March 12, 2020

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PAGE 09

M E D I CA L WATC H

Waterloo Region sees its first case of coronavirus

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CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES.

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MARCH 12, 2020

Heat and power plant a go for WMC in Elmira

EDSS CWOSSA CHAMPIONS!

Cogeneration system expected to arrive from Germany by month's end

dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

CORONAVIRUS | 02

20

WO O LW I C H C O U N C I L

BY DAMON MACLEAN

Waterloo Region has its first case of the coronavirus, officials announced March 5, downplaying any risk to the public.

The Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services held a press conference in Kitchener last Thursday to announce the arrival of the novel coronavirus to the area.

“The case does not represent an increased risk to residents in Waterloo Region,” said Dr. HsiuLi Wang, acting medical officer of health for the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services, at a hastily called news conference.

The local case involves a woman in her 50s who recently returned home from a trip to Europe and tested positive for COVID-19. The subject had experienced mild symptoms of the virus upon two flights heading back towards Canada: Air Portugal flight 827 from Milan to Lisbon and flight 259 from Lisbon to Toronto on March 3. After arriving at Pearson airport in Toronto, the woman took private transportation to Grand River Hospital in Kitchener. The patient was discharged from the hospital the same day. Currently, the woman is in a period of self-isolation.

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BY STEVE KANNON skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Woolwich’s foray into cogeneration should get underway in earnest later this month with the arrival of a gas-fired engine that will generate heat and electricity for the WMC. The combined heat and power (CHP) system will generate electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide useful thermal energy, such as steam or hot water, that can be used for space heating, cooling or domestic hot water.

The equipment is due to arrive from Germany the week of March 25, Mike Savel of Grand River Energy told councillors meeting Tuesday night.

The natural gas engine will have two outputs: electrical energy and heat.

Council approved a $1.5-million plan for a CHP back in 2018 under a contract with Grand River Energy (GRE), a venture launched by holding companies of the region’s three electrical utilities, Waterloo

The EDSS boys' hockey team advanced to provincials with a win over KCI Tuesday afternoon in Fergus. See story p. 08.

[SEAN HEEGER / THE OBSERVER]

North Hydro, Kitchener Wilmot Hydro and Energy+, which are in turn owned by the municipalities.

Since then, the project has been scaled back to remove a planned geothermal component, replaced by a much cheaper heat exchanger for a savings of some $200,000. All of the costs, including installation, will be covered by GRE, paid back by the township over 20 years through the energy cost savings derived from the CHP system.

Savel said the original savings of $600,000 forecast over the life of the deal have now been increased to $960,000.

The WMC is a “good candidate” for such a system, so good that it was eligible for a grant to cover 40 per cent of the cost, he noted.

Since the project was approved, there have been some cost overruns, but also some savings, Savel said, pointing to about $155,000 in additional costs, largely offset by $139,000 in savings.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

02 | C O M MUNIT Y NE WS

Provincial minister delivers address at seniors’ active living fair Raymond Cho addresses packed house at St. Jacobs event organized by Community Care Concepts

BY SEAN HEEGER sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

It’s not easy getting old.

As the Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, Raymond Cho may have more than a passing familiarity with that sentiment, one he joked about Wednesday morning in St. Jacobs.

Cho addressed some 160 guests at the Seniors Information and Active Living Fair, held March 11 for the fifth year under the auspic-

es of Community Care Concepts. The event focuses on education and introducing seniors to the supports available around them.

Helping and encouraging seniors to live better, while inspiring a better sense of wellbeing and health, along with preventative measures is the goal of the fair, said Karla Frey, manager of community programs at Community Care Concepts.

“You have a community, a very caring community

Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho (middle) spoke Wednesday morning in St. Jacobs. Here, he’s flanked by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris; Community Care Concepts’ home services coordinator Karla Frey; Sue Hesjedahl, executive director of the Older Adult Centres' Association of On[SEAN HEEGER / THE OBSERVER] tario (OACAO) and Community Care Concepts executive director Cathy Harrington.

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here in Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot,” said Frey.

“We’re blessed to be in the rural townships. The community works very hand in glove and every door is an open door so you should be able to call any of these people here that link to the supports you need.”

Cho spoke about what he’s gone through since

getting older and what the government is doing to ensure the continued success of those who are living through their golden years.

Citing a growing number of seniors and a need for more care, Cho talked about tackling isolation which he describes as the most dangerous thing for those of a certain age.

The government has invested in more home and community support for seniors, and Frey said this is key to reducing wait times, but keeping older people out of hospitals.

“When we look at the Ministry of Health we are able to, through their funding to us, help reduce hallway medicine and hos-

pital wait times,” said Frey.

“Settling people into their homes reduces the amount of ... re-admittances to hospital. And that’s as a direct result of their funding to us.”

Attendees were treated to education from a number of booths set up by community partners, entertainment, a chance to network, and a lunch.

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are being covered by GRE, with no outlay from the township, he added.

Among the extra costs are noise-attenuation measures, which added $78,000 to the cost. That was needed to prevent sound from carrying to neighbouring properties – “We paid substantially more for the system.”

A sound survey of the existing facility found there

was an existing problem with a humidifier on the roof, an issue that will be addressed with a silencer.

Provincial regulations say measurements can’t exceed 45 decibels, with the one area registering 46.

“We’re in really good shape, with the exception of one area in the northeast corner,” said Savel of the noise study.

Supportive of the project, Coun. Larry Shantz inquired about the planned

uses for the heat generated by the system.

Savel noted it would be used to heat the building as needed, and used yearround to heat the pool, for example.

The CHP system is the latest move to deal with inefficiencies at the WMC. The township has dealt with a number of deficiencies, maintenance woes and high operating costs since day-one, many of

them the result of cost-cutting measures imposed as the cost of building the facility increased from a $12-million budget when a new arena was first proposed to about twice that by the time it was completed. Measures have included replacing much of the lighting in the building, for example. Also on the agenda is refitting the refrigeration plant that keeps ice in the facility’s two arenas.

CORONAVIRUS: Public Health department advises public to remain calm FROM 01

Dr. William Ciccotelli, medical director of infectious prevention at St. Mary’s General Hospital, joined Wang in answering questions about the case.

The woman was dismissed from Grand River Hospital still displaying symptoms, whereas some 400 citizens returning from China’s Wuhan Province were forced into a two-week quarantine period without displaying symptoms.

“We help to assess to make sure she does all required hospital admission.

We are there to do the proper testing that’s required.

And then based on the assessment, the communication with Public Health [she was dismissed],” said Ciccocetelli.

Addressing the possibility of more cases, Wang said

officials would be watching for any spread.

“Assuming that we have additional cases, I think what we can expect that the large majority of the cases will have a mild amount of symptoms, and will be able to safely recover at home.

For a small minority that will require more elevated levels of care, such as hospitalization.”

Both the area woman and a Toronto man in his 60s who also tested positive on Tuesday displayed mild symptoms.

“We’re working with healthcare providers to make sure that those people who need higher levels of care are able to access that care in the right environments like the hospital and be treated appropriately. So it’s really going to focus on making sure that those who need care the

most will get it and then the others can continue to recover,” said Wang of preparations for cases that aren’t minor.

There are no plans, however, to limit public movements, particularly at large events such as the upcoming Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, said Wang, counselling that people take precautions.

“At this point in time, we are recommending that people continue to practice those cautions that we’ve been talking about for a while – washing your hands and staying at home if you’re sick,” she said.

In general, officials are asking people to think about what they can do to prepare themselves if they were to become ill and would need to stay home.

Wang also said people should be asking them-

selves questions about their emergency preparedness.

“Do they have [a] sufficient supply of their medications? Do they have enough of the essential, food and other supplies, to be able to get through a period where they may have to be at home caring for themselves or for their children?”

Wang advised people to remain calm, offering “reassurance to the public because a lot of people are concerned and now with this case, they’re going to be more concerned.”

Although the case was not anticipated, Wang said “we have a solid local health-care system, and we are prepared.”

She noted the public would be informed if there’s any change in the patient’s condition, along with any new cases that might occur.

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 03

FROM THE ARCHIVES

HOUSE PRICES UP Creating community connections starts and ends with our readers.

News tips are always welcome.

Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 103 Online: ads.observerxtra.com/tips

There were 467 residential homes sold through the MLS system of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors in February, an increase of 36.5% compared to the same month last year, and 15.3% above the previous 10-year average. The average sale price of all residential properties sold in February increased 16.3% to $571,023, while detached homes sold for an average price of $673,825, an increase of 13.2%.

A Wellesley intersection that was the scene of a fatal collision last fall will have rumble strips installed as a safety measure. The move was approved this week by the region’s planning and works committee despite a staff report recommending against the changes at Ament Line and Herrgott Road. On Nov. 19, five-yearold Emma Ringrose of St. Clements was killed when a driver westbound on Ament Line disobeyed a stop sign, colliding with the van headed south on Herrgott Road.

From the Mar. 11, 2006 edition of The Observer

Teacher strikes and workto-rule actions to continue

Teacher's unions and government remain at an impasse in contract talks

BY SEAN HEEGER sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

Susan Bryant and Inge Rinne see a busy year ahead as Trees for Woolwich sets ambitious targets.

[SEAN HEEGER / THE OBSERVER]

Local group pledges to plant 5,000 more trees this year Trees for Woolwich has spring events on tap along with its training program for volunteers who'll help maintain the existing stock

BY SEAN HEEGER sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

They’ve been working hard to better the environment since before it was considered cool.

Today, Inga Rinne, chair of Trees for Woolwich, and Susan Bryant, chair of the Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC), have more than 27 years under their belts as they continue on their quest to help the ecosystem of Woolwich.

And they’re doing it one tree at a time.

Trees for Woolwich is now planning an event with a two-pronged goal of adding 5,000 new trees to the area and preserving the healthy ones already there.

Since the organization

started in 2011, more than 33,500 trees have been planted, surpassing their original goal of 23,000, one tree for each person in Woolwich at the time.

“Planting trees is one of those incredibly satisfying things,” said Rinne. “The benefits for planting trees are numerous ... everything from the shade to carbon capture, to soil erosion and storm water management; to just plain aesthetics.”

She says it’s gratifying because you can see the progress made and it’s something that can be done by anyone who wants to help the environment.

With their goal set, planting for the spring season will kick off May 2, at the South Parkwood lot.

Planting will run from 9 to

11 a.m.

Another planting will also take place May 9 at the Bloomingdale Community Centre from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In 2019, Trees for Woolwich expanded their work beyond planting, by putting emphasis on caring for the trees which are already there.

In addition to planting trees throughout the township, classes were offered to residents so they could learn to prune trees. This was done with the hopes of encouraging the care of the existing trees to ensure tree coverage within the area could continue to flourish.

Last year more than 300 trees were pruned by volunteers who took the time to learn how to do it

JL’s Duke St building centre

the right way. Classes for 2020 start April 6, giving residents the first of three chances to learn from an experienced arborist how to properly prune and take care of a tree.

Classes will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on April 6, 15 and 20. Registration is required by emailing Ann Roberts at the Woolwich Township office, aroberts@ woolwich.ca.

Dates for pruning events will be made once classes have taken place.

Bryant says the township is blessed to have such a fabulous group of volunteers and they hope more people will come out to help with the work done by them and the organizations.

TREES FOR WOOLWICH | 04

Talks have resumed intermittently, but unions representing Ontario’s teachers remain at odds with the provincial government, with more job action on the horizon.

Despite the government backing down on what the unions stated were key issues in negotiations, members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), for instance, returned to the picket line March 5.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce last week announced the province would not be increasing class sizes, adding e-learning would not be mandatory for students in high school.

He said no significant changes will be seen this fall as the average class size will be 23 students.

Parents will also be given the choice to opt their kids out of e-learning courses; he says this is something which should be in the hands of parents and not unions.

The teachers had stated previously that these points were significant to the negotiations and were hampering progress in reaching a deal. However, now that they’re off the table a deal remains elusive.

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For Patrick Etmanski, president of OECTA Waterloo, what Lecce said was said is a step in the right direction, but he still has concerns because the concessions were made in the media instead of in negotiations.

“They didn’t bring it to the bargaining table,” said Etmanski. “What they should have done was come to the unions and said ‘let’s talk.’ But what they did was made an announcement in the public, and we’re pretty upset about that.”

He added if the government is truly willing to back down from class sizes and e-learning then he believes there is nothing holding his union back from making a deal to get teachers back to class fulltime.

OECTA stated they were willing to go ahead with the government’s capped wage increase of one per cent, therefore removing a sticking point from the bargaining process which other unions are still fighting.

But they are challenging the validity of the wage cap in court because Etmanski said it brings bad faith to the bargaining table.

“The thing about the one per cent that really gets us hung up is not the figure itself but the fact that they’re

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

04 | C O MMUNIT Y NE WS

Local female entrepreneurs sit down for roundtable discussion with minister and MP

BY SEAN HEEGER sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

In the run-up to International Women’s Day, Mary Ng, minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, made several stops at Waterloo Region businesses headed by women.

Kicking off the events March 6, she hosted a roundtable discussion with

Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis, sitting down with more than a dozen female entrepreneurs at Driftwood Martial Arts in Kitchener.

Driftwood owner Adette Rice said she was very happy to host the minister, and to welcome many influential women from the community into her martial arts studio.

She said when she was

starting her business, she was stubborn and refused to believe she could fail.

This, however, is not how it is for every woman who tries to start their own business.

“I didn’t have any role models, and it never occurred to me that I needed one,” said Rice. “I didn’t believe that I couldn’t do it until somebody told me I couldn’t.”

In addition to spending her time listening to a roomful of entrepreneurial women, Ng discussed the difficulties women still face in the business world and what can be done to further their contributions.

She said in Canada, only 16 per cent of small businesses are owned or led by women. This is in stark contrast to the fact that 99

TEACHERS: Unions waiting for the province to make formal its position on classroom sizes, e-learning requirements as contract negotiations drag on FROM 03

(the Ontario government) saying ‘thou shalt take one per cent and shut up and go away,’” said Etmanski.

While the unions may believe certain things about the government’s actions, Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris says the priorities of the government of Ontario are to invest in schools and classrooms.

“We have been consistent during the negotiation process in making responsible proposals to get a fair deal that protects full-day kindergarten, freezes class sizes, and targets investment for kids with unique learning needs,” said Harris. “Unfortunately

the unions have not made any substantive changes to their original proposals focused on increasing compensation and benefits. It’s time for the unions to end their disruptive escalation and return to the table, the time for a deal that is fair for parents, students, and educators is now.”

The strike on March 5 was the fourth time OECTA hit the picket line since the previous contract expired.

At least 1,600 teachers took part in each of the rotating walkouts which affected more than 40,000 students in the Waterloo region.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) announced March 6 that they would be

holding off on strike action until March 27, however, they would be increasing their work-to rule campaign.

This would include not providing anything more than a mark and learning skills on report cards.

Teachers will also refrain from organizing or attending group, department and job class meetings. This job action will begin March 9.

Rob Gascho, president of OSSTF District 24, wants the public to know the reason there is still no deal on the table for them is the cuts made by the government are not satisfactory or beneficial to the education system.

The sticking point is the

degree to which the government wants to savage the system. When wiping massive amounts of funding for the education system and at the secondary level it means courses will disappear, said Gascho.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) announced they would be launching phase seven of their strike action March 9. However, they gave no indication of what that would entail.

ETFO returned to the bargaining table March 11.

With March Break just around the corner, teachers are expected to hold off on all strike action and resume their work-to-rule when classes resume.

per cent of all business fall into the small- or medium-sized category.

To help change the situation, Ottawa is supporting the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), a $2-billion investment by the government of Canada that seeks to increase the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.

After her stop at Drift-

wood, Ng traveled with Louis to visit other businesses in the area owned by women, including Lisboa Bakery and Roti Junction, both in Kitchener.

Ng noted that celebrating International Women’s Day is a big deal, but it’s also about more than just the one day.

“We’re sort of women 365 days a year,” she said.

TREES FOR WOOLWICH: Public interest reflects sense of urgency FROM 03

“We have some very committed and long-term volunteers who really care about making their community a better place,” she said.

To continue the beautification of Woolwich after the formal planting is over, vouchers are returning for those who want to add some trees to their own property.

For just $5, Woolwich residents can purchase one of 30 vouchers donated by Toyota Boshoku. These will be worth $50 towards the purchase of a native tree at John’s Nursery or Grobe Nursery.

Only one voucher can be purchased per household, and will be available start-

ing April 30 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.

They will also be available at both plantings, while supplies last.

Rinne says the vouchers are a great way to not only add to the tree coverage in the community, but also to thank those who come out and take the time to address the growing climate issues.

“It’s really heartening to see that people are sort of coming forward and recognizing some sense of urgency given how many trees we’ve lost and given the whole climate change issue,” said Rinne. “People are looking to get involved and it’s easy to get involved.

This is something that people can actually do.”

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C O M MUN IT Y N E WS | 05

POLICE REPORT

The driver of a school bus was charged following a two-vehicle collision Monday afternoon at the intersection of Sawmill Road and St. Charles Street in Bloomingdale. No injuries were reported.

[SEAN HEEGER] Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle collision at Barnswallow Drive and First Street West in Elmira on March 5. [SEAN HEEGER]

Police urge public to be aware of fraud, report attempts Four mass-marketing frauds – romance scams, extortion, phishing and service scams – will be highlighted in campaigns launched by a coalition of authorities to mark Fraud Prevention Month.

During the month of March, the OPP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Competition Bureau of Canada are joining police services across the country to promote public aware-

MARCH 3 ■ 8:00 AM | Perth County OPP are investigating the theft of street signs from seven intersections in Monkton. The thefts are believed to have occurred on the weekend from February 28 to March 2. A few of the signs have been recovered after they were discarded in the Town of Monkton, but most of the signs remain outstanding. If you have any information on who is responsible or where the stolen signs are contact police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at hc-cs.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

MARCH 5 ■ 2:17 PM | An 82-year-old Drayton man was driving a blue Dodge van south on First Street West in Elmira when a blue Dodge SUV, driven by a 40-year-old Waterloo woman entered the intersection, striking the driver’s side of the vehicle. No one was injured, but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. The driver of the SUV was charged with ‘failing to yield to traffic on through highway.’

ness to help prevent all Canadians from becoming victims of fraud.

During the past year, Canadians who fell victim to fraud’s destructive toll saw losses totalling approximately $97 million.

That figure represents only the losses related to the approximately five per cent of fraud victims who report the crime to police.

Regardless of age, gender or location, everyone can take basic steps to better protect themselves from

MARCH 6 ■ 5:41 PM | A 19-year-old Wellesley man is facing several charges related to a pair of collisions. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a motorist that had just been rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle. The suspect driver of the SUV failed to pull over and continued on past the vehicle he rear-ended. The victim followed the sport utility vehicle and not far away the driver of the sport utility vehicle ditched his vehicle at the intersection of Currie Line and Reid Road. Officers responded to the scene whereupon they located the driver of the sport utility vehicle. Upon speaking to the young male driver the investigating officer noticed the driver was displaying several signs of impairment by alcohol. As a result the driver was placed under arrest for impaired operation and was taken into custody. Upon searching the his vehicle, officers located three rifles and ammunition that were being stored in a careless manner.

The accused was then transported to the Huron OPP Detachment where he provided two samples of his breath to the qualified intoxilizer technician; both of his test results were analyzed to be above the legal limit. The man was

becoming a victim of fraud.

Some tips include never giving out personal or financial information at the door, over the phone, by e-mail, through social media or via unsecured retail or dating websites, police suggest.

If you do fall victim to a scam, individuals are urged to continue to report them to police even if a financial transaction did not occur.

Fraud Prevention Month is about the fraud prevention community working

together to create greater awareness and to highlight the various ways that all Canadians are being targeted by fraud. By emphasizing the education component, Canadians can be better prepared, say police.

If you or someone you know suspect they've been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian AntiFraud Centre by phone or online by creating an account in the Fraud Reporting System (FRS).

subsequently charged with ‘operation while impaired,’ ‘operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 80-plus,’ ‘failure to stop after accident’ and ‘careless storage of a firearm.’ He was also served with a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and his vehicle was impounded. He is scheduled to appear April 6 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

also used a forklift from inside the drive shed to steal a white 250-gallon fuel tank. The fuel tank was approximately half-full of diesel fuel. There was also a large fuel tank containing gasoline that was loaded on the forklift but was not stolen. The suspects used a farm tractor in the drive shed to ram the overhead garage door to another building located on the property, causing significant damage. It does not appear suspects entered this building. Perth County OPP continue to investigate the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact Police at 1-888-310-1122.

MARCH 7 ■ 2:55 PM | A 42-year-old Elora man was driving a white Honda SUV northbound on Northfield Drive near Jigs Hollow Road, north of Conestogo, when the vehicle crossed the centre line and left the roadway, entered the ditch and struck a tree. The driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

The driver was charged with ‘careless driving.’

MARCH 9 ■ 8:00 AM | Sometime overnight, suspects broke in to a drive shed located on a farm property on Line 70 north of Milverton. The suspects forced open the locked drive shed and stole a 2004 orange Kubota RTV900 side-by-side utility vehicle. The suspects

■ 2:53 PM | A 74-year-old Ariss woman was driving a school bus on St. Charles Street in Bloomingdale when, attempting to make a left turn onto Sawmill Road, her vehicle was struck by an eastbound blue Chevrolet SUV driven by a 69 yr-year-old Kitchener man. The Chevrolet struck the passenger-side door of the school bus. Emergency services attended and paramedics assessed the drivers at the scene – no injuries were reported. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the collision.

The SUV was towed from the scene. The driver of the school bus was charged with ‘failing to yield to through traffic.’

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 06

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

Deadline: Tuesdays 4pm

“Each time an attempt to destaple-ize the Canadian economy fails, the staples monster re-emerges from the bedroom closet bearing ever more morbid symptoms. Today, it’s in the form of Western alienation, panic, despair, delusion and paranoia over the threat to its oil revenues — as if oil is a person held hostage — an image used by an Alberta cabinet minister.”

Online: ads.observerxtra.com/letters

Writer Rick Salutin on the troubled history of a staples economy

Keep the conversation alive on topics of relevance to the community; write a letter to the Editor.

Canada received a D in the Animal Protection Index, alongside other countries including, Tanzania, Peru and the United States. Sweden and the United Kingdom have the highest scores, though not one country has obtained an A grade. In Canada, the low marks received were for not having adequate legislation protecting wildlife in captivity, working animals, farm animals, animals used in research and companion animals.

World Animal Protection

O U R V I E W | E D I TO R I A L

U

Precautions, not panic in the wake of the coronavirus that shows 80 per cent of cases in China, the epicenter of the outbreak, are mild.

The number of cases is growing worldwide, with the “pandemic” label just now being bandied about.

What is clear, however, is that much of the world was unprepared for the latest outbreak, though disease epidemics have long been considered among the likeliest of worst-case scenario emergencies. It would seem we’ve learned little from fairly recent examples of the havoc caused by the likes of swine and avian flus, not to mention two other coronaviruses, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

As with COVID-19, both SARS and MERS are zoonotic, mean-

niversity of Toronto research showing 35 to 70 per cent of Canadians could contract the disease notwithstanding, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has yet to spread dramatically in this country.

As of midweek, there were 65 confirmed cases, along with another dozen or two suspected cases. Of those, one person has died; 13 per cent of the cases have involved hospitalization.

Some 82 per cent of those made ill by the disease are over the age of 40.

Testing has been limited, however, so there’s a high likelihood of cases that have yet to be identified, along with those who have the virus but not any symptoms.

The Canadian numbers appear to be in line with research G LO B A L O U T LO O K

ing they are transmitted between animals and people. The “novel” in this version of the coronavirus stems from its new strain, not that it’s the first time we’ve seen such a disease.

Previous zoonotic flu outbreaks have subsided before becoming full-fledged pandemics, but we panicked nonetheless. The same is true today, at least where stocking up on supplies is concerned: we’re buying up masks – despite the fact they’re largely ineffective, improperly used and should be left for those who really need them – and items such as toilet paper and energy drinks, none of which make any sense.

What we’re not doing enough of is taking the same kind of precautions that apply to th seasonal flu: staying home when sick, frequent hand-wash-

ing and covering mouths and noses when sneezing/coughing.

We’re not shaking hands as often, and some people are a little more leery of large gatherings.

The social impacts are understandable, but don’t necessarily fit the scale of the outbreak, which has been relatively mild.

If you think you’ve got the flu, or are experiencing flu symptoms, it’s certainly advisable to stay out of circulation, but there’s no call for preemptive hibernation just yet.

That said, fear of what could happen has driven federal and provincial health officials to spring into action, if perhaps a little slowly. While there’s no need to panic, authorities do need to take all the necessary precautions, ready to act if the illness becomes more prevalent.

As with the common flu, the focus is on those most at risk: pregnant women, adults with chronic conditions and people living in remote places. Whereas common flus usually pose larger risks to the elderly and the very young, COVID-19 does appear to have a larger impact on people in the middle range and older.

A don’t-worry-be-happy attitude isn’t appropriate, but if there’s an upside to past outbreaks such as SARS and the swine flu, we’ve seen the reality is far less frightening than what we were able to imagine at the time. That’s not to say organizations from the World Health Organization on down shouldn’t be acting speedily and with all effort, but there’s no reason at this point for the public to panic, only to take precautions.

T H E V I E W F R O M H E R E | S C OT T A R N O L D

COVID-19 prompts change in China

U

.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has run afoul of the language police. Last week he publicly called the ‘coronavirus’ that has already killed 0.000013% of the world’s population the ‘Wuhan virus.’ When challenged about this criminal violation of linguistic propriety on Friday he just said it again. The World Health Organisation (WHO) was shocked.

I know how Pompeo must feel, because my innocent suggestion that we call it the ‘Pangolin Balls Erectile Dysfunction Chinese Wet Market Virus’ got an equally hostile reception. It broke the WHO’s rules on naming new human infectious diseases.

The WHO guidelines,

GWYNNE DYER GLOBAL AFFAIRS

issued in 2015, say that names must avoid geographic locations (e.g.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), people’s names (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease), species of animal or food (swine flu, monkey pox), cultural or occupational references (legionnaires’ disease), and terms that incite fear (e.g. ‘fatal’ or ‘epidemic’).

So you may die of it, but nobody’s feelings will be hurt. COVID-19 may be

JOE MERLIHAN

PUBLISHER Ext 107

STEVE KANNON

EDITOR Ext 103

DAMON MACLEAN

DONNA RUDY

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SEAN HEEGER

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REPORTER Ext 102 REPORTER Ext 101

It’s gonna take more than the luck of the Irish to reach a timely solution to the impasse.

DYER | 07

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Letters to the Editor: editor@woolwichobserver.com | ads.observerxtra.com/letters The Observer is the independent community newspaper serving the communities within Woolwich and Wellesley Townships in Waterloo Region. The Observer is published every Thursday. The Observer is located in Elmira and was founded in 1996.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

C O M M E NT & O P IN IO N | 07

LO C A L V I E W P O I N T

WMC cogen plan an example of the changes we'll have to make

P

lagued with problems from the start, the Woolwich Memorial Centre will benefit from the township’s investment in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant that will reduce the always-high utility bills at the facility.

The cogeneration system – turning the natural gas heating system into an electricity-generating plant – is the latest in a series of projects, a list that includes replacing much of the lighting in the building. There’s been much retrofitting carried out at the WMC to counter all the corners cut when the complex was built in 2009, not to mention some poor energy targets despite the relative newness of the building: there were plenty of better options available at the time, as it’s not as though the building is 40 or 50 years old, a time when standards were lower and the technology wasn’t as diverse.

In retrofitting the facility, the township is doing what most of us could stand to do, both as a cost-saving move and as a way to help the environment.

With CHP plants specifically, the technology can be installed in apartment buildings, condominiums, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, airports and factories.

Electricity supplied by such facilities would cost less than $0.06 per kWh, dramatically less than the ever-growing costs on your monthly hydro bill.

Other measures such as replacing windows, boosting insulation values and adding green energy options make sense across the board. That’s the reason governments and utilities have helped homeowners with such projects, recognizing the value from an environmental perspective, but also the reality that such steps are much cheaper than building new generating capacity.

That said, governments typically don’t go far down that path because there’s a strong bias in favour of big, centralized megaprojects. That approach – 1950s thinking and policies – is entrenched, and its proponents have the ear of government.

The cheapest and most efficient energy is the energy you don’t need. That’s the rationale behind retrofitting your home – upgrading doors, windows and insulation, for instance. Or perhaps for a new car: double your gas mileage, cut your gasoline costs in half.

While most of us want only to have the lights come on when we flip the switch, paying little heed to how the electricity flows there, there is a growing awareness about environmental concerns.

And, failing that, there’s the issue of our wallets: we certainly don’t want to see rates rise dramatically.

The benefits of retrofitting are hardly a new idea. These measures are tried and true.

Amory Lovins has been writing about just that for years. He’s made the argument, backing it up with numbers, that it would be cheaper and much more beneficial for governments and utilities to pay for home retrofits, including buying new energy-efficient appliances, than to invest in dubi-

STEVE KANNON EDITOR'S MUSINGS

ous megaprojects such as nuclear reactors.

At the Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, where Lovins had been a lone voice in the wilderness for three decades, researchers focus on the market-driven arguments for going green. They’ve long espoused the cost savings of retrofitting homes and going with new technologies rather than building yet more centralized power plants.

As a bonus, the work provides far more employment (for tradespeople, suppliers and the like) and spreads the wealth around to every community, rather than putting it in the hands of a few.

Lovins’ decentralized plan, what he called the “soft path,” was designed to counter earlier claims that we would have to build power plants at an exponential rate to meet projected demand, the socalled “hard path.”

In response, Lovins invented the concept of “negawatts,” so that utilities and governments could compare the cost of conservation measures against the cost of increasing power production.

Negawatts represent power saved from one application that is made available to another application.

For example, an LED light bulb uses much less energy than a standard incandescent bulb to put out a similar amount of light.

Replacing one 100 watt bulb with one 9-watt LED therefore “generates” 91 negawatts of saved energy to use somewhere else.

Applying this philosophy to the built environment provides a tremendous payoff. Our older housing stock provides the most chance of improvement, but

L E F C O U RT L A N D | JAC K L E F C O U R T

much of what is built even today is far less efficient than it could be, as we’ve seen repeatedly with the WMC, for example.

There’s a solid argument to be made, backed up with numbers, that it would be cheaper and much more beneficial for governments and utilities to pay for home retrofits, including buying new energy-efficient appliances, than to invest in dubious megaprojects such as nuclear reactors.

The previous provincial government rolled out a host of platitudes, bungled the green-energy file and saddled Ontarians with billions in debt in order to artificially lower prices, a scheme to buy votes and attempt to make the budget look better than it was.

The Ford government immediately set about “fixing” the problems with no finesse and not much of a plan, moves that included cuts to conservation programs.

The government could have committed to market-driven reasons for going green, however. There are real cost savings in retrofitting homes and going with new technologies rather than building more centralized power plants or the overly generous wind and solar projects.

The Electricity Distributors Association, for example, notes conservation programs had helped local utilities save more than 5.8 billion kWh, enough to power more than 640,000 homes for a full year. Every $1 spent on local conservation programs to reduce energy waste yields $3 in savings, the group finds, with efforts to reduce energy waste adding $750 million a year to the province’s economy.

Anything that reduces costs – for real, not just for appearances – is to be welcomed by Ontarians, who are pay 22 per cent more on average for electricity than people in the rest of Canada. Large electricity users have it worse, paying 65 per cent more than their counterparts elsewhere in the country.

Real change starts with the likes of the WMC cogeneration project.

DYER: "Pangolin Balls Erectile Dysfunction Chinese Wet Market Virus" has a real ring to it, though unlikely to stick FROM 6

boring, but at least nobody will think it has anything to do with China. In reality, however, everybody knows that China made a mess of this.

First of all, the age-old Chinese cultural tradition of blaming the messenger, reinforced by the Communist Party’s very hierarchical structure, delayed public acknowledgement that there was a dangerous virus active in Wuhan for several crucial weeks.

Dr Li Wenliang, the first person to raise the alarm about a viral outbreak on social media, was warned

by the police not to spread rumors. (He died recently after being infected with COVID-19.)

The mayor of Wuhan, Zhou Xianwang, admitted last month that he had delayed taking public action to slow the spread of the virus – like banning Wuhan residents from travelling elsewhere for Chinese New Year, for example. Why? Because local government had to get permission (from Communist Party headquarters) before fully disclosing information about the virus.

Secondly, the Chinese version of the internet is

now seething with stories about how the United States developed the virus in its secret labs and deliberately planted it in China. There are conspiracy theorists everywhere, but in China the hundreds of thousands of censors who man the Great Firewall instantly take down posts that deviate from the official line. They aren’t doing it this time, which tells you all you need to know.

Indeed, while the Chinese Communist Party initially accepted that the outbreak began in China, denial is growing even in official statements.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian complained last week that by calling the outbreak ‘China virus’ or ‘Wuhan virus’ “and thus suggesting its origin without any supporting facts or evidence, some media clearly want China to take the blame and their ulterior motives are laid bare.”

Zhao insisted that no conclusion has been reached on whether the coronavirus originated in China, and the Chinese military’s online portal Xilu.com recently published an article claiming that the virus is “a bio-

chemical weapon produced by the U.S. to target China.”

But behind all the bluster and denial, China is actually doing the right thing.

Folklore, superstitions and ‘old wives’ tales’ abound in every culture, but beliefs about the power of ’jinbu’ are unique to China, and explain why eating specific wild animals plays a major role in traditional Chinese medicine. The exotic meat ‘fills the void’, allegedly enhancing sexual performance in men and beauty and fertility in women.

Yi-Zheng Lian, former chief editor of the Hong

Kong Economic Journal, noted in a recent Washington Post article that eating bats, thought to be the original source of both the current coronavirus and the SARS virus, is said to be good for restoring eyesight.

Bile and gallbladders harvested from live bears are good for treating jaundice; tiger bone, or snakes and bulls’ penises for the impecunious, are for erections.

Small wild animals are often the intermediaries that transmit the new coronaviruses to people.

The ground-up scales of pangolins supposedly cure DYER | 09

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 08

TITANS DOMINATE

KINGS VS. WARRIORS We're keeping score about local kids in sport in our communities. Submit your team results and photos online.

Online: ads.observerxtra.com/scores Deadline: Tuesdays by 4pm

Idle since sweeping Brantford last week, the Elmira Sugar Kings opened their second-round series against the Stratford Warriors Wednesday night, though results weren’t available before press time. The series continues Friday night in Stratford, with action returning to the WMC Sunday afternoon (2 p.m.). Game four is set for Monday in Stratford, with the teams back in Elmira Mar. 18 if game five is needed.

The KW Titans scored 34 fourth-quarter points on their way to a double-digit victory, 117-102, over the Halifax Hurricanes at the Aud on Sunday. Damon Lynn scored a game-high 28 points on 58% shooting to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Nigel Tyghter put up 16 points as well as pulling down 10 rebounds, while Olu Famutimi scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter alone.

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

With a 3-2 win over KCI Tuesday afternoon in Fergus, the Lancers took the CWOSSA title and advanced to the provincial championships, where last year they won silver.

[SEAN HEEGER / THE OBSERVER]

EDSS boys win CWOSSA hockey title Lancers advance to provincials with win over Kitchener Collegiate Institute, head to Windsor Mar. 25-27

BY SEAN HEEGER

sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

The EDSS boys’ hockey team is heading back to the provincials, having emerged victorious this week at the regional level.

The Lancers took the Waterloo County Secondary School Athletics As-

sociation (WCSSAA) title, and claimed top spot in the Central Waterloo Ontario Secondary School Association (CWOSSA) championships held Monday and Tuesday in Fergus.

Now they’re heading back to provincials for the second year in a row, and they’re hungry to win the

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gold having taken silver last year.

The Lancers beat the Kitchener Collegiate Institute Rangers 3-2 during the final game of the CWOSSA championship March 10, and earned their spot at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) champion-

Follow KW Titans

ship starting March 25.

Coach Dave Munroe said their opponent Tuesday afternoon was very strong, the victory being sweeter given how they’ve played against them in the past.

“KCI is a very, very good team, so for us to go up 2-0 was nice because the last two times we played them

we fell behind early,” said Munroe. “We started off very strong and ... obviously, with a team that good like KCI, we knew that they’d continue to keep playing hard.”

Lucas Huber of EDSS opened the scoring early in the first period. Kyle Kraemer added a four-on-four

goal to put Elmira ahead 2-0 late in the frame, but KCI would score one of their own to cut the lead in half before the first was over.

No scoring took place during the second period, but the KCI coach had to leave the game after taking CWOSSA | 09

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

LO C AL S P O RTS | 09

JUNIOR C HOCKEY

Jacks drop new series opener against Tavistock Wellesley advances to the third round of the playoffs by defeating the Ayr Centennials in six

BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

It wasn’t the start the Wellesley Applejacks wanted to their third-round series against the Tavistock Braves, but it’s early yet.

Facing the one team that finished ahead of them in the South Doherty Division this season – the Braves had 64 points, Wellesley 62 – the Jacks were on the losing end of an 8-3 final as the PJHL series got started Monday night in Tavistock.

The series came to pass after the Jacks defeated the Ayr Centennial 6-1 on March 5 to take that second-round series in six games.

Having advanced, the Jacks had a four-day re-

spite to prepare for Tavistock.

The Braves opened the scoring courtesy of Zach Gladding at 4:38 of the first period. Just over a minute later, Wellesley tied it up when Danny Ranson fed Zach Ribeiro while the Jacks were on a power play. That’s as close as it would be all night, however.

Tavistock made it 2-1 when Bradley Smith scored before the period ended to give the home side a lead they’d never relinquish.

It was 3-1 less than three minutes after play resumed, Thomas Haffner potting the goal for Tavistock.

Wellesley’s Troy Vandenbussche got his team within one when he scored unassisted at 8:21, but Zac Berg’s goal just over 30 seconds later made it 4-2, which is where the score sat when the period came to an end.

Haffner’s second of the

night at 3:50 of the final stanza, another power-play goal, put the game out of reach at 5-2. Josh Helgerman made it 6-2 at 9:23.

Wellesley’s Owen Lane kept the one-goal-per-period streak going when he scored on the power play at 11:34, with assists going to D. Ranson and James Ranson.

Down 6-3, the Jacks would watch the home team pot two more – Patrick Vulgan at 14:25 and Ryan Donat at 16:10 – before the final buzzer.

Shots were 45-31 in favour of the Braves.

Play shifted to the Wellesley arena Wednesday night, though results weren’t available before press time. The teams are in Tavistock again Friday night, then return to Wellesley Saturday evening (7:30 p.m.) for game four.

Game five is pencilled in for Monday (March 16) in Tavistock, with game six back on Wellesley ice March 18.

CWOSSA: Lancers looking forward to provincials FROM 08

a puck to the head.

KCI would tie the game with five minutes left in the third, but Ty Martin would become the hero of the game as he put EDSS back ahead with minutes left on the clock.

Munroe says the game was one of the team’s best efforts of the season, adding the level of excitement over what’s to come is at a

high. He’s confident going into OFSAA, as he expects the team to be ranked in the top five.

He says the team is ready and after winning silver last year, the dedication which comes from the boys is infectious.

“The amount of dedication that these kids have and obviously the love they have for hockey is pretty outstanding,” said Munroe.

“It takes a lot of dedication and time for these kids ... it’s a great group with a lot of leadership and we’re having a lot of fun.”

The OFSAA championship runs from March 25 to 27, hosted by St. Anne Secondary School in partnership with Assumption College School, Windsor-Essex. Sixteen teams will vie to be named the best in Ontario.

EDSS held off a comeback attempt, scoring late to take the win after KCI had tied things up.

[SEAN HEEGER]

N OT- S O - G R E AT O U T D O O R S M A N

N

ow that spring is just around the corner, many people have maple syrup on the brain. The good news is this can be fixed if you are a little more careful pouring it.

For maple syrup producers, this is obviously the busiest and most exciting time of year.

My personal hope is that they get the conditions they need and that the sap runs steadily. I say this because I have great respect for those who put in all the hours and do all the hard work to create maple syrup. And, I’m not just saying this, because I am looking for the family discount.

Having sung their praises, I’d like to also point out this is the time of year

Maple syrup season calls for good planning

STEVE GALEA NOT-SO-GREAT-OUTDOORSMAN

everyone writes about maple syrup producers and their operations. That’s fine, but I think it’s also high time we wrote about the other important part of the equation: the maple syrup consumer.

I happen to run a very successful maple syrup consumer operation and have been doing so for years. Heck, if I can sneak in a second helping of pancakes on Saturday and Sunday, I might even go so far as to say I run one of the biggest operations in

the area.

This takes a lot of hard work and, naturally, a lot of people ask me how to get into maple syrup consumption. I’m happy to say, it’s not that complicated.

The most important thing is waiting until the conditions are just right.

For maple syrup consumption, this means it should probably be a morning when temperatures aren’t too cold or too hot in the kitchen. The morning should also be relaxed with enough time to make a large stack of pancakes.

For most of us that means weekends.

Once the pancakes are made you have to make sure the syrup is running.

The biggest obstacle most maple syrup consumers

DYER: Moves don't help now, but could in the future FROM 07

cancer and asthma, but are also implicated in passing the Wuhan virus to human beings. Palm civets, suspected of having transmitted the SARS virus to humans, are said to cure insomnia when stewed with snake meat.

China’s ‘wet markets’ sell a wide variety of these animals – and they often

sell them live, because that supposedly makes the ‘jinbu’ stronger. China is not the only source of new viral diseases, but it certainly produces more than anywhere else. Yet in all the previous epidemics, the Chinese regime did not dare to shut down the trade in wild animals. Popular belief in jinbu was just too strong.

Now it has finally done it. Late last month all the enterprises breeding wild animals were shut down permanently, markets have been forbidden to sell them, and even eating them has been banned.

They’re closing the barn door after the horse has escaped, you might say, but it will help a great deal in the future.

face is a bottle cap that is cemented on by dried syrup. There are many ways to deal with this, but I prefer handing the bottle to someone with better grip strength than me. If not, hot water on a cloth helps.

You are probably wondering how you get those bottles of maple syrup in the first place? This is perhaps the most difficult part of the operation. You need to get onto a local maple syrup producer’s list and then order a reasonable amount, which seems easy until you realize how much overtime

you need to work to afford 300 litres of the stuff.

At this point, you can do one of two things, you can either decide to scale down your consumption or get a second job. Obviously, one of those choices takes far too much effort.

But, don’t kid yourself, getting a second job is not exactly easy either.

The other thing that’s important in the maple syrup consumption business is knowing a few important phrases like, “Sorry kids, I think we ran out of syrup” or “If you think that’s good, you should

really try this store brand corn syrup. Go on, have as much as you like.”

Lastly, it never hurts to send your maple syrup producer nice notes throughout the year just to let them know you are thinking about them and, if you are low on the list, perhaps a few dozen roses or a vintage bottle of wine.

The notes should be complimentary, full of admiration and sentimentality.

The only thing I wouldn’t do is make them sappy.

Sap is the last thing they want to deal with in the offseason.

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

10 | LO C AL S P ORTS

Pair of artistic swimmers take part in the Ontario Winter Games

BY DAMON MACLEAN

dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

Joy Szabo and Audrey Hodgson both placed in the Ontario Winter Games for artistic swimming on March 1.

Wellesley native Joy and Guelph friend Audrey practice twice a week for an hour and a half at a time in the pool at Elmira-based Waterloo Regional Artistic Swim Club. At the completion, Joy was first in the athletes with disabilities program (AWD) and Audrey finished fourth, picking up a pair of ribbons.

Both girls are coached by Miralys Polski.

“Synchronized swimming is a mixture of a bunch of other sports: swimming, dance, gymnastic, acrobatics and diving all combined,” explained Polski, who’s been coaching Joy since last year and Audrey only since this year. To make it to the Ontario Winter Games, the girls had to place in a previous qualifying meet.

At the OWG, the girls competed in their figures event on the Friday of the competition weekend and their solo event the following day. Figures, said

Left, Joy Szabo and Audrey Hodgson with their ribbons at the Ontario Winter Games in Orillia. Right, Miralys Polski coaches Audrey Hodgson and Joy Szabo in synchro swim classes twice weekly.

[DAMON MACLEAN / THE OBSERVER]

Polski, are “an individual component of competition where the girls swim a series of movements, which we call a figure.

“The sport is great for these girls. They can’t do a whole lot because of their ability. So, the pool it really helps them strengthen their muscles and gives them confidence. It really

helps them not just inside the pool, but outside of the pool.”

The girls’ mothers, Daisy Hodgson and Jolene MacDonald, have been able to witness growth in both of their daughters through their intro into synchro.

“I think it really gives them something to look forward to. With Audrey

and her abilities, there’s not many sports she can participate in let alone compete in,” said Daisy Hodgson.

That sentiment was shared by MacDonald. “I think in our case, it’s very similar. With the girls’ conditions, they could play sports, but it’s really not safe.”

Although the girls are currently competing individually, having found such a safe and inclusive environment at the synchro club, has allowed for the girls to be part of a larger effort.

“The girls are a team,” said MacDonald. “They aren’t doing duets yet, that’s next. But the girls here

at the club and the other teachers and staff, they try and make them included as much as possible.”

There was a similar sense of community and support at the OWG, she noted.

“It didn’t matter that they were competitors.

These kids are phenomenal, whether they have cognitive disabilities or physical disabilities. Everyone cheers each other on and then being able to go back to school and say, ‘I did this, win or lose it doesn’t matter.’”

Both MacDonald and Hodgson encourage any parents who believe such activities may benefit their child to take a chance with artistic swimming.

Before starting synchro, MacDonald’s daughter Joy struggled to walk across the road. Since beginning to participate in the program, Joy’s muscles have strengthened significantly.

For Hodgson’s daughter Audrey, she was discouraged from swimming without her life jacket after private lessons. Since the first day at synchro, Audrey has been able to take that leap and swim without her life jacket.

THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILDCATS Novice: Major Novice A

Mar 06 vs Erin-Hillsburgh Devils HOME: 16 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Liam Weiss (5), Isla McCoubrey (2), Lukas Rintoul (2), Tristan Snelling (2), Jayden Vincent (2), Arabelle Weiss, Blake Heckendorn, Parker Allen ASSISTS: Arabelle Weiss

(3), Harrison Brown (2), Kolton Brubacher (2), Jayden Vincent (2), Lukas Rintoul (2), Liam Weiss, Bentley Wideman, Blake Heckendorn, Isla McCoubrey Novice: LL#1

Mar 07 vs Centre Wellington HOME: 8 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Eliot Walker x (3), Emmett Ball x (4), Lincoln Horst x (1) ASSISTS: Carson Towns

x (3), Lincoln Horst x (2), Lucas Storer x (5), Fenton Trimble x (1), Joel Allison x (1), Aydyn Landry x (2)

Novice: Peewee LL3

Mar 04 vs Peewee LL1 HOME: 2 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Dylan Burkholder (1), Tyler Gingrich (1) ASSISTS: Kyle Kim (1)

Atom: Atom B Novice: Major Novice A

Mar 03 vs Brantford Ice Cats HOME: 4 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Chole Further, Rowyn McDowell, Andirana Chalhoub, Taylor Rayfield

Mar 08 vs Orangeville Flyers HOME: 16 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Jayden Vincent (4), Arabelle Weiss (3), Liam Weiss (3), Kolton Brubacher (2), Lukas Rintoul (2), Parker Allen, Grayson Schimus, ASSISTS: Arabelle Weiss

(4), Isla McCoubrey (2), Harrison Brown (2), Jayden Vincent, Blake Heckendorn, Owen Misener, Parker Allen, Liam Weiss, Jackson Vogel, Lukas Rintoul Atom: LL3

Mar 07 vs Centre Wellington 2 HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Owen Dally, Nicholas Shardlow (2) ASSISTS: Drew Diebolt, Nolan Cruickshank

Breslau siblings Hannah and Ethan Wright each had gold-medal showings recently. Hannah competed in the 2020 Ontario Winter Games in Orillia. She travelled with her coach, Silvana Shamuon, and two fellow competitors Ava Rai, 12, and Matthew McDonald, 13. She brought home the gold medal in 13+ Girls Wushu, while Ava brought home gold in 12U Girls Wushu. Matthew won a silver in Boys 13+ Wushu. Ethan was in Burlington to compete at the Ontario Provincial Championships with about 15 other members of Shamuon Generations Martial Arts and Hot Shot Athletic Martial Arts. He brought home two gold medals, one in Traditional Forms and one in Traditional Weapons. [SUBMITTED]

Burkholder, Evan Woods (2), Rylan Heimpel, Jakob Noot Shutouts: Ayden Schaap

Mar 08 vs Centre Wellington HOME: 12 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Emmett Ball x (5), Eliot Walker x (3), Lucas Storer x (2), Joel Allison x (2) ASSISTS: Lucas Storer x (2),

Eliot Walker x (4), Emmett Ball x (1), Joel Allison x (2)

PeeWee: Major PeeWee A

Mar 09 vs Brampton HOME: 4 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Gavin Neabel, Danny Schaefer, Brandon Fishman, Riley Dettweiler ASSISTS: Carson Staken,

Hunter Bender, Ethan

Mar 07 vs Centre Wellington HOME: 5 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Carter Lipp (3), Ryan Scheifele, Hunter Lance ASSISTS: Blake Dueck (3),

Hunter Lance, Caelan Haley

PeeWee: LL 3

Atom: LL#2

Mar 04 vs Woolwich HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Carter Lipp, Hunter Lance, Ben Hibbard ASSISTS: Blake Dueck

Mar 07 vs Lucan HOME: 7 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Braun Draper (3), Cooper Jones (2), Aiden Basler, Edwin Martin

Mar 07 vs Georgian Shores 1 HOME: 3 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Austin Thompson, Aiden Basler, Braun Draper ASSISTS: Braun Draper (2)

(2), Noah Gibson, Austin Thompson, Aiden Basler

WOOLWICH WILD Atom: LL

PeeWee: LL

Mar 07 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons Red HOME: 1 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Sofia Fitch ASSISTS: Addison Slot, Zoriana Kocan PeeWee: PeeWee B

(2), Seryna Hessels (2), Addison Gunn, Leah Hunter, Rowyn McDowell, Michaela Blanchet Shutouts: Hailey Thom

ASSISTS: Nora Hanley

Atom: A

(2), Callie Gruhl (2), Alexa Grundy, Sarah Montgomery, Laurel Maguire

Feb 29 vs Stratford HOME: 2 VISITOR: 5 GOALS: Maya Slot, Emma McCoubrey ASSISTS: Elle Schwindt Atom: A

Feb 29 vs Stratford HOME: 3 VISITOR: 5 GOALS: Maya Slot, Emily Hibbard, Emma McCoubrey ASSISTS: Addison Birmingham, Ellie Clemmer

ASSISTS: Braun Draper

Novice: LL#2

Kroetsch

Mar 05 vs Brantford Ice Cats HOME: 5 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Emily Martin, Kayleigh Futher, Grace Gow, Sarah Montgomery, Ella Hicks

ASSISTS: Emma Huber

PeeWee: LL #1 Novice: LL#1

Mar 07 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers Blue HOME: 0 VISITOR: 0 Shutouts: Maddy Burkholder

MORE MEDALS IN TOW

PeeWee: Peewee A Mar 08 vs Kitchener HOME: 3 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Sara Forwell (2), Olivia Straus ASSISTS: Sara Forwell, Charlotte McMillian, Brooke

PeeWee: LL

Mar 08 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons Black HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Brooklyn Pope, Maggie Ropp ASSISTS: Hailey Mueller, Emily Bauman, Rebecca Airdrie Midget: Midget BB

Mar 06 vs Wilmot HOME: 2 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Blythe Bender, Cassidy Moser ASSISTS: Alana Bauman, Claire Higgins Shutouts: n/a

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 11

SLOTTING IN

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Some 3,600 new jobs were created in Waterloo Region in February according to Statistics Canada’s February 2020 Labour Force Survey. Ontario’s fulltime employment also increased by 20,000, including a 14,800 job increase in the manufacturing sector.

Employment in Ontario grew by 210,200 in 2019, accounting for three-quarters of all job creation in Canada.

Katie Giddy will next month join the Grand River Agricultural Society’s leadership team as director of hospitality, sales and marketing, the non-profit organization announced this week. She’ll be overseeing the launch of the new $6-million events and banquet space, which follows improvements to the raceway building, home to Elements Casino Grand River.

More flexibility for on-farm businesses Council approves changes to official plan, zoning bylaw broadening the scope of operations permissible on agricultural land

BY STEVE KANNON skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Already relaxing its rules governing on-farm businesses, Woolwich made even more concessions following public input on its plans. This week, councillors adopted changes to the township’s agricultural policies, loosening them up a bit more themselves.

Changes to the township’s official plan and agricultural zoning bylaw widen the scope of uses available to farmers looking to supplement their incomes with businesses such as shops on their properties.

The review was launched to bring the township in line with new policies set by the province. It’s also a chance to bring into compliance a significant number of illegal and non-conforming business being operated in Woolwich.

Having originally proposed to put a cap on the number of employees working at farm-based

Woolwich councillors this week approved plans to provide more options to farmers looking to operate businesses on agricultural land in the township.

businesses, township planners dropped that idea. A proposal to limit on-farm businesses to parcels larger than 25 acres was dropped to 15 acres, also in response to public feedback.

For those farms under 15 acres in size, there are more options for operating home-based businesses such as landscape contracting, manager of planning Jeremy Vink told council-

lors meeting March 10.

“We’re providing them with more flexibility.”

The changes allow for a wider range of industrial or commercial uses on agricultural land. The industrial or commercial portion of the property will be subject to the same taxes as comparable operations in the urban areas, along with the same development charges and build-

ing code requirements, he explained.

On-farm businesses have to remain as an accessory use to farming, however, with total space not to exceed two per cent of the farm parcel up to a maximum of 2.5 acres.

In consulting with the public, a sticking point remained over the township’s plan to discourage two-storey buildings on

[JOE MERLIHAN / THE OBSERVER]

farm parcels. Vink said the plan was to keep buildings looking farm-like rather than industrial, while also limiting the amount of space dedicated to the onfarm businesses. A second storey essentially doubles the floor space of an operation without increasing its footprint, in essence skirting the two per cent limitation.

“It’s supposed to look

like it’s part of the farm operation,” said Vink of a building used for commercial purposes.

The proposal under discussion Tuesday night would allow a mezzanine area – for storage, perhaps – of no more than 10 per cent of the ground-floor space. He noted, however, that there was some pushback from the community ON-FARM DIVERSITY | 12

Virus frenzy underlines why biosecurity measures are so vital

T

his week we’ve become members of a virus-frenzied global society where almost overnight, something as cultural and common as shaking hands has become questionable, if not downright unacceptable. The coronavirus is shaking us to the core. And we really don’t know where it’s all going to end up.

But we can be certain that this episode in history is going to make everyone more aware than ever

about biosecurity – that is, taking preventative measures to secure living organisms like humans and animals from exposure to other living organisms, like viruses and bacteria. That’s where the “bio” part of the word comes in.

Not shaking hands is a low-tech, practical and effective preventative measure against disease transmission. It’s not even that radical: it’s what people with a common cold have been told to do for ages.

OWEN ROBERTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

However, it’s far from foolproof. Viruses can find their way into your body by many other means, such as through the air or water. Or inadvertently, passed on by handling coins or paper

money. Who knows whose hands have touched that?

Farmers are taking particular note of all this enhanced interest in biosecurity, and with good reason.

Since last fall they’ve been behind agriculture, food and rural affairs’ minister Ernie Hardeman’s efforts to step up measures against trespassing on farms.

Biosecurity issues are among the reasons why farms don’t always roll out the welcome mat to visitors. People can trans-

mit diseases to animals, not only through direct, intended contact, but by something as hard to detect as nasty organisms that might be introduced on a car or truck tire, or the sole of a shoe, that comes onto a farm.

The vehicle and its driver and passengers come and go. The contaminant stays behind.

Some people, though, think they should have the right to go onto farms, especially livestock farms,

to see if animal welfare measures are in place and whether animals are being treated properly.

The coronavirus pandemic shows why that’s just not practical. By all means, the public should be assured food animals are being raised to the highest standards, with some proof offered. But trespassing onto a farm is not the way to do it.

“Biosecurity best management practices on ROBERTS | 12

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

12 | BUSI N E S S V E NT URE S

ON FARM DIVERSITY: Township moves to provide farmers more flexibility following new provincial guidelines FROM 11

in favour of more room.

Township resident Isaac Weber, who had addressed council at a public meeting in December, said the policy should allow for more flexibility with mezzanines and second floors.

“I don’t think we need a lot of full two-storey buildings,” he said, adding some additional options for the likes of office and lunchroom spaces, for instance,

would be appreciated.

Councillors appeared to sympathize with that argument.

“Who cares if you put a second storey in part of it?” asked Coun. Murray Martin, supported by Coun.

Larry Shantz.

With council moving in that direction, Vink suggested allowing a second storey of up to 30 per cent of the main floor space, an idea quickly adopted.

But Vink also suggested the site-plan approval process could be used to prevent buildings from looking industrial rather than agricultural. That’s especially important if the building is to be turned back into farming use if the business is no longer needed, he said.

“We’re trying to balance that out,” said Vink of the struggle between keeping operations farm-like and

ROBERTS: New biosecurity measures take on a greater significance with our attention focused on coronavirus FROM 11

farms are key to preventing disease from entering, spreading or being carried off,” says Dr. Cathy Furness, Ontario’s chief veterinarian.

On Monday, she sent the media her thoughts on biosecurity, and discussed approaches farmers can take to limit exposure on their farms.

These measures include changing into dedicated boots and coveralls anytime they enter a different barn or work with a sick

animal, having clearly defined animal housing and traffic areas, and ensuring any visitors to a farm are provided with uncontaminated boots and coveralls when entering premises.

Furness noted that as a third-generation veterinarian, she’s seen many changes over the years in Ontario’s animal agriculture … but one constant is that animal disease prevention is a top priority for farmers.

“Ontario livestock and poultry farmers do ex-

cellent work every day to maintain recognized biosecurity standards,” she said. “With the spread of foreign animal diseases throughout the world, this is critical. As with human health, new threats to animal health continually arise, with the potential to significantly impact farm animals, the economy and even public health.”

Maybe biosecurity messages of all kinds will resonate with the public in a new way now that the coronavirus has arrived.

allowing for more options.

In approving the changes, councillors also agreed to a provision requiring onfarm operations to apply annually for a certificate of occupancy, required to run a business in the township.

That would help ensure compliance, avoiding the “creep” of expansion beyond the two-per-cent limit, for example, which can happen over time, said Vink.

“It’s keeping everyone in check.”

Compliance is an issue, as there are many farm-based businesses operating outside of what’s currently allowed.

From the type and size of business to buildings that aren’t up to code, concerns abound, he noted, adding the changes to the rules are being made in part to bring such operations into legal standing.

With that in mind, there may be more inspections by planning or building staff.

Coun. Patrick Merlihan asked whether staff expected a “flood of people” looking to bring their existing operations into compliance?

“I do expect in the next year or two to be dealing with issues,” replied Vink.

“In fact, the flood has already started.”

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 14

ALL THINGS IRISH St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, the Registry Theatre is presenting the Irish Real Life Festival. A variety of shows are on tap, including a classic Irish toe-tapping, hand-clapping kitchen party, hosted by The Gaes, playing traditional versions of well-loved Celtic tunes on Friday night (8 p.m.). On Mar. 19, RUNA offers up its hybrid of Celtic style Americana.

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STRATFORD ON FILM This year’s Stratford Festival On Film series looks at two vastly different takes on jealousy with Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello and his comedic The Merry Wives of Windsor. Othello premières at selected Cineplex theatres across Canada on Mar. 21. The Merry Wives of Windsor premières on April 4. www.stratfordfestival.ca

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O N STAG E / L I V E M U S I C

Ever-evolving experiences help shape his songs Black Suit Devil, aka Andy Du Rego, to perform next week at Block Three Brewing in St. Jacobs

BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Live music and beer is a fine pairing – just ask Andy Du Rego. As Black Suit Devil, he’ll be performing next week at Block Three Brewing, just one of his upcoming shows at breweries, as he’ll be at Sawdust City Brewing in Gravenhurst two days later, followed by a stop at Walkerville Brewery in Windsor the following week.

It’s a good fit for Du Rego, a Toronto native who now calls Brantford home, as his music is an eclectic mix, with something that’s sure to appeal to the varied audiences that wander into local breweries.

A fan of metal growing up, his original songs occasionally reflect those influences as his tastes evolved into rock, blues and folk.

“I've always been a heavy metal guitar player. And then eventually from the metal I got into blues ... then decided to do something on the quieter side.

But now it’s kind of taking a different role – my first record is very folk, but now it’s slowly incorporating all of my influences,” he said of the evolution of his songwriting.

That can be seen in A Matter of Time, the second full-length album from Black Suit Devil released last fall. The songs run the gamut, from folk and blues to ‘70s rock and New Orleans’ big band sound.

“It's folk but it's not. It's a little bit of everything.

My musical tastes are all over the board. So I want to

Andy Du Rego performs as Black Suit Devil, with songs that reflect a variety of influences, from folk to metal. He's at Block Three Brewing on Mar. 19.

kind of appeal to the same demographic of the music listener as someone who can appreciate good music – forget labels, forget all that, just enjoy it for what it is. I don't really overthink it,” said Du Rego.

“Each song was a little different from each other and kind of its own thing.

For the most part, it all has my characteristics in it.”

The heart and soul of the album lies within its subject matter which touches upon environmental issues, pol-

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itics, human rights, mental illness, to love and loss and so many things in between, he explained.

The album received good reviews, reaching the top spot on CJSF’s Top 30 albums of the week, as well as charting multiple weeks in the Top 10 Folk/Roots/ Blues categories on other independent radio stations on the !earshot charts.

Firefly, the second single from the album, has been nominated for a “Best Rock Performance” award at the

2020 IPMA (International Portuguese Music Awards), being held in New Bedford, Massachusetts on April 25.

“I just found out about that on Sunday – it’s pretty cool.”

He said he’s looking forward to the event, not the kind of thing he could have envisioned when he started putting bands together at the age of 13, the first a “Black Sabbath knockoff,” he laughed.

From the early days of Sabbath, Metallica, along

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with an eye-opening performance by Green Day at Woodstock ’94, his tastes and songwriting took on influences from the likes of Bob Dylan, Ray Lamontagne, Neil Young, John Fogerty, George Harrison and Chris Cornell.

“My original material was pretty rough back then.

But it got a band going. I've always, always enjoyed that – once I got into music, it was like it became an obsession,” he said of his start on a path to career in music,

one that became full-time about three years ago.

“I wanted to focus on writing my own songs. I’m glad it worked out the way it did,” he said of the road that’s brought him to where he is today.

The road he’s on brings Black Suit Devil – a name that reflects his take on the corporate elite, inequality and injustice being key themes in his lyrics – to Block Three Brewing (2 King St. N., St. Jacobs) on March 19 at 6:30 p.m.

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | 15

Help Wanted, Auctions, Real Estate, Public Notices, Obituaries and Family Album Announcements - Please call for a quote.

Classified Ad - Text Ads

Placing Classified Advertising

Residential: $9.00 per 20 words (extra words: 20¢ per word) Order Online:

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Classified advertising will be accepted in person, email, phone or fax during regular office hours. All classified advertising are prepaid. Ask about the Service Directory, Real Estate and Family Album advertising.

20B Arthur St. N., Elmira 519-669-5790 Ext. 104 519-669-5753 ads@woolwichobserver.com

Deadline: Wednesdays by 10am HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Bonnie’s Chick Hatchery Ltd. General Labourer Position Floradale Feed Mill Limited is an independent, family owned and operated feed company serving livestock and poultry producers in Ontario.

We currently have an opening for:

Production Worker

This fulltime position will involve shift work week days (Monday to Friday) with an occasional Saturday shift. Responsibilities will include warehouse duties, pelleting/batching and receiving.

The successful applicant will have • Strong oral and written communication skills • Ability to develop effective work relationships with co-workers, and • Ability to represent the Company positively with customers.

At Floradale Feed Mill Limited we take pride in providing the finest in quality feeds and service to our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Therefore, a background in agriculture is considered an asset.

Bonnie’s Chick Hatchery Ltd is currently accepting resumes for a full time Hatchery General Labourer We are seeking an energetic, self-motivated, reliable person. The successful candidate must be able to work in a team environment, learn quickly (training provided), and be able to follow instructions.

A valid driver’s licence is an asset. There will be lifting and physical labour.

Your duties will include: Handling chicks and eggs while adhering to the Animal Welfare and Health & Safety Policies, sanitation requirements, preparing eggs and chicks for shipment and other duties as required.

Please submit your resume to: info@bonnieschickhatchery.com or in person at 18 Arthur Street North, Elmira.

SMALL ADS, BIG IMPACT. THE OBSERVER CLASSIFIED ADS

Benefits We offer a competitive wage, pension plan and group insurance benefits.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

To apply, forward your resume and three references to:

HELP WANTED

Human Resources Floradale Feed Mill Limited 2131 Floradale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 Or e-mail: ffmjobs@ffmltd.com We appreciate all who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

HELP WANTED

Nieuwland Feeds Elora has an opening for a

Full Time Truck Driver

We require a valid DZ license.

We offer competitive wages, benefits and Monday to Friday schedule.

Email your resume to:

info@nieuwlandfeeds.com or apply in person to Cliff at:

7460 County Road 21, Elora HELP WANTED

FULL-TIME POSITION FOR METAL TRIM PRODUCTION • Production of light-gauge metal flashings and other building materials on late-model CNC machinery.

Qualifications: • Attention to detail • Precise workmanship • A team player • Experience in metal fabricating or in frame-building construction would be an asset, willing to Train Apply in person to: 7806 Sixth Line, Drayton or contact us at: 519-638-2746 ext 1, or sales@macoenterprises.ca.

100% LOCAL

COOK, CLEANER REQUIRED BY ELDERLY gent in central Waterloo, two half days per week.

Please call again to Bob 519-746-6521.

PART-TIME CLEANER IN AN INDUSTRIAL setting. 10:00am-1:30 pm. Cleaning cafeterias and washrooms. Must be physically capable of lifting garbage and mopping.

Excellent attendance record and attention to detail is a must. A police check will be required. Please call 519-532-0622.

FOR SALE

HILLCREST HOME BAKING SPRING SALE. March 10 - 21, 2020. 519669-1381. 10% discount on all fabrics - poly/ cottons, 100% cottons, broadcloth, flannel, fleece, liver ool, covering material. 15% discount on printed polyesters selected fabrics - HALF PRICE. 10% discount on quilt batts, table cloth, hosiery. Selected panels - large $5.00; small $3.99. Clearout large sewing baskets $30.00 Reg. $49.99. 10% discount on childrens suits size 12 mo - 14 yr. Grocery Specials - Cheez Whiz - 450 g- $2.90; Cool Whip $2.99; Philadelphia Cream Cheese 250g

Commercial: $15.00 per 20 words (extra words: 30¢ per word) Order Online:

ads.observerxtra.com/classified-commercial

Observer advertising rates, policies and specifications are available at: ads.observerxtra.com/media-kit

AUCTION

AUCTION

Municipal, Police, Fleets & Others

VEHICLE AUCTION to be held at

BRESLAU AIRPORT ROAD AUCTION COMPLEX 5100 FOUNTAIN ST, North, BRESLAU (Kitchener)

Sat Mar 14th 9:30am

4 - 13/17 EXPLORER Interceptor AWD’s 2016 Dodge CHARGER Hemi-AWD 2015 Subaru FORESTER AWD 2015 Toyota CAMRY LE 4dr 2 - 2015 TAURUS Interceptor AWDs 2014 Hyundai SANTA FE SUV 7 -10/13 Dodge Grand CARAVAN SE’s 2012 Ford FUSION SEL 4dr 2012 Toyota VENSA AWD Wgn 4 - 11/12 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT Wagon & C/V 2011 Ford EXPEDITION XLT AWD 2 - 2011 CROWN VICTORIA Interceptor’s 2010 Mercedes R500 4Matic 2009 Ford EDGE SEL SUV 2008 GMC 6500 SA 24’ Van Truck

No Buyer’s Premium or Penalty!!!

CHECK WEBSITE for Updates & Pictures!

VIEWING: Friday March 13th, 2020, 1 pm to 5 pm TERMS: $500 Deposit on Each Unit, or as announced

M.R. Jutzi & Co Division 658347 Ontario Inc.

www.mrjutzi.ca

519-648-2111

$3.50; Ital pasta 900g more. Jantzi Auctions GERBER AUCTION $1.99. New style dish Ltd. www.jantziauctions. SALE OF MF COMPACT sets coming - June/July. hibid.com. tractor, riding lawn tractors, trailers, tools and items, SCOOTER, FORTRESS WED. MARCH 25 AT miscellaneous 1700. 3 WHEEL, BAT- 9:30 AM - CLEARING to be held at 52 Peel St. tery charger included. auction sale of house- East (County Rd. 17), in Asking $800 obo. In hold effects; furniture; Alma, for Paul and Pearl good condition. Please antiques; tools; and mis- Gibson, on Saturday, call 519-664-2176. cellaneous items at the March 28th @ 10:00 a.m.

St. Jacobs Community Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519Centre. Jantzi Auctions 699-4451 or 698-0138.

AUCTIONS Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.

AUCTION SALE OF 95 jantziauctions.com FARM SERVICES ACRE FARM, MACHINery, and miscellaneous GERBER AUCTION BAGGED PINE SHAVitems, to be held at SALE OF WOODWORK- INGS AGRICULTURAL 2517 Fischer-Hallman ing tools, wagons, Lum- Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; Rd. North Dumfries ber, household goods & feed grade lime, 25kg. w . north o oseville, miscellaneous items, to elivered. all eorge approx. 1 ½ miles south be held at 5750 Schum- Haffner Trucking, 519of Kitchener City limits), mer Line, Wellesley 574-4141 or 519-669or van and nne nider, Twp. (2 miles southwest 2045. on Saturday, March 14th of Linwood - west off @ 9:30 a.m. Gerber Aucanser d.) or elvin tions Ltd. 519-699-4451 Fern Weber, on Thursday, FERTILIZER AND SEED or 519-698-0138.

March 26th @ 10:00 a.m. GRAIN - AT COMPETIGerber Auctions Ltd. 519- tive ricing. all eorge Haffner Trucking, 519GERBER AUCTION 699-4451 or 698-0138.

574-4141.

SALE OF TRACTORS, machinery, few house- CLOSING FRI. MARCH hold goods and miscel- 27 AT 7:00 PM - SUR- ICE SALT & ICE MELT laneous items, to be held plus auction of new furni- - ICE SALT COMES IN at 6105 Buehler Line, t re or hervin rnit re 20 & 40kg's, Ice melt Wellesley Twp. (approx. in Elmira. Highlights comes in 20kg bags. Call 1 ½ miles southeast incl de co ch loveseat George Haffner Trucking, of Dorking or 3 miles accent chairs; ottomans; 519-574-4141 or 519northwest of Linwood), coffee and end tables; 669-2045. for Verna Sauder, on corner curio cabinet.

Saturday, March 21st @ Bidding starts March 20 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auc- at . review onda KILN DRIED CORN & SCREENING tions Ltd. 519-699-4451 through Friday from 9-5 CORN or 698-0138 at 19 Arthur St. S. Elmi- elivered b inwechter. ra. Pick up day Saturday Minimum 15 ton lots.

MONDAY MARCH 23 March 28 from 9am to Call George Haffner AT 7:00 PM - ONLINE 5pm. All bidding will take Trucking 519-574-4141 Only auction of Nascar; place online. www.jantzi- or 519-669-2045. die cast; banks; Darn auctions.hibid.com.

Earnhardt cars and memLISTINGS orabilia and much much CONT PG. 18

AUCTION SALE

Of Tractors, machinery, few household goods and miscellaneous items, to be held at 6105 Buehler Line, Wellesley Twp. (approx.

1 ½ miles southeast of Dorking or 3 miles northwest of Linwood), for Verna Sauder, on

SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST @ 10 A.M.

MACHINERY: McCormick MTX 120 diesel

tractor, 4wd, 100hp, 20.8 X 38in. duals (80% - selling separately), front weights, Rops, air seat, good LED lighting, 4120 hours, 1 owner.

Ford 6600 high arch tractor, 2wd, rebuilt engine 700 hours ago, good. CIH 685 diesel tractor with 2255 loader, bucket, bale spear, 4wd. Ford Jubilee, new rubber. NH 900 forage harvester c/w metal alert. Kongskilde 5 furrow semi-mount plow, hyd. rest, manual variable width, good.

Kongskilde 26ft. cultivator with 5 bar harrows. MF 33 seed drill, 16 run, fertilizer, grass seeder, hyd. lift, good.

CIH DC132 – 13ft. discbine, centre pivot, steel rolls, good. Wideman 84HD crimper. Teddy Bear TR108-6 tedder. NH 575 baler with thrower, hyd. tongue, serviced yearly. Dion 16ft. self-unloading forage wagon, left hand, c/w new double reach Horst gear. Bale King 30ft. steel big bale wagon, lights, 445/50R 22.5 tires, good. Hagedorn 18ft. steel bale thrower rack on Horst double reach gear.

2 – 20 steel bale thrower racks on 2 yr. old Horst rearing gears. 12ft. crow foot packer.

Lucknow 8 ½ ft. snow blower, hyd. hood, big single auger, good. CIH 600 forage blower.

CIH 1250 mix mill c/w hyd. swing auger.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Winco 50kw pto generator - good. Agro Power 25kw generator. Gravely ZT48XL zero turn mower, 48in. cut, 682 hours, 1 owner, serviced this fall.

JAY LOR A50 self-propelled mini mixer. 11hp pressure washer c/w 75ft. hose. AC welder.

Air compressor. ATV 25 dump trailer. Alley fan. Buhler quick tach. Light bar. Browning .243 caliber rifle, semi, with scope, like new.

Cooey 12 gauge shot gun, break action, single shot. Ammunition. Note – Valid PAL required to purchase guns and ammunition.

10 – 7 ½ ft. plastic culverts. Scrap metal plus 2 wagonloads of farm related items.

HOUSEHOLD/ANTIQUES: Bonnet chest.

Sideboard. Hutch/buffet, china cabinet. 6 matching press back chairs. Bedroom furniture.

2pc. sofa set (sofa bed). Love seat, etc.

NOTE – A clean lineup of shedded, field ready equipment with will not disappoint.

See www.gerberauctions.net for photos.

Lunch booth. Proprietress and auctioneers not responsible for accidents day of sale.

TERMS – Cash or cheque with I.D. Sale order – wagonloads, balance of miscellaneous items, machinery.

PROPRIETRESS – Verna Sauder (Ray 519-

998-7664)

AUCTIONEERS:

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

2827 Hutchison Rd., RR#1 Millbank (Crosshill)

Collecting dust?

Find another collector to buy your treasures.

ECTIONS ABLE CONN MAKE VALU

BOOK AN AD: ads.observerxtra.com/ads

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

16 | C L AS S IF IE D NOTIC E S

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

THOMPSON’S

Auto Tech Inc. Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence.

GENERAL SERVICES

CALL TO BOOK! TODAY.

TIRE

WHERE TIRES

30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA

Save you

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

5196695557 Visit our website! countrymilebl.com Elmira, ON

519-669-3232

1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

Since 1998

Murray & Daniel Shantz

ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 3:00

Evenings By Appointment

GENERAL SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

•Final grading •Lawn repair & complete seeding well equipped for large stoney areas •Spike Aerator/Overseeding •Natural & Interlocking Stone •Retaining Walls, Walks & Patios •Help for Top Water & Drainage issue

by Elite or Mera

In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics

VAN, MINIBUS & WHEELCHAIR LIFT BUS TRANSPORTATION “Specializing in small group charters”

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

Blinds

The Right Window Treatment Can

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HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

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MarCrest Backhoe • Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Septic Installations · Tile Repairs Small Footings · Silo Footings

Randy Weber

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

Maynard Martin

www.rwelectricltd.com

2512 Kressler Road RR1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

Tel. 519-699-0507

SKATE SHARPENING

4

$ 99 FREE!

5th PAIR

PER PAIR Stay Sharp This Winter!

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519-669-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC. 1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

• Store Fronts • Thermopanes • Mirrors • Screen Repair • Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures • Sash Repair TEL:

We Support Our Community

$25 donation to Woolwich Community Services with equipment purchase Call us for details

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs Patios • Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Steps • Decorative/Stamped and Coloured Concrete www.marwilconcrete.ca

519-577-0370

519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 • 24 Hour Emergency Service

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AMOS INC

R O O F I N G

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016 darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

DESIGN CENTRE

KITCHEN, BATH & WINDOW FASHIONS

Blinds, shades, drapery & more • Custom cabinetry made in Canada Free In-home consultations • Our experienced designer will help you work within your personal taste and budget

Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware Popular Brands Available

BLANCO, MAAX, MIROLAN, STEEL QUEEN

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5

In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

John Schaefer Painting FREE ESTIMATES Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs

519-503-6033 (CELL) 519-669-2251

36 Hampton St., Elmira

GENERAL SERVICES

“25 years in Business” ...& SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today!

519-648-3004

or

800-232-6396

CONSTRUCTION INC. info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

(519) 569-0772 • Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

SHELLY & SCOTT TAYLOR 28 Pintail Drive, Elmira, ON, N3B 3G9

Various sizes & rates

519-669-0003

taylortax@rogers.com

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

C L AS S IF IE D N OTIC E S | 17

R E A L E STAT E S E RV I C E S

Alli Bauman

Sue From

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

226-750-9332

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Welcome to 1022 Church Street! This bright and roomy 3 bedroom side-split is located in the quiet town of St. Clements, only 10 minutes from Waterloo. You will be impressed with the beautiful Chervin custom kitchen providing an abundance of space for all of your cooking and baking needs. Bigger updates have been done with eaves & soffits (2015), windows (2015) and furnace (2017). Your family will have tons of space to spread out in the finished rec-room on the lower level as well as a games room in the basement.

Entertaining is a breeze with the walk out to your 2 tier deck and gazebo with Gas BBQ hook up. The large 103ft x 150ft lot is sure to please and with 2 separate driveways you can easily park your trailer or boat! Walk or bike to library, school, arena, grocery store, parks and sports fields. Small town living but close to the city, call today!

$624,900

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE

519.500.1865 (Direct) 519.747.0231 (Office)

519-669-2772

BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com

Dale R. Keller Sales Representative

410 Conestogo Road, Unit 210, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E2

Office:

JULIE HECKENDORN Broker

Cell: 519.588.7562

LET OUR 60+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU! 9 NIGHTINGALE CR. Tastefully decorated raised bungalow with numerous upgrades. Open concept main floor with hardwood throughout.

Five bdrms, two baths. Large rec room w/gas fireplace, laundry&wet bar area.

Bonus inground pool with surrounding concrete decking. MLS

SOLD

CALL FOR YOUR

Elmira 1990 square feet plus finished basement!

This bright 3 bedrm, 2 bathrm home is finished from top to bottom. Welcoming you into the house is the spacious front foyer, the functional layout offers an open concept living space, with large windows and separate dining room. The second floor offers a large master bedroom with luxurious ensuite, with stand in shower & soaker jet tub. The 2 additional bedrms are well-appointed, with easy access to the 4 pc bathroom, and upper floor laundry room. The finished basement has a well laid out recreation room with a 2 pc bathrm. If that is not enough, then walk out onto your 2 tiered deck, and enjoy the trees & walking trails your new home backs onto.

Appliances included, roof shingles 2019.

Buying or selling?

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

allibauman17@gmail.com

SELLING? CALL US FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION.

® BROKERAGE

519-577-6248

suefrom17@gmail.com

Independently Owned and Operated

$599,900

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com

$996,000 | Near Drayton I.3 acre beautifully landscaped Cape Cod home with a grannie flat/1bedroom apt. 3+1 bedrooms, 4 baths, 20 x 38 hobby shop, large garden shed, pool, on a paved road. The rooms are spacious, great room w fp and soaring ceiling, open concept kitchen and dining. Totally finished basement. MLS Call Dale.

$2,250,000 | 3rd Concession (Lebanon) Farm 3rd Concession. Quality land only 15 months from organic certification.

Farm is fully fenced. 2 Weather All outbuildings. 17 acres bush. Beautiful custom built home (ICF) construction, open concept. finished basement, 3+1 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Numerous features. MLS Call Dale Direct

Your #1 source for local real estate.

OME! H W UR NE O Y D FIN

For a free, no obligation, consultation on Buying or Selling, call Dale direct at 519-500-1865.

FREE MARKET EVALUATION

Local universities benefit from $3.8 million in research funding Province provides grants in support of 33 projects at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University

BY SEAN HEEGER

sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

Local researchers got a boost last week in the form of $3.8 million in new funding from the province.

The money will support 33 projects at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

The funding came February 28 as area MPPs toured a UW lab.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, Kitchener South-Hespeler MPP Amy Fee and Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios were at the University of Waterloo’s School of Phar-

macy to announce investments in projects at UW and WLU. “It’s just making sure that we’re providing continued support to our fantastic researchers,” said Harris. “Obviously a lot of them live locally, (and) are from Waterloo Region. We really want to highlight the great work that they’re doing.”

Harris said both universities are at the leading edge of some research, and the government wants to enable them to continue to do the best they can.

In total $3,817,561 is being invested between the two universities, with $3,570,565 going to the University of Waterloo to support 29 projects and $246,996 going to WLU to support four projects.

The funding is part of a $38-million investment in 183 projects across the province through the

Area MPPs, including Kitchener-Conestoga’s Mike Harris (left), toured University of Waterloo professor Emmanuel Ho’s Laboratory for Drug Delivery and Biomaterials as part of the Feb. 28 announcement of research funding. [SUBMITTED]

Ontario Research Fund.

Last year, the government invested $41 million, with $3.2 million going to local postsecondary institutions.

Projects that stood out to Harris include research into autonomous vehicles and examining the effects of climate change on lake ice in the far north.

Sandra Banks, UW’s vice-president of university relations, said the school

is grateful to the government assisting its research efforts.

“Researchers at the University of Waterloo are driving tremendous impact through transformational research and innovation,” said Banks. “Waterloo’s focus on excellence and industry collaboration also means that our researchers work alongside local companies to spur economic

development in Waterloo Region and across Ontario. I’d like to thank the government of Ontario for their support which allows Waterloo researchers to turn breakthroughs into tangible benefits for all Ontarians.”

She was joined by WLU’s vice-president of research, Jonathan Newman, in welcoming the assistance.

“Laurier researchers

tackle some of the most complex issues facing our society today. This funding will directly support and enhance our studies of the brain, the effects of climate change on Arctic lake ice, green buildings and big data in policing. We are grateful to the government of Ontario for this substantial investment in Laurier’s world-class research,” he said in a statement.

Harris noted more announcements are coming soon, including one at the University of Guelph, adding projects such as these can have the biggest impact on the economy of Waterloo Region, paying future dividends to smaller communities.

The Ontario Research Fund is part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

There are four streams in the fund and most projects are chosen by peer review.

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

18 | C L AS S IF IE D NOTIC E S

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS – CONTINUED FROM PG. 15

F A M I LY A L B U M

WANTED WANTED - USED CHINA with brand new summer DINNER SET IN APPLE and winter tires on rims.

Asking blossom or other floral CERTIFIED!!

APARTMENT WANTED. $4500.00. Call 519-575SENIOR- GENTLEMAN, pattern. 519-504-0961.

2668 or 519-635-7617. quiet, clean, non smokAUTOMOTIVE er, seeks living space RENTALS in private home, or apt. building.

References FOR SALE!! 2009 MIT- LOOKING TO RENT A available. 519-635-3133 SUBISHI LANCER ES HOUSE WITH NO OUTleave message please.

Lady driven, fully loaded, SIDE WORK? Shared 191,650 kms. Comes rental (kitchen and

laundry room) of this Elmira home including main floor living room, 3 bedrooms, and new bathroom. No outside work required. No pets/ no smoking. $1950/mth (includes hydro, gas, water, cable and wifi).

Available April 1, 2020.

Contact: jakem_8@hotmail.com

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page

P.O. Box 158

24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6

WMC FITNESS CORPORATE SPECIAL Enroll your business/organization to become a Corporate Partner and receive these benefits: Phone: 519-669-1647 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820 Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca • A FREEorAnnual Membership to give After to one employee at your business/

organization if you sign up before March 31, 2020

• All employees are eligible to receive a 20% Corporate Discount on our Annual Membership (DISCOUNT DOES NOT EXPIRE) • Memberships include access to the Fitness Centre, fitness classes, drop in swimming and skating programs

NEW RENTAL UNIT WELLESLEY: 3 BEDroom, master bedroom with ensuite, all appliances included, attached garage, large backyard.

Contact 519-747-0990

IN MEMORIAM

Rick Gaudet March 23rd 1956 – March 12th 2019 Today, like many other days brings special thoughts of you, Of happy times we shared and caring things you used to do.

TRADES & SERVICES

RON'S DRYWALL AND RENOVATIONS. OVER 35 years experience.

Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron.spncr@ gmail.com

For you were someone special who was thought so highly of, who’ll always be remembered with affection, warmth and love.

GARAGE SALES

INDOOR GARAGE SALE SAT. MARCH 14TH, 7:30 2:30, 45 Aspen Crs. Elmira.

Housewares, LOTS of toys, DVD's, collectibles, something for everyone. Low prices. Will post pictures on Elmira Buy and Sell.

Need a gig that pays?

• E-newsletters with health tips, recipes, and more

You did so many things for us, your heart was kind and true, And when we needed someone we could always count on you.

Please join us for a Blood Donor Drive in Rick’s honor, on Friday March 20th at the Elmira Lions Hall 2:30 to 7:30.

Walk in or call ahead to make your appointment 1-888-2-donate.

Join us and save a life!

If we could write a story, it would be the greatest story ever told, Of a kind and loving man who has a heart of gold.

It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

We are sending thoughts to heaven on the day you went away, and hope you know you’re missed more than words could ever say.

“Love & Miss You So Much”

What is required: • Fill out a business/organization registration form and submit a ONE TIME ONLY initiation fee of $117.09 • Spread the word throughout your company!

• Thereafter all employees will be eligible for a 20% Corporate Discount on our Annual Memberships. Employees must show proof of employment upon purchase. Discounted Price: $468.36 ($39.09 monthly) Contact us for more information. Email: fitness@woolwich.ca Telephone: 519-669-1647 ext 7011

Chris, Allison, Geoff, Steph, Peyton, Lexi, Angie, Jeff, Connor, Leah and Scarlett ER SERV HE OB K IN T WOR FIND

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

C L AS S IF IE D N OTIC E S | 19

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

Hoffele, Robin Christopher

Howlett, Betty Peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Lisaard House, Cambridge, at the age of 80. Betty (Stickney) Howlett was the beloved wife for over 55 years of Myril of Elmira. Loving mother of Sheila and Todd Soltysiak of Caledon and John Howlett of Kitchener. Dear sister of Helen and Lorne Richmond of Elmira and sister-in-law of Lloyd and Gail Howlett of Stony Plain, Alberta. Lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and their families. Predeceased by her parents Reginald and Mae (Kells) Stickney and brothers George and John. Betty was a registered nurse and graduated in the class of ’61 from Guelph General Hospital. She volunteered for over 30 years at Woolwich Community Services. She was a life member of the Elmira and District Horticultural Society and Trinity UCW. At Betty’s request, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service for relatives and friends will be held in one week, on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 3 p.m. at Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A reception will follow at the funeral home. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Lisaard House or St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation (Cardiac Care Centre) would be appreciated.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com IN MEMORIAM

It hardly seems possible that 20 years have passed since you left us.

We love you Andrew and think of you often.

A piece of my heart is with you in heaven.

Passed away peacefully with family and dear friends by his side at Grand River Hospital on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the age of 62. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Snyder). Loving father of Christine Robyn (Jamie Fenton), Rebecca Catherine, Ryan Calvin, Dana Doreen and Dugan “DJ� James. Survived by his sister Ann and his brother Richard. Special thanks to the staff in the Intensive Care Unit at Grand River Hospital for your compassionate care and empathy. Private cremation arrangements entrusted to the Henry Walser Funeral Home (519) 749-8467.

A special family thank you to our heroes that spent hours at his bedside, his table and on his phone filling his days with hope - his friends, Stan, Chris & Dave, and Rod. Robin lived his life to the fullest and on his own terms with family, friends and fun, mixed in with hard work, he was always busy doing and never a dull moment at work and play.

Robin’s sense of humour could be as silly or twisted or as awkward as he could make it, depending on who, when and where.

He had collections of all sorts, cameras, tools, photographs, and toys but most of all he was a collector (sharer) of people and of stories. Robin could tell a tale that would raise eyebrows, drop jaws, and have his listeners laughing, crying or wondering and every story had a reality time and place tag - how could a man so young have done so much.

Robin loved fishing - with kids off the dock, with cousin Bob in Lake Erie, with Rod in Honey Harbour and with son-in-law Jamie on the ice in Owen Sound.

Robin’s passion was traveling over the road, through the skies, and across many waterways. His Cessna, he loved; his boat (Waterloo - N Music) he treasured; his Volkswagens and “Betsy� (Dodge 12 -valve Cummins), he cherished. But over the road long haul was his real life away from home. Robin was proud of each big burgundy Peterbilt he drove down the highway - how many miles he put on each and how he kept them clean and neat, just so - 285, 5711, 5444, 6552, 5973.

He was happiest on the road, called himself a “Paid Tourist� and shared the journey with family and friends whenever he could.

Robin’s 16 year journey with Liberty Linehaul and the people who made it family, both here, in Ayr, Ontario and southwest in Montebello, California are some of his best. Those Hoffele ‘3 Amigos’, Steve, Bob, and Robin, really were family.

Robin loved music of all sorts, but especially his Beatles One Album. Belting out tunes was a family tradition, anytime, anywhere.

Please take comfort in the lyrics of Lonestar’s song: “We may be a thousand miles apart. But I’ll be with you wherever you are, I’m already here, Take a look around, I’m the sunshine in your hair, I’m the shadow on the ground, I’m the whisper in the wind, And I’ll be there until the end, Can you feel the love that we share? Oh, I’m already there.�

A celebration of Robin’s life will happen mid-April. Please contact family for details.

As expressions of sympathy donations to the Grand River Hospital Foundation - Cancer Centre would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home).

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Robin’s memorial.

Love Mom, Stephanie and Christine PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

DEATH NOTICES

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CHIPMAN, DAVID EDWARD - Passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, Bracebridge, at the age of 67.

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SMALL ADS, BIG IMPACT. THE OBSERVER CLASSIFIED ADS

Stephen H. Straus It is with great sadness that we say goodbye at the passing of Stephen H. Straus while on vacation in Florida, a place he loved. Steve was born in 1955 and raised in St. Clements. He was the loving husband and best friend of Brenda (nee Hill) for 41 years. He was the first son of Dolores and the late Harold Straus (1994). He was the proud father of Peter and Andy and very special â&#x20AC;&#x153;Packaâ&#x20AC;? to his grand-daughter Lyla and honorary grand-daughter Poppy.

Steve was Home Hardware to the core, being a life-time employee before he purchased the Stratford Home Hardware & Building Centre more than 15 years ago. He had great respect for his employees and enjoyed helping customers. Steve also enjoyed coaching and playing softball and hockey, as well as broomball, Krispy Kritter hunting, walks with Brenda, travelling with family, spending time with friends, and barbecuing with his many spices and sauces.

Steve loved life, and he gave it his all. He had great faith and shared much with his seven siblings: Brad (Catherine), Dan (Eva), Geraldine (Mark Moser), Jeanette (Joe Meeks), Mark (Lynn), Rodney (Tracey) and Cameron (Julie).

Also lovingly remembered by in-laws Ruth Ann and Larry Hammond, Sandy and the late Geordie Sim, as well as many nieces and nephews, their spouses, and great nieces and nephews. Steve was predeceased by his grandparents Albert and Theresa Strauss, Christian and Rose Straus, his mother and father-in-law, Clementine and Elmer Hill.

You are invited to share with us in saying farewell to one of the best. A Mass and Celebration of Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life will take place Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roman Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford. Reception and a time to reminisce with family will follow from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. at Stratford Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Road, Stratford. In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul (St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conference), St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roman Catholic Church or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford. 519.271.7411.

Go in peace, Steve; you fought a good fight; God bless, we will meet again!

www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com

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RURAL ACCESS

'TIS THE SEASON Be involved in community activities, events & support local initiatives. Tell us about what's happening and about the people in your neighbourhood.

Warm temperatures and significant rainfall across the Grand River watershed earlier in the week resulted in snowmelt and increased runoff into local waterways, prompting the GRCA to issue a flood warning this week for the Conestogo River in St. Jacobs and Drayton, as well as the Nith River in New Hamburg. www.grandriver.ca

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The Ontario government this week announced another step in improving broadband access in Southwestern Ontario, a combined $150 million investment to bring fast, reliable internet to thousands of homes and businesses. Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario, is leading the charge.

V I S UA L A R T S

Elmira artist one of those feeling the “Bern”

Brent Schreiber a booster of Bernie Sanders, the subject of a portrait he sent to the Vermont senator during 2016 campaign

BY SEAN HEEGER sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

After leaving 15 years in the advertising world behind him, Brent Schreiber set out on a new path, and followed his passion to create artwork.

Today the Elmira man is more than 40 pieces into his current series ‘Listen,’ an exploration of faith through the figure in the portrait that he has been working on for more than four years.

While he has created many pieces for this series and is now internationally recognized for his work, one of the best moments for him came three years ago after he sent one of his paintings to American politician Bernie Sanders.

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Schreiber painted a portrait of the Democratic Party candidate, and decided to send it to the Vermont senator.

While he thought he may get a form letter or something similar back, what he got instead was a personal note from Sanders thanking him for the work he did.

It blew me away, he’s an interesting looking guy, so as a lark I thought I’d send it to him, and about six months later I got a personalized letter – that was the last thing I expected, said Schreiber.

“I’m a Canadian without a vote to cast in the States, you know, for him to take the time to do that … blows me away.”

The inspiration for the painting came from Sanders’ message during

Schreiber's portrait of Bernie Sanders.

Elmira artist Brent Schreiber received a personalized letter from Bernie Sanders after sending the senator a painted portrait (inset). He continues to follow Sanders' career.

the campaign, with which Schreiber says he could identify.

“I was always very politically and civically apathetic … and I just really liked what he had to say,” he explained of the motivation behind the painting.

Today, Sanders’ message continues to be a resonating factor in American politics.

Currently he is facing off against former vice-pres-

ident Joe Biden for the nomination of the Democratic Party and the chance to face Donald Trump for the White House this fall.

For Schreiber, his support of the candidate has not changed and he believes he has a much better chance this time around.

“I think what resonated was his authenticity and the fact his platform was so different from an American political point of view,”

said Schreiber. “It definitely has more of a Canadian/ European set of social principals. In regards to his 2020 run for the Democratic nomination I’m obviously biased – I feel the same way about his platform and the manner in which he carries himself. I hope he does well.”

Schreiber says the extra four years has given Sanders time to build upon his message and whether he

wins or not, he has been an agent for change drawing attention to issues such as health care, education and the right to a reasonable standard of living.

He says he has no current plans to paint a Canadian politician, but he does plan on continuing the ‘Listen’ series until he no longer feels like there’s more to say.

Schreiber has multiple upcoming shows this year,

[SEAN HEEGER]

starting with one at OBJX studio which runs from March 15 to April 15. The Westland Gallery represented artist will also host a show in June.

His drawings can range from $500 to $1,000 and paintings from $1,000 to $10,000.

For more information on his artwork visit his website www.brentschreiber. com.

Come join us!

free skate, warm drinks & treats

Saturday, March 14 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 21 C H E F ' S TA B L E

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 EVERGREEN FOR SENIORS, 10:30 A.M. AT WOODSIDE Church, Elmira."Sew On Fire" Humanitarian Relief Organization, Wendy Hagar. Devotional thoughts: Jeremy Malloy, Piano and Voice: Elycia Marin; $7 donation includes lunch.

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SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS invites you to join us at Breslau Community Centre for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Call 519-664-1900 by noon March 9 to sign up.

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NEW HORIZONS AT MARYHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10 a.m. Speaker: Ken Becker, cruise and travel consultant from Expedia Cruise Ship Centre will be guest speaker. His topic The World is Waiting for You. Admission $2, includes a snack and beverage. For more info call Joan Haid at 519648- 2742.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 ROAST BEEF DINNER AT THE ELMIRA LEGION AT 5 P.M. Dinner includes dessert bar. Seatings 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Advance tickets $17 adults, $5 children. Call 519-669-2932.

MONDAY, MARCH 16 WOOLWICH GARDENERS PRESENTS SPEAKER SHAUN Booth (In Our Nature, Orangeville) "Re-defining Four Season Interest With Native Plants." Open to the public, 7 p.m. at Trinity United Church Elmira. Members free; nonmembers $5. Memberships available at event. "Lug a Mug" for refreshments and treats.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 GALE TUESDAY LUNCHEON, GALE PRESBYTERIAN Church, Elmira at 11:30 a.m., $12/person. Menu: roast pork, mashed potatoes, bread, hot vegetables, salad, beverage, chocolate oven pudding with ice cream.

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Education and Treatment

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS invites you to join us at Wellesley Community Centre for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Call 519-664-1900 by noon March 16 to sign up.

Your First Step to Better Hearing

ANNUAL FARM SAFETY RALLY AT LIONS HALL, ST. JACOBS, 7:30 p.m. Displays, speakers, door prizes and presentations to inform and reinforce safety messages for the farm family during Canadian Agriculture Safety Week.

519-669-9919

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 ELMIRA MEAT CANNING BREAKFAST AT CALVARY UNITED Church, St. Jacobs, 8 a.m. Enjoy a delicious all-you-caneat breakfast, support meat canning in Elmira and hear a special presentation to celebrate 75 years of canning!

Tickets can be purchased by freewill donation, but must be reserved. Call 519-745-8458 to buy your ticket.

NANCY KOEBEL

Bus: 519.744.5433

Getting to the root of a tasty use for an overlooked vegetable

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 TWIN CENTRE HERICANES BRING A FRIEND. CALLING ALL girls in St. Clements, Wellesley and Linwood (Wellesley Township.) Are you interested in playing girls' hockey in your community? Join us at the Wellesley Arena at 2:30 p.m. Full equipment is required, and can be arranged. All ages welcome.

MONDAY, MARCH 23 SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS invites you to join us at Woolwich Memorial Centre for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Call 519-664-1900 by noon March 19 to sign up.

charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 SENIORS' COMMUNITY DINING. COMMUNITY CARE Concepts invites you to join us at Linwood Community Centre for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $12. Call 519-664-1900 by noon March 23 to sign up.

The Community Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit local events that are offered free to the public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and similar events do not qualify for free advertising. See complete policy online. All submissions are to be made online at ads.observerxtra.com/event-listing/.

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O

nce upon a time, root vegetables were staples of our winter diet, simply because they stored well and we didn’t have the plethora of fresh – or “fresh” – fruits and vegetables readily available today.

Some have remained year-round parts of many diets – think potatoes, onions and carrots – while others are much less sexy – think of turnips and rutabagas. This recipe for Creamy Gingered Rutabaga gives the root crop its due.

Incidentally, turnips and rutabagas are often considered to be the same, though that’s not the case: they’re different plants.

Turnips are part of the cabbage family, along with mustard and radish, for example.

The rutabaga was ‘discovered’ in northern Europe, a chance cross between a turnip and a cabbage. It was first recorded in 1620, in Sweden, where it was very popular, thus giving it the names ‘Swedish turnip’ and ‘swede.’ It was gradually introduced throughout Europe and North America during the 1700s and 1800s, and adopted readily in Canada because it is well suited to cool northern climates. During the 1800s and early 1900s, rutabagas were an important livestock feed, often substituted for turnips.

So, rutabagas it is in this case. Contrary to its image, this recipe really delivers a zesty flavour change. It freezes well and is a good use for leftover mashed rutabaga.

Creamy Gingered Rutabaga 1 small rutabaga (1/2 lb/250 g), cubed 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup cubed cream cheese 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1/4 tsp. each of ground ginger and salt A pinch each of ground nutmeg and pepper 1. Cut one small rutabaga into cubes, about 4 cups/1 L. Cook covered, in a 4-cup casserole dish in a 1/4 cup of water on high for 10 minutes or until fork tender; drain well and mash.

2. Stir in 1/2 cup cubed cream cheese, the brown sugar, the ground ginger and salt and a pinch each of ground nutmeg and pepper.

3. Note: This microwave recipe was tested in a 700-watt microwave oven. Power level terminology in microwave ovens varies; check your owner's manual and use whichever word or number gives you the same percentages as in the recipe (high is always 100%). If your oven differs, cooking times may vary.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

22 | LI VI NG HE RE BRAIN FOOD

Snow machines keeping ski hills active have roots in Hollywood Q. Ski-lovers, the next time you take to the slopes, be sure to give thanks to Warner Brothers technical director Louis Gelb for making it possible. How so?

substance used for dental impressions) and flurries of asbestos.â&#x20AC;? Gelbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s machine soon became popular with the burgeoning ski industry that, having to truck in snow at times for big events, now began experimenting with the same technology.

Now winter could appear anytime, anywhere, even on a 63-degree day in Los Angeles in 1938. In the Memorial Coliseum, 350 tons of ground ice were used to create five-foot snowdrifts on a towering ski jump, where competitive skiers â&#x20AC;&#x153;hurled themselves more than a hundred feet into the air.â&#x20AC;?

This past winter, water-crystallizing snow guns modeled after Gelbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low-

A. For a 1934 movie, Gelb invented the first snowmaking machine, consisting of three rotating blades that shaved ice from a 400-pound block and a high-powered fan that blew the particles into the air, says April White in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smithsonianâ&#x20AC;? magazine. Before then, faked winter wonderlands were made with â&#x20AC;&#x153;a dusting of gypsum, banks of bleached cornflakes, fields of pyocel (similar to the

Q. Birds are no â&#x20AC;&#x153;birdbrainsâ&#x20AC;? when it comes to using tools to extract food. Egyptian vultures crush ostrich eggs with rocks, some parrots grind seashells with pebbles.

But seabirds with their smaller brains have generally been discounted as tool-users. How has that changed?

A. Ecologist Annette Fayet observed an Atlantic puffin off the coast of Wales bobbing in the water holding a stick in its orange-black bill and scratching its own back,

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The Observer Crossword looks to challenge you and get your brain firing on all synapes. This crossword is only published in The Observer handcrafted exclusively for our audience. Happy word-smithing!

OBSERVER SUDOKU

BILL&RICH SONES STRANGE BUT TRUE

reports Jonathan Lambert in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Science Newsâ&#x20AC;? magazine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Puffins hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever been seen using tools. In fact, no seabirds had.â&#x20AC;? Four years and 1,700 kilometers (about 1,100 miles) apart, on Icelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grimsey Island, Fayetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motion-sensitive cameras captured a puffin snatching a stick from the ground and using it to scratch its chest feathers. That summer was an especially bad tick season in Iceland, leading Fayet and her colleagues to speculate that puffins were using sticks to flick ticks from their plumage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These observationsâ&#x20AC;Ś represent the only known

ACROSS 1. Club publication 6. Island nation east of Fiji 11. Racist 16. Poetically in the know 18. Lucky!

20. The opposite of having eaten 22. Or do not, there is no try 23. That'd be a negative 24. Undergarment 25. Oil, jury, the election 26. Indentured servant 28. Small in Scottish 30. Hello, howdy, hey 31. When one closes, another does not necessarily open 33. Who's your daddy?

36. Literally us 37. Lapsed 39. Purposefully against 41. When this is all a big star has left, it's

A. An Italian bank called Credito Emiliano, or Credem for short, has a high-end security system with cameras, electronic doors, around-the-clock surveillance and â&#x20AC;&#x201D; atypical for bank vaults â&#x20AC;&#x201D; temperature and humidity controls, says Dan Lewis on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I Knowâ&#x20AC;? website. Inside the vault are neither cash nor gold but 80-pound wheels of Parmesan cheese, half a million wheels at any one time.

Parmesan producers have a problem, a short-term cash flow problem, because, according to Harvard Business School professor Nikolaos Trichakis, the producers â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;face very long lead times,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; as a good quality cheese requires at least 18

gonna supernova 42. Nobody wants to be behind this ball 44. Footsy fashion accessory 47. Lustful rural god, like Pan 48. Similar to champagne, but Italian, region and drink 49. Going quickly 51. McCool giant, anglicized 52. Pretend smarty pants 54. Snuffly dog breed 55. Curved path 56. Infirm old people, slang 57. Back-talky 58. Before lunch 60. G, p, d, m, t 61. Cakes over 62. Loud noises, late meal 63. Icelandic epic 64. To speak unflatter-

Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send STRANGE questions to sbtcolumn@gmail.com

ingly of the smelter 65. Phoenician trading center DOWN 1. Late 2. Waterloo, for one 3. Modified Julian timekeeping 4. Foolish person 5. Mosquito preventers 7. Belonging 8. Respectful, agreeable tilt 9. No longer little 10. T optional machine gun sound, repeated 11. Short story of a life 12. The thing 13. Mongolian desert 14. Belonging to us 15. Old timey Russian kings 17. Strengthen, as in a connection 19. Reveals non-terrestrial planets 21. Attraction

27. Fragrant, tubular flower 29. Mark as with acid 30. Hippy Hermann writer 32. Show again 34. Kannon is ours 35. Leave 38. Musique ___ stop 40. Freights 43. To cover with gold 45. Responsibility 46. French toast bread by another name 47. Conifer tree 48. Play division 50. It is 51. Absolutely marvellous 52. Briefly thus 53. Contracted part of it's 59. If you put it in a bottle, that's cool, but it's also littering 60. Bitingly ascerbic 61. i.e. in other words

Names: Widey, Stomps, Wahson, and Meloix

Location: Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Q. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bank doing in the cheese business â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Parmesan cheese, that is?

months (and ideally up to 36 months) to age to maturity.â&#x20AC;? Since 1953, Credem has been offering a cheese-secured loan to area Parmesan producers, equal to 60-80% of the cheeseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value, using the cheese as collateral and storing it in a special vault/ warehouse. If the producer defaults on the loan, Credem sells the cheese when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready, knowing that its value keeps appreciating.

Per NBC News, as of 2009, one 80-pound cheese wheel had a wholesale price of about 300 Euros (about $350).

Concludes Lewis, â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś be thankful that all that cheese is there, because, without the Parmesan banking system, it would be hard for many of the producers to stay in business.â&#x20AC;?

T R AV E L A B R OA D W I T H T H E O B S E R V E R

examples of a wild bird using a tool to scratch itself.â&#x20AC;?

tech precursor were used at about 90% of U.S. ski resorts.

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. Numbers are preplaced to get you started.

Reason for travel: Bucket list adventure. The boys fulfilled a past agreement and Britzed our way down the east coast of Australia, and hopped over to New Zeland for a few days of adventure. Photos captured at Doubtful Sound New Zealand.

Date: February, 2020 Interesting Facts: Doubtful Sound / Patea is a fjord in Fiordland, in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound. It took second place after Milford Sound as New Zealand's most famous tourism destination.

At 40 kilometres (25 mi) long, Doubtful Sound is the second longest, and with a depth of up to 421 metres (1,381 ft) the deepest of the South Island's [WIKIPEDIA] fiords.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 23

G E T T I N G I N O N T H E AC T I O N

Robin in the Hood Festival now auditioning performers, recruiting volunteers

BY DAMON MACLEAN dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

What “started off as just a small group of people putting on a community event” has grown into an annual tradition, with the Robin in the Hood Festival getting ready to celebrate its 20th year.

Entertainment director DJ Carroll notes the team behind the event has grown throughout the years and so has the event, which is now “the largest Robin Hood festival outside of Nottingham, England.”

Each year, Gibson Park in Elmira is transformed into simpler times of knights and princesses.

“When people come out for their first time, we’re always super impressed with their feedback. We create an actual village for people to wander around,” said Carroll.

“You can take a walk up the trail into Sherwood Forest, to see where the outlaws live.”

Robin the Hood also has a knight school for people wanting to feel like a warrior and learn how to sword fight. The festival also has

Sword-fighting demonstrations are amongst the crowd favourites at the Robin in the Hood Festival.

working catapults that kids are encouraged to use to launch things into the forest.

The festival hosts an approximate 50 vendors that set up in the vendors row area, there are wandering villagers and even a tavern painting the true picture of the era.

Carroll says for the 20 anniversary, “We are trying

to do things a little bigger.”

This year’s outing will include new characters, games and shows. It will also see the festival bring in artists from outside of the area.

In simple terms, Carroll says “It’s a year for us to celebrate.”

Currently Carroll and his team are in the audition process looking to solidify

International Women’s Day marked in region by day- long event at CIGI Speakers, workshops and market feature local women

BY DAMON MACLEAN dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

Marking the occasion in the region, the Marit Collective hosted the fifth annual International Women’s Day event at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo.

The day full of speakers and workshops focused on issues that have an impact on women’s lives, which was right up the alley for a social group that believes in change through individual actions.

The conversations and discussions Saturday related global issues faced by women to a Region of Waterloo audience, said volunteer and speaker liaison Emily Lucke.

“The speakers are all primarily, if not exclusively, women from the area, Kitchener-Waterloo, who are speaking to their different areas of expertise.

So, there’s quite the range, from consultants, doulas ... sex workers, toxic mascu-

linity workshops.”

Among the speakers was Beth Murch, whose well-attended presentation was entitled ‘It’s Not Enough to Be Pro-Choice: An Introduction to Reproductive Justice.’ The workshop involved both a speech from Murch as well as interactive dialogue raising questions concerning the right to choose and other abortion-related topics.

After a comment made by a woman in the audience about being denied access to abortions for health concerns by a doctor, Murch replied, “If he [the doctor] says he wasn’t authorized to prescribe abortion medication, that does not exist.”

She noted it’s not an unusual practice from doctors, including outright refusal at times.

Murch also explained why reproductive justice is a movement that is getting attention and has the ability to overshadow prochoice initiatives.

“The pro-choice move-

ment itself is deeply demoralized because of attacks on services like funding providers and the individual people seeking abortion. Whereas the reproductive justice movement is actually really coming to life right now.

It’s exciting. It’s growing,” she said. “And there’s strong leadership emerging from people of colour. So unlike previous generations where we’ve struggled for access to abortion, we’re seeing people of colour included more or giving people of colour the opportunity to be [more involved]. And this is really important because their voices have previously been silenced.”

The event offered payit-forward and subsidized ticket funding under the belief no one should be turned away from attending.

Along with the presentations, there was a market set up featuring local women’s products and companies.

[FILE PHOTO]

a lineup of actors. Over the years the size of the team has varied.

“We’ve gone from as low as 82 and as large as about 140,” said Carroll.

A new role in this year’s festival are Vikings. Like the required combat training needed for outlaws and knights, “you have to audition and become part of our fight team.”

Other volunteer options are available, he notes.

“We are also doing auditions for people who are interested in doing shows and workshops, those are actual stages at the show.”

The festival always kicks off with an education day for school kids, which is another volunteer opportunity for performers, Carroll added.

Education day gives students the opportunity to experience what life would have been like during medieval times through a variety of workshops. Actors that audition to help with education day will be involved in facilitating some of these workshops, which in the past have included birds of prey, medieval armour and medieval medicine. Auditions for general actors or wandering characters are also being held.

Carroll explains the audition process, “The auditions are pretty laid back; you basically come in, we talk a little bit and we do a little bit of improvised acting and you talk about what character you might be interested in playing,” he explained, noting no previous experience is required.

“The ages are as young as seven and … as old as whatever,” laughed Carroll.

On top of casting a lineup of actors, the festival needs some 30 to 60 other volunteers to make it run.

More information can be found at the festival’s website, robininthehood.com.

Join the Woolwich Community Health Centre (WCHC) Board of Directors Are you interested in the health of our rural community? Do you have knowledge or skills that you would like to contribute to building a healthier Woolwich, Wellesley and north Wilmot Townships? If so, then consider joining the Board of the Woolwich Community Health Centre! Applications are due

by Friday, March 2 , 20 .

Ontario’s health-care system is in the midst of exciting changes and challenges.

Our dedicated Board of Directors plays a critical role in strategic decision-making that impacts the current and future health of our rural community. It is important work!

WCHC’s Nominating Committee is recruiting from the community that WCHC serves Selection criteria of note for our governing board:

skilled residents .

• Preferred candidates will have work or volunteer experience in areas such as health and community services, business, farming, facilities management, organization and board development.

• To achieve an optimal diversity of skillsets, this year, we are especially interested in candidates with a knowledge of .

• Board members do not have to be clients of the health centre.

• Individuals must have strong interpersonal skills and embrace the health centre’s values.

• Time commitment: regular board meetings on the 4th Monday evening of every month from September to June, an annual board retreat, and participation on one other Board committee.

Please call Heather at 519-664-3534, ext. 239 to receive a Board application package. All interested applicants will be required to attend a pre-orientation session which will be set for early April. For further information, please contact , Executive Director, at 519-664-3534, ext. 225.

For more information about WCHC, please see our website: www.wchc.on.ca.

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