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SPORTS

Kings sweep past Brantford to advance in playoffs People. Places. Pictures. Profiles. Perspectives.

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES.

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MARCH 5, 2020

R E G I O N A L P U B L I C H E A LT H

No cases here, but health officials prep for coronavirus

Community pandemic plan in place to deal with arrival of coronavirus outbreak

BY DAMON MACLEAN

dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

Waterloo Region hasn’t seen any cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but officials are nonetheless preparing for the potential of an outbreak.

“At this point, we haven’t had any cases of COVID-19 locally. But we are preparing for that to happen given the widespread of the infection and how easily transmitted it is,” said Kristy Wright, manager of infectious disease for the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services team.

That said, the region is uncertain if anyone from the area was part of the evacuation of Canadians from Wuhan, China. Those residents were housed for the two-week period at C.F.B Trenton, but were not required to report their stay to their regional health organizations.

“The people [who landed at Trenton] weren’t asked to report to us. They were held there for their 14day quarantine period. So they were safe to go after.

So really no reason to be involved with us locally,” said Wright, noting that might make some people uneasy.

“Right now we’re working with our local partners to prepare for the arrival of a first case potentially, but in terms of what the public can do, it really aligns with our normal emergency preparedness type messaging,” explained Wright. “We have a community pandemic plan and emergency preparedness systems.

We’ve been working with our partners in the hospitals. Also, we’re starting to reach out to our primary care providers and local businesses, schools, daycares and child cares, post secondary education, all institutions, pharmacies, nursing and home care agencies. We’ve been sending out regular bulletins to all of those stakeholders.”

General hygiene techniques used to prevent the spreading of infections such as the common cold or flu are being encouraged by the team.

“Like any respiratory PREPARATIONS | 02

Kevin Snyder, president of the local maple syrup producers association, at the first-tap ceremony Feb. 28 near Gads Hill.

[DAMON MACLEAN / THE OBSERVER]

First tap makes season official

BY DAMON MACLEAN

dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

The weather’s been too variable for the sap to be running in earnest, but the maple syrup season got its official start in this area last week with a tree-tapping ceremony near Gads Hill.

Members of the Waterloo Wellington Maple Syrup Producers Association (WWMSPA) were joined by area politicians and members of the public for the annual launch of the season, held this year at Schmidt’s Family Syrup.

The ceremony included a pancake breakfast featuring some local maple syrup for the occasion. The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival also announced that Hoover’s Maple Syrup of Atwood was the winner of the “producer of the year title” and will be the official supplier of syrup to the festival on April 4.

While more southerly parts of Ontario have seen sap runs already, the season is just ramping up in this area. At this point, it’s difficult to predict what kind of season it will be,

says Fred Martin, a past WWMSPA president.

“Maple season is so dependent on the ‘now weather,’ I call it,” he said, referring to the random heavy snow the area had received a couple days before the ceremony. “What happens before the season does have a bearing on what kind of a season you’re going to have: did we have lots of moisture last year? Were the leaves a beautiful display of colour, because that indicates kind of a sugar uptake that the trees have taken in? Lastly,

what kind of a winter have we had?”

Although these questions can help to predict what type of season producers will have, nature remains unpredictable, and an early thaw doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a dry season, Martin explained.

Martin served as president of the local producers’ association for some 20 years, and has seen a variety of conditions.

Yeah, I can think back to not that many years ago – 2012, we had an extremely SYRUP | 03

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

02 | C O M MUNIT Y NE WS

Wellesley council awards two contracts for upcoming road maintenance

POLICE REPORT

BY SEAN HEEGER

sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

A tow truck driver attaches a chain to car that skidded off the road during whiteout conditions Feb. 28 on Crowsfoot Road near Cox Creek.

A Woolwich firefighter directs traffic on Crowsfoot Road where a driver lost control of their vehicle Feb. 27. No one was injured.

[DAMON MACLEAN]

[DAMON MACLEAN]

Boomer Line, Moser-Young and Manser roads are slated for paving this year, as Wellesley councillors meeting Tuesday night awarded a contract to carry out the work.

The job also involves concrete sidewalk work on Alfred Street in Linwood and Lawrence Street in Wellesley village.

Steed and Evans Ltd. was awarded the contract for $693,000, the lowest of seven bids the township received. Tenders were accepted until February 14.

The company’s quote was $6,000 less than the next lowest submission.

Meeting March 3, councillors quickly approved the recommendation from public works technician Ryan Baker.

In a similar move, council awarded a $260,000 contract to carry out maintenance on five of the township’s gravel roads.

Donegan’s Haulage was the lower of two bids received.

The company will supply, crush and haul maintenance gravel to resurface portions of Schummer Line, Road 116, Chalmers Forrest Road, Lichty Road and Siegner Lane.

Donegan’s bid was lower by just over $13,000.

The budgeted amount of gravel for this work is estimated to be 23,400 tonnes.

However, staff said it would reduce the amount by 200 tonnes to stay within the budgeted amount, making the total contract value $258,511.10.

All work is expected to begin later this year.

Elmira firefighters responded to a collision near St. Teresa of Avila Church on Feb. 28. [DAMON MACLEAN]

March is Fraud Prevention Month, with public warned to take precautions March is Fraud Prevention Month, with officials noting thousands of Canadians fall victim to fraud every year.

In 2019, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received 46,317 reports of fraud from Canadians, where 19,285 were victims with a total reported loss of $98M. “Most people don’t think that they would fall victim to fraud, but fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to target people and the impact can be devastating. Retirement

FEBRUARY 25 ■ 7:00 PM | Wellington County OPP are investigating a fail-to-remain collision involving a vehicle and a cyclist on Wellington Road 6 near Side Road 7. It is reported that a northbound sedan collided with a cyclist on Wellington Road 6. The driver of the sedan stopped briefly and spoke to the injured teenager before getting back in their vehicle and was last seen travelling northbound. The vehicle is described as an older model, dark-coloured sedan similar to a Chrysler Neon. There will be damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle. The driver is described as female, in her 20s with dark hair and glasses. The 14-year-old cyclist was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released. Any person with

savings, homes, businesses and, in some cases, lives have all been lost to fraud,” said Sgt. Guy Paul Larocque, acting officer in charge of the CAFC, in a release.

One of the RCMP’s initiatives to track fraud is the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre which is a joint partnership between the Competition Bureau, the Ontario Provincial Police and the RCMP. The CAFC is Canada’s central repository for data, intelligence and resource material on mass market-

ing fraud. It collects victim evidence, statistics and documentation and provides this information to law enforcement agencies.

In an effort to help more effectively combat mass marketing fraud, the CAFC has developed partnerships in the public and private sectors. For example, by working with telephone companies, email service providers, financial institutions and credit card companies, the CAFC has been successful in deterring communica-

tions between fraudsters and potential victims. In some cases, they’ve even had success in blocking the receipt and laundering of victims’ funds.

This Fraud Prevention Month, the RCMP warns everyone to take time to further educate themselves on how to recognize different types of fraud, learn how to report it, and share this information with your family and friends.

Learn about fraud by visiting: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www. csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

of the SUV was transported by air ambulance to a Toronto hospital with serious, life-altering injuries. The driver of the cattle truck was uninjured.

None of the animals was injured, either. The cause of the collision is currently being investigated by OPP Technical Collision Investigators (TCI); police are asking anyone that may have witnessed this collision to call 1-888-310-1122.

vehicle they drove away. The suspect was described by witnesses as a white male in his 40s with grey hair and facial stubble, approximately 5’6” (168cm), slim build. The suspect fled in a white pickup truck with an ‘X’ on the back and the word “RESTORATION” or similar on the side. Witnesses also report that the suspect had a familiarity about them and were possibly soliciting driveway paving in the area during the summer of 2019. The victim discovered that approximately $1,000 in currency was taken.

Any person with information regarding this person should contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.csgw. tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

FEBRUARY 28 ■ 4:00 PM | Wellington County OPP responded along with Mapleton and Wellesley Fire Departments and Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo Region Paramedic Services to a serious collision on Wellington Road 12 west of the Fourth Line of Mapleton.

A loaded cattle truck and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) were travelling eastbound on Wellington Road 12 when the collision occurred. The driver

MARCH 2 ■ 10:30 AM | Wellington County OPP received a report of an intruder at a residence near Belwood. The victim, a 90-year-old man, found an unknown suspect within his home rummaging through belongings. When confronted, the lone suspect stated that they were there to do repairs.

When the suspect went to get a business card from their

Capt. Trevor Reid addresses media at the CFB Trenton airbase, the landing point for Canadians stranded in China during the coronavirus outbreak. [DAMON MACLEAN]

PREPARATIONS: Public Health looks to be ready if virus arrives here FROM 01

infection, we’re encouraging people to stay home when they’re sick, wash their hands lots, especially before eating and before touching their face, and to be coughing into their sleeve or elbow versus into their hands,” she said, adding that general emergency preparedness guidelines are important as well.

“Those are some general prevention messages.

Thinking about if they had to stay home sick for a couple of weeks what they might need at home. So, ensuring that they have an adequate supply of prescription medications, for instance, if they have a child or daycare arrangements or other care-giving arrangements to ensure that they have a backup plan for those.”

Wright also stressed to “know what kinds of things are in the home, for instance, having an adequate supply of nonperishable foods that they could draw upon if they weren’t able to go out.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the risk as low for Canada and for Canadian travellers. The risk of disease acquisition for Water-

loo Region residents has also been deemed low.

COVID-19’s origins in China has seen travellers from that country quarantined, and there’s been some stigma attached to people of that ethnicity.

“We have to work together as a global community to try and combat the [racism],” said Wright, noting that like the SARS outbreak of 2003, there's been a recent rise in racism.

“Oftentimes when we have a disease started in a specific area of the world, and then it starts to spread rapidly globally, there’s some fear and assumptions made, perhaps, of why that happened.

But really, it could start anywhere in the world.”

The region’s Public Health officials are urging people who have visited China’s Hubei Province to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time they left the province. They’re also asked to call the organization at 519-575-4400 within 24 hours of their return to Canada.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

As of midweek, there have been 30 confirmed cases, 20 of them in Ontario.

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | 03

GRCA BUDGET OK'D 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

The GRCA will spend almost $36 million this year, the organization having last week approved its 2020 budget. Member municipalities will contribute about $11.9 million, about 33 per cent of the total budget.

The municipal levy increased by 2.5% to $10.97 per watershed resident, 13 cents more than last year. The GRCA generates some $16 million (45%) through revenues, with $4 million coming from other government grants.

FROM THE ARCHIVES As Woolwich and Wellesley township residents dug themselves out from yet another dumping of snow this week, many parents were forced to find daytime childcare when the school boards cancelled buses Monday and again Wednesday. The most recent public and Catholic board-wide cancellation marked the area’s ninth this year, up from two each in 2006 and 2007.

From the Mar. 8, 2008 edition of The Observer

Paramedics get new north-end HQ in Waterloo

BY SEAN HEEGER

sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

After years of waiting, paramedics in Waterloo Region now have a new headquarters.

Hosting the grand opening ceremony on February 28, local dignitaries turned out to cut the celebratory ribbon on the ‘north headquarters’ and take a tour of the 48,500-square-foot facility located at 1001 Erbs Rd. Rob Crossan, deputy chief of the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, said he is ecstatic now that the new headquarters is open, as it’s more functional for the employees who work there.

“It’s fantastic, it’s really a nice building,” said Crossan.

“We really tried to design it with employee wellness in mind.”

Crossan says features like a patio, ‘active crew’ room and an abundance of natural light, are all things meant to help paramedics and staff get the most out of their time while on duty.

The new headquarters has been in the works for three years, with construction

taking 18 months.

Highlights of the new building include an in-building truck wash, in-floor radiant heat and decontamination bays.

The new facility boasts many upgrades over the south headquarters located on Maple Grove Road, including space for 21 ambulances compared to 10.

A simulation lab where multiple scenarios can be practiced to ensure the best results in the field is one of the things Crossan enjoys having at the new facility.

He said paramedics can train on anything from accident extrication to loading a patient onto an ambulance and practice like they’re on a call.

The opening of the facility is also coming at a good time, as Crossan says they outgrew the old headquarters and need the space to continue to keep up with the number of calls, which has doubled in the last decade, meaning more vehicles were needed to keep up with the demand.

Paramedics responded to 57,862 calls in 2019, employing 278 staff in the region.

People gather at Schmidt’s Family Syrup to enjoy a pancake brunch after the annual first-tap ceremony Feb. 28.

[DAMON MACLEAN / THE OBSERVER]

SYRUP: Sap season now awaits cooperation from Mother Nature to get rolling FROM 01

warm front come through and our season was over in eight days. From the time we had basically tapped until it was over because it went up to like 24-25 degrees Celsius. We need that minus-five/plus-five (temperature swing) during the day, with a bit of sunshine

– that causes the fluctuation,” he said of the ideal conditions.

“That year, it just warmed up and the trees just kept producing sap.

Surprisingly, we ended up with probably half to three quarters of a normal crop.

Everybody was surprised because the weather was

so hot that we just figured the trees would just quit as soon as they drip.”

The day of the ceremony was a reversal of the warm weather that occurred earlier in the week. A cold front overcame a large portion of southern Ontario, with cases of whiteouts and blowing snow in the

minus-15 degree weather.

The harsh weather stopped any sap from running.

Current WWMSPA present Kevin Snyder explained the process: “a lot of people don’t realize the tree made the sugar last summer with its leaves – it’s all stored in here. It’s just a matter of us trying to get it out into here.”

furniture they might need when rebuilding their lives, as well as moving services.

Koebel says that type of event is needed in our community because it brings attention to something that isn’t talked about enough.

“I think that it’s important to raise awareness that [this type of abuse] does exist, because most of us have heard of it happening but maybe we don’t know anybody that’s actually left,” she said, adding that

“it could be anyone because I always tell people you never really know what is going on behind closed doors.”

According to federal government statistics, family-violence is a highly under reported crime.

Events like “Passion for Fashion” bring attention to the problem and help people find the support they need. Family violence can effect anyone, said Koebel adding that “it’s not just poor people. It can be suc-

cessful people too.”

With the help of their volunteers, donors and the money raised from Passion for Fashion event the YWCA has been able to help move around 30 families a year for the 10 years the event has been running, according to Koebel.

“You know, when you look at those numbers you kind of go wow – it’s shocking,” she said.

This year’s event will take place on March 30

at the St. George Banquet Hall in Waterloo. It’s expected to draw in a crowd of 300 guests. The night will include the usual fourcourse dinner, fashion show, speeches, auctions, and door prizes. Something new to the event this year is a pop-up booth from In Her Shoes, a local charity aimed at helping women to become entrepreneurs.

Tickets are $90 and can be purchased at passionforfashionevent.ca.

Fashion event marks a decade of women helping women in crisis ciation (YWCA), which is Kitchener-Waterloo’s family relocation project. The YWCA helps local women and children of abuse get a fresh start after leaving an unsafe relationship.

“A lot of the time after leaving people in this situation have nothing,” said Nancy Koebel of Lyfestyle Financial Inc., one of the event’s organizers.

This charity sets people off on the right foot by providing them with any

BY LORI-ANNE LITTLE

lalittle@woolwichobserver.com

Woolwich’s fashionistas have helped bring aid to some 422 women and 538 children leaving abusive homes in the decade since the launch of Passion for Fashion, which is on tap again for this month.

For 10 years now, the fashion show and dinner has been a way to raise money for the Young Woman’s Christian Asso-

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | 04

THE MONITOR

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

Deadline: Tuesdays 4pm Online: ads.observerxtra.com/letters

“The Ethics Commissioner made the right ruling by finding Prime Minister Trudeau guilty of violating the ethics law for pressuring the Attorney General to drop the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, but he should have also found other PMO and government officials guilty because they also pressured the Attorney General.”

In recent public opinion polls, 60% of Ontarians said the province would be better off without Doug Ford as premier, while 56% respondents in more than 30 Tory-held ridings said they were less likely to support their conservative candidate in the next provincial election.

Unifor

Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, calls for more stringent conflict rules.

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

International Women's Day notes we've a long way to go Conference in Denmark, there was a call for an annual Women’s Day. The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. That day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in public events.

Hundreds of demonstrations were held in conjunction with the first IWD, reflecting a growing call for women to participate equally in society.

We’ve advanced significantly since that time, particularly in the West, but there’s still not one country that has achieved gender equality, according to the United Nations.

The situation is much better in Canada, for example, than in many parts of the world, but we can’t rest on any laurels. Still, legal restrictions keep 2.7 billion women from accessing the

As a society we’ve noted some successes recently in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community, providing protections for a long-persecuted minority.

Though not a minority at all, another group’s struggle for equal footing is marked via International Women’s Day, set for Sunday.

The UN first declared March 8 International Women’s Day in 1975, but the movement dates back to the early part of the 20th century, part of the struggle for universal suffrage during a time also notable for a range of inequities.

As with much of our activist past, its roots are in the general workers’ struggle for rights. In 1909 in New Year City, the Socialist Party of America organized a “National Woman’s Day.” The following year at a meeting of the International Socialist Women’s G LO B A L O U T LO O K

same choice of jobs as men. That applies to elected office, as UN figures show less than 25 per cent of parliamentarians were women as of 2019.

One in three women experience gender-based violence.

Some 740 million women currently make their living in the informal economy with limited access to social protection, public services and infrastructure that could increase their productivity and income security.

Multiple obstacles to women’s rights remain unchanged in law and in culture. Women and girls continue to be undervalued. They work more, earn less and have fewer choices. Even in the face of some improvements in the labour market, the fight for gender equality at workplaces is far from over. Recent reports by UN Women show that women in economic activities continue to suffer

various forms of discrimination and unequal treatment. They also note that women’s labour force participation has stagnated.

According to UN figures, marriage and motherhood reduce women’s labour force participation rates, and the income and benefits that come with it. Globally, just over half of married women aged 25-54 are in the labour force, compared to two-thirds of single women, and 96 per cent of married men.

Violence and health issues are also part of ongoing gender inequality. Women experience multiple forms of violence at home and in public spaces. Furthermore, there is a significant threat of a rollback of feminist gains, even in the West as authoritarianism creeps in, often assisted by right-wing and religious intolerance.

Conservative, often religious

movements have taken aim at so-called family values, usually to the detriment of society and women in particular. Some of this has come in reaction to such realities as the increasing age of marriage and declining birth rates, which have played a part in women’s increased economic autonomy.

We’ve certainly seen a shift in family dynamics. Globally, 38 per cent of households are couples living with children, and extended families are almost as common (27%). The vast majority of single-parent families, which make up eight per cent of households, are led by women, often juggling paid work, child-rearing and domestic work. Same-sex families are increasingly visible, as well.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2020 is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.

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

Has India had it's Kristallnacht?

T

he anti-Muslim pogrom in north-eastern Delhi last week killed only 43 people, and a few of them weren’t even Muslims. But then on Kristallnacht (‘The Night of Broken Glass’) in Germany in 1938, only 91 Jews were killed. It was still a Nazi declaration of war on the Jews, and a forewarning of the six million Jewish deaths to come.

Is this India’s Kristallnacht? History does not repeat, but it does have patterns, and there are disturbing similarities.

First, a disclaimer. Many senior officials in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP (Indian People’s Party) indulge in blood-curdling anti-Muslim rhetoric, and more than a few have

GWYNNE DYER GLOBAL AFFAIRS

urged violence against Muslims, but there is no plan to exterminate them in death camps. It can’t be done.

Only one in a hundred Germans was Jewish in 1933, when Hitler came to power.

One-seventh of India’s population – 200 million people – are Muslims. A Nazi-style ‘Final Solution’, or even the expulsion of the entire Muslim population (like the Nazis’ early fantasies about moving all of Europe’s Jews to Madagascar) is just not

JOE MERLIHAN

PUBLISHER Ext 107

STEVE KANNON

EDITOR Ext 103

DAMON MACLEAN

DONNA RUDY

NIK HARRON

SEAN HEEGER

PATRICK MERLIHAN

CASSANDRA MERLIHAN

REPORTER Ext 101

REPORTER Ext 102

It's a weekend to remember more than turning your clocks ahead one hour.

SEE DYER | 05

SALES MANAGER Ext 104 PRINT/WEB MANAGER Ext 105

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ext 109 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ext 108

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 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

C O M M E NT & O P IN IO N | 05

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

D

Those supporting status quo have no interest in class talk

iscussions of class, prominent in times of societal changes such as we saw during the Depression and the activism of the 1960s in the previous century, are on the rise again. That’s not a surprise given the economic stagnation and concentration of wealth and power that rivals the worst excesses in our history.

Class, however, is something that those with their hands on the levers would prefer we drop.

With the exception, of course, of odes to the middle class, which we certainly saw in last fall’s federal election in this country, as well as the one before it.

Of course, the whole idea of a middle class remains muddled.

Politicians and bureaucrats carefully avoid defining it, knowing many people see themselves as middle class despite their paycheques being lower than the median. Many of us are more aspirational than actual middle class earners. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) puts it in economic terms, defining middle-class as between 75 and 200 per cent of median income, which last year meant between $32,621 and $86,990 for a single person or between $65,242 and $173,980 for a family of four.

Rather than talk particulars, politicians, especially while on the stump, prefer to maintain the fiction that as many people as possible will benefit in an “us” versus “them” scenario when invoking class.

There’s lip service to populism making the wealthy and corporations the target of failing middle-class and growing underclass, the kind of thing that gave rise to Donald Trump in the U.S., where the class distinctions are more pronounced, coupled with more than a touch of racial issues.

What we’re seeing, however, is more faux populism.

What the U.S. – and indeed much of the West, including Can-

ada – needs is more class warfare, at least in the sense that we recognize the system is not as advertised. As with Trudeau’s Liberals, governments attempt to sell us on the idea that they’re protecting our interests when they’re simply selling themselves for the next election – appear to be doing something to garner votes, while actually benefiting those of the more elevated classes.

That reality is precisely what’s missing from political debate, here as assuredly as in the U.S. Today, the framework is based on austerity measures: how much to cut from social spending in order to balance the budget. But that’s really just a distraction from the bigger issue, namely the framework of our civil society. That has more to do with regulatory matters than it does with particular spending choices.

In short, it’s about who benefits

STEVE KANNON EDITOR'S MUSINGS

from the political and economic systems we’ve created – and let’s be clear: they are manmade, not pre-ordained. For much of the postwar era, it was a large segment of the population. For some 40 years, however, the number of beneficiaries has grown smaller, increasingly in favour of the wealthy and corporate classes.

Everybody continues to pay, but fewer and fewer profit.

In setting the agenda, those in charge today want to foster divisions, particularly along racial and nationalistic lines, for

fear that those who suffer under the status quo – i.e. almost everybody – will attempt to unite against the real enemy.

“Aristotle, Niccolò Machiavelli, Alexis de Tocqueville, Adam Smith and Karl Marx grounded their philosophies in the understanding that there is a natural antagonism between the rich and the rest of us. The interests of the rich are not our interests.

The truths of the rich are not our truths. The lives of the rich are not our lives. Great wealth not only breeds contempt for those who do not have it but it empowers oligarchs to pay armies of lawyers, publicists, politicians, judges, academics and journalists to censure and control public debate and stifle dissent,” argues writer Chris Hedges in a column this week. “Neoliberalism, deindustrialization, the destruction of labor unions, slashing and

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

even eliminating the taxes of the rich and corporations, free trade, globalization, the surveillance state, endless war and austerity – the ideologies or tools used by the oligarchs to further their own interests – are presented to the public as natural law, the mechanisms for social and economic progress, even as the oligarchs dynamite the foundations of a liberal democracy and exacerbate a climate crisis that threatens to extinguish human life.”

While he writes from a U.S. perspective, though he’s spent plenty of time in this country, his observations apply to much of the West, Canada included, even if things are worse south of the border.

Ekos Research has polled Canadians extensively when it comes to class issues, noting the number of people who identify as middle class has declined over the last decade, for instance, with a corresponding drop in optimism about our economic futures.

In a globalist world, we’re not immune, says pollster Frank Graves.

“The public are increasingly rejecting neoliberalism and conditionally receptive to a more active role from the state to come up with a blueprint (and action) to restart middle class progress,” he says in “Understanding the Shifting Meaning of the Middle Class, adding we’re subject to the same creeping authoritarianism on display elsewhere.

“Of great concern, it appears that the era of stagnation and rising inequality at the top may have mutated into a rise in populism, nativism, and an ‘ordered’ outlook (also known as an ‘authoritarian’ outlook).”

Some 40 per cent of people who describe themselves as working class had previously said they were middle class a decade earlier, he notes. “This fall from relative privilege is linked to anger, hopelessness and less healthy and happy lives.”

DYER: India the latest at least nominally democratic state to ramp up its fascist tendencies, soft or otherwise FROM 04

practical in India.

It can still be done with smaller numbers of people: Burma recently expelled its entire population of Muslim Rohingyas, some 700,000 people, just by murdering a few thousand and driving the rest across the border into Bangladesh. But you cannot do that to all of India’s Muslims: it would be like moving the entire population of Japan and both Koreas to somewhere else.

Narendra Modi is not squeamish about dead Muslims. He presided (deniably) over the slaughter of at least a thousand Muslims in targeted ‘rioting’ when he was the chief minister of the state of Gujarat

in 2002, and for three days last week he said nothing about the ‘rioting’ targeting Muslims in Delhi. Then he made a vague appeal for ‘peace and brotherhood,’ and that was all.

Modi is a realist, and his project is not genocide. It is the re-definition of Hindus as the only ‘real’ Indians, and the demotion of Indian Muslims to second-class citizenship at best. But it will still take a lot of violence to cow Muslims into accepting their new lower status, and that is what we were seeing in Delhi last week.

Modi’s project went into high gear soon after he was re-elected with a landslide majority last May. In August he stripped Kashmir, India’s

only Muslim-majority state, of the special status it had enjoyed since it joined India in 1947. The state has been locked down under military occupation ever since, and most senior Kashmiri politicians are still in detention.

Then in December he brought in two new laws that will, if they stand, make ‘second-class citizenship’ for Muslims a reality.

One is the Citizenship Amendment Act, which makes it easy for immigrants of every religion except Muslims to become Indian citizens.

The other is the National Register of Citizens, which will force the hundreds of millions of Indians who have no documents proving

their nationality to apply for citizenship, just as if they were migrants from somewhere else. Getting Indian citizenship will be easy if they are Hindu (or Sikh, or Christian, or Buddhist), but almost impossible in practice if they are Muslim.

The huge non-stop protests since December show that many Indians, including many Hindus, are appalled by these discriminatory laws, and by Modi’s frontal assault on the principle of a secular Indian state whose citizens are all equal before the law.

But most Hindus seem to approve, and Hindus are 80 per cent of the population.

Modi hasn’t won yet. The protesters have not given up,

the courts are not completely subjugated by the ruling party, and the BJP actually lost the election for the Delhi state assembly last month.

But it was a BJP leader who lost his seat in that election, Kapil Mishra, who then incited Hindu mobs to attack Muslims in Delhi.

It wasn’t just neighbour turning on neighbour in some spontaneous outburst of hatred. There was a good deal of that after three days, but it was started by young Hindu thugs armed with iron bars, sticks and machetes, trucked in from nearby rural parts of Uttar Pradesh state to attack Muslims and get the violence going.

Similar but smaller

events like that are occurring all over India, and in almost every case the police stand by or actually join in the anti-Muslim attacks. (The police are controlled by the national government, which is BJP, not by the states.) There are also stories of Hindus protecting their Muslim neighbours, as you would expect – there are good people everywhere – but it doesn’t look promising.

The protests may go on for another month, or another six months, but Modi has four more years to play with before he faces another election. By then India may be an unrecognizable place: a ‘soft’ fascist state achieved more or less by democratic means.

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | 6

I T A L L STA RT S AT H O M E

Making a difference: PhD candidate a champion for farmers’ mental health Ten years ago, Briana Hagen never imagined she’d be involved in agriculture, let alone be a passionate advocate for the mental health of farmers.

But that’s exactly where Hagen finds herself as she wraps up her PhD with the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph.

“If I look back to 10 or 15 years ago when I thought I wanted to be a doctor, things definitely took a turn, and I am so glad that they did.”

However, Hagen admits that not having a farming background made her initially hesitant to get involved with agriculture-specific research. It was her PhD advisor, Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, who encouraged Briana to get involved with the farming community.

“Andria convinced me to meet with some farmers and talk to them about life. I did that, and I never looked back,” she laughs.

“I was engaged immediately; the community was so willing to teach me about the agriculture part if I was willing to work with them on the mental health pieces. It went together quite nicely.”

That engagement is also what has driven Briana’s passion for making a difference when it comes to the mental health of farmers.

“My passion comes directly from the agricultural community’s passion,” she explains. “It’s easy to get fired up and want to be an advocate and work hard when a community is so engaged in the issue.”

Certainly, when it comes to mental health in farming, there’s a lot to advocate for. A national survey on farmer mental health, conducted by Dr. Jones-Bitton and her research team found that producers face increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and a higher risk of burnout compared to the general population. What’s more, farmers also have lower resilience levels than the general population.

Following that survey, Hagen’s PhD work has looked into what makes farmers vulnerable to mental health complications.

She points to a series of in-depth, one-on-one interviews with farmers that provided valuable insight into factors affecting their mental wellness.

“I think the biggest thing that came through is how

Briana Hagen

[AG SAFE CANADA]

… there aren’t supports available for farmers in those situations,” says Hagen. “I do think we should keep building awareness [about mental health], but I also think it is time to move forward and start developing programs that are for farmers and developed with farmers.”

So that’s exactly what she did. Using findings from surveys, interviews, and other research, Hagen and Dr. Jones-Bitton, in collaboration with stakeholders, developed ‘In the Know’ – a mental health literacy training program designed specifically for farmers.

In the Know, which consists of a four-hour in-person session, uses farming context to educate partic-

ipants on mental health matters, including how to recognize when they or someone else is struggling, ways to cope with stress, and helping others find support. The program finished its pilot run in 2019 and will soon be available across the country.

“It feels really good to know that, hopefully, we did something that is sustainable and that we took the necessary time to create something that will make a difference.”

While Hagen’s work as PhD candidate is almost over, her work advocating for mental health in agriculture is just ramping up.

In fact, Hagen is in the process of obtaining funding to expand the research program in the coming years.

“As we learn more about mental health, people are making decisions to leave agriculture because of how hard it is [on their mental well-being],” she says.

“We need to do something about that … and I hope we can leverage the research work we are doing to get solid, permanent funding for farmer mental health nationally.

“Because you can’t keep a healthy farm without keeping a healthy mind.”

Avoid entrapment incidents with proper grain storage As farmers, you understand the importance of proper storage of your crops.

High temperatures and humidity level can drastically impact grain quality. But how is this a safety concern?

This past year, we experienced a very wet harvest season and crops were put into storage in wet conditions. Once spring weather arrives, the grain will thaw and can start to go ‘out of condition’ as humidity and temperature reach certain levels and grain begins to bind together. Out of condition grain is one of the leading causes for producers to enter a bin. Across Canada, there’s an average of six fatalities every year from grain entrapment or engulfment.

Entrapment and engulfment often result from out of condition grain that has bridged over and has a void under the surface. When the producer enters the bin to assess the situation, the bridged grain gives way, entrapping or engulfing them. Another situation is from grain that has scaled up in the side walls of the bin, restricting the flow of contents. Producers often enter the bin to remove the buildup. The buildup can slump down and entrap or

engulf them.

Here are a few ways to prevent ‘out of condition’ grain storage issues, ultimately protecting your crops – and yourself: 1. The first, and most obvious way, is to dry the grain before loading it into bins. Many producers have been running grain dryers almost constantly since harvest time this year. However, this can be a costly and time-consuming option and not everyone owns a grain dryer.

2. Another way would be to load the wet grain in the bin and use your aeration systems to maintain temperature and humidity at ideal levels. It’s a delicate balance as under or overuse of the aeration system can make the grain less desirable for sale. This method calls for an understanding of the characteristics of the product being stored and a close monitoring of temperature and humidity levels.

Organizations like the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute and the Canadian Grain Commission have developed charts and resources that helpfarmers determine the ideal conditions for different grain STORAGE | 07

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STORAGE: Tech tools for safety FROM 06

varieties.

In terms of industry innovations, there tools worth exploring: imaging technology that reads the moisture content throughout the bin, regardless of size or volume; and air bag systems that uses liners that inflate and deflate, pushing the grain through for removal without

ever having to enter the bin.

Take the time to research and find the right tech for your farm.

Keeping grain in good condition will help the grain to flow without issues when unloading, reduce risks to workers, maintain grain quality and better ensure that you get the best price for your grain.

O N FAR M S AF E T Y | 7

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | 08

KINGLY AWARDS

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The KW Titans scored 37 points in the second quarter on their way to a 112-110 victory over the Island Storm Feb. 29 in Charlottetown, snapping a three-game losing streak. Akeem Ellis collected 27 points and 9 rebounds for the Titans while Olu Famutimi added 21 points and 3 assists. The win moved the Titans record to 7-15.

The Elmira Sugar Kings’ Anthony Azzano was named the January Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League defensive player of the month. Hunter Dubecki won the 2019-20 Barbara Schaefer award for fan favourite.

www.kwtitans.com

JUNIOR B HOCKEY

Kings advance after sweeping Brantford in four straight Bandits gave Elmira some trouble at times, but most of the wins were decisive in opening round of GOJHL playoffs

BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

The Elmira Sugar Kings advanced to the second round of the GOJHL playoffs, having swept the Brantford Bandits in four games. A 6-1 win Monday night in Brantford sealed the deal.

The first-place Kings opened the Midwestern Conference series February 26, posting a 7-0 victory on home ice. A 4-3 overtime win on the road Saturday was followed by an 8-3 score back at the WMC on Sunday, setting up the clinching game March 2.

The opening game of the series set the stage for what would be a fairly easy match-up, the Kings having finished first in the conference and Brantford having finished eighth. At the Dan Synder arena February 26, Brody Waters’ goals at 7:41 of the first, assisted by Mason McMahon and Carter Lennon, would prove to be the winner, though the Kings weren’t stopping there.

Jacob Black (Jeremey Goodwin, Waters) made it 2-0 less than a minute later.

At 10:36, it was Harrison Toms (McMahon, Hunter Dubecki), followed by Waters (Tyler Dam, Goodwin) at 13:49 to give the home team a 4-0 lead after one.

In the second, Matt Tolton scored at 15:02, assisted by Brett Allen. Waters completed a hat trick at 19:57 with help from Lennon and Toms.

After outshooting Brantford 16-5 and 16-4 in the first two periods, the Kings perhaps eased up on the pedal, as shots were 6-6

Jakson Kirk takes control of the play during Sunday's playoff game against Brantford. The Kings won 8-3, sweeping the series the next day.

in the third, the lone goal going to McMahon, assisted by Keaton McLaughlin.

It was 7-0 at game’s end, netminder Greg Brassard earning the shutout.

Things were decidedly closer Saturday night in Brantford. Elmira scored first – Dam, from Cooper Way and McLaughlin at 4:24 – but the Bandits responded seconds later to make it 1-1, which is where the period would end.

In the second, Brantford took the lead with a power-play goal at 6:42, with

Elmira getting the equalizer at 11:51 off of the stick of Goodwin (Waters, Toms).

But the Bandits took advantage of another power play to regain the lead at 18:41 before Goodwin’s second of the night less than a minute later knotted things up at 3-3.

There was no scoring in the third, meaning it was off to overtime. Just past the eight-minute mark, McMahon (Goodwin) put the game away. Shots were 39-33 in Elmira’s favour.

Back at the WMC on

GOT SCORES?

Sunday night, the Kings had something of a déjà vu going on, at least early. The Bandits scored first, the shortanded goal coming just 44 seconds after the opening faceoff. Fourteen minutes would pass before Dubecki, assisted by Kurtis Goodwin and Anthony Azzano, tied it up at 1-1, a score that would stand through intermission.

Despite outshooting the visitors 14-6 in the middle frame, the Kings would find themselves down 3-1 as they headed back to the

[COLIN MERLIHAN]

room for the second break, having given up both a shorthanded and a power-play goal.

But it was all Elmira in the third, erasing any thoughts the Bandits may have had about climbing back into the series.

J. Goodwin got things rolling with a power-play marker at 3:52, with assists going to McMahon and Toms. A minute later, Lennon (Brody Leblanc, Tolton) tied it up at 3-3.

With the Kings on a power play of their own, Waters

got the go-ahead goal at 6:11, assisted by J. Goodwin, Toms.

McMahon (Waters) made it 5-3 at 11:51, then scored again on the power play at 15:54, assisted by Dubecki, J. Goodwin. A minute and half later, it was Jakson Kirk, from Luke Eurig and Leblanc, making it 6-3.

Allen’s goal at 18:06, with help from Way and Niki Molson, capped the evening.

Shots were 14-2 in the final frame, and 37-17 overall for the Kings.

Facing elimination on home ice Monday night, the Bandits again opened the scoring, again on the power play, but that was it for their offensive output.

Just over two minutes later, at 5:59, Waters made it 1-1, assisted by Black and J. Goodwin. Before the period was out, goals from Leblanc (McLaughlin, Eurig) and K. Goodwin (Molson, Azzano) would seal Brantford’s fate.

The 3-1 score held through the second period, but the Kings would score three more in the third.

The first came off the stick of J. Goodwin at 11: 45, with Black and Toms drawing assists. Just shy of five minutes later came a power-play goal from Kirk (Lennon, Eurig), with Owen O’Donnell getting one with Elmira enjoying a man-advantage at 18:46, assisted

by Azzano and Leblanc.

Shots were 42-17 in favour of the Kings.

Elmira now awaits its second-round opponent, as they were the first of the Midwestern Conference teams to move on.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

LO C AL S P O RTS | 09

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

An attempt at making spring last The other day I received a phone call from an old friend of mine who moved to New Brunswick a few years back. He informed me he has finally acquired his guide’s licence and invited me to visit him this spring to fish for striped bass.

This is an offer that is very hard to refuse. And yet I probably will pass on it.

You see, as much as I’d like to visit my friend and fly fish for those great game fish during the peak of their run, spring is too short and there are already too many things for the outdoors enthusiast to do.

My dance card is especially full this spring.

I already have plans in place for turkey hunting and a brook trout fishing canoe trip. There’s also time slated for ice-out lake

STEVE GALEA NOT-SO-GREAT-OUTDOORSMAN

and rainbow trout fishing, chasing pike, a spring bear hunt, welcoming and training a new springer spaniel puppy as well as a work conference. Somewhere in all that, I also have to fit in my family life and daily work too.

So, frankly, there are only two options for me if I want to go striper fishing. I could either cancel one or more of my current scheduled activities or invent a rudimentary time machine.

Thus far, I am only in the research and development

phase.

To be clear, I am not formally trained as a scientist.

In my favour, however, I have watched Back to the Future several times and also recognize the importance of a flux capacitor – which, unless I am mistaken, is more than half the battle.

I won’t lie to you. There have been a few setbacks.

For one thing, my test subjects are cats. And working with cats is not easy.

No matter how much catnip you give them, they have a natural aversion to wearing tinfoil helmets and running backwards on treadmills.

Also, I

currently have no way of communicating with them to find out if they have indeed gone back in time.

For all I know, they could have been chased by velociraptors, which would probably explain why they get nervous whenever I get the tinfoil helmets and catnip out.

I would work with mice, but, as I said, I have cats, so that could be messy. I am not an idiot.

That’s why I fashioned a tinfoil helmet for myself. If my calculations are correct, my initial experiments would send me back

precisely three seconds in time. This doesn’t seem like a lot until you pull the trigger on a turkey and miss or set the hook two seconds late on a good fish. Then, going back three seconds in time is all a hunter or angler could wish for.

Here are my scientific notes from this morning.

7:05 am and 30 seconds: Donned my tinfoil helmet and ran backwards

on the treadmill. Interestingly enough, catnip has a much more pleasant flavour than I expected.

7:07 am and 27 seconds: I am wheezing and my head is getting sweaty.

7:07 am and 32 seconds: I’m done.

A lot of people might give up at this point and resign themselves to the fact that striped bass fishing is not in the cards this year. I am not one of those people though.

As far as I know, my method has not had any adverse effects on me at all. Therefore, I will continue to experiment until I make a breakthrough.

Right after, I finish playing with this ball of yarn.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

10 | LO C AL S P ORTS

THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Mar 01 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons White HOME: 1 VISITOR: 8 GOALS: Madison Gofton ASSISTS: Macey Robbins, Evie Klaehn

EXCELLING IN THE DOJO

Novice: LL#1

Mar 01 vs Centre Wellington HOME: 4 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Joel Allison x (2), Emmett Ball x (2) ASSISTS: Carson Towns

PeeWee: PeeWee B

Feb 21 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers HOME: 3 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Taylor Weber, Callie Gruhl, Grace Gow ASSISTS: Ella Hicks, Carrie Schwindt, Addie Fitzgerald, Julia Adams

Novice: LL#1

Feb 29 vs LL#2 HOME: 4 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Emmett Ball x (2), Joel Allison x (2) ASSISTS: Beckett Beatty, Eliot Walker Novice: Major Novice A

Mar 01 vs Orangeville Flyers HOME: 5 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Blake Heckendorn (2), Tristan Snelling (2), Liam Weiss ASSISTS: Isla McCoubrey

(2), Jackson Vogel, Harrison Brown, Arabelle Weiss, Owen Misener, Kolton Brubacher, Lukas Rintoul, Liam Weiss Shutouts: Carson Hallman and Sam Elson Atom: LL#2

Feb 25 vs CW#1 HOME: 5 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Edwin Martin (2), Austin Thompson, Noah Gibson, Braun Draper ASSISTS: Maddox Medeiros,

Austin Thompson Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 22 vs Oakville Rangers Red HOME: 3 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Josh Wraight (2), Grant Rintoul ASSISTS: Matthew Kochut, Colton Brito, William Krubally Shutouts: Cohen Hamburger Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 20 vs Oakville Rangers Red HOME: 1 in OT VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Colton Brito ASSISTS: William Krubally Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 18 vs Oakville Rangers Red HOME: 3 VISITOR: 4 in OT

Students from Schweitzer's Martial Arts in Heidelberg attended a tournament in Listowel on Saturday. Nate Bulgin placed 2nd in 7-8 years KYU (coloured) Belt, Belt Sparring and 3rd in Intermediate Chanbara (padded sword fighting). Joshua Streicher won 1st in KYU Belt Team Kata, along with Andrew Kuepfer from Milverton, and in 11-12 years Intermediate Kata. Joshua also won 2nd in Chanbara and in 9-12 years KYU Belt Self-defense. Bella Bailey took 2nd in 7-8 years Novice Chanbara and KYU Belt, Belt Sparring. Bella also took 3rd in Novice Kata. Finn Bulgin placed 2nd in 4-5 years Novice Belt Sparring and 4th in Chanbara. Jovie Bailey won 2nd in 4-5 years Novice Kata and Belt Sparring.

Kylee Jantzi won 1st in 8-9 years Novice Chanbara and Belt Sparring. Logan Davidson took 1st in 12-13 years Intermediate Chanbara and Belt Sparring, and took 2nd in Weapons.

Christopher Lavigne placed 3rd in 8-9 years Novice Belt Sparring. Joshua Streicher won 1st in 10-11 years Intermediate Self-defense and Chanbara, 2nd in Weapons, 3rd in Kata, and 4th in Belt Sparring. Tyson Jantzi placed 2nd in 6-7 years Novice Chanbara and Belt Sparring. Nate Bulgin took 1st in 5 years Novice Chanbara and 3rd in Belt Sparring.

Left phota, back row: Nate Bulgin, Joshua Streicher, Bella Bailey; front row: Finn Bulgin, Jovie Bailey. Right photo, back row: Kylee Jantzi, Logan Davidson, Christopher Lavigne, Joshua Streicher; front row: Tyson Jantzi, Nate Bulgin.

GOALS: Grant Rintoul, Colton Brito, Mason Gear ASSISTS: Colton Brito, Jordan Martin, William Krubally, Josh Wraight

HOME: 1 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Tyler Bauman

Atom: Major Atom A

Mar 01 vs Riverside Rangers HOME: 0 VISITOR: 3

Atom: LL 3

Feb 29 vs Centre Wellington 3 HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Tyler Bauman, Nicholas Shardlow Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 16 vs Guelph Gryphons HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Colton Brito, Grant Rintoul ASSISTS: William Krubally (2), Colton Brito Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 15 vs Oakville Rangers Red HOME: 1 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Colton Sinclair Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 25 vs Oakville Rangers Red HOME: 2 - OHMA Quarter Finals VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Colton Sinclair, Grant Rintoul ASSISTS: Nolan Martin, William Krubally Shutouts: Cohen Patterson Atom: LL 3

Feb 21 vs Centre Wellington 3

Atom: Major Atom A

Feb 29 vs Riverside Rangers HOME: 4 VISITOR: 8 GOALS: Reese Martin (2), Nolan Martin, William Krubally Atom: Select

Feb 23 vs New Hamburg Huskies HOME: 3 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Matthew Wilkie (2), Drew Snyder ASSISTS: Bryden Schaefer, Nolan Cruickshank (2), Logan Goodfellow Atom: Select

PeeWee: Major PeeWee A

Feb 29 vs Brampton HOME: 7 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Brandon Fishman (4), Carter Snider, Carson Staken (2)

GOALS: Dylan Burkholder x (2), Tyler Gingrich x (2) ASSISTS: Cole Dixon x (2), Timmy Freeman x (1), Lucas Moore x (1), Alex Hiller x (1), Clyde Chico x (1)

ASSISTS: Danny Schaefer,

Shutouts: Ryan Lashbrook

Jakob Noot, Rylan Heimpel (2), Ethan Burkholder

PeeWee: Major PeeWee A

Shutouts: Ayden Schaap PeeWee: Peewee LL3

Mar 01 vs Centre Wellington 1 HOME: 2 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Tyler Brubacher x (2) ASSISTS: Kyle Kim (1), Alex Hiller x (2) PeeWee: Peewee LL3

Feb 29 vs Centre Wellington CW2 HOME: 1 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Tyler Brubacher x (1) ASSISTS: Kyle Kim x (1)

Mar 01 vs Oakville Rangers Blue HOME: 1 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Jakob Noot ASSISTS: Gavin Neabel Shutouts: Mitchell Roemer

WOOLWICH WILD

ASSISTS: Ryan Brubacher,

ASSISTS: Sage Balog (2),

Keenan Martin, Ethan Martin (2), Eric Hutton, Teagan Cadeau

Emma Forwell, Lauryn Kidd, Brinley Fitzgerald, Stella Grundy, Bronwyn Rozema, McKenzie Rank

Feb 29 vs Centre Wellington HOME: 6 VISITOR: 6 GOALS: Carter Lipp (3), Hunter Lance, Logan McLauchlan, Ben Hibbard

ASSISTS: Braun Draper,

ASSISTS: Blake Dueck (3),

Gabe Callaghan (2), Drew Snyder, Austin Thompson, Matthew Wilkie, Aiden Basler

Benjamin Lipp (2), Hunter Lance, Connor Airdrie

ASSISTS: Ethan Bickerton,

PeeWee: Peewee LL3

Shutouts: Evan Catton

Shutouts: Tim Callaghan

Feb 23 vs Peewee LL3 HOME: 0 VISITOR: 4

Bantam: Major A

Mar 29 vs Burlington HOME: 3 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: ryan Brubacher, Denver Martin, Tucker Armstrong Drew Birmingham, Ryan Brubacher

PeeWee: Peewee A

Mar 26 vs Waterloo HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Brooke Kroetsch, Brie Brezynskie ASSISTS: Olivia Straus, Kara MacPherson Shutouts: Riley Nelson PeeWee: Peewee A

Novice: Novice B

Bantam: Major A Mar 23 vs Milton HOME: 6 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Ethan Bickerton, Parker Alles (2), Ryan Brubacher, Keenan Martin, Ethan Martin

PeeWee: LL #1

Feb 29 vs Saugeen Maitland HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Olivia Straus, Sara Forwell ASSISTS: Sara Forwell and Lexie de Jeu Shutouts: Grace Breen

Novice: Novice B

Mar 01 vs Wilmot Wolverines HOME: 4 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: McKenzie Rank (2), Audrey English (2) ASSISTS: Lauryn Kidd (2), Emma Forwell (2), Brinley Fitzgerald, Julia Hallman, Hailey Frede

Feb 29 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons HOME: 9 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Lauryn Kidd (2), Audrey English (2), Julia Hallman, Presley McFadden, Stella Grundy, McKenzie Rank, Maggie McAdam

Mar 01 vs Guelph Gryphons HOME: 8 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Aiden Basler, Ryder Bauman (3), Bryden Schaefer, Gabe Callaghan, Nolan Cruickshank, Braun Draper

PeeWee: Peewee A

Atom: Atom B

Feb 27 vs Wilmot Wolverines HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Emma Huber, Emily Brubacher ASSISTS: Leah Hunter (2), Taylor Rayfield Shutouts: Hailey Thom Atom: LL

Feb 25 vs Wilmot HOME: 3 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Sara Forwell (3) ASSISTS: Claire Catton (2), Kendra Hill (2), Olivia Weiss Shutouts: Riley Nelson PeeWee: PeeWee B

Mar 01 vs Ayr Rockets HOME: 0 VISITOR: 0 Shutouts: Sam Weber PeeWee: LL

Mar 01 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons White HOME: 2 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Hailey Mueller, Maggie Ropp ASSISTS: Brooklyn Pope, Sofia Fitch PeeWee: LL

Feb 29 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons White HOME: 1 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Brooklyn Pope ASSISTS: Sofia Fitch

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

LO C AL S P O RTS | 11

Jacks up 3-2 in second round series against Ayr It’s been a close series all the way, with Wellesley getting a leg up Tuesday night with a 4-0 win on home ice

BY DAMON MACLEAN

dmaclean@woolwichobserver.com

The Wellesley Applejacks are in tight battle against the Ayr Centennials in the second round of the Provincial Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Jacks find themselves up 3-2 following a 4-0 win Tuesday night at the Wellesley arena.

Having beaten New Hamburg in the first round, the Jacks opened their series against the Centennials February 26 on home ice, skating to a 3-2 win. Ayr turned the tables the following night in their own barn, posting a 3-2 victory. It was much less close in the next two games, an 8-3 Centennial win in Wellesley on Saturday, followed by a 7-4 decision for the visitors in Ayr on Sunday afternoon.

Fans got a taste of how close things would be right from the get-go. In game one, neither side was able to score, each posting 13 shots. Ayr would finally get on the board at 5:01 of the second, going up 2-0 less than four minutes later, and taking the lead into the second intermission.

Shots were 12-12 in the middle frame.

The Jacks found their footing in the third, a shorthanded goal from Justin McCombs at 8:23, assisted by Owen Lane, getting them back in it.

Lane tied things up at 2-2 when he scored one

of his own at 17:10, assists going to Warren Gorman and Zach Ribeiro. Just 13 seconds later, Carson Wickie (Shaun Pickering, Austin Cousineau) got what would prove to be the game-winner.

Final shots were 40-37 in favour of the home team.

Thursday night in Ayr was a back-and-forth affair. Again, the Centennials scored first, breaking the ice at 18:42, but the Ribeiro (Koby Seiling, Gorman) tied it up with just six seconds left in the frame.

Ayr scored the lone goal of the second period to take a 2-1 lead that stood for more than 30 minutes before Wellesley’s Troy Vandenbussche got the equalizer, an unassisted marker at 15:03 of the third.

With no more scoring in regulation time, it was off to OT, where Ayr got the winner at 5:59.

Shot totals were much less close than the score, the Centennials coming out ahead 46-26.

On Saturday night at the Wellesley arena, Ayr scored the first and last goals, and most of the ones that came in between.

After giving up the first goal again at 12:43, the Jacks replied less than a minute later courtesy of a goal by Cousineau (Wickie, Pickering), but that’s as close as it would get. The Centennials took advantage of power plays to add

Ayr tied up the series in game two on home ice Feb. 27, with the Jacks taking two of the next three. [DAMON MACLEAN]

two more before the period ended.

In another quiet middle frame, Ayr went up 4-1. In the third period, two more Centennial goals spelled the end of the night for netminder Kailem Chappele, who was replaced

by Duncan Rolleman. It was 6-1 less than halfway through before Wellesley’s Matt Caskanette, assisted

by Pickering, got one back on a power play at 10:44.

Less than a minute later, however, it was 7-2. Danny

Ranson’s goal at 14:49, assisted by Ribeiro and Pickering, was negated by Ayr’s shorthanded goal at 18:56.

At the buzzer, it was 8-3 for the Centennials. Shots were 42-35 in favour of the visitors.

Back in North Dumfries Sunday afternoon, the Jacks got on the scoreboard first, scoring early and often such that they never trailed. Ribiero, from Lane, made it 1-0 just 32 seconds in. Zachary Lyons made it 2-0 at 9:03, with

Lane picking up another assist on the shorthanded effort.

Ayr scored on a power play at 15:23 to make it 2-1 going into the first intermission.

Ranson’s goal, assisted

by Wickie and McCombs, at 1:57 of period number two made it 3-1. Two minutes later, Gorman (McCombs) made it a threegoal lead. Ayr replied twice, making it a one-goal game again, before James Ranson (Ribeiro, Cas-

kanette) scored at 12:44 and again at 15:52 (Lyons, Lane) to put the game out of reach.

Ayr scored again late, so it was 6-4 after 40 minutes.

Lane capped a fourpoint night with a goal just 40 seconds into the third, assisted by Lyons and Ribeiro – 7-4 is how the scoreboard would remain through the final buzzer, with the shot clock showing 37-35 in favour of the Centennials. Chappelle picked up the win, stopping 33 pucks.

On Tuesday night, the Jacks led from start to finish, despite being outshot 43-28 on the night.

Chappelle recorded the shoutout Cousineau’s goal, assisted by D. Ranson, late in the first period proved to be enough. The Jacks added to the total, however, when J. Ranson (Lane) scored on the power play at 13:45 of the second period. Just 14 seconds later, Gianfranco Commisso (Steve DeGroot, Seiling) made it 3-0, which is how the period ended.

In the third, Keegan Saunders added an empty-net goal at 17:51 to round out the night’s scoring.

Game six in the series sees the action move to Ayr tonight (Thursday), where the Jacks could move on with a victory. If needed, game seven will be played Saturday night, 7:30 p.m., back at the Wellesley arena.

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ALL THINGS EQUAL

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The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual International Women's Day breakfast Friday morning (7 a.m.) at the St. George Banquet Hall in Waterloo. This year’s theme is #EachForEqual – an equal world is an enabled world. speakers include: Sabrina Adair, Founder/CEO of Enabling Adaptations Inc., and Jessica Gerber, Manager of Oakridge Acres Country Meat Store. www.greaterkwchamber.com

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT The federal government announced this week it’s investing $492 million through Employment and Social Development's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program for some 270 projects across Canada to help young people facing barriers to employment. Young people aged between 15 and 30 are eligible to receive support, employment services and opportunities provided by organizations funded through the YESS.

G I V I N G B I RT H TO C H A N G E

Local midwives join province-wide messaging effort Professionals want Queen’s Park to act on human rights tribunal ruling in favour of bridging pay gap

BY SEAN HEEGER

sheeger@woolwichobserver.com

After seven years of waiting, midwives across the province are again urging the government to take action to address the pay gap in their industry.

In 2013, midwives took their case to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging the government discriminated against what midwives were compensated based on gender.

In early 2020, the ruling came down in their favour.

Now, the province has applied for a judicial review of the tribunal’s decision, delaying action on an issue that dates back to the previous government.

In response, midwives from across the province visited their MPPs’ offices February 28 to deliver a message, with the hopes of pushing them to start the process of bridging the gap.

Julie Corey, a midwife with St. Jacobs Midwives who is also an adjunct assistant clinical professor with the McMaster School of Medicine, said she is pleased with the tribunal’s ruling, and is now hopeful things can move forward with the government.

The group hopes the province realizes their constituents – both midwives and everyone else – are putting pressure on them, telling them that reviewing the tribunal ruling is a waste of tax dollars and we want them to come to the table, then they’ll be able to negotiate a remedy, said Corey “This is of course in our optimistic moments what

Julie Corey is part of the St. Jacobs Midwives team that joined colleagues from across Ontario calling on the province to honour a ruling in support of pay equity.

we’re hoping for.”

In pessimistic moments, the Association of Ontario Midwives believes the government may be stalling and trying to use whatever legal means they have to push aside and not address the issue, she added.

In addition to finally settling the issues within their industry, Corey says this could be precedent-setting for those in similar careers where pay discrimination is prevalent.

“If there’s a precedent set, that this large female-dominated profession was able to get the HRTO to give them a ruling that says, ‘yes, there is a pay gap here that needs to be addressed’ … and if we have that, we’re hoping that could have a positive impact maybe on other groups that are fighting for this as well.”

While the review runs its course, local politicians do hold the midwives in high

Accreditation Number: 38988

regard and hope to remedy the situation.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris says he is a strong advocate of midwifery and looks forward to working with midwives in the community.

“Our government values the contributions that midwives make in providing safe and accessible 24/7 care for Ontario families,” said Harris. “This includes my family, as four out of five of our children were

born by midwives. I have been a strong advocate for midwifery care in Waterloo Region, including inviting the minister to announce additional funding for St. Jacobs Midwives, engaging local hospitals to increase their access, and sponsoring their advocacy day at Queen’s Park.”

Corey says she hopes the outcome shows the work they do is valued, and whether it goes their way or not, she and the rest of

[SEAN HEEGER / THE OBSERVER]

the midwives she works with will continue to serve the community, ensuring the health of mother and baby.

Currently, there are more than 900 midwives working in the province of Ontario.

Midwives are regulated health professionals who take care of women during their pregnancy as well as six weeks after a child is born. They are considered specialists in normal birth.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

BU S IN E S S V E NT URE S | 13

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Corona beer poll shows how facts get skewered

T

his week, social media is on fire about a poll that allegedly found 38 per cent of Americans would not drink Corona beer because of the corona virus.

The implication is that about 280 of 737 beer-drinking Americans who participated in the poll aren’t bright enough to dissociate the beer with the virus.

That’s kind of funny, or sad, depending on your perspective. But don’t despair … it turns out the reporting is inaccurate.

In the poll, four per cent – not 38 per cent – said they’d stop drinking Corona because of the corona virus. The 38 per cent figure stemmed from respondents saying they “would not buy Corona under any circumstances now.”

That included the fact that they don’t like the taste of it, not that they associate it with the virus.

I suspect some of those respondents don’t like Corona because they’ve had the same experience as me – Corona, in its clear glass bottle, seems to go skunky more easily than other beers because of exposure to ultraviolet light.

When it’s fresh and stored properly, it’s good.

But if not, it’s offensive, just like any other beer that goes skunky.

The whole debacle will be forgotten soon. However, the damage done to Corona could be significant.

And even if 30-ish poll respondents think there’s a connection between the beer and the virus, that’s too many. Overall, it shows once again the need for greater agriculture and food literacy among consumers of all types.

This week kicks off Cana-

OWEN ROBERTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

dian Agricultural Literacy Month. It’s driven by the Agriculture in the Classroom organization, and as such, it’s mainly aimed at students. But we could all take a chapter from it.

Says Connie Tamoto, Cargill’s senior manager of corporate responsibility for Canada: “Agriculture is how we will energize the next generation of leaders.”

Let’s hope so, and let’s hope leaders everywhere are energized. Because we and our neighbours to the south aren’t the only ones trying to figure out what’s going on in agriculture and food, and how it’s produced.

For example, in Switzerland, a referendum is underway to, in its words, ‘ensure clean drinking water and healthy foods.’

That sounds innocent enough.

But many in the agriculture sector are calling it an anti-farmer initiative.

If passed, it would restrict

farmers’ ability to receive government subsidies if they use pesticides and preventative antibiotics, and if they feed their animals grain that comes from someone else’s farm.

This is huge to Swiss farmers. Many have only a few cattle and receive subsidies so they can stay small, for tourism purposes. Visitors come to see cattle here and there on the mountainside, not in a feedlot. It’s part of their culture.

However, farmers also need to control pests and disease, which is where pesticides come in. They don’t always have enough land to grow their own grain. Or sometimes a whole region can suffer from a crop failure, particularly given how volatile the climate has become, and farmers need to purchase their grain elsewhere.

People who think farmers can survive in a bubble without protecting their crops and animals are misinformed or are being misled.

But without some measure of agricultural literacy, without knowing what’s realistic on the farm and what’s isn’t, out-of-touch scenarios can gain steam.

That’s especially true when social media is the engine.

People should have a choice. If enough of them want to pay a premium and buy food grown or raised in a certain way, no problem.

Some farmers will rise to the occasion and provide it, as long as they’re paid for the extra costs it takes to produce it.

Imposing restrictions on everyone, though, is not necessary, and assumes the current food production system is skewered. It’s not.

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MORE RICHARD

IN COMPETITION Elora Community Theatre production of Mom’s Gift, written by Phil Olson and directed by Stan Jensen, has been selected to compete in the Western Ontario Drama League Festival. The competition will be held at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, Mar. 16-20. Mom’s Gift will be performed Mar. 20. Five theatre groups from the region have been selected after being adjudicated from September to February and will be competing at the Festival in Cambridge.

Your local hub for our creative communities. Let us know when inspiration strikes.

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Demand has extended the Stratford Festival’s 2020 production of Richard III for another three weeks, giving theatregoers more opportunities to see Colm Feore bring this iconic role to life in the festival’s brand new Tom Patterson Theatre, which opens this spring after more than two years of construction and fundraising. Richard III, which now closes on November 14, has already been extended once, even before tickets went on sale to the public in January. www. stratfordfestival.ca

Getting to the truth of the matter O N STAG E

Drayton Entertainment stages Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama A Few Good Men at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

On route to a courtroom confrontation that exclaims “You can’t handle the truth!” there’s plenty of tension and drama in A Few Good Men, the latest offering from Drayton Entertainment at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.

Based on the play by Aaron Sorkin, who’d write the screenplay for the film that stars Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men opens the 2020 season, now on stage until March 22. It tells the story of military corruption and a quest for justice, culminating in the famous courtroom exchange between Cruise’s Lt. Daniel Kaffee and Nicholson’s Col. Nathan R. Jessep. “‘You can't handle the truth’ is such an iconic lines. That certainly goes through your mind, whether you're going to do it in your own particular way – it’s sort of almost a coolness, a ritualistic thing,” said Benedict Campbell, who plays Jessep in the Drayton adaptation. “If you don't deliver the goods ... you don’t want people to be let down, but to be inspired.

“I tend to go with not necessarily what Jack Nicholson did, but what the script demands at that moment. It's a sort of high-pressure situation.

And he (Jessep) is beginning to feel pressure. He’s someone who's managed to keep his cool through the entire play, actually

Randy Hughson, Benedict Campbell and Amos Crawley in a scene from the Drayton Entertainment production of A Few Good Men, now on stage in St. Jacobs.

loves the fact that he remains calm and cool in all circumstances with his Marine background, but is just driven to the point where he can't control himself anymore.”

Campbell is no stranger to courtroom dramas, having last season appeared as one of the jurors in Twelve Angry Men. A veteran performer with more than 40 years under his belt, he’s played a variety of roles in stints with National Arts Centre, Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival,

among others.

For this production, he’s joined by Tyrone Savage as Kaffee, the Tom Cruise role in the film, and Shannon Currie as Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway, a brilliant Internal Affairs lawyer with a passion for justice who joins Kaffee’s legal team, the role played by Demi Moore in the film.

The drama hinges on whether the murder of a young marine was the work of a couple of colleagues at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay or part of

a more system retribution known as a “Code Red.” The two marines accused of the crime are defended

by Kaffee, a lawyer with no courtroom experience who typically opts for plea bargains. It looks like a simple case of soldiers behaving badly until evidence suggests that high-ranking officials may have ordered an illicit disciplinary measure known only as a “Code Red.” When fellow lawyer and naval investigator Galloway suspects a cover-up, the legal team comes up

against the highest authorities, and puts the entire marine code of honour on trial in order to solve the case.

“The story unravels who’s guilty, who’s the real guilty party, as opposed to the young men – is it the commander in charge? And that plays out in court,” Campbell explained.

A Few Good Men was Sorkin’s first play. Then an unknown, he’d go on to acclaim with TV hits such as The West Wing

[HILARY GAULD CAMILLERI]

and The Newsroom, and celebrated movies like the Oscar-winning film The Social Network, Steve Jobs, Charlie Wilson's War and Moneyball.

The Drayton Entertainment production of A Few Good Men runs through March 22 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Tickets are $49.50, or $29 for youth under 20, available by calling the box office at 519-747-7788 – toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866) – or www.draytonentertainment.com.

We have photos to share.

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CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 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.

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

To apply, forward your resume and three references to: 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.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

record and attention to detail is a must. A police check will be required.

COOK, CLEANER Please call 519-532-0622.

REQUIRED BY ELDERLY gent in central Waterloo, FOR SALE two half days per week.

Phone 519-746-6521. HILLCREST HOME BAKAFTER MARCH 9 FOR ING SPRING SALE. APPOINTMENT. March 10 - 21, 2020.

519-669-1381. 10% disPART-TIME CLEANER IN count on all fabrics - poly/ AN INDUSTRIAL SET- cottons, 100% cottons, flannel, ting. 10:00am-1:30 pm. broadcloth, Cleaning cafeterias and fleece, liverpool, covering washrooms. Must be material. 15% discount physically capable of lift- on printed polyesters ing garbage and mopping. selected fabrics - HALF Excellent attendance PRICE. 10% discount on quilt batts, table cloth, HELP WANTED

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 $3.50; Ital pasta 900g $1.99. New style dish sets coming - June/July.

NEW WALTERSCHEID 2280 RAKE PTO WITH CV and radial pin clutch, 540 at each end. 1 meter long CV bars. $1,450.00 plus HST. 1 new power steering cylinder to fit Ford 5610-6610 tractor $315.00. Snow blower PTO guard 60 hop & 45hp for sale, 1 each size for spicer pto. More pto parts for sale. For more details please call 519-765-3230 at Springfield Drives.

auction of a country property with a charming 1 ½ storey, 4 bedrooms brick home; and household effects. 975 Sawmill Rd, Bloomingdale.

Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com MON. MARCH 9 AT 7:00PM - ONLINE ONLY auction closing of military; toys; collectibles; ephemera and much much more. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. www.Jantziauctions.hibid.com.

AUCTION SALE OF 95 ACRE FARM, MACHINery, and miscellaneous items, to be held at 2517 Fischer-Hallman Rd. North Dumfries Twp. (north of Roseville, approx. 1 ½ miles south of Kitchener City limits), for Evan and Anne Snider, on Saturday, March 14th SCOOTER, FORTRESS @ 9:30 a.m. Gerber Auc1700. 3 WHEEL, BAT- tions Ltd. 519-699-4451 tery charger included. or 519-698-0138.

Asking $800 obo. In good condition. Please call 519- GERBER AUCTION 664-2176.

SALE OF TRACTORS, machinery, few household AUCTIONS goods and miscellaneous AUCTION SALE OF items, to be held at 6105 ANTIQUES, COLLECT- Buehler Line, Wellesley ibles, household goods Twp. (approx. 1 ½ miles and miscellaneous items, southeast of Dorking or to be held at the K.W. 3 miles northwest of LinKhaki Club, 2939 Nafziger wood), for Verna Sauder, Rd. 2 miles south of on Saturday, March 21st Wellesley, on Saturday, @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber AucMarch 7th @ 9:30 a.m. tions Ltd. 519-699-4451 Gerber Auctions Ltd. or 698-0138 519-699-4451 or 519-698MONDAY MARCH 23 AT 0138 7:00 PM -ONLINE ONLY SAT. MARCH 7 AT auction of Nascar; die 10:00AM -PROPERTY cast; banks; Darn Earn-

SHOP RACKING-CARTS COMPRESSORS Shop/Moving/Storage carts from $39, Racks from $55, Pallet Racks $120 and up, Pallet Truck $995 Compressors: Tecumseh model AE9423EC +10-45 degree, 115 volt 8.1 amp, gas R22 $200 each.

Compressor: Copelametic 575 volt 3 phase 6.3 am $1100.

Call 519-654-2554 | Waterloo FOR SALE

INFRARED SPACE HEATERS SUNPAC Natural gas 34,000 BTU, black, like new. 2 available $895 each ($1900 new)

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hardt cars and memorabilia and much much more. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. www.jantziauctions. hibid.com.

WED. MARCH 25 AT 9:30 AM - CLEARING auction sale of household effects; furniture; antiques; tools; and miscellaneous items at the St. Jacobs Community Centre. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www. jantziauctions.com FARM SERVICES

USED RESTAURANT-BAR-CATERINGWAREHOUSE EQUIPMENT SALE

Tuesdays 9:30 am - 3:30pm Or by appointment 519-886-7777 #29 RESTAURANTCATERING WARE

BAR

Draft towers, Stainless Ice Well 48" 40 Quart varimixer, dish wash racks Glass ware, Perlick Glass Chiller Electric alto Sham-Hot box,Prep True Bar Fridges, Mancave decor tables, 36” Elect Salamander, Pasta New Beer Brand Umbrellas, Signs Magic, Large Quantity white china FURNISHINGS 95 ¢- $1.75, Hotel pans, Cambro Banquettes, Booth Seating food transporters, Lg quantity Bars, Room Dividers glassware-serving utensils Dining and Bar Height Tables Chandeliers, wall units

AUDIO AND LIGHTING

MAINTENANCE Martin BLACKLINE H3 Speakers and WSXA Bass , 8'x 8' motorized Screen, Racking, Tools, Gas Heaters Martin Hazer DJ Gear, Records, Shelving, Glass block compressors Microh Laser and LED Panels and Clarke-auto scrubber, Pallet truck, Lighting, Pioneer CDJ 400’s, Mixing Gravley Lawn tractor + boards, etc attachments

BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS AGRICULTURAL Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; Computers , Printers, Desks, Chairs, File Cabinets & more! feed grade lime, 25kg.

341 Marsland Dr., Waterloo Unit 3 (Enter at Black Canopy) Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-5744141 or 519-669-2045. watches Illinois, Hamilton, water, cable and wifi). RON'S DRYWALL AND Omega, Rolex, Bretling, Available April 1, 2020. RENOVATIONS. OVER Tudor etc. Silver & gold Contact: jakem_8@hot- 35 years experience.

FERTILIZER AND SEED coins, early paper money, mail.com Please call 519-496-7539 GRAIN - AT COMPETIrock records, gold jewelor email ron.spncr@ tive pricing. Call George lery, diamonds, clocks, TRADES & gmail.com Haffner Trucking, 519SERVICES cash waiting. Call Terry 574-4141. at 519-242-6900 or email gallamore@golden.net ICE SALT & ICE MELT Fair, honest prices.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - ICE SALT COMES IN 20 & 40kg's, Ice melt WANTED - USED CHINA FINANCIAL SERVICES comes in 20kg bags. Call DINNER SET IN APPLE George Haffner Trucking, blossom or other floral 519-574-4141 or 519-669- pattern. 519-504-0961.

2045. ...& SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING RENTALS KILN DRIED CORN & SHELLY & SCOTT TAYLOR CORN SCREENING LOOKING TO RENT A Delivered by Einwechter. HOUSE WITH NO OUT28 Pintail Drive, Elmira, ON, N3B 3G9 Minimum 15 ton lots. Call side work? Shared rental George Haffner Trucking (kitchen and laundry 519-574-4141 or 519-669- room) of this Elmira home taylortax@rogers.com 2045. including main floor living room, 3 bedrooms, and new bathroom. No outWANTED side work required. No BUYING ALL OLD pets/no smoking. $1950/ POCKET AND WRIST mth (includes hydro, gas,

519-669-0003

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

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SKATE SHARPENING

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

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

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

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page SCOPED OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW NOTICE OF OPEN HOUSE and NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Township of Woolwich has initiated a scoped review of the Township Official Plan. As part of the review process, a public open house will be held in Elmira as noted below.

OPEN HOUSE Thursday, March 12, 2020, 4 to 6:30 pm Community Room, Woolwich Memorial Centre 24 Snyder Avenue South, Elmira Following the Open House, a formal public meeting for the Scoped Official Plan review will be held as follows: PUBLIC MEETING Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 7 pm Township Council Chambers, 24 Church Street West, Elmira The Township of Woolwich will hold a Public Meeting, under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act, to consider a new Official Plan as part the Township Scoped Official Plan review. The changes are scoped to bring the plan into conformity with the Provincial and Regional policies. Details of this review are as follow.

Township Council adopted the current Official Plan in 2000, which was approved by the Region in 2002.

Since that time, the Province made significant changes to its planning policies and legislation with the approval of the following: • 2005 Provincial Policies Statement (PPS), which was further amended in 2014, • 2006 Planning Act, which was further amended in 2019, and • 2006 A Place to Grow (P2G), which was further amended in 2017 and 2019.

The current 2014 PPS: • Provide greater protection of prime agricultural areas and support and enhances the long-term viability and sustainability of farming and the agri-food network, • Promote intensification in the existing urban areas, • Address the conversion of land within employment areas, • Promote alternative energy and conservation of existing energy sources, and • Provide stronger policies to protect environmental features and resources.

The Planning Act changes • Allow municipalities to request various studies and pre-consultation requirements that would form a ‘complete application’ as part of the development approval process, • Reduce planning decision timelines, • Prohibit appeals in the context of private amendments to expand an urban boundary or remove any land from an area of employment, • Allow municipalities to incorporate certain building design controls as part of the Site Plan Approval process, • Make it easier to create additional accessory residential units, such as above garages and in basements, • Increase the certainty and predictability of the planning system and help build housing, including affordable housing near transit areas, • Modify the process and structure (from Ontario Municipal Board to Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) for adjudicating planning application appeals, and • Allow the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal to make decisions based on the best planning outcome.

The current 2019 P2G: • Planning for complete communities where one can live, work, shop and recreate, • Provide for transit-oriented development and ‘walkable’ communities, with less dependency on the automobile, • Require expansion of settlement areas primarily through a municipal comprehensive review, • Provide greater protection of employment areas and consider requests, through a municipal comprehensive review, the conversion of employment lands, • The potential identification of Provincially Significant Employment Zones, • Meet prescribed density targets and managing forecasted growth through intensification within existing built-up areas, Greenfield areas, and growth centers (i.e. downtowns), • Reduce the need for urban area expansion by placing greater focus on intensification within existing built-up areas in a compact and efficient form, and • Protect, conserve and enhance the valuable natural resources of lands, air and water.

P.O. Box 158

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

Phone:

519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820

After Hours Emergency:

519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca

current PPS, Planning Act and Places to Grow, as well as the ROP, where it does not conflict with Provincial policy and legislation. In addition, the Township is proposing minor site-specific and housekeeping changes.

A draft copy of the proposed new Township Official Plan can be viewed or obtained as follows: View / print the information from the Township webpage at www.woolwich.ca. Select Ongoing Planning Items / Scoped Official Plan Review; Email planning@woolwich.ca to request a copy by email; Visit the Development Services department at the Township Administration building located at 24 Church Street West, Elmira weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to view a copy; or Obtain a copy of the Information Report at the Public Meeting as previously noted.

An information report will be available at the Public Meeting to provide a brief summary of the proposed changes. As the new Official Plan will apply to all lands within the municipal boundary of the Township of Woolwich a location map is not included.

Please be advised that Notice of the Public Meeting does not indicate whether the Township is in support of, or in opposition to the proposal. That determination will be made at a later date.

No decisions will be made at this meeting; its purpose is to provide additional information to the public and agencies and to receive comments and presentations in favour of and/or in opposition to the proposed new Official Plan.

APPEAL RIGHTS TAKE NOTICE that if a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the Township of Woolwich or the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of Woolwich before the by-law is passed, or the new Official Plan is adopted the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

AND TAKE NOTICE that if a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the Township of Woolwich or the Regional Municipality of Waterloo before the by-law is passed or the new Official Plan is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

NOTIFICATION If you cannot attend the meeting, you can express your concerns/comments about the proposed change in writing to the Township of Woolwich. Any comments received on or before March 17, 2020 (Note that this date is before the public meeting) will be included in a report prepared by Development Services and presented at the Public Meeting. Any comments received after the Public Meeting, but prior to Council making a decision on the applications, will also be considered but will not be included in the Information Report available at the Public Meeting.

The personal information accompanying your submission is being collected under the authority of the Planning Act and may form part of the public record which may be released to the public. This information is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public at the Committee of the Whole and Council meetings. Please note that while the Committee of the Whole and Council may redact some personal information such as email addresses and phone numbers, your submissions will otherwise be made public in their entirety. Questions about this collection should be directed to the Records and Freedom of Information Officer at 519-669-1647 or 1-877-969-0094 ext. 6005.

Should you wish to be notified of future meetings and reports regarding this application, please: • submit a written request, noting that you wish to be kept informed, to the Township of Woolwich, Development Services, 24 Church Street West, Box 158, Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6, or • email your request noting that you wish to be kept informed to planning@woolwich.ca ; or • register your name and address on the signup sheet available at the Public Meeting.

SPEAKING AT THE PUBLIC MEETING The public is invited to speak to this proposal as part of the public meeting. However, if you would like to speak at the March 24th public meeting, please register as a delegation in advance of the meeting by contacting the Township’s Clerk office, on or before 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19th as follows: • Contact Sarah Goldrup by phone 519-669-6004, 1-877-969-0094 ext. 6004, or by email at sgoldrup@woolwich.ca • Or visit www.woolwich.ca/delegations for more information on speaking before Council and to register through the online delegation request form.

Unregistered delegations will also be invited to speak at the March 24th meeting but will be limited to five minutes.

Questions or written submissions may be directed to: Jeremy Vink, Manager of Planning Email – jvink@woolwich.ca Phone – 519-669-6038 / 1-877-969-0094 ext. 6038

In 2015 the Region approved their new Official Plan (ROP) to conform to the Provincial Policies and legislation in effect at that time. The Region is currently undertaking a municipal comprehensive review of the 2015 ROP to bring it into conformity with Provincial policies.

Township of Woolwich Development Services Department Box 158, 24 Church Street West Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6

Similarly, the Township is completing a scoped Official Plan review to bring the Plan into conformity with the

Dated at the Township of Woolwich this 5th day of March 2020.

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page TOWNSHIPS OF WOOLWICH and CENTRE WELLINGTON CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Middlebrook Place Bridges # 170160 and # 180160 NOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETION In November 2017 the Township of Woolwich and the Township of Centre Wellington initiated a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment to review alternatives for the Middlebrook Truss Bridge and the Middlebrook Concrete Bridge. Structural inspections identified the need for permanent closure, repairs or replacement of the Middlebrook Truss Bridge and the Middlebrook Concrete Bridge due to their condition. The purpose of the study was to determine a strategy to address the short and long term needs of the structures.

• Removal without replacement of the Middlebrook Truss Bridge • Replacement of the Middlebrook Concrete Bridge The preferred solutions from the January 21, 2020 meeting were officially approved by the Township of Centre Wellington Council on January 27, 2020 and the Township of Woolwich Council on January 28, 2020.

The Final Project File Report, documenting the study process and rationale for the Preferred Solution, is available for public review, starting February 19, 2020, on the Township of Woolwich website: https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/engineering-public-notices.aspx

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Jack Turner, P. Eng. Consultant Project Manager GM BluePlan Engineering Limited 650 Woodlawn Road West, Block C, Unit 2 Guelph, ON N1K 1B8 Tel: 519-824-8150 Email: jack.turner@gmblueplan.ca

Requests may be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch of the MECP and the Township of Woolwich. If no requests are received by March 20, 2020, the project is considered to have met the requirements of the Class EA and will proceed to construction as outlined in the Project File, subject to obtaining any other permits or approvals.

Minister Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 77 Wellesley Street West, 11th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2T5 E-mail: Minister.MECP@ontario.ca Director, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 Email: enviropermissions@ontario.ca Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, please note all comments will become part of the public record.

This Notice first issued February 19, 2020. https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/engineering-public-notices.aspx

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If serious concerns arise regarding this project, that cannot be resolved through discussions with the Township, you may request the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to issue a ‘Part II Order’ for the project. Within the Part II Order request, the Minister may be requested to refer the matter to mediation, impose additional project conditions, and/or request an elevated scope of study (i.e. an individual environmental assessment). A Part II Order request requires the completion of a ‘Part II Order Request’ Form (i.e. Form ID No.012-2206E). The form can be found online on Service Ontario’s Central Forms Repository website (http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/) by searching ‘Part II Order’ or ‘012-2206E’ (i.e. the form number).

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After Hours Emergency:

This Notice initiates a 30 calendar day Public Review Period. We encourage members of the public to review the Project File and share their comments or concerns by March 20, 2020. Please contact one of the following members of the project team if you have any questions or comments:

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Phone:

519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820

and at the Township of Woolwich Administration Office at 24 Church Street West, P.O. Box 158, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6. Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Project File will also be available for review at the Township of Centre Wellington Administration Office at 1 McDonald Squre, Elora, N0B 1S0.

Office hours are the same as the Township of Woolwich.

Ryan Tucker, P. Eng. Engineering Project Supervisor Township of Woolwich 24 Church Street West, P.O. Box 158, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6 Tel: 519-669-6048 E-mail: rtucker@woolwich.ca

A key component of this study was consultation with interested stakeholders, agencies and members of the public. A Notice of Study Commencement inviting input was published February 16, 2018 and a Public Consultation Centre (PCC) was held on November 27, 2018 to present existing conditions, alternative solutions and their potential impacts on the social, cultural, natural, technical and economic environments and to request feedback. On November 12, 2019 a Notice of Schedule Change and Meeting Before Council was issued, which outlined that the preliminary recommendations to Council were removal of the Middlebrook Truss Bridge and rehabilitation of the Middlebrook Concrete Bridge. The study was presented to Township of Woolwich Council on January 21, 2020 at the Committee of the Whole meeting. Given that the evaluation of the rehabilitation and replacement alternatives for the Middlebrook Concrete Bridge were similar with limited impacts and comparable capital costs, the Township of Woolwich Council directed staff to proceed with the following as the preferred solution:

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

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

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

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BROKERAGE

519-669-2772

allibauman17@gmail.com

Saturday March 7th 1-3pm 1022 Church St. in St. Clements

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!

NEW LISTING

519-577-6248

suefrom17@gmail.com

Independently Owned and Operated

OPEN HOUSE

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

226-750-9332

BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068

JULIE HECKENDORN Broker

Office 519-669-1544

Wendy Taylor

Contact us by email: mildred@thefreyteam.com

Sales Representative Call or text

www.peakrealestate.com

5158 A & B Ament Line, Linwood $8.50 per sq. ft MLS # 30775472 The building has a great store front with street parking. A wide variety of uses in the core of downtown Linwood. Great open area with office overhead if needed or convert to retail. This unit is now vacant and can be viewed at any time. Call listing agent.

Thinking of Buying or Selling call or email today!

LET OUR 60+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU! 12 CHICKADEE COURT

FOR LEASE

1,821 SQ.FT. $10/SQ.FT.

4-112 Oriole Pwy, Elmira: Large open space will allow for new tenant to make divisions as needed.

All shelving has been removed.

Owner is obtaining quotes to paint, remove half walls and finish the floor. MLS #30681168

“You dream...We’ll work.”

Free, no obligation, opinions of value

®

IC PR W NE

CALL FOR YOUR

FREE MARKET EVALUATION

$729,900 Great family home, within walking distance of many local amenities. This immaculate 2400 sq. ft. home features 3 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Open concept with separate diningroom, fenced, parklike rear yard, 3 pc. master ensuite. Upper level familyroom could be used as a 4th bedroom, games room or office.

Inlaw suite potential with private entrance. Move-in ready.

Shows "AAA". MLS Wendy Taylor Broker Peak Realty Ltd email wendy@wendytaylor1.com for more info.

E

SOLD $559,900

Call or text

Cell 519-741-6368 Cell 519-741-6970

www.thefreyteam.com FOR LEASE

BROKER

Cell: 519.588.7562

Quiet court setting, ‘move-in ready’ 3 level backsplit with lots of storage. Hardwood in LR, DR and kitchen. Open concept from kitchen to D.A. w/breakfast bar. Side door to stamped concrete patio. Private back yard. Garden doors from master to small balcony. 3rd bdrm is presently used as a laundry room but easily converted to a bdrm. Rec room with fireplace. Newer windows and siding. Single garage & long dbl wide driveway. MLS

Mildred Frey Broker

BUSINESS FOR SALE $79,900

#7-112 Oriole Parkway, Elmira Scrubbles Laundromat including everything.

Washers and dryers are in great condition.

The laundromat is kept very clean. Has several heavy duty fresh co machines to clean hockey gear. The space at the rear leaves enough space to install take out dry cleaning. Contact for more info.

Before You Sell or Buy, Call Frey.

Call or email today.

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519.500.1865 (Direct) 519.747.0231 (Office)

Bert Be Martin Re/max Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., R

Dale R. Keller

BROKER

Sales Representative

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

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

$439,000 | Drayton This large brick Grand home has many potential uses.. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, FOUR sunrooms, attached garage with a work room out back, high ceilings, natural woodwork, a key hole stained glass window and a huge lot with possibilities. A great family home, or B&B. MLS Call Dale Direct

SOLD

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

Brokerage

Independently Owned and Operated

DIRECT: 519-572-2669 3 Arthur St. S. Elmira DIREC OFFICE: 519-669-5426

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage | Independently Owned and Operated

63 Union Street, Elmira Rent $875/Month

700 Square feet of Upstairs office space - Unit could be used as 2 offices and an open space ... or one office, Board room and open space. A second office, (approx. 130sq �) is available to lease if needed. Private entrance available.

Parking available. MLS # 30788162

$1,639,000.00

Block 21 Murray Court., Milverton

A rare investment opportunity, Newly constructed (2019), Six unit, 3 story apartment Building. 3 - 2 Bedroom and 3 - 3 Bedroom Units all with in-Suite laundry.

Included in each unit - Fridge, stove, washer, dryer and microwave. Located in Milverton where there is a high demand for rental units.

MLS 30794949

ADDRESS: 3 Arthur St. S., ELMIRA | DIRECT: 519-503-2753 EMAIL: leonmartin@remax.net

www.remaxsolidgold.biz

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

FREE Market Evaluation Thinking of Buying or Selling?

Please Call me for Professional Advice.

Serving the community for 28 years!

Your referrals are appreciated!

REAL ESTATE SERVICES CONTINUES ON PAGE 20

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

20 | C LAS S IF IE D NOTIC E S

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

F A M I LY A L B U M OBITUARY

A portion of each sale commission is donated to The Woolwich Community Services.

Shanna

Monique

Rozema

Roes

HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO‌

OBITUARY

BROKER

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

519-747-2040

519-747-2040

OPEN HOUSE | SAT., MAR 7TH | 1 ďšş 3 PM 74 RIVER RUN RD, DRAYTON

NEW LISTING!

$849,900 Custom built 2000 SQ.FT bungalow backing onto protective greenbelt with access to the Conestogo River and trail.

3+1 bedrooms, inviting foyer welcomes you into the open concept main floor, cathedral ceiling, accent pillars, lovely kitchen w/granite countertop, large island & breakfast nook w/walkout to the composite deck & private backyard. Separate dining area, great room w/gas fireplace, master ensuite + oversized finished walkout basement with kitchenette! NEW MLS

OPEN HOUSE | SUN., MAR 8TH | 1 ďšş 3 PM 9 BLUE HERON CRT, ELMIRA

NEW PRICE!

Sven Brindley

It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of their Father on Friday February 28th, 2020 at the age of 63. John is predeceased by his parents, Joan (2012) and Nick Calibaba (2017). John is survived by his two daughters, Krysten (husband Brad Shoemaker) and Jenna (partner Chris Stoddart). “Grandpa Calibala� and all of his treats and silly games will be dearly missed by his Grandchildren Peyton and Jase Shoemaker. John is also survived by his sister Wendy Switzer and husband Bob, nieces Sarah Lees and Marcie Siggens and nephew Lee Switzer. We will miss our Father and his unconditional love and support immensely. We will miss all the Sunday afternoons spent watching the Minnesota Vikings, the long talks in the car, and his Monday and Thursday night phone calls. But mostly, we will just miss him. We love you for forever Dad. The family will receive friends at the Linwood Community Centre (5279 Ament Line, Linwood, ON) on Sunday March 8th from 1:00pm-4:00pm with a final toast to John at 3:00pm. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Homes-Waterloo Chapel, 617 King St. N. Waterloo (across from Home Depot). Condolences and donations can be made online at www.grahamgiddyfh.com 519.888.7700.

Passed away peacefully on February 21, 2020 with his wife of 38 years, Nancy; dear friends, Cam and Wahl; and beloved canine friend, Kashi, at his side.

www.grahamgiddyfh.com

Evelyn and Don Hahn are Celebrating

Sven will be sorely missed by Nancy and Kashi, his siblings, his aunts, and extended family; as well as his many, many friends throughout the world; particularly his Irish cousins and his beloved amici in Spoleto, Italy. He was predeceased by his parents, Iris and Lew Brindley. He will be remembered for his incredible grace, gentleness, generosity, kindness and sense of humour.

of Marriage

A celebration of Sven’s life will be held on

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

THE OBSERVER CLASSIFIED ADS

SMALL ADS, BIG IMPACT.

$649,900 Sought after location on a quiet mature street! This 3 bedroom 4 level sidesplit offers many updates with room for creativity! You’ll love the pie-shaped lot with extra long double driveway. Inside has been well maintained, newer maple kitchen w/backsplash & appliances, good sized dining area has patio doors to the deck, backyard & shed w/hydro. Entertain in the main floor living rm., lower level rec.room or basement/games room. There is plenty of space! MLS

Calibaba, John Nicholas George Lee

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In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the B.C. Cancer Foundation; Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living; or the Sunshine Coast SPCA.

Planning a special event?

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In 1990 Sven founded Breakwater Designs Limited. From Sven’s vision, the company created Sonar, a roll-tracking and maintenance software for the pulp and paper industry.

Sven’s determination saw the expansion of the business from the West Coast of Canada to an international market with the product widely used on four continents. In 2004 Sven, together with his close friend and business partner, Dion Le Roux, developed ShareVision; software designed to assist non-profit organizations in tracking case management and client services. This initiative grew out of his volunteer work with the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living, in particular his friendship there with Kevin, a person served

by SCACL. Today, ShareVision is the preferred option for hundreds of organizations throughout Canada. Sven was a visionary entrepreneur who modelled honesty and integrity, earning the respect and loyalty of his employees.

March 14 at 3:00 p.m.

Riversong Cafe 632 Hawkesville Rd. St. Jacobs

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Born December 28, 1960, Sven grew up in Southern Ontario distinguishing himself as possessing a most curious mind; having a thirst for adventure; seeking knowledge; and being a true and loyal friend, son and brother. His post-secondary studies included courses ranging from English literature to the sciences and theology. Sven had the gift of being selftaught on many fronts, most notably, in information technology. He engaged in various outdoor pursuits, including kayaking, hiking, and photography (Sven could do more with one small camera than many could with a satchel full of gear).

His other interests included: astronomy, world religions, languages, wine collecting/tasting, and gourmet cooking. He was a master at finding the most amazing routes and deals for navigating the globe to satisfy his endless thirst for exploring the world. He was known for an exquisite handwriting style that was entirely his own: remarkably tiny, precise, and legible. Sven loved animals. He and Nancy were long time guardians of three golden retrievers and three rescue dogs.

DEATH NOTICES

DEBEYER, ELIZABETH "LIZ" - DeBeyer, Elizabeth of Drayton passed away peacefully with her devoted husband by her side at Barnswallow Place, Elmira on Friday, February 28, 2020 in her 74th year.

JANTZI (NEE GINGRICH), RUTH - Peacefully in her sleep,

Get the word out!

surrounded by family at Winston Park, Kitchener on Sunday, March 1, 2020. formerly of Wellesley, in her 92nd year.

NCEMENTS U O N N A M BU FAMILY AL

TAYLOR, ELEANOR - Peacefully gone to her rest with her Lord Jesus on Monday, February 24, 2020 in her 90th year.

BOOK AN AD: ads.observerxtra.com/ads

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | 21

4REPAIR EVENT

HEIFERS RAISE $135K Be involved in community activities, events & support local initiatives. Tell us about what's happening and about the people in your neighbourhood.

Online: ads.observerxtra.com/tips

Since it started in 1981, the Ontario Mennonite Relief Heifer Sale (OMRHS) has raised more than $5.6 million in support of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) from sales of 4,415 donated heifers, embryos, semen from highly proven sires and other items related to the dairy industry. This year’s sale at Carson Auction Facilities in Listowel on Feb. 21 raised nearly $135,000.

The average price per heifer was $1,040.

If you have an item to repair, and would like to have someone skilled help you repair it, then get yourself a free ticket for the 4Repair St. Jacobs event on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the mill in St. Jacobs in conjunction with the EcoCafe. A variety of items may be repaired. www.eventbrite.ca/e/4repair-ecocafe-st-jacobstickets-95020854935

IN A TIME OF NEED

Cancer battles aren’t fought alone

Community comes together in support of local paramedic after disease found in his lungs and liver

BY LORI-ANNE LITTLE FOR THE OBSERVER

Community support for a local paramedic dealing with a cancer diagnosis surpassed its goal in a few short weeks.

A GoFundMe page created for Todd Roes and his family has raised some $29,000 since it was first posted.

Roes was diagnosed with cancer in his lungs and liver at the beginning of the month. The source of the cancer is still undetermined, and a treatment plan for him is in the works.

The news has been tough on him and his family, he said.

“I'm am not sure I have done anything as difficult in my life as to tell my four beautiful children I have cancer,” Roes said. “To see their hearts break and the agony my beautiful wife is going through, and not being able to do a thing about it.”

Though he acknowledges that he has a rough road ahead of him, Roes said that he remains optimistic.

“In these moments we often have various responses. Sadness, confusion, pain, heart break; all of which I am experiencing, but still there is hope,” he said.

The Roes family say that they are very grateful for all the community has done for them so far.

“I am overwhelmed with the love and support that has been shown by fami-

A fundraising effort was launched for the family of Todd Roes following his diagnosis of cancer of the lungs and liver.

ly, friends, and the larger community,” said Roes.

The idea for the fundraiser came from Roes’ lifelong friend Dan Bishop and his wife Melissa Bishop. After receiving the news of Roes’ illness, the couple said they had to find a way to help. The original goal of $1,000 was intended to help the Roes family with childcare

costs. The fundraiser has so far surpassed that goal by some $30,000.

“We are really amazed at the response. It became evident within hours that it wasn’t about the goal we had set, but actually about their friends, family, coworkers, church family, neighbours, and community members really wanting to show and express

[SUBMITTED]

their love and support to the Roes family. It has been inspiring to witness and we believe it’s just one way that God is meeting their needs,” said Bishop.

So far, 247 community members have made donations.

The Roes family said they are extremely appreciative of all the support they have received so far

and that they feel blessed.

“When God gives, he not only responds to our immediate needs, but well beyond these needs. For this, and for the people who have chosen to love us, I am truly grateful.

There aren’t many words I can say other than thank you,” Roes added.

The family also wanted to bring attention to a

10-year-old boy also from Elmira named Zack Forwell, who has also started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to split between three local family’s who are coping with a cancer diagnosis.

His fundraiser can be found on GoFundMe if you look up: “A haircut for Zack Forwell, to raise $ for cancer.”

Meet Justin, Our BMW, Audi & VW Specialist.

Justin has a passion for these brands and continues to take training to stay up to date with all the new technologies.

Book an appointment with Justin today!

Two locations in Elmira to serve you better

20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

www.leroysautocare.net

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

22 | LI VI NG HE RE C H E F ' S TA B L E

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE AT ST. TERESA OF AVILA Church, Elmira, 7 p.m. Join members of many of the Elmira churches for an Ecumenical Prayer Service created by the women of Zimbabwe on the theme "Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk!" filled with music, scripture, prayer and even some Zimbabwean treats. Free-will offering.

Kleensweep Carpet Care

Rugs and Upholstery

•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates

KID 2 KID DANCE AT ST. JACOBS LIONS HALL, 7 P.M. TO 10 p.m. The St Jacobs Lions Club runs a dance for children Grades 5-8 cost is $5. Snacks available for purchase.

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD.

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NANCY KOEBEL

Home: 519.747.4388

Freedom 55 Financial is a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company

Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS VERMONT Castings

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

519.664.2008

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 ANIMAL TRACKING IN THE TOWNSHIP HIKE. COME JOIN Woolwich Trails Group and wildlife interpreters Ryan Atkins and Hailey Martin to discover the art of animal tracking in Woolwich. Meet at noon at 1183 Martin Grove Rd. Preregistration required to hailmarti34@gmail.com. Details at healthywoolwich.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 AGING WELL IN WOOLWICH - INFORMATION & ACTIVE Living Fair at Calvary United Church, 9 a.m. Special guest speaker: Raymond Cho, minister for Seniors and Accessibility. Vendors, exercise demonstrations, speakers, door prizes. Please contact Community Care Concepts, 519664-1900 to RVSP.

Vacuum Sales,

Repairs

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.

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.

9 Church St. E., Elmira

519-669-8362

elmiravacuum@gmail.com

Monday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm

Elmira & Surrounding Area

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763 | psgingrich@hotmail.ca

Saturday, 9am-3pm

you can trust.

21 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com

Education and Treatment

Your First Step to Better Hearing

519-669-9919 charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira

SANYO CANADIAN

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

Woolwich Township Ward 1 Councillor

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/.

It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.

•

Quality & Service

The array of veggies are not only colourful but add textural contrast and are delicious.

This and other recipes will be demonstrated on March 25 at Chef Duff at RiverSong.

CHEF DUFF CHEF'S TABLE

W

ell time “Marches” on and after last week I think we’re all ready for spring to arrive. With that, however, comes the panic feeling that we’re going to have to appear in a bathing suit in public soon!

Rest assured this Veggie Focaccia recipe is actually much lower in fat and carbs than your average pizza and also has a few health benefits as well.

Flatbreads are referenced in the Bible but even go back to the very beginning of cooking as one could grind up roots or grains, mix them with water and literally cook them directly on stones around an open fire making them slightly more palatable.

This eventually evolved into something beyond survival and into something quite tasty.

Italian villagers would gather in the centre of town with their bread dough to bake in a communal stone oven. When there would be scraps or end pieces of dough leftover they would put them together, roll out flat, brush with olive oil and then possibly top with whatever was lying around – sliced garlic, olives, chopped herbs etc. They would then cook this “alla foca” (on the hearth) and not only was the “focaccia” born, but the modern day pizza soon followed.

This crust is extra crispy by the addition of cornmeal and can be rolled nice and thin. It also has a good bit of fibre which helps with blood sugar regulation.

Veggie Focaccia 1.5 cups bread flour 2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 pkt. instant yeast 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. salt 1 Tbsp. sugar 1.5 cups lukewarm water 1/2 cup olive oil 2 zucchinis 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1 head broccoli 1 cup frozen corn 1 lb Portobello mushrooms 1 lb low-fat feta 1 bunch fresh basil 1. Combine flours, oil, salt, sugar, yeast, water and form into dough.

2. Knead for 5-10 minutes until it feels strong.

3. Rest for at least 20 minutes.

4. Prepare and slice toppings into bite-size pieces.

5. Toast corn lightly in frying pan with a splash of oil.

6. Roll out dough into long oval shape and prick with a fork.

Brush lightly with olive oil and dress with toppings arranged in an attractive manner.

7. Sprinkle with feta.

8. Bake in a 450 F oven for about 10 minutes.

9. Cut into pieces and sprinkle with fresh shredded basil.

Chef Bruce Duff is the operator of “Chef Duff at RiverSong” Banquet hall, Café and Culinary Centre just outside of St. Jacobs, which hosts private events, banquets, team building and cooking classes and also run breakfast and lunch in the café from Wed. – Sat; info@chefduff.ca.

PLACES OF FAITH

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.

New to the Community?

Do you have a new Baby?

Service Se

All Makes & Models

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.

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.

A

www.mgmill.com

Bus: 519.744.5433

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 COME LET’S BE SINGING 2020! CHILDREN IN GRADES 1-3 are invited to join the Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir Training Choir for an afternoon of singing from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at W-K United Mennonite Church. Visit www. mennosingers.com/imcc or imcc.conductor@rogers.com.

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.

519.669.5105 A A

Flatbreads have a long and tasty history

How can I help you?

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

NURSERY PROVIDED

519.514.6051

9OU !RE )NVITED

pmerlihan@woolwich.ca

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www.merlihan.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL

9OU RE )NVITED 4HIS 3UNDAY 35.$!9 3%26)#%3

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Woolwich

Healthy Communities healthywoolwich.org

The place to get involved.

• Volunteer Opportunities • Projects & News • Sub-Committee updates

Elmira Mennonite Church

Worship: 9:30am

Camp Sunday Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp leading

58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123

HEARING ASSISTED

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 23

BRAIN FOOD

Picture this: going with prunes rather than cheese Q. Consider the door â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a rather mundane architectural feature that may date back more than 5,000 years. Yet the door has some interesting spinoffs: Do you know about trapdoor spiders, Deathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Door and Door to Hell?

A. Trapdoor spiders make doors for their burrows out of dirt and silk, camouflaged with leaves and other materials and even complete with hinges, says Gemma Tarlach in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discoverâ&#x20AC;? magazine.

The doors can be used offensively, cracked open for the spider to strike at nearby prey; or defensively, â&#x20AC;&#x153;lockedâ&#x20AC;? in place as the spider grips the door from inside with its front legs and mouth appendages.

tographed to keep their mouths prim, and this trend lasted more than a century, Lewis says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But ultimately, cheese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and smiles â&#x20AC;&#x201D; won out.â&#x20AC;?

As for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Door,â&#x20AC;? a narrow passage connecting Lake Michigan to Green Bay along Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coast, it was one of the most treacherous Great Lakes waterways during the 19th century, with its strong winds, swift currents and rocky hazards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Between 1872 and 1889, according to a local lighthouse keeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journal, the strait claimed an average of two vessels per week.â&#x20AC;?

of what extraterrestrial life in extreme environments might look like.â&#x20AC;?

Q. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Say cheese.â&#x20AC;? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in an English-speaking setting, these two words let you know a photographer is ready to take your picture and wants you to smile broadly, since the long E-sound forces your mouth into one. But what directive predates this saying and why?

cameraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; edict only dates back to the 1960s or so, and as you go back further, the smile trend hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet emerged.â&#x20AC;?

Finally, Turkmenistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Door to Hell,â&#x20AC;? a natural gas field in a collapsed cavern, has been ablaze for decades, perhaps intentionally set in the 1970s by engineers hoping to quickly burn off a potentially deadly methane leak. As the fire continues to burn, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Door to Hell is giving astrobiologists a glimpse

A. As recently as the 1950s, photographers would say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Say prunes,â&#x20AC;? since they did not want you to smile, reports Dan Lewis on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I Knowâ&#x20AC;? website. According to â&#x20AC;&#x153;TechXplore,â&#x20AC;? a dataset of 37,921 frontal-facing American high school yearbook photos from 1900-2010 shows that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the modern â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smile for the

Why the serious look?

Though the answer isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t definitive, perhaps itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because â&#x20AC;&#x153;in the late 19th century, people posing for photographs still followed the habits of painted portraiture subjects,â&#x20AC;? when it was hard to hold a smile for very long. Saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;prune,â&#x20AC;? then, was a cue for those being pho-

BILL&RICH SONES STRANGE BUT TRUE

O B S E R V E R C R O S S WO R D

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

ACROSS 1. Circus adjunct 8. Precious 15. To Joy, On a Grecian Urn, etc 16. With gusto 17. ____ful of asha on the 45 18. Call and...

20. Throat adornment 21. Quietly understood 22. Break away 24. Fair for Steven 25. Bitter beer 26. Zebra pattern 28. Armageddon 29. Revolted 32. Psychologically also comes in super 33. Varmint hunters 35. Particular tartan pattern

A. The remnants of the oldest known forest, recently discovered in a New York quarry, date back about 386 million years and â&#x20AC;&#x153;could teach us more about how Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s climate has changed,â&#x20AC;? says Jason Arunn Mugugesu in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? magazine. Of the three types of trees found there, one is similar to modern coniferous trees and was the first to have evolved flat green leaves.

It had roots up to 11 meters (36 feet) long.

And, adds Oxfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sandy Hetherington, understanding how climate change happened in the past â&#x20AC;&#x153;is crucial for predicting what will happen in the future in light of climate change and deforestation.â&#x20AC;?

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

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

Q. What does an ancient fossilized forest have to tell us humans in 2020?

The plants played a role in the development of life on Earth, helping to cool the planet as they removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Says Christopher Berry of U.K.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cardiff University, â&#x20AC;&#x153;By the end of the Devonian period [360 million years ago], the amount of carbon dioxide was coming down to what we know it is today.â&#x20AC;?

36. Movie guide 38. Taken away, by horse perhaps 39. Before the conflict 40. Of solutions and gowns 42. Scout adornment 43. Climate forcer, pipeline filler 45. Two names for a drum 46. Challenge, metaphorically 49. Place a judge, for instance 52. Roman marketplaces 53. Lack of willpower 55. Readings of court documents 56. Pans' companions 57. First cow stomach 58. Espouses democracy, may not be one for long 59. Spectacles

61. One of many European mountains 62. Noise canceler 66. Paper underwriters 67. Beach bucket 69. Desert, literally from Arabic 70. Ceremonies 73. Nightshade poison 74. Blue-green eye condition 76. Field worker 77. People of no mind, literally 78. Dog to heel, as small to whiskey 79. Artillery 80. Snipers, rampagers

DOWN 1. Bubble for one, heap for another 2. Novel thought 3. Renee was a drunken fart, "I drink therefore I am" (Monty Python) 4. Young pigs 5. Domestic fowl 6. Waters in the desert 7. Wrench from a hand 8. Dressing type 9. Syrian city 10. French high school 11. Do-, achiev-, remark12. Least cowardly 13. Can you even read this in Ontario now?!

14. Corrected, improved copy 19. Second largest of the dolphins 23. Angler's basket 27. Attention, bridge, of time 29. American posties 30. Pram to literally everyone without airs 31. Mother of Minos 34. Deformity correcting medicine 37. Sun bubble 38. Starry N. American lily 41. Game of stones 44. Sulfurous moon 47. Sedimentary rock with lots of Fe 48. Smaller amount 50. What the Norwegian Blue did for the fjords.

(Monty Python) 51. African antelope 53. Great plains people, esp. of Wyoming 54. Oversaw a cricket match 58. Relating to element 92 60. Tenor Enrico 63. Eastern 64. Pleads strongly 65. Pestilent Australian cockatoo 68. Desolate 71. Arabic leader 72. Drains vigour 75. You might get one to go to one

Names: Danielle Wideman and Renita Bauman (lives in Thailand as a missionary) Location: Thailand Reason for travel: Vacation. Prior to Thailand, I had travelled to the Philippines for a missions trip. After that experience, I went to Thailand to visit two of my friends who are missionaries there. It was so good to explore and catch up with good friends. This photo is taken at a flower festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

O B S E RV E R S U D O K U

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.

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