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Fish Festival enjoys perfect weather, attendance

By Mark Ribble

The Wheatley Fish Festival enjoyed perfect weather, thousands of visitors and a perfectly planned weekend as the village celebrated the livelihood of many of its past and present residents over the weekend.

Organizers were excited with Friday night’s hoedown crowd and it just got better Saturday as the downtown area welcomed about 150 classic cars to the streets, all shining to the backdrop of the lively waddies tournament in front of the newly opened Legion.

Sunday’s activities at the harbour were very well attended and capped off by a spectacular fireworks display to mark the end of another successful festival.

Fish Festival Committee Chair Hilary Hodgson was thrilled with the turnout, the weather and everyone’s commitment to making the festival one of the best yet.

“It’s been a tiring weekend but everyone worked hard and we had perfect weather,” she said. “We are thrilled with how many people came out.”

Hodgson added that the Saturday night pickerel and chicken dinner-dance was sold out to capacity with all 400 tickets sold.

Wheatley Legion re-opens after almost five years

By Mark Ribble

It’s been a long time coming, but members, guests and executive of Wheatley Legion Branch 324 finally have a home.

On August 26, 2021, a hydrogen sulfide gas explosion rocked the downtown core of Wheatley and with it, the Legion building was deemed unfit for repair.

A few months later, the building came down with the rest of that block and the Legion was without a permanent home up until last Wednesday.

After months of anticipation, the building that took shape on Talbot Street West in Wheatley, opened its doors to the public.

Some 150-or-so people came to the new Legion to check it out, have a refreshment and talk to old friends. Legions from Windsor, Essex and Kingsville sent representatives for the big occasion.

Newly-elected President Tom Brown was beaming from ear-to-ear as he spoke with Past President Dick Whittle. Between the two of them, they helped bring the dream to fruition.

Both Brown and Whittle will be quick to point out that it was a group effort as the Legion executive,

SEE LEGION - Continued on Page 3

Two of the youngest participants in the annual Fish Festival fish tote races were partners Chase Gould, left and Nik Sawyer. The pair did quite well in their race, despite being younger than their competitors. Check out pages 12 and 13 for a full complement of Fish Festival photos by Mark Ribble

Chatham-Kent Leamington MP Dave Epp, who recently moved to Wheatley, was on hand to present Branch 324 with a new Canadian flag. Here he is flanked by Past President Dick Whittle, left, and President Tom Brown, right.

An important message from The Southpoint Sun

For many years, we have delivered the Windsor Star flyer package door-to-door alongside our Southpoint Sun newspaper throughout Leamington.

Recently, Postmedia, the company that owns the Windsor Star, announced that it will be discontinuing flyer distribution across Canada. Unfortunately, this decision was communicated with very little notice and will have a significant impact on how our newspaper will be distributed going forward.

The reality is that delivering a lightweight newspaper on its own presents significant logistical challenges. The weight of the flyer package helped ensure newspapers landed properly and consistently at homes. Without those flyers, newspapers and bags are much more susceptible to blowing away, creating litter concerns and increasing the likelihood of missed deliveries.

We want to be responsible members of the community and do not want to see newspapers and plastic bags blowing through neighbourhoods or ending up where they do not belong. After careful consideration, we have determined that continuing door-to-door delivery under these circumstances is simply not practical.

As a result the Southpoint Sun will no longer be delivered door-to-door in Leamington.

We understand this change may be disappointing, and we ask for your patience as we work through this unexpected transition. Our team is currently expanding our network of newspaper boxes and pickup locations throughout Leamington to ensure the Southpoint Sun remains easily accessible to our readers.

A current list of pickup locations will be published regularly in the newspaper and updated as new locations are added.

Please note that newspaper delivery to apartment buildings and senior living facilities will not be affected and will continue as usual.

We want to sincerely thank our readers for their continued support over the past 16 years. Your loyalty has helped make the Southpoint Sun the trusted community newspaper for Leamington, Kingsville, Wheatley, and the surrounding area.

We remain committed to delivering the local news, community stories, sports coverage, event information, and advertising that matters most to our readers, and we look forward to continuing to serve our communities for many years to come.

If you have any questions regarding flyer packages, please contact the Windsor Star at 1-800-265-5647.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

SOUTHPOINT SUN PICK-UP LOCATIONS

LEAMINGTON

7-11 at Erie and Oak

Breakaway Gas

Caldwell Variety Store (street box)

Canadian Tire (street box)

Circle K at Erie & Seacliff

Circle K at Union

Erie Shores HealthCare (main entrance)

Esso Double 7

Freshco Leamington (street box)

Giant Tiger (street box)

Helix Hearing

Leamington Arts Centre

Leamington Half Century Centre

Legacy Auctions

Municipality of Leamington Town Hall

Nature Fresh Rec Centre (street box)

Pelee Best Western Plus

Real Canadian Superstore (street box)

Shoppers Drug Mart (street box)

Simpson Orchards

Southpoint Sun Office, 194 Talbot St. East

Thomson Guardian Drugs

Walmart (street box)

KINGSVILLE

Beach House Grill (street box)

Daisy Mart/OG Pizza at Main W. (street box)

Freshco (street box)

IDA Pharmacy (street box)

King’s Convenience (street box)

Kingsville Community Centre

Kingsville Town Hall

Super 7 (street box)

Town Square at the Big Clock (street box)

WHEATLEY

Adamson Guardian Pharmacy

Circle K

Dollar Haven

Dr. Brissette parking lot (street box)

Village Resource Centre (street box)

Wheatley Library

COTTAM - Cottam Gas & Variety

ESSEX - Foodland

WHEATLEY

LEGION

- From Page 1

members-at-large and the local community rallied around the branch and made it what it is today.

“I’m happy we have a home,” said Brown. “And that’s what it feels like… home.”

Now Branch 324 can get back to business — business that suddenly screeched to a halt on that hot August day five years ago.

New dart boards — many of them courtesy of Kingsville Legion — fill the walls of the new Legion hall and it’s expected that the dart leagues will pick up right where they left off. Many of the Wheatley dart players have been playing in Kingsville for the past five years.

Last Thursday’s trivia night was held at the new branch for the first time, after months of holding them at Joe’s Bar. The weekly meat draws will also be a busy time at the Legion and perhaps most importantly, Remembrance Day can be better observed with the building right there beside the cenotaph.

Brown says they are ready to welcome new members in this 100th year of the Royal Canadian Legion and he hopes people will come out and join.

“It’s a great group of people,” he says. “I’m proud to be their president during this time.”

Brown says they were also thrilled to be open before Fish Festival this past weekend.

They expect to have a Grand Re-opening celebration in the coming weeks.

Leamington Bridge Club scores

The following are the top-scoring teams in recent Bridge games at the Leamington Half Century Centre. Bridge lessons are available. If interested, call 519-7384939.

June 22: 1st Sally Bell and Bob Bell, 2nd Roger Cote and Pauline Mikolash, 3rd Case Mulder and Kim Hamm.

June 26: 1st Case Mulder and Sue Duransky, 2nd Pauline Mikolash and Roger Cote, 3rd Henry Hildebrandt and Derek Parry.

Many people gathered for the opening and enjoyed the company of others. From left are Dennis Ribble, George Church, Cheryle Church, Donna Corlett and Bob Corlett.

GIRLS COME THROUGH FOR ESHF

The Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF) received a donation from The Bank Theatre on Wednesday, June 24 as a portion of the cast of Calendar Girls presented a cheque for $5,000 proceeds from the Calendar Girls calendar produced last fall when the popular play had its run at The Bank Theatre. In front are Chrissy Kelton, Major Gifts Officer for ESHF, accepting the cheque from Renata Solski, director of Calendar Girls. Joining them in order from the bottom of the stairs were cast members Dodie Wilson, Cindy Lee Kok, Laurie Niefer and Sue Ross. The Bank Theatre Manager, Michelle Fortier, rounded out the photo at the top of the stairs. SUN photo by Mark Ribble

Enjoying a glass of sangria and some wood oven pizza at Pooches & Pinots were Sarah Reid and her cockapoo Winnie on the left, and Ella Girard on the right. This was their first time attending and they didn’t leave empty-handed as they purchased some dog accessories from a few of the vendors inside.

Fur babies treated at Pelee Island Winery

By Paul Forman

It was all about the pups in Kingsville on June 27, with Pooches & Pinots taking centre stage with live music, dog painting, photo sessions and a red carpet fashion show for cherished canine pals.

The annual event was being held for a sixth time and will once again provide vital funds to the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.

Maryam Safarzadeh, Events Manager at the winery, said, “The Humane Society needs support from the community and this is a fun way of doing that. They do such a fantastic job of taking care of the animals.”

Humane Society Development and Donor Services Specialist Nicole Bryce was elated with the turnout and shared that the five-dollar entry fees and a portion of vendors’ profits would be going towards the society’s general fund.

“Thanks to everyone for attending Pooches & Pinots,” said Bryce. “We are very fortunate to have generous community partners that support us and this event brings people together as a way of celebrating their furry friends.”

Leamington’s Lauren Reid brought her new business Messy Paws Art Co. to the event in Kingsville. Shannon Cartier dropped by Messy Paws with her goldendoodle Enzo Ferrari to create a paw print keepsake. Pictured with Enzo are Lauren on the left and Shannon on the right.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

Classic cars on display at Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence

By Paul Forman

Reaching out to the community for a second year, the Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence Car Show was held this past Saturday, June 27, featuring 36 beauties on wheels, over 20 vendors in an outdoor market, and some delicious eats from the food trucks set up on-site.

“The car show is a way for our residents to reminisce,” said Nikki Bonnett, Recreation Manager at the retirement residence. “We wanted to provide a fun day for the family and share the great things that are going on here at the Manor.”

One of the vendors in the show’s marketplace

is actually a resident of the Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence, her name being Gloria Quenneville. Gloria shared that her small business, Then-N-Now, gives her a real sense of purpose and said that she works on her repurposed jewellery pieces at least once a week in the residence.

“I go to thrift shows and look for broken pieces of jewellery that I can work with. I just love to do it and share it with others,” said Quenneville.

Dennis Bonnett was showing his 1955 GMC 9500 for the first time at the June 27 car show at Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence. Bonnett once owned Harris Fisheries on the island and shared that the truck still needs some tweaks to bring it back to prime form. Pictured at the show with Bonnett are his grandson Wyatt and his son Kelly.

Kingsville’s Alfred Lehn just brought a load of waste to the local dump before bringing his working classic 51 Ford F1 to the car show in Leamington.

Resident Gloria Quenneville proudly displays some of her handmade pieces in the market outside of the retirement residence.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

opinion ~ expression ~ and other musings

It’s always good to be Canadian on Canada Day

Happy Birthday Canada!

Well, here we are at July 1, the unofficial halfway point of 2026.

Time has flown by this year and summer is officially part of our daily lives for the next couple of months. The ramping up of the temperatures this week is just one indication that we’re summer-bound.

Today, we celebrate all things Canadian, from the Robertson screwdriver to the Caesar to poutine and all things in between.

This past weekend, everyone celebrated Canada’s winning goal

at the World Cup, scored by Leamington-born Stephen Eustaquio, which took us into Canada Day on a wave of patriotism.

We will launch fireworks, have a few beverages and sing O Canada at the top of our lungs because that’s what we do.

Our neighbours to the south are known for their staunch patriotism, but we have a sort of quiet patriotism that has always been there and is just now starting to blossom a little.

We have much to be proud of…

Ketchup chips — Many

might think that Lay’s introduced the ketchup flavoured potato chip, but it was Hostess who came up with the idea in the early 1970s. Now Hostess and Frito-Lay are the same company so it doesn’t matter, but suffice to say we are the originator of the ketchup chip right here in Canada.

The Caesar — Walter Chell, the restaurant manager at what is today known as the Westin Hotel in Calgary, concocted the Caesar as the signature drink for the hotel’s new Italian restaurant. He mixed vodka with clam and tomato

Rod The Mod stood out in the ’70s FLASHBACK RADIO with

Chuck Reynolds

With some of the great songwriters and acts in the 1970s, it was a bit of a surprise in mid-November of 1976 that flamboyant artist Rod Stewart held down the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 with “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” for eight weeks in a row, right through until January 8, 1977. It was then knocked off the number one spot by the husbandand-wife duo of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and their hit “You Don’t Have To Be a Star (To Be in My Show)”.

As for Rod, it was the biggest single hit he ever had. However, when recording his 15 backing tracks at the Cherokee Studio in Los Angeles, Rod couldn’t get around to hitting a note, citing the reason as the smog in Los Angeles.

So, Rod went to Caribou Studios in Colorado to put down the vocals. But he couldn’t sing there, either. At 9,000 feet above sea level, Rod said you were lucky if you can walk and still breathe, as he told

Cameron Crowe in Rolling Stone, giving an advance verbal peek at his album in progress, “A Night on the Town”. Rod and his band subsequently migrated to Criteria Studios in Miami where he could sing with no issues whatsoever. The first single that didn’t cause or provoke any issues was “The First Cut is the Deepest”, which was the second single from the album to proceed up the chart.

Once a standout soccer player, Stewart’s music career got an innocent start in 1962, when he began busking with a harmonica. He joined the Jeff Back group in 1967 and then formed the band Faces in 1969, where he also launched a simultaneous solo career.

In 1971, his second solo album produced hits “Maggie May” and “Reason to Believe”. When Faces broke up in 1975, Stewart’s career really took off and it was 1976 when listeners first heard “Tonight’s The Night”, bringing Stewart back onto the charts.

Today, he still tours occasionally and is still recording at the tender age of 81.

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juice, Worcestershire sauce, and other spices, creating a drink similar to a Bloody Mary but with a uniquely spicy flavour.

The Robertson — P.L. Robertson invented the square-drive screw in 1906 and received the Canadian patent in 1907, and took the screws to Henry Ford during the early days of the automobile. Ford wanted to use the screws in the production of the Model T, but Robertson refused to license the design in the U.S. and Ford was forced to only approve the Robertson screws in Canadian production of the cars.

Basketball — Dr. James Naismith first developed the game of basketball in his hometown of Almonte, Ontario, before moving to the United States and making the game accessible to everyone. A little known fact: The first NBA game was also played in Canada. That’s right, the inaugural game for the NBA was played between the New York Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1946, drawing just over

7,000 fans.

Hockey and Lacrosse — No more needs to be said. There’s no debate.

RIB’S RAMBLINGS

Mark Ribble

Poutine — The distinctly Canadian treat came about in rural Quebec in the late 1950s. In 1957, it is said that a patron at L’Ideal in Warwick, QC, asked the owner to combine a bag of French fries with cheese curds. Gravy was later added to keep the dish warm. Poutine is Quebec slang for “a mess”.

Maple Taffy — Ahhh, yes, we’ve all tasted that wonderfully fresh homemade maple taffy. On school trips years ago, we’d witness the making of maple taffy (notice I didn’t say toffee) at various historic locations. It harkens back to our grandparents making it in the snow. Of course, other maple producing areas likely did the same things. I’m sure the people of Maine would claim this for their own as well, but we’ll say it’s Canadian.

Others — Of course, the invention we can’t do without, the telephone

is considered a Canadian invention, as well as insulin, the lifesaving treatment discovered by Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best.

We have Canadian Tire and Zellers, which is making a small comeback across the country. We have Harvey’s, Smarties, Coffee Crisp, Hickory Sticks, Beaver Tails and Nanaimo Bars.

And we have that “U” in many of our words that our neighbours (see what I did there) don’t include.

To top it off, we call our Kraft Macaroni and Cheese simply Kraft Dinner, or KD. You won’t find that name on the other side of the border, just like you’ll never find a couch called a chesterfield over there. A davenport, maybe, but never a chesterfield.

Well, there you have it, a trip down Canadiana Lane. Enjoy your Canada Day, folks!

1942 Dodge coupe in black and white

This 1942 Dodge coupe was bought new from National Motors in Toronto by Mr. Morris, who operated Morris’ Meat Market on Eglinton Avenue West (“famous for tender prized meats”) and painted his car black and white.

The Ontario Provincial Police noticed his car. The OPP began using this colour scheme on their cars in 1941 and two officers entered Mr. Morris’s store and asked him to repaint his car.

He refused, as was his right, and kept driving his car looking like this until around 1947 when he traded it off.

THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE

Bill Sherk

When gas rationing began in World War Two, this car was given an “A” sticker for the windshield.

To get more gas for his deliveries, Mr. Morris removed his trunk lid and installed a large plywood box to convert his car into a pickup truck. Now he got the “B” sticker allowing him to buy more gas, which came in handy every time he drove to St. Clair and Keele to pick up more sides of beef. Always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sym patico.ca

A 1942 Dodge coupe looking like a police car.

Surprise guest leaves trail of blood, glass on Danforth

By Mark Ribble

On the morning of June 9, 94-year-old Ray Jaarsma was at his Danforth Avenue kitchen stove cooking himself some breakfast when suddenly a loud crash startled him.

“Bang!” he told the Sun last week. “I thought my stove was exploding.”

As he turned around, he heard a commotion coming from his living room and suddenly an injured deer stumbled into the kitchen.

It was badly hurt with an obviously broken front shoulder and plenty of blood emitting from its body.

“It was squirting everywhere on each of its heartbeats,” said Mr. Jaarsma. “It was almost crawling through the kitchen.”

Mr. Jaarsma had just spent about a month in hospital recuperating from a broken hip and

was still using a walker to get around.

“I was only home a few days when this happened,” he said. “It was quite an ordeal.”

He looked at the deer and thought he needed to find a way to get it out of his house.

So he shooed it along with his walker all the way to the sunroom and managed to get the back patio door open — quite an accomplishment at 94 with a recently broken hip. The deer struggled its way out of the door into the back yard where it laid down, still bleeding badly.

To his surprise, before he got back out to the kitchen, there was a knock on his front door. It was the OPP, who responded to a call from a neighbour across the street, who thought maybe there had been a break-in.

His son Roger, who

arrived a short time later, said that some of the neighbours on the street told him they heard the bang inside their houses.

“That’s how loud it was,” said Roger. “Thankfully, Dad wasn’t hurt, but oh, what a mess.”

A family friend who lives close by responded to Mr. Jaarsma’s call and came to start mopping up the blood and with the help of the police officers, was able to get all of the glass picked up from the broken picture window.

Roger, who lives in Kingsville, was just getting out of the shower when his wife picked up the phone.

“I heard her say, oh my God, is he okay?” says Roger. “Then she said, you need to go now.”

Upon his arrival about 45 minutes after the incident, the police had dispatched the mortally wounded deer and a

friend-of-a-friend from Kingsville was able to pick it up so it wouldn’t go to waste. Roger went into action mode, documenting everything he could, while trying to help soak up the blood and glass.

“I started taking pictures immediately,” said Roger. “I felt we needed to have evidence for insurance purposes.”

They are still awaiting some insurance quotes before everything can be settled.

As for furniture, Mr. Jaarsma — who built the house himself in 1958 — lost three chairs and sustained damage to tables and drapes.

Four chairs were removed for cleaning, but only one responded well to the blood removal.

The deer had been spotted in the area three or four days prior to jumping through the Jaarsma

window and had likely spent time in the nearby Carolina Woods.

As for Mr. Jaarsma, he’s none the worse for wear, taking it all in stride, but

he says that’s enough excitement for one month.

“I hope I don’t see anything like that ever again,” he said.

This photo of the otherwise healthy deer was taken just days before the incident just a couple doors down from the Jaarsma home. Photo submitted

Ray Jaarsma works on a jigsaw puzzle in his Leamington home.

The window that the deer jumped through, still awaiting repair some three weeks after the incident.

Mark Ribble photos

Local Filipinos celebrate heritage

By Paul Forman

With it being Filipino Heritage Month in Canada, it only seemed fitting that a June gala be held as a way of formally introducing the recently established Filipino Canadian Association of Essex County to the community. Held on June 28 at the Best Western in Leamington, the event introduced the 14 charter member Board of Directors and, with the help of MP Dave Epp and Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, included a pinning ceremony, an induction and a taking of oath.

Chairman of the Board, Michael Garganta, then addressed those attending the gala saying, “This marks a profound milestone, the official establishment of our organization and the formal induction of our founding members. This inaugural celebration represents not only the realization of a shared vision, but a commitment to building community, fostering cultural pride, and creating a lasting legacy of unity and service in Essex County. We are deeply grateful to our members, sponsors, guests and community leaders who have made this moment possible. Together, we embark on this

journey, samasama, as one community with one heart.”

The festivities continued following the chairman’s address, with congratulatory remarks from local dignitaries, traditional dance performances from BISDAK, musical entertainment from Jason Baclig, a 50/50 draw, a silent auction, and a fine selection of authentic Filipino entrees and desserts.

Moving forward to unite, support and empower the Filipino community in Essex County, while contributing positively to the broader community as a board are: Chairman Michael Garganta, Vice Chairman Aristedis Young, Secretary Maria Theresa Tanada, Finance Director Marissa Pearce, Events Director Judith Cosing, Creative Media Director Jason Baclig, Logistics Director Maluchie Elias, Social Services Director Charlotte Shagol, Operations Director Phil Pearce, Sports and Activities Director Meynard Garganta, Archivist Director Kristofferson Capua, Community Outreach Director Jerome Angcog, Cultural and Membership Director Andrei Flores, and Advisor Troy Torreon.

Pelee Resilience group holds public consult

By Paul Forman

Seeking solutions for potential climate change problems arising along the northern shore of Lake Erie, two open house sessions organized by the Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee were held in Leamington’s council chambers on June 25.

Founded in 2023, and funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, local municipalities and local conservation authorities, the committee provided the public with a 45-minute presentation outlining what they propose as sustainable ways of dealing with flooding from major storms and the ongoing erosion that is affecting beaches and adjacent vegetation.

Pete Zuzek, a geoscientist and president of the consulting firm Zuzek Inc., led the presentation and shared that the committee is now at the stage of developing plans and suggesting projects to be implemented as a way of addressing some of the environmental problems facing the area.

“It’s the first time in Canada where we’ve seen work on this scale, affecting over 100 kilometres of shoreline, from Amherstburg to Port Alma,” said Zuzek.

Zuzek touched upon possible solutions to problems affecting Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley, beginning with the committee’s suggestion for raising the elevation of a section of Heri-

In Loving Memory of Albert F. ChAmbers

May 16, 1940 – July 6, 2025

Grief never ends… But it changes. Not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness, Nor a lack of faith.

love.

It is the price of Love you forever❤ Pat, Jeffrey, Trisha, Michael, Melanie All your grandchildren & great-granddaughter

Arlene Szorvas ~ June 3, 2026 ~

Thank you to Chad and Jason for taking time off work to help out when I needed it most, from meals delivered or prepared and just being there to talk.

To our nieces and nephews for visits, phone calls and invitations, thank you.

To our good neighbours, I want to thank you for your food, visits and yard work.

To all of our friends that sent cards or condolences on Facebook, thank you very much.

tage Road in Kingsville so that it is passable when water levels rise during storm events.

“Preliminary work is being done by Landmark Engineering with regard to Heritage Road,” said Zuzek. “They’re putting together a study to see if it is feasible to raise a cross section of that road. If so, it could be brought to council to see if it fits in their capital budget, along with future considerations for necessary environmental assessments.”

He next described the work that could be done to grow native beachgrass from seed that would aid in dune restoration at both Point Pelee National Park and Cedar Beach in Kingsville.

“We are working hard with partners, greenhouses and First Nation communities to learn how to grow it, and ultimately create a small industry of sorts for the restoration.”

The tip of Point Pelee received considerable attention at the presentation, with Zuzek saying, “There’s been a lot of change in it since 1931, a lot of permanent habitat loss. We’ve lost half of the tip, and if we don’t do something, there won’t be a Point.

The resilience committee suggested the building of a rock shoal that would extend 150 to 200 metres out into Lake Erie, thereby increasing the retention of sand at Point Pelee and, as an added benefit, provide structure for the struggling yellow

perch population.

“A shoal is a proven concept,” said Zuzek. “We just need to get it right for our geography. Sand will get trapped there, much like a speed bump, and that’s going to help us build some beach.”

Dredging in the three local harbours will be a real focus of the committee moving forward, with Zuzek saying, “We’re putting a lot of effort into the harbours as per public request.”

It was shared that Leamington harbour will see some major dredging beginning next month, with some of the 120,000 cubic metres of removed sediment finding its way to Point Pelee, while Kingsville harbour is in need of over a million cubic meters of sand removal to allow for natural flows of sediment along the lakefront.

A question and answer session followed the formal presentation, with many residents expressing concerns about the amount of erosion they’ve experienced where they reside, while also providing suggestions for combatting further losses in habitat.The Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee has created online newsletters to inform the public about their progress thus far and encourage all interested residents to visit their website peleecoastal.ca for more information about other endeavours as we move forward into the new year.

The Family of Arlene Szorvas, Jack, Chad, Jason & Families

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Epp and Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald were part of the pinning ceremony at the inaugural gala. Pictured here is Dave Epp placing the first pin on incoming Filipino Canadian Association of Essex County Chairman Michael Garganta. SUN photo by Paul Forman

Presenting on behalf of the Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee, Pete Zuzek is pictured in council chambers at the first of two open house sessions held in Leamington on June 25. SUN photo by Paul Forman

ENJOYING THE CIRCUS

The Great Benjamins Circus came to Leamington for five weekend shows, part of a legacy that stretches back over a century. Travelling all over North America, the 90-minute show brought together entertainers from around the world, including acrobats, aerialists, daredevils and, of course, playful clowns. Ready to enter the main tent for the big show were Shayne McKeen with his popcorn, his brother Landon with an illuminated spinner, and mom Taylor. SUN photo by Paul Forman

Municipal election candidates

The following are up-to-date lists of those who have filed for candidacy in the upcoming October municipal election.

CHATHAM-KENT:

Mayor: Lauren Anderson, Michael Bondy, Nelson Burm, Darrin Canniff, Ryan Gow. Ward 1 Councillor: Tom Askew, Mark Authier, Michael Bond, Melissa Harrigan, Andrea Palmer, Gerhard Taves.

LEAMINGTON:

Mayor: Cris Biron, Hilda MacDonald. Deputy Mayor: Paul Tiessen

Councillor: Carol Bell, John Biekx, Bill Dunn, Heather Latam, Bruce Medcalf, Rielly O’Shaughnessy, Tim Wilkinson.

KINGSVILLE:

Mayor: Roshan Nallaratnam, Thomas Neufeld.

Deputy Mayor: Kimberly DeYong. Councillor: Janice Durocher, Adam Edwards, Debby Jarvis-Chausse, Sheri Lowrie.

PELEE ISLAND:

Councillor: Patricia Fell.

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES:

French-Public School Board: Emmanuelle Richez.

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board: Mary DiMenna. Greater Essex County District School Board: David Keller.

French-Separate School Board: Marotte Didier. Nominations will remain open until August 21.

Marie Fatima Rauzino

It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Marie Fatima Rauzino on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the age of 71.

Marie was born on June 25, 1955, and spent her life devoted to the people she loved most.

A loving wife, devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, she dedicated her life to caring for her family, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her kindness, generosity and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Marie leaves behind her beloved husband, Vince Rauzino; her loving children, Chantelle Sellon (Nathan), Ashley Rauzino (Jesey) and Adam Rauzino. She is also survived by her cherished mother, Maria Zenaide Da Silva; her siblings, Suzanne Amaral, George Da Silva (Sherry) and David Da Silva (Karen); her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leo and Charry Rauzino; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Marie has reunited in heaven with her father, Fernando Da Silva, as well as her beloved mother-inlaw and father in-law, Angelina and Mike Rauzino. Her family will forever remember Marie for her selfless love, compassionate heart, and the countless ways she cared for those around her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all who loved her.

Visiting was at Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 6-9 p.m. A private family service will take place.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

Henry William Grieve

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Henry William Grieve on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, generosity and unwavering love for his family and friends.

Best friend and loving father of Jason and Victoria. Loving son of the late Kaye Don and Dorothy Grieve and son-in-law of the late Madeline Morris-Mullins.

Beloved brother to Doug Grieve and the late Judy Grieve. Crazy loving brother-in-law to Cathy and Ron, Jerry and JoAnne, Garnet and Sue, Beth and Gerry. Treasured uncle to Kristy, Steven, Mandy, the late David, Mary Ellen and Tom, Donnie, Cheryl, Steven, Christopher, Melissa, Sarah, Laura, Craig, Ryan, Justin, Vincent and Cecilia.

For many years, Henry proudly owned and operated D&H Lift Truck Service where he served customers in and around the Leamington area, building a reputation for honesty, dedication and exceptional service.

Known as the man who was always willing to lend a helping hand, Henry could always be counted on when someone needed assistance or simply a friend to talk to. His quick wit, warm smile and welcoming presence could light up any room.

Above all else, Henry was a devoted and loving father. His children were his greatest pride and joy, and he never missed an opportunity to support, encourage and care for them. Henry loved all of his family dearly! He will be forever remembered, forever missed and forever loved!

Visiting was held at Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 1 p.m. until Words of Remembrance at 4 p.m. Cremation followed.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Erie Shores Hospice would be appreciated.

Barbara Anne to play Two Creeks Sunday

Proof of obituary to run

Barbara Anne will bring her warm country sound to the Two Creeks stage on Sunday, July 5 at 6 p.m.

July 1, 2026

Southpoint Sun

$200 plus $26 HST = $226

The evening promises a warm modern country sound with heartfelt songwriting, catchy hooks and magnetic performances. Admission is free but the hat is passed to help offset costs. Food and drink are available from the Scouts.

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca

Two Creeks Conservation Area is on Kent Road 1, a kilometre north of Wheatley.

Thanks.

Ramsay, Wreford bring new show to The Bank Theatre

By Mark Ribble

A new Broadway style show hits The Bank Theatre stage Friday, July 3 as Amazing Race Canada champions Catherine Wreford and Craig Ramsay bring Behind The Curtain to life.

Ramsay — from Harrow — says that the show will entertain and make you laugh.

“Behind The Curtain is a fun, heartfelt evening where Catherine Wreford and I pull back the curtain on our lives on Broadway and The Amazing Race Canada,” he told the Sun. “We share the highs, the setbacks, plenty of

laughs, and the moments that changed us forever. Whether you’ve spent a lifetime in the arts or have never set foot backstage, there’s something in this show for everyone.”

Patrons can expect a show with lots of music, dance and some adult content. Ramsay says he’s hoping people will find joy in their performance. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30 pm.

“More than anything, we hope people leave feeling inspired. It’s an evening about resilience, finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrating

the power of saying yes to life’s next adventure,” he added. “We’d love to see the community come out and share the experience with us at The Bank

Theatre.”

Tickets are still available by visiting banktheatre.com or call the box office at 519-326-8805.

Epic Eagles will rock the amphitheatre Saturday

The Epic Eagles: The Definitive Eagles Tribute Band, takes the stage at the Sunset Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park as part of the Music Onthe42 Summer Concert Series.

Proof of obituary to run July 1, 2026 Southpoint Sun

Presented by the Municipality of Leamington and produced by The Bank Theatre, this free outdoor concert promises an evening of classic rock on Saturday, July 4 at 6:30 p.m. with ultrasonik, followed by Epic Eagles at 8:30 p.m.

$200 plus $26 HST = $226

Any changes please email sun@southpointsun.ca

Thank you.

Recognized as one of North America’s premier

Eagles tribute bands, Epic Eagles delivers an authentic concert experience featuring the timeless music of the Eagles and Don Henley. Featuring Dean Young, formerly the lead singer and drummer for Hotel California, alongside renowned drummer and percussionist Jeff Salem, the band faithfully recreates the signature harmonies and musicianship that made the Eagles one of the best-selling bands of all time.

Audiences can expect

to hear iconic favourites including Hotel California, Take It Easy, Life in the Fast Lane, One of These Nights, Desperado, New Kid in Town, The Boys of Summer, Dirty Laundry, and more, all performed in their original keys with remarkable musical accuracy.

“There’s nothing quite like enjoying great live music on our beautiful waterfront,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “Epic Eagles and ultrasonik are sure to put on an incred-

ible show, and we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors for another memorable night at the Sunset Amphitheatre.”

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the show comfortably. Refreshments will be available for purchase on-site.

LT-Go Transit will be running extended service until 11 p.m., providing convenient transportation to and from the concert.

Catherine Wreford, left, and Craig Ramsay perform in Behind The Curtain. Photo submitted

The Essex County Pickers Group entertained at a fundraiser held June 20 at the Lions Hall for the Kingsville Community Food Bank. It was a great night of music that raised $630 to help replenish the pantry at the food bank. Photo submitted

Bevel Line property gets green light from council

By Mark Ribble

A popular property on the Bevel Line will soon become a residential subdivision provided the draft of subdivision passes through the County of Essex approval process.

Leamington council approved Zoning Bylaw amendments for the property at their June 23 council meeting.

The 5.92 hectare parcel of land has long been the

home of Pelee Karting, dating back to the 1970s when go-kart rentals began. The current track was designed and built in 1997.

The track has also hosted sanctioned racing every season for a number of years.

Local karting participants are concerned about the decision and hope that municipal officials can work with the karting community to

find an alternative parcel of land to construct a new track within the municipality.

One karting supporter said it’s important to recognize the value of the sport within the community and a new track would certainly do that.

“Such a facility would not only preserve an important local tradition, but could also become a regional tourism destination,” he said. “Leam-

ington already attracts visitors through its waterfront, Point Pelee and agricultural tourism. A modern motorsports facility would diversify those attractions and create additional economic opportunities.”

The proposed development will offer six semi-detached dwellings, 87 townhouses and a three-storey 40-unit residential building as well as a buffer zone

KNIGHTS HELP FISH FESTIVAL KIDS ACTIVITIES

between the property and the wetlands behind it.

The plan complies with Leamington’s Official Plan and also that of Essex County.

The public meeting held on June 23 produced nobody to speak against the development. One letter of support was sent to administration.

Meanwhile, the karting community is hoping for a future in the municipality.

“The karting community is not asking the town to stop progress,” a spokesperson said. “We are asking for a partnership. We are asking that as one recreational asset is lost, a plan is developed to ensure that the next generation of children and families still have the opportunity to enjoy this sport in Leamington.”

A date has not yet been set for any development.

The St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus Council 4501 has once again stepped up to help the Wheatley Fish Festival with their children’s activities. For the third year, they’ve made a $1,000 donation to help offset costs at the festival, particularly with the activities at Coulter Park. In the back row are Knights Doug Walker, Frank Baptista and Ron McCracken along with Fish Festival committee member Heidi Omstead. In front are Fish Festival committee members Laura Simpson, Jocelyn Jones and Jodi Mummery.

SUN photo by Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY FISH FESTIVAL ENJOYS SUPERB WEATHER

Makey lets a steel washer fly during Saturday’s waddies tournament. The Wheatley Swans drove around in style over the weekend, as witnessed here by these two vehicles all decked out for the car show Saturday.

Sarah Simpson shows the form that won her and partner Luciano Pannunzio the Legion waddies tournament uptown on Saturday.

Members of the Collard Fisheries tug o’ war team dig in during their first pull against the team from Garage Gym. The Collard team bested Garage Gym and then beat defending champions The Hog Crackers in the final to take home the trophy.

Everly Howe sits patiently while her face becomes that of a colourful cheetah during the kids activities Friday night.

The Lasher O sits just outside of Wheatley Harbour under a full moon, anxiously awaiting the fireworks Sunday evening.

Nashville artist Madison Olivia opened the country hoedown on Friday night.

Legion President Tom Brown with his 1926 Model T Ford, on display at the Legion during the car show.

One of the most popular stations at the kids activities was the balloon artist.

When darkness fell on Sunday night, the festival was given a proper send-off with spectacular fireworks at the harbour.

Wheatley is a hockey town and it didn’t take long to prove it with this skill-testing hockey display.

The Fish Festival Car Show attracted some 150 classic vehicles, filling the uptown streets on Saturday.

The annual firefighters’ water barrel competition was held on the east side of the harbour with Lakeshore Fire taking the title for the second year in a row.

The annual boat parade took place Sunday evening with a half dozen fishing tugs and another half dozen private vessels taking part.

Celtic tradition celebrated once again at Highland Games

By Paul Forman

The return of the Kingsville Highland Games didn’t skip a beat as a huge crowd enjoyed a beautiful June 27 to appreciate all of the richness of Scottish culture.

Finding a new home on the grounds of Ruthven’s Colasanti’s Tropical

Gardens, the games drew visitors from afar with its offerings of heavy events, dance, pipe bands, traditional food, and the tartans of many Scottish clans for sale.

Chairman of the Kingsville Highland Games, Doug Plumb, could be found zipping around

the grounds in a golf cart ensuring that all was running according to plan. Making a quick pit stop, Plumb said, “We broke a record for sales in this year’s games. The weather, you couldn’t ask for more. The venue is top-notch and our host, Colasanti’s, has been

spectacular.”

These Highland Games are gaining quite a reputation as teams from Nova Scotia and Northern Ireland made their way here to compete in the highly anticipated tug of war competition.

Competition wasn’t confined to the rope pull-

ers as competitions for dance, heavy events, piping and drumming took place over the entire day.

On a lighter note, demonstrations for sheep herding and shearing could be observed, and the always-popular haggis hurl crowned a new champion this year,

Mayor of Amherstburg Michael Prue. Colours and camaraderie ended the games with an impressive collection of mass bands entertaining those who remained for the finale of the Scottish celebration.

SUN

photos by Paul Forman

Hailing all the way from Nova Scotia, the Falmouth team in black were amongst the top teams in this year’s tug of war competition at the Kingsville Highland Games.

Dennis Rogers attempted to defend his title in the haggis hurl. He came up a bit short, as Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue was crowned this year’s champ.

Pictured is the beginning of a sheep shearing demonstration, a traditional rural skill with Scottish roots.

World-Class Masters competitor Michael Dibbley lets out a roar as he competes in the hammer throw, one of many tosses in the heavy events competition.

Some novice dancers begin their routine in the dance tent on the grounds of Colasanti’s.

Ian Linch warmed up by the Town of Kingsville tent before a team piping contest.

Looking back ...

From the Leamington Post June 27, 1907

Joe Cross, one of the best-known trainmen hereabouts, lost his leg yesterday by an accident at Kaministiquia (west of Thunder Bay) whilst switching. Conductor John McPherson was in charge of the train which went as far as Dexter and was returning light.

At Kaministiquia, whilst switching, a coupling chain had to be attended to and Brakeman Cross went between the cars to pull out the pin. By some unfortunate occurrence, Cross slipped and a flat car ran over his left foot, which was terribly mangled.

The injured man was brought to McKellar hospital and doctors decided that an amputation was necessary, above the ankle.

Cross was a steady and reliable brakeman and his many friends are distressed at the unfortunate occurrence. He has been a very enthusiastic musician and played trombone in the 96th Regimental Band.

Joe Cross, son of John Cross, Leamington, can count as his friend every citizen who knew him, while his family will have the sympathy of the entire town.

The life of a brakeman is a hard and dangerous one, and sooner or later, nine-tenths of them receive serious and perhaps fatal injuries. Fortunately for Joe, he is a first-class musician and telegraph operator.

People are not all of one mind on the bill prohibiting the use of tobacco in any form by boys under 16. Even women are divided on such a measure.

At the recent women’s club convention, one prominent woman questioned the wisdom of it. The injustice of this bill – which makes the “using of tobacco in public places by a boy under 16 punishable of a fine of $10 or 30 days imprisonment in the county jail” – was pointed out, and the speaker urged club-women to use their influence against such a bill remaining on the books in case it comes law.

While it is considered that the evil of the tobacco habit in boys is deplorable and should be suppressed, the punishment proposed in the bill, it is believed, will work more harm than good. The son of the rich man can pay the $10 and the incident will soon be forgotten. The son of a poor man or widow cannot raise $10, so he goes to jail for 30 days and comes out with a loss of self-respect and a stigma on his good name that time cannot efface. He receives the jeers of companions and feels the shame that has fallen on his family, and a downward career has perhaps been thrust upon him by the enforcement of a law, and the infliction of a punishment more damaging in its moral effects than his offense.

From the Kingsville Reporter June 27, 1907

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cady, of this place, will entertain about 100 of their friends and relatives on the 4th of July. Each year some members of this family has a reunion and they all attend it. Last year it was held at Belleville Michigan when a large number of Canadian relatives attended. This year the Yankee cousins will come over here.

A brakesman on the railway came very near to having his life crushed out here on Monday. He was in the act of wheeling 1,000 pounds of cement from the car to the platform when the plank slipped, letting the large truck and cement fall. He escaped with a badly bruised leg. An inch or two more towards him would have killed him instantly.

Last Thursday evening, a horse came tearing through the streets running away. The buggy contained a little girl and a man. Several men rushed out and stopped the frightened animal. No damage was done.

While rowing along close to shore on his skiff on Monday, E.R. Wigle noticed what he took to be a large sack on the shore. On examination he found it was a large cork life preserver, and on examining it closer, there was found a small cotton bag tied to it. On opening it, E.R. almost fell down, for it contained quite a nice bunch of bills and silver. Now don’t everybody come at once to claim this prize, for you will first be obliged to tell the name that is stamped on the life preserver and also how much the bag contained and of what denomination.

Mr. Lonsbury of Kingsville just bought the butcher shop from Jason Malott here. Mr. Lonsbury will open up right away and keep the finest kinds of meat.

From the Wheatley Journal June 22, 1939

According to notices received by local milk dealers, the Public Health Act requires the compulsory pasteurization of all milk offered for sale and is applicable to Wheatley, Romney, and that part of Mersea Township lying south of the line between Concessions 6 and 7, and comes into force on the 30th day of June, 1939. Some 19 new districts are included in the proclamation.

It makes no difference whether we agree with the principle of pasteurization or not, public health authorities have decided that it is necessary to protect the public health, and heavy fines have been levied in various places where the act was not observed. After June 30, selling raw milk will be illegal and punishable by a fine, whether the amount sold is one pint or 1,000 pints, anywhere in the areas outlined above.

Clippings from the Wheatley Journal

Photo courtesy of the Kingsville

Leamington’s

Bank

Wharram’s Jewellery

waterworks

upper right

dynamite factory situated where today’s library

July 1986 - A highlight among the many events staged to mark the 25th anniversary of Campers Cove was the beauty pageant. Nearly 500 people attended the event. The winners picked from the 13 entries are shown left to right: Miss Campers Cove Kim Church, Miss Wheatley Jocelyn Reid, Miss Romney Connie Collard, and Miss Mersea Michelle Moody.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

WORD SCRAMBLE

Rearrange the letters to spell

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you are a powerhouse this week. Your energy levels will remain steady as the days go on, and people will notice your drive. Channel this energy into something positive.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

It’s your week right now, Taurus, and the stars want to indulge. Indulge in something luxurious and enjoy yourself. You have earned the right to some pampering.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Use your gift of gab to mend a relationship issue that stemmed from a misunderstanding, Gemini. Expect some invitations to come your way and a surprise text mid-week.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You are feeling extra sensitive to others’ energy right now, Cancer. It is alright to decline social invitations to protect your peace of mind. A creative breakthrough may emerge while alone.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Don’t shy away from the microphone or the spotlight, Leo. Whether it is at work or in your personal life, your charisma will be your greatest asset this week. You will be the star of the show.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Decluttering can go a long way to making you feel better, Virgo. Clear your desk to clear your mind. Once the physical chaos is gone, you may find the answer to the problem you have.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, the scales start to tip toward your personal life instead of your professional one this week. Focus on your spouse or special someone and make time for extra moments together.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Let go of a habit or a resentment that no longer serves you, Scorpio. Just like a snake sheds an old skin, you’ll feel lighter and ready to tackle anything.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

You might be ready for a trip, Sagittarius. Even if you can’t take a flight right now, explore a new neighborhood or try a different restaurant you’ve been meaning to check out.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

A small adjustment to your budget now may lead to a big payoff later on, Capricorn. Your financial discipline is a superpower this week, so stick to the plan.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Others are finally catching up to all of your big ideas, Aquarius. Pitch that unconventional plan you have been holding back and you’ll likely have some fans.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pay attention to any coincidences that pop up during the next several days, Pisces. The universe is trying to tell you something about your next move.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

JUNE 28 - Mike White, Filmmaker (56)

JUNE 29 - Melora Hardin, Actress (59)

JUNE 30 - Michael Phelps, Athlete (41)

JULY 1 - Daniela Avanzini, Singer (22)

JULY 2 - Lindsay Lohan, Actress (40)

JULY 3 - Patrick Wilson, Actor (53)

JULY 4 - Post Malone, Rapper (31)

Public Notice of Pesticide Use

The Municipality of Leamington intends to control weeds on curbs, trails and rural bridges beginning on July 8, 2026, weather permitting, and ending October 30, 2026. The application of pesticides will be completed for public health and safety per section 7.1(2) of the Pesticides Act.

Curbs and Trails will be treated with AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide which contains the active ingredient Ammonium Salt of Fatty Acid 36% (Registration #32719) registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).

Fence lines will be treated with Garlon XRT Herbicide which contains the active ingredient triclopyr, present as butoxyethyl ester 755g/L (Registration#28945) under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).

Rural bridges will be treated with Roundup Ultra2 Liquid Herbicide, containing the active ingredient glyphosate, present as potassium salt (Registration #28486) or Sicario 540 Herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate, present as potassium salt (Registration #34686) under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).

For questions or concerns, please contact:

Ken Brown, Manager of Public Works Municipality of Leamington 519-326-5761

(Collect calls will be accepted)

HELP WANTED

REQUIRED FULL TIME Greenhouse Worker. $17.60 per hour, 50+ hours, 7 days per week. Must be available Saturdays and Sundays. Work site 341 Morse Road, Leamington ON. Have own transportation. Crop maintenance, harvesting and other duties. Able to lift 40 pounds on a repetitive basis. No education or experience required. Apply at office or phone 519-326-6325. my6-jl8

PINNACLE ACRES

REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $17.60/hr 50+ hours, 7 days/wk. Must be available Saturday & Sunday. Work site: 333 County Rd 18, Leamington ON, rural setting, must have own transportation. Crop maintenance and harvesting, other duties as required. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40lbs on a repetitive basis, fast paced environment, strong work ethic, punctual, reliable. No experience or education required. Please apply via email: careers@ pinnacle-acres.com

APARTMENT MANAGERS

REQUIRED - Full time. Must live on site to manage and maintain apartment building. Janitorial and handyman duties. Position includes apartment and salary. Please forward resumé to P.O. Box 241, Leamington ON N8H 3X4. jn17-tfn

M&M FARMS LTD -

Greenhouse Worker positions available at our Leamington and Kingsville locations. Responsibilities: crop work, winding, pruning, harvesting, checking quality of harvested produce, other duties as assigned.

Work Conditions: fastpaced environment, repetitive tasks, standing for extended periods, bending, crouching, kneeling, attention to detail, working at heights, hot environment. Hours: 45+ hours per week including weekends. Wage: $17.60 per hour, seasonal, full time. No education or experience required. Must have own transportation. Please forward resume to jobsmmfarms@outlook.com or fax: 519-322-0681. jn27-jl15

PACKERS - VEGETABLE GREENHOUSE

Full-time Monday to Saturday • $17.60 per hour No experience necessary - will train.

We are seeking dedicated and detail-oriented Packers to join our team. The ideal candidates will be responsible for efficiently packing and preparing products for shipment, ensuring quality standards are met. This role is vital in maintaining smooth operations within our production process and delivering excellent service to our customers. Prior experience is a plus, we welcome applicants eager to learn new skills. This position offers an engaging work environment where teamwork and attention to detail are highly valued.

Responsibilities:

• Pack products accurately according to specifications and quality standards.

• Inspect produce before packing.

• Capable of lifting up to 25 lbs.

• Maintain a clean and organized packing area.

• Assist with inventory management and restocking supplies as needed.

• Follow safety protocols related to packing area. Apply:

Kingsone Farms Inc. 838 Road 3 East, Kingsville, ON

519-329-1494.

Radio Club holds annual field day

The Sun Parlour Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) participated in their annual Field Day on the weekend of June 27-28, as members came together to make contact with thousands of amateur radio enthusiasts across North America.

The largest amateur radio club in Southwestern Ontario,

SPARC has over 50 members, spread out over Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, with a recent expansion into Sarnia-Lambton.

Each year, on the second-tolast weekend in June, amateur radio enthusiasts across North America participate in the Field Day, keeping their skills

honed for emergency preparedness.

Every municipal plan must have an agreement with a local amateur radio club as a backup for communications in the event of a disaster such as a tornado, flood, earthquake or even a hydro blackout.

The club uses three different

stations — communicating through computer code, over the phone and through Morse Code, logging every contact for points. Extra points are given for municipal officials visits, media coverage and other special items.

Last year, the club made over 2,000 contacts across

Visitors are planning their

North America and into the Caribbean and had the highest score in Canada for their class. They were 16th overall in North America.

The team made well over 2,500 contacts this year and they expect that once points are added up, they hope to be in the top 10 in North America.

Those who participated in this year’s field day included, from left, Bill Reynolds, Bill Hunter, Tim Mousseau, Bill Burrows, Gerry Davies, Carlos Cardosa, Clayton Smith, Terry Greenwood, Tim McMullin, Rebekah Bloomfield, George Pettitt, Kevin Oliver, Bryan Vetor, Doug Reynolds, Mike Ciacelli and Marty Pfeiffer.

Clayton Smith helps new operator Rebekah Bloomfield, who is a member of the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment Cadets, with digital contacts at this year’s radio field day. SUN photos by Mark Ribble

Eustaquio becomes instant hero with late goal over South Africa

Leamington-born midfielder Stephen Eustaquio has reached national hero status after his game-winning goal in Sunday’s World Cup soccer victory over South Africa.

Eustaquio’s Leamington roots run deep, with many members of the Portuguese community happy to count him as a relative. In particular, the Antunes family is thrilled for Stephen to be representing the family and the community.

Eustaquio and his older brother Mauro grew up in the Plumbrook area of Leamington and attended St. Louis Catholic Elementary School before moving to Portugal when Stephen was seven.

The 29-year-old has never forgotten his roots and quietly went about his business as an integral part of Canada’s Men’s National Team.

Now, he’s being compared to Sydney Crosby and Paul Henderson — two hockey players who catapulted the Canadian Men’s team to glory. His emotional interviews following the victory that put Canada into the ‘Round of 16’ for the first time ever, are testament to his dedication to his sport and his memories of his hometown.

Canada’s next game will be Saturday, July 4 versus Morocco, who came from behind to beat The Netherlands Monday.

Talbot Trail seniors enjoy June scramble

By Bob McLean

On June 23 there were fifty-four Talbot Trail senior golfers who participated in the first scramble of 2026.

The 14 teams had scores ranging from a low of 35 to a high of 39. Four teams tied with 35s and three scored 39s.

The CP on #7 was achieved by Larry Schmidt and his team T3G2. Most players found this hole to be very challenging. Jim Pearson was the CP victor on #9. His terrific shot into the stiff wind earned T6G1 the win. Dave Clark drained an

Paul Harrison, Ray Foster and John Liddell were first and each player received a $12 gift card. T4G1 players Eugene Kerrigan, Mac Hyatt, Dave Clark and Tim Will were second and received $8 gift cards. Third place players of T8G1 were Gerry Becigneul, Tom Bishop, Dave Chambers and Joe Drummond. T6G1 playing partners were Joe Vrtel, Vic Marcovecchio, Tom Hyatt and Jim Pearson. Third, fourth and the Most Travelled team received golf balls.

Sleeves of golf balls, gift cards of $10, $15, $20 and $25 were won. Finally, two lucky league players each received $65 in the 50-25-25 draw.

excellent 13-foot putt on #2 to win the LP for T4G1 players. Schmitty, Pearcie and Clarky earned a sleeve of balls each for their personal effort. All players received $10 TT gift cards. A draw of numbered poker chips decided how the teams with 35 finished. T1G1 players John Hall,

The league thanks Phil, the manager, for preparing the delicious hamburgers and fries. Megan and Mackenna did an excellent job feeding the hungry, thirsty players. George (carts), Derek Brown and his staff (course) made the day go very smoothly.

Joe, Dave, Bill, Ray and Randy and all the joke tellers made the scramble day a success.

Stephen Eustaquio prior to the 2022 World Cup.

The Sol Leam competition contested at Erie Shores Golf and Country Club was completed June 24. Marianne Wisternoff’s Warriors came out on top, 13 points to 12 points over Tym Brannigan’s Royalz. This was one of the closest fought battles in the over 20-year history of the Sol Leam competition. From the left, standing: Blanche Cavanagh, Linda Segedin, Diane Parkinson, Captain Marianne Wisternoff, Cheryl Rutgers, Betty Paterson and Muriel Davey. Kneeling: Betty Bouliane, Debbie Dunmore and Brenda Ruiter. Absent from photo were Jo-Anne Smith and Laurie Munro.

Photo submitted SOL LEAMINGTON CUP WINNERS

best with adopters who enjoy quieter outdoor time and are committed to continuing her training and socialization at her pace. Shepherd experience, or experience with shy or anxious dogs, would be a strong asset. Mitzy has done well meeting calm, respectful dogs and could potentially enjoy a canine companion who will give her space and help her feel secure. She would not be a match for cats or other small animals, as she is known to chase them. She may do well with respectful, dog-savvy children who understand when she needs space, though due to her excitement and tendency to jump up and give enthusiastic face kisses, sturdier kids would be the best fit. She will need patience, guidance, and time to decompress.

The U11 Leamington Whitecaps were

tournament play at home this past weekend, finishing with the bronze medal. They kicked off the tournament

a 10-5 loss to LaSalle Gold, then reeled off three wins in a row over Chatham, LaSalle Green and Corunna to reach the semi-final round. They lost a 9-6 heartbreaker to Corunna, which put them in the bronze medal game, where they edged LaSalle Green 11-9. Here at Mersea Park, the Whitecaps take on LaSalle Green in a game on Saturday afternoon. On the left, Leamington pitcher Ella George unleashes a pitch. In the photo on the right, Whitecaps first baseman Jocelyn Dulac reaches for a ball thrown her way. The runner was safe at first. SUN photos by Mark Ribble

Kingsville Friendly Club

There were 38 members of the Kingsville Friendly Club who took part in card games on June 23.

Bridge: Gillian Pinkney 3620, Alta VanVliet 3500, Jean Kuipers 3320

Euchre: Debbie Everaert 88, Brenda Hamments 87, Doreen Hillier and Dave Malley 86. Most lone hands: Dave Malley 5. Cribbage: Stuart Wheelton 886, Dan Kir 793, Marie Geeves 764. Pepper: Winnie Moore 285. Fred Sleiman 267, Rick Wynants. Most peppers: Winnie Moore and Bill Fielding 6.

Door prize winners were Bill Fielding, Linda Trott and Dave Hedge.

There were 51 members present on June 26. Bridge: Mac Stanley 3100, Mandy Hric 2630, Marh DeGoey 2610. Euchre: Stuart Wheelton 85, Irene Myers 83, John Gerhardt 79. Most lone hands: Real Couture 5. Pepper: Kathy Hedge 280, Gail Burns 261, Winnie Moore 256. Most peppers: Winnie Moore 9.

Door prize winners were Fred Sleiman, Claudette Sulek and Alta VanVliet.

The Kingsville Friendly Club meets every Tuesday and Friday at the Lions Hall, 21 Mill St. West. Doors open at noon and play starts at 12:45 sharp, followed by social time at 3:15.

Numerous local soccer teams recently competed

dar Point on the final weekend of May.

gold, with the U12 Girls, U15 Boys and U18 Boys being crowned champions. The U14 Boys also did well, taking the silver medal in their division. In the top left are the SC United U18 boys. In the photo top right are the SC United U12 girls. In the photo to the left are the SC United U15 boys.