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“HE DESERVED BETTER” – SENIOR’S ADVOCATE Family of man who died in care wants province to implement recommendations

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A

fter more than two years of struggling, while grieving, to find answers surrounding the tragic events leading to the death of their 91-year-old father in a nursing home, his family finally has answers.

But, they said, the answers outlined in great detail in a report titled “He Deserved Better: One Man’s Final Days in LongTerm Care,” released by NB Child, Youth and Seniors Advocate Norman Bossé on Jan. 27, serve no purpose without actions to protect other families.

The report, which uses pseudonyms to protect the privacy of the individuals and facility involved, details the circumstances surrounding the “homicide” from injuries sustained by the 91-year-old man the report called “George” at the hands of another nursing home resident they named “Tom.” Both George and Tom suffered from forms of dementia.

While George’s daughter, who reached out to the River Valley Sun about her family’s ordeal, agreed to allow the use of her and her father’s name, the pa-

per opted against identifying them at this time. We will share only that the family lives in western New Brunswick.

The Senior Advocate Report delivered a scathing condemnation of the actions, inactions and reactions of the top executives of the seniors’ facility and the Department of Social Development, including its Adult Protection investigative team, before, during and after the tragic events.

Both Bossé and Department of Social DevelSee MANOR on page 2

George enjoyed fly fishing before he moved to a western New Brunswick manor. He died after repeated attacks by a resident with dementia. (Submitted photo)

Always there for friends and family

Matthew Tweedie remembered for generosity, volunteering

By Theresa Blackburn

M

atthew Tweedie lived a life of service, but not in the traditional sense.

His calling was always being there for friends and family when anyone was in need. His brother and two friends say Matthew was a guy everyone could count on – for anything.

The Greenfield man died in a snowmobile accident on Jan. 21 near Williamstown. He was 30 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Briana, and their daughter Brielle. The couple had recently announced they were expect-

ing their second child this spring.

“After his death,” shared best friend Brad Dickinson, “I discovered there were a lot of people out there who considered Matthew their best friend. A lot of other people are hurting like I am.”

The two have been friends since early elementary school. Brad was Matthew’s best man when he got married. Matthew returned the favour when Brad tied the knot.

Brad, friend Trent Brown, and Matthew’s See TWEEDIE on page 4

The western valley is mourning the death of Matthew Tweedie, pictured here with his wife Briana, daughter Brielle, and dog Tessa. (Submitted photo)

2

MANOR

Continued from page 1

opment Minister Bruce Fitch declined interview requests for this story.

Both offices referred back to statements issued upon the report’s release on Jan. 27.

“No families should see their loved ones suffer this way while they are placed in a nursing home,” said Bossé during the release of his report. “In his case, we found a wide array of shortcomings and failures ranging from the nursing home’s inability to protect residents from harm and under-reporting of major incidents, to an Adult Protection investigation that did not take measures to ensure that all relevant and pertinent information was obtained and reviewed.”

Minister Fitch acknowledged the incident as described in the report as “a very serious matter, tragic and unfortunate,” but doesn’t see it as a condemnation of the province’s long-term care system.

“This isolated incident is not evidence of a systemic problem within our network of long-term care facilities,” Fitch said.

The minister’s attitude frightens George’s family.

His daughter explained her father’s tragic story only came to light because they pushed against all obstacles to find answers.

She said many families do not have the time, ability, or perseverance to overcome the concerted efforts by the home and department officials to hide the facts.

“What happens if they continue on this way?”

What if Bruce Fitch doesn’t follow through with the recommendations? Is it going to continue? Like, where do you go?”

George’s daughter said the family tried to resist putting their physically able father in a nursing home for as long as possible. Still, the progression of his dementia and lack of home-care options forced the tough decision upon them. The family ultimately agreed the nursing home appeared the best option to protect their father. They were wrong, she said.

She said the nursing home’s failures materialized only days after her

father moved in and culminated in a fractured hip that sent him to the hospital and his death shortly after.

George’s daughter said she called the home to inquire how her father was doing, only to hear he fell the day before hurting his hand. She said nursing home officials never bothered to inform the family until her call.

The following month, home staff called George’s family to advise that he was taken to the hospital for stitches in his elbow due to a second fall.

Five days later, George’s family received another call saying he had fractured his hip. Again, home officials told them only that he fell.

It seemed strange to them that the physically vibrant senior, who just before entering the nursing home was snowshoeing without problem, was suddenly falling so often.

Following George’s second fall, some staff members suggested his family view the video of the incident.

When the family called the home, she said, the facility’s top administrator appeared more concerned about who suggested seeing the video.

While the nursing home had somehow “written over” the video of the first incident, the family, as described in Bossé’s report, were “shocked and traumatized” by the images on the other two videos.

George had not just fallen. The videos clearly showed he fell due to attacks by another resident the report called “Tom.” While no one witnessed George’s first fall, the investigation later revealed the staff member found him with Tom standing nearby.

“He pushed me to the ground,” George told the staff member.

George’s daughter said, and the report confirmed, that the nursing home failed to provide this information. The report chastised the facility for its lax reporting efforts of many incidents.

The Senior Advocate’s investigation revealed Tom’s aggressive behaviour reached beyond George, including an incident where he pushed a woman who used a wheel-

chair into the wall, causing her to crash to the floor.

George’s family expressed bewilderment at the home’s top administrator’s failure to protect other residents, including George, from Tom’s aggressive behaviour. Even after the attacks, George’s daughter said, they left the two men to dine at the same table.

She said nursing home staff told them, and Senior Advocate investigators, that the top administrators rebuffed their concerns, including a suggestion that they move George to another wing of the home for his protection.

Following George’s death in the hospital two weeks after his hip surgery, the coroner declared it a “homicide” related to Tom’s attack but didn’t hold the attacker criminally responsible due to his dementia diagnosis.

George’s family doesn’t blame Tom, saying the nursing home administration failed both men.

George’s daughter said the home’s top official took an adversarial stand against her sisters and her as soon as they started seeking answers. She said the nursing home’s administrative director showed little in the way of empathy and allowed the conflict to extend into the community.

While her father lay in palliative care, she said the family received a letter from the nursing home giving a 15-day notice of his eviction. The letter cited the family’s failure “to show respect for all those living or working” at the facility as the reason.

George’s daughter said some people ask why they just couldn’t accept the death of their 91-year-old father. They believe everyone, regardless of age, should be protected from harm.

She said their pursuit of truth took an emotional toll over the past two years.

They believe the lives of other residents and families are held in the balance.

George’s family appreciates the Ombudsman and Senior Advocate’s office staff for their professional approach, noting they stayed in touch as the Department of Social Development Adult Protection division completed its 10-month failed investiga-

The River Valley Sun is a free, editorially independent monthly newspaper serving the Upper St. John River Valley of New Brunswick. “Our mission is to share feature stories, a variety of viewpoints, and information about local community events, minor sports, and municipal news that isn’t always covered by mainstream media. We believe a community is stronger when people know and understand their neighbours.”

Editorial Policy: The River Valley Sun welcomes letters on subjects of interest to our readers and prints columns on a variety of topics. Use of any material is at the discretion of the editors, and we reserve the right to omit or edit letters to meet space requirements, for clarity, or to avoid libel or invasion of privacy. Letters and columns published do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies or beliefs of the newspaper. The River Valley Sun follows Canadian Press Style guidelines.

tion.

“What a waste of time and money,” she said of the department’s investigation.

The Senior Advocate’s Report also criticized the department’s investigation, addressing its shortcomings in one of the 13 recommendations directed to the government.

The Seniors Advocate Report sought answers to the following questions: • Could George’s death have been prevented?

• Were there warning signs that his safety was at risk?

• What was done to protect George?

• Was his family kept informed and invited to collaborate on ways to keep him safe?

• Did the Adult Protection investigation fulsomely examine all pertinent issues surrounding the nursing home’s ability to protect residents?

• Was George’s family treated with compassion and dignity in the wake of their father’s unexpected and exceptionally disturbing loss?

What they found was damning to all involved.

The Seniors Advocate’s 13 recommendations address the following issues: • Protection of nursing home residents • Major incident reporting • Complaint process • Staff training • Communication with family members of nursing home residents • Adult Protection investigations in nursing homes • Independence and oversight of reviews of geriatric deaths and critical injuries “In the next months, our office and the new Child, Youth and Seniors’ Advocate, Kelly Lamrock, will be following up with discussions with the government to see if, how and when all 13 recommendations can be implemented,” Heidi Cyr, a communications spokesperson for the office, told the River Valley Sun. In addition to whether Minister Fitch will act on the recommendations, the family wants to know why the government holds no one responsible for the Senior Advocate report’s long list of failures leading to a man’s death.

IN CRISIS?

Here are the numbers to call:

RCMP/Woodstock Police Upper River Valley Hospital Hôtel Dieu – Perth-Andover Woodstock Mental Health Perth-Andover Mental Health After Hours Mobile Crisis CHIMO Telecare Nackawic Health Centre Tobique Valley Comm. Health Kids Help Phone Dept. of Social Development

911 375-5900 273-7100 325-4419 273-4701 1-888-667-0444 1-800-667-5005 811 575-6600 356-6600 1-800-668-6868 1-833-733-7835

Help for DRUG ADDICTION

Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 Offering immediate help to Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Available 24/7, it offers counselling and crisis intervention.

Al-Anon Family Group Woodstock 506-328-6122 For friends and family of alcoholics, meets Wednesdays 7-8 pm at the Woodstock Baptist Church, 785 Main St., Woodstock Woodstock Addictions and Mental Health 506-325-4419 Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Perth-Andover Addictions and Mental Health 506-273-4701 Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit 1-888-667-0444 - 7 days a week from 2 - 10 pm Inpatient Detoxification Services: access by self-referral only; all admissions are voluntary. The detoxification unit provides inpatient treatment for the withdrawal from mood altering substances such as alcohol, cocaine, opiates and other drugs.

Fredericton Detoxification Unit 506-452-5525 / Located at 65 Brunswick St., Fredericton, NB A 10-bed unit that provides medical support, education, and recovery planning for substance abuse and gambling. Phone 452-5525; accepts messages only, calls are returned to plan admissions Monday through Friday.

Miramichi Detoxification Unit 506-623-6175 / Located at 500 Water St., Miramichi. NB. Moncton Detoxification Unit 506-856-2333 / Located at 81 Albert St., Moncton, NB. Ridgewood Addiction Services 506-674-4300 / Located at 416 Bay St., South Bay, Saint John, NB provides a range of services for individuals, youth and family members affected by substance abuse and gambling.

Residential rehabilitation facilities Ridgewood Centre (Saint John) 506-647-4300 / 416 Bay St., South Bay, Saint John, NB Campbellton Regional Addiction Services 506-789-7055 / 53 Gallant Dr., Campbellton, NB Rising Sun Treatment Centre (First Nations) 506-627-4626 / 31 Riverview Rd., Eel Ground, NB Portage Atlantic 1-888-735-9800 / Cassidy Lake, NB, is a nonprofit organization established in 1995, operates a residential drug addiction rehabilitation centre for Atlantic Canada youth (14-21) in New Brunswick.

Early Recovery Group, Woodstock - each Wednesday (unless school is closed due to weather) from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. at Bicentennial Boardroom (1st Floor), 200 King Street, Bicentennial Place, Woodstock, NB Early Recovery Group in Perth-Andover - each Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Mental Health and Addictions at 35F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, NB Harvest House Woodstock hosts MAMA Meetings (Mothers Against Meth Addiction) on Mondays at 7 pm. This is a women-only group, providing a safe place for women struggling with family members whose lives are being destroyed by drug abuse. For info: contact Natasha Smith at 323-9315. *In an emergency, call 911 or visit a local ER*

Law Enforcement Woodstock Town Police: (506) 325-4601 RCMP, Woodstock area: 325-3000 (For immediate help: 1-888-506-7267) RCMP, Nackawic area, (Fredericton dispatch): 357-4300 (For immediate help: 1-888-506-1472) Call 911 in an emergency!

Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-8477

Animal Control

Town of Woodstock Police (will dispatch help) 325-4601 York County Officer Randy Casey 459-7831 Rural Areas call the NBSPCA 1-877-722-1522

River Valley Sun: Box 1000, Woodstock, NB, E7M 0E9, (506) 325-2552 Local Journalism Initiative Reporter: Jim Dumville, (506) 325-8523, jim@rivervalleysun.ca Publisher/Managing Editor: Theresa Blackburn, (506) 324-5700, theresa@rivervalleysun.ca Publisher/Distribution Manager: Stephen Chisholm (506) 324-5711 www.rivervalleysun.ca ISSN # 2562-3893 *Unauthorized bulk removal of the River Valley Sun from any public location, or tampering with our distribution, including unauthorized inserts, is prohibited.

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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4

Judge on impaired driving death: “If he had just stayed home” Wyatt Belyea sentenced to five years in prison

By Judy Cole-Underhill

“I

f he had just stayed home, this would not have happened,” Judge Brian C. McLean told the court in sentencing Wyatt Mark Belyea of Upper Woodstock to federal prison on Jan. 28.

Belyea, 25, was under a court order that imposed a curfew when he breached it and got drunk at a party that ended in his girlfriend’s death, 24-year-old Abigail McArthur.

Judge McLean said Belyea was “thumbing his nose at court conditions by par-

tying all day and all night” when he was supposed to be home under curfew. He described the accused as an alcoholic with one prior conviction for impaired driving at age 19.

“Mr. Belyea killed a young mother, daughter and granddaughter,” Judge McLean said. “Those left to mourn will go the rest of their lives missing a loved one daily. This was tragic, senseless, and 100 per cent avoidable.”

Belyea pleaded guilty to impaired driving caus-

ing death and breach of a release order following the fatal accident along Route 540 in Maxwell on May 27, 2021. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison on those charges, minus time already served.

He was also ordered to register for the federal DNA database and was prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

Belyea and McArthur were among a group of people attending an all-day party at a house in Maxwell when the car accident oc-

curred. Belyea was dating the victim at the time. She went outside for a walk, and about a half-hour later, Belyea went out to look for her in his vehicle. It was dark around 3:35 a.m. when an intoxicated Belyea pulled out onto the backcountry road in his SUV. About 100 metres from the house, his vehicle struck McArthur sitting along the side of the road.

Belyea got out and saw his girlfriend lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

She suffered head injuries.

He drove back to the house to get help and asked the others to call 911. When police arrived, they found Belyea at the accident scene performing chest compressions on McArthur to try and revive her. He eventually confessed to police he struck her with his vehicle, saying, “I have to live with the fact that I killed someone.”

Judge McLean also sentenced Belyea (who appeared in court via video link) for a separate incident.

In March 2021, Belyea was

drunk when he and two of his siblings carried out a home invasion and attacked a man with a baseball bat in a Canterbury apartment in a “hellish, violent event,” the judge said, that put the victim in hospital with head injuries. Belyea pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon and was sentenced to six months consecutive for his part in the attack.

“These were two very serious events, but totally unrelated,” McLean said in imposing a total sentence of five years.

TWEEDIE

the family farm alongside his father, Paul.

Matthew played on the Mount A Men’s Field Lacrosse team while studying there, and in 2009 was named Maritime University Field Lacrosse League (MUFLL) Rookie of the Year. On social media, MUFLL expressed heartfelt condolences at the passing of “Tweedie.”

“Matthew cared about the farm. He wanted to carry on the Tweedie tradition.

His father had done it; his grandfather had done it,” said Trent.

Throughout the interview, all men have difficult moments where their voices trail off, and tears need to be wiped from their cheeks.

The pain is still very raw.

“The dressing rooms won’t be the same,” said Brad.

“After beer league games, we all stayed and had a beer. But we didn’t stay for the beer – we

stayed for Matthew’s stories. When he wasn’t there, we’d get home early because no one really stuck around. Matt was the draw,” added Trent.

Despite Matthew’s hectic schedule (which included farm and family commitments, coaching the Carleton North Stars high school boys hockey team, and playing recreational hockey and softball), all three men recounted numerous instances where Matthew made time for someone who needed a little encouragement.

“Trent and I were just saying we still can’t believe how much Matt could pack into a day,” said Brad. “He’d be up early with Brielle, work all day, then come home, had supper with the family, made sure his daughter was tucked in, and then he’d either head out to coach or head to the rink for men’s league. I don’t have kids, and I was

exhausted, and I still don’t know how he did it – and then he’d get up the next morning and do it all again.”

For Brad and Trent, the dressing room will never be the same. The two coached the Carleton North Stars high school boys hockey team for the last few years alongside Matthew, and his father, Paul.

Brad said Matthew often helped students who were struggling with schoolwork, tutoring players so they could pass and continue to play.

Matthew not only coached at Carleton North, but he was also a North Star hockey alumni member.

During a ceremony at the Carleton North Civic Centre on Wednesday, Feb. 9, the team retired #8 in honour of their coach. Matthew also played for the Western Valley Panthers. That team retired their #8 jersey in honour of their assistant captain before their game

at the AYR Motor Centre on Saturday, Feb. 5. (Visit the River Valley Sun Facebook page to watch the Panthers ceremony.)

“I want people to remember his big heart and his big smile and how much he loved his family,” said Cole. “He was always there for Briana and Brielle. He was a really great dad.”

“I don’t think he had any idea of the impact he had on so many. I am not sure he understood just how many people loved him,” said Brad.

“I wish I could have told Matthew how much I looked up to him,” said Trent. “He had the family farm, a beautiful wife, a beautiful little girl – he had everything that I aspire to have. He was paving the way for others like me. Matthew showed me what was possible. I don’t think he knew how much everyone admired him.”

HELP FOR THE FAMILY:

A memorial fund has been set up to help the Tweedie family. If you’d like to donate, you can e-transfer funds to: matthewtweediememorialfund2022@gmail.com Memorial stickers (pictured below) are being sold for $5, with all proceeds going to Matthew’s family.

For more information or to purchase stickers, email tweedie_08@hotmail.ca.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, from 3 to 6 p.m., friends are organizing a benefit ‘drivethru’ turkey supper at the Sweet Spot Bake Shop at the Hilltop Market in Woodstock. Meals are $10.

All proceeds will go to Matthew’s family. Pre-orders are available until Feb. 24.

To pre-order, email sweetspot.nb@gmail.com (This is a shortened version of the story we shared online. For the complete story and more photos, visit the River Valley Sun’s Facebook page.)

Continued from page 1

brother, Cole, shared memories of Matthew during an interview with the River Valley Sun via Zoom.

“He was always a big brother to me, but also more than that. He was a really good friend when I needed him,” said Cole. “I struggled not that long ago, and he watched out for me.

Pushed me to pursue a dream.”

Matthew attended both Mount Allison University and the University of New Brunswick to get his Bachelor of Science degree.

While in university, Matthew told the family that the pull to farming was too great.

He returned to Lakeside Farms in Greenfield, working part-time while commuting to Fredericton for his last year of university.

After graduation, Matthew started working full-time at

McLellan BrandSource Home Furnishings, Woodstock, is a proud supporter of the River Valley Sun. www.mclellansfurniture.com

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA

5

Details about new amalgamated greater Woodstock taking form

Eight-member council will serve proposed 10,0000-population municipality

By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

T

his year will deliver historic change for Woodstock and all New Brunswick communities.

By the end of 2022, Woodstock will double its population, welcome a modified larger council, and undergo significant administrative changes.

At the Woodstock council session on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Mayor Art Slipp updated council on the initial meetings and expectations in the future surrounding implementation of New Brunswick’s historic municipal reform package.

He shared details from the initial meeting for the transition team for elected members held on Feb. 3 and outlined topics for a second meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10.

Slipp explained the meetings include representatives of surrounding local service districts scheduled to join Woodstock as part of Entity 73, which remains unnamed, before year’s end.

“The two things that were most critical for meeting number one was to talk about the maps and the outer limits of the boundaries,” he said.

Slipp said discussion remains ongoing between committee members, the transition leader and the department to finalize the boundaries of the new entity.

“We’re still pressing for some changes to the boundaries,” he said.

The new municipality will encompass the town, portions of Woodstock, Wakefield and Richmond LSDs on the west side

of the St. John River. On the east side of the river, Entity 73 will include Northampton and Upper and Lower Northampton LSDs. From a town of Woodstock perspective, Slipp said, he’s asking for the boundaries to include all the LSD residents currently supporting the AYR Motor Centre.

For example, Slipp said discussions of the Grafton side involve the boundary at the north end of the local service district, which sits on McKenna Road. He said the committee recommends moving that boundary further north to Acker Creek.

Meanwhile, the mayor said, discussions continue to determine where boundaries will fall as the Wakefield, Woodstock and Richmond LSDs are divided.

Slipp said another critical aspect discussed at the first meetings involved a new council format serving the combined communities. While it remains to gain final approval, the mayor said the committee consensus would adopt a hybrid ward system electing a mayor and eight council members.

Slipp said voters within the current Woodstock boundaries would elect four councillors at large, while current LSDs will elect one in each of four wards. He explained ward boundaries would follow closely, but not precisely, the current LSD boundaries.

“That way, each of the local service districts would

Woodstock Town Council will double its population and increase elected representation after the November municipal election, as part of the provincial municipal reform initiative. (Jim Dumville photo)

be sure to have some representation when the first council is elected,” Slipp said.

The new mayor and proposed eight councillors will take office following elections scheduled for November.

Veteran Coun. Randy Leonard expressed frustration with the province’s enforced municipal reforms and the proposed council changes.

“I’ve been here for 20 years, a taxpayer here for 50 years,” he said. “I’m not really fond of the provincial government coming in and saying there’ll only be four councillors — poof, and you’re gone.”

Leonard, a former Woodstock mayor, said voters elected him in 2020 to serve a four-year term, but the provincial government unilaterally changed the rules

“What’s going on here,” he asked. “It’s a complete takeover of all municipal governments in this province by the government of New Brunswick. Can’t they keep their hands off?”

Following Leonard’s comments, Coun. Trina Jones said a large section of the population is unaware of the municipal reform details. She suggested the town website should explain the situation and update as new information arrives.

Slipp said the new enlarged community’s population of approximately 10,000 divided in an almost 50-50 split between the current town and the surrounding LSDs. “The exciting news, I guess, is the tax warrant will be almost a billion dollars,” said the mayor.

Slipp said the planned amalgamation benefits

from the historical relationship between the town and outlying the “greater Woodstock” communities’ shared community of interest involving the school catchment area and the AYR Motor Centre.

Running parallel to the elected members’ committee, Woodstock acting CEO Andrew Garnett and Woodstock staff members are part of an operational committee.

Garnett said his committee would meet every Wednesday to deal with several adjustments needed to prepare for the enlarged municipality.

“One of the big things we will have to have in place by Jan. 1 (2023) is a basic set of bylaws,” said Garnett.

He said the town’s existing bylaws must apply to the surrounding area when the communities amalgam-

ate.

Garnett said other issues include administrative staffing, capital projects and clarification of what services fall to the Regional Service Commission.

Slipp said the Regional Service Commissions are also holding transition meetings at a board and administrative levels. He said the impact of those meetings on municipalities remains unclear.

“At this time, there is no flow of communication at this time,” he said.

He described communication as vital, noting decisions regarding jurisdiction would affect the province’s new entities.

Slipp said the commissions appear destined to hold new mandates, including a public safety committee, affecting the town’s staffing and budgeting efforts next year.

6

N.B. returning to Level 1 on Feb. 18

Push to end provincial emergency order in March means ‘vulnerable people may be sacrificed,’ says transplant recipient

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

N

ew Brunswick will reduce COVID-19 restrictions on Friday, Feb. 18, with a long-term goal for further reductions by the end of March.

In a virtual press conference Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 9, Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell said trending numbers point to a reduction in restrictions.

Higgs stressed that the government based its decision on data, not the weekend’s pending protest in downtown Fredericton. He believes, however, moderate protesters who truly want restrictions reduced will see New Brunswick, like many provinces, are moving in the right direction at a safe pace.

“I like to think people would look at this and say, ‘why are we protesting, why are we going through this?’

Because we see government’s moving,” Higgs said.

The premier also believes the trending numbers point to ending the emergency order and Winter COVID plan before the end of March.

“The end of the mandate is in sight,” he said.

While modelling and projections show numbers improving, Higgs and Russell both stressed the pandemic would not disappear and could put some New Brunswickers at risk.

Higgs said vaccinations help reduce the severity of COVID, and vaccination

rates continue to climb. He added booster rates among the most “at-risk” group, those over 70, surpassed 70 per cent.

Even as vaccinations rates grow, he acknowledged the number of cases and hospitalizations would remain high compared to the early days of the pandemic.

“And, sadly enough, we know there are going to be other deaths because of this virus,” he said.

Higgs acknowledged the high numbers of deaths in New Brunswick in recent weeks. He said health officials studied 49 recent deaths between November and January in search of answers.

Higgs said factors playing a role in their COVID-related deaths included their age and secondary illness.

He said 71 per cent were over 70, and 71 per cent had no or partial vaccine. He added 76 per cent of the 49 had at least one of hypertension, cardiovascular issues or diabetes.

Higgs said as the province opens up, it remains the responsibility for New Brunswickers to protect themselves and protect their friends.

Woodstock resident Meaghann Palmer has cystic fibrosis and is a double lung transplant recipient, making her one of many New Brunswickers at high risk of the COVID virus.

She believes any rush

to reduce restrictions puts her and many other New Brunswickers at increased risk.

“It just means more anxiety for me on two fronts,” Palmer said.

First, she explained she worries about getting COVID, its impact on her and how it’s treated. Secondly, she added, how would overrun hospitals affect the usual care she requires.

“What tests and needed appointments will I miss out on,” Palmer asked.

She explained that ending all restrictions will make her a prisoner in her own home, noting she only leaves now for bloodwork.

She exercises through video. She said it would also limit the movement of family and friends.

“We will still be masking and limiting contact,” Palmer said. “It feels like vulnerable people may be sacrificed so others can move about freely and do as they please.”

Russell explained modelling projects a steep rise in cases and hospitalizations if the province reverted to Level 1 immediately.

However, modelling also demonstrates that current trend lines indicate another week of Level 2 restrictions would reduce hospitalization to a minor increase before seeing a steep decline.

Russell pointed out hospitalizations dropped by 12 to 139 between Tuesday

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Meghann Palmer gives a ‘thumbs up’ with her mother, Barb, by her side a few hours after Meghann’s double-lung transplant in December 2019. The family spent more than a year in Toronto. (Kathleen Pye photo)

and Wednesday compared to 163 last week.

“It appears headed in the right direction,” she said.

Higgs said the healthcare system also sees fewer staff members missing work because of COVID. Wednesday’s dashboard shows 337 health-care workers off the job.

Upon questioning, Higgs said the hope to end its Winter COVID plan by the end of March depends on COVID numbers. He also noted that cancelling an emergency order would not necessarily involve removing all restrictions.

Higgs explained the mask requirement and

proof of vaccine are not part of the emergency order but are covered under the Public Health mandate. He and Russell said all measures remain under constant scrutiny.

Russell said the virus continues to dictate the province’s next step, but data from other provinces and counties paint a positive picture. For the time being, she stressed that wearing masks, maintaining distances, and, most importantly, getting vaccinated remain vital to ending all restrictions.

She said vaccines are now easier to get, noting eligible people 30 or over can

again have their choice of a Pfizer or Moderno booster.

Russell also noted Public Health altered its recommendations for testing and isolating. The only symptoms requiring testing would be fever or loss of taste or smell. However, if a person experiencing any two of the following should isolate and get tested: — a new/worsening chronic cough; — difficulty breathing; — runny nose; — sore throat; — headache; — diarrhea; — a new onset of fatigue — purple markings on fingers or toes of children

ageless New Brunswick is a proud supporter of community journalism and the River Valley Sun. www.agelessnb.ca

Truckers ambushed

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7

How a lack of leadership and accountability ruined an opportunity

DISPATCHES FROM MY MESSY DESK

By Theresa Blackburn

I

have followed the news since the late 1970s and have been producing news since 1989. While employed as a journalism instructor at NBCC, I taught the college’s regional directors how to ‘deal’ with the media. I showed executives how to put out PR fires, deal with hard-hitting questions from journalists, and get their message out. I know how a story can turn.

The trucker convoy that began with an optimistic flourish will sadly be remembered as an expensive and disorganized public-relations nightmare. Currently, there is a multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit by Ottawa residents that could cost individual truckers their livelihood.

One of the first rules in public relations is to control the message. When it comes to ‘bad’ news, a leader must quickly con-

tain the ‘fire.’ Many logs were fuelling the blaze in Ottawa. In addition to the mixed messages, there were Confederate and swastika-laden flags, disrespectful revellers, vandalism, air-quality problems, and deafening noise that disturbed residents and disrupted businesses.

Managing something like a convoy protest requires a central, respected figure or figures who are willing and, more importantly, capable of leading. Protestors needed a charismatic speaker who could carry a large stick.

The truckers were screwed from the get-go.

Organizers were adept at raising money but were short on organizational skills and the public respect needed for this protest to be effective and positive. Their insufficient understanding of how government works made them look delusional. The document drafted by organizers, demanding the government dissolve in favour of a governing “Citizens of Canada Committee,” felt like a middle-school prank. For me, it was their point of no return.

I believe that if truckers were truly in charge from the get-go – those men and women we hailed and thanked since the beginning of the pandemic for keeping the economy going – this might have been a different column.

The people who initially fuelled the convoy are fringe political activists. While they had an agenda, it wasn’t purely for vaccine mandates to be lifted. They had no

clear and achievable plan for the men and women doing all the heavy protest work.

Once the truckers reached Ottawa, people with nefarious agendas joined the protest. Their presence muddied the message, lit more fires, and angered the majority. Without someone who could take charge of protestors on the ground in Ottawa, the event became a free-for-all.

Had truckers been as quick to make an example of those who danced and urinated on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as they were in defacing Canadian flags with the words “F*ck Trudeau,” they may have had a better chance negotiating with the federal government. They would have, at the very least, restored some faith in our collective humanity. Efforts to restock a soup kitchen for the homeless after protestors demanded food and threatened staff were a day late and a dollar short.

In their defence, truckers aren’t public relations experts. Many are blue-collar, hard-working people who have borne a lot of the heavy tasks needed for us all to survive this pandemic. They’ve kept us fed, clothed, and helped keep our cars going. They’ve delivered the necessities to keep us alive, including vaccines, ventilators, and PPE, but they’ve also delivered the frivolous, spontaneous purchases we made for our mental health.

Protesting truckers who risked all to advocate for those who want an end to vaccine mandates put their faith in organizers who, by all accounts, betrayed them. The

Ottawa convoy will not only lose their fight on the ground but will likely emerge from this with tarnished reputations and hefty legal bills, all because they trusted people with connections to extreme views and white supremacist groups.

Many hail the protest as a success, as it spawned other protests that put pressure on provincial governments to change their mandates – something I believe could have been achieved without the Ottawa occupation. The vast majority of mandates we’ve had to follow throughout the pandemic have been provincial. Who thought converging in Ottawa, in the middle of winter, at a time when MPs have the option to attend Parliament via videoconference, was a good idea? Had this been better planned and had truckers better policed the situation, this could have been a shining moment for democracy. Instead, it felt more like a failed coup organized by children due to misplaced faith in the people who started the movement.

While Ontario and Ottawa enforcement officials prepare to clear trucks from downtown Ottawa, I wonder who will be there to help the law-abiding truckers, those on the ground for the right reasons, clear their names?

Theresa Blackburn and her husband, Stephen Chisholm publish the River Valley Sun and ageless New Brunswick magazine. She and her family live and volunteer in Woodstock.

Letter to the Editor Our country is in trouble, and our leader is missing

W

hat and who makes up the freedom convoy? Who are the supporters, the ones who lined the highways and overpasses from coast to coast?

The media and our elected officials seem to believe they are domestic terrorists or a fringe minority who hold unacceptable views. Or, if you are Dominic Cardy, the Education Minister of New Brunswick and his followers, you believe they are “ditch dwellers” who do not deserve to receive public education or healthcare, as I was told yesterday on Twitter before being reported, then blocked by Cardy for hate speech and being told I should crawl back to the country I came from. I guess my last name, Ahmad, confused them. That is my married name; I am a born and bred Indigenous Canadian.

To me, these people are tax-paying, hard working and proud Canadian citizens.

Some have lost their jobs, their homes, their businesses and livelihoods, had their loved ones pass away alone, all while going at it alone, as it has become illegal to see your family. Humans are a social group, especially our children, who have suffered im-

mensely during these lockdowns and social segregations. These people supporting the convoy are the ones who feed us, clothe us, educate our children and care for our loved ones. They have legitimate concerns and are just asking to be heard.

I know I can’t speak for any other Canadian, but my experiences during this pandemic have been horrific. It began with a needed surgery being cancelled twice in early 2020 due to the virus, a surgery that was considered “elective” but put my health in jeopardy without it. I finally had to have the surgery in July of 2020 but continue to have medical issues to this day because of how long it was delayed.

My family, like every other, was told to do our part, get vaccinated so we can get back to normal life. My oldest daughter graduated in 2020; she worked hard to have good grades, make the honours list and ensure she would be accepted to postsecondary. She could not have a typical graduation, prom or university experience.

When Nova Scotia closed its borders at the end of her first term at STFX, she decided to come home and wait out covid

and not be stranded in Nova Scotia. She suffers from genetic liver disease and was concerned about being stranded in another province without her family if she were to have a health emergency. My youngest has not had a normal education in over two years. She chose to get vaccinated to participate in sports school activities and pursue her growing love of gymnastics. None of these things have happened.

The shutdowns are like clockwork to not overload our health care system - a system that has been crumbling for years, long before Covid 19. In 2020 I began experiencing some mental health issues, which I contribute to my physical health. My family doctor was amazing, thank goodness.

Horizon was not so accommodating; there were no available appointments to see a therapist and no beds available. I was told that would not change unless I became a threat to myself or others.

There is something wrong with the system when you ask for help when you pay your taxes and try to be an upstanding citizen and get told there is no help available unless you hurt yourself or someone else.

Would it not be too late at that point? My Uncle and my Grandpa both passed away in 2020, alone and scared. My Grandma got sick shortly after and was hospitalized.

She is now residing in a nursing home, wondering where her family is. She suffered a stroke, and some days she doesn’t remember COVID; she just wonders why we have stopped visiting. Even vaccinated, we have not seen her without a pane of glass between us since early December.

Our leaders should not divide their people and should not discriminate or incite hate and fear. A leader should unite, listen and empathize; lead by example and work toward the greater good of their country. I wonder where our Prime Minister is and why he hasn’t properly addressed his citizens.

Everyone is allowed their opinion and beliefs, their right to free speech, and their right to protest. Labelling a group as leftists, terrorists and ditch dwellers should not be the norm. Our country is in trouble, and our leader is missing.

Lisa Ahmad, Woodstock First Nation

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Arson suspect found fit to stand trial

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9

Woodstock man remains in custody until bail hearing next month

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

T

he court found a 30-year-old Woodstock man who was arrested following Jan. 29 fire that destroyed a Woodstock residential building fit to stand trial on arson charges.

Alexander Reese Gerdts attended Woodstock provincial court via video on Monday, Feb. 7, following a court-ordered five-day mental-health assessment. The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing of Mar. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

The Woodstock Police Force arrested Gerdts soon after the Saturday, Jan. 29, blaze, which destroyed a

building containing two residences on Union Street in downtown Woodstock.

During his first appearance in court on Monday, Jan. 31, to face charges of arson and resisting arrest, the court ordered the mental health assessment.

The Woodstock Fire Department responded to the call during a severe winter storm shortly before 7 p.m on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Woodstock Police Force officers also attended the scene. Police Chief Gary Forward said members of the town force arrested Gerdts “shortly after the incident.”

Investigators from the New Brunswick Fire Marshal’s Office helped Woodstock’s police and fire departments investigate the fire scene.

Forward said the fire displaced at least three people from the two apartments in the building.

The Canadian Red Cross responded with financial support for two women displaced. Dan Bedell, communications director, Atlantic Canadian Red Cross, said both women found temporary places to stay with relatives or friends.

He said Red Cross vol-

unteers provided financial aid to purchase needed items, such as winter clothing, food and other basics.

The Woodstock blaze was the first of two suspicious fires in the area in the same week.

The RCMP and the Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a suspicious blaze that destroyed a home in Wilmot, near Hartland N.B., overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2 and 3.

Sgt. Brendan Flewelling described the blaze as “very suspicious.”

— With files from Judy Cole-Underhill

A Fire Marshal’s Office investigator uses a hydrocarbon dog to search for traces of accelerants at the fire scene on Sunday morning, Jan. 30. (Jim Dumville photo)

Arson suspected in blaze that destroyed Wilmot home

RCMP, Fire Marshal’s Office investigate “very suspicious” fire near Hartland

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

T

he RCMP and the Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a suspicious blaze that destroyed a home in Wilmot, near Hartland N.B., overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2 and 3.

Investigators were on scene Thursday morning to search for clues of the suspected arson.

Sgt. Brendan Flewelling described the blaze as “very suspicious,” adding that no one was home when the fire started.

He said RCMP officers responded to the scene at approximately 12:30 a.m.

Feb. 3, noting the Hartland

Fire Department was already on scene.

Flewelling said the RCMP officers were “holding the scene” while the Fire Marshal’s Office investigator searched the destroyed house for clues.

Hartland Fire Chief Mike Walton described the blaze at 52 Wilmot Road as “fully involved” when firefighters arrived on the scene around midnight.

He said homeowner Paul Hamilton was not home at the time of the blaze, adding there were no injuries.

Hamilton emerged from his brother’s home next

door Thursday morning. As he looked at the charred remains of his house, he said his brother called him around midnight to break the bad news to him.

“He said ‘your house is gone,’” Hamilton recounted. “I said, ‘what do you mean my house is gone.’”

Hamilton said he lives alone but was at his girlfriend’s house when the fire started.

He said he put his house up for sale late last year and “had some bites.”

Thinking he would sell the house quickly, Hamilton said he let the insurance lapse in December.

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“It’s not insured,” Hamilton said. “I lost everything.”

Other than furnishing and appliances, he said he lost items of both monetary and personal value.

He said the fire destroyed valuable coin and sports card collections.

Hamilton, 66, is scheduled to attend court on Feb. 25 to face drug charges.

He faces two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine, unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it, and unauthorized possession of a firearm in connection with a Jan. 29, 2021 incident at Wilmot.

Flewelling said the

Fire destroyed the home at 52 Wilmot Road, overnight between Feb. 2 and 3. (Jim Dumville photo)

RCMP investigation remains in its early stages, so he has few details to provide at the moment.

He confirmed police investigators would look at possible connections between the fire and the hom-

eowner’s criminal charges.

“Yes,” said Flewelling, “we’re taking all that into consideration.”

Walton said his team fought the blaze with tanker support from the Lakeville Fire Department.

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Indigenous News and Features from Woodstock First Nation

Inquest must examine death at jail through lens of systematic racism: Commissioner

By Robin Grant – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

W

olastoqey chiefs in New Brunswick have voiced their support for a coroner’s inquest into the death of a Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) man who died while in custody at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.

In a press release from the Wolastoqey Nation, six chiefs say they support the family of Skyler Brent Sappier-Soloman, who reportedly died of COVID-19 in the early morning hours of Jan. 31, and Tobique First Nation community members.

“When one family mourns the loss of a family member, that loss ripples throughout the nation and is felt by all,” reads the Wolastoqey Nation release issued Monday morning. “[We] are keen to hear the findings of the coroner’s inquest into Skyler’s death and hope the findings from the jury can prevent future tragedies from happening again and improve the conditions for inmates in the province’s correctional system.”

According to court records, Sappier-Soloman was 28 years old and living in Fredericton when he was handed a 90-day jail sentence in December 2021 for an assault.

A post on social media with the hashtag #JusticeForSkyler says the father of three was tripled vaccinated and had no underlying medical conditions.

“Skyler was in respiratory distress for days while under the care of

the correctional facility,” reads the post. “He begged for help for 10 hours before being transported to the Saint John hospital where he died approximately 36 hours later. Skyler needlessly died due to medical negligence of the Saint John Regional Correction Centre.”

The chiefs go on to say Indigenous people have a “well-founded and deep mistrust” of the justice and correctional system in the province, adding there are “hard questions to ask” about what happened at the jail and Saint John Regional Hospital at the time of Sappier-Soloman’s death.

After the back-toback police shootings that claimed the lives of Chantel Moore, of Tla-oqui-aht First Nation, and Rodney Levi, of Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, in 2020, First Nations leaders called for an inquiry into systemic anti-Indigenous racism in policing and the justice system.

At the time, Premier Blaine Higgs refused, proposing instead a review into systemic racism against all marginalized groups.

Last September, the province appointed Manju Varma to lead the commission tasked with better understanding systemic racism and its effects on marginalized groups.

“We have pointed to deep-seated systemic racism in government institutions including jails, schools and hospitals,” the Wolastoqey chiefs

state in Monday’s release.

“This call has not been forgotten and continues to prove vital as we suffer another preventable tragedy.

“We hope the coroner’s inquest will reveal whether proper COVID-19 protocols were being followed at the jail and whether timely access to care was available.”

The release says the chiefs expect a prompt and thorough response as Indigenous people “do not have the benefit of passing time.”

When questioned about the incident at the jail, the racism commissioner didn’t comment specifically on what happened.

She did, however, say the “presence and treatment of any Indigenous person in carceral institutions must be understood within the context of systemic racism.”

“It is even more important that their deaths while in the care of these state institutions be examined through this lens as well,” Varma wrote in an email.

She extended her deepest condolences to Sappier-Soloman’s family and the entire community at Neqotkuk.

“I look forward to the findings of the coroner’s inquest and hope that the jury’s analysis will consider the racial implication of this case,” Varma said.

As outlined in her mandate, the commissioner is scheduled to publish her report on rac-

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Skyler Sappier-Soloman of Neqotkuk First Nation (Tobique) reportedly died from COVID-19 on Jan. 31 while in custody at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.

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When asked for a comment about the coroner’s inquest and Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) chief Ross Perley alleging neglect at the jail last week, Chris Curran, president of CUPE 1251, the union representing institutional care and services, called Sappier-Soloman’s death tragic.

He said it is the union’s belief they followed all the protocols and “did the best we could with what we had at the time.”

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Kindness flourishes in memory of Evan Graham

Carleton County, beyond responds with scores of good deeds on #BeMoreLikeEvan Day

By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

I

n the heart of traumatic days of COVID-19 and pandemic protests, kindness took centre stage on Feb. 1 in New Brunswick’s Carleton County and beyond as people doled out good deeds in memory of Evan Graham.

Only 14 years old, Evan died in an ATV accident on July 21, 202O. The teenager from Hartford, a rural community near Woodstock, was well known in the area for his cheerful demeanour, his active participation in the local 4-H club and his enthusiasm for farming, tractors and motorsports, including lawnmower racing and off-road vehicles.

Shortly after the tragedy, Evan’s family and friends established the annual Acts of Kindness in Memory of Evan Graham to carry on the legacy of the good-hearted and community-involved teen.

They set Evan’s birthday, Feb. 1, as Be More Like Evan Day, with Tuesday marking the event’s second anniversary. Area residents and people from far beyond the region fulfilled the day’s intent beyond expectations.

Stephanie DeMerchant, the twin sister of Evan’s mother, Stacey, noted the legacy left behind by her nephew.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” she said.

The Facebook page

titled “Acts of Kindness in Memory of Evan Graham” was established to record the good deeds and collected hundreds of posts.

Too many, said DeMerchant, to view in a single sitting.

“I cannot wait to go on and read them all,” she said.

The kind acts listed on Facebook included tiny yet meaningful gestures like an elementary school student taping a handwritten note to a friend’s desk acknowledging #BeKindLikeEvan day and thanking them for being “a good friend.”

The acts came from the general population, local businesses, and various groups and organizations. People purchased gift cards to leave at coffee shops and restaurants to cover purchases of future customers.

Kind people delivered gifts ranging from flowers, sweets, and meals to individuals, long-care homes, and businesses.

With the day coming on the heels of a significant winter storm, a Woodstock resident opened at least 10 neighbours’ driveways, including DeMerchant’s.

The acts included numerous examples of “paying it forward,” such as an instance in a grocery line where a shopper noticed a woman ahead set aside meat she couldn’t afford.

The shopper covered the

Wade Bennett, WAMI Delivery Services owner, presented his drivers and FedEx ground staff in Woodstock with #BeMoreLikeEvan toques to commemorate the second annual #BeMoreLikeEvan Day. Evan’s grandmother, Wendy Jamieson, is an operations manager at the Woodstock FedEx Ground station. To her surprise, she turned around to see the group standing outside her office window, wearing their hats in memory of her grandson. (Submitted photo)

cost of the meat.

Another example of kindness came from a woman who covered the driver-training costs of two teenagers. With Feb. 1 being Evan’s 16th birthday, she explained, he would have quickly applied for his driving permit.

DeMerchant said many people chose not to share their acts of kindness on Facebook. She said some people approached her or personally messaged her to explain they remembered the special day and acted accordingly.

She said family members of a young mother and recovering addict who received a needed act of kindness contacted her to tell her how much the gesture meant.

“It’s these little things that mean the world and could change someone’s

life,” she said.

DeMerchant said she and others would be collecting donation jars left at local businesses to support the Evan Graham Scholarship Fund, established last year to support graduates pursuing studies in agriculture.

She said other companies set up their donation jars on their own or donated parts of their sales to the scholarship fund.

DeMerchant said they collected more than $2,000, with more to come.

She said the community stepped forward with solid support soon after establishing the scholarship fund.

DeMerchant said Evan’s former school, Meduxnekeag Consolidated School in Woodstock, collected $15,000 for the

scholarship with a craft sale last year.

This year, she noted, Evan would begin Grade 9 at Woodstock High School.

DeMerchant said the family is “humbled” by the community’s acts of kindness but noted the support stretched far beyond the Carleton County area.

She noted that participants from almost every province, neighbouring Maine and as far away as Florida put their kindness on display in Evan’s name.

In its second year, she said, the special day grew exponentially.

“I know last year we were touched, but it’s gone bigger than we ever dreamed,” DeMerchant said. “It’s unbelievable how far it spread.”

DeMerchant recount-

ed an encounter at the Woodstock Walmart on Wednesday, Feb. 2, when she and Evan’s mother Stacey visited to collect scholarship donations to a container the store set up the day before.

She said they encountered a Pepsi delivery man who told them he earlier went through a drive-through in Grand Falls where he got a “Be More Like Evan” card and the cost of his purchase covered. He asked them for details.

After hearing Evan’s story, DeMerchant said the driver told them he lost his 14-year-old daughter in an accident.

She said Acts of Kindness in Memory of Evan Graham touches people in so many different ways.

“It’s the trickle-down effect,” she said.

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12

Scotiabank to close historic Bath branch

Mayor says decision delivers big loss to village

By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

T

he village of Bath in New Brunswick’s northern Carleton County will lose its only bank this summer when the Scotiabank closes its doors forever.

“It’s a big loss to the village,” said Mayor Mike Allen, who retired after many years at the branch.

While understanding Scotiabank’s reasoning behind its decision, the mayor said the Bath branch had a unique and historical relationship with the community it served.

“We have always been well looked after by the Scotiabank,” he said.

The bank sat as a village landmark on Main Street for decades.

“It’s a beautiful building,” Allen said. “It will be sad to see on July 6 when the sign is no longer in our village. It’ll be a tremendous loss.”

Scotiabank announced the closure of branches in Bath and Grand Manan as part of widespread changes across Atlantic Canada.

“After careful consider-

ation, we have made the decision to relocate our services at our branch at Bath, N.B. to our branch at Florenceville, N.B.,” said a Scotiabank spokesperson in an email to the River Valley Sun. The spokesperson said the Scotiabank team would assist customers in utilizing alternative means of banking, such as telephone and online banking, and automating services such as deposits and bill payments.

“We did not make this decision lightly, and we understand that this change will have an impact on our customers and the Bath community,” the Scotiabank spokesperson said.

“Our teams are committed to working with customers on an individual basis to address their specific concerns and find solutions that work for them.”

After spending 40 years in the banking industry, Allen said he witnessed massive changes in services, noting many people today rarely need to enter a bank.

“You can apply for a mortgage in your pyjamas at midnight, now,” he said.

Allen said the proximity of the Florenceville-Bristol branch puts Bath residents in a better situation than residents in Grand Manan.

“We can still drive to Florenceville-Bristol,” he said. “When we go there to do our groceries, we can do our banking.”

However, Allen said, losing the Bath branch extends beyond banking convenience, noting the building and the people who worked there over the years were a large part of the village’s identity.

While the Scotiabank announcement proved a shock to the mayor and council members, Allen acknowledged he saw the writing on the wall during visits to the branch.

“I could see things happening that didn’t seem normal bank-like, so I contacted them and found out there were some plans,” he said.

Allen maintained the confidentiality of his conversations, noting it was strictly a bank decision.

“The village has no say

whatsoever,” he said.

The Bath branch holds historical significance for Scotiabank. It is where long-time CEO and board chair Cedric Ritchie began his banking career as a teenaged teller in 1945.

Ritchie, a native of Upper Kent, just north of Bath, took the banking job right out of high school.

He worked his way up the corporate chain, becoming the bank’s president and CEO in 1972 and Chairman of the Board in ‘74, where he served until retirement in 1995.

Allen said the bank maintains tremendous respect for Ritchie, who died in 2016. Scotiabank provided Ritchie with an office at its headquarters even after his retirement.

Allen added that Ritchie never forgot his roots in rural New Brunswick, nor the branch where his illustrious career began. He said he’s not sure the Bath branch would be closed if Ritchie were alive.

The Scotiabank spokesperson said closing the branch doesn’t mean the bank abandoned the village.

“Scotiabank has a

The Scotiabank branch in Bath will close in June. (Jim Dumville photo)

long-standing relationship with the community of Bath, and we want to assure customers that our support of the community will continue,” she said.

The Scotiabank spokesperson described the Bath decision as part of a significant restructuring of the entire Atlantic Canada region.

“Where some branches in the region may be consolidating, others will be revitalized, and we will be making other investments into this region, through our contact centre and our new virtual branch pilot, which is based in

Halifax,” the Scotiabank spokesperson said in the emailed response to the River Valley Sun. “These changes will help us adapt to the changing needs of our customers.

In addition to the branch closures in Bath and Grand Manan, Scotiabank’s other New Brunswick changes include the June opening of a new branch location on Tribe Road in Perth-Andover, a village just north of Bath.

The bank said it would equip the new Perth-Andover location with the latest resources and technology.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 13

Convoy greeted by hundreds as it rolled past Woodstock

Residents line highway, cheer from overpasses, wave flags in support

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

H

undreds of people braved the freezing temperatures and high winds late Thursday evening, July 27, as they waited along the Trans Canada Highway near Woodstock to pay tribute to the passing Truckers Freedom Convoy on route to Ottawa.

Many spent almost an hour and a half in the frigid temperature for a chance to show their support.

“We’re here to support the freedom rally,” said Jasmine Vezina, as she arrived in a group which included Austin and Shelbe Price and children Trisyn Barrett and Gavin Vezina.

While they have plenty of truckers among their family and friends, Vezina said, they support the convoy’s efforts to end the mandates they believe kept family and friends apart for too long.

“We’ve been vaccinated,” she said. “What more can we do?”

Standing near Vezina’s group next to B.I.D. Ltd., which borders the Trans Canada adjacent Beardsley Road intersection, Ibelyh and daughter Zsofia Imbreh held a sign saying, Thank You Truck Drivers,

and a Canadian flag.

Zsofia said her father is a trucker. While he is not a convoy member, she said, they wanted to thank those who are.

Parked vehicles lined the west-bound lane of the Trans Canada Highway from east of the Beardsley Street overpass almost to the Houlton Street exit.

Dozens more lined the east-bound lanes.

A vast crowd gathered atop the cold and windy Beardsley overpass spanning the highway.

Several supporters carried Canadian flags, and many showcased handmade signs thanking truckers, calling for an end to mandates or expressing a loss of “freedom.” A few people displayed signs with an expletive term aimed directly at Prime Minister Trudeau.

Woodstock resident Jackie Appandi waved a large Canadian flag among the crowd on the Beardsley bridge. She expressed hope the “Freedom Convoy,” as she called it, would successfully deliver a message on behalf of all Canadians.

“They’re our heartbeat,

and we have to show up,” she said, referring to the truckers.

Appandi said she takes COVID-19 seriously, but humanity has dealt with severe viruses for centuries.

“I know this one is particularly heavy and kind of dangerous for a percentage of the population,” she said.

Appandi believes in protecting those most in danger but pointed out most people with COVID experience only minor or no symptoms. In the meantime, she said, her heart breaks as she watches small business people suffer.

“I think the mandates have gone on too long,” she said. “ I think the government should trust us.”

Appandi said the mandates hit her directly.

“I’m an international flight attendant, and I’ve been grounded for two years,” she said. “I miss my job.”

While the convoy focuses on truckers, many on hand believe the national protest represents all workers hit hard by COVID-19 mandates.

A trio of estheticians

From left, Cheyenne, Emmett, Charlene and Eli Tomah joined the hundreds of supporters near Woodstock. (Jim Dumville photo)

from Big City Beauty joined the hundreds offering their support. COVID mandates forced Laurie Kimball, Hannah Kennedy and Emma Graham out of work for three extended shutdowns in the past two years.

Kimball said their shop and many others went beyond the enforced safety protocols when open, but they continue to get singled out every time the government returns to tight restrictions.

“We want to work,” she said.

For some on hand, taking part in the Woodstock support rally for the trucker convoy was just the latest protest effort. Charlene Tomah, on hand with family members Cheyenne,

Emmett and Eli Tomah, said she always opposed COVID-19 restrictions.

“I’ve been upset with the mandates from the git-go,” Charlene said. “ I’m really upset that my grandchildren were forced to wear masks for over two years,” She worked hard to deliver that message.

“I protested in Ottawa.

I protested in Fredericton.

And now, wee oh, we’re in Woodstock.”

While the hundreds of supporters attended for various reasons, few expressed concern that the protest in Ottawa could turn hostile or violent. Most described it as a truckerdriven event delivering a message from millions of frustrated Canadians.

Since the day the Atlantic convoy rolled past Woodstock, the situation has grown more intense and expansive. The protest has occupied downtown Ottawa since Jan. 29, creating havoc for residents and business in the region.

Several extremist groups damaged the reputation and goals of the truckers’ protest with acts of vandalism, hate messaging and confrontations with local workers and residents.

Meanwhile, further protests blocked border crossing, including a short protest at the WoodstockHoulton border on Jan. 29.

Trucker protests also rolled into cities across Canada, including Fredericton.

Suspicious blaze destroys parts of Southern Carleton school

Western Valley RCMP investigating the fire as arson

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A

suspicious early-morning blaze destroyed part of the former Southern Carleton Elementary School in Bedell Monday, Jan. 17.

Woodstock Fire Chief Harold McLellan said the fire call came in at 2:28 a.m.

He said the fire started in an outbuilding at the

back of the structure and spread to the old gymnasium area.

Western Valley Region RCMP Sgt. Brendan Flewelling confirmed police are treating the blaze as suspicious.

“It’s under investigation as an arson,” he said.

The old school, which sits just outside

Woodstock boundaries on Route 555, closed in 2016.

The government later sold the building to Ontario residents.

McLellan said the fire call originated from someone in the Bull Subdivision, noting the fire at the back of the building would be hard to see. He said flames would likely only be

visible once they engulfed the gym roof.

McLellan said it is difficult to determine how long the fire burned before firefighters arrived.

He said the Fire Marshal’s Office and the RCMP responded to the fire scene.

Flewelling said the building was without power, suggesting that someone deliberately set the

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The Crown dropped the charges on Sept. 28.

Flewelling asked anyone who possibly saw people, vehicles or suspicious activity around the school Sunday night, Feb. 16, or during the wee hours of Monday, Feb. 17, to contact the police.

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“It’s not like there’s a lot of lightning this time of year,” he said.

He said RCMP contacted the building’s owner while RCMP officers, with support of the Fire Marshal’s Office, investigated.

Flewelling said RCMP is familiar with the old school. He said the RCMP searched the building last February, laying changes

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NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS Information and Updates from Your Towns, Villages, and Local Service Districts

Perth-Andover Book Club Meeting The Perth-Andover Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Perth-Andover Bandstand.

The March meeting will discuss Elizabeth Berg’s Night of Miracles Craft Guild Meeting Tobi Crafters will meet at the Perth-Andover Anglican Church on Tuesday, March 14, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The guild meets monthly on the second Tuesday. The guild welcomes new members. For more information, call 2733791 or 273-6095 or email fader55fader@gmail.com Florenceville-Bristol Beautification Grant Florenceville-Bristol town council is accepting applications until March 31 for its Beautification Grant.

This grant is intended to provide an incentive to town residents and businesses to invest in the facades of their homes and businesses, including landscaping front yards or any area with significant visibility from the NB Trail.

Residents may qualify for reimbursement of 20 per cent of the project cost up to $500 or up to $750 for businesses. Check the town website for details and the application form. www.florencevillebristol.ca

Family Fun Fest The town offers weeklong activities for the whole family, including a Bingo sheet available to download on the town’s Facebook and websites:facebook. com/florencevillebristolrecreation/ and florencevillebristol.ca. The town Recreation Facebook page offers example videos of all the activities created by the recreation staff. The videos will begin the second week of February. Rec staff ask that families complete three activities to be featured on the town’s Facebook page as Champions of Family Fun Fest. Families will have until Feb. 25 to submit their bingo sheet and activity pictures to be added to the Family Fun Fest collage!

Outdoor Rink With the help from the Florenceville-Bristol Fire Department and town’s maintenance staff, we were able to get an outdoor rink at Riverside Park up and running. This surface is open to everyone, however, we ask people to skate with the utmost safety.

Check our Facebook post for a detailed rules list and info. www.facebook.com/ florencevillebristolrecreation/

Get Outdoors!

We have some fantastic trails around our area including the Shiktehawk Trail. Rent a pair of snowshoes from us at the NCCC Rec. Office and enjoy the great outdoors while taking advantage of the local trails. We have some of the best hills in the area!

Grab your slide (and sled, from the Cardboard Classic building) and race one another!

Woodstock 50-plus bowling The Woodstock Bowlacade in Jacksonville will host Western Valley Adult Bowling for those 50 plus on Thursday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Sponsorships approved Woodstock council approved applications for sponsorships at its Feb. 8 council meeting. Council will fulfill requests from the Carleton County Animal Shelter, the Western Valley Panthers hockey team (which play home games at the AYR Motor Centre) and the Strong Fit Healthy and Wellness and Training Centre currently under construction at the Valley Food Bank facility on Houlton Street.

The McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) announced that Dwight and Fay Fraser of Woodstock will contribute $100,000 to establish a scholarship for computer science students from Carleton County. The Dwight and Fay Fraser Scholarship, valued at $4,000 over four years, will be awarded to students enrolled in the bachelor of computer science or bachelor of science in computer science degree programs, with preference given to students graduating from high schools in Carleton County. The first four recipients will be selected for fall 2022. For the complete story, visit the River Valley Sun’s Facebook page. (Submitted photo) Share birthday, anniversary, graduation or baby announcements for as low as $20 call or email (506) 325-2552

theresa@rivervalleysun.ca

Valley Outreach offers free, confidential support to someone living with, leaving, or has left an intimate-partner violent relationship, or has been sexually assaulted, or knows someone who needs support. Offering support from Nackawic to Plaster Rock, these services are still available during COVID-19.

For more information contact Manon Albert, Valley Outreach Coordinator, by calling 1-506-328-9680, or text 1-506-328-7246, or email valleyoutreach@nb.aibn.com or reach out on Facebook Messenger.

NCCC Ice Schedule Check the calendar at https://www.florencevillebristol.ca/iceschedule for the most up-to-date ice schedule.

Snow Blast plans The main event of Snow Blast, the Cardboard Classic, has been modified to virtual for another year! Using cardboard and tape, create an “Out of This World” space-themed sled. Submit a photo and video and agecategory information to win prizes. Make submissions to the town’s email (programs@florencevillebristol.ca) or the Florenceville-Bristol Recreation Facebook page by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21. Event supporter Carleton Co-Op will again sponsor the.

Find the rules and regulations on the town’s Facebook page. The Valley Outdoor Centre will host activities in collaboration with Snow Blast.

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News from in and around Nackawic

Support for senior lunches, Zoomers zoom again, and Family Day info

By Julie Stone

income tax forms can call the Nackawic Town Hall at 575-2241 for an appointment or drop off the documents at the hall. Home visits can be arranged if required. This service will be available for the month of March, so don’t miss out on this free service.

Zoomers on the Go Zoomers on the Go (also known as Rusted Joints to some) has reconvened. Sessions will be held on Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 am at MY GYM. Call Gail Farnsworth at 575-8979 or 425-1200.

Classes are intended for seniors-ages 55 and over. Don’t miss out on a chance to get those tired joints moving and grooving for an hour.

211 Day We hope you weren’t alarmed seeing a bright red light shining on the Nackawic Public Li-

Lunch with Tony & Vicky In honour of Tony and Vicki Guerra, the Riverside Pub and Eatery has provided the Lion’s Centre funds to prepare meals for seniors. These meals will be delivered bi-weekly to 50 seniors. The next delivery will be on Feb. 17. The Nackawic Area Wellness Committee will assist the Lion’s Club with the meal preparations, and volunteers from the area will deliver the meals at lunchtime. The funds provided will cover the service for three months, and efforts to secure more funding from other sources are underway to extend the service until the summer.

Income Tax Services Anyone with an income under $30,000 who needs help filling out their

brary on the evening of Feb. 11. It was a cross Canada initiative meant to draw attention to the phone number 211.

211 NB is a free, bilingual, confidential resource designed to help New Brunswickers navigate the network of community, social, non-clinical health and government services.

Residents can call 2-11, and trained staff will work to connect callers with services for both everyday needs and times of crisis. It is not to be confused with 911. 211 is purely an information services Garden Boxes The Garden Boxes at the mall in Nackawic have been decorated for Valentine’s day and have been judged by a panel of local residents. The “Best Box” winner is the Nackawic Middle School.

Their team was led by

Tanya Whitney, principal of the school. If you are down at the mall, stop and admire all the boxes that make such a beautiful tribute to Valentine’s Day. Family Day Feb. 21 is Family Day in Nackawic. Activities will take place in and around the Nackawic Arena. Plans for the day’s events are still ongoing, but there will certainly be skating, sliding, skiing, snowshoeing and more. AND there will be a snowman contest, too.

Find more information on the Recreation and Wellness Web Page on the Town of Nackawic site.

Prince William Reno The Prince William Community Hall was once situated on the banks of the Saint John River in Prince William.

It was the site of family picnics, community dances, recreation for

children, and there was even a skating rink on a local farmers’ Hog Pit. In the 60s, the hall was moved further up the river bank to accommodate the river’s flooding due to the installation of the Mactaquac Dam. The Women’s Institute (WI) took over the running of the hall. Still, over time, the women went to nursing homes or passed away, and those who remained could not compete with the allure of Fredericton’s more exciting activities.

In 1985 the hall became the 50-plus seniors’ hall where participants played cards, had “game nights,” and just dropped in to have a chat. They came from many nearby communities, even as far away as Oromocto. They also managed to do some upkeep of the building, as it was showing its age.

By 2012 there were only seven members were left. It was challenging to keep the hall in good repair, plowed out in the winter, and mowed in the summer.

Just as the locals began to despair of the hall crumbling to bits, an initiative spearheaded

by Ann Brewer began to gain some interest.

Grants were applied for, and renovations to the building started. To date, walls have been secured, the electrical system has been revamped, and a heat pump and a water pump have been added, and the septic system has been rebuilt.

Currently, Ann and her crew are seeking funding to upgrade the kitchen and have plans to hold dinners there as soon as COVID-19 restrictions let up. Congratulations to Ann and the residents of the Prince William area.

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COURT NEWS

A roundup of cases processed through Woodstock Provincial Court

By Judy Cole-Underhill and must have no contact Victoria County man found dead in jail cell Wesley Robert Geneau, 40, of Anfield, Victoria County, died while in custody at provincial jail in Madawaska on Feb. 6. He was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday morning and transported to Edmundston Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Geneau’s death was made public in a press release from the Department of Justice and Public Safety. The release said foul play and self-harm are not suspected in the death. As per department policy, local police and the coroner have been advised.

Geneau was sentenced on Dec. 6, 2021, to a total of 13 months in provincial jail, minus 149 days already served in custody.

RCMP charged him with uttering threats against another man, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, a knife, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of ammunition while prohibited from having it, following an incident on Aug. 29 at Anfield.

He pleaded guilty to these offences.

Three other charges were set for trial. Geneau pleaded not guilty to two counts of uttering threats on Oct. 1, 2020, in Perth-Andover and one count of conveying a threat by social media on Aug. 9, 2020, at Plaster Rock. Both of those incidents involved female victims. Trial dates were set for Feb. 14 and March 4.

On Jan. 11, 2022, Geneau appeared in court by video when his trial on these matters was adjourned to Aug. 18.

Sentenced for luring minor online Adam Kinney, 52, of Florenceville-Bristol, was sentenced Feb. 9 to eight months in a provincial jail for luring a female minor over the internet.

Kinney pleaded guilty to making sexually explicit material available to a minor and one count of using a computer system to lure a child in connection with incidents that occurred at Lansdowne between Feb. 12 and Feb. 15, 2019.

RCMP laid the charges.

Upon his release, he will serve two years of probation and must seek counselling and treatment for sex offenders. Kinney was also ordered to register for the federal DNA database

with children under the age of 16. He was also ordered to seek counselling for substance abuse and fined $200.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Lucie N. Mathurin told the court the case emphasized the vulnerability of children and youth who use social media and fall prey to online predators seeking to exploit them.

The judge said that Kinney sent numerous sexual messages and photos of himself to the victim and carried on a conversation with the female minor while not misunderstanding her age.

“The victim didn’t fall for it,” Judge Mathurin said.

“She didn’t share any photos, thank goodness.”

The court heard the accused began chatting with the victim on Facebook and shared images of his genitalia with her. He asked the 14-year-old to send him photos of her body, but she did not cooperate, telling him he was “gross.”

Crown Prosecutor Karen Lee noted Kinney was persistent in his chats to get photos back from the girl, but she told him her age and to leave her alone. The court heard the shocking sexually explicit language in his messages.

Lee said the girl has struggled with mental health issues since the incident and could not provide a statement to the court.

Defence Counsel David Estey said the accused was remorseful and took responsibility for his crimes.

He noted Kinney was using drugs and alcohol at the time of the offences and had since sought counselling for his addictions.

“I’m really sorry and saddened by the impact on the other half,” Kinney told the court.

Three charged following shooting incident Larry Shane Kennedy, 46, of Jacksonville, has waived his right to a bail hearing and remains in custody at provincial jail until his trial in June. He appeared in court in custody by video before Judge Brian C. McLean on Feb. 10.

Kennedy is facing charges of discharging a firearm with intent to wound or endanger the life of Brandon Godsoe, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and possession of a gun and ammunition in a vehicle (a 2021

GMC Sierra). He pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Defence Counsel Brent Dickinson told the court he met with Kennedy at the Madawaska jail and his client was prepared to waive bail. Kennedy agreed that was correct and said he understood he would remain in jail until trial.

Crown Prosecutor Karen Lee said the crown expected forensics, including cell phone analysis, to take about six weeks to complete.

Judge McLean then set trial dates for June 23-24 at 9:30 a.m. and June 28 at 1:30 p.m. He ordered Kennedy to have no contact with a long list of cohorts allegedly connected to the shooting.

Jamie Kyle Tomah, 38, of Woodstock First Nation and Bradley Ryan Watson, 37, of Elmwood were both released with conditions following their arrest and bail hearings for the same incident. They were each put under house arrest with electronic monitoring devices attached to their ankles.

Tomah returns to court on Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to answer charges, while Watson pleaded not guilty on all counts at a court appearance on Feb. 8. His trial was set for Nov. 9 and 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Watson is charged with assaulting Brandon Godsoe with a weapon (a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee), committing mischief causing property damage over $5,000 to a vehicle (a 2010 Mazda 6), operating a motor vehicle while prohibited, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Tomah was charged by RCMP with four offences, including conspiring with Jessica Ouellette to commit an indictable assault, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage over $5,000 to a vehicle (a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee), and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drug use.

The charges were laid after police received a report about a shooting along the highway on Jan. 23 at approximately 6 a.m. A car had been shot at by individuals in two other vehicles while driving between Canterbury and Meductic. At the scene, police located a car in the ditch in Meductic with two people inside. One person was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident.

Tomah is also sched-

uled to appear for trial in provincial court on April 4 at 1:30 p.m. concerning a separate unrelated incident. He pleaded not guilty to flight from police, breach of an undertaking, possession of methamphetamine and driving while suspended concerning a July 2, 2021 incident at Bulls Creek.

Sentenced to three years in federal prison Dylan Ross Dixon, 29, of Lower Woodstock, was sentenced Feb. 9 to a total of 36 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges laid by RCMP. He was also prohibited from driving for five years.

Dixon was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving and driving while suspended in connection with an incident in Beechwood. He was also charged with break and enter at a dwelling house, committing mischief, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and driving while suspended in relation to another incident in Newburg.

Both incidents occurred on Aug. 13, 2021 while Dixon was on parole. He was remanded back into custody following his arrest.

Sentencing set for Meductic man Brian Trevor Fox, 45, of Meductic will appear for sentencing in provincial court on April 13 at 9:30 a.m. on one charge laid by RCMP. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to using a computer system to lure a child (female minor) in connection with incidents between Nov. 1 and Nov. 26, 2019, at Meductic. The crown withdrew three other charges.

Bloomfield Ridge man to be sentenced for shooting Mackenzie Moir, 21, of Bloomfield Ridge will appear for sentencing in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. in relation to a shooting incident involving police last summer. He appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 9 and pleaded guilty.

Moir was charged with discharging a firearm at a police officer, possession of stolen property, a 2015 Toyota Tacoma, and obstructing police in relation to incidents which occurred near the Tobique First Nation and Arthurette. A bail hearing was held on Aug. 25, 2021 and he was remanded.

On June 11, 2021 around 7:05 p.m., RCMP responded to a complaint in Medford north of Tobique

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Narrows about a man who had pointed a firearm toward at least one person and had discharged a firearm in the presence of several people including a young child. The man fled the scene in a vehicle toward Perth-Andover.

Police attempted to stop the suspect vehicle on Route 105 in Tobique Narrows. A firearm was discharged at police, and a police vehicle was struck by bullets. The vehicle fled the scene on a nearby road in a wooded area. Police located the vehicle on June 12, 2021 in a ditch along Route 109 in the Tobique Narrows area. Moir was taken into custody at the scene.

Bail hearing adjourned Wesley John Daye, 52, of Crombie Settlement, will appear in court for a bail hearing on Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 31 and was remanded to provincial jail. On Feb. 4, his bail hearing was adjourned to the new court date.

Daye was arrested on a warrant in relation to certain acts alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1617 at Crombie Settlement.

RCMP charged him with unlawful confinement, two counts of assaulting a female victim with weapons (a leather belt, leather dog leash, choker chain, and shock collar with remote), assault and assault using suffocation, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Sentenced to federal prison for crime spree Brandon Travis Schriver, 20, of no fixed address, was sentenced Jan. 27 to two years in federal prison.

He was ordered to register for the federal DNA database and was prohibited from driving for one year.

The court also imposed a 20-year firearm prohibition.

Schriver appeared in provincial court in custody by video in December and pleaded guilty to several charges. RCMP arrested him in connection with a series of thefts in Holmesville, Glassville and Arthurette between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4, 2021. He was denied bail after his arrest on two counts of stealing gas, two counts of driving while prohibited, break and enter at a cottage, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, and two counts of possession of stolen property (a 2015 Dodge Caravan and a 2007 GMC Sierra).

Schriver was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of ammunition while prohibited, possession of a prohibited device (a set of brass knuckles), and breach of probation.

On Dec. 7, 2021, another charge of breach of probation was laid for failing to report to police from Oct. 15-28, 2021.

Jones Street break-in results in charges Samuel Robert Crewe, 26, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 7 and waived his right to a bail hearing. Crewe and a co-accused Nicholas Shawn Rideout, 35, of Greenfield, are each charged by Woodstock Police with indictable break, enter, and theft following an incident at 129 Jones Street in Woodstock on Jan. 15 where tools were taken from a construction site. Crewe was also charged with breach of a release order on Jan. 22.

By video, Crewe returns to court for a plea on Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. Judge Brian C. McLean told Crewe he would remain in custody in provincial jail until the court deals with all charges against him. Rideout will make his next court appearance on March 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea.

In December, Crewe appeared in provincial court to face a charge of breach of an undertaking.

He pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was charged with defrauding the TD Bank and possession of a fraudulent cheque in relation to a March 31 incident in Woodstock. He also pleaded not guilty to 11 other charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police. A trial date was set for May 12 at 9:30 a.m. on all charges.

Crewe was also charged

by Woodstock Police with assault on a female victim, dangerous driving, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Feb. 20, 2021. RCMP charged him with two counts of assault on a female victim, assault with a weapon (a golf club), uttering threats, and taking a motor vehicle without consent following an incident in Benton on June 21, 2021. Additionally, he was charged with possession of stolen property and two counts of breaching an unSee COURT on pg. 17

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 17

COURT cont’d dertaking concerning incidents on June 30, 2021, in Waterville and Woodstock on July 14, 2021.

Deerville man arrested and released Peter Dickinson, 39, of Deerville, will appear in provincial court on March 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 17 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim and breach of an undertaking connected with an incident on Jan. 1 in Deerville. Dickinson appeared in court on Feb. 1, and the matter was set over for plea.

Multiple trials for Elmwood man Bradley Ryan Watson, 36, of Elmwood, has three trials set on a raft of charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Watson was also charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and methamphetamine, possession of a press to be used in trafficking cocaine, possession of unlicensed firearms, and unsafe storage of firearms in relation to an incident in Wilmot on Jan. 29, 2021. A co-accused, Trevor York, is also facing similar charges concerning the same incident.

They will both stand trial on these charges on Oct. 1920 at 9:30 a.m.

On Aug. 19, 2021, police executed a search warrant at a home on Route 540 in Elmwood as part of an ongoing drug investigation. Drugs, weapons, drug paraphernalia and money were seized at the scene. Cocaine and methamphetamines (in both pill and crystal form) were discovered as well as various types of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, cash and weapons, including shotguns and a crossbow.

Watson is facing two more trafficking charges and breach of an undertaking in relation to the Aug. 19 search warrant. York is facing charges for firearms offences concerning the same incident. They will both stand trial on these charges on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Watson has also been charged with failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, two counts of driving while prohibited, and committing mischief causing property damage to a police vehicle following an incident in Speerville and Hawkshaw on March 27, 2021. He pleaded not guilty to these charges, and a trial

date was set for April 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Remanded following bail hearing Ryan Andrew Purvis, 45, of no fixed address, was denied bail and remanded into custody at provincial jail for breach of a release order. He returns to court for plea on Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. On Feb. 8, the matter was adjourned for one week at the request of his defence counsel.

Purvis is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 14 at 9:30 a.m. to face several charges laid by Woodstock Police. In December, he was released from custody with conditions after being arrested on a warrant. He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Purvis was charged with four counts of breaching a release order between Aug. 23 and Oct. 22, 2021.

He was also charged with assaulting another man, breach of a contact order, and two counts of unlawful entry at a dwelling house stemming from incidents in Woodstock on Aug. 23 and Oct. 11, 2021. He appeared in court in custody and was remanded for another bail hearing on Aug. 26, 2021, when he was released with conditions. He failed to make his next court appearance, and an arrest warrant was issued.

In November, Purvis appeared in custody by teleconference and two more charges of breaching an emergency intervention order were laid by Woodstock Police under the Intimate Partner Violence Act. Facing drug and weapon charges Frederick Richard, 33, of Beardsley Road, Lower Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on March 8 at 9:30 a.m. to answer to several charges laid by RCMP. He first appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 17, 2021, and was released with conditions. On Feb. 7, Richard appeared in court for a plea, and the matter was adjourned for one month.

The court also heard he would return on March 22 to answer a new charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Richard is charged by RCMP with unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of firearms without a licence, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, and indictable possession, concerning an incident on Dec. 17, 2021, at Beardsley Road. Richard also faces charges of breach of an undertaking,

stealing mail, committing mischief and driving while suspended concerning a separate incident on May 10, 2021.

The other charges were laid after police executed a search warrant at a residence on Beardsley Road as part of a drug investigation. During the search, police seized significant quantities of methamphetamine. Police also seized three firearms, ammunition, other prohibited weapons, money and three BB guns. A 32-year-old woman arrested at the scene was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 22.

Sentencing set for Woodstock man John Andrew Nason, 37, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 28 at 9:30 a.m. He pleaded guilty to charges at a court appearance in January, and the matter was adjourned on Feb. 8.

Nason was charged

by RCMP with breaking and entering at Rose Enterprises and theft of a motor vehicle (a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado) following an incident in Jacksonville on June 7, 2021.

He was also charged with possession of stolen property (a 1990 GMC 3500) related to another incident on June 19, 2021, in Florenceville-Bristol.

Woodstock Police also charged Nason with possession of methamphetamine, stemming from a separate incident on Sept.

16, 2020, at Bedell.

Sentencing rescheduled on theft charges Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 34, of no fixed address, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 17 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on 10 charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Several other charges are to be withdrawn by the crown.

The sentencing was rescheduled on Feb. 4.

Stockford appeared in court in custody video in December to make his change of plea. He pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of stolen property, a utility trailer, various tools and tires; two counts of possession of instruments for the purpose of break and enter, breaking and entering at a Woodstock business, flight from police, and two counts of breaching a court order in connection with incidents between May 5 and Aug. 10, 2021, in Woodstock. He waived his right to a bail hearing and has been in custody at a provincial jail since August.

Bath man awaits trial in custody Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 25, of Bath will appear for trial in provincial court on May 6 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to five charges laid by RCMP. He was denied bail and remanded into custody at a provincial jail on Jan. 7.

O’Donnell was charged with two counts of uttering threats to his grandmother, two counts of breach of a release order, and committing mischief causing property damage to a door window, concerning incidents on May 13 and 14, 2021, in Beechwood.

Jacksontown man facing drug trafficking charges Everett William Clark, 59, of Jacksontown, will appear in provincial court for plea on March 8 at 9:30 a.m. on five charges laid

by RCMP. On Feb. 7, the matter was set over again at the request of his legal counsel. Clark is charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine, and magic mushrooms, possession of unstamped tobacco, and breach of probation in connection with a June 28, 2021 incident in Jacksontown.

Pair facing charges Brian Reynolds, 44, and Catherine Polchies, 43, both of Woodstock First Nation, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 8 to face a theft charge laid by RCMP. They were each charged with possessing stolen property (a Kawasaki KRF 750) in relation to an incident on June 27, 2021, at Woodstock First Nation.

Polchies pleaded guilty to the offence, and a sentencing date was set for March 9 at 9:30 a.m. The crown withdrew the theft charge against Reynolds.

Reynolds is facing other charges of assaulting a female victim and obstruction concerning a separate incident on May 21, 2021, at Woodstock First Nation.

He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for July 28 at 9:30 a.m. An additional charge of driving while suspended was also set for trial on July 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Drug and theft charges Zachary Cody Gray, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on March 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid

by RCMP. Gray is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of stolen property (a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado), and possession of an instrument for breaking into a vehicle. The charges stem from an incident on July 6, 2021, in Upper Woodstock.

He appeared in court on Feb. 8, and the matter was set over to allow the accused more time to secure legal counsel.

In custody awaiting plea Cody Anthony Michaud, 24, of Morrell Siding, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in provincial court in custody in January shortly after being released on bail. He was remanded to provincial jail for breach of an undertaking. On Jan. 6, Michaud was released on strict conditions, including house arrest and wearing a 24/7 electronic monitoring device (bracelet).

Michaud was charged

by RCMP with two counts of flight from police, two counts of dangerous driving, three counts of driving while suspended, stealing gas, operating a motor vehicle with a fake licence plate, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, possession of stolen property (a 2015 Dodge van) and possession of instruments for the purpose of break and enter, following incidents between Sept. 4 and Nov. 3, 2021, in Perth-Andover. He was arrested on Dec. 13, 2021and held in custody until his bail hearing.

Remanded for bail hearing Shane Michael Smith, 30, of Woodstock, remains in custody at provincial jail until his bail hearing on Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. He appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 4, and the matter was adjourned.

Smith was charged by Woodstock Police with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer while threatening to use a weapon concerning a Jan. 9 incident in Woodstock. He is also facing charges of breach of probation between Nov. 25, 2019, and March 13, 2020; failing to stop for police and dangerous driving on Aug. 26, 2020; and breach of a release order by failing to attend court on March 16, 2021. The court heard Smith awaits sentencing on one of the offences.

Ashland man facing charges Anthony Donald Page, 48, of Ashland, will appear in provincial court on March 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a series of charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Feb. 8, and the matter was set over to allow the accused more time to secure legal counsel.

Page was charged with assaulting a female victim, breach of probation, and committing mischief, causing property damage to a car door concerning an

incident on July 22, 2021, in Wakefield. He is also facing more charges of unlawful entry at a dwelling house, forcible entry, committing mischief causing property damage to a door and breach of probation, stemming from another incident on Feb. 21, 2021, at Wakefield. Page will also return to court to answer a charge of breaching a nocontact order concerning another incident on Jan. 17, 2021.

Sentencing set on fraud charges Jenny Lee Markey, 37, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on March 10 at 9:30 a.m. She pleaded guilty to several charges via teleconference on Feb. 9.

Markey remains in custody.

On Nov. 8, 2021, she was denied bail by Judge Brian C. McLean, following a bail hearing three days earlier. Markey was arrested on a warrant in Fredericton on Nov. 3, 2021 on several outstanding charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Markey was charged with two counts of fraud, two counts of possession of a forged document, possession of stolen property, and breach of probation, stemming from incidents in July 2019 and September 2020 in Woodstock.

Woodstock woman to be sentenced Laurie Ann Fleming, 37, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. She appeared in court in custody by teleconference on Feb. 9 and the matter was adjourned.

On Jan. 5, she appeared in court in custody by video and pleaded guilty to a series of charges laid

by RCMP and Woodstock Police. She has been in custody at provincial jail since Aug. 19, 2021. Fleming pleaded guilty to two counts of breach of a release order, two counts of committing mischief causing property damage, two counts of obstructing a police officer, break and enter at a dwelling house, one count of assault, flight from police, dangerous driving, and possession of stolen property.

The crown will withdraw four other charges during her sentencing hearing (theft of a motor vehicle, breach of a release order, assault and taking a vehicle without consent).

The charges were laid following a series of incidents on Jan. 15, 2021at Upper Brighton, March 6, 2021 in Woodstock, and May 5, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Sept.

25, 2021 in Grafton.

18

Woodstock council approves funding for capital projects

Officials recommend projects for budgeted capital funds and clarify financial picture

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

W

oodstock town council dedicated much of its Feb. 8 council session to financing priority capital projects and clarifying its current financial picture.

The meeting followed on the heels of the Feb. 1 committee in council meeting where town department heads outlined their capital priorities.

While acting CAO Andrew Garnett delivered his list of suggested projects for the approximately $561,000 budgeted capital funds not yet specifically earmarked, he and Director of Finance Kristin Pelkey provided information on council-approved loans and gas-tax funding.

Garnett provided council with a list of capital projects he recommended to get immediate approval, noting others can wait until later in the year to ensure money remains available for unexpected purchase requirements.

His list of 10 capital purchases included several for the Woodstock Police Force, including a new police car and projects to address problem areas identified in last year’s WorksafeNB audit.

While acknowledging WorksafeNB officials explained not all its safety recommendations need to

be addressed immediately, Garnett said he recommended the town respond as quickly as possible.

He said funding for ergonomic workstations, upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom areas and staff lockers and addressing problems in the interview rooms and building security issues address some of Worksafe’s recommendations.

Garnett also recommended the purchase of a de-escalating simulator, ballistic shields, tunics, and badges for the Woodstock Police Force.

He recommended council make funds available to complete a request for proposal to supply public works with an excavator.

During the Feb. 1 meeting, Public Works supervisor Greg Stokes explained one of the town’s backhoes required replacement, noting he found a more efficient and versatile used excavator available for $112,000 plus HST. He explained the town would also need a float trailer and accessories.

Garnett suggested completing the excavator purchase through a request for proposals.

Garnett’s list of immediate purchases included a new half-ton truck for the

AYR Motor Centre. He also recommended another AYR Motor Centre request for funding to complete a partnership with the University of New Brunswick’s Tree Forest Management team’s Urban Forest Plan.

He said the funds would cover an honorarium for travel, the purchase of trees, removal of trees by UNB forestry students.

Garnett said other recreation projects, including the purchase of an approximately $20,000 lift truck, need further study. He noted that other requests can wait until summer, such as roof safety work, new emergency exits at AYR Motor Centre, and improvements at Woodstock ballfields.

Capital discussions at the Feb. 8 council meetings provided Garnett and Pelkey with an opportunity to answer some questions raised by council at the Feb. 1 meeting.

Pelkey provided an update on how the town used funds borrowed in a pair of debentures approved by council. The town borrowed and spent $189,000 of council-approved $248,000 debenture.

She said $169,000 went towards designated highways and $20,000 on a server upgrade for the Woodstock Police Force.

Hartland to issue RFP for tourist bureau

Pelkey said a second debenture approved by council for $392,000 saw the town borrow $290,000.

Protected services used $83,000 for a new police car and jail-cell renovations and $36,000 for HVAC and window upgrades.

Transportation used $37,000 on a new plow and sweep and $134,000 on a Case loader.

Pelkey said council approved $640,000, but total funds received amounted to $479,000.

Garnett provided council members with a document outlining funding sources for several capital projects.

It shows the designated highway repairs spending $158,750 from the 2014-

2018 Gas Tax Fund.

Funds from the 20192023 Gas Tax Fund will use $314,000 on the King Street lift station, 115,000 on the St. Andrews booster station, $146,000 on a sewer lining project, $300,000 on well house upgrades, and $85,000 on the sewage lagoon upgrades.

The 2022 capital budget approved $25,000 towards a new fire truck, adding to

$126,455 already in reserves. With the fire truck delivery only in 2023, the balance of the close to halfmillion-dollar cost will be in the 2023 budget.

The list shows $100,000 from the town’s approved capital budget already earmarked to paving.

The list included $160,000 in reserves for the upcoming town square project.

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T

he Town of Hartland is looking for an organization to take on the challenge of operating the Tourist Bureau for the summer of 2022 and beyond.

The core task is to take care of the close to 80,000 visitors per year (pre-COVID); and then there are opportunities to show your skill at customer service, retail, active recreation, group tours, cultural experiences and/ or food and beverage.

“It is not a committment to outsourcing, we are soliciting proposals,” explained Hartland CAO Rob Webber.

“We have the option to reject if we don’t get a proposal that meets the town’s needs,” he added.

Details will be posted on the town’s Tenders and Proposals page.

Councillor Mike Walton inquired about tender details around the maintenance of the grounds and outside washroom.

Public Works manager Jed Giberson explained that the town

would continue to maintain the grounds and the washrooms with outside access, while the tender winner would be responsible for all inside cleaning, including the inside public washrooms.

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Florenceville-Bristol council briefs

By Sandra Hanson

Fire training centre Fire Chief Andrew Cougle informed council members that construction is progressing on the new training centre under construction beneath the fire hall.

“We have one more prop to build, and then we will start to test it out with our more experienced crew members, first,” he said.

Cougle said late spring is the target date for the centre to be fully operational, noting it will be available to other local fire departments.

Bike lane request Mayor Karl Curtis shared a letter from a selfdeclared cycling enthusiast with council members.

The resident cited the increase in distracted driving, the heavy presence of transport traffic, and the narrow road, which has little to no breakdown lane, as a concern for bike-rider safety.

He proposed that the town widen Main Street where possible, add a marked bike lane and install a crossing light for the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians.

Curtis said the town plans to apply for funding to create a nine-kilometre multi-use path for walkers and cyclists. He said the path would run in conjunction with the NB Trail, extending from one end of town to the other.

The mayor said approval of the funding

should alleviate the need for creating a separate bike lane on the street.

Council members agreed to wait for funding news before taking further action on a bike lane.

Big Rock lift donation In December 2021, BigRock Mountain announced a plan to upgrade their nearly 50-year-old double chairlift with a new high-speed quad chair.

BigRock officials said the new chairlift would double its uphill capacity and make a more enjoyable experience for its guests.

BigRock has since embarked on a fundraising campaign to help raise the $2.9 million necessary to complete the project. At Tuesday’s council meet-

ing, Mayor Curtis said BigRock reached out to the town, asking for a donation to support the project.

Coun. Ryan Dickinson noted the ski hill faced tough times during the pandemic.

“I know they have been hurting with the lack of Canadians visiting during COVID,” he said.

Noting the close relationship between the town and the mountain resort, council approved a $1,000 to the Chairlift Campaign.

Ice rental cost reduced Mayor Curtis introduced a letter from Tim McCarthy, VP of the Carleton Minor Hockey Association, into the record.

McCarty said the CMHA received approval from the province for a de-

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 19

velopment program that will run three mornings a week.

He asked the town to consider a discounted icerental fee to support the new youth initiative. Council unanimously approved the request.

“This is a good oppor-

tunity for the youth, and it also makes use of the ice at a time when it’s not being used,” said Curtis.

Canteen rent relief Council agreed to waive the March rent to Bread Rack Canteen at the Northern Carleton Civic Centre.

Restored plaque reflects Nackawic history – good and bad Repaired panel memorializing Big Axe and town’s designation as Canada’s forestry capital back on display

By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A

new addition to the wall of the Nackawic town hall acts as a reminder of two important dates in the town’s history — one joyous and one traumatic.

Visitors to the council chambers can gaze upon a plaque displaying a pair of medallions created in 1991 to recognize the community’s designation of “the Forestry Capital of Canada” and the construction of the town’s famous landmark - the Big Axe. The display also serves as a shocking memory of the morning of Monday, July 21, 2014, when a fire destroyed the town fire hall, damaged and destroyed fire trucks and other equipment, and delivered significant

The medallions, almost destroyed in a 2014 fire, are restored and back on display in Nackawic. The display honours the construction of Nackawic’s Big Axe and the town’s designation of “The Forestry Capital of Canada.” (Jim Dumville photo)

damage to the town hall portion of the municipal building.

The blaze almost consumed the display memorializing the town’s birth as the Forestry Capital of Canada.

Nackawic Coun. Bob

Simpson said town crews managed to salvage most of the damaged plaque to be restored by the display’s creator James Morrison of Notorious Illustration and Design.

Simpson described Morrison as “amazingly

talented.”

A red portion of the medallion-styled plaques marks unrecovered parts.

Simpson said plans are in place to add a written plaque to the display recounting the history of the fire-hall blaze.

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20

Liam Dukeshire: Northampton’s ‘Brave Heart’

During Congenital Heart Disease Week, Luke and Sara Dukeshire launch IWK fundraiser

By Sandra Hanson

E

very year in Canada, approximately 3,500 children are born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) – making it Canada’s most common congenital disability.

Northampton’s Liam Dukeshire was one of those thousands in 2019.

The road has been challenging for Liam in his young life, but he and his parents, Sara and Luke, look towards better times ahead.

The more than 40 different types of CHDs can range in severity from minor asymptomatic defects to complex life-threatening deformities, including failure to thrive (growth failure), heart failure, arrhythmia, valve problems and often irreversible pulmonary hypertension.

Children born with CHDs are also at greater risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD and often have some level of developmental delay.

Every year between Feb. 7 and 14, Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week promotes awareness and education about CHD. It celebrates the lives of affected children like Liam, often referred to as “Brave Hearts.”

Liam’s mother Sara went for her routine prenatal ultrasound at 20 weeks, where the doctor detected abnormalities within the baby’s heart.

The initial unclear prognosis left the new parents terrified.

At 27 weeks, they headed to the IWK for a fetal echocardiogram. It identified three severe heart defects, Atrioventricular Septal Defect (holes in the heart which also affect the valves), Pulmonary Stenosis (a narrowing of the pulmonary valve), and Double Outlet Right Ventricle (the aorta connects to the right ventricle instead of the left).

While doctors told the expectant parents that surgical intervention would be necessary,

they deemed the prognosis favourable. They expected the baby boy to be okay, but the parents learned that okay doesn’t mean easy.

Sara’s water broke only eight weeks later, at 35.5 weeks. She flew by Life Flight to the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.

After a week-long stay, she gave birth to Liam on Sept. 2, 2019.

The hospital immediately moved the newborn to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where staff carefully monitored him.

Doctors decided Liam would need surgery to improve blood flow to his lungs. At only 10 days old, the infant underwent his first open-heart surgery.

“He spent the next two and a half months in the hospital,” she said.

Soon after the hospital finally discharged Liam, his blood oxygen levels started dropping, requiring a second openheart surgery to make some revisions to the first procedure. A heart catheterization procedure followed when Liam was 10-months old. Liam underwent a third openheart surgery to help his heart pump blood properly as he turned one.

With the strain of his heart defects making Liam unable to eat enough to sustain proper growth, Liam underwent additional surgery to place a feeding tube.

A year and a half later, Liam shows little sign of what he faced.

“He is so active! He’s vivacious and full of life!”

Sara expressed proudly.

Doctors removed Liam’s feeding tube in August 2021. He is now holding his growth curve perfectly on his own – a significant accomplishment.

However, Liam’s mom said her little boy’s heart defects left him with some gross-motor delays and less stamina.

“When you see him running around with the other kids, he is slower, and he tires quicker,” said

Sara.

Doctors monitor Liam’s health closely, with visits to his pediatrician every two months and cardiologist every six months.

Liam must undergo a fourth open-heart surgery sometime between three and four years.

Sara said an MRI at IWK this spring will determine the exact timing of the surgery, called a Fontan procedure to reroute the blood flow of his heart to accommodate his defects and ease his heart’s workload.

“He’ll have to be watched carefully after this next surgery, as this procedure has been known to fail,” Sara said.

“However, if all goes well, then that should be it until he’s an adult.”

Sara praised the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.

“Before we had Liam, I knew what the IWK was, but I had no idea how huge they are; how experienced and educated they are, or the level of care that they provide, or how many people they’ve helped,” she said.

During Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, the family asked everyone to wear red on Friday, Feb. 11, and share their photos with the hashtag #CHDAware.

The family launched a fundraiser for the IWK on Sara’s Facebook page, where they ask for donations in honour of Liam.

“As you know, this place has been a second home for us and has saved Liam’s life more than once,” Sara wrote on Facebook. “ With COVID hindering some IWK fundraising efforts, Sara said, the family’s effort is a way to give back.

She said Liam changed Luke and her lives and taught them to enjoy the special moments.

“I know I can speak for both of us when I say that we have learned to take life day by day,” she said.

“We enjoy every moment

Like and Sara Dukeshire with their brave hearted boy LIam and dog Weeson. Inset: Liam sporting his ‘Bravery Beads’ from the IWK. (Submitted photos)

we have with Liam, and as a family [because] we know now how quickly things can change. To see Liam’s outlook on life, how happy he is, and un-

affected by it all, it’s really something special.”

Anyone who would like to donate can do so through the fundraiser set up on Sara’s pro-

file located at https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / sara.j.shannon.3, or you can also visit the IWK Foundation website at https://iwkfoundation.org.

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SUNNY-SIDE UP

21

Providing Readers with a Challenge, a Chuckle, and a Smile

Did you KNOW?

River Valley Sun Word Search: VALENTINE

• February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.” The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement.

•Originally, February was made the last month of the calendar year. In 450 BC, it was moved to second place.

• February 1 marks the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the Tiger.

• February is Black History month, with events to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities.

• The Black population accounts for 3.5% of Canada’s total population, and 15.6% of the population defined as a visible minority.

RVS TONGUE TWISTER Wayne went to Wales to watch walruses before returning to Wilmot with his whiny brother William.

CARLETON COUNTY

Colloquialisms

By John Morris

LOVE

VALENTINE

PARTNER

GIFTS

MARRIAGE ROMANCE

DINNER

KINDNESS

FUNNY

CANDLELIGHT

FLOWERS

HUGS

SWEET

CANDY

CARDS

KISSES

LET’S STAY ACTIVE

rubbers \’ruh-brz\ noun - Wellingtons, gumboots, sheep-shaggers; short for “gum-rubbers”; “Frigg!

The dog chewed up my rubbers!”

Hear this word pronounced at www.dooryard.ca.

Enjoy our winter season!

WINTER IN WOODSTOCK- Let’s Play Outside!

Boxing Training

Must Book in Advance! Call 325-4302 or E-mail ayrmotorcentre@town.woodstock.nb.ca

Wednesdays and Fridays 6 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.

Instructor: Neil Campbell.

Boxing experience not required. Fee: $8/class; $65 punch card.

Offering FREE Equipment Rentals again this season!

Snowshoes – A variety of sizes for 50lbs and up.

Wooden Toboggans – 5 feet. Snowtubes Based on a 1-day Rental First Come , First Serve Basis No Charge, but renters MUST HAVE an account with the AYR Motor Centre. Repair or Replacement Fees will be Applied to the Renter’s Account for any damage to equipment or Equipment not returned.

Thank-you to our Sponsors: Dept of Tourism, Culture & Heritage, Valley Refrigeration, and Rotary Club of Woodstock

THE TIM HORTONS JOE MCGUIRE ROAD RACE IS BACK!!!

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 30, 2022 10K Super Series, 5K run, 5K walk!

Register today on the RunNB website: www.runnb.ca

BOXING FITNESS CLASSES

Coed Classes: Thursdays 7 - 8 p.m.

Women’s Classes: Saturdays 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ($8/class) UP TO 12 PER CLASS. PRE-BOOK BY EMAIL: ayrmotorcentre@town.woodstock.nb.ca

You must use your own personal gear & equipment, including gloves

Pre-book by email: ayrmotorcentre@town.woodstock.nb.ca

Western Valley Adult Bowling

At the Woodstock Bowlacade for 50+ adults UPCOMING DATES: Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12 Cost: $5, includes shoes and light refreshments Must provide vaccination disclosure & show gov. ID upon entry.

YOUTH ZONE AFTERSCHOOL DROP-IN (Gr. 6-9) SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WATCH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES!

PROVINCIAL COVID REGULATIONS

The AYR Motor Centre asks for your patience and understanding as we continue to transition through the new Provincial regulations.

– Only fully vaccinated patrons 12 years of age and older will be permitted access to the AYR Motor Centre. Children ages 0-11 years will also be given access.

– All patrons are asked to enter through the main lobby entrance for each visit. All other doors are unavailable.

– Patrons must bring their double vaccination record, along with a govt. issued ID; Medicare, Driver License or Birth Certificate.

– No copies of vaccination records will be kept.

– Face Masks must be worn in all inside public areas.

22

ARTFELT

Arts and Culture News from Western New Brunswick

Balanced budget without investment in arts isn’t balanced – it’s losing

ARTiculate

By Victoria Hutt

N

ew Brunswickers have been invited to participate in the 2022-2023 Pre-Budget Consultation process. In preparation for the provincial budget, which will be delivered in March, residents can share input by writing or emailing the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Hon. Ernie Steeves, by Feb. 28.

A promising picture is being painted in the prebudget consultation document. Although the pandemic was a hard blow to most economic sectors, it cites New Brunswick fared relatively well and all signs point to achieving full recovery, adding “many of our economic indicators are at, or above, their prepandemic levels and we are seeing stronger-thanexpected financial results.”

Statistics Canada agrees, showing that the Canadian economy is generally rebounding. Except for the arts sector, this outlook is not so cheery. Our sector is absolutely not recovering.

The pandemic has devastated our sector.

Employment in arts and culture is down almost 30 per cent. That’s three in ev-

ery 10 jobs. The sector with the most significant decline in its economic contribution is arts, entertainment and recreation. They lost 23 per cent in GDP between Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2021. For comparison, the accommodation and food services sector experienced an 11 per cent decrease for the same period. This, for workers who already saw incomes 38 per cent lower than the rest of the general workforce, pre-pandemic, even with higher than average education.

In plain English, we’re losing our artists; our writers, visual artists, performers, musicians, and more.

And it’s not just the artists, but our technicians, the art administrators and coordinators, our cultural facilitators. Talent and experience are leaving our sector and often our province.

If the sector is to grow and recover, the province must make a meaningful investment. In the past decade, the only substantial investment by the New Brunswick government to arts and culture was an initial investment in the province’s cultural policy – in 2014. At that time, the government itself calculated and committed to a $10 million investment needed to enhance the cultural sector. To date, only $5 million of this has been invested towards the cultural policy, which was supposed to happen by 2019, despite the clear data that

illustrates the importance of this sector to the economic and social health of New Brunswick.

New Brunswick’s arts sector is a huge economic driver. In 2018, the NB cultural sector - comprised of nearly 8000 workers - contributed $572 million to the GDP, generating a higher GDP than forestry and logging, fishing, agriculture, IT, accommodations and food services, or mining. The underfinancing problem we’re living with is stopping us from growing, stopping the increase in GDP that government loves to see, and that the arts could bring about. There is so much growth potential. This lack of provincial support also creates a disadvantage for our artists and arts organizations when applying for funding and opportunities at the federal level, let alone internationally, trying to compete without provincial leverage. As a wise colleague of mine shared recently, “A balanced budget without investment in the arts is not balanced; it’s losing.”

ArtsLink NB, the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB), and Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective are collectively lobbying the Government of New Brunswick to invest $12.5 million in the arts and cultural industries and promote essential recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

This is such a small portion of a budget greater than $10 billion that would be so impactful.

We invite you to join us in urging the Government of New Brunswick to recognize the significance of the arts and culture sector and demonstrate that they understand the sector’s significant contribution to the vitality of your community. Read and promote the strategies outlined in the 2021 report, act now for the survival of the arts and culture sector, and the comprehensive Premier’s Task Force on the Status of the Artist report, which houses important recommendations that will serve so many. Contact your local MLA to share concerns that 1) the arts and culture sector is still being negatively impacted by the pandemic and 2) to encourage them to support reinvestment in this vital sector.

Send a message to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Hon. Ernie L. Steeves, by Feb 28: Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca and to Premier Blaine Higgs: blaine.higgs@gnb.ca.

Victoria Hutt is Project Coordinator for the Canadian Crafts Federation, mother of four, and practicing artist in Florenceville-Bristol, NB. Previously a gallery director and curator, Victoria is a NSCAD design graduate and sits on the ArtsNB Board of Directors.

New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves. (Submitted photo)

Welcome Jenny

Tim Grant and Nathalie Nadeau are pleased to announce the birth of their precious daughter, Jennifer Margaret Jane Grant Jenny was born Jan. 17, 2002 in Saint John, N.B. She is the granddaughter of JP Nadeau and Maggy Thomas of Woodstock (formerly of Moncton) and Dr. Eric and Diane Grant of Rothesay.

Tobique-Mactaquac MP/ Député

Richard Bragdon 1-800 -671-6160 richard.bragdon@parl.gc.ca

Thank you for the support and the opportunity to continue to serve. As always, my office is here to help with:

STILL WORKING FOR YOU!

* EI Claims, OAS & GIS * Special Occasion Certificates * And more...

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 23

Obituaries, Memorials & Announcements

Ford Malcolm Alward O

n February 1, 2022, at Carleton Manor, Woodstock, New Brunswick, following a period of declining health, Rev. Ford Malcolm Alward passed peacefully into the waiting arms of his Lord and Savior and to be with Jean, his loving wife of 60 years, who went before him.

Dad was born on a farm at Lower Ridge, King’s County, NB, on August 25, 1931. He was the eldest son of Roy and Ella (Keith) Alward. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Havelock, where his father would grow a successful business. As a youth, Dad enjoyed youth group, reading, playing guitar, life on the farm, fishing and fun times with his many cousins and friends.

As a young adult, Dad attended business school in Moncton with the plan of operating his own business.

He also joined the 8th Hussars in Sus and served as a Lieutenant and tank commander in the Reserves.

Feeling led to full-time Christian ministry, Dad decided to attend Gordon College in Boston, MA, earning his BA. He was active in student life and served as student council president when the school relocated to Beverly, MA. Following graduation, Dad attended the University of Guelph for one year, studying agriculture to help prepare him for work in the mission field.

He then returned to Beverly and completed his MA (Theology).

In what would foreshadow a lifelong commitment to youth camping, Dad met Mom at Camp Wildwood, in McKees Mills, NB. In what would become a lifetime of love, their first date was spent in a rowboat on the Bouctouche River (neither of them could swim),

followed by banana splits.

Dad and Mom dated for seven years, many of them spent from long distances, as Dad attended university and seminary in Massachusetts. Mom joked that she sometimes wondered if Dad would ever pop the question, but the truth was he was saving up money from lunches he skipped to be able to buy her ring.

Mom and Dad were married in Sus, NB, on May 31, 1958. They spent their first two years in Beverly, MA, as Dad finished his theology degree. Dad and Mom had planned to serve on the mission field in India, but due to health concerns, God’s plan for them changed, and they served together, pastoring throughout the Maritimes, for nearly five decades.

Throughout the years, Dad pastored at First North River, Glace Bay, Riverside-Albert, Nackawic, Florenceville, as well as doing interim work in Fredericton, Quispamsis, Keirsteadville and finally in their adopted home of Woodstock. He touched and was touched by many people along the way. Dad was a pastor in the truest sense of the word... he was a faithful servant, a teacher, a shepherd, a counsellor, a mentor, an administrator and a conveyor of “corny” jokes from the pulpit. He lived what he preached.

He cared deeply about not only the people of his congregation but also those in the communities where he lived. He taught each of us the importance of building community through being a cub leader, school board volunteer, helping coach hockey when the community needed a coach (even though he never played hockey), growing vegetables and flowers for the local fair competition, starting

a local naturalist club and in later years a very committed door to door political volunteer.

A special passion for Dad and Mom was youth camping, from his days as a student at Campus in the Woods in northern Ontario to his involvement as a camp director and board member at camp’s Wildwood, Green Hill Lake, Shiktehawk and Tulakadik, Dad witnessed the difference camping could make in the lives of children and their families.

Dad had many interests in his life. He was incredibly well-read, an avid reader of the bible and all things theological, history and politics, the news (he still was reading the TJ this past week) and especially nature (he loved National Geographic).

Over the years, he was an avid stamp collector, as it brought the world to his fingertips.

He loved genealogy and researching our family’s loyalist roots. His “Alward” book project with his brother Arnold took nearly ten years to complete and took him through the Maritimes, New England and to Europe in his research. He learned to use a computer, and the result was four volumes and nearly 2000 pages of pride and love in knowing who we are. He worked on other family genealogy projects and helped other families research their histories as well.

He was an avid bird watcher and citizen naturalist from his earliest days, even when it wasn’t popular.

He taught us all to respect nature. In fact, a lone robin stood guard in a tree outside his window during his final three days. He taught us how to fish, although we debated how much success he had. He had not only a

green thumb but a green arm. He grew beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.

He loved “food,” especially strawberry sundaes and lemon pie. He loved to experience exotic foods from India, blue cheese, eggplant and soy burgers (in the ’70s before they were perfected) …sometimes to our chagrin.

He loved his family deeply. He was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was proud of each of his children, including David (Rhonda), Mark (Brenda), Stephen (Janette), Paul (June) and Rebecca (Jeff).

Dad and Mom taught us how to love unconditionally; to support and encourage; to go after our dreams, whatever they were; and at times helped meld us when needed.

Dad was especially proud of his grandchildren and loved spending time, knowing what they were up to and having pictures of each of them. He will be missed much by Nathen, Jonathan (Shubhi), Bradley, Benjamin, Hannah, Mel, Phoebe, Alison and Jadon, as well as great-grandson Rowan.

Dad leaves to mourn his brothers Arnold (Janice) and Walter (Connie), sistersin-law Marilyn (Eldon) and Grace, and brothers-in-law Paul and Reg, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Jean, his parents, his sister Elsie, sister-in-law Donna and brother-in-law Bev. The family would like to thank all the team at Carleton Manor for the wonderful care Dad received over the past seven years and especially throughout this most difficult time during the pandemic. The care and support Dad and our fam-

August 25, 1931 – February 1, 2022 ily received during his final days is gratefully appreciated. Thanks to Dr. Allison Boyle and Dr. Sarah Ganham for the attentive care provided to Dad. The family would also like to thank Dad’s church family at the Woodstock Baptist Church for their love and support. A special thank you to Pastor Craig and earlier Pastor Leonard for their caring touch.

In lieu of flowers, the

family would appreciate donations to Green Hill Lake Camp, the Woodstock Baptist Church Building Fund, or the Carleton Manor Foundation.

Arrangements will be under the care of Culberson Funeral Home, 188 Connell Street, Woodstock, NB. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of his life will take place in the spring. More information to follow.

Lovingly Remembered

In loving memory of Marion Lawson

who we lost 16 years ago on March 12, 2006.

There will always be heartache and often a silent tear We shall cherish those precious memories of the days when you were here Remembering you is easy, we do it ever day But missing you is a heartache that never goes away

With love, and remembering you always, Willard and family

24

RURAL ROOTS

Stories About Country Life in Western New Brunswick

Thank you snow plow drivers

ADVENTURES OF AN ACCIDENTAL FARMER

By Ellen Culbert-Johnston

T

he winter weather of late has been filled with snowstorms, causing snowplow drivers to be out cleaning up roads and dooryards. I have to give snowplow drivers a lot of credit for entering into a storm when most people are heading home to watch snowflakes falling from their warm cozy homes.

While we’re nestled in our beds, plow drivers

continually travel up and down the streets to the point that during blizzard conditions, it’s as if the road just disappears.

The other day I was driving along the country road when I saw a plow truck stuck at the end of a driveway and thought to myself, well, that driver ran out of real estate while plowing. Perhaps it’s because, in the summer, driveways and yards appear bigger than they do in the winter, with endless streams of white all around.

As I continued my drive to town, I saw a mailbox knocked over or clipped, as a plow driver might say. Those red reflectors that some people put out for snowplow drivers to know where the driveway begins are great, as long

as they don’t get buried or clipped.

Then I came upon a vehicle sliding on a big hill and thought that someone needed to bring the salt shaker over or perhaps put some salt and pepper — salt mixed with sand — on this hill.

Marty’s old plow truck has lots of jewelry on it to prevent it from sliding.

The bigger the hills, the more jewelry or chains are needed.

Here are a few plow sayings that make me smile; Don’t Crowd the Plow; When in Doubt Spread it Out (to spread salt and sand); When in Doubt Wing it! (to put the wing down on a big snow plow); Clean the Gutters (meaning to clean the curbs). One referring to cleaning intersections

is Bang them Open, and one used these days is Pile her High, meaning to build high snowbanks.

I’ve done a little snow plowing using a half-ton, and there is a knack to it that comes with experience. Recently, a friend of ours hired a young person to plow parking lots for him using a half-ton. Before the storm, the truck owner told him to plow with his shoes off.

Once it had started to snow, the truck owner went to check on the new hire and realized the parking lot wasn’t being plowed close to the pavement. He asked the new hire why he hadn’t taken his shoes off, causing the new hire to open the cab door, revealing that he, in fact, took his own shoes off to plow.

Ellen and the old skies that mark the well for Marty when he plows their yard and driveway. (Sue Perkins photo)

Our friend broke into laughter because he wasn’t referring to the shoes on the driver’s feet but the shoes on the bottom of the plow blade.

Snowplow lingo, there really is such a thing.

So, a big thank you to all the plow drivers

working hard to keep our roads, streets, highways, driveways, sidewalks, and dooryards open!

Ellen Culbert-Johnston is a teacher who loves to read, learn, travel, and walk in the woods with her dog in Newburg.

Part 1: The Hartland Fire of 1907

LIVING HISTORY

By Doris Kennedy The following is historical fiction.

E

lsa woke to the sounds of loud, frantic voices.

Fire, loss, and calamity were words she distinguished spoken with fearful urgent tones. She crawled out of bed to listen, and on her hands and knees, she peeked through the split in the door casing. Her father and mother were fully dressed in the kitchen with their neighbour, Aaron Campbell. With his flushed face, he was pacing, chattering and kneading his hat between his hands.

“It’s bad, Scott,” Aaron blurted. “It started behind the Tracey building at Frank Thornton’s Drug Store.

They think it was set. Firemen found rubbish and packing cases covered in oil at the back of the building.”

“Amasa Plummer woke just after midnight and smelled smoke. Since he lives over the Keith and Plummer store, he could see the smoke behind Franks. Amasa quickly banged the fire bell twice

and yelled for help. That drew many people promptly.”

Just as Scott and Aaron went out the door, they heard a loud explosion with vibrations strong enough to shake the dishes. Elsa sucked in her breath while the other three met each other’s wide eyes for a brief few seconds, and Elizabeth reached for Scott’s arm, a gesture so he would hear the things she was not saying. The men rushed out.

Elizabeth and Elsa moved to the back window facing the town’s centre.

It was raining soot. White ashes fluttered in the air, and the grey smoke rose above the village with streaks of brilliant, blazing fire. Mom and child held each other tightly.

Sprinting to Main Street, Scott and Aaron saw charred skeleton-like shops disembowelled by the aggressor. It was a repulsive sight. Four firemen lay in the street with wood doors surrounding them, used as their only protection from the raging inferno. The acetylene gas explosion behind the store threw them. Hesitantly people rushed to their side. The large plate-glass windows in C. Humphrey Taylor’s Grocery Store and Estey and Curtis Drug Store were crushed. John Carr’s store windows melted and fell to the sidewalk, forming little balls that skittered like marbles.

Hissing and creaks came from loosely connected hoses mixed with the firemen yelling orders above the noise. Pails and buckets sloshed water as they passed from hand to hand while someone yelled, “Keep it coming!” Scorched wood frames groaned and crumpled to their basements.

The quaint little storybook town where lines of prestigious well, kept retail stores once stood was no more. The new-formed fire department could not have predicted such a tragedy.

One hose kept the buildings across the street wet, while the other two remained on the north end of the fire.

John Murdock, Chief of the Fire Department, was severely burned but refused to leave his hose.

People dressed in night clothing wrapped in blankets ran frantically. Janet McMullin managed to pull her fruit stock from the store she rented from Keith and Plummer. Letson held a bundle of harnesses, and Binal Cox and his wife stood arms full of treasured china and random clothing, eyes fixed on the ashes from the building they had just left.

Marvin Hayward piled papers and files from his law office into a waiting wagon with a wet towel over his head. Water hoses were on the Watson building north of the Tracey building, where the fire started. Men

moved furniture and funeral paraphernalia out to the street, and Geo McLauchlan relocated his carriages.

Co-owner Amasa Plummer and his wife, Sophia, sat with Webster Keith and watched their three-story general store collapse.

Their cheese factory separated by a gangplank faced them only in time to see it, too, go down.

The angry flames raced down the west side of the street, taking Ziba Orser’s residence, Janet McMillan’s fruit store and Dr. Jewett’s dental parlors. J. D. Shaw’s building with Orser’s hardware shop and Dr. MacIntosh’s dwelling and examination suite was next to succumb. Henderson’s two buildings were under attack, leaving his and Nettie Dickinson homeless as well as Horace Nixon’s General Store.

Word was sent to Woodstock for their fire apparatus. It was Sunday, so the gears were cold in the CPR roundhouse. Warming time was required and time to load it on a railroad car before making a 13mile trek to Hartland, which would take at least three hours.

“This raging animal is not going to stop. Lord, have mercy!” Scott affirmed as he raced to his blacksmith shop beside the bridge’s ramp. With Aaron, they hauled his tools and anything of value from one

(Submitted photo)

Eight buildings in Hartland were destroyed by fire in 1907.

of the two buildings left intact, each owned by W T Boyer. Scott looked up and saw two men coming into focus from the orange haze and smoke. Two exhausted, blackened firefighters, Ed Morgan and George McLauchlan, pursued Scott.

“We need to fix two hose joints. Someone tampered with the Siamese crippling the force. This is a catastrophic event,” Ed spoke in haste; the usual spark in his eyes was gone. Geo was behind him, balancing from foot to foot with clenched fists, tightened lips, and angry eyes. Geo had been retrieving carriages and farm equipment from his store that was now threatened heavily by the fire. Now his residence was in danger. It was above the Hartland Chat Printing office and the post office.

His building would surrender next. Across the street, pails of water and another line of hose held in the branches of the trees were

keeping the Taylor building, Tom Simms’s confectionary and Boyer’s home wet. The strength of the fire loomed.

The Woodstock apparatus immediately dosed the bridge ramp and burning tollhouse. Sipprelle’s blacksmith shop, Perkins Monument Works, Massey Harris Farm Machinery shop and Aaron Craig’s home were gone. The focus became the Hartland wood bridge opened just 6 years prior.

“Someone has emptied the water barrels on the bridge,” McLauchlan yelled.

Since the bridge opened, a maintenance man kept the water barrels full, one barrel per span for fire prevention. Hoses cut, oil splattered, and empty barrels were grounds for arson. The citizens began investigating.

Doris Kennedy is a retired nurse, writer, and historian.

Married with four children and 11 grandchildren, she is the author of five books.

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 25

RVS SUNSHINE KIDS

SUNSHINE SMILES: (LEFT) Meet 10-year-old Harlee Martin of Debec. The daughter of Sharon and Jennifer Martin, Harlee loves colouring and singing, and would like to be a professional singer when she grows up. (RIGHT) Her seven-year-old brother, Jaxx loves playing outside on his four-wheeler, and what’s to be a heavy-duty mechanic like his dad when he grows up. Both attend Meduxnekeag Consolidated School in Bedell. (Submitted photo) Submit your sunshine kid or kids photos to theresa@rivervalleysun.ca

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26

Shed a little “light” on your plants!

WEEDS, SEEDS & GARDEN DEEDS

By Michelle Corcoran

D

reaming about the new season of gardens is always fun! It’s time to start planning, and if you are up for it, start some of your plants inside from the seeds you saved (or bought).

An important thing we often forget about when growing seeds indoors is lighting. Our regular light

bulbs and ceiling lights, even the window light, may not be enough to help your seedlings thrive. Enter GROW LIGHTS! I’m NOT an expert in this area, but I have learned a bit through trial and error, research, and other gardeners.

There are lots of grow lights out there, from cheap to expensive. You don’t need fancy equipment either. I made mine with shop lights (with the correct light bulbs) in a simple wooden frame (see picture).

Key Grow Light Features Not enough or the correct type of light stresses plants out. Grow lights need enough Kelvin (light colour) and lumens (amount of visible light)

for healthy, non-stressed plant growth. The kelvin/ colour of light affects plant growth. Blue light (50007000 Kelvin) helps vegetative/ green growth, and red light (3500-4500 Kelvin) helps flowering and fruit production. A general rule of thumb – choose “fullspectrum” lights to get a mix of all types of light for best growth.

Seedlings need at least 5000 Kelvin for best growth.

6400 Kelvin will give you light similar to daylight.

What about lumens?

The higher the lumens, the further away your bulbs can provide enough light for plant growth. Bulbs too far away and not enough lumens make “leggy” plants.

Choose a minimum of 5001000 lumens for seedlings which can be about 4-5 inches away from plant tops without burning them.

Starting Seeds Tips It’s worth it to start seeds indoors, but it may not be worth the effort when things go wrong. Remember, plants need to be hardened off when warm weather comes to reduce plant stress when planting in their outside homes. Some common mistakes when starting seeds indoors: Lighting - Kelvin and lumens from above. Too many plants under one light won’t work. Those on the edges may not get enough light and will stretch if using lower lumens. Use a timer

(Submitted photo)

to make sure plants get a chance to rest, too; 14-16 hours for most seedings should do.

Don’t plant too soon or in small containers. Doing this will require you to transplant into larger pots before they get outside.

Leaving them too long can make them root-bound and malnourished.

Planting the suitable types of seeds indoors at the right time. Most flowers/ woody herbs/ green veggies usually do well started

between March-May. Follow the package instructions. If you are beginning perennial seeds, you may need to give them a stint in the freezer for a few weeks to provide a head start.

Don’t start root crops (carrot, beet, potato) indoors.

Disturbing the roots will affect your plants.

Michelle Corcoran is a home gardener and an active member of the Florenceville-Bristol Garden Club.

Remembering our friend, Duane Petley

BEAUTIFUL BUMBLES

By Linda McHatten

“A

true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved them.”

– Amy Hoover.

One year ago this month, a great friend passed away after a short illness. He left us with many memories – memories we still talk about on our bumbles.

Duane Petley or Dewy was a one-of-a-kind guy in

our bumble group. He always looked forward to the first bumble of the season, especially if he could pull a Honda back on the trail with his Polaris (especially if the Honda had slid off the trail because of snow and ice).

Whatever time we planned to meet, Duane was there having coffee or maybe a breakfast sandwich well ahead of anyone.

We have many memories from his last year of bumbling with us. There are images of him sitting on a side hill or tree stump sharing his sandwich with a dog, sitting on a cabin porch eating a piece of cheese, or him taking his Polaris through a water hole, splashing his cab, and making his wife, Valerie, yell his name. He loved to laugh and carry

on. He had a silly grin and infectious laugh that was hard to forget. If we had a newcomer to the group, you could be sure Duane welcomed and made them feel at home.

We didn’t always eat on the trail. We could always expect good times at the Pour House, Pizza Hut in Zealand and the Waterfront Pub in Nackawic. These were Duane’s favourite places to dine. There were trips to McAdam for Sunday pie and funny Duane stories from every place we travelled.

Duane’s last bumble was Oct. 3, 2020. We trailered our quads to Grace and Anthony’s near Grand Falls, where we enjoyed the fall colours around Perth-Andover and Tobique. We had pot luck

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on the trail in a bit of light rain. The weather didn’t dampen the day. We all enjoyed his presence that day.

Duane died on Feb. 22, 2021. On July 1, 2021, some of our bumble group met at Grace and Anthony’s in honour of Duane.

We shared memories, laughs, and a few tears.

Duane often said, “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.” It was a John Madden quote.

I sure miss the extra can of coke you always brought along for me, Duane. You are gone, but you are definitely not forgotten.

Linda McHatten is a retired LPN who now nurses her love for the outdoors. She and her husband live in Rosedale.

Duane Petley in Oct. 2020. (Linda McHatten photo)

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 27

N.B. announces primary care project to take pressure off ERs

Program gives paramedics, pharmacists expanded roles; enhances 811 RIVER VALLEY SUN

N

ew Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced a primary care program Jan. 26, which she says will provide residents with additional options to meet their health-care needs in the community.

Shephard, joined by Robert Losier, President of Medavie Health Services New Brunswick, outlined details of the program designed to provide New Brunswickers with timely health care without going to emergency rooms.

She explained the program is designed to steer patients to community walk-in clinics or 811 Tele-Care for examination within 24 hours, rather than attending an emergency room for non-emergency treatment.

While 90 per cent of New Brunswickers have a family doctor, nurse practitioner or available health clinic, Shephard said, their primary care

provider is not always immediately available.

As a result, she explained, patients turned to the emergency room.

The minister and Losier stressed New Brunswick residents should continue to use the ER and ambulances services for emergency health issues. However, they noted, the new plan will provide better options for non-emergency health concerns.

“It’s just better care for the patient,” said Losier.

Under the new program, paramedics would use their clinical judgement whether the patient requires transfer to the hospital. If not, they will either treat the problem or direct them to another option better suited to the patient’s needs.

Shephard said the program would expand the role of New Brunswick pharmacists.

She said pharmacists can now renew many prescriptions, regardless of whether the patient has a primary care

provider. They can answer questions about medications, prescribe treatment for minor conditions, including urinary tract infections, skin conditions and fungal infections, and answer questions about vaccinations.

Shephard said the program expands TeleCare 811, which New Brunswickers can call anytime, to deliver access to in-person community appointments and virtual appointments within 24 hours.

Other health services included in the health minister’s announcement involved walk-in and virtual clinics and the expansion of eVisitNB. Shephard said walk-in clinics and virtual walk-in clinics could provide a consultation with a nurse practitioner or doctor for common illnesses, injuries, infections, mental health conditions and general health concerns.

She added that the eVisitNB service would be available for free to

any person with a New Brunswick Medicare card.

Shephard said addiction and mental-health clinics offer a new service delivery model called one-at-a-time therapy.

She said the new service, available at most community mental health centres, should improve access and reduce wait times. She said the service is available by appointment or on a walk-in basis.

“These changes will

N.B. Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. (File photo)

allow us to address the emergency department crisis while also evaluating new options for care and determin-

ing what works best for New Brunswickers when it comes to accessing health-care services,” said Shephard.

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28

CONNECTION

Sharing Stories of Inclusion, Diversity, and Community

Good times with Willie!

IN A ‘MANOR’ OF SPEAKING

By Jane Jones

W

hat’s the secret to getting through a long, blistering cold, pandemic-threatening month?

Willie — the puppy so full of love that he just has to share it with our Neighbours and staff!

Hannah Creaser, Carleton Manor’s registered dietitian, noticed she felt quite low at the beginning of January.

“Doom and gloom January,” recalls Creaser, but thankfully her 16-monthold sheepadoodle Willie wouldn’t have it.

He has so much love and energy to give.

“Willie brings so much love and life to me,” Hannah thought, “I’d like to share that with the

Neighbours and staff.”

Hannah asked permission to bring Willie into the Manor during her work shift.

The results?

“A cup-filling day,” said Creaser.

The first thing Willie noticed? Walkers “Willie LOVES the tennis balls on the bottoms of

the Neighbours’ walkers,” Creaser said. “He was a little weary of the wheelchairs,” However, Willie quickly got over that curiosity when he and his Hannah noticed how everyone’s facial expressions lit up as he strolled towards them.

In Creaser’s words, Willie brought them “in-

stant joy.”

Creaser brought Willie into work with her three or four more times throughout January. Each shift ended with everyone’s cups filled to the brim.

Jane Jones is a wife and mother who volunteers at Carleton Manor.

Hannah and Willie after a hard days work of bringing joy to all they encountered (Michelle Vail photo)

Neighbours G. Hartley, P Hatfield, F. McKeil, D. Burtt and V. Graham, enjoying some social time with an afternoon coffee and treat. (Michelle Vail photos)

Living, one day at a time

RIVERSIDE RAMBLINGS

I

By Carolyn Brown

often sing the song by that title, and it always reminds me of what I need to do because it’s the only thing we can do. We can’t rush tomorrow until it arrives, and we surely know we can’t go back. Speaking to our residents on a Sunday, I demonstrated with a can opener, asking, “What would we do if the only can opener in the house was broken and we needed to open a can?”

The first thought might be to throw it out, but then you remember it’s the only one, so you decide to fix it.

Like that can opener, we too can feel broken at times, but how nice to know we won’t get thrown out but will have beautiful opportunities with God’s help, to get fixed.

Fixing things in “the big yellow house” can take different avenues.

Feeling ‘broken’ can sometimes be helped by wandering in the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and chatting with the staff readying the meals. Maybe you grab a puzzle and sit down in front of the TV with a resident looking for company. Or perhaps you take in a bingo game so you can listen to Bill call “under the N, 47.” Or fol-

low the sound of pool balls clinking and laughter in the lounge. Maybe it’s wandering by an open door of a resident, which almost always means they are welcoming a visit.

Sometimes you can feel broken and swamped, and yet your day can be easily brightened with the right “fix.”

The residents often hear me saying a few things. The first is, “Why would a reasonable person do that?” When you step back to answer that question rather than being instantly offended, you tend to let things go without the hard feelings, as you are not wearing the other person’s shoes.

The second line I often ask (especially when things get busy) is, “What is the one thing God is

asking me to do, right now, at this moment?”

Surprisingly, I always get an answer because the question settles my thoughts and makes me realize I can only do one thing at a time.

So, like living one day at a time, we can let things go and settle in to do one thing at a time. We can enjoy the moment; we can enjoy the time and place and feel lucky. It’s easy to do here in the ‘big yellow house’ because we can always find a welcoming smile to lift your spirits.

In that way, I believe our house is a true ‘fixer-upper’ – of moods.

Carolyn Brown is in charge of Community Relations at MacLeod Riverside Court Retirement Residence.

Joe Cronkhite out for his walk. Joe always puts a smile on residents’ faces. (Carolyn Brown photo)

What was your New Year resolution? You’ve forgotten already right?

That’s pretty normal by this time of year. Here, borrow mine -

“Do more Pilates.”

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 29

Rotary clubs to launch Western Valley Faces of Business

Directory will raise funds and also inform

By Sandra Hanson

L

ocal Rotary clubs from Woodstock, Florenceville-Bristol, and Perth-Andover, have undertaken a new fundraising initiative designed to promote and support local businesses, called Western Valley Faces of Business.

The novel business directory will be organized by business type (ex. agricultural, automotive, dental, clothing, restaurants, etc.) and will showcase businesses from Woodstock to Plaster Rock.

The directory will feature personal photos of the employees and the business owner, including the busi-

ness’ logo and a description of the company. There will also be an interactive online version that will feature a direct link to the business website.

Business directories published by the Rotary are nothing new – clubs in both Truro and Kentville, N.S., and Charlottetown, PEI, have been publishing business directories for several years. The Charlottetown directory has now been in publication for 33 years.

The directories have been so successful they are now a sole fundraising project for some clubs.

Rotary member and project co-chair Tom Trafford shared that Rotary

members will be going around towns, talking to local businesses, and selling spaces from February through April. Once the directory has been assembled, it will be distributed by the River Valley Sun. Trafford anticipated they would be ready for distribution by September or October.

Trafford shared that the Rotary feels the project will be a “win-win-win,” benefiting business owners, the community, as well as the Rotary.

He explained that business owners would gain exposure through the directory, and it would also be a valuable tool for newcomers and tourists. The sale

of directory spaces will help raise funds for community service projects such as supporting senior homes, dialysis units, community parks, education scholarships, literacy programs, and more. For the Rotary, the project will hopefully help make up some of the funds that have been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, as they were unable to complete some of their regular fundraising campaigns.

Fellow Rotarian and project co-Chair Carol Brennan shared that everything about the project is being sourced locally – they will be using local printers, local photographers, and a

local business to build the website. Any work that Rotarians complete will be voluntary, as well. “We’re quite excited,” Carol said. “There is nothing like this in our valley right now.”

Brennan and Trafford

presented the project to the Florenceville-Bristol town council at their Feb. 8, 2022 meeting. Mayor Karl Curtis commended the project, remarking, “This will really showcase what’s out there in our community.”

not pulled up, or the earth yanked away.

The differential forces of the moon acting on the earth’s surface are 1/10,000,000 the strength of the earth’s gravity acting on the water and could not possibly pull up the water beyond perhaps a hair’s width.

It is also wrong to think that the earth itself is deformed, and that causes the water bulges. What is happening is that the weak tidal forces act tangentially at the earth’s surface to push water towards the Earth-Moon centre line (bottom right diagram) over the vast width of the oceans resulting in a net substantial pile up. Then as the earth rotates, these two roughly stationary bulges (along the Earth-Moon centre line) cause (roughly) two

high and two low tides per day.

As the earth turns, the bulges of water meet continental borders and estuary channels etc., which greatly complicate when the tides will occur and how high they will be. The tides differ from day to day (and for every coastal location) and only repeat after a 19-year cycle!

About 1872, Sir William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) invented a complicated analogue computer to do the calculations. It is shown at

the bottom left of the figure. It was known as “brass brains.”

As a testimony to the difficult nature of the calculations, these types of analogue computers were used as late as the mid-1970s until replaced by digital computers.

From left to right: nurses Cathy Tingley and Holly Fleming accepting a cheque for a new dialysis chair for the hemodialysis unit of the Upper River Valley Hospital from Rotarians Wallace Antworth and Lorena Green.

Tricky tides

NIGHT SKY

By David Hunter

N

ew Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy Coast has the highest tides in the world.

This distinction is shared with the Nova Scotia Fundy Coast.

Tides are caused by the differential gravitational forces acting on the earth by the moon and the sun.

Historically, Sir Isaac Newton first gave a correct explanation for tides. Even Galileo gave wrong explanations, as did Rene Descartes.

And throughout the world’s different civilizations and cultures, e.g. Persia, China, various indigenous cultures and so forth, the explanations were all wrong. Most modern explanations given are wrong or

misleading.

Newton realized that gravity acted through empty space and that the force of attraction between two bodies (Earth-Moon, EarthSun) acted inversely as the square of the distance between their centres, i.e. at greater separations, the force is weaker. Gravity acts through empty space and is not stopped or shielded in any way by material bodies.

This is unlike electrical and magnetic forces, which can be shielded.

The top diagram (Time 1) shows the moon’s gravitational force lines acting on the earth.

The round black spots represent imaginary lead balls at various places around the earth.

Now, in a leap of imagination (gedanken experiment), imagine that the earth and the balls fall toward the moon (Time 2).

The earth is a rigid body (nearly so), and its centre will fall towards the moon given by the moon’s gravitational force at the earth’s

centre. But the balls on the earth’s surface facing the moon fall faster than the earth’s centre because they are closer to the moon.

Contrariwise, the balls on the earth’s surface facing away from the moon fall slower because they are farther from the moon.

The net result, as seen in the Time 2 diagram, the balls float away in the manner seen in the diagram. In reality, this gedanken experiment is a way to show how the moon’s differential gravitational forces act on the earth.

In most explanations of the tides, it will be stated that the moon pulls up the water closer to the moon and that on the opposite side of the earth, the earth is “yanked” away from under the water.

This is a feeble attempt to explain why there are two tidal bulges of water on the earth. This is very loose talk and wrong.

In fact, it’s described that way in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s explanation. The water is

David Hunter is a retired medical physicist who studies the night sky above in Florenceville-Bristol. He just completed building a 12.5 inch reflecting telescope.

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30

SPORTS

Highlights and Features of Local Sports and Sporting Events

Conquering 1,000 miles in 24 hours for campers

Two avid snowmobilers set to leave Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club on Mar. 10

By Devon Judge

T

wo avid snowmobilers will put their stamina and their machines to the test next month as they attempt to cover 1,000 miles in 24 hours in an effort to send more kids to camp this summer.

Rudi Fowler and Sam Charters are taking on the 1,000 Mile Challenge starting on Thursday, March 10, will raise funds to send area kids to Green Hill Lake Camp in York County and other local camps.

Through sponsorships and donations from across North America, the 1,000 Mile Challenge organizers raised close to $17,000 in the inaugural event last winter.

“I just wanted to go for a ride and post (to social media) along the way,” said Fowler, who conquered the first challenge with longtime snowmobiler Danny Lunn.

“But Kristianna (May) made it all happen. In three days, she had 30,000 people looking at our Facebook page.”

With only a few days to prep, the organizers began receiving donations before knowing the cause.

“We were looking for a GoFundMe we could help out when my mom said she was making COVID masks for Green Hill Lake and had already made $300,” Fowler said. “We already had $2,000 at the time.”

Marion Fowler, Rudi’s mother, serves as a board member at Green Hill Lake Camp, a camp Rudi attended as a child and teen.

“I can remember Rudi as a young camper here at Green Hill Lake and as a teen in our cycling camps,” recalled Green Hill Lake Camp executive director Stephen Alward.

Rudi connected with his former camp director before the first challenge and choice of a fundraising cause.

“Sixty-five families benefited last year,” Alward reported. “I didn’t realize how engaged the snowmobiling community is. People gave selflessly. It was one of the top fundraisers for camp last year.

“And it wasn’t massive gifts, just that so many engaged with the event.

When so many work together, a lot can be accom-

plished.”

With more time to prepare, a partnership with the Northern Lights Trailblazers #47, and sponsors lining up their support after the 2021 challenge, fundraising for the 2022 event topped $20,000 in the first week.

“I was fortunate our family went to camp and hiked in the summer,” said Charters. “I didn’t realize some kids didn’t have that opportunity.

“I’m excited to see something I enjoy benefit families and kids going to camp.”

Charters faces his first challenge this year as Lunn recovers from a broken wrist.

“It’s going to be a big mental game as we fight exhaustion,” Charters said.

“It comes down to mind over matter and the body being able to handle driving that long.”

The pair of riders, weather permitting, will leave the Hartland Golf and Country Club on March 10 at 6 p.m. They plan to cover 1,000 GPS miles on New Brunswick Trails before returning to the golf club 24 hours later.

“I’m excited to get started,” said Charters, whose biggest one-day ride to date clocked around 340 miles. “We are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We are going over our sleds completely, checking everything.”

The riders will be taking short breaks along the way for fuel, food, and bathroom breaks, but Fowler says time is of the essence.

“You can’t stop. Stopping kills you,” Fowler said of the timed challenge.

“We are watching our overall average time, and when you stop, you watch that average go down. If we are under the threshold and stuff starts breaking, the stress is on. It’s go, go, go all the time. The first year we only had 20 minutes to spare.”

Keeping the ride to two participants also helps with the timeframe.

“Two riders minimizes the variables,” Fowler explained. “You’re waiting on each other to put your helmets on. You could be waiting for the other guys at a crossing. Another guy means 33 per cent more risk.”

Checking out the machine for the 1,000 mile challenge are, from left, Sam Charters, Rudi Fowler, Bob Young (TNL Motorsports), Cody Hetherington. (Photo by Ben Cummings)

A map charts the route for the 1,000 mile challenge. (Submitted photo)

Anyone interested can track the trip’s progress, as both riders will be equipped with two-way satellite tracking, Fowler on his 2016 Arctic Cat ZR 8000 Limited and Charters on his 2017 Arctic Cat XF

8000 Cross-Country Limited.

There will also be a send-off party on March 10 and a return reception on March 11 at the Hartland Golf and Country Club.

To donate to the 1,000

Mile Challenge fund, search out Green Hill Lake Camp on CanadaHelps. org and submit a donation. Anyone wishing to sponsor can do so through the camp website at www. greenhill.ca.

“A lot has changed over the years, but camp is still about the same thing,” Alward said. “It’s about giving kids a chance to get away, have fun, make new friends, learn skills, and just grow.”

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 31

Speaking of Sports

Learning from the sports pages and dealing with depression

By Andrew McCormick

I

grew up at a time when newspapers greeted us each morning from our doorstep. Aside from local AM radio, it was our link to the world.

At our house on a winter school day morning, still clad in our nighttime longjohns, it was a three-way race to our front door, between myself and my two older brothers.

The winner spread open the sports section, two pages wide, onto our carpeted living room floor.

On all fours, he retained prime reading position.

Larger elbows often flew to remind me to bide my time. But my weapon of poor morning breath would sometimes buy me a corner position.

When I finally gained exclusivity, I scoured those sports pages from top to bottom and from corner to corner.

An Associated Press photo of an NHL hockey or Major League Baseball game was always a highlight. I studied every detail of those pictures. Those black and white action shots of Dave Keon and Ken Dryden made it seem like I was watching the game in person.

NHL scoring summaries told me how many points Lafleur had against California in the Habs 10-4 victory two nights ago.

Monday’s paper was like Christmas, with a full page of game summaries from a full slate of Saturday night NHL games.

Tuesday’s edition included the weekly goalie stats, including empty-net goals against (EN).

During baseball season, today’s “Probable Pitchers” told me the Dodgers Don Sutton (17-8) was matched up against the Reds Jack Billingham (15-5) tonight, in a National League West division battle beginning at 11:05 p.m. All times Eastern (EST).

The listings of scoring leaders and detailed pitching and batting stats helped my seven-year-old self master simple math skills. By tracking league standings, I picked up on North American geography and understood the fact we had multiple time zones from coast to coast.

I became a voracious reader, and by no coincidence, I was the second top reader in Mrs. Grant’s Grade 2 class. Incidentally, Lisa Monteith claimed that crown.

However, I took a back-

seat to no one in Miss Dickinson’s Grade 3 daily multiplication table quizzes.

I guess not many other kids my age were figuring out goalie’s goals against averages or a pitcher’s earned run average at the time.

All from reading a newspaper. How times have changed.

Thank you Carey Price: Ending the stigma Sports again lead the way in raising social awareness for mental health issues while also revealing the shameful disparity in available treatment for the haves and have-nots.

As much as some things change, much remains the same. This was evidenced to a high degree when Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price admitted himself into the NHL’s substance abuse program.

To the average Joe, like you and I, adequate addiction and mental health care come to us at the speed of a Joe Beckwith fastball.

Slow, slower and slowest.

This is in drastic contrast to Price’s immediate support provided for him.

The difference in timely care is a travesty and often tragic.

Don’t get me wrong.

I admire Carey Price for

stepping up to admit he needs help while living under a mega-spotlight.

Whether he’s receiving help for substance abuse or a mental illness, he’s reminding others battling the same fight they’re not alone. In fact, I believe he saved lives.

At worst, Price made a smallish chip in a galacticsized armoured wall of the stigma associated with addiction or mental illness.

Aaahh, the stigma, it’s there. It’s real. It’s huge.

I’ve fought the stigma, and it’s a fight you can win.

Until this writing, I’ve only shared my fight versus depression with family and a very few friends.

I can trace my depression back to my pre-teen days.

I can tell you depression robs you of your po-

tential. It can distance you from friends and steer you from activities you normally love participating in. It can cost you a livelihood. It can drain your savings.

It can label you as weak, to the uneducated on the subject. In other words, to the majority.

Because of the stigma associated, I fought any form of help for years. Accepting help would be admitting I was weak. Eventually, in counselling, I learned I had adopted and been using proven coping strategies for years, on sheer instinct.

A dancing Phil Niekro knuckleball resembles my path fighting this. After far too many years, I reluctantly began taking medication. Self-talk, exercise and healthy eating are other in-

gredients in what can be a hodgepodge of remedies.

Because everyone’s brain is different, a solution to treat depression is never the same for two people.

What works for me may not work for you.

So thank you, Carey Price, for standing up and admitting we all can use help and giving me the courage to write this.

In closing, I have two short messages to share.

Firstly, everyone has problems to fight through.

No matter how bad you think you have it, there is always someone much worse off.

Secondly, a quote I discovered several years ago.

“Depression isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of being too strong for too long.”

– Author unknown.

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