July and possibly nationals in August. We encourage parents to get their young athletes to be involved. It does not cost anything for the athletes to participate at any level, as the Royal Canadian Legions cover the events. More information is available at the Branch.

The Branch is investing in a new electronic coming events sign and will hopefully have it installed this summer. The patio will soon be opening as soon as we have nice weather.

The entertainment committee reports it has been a good year, with the monthly euchres doing very well. They are on hiatus now until the fall and will return on Oct. 18 if you would like to mark your calendar now!

The Cadet Corp is 16 strong now and will hold their annual review on June 11.

You may have heard that the Lancaster Bomber is coming to Goderich on June 14-15. Airplane and military enthusiasts will be marking their calendars now.

This is a magnificent plane with a lot of history. It flew many missions during the war before being decommissioned and put on display in Goderich for many years. A

dedicated group decided to refurbish the plane at the Hamilton Airport at the Heritage Museum and it was a 10-year project. The aircraft has returned to Goderich before, flown all across Canada and even flown across to England. It is a magnificent sight to see it fly in, so put it on your agenda for the 14th of June!

The Branch will hold an honour and awards event in September.

Comrades will receive their years of service pins, executive bars and pins. It will be part of celebrating Legion Week.

The special guest on Tuesday evening was Zone Commander Jon Corbett. He conducted elections for the Branch. The new executive for 2024/2025 are: President Jamie Mitchell; First Vice Eric Ross; Second Vice John Lowe; Secretary Sandra Brown; Treasurer Nancy Bridge and Executive members Nanci Ducharme, Judy Lee, Kathy Burkholder, Deb Seili, Rhonda Fischer and Tanya Martin, as well as Past-President Jo-Ann McDonald. Commander Jon then installed the officers in their positions.

Thursday night was busy at the Branch as usual with the Brussels Pipe Band upstairs practising, JoAnn and Judy organizing supplies for the fish fry on Saturday, and blind mixed darts being played downstairs. There were 19 darters at play and the first-place team consisted of Paul Willie and Rhonda Davis. The second-place team consisted of Rob De Forest, Pete Grey and Sandra Brown. High shots for the night were by Darlene Gibson hitting 128 and Bruce Fischer hitting 117.

Friday night was wing night at the Branch for pub grub and they were sold out by 7 p.m. The Catch the Ace draw was conducted by the “J” trio of Jamie, Jo-Ann and Judy.

The lucky winner was Sarah

Overholt and she won $161. Her envelope of choice was number nine and it revealed the seven of hearts. The jackpot will grow again and is estimated at over $1,600. Get your tickets at Brussels Pharmacy, Brussels Variety, McDonald Home Hardware or the Legion.

The fish fry crew was in Palmerston on Saturday afternoon to feed 260 folks. It was great that the sun came out for the event. The crew included Eric and Deb Ross, Joe, Deb and Christine Seili, Dwayne and Jacquie Waetcher, Tanya Martin and Norm Dobson.

They did a great job and thanks to them all!

It was district mixed darts on Saturday and Brussels had a team attending. Jim, Sandra and Chris Brown and Catrina Josling had great comradeship for the day and

were never skunked, but had lots of fun.

The Brussels Agricultural Society is having an event at the Brussels Legion on Sunday afternoon to promote participation in the Brussels Fall Fair. The “Bucket of Junk” event should be very interesting and creative.

The creation is to represent the “Pork and Beans” theme for this year’s fair. Pick up your bucket at Murray’s Barbershop and join in the fun and learn more about the Brussels Fall Fair. The doors open at 1 p.m.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Sarah Overholt, $161.

Envelope #9 found the 7 of Hearts Next estimated jackpot is $1,600.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 7.

Jenkins, McMichael triumph at Legion

Open and in balance Leonie Dolmage officially opened Lunar Lounge on the main street in Blyth, a new hair care studio with a focus on the curly-haired people of the world. Leanne Kavanagh, centre, of Bayfield was also on hand to speak about astromancy to set the tone for the day. (John Stephenson photo)

The Reading Web with Cindy Norgate

S

cholastic Canada shared a quote from a mother of a fiveyear-old girl: “One of the things I notice as a teacher is that children who read for pleasure tend to be more successful not just in literacy, but in their academic studies. It doesn’t matter what exactly they read, just that they read, period.”

A news story from CKNX radio on the morning I wrote this shared some interesting information about the North Perth Library. “The friends of the North Perth Library” and the North Perth Public Library have partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Canada program. Stacey Ash, Chair of the Friends of the North Perth Public Library, says, “The partnership will mean free books for local children.”

You can also find the story on the CKNX website.

After hearing this on the radio and further reading on the station’s website, it occurred to me that we could use this in Huron County. This is something I would like to present to our library system here, which would mean free books for children from birth to age five to encourage literacy. However, the program needs funds. “The Corey and Mallory Conners Fund” initially donated $7,500, which gives them a great start. “The program requires $30,000 per year to operate,” Ash said. This means, of course, it would depend on local donations and fundraising events, but isn’t this a great cause? How wonderful to ensure the future of our community by increasing literacy among our young ones. This is something for us to consider. It is an investment in our future.

This week, I want to introduce a

couple of great children’s books. My first book choice is called, The Storm Book: Caldecott Honour book (1989), and, according to Amazon, it is “about a little boy’s curiosity during a summer storm, poetically written by celebrated author Charlotte Zolotow and with stunning illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham. This beautifully-crafted story is perfect to pull out and enjoy on rainy days and for discussions on weather patterns.” This book was written for ages four to eight years old.

My second book choice for this week is by terrific author Margaret Wise Brown called The Little Island (1993), and, according to Amazon, “Winner of the 1947 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully moving story centers around a little island in the midst of the wide ocean, and the curious kitten who comes to visit. As

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Photography by Clara Blake

By Deb Hakkers May has arrived and with it everything has turned to green and is growing like mad. Soon planting can begin with all that goes along with it.

We had a busy weekend. Doug’s son Jaimie and his girlfriend Laura were here from Alberta for a whirlwind visit for his Grandmother Rettinger’s funeral on Thursday. They were at our house on Saturday for supper and whoever wanted to see them could come together for a quick visit before they flew back on Monday. They had just returned from Australia where they had visited with Laura’s family and toured New Zealand and Australia for six weeks.

On Sunday, Fred’s family got together to welcome his mom back home and visit with Marlies (his cousin’s daughter) who had accompanied her after her extended stay in Holland.

This week, we wish a happy the seasons pass, the island and the creatures who call it home witness an ever-changing array of sights, smells, and sounds – proving that, no matter how small, we are all an important part of the world.” This book was written for ages three to seven years old.

As I leave it here for this week, last Saturday we met at the Blyth Library for a reading about planting.

Though our crowd was small, it was a lot of fun. We entertained three children and created a craft of a plant and flowers. We are considering a slight change in the reading time going forward to better serve families. Stay tuned for any changes.

“The seeds of dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” - Dolly Parton

birthday to Laura Daer on May 3, Arletta Hallahan on May 4 and Nancy Daer on May 5. We hope everyone enjoys their special day!

Euchre was held on April 29 at the Blyth Legion. Pat Jenkins placed first on the ladies’ side with a score of 84, followed by Marie Millian in second with 69. Shirley Woods led with three lone hands.

On the men’s side, Pauline McMichael won with a score of 74 and Harold McClinchey placed second with 72. Kevin Smith led with four lone hands.

Brenda Brooks and Gord Haggitt were the share the wealth winners. .

The next day of euchre at the Blyth Legion is scheduled for Monday, May 13.

If you would like something mentioned in this column, please email mcraig1@tcc.on.ca or call 519-525-8640 (evenings only please).

Until next week take care of yourselves and each other!

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Madill wins Matthew Dinning Memorial Tournament

Remembering Cpl. Dinning F.E. Madill won the 16th annual Matthew Dinning Memorial Rugby Tournament on April 24. Dinning’s father Lincoln is photographed beside tournament MVP Joel Ireland, above, and team captains Brody Gibson (Scott Stephenson photos) and Carter Miller, far right.

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

F.E. Madill Secondary School played host to the 16th annual Matthew Dinning Memorial Rugby Tournament in Wingham on Wednesday, April 24. The field endured a great deal of spirited play from the eight participating teams.

The weather was perhaps a little more forgiving than that of the previous year’s tournament, but it was still no walk in the park. If any of the rugby players felt the chill in the air, they remained stalwart competitors, staying focussed on the scrum, the ellipsoidal ball and the position of their teammates. In

previous years, the players have battled it out in the snow, but on this frigid occasion only a few flakes flew.

It was a good day for the host team, which captured a championship victory over their rivals from Stratford by a score of 7-5 in the final.

This year’s coveted Most Valuable Player plaque went to F.E. Madill’s own Grade 9 student Joel Ireland, who played an instrumental part in bringing his team to victory.

Ireland had never played rugby before the tournament, but that didn’t stop him from being declared a top class workhorse who made all the difference between victory and

defeat. The young player isn’t letting it go to his head, though.

“It’s pretty fun, and it’s a bit confusing at first, but it gets easier once you start playing... today went pretty well. We all played as a team, and did good. I’m feeling pretty proud of the team,” said the MVP. Besides a two-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Matthew Dinning Memorial Rugby Tournament has been held every year since 2007. Corporal Dinning was a young soldier from Wingham who attended F.E. Madill. He was killed by a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan in the spring of 2006. Dinning’s father, Lincoln, always attends the event and says a few words about his son, who used to love playing rugby at the school, before he became a soldier.

“Matthew used to run up and down these fields,” Lincoln remembered, just as he does at this time every year.

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

Unifor protest staged outside of Wescast

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The sound of classic protest songs by Pete Seeger and Billy Bragg filled the air outside of Wescast Industries’ machine shop on Water Street during an attentiongrabbing demonstration in Wingham last week.

The issue at hand: the ongoing labour dispute over unjust treatment and withheld severance payments and pensions owed to Wescast employees who found themselves suddenly without a job last summer when the owners elected to shutter a large portion of their manufacturing operation. Close to 180 Wescast employees have been told that the closure is a temporary one, and that the owners are hoping to restart production in the area in 2026, at which point the workers will resume their manufacturing jobs. Laid off Wescast employees refute that claim, asserting that Wescast’s parent company, Sichuan Bohong, is trying to avoid paying employees the money they are due under the guise of a temporary layoff.

Wescast Industries spent over 100 years as the industrial lifeblood of Wingham. The foundry started out in 1902, making cast iron wood stoves, eventually moving into the automotive business in the 1970s, creating parts for international companies like General Motors.

Wescast eventually grew into the largest employer in North Huron, and was sold in 2013 to Chinese manufacturer Sichuan Bohong Industries in a $200 million deal.

Approximately 100 employees remain at work in the machine shop.

Laura Collison of Teeswater spent 44 years working as a shipper at Wescast and believes that dedication means she is entitled to things promised in her employee contract. “We want access to our pension, and they won’t give us access. We’ve been laid-off since July 27 of 2023, and have not been recalled. Basically, we are entitled to a severance, and we’re here, standing for it... there’s many employees that have dedicated their life to this company, and they are just sweeping us under the rug.

They are not following procedures, and they are violating the Employment Standards Act.” Wescast’s unionized employees are members of Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada.

Unifor’s Regional Director for Ontario, Samia Hashi, spoke to protestors at the event. “We should not have to be here today. We should not have to demand that Wescast meets its obligations and pays workers what they’re legally and contractually obligated to. For over a century, the Wescast plant was more than just a workplace - it was a cornerstone of Wingham. It was a source of livelihood, pride and identity for generations of families. That reputation is being tarnished by Wescast’s current owners, Bohong Industries, which is withholding approximately $10 million from workers.” Hashi’s words drew cries of “Shame!” from the crowd, directed at their former employer. She went on, saying, “They refuse to give workers what they are entitled to - well, Wescast, that’s not how we do business here in Ontario. That’s not how you do business anywhere.”

Solidarity Laid-off Wescast employees form a protest outside of the company’s machine shop in Wingham on Thursday, April 25. Representatives from Unifor, Canada’s largest public sector union, were on-site amplifying the message that unjust labour practices are not tolerated in Canada. (Scott Stephenson photos)

Emergency Preparedness Week May , 202 Be Prepared

72-Hour Household Emergency Kit

Climate change research has shown that Huron County is expected to have more severe weather, extreme temperatures, and higher SUHFLSLWDWLRQ DQG ƮRRGLQJ by 2050. This can result in damage to property and risks to human health.

Build a kit that can hold supplies to support your household for at least 72-hours:

Huron residents can be prepared in 3 simple steps: 1. Know the Risks 2. Make a Plan 3. Build a Kit

Samia Hashi, Unifor Tyson Siddall, Unifor

F Non-perishable food items (canned and packaged food such as soups, stews, baked EHDQV SDVWD PHDW ƬVK IUXLW FUDFNHUV biscuits, honey, peanut butter, jam, etc.).

F Manual can opener.

F Bottled water, 4 litres per person per day (2 for drinking and 2 for hygiene and washing).

F Crank or battery operated radio.

F Flashlight with batteries.

F Candles and matches (lighter).

F First Aid kit.

F Personal hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine products, hand sanitizer, etc.)

F Pocket knife or multi-tool.

F Whistle.

F Cash money (small bills and change).

F Special needs items for babies, pets, elderly (as required).

F Garbage bags and zip-lock bags.

F Duct tape.

F Copies of important papers (insurance, medications, personal contacts, etc.).

F Emergency document holder.

F Spare chargers for important electronics.

Note: Replace water and food annually.

$VKƬHOG &ROERUQH :DZDQRVK | Bluewater | Central Huron | Howick Huron County | Huron East | Morris-Turnberry | North Huron | South Huron www.HuronCounty.ca/emergency-services

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Help create lasting impact for community mental health programs and support services.

May 6-12, 2024 https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/

Crossing Bridges offers support for youth

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen (Images courtesy of CMHA with artwork by Claire Scott)

Creating a sustainable infrastructure of services geared towards addressing substance use and behavioural

addictions among young people has become an increasingly high priority in towns and cities all over Canada. In rural communities there are some specific obstacles that stand in the way when it comes to connecting people with the help they need. Simple things like finding transportation to an addiction counselor or lacking awareness of local support service providers can be barriers that prevent young people from accessing care.

That’s where innovative online initiatives like Crossing Bridges come in.

Crossing Bridges is a youth-driven virtual “safe space” co-designed by young people in partnership with Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA HP) and Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA TV), two local branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Youth advisors work with these agencies to create a place online that can provide relevant, critical support to people aged 12 to 24 who are affected by substance use and behavioural addiction.

Through the platform, young people and parents can access information on addiction, as well as relevant services and supports in Huron, Perth, Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford Counties. They can also connect directly with addiction counselors for one-on-one support. The site’s goal is to break down those barriers that prevent youths from seeking help and connecting with vital services. As a virtual space, Crossing Bridges is widely accessible to young people. The organization believes in harm reduction, prioritizing personal safety and supporting individuals on their recovery journey. They also uphold the core values of inclusivity and non-discrimination, as well as respecting and honouring the worth and

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experiences of all people, regardless of their background and financial status, which is why all of their services are free of charge.

Respecting a person’s individual needs begins with understanding those needs, which is why the youth advisors working with Crossing Bridges are so essential to the success of the initiative. They have been involved in many elements of the program from its inception. One of the keystones of Crossing Bridges is the recognition that young people have the right to be involved in the decisionmaking processes that will have an impact on their own health and well-being. It is hoped that, in addition to Continued on page 11

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125 Ontario Street, Stratford Phone: (519) 271-7581 25 Water Street N., P.O. Box 1228, St. Marys Phone: (519) 284-1030 210 Oxford Street, E. London Phone: (519) 432-1663

Dr. Veronica Lee & Associates

407 Queen Street Box 199 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

Residential & Commercial Dumpster Rental & Service R.R. #1 41403 Londesboro Road, Londesboro Jim Anderson: Cell 519-440-6007 Jason Fleet: Cell 519-525-9473

The Rural Voice Magazine

Individual & Corporate Tax Returns for

Personal I Farm I Business

PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4311

personal & corporate tax returns I consultation bookkeeping I financial statements estate/succession planning

519.357.2929 info@rieglingaccounting.ca 47 Alfred St W I PO Box 670 I Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 11

We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference.

This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity.

Join us from May 6 to 12, 2024 to explore how compassion connects us all.

CMHA initiative also provides resources for parents Continued from page 10 helping the program focus on pertinent issues, it will help to empower youths to develop autonomy and recognize their own personal strengths and capabilities.

The counseling sessions that are provided virtually by Crossing Bridges strive to create a non-judgmental environment in which people can feel safe. They take a trauma-informed approach to these sessions, which simply means that they acknowledge the impact that traumatic experiences can have on mental health and a person’s behaviour.

Emphasizing that each young person exists within their own unique circumstances is one of the focuses of the counseling process, which prioritizes autonomy over instruction, dignity over stigma and the inherent worth of a person over judgment.

Often, intangible barriers like feelings of shame about needing help can be one of the biggest barriers that keep people from seeking assistance. Crossing Bridges counselors offer acceptance, empathy and honesty towards young people reaching out for treatment and support without judgment or criticism. Those who connect with Crossing Bridges can expect to be respected, have their feelings valued and their situations understood. Their goal is to facilitate a genuine openness and sense of honesty in their exploration of addiction issues. Instead of promoting absolute solutions like abstinence, they recognize that there is a full spectrum of behaviours and work to decrease or minimize the consequences associated with substance use and behavioural addiction.

There are many young people in Huron and Perth

Counties and beyond who might not feel comfortable approaching a family member, teacher or other authority figure in their life with their struggles with substance use, which is one of the reasons why Crossing Bridges is a safe space that promises anonymity to its users. The leadership and counseling teams include registered social workers and addiction specialists that are passionate about improving youth wellness. The counselors work with young people on an individual level to explore their goals, fears, substance use experiences and values. They may discuss safer use practices, help to set realistic goals for harm reduction, provide support and direct people towards resources that will help them achieve their personal objectives.

Strategies are tailored to fit the specific needs and circumstances of each person who seeks guidance in their virtual space, which is informed by the advice of the program’s youth advisors. This approach is intended to utilize the internet to foster trust and facilitate real change in the lives of local young people that might otherwise have little or no access to an educated, sympathetic, nonjudgmental sounding board. The hope is that these changes will be both meaningful and sustainable.

Crossing Bridges may be a virtual space, but it strives to have a tangible effect on the real world. By prioritizing youth voices while providing accessible and inclusive support services, this digital initiative is working to reduce stigma, empower young people and create a more resilient future for our communities.

To connect with services and to learn more about resources for parents, visit www.crossingbridges.ca.

Blyth Walk-In Clinic Family Physician: Doctor Farahnaz Farzadfar Open Thursday 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

From the Minister’s Study

Follow in Jesus’ footsteps: humility before honour

By Jason Hovius, Brussels Community Bible Chapel In speaking of the two testaments (old and new), it has been said that, “the new is in the old concealed, and the old is in the new revealed.”

The two testaments work harmoniously in telling us God’s important message to the human race.

Some people, many of whom have never read the entirety of God’s Word, try to differentiate between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. These distinctions disappear rapidly if all of Scripture is taken into account.

Living in the year 2024, we have the privilege of seeing the old revealed in the new and of uncovering the new in the old.

Obviously, before Jesus came in human flesh, the writings that we now call the Old Testament were chock-full of mysteries to both men and angels who desperately longed to discover how these Scriptures would one day be fulfilled (1Peter 1:10-12). As of today, not everything is fulfilled yet, so there is still an element of mystery, but there is much to see in the Old Testament about the coming of Jesus.

As Jesus walked with two of His disciples toward Emmaus, He taught them about Himself from all the Scriptures, beginning with Moses and the prophets. Later that same day, Jesus said to the Eleven, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). The law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms sum up the three sections into which the Jewish Scriptures were organized. In other words, Jesus was telling them that the Old Testament was, at least in part, about Jesus the Christ.

If you read my article in the Jan. 19 edition of The Citizen and if, for some incredible reason, you remember the subject matter, you will be wondering about the status of my study of the book of Proverbs in the Bible. At that time, I was just at the beginning of my study. In my article, I tried to explain that Solomon’s wisdom points us toward Jesus, who is also called “Wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and “the greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42).

As I have been reading Proverbs, I have been reminded of different aspects of Jesus’ life and character that I recognize from New Testament writings, which were

Evangelical Missionary Church

Sunday May 5, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Mike Stanley preaching on Nehemiah 2, "Seeking and Planning"

written almost 1,000 years after Solomon’s death. I want to share a few examples here to show you where we can see Jesus in the Old Testament book of Proverbs.

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20) On the surface, this is easy to understand and could be labeled as good old common sense. Simply put, children should desire to honour their parents. However, I invite you to think a little deeper about the first part of the verse.

Who brought more joy to God the Father than Jesus, who said “I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29)? On at least two occasions, the voice of God came from heaven audibly, saying about Jesus, “This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus’ perfect obedience in life and death glorified the Father, and ultimately provided payment for the sin of the world.

Here’s a second example. “A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. When a king’s face brightens, it

means life; his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.” (Proverbs 16:1415) Obviously, no one wants to displease a powerful leader, especially one who has no qualms with using nefarious means to silence detractors. However, the king in this example doesn’t seem to be a despot. Rather, he seems to be rational and reasonable. Notice that his wrath can be appeased through wisdom, and he has the capacity to love and bless. This king is similar to the God of the Bible, who loves both justice and mercy.

Most would agree that it would be good for a king to be indignant with the moral atrocities committed by people day in and day out. In like manner, God’s wrath abides on all who do not repent of their sin. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) How can one be freed from the king’s wrath? This comes through the advocacy of a wise man who can appease the king. Jesus bore the punishment for the sin of the world on the cross, satisfying God’s

righteous anger against sin. This is what the word “propitiation” means. For the pardoned, God’s wrath satisfied means life, like a spring rain which nourishes the ground. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

(John 3:36).

Another example is from Proverbs 15:33, which says, “humility comes before honour”.

Jesus was a perfect example of humility and servitude. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul traces the

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship You are invited to 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 Interim Pastor Elwin Garland 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388

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

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

r

Please join us afterwards for a time of fellowship with coffee and snacks.

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

e

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

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.

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch Join J oin us at at W Worship orship orship Sundayy,, May 5,, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, ALL ARE WEL LCOME ESSY CHURCH for children May 8 ME 4:45 - 7 p.m. enjoy fun, learning and food Contact Alex at ministter.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.co y @g om Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca brusselsandblythuc b ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259 P.

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, May 5, 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 Godd.

Coffee, snacks, and a time for visiting will follow the servicee.

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!

Sunday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels Childcare and Sunday School provided for children 0 to 8 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

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

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

17 Flora Street

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

Blyth United Churrch

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

220 Carling Terrace

Sunday Service at 11:00 am Nursery & Sunday School during worship,

downward steps that Jesus humbly took. Despite being God, he became a man. And not just a man, but a servant of men. And not just a servant of men, but one who willingly died the cursed death on the cross in the midst of criminals.

“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name….”

(Philippians 2:9) Humility before honour is a common theme among men and women of faith throughout Scripture, but no one has ever Continued on page 15

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherrd d lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

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

1025 Wallace Avenue N.

The outreach project for May is Northern Huron Connection n Centre Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churche es blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

Website: nhpc.dol.ca

Telephone: 519-357-2435

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice e.ca

Professional forestry advice decline concerning: Pullen

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Forestry Conservation Officer Dave Pullen spoke to Huron County Council at a recent council meeting, providing his annual update on all things forestry in the community.

Nearly 110 notices of intent were filed in 2023 for commercial timber harvests with about 30 per cent of woodland owners using professional forestry advice, a percentage that is unfortunately declining, Pullen said. He noted that ash salvage cuts remain high.

The marking for the Rodger Tract near Auburn has been completed, he said, with the harvest planned to go ahead later this year. That harvest, Pullen said, is expected to bring in more than $40,000.

He told councillors that there are currently cases that are before the courts involving three farm properties in two Huron County municipalities. Multiple charges were laid last year, he told council, including corporate and individual owners, directors and contractors.

He told council, as he does every year, that his preference is always to be proactive and to resolve cases without a need for the courts through guilty pleas, fines and orders to replant.

He also noted that recreational use of the Huron County forests has remained high after the tremendous spike in usage the county saw during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the decision was made to keep the forests open for usage, providing a safe and free option for people looking to get outside and be active within the county in search of what Pullen called “nature therapy”.

Pullen added that nine of the county’s 14 tracts are now included in the county’s own hiking guide.

He added that trail maintenance this year will focus on the removal of remaining dead ash trees along the trails, as well as minor trail improvements.

The county’s new roadside pollinator program is now up and running, he told council, and he said it will continue with the control of the spread of invasive species, wildflower seeding and spring tree planting events at both the Adams and Stevenson Tracts later this year.

Pullen also noted the ongoing work to make the tracts and trails accessible to all with the help of the Huron County Accessibility Advisory Committee with the installation of bridges, boardwalks and more.

He also made a point of the connection between farm

productivity and conservation in Huron County, noting that, in 2022, farm cash receipts in Huron County far exceeded those of entire Maritime provinces such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Councillors had few questions for

Pullen, but Warden Glen McNeil thanked him for his hard work and continued commitment to conservation in Huron County.

Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn, however, asked for a staff report on increasing usage of good forestry practices within the county, noting

the steady decline in recent years.

Pullen said he couldn’t put his finger on one lone reason, but said that more outreach and information would likely be of benefit.

Council approved the request and a report will be presented at a future meeting.

Krafty!

The Hensall 4-H Kraftsmanship Krew recently met just outside of Exeter to create some seed art. This came after an informative presentation from Bev Prout, exhibiting past seed art that had been created for the likes of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the International Plowing Match. (Photo submitted)

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK REPORT For the week ending April 26, 2024 Total Receipts: 1,545 cattle, 925 lambs and goats Tuesday – Fed cattle sold actively at prices $1 - $2 higher. Cows sold steady.

Thursday – Veal traded easier. Drop calves sold stronger. Lambs, sheep and goats sold steady.

Friday – Calves sold fully steady.

Yearlings sold steady.

Fed Cattle: There were 95 fed cattle on offer: Choice Fed Cattle: $240 – $254 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $230 – $240 Aged and Medium Fed Cattle: $200 – $234 Holstein Fed Cattle: $170 – $231 Bill Finlay of Durham, consigned 18 head. Five fed steers averaged 1,659 lbs. and sold for an average price of $254.

George Hinz of Monkton, consigned seven head. One fed heifer weighed 1,755 lbs. and sold for $249.

Cows: There were 200 cows on offer: Beef Cows: $145 – $179 Good Holstein Cows: $145 – $165 up to $216 Medium Holstein Cows: $135 – $144 Bulls: $170 – $199

Walter Farms Ltd. of Mildmay, consigned three head. One black cow weighed 1,725 lbs. and sold for $179.

Terpstra Farms Ltd. of Brussels, consigned 22 head. One holstein cow weighed 1,325 lbs. and sold for $174.

Veal: There were 150 veal on offer: Beef Veal: Too few to establish a market Good Holsteins: $220. – $228 up to $247 SL Heavy Holsteins: $215 – $225 Heavy Holsteins: $180 – $209 up to $219 Medium Holsteins: $210 – $219 Plain Holsteins: $185 – $209 Holstein Drop Calves: $635 – $1,135 / HEAD Peel Dominium of Bluevale, consigned six head. One veal weighed 750 lbs. and sold for $260.

Larry Graul of Walkerton, consigned five head. One holstein veal weighed 705 lbs. and sold for $228.

Lambs: Under 50 lbs.: $412.50 – $412.50 50-64 lbs.: $375 – $430 65-79 lbs.: $330 – 357.50 up to $385 80-94 lbs.: $330 – $360 up to $370 95-109 lbs.: $331 – $355 up to $375 110 lbs. and over: $277.50 – $347.50 up to $371.

Samuel B. Martin of Wingham, consigned 20 head. Nine charolais heifers averaged 814 lbs. and sold for an average price of $334.

Sheep: $120 – $207.50 up to $295 Manley View Farms Ltd. of Dublin, consigned 22 head. Nine lambs averaged 80 lbs. and sold for an average price of $370.

Doug Tyler of Kincardine, consigned 42 head. Twenty lambs averaged 55 lbs. and sold for an average price of $430.

Goats: Meat Kids: $500. – $580 Dairy Kids: $380 – $500 Mature Bucks: $300 – $400 Mature Does: $135 – $300 Dave Lawson of Clinton, consigned six head. Two kid goats averaged 49 lbs. and sold for an average price of $580.

Stockers: There were 1,100 stockers on offer: Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: $508 – $508 400 – 499 lbs.: $427.50 – $515 500 – 599 lbs.: $400 – $500 600 – 699 lbs.: $352.50 – $467 700 – 799 lbs.: $322.50 – $391 800 – 899 lbs.: $320 – $344.50 up to $352 900 – 999 lbs.: $283.50 – $317 up to $333 1,000 lbs. and over: $269.50 – $301.50 up to $313.50

Samuel M. Sherk of Wroxeter, consigned 13 head. Six charolais heifers averaged 983 lbs. and sold for an average price of $317.50.

Top Quality Heifers: Under 400 lbs.: $385 – $451 400 – 499 lbs.: $310 – $432 500 – 599 lbs.: $280 – $410 up to $419 600 – 699 lbs.: $290 – $405 700 – 799 lbs.: $262 – $347 800 – 899 lbs.: $282.50 – $334.50 900 lbs. and over: $264.50 – $311.50 up to $317.50 Maple Valley Inc. of Badjeros, consigned 26 head. Eight red steers averaged 528 lbs. and sold for an average price of $500.

A-J Acres of New Liskeard, consigned 76 head. Eleven red steers averaged 820 lbs. and sold for an average price of $344.

Oscar Bearinger of Wallenstein, consigned 19 head. Fourteen charolais steers averaged 1,032 lbs. and sold for an average price of $313.50.

Dave Rabe of Drumbo, consigned 17 head. Nine charolais heifers averaged 619 lbs. and sold for an average price of $405.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

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

FRIDAYS

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

Call us 519-887-6461

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Classified Advertising – RATES –

Help wanted Help wanted Swap shop

20 words or less only $9.00 + HST Additional words 25¢ ea. + HST

Citizen-To-Citizen

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

Articles for sale -------------------------------------------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, Canadian Tire Gas Bar, Goderich 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

Coming events Canadian Band RPR (including former members of Tanglefoot) is coming to Clinton United Church on Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 pm for a fundraising concert. Join us for an engaging evening of storytelling in music ranging from folk, rock and blues. Tickets are just $20.00 each and available at the door, church office - (519) 482-9553, or by email pldock@hurontel.on.ca.

-------------------------------------------KARATE! IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL CLASSES AVAILABLE SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS Self-defense, Self-discipline, Selfconfidence. GROUP CLASSES FOR AGES 4 TO ADULT Taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and 12X World Karate Champion. Location Fresh Wind Revival Centre - 21 Lloyd Street, Wingham. 8 week session $105 +HST. Uniform extra. Call 519-580-1418 or e-mail becky_schweitzer@hotmail.com www.schweitzersmartialarts.com

“SWAP SHOP” ad is seeking

Seasonal Box Office Staff More details available at www.blythfestival.com/employment

Join our Board; Make a Difference Join our highly talented and dedicated volunteer Board of Directors!

Potential members must demonstrate a passion for providing compassionate care and dedication to the best interest of Huron Hospice and of the people of our community.

How to Apply Huron Hospice welcomes all applications. Applications due by May 17, 2024. Interested candidates should visit our website to learn more about the application process www.huronhospice.ca/join-our-board

In memoriam

In Memoriam Share your memories with a favourite verse and photo

The Citizen Call or email us today

IN LOVING MEMORY of JEAN (ELLIOTT) MATHERS who passed away 10 years ago on April 30, 2014.

Wonderful memories woven in gold This is a picture we tenderly hold.

Deep in our hearts, a memory is kept To love, to cherish, never to forget.

Dearly remembered by all her family.

Personals

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

Real estate

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.

FOR SALE - Pine corner cabinet, orginally used for guns. About 6’ high, $300; gun cabinet 4’x6’ approx. guns on top, shelves below, $200.

Prices negotiable; leather La-Z-Boy from Middleton’s. Good conditon, blue, $200. 519-357-3117 18-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Approximately 20 pieces of Prayer & Promises collectible figurines. $100. or best offer for the set. 519-524-8302. 18-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Flagstone 1”-1 1/2”.

Two different lots. 519-524-3944.

18-3 --------------------------------------------WANTED - A large used freezer.

519-395-211 18-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Limited editon 8 Field Puppies plate collection with frames and certificates. $25. ea; apartment size piano $300. 519-887-6583 18-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Set of four truck tire (not on rims), Goodyear Eagle P275/55R20. $100 for the set. 519357-2768.

17-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - foosball table, $50; pocket door hardware - studs and 2 tracks, $50; storm door fits 36x80, 2” thick, white, $100. Call 519-3574040.

17-3 ---------------------------------------------

Real estate

BAYFIELD BUILDING FOR SALE

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

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

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

Services PAL Class for firearms training.

Ongoing courses available. Certified instructors. Call Greg 519-2910507.

3 Units – 14 Bayfield Main Street Restaurant area, Brewery area, Upper Apt. MLS 40529988 $999,990

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

The Citizen

Direct: 519.525.9954 www.sellingseaforth.com

On Friday, April 26, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) issued 1,557 suspension orders to elementary and secondary students whose immunization records are incomplete.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), students may be suspended from school starting on May 23, 2024, if their records are not updated by that time.

Initially there were more than 5,100 incomplete records, but about 70 per cent of those records have been updated since January when HPPH began sending notifications to parents/legal guardians.

“We thank parents for their cooperation thus far and we continue to work with families to resolve the remaining school suspensions,” said Karen Bergin-Payette, Manager of Immunizations at HPPH. “We urge families who receive a suspension order to act quickly to ensure immunization records are updated before May 23.”

Parents who receive a suspension order are asked to do one of the following: • If your child is up-to-date on their immunizations, go to www.hpph.ca/icon to report the required information online, or call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext.

3558.

• If your child is not up-to-date on their immunizations, contact your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, contact HPPH to book an appointment at a catch-up immunization clinic. Appointments can be booked online at www.hpph.ca/catchup or by calling HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext.

3558.

• If your child has a valid exemption due to medical reasons, conscience or religious beliefs, or you wish to obtain an exemption, visit www.hpph.ca/exemption and follow the required steps. The suspension order also provides instructions on how to obtain a valid exemption.

A suspension order will be cancelled (rescinded) if parents update their child’s record with HPPH before the suspension date.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires elementary and secondary school students to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school, or to have a valid exemption. The purpose of the act is to protect the health of children against these preventable diseases. It is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians to provide proof of their child’s immunizations, or to provide a valid exemption, to public health.

Advertise it in

58 Main St. S. P.O. Box 458 Seaforth, ON N0K 1W0

mwildfong@sellingseaforth.com

Suspension orders sent to schools

by HPPH

Maureen Wildfong SALES REPRESENTATIVE

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

Call or email to book your ad today!

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

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

‘Whoville’ Hullett Central Public School’s Student Council outdid itself last Friday with ‘Whoville’ at the Blyth arena. The annual carnival included games, food and a silent auction, all run by parents, students and other volunteers to raise money for the school.

(John Stephenson photos)

Hullett’s ‘Whoville’ carnival impresses

Those gathered at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, April 28 celebrated Camping Sunday. The Outreach Committee had decorated the sanctuary with all things camprelated, including a canoe in the narthex filled up with items brought by congregants to enhance the camping experiences of those attending Camp Menesetung. Those in attendance dressed casually for the service.

The order of service included an explanation of the camp’s new logo, referencing its relationship

Read up: Hovius Continued from page 12 stooped lower and risen higher than Jesus. He asks that we imitate him, knowing that God will one day honour those who follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

These are just a few quick examples of where we can see Jesus Christ in the book of Proverbs. There are many more obvious references to Jesus throughout the pages of the Old Testament, but these ones in Proverbs that I never noticed before have brought much enjoyment to my Bible-reading time of late. I don’t know your level of biblical knowledge, dear reader, but regardless, I ask you to find a Bible and start reading. You won’t get very far without seeing the Saviour.

with nature and a list of upcoming events that are open to the public.

Rather than hymns that morning, Barb Bosman led everyone in a variety of camp songs. The scripture passages chosen by Rev. Aylward both spoke of nature. Gen. 1:11-13 tells of God’s creation on the third day when the earth brought forth vegetation and Mark 4: 26-34 is the familiar passage about the mustard seed.

A video narrated by Clayton Peters, Camp Menesetung’s director for nine years, was appreciated by everyone. Clayton emphasized that the camping experience is intended to give campers the skills and support needed to navigate a busy world and to do so in a comforting, accepting and fun-filled environment.

He also spoke about the variety of camps they run and some new ones they have established for specific groups, like grandparents with grandchildren. Individual growth is key when dealing with campers.

More details about Camp Menesetung can be found on its website.

A camp-style luncheon was enjoyed following the service.

Barb Bosman is looking for men from the congregation to participate in a male choir for Mother’s Day. Contact her for more information.

The Blyth and District Community Centre became “Whoville” for one evening as the community of Hullett Central Public School celebrated all things Dr. Seuss. And the weather on Friday, April 26 made attendance at the school’s annual carnival and silent auction a fun family event. If the noise level and activity were any indication, everyone had a great experience.

Each classroom produced a bright and funny Dr. Seuss-themed banner and displayed them as one entered the ice surface. Cat in the Hat hats and other items from the stories were in evidence worn by children and adults alike.

Everyone could find an activity to

their liking. The youngest enjoyed ring tosses, corn [sand] boxes and face painting. Pupils had many neat prizes to choose from at the penny sale tables. Results were eagerly awaited at evening’s end. A group of boys’ teams had a rousing corn hole tournament ongoing.

The adults browsed the auction tables, where they could bid on a vast array of items, from a handcrafted hall table and a full-sized quilt to garden items and homemade jams. Each classroom chose a theme, such as movie night, sports, the beach, etc., and packed donated items together as their donation to the auction tables.

With timed closing on these tables, bidders had to keep a close eye on all of their bids.

Items on the bake tables looked scrumptious and sold out quickly.

Many families took the opportunity to have dinner out by purchasing hot dogs, hamburgers or pizza, along with sides of popcorn, candy floss, juices and ice cream. The Huron County Beef Producers were the event’s chefs.

A big part of the evening is renewing friendships and catching up on the news of others in attendance who come out to support

our school. As in former years, everything from food to auction items and the venue is donated.

Parent volunteers and some senior students kept the activities and food lines ticking along.

All proceeds go right back to the school to improve the experience of students at Hullett Central and provide little extras. Amanda Anderson and her Student Advisory Committee deserve many thanks for arranging the evening for the enjoyment of our Hullett community.

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

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

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

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

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

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Community, curlers mourn Rann’s passing at age of 91 PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Here we are, the first of May, and many of the farmers are waiting patiently (or impatiently) to get to the field. Corn planting is around the first of May normally, so let’s hope for better weather. Cereal grains can be planted earlier if the weather allows. So can hay. Yikes, and, as I am writing, it is raining again!

Hitting May 3 also means there are only eight weeks of school to go. The school teams are practising soccer, baseball, rugby, track and field and cross-country. We need the nice weather so they can be outside and practise!

Organized minor ball or adult ball leagues will all start playing by mid-May for sure. My young boys on the bus were excitedly talking about their first practice this week.

“I want to be a pitcher,” one said.

“Me too,” was echoed by another. It is great to hear the excitement in their voices about playing sports!

The Walton Hall held Coffee Chat on Saturday. They had a crowd of 14 attend and enjoy a special treat. It was Merv Bauer’s birthday and there were birthday muffins for all graciously provided

by Donna Bauer. Some delicious other treats also arrived and we thank one and all.

Rick and Margaret McInroy were absent this week because they were in Peterborough attending a funeral and visiting friends for the weekend.

Rick and I had guests on the weekend from the west. Rick’s

nephew Mike flew from Calgary to get his daughter Sydney from the University of Windsor and take her back to Calgary for the summer.

They were busy getting her things settled and stored, packing summer clothes to take back, leaving the winter ones, and all that goes with having a child away at school.

Syd had suffered an injury playing soccer for the university and I believe tore her ACL last year.

She had surgery in Strathroy and she had her final checkup with the doctor on Monday morning. We hope everything went well. They flew back to Calgary on Wednesday morning after taking in a Toronto Blue Jays game.

Congratulations to Mary Ann Bernard Thompson as she is a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl. Daughter Darby and partner Dan have welcomed Penelope Julieanne to their family. Mary Ann travelled to England to be there for the big event and is overjoyed with the little beauty. The couple has a big brother for Penelope, Tyler, to help out with the new little one.

Mary Ann hated to leave and had a tough time getting home. Her flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues and so she stayed an extra day. Welcome back Mary Ann! Our condolences go out to Jane Rann Hall on the passing of her brother Robert “Bob” Rann of Cambridge. He was 91. He will be missed by his wife Peggy and children Peter, Mary Beth, Jay, Meg and Sarah and their families.

He was the son of David “Ike” and Aletha Rann. He left Brussels as a young man and had a 44-year career at Babcock and Wilcox. He loved curling and was a life member of his curling club. He loved woodworking and he combined his two loves by creating beautiful curling-themed coasters.

He remembered his roots here in Brussels and he made many sets of the coasters to be presented at year-

end to the overall winner of the D.A. Rann curling trophy. He attended the banquet night when he was able over the years. Old friends, such as Joan Bernard, attended the funeral service on Monday. Our sympathies to the Rann family.

We have mentioned about the Canada Geese mating and looking for their nesting site, but this week I did see three little goslings with the mother at the Fritz pond. They were so cute.

The end-of-April birthdays include Paul Humphries, Casey Bernard, Jessica Fraser, Kelly Marks, Jenna Regele, Aliza Zwep, Kelsey Eckert, Marcy McCall MacBain, Pat McDonald Parr, Donald Dalton, Landon Gemmel, John Huether, Dave Lewington, Joe Steffler and Bob Smith. The month of May begins with Chris Holmes, Hayden Kelso, Chad McCallum, Judy Valley, Bev Fraser, Mitchell Godkin, Lori Nolan, Annelies Ringgenberg, Kendra Fischer, Justin Bernard and Andrea Humphries. Happy birthday to all.

NEWS FROM WALTON

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Entertainment & Leisure

The Lightfoot Band charms audience in Blyth

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

On Friday, The Lightfoot Band brought the songs of Gordon Lightfoot to Blyth Memorial Hall for an unforgettable concert that won the hearts of the audience.

The Lightfoot Band brought the superlative sound you would expect from a collection of top-tier musicians who have played together for decades - it was a consummate performance of Lightfoot classics and deep-cuts.

But the band brought so much more to the stage than great songs - they also brought great stories about their time with the band.

Rick Haynes, Barry Krane, Mike Heffernan and Carter Lancaster spent close to half a century traveling with one of the true legends of Canadian music, and they have plenty to tell about it, from making their way in the early days or reminiscing about Lightfoot’s steadfast integrity in the face of an unreasonable Jimmy Fallon.

Local legend and longtime tour manager Warren “Wiggy” Toll also appeared on stage to say hello to fans and relatives in the audience.

Lead singer and guitar player Andy Mauck may be a much newer addition to the crew, but his history of friendship with Lightfoot and the band is a fascinating tale of kismet, stolen guitars and scuba instruction that you have to hear to believe, like a musical Horacio Alger story.

“Being here is the greatest honour of my life,” Mauck said to the crowd, before launching into another beautiful rendition of a Lightfoot classic.

Filling the hole in a band that is caused when an irreplaceable performer the likes of Gordon Lightfoot leaves this world is a daunting task, but any apprehension that fans may have had going into Memorial Hall melted away by the time intermission began. After the show’s encore, the enthusiastic tech crew gave out set lists to lucky audience members, and the band invited anybody who wanted to say hello or ask questions to meet them in the theatre’s lower hall. The impromptu meet-and-greet was very well attended, eventually spilling over across the street to The Blyth Inn, where the infectious spirit of this musical band of brothers led to a rollicking good time for all.

The legend lives on...

The Lightfoot Band performed classic Gordon Lightfoot songs and told stories from the road at a concert at Blyth Memorial Hall on Friday, April 26. (Scott Stephenson photo)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

Society presents storage solution

Telling their story Local author Bonnie Sitter is working tirelessly to create a documentary that will tell the story of the Farmerettes, building on the success of her book, Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz. One step on that journey was Sunday’s fundraising concert at Memorial Hall in Blyth featuring The Honey Sweethearts and The Lucky Charms. The Honey Sweethearts (inset, from left, Felix, Molly and Heather Dawe) opened and The Lucky Charms, led by Joe Gahan closed things down with Gahan finishing by singing a searing and deeply (Shawn Loughlin photos) personal rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.

Continued from page 3 restraint, it is a difficult ask, but we believe that a business plan is required if future funding is to be sought. We estimate the cost of such a plan to be in the order of $10,000 to $15,000, which we are prepared to source working with partners.

“We share the concern of councils and citizens about the threat to, and, yes, loss of, heritage collections in recent years. We have a wonderful opportunity here to create a ‘Made in Huron’ solution.

We could create a public/private affiliation that brings community and municipal resources into a ‘hub and spoke’ configuration (not unlike the Huron County Library system) based on robust, expanded central archives with communitycentred ‘satellites’.”

Armstrong then wrote that the society would like to produce a business plan to give council a “detailed picture” of what an enlarged archives would look like for the county, as well as the costs associated with it.

In their presentation, the two men said that the society envisioned a “hub” being a “revamped central archives facility” based on the recommendation from a 2014 report by Lundholm Associates.

There, suitable materials would be received, catalogued, retained and preserved based on the county’s established acquisitions policy and

valuable items would be digitized in order to be used by satellite facilities.

The satellites, they said, would be community-based facilities, such as currently vacant storefronts, library space or the like, staffed by volunteers or contract staff (as opposed to the hub, which would have professional staff). The locations would include suitable storage for non-valuable artifacts.

They would also serve as a heritage resource within the local area with local displays that would be coordinated with the help of staff from the hub.

From the county, the society says it would want good communication and help in organizing fundraising efforts, as well as ongoing collaboration and training opportunities for those at the satellite facilities.

The proposal for a business plan would include funds from the county, as well as other sources, with a goal of completion within the next 12 months.

Staff will report back to council on the proposal at a future meeting.

Sudoku Solution

Festival to laud ‘Lives of Girls and Women’ Lives of Girls and Women is a celebrated novel by Canadian author Alice Munro; a coming-ofage story that follows Del Jordan as she navigates the complexities of growing up in rural Ontario during the mid-20th century.

Munro’s writing is celebrated for its depth, insight and realism and Lives of Girls and Women is often praised for its richly drawn characters, evocative settings and nuanced exploration of the complexities of female relationships and experiences.

From June 5-9, organizers of the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story, invite you to explore the multifaceted lives of girls and women, and the diversity of their experiences. The Alice Munro Festival is expanding in 2024 to include a live theatre production and a film screening, in addition to its captivating author events, which include readings and masterclasses.

Highlights include: • A stage production entitled Post Alice, which blends local history and literature, that will be performed at the Blyth Festival’s Harvest Stage on June 5, 6 and 8.

“Inspired by four haunting characters from four iconic Alice Munro stories, Post Alice is a contemporary play which asks the question: what really happened to Mistie Murray? And what happens to all our missing girls? Come sit around the fire with four bright and hilarious Huron County women as ghost stories emerge, songs fill the

air, family secrets are revealed, and mysteries unravel into those wonderful contradictions which live inside us all,” according to the Here for Now Theatre Festival.

• From Friday, June 7 through Sunday June 9, the festival will host workshops by award-winning and bestselling authors Cindy Matthews (Ignite the Writer Within), Jann Everard (Mastering the Submission Process), Paola Ferrante (Tell the Truth but Tell it Spec: Using the Genre Conventions of Horror and Science Fiction to Tell Stories that Matter) and Emily Paskevics (Place as Character: Crafting Dynamic Settings for Your Stories).

• Eight celebrated authors will share a reading from their newly published collections and discuss their writing through a moderated question-and-answer period. From experiences of searching for, and teaching about belonging in our deeply divided world and intergenerational relationships that unfold in a context of environmental change, to a gripping World War II novel about two sisters who join the war effort - one as a codebreaker and the other as a pilot - and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart, stories about love and loss, stories that deeply resonate with festival-goers.

Authors include: Annahid Dashtgard (Bones of Belonging); Jann Everard (Blue Runaways); Paola Ferrante (Her Body Among Animals); Genevieve Graham (The

Secret Keeper); Heather Marshall (The Secret History of Audrey James); Cindy Matthews (The Roach Family and Other Stories) and Emily Paskevics (Half-Wild and Other Stories of Encounter).

Additional authors will be announced soon.

On Friday, June 7, the festival will host the awards presentation for the 2024 Short Story Contest and the new Digital Art Contest.

The festival received a record number of entries this year and organizers say they are always impressed by the talent and creativity that emerges from the community when it comes to this contest. With cash prizes for both adults and youth, choosing a winner will be difficult, but the competition’s celebrity judges are up to the challenge.

Following the awards presentations in Wingham, a film screening of Lives of Girls and Women will be held in the Wingham Heritage Town Hall Theatre. It is a made-for-TV movie by Alice Munro, Charles K. Pitts, and Kelly Rebar in 1996, which one reviewer critiqued as, “a great down-to-earth movie, it is a tribute to Canadian actresses. Tanya Allen and Wendy Crewson were excellent in their portrayal of a mother and daughter during a girls entering adulthood time. The aunts and uncle, as well as boyfriend and his family played the inhabitants of a small town in that time period to perfection.”

There is something for everyone in this year’s Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story. Events take place in Bayfield, Blyth and Wingham. For more information, visit alicemunrofestival.ca.

Blyth Annual Used Book Sale Trinity Anglican Church 166 Dinsley St., Blyth

May 31 & June 1 Friday, May 31 ~ 4 pm to 9 pm (no early bird sales) Saturday, June 1 ~ 9 am to 4 pm

Book Intake May 30 from 8 am to 8 pm Donate your clean, gently used books and help us preserve the past.

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Join us for our famous

Fill a Box box sale with Books on used books Saturday, June 1 from 2 to 4 for $10 For info contact deb@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024.

Yates returns with unique tales in ‘Gothic Huron’

‘Gothic Huron’

by David Yates

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen One of Huron County’s foremost historians and authors is back on shelves with his most recent book, Gothic Huron, which explores the dark corners of the county’s history, telling some of the lesser

known stories of the area in the Victorian period.

Gothic Huron: Heroes, Rogues, Murder, Daring, Bawdy Houses and Other Tales is on shelves now (available at The Citizen office in Blyth). He recently took the time to chat about what inspired the book and how much author David Yates enjoyed writing it.

Originally, he said on Tuesday morning, he set out to write a different book and, as he conducted research, these stories from the fringes kept popping up, so he shifted his focus.

He said he was naturally drawn to the stories that come from the darker corners of the county and they seemed to be abundant in the 19th century, so, as they kept coming, he decided to put them all together.

If he hadn’t already included some similar stories in his previous five books, he said, Gothic Huron likely could have been a multi-volume anthology. Having said that, he does feel like the book begs for a sequel that tells the stories of the 20th century, so that may be a project to keep an eye out for in the future.

He said that, despite his established reputation as a history columnist and author, he was surprised to find out some of the things he discovered while doing his research for the book. For example, he was astounded to read about how popular phrenology was in those days. The practice of feeling the bumps on someone’s skull to learn about them was widespread in the county at the time.

He also said there are a number of tales of murder in the story, as things were a lot different back then, from the nature of work to the lack of widespread, active law enforcement and violence, for many, was a way of life for some and a form of entertainment for others.

While he says there are some very disturbing aspects of the book, which is to be expected from a text that deals with murders and bawdy houses in Huron County (as for bawdy houses, Yates says there was a time in which every community usually had at least one - Goderich had three), there are some

fascinating, lighter tales that tell the story of the region during that time just as thoroughly as the more tragic elements of the time period.

Further to the tragic murders detailed in the book, Yates said he also found himself fascinated with the culture’s obsession with death at the time. From deep mourning to regular mourning to keeping a body in a house for up to two weeks (while adorning the house with indicators to communicate that its inhabitant had died), the community marked a death with great vigor.

For Yates, however, Gothic Huron is simply the latest installment in his work to bring voice to the region and he admits to falling in love with his community more and more with every new book he writes.

In a way, it’s impossible not to.

He researches so thoroughly and with such curiosity that he has a true fascination with the twists and turns in history that Huron County has taken and that, really, is what keeps him coming back.

That surprise and the fact that

even such a seasoned historian as Yates can be surprised at what waits around the corner is the meat and potatoes of the process for him.

When he was initially approached about writing a history column for a local newspaper over 15 years ago, he said he would take it on, but wondered (internally, if not publicly) how much material there would be to draw from and how long the column would last. Now, nearly 17 years and six books later, it’s clear that there are so many stories to tell and many more that have still yet to be told.

He said that, because of his love for the area, he’s pleased to have become one of the storytellers for this part of the world, and it’s a responsibility that he doesn’t take lightly. In that time, he has written over 700 stories in one form or another and he knows there are still many left to tell.

Gothic Huron: Heroes, Rogues, Murder, Daring, Bawdy Houses and Other Tales is available for purchase at The Citizen office in Blyth.

Time to think Gardening

Wilbee to speak at Knox, Belgrave PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

The card results for April 26 were: high gold card, Pat Jenkins; second high gold card, Brenda Brooks; most shoots gold card, Irene Carey; high white card, Gayle Neil; second high white card, Roy Finch; and most shoots white card, Keith Johnson.

Cards will be played again on Friday, May 10 at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Having driven past McIntosh United Church regularly, Elly Dow and friends took the opportunity to take in their recent annual gospel sing-a-long evening. The church was filled to the proverbial rafters and the music was heartening and uplifting. The McIntosh choir, director and pianist, as well as a male quartet from the choir and the Bushell family, all shared their musical talents to a very appreciative audience.

The music made up for a long walk from the sparse parking. A “note” to come early next time! A missed opportunity to close with a hymn combining choir and audience might be a thought for next year.

Belated birthday greetings are extended to Muriel Taylor on April 22, Emerson Marks on April 26 and Doreen Marks on May 1. Hoping you had an enjoyable day.

Elwin Garland, guest speaker, welcomed the congregation on

Sunday, April 28 at the Belgrave United Church.

Catherine McDonald played prelude organ music, piano postlude music and accompanied all hymns.

Garland’s sermon was entitled “Are You a Mary or a Martha?”

Once there were two sisters, named Mary and Martha. Jesus was their good friend and he went to visit them when he was in town.

One time when Jesus was at their place, he had a long talk with Mary, and had many wonderful things to say. Martha was busy; she knew there was a lot of work to do.

Martha was upset because Mary was not helping. Mary was doing something very important by listening to Jesus. She chose to do the best thing.

On Sunday, May 5, Gloria Wilbee will be the guest speaker.

Everyone is welcome.

On May 7, the Knox United Church Women will meet at the home of Rita Potter at 2 p.m.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

GROWING AND USING HERBS SUCCESSFULLY Betty Jacobs helps you get the best results with 64 herbs. Tips on how to start herbs indoors and out, how to avoid buying costly perennial plants, how to harvest and store, and how to market them so you can make a profit. $18.95

THE GARDENER’S GUIDE TO PLANT DISEASES Barbara Pleasant provides tips for easy identification of over 50 common garden diseases and shows techniques for prevention and control. 180 pages of information and illustrations. $22.95

GARDEN PATHS: Inspiring Designs and Practical Projects Garden paths can add so much interest to your yard.

This 240-page book shows beautiful, colour photos of examples, then gives instructions on how to build them. Sure to inspire your imagination. $26.00

Grow What You Love: 12 Food Plant Families To Change Your Life Gives advice on how best to choose food plants that readers love, or can discover, and follows with simple methods for garden-to-table growing, including a selection of her favourite seasonal recipes. The result for readers will be a garden-fresh bounty for any time of the year. $29.95 THE GARDENER’S A-Z GUIDE TO GROWING ORGANIC FOOD Information on organic growing of vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts. Formulas and techniques to control 201 pests and diseases organically. Information on starting with organic methods. $37.95

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

GARDENING WITH CONIFERS Conifers (often called evergreens) can add so much texture and colour to your property. This colourful 190page book provides information on the magic of conifers, choosing varieties THE VEGGIE GARDENER’S and, caring for them. $24.95 ANSWER BOOK This handy guide provides answers to THE VEGGIE GARDENER’S ANSWER BOOK every gardening question you’ll ever FRUITS AND BERRIES FOR THE This handy guide provides answers to every gardening ask, and solutions to every problem HOME GARDEN question you’ll ever ask, and solutions to every problem you’ll ever face. Information on seed More than 250 pages of information you’ll ever face. Information on seed starting, planting starting, planting and pests and crop on choosing fruits and nuts, planting and pests and crop by crop information. $19.95 by crop information. $19.95 them, pruning, controlling disease and pests, and harvesting fruit. Even 405 Queen St., Blyth instructions on reproducing your 519-523-4792 trees & bushes. $27.95

The Citizen