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Volume 4 Issue 1

RIVER VALLEY SUN January 15, 2022 to February 15, 2022

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‘Short-term pain for long-term gain’ N.B. announces 16 days of Level 3 COVID restrictions By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

alling it “short-term pain for long-term gain,” Premier Blaine Higgs announced Thursday afternoon, Jan. 13, that the province will move to Level 3, the most restrictive step on its three-level COVID-19 Winter Plan. During an afternoon press conference, the premier said Level 3 restrictions would begin at 11:59 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14, running to just before midnight on Jan. 30, a total of 16 days. New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, joined Higgs at the press conference.

Like Higgs, Russell stressed the tough decision to impose more restrictions on New Brunswickers reflects a growing crisis in New Brunswick’s healthcare system. As of Thursday, Jan. 13, she said, New Brunswick hospitals were treating 104 COVID-19 patients, including nine in an ICU ward. “This is the highest number of hospitalized patients since the pandemic began,” said Russell. She said hospitalization numbers would continue to rise while staff shortages mount as COVID infections and isolation force record numbers of health-care

workers off the job. Without government action, Russell said, projections indicate COVID hospitalizations to surpass 200 patients. She said reducing contacts by 30 per cent over the next two weeks could reduce hospitalizations from 220 to 150. She said even 150 would be “difficult, but manageable.” Horizon Health Network acting CEO John Dornan and Vitalité Health Network CAO France Desrochier were on hand to find questions from the media. Both health authority See LEVEL 3 on page 2

Premier Blaine Higgs announces the implementation of Level 3 of the COVID-19 Winter Plan during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 13. (GNB photo)

Rotary ready for online fundraiser

It’s time to start hearing better

Virtual event held for second year due to pandemic By Theresa Blackburn

n Saturday, Feb. 12, Cunningham Haines and some special guests will entertain Rotary supporters during the organizations Kitchen Party fundraiser. The Woodstock Rotary Club is taking their largest and longest running February event online for a second year in a row due to COVID-19. “We’re really excited about this,” said Rotary President-Elect Hilary Stockford. “The club had so much fun last year, and

the community had a blast. We’re very excited to bring the show back to everyone’s Kitchen again this year.” The fundraiser is the organization’s ‘flagship’ event. The winter dance has been a Carleton County tradition for decades. “The club feels it’s important to keep this event alive, whether it’s in person or online. It gives us a chance as a community-focused group to really engage all community members See ROTARY on page 2

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The Woodstock Rotary will host a Virtual Kitchen Party fundraiser for the second year in a row. The online event raised $39,000 last year. (Theresa Blackburn photo)

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LEVEL 3

Continued from page 1

heads said they encouraged the government to step up restrictions. “It’s with an ask that we go to Level 3,” said Dornan. “We are suffering in our health-care system, and we just simply cannot tolerate 220 inpatients with COVID.” He said the combination of more cases and a depleted workforce forces health officials to make decisions they don’t want to make. Dornan said the system is at the point where they ask staff infected with COVID to come to work to look after COVID patients. Level 3 will introduce tight restrictions, including limiting social interaction to a single-household bubble and banning all public gatherings. Before imposing Level 3 restrictions, the government made a significant adjustment to ease the impact on retail businesses. Previously, Level 3 limited non-essential business and retail operations to pick up and delivery services. Under the amended rules, retailers can open at

ROTARY

Continued from page 1

while putting a smile on everyone’s face,” added Stockford. She admits that the pandemic had made the last two years difficult for everyone, which is why the Rotary believes it’s essential to find a way to continue their February tradition. “We look forward

50 per cent capacity and enforce distancing of two metres. Gyms, spas, salons and entertainment centres must close under Level 3, with church services limited to virtual or in-car services. The highest level does not permit sports or organized activities, including practices. As part of Level 3, Higgs said New Brunswick students will continue athome learning, before returning to in-class work on Monday, Jan. 31. Thursday’s press conference left business owners, organizations and municipal directors scurrying to meet restrictions by Saturday. Woodstock acting CAO Andrew Garnett said he and staff participated in a Zoom call with Health officials moments before the press conference. He said the AYR Motor Centre would be the hardest hit town operation, with limited impact on public works, police and fire departments. Within an hour of the announcement, Woodstock recreation department staff sent out a message announcing the closure of the AYR Motor Centre for 16 days starting on Friday,

Jan. 14, at 11:59 p.m. Garnett said some services at the facility would remain open, including the daycare operations. He said massage therapist Warren Bull, who works out an office at the centre, will continue to take appointments. Garnett said Woodstock Tourism Director Tobi Pirie would check to see if the pool or walking trail could be available by appointment. He added the Horizon Health Network COVID vaccine clinic, which operates out of the AYR Motor Centre’s field house, would serve as usual. He said the clinic has a separate entrance. While restrictions put a total ban on most sports, Russell said, outdoor sports like skating, skiing and snowmobiling are allowed where social distancing can be maintained. Garnett said that would give the public access to the Bobby Vail outdoor rink behind the AYR Motor Centre, but the warming hut would not be available. He said families looking for some outdoor physical activities could still rent things like snowshoes and tubes at the AYR Motor Centre.

Garnett said he and office staff members would decide what restrictions to place at the Woodstock town hall. He said one option would be to lock the front door with most staff working from home, but he hopes it can remain open. He said the town will advise the public about access over the next two weeks but suggests that anyone who plans to visit the town hall call first. The restrictions will force the town to remotely hold its upcoming council in committee and regular council meetings. During the Level 3 announcement, Higgs stressed he didn’t want to take the drastic step but appeared adamant it would be limited to 16 days. He expressed confidence the partial lockdown will reduce the Omicron variant spread enough to lift Level 3 as scheduled. Not only will the restrictions help curtail the spread of the virus, he said, it will provide a window of opportunity for people to get boosters and younger children to get vaccinated. The premier offered no scenario where Level 3 restrictions would not be lifted on Jan. 30.

to an in-person dance again someday, but for now, we are making the most out of it and having a lot of fun,” added Stockford. Last year’s first online event raised $39,000 for the organization. Stockford said the group hasn’t decided what project funds will go to this year. “We’re always moving forward with ideas and community engage-

ment. Currently, we are in the final stages of review for what could be a large project for the entire River Valley.” In 2021, local Rotarians helped fund literacy projects, and most recently. The service organization’s bingo volunteers held a Christmas Extravaganza that donated to the Food Bank and the Salvation Army. “There is always

lots on the go with the Woodstock Rotary Club,” added Stockford. The Kitchen Party event will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Throughout the night, there will be cash draws. The event will give away $19,500 in cash draws, and $3,000 in ‘door’ prizes. Tickets are $150 each and are available from any Woodstock Rotarian.

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*

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Serving Northern Maine and Western New Brunswick

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.

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.

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Sentencing reserved in case of impaired driving causing death Wyatt Belyea back in Woodstock Provincial Court via video conference Jan 28

By Judy Cole-Underhill

fter hearing evidence, Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision in sentencing Wyatt Mark Belyea, 25, of Upper Woodstock, until Jan. 28, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. The accused will make his court appearance in custody by video from provincial jail. He pleaded guilty to all charges. Belyea was charged with impaired driving causing death and breach of a release order following a motor vehicle accident on May 27, 2021, on Route 540 in Maxwell, which claimed the life of 24-year-old Abigail McArthur. An additional charge of indictable assault with a weapon was laid by RCMP for a separate incident on March 16 at an apartment building in Canterbury when three individuals with a baseball bat attacked a man. During the sentencing hearing on Dec. 14,

Crown Prosecutor Bronwyn Mooney suggested a federal prison sentence for Belyea, totalling five to six years for causing the woman’s death and another nine months in jail for his part in the assault in Canterbury. Mooney also asked the court to prohibit the accused from driving for six to eight years. “Words cannot express the profound loss for an offence like this,” Mooney said of the woman’s death. “This crime has a massive impact (on family members).” The court heard Belyea and McArthur were among a group of people attending an all-day party at a house in Maxwell when the accident occurred. 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

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a.m. when an intoxicated Belyea pulled out onto the back country road in his SUV. About 100 meters 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.” McArthur’s mother, Kim Blanchard, stood in court to read her victim impact statement. She said, as a result of the accident, two young children have been left behind, and both are

now in the care of others. Blanchard described how losing her daughter “forever” was a “test of strength every day.” “No child should have to lose a mother, and no mother should have to lose a child,” Blanchard said. After hearing victim impact statements from her family, Belyea rose from the prisoner’s box to address the court. “I want to apologize,” Belyea said. “I shouldn’t have been driving that day. I left a void in Abby’s family, and I’m sorry for that.” Defence Counsel Brent Dickinson said his client had taken responsibility for the accident and was remorseful for his actions. He said Belyea suffers from alcoholism and had one prior impaired driving conviction in 2015. “He has never been in jail before,” Dickinson said. “There is still hope

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Wyatt Belyea pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and breach of a release order following a motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of 24-year-old Abigail McArthur in May 2021. (Theresa Blackburn photo))

for rehabilitation for this young man.” Dickinson described the incident as a “shocking, terrible, tragic event.” He noted the accident reconstruction report said the victim was not stand-

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ing up when she was hit, indicating she may not have been in clear view. The defence lawyer asked the court to consider a four and a half year prison sentence for his client, minus time served.

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Decision on filling Woodstock’s CAO position a few weeks away

Town announces Ken Anthony won’t return from leave; Andrew Garnett to continue as interim CAO By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

oodstock town hall begins 2022 with significant changes within its administrative staff. In a press release issued Tuesday, Jan. 4, the town announced CAO Ken Anthony would not return from the administrative leave of absence he began approximately two months earlier. “Due to personal circumstances, Mr. Anthony will not be returning to his employment with the Town of Woodstock,” the town stated in the release. The release offered few details surrounding the decision. “In order to respect Mr. Anthony’s right to privacy, we are unable to provide further details concerning the reason for his absence and his decision not to return to his employment with the Town of Woodstock,” the release stated. Town officials expressed best wishes for Anthony, who served as Woodstock CAO for approximately two years. Woodstock Director of Development and Planning Andrew Garnett, who served as the interim chief administrative officer during Anthony’s leave, will continue in both roles for the foreseeable future. Council addressed the temporary roles of CAO and town clerk at the first meeting of 2022 on Jan. 11. It passed a motion renewing Garnett’s appointment as acting in-

terim CAO and clerk for another 90 days, during which time council will make a permanent decision on the position. Mayor Art Slipp explained the town needed to pass the motion to re-install Garnett as the previous appointment had expired. The interim appointment will last 90 days or until council resolves the issue, whichever comes first. Coun. Norm Brown asked to amend the motion to remove the “acting” and “interim” terms to read the appointment of Andrew Garnett as the clerk and chief administrative officer. “I’m not prepared to take that motion as an amendment right now,” responded Slipp to Brown’s request. “We have that on the agenda for the committee of the whole.” After Brown suggested holding the motion to appoint an interim CAO and clerk until discussing his proposed amendment, Slipp explained the meeting couldn’t continue without a clerk in place. Brown, agreeing that the council meeting needed to go forward, moved the motion to appoint Garnett as the interim acting clerk. Council unanimously approved it and the motion to appoint Garnett as interim acting CAO. On Wednesday morning, Jan. 12, Slipp said it would take two or three weeks before the council decides how to fill the CAO position perma-

Woodstock’s CAO, Ken Anthony, will not be returning after taking two months administrative leave. (Jim Dumville photo)

nently. He said the closed committee of the whole session following Tuesday’s open council session dealt primarily with the process and personnel but made no resolutions or motions. “The issue is going to get carried forward for another couple of weeks, and we’ll see where we are at that point, but there were no decisions last night (Jan. 11),” he said. The Jan. 11 regular session also saw council pass the resolution officially appointing Kristen Pelkey, the newest member of Woodstock’s administration, as treasurer. Pelkey attended Tuesday’s meeting. Garnett explained Pelkey joined the town’s administrative team as director of financial services in December and “has been a great asset

for us.” “She came highly qualified with a great resume,” he said. Council also approved amendments to the Woodstock signing authority, adding Pelkey and removing Anthony. Mayor Slipp and Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson, along with Garnett, Pelkey, Fallon Lappage, director of human resources, and Ann Marie Voutour, the director of administrative services, who is currently on ex-

tended health leave, now have signing authority with the town. Regulations require two signatures on all town financial transactions, including the mayor or deputy mayor and one of the approved staff members. The loss of Anthony created a second significant hole in Woodstock’s administrative team in 2021. Director of Administrative Services Ann Marie Voutour remains on an extended medical

leave of absence to deal with health issues. Slipp credited the efforts of Garnett, department heads and the entire town staff for successfully shouldering the workload, which included finalizing the 2022 budget. Anthony became Woodstock CAO in September 2019, replacing John Pinsent, who resigned to return to Ontario. Garnett also served as interim CAO between Pinsent and Anthony.

IN STORES NOW

ageless New Brunswick

FRED AND DOREEN THOMAS

Celebrating the love, family, and faith of Fred and Doreen Thomas. The Woodstock couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary and Fred’s 101st birthday this year. We also feature the Robinsons’ decorated home in Jacksonville, we remember wartime dance halls, and we learn about outdoor classrooms in northern Carleton County.

Woodstock council gives off-road vehicle pilot project green light

Motion instructs staff to prepare for April test run, allowing ATVs, quads access to three town streets By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

pilot project next April will test the safety and viability of off-road vehicles legally sharing Woodstock’s Connell Street, Main Street and Deakin Drive with other traffic. At its meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 15, council, with a five-totwo vote, passed a motion instructing staff to prepare for a maximum eight-week pilot project to begin April 15, 2022. Acting CAO Andrew Garnett explained the ad hoc committee, upon which he sits, recommended going ahead with the pilot project. He said he and other members of staff will begin preparations, including developing the bylaw amendments needed to give off-road vehicles le-

gal access to the street. Garnett said the town pilot project differs from the one proposed by local off-road groups, which included areas outside town jurisdiction. During the long-running debate on the issue, the general focus of off-road groups surrounded providing ATV and quad riders access to town businesses, such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels and other retail outlets. Bob Stokes, as representative of Quad NB, emphasized on several occasions that lack of access to Woodstock businesses keeps the town from taking advantage of the lucrative and growing off-road tourism industry.

Stokes also explained Woodstock’s lack of access serves as a significant roadblock to off-road clubs’ attempts to create a fully connected trail system. At the Council in Committee meeting on Dec. 7, Garnett explained the town needs to adjust the bylaw to allow access to Deakin Drive, and it requires provincial government approval to use Connell and Main Streets, both designated provincial highways. Coun. Randy Leonard, a long-time opponent of off-road vehicles on town streets, said he’d accept giving off-road drivers access to Main Street to reach business. “I have a problem

with them on Connell Street,” he said. Coun. Mark Rogers said he opposed off-road vehicles on any street without a sidewalk, citing Deakin Drive in particular. He explained pedestrians regularly walk along the side of Deakin Drive. He said that creates a danger as offroad-vehicles, required to run at the far right of the street, attempt to steer around walkers. Coun. Trina Jones reminded fellow council members that approving Wednesday night motion was not a final decision. She explained council still has time to discuss or modify the plan during debates on the first, second and third reading of proposed bylaw changes.

Coun. Jeff Bradbury explained the idea of the motion is to determine what problems need to be addressed. “This is just a pilot project,” he said. “So this is where we’re going to find out if there are problems.” Coun. Norm Brown echoed Bradbury. “We have to give it a chance,” he said. Brown noted Woodstock Police Chief Gary Forward, another member of the ad hoc committee, told council at a previous date that if the pilot project created a hazard it could be shut down. Garnett agreed, saying the pilot project would put “safety first.” The motion passed in the final vote, with

Brown, Jones, Bradbury, Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson and Mayor Art Slipp supporting it, and Leonard and Rogers opposing it. At Woodstock council’s first meeting of 2022 on Tuesday, Jan. 11, Garnett said the ad-hoc committee would host a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 13, to iron out the final details of a planned pilot project. Coun. Jones and a representative from the local ATV Club would be among those on hand. Garnett said town faces some time restraints as it moves forward, noting the proposed bylaw would require approval from the province, and will need to pass three readings over two council meetings.

Council approves tender for half-million dollar fire truck

Woodstock to purchase new 2022 tanker unit from MetalFab in Centreville for 2023 delivery By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

oodstock council unanimously approved the purchase of a half-million-dollar fire truck at its Wednesday, Dec. 15, meeting. Acting CAO Andrew Garnett said the town received only one response to its tender call, Centreville firm MetalFab. He said MentalFab’s price for the 2022 tanker unit was $516,580, HST included. Garnett added delivery of the new truck could take up to 420 days from the date of the order, meaning it would not arrive until 2023. “That’s the nature of the business, now,” said Garnett. How and when to finance payment for the truck remains a future decision for council. “The price is substantially over and above what we had anticipated,” said Mayor Art Slipp. Garnett told council members that discussions surrounding the purchase of the fire truck date back more than a year, adding that the tender price reflects a substantial increase over that time. “This is about $45,000 higher than the

previous year, and that was $40,000 or $45,000 higher than the year before that, so it’s not getting any better, and it’s not going to get any cheaper,” he said. Garnett said delays in approving this tender mean an even higher price down the road. He said the tender divides the total price of the truck into two pieces. While the MetalFab quote covers the entire truck, the bill for the $127,600 chassis, which should arrive in six to eight months, will be due in 2022. Garnett said the town could delay paying for the chassis until 2023, but interest costs could add as much as $8,000 to the price. He outlined options to cover the chassis costs in the already approved 2022 budget. Garnett said the town already had $26,000 in capital reserve funds for the fire truck, and council approved another $25,000 in the 2022 budget. He said the balance could come from elsewhere, noting the fire department can use gas tax funding. Garnett said using gas-tax funds would re-

In 2013, the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of a Metalfab Tandem tanker. (Metalfab photo)

quire cancelling another project but explained that one planned project worth $90,000 might not be needed or funded through a different project. Garnett said the province covers as much as 40 per cent of the total cost, but he found out recently that it reimburses the town over 10 years. He said council would have to consider the firetruck funding when completing the 2023 budget. Slipp said council members have few choices but to move forward on purchasing the tanker unit. “At this point, we have no specific plan, but I think we have no option but to accept the tender tonight and deal with the future payment scheme, if I could call it that, later,” he said.

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It’s time to get bums back in seats at NBCC

Why online learning isn’t a good fit for most college students

DISPATCHES FROM MY MESSY DESK

By Theresa Blackburn

ver my nine years as an instructor in the Communication Arts, Trades, and Business departments at NBCC Woodstock, I taught over 800 students. While kinesthetic learners (those that learn by doing) make up a mere five per cent of the overall population, more than half of the students in my classrooms were kinesthetic learners – in the trades, that figure was more like 90 per cent. My experience is typical. People who come to college usually enroll because they prefer hands-on learning. I know six families whose children have not fared well in the new online post-secondary universe. The majority have kids who started college in the fall of 2020 but left their studies because online learning wasn’t working for them. Our daughter is part of that group. Our youngest was a student at the NBCC Woodstock campus in Sept. 2020. Before COVID-19, she was excited to begin her studies. The excitement quickly waned as she spent her days at home, in front of a screen. She was often too shy to speak up, and instructors often had no way to gauge comprehension without students’ faces visible during class. Classes melted

into each other, and with multiple classes taught by the same instructor, keeping track of what assignment was for which was sometimes hard. The most disappointing aspect – she wasn’t able to make friends. The course had one three-hour in-person session per week. Most of her classmates were from different campuses, and local students were divided and assigned to other ‘in-class’ days, so there was little personal interaction with her peers. I sat with her for a day of classes. It was eye-opening. My daughter was part of a one-dimensional learning environment with little engagement. Classes were a series of talking heads and a few slides/graphics or videos that left her feeling further isolated. The day left me drained. I couldn’t imagine doing this five days a week, let alone an entire school year. She left the program with our blessing and planned to reapply the following fall, thinking things would be better. They weren’t. We were told the program would be online again this year, except for two half-day in-person sessions a week. Her education is now on indefinite hold. Six hours of in-class learning a week isn’t enough for the majority of college students. Looking back to my teaching days (2006 - 2015), I can only think of maybe 30 students who would have thrived in this new, online environment. Most would have struggled – academically and emotionally. While college staff have likely received some instruction on how to teach in this new educational universe they’ve been thrust into, I would argue that few have the needed experience and technical acumen to instruct kinesthetic learners remotely, with success. A recent Forbes magazine article, “New research shows inferior outcomes in online college programs” by Derek Newton (Aug. 11, 2021), shared details of a new study of online learning. The piece noted, “the

speed at which colleges put programming online last year was remarkable, considering how little is known about the learning outcomes of online instruction.” The study itself, which had a sample of 18,121 students and 1,086 instructors, said data from for-profit colleges (who rely heavily upon and sometimes exclusively on online programs) “have some of the worst academic outcomes.” “Is Online Education Working?” was published by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research in July 2021. “Students in [face-to-face] courses perform better than those in online courses in general. However, this pattern only emerges after controlling for instructor-specific factors, such as leniency in grading or actions towards preventing violations of academic integrity, which signifies the importance of the instructors’ role in determining the relationship between instruction modality and learning outcomes. Without accounting for these instructor-specific factors, the relationship is severely biased, leading to the inaccurate conclusion that online instruction is better for student learning than [face to face] instruction. “There is something special about the face-to-face experience that is not replaceable by technology. Actually, this is something that is voiced by many parents, students, and instructors as well. Because of all the cost advantages of online education, it may not be possible to give it up completely, but maybe a middle ground is possible with a mix of both modalities.” A Canadian study published this fall by Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute in Toronto found more than a third of Canadian students don’t have access to online classes at home, or their families have difficulty paying for the Internet (Lessons learned: The pandemic and learning from home in Canada, Sept. 2021). That study said three in 10 Canadian

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS in memory of Evan Graham On February 1, the family of Evan Graham would have been celebrating his 16th birthday! As they did last year, Evan’s family will be celebrating him by spreading ACTS OF KINDNESS in his memory, just as Evan did all year round. People are being encouraged to spread acts of kindness on February 1, and share what they’ve done on the Facebook page, “Random Acts of Kindness In Memory of Evan Graham on his Birthday.” Evan and his buddy Piper.

#BeMoreLikeEvan

PROUDLY SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY!

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.

Woodstock, NB (506) 328-0096 www.coreyhyundai.ca

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families with children learning online had to use public Wi-Fi to complete assignments. Couple that with a lack of reliable Internet access in rural western New Brunswick, and you have a perfect storm. The lack of in-person post-secondary learning options has left an entire cohort of kinesthetic learning high school graduates in limbo. They are left looking for work, putting career plans on hold, and hoping things can return to ‘normal’ so they can go to college, gain skills, and begin their lives. The impact on students who weren’t successful in the online college learning environment is profound. Not only have they been made to feel lesser than, but their educational options are now few or nonexistent. Some trade students could get indentured with companies and try the apprenticeship route, but fewer companies are interested in taking on that responsibility. The rest are left hoping the college changes its learning model. While college administrators look at online learning as a way to save money and resources, kinesthetic learners who make up the majority of the college’s enrollment see this as a stumbling block – one that not all can successfully get over. A classroom provides more than just a learning environment. In-class instruction provides space for relationship building. A classroom gives students a place to belong. It provides instructors with immediate feedback and room to create engagement, which is key to learning. In-person classes allow instructors to check in with students and assess how they are doing academically and emotionally, which positively impacts student success rates. NBCC offered kinesthetic students a chance to pursue their passions in a learning environment that fit their needs. Some students say the college’s online learning environment reminds them of high school, where they felt like a square peg trying to be pushed into a round hole. We’ve learned a lot over the last 22 months. The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and The Maritime College of Forest Technology have both continued in-person classes throughout the pandemic, even when the province was in Red/Level 3 and have done so without COVID outbreaks. If they can figure out how to operate safely, why can’t NBCC?

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New Brunswick students learning from home until Jan. 31 Parents concerned about impact of continuation of online learning

By Karen Palmer

he announcement from the Department of Education that students would be continuing with online learning from Jan. 11 until at least Jan. 21 left many parents resigning themselves to ongoing efforts to facilitate at-home learning for their children. On Jan. 14, the government imposed Level 3 of the COVID-19 Winter Plan, meaning the athome learning will continue to Jan. 31. This announcement poses many issues for parents. Attempting to help their children learn while fulfilling their own workloads and dealing with anxiety and frustration seem to be the most significant challenges parents must face. Andrea Anderson’s son, Cole, is in Grade 10 in Woodstock. She said the online learning process is nothing but a struggle for her family. “My son did not do well with the online learning last time. A student of any age needs in-person adult support and supervision, and this is not provided when most parents are working away from home,” Anderson said. According to Anderson, the biggest challenge has been inconsistent classroom work expectations. “Some teachers provide online support while others do not. I am grateful that now I have access to Power School online so that I can see for myself if tasks are being completed.” Anderson also feels for the schools and teachers this affects. “Rolling back and forth between in-classroom and online learn-

ing is unfair for teachers and students,” she said. “The teaching and learning outcomes are not going to be the same. I am confident this was proven last year. Teachers need to be better supported in dealing with a variety of different learners and how they may be able to teach all students in this type of environment.” Anderson fears the long-term impacts this may have on her son and the rest of the students. “These children are behind academically. They will likely struggle with future exam preparation and post-secondary education,” she said. “Being in school is so much more than just academics, and they are missing out on a full high school experience and all the teenage experiences that help to shape them into adults.” Victoria Hutt from Riverbank has three children in school. Grade 6 student Max, Grade 8 student Claire, and Grade 11 student Seth will all be learning from home. The family felt deflated when they heard the announcement. “It feels bleak and unending, with no clarity even on the why,” Hutt said. She said her children are no longer motivated, making everything harder. “The kids’ buy-in is gone, Hutt said. “They are the first to recognize it’s make-work that happens when school is online, a bandage version of schooling in a system that was already struggling,” she emphasized. Hutt states the biggest challenge for her is juggling work and being

there for her children. “It has always been hard enough to be a working mom in general, and although I have a very flexible and supportive work arrangement, it still feels like a no-win juggling act right now,” she shares. Online learning for children with disabilities and learning difficulties makes matters even more complicated. The Hutt family has a child with ADHD and Dyslexia. Hilary Stockford, whose daughter Halle is in Grade 4, also has Dyslexia. Both women said accommodations and modifications to their child’s learning are almost non-existent with online learning. “Sitting and focusing on a screen all day is unrealistic for anyone, let alone a child with ADHD,” Hutt said. Stockford further acknowledges this struggle. “The biggest challenge is that I have a job and work outside the home. I’m also not educated in teaching elementary-aged children, and my daughter has Dyslexia, so there is an added stress,” said Stockford. She said her daughter’s school staff contacted her, saying they are working on ways to interact virtually with children who need modifications and that hopefully, a plan will be in place by the end of the week. However, until that happens, her daughter has the same directives as a child who does not have a learning difference when working online. Kate Grose, who lives in Glassville with her

THANK YOU

Thank you for your sympathy and kindness upon my husband Paul Richard’s passing on Nov. 8, 2021. I want to thank the doctors and nurses at the URVH, the staff at the Carleton Funeral Home, and Father Martin Arputham of St. Gertrude’s Church for your support during this difficult time. A special thank you to Tim Scott of the Royal Canadian Legion and my good friend, Janet Wright. I appreciate all your expressions of sympathy through cards, flowers, food and donations to the animal shelter. I am grateful for my family and friends, and I want to thank you for helping me during my time of sorrow.

Joyce Richard

Cooper Doherty looking at school work online. (Submitted by Kate Grose)

Cole Anderson and Katy Bain view online materials. (Submitted by Andrea Anderson)

The Hutt children enjoy cross-country skiing. (Submitted by Victoria Hutt)

Halle Stockford spending time with her horse. (Submitted by Hilary Stockford)

son, Cooper, a Grade 9 student, described the anxiety accompanying learning at home as her biggest concern. Cooper, a serious student who prides himself on doing well, is now struggling

with anxiety and the fear of failure. “He has already asked to talk to our family doctor about anxiety. He asked me if I would think less of him if he failed,” Grose said. “I think this

is causing low self-esteem due to the frustration of not understanding what is asked, while in a classroom setting, he completely understands. I fear he will experience depression.

ATV Club donation correction

River Valley ATV Club board member John Carson presents a donation to Anita Harnish of the Carleton County Animal Shelter in Debec. Last month, John Carson was wrongly identified as John Lawrence. We apologize for the error. (Submitted photo)

’ TAKONUTOMAKONUWAL

(Maliseet word meaning ‘their stories’)

News and Features from Woodstock First Nation

2021: Taking stock of a challenging year

WFN Chief/Sakem Tim Paul looks back at last year’s highlights and obstacles RVS: What do you consider a highlight of 2021 for Woodstock First Nation? TP: I look back and see a lot of positives, but three things stand out. Two are related to development. One is the 37 plus unit subdivision we secured funding for through the federal government, and we had been working on that for the last year and a half. The other positive development was completing all the new water and sewer lines and curbing so we are ready for a new water source and have proper curbing for rainwater runoff. Thanks to our health team and staff, I’m also proud to say that our community stayed relatively healthy. They really took the bull by the horns when it came to COVID and got people vaccinated and managed the small outbreak we had very well. I felt we were prepared, and because of that, we navigated the lockdowns and outbreak well. We continue to try

and keep the mental health side of COVID at the forefront, working with our health team to try and ensure we are on top of things. We, like everyone else, need more resources for that. We worked hard to keep our businesses going, keep people employed, and to keep our families safe. RVS: What do you consider the biggest challenge of 2021? TP: I think our relationship with the provincial government was challenging and remains a challenge. The relationship between Mr. Higgs and his government and the Wolastoqey people isn’t good. It has never been. And his making unilateral changes to the tax agreement the province had with First Nations in the province made things worse. Their approach is the biggest barrier. They still have that paternalistic approach, that they know what’s right for us. That remains the biggest

challenge for us moving forward. I’m talking about child welfare, taxation, hunting and fishing and resource rights — all of it. The lack of reconciliation remains a huge challenge. Last year, the finding of residential school gravesites was something that impacted all of us. We have a fair amount of elders who went through the residential day schools. They are still hurting. The Child Welfare agreement by the Federal Government is a start toward reconciliation, but the details of that still have to be worked out. RVS: What do you hope to achieve in the coming year? TP: Over the last year, we’ve really shown that we can provide quality elder care in our community, and I want to see that continue to grow. It costs money, but it’s money well spent in our eyes. I don’t know if reconciliation will ever come

Chief/Sakem Tim Paul said one of the highlights of 2021 was how well his community coped with the pandemic. In March, Woodstock First Nation elder Rita Chevrette was the first in the community to get vaccinated. (Theresa Blackburn photo)

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(in relation to the New Brunswick government and First Nations in the province), but I am hopeful. There needs to be a major mindset change by the people in power. I am not sure the willingness is there. There are steps they could take, but they don’t seem to want to take them. We never got an inquiry into Chantel Moore’s death or the deaths of Rodney Levi and Brady Francis. Yes, they appointed a commission, but it’s not the same. In Nova Scotia, an inquiry signalled a shift in how that province deals with Indigenous issues. There have been so many chances for the Higgs government to do things that would make a difference, which would make fundamental changes; so many opportunities they chose not to take. RVS: What do you hope for in your relationship with the province? TP: I hope for change. I hope for real policy change and structural change that will change how they deal with aboriginal issues. I hope the province can be inclusive. We have to be right there at that table, all government tables when it comes to the issues that impact us, and that’s not happening. I hold out hope for that. We aren’t going away. We’ll still be here, and so will the issues. Sadly, these are the same issues my father, Winston, dealt with when he was chief back in the 1970s. Child welfare, enough money for programming, hunting and fishing issues, the salmon crisis

Woodstock First Nation Chief/Sakem Tim Paul. (Submitted photo)

on the Restigouche – all of these rights-based issues were there then, and they are still here 40 years later. We’re not in the 1800s anymore. Some of these issues need to be resolved. A fundamental shift needs to happen related to rights-based indigenous issues for reconciliation to be accomplished. The Jordan princi-

pal was supposed to fix that, but we’ve had roadblocks everywhere we’ve turned. To move forward, it’s going to take a lot of work and willingness by the government to sit down and first recognize there is a problem, and to do that; we need to be at the table. I remain hopeful that it’s not too late for that to happen.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 11

Woodstock mayor proclaims Feb. 1 as #BeMoreLikeEvan Day Council unanimously approves proclamation in honour of Hartford teen By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ith the unanimous approval of council members at the Tuesday, Jan. 11 council meeting, Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp officially proclaimed Feb. 1 as the second annual #BeMoreLikeEvan Day. The day encourages acts of kindness in memory of 14-year-old Evan Graham, who died in an all-terrain vehicle crash on July 21, 2020. Feb 1, 2022, would have marked Evan’s 16th birthday. The outpouring of grief followed the tragic loss of the active, goodnatured teen who lived in the farming community of Hartford in the outskirts of Woodstock. Evan was an enthusiastic 4-H member and a well-known member of the farming community. Friends and family launched several initiatives in memory of Evan, including the Evan Graham Scholarship Fund for students pursuing agricultural studies and the Be Kind Like Evan Day, promoting acts of kindness. The proclamation re-

quest submitted to the town outlined Evan’s interests and goals of the #BeKindLikeEven Day. It reads as follows: Proclamation – #BeMoreLikeEvan Day February 1st, 2022 “WHEREAS Evan Graham of Hartford, New Brunswick, left us in the year 2020, doing what he loved but way too soon. His family initiated a campaign to encourage random acts of kindness to take place annually on his birthday; and “WHEREAS the first #BeMoreLikeEvan campaign became a community movement, inspiring hundreds of people throughout Greater Woodstock to perform random acts of kindness on behalf of others; and ‘WHEREAS Evan passed away at the age of 14 on July 21st,2020; and “WHEREAS he was a young man who enjoyed the little things in life. He appreciated everything he had and the people who loved him. He was kind, caring and compassionate. He laughed often,

dreamed big, worked hard and played harder. He took every opportunity he had to work alongside his dad, who he admired and strived to be more like him. “WHEREAS Evan was known for his love for agriculture, 4H, wheeling, snowmobiling, the Boston Bruins, lawnmower races, tractor pulling, or anything with a motor. From an early age, he was a true entrepreneur with big dreams. “WHEREAS Evan’s family’s wishes for people to continue to perform random acts of kindness in his honour and to share them with the hashtag #BeMoreLikeEvan via their own social media pages; and “WHEREAS the #BeMoreLikeEvan campaign continues to inspire others throughout the community to perform random acts of kindness; and “WHEREAS the 2nd Annual #BeMoreLikeEvan Day of Kindness will take place on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, Evan’s Sweet Sixteen birthday; and

The late Evan Graham wears a big smile while doing what he loved, showing his steer as part of the 4-H participation of the Carleton County Spring Show and Sale held annually in Florenceville-Bristol. (Tabitha Burrell photo)

“WHEREAS we hope many adults and children, throughout the community, will perform acts of kindness to honour Evan’s family’s request, to the community and inspire others to do

likewise; “THEREFORE, I, Arthur Slipp, Mayor of the Town of Woodstock, do hereby recognize February 1 st, 2022 as THE 2ND ANNUAL #BeMoreLikeEvan Day of

Kindness in the Town of Woodstock, and I ask all citizens of the Town of Woodstock to consider random acts of kindness in his honour and to encourage others to do the same.”

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Hartland Town Council briefs

By Sandra Hanson

The following items of business were discussed at the Jan. 11 Hartland Town Council meeting: Councillor Gary Magnum resigns On Jan. 6, Coun. Gary Magnum notified the town that he would resign from council due to a recent move from the town. Magnum said he would continue to advocate for the town by supporting Hartland Helpers, Becaguimec Trails Association, and the festival committee. The council accepted his resignation, and CAO Rob Webber and other council members wished him well in the future. Council will discuss his replacement on the Infrastructure Committee at a later date. Response to fraudulent cheques written In December, Town Finance Clerk, Tracey Clowater, brought to council’s attention that fraudulent cheques were being written on the town’s operating account. As a result, the town took action to set up a new account. Since last month, Clowater has been migrating all payments and receipts to a newly established account. The process should be completed by the end of the first fiscal quarter. Central Carleton Community Complex update George Boone questioned the council about the status of the estimate from Pearson Engineering regarding the construction of the new complex. CAO Rob Webber said the estimate is expected to be completed later in January. He also informed council members the anticipated costs would be higher than initially expected due to the increased cost of building materials during the Covid-19 pandemic. Webber said that he is unsure about the amount of the increase at this time. The federal and provincial governments will fund 73 per cent of the project, with the balance coming from borrowing by the town, contributions from neighbouring LSDs, and private donations. Reports of recreational vehicles trespassing through graveyards Hartland council has received information from Jeff Doherty about

ATVs and snowmobiles crossing through Loyalist Graveyard off Orser Street and Greenwood Cemetary off High Street. Council members discussed different ways to end this activity, including signage, fencing, and possibly the development or amendment of bylaws. Council decided the matter needed further discussion. It will follow up on the issue soon. Recreation Department Report A report from Recreation Director Tanya Hawkes noted that the department had a successful Christmas season, offering a variety of activities for area residents, including an outdoor Christmas concert and a Skate With Santa. This winter, the department plans to offer more programs, including night skiing, snowshoeing, and an outdoor rink. Coun. Lee Patterson suggested the town look into providing an additional skating area, such as a skating circle or corral, since many people, young and old alike, can feel intimidated by those who are using the arena to play hockey. “I don’t see why we can’t do that,” CAO Rob Webber said. Patterson remarked that if the additional skating area is built, Hartland would be the only local community to offer such a thing. Council agreed to look into the idea further. The main outdoor arena should be completed and ready for use by Jan. 14. Public Works truck accident leads to driver training Jed Giberson, from Public Works, said that before Christmas, a Public Works plow truck had an accident, sending the vehicle into the ditch on Rockland Road. The driver was taken to the hospital to treat minor injuries and released the same night. Sharpe’s Towing removed the truck from the ditch, and it is currently undergoing minor repairs and should be back in use next week. As a follow-up to the accident, the town contracted Versatile Training Solutions from Sussex to host a two-day driver training seminar for Public Works staff. Giberson said the town has several new drivers without significant hours behind the wheel of large vehicles. He felt the

training would be beneficial for everyone. “The training went well,” Giberson told council. “It was a positive experience.” He expected the training to boost the confidence of the new drivers. New signage for COVID Screening Centre parking The Town of Hartland received complaints from several COVID centre nurses that local apartment residents were using the parking lot behind the town hall dedicated to the screening centre’s use. The town contracted Fire Line Designs to make new signage declaring the space for the sole use of Horizon Health workers between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. The signs will be installed as soon as they’re received. CAO Webber felt this should resolve the issue. Tourism Updates In her report to the council, Manager of Tourism and Economic Development Gaby Mann announced that the town is looking for someone to take over the operation of the Tourist Bureau for the upcoming season. The Tourism department is currently developing a proposal that they hope to release to the public by Jan. 31, 2022. Theft and vandalism concern businesses In response to ongoing theft and vandalism issues, three local businesses have employed private security personnel and security systems. Coun. Stewart Fairgrieve questioned whether the town could find other options to better monitor criminal and nuisance activity, such as official Neighbourhood Watch programs or even just through the use of volunteers. Council decided to pursue the issue further. Town to provide program funding to the library Council agreed to provide $2,400 in funding to the library, to be paid in two installments of $1,200. The library will use the money to support its many outreach programs, such as its Seed program, Summer Reading Club, and more. Coun. George Boone said that due to the ongoing pandemic, the library could not offer some of their regular programs,

and as a result, offered alternative options such as science and art kits that could be done at home. Acadian Forest Restoration Project Proposed In a presentation, Jean Arnold described a grant application Knowlseville Art and Nature Centre would submit under the federal “Two Million Trees” initiative in collaboration with the Tree Project. Arnold said both organizations are part of the Brighton LSD, which which will soon amalgamate with the town of Hartland. Through the proposed Acadian Forest Restoration Nurseries initiative, both organizations would scale up existing forest restoration practices by expanding existing and developing new tree and shrub nurseries, developing training for the management, protection and monitoring of restoration plantings. They would also promote community engagement through restoration planting events. Arnold said that she hoped Hartland could get involved in various ways, such as being a source for summer students and having local businesses donate services. In return, Arnold felt they could help showcase Hartland as a proud township through community festivals and activities. “We look forward to working together and getting involved,” said Mayor Demerchant.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 13

Nackawic looking to open new marina by June

Council must approve additional funding for spring completion By Jim Dumville - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ackawic remains on course to have its marina, a central part of the town’s far-reaching waterfront development, open by June. Regional Service Commission 11 Building and Development Officer Lonnie Forbes provided Nackawic council with a detailed update on the project, including completion and budget estimates, at the Monday, Jan. 10 council meeting. He said the construction of the new marina building is complete, plumbing is 85 per cent complete and electrical work is 95 per cent complete. Forbes said a significant part of the project, which includes the installation of several marina docks and a refuelling and service dock for visiting watercraft, will require council approval for additional funding.

Referring to the portion of the contract awarded E. Cummings Contractors, Forbes said the scale of the work increased significantly. “We almost doubled the value of the work they were doing,” he said. Even with the increased workload, which included “major problems,” with river levels, Forbes said Cummings fulfilled approximately 80 per cent of its original contract and completed 93 per cent of the extras. He added Cummings’ sewer contract work is 66 per cent complete. Forbes said the sewer project includes the installation of infrastructure from dockmounted structures to carry waste from the boats to the sewer system. The project will also connect the new marina building and the

arena to the lift station. “They will come back in the spring and finalize the sewer contract,” Forbes said. Forbes explained the original contract included site grading, pathways, crush rock at boat launches, signage, providing topsoil and seeding of planting beds and construction of fuel pads. He said nothing remains that will take a significant amount of time. “If the water level is cooperative in the spring,” Forbes said, “they think they’ll be out of there by Jun. 1.” He said the construction extras included additional work to replace unsuitable material under the boat launch area. “Essentially, they had to build a road in the boat launch area to get to where

they started dredging,” Forbes explained. He explained that the project required crews to “over-excavate” and pour additional fill. Forbes said the original $700,000 project grew to more than $1 million. He explained approximately $18,000 remains of the initially available funds. He said extras, including additional funding for sewer and electric, compound fencing to secure rental boards, new light standards, concrete docking moorings, and other minor expenditures, would total approximately $135,000. Responding to a question from Deputy Mayor Greg MacFarlane, Forbes said council approval for the additional funding is needed by February or March to prepare an April start time.

(File photo)

MacFarlane told Forbes the town needs to see a dock layout, noting some are built, but the completed marina will need more. He said the town has a growing list of people seeking dock rentals. Forbes agreed, saying planners are working on a layout to provide the maximum number of docks. “You’re probably looking at building docks next year,” he added.

MacFarlane said demand for dock space is substantial. “No matter how many slips we have, we’ll have renters,” he said. Mayor Ian Kitchen thanked Forbes for the presentation, noting the importance of opening the new marina as soon as possible. “It would be nice to be up and running by June 1, especially to have the docks in place,” he said.

Rescue gives man appreciation for first responders By Shana Bunting-Grey

uick thinking and technology helped save one Carleton County man’s life. It was the Florenceville-Bristol Fire Department that answered a call on Nov. 20 and found themselves searching for a 74-yearold man who had wandered into a swampy area near Florenceville-Bristol. When the volunteer department arrived around 6:45 pm, near mile marker 161 on the Trans Canada highway, they were at a loss for which way to turn to find Donald Demerchant of Hartland. Demerchant was out hunting with his brothers-in-law and became separated from the group. While looking for his family, he stepped into a puddle and sank into the water. “He ended up stuck in an old Beaver Pond in chest-deep water,” Chief Andrew Cougle said dur-

ing December’s regular Florenceville-Bristol Town Council meeting. Demerchant’s hunting party attempted to find him, but after some time, a call to 911 was placed. RCMP and members of the volunteer fire department responded. The quick-thinking group organized two search parties and began looking in the thick brush and rough terrain but quickly found themselves at a loss for finding Demerchant. “The searchers were in water and mud up to their knees,” an emotional Cougle explained. Using Demerchant’s cell phone number, they could locate closer coordinates, and while talking, Demerchant indicated he could see lights during the search, but then couldn’t see them. While still talking, vehicles were moved until he said he could see them in the distance.

“Once the vehicle was repositioned, we asked him to flash his cell phone light so we could get a better idea of where he was,” Chief Cougle said. The search group led by Fire Captain Michael Palmer made their way through the thick brush and awkward terrain to find Demerchant, who had been in the cold water since about 5 pm. But the ordeal was far from over. Once found, the group then had to find a way to help Demerchant from the muddy pond. “So, Mike went in and wrapped the rope around himself and Mr. Demerchant,” Cougle said. Cougle said, using a shoulder support hold, Palmer was able to pull Demerchant out with onland assistance from the other firemen. From there, volunteers had to navigate through the rugged terrain to the moose fence along the highway. Fencing had to be cut to allow the

Donald Demerchant and his wife, Anita, can’t thank Donald’s rescuers enough. RCMP and members of the Florenceville-Bristol Fire Department rescued Demerchant after he fell into a swamp near the town. He was treated in hospital for hypothermia and exposure but later released. (Photo submitted)

quickest response to both Demerchant and Palmer. Chief Cougle explained that they were approximately 40 minutes getting the two men out of the swamp once Demerchant had been located. “It seems like time stands still during these moments,” he said. “But it was approximately two hours from the time we received the call to that mo-

ment.” Demerchant was taken to the hospital and was treated for hypothermia and exposure. Palmer was treated at the scene. “When they brought them through the fence, I was one relieved and one very proud fire chief,” Chief Cougle said, his voice cracking. Demerchant met quietly with Captain Palmer,

Chief Cougle, and other department members on Nov. 27 to thank them personally for their efforts. “The fire department’s response was exceptional,” Demerchant wrote in a letter of praise to the council. “I didn’t think I’d make it out.” Chief Cougle said it was “one of the toughest” things he’d done in his 41 years of service.

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

Florenceville-Bristol NCCC Ice Schedule Check the calendar at https://www.florencevillebristol.ca/iceschedule for the most up to date Ice Schedule. Please continue to check our Recreation Facebook Page for the most current Recreation Events. Go to: www.facebook.com/florencevillebristolrecreation

Nackawic

Hartland

Off-Road Vehicle Bylaw Council is waiting for provincial approval as it prepares its third reading for a new bylaw providing off-road vehicles to Otis Drive, said acting CAO Kathryn Clark. At a Dec. 10 meeting she said staff won’t finalize the bylaw until they get a response from officials.

Snowshoe Rentals The Hartland Department of Recreation has various sizes of snowshoes for rent. Individual rentals or $5. Families can rent shoes for everyone for $10. Contact Tanya Hakes for more information or to reserve. Email tanya. hawkes@townofhartland. com or call 375-4825

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 15

News from in and around Nackawic Mourning the loss of a man who was more than the local grocer By Julie Stone

alvin Sorensen, the owner of Cal’s Independent Store, died on Dec. 24. He was 64. Cal moved to Nackawic 12 years ago to operate the grocery store that serves the residents of Nackawic, Millville, Pokiok, Hawkshaw, Bear Island, and Dumfries. Cal was always interested in the town and considered this area his home. In fact, Cal chose to be buried in the local cemetery, which speaks of his love for the area. Through his years at the store, Cal welcomed students from the local high school to do their “on-the-job” training for the Transition to Work Program and the Co-op

Program. He contributed financially or in-kind to most of the activities that took place in the town, and he was very involved in the Christmas Daddies program run by the Lions Club. Cal loved his extended family – the staff at the Independent Store. He gave them many opportunities to take on more responsibilities and learn more about the business. Cal was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved to watch sports with them all. Area residents will miss Cal Sorensen as we adjust to life without him at the store. Christmas Decorating Winners Following is the list of

winners of the Christmas Decorating Contest held in Nackawic and the surrounding area just before Christmas. Winter Wonderland Denise and Martin Hoyt of 38 Otis Drive won this category with honourable mention going to Becky and Mike Crofts of 96 Landegger. Frosty and Friends Blair Lamey of 18 McLaren Crescent is top in this category, and honourable mention goes to Susie Jean of 14 Bird Street. Peace and Tranquility Tanya and Aaron Perry of 31 Doyle Street won this category, with the honourable mention going to Ken and Mary Ivey of 108 McLaren Lane. Christmas Spirit Award Mario Dupere of 60

Landegger won this. Judges Favourite - outof-town entry This award was given to the Bourgoin Family of 17 Nortandale Rd., Temperance Vale. Judges Favourite within Nackawic Jennifer and Jamie Grant of 49 Snowball Crescent were awarded this honour. A special mention and a personal favourite was the home of Dave and Marilyn MacMillan on the Campbell Settlement Road. Their home was reminiscent of the Currier and Ives Christmas Cards, seen by many in years past. Congratulations to the winners and a huge thank you to all who took part in this fun and festive event.

Cal Sorensen owned Cal’s Independent Grocer in Nackawic and loved his community. He died on Christmas Eve. He was 64 years old. He’s pictured here (centre) with sons Corey (left) and Chris. (Submitted photo)

ALL SEASONS REALTY

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2 McBride Rd. Rich. Sett

7 Titus Dr. Perth-Andover

9 View Ln, Jacksonville

10 Norkotah Cr. Flo-Bris

11 Harnau St. Grafton

11 McMurray Rd. Lk George

12 Snowball Cr. Nackawic

18 Harding Dr. Nackawic

20 Deal Rd. Lakeville

20 Lawson Rd. Knowlesville

20 Norkotah Cr. Flo-Bris

22 Eaglewood Dr. Hanwell

23 High St. Hartland

26 Airport Rd. Newbridge

30 School St. Centreville

32 Bristol Heights, Flo-Bris

36 Sewell Rd. Jacksonville

38 Farell Ln, North Lake

41 Kinney Rd. Jacksonville

49 Bull Rd. Bedell

50 Mtn. View Rd. Oakland

51 Campbell Hill Rd. Carlow

51 Upper Kent Rd. Upper Kent

54 Birchwood Dr. Grafton

54 Wasson Ln, Jacksonville

56 Pincher St. Bedell

58 Wasson Ln, Jacksonville

60 McLaughlin St. Perth-And

65 Mahoney Dr. Johnville

70 Beardsley Rd. Lwr. Woodstock

80 Sanitorium Rd. Riverglade

83 Ludlow St. Saint John

85 Palmer Rd. Jacksonville

100 Glen Ave. Woodstock

100 Howard Brk. Rd. Hwd. Brk

100 Jules Dr. Woodstock

101 Culbert Dr. Woodstock

O S IS

178 Rt. 165 Meductic

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ai M 5 5

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102 Strong St. Woodstock

103 Keenan Dr. Bedell

103 Strong St. Woodstock

104 Green St. Woodstock

105 Union St. Woodstock

111 Metcalf St. Saint John

114 Maxwell St. Woodstock

116 Pr. Albert St. Woodstock

117 Wilson St. Woodstock

120 Juniper Brk. Rd. Juniper

122 Riverside Dr. Woodstock

122 Strong St. Woodstock

123 Charles St. Woodstock

124 Kirkpatrick St. Woodstock

125 Eastwood Dr. Woodstock

130St.ThomasRd.SaintThomas

131 Henry St. Woodstock

136 St. John St. Woodstock

142 Eastwood Dr. Woodstock

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142 N. Johnville Rd. Johnville

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COURT NEWS

A roundup of cases processed through Woodstock Provincial Court

By Judy Cole-Underhill dent in Bath on Feb. 18. Sentenced to federal prison for sexual assault Joseph Foster, 37, of Woodstock, was sentenced Dec. 14 to two years in federal prison on a sexual assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video after changing his plea to guilty at an earlier court appearance. Woodstock Police charged Foster with sexual assault on a male victim in connection with an incident that occurred between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2006, in Woodstock. He remains in custody at Dorchester Penitentiary, where he is currently serving time for another sexual assault conviction involving a female victim. Judge Brian C. McLean told Foster his two-year sentence would be consecutive to time he is already serving. He was ordered to register with the federal DNA database and the federal Registry for Sex Offenders. He must have no contact with his victims or any children under the age of 16 after his release. Foster is prohibited from going to public places where children may be present and cannot volunteer for any group or activity involving children. The judge also imposed a lifetime ban on firearms. Johnville man sentenced to 19 months Cole Smith, 27, of Johnville, was sentenced on Dec. 14 to 19 months in jail, minus time already served. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video after entering guilty pleas to a series of charges laid by RCMP. The court heard he had been in custody at provincial jail since his arrest in May. Smith pleaded guilty to obstruction, assaulting a police officer, taking a baton from a police officer during the execution of his duty, and committing mischief causing damage to a police vehicle in connection with an altercation with police in Johnville on May 30. The crown withdrew three other charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, a sawed-off shotgun, and two counts of breach of a court order. Smith was also charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, and operating a vehicle while suspended in connection with an early morning traffic inci-

A police vehicle was struck in the incident, but no injuries were reported. He pleaded guilty to these offences and guilty to uttering threats against police for another incident on Feb. 19. Smith also pleaded guilty to assault and breach of a release order for a March 8 incident in Bath; guilty to damaging a van, property of the sheriff’s office, on June 23; and guilty to flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while suspended during an incident on Sept. 2, 2020, in Bath. In passing sentence, Judge Brian C. McLean also prohibited Smith from driving for two years. McLean said Smith’s actions behind the wheel were reckless and dangerous. The judge also said Smith’s violent tantrums toward police and while in the sheriff’s custody showed disrespect and a disregard for public property. The sheriff’s van sustained $1,000 damage to its video surveillance system during one incident. Facing drug and weapon charges Frederick Richard, 33, of Beardsley Road, Lower Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to answer to several charges laid by RCMP. He first appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 17 and was released with conditions including house arrest with permission to attend work. 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 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. 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 at a later date. Homeless woman remanded following fitness hearing Megan Jessica Lewis, 29, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 23 and was remanded to provincial jail following a five-day mental health assessment. She returns to court for plea on Jan. 11, 2022, at 11 a.m. Lewis was charged by Woodstock Police with assault on a male victim following an incident on Dec. 9 and assaulting a police officer and committing mischief, stemming from a Dec. 13 incident in the town. Wilmot man facing drug charges Paul Dean Hamilton, 66, of Wilmot, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 20, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three drug trafficking charges laid by RCMP. Hamilton was charged with 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 incident at Wilmot. He was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Dec. 23, but the matter was set over for election and plea. Canterbury man faces sentencing Tyler Owen Johnson, 22, of Canterbury will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Jan. 26, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. after being found guilty of sexual assault. Johnson was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident in August 2017 at Meductic. He pleaded not guilty and appeared in provincial court for trial on Sept. 8. Judge Natalie H. Leblanc reserved her decision after hearing one day of testimony. On Dec. 1, Judge Leblanc delivered her verdict and found Johnson guilty of sexual assault involving a female minor. Johnson was present in court and told the judge he disagreed with the verdict and wanted a retrial. Judge Leblanc told the accused he had the right to appeal if he so wished. During his trial, Johnson represented himself and questioned a police witness about DNA evidence. The RCMP officer testified it was a historical case and DNA

evidence could not be collected. However, in addition to testimony from the victim, there was an eye witness who testified seeing Johnson sexually assaulting the girl in a bedroom. On Nov. 25, Johnson was sentenced to two years in federal prison for a separate incident involving the severe beating of a man on a street in Woodstock on Sept. 8. He pleaded guilty to indictable aggravated assault and breach of probation. He will return to court in custody by video for sentencing on the sexual assault conviction. Sex charge laid against Woodstock man Caleb Luke Groff, 26, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 1, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Dec. 14. Groff is charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident that occurred between Jan. 28 and July 3 at Woodstock. He made his first appearance in provincial court on Oct. 18 and returned to court on Nov. 16 when the matter was set over to allow the accused more time to secure legal counsel. Facing assault charges Maxwell Giberson, 27, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 11, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. Giberson is charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats, stemming from an Oct. 4 incident in Johnville. He made a court appearance on Dec. 14, and the matter was set over to allow the accused more time to consult legal counsel. Trial set on theft charges Isaak Tedford Thomas, 25, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 31, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. He pleaded not guilty on Dec. 14 to an indictable possession of stolen property charge. He was arrested following a police bust in East Centreville on Sept. 9. Shortly after his arrest, Thomas first appeared in court in custody and was released with strict conditions. The charge was laid after police executed a search warrant and recovered a large quantity of stolen items from a residence on Route 110. They also seized several firearms and many car parts believed to be stolen.

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Thomas was charged with possession of stolen property, unauthorized possession of a gun, and unsafe firearm storage in relation to the incident. Kirkland man arrested and released Jesse Henry, 25, of Kirkland, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 5 and was remanded to provincial jail for a bail hearing on Jan. 7. He was released from custody with conditions and returns to court for plea on Jan. 21 at 9:30 a.m. Woodstock Police charged Henry with fleeing police, driving while suspended, and breach of release order following an incident in Woodstock on Jan. 4. RCMP also charged him with dangerous driving, fleeing police, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of instruments to commit theft, and breach of an undertaking in connection with other incidents in Jacksonville and Holmesville on Sept. 4, 2021. Sentencing set for East Brighton man Dylan Campbell-Cormier, 25, of East Brighton, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on March 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. He appeared in provincial court on Dec. 7 to answer to a charge of assault. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim in relation to an incident on Sept. 8 in East Brighton. Florenceville-Bristol man facing firearm charges Lee Austin Thomas, 63, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. Thomas is charged with possession of stolen property (a GMC truck engine), possession of firearms without a licence, and unsafe storage of firearms in relation to an incident in Florenceville-Bristol on Sept. 9, 2021. The six firearms involved were a Marlin rifle, a Cooey 60 rifle, a Cooey 75 rifle, a Harrington & Richardson rifle, a Cooey 600 rifle, and a Cooey 37A shotgun. Hearings held on drug trafficking charges Carolann Paul, 25, and Philip Sappier Solomon, 28, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to continue pre-trial hearings on drug trafficking charges laid by RCMP. The pair appeared in court on Jan. 6-7 when the matter was adjourned

to the new court date. Paul and Sappier Solomon are each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from a police bust on Sept. 23, 2020, at Neqotkuk. Bath man remanded into custody Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 25, of Bath, was denied bail and remanded into custody at provincial jail following a bail hearing in provincial court on Jan. 7. He will return to court in custody by video on Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by RCMP. O’Donnell is 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. Facing charges of assault Jennifer Vasquez, 34, of Woodstock First Nation, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to face four charges laid by RCMP. Vasquez was charged with three counts of assault on a male victim and committing mischief, causing property damage to a truck, stemming from incidents on Nov. 23, 2020, Jan. 13, 2021, and May 17, 2021, in Lower Woodstock. Cloverdale man charged Wyatt Delong, 26, of Cloverdale will appear in provincial court on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. Delong is charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim on June 12, 2021, at Wilmot, and possession of a firearm without a licence (a 32-cal lever-action Winchester Model 94), involving another incident on Aug. 1, 2021, at Centreville. Charged with indecent act James Robert Moore, 43, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. Moore is charged with committing an indecent act with intent to insult or offend another person following a June 2, 2021 incident on St. John Street in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 4. Woodstock woman to be sentenced Laurie Ann Fleming, 37, of Woodstock, will appear in See COURT on pg. 19

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COURT cont’d provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. She appeared in court in custody by video on Jan. 5 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. 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 at Upper Brighton, March 6 in Woodstock, and May 5, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Sept. 25 in Grafton. Newburg man awaits sentencing Colton Brooks, 26, of Newburg, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on April 5 at 1:30 p.m. on several charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Jan. 5 and pleaded guilty to break and enter at a dwelling house, uttering threats, impaired driving, and two counts of breach of a release order. Brooks also pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and committing mischief during an earlier court appearance. The charges were laid after incidents in November 2019 and April 2020 in Beechwood, April 2020 in Benton, and June and August 2020 in Upper Woodstock. Woman remains in custody on fraud charges Jenny Lee Markey, 37, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court in custody by video for plea on Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 5 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to consult legal counsel. Markey remains in custody. On Nov. 8, 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 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 2019 and 2020 in Woodstock. Remanded for bail hearing Daniel Jr. Francis, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 5 and was remanded to jail for a bail hearing by video on Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m. He was arrested for failing to appear in court on Dec. 14 after being released from custody with conditions. Francis is charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon, a knife, and breach of probation in connection with an Oct. 29 incident at Neqotkuk. He first appeared in court in custody by video on Nov. 1 and was released on conditions but did not make his next court appearance. Released with electronic monitoring device Cody Anthony Michaud, 24, of Morrell Siding, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 6 for a decision on his bail hearing. Judge Brian C. McLean released Michaud on strict conditions, including house arrest and wearing a 24/7 electronic monitoring device (bracelet). He was ordered to return to court for plea on Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Michaud is charged by RCMP with two counts of fleeing 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 in Perth-Andover. He was arrested on Dec. 13 and held in custody until his bail hearing. Jacksontown man facing drug trafficking charges Everett William Clark, 59, of Jacksontown, will appear in provincial court for plea on Feb. 7, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. on five charges laid by RCMP. On Jan. 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 incident in Jacksontown. Upper Woodstock woman facing drug charges

Megan Elizabeth Hanson, 25, of Upper Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 21, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four drug trafficking charges laid by RCMP. She appeared in court by teleconference on Jan. 7, when the matter was adjourned again to allow the accused more time to secure legal counsel. Hanson is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine, unlawful possession of a press to be used to traffic cocaine, and unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it in relation to an incident that occurred between July 1 and Aug. 24, 2020, at Upper Woodstock. Charged under Quarantine Act Wendy Lynn Kirkland, 48, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge under Section 58 of the federal Quarantine Act. She is charged with failing to comply with an order or subjecting to conditions for entry into Canada in relation to an Oct. 23, 2021 incident at the Woodstock border crossing. She made her first court appearance on the charge on Jan. 4. Kirkland will also appear for trial in provincial court on July 4 at 9:30 a.m. on other charges under the Emergency Measures Act. She was charged with resisting arrest and failing to comply with a mandatory order following an altercation with Woodstock Police outside the Hart Store on Connell Road on Nov. 30, 2020. The court heard the incident was filmed on video. The charge alleges that while in a public indoor space, the accused did “without lawful excuse fail to wear a face-covering over the mouth and nose except when eating or drinking” as mandated by the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirkland’s legal counsel told the court his client had filed a complaint with the New Brunswick Police Commission against the two officers involved, alleging they assaulted her during the incident. The court will also hear an application under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on June 13. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for April 6. Woodstock man to stand trial Christopher Sullivan, 45, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 21, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. on several sex-related

charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and a trial date was set at his court appearance on Jan. 4. Sullivan was charged with six counts of sexual assault in connection with a series of incidents alleged to have occurred between 2010 and 2017 in Somerville. Three days have been set aside for the trial. Woodstock man facing three charges Christopher Joseph Lozier, 34, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 18, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by Woodstock Police. Lozier is charged with dangerous driving, flight from police and driving while suspended concerning an incident on July 18 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 23 and returned to court on Dec. 14 when the matter was set over. On Jan. 4, the court heard the accused still needed time to secure legal counsel. Woodstock man facing charges Timothy John Lenehan, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 4 to answer several charges laid by RCMP and returns to court on Feb. 1 at 1:30 p.m. Lenehan is charged with assault and dangerous driving concerning a June 30 incident in Canterbury. He will also appear for sentencing on another set of charges after pleading guilty during an earlier court appearance. Lenehan was charged by RCMP with assaulting a man, committing mischief, causing property damage and taking a vehicle without consent in relation to an incident on June 20, 2020, at North Lake. Lenehan is also charged with assaulting a female victim on July 24 at North Lake and driving while suspended on June 5 in Canterbury. He will enter pleas to these charges at his next court appearance in February. Facing seven charges Alex Hoyt, 33, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 4, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to seven charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court on Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date. Hoyt is charged with using counterfeit money as if it were genuine concerning an incident on May 16 in Carlingford. He also faces

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 19

charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by crime, driving without insurance and without a valid driver’s licence, and driving with an expired vehicle registration, concerning another incident on Jan. 19 in Perth-Andover. Woodstock man facing seven charges Brady Robert Lee, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 18, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven charges laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on Dec. 21, but the matter was adjourned to allow the accused more time to consult legal counsel. Lee was charged with three counts of uttering threats, assaulting a female victim by choking, strangling and suffocating her, sexual assault, and two counts of assault in connection with incidents between April 1-30 and May 6-9 in Woodstock. Remanded until trial Corey Andrew Lane, 36, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 11, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. He appeared in court in custody by video on Dec. 21 for plea, and a trial date was set. On Nov. 19, he waived his right to a bail hearing and remains in custody at provincial jail. Woodstock Police charged Lane with breach of probation, unlawful entry at a dwelling house and assault causing bodily harm to his father concerning a Nov. 16 incident in Upper Woodstock. A no-contact order with the victim was imposed. During his court appearance on Dec. 21, Lane pleaded guilty to driving while suspended in relation to a separate incident on May 16 in Woodstock. He was fined $750. Trial set for truck jacking MacKenzie O’Keefe, 24, of Tobique Narrows, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 21, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. concerning a truck jacking incident near Perth Andover. He appeared in court in custody by video on Dec. 21 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. A co-accused, Marc Morin, 23, of Aroostook Junction, will return to court for plea via video link on Jan. 11, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. Morin and O’Keefe, 24, each face charges of armed robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, assault, possession of

a firearm without a licence, and being the occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun. Morin is also charged with indictable breach of probation. Both men were both denied bail and remain in custody at provincial jail. Morin was first released from custody with strict conditions but then failed to return to court for plea, and a warrant was issued. RCMP laid the charges after a man driving a pickup truck on Access Road was confronted by two individuals in a second vehicle on Oct. 27 near Perth-Andover. The two individuals exited their car, discharged a firearm (a shotgun) at the pick-up, and then assaulted the driver before stealing the vehicle. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries. Sentencing set following vehicle thefts Brandon Travis Schriver, 20, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 22 and pleaded guilty to several charges. RCMP arrested Schriver in connection with a series of thefts in Holmesville, Glassville and Arthurette between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4. Schriver was denied bail after his arrest on two counts of stealing gas, two counts of driving while prohibited, breaking and entering 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 is also facing charges of 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, another charge of breach of probation was laid for failing to report to police from Oct. 15-28. CORRECTION: In December, Brandon Waugh, 22, of Centreville, was charged with assaulting a female victim on Oct. 29 in Centreville. During his first court appearance, a clerical error resulted in a charge of methamphetamine possession being read in court. There was no methamphetamine possession charge laid against Waugh. The court later corrected the mistake.

NOTICE TO READERS RE: COURT NEWS

We can’t fit all court stories into our monthly paper, so we encourage you to check our River Valley Sun Facebook page for the latest court news.

Town branding itself as exciting tourist, business destination

Florenceville-Bristol launches #ExploreFlorencevilleBristol as part of new strategy By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

new social media presence, including new Facebook and Instagram pages, is the latest step in FlorencevilleBristol’s comprehensive efforts to brand itself as an exciting destination for tourists and entrepreneurs. The town’s Tourism and Business Development Manager Bobbie O’Donnell, who began her role last year, encourages the public to check out Florenceville-Bristol’s enhanced social media presence and help spread branding hashtags — #ExploreFlorencevilleBristol and #FrenchFryCapitalOfTheWorld. O’Donnell said the new Facebook site launch is only a small part of the comprehensive branding plan for the growing northern Carleton County centre. She explained that the entire entrepreneurial focus is on the development and marketing of in-demand products, services and experiences to support the trademarked French Fry Capital of the World brand and the region’s agriculture heritage. In an emailed response to the River Valley Sun questions, O’Donnell explained the town’s new focus. “We’re looking for new and existing tourism sector entrepreneurs to create themed culinary experiences (French Fries or Fields-To-Flavours), craft brewers/distillery

products, touring experiences (guided and self-guided), outdoor adventure (hiking, biking, water), high-quality artist and artisan retail experiences, themed roofed accommodations, and whatever else might come our way,” she said. “We’re open for business.” O’Donnell said the town stepped forward with incentive and mentoring programs to encourage business and tourism development. She described the Class of One program as a tourism entrepreneur mentorship program that connects potential or existing tourism sector entrepreneurs with experts in their relative fields. The program’s goal is to provide budding business people with the experience, knowledge, understanding and overall business readiness to launch a successful enterprise. O’Donnell said the town also provides financial support and assistance to business people through its Entrepreneurship Incentive Plan. Entrepreneurs looking to bring their business to Florenceville-Bristol can apply for non-repayable capital assistance through the program. While the town of Florenceville-Bristol plans to promote special events, such as French Fry Day, the Buttermilk Creek Festival and others, O’Donnell said, they’ll also place an enhanced emphasis on developing

ongoing sites and activities of interest. “I will say our commitment to turn Florenceville-Bristol into a tourism destination is driving us to create quality daily experiences more so than occasional special events,” said O’Donnell. At the same time, however, the town welcomes ideas for special events and festivals. “We do offer a Festivals and Events Grant to those who wish to host a special event here. They can find all details including the application for financial and/or in-kind support on the town’s website,” explained O’Donnell. The new Facebook and Instagram launches are part of the overall enhancement of the town’s communication efforts. “We are working on a brand-new destination website and hope to do a soft launch in the coming weeks,” O’Donnell said. “It is going to be fun and fresh and feature a detailed, easy-to-use directory of accommodations, local fair and, of course, things to do.” She said feedback on social media efforts is “positive and encouraging.” “Within 24 hours of our new Explore Florenceville-Bristol Facebook page, we had 271 followers,” O’Donnell said. She said they spent a lot of time preparing the page to deliver relevant content to pique readers’ interest.

While inactive, O’Donnell added the town’s Instagram page remained in good shape,

so they simply renamed it. They are confident it will re-engage the public through the town’s

signature hashtags #ExploreFlorencevilleBristol and #FrenchFryCapitalOfTheWorld.

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Residents enjoy time in our dining room,with great food and great conversation. Call Carolyn today!

BMR Besthome Hardware & Building Supplies in Florenceville-Bristol is a proud supporter of the River Valley Sun. www.bmr.ca RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA

SUNNY-SIDE UP

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

River Valley Sun Word Search: WINTER

Did you KNOW?

• Snow isn’t white. It typically appears white because the visible light is white. Frozen water particles are translucent, but the sunlight’s reflection gives snow its white appearance. •Snowflakes have six sides. The hydrogen and oxygen molecules that snowflakes are made from can only fit together in a way that results in a six-sided ice crystal. • Snow is classified as a mineral. Frozen water, or ice, is a naturally occurring solid, and categorized as a mineral. • Fresh, compacted snow is 90 to 95 per cent trapped air and is a great insulator. Animals burrow into snow to hibernate. It’s also the reason the air inside igloos are warmer inside than outside.

RVS TONGUE TWISTER Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread. Spread it thicker, say it quicker! Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread. Don’t eat with your mouth full!

CARLETON COUNTY

Colloquialisms By John Morris

snow

snowshoeing

bonfire

mittens

fishing

trails

hats

storm

snowmobiling

skiing

sliding

hockey

coats

hiking

skating

snowsuit

LET’S STAY ACTIVE LEVEL THREE NOTICE

The AYR Motor Centre will be CLOSED as New Brunswick moves to Level 3 of the COVID-19 winter plan from Jan. 14 to Jan. 30.

Please watch our social media pages for updates. The Bobby Vail Outdoor Rink will remain open, weather and ice conditions permitting. We will continue to offer free equipment rentals during these challenging times. See the information below.

TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SKATE OR SWIM (once out of Level 3) A PATRON MUST: · Provide proof of full COVID vaccination along with a government issued ID. *Patrons have 60 days from their 12th birthday to become fully vaccinated. · Wear a facemask in all public spaces (including dressing and locker rooms), except when on the ice surface or in the pool. · Social Distance always, unless with the person that you share a residence with. · Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

WINTER IN WOODSTOCK- Let’s Play Outside! Offering FREE Equipment Rentals again this season! Must Book in Advance! Call 325-4302 or E-mail ayrmotorcentre@town.woodstock.nb.ca

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

boo \’boo\ verb - To look or reconnoiter, usu. at the request of someone else. Commonly preceded with transitive verbs such as “take” or “have”; “Could ya take a boo ‘round the garadge and see if you can find my mittens?” Hear this word pronounced at www.dooryard.ca.

Enjoy our winter season! HOUSEHOLD BUBBLE RENTALS ‘Household Bubble’ - single household and may include a caregiver or individual needing support. Must be booked in advance. Call 325-4302

POOL

RENTALS: $60/HOUR

FIELD HOUSE

HALF-COURT FULL-COURT

$20/HOUR $40/HOUR

RINK

HALF-ICE FULL-ICE

$30/HOUR $60/HOUR

BOXING FITNESS CLASSES

TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - Watch Facebook for updates COED BOXING CLASSES: Thursdays 6:30 - 8 p.m. Saturdays 8:30 to 10 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

Boxing Training

TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - Watch Facebook for updates

Western Valley Adult Bowling

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

Lap and Public Swims

DUE TO LIMITED SPOTS FOR LAP AND PUBLIC SWIMMING, WE ARE TAKING RESERVATIONS. CALL OR EMAIL TO BOOK TODAY!

E-MAIL: ayrmotorcentre@town.woodstock.nb.ca PHONE: (506) 325-4302

YOUTH ZONE AFTERSCHOOL DROP-IN (Gr. 6-9) TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - Watch Facebook for updates

ARTFELT

Arts and Culture News from Western New Brunswick

Getting art into Carleton County classrooms

New ALMAG program gives students a chance to experience and understand art, up close

RIVER VALLEY SUN

ast fall, many lucky Carleton County school children spent some of their school days with original artworks in their classrooms. The past year’s challenges have made it more difficult for teachers to bring their students to the art gallery to experience original art firsthand. Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery Director and Curator, Jennifer Stead, decided to bring the art to the students, and the Art in the Classroom program was born. This program installs a piece of original art in a classroom for a 2-week loan. Students and teachers have a chance to explore the work and get to know all the fine details. The gallery’s education team, led by Susan Galbraith, Fine Arts Lead for Anglophone School District West, designed an extensive resource package to accompany each piece on loan. A PowerPoint slideshow shows other art pieces by the artist, how the artist works, and the tools of their trade. It also included links to the gallery’s YouTube channel, which houses short videos of the artists talking about their work. A resource document lists an array of teaching and learning activities that are richly cross-curricular. The first art in the Classroom package features one panel of Colin Smith’s One Kilometre of Florenceville, a pen and ink drawing of the buildings on Main Street in Florenceville-Bristol with flocks of brightly coloured birds flying overhead. The suggested activi-

ties include science links with bird identification, math links with activities on angles and shapes in architecture, literacy links with suggested writing activities and books to explore, social studies links with activities in exploring our neighbourhood and mapmaking, music links with activities that examine patterns in music and how they relate to the patterns in the drawing, and, of course, lots of suggestions for art activities inspired by Colin’s work. The program has received rave reviews from teachers, administrators, and students. “We have all thoroughly enjoyed the artwork! It has inspired lessons of line and colour contrast in art and an investigation of birds which birds remain here in N.B. for the winter,” said Bristol Elementary School teacher Tracy Fitzherbert. “Students immensely enjoyed having art in our classroom for two weeks. Many children do not have the opportunity to view and see art in person. This program allowed students the experience to see art and have the time to explore it in depth. Knowing that the artist lives and works locally allowed students the opportunity to view art as meaningful, make a personal connection, and view art as a possible career choice. One student commented that if Mr. Smith is an artist, maybe I can be one too.” The art in the classroom program provided many cross-curricular learning opportunities. Students explored fiction and nonfiction books about birds, learned about birds seen in

NB, designed and created birdfeeders from upcycled materials, began to feed the birds, made many math connections related to the artwork, and created art in the style of Colin Smith. Since the project began in September, students have been quite adept at recognizing the artist’s use of lines and shapes. They are consistently comparing different illustrations in books to Mr. Smith’s artwork. The opportunity for elementary students to see art up close and study indepth was a powerful experience and enriched their learning. “Not all students can visit an art gallery or meet an artist, particularly in rural areas,” said Centreville Community School teacher Angie Debertin. “This collaborative project between the artist Colin Smith, The Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery, and Susan Galbraith of Anglophone School District West made art accessible to students. This is wonderful and magical to witness.” The program was fully booked for 2021 and bookings are now being made for 2022. A second package features the work of Irene Tompkins. It’s available for classrooms this spring. The program’s success has inspired the gallery to sponsor a third package focused on public art and featuring the maquette (model) for Stephen Hutching’s Marich Pole, which will be available later in 2022. Teachers interested in getting one of the program packages are encouraged to call the gallery at (506) 392-6769.

One Kilometre of Florenceville - Panel 2, by Colin Smith. (Submitted photo)

Tracy Fitzherbert’s Grade 4/5 students examines the details of Colin Smith’s art piece at Bristol Elementary School. (Submitted photo)

Artist Colin Smith visits the Grade 3/4 classroom at Bath Consolidated School to teach students how to draw a bird. (Submitted photo)

Proudly Serving Our Community

OFFERING SAFE, EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE!

www.coreyford.ca

(506) 328-8828

336 Connell Street, Woodstock

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 23

Blaze destroys house in Woodstock Fire department demolishes building after early-morning fire By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ny early morning blaze destroyed a house on Wentworth Street on Woodstock’s southside. Woodstock Fire Chief Harold McLellan said his department responded to the call shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, Dec. 14. He said crews arrived on the scene to find the fire fully engaged.

McLellan said the house was unoccupied, and power was not hooked up. The intense blaze kept the firefighters from entering the structure for an internal fight, so crews attempted to bring it under control from the exterior. McLellan said he talked to the building’s owner, who agreed to allow them

to bring in an excavator to demolish the structure. Sporadic flames erupted as the excavator tore through the structure. McLellan said the demolition was a safety issue for both the firefighters and the public. He said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Flames erupt as an excavator pulls apart the burning house Dec. 14. (Jim Dumville photo)

RCMP investigating theft of trailer and animal breeding equipment Police say crime occurred overnight between Dec. 27 and 28 in Oakland, N.B. RIVER VALLEY SUN

he RCMP is seeking the public’s help as officers investigate the theft of a stolen utility trailer and animal breeding laboratory equipment from Oakland, a community south of Florenceville-Bristol. In a press release on Jan. 5, Western District Region RCMP said

police believe the theft occurred outside a business on Burnham Road, sometime in the overnight hours between Dec. 27 and 28, 2021. Police describe the trailer as a grey 2011 Middlebury MST6X1 enclosed utility trailer, with New Brunswick licence plate number TMI 616. The trailer contained a Crysalys embryo freezer,

an MVE vapour shipper, a Zeiss Stemi microscope, and other animal laboratory tools and equipment at the time of the theft. The RCMP said it does not have a photo of the trailer and equipment. Police ask anyone with information about the theft, who witnessed suspicious activity in the area overnight between

Dec. 27 and 28, or who has seen the trailer or equipment since the noted dates to contact the Western Valley Region RCMP 506-325-3000. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

(File photo)

Brunswick News eliminating Monday editions of English papers Bugle-Observer and Miramichi Leader to only publish once a week RIVER VALLEY SUN

n an email to staff, dated Jan. 13, management of Brunswick News Inc. (BNI) announced the company will stop printing and delivering Monday editions of all daily papers, with the exception of Acadie Nouvelle, beginning Jan. 31. In the email, the com-

pany said the business decision was due to “lower sales on this day of the week, which have made it more difficult to print and distribute the product.” By ceasing Monday publications, BNI said it can “continue to deliver from Tuesday through Saturday while maintain-

ing the current subscription price.” Except for the St. Croix Courier, based in St. Stephen, and the River Valley Sun, based in Woodstock, BNI owns every English language newspaper in New Brunswick. The email also re-

vealed that the Miramichi Leader and the BugleObserver would no longer be paid products. Instead, the company would be delivering those newspapers to households in flyer packs once a week. Both papers will no longer publish twice weekly, moving to a once-

a-week model to be distributed on Thursdays. BNI’s plans include replacing the Bargain Hunter (included in flyer bundles) with a “weekly marketing wrap” to promote their paid news products. “This will include top stories on the site, ex-

plain the benefits of subscribing and introduce our brand, writers and content to a larger audience,” said the email. The company plans to continue to publish eeditions and digital replicas of their papers on their subscription-only website.

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...

Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp looks back at 2021

Well-field project, AYR Motor Centre retrofit, and capital projects highlights for town RIVER VALLEY SUN RVS: What do you consider the highlights for Woodstock in the last year? AS: Completing the wellfield project was by far our most significant accomplishment in 2021. Damage to the causeway connecting our original island water source in 2014 made it clear that a more secure well was essential to ensure that the town would not lose its water for an extended period because of ice damage from the annual ice breakup.

A second major accomplishment was the continued progress on the retrofit at the AYR Motor Centre. The work in the arena and pool has been completed, and the lighting replacement in the field house will soon be done. The solar panels on the roof have already resulted in a savings of about $120,000, and the additional energy upgrades will continue to reduce the annual electricity bill at the AYR. RVS: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing your

Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp. (Submitted photo)

town? AS: Council would like to begin additional capital projects for which we submitted funding applications under various Canadian Infrastructure Programmes. When approved, these projects are cost-shared by the federal, provincial, and local governments. With limited municipal funding, we need funding approvals to do these critical projects. We are currently waiting to hear if our application for improvements to and refurbishment of the downtown square will be

approved so that work can start this summer. We would also like to begin planning and constructing pathways or trails to build an active pedestrian transportation network. We will also be doing a pilot project in the spring to determine if licensed ATVs can safely travel on municipal streets to access gas bars, motels, and restaurants. RVS: What are you most

excited about looking forward to in the year to come? AS: Perhaps the most exciting opportunity will be around developing a process to implement municipal reform in the greater Woodstock region. A transition team will soon begin to address how the new, larger municipal entity of Woodstock and six surrounding local service districts will prepare for a

new election in November of 2022. There are many unanswered questions, but the transition team will work to prepare an operational plan, procedural by-laws, and budget for the new municipality. This should provide an opportunity to work together to strengthen our regional economy and to improve collaboration through the expanded mandate of the Regional Service Commission.

All New Brunswickers 18 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster if five months have passed since your second dose. If you’re over 50, it’s especially important. Boosters reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both safe and effective. You should accept the vaccine that is offered at your appointment. Don’t wait for a preferred brand. To book a vaccine or booster, call 1-833-437-1424 or visit gnb.ca/bookavaccine.

It is well established that working with an advisor makes a difference, but what should you look for in a Financial Advisor? This website lists some of the many advantages of working with Greg MacPherson and his team. Contact their office to book an appointment and find out more about the difference their team can make.

gregmacpherson.ca/advantages

Greg MacPherson Senior Financial Advisor BBA,CFP, FMA,FCSI,CPCA, RIAC

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 25

RVS SUNSHINE KID

AVONDALE KITCHENS Layout Changes Are Easier Than You Think As a professional kitchen designer, homeowners often tell me that their kitchen layout must stay the same. The reasons generally fall into three categories: 1) They believe their kitchen can only function with the current configuration, 2) another designer has told them it couldn’t be changed, or 3) they believe it will be more expensive to change their kitchen layout. Luckily, in most cases, those reasons are not necessarily true. While it is possible that the layout has to stay the same, often saying there can be no changes is an extreme exception. In the thousands of kitchens Avondale has installed, only two (both in rental units) remained identical.

SUNSHINE SMILE: Meet two-year-old Emry Walton of Woodstock. Emry is the son of Courtney and Damion Walton. Emry loves paw patrol, dinosaurs, and spending time with his grandparents and his big sister Emma-Rae. Currently, his newest and most used word is “no” but he uses it even when he means yes. Emry enjoys causing chaos in the living room, eating pasta ,and repeating the words Mom and Dad more than 100 times a day. (Submitted photo) Submit your sunshine kid or kids photos to theresa@rivervalleysun.ca

“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.”

A professional kitchen designer can quickly assess if the layout needs to remain as is. At that time, the homeowner and the designer can explore minor adjustments to enhance the makeover. Often, subtle modifications can make a significant impact in a space. Pair these innovations with a special Avondale seamless counter and under-mount sink, and you can give your kitchen a granite look and feel at Formica prices, giving you a whole new kitchen with the WOW factor! Do you have designer’s block? Have you had a design prepared that didn’t excite you? Check out AvondaleKitchens.com and join us on Facebook. There you’ll find great before and after transformations that can spark your kitchen imagination. We have professional designers in your area every week. You may be pleasantly surprised how easy and affordable your dream kitchen can be! Residence of Doug and Wanda Harrison, Nasonworth, NB

BEFORE

River Valley Sunshine Kids are sponsored by Angie’s Little Peeps Early Learning & Childcare Centre in Woodstock. Look them up on Facebook.

ageless

New Brunswick Celebrating 10 Years of Inspiring Stories

Looking for the perfect birthday gift for a friend or loved one who has everything? Give a gift that gives all year round! A subscription to ageless New Brunswick doesn’t need dusting or batteries, and there is no assembly required. Order online at agelessnb.ca, mail a cheque, or phone (506) 324-5700 or (506) 324-5711

AFTER

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Remembering a challenging year and looking forward with hope Canterbury Mayor Tanya Cloutier says 2021 highlights include rink and storage barn RIVER VALLEY SUN RVS: What do you consider the highlights for Canterbury in the last year? TC: The highlights in Canterbury were finishing our rink, having a wonderful “Canterbury Day” in September with our new council bar-bque’ing for all, as well as having many vendors, musicians and EMO on hand providing a lot of entertainment.

Other highlights included having our new storage barn delivered and hosting our first(but not last) craft fair in the fall. We also welcomed Santa, Mrs. Claus and The Grinch to the park at the end of November to see the kids and enjoyed the “light up the park” event and started a monthly Bingo. RVS: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing your vil-

lage? TC: First and foremost, keeping the community safe through this pandemic. We are also challenged with the current cases and not being able to provide safe events for our community. This impacts the fundraisers we were doing for our committees in the community as they depend on the money to help keep them going.

RVS: What are you most excited about looking forward to in the year to come? TC: We are so excited and hopeful for Corona to calm down so we can start our Bingo back up, introduce other events, work on some projects for kids and after-school projects. Council is discussing/ working on some programs, events, and new additions that we hope to share soon.

Canterbury Mayor Tanya Cloutier. (Jim Dumville photo)

Counting the good things during a difficult year

Centreville Mayor Michael Stewart says community events helped with morale RIVER VALLEY SUN RVS: What do you consider the highlights for your village in the last year? MS: In Centreville, as in other regions and municipalities, we have seen many families move to our village over the past two years. Most have come from Ontario, and we are proud to welcome them and all that have moved here to our rural way of life. We look forward to getting to know these families as they raise children, work, open businesses and participate in activities and events throughout our community.

After COVID-19 restrictions loosened a bit, Centreville was proud to host the 2021 Western Valley In-Motion Games. They took place on Aug. 19, 2021, where we had 150 children aged 8-13 from five communities in the Western Valley come to Centreville. It was a fun day of games and competition. It was great to see this happen after having to cancel in 2020. On Sept. 3 and 4, 2021, Centreville was able to host the Centreville Truck & Tractor Pull, which saw competitors travel from Ontario, Quebec, and PEI to participate with fellow pullers in N.B.

We were very happy to have great crowds and a very successful event even though the weather was unusually cool for the Labour Day weekend. We held a successful Halloween Drive-Thru for the area children, and we had our most successful and largest Santa Claus Parade to date. We also held other holiday functions like the craft fair, tree lighting and Lunch with Santa Drive-Thru, all modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19. RVS: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing your village?

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MS: Our biggest challenge is still COVID, which continues to inhibit activities and gatherings, affecting our residents’ social well-being. RVS:

What

are

you

most excited about looking forward to in the year to come? MS: We are excited to be able to host large functions at our new facility. We can’t wait to hold

concerts, festivals and events. We are interested to see how municipal reform will (hopefully) positively affect the Carleton North area and allow the region to grow.

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 27

Mayor calls year ‘ambitious’ and full of active change

Hartland’s Tracey DeMerchant’s highlights include creating strategic plan for town RIVER VALLEY SUN RVS: What do you consider the highlights for Hartland in the last year? TD: The elected council that serves this town is an ambitious group. The town also has a new CAO, Administrative Assistant and Tourism and Economic Development Manager. We’re actively involved in creating strategic plans, forming committees, developing policies, updating bylaws and other necessary duties that keep a municipality functioning. All the while, we’re learning together. It’s a process to which this council is dedicated to giving its time and attention. There will always be

challenges. However, along with challenges, there are so many positives. I’m encouraged to know that the hard work and commitment are not limited to a strong council and administrative staff. Public works, Recreation, Fire Department, are all strongly led. There is a sense of “Let’s get it done!” And, working together, I believe we will. We’ve seen the unwavering efforts to bring a new recreational complex to our community for many years. This committee is continuing in active engagement to see this come to fruition. Through generous donations from local businesses and dynamic volunteer groups, families are being supported, encouraged and fed.

People are coming together for the betterment of our community. That’s beautiful. That’s how it should be. And while we can’t do EVERYTHING, we can ALL do SOMETHING. RVS: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing your town? TD: I want to challenge us all to serve for the next four years. Whether it’s the waterfront development, planning for the next NB Day celebrations, softball tournaments, delivering food, caring for our seniors... let’s continue to make our town and community the best place we can. RVS: most

What are you excited about

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looking forward to in the year to come? TD: We, as Mayor and Council, look forward to 2022. With the recent Government Reform white paper release, the year will be busy. It will definitely be a time of transition as we expand our region to include local LSDs. For me, personally, I’ve always considered our surrounding communities as an extension of Hartland. Until 15 years ago, I lived in Windsor and always identified as being from Hartland, where my children and I attended school and worked and shopped. The new year holds new adventures. Let’s continue to work together to see our goals accomplished.

Hartland Mayor Tracey DeMerchant. (Submitted photo)

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CONNECTION

Sharing Stories of Inclusion, Diversity, and Community

Not ready to let go of the festive season just yet! IN A ‘MANOR’ OF SPEAKING

handed out treats and goodies from carts. And that Grinch! Let’s just say his heart was

in the right place. He brought lots of smiles to the Neighbours and staff!

Jane Jones is a wife and mother who volunteers at Carleton Manor.

By Jane Jones

o many reasons to celebrate the season! December was plumfull of festive activities! We were just like the Who’s in Whoville this year. COVID didn’t stop Christmas from coming. Thanks to caring, vaccinated staff and visitors who follow strict health protocols, Neighbours enjoyed much-needed visits and social festivities. Local talent plus our own Neighbourhood carollers filled the halls with music. All the while, our super festive elves

Natalie G. getting cozy with The Grinch! (Submitted photo)

Dalton S. enjoys a slice of delicious snowman birthday cake! (Submitted photo)

Neighbour Mirna W. showing off her bag of Christmas goodies! (Submitted photo)

Candy Cane Social “Elves” Mirna R., Brenda G., Andrea J. and Leah A. (Submitted photos)

Where do we fit?

RIVERSIDE RAMBLINGS By Carolyn Brown

s we start a New Year, maybe some of you, myself included, wonder where do I fit? I think fondly when I say that of many of the residents in the house who diligently work at a variety of puzzles. There are puzzle tables everywhere in Riverside Court, the upper dining area, activity space, lounges, and some resident rooms, which bring much enjoyment to so many. Now, all that to say, we have had residents move in who have never had any interest in putting a puzzle

together and slowly, over time, guess what? You may find them chatting away with other residents and enjoying time with a puzzle. And so the next question would be, is it really the puzzle or the fun in getting together with others to share and laugh? The answer is obvious, isn’t it? Getting back to my question, “where do I fit,” maybe is a reflection I always consider myself as we start a New Year. Where have I been, where am I going? Like many in the past couple of years in our COVID world, we may feel a little lost in recognizing that we are not always in the driver’s seat and that many others are making decisions about what we should be doing and where we should be going. Being somewhat of an independent spirit and very much liking to make my own way, and fair to say,

my own decisions about what I do, this has been a tad unsettling. But the big picture focus puts it all in perspective for me when I realize I am doing what will keep ourselves and those we love and are surrounded by safe and healthy. When we look at the photo of this puzzle piece, we see a unique shape, certain colours, tabs and indents that lead us to wonder which of many places it could fit. But the reality of life tells us there is absolutely only one place this puzzle piece will go. It will slide in place neatly, all colours will match, and it will be exactly where it was meant to be. And so it will be with us whether in a COVID world or not. We will, with God’s help, find the place exactly where we are meant to fit. Like putting a puzzle together, and I dare you to ask those who do it, it will require great patience,

Betty Hatt and Rita Harrison work on a puzzle together. (Carolyn Brown photo)

trial and error, trust it will fit where you hope and eyes wide open to see all there is to see. Do I go here, do I go there, is this where I fit, and

then, at that moment when you may least expect it, there is the fit. The puzzle is complete. We are thankful. Happy New Year from

the “Big Yellow house!!” Carolyn Brown is in charge of Community Relations at MacLeod Riverside Court Retirement Residence.

Happy New Year! The studio is open and welcomes 2022. Looking forward to familiar faces and new ones too. www.pilateswithpurpose.ca hannah@pilateswithpurpose.ca Woodstock – 506 . 328 . 1820

Bumbling through the seasons

BEAUTIFUL BUMBLES By Linda McHatten

appy 2022 folks! For those counting and looking forward to getting back on the ATV trails, it is three months away. Is there anyone else counting the days? I can say for sure that we can bumble the same trails several times during the three seasons that we are permitted on the trails, but every bumble is different. Starting out in the early spring (any time from April 16), we usually experience some snow and maybe a

bit of ice still on the trails. The River Valley ATV Club # 50, along with other clubs, is busy this time of the year checking the trails for downed trees, washouts, knocked-down trail signs and picking up garbage. I will say that the garbage is getting less and less every year. The trees are bare of leaves, making it easier to see wildlife and birds. The dead waters and ponds still have ice in them. As we bumble on into May and June, we see the spring flowers blooming and apple blossoms on the trees. Oh my, they smell nice. The trees are starting to leaf out. Summer rolls around to warmer weather. We see new life. Bear cubs playing on the road, and you can be sure mama bear is not far away. We see fawns not travelling far from their mama, partridge crossing the trail with their

new chicks, ducklings following mother duck in the dead waters and ponds. If we are lucky enough, we may see a moose with her young one. Before we know it, fall is settling in, and as we revisit the trails, we see the trees changing colour. This, I think, is my favourite season of the year. We move into colder weather, but we just bundle up more. This is what ATVer’s do. The colder it gets, the more we bundle up. The trees have lost their leaves. We get that cold, barren look again, but we know that a few months away, we start the cycle all over. Our last trip of the 2021 season was on Dec. 7. It was one of those last-minute bumbles. Don thought a nice afternoon bumble up over Poverty Peak would be nice. We packed some snacks, dressed a little warmer and off we bum-

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 29

The last bumble of the year. (Linda McHatten photo)

bled. It was a very windy day but beautiful on the trails in the woods. It was two degrees and sunny. The wind made it feel colder.

These days, a nice cup of hot tea is great to have along with us. Back home and the buggy put away for another season. Until next month, stay safe.

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

Please... DO look up!

NIGHT SKY By David Hunter

ver the Christmas Holidays, Netflix presented a bizarre film called “Don’t Look Up.” The film’s stars include Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, who play two “low-level” astronomers. They try to warn the world of impending doom caused by a collision with a large new comet they have discovered. Meryl Streep plays the president of the USA, and she appears more concerned about her poll

ratings than taking any meaningful action. The dire situation is downplayed and ignored. In the film, “establishment” agencies say there is really no problem. As the comet gets closer, the astronomers proclaim: “Look Up,” see for yourself, the comet is coming! We must do something! But the president says no, we should NOT look up. We ordinary folk can look up to the heavens and see the planets, stars and galaxies for ourselves! They are real! I think that is one of the appeals of amateur astronomy. On earth, we read about different cities and places, but in the end, we would like to go there and see for ourselves! It’s the same with looking up at the night sky through a tele-

scope, binoculars or naked eye. Let’s discuss comets in the solar system. The diagram (courtesy NASA) with four labelled quadrants. Roughly speaking, comets have a nucleus composed of rocks, frozen water and other minerals and gases. When they get near the sun, a glowing coma and two tails develop as the water and gas heat up, become vaporized, and ionized. This is how they appear to us on Earth: a fuzzy glowing ball with a tail(s). It is thought that comets come from two regions of the solar system: the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud. Shown in A is the inner solar system (I’ve stuck in a picture of Comet Halley), extending out to Jupiter (30 light minutes away). In B, the outer solar sys-

tem, the planets out to Pluto and Neptune are shown (5 light-hours away), and it is at this distance the Kuiper belt resides. It is also where the newly discovered minor planet Sedna is moving. The Kuiper belt is the source of the inner socalled short-period comets. In C, we see the vast, highly elliptical orbit of Sedna. But, for the grand finale in quadrant D, we see the extent of the Oort cloud, which is from where most comets originate. The Oort cloud extends almost up to 0.8 light years from the Sun! Remember that the nearest star to the Sun is about 4 light years away. Both the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud are remnants of the formation of the early solar system. It is thought that as the Sun moves through the

Milky Way galaxy, it might occasionally brush near other stars, which would knock some of the objects in the Oort cloud into the inner solar system. They eventually become visitors in the night sky as comets, or if we’re having bad luck, they crash into the Earth and cause major problems!

Send your questions to quantum.hunter@gmail. com. Keep looking up! 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.

RURAL ROOTS

Stories About Country Life in Western New Brunswick

Fitness camp on the farm

ADVENTURES OF AN ACCIDENTAL FARMER By Ellen Culbert-Johnston

appy New Year to all the River Valley Sun newspaper readers! I hope you all had a joyous holiday and are ready for 2022! At the beginning of a new year, I usually do a lot of reflecting. However, this year feels different. I feel like just moving forward. Perhaps I really want to look forward because, overall, there is less runway in front of me than behind me, or maybe it’s because

I’m on the other side of the mountain. Either way, I feel that 2022 is a new beginning for me and so many others that I know. For some people, New Year’s comes with New Year’s resolutions. I have seen many ads on social media for ways to lose weight by exercising and people being interviewed by news stations, saying they will start going to the gym and walking every day. Not so long ago, I was the type of person that signed up for a threemonth trial gym membership on more than one occasion, which would get me through the winter months, so I wouldn’t have to walk outside in the cold. I preferred to walk on the treadmill while watching and listening to the news wearing earbuds instead of

watching for ice. Being an accidental farmer, I have officially signed up for Anna and Elsa’s frozen fitness camp, where walking outside on the ice isn’t an option. Instead, they offer skating, walking with picks on your boots or falling on the ice, free of charge on icy barnyard mornings. This fitness camp offers weight lifting of various sizes and weights. There is the lifting of hay, cow manure into the wheelbarrow, followed by the pushing and lifting of emptying the aromatic filled wheelbarrow onto the manure pile. To enhance leg muscles, the calves get out of the pasture, causing the spectacular chore of walking around the fence several times, looking for fallen tree limbs and down fence

lines. They like to think of this as snowshoeing on a bitterly cold January day, when your feet and fingers start to have that tingling sensation, not to be confused with the tingling feeling of sitting by a warm burning woodstove reading the River Valley Sun. Anna and Elsa run a tight camp that is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Their hours of operation are sunrise to sunset with a few midnight calving specials. They expect their members to show up for camp on holidays, during inclement weather and COVID isolation. If you feel the need to relax and focus on your breathing in a more cozy setting, the camp offers hay loft yoga only after emptying some bales of hay from

Carrying water jugs to the barn is another staple of the Anna and Elsa farm fitness class. (Sue Perkins photo)

the loft. The herd of cows, with Anna and Elsa being the star cows and coaches of their fitness camp, have helped me look forward to the year 2022, with a little

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

The best ice cream in Carleton County

LIVING HISTORY By Doris Kennedy The following is a true story.

“W

ould you be interested in some ice cream at Simms a little later?” Asked Bert with hopeful anticipation. “I would love to. Simms makes the best floats,” Joyce quickly responded with a smile across her face, a face Bert looked forward to seeing since they skated together last winter. People loved the Simms Store for their assortment of retail items, creamery butter, rock mixture candy, humbugs, peach blossoms, chicken bones and especially the flavoured soft drinks and velvet ice cream. “Let’s meet, and we can share one of Vernon’s specialty fountain floats,” Bert suggested as he tried to impress his new girlfriend. They had just met by chance this day as they were getting mail at the post office on Main Street. “They say Vernon brought in some new flavours adding to his father’s originals.” Bert continued

to impress. “We should try one. I will pick up some of Vernon’s mother’s baking, Mary’s delicious sliced loaf bread. It is a treat for my mom, so she doesn’t spend all day baking.” “That is a grand idea,” she said. Bert congratulates himself for scoring points with his girlfriend. After a short banking career, Vernon Simms came home to Hartland to join his mother in his parents’ business. His father, Tom, who started the company, died in 1918. Thomas brought his family from Doaktown to Hartland in the late 1890s and set up his blacksmith shop on the west side of Main Street. He rented space in a building owned by Keith and Plummer. Their family grew, and Thomas wanted to be in a more populated farming area to increase his trade. Their sons, Curtis and Vernon, were just a year apart, born in Doaktown, and Mary was pregnant with their third child when they arrived. The child was another boy, Robert, born in 1905 in Hartland. Mary and Thomas thrived in their new environment and saw a chance to increase their earnings. Mary loved to cook and was soon recognized by others for her delicious baking goods and bread. “I think it is time to get you a better oven to pro-

duce your delicious cooking, Mary,” Thomas suggested to his wife. “We should have a bake oven, that is if you wish.” “Oh Thomas, yes! I would love to cook more, and I think I could get a decent trade or a price. I get asked all the time for it. It is time I start charging.” The Simms’ bake oven produced a welcomed variety of baked goods for their community. Thomas and Mary enlarged and moved their business directly across the street to a two-story wood structure. The second floor became their residence, and at street level, they opened a confectionery business. A move that became prosperous almost immediately. Mary’s bread was famous and through a travelling salesman Thomas was introduced to flavoured soft drinks. From this, he experimented with flavoured ice cream. Their move across the street was timely. The blacksmith shop where Thomas started was engulfed in the 1907 fire. Fortunately, Thomas had taken out insurance to cover the $500 worth of damage. “Where is father?” Vernon asked his mother one day as she was pulling out sweetbreads from the bake oven. “He is in the back churning the flavoured cream to make more ice cream.”

Simms ice cream and soda shop in Hartland, circa 1920s. (Submitted photo)

“What flavour is he trying today?” “Strawberry today, Verney, your favourite.” Vernon moved quickly to his father’s side, hoping to be the day’s sampler. His father’s ice cream was like velvet, soft and tingling to the inside of the mouth as it melted. Vernon left home in 1916 to begin a career in banking while his brother Curtis joined the war effort. Two years had passed since mourning their little brother, Robert, who died at age nine. Vernon was just getting his feet under him when news came that his father was ill. He died in 1918. With his brother overseas, he watched his mother continue the business until he decided to go home to join her. His brother gave him full consent and ownership. If there was any doubt in Vernon’s mind that he was taking a financial and economic risk, it was soon dissipated. Vernon hired

Gordon Miller and a few others and invested heavily into the ice-cream production business. In 1924 they moved the velvet ice cream manufacturing to the empty Superior School building on lower Main Street. They peddled the ice cream up and down the St. John River valley. The popularity of his ice cream caught the eye of General Dairies, a large company and competitor from Sussex. Neither his mother nor brother saw when Vernon accepted a managerial position in the Woodstock branch in 1931. Curtis died in 1927, and Mary died in 1928. He sold the business, but conditions included General Dairies company shares and a management position. A large farewell party was held in the Neighborhood Theatre in Hartland for Vernon and his wife, Anna, before they moved to Woodstock. Vernon kept his father’s

store until 1955 when Jimmie and Pauline Miller purchased it; later, it became known as the Blue Jay. After 15 years, Gordon Miller left to set up his own business, and two others managed it before it was sold, Ralph Day and Rex White. Vernon went on and had a successful business in Woodstock, building a cold storage unit to sell meat and a trucking company to tout Sussex ginger ale. Everything he touched was profitable. But his heart never left Hartland. Bert and Joyce met at Simms that day, and several others. The names are fictitious, but the story is true. They were married a few years later and lived happily ever after. 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 31

SPORTS

Highlights and Features of Local Sports and Sporting Events

Community wins as Goals for Gobblers game sets record

Annual event between CNHS and WHS raises $3,333 and 115 turkeys By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

hile the host Carleton North Stars boys hockey team lost big on ice to rival Woodstock High Thunder, the entire Carleton North community were big winners in the record-breaking 2021 Goals for Gobblers game on Dec. 8. “This year had the highest funds we have ever raised in the 13 years of Goals for Gobblers,” said Florenceville-Bristol recreation programmer Maddie Johnson. “The Woodstock Thunder dominated on the ice, but the gift of giving dominated off the ice.” She said the event raised $3,333 and delivered 115 turkeys to help fill the Kin Club of Florenceville’s Christmas Miracle boxes and other programs run through local schools. Johnson said turnout to the game was good with the Northern Carleton Civic Centre three-quarters full. The

Thunder downed the Stars 11-0 during the game, but activities before and during intermissions delivered plenty of reasons to cheer. “We were able to involve multiple different age levels of Carleton Minor Hockey, between the U9 team and the U13A team,” Johnson said. “We all had a blast during the intermission games. A mixture of Town and CoOp themed swag was tossed out to the crowd as well.” Intermission games included the U9 minor hockey team going headto-head in a “Turkey Toboggan Race.” The game’s premise saw two teams using a toboggan and pulling a teammate in a race to get the most turkeys from one end to the other in two minutes. Johnson said the teams were split up into home and away jerseys, with their intermission

Jill Lunn of Carleton Co-Op drops the puck, on Dec. 8 to begin the record-breaking Goals for Gobblers game. From left are Florenceville-Bristol representatives Mayor Karl Curtis, Recreation Programmer Maddie Johnson, Maintenance Karl Lyon, Lunn and fellow Co-Op representatives Cynthia Giggie and Kristy Pelkey. Carleton North High School captain Austin Phippen, left, and Woodstock Thunder captain Andrew Watson take the ceremonial draw. (Submitted photo)

Maintenance Karl Lyon celebrates his Turkey curl. (Submitted photo)

game ending in a tie. The U13A team also went head-to-head in a “Shopping for Christmas Dinner” relay race. Teams loaded turkeys into shopping carts and had to weave through pylons to

the other end of the ice, tossing their turkey into inflatable bowling pins. Johnson said the event benefited from the strong support of area businesses, including long-time partner Carleton Co-Op.

Recreation Programmer Maddie Johnson tosses her turkey. (Submitted photo)

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