River Valley Sun Vol. 2 Iss. 9 September 2020

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BLUE SWEEPS REGION

Margaret Johnson edges Andrew Harvey in Carleton-Victoria to help Tories win majority

BY JIM DUMVILLE

P

rogressive Conservative candidate Margaret Johnson narrowly defeated Liberal incumbent Andrew Harvey in the Carleton-Victoria riding Monday, Sept 14, to deliver one of the Tory gains lifting the sitting government under Premier Blaine Higgs from minority to majority status.

Johnson won the riding by a margin of just under 400 voters with 45 per cent support to Harvey’s 40 per cent, reversing the 2018 results, which saw Harvey edge Johnson by just under 300 votes.

As they headed into

election day, Johnson said, the numbers seemed to lean in her favour.

“I felt really good going in,” she said, “but then I felt really good going into the last election, too.”

Meanwhile, Harvey acknowledged hitting election day with concern.

“I could sense it the last three days,” he said.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Harvey said, “people wanted to keep the same government.”

The Higgs government’s aborted plan six months earlier to close

the ER department at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Perth-Andover didn’t appear to hurt the Progressive Conservative candidate.

In February, the government announced the closures of six rural hospital emergency rooms, including Perth-Andover. Facing severe backlash, including from within the Tory caucus, Higgs reversed the decision within days. On the campaign trail, Johnson and Higgs promised Carleton-Victoria voters See BLUE on page 2

The Tories, under Blaine Higgs, swept the Carleton ridings on Election night, with Bill Hogan and Richard Ames holding PC seats in Carleton and Carleton-York respectively, while Margaret Johnson unseated Liberal incumbent Andrew Harvey in Carleton-Victoria. The three candidates joined Higgs during a campaign event at MacLeod Group Riverside Court Retirement Residence in Woodstock. From left, Johnson, Higgs, Ames and Hogan. (Jim Dumville photo)

RUNNER TAKES PART IN HIS 40th TERRY FOX RUN GARY EATMON RAN IN HONOUR OF HIS HERO AND LATE SISTER

By JIM DUMVILLE

F

or the past 40 years, Gary Eatmon has hit the trail in September to participate in the Terry Fox Run. He was back on the NB Trail between Riverside Court and the Woodstock Farm Market on Sept. 20 to mark the event’s 40th anniversary.

Even if COVID-19 restrictions don’t allow a typical run, Eatmon set his plans to run anyway to pay homage to a hero and raise funds in the ongoing battle against cancer.

“He’s an icon. He’s a hero,” said Eatmon when he met with the River Val-

ley Sun on Saturday, Sept.

12 behind the Riverside Court, which has been the starting point for the Terry Fox Run in recent years. While Woodstock isn’t hosting a run this year because of coronavirus restrictions, several communities, including Bath, will host virtual runs on Sept.

20. Participants run on their own and post it to the site.

Eatmon did his 10 kilometres this year for the 40th straight year.

The competitive runner started participating in the annual event in Saint John and continued the See TERRY FOX on pg. 2

Drug free relief from: • Snoring • Primary Insomnia • Sleep Apnea • Shift Work

A photo of Terry Fox’s younger brother Darrell presenting him with a special plaque marking the Terry Fox Run’s 25th anniversary is among Gary Eatmon’s prized possessions.

(Jim Dumville photo)

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BLUE

Continued from page 1

they would not revisit the ER-closure option.

“This is not on the table,” said Johnson.

Despite the backlash in Perth-Andover and surrounding communities at the time, Harvey said, the issue somewhat disappeared by the time the election rolled around.

“Six months is a long time in politics,” he said.

“Especially with COVID on top of it.”

While the Perth-Andover ER is safe, Johnson said the future of health care remains on her growing list of important issues as she becomes a rookie MLA. She said she wants to see a collaborative healthcare consultation process start as soon as possible to allow medical experts, local residents and the government to develop a plan to protect and improve health care across the province.

Johnson said the issue is not rural-urban, but a matter of service.

“People just want to have health-care services in their communities,” she said.

Johnson said it’s not feasible to expect residents in Riley Brook, a community in the northern part of her extensive riding, to travel to Woodstock or Edmundston in a medical emergency.

Despite its devastating toll on New Brunswick, she said, the COVID nightmare produced some silver linings, including unveiling better ways to deliver virtual health care, which could

TERRY FOX

Continued from page 1

tradition when he moved to Woodstock several years ago.

For Eatmon, the 2020 run is extra special. Not only does it mark the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s original run, but he will be running in memory of his sister Caroline, who died of cancer last year.

Over 40 years, Eatmon acquired an extensive collection of memorabilia, including certificates, stickers, newspaper articles,

improve access to medical specialists.

Other significant issues Johnson believes the government needs to tackle quickly include government-First Nations relations and finding ways to support the agriculture community.

While the Tories were the only party to rule out a pubic inquiry requested

by New Brunswick’s indigenous leaders, Johnson said she would push to see the federal government deliver on the changes recommended in the national Truth and Reconciliation Report and other federal inquiries.

Johnson also expressed concern for New Brunswick farmers, saying COVID, summer drought conditions and ongoing agriculture issues played havoc on the industry. She said crop yield would be way down this year, and farmers face challenging times.

“I’m surprised it didn’t get a bigger platform during the campaign,” she said. “We’re a forestry and farming province.”

In addition to finding immediate help for struggling farmers, Johnson said the government must support the industry over the long term.

“We need to look at alternate crops,” she said.

Johnson also wants agriculture to find improved ways to get their product to market and find value-added opportunities for New Brunswick-grown crops.

Another recent issue affecting a community in her riding was Education Minister Dominic Cardy’s

decision earlier this year to accept the Anglophone West District Education Council’s recommendation to close the Bath Community School.

“Nothing has been decided. It’s not a done deal,” said Johnson, a strong supporter of the effort to save the school.

She said Higgs, who met with Scott Oakes and Sean Kilfoil of the Bath school committee and visited the school during the campaign, promised to review the decision.

“As an engineer, he (Higgs) has a different perspective,” said Johnson.

As a former teacher, Johnson said she understands the impact of school closures on both the community and the students.

The DEC decision to close the school came only five years after it decided to renovate the old Bath Middle School into a K-to-Grade 8 school. The PC government halted the retrofit in the summer of 2019, citing the discovery of asbestos would add millions to the project.

As MLA, Harvey advocated heavily to continue the retrofit, citing the millions already invested.

Johnson also supported continuing the project.

Harvey said the Bath school project should be completed by now.

“The government dragged its feet,” he said.

He said he will continue to push for a reversal of the DEC and Cardy decisions and hopes Johnson will do the same.

“If they get it done, I’ll be the first to congratulate her,” Harvey said.

The outgoing Liberal MLA said the Bath school is only one of several essential files he was working on when Higgs called the election.

Johnson and Harvey both confirmed they had a positive interaction election night, and they will sit down in the next few days to go over those files. Both candidates exhibited mutual respect.

Johnson said she and Harvey had a “nice discussion.”

“He’s done good work for the riding,” she said.

Johnson said she was proud of all candidates in the Carleton-Victoria, who each ran a respectful race.

Terry Leigh Sisson finished a distant third for the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick, followed by Rowan Miller for the Green Party and his younger brother Meriet Miller for the NDP. Johnson is prepared for a busy few weeks as she tackles the “steep learning curve” ahead.

In the upcoming days, Johnson said, she’ll attend an orientation camp, and over the next several weeks, the premier will meet with each member of his caucus.

Meanwhile, Harvey, first elected in 2014, said he will spend the next few weeks trying to transition back to private life.

“I believed I accomplished a lot for the riding.

I’m proud of that,” he said.

“It was a privilege to represent the riding.”

Harvey also extended his congratulations to all candidates that ran and all the people who voted.

photos and other information from each Terry Fox Run. The highlight came during the 25th annual run in Woodstock, where Terry’s younger brother, Darrell, presented him with a plaque and t-shirt signifying Eatmon’s participation in all Terry Fox runs to that date.

Eatmon said, as a younger man, he didn’t fully appreciate the significance of Terry Fox’s contributions, noting Terry’s inspirational determination and message resonated more as he grew older.

“Every year, when I do the run, I’m inspired by

him,” said Eatmon. “I know he’s looking down, saying, “keep my dream alive.’”

Eatmon said running and raising money every year is the least he can do to carry on the dream of such an iconic, kind, determined young man.

“I’m just a piece of the puzzle,” he said. “Terry was so humble. So great with kids. He was so approachable.”

Eatmon also praised the event organizers over the years, including Mary Young, who was at the helm of the Woodstock Terry Fox Run for many years.

“Without them, there would be no run,” he said.

On Sept. 20, Eatmon sand, he prepared to run from the Riverside Court to the Woodstock Farm Market and back twice to complete his 10 kilometres.

Although looking forward to it, Eatmon said this year he will run “with a heavy heart,” as he thinks about his late sister.

“It’s not just a fun run,” he said. “I take it personally.”

Eatmon has no plans to end his streak. He’s already thinking of the next 10 years and his 50th run.

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.

River Valley Sun

IN CRISIS?

Here are the numbers to call:

RCMP/Woodstock Police 911 Upper River Valley Hospital 375-5900 Hôtel Dieu – Perth-Andover 273-7100 Woodstock Mental Health 325-4419 Perth-Andover Mental Health 273-4701 After Hours Mobile Crisis 1-888-667-0444 CHIMO

1-800-667-5005 Telecare 811 Nackawic Health Centre 575-6600 Tobique Valley Comm. Health 356-6600 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Dept. of Social Development 1-833-733-7835

Help for DRUG ADDICTION

Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention.

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 more information contact Natasha Smith at 323-9315. *In an emergency, call 911 or visit a local ER*

Law Enforcement

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

Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-8477

Animal Control

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

Box 1000, Woodstock, NB, E7M 0E9

(506) 325-2552

MANAGING EDITOR: Jim Dumville (506) 325-8523 jim@rivervalleysun.ca PUBLISHER/DESIGN: Theresa Blackburn (506) 324-5700 theresa@rivervalleysun.ca PUBLISHER/DISTRIBUTION: Stephen Chisholm (506) 324-5711 www.rivervalleysun.ca ISSN # 2562-3893

The River Valley Sun follows Canadian Press Style guidelines. *Unauthorized bulk removal of the River Valley Sun from any public location, or tampering with our distribution, including unauthorized inserts, is prohibited.

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA

Bill Hogan elected Carleton MLA

3

Tories sweep three Carleton ridings

By Jim Dumville

T

he New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives swept the Carleton ridings Monday, sending three MLAs to join the majority government under re-elected Premier Blaine Higgs.

Tory candidates, Bill Hogan in Carleton and Richard Ames in CarletonYork, ran up decisive victories, while in CarletonVictoria, Margaret Johnson edged Liberal incumbent Andrew Harvey.

Celebrating with a small group of family and supporters at his downtown campaign office in Woodstock, Hogan said he was “humbled and honoured to be elected MLA for Carleton.”

Hogan earned almost 48 per cent of the vote, outdistancing secondplace Graham Gill of the People’s Alliance, with 26 per cent. Liberal candidate Theresa Blackburn picked up 17 per cent for third place, followed by Greg Crouse of the Greens with eight per cent.

Shawn Oldenburg for the NDP and Andy Walton of KISS-NB earned less than two per cent of the vote combined.

“We had a good feeling going in,” said Hogan, “but you never know in an election.”

The retired Woodstock High School principal and member of the Woodstock town council said he’ll immediately resign his council seat and prepare to work for the community as the new MLA. “I’d like to thank the other candidates for putting their names forward,” said Hogan. “It’s never easy to put your name out there.”

Asked about his list of priorities as he takes on his new role in the provincial legislature, Hogan cited roads, healthcare and dealing with the riding’s drugs and crime problem.

“It’s the same things I talked about in the campaign,” he said.

Hogan also expressed concern for farmers in the riding, who are facing challenging times due to summer drought and the impact

of COVID-19 restrictions.

For Gill, his first attempt at politics may be his last.

“I took my shot,” he said.

“I wanted to give people a choice, and they decided to stay with the PCs.” The businessman, who serves as Northampton local service district chair, said he plans to head back to the office Tuesday morning and continue with his life.

He extended his congratulations to Hogan and said the election results show voters have confidence in Blaine Higgs.

“I’m not taking anything away from the candidates, but voters liked Blaine,” he said.

Like Gill, Blackburn says she’ll return to her usual busy schedule Tuesday morning, but unlike Gill, she has no plans to put her provincial political ambitions on the shelf.

“I’ll be back in four years,” she said.

Blackburn, a Hogan colleague on Woodstock Town Council, said the newly elected MLA would be hearing from her about

Carleton residents’ issues of concern.

“I’ll be continuing to remind Bill what this community needs,” she said.

Blackburn, a publisher of AgelessNB and River Valley Sun, said she has long been an advocate for residents who have trouble getting concerns heard by provincial and federal representatives.

“That won’t change,” she said.

Blackburn said she called Hogan to congratulate him for a strong campaign and wished him luck as an MLA. Crouse admitted the results proved a disappointment, but not surprising.

“It’s a Conservative riding,” said the Hartland town councillor.

Despite the disappointing results, he said. “I have no regrets whatsoever.”

Crouse said he entered the campaign with plans to deliver a positive message, and he believes he succeeded.

“My focus was to run a clean campaign and give people facts,” he said.

Progressive Conservative Bill Hogan, second from left, is joined by wife Heather Hogan, daughter Meaghan Gordreau and son-in-law Mike Gordeau, and campaign manager Doug Graham, left, following his election as Carleton MLA on Sept. 14. (Jim Dumville photo)

While he remains on Hartland Town Council, Crouse is unsure what his long-range political future will hold.

“I’m not ruling out anything,” he said.

He said the immediate future would see him direct his attention to securing provincial and federal funding for the proposed community complex.

In Carleton-Victoria, Johnson garnered 45 per cent of the vote to Harvey’s 40 per cent. PANB’s Terry Sisson finished with eight per cent. Green’s Rowan

Miller had five per cent, while his younger brother Meriet of the NDP collected 1.5 per cent.

In Carleton-York, Ames sailed to victory with almost 58 per cent of the vote, far ahead of PANB’s Gary Lemmon with 18.6 per cent.

Liberal Robert Kitchen with 11.4 per cent, Green’s Louise Comeau with 10.8 per cent and NDP’s Jarret Oldenburg with 1.3 per cent.

Liberal leader Kevin Vickers, who lost in his Miramichi riding to PANB’s Michelle Conroy, announced his resignation.

Richard Ames wins big in Carleton York

Former executive assistant to retired Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart easily takes seat

By Jim Dumville

P

rogressive Conservative candidate Richard Ames sailed to a comfortable victory in Carleton-York, collecting almost 58 per cent of the vote.

Ames was the choice on the ballot for 4,750

voters, easily outdistancing the field.

People’s Alliance candidate Gary Lemmon garnered 1,534 votes, followed by Liberal Robert Kitchen with 940.

Green candidate Louise Comeau had 890 and

NDP’s Jarrett Oldenburg came in with 110.

Ames will take over the constituency of former Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart. The long-time MLA opted not to run again. Ames served as Urquhart’s ex-

ecutive assistant.

The large rural riding, which sits north of Fredericton, running northward to Woodstock’s outskirts, includes Debec, Canterbury, Meductic, Nackawic, Harvey and neighbouring communi-

ties.

Ames win was part of a Tory sweep through York, Carleton and Victoria counties.

He will be joined in the PC majority government by Carleton’s Bill Hogan, who held the

Tory seat of former MLA Stewart Fairgrieve, who did not re-offer.

C a r l e t o n - Vi c t o r i a ’s Margaret Johnson completed the Carleton ridings’ run, wrestling the seat from Liberal incumbent Andrew Harvey.

4

Council rejects plans for youth residence

Neighbourhood opposition kills project for youth at risk

By Jim Dumville

F

acing a forceful backlash from area residents, Woodstock council rejected plans Aug. 24, to create youth care residence in the heart of town.

The public hearing hosted at the council session into the rezoning of the home at 115 Kirkpatrick Street saw a large turnout with more than a dozen homeowners from the surrounding area expressing strong opposition against the project.

While three letters and two speakers offered support for the project, which would see the non-profit organization Youth Impact Jeunesse Inc. provide a residence for up to four youths currently under the care of the province, a much larger group forcefully expressed opposition.

Council’s decision to not move forward with the rezoning effectively blocked Youth Impact’s plans for the property.

Youth Impact Jeunesse Inc.’s executive director Mel Kennah attended the Aug. 24 meeting to provide information at the public hearing.

In an interview with the River Valley Sun later in the week, he said the failure to secure the Kirkpatrick address meant the project would be put on hold for a month or more.

“We’ll park this file until at least the end of September,” he said.

He said Youth Impact representatives will meet with Social Development officials to determine the next step in opening a badly needed youth centre in the Woodstock area.

“The need hasn’t dissolved,” Kennah said.

Whether Youth Impact looks at Woodstock again, or somewhere else in the region, remains to be seen. He said they are still talking to Woodstock officials and confirmed

Hartland Mayor Darrin Foster reached out to him.

Kennah admitted being surprised by the council’s decision, saying he expected a yes, with conditions. That was exactly what the town’s planning advisory committee recommended in a unanimous vote, but the council rejected it.

Only Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson voted in favour of the project, despite PAC recommendation.

Coun. Blackburn criticized by neighbours and colleague Coun.

Theresa Blackburn, a neighbour to the proposed youth residence, came under severe criticism from many of her neighbours for her social media post in favour of the project soon after the unveiling of plans at the August council meeting.

Some area residents, supported by Coun. Catherine Sutherland, suggested Blackburn declare a conflict of interest and remove herself from voting on the issue.

“She should recuse herself,” said Sutherland, who suggested Blackburn’s social-media video in which she expressed disappointment in her neighbours’ opposition to the youth residence, accompanied by comments from Facebook friends, could be seen as “an attack” on her neighbours.

In a statement before the vote, Blackburn said the Facebook video, which she later deleted, was meant only to support the project, admitting she was upset to hear about the opposition to what she believed is a desperately needed youth residence.

“I didn’t express my opinion to enrage my neighbours,” Blackburn said.

The veteran councillor, who is owner and publisher of Ageless NB and River Valley Sun, said she has a big heart and

“always looks for the positive.”

Blackburn said those who know her know she “loves this town” and knows she spends hours upon hours volunteering and fundraising. In this case, she said, her focus was on the children who would be helped by the Youth Impact residence.

“Children in crisis … those are the ones for whom I’m concerned,” she said.

In response to the conflict of interest charges, Blackburn said, she called a lawyer and talked to both Mayor Arthur Slipp and CAO Ken Anthony.

All agreed she was not in conflict. Despite that advice, Blackburn abstained when called to vote on whether to pass the first and second reading of the rezoning amendment.

Blackburn’s harshest critic was neighbour Mairi Munn, who, in a letter read into the record at council, accused Blackburn of stirring up dislike for the neighbours opposed to the youth facility.

“In the comments following her little video people are calling us all entitled, uncaring and this is simply not the case,” wrote Munn.

In her address during the public presentations, Munn expressed similar sentiments to her letter, saying both she and her husband overcame humble beginnings through hard work.

Like most of her neighbours opposing the youth residence, Munn expressed fear that the rezoning and creation of the specialized home would devalue their properties.

While it may not affect the assessment, many neighbours said they talked to realtors who warned them the Youth Impact residence would make it harder to sell their houses.

Neighbours raise concerns

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Other concerns raised by neighbours expressed fear for their young families, suggesting the troubled youth housed at the residence could pose a danger to local children and disrupt the neighbourhood if police were called regularly to deal with issues at that address.

Kennah explained the children, who will be between the ages of 10 to 18, being housed at the residence are in provincial care through no fault of their own. He said these children are from the Woodstock area, and this house will allow them to remain in their home community.

“These children are more likely to be the bullied, not the bullies,” Kennah said.

He said the maximum of four children at the home would be under constant supervision by a staff of 11 trained attendants.

While none of the team will live at the residence, he explained, three staff members will be on hand 16 hours per day, with two staff members overnight.

Kennah said the Kirkpatrick Street location is ideal because it is within walking distance of both the K-to Grade 8 and high schools, the AYR Motor Centre and playgrounds.

Asked how often Youth Impact runs into this type of opposition to one of its youth centres, Kennah said it happens about 50 per cent of the time. He said sometimes rezoning is not needed, while other times, resistance is even stronger than what he sees in Woodstock.

He also said until Woodstock, their proposal has never been rejected.

Another critical element of the neighbourhood concerns was the rezoning of the property from R1, single-family residence, to R3, multi-use residential.

Many expressed concern about what would happen at that address should Youth Impact close its youth centre.

The PAC’s unanimous recommendation addressed that concern by adding two conditions to the rezoning amendment.

It stated the zoning should automatically revert to R1 if Youth Impact discontinues its operation.

It also stipulated Youth Impact could house no more than four youth at

the residence.

Some neighbours offer support Only two neighbourhood residents spoke in favour of the Youth Impact plan. Heidi Horner, who identified herself as executive director of the Valley Family Resource Centre, said the youth centre is focused on helping children pursue better lives in much the same way her organization does.

“These children have no choice or no voice,” Horner said.

Prior to the council making a decision, each council member casting a vote explained their reasons.

After hearing comments from all council members in attendance, Mayor Slipp said it appeared the vote would be 3-2 against the rezoning.

Coun.

Bill Hogan did not attend Monday’s meeting.

He was absent as he sought and won the right to represent the riding as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the upcoming provincial election.

Mayor Slipp planned to vote in favour of project Before calling the vote, Mayor Slipp, noting he has been a council member since 2001, said he had seen similar disputes about zoning.

He also noted he has two Community Residential Housing facilities in his neighbourhood along Broadway, and they are a benefit to the area.

After substantial consideration, he told the large crowd he was prepared to vote in favour of the rezoning. But even with his support, Slipp noted, he expected support for the rezoning would be, at best, 3-3, lacking the majority needed to pass the rezoning amendment.

While rare for council to reject a PAC recommendation, the mayor added, council is not required to accept it.

Leonard, Sutherland, Bradbury vote no Coun. Randy Leonard voted against the rezoning, saying he opposes any form of spot rezoning.

“I’ve been against it my whole career,” he said.

Sutherland also voted against it, saying the neighbourhood opposes it, and that is their right. She said she fully supports the mandate of Youth Impact Jeunesse Inc., but be-

lieves they need to find a better location.

Sutherland offered her support in searching for another location, suggesting her own neighbourhood may be better since it already has mixed zoning.

Coun. Jeff Bradbury also voted against the rezoning, although he was a member of the PAC, which recommended it move forward.

While admitting the project seemed like “a good fit,” at that time, he said. “I made a mistake.”

After hearing the opposition to the project, Bradbury said, “I have to listen to the majority.”

Deputy mayor offered support As the only one to vote in favour of the rezoning, Deputy Mayor Anderson said she spent 15 to 20 hours studying the issue.

While some neighbours suggested they were not consulted, Anderson disagreed, saying representatives from Youth Impact and the town went doorto-door.

She said the town followed the required process while giving neighbours advanced notice.

She added PAC removed two of the biggest concerns by ensuring the property reverted to R1 if Youth Impact left and by limiting the number of children to a maximum of four.

Anderson added the youth residence plan falls right in line with the town’s recent housing study, which calls for more access to affordable and special-needs housing.

Most importantly, she said, as a teacher, she witnessed problems experienced by neglected children trying to succeed despite the obstacles.

“We didn’t choose our parents,” she said.

Youth Impact Jeunesse Inc. operations provide those children with a fighting chance despite the obstacles.

Anderson cited the opening line from the Town of Woodstock’s Municipal Plan as a clear indicator of why the project should go ahead.

“The Town of Woodstock is a welcoming and safe community providing an enhanced quality of life for all residents.”

These marginalized children also deserve a chance at an enhanced quality of life, she said.

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA

5

Hartland responds after family awakens to gruesome scene

Town posts reward to find those responsible for bear carcass on front steps of home

By Jim Dumville

A

Hartland family awoke Saturday morning, Sept. 5, to a grotesque scene left on their front step. The family opened the door to find the head and pelt of a recently butchered black bear.

Hartland Mayor Darrin Foster expressed shock and dismay over the incident. He said the town would do everything to help the RCMP and New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources find and prosecute the culprits.

“Today is a day I never thought I would see in this fair town (of) Hartland,” Foster posted on Facebook. “Senseless savagery, coupled with mindless motivation towards a family who wants the same things as we all want -- to raise a family in peace. To make a living while also making a positive mark on our collective communities.”

Foster told the River Valley Sun the head, with full pelt intact, of the recently killed bear was left on the steps leading to the Hartland homeowner’s door, who he chose not to name publicly. He said that would be up to the family.

Foster said the pelt was lying across the steps with the bear’s head on the landing facing towards the door. He added they also found limbs of the beast thrown about the property.

The Hartland mayor said they called the RCMP and the Department of Natural Resources immediately, with both agencies responding quickly.

He said the investiga-

tion is underway, noting whoever carried out the senseless act appears guilty of several crimes, including animal cruelty, illegal hunting, harassment and implied threats.

Foster said the town posted “a $2,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the people who killed, dismembered and very deliberately placed this poor bear on someone’s doorstep,” The following day in a Facebook post, Hartland CAO David Hutten acknowledged the culprits targeted his family home.

However, he posted the message to thank Hartland and area residents for the outpouring of support they exhibited in the aftermath of the incident. The post included photos of two Teddy bears delivered to his house in the act of support.

“This weekend started with a bear on our front porch, and it ends with two bears in memory of the one that disappeared,” Hutton wrote on Facebook. “Two friends, replace the other.

Bears of daylight are better than those delivered in darkness.”

He said the compassionate response delivered a positive message in stark contrast to the malicious message initially intended.

“While this act, and message, may have intended something, we feel a different message may have been delivered than was intended,” Hutten wrote.

He said he and his family love the community they call home since moving there last year to take the Hartland town hall job.

Hutten said area residents showed his family that same love and compassion in their response to the incident.

“Thank you to all who reached out, who signed signs, who dropped by, who posted, who showed their love in a dark moment,” Hutten wrote.

Foster said he’s at a loss about who would carry out such a gruesome act against a respected Hartland family.

He said such an act hurts the town’s image as a loving, neighbourly small town and a great place to raise a family.

“It’s a terrible thing for people to see,” said Foster.

The mayor is not sure of a possible motive behind the act, but he sees nothing in the town’s actions, which would result in such a negative backlash.

“The only things we’re doing are positive,” he said.

While the town recently dealt with some youth in the downtown area who were harassing crews building public washrooms, Foster doesn’t see a connection to the Sept. 5 incident.

Whoever killed and butchered the bear knew what they were doing, he said, doubting it would be the act of disgruntled youth.

Foster said someone placed the bear’s remains at the residence overnight, probably sometime between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m.

He said Hartland remains a great little town, and town officials will not allow this gruesome act to damage its reputation.

The family of Hartland CAO David Hutten woke up Sept. 5 to find the head and pelt of a recently killed black bear on their front step. (Photos courtesy of Mayor Darrin Foster)

Hopefully, he said, police will catch whoever is responsible to face the full impact of the law.

In his Facebook post, Hutten also delivered an emphatic message about the Covered Bridge Community.

“We want positive change, positive growth, and positive community for this town to continue, and that has been well received by many who expressed their same desires,” he wrote. “We will not be intimidated; we will be inspired.”

Hutten said Hartland deserves the best, including continued growth while maintaining the town as a great place to live and raise a family.

He said the potential negative moment for the town proved the opposite because of area residents’ response.

“This moment brings community together, and

makes it stronger -- so thank you to those who attempt to do otherwise -- your efforts land in

strengthened inspiration, mission and continued positive growth in every way.”

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Thanks to everyone who helped with the campaign and supported me in my efforts to represent the riding of Carleton. While I wasn’t successful at the polls, there is much to celebrate. Meeting so many of you on the campaign trail was a gift. I didn’t think it was possible, but this experience made me appreciate the people and this place even more!

With gratitude, Theresa Blackburn

Theresa and her mom on the campaign trail.

6

Letter to the Editor

On the theft of our homeland

By Dan Ennis, Tobique First Nation Elder

S

ome 500 years ago some white Europeans invaded my home. In the home invasion about 95 per cent of my family was killed off by those white invaders.

In a similar home invasion at the home of our brothers the Beothuk all of the Beothuk were killed off by the white Europeans, so we wonder still today why we were not all killed off.

The few of us who were not killed off by the white Europeans were rounded up and locked up in the basement of our home in cells called Indian Reservations. Initially we were not allowed to leave these cells without permission.

Conditions on these reservations were harsh, cold, riddled with European diseases and our diets were very near the starvation level. Many more of our people died off as a result of the harsh and near starvation conditions.

Over time the original perpetrators of the home invasion died off leaving their illegitimate and illgotten gains to their offspring, who in turn left it to their offspring and so on.

At some point those white Europeans wished to create their “own” nation state along with an identity which was not made in Europe but one that was made in Canada. So these white Europeans began referring to our home as their home, gave it the Indian name of Kanata and began referring to themselves as Canadians.

They created legislation and laws on how their newfound home would

function and operate and be governed, all to the exclusion of those original homeowners.

Treaties were a device utilized by the white Europeans in their attempt at legitimizing their criminal and immoral actions. They wrote their treaties to their liking and, at the point of a gun, forced our people to sign them.

At the same time that those white Europeans were annihilating our people and stealing our land they also sent in their shock troops, the religious ones, to work at Christianizing and civilizing and converting and controlling our people in an attempt to create “good” and compliant brown-skinned white Europeans. This particular tactic is today bearing fruit.

Now to bring my Indian perspective of the criminal act of home invasion into the present.

What we have is a very serious criminal act perpetrated by white Europeans against our people which is still unresolved, simply because the victimizers have a strong vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

It has to be the status quo or, for white Europeans, their house of cards, built as it is upon genocide, hatred, lies, fraud and theft, will come falling down. Not to mention the fact that the white European’s nation state of Canada is built upon the nation, communities, burial grounds, bones and dreams of our ancestors, our People and the Seventh Generation.

Within the context of the Canadian nation state it is our people who have to “prove something” to the transplanted Europeans’ courts/tribunals.

Whereas within the Indian homeland context it is the transplanted Europeans that have to prove their criminal, illegal, illegitimate and fraudulent claims to our homeland.

After killing off 95 per cent of our people and deliberately destroying any and all records and evidence with respect to the existence of our peoples’ government structure and

institutions along with our spiritual institutions those transplanted Europeans now have the audacity to demand that we provide documented evidence showing that our people did in fact occupy our homeland.

In all of our dealings with present-day transplanted Europeans, our people must always keep in mind that present-day transplanted Europeans are the children of assassins, perpetrators of genocide,liars, cheats and thieves and that all are in a conflict of interest posi-

tion when it comes to adjudicating and determining the rightful owners of our homeland.

I will repeat what I have been saying for a long time and will continue to repeat until it actually happens.

In our peoples’ dispute with the Canadian nation state over the issue of who are the rightful owners of Skijinowekoog, our homeland, the only just way to resolve the issue is through the application and adherence to the rule of law and third-party adjudication.

Anything less is simply more white is right and might is right rhetoric.

Which is what got us into the present situation.

Our oppressors, the transplanted Europeans, will demonstrate true Christian goodwill if and when they agree to the application and adherence to the rule of law and third-party adjudication.

Only then will the issue of jurisdiction within our homeland be resolved by an independent unbiased third party.

These are the words of a child of genocide.

Know your history

By Dan Ennis, Tobique First Nation Elder 1603 – We were free, sovereign and self-determining people for some 20,000 years.

1604 – The Europeans invade our homeland with their racist “white is right, and might is right” attitude.

1610 – Majority of our people fell to the European’s religion.

1617 – The Europeans give our people smallpox-infested blankets, wiping out 90 per cent of our ancestors.

1619 – The Europeans give us cholera water, killing more of our people.

1700s – The Europeans give us their genocidal treaties.

1765 – The Europeans return 500-plus acres to our people located at Eqpahak, where also one of our sacred burial sites is located.

1750-1850 – We created different settlements where we lived such as Eqpahak, Kingsclear, Woodstock, Meductic, Tobique,

and Madawaska.

1841 – Moses Perley’s report created Indian reservations.

1867 – The Europeans declare the homeland stolen from our people would be called Canada.

1867-Present – The Europeans enact different laws to control Indians. E.g. Indian Scalp Act, Indian Reservation Act, Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools Act, Indian Women Sterilization Act. We are not the criminals in any given situation with Europeans; we are simply protecting our homeland and our people.

In our 460-year relationship, the Europeans have never given us any reason to trust them.

The Europeans and their courts want us to prove that this is actually

our homeland. Our reply is that we have sacred burial sites located all over our homeland.

In the present, white people, especially leaders like Prime Ministers, premiers, and CEOs, such as Gaetan Thomas are fond of saying to our people, “Hey, that’s in the past. One can’t live in the past.”

The fact of having your homeland stolen through genocide is something Indians should forget and move on.

And this from a people, French and English, who have been at war with one another for some 4,000 years and still are fighting today.

(Photo: Dan Ennis, submitted)

gregmacpherson.ca/ testimonials

Bad news never ends in 2020

My Thoughts Exactly

By Jim Dumville

I

t’s been a rough year, exposing frayed nerves everywhere. COVID-19 is the year’s most significant villain, but the novel coronavirus provided the impetus for a wide array of negative actions and reactions.

A recent Woodstock council decision sparked volatile emotions hidden just under the surface of many area residents.

Reaction to the council’s unanimous decision to curb trick-or-treating with the town during the upcoming Halloween set up a social media firestorm.

While disappointment among children and parents is understandable, the vitriol directed towards elected representatives whose first concern is resi-

dents’ safety is hard to understand.

We see a spike in COVID-19 cases worldwide, including significant increases nearby in Maine and Quebec, so it’s wise to be cautious about the situation locally by Oct. 31. I urge everyone to enjoy Halloween carefully. No, Woodstock council did not cancel Halloween. They are looking for a virussafe way to host a Halloween event. In the meantime, families can still enjoy a fun-filled day with friends and family within your usual social bubble.

I also urge those who oppose limiting trick-or-treating to tone down their rhetoric toward the Woodstock council decision. Woodstock has been a leader during the ongoing pandemic and has a stellar record at putting public safety first. They deserve our gratitude.

Unfortunately, experts expect a second wave of the virus to hit worldwide this fall or winter. That will affect plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I know virus fatigue is setting in, but we can’t give up on the compassion and community spirit which kept New Brunswick and Carleton County residents safe to date. We all must continue to exercise caution.

At this point, COVID-19’s impact threatens to escape 2020 and continue to haunt us through 2021. Sadly, the horror of 2020 may be with us well after New Year’s celebrations. Hopefully, the co-starring horror stories which accompanied the virus will wane, but that’s unlikely. Climate change, systemic racism and the widening political

divide will remain until political leaders recognize the societal calamity which awaits on the horizon.

Wildfires and crop failures associated with drought will not disappear.

We will need to brace for more and increasingly powerful hurricanes and other weather phenomena. Lobbyists for the fossil fuel industry and climatechange deniers will continue to hold influence over politicians.

Race tensions will continue until society acknowledges the existence of systemic racism. We’ve come a long way in tackling gender equality, but in 2020, our political cabinet and corporate offices continue to lack the diversity needed to represent every member of society fairly.

Friday’s death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us equality remains in peril. Her passing may go down in history as a pivotal moment in American history.

President Donald Trump and the Republican Senate are already displaying the unabashed hypocrisy in the race to replace her with a conservative justice, regardless of the Nov. 3 election results. In doing so, Republicans admit to the nation and the world they are elected to serve Republicans and their ideology, not Americans.

As I commented in a social media post following the announcement of Justice Ginsburg’s passing, her death puts America’s future in doubt.

In a world where people like Mitch McConnell bask in hypocrisy and cor-

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA

7

ruption without shame or consequences, RBG devoted her 87 years of life to the equality of gender, race and all people. Her rise as a public icon demonstrated hope for society. It is now up to Americans to ensure her legacy provides the roadmap to a better, more just society.

Finally, the recent New Brunswick election kept Premier Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservatives in office, but with a much more powerful mandate. The premier and his caucus, including a trio of Carleton-based MLAs, must now exercise that power effectively and in all New Brunswickers’ interest.

Congratulations to Carleton-York’s Richard Ames, Carleton’s Bill Hogan and Carleton-Victoria’s Margaret Johnson. They are taking a seat to represent their constituents as rookie MLAs at an unprecedented time. It’s 2020, and the challenges awaiting them will prove heavy.

Carleton, York and Victoria counties are fortunate to have three representatives with track records of community service. I wish them the best of luck and thank the candidates in all three ridings for offering voters a chance to choose from such a long list of highly qualified and dedicated representatives.

Jim Dumville is a resident of Woodstock, a passionate journalist, and the managing editor of the River Valley Sun.

Upper Woodstock man killed in crash

Northampton motor vehicle accident claims drivers life, injures passenger RIVER VALLEY SUN

A

26-year-old man from Upper Woodstock died following a single-vehicle crash in Northampton in early September.

In a media release, RCMP said officers responded shortly after 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 10 to a motor vehicle accident on Route 105.

RCMP said investigators believe the crash happened when the driver lost control, left the roadway, and

rolled over.

Members of the Woodstock Fire Department responded to the crash.

Police said the driver was taken to hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

A 20-year-old man from Woodstock, who was in the passenger seat, also went to the hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Upper Woodstock drug raid leads to arrests

Millville woman and Woodstock man to appear in court in November RIVER VALLEY SUN

W

oodstock RCMP arrested a man and a woman on Tuesday, Aug. 25, following the execution of a search warrant at a home in Upper Woodstock, N.B In a release issued Wednesday, Aug. 26, the RCMP said the search of

the Station Road home was part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that began earlier this year.

The release said police executed a search warrant on the home, seizing what is believed to be cocaine, various drug paraphernalia believed to be used

for drug trafficking, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The release said RCMP officers arrested a 24-year-old woman from Millville and a 26-year-old man from Woodstock at the scene.

Both individuals were released from

custody on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Woodstock provincial court on Nov. 24.

The release said the RCMP’s Police Dog Service assisted with the investigation.

The investigation is continuing.

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8

POTPOURRI

(... paying homage to late, local radio personalities Bruce Smith and Walter Tompkins)

A Roundup of Interesting Photos and Events

Ribfest offers drive-thru event

Pure joy equals two points!

RIVER VALLEY SUN

F

orced by the COVID-19 pandemic to cancel the annual Woodstock Ribfest in June, organizers held a scaled-down version Sept. 18 to 20. With provincial coronavirus protocols in place, Ribfest organizers welcomed ribbers Crabby’s BBQ Shack and Texas Rangers to the Connell Park Raceway for a special three-day drive-thru event. Organizers report strong support from the community. As in the past Ribfests, all proceeds support a trio of local charitable organizations -- Relay for Life for the River Valley, River Valley Cancer Support Group and Living Beyond Cancer Peer Support Group.

Ribbers were ready for the crowds, which came by the car load to the ‘Drive-Thru RibFest, organized to help fund three cancer groups. (Theresa Blackburn photos)

What do you get when you take your grandmother to Connell Park Playground to shoot some hoops? Pure joy! Gail Lane, who resides at the Masonic Seniors Complex in Woodstock, joined her grandaughter Stephanie Chase and greatgrandchildren Haley and Cohen for some fun on the basketball court. On her second try, Gail successfully got the basketball in the hoop. Grandaughter Stephanie captured the event on video, and shared these beautiful photos with the River Valley Sun. “She rocked it,” said Stephanie. “I thought it might bring some much needed smiles to readers.” Indeed it will, Stephanie. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Council cancels trick-or-treating

9

Woodstock CAO to work with community to find safe alternative; Centreville also recommending residents seek other options

By Jim Dumville

I

t appears COVID-19 will play a trick on Woodstock youngsters this Halloween. On Monday, Sept. 15, Woodstock council unanimously passed a motion to cancel trick-or-treating inside town limits this year.

While councillors expressed regret, they agreed to err on the side of caution by prohibiting the annual Halloween tradition.

Mayor Art Slipp said staff and others discussed the issue extensively surrounding children’s safety concerns going door-todoor during the ongoing pandemic. He suggested a motion to “discourage” families against trick-ortreating.

Coun.

Catherine Sutherland said the wording should be more robust than “discourage,” making a motion calling for the town to “cancel” trick or treating for 2020.

“Personally, as a parent, I would not want my child going to someone’s door without knowing the situation, and I also would not want to be opening the door to children coming to the door.”

Coun.

Theresa Blackburn agreed, suggesting the town motion “must be firm.” She pointed to concerns in Ontario and other areas about a potential increase in the virus’s

spread this fall, noting it’s the wrong time to be sending children door to door.

Coun. Randy Leonard pointed out Fredericton is banning trick or treating this year, and he believes many other communities are doing the same.

CAO Ken Anthony confirmed the issue is of concern across the province, noting several CAOs raised the issue during recent discussions. He said municipalities requested feedback from the province on the subject.

Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson agreed with her fellow councillors, suggesting the town make safety its priority.

“When you look at all the precautions put in place for back-to-school and you look at how careful people are being, the staff and all those people, so, to then go out and allow the children to be exposed to so many people not in their bubble, I don’t think it is wise at this time,” she said.

Councillors Bill Hogan and Jeff Bradbury both agreed with fellow council members, adding they each heard discussions of a drive-through Halloween event under consideration at the AYR Motor Centre.

Mayor Slipp confirmed the discussion of such events.

“There have been some overtures,” he said, “but

nothing has been confirmed.”

Anthony said staff would work with community members to arrange an event, such as a drive-through at AYR Motors.

“It’s a very special time, you know, for the young ones, and a special time for olders who like passing out something. Maybe we can work out something,” he said In response to the online backlash to council’s decision, Anderson posted a Facebook video.

The video is shared on the River Valley Sun Facebook site.

Anderson began by stressing council is not cancelling Halloween but asking families not to participate in widespread trickor-treating.

Anderson said children can still dress in costumes and visit friends and family within their existing bubble.

“There is nothing to stop you from going to people in your normal social circle and your family bubble for Halloween,” she said.

She noted some homes receive more than 100 Halloween visitors at Halloween, putting them at risk.

Noting the provincial state of emergency remains in force and the recent return to school, Anderson said council felt it inappropriate for high numbers of children to visit

Woodstock resident Doug Brown publicly demonstrated his anger at the Woodstock council decision to limit trick or treating this Halloween with an early display showcasing tombstones signifying the death of Halloween and seven Grim Reaper silhouettes bearing the first names of the mayor and members of council. (Jim Dumville photo)

people’s homes. She also noted many experts fear a spike in cases over the next weeks or months, leaving them unsure what the situation will be at Halloween.

The village of Centreville announced on its website an alternative to trick-ortreating.

“We do not have any cases of COVID-19 in our area, and we’d really like to keep it that way. However, we feel certain that we can provide a safe, socially-distanced alternative to trick or treating for our local spooks if so desired,” the village posted.

In partnership with the Centreville Chamber of Commerce, the post explained the village is planning a “Halloween Spooktacular” on Saturday, Oct. 31 and are seeking public input.

The Centreville post

concluded with early details of the event.

“In order to successfully prepare, registration will be necessary. Registration will include providing your child’s name and age and whether the child is allergic to any foods or drinks. The details will be communicated as soon as we have our plans finalized. Stay tuned and get your costumes ready.

“If you are interested in volunteering, or helping us out in any way, please email Andrea at voc@ rogers.com,” the post explained in conclusion.

Centreville municipal administrator Andrea Callaghan told the River Valley Sun the decision was based on all its residents’ safety.

“We’re not telling people they can’t (trick or treat),” she said, “but we urge they

consider a safer alternative.”

Callaghan said a lot of seniors live in the village, and many are afraid of the virus.

“We have some people who don’t go to the grocery store,” she said.

She also urged homeowners who plan to welcome trick-or-treaters to find safe options to limit contact.

Callaghan said Centreville officials, like those in Woodstock, are awaiting the New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines.

She also said Halloween would not be the last occasion in which events will change to meet coronavirus protocols. She said ordinarily large gatherings for Thanksgiving or Christmas would likely be scaled back significantly.

Marchers raise awareness of violence against women

Woodstock hosts ninth annual Take Back the Night march

By Jim Dumville

A

small group of women, accompanied by Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp and his wife Lynn, delivered a message and raised awareness about sexual assault and violence against women Friday evening.

Together, they walked along Main Street, from NBCC Woodstock to the Carleton County courthouse and back, during the annual Take Back the Night march.

Manon Albert, chair of the event sponsor River Valley Caring Communities Committee, thanked the Slipps and other participants for attending the ninth annual Woodstock march. She said they are helping to deliver an important message.

Albert said the com-

mittee, initially called Woodstock Caring Communities Committee, replaced “Woodstock” with “River Valley” to more accurately reflect it encompasses an area from Nackawic to Plaster Rock.

While organizers anticipated a police escort to march along Woodstock’s Main Street, a police cruiser was not available. After a short wait, the marchers, on the mayor’s advice, stuck to the sidewalk as they carried signs and delivered their message.

Before the march, one of the event organizers, committee member Kaitee Stairs, an employee with Canada Mental Health Association New Brunswick, addressed Take Back the Night march participants.

“We’re here to support each other and show you’re not alone,” said

Stairs.

As women fight back against sexual assault, intimate partner violence and all violence, they must make their voices “loud,” she said.

Stairs explained when Take Back the Night efforts first began, only women participated in maximizing women’s voice. Later, she said, organizers asked men to join the marches to add their voices to the ongoing battle to raise awareness of violence against women.

According to the Take Back the Night Foundation, the seeds of the worldwide effort were planted in the early ‘70s when a group of women at the University of Southern Florida marched through campus demanding women’s resources and safety.

The term “Take Back

Participants in the Take Back the Night march in Woodstock pose for a group photo before marching from NBCC Woodstock to the court house and back Friday evening.

(Jim Dumville photo)

the Night” was used in a 1977 memorial read by Anne Pride at an anti-violence rally in Pittsburgh.

Lauran Lederer, a member of the foundation board, used the term as the title of

her 1980 book analyzing violence against women.

Canadian involvement in the organized effort to battle violence against women dates back to Vancouver’s march in 1978.

In 1981, The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centers declared the third Friday of September to be the evening for “Take Back The Night” marches nationwide.

10

’ TAKONUTOMAKONUWAL

(Maliseet word meaning ‘their stories’)

News and Features from Woodstock First Nation

Provincial Election Q & A with WFN Sakem Timothy Paul

Maliseet chief believes the relationship with government can be healed with inquiry

RIVER VALLEY SUN This month, the River Valley Sun begins a series of conversations with Maliseet Sakum (Chief) Timothy Paul.

This month, we talk politics, and discuss his thoughts on the recent provincial election and his hopes for the future relationship between Indigenous communities and Premier Blaine Higgs majority government.

RVS: How do you feel about the provincial election results?

Timothy Paul: I won’t lie. I’m slightly disappointed with the results because of Premier Blaine Higgs’ track record on Indigenous issues.

It’s not just him. There are issues with other departments underneath him.

I believe he doesn’t think there is an issue with systemic racism in this province.

But when you have six Maliseet chiefs and nine Mi’kmaq chiefs asking for an inquiry into systemic racism and getting support from Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jake Stewart, but not the premier – something is wrong.

As Jake publicly stated, he (Blaine Higgs) is the boss and it’s his decision.

RVS: Why do you think working with the premier has been so challenging?

Timothy Paul: Blaine Higgs doesn’t believe we need to be consulted. He doesn’t want to deal with us, and he doesn’t think we are important enough for him to take the time. He’s old school.

The behavior of racism is learned. It’s not something you are born with.

I don’t think he realizes how many decisions government makes that affect our rights. He can’t seem to wrap his mind around the consultation process.

In the past, Premier Blaine Higgs thought his ideas were best. But only we can navigate our future.

We can’t be told what is best for us. We have to be at the table with all issues that affect us as we only know what’s best for us.

RVS: How do you think this relationship can be healed?

Timothy Paul: I think that a good start would be to come to the table and offer an inquiry on systemic racism in the justice system and policing in our province, and then move on to looking

at other things.

If you read between the lines, Higgs isn’t interested in that.

He keeps saying that studies are done already, except studies are conducted by government organizations or companies hired by the government.

What he fails to understand is that an inquiry is non-partisan.

It’s independent. The government would have no control over it. We feel this is the only way to get to the real truth.

You only have to look at what happened with the Marshall Inquiry in Nova Scotia to understand the impact.

That inquiry changed the entire justice system in that province.

RVS: How hopeful are you that healing can happen moving forward?

Timothy Paul: I am somewhat hopeful. The party now has some newly elected MLAs. My hope is that these people can look at the issues with fresh eyes.

I hope they’ll be able to see what we’re trying to do, and be loud voices in government. We need people to stand up to the leaders and advocate for our rights.

If Premier Higgs is genuinely interested in

reconciliation, then I think the first step, like I said before, would be to address systemic racism in the justice system and in policing.

Honour the lives of Brady Francis, Chantal Moore, Rodney Levis, and others. Start the dialogue there. That would give me a lot of hope.

Indigenous leaders are ready to come to the table if Higgs is willing to admit there is an issue.

Everyone else seems to understand why this is needed. We hope that the premier can understand that, too.

We can’t move forward together to better all of New Brunswick if only some are respected and listened to.

WFN Healthy Hamper Program HOW TO BECOME A PART OF THE !

The WFN Healthy Hamper Program is a bulk-buying initiative that allows people to get a large bag full of produce, once a month, for a lot less than you’d buy the goods in stores!

To learn more or sign up, reach out to the program’s coordinator, Holly Polchies, at hollypolchies@yahoo.ca.

Have news from Woodstock First Nation you want to share? Email Theresa Blackburn at theresa@rivervalleysun.ca or call 325-2552

kiwahkw /kiwahq Mother Tongue

By Anatasha Lyons

A

ccording to Deidre E. Connelly and Patrick J. Morrison, the Bible in the book Genesis 6:1-41, giants are first described and, one could argue, have been since time began (2014).

Wəlastəkokewiyik refers to this as time immemorial. Giants or Kiwahkwiyik

were regarded as heroes by non-Hebrew populations, but after the Flood (Numbers 13:32-33), their popularity had almost diminished, and they were often depicted negatively as aggressors. Kiwahkwiyik literally means Ice Giants as their hearts were said to be frozen in solid ice. Another account describes them as cannibals.

In the book of Samuel, when talking about David and Goliath, Goliath is described as being six cubits and a span (Samuel 17:4), which is roughly nine feet, nine inches tall.

Other books, including the Dead Sea Scrolls version of 1 Samuel, refer to his height as four cubits,

which is about seven feet (D. Edgecombe, 2017).

Kelwəskap has a reportedly varied height according to accounts, anywhere from nine to 14 feet.

Kelwəskap, meaning Good Man is the name used for Glooscap by Wəlastəkokewiyik; however; it is often confused with Kəloskap (Glooscap), which means The Lying Man. Comprehensively, it’s believed the Jesuit Priests recognized the exceptionally tall man’s tales and pressed their ancestors’ negative narrative upon the Wəlastəkokewiyik. Or is that truly the case? Most Elders refer to Kəloskap, the lying man. Is this a by-product of the Jesuit’s

Woodstock First Nation Chief Timothy Paul (Amanda McIntosh photo)

narrative or their understanding from their parents, grandparents, etc.?

We may never know.

Some people believe the Bible’s literal translation, other rationales point to designated textual criticism in certain portions of the Bible and should not be considered at face value. Yet, how many people designate textual criticism to the story in Genesis? Or the Great Flood? Or the Garden of Eden and the talking snake? And what of the story of Jesus?

Anatasha Lyons is a wife, a mother, and Woodstock First Nation’s Language Coordinator. She is involved in language revitalization efforts in Wolastokuk.

Words of the Month Ice Giants kiwahkw /kiwahq Phonetically: GEE-walkw

Tree/Green Giants əpəsiyahkwin /oposiyahqin Phonetically: əb-BƏZ-ee-YAHK-qwin Glooscap Kəloskap/Koluskap Phonetically: gəll-OOZ -gub

LINKS: https://pmportal.org/dictionary/koluskap https:// pmportal.org/dictionary/oposiyahqin https://pmportal. org/dictionary/kiwahq Donnelly, D. E., & Morrison, P. J. (2014). Hereditary Gigantism-the biblical giant Goliath and his brothers. The Ulster medical journal, 83(2), 86–88. http://living-faith.org/2017/05/31/how-tall-was-goliathand-why-it-matters/

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 11

Debec forest fire contained

Crews worked to douse hot spots

By Jim Dumville

T

he forest fires raging near Debec since Wednesday, Sept. 16, is entirely under control.

“The fire is now 100 per cent contained and is a total of roughly 16 hectares in size,” said Kelly Cormier, acting director of communication for the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, in an email to the River Valley Sun at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Kelly said DNR crews would remain in the area for the next couple of days to control potential flare-

ups.

“There are still lots of hotspots within the contained area,” said Cormier.

The fire was initially reported around 3 p.m Wednesday, DNR spokesperson Nick Brown told the RVS on Friday. He said three water bombers attacked the blaze during the initial hours of the first fire.

Brown said a second fire ignited on Thursday, about 500 metres from the original blaze.

“It’s unknown at this time if it was a spot fire

from the original fire or another start,” Brown said.

He said officials have yet to determine the cause of either fire.

The Debec Fire Department, with mutual aid from Woodstock, provided assistance to DNR fire crews. Brown also confirmed the RCMP are investigating the theft of an all-terrain vehicle from the fire scene.

“Anytime equipment is damaged or stolen, it hampers the efforts of our staff and can make their work more difficult,” he said.

A water bomber douses flames as DNR and Debec fire crews battle a forest fire near Debec. (Tammey McLean photo)

Suspicious blazes raising concerns

Woodstock and surrounding fire departments kept on run with several fires

By Jim Dumville

I

n recent days, a series of suspicious fires added to the workload of local fire departments and raised concerns for fire officials.

Woodstock Fire Department Chief Harold McLellan said the Sunday, Aug. 30, fire call on Route 585 in Grafton was the latest of numerous trips over the past several months to that same address.

The chief estimated firefighters responded to the address up to nine times. He said such fires not only add to the workload of fire crews but endanger firefighters and put surrounding properties and neighbours at risk.

McLellan said Sunday’s fire proved a significant blaze that threatened surrounding properties, including a wooded area behind the structure.

After an exceedingly dry summer, the chief said the rain over the weekend helped firefighters keep the most recent blaze under control. He said the latest fire at the Grafton property levelled the last of the structures.

Asked if there is anything left to burn at the address, McLellan responded, “not unless they build something.”

On Monday, Aug. 31, the Woodstock Fire Department responded to a massive blaze at an abandoned pig barn in Watson Settlement, approximately 10 kilometres south of Woodstock.

McLellan said it was the second blaze at the former hog operation built in the late ‘90s but has sat empty for several years, noting fire levelled another barn in 2017.

He said fire officials are treating the latest fire as suspicious, with the

National Fire Prevention Week October 4 – 10

This year’s theme: Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Safety should always be your number one ingredient while working in the kitchen. Cook safe!

Flames engulf the former hog barn in Watson Settlement Aug. 31, as firefighters from Woodstock, Debec and Lakeville battle the blaze. (Tammey McLean photos)

RCMP investigating both fires and other recent blazes.

Since the fires occurred without death or injury and with no large insurance payout, the New Brunswick Fire Marshal’s office is not involved, said McLellan, who added his department is working with the RCMP during the ongoing investigations.

McLellan said the Debec Fire Department provided mutual aid in both the Grafton and Watson Settlement blazes. He said the Lakeville Fire Department joined them to battle the blaze at the pig barn.

Watson Settlement resident, photographer Tammey McLean, grabbed vivid shots of the barn fully engulfed in flames. She said the pig barn was the second suspicious fire in the area, citing a fire under a

bridge in Jackson Falls a few days earlier.

“It was under the Jackson Falls bridge on the little island that is usually covered with water,” McLean said in a Facebook comment.

She said it is unclear how the brush fire ignited, but the Woodstock Fire Department responded and brought it under control before it spread.

“Luckily, someone spotted it and called it in,” wrote McLean on Facebook. “We don’t need a forest fire out here.”

Early Wednesday morning, Sept. 2, the Debec Fire Department responded to a fire at Community Metals in Richmond Corner.

McLean said a trailer, next to the buildings, caught fire around 5 a.m.

Wednesday morning.

“The third fire out here in the last week,” said

McLean on Facebook. “I am getting a little worried out (in) my area. I really hope cops do an investigation because this is too many now.”

The West District RCMP is also investigating a suspected arson involving an Aug. 18 truck fire in Speerville, which borders Debec. In a media release, the RCMP said officers responded to a report of a pickup truck on fire outside a home on Speerville Road shortly after 4 a.m.

“The vehicle, which was unoccupied at the time, was destroyed by the fire,” the RCMP said in the release.

The release also included surveillance video photos showing two individuals arriving on the property in a silver 2003 Dodge Ram shortly before the fire began.

“The individuals fled the scene in the same ve-

hicle,” the RCMP release said.

The RCMP asks anyone with information about this incident or those responsible to call the Woodstock RCMP at 506-325-3000. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477) by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App or Secure Web Tips www.crimenb. ca.

The investigation is ongoing.

McLellan said the rash of recent fires adds to an already busy year for the Woodstock Fire Department and all firefighters in the region.

He said his department already responded to 197 calls through the first eight months of 2020.

He said that number is already growing close to the record 230 fire calls for an entire year.

12

Back to school under COVID protocols ‘going well’ at NES

Principal Larry Graham says students, parents, and staff adapting to new realities

By Jim Dumville

“I

t’s going well,” said Nackawic Elementary School principal Larry Graham when asked about returning to school under tight COVID-19 restrictions.

“The kids adjusted quite easily,” he said.

“They’re just so happy to be back.”

Graham said students, staff and parents, for the most part, accept and follow the COVID-19 protocols.

From the start of the school day until they return home at night, students follow a strict regimen to limit the virus’s spread. Instead of walking their children into the school, as they did in previous years, Graham said, parents stay in their cars.

He said arriving students gather in the appropriate circle painted on the front parking lot to enter the school in a group with their class-bubble classmates. They remain in that bubble, with their homeroom teacher, throughout the day. He said time on the playground is scheduled, so only three classroom bubbles at a time, each in designated sections, are allowed on the

playground.

He said inside the school, arrows on the floor mark which direction traffic can flow, and all exterior doors are designated as an entrance or exit only. Everyone has to sanitize on the way in and out of the building. While in the hallways, or anywhere which limits social distancing between classroom bubbles, students wear masks.

Graham said 99 per cent of the students don a mask without a problem.

He said the school keeps extra masks on hand for those rare occasions a student forgets theirs.

During conversations with other principals in the district, Graham said he hears similar positive reports. The Grade 1 to Grade 5 students accepted the new normal for school procedure, and, he said, the kindergarten students “don’t know anything different.”

“The hardest part for the kids,” Graham said, “is the lack of activities, such as sports.”

He said everyone had to adjust to the newrules.

“Anything different is always a challenge,” he

said.

Graham said the school administration and staff try to schedule more classroom time outdoors.

Thanks to volunteers, business support and community involvement, teachers now have improved facilities to make outdoor activities more accessible.

Over the summer, Graham said, the elementary school managed to develop an outdoor classroom between the school and the Baptist church next door. He said that volunteers cleared trees and brush to enhance a wooded trail, and parents built a table and benches.

Thanks to donations from River Bend Homes, Graham said, NES now has a unique amphitheatre, complete with wooden bleachers that will eventually be covered with grass. It also has new sandboxes thanks to the contributions of TNT Insulation and Building Supplies.

To date, Graham said, the back-to-school experience has been positive, especially in comparison to the virus-enforced early school closures last

Top: With the help of Riverbend Log Homes, Nackawic Elementary will have a unique amphitheatre. Left: TNT Insulation and Building Supplies help build new sand boxes in the NES playground. Right: Volunteers feed a chipper from wood clear from a trail in NES’s outdoor classroom. (Submitted photos)

spring.

Noting his daughter was one of last year’s high school graduates, Graham said the Class

of 2020 missed out in a lot, including traditional graduation ceremonies and proms. On a positive note, he said, Nackawic

High School managed to create a COVID-safe ceremony to allow graduates to celebrate with friends and family.

H appy 65th Wedding Anniversary Richard and Meda Carvell

of Lakeville, Carleton County, NB

FIREWOOD THEFT & ILLEGAL DUMPING It is that time of year when land owners report theft of firewood from their property.

If you are a witness to this theft, and if possible, write down the vehicle licence plate number and report your information to Crime Stoppers. Illegal dumping poses environmental, health and fire risks and can lead to significant fines for those caught and convicted. These fines could be from $500 for an individual and significantly more if a company has been found negligent. Illegal dumping occurs when unwanted waste is disposed in locations such as vacant or private properties, crown lands, woods, bushes, roadsides and waterways. The cost to remove illegal dumping waste is significant for the land owner, particularly if hazardous material has been identified in the debris. If you have any information or know of any person or company responsible for this criminal act, contact Crime Stoppers.

PERSONS OF INTEREST

Woodstock Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals in these photos. If you have any information on their identity and wish to remain completely anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers.

The couple got married on September 10, 1955.

Love and best wishes from their family and friends!

Check out the Crime of the Week on Facebook: Western NB Crime Stoppers To provide an anonymous tip call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 13

‘Labour of Love’ pays homage to Woodstock-area veterans

Jacksonville woman refurbishes more than 500 crosses marking local graves

By Jim Dumville

A

Jacksonville woman spent much of her summer working hard at a unique project to honour local soldiers who sacrificed so much to secure Canada’s freedom.

Starting just before Canada Day, Sheila Sparks set out to refurbish the crosses marking Canadian veterans’ graves at cemeteries throughout the greater Woodstock area.

In late June, she began her project with visits to four cemeteries in the Jacksonville and Jacksontown area, taking home 18 rusty, faded crosses. She pressure washed them, sanded where needed and repainted each one with bright silver paint. Sparks then repainted, by hand, the poppies in red with black centres, the maple leaves in green and the Royal Canadian Legion letters in black.

Sparks said on Canada Day 2020, she took the crosses back to the cemeteries and replaced them on the graves with a small Canadian flag attached to each one.

By Aug. 15, which marked the 75th anniversary of V-J Day, the victory over Japan, and the end of the Second World War, Sparks broadened her goal to take upgrades of gravesites at still more cemeteries.

Sparks, who said her respect for veterans fueled her summer project, saw spending the 75th anniversary focused on cleaning up veteran grave markers as an appropriate way to show that respect.

“I cannot think of a better way for me, as the daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend of many veterans to commemorate this (date),” she

said.

She described the project as a personal goal, noting it was not done in association with the Royal Canadian Legion or any veterans’ organization.

“What I have done, I have done on my own out of respect for veterans and my appreciation of their sacrifices for our freedom,” she said.

Sparks, who became a Canadian citizen in 2014, said she took on the summer project, which she called her “labour of love,” to refurbish the veterans’ crosses after seeing years of little or no improvement.

What started as a Canada Day project, Sparks said, her efforts continued through Labour Day. During that time, she visited 23 cemeteries in the Woodstock and surrounding area and refurbished 530 veterans crosses.

Sparks spent considerable time refurbishing markers and monuments at the Woodstock Rural Cemetery.

As of Aug. 14, Sparks said, she placed the 130th refurbished cross in the single (unmarried) veterans area of the cemetery.

She said many of the 130 graves, marked with flat stones, did not see care as family members moved from the area years ago.

“I spoke with a member of the board of directors of the cemetery and asked if there would be any objections to me refurbishing the crosses on the veteran’s graves and was told it would be very much appreciated,” Sparks said.

She said she brought home one row at a time from the veterans’ cemetery to repaint them, then return them, until she completed all 130. She then directed her attention

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to the 55 crosses in the married section and other grave markers scattered throughout the cemetery.

“I would also like to thank Todd’s Machining for the time and material to repair 14 of the crosses for me at no charge,” Sparks said.

Sparks also spent a couple of hours scrubbing the dirt and moss off the Veterans Monument, before placing four Canadian flags around the base and four solar lights around the perimeter.

“If not for the sacrifices made by these people it is scary to think what kind of world we might be living in,” she said. “A lot of people died so that we can live in this country today and enjoy the freedoms they fought to preserve.”

When asked why she put that much effort into her project, Sparks pointed across the Atlantic to Europe’s gravesites.

“If you have ever seen photos of how cared for the Canadian war graves are kept in Europe, why would you think they deserve any less here at home,” she said.

Sparks said her summer project also proved a learning experience. She said she found the stone of Byron McClement of Woodstock, one of the men who made the crosses’ mould.

“We believe there were others as well as there are several variations of the crosses, but I have no idea who the others may have been,” she said.

She said McClement, a Second World War vet, returned from the war with a bullet wound to his head.

He died in 1970 at the age of 60. .

Sparks also discovered markers of Canadian men who served in the U.S.

Top: Jacksonville resident Sheila Sparks holds a pair of refurbished crosses before returning them to veteran’s gravesites at a local cemetery. Bottom: Sheila Sparks hammers a refurbished cross back into the ground to mark the grave of a local veteran.

(Submitted photos)

forces, which further cements the bonds of living close to the border.

“Their graves are marked with head or footstones provided by the U.S. and inscribed with their branch of service and which war,” she said. “The Canadians seem to like the U.S. Marine Corp.”

Sparks said the crosses on veterans’ graves throughout the Woodstock area are not universal across Canada. Besides Carleton County, she said, she only saw similar crosses at a cemetery in St. Andrews.

The project, which began relatively small,

proved an uplifting experience for Sparks during the summer dominated by news of COVID-19.

“I feel a great sense of pride, but also a great bit of humbleness having completed what originally started out as a Canada Day project at four cemeteries,” she said.

Proudly Serving Our Community

coreyford.ca (506) 328-8828 336 Connell Street, Woodstock

14

Woodstock Town Council Briefs

WFD lotto purchases, COVID concerns, and sewer backup complaint

By Jim Dumville Fire department turning lotto funds into new equipment Thanks to its weekly fundraising lottery success, the Woodstock Fire Department is about to place an order for $180,000 of new equipment.

While orders will utilize the town’s tendering system process, the entire purchase will be selffunded, fire department officials told council at a recent protective services committee meeting.

The equipment list includes a three-quarterton truck, an enclosed 30’ trailer, a mobile command unit and associated generator and lights, a sideby-side and a “snow” ambulance.

In the report, Deputy Chief Ryan Gould advised the committee, “the equipment would benefit firefighters in a number of areas that include safety, transportation, operational preparedness, emergency response and could be shared by police when and if needed.”

During the discussion of the committee report tabled at the Sept. 14 meeting, council reviewed options for storing the growing list of fire department equipment.

Gould explained in the report that the department is considering renting or purchasing a building, suggesting a tarp structure may provide a solution.

Coun.

Catherine Sutherland questioned the wisdom of a tarp building.

Coun.

Theresa Blackburn said if the fire department is spending its own money to purchase the equipment, the town should, at a minimum, provide a place to house

the equipment.

Sutherland, council’s finance committee chair, reminded Blackburn, “we’re under a very, very tight budget.”

Blackburn said she understood, but “going forward, we have to have a plan.”

Mayor Art Slipp welcomed the plans to buy the equipment and praised the success of the lottery.

He added that under the terms of the lottery license, the fire department must spend the money to upgrade and enhance its service level.

“They’re not looking to build a large bank account,” Slipp said.

Letter claims COVID concerns sending shoppers to Fredericton Lax COVID-19 standards at some Woodstock-area businesses are driving some area residents to shop in Fredericton, said a resident in a letter to council.

In a letter read into the record at the Sept. 14 council meeting, Amanda Lightbody said local businesses have allowed standards to slip significantly since the earlier days of the pandemic and no longer follow the province’s Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations.

“While Woodstock seems to have had no cases,” Lightbody wrote, “I have still seen countless infractions and multiple businesses not enforcing even the minimum standards.”

She said many businesses fail to monitor distancing, and “even the use of masks is not done in many places.”

While acknowledging the town may be limited in what actions it can take on such issues, Lightbody said the problem creates

financial implications for town businesses. She said her family, along with many others she talked to, travel to Fredericton to shop for most of their needs.

“They feel Woodstock is not complying and do not feel safe,” she wrote.

“I would enjoy shopping in Woodstock if I felt safe, which I do not.”

Lightbody urged Woodstock officials to observe COVID-19 practices for themselves.

Mayor Art Slipp said it’s disappointing some residents don’t feel safe.

“From the start, the town of Woodstock has been proactive in setting standards,” he said.

Slipp said town staff, including police, investigate any complaints related to COVID-related compliance, adding the town needs details, rather than general concerns, to investigate effectively.

The mayor said Woodstock has been among the leaders in the province when it came to compliance.

“We haven’t been asleep at the wheel,” he said.

Coun.

Catherine Sutherland said she understands Lightbody’s concern.

“She’s not wrong,” said Sutherland, noting few employees at some stores, including Sobeys, wear masks regularly.

She said she schedules her shopping trips to when traffic is low, and she can adequately distance.

Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson said the town might have to take a fresh look at compliance among town businesses. She encouraged anyone who has concerns to first take it up with the business’s management, then bring it to

the town’s attention if they feel their problems are not addressed.

Anderson said it is essential shoppers don’t see Woodstock businesses as lax on COVID-19 regulations.

“Reputation matters,” she said.

Coun.

Theresa Blackburn said the issue must be taken seriously, noting “a second wave is coming.”

She said it appears a lot of people are experiencing “COVID fatigue.”

Sewer backup complaint For Woodstock residents, a sewer backup valve is not optional. Marie and Joseph Innes of Houlton Street found that out the hard way.

In a letter to the town, Marie Innes described a long series of discussions with town officials after their sewer backed up because of a clogged sewer line of July 17.

She said the situation occurred while crews worked outside their home.

“Water came into our home, so we quickly went out and asked them to stop what they were doing,” Innes wrote in her letter.

She wrote that nobody investigated or “seemed to care.” Within two days, Innes wrote, they had three inches of water on their basement floor.

“We contacted the town, and they came and snaked our line and said the block was right at the road,” Innes wrote. “They also told us we should have a back-flow prevention valve.”

Innes also told council they had an issue with access to the driveway following this summer’s street and sidewalk construction along Houlton

Street.

Since that time, the couple met with several town officials to discuss compensation. They attended the Sept. 14 meeting. While included on the meeting’s agenda to make a presentation, they declined, saying they only wanted to listen to council’s decision on the issue.

“We’re not here to make a presentation,” Innes said. “We wanted to let the town know what we’ve been through.”

Later in the meeting, the council approved the public works committee’s recommendations not to provide compensation, citing the lack of a back-flow prevention valve, which is required by town bylaw.

Council voted five to one in support of the committee’s recommendation, with only Coun. Randy Leonard voting against the motion.

Regardless of the bylaw, Leonard said, the issue at the Innes home was created by crews doing work on the street. He also told the Inneses he didn’t have a backup valve at his house either.

CAO Ken Anthony offered an apology if he or any member of his staff made the couple feel they didn’t care.

“First and foremost, we didn’t lead anybody down the garden path,” he said.

Coun.

Theresa Blackburn said every home requirement to have a back-flow valve is evident in the bylaws on the town’s website, “but, in fairness, who reads bylaws.”

She recommended the town write the requirement “big and bold” on everyone’s water bill.

Deputy Mayor Amy Anderson suggested the town post the requirement for a back-water valve on

the counter at the town hall, and it advises every new owner of the bylaw at the time of purchase.

Town extends the validity of LSD IDs In reaction to another committee recommendation, council approved the extension of local service district residential IDs for five months. The extension would make the IDs valid until Jan. 31, 2021.

Mayor Slipp noted the extension considers the five months of lost access to residential service due to the COVID-19 protocols.

The decision affects all athletes with a valid 2019-20 Sport Residential ID, which initially ran from Aug. 31, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2020. That includes Woodstock Minor Hockey, Woodstock Skating Club, Western Valley Swim Team and Riptide Artistic Swimming Club.

If Participates do not have a valid 2019-20 ID, they are expected to acquire one, starting Aug. 31, 2020.

The 2020-21 Residential ID’s will be prorated for those who currently have a valid 2019-2020. This term of a prorated ID will be Feb.1 to -Aug. 31 2021.

Non-LSD/Non-Resident Individual $100 prorated $ 50 Non-LSD/Non-Resident Family $200 prorated $100 Non-Contributing LSD Individual $200, prorated $100 Non-Contributing LSD Family $400, prorated $200 Residential ID’s can be received through the AYR Motor Centre Payment Centre. To help reduce turn over time, town officials recommend emailing to geraldine.campbell@ town.woodstock.nb.ca

Reach out to David Asbell and his knowledgeable team for affordable coverage to protect the important things in life!

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 15

Suspicious fire being investigated

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

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

Truck destroyed at Hartland business RIVER VALLEY SUN

I

n early September, West District RCMP released surveillance photos as it investigates a suspicious blaze that destroyed a transport truck in Hartland.

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help following the suspicious fire on Sept.

8, shortly after 4 a.m.

Members of Woodstock RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of Valley Equipment on Mclean Avenue. The fire destroyed the transport truck, which was unoccupied at the time.

Surveillance video photos released by the RCMP show two individuals arriving on the property shortly

before the fire began. They were driving a black Dodge Ram, towing a utility trailer carrying tires. Police said the individuals fled the scene in the same vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Woodstock RCMP at 506325-3000. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

GOT NEWS TO SHARE?

PLEASE SUBMIT

BY THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH!

EMAIL: jim@ rivervalleysun.ca

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Book an appointment at Hairraiser678 Mary Ann Walker and her Hairraiser team (Lindsay Hallihan, Janna Walker, and Melissa Leighton) are now part of CD Hairwaves in the Connell Plaza in Woodstock!

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Pick up the latest ageless New Brunswick!

COVID-19 may put a damper on our shopping habits, but it can’t dampen our spirits for the next issue, which will be in stores at the end of the month. Find out where to get a copy at www.agelessnb.ca

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We can engrave anything from fondant to rocks, but we specialize in glass, acrylic, tile, wood, stone, leather, ceramics, mirror, and plastics.

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Looking for Volunteer Community Correspondents

The River Valley Sun is looking for community minded people to provide local coverage. Get in touch with Managing Editor Jim Dumville at jim@rivervalleysun.ca or call 325-8523

16

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

Juniper Community Centre Enjoy the fall colours and a homestyle lunch at the Juniper Community Centre, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or meet your friends for a hearty breakfast at 267 Juniper Road in Juniper, every Saturday, 8 to 11 a.m. Browse the excellent selection of used clothing and knick-knacks whenever meals are being served and by appointment. Now hiring. Call 425-3085 for more information.

Florenceville-Bristol Online workshops As a partner of ProfitLearn (LearnSphere), Florenceville-Bristol offers several online workshops that are now available at subsidized pricing. Development activities (including all workshops, coaching and consulting sessions) will be conducted remotely until at least the new year as part of the town’s safety protocols.

A complete list of available online workshops can be found at https:// w w w. p r o f i t l e a r n . c o m / workshop-descriptions/.

Florenceville-Bristol tourism and business development manager Charles Walker encourages anyone interested in suggesting topics to reach out to him.

Reopening the Northern Carleton Civic Centre The Northern Carleton Civic Centre will open to the public for some activities on Oct. 5. Information about the civic centre’s COVID-19 operational plan will be posted on the town website www.florencevillebristol.ca, before the opening date.

Hazardous Waste Day Residents can drop off household hazardous waste at the Florenceville-Bristol town office on Saturday, Oct. 17, between 1 and 4 p.m.

For more information on what can be dropped off,

check the Western Valley Regional Service Commission website at https:// w w w. r s c 1 2 . c a / w a s t e management/hazardouswaste-info/

Waterville Thanksgiving Market Everett’s Farm at 30 Estey Road in Waterville, between Woodstock and Hartland, will host a Thanksgiving market on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will feature more than 50 vendors and two food trucks offering crafts, antiques, food and more.

Admission is $2, with children 12 and under free.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Masks are required when six-foot distancing is not possible and at all times when entering the barn.

Woodstock Zink and Company refunds available The Woodstock Rotary Club announced holders of tickets for the March 20, 2020, Zink and Company concert could return them for a refund to the vendors where they were purchased, including Newnham & Slipp, AYR Motor Centre,, MES Music and Andrew & Laura McCain Library. Organizers are hoping to schedule a new date, but that will depend on COVID-19 rules.

Community Yoga A 12-week session of Community Yoga began on Friday, Sept. 16, at the AYR Motor Centre. The Pradha Foundation, headed up by Dr. Saravanan Ankichetty, who works at the Upper River Valley Hospital, funds the free classes. Brigitte Rivers is the instructor for the courses. Contact the AYR Motor Centre for registration information.

Hazardous Waste Day Woodstock will host a Hazardous Waste Disposal Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18 at the AYR Motor Centre. For more in-

(506) 392-6763

florencevillebristol.ca

formation on what will be accepted or not accepted, check the Western Valley Regional Service Commission website at https:// w w w. r s c 1 2 . c a / w a s t e management/hazardouswaste-info

Join us for socially-distanced dining.

Check our Facebook page for hours and weekly specials.

Nackawic First aid course offered Nackawic will host a Workplace Standard First Aid/ Level C course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Nackawic Lions Club.

Contact Charlene Martin at cmartinkcm@gmail. com or 470-0438 for more information. The course will consist of two parts, including an eight-hours online component and a one-day in-class component. Available seats are limited. Upon payment, participants will receive an email from the Canadian Red Cross, instructing how to set up their profile and start the online portion. The cost is $121, tax included.

Senior meal program With a partial grant from the United Way, Nackawic Area Wellness will continue its senior meal program through March, 2021.

Through a partnership with the Waterfront Pub, Nackawic Golf and Country Club, Nackawic Curling Club, and Nackawic Lions, the program delivers free meals once a week.

Nackawic Area Wellness is looking for help to prepare or deliver the food. For more information, contact nackawicareawellness@ gmail.com.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 17

Summer ending on a positive note IN A ‘MANOR’ OF SPEAKING

have been out of the Manor overnight – this is fantastic for those who wish to go away with family for an

overnight visit, a weekend trip or a vacation! Imagine!

How wonderful!

Our Tuesday morn-

ing summer drives (Adventures!) have been a favourite of our Neighbours along with live entertain-

ment in the beautiful Everwood Courtyard and last but not least, ice cream on a hot summer day!

Jane Jones handles public relations at Carleton Manor in Woodstock.

By Jane Jones

W

e’ve certainly had a lovely summer here at Carleton Manor.

I am always impressed with the family and friends who come from near and far to visit our Neighbours.

Some visitors have had to quarantine for two weeks just so they could see their loved one for a couple of days.

To make our summer even better, we received great news from New Brunswick Public Health that our Neighbours don’t have to quarantine if they

Neighbour Clara Hatfield enjoys a visit with her daughter Lesley Hatfield-Johnson. (Jane Jones photo)

Neighbours Mavis Gallagher and Gaynelle Hawkins, fresh from an adventure on the Manor Bus…accompanied by activity coordinator Mirna Rodriguez, bus driver Royce Hallett and volunteer coordinator Raquel Manganti.(Jane Jones photo)

Neighbour John Everett listens to music and has a tasty treat. (Jane Jones photo)

Bob Harrison and Dr. Gary Beatty delight Carleton Manor Neighbours with their musical talents. (Jane Jones photo)

On a personal note

RIVERSIDE RAMBLINGS

By Carolyn Brown

A

s we enter September and fall, such a beautiful time of year, I am given to reflect on myself a bit, which happens, but I don’t often give voice to it. Part of this reflective state may be that I have been here at Riverside Court a full year now, and it seems like forever. Let me assure you, I say that with no negativity whatsoever.

My time here at Riverside has been different than I thought it would be, and, of course, a lot of that has to do with COVID. But I, like many, am COVID weary. I have zero intention of writing

about it, other than to say it has allowed new doors to open, coaxing me to walk through them. Those who know me well would not be surprised to find I trudged on through and, once again, met a few challenges of doing some new things in my very mature adult life. All I can say is God Bless these wonderful residents in this house for putting up with me, and the staff for doing the same. I’m sure staff sometimes think a tornado just blew through.

But, I am the first to say I have been the one who has reaped the most benefit. With every conversation with families with a loved one overwhelmed in their home or new health concerns suggesting the need to come to Riverside to make life easier, I learned to be a better listener. I learned to comfort, support, encourage and to be understanding. Those are things we can often put

on a back burner and use only selectively, so I look at it as a pure gift.

I had occasions to step into some new roles to help some activities continue. That, too, has nurtured growth and relationship building. It is such a joy to mix with the residents and listen to their stories, rich in the lives they have lived. The staff continue to be supportive and engaged and, as yet, haven’t started to run the other way when they see me coming.

I believe we have to make things happen, not consume ourselves worrying about the results.

Last September, when I thought of coming here, it was another challenge sounding like fun and excitement, and an opportunity all rolled into one.

I believe it was Aristotle who said, ”Happiness is a state of activity.” I happen to think he was absolutely correct. Coming here was all that and

more.

We need to try things to experience them, and we don’t need to make everything complicated.

Sometimes it is as simple as saying yes.

That said, my very wise husband, Rex, has taught me that no is always an acceptable answer. I plead guilty to sometimes having difficulty finding that “no” word, but don’t think for a minute I can’t.

I believe so strongly in doing and acting because if we wait for the right time, it usually never happens, and then I am thinking, what did I miss?

I hate to miss anything.

Life is to be lived the best it can, given our circumstances at any time, and always subject to opportunity and change. We are all human, we can all trust, we can all be true to ourselves, and we all can learn to live beyond fear and uncertainty.

A George Eliot quote

Ann Leech, right, and Marion Lindsay, two of our newest residents enjoying life at Riverside Court. The masked wonder is myself, Community and Resident Relations Manager Carolyn Brown. (Submitted photo)

says,”it is never too late to be what you might have been.”

No one could say it better.

Carolyn Brown is a Community Relations Associate at Riverside Court Retirement Residence in Woodstock.

18

WELLNESS

Your Guide to Healthy Living in the St. John River Valley

Before the microwave: a simpler time

Eating Well

By Karrie Bedford, RD

I

’ve been spending a lot of time the last few months with my Nan. We are fortunate enough to have her in our family bubble, so lots of time around the kitchen table playing cards during the quarantine.

Known as “Mother Mary” to many, she’s a strong (sometimes stubborn) 92-year-old woman who has spent endless hours cooking for her family. Raising seven children and growing most of their food back in

the day, I asked her what lunches would look like during the back-to-school season. “You did what you could with seven children,” she said.

Egg salad and roast beef sandwiches were on the list most of the time.

Fresh eggs went a long way, and leftover roast beef was stretched into sandwiches. She would make sweets and cookies from scratch to send along with the kids and said that a treat was sending a piece of fruit along when it was in season.

We’re now left a lot of time to reflect on how things have changed (for good reasons and bad). When I hear Nan talk about raising seven children, it seems like a simpler time. You’re probably thinking I’m off my rocker saying that – the

woman had seven children. But when it came to food and our food system, we ate more of what was within reach and had to carve time to plan for what was grown (or else there would be no food available). We knew the chickens that laid the eggs, and we raised the cow that fed the freezer for the winter.

It was also a time before the microwave (and well before COVID). All this to say (from my soap box) that packing lunches doesn’t have to be complicated. I see so many parents stack on the added pressure of preparing the perfect Bento Box lunches, or spending extra money on ready to eat snacks like gummies, cookies, bars, etc (that come with unnecessary amounts of sugar).

I encourage you to

channel your energy spent fretting into making more straightforward food choices that work best (and most efficiently) for you and your family.

Here are some examples Talk with your kiddos; What do they want in their lunches? If each family member picks a day here and there, you have an easy menu plan completed for the week!

Have the kids take the lead in the kitchen. Practice their dishwashing skills, and get creative with your sandwich options. Nan would tell you that “it’s good to start ‘em young.”

Monthly produce bags are 1) budgetfriendly and 2) packed with nutritious fruits and vegetables. It’s a way to get kids in the kitchen, and with a little love and

(Freeimages.co.uk photo)

attention, can be “transformed” into quick, ready to eat snacks to round out lunches (Check out our Community Food Smart Programs on our Facebook Page) We might not have microwaves available in the schools this year, but another COVID silver lining – we’ve become so resilient, and I know we can make the most of it. And who knows, maybe learn

a few more skills along the way.

Follow along the month of September on Western Valley’s Wellness Page on FB for more back to school/ menu ideas!

Karrie Bedford is a Registered Dietician, and the Food Security Consultant for the Western Valley Wellness Network. Email her at food@cvcin.ca.

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Meet Century 21 All Seasons

Realtor Jordan Currie

FO SA R LE

Combining two passions: Real Estate and Minor Hockey You might say real estate is in Jordan’s blood. Since the age of eight, the Woodstock native has been putting up signs and travelling around New Brunswick helping people find their dream homes with two amazing realtors who happen to be his grandparents – Linda Currie and Reg McElroy.

Jordan has now officially joined the Century 21 All Seasons Realty team and is excited to continue with the family tradition of quality service.

Jordan is not just a realtor, he’s also a hockey player and coach.

With his new career, he can marry both of his passions by offering top-notch service to clients while giving back to his hockey community. Jordan will be donating 10% of his sales to the Woodstock Minor Hockey Association! Welcome to the team, Jordan!

Buying or selling, call Jordan today at 506-323-0430 Century 21 All Season Realty 655 Main Street, Woodstock, NB century21allseasonsrealty.ca

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 19

Business owners turn curling win into MACC support

Brennan’s Home Hardware, KM Agency donate second-place prize to MACC

By Jim Dumville

F

or Johnville’s Ann Brennan, being part of a cheque presentation supporting the Multicultural Association of Carleton County by her family firm was a special moment. Two decades earlier, the businesswoman, author and poet was a founding member of the MACC. On Thursday, Sept.

3, Brennan joined family members, store staff, management and others at Brennan’s Home Hardware in Woodstock to present $1,000 to MACC. The Brennans, which own hardware and building supply operations

in Florenceville-Bristol and Woodstock, chose MACC as recipients of prize money raised from their participation in the annual Home Hardware Curling Bonspiel held last January in Moncton.

Tim Smith of KM Agency, which hosted the bonspiel, said the winning team took home $1,500 with the secondplace team, in this case, the Brennan foursome of Arthur and Stephen Clark and Dan and Almedia Guest, earning $1,000.

He said the teams could donate the prize money to a charity of their choice. Brennan’s

Home Hardware selected MACC. Smith visited Woodstock to join Brennan and store manager Steve Dorcas in the cheque presentation to MACC board president Berdie Fisher and executive director Celeste Roberts.

Brennan’s daughter Patricia Brennan, one of the business owners, said her mother’s long history with the MACC made the funding support extra special. Roberts thanked Brennan’s Home Hardware and KM Agency for the financial support, saying it will help deliver MACC’s many programs.

Brennan’s Home Hardware and KM Agency present $1,000 to MACC during a ceremony at the Brennan’s Woodstock store on Sept. 3. Front, from left, Woodstock store manager Steve Dorcas, Ann Brennan and MACC board president Berdie Fisher. In back, from left, MACC executive director Celeste Robers and Tim Smith of KM Agency. (Jim Dumville photo)

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20

RURAL ROOTS

Stories About Country Life in Western New Brunswick

Expanding my bubble, and learning about modern farming

ADVENTURES OF AN ACCIDENTAL FARMER

By Ellen Culbert-Johnston

T

his summer, upon Ricky the bull’s arrival, I wanted to try something different with my two little heifers, Windy and Erika.

Taking their small size into consideration, I felt it best not to breed them. My neighbours, Cheryl and Pete, let my girls pasture at their place for the summer.

The first few days, I checked on my girls to make sure they were adjusting to their summer home, and they were doing fine, making friends with their new-found barnyard playmates.

However, after a few weeks, Erika went into heat and began jumping their ponies, steers and everything else in sight. Erika

was causing quite a raucous. Something had to be done. I was embarrassed, and if she was in school, I think she might have been sent to the principal’s office for her unruly behaviour.

So, with Erika being in heat, I felt it was time for a different approach to this breeding business.

I had heard of artificial insemination numerous times, but never had any of my cows bred using this method.

Josh Hathaway, the owner of Long Arm Breeding Services, came out to my neighbour’s farm with his paraphernalia. I made the decision to have Erika artificially bred. Being unfamiliar with the process, I asked a lot of questions.

He assured me many farmers use the practice, especially dairy farmers.

Josh recommended a calving ease bull by the name of Buccaneer. As Erika stood in the barn eating her morning grain, and me rubbing her neck, to reassure myself more than her that everything was okay, she was bred.

When Josh handed me

the breeding slip, I felt a sense of pride and excitement for my heifer Erika.

This farming business is filled with new experiences. I’m hopeful for a healthy calf to be born in May. Expanding the bubble I miss seeing different license plates travelling on Woodstock’s streets, which always brought thoughts of wonder. Who has company from across the lines or Ontario? How long are they staying?

Maybe they’re visiting their old homestead or planning for their future home to be in Carleton County. Oh, I miss visitors from the United States and other parts of Canada.

This longing for new faces brought me to the Dairy Farm of Fons and Lia DeJong in Lower Brighton. I have always wanted to see the dairy operation at Youngdale Dairy Farm, so it was time to expand my bubble and learn more about farming.

Fons and Lia arrived in Canada from Holland in 1981, with plans to have a dairy farm business and raise a family. They have

Lia and Fons Delong operate Youngdale Dairy Farm in Upper Brighton. (Ellen Johnston photo)

three daughters and a son, along with five grandchildren.

They milk 43 head of Holstein cows. I thought my goodness, Fons and Lia must be exhausted from hand milking so many cows.

Well, the new method of milking cows is by using a computer linked to a monitor each cow wears on their neck.

When they freely go into

the milking station to get milked, the computer reads their monitor and shows it on the screen, providing information on when the cow was last milked and the quantity of milk the cow produced.

I was blown away at how different milking is done today versus years ago. The cows are milked on their own time table, which frees the farmer up to do other farming chores

and spend time with family.

Meeting new farmers and doing farming a little differently than years ago has expanded my farming bubble and helped ease my loneliness for family and friends this summer.

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

A great day started in Canterbury

BEAUTIFUL BUMBLES

By Linda McHatten

O

ne of the things I have missed this quad season is attending ATV rallies hosted by other clubs and organizations. We always enjoyed meeting other people and friends and enjoying new trails, but with COVID-19 restrictions, this was not possible.

But good news came in the form of government approval, under strict guidelines, for the Canterbury Recreation Council to host a rally on Aug 29.

The well-organized rally allowed preregistration for those not wanting to register in person. Recreation volunteers, wearing masks and following social-distance guidelines, greeted those registering in person and enforced participants to follow the COVID

rules—lots of sanitizing and a job well done by the recreation volunteers.

The rally had 108 participants registered. We arrived early to enjoy a pickup breakfast hosted by the Canterbury Volunteer Fire Department. What a great breakfast, and thank you. It included a breakfast sandwich (one of the best I have ever had, hash brown, orange juice, and tea or coffee). Great fuel to start the rally.

We headed towards Scott Siding and bumbled out through Dead Creek and, of course, found some mud, which was enjoyed by many. Trails took us through some beautiful areas of trees, dead waters and brooks. Halfway through the rally, there was a barbeque set up where we could get lunch. Lots of prizes given out here. More COVID safety precautions going on (Sanitizing and masks by volunteers and social distancing). Leaving here, we bumbled up to Cranberry lookout. What a beautiful site, looking out over several lakes. On a clear day, one can see for miles. From here, our small

group took a short detour to Fifth Lake, where we enjoyed a conversation with a group of fishermen who had just loaded up their boats. It is always enjoyable running into people like this. They usually have some interesting tidbits to add to the area’s history, giving us reason to explore other areas.

After leaving Fifth Lake, we headed to the North Line and bumbled back to Canterbury. The rain held off until we got hit with a small shower. Nothing a true ATVer couldn’t handle.

We are used to all kinds of weather, or I should say the diehard ones.

Arriving back at the community hall, we loaded up, said our goodbyes and headed home. It has been an awesome day. Thank you to the Canterbury Recreation Council and the Canterbury Volunteer Fire Department for a great day.

See you next year.

Linda McHatten is a retired LPN who now spends her time nursing her love for the outdoors. She and her husband live in Rosedale and have three grandchildren.

The Canterbury Recreation Council had all COVID-19 protocols in place for its ATV Rally on Aug. 29. (Linda McHatten photo)

They had 108 participants join in the fun at the Canterbury Rally. (Linda McHatten photos)

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 21

SUNNY-SIDE UP

Campaign Politics Providing Readers with a Challenge, a Chuckle, and a Smile RVS Election Word Search D A L Y S F Q C I N R E E M V Z R A C E

C E S I WM Q E GQ T H R S E F A V GMB Z Z C U Z Y NMU F P G J M T O V QH C R K C SMC U P R E C R Q I E Y C U E A P A N G B H T N N A D P N V Q I MD L V K A J L N Y I I X U S L M E C C T B L GO J E N WWW B H C S D L E A D E R R P J R C ON S T L E G I S L A T E V O T I NG L C L H Z N OW I I L H R F I X O

E B F G C E P B A E S D F R X I U S A E

Did you KNOW?

Answers on page 31

R E R V V O Z L I A I N I J O C F R N X E A DW L P Z T G U K V I R U E T A LW J WN C N L C P I R N Q GM T E OWB I A Q L I E C NG E T S D C Y E T S B R H Z NQMR I E A A V T V B U S O R L L V Q I KWA N V L C K Y I OOG R A O R Y A B P N S O T T E K R T C MDW I E M K H H EWO F V A R A T U E N T S E VWS R E H J WE Z T L J I N C UMB E N T A K B K X Q I F V Z E I DO L J T A E YW

• Canada’ s population is approximately 37.7 million. A total of 81% of our population lives in cities.

• The longest serving Prime Minister in Canada was William Lyon MacKenzie King, who served 21 years, 154 days, nonconsecutively, between 1921 and 1948.

• Canada’s shortest serving Prime Minister was Charles Tupper, who served 68 days in 1896.

• The Trans-Canada Highway is the longest national highway in the world at 7, 604 km.

RVS TONGUE TWISTER A big black bear sat on a big black rug in Beardsley.

CARLETON COUNTY

Colloquialisms

By John Morris

bammington

\’bam-ing-tun\ – noun A court game played with light long-handled rackets and a shuttlecock volleyed over a net; “Susan’s some-good at bamCONSTITUENTS CONSERVATIVE HEADQUARTERS SCRUTINEER mington.” Outside of the region, this sport is known as “badLEGISLATURE INCUMBENT VOLUNTEERS ELECTION minton.” It is worth mentioning here that Carleton County residents cannot say the word “shuttlecock” without laughing and/ NOMINATION CANDIDATE LEADER VOTING CONSTITUENTS CONSERVATIVE HEADQUARTERS SCRUTINEER or blushing: the preferred term is “birdie.”

BALLOT GREEN PANB LIBERAL

RIDING EGISLATURE

RACE INCUMBENT

WRIT VOLUNTEERS

NOMINATION

CANDIDATE

LEADER

BALLOT

GREEN

PANB

RIDING

RACE

WRIT

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22

ARTFELT

Arts and Culture News from Western New Brunswick

The case for basic income (aka, The Starving Artist trope)

ARTiculate

By Victoria Hutt

T

his summer, many of the largest arts and culture organizations in Canada and leading artists joined voices to call upon the Government of Canada to ensure all residents’ financial wellbeing by implementing a permanent Basic Income Guarantee. Like many sectors, the pandemic effects have made a devastating impact on the livelihoods of artists and art sector employees.

Performances and exhibits have been cancelled, in-person sales, markets, and public events have been closed or limited, and access to studio spaces and specialized equipment has been interrupted.

The public letter, “A Public Letter from the Arts Community for a Basic Income Guarantee,” highlights how millions of Canadians, including but certainly not limited to the arts and culture sector, face a precarious new reality.

“Those whose financial situation was not previously precarious find themselves sinking into financial quicksand. In this new reality, we are all vulnerable to unexpected changes in circum-

stances and unexpected hardships. Poverty can become a reality for all of us, abruptly, without warning.”

The letter addresses how the pandemic has highlighted financial insecurity and the cracks in our health and social support systems, but they were always present.

“Structural inequalities disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized communities, making it more likely for people with disabilities, LGBTQ2+, Black, Indigenous, people of colour, refugees and immigrants, women, single mothers and others to slip into systemic cycles of poverty and poor health.

Many support programs have been eroded during the last few decades, with federal, provincial and territorial income assistance and disability support systems consistently failing to provide economic dignity or meet basic human needs. Furthermore, employment-insurance programs have not adapted to the gig economy’s realities or the self-employed, and a large proportion of workers do not meet their required criteria, which is often based on full-time work. If workers do qualify, they often face barriers to re-entering the labour force in the form of reduced support when short-term employment opportunities arise.”

A few years ago, I sat in on a session presented by the Premier’s

Task Force on the Status of the Artist, mandated

by GNB to explore measures and put forward recommendations to address professional artists’ socioeconomic conditions in New Brunswick. I came out of the session reflecting on gig culture and the artist as a selfemployed business person, with similarities to self-employed workers in many other sectors.

Poor workplace safety adherence, precarious short-term contracts, and a lack of health insurance coverage, paid sick leave, or EI access contributes to these vulnerable populations.

“The gig economy is undermining decades of worker protections. Today, the world of general labour is looking a lot like how art labour has looked for decades. We write to express our collective concern regarding the precarious state of labour that is in urgent need of reform and redress.”

Dignity is at the core of the Basic Income recommendations. A basic income guarantee would not only provide financial security to meet people’s basic needs, but would create a healthier, more equitable social safety system that elevates people, allowing everyone to participate in society and live with dignity.

Research suggests that the daily ‘decision fatigue’ caused by living in poverty can lead to foggy decision making, perpetuating a negative

cycle. (‘Decision fatigue’ is a phenomenon we all might appreciate at this time in history when going to the grocery store seems exhausting at best!) It is also “expensive to be poor.” Take shoes as a case in point.

A cheaper pair wears out more quickly, while also causing foot pain, leading to more expenditures and poor health in the long run because the person could not afford the well-made pair in the first place. Childhood poverty creates ripple effects in both emotional and physical health that last a lifetime.

While commending the leadership and the Government of Canada’s work for implementing and extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) and other measures, including support for the arts, sports, and cultural sectors, the concern is expressed that too many are still being left behind.

In a document signed and endorsed by 30+ of the largest arts and culture organizations in Canada and many prominent talents, the government is being called on to ensure all residents’ financial well-being by implementing a universally accessible and unconditional basic income program guarantees an income floor to anyone in need.

You can read the complete letter at www. obin.ca/a_public_letter_from_the_arts_com-

munity_for_a_basic_income_guarantee.

On Basic Income

The economy’s an abyss whose bottom is a grave, And each tightrope walker wobbles as a mere wage-slave.

And those who freefall, screaming, screeching, as they go, Clutching for handholds or toeholds, only hope to slow, Their plummet to a crashing or a smashing that’ll whack Wallet and skull, household and heart, for debt’s the crack— The airy nothing through which poor and jobless catapult— Down, down, down, to either suicide or homicide result.

Capitalism insists each citizen’s alone To bargain with Fate and to barter blood and bone— To work the best deal each can despite lay-off Or disease, bankruptcy or injury, and to play off Labourer against labourer, to suffer or succeed, As individuals, whatever shall be the collective need.

But yet a contradiction is ever starkly evident: Businesses can’t sell products to customers indigent.

No matter how rich the rich, the people own greater riches— For our tax dollars are ours to fulfill all our wishes.

Why not weave ourselves a mass, protective web

To catch all who tumble, whether the poor or pleb, Off the high-wire of capitalist high-jinks and lowdown tricks, The badly frayed ropes and the greasy balancing sticks.

Why not grant ourselves—because the people’s money’s ours— Platforms to stand on, cushions to land on, failsafe moors?

Time to paraphrase the bards John Lennon and Yoko Ono! Basic Income is ours; we can have it; purely pro bono— If we want it. We can have it if we want it—just like health care, UI, the baby bonus, public transit, public schools, welfare...

There’s no end to what we can do to improve our lives Against all odds, if we’ll stand as one against capitalist thieves.

Basic Income is the price of bottom-line social equality: So that all can ascend—escaping poverty’s gravity.

- a poem by George Elliott Clarke, 7th Parliamentary/Canadian Poet Laureate, 2020, composed for the Basic Income campaign.

Victoria Hutt is an artist and freelance graphic designer in Florenceville-Bristol, NB. A former gallery director and curator, Victoria is a NSCAD design graduate and sits on the ArtsNB Board of Directors.

Young Bath artist’s work featured at Creek Village Young Artist for September helps mom with artwork for poetry book RIVER VALLEY SUN

S

ophie Arseneau loves to draw.

The 12-year-old, who is heading into Grade 8 at Florenceville Middle School, says she has been drawing for as long as she can remember.

Sophie, whose illustrations are part of her mother, Michelle McLean’s soon to be published book of poetry, will be September’s Young Artist of the Month at Creek Village Gallery and Cafe in Woodstock.

“I have always loved writing and illustrating sto-

ries and now I get to be the illustrator for my mom’s poetry book, When Pigs Fly and other Poems, published by Chapel Street Editions,” she said.

The young artist said she completed most of the illustrations for this book between the ages of 10 and 11.

“I love creating – sewing, drawing, decorating, and other forms of art.

My favourite style of art is probably watercolour.

Sophie said her art teacher, Brigitte Rivers,

helped her with many of the drawings for this collection.

“I am so excited to be given another opportunity as a featured young artist at Creek Village Gallery,” she said.

“My style of art is fun drawings with a story behind the idea of each drawing or painting. All in all, I love art and I would like to thank Creek Village Gallery for letting me share my work with others.”

See page 23 for the complete story on the book.

Sophie Arseneau (right) with her mother Michelle McLean in front of Sophie’s ‘wall’ at the Creek Village Cafe and Gallery in Woodstock. (Jim Dumville photo)

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 23

Mother-daughter team publishes first book Mom is author, daughter illustrator of ‘When Pigs Fly’

By Jim Dumville

A

mother and daughter team from Bath are published authors.

In a media release, Chapel Street Editions in Woodstock announced mother Michelle McLean and daughter Sophie Arseneau launched their delightful book of nonsense poems and humourous drawings, with Michelle as the poet and Sophie as the artist.

“Launch” is the right word — the book is titled When Pigs Fly,” said Keith Helmuth of Chapel Street Editions in the release.

“The poems are written in the classic tradition of nonsense verse but with a modern cast of characters and drama.

The pen and ink illustrations are lively representations of the poems, which heighten their wordplay and humour.”

When Pigs Fly is now available with a book launched at Creek Village Gallery and Cafe in Woodstock on Saturday, Sept 19.

With Sophie’s artwork on display, she and her mother autographed copies of the book and greeted visitors to the gallery.

The book will be available at several retail outlets in the region, including McCain Gallery, Florenceville-Bristol; Creek Village Gallery, Woodstock; Woodstock Farm and Craft Market; Westminster Books, Fredericton. The price is $20.

The Bath mother said she has been writing poetry for as long as she can remember.

“Playful poetry, silly poetry, broody-angsty teenage poetry…I love it all,” McLean said. “Writing is how I make sense of my experiences and has always been both a compulsion and healing force throughout my life.”

McLean’s 12-year-old daughter, Sophie, is the illustrator. McLean said Sophie, between the ages of 10 and 11, completed 72 separate illustrations for this collection, not including the cover.

“I am so incredibly proud of her,” she said.

McLean said her youngest daughter, 10-year-old Lily Arseneau,

also made “a gorgeous artistic contribution, so this whole project is pretty special to me.”

“While conceived years prior, When Pigs Fly really took shape as a collection when my eldest child – and the book’s illustrator – was in utero.”

Although this is McLean’s first published collection, her poetry has found various homes over the years, including Quills, Ascent Aspirations, Understorey, Other Voices, Open Minds Quarterly, Peacock Journal, JONAH, and others.

In addition to being part of the launch of When Pigs Fly, Sophie Arsenault will be September’s Young Artist of the Month at Creek Village Gallery.

It’s about time, and by the way, what is a day?

Night Sky

By David Hunter

F

or this month I am focusing on sundials and time. There is a sundial near the eastern exit of the Old Florenceville Bridge.

The sundial is on the south side of the bridge exit. For thousands of years until the invention of mechanical clocks, sundials were the most reliable way to tell the local time. As recently as 120 years ago, each locale had its own “sun time,” with noon determined by the moment when the sun was at its highest position in the sky. Mechanical clocks could be adjusted as need be to agree with the noontime determined by a sundial.

However, with the invention of the railway, the use of local times became problematic because trains would enter many towns on their route that em-

ployed different local times.

How could trains adhere to a schedule? The ScottishCanadian engineer and inventor Sir Sanford Fleming proposed a universal time and the idea of time zones to solve this problem.

But back to sundials and “noontime.” Most readers might think that the earth rotates once around its axis every 24 hours. But that is not so. The earth’s rotation period is actually about 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.095 seconds. Astronomers call this a sidereal day or a star day.

Then why is our ‘day’ 24 hours long? It is because the earth is also orbiting the sun and changes its position with regards to the ‘fixed’ stars so that it takes longer, on average, for the sun to appear at the highest point (noontime) in the sky from the previous day’s noontime. The 24-hour day is a “solar day.” Sundials tell “Apparent Solar Time.”

However, because the earth’s orbit is elliptical (not circular), its rate of moving around the sun changes throughout the year. The average rate of its motion

around the sun during a full year yields a “Mean Solar Day” length of 24 hours.

Yes, this is complicated!

For sundials it’s complicated even more by the fact the earth is tilted at 23 ½ degrees to the plane of its orbit around the sun.

The bottom line is that the time indicated by a sundial changes quite a bit throughout the year from the “Mean Solar time.” A sundial can be fast or slow, depending on the time of the year. But do not fear, astronomers have calculated from first principles an “equation of time” to correct for this. A sundial can be up to almost 20 minutes fast or slow compared to the Mean Solar day time. This is shown in the diagram.

The official time zone or clock time has become even more removed from Apparent Solar time by the introduction of daylight savings time, which puts the clock too fast by one hour.

Added to the mix is that we in Carleton County live at the western edge of our time zone (each zone being one hour wide), which introduces about another

WAIT LIST NOW OPEN FOR SEPTEMBER

(David Hunter photo)

30-minute error (fast).

The final correction to convert sundial time to clock time is obtained from the equation of time. For instance, it indicates we also need to subtract roughly 15 minutes from the sundial time for September. Thus, all in all, our official time here in Carleton County in September is about (1hr+30min -15min), i.e.

1 hour 15 minutes wrong (fast) as compared to the

natural Apparent Solar time (sundial) by which farmers, astronomers, and animals live by? I maintain the “real time of day” is given by a sundial!

But what is time anyway? Is it just something we measure by the movement or change of things?

Nobody really knows what time is. Einstein said: “The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persis-

tent illusion.”

The theologian St. Augustine quipped: “What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is.

If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.”

David Hunter is a retired medical physicist who studies the night sky above his home in Florenceville-Bristol. He is working on a new 12.5 inch reflecting telescope.

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26

CONNECTION

Celebrating Inclusion, Diversity, and Community

Glassville teen among 2020 McCain Scholarship recipients

Three N.B. students among 10 North American winners RIVER VALLEY SUN

T

hree New Brunswick students, including Glassville’s Jaymee Henley, are among 10 from across North America awarded the McCain Group Scholarship.

In addition to Henley, McCain also named Grand Falls’ Jean-Michel WarrLevesque and Oromocto’s Matthew Tidd as New Brunswick recipients of the $18,000 scholarship.

The company presented the 2020 McCain Group Scholarship to 10 outstanding high school students of McCain and Day & Ross employees in North America.

Henley, the daughter of Kim Henley of McCain Food in Florenceville-Bristol, plans to attend Saint Mary’s University to study Applied Science with a major in

Science and Math and a minor in French. She then plans to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree with hopes of returning to Carleton County to teach.

Henley says she wants to inspire children and teenagers to be true to themselves and pursue whatever their hearts desire.

The Glassville teen, who remained on the Principals List throughout high school, stayed active in school and her community.

In addition to serving as student council president in her senior year, Henley participated in multiple sports, served on several school committees and groups and volunteered for various events and organizations.

Warr-Levesque plans to attend Queen’s University to work towards a triplemajor in Politics, Econom-

ics and Philosophy. He, too, was active at school and in the community.

The son of Dylan Warr, who works at McCain Foods in Grand Falls, told the scholarship committee he wants to work in government and help push ideas and programs that will help Canadians.

Tidd will attend the University of New Brunswick to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, focusing on mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering.

The son of Barry Tidd, an owner-operator for Day & Ross in Fredericton, expresses a keen interest in robotics and the development of prostheses or robotics for human betterment.

Lloyd Borowski, Vice President Global Capital Management at McCain, who serves on the McCain

Group Scholarship Committee, said the scholarship list is always impressive.

“I’ve been on the committee for 11 years and each year I am amazed at the commitment and dedication of these students to both their studies and their communities,” he said.

“The 2020 recipients have persevered through an unprecedented senior year experience, and knowing they will carry that resilience with them, McCain is proud to invest in the promising futures of these bright minds.”

Each of the 10 scholarship winners who attend a four-year college or university program will receive $4,500 per year over the next four years.

Since beginning the McCain Group Scholarship program in 1974, the release stated, it has awarded more than $3.8 million.

McCain Scholarship winners (top) Jaymee Henley, (left) Jean-Michel Warr-Levesque, and (right) Matthew Tidd.

(Submitted photos)

Celebrate the season at the Hartland Fall Festival

Oct. 3 event to offer long list of family-oriented activities

By Jim Dumville

T

ake a ride on an oldfashioned fire truck.

Get a photo taken on an antique Day & Ross truck with Hartland’s autumn splendor as a backdrop or, enjoy loads of family fun with games, food, shopping at an outdoor market or listening

to live music.

Hartland will celebrate the colour and excitement of autumn on Oct. 3 when it hosts the 2020 Hartland Fall Festival.

The list of activities is long and varied, explains Stephanie Foster, one of the Fall into Autumn event volunteers.

Highlights include an opportunity to take a ride down Hartland’s Main Street in the old-fashioned fire truck.

The Fall into Autumn event organizers explained anyone wishing to book a ride must preregister with their family bubble to guarantee a spot.

To register a group of up to eight people, contact Natasha Lloyd be email at natashalloyd2008@gmail.com The cost of the ride will be by donation in support of the Hartland Fire Department.

The fire truck will not be the only vintage vehicle on display during the

festival.

Foster said an antique Day & Ross truck will be parked on the Somerville side of the World’s Longest Covered Bridge allowing families, friends, co-workers or any group to gather for a unique photo opportunity on festival day, Oct. 3, as well as the following day.

The photo sessions, courtesy of local photographer Tammey McLean, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 4, by appointment only.

To set up an appointment at the cost of $20 per session, contact Foster by email at 827foster@gmail.com or by phone at 375-1899.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 27

MACC says

THANK YOU for making

SKYLAR PROJECT 2020 Bikes for Kids and their Families

A HUGE SUCCESS!

For the past four years, the Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC) has made an effort to provide kids, teens and their families with bikes over the summer through The Skylar Project- Bikes for kids and their families. “Providing bikes to newcomer youth gives them a sense of freedom in rural communities and a chance to get to know neighbours, make friends, get active and enjoy being young,” said MACC Executive Director Celeste Roberts. MACC would like to extend thanks to Lynn Rose for her partnership and promotion of the project. We’d also like to thank MACC Client Services and Program Support Worker Michael Brown to prepare the bikes for delivery and ensure each person got the bike they needed. In total, 31 bikes were either donated or purchased this year. Everyone who requested a bike received a bike! MACC could not do this without the support, kindness and generosity that comes from the community. We want to send a very special thank you to everyone that contributed.

Top of page: Noah Rimkus. Top row, from left: Lynn Rose accepts a donation from Greg MacPherson, Hazma Al Saiid, and Ella Fu. Middle row: Matt and Noah Rimkus, MACC’s Michael Brown, and Ilona Yudilevich. Bottom row: Dylan Worth, Ricky Nicholson who donates each year, and MACC Executive Director Celeste Roberts accepting a donation from Tim Horton’s staff. (Photos submitted)

28

IN FOCUS

Putting the Spotlight on People in Your Community

Corn maze pays tribute to Florence Nightengale

Hunter Brother’s annual event honours nurses and Florenceville’s namesake

By Jim Dumville

I

n a year that placed a microscope on healthcare workers’ heroic efforts around the globe, Hunter Brothers decided to honour those efforts with a tribute to the most famous nurse in history.

In a press release issued Sept. 8, the Florenceville-Bristol farm and market announced this year’s famous corn maze would pay tribute to Florence Nightingale.

“This year has been like no other,” the brothers, Chip and Tom Hunter, explained in the release. When they began planning the 2020 corn maze, they were unsure they could even open it to visitors because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hunter Brothers knew the maze had to pay tribute to health-care workers.

“What better image than that of Florence Nightingale, their town’s namesake, to represent this profession,” the press release states. “After all, it was this celebrated nurse who had saved hundreds of Crimean War soldiers from suffering in hospitals simply by improving the hygiene conditions.

It was in 1855 that Buttermilk Creek and Cornsilk Flats were renamed Florenceville in honour of Florence Nightingale.”

The release points out the Hunter family’s deep connection to the nursing tradition.

In 1942, the release notes, Aunt Muriel Hunter developed health coordinated nursing services in New Brunswick and remained the province’s Director of Public Health Nursing until 1964.

Chip and Tom’s mother, Marjorie and their sister Barbara also donned

nursing caps in Quebec, while Tom’s wife Shelley is a nurse in New Brunswick’s Extramural Program.

“It was paramount that we acknowledge the health-care profession for our maze, so when we realized that 2020 marked Florence Nightingale’s bicentenary, the only decision left to be made was the image itself,” explained Chip Hunter. “We learned later that the UK had named their COVID-19 field hospitals NHS Nightingale Hospitals.”

Chip pointed out in the release the use of three criteria when choosing a maze theme: “an anniversary or celebration, a Canadian connection, and a great image that resonates with people.”

He said this year’s choice fits all three.

This year’s annual sixacre corn maze features the image of Florence Nightingale, affectionately known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” holding her iconic lamp.

Hunter Brothers’ 20th annual corn maze design adds to two decades of commemorating iconic figures, including Terry Fox, Jean Béliveau, Patrick Roy, and Secretariat.

Each year, Chip and Tom look forward to seeing the results of their hard work designing the amazing maze, noting this year’s efforts faced additional challenges.

“It’s a relief to finally see the aerial photo of the maze,” said Chip.

“We have been very concerned with the effects of this summer’s drought conditions; we’ve even had to water parts of our maze this year.”

In a phone interview with the River Valley Sun, Chip said the drought played havoc this year,

hitting some crops, such as cucumbers and pumpkins, hard.

The ultra-dry conditions also led to the loss of some of the corn varieties, Chip explained, meaning availability will end much earlier than most years.

“That’s tough because that’s our signature crop,” he said.

Still, the challenging growing season didn’t affect the traditional fun involved in the corn-maze journey.

The maze again contains a multiple-choice trivia game for visitors to test their knowledge.

There are 10 question stations hidden throughout the maze, including a challenging question on the bridge.

In recognition of their hard work, Hunter Brothers is offering discounted tickets to all nurses for the fall season duration.

Chip said a special weekend was set aside for teachers and another for first responders.

To ensure visitors’ safety to the maze, Chip said they put in place unique COVID-19 protocols.

“It’s a timed and ticketed event,” he said.

Chip said anyone wishing to tour the maze needs to go on the website to pick an available time and purchase a ticket.

He said a limited number of people would be allowed in the maze during each time slot, which he said will last approximately two hours. He recommended purchasing a ticket in advance as drive-up visitors will only be accepted if an opening remains in a time slot.

He said COVID-19 restrictions also forced the cancellation of some traditional events, including

A birds-eye view of the corn maze. (Submitted photo)

the straw bale dark maze and corn house. He said those would be impossible to keep sanitized.

Chip said the Corn Maze and Adventure

Farm is open every weekend from Sept. 12 until Oct. 25, including Thanksgiving Monday.

For more information, visit their website at www.

hunterbrothersfarm.ca.

Chip said the website offers easy to follow instructions to purchase tickets, choose a time slot and get information.

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RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA 29

SPORTS

Highlights and Features of Local Sports and Sporting Events

Woodstock teen following his dream to Vauxhall Drew Lenehan set to hone his skills at Alberta baseball academy

By Andrew McCormick a particular spot at a par-

T

here is a beauty to the game of baseball. The deep green grass, the sound of bat on ball, the snapping sound of ball hitting mitt, and the symmetrical white lines precisely chalked into the field of play.

Within the beauty of the game beyond what the average fan can see, a craftsman is at work. With ball in hand, the pitcher is in control of the game...exactly 60’ 6” from home plate.

Each pitch thrown to

Let us know what’s going on !

PLEASE SUBMIT BY THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH! Email details to theresa@ rivervalleysun.ca OR jim@ rivervalleysun.ca REMEMBER: WE CAN’T SHARE IT IF WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT IT !

ticular speed, intended to keep the batter offbalance and guessing as to what kind of pitch is coming next.

Sixteen-year-old Drew Lenehan of Woodstock is exceptional at pitching. Arguably the top pitcher his age in New Brunswick, Lenehan has taken his craft to Vauxhall Baseball Academy in Vauxhall, Alberta.

Vauxhall is a town of 1,300 in southern Alberta just over an hour from the Montana border. For hockey fans, it would be fair comparing the location to the famous Notre Dame hockey academy in sleepy Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

Lenehan has a twoyear plan at the academy, in his Grade 11 and 12 years. Ultimately his goal is to secure a scholarship to play college baseball in the U.S. The decision to leave home to focus on his development as a pitcher wasn’t an easy one.

“My family and I considered the prep school route in New England too, and there was a high school in Florida which showed interest.

But with COVID, it was the best choice to stay in Canada.”

Vauxhall Jets head coach Les McTavish has designed a baseball program over the past 14 years to showcase his players for college baseball programs in the U.S. A byproduct of the school’s showcase and tournament schedule comes the opportunity to be identified and drafted

by Major League Baseball organizations.

The Grade 11 student will attend school at Vauxhall High School, located next door to the baseball player’s residence. Lenehan looks forward to working on his game every day, including indoors in the winter.

“My coach’s plan is for me to bulk up and get stronger this year to set myself up for a strong senior season.”

The teams’ standard for a season schedule will have a new look because of the rampant COVID-19 in the U.S. Travel to showcase tournaments in California, Nevada and Washington state are traditionally a central part of garnering attention from college recruiters.

Lenehan understands he has the coaching and resources at Vauxhall in which to be successful.

The facilities are second

Woodstock’s Drew Lenehan chasing his baseball dreams at Vauxhaul Baseball Academy (Submitted photo)

to none.

“The rest is up to me,” he said. “I know I have to work hard. At home, Jared Whitehouse has been working with me the past two winters and this summer. He’s helped me build up my arm strength and improve my mechanics. Without good mechanics, you can’t throw the ball hard.”

Lenehan’s pitching tool box features a mid

80s fastball, a change-up and he’s started throwing a curveball. He has a pitcher’s build at 6’3” and 155 lbs.

Lenehan was part of Team New Brunswick at the 2019 Nationals in Oshawa, where schools began taking notice.

This season’s Vauxhall squad consists of 22 players from six provinces.

The experienced on-

field coaching staff is complemented by offfield coaches specializing in mental performance, strength and conditioning, a physical therapist and a team cook.

Drew Lenehan will be eating, breathing and sleeping baseball.

His desire to play NCAA baseball south of the border is no pipe dream.

Mark my words.

Tobique-Mactaquac MP/ Député

Richard Bragdon

157 Otis Drive 158A Broadway 538-2 Main St. Nackawic, NB Grand Falls, NB Hartland, NB E3Z 2J9 E6G 1H3 E7P 2N5

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30

Speaking of Sports

McGuire deserves to be in the N.B. Hall of Fame

By Andrew McCormick

I

find it hard to fathom the fact Woodstock running legend Joe McGuire isn’t in the N.B.Sports Hall of Fame. McGuire was a pioneer in growing marathon running as a sport in New Brunswick.

His list of titles is too numerous for these pages.

For a 20-plus-year period, beginning in 1977 until knee surgery ended his competitive running career in 1998, McGuire dominated the Maritime competitive running circuit.

In the 1984 Boston Marathon, McGuire placed first in the Masters category and finished as top Canadian. In his career, McGuire ran in more than 200 races, including over 40 marathons.

Amazingly, he completed every single race.

McGuire was first nominated for induction into the N.B. Hall in 2015 and will be eligible again in 2024.

Someone was asleep at the wheel in 2015.

Athletes tackling racism deserve praise I don’t understand criticism directed towards athletes taking action supporting the Black Lives Matter cause.

Today’s athletes have the support of their organizations and their league commissioners and are willingly using their working platform as a sounding board for social advocacy.

This generation of pro athletes may be able to make headway that their predecessors could not.

Praising that smooth

Red Sox voice Despite the fact the Boston Red Sox are floundering this season, Sox fans can still count on the mellow tones of radio icon Joe Castiglione to soothe the pain of a free-falling season in Boston.

Castiglione has been announcing games for the Red Sox for 37 seasons. Ironically, Castiglione wasn’t in the booth when the ball rolled through Bill Buckner’s legs in the ‘86 World Series. He was already stationed in the Sox’ clubhouse ready to cover a seemingly impending victory celebration.

Dwyer eyes the pros Nackawic’s Gord Dwyer was featured in the River Valley Sun’s March issue, as the then recently appointed head coach of the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. Recently, the ex-NHLer left this position to seek pro coaching opportunities. Stay tuned for development in Dwyer’s quest to return to the NHL as a coach.

Chayka changes pending Former Junior A Slammer John Chayka resigned recently from his position as Phoenix Coyote general manager. Rumours have Chayka joining the Sabres organization in a management capacity. Before his meteoric rise to the Phoenix job as the NHL’s youngest G.M. in history at age 26, Chayka played two seasons for the Slammers from 2007-09, posting 133

Joe McGuire (Photo submitted)

Gordie Dwyer (Photo submitted)

points in 101 games.

ping 3,572 goals, proving no lead was ever safe at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Goalie enters senior year at RIT Jessie O’Leary is entering her senior year and returning to the net at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

The Woodstock goalie product and former Notre Dame Hound will have a new head coach on the NCAA Tiger’s bench as RIT alum Celeste Brown takes the helm.

Farewell to Seaver Pitching great and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver died in his sleep at the age of 75

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on Aug. 31, from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19.

Slugger Reggie Jackson once said of Seaver, “he’s so good blind people come to the game just to hear him pitch.”

Leafs frustrations continue The Leafs haven’t won a playoff series in the past 15 seasons. None. Notta.

Nothing. Zero! However, the decade of the ‘80s may have been even more painful for Maple Leaf fans.

From ‘80 to ‘89, the team was 178 games under .500 and gave up a whop-

Did you Know?

Woodstock’s Matt Tomah holds the record for most career penalty minutes by a Yarmouth Mariner of the Maritime Hockey League. Tomah spent 541 minutes in the box in just 102 games.

It’s interesting to note the player right behind Tomah is Aaron Downey at 530 minutes in only 75 games. It’s the same Aaron Downey who went on to play 243 NHL games over

nine seasons.

Remember when?

Forty-one years ago, in September of 1979, import catcher Mark Sullivan blasted a 13th inning home run to give the Woodstock Shiretowners their first N.B. Senior league title since 1959.

The following season the Shiretowners represented the province at Nationals and brought home silver medals.

Final thought “If you lose, say little.

If you win, say even less”: Paul Brown.

Daniel Kirby takes his clubs west

Local golfing sensation heading to university in B.C.

By Andrew McCormick

T

he reigning New Brunswick men’s junior golf champion is taking his golf game to the west coast.

Daniel Kirby of Woodstock Golf and Curling Club and Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland is at the University of Victoria to begin his freshman year and play on the Vikes varsity golf team.

The team plays out of the Uplands Golf Club in the B.C. capital city of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Justin Clews enters his sixth season as the Vikings head coach, albeit a season like no other due to the COVID-19

epidemic. Travel will be restricted, and officials will reassess tournament play early in the new year.

Trips to the U.S. to compete against NAIA and NCAA schools seem unlikely for this season’s team if U.S. COVID numbers don’t improve. Last season’s schedule featured team travel to tournaments in Washington state, Oregon, California and Arizona.

Kirby doesn’t expect the lack of tournament play to hinder his development as a golfer.

“We’ll be working on our individual games and practicing a lot more.

Their climate allows golf to be played 12 months

of the year. This was one of the things which attracted me to Victoria.”

Kirby notes there are university teams in British Columbia and Alberta to provide competition if health and University officials approve. The Vikes are perennial contenders for the Canadian University (CIS) title.

Perhaps more impressive than his N.B. Junior championship was Kirby’s fourth-place finish in the 2020 N.B. Men’s Amateur against the best male golfers in the province.

Kirby says his golf game now is “leaps and bounds” over his game at the same time last year.

RIVERVALLEYSUN.CA Campaign Politics D A L Y S F Q C I N R E E M V Z R A C E

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C E S I WM Q E GQ T H R S E F A V GMB Z Z C U Z Y NMU F P G J M T O V QH C R K C S MC U P R E C R Q I E Y C U E A P A N G B H T N N A D P N V Q I MD L V K A J L N Y I I X U S L M E C C T B L GO J E N WWW B H C S D L E A D E R R P J R C ON S T L E G I S L A T E V O T I NG L C L H Z N OW I I L H R F I X O

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R E R V V O Z L I A I N I J O C F R N X E A DW L P Z T G U K V I R U E T A LW J WN C N L C P I R N Q GM T E OWB I A Q L I E C NG E T S D C Y E T S B R H Z NQMR I E A A V T V B U S O R L L V Q I KWA N V L C K Y I OOG R A O R Y A B P N S O T T E K R T C MDW I E M K H H EWO F V A R A T U E N T S E VWS R E H J WE Z T L J I N C UMB E N T A K B K X Q I F V Z E I DO L J T A E YW

“The way I practice has improved. I practice with a purpose now.

I’ve become a much more rounded golfer and think my way around the course now. I feel I can make any shot with any club in my bag. It gives me more options out on the course.”

Kirby continues a practice regimen in his revamped home garage - made into a mini driving range. He also once CONSTITUENTS CONSERVATIVE HEADQUARTERS SCRUTINE again credits his coach LEGISLATURE INCUMBENT VOLUNTEERS ELECTION Jamie Heffernan of Fredericton.

NOMINATION CANDIDATE LEADER VOTING Golf won’t be Kirby’s GREEN PANB LIBERAL only focus as he BALLOT leaves home for the first time.

RIDING WRIT School is RACE back in session. Please observe all safety NDP “I look forward to livrules on our roads, paying particular attention ing in a city and experiat crosswalks and bus stops so we can keep our encing university life.”

students safe!

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Woodstock’s Daniel Kirby is at the University of Victoria and plays on the Vikes varsity golf team. (Shelly Kirby photo)

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